Scripture
“Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”
~Ezekiel 3:10-11, NIrv
Quote
Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.
~Stephen Covey
Have you ever been afraid to speak your mind, to share what is on your heart? It is especially difficult when you know that people do not want to listen. Joe David spoke of persecution yesterday and he brought up a very interesting point: the Apostles did not scatter when the persecution broke out because they were not afraid. Acts 4:29 states, “Now, Lord, consider the bad things they say they are going to do. Help us to be very bold when we speak your word.” God answered their prayer, He gave them boldness. The world we live in does not want to hear about Jesus. There are rare exceptions but as a general rule, the world wants Christians to shut up. Our task is to get into the word until the word gets into us: then we are to share it with others. It is not an easy task.
Jeremiah fought this very battle when God called him to speak to Israel about their sin. Jeremiah’s response is recorded in chapter 6, “To whom can I give warning? Who will listen when I speak? Their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. They scorn the word of the LORD. They don’t want to listen at all.” {Jeremiah 6:10} Ezekiel faced the very same challenge…You are not being sent to many nations whose people speak other languages that are hard to learn. You would not be able to understand them. Suppose I had sent you to them. Then they certainly would have listened to you. But the people of Israel do not want to listen to you. That is because they do not want to listen to me.”
Prayer
Abba Father, thank you for Your word. We pray that you will give us boldness to share it with a world that does not want to listen. We are not responsible for their decision to hear or to reject but we are responsible to share the truth so that they are confronted with a decision.
First of all, we have a couple of Seniors who need our prayers: Ruth Livingston is very low. I think Ruth is ready to go home. She has packed her bags and is waiting for her flight. Joyce Chaney has another infection similar to the one before but she is better. She is with Janie.
Some of you may want to know how the REUNION turned out. It was not a total disaster but it wasn’t a blooming success either. Some things never change. We were at a place that doesn’t serve alcohol but they got some kind of permit to serve it. I had hoped for one of those moment when the Spirit just takes over and you are standing there listening to what God is saying through you but that didn’t happen. The LORD told Ezekiel…I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth. Then you will be silent. {Ez. 3:26} I did share the gospel in my prayer and I prayed in Jesus name but there was nothing in my presentation that was powerful or moving. I have seen God use my weakness. He does have that ability and I am praying He will bring something good out of my feeble attempt but that is the only hope I have. I am very glad that it is history and I appreciate your prayers. I was thrilled to get back to my church family yesterday morning. These functions are hard on a spouse but June did good, better than I did at her reunion.
I don’t usually eat anything before Sunday night church but I was hungry last night and ate a lean quizine than got to church and Tracey H had made a homemade pizza for the budget committee and there was enough for me a take home. I started with one bit, then one piece and then another. I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.