Speak Lord...I'm Listening!
In my everyday life, I talk with God in some form or another, but I confess that there are days and days that go by when I don't stop and listen, or ask Him what He wants to say to ME.
I have always considered myself a very spiritual person. Someone who loves God and prays regularly. However, it wasn't until I learnt to be in communication with Him, did I understand true intimacy with my heavenly father.
When I started thinking back to the times when I DID stop and actually listen to God, it was usually after I was done yelling at Him, and I'd say, "Now it's YOUR turn!"
I remember one night yelling at God, with tears streaming down my face saying, "Don't You care about me?" And, "If you did, You would help me! Can't you see how much I'm suffering?" That night, I cried myself to sleep.
The next morning as I searched for some sort of encouragement, I opened my devotional for the day. I could not believe what I found!
The title was, "You keep track of all my tears!"
With this scripture...
"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalms 56:8 (NLT)
As I continued reading, the tears began to flow again. "It's a common misconception, that if God doesn't rescue us from our pain he must not care. On the contrary, God cares deeply, and is VERY personal with us, and collects ALL our tears in a bottle…" When I started realizing that God was VERY personal with me, AND that He wanted to talk to ME! I started to view my relationship with Him differently, and I started listening more. I was even introduced to listening prayers! This is where I would read a scripture and ask God questions. Sometimes it was as simple as saying, "God, is there anything You want to tell me today?" Then, I wait in His presence for an answer. I would have a conversation with God.
I know that sounds odd, and that’s what I thought first TOO! But bare with me! Oh, and just to clarify, I don't hear an audible voice, but just a feeling in my heart. Like when you hear that little voice tell you - "Maybe you shouldn't take the bus today." Or "I should call that friend."
Maybe you already do this, and I'm last to figure this out, but if you are like me, it took a while to get there. But you know what? That's the great thing about God, He is SO patient, and He will ALWAYS lovingly wait for us. I'm going to share with you one of my listening prayers, and as I do, I welcome you to ask God what HE wants to say to YOU! Because God tells us in Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
I chose to share a listening prayer I did one time over a year ago with Psalms 121…
1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.
This particular day I was feeling afraid and couldn't see how God could possibly protect me in the situation I was facing; so the verses that stood out to me this day were;
Verses 1&2. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, marker of heaven and earth.
And verse 5. The Lord watches over me like a protective shade???
My question to God was… God, will you ALWAYS keep me safe?
God: YES! I love you. With the words from Exodus 14:14 beating in my heart. "I will fight for you, you need only be still." Followed by, "Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you." Joshua 1:5
Vahen: Yes God, I am sorry for doubting You, and as I am learning to walk with You, increase my faith, so I can run. Thank you for leading me and being my protective shadow. (THAT'S PRETTY CLOSE)
I think it's interesting, that I have been a faith believing individual most of my life, yet not REALLY understood that God wants to talk to me TOO! I encourage you to be intentional in your communication with God, and when you are praying, may you also take time to LISTEN! I promise you, if you are listening, He WILL speak!
What is God saying to YOU? If you want to share a story with me about how you are hearing God's voice in your own life, please send me a message through my "contact me page." I might just ask if I can feature you in one of my blogs.
I want to leave you with this powerful song "Peace Be Still" by my beautiful friend Brooke Nicholls.
I don't want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Even when my eyes can't see
I will trust the voice that speaks
See you again on April 1st for my next segment of "Contagious Courage"
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Thank you & God Bless!
