Hearing God's Voice: The Need
There's a song I love, its by my nieces, the BarlowGirls, its called "I Need You To Love Me"; there's also a book by Jesse DuPlantis called "Wanting A God You Can Talk To". I have no interest in "religion". When people call it the "opiate of the masses", I agree. "Religion:" trying to work to please God. Or trying to gain your salvation, eternal life, heaven or whatever grand reward by trying to be good enough is not for me. Yes, I love the Lord. Yes, I have dedicated my whole life to Him. Yes, I work to serve Him everyday. But I'm not doing this for some grand reward. I'm doing this because I love Him.
When I was 11 years old and I gave my life to the Lord it wasn't because I was afraid that my sin would send me to hell, although it would have. I didn't even know that much about sin. I didn't get saved because I wanted "fire-insurance". I gave my life to the Lord because I love Him. His love and His goodness drew me, drew my heart right into Himself. It wasn't until I was 19 that I found out that I got to go heaven too.
Now I'm not opposed to people getting saved to escape hell. Do it! Don't remain in captivity to sin and the devil. But if your salvation was only a rescue you need to move to the point where you get to know Him, love Him and have a deep intimate relationship with Him. This is the greatest commandment that Jesus talked about in Matthew 22:36-40. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.
How are you going to fall in love with someone who never talks to you? That would be kind of like falling in love with a rock. No response, no communication. Yes, God speaks to us through His written word. But His written word also clearly shows us that part of God's common method is to talk to His children directly.
Jesus said, before He left that it was better for us that He leave. If He didn't leave the Holy Spirit couldn't come. He said, He(the Holy Spirit) is with you(since He was in Jesus) but He will be in you(when we receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit). I'm so glad I have the Holy Spirit in me. He is here to be my communication with God. I love Him. He talks with me, encourages me, instructs me, guides me. I hear a word coming from Him right now:
Son, continue to share my love. Continue to shine the light on the path of those who are lost and can't seem to find their way. I am the way, Son. Just bring them to me. Point them to my love. I will draw them in. I love you Son.
Thank you Lord. I appreciate you using me in this. Lord, I pray for every person who reads this, Lord, minister to them. Reveal yourself to them. Prove to them whether or not what I'm saying is true. Let there be testimonies that you actually showed up and did something substantial in their life or relationship with you. I love you Lord.
When I was 11 years old and I gave my life to the Lord it wasn't because I was afraid that my sin would send me to hell, although it would have. I didn't even know that much about sin. I didn't get saved because I wanted "fire-insurance". I gave my life to the Lord because I love Him. His love and His goodness drew me, drew my heart right into Himself. It wasn't until I was 19 that I found out that I got to go heaven too.
Now I'm not opposed to people getting saved to escape hell. Do it! Don't remain in captivity to sin and the devil. But if your salvation was only a rescue you need to move to the point where you get to know Him, love Him and have a deep intimate relationship with Him. This is the greatest commandment that Jesus talked about in Matthew 22:36-40. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.
How are you going to fall in love with someone who never talks to you? That would be kind of like falling in love with a rock. No response, no communication. Yes, God speaks to us through His written word. But His written word also clearly shows us that part of God's common method is to talk to His children directly.
Jesus said, before He left that it was better for us that He leave. If He didn't leave the Holy Spirit couldn't come. He said, He(the Holy Spirit) is with you(since He was in Jesus) but He will be in you(when we receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit). I'm so glad I have the Holy Spirit in me. He is here to be my communication with God. I love Him. He talks with me, encourages me, instructs me, guides me. I hear a word coming from Him right now:
Son, continue to share my love. Continue to shine the light on the path of those who are lost and can't seem to find their way. I am the way, Son. Just bring them to me. Point them to my love. I will draw them in. I love you Son.
Thank you Lord. I appreciate you using me in this. Lord, I pray for every person who reads this, Lord, minister to them. Reveal yourself to them. Prove to them whether or not what I'm saying is true. Let there be testimonies that you actually showed up and did something substantial in their life or relationship with you. I love you Lord.