Hearing from God Day 5: John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV)
It seems that anytime the Holy Spirit is brought up, one group gets a little anxious and another group gets a little excited. The extreme behaviors of the eager ones have contributed to the anxiety of the other group. So, here’s an interesting insight, Jesus introduced the Holy Spirit as a Counselor or a Comforter. Current thinking about the Holy Spirit almost seems ironic compared to the purpose that Jesus gave for the Spirit’s work and presence in the life of the believer. The Spirit is a Comforter.
John Ortberg refers to the Holy Spirit as a “non-anxious presence in our lives.” I like that. For some, the presence of the Holy Spirit should provide a measure of anxiety. Part of the Spirit’s role is to “convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8, NIV). The Spirit did much of the work to point us to Christ in the first place. But, now, those who belong to Christ don’t need to fear these things. We are no longer considered part of “the world.”
As we open our lives to the Spirit, Jesus said that He will teach us and remind us. The Spirit won’t turn us into rabid charismatics, but He will steadily turn us toward our purpose on this earth and toward the presence of God in our lives.
Jesus came as Immanuel, God with us. Then, Jesus told His disciples a remarkable thing, the Spirit that was currently with them would soon be in them (John 14:17). God’s Spirit has been given to us in the same way (Acts 5:32; Romans 5:5).
What are you anxious about today? How can the Holy Spirit be a non-anxious presence in your life today? As you ask God to be with you and to stay near you today, this is the Spirit’s work. Before you say something you might regret, ask Him what to say. Before you freak out over what you might face today, recognize that that power of God dwells in you through His Holy Spirit. He’s your Comforter.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Showing posts with label Hearing From God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hearing From God. Show all posts
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
God Calling. Please Continue to Hold?
Hearing from God Day 4: John 8:47 & 10:3-5
He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. (John 8:47)
The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice. (John 10:3-5, NIV)
We recognize the voices of those we are close to. When we receive a call from our spouse, our children, our parents, or close friends, they don’t need to identify themselves. We know who it is, even without caller ID.
Jesus says that those who belong to God will recognize His voice. Now, I believe that I belong to God, yet I have never heard God speak in an audible voice. How does God speak to us? We can hear God through thoughts and impressions. We can hear God through ideas and insights. But, how do we know that it’s God speaking and not wishful thinking or indigestion?
Here’s a simple test: When I compare what I think God is saying to God’s Word, the Bible, how does it stand up? God will not lead in a way that contradicts His Word.
When I consult with mature believers, what do they have to say? Does it resonate with them or do they think I’m out to lunch?
How do my circumstances measure up to what I feel is God’s leading? What is my God-given common sense telling me?
Many people are afraid to listen to God. They’re too afraid that they will make a mistake or sound foolish. God does speak to us, but it takes skill and experience to hear His voice. Start listening. Do a lot of checking with the Word and with others. Then, use plenty of common sense.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. (John 8:47)
The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice. (John 10:3-5, NIV)
We recognize the voices of those we are close to. When we receive a call from our spouse, our children, our parents, or close friends, they don’t need to identify themselves. We know who it is, even without caller ID.
Jesus says that those who belong to God will recognize His voice. Now, I believe that I belong to God, yet I have never heard God speak in an audible voice. How does God speak to us? We can hear God through thoughts and impressions. We can hear God through ideas and insights. But, how do we know that it’s God speaking and not wishful thinking or indigestion?
Here’s a simple test: When I compare what I think God is saying to God’s Word, the Bible, how does it stand up? God will not lead in a way that contradicts His Word.
When I consult with mature believers, what do they have to say? Does it resonate with them or do they think I’m out to lunch?
How do my circumstances measure up to what I feel is God’s leading? What is my God-given common sense telling me?
Many people are afraid to listen to God. They’re too afraid that they will make a mistake or sound foolish. God does speak to us, but it takes skill and experience to hear His voice. Start listening. Do a lot of checking with the Word and with others. Then, use plenty of common sense.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
God’s Workmanship or His Scrap Heap?
Hearing from God Day 3: Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)
Do you truly feel like God’s workmanship? There are days when it might be easy to feel more like God’s scrap heap than His workmanship. But, think about this: God has never created anything that He wasn’t pleased with. As God created the universe, the same thought was repeated over and over, “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). To say it plainly, “God don’t make junk.”
You are God’s workmanship. Go ahead and say that out loud to yourself, “I am God’s workmanship.” The purpose of God’s workmanship is to do good works. How do you know what God wants you to do? Well, the Greek for “good works” actually means to “work at something good.” What needs do you see around you? Who do you have a heart for? Who do you enjoy working with? Our natural passions and desires point us to the things that God “prepared in advance for us to do.”
Now, there are a lot of good causes, so don’t get overcommitted or a good thing will become a bad thing very quickly. God has a good work for you to do. Open your eyes to the people around you and ask Him what you should do. You will be surprised by how God can use you.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)
Do you truly feel like God’s workmanship? There are days when it might be easy to feel more like God’s scrap heap than His workmanship. But, think about this: God has never created anything that He wasn’t pleased with. As God created the universe, the same thought was repeated over and over, “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). To say it plainly, “God don’t make junk.”
You are God’s workmanship. Go ahead and say that out loud to yourself, “I am God’s workmanship.” The purpose of God’s workmanship is to do good works. How do you know what God wants you to do? Well, the Greek for “good works” actually means to “work at something good.” What needs do you see around you? Who do you have a heart for? Who do you enjoy working with? Our natural passions and desires point us to the things that God “prepared in advance for us to do.”
Now, there are a lot of good causes, so don’t get overcommitted or a good thing will become a bad thing very quickly. God has a good work for you to do. Open your eyes to the people around you and ask Him what you should do. You will be surprised by how God can use you.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Sometimes Others See Things More Clearly
Hearing From God Day 2: Ephesians 3:10
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (NIV)
One of the more embarrassing moments of my life occurred on the morning of my interview for ministerial credentials about 25 years ago. I was awakened by a phone call. It was our church secretary wondering where I was. My interview was scheduled for two hours earlier. Panic.
Going to bed the night before, I was nervous about the interview and had a very sleepless night. I finally did get to sleep, but I didn’t hear the alarm in the morning.
When I finally arrived at the interview with hat in hand, I profusely apologized for my mistake. All the while I imagined years of theological training evaporating away. They were gracious. We had a good laugh.
Weeks later when official word came, the committee had turned me down. They didn’t feel that I had had enough ministry experience (read “preaching”) at that point, so they put me off. Obviously, I did the hard work to gain the qualifications and was ordained a couple of years later.
For most of you reading this, you will never have to sit through a stressful interview of your qualifications for ministry. You can thank God for that. But, on the other hand, it’s not always easy to recognize your gifts or discern your ministry calling by yourself. Self-examination is a challenge. You have trouble seeing yourself objectively because it’s too personal. It’s too close. This is where the church comes in.
Your fellow believers help you recognize what God has gifted and called you to do. Things that come very naturally to you may in fact be the result of your unique giftedness.
As the Body of Christ, we owe it to each other to point out where we excel and notice the fruit that God is producing in each other’s lives. We’re not all good at everything. But, we’re all good at something. As Bil Cornelius says, “Give your attention to the areas in your life that bear the most fruit.” If you’re not sure what those areas are, why not ask a member of your small group or take the Developing Yourself to Serve class?
Often it takes other believers to help us hear clearly from God. While we should always depend on the Bible as the first source of clarification, God uses mature believers as additional confirmation.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (NIV)
One of the more embarrassing moments of my life occurred on the morning of my interview for ministerial credentials about 25 years ago. I was awakened by a phone call. It was our church secretary wondering where I was. My interview was scheduled for two hours earlier. Panic.
Going to bed the night before, I was nervous about the interview and had a very sleepless night. I finally did get to sleep, but I didn’t hear the alarm in the morning.
When I finally arrived at the interview with hat in hand, I profusely apologized for my mistake. All the while I imagined years of theological training evaporating away. They were gracious. We had a good laugh.
Weeks later when official word came, the committee had turned me down. They didn’t feel that I had had enough ministry experience (read “preaching”) at that point, so they put me off. Obviously, I did the hard work to gain the qualifications and was ordained a couple of years later.
For most of you reading this, you will never have to sit through a stressful interview of your qualifications for ministry. You can thank God for that. But, on the other hand, it’s not always easy to recognize your gifts or discern your ministry calling by yourself. Self-examination is a challenge. You have trouble seeing yourself objectively because it’s too personal. It’s too close. This is where the church comes in.
Your fellow believers help you recognize what God has gifted and called you to do. Things that come very naturally to you may in fact be the result of your unique giftedness.
As the Body of Christ, we owe it to each other to point out where we excel and notice the fruit that God is producing in each other’s lives. We’re not all good at everything. But, we’re all good at something. As Bil Cornelius says, “Give your attention to the areas in your life that bear the most fruit.” If you’re not sure what those areas are, why not ask a member of your small group or take the Developing Yourself to Serve class?
Often it takes other believers to help us hear clearly from God. While we should always depend on the Bible as the first source of clarification, God uses mature believers as additional confirmation.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
What is Your Heart Set On?
Hearing from God Day 1: Psalm 119:106-112
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word. Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. (NIV)
Much of this psalm sings the praises of following God’s word. Each of the 22 verses (one verse for each of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet) has 8 lines describing the significance of following God’s commands, precepts, law, statutes, etc.
Why does the psalmist have such confidence in God’s word? God’s word is certain. It’s proven. Regardless of the circumstance, whether we experience suffering, fear, injustice or anything else, God’s word remains constant. We can trust the word to be the light to our path.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with fear or pain. Sometimes suffering and uncertainty seem to speak much louder than the Word at times. What do we do then? The last verse says that we can set our hearts on keeping God’s decrees. No matter what we feel. No matter what we are experiencing. We can still remain obedient to God. The whole world may seem to be jumping over a cliff, but we can remain on solid ground.
What are our hearts set on? We could set our hearts on a promise or a bonus, on a plum job or a retirement fund. Like the Psalmist, if we set our hearts on God’s Word, we have placed our trust in something that is more certain than the ground we stand on. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
The first place to hear from God is in His Word. What do you need to hear from God about today? Take a look at His word first. It’s the best place to start.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word. Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. (NIV)
Much of this psalm sings the praises of following God’s word. Each of the 22 verses (one verse for each of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet) has 8 lines describing the significance of following God’s commands, precepts, law, statutes, etc.
Why does the psalmist have such confidence in God’s word? God’s word is certain. It’s proven. Regardless of the circumstance, whether we experience suffering, fear, injustice or anything else, God’s word remains constant. We can trust the word to be the light to our path.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with fear or pain. Sometimes suffering and uncertainty seem to speak much louder than the Word at times. What do we do then? The last verse says that we can set our hearts on keeping God’s decrees. No matter what we feel. No matter what we are experiencing. We can still remain obedient to God. The whole world may seem to be jumping over a cliff, but we can remain on solid ground.
What are our hearts set on? We could set our hearts on a promise or a bonus, on a plum job or a retirement fund. Like the Psalmist, if we set our hearts on God’s Word, we have placed our trust in something that is more certain than the ground we stand on. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
The first place to hear from God is in His Word. What do you need to hear from God about today? Take a look at His word first. It’s the best place to start.
Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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