THE ITCHING EAR SYNDROME!
WHEN YOU CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING YOU WILL CHANGE WHAT YOU SEE…(Several parts)
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Perspective perception… Sermons come many places. Recently while I was laying in a chemo-radiation bed at the cancer center. I awaiting my lumbar puncture. My second son, the nurse and I were discussion various subjects. I was drinking a Coke Zero. My adult son said: I have never seen my dad drink a glass of water. I listened. I replied: Son, I drink water every day. When my wife returned, we asked her input. Do I drink water every day? We awaited her answer? Is he right? Am I right? Linda said: SURE, HE DRINKS WATER EVERYDAY. HE DRINKS A LOT WATER DAILY. Sure, I drink diet or no sugar drinks, gator-aide, V8 juice, etc. I drink water. My son has been married 25 years. He assumed an answer that was invalid?
VALID? INVALID? JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS?
I pastored in a small east Kentucky town. I was there a short while and tasted some success. One day I heard someone whisper that that the preacher was an alcoholic. Later I heard another speak, I was an alcoholic. This was so strange as I made the choice as a young that I would never take a drink of alcohol in my life. From where could this story be coming? I heard someone say I was an alcoholic, and we stepped aside and I asked them where they heard this? I was an alcoholic? They told me the source where they had heard it. I did state: I that I had never tasted alcohol of any form in my entire life. So I went to church to pray. I decided to drive to my friend’s house that was telling others I was a drunk. I pulled up to the house and was warmly greeted and I asked to speak the man. We sat on the porch and I ask: ARE YOU TELLING PEOPLE I AM A DRUNK/ALCOHOLIC? He answered: YES! I went on to explain to the man. I have never drank one beer, whiskey, moonshine or wine in my entire life. Where did you get your information?
He said: The other night when we came to church we brought you some tomatoes and cucumbers from our garden. We were late so we just put the tomatoes in your car. There were 8 empty beer cans behind the driver’s seat of your car. I asked him if I could be excused for a minute.
I jumped in my car and ran to another friend’s house. I went in and asked can I borrow your teenager for a few minutes. I never explained anything. We drove back to the house up the other hollow. The man was still sitting on the porch. We got out and was talking. The two were family members. I asked the teenager about the beer cans. The teenager explained: they got to church early and someone had been left eight empty beer cans on the porch of the church. They did not think it appropriate to throw the cans in the church. The pastor’s car was unlocked so they just opened the back door and threw the empty beer cans in the back floor board. The teen said, we told the pastor about the beer cans. They never meant any harm. Then the other family placed the vegetables in the back seat. The conclusion? Thus the logical conclusion was the pastor is an alcoholic and the rumor started from valid conclusion? To this day 50 years later I have never opened or taken a sip of alcohol. The teen was not bad.
GRACE IS A LEARNED BEHAVIORWE NEED TO LEARN A PERSON’S BEHAVIOR HAS MORE TO WITH THEIR OWN STRUGGLES THEN IT EVER DID WITH YOU.
HUMAN TENDENCY IS TO FOCUS ON THE TROUBLES OF TODAY --- LIFE IS FULL OF STRUGGLES AND OPINIONS, WE FOCUS ON TEMPORAL AND NOT ETERNAL.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
*PERCEPTION: to become aware, how you see the world around you, (get up 6 am, is that early? Is that late? ), personal circumstances, how you interpret information, perception the lens you see through, 5 senses gather data for selective, meaning, attention,
*ASSUME, ASSUMPTION: what you accept as truth with proof, awareness, whatever you assume: will be truth to you, we expect better--- but will not change until we see what we expect to happen, (finding things busy, you will expect busy), (a crying baby is hungry)by design of shift,
*PERSPECTIVE: a way to look at, how you respond, how you think about something, a view or outlook, an attitude, point of view, the choice of how you see the world, to see beyond the outward,
*CONCLUSION: the end or finish of a process, to reason, consider the facts, the last word,
*ACT VS REACT:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
HOW MANY TIMES DO WE SAY: NOBODY KNOWS WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH? MAYBE WE DON’T SEE THINGS THE WAY THAT THEY ARE? MAYBE WE SEE THINGS THE WAY THAT WE ARE?
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Sermons come many places. Recently while I was laying in a chemo-radiation bed at the cancer center. I awaiting my lumbar puncture. My second son, the nurse and I were discussion various subjects. I was drinking a Coke Zero. My adult son said: I have never seen my dad drink a glass of water. I listened. I replied: Son, I drink water every day. When my wife returned, we asked her input. Do I drink water every day? We awaited her answer? Is he right? Am I right? Linda said: SURE, HE DRINKS WATER EVERYDAY. HE DRINKS A LOT WATER DAILY. Sure, I drink diet or no sugar drinks, gator-aide, V8 juice, etc. I drink water. My son has been married 25 years. He assumed an answer that was invalid.
WE WALK BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT.
I pastored in a small east Kentucky town. I was there a short while and tasted some success. One day a heard someone whisper that I was an alcoholic. Later I heard another speak I was an alcoholic. This was so strange as I made the choice as a young oy I would never take a drink of alcohol in my life. Where this story could be coming from? I heard someone say I was an alcoholic, and we stepped aside and I asked them where did they hear I was an alcoholic. They told me the source where they had heard it. I did state I that I had never tasted alcohol of any form in my entire life. So I went to church to pray. I decided to drive to my friend’s house that was telling others I was a drunk. I pulled up to the house and was warmly greet and I asked to speak the man. We sat on the porch and I ask: ARE YOU TELLING PEOPLE I
WHEN YOU CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING YOU WILL CHANGE WHAT YOU SEE…
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
There was a family built a new house. The family moved in new house. She could see could look out the kitchen window and observe the neighbor hanging their wash on the line. That spring revealed bright clean clothes on the line. Summer came, fall and then winter. The whole neighborhood burned coal. The new house became the norm. One cold winter day the new neighbor told her husband their neighbor’s cloths were dingy and not as clean. Come spring the lady washed her windows and the next week the clothes were bright?
Often dirty windows distort our vision. Often our MOODS ASSUME invalid conclusions. --- STOP --- CALM DOWN --- I DON’T ASSUME or JUMP INVALID CONCLUSIONS. WAIT PATIENTLY. BEWARE OF GRADUALNESS!
PAUL’S SHIP WRECK ON MALTA REVEALS SEVERAL PERSPECTIVES, PERSPECTIVES, AND CONCLUSIONS!
Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
1 GOD MUST BE PUNISHING PAUL--- PAUL HAS TO BE MUST BE A MURDERER?
2 THE VIPER SNAKE THAT HAS KILLED MANY ON THIS ISLAND PUTS IT’S FANGS INTO PAUL’S HAND--- THERE IS NO DOUBT OF PAUL’S GUILT.
3 OUR CONCLUSION IS CLEAR: THIS PAUL MUST BE A REAL BAD MAN? WE KNOW GOD PUNISHES THE GUILT… WE NEED NO MORE EVIDENCE.
4 PAUL SHAKES THE VIPER IN THE FIRE, ALL THEIR PERSPECTIVES, PERCEPTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS WERE NOT CORRECT.
5 LATER PAULS SOME DEATHLY SICK PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE DESIRE TO WORSHIP HIM --- BEWARE MY FRIENDS, EVERY PROBLEM AND TRIAL FOR GOD TO SHOW HIMSELF STRONG.
HOW MANY SIDES OF A STORY ARE OUT THERE? ONE? TWO? THREE? WE HAVE SO MANY JUDGE JUDY’S TODAY… SHE HAS A BENEFIT: SHE HAS WRITtem RECORDS SHE READS BEFORE COMING TO THE BENCH.
Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
DID YOU COME TO WATCH? WHY? WHY ARE YOU HERE? I KNOW YOUR NAUUGHTINESS? SO DO WE BELIEVE AND PRESUME BEFORE WE KNOW? REMEMEBER ELIAB? DAVIS HAD AN OLD, VERY HANDSOME BROTHER THAT COULD HAVE KILLED THE MIRACLE BEFORE IT HAPPENED?
1 Samuel 17:28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist knows the wind is going to change. The realist goes to the helm and adjust the sails preparing for the wind.
HAVE YOU READ THE STORY ABOUT THE KING’S SERVANT THAT ALWAYS GAVE THANKS AND SAID: “THIS IS GOOD!”
The King had a special servant that always traveled with him. The King loved being around this servant as he was always upbeat and positive. The man always said kind things and was quick to edify and encourage others.
The King would wake up in the morning and his servant would run to him and say: “THIS IS A GOOD DAY. WE ARE ALIVE. THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!” The King ate breakfast and the servant said, “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!” When the King ate breakfast and the servant said: ‘THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!” When the King came out in his royal clothes: His servant said: “YOU LOOK SO GOOD TODAY! THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD.”
When people came to the King and complained and the King would listen. The servant would visit with the King and tell him how blessed they were and nothing was as bad as it first appeared. Then the servant would say: “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!” The King loved hunting with his bow and arrow, His little servant was there by his side. The King would have great success, and his servant would say: “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!”
At night as the servant prepared the King for his rest, the servant would always say: “THIS IS A GOOD DAY, IT HAS BEEN A REALLY GOOD DAY!” ONE DAY THE KING JUMPED UP ON HIS HORSE AND WAS RIDING AROUND THE KINGDOM, AND HIS SERVANT SAID: “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!”
The King decided to practice with his bow and arrows. So the men dismounted and the servant gave the King his bow and the razor sharp arrows. Something happened and the KING CUT OFF HIS RIGHT THUMB. The King was bleeding and the situation looked terrible. The attendants got the bleeding stopped and the KING WAS IN GREAT PAIN. His servant said: “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!”
In great anger the King did not want to hear that garbage and the King threw his servant into prison. THE SECANT WAS ALWAYS BY THE SIDE OF THE KING, BUT THE KING DID NOT DESIRE TO HEAR: “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!” He knew better!
The King was out in the country side far from the palace and it started to get dark. The King’s party got lost and went deeper and deeper into the dangerous area. THE NEXT MORNING THE KING CRAWLED OUT OF HIS TENT TO REALIZE THEY WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AREA WHERE SERIOUS CANNIBAL LIVED.
The King knew he was in for big trouble when the flesh eating human beings gathered around him and too him back to the village to COOK HIM and EAT HIM. They had a huge pot and built a huge fire under the pot. They prepared the King to be placed in the boiling water. One of the CANNIBALS grabbed him by the hand and noticed his right THUMB WAS CUT OFF.
The cannibal started screaming, they were VERY SUPERSTITIOUS and they believed a man with his thumb cut off was bad magic. The cannibals immediately released the KING WITH NO THUMB. The King jumped on his horse and returned to his camp.
The King remembered the words his servant said when his thumb was cut off. “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!”
The King now realized: “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!” was the truth! His thumb being cut off saved his life.
THE KING RODE HIS HORSE AS FAST AS HE COULD TO THE PRISON AND RELEASED HIS SERVANT THAT HAD BEEN LOCKED UO FOR OVER A YEAR. The King explained to his servant that the cannibals were going to eat him, and when they saw his thumb was gone they released him because they wanted no bad JU-JU.
The servant said: THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!” THE KING SAID: NO, THIS IS NOT GOOD, I HAD YOU LOCKED UP IN PRISON FOR SAYING: THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!” WHEN MY THUMB WAS CUT OFF. The King said THIS IS NOT GOOD, YOU HAVE BEEN IN PRISON!
THE SERVANT SAID: “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!”
The King said, HOW IS THIS GOOD? The servant said: “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLLY GOOD!” IF I HAD BEEN WITH YOU, WHEN THEY REJECTED YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR MISSING THUMB, THEY WOULD HAVE COOKED ME AND ATE ME. “THIS IS GOOD, IT IS REALLY GOOD!”
Life is about YOUR ATTITUDES. Your attitudes will determine your ALTITUDE…YOU ARE NOT A TURKEY, YOU ARE AN EAGLE TO SOAR ABOVE THE STORMS.
CONCLUSION: PREACH THE WORD. CONTINUE. DIRTY LIVES FROM DUSTY BIBLES GROW. Let us set eternal priorities and be thankful for God’s son and God’s love. Focus on the “BLESSINGS!” These problems and trials are opportunities. God reveal yourself through me!
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
THE TIME IS COMING WHEN PEOPLE LONG TO BE TICKLED, THE EARS OF LET US UNITE TO STAND AGAINST ITCHING EARS. DANGER, DANGER, DANGER THE ITCHING EAR SYNDROME--- PAUL CLEARLY WARNS OF A TIME TO COME…
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
DON’T EVER LEAVE THE WORD… their own desire. Lust. Don’t swallow the bait. God clearly says: TRUST ME!
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) (Several parts)
