Speak Lord - Your Servant Is Listening

 "And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down" - 1 Corinthians 14:30

Have you ever had that happen to you? You were not expecting it but "wham" you had a sudden realization. And more than that you knew that it was from God.  That happened to the Prophet Samuel before he was the "mighty" prophet. 

"(Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here I am, for you did call me. Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel answered, Speak, for Your servant hears." - 1 Samuel 3:7-10

Do you believe that the Lord would ever speak to you? I hope you do. But you may not know it was the Lord just like Samuel. He had to seek the advice of someone who understood. Do you remember when CB radios were the thing. You do know what a CB radio is, right? Hey - you got your ears on good buddy!! Do you remember that. Channel 19 was the channel (there were 40) that the truckers used most often. That is how you knew if there were road hazards or if "smokey" had a speed trap set up.  Now you GPS tells you all of that. But I digress :)

In the study, Experiencing God, Dr. Blackaby says that there are 7 spiritual realities that, as Christians, it is important to understand. But more than that to embrace as we live our new lives in Christ. The fourth reality is that God speaks to us. He speaks by the Spirit, who is in us, through Prayer, the Word, circumstances and other Christians. I suspect that a number of people who we have led through that study had no problem accepting that truth - but putting it into practice well that is "a horse of a different color".

When I am listening to a sermon the thought I have is "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."  The pastor has been called by God to share Truth with the Believers and the Gospel with those who are lost. I am interested in hearing that Truth, but more I am waiting to hear from God as well. God does not speak because I decide it is His turn - but I hear because I am focused and listening for His voice. And when He speaks, it is always consistent with His revealed will and always requires me to exercise faith to respond. That typically means that something is about to change.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." - Matthew 16:24

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone