Freedom of Speech!

As an American citizen, I have the right (well on paper), to free speech. It is the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and was adopted on December 15, 1791 as one of the ten amendments that constitute our Bill of Rights.

Over the years the courts have struggled with what exactly did our fore fathers have in mind when they came up with this? Does it give us the right to call people degrading names, such as nigger and faggots? Does freedom of speech allow us to burn the US flag without consequences? Does it give the KKK (Klu Klux Klan), the right to hold a rally outside a Christian church or Jewish Synagogue and spew words of hate? Here’s a link telling you what the courts have to say about what we can and cannot do today. (What Freedom of Speech means?)

Truth is, the government cannot really govern everything people say publicly and do without loopholes popping up consistently—but God has!

In the Western world women can speak up for themselves, speak out against injustice and throw our opinions out there anytime we feel like it. But God has a different set of rules for us. And it is my opinion that the more social media grows and we partake of it, the more we are forgetting what the Bible has to say concerning our speech.

Let me give you an example, namely Facebook. I have FB friends who I never hear from until they decide they want to correct me or someone who has made a comment on one of my post. They have the freedom to do this because I have allowed them to post comments, but are they right according to God’s way of doing things?

No, they are not.

There are a few reasons why not. For one, their motivation isn’t pure or of good intent. Second, they don’t know the people they are addressing (at all), and therefore more than likely are offensive to them. Plus one must question why is it they never post on the good news, but only show up with an opposing opinion or correction?

And social media isn’t the only place we are out of order. We often have a misplaced use of our free speech with our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, spouses and church members. We exercise voicing our opinions daily. We love telling it like it is, gossiping and being critical under the guise of our right to free speech.

But God has a set of rules governed by love, as to how we are to exercise our right to free speech. And it looks nothing like the First Amendment.

Lately, I’ve been keenly aware (even when there is no intent to harm), of how words are stealers, hurtful and discouraging. And especially when it stems from an opinion, which to me—is the queen mother of freedom of speech!

James tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Well, that definitely puts a restriction on loosely voicing our opinions. And since we are to speak the truth in love and in due season (right timing), and encourage one another—this only backs up the slow to speak rule.
  

As a mother I have a lot of opinions when it comes to my children and my grandchildren, but I’m learning it’s better to keep them to myself. It’s easier with my older daughter versus than with my 23 year old. But the Lord is helping me to see there needs to be some change on my part.

Does it annoy you when folks do nothing but talk about themselves and their family, hogging the conversation? What about when you’re really excited about something new in your life and they over talk you and start telling what you need to do? (This used to make me doubt if I heard from God or question, why is it that this person can’t seem to give me credit for having a mind of my own?) I think we all have people in our lives that are focused on themselves and those who in many ways have very strong opinions—right or wrong.

Well, I have a news flash—we are all guilty! LOL! Yup! 

The Holy Spirit is showing me, I do the same thing I really don’t like, to my youngest daughter. I’m not necessarily being quick to listen and let her finish and slow in voicing my opinion. She has even said to me, “I just wanted to bounce this off you, not you tell me what to do?” Ouch!

Proverbs 18:13, says….

•          What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts! (TLB)
•          Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. (MSG)
•          He who answers before he hears [the facts]—it is folly and shame to him. (AMP)
•          To answer someone before hearing him out is both stupid and embarrassing. (CJB)

Our freedoms in the Kingdom of God are governed by rules, regulations, restrictions and commands. God’s freedom of speech, does not allow us to use our words according to our will and pleasure—but to glorify Him.

As a wife, do you nag your husband? Do you nag your kids? Are you one who always hogs the conversation without time or concern for the other person? Have you ever cut someone off to throw your two cents in before hearing all they had to say? Does your freedom of speech stick a pin in the bubbles of others? Do your words steal the joy or hope from people? Do you feel that because you know a person, you have the right to say anything you want—when you want? Do you use your speech to lift up or tear down?

Sisters, what man says is freedom of speech has nothing to do with how God says, we are to use our speech.

There is one more important thing I want to say about all this, and that is—we need to do more talking to God about things and not other people. 

We need to get His approval and then move forward. It’s sad to say, but everyone is not going to be happy for you or agree with you—even if they love you. This is the lesson, I am still working on. Getting my marching orders and moving forward, without discussing it with others. 

And I’m also working on praying before I call people or even answer the phone. Why? For one, I want to be that listening ear and the encourager I’ve been called to be. So, even if I call them to maybe talk but they consume the conversation—I don’t want to become frustrated. I want to be able to listen. And when I really need an ear, I pray God shows me who.

True freedom of speech knows when to be quiet. It will not point out the flaws of others and is not critical. It does not have to defend itself for speaking out of turn and causing confusion and hurt feelings.

Taking time to hear others out, and letting our words marinate before disbursing them, can save us from much heartache. In other words, to be slow to speak is wonderful godly advice!

Quick bible study for you gals…read one chapter a day in the book of Proverbs, using The Living bible (TLB) translation.  Highlight everything that jumps out at you concerning, your tongue, speech, talking, words, conversations…etc! And at the end of the 31 days when you have completed the book, go back over the verses you have marked. You will be greatly surprised at what you see, and what you need to work on. Amen!

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

Thy Will

Saturday, I started a 6 week Bible Study using the book “Good or God” by John Bevere. Part of the instructions for the first week, are to pray and ask the Holy Spirit if you are holding on to any memory or mindset that might cause you to distrust or disobey God. It was a prayer I didn’t have to pray because I could immediately identify the thing in my life that causes me to doubt God.

I don’t live a daily life of doubt, but when certain circumstances arise, it triggers doubt about His goodness toward me. Anyone else out there feel this way? I am sure there were some “Yeses!” Because I know for a fact I am never alone in whatever it is I struggle with (That’s a lie our enemy has used one too many times.), since we are part of a Body, we are never alone.

Today is Tuesday, and I will start the discussion questions, but I’ve spent the past couple of days looking at why I can’t seem to move forward consistently (no matter what may arise), without entertaining thoughts of God’s lack of goodness towards me?

I love when I ask God about something spiritually that will change my life and the answer comes quickly? Well, actually I love that He answers quickly, but not necessarily the answer He gives.

During a phone conversation with my mentor yesterday, she talked about working on the discipline to have the mindset (especially when things don’t work out as planned or hoped for), that no matter what comes up—God’s will is being done in her life.

Then this morning, my youngest daughter sent me a YouTube video of the song, “Thy Will” by Hillary Scott and the Scott family. (She’s the female vocalist from Lady Antebellum.) And the chorus is…“Thy will be done!”

This was God's way of letting me know this is my problem…I am not so accepting of His will for my life, when it messes with my plans, hopes and dreams.

Let’s take a look at Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, (Matthew 26:36-39 NIV), as you see, though He did not hesitate to ask God to change things around so he wouldn’t have to endure the night of torture, abuse and crucifixion. But, He ended with, "Your will be done, not mine"—and accepted God’s decision.

When was the last time you prayed, “Thy will be done Lord,” and meant it?

There are things in my life lately, which have not turned out the way I’d hoped. And I found myself struggling to dream again or have hope for change. It seemed too many obstacles lie before me and nothing was working out. Well, this type of thinking leads to only one thing…hopelessness. And hopelessness, leads to discouragement, and discouragement leads to self-pity and depression.

I had to go back to Romans 8:28 (NKJ), “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

If I truly believe God is working the things in my life all together for His good, then I must accept the hard times and disappointments as Him knowing what is best. And that He's getting me to where He desires me to be.

But you know sisters—it's much more easily said than done.

If you are new to reading my blog, the one thing I am adamant about and will never change, is my concern that you read and study the bible. And the reason being, it is written to instruct us, teach us, encourage and correct us. It is impossible to obey Jesus when He says, “Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength,” if you do not know the God to which He is referring. I’m not talking about knowing of Him, but know who the bible shows us He is. Also, Jesus says, “If you love me you will obey my commands.” How can we obey Him, if we don’t know what it is He wants us to do? Impossible!

It's not enough to listen to others without reading for yourself. And the reason being, there is a huge difference between “revealed” or “communicated” knowledge. Revealed knowledge comes directly from God, via the Holy Spirit, prayer, reading of the Word…and you know in your knower it’s real. Communicated knowledge is what our pastor, Sunday school teacher, radio or TV evangelist tells us—even our friends. They could be a little off or we only hear a portion of what they said? Either way—we miss it.

Here are a couple of examples I grew up hearing, “Godliness is next to cleanliness!” Wow, what a shock to find out the bible says no such thing. What about, “God helps those who help themselves.” Another, untruth! But let’s take a familiar scripture that I’ve heard repeated incorrectly so many times, I can’t count. And I’m talking pastors too.

“Money is the root to all evil,” but the bible says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” I Timothy 6:10a (NIV) This is why we must study and show ourselves approved unto God. Money itself is not evil, it is a love for it that leads to folks doing all kinds of evil to obtain it.

For anyone who is struggling with the way things have turned out, or becoming weary as you wait on God to move and make change. I would like you to take a fresh approach and start praying at the end of your prayer requests, “Not my will, but your Will be done Lord!”

No, you may not be feeling it, and that’s okay. We are to live by faith, not emotions and our feelings. And yes, this is another one that is much more easily said than done—but not impossible to achieve.

I’m glad the Lord has “revealed” to me what I need to work on, because now I can begin the process of studying it out and applying it to my daily life expecting change.

Though we receive a revelation, it still takes time to walk it through and change to come. But already I’m back to dreaming again…but sealing it with, “Thy will be done!” Which (once in my heart), should take a lot of the sting out of disappointment when things don’t go my way. It should give me the grace to accept—it just wasn’t God’s will for me, versus feeling He doesn’t love me as much as someone else.

My dear sisters, whatever your struggle or problem might be—the solution is in the Bible!

If you are one who struggles to sit down and focus when it comes to reading, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you focus for 15 minutes a day. No more, no less. Cut off your phone, tablet and television. Set a timer if you must. Just make the 15 minutes available—daily.

We often want change, but we are not willing to put in the time and stand fast until it comes.

I have found over the years, that if we would just do what the bible tells us to do in all situations, we wouldn’t have half the problems or drama in our lives we encounter. But it takes work to get to that place.

What memory or mindset are you holding on to that might cause you to distrust or disobey God? Because if we don’t trust God, it’s really hard to obey Him and allow, “His will be done.”

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie

Sometimes You Just Have to Walk It Through

Encore blog from December 6, 2013

There are times in life when we just have to go through the process—there are no shortcuts to be had. And for some, this is a hard pill to swallow, but nonetheless it is a part of living.

Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way. Psalm 23:4 (TLB)

The 23^rd Psalm is probably one of the most quoted scriptures from the Bible. People who know hardly anything about the Bible can recite the 23^rd Psalm. In some ways this is good, but in other ways it may not be. And I say that because to recite or memorize something doesn’t mean we have really thought about what we are saying—often it is just making the brain retain words so we can recite them. Which is what I believe has happened with the use of the 23^rd Psalm.

The New King James translation says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” which is little more familiar to us.

David experienced God and understood the responsibility of a shepherd at a young age. He understood their main focus was to protect and direct the sheep to safety, no matter what the circumstances the shepherd was always there guarding and guiding them. He himself shepherded his father’s sheep. He had fought a lion and bear to keep them safe and from harm, putting his own life on the line for the safety of the flock. So, he really did understand how it worked and had a deep confidence in God and what He could and would do. And the truth is—so should many of us. No, we have never shepherded a flock of sheep before, but, we have experienced God’s greatness in our lives—yet we struggle when we must “walk through”!

It is very easy to say, “Yes though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid,” but it is a totally different story to believe it and act on it. There lies the problem for us.

There are trials and tribulations we must experience—just because. That’s right—just because. It could be just because we need to mature in our spiritual life, or maybe we need to be a good witness to someone else. Look at all that Joseph went through so the 12 tribes of Israel would survive. What about Job? And then there are the situations we have created for ourselves—the poor choices and decisions which have altered our lives. We can also go through hard times because of the actions and choices of others, such as our children, spouses, friends and family. Jesus never promised a life of roses to any of us, in fact He assured us there would be trials and tribulations, but we are to be of a good cheer (or keep our joy) for He has overcome the world.

Lately, I see so many unhappy, sad, joyless and complaining women in the Body of Christ, and this leads me to believe that though we can recite the 23rd Psalm, do we really believe what it says?

I am personally going “through” a difficult time in my own life. There are days I just want to give up! There are days, I sit down and cry about things. But, I can’t give up and I don’t spend but so much time crying because I have purposed to spend most of my energy, trusting God through it all. It is a battle of the mind, will, and flesh to trust God in the valley of the shadow of death. It is not an easy fate at all, so don’t think I have the 8 steps to make it easy, because I don’t! But I do know we can get to the point in our spiritual lives where we are not so afraid of what’s to come. We can have peace and joy in the midst of the darkness as we walk through whatever our shadow of darkness is, if we fight the good fight of the faith (complete Jewish Bible) to trust God in the process.

To whine and complain all the time shows a lack of maturity, because that is what babies and toddlers do. But! There is a time to put away childish things. Problem is, some of us have stunted growth and seem to be stuck. We are so overcome with disappointment we are unable to move through to the other side. We are having a hard time taking our eyes off our circumstances, and feel hopeless and lost most days. We struggle to appreciate anything in life because we are consumed with our own grief and sadness.

Yesterday while walking to work, I found myself thinking about my job in the negative (there was a mess of a battle going on in my mind) and I had to force myself to start thanking God! I thought about the people who would gladly switch places with me, if only to have two good legs to walk. I have friends who are blind, and surely they would love to see with the two eyes I have. I remembered a couple of years ago how I had lost my sense of smell and taste for 8 days and I thanked Him for being able to enjoy certain aromas and taste my food. There is always something to be grateful for no matter what we are experiencing at the time.

Sisters, no matter what your “valley of darkness” is today, if you work on “trusting” God, you will not be so fearful. You will not be sad and feel so helpless. But you must work at it. You must read your bible, and spend time with God. 

Until next week….be blessed!!

Love and Hugs
Ponnie