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?
Night Prayer
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Inspiration
When multiple flocks of sheep become blended, there is no need to worry. The good shepherd will call out to his sheep, and they come directly to him because they know his voice and will not confuse it with others. As God's people, we often become mixed up in things of the world. Sin is tempting as we surround ourselves with the wrong crowd; God is always watching and calls us back to the fold. We find Him when we are lost because we know the sound of His voice; it's the only one we've chosen to follow, and we do not confuse it with others.
Prayer
Dear God, when we are lost, we listen for You. Your voice is precious and will guide us back to the fold where we belong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
The Word of God
Frances Taylor
If there's one thing I know about Christians and the Bible, is that there is an ongoing debate about whether it is the word of God or the word of men, and what that means. We all agree that the Bible is the living revealed word of God, but! There are wide differences in how that is interpreted. There are some who believe that every word of the Bible was dictated to someone who wrote it down. For others it is purely men's thoughts. For others, men were inspired by God to write their experience of God. I don't know where you find yourself on this continuum.
For most people who believe that the Bible is inspired either word for word or as guided by God, the Bible tells God's truth. Unfortunately for those of us who speak English, we have to rely the sources we have had over the years as guides to how the Scriptures should be interpreted. I have had many people ask me which translation is correct, but there's no clear answer.
The Bible has been translated ...
Morning Prayer
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Inspiration
Suffering will be a part of our lives as Christians. The New Testament is filled with warnings about the suffering Christians will incur because of their decision to follow Christ and not the ways of the world. Millions of Christians across the world are subjected to torture, isolation, and mockery just because they have chosen to follow Christ. But Christ has also assured us that we will not endure this suffering alone, and a reward lies ahead for all of those who suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Dear God, I pray that in times of persecution and great tribulations, may you strengthen me and encourage me to keep going on. I also pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who endure great pain and torture for choosing to follow you. May you comfort them in these trying times, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
