When the time is right

When the time is right.

Listening to GOD’s voice

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” – 1Kings.19:11-13

Most of the time I find myself wondering, “How can I hear God’s voice? How can I be sure?” etc. There were moments when I heard God’s voice and they were so clear I knew they were from Him, but it wasn’t all the time. I want God to speak to me all the time, well rather I want to hear God’s voice all the time (because God is always wanting to speak to us.

I have discovered that there are a number of things that stop us from hearing God’s voice. 

1. Unrepentant heart and wanting to take control of your life

2. Restless mind – often I find myself having a number of thoughts running in my mind all at the same time that I find it hard to fit God in the equation

3. Busy lives – we are so busy running our little lives that there is no time for God. That’s why Elijah had to go to the mountain to hear from God. Perhaps God is whispering but the noisy chaos of life is hindering us from listening. 

I really admire my Muslim friends, in their dedication for prayer. They give the most busiest and most uncomfortable hours of the day to God. I wonder how many of us Christians do that. 

May God help us to be more attentive to His word, just like Samuel. Amen! 

 

Wisdom

Wisdom is such a deep word, when you think about it. Knowing what to do in every situation is a great gift to have, and Solomon made the absolutely correct choice when God gave him the chance to choose anything he wanted. This really pleased God, because Solomon asked it out of a humble heart.

“7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’

8 Solomon answered God, ‘You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, LordGod, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?’

11 God said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honour, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.’”  – 2Chronicles.1:7-12

“God resists the proud, but shows favour to the humble.” – 1Peter.5:5

Everyday we are surrounded by many situations where we have to make decisions and its not easy to know what to do or what to say. When God’s word is in our hearts then often we can be reminded of what we read and thus be able to know what God’s will for us in those situations is. I also believe that if we ask the Father t ogive us wisdom, to help us see things from His view, I’m sure we would see way different things.

 

True Worship

“1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Roman.12:1-2

Oh Most Holy God

Your eyes are pure to behold evil

So let our true worship be

A sacrifice of body, soul and spirit

Fitting for the King of kings!

 

Not that of Cain

Lest we perish and die

But that of faithful Abel

In whose sacrifice

The fire of God delight. Amen.

The Kingdom of God

I came across this very powerful poem today, written by Francis Thompson, so I thought I’d share. 

O WORLD invisible, we view thee,

O world intangible, we touch thee,

O world unknowable, we know thee,

Inapprehensible, we clutch thee! 

Does the fish soar to find the ocean,

The eagle plunge to find the air–

That we ask of the stars in motion

If they have rumor of thee there? 

Not where the wheeling systems darken,

And our benumbed conceiving soars!–

The drift of pinions, would we hearken,

Beats at our own clay-shuttered doors. 

The angels keep their ancient places–

Turn but a stone and start a wing!

‘Tis ye, ’tis your estrangèd faces,

That miss the many-splendored thing. 

But (when so sad thou canst not sadder)

Cry–and upon thy so sore loss

Shall shine the traffic of Jacob’s ladder

Pitched betwixt Heaven and Charing Cross. 

Yea, in the night, my Soul, my daughter,

Cry–clinging to Heaven by the hems;

And lo, Christ walking on the water,

Not of Genesareth, but Thames!

Francis Thompson

 

 Source- http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/thomps01.html 

May Day

Well this is slightly late but I thought its a great song about May Day – International Worker’s Day. Always remembering why we do the work that we do, helps us to keep going and give it all that we have. It is encouraging to know and be confident that God will bless the works of our hands, as we seek to honour Him even in the small things.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” – Ecclessiastes.9:10

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” – Proverbs.16:3