God Longs for Us to Know His Voice..Craig Denison Ministries

 God Longs for Us to Know His Voice

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

One of the most scandalous truths of the gospel is that our Creator longs to be encountered by his creation. God longs to meet with us. His greatest desire is for relationship with us. I can’t fathom why God in all his holiness and goodness makes himself available to us, but it is the powerful truth of Scripture. God is pursuing each of us with his relentless love, seeking out those who might respond to his open invitation by opening the door of their hearts to him. My prayer is that in response to God’s desire to meet with his people we would be those who say yes to centering our lives around his nearness. May your week be marked by the reality of God’s presence and love.

Scripture:“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

Devotional:           

I’ve spent so much of my life as a believer thinking that God was silent, or at least only spoke through the Bible, others, and situations. While God most definitely does speak in those ways, he also longs to speak directly to his children. Scripture is laden with story after story of God’s people hearing his voice and responding in obedience. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God clearly speaks to his people. The question before us today is, will we make space to listen?

John 8:47 says, “Whoever is of God hears the words of God.” And John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” We serve a God who desires his voice to be known. God is not silent. He is not quiet. Our heavenly Father longs to guide us, tell us his heart for us, and do life with us. He’s longing for a relationship with you filled with continual conversation.

Hearing God’s voice is not only for a select few. It isn’t only for the Christian elite or those who spend all day, every day meditating and praying. We as believers hear God’s voice first and foremost because he wants to speak to us. We can hear God’s voice by grace alone.

So what does it sound like to hear God’s voice? Through the Holy Spirit God is able to speak in clearer and more profound ways than a conversation between you and me. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” The Holy Spirit is with you right now. And because he dwells within us he has the ability to speak to our heart. He can speak with words or give an intuition or knowledge about something. He can fill us with peace about a decision and give us a feeling of unrest when we’re doing something that isn’t his will. God can speak to us in ways more intimate and clear than any other conversation because there is nothing in the way of us and him.

But God will never force his voice on us. He is not a God who yells into the chaos and attempts to drown out all the other voices. He is a God of peace and patience who waits for us to open our heart to him and listen. Take time today to open your heart and acknowledge the voice of your Father. Make space in all the busyness to simply listen to whatever he would say. Ask him any questions you have of him and trust that he will speak perfectly whatever it is he wants to say to you.

May your day be filled with continual conversation with your loving, present heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the availability of hearing God speak. Reflect on all the ways he speaks and allow Scripture to fill your heart with faith to have a conversation with your heavenly Father.

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:13

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27

2. Take time to quiet your soul and receive God’s presence. Ask him to reveal his nearness to you. Have faith that the Holy Spirit is with you right now.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

3. Ask God to tell you how he feels about you in this moment. Ask him to speak to you anything he wants you to know. Have patience and pay attention to any changes in your feelings or anything you hear in your spirit.

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3

“O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” Psalm 5:3

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28

While hearing the voice of God can sound a little “out there,” it is wholly biblical. Our God is alive and active. He is not distant, and he longs for us to truly know him. Allow Scripture to define your reality rather than past experiences or worldly perceptions. The spiritual is wholly real. God’s presence is real. The fact that he dwells within us, speaks, guides, gives revelation, heals, and saves is the reality all of us live in whether we acknowledge it or not. Open your heart to God today and allow him to guide you into a lifestyle of greater communion with him. Live today in the fullness of relationship available to you in the Holy Spirit. May you hear the loving, close voice of the Holy Spirit throughout your day today as you open your heart to him.

Extended Reading: John 10

 

The Promises of God..Dr.Charles Stanley

 The Promises of God

Dr.Charles Stanley

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

The Christian life rests on a foundation of God's promises for today and for the future. We can trust everything that our heavenly Father has said because His Word shows Him to be...

Truthful. The Lord knows what is true and speaks honestly in all matters. We can be assured of this because He is holy; there is no sin in Him. He is also omniscient and understands everything (Heb. 4:12-13). His promises are based on His infinite knowledge and truthfulness.

Faithful. Scripture compares the Lord to a shepherd who "gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart" (Isa. 40:11 niv). What He has planned for us, He will bring to fruition (Rom. 8:28). Our heavenly Father does not waver in His intentions or will.

Loving. God's love for us was demonstrated at the cross. He sent His Son Jesus to die by crucifixion and thereby take the punishment for our sins. The Savior experienced God's wrath against iniquity so we might know only His love. This is the ultimate proof of His devotion to us.

All-powerful. Divine power created the world and raised the Savior back to life, so we know God has the ability to carry out all His plans. Our omnipotent Father can keep every one of His promises.

A promise is valuable only if the one making it has trustworthy character and the ability to carry through. Our heavenly Father is truthful, faithful, loving, and all-powerful. We can base our entire life on His promises, secure in the knowledge that He will do just as He has said.

Delightful Obedience..Laura Bailey

 Delightful Obedience

By Laura Bailey

“Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! It was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.” Romans 7:7 NLT

Like most teenagers, the last thing I wanted to do was clean my room before I could go out with my friends. Within minutes of rolling out of bed, a chore list was promptly placed in my hands. But, what annoyed me most about my mother’s lists was the smiley face she always put on the end. I routinely ripped the smiley face off the bottom of the page and proceeded to tear the paper into itty bitty shreds. Yes, I embodied the example of obligatory, unjoyful, self-seeking obedience.

Fortunately, when I am greeted with a task at work, asked to volunteer in the nursery, or simply clean the house, I can outwardly control my dissatisfaction. But inwardly, my eyes roll, my feet stomp, and I begrudgingly complete the chore. I recently finished a Bible study on the Ten Commandments; the author encouraged us to obey God's Word joyfully. As we moved through the various laws, each one convicting and challenging, I realized I often obey out of obligation instead of delight.

My Christian walk had become a task list, just another thing, a benchmark of validation that at least I am better than ( or not as bad as) her. I began to wonder, am I capable of delightfully obeying God’s Word? I'm wondering if you can relate.

The Promises of God

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

The Christian life rests on a foundation of God's promises for today and for the future. We can trust everything that our heavenly Father has said because His Word shows Him to be...

Truthful. The Lord knows what is true and speaks honestly in all matters. We can be assured of this because He is holy; there is no sin in Him. He is also omniscient and understands everything (Heb. 4:12-13). His promises are based on His infinite knowledge and truthfulness.

Faithful. Scripture compares the Lord to a shepherd who "gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart" (Isa. 40:11 niv). What He has planned for us, He will bring to fruition (Rom. 8:28). Our heavenly Father does not waver in His intentions or will.

Loving. God's love for us was demonstrated at the cross. He sent His Son Jesus to die by crucifixion and thereby take the punishment for our sins. The Savior experienced God's wrath against iniquity so we might know only His love. This is the ultimate proof of His devotion to us.

All-powerful. Divine power created the world and raised the Savior back to life, so we know God has the ability to carry out all His plans. Our omnipotent Father can keep every one of His promises.

A promise is valuable only if the one making it has trustworthy character and the ability to carry through. Our heavenly Father is truthful, faithful, loving, and all-powerful. We can base our entire life on His promises, secure in the knowledge that He will do just as He has said.

Do What It Says..Matt Brown

 Do What It Says

by Matt Brown

BIBLE VERSE OF THE DAY: "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it--not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it--they will be blessed in what they do." [emphasis added] - James 1:21-25

The Jesus Bible explains,

“The book of James is filled with practical commands for authentic Christian living. In his letter, James, the brother of Jesus, instructed Christians to control their tongues, be slow to anger and fight selfish ambition. But James was not interested in simply sharing a list of things Christians should not do — he also included a number of positive commands for believers.

Just as Jesus spent much of his ministry among those neglected by society, followers of Jesus are commanded to care for and show concern for people who are orphans and widows, the underprivileged, and for sinning brothers and sisters. James placed a specific emphasis on believers emulating the everyday ministry of Jesus within their own lives by showing compassion toward the broken-hearted and poor and by avoiding sin.

The disciples of Jesus should not merely listen to the words of Jesus; they should actively seek opportunities to engage the world with his life-changing message. Just as with Jesus, a believer’s relationships with others—be it family, friends, co-workers or a person who is begging on the street—should be defined by love, mercy, patience and grace.”

There’s no excuse for believers—who have God’s Word—not to carry out God’s commands. The Bible is not something we should read or listen to and then go on our way as if nothing applies to how we should be living and acting. The Bible is God’s story for us, it contains amazing truth, and it helps us know how to live our earthly lives. If we only read God’s Word and don’t live it out, we are truly missing out on God’s best for us. 

 Matt Brown says;

"Is there an area of your life that doesn't line up with what the Bible says, and you know it? Don't keep looking for another solution, when you know what you need to do. Repent, turn from ways you know are wrong, and obey what God has spoken to you through His Word. This is the real power of the Word of God, when we allow it to transform the way we think, speak, act and live. Continue in the Word. Don't forget what you've heard. Do it. You will be blessed in ways you cannot begin to imagine.”

A Prayer for My Trick-or-Treaters..Meg Bucher

 A Prayer for My Trick-or-Treaters

By Meg Bucher

“The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalm 121:7-8 NLT

Trick-or-treat is a tradition many have come to embrace annually. Though some of it’s silly, there’s a lot of scary stuff out there, and we live in a society that sadly isn’t always safe to let our children run around in … especially in the dark. Whether concerned for the safety and protection of their souls or their physical safety, it’s important to remember and surrender our hearts to the verses above. God is in control. We do what we can, but it’s impossible to shelter our trick-or-treaters from all the harmful things in this world. Some of these harmful experiences may come from pastors, mentors, leaders, and parents -the very people whom God charges to protect them.

How do we know who to trust and ensure our kids are safe? Especially as they take to the neighborhood streets to trick or treat? We defer the Author of all of us and choose to place our trust in His sovereignty. We know faith isn’t blind trust but a choice to put our lives in the capable hands of our all-knowing God. When we seek Him for ourselves, we can trust He will provide the wisdom we need as we raise our children and look out for the youth in our communities.

Trick-or-treat can be full of fun memories, a chance to connect face to face with neighbors and share the love of Jesus on a day that centers around the scary stuff. Jesus wants us to live our lives fully, which means having fun in life. Scripture reminds us to be joyful, always! In every situation, there is a lot of joy to be had. And sometimes happiness follows, too. As Christ's followers, we are called to lead with love … and not situationally. All the time, we are to love God and love people. Let’s keep these truths close as we pray for our trick-or-treaters.

Let’s pray:

Father,
Thank you for bringing these verses to the top of our minds and hearts today. Thank you for reminding us. You keep us from all harm and watch over our lives. You watch over us as we come and go, now and forever. God, you are watching over all the trick-or-treaters, too. Some who know You, and others who don’t.

Father, You call us to live fully, be joyful, and love You and others. Help us to see everyone through Your eyes, God. Help us to live fully, embrace joy, and love others. God, we want to have fun in this life, yet sometimes our seriousness gets in the way. Help us to jump over hurdles that keep us from enjoying the life You gave us to live and the gift of laughter. Help us to love you obediently and joyfully, marking our lives in such a way people around us feel Your love.

Oh, God, would You please use us to share the love of Jesus with our neighborhoods and communities? Be in the gatherings as we set up fire pits in our driveways and grill hot dogs to share. Layer our actions in love as we place treats in pillowcases, light-up buckets, and tiny costumed feet shuffle by. May we surrender to the truth that Your Word is more powerful than anything scary and that You are with us always?

Father, bless our trick-or-treaters this year. Keep them safe, healthy, pure, and guarded in You, Jesus, today and always. Let everyone who walks up to our door feel the love of Jesus. There are so many people who feel alone, God. Many of our neighbors may not know who You are. Help us to treat everyone the same, regardless, with the same warmth and love, whether they show up in an inflatable chicken costume or with fake blood squirting out of the eyeballs of their masks. Use our lives, silly traditions, and all, to spread the love of Jesus into the cracks and crevices of our neighborhoods and communities as only You can. We love You, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.