Rick Warren's daily devotion for today is titled "Four hearing aids for God's Words".
Based on "....... Humbly accept the Word planted in you." (James 1:21), the four elements were:
1. Be careful.
2. Be calm.
3. Be clean.
4. Be compliant.
However, what hit home for me was the one simple comment "How willing are you to be changed?", even after we have received God's Words.
So often after we heard touching testimonies and motivating sermons, read inspiring devotions and prompted by Bible verses; if there is no desire in us to change or to be "transformed", we are still stagnant in our Spiritual growth. There is no life in us! Just the "old" self year after year.
Why are we resistant to changes? I guess sometimes it requires a leap of Faith beyond our comfort zone. Other times might be our pride getting in the way of our submissiveness. Worst of all is my thinking that it is the other party that needs to be changed and not me.
"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love.... in order that they may know..... Christ." (Col 2:2)
Paul's purpose driven life's calling is to change the world with the message of Salvation in Christ.
Paul then challenged us to change and be transformed,
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him,
rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the Faith as you were taught
and overflowing with thankfulness." (Col 2:6)
What have I learnt lately from God's Words? How is that making a difference in my life? How have I grew to the likeness of Christ?
How willing am I to be changed to His liking?
Would you like to share?
by "A piece of puzzle"
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You mentioned Rick Warren's four hearing aids for God's Words as : Be careful, be calm, be clean, be compliant.
ReplyDeleteI think I found two more "hearing aids" this morning, based on my reading of Jesus' Transfiguration in Mark 9.
5. Be silent.
Peter did not know what to say, they were so frightened. (Mark 9:6)
Then a voice came from the cloud, "This is my son, whom I love. Listen to Him." (Mark 9:7)
6. Be alone.
Jesus took Peter, James & John with Him and led them up a mountain, where they were all alone. (Mark 9:2)
Suddenly, when they look around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. (Mark 9:8)
What do you think?
by "Question Mark"
Dear Question Mark,
ReplyDeleteI like your hearing aids. It reminds me to "be Still", to know that He is God.
When you were studying Jesus' transfiguration, did it ever occurred to you that Jesus was actually displaying a physical change before the disciples' eyes? A piece of puzzle talked about our resistance to changes, yet in Jesus' case, His glorious and splendour appearance led others to know that He is God. So perhaps if we allow the Holy Spirit to change and transform us, others can see Christ in us.
I would also like to share this Bible verse about God's Word,
".... so is the word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
Thank you Lord for your Words, help me to listen and obey!
by "Puzzled"