BE QUICK TO LISTEN

God has given me a bible verse to focus on in 2018:

James 1:19 - James, the brother of Jesus, says:

“19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”

Imagine James’ perspective as he wrote this verse.  As the brother of Jesus, it is possible that his mother, Mary, reminded him that Jesus was the son of God.  That he should learn to listen to Jesus. There is so much to write about that idea but today is about my struggle with what James was writing about and what I want to learn.

Being Quick to Listen…

As a radio talk show host, it is my role to listen to the guests I am interviewing.  I enjoy hearing their testimony and am able to practice my listening.  But, in everyday life I am a really good talker, and my listening needs a lot of practice.

In my life I have tended to follow this “verse” in the other book of James:

James Brangenberg 1:19 -

James, the brother of Sue and Johnnie says “Be Quick to speak, slow to listen and lightning fast to become angry”

Obviously it’s a good thing that is not the way it’s worded in the Bible.  The truth is, my inability to be Quick to Listen and Slow to speak and slow to become angry has caused me SOO much grief. Way too much for this blog.  

Bottom line – I want to learn this and get it down, once and for all and I know I need God’s strength to do it.

When I am quick to listen, people will see Jesus in me. It is who He was and it is who He is in ME.  Praise God for miracles and I am a walking miracle.  Will you join me in 2018 to pursue this as well?  I invite you to listen to our daily radio shows and let me know how I am doing.   Recently, a listener challenged me to make sure I am not talking more than my guests.

That is a great goal. 

I hope My guests, my friends and family, especially my wife, see that this is a sincere desire from my heart.