Learn to Listen

Bible reading: James 1

Focus Verse: Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19

In order to serve the Lord together in the church or ministry, we need to have good relationships.   In order to build good relationships, you must become a good listener. And in order to be a good listener, you must do these: 

(1) Listen without interrupting. And that’s so, even when you know more than the person who is talking to you! Respect them enough to value what they say and listen attentively until they’re finished. 

(2) Try to understand their point of view, feelings, thinking, and needs. In other words, listen to understand. Good listening is hearing what people actually think, mean, or feel, not what you imagine they should think, mean, or feel. Instead of guessing, politely ask, “Am I understanding you correctly? Do you mean…? Are you feeling…?” Don’t assume—verify. 

(3) Avoid rushing to conclusions. Listen without judging. If what they say doesn’t quite add up, keep listening. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Pr 18:13 NKJV). When you hear more, it may make sense. 

(4) Refrain from putting them on the defensive. Listen without correcting, countering, or devaluing. Saying, “That’s not the way it was,” or “What did you expect?” or “You’re just being silly and too sensitive” kills real communication. 

(5) Accept their perceptions and feelings as valid expressions of a valued person. Validate the speaker. By saying, “If I understand you correctly, you’re thinking…feeling…am I right?” Ask them to help you get on the same page with them. Saying, “Given what you have told me, I can see why you would feel that way” will increase their willingness to consider your thoughts and accept the solutions you offer. 

If you want to win people and influence them, learn to listen.

 

written by Dr. Don Wilton

The Encouraging Word

https://theencouragingword.org/daily-encouraging-word/

A Loving Father

 A Loving Father

Revelation 12:10  "Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens. It has come at last salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sister has been thrown down to earth the one who accuses them before our God day and night."

There is a story that is told about a son who found himself in a situation where he had to stand guilty before a judge in a court of law.  The son really didn't know what to do.  But he was comforted, because his father, who loved him very much, went to great lengths to stand by his side and defend him on that day.  The son realized that his father was faithful and would not leave his side no matter what.  The judge ruled that the penalty must be paid, so the father paid the penalty.

Do you know that Satan, our accuser, is before God day and night accusing us of things we have done wrong?   The Bible says in Isaiah 33:21 "The Lord will be our Mighty One. He will be like a wide river of protection that no enemy can cross, and no enemy ship can sail on."  God has provided His Son to pay the penalty for our sin.  We need to take the step to follow Him. 

God is watching out for you.  Nothing happens to you that God does not first approve of.  That can be a very great comfort to us when we encounter such trials.  In this life we will have trials, but God always stands with you, helping you through.  God, our father, is faithful.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Our Instrument, The Bible

 Scripture Reading:  James 1:2-18

Focus Verses:  James 1:2-4  "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

In modern times travel by airplane is a very safe way to travel.  Although some accidents still occur.  Sometimes an airplane might crash because of pilot error or because of a malfunction of the airplane.  Every airplane has instruments that help the pilot to fly the airplane.  One instrument tells the pilot how high the airplane is, another tell him if the airplane is flying straight.  So the airplane has many instruments to help the pilot.  I remember flying with a friend who was a pilot and we were flying over the ocean going to the Bahama Islands and there were storms around us.  As we were flying in the storms all you could see around us were the clouds.  So the pilot had to keep his eyes on the instruments to tell him how to fly since he could not see the ground.  Then suddenly we came out of the clouds and I was surprised to see how close we were to the ocean.  But my friend the pilot was not surprised because he had been watching the instruments and knew right where the airplane was.

As we travel through life God has given us an instrument to faithfully guide us.  It’s called The Bible.  When we encounter storms in this life God Word will help us navigate safely until we get out of the storm.  James tells us we all will have these storms and trials.  Because we are all going to face hardship, storms and trials in this life.  You remember the storm that the disciples found themselves in on the sea.  They thought the boat would be destroyed and they would drown.  But there was really no need for concern because Jesus was in their boat, and He had total control over the situation.  

Are you using the instrument God has given us, His Word the Bible, as you navigate this life?   When you are caught in the storms of life is Jesus in your boat?  I hope so, because He is our only hope!

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries