Scriptures: James 4:8, Psalms 139:23-24, Psalms 84:2, Colossians 3:2, Psalms 94:19, Psalms 16:11

Make Space for God to Speak to You 

Author: Faith Woodall 

James 4:8—Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. 

As a new mom, I know how full and busy the days can be. The moment I wake up, or should I say – the moment the baby wakes up, my feet hit the ground, running. I’m changing diapers, making bottles, making breakfast, doing loads of laundry, answering emails, and so on. There is little space left in my days to do one more thing. I can easily get into the habit of filling my day with so much to do that I do not have space or time to spend with God. It’s often on those days that I feel less peace and more frustration. If you and I truly desire to hear the voice of God this year, we must make space for Him to speak to us. 

When I first began to dig into my relationship with the Lord, I sought out ways to practically apply Scripture to my life and strengthen my walk with Christ. Here are some ways I learned and continue to grow, to “make space” for God to speak to me daily. 

Search My Heart—Psalm 139:23-24 

We make room for God to speak to us when we allow Holy Spirit to search our hearts. More often than not, our hearts get cluttered with worry and pain that hinders us from hearing and leaning on the Word of God, even when we may not be aware of them. We should ask the Lord to search our hearts, often through prayer, as if we were “cleaning house” so that the Lord can reveal these issues to us. When we make time to spend with God, we should first ask him to search our hearts, to clean it of things that shouldn’t be there, so that His word can speak to us and lead us in the way of everlasting. 

Pursue His Presence—Psalm 84:2 

We make room for God to speak to us when we set aside time to pursue Him and His presence. Our days are full, and I know that all too well. But when we are intentional with our time and make space for God in our day, He draws near to us, and His presence speaks to our hearts. We welcome Him and make a place for Him in our day. We must make space in our day to spend one-on-one with God, seeking after His presence, so we can better learn to hear Him speak. 

Stay Attentive—Colossians 3:2 

The world has a way of stealing our attention and our focus if we are not careful. We must stay attentive to the Lord if we long to hear Him speak. This applies in our quiet time with Him by turning our phone on silent, turning off the TV, and eliminating distractions for a few minutes. However, this also applies to our daily walk. We must keep our minds on Christ and stay attentive to the different ways He may be speaking to us, whether through His Word, songs, or even other people. If we are not paying attention and seeking Him above all else, we might miss hearing Him speak. 

Clear Your Mind—Psalm 94:19 

According to Google, humans have an average of 7,000 thoughts per day. And for some reason, I feel like most of my daily thoughts come, not when I’m busy working, but when I try to quiet myself in God’s word – woosh, there come rushing all the thoughts and to-do’s. I got to a place in my prayer time where I would have my Word open and a little notepad next to it. While in prayer or studying God’s word, if a thought came to my head, I would jot it down on that notepad and keep praying. This way, I could clear my mind of those thoughts and to-do’s that can consume us and continue to seek after the Lord. This would help me quiet myself and make space for God to speak to me. 

Enjoy His Presence—Psalm 16:11 

If we are longing to make space for God to speak to us, it doesn’t usually just happen. We have to open up space in our hearts and our days to engage with the Lord. But engaging with His presence should be a JOY, not a check off the to-do list. Just as we would enjoy talking with a close friend over a cup of coffee, we should also enjoy sitting at the feet of Jesus, reading in His Word, and staying in His presence. 

If you’re not enjoying your time with the Lord, it’s time for a switch in your routine. Turn on music and spend time in worship, or pray while walking in nature, His creation. Sometimes it’s in those refreshing changes in seeking after the Lord that we begin to hear Him speak more clearly. 

Reflection 

How can I practically make S.P.A.C.E. for God to speak to me?

Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 9:6, John 11:43, John 14:15

Hearing vs. Listening 

Author: Jordan Cunningham 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9—Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. 

The words “hear” and “listen” are often used interchangeably in the English language. Any parent, teacher, or caregiver would agree that they are not, in fact, the same. At just 11 months old, my son is already developing the ability to hear but not truly listen—resulting in the trash can being tipped over and a knot on his head, all in the span of fewer than five seconds. 

Much like my own son, we as Christians often struggle to move beyond the simple act of hearing God’s Words and into the realm of listening. The act of hearing requires no effort; it is the automatic process of ears perceiving sound. Listening, however, is hearing put to work; it requires attention, understanding, and intentionality. 

We recognize the authority and miraculous power that God’s words carry throughout Scripture. God spoke, and the earth was formed (Genesis 1). A paralytic was healed when Jesus told him to rise and walk (Matthew 9:6). Jesus commanded a dead man to rise, and life entered his body once again (John 11:43). As Christians, we have the unique privilege and responsibility to hear and listen to the voice of God. There are multiple ways in which God speaks to His people, but the most common is through The Bible, through The Holy Spirit, through others, and through creation. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a profound example of how listening to God transforms the way we live our lives, our relationship with God, and how we relate to and lead others. This passage is referred to as the “Shema.” Shema is the Hebrew word for “hear” or, more accurately, “listen.” The author of this passage, Moses, commands the Israelites to love God with all they are—their “heart, soul, and strength.” In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” According to these scriptures, we love God by listening to Him and obeying His words. 

The Shema goes on to explain how we can practice listening to God and obeying his commands. Moses says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” 

When we’re in tune with God’s voice, attentively listening to His Spirit speaking to our hearts, and actively engaging in reading the Bible, our lives begin to change. As we not only hear but absorb what God is speaking to us, we have the ability to pour it back into others. Moses teaches us to share it with our children, talk about it with our family, dwell on God’s word throughout our day, and keep His word at the forefront of our minds. As we shift from hearing to listening to obeying, we’ll see God’s power at work in our lives like never before. 

Reflection 

1. What are two practical ways you can become more aware of and attuned to the voice of God in your life? 

2. What has God spoken to you that you need to be obedient to, even now?

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 10:5, Luke 6:45, 1 Peter 5:7, Ephesians 6:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Ephesians 6:10-18

You Are What You Think 

Author: Sarah Shanahan 

2 Corinthians 10:5—We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

“I just don’t understand why you give so much to your job but not to our family!” 

It was a low blow to my husband and came when he was fighting his own battles, but I was also in a dark thought space, so I thought it, spoke it and hurt him. 

It was a lie, but one that had captured my thoughts and ran rampant in my heart and mind until resentment set in. 

What we focus our thoughts on indeed impacts our actions. And if we fail to hold our thoughts captive, we can do more damage to ourselves and others. Truthfully, I wanted to blame it on the season of life we were in or Satan. But the fact was, I failed to hold my thoughts captive, and in doing so, I hurt my best friend. 

Believe it or not, we often get in our own way when seeking God. 

Our thoughts run wild with wants, desires, needs, to-dos, work drama, family issues, and even resentment. If left unchecked, they will overpower us; in turn, it is all we can hear. 

Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” 

In short, you reap what you sow. 

How can we hold our thoughts captive? It is a question I find myself asking often too. Learning to take our thoughts captive takes time. After all, you are trying to rewire your brain to a different way of thinking! Paul was a great teacher on how to cling to the Father and shake everything else off 2 Corinthians 10. 

Here are a few quick tips to help you get your thoughts back in check. 

Be intentional: Wake up and say good morning to the Lord. Spend time thanking Him for a new day and asking Him to guide your thoughts and actions for the day ahead. 

Confess: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Give it all to the Father. Let Him know you are struggling, and tell Him why. You can even go further; if you are struggling with someone close to you, sit down with him or her and open up! Confessing breaks down any building resentment and sets you up to walk freely. 

Dig for the truth: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Spending time in the Word goes a long way in helping us to hold our thoughts captive. When we read the truth and focus on what it is saying versus what we are saying, we are more inclined to know what is true and what is a lie. (If you struggle to understand what is true and who you are in Christ, I encourage you to write down God’s promises from scripture. Use these to fight negative thoughts when they come.) 

Pray: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer doesn’t have to be planned or even perfect (FYI, that’s just another thought you can take captive). Prayer is offering your thoughts to God and asking Him to shape them and guide them so you can more clearly hear His voice. 

As you continue to practice putting on your full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and seeking God for guidance over your thoughts, you will see how you will be transformed from the inside out! Your thoughts will guide your words, and your words will guide your actions. 

Know you are not alone in the battle with your thoughts. Be intentional with your thoughts as you seek God’s voice—let the Father take control. 

Reflection 

Heavenly Father, my thoughts often are not pure and of you. They trick me into being afraid or causing resentment. Lord, help me to take them captive and align my thoughts with yours. Show me the areas of my life that need to come out into the light and help me to confess them, so they no longer hold me from you and your voice. I choose you, Father. 

Help me to think about what is “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable,” as you teach me in Philippians 4:8. Cleanse my every thought and knock down the things I think about that are not from you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scriptures: Matthew 4:4, John 8:47, John 10:27, Romans 8:14, Romans 10:17

Who Can Hear the Voice of God? 

Author: Pastor Darren DeLoach 

Matthew 4:4—Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 

An interesting note, one of the often-inquired aspects of the Christian faith is “who can hear the voice of God?” The great irony is that no direct line of theology teaches specifically on the subject. Scholars will merge the various studies of pneumatology (Holy Spirit), soteriology (salvation), paterology (God the Father), and even delve into the humanistic philosophical reaches of phenomenology (religious phenomenon) in an attempt to explain exactly who can hear the voice of God. Primarily, we are told that God speaks to us through our study of the Bible. Depending on your particular denominational bend, the source of God’s voice can also include our consciences, life’s circumstances, or the exhortations of others as long as these are directives by the Holy Spirit. Yet again, who can be the hearer seems to be largely ignored. 

How can something so fundamental as who has an ear for God’s voice be such a difficult subject to find answers to? 

The obvious answer is that it’s actually pretty obvious. 

Matthew 4:4—Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 

These are the words of Jesus as He confronts Satan in the wilderness while He is in the midst of a forty-day fast. In context, this is a powerful referral to Moses charging the Hebrews to perpetually teach how God and He alone brought them through their wilderness. Lost in the sparring of words between these celestial powerhouses is that Jesus informs us all as to exactly when God speaks and to whom. 

In Matthew’s quote of Jesus, he states that “every word that comes from the mouth of God” is the spiritual nutrient that is more important than any physical substance. The key phrase is “comes from,” which in Greek is the singular word ekporeuomai. It literally means “come forth or to proceed,” and just as important is that it is in the future tense. That means the verbs following always function in the same way for the future as it does for the present. 

In other words, God is constantly speaking. 

Think of that, right now, God, the Creator of all things, actively participates in His creation by sustaining it with His words. He is speaking. By virtue of His being the genesis of all things seen and unseen, through all mechanisms, He has reserved the right to talk to His most prized creation, you and me. 

If God is so chatty, why is it so hard for us to hear Him? As with many things that God intended to be easy for us, we made it complicated through the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden. In the Book of Genesis, we learn that once God created all, He formed humankind from the earth. God breathed life into Adam and then later formed a female counterpart from Adam named Eve. In this true utopian state, God walked with mankind, and just as importantly, God talked openly with both Adam and Eve. There was no sin in the world; without sin, God’s voice echoed through the garden, and we could hear every utterance. No hindrances, no positioning, no rituals, just the free-flowing conversation with the Almighty. 

Then, of course, that old foe, Satan, rears his ugly head and tempts man. Sin now runs rampant through all creation and ravages humanity, impeding our ability to hear. Yet, God still speaks. 

Then the answer to whom can hear Him talking must surely be reserved for those forgiven of sin. Yes, there are dozens of things written in the Bible that support the fact that God’s children should indeed be capable of hearing the voice of their Savior. 

Among the many: 

John 8:47—Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. 

John 10:27—My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 

Romans 8:14—For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 

As strong as an argument that can be made that only His children can hear His voice, the Bible also reveals that God speaks to many individuals who aren’t yet or never were believers. 

Abram, Balaam, and Rabshakeh all heard the literal voice of God, yet none were believers. 

To settle the question of who can hear His voice, we once again refer to the words of Jesus as captured in Matthew’s letter. 

‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ 

Who did Jesus say needed the Word of God and forgo dependency on earthly things? The answer is in the word anthrōpos, or MANKIND, ALL OF MANKIND. 

He speaks to those in His fold because that is how He guards them, feeds them, leads them, and teaches them. He is also constantly speaking to the hearts of those far away from Him as His Will is that ALL come to know Him…Romans 10:17—“faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” 

Reflection 

Father, thank you for continually speaking to us. May the ears of those that know you be opened to Your leading, may our eyes be cognizant of Your actions, and our hearts be open to Your commands. May You speak to the hearts of those that don’t yet know you so that they may allow Your Spirit to water that seed of faith that You placed there for this very moment. Amen.

Scriptures: Proverbs 8:17, Psalms 91:1-4

Getting to Know God 

Author: Kim Proffer

Proverbs 8:17—I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently find Me. 

My grandparents had a picture of Jesus on their living room wall. I stared at that artwork often. At one point, I wondered if it was a picture of a relative I had never met. When I got older, I realized it was a painting of Jesus looking out over the city. He loved saying, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem,…How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” 

Fewer mothers in the animal kingdom are more protective than a mother hen. Stories abound of hens caught in wildfires found burned to death with live chicks protected under their wings. Likewise, some hens have frozen to death while chicks remain alive and warm under her. What more intimate place can there be than in the shelter of one who loves so fiercely? At its most vulnerable, a baby puts its complete trust in its mother’s protection. 

This is the kind of relationship God longs to have with you. He aches to see you overwhelmed by circumstances that leave you helpless. He longs to shelter you in times of despair. If you want to get to know someone at their core, learn what makes them cry. The Bible tells us that Jesus mourned over the fact that people were oblivious to the depth of His love for them. 

Want to get to know God better? Learn to practice intimacy with Him. In your most difficult times, learn to give all your fears over to Him. Understand what it means to be completely satisfied in God, no matter what is happening all around you. The Bible tells us it breaks His heart when we try to do things without Him. 

Maybe you have not known a place of safety or someone who could love you so much. God wants to be that person for you. So how do you get to know Him? 

Begin with prayer. Honestly, express your fears and emotions. Leave religious chatter behind and talk to Him as your best friend. 

Read your Bible. Even if you can only read a short portion, read anyway. Don’t understand what you read? Seek it out. Ask someone you trust to explain it or join a study group. 

Study God’s character. Look for God’s character traits—compassion, mercy, never changing, all-powerful, all-knowing, jealous, etc. Ask yourself what those traits say about how God sees you. 

Allow God to take care of you. He longs to protect and guide you. Don’t pull away when things get rough; run to Him. Search for Him. He has promised you will find Him. 

In the Old Testament, David understood there was a secret place of intimate relationship God has for those who run to Him. 

Psalm 91:1-4—The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust: He Himself will rescue you from the bird trap, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. 

When a hen signals to her chicks that she wants them to gather under her protection, she will increase her size and fluff her wings out. When she does this, her children know where to run for safety. 

The walls of my parent’s house are covered with pictures of our family. The refrigerator is decorated with pictures drawn by the great-grandkids and paper clippings of their accomplishments. It reminds me that here, in this place, I am safe—I’m covered with love and prayer. Likewise, God has a place on His wall for your portrait. Come get to know Him better. 

Reflection 

O Lord, our Shelter, thank you for loving us so much! You have promised to be found when we diligently seek You. Teach us to immerse ourselves in You. Reveal Your extraordinary character to us in the ordinary activities of our day. Help us understand who You are and Your plan for us. In You, we put all our trust. AMEN.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 12:19, Romans 7:21-25, 2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s Grace 

Author: Jordan Cunningham 

2 Corinthians 12:9—But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

Paul is by far one of my favorite Biblical authors. His words and letters in the Bible are raw, authentic, and relatable. I grew up in church, experienced my own salvation moment at 12 years old, was baptized at 16, graduated from Bible College with a Christian education degree, and now I work in full-time ministry. And somehow, in the midst of “having it all together” throughout the years, I honestly never felt like I did. 

There are a number of things I’m not naturally good at—sports, public speaking, singing, and small talk to name a few. And to be quite honest, I am not naturally good at doing the right thing—being obedient to Christ. I remember reading Paul’s words in Romans 7 and the freedom that those words brought to my life. 

Paul says, “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being, I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:21-25 

Can you relate to Paul and me? God has captured your heart, and His Spirit has done work in you. You desperately want to follow Him and act in obedience. Still, there’s always that immediate first reaction of your flesh—to be selfish or to gossip, to be greedy or petty. Paul, who authored much of the New Testament and led many people to Christ during his life, felt that tension. 

We all fail. 

Each one of us, even though we know what is right, chooses what is wrong at times. Even the most seasoned Christians succumb to their weaknesses more often than they’d like to admit. But I’d like to tell you that there’s good news—really good news. God is not interested in you reaching a level of perfection or in the world thinking you’ve got it all together. Can I tell you what God is interested in? Your heart and your obedience. 

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul mentions what he calls “a thorn in his flesh” that he’s prayed over and over that God would remove. Paul describes this “thorn” as a weakness in his life—something he feels could hinder his life, abilities, and ministry. But in 2 Corinthians 12:9, God responds to Paul’s concerns in a profound way. He says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 

Of course, God isn’t saying that His power is made perfect in sin, but in the moments when you come to the end of yourself and your own ability. When you face temptation and fall on your face before Him, His grace and power are sufficient. When your relationship is in a difficult place, and you decide to pray and seek Him, His grace and power are sufficient. When He’s asking you to sacrifice beyond what seems possible, His grace and power are sufficient. 

God sent Jesus because we can’t save ourselves. We’ll never be good enough on our own for heaven. We’ll never love perfect enough on our own to have a beautiful marriage. We’ll never be wise, compassionate, or caring enough to mend someone’s brokenness on our own. Remember, God doesn’t expect you to have it all together, but He does expect you to run to Him when you don’t. 

Reflection 

1. What weaknesses in your life can you surrender to Christ so His power can be complete? 

2. How have you seen God’s grace and power at work in your life?

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Are You Winning or Losing? 

Author: Pastor Kyle Torrence 

Matthew 6:33— But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

There is always something competing for your time. Are you winning or losing? 

— 

I had a list of a hundred things to do, and all of them should have been done a hundred days ago. My mind was on my unfinished tasks. My phone was a portal to the never-ending communication with a world that would not let me break free. I was exhausted, to say the least. Being a full-time dad, husband, and pastor left an unending need to balance my duties. 

The dinner table is usually a place where we as a family come together to unplug and talk about our day as a family. It’s a time that I have come to enjoy. I remember one night as a family sitting around the dinner table. I was on my phone trying to send a few more texts and respond to a few emails when I heard a little voice in the background. At first, it was drowned out by the kitchen noise, and then I felt a hand reach out and touch my arm, and suddenly I snapped back to reality. 

My wife had broken through the noise. 

She asked if I had heard my daughter; bothered by the abrupt interruption, I replied, “No. Just give me a second to finish this text.” I was frustrated. How could they not see that I was in the middle of trying to get someone some info they needed? 

Then my daughter spoke with a little quiver. She said, “I need you to hear about my hard day. Someone was mean to me on the playground and said I wasn’t pretty.” My daughter was fighting back the tears. 

What she said crushed me! 

She knew the table was a safe place to share and talk about her day; had I not let my phone compete for her time, I would have seen my kindergartener’s heartbreak. I got up from my seat and put my phone on the counter. I scooped her up, and she poured her heart out. 

My daughter was looking to me for comfort. The same way that we should run to our heavenly Father! We are safe at His table. However, distractions will always be around us, and we must consciously remove them once we identify what is holding our attention away from God. 

That’s why phones are no longer allowed at the table since that moment with my daughter. 

Our interactions with our kids help lead them to the feet of the Father. My prayer is that my girls seek God’s comfort and peace daily, free from the distractions of this world—and I set that standard in my home. 

Sometimes we must break down the verse in Matthew 6—seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. 

Within my own life, I was out of balance and distracted. In my circle of influence, my daughter needed my attention and my words of affirmation. 

As far around the world as one can reach, my world, at the moment, was sitting around my table, and I was too distracted to notice. Thank you, God, for showing me how to seek you first in all I do! Amen! 

Reflection 

What distractions are keeping you from meeting God at the table?

Scriptures: Galatians 5:25, Galatians 1:11-19, Galatians 5:22-25

Intentional Time With the Father 

Author: Pastor Jonathan Cunningham 

Galatians 5:25 NIV—Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

I absolutely love sports. My favorite players have always been those I see as brilliant on the field or court. High IQ players. A typical description of those players is a “student of the game.” I disliked the Lakers but loved Kobe Bryant growing up. The one thing that separated him from other players was the time he spent on the court. The countless hours of going through game plans and scenarios, even though he had incredible, undeniable natural talent. He was a true disciple of the game of basketball. He never settled; he never felt he had “made it.” His approach to the sport is something we can all learn from and implement in our lives, not just in an athletic capacity but in our walk with Christ. 

The definition of a disciple is “to be a follower or student of …” 

As Christians, we’re called to be followers or students of Christ. The word Christian literally means “a little Christ.” How do you become a student or follower of anything? You have to put in the time and work; there are no shortcuts. You don’t accidentally become a student of Jesus. 

The gifts and natural abilities you’ve been given will only get you so far. Without the proper foundation, you will never get remotely close to where God truly has planned for you. If you could, you wouldn’t need God. Spending time with the Father will build the foundation for the calling he has on each and every one of you. 

Stop right now, get your Bible, turn to Acts 9:1-22 and come back. 

So Paul has this incredible encounter that changes his entire life trajectory. Scripture plainly tells us that Paul didn’t just start preaching and telling others how they should live their lives. He wasn’t overnight given this platform to speak correction and from a posture of authority. 

Galatians 1:11-19—“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.” 

Paul was away for three years, and during his “away time,” he was spending it with God. He lived an intentional kingdom-building life. However, it wasn’t by accident that he was able to sustain that level of connection to both the church and God. 

We must ask ourselves how intentionally we are living for the Kingdom. How much of our lives are structured around that idea? How much of our time with the Father is more accurately classified as “if I get to it?” 

Ask yourself these questions: 

How much time am I spending reading the Word? 

How much time am I praying? 

How much time am I listening? 

How much time am I spending in the right circles of people? 

How much closer am I to God or the resemblance of Christ today? 

If you’re not sure, Galatians has the benchmark. 

Galatians 5:22-25 NIV—“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” 

How much better or deeper is your understanding of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? 

The answer to that question above will tell you where you’re at with your intentionality with the Father. 

Reflection 

Heavenly Father, we pray that you help us understand the importance of spending time with you. We know that the more we are like you, the more others will see you. In everything we do, that’s our ultimate mission. Thanks for being there even when we fall short. We love you, and we praise you. Amen.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-13

Discerning God’s Voice From the Clutter 

Author: Lisa Vaught 

Jeremiah 29:11—For I know the plans I have for you” . . . “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Imagine you are Patrick Mahomes standing on GEHA field at Arrowhead Stadium, where the noise of exuberant fans is always extreme, making it the Guinness World Record holder for being the loudest outdoor stadium. This day is no exception since this game will determine who moves on to the Superbowl. With only moments left and such a close game, no mistake can be made. The sound is overwhelming, even exhilarating, but you are trying to discern the directions from the coach. Can you hear his voice through all the clutter? 

Maybe the football analogy doesn’t match your personality; however, I dare say that at some point in your life, you have desired to hear from God yet had difficulty hearing Him through all the clutter. Rest assured that you are not alone. It has happened to us all at one point or another. 

So how can we make sure the voice we hear is from God? We must figure out what the clutter is and ignore it. Maybe that seems too simple, but that’s exactly what we have to do. 

In 597 BC, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar was expanding his empire, defeating one nation after another, including the nation of Israel, when Babylonian forces destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jewish king and all the intellectuals into captivity. It must have seemed that all hope was lost when these Jews found themselves in Babylon, over 1600 miles away from home. 

Had God forgotten them? No! As a matter of fact, God sent a reassuring message through the Prophet Jeremiah to the exiles that can be found in Jeremiah 29. In essence, God told them to settle down, grow their families, and make good lives for themselves because they were going to be there for a while. God also told them to pursue the well-being of the enemy city where they lived, praying for it because when it would thrive, they would also thrive. 

It seemed a little crazy in the grand scheme of things. Wouldn’t revenge be more logical? However, God had a bigger plan in store. 

I’m sure there was a lot of noise around these exiles; wailing cries for home or those loved ones that were left behind in Jerusalem, the zealots campaigning to fight against any Babylonian supporter, the doomsday preppers selling all the survival items, while the fortune-tellers instill fear to their very core! In all the hysteria, even some of the priests and prophets had lost the voice of God. 

Verses 8-9 says, “… Don’t let your prophets who are among you and your diviners deceive you and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them for they are prophesying falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them.” God warned the people not to listen to the clutter of fear and despair. God warned the people not to allow even their own panic and anxiety manifesting scenarios in their minds to sway them. 

Instead, God’s voice continues in verses 10-11, promising restoration after 70 years, plans for their well-being, for a future, and a hope. God’s voice would not be in the hopelessness, in the fear, or in the despair. We can know God’s voice because His character is one of promise, restoration, and HOPE. It doesn’t mean He will not reprimand or redirect us when we need it, but it does mean that His final outcome is always for our better future with Him. 

When you are trying to discern God’s voice in the clutter around you, eliminate any clutter that represents lies, fear, panic, anxiety, despair, hate, anger, and hopelessness. God’s voice will be the one directing you to a future and a hope with Him. 

Then in verses 12-13, God says, “You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” If we pray, God will show us how to separate the clutter from His voice. Discern the voice of hope crying in the wilderness of clutter. You can rest assured that is the voice of God. 

Reflection 

What clutter can you remove from your life to make room for God to speak to you?

Scriptures: Exodus 14:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6, Psalms 46:10, Proverbs 3:5

Be Still 

Author: Pastor Kyle Torrence 

Exodus 14:14 NIV—The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still. 

Pray. 

Trust. 

Be Still. 

Repeat. 

In Exodus 14:14, we find the Israelites are fleeing Egypt after Moses demands Pharaoh to let them go. After centuries of slavery, they begin their quest for freedom only to find themselves in a tough situation and questioning everything. 

Life is hard. Really hard sometimes. I’ve often wondered how I could make it without a foundation in my faith. How do people go through life without knowing and trusting in God? I’ve always wrestled with this thought. More now than ever. 

Doubt is something that has been placed in our minds from the very beginning of creation. Adam and Eve were the first to let doubt cloud their judgment. They allowed Satan to put doubt into their minds as to what God “really” said about eating the forbidden fruit. They lost their home, their ease of life, and God’s favor. They lost a lot that day. We all did. 

I have learned that I need to do my part when I want answers or need God to step in and help. Here is a practical application for God to move in your life and your situation. 

1. Pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18—“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

God hears you. He wants to hear from His children. You have a direct line to your heavenly Father so use it! He can handle hearing about your doubts or weaknesses. He knows your struggles. He knows your pain and is strong enough to handle your anger. He wants that communication from you. Every time you have a need or a thought throughout your day, go to Him in prayer. Don’t cease! 

Philippians 4:6—“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” 

2. Trust. Proverbs 3:5—“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” 

This is where it gets tricky—trusting God’s timing and plan above ours. We cannot lean on our understanding of the situation but trust that God has a bigger/better plan than we could have imagined. Write this scripture on sticky notes, highlight it in your Bible, and make it seen anywhere that might help you remember to trust in God. 

3. Be Still. Psalm 46:10—(He says) “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

The words “be still” derive from the Hebrew word Rapha, which means to be weak, let go, release, or surrender. 

Surrender is such a beautiful thing when we lay down our own plans or wants for what God has. When we surrender, we allow God to move according to His plan. His plan doesn’t have to follow our wants or demands, but it will always be perfect according to His will. 

Pray. 

Trust. 

Be Still. 

Repeat. 

Reflection 

Father God help us to be still when we are up against adversity. Help us to be still when we can’t see Your plan. We surrender to Your will for our situations and our lives. Amen.

Scriptures: Proverbs 4:23, Luke 10:38-42

Give Yourself Grace 

Author: Sarah Shanahan 

Proverbs 4:23 CSB—Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. 

Dishes are piled high. 

The laundry is overflowing. 

Email is going crazy. 

Notifications are dinging left and right. 

Kids are screaming. 

To-do list is ever-growing. 

And the list goes on. 

These to-do’s used to consume me. I thought I had to have everything done off my list before dinner with the family so we could enjoy each other. I would work from 8-5 outside the home, rush to pick up my two children from daycare/school, and then rush to get everything done. And when it didn’t happen, I allowed it to ruin my evening, affecting myself and my whole family. I forgot to give myself grace! 

In one of my bouts of cleaning with my kiddos asking for my attention and me saying, “Give me a minute,” I heard God say to me, “I have time for you right now!” 

Pausing, He reminded me of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Martha had invited Jesus to her home, but she was so distracted by what she needed to do that she almost missed her chance to be with Jesus! I love how our Lord responded to Martha when she asked him to talk to Mary. 

“Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary.” 

Talk about a humbling moment. 

There will always be something competing for our attention—we must be intentional with our time and resources. After all, nothing will ever be perfect. 

Since we live in a sin-filled world, we can’t judge ourselves with the standard of perfection—if we do, we will fail every time. 

It can be overwhelming—each day seems to bog us down with what needs to be done, and we can lose focus on our most important relationship with the Father. Give yourself grace; after all, God gave us all grace, so it’s only fair to give ourselves a little, too. 

Recognize that everything may not get done or be to the standard you have set, but learn to focus on the most important things at that moment. 

If we waste time being down on ourselves over a task not being done or life taking control, yet again, we fail to guard our hearts. What we allow into our thought life goes into our hearts. When we let negative thoughts drift in and consume us, it takes us further from His voice. If our anxieties take control, it becomes harder to hear the Father’s voice through the shouting thoughts swimming in our minds. 

Be like Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus and let the rest fade away. Sometimes you will have to do it multiple times, especially in the beginning, as you learn to quiet out the noises. Don’t be discouraged; instead, persevere. 

Always come back to the feet of Jesus. 

Filling our hearts through time in scripture and time listening for His voice—to sit at Jesus’ feet— will keep our hearts guarded, and from there, a spring of life will come over us and our family. 

And when we fail, even at being still before the Lord, don’t stop! Have the grace to say, “I messed up—I’m going to try again.” 

Practice giving yourself grace and know that you can’t ever be perfect; if you could be, there would be no need for the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice. 

Reflection 

Father, thank You that you see me. You know my thoughts, struggles, desires, and, most importantly, heart! Thank You for the grace you show me every single day. Please help me to give myself more grace, Lord. Help me to set aside all the distractions and focus on You and Your voice. Thank You, Lord, for all that You are doing in my life. Continue to pull me closer to You and Your heart. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.

Scriptures: Galatians 6:2, James 5:16-18, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

It’s Okay to Ask 

Author: Tyke Schubert 

Galatians 6:2—Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

It’s hard to ask for prayer … I don’t want to beat around the bush. We take our prayers to God and often don’t go any further. We don’t seek out our fellow believers. 

We say and think things like: 

“They’ll judge me for this.” 

“I’ll lose all of my friends if I say this.” 

“I’m a man; I’m not supposed to ask for prayer.” 

“I’m a mom; I don’t have the energy or time for someone to pray over me.” 

“That would require me to do something, and I’m too anti-social to do that.” 

We make excuses upon excuses to avoid prayer. 

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Jesus clearly states that we should go to God in prayer; we know that, but the Bible also says that we should pray over one another. 

James 5:16-18 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months, it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit,” and in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 

The Bible clearly tells us to pray over one another, but if people don’t know what to pray for, they cannot properly pray for or over you. Because of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, we are the body and bride of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 states, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” Just as in the body, we must take care of every part and piece. If our leg gets broken, we put a cast on it; if we get a deep cut, we get stitches; or if we get a scrape on the hand, we put a band-aid on it. 

So, if we take care of our own bodies, why would we shy away from being a part of taking care of the body of Christ? How can we bear one another’s burdens if we’re not sharing our struggles with one another? 

Yes, it’s difficult to ask for prayer, but when you ask, you fulfill God’s plan for His people. 

Reflection 

1. What is stopping you from sharing your needs with others? 

2. Who is someone you can start sharing your prayer requests with? 

Scriptures: Philippians 1:9-10, John 8

Is That You, Lord? 

Author: Pastor Darren DeLoach 

Philippians 1:9-10—And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ… 

When one seeks the voice of God, the subject of discernment becomes necessary to discuss. Why? One of the apostles, John, wrote about it in Chapter 8 of his “gospel.” 

“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John also recorded these words in the same letter, Chapter 10, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” 

The quotes above are not simply the opinions of a man named John; these are the words of Jesus as transcribed by the apostle. Jesus is telling us that hearing the voice of God is more intricate than simply positioning yourself to hear; it is also being very sure that what you are hearing finds its genesis in Christ. To make this determination, a few measures must first be in place. 

You must be a Christian; otherwise, you have multiple dominant voices vying for control of your thoughts. 

Be grounded in the Bible to ensure what you are hearing aligns with the characteristics of God. 

Now let us assume that you, the reader, are indeed a Christian. Therefore you are not being spiritually torn apart by otherworldly forces. Congratulations, you are the proverbial “Child of God,” “The Redeemed,” “Blood bought,” Born Again,” and “The Saved.” Surely, it can now be reasonably ascertained that the streams of consciousness currently inundating your heart and mind must undoubtedly be those of God? The answer is…“maybe.” 

To decipher the many utterances filling your subconscious, you must possess the ability to DISCERN. The biblical definition of discernment is “perception, not only by the senses but by the intellect,” and it goes on to say, with more specificity, “of moral perception in ethical matters.” Discernment for a Christian should provide a deep-rooted perception that allows them to determine spiritually and intellectually whether some thought or pervading idea is God-spoken. In a nutshell: 

“Your ability to discern enables you to trust what you hear.” 

Sadly, though, we as Christians are largely led astray by the prevailing thoughts and not the “still small voice” of the Lord. A simple silly example of this took place in my life a few years ago. It was summer, and my four children were all still young, ranging in age from twelve to two. We were visiting my in-laws on their farm just north of a small town named Doniphan. Our plans were to stay a few days with my in-laws before traveling south to Arkansas to visit my father in Cherokee Village, but as was the norm, our plans were thwarted by the desires of one of our kids who wished to stay the week with the in-laws. It was allowed (look, three kiddos are always easier to manage than four; don’t judge), and we packed up the minivan as we trekked south to God’s country. We arrived at my dad’s about two hours later and had just gotten the tons of stuff unloaded when my in-laws called. They did not let us know that they would be gone the entirety of the week, and my child really didn’t want to go with them. Oh, and they needed to leave in no less than two hours for more fun. 

I will admit to being severely frustrated at the prospect of jumping back in the family’s Dodge Caravan and flying back up those crooked highways to grab my kiddo. Yet, off I go, and I MAAAAAAY have been breaking a few of the speed laws and mumbling some not-so-nice things while driving. 

The path to my in-laws is a jumbled series of turns, two-lane stretches, and curves that requires driving on multiple highways, county roads, and gravel. I had made the trip a couple of times, but it was in no way ingrained into my psyche. I am speedily making my way through Raven’s Den, Arkansas, when out of nowhere, a semi-truck unceremoniously pulled out almost on top of me. I came to a complete stop and believe I shouted something to the effect, “God bless you, go ahead, and I will wait!” The driver of the semi waved kindly with some regional gesture of thanks, and I hurriedly carried on with my trip to the in-laws’ farm. 

As I continued along, it seemed I had gotten off course. It had been just over an hour, and I was still not seeing my next turn. I kept going, thinking, surely, it’s just ahead. Now two hours have passed. Finally, I see something familiar, Highway 63. I was WAY off course. I called my in-laws to let them know that I would be about two hours late. I got to their house and packed up my child; all the while, my mother-in-law was thanking me for my promptness. 

I again take off for my father’s house to join the rest of my family. 

The trip is calm, and no laws are being broken as I meander through the varied pathways when I come to a stop sign that forms a “T” with another highway. It is then that I see the exact place the semi had stopped my earlier progress…right where I needed to turn. 

Then I heard that Small Voice, “I tried to help you, but in your haste and anger, you missed what I was saying.” 

I ask (as if He really needed me to add anything), “Did you use the truck in an attempt to keep me on course?” 

And God, as is His norm with me, answers like I am a simple child, “you allow your emotions to dictate IF you hear and WHAT you hear.” 

You must be thinking, “You are talking about missing a turn; why on earth would God care about things so small?” God placed a simple grove of trees in the middle of a garden and gave a basic command of “Do not touch.” God often uses the smallest of details to test our ability to hear Him. His voice is ever present to keep us from missing the mark. The question is, rarely is God speaking. 

The question is, “Are you listening?” 

Reflection 

Are you truly taking the time to listen to the Father? 

Scripture: Psalms 63:1-5

The Word of God Refreshes the Soul 

Author: Faith Woodall 

Psalm 63:1-5—O God, You are my God; Early I will seek You; My soul thirsts for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.” 

“My soul thirsts for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.”

This beautiful passage of Scripture reminds us that God is worthy of our praise. However, I can’t help but notice the not-so-good-looking truth that lies in the middle: “my soul thirsts for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” This reassures me that there will come seasons in our life when we encounter this dry and thirsty land. It’s bound to happen in this dry and thirsty world. The demand that everyday life brings, the busyness that comes each week, and the attempt to keep up the stride month after month will leave our souls dry and thirsty. 

Just as I physically need to stop for a good, refreshing half-and-half tea after an afternoon of running errands, our souls need the same kind of refreshing, and thankfully, we have those refreshing words, inspired by God, in the Bible. When we dive into Scripture, it is like taking a large drink of living water, which we need to quench our dry thirst. This living water will also give us the energy we need to go on and keep seeking after Him. 

“So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.”

Or sometimes, we don’t need a drink; we need a reminder. It never failed that in school, we would spend the first few days of the year reviewing lessons we learned the previous year. The teachers would call them “refreshers.” They wanted to refresh our brains by reminding us of what we already knew but may have forgotten after weeks of summer break. 

I see a similar instance in this verse David wrote in Psalm, “so I have looked for You in the Sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.” David knew of God’s Power and Glory, yet he needed to look for it to refresh and remind himself during his dry and thirsty moment. The Word of God can refresh our minds of what we already know to be true about God but may have forgotten. After reminding ourselves of who He is, what He has done, of His Power and Glory, our souls will find the refreshing we are in need of to Praise Him. 

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless you while I live, I will lift up my hands in Your name.”

Then, other times, we don’t need a drink or a reminder but a complete restart. About a year ago, we moved out to the woods and had the most challenging time finding reliable Wi-Fi. It never fails that almost every day, we will have to restart our Wi-Fi because it either starts moving really slowly or just up and drops the connection suddenly. As annoying as it can become, I can’t help but be reminded of how I, too, can start to move slowly. My body and soul can begin to drag, and my mood can be equally as frustrating as our Wi-Fi issue if I am not careful. 

During these moments, I need to push my own restart button to refresh my soul and my thinking. Releasing praise from my mouth begins to restart my attitude. Worship and lifting up my hands will restart my hope and refocus it on the Lord, and the Word of God, full of truth, will restart and refresh us when we are dragging or ready to quit. 

“My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.”

Or what about the refreshment that doesn’t truly satisfy us? I don’t know about you, but a room-temperature soda on a hot day will not satisfy my thirst. I will begin searching for something else, and can’t that also hit home with us and our souls? Every person in the world is searching for the people, the place, or the things that will meet our needs and wants, the things that will truly satisfy the desire of our hearts. That dissatisfaction will almost always leave us searching for more. 

Thankfully, we have the Word of God to refresh our souls to the point of being satisfied, as David says in this verse. Marrow and fatness stand for rich foods, which would imply being satisfied even beyond one’s needs. In the Word of God, we find the kind of refreshment that will satisfy our souls, but we must go back and apply the first part of this verse – “God, you are my God; Early I will seek You.” We must seek Him. We seek Him because we are in need of the only kind of refreshment that truly satisfies us. 

Reflection 

1. In what area are you in need of refreshment today? 

2. How are you in need of refreshment today? 

3. How are you seeking Him today? 

Scripture: James 4:8

Deepening Your Connection With the Father 

Author: Pastor Michael Reece 

James 4:8—Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty, is divided between God and the world. 

When I was younger, I was always struck by the simplicity with which this verse in James approached closeness with God. It seemed impossible that the Creator of the universe would want to be close to me. All I had to do to experience that closeness was make a conscious decision to move toward Him. It was something I struggled with early in my walk with Christ. The older I get, the more I realize that it is that simple. In fact, more often than not, we tend to overcomplicate closeness with God. We tell ourselves we have to jump through a ton of hoops to feel close to God when in reality, we just need to choose him above all else. Nothing has made me understand that more than becoming a married man. I met my wife, Bethany, in the fall of 2017. We started dating later that year and have now been married since December 2019. 

There are a lot of wonderful things about being married, and I consider myself very fortunate to have been blessed with such a great relationship. One thing I did not expect was how being married would affect how I view my relationship with God. Concepts like unconditional love and forgiveness took on new meanings for me. Granted, I will never be able to understand the full scope and magnitude of how deeply and powerfully we are loved by God. None of us can truly understand that. For me, though, marriage has helped put into perspective some key things about my relationship with God. If you want to deepen your relationship with our Heavenly Father this year, let me share some of that perspective with you. 

The steps it takes to deepen your relationship with God are not unlike the ones it would take to strengthen your relationship in marriage or any other meaningful relationship. In both cases, I have learned that two things are crucial to developing a healthy connection: intentionality and consistency. Let’s start with intentionality. It has to be intentional if I want to strengthen my relationship with my wife. It’s not going to happen accidentally. It has to be more than us just sitting in a room distracted by other things and not engaging each other. Our relationship won’t grow that way. I have to keep learning about who she is as a person. That involves asking questions and, most importantly, listening intently to what she has to say. 

That same level of intentionality must be present in our relationship with God. The time we spend with Him can’t be filled with distractions. We all have a ton of things going on, whether that is with our families, our jobs, or just the general craziness of the world around us. Though that may be true, we still need to make time to get into the Word of God. Make sure you are taking time to unplug from all of that and spend quality time with God. Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb,” take a deep breath, and have a conversation with God. Just as any important conversation that involves listening, as well. It may feel awkward at first, but make sure you are giving yourself the proper time and space to hear what God may be saying to you. 

Consistency is also an important part of building relationships. Long-term relationships involve daily commitment. My relationship with my wife is not something I take breaks from. We are in this thing every day, no matter what. My relationship with God has to also be something I don’t take breaks from. With the craziness of life and how busy we all can be, we can’t afford for our relationship with God to steadily slip down the priority list. Just as with any relationship, if we fail to make an effort to invest time consistently, the connection will begin to weaken. Make a commitment now, early in 2023, to strive to spend time with God daily. 

Set a morning alarm, insert it into your work routine, and do whatever you need to do to make sure that it stays consistent. If I am being honest, a lot of the times in my life when I felt I was struggling to hear from God really boiled down to me never making time for my God time to happen. To truly hear God, we must make sure we are drawing near Him. We choose Him above all and commit to spending intentional, consistent time with Him. 

Reflection 

What are things you can do this year to be more intentional in your time with God?

Scriptures: Jeremiah 33:3, 2 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 22:34-39

It’s Not the Same for Everyone 

Author: Zack Harris 

Jeremiah 33:3—Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. 

Throughout the entire Bible, God speaks to people in various ways. Sometimes He speaks directly to the person, and sometimes He speaks in a seemingly strange way that has a specific significance to the person. Hosea and others were given direct words from God, whereas with Balaam (Numbers 22), God spoke through a donkey. 

The same applies to us. God will speak, but not always in the same or expected way. He won’t necessarily speak to us the way He speaks to others, and He won’t necessarily speak to us the same way every time. He won’t necessarily speak to us in every manner. He won’t necessarily speak to us when we expect or want Him to. His words come at different times and for various reasons. Much like how an in-person chat with someone will help us one day, a text message on another day might have just as much of an impact, if not more. Context is key. 

It’s worth noting that before He speaks, we must first ask, then listen, or merely listen in the first place. Not every conversation (prayer) has to start with you! Regardless of order, whatever it is that you need, be it answers or actions, always be ready to listen. Desire to listen! 

I could easily tell you to take a moment out of your day and have private God time, and as you pray, that’s when He will speak. Again, that’s not always the case. He can and will speak in those moments for sure, but personal experience tells me that He’s gonna speak when the time is right, even if it’s not right in our minds. Patience is key. 

Like how God directly spoke to many in the Bible, He can talk directly to us. Now, this is definitely the broadest and most diverse way He speaks, so don’t expect it to come about the same way for you or anyone else. For some, He will speak to them audibly: they can hear His voice in their ears or mind. To others, He gives little bits of wisdom that pop up like you just read something. Others still, He gives visions and dreams: mental pictures or scenes. 

Of course, God speaks to us through the Bible as well. Like 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” It is an invaluable resource for wisdom and guidance. In fact, the Bible is a great way to find confirmation on whether or not what you heard was from God. If a dream tells you to “hate your neighbor,” Scripture can be opened up and show you otherwise (Matthew 22:34-39). 

God can speak through others too. Advice from a trusted person in your life can be just as from God as a direct word. God could have inspired them to tell you something, or they know of a relevant Bible verse/passage. Their wisdom or life experience can be precisely what you need to proceed (or not proceed) with something. The person’s presence in the room could just be a simple way for God to comfort you, physically or emotionally. Actions speak just like words. 

God’s voice isn’t restricted to the “normal” ways listed above either (Balaam’s Donkey). At the time of writing, within a few months, God spoke to me through three different songs at three different times. Lyrics in those songs (none specifically spiritual) jumped out in my mind and gave me specific insight into current situations or much-needed comfort. Someone I know was given peace in a very troubling year by the words on an agricultural billboard. Another was in a catastrophic accident when they finally heard Him. God can use anything He needs to reach us. He knows the best time and way to reveal something, even if it’s unwelcome by human standards. 

We all have desires and imaginations, though. How do we know which words come from God and which words are our own wishful thinking? That can be difficult to determine sometimes. Like above, anything that comes to you and doesn’t align with Scripture is not from God. He won’t tell you to leave your family for that cute girl from work (1 Timothy 5:8). Continuous, specific prayer is your other best alternative. If you are unsure about something you think is from God, keep praying; ask if it’s truly from Him. He will let you know in some way. Again, patience is key. 

You have to be honest, too. Sometimes God will tell you something you don’t want to hear. You have to come to terms with it before you can really listen. In those quiet (and not-so-quiet) moments of listening, He will give you what you need to get through. Even after the unwanted words, He will comfort you with more. 

Listen to God patiently and obediently, regardless of how He chooses to deliver His message. Do what He says. He may not give you every answer or solve every problem the way you want, but He will always listen and give you what you need. He will speak, and it will be done. 

Reflection 

1. In what ways has God spoken to you? 

2. Were you honest and accepting when God told you something you didn’t want to hear?

Scriptures: Psalms 46:10, John 14:18

Hearing God in Times of Trouble 

Author: Pastor Jonathan Cunningham 

Psalms 46:10—He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

Have you ever read the Bible and thought, “Of course, the Bible would say that?” Way, way easier said than done, though. If not, go back and reread the opening verse, think about the hardest time in your life, and answer the question, “Was I still? Here’s a better question, “Was I still at first?” 

You could be going through the most difficult time of your life and wondering what “Be Still” really means. 

As a parent of a one-year-old, being still just means giving me five seconds to do what I need to get done. The crazy thing is sometimes I need my son to be still for five seconds so that I can tend to his pain, hunger, tears, or diaper (his mess). Do you think he always gives me that time? Nope. Twisting, turning, screaming, crying, desperately wanting to be healed, fed, and clean. If Tyson truly realized that everything I’m trying to accomplish is actually for him to get exactly what he needs, he would be a little more still, right? 

Well … 

Are we, as God’s children, any different? We scrape our knees (unforeseen bill), break a bone (tragedy), need a new diaper (in a mess, our choices or not), and we start screaming out to God. 

“Help me with this.” 

“Take this burden from me.” 

“I’m broken and need to be whole.” 

God hears our cries, and He hasn’t abandoned us. Let’s take a look at John 14:18, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” When reading the words in the Bible, it means Jesus is speaking if it’s written in red ink. So Christ Himself says not only will He not leave you, but He will come to you. The easiest way to be “found” is to stand still. We stand still, knowing He is a good Father; He’ll come to us and supply our needs. 

Here’s what we miss a lot of times. “Be still” doesn’t mean “don’t do anything.” That is where it’s different between God and us as parents. We just need our sons or daughters not to move at all. Being still as a Christian means being still in His presence. That means regular prayer and time spent with God. Worshipping God both in song and our actions. Diving deep into scripture not to complete a devotion, but to truly learn more about Him and His character. It also means surrounding ourselves with people with whom we can be still in His presence. Those that push us closer to God and less time with those who don’t. The combination of these things and patience and trust is how we get through times of trouble. 

I want to leave you with something that has really helped me in times of trouble. God has always found a way for me to encourage or share my testimony of trouble with others while they’re hurting. The way Christ delivered me through them has helped to give others the confidence and faith to be still. How incredible is it that the creator of the universe partners with us in this way to help others cross a bridge from us to Jesus? 

Reflection 

Father, I pray that You give me the confidence to trust in You and have the faith to come to You during my times of trouble. Please help me hear Your voice and know it is ok to be still in Your presence. Thank You that You are walking with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Obeying the Voice of God 

Author: Pastor Michael Reece 

Genesis 12:1-3—The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you. 

If you are a Christian and have been in church for a while, the concept that Christians should obey God and do what He says is likely not something you are unfamiliar with. It sounds pretty cut and dry, all things considered. He is the Creator of the entire universe. He is all-knowing and all-powerful, so it stands to reason that we should have no problem obeying Him at His Word. However, if we are honest, it is not always that easy or simple in our minds. We are human beings with emotions, feelings, thoughts, and fears. 

If you are like me, you are someone who does not like feeling out of control. At the very least, you want to know the next step before taking it. This can take a concept like trusting and obeying God and make it extremely difficult for us. Sometimes it’s not that we’re having problems hearing God but that we’re having problems acting on what we’ve heard. Maybe you are in a situation right now where you are struggling to obey something you know God is telling you to do. Perhaps it’s fear or uncertainty, but whatever it is, it’s important to look to scripture to guide us through those moments. 

In Genesis 12, we see Abram was given very specific instructions to obey. These are not just any instructions. He’s telling Abram to leave behind everything he knows and take off to a foreign land. On top of that, God doesn’t even tell him initially where he’s going. I’m not sure about you, but that would be a tough situation for me to be in. I can say that because I have been in a similar scenario before. 

I got saved as a teenager in a church that I would wind up attending for over fifteen years. I absolutely loved it. It is where I first found Jesus, where I first felt called into ministry, where I made so many cherished friendships, and even where I met my wife. About four years ago now, I felt the tug to leave. Not because I was angry or because any specific thing was a problem. But I knew it was God calling me to another place. I wish I could tell you that I immediately jumped up and wholeheartedly obeyed, but that is not the case. 

I was nervous. 

I was scared. 

I was unsure of myself. 

I couldn’t help but think, “Where could I possibly go? What if I am hearing the wrong thing? What if this is the wrong choice?” It took a lot of work. It took a lot of prayers, seeking wisdom, and getting advice from solid spiritual mentors that I trusted. Ultimately, I obeyed God and took the step without knowing what was next. I’m glad I did, or I would not be in the place I am today. If you are in a season where you are struggling to obey God, I hope I can offer you some helpful encouragement. 

Immediately after God told Abram what he was supposed to do, He told Abram about the promises to which Abram’s obedience would ultimately lead. When God gives us instruction, no matter how scary or uncomfortable, it is for a reason. He is not operating without a plan and just telling us to do whatever in the meantime. He has a calling, a plan, and a purpose for your life and intends to get you there. Your obedience bridges where you are right now and where God wants you to be. Don’t let the fear or doubt you are experiencing in the moment keep you away from the way God wants to use you to impact the Kingdom. 

Reflection 

1. Have you ever doubted that you heard God’s voice? 

2. What is stopping you from obeying Him?

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Romans 5:8

Why Bother? 

Author: Pastor Kevin Mann 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7—Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 

Have you heard this scripture before? Your answer is most likely a “yes!” You may have heard it quoted at weddings, and rightfully so. This is the most challenging scripture to practice for obvious reasons. Somehow, along the way, we were taught to see many negatives in people, which led to a judgment of sorts. However, let’s first look at why developing an authentic relationship with Jesus sets an example in following our key scripture. 

Let’s look at Romans 5:8. “But God showed us his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” 

This is the basis that drives our love for Jesus. Regardless of the number of sins we have committed, Jesus died for us as a living sacrifice so that if we believe in him and what he did for us, we can enter heaven forever! However, this belief doesn’t give us a reason to continue repeating our sins. Accepting Jesus in our lives and seeking a genuine relationship with Him will not make us perfect but make us willing to live righteously. There is no greater love than what was shown to us when He committed Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. If we truly accept this meaning and Jesus into our lives, it paves a path for us to love others even when it does not make sense. 

Re-read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 once again but read it much slower this time. 

How did it make you feel? 

When I first read this and many times after, I thought: 

“No way am I going to be patient with someone who just doesn’t get it?” 

“I have a right to be jealous of someone else’s accomplishments because I worked harder than they did to achieve status.” 

“Do I want to be correct at all costs to win the battle?” 

“I will not forget how many times this person did this or did that to me or others, which led to these hurts. In turn, I will remind them repeatedly how the hurts made me feel.” 

Or how about this one? 

“No one knows what my circumstance feels like unless they were in my shoes, so I have a right to hold a grudge against someone for as long as I want!” 

Truth be known that we torture ourselves more than anyone else when we have these feelings. I have experienced and demonstrated every negative act that this scripture represents. How did I eventually move forward? I studied the scripture, which showed me just how deep His love is for me. 

Many scriptures demonstrate God’s love, His forgiveness, how He shows that He does not forget us when we experience the low times in our lives, and most of all, as it states in Romans 5:8: 

“But God showed us his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” 

If you can hang on to this and meditate on it, then building, resolving, and having solid relationships will come your way. Remember that He loved us first. 

Keep in mind, when seeking to form new relationships, always know there is a story to discover, and more than likely, you will be surprised by what you learn. 

Reflection 

Ask Jesus to show you where you struggle regarding 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Once again, read it slowly and then act on it appropriately.

Scripture: 1 John 5:14

Consider Your Motives 

Author: Lisa Vaught 

1 John 5:14 CSB—This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 

I have served the Lord alongside Chris in some form of ministry for over 30 years. I would love to say it was all joyful; however, the truth is my attitude has not always been one of joy. Before you judge me too quickly, let me tell you that there have been many rough patches in the journey of ministry – patches of doubt, fear, rejection, slander, confusion, misunderstandings, and difficulties. 

I am very aware of the scripture in James 1 that tells me to “Consider it a great joy…whenever you experience various trials.” I believe that wholeheartedly, and I always come to that conclusion. I also discover that God has allowed trials to teach and grow me. It’s just in the thick of things that I sometimes have difficulty seeing the blessing in the midst of the struggle. Come on now, be honest with yourself. You know you have been there, too. 

Three times on our ministry path, God has chosen to relocate us to another church in another community, and this last time in another state. Every time God would show us that change was coming, we wanted to know all the answers to all the questions: When? Where? Why? Which direction? How? On one specific occasion of confusion, I found myself telling God, “Could you just write the answer on the wall already?” Making reference to a time in the Bible when God sent a hand to write a message on a wall. 

Seriously, wouldn’t it be nice if God would send a skywriting plane to write us a message in the beautiful blue sky when we want direction? Or how about a nice letter in the mailbox from God laying out the plan for us in plain English with His royal stamp of approval? Better yet, how about a quick text message, “Hey, it’s God, do THIS, you silly human!” 

In hindsight, I’m thankful that I didn’t get the writing on the wall since the only time I know about that such a mysterious thing occurred as a message from God was when the message recipient’s death was foretold because he, King Belshazzar of Babylon, had been so disrespectful to God that Belshazzar was being wiped off the face of the Earth. 

What was my motive for wanting to hear from God? I wanted to make sure we were following the right path. I didn’t want to be on any journey God wasn’t directing. “It was a good motive,” wouldn’t you say? Why, then, did God choose to wait to reveal His plan? Well, the waiting must have been part of the plan. 

Let’s look at the key verse for today in 1 John 5:14, which says, “This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 

First, notice we can have confidence that God hears us when we ask. Just go ahead and rest assured that God’s ears are always open to hearing our prayers. 

However, notice some very crucial words in this scripture: according to His Will. It was God’s Will for Chris and our family to move to Jackson, Missouri; however, it was not in His Will for us to know that until His perfect timing. Why? We must have had some learning to do, some sort of preparation that was in His Will before the revelation was given to us. 

God hears us seeking Him, but He wants us to surrender to His Will. My motive had to be more than seeking peace in my fear, answers to my questions, guidance in decision-making, and even encouragement for my husband and me. Although those were great reasons to seek God, the most important motive must be to SURRENDER to HIS WILL. 

As you go through this time of prayer and fasting and through this year seeking to hear the voice of God, ask yourself, “What is my motive?” Are you seeking peace in a time of fear? That’s a good motive. Are you seeking answers to your questions about faith? That’s a good motive. Are you seeking guidance in a decision that needs to be made? That’s a good motive. Are you seeking to find encouragement for yourself or to share with others? That’s a good motive. However, first and foremost, let your main motive be to surrender to His Will. It’s then, and only then, you will hear His voice, even if it just says, “Wait, Child, until it’s my perfect timing, and learn from me while you’re waiting.” 

Reflection 

1. Why do you want to hear from God? 

2. Are you fully surrendered to His Will?

Scripture: Isaiah 30:21

The Role of the Holy Spirit 

Author: Pastor Darren DeLoach 

Isaiah 30:21—And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. 

Israel, the nation, enjoyed both immense favor and blessings from the Lord, as well as varied re-percussive punishments over the centuries since Moses helped deliver them from Egypt. God used a litany of prophets, kings, judges, and divine interventions to get the Israelites’ attention. Periodically, these measures worked, as the Jews frequently repented for their evils. 

Time is the enemy of good intentions and the measure of truth, and we again find the nation in sin and idolatry. It is no small coincidence that Israel is in the throngs of its wrongdoing when they again make poor choices. An oppressive, violent empire to the north, Assyria, is threatening war, and the leaders of Israel realize their armies are no match for the numbers and skills of the superpower’s armed forces. In their disobedience and now under duress, they wrongly side with the Egyptians, compromising clear directives from God again. 

This time God sent the Prophet Isaiah to convey His message to Israel, imploring them to turn away from their own abilities and trust the words He was speaking. Isaiah told them that despite their unfaithfulness to God, He was not like man, and He would have mercy if they simply relinquished control to Him. He again would deliver them and render them victorious if they would go into battle with the Assyrians aided only by God. Trust Him, and their ears would again open to His voice which would come from behind them, “saying, this is the way, walk you in it,” and He would guide them. But history records that Israel acted like a petulant child and tried to defeat the Assyrian army by instead opting for help from Egypt rather than placing their undivided trust in the Lord their God. 

We may scoff at the Hebrews for turning to the nation that formerly enslaved them, but are we really any different? When the going gets really tough, do we not do the same? We lean on our abilities, turn to a substance to numb reality, or seek counsel from unwise places where an infidelic affair occurs. We often turn our backs on God entirely and seek wisdom through other religions, philosophies, intellectualism, or other human ideas more grounded in modern culture. Or we simply walk away, forsaking God and living life to the best of our own abilities. 

Yet God is faithful. 

He may not send a prophet to your home to turn you away from your sins or give you wisdom. He does something even more personal. He comes Himself. 

The Holy Spirit is ever present in the life of a Christian. The Bible unequivocally states that the Holy Spirit is, in fact, God, just as Jesus Christ and the Father are God. At the moment you believed in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, Paul teaches us through his letter to the Ephesians that: “when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.” 

The Holy Spirit does not live in your heart simply to have a place to hang out. Jesus described the Holy Spirit as a Helper or Comforter, and these words are sometimes wrongly associated with the modern idea of them. They seem “quaint” or “passive” when that was not remotely the case. The Holy Spirit lives in Christians to empower them over temptation, bestow God-given abilities to serve His Kingdom and others, provide understanding and wisdom in life matters and insight into the Scriptures, enrich and empower the believer’s prayers and intercede for them to God Himself, develops a new nature in the believer that shows we are a new creature, convicts them of their wrongdoings and moves Christians to repent, and “being sealed” in the Holy Spirit brings comfort and peace to the believer in knowing God is always with them. 

The Holy Spirit is the “Voice” of God, just as Jesus was the “Word” of God. 

The Holy Spirit speaks not only to believers but also to the hearts of those who are not. Just like God and Jesus, the Holy Spirit continually reaches out to the lost in compassion, love, and grace so that they may have the faith to believe. 

Here is the kicker, His voice is now in YOU!!! 

That very same Spirit found within Peter, John, James, and even Paul gave them peace, power, and authority. Now free, they could feel worthy to preach His message everywhere they went. 

You, too, are free…He lives IN YOU!!! He has given you words of wisdom and a heart of mercy for the hopelessly lost. 

So, now GO! 

“Reach, preach, and teach.” 

If ever a generation needed men and women that know who they are in Christ, it is now. 

He is not with you; HE IS IN YOU. 

Therefore, go as the Apostles did before, in grace and peace, under the power of the Holy Spirit, and with the authority of Heaven. 

And a lost generation will be lost no more.

Scriptures: Psalms 56:3, Deuteronomy 31:6, James 4:8

Talk to God Before You Overthink 

Author Sarah Shanahan 

Psalm 56:3 ESV—When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 

I was about to wrap up this devotional series when I heard God tell me I had missed the closing devotional. 

At first, I was upset; I had worked hard to plan, research, pray and write this devotional. I was focusing on the difference between self-reflection and overthinking. I thought I was on the right path in showing how self-reflection holds a purpose and that overthinking only traps us in fear and anxiety. 

But then, I was still. I closed my eyes, and I listened to His correction. 

I stopped my own overthinking, and I put my trust in Him. 

Once you experience the voice of God in your life, you will be overcome with joy at hearing Him. However, there will be times when you don’t, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t listening or speaking. 

After all, the scriptures say, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV. 

When He corrects, it is never fun; after all, no one wants to be disciplined. But when we are corrected, take a moment and pause, stay silent, and wait on the Lord. 

Don’t overthink what God is speaking to you! 

Children are a great example of this. My 8-year-old has been asking many questions lately about hearing from God. Through our talks, I can see his mind clinging to the practices we talk about, and I have watched his prayers go from robotic to natural. 

Then a day came that took me by surprise. We were in a fairly crowded gathering for a sporting event when I turned around, and he was gone. As I looked around, I saw him standing next to another little boy around his age. I watched him as he smiled at the other kid and then hugged him. He said his goodbyes and came running back to me. 

I asked him where he knew the boy from, and he said, “I didn’t know him. I just knew he needed a hug.” 

Shocked, I looked down at him and asked, “What?” 

He smiled and said, “I heard God whisper that he needed a friend and a good hug, so I gave him one and invited him to church.” 

As adults, we have experienced the disappointments and pains of life. Sometimes, because of those experiences, we tend to overthink that small whisper asking us to be His hands and feet. We would have overcomplicated it, and we should just respond to it. 

When we start to overthink, that is when we need to turn to the Father. Ask Him for clarification and wisdom with whatever situation you are going through. Rest in the peace that He is with you. 

Sometimes the biggest obstacle in our way is ourselves. 

Always start by talking with God first! 

Let this be our prayer, “I want more of you, Father, and less of me!” 

As we close out this study on Be Still, know that this isn’t the end of your journey—it is just the beginning! 

Continue to reflect, pray and search the Scripture. Invite the Spirit into your life daily! 

When we draw near to Him, he draws near to us (James 4:8). 

Don’t stop seeking Him! 

Reflection 

Are you seeking God before you overthink?