John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of My hand.
God has been showing me that in this day and age two things are of vital importance. This is what you need to know, to have victory in these times that we are living in. We must be able to hear God's voice and to be obedient.
So many times we think that we would never be able to hear God's voice, that is only for preachers! But the truth is, all of us who are God's children can and should hear His voice. He wants to talk to us, to lead and guide us, and to tell us of His great love for us.
In these times when things are unsure and danger lurks all around, we can know that God will lead us, and give us His divine protection.
What are some things that block the voice of God? Distractions, television, computer, fear, worry, unbelief, and being too busy. The Bible says to, "Be still and know that He is God." We have to be still sometimes. We have to work on and ask God to help us to be still on the inside ALL the time so we can hear when God speaks.
This is something I've been working on lately. Just turning off the t.v., getting off facebook, just being still. Being present for God and the people in my life. I don't always have to be doing something or be entertained. I can just be still. We have to make it a priority to have some alone time with God on a regular basis. Just to sit and praise, or pray, or read the Word. These are the times God speaks the most, in the quiet.
If you have doubt that you can hear God's voice, have faith! Say to yourself, "Because I am God's sheep, I CAN hear His voice!" Say it often, it will get down inside of you and you will begin to know it's true!
Other helpful hints for hearing God's voice - read the Word often and memorize it, God will use it to speak to you, listen to preaching tapes, go to church, fellowship with the people of God, and immerse yourself in praise music. God speaks to us in many ways and through many means. I find that He speaks to me mostly in a still quiet voice. I will have an impression in my spirit or just a strong knowing that He spoke. Also, it is very important that when you think you heard God speak that it absolutely must line up with the Word of God. God will never ever say anything to you that doesn't line up with His Word!
Something else that God has been telling me is that if we can't obey Him in the small things, we will never obey Him in the big things. This is another thing I am working on! I want to hear and obey quickly, even when it is inconvenient or seems frightening. Everything God asks us to do is for our good!
So remember, when you are feeling afraid, when you just don't know what to do, you can always count on God's leading! You can rest in that and have peace.
Practice hearing God's voice and quickly obeying!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Come Away with Me
Here is a word the Lord gave me this morning:
Come away with Me often! You will find Me in the quiet, whether it is in the inner you or in the inner rooms. Come away with Me and I will speak. I will tell you things that you know not of. Not many realize how I long for sweet communion with you.
Put away distractions. None of them can compare to my love for you. None of them can compare to my presence and the treasures you will find there.
You can trust in My love. You can dwell in My secret place. In this place the minor irritations of life will have no effect on you.
Come away with Me often! You will find Me in the quiet, whether it is in the inner you or in the inner rooms. Come away with Me and I will speak. I will tell you things that you know not of. Not many realize how I long for sweet communion with you.
Put away distractions. None of them can compare to my love for you. None of them can compare to my presence and the treasures you will find there.
You can trust in My love. You can dwell in My secret place. In this place the minor irritations of life will have no effect on you.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Guard Your Heart
This is a word that God gave me for us today:
Focus on Me. Keep your focus on Me, not your problems, and not even their answers. Just Me. Keep your eyes on Me and the things of this world will grow strangely dim. Keep your eyes on Me and you will grow to be like Me!
You don't have to have the strength to accomplish all the things I've called you to do for My strength is made perfect in your weakness. Just be. Be who I've called you to be. Be present for the people I've put in your life.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life. Too often you haven't paid heed to this scripture like you should! Do what it takes to guard your heart and the hearts of those you are responsible for.
More than ever watch your words. Life and death IS in the power of the tongue. Just as my words framed the world, your words frame your world! Speak only wholesome things. Speak only words of faith. Let no negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is useful for building others up! Let my words dwell in your richly and come out of your mouth!
Focus on Me. Keep your focus on Me, not your problems, and not even their answers. Just Me. Keep your eyes on Me and the things of this world will grow strangely dim. Keep your eyes on Me and you will grow to be like Me!
You don't have to have the strength to accomplish all the things I've called you to do for My strength is made perfect in your weakness. Just be. Be who I've called you to be. Be present for the people I've put in your life.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life. Too often you haven't paid heed to this scripture like you should! Do what it takes to guard your heart and the hearts of those you are responsible for.
More than ever watch your words. Life and death IS in the power of the tongue. Just as my words framed the world, your words frame your world! Speak only wholesome things. Speak only words of faith. Let no negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is useful for building others up! Let my words dwell in your richly and come out of your mouth!
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Great Way Maker
Isaiah 43:18,19 says:
Forget the former things,
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the desert!
There are many things we can get out of this verse but the one that is on my heart today is where it says, I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert!
You see many times throughout my life, God has told me that He will make a way where there seems to be no way! And He has!
This is my constant prayer, that God will make a way where there seems to be no way.
Do you have a situation that seems impossible? GOOD! Because God works BEST in impossible situations! Why? Because when no one else can do it but God, then He gets all the glory, which He deserves! When we pray and ask God for an answer, we absolutely cannot look at the circumstances. Remember the verse that says, Focus not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen, for what is seen is TEMPORAL what is unseen is ETERNAL? God is telling us not to focus on what we see. Circumstances can change in one moments time, even ones that seem impossible!
Keep your eyes on Jesus instead of the problem and your breakthrough is on it's way! Don't even focus so much on the answer to your problem (because that is still keeping your eyes on the problem) just focus on Jesus, the great and awesome WAY MAKER!!!
Thank Him today that He is your way maker!
Forget the former things,
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the desert!
There are many things we can get out of this verse but the one that is on my heart today is where it says, I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert!
You see many times throughout my life, God has told me that He will make a way where there seems to be no way! And He has!
This is my constant prayer, that God will make a way where there seems to be no way.
Do you have a situation that seems impossible? GOOD! Because God works BEST in impossible situations! Why? Because when no one else can do it but God, then He gets all the glory, which He deserves! When we pray and ask God for an answer, we absolutely cannot look at the circumstances. Remember the verse that says, Focus not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen, for what is seen is TEMPORAL what is unseen is ETERNAL? God is telling us not to focus on what we see. Circumstances can change in one moments time, even ones that seem impossible!
Keep your eyes on Jesus instead of the problem and your breakthrough is on it's way! Don't even focus so much on the answer to your problem (because that is still keeping your eyes on the problem) just focus on Jesus, the great and awesome WAY MAKER!!!
Thank Him today that He is your way maker!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Trust in Jesus
Psalm 34:8 says, "O, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!"
How can we know that an orange is good, if we never take a bite, chew it up and swallow it? How can we say, I don't like oranges, if we have never tried one?
It's the same way with God and ALL of His blessings. We never know until we experience Him how wonderful He is.
I love the saying I heard, "A man with an experience is NEVER at the mercy of a man with an opinion." That is great to me because I have experienced God. I have experienced His goodness, His salvation, His healing, His provision. I've had answered prayer (everyday of my life. every. single. day.) I've heard His voice. I've felt His presence. And let me tell you, there is nothing like it. Nothing on earth is like it. Nothing. When you have experienced God's presence, all you want is more. Nothing else will satisfy. I've had healing miracles, I've seen healing miracles. I know people who's lives were transformed by Him when nothing else worked. Mine was. When you've experienced these things, when you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt they are true, then all you want is for everyone you meet to have this too. You long for your loved ones to experience Him. You long for your friends and the strangers on the street to experience Him.
You can, you know. He wants you to. He invites you to come. There is nothing you have done that He will not forgive if you ask. All of His promises are for all of mankind. Anyone who will ask.
It's so sweet to trust in Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, how I love thee, Oh I love thee more and more.
O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are all those that put their trust in Him!
How can we know that an orange is good, if we never take a bite, chew it up and swallow it? How can we say, I don't like oranges, if we have never tried one?
It's the same way with God and ALL of His blessings. We never know until we experience Him how wonderful He is.
I love the saying I heard, "A man with an experience is NEVER at the mercy of a man with an opinion." That is great to me because I have experienced God. I have experienced His goodness, His salvation, His healing, His provision. I've had answered prayer (everyday of my life. every. single. day.) I've heard His voice. I've felt His presence. And let me tell you, there is nothing like it. Nothing on earth is like it. Nothing. When you have experienced God's presence, all you want is more. Nothing else will satisfy. I've had healing miracles, I've seen healing miracles. I know people who's lives were transformed by Him when nothing else worked. Mine was. When you've experienced these things, when you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt they are true, then all you want is for everyone you meet to have this too. You long for your loved ones to experience Him. You long for your friends and the strangers on the street to experience Him.
You can, you know. He wants you to. He invites you to come. There is nothing you have done that He will not forgive if you ask. All of His promises are for all of mankind. Anyone who will ask.
It's so sweet to trust in Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, how I love thee, Oh I love thee more and more.
O taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are all those that put their trust in Him!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Feed my Sheep
God says, "If you love me, you will feed my sheep." If you love me you will obey my commandments. How can you say you love me and do not the things that I say? If anyone says they love me and love not his brother than the love of God is not in him.
We find time for the people we love. No one has to convince us to spend time with the person we are having a romance with, or our best friend. Why do you feel that it is an obligation to spend time with Me? says the Lord. Come away with me. Find your joy in Me and in doing my commandments for they are health to your bones and life to your flesh. Your life IS in Me. It is in ME. This is where you will find your life, your joy, your hope, your peace. Come away with Me. I have things to tell you that you know not of. I have things to show you. I want to heal you. I love you. Run to Me with excitement and joy as you would to an earthly lover. I'll be waiting.
We find time for the people we love. No one has to convince us to spend time with the person we are having a romance with, or our best friend. Why do you feel that it is an obligation to spend time with Me? says the Lord. Come away with me. Find your joy in Me and in doing my commandments for they are health to your bones and life to your flesh. Your life IS in Me. It is in ME. This is where you will find your life, your joy, your hope, your peace. Come away with Me. I have things to tell you that you know not of. I have things to show you. I want to heal you. I love you. Run to Me with excitement and joy as you would to an earthly lover. I'll be waiting.
Friday, September 17, 2010
God's Banqueting Table
Today God is speaking to me of His banqueting table. Psalms 23:5 says that God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies! This is a spiritual feast that He has lovingly prepared and set before each of His children.
When I first learned about this table many years ago, it changed my life. Instead of a table filled with turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes, this is a table filled with gifts from God to us. The table is FULL of blessings that are ours for the taking! It is full of such things as salvation, joy, peace, self-control, healing, baptism in the Holy Spirit, provision, and many many more. The thing is, God doesn't force us to take any of His gifts but wants us to take them all. They are all available to us! Many people only choose salvation and grab a little love. They don't realize that God really wants them to come, dig in and eat to their fill!
You see, many wonder if it's really God's will to always give them healing, or to give them provision. But God already said that it is! He said, "By His stripes you are healed". He said, "I will provide all your needs according to my riches and glory". He said in Isiah 55, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare!"
I want to share a testimony that happened just now as I was writing this post. I knew that God was leading me to write this today and to stop everything I was doing and just write it. I didn't really have it planned out but God was dropping it in my spirit. So by faith, I just sat down and started writing. As usual, the words came effortlessly. I didn't even know I was going to share that last scripture. God brought it to my mind. I wasn't sure where it was found. I heard Isiah in my spirit, opened my Bible right to Isiah and looked down directly at the right scripture! How exciting is that? I love it when God does stuff like that. I've got goosebumps! Praise you God, you are soooo good and know just what we need to hear each day!
There are hundreds of promises from God to us in the Bible. They are all on the table. How would you like to spend hours preparing a meal for your family, lovingly thinking about each dish and how it will nourish their bodies and how much they will enjoy it, then call them to come eat and they stand back hesitantly, wondering if you really want them to partake, afraid to do so. Because they don't really know if you want them to eat and if it's really for them. You planned, you shopped, you cooked, you called them and invited them to eat, but they don't even sit down. Some take a bite or two and walk away still hungry, still thirsty, rejecting your labor of love. You are heart broken, devastated. You did all you could do, now it's up to them.
Come on family of God! Let's together run to the table that God has prepared for us with all His love. He gave everything. He poured himself out as an offering for us. Let us partake together. Let us please our Lord and have fellowship one with another!
When I first learned about this table many years ago, it changed my life. Instead of a table filled with turkey, ham, and mashed potatoes, this is a table filled with gifts from God to us. The table is FULL of blessings that are ours for the taking! It is full of such things as salvation, joy, peace, self-control, healing, baptism in the Holy Spirit, provision, and many many more. The thing is, God doesn't force us to take any of His gifts but wants us to take them all. They are all available to us! Many people only choose salvation and grab a little love. They don't realize that God really wants them to come, dig in and eat to their fill!
You see, many wonder if it's really God's will to always give them healing, or to give them provision. But God already said that it is! He said, "By His stripes you are healed". He said, "I will provide all your needs according to my riches and glory". He said in Isiah 55, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare!"
I want to share a testimony that happened just now as I was writing this post. I knew that God was leading me to write this today and to stop everything I was doing and just write it. I didn't really have it planned out but God was dropping it in my spirit. So by faith, I just sat down and started writing. As usual, the words came effortlessly. I didn't even know I was going to share that last scripture. God brought it to my mind. I wasn't sure where it was found. I heard Isiah in my spirit, opened my Bible right to Isiah and looked down directly at the right scripture! How exciting is that? I love it when God does stuff like that. I've got goosebumps! Praise you God, you are soooo good and know just what we need to hear each day!
There are hundreds of promises from God to us in the Bible. They are all on the table. How would you like to spend hours preparing a meal for your family, lovingly thinking about each dish and how it will nourish their bodies and how much they will enjoy it, then call them to come eat and they stand back hesitantly, wondering if you really want them to partake, afraid to do so. Because they don't really know if you want them to eat and if it's really for them. You planned, you shopped, you cooked, you called them and invited them to eat, but they don't even sit down. Some take a bite or two and walk away still hungry, still thirsty, rejecting your labor of love. You are heart broken, devastated. You did all you could do, now it's up to them.
Come on family of God! Let's together run to the table that God has prepared for us with all His love. He gave everything. He poured himself out as an offering for us. Let us partake together. Let us please our Lord and have fellowship one with another!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
