The Voice of the Lord

Recently, I've begun a study on the voice of the Lord. I'm interested in the intricacies and power that the Lord's voice has.

It was the voice of the Lord that created our universe. Think about it. God's voice alone formed our world! Whatever He spoke, happened. It was His voice that formed the planets, the stars, the trees, the birds, the oceans... Just His voice.

When God speaks, His words go into action.

His voice was revealed to Elijah as still and small. (1 Kings 19:12) Yet, it has made eternal impacts. It was the voice of the Lord that established the covenant with Abraham. His voice created the Law that became the foundation of Jewish life, and reflected the sacrifice that His Son would one day give.

What has the Lord spoken over your life? What words has He released for you?

No matter how things may look right now.... no matter how you may wonder how it could happen... no matter what circumstances are trying to come against it... God's word will prevail. He's said it. You can count on it.

In addition to that, the voice of the Lord may have been calling your name recently. Are you running to hear His voice? Are you making your way to get into the Lord's presence? Or, are you hiding from Him like Adam and Eve did? (Genesis 3:8)

When God wants to talk with you, it's imperative that you hear what He has to say. The same voice that created our world wants to talk to you, and you don't want to hear it? Don't let your fear, shame, or sin keep you from the presence of the Lord. Allow the Lord's grace and mercy to keep you under the sound of His voice.

Verse of the Day:

The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea.

The God of glory thunders.

The LORD thunders over the mighty sea.

The voice of the LORD is powerful;

the voice of the LORD is majestic.

The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars;

the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf;

he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.

The voice of the LORD strikes

with bolts of lightning.

The voice of the LORD makes the barren wilderness quake;

the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks

and strips the forests bare.

In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

Psalm 29:3-9

Anchored in God

With floods washing away whole communities in Colorado, fires wiping out the progress in New Jersey, and a shooter on the loose in DC, America has been buffeted by one tragic scene after another these past few days.

Looking at this kind of news and seeing the devastation just reminds me of how important it is for people to be anchored in the Lord. We were never promised perfectly happy lives. God never told us that He would make every single day for us a perfect one. Some sort of storm will rain on our parade through the course of our lives.

God has given us the tools to make it through anything that comes our way. Even when it seems like everything is falling apart and tragedy is all around, God has made a way for us to go through with His strength, wisdom, and peace. We just have to stay anchored in Him.

Being anchored in the Lord means that whatever we go through, we keep ourselves firmly planted in Him. We stay in touch with Him through prayer, we continue to follow the path He has for us, and we walk according to His will in all things.

It's best to get anchored in God while the sun is still shining and no storm clouds are in sight. It's hard to hunker down when the wind is whipping and the waves are crashing into you.

Anchoring yourself in God consists of knowing His voice, having His word planted on the inside, and building a firm foundation of faith in Him.

God's voice will guide you when you don't know where to turn. Having God's word on the inside of your spirit will allow the Holy Spirit to bring those verses to your remembrance when your hope is fading. A firm foundation of faith will keep you from giving in to despair and will give you assurance to keep going.

Are you anchored in God? If a storm passed your way today, would you be able to stand firm in faith? Take some time while the sun is still shining to gird up yourself in the things of God, so you can successfully walk through whatever comes your way.

Verse of the Day: So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:18, 19

You Can Do It!

Today was one of those wake up and hit the ground running kind of days. There's nothing like getting awakened out of your sleep with multiple requests for substitutes from teachers who can't come in. Then having each sub on your list unavailable to come in. Praise the Lord for strength and a working brain. I definitely needed it this morning. I was up to the daunting task and able to work everything out.

The Lord dropped in on Moses one day and made some pretty daunting requests. Moses had fled for his life from Egypt and had found a safe haven in the desert. Here, he had married a wife and established a way of living for himself by tending sheep.

Then God showed up.

The Lord asked Moses to return to Egypt. On top of that He asked Moses to speak to the Pharaoh. On top of that the Lord wanted Moses to ask the Pharaoh to release his Israelite slaves. On top of that Moses was to lead these freed slaves into the Promised Land God had chosen for them.

Whew!

Despite these drastic and intimidating requests, Moses chose to answer the Lord's call. He chose to be obedient to the tasks the Lord had placed in his path. We all know the epic results that followed.

What is God asking of you? Has He awakened your spirit to a great challenge? Is He asking you to take on a task that seems daunting?

One thing you can be sure of: you can do anything that God asks of you. If He's calling you to do it, you are well able to take on the challenge. Don't allow fear and intimidation to keep you from your great calling in God. You can do it!

Verse of the Day: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Give God the Floor to Speak to You

We are a week and a half into this new year, and I pray that you are basking in new blessings to go along with it!

This week I've started my annual consecration and fasting time. I make it a practice every January to fast, pray, and seek the Lord about the upcoming year. I have found it to really help me to cleanse my mind, body, and focus my spirit to what God has for me.

I would like to encourage you to take some time to God before the Lord as well. Take some serious time to sit down with the Lord and really hear what He would like to share with you. Use this time to listen. You may have your requests, issues, and concerns - and God knows that. But take some extra time just to hear from Him.

When we quiet down ourselves, turn off or own dialogue, and get still before God, He is free to unleash His all-knowing wisdom on us. He is able to share with us His secrets, His desires, and His insights. God is just waiting for us to get before Him and allow Him the floor to speak to us.

So, today find some quiet time. Get still before God and let Him speak to you. Let Him share with you His plans for your life. Let Him reveal the next steps He wants you to take on your journey.

He may not address your current issues, requests, or even your desires... But, you can trust that whatever the Lord reveals to you now is far more important than anything you may have on your agenda.

Verse of the Day: Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

Listening to the Lord

Today is a day of prayer for me. I am purposing in my heart to offer up continual prayer throughout the day. I am especially opening up my ears to hear what God has to say to me instead of just listing out my items.

Prayer is vital to our lives as believers. Communication with our Father keeps us in tune with what He is doing and gives us guidance as we go through life.

Jesus led a life of prayer. He was always consulting the Father, always listening to hear from the Lord. Those times of prayer let Jesus know when to be baptized, when to go into the wilderness, when to begin His ministry, and which cities He was to visit. Every move Jesus made and word He spoke was initiated by God's Word.

Are you living a life that is led by the Lord? Are you allowing the Lord to guide your footsteps, words, and decisions?

Prayer is not just a time for us to bring petitions before God. It's not supposed to be just a session where we list out all our wants, needs, and desires.

Prayer is a time for us to get in to God's presence and listen to what He has to say! Prayer is our special opportunity to hear God's strategies for what He wants to do with our lives.

Today, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer as well. Turn of the iTunes, tv, and internet. Hang up the phone. Get still and listen for God's voice. Really listen to what He has to say to you today. You may be surprised by what treasures He has to share with you.

Verse of the Day: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14

Following God's Instructions

We serve a detailed God. When He does something, He does it well. Often, when the Lord needed someone to help facilitate His plans, God gave detailed instructions on what He wanted them to do.

Noah was given exact measurements and dimensions for building the ark. The people of Israel were given express instructions regarding the construction of the tabernacle, the dress of the priests, and how to go before the Lord in worship. When God was leading Gideon, He showed him exactly how to pick out the troops who would lead Gideon to victory.

If God has placed a dream in your heart, you can be sure that He has a detailed path of how to get you to your destiny. All you have to do is follow what He tells you. Tune your ear to hear the voice of the Lord, and you will not be led down the wrong way.

Many of God's instructions may seem incorrect.

I imagine the servants who filled the water pots with water were wondering how Jesus was going to get more wine if the pots were already full. Yet, when they went to serve, wine had shown up!

I'm sure both the people of Jericho and the nation of Israel were curious as to how God was going to lead the Israelites to victory over such a strong and powerful country. Yet, when the Israelites obeyed God and lifted up a mighty shout - the walls of Jericho came tumbling down.

When God gives you instructions, follow. Don't hesitate, second guess, or ignore His requests. We serve an all-knowing God. You can trust His every word. He will lead you to an expected end of victory. All you have to do is follow after Him.

Today, listen to the Lord's voice. Do what He asks of you no matter what it is. And then watch how the Lord brings you to your destiny in Him.

Verse of the Day: Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Deuteronomy 13:4

God's Plan For Your Day

Every day, I sit at my desk and ask God, "What would you have me to write today?" Sometimes the ideas come quickly, other times I have to sit, think, and wait for inspiration. But I always come up with something to post on this blog.

This morning as I asked God this question, another question came up right behind it: "Lord, what would you have me to do today?"

It's nice to start your day off in meditation and devotion. Thinking about God's goodness and desires for us is always in order. Discovering ways in which we can better our Christian walk is beneficial.

But, can you imagine what would happen if we all just asked God what He would like for us to do each day? What would occur if we all took time to sit and listen for God's instructions on the day and then went out and followed His lead?

There would be some pretty amazing things going on.

Jesus kept His ear ready to hear everything God had to say. He knew which city to visit next and which routes to take to get there. He recognized which people He needed to spend time with, and Jesus was wise enough to know which words to use in order to reach them. His every step was ordered by God.

Do you include God's input in your daily decisions? Something as simple as changing where you go to get your breakfast this morning could have caused you to have a moment of destiny.

Don't miss out on what God wants you to do today! Make sure you include Him as you go about your day. Keep your ears cocked to hear His voice. Follow through with what He's asking of you, and watch how your life thrives.

Verse of the Day: Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. John 5:19

Know Where You're Going?

In studying the life of Jesus, one thing I love was His focus. Jesus knew His mission, did what He had to do to prepare for His purpose, and when His time came to shine, He went full steam ahead.

Jesus knew from an early age that He was on Kingdom business. As a young child, He spent His time in the synagogues and temple talking with the priests and religious leaders of the day. Jesus was well versed in Scripture and even had His teachers in awe!

Jesus didn't rush into His calling either. He followed the timing of the Lord. Jesus didn't start His ministry until He was about 30 years old. That leaves a significant amount of time where Jesus was in the background, hidden, preparing for His destiny.

When the time came for Jesus to start His ministry, He made sure He followed the proper steps. He knew that He had to commit to fasting and prayer in order to prepare Himself. He also went through temptation from the enemy proving the strength of His convictions to fully follow God's plan. Jesus also was baptized by John the Baptist prior to going forth in ministry.

And once Jesus went into ministry, He was fully committed to fulfill everything that was being asked of Him. Jesus travelled from town to town preaching the gospel. He healed all that came to Him. He subjected Himself to the sneers and accusations of the haters. He mentored twelve men who would become His legacy after His death. Jesus stayed in constant prayer with the Father. And even though He did take time to rest, He was always ready with the Word of God for those who came to Him in need. Jesus walked out His purpose to the point of death knowing that He would be resurrected on the other side.

Jesus was a man who fully understood His call, purpose and destiny in God.

Studying Jesus' life inspires and challenges me in my purpose as well. Do I fully understand my purpose? Do I know my next steps? Am I able to withstand temptation when it comes? Can I remain faithful to the call in the midst of haters? Will I be able to stay true to the call even in times of pain and heartache?

Jesus is our pristine example of how to live a life walking with the Lord. He had such a relationship with God that He knew His exact steps and the exact timing of His life. Can you say the same? Do you know what season you're in? Are you walking in step with God's plan?

Don't just live your life without purpose. Don't allow time to pass you by without walking in your destiny. Whether you're planning, positioning, preparing, or walking it out, your purpose in God should be known to you. As you follow God's instructions for your life, you will make the impact He created you for in the earth.

Verse of the Day: The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23

Don't Shrink Back!

When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, the glory of God that clothed them was removed and they realized their nakedness. Their sin caused them to feel to feel shame, and they hid when they knew that God was coming to talk with them. (Genesis 3)

As a PK (Preacher's Kid), I've been blessed to be around numerous men and women of God growing up. When I was younger, I would enjoy sitting in the back rooms and listening in on their conversations. It was enlightening to hear what they were like when they weren't preaching to a crowd of people. I thank God that the majority of those men and women were people of integrity and set good examples for me.

It's funny because most of my friends didn't feel the same way that I did about hanging around the preachers. They wouldn't want to go and talk to the ministers out of fear that God would reveal to them something negative about my friends. They were afraid that their 'sins' would be exposed. They shrank back from the anointing God had placed on those people's lives.

In the same way, some of us shrink back from God's presence when we are in sin. We don't pray as deeply as we normally would (if we pray at all). Some of us stop going to church. Others dodge ministry leaders in our church. Like my friends, we don't want to be 'exposed', we don't want anyone to hone in on our secret sins.

Yet, if we continue reading Adam and Eve's story, we see that even though God rightly rebuked them, He made a way for the sins to be covered. At that time, it took the sacrifice of a lamb, but God told Adam and Eve what to do to make things right. He even gave them the lamb's wool as a covering for their nakedness.

We all sin and fall short of God's glory. However, we serve a just and gracious God. Of course there are consequences for our sin, but God's grace is there to cover and make things right again. We are blessed to have the eternal sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus, to cover our transgressions. And He has made a way for us to be reconciled with God.

So what you fell? That doesn't mean that you should turn away from God's presence. It's all the more reason for you to run to Him, so He can make you whole again. Don't shrink back, press in. Your Heavenly Father is waiting with love to make it all okay.

Verse of the Day: God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9, 10

Moving Forward

Right now, I am so excited with what God has given me to do! I've been taking some steps to move forward in the call that He has given to me, and I'm excited to see the results.

When Abraham was first called by God, the Lord told Him to get away from everything he knew and go to a place God would point out. God told Abraham that he would become a great person and be the father of a great nation.

At that time Abraham had nothing indicating that he would be the father of a great nation. He didn't have a son; He didn't even have a daughter. His wife was barren. Yet, Abraham chose to believe the word of the Lord. He chose to step out and follow God's instructions. And Abraham's obedience caused him to move into exactly what God had ordained for his life.

What has God asked you to do? Are you moving forward in the plans He's laid out for you?

It can be scary to initially move forward with God's plans. Often God asks us to do things that take a lot of courage and faith. But, it is when we pull up that courage and tap into our faith in God that He is able to move. God's not going to move until we do our part. He works with our faith. And faith without works is dead. (James 2:17) If you're not moving, you probably aren't in faith.

Move forward with God today! Be strong and very courageous! God won't ask you to do anything you're not capable of. God will never lead you into failure. His promises are "Yes" and "Amen". (2 Corinthians 1:20) You will not fail. As long as you keep moving forward with God, you will always succeed.

Verse of the Day: Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him... Genesis 12:1-4a

Willing To Obey

Peter's first introduction to Jesus was Jesus' use of his boat to preach from. After Jesus was finished with His sermon, He asked Peter to go out into deeper water and let down his nets to catch some fish. Peter told Jesus that they had worked hard the night before and caught nothing. Yet, after hearing Jesus' powerful words, Peter said: "...nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:5)

When Peter obeyed Jesus, he caught more fish than he could handle alone! Peter's willingness to obey the Lord at His word caused him to become blessed beyond measure.

Many times we may labor in our efforts only to see little or no results. We work hard looking for solutions or increase only to find more questions and lack.

When God steps in (or we step towards Him finally) and He gives us instructions, it's always in our best interests to follow His word without question.

I'm sure Peter was exhausted after working all night. He had just cleaned his nets from their fruitless efforts, and now Jesus was asking to use them again. It was broad daylight, so as a fisherman Peter knew that the probability of catching more fish was small.

But Peter still chose to obey.

Maybe God is asking you to do something that seems out of place. God may be requesting you do to something you've done on your own before without results. He may be requiring you to pick up and try something that you feel is impossible.

However, if you are willing to obey God's Word, He will bless you beyond what you can think. Your obedience opens the door for Him to work all things together for your good. When you step out in faith, He can back up your actions with results.

Don't hesitate to obey God's Word. No matter how crazy, hard, or improbable it may seem, if it is the Lord's request, you would be a fool to ignore it.

Verse of the Day: Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalm 143:10

National Day of Prayer

Hello Everyone! Today is the National Day of Prayer. One thing I am learning in my class this semester is that a lot of the things our nation was founded upon goes back to having freedoms with our spiritual lives. I'm so grateful to live in a country that allows me to worship God freely.

In the spirit of this day dedicated to prayer, I want to encourage you to make sure you talk to God today more than you usually do. If you pray once a day, try twice. If you do a morning and evening prayer, throw in a lunchtime one too. Just up the ante.

Some of you might even use this day as an open door to offer prayer to someone else: You know today is the National Day of Prayer. You want me to pray for you for anything? And then take them to the throne room. Right then and there.


Prayer is simply talking with God. It doesn't always have to be deep. It doesn't always have to be some super-spiritual ritual. It's just a conversation between you and your Creator. That's all.

Just make sure it's a conversation though. Don't do all the talking. Give the Lord a chance to reply. God desires to speak with us. He loves to interact and fellowship with His people. Don't let today pass by without spending some time talking to Him.

God Bless America!

Verse of the Day: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Psalm 66:19, 20

Recognize the God Moves

The Lord moves in mysterious ways. Often it's in ways that we normally wouldn't pick or via avenues that we normally wouldn't travel. A move of God doesn't always come the traditional way. But if we keep our spiritual eyes open and our ears listening to the Holy Spirit, we can position ourselves to be a part of His miraculous moves.

The majority of the spies who scoped out Jericho were so busy looking at the negatives - the giants, the fortified walls, etc. - that they counted themselves out of a blessing. It was Joshua and Caleb who saw that the Lord could cause Israel to defeat the nation.

When the Hebrew boys were taken into captivity, their charge could not see how eating meals of vegetables and fruits would keep them as healthy as the other men who were feasting on the king's rich meats and foods. Yet, as the Hebrew boys kept up their diet, they fared far better than those around them.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, some people sneered that nothing good could come from Nazareth. They scoffed that the man they knew as the son of a carpenter could be a great prophet of God. And we all know that son of a carpenter went on to prove He was indeed the Son of God.

Every day God is working miracles around us. He is always orchestrating great moves and causing people to overcome, triumph, and succeed. Far too often, though, we miss out on his mighty moves.

Maybe we're like those scouts and we're focusing too much on the negatives in our vision. Or, maybe we are like the man in charge of the Hebrew boys. We are so used to the way things normally work, we distrust the new thing that God is placing in our path. Or, maybe we are like Jesus' community. We see someone that we've known for a long time and can't fathom how God could possibly use them for greatness.

Don't let your natural vision keep you from seeing the miraculousness of God! Don't let your normal thoughts keep you from taking in the higher thoughts of your Father! When God opens a door, don't look through with apprehension or distrust. No matter if it doesn't compute on your end, best believe that it works out on God's end! Go ahead and run through that door!

Today, keep your eyes peeled for the moves God is trying to make in your life. And when God presents and opportunity, take it! Don't question, analyze, or try to figure it out. Just move forward in faith.

Verse of the Day: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8, 9

My Brilliant Plan

I'm a planner.

I like to think ahead, arrange things, organize items into neat little compartments, and then sit back assured that everything will go smoothly because I planned ahead.

More often than not, though, my well thought out plans get altered at the last minute or thrown out altogether. Life has a way of coming in and doing away with plans.

Some people like to "plan" their faith. They know ahead of time how much money they're willing to give, how many hours they're willing to serve, who they won't show love to, how much time they're willing to sit in service...

They even do the same thing to God directly. They "plan" what part of their lives they're going to give to the Lord, they direct how God is going to use them, they set up their own plans of how their prayers will be answered and how their breakthroughs will come.

I'm so glad the Lord doesn't care one bit about our "plans." God has a way of stepping in and "messing up" all of our well-laid intentions. He has a way of entering into a situation and turning around to a totally different outcome.

And everything He touches turns to gold.

I'm sure the disciples had plans for their lives. They had already started walking down their paths. They were fishermen, tax collectors, and businessmen. They were already providing for their families and living out what they had determined was going to be their lot.

Yet, two words from Jesus put all their plans to an end: "Follow me." With those two words, all twelve disciples dropped what they were doing, put their plans to the side, and followed Jesus for the rest of their lives. And we all know what glorious examples they turned out to be.

I'm not saying it's bad to plan. It's always smart to have something together so life won't catch you unawares. What I am saying is to always make sure that the Lord has top billing, make sure He has the final say so over any plan you might make. If He comes in and wants to change up the show, your best move is to follow His directions.

Maybe right now the Lord is asking you to do something that doesn't quite fit into your game plan. Maybe it's something you've never seen yourself doing, or it involves doing something that you don't quite think you can do. But if God is asking you, why not trust in His sovereign wisdom and step out in faith? The worst thing that could happen...? Your life could become a shining example of God's miraculous power.

Verse of the Day: The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. Psalm 33:10-12

He Heard You

Right now our phone lines are down in the office. It's so frustrating to pick up the phone, dial a number, and get a beep letting you know that you can't get through. Things that can get taken care of in 30 seconds via phone now require a bit more leg work, a bit more time, or have to just be put on hold until a later date.

Sometimes prayer can feel a bit like this. You sit and pray only to finish feeling like you weren't heard. You offer up a request and don't quite feel like God heard. Things seems disconnected as you sit and wait for an answer from the Lord.

Daniel sat and fasted for days seeking God for an answer to the questions on his mind. God immediately sent an answer, but the angel wasn't able to reach him until about twenty days after he had begun praying.

One thing we can be sure of is that God hears us and is sending the answers that we seek. He heard Ishmael's cries in the wilderness. He heard all of the prayers of Job. When David cried out, the Lord was there to comfort him. Even when Jonah was deep in the belly of the fish, the Lord heard his prayers.

No matter what you may feel, God is listening to your prayers. He hears every word you speak, and He knows every thought that runs across your mind.

Better than that, God hears you and He will answer. He loves you too much to leave you hanging. His love is working on your behalf even as you read these words. Don't let the silence stop your prayers. Don't let how you feel keep you from actively seeking the Father. As soon as you open your lips toward Him, He is providing the solution.

Verse of the Day: And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

Positioned for the Promise

Yesterday, our pastor preached about preparing for the promise of God.

When Jesus left the disciples, he told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Comforter. (Acts 1:4) The disciples obeyed Jesus, and waited.

But the disciples didn't just sit around twiddling their thumbs and hemming and hawing. They waited in prayer. They were talking to God continually keeping the line of communication open for God to speak and move. (Acts 1:14) And the instant God was ready to move, He had an open pathway and was able to impart the promise at once. (Acts 2:2)

So, how are you waiting on God's promise for you? Are you just sitting around waiting for your promise to just show up? Are you just letting the days slip by until God chooses to move?

Or, are you actively talking with your Heavenly Father? Are you staying before Him in continual prayer. If He chose to drop in and deliver your promise, are you even ready to receive it? Have you positioned yourself to receive from the Lord?

Don't just put the promises of God to the side as "something nice" that will happen "one day." Make sure that you are actively praying and keeping the lines of communication open with the Lord. He may want to move but is trying to talk to you first.

God has your promise, but you have to make sure you're positioned to receive it!

Verse of the Day: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

Are You Listening?

We sometimes say it to our children, "You may be hearing me, but you're not listening!"

When you hear something, you're just acknowledging sounds with your ears. When you listen, you pay attention, heed, and obey.

Are you just hearing God, or are you listening to His Word?

As you read your Bible, are you just acknowledging what He has listed, or are you paying attention, heeding, and obeying those words?

It amazes me how often I hear saints talk condescendingly of other peoples' actions. They preach mini-sermons railing against the sin they see. They are so precise with the chapter and verse. Yet they turn right around and sin themselves justifying their actions all the way.

Clearly we all know how to hear, but some of need to work on our listening skills.

God wants all of us to be obedient in all of His word. He encourages us to strive to be like Christ who had no sin in Him. We are to work to be shining examples of God's love walking through the earth.

So, what has God been saying to you? What has He asked you to do, change, stop, or perfect? Are you listening to His requests? Or, are they going in one ear and out the other? Real listening is evidenced by changes in behavior according to what was said. Do your actions show that you're listening or hearing?

Verse of the Day: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22

Warning Signs

At times you can feel sickness sneaking up on you.

Your nose gets stuffed. You sneeze once or twice. Your back starts aching.

Before you know it, your body is under a full-blown attack trying to combat germs. You're downing medicine, taking time off work, and spending more time in your bed than you'd like.

At times we can see sin sneaking up on us too.

We start talking to some guy who we know is no good. We buy the ice cream knowing that the whole carton is going to get inhaled as soon as we get home. We go ahead to the party fully aware of the debauchery that awaits.

We know that no good can come of our behavior. Yet we choose to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit. We choose to step in front of God and direct our steps the way we want instead of how He wants.

And before we know it, we've fallen prey to sin. We're dealing with drama. We're fighting weight gain and disease. We get caught up in the midst of an altercation we would have avoided had we not been where we were.

And then we want to cry out to God for deliverance.

There are now medicines on the market that are supposed to ward off sickness before you get sick. When you notice your first "warning sign" you can pop a pill to prevent the illness from fully taking over.

As Christians our spirits can always be healthy if they remain within the will of the Holy Spirit. He sounds the alarm to guide us away from sin. Even when things may appear innocent, He keeps us on track. We can be fully safe, blessed, and full of joy if we align our lives with His will.

Far too often, however, we choose to ignore the "warning signs" of impending sin. We choose to turn a blind eye to poor choices. And every time, we fall into the ditch. Every time we get snared by the enemy. It may not happen quickly, but eventually the consequences will be handed out.

Don't keep ignoring the "warning signs". Step back and let the Lord lead. Allow Him to navigate your life. You will avoid so much and benefit far more than you would if you participated in the fleeting pleasure of sin.

Verse of the Day: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11

Follow God's Lead

The Holy Spirit at times will prompt us to say or do something out of the ordinary. It may be something huge like starting a business or something as simple as starting a conversation with a stranger on the bus. But, no matter what the Holy Spirit prompts us to do, it's in our best interest to listen.

Many times, however, we tend to second guess that Inner Voice. We rationalize why we can't start a business right now. Or we look at factors as to why we can't possibly be hearing right - that person is sporting a major attitude, and it doesnt' look like they want to talk to anybody on this bus.

But amazing things can happen when we step outside of our comfort zones and follow the Lord's lead.

When Moses followed God's voice, he was able to become one of the greatest leaders the nation of Israel has ever had. Esther's obedience to God's will caused her to preserve her kinsmen from certain death. Samuel's answer to God's voice enabled him to become one of the greatest prophets to walk on the earth.

What is the Holy Spirit telling you to do? What has He dropped in your spirit? Are you listening and acting on His word? Or, are you creating excuses for not listening?

God wants to do great things with you and through you! Follow His lead, He will only steer you into success. The fact that you haven't done something before should be your motivation to act. When you do something you've never done, you get a result you've never had. And with God, that result can only be epic greatness.

Verse of the Day: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13

Giving Back

During the holidays, most people remember about giving back to those in need. Charities see an uptick in donations and volunteers, churches host food/toy drives, and neighborhoods band together to sponsor Christmases for families in need.

As Christians, it is our responsibility to think of those less fortunate all the time. Jesus instructed us that when we show love to a stranger in need, we are actually showing love to Him.

Today I was thinking about the last time I gave to a stranger in need. Nowadays, people give to the places that they know, ones that they can be assured won't mess around with their donation. You know, their church, this particular charity (because those other ones can't be trusted), this family, that particular cause. We can't be just throwing our goodwill around to just anybody.

But it is those we don't know that could be the ones in the greatest need. It's the face that we don't recognize that could be the most blessed by our love.

Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you this holiday season. Instead of putting money in the red pot outside the mall, He may lead you to a young lady inside the mall scouring through the clearance rack. The Lord may stop you from writing your annual check to your favorite charity and have you drop off some cash in someone's mailbox instead.

In all things we are to be led by God. Even our charitable work can be a time for the miraculous. Our giving back can create moments for the glory of God.

Don't let this season pass without checking what the Holy Spirit would want you to do. He may show you a new path that will bring much greater joy to the Kingdom.

Verse of the Day: Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Matthew 25:34-36