But, What Is Discernment?
Author: Pat Aman
March 12, 1997/rev22

The Webster Dictionary says, “dis·cern·ment, the ability to judge well: “an astonishing lack of discernment” (in Christian contexts) perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding: “without providing for a time of healing and discernment, there will be no hope of living through this present moment without a shattering of our common life”

The legendary preacher, Charles Spurgeon once said, “Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right.”

The word used in Psalm 119:66 “Teach me good judgment and knowledge,for I believe in you commandments.”means “TASTE.”

It is the ability not only to make discriminating judgments, to distinguish between, and recognize people and life in different situations and courses of action. But, you can almost TASTE, the right from wrong.

It includes the ability to “weigh up” and recognize the moral and spiritual status of individuals, groups, and even movements.

How is such discernment to be obtained?

We receive it as did Christ Himself—by the anointing of the Spirit, through our understanding of God’s Word, by our experience of God‘s grace, and by the progressive unfolding to us of the true condition of our own hearts.

That is why we also should pray, “I am your servant; give me discernment”

Psalm 119: 125 – 130 “I am your servant, give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
It is time for the LORD to act,
for your law has been broken.Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

I have myself discerned immediately when I noticed that a persons talk, is not their walk.

And I have at times been so busy with the daily routines of life, that I missed it.
In other words, I should of immediately removed myself from certain situations and I ended up getting disappointed and even hurt. Those were the times I have had to asked Father God to forgive me for not listening to that still small voice, saying, “watch out.” Yes, Discernment.

I have also met people who say that they have the gift of discernment, but what they have is a judgmental spirit. They constantly are combing people with a fine tooth come. They find fault in everything and everyone who not following their leadership and ways. Discernment isn’t judgment. Judgment speaks of control and a need to be right. If you are judging something in yourself or in another, you cannot uncover what is true in a situation.

We must remember that the heart center is where you connect directly with your feelings, your discernment. It is more reliable than your “gut instinct” alone.

We must realize with the knowledge of what discernment is (and isn’t) and a true sense of how to use it in your life, you can go forth boldly and make decisions confidently. You can use your discernment to make choices for your family, your church, and in every part of your daily life.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2022 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….

Thank Goodness Father God Does Not Text Message
Author: Pat Aman

NBC news did a segment on Texting Is Not Communication.

They said, “Texting really is ruining personal relationships. Text messages can’t provide the human contact and perspective that come from true dialogue, but they can encourage laziness and passive-aggressive behavior. Our increasing preference for texting creates a higher quantity of interactions, but it decreases their quality. On the surface, these texts may seem like an acceptable way to handle daily communication, but they actually are all examples of ways to avoid conflict, from making lying easier to dodging in-person confrontation. Our increasing preference for texting over email and phone calls creates a higher quantity of interactions, but it decreases their quality, harming our relationships. Indeed, it’s a far cry from paying attention and listening to the thoughts and feelings of another person, and it’s missing the human contact and learning that comes from true dialogue.”

I, myself, personally feel the same way. I absolutely hate texting. I refuse to waste my time texting a conversation. If you have the time to spend 30 minutes texting me, then you would of had the time to call and tell me in 10 minutes the same conversation. And I do not Twitter, Snapchat, TicTok!!!!

The days of picking up a corded phone and dialing someone’s on phone number from memory are over, and it has been replaced by the cell phone text message.

I truly believe texting has interfered with true accountability and a way to hide feelings that need to be talked out in a conversation. Because we all know that good communication is the cornerstone of relationships.

Non-verbal communication, including voice inflection, facial expressions and body language, is a crucial part of everyday life. None of these things, however, come through via text, and this will affect how people communicate with

Despite appearances, I am not completely anti-texting. Like any technology, texting has its place, especially to say a quick hello, banter simply, or make plans. And yes, I love receiving pictures of family and friends. And I love FaceTiming with the grandchildren.

But for instance, I met a friend for lunch today and when I arrived at our location, I text them I was inside restaurant waiting for them. Yes, plain and simple. And they thumbs me up that they read the text.

But, while we were eating, we both talked ninety miles an hour. We both needed that one on one personal voice conversation. Even though we jumped from one topic to the next, we still came back and finished the subject.

Another example, my daughters both know they must pick up their phone and talk to me. They know I refuse to carry on a text conversation.

Now I know when they are at work, they cannot talk because of their jobs, but, after work we talk. Yes, we may do a group text, “please send your Christmas list. What is your ETA. And everyday I send them a text, “ I Love you, bunches, Love Mama. And they will text back their love to me, but, other than that, we talk, not text.

And gracious me, let me not answer the phone when they try to call me. They are immediately calling their daddy. He could be half way across the USA working, but they call daddy asking, “ where is mama?” And if he does not know, they, mostly our oldest, more than the younger “Dad, check the cameras, is Mama’s car in the garage?” And if my car is in the garage, why is mama not answering her phone?

Then he has too check the cameras in the yard. And usually he will say, “ your mom’s on the lawnmower and she has her headset on. She is probably listening to music and did not hear the phone. Are she is working in the yard.” Well at the point they are saying, “ Dad, please make sure when you get home or you talk to her that her headset is hooked up to her Bluetooth, so she will answer her phone.” Yes, they need to hear my voice. They need to know I am ok.

You know, Father God is the same way, He waits daily to hear our voice. He waits patiently for us to come sit and talk to Him. He has so much to share with us. He wants to share with us things to make our day go smoothly. But, we get to busy and miss the opportunity.

Yes, BUSY. “B.U. S. Y. “

Being Under Satan’s Yoke!

And then we fuss at Father God because our day was awful.

I imagine Father God thinking and saying, “ they are too busy texting and letting technology take their lives away, that they could not take a minute to talk to me today.

I am getting older and I am not wanting to carry on conversations by texting that I need their help, an etc.

I myself can see me at 90 years old trying to text, help me I have, well you know, whatever the conversation maybe concerning.

I feel if a person respects me enough to call me, you will have my respect and my full attention.

I wonder how Father God would handle texting?

Text: Father God, I am here, when will you be able to text me back?

The Bible tells us in, John 10:27, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

This scripture from the book of John is an encouragement to us. It tells us that hearing the voice of God will be a distinguishing factor to those who consider themselves his sheep and under his care.

We must hear Father God’s voice, to understand the direction we must follow.

Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

And I love the Bible verse, ““And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
Isaiah‬ ‭65:24‬ ‭

Yes. Even though we have Father God’s written Word to direct us, He still expects us to talk one on one with Him. He knows that as we speak our voice calling out to Him, it builds our Faith. And then in turn, we hear His voice in our hearts and spirit directing us, in our lives.

Yes, I would hate to know, that I would have to view my phone to see if I have a text read receipt showing me Father God has read my text message to Him, and I had to wait for His reply, via text message.

Today, take the time to get personal and talk not only to Father God, but to your family and friends.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2022 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….