Category Archives: Listening

Bible, Comfort, Encouragement, Fellowship, Listening, Scripture

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

ROMANS 1:12

“that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

We all need encouragement. I get that from my friends and family. I get that from my wife. But most of all, I get that from the Lord. He is always seeking to build me up and make me more like Jesus. If I would only listen more closely, that could happen more easily. But I allow my own self-interest and self-indulgences to get in the way. Those can also block the encouragement from others. Listen to Paul’s words in today’s verse.

He uses a Greek word for “may be encouraged” that is only used once (right here) in the New Testament. It comes from three Greek words. The word is sumparakaleó (sum+para+kaleo). The Topical Lexicon says this about this word. “The term emphasizes reciprocity: encouragement is not delivered from a superior to an inferior but shared among believers who stand shoulder to shoulder. The prefixed prepositions συν- (with) and παρά- (alongside) intensify the core verb καλέω (to call), yielding a picture of believers summoning one another to persevere in faith, hope, and love.” That is a great breakdown of this once-used word.

APPLICATION

The writer of Hebrews expresses a similar idea in Hebrews 10:24-25. “24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Just going to church and seeing other believers can encourage you and encourage them. We are on this journey together.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul writes a similar thought.  “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.” Paul also shows this idea in 2 Corinthians 1:4 when he tells us to comfort each other. “who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

We have an obligation to encourage each other, to bring comfort to one another. How can you do that? By listening to a hurting friend? By praying for someone who is in need? By just fellowshipping with other believers? Find a way this weekend to live out Romans 1:12. I promise you will be encouraged, as well.

Lord, thank You for sending others into my life to encourage me. Help me do the same for others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Listening, Obedience, Pressure, Scripture

HARD-PRESSED

PHILIPPIANS 1:23

“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;”

No one likes to be pressured to do anything. At least I don’t. I have to admit that I am pretty stubborn sometimes. If I am told that I have to do something, I might just find a way not to do it. I also get a picture in my head of a full court press in basketball. That is when the team playing defense pressures the team with the ball all the way down the court, hoping to cause a turnover. Pressure isn’t comfortable.

Paul was being “hard-pressed” by the two choices before him. He had such a desire to go on to glory, but he also felt he was still needed on earth. Going to heaven would be more pleasurable and pain free. Staying on earth would not be. He knew that. But he also knew the choice really wasn’t his to make. God would make that choice according to what was best for Paul.

APPLICATION

The word used by Paul for “hard-pressed” is the same word used in Luke 8:45 when Jesus was crowded on the street right before He healed the woman with the issue of blood. People were all over Him. So, Paul is saying in today’s verse that these two possible choices were crowding his mind. He felt the pressure emotionally and spiritually. This can be draining.

Have you ever felt that way? What did you do? We all face decisions, some more than others. Fortunately, my wife and I have learned a few things over the almost four decades of living together. Minor decisions are not worth the effort to worry about. We have both begun to see decisions from an eternal perspective. Do we always choose correctly? Nope! But we sure listen more closely to the Lord when we do make that wrong choice.

God will use the pressures of this life to constrain us or “hard-press” us. All pressure is not bad. You must consider the source of the pressure. If you are feeling the pressure right now, ask the Lord about it. He will let you know if it’s from Him or not. 1 Peter 4:19 says, “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

Lord, I trust You to pressure me in order to guide me and lead me in the way in which I need to go.

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Bible, Following, Listening, Scripture, Submission

THE RIGHT SUBMISSION

COLOSSIANS 2:20

“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,”

Submission is hard sometimes, isn’t it? I used to complain about my bosses until I learned that every authority placed over me was from God for my good. I had one boss who would take the campus pool supplies for his own home. He even took some of the Christmas toys that arrived for the campus home for his grandkids before the children got theirs. But I still had to submit to his authority as long as I worked there.

Paul questions the Colossian believers in today’s verse about their submission practices. He says, “if you have died with Christ…” In other words, their salvation and decision to follow Jesus made them exempt from any other religious requirements or the world philosophies. He says, “Don’t live like the world. You are different.”

APPLICATION

The phrase “do you submit yourself to decrees” is one Greek verb, dogmatizó. It is only used right here in Colossians 2:20. It comes from the word dogma. You know what that is, right? It is an authoritative rule or ordinance. These early believers were being coerced to follow these dogmas by others who just wanted to control them.

Guess what? That is still happening today. There are people who tell you that you have to do certain things to be saved. I won’t make a list here. You know them. Listen closely – you have been set free from these man-made requirements. Jesus tells us to repent and believe, to follow Him. That is what He requires. When you and I do that, we will so far exceed any man-made rules. We are required to be holy. Top that!

So, today simply follow Jesus. Get into His Word. Spend time with Him in prayer. Listen closely to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. That is who you submit to. No one else. When we submit to Jesus, you are free to do only what He says to do. Happy submission!

Lord, I yield to You today. Lead me and guide me in my words and in my actions.

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Bible, God's Will, Hearing, Learning, Listening, Scripture

HEARING AND LEARNING

EPHESIANS 4:21

“if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,” 

When I was in high school, I was a bit of a clown. I loved (still do) to make people laugh. The bad part of that was I did it during class, thus disrupting the classroom and irritating the teacher. I may have heard what the teacher said with my ears, but I sure didn’t learn anything. In order to learn anything, you must listen and be willing to be taught.

As a continuation of verse 20, Paul talks about what the Ephesians had been taught. The Greek word for “heard” is akouó. Interestingly, this word is most often used to hearing God’s voice in order to build faith. Don’t you just love that? And “taught” is the word didasko, which most often refers to the Scriptures. Paul is telling the Ephesians to listen to God and look at the Scriptures.

APPLICATION

So, the question has to be asked. What are you listening to and what are you being taught? Well Carl, I go to church every Sunday and listen to the preacher. That is NOT what I am talking about. Did you know that we only retain about 5% of the information we hear from a lecture or a sermon. I am talking about hearing God speak to your heart. I am talking about digging in and learning the Scriptures yourself.

In the ministry I am apart of (Every Man A Warrior), we teach men these two skills. I recently did a deep dive into hearing God’s voice. I read several books which pointed out in Scripture the ways in which God speaks to us. He speaks through prayer, through people, through circumstances and yes, through Scripture. But we have to be listening. We have to be tuned in.

EMAW also teaches men how to study God’s Word using the ABC method. A = Ask questions and record your thoughts and meditations. B = Find the best verse or word or phrase. Then record your best thoughts. C = Communicate your thoughts and insights back to God in prayer. Listening to the Word is good, but it is not enough.

Hearing and being taught! That is how we learn. Are you listening today? Are you willing to be taught today? God is our Master Teacher. He is speaking today. He wants you to hear and obey. Let’s do this together. Amen?

O Lord, I want to hear You today and obey whatever You tell me.

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Belief, Bible, Calling, Direction, God's Will, Hearing, Listening, Messages, Persuasion, Scripture

WHO’S CALLING?

GALATIANS 5:8

“This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.”

Have you ever been tricked by someone on a phone call? I used to occasionally call the office secretary when I was on a road trip and disguise my voice. I would pretend to be a donor who wanted to donate some wild and outlandish thing (which actually happened more times than you can imagine) just to make her squirm a little and figure out how to answer this person. Of course, towards the end of the call she would recognize it was me and threaten me bodily harm when I returned. Lol

Paul is warning the Galatians and us in today’s verse to be careful who you answer to, to make sure you know who is actually calling you. The Greek word for “persuasion” is only used here in Galatians 5:8. It refers to a self-produced persuasion. In other words, they decided themselves to believe this caller. It was not God who was calling them to keep the Mosaic law and deny their freedom in Christ.

APPLICATION

Matthew Poole’s Commentary says this about “Him who calls you,” “is not from God, who hath called you out of darkness into marvellous light, unto fellowship with himself, into a state of grace and favour with him, and to the hopes of eternal life; and who yet calleth you by his gospel: it must therefore be from the devil and his instruments, who go about to seduce and pervert you.”

Think about Poole’s words for a second. It is God who has called you out of darkness into marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), into fellowship with Himself (1 John 1:3), into grace and favor (1 Peter 2:20, and to the hopes of eternal life (1 Peter 5:10). It seems Poole liked 1 Peter, didn’t he? It is God who calls us to these things. He isn’t adding on to His requirements.

The next time you hear a voice directing you to do something, make sure it is the voice of God and not His arch enemy attempting to disguise his voice and imitate God. Remember, the devil will never ask you to do anything that will glorify the Father or the Son. It will only be about you, what will make you happy. Listen closely. Learn to recognize His voice.

Father, it is sweet to hear Your voice and recognize that You love me beyond words or deeds.

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Accountability, Bible, Choices, Devil, Listening, Obedience, Scripture

ARE YOU LISTENING?

GALATIANS 4:21

“Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law?”

Sometimes we get so excited about something that we forget to think about what we are doing. For example, buying a new car. When you go to that dealership and see all those beautiful, shiny cars, you lose all rational thought (lol). Sure, they can “put you in” one of those beauties today and you can drive it home. But part of that deal is you now have to pay the price – every month for years. You are a slave to that car loan.

Paul begins an analogy today that will last the rest of chapter 4. He is going to be comparing the sons born from Hagar and Sarah. The story will develop over the next several days. Bottom line – slavery and freedom. In today’s verse Paul asks the Galatians if they are really listening to what the law is requiring of them. The Greek word for “listen” is akouo, which means to hear to understand. Paul is asking them if they really listening to the requirements of the law, are they really going to sign on that dotted line.

APPLICATION

This applies to us so well. We “sign on” to the newest fads and trends without ever thinking about the long term results. All we need is Jesus. Jesus told us so in John 14:6. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” He wasn’t bragging or being egotistical. He was simply speaking the truth.

I love 2 Corinthians 5:17 because it shows us what we need. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” All that old stuff we clung to just goes away. We don’t have to lean on it. All we need is Jesus who has made us into a new creation. Don’t listen to the whispers of the evil one who wants to keep you in bondage.

What will you do with your freedom in Christ? How will you serve your new Master, one for whom you serve willingly? He is not a cruel taskmaster. No, He loves us and leads us. He never pushes us. And don’t let this freedom scare you. He’s there to walk you through it. He has a plan. Listen to Him.

O Lord, I want to tune my ears to hear only Your voice.

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Abiding, Appointed, Bible, Calling, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Listening, Messages, Scripture, Testimony

IN ME

GALATIANS 1:16

“to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,”

God has allowed me to minister to others for almost 45 years. My calling occurred soon after I was saved, and I served my first church at age 18. How did I know God was calling me to full-time ministry? He spoke to me through His Holy Spirit. He gave me a burden for the Gospel. It is hard to put into words because it happened internally. I didn’t hear this audible voice from heaven. He spoke to my spirit.

Paul explains his calling in today’s verse. We know of his conversion on the Damascus road detailed in Acts 9. But here he explains that internal calling. The Greek really explains this better. It says, “apokalysai..en emoi.” Let me explain. That reads “to reveal…in me.” The little word en is the key. It means it operates on the inside. Paul was telling us that God, through His Holy Spirit, spoke to him so that he could speak to others.

APPLICATION

Listen closely. You have to be changed on the inside before you have anything to say on the outside. Your testimony begins inwardly. God does a work in you. He begins to reveal Himself to you. Why? So you can tell others. It’s not for you to keep to yourself. Jeremiah the prophet described it this way when he said he just couldn’t keep God’s message inside. “Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire.”

What has God revealed in you? I can’t speak for you. Only you know that. But one thing is for sure – you won’t hear what God is revealing unless you are looking for it and listening for Him. I’m reading a book right now by Henry and Richard Blackaby entitled, “Hearing God’s Voice.” Now, don’t get spooked by the title. It’s not a mystical teaching. They literally look at how God spoke through the Old and New Testament to His saints. And they also talk about how God speaks to us today.

Are you listening? Do you want God to reveal His message to you? You see, if He does that, then He expects you to share it. Can you do that? Can you share God’s revelations to you? Sure, you can. He will do it through you. Just trust Him. He has something to say and wants to use you.

O Father, use me as Your mouthpiece to a lost world.

P.S. You can always know it is God speaking because if it is, it will be confirmed by His Word.

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Abiding, Bible, Blessing, Commands, Hearing, Listening, Scripture, Uncategorized

GOD’S STILL TALKING

ZECHARIAH 8:18

“Then the word of the LORD of armies came to me, saying,”

Every day when I am in my Quiet Time, I pray to hear the voice of the Lord. Now, don’t think I am strange. I don’t mean audibly, but that would be very cool. I am talking about Him speaking through His Holy Spirit into my heart and mind. Some days, He is practically yelling at me. Other days – not so much. He’s quiet. That’s when I listen the hardest.

Today’s verse is the eighth time in chapter eight that Zedekiah received a word from the Lord. God is about to speak on the joyous festivals that are coming to Israel (more on that tomorrow). This whole chapter has been about God sharing His blessings on this remnant of Israel. After all the suffering, after all the judgment, they are now back in the good graces of their God and are worthy of His blessings.

APPLICATION

Did you hear the Lord speaking to you this morning? Oh, you didn’t listen, did you? The first rule to hearing is listening. How do you listen? Okay, that’s enough with the questions. I am not trying to make you feel guilty for not hearing the Lord or not listening. I simply want to urge you to take the time to listen and hear.

Perhaps you don’t want to hear His voice. Maybe there is some secret sin you are withholding. In John 8:9 we see the people’s response to Jesus when He was dealing with the woman who had been caught in adultery. “And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

I have often wondered what Jesus wrote in the sand that day. Maybe He listed some of their secret sins, so they all slipped away. Don’t do that! Confess those sins. Be cleansed through His forgiveness. We all need a daily washing, don’t we? Hear His voice calling you to repentance.

I confess to You, Lord, each day the sins I have committed. Wash me clean once again.

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Asking, Bible, Denial, Fasting, God's Will, Listening, Sacrifice, Scripture

JUST WHY DO YOU FAST?

ZECHARIAH 7:5

“‘Say to all the people of the land and to the priests, “When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months these seventy years, was it actually for Me that you fasted?”’”

Fasting is a sacrificial way of hearing God’s voice. I have not done a lot of fasting, but when I have, it’s been a sweet time. During those first several hours, all I could think about was food, lol. But as I started concentrating on those hunger pains as a reminder of Christ’s sufferings, they became less and less noticeable.

God is questioning the motives of the people’s fasts during their captivity. He asks, “Was it actually for Me that you fasted?” Or was it all about them. The word used here for “mourned” is the word used to describe dreadful mourning including tearing your hair out and wailing loudly. What was that all about? Was that a way to draw attention to themselves? Fasting for God should be a worshipful experience and should be done with reverence.

APPLICATION

I am not trying to guilt you into starting a fast. That is not my intention. I do want to encourage you, though, to consider a fast when you need to engage in some deep conversations with the Lord. Denying yourself food (if you are able to do that physically) can draw you into His presence in a way that is not normally experienced.

We rarely engage in self-sacrifice. We are usually more inclined to indulge ourselves. Prayerfully consider this option. Don’t fast to prove anything. It’s not about looking more spiritual. Remember in Luke 5:33 Jesus was asked why His disciples didn’t fast like the Pharisees and John’s disciples. Jesus didn’t put fasting up as a priority. But He also didn’t negate it.

Paul and Barnabas practiced fasting. Acts 14:23 says, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” Do you have an important decision you need to make? Seek the Lord through a fast if He leads you that way. But make sure you are doing it in order to hear Him. When you do that, He will speak.

I want to hear You, O God. Speak to me as I bear my soul before You.

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Bible, Conversation, Listening, Messages, Promises, Scripture

ANOTHER MESSAGE

ZECHARIAH 6:9

“The word of the LORD also came to me, saying,”

Have you ever been in a text conversation with someone that would not end? Just when you think it’s over, they send another message. Do you answer or not? Do you just send an emoji? You keep asking yourself how you can get out of this conversation without seeming abrupt. Am I right? You’ve been there.

Zechariah may have felt like that at times. It seems he gets through one vision, and before he knows it, God is calling his name again. But that was Zechariah’s calling. He was called to be God’s mouthpiece, to tell forth the words of the Lord. Notice it says, “the word of the Lord also came to me.” These weren’t the words of his neighbors or his friends. These came straight from God.

APPLICATION

We sit back and think that only Pastors hear from God. I know some people in my family who feel that way. I only hear from Him because I am in the ministry. That’s hogwash. We can all hear Him. He is speaking to all of His children. They just aren’t listening.

I shared a quote from A.W. Tozer a while back that said, “People don’t want to hear from God because they don’t want to hear what He has to say.” That’s probably more of a paraphrase than an actual quote, but you get the picture. Do you want to hear Him? Luke 11:27-28 says, “27 While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, ‘Blessed is the womb that carried You, and the breasts at which You nursed!’ 28  But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it.’” Jesus was always pointing us to hear His Father’s voice.

For me, it’s a matter of if I want to hear what He has to say. Honestly, there are days when I want to say, “God, I’m taking a day off and am going to handle things my way.” I don’t do that anymore because I have enough scars from attempting that. The school of hard knocks is real, folks. Just listen and avoid all those bumps and bruises.

You are calling my name again, Lord. My ears are in tune with Your words. Send me Your message.

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