Day 226 - Are You Listening?

"As I'm here reflecting I realize that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me through the day."

God is speaking. All the time. The question is not whether or not God wants to say anything to us. The question is are we listening? 

It is interesting to note that the second person of the Trinity, Jesus, is introduced to us in the book of John as The Word. If you ever wonder what God has to say just look at Jesus and you will hear His voice. 

The whole Bible is a love letter from God and a manual for life. God has an opinion and instruction for your life. If we can quiet our soul and listen God will speak to us. Presently the Holy Spirit lives in believers hearts and speaks to us. On a daily basis, moment by moment, we can hear His voice. 

Have you been listening? What is God saying? 

Day 144 - The Living Word

"As much as I was wondering how the message would turn out so did it speak to God's people. Some said it was exactly what they needed to hear who have been going through years of trial. One woman said that she had the truth which she knew drop in her heart as a reality in a fresh impacting way. Only God can do that!"

There is a difference between simply hearing a message from the Bible and hearing the Word speak. We all have had times when the Word came alive on the inside of us and it changed our lives. That doesn't happen by the will of man or by eloquent speech. It happens because there is a listening ear of faith in partership with the Holy Spirit teaching and making the Word come alive. 

Many have read the Bible, heard preaching and wondered what was the big deal. Some have gone as far as studying and critiquing. Some even hold it in high regard the way they would other great works throughout the ages. But when you realize that nothing in this world has the power to change anything, all hope is lost without it your faith becomes real. When you believe beyond reason the Word comes alive and becomes your reason. 

Put yourself in position today to hear His voice. Dive into the Word. Get to church. Listen to preaching. Talk about it with your family. Get quiet. Listen. God will make the Word come alive to you!

What has your experience been with the living Word? What factors hinder you from hearing God's voice? 

Day 2 - Appetites

"It is amazing how our appetites are always speaking and it takes a fast to recognize it."

I wrote this thought on the second day of a fast that would last thirty days. We were ready then for the fast to be over when we had just started. Our appetites are constantly speaking to us. We don't always hear them or we ignore them while at the same time feeding them. Just like a mom whose children are asking her for soda and candy and while she talks on the phone quietly gives in to their desires opening cans and unwrapping lolypops that will eventually cause her children to be selfish and unhealthy. Today, one year later, I recognize that appetites not only speak but want to rule me. They come in many forms and have many voices. Some voices are physical, like my stomach, others are mental and come to the mind. We will either rule or be ruled. We will either submit to God or submit to the flesh. Fasting eventually silences that voice so we can hear the voice of God and obey His commands.

Day 1 - First thoughts

"I am listening for the voice of The Lord for this coming year. In my prayers I have been desiring to hear His voice and follow Him. I am also fasting this month to silence my appetites and hear Him more clearly."

We have been doing a fast in January for several years now. Every time we do the Lord speaks and reveals some of His plan or counsel. I remember one year I heard nothing for the whole month and right at the end of the fast God gave me a word of encouragement.

Looking at last year's thoughts I see how my situation hasn't changed but I have. There was a list of things that I was believing God for that today I still am in faith for. This could be a discouraging thought but since I know my God and since I am not the same man I was last year it doesn't bother me.

I can also see that there is a real difference between a want and a desire. I had some things listed that I wanted to do but didn't. There were desires that I committed to and I finished. That feels good. I would rather be strong enough to handle tough things than be weak and live a cushy, no problem, life.

When you look back on 2014 are you encouraged? Did your situation change or did you?