Let him that have an ear, HEAR!

2 Timothy 4:2-5

Preach the word!

Be ready in season and out of season.

Convince, rebuke, exhort,

with all longsuffering and teaching.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine,

but according to their own desires,

because they have itching ears,

they will heap up for themselves teachers;

and they will turn their ears away from the truth,

and be turned aside to fables.

But you be watchful in all things,

Indure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Why do you attend the church you attend? Why do you listen to the teachings that you listen to? Is it because the pastor or the teacher is friendly, outgoing, or you like what they say? What are you listening to? Are you listening to the words they are speaking, or are you seeking God through the speaker?

I think that we can confused and think "Oh, Pastor Bob sure gave us some good advice today!" But what advice was God giving you? People leave their deliverance, their victory, the answers to their prayers at the altar because they confuse the message with the messenger. We have to train ourselves to be able to distinguish natural problems from spiritual ones.

Why? Because you cannot use natural wisdom to fight a spiritual battle. Sometimes those in authority will tell us things that sound like good advice, we try it, but it doesn't work for us. Why -- because it is like trying to cut a 2x4 (a thick piece of wood) with a steak knife -- you might make a few scratches, but it is going to take a lot of work, and a lot of effort to get all the way through. God gives us the best tools for the jobs He has called us to do. As in the example, he will give you the "band saw" you need to get the job done and be through with it!

When seeking wise counsel for anything, be deliberate in prayer -- ask the Spirit that is within you to "translate" the message that God is sending you. He will reveal real wisdom. Don't just act on what people tell you - act on the word that God has revealed to you through the words that they speak. We are not created to follow one another, but the Lord. Jesus tells us in Luke 10:27-28: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."

The Lord has made this clear to us. In Matthew 23:10, we know that we only have One Teacher -- and that is Christ.

If you are not connecting Spirit to Spirit with someone you are asking for advice, wrote the book you are reading for wisdom, or sang the song you are listening to in the hopes of ushering in the presence of the Lord, I think the Lord will look at you and ask you, "Daughter, what are you doing? I know you have a good heart, and you mean well, but you need to focus. REALLY"

Some Christians like to get upset when those they look up to do not meet their expectations. But the truth of the matter is that some folks are shouting when the Lord is not speaking. What are you shouting at? What did God tell you? "The Pastor sure is preaching today!" But what is the Lord preaching?