Given the topic of the past two devotionals I have received (and shared on this blog) I think it's safe to say God is trying to get my attention. He is reaching out to me and I, frustrated, have been missing the point.
I've asked myself this question many times before but I will ask it again now. How long can one ignore the call of God before he/she forgets the sound of His voice? I've worried often that I neglected my relationship with God long enough to lose the ability to hear Him when He calls. This thought causes a desire in me to stir and I long for a better relationship with my Father. This desire is often squelched over time by other desires or mere laziness. It feels as if I am in a daily battle with myself. This aggravates me to no end but I can't imagine the frustration God must feel.
Though it is, and will always be, a battle for me to maintain my focus on God and what He is leading me to do, a great thought occurred to me this past weekend. God must have some pretty big plans for my little life for Satan to strive so consistently to distract me! What does my God have in store for me that is causing the Father of Lies to continually whisper in my ear? This bolsters my faith. It increases my spirit. It makes me want to look Satan in the eye and say "Bring it." With much prayer and with God's help I will follow Him anywhere. I want to see the plans He has for me.
The point is, God is still working in my heart. His pull on my heart is ever growing and for that I am eternally grateful. It is a testament to the fact that we are indeed saved by works. Not our works of course. But saved of Christ's works. And persevered by the Holy Spirit's works. And kept forever safe by God's works. He leads me like the sheep I am and when, despite His best interest for me, I attempt to ignore His leading, He breaks my leg so I can't wander off again. I love that about my God! I love that He knows just how fallen I am and yet He actively pursues my heart and keeps me close. He is requesting a fellowship, a relationship, with me. He knows me better than any and yet He still wants to use me. For lack of a better expression, How cool is that?! How great must His love be for me. How great is my God!
Two simple statements that ring true and hit home to me today are as follows...
"Jesus loves me, this I know." Though I can't comprehend it, I believe it with all that I am. It is evident in His pursuit of my heart. And just as simple yet, mind boggling, "Jesus knows me, this I love." And because He knows me, because He loves me, because I am His child, I am ready to hear what He would have me to hear. I covet your prayers as I struggle against my nature to hear all voices other than the Spirit's. Give me ears to hear Lord. Yours is the only voice that matters.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Listening Through Restlessness
ESTHER 6:1-11
When we're too preoccupied to hear God's voice, He will often get our attention by giving us a restless spirit. The book of Esther gives us a wonderful example of this. In the sixth chapter, we see that King Xerxes "could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king" (v. 1). As a result, Xerxes became aware of an assassination plot that had been foiled by a man named Mordecai. Filled with gratitude for this act of service, the ruler made plans to honor him. What Xerxes could not have known, though, is that this hero had been targeted by Haman, one of the royal advisors. Not only had Haman plotted to hang Mordecai the Jew (5:14); he was also planning to exterminate the entire Jewish population. As a result of the king's intervention, however, Mordecai and all of the Jews were saved.
Now, what started this process? It was a restless night. Xerxes did not know why he couldn't sleep, but we know—the king had insomnia because God was trying to get his attention. The Lord had something important to say to Xerxes, and His way of getting through to him was an unpleasant night of sleeplessness.
How often has this happened to you? You go about your career and activities, but a restlessness seems to hang over you, often causing sleepless nights. In such moments, dare to bow and pray, "Lord, what is it You want to tell me?" You'll discover that God can and will speak in your unrest.
In Touch Ministries
When we're too preoccupied to hear God's voice, He will often get our attention by giving us a restless spirit. The book of Esther gives us a wonderful example of this. In the sixth chapter, we see that King Xerxes "could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king" (v. 1). As a result, Xerxes became aware of an assassination plot that had been foiled by a man named Mordecai. Filled with gratitude for this act of service, the ruler made plans to honor him. What Xerxes could not have known, though, is that this hero had been targeted by Haman, one of the royal advisors. Not only had Haman plotted to hang Mordecai the Jew (5:14); he was also planning to exterminate the entire Jewish population. As a result of the king's intervention, however, Mordecai and all of the Jews were saved.
Now, what started this process? It was a restless night. Xerxes did not know why he couldn't sleep, but we know—the king had insomnia because God was trying to get his attention. The Lord had something important to say to Xerxes, and His way of getting through to him was an unpleasant night of sleeplessness.
How often has this happened to you? You go about your career and activities, but a restlessness seems to hang over you, often causing sleepless nights. In such moments, dare to bow and pray, "Lord, what is it You want to tell me?" You'll discover that God can and will speak in your unrest.
In Touch Ministries
Distracted Listeners
1 SAMUEL 3:1-10
Have you ever tried to have a serious discussion with someone who you knew was not really listening to you? It can be quite frustrating. Not only is it practically impossible to get your message across, but it also betrays a selfishness on the part of the other person that we often find irritating and disrespectful.
You see, when we have a significant message to share with someone, we naturally want his or her undivided attention. God is the same way. When He speaks to us, He always has something extremely important to say. Therefore, He rightfully expects our complete focus and attention.
When the Holy Spirit communicates with us, we will often hear His voice immediately if we have been walking in step with Him. His "voice" may be a gentle whisper in our spirit, or it could be an obvious, miraculous sign "from out of the blue." However God chooses to speak, those who are attuned to His voice will hear Him.
But we don't always walk perfectly in the Spirit, do we? At those times when we are distracted, God must do something to get our attention. He may give us a restless spirit or speak a word of wisdom through a friend. He might even do something drastic, like bring about an unexpected move or career change.
When we're not tuned in to the Spirit, God's warning signs can feel like spiritual attacks. Yet these could be the very times when the Lord is revealing Himself to us. Could He be trying to break through your distractions? Prayerfully consider how He may be speaking, and see if you can discern His message.
In Touch Ministries
Have you ever tried to have a serious discussion with someone who you knew was not really listening to you? It can be quite frustrating. Not only is it practically impossible to get your message across, but it also betrays a selfishness on the part of the other person that we often find irritating and disrespectful.
You see, when we have a significant message to share with someone, we naturally want his or her undivided attention. God is the same way. When He speaks to us, He always has something extremely important to say. Therefore, He rightfully expects our complete focus and attention.
When the Holy Spirit communicates with us, we will often hear His voice immediately if we have been walking in step with Him. His "voice" may be a gentle whisper in our spirit, or it could be an obvious, miraculous sign "from out of the blue." However God chooses to speak, those who are attuned to His voice will hear Him.
But we don't always walk perfectly in the Spirit, do we? At those times when we are distracted, God must do something to get our attention. He may give us a restless spirit or speak a word of wisdom through a friend. He might even do something drastic, like bring about an unexpected move or career change.
When we're not tuned in to the Spirit, God's warning signs can feel like spiritual attacks. Yet these could be the very times when the Lord is revealing Himself to us. Could He be trying to break through your distractions? Prayerfully consider how He may be speaking, and see if you can discern His message.
In Touch Ministries
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Ignoring God's Voice
MATTHEW 7:24-27
Believe it or not, many people in the church make a conscious decision to ignore God's truth. You may ask, "Who would do such a thing?" Chances are, you know someone who already has.
Think about those Christians who say, "I am never going back to that church again. All the pastor talks about is sin, sin, sin." Or, perhaps the issue is "money," or "faithfulness," or maybe even "the cross." When we are listening to the man and not to the God who sent the message, it is easy to get irritated with a preacher's persistence.
If you find yourself reacting this strongly to a godly pastor's preaching, then you ought to take an honest look at yourself. Is there a particular sermon topic that "pushes your buttons"? Why is it that you don't like to hear about tithing, for instance? Maybe the reason is that you know your finances are not under the Lord's control. And when that happens, the natural human response is to get away from the conviction.
This is why so many people seem to run out the back door of the church--they simply can't take it anymore. They have made a decision to close their ears to God's Word, and, therefore, they cannot bear to listen to it.
In Matthew 7:26, Jesus comments on people who hear the Word but do not act on it. He compares them to a "foolish man who built his house on the sand." Do you want to be "foolish" in the Lord's eyes? Of course not. Instead, be a believer whose mind is set on becoming more like Christ.
In Touch Ministries
Believe it or not, many people in the church make a conscious decision to ignore God's truth. You may ask, "Who would do such a thing?" Chances are, you know someone who already has.
Think about those Christians who say, "I am never going back to that church again. All the pastor talks about is sin, sin, sin." Or, perhaps the issue is "money," or "faithfulness," or maybe even "the cross." When we are listening to the man and not to the God who sent the message, it is easy to get irritated with a preacher's persistence.
If you find yourself reacting this strongly to a godly pastor's preaching, then you ought to take an honest look at yourself. Is there a particular sermon topic that "pushes your buttons"? Why is it that you don't like to hear about tithing, for instance? Maybe the reason is that you know your finances are not under the Lord's control. And when that happens, the natural human response is to get away from the conviction.
This is why so many people seem to run out the back door of the church--they simply can't take it anymore. They have made a decision to close their ears to God's Word, and, therefore, they cannot bear to listen to it.
In Matthew 7:26, Jesus comments on people who hear the Word but do not act on it. He compares them to a "foolish man who built his house on the sand." Do you want to be "foolish" in the Lord's eyes? Of course not. Instead, be a believer whose mind is set on becoming more like Christ.
In Touch Ministries
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
God is Not Shaken
Lately I have felt especially tied to a recently released song, played rather frequently on local Christian radio. The lyrics that affect me most are as follows:
"I am sinking in the river that is raging
I am drowning
Will I ever, rise to breathe again
I wanna know why
I just wanna understand
Will I ever know why?
How could this be from Your hand?
When every little thing that I dream of being just slips away like water through my hands
And when it seems the walls from my beliefs come crashing down like they’re all made of sand
I won’t, let go of You now
because I know, oh, You’re not shaken
I am trembling in the darkness of my own fear
All the questions with no answers
So grip me while I’m here
And I may never know why
Oh I may not understand
But I will lift up my eyes,
and trust this is Your plan."
And I'll be honest, my focus has been more on the statement that every dream seems to slip like water through my hand. The focus has not been on the point of the song: I will trust all is part of God's plan. I will not let go of my faith because God is not shaken by these events that seem to rock me to the core.
Because my focus has been more on myself than on Christ I have slipped into an uncomfortable, sad state over the past few days. Of course I do well to hide my feelings and I choose not to discuss my troubles with those around me for I know in the light of all that is truly important, my heartbreak is not.
Today, God reached out and changed my point of view. After receiving a copy of a letter an old friend sent to another in order to share the wonderful work of Christ shown in her life, I found myself on the receiving end of a mighty slap in the face. God used the witness, designated for another, to break my heart again. The words of my friend rebuked me. The joy she feels and the fulfillment she has been blessed with are both directly tied to the active placing of Christ as first in her life. The details of from where God has brought her match mine, almost verbatim. She is a living testimony of the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit.
Granted God has been(and continues to be)working in my heart and I am a far cry from where I once was. There only by the grace of God. However, my frustrations have grown drastically in the past week due only to the fact my trust has been misplaced in myself. I know better and I've learned many times, the hard way, that I will always let myself down. My focus has been on me and I have continually stumbled. Christ has not been truly first in my life for a long time.
But isn't it just like God to use an unexpected email, written for another, to bring us back to Him? Isn't is just like God to send a friend, a sister in Christ, our way when we need encouragement the most? Isn't it just like God to place His word in front of our eyes even when we refuse to take time to study it on our own? Thanks to God's working through my friend, I was reminded once again that God loves me and constantly pulls me to Himself whether I drag my feet or not. I thank God for this.
I can't begin to count the many times I have felt a tangible drawing of my heart to Christ over the past year or so. Once again my sadness and fears are being drowned out by the calming whisper of my Lord. He is preparing me for His work. I am still unaware of what this work may be but there is no doubt in my mind He is still prodding me to move. He is gently reminding me keep my eyes on Him and not on the rising water surrounding me. He is offering me the hand of the Almighty while I grasp for anything to hold on to.
I realized today how blessed I am to have fellow disciples of Christ in my life. For when I lose my focus, God uses all His resources to point my way back to Him. Sometimes those resources consist of a random email written for another. Blessed be the name of the Lord. And no matter how easily I feel the world crumbling under my feet, I am a child of God. I am held securely in His hand. And no, my God is not shaken!
"I am sinking in the river that is raging
I am drowning
Will I ever, rise to breathe again
I wanna know why
I just wanna understand
Will I ever know why?
How could this be from Your hand?
When every little thing that I dream of being just slips away like water through my hands
And when it seems the walls from my beliefs come crashing down like they’re all made of sand
I won’t, let go of You now
because I know, oh, You’re not shaken
I am trembling in the darkness of my own fear
All the questions with no answers
So grip me while I’m here
And I may never know why
Oh I may not understand
But I will lift up my eyes,
and trust this is Your plan."
And I'll be honest, my focus has been more on the statement that every dream seems to slip like water through my hand. The focus has not been on the point of the song: I will trust all is part of God's plan. I will not let go of my faith because God is not shaken by these events that seem to rock me to the core.
Because my focus has been more on myself than on Christ I have slipped into an uncomfortable, sad state over the past few days. Of course I do well to hide my feelings and I choose not to discuss my troubles with those around me for I know in the light of all that is truly important, my heartbreak is not.
Today, God reached out and changed my point of view. After receiving a copy of a letter an old friend sent to another in order to share the wonderful work of Christ shown in her life, I found myself on the receiving end of a mighty slap in the face. God used the witness, designated for another, to break my heart again. The words of my friend rebuked me. The joy she feels and the fulfillment she has been blessed with are both directly tied to the active placing of Christ as first in her life. The details of from where God has brought her match mine, almost verbatim. She is a living testimony of the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit.
Granted God has been(and continues to be)working in my heart and I am a far cry from where I once was. There only by the grace of God. However, my frustrations have grown drastically in the past week due only to the fact my trust has been misplaced in myself. I know better and I've learned many times, the hard way, that I will always let myself down. My focus has been on me and I have continually stumbled. Christ has not been truly first in my life for a long time.
But isn't it just like God to use an unexpected email, written for another, to bring us back to Him? Isn't is just like God to send a friend, a sister in Christ, our way when we need encouragement the most? Isn't it just like God to place His word in front of our eyes even when we refuse to take time to study it on our own? Thanks to God's working through my friend, I was reminded once again that God loves me and constantly pulls me to Himself whether I drag my feet or not. I thank God for this.
I can't begin to count the many times I have felt a tangible drawing of my heart to Christ over the past year or so. Once again my sadness and fears are being drowned out by the calming whisper of my Lord. He is preparing me for His work. I am still unaware of what this work may be but there is no doubt in my mind He is still prodding me to move. He is gently reminding me keep my eyes on Him and not on the rising water surrounding me. He is offering me the hand of the Almighty while I grasp for anything to hold on to.
I realized today how blessed I am to have fellow disciples of Christ in my life. For when I lose my focus, God uses all His resources to point my way back to Him. Sometimes those resources consist of a random email written for another. Blessed be the name of the Lord. And no matter how easily I feel the world crumbling under my feet, I am a child of God. I am held securely in His hand. And no, my God is not shaken!
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