Hearing the voice of God

Jesus wants us to hear Him.

The great commandment in the Law begins with “Hear.”

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:" - Deuteronomy 6:4 (Mark 12:29)

Jesus repeatedly would say, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." 

Jesus wants those that He is calling to hear, and those that have answered His call and are living for Him to hear.

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

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." - Romans 8:14 

Philip was led by the Spirit to witness to the Ethiopian Eunuch that was traveling in the desert from Jerusalem. 

"Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." - Acts 8:29 

Philip listened to Jesus and was used to bring salvation to the Eunuch.

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." - Acts 8:38 

Peter was also led by the Spirit. 

"While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee… And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:" - Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12 

Peter listened to Jesus and was used to bring salvation to the Gentiles. 

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ... And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." - Acts 10:44, 48 

Jesus tells us,

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20

Preparation for this new year

Preparation for this new year: Ephesians 6:10-18

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." 

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes/strategies] of the devil." 

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." 

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." 

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;" (Romans 14:17).

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" (Acts 2:38).

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Jude 1:20).

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (word/gospel).

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - 

Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

My strength is made perfect in weakness

Jesus spoke to Paul.

"And he said unto me, 

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

It is in situations where we are at our weakest, that Jesus works the miraculous. Look at Gideon and the great victory God wrought against the enemy with such a small army. (Judges 7).

Paul happily decided he would boast about his weaknesses, so that the power of Christ could be upon his life.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities [weaknesses], in reproaches [insults], in necessities [hardships], in persecutions, in distresses [troubles that I suffer] for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV 

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [allow] you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV

"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." - Matthew 10:19-20 KJV

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31 KJV

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

New Year's Resolutions?

Struggling with New Year's resolutions?

Don’t stress. Pray about everything. We are not ‘bothering’ God, when we ask Him for help with even small things. God is all powerful, loving and caring about our every situation. Jesus wants our success, and He wants to be part of that success. We can thank Him for that. 

"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:5 KJV

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 KJV

A New Beginning

The New Year is a new beginning. It is a new page of our life waiting to be written on. It is by the Lord’s mercies that we find ourselves once again on this threshold. His compassion does not fail. 

In 2024 may Jesus open doors and close doors for us according to His will…May we hear His voice and be led by His Spirit…May we accomplish those things the Lord has for us to do… May we be pleasing in His sight.

With this new year, we have decided to make changes in our life. With God’s help, we can do it.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." - Isaiah 54:17

"For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." - Psalm 100:5 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." - Deuteronomy 6:4-5 

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1

Happy New Year!! 

What Is Consecrate?

Today is a good time of the year to consecrate our life to God. 

What is consecrate?

Consecrate means to make holy or to dedicate to a higher purpose. Something consecrated is dedicated to God and thus sacred. It is one who is set apart, dedicated.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God [because of all he has done for you], that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, [let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think] that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God [Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect]." - Romans 12:1-2 

What more in our life can we do to please him? 

What did we not accomplish for Jesus last year that we are more determined to accomplish this year?

What more can we allow God to do through us for His Kingdom? 

What old bad habits are still in our life that we need to get rid of, and what new good habits should we consider beginning?

Is there jealousy, envy, or covetousness that we need to let go of?

It is a good time to examine ourselves, making sure we have peace with God, and peace with one another.

How about forgiving those that have offended us? If we let go of our hurt feelings, ask Jesus to heal our spirit, and we pray for those that have offended us, our hearts are lifted of the weight of bitterness, and love floods our soul. Our spirit is set free of negativity.

We are here for a purpose.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended [I have not achieved it]: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind [the past], and reaching forth unto those things which are before [looking forward to what lies ahead], I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:13-14 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

Happy New Year!