January 3, 2012

ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LISTEN; JUST LISTEN!

Key Verse
And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:12)
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Central Truth

In this passage, we are allowed to see that Jesus was sought out from the very beginning; first by those desiring to worship Him and then by those wishing to destroy Him. We also see God in control as He directs the paths of the magi and Joseph.

Reflections

One hot Sunday morning last summer, Jonathan Pokluda (Watermark's Young Adults Director) shared a story during his sermon. A young man wanted JP's counsel regarding his current relationship. He couldn't decide if God wanted him to get married or end the relationship. After a few questions, the situation became obvious to JP. If the young man wasn't being obedient to Scripture, why should the Lord reveal more to him? That made perfect sense to me. The Lord was speaking to this young man through His Word. All he had to do was "follow the yellow brick road." But after a lot of self-examination, I realized I often do the same thing. I'll have a problem. I'll search Scripture, pray, and seek godly counsel. But sometimes when God's will isn't in agreement with my own selfish desires, I'll convince myself I haven't heard from the Lord and go my own way.

Then I read this passage, and I was so convicted. In verse 12, God warns the magi, and they heed His warning. And in verses 13, 20, 21, and 22, the Lord reveals His will to Joseph, and Joseph obeys. If it's so simple, why don't I do that? I guess "stupid is as stupid does!" I wish I could say I'm more often obedient than disobedient. I would love to say that my walk with the Lord is so close I always hear Him when He speaks, but that's not true. God speaks to us through His Word, through prayer, and through godly counsel. He is a great communicator! I'm just not a great listener!

After hearing JP's sermon, I have been intentional in my efforts to hear God's voice, but I still make the decision to NOT listen. Meditating on this passage was a powerful reminder that this is an ongoing battle for me; I must choose to listen to God's voice. Each time, it's another opportunity to be obedient. I know I'll continue to have struggles, but as I grow in my faith, I pray I become more like the magi and Joseph. God spoke, and they listened.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you make time with God a priority? (Psalm 46:10)

2. When you have struggles, where do you seek wisdom? (James 1:5)

3. Do you surround yourself with people that will provide godly counsel? (Proverbs 11:14b)

4. Are you able to "hear" God when He's speaking to you? (Isaiah 30:21)

 WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

MATTHEW 1-5 (JANUARY 2-6)

Read Matthew 5:13-16.

What is salt used for? (seasoning, preserving & healing)
What is light used for?
How can you be like salt and light?

Activity: Pour a small amount of oil in a saucepan and heat it up. Then pour in popcorn kernels. Be sure to keep the pan moving so as not to burn the popcorn. Once all kernels have popped, split the popcorn between the paper sacks. Put salt into only bag and shake it up. Then have a taste test of the two bags.

Can you distinctly tell which one has salt on it? How? This is just how God wants us to be. Our lives should clearly reflect that we love and serve Him.

Next, get a flashlight and a dark towel and go into a room without windows (i.e. bathroom or closet). Turn off the light. Talk about the darkness and how it feels. Then turn on the flashlight. Talk about what the flashlight did to the room. Then cover it with the towel and refer back to verse 15. What does God want us to do with the truth of Jesus in our lives?

To shine your light, take some salted popcorn to your neighbors and invite them to church!

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.

  1. Kelley Maxwell

    January 3, 2012 07:51 AM

    Jeannie, thank you for your honest and insightful thoughts on the magi and Joseph. I will pray that I will heed God's warning, follow His will and finally OBEY! You have set the bar high - thanks for the challenge!

  2. Shannon

    January 3, 2012 07:57 AM

    Thank you Jeannie for the reminder that I need to listen more. God indeed talks to us in many ways,,, I pray that I be still and listen.

  3. Sue Bohlin

    January 3, 2012 08:04 AM

    Jeannie, as soon as I saw your face I knew we'd be treated to wisdom in your devo! I was also struck by the FOUR references to God speaking to people in a dream. Not just that He used this method of communicating, but that they knew exactly (and, as far as we can tell, immediately) what He was saying! Then I thought about God speaking through dreams in the OT, especially Joseph and Daniel, and remembered that He always provided an interpretation. At Probe Ministries, we get lots of email questions from people around the world, and that includes questions about "What does this dream mean?" I've just told the inquirers, "When a dream is from God, He's more interested in people understanding what He's saying than the dreamer is, so if He doesn't provide the meaning, don't worry about it." I love that we can rest in God's heart to communicate with us! (Especially about what He's plainly written down in His book, as you pointed out in your devo. . .!)

  4. Ann Silva

    January 3, 2012 08:05 AM

    Jeannie, Great devotional! Thanks for reminding us to listen AND be obedient!

  5. Carol

    January 3, 2012 08:06 AM

    Jeannie, Great reminder for me as I start the new year wanting to not only hear Him, but follow Him as well

  6. Scott Kedersha

    January 3, 2012 08:15 AM

    Great word this morning, Jeannie. I have the same challenge in following through in being obedient. Most of the time it's much easier than I make it out to be. I am thankful that so many have benefited from your love for the Lord and your obedience in following Him. Thankful for you and Doug's leadership in Merge!

  7. eric

    January 3, 2012 08:40 AM

    Thanks for the challenge this morning. I fail at this multiple times a day as adrenaline sets in and peace goes out. I just stop listening to the Lord. I'm grateful for yor devo! Keep going...

  8. Jody

    January 3, 2012 08:46 AM

    Nice piece! The last few months the Lord has allowed some real heat in our lives and it's been a time of realizing I let life get in the way of listening - and the Lord has been so faithful to remind me to go slower and listen more.

  9. KRob

    January 3, 2012 10:22 AM

    Very good point; thank you for highlighting this. I know that I have been intentional in listening to God but I lack follow-through sometimes with the obedience part. So contradictory! May I learn to not only listen better, but that I would act on what He says as well.

  10. Lyn Hardage

    January 3, 2012 10:23 AM

    Good advice to start off the new year Jeannie. Thanks for your insight! Lyn

  11. Lara

    January 3, 2012 11:12 AM

    I have found over and over that I will not give up my own way until I get in so much pain and then cry out for God when he's been there all along. I am grateful I am there again and am asking for His help and grace to do it his way. Thanks so much to all the believers who support me on my journey.

  12. Ann Holford

    January 3, 2012 11:34 AM

    Jeannie, I miss seeing your sweet face and hearing your wise words! I love the simplicity of your words today--how much I miss when I don't heed His warnings and obey His words.

  13. George Foiles

    January 3, 2012 12:46 PM

    Hi Jeannie! I really enjoyed your thoughts about Matthew 2 and they gave me encouragement to not just give up to my struggles with choosing God's way over my way. Thanks!

  14. Laura Smith

    January 3, 2012 09:01 PM

    Jeannie -- what a great lesson today! Listen, trust, and obey...thank you for the reminders so gently phrased to listen to His leading and follow in His way!

  15. Truby McDougal

    January 3, 2012 09:07 PM

    Thanks Jeannie, for the great summary. It does sound easy......just obey. Period. There wasn't any discussion or argument like I tend to do. I can rationalize my own desires in how I interpret God's will for me. In reality I'm not being obedient at all. Thanks again for a great job.

  16. Susan Coy

    January 4, 2012 08:47 AM

    Agree, Jeannie, that God warns and reveals....the tricky part comes down to will we heed and obey? Thanks for your encouragement to be more like the magi and Joseph!

  17. Paul Rutherford

    January 4, 2012 09:29 AM

    Thanks for connecting Herod's response to the wise men's. Put together they form an archetype for how everyone to follow them will respond to Jesus the Christ - worship or hatred. Very cool parallel. Thanks or pointing it out, Jeannie!

  18. Jen Clouse

    January 4, 2012 08:06 PM

    Love me some Jeanie. As well as your faithfulness to know the Word, speak the Word, and challenge those you love to obey the Word - I'm blessed by you, my friend. Thanks for the wise words.

  19. Pam Lewis

    January 4, 2012 10:31 PM

    That is awesome, Jeannie. That is a great thing to remember, and so easily forgotten. Great devotional!

  20. Jael

    January 5, 2012 12:04 PM

    love the devotional..simple and direct!!God bless you

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Jeannie Lewis

Jeannie Lewis

My name is Jeannie Lewis. My husband, Doug, and I serve in Merge, Watermark's pre-marriage ministry. I've had the joy of dancing at the weddings of all three of our children. We have three grandchildren and staying on top of their activities keeps us on our toes.

I love to watch old movies and listen to country music. I've discovered that when I get into difficult conversations, my "witty" comebacks are usually lines from one of those classic movies or some country song. Amazing what sticks in your head when you don't even realize you're listening!