How to Hear God's Voice!

I tell you that he who seeks to save his life will lose it, but that he who loses his life for my sake will find it. Does this seem like a paradox to you? Do you understand what it means? Do you desire the transformation that I offer you? It doesn’t matter how much you want it if you are unwilling to let go of what you have. If you think of spiritual growth only as acquisition it explains why you have trouble with this concept. What you currently cling to will oppose your progress. Could it be that you suffer from having too much rather than too little?

LaWanda -  O Jesus, how I praise you, Lord.  I thank you, Lord, for using me to bless my friend.  You are so wise, Lord, so wise.  You know exactly what we need.  I praise you, Lord.  I love you, Lord.  I thank you, Lord, and I trust you.

Have you ever inherited a large amount of money? This is an experience that anyone would welcome. What about your faith? Did you inherit that? If you were born into and raised in a faith tradition, and embraced it and still practice it on your own, then is it fair to say that you inherited it? Is this easier to see in those of other faiths? Would you have ended up in the same place without the childhood influence? You can be grateful to those who have led you on the path of life. Yet the questions concerning inherited faith still remain? What can you do to make your faith your own? 

That is the question we are all asking today. If you are reading or listening to the news, the stress of being aware of what is happening is enough to make one sick (literally).

Have you ever wanted something with great intensity and obtained it and been disappointed in it? Disappointments correspond to great expectations. The more you imagine that something will be satisfying and even life transforming the harder it is for that thing to live up to your expectations. If you have experienced this in the past, perhaps you should recalibrate your expectations going forward. Reasonable expectations lead to fewer disappointments. My followers have been called sojourners and pilgrims.

Read Colossians 3:1-16 - So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God (Col. 3:12-16).

Are you objective? This is considered an admirable goal in a rational world. The implication is that if you are influenced by emotion or affection then you can’t think clearly. But the term clearly implies that it is desirable to view everything in the situation (including people) as objects. It also implies that it is best to remain detached and uninvolved. Is this the true perspective from which accurate judgments can be made? It is a small step from being disinterested to being uninterested. Don’t you find that you are better able to assess reality when you are involved and caring?

Lord, what do You want to say to me about Oasis? (I was asking about a ministry called Oasis, but He went a different direction with His answer. ☺️) 

LaWanda – O Jesus, precious Lord. ♪♪ I’m caught up in your presence, I just want to sit here at your feet. I’m caught up in this holy moment.  I never want to leave. ♪♪ This moment is holy, Lord, because YOU are here.

Are you familiar with the story about Jacob wrestling with me? The story says he wrestled with a man, but you would correctly infer that this was no ordinary man. Have you ever wrestled with a God you can’t see? You may recall from the story that the wrestling match took place at night, and further that this man/angel/God was motivated to end the engagement before sunrise when he would have been visible, for no man can see God and live. Do you view this encounter as a positive or negative experience for Jacob? Do you think it would be beneficial for you to wrestle with me?