Tuesday 15 January 2013

RECEIVING FROM GOD


READ: JOHN 4:23-24

Not everybody hears from God. To hear from him, your ears must be open. God seeks those whose ears are open to receive and obey his Word. To hear God, you must be awake.
“Wherefore He says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.” (Ephesians 5:14).
In this scripture, God compares the person sleeping to someone who is dead. Are you spiritually asleep? Some people sleep, but do not know it. There are different phases you go through when you go to sleep. It may start with a yawn, then you doze off, start sleeping and soon you may be snoring. If you slumber, you cannot hear from God. Is your prayer life dwindling? Are you gradually reducing the amount of time you spend on prayer, Bible study or preaching the gospel? Then beware! You are already dozing. Wake up!
To hear from God, you must be close to him. If you draw nearer to God, he will draw nearer to you. If your whole being is spiritually awake, then you will know that you are near to God. To hear from God, you should also learn to be quiet before him. If you spend time in worship, God will often want to say something to you, but if you continue to pray or sing, you may be too busy to hear him. That is why it is good to spend a few minutes in silence after a great session of praise, worship and prayers, in case God want to speak to you.
This silence calls for a quiet environment, keeping still and listening inwards with your spiritual antennae. Be humble before God. Worship him quietly. He will speak to you.

MEMORIZE: PSALM 40:6 –Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears have You opened: burned offering and sin offering have You not required.