James 1:22 but be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ex 15, Luke 18, Job 33, 2 Cor 3
In
part 1 of these series, we defined a turning point as the point at
which everything changes either for good or bad. There are three major
things that mark the beginning of every turning point in a man’s life.
Firstly, what he hears. What a man hears can either make him happy or
sad. It can either motivate him or de-motivate him. It can either propel
him forward or drive him backwards. Secondly, how he responds to what
he has heard. Today we will be looking at the different types of
responses and their results.
James 1:22 says be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
There
are three types of responses. The first type of response is no
response. An example of this is found in Matthew 14:22-33. A major
turning point was about to take place in the life of the disciples of
Jesus. Prior to that day, no man had ever walked on water. The twelve of
them heard Jesus say ‘come’ but eleven of them decided to remain in the
boat. Heaven had already initiated their turning point but they decided
not to respond at all. Since there was no response, there was no
turning point. They remained at the level they were, sadly they never
had the opportunity again. The second type of response is opposite or
negative response. An example of this is found in the life of Uzziah, 2
Chronicles 26:16-21. Uzziah prospered in everything he laid his hands
on. One day he decided to go and burn incense on the altar of incense
which was improper for kings. On his way, Azariah and eighty other
priests of God met him and appealed to the king not to burn incense on
the altar of incense. The king did the exact opposite of what he was
told and right in the temple he became a leper. A turning point was also
initiated in the life of Uzziah; he heard and did the complete
opposite. Uzziah became the first king in Israel to become a leper. The
third type of response is positive response. An example of this is found
in the life of Isaac, Genesis 26:1-13. There was famine in the land and
Isaac decided to go to Egypt. The Lord told him not to go and he
responded positively by staying in Gerar. Whilst in Gerar, the Lord made
him so prosperous to the extent that a whole nation envied him. Isaac
heard and he responded positively to what he heard. Mark 4:24 says And
he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it
shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
Thirdly, the outcome of his response. If a man responds positively to
what he has heard, he will experience a positive outcome which leads to a
positive turning point. The question is what are your responses to what
you have heard? You have heard that smoking is bad for your health,
what is your response? You have heard that when you pay your tithes the
Lord opens the window of heaven and rebuke the devourers on your behalf,
what is your response?
PRAYER POINT: Father, give me the grace to respond positively to everything I have heard and will hear from you.
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