That same day Jesus left the house and went out beside Lake Galilee, where he sat down to teach. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he had to sit in a boat, while the people stood on the shore.3 Then he taught them many things by using stories. He said:
A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field…
But God has blessed you, because your eyes can see and your ears can hear!17 Many prophets and good people were eager to see what you see and to hear what you hear. But I tell you that they did not see or hear. Matthew 13:1-3, 16-17 (CEV)
It is extraordinary and amazing that God, Creator and the King of all kings, desires to talk to me. And He does it every day.
How does God talk to His children? That is a question for discussion tonight in our online Bible Study. I hope many who are reading this today will join us. The details of how you can join us is in the link provided.
Today I want to take time to encourage myself and others to take the time every day to listen to God’s voice. What a great opportunity to “be still and know” the voice of God. When we take the time to get quiet, God is faithful to come close to us and speak.
I remember the hectic years in my life when there was always a ball practice or gymnastics workout or homework to do or something every evening after a full day of school and work. I remember when I had to spend time with God after midnight, because that was the only time when the house got quiet and no one was asking me to do something for them! But I needed the discipline of meeting with God every day with the expectation that He would have something to say to me. Often what He wanted to say was simply, “I love you and I hear your cries. I am with you.”
That is one of the ways in which I know a voice is God’s. I have heard and know the character of His voice. I know that He will not tell me something that contradicts His Word.
He may also speak to me directly through His Word. It may occur when I am reading a passage and I hear a voice say, “Stop!” As I re-read verses, I can hear in my spirit God’s Holy Spirit bring His light to beam on a passage and speak that directly into my situation. And the peace comes! And that is another way to know it is God. God is not about chaos and confusion.
Let us invest in our relationship with God. No matter how busy we believe we are, may we receive the Light of God’s truth – that spending time with Him pays lifelong dividends.
“Rain and snow fall from the sky.
But they don’t return without watering the earth
that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat.
That’s how it is with my words.
They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11 (CEV)
The song today is a simple song but that is a characteristic of talking with Jesus. It isn’t complicated.
Have a Little Talk with Jesus written by Jimmy Dean & sung by The Statler Brothers
