Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart

Isaiah 30:21, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

The effectiveness of environmental discipline in our lives is evidenced by the fact that we eventually do hear a voice behind us saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”

This voice keeps us on the straight and narrow way of experiencing Christ.

Our tendency is to be side-tracked, turning aside either to the right or to the left.

The right and left represent evil, the flesh, the world, or our own independent way (cf. Prov. 4:23-27).

If we have learned from our teachers of adversity and affliction, when we are again tempted to turn off the road to the right or left, we will hear the Lord speaking through our consciousness, “This is the way (Christ), walk in it (Him)” (cf. Col. 2:6).

All of God’s discipline in our lives has this one goal–that we would hear the Lord’s voice and follow Him.

In the New Testament, Revelation 3:19-20 reveals this same principle of discipline used by God to secure our inner attention to hear His voice.

The Lord says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

The Lord gives a little rebuking and a little discipline to turn up the volume of His voice.

He has already been speaking in us, even standing at the door and knocking; but we have not heard His voice.

Now He knocks a little harder through rebuke and discipline.

When He says, “If anyone hears My voice,” He is saying, “I spoke to you in a whisper, in a still small voice, but you closed your ears to Me by your reasoning mind.

Your own self-centered desires deafened and muffled My voice.

But now, through discipline, I have secured My goal in your life.

You hear My voice and are opening the door, and I am coming into your heart to set up an inner table where we can feast together–you with Me and I with you.”

Until Tomorrow

With A Shepherd’s Love,

Pastor Jackson

FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS

Ethel Proudfit – Funeral at 2 PM on Saturday at Scott Ward  

Dr. and Mrs. Davis

Ashton Bateman – Recovering

Sandra Graham – Home  

Dan Haines

Doris Loyd

Linda Alexander

June Cronan

Jillian Gray

Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad 

Brandon’s Dad 

Darlene Thaxton 

David Harrison

Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother 

Dr. Don Davis 

Easton Fielder 

Erik Magusson

Freddie May’s Mom 

George & Linda Alexander 

James Burnette 

Jim Mabe 

June Cronan’s Sister 

John Austin 

John McClain 

Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom

Linda Hodges’ Sister 

Michael Stanley 

Mike Ferus

Ricky Gipson – Ashley’s Brother 

Rose Fuller 

Scott Nix 

Terrell Loyd 

Tom Witcher 

James Garner’s Friend 

Kim McClain’s Mother 

Lonzo Christin 

Ashely Burn’s Sisters 

Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons 

Larry Barker 

Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah 

Mary Sims 

Marynell Ford 

Pastor & Mrs. Driskell 

Ricky Stubbs 

Roseleigh Osborn 

Scott Lanier 

Sheila Simmon’s Cousin