Obedience Leads to Peace

In Philippians 4:6-7 I read, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (NLT)

If I’m feeling overwhelmed or confused about a decision that I’m trying to make, I’m likely caught up in myself and not listening to or for God’s voice. The Bible says, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV). He is not the author of confusion. So if I’m feeling confused, guess what? It’s not God’s voice speaking in my life.

As a grandparent, I don’t want my grandchildren to feel pressured or confused when I ask them to do something? No, I want them to understand what to do and then respond in obedience. God the Father wants the same thing for and from me.

The only time pressure could be legitimate is if God has told me to do something and I keep saying “no.” Then the pressure will build. But there’s always peace when I say “yes” to what God’s asking me to do.

Satan wants to drive me compulsively, but God wants to draw me compassionately. Satan wants to take advantage of my compulsions and use them to drive my life. But God is my Good Shepherd. He wants to draw me toward himself and peace.

Ninety percent of what God wants to say to me is encouragement. If negative messages are all I ever hear from God, something’s wrong. The wires have been crossed. If I feel like God has told me to do something but I’m increasingly anxious because of it, then something’s not right.

The Bible tells me to, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

In summary, I am to not worry about anything; instead, I should pray about everything. Tell God what I need, and thank him for all he has done. Then I will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. His peace will guard my heart and mind as I live in Christ Jesus". If I’m feeling overwhelmed or confused about a decision that I’m trying to make, I’m likely caught up in myself and not listening to or for God’s voice. He is not the author of confusion. If I’m feeling confused, It’s not God’s voice speaking. I don’t want my grandchildren to feel pressured or confused when I ask them to do something? I want them to understand what to do and then respond in obedience. God wants the same thing from me. The only time pressure could be legitimate is if God has told me to do something and I keep saying “no.” Satan wants to drive me compulsively, but God wants to draw me compassionately. Satan wants to take advantage of my compulsions and use them to drive my life. But God is my Good Shepherd. He wants to draw me toward himself and peace. Ninety percent of what God wants to say to me is encouragement. If I feel like God has told me to do something but I’m increasingly anxious because of it, then something’s not right, it’s not from God.

Imagine never worrying about anything! It seems like an impossibility; we all have worries on the job, in our homes, but Paul’s advice is to turn worries into prayers. If I want to worry less, then I need to pray more!. Whenever I start to worry, use that as a key to stop and pray. God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. My citizenship in Christ's Kingdom is sure, my destiny is set, and I can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard my heart against anxiety. 

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Three Things That Keep Me from Hearing God

In Luke 8:14 I read, “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature." (NIV)

I can’t hear God if my mind is crowded with other thoughts or concerns, particularly worries, plans, and activities. If I’m always listening to the radio or watching tv, it’s difficult to hear God when he calls. To hear God, I’ll need to eliminate distractions.

Jesus says in Luke 8:7, “Some other seeds fell where thorn bushes grew up and choked the plants” (CEV).

In this story Jesus tells, seeds are planted and begin to grow, but the seeds are in weed-infested soil. So, as the plant grows, the weeds grow around it and choke out the life of the plant, and it never bears fruit.

Here’s what Jesus says is the meaning of Luke 8:7: “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature” (Luke 8:14 NIV).

Three things can choke spiritual growth in my life and keep me from hearing God:

Worry. Worries are weeds. When I’m preoccupied with the problems and pressures of daily living, it’s harder to hear God.

Riches. Am I so busy making a living that I don’t make a life? Working to pay bills for things I don’t need, to get out of unnecessary debt, or to make more money than I actually need can stunt my spiritual growth.

Pleasure. There’s nothing wrong with pleasure, but be careful that I don’t become so busy pursuing fun that I miss God and his plans for my life.

The truth about weeds is that I don’t have to cultivate them. They grow automatically. In fact, weeds are a sign of neglect. If I see weeds in my yard or garden, it means I’m not tending it.

It’s the same with my spiritual life. The weeds in my spiritual life show that I’m neglecting time with God.

Continue to spend time each day tending to my spiritual garden. Pluck out the weeds as soon as they appear so they don’t take over the good work God wants to do with me.

In summary, seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. I can’t hear God if my mind is crowded with other thoughts or concerns, particularly worries, plans, and activities. If I’m always listening to the radio or watching tv, it’s difficult to hear God. To hear, eliminate distractions. In this story, seeds are planted and begin to grow, but in weed-infested soil. As the plant grows, the weeds grow around it and choke out life, and it never bears fruit. Three things can choke spiritual growth and keep me from hearing God: Worry. Worries are weeds. When I’m preoccupied with the problems and pressures of daily living, it’s harder to hear God. Riches. Am I so busy making a living that I don’t make a life? Pleasure. Be Careful that I don’t become so busy pursuing fun that I miss God and his plans. The truth about weeds is that I don’t have to cultivate them. They grow automatically. Weeds are a sign of neglect. If I see weeds it means I’m not tending it. It’s the same with my spiritual life. The weeds in my spiritual life show that I’m neglecting time with God. So I need to continue to spend time each day tending to my spiritual garden. Pluck out the weeds as soon as they appear so they don’t take over the good work God wants to do.

It's the "thorn patch" people, overcome by worries and the lure of materialism, leave no room in their lives for God. 

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Three Barriers to Hearing God’s Voice

In James 1:21 I read, “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." (NLT)

What do God’s voice and cell phones have in common? For both, I have to be positioned correctly to hear them clearly!

Reception quality with my cell phone varies widely. In a big, sturdy building, my coverage may be spotty. In a wilderness area, I’ll likely have no cell service at all. I have to be in the right position to have a clear, reliable signal.

The same is true with my relationship with God. If I want to hear God’s voice clearly and consistently, I must be positioned correctly.

What does it look like to be in the wrong position to hear God? When I’m in the wrong position, my mind is closed, I want to do what I want, not what God wants. In the wrong position, my heart is hardened, and I’m unwilling to listen.

What keeps my heart hard and mind closed to God? Here are three barriers that keep me closed to God’s message:

1. Pride. If I think I don’t need God in my life and I want to handle things myself, I’m probably not listening for God to speak. Pride keeps me from being open to the possibility that God might want to say something to me.

2. Fear. Many people can’t hear God because they’re afraid to hear God speak. I might think that hearing God’s voice or sensing his leading makes me some kind of religious fanatic. Or maybe I’m afraid of the changes I need to make in myr life if I listen to God’s guidance.

3. Bitterness. When I hold on to hurt, resentment, or a grudge, I’m not able to hear God, because my heart is hardened. A hard heart grows cold and makes me defensive, even to God’s love.

James 1:21 says, “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (NLT).

It’s time to get rid of the bitterness, fear, and pride that keep me from hearing God’s voice and living out his purpose for my life. Then I’ll be able to hear God with an open heart and mind and “humbly accept” what he’s saying to me.

In summary, I need to eliminate all the filth and evil in my life, and humbly accept the word God has planted in my heart. For it has the power to save me. What do God’s voice and cell phones have in common? Both have to be positioned correctly to hear them clearly! Reception quality with my cell phone varies widely. So I have to be in the right position to have a clear, and reliable signal. The same is true with my relationship with God. If I want to hear God’s voice clearly and consistently, I must be positioned correctly. When I’m in the wrong position, my mind is closed, I want to do what I want, not what God wants. My heart is hardened, and I’m unwilling to listen. Three barriers that close off God’s message: Pride, Thinking I don’t need God and I want to handle things myself, and not listening for God to speak. Pride keeps me from being open to the possibility that God might want to say something to me. Fear. I may be afraid to hear God speak. I can be afraid of the changes I need to make in my life if I listen to God’s guidance. Lastly is bitterness. When I hold on to hurt, resentment, or a grudge, I’m not able to hear God, because my heart is hardened. A hard heart grows cold and makes me defensive, So I need to get rid of the bitterness, fear, and pride that keep me from hearing God’s voice and living out his purpose for my life. Then I’ll be able to hear God with an open heart and mind and “humbly accept” what he’s saying to me.

James advises me to get rid of all that is wrong in my life and "humbly accept" the salvation message we have received, because it alone can save me.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.