Discerning If You Heard From God: Test One

The first way I will discuss to test if what you heard is from God is a relatively easy one. Did what you hear come true? 

An example of this, did you think you heard God tell you that you were going to get a certain job you applied for and in the end you did not get the job? Well then what you heard, no matter the source, was not true. Don’t make excuses or come up with reasons as to why it did not come to pass. Simply realize that was not God but either your own mind or someone else’s wishful thinking. 

Let’s not speculate, just trust in the Lord and recognize that was not Him. Don’t feel down about it and don’t condemn someone who misspoke to you. Instead go to the Word of God. Because even if you didn’t hear a word from the Lord, you have the Word of God at your fingertips. Praise God. 

Now on the other side If you hear a message from the Lord in whatever way that was clear and specific and it does come to pass, then praise God it appears the Lord spoke to you. 

Give all the glory to God and keep seeking after Him and studying His Word. 

I know this first entry was brief but I hope it helped. 

See you all next week. 

Be Blessed, 
Chris 

Scripture Reading Plan
Monday – Jeremiah 2:4-13

Tuesday – Psalm 112

Wednesday – Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Thursday – Luke 14:1, 7-14

https://www.heritageloves.com/sermon-podcasts

Discerning If You Heard From God: Introduction

A common question I see asked is, “How do I know if what I heard is from God?” Today I am going to begin discussing answers to this question.

Originally I thought this was going to be just this week’s entry but I’ve come to realize this is a loaded topic so I am going to make this my next series. 

I want to start this off by saying, this entry will not be set out to prove any type of stance on the Gifts of the Spirit. I do not label myself anything in that department, this is not from a Pentecostal’s perspective or cessationist perspective. I am not going to even lay out my beliefs. All I am doing here is addressing those who are wondering about ways to test what they have heard to see if it is from God. I am going to give three different ways, they’re many more I am sure but I will be giving just the three. The third is the most important. 

Now when it comes to “hearing God” there is a lot of different ways people think they’re hearing from God. It can be on their own through their mind in prayer, through a dream, plenty of other ways I’m sure as well. 

And of course through the Bible! Yes, the Word of God. Read that first and foremost. That is your best bet if you want to hear from God. Many times reading scripture has given me the answer I needed. 

Sometimes you get messages from other people, whether it be a subtle confirmation on something you have been praying about, a more bold proclamation from someone claiming they have a message from the Lord (this of course you certainly want to test). I really could go on and on. 

Whether subtle or bold, we should, “test all things” like scripture says but do so with a gracious and loving heart. Not out to debunk a message but also not out confirm something just because you want it to be from God. 

Also look out for vagueness, if you hear in your mind or from someone else something like, “Good things are coming your way” or even, “Troubles are coming”. That is true no matter what, that is far too vague to know if it is from God. 

The following three weeks (with a break for Labor Day) I will be discussing the three before mentioned ways to test if what you’re hearing is from God with examples to help. 

I hope this helps those who need it. 

Have a Blessed Week, 
Chris 

So What Are You Going To Do About It?

My Pastor yesterday preached a great sermon yesterday on Isaiah 1:1,10-20. There is a lot I could unpack as there is a lot that stood out to me but the truth is I want to focus on one part at least for now.

A little note on my Pastor, he likes to stay informed. He listens and reads to all different sides of an issue to understand things. During the sermon he mentioned how people love to call into radio programs and complain, they get very worked up and angry. They complain, vent and complain some more. One particular radio host likes to ask the caller at the end of their rant, “Now what are you going to do about it?”

I don’t know who that radio host is or what they believe but what a great question to ask.

We get upset, angry, grieved about the sins of the world and we are justified in those emotions. There is so much evil, pain and sorrow in the world.

But after thinking about these things lets ask ourselves, “Now what are you going to do about it?”

What we need to do about it is follow Christ and live a self sacrificial life of servitude to God. Spreading the Gospel not just in our words but in our actions. Love people, take care of people, tell them about their savior.

Because the true answer to the question, “Now what are you going to do about it?” is what God wants me to do about it.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Scripture Reading Plan:

Monday – Isaiah 5:1-7

Tuesday – Psalm 82

Wednesday – Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16)

Thursday – Luke 12:49-56

The Broken Cross

When I was in high school a friend of mine who was a fellow Christian gave me a cross. It was green and made of glass. I loved it, the color was my favorite, the cross felt so nice in my hand.

I wore it every day and everywhere.

One day at the favorite local hang out spot (the arcade) I was playing a game called Dance Dance Revolution. After the game was over, I noticed my cross had fallen from my neck and shattered.

I was heartbroken, there was no fixing the cross. My friend later asked me where the cross was? I had to solemnly tell him the news. You could tell he was disappointed.

He got over it quick because quite frankly his life had one tragedy after the other. It was a hard and cruel life.

Years later he now openly mocks God and faith on Facebook.  

The broken cross he gave to me ended up being a metaphor for what was to come, his faith would be broken.

It grieves me to think about and sadly of all my friends from high school I can think of only two who are believers in Christ.

Even worse they’re not just unbelievers but many of them bash God and hate Jesus Christ.

It breaks my heart.

I often times feel hopeless for my high school friends. But then I remember there is hope.

Hope in Jesus Christ.

Because truly in high school, I was broken. That broken cross could serve as a metaphor for me. I was vile, deep in sin. Filled with hatred and pain. I was completely shattered and seemed to be unfixable.

But then Jesus truly saved me from myself.

I owe all to God.

All glory to God!

Praise His Name.

Have a Blessed and Hopeful Week,
Chris

What is Loving?

I was once told that a post of mine was the opposite of what my blog was supposed to be. They said I was being judgmental and unloving for telling people the Truth that is found in Christ

In reality Jesus said He was, “The Way, The Truth and the Life” and “That no one comes to the Father except through Me”.

The truth is not judgmental. Telling someone they’re an atheist or a muslim or anything else and then proceeding to tell them about themselves that is judgmental. But telling someone they’re a sinner in need of a savior that is just truth. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.

Now on to the “unloving” part. Since Jesus declared Himself to be the “Truth” not telling someone about Jesus would be unloving because not telling the truth is lying and that in itself is an unloving thing to do.

Most importantly Jesus is the savior of the World. Imagine if you were in a fire and were saved, you now know the way out of the fire, would it be unloving to tell people the way out? Or would that be the most loving thing to do. The least loving thing to do would walk away and say, “well that is my way out of the fire. They’re many different paths to getting saved from the fire”.

That would be awful!

The world right now is trying to tell us Christians to do exactly that. They’re telling us to embrace everyone with “love” but its fake love desired to gratify the flesh.

Do the most loving thing you can do, tell someone about Jesus, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Have a Blessed and Loving Week,
Chris

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A6&version=NIV

Daily Scripture Reading
Monday – Hosea 1:2-10
Tuesday – Psalm 138
Wednesday – Colossians 2:6-19
Thursday – Luke 11:1-13

God and Baseball

Decided to go a little lighter for Throwback Thursday this week. This is a fun post I wrote about baseball and God from 2019. I remember how much I enjoyed writing this entry.

The Good Word

Summer is officially here so it’s the perfect time to write an entry combining two of my biggest passions.  Today I’m writing about God and Baseball.

When something occurs on the field that seems miraculous or like justice is occurring in favor of a wronged player or team people often times like to use the term, “the baseball god’s”. When these things happen I prefer to say God is a Baseball fan.

Rather than discussing memorable Baseball moments there is a quote and a joke I love that I want to discuss.

First the quote, “Baseball is like Church. Many attend few understand.” -Leo Durocher, Hall of Fame Baseball Manager.

I think that’s a brilliant quote and it is very true. In church many do attend but often times miss the point of the Gospel or misquote the Gospel to get a point across that fits their view.

I know…

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The Womb

Psalm 139:13-16 ESV

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

A Baby that sleeps the same in the World as she did in the Womb

More Bible Verses on the Womb…
https://www.openbible.info/topics/womb

Science…
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2018/12/12/science-conclusive-fetus-baby-iowa-fetal-heartbeat-law-abortion/2286938002/

https://www.princeton.edu/~prolife/articles/embryoquotes2.html

Daily Scripture Reading

Monday – 2 Kings 5:1-14

Tuesday – Psalm 66:1-9

Wednesday – Galatians 6:1-16

Thursday – Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

A Father’s Day Prayer

I found this prayer for Father’s Day…

A Father’s Day Prayer of Hope

Dear God, We thank you for the gift of Dads in this life. We thank you that you are the greatest Dad ever, Abba Father, and we know that you cover us in your great love.

We pray for your blessing, favor, and strength over every Dad in this world, for those who are seeking to walk closely with you in a dark world, and for those who just need to be reminded that you are real. We ask for your renewed courage, for your boldness, for your Spirit to fill them. Make them always aware and alert of the schemes of the enemy. We ask that you would keep their footsteps firm, and guard their way. We ask that you would help them to always stand strong, to be men of faith, to say “no” to what is wrong and to say “yes” to what is right. We ask that you would fill their hearts with love, compassion, joy, faithfulness, and cover their lives with great peace.

Lord, we pray that you would raise up mighty men, godly men, in this generation, those who would know and honor you with their entire lives. We pray that they would stand firm in the faith, walk wisely, and follow hard after you. May they grow in their love and passion for you, for their families, and in the calling to follow you above all else. Thank you for dads who fight for their families, who do battle in prayer over those they love.

Thank you God that your Word is true. We hold fast to you today, we choose to immerse our lives in your Truth. We know that you are with us always and cover us in your power and strength.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (Debbie McDaniel)

For more Father’s Day Prayers click this link…

https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/fathers-day/a-prayer-for-all-fathers-on-father-s-day.html

We Can No Longer Be Passive

We can no longer be passive, that time is over.

Christianity is mocked in all forms of media, the only time Christians are portrayed in a positive light is when they have been conformed to the new worldly standards.

For years we have been told not to “Bible Thump” or force our beliefs on others but now the world’s fleeting views are being forced on us.

The answer to this is not worldly aggression but a sound Biblical approach.  

I brought this topic up in Bible Study last week and my Pastors response was the closer he is with Jesus the better he can respond and handle situations like that.

He has found out that people are generally more curious about his beliefs, what he does and what the church does. It’s a good opening to talk about Jesus.

So in order to be ready to talk about our beliefs we have to stay close to Jesus and honor His word not just in the moral standards but in our own behavior.

Be gentle but firm, be loving but don’t condone, all and all show mercy with grace in love.

The answer to everything is Jesus many don’t want Him but His sheep will hear His voice. Listen to Him, obey His Word and stand firm in these times.

Show the world the Way to the narrow path.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Daily Scripture Reading
Monday – 1 Kings 19:1-15a

Tuesday – Psalm 22:19-28

Wednesday – Galatians 3:23-29

Thursday – John 8:26-39

All Will Be Revealed

Scandals.

Scandals are everywhere. They’re covered in the national news and in the local news.

If the person involved in a scandal is not famous, well news travels quickly in communities.

Before you know everyone knows what has gone on.

However personal scandals may only be known to family or close friends but nevertheless they effect people.

Many emotions come when you hear of scandals, anger, sadness, grief. Sometimes maybe positive emotions like relief or happiness to see the truth come to light.

In thinking of many situations like this recently I came to God in prayer and heard in my mind, “All will be revealed”.

I took comfort in that but also there is a lot of weight in that sentence.

All will truly be revealed.

Maybe not to the World but God knows.

You can not hide your sins or transgressions.

No stone will not be overturned, there is no hiding from God.

Your sins will be revealed and you will be judged by God.

But there is good news.

The Good News.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever shall believe in Him will have eternal life.

Jesus can save you from your sins, Jesus is the way the truth and the light.

Repent and believe.

Have a Blessed Week,
Chris

Monday – Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Tuesday – Psalm 8

Wednesday – Romans 5:1-5

Thursday – John 16:12-15