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Today is Saturday July 03, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 46-51. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-july-3

Today's Message: Be Still And Listen

When was the last time you honestly just sat still and listened to all the things that are around you? It is amazing what you hear when all is quiet and you notice the sounds around you, birds chirping, rain dropping, the wind, the ac coming on, a fan whistling. Whether they are peaceful or annoying to you it does not take long before you get use to them and do not notice them as much. Now, think about the day you felt when you chose to follow Christ. You were excited, a little scared, and eager to learn just what following Christ entails, but once you figured out that we were just ordinary people, who sometimes sin, and are struggling just as you were, you felt like, I can do this. Ever want to do something sinful that you use to do, but just can't do it anymore? That is the Holy Spirit talking to you. As long as we keep listening to the Holy Spirit He will teach us many things, some will seem peaceful, while others will seem annoying, but as we grow in our walk with Christ we will learn that God is removing things from our lives for a good reason. As time goes by, and this happens to every Christian, we get so use to that voice that we do not notice the Holy Spirit as much. Then we start struggling with something and wonder where God is, but the truth is, He never left, He is right there trying to get our attention. If we want to hear what He has to say we just need to be still and listen to Him.

God speaks to us in many ways, most of all through His Word, without His Word we would still be trying to make it through this journey on earth without going insane, which incidentally many have. David faced many struggles, but he knew he could not get through any of them without God. He records, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” -Psalm 46:1-5. God truly is our refuge during our struggles, He can give us hope and encouragement even through the darkest times. I do not know how I made it through twenty-five years of my life without God's Word. All I do know is that God was watching over me the entire time and calling me, just waiting for the day I put my trust in Him to help me out of my troubles. God will help all who put their trust in Him.

One way to get go to respond is to praise Him, in the midst of David's troubles he never stopped praising God. Instead of wallowing in our sorrows we are to shout unto God, “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.” - Psalm 47:1-4. The word terrible in this case does not mean horrible, it means awesome. God is awesome and in control of all things, He has many blessings waiting for us through and as our struggles come to pass. Praise God! Amazingly, God wants to see His children prosper, but above all He wants us to realize that prosperity goes beyond what we can get here on earth. “Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding....They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption....Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.” - Psalm 49:4-3,6-9,16,17. It's not about what we have, whether we are rich or poor, or how many people we know. It's who we know, the Lord, Jesus Christ. Praise God!

You know, even if we mess up God is still speaking to us, this is evident through any conviction one feels, He knows we are going to sin, He just wants us to fess up to it and ask for forgiveness. David loved God with all his heart, but he still messed up a few times and got himself in trouble. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” - Psalm 51:1-4. David knew he messed up, admitted his fault, sought forgiveness, and knew he would be forgiven. David's prayer for mercy is a prayer for release from the presence and power of sin. God forgives our sins when we repent and pray as David did, He also reveals how sinners who truly repent and forsake their sin can experience the same wonderful mercy and forgiving love of God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9. Praise God!

God is speaking to you in some way, be still and listen for Him, for a while this bird that lives in one of the trees in my backyard would start chirping around midnight. Although I would prefer him to sing to me when I do not have to get up at 5am, when I hear him I can not help, but be reminded of just how amazing God is. That is probably why God has him chirping at such a late hour. He has the strangest chirp, but it is beautiful to hear, I imagine he still chirps at the same time all the time, but I do not always hear him. It is amazing how the tiniest little thing can remind us of the wonders of God. There must be thousands of different species of birds, yet everyone of them have a distinct look, sound, and purpose for God. It is amazing, they trust in Him, get right to work, and while some may fall in the line of duty, they have no fear and keep doing what they are supposed to do. We can all learn a thing or two from the birds. “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” - Matthew 6:25,26. The birds trust in God to provide for them and we are much more important to God than they are, so why are we losing sleep over things when God has it all under control? It's time to be still and listen to God, He is trying to get your attention about something, you just have to start remembering the sound of His voice.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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