A Slow Reader (corrected version)

Ever since I can remember reading has been an arduous task for me. Not because I don’t like literature or acquisition of information; on the contrary I do. But reading has been difficult because somewhere around second or third grade I had some really bad reading teachers. And at the same time I believe they dropped phonics training for whatever reason and that surely didn’t help me.

The earliest recollection I have of my reading challenges were sitting around a table with other kids. We were asked to read our assigned portion and then move to the next person in the circle, and so on and so forth. You’ve got the picture, kids reading Dick and Jane around the circle. Harmless... right?

Well, I was very slow and struggled with pronunciation. When it was my turn to read, my struggle was so evident and my nerves overwhelmed me that several other kids in the circle would begin to guffaw and groan as if to say… “Come on, hurry up, you’re so slow” with rolled eyes. That was painful to say the least.

As a result I would flair up and tell them to shut up. Then they would argue back with me and then the teacher would get fed up with the situation and blame me and move me from the circle. She would tell me to go read on my own. I would be assigned a desk by the window in the back of the room where I wouldn’t be such a distraction to the better impatient readers.

That was horrendous because not only was it embarrassing, but it retarded my reading development to a great degree.

So here I sit, almost 50 and I love to read but I’m extremely slow. As a result, if and when I want to read something it takes me what seems like a very long time to labor through a book. I think I clocked myself at around 20 pages per hour. I know it depends on the depth of the material, but somehow the deeper the work the more retention I experience (maybe because depth requires slowness and contemplation), but nonetheless reading is a labor of love for me.

So let me ask you; are the good things in life hard for you? For instance, is reading a challenge or a bore to you? Is study of important information hard for you? Do you struggle with impatience when things don’t make sense to you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone.

The problem is the best information and experiences in life are sometimes difficult to attain. Often the best things in life are NOT on the low shelf. Therefore one must scale heights of access to reach the best fruit. And unfortunately many simply give up.

As for me, I’m not giving up. I’m not going to stop reading, but on the contrary, I will press on. For somewhere in the mass amounts of literature and information out there, TRUTH exists. Oh it may be mixed in with all sorts of other things, but if one consumes enough material that is seeded with truth, a very powerful composite picture and understanding of truth begins to emerge.

And TRUTH, not just facts, but TRUTH sets us free. Beware though; we live in a world of facts. Most people can easily discern facts, but our ability to string strategic facts together into a necklace of TRUTH that makes sense can take time and contemplation, but fear not, the process is worth it.

On that note, I’ll go ahead and read a few pages and let the facts pour in and pray for God’s Spirit to show me the TRUTH and cull out error. Read on my friends… read on.

DISCLAIMER: I have many friends and even a few relatives who read very widely and deeply. If that’s you, don’t condemn me if you think my reading is shallow. I try to plumb the deeps when I can, but then again I don’t swim very well, so sometimes I stay in the shallow waters.

Ex Libris

Desperate Windows

I’m not sure exactly what year it was, 1985 or somewhere around there, that Microsoft introduced Windows to compete with Macintosh’s GUI tidal wave of user friendly PC access. And somewhere around that time the world changed profoundly.

That profound change brought to the average computer-illiterate user; power and ease like never before. And we’ve not looked back since then. As a mater of fact most of our phones, TV’s and practically all our electronic devices now operate under the GUI concept (Graphical User Interface).

I wonder what life will be like in 20 years from now. I wonder how much technology will be merged with bio-engineering so as to further advance the GUI concept of machine use and human interface. I’m talking about a seamless integration of silicone micro circuitry with living tissue recognition. I guess I’ll let you do your own Si-Fi extrapolations on that subject. But hey, I do have a laptop computer that’s about 5 years old that actually has a finger print recognition bar to swipe my finger over; if I want that level of security.

I don’t use it, because one day I had a burn on the finger I used for an ID and it didn’t read it, so I couldn’t get into my computer. I disabled the reader right away.

As for me, I’m so desperate to find a divine access point that would mirror our present technological GUI access to information and power that I could choke. Do you understand what I mean?

Access to God can be daunting at best, yet the Bible tells us this access is possible. In Malachi 3:10 the Lord tells us if we “bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse… there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (KJV)

Now don’t get caught up on the giving or money principle. It’s built into this passage, but it’s far less about money and giving as it is devotion and faith. If we are devoted and possess faith, we will commit not only money, but time and talents to God and His service. And windows will open. Access will be discovered.

But if we fail to devote in faith our life resources to Him; windows of access and blessing WILL REMAIN CLOSED. For the struggling saint may I suggest Desperate Windows? For the victorious saint may I suggest Desperate Windows?

Regardless of your state of being in Him – all of us should live with such a holy desperation for access or a window into the things of God that we cannot rest until that window is opened.

For just like Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer understood the need for an easy access interface to the power of a personal computer, so too does God know how important access to His power is for those who believe.

And whether it’s the power of tithing or whatever… God is looking to open the WINDOWS of heaven over those who are DESPERATE for access to Him. Maybe I’m just dreaming, but I believe there is coming a day when God will show up for those who seek for Desperate Windows of favor and opportunity.

I’m talking about times and places where we can hear from heaven; times and places where God shows up and freaks us out with His love and grace; times and places that provide access to power we’ve NEVER known until that very moment.

Until that time, until that day, until that very hour, Desperate Windows will be my starting point. I’m looking for ways to please my Father so as to access the view and power that only comes from His Windows, not mine.

Several years ago, I purchased a new desktop PC. It was equipped with Windows Vista. Man it was awful, and to this day, I’ve yet to upgrade and I’ve had nothing but trouble with it. But I can tell you that I’m addicted to GUI. DOS was great in its day. Simple yet powerful, but a modest understanding of language and code was necessary.

Now I want ease of use. Now I want things to work on a single click of the mouse. I’m addicted to GUI. And like my addiction to GUI, I’m also addicted to God’s GUI. I’m addicted to the idea of easy access to power and relationship with Him. I fully believe in Ephesians 2:8-9 and apply it to most areas of my relationship with God. Grace through faith. Grace through faith. Grace through faith.

So if it takes 10% of my income or whatever; I want an open window. I want ease of access. I want power at my finger tips. So whatever it takes I will devote and I will give.

Desperate Windows: the only place of genuine access to the power and ease of the Kingdom of God.

FREEDOM: The Place of the Spirit

Freedom is something that is easy to ignore, until it’s lost. For most of us, in this great land of ours, we simply don’t know the feeling of life without freedom. Granted, many of us believe we are slowly loosing our individual rights, and its likely more losses will follow, but nonetheless, I don’t have a clue as to what life would be without freedom. And I’m pretty sure you don’t know either.

As we approach our annual Independence Day celebration, can we stop for just one moment and give deep heartfelt thanks for the freedoms we do enjoy? For while it is still day, may we invite and employ the Spirit of the Lord to do what He does best. Perpetuate FREEDOM as the veil is lifted.

Paul the Apostle wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (NIV) I wonder how we would interpret this passage if we lived under the tyranny of some dictator. I wonder how we would interpret this passage if we were jailed for what we spoke and what we believe. I wonder how we would interpret this passage IF WE LOST OUR FREEDOMS.

I suppose we, as spoiled Americans, would be very frustrated and declare that God must not love us anymore and definitely that His Spirit has departed. But can I say if we really understood the freedom that comes from the abiding and indwelling Spirit of God, our demands and questions of freedoms lost would evaporate like morning dew on grass.

For while most of us interpret the freedoms we enjoy in this land to somehow be associated with stuff and personal space (capitalism and democracy), that IS NOT a very accurate interpretation of the FREEDOM the Spirit of God brings.

The freedom that comes from the Spirit of God, first and foremost does ONE THING: it lifts the veil. And while we were still dead in our trespasses, the pall of death was lifted BY GOD to expose our lifeless and motionless face. It was the Spirit of Freedom that breathed into and upon us so that we might even live; so that we might even accept the divine invitation to live.

Not once in our entire existence have we been the engineer or the impetus of our own freedom. I understand that we have fought wars and continue to do so to this day, in the name of freedom and democracy, but that IS NOT the same as what God has done by His Spirit.

For He alone sets men free. Governments don’t. Guns don’t. Laws don’t. Lands don’t. God alone is the bearer of freedom and out of that freedom (life) comes many of the operatives we USE to ACQUIRE the external freedoms we enjoy. Don’t mistake the two as one. They are NOT the same.

When the Spirit of the Lord acts upon humanity there is a two fold purpose: First the Spirit lifts the veil so life and freedom (God) can gain access to the dead and imprisoned (us). Remember life and freedom came looking for you, not the other way around. And secondly, the Spirit lifts the veil so we, with unveiled faces can reflect the glory of God. That’s right, reflect His glory NOT OURS.

We are called to life and freedom so that we might display and declare He alone as cause and effect.

King David wrote in Psalm 51 a narrative of beautiful repentance. Like few before him, he seemed to understand the magnitude of not only his dead and imprisoned soul, but also the magnitude of God’s life and freedom being offered without merit. And the key to that holy understanding was this: TRUTH ON THE INSIDE. Neither David nor we have the ability to put that truth on the inside, but God alone.

But when that truth is placed inside something dramatic happens: LIFE and FREEDOM.

Picture in your mind a morgue. A body lays motionless on a slab with a cloth covering its face. That corps has no power or will to remove the cloth and receive life and freedom. But God is the one who lifts the cloth and begins CPR like no one else can. The body begins to get color and the face once again swells with life and emotion. A gasp of inhale is heard and eyes flutter open in wonder and amazement. LIFE has come. FREEDOM is eminent. Why? Because it is the Spirit of the Lord ALONE who is able and willing to dispatch these gifts!

Now comes our part. We get up off that slab and exit that morgue and go forth to reflect and exhale the glorious Pneuma of God. And just like David wrote in Psalm 40 verse 3b: “Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.” (AMP) All because of what HE has done, not us.

So this Sunday, July 4th, 2010, go to church, come home, fire up the grill, eat delicious food, wave the flag, watch the fire works, celebrate our nations independence and never ever forget it’s all because of the Spirit. Not the spirit of ’76, but the Holy Spirit of God. Who by His very nature seeks out those who are dead and imprisoned so He can bring them to life and freedom.

POSTSCRIPT: Never let the veil of lies be found upon your face again. For too often, free men and women in their delight and indulge of this precious liberty, ignore their responsibility and purpose as bearers of His glory. And may the God who lifted the veil and gave you life and freedom, be ever reflected and exhaled for His namesake upon us. Amen.

Humor versus Joy

Now I’m not one to throw stones (usually) at those who are humorous, because I’ve been known to engage in the use of humor to ease pain, tension or just to kill time or step on my enemy’s toes. But humor actually goes way beyond the simple act of someone slipping on a banana peel and then we all laugh. You know, it’s more than slapstick and sarcasm.

Originally the term humor was derived from an ancient understanding of four body fluids; blood, phlegm, choler, and black bile. While most of us don’t think of those fluids in terms of humor or something funny, more often than not, when we are out of balance physically, emotionally and even spiritually, our humor can be affected.

Somewhere back about 1966 Doctor Tim LaHaye published a book called the Spirit Controlled Temperament. I never really understood it then, and don’t fully get it now, but I do believe our humors are greatly overlook as to their influence on how one might feel in any give moment of the day or in any given circumstance.

Seeking health and balance in all areas of life will tend to produce optimum feelings of well being. It’s when imbalance of our humors occurs that life starts to feel bad. Very often those bad feelings emerge from a lie that cries out for attention and priority. If and when we give into that lie, we find ourselves at the mercy of our humors. And be rest assured, they will be out of balance somehow and bad feelings will come forth and affect others.

One of my goals in daily life is to maintain a healthy balance in all things humorous (the four mentioned above), but when I don’t and bad feelings show up, I know I can rest assured in God’s grace. At that point His joy becomes a covering and strength for my imbalanced state of being.

Pure and true joy comes only from God. Humor and our ability to recognize its place in a well balanced life, is innate. So seek the joy of the Lord, for in it you will find strength, but revel in the opportunity to live with healthy humor toward all as you seek a balanced life.

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (KJV)

When our humors get out of balance; bones dry out, spirits are broken and life just stinks. But if you make the decision to rejoice in all things, something miraculous happens.

Start by giving thanks for all the good in your life and give thanks even in the midst of the bad. Celebrate the goodness of others and give grace for their bad. Cheer on someone who is struggling in their race and refresh them with a laurel of affection when they win or loose. Eat right and get plenty of exercise and splurge every once in a while, plus take frequent naps. And soon you will be experiencing life as it was meant to be; full of pure joy and pure balanced humor.

I think it was Readers Digest that had the regular column in their magazine; Laughter, the Best Medicine. Try some today. I mean some good old belly laughter; emanating from the place of life.

John 7:38 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (KJV)

The Depravity of Devices

I’ll probably get flamed by some of my readers, but I woke up this morning with these thoughts draining out of my ear onto my pillow. That’s usually an indication that something inside should actually be outside. But then again, I’ll let you run with that analogy.

Anyway, I was thinking about the latest iPhone craze. It’s nothing particularly new you know; the frenzy associated with a highly anticipated or desired product. Anyone still have their Cabbage Patch doll stuffed in a closet somewhere?

The Bible tells us, “with all thy getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7b KJV) Not just another shiny object or device. If you dig just below the surface of Genesis 3:1, you’ll find that the serpent at the heart of that narrative was far more than just a snake. As a matter of fact, if you exegete the Hebrew word historically translated as serpent (noun) as serpent (adjective), you’ll find it’s meaning to be the shiny one.

Kind of odd how when fishermen are looking for their next big catch, they employ their best shiny lure to snag their prey, but surely there’s no analogical connection to Genesis 3:1, right?

My thinking is we are so desperate for the next shiny device in life; we’ve lost our desire and maybe even our ability to pursue understanding. We just seem to want the things that twinkle in our eye. And since genuine understanding is the love child of wisdom, it’s no wonder understanding is a rare commodity these days. (Proverbs 1)

If we reject wisdom there is no way we will be able to get genuine understanding. Oh you may develop a mental or even emotional storehouse of strategic schematics on how things function, but you will never really have genuine understanding of purpose beyond the simple or the obvious.

For us to live in the pursuit of genuine understanding we must agree with the premise that devices can alter our ability to understand and thereby further compound our real problem; lack of wisdom.

As a Pentecostal Christian, I believe in the empowering work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers; even beyond the empowerment one typically envisions for the work of evangelism. For genuine outreach and bridge building to occur, I must know and understand God’s purpose in the earth. From the macro perspective of outer space to the micro perspective of the inner man; understanding the purpose behind those mysteries is paramount to my survival and my active employment in the advance of the Kingdom of God.

So what do I mean by The Depravity of Devices? What I don’t mean is that someone shouldn’t own a new iPhone, or plasma TV, or any number of other new shiny things in life. On the contrary; live within your means and enjoy the things of this life, but just keep them in perspective.

Devices are NOT the answer to the advance of His will and purpose in the earth. At best they are feeble tools we may use FOLLOWING a revelation of wisdom and understanding gained only in and through His presence. At worst they become the devilish focus of our pursuit in life and ministry; falsely believing that if we can lay hold of the next big cool shiny thing, we’ll catch more and bigger fish.

Our advances in this world for the sake of His Kingdom are not predicated upon our ability to find the next new shiny device (or business plan) to carry this ancient message of hope, but our advances are 100% predicated upon our ability to gain understanding of Him and from Him. And that understanding comes as we enter into deep and mysterious discourse with and through His Spirit. (Romans 8:26-27)

Could I be so bold as to say we’ve been deceived by The Depravity of Devices and we’ve abandoned the genuine source of wisdom and understanding: praying in tongues and worshiping Him for extensive periods of time until the Spirit reveals the needed wisdom, understanding and purpose for our very existence as sons and daughters of God? I guess I just did.

What we need is a divorce from devices and a marriage to the mysteries of God. For as we are baptized in the darkness of His mysteries through the intercession of the Spirit (and I do mean praying in tongues); revelation comes. Answers come; strange and wonderful understanding of previously confusing issues arrives.

In short, we finally realize the POWER is NOT in devices or plans or even the mechanisms we USE to accomplish His will and purpose in the earth, but the POWER COMES supernaturally through our literal and bilateral communication with Him. Not some book on what the next big shiny marketing procedures others are using in some locale or another, but simple, pure, raw power and understanding. Only received as time is spent letting the Spirit pray (breathe) into and through us. His Shiny Devices in this lost and dying world are US. Not things made by the hands of man.

So the next time you hit an impasse in life or ministry (they’re synonymous), don’t reach for the latest best selling book, but get on your knees and pray in tongues and worship God until you get an understanding that clearly and only comes from above. Not from below.

In all you’re getting, GET UNDERSTANDING and don’t be deceived by The Depravity of Devices. Because you will never have enough time or money to amass shiny stuff to attract the fish God’s sent you to catch. Let God IN YOU become the lure that sets the hook, not some human device or idea.

Doctrines of Devils?

1 Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (KJV)

I fully understand that proper exegesis of scripture must be context inclusive. I also understand that the Apostle Paul was often in conflict with Judaizers who foisted their historic doctrines and practices upon newly converted Christian saints. So as one reads further down into Paul’s letter to Timothy regarding the doctrinal struggles that will ensue in the last days, it would be easy to presume that a Jewish foot print from the first century might be what we will be contending with in our last days experience. But I would suggest that the “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils” will look far less Jewish than they will Post-Christian.

Let me explain. I believe that the greatest challenge to genuine believers in Jesus Christ and His gospel in these our last days will be an alignment with a post-Christian society. The reason being; post-Christian culture tends to WORK and IS GAINING a beachhead as accepted doctrine and practice for the modern church.

So either we get on board or we begin to loose market share like a sinking ship looses buoyancy as it goes down. Therein lays the challenge to the genuine Church of Jesus Christ.

Because we live in a seductive age most of us are accustom to being seduced and we don’t even realize it. Check the label or logo on your clothes? Take note of the vehicle you drive or the neighborhood you live in? What brand of PC or phone do you own? Is it the latest and greatest? Check out the food in your cupboard and refrigerator; is it brand name or generic?

Now granted, there is little harm in having things we like in our lives, but I would ask why we live and move at the beck-an-call of Detroit, Madison Avenue, Silicone Valley, Hollywood and even Washington D.C.? My contention is that we are seduced into believing that our current condition is less than satisfactory so we need change and we need lots of it. But very often NOT in the way that God would ordain.

And that insatiable appetite for more and different has crept into the ranks of our once held dear sound Bible doctrines. All in the seductive name of post-Christian progress and outreach. That’s right, progress and outreach.

Because we’ve failed to understand the gravity and dynamics of a last days falling away from the faith, we end up believing that our historic doctrines once held dear and to the death, may now be up for interpretation and change. All in the name of continuing the progress and outreach that we so desperately need to hold market share.

Take a look at what we are fighting about in these United (tongue in cheek) States. Is something Constitutional or not? Is the action of a state or judicial bench or congressional committee in alignment with the HISTORIC INTERPRETATION of the Constitution? History is being revised and rewritten faster than any of us could ever imagine; and so too with our biblical history; possibly even altered to the point of no return.

In an age that is more than willing to rewrite many of the historic accounts of Christ and the doctrines of the Apostles we must be ever vigilant to persevere in the faith once held dear to first century believers; belief that would not sway in the tide of popular opinion or demand.

So what might doctrines of devils look like? I believe one must study the language and conversation of Satan himself.

Check out the following examples. Albeit, the first literary mention of Satan is in Genesis, we’ll first go to the portion of scripture where Lucifer (Satan) attempts his devilish coup on the throne of God.

Isaiah 14:12-14 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Don’t miss the KEY which opens the connection to our post-Christian era crisis. Take note of the words “For thou hast said in THINE HEART… I WILL.” Forget the projected locale for Lucifer’s aspirations (heaven, throne, mountain, clouds, divine likeness), the corruption is found in the heart originated desire stated as I WILL. I will ascend, I will exalt (me), I will sit, I will ascend, and I will be.

That’s right, his way, NOT God’s. And that desire within the heart is what we are warring against in this very day.

Or how about noting the dialogue in Genesis 3 between the serpent and Eve regarding the one thing God had commanded her. What did the enemy do, but seduce the ME FACTOR inside of Eve’s heart to the point of motivating her to violate God’s one and only command.

The enemy’s ploy was to get Eve to believe her desires would take her to bigger and better places than anything God had afforded her. And that ploy is still in use today in the form of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

This seduction is based upon genuine desires for change, progress and even outreach in the name of evangelism, but at what expense? Maybe the TRUTH?

ANSWER GRIDLOCK

This morning in my devotions I was reading from John 15 and once again came across that oh so familiar verse 7: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”

I like that verse, but for years it’s been an enigma to me. An enigma, because I’ve thought that I’ve remained in Him and I know I’ve memorized scripture, so as to keep His words in me, yet when I ask for certain things, they don’t always come; ergo the enigma of the verse to me the believer.

As I pondered and studied this verse, I began to come into a fresh understanding of this truth. Remaining in Him or abiding in Him has not really been an issue for me. I’m saved and I know it. I set my mind on things above and keep my eyes fixed on Him. For nearly 30 years I’ve read my Bible and prayed with consistent frequency and have all my life been in church. So from the standpoint of abiding in or remaining in Him, I think I’ve kept myself immersed in the things of God. My guess is there are many of you out there like me, having a similar faith journey and record.

But, the part of that verse emerging as most vital (that I’ve faithfully deposited in me as Bible memory verses) goes way beyond simple chapter and verse memorization.

The Apostle Paul wrote the following in 1 Corinthians 14:11 (in essence); if people cannot nor will not understand “the meaning of the voice” behind words spoken, communication breaks down and it becomes like two different languages being spoken to one another; i.e. confusion and lack of understanding being the end result.

Granted, the context is tongues and prophetic messages within the church, but I believe we can embrace a broader scope to the Spirit’s intent of this revelation.

Abiding in Him and having Bible verses committed to memory is all well and good. These are healthy Christian disciplines, but I believe many Christ followers find themselves in ANSWER GRIDLOCK, because they’ve not UNDERSTOOD the meaning behind the voice. The Power of the Spirit behind the very words (intent) recorded in scripture, and MOST OF ALL the words spoken to the heart of those willing to follow.

So why might there be a lack of understanding or spirit perception on the part of one who has sought to abide in Him and keep Bible verses in their memory?

Let’s go to Matthew 24:12 and discover one of the enigmatic connections to the ANSWER GRIDLOCK and our lack of understanding.

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” (NIV)

If you’ve ever read this passage before, it’s likely you read it from an objective stand point, meaning you’re looking out at the world assuming it’s their condition and not ours (Christians). But I would tend to be more inclusive in the indictment. I would include those who call themselves Christians or Christ followers.

In Matthew 24:12 the word translated as “wickedness” or “iniquity” is from the Greek word anomia which means basically what we might imagine: 1) the condition of without law; a) because ignorant of it; b) because of violating it; 2) contempt and violation of law; iniquity, wickedness. That seems simple enough, right?

Most of us Christians would in no way desire to act out this definition and thereby find ourselves engaged in wickedness or iniquity. But, if one digs just below the surface for the broader meaning or implication of this word, you find another synonym for anomia. That synonym (παρκοή) means the disobedience to a voice. Another synonym found in a few other places of scripture, where the text used is: (παρακοή) or parakoē (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 10:6; Hebrews 2:2) actually means to hear amiss (disobedience). Hearing amiss or could we say ignoring the voice of God or even hearing what YOU WANT to hear is at the heart of wickedness.

Maybe in these last days you wouldn’t go out and engage in classic sins of the flesh. Some examples would be found in Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

But, how many of us just might find ourselves IGNORING the voice or the meaning of what God is saying or even hearing what we want to hear in any given moment as the Spirit speaks to our heart? That’s right, ignoring or hearing amiss or disobeying the VOICE of the Spirit.

For if and when we find ourselves in that position; we in turn will find ourselves increasing in wickedness and the ultimate end WILL BE a decrease of LOVE.

So why is this important? Because, Jesus told us if we keep an open channel from His lips to our heart, and we hold to and obey the things He is immediately prescribing, half of the component of ANSWER GRIDLOCK will be reversed.

Which leads us back to what James tells us about asking things from God when we have wrong, unloving or actually very sick motives. James 4:3 indicates that sick motives or selfish motives produce ANSWER GRIDLOCK.

So how did we get from John 15 to James 4? By the path of turning a deaf ear to the inner voice of God. Oh we can do all the churchy Christian things that make for a prudent life while being saved and in Him, BUT are we listening to and obeying THE VOICE of God in our moment by moment life situations?

My contention is WE ARE NOT. But my conviction is WE CAN. We can by simply opening up a common dialog with Jesus. Revelation 3:20 tells us; “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” That doesn’t sound very complicated. It sounds more like a casual meal and a friendly conversation.

When was the last time you spoke, listened, and obeyed? Give it a try; you just might see ANSWER GRIDLOCK disappear before your very eyes.