Practice, practice, pratice

[K2CHRIST]

Heb 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

When I was young my parents wanted me to learn to play the piano. They had me take classes and I was told to practice an hour each day. I wasn't that good at it, even though I did put in an hour each day for a time. Of course I didn't really want to play the piano either. They finally put me in football. I liked that better.

The point is; how often do we actually practice listening to the Lord each day. Is it an hour?

We once had a man come to our church who was fairly anointed. He had written a book which I used to have. He explained that the Lord changed his life by asking the man if he would "tarry" with the Lord each day. If I remember right, the Lord asked that man to tarry with him for about 20 minutes each day. Wow, I had been asked to practice my piano an hour each day and it didn't make me good at playing the piano. They man was pretty anointed seemingly because He actually practice 20 minutes a day listening to the Lord.

Of course even an hour is would is a lot less that praying unceasingly as is recorded in the Bible. Yet 20 minutes of listening to the Lord each day did bring that man into a close relationship with the Lord! He was indeed a lot closer to the Lord than most Christian I meet. So how often do we actually spend just talking to the Lord each day?

I still remember being shock when one pastor told me he had only heard the small voice of the Lord twice in His life. He wasn't as anointed, and you couldn't feel the presence of God in him like you could the man you practiced hearing from the Lord 20 minutes each day. Someone told me Benny Hinn used to spend two hours just listening and getting close to the Lord before going on stage at the big revival services he did. How often does a concert pianist have to practice to get to where they are ready to go on stage>

People, we need to make it a practice to listen to the Lord each day!!!

 

[Free]

Someone told me Benny Hinn

And there is a red flag. Beware of false teachers.

 

[smaller]

And there is a red flag. Beware of false teachers.

And bad actors who have to practice deceiving the flock for 2 hours before they go on stage to 'act.'

The very first instructions, IN WRITING, Jesus gave and still gives to His disciples is to beware of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy meaning "actor" or someone who is pretending to be what they are not.

Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

 

[WIP]

I wasn't that good at it, even though I did put in an hour each day for a time. Of course I didn't really want to play the piano either.

Do you suppose this is part of the reason you never got really good at it?

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

Sounds like 20 minutes a day isn't going to cut it.

 

[Jim Parker]

People, we need to make it a practice to listen to the Lord each day!!!

Since the Word says, "...be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.", (Jas 1:22 NKJV) how about we practice doing what He said to do every day?

We got really good at sinning because we used to practice sinning every day.
Now we need to get really good at doing good by practicing doing acts of love and mercy every day.

Why?

Because Jesus said (John 5:28-29 NKJV)
… the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth
—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life,
and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

jus sayin


iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)




DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

 

[civilwarbuff]

When we read the word and do as it calls us to do we are listening to God.....He does not need to have a conversation with each and everyone of us every day. He has told us all we need to know, believe and do in Scripture. Though I do not intend this as criticism of anyone I do tend to hold doubt of those who frequently say that God told them this, that or the other......especially if it is something that has direct impact on others..

 

[Jim Parker]

When we read the word and do as it calls us to do we are listening to God.....He does not need to have a conversation with each and everyone of us every day. He has told us all we need to know, believe and do in Scripture. Though I do not intend this as criticism of anyone I do tend to hold doubt of those who frequently say that God told them this, that or the other......especially if it is something that has direct impact on others..

I would have poked the "like" is there had been one.


iakov the fool

 

[K2CHRIST]

Do you suppose this is part of the reason you never got really good at it?

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

Sounds like 20 minutes a day isn't going to cut it.

Exactly right. If I don't really want to play the piano, even if I practice it is not really going to make me very good at it, even if I am forced to do it. And I believe that same thing can be said for those that force themselves to pray to God when they don't really want to. Scoffer's are like that. We see people scoff at the idea of hearing God, so even if they force themselves to pray and try to communicate with God they are not going to be very good at it.

Never-the-less, I tell scoffer regularly to pray and try and listen to God. I did learn a few songs on the piano. I can still play a couple of them today, some 40 plus years later. I learn a bit about how a piano is played. So I believe even a scoffer that forces himself to talk to God is going to get some good out of it. But if you really want to play ball, you are going to be into your team. You are going to be looking to communicate with God every time you can find time for it. And it is possible to pray and walk with God all day long, talking to Him about everything, but it is also easy for any person to get busy and side tracked and forget to keep that communication going.

And if you really love playing the piano and played it often, you would get really good at it, even if you were just an average person. You would probably get good enough to be on stage. Maybe not famous, but perhaps on stage at the front of your church. Or perhaps on stage at the local bar. You have to decide where and how you want to use what you practice. That too is probably the case when it comes to listening with spiritual ears.

There are those that practice listening in order to place curses, casts spells, and such. And there are those dedicated to Jesus Christ and so are using their spiritual ears to seek the Lord and help people out. I seek my Lord Jesus Christ and He has me trying to help people out. He has me in several ministries, one of which is a Christian healing ministry where listening with my spiritual ears is the only way to go.

The last time there was fairly typical. My wife and I were teamed up, which is not always the case. We prayed for 4 people. A lady that was concerned for herself, and husband. A couple that were having problems with their marriage. And a person that wanted help because she had trouble getting into things she knew she shouldn't.

When I am doing this ministry I make it a point to keep in constant communication with the Lord, because if He does do the work it doesn't get done, and He has lots of different ways to proceed. The first lady reported that she felt the fire of God touch her and thanked us for praying for her. The couple wound up in tears as the Holy Spirit moved in on them. The last person seemed to get the gift of tongues. It was hard to say but extremely quiet pray flowed out as the Spirit touched her. We were about to wrap up when I heard the Lord telling me that there was also a physical problem in the stomach which needed prayer.

I always take that information on slowly, because sometime the Lord knows of a problem the person doesn't know of, and people can take offense to being told they have a problem they don't know about. So I asked if she might have a physical problem with her stomach which she needed prayer for. She smiled an explained that she was having a problem with her stomach just recently so she hadn't gone to the doctors yet.

This actually happens fairly often in the healing ministry. People come in for help with husbands, with marriages, and with personal inabilities to keep themselves from doing what they know they shouldn't, and don't think to seek the Lord for physical healing also. Maybe it is a faith thing, or maybe they are more embarrassed about a physical problem than personal problems, but God knows about it all. So I would say that I find that the Lord stops me and tells me about a physical problem He wants healed and surprised the person because of the word of knowledge He gives me.

Now, I believe in the Lord healing, and I hear the Lord talk to me and I am just an average person. So He put me in a healing ministry and I see Him do miracle in people and make changes in their life. Still it is a lot safer to believe all that in a back room of a church than on a big stage in front of thousands of people where you know there are going to be scoffers somewhere in the crowd. People like Benny Hinn, Oral Roberts, Kathryn Kuhlman, and many, many others that have gotten up on stage and have believed God for healing and words of knowledge just amaze me. I suppose it would be like how a piano player at a small country church might be amazed at a famous concert pianist.

I was concerned and lacked some boldness when I brought up the stomach problem I was hearing the Lord tell me about. So I am certain I would be scarred in front of thousands of people. I wouldn't be able to get myself to even speak straight, so how much harder would it be to hear from the Lord and boldly proclaim what I was hearing in front of thousands. Those scoffers would really worry me then.

I have been to Benny Hinn healing services. And I listen to the Lord while I have sat far away from the front, levels up, in a massive stadium while thousands looked on him. Sometime my Lord tells me things that are going to happen before they happen, but I get to keep those things quiet. Benny then announces the things I hear to all. He starts getting words about people getting healed and they are incredibly precise words, not just about a stomach but about stomach cancer that was treated at a certain and came back. Then hundreds of people came forward and someone would testify that they were that person and felt the healing when he announced it.

I know how it happens. He listens to the Lord he proclaims, which is Jesus Christ, via the Holy Spirit which is the Spirit of Christ. He can do that because he has made it a practice of doing that. Moses heard from the same One and was even bold enough to go before Pharaoh who could have had him kill with a word if God had not protected him. And Moses saw greater things than Benny. And the people of God saw those things that God did because Moses listen to the Lord, and though they saw it those people had scoffers in their midst.

I stay in the back rooms and pray for people there. I tell people about Jesus Christ and about hearing from Him on a forum where those scoffers don't know who I am. I am impress more with those people that are clearly willing to boldly proclaim God, and even in front of thousands and at risk and knowing they will be publicly criticized for their faith in the Lord. They impress me, because I know what it is like to hear form the Lord.

And as for the scoffers. They too have been given reasons to believe that God is around and knows. He will take care of them. But first He is patient with them, wishing none should perish. Perhaps they will repent of their pride and start humbling seeking the voice of the Lord.

 

[K2CHRIST]

When we read the word and do as it calls us to do we are listening to God.....He does not need to have a conversation with each and everyone of us every day. He has told us all we need to know, believe and do in Scripture. Though I do not intend this as criticism of anyone I do tend to hold doubt of those who frequently say that God told them this, that or the other......especially if it is something that has direct impact on others..

Reading a book someone writes is not the same as knowing and having a personal relationship with them. Try reading someone's book then go over to their house, knock of their door and see if the know who you are?

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. Daniel knew the Lord and heard His voice. So Daniel could not only read the writing and get the dream, he could also get the interpretation from God. You really want to know what the writing means? It means the Lord wants you listening to Him because He is Lord of lords, and King of kings. And if you do listen to and for the voice of the Omni-present Lord of lords and King of kings, you will get to know Him. You could and will become His friend. And guess what. He like having friends. He treats them like part of His family and gives them access to His heavenly house. But those that don't know Him, and have relied on the writings instead of the relationship, they will be thrown out where there will be gnashing of teeth.

Of course this is all explained in the writings, but do you believe what your read if you are not seeking His voice? If you think you are doubting those that say God frequently tells them this or that, you are doubting them you are doubting God, because He had it written that it would be like that.

Is 30:21 Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying "This is the way, walk in it." Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.

People are doubting alright. When they say they doubt that people who say they hear from God often, they are doubt a certain thing said by that person they are doubt that God talks to people regularly, but the problem is that the Bible says He does. So they are doubting what a person says, they are doubting the very Scriptures they have been putting their faith in. They need to believe what they have been reading and seek the voice of the Lord, which is not the writings

Jn 5:47 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?

Perhaps someone that says they have a word from the Lord doesn't, but if you believe in the Lord you can simply ask Him about that word and find out directly from our Lord Jesus Christ whether that person did hear from Him or not. But if you simply don't believe that anyone saying they regularly hear from the Lord, it is not them but the Lord whom you don't believe in. And you don't believe in the writing of Moses because he too hears regularly from the Lord, and that is what he was writing about. You would not have believed Moses then, because you would believe anyone saying such a thing now. And if Moses was to come back again, say as perhaps one of the two witnesses recorded in revelation, you would be him then either. So you would even have believed Jesus Christ if you lived when He had taken on flesh and came to dwell with men, because He was saying He did and said only what the Father told Him.

So I am not saying that everyone that says they hear from God does, but I am saying you need to regularly be hearing from God so you will know. And if you are doubting that people can do that you deny the very coming of Christ in the flesh, so what sprit are you of??

 

[K2CHRIST]

Since the Word says, "...be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.", (Jas 1:22 NKJV) how about we practice doing what He said to do every day?

We got really good at sinning because we used to practice sinning every day.
Now we need to get really good at doing good by practicing doing acts of love and mercy every day.

Why?

Because Jesus said (John 5:28-29 NKJV)
… the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth
—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life,
and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

jus sayin


iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)




DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

Absolutely!! We need to practice doing loving acts everyday. But God is love and only God is good, and Jesus said of us, "If you, being evil..." So are you going to lean on your own understanding of what is good, or are you going to listen to the Lord and do what He says. Who knows better, you or Him. But we have to believe His is indeed the Great I Am so that we can listen to Him through out the day. If you decide to lean on your own understanding then you are not going to know what to do when. Jesus went to the cross and was resurrected so that we might be able to hear from God. He set the captives free. They are free to seek good, knowing that only God is good. Or they are free to go back to leaning on the understanding of someone who the Lord said was evil, themselves!

 

[Jim Parker]

Jesus went to the cross and was resurrected so that we might be able to hear from God.

Ummmm....no.
People heard from God for a very long time Before He went to the cross.

Jesus died and rose again to destroy death's hold on mankind. (1 Cor 15:21-22)
He destroyed the power of sin to cause mankind to die and not rise again. (1Co 15:54-57)

Now no one will remain in the grave; all will be resurrected.
Jhn 5:28-29 (RSV) Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.


iakov the fool
(beaucoup dien cai dau)



DISCLAIMER: By reading the words posted above, you have made a free will choice to expose yourself to the rantings of iakov the fool. The poster assumes no responsibility for any temporary, permanent or otherwise annoying manifestations of cognitive dysfunction that, in any manner, may allegedly be related to the reader’s deliberate act by which he/she has knowingly allowed the above rantings to enter into his/her consciousness. No warrantee is expressed or implied. Individual mileage may vary. And, no, I don't want to hear about it. No sniveling! Enjoy the rest of your life here and the eternal one to come.

 

[GodsGrace]

When we read the word and do as it calls us to do we are listening to God.....He does not need to have a conversation with each and everyone of us every day. He has told us all we need to know, believe and do in Scripture. Though I do not intend this as criticism of anyone I do tend to hold doubt of those who frequently say that God told them this, that or the other......especially if it is something that has direct impact on others..

Oops.
No "Like" button.
:nod

 

[civilwarbuff]

Reading a book someone writes is not the same as knowing and having a personal relationship with them. Try reading someone's book then go over to their house, knock of their door and see if the know who you are?

You are not just reading a book you are reading the inspired word of God.....and with the Holy Spirit as your guide you will learn all you need to know of God and his plan for us.

Of course this is all explained in the writings, but do you believe what your read if you are not seeking His voice? If you think you are doubting those that say God frequently tells them this or that, you are doubting them you are doubting God, because He had it written that it would be like that.

His word is His voice; it is how he speaks to us. To think it is necessary that He speak with a voice to us on a regular/frequent basis is not supported in scripture.....unless someone is claiming to be a prophet then they would have to show that and not just claim God speaks to them. How many times did God speak directly to men in the NT(Revelation aside)? Only a few times as I remember.....

 

[Brother Mike]

And there is a red flag. Beware of false teachers.

Is that All you got out of it Free. To judge another person. Benny is coming to get you Free, RUN!!!! OH ......... Stop judging folks man. seriously.

When we read the word and do as it calls us to do we are listening to God.....He does not need to have a conversation with each and everyone of us every day. He has told us all we need to know, believe and do in Scripture. Though I do not intend this as criticism of anyone I do tend to hold doubt of those who frequently say that God told them this, that or the other......especially if it is something that has direct impact on others..

I hear God all the time, Ask Edward about the Word the Lord gave me to him confirming a major change for good in His life. However, you have a witness which protects us from a wrong "Thus saith the Lord" We should all know how this works, right?

Absolutely!! We need to practice doing loving acts everyday. But God is love and only God is good, and Jesus said of us, "If you, being evil..." So are you going to lean on your own understanding of what is good, or are you going to listen to the Lord and do what He says. Who knows better, you or Him. But we have to believe His is indeed the Great I Am so that we can listen to Him through out the day. If you decide to lean on your own understanding then you are not going to know what to do when. Jesus went to the cross and was resurrected so that we might be able to hear from God. He set the captives free. They are free to seek good, knowing that only God is good. Or they are free to go back to leaning on the understanding of someone who the Lord said was evil, themselves!

Spiritual things are practiced, not to get everyone to spend an 1/2 hour in tongues a day without distractions. We all have the gift, but we don't use it enough like we should.

Mike.

 

[Jim Parker]

Spiritual things are practiced, not to get everyone to spend an 1/2 hour in tongues a day without distractions.

Try an all-nighter.

 

[K2CHRIST]

You are not just reading a book you are reading the inspired word of God.....and with the Holy Spirit as your guide you will learn all you need to know of God and his plan for us.

His word is His voice; it is how he speaks to us. To think it is necessary that He speak with a voice to us on a regular/frequent basis is not supported in scripture.....unless someone is claiming to be a prophet then they would have to show that and not just claim God speaks to them. How many times did God speak directly to men in the NT(Revelation aside)? Only a few times as I remember.....

You are reading a book that God inspired, so I certainly agree that it is not just any book, but it is still a book. And you are absolutely correct to write that the Holy Spirit can guide you. You will note that He does that by speaking to you, and He speaks words, spiritual words, that you can pick up with your spiritual ears.

Jn 16:13 ... He will speak...
Jn 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life... the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

So the Spirit speaks spiritual words to you personally. It is those words that give life. If the Scriptures have you life the Pharisee would have had life and Jesus could not have told them "you cannot hear My word" Jn 8:43

Now today we usually call the Scriptures (your Bible) because it was inspired by God, but it is does not give us life. And we should know that those very Scriptures call Jesus Christ, the Word of God, but He is not the Scriptures. We also can hear the Lord through the Holy Spirit which is the spirit of Christ. The Holy Spirit does not speak on His own initiative, He takes the Word of God which belong to the Son and gives them to you. It is those words that give us life. And Jesus owns those words.

Jn 16: 15 All this that the Father has are Mine, therefore I said He (the Holy Spirit) take of Mine and will disclose it to you.

Rev 19:13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood and His name is called "The Word of God."

So we don't really match up with the Scriptures when we call the Scriptures the Word of God, because they call Jesus Christ the Word of God. We should have seen that. Never-the-less that is semantics, and the important part is that you are indeed listening to the Spirit of God. You listen to Him when you study the Bible, and He speaks words that can be picked up with your spiritual ears. You can also talk to Him on every aspect of your life, and not just the Bible. He will of course tell you to "Read Your Bible", but He is not the Bible but the One who says to read your Bible.

So we are not preaching the Bible but rather we are preaching Jesus Christ whom we can hear from via the Holy Spirit.

And by the way, if you are not remembering the Spirit speaking to men only a few times in the NT you are not remembering well. Still the early Christians not hearing the Spirit was a huge problem even then.

To the Galatians Paul wrote, "did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?... then told them. "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Paul called them foolish because they stopped hearing the Spirit by faith, but they had continued to read and try to follow the Scriptures.

And Paul again told them, "So then, does He who provided you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law or by hearing with faith?

Face it, the Galatians were not practicing hearing by faith.

And in Hebrews we are told three times, "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked me."

So how often should you hear from someone who said He would never leave you? My wife sometimes leaves the house, but I hear from her everyday. Now the Hebrews were brought up on the Scriptures, and should have been the teachers, but it was written to them. "you have become dull of hearing" and also "who because of practice have their sense trained".

And also you might note that to all seven churches written to in Revelation got reproved for this thing, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" So all seven churches were not letting those people who have and ear to hear, hear the Spirit.

And who has an ear?
Mat 13:14 ... while hearing they do not hear...

Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. But are Christians hearing like they should. It was clearly a huge problem in both the Old and New testament. And it is a problem now.

 

[Brother Mike]

Try an all-nighter.

I think I can honestly say in 18 years, a full hour without distraction. I think there is a difference in speaking in tongues while at the store, doing dishes, working, whatever, than what some call "Getting into the spirit" That means no distractions and I believe more time in tongues "Praying" the less work and hassle there seems to be in daily lives. So, More time with God, equals less time doing things without the wisdom of God and wasting time.

Whole lot more to learn, that is for sure.

Mike.

 

[Free]

Is that All you got out of it Free. To judge another person. Benny is coming to get you Free, RUN!!!! OH ......... Stop judging folks man. seriously.

That's all I got out of it and I'm not going to stop judging truth from that which is false. It is the responsibility of Christians, the responsibility of the Church, to judge false teachers, false prophets, and sin in the Church. If you don't like that, take it up with Scripture.

Beware the post-modern mindset, BM.

 

[reba]

sheesh where is the like button

 

[Brother Mike]

That's all I got out of it and I'm not going to stop judging truth from that which is false. It is the responsibility of Christians, the responsibility of the Church, to judge false teachers, false prophets, and sin in the Church. If you don't like that, take it up with Scripture.

Beware the post-modern mindset, BM.

The thing though Free is that the OP was talking about preparing for spiritual things. Just because a name was mentioned that is not popular with traditional religious beliefs does not make the OP's post invalid or false.

Your focus was finding something you don't agree with. This is a bad way to be. There is nothing wrong with praying and preparing before speaking or singing for God's people.

K2CHRIST seems to have no issue with Benny Hinn, so he was mentioned, ignorant of the fact there could be a negative response as K2CHRIST has no ought against him. K2CHRIST had no idea that mentioning Benny Hinn would distract from his message.

That is the issue I have, and you and I don't know everything either.

It's not about the Doctrine Free, it's about the heart of a person. A person can be totally off, but still be right with God. I have been totally off, because I did not have or know of other comparing scriptures that would have changed what I said. My intent was not to mislead anyone however, and I can get corrected.

Character is another thing though. If a Persons character is bad, then bad doctrine follows. One reason I don't listen to Benny Hinn.

As for K2CHRIST, look for good, not look for bad.

Mike.