Apples of gold in pictures of silver…

By: Alice A. Pickens

Pro 25:11  A “word fitly spoken” is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (vivid and inspirational)

One of the greatest treasures is hearing from God.  It doesn’t have to be a lengthy dialogue, but a sure one.  From the time I was fourteen, I knew in my heart I wanted to know God.  But, I had so little knowledge of how to do that.  It took a good ten years before I started experiencing a real sincere seeking of my Heavenly Father.   I had many distractions; getting married, having four children, moving a few times.  You name it, things have a way of getting in the way of the most important.

This quest started when my pastor asked me why I wanted to join the church at the age of fourteen.  The words “to know God” immediately came up from my spirit.   I did not have any clue as to what that meant, but I knew I meant it from the heart.  Fast forwarding ten years after not being in church much, the dam broke.  One evening visiting a church with a friend, I had reached my breaking point, I ran to the alter crying desperately to connect with God.  I had some insecurities, even not knowing if God loved me.  Within just a few short weeks a very special church family knocked on our door.  Within a couple of weeks, we were visiting this church and fell in love with this church family.  This is where I discovered faith and the Holy Spirit’s working were the two elements that were missing in my life.  This church’s strong faith message and introducing me to the influence of the Holy Spirit set my searching on fire.  It has continued now forty-three years later. 

Hearing from God is the focus of this message.  That is the only way you can really get to know God.  You predominately hear Him as you are studying His Word.  The Holy Spirit speaks to you as you are seeking.  He can discern your level of sincerity and commitment.  That is obvious when you go to the Word and nothing seems to sink in.  Thank God for the times His word is revealed to us so very clearly.  No one can do your studying for you; it is your job.  Sure, you get wisdom and revelation as you are hearing the Word of God preached.  But it never replaces personal study time.  God wants to speak to you one on one (fresh and first hand). 

In my previous article I shared with you about God giving me an illustration of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.  The example of rain washing away dirt exposing glass beneath the surface was a perfect illustration of how the Holy Spirit exposes our sins when we allow His influence.  The Lord kept this illustration continually before me for a long time.  Now, I want to expound upon a real brief, but deeply impacting Word from the Lord.

Many years ago, as I was at the alter praying and just spending time in the Lord’s presence, I heard the most beautiful words directly from our Heavenly Father; “Thank you for receiving My Son”.   I just began to weep.  Then I heard Him speak clearly again “Thank you for receiving My Son”.   This went so directly to my heart, that I couldn’t do anything but weep.  No words were possible nor necessary. 

Here are the results of this brief message from my Heavenly Father:

• I was assured of my being in the family (I will expound on this more later).
• The words He spoke seem to resonate the depth of love between Father & Son as well as how receiving Jesus was MOST IMPORTANT!
• God does not have to speak a lot of words to have a great impact on us.
• The fact that He said it twice means it is a “A SURE WORD”.

First Point:  Because I grew up in one denomination and my husband was from a different denomination, I had become very confused on what had to transpire to get saved.  One had alter calls and one didn’t.  I also watched the Billy Graham crusades and saw how they got saved, more in line with my husband’s denomination.  Thank God He brought us to a full gospel church that just preached the Word of God and did not tout a particular denomination.  Their preaching directly from the Word brought me so much freedom and inspiration.  But, the devil’s favorite game with me was to torture me by telling me I wasn’t really saved.  God has used many things over the years to silence that voice.  But, this “word fitly spoken“ to me was the icing on the cake.  He wanted me to know how special I was to Him and that I did belong to Him, BECAUSE I RECEIVED HIS SON JESUS.  (I guess I kept wanting to add some requirement that didn’t exist).  It is a gift!  You don’t earn gifts!  Which brings me to the second point.

Second Point:   It was so emphasized of how much our Heavenly Father loved Jesus and how He wanted to extend that love to us by the gift of His Son by saying “listen to Him”.  Jesus clearly stated He wanted the world to know He loved the Father by doing what He commanded.

Jesus is referenced as the “Beloved Son” seven times in the Gospels.

Matthew 3:17 (KJV) ¹⁷ And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

Matthew 17:5 (KJV) ⁵ While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

John 17:26 (KJV) ²⁶ And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

John 14:31 (KJV) ³¹ But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Romans 5:8 (KJV) ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 3:23 (KJV) ²³ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Third Point:  Few Words can speak volumes; God is a master at this.  So, let Him confirm things to you!

 Psalm 119:162 (KJV) ¹⁶² I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Proverbs 15:23 (KJV) ²³ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Proverbs 25:11 (KJV) ¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 

Matthew 8:8 (KJV) ⁸ The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

Fourth Point:  A SURE THING; When God wants something established, He declares it two or three times:  Interesting too is that the there are four gospels for a reason.  Four strong witnesses & written in ways understood by different groups of society at the time (Jews, Greeks & Romans). 

Genesis 41:32 (KJV) ³² And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Matthew 18:16 (KJV) ¹⁶ But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

2 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV) ¹ This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

In conclusion:  Give God the opportunity and time to speak to you.  He loves to express His love and establish truth in your life.  We must always put the Word of God first in our lives.  Then when He speaks to you, you know it is from Him, for He never contradicts His written Word. 

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