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The Ultimate Source of Wisdom - August 14th 2009

The wisdom that is from above is JAMES 3:17
As you go through life you discover there are many ways to gain wisdom, such as:

1) Writing down and reflecting on what you've learned through experience.
2) Gleaning from the collective knowledge of others. 'By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom' (Proverbs 13:10 NKJV).
3) Thinking outside the box. Statements like, 'This is the way we do things around here' warrant scrutiny when they're used to defend ways that no longer work.
4) Not rushing to closure. Growth is always a work-in-progress. Creativity is untidy and unnerving.

The ability to stay focused and faith-filled in the midst of change is a hallmark of maturity. But the ultimate source of wisdom is God! A young executive told his secretary he'd an important meeting and didn't want to be interrupted. But his boss needed to see him and walked in. When he found the young executive on his knees praying, he withdrew quietly and asked the secretary, 'Is this usual?' 'Yes,' she replied, 'he does it every morning.' 'No wonder I come to him for advice!' said his boss.

If you need wisdom, talk to God: 'For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding' (Proverbs 2:6 NKJV). 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally...and it will be given to him' (James 1:5 NKJV).

'The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy' (James 3:17 NKJV). 'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you...' (Psalm 32:8 NKJV).

Pastor Charity Kamau
Kenyan Community International Church
9656 Waters Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 852-2024

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Are You a good Listener? - August '09 2nd Week

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak. JAMES 1:19 Someone quipped, 'God gave us two ears and one mouth because we need to listen twice as much as we talk.' Learning that means being 'quick to listen, slow to speak.' Good listening builds relationships. But good listeners aren't born, they're bred! So here are a few suggestions to improve your listening:

1) Listen without interrupting. Resist the temptation to jump in and finish the sentence, or hijack the floor. Rein yourself in - just listen.

2) Listen to understand. Try to understand their point of view, feelings, thinking and needs. Good listening is hearing what they actually think, mean or feel, not what you imagine they do. Instead of guessing, ask, 'Am I understanding you correctly? Do you mean...? Are you feeling...?' In other words, don't assume - verify.

3) Listen without judging. Don't rush to conclusions. If what they say doesn't quite add up, keep listening. 'He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him' (Proverbs 18:13 NKJV). When you hear more, it may make sense.

4) Listen without correcting, countering or devaluing. Saying, 'That's not the way it was,' or, 'What did you expect? If you hadn't...' or, 'You're just being too sensitive,' puts people on guard and stops real communication.

5) Validate the speaker. Accept their perceptions and feelings as valid expressions of a valued person. 'If I understand you correctly, you're thinking...feeling...Am I right?' Ask them to help get you on the same page with them. 'Given what you've told me, I can see why you'd feel what you feel,' is very validating and will increase their confidence and willingness to consider the solutions you may offer.

Pastor Charity Kamau
Kenyan Community International Church
9656 Waters Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 852-2024

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I'M HIGH - Don't Settle for Less - July '09 4th Week

Run in such a way that you...win. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24

Have you ever moved into a new house and made a list of all the little jobs you wanted to do, like touching up the paintwork or planting a garden? Chances are, six months later they're still not done and you are okay with it.

Complacency is part of the human psyche. Incredible as it may sound, the children of Israel got so used to living in slavery that they were angry when Moses wanted to free them. Here is what
they said to him: 'We hope the Lord will punish...you for making [Pharaoh] and his officials hate us...' (Exodus 5:21 CEV).

When you get so used to living with your problems and hang-ups that you lose your desire to overcome them, the enemy has you
exactly where he wants you. Ever wonder why some of us go on to experience higher heights and deeper depths in our walk with God, while others go in circles or never make it out of the starting gate? That's because the first group committed themselves to pursuing God until His presence became a reality in their lives and as a result God honoured their commitment.

Paul says: 'Run in such a way that you ...win.' If you've grown lukewarm and half-hearted about running the race, God wants to
re-energise you and get you back on track. His word says, 'Return to Me...and I will return to you' (Zechariah 1:3 NKJV). In this Scripture God is saying to us, 'Turn around. Come back, you'll find me where you left me.'

Don't settle for less than a living, breathing, walking, talking relationship with the King of Kings Himself, when it's part of your inheritance.

Pastor Charity Kamau
Kenyan Community International Church
9656 Waters Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 852-2024

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