be quick to hear
James 1:19
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;..."
Do you really listen to people?
I think one of the ways we can love people best is by truly listening to them, being quick to hear and slow to speak. Focusing on their words, not our own thoughts, and listening for their heart.
seriously, lets all decide to never pull the phone out during a date again...
These days inboxes, cell phones, tweets, notifications and multitasking make it easy to be very distracted, all the time. Not to mention the selfish nature of the human race that would like to turn every conversation into one about ourselves.
I believe the discipline of listening is key to personal and business relationships as well as consumer and social media marketing.
Not to mention... prayer.
With friends, co-workers, my wife and with God - I find myself being quick to speak and slow to listen. Forgive me.
This is something I'm working on, and I challenge you to do the same.
Remember that the person standing or sitting in front of you is always the most important in the world at that moment. Make them feel that way.
Spirit rhythm
Spirit rhythm is God's cadence.
It's a beat we can choose to listen for; a pattern we can choose to follow.
It's a consistent, subtle, whispered, pulse... easy to ignore.
...
Spirit rhythm is Christ's song.
It's the voice that led him to a cross; a melody he chose to obey.
It was a painful, loving, dying, hymn. A song that tore the veil.
Spirit rhythm is the Holy Spirit's timing in our lives...
A never-ceasing, always listening, prayer; a surrendered dependance on Him.
It's an in-step, tuned-in, fruit-filled, life, led by the Spirit.
In daily decisions, in business, in leadership, in marriage, in everything - stop and listen for the rhythm.
It's God's good, pleasing, and perfect will for your life.
Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
16 Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing,18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19 Do not quench the Spirit.
Romans 12:1-2
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
motivation
How often do you ask yourself "Why"...?
As sinful people, we need to constantly keep our hearts in check.
Even (maybe especially) in missions and ministry we must always ask ourselves: "What is the real motivation, deep inside, that drives me to do this?"
When I look hard at my own heart I'm often disappointed to find my own selfish desires for some ounce of personal gain or glory at the root of my actions.
It takes digging, but you've got to find that root and replace it with a heart set on God's glory.
Missions can be sexy. There's no doubt about it.
Sadly, I see people "going" to the mission field to achieve a "radical" image and respect or acceptance in our Christian culture.
But even compassion is a motivation mis-guided.
If your heart's desire and driving motivation is not God's glory and simple obedience to him, its off-target.
There is a constant battle in me for the desires of my heart. I wish it didn't exist, but I'll keep fighting it as long as it does.
I've found that the best way to change my heart is through prayer and time with God.
More often than not, I go to prayer to change other things and yet, I'm the one that is changed.
take a risk, trust God
Pray first, then just do it.
There's something you dream about, did God give you those dreams?
That thing you ask yourself about: could I ever do that?
You are energized just by thinking about it; your heart comes alive.
Maybe, just maybe, God has called you to do that thing. He gave you that heart.
We know that through him, we can do all things.
Take a risk, trust God.
Pray first, then just do it.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
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