We are all children of God, regardless of where we come from or what we look like or how we were brought up.

“¹⁷At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart.” – Jeremiah 3:17 (ESV)

The reference to “all nations” here is just that, ALL nations shall gather at the throne of the LORD. And who is it that is a part of those nations but ALL people, regardless of where we come from or what we look like or how we were brought up.

How is it that we all come, well we have to do as we are instructed in the first part of verses 12, 13, & 14 in the the same chapter of Jeremiah.

“¹²…Return, faithless Israel,…¹³Only acknowledge your guilt,…¹⁴Return, O faithless children,…” –Jeremiah 3:12, 13, & 14 (ESV)

In order for all of us to gather, we must first return and acknowledge our sins and repent of them. Once we have and have accepted the gift of salvation provided by God, we will gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ at the throne if God, regardless of where we come from or what we look like or how we were brought up.

I as well as you are permitted to accept the terms of salvation, and it all starts with our repentance.

Will you repent of your sins and come back to God? Are you willing to return and acknowledge your failures to Him? Will you accept salvation and gather with me at the throne of the LORD?

After attending our Sunday morning service this week, I was led to begin the study of the word “gather”. As members of God’s family, we should gather together for many occasions.

“⁴⁷Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.” – Psalm 106:47 (ESV)

Here I find a reference to an occasion we should gather together, praise and glorification of God.

Now it does seem as though that should be a given, but when I look at the context of the full passage, I am still in wonder of just how loving God is. In this passage, there are many references to the rebellion of the Israelite people as Moses led them out of Egypt. They were delivered from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. They were provided for in the wilderness, yet at each turn, they continue to turn away from God. They wanted to turn back because it was hard. They worshiped metal idols. They were discontent with living in tents. Yet, God never left them. He punished them, yes, but never left them.

“⁴⁴Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. ⁴⁵For their sake he remember his covenant, and relented according t0 the abundance of his steadfast love.” – Psalm 106:44-45 (ESV)

Regardless of the difficulty thrust upon them, God never gave up on the the Israelite people, and they came back to Him. He would rescue them and provide for them. God loved them just as He loves us today.

“⁴⁸Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say ‘Amen!’ Praise the LORD!” – Psalm 106:48 (ESV)

I am only a man and will continue to fail in that capacity. God will not give up on me though and when we, as sinners, gather together to give thanks to the Lord, He will hear our cries and deliver us from the hardship we are facing.

When you are facing hardship, where is it that you take your difficulties? Are you gathering with other Christians? Will you gather up and praise Him with all glory and praise?

The passage I study this morning is in the first part of Revelation and the letter to the church of Ephesus. The church is commended for the perseverance of standing firm and consistent against those that go against the gospel. They are lifted up for their unwavering endurance.

“²I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. ³I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.” – Revelation 2:2-3 (ESV)

This is a great example of speaking to the behaviors of the church and how they are doing well.

Following there is a rebuke as to a behavior that is not in the interest of God.

“⁴But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the lover you had at first.” – Revelation 2:4 (ESV)

Again an example of the speaking tot he behavior lost by the church, one of love. There is no reference to the people, only the bad behavior of falling away from the act of love. And then there is the coaching to be better.

“⁵Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” – Revelation 2:5 (ESV)

Here you see the directions given to get back to where they were in behavior and stay in the favor of God. Without this, there will not be the ability to heed the directions and get back to the beginning where there was full alignment with God.

What happens when we heed and get back?

“⁷He has an ear, let him here what the Spirit says to the churches. Tho the one who conquers I will gran to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” – Revelation 2:7 (ESV)

And there you have it. I am tasked with hearing from God. I have to take it all in, the commendations and the rebuke. I need to be aware that God loves me regardless, He only wants the best for me. When I hear I have to remember to heed the coaching and get back to where I belong, in the favor of God. When I do, I am rewarded with eternal life with God in heaven.

Are you still doing all of the work of God? For what has He commended and rebuked you? Will you hear, heed, and get back the actions that maintain your favor with God?

“¹⁴How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” – Romans 10:14 (ESV)

Now that is a serious series of questions that lead to what I am called to by God. I am called to “preach” the good news and of God. I may not be a preacher in occupation, however I am a disciple tasked with taking the gospel to all that I come in contact with. I have to take it on personal account to be the one to speak of God through my words, behaviors, and deeds.

I know that I will not be able to reach everyone in this world, and thankfully that is not what I am tasked. I am simply tasked to do the work of God as he instructs me. That may be at the office, the ball game, the department store, the street, or right here in my publishing. I am to take the Word of God to the people that He has me take it to.

The people will not hear if no one is there to give it to them. I am that one. I am to speak so that others have the opportunity to hear, and yes, the opportunity. I cannot make anyone truly hear the Word of God. They are responsible to open their ears and their heart to receive. And once they receive, they have the opportunity to believe and call on the name of God.

“¹⁰For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹³For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” – Romans 10:10 & 13 (ESV)

I bring the gospel to the people through speech and they hear, believe, confess, and are saved.

What is your role in bringing the gospel to the people? Have you thought about your task and how to accomplish it? Are you out there speaking so that others have the opportunity to hear?

John 8:39-47 is a difficult passage to read for me. This passage is titled “You Are of Your Father the Devil” in my ESV Bible. The Pharisees start by letting know that they are of Abraham’s lineage and Jesus quickly gives them the “and” as he informs them that they are not doing the works of/as Abraham. They then change and say they are of God and again Jesus debunks that by saying if they were of God they would love as God loves and would not be condemning Him as He was sent by God.

I am quickly put in my place as I read, for am I acting as the Pharisees and claiming to be something I am not? Am I out in this world working for me and doing my own thing all the while claiming to be of God or descendant of Abraham and that somehow makes it all okay? This is what it is that makes it difficult to read this passage. Then, I read the first part of verse 47 and it all comes together for me.

“⁴⁷Whoever is of God hears the words of God.” – John 8:47 (ESV)

Now I see. When I am listening to the Word of God, I am able to hear and take action that He has in store for me. I live my life as God intends when I am hearing Him.

“⁴²Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I cam not of my own accord, by the sent me.’” – John 8:42 (ESV)

As I hear the words of God, I am given direction to do His work and that work starts with love. I to love all, regardless of circumstances or any other items that are presented, I am to love with the love of God. And that really starts with loving Jesus and the salvation He provided for me and everyone else to receive as His gift.

Hearing the words of God allow me to take the action that He has in store for me. I hear the words of God to do the works of God.

When you think about where you actions come from, are you hearing the words of God? Are you taking the actions that God has in store for you? Are you hearing the words of God to do the works of God?

“¹⁵He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” – Matthew 11:15 (ESV)

This seems like such a simple verse and may not be very specific, until you look at it in the context of the passage. John the Baptist had sent some of his disciples to look into Jesus. They had come to find out if He was indeed the Christ. Jesus entertained their questions and then proceeded to speak of the greatness of John the Baptist.

“¹⁰This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your fae, who will prepare your way before you,’” – Matthew 11:10 (ESV)

Jesus makes it very clear to those that are listening that John was the one who came before and paved the way for Him. John was the messenger of Christ and therefore was and should be considered a great man.

“¹¹Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” – Matthew 11:11 (ESV)

So, of those that are born here on earth, John is the greatest of them. That is some kind of recognition that Jesus heaps on the man. But, Jesus speaks of those that are even greater than John the Baptist. Those that are in heaven at the time are greater, and those that come to heaven after, are greater. They have “actually entered the kingdom (in its new covenant reality) and become partakers in the new covenant through he blood of Christ” (ESV Commentary).

I have the chance to be greater than even John the Baptist, thanks to the blood of Jesus Christ. It is up to me to open my ears and hear the message of Christ, realize, and act on the commands he gives to me. I have to look at what Christ wants of me and not what the world expects.

If I spend my time looking out for my reputation in the world, I will fail in the eyes of God. The reality is that the world is not ready for me just as they were not ready for John the Baptist or Jesus Christ.

“¹⁸For John cam neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” – Matthew 11:18-19 (ESV)

When I am aligned with God, I am great, even greater than John the Baptist. The key is to be aligned with God and not anywhere else. Open your ears Trevor and hear how great you are in the eyes of God.

Where are you putting your time and effort? Are you aware of the greatness that you can have through your obedience to God? How great will you be when you open your ears to hear of the greatness that God has for you?

I have the unique opportunity to speak directly with God. Although, I will say that opportunity is not just for me. We all have the opportunity to speak directly with God. Thanks to the death and resurrection of Jesus, the veil was torn and thereby giving all access to God.

“¹⁷For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” – Isaiah 65:17 (ESV)

God has created a new way of doing things and therefore we all are given access to Him. And now that access to Him is there for all, we must take advantage of the opportunity. We have the chance to speak directly with Him and He want to hear from us.

“²⁴Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” – Isaiah 65:24 (ESV)

When was the last time you went to speak and everyone was speaking to you before you could get anything out? When was the last time those listening were on the edge of their seat soaking in everything you say? That is God for me at all times. He is always waiting for me to speak with Him and even before I say anything, He has indicated to me to continue speaking and when I do, He is listening intently to guide me as I go.

My relationship with God is one of a child to a parent. The child goes to the parent seeking for and knowing that the parent is to listen and provide advise as they go through life. God does the same for me as my mother did when I was that child. I come to God and speak with Him, He knows I am there and drops what He is doing to turn His attention to me. He hears what I am saying, although He already knew what I was going to say, and He then provides the guidance I need at the time.

My opportunity to speak directly with God was made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the tearing of the veil that separated the people from God. I can now speak with Him on my own and whenever I feel the need. I look for the answers from Him and He is ready to provide even before I come. The best part is that He wants me to come to Him even He could just grant me what I want without hearing from me directly. I get to speak to Him and He devotes His time to me and for that I am eternally grateful.

Have you taken the chance to speak directly with God? If not, what are you waiting for? God has provided the opportunity for us to speak and when we do He will listen, will you speak with Him?

“¹⁸In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.” – Isaiah 29:18 (ESV)

When you read this verse alone, I get the sense that God will make sure that even if you are deaf, you will be presented with God’s Word and will be able to hear. What a great thing to know that one will not be left out just because of their physical limitation. I am proud that God has every intention to give everyone the opportunity to follow Him.

“¹¹And the vision of all this has become to you like the word of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying ‘Read this’, he says ‘I cannot, for it is sealed.’ ¹²And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, ‘Read this,” he says, ‘I cannot read.’” – Isaiah 29:11-12 (ESV)

I see that above, two are given the opportunity to hear the words of the book and they choose not to, both making an excuse, sealed book and cannot read. I wonder what would have become of the Ethiopian man had he taken the same approach when reading Isaiah himself.

“³⁰So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ ³¹And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ “and he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” – Acts 8:30-31 (ESV)

The Ethiopian man did not make excuses and took the chance he had to hear and seized it by inviting Philip to join him and help. He heard and received and was baptized. The two men described in the verses from Isaiah took to excuses and did not put forth any effort at all to hear, thereby choosing to avoid hearing all together.

I know that I am still learning to hear and have at times made the excuse that something is in my way. I must remember to seize every opportunity to hear from God. I will not make excuses, I will hear.

If I don’t choose to hear, God will make sure that I do when He comes again. For “even the deaf shall hear” as noted in verse 18 above.

When you are presented with the opportunity to hear, what excuses are you making? Are you seizing the opportunity to hear? Are you aware that all will hear?

I know that I am taking in a great deal of information daily. As I continue with my lifelong learning, I cannot help but to take it all in. The one thing that I have to remember is that there is also a lot of false and misleading information out there that can overshadow what is right and true.

“¹⁷Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, ¹⁸for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. ¹⁹That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to your today, even to you.” – Proverbs 22:17-19 (ESV)

I have a compass that keeps me going in the right and true directions and that is where I should put my efforts and test everything against. God’s Word.

Each morning I look into God’s Word and here is where I find the truths that I apply to my life. When I am getting information from the source of good, GOD, I can find peace that what I am pouring over and into me will be that of the highest quality and the rightest of rights and the truest of truths.

Here is where it gets a bit tricky. I have to make sure that what I see, read, and hear from the world is right and true as well. I know that what I get from God’s Word is of the highest quality, but the what I get from the world leaves a lot out. I have to take what I consume from the world and apply it to the standard that I have learned from God’s Word. That which measures up, I should be using as that which is good. If it does not match up, I have to dig deeper to be sure that I am getting what I should be from it and not just taking it in or dismissing it all together.

It is up to me to sift out all of that which does not align with God’s Word. Not so much to ignore it, but to know that it is not right and true. I have to be able to talk to it and how it does not measure up to the highest quality of right and true. It is my duty to have knowledge of it, I should simply not be applying it. When there is that which is contrary to God, I am bound to knowing the evils that are against me and understand how to stand against them.

I am tasked with doing the will of God in my life. In order to do that, I should be listening for what is right and true. That which is right and true comes from the Lord and when I am immersed in His Word, I “hear the words of the wise”.

How much of what you hear are you taking immediately as though it is right? Are you looking for what is really right and true as you compare it to God’s Word? What would change if you listened to God and were to “hear the words of the wise”?

Notice the first word in the title, repent. God knows that I am a sinner, as I should know as well (and do). With that said, it is my responsibility to repent of those sins, whether I am fully aware of them or not.

“⁶Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” – Psalm 51:6 (ESV)

When I come to Him with repentance, He is delighted and excited to commune with me. I have a duty to take the opportunity to commune back with Him. He is the reason for my existence, and the author of my actions. Without communion with Him, I may as well not exist as my actions are not in tune with His desires for me.

Once I have placed myself in a position of repentance, I am now able to hear what it is he has for me.

“⁸Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.” – Psalm 51:8 (ESV)

And what is it that He wants for me, “joy and gladness”. What a wonderful thing for God to present to me. He wants for me to have “joy and gladness” in my life and heart. Before I am able to “hear joy and gladness” I have to place myself in the right state of mind, body, heart, and soul. How is it that I get there but by repentance.

Now that I am able to hear what God has for me, I am tasked with listening, as He breaks me down into something new again.

“¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. ¹¹Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. ¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” – Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV)

My willingness to be made new again can only be realized as I break down all of the old in my life. That old begins with repentance. Once I have repented, I have the openness to “hear joy and gladness” coming from God as our relationship is renewed. And now that our relationship is renewed, God will take and make me new again.

I am glad that I can follow this process daily and be renewed. I have a God that understands my humanness and as such looks for the chance to renew me, but it all begins with me and my repentance of the sin that has separated the us through whatever time it happens to be. I have to remember that the sin I have is known and may not be known, and as such I repent each day. That repentance allows my hearing and listening to God’s renewal of all of me.

What sin is getting in the way of your renewal from God, are you even aware it is there? When was the last time you repented of all sin, even that which you were not aware? How do you think the feeling of renewal will feel that come from God once you have repented and “hear joy and gladness”?