Mentali-TEA: Is there a cuppa brewing here??

Gingerbread mentality---a cuppa mushy escapism that runneth.

What about disclari-TEA? More confusion than clari-TEA. Inconsistent thinking. Muddled. In "my" words, "thinking in circles" ----rarely finding endings in a complete thought---just beginnings of new ones---seemingly never-ending.

Addled. A descriptor from Mama Davenport's generation. 

Addled. More confusion than clarity. Unable to think clearly.

Eugene O'Neil's retort was, "My brain is a bit addled by whiskey." (Wonder if he kept Fireball in his freezer?)

What does addle ones brain? 

What's the RX---prescript from doc or RX from the Great Physician.

Mind renewal is needed---Pour me a tas-TEA cuppa that! (Romans 12:2)

TEA-lightfully clear

God's Word is truth. (John 17:17) God-breathed. (2 Timothy 3:16) Yet, to many, parts of scripture are unclear. Direction needed. Crystal clear direction. Clarity in God's word

Isn't that what we all want? A cup of clari-TEA as we read God's word---to know His truth?

To know what God is really saying, especially to each of us personally?

Last week at BSF, Cathy, our teaching leader, gave insight into this conundrum.

All scripture is equally true....BUT not all scripture is equally clear. 

A TEA-lightful quote for me to remind me of truth that I do understand and to trust the Lord in the parts which I don't.

"perspicui-TEA"

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105, NIV)

Until a recent Allen Bible Church sermon, (5/11), I had used the word perspicui-TEA incorrectly. I even documented its use in my Bible years ago as I heard it from a former pastor. Obviously, I heard it incorrectly since clarity of truth is the hallmark of perspicuity in scripture. God's truth has no opacity when spiritually discerned by the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit gives clarity and understanding of scripture.

Clearly, God's word is infallible, even when I don't fully understand it. (2 Timothy 3:16) Living out (obedience) what I do know and do understand, allows me to continue to grow in knowledge of Him. I want my faith to be perspicuous in my life.

It is God's word that gives lucidity to my life of faith. 

It's why I use God's word as a filter to my thoughts and interpretations of scripture. 

A cuppa perspicui-TEA---
May I sit under God's Word and its veracity, imparted by the Spirit of  Truth.

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” (C.S. Lewis)

Lucidi-TEA is key in studying God's Word. Therefore my "Tea with Thee" times start with a request for a cuppa  perspicui-TEA of spiritual wisdom to be served by my spiritual teacher. 

More clari-TEA needed

3/28/13 Kitchen table chat yesterday had JoLynn reminding me that hearing from God is a spiritual communication. Neither of us have ever heard a “deep grandfatherly” sounding voice speaking audibly to us---rather we have “heard” our own thoughts revealing truth from Him. The voice of the Lord seems to come to us in our own thoughts. Like an impression, a nudge or a check. To me a “check in my spirit” is like a mini-warning---a “better slow down and rethink that! If I don't have peace about it---that’s my “check---I know I need to look at the options….until I hear the voice of peace.

All of these thoughts are mine alone--gleaned through experience, nothing more. God’s voice might not come to others in this way.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Rev 3:22, NIV) Believers make up God’s church, so we need to “listen for His Spirit.

GOD’s WORD--In order to actually “hear” from God we need to know about who God it. That helps us determine His character, thus making it easier to discern His voice. The Bible, God’s Word, is the only true source for that information. Too often folks see God as what they want Him to be or as culture labels Him to be. Those views can impair one’s “hearing.”

OTHER PEOPLE--God can use other people to “speak” His truth to us and offer godly counsel. He can use anyone BUT it’s safer to be lead by other believers. How can one even discern a true believer?

The Spirit itself beareth witness with (testifies to) our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16) That spirit is recognizable in others---it’s how we recognize ourselves and others as God’s children.

CIRCUMSTANCES---God uses these BIG time in my life. My cancer journey taught me lessons in forgiveness and trust. All were from Him---without me ever “hearing” an audible word.

Circumstances, advice from others, nudges.  How do I know they are from Him. Every “message” needs to be filtered through His word. Does it align with scripture? Does it promote His purpose by glorifying Him? The Bible is our most important tool in hearing God’s voice. His Word is like our policy and procedure manual.

God wants us to “get to know my voice”, as John 10:4 states, his “sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Discerning His voice will take time and work---but it’s so worth it.

Praying for my readers today that God will “pour out clari-TEA” on this topic.

clari-TEA

3/27/13

clariTEA---much is needed to concisely and accurately answer the question, “How does one hear God’s voice?” One will need to “sip” along with me these next few days in order to “strain” out the truth. A big gulp, all at once, could be “too hard to swallow.”

clariTEA needed from Thee to me!

Let’s start with examination. 

• Examine your heart. Ask, “Do I really want to hear what God has to say to me?” 
• Examine your mind. “Do I have God’s Word implanted there?” If not, ask self “Am I willing to do the work and study the scriptures?” 

If those answers are yes, then start here.

Examine surroundings---are they conducive to listening---not just hearing but really listening? A busy lifestyle isn’t very conducive to hearing God’s voice---though He can “speak” anytime, anyplace.

Monday night at BSF, Sally Jones shared an acronym for “busy.”

B eing

U nder

S atan’s

Y oke

Busy-ness is what keeps us there in that wrong place---“yoked to the ways of the world.”

Psa. 46:10 might be a good place to start to “tune” our spiritual ears to hear the voice of God. Stillness in one’s spirit is more conducive to hearing Him speak in that “still, small voice” as He did to Elijah. (1 Kings 19:12, KJV)

But, the stage was set for Elijah to hear so as to listen. There was a need. He was zealous for the Lord. He was alone. Elijah was willing to go out and stand “in the presence of the Lord.”

Then God spoke to Elijah---after the great wind that tore mountains apart and the earthquake and the fire---“in a gentle whisper.” (I Kings 19:10-15)

One must pray for clarity (our clariTEA) as God’s word is read.