Hearing God's Voice

Can you really hear God's voice? I can and do. So often I hear someone say, How do we know it is God's voice?


Scripture:

Romans 1:6 “And you also are among those who are called…”

John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Lesson:
I have mitral valve prolapse. When I get all wrapped up in life and allow circumstances, situations, worry and fatigue to get the best of me it affects the normal work of my mitral valve. When this happens, I suffer symptoms: severe tightness of chest, weakness, pain in jaw and teeth, etc. My cardiologist prescribed a beta blocker to slow down my pace to prevent me from "over doing it." 


However, I prefer preventive medicine over prescribed medications. So....Early on I decided to listen to the voice of my body. By doing this I am able to control the things that trigger the symptoms related to this problem, therefore, I do not have to take the medications. Just as we learn to listen to our body we can learn to recognize the voice of God. 


God speaks to us:

• Through the written Word, (Bible).
• Through the Holy Spirit living within us. 
• Through other individuals under the influence of the Holy Spirit. (words,   music, testimony, witness, etc.) 
• Through experiences and circumstances.
• Through His creation creations. 

Application:

1. How does God speak to you?
2. Are you able to discern God's voice from other voices? How?
3. As we learn to hear Gods voice we should ask for discernment. I have met individuals that seemed to say that God told them things that appeared to be self-promoting.
4. When discerning God will, always know that it will not contradict His Word. 

Prayer:

Dear Father, teach me to hear your voice. Make my senses sensitive to you that I may be so in-touch with you that I not only hear you in every way but am obedient to your call. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

FAITH IS ABOUT GOD not OUR OWN STRENGTH

Has life been a bed of roses? Have you ever felt like Job? You are trying to walk the Christian walk and it seems like you are drowning in the world of circumstances while everyone else is floating around on wealth, health, and happiness, offering you no words or arms of encouragement?

Scripture:

Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Lesson:

The more I talk with people I find that life is no “happily ever after” situation. If you are alive and living, life gets hard, inspite of the prosperity messages, that if you are a Christian you will experience all the good things that life offers. I have given my life seeking God and yet I do feel like Job at times. Not only do I question my own faith, or lack of faith but I wrestle with God at times. I must say that He always wins, and I wind up learning a little more about him. I must say that situations and circumstances have always kept us looking to God for answers. Twice God brought my husband through two serious operations, an acoustic aroma, and triple bypass surgery. Then more recently, like last week, I was concerned with how God was going to orchestrate in my son and daughter-n-law’s lives as the Nashville flood "seemed" to be coming in all around them. When I pray, it is easy to ask God to respond as we see and want things to turn our, but harder as we pray, “God please protect them as you orchestrate your will in their lives.” It is so hard to actually release ourselves and those we love to His will and purpose.

That is where faith comes in. God is still working in my family to teach me that, faith is not trusting God to answer as I want Him to, but trusting Him to orchestrate His will in our lives regardless of the outcome. You know the sad thing is that during my hard times, were only been two individuals that took me to the scriptures and reminded me of this truth. As, I reflect, I thank God for Matthew and Mary who took me back and reminded me of the Creator, and Prince of Peace.

I thank God for voices of encouragement during hard times. We must learn to place our faith in the God who is faithful. We have been talking about our belief system. I am so glad that my faith resides on the strength and power of God Almighty and not within my own strength.

Application:

1. In whom does your faith reside?
2. We have no strength within ourselves, but God is all powerful. Then why do we find it so difficult to surrender ourselves into his care?
3. Faith cannot be a verbal belief, just saying that you are Christian. Does your life reflect a trust in Jesus, and if so what are some evidences of your obedience to faith?
4. Our faith encourages other people and they will draw strength and encouragement from it. How do you encourage and strengthen other people?
5.   How often do you pray for others in the church, missionaries, friends, or neighbors? Do you feel an obligation to reach all people with the gospel?

Prayer:

Dear Father, Thank you so much that can rest my faith in you. Help me to demonstrate my faith in you that others may draw strength and encouragement from it. Thank you, for those individuals that you have brought into my life that have encouraged me through the years. Bless them for their obedience. Fill me with a desire to reach all people for your kingdom. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Romans 1:5 DOES OBEDIENCE REFLECT YOUR FAITH?

does obedience reflect Your faith

What does obedient faith look like? We do a lot of things in the name of religion, but what about according to the gospel? Are we obedient to what God calls us to do? Does our faith make a difference in how we live our lives? In other words how does what we do align with God's purpose for us? How "love"ly are you today?

Scripture:

Romans 1:5 Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 

Lesson:

As followers of Christ we receive grace as a gift but with that grace comes the responsibility to go out and share the gospel. Paul is going to great lengths in this introductory chapter of Romans to make sure that we understand that the Gospel is universal and that as a follower of Christ, we have been sent forth by God on a mission, to bring about obedience of Faith. To know the fact of the gospel is not enough. Paul is saying here that we must have a faith that leads to obedience.We are to be about God's business of sharing the gospel for Christ's sake. In other words, our purpose is to be about glorifying God. As we think about obedience, one might wonder just why Paul would talk about obedience. But what kind of faith would one have if it did not result in obedience. As a kindergarten teacher I know the significance of teaching obedience, for obedience is the starting point of discipleship. As believers we start our walk with Christ beginning with obedience of our faith just as Christ began his ministry in obedience to the Father. 


With this said, Paul will continually see a thread throughout Romans that says that the gospel is about Christ, according to the scriptures, for all people, unto the obedience of faith and to glorify God.

Application:

1.     As believers, we have received grace and apostleship (a mission to go forth and spread the gospel). What are you going to do about this calling?
2.     Who is the object of your faith? The church, you, your cause, Christ?
3.     What are some evidences or your obedience of faith? Does your faith encourage others to obedience? 
4.     How often do you encourage others by praying or meeting their needs?
5.     Do you feel an obligation to reach all people? What evidence is there that you do?
6.     As you walk in obedience, how freely does love flow from your actions, or do you act and react out of necessity or the "have to" attitude? 

Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy in providing a way of salvation for all who will believe. Open doors of opportunity that I may go forward and spread the gospel. Help me to be open to all people and to extend your love to them. Help me to be an encourager. Forgive me of the time when I have not been obedient and even unpleasing to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

You Against the World

Have you ever felt you were up against the world, I mean like you were facing things so difficult that you just felt there was no one but you and the whole world was just coming down on you? That is seems like no one cares, or if they did care, they really could not help? You are not alone in this, and life takes us all there, eventually, more times for some than others, so it seems.

I am reminded of King Jehoshaphat as he faced the decision to take a small group of men into war against what seemed to be a vast army. The task seemed impossible, suicidal if you please. But, he prayed to God in 2 Chronicles 20:12,"We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us, We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 

God answered Jehoshaphat and said, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them...You will not have to fight this battle. Take your possessions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you...Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." (2 Chronicle 20:15-17)

However, there are some prerequisites to standing so boldly, we find them in 2 Chronicles 19:9. "You must serve God faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord...In every case you must warn them not to sin against the Lord; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers."  God is basically telling Jehoshaphat that he must always speak His truth and act in truth. We know that Jehoshaphat obeyed and God won the victory for him. Not only did he win the battle, we see further implications of his obedience.  "The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel." (2 Chron. 20:29) Wow! Have you so acted in such obedience that someone came to you and said, God was sure looking out for you?

I realize that every situation in life does not constitute going to war. However, there are times that we all face things that cause us to seem as though we are facing a vast army. You know I often wrestle with what to do about certain situations; talk or remain silent, take the low road vs high road, right vs. wrong, peace vs. war, and on and on I could go. Many times we would say...I do not know what to do, for this thing is bigger than I.  The consequences or risks are too great.  I mean, what if I fail? What if I cannot follow through? What if...........You finish the sentence, for our different circumstances, are followed by various "what ifs".

So do you just go on walking in fear of the "vast army," or will you go to the one who can bring victory in your life?  God does not take away the consequences of our sins, there are some casualties in battle, but he can bring us war victory.

What kind of vast army are you up against? Do you know in your heart that you are facing a battle that God alone can win? Name it.....Then today serve God, seek His face, give it to Him, stand firm on His truths, face tomorrow, allow Him to deliver you. Then tell the world, He has given you victory. Has God brought you a victory?Please respond to this blog by just saying, "God gave me a Victory, Praise His name." 

Is Right Ever Wrong or Wrong Ever Right?

What is it in life that drives you? What determines how you do a job or even react in situations? King Saul confesses in  1 Samuel 15:13, "I have sinned. I have violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them." There it is. So many times we act and react to gain the approval of others rather than to act in accordance to what we know to be right. This passage brings out two basic principles about human nature. How we act and react to situations, and the reason behind our decision.

First of all, think about the things you do. I mean every morning. Do you jump out of bed and just throw on your clothes and go out the door without spending some time in front of the mirror? Thank goodness we don't. If someone calls and says, "Can I drop in a few minutes and the house looks somewhat like a cyclone has been through, do you jump up and tidy up and kick the shoes under the sofa, or do you just let them come in and make a place for themselves and say, "Come on in and clean you out a chair, we live in our house?" Another example, if company is coming, my husband will jump on the lawnmower and try to get the lawn cut. Yeah, that is his thing, even if his toilet has spots all under the seat and newspapers all around his chair, the grass has to be cut. You know what I mean. You're getting the point.

Right off I would say that I have matured in my own thinking and ability to think and do for myself without needing the approval of others. Yeah right, my actions and behavior these past weeks would prove me a liar because I have been frantically working to pull off a project that those involved would say, "Well done, you've done it again." Point proved, approval of others has everything to do with everything.

Well, these things are all right in themselves. However there are times that we choose to do things that are wrong. In other words we are disobedient to what we know is right. Why would we choose wrong over right? Pastor Shane used an example Sunday, saying, "It is always right to do what is right. It is never right to do wrong. Wrong is never right and right is never wrong." That seems simple doesn't it? King Saul knew what to do. God had told him exactly what to do. Being disobedient to God caused him his relationship with God and the confidence of his people.  

Saul made his decision based on what others would think.  Others approval can be so important in our lives that we compromise what we know is right? When was the last time you did or did not do something you knew was right? We do not want to admit that do we. I don't, but just yesterday I was talking to an individual and they said something that within myself I knew was not exactly right. Because of my friendship and their "standing," I decided to let it pass. Why did I do that? I like Saul, was afraid of what the person would think if I spoke up.

God spoke through the Priest Samuel and said, "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifice as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord. To obey is better than sacrifice." God help me to always take a stand for what is right. 

How do you with right and wrong choices when it is coupled with approval from someone you know?

Draw near to God

Scripture:Numbers 14:,41, 43 "Why are you disobeying the Lords command?" "Because you have turned away the from the Lord, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword."

What a way to start the day. This site should uplift someone not drag them down. This does not seem like a loving God. But on the flip side of the coin, the opposite is true, because if you draw near to the Lord, he will keep you close to him and protect you.

I know, from my experience as a teacher, the importance of teaching children that in order to maintain a civil society there must be some ground rules. All students learn soon that there are consequences to breaking those rules, and rewards for following the rules and procedures. When God created us he gave man rules to follow and live by. Time and time again he calls for us to be obedient. When a crisis or calamity comes, people are so quick to blame God, however, so many times bad things happen as a result of our own decisions and behaviors.

Moses, the Israelites leader, asked the people why they were disobeying God, then he reminded them that their disobedience would bring destruction. It is interesting that even after being warned they chose to go their own way which resulted in destruction, death. And yet, as I examine my own life, I find that when I take my focus off God and go to my own way I hve problems of all sorts.

Keep in mind that this scripture is not a promise that his followers will never face pain or persecution, that will be another days discussion, but God will be with us to see us through it.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to draw near to you and to be obedient to you when you call me to a task and not on my own time or in my own way. Thank you for the grace that you show me daily. In Jesus name, Amen.