From: The Pastor’s Heart
To: You
Title: “What Do YOU Hear?”
Last night I sat glued to the television screen watching CNN as election polls closed in
several states where our fellow citizens cast their vote for who they would like to see
become the next President of the United States. What struck me as very interesting is how
the political pundits would all look at the same event (a nominee speech for example), but
see or hear very different things. I was reminded that so often when we review and receive
something with our flesh or from a carnal perspective, we tend to see and hear what we
want. It’s hard to distinguish the truth when it’s filtered through the portholes of our
personal opinions and experiences.
Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The truth He spoke of is not based
upon experience or opinion, but it’s upon the will and authority of God. Christ would
routinely challenge a man to counter his instinct and conform to the heart of God in
matters that would prove uncomfortable. For example, He would say, “Ye have heard that
it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye
resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have the
cloak also.” These truths contradict the laws of our flesh.
When we need to hear from God on matters that cannot be resolved apart from Him, it’s
important that we discern and differentiate His voice from our conscious. God’s truth is
not confirmation for what we desire that will improve our lives and bring to fruition our
dreams. His truth is not some fresh word of revelation that we assume is only directed at
individuals separately because of self proclaimed spiritual maturity. God’s truth doesn’t
look to satisfy our needs or meet our demands, but rather, it’s His will and plan for our life
regardless of how we feel about it.
Today ask yourself if you are allowing God’s truth the opportunity to reveal itself into your
heart and find rest in your life? I say that because before Jesus said we would know the
truth and the truth would set us free…He said that we must continue in His word. If you
have stopped reading your bible daily because of work, school, family, illness, or any
other similar reason, then you are putting yourself at risk of not being able to clearly make
since of what He’s saying. You’ll start adding into the statement comments He actually
never said and then you’ll misinterpret information He did say. God’s word is the most
reliable source to know what and how He thinks. His ways may be beyond our ways and
His thoughts beyond our thoughts, but the more you know the word, the more you’ll know
Him. It’s no doubt that He is speaking to you today, the question is… “What Do YOU
Hear?”
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH
PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW
OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR
PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO
THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and
professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly,
or carnally.
We Are the LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)