If you are participating in the current bible study, this is just what the Lord is using Priscilla
Shirer to teach us, isn't it? How in the world do I know when it's the Lord speaking and not my own emotions? How do I know if the Lord has indeed sent my friend to speak a message to me or is she just being well meaning? The answer is simple yet we make it difficult.
When your good friend calls you on the phone, does she have to tell you her name? Or do you just recognize her voice? When you were a child, did your mother have to yell at you in order to make a point or could she simply look your direction speaking volumes? As we draw nearer to the Lord, we will know His voice and nope, He won't have to shout.
What are some of the things we have learned this week in bible study?
- expect and anticipate
- be patient
- obey
- be an aggressive listener
- have faith
If we do not expect to hear from God, will we? We read about Habakkuk this week. If you are not a student of this bible study, read Habakkuk Chapter 1. When Habakkuk changes his tune from doubting to expectant, he begins to receive directions from God. Right? Expect to hear from your Father. For me, the anticipation of what's to come is the best part!!
Be patient. I have found that God's timing is, often times, not mine. The process of the wait can be exciting when you believe that God WILL speak. As I wait, my faith grows and so does my excitement. I think that Priscilla adds that her intimacy with the Lord grows. Why is that? I think about my husband. If I completely trust him with my heart and my soul in all things, do I have a connection with him that I might not have with any other person? Yes. Because of that trust, we share an intimacy that is not shared with another person. When we patiently wait trusting the Lord to provide direction, faith and intimacy in that relationship grows.
Obey no matter what. I wish that I could say that I have this down 100%. Over the years, the Lord has taught me through some very interesting situations that my obedience no matter what is what He expects. When we are obedient to what He says, our faith grows. The more we are obedient, the more sensitive we are to His voice. The more frequently we find that He speaks to us. I loved Lewis Sperry Chafer's quote on day 3 of this study. "HIS LEADING IS ONLY FOR those who are already committed to do as He may choose. To such it may be said: "God is able to speak loud enough to make a willing soul hear." I think Priscilla said 'obedience is key to hearing His still, small voice. ' No neon sign...no shouts from the heavens...no lightning bolts - just a whisper to our willing souls. I have to tell you that there will be times that, in your obedience, those around you will wonder. It is possible that even your Christian friends will have a difficult time believing that the Lord spoke something to you. It is possible that that friends/family will think it is you acting on your own. Obedience no matter what. Only you know what the Lord speaks to you. When you know His voice and you hear His voice, step boldly and confidently.
Be an aggressive listener! When we pray, do we speak the words and move on? Is our part now complete? No way, sister! Purposefully and deliberately listen. The Lord says it well through Mrs. Shirer on day 4. 'God wants aggressive listeners who look intently at His Word and listen deliberately to what He has to say.' I think that it is also on this day's homework, where Priscilla spends some time on prayer, meditation, and worship. We read Isaiah 50: 4-5 during a time of meditation. The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. He wakes me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Do we wake up ready to listen to the Lord? When our feet hit the floor, are we aggressively listening for how He will direct the start of our day? Together, let's learn to be aggressive listeners throughout our entire day. How? We begin now, this minute as you read this blog, and deliberately make your day about Him.
Have faith in what He says and that you heard Him. It's important to keep in mind that what God says to us may not easy. In fact, based on my experience, it probably will not be. Part of our growth as a child of God is to stretch; to step out of that comfort zone. If you don't know it by now, the Lord is completely ok with challenging us to be uncomfortable. Someone recently said "I'm growing comfortable with being uncomfortable." When He speaks, boldly step in confidence; not confidence in you but confidence in Him - where He has you and what He has said to you.
As you go through your day, keep God's perspective - give Him your day. No, I mean really give Him your day. Don't just say it. (Cindy - don't just say it) Give Him your day. Drop to your knees. I'm serious. Drop to your knees where you are right now. If you are at work, maybe you can't. If you are at work, are you supposed to be blogging? Anyway, drop to your knees and repeat after me. (feel free to put in your own words) 'Father, I am guilty of losing perspective throughout my day. I even wake up on some days never giving you a second thought. Lord, for the rest of this day, I will make you Lord over my every circumstance. Father, I wonder how often you've spoken to me yet I missed it because I was too busy. Lord God, today, I will be an aggressive listener and not just in the big things but in all things. Father, I love you and it is for you that I live today. I am listening. Amen.'
I love ya girls. What has the Holy Spirit taught you this week that you can teach us? Post a comment to this blog and share if you are so lead. Have a great day in Him!
Growing Together,
Cindy
