Hearing

 

Reflection:

I’ve been sending out weekly devotions now for over a year. This is probably the only devotion that will say something like this: “Reading devotionals is great practice, but it’s not the same as hearing from God for yourself.”  As I put together my thoughts for a devotional, I ask the Lord to direct me. While I hope and pray that they are inspirational and an encouragement, I realize that any devotional can become just one person’s thought, and not change anything. What is needed for each of us is to hear God’s word, spoken by the Holy Spirit specifically to you. 

Isaiah 55:8 New Living Translation says: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 

God’s thoughts are not like our thoughts. I would guess that Moses would not have ever thought to have Israel pass through the Red Sea to escape Pharaoh if it were up to his own thoughts. I also don’t think that Noah would have thought of building a huge ship to prepare for a flood as it had never rained. 

I think that our thoughts often reflect Peter’s when he abruptly spoke on the Mount of Transfiguration, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Ahh…sorry Peter, but that was the wrong answer! His thoughts were not God’s thoughts and he is the only one that I know of that God had to interrupt as he spoke! 

So, rather than me sharing a devotional thought, I’d like to share a few scriptures for you to read. Can I encourage you to take out a piece of paper and after you have read through the following passages slowly, consider asking the Lord for something specific for you or for your family to write down. I love the quote: “Remember, the shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory!” I think that can help us remember what Jesus is saying to us!

Maybe the most appropriate devotional for this week isn’t a devotional at all, but rather a whisper, from God’s heart to your’s.

Scriptures: Please read slowly!

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10 ESV

Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!  Psalm 139:23-24 ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.   Ezekiel 36:26 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,  and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6 ESV

So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 ESV

Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.  Colossians 3:10 ESV

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.  1 John 3:2-3 ESV

These verses are God’s revelation and truth about what our Savior desires to do in us. His love covers us, cleanses us, and in His compassion, He transforms us.

Prayer: Lord, I know you word is is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit… It exposes my innermost thoughts and desires. I want to slow down and hear what you would say to me today. Help me to read your Holy Word slowly… so that I can hear your voice and know more deeply what you would say to me today.