The pastor's thoughts for the week
Hello Church,
I hope this finds you all well. I have been reflecting on James 1:19-20 recently. James tells us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of some most important qualities that we should be practicing everyday and displaying them to all those we come in contact with. Often as Christians we fail to practice these qualities towards the ones that we love the most.
I hope this finds you all well. I have been reflecting on James 1:19-20 recently. James tells us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of some most important qualities that we should be practicing everyday and displaying them to all those we come in contact with. Often as Christians we fail to practice these qualities towards the ones that we love the most.
James 1:19-20,
19 "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
19 "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
I've recently had some discussions with several people about how what we say can have such an impact on those around us. James 3:5-6 tells us,
5 "See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell."
5 "See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell."
I'm convinced that not listening to what people say, what they choose not to say to you or their demeanor is equally as important and destructive as watching what you say towards them. I'm going to break this down into three parts. This will be part 1 - "let every man be swift to hear." I find the order in which James listed these qualities to be important. Why would being "swift to hear" be the first quality listed? I believe listening to someone with your eyes, ears and heart is most important and should be something we do very intently and with discernment from the Holy Spirit. A person's words, tone, posture and demeanor can tell you a lot about how that person is feeling. Listening to these things with your eyes, ears and heart is crucial for your response to them.
Listen to what someone says, discern using all the senses through the Holy Spirit and then respond accordingly. It's not hard to determine if someone is joyful and excited or if they are broken and defeated. We must be sensitive to this and make adjustments in our words and actions accordingly. I think first about our family relationships. How husbands and wives and parents and children interact with one another. These relationships often don't get the best of us.
I see it often how a husband, wife, mom, dad, or child with their words and actions cry out please stop treating me this way with your words! Can't you hear me? Are you listening to me? My words and actions tell you that I am hurting and defeated by the constant pounding of your negative, depressing speech. My words and actions tell you that I am hurting and defeated because of your relentless need to be right and always having to have your way in all things. My words and actions are telling you that I can't handle the way you talk and act towards me any longer. My words and actions tell you that I need you to love me, encourage me, correct me, lead me, be gentle or be tough with me. My words and actions tell you that I am excited and happy, will you please see the good and rejoice with me. My words and actions are telling you that I need your compassion, love and embrace. My words and actions are telling you that I resent the way you talk and treat me, I'm crying out for you to stop and listen to the Holy Spirit, apologize to me, let me forgive you and move past this. I could go on and on with examples, but I would say these are the most common situations.
Please brothers and sisters, take heed to the Word of God and "Be swift to hear" what the people you love most and those you encounter in your doings are saying to you! Pray and seek discernment! Hear and repent if needed! Let your listening bring healing and help to others!
Listen to what someone says, discern using all the senses through the Holy Spirit and then respond accordingly. It's not hard to determine if someone is joyful and excited or if they are broken and defeated. We must be sensitive to this and make adjustments in our words and actions accordingly. I think first about our family relationships. How husbands and wives and parents and children interact with one another. These relationships often don't get the best of us.
I see it often how a husband, wife, mom, dad, or child with their words and actions cry out please stop treating me this way with your words! Can't you hear me? Are you listening to me? My words and actions tell you that I am hurting and defeated by the constant pounding of your negative, depressing speech. My words and actions tell you that I am hurting and defeated because of your relentless need to be right and always having to have your way in all things. My words and actions are telling you that I can't handle the way you talk and act towards me any longer. My words and actions tell you that I need you to love me, encourage me, correct me, lead me, be gentle or be tough with me. My words and actions tell you that I am excited and happy, will you please see the good and rejoice with me. My words and actions are telling you that I need your compassion, love and embrace. My words and actions are telling you that I resent the way you talk and treat me, I'm crying out for you to stop and listen to the Holy Spirit, apologize to me, let me forgive you and move past this. I could go on and on with examples, but I would say these are the most common situations.
Please brothers and sisters, take heed to the Word of God and "Be swift to hear" what the people you love most and those you encounter in your doings are saying to you! Pray and seek discernment! Hear and repent if needed! Let your listening bring healing and help to others!
God Bless You All,
Pastor Ray Renn
Pastor Ray Renn
special eventPastor Ray returns to the pulpit
as Guest Speaker at Lake Gaston Baptist August 13th, 2023 |
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Watch
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Sermon from Sunday, 4/28
Guest Pastor, Roy Vargas |
Wednesday night
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Part 3 - "Why do I need to be saved?"
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