Category Archives: God.

God Doesn’t Gossip

04 Wednesday Mar 2020

Posted by in God., Uncategorized

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In John 21, Jesus tells Peter how he’s going to die, to which Peter responds, “Well what about John?” I’m giving you the JIV translation (Jeremy International Version). Then Jesus says, “That’s none of your bee’s wax!” (JIV). 

When it comes down to it, we only need to know what God’s will is for one life … our own (Romans 14:10-12). It’s God alone we’ll have to answer to for our actions. However, sometimes we put our own personal preferences on others. I’m guilty of it! I’ve put my own personal preferences on those of you who root for the Raiders. I’m concerned for your well-being. 

Often times Christians, like myself, cause more damage than good by confronting others (Raider Fans) about what they think “God has told them.” Now if I’m completely close minded and not in the Word or in prayer, then He may bring someone along to open my eyes. But let’s be positive that our two cents are from God and not our own personal opinion or preferences.

Here are the 3 indicators that God has given you a message for someone else …

  1. It won’t contradict what He’s already said. God is never going to tell you something that goes against His Word in the Bible. Be VERY careful not to use God’s name for your own preferences.
  2. God told them first. If God gave you a word for someone else, you should be praying that He has already told them. You don’t want to jump the gun and say something before God does a work in this person. Trust God to speak to them first. You can be confident, God’s not going to gossip to you.
  3. You didn’t know. Often times, God will use you without you even knowing about it. You’ll just be talking and something you say will trigger a change in their heart and mind. You may never even know that you’ve just confirmed something that they were wrestling about with God.

Here’s the reality. There is still hope that God is speaking to you…. if you’re not a Raider fan. 

No really, the reality is, God isn’t going to gossip to me about you OR about you to me. If you’re a believer, God is going to tell YOU. 

To learn more about how to recognize God’s voice, visit our YouTube Channel and watch our Hearing God series.

Silence, "The Language of God"

22 Monday Feb 2010

Posted by in God., jeremy, jeremy mcgarity, language of God, pastor Jeremy

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“Silence is the language of God”- Thomas Keating

I’m learning about the importance of silence and solitude. I’ve taught on it for years and I’ve practiced it periodically. I want to flip that sequence.

God will not compete with our noise. He will not shout above the constant barrage of electronic stimulants and information overload. He does not push His way in to get our attention. He waits. Think about that. God waits for you and me.

He waits until we’re quiet enough in mind, heart, and soul, and then He speaks. 1 Kings 19 always reminds me of this….God speaks in a whisper.

He waits until we’ve prioritized Him. He waits until we’ve cleared our cluttered schedule to carve out space for Him (that sounds so ridiculous when I realize HE IS THE ONE WHO GIVES US TIME IN THE FIRST PLACE). Still, He waits.

So often, in my hurry, it’s as if God is speaking another language. I can’t translate the dialect He’s speaking.

It takes pure discipline as I’ve focused my time in silence before Him. Every thought must be held captive and pushed aside so I can have a clear mind, no distractions. My mind goes so many places for several minutes until finally it gets quiet. It’s in the next several moments that I meet with my Lord. These are good times. These are soul healing times. These are times of refreshing.  It’s in these moments of silence that I can translate the language of God

In these moments I am reminded that I am not God, He is. I am not in charge, He is. All my hurry and all my worry is just me taking charge, it’s just me taking control. I need silence as a constant reminder that God is God and I’m not.

So, I’m learning. I don’t want to burn out, soften up, or lose to the enemy. So, I’ll do the waiting. I’ll listen to Psalm 37 and wait on the Lord, it’s the least I can do, He’s waited on me for so long.

Forest Home

09 Friday Jan 2009

Posted by in forest home, God., jeremy mcgarity, retreat

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We just returned from the mountains of Forest Home and once again had an incredible time.

God seems to meet us there on that mountain. I know He meets us in the valley too but it seems we can hear Him more clearly. It’s probably the lack of distractions, the calm peaceful setting, the snow and the raging fire in the fireplace.

We’ve been coming to Forest Home for various retreats since 1999. The past two years we’ve been blessed by Forest Home and used their free two night Pastor’s Cabin.

The kids love it too. They play in the snow, we hike, sled and adventure together. The pictures say it all.

During our stay I decided to have Riley shoot a video of me talking about snow and how it is an illustration of purity and how God cleanses us and makes us “white as snow”…a very serious moment…except our little comedian Aidan had plans of his own for this video shoot.

http://www.youtube.com/get_player