Rev. Doral Pulley is the senior pastor of Today’s Church Tampa Bay, 2114 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg and 5107 North Central Ave., Tampa.
BY REV. DORAL PULLEY | Today’s Church Tampa Bay
Read – Luke 2:41-52
Scripture: “Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened you (Matthew 7:7).”
Denial: “Asking questions does not diminish my intelligence. “
Affirmation: “I AM the question. I AM the answer.”
In elementary school, one of my teachers used to remind us, “There are no dumb questions.” She encouraged her students to ask questions because many people learn through this interactive method.
When I reached middle school, a different teacher put another spin on asking questions. His belief was: “The only dumb questions are the ones that you don’t ask.” It made no sense to him to be in a place where you can receive the answer, and you still leave with a question.
One of my high school teachers built on that foundation and stated, “If you have a question, ask it because likely there is someone else in the class who has the same question and does not have the courage to ask it.”
Asking questions was a signature part of Jesus’ speech pattern. As described in our reading today, when he was 12 years old, his parents were looking for him, and they found in them the temple, asking questions and getting answers from the doctors and lawyers who were there.
Not only did he ask questions and get answers, but people also asked him questions and were amazed at his responses. As a Wayshower, Jesus showed us that we can ask questions and get answers in addition to answering questions.
Jesus continued asking questions throughout his ministry and it was often a part of people’s healing who was caught in adultery, “where are your accusers (John 8:10)? During the storm, Jesus asked his disciples in the boat, “Why are you so afraid (Matthew 8:26)?” After the woman with the issue of blood was healed, Jesus asked the crowd, “who touched me (Mark 5:30)?” Jesus asked the blind man, “what do you see (Mark 8:23)?”
One of the ways to know that you are in a healthy environment is your feeling of freedom to ask and answer questions. Keep an open mind, knowing that you can learn from anyone and that anyone can learn from you.
Reflection Question: On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you with asking and answering questions?
Let
Read – Matthew 5:13-16
Scripture: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).”
Denial: “I release and let go of forcing, making, manipulating, and being controlling.”
Affirmation: “My life is flowing with the ease and the breeze of Spirit.”
“Let” is often seen as a passive word because it means to allow things to be or to come into existence. It is not viewed as forceful as its counterpart, “make.” As God said, “Let there be…” the universe responded to God’s words and brought into being whatever God said. God is still speaking, and the universe is still responding to God’s words, bringing into being whatever God says. “…My word that goes forth out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will do what I sent it to do (Isaiah 55:11).”
God has given us a voice to speak words, and the universe is also responding to what we speak in the atmosphere. There is power and authority in our voices. Therefore, just as we are to be good stewards over our minds and our thoughts, it is also important that we become good stewards over our mouths and our words. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34).”
Our minds and our mouths must work together to bring forth our harvest. Our thoughts and our words must be in harmony in order for us to bring forth fruit.
Jesus, our Wayshower, introduced the idea that not only was he the light of the world but that his disciples were also the light of the world (John 9:5). As emphasized in today’s reading, we were called to let our light shine. Letting our lights shine means that we are not forcing our lights to shine. We are not making our lights shine by manipulating situations or controlling outcomes.
Through the empowerment of the Kingdom Principles for Divine Living, we are letting our lights shine. As we integrate our Divine Nature, we shine. When we flow with our Divine Purpose, we shine. As we align our minds with Divine Order, we shine. When we submit to the Divine Timing of God, we shine. As we yield to the Divine Placement of God, we shine. When we allow the Divine Provision to manifest, we shine. As we surrender to the Divine Protection of God, we shine.
Reflection Question: How can you let your light shine brighter?
Rev. Doral Pulley is the senior pastor of Today’s Church Tampa Bay, 2114 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg and 5107 North Central Ave., Tampa.
