This morning I want to encourage you to listen to God’s leading. As we listen with our heart we will hear His.
One of the biggest questions I am asked about my walk with the Lord is how do I know when God is speaking to me. Answer: It comes from reading God’s word and listening to that small voice on the inside.
I’ve heard it referred to by those who don’t understand that God is talking to them as something that just “dawned on me” or in the terms “I knew I shouldn’t have done that”. Some call it intuition. As followers of Christ, we can and will hear His voice if we listen for it. He will never instruct us to do anything contrary to His word.
As we read the Bible if we come across something we don’t really understand we should ask Him to give us the insight we need to properly apply what we are reading. He wants His word to lead us and guide us. A child cannot obey and follow the instructions of their Father if they don’t understand His words.
God’s desire from the very beginning of time was to walk and talk to us and to tell us what was on His heart. He never changes so that is still His desire today. We just need to take the time to slow down and listen.
“But we speak God’s secret wisdom that has been hidden from everyone until now. God planned this wisdom for our glory. He planned it before the world began. 8 None of the rulers of this world understood this wisdom. If they had understood it, they would not have killed our great and glorious Lord on a cross. 9 But as the Scriptures say, ‘No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’
10 But God has shown us these things through the Spirit. The Spirit knows all things. The Spirit even knows the deep secrets of God. 11 It is like this: No one knows the thoughts that another person has. Only the person’s spirit that lives inside knows those thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows God’s thoughts except God’s Spirit. 12 We received the Spirit that is from God, not the spirit of the world. We received God’s Spirit so that we can know all that God has given us…15 We who have the Spirit are able to make judgments about all these things. But anyone without the Spirit is not able to make proper judgments about us. 16 As the Scriptures say, ‘Who can know what is on the Lord’s mind? Who is able to give him advice?’ But we have been given Christ’s way of thinking.” I Corinthians 2:6-16 ERV
These verses tell us that God wants us to know His heart. Without the leading of the Holy Spirit we can’t understand God’s word but we aren’t without the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to all men and that He would teach us all things from the Father. One thing we can confidently trust is God doesn’t lie. When He makes a promise like that He keeps it. God doesn’t want His word to be a mystery, He wants us to know His heart.
“I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 27 I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:25-27 NLT
I often say it is better to read two or three verses in the Bible and then let those words impact our whole day than to read several chapters and walk away forgetting what we’ve read.
Our part is to listen and obey. The Holy Spirit will make God’s word practical. I’m reminded of it at the grocery store, talking with my friends and visiting with the neighbors. Scripture is applicable in every situation.
Trust the Holy Spirit to give you the understanding you need today! Listen with your heart.