Proverbs 1:8 “Hear my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”
In thinking about this scripture I am drawn to consider those people who have significantly impacted my life. People who modelled great Christian living as well as being able to explain things simply. John was my Pastor in the UK. He is no longer with us, and even now as I think of him, the feelings of gratitude well up inside me. He saw something in me and stayed the course, when I wobbled, he steadied, when I weaved, he waited, and when I stumbled he strengthened.
He was gentle, strong and an amazing dad and husband. Even now many years after we last saw each other, as I think of him, I hope that some part, even a tiny little bit of his legacy, lives on in me. I want to listen to him, to listen to the message of his life, to learn from it and to hopefully pass something on to others. He and his wife Val, were mentors to Wendy and I for 20 years. Remarkable!
KNOWLEDGE
There is active listening required, this call is to all nations, all who will hear. We are called to this relationally and very kindly, not in a demanding sense, perhaps more a gentle and powerful call. This mix of instruction and active listening leads to changed behaviour in me, every time. We have not to give up on this, even if it’s really challenging – keep going, and lean into the fullness of all we know God is saying.
In those days God’s Word was the first 5 books of the bible, for us it’s all the Old and New Testament which we have given authority to, and continue to give authority to in our life. What have you been hearing from God over the last year? Do you keep a journal, and then regularly reflect on your “written word”. Once we have listened well, it’s good if we learn to write well!
UNDERSTANDING: Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? How great is it to see the word “mother’s” here? In Hebrew, this word is pronounced as ” ’em” and is used 220 times in the Old Testament. It is translated into the English words; mother; or mother’s, every time. In this verse, we pick up on listening to those who love you, and have gone before you, and are your mother, or grandmother, or even further back.
WISDOM: how many times today will you use “active listening” as a natural and core skill
STRENGTHS THOUGHT – Developer is a beautiful Executing Strength – you ask the best questions at the perfect moment. You naturally see hidden potential in others and are willing to take the time to see it unlocked. You easily help others find safety with you, fear of failure is no longer a barrier. You help people see and celebrate their own growth, even baby steps are worthy of notice and reward. Be sure to invest in yourself along the way.
P.S. – Always ensure there is a genuine desire for growth in the people you are committing to help.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [you have already decided to trust and to follow the familial guidance, you are developing a lifelong friendship with wisdom at it’s source]
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PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Please help me to fall more and more in love with you each day, and that the fruit of that love will be obedience walked out.
Very insightful. Reflecting on those mentors (a father, mother, Carer , pastor , friend ) and people in our life that have impacted us with wisdom on our journey is the fathers desire that we might have a heart of gratitude . Actively Listening is a good reminder as we often think what we have to say is more important. Really Great breakdown of the verse to reflect on
Very insightful. Reflecting on those mentors (a father, mother, Carer , pastor , friend ) and people in our life that have impacted us with wisdom on our journey is the fathers desire that we might have a heart of gratitude . Actively Listening is a good reminder as we often think what we have to say is more important. Really Great breakdown of the verse to reflect on
Very true! The art of active listening is so powerful in growing! Love to think about all those that have imparted and influenced us as well!
Beautiful thoughts!
I’m reminded today of those who have invested in my life and seen things in me that I never saw myself and over time drew them out of me. Praying I will also do the same for others.
“Back yourself, you can model and set the culture.” Im also reminded not to give up in my efforts to see certain area of change.
Thank you Pastor Allan 🙂
Not to worry Allan, your pastors legacy has marked you for sure and what a wonderful thing it is!
I cannot help but reflect on all those who have left a mark on me. The obvious in my parents, pastors, friends and too many to mention. From time to time I’ve had people from my past approach me and thank me for what I did for them in believing in and mentoring some but I often wonder if I’ve really made a difference. My only conclusion is to cast doubt aside and keep on with the calling of God in serving Him and others. It’s all I can do, all I know to do and I trust Him with the rest.
Not to worry Allan, your pastors legacy has marked you for sure and what a wonderful thing it is!
I cannot help but reflect on all those who have left a mark on me. The obvious in my parents, pastors, friends and too many to mention. From time to time I’ve had people from my past approach me and thank me for what I did for them in believing in and mentoring some but I often wonder if I’ve really made a difference. My only conclusion is to cast doubt aside and keep on with the calling of God in serving Him and others. It’s all I can do, all I know to do and I trust Him with the rest!
Thanks Pastor Allan, I am grateful that God always surrounds me with the right people to speak and encourage me each day. Father always has my back when I least expect it. He never foresakes me. I used to feel lonely all the time, even when I was surrounded by family and friends. But as my relationship with our heavenly Father developed in recent times, I don’t have that alone feeling anymore. He gives me the confidence to be myself by putting Him first. He identifies who I am. It’s such a beautiful feeling especially when I reflect back on that person I was before.
I look back at the times growing up where I ignored my fathers and mothers advice or instruction and ultimately that disobedience led me to learn the hard way some big lessons. I’m now so very thankful for the wise Godly council I have in my life that have really helped me navigate the last few years with a real confidence and assurance that God is with me. I hope to be that source of wisdom and confidence for others and pass on that understanding that has been invested into me.
Hear is a big word not just meaning to listen but to sit up take notice & be actively engaged in being instructed from people who have maturity & wise words which will provoke me to embrace better living for God. I’ve had the privilege of many people coming alongside & speaking into my life often confirming what Father God is saying to me. I have a choice to disregard those words or take them on board & so this scripture is exhorting us to the latter. And so too as we have received may we freely give to others words of encouragement & wisdom in humility love & kindness. It is a call to us not only to discern what is being said to us but also to be a voice to help others see what God sees in them. Journaling is a wonderful way to express on paper quite often what we can’t simply process in our minds.
Thank you for the investment Allan. Having people Genuinely interested in you and help bring the Gold that’s in you are the people who leave legacy in your life!! Culture trumps tasks and responsibilities any day!! Makes me think about the culture in my own family. It’s awesome that its not just any instructions, its the Fathers instructions.
Like Jesus mentions in Matthew 7:9-11, our earthly fathers only want good for their children. I think of my own Dad and whilst sometimes the instruction he gives is not what I want to do at the time, whenever I have listened and followed his instruction it has always turned out to be for my best interests and not his.
Our Heavenly Father loves us even more than our earthly father, he knows what we need and his instruction is for our benefit even though at times it can be challenging it always works for good. Amen!
Reading today’s verse floods my memory of my own natural father who passed 20 years ago and the lessons he taught me helped shape part of who I am today. Even though at the time it was quite disciplined for instance getting woken up on a cold winter’s morning to help him hang out the washing or on a hot summer’s day and my mates coming to get me to go to the beach and to been told by my dad ‘no I need a hand in the garden’. At the time I resented doing it but that has instilled the good work ethic I have today. Then there Pastor Pete back in NZ my spiritual father who when I acknowledged Jesus as my Lord and Saviour took me under his wing and taught me the goodness of our God. From that I came to realise the best Father of all is God Himself who loves us all unconditionally.
Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord
And whom You teach out of Your law
Psalm 94:12
“This mix of instruction and active listening leads to changed behaviour in me, every time. We have not to give up with this, even if its really challenging – keep going, and lean in to the fullness of all we know God is saying. “ this is everything. How challenging .. are we really listening if we do not act upon what we hear.. there’s so much in this verse alone.
Another beautiful blog, from start to finish. Love the prayer at the end. Thanks for this blessing, Allan!
I like this verse. It makes me reflect on my upbringing and how much my parents, especially my mum sowed into me. Also my nan.
I also reflect on where my kids (adults actually) are with God and I really need more wisdom to help them find their way back to the Lord!!
Great read Allan. I like the words on the developer strength which is in my top 5 strengths!!
Great word is amazing how many times God has send the right person with the right message the person that guides you and has the wisdom God had provided to them in life or experiences and at that moment God gives them the right exact word to pass on and changes your life and also gives a revelation from God.
Today I want to Thank you Ps Allan for the many times you were there for me when I needed it that word or that prayer it may not seam a lot but many times you were that rock that gave me hope.
God Bless you and gives you the desires of your heart!
Blessings and Thank you Jesus for Ps Allan for His wisdom and for His walk of Faith.
Amen
What I take from this is…………Hear my words my children, preach the good news with gospel & your testimony. Do not bury it with yourself, because then the word and your testimony will be dead & no fruit will come from it.
God please give me the patience to the world as I only see people get caught up in the teaching of there fathers flesh but not the Heavenly Father. I see their father in flesh moulds who they are today. I see them get caught up in generational curses. I pray that chains get broken in Jesus name and they replace you Father God and put you first so they may see the truth and the truth is that you are the light that overcomes all darkness…… Amen
Beautiful blog! This makes me reflect on how it’s important to pay attention to what my father in heaven is staying in His WORD. And how hind to His instructions which will make me to grow in the things of God. And also not to forget what I learnt at my mother’ knees.
Being disobedient and ignoring wise council has for sure taken me down a path that lead to destruction in some areas of my life.
Today I c a n look back and only wish that I had then listened to the instructions of the wise ,which would have saved me from much heart ache and pain.
In this journey of life we go through s o many trials, I have learnt, that in it all God never abandons you ,he’s always there leading you in the right path, and he always sends the right people in to your life in a season to w a lk along side you ,
I’m very grateful to you pastor Allan and many others who have selflessly given of their valuable time and care to be a guiding light and blessing to others .by your words of encouragement and wisdom
And I trust God will one day use our stories to bless and encourage someone.
Great post. Great point to reflect on those who had a great impact on my life. Always grateful for them.
Loved the distinction between the Instructions – that carries discipline, correction and not just information and the Teachings – that carries the law , the word of the Lord and as you put it coming from caregivers.
The art of active listening requires involvement and conscious effort, it is very important as it is very easy to drift. Working on this art.
Active listening is something I need to work on more. It astonishes me to think Jesus listened actively. The all knowing, the one who is the beginning and the end wants to listen to our prayers actively to engage and involve in our lives.
It’s truly touching to see how you were mentored by Pastor John and how you’re now passing that legacy on to others. His impact clearly lives on through you. My prayer is that both our natural and spiritual children would take the teacher’s advice to heart—to hold fast to the words of instruction and teaching we impart to them. It’s also a timely reminder that both parents share the sacred responsibility of raising up the next generation with wisdom and love.