Do I Hear Jesus' Word?

To Hear - To Understand

Jesus said: “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. (Mark 4:9 NLT)

Jesus taught with stories called parables. He used familiar scenes of His time to explain “Spiritual Truths”.

He compelled the listener to think. This method concealed the truth from anyone too stubborn or prejudiced to hear what was being said.

Have you ever shared God’s truth with someone like that? It can feel frustrating. I’m trying to get a message across, and they are purposely not getting it!

·         Most parables have one main point that Jesus intended to teach. We must be careful not to place more meaning to a story than what Jesus intended.  How do we know what Jesus intended?

This type of hearing is different than our casual hearing music or another’s long-winded story.

To truly hear Jesus’ words is to:

• ·         Believe them,
• ·         Use them immediately in decisions and attitudes
• ·         Base our life on them

Our recreation and work, family plans and money matters, praying and worshiping, depends on us making Jesus the true LORD of our life!

What is Jesus saying to you?  What do you hear?

 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

‘When they see what I do,
    they will learn nothing.
When they hear what I say,
    they will not understand.
Otherwise, they will turn to me
    and be forgiven.”

(Mark 4:11-12)

I ask myself:  Am I an outsider – Am I a Believer? Do I have “understanding”?

Only as we put God’s teachings into practice, will we understand and see more of the truth!

Understanding – Free From Worry

but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. (Mark 4:19 NLT)

The truth is clear, but our ability to understand is imperfect.  As we obey God’s word, practicing applying His word to our lives, we will sharpen our vision and increase our understanding.

The worries of life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for things plagues 1^st century disciples, just as they do us today!

How easy it is for our daily routines to become overcrowded. A Life packed with materialistic pursuits (none of us like those words, or implications about our self), crowds out God’s word and leaves us unfruitful for Him!

Be careful – Do not allow the worries for tomorrow, crowd out your blessings of today!

Stay free from the world’s trappings, it’s worries, so the word of God can be heard – hear Him – when He speaks to you!

• ·         And Mark 4:24 holds His promise: “Then He added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.
• ·         As Mark 4: 25 cautions us...”To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

To understand Jesus’ message, people must hear and respond!!!  Those who hear casually, for whatever reason, will miss the point!

Do you know the point of Jesus’ word?

Is it to know God’s Will for My Life?

Encouragement

Read Scripture daily. Spend time meditating on the word – sitting quietly (a few moments at a time) with God…do you hear Him? 

Check out: Spirit of Truth - How to Resist the Devil

Rita Shipman, MCC

480-861-4487

Rita is a Christian Counselor who is seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, "to be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him in the next". (Serenity Prayer).

Living Together Outside of Marriage - What is God's Will?

Living Together Outside of Marriage  - Its ok - That's what I thought.

Our culture indicates that living together outside of marriage is okay. Satan whispers in our ear, "It's okay, there is nothing wrong with it."  What does God's word say?

Read 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. ¹⁹ Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, ²⁰ for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor God with your body.

Living together outside of marriage hurts God because it shows that we prefer following our own desires instead of the leading of the Holy Spirit.

What's wrong with that...it is my life - isn't it?

God wants to protect us from damaging ourselves and others, and He offers to fill us, our loneliness, our desires, with Himself.

In my search for love and acceptance, I followed my own desires. I was conflicted by my desire to be needed, wanted, and resentful for feeling like I had to give something up from myself, to get loved. I felt bound by my performance (what I do) rather then core value and worth (who I am). I accepted the belief that I wasn't "good enough" to committed to in marriage. Over-functioning to be needed, valued, or loved.  Attempting to care for others at the expense of my own self needs; feeling victimized and "used" as a result.

Did you ever feel these feelings?  Did you ever wonder why you would give yourself away "that way"?

Not a New Day

·         Sexual temptations surround our culture, just as in 1 Corinthians, when Paul spoke to a society just like ours today.  You mean...this is not new thinking?

(vs 12) You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.

(See the page on: Man, those Israelites...can you believe that they did not hear God's message?)

Why is sexual sin outside of marriage so serious?  It always hurts someone.  It hurts God because it shows that we prefer to satisfy our desires our own way instead of according to God's word or to satisfy these desires immediately instead of waiting for His timing.

It hurts others because it violates the commitment so necessary to a relationship.  It hurts us because it often brings disease to our bodies and adversely affects our personalities.

It affects our personality which responds in anguish when we harm ourselves physically and spiritually.

God’s Plan

Christians are free to be all we can be for God, but we are not free from God. God created sex to be a beautiful and essential ingredient in marriage.

God wants to protect us from hurting ourselves and others, and He loves us too much to remove our free will.  Thus, we are to have no part in sexual immorality by turning toward Him, even if our culture accepts it.

• Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians is: 

Live God’s way, one day at a time. He will show us what to do!

Ref: Serenity Prayer (below)

Revelations 2:20 reminds us how those who encourage sexual sin will be dealt with, if they do not repent their actions.

“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin..."

Jezebel signifies Satan's ways in our lives.  He comes to discourage, destroy, detour, and cause division away from God's way.

Join me in the journey of developing a relationship with God. It takes time and work.  Eternal life is worth some work now...right?

Believe in God

·         Take time to re-evaluate my life to see if I truly believe in God.

(1 Corinthians 6;11) Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

(Chronological Bible, New Living Translation)

The Serenity Prayer

GOD, grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change,

Courage to change the
things I can, and the
wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as the
pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this
sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make
all things right if I
surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy
in this life, and supremely
happy with Him forever in
the next. 

Amen

NOTE: The full text of the original "Serenity Prayer" written by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

This is the full prayer attributed to Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr reportedly written in 1926. Niebuhr was a Lutheran pastor and theologian. Usually his "Serenity Prayer" is quoted using the first 2 verses only.

Rita Shipman, MCC

480-861-4487

Rita is a Christian Counselor who is seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, "to be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him in the next". (Serenity Prayer).  It is her desire to help others to grow in their relationship with God.

Man, those Israelites...what was their deal?

Man, those Israelites...can you believe that they did not hear God's message? They did not see God's miracles...believe God's Word?

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!"  (Malachi 3:10 NLT)

Today

We meet many people, even ourselves, who say we are Christian, yet we do not want to follow God's ways. Maybe we are afraid we will lose what we have worked so hard to get. Justifying how we do not have enough money to tithe, not enough time to serve, or to read God's word; not enough willpower to do what His word tells us to do.

The focus may be self-centered, fearful and totally following Satan's plan - as he causes us to be discouraged, to have doubt, to feel like a failure - as he causes division between us and God. A broken relationship because of sin, hypocrisy, careless living, and neglecting God...The focus may be full of denial, as in verse 7 where God says, "return to me". This all can have devastating consequences.

As with the Israelite's, today we have also turned away - yet we say: "But how can we return when we have never gone away?" We are practicing denial, just as they did back in 430BC. They did not hear God's will, they practiced expediency, neglect, and disobedience. Not wanting to be held responsible for their feelings, attitudes, or behaviors. Are we much different? 

What Can We Learn

We read Malachi 1:13 NLT:

You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.

We think, how could they do such things, what were they thinking, they had all the evidence in front of their eyes....How can we? We have all the evidence in God's word! 

Do we steal money, time, or other's belongings, and keep everything He provides for our-self? Do we justify our disobedience? Do we take short-cuts to get to where we want to be? Can we ask ourselves these hard questions? Are we really God's children, calling ourselves Christians?

During that time, people sacrificed to God wrongly:

1. being as cheap as possible
2. not caring how they offered their sacrifice (grumbling, reluctantly vs.  joyfully and cheerfully).
3. outright disobedience

Their method of giving demonstrated their real attitude toward God...Do expedience, neglect, and disobedience characterize our giving?

What can we learn, in God's word, about how the Israelite's did not follow God's ways, word or will for their lives?

God's Mercy

“Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?” asks the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (Malachi 1:9 NLT)

We misjudge God's word - we are not hearing - He is faithful. He says: "Give and you will receive" (Luke 6:38 NLT). 

God is ready to return to us, if we are willing to return to Him! God's will is for us to remain faithful to Him. To love, fear, honor, and respect Him!

How often do I say, "I want to know God's will for my life?"


Rita Shipman, MCC
480-861-4487

Rita is a Christian Counselor who is seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, "to be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him in the next". (Serenity Prayer).

Spirit of Truth - How to Resist the Devil

Spirit of Truth

When we admit our sin and turn away from it, Christ’s love lives in us by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth! (John 17:3 NLT)

To be in God’s word daily is important…why?  As a follower of Christ – A Christian – we become pure and holy through believing and obeying the word of God…do I believe that?  Am I a real Christian?

 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12 NLT)

How can I obey God’s word, if I do not know what it says?

My Crossroad

When I come to a crossroad in my life, with a choice I am to make, sometimes I feel like I am on my own, like I need to make an immediate decision. If I am armed with the world’s habit of thinking, Satan’s agenda, I may choose to lie, to save face, to make an excuse or to justify my self-centered behaviors – Have you ever lied in such a situation?  I have.

Or, I may see something small, an object that I desire, and I take it – justifying to myself that I deserve it or that it is okay just because I want it…Have you ever stole something?  I have.

Or, I may participate in laughing at other’s behaviors or short-comings, to make myself feel larger, better, or more superior than they are…Have you gossiped about others? I have.

As Jesus said in John 17:14,

I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

• ·         The world hates Christians
• ·         The world follows Satan’s agenda
• ·         Satan is the enemy of Jesus

Satan’s Plan

Satan’s plan is to plant doubt about God’s word, to discourage me by encouraging me to focus on my problems, rather than looking to God; by diversion, so that the wrong things seem attractive to me; to make me feel like a failure, so I give up easily; using all of this – so I will delay moving forward in God’s ways, word, and wisdom.

But it is hard to find the time to read scripture, it is hard to change my willful nature…

What is God’s will for my life?

God’s Plan

By applying God’s word daily, we can experience the purifying effect on our minds and hearts. We can turn to God to transform our thinking. Scripture points out our sinful ways through God’s word, His ways, and wisdom, which motivates us to:

• ·         Confess our ways and self-centered sinful nature,
• ·         Renew our relationship with Christ,
• ·         Guiding us on the path of everlasting life.

Jesus Explained in Mark 14 – How to Resist the Devil

1. (verse 34) Keep Watch – Stay awake and morally vigilant.
2. (verse 35) Continually talk with God, to pray in all situations – This is how to maintain vigilance.
3. (verses 33,37,40,41) Seek support of friends and loved ones. This is how we build up our resistance and help others; when one is weak, others are strong!
4. (verse 36) Focus on the purpose God has given, this is how we do God’s will and not our own, in this life.

(verse 35-36), While praying, Jesus was aware of what “doing the Father’s will” would cost Him – enduring the horrible physical pain and spiritual separation from His Father, this is indicated in His words:

He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by.  “Abba, Father,” He cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Yet, in my own life, I am surprised when I am facing pain, I get angry at God…

Jesus experienced all the human emotions that we experience in our storms and struggles. He showed me how to be obedient.

How to Do This

By calling out to Jesus, trusting Him with our true feelings, then turning toward Him. God is wanting us to depend on Him. He is willing and wanting to forgive us; to restore our relationship with Him, as we admit our sin, and begin to “adapt to our adoption”.

• ·         Accept I am a new creation in God
• ·         Look for the “You do” commands in the Bible and apply them to my life!

This is how we learn God’s will for my life!

Rita Shipman, MCC

480-861-4487

Rita is a Christian Counselor who is seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, "to be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him in the next". (Serenity Prayer).

Follow Jesus' Lead Against Satan's Plans

Follow Jesus' Lead Against Satan's Plans

In Mark 14: 36 NLT - Jesus, while praying, was fully aware of what doing the Father's will would cost Him.  He understood the suffering He was about to encounter, He did not desire to endure the horrible experience, however, Jesus prayed, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine".

How many times, in my life, have I seen God's goodness come out of my temporary pain?  I fell into Satan's plan of temptation, I had doubt, and I delayed doing as God's word had instructed me to do, I felt defeated and alone. But then God brought other opportunities for me, different choices, which when I followed His way, turned for my good. (This I could see in hindsight, not at the time of my journey.)

Satan's Plan to tempt us causes:

Doubt - to make me question God's word and His goodness.

Discouragement - to make me look at my problems rather than to God.

Diversion - to make the wrong things seem attractive, so I will want them more than to be pleasing to God.

Defeat - to make me feel like a failure, so that I do not even try - I give up easily!

Delay - to make me put off doing things to move forward, so it never gets done.

Jesus explained how to resist:

1. Keep watch: (Mark 14:34) Stay awake and morally vigilant,
2. Pray to God (Mark 14:35) This is how to maintain vigilance
3. Seek support of friends and loved ones (Mark 14:33, 37, 40, 41) This is how we build up our resistance and help others; when one is weak, others are strong,
4. Focus on the purpose God has given us (Mark 14:36), This is how we do God's Will, and not our own.

Remember, Jesus understood the suffering He was about to encounter, He did not want to experience separation from His Father, "Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine".

Disobedience is sin, and it breaks our fellowship with God. However, God is wanting and willing to forgive us and to restore our relationship with Him, when we admit our sin.

God offers us salvation, as He defeats Satan and willingly gives us everlasting life with Him!

"When you are tempted, He will show you a way out

so that you can endure." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT).

So many decisions and choices Lord, help me to do what you bring before me, for me to do; to walk into the opportunities you have for me to encourage others in your name. You are the one who knows what is good for me, I put my trust in you.

Trust in Him, His Word, His Way - that is His Will for my life today!

Mark 14:33-41 (NLT)

33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 36 “Abba, Father,”[a] he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

39 Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before.40 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.

41 When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Rita Shipman, MCC

480-861-4487

Rita is a Christian Counselor who is seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, "to be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him in the next". (Serenity Prayer).

GOD IS THE STAR OF MY STORY - I don't Understand

Hello God,

Your hand is gently pushing me - Thank You Lord, you know my path, you know your love, you know what you have planned for me. I am your child, I am desiring to be your obedient child. You are the Almighty, you desire to show me your way, my sight is limited. My choices are self-centered. I am the star of my story - No, God, you are the star of my story, I am the supporting actor.

You are so beautiful to me. These words resonate inside my chest. It is like I can feel a grip on my heart that is lightly squeezing. You are so beautiful to me - can't you see? I sit here in the morning light, I am teary-eyed. I feel hopeful. I have a confident expectation of where I am headed in life, eternal life with God.

(Phil. 4: 13) "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

Many times, I have not understood situations or events in my life. I did not grasp the meaning of the thoughts, feelings, or experiences – until afterwards…in hindsight (which is 20/20 vision), for then I could see how God was working for my good, through a painful experience. Was it like this for the disciples?

(Luke 18:34 NLT)  “But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of His words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.”

Did Jesus know the disciples would not understand His words, until after the event of His death, until He was resurrected?  Yes, I am positive our All-knowing God was fully aware and in knowledge of what His disciples understood.

How many times have I failed to understand the significance of the words I was given, in the moment. Maybe I wasn’t meant to understand, until afterwards. So, some things are not going to be apparent in our lives until we go through the doors God means for us to go through on this journey.

(Phil 3: 14) "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."

Each day, God presents us with the needs and opportunities that challenge us to do what is right. He wants us to re-evaluate our thoughts, words, and deeds, to see if we are truly believing in Him! For us to understand that He is the star of our story!

 (John 6: 47) "I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life."

Thank you, God, for loving me, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, just as I am. All the praise and glory go to You, Father.

Who is the star of YOUR story?   

Rita Shipman, MCC

480-861-4487

Rita is a Christian Counselor who is seeking to grow in understanding and knowledge of God's word, "to be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him in the next". (Serenity Prayer).