Worshipers The Father Desires

Chuckle: Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf. One remarked, "Windy, isn't it?" "No," the second man replied, "it's Thursday." And the third man chimed in, "So am I. Let's go have something to drink."

Quote: “I never knew how to worship until I knew how to love.” --Henry Ward Beecher

WORSHIPERS THE FATHER DESIRES

"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks" (John 4:23 NIV).

Have you given much thought to the question: why is God so interested in receiving our worship? Why does God's Word have so much to say to us on the subject of worship? When I think about these questions, I'm taken back to the Garden of Eden and the creation. The Bible tells us that God created us male and female in the spiritual image of Himself. He made us as spiritual beings with the capability to respond in love to His love for us -- our spirit connecting with His Spirit. From the beginning, it has been God's desire that we love Him. Jesus gave us the great commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30 NIV).

God is Spirit and this means he is not a physical being limited to one place or one time. He is timeless and present everywhere, and this makes it possible for us to worship Him anywhere. It is not where you worship that is all important but how you worship. The location of your private worship or public worship with your church family is not nearly as important as your attitude in worship. The Father seeks genuine worshipers that involves our spirit connecting with His Spirit in love, reverence, adoration, and submission. He wants us to worship Him out of love as we respond to His great love and amazing grace.

When we assemble for worship with our church families, it's essential that our attention be focused exclusively on the One we have come to worship. This means not letting our minds wander to other things, but keeping ourselves attentive only to hearing God speak to us and responding to His presence with love, repentance, prayers, and songs of praise. For our worship to be pleasing to God, we must focus our attention on Him and the great command by loving Him with all our being, holding nothing back.

"Many years ago, Thomas K. Beecher once substituted for his famous brother, Henry Ward Beecher, at the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. Many curiosity seekers had come to hear the renowned Henry Beecher speak. Therefore, when Thomas Beecher appeared in the pulpit instead, some people got up and started for the doors. Sensing that they were disappointed because he was substituting for his brother, Thomas raised his hand for silence and announced, 'All those who came here this morning to worship Henry Ward Beecher may withdraw from the church; all who came to worship God may remain.' The example of godly leaders is helpful, but only the Savior is worthy of our worship and devotion."

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Do Not Swear At All

Chuckle: "Parents bear children, bore teenagers, and board newlyweds!"

Quote: “Oaths are but words, and words but wind.” --Samuel Butler

DO NOT SWEAR AT ALL

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: . . . Simply let your 'Yes' be 'yes,' and your 'No' be 'No;' anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5:33-37 NIV).

The words of Jesus and other Biblical writers make it clear that honesty and integrity should be inherent in every believer. Having said that, we all realize that we live in a day when it is automatically assumed that people will lie unless they are forced to tell the truth under the penalty of law. Witnesses in court are required to swear an oath that they will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. They do this under the threat of being charged with perjury if they are untruthful. This principle is at work in many aspects of our lives.

Gone are the days when business deals were consummated with a handshake and a person's word. Today, we must have witnesses on contracts attesting that our signatures are authentic, that the contract is binding, and that its provisions will be carried out by the signatories. Notary publics attest to the authenticity of signatures on certain documents because of the risk that someone will be fraudulent.

In Biblical times, things were no different. Oaths were taken then as well. But, during his sermon on the mount, Jesus told his followers to be totally honest which makes oaths unnecessary. A Christian's word should be so dependable, that oaths are not only unnecessary but are the result of evil influence. The same is true when making promises to God. Jesus is saying that honesty and integrity should be inherent characteristics of Christians and should never be in question.

Obviously, we as Christians must comply with the requirements of our society and take oaths when legally necessary. This is so because we live in a sinful society that breeds distrust. But in our everyday dealing with fellow Christians and non-Christians alike, our word should be our bond. When we say "yes," I'll do something, we do it. When we say "no," I won't do something, our word is equally dependable. It is even more important that we keep the commitments we make to our Lord. If we are honest all the time, we will not feel pressured to back up our words with oaths.

Our children, grandchildren, and others watch us closely. The way we act and speak will have lasting impact on their lives. Even little "white lies" and half-truths become obvious to them. Do they see us as uncompromisingly honest in every aspect of life? Or, do they hear us scheming as to how we can be "slightly" dishonest in our dealings with others. We must remember that there are absolutes in life according to the Scriptures. And in our society where absolutes are giving way to a wave of relativism, our Lord would have us stand firm in the absolutes of honesty and integrity. Let your "yes" be yes, and your "No" be no. 

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Peace in a Chaotic World

Chuckle: "Two men were shipwrecked and floating on a raft. One started to pray -- 'O Lord, I've broken most of the commandments, I've been an awful sinner all my days. Lord, if you'll spare me, I'll --' The other man shouted -- 'Hold on, don't commit yourself -- I think I see a sail!'"

Quote: "All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace." --Thomas A. Kempis

PEACE IN A CHAOTIC WORLD

"For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. 'I am the Lord,' he says, 'and there is no other'" (Isaiah 45:18 NLT).

Every day, it seems our world sinks deeper and deeper into a chaotic state. Wars are raging and terrorists are killing innocent people around the world. All sorts of unreasonable violence occurs constantly. Adults are shooting kids. Kids are shooting each other. Parents are shooting their children and each other. Random violence is everywhere and the perpetrators seemingly have no remorse -- no consciences.

What in the world is going on? Well, one thing is certain, God is not the instigator of such chaos. We serve a God of peace and joy who wants us to live in serenity and happiness even in the midst of chaos around us. How then can you find order and peace in your spirit during these troubled times?

As we seek to know our Lord God better each day, the One who created order and peace, he will fill us with his peace. It is your relationship with Jesus Christ that gives you peace. It is his gift to you, and he wants that peace to become more complete in your life every day as you follow him. "Since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us" (Romans 5:1 NLT).

Everywhere you look, destructive forces seem determined to take away your safety, peace, and contentment. If you turn to the world for solutions, they cannot be found. It's only from your relationship and fellowship with God through Christ that the solutions become apparent. Troubles and chaos will always be found in life which can threaten your peace of mind and spirit. To find inner peace in the midst of chaos, seek to better understand God's perspective on life. As your faith deepens, peace will come.

"Picture a massive hurricane raging over the ocean. On the surface of the sea the violent winds whip the water into giant waves and create a scene of havoc and chaos. Yet, a mere twenty-five feet below the surface, the waters are clear and calm. The fish there go on living their lives totally unaware of the thunderous tumult just above them. Where there is 'depth,' there is peace. So it is in the Christian life." --Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Edited by Michael P. Green.

"May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better" (2 Peter 1:2 NLT).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Living Free in Christ

Chuckle: "Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf." --Will Rogers

Quote: "When by the Spirit of God, I understand these words, 'The just shall live by faith,' I felt born again like a new man. I entered through the open doors into the very paradise of God!" --Martin Luther

LIVING FREE IN CHRIST

"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law" (Galatians 5:1 NLT). "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1 NIV).

Christ died to set us free from sin and a long list of laws and rules. Christ came to set us free, but not to free us to do what ever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires. The life of freedom is possible only through the Holy Spirit. Sin is slavery, not freedom.

In the New Testament, we are told that those who practiced Judaism constantly called for new Christian believers to obey the Old Testament Law. On the other hand, the apostle Paul preached that we should live by faith in God's grace. The main differences in these two approaches to living is that one requires living by a set of rules and focuses on self-effort to make ourselves good enough to be acceptable to God. The other approach stresses that we are justified (saved) by God's grace through faith. The righteousness that makes us acceptable to God comes from our Lord Jesus Christ and from no other source.

Paul warns the Galatians Christians, and us, to be resolute in living free from the slavery of the law of self-effort. We are free to know and enjoy God's favor through Christ. We make a terrible mistake if we try to mix self-effort (good works) and grace. We cannot earn our way to heaven by obeying a set of rules, but by faith in Jesus Christ, our crucified, buried, resurrected, and ascended Lord and Savior. Our salvation and freedom does not come from faith in Christ plus something else, but by faith in Him alone.

By grace through faith in Christ we have been saved (freed) from the penalty of our sins. We are being saved (freed) from the power of sin by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We will be saved (freed) from the presence of sin when we reach our eternal heavenly home in God's presence.

No religious ritual has any saving value to those in Christ. "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6b NIV). As we live in freedom, our primary desires will be to serve our Lord and other people. "You, my brothers (sisters), were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love" (Galatians 5:13 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Be Slow to Speak

Chuckle: "Blessed are they who have nothing to say and cannot be persuaded to say it." --James Russell Lowell

Quote: The ancient philosopher Zeno once said, "We have two ears and one mouth, therefore we should listen twice as much as we speak."

BE SLOW TO SPEAK

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires" (James 1:19-20 NIV).

When James tells us to be slow to speak, he's not saying we should all adopt that slow Texas Drawl. No, but he is telling us not to speak until we have absorbed and understand all the facts about a person or a subject and have something helpful to say. I think he is also saying that when we talk more than we listen, we send a message to others that we think our ideas are much more relevant and important than theirs. Thus the other person feels put down and unimportant.

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and thought, "I wish they would hush so I can talk?" Sometimes we are thinking ahead to what we want to say and are not really listening to the other person. Some won't even let you finish speaking -- they finish your sentences for you. It might be healthy for each of us to evaluate ourselves on how much we talk and how much we listen.

When we are talking rather than listening, we are not learning. Rather, we are only articulating what we think we have already learned. You have probably heard the words, "shut up and listen." These harsh words convey an important truth -- we must stop talking if we are to really listen. And when we listen, it's amazing how our attitudes can change and our understanding can be enhanced. If we are truly interested in hearing points of view other than our own, we will shut up and listen. "He who answers before listening -- that is his folly and his shame" (Proverbs 18:13 NIV).

"Some people are too talkative. They are like the young man who supposedly went to the great Greek philosopher, Socrates, to learn oratory. On being introduced, he talked so incessantly that Socrates asked for double fees. 'Why charge me double?' asked the young fellow. 'Because,' said the orator, 'I must teach you two sciences: the one is how to hold your tongue, and the other is how to speak.'"

"The King is pleased with righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. From a wise mind comes wise speech. My child, how will I rejoice if you become wise. Yes, my heart will thrill when you speak what is right and just" (Proverbs 16:13, 23; 23:15-16 NLT).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Confidence In Our Lord

Chuckle: When I was little, I often wondered who Richard Stands was. You know: "I pledge allegiance to the flag . . . And to the republic for Richard Stands."

Quote: “Religion is the possibility of the removal of every ground of confidence except confidence in God alone.” --Karl Barth

CONFIDENCE IN OUR LORD

"Have no fear of sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared" (Proverbs 3:25-26 NIV). "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him" (Jeremiah 17:7 NIV).

Many images of Jesus are portrayed in Scripture, especially in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. What is your mental image of Jesus? Do you see Him as a mighty King with all authority and power; or do you picture Him as the Good Shepherd gently caring for His sheep? I have seen pictures in churches and homes depicting Him as a gentle shepherd with a lamb in His arms or across His shoulders. However, in ancient times, shepherds were not the gentle type. Their job included fighting off attacks on their sheep from wild animals. They were ready to die to protect their flocks. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is kind and gentle, but also the fierce and mighty warrior who died to win the battle for the eternal souls of people.

If you are a Christian, the battle for your soul has already been won when Jesus died on that cruel cross outside Jerusalem and rose from the dead. But the battle within our hearts is ongoing every day. We must fight against temptation and sin, but it is the Holy Spirit who fights with us every step of the way. Psalm 24:8 asks, "Who is the king of glory?" Then it answers: "The Lord is the King of glory, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle." In Revelation He is describe as "sitting on a white battle horse, the One who judges and makes war in righteousness." (Revelation 19:11).

Since Jesus has won the battle for our eternal souls, we must hold on to Him in faith even during the worst of times in our struggle with doubt, fear, and temptation, because He holds onto us and will never let us go. Many times Paul refers to the second coming of Christ with a sense that it could happen any minute. New Testament believers lived with great hope and assurance, and they did so in the midst of extreme persecution and trials. Our hope for the future has been made possible by the past sacrifice on the cross and the present work of the Holy Spirit.

If you are living close to God today, you have every justification for being confident about the future. God promised Israel, "The Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard" (Isaiah 52:12). We, too, can be confident that our God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Our hope makes us patient and confident even in the most difficult of times,and causes us to persevere and be devoted to prayer because we are secure in God's love now and forever. Rest in that deep assurance today!

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Job Satisfaction

Chuckle: Bob: Did you hear about the camper who was killed by a garter snake? Betty: That's impossible -- a garter snake is not poisonous. Bob: It doesn't have to be if it can make you jump off a cliff!

Quote: "We do the works, but God works in us the doing of the works." --St Augustine of Hippo

JOB SATISFACTION

"Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else" (Galatians 6:4 NLT).

Comparing ourselves to others is a trap that pride sets for us. There are many ways we may be tempted to compare ourselves to others in addition to our work: looks, wealth, house, car, abilities, prestige, influence, etc. Sometimes, we may try to make ourselves look and feel better by pointing out the flaws in others. But, when we do our best, we will feel good about the results and will see no need to compare our work to that of others.

Our passage can be applied to our performance in our professional life or our work for our Lord. Both types of work should be performed in such a way as to bring glory to God. As Christians, we should always be the most dependable and hard-working employees in our profession. Our integrity should never be called into question and our demeanor should always reflect the characteristics of Jesus in everything we do. As a Christian, you always represent our Lord, either positively or negatively.

From the time of creation, God has given us work to do. But satisfaction from our work depends upon the way we view the importance of that work and our motivation for doing our best. "Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people" (Colossians 3:23 NLT). If we view our work as an act of worship and service to our Lord, we will never feel that we must compare our work to that of others. Our desire in all our work will be to please God. Such an attitude will bring us joy and satisfaction -- because we are honoring God.

When you feel the need to compare yourself to others, just turn your heart toward Jesus and understand that His example is the only one worthy for us to use as a comparison. When you fall short of your expectations, keep you eyes on Jesus and remember His love, acceptance, and forgiveness. This will bring you assurance and comfort, take away your need to compare yourself with others, and cause you to refocus on the positive things in life.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Enjoy the Journey

Chuckle: (church bulletin blooper): "For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs."

Quote: "If there is a sin against life, it consists perhaps not so much in despairing of life as in hoping for another life and eluding the implacable grandeur of this life." --Albert Camus

ENJOY THE JOURNEY

"I have come that they (you) may have life, and (that you may) have it to the full (more abundantly)" (John 10:10 NIV/KJV).

I'll never forget a very special week-long trip that Dotse and I enjoyed a few years back. We had a wonderful time visiting numerous family members. My brother and I spent one day revisiting the old home-sites where our grandparents and other relatives lived when we were children. We just wallowed around in the wonderful memories these old home places hold for us. My emotions ran the gamut from sadness that those times are gone forever and extreme joy brought by all the precious memories.

As Dotse and I were traveling, I began to compare our trip to the journey through life that each of us experience. I suppose most of us like to take trips to see relatives and to enjoy visiting amazing displays of God's wonderful creation. But I wonder how many of us are so preoccupied with the final destination that we fail to enjoy the journey. We both were excited that we would see loved ones, some of whom we hadn't seen in many years. We couldn't wait to get to our destination. But as we drove, the beauty of the mountains and countryside and the people we met along the way made the journey most enjoyable and fulfilling.

In our hustle and bustle world, we are prone to do everything as quickly as we can. We hurriedly drive, or fly, to our destination without giving much thought to the journey itself. In fact, we often dread the journey. But the journey can be a most wonderful experience if we will just slow down, relax, and soak up the wonderful blessings and experiences God has for us along the way.

When we begin our spiritual journey as a child of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, we can know for certain what our final destination will be at life's end. It's wonderful to contemplate what heaven will be like and to search the Scriptures for word pictures of our eternal dwelling place. But when Jesus gives us the abundant life, he intends for that abundance to be enjoyed here on earth during our pilgrimage toward spiritual maturity and our final destination. He wants our journey to be filled with his blessings, his peace, and his joy. He wants us to experience him to the fullest every day we live.

How about you? Are you living the joyful and exciting life that God intends as you journey through this earthly life? Or are you so focused on your final destination that you don't see what God has prepared for you every day that you live? Please take the time to consider that Jesus gives you abundant and full life and he gives it right now. It is eternal, yes, but it begins immediately. Life in Christ is to be lived on a higher plane because of his love and forgiveness. We should all enjoy our journey of life with God's Word as our guide and with the Spirit of the Living God himself by our side. 

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Jesus, Our Friend

Chuckle: Father: "What did you learn in school today?" Son: "That three and three are seven." Father: "Three and three are six!" Son: "then I guess I didn't learn anything today!"

Quote: "Value a friend who, for you, finds time on his calendar -- but cherish the friend who, for you, does not even consult his calendar."

JESUS, OUR FRIEND

"I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it -- the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants because a master doesn't confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me" (John 15:12-15 NLT).

Please take a moment to reflect on the significance of Jesus' words in our passage. How do they make you feel? Jesus Christ is our Lord and Master, and He should call us servants; instead, He calls us friends. These most comforting and reassuring words tell us we Christians have been chosen to be His friends.

Friendship implies the closest and most intimate non-romantic relationship there is between two individuals. As you read our Lord's words, the intimacy of Jesus' relationship with His followers becomes crystal clear -- and totally amazing. The circle of friendship we enjoy through Jesus Christ includes the saved, servants, and friends of Jesus.

Lest we get too carried away with this concept of Jesus being our friend, we must remember that He came as a servant and has called us to be servants. We are called to be servants while enjoying the privileges of friends with our Lord. Here's what Jesus said about Himself as a servant: "For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28 NLT). Here, Jesus was instructing his followers that their importance in His kingdom would be measured by their willingness to be the servants/slaves of others.

Notice the conditions Jesus requires us to meet if we are to be his friends. "You are my friends if you obey me." You see, love for Jesus translates into obedience -- love is also reflected by obedience. Jesus said, "All those who love me will do what I say" (John 14:23 NLT).

Let's not overlook the first command in our passage -- that we love one another in the same way Jesus loves us. This is possible only in the power of the Holy Spirit. In our own strength, we could never love with the love with which Jesus loved. We may not be called upon to die for a friend, but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love; listening, encouraging, helping, giving. Think of someone you know who needs this kind of love today. Give all the love you can, and then give a little more. Our friend, Jesus, did just that.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Itching Ears

Chuckle: "Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough." -- Lynnette, age 8

Quote: "Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth." --Henry David Thoreau

ITCHING EARS

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:3 NIV).

Have you ever made up your mind about something but were secretly bothered by doubt that you had made the right decision? Have you then continued to ask people their opinions about it until you finally found someone who agreed with you? When you found someone who said what you wanted to hear, did that convince you that your decision was the right one? In our passage, we are warned that a time will come when people will no longer listen to the sound doctrinal truths of God's Word because they conflict with their worldly views and the lifestyles they have chosen.

Paul warns us about preachers and teachers who only teach what their audiences want to hear. I have seen people go from one church to another until they found a preacher who preached only that which made them feel good about themselves rather than convicting them of the disobedience and sin in their lives. I suppose every preacher has, at one time or another, been tempted to preach what the congregation wanted to hear rather than being faithful to God's Word and preaching what they needed to hear.

When you itch, it certainly feels good to have that itch scratched. But, as Christians, we should be thankful for preachers and teachers that refuse to scratch our itches. If you are a teacher, please don't sell your conscience in exchange for compliments from your audience. If you are a class or congregation member, do your ears itch to hear a certain opinion or do you thirst for the undiluted truth of God's Word?

Take for example the Biblical teaching that tithing a tenth of your income is God's standard. You may have made up your mind that you are not going to tithe and you don't want to hear sermons on tithing because it makes you uncomfortable. Instead, you may want the preacher to be silent on the subject, or better yet, you want to be told it's alright for you to ignore God's instructions for His people. You need to have your itching ears scratched with justification for your position on the subject. Let's pray together that each of us will long for the sound doctrinal truths from God's Word.

Love, Jerry & Dotse

I AM WHO I AM

Chuckle: Art Linkletter saw a small boy drawing a picture. He inquired, "What are you drawing?" The boy replied, "A picture of God." Linkletter told the lad that no one knows what God looks like, to which the boy confidently responded, "They will when I get through."

Great Quote: "We are, because God is." --Emanuel Swedenborg

I AM WHO I AM

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'the God of your fathers (ancestors) has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you'" (Exodus 3:13-14 NIV).

I'm sure you recall the story of how God spoke to Moses from a burning bush and call him to lead the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Moses began making excuses to inform God that he was not the man for the job. Moses was worried that the Israelites would not accept him and he wanted to know from God what he should tell them when they asked who had sent him to lead them. When God said tell them "I AM WHO I AM" has sent me, He was speaking to His very nature and attributes about which we yearn for better understanding.

Remember, the Israelites had been in bondage for over 400 years and had come to understand the Egyptian way of thinking. They were aware that the Egyptians had many gods and each of them was identified by name. So, in their minds, it was necessary to know the name of the God of Israel. In the Hebrew language, familiar words often have timeless meanings when referring to the God of eternity. Within the statement, "I Am Who I Am" is an identification not bound by the limits of a specific time frame. God's words could be translated, "I Am Who I Have Been" or "I Will Forever Be Who I Am Now." The New Living Translation puts it this way: "I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS." There is no time or place in eternity where God is not.

God calls Himself "I AM" to describe His unchanging character, eternal presence and unequalled majesty. In our modern world, values, morals, and laws are constantly changing, but we can find security and stability in the person of our unchanging God. It's comforting to remember that the same God who appeared to Moses and guided him through the Exodus now lives in us today in the form of His Holy Spirit. The one true God, I AM, who has revealed Himself as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit "is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

God's name describes His nature and trustworthiness and we are free to follow Him and trust Him in all aspects of our lives. The same God that called Moses and gave him strength is faithful and will provide for you and me as we walk with Him. God says, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5b NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse

Hearing God's Voice

Chuckle: "The toughest part of a diet isn't watching what you eat. It's watching what other people eat."

Quote: “I think that if ever a mortal heard the voice of God it would be in a garden at the cool of the day.” --F. Frankfort Moore

LISTENING FOR GOD'S VOICE

"When he (shepherd) has brought out all his own (sheep), he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:4 NIV).

Many have a problem with the concept of hearing the voice of God. One can be branded as strange if he claims to have heard God's voice. I heard a pastor present a wonderful message on this subject, and I will share some of his thoughts, as well as my own, to hopefully shed some light on the subject.

First: It is possible to hear God's voice. In our first passage, Jesus uses the analogy of a shepherd and his sheep to make a point about our relationship to Him, the Good Shepherd. His sheep (followers) know Him and they recognize His voice. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (vs. 27). Some lyrics from the old hymn, "In The Garden," come to mind. ". . . and he walks with me and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own. And the voice I hear falling on my ear none other has ever known." Yes, it is possible to hear God's voice. And we should keep in mind that God speaks to us in various ways: His Word, prayer, life's circumstances, and other people.

Second: It is normal to hear God's voice. In John 15:15 NIV, Jesus refers to His followers as "friends." "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father I have made known to you." What is more normal than a conversation with friends and family -- to let them hear your voice? As believers, we are the "children of God" (John 1:12), and "members of God's household" (Ephesians 2:19). The Old Testament is replete with reference to God's people listening for and hearing His voice. It was a perfectly normal part of their relationship with God. This should be true for us today.

Third: It is expected that we hear God's voice. "If only you listen obediently to the voice of the LORD your God, . . ." (Deuteronomy 15:5). "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20 NIV). God wants and expects us to listen intently for His voice; but often we are not listening because our hearts are turned away from Him -- perhaps because we fear He may ask us to do something we don't want to do. Or, He might say something we don't want to hear. Then, God could be screaming at us, but we don't hear. "But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shall be drawn away to worship other gods and serve them . . ." (Deut. 30:17 KJV).

If we want to hear God's voice, we must listen intently. We should always be leaning forward  God in anticipation while "cupping" our spiritual ears, so to speak, for fear that we might miss something God wants to say to us.

Love, Jerry & Dotse