Psalms 146:1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, I tell myself. 2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God even with my dying breath. 3 Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. 4 When their breathing stops, they return to the earth, and in a moment all their plans come to an end.
I remember listening to one of my minister friends many years ago sharing a story during the course of his message. He talked about the tendency for people to "name drop" or bring up the names of important people in a conversation.
In his recounting of the story, someone asked him, "Do you know _____ (name of important person)?" He said, "No." The person asked again, "Do you know_____ (name of another important person)?" Again he said, "No."
He then added, "I know God."
David said, "Don't put your trust in powerful people, there is no help for you there."
I've learned that lesson more than once. Powerful people who do not know God tend to be concerned mostly about preserving their power. Also, the "power" of so-called powerful people is limited to natural things or spiritual darkness.
The most powerful person of all, God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit), is only concerned about helping you and me.
Mark 4:23 "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." 24] And He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25] For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
Listening and hearing are not always the same thing. While listening is a function of our auditory organs to detect sound waves that register in our brain, hearing is a function of our will to understanding what is being said. The fact is: Many people do not hear in many areas of life spiritually, vocationally and relationally. Listening is a natural, physical ability, but hearing must be cultivated through training one’s heart and mind to grasp what is being said.
Many scriptures declare the important of hearing. Faith itself comes by hearing; “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) Hearing is much more important than most people imagine. Hearing is obviously a necessary component in communication. Where our walk with God is concerned, hearing is all important:
- How you hear will determine the quality of your life
- How you hear will determine your level of authority and responsibility in life
- How you hear will determine the measure of God’s anointing on your life.
Jesus said that one must have “ears to hear.” This indicates one’s willingness to hear instruction and direction. Jesus invites everyone, in one way or another, to hear and know Him, but He lets our response determine the degree of understanding and fruitfulness we experience.
"And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48] He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day .(John 12:47)
A lack of hearing, or hearing the wrong things, will cripple your ability to walk in the full blessing and opportunities of life. However, hearing and doing God's Word brings many benefits:
- Hearing determines aptitude (ability) “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
- Hearing determines attitude (state of mind), "Take heed what [or how] you hear...”
- Hearing determines altitude (height) "With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given."
Galatians 3:2 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
It is interesting to observe the legalism that seems to creep into the lives and practice of believers. There is sometimes an over-fascination with Old Testament (OT) practices and archetypes including,Tabernacle of Moses, Feast Days, generational curses, priestly garments, various offerings, sabbath keeping, and much more.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Rom. 15:4)
I don't think the "learning" to which Paul is referring deals with Christians learning how to practice OT religion. Certainly, the OT scriptures are the inspired Word of God, but we must keep in mind that the Lord Jesus fulfilled all the laws and archetypes of the OT economy. He has become the embodiment of God's order and purpose for all people, Jews and Gentiles.
The Holy Spirit, who did not indwell OT people, brought us the grace of salvation and new life in Christ. The Spirit of God gave us our start with a new birth resulting from the finished redemptive work of Christ. So let's not act like we have "lost our senses" by putting human efforts, including Old Testament practice, ahead of Jesus and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 25:28, He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without a wall
The term "Black Friday" was formerly an inside term used by retail businesses. The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year. It has also become a "de facto" holiday since schools and many other establishments close the day after Thanksgiving.
On Black Friday, and the following holiday shopping season, retailers expect to make big sales, turn a profit and move their financial numbers from the "red" (loss) column to the "black" (profit) column. No longer an inside term, now consumers have embraced the concept of Black Friday with its discounts on goods and the overall giddy atmosphere that goes with shopping for things.
There is nothing wrong with shopping or finding gifts to give to others, so long as Black Friday does not lead to Red Monday. Consumer debt is a huge problem today, even among believers.
As Proverbs says, we should "rule over [our] own spirit" to avoid a broken condition financially. I remember hearing a statement that summarizes the condition to be avoided: "His income is less than his outgo, and his upkeep is his downfall."
Finally, don't neglect to bless the Lord in a special way during this Christmas season!
