Devotion
Speak O Lord, your servants hear you!
David Jacobs
If I told you that I can hear voices in my head, what would you think? You might think that I had a mental problem, as would be perfectly in your right. So what can we make of people claiming to hear the voice of God? How can they hear it and it is considered normal but if we heard it, we might be considered insane?
When praying, I sometimes feel that I am talking or feeling God. I can feel that something is guiding me, and the deeper and more regularly I pray, the stronger this feeling becomes. Eli and Samuel were devout men, faithful and studious to the word of God. Prayer was a large part of their lives. Eli had grown accustomed to feeling and hearing God's guidance, but the younger Samuel had not. For the more stubborn of us, it might take years of practice praying before we grow to feel any connection with God, but it will come.
We need to practice hearing God's voice before we can hear it. We need to test what it means to hear God's voice with other Christians, as Samuel did with Eli. God does talk to us if we try to talk and listen to Him. It might not happen overnight, it might not be what you expect, but God will listen and talk if we do with Him.
Prayer
Do you feel that you have ever talked with God? What did He say? More importantly, what did you say and what prompted this exchange?
Devotion
Give Good Example
Frances Taylor
If we ever needed a reminder of how important it is to practice what we preach, this is it. Not only are we encouraged to help others, but we are also warned about giving bad example or leading others, particularly children, away from the Lord.
I have spoken to many people who say that they became a Christian because of the example of people in their family, friends or strangers whose joy is so great they want a part of it. I also know people who have turned away from the faith they once had because they consider those who proclaim themselves to be Christian are hypocrites. Most people don't start out wanting to be Christians because of doctrine. They are influenced one way or another by people. Are you someone whose life exhibits the joy of knowing Jesus and his saving power? Am I? Do your actions give testimony to your beliefs? A person can go to church each week, Bible classes during the week and give every impression of being a devout follower of ...
Morning Prayer
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Inspiration
There is nothing at all – nothing on the earth and nothing in the spiritual realms – that can separate us from the love of Christ. No matter what any person or principality tries to do in our lives, they will never be able to quash the love Christ has for us. The love God has for us is eternal – it is here to stay for good.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for the love that you have for me. Thank you, Lord, that this love will never leave me and it will never forsake me. No matter what anyone tries, or whatever may come my way, Lord, I thank you that your love will always be with me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
Inspiration
As Christians, we know that we find peace in God. And today, we’re reminded that He promises peace to His people. But we have to do our part, which is listening. It’s when we turn away from wisdom and pursue foolish and selfish endeavors that peace eludes us. But when we turn our ears to His wisdom, He leads us on the path to peace.
Prayer
God, in You I have received peace that passes understanding. Speak Your wisdom to me, and teach me to not be distracted by my own foolish ambitions. Give me ears to hear You so that I may remain close to You and move in Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
