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October 2018

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Are You Listening ??

Proverbs 2:1-2 (NIV)
 My son, if you accept my words  and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—
James 1:19 (NIV)
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Psalm 81:8 (NIV)
8 Hear me, my people, and I will warn you   if you would only listen to me, Israel!
Mark 4:24 (NIV)
24 “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.
Proverbs 18:2 (NIV)
2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
1 Samuel 3:10 (NIV)
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

In the past few months I have noticed, while watching TV, or on social media or just in general conversation that more than ever before whether

right or wrong
positive or negative
respectful or disrespectful
people want to express their thoughts and feelings on different issues. In many cases this is without any regard for how their statements will affect others. I have also noticed that even people who are typically quiet are expressing themselves and it’s not always in a kind and loving manner. While there are yet others
who are expressing themselves because they simply want to vent.
I do have a question regarding this if everyone is talking  who’s doing the listening? You see
I think that it is wonderful that we feel free to express our true feelings. However
if communication is to be effective we must be just as willing to listen as we are to talk. In saying that
I must confess that talking comes much easier and more natural for me than listening.
As a Public Speaker the fact that I enjoy talking has been a great asset to me. Talking has served me well in that arena but during everyday conversations there must be a balance of the two.
You see if we are in such a hurry to express ourselves rather than listen to what the other person has to say
we may miss a very valuable nugget that may bring understanding to that persons point of view.
While thinking about this it dawned on me that when it comes to my spiritual life i have been guilty of talking too much as well.
There have been many times when I have come to God 
expressing my frustrations and desires
Instead of just sitting still and listening for His voice.
It also dawned on me
that rarely do we rush to God to listen. Listening to God requires that we get still. In this fast paced world that we live in we would rather do anything than get still  and listen for His voice.
Because we live in a fast paced world however it is important that we beware of unfruitful busyness. 
it can be the very thing that robs us of quality time with our Father. Busyness creates the illusion that we are accomplishing a lot but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we are being effective. When we are listening to God we can be much more effective because we will receive divine directions straight from Him
based on His purposes for our lives.
Today I would like to challenge you to just take a few minutes of each day to sit quietly listening for God”s voice. It is one of the most satisfying things you will ever do with your time. His whispers are so worth listening for. I have learned that what I have to say to Him  is not nearly as important as what He wants to say to me.
There is absolutely nothing more special than spending time alone with your Creator. The very one that brought you into existence and fashioned you after Himself. God has much to say to you today. Are you listening?
If not

be still
be quiet
and be blessed by His voice! He has many awesome treasures to share with you but you have to be listening to receive them.
Are you listening?

Psalm 6:2-5 (NIV)
2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint;   heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.
3 My soul is in deep anguish.    How long, Lord, how long?
4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me;    save me because of your unfailing love.
5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.   Who praises you from the grave?