Paulette Talks Faith: September 2016

Monday, September 26, 2016

Week 154: Who's in Your Ear?

Who’s in Your Ear?

So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). Romans 10:17 (AMP)

• Do this—not that???

• Do that—not this???

• YES, NO, YES, NO, YES???

Thoughts zip in and out of your head all day like speeding race cars down a track.

ZOOM—ZOOM—ZOOM!

Since you can’t stop all this traffic, the most important thing to know is: Which thoughts have your ear? The thoughts that have your ear, are the thoughts that you are contemplating. The ones that you are contemplating are the ones that are more likely to influence your actions. Therefore, you had better know who’s in your ear.

I’m reminded of the familiar cartoon showing an angel sitting on one shoulder, and a demon sitting on the other shoulder, while the person is trying to figure out who they should listen to. When you find yourself in that kind of confusion, your faith in God will help you to discern which way to go.

Trust God or Go Stone Crazy!

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. James 1:5 (AMP)

I remember when I had to decide if I should retire or not. You can imagine all the traffic zooming in my ears while trying to make that very important decision. The wrong move could have been a devastating game changer. The choice was beyond the scope of my brainpower. And, it certainly wasn’t a decision that other people could make for me. God was the only One Who I trusted enough to tell me what to do.

Therefore, I got away from all the baffling muddle; fasted and prayed. Then I simply asked God: Should I retire?

In a few days, God dropped in my spirit: Retire!

If you have to make an important decision, first seek the Lord!

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Monday, September 19, 2016

Week 153: Does Judge on a Curve?

Does God Judge on a Curve?

Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. II Corinthians 13:5 (AMP)

• Evaluate. . .

• Score. . .

• Rate. . .

Students who are not performing up to par love it when teachers grade on a curve. I can remember being in a class that was so hard that I aimed for a high failing grade. Teachers can manipulate the grading scale to help those not doing so well to pass.

Million Dollar Question: Will God lower His standards to help the not doing so well world to pass? Hmmm!

Warning! Warning! Low bar—Don’t trip!

If Christians pattern their behavior according to the world’s standards, they will stumble and fall. Every time we think things can’t get any lower, once again the bar drops right from under our feet. We have to be cognizant of the fact that the scales are set low on purpose—to entice.

It takes no effort to fall into a ditch.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

God, The Master Teacher, has set His bar HIGH. Even though His desire is for everyone to pass—He will not tilt the scales. Nevertheless, in His loving kindness, He has provided “the way” for all to pass this class called: Life.

Provided Assistance:

1. The Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16)

2. Grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:16)

3. Wisdom (Proverbs 4:5-9)

4. Angelic host (Psalm 91:11)

5. Armor (Ephesians 6:13-18)

6. Faith (Hebrews 11:1)

Everyone is given the opportunity to make the grade, but only high achievers will accept the challenge.

For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14)

Does God judge on a curve? No!

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Monday, September 12, 2016

Week 152: A Conflict of Interest

A Conflict of Interest

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

• Having your cake and eating it too. . .

• Biting off the hand that feeds you. . .

• Feet in both camps. . .

When I first learned to drive, I had a bad habit of putting one foot on the accelerator—at the same time putting the other foot on the brakes. Oh no! I call that a conflict of interest. My intention was to get to my destination, but my actions were working against me.

I caused that problem!

We can sometimes be our biggest hindrance when trying to get our prayers answered. We can pray all day and all night long, but if there’s some sort of obstruction that we’re causing that stops us from getting results, then we need to know about it; so we can do something about it.

Biting off the hand that feeds us.

Ask God: Am I doing anything that is causing a conflict of interest?

An example of a conflict of interest that could affect our prayers is when we put more faith in what the devil says over what God says. We do this when we ask for God’s help, then turn around and let this con artist worry us to death with his illegal suggestions. We can’t have it both ways. We either have faith in God, or we don’t. (See Week 131: Believe It or Not.)

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (James 1:6-7)

Another example of a conflict of interest affecting our prayer life is when we disregard God’s commandments, His principles, His way of doing things, and still expect Him to bless us. God will not bless mess!

…Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it! Luke 11:28 (AMP)

God’s Blessings + Unbelief = A Conflict of Interest!

God’s Blessings + Immorality = A Conflict of Interest!

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