Listening for the Message
Mat 4:4 But He answered and said, It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Jesus said it first, pay attention to every word of God. When seeking answers to questions be open to every word and listen for the prompting of the Holy Spirit to interpret meaning. Look for similar ideas of context and consider all scripture as a whole to seek the nature and intent of what God is trying to say. All the while asking: Is the nature and person of God upheld? Are the words of Jesus not contradicted? What would Christ want you to know? How would the bible people have felt and how would they have reacted to the situations they encountered when confronted with scripture events? What message might be hidden in a single word of similar context confirmed in several scriptures? These thoughts constantly run through my head as I eagerly meditate, let my mind wander and listen for the prompting of God’s Holy Spirit on any given topic. Thoughts and verses continue to flow as prior thoughts are recorded. A bible word search tool opens further confirmations of basic thoughts brought by the Holy Spirit. God still speaks today when we desire him and make time for close encounters. Ask God for guidance to receive help.
Luk 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?
Luk 12:12 For the Holy Spirit shall teach you in the same hour what you ought to say.
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatever I have said to you.
Act 1:8 But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
I have not always had a closeness with god. I learned about God and started a spiritual journey at the age of 13. There have been highs and lows along the way, but things changed in 2001. I became worn out from dealing with several problem areas in life over time and earnestly asked God for relief. I needed more of God and less of a human-self focus.
God responded by allowing Satan to bring prostate cancer to my doorstep. Now, I had to focus only on one main problem and greatly sought to draw closer to God. (Today, I can compare this experience similar to what happens when a lackluster shrub is trimmed. It bushes and grows stronger and more beautiful.) I decided to take God at his word as given below:
Jas 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.
I also desired to trust more in the Holy Spirit’s work described in Joh 14:26, given above. I wanted to learn more from scripture, so I read and paraphrased all of the New Testament and some of the Old testament to draw out what God might show me. (That is how I learn best. You may have a different method of learning.) These thoughts are found in the first section the Living Index (found as a separate lesson). I began writing lessons for our Sunday School class on whatever topics the Holy Spirit brought to mind. God began to give me close encounters with Him as his truths and his desires became more alive to me. I often found myself weeping as He touched me by his close presence and more of an awareness of his suffering for me and the world. Now, as I sit at the computer in 2012, thinking back at the times God and I shared in creating about 100 lessons, the value of my sitting at his feet, listening like Mary did (Luke 10:39-42) has been wonderful. Now, with the help of God and man, the prostate cancer is gone and, like Job in 42:10 & 12, that of a higher value has replaced the past hard times. I still look forward to “listening for the messages” that may be ahead as I sit at the feet of the master and listen through the Holy Spirit. I am not perfect, but human and still often fail to completely and quickly follow God. However, now more than ever, I trust in God’s promises instead of man’s views. You can also! Test God who is faithful to do what He has promised. He cannot lie. Because He has sworn a vow of Holiness.
Deu_4:29 But if you shall seek Jehovah your God from there, you shall find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Jer_29:13 And you shall seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Mat_7:7 Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.
Luk_11:9 And I say to you, Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened to you.