Daily Huddle - Thu Apr 25, 2019 Talking Or Listening

Love you all, praying for you.

Have you ever tried to stop doing something?  Really hard.  Whatever you do, don't say "What."  -  What?  -  see what I mean? (oops - did it again).  Trying not to do something - is almost a futile task.  Perhaps because that which you are trying so hard not to do... becomes the preoccupation of your mind, rather than that which you should do.  Someone once said, "The best weed prevention is thick grass."  God knows this. Galatians 5:16 - So I say then, walk by the Spirit and you won't carry out the desires of the sinful nature.   God is telling us - don't focus on what you shouldn't do - just walk in the Spirit - and you will be doing what I have for you!  That's why PiVAT before dinner is so important.  It fully engages your mind on obeying what He is telling you to do.  (There just isn't time for the other stuff, anymore - and you don't even think about those other things because you're busy walking in the joy of obedience!)

God often points out in my PRISM time - things that I really need to work on...  (Oops - No, things I need to replace - with something else).  God reminded me of something recently.   Proverbs 18:2 - A fool finds no pleasure in understanding, but delights in airing his own opinions.  What delights you?  What do you find pleasure in?  talking or listening?  If you like talking more than listening and understanding - you are a fool.  (at best - you are 'like a fool.')  Learn to find pleasure in understanding and you'll become a better listener, you will become - the wise. 

The first step to take pleasure in understanding - more than talking - is to seek understanding from the source.   Proverbs 2:6 - For the LORD gives wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding...  So... if His mouth is speaking - then knowledge and understanding are coming forth - and my mouth is still.  The pleasure of understanding is an acquired taste, an acquired skill - especially if your pleasure has been listening...  Be faithful first in PRISM (no matter what you feel, discipline yourself to seek Him (Ask the Holy Spirit to help you - He will).   As you grow more in His Word, understanding will come, and over time, your pleasure in it will grow. 

Then when understanding becomes a habit, and a pleasure, and you're used to talking less and listening more - then it can translate to listening to others  - as you choose to take pleasure it it also.  God teaches us through others.  Love starts with listening.  Those you love, you listen to - you want to hear their heart.    It's hard when you think you know better, or especially if what they are saying seems critical of you, your words or actions)  But God says - the wise take pleasure in listening and understanding - more than they take pleasure in talking.   So how do I shift pleasures from talking to listening and understanding?

.1)  Be absolutely faithful in PRISM every day - first get His understanding. 

.2)  Schedule times to listen (when all you will do is seek to understand - not talk).  Ask God who He wants you to listen to next - so you begin to focus on taking pleasure in understanding. 

.3) Commit yourself - Out Loud.  Declare your commitment to listen and seek to understand - more than talk. 

.4) Ask the Holy Spirit to tell you when not to speak, when to speak, and what to say - and only say that.  Always speak testimony, never harmful words, and never your own opinions.  Only what He tells you to say.  Learn to leave things unsaid.

Praying for you - that God would help you value understanding - more than talking.  That God would teach you how to invest time in it, and that you would declare your commitment to obeying the LORD in this.  That your pleasure in understanding would grow so everyone you come in contact with - would feel the love of Jesus.  Please pray this for me too...

Love you all,
dad