Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
Be With Me is a daily 7 minute chronological walk through the New Testament hosted by Michael Smith. It is for everyone who is curious about what Jesus actually said and did in the gospels. Most episodes will leave you with at least one good thought to chew on for the rest of the day. We start with the Bible and hopefully end with Awe. We are walking through the chronological events of Jesus' life and then thoughtfully considering them. It is meant to spur the devotional life of the Christian and the not-yet-Christian. We occasionally venture into the Old Testament when it helps our understanding of the New Testament events. Everybody has 7 minutes. Everybody needs to wonder. Be With Me is hosted by Michael Smith who has absolutely no special qualifications to do a podcast. He is not a pastor. He has not been to seminary. He does not lead a mega-church. He is not a professional and he has no more credentials than you do. He does, however, follow a great God with an observant eye and a curious heart. Each day, he starts with a study bible and aims for astonishment. ‘be with him’ for 7 minutes as he sets out daily to discover the God who invites us to ‘Be With Me.’
Be With Me: 7 Minutes of Biblical Wonder
He who has an ear S27E11 Rev 2:7
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It is no surprise that God opposes that which opposes Him. The real surprise is that we can agree with Him in that process. He invites us in to hear the truths that stand against Him and then join Him in resistance. We are on the right team. We have the right powers. We have the right Leader. Now act like it.
The invitation today is about having the right EAR; tuning ourselves to the communication of God by attentiveness, quietness, humility and then discernment.
There are dragons to slay, beasts to fight and powers to oppose. We are going to need clear ears to get this big job done.
Listen 7 minutes with your attentive ears. bewithme.us apple google podcasts.
He who has an ear
S27 e11
1/12/2024
1/26/2024
The dear Lord Jesus is walking amidst the Churches of western Turkey
He looks and sees and cares and commends and warns and beckons with the grief of a lost lover. We sense his love for his people in Ephesus.
Yesterday we stood amazed that offenses toward God can be RECOVERABLE by repentance of mind and action. But remember, behind the DUTY is a more important DEARNESS. Behind this all we hear of God’sdesire that we be near; His desire that we be DEAR.
Nicolaitans were a heretical Christian sect. but not identifiable from NT or extrabiblical evidence. 2:14 talks about the church nearby in Pergamum who had a more known heresy of the sexual immorality from Baalam. The point is, they were doing something God hates.
Think about that. There is stuff that God hates. Ideas and non-truths that OPPOSE Him, that come against the realities of His truth. Which is to say, they come against HIM.
Soundbite: God opposes that which oppose Him. God hates that which resolutely hates Him. Now, I understand that we all at one time were ENEMIES of God. In a sense, we were opposing God. And He tolerated and was patient and was faithful toward us who are ungrateful and uncooperative. That is His steadfast love; His Hesed.
But this is deliberate, diversion from the path of God. They have as we were warned about in 1John, MADE A PRACTICE of bad theology, which 99% of the time results in BAD practices.
MAKING A PRACTICE OF BAD THEOLOGY PRACTICALLY RESULTS IN BAD PRACTICES.
Good news for the Ephesian Church: You hate the things that God hates. Agree with God. It is a wonderful thing that we can “touch the almighty in this way.” We can elevate to the “mind of God”. We can use His Spirit here to help our heads. Maybe we don’t have Nicolatans to oppose and hate and say no. But maybe there is something on the internet. Popular culture. Something He WANTS us to be intolerant toward. Just say NO.
HE WHO HAS AN EAR
Are you listening. TUNE our spiritual ears to do what they are supposed to do: receive communication
Do you have a good spiritual ear? Are you humble? Are you quiet? Are you actively listening?
What a wonderful thing to say, that She had a good ear. Wise. Discerning. Attentive. Tuned in.
What the Spirit says to the Churches.
The Spirit is speaking. Are we listening personally? Corporately?
What is the Spirit of Jesus saying to you and your church?
What a fun process to be in. This is the good stuff. This is the real spiritual great adventure.
TO THE ONE WHO CONQUERS
We are in a bit of a battle here and there is opposing stuff to get the best of: We do this by being on the right team, right Leader, right rescue, right abilities that are in our Lord:
We are conquering dragons, beasts and powers arrayed against Him
TREE of LIFE
Edenic: It was there in the Garden of Eden
Eterenal life is promised by its fruit
Our access to this was banned in the garden.
Good news is that it comes back in the new Jerusalem Reve 22
Conclusion
Are you opposing God?
If so, you may be facing the opposition of God Himself.
Agree with God. What would you have me agree with you about?
Stewardship of your ideas. Your work. Your calendar. Your service. Your body. Your fellowship?
Are you in the battle?
Do you have an Ear? Do you have a conviction? Then you have a Battle. Engage our ears and our hands to the task.