OFF MY CHEST, FROM MY HEART!

Blessay No. 10, January 19, 2004

WHO HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR
by Pastor Bulldog

The short time that I served as a medical center chaplain gave me the perspective I was looking for, in that I was able to observe reactions and emotions of those facing life-threatening illnesses. The many times I spent as a patient I also regard as a plus.

I found that it is easy to say, “Oh I have faith. I believe God has the power to heal me,” but eyes and mannerisms of many reveal pain and fright. They are robbed of fighting strength and resolve; “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” The body’s immune system becomes defenseless. But being able to make personal application of divine power through grace establishes great peace. See how that works?

The Bible is full of similes and word pictures to impress upon the minds of the fearful of the power of God, but the cares of the world can dim the apprehension of them. For ears that are dull of hearing, a good jolt of the reality of Biblical truth helps one to “get understanding” and to LET God be God.

So, notice that little word “let”. It’s small, but it is mighty. It means something is possible, but prevented from happening until one will LET it happen. From Webster’s 1828 Dictionary it means, “To permit; to allow; to suffer; to give leave or POWER by a positive act, or negatively, to withhold restraint; not to prevent.” When I think about it, I am reminded of rodeos I have seen and gates which prevent power from breaking loose.

Just imagine this with me. The chutes are to our left over there and it’s the bronco-busting event. There’s Beelzebub in chute #3. All “hell’s about to bust loose.” Cowboys are all over the place holding that mean critter, but he isn’t cooperating. He’s MAD, and he wants out. He’s thrashing, snorting, kicking and bumping against the sides of the stanchion and you hear the crack and bumps and the clatter and you see the dust and straw and it makes you wonder who ever would try to ride that beasr is a maniac.

We’re talking about “major league” POWER there. And the cowboy who’s going to try to tame that pent up beast has climbed up and is ready to drop down on the horse, which he does and that makes the horse MADDER, but cowboys have the bronco tightly tethered until the rider is ready. Finally he’s on and getting himself settled and the horse is saying, “You just wait, Bucko, you’re a dead man.”

He makes sure of his handhold on the rope. Then, when he’s ready, he says, “LET HIM GO.” Raging, bucking, twisting, rearing, stomping – it’s all power broken loose.

That illustration of unleashed power is easy to read and understand. I’ll bet that it is firmly planted in your mind, but it makes me wonder why it is sometimes difficult for one to deeply comprehend the amazing power of God from the illustrations He gave us in the Bible.

Take for example the first time the word “Let” appears in the Bible. “And God said, LET there be light: and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3) “Let” is mentioned 14 times in Genesis One in connection with the creation. God unleashed His power by the word of His mouth, “LET.” The word, “LET,” is used in simplicity by Jesus when He commands us to, “LET your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Paul describes Jesus as the personification of power, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints IN LIGHT: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:12-17)

There are a lot of “lets” in the Bible and I should not make dogma out of this, but it’s easy to tell what “let” means depending on who is saying it.

• It releases PRONOUNCEMENTS from the mouth of evil and worldly men who mean, “I’m taking over from God.” “And they said, Go to, LET us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and LET us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” (Genesis 11:4)
• It releases PROPHECIES from God through the mouths of men. “And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and LET thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.” (Genesis 24:60)
• It releases PRAISE when spoken by the righteous. “LET my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.” (Psalm 71:8)
• It releases PLEAS from the mouths of righteous and needy people. “LET the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
• It releases POWER from the mouth of God. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness….” (Genesis 1:26)

Do you know what? Almighty God, the author and finisher of our faith through the Lord Jesus Christ, has implored us to learn HOW to LET His power flow through us to accomplish His plan for our lives. LISTEN UP!

“So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

One needs to develop spiritual ears in order to hear what God is really saying to you through His word.

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, LET HIM HEAR.” (Matthew 13:43)

Eight times in the gospels, Jesus implores, “Who hath ears to hear, LET HIM HEAR.” Let it happen. Let it penetrate. Let it be meditated upon. Throw every useless thought out of your mind.

Eight times in The Revelation, Jesus advises, “He that hath an ear, LET HIM HEAR.” LET Him heal your diseases. LET Him give you faith. LET Him supply your need. Stand back and away from negativity and LET it happen from God. Don’t hold it back.

You who are students of numbers in the Bible know that “eight” signifies new beginnings. Jesus broke loose from the grave on the eighth day. LET that power be released into your spirit, soul and body. Regardless of your affliction, it can be a new beginning.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And LET him that heareth say, Come. And LET him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, LET him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

PRACTICE OVERCOMING FEAR AND NEGATIVITY; MEDITATE ON THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES, MAKE THEM YOUR PRAYERS.

• “LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1)
• “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. LET not your heart be troubled, neither LET it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
• ”The night is far spent, the day is at hand: LET us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and LET us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:12)
• ”If we live in the Spirit, LET us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:25)
• “LET all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” (Ephesians 4:31)
• “LET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5)
• “And LET the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Colossians 3:15)
• “LET the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)
  
  (c) Copyright, 2003-2008, All Rights Reserved. The SURVIVORS INTERNET MINISTRY, INTL. Robert N. Adams, Founder-Director,

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FATHER, YOU PROMISED!

"ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope." (Psalm 119:49)

Our two boys were a delight to raise. Jeff and David are ten years apart. Helen always said that we raised two only chilldren. Helen and i are "only children," yet our backgrounds were different.

Her parents were extra loving and she learened to love and grew up with her mother's motto in her thoughts - Others. Her mother was a sweet little Southern woman who was a certified flower judge in Virginia and was active in charity work with the Richmond Home for Ladies.

Her father was a high level executive for the Old Dominion state of Virginia. He was closely involved in her rearing in many ways. He peaked her curiosity about the nature of things, gave her a beautiful black Irish setter named Mose, and saw to her education at the historical College of Willliam and Mary. Her security as a child was verrified when she wanted something and she sweetly said, "Daddy, you promised." Actually he had no intentions to forget; he always remembered.

My shildhood days were a little different. I had a good childhood, not without a lot of knocks, however. My parents were divorced. Mother was there for me as best she could, but her work as an expert Gregg Shorthand stenographer opened wide doors of opportunity, mostly a short distance out of town. But for little boys, how does this sound? Mother, you promised. Not the same is it?

The one thing i have always missed and have always wanted was a dad. I would have thought I was in heaven if I could have said, "Dad, you promised." I had a grandfather who did a good job of filling in . . . but it was not the same and I always knew it. During the hard times of the depression, I seem to remember that we did not want for anything. Grandpa made a good salary from his office job on the Santa Fe Railroad.

He was good at drawing pictures and I would ask him to draw a picture for me when he went to work. I didn't have to say Grandpa, you proimised, he always did it. I usually asked for a soldier and he would come home with a great pencil drawing of a Captain of the Horse Marines, a splendid straight-backed figure on a handsome steed.

My three parents were loving and saw that I was in Sunday school and church. But the circus in those days lightened up the atmosphere with a pre-show parade down Summit Street to the fair grounds - elephants, giraffs, tiger and lion cages, floats with pretty women, and a circus band. When Donkey Baseball and carnivals came to town, I would say, "Grandpa, you promised," and he would crack a smile and together we went.

But a father does a much better job of making everything seem just fine. He is good at bringing a boy out of gloom into the sunlight; soothing hurt feelings, or being there to coach you when somebody wants to pick a fight, and to say things like, "Hey, son, that's a good job you did in making that tie rack at school." He's there to say, "It won't hurt after a while. Just hold on, son." Or he might say, "Try a little harder, son. You can do anything you set your mind to. I'm here right beside you."

I found that our heavenly Father is like the good father, such as the one Helen had, will do everything he can for his child including chastening when needed, "for whom he loveth, he chaseneth." (Hebrews 12:6) I tried to be a good father to our boys and with Helen's sage counsel, I think I did okay without ever going to Father School.

The Bible is a good "Father Book" It has a section devoted directly to the secret of being a good father, as well as a good husband, and a good employer and employee, Ephesians 5:20-6:8. The only problem is that while the Bible has solutions too many people have an authority problem and yield to the Devil's tools against conversion: " . . . the lust of the flesh . . . the lust of the eyes . . . the pride of life . . . ." (1John 2:16) They are hard to resist; many don't want to resist.

Today, political spin doctors publish so much untrue trash, so often, that those who do not bother to read up on issues look at the outword appearances, having no spiritual discernment to see in a person what God sees. The ancient computer acronym, GIGO, (Garbage in, garbage out), is an appropriate description of conditions.

To avoid bad information that prevents our making good judgments, our minds and hearts need to be re-programmed. We need to pour in righteous data to push out the worldly sludge. Like compusters, we'll run a lot faster. Re-programming the mind; and memorizing Bible data and repeating it whenever a virus wants to set in, makes one ready to give an account of the hope that is in him to every man that asks.

The best re-programming and mental virus protection for me is Psalm 119. It is repetitious but every verse speaks of David's love for the word of God in a different way. I feel that reading a portion of it everyday is like taking vitamins. If I allow myself to absorb the repitition I find new meaning and I build up a wall against the wiles of the Devil. It is Hebrew poetry divided into sections of eight verses that begin with a letter of the Hebrew allphabet.

As I was reading Psalm 119:49-56, it came to me that here is a section from David's heart that lifts one through the fog of confusion and lets the mind receive direction, and the soul and spirit relax in comfort from the LORD. (Psalm 119:49-56)

• In Verse 49, "Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope." the Psalmist essentially said what I find myself saying, "My heavenly Father, you have promised and in you I place my trust."


• The LORD's promises are like a soothing balm to my soul. It takes me back to the time Helen and I invited Jesus into our life to be Lord and Master. (Vs. 50) "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me."


• To soul winners and defenders of the faith, scoffers can be unmerciful in their opposition and make you feel wretched. How often are we beat down like trampled saw grass? But the word of God has never failed to bolster sagging spirits. (Vs.51) "The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law." It is not about our hurt feelings. God's word is incouragement and lets me know that I have done well as a "good and faithful servant."


• It is all about remembering the promises of God that he kept by bringing judgments against wicked and evil enemies of God; and his promises to deliver me from the snares of the fowler. (Vs.52) "I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself."


• A sudden blackness of mood and the terror of feeling like I am in a black hole can overtake me by feeling that our nation is forsaking God. It's the Elijah complex. (Vs.53) "Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law."


• But even in the blackest night, the Lord takes my hand and joy comes in the morning because my Father has promised and has given me a new song. (Vs.54) "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." But in all the days of my pilgramage on earth, I know whom I have believed, who gives me songs in the night." (Job 35:10) And my heavenly Father is a keeper of promises.


• If I go to sleep at night with trouble on my mind, I awake in the morning beginning the day with trouble in my soul. But if my mind is focused on the Lord and his promises, it ls like praying without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17) as Paul commanded. (Vs.55) "I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law."


• And when I awake in the morning after a night of peaceful sleep, my afflictions seem light and bouyed by the Spirit of God who instructed me in the night. The world is still here and it may be full of conflict but I have renewed confidence for the day. (Vs. 56) "This I had, because I kept thy precepts."
  
  In your daily Bible devotions, as you come across a promise of God, claim it and say, "Father you promised, and I have your peace that passes all understanding and with it I have unspeakable joy."
  
  Robert N. Adams
  (AKA Pastor & Mrs. Bulldog)
  "Beloved, wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and bein health, even as thy soul prospereth," (3John 1:2).