August 30, 2016

Greetings My Friend, As a child of God I desire to "hear"His voice and to do His will. I am reading about Samuel and how he was trained to know God is talking to him. He was dedicated to the Lord by his mother when he was very young. Samuel lived with Eli the priest and Eli's 2 sons. One night as Samuel was sleeping he heard a voice " And the Lor call Samuel again the third time....Therefore Eli said to Samuel 'Go, lie down and if He calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears...." More often than not there is not an audible voice but an idea that pops into my thougts. I strive to pray often asking God to teach me to hear His voice, not mine. I want to His will so I need to learn how to discern when I am being called to do something. I learn by reading the Bible to, "Be still," In the quiet it is easier to "hear" God's voice. Sometimes I find God speaking to me as I read the Bible. I will be reading the day's passages when one passage appeals to me and I find that the passage may stay with me throughout the day. That passage is God talking to me, teaching me, guiding me or correcting me. I find times where a situation will not go away and that situation is pointing me to reach out. This too is God speaking to me. God's creation speaks to me often. I think God had Junior and I move to a slowed down, quiet plaace with scenes that astound me. When I am anxious God has sent me to the porch and that is where I am able to regroup. Having a daily time with God helps me to tune into God much the same way having quiet time with Junior daily. I need to talk and find out where he is emotionally. I want to be aware of those things he needs help with so I can comfort him. I alos like to hear what work he has done, it helps me know many things like he is challenging his back or he is struggling to work out a problem area. I find when I get too caught up in being busy I miss much in life. I miss hearing God also. I notice as I read the NT where Jesus frequently goes off by himself to pray. He too needed quiet time so He could do the work He was sent to do. If Jesus needed to spend quiet time with God then I realize I need to make time to be quiet with God. Samuel was in bed when God called him. I associate bed time to be quiet time so it makes sense Samuel was more open to hearing God call him. Eli taught Samuel when he realized that Samuel kept coming to him asking him what Elie wanted. He taught Samuel to listen to that voice, to respond that he is God's servant. I learn too that sometimes I need to also be willing to do what God is calling me to. I see where Moses felt not able to do the work God called him to do. He kept pointing out why he was not the right man. God did not take "no" for an answer and Moses went on to lead the people here on earth while God directed Moses from heaven. I learn that I am able to anything that calls me to do even if I do not feel I am capable. Once I go through a challenging trial with God I find my confidence growing. I am not any more confident in myself but I am more confident that God will guide me. I am a whole lot braver when I have someone instructing me and comforting me when anxiousness stops me. With each situation I find I feel willing to keep trying. God's love is austounding to me. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet