Listening When God Speaks

Imagine how different our Bible reading time would be if instead of just reading the Bible, we became aware and appreciated the fact that God Himself was actually speaking to us personally through His word.   The Church at Thessalonica understood this  and Paul was thankful for that:  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word which ye heard of us,  ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe - I Thess 2:13. In other words they were clear that it was not Paul speaking to them but God Himself. Their attitude: Hush, pay attention God is speaking.

Their appreciation for the Word was great. Think about it. What a privilege it is to have the same God who spoke the world into existence  speak to us personally. Paul uses two different words for the word receive in this verse. The first time he uses it:  "receive the word from us",  means to accept from another. The second time he uses the word when he says received it not as the the word of men, means to welcome. They accepted the Word as God speaking to them and they welcomed what God was saying to them into their hearts. 

I have.a vivd childhood memory of my Grandmother being at our house in the middle of a thunderstorm. We had to turn off all the lights and we were not allowed to speak. She told us to be quiet God was speaking. Biblically of course we believe otherwise, but the sense of awe of God in her was real. She believed that God was saying from heaven: Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God- Ps 46:10 AMP..

I am struck by the times we read the Word of God and never bother to acknowledge that God is trying to have a conversation with us. How often do we read, then close the Bible, completely ignoring what He has said?. We just start praying about our laundry list of wants and needs. Jesus, in Mark 4:24 tells us to pay attention how we listen: And He said unto them take heed what you hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you; unto you that hear, shall more be given. We are to diligently pay attention when God is speaking through His word, seeking to understand it, thinking about it and applying to our lives. The more we do this, the more understanding and divine insights will be given to us. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands and grasps it; he indeed bears fruit and yields, some a hundred times (as much as was sown), some sixty (times as much), and some thirty. - Matt 13:23 AMP. Good soil in this parable represents a heart that is prepared and engaged to receive the Word.

For the Word the God speaks is alive and full of power making it active operative energizing and effective...Heb 4:12a (AMP).  God is speaking, but are we listening? May we listen when God's speak and hear with our hearts.

learning to listen,
Diane

p.s. the next time you read the Word recognize God is about to speak to you. Listen with your heart and respond to what He says.

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