HAVE YOU HEARD THE CALL?
For quite some years now, I have had to use hearing aids as my hearing has slowly begun to deteriorate, a not uncommon sign of aging. It is also commonly said, we men has the ability to appear to hear but in reality is not listening. I am sure I have written about hearing in the past but feel impressed to approach the topic again.
Solomon although known as “The wisest man in the world” also made some very unwise decisions in his lifetime, perhaps we can be encouraged by this fact. He also says in Proverbs 1:5 NLT A wise man will hear and INCREASE LEARNING the NLT says Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become EVEN WISER.
The direct result of listening is INCREASED LISTENING & WISDOM.
So we must learn to listen (not only in the natural) but especially in relation to hearing the voice of God. The writer of the Book of Hebrews laments about 1st century believers saying in Heb.5:11 NKJV since you have become dull of hearing. Sadly, it is a 21st century problem as well.
There are times when my hearing aids do not work very well because they get blocked by the wax build up in my ears, and I need to both get my ears and aids cleaned if I am to be able to hear effectively. That wax is surely a type or sign of sin when it comes to our spiritual hearing, we sure must daily clear the decks of any unconfessed sin, sadly, it is also simply plain laziness and lack of discipline, and as Paul says we need to “beat our bodies” and not let it “call the shots in our life”.
A Disciple-maker/Mentor can so help us to develop and maintain quality hearing, and regularly “check up” on us, to see we are listening.
Can I ask you WHAT IS YOUR MINISTRY? For every Believer is called to a ministry, but again sadly, many are not listening, or have not been discipled and do not have a clue what their ministry is.
One aspect of Ministry that every Believer must fulfil is to be a witness, Jesus tells us in Acts 1:8 NKJV But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We sure thank God for the Pentecostal/Charismatic Revival that has taken place in the Church over the last 100+ years, but it wasn’t just TO make us feel good, and to be able to speak in tongues but that we would be WITNESSES. This can be expressed in a thousand different ways, but what is the way God wants to use you as a witness.
I am reminded of God’s call to Isaiah in Is. 6:8-9 NKJV
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”
Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
And He said, “Go, and tell this people:
We cannot say “Here am I send me” until we hear “Whom shall I send”, and I believe God want to say these words to every Believer, for the majority is not going to be your Judea or Samaria or uttermost parts of the earth, it may simply be your street, your suburb, your family.
Not only does the writer to Hebrews, speak of dull of hears, but 3 verses later he goes on in verse 14 AMP.N.T. for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.
Hearing is one of the 5 senses God has placed in the human body (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling.) when we are born again we then begin to understand we have 5 spiritual senses that need to be developed (trained)or they become “dull” this is where the Mentor is so important to assist us develop our 5 spiritual senses.
Have you heard the call to Ministry”? If you haven’t yet, will you please do something about it? It is the will of God for every Believer (without exception) to be a witness.
I am reminded of a great old hymn, some may remember it,
Hear the Lord of harvest sweetly calling,
“Who will go and work for Me today?
Who will bring to Me the lost and dying?
Who will point them to the narrow way?”
Refrain
Speak, my Lord, speak, my Lord,
Speak, and I’ll be quick to answer Thee;
Speak, my Lord, speak, my Lord,
Speak, and I will answer, “Lord, send me.”
2 When the coal of fire touched the prophet,
Making him as pure, as pure can be,
When the voice of God said, “Who’ll go for us?”
Then he answered, “Here I am, send me.” [Refrain]
3 Millions now in sin and shame are dying,
Listen to their sad and bitter cry;
Hasten, brother, hasten to the rescue;
Quickly answer, “Master, here am I.” [Refrain]
4 Soon the time for reaping will be over;
Soon we’ll gather for the harvest home;
May the Lord of harvest smile upon us,
May we hear His blessed, “Child, well done.” [Refrain]
Please pray the words of the refrain and let God speak to to you.
