Hard of Hearing

I am old and can’t hear very well. I have discovered some advantages to hearing less. My wife often has her sleep disrupted by noises outside the house, while I can’t hear them and am not disturbed. Sometimes conversations turn in a direction that I am not interested in or am offended by, but my hearing deficiency keeps me from hearing what I don’t want to hear. But, I admit, most of the time I would like to hear better, because I am missing out on important information.

I Peter 2:15 says, “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” We may be criticized when we do wrong things. Although we may also be criticized when we do good things, these criticisms are generally do not gain an audience or support. Let our good works speak as loudly and as effectively as our words. Let’s be lights in the world that dispel the darkness around us. Let God shatter the darkness in His power and make evil become silent.

Solemn Assembly

Have you ever started a task thinking that it would be simply and quick, only to find that it will require much more time, effort, and resources than you thought? Well, sometimes we come to God in the same way, thinking that a simple short prayer will move the hand of God. But, it could be that God is requiring a deeper level of commitment from us. He may want us to repent from our sins that are holding us back, offer Him complete and pure devotion, and even gather a group of people to seek His wisdom and power together.

Joel 1:14 says, “Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.” In this verse, God is calling His people to become serious and sincere in their faith. He is calling for repentance and a gathering together in prayer and commitment. Sometimes we will face a big decision or need God’s help in a big way. These times call for sincere faith and deep commitment to God.

The Promise of Spring

It is officially Spring now. Where I live, however, the weather has not really improved much. With each Spring, we relish in the hope of warmer temperatures and blooming flowers. Our minds put aside the gloom of winter, and we dream of sunshine and fruit bearing plants.

II Kings 2:19-21 says, “Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.”He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the LORD, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.” The LORD turns even the most sour situations into springs of flowing water that bear the most fruit.

Unselfish Love

If our children need something, most of us will do everything that we can to provide that for them, even if it requires substantial effort on our part. The sacrifices that we make for our children demonstrate our love for them. Sometimes, however, we are not willing to make even small sacrifices for other people. Letting someone go before us in the line at the grocery store, because they have just a few items and may need to hurry, is hard for us to accept and do at times. Understanding the needs of others and doing something to meet those needs are acts of love that our world desperately needs.

I John 3:16. 18 says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for us by giving the greatest sacrifice that anyone can give. He gave His life freely so that we may live. Therefore, we need to forsake selfish ambition so that we can love others with actions that serve their needs, even over our own.

Promises To Live By

Here are some of the promises that God has given to those who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord:

Hebrews 3:6 says, “but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” Our faith and hope are founded in the faithfulness of Christ, not in in ourselves or some good thing that we try to do.

John 14:2-3 says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” Jesus is preparing a place for each of us and will personally bring us to that place. Our room is reserved based upon the unfailing promise of God.

In John 10:29 Jesus says, “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” Once we trust in Jesus, we are His forever.

In Hebrews 13:5 Jesus says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Jesus is always with us, protecting us, providing for us, and covering us in His love.