Mixed Messages? Confusing Sounds?

MIXED MESSAGES? ARE WE GIVING A CONFUSING SOUND?

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

I once heard mixed message define: A mixed message is watching your mother in law drive over a cliff in your brand new 200,000 dollar Mercedes?

1 Corinthians 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

1 Corinthians 14:8 (MSG) If the trumpet call can't be distinguished, will anyone show up for the battle?

CONSIDER PERCEPTION?

*** Perception: using your five senses to come to a conclusion, the way you think about, the way you understand, the way you feel about the facts…

TALK ABOUT PERSPECTIVE?

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

An old farmer saved enough money to buy a donkey. The donkey would help do the work on the farm. So the farmer paid cash and left with the donkey tied to the rope. As they lead the donkey along, someone had a different perspective. They said old man you are not taking advantage of your new animal. You should let your grandson ride the donkey. The people were right. So the grandson rode the donkey and the old man lead with the rope harness.

A little ways down the road someone yelled out a different perspective. Young man you should honor your grandfather, he is old and has difficulty walking. They said: Get off that donkey and let the old man ride. They agreed with the people, and the grandson helped his grandfather climb on the donkey. The old man was enjoying his ride until they heard some yelling: They should both ride the donkey. Of course this was a valid conclusion. So the lad climbed up behind the old man. They were both enjoying riding the donkey.

All of a sudden the two passed by some people and they heard them complaining: LOOK AT THAT OLD MAN AND THAT YOUNG BOY BOTH RIDING THE DONKEY, THEY ARE GOING TO BREAK THAT DONKEY’S BACK! They reasoned, maybe they are right? So they both climbed off the donkey and pondered what to do?

So there was only one more option. The old man and the boy carried the donkey all the way to the house.

Life is about perspective… Why waste the donkey? Valid! Let the boy ride? Valid! Let the old man ride? Valid? Let both ride the donkey is a valid conclusion?

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

LIFE IS ABOUT PERSPECTIVE! EVERYONE IS RIGHT IN THEIR OWN EYES? Seems we are so focused on pleasing everyone we do not CONSIDER THE ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES? Proverbs discusses a man that says: THERE IS A LION OUT THERE… I CAN’T GO TO WORK…

Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

Have you ever read there were wild lions roaming the streets of Jerusalem? Was his perspective valid? Or was he lazy and did not want to go to work? IN HIS MIND HE WAS RIGHT!

IN REALITY THERE ARE TWO ISSUES WE MUST FACE…

WHAT MESSAGE ARE YOU PREACHING AND TEACHING?

IF WE DO NOT SPEAK CLEARLY, IT MIGHT BE WE ARE LISTENING AND FOCUSING ON THE WRONG PRIORITIES?

We speak what is important to us? Our value system? Our priorities?

Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

I do not ask are you hearing your spouse. I ASK ARE WE HEARING WHAT THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS SAYING?

WHAT ARE WE LISTENING TO? WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR THE VERY HEART OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD? ARE WE LISTENING TO GOD’S WORDS?

Matthew 13:16 (MSG) "But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear!

17 A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance.

CAN WE SEE HOW OUR VALUE SYSTEM EFFECTS/AFFECTS OUR HEARING? A mechanic hears? A mother hears?

You will seek what is important to you? Every person has a priority or value system?

YOU WILL FIND TIME TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE?

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

I HEAR MANY SAY TODAY THEY HAVE NO REGRETS? I seriously doubt when the Grim Reaper passes by us that we can honestly say: I HAVE NO REGRETS? We will regret some of the things we have said/done? We will regret some of the things we wish we would have done? I have spent many hours with dying people, one part of the discussion has always been clear: REGRETS.