A month ago, I bought another book of Platt's: COUNTER CULTURE. After reading over half of it, I became distracted by preparations for Family Camp. Another book was set on top of it, and I forgot I was even reading it. Since camp, I've read a couple of books and finally uncovered COUNTER CULTURE. I've been back to reading it for two days.
After going to bed at 9:00 P.M. last night, I found myself wide awake at 3:30 AM. 🙄 After laying there a long time, my brain started working so I got up and went to my study. I finished Platt's book and am mesmerized by its impact on me!
All through my life, God has impacted me by the books that I've read. Many times, I've had a sense that He wanted me to read a certain book at a specific junction of my life!
Many times the books that I read turned into sermon series that challenged me first, and hopefully others through their presentation.
As I finished Platt's book in these early morning hours, I had a clear sense that I wasn't alone!
___________________________
Do you have a clear sense of how God speaks to you? Can you discern when He's making His presence known?
It's a fair question.
How do you know when God is dealing with you on a very personal level.
It's hard to describe, but I'm keenly aware when it's happening. For me, it involves three fairly specific modes.
First, is that inner Voice that whispers into my mind. Sorry! I know that's intangible. But over the years, I've come to recognize the sound of that voice! It's not profuse. The thought/messages are brief and direct.
Second, these messages are repetitive! Not necessarily in quick succession. Actually sometimes they are somewhat distant from one another. But my mind clearly makes the connection, and I know that God is communicating with me!
Third, my reading confirms what God is trying to say to me! As already noted, when a book or article speaks to me with unmistakable clarity, it is the 'confirming word' for me!
_________________________
Just a couple of days ago, I sat with Debbie to inform her that God was initiating something new in my life. I tried to describe the things that were tipping me off to God's speaking into my life. She listened carefully. I could sense some apprehension and fear as I spoke. Perhaps this is because one of these conversations led us to northeast China for three years!!!!! 😊
She came into my study a few minutes ago and I intimated to her that I had been up half of the night reading and that God had been speaking to me with clarity. She slipped out pretty quickly! She's preparing to lead a women's Bible study this morning and wants to meditate on that before she leaves. I know that we'll talk later today.
I'm fully aware that I am in the early stages of God's call and clarification of His call. I can only report that I'm fully focused and highly excited. What might this adventure include? How will God move to change our lives? Will I be a fruitful branch? What changes in our lives might it necessitate? What will family and others think? Will we have the courage to step up to His call? Will we be willing to make the sacrifices that He may ask of us?
__________________________
How about you?
Do you listen for God's voice?
Are you aware of how He tends to communicate with you?
Since you're reading this blog, you probably talk TO Him a fair amount; but do you designate time to LISTEN TO HIM?
If He could get your attention, what might He say to you? What might He put His finger on?
Have you responded to His crystal clear instructions from His Word?
Have you settled for contentment and complacency? Is there more you could be doing to advance His purposes?
REMEMBER Matthew 7:13-14 [NASB]:
Enter through the narrow gate;
for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction,
and there are many who enter through it.
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life,
and there are few who find it.
No comments:
Post a Comment