![]() Reading and studying the Bible helps us to know the will and ways of God and to know what is and what isn’t the will of God.Īsk God to speak to you through his word. The Bible is our roadmap, our user’s guide, and our owner’s manual. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible is the word of God, his revelation to us, breathed out by his Holy Spirit through human authors. When we listen and obey, we discover that life is full of promise and purpose and we become more confident in God’s plan for our lives. Putting our trust in him demonstrates a listening and willing heart and ultimately reflects our love for him. We must realize that God loves us and is the only one who can sustain us, and will provide for our every need. This means trusting God during both difficult times as well as joyous or rewarding times. ![]() Third, we must trust that God has a message that is personal for our provision, protection and purpose. God is looking for ways to talk to you - and you will be encouraged to see how he brings favor when you bring an attitude of surrender rather than selfishness.ģ. This means being open and receptive to God’s guidance and instruction, and being willing to obey. Second, we must listen with an open heart and attitude. What distractions do we have? How about a salesman at the door? Or on the phone? Or maybe our time schedule. A good tip is to find ways to eliminate the distractions. This can be at home, on a walk, in your car, in the morning or evening, or whatever works best for you. This means setting a regular time each day to get alone with God. First, we must be intentional in our focus, which means that our time and calendar must reflect our heart’s desire. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still, and know that I am God.”ġ. If you want the spirit of God to fill you, be still. If you want to hear the heart of God, silence is key. Silence is the difference between fear and faith. Silence is the difference between happiness and joy. Silence is the difference between sight and insight. But silence helps us hear God’s voice and sing his song. It’s hard to tune out the voices of others, the call of social media, and the constant demands to do more and be more. If you take all the letters in the word “LISTEN,” you also have all the letters for the word “SILENT.” But, in order to hear what God is saying to us, we have to learn to listen. The Scriptures are filled with prayers, songs, stories, and miracles that demonstrate God’s power and show his desire to communicate with his people. We need to be “in tune” with God so that we’re ready when he calls. And, most importantly, he was ready to respond when God called him again. This all came about because Samuel was obedient to Eli’s instruction and then to God’s calling. ![]() 14 Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’” (1 Samuel 3:2-14, NIV). 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family-from beginning to end. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call go back and lie down.”ħ Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.Ĩ A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.Ħ Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am you called me.” 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. ![]() Seeking a quiet place to spend with God is not easy, but it can be done. Rarely do families have quiet evenings together without some kind of distraction, like the sounds from the television or a cell phone. Almost everywhere we go, and with everything we do, our minds are overwhelmed with images and sounds.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |