9/30/2010 Learning to Listen to God1 Samuel 3:1-10
We all need to learn to recognize the voice of God, but often we struggle with how to do this. Through the story of Samuel and three principles, today we will study how to listen to God and hear His voice in our lives. Samuel showed us the process for learning to recognize when the Lord is speaking, the process can be broken down into three steps: 1) Proper practice- Samuel was already obeying all he knew, the Word says: "Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli." Samuel followed the direction of his spiritual elder Eli; he was so closely intewined with Eli's ministry that he mistook God's voice for Eli's voice. 2) Proper Position/Proximity- The Bible tells us that Samuel slept alongside the other priests with the Ark of God only a few yards away. He was focused on the work of God and removed all distractions. Samuel was only a young boy, but he understood the importance of positioning himself to be used by God. 3) Proper Response- Samuel's first response to the voice of God was "Here am I." To hear God's voice we must be ready to listen and also ready to act upon what He tells us. Samuel's second response was "speak for thy servant heareth." First Samuel had to show himself available then he was able to hear what the Lord had for him. It takes courage to hear and obey God's voice! We must be willing to practice what the Lord has taught us, position ourselves close to kingdom by removing the world's distractions, and have a response of action when He calls. 9/27/2010 No BoundariesScriptures: Luke 17:20-21, Romans 14:17
The kingdom of God has no boundaries! God's kingdom is a work of His spirit in our lives, it is not an institution or program. What happens in our hearts defines the kingdom's progress, the apostle Paul wrote it this way: "The kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Jesus wants you to have three things in your life: 1) An Increase in Joy: Acts 13:52 says: "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost." Joy and being filled with the Holy Spirit go together. Joy is defined as a condition of high pleasure or delight, happiness and gladness. Through the Holy Spirit, God can change the condition of our hearts! He can increase our joy! 2) Personal Empowerment: Esphesians 1:19, in the New Living Translation, says: "I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe Him." God's incomparable power is available to help those who believe. The world can not offer this power to us! God is offering "divine power for daily living," He is offering righteousness. 3) Mind Enrichment: Proverbs 23:7 says: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Our thinking must be right before our doing will ever be right! Philipians 4:7 says: "and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shal keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." The next verse tells us that we need to think of these things, things of truth, honor and righteousness. Things of purity, love and admiration. Things that are of excellence and worthy of praise. When we put these things foremost in our minds God will be with us and offer us His peace. God's kingdom has no boundaries! And its His desire that we find greater joy, righetousness and peace that comes only from His kingdom. 9/23/2010 Daniel's Fast Part 2Scriptures: Isaiah 58:6-11, Matthew 17:14-21
Last week we studied seven purposes for fasting, this week we will look at two more and also look at six benefits to fasting. A purpose for fasting is for a more righteous life, the Word says "thy righteousness shall go before thee." This is asking for God to light a fire under us, desiring right living and passion in our walk with Him. The final purpose for fasting is: fasting to protect us from the evil one. "The glory of the Lord will protect you from behind," the Word shows us that God covers, watches and protects us. Now we will look at the benefits of fasting: 1) More time to focus on prayer- times of fasting reminds us how important prayer is in our relationship with God. 2) Fasting makes our heart more attentive to God- we have a greater awareness to His voice and direction. 3) Fasting demonstrates to God that we are serious- "most of us live to eat, few eat to live." By showing we choose to control that desire we show God we are serious about a relationship with Him. 4) Fasting makes us look at our prideful nature- it opens our eyes to how we really are. 5) Fasting helps us to receive God's will with grace- we become more open and accepting of His guidance in our lives. 6) Fasting is choice not a command- its something we choose to do because we have the desire, not because of any obligation. It shows that we can make good choices. Fasting, alongside prayer, opens many doors for us spiritually, mentally and physically. In our time of fasting lets continue to seek God for this direction, and make these changes into lifelong attributes. 9/21/2010 ConfusionScriptures: Job 10:15, James 3:16
Often when we struggle in life the first thing we do is assume the worst; we allow our frustration to lead to false conclusions. But when we feel confusion we must remember that we don't have all the facts! Bitter envy and selfish ambition are inspired by Satan, not God! The Word makes this clear saying "For God is not the author of confusion." The devil wants us to be confused, he wants us full of confusion and frustration. So how do we get through these times of confusion? There are three Biblical truths that show us how: 1) Knowing what counts- Faith counts, the Word says "faith which worketh by love." We are saved by our faith, not by our works. God's forgiveness in our lives is complete. Those who are forgiven much are able to love much and we must act and stand on this promise. 2) Knowing who is calling- Jesus said "My sheep know my voice and they follow me." By knowing Jesus' voice we can discern who is calling! There are voices of confusers, but Jesus' voice sounds like His Word! Knowing His Word will better enable us to know His voice. 3) Knowing which command- "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself." Ask yourself the question: are the people giving you advice motivated by love? Or could their motivation be jealousy or selfish ambition? Christ has set us free to love and true freedom is expressed through serving others. What counts is only faith in Christ. To know who is calling we must be able to discern the voice of the Shepherd from the voice of the thief. We must remember that we are commanded to love, which is the ultimate expression of freedom. God desires for us to be free from confusion, instead residing in the faith that we know His voice and seek to follow His direction! |
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