A Resolution Worth Keeping: Stop Interrupting Others

A Resolution Worth Keeping: Stop Interrupting Others: "

New Year’s Resolutions are notorious for being kept … for about 6 days. But there are several resolutions worth keeping this new year. One of them really should be to learn to listen to others and stop the (bad) habit of interrupting.

How well DO you listen to others? How well do others listen to you?

Recently, I was at a party hosted by some good friends. The food was fabulous. The music was great. And … I decided to try an experiment. I decided to test how well other people listened.

People, (including ME) generally don’t listen very well … if at all. During my little social experiment, I was interrupted so often that I decided to do nothing BUT listen to others. They told me  their Christmas stories, about their vacations to the mountains, their political ideas, who they thought would win which bowl game, and what was going on with their jobs. People LOVED IT as I allowed them to talk and talk and talk.

I also noticed that I wasn’t the only one who was interrupted. NO ONE could finish more than 2 or 3 sentences without being interrupted – sometimes they couldn’t even finish ONE sentence! You could see people waiting to catch a pause in the conversation so they could jump in. They looked like race cars waiting at the starting line, revving their engines in anticipation of the green light.

What was going on here?

People thought they had something more important to say than anyone else in the room. They seemed to love the sound of their own voice and the stories of their own adventures. Dale Carnegie and others have written about the fact that people love to talk about themselves to anyone who will listen (How to Win Friends and Influence People). The completely shy person who refuses to talk about themselves at all is a rare breed. What’s driving this? I think there are several factors:

• Our attention span is pathetically short. We have been conditioned by advertising and marketers to anticipate having our train of thought interrupted every 5 to 6 minutes for advertisements. Segments on some media outlets last less than 30 seconds!


• The songs we all have on our iPods and CD’s last only 3 to 4 minutes on average. We have our minds changed for us constantly. When is the last time you saw only three songs on one side of a record album? Hint: Boston’s debut album in 1976.


• People have more information available to them than ever. As a result, they’re eager to inflate their egos by showing you how much they know. In almost every business, someone will "do some online research" on a product then come into a store confident they know more than a guy who’s been to every training class for the last 20 years and has been selling and installing that product for 35 years.


• Manners have gone out the window. Interrupting has become so commonplace that no one even notices anymore. People almost seem to expect it.


• People have failed to learn the forgotten art of listening. They think what they have to say is more important than what anyone else has to say.

What can you and I do? For one, we can learn to become better listeners ourselves. You see, listening isn’t just a need that we have, it’s a gift that we give.

So, resolve to give the gift of listening. Here’s how to do it:

1. Cultivate a desire to listen. Listening to others is a powerful tool. If given the opportunity, the others will tell me everything you need to know. If this doesn’t create desire, I don’t know what will.

2. Always let the other person do 70% of the talking and refuse to interrupt. Your speaking role will come into play when you’re asked a question.

3. Ask for clarification and insure that you understand by repeating back what you heard. Once you ask a question, be quiet and listen.

4. Learn to read another person’s body language. Non verbal communication can account for up to 60% of the message. Tone accounts for 30 percent and the actual words used accounts for only 10%.

5. Take notes if needed. That means you have to be prepared to listen ahead of time!

6. Be present in the moment. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by external or internal forces.

These will all be very difficult to do. But if we’re going to get ahead in our jobs, in personal relationships, and in life, we will have to develop superior listening skills. Imagine how you would feel if you had a friend who really, I mean really listened to you.

Become that friend.

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Gods Will is for His people to be Thankful

Gods Will is for His people to be Thankful
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

Great to be here! We are always thankful, and that is the key word today thankfulness, Thanksgiving, and yes we are always very thankful when we can be a part of what God is doing here at Open Bible! We tremendously appreciate the saints of God here and there is a spirit here that is very uplifting!
My message today is entitled: Gods will is for His people to be Thankful
1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
• Gods will is for His people to be Thankful
• Gods will is for His people to be Thankful in everything
• Gods will is for His people to give thanks
This is Gods will for His people and this is very clear! There may be some things about the will of God that may be a little fuzzy, but not when it comes to this matter being thankful. This is a clear undisputable will of God for His people!
Now thankfulness is not a natural tendency. In other words just because this is Gods will does not mean that this is something that we will automatically do! We are not born with an AG degree. I was listening to Adrian Rogers recently and he was admonishing Gods people to obtain an AG degree after they receive their BA degree! The BA degree is being born again, and the AG degree is an attitude of gratitude! Well just as we are not born with a BA degree, that is received when we trust Christ as our Savior, we are also not born with an AG degree. What characterizes is lost person is not gratitude but ingratitude and to show you this turn to the epistle to the Romans chapter 1:18-21. Now you might think this is bad but it gets worse, it gets a lot worst! Look at verse 22….and sandwiched between all this is that little phrase in verse 21 “neither were thankful”. This shows me that if you show me a heart that is void of thanksgiving, show me a heart that has no gratitude for the God that created them and that is a person that is capable of performing any sin that a depraved, wicked heart can imagine and that is the potential of every lost person outside of Christ! Now that is not very encouraging I know but this just makes the Gospel all the more beautiful, for this we can like Paul but thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift! So glorious is this gift especially when we look at it on the black canvas of our sin that Paul’s vocabulary would not suffice so he calls it an unspeakable gift! This is what we have in Jesus Christ and this is what we have in the gospel! Thank God! Thank God! and Thank God and this is Gods will!
Let’s look at the text briefly. In this text Paul gives us a list of practical admonitions that come at us in machine gun like fashion!
Vs 12, know them
Vs 13, esteem them
Vs 14, exhort=urge you, admonish, strong insistence
Vs 15, among yourselves and to all men
Vs 16, rejoice evermore=rejoice always! Rejoice continually, without ceasing!
Vs 17, pray without ceasing=continual lifestyle of prayer!
Vs 18, in everything give thanks
Everything-not just good things, but bad things, indifferent…In everything, not a matter of feeling, not a matter desire, not a matter of choice; this is God’s will, so do it! Not open to discussion, do it! Be thankful! This is Gods purpose and this is not a suggestion, but a command! In connection with all areas of life we are to be a thankful people! Thanksgiving is nice, but we are to be thankful at all times regardless of the season of the year. Christians are to be characterized by thankfulness! Got it?
The text says give thanks –That means say it, show it, and mean it, from the heart, meaningful, live the life of thankfulness and live it continually! Continual thanksgiving!
This is the will of God. In other words this is Gods purpose for you! This is Gods design for your life! This is Gods direction for your life!
Sadly many even among Gods people are not cultivating a heart of thanksgiving. Why? Why is there ingratitude in God house? Where is our heart of Thanksgiving? Why are we not more thankful? Why do we need a day of Thanksgiving? Are we too busy to be thankful? Are we too consumed with self that we forget?

Perhaps we have it too good! Perhaps God has treated us too well!

We are stuffed with more food than we need, with more things than we have a place for, and with more comforts than we can manage!

God gave it, and we are busy consuming and not thanking!

We appreciate it so little
We take it for granted
We forget He gave it
We are never satisfied with it
We are always wanting for more

I pray that this day of Thanksgiving will be full of joy in your homes!
I pray that your homes will be full of all the things that makes this day so special, and I pray that as this…permeates your home it will last not just be for a day but for all times, and all seasons! Seasons of plenty, seasons of little, seasons of disappointment, seasons of joy, seasons of loss, seasons of sorrow, and seasons of merry…

Now how do I know this is Gods will for his people because it says in Christ Jesus! Look at the text (vs. 18)
In Christ Jesus! The believer is in Christ Jesus that is as opposed to being in sin, or in Adam or in the world, or in Satan; we are in Christ Jesus! We are in Christ Jesus!
We were crucified w/Christ
We were buried w/Christ
We rose in newness of life w/Christ
We were washed in His blood
We have new life in Christ Jesus
We are in Him! We are His! We belong to Him! And for this and so much more we should be thankful!
It is Gods will that you be thankful! Why? Why are you thankful today?

Fasting to Tear Down Strongholds

Fasting to Tear Down Strongholds
Text: 2nd Corinthians 10:1-6
2 Corinthians 10
1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
2But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (not earthly, fleshly, physical and emotional), but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting down imaginations (false teachings, heresies, false religions), and every high thing that exalteth (false spiritual leaders, Pope this, Most High This…) itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Introduction:
We are entering into a season of fasting. We know that there is power when we combine our prayer life with fasting. Prayer is a weapon in the Christians battle armor (Ephesians 6:18), but Jesus also said that some things come but by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:28-30)! As we pray and fast we will see Gods hand move in response to those things for which we lay before Him. Prayer changes things, prayer changes us and prayer changes others. God answers prayer! Today we want to share 7 principles of fasting that will equip us in this battle of prayer and fasting. We share these principles praying that God will use them to unleash the power of God in each of our lives to tear down strong holds! Here are the seven principles of fasting and I encourage you to write them down and apply them during this time of fasting!
1. We should fast sensibly
2. We are to fast secretly
3. We are to fast sensitively
4. We are to fast systematically
5. We are to fast sacrificially
6. We are to fast specifically
7. We are to fast supernaturally

In our text the Apostle Paul is telling that in the battles that we face and they are fierce, we do not fight them with the weapons of the world, but we spiritual weapons. Let look at the text for a moment. Notice verses one 1-5.
A stronghold is a fortress. It is something that human intervention alone cannot penetrate or over take. The Greek word for stronghold is okuroma. It can also be translated "fortress." The idea is a structure that has been built to protect something, to keep something captive, or to prevent someone from entering and taking something away. It is an area in my life where I am being "held captive." I am prevented from experiencing freedom in expressing the life of Christ in me, and God's grace and abundance are prevented from affecting that area of my life. A "stronghold" is an area of my life where I consistently have problems and cannot live in victory. I want you to know that we face all kinds of strongholds and these strongholds are often barriers or roadblocks established by the world, the flesh, and the Devil to render us powerless in the service of God. If we are going to gain the victory during this season of fasting and prayer we need to gain the victory over strongholds. Now here are some examples of personal, psychological, and spiritual strongholds that we face, and I am certain that someone here today is facing something in one of these areas. It may be one of these. It may be two or may be several. May God give us victory over them, and I believe He will! Here they are:
BITTERNESS-may manifest in these areas:
Resentment
Hate
Unforgiveness
Anger
Violence
Revenge
If you are dealing with these and you are not seeking God’s deliverance it will stifle your prayer life and it will affect what we are attempting to accomplish during these days of prayer and fasting! Don’t ignore them it is time to deal with them and these are strongholds!
HEAVINESS-may manifest in these areas:
Depression
Despair
Self-pity
Loneliness
Addictions
Suicide
INSECURITY
Inferiority
Inadequacy
Timidity
Shyness/Withdrawal
Pleasing people, not God
Lack of trust/worry
Wrong relationships
CONTROL
Manipulation
Striving
Lack of trust
Worry
Insensitivity
Desire for recognition
JEALOUSY
Spitefulness
Gossip/slander
Betrayal
Critical spirit
Judgmental
Suspicious nature
IDOLATRY (ISAIAH 44)
Frustration
Hopelessness
Selfishness/Greed
Financial problems
Wrong goals/Decisions
Confusion/Living a lie
Pursuing dead ends
Spiritual blindness/Apathy
Distractions
REBELLION
Self-will
Stubbornness
Strife
Factions
Divisions
Anger/Arguments
Independent spirit
Unteachable
PRIDE
Vanity
Self-righteousness
Self-centered
Insensitivity
Materialism
Unteachable
Seeks positions
SEXUAL IMPURITY
Lust
Seductiveness
Masturbation
Fornication
Adultery
Frigidity
Homosexuality
Pornography
REJECTION
Addictions
Compulsions
Seeking acceptance
Unworthiness
Withdrawal

DECEIT
Lying
Fantasies
Delusions
Rationalizing
Wrong Doctrine
Misuse of Scripture
FEAR
Phobias
Compulsions
Perfectionism
Failure
Inability to set goals
Now these strong holds may also manifest themselves in areas of:
Spiritually-assurance of salvation, doctrinal inconsistencies, hearing God speak in times of prayer of reading His word
Evangelism-powerless, intimidation, fear, lukewarmness, close doors, close hearts, failed opportunities
In the area of
Relationships-assurance of Gods leading, knowing God’s will, sensitivity to God’s will, and lack of discipline, discernment, and wisdom
In the area of
Physical health or spiritual health
Now let me give you some practical scriptural guidance!

Revelation 2:1-5
First remember-Remember what? Remember your conversion! Remember those early times of walking with Lord...
Repent-Turn around, acknowledge that you are off course and turn around!
Return-Get back to doing the first works, go back to that first love! Rekindle that first love affair with the Lord! Go back!
After you have done these 3 R’s remember, repent and return one needs to apply these seven principles during this time of fasting and prayer.
1. We should fast sensibly. Sometimes there is a tendency to fast in a way that is not medically feasible. This is not what is called for in fasting. We should all know our limitations and be shore not to overstep. We should fast sensibly. Sometimes in fasting we lose weight. I usually do, but losing weight is not the reason we are fasting. Now in some cases that might be a good thing to lose a few pounds, but not in every case, and I won’t elaborate! But we are to fast sensibly. Are you fasting sensibly? Stretch yourself, challenge yourself, but please be sensible, have a balance, know your limitations!
2nd Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing.
2. We should fast secretly. Jesus cautioned his disciples never to boast about our times of fasting but rather to keep our times fasting as personal commitment (Matthew 6:16-18). When we fast we should not be using this to make a show of spiritual superiority. (I believe this can be a real hindrance in effectiveness in times of fasting-what is it, fasting for show or fasting to show spiritual superiority and this one challenges us sometimes). Sometimes on my job it is hard to fast secretly without telling a lie, but I have learned to do it in secret and not lie about what I am doing and God will give you the grace to do the same. For example I usually walk on my lunch break, and on my job they are very nosey so when they ask I just tell them that I may eat something later.
3. We should fast sensitively. When Israel fasted the bible says they inquired of the Lord. In times of fasting we should be listening for the voice of God and it is amazing to me the times when God seems to speak and you truly get a sense that you are hearing directly from Him. During times of fasting and prayer God seems to communicate to me, and I want to listen.
4. We should fast systematically. When Jesus taught His disciples about fasting, He began with the words when you fast (Mat 6:16). He was suggesting that believers should have regular times of fasting whether one day a week or portion of a day each week. Jesus is saying that our fasting should be methodical or systematic. In other words our Lord does not want us to enter into this fasting without thinking it through. He does not want us to fast “wily Nelly” or haphazardly. We should fast purposely, systematically and we should fast deliberately. Have you established a systematic approach to fasting? In the case of me it is a systematic approach that includes my family, but I also have a personal challenge to myself that my family may not necessary be involved in. I do this just to challenge myself and it is between me and the Lord.
5. We should fast sacrificially. If we normally do not eat breakfast it is not really a sacrifice to fast breakfast. A true fast must entail some kind of a sacrifice. What are you willing to give up during this time of fasting that is going to cost you something? The alter of sacrifice is the place where God will meet us during this season of fasting. What are you placing upon the alter of sacrifice? It must cost you something.
6. We should fast specifically. God said to Israel, Is not this the fast that I have chosen (Isaiah 58:6). May God direct us as we focus specifically upon some items of importance as we fast and pray. Our pastor has laid out some specifics and I am not going to preach his sermon, but we need to mindful of these priorities as we fast and pray!
7. We should fast supernaturally. The very nature of fasting requires dependence on God’s supernatural power to see us trough. When the early church fasted before sending out the workers we were taught how the Holy Spirit came and said separate unto me Barnerbus and Saul for the work I have called them unto (Acts 13:2, 3). Here we see the Holy Spirit moving and orchestrating in response to the fasting and praying of Gods people! We need God’s Spirit as we fast. When we fast we too frequently think it is up to us to keep the commitment that we have made to God. Our commitment to sacrifice, to be specific, to be secret, to be sensitive, to be sensible, to be systematic, and to be sensitive are to be done in the Power of God. We cannot do these things in our own strength. We need to pray in the power of God! We need to fast in the power of God and..
• We need to fast sensibly
• To fast secretly
• To fast sensitively
• To fast systematically
• To fast sacrificially
• To fast specifically
• To fast supernaturally, all in the Power of God!

God will give us the enablement. God will give us the victory! God will lead us and guide us through this season of fasting and God will do marvelous and wonderful through us as we commit this season of fasting to Him.
So as we exercise these seven principles during our season of fasting and prayer God will give us the victory to tear down strongholds!

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Living Above the Recession

Living Above the Recession