MONDAY MUSINGS!

Somethings "RING" TRUE.....whether in a Sunday sermon or are echoed in a Monday text from friend, Doris!

It's as if the Spirit of the Lord is saying, "Can you hear me now?"

Loud and clear musings for this last Monday in March.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Do you hear what I hear?

 

Probably not.

We might have heard the same word or same big booming sound.......but then we add our own experiences to the word or event and each heart hears or pays attention somewhat differently.

For me, that's the way God's word is. As I read it, I ask Him to speak uniquely to me. 

Passages take on meaning that go directly to my heart. Maybe that's why there are different versions and commentaries on the same passages of Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16) Even the same passage can take on new meaning as I refocus on it during a different season of life.

Sometimes God's word whispers to me through the Psalms. Other times God's word SHOUTS to me as in 2 Chronicles 2:20.

I want my heart to hear God's heart.

CHOOSE PRAYER

Teaching Tuesday has me in a quandary. 

I love to teach. I love God's Word. I love to teach God's Word even though the prep is getting more and more difficult.

So.....why am I struggling to accept a teaching time in February? Why the "check in my spirit?"

Is it the topic? 

Is it the time? 

Is it lack of confidence? 

Is my focus self-centered?
Is it God saying no or wait? 

I choose to devote myself to prayer----to continue to pray!

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4)

Receptivi-TEA

The prophets tried to learn about what the Spirit was showing them, when those things would happen, and what the world would be like at that time. It was shown (to) them that their service was not for themselves but for you, (1 Peter 1:11-12, NCV)

As the prophets of old sought to learn from God, I, too "search intently" (NIV) or as the NASB states, "with careful searches and inquiries" as I pray.....that I (and my church) might be receptive to what God would have us do. 
How to serve. Where to serve. Whom to serve?

I sometimes feel like my old rabbit ears on our first portable TV or even our"newer" TV digital converter box. When I have problems and can't get the signal, I have to start moving and repositioning those new fangled "ears." Channel 5 even suggested I might need "help with antenna placement."

That comment says it all. I might need "help"---even help with my spiritual ears. A little fine tuning is needed for clearer receptivity. I need to put my self in a better place in order to "pick up" the offerings. 

Got it! Tweaking of "ears" to hear during prayer time will be enhanced with self situated in "prayer chair" placement and Bible open on knees to get BEST reception. Now, maybe signals from God's Spirit can come through "loud and clear."

Receptivi-TEA blended and brewed and served with sensitivi-TEA to others.

"insecuri-TEA"

What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight: what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roof-tops. (Matthew 10:27, NIV)

Sometimes, God gives me blog ideas in the night. Sometimes I easlily recall them the next day. Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I write them down, Most times I don't. Normally, I don't tell of these infrequent occurrences. It feels embarrassing. It might sound self-righteous. What would others think? Would I sound like a mystic?

I'm not a mystic. I'm ordinary.  I don't hear an audible voice---but God still "speaks to me." An impression. A sense. A middle of the night idea. A struggle. A serendipitous circumstance. A check in my spirit. A deep longing that fills my heart. 

I hear from God by reading His word. Even a single verse. 

Today's verse, which I had also embedded in a '09 cancer journey blog, spoke to me in a different way, But God used it then, as now. Same verse different lesson.

But....speaking "it" (that I hear from God) and proclaiming "it" (from the rooftops) does not come easily. I need to rid myself of this cuppa insecuri-TEA so that God can use me as He sees fit. 

So here's today's SHOUT-OUT----God speaks to me. I can't explain it....

but God does speak. I have lots of "But God" moments in my life---this is just one of them.

SABBATH SNAPSHOT : peculiari-TEA"

Folks who know me, know I have a peculiar way of reading---especially a work of non-fiction. If I'm using a book in preparation for a literature-type workshop or a Bible Study lecture, I begin with skimming and scanning. That method, coupled with a Table of Contents or a good index can get me to what I need quickly. The downside---missing out on "goodies" that aren't on my "need-based" reading. If I'm reading a work of an author who is grounded in God's word, writes well & often infuses her writing with personal reflections, I end up reading beyond my need......and that can be entertaining.

I might have missed Lysa TeKeurst's  Made to Crave-satisfying your deepest desire with God not food, account of taking out her pony tail holder on "weigh day"& saying, "hey it's gotta weigh something." Or "Two and a half cinnamon rolls later, I decided tomorrow will be ... better day.....to eat healthier." (p. 27) Wow, can I relate to that struggle. I still remember her "tankles" story. (p. 78)
Relating to the reflective aspects of an author's life in a work of non-fiction, are a plus for me. I prefer "realness" to dryness. 
TerKeurst is NOT dry. Just reading her "Contents" will draw one in. I went first to "The Curse of the Skinny Jeans chapter. I skipped around to a few more chapters with notebook in hand and then realized that this was a come back to "cover to cover read---without my notebook.....but maybe a few © Post-It bookmarks.
Personal and practical while interspersed with God's truth. A good combo.

As I often do, if I find an author whose work seems to "speak to me," I check out his/her works. That's how I found TerKeurst's Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed. This small practical book had just the chapter I needed on "Hearing God's Voice" that offered 5 questions" I could offer to some gals who continue to need answers to hearing God's voice. 

But a further perusal led me to Chapter 5, a chapter "just for me." Dealing with "Foes of Grace (naysayers) "The Great Dance" and Choosing to Worry or Worship" those sections spoke to my heart. That's "my" chapter but I'm sure there is a unique one for each reader.....or, I can share mine, if your need-based reading peculiari-TEA is to discover what keeps you from radical obedience.

"Twis-TEA" Turning Thoughts

My sheep listen* to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27, NIV)

How appropriate to have a cuppa tea with a wooly sheep on it and read the day's Jesus Calling entry (4/22) and realize that I can be as deaf and hard-headed as sheep. That's why they (& I) NEED a shepherd! Sheep need to continually listen to their shepherd. Uh-h-h, me too!

"Mind spinning," according to Sarah Young, comes from a multitude of thoughts that block out God's voice. "No mind spinning" was written beneath my tornado sketch. That's what my whirring mind looks like to me as I try to make all things (people, places, & events) fit "my"plans, even God.

Too often, my mind reflects Young's words, "pre-occupied with planning,"---even in the night watches.

But it gets worse. Compulsive planning, is not only a form of bondage, it's an "idol of control." 

I don't want any idols in my life---I didn't even consider that control (an extension of self) would be labled as such. To rid myself of this idolotry, I need to turn toward Him with a listening ear in order to "still" my "twist-TEA" turning thoughts and allow His voice to "control" my mind.

*NASB translated "hear" but I want to do more than hear-. I want to listen and recognize the voice as His and "respond" to it as the God's Word translates it.

Speak, Lord...

5/13/13 Can you say as Samuel did, "Speak, Lord for your servant hears?" (1 Samuel 3:10)

Lately, many of my e-mails have continued to ask about "hearing God's voice." One in particular stated, "I know I should 'run to the throne, not to the phone' but I need an audible voice with godly wisdom." Being such an audible voice for a friend in the faith is a big responsibility. It becomes even harder when "google translator" is needed to translate from English to Russian.

Haven't we all longed for that audible voice, a light going off in our head or "feeling" God's hand on ours as He leads us to HIS answers to our questions? 

In my life, rarely has the Lord granted me that kind of answer BUT that doesn't mean I should stop asking or stop listening for His answer. Our "hearing" improves every time we "obey" that which we have heard through His word. That repetitive aspect of discipline seems to have us ready to wholeheartedly say "yes" to the Lord because our hearts are more attuned to hear. Then, His nudges in our spirit seem to speak loud and clear.

Simply center on Him as you ask the Lord to speak. You are asking from your center, that inner part where His presence dwells. Then, in His timing, you will hear from Him---whether audible, through His word, through circumstances, or through  godly counsel from others.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

Within the context of the verse, the "all" refers to the necessities of life. To me, a necessity in the Christian life is hearing the voice of the Lord. Seeking Him first enables one to confidently approach His throne of grace with a listening heart. Approaching to "hear" from Him----a hearing that goes beyond listening. As with Samuel, it's "hearing" with the intent to obey.

God Speaks--- "Hearing God's Voice in Creation"

4/14/13 Last week's word search on "simple" lead me to meditate on Psalm 19 which lead me to an Old Testament reminder of God speaking in a general way through creation. His fingerprints are carried throughout nature. That speaks volumes to me. God speaks through nature. Springtime has His voice singing to me. In living color! A colorful melody.....but His voice all the same. No wonder this song was written by David "for the director of music." 

The heavens declare the glory of God;
 the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4)

Mayapples covering the Greenline Trail

God also speaks through His people. As we worked all day Saturday at the Kingdom Camp, I thought of what our actions were saying to those who would enjoy the fruits of our labor. When we are the hands and feet of Jesus, His love to others speaks through us. I hope the kids who walk those trails and pathways we created will hear His voice and heed.

Hearing God with that Inner Voice

4/4/13 Reportedly, Albert Einstein said, “Any fool can know; the point is to understand.” (http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/) In much the same way, reading the Bible is not a matter of accruing information, but of gaining understanding through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Paul prays and asks God for such guidance for believers at Ephesus…”give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (Ephesians 1:17b)

We get to know Him better from the spirit within us. Henri J.M. Nouwen calls it “that inner voice that shows you the way.” (Inner Voice of Love, p. 6)

But…..how can we know it’s His voice one might ask? You take it all back to God’s Word. 

Buddy Jones, Bible teacher at First Evan’s men’s group, says it well and succinctly, "Our understanding of and our relationship to Jesus is inextricably linked to our understanding of and our relationship to Scripture. “Understanding of” is head knowledge and "relationship to " has to do with submission.” If you get the Scriptures right, you get Jesus right! (my “loose” translation)

Don’t study the Bible for information alone. Study the Bible to know Him better and to hear His voice. The more we understand His Word, the more clearly we hear that inner voice. The more you know of Him, the more you hear from Him. 

Don’t lose touch with that inner voice.

In pursuit of God's voice...one MUST meditate on His Word.

4/1/13 Pursuing God' voice is no April Fool's endeavor, it's serious business. Who better to turn to, other than the Bible, but the godly and scholarly Blackabys. Hearing God's Voice is not exactly a "quick read" but God has already shown me some "well written" (easy to Google translate) info. 

Two "how tos of hearing God's voice" already addressed in this blog are:

• God does speak so we need to learn how to listen...
• And God speaks through His Word. 

Conclusion is we need to be reading and meditating on God's Word. Blackaby refers to meditation as the "nourishing of the inner man." (p. 108)

Three of Blackaby's points for savoring scripture are:

• Take your time---can't meditate in a hurry.
•  Choose a reasonable amount of scripture so you can give full attention to every word. 
• Choose verses as God leads, maybe from passages you are regularly studying or He might draw you to verses that have a particular relevance to your current circumstances.

This meditation Monday, I am lead to Psalm 95, as I continue to "camp out" in the Psalms this year---especially in my intercessory prayer times. I focused on verses 6-8 because that's where God stopped me for further "consideration."

Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you would hear His voice,Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,
As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, 

What is God saying to me in in this passage? Briefly, He reminds me that as my guiding, protecting Shepherd, He is worthy of my worship. "If" in verse 8 is a word I will look up because "IF" is often rendered "since"---either way, obedience seems to go with that hearing---so action needs to take place otherwise my heart will be hardened as it was for the Israelites at Meribah. Did they just not hear or did they hear and choose not to obey. Is hearing with the intention of obeying the complete package of "listening to His voice?" Hearing requires a response. A heeding that leads to a behavioral change.

Those are my meditation reflections, what are yours?

GOD SPEAKS

3/29/13 God speaks. He really does. The key to "hearing" from God is reading and studying the scriptures. Being in God's Word is paramount!

Last night as I worked on my Bible Study fellowship lesson, the following verses were given to compare. Genesis 35:13-14, Exodus 33:11, Deuteronomy 5:24, Ezekiel 3:22 and John 14:23-24. What was the common denominator? God speaking.

Of course it was!! Once again God confirmed to me that my blogging this week was where He wanted it to be! What an affirmation.

• Genesis 35:13--God spoke (talked, KJV) with Jacob and "Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him (God) 
• Exodus 33:11--the Lord speaks to Moses face to face "as one speaks to a friend." 
• Deuteronomy 5:24--Israelites hearing from Moses after God had given the "Ten Commandments"say, "we have seen today that God speaks with man, yet he lives." 
• Ezekiel 3:22--To Ezekiel, God's prophet and watchman to the house of Israel; God said, "whenever you hear a word from My mouth," (v.17) warn them from Me. After E's obedience God said to him, “Get up, go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you.” 
• John 14:23-24--Jesus' speaks in scripture the words of His Father that we might "hear" from God, "These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."

DId you "hear" those words in your head as you read them? Do you see it? God spoke to me through words of scripture as I studied "ahead of time" for Monday's BSF lesson knowing that Easter week-end, being mainly spent with family, would not allow me much extra "study" time. So timely. His timing. His words of affirmation, just when I needed them!

How about you? Is God speaking to you right now? If not, get into His word and give Him a chance. He won't disappoint. He'll clearly speak to you right where you are. 

More clari-TEA needed

3/28/13 Kitchen table chat yesterday had JoLynn reminding me that hearing from God is a spiritual communication. Neither of us have ever heard a “deep grandfatherly” sounding voice speaking audibly to us---rather we have “heard” our own thoughts revealing truth from Him. The voice of the Lord seems to come to us in our own thoughts. Like an impression, a nudge or a check. To me a “check in my spirit” is like a mini-warning---a “better slow down and rethink that! If I don't have peace about it---that’s my “check---I know I need to look at the options….until I hear the voice of peace.

All of these thoughts are mine alone--gleaned through experience, nothing more. God’s voice might not come to others in this way.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Rev 3:22, NIV) Believers make up God’s church, so we need to “listen for His Spirit.

GOD’s WORD--In order to actually “hear” from God we need to know about who God it. That helps us determine His character, thus making it easier to discern His voice. The Bible, God’s Word, is the only true source for that information. Too often folks see God as what they want Him to be or as culture labels Him to be. Those views can impair one’s “hearing.”

OTHER PEOPLE--God can use other people to “speak” His truth to us and offer godly counsel. He can use anyone BUT it’s safer to be lead by other believers. How can one even discern a true believer?

The Spirit itself beareth witness with (testifies to) our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:16) That spirit is recognizable in others---it’s how we recognize ourselves and others as God’s children.

CIRCUMSTANCES---God uses these BIG time in my life. My cancer journey taught me lessons in forgiveness and trust. All were from Him---without me ever “hearing” an audible word.

Circumstances, advice from others, nudges.  How do I know they are from Him. Every “message” needs to be filtered through His word. Does it align with scripture? Does it promote His purpose by glorifying Him? The Bible is our most important tool in hearing God’s voice. His Word is like our policy and procedure manual.

God wants us to “get to know my voice”, as John 10:4 states, his “sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Discerning His voice will take time and work---but it’s so worth it.

Praying for my readers today that God will “pour out clari-TEA” on this topic.

clari-TEA

3/27/13

clariTEA---much is needed to concisely and accurately answer the question, “How does one hear God’s voice?” One will need to “sip” along with me these next few days in order to “strain” out the truth. A big gulp, all at once, could be “too hard to swallow.”

clariTEA needed from Thee to me!

Let’s start with examination. 

• Examine your heart. Ask, “Do I really want to hear what God has to say to me?” 
• Examine your mind. “Do I have God’s Word implanted there?” If not, ask self “Am I willing to do the work and study the scriptures?” 

If those answers are yes, then start here.

Examine surroundings---are they conducive to listening---not just hearing but really listening? A busy lifestyle isn’t very conducive to hearing God’s voice---though He can “speak” anytime, anyplace.

Monday night at BSF, Sally Jones shared an acronym for “busy.”

B eing

U nder

S atan’s

Y oke

Busy-ness is what keeps us there in that wrong place---“yoked to the ways of the world.”

Psa. 46:10 might be a good place to start to “tune” our spiritual ears to hear the voice of God. Stillness in one’s spirit is more conducive to hearing Him speak in that “still, small voice” as He did to Elijah. (1 Kings 19:12, KJV)

But, the stage was set for Elijah to hear so as to listen. There was a need. He was zealous for the Lord. He was alone. Elijah was willing to go out and stand “in the presence of the Lord.”

Then God spoke to Elijah---after the great wind that tore mountains apart and the earthquake and the fire---“in a gentle whisper.” (I Kings 19:10-15)

One must pray for clarity (our clariTEA) as God’s word is read. 

ANAGRAM ANALOGY

11/16/12 Game icons on my iPad are few---and only 1 of the 6 is mine, and I don't even play it very often. My friend, Ann Martin, introduced me to Whirly Word---an APP for a puzzle game that starts with 6 letters for the player to make as many words from those letters as you can. Accepted words appear as they are entered. Nothing high tech. I don't even keep the sound on. One can play it alone---or with a friend looking over your shoulder, not one out in cyberspace. When you're stuck, you can press whirl and the letters change positions. Sometimes with that simple change of perspective, clarity comes.

 In this game, the first word I saw was "Shug."  In an Urban Dictionary, shug is short for sugar. My Daddy's nickname for me was Sugar so that's exactly why my "grands" call me "Shug." Whirly Word wouldn't accept it.

A recent revelation came from a "new" similar game. The letters were
e t  s  l  n i. 
There were five 6-letter words listed as possibilities on that grid. "Listen" came easily. Enlist. Inlets. I needed to whirl.
A "whirl" could give me a new perspective.

I moved those letters around. SILENT jumped out at me. Silent---the adjective that describes a person on one side of a conversation. If I indeed listen attentively, with the purpose of hearing, during my prayer conversations with the Lord, I need to be silent.

Anne Graham Lotz said it well when describing how we "hear" God's voice. "We "silently" listen with our eyes open on the page of our Bible." (my paraphrase)

Hearkening

7/9/12 Today’s Jesus Calling entry stated that if one wanted to hear God’s voice, one must stop worrying so that His soft voice could be heard in the depths of one’s being. A discussion yesterday, with dear Christian friends, had us sharing about “hearing” from the Lord. One expressed clearly “hearing” God’s voice during a difficult situation. Others of us shared that though we had never heard audibly from the Lord, we sensed His speaking to us through His word, situations and other Christians.

The Jesus Calling entry concluded with a reminder of the importance of quieting our minds so that we could “think My (God’s) thoughts.” For me thinking God’s thoughts comes when I am meditating on scripture. That’s when He clearly speaks to me---through my mind with His own words. And I hearken unto His voice without audibly hearing from Him.

Free On-line Dictionary defines hearken as “To listen attentively; Listening implies hearing. So, have I heard from the Lord? Yes indeed. I prove this everytime I heed His words.

Bless the LORD, you his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening to the voice of his word. (Psalm 103:20)

For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice…….don’t harden your hearts.* (Psalm 95:7) 

 *(as those in the wilderness who would not listen to the Lord, DAL)

Then while it is [still] called Today, if you would hear His voice and when you hear it, do not harden your hearts….(Hebrews 3:15)

Hear and hearken, today, when you hear from Him---however God chooses to speak to you.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!

1/17/12 That's it----that's just what I want. His voice of direction. If I can't hear it, then I'd like to see it---something I can't miss! (My quote from yesterday's blog.)

Mail left on my kitchen table yesterday afternoon. A 2012 program booklet from the Billy Graham Training Center. (The Cove)
Can you hear me now, Dotsy?

My answer---As if on auto-pilot, I turned to Anne Graham Lotz seminar for next November.
I registered. Wouldn't you?

When reading the description, I stood amazed----actually, I had to sit down. "If we want to hear more of His voice....."

Could it be any clearer? Could it be any louder?

I think I can hear Him now.