Category: Communication

Categories
Communication Jesus Revelation

Progressive Revelation

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV) God is a God of revelation. He unveils that which was once hidden. God passionately reveals His truth so that we can know Him and serve Him and fulfill His plan. His revelation is progressive in that God chose to reveal His general revelation through nature (Rom. 1:20) and His special revelation by Jesus (John 1:14). God became like us so that we can become like Him. Our God is a God who speaks. He desires to communicate His love to His creation. Henry Blackaby, in his study, Experiencing God, taught us that God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to understand and apply God’s Word. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 (ESV) Notice how the Holy Spirit is identified as a Teacher and a Reminder. God, through the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to appropriate His Word in our daily living. The Holy Spirit teaches us God’s Word and reminds us of what God has spoken. As you read God’s Word, ask God to give you the Spirit of wisdom so that you may know Him better. Are you growing in your knowing? Have you placed your faith in the completed work of Jesus on the cross? Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Communication Revelation Ten Commandments

God Communicates

“And God spoke all these words.” Exodus 20:1 (NIV) God speaks! God communicates His plan and articulates His passion for us to know His will so that we can do His will. God reveals Himself so that we can orient our lives around His revelation. As Henry Blackaby says, “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.” The Ten Commandments are not designed to punish us, but to protect us. They are not intended to harm, but to help. As we explore the Decalogue, we will discover that God has provided these guardrails to help us do life God’s way. Consider the Ten Commandments as boundaries that benefit and bless. The first four commandments are boundaries that benefit your relationship with God. The remaining six commandments are boundaries that benefit your relationship with others. You cannot have a right relationship with God without having a right relationship with others. Also, you cannot have a right relationship with others without having a right relationship with God. The Ten Commandments provide clear guidelines on how to reverence God and to respect others. Let the vertical beam on the cross represent your relationship with God. Remember, that God chose to communicate His love to you by extending His grace to you through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. In Christ, you become the recipient of God’s revealed plan of salvation. Now consider the horizontal beam of the cross and allow it to represent your relationship with others. God has reconciled you to Himself in Christ so that you can join Him in bringing others into a saving relationship with Jesus. Your relationship with others matters to God. God chose to speak into your life so that you can communicate His love to others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Communication Family Listening

Family Communication

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 (NIV) Communication is vital for the home and family to operate in a way that pleases God. Relationships deepen as communication strengthens. The more effective we are in communicating understanding and communicating love within our home, the more effective our witness for Christ will be. God magnifies the witness of the family that communicates effectively within the home. Your home becomes a testimony before the Lord. When it comes to communication, how well do you listen? Are you intentional in listening empathetically and compassionately? Do you seek to understand and communicate that understanding? “Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’” 1 Sam 3:10 (NIV) “He who answers before listening–that is his folly and his shame.” Prov 18:13 (NIV) Let’s commit to be quick to listen. Remember, God has given us one mouth and two ears. What would happen if we intentionally listen twice as much as we speak? Our level of effective communication may very well increase. Thank God for the listening ears He has sprinkled throughout your life to help you along the way. People who came alongside you with a compassionate ear are worthy of your thanksgiving. Now be that kind of person in the lives of others for the glory of God. Start with your family and become a good listener. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Communication Revelation Ten Commandments

God Communicates

“And God spoke all these words.” Exodus 20:1 (NIV) God speaks! God communicates His plan and articulates His passion for us to know His will so that we can do His will. God reveals Himself so that we can orient our lives around His revelation. As Henry Blackaby says, “God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.” The Ten Commandments are not designed to punish us, but to protect us. They are not intended to harm, but to help. As we explore the Decalogue, we will discover that God has provided these guardrails to help us do life God’s way. Consider the Ten Commandments as boundaries that benefit and bless. The 1st four commandments are boundaries that benefit your relationship with God. The remaining six commandments are boundaries that benefit your relationship with others. You cannot have a right relationship with God without having a right relationship with others. Also, you cannot have a right relationship with others without having a right relationship with God. The Ten Commandments provide clear guidelines on how to reverence God and to respect others. Let the vertical beam on the cross represent your relationship with God. Remember, that God chose to communicate His love to you by extending His grace to you through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. In Christ, you become the recipient of God’s revealed plan of salvation. Now consider the horizontal beam of the cross and allow it to represent your relationship with others. God has reconciled you to Himself in Christ so that you can join Him in bringing others into a saving relationship with Jesus. Your relationship with others matters to God. God chose to speak into your life so that you can communicate His love to others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Communication Family Listening

Family Communication

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19-20 (NIV) Communication is vital for the home and family to operate in a way that pleases God. Relationships deepen as communication strengthens. The more effective we are in communicating understanding and communicating love within our home, the more effective our witness for Christ will be. God magnifies the witness of the family that communicates effectively within the home. Your home becomes a testimony before the Lord. When it comes to communication, how well do you listen? Are you intentional in listening empathetically and compassionately? Do you seek to understand and communicate that understanding? “Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’” 1 Sam 3:10 (NIV) “He who answers before listening–that is his folly and his shame.” Prov 18:13 (NIV) Let’s commit to be quick to listen. Remember, God has given us one mouth and two ears. What would happen if we intentionally listen twice as much as we speak? Our level of effective communication may very well increase. Thank God for the listening ears He has sprinkled throughout your life to help you along the way. People who came alongside you with a compassionate ear are worthy of your thanksgiving. Now be that kind of person in the lives of others for the glory of God. Start with your family and become a good listener. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Communication Jesus Revelation

Progressive Revelation

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” Heb 1:1-2 (NIV) God is a God of revelation. He unveils that which was once hidden. God passionately reveals His truth so that we can know Him and serve Him and fulfill His plan. His revelation is progressive in that God chose to reveal His general revelation through nature (Rom 1:20) and His special revelation by Jesus (John 1:14). God became like us so that we can become like Him. Our God is a God who speaks. He desires to communicate His love to His creation. Henry Blackaby, in his study, Experiencing God, taught us that God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways. The Holy Spirit enables the believer to understand and apply God’s Word. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV) Notice how the Holy Spirit is identified as a Teacher and a Reminder. God, through the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom to appropriate His Word in our daily living. The Holy Spirit teaches us God’s Word and reminds us of what God has spoken. As you read God’s Word, ask God to give you the Spirit of wisdom so that you may know Him better. Are you growing in your knowing? Have you placed your faith in the completed work of Jesus on the cross? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Communication Family

Family Chats (3)

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” Prov 19:20 (NIV) Has God ever used a child to teach you a valuable lesson in life? It happened to me last night. We had a family board meeting last night at our kitchen table. In response to our pastor’s Sunday morning message, we were working through the five questions included in the sermon listening guide. Take a look at these five questions: 1. In your opinion, what are the two biggest barriers to our communication? 2. Of the five levels of communication (clichés, facts, opinions, feelings, needs), which level typically represents our communication? 3. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, how well do I listen when others are speaking? 4. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, how “understood” do I feel when we talk? 5. What is one specific thing we can do to improve the quality of our communication? I asked my ten year old son, Austin, to take the lead and march us through the 5 questions. Through our family board meeting experience, God spoke through my son Austin to show me how my Blackberry was a barrier to communication. Isn’t that interesting? The purpose behind the technology of my Blackberry is actually to enhance communication. However, the very instrument which enhances communication can become a communication barrier. God is honored when you take the time to have a family chat to discuss ways to improve communication. The experience can provide your family with the opportunity to go deeper in relationship with each other. Your family business is God’s business! Take some time to discuss these five questions with your family. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Categories
Communication Family

Family Chats (2)

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 (NIV) Have you weighed your words lately? Your words have the potential to crush or to mend. Your words have the power to destroy relationships or to restore relationships. Every word you speak matters to God. Every word you speak aloud or mutter under your breath is captured by God. “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” Eccl 5:2 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Eph 4:29 (NIV) Give the Lord full control of your speech. May your words be pleasing to God. When you yield to His control, your communication within the home will be a blessing to your family. Your communication outside of the home will benefit others, too. Seek to please God and to build others up with your words. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor