Listen

Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. Isaiah 55:3 Listen, really listen to God, He is speaking all the time. We really listen, focus, press in when we NEED to hear something specific from the Lord. But He is speaking all the time. We miss the day to day minute to minute voice of the Lord. Commit today to pay attention, really listen throughout the day and see what a difference it will make in your relationship with God and in the way the day goes. Listen...

UNDISTURBED RELATIONSHIP

At that day ye shall ask in My name "At that day ye shall ask in My name," i.e., in My nature. Not - "You shall use My name as a magic word," but - "You will be so intimate with Me that you will be one with Me." "That day" is not a day hereafter, but a day meant for here and now. "The Father Himself loveth you" - the union is so complete and absolute. Our Lord does not mean that life will be free from external perplexities, but that just as He knew the Father's heart and mind, so by the baptism of the Holy Ghost He can lift us into the heavenly places where He can reveal the counsels of God to us. "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name. . . ." "That day" is a day of undisturbed relationship between God and the saint. Just as Jesus stood unsullied in the presence of His Father, so by the mighty efficacy of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, we can be lifted into that relationship - "that they may be one, even as We are One." Oswald Chambers

Choose this day whom you will serve.

We have the choice every day to make our own decisions or listen to God for His choice. We think we are smart enough to know what God wants so we make decisions based on what we think instead of listening for His voice. We are quick to listen on most big decisions but on the little ones we think we can guess the right answer. Who can know the mind of the Lord? A life of surrender must be surrendered in every decision every day. Today, Lord, I choose to listen before I act.

Keeping focused

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Remember what Christ has done! When we focus on resurrection of Jesus, our living hope, all the issues of life pale in comparison. Going back through the Scriptures explaining what Christ did for us revives our faith and hope! Focus on Him!

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4 The Word of God gives us hope. Time spent studying Scripture and people of the Bible brings encouragement for our walk with God. Others have gone before us and paved the way. We can learn so much through the victories and failures of the Saints. God's loving character is displayed in every story. What He did for them, He will do for us. Trust Him to guide your every step and you will not be disappointed.

Prayer

Intercession leaves you neither time nor inclination to pray for your own "sad sweet self." The thought of yourself is not kept out, because it is not there to keep out; you are completely and entirely identified with God's interests in other lives.

Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to fault finding. Oswald Chambers

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

Heaven is Our Home

That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.

But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

We get so caught up in life here on earth and trying to make it a good, happy life. This is not our home, we are here to complete a mission. Heaven is our home. Let's keep the main thing - pleasing God. It's time we got busy doing the work of the Lord instead of working for life here on earth. Take up our cross daily!