Voices

The ear is one of the most interesting parts of the body whose function comes in steps. In order for it to function properly:

1. Sound is transmitted through the air as sound waves from the environment. The sound waves are gathered by the outer ear and sent down the ear canal to the eardrum.
2. The sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate, which sets the three tiny bones in the middle ear into motion.
3. The motion of the three bones causes the fluid in the inner ear, or cochlea, to move.
4. The movement of the fluid in the inner ear causes the hair cells in the cochlea to bend. The hair cells change the movement into electrical impulses.
5. These electrical impulses are transmitted to the auditory nerve and up to the brain, where they are interpreted as sound.

Our ears, at least for most of us, will work normally, but we have the option to decide what we want to hear and how we hear it. Jesus said watch out how you hear (Lk8:18), because the voices we choose to hear or listen too will decide what comes or leaves our lives.  Voices that are uttered and recorded in our brains and are played back depending on the circumstances.  Paul writes that there are many voices in the world, but they all articulate a distinct tone and meaning (1Cor14:10) of which can affect us in the intended way. We can decipher how a person says things, if whether that person is sad, happy, troubled etc…, and the meaning of what he is saying. 

Luke 3:4-6

⁴ As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; ⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

John was the last of the old testament prophets and the usher of the Messiah. His voice had a message that prepared the way to the Savior of the world; Jesus Christ. His voice commanded that every valley to be filled, mountains to be brought low and roads to be made straight and smooth and for all flesh to see God’s salvation. A powerful message carried his message even though he was in the desert.  The people apparently had heard a voice; a voice for repentance, for they had come to be baptized of John (Lk3:7). Your tone of voice can have the sound of fear, failure, defeat, helplessness or victory (Is40:9) and it depends on the voice they hear; it is how the character and intentions of your communication comes. In the parable of the sower there are four ways people responds to the voice of the gospel (Lk8:11-15).  Some hear the word but the Devil takes it away, and others it is taken away because they cannot endure the trails, yet others the word is choked because of pleasures and riches; and on those in good ground the voice gives good fruit. 

Your heart

The heart is one of the most protected organs in the body. It is the organ that keeps the entire body running. It is also in its figurative form the most important. It is the define as; “the centre and seat of spiritual life; the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours” BLB. The heart is the “home of the personal life,” and hence a man is designated, according to his heart. It is where all the wisdom is stored as noted in Solomon’s case( 1Kg3:12), it where a man’s state of being either good or bad resides (Lk8:15) and it is where the thoughts reside sometimes accusing or defending him (Ro2:15). The scriptures say that as a man thinks that’s how he is (Prv23:7).

Acts 8:20-23

²⁰ But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.²¹ Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.²² Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.²³ For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Simon’s precondition of his heart with the thought of monetary power revealed his unchanged heart. Because this power was given by the laying of hands from the apostles; man, the thought that Peter and John might need money lured him to offer it in exchange for the power. But, the power of God has a priceless tag that no amount of money can buy, and that is why it is free. Peter and John ran across this lame man by which the free gift of God healed with no purchase necessary (Acts3:6). Before the gift of God can be received there needs to be a regenerated heart, and it can not be hardened (Ez36:26). Simon’s heart was like stone that it repelled everything that came to it. Like as in the Pharisees whose hearts were filled with evil thoughts (Mt9:4), so were Simon’s. Even though Simon was baptized and was following the preaching of the gospel through Phillip, there was one thing that needed to change and that was his heart. The Psalmist prays and says “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (ps51:10).  

joy of the lord

One of the things that Christians should be known for is for their fruits; their works that is associated to Christ. Though there are many religions and humanitarian organizations that helping those in need, but Christians are asked to bear much fruit; or more fruit. The expectation for the follower of Christ is greater than that for the rest of humanity. God expects more out of his children. Our godly attitude has to surpass everything else in our lives.  In 1 Peter and in Leviticus God speaks to his people saying be holy for I am holy (1pt1:16& lev19:2). The type of fruit that is expected from the true believer is at a higher standard than that of others.  God tells the prophet Isaiah to lift up a standard for his people (Is62:10), and this standard figuratively identifies us apart from everyone else. Bearing much fruit meets God’s standard which qualifies us to ask anything that we desire from him and we should receive it. 

John 15:8-11

8  By this my Father is glorified, that you  bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9  As the Father has loved me,  so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as  I have kept  my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you,  that my joy may be in you, and that  your joy may be full.

People know what kind of Christians we are by how much fruit we bear. They can tell who we by how God answers to us when we call. Jesus said that we abide in him and his words abide in us whatever we ask it shall be ours (Jn15:7), but it requires bearing much fruit. So, we can ask ourselves how much does God answer us, when was the last time he answered my prayer request. Agape is that brotherly love that separates us from every other religion, organization or faction, and it is expected to be met as God’s standard. But, to get there Jesus said that we have to abide in his word(v10), loving people; the brothers, enemies, and man kind, is not easy especially in these troubling times. We can get wrapped up in seeking justice that we forget to love. 

It pleases God when we love one another and in turn it brings satisfaction to us when we do. That satisfaction is the joy of the Lord, and it becomes our strength (Neh8:10). Ezra the priest stood before the people of God in a moment when conviction pricked their hearts for not treating their fellow man correctly, and encourage them to go and practice agape. The joy of the Lord comes when we practice good things to others. The Psalmist says let us make a joyful noise unto the rock of our salvation (ps95:1), he says that they are blessed because they know the sound of joy (ps89:15). Today we hear a want for joy. There is more stress and friction then that of joy. In order for there to be a fullness of joy we need to abide in Christ (v11).

Awake God

Memories of God’s goodness are good to ponder upon all the time, they keep our expectations of his redeeming power alive in us. Not just our redeeming moments should we think about, but friends, family and others whom God; through his wonder saving power, saved and gave the victory. The scriptures tell us that we are more than conquerors through him that loved us (Ro8:37). In fact, Paul tells us that God gives us the victory through his Son Jesus (1Cor15:57). Our victory is there or yet to come and no one can take it away, it is a promise of God. Jesus said that in this world we are going to have tribulation, but that we should not be afraid because he already has over come it (Jh16:33). Whether you have your victory now or not, stirring up those memories of redemption should be a practice throughout our daily life; in prayer or going about the day.  

Psalms 44:4-8

You are my King and my God, who decrees^c] victories for Jacob.⁵ Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.⁶ I put no trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory; ⁷ but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.⁸ In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.^d]

The Psalmist writes this gospel type of psalm reminding us that God has not ceased giving his children victory in whatever battle they fight. He reminds us that the no matter the war we engage in that it is not won by the type of sword we use or the size of our army, but through God. But, there comes a time when digging into our memory banks to remind us of God’s victories is needed. It seems that through this time in the Psalmist life no victory was in sight. In fact, he felt like the enemy was on the verge of winning this battle and retreat was the only way out. God said to Zerubbabel it is not by might nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord (Zec4:6). 

The Psalmist felt like God was no longer there with him (Ps.44:9-10), he felt like if God had left him and his people alone, when the Psalmist writes that “You gave us up to be devoured like sheep” (Ps44:11). It is that very feeling that we either we now have or will have during these difficult times. The battle against reproach is upon us, and the prophetic aspect of this psalm is going to be revealed (Ps44:15-16). The earnest desire for God to get back on the psalmist side is long for and expressed when he says “Awake Lord!, Why do you sleep (ps44:23)?” The same as, was with the disciples when they were on a boat and the storm arose and Jesus was asleep and they woke him up (Mk4:38).  

REscued

Anytime we are in danger we can freely call upon God and he will save us; he will rescue us at whatever cost. And, though our salvation comes to us freely, but someone; God, has to give something up. The bible says that God gave his Son so that anyone who believes could be saved (Jh3:16), so God rescued us from eternal death with his son. In a rescue mission several factors have to be taken into account, like costs and availability.  Like in the parable of the good Samaritan who saw the injured man on the road and without thinking took him and cared for him (Lk10:34-35). In bible history each king that requested to be saved from another needed to pay a price in gold, or other valuable such as land. 

Isaiah 43:1-4

3. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom,Cush^a] and Seba in your stead. 4. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.

There are certain promises that are part of God’s rescue scheme, like stability that is you will not be swept away. Also, God assures us that he will be with us, that though we walk through the fire it will not harm us. But, like every rescue mission it comes at a price, God has to decide you over someone else. The bible teaches us that we were purchased at a price, and that our body’s are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor6:19-20). The rescue mission of your soul pertain only to God, no one can save your soul (Mk8:36-37). God had a mission to save the people of Judah and he promised that he would restore them as before he had left them (Zech10:6). When God rescues someone there is a total restoration, that is what Job’s friend said that he would restore them for full well being.