Tag Archives: praise

Expecting God to speak

 

Word Of God Speak – MercyMe

 

I am not sure how I could live my walk with Jesus if I could not hear Him.

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said – Job 38:1 ESV

In fact, I can be even more specific – how can I worship Him if I have never had Him speak into my life?

Maybe that is why some of us have turned worship into something else. We actually have never heard His voice so how do we come to a place to bring others into His presence when we have never arrived there ourselves. I remember two gentleman in particular, both long time youth pastors such as myself. One was so consumed by the fact that he had never heard the voice of God that one day in the midst of calling out to God he ran his car alongside a tracker trailer. Only thing was, he never knew he had until he arrived home and looked at the massive damage he had experienced. The other slammed his fist on the table and said emphatically and with incredible conviction that the days of God talking to people are over.

I am thankful that I learned at a young age to expect God to speak. After two years of not hearing Him speak, He spoke through His word. Then one day as I was ready to commit suicide, His voice came through loud and clear and has never ceased to be part of my life.

Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly! – Psalm 149:1 ESV

I think I make it sound easier than it was, but my encouragement to those I disciple is that He does speak and they can count on Him wanting to speak into their lives.

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We are meant for relationship

 

I learned another new word today – homothumadon.  It’s meaning is – with one mind, with one accord, with one passion.  It is found mostly in the book of Acts which is interesting based on my thoughts from yesterday. This word does express Christian community. It is made up of two words – one meaning to rushalong and the other in unison.

The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonise in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concertmaster, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church. – Strong’s #3661

Homothumadon! God has made us in His image and likeness, which means we are meant for relationship. We therefore intentionally move through our discipleship cycle together, doing all things in partnership with God and one another.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 15:5-6  ESV

One of the best ways of coming together is when we worship. It is through worship that we avoid the division that comes through secondary issues. God becomes our first priority. It keeps our eyes on the cross. It keeps us focused on our task which is to make disciple-making disciples. Our hope is in Jesus and Him alone. I am challenged again to stop looking at the church, thereby, turning my back on those who do not know Jesus.

 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,  and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name.”

 And again it is said,

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”

 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
    and let all the peoples extol him.”

 And again Isaiah says,

“The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope.”

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:8-13  ESV

I was amazed to find a gem of a verse right after the infamous verse thirteen.

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers,[a] that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. – Romans 15:14  ESV

This is the verse that challenges me to be a disciple making counselor.  In God’s Hands I minister the sanctifying Word into the lives of others. I can only do that when I myself am a recipient of the Spirit’s sanctifying work in myself. I ask people to follow me as I am following Him.

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