Over the past few days I have been writing a 6 part teaching on hearing from God... When I began this I thought it would be around 3 parts, cut and dried... but the Holy Spirit showed up and it is ever expanding. I decided to combine the first 6 parts so this is lengthy, but there is some very important Biblical truths here.... THis writing is based on scripture, my inner response to the call from God on my heart as Ive been studying Ephesians, and attending some very wonderful prayer events at Jim Tarter's home... He hosts our local Intercessor's for America prayer group, has led many Bible Studies in our city, and much of it is based on a book written by my very brilliant Bible teacher and author of many books found on www.lulu.com for free download. Just look up his name in the seach bar. James Tarter. I asked him to please review what ive written in these 6 parts and reminded me how very important the coming dayof the Lord is to the overarching theme of this writing.... so In part 7 I will be taking up that key component!
Hearing from God part 1
I recently made a life changing purchase.So many friends were recounting to me the very same thing... that Sarah Young's devotional, Jesus Calling, was having such a powerful impact on their lives, so I finally bought my own copy. Upon some research on Ms. Young I learned that she and I shared a deep appreciation for our quiet time with the Lord... and she, like I, enjoyed journaling our experiences... but she had taken her experiences to a deeper level.. writing what she felt the Lord speaking to her and these writings became the basis of her devotional. It was September 23rd when I bought and started my devotional journey and right away I understood why so many felt inspired by each day's postings... I understand that the Bible is God's inspired Word to us, but surely, in the manner in which Ms Young recorded her experiences with God through and including scriptural references, her devotionals really do express each day a heaven sent word that seems to heal a broken spirit or quell an uneasy heart.
Even as a long time Christian who is fully connected in the local church, as well as community ministries, more than ever lately, I needed these simple yet dynamic messages. On September 23rd and on every other page since, the theme was and is seek the presence of God....for in life's circumstances great and small His presence is all we need.
For me, I was becoming inwardly a bit unhinged. With all the depressing news, terror extremists, turmoil in the world, prophetic disasters looming on the horizons, catastrophic storms, blood moons, etc. My mind seemed to be swept up in a tornadic maelstrom that interrupted my sleep and even my relationships.. to say I was edgy was an understatement. I couldn't even fully enjoy my precious visit with my daughter and her family, including our 2 year old granddaughter, whom we actually visit a handful of times a year, ...for my psyche, but really the devil, was whispering to me "This may very well be the last time you'll be able to get together with your family".... isn't it funny for the devil can sound just like yourself in your head...and also funny.. how .. and I knew this from all of my years of seeking God through Bible studies and Church activities.... I knew it, but after that first read on September 23rd, and especially successively ever after, the reminder that God is always present really is the most wonderful good news of the gospel for the believer!
Tomorrow I will share how I started hearing from God.
part 2
As a believer, my God, my heavenly Father, Abba, Daddy, is sovereign over all things... all power.. all nations.... all storms..... all bumps in the night and He has me by the hand and He'll never let me go. There is no extremist plot that could ever take Him by surprise. There is no medical report that He couldn't see me through.. There is no tomorrow or future trial, that He doesn't have the resolution for because He is already there working every single thing in my life and all believer's lives for our good. Oh, to be able to rise above our daily circumstances and see our lives from His perspective. But that is what faith is all about. Even though we can not see, we still know and believe, and expect good gifts, loving kindness, mercy, grace, and love from the one and only God, the lover of our souls, our Abba, Father God! ....because He is the manifestation of all those things.. His attributes are love...mercy... loving kindness,.... justice.... faithfulness....patience.... gentleness ....compassion... Just so we could better know Him he sent His son as an exact replica of Himself. For Jesus only did what he saw the Father doing....
So now as I have gained a deeper insight into my own spiritual walk with God, I seem to be able to hear His voice a little clearer. Recently, in a prayer session( at James Tarter's home) as we worshipped then listened for His still voice, I clearly heard the word "anchor". When I shared the word with the prayer group I was told by one of the Bible scholars there that the word "Anchor" was actually the first symbol for Christ before the symbol of the cross became evident. I found that of great interest, but for me personally it really brought a sense of stability.. a sense of security a truly solid foundation on which to rest my weary soul, as I saw myself anchored on Christ,.
Oddly enough, I couldn't think of a time when I had given any thought to an anchor except as I watched the hull of the Titanic upend. I couldn't remember even seeing the word written in print in a long time. I know I didn't just think up the word. It just popped into my head, suddenly, just as the worship music stopped and we were asked to wait on the Lord. Well, I didn't have long to wait. Plop there it was!
I didn't dwell on it that much in the coming days, but then within the succeeding 2 weeks the word "anchor" started coming up probably over a dozen times. As a small group leader in Priscilla Shirer's study The Armor of God the word has been used in conjunction with each of the spiritual weapons of our warfare. And each time I see the word I take pause to contemplate for myself what significant thought the Lord had for me specifically.
Because God had already begun a work of prayer leadership in my life through an interdenominational prayer ministry that my small group of prayer ladies were led by the Spirit to initiate in our community... I am believing that the relevance of the word anchor and it's repetitious use in the prayer warrior study that I am partaking of at this time, that God is broadening my assignment... to be a more diligent prayer warrior.
I feel He is calling out to me in another way as well.... and This time I have to confess I have been hesitant in launching out... until He got my attention... More to follow!
part 3 please read on
