October 30 – Do You Hear God’s Words?

"Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God." John 8:43-47 

Can you hear what is being said? Have you taken your hearing aids out of your ears—or stuffed your ears with cotton or ear plugs? Do you hear and not understand? 

What an accusation—those having this discussion with Jesus are “children of the devil.” Jesus knows and tell us that the devil is a liar, cheater, deceiver, and yes…murderer. Anyone who has had a family member murdered knows all too well that the devil can overpower people. He encourages them to make the wrong choice—and to take the life of one of God’s creation—His precious human beings. That happened in my family almost twenty-three years ago when my sister’s ex-husband killed her, her new husband, her two daughters and then himself. This is Domestic Violence Awareness month. A reminder of these murders. It was a horrible nightmare for my parents—and all of our family, but God gave us the strength to deal with the situation—that Satan would like to have used to his own glory. We still have to remember that God is good. My sister and her family were born again Christians and I think that God is continuing to use their faithfulness as a witness to draw others to Him. Without God and the encouragement of dear Christian friends we would have been lost in our sorrow. I was reminded today that love is shown in encouragement. Show Jesus’ love today by encouraging someone. Allow them to really hear Jesus’ words with your actions.

Dear Jesus, Thank you for the ability to hear the words of Our Father—even when we are feeling pain. Help us to be an encouragement to others around us. Protect families who are dealing with domestic violence.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).