Post by MIRIAM JACOB on Jul 3, 2007 7:34:49 GMT -5
LEARNING TO LISTEN
by Max Lucado
Equipped with the right tools, we can learn to listen to God. What are
those tools? Here are the ones I have found helpful.
A regular time and place. Select a slot on your schedule and a corner
of
your world, and claim it for God. For some it may be best to do this in
the morning. Others prefer the evening Others prefer many encounters
during the day.
Some sit under a tree, others in the kitchen. Maybe your commute to
work
or your lunch break would be appropriate. Find a time and place that
seems
right for you.
How much time should you take? As much as you need. Value quality over
length. Your time with God should last long enough for you to say what
you
want and for God to say what he wants. Which leads us to a second tool
you
need—an open Bible.
God speaks to us through his Word. The first step in reading the Bible
is
to ask God to help you understand it.
Before reading the Bible, pray. Don’t go to Scripture looking for
your
own idea; go searching for God’s. Read the Bible prayerfully. Also,
read
the Bible carefully.
Here is a practical point. Study the Bible a little at a time. God
seems
to send messages as he did his manna: one day’s portion at a time.
Choose depth over quantity. Read until a verse “hits” you, then
stop
and meditate on it. Copy the verse onto a sheet of paper, or write it
in
your journal, and reflect on it several times.
Will I learn what God intends? If I listen, I will.
Understanding comes a little at a time over a lifetime.
There is a third tool for having a productive time with God. Not only
do
we need a regular time and an open Bible, we also need a listening
heart.
Don’t forget the admonition from James: “The man who looks into the
perfect law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not
the
man who hears and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins
true
happiness” (James 1:25 PHILLIPS).
We know we are listening to God when what we read in the Bible is what
others see in our lives.
Paul urged his readers to put into practice what they had learned from
him. “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
do”
(Phil. 4:9 RSV).
If you want to be just like Jesus, let God have you. Spend time
listening
for him until you receive your lesson for the day—then apply it.
_______________________________
From Just Like Jesus
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1998, 2001) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com
by Max Lucado
Equipped with the right tools, we can learn to listen to God. What are
those tools? Here are the ones I have found helpful.
A regular time and place. Select a slot on your schedule and a corner
of
your world, and claim it for God. For some it may be best to do this in
the morning. Others prefer the evening Others prefer many encounters
during the day.
Some sit under a tree, others in the kitchen. Maybe your commute to
work
or your lunch break would be appropriate. Find a time and place that
seems
right for you.
How much time should you take? As much as you need. Value quality over
length. Your time with God should last long enough for you to say what
you
want and for God to say what he wants. Which leads us to a second tool
you
need—an open Bible.
God speaks to us through his Word. The first step in reading the Bible
is
to ask God to help you understand it.
Before reading the Bible, pray. Don’t go to Scripture looking for
your
own idea; go searching for God’s. Read the Bible prayerfully. Also,
read
the Bible carefully.
Here is a practical point. Study the Bible a little at a time. God
seems
to send messages as he did his manna: one day’s portion at a time.
Choose depth over quantity. Read until a verse “hits” you, then
stop
and meditate on it. Copy the verse onto a sheet of paper, or write it
in
your journal, and reflect on it several times.
Will I learn what God intends? If I listen, I will.
Understanding comes a little at a time over a lifetime.
There is a third tool for having a productive time with God. Not only
do
we need a regular time and an open Bible, we also need a listening
heart.
Don’t forget the admonition from James: “The man who looks into the
perfect law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not
the
man who hears and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins
true
happiness” (James 1:25 PHILLIPS).
We know we are listening to God when what we read in the Bible is what
others see in our lives.
Paul urged his readers to put into practice what they had learned from
him. “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
do”
(Phil. 4:9 RSV).
If you want to be just like Jesus, let God have you. Spend time
listening
for him until you receive your lesson for the day—then apply it.
_______________________________
From Just Like Jesus
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1998, 2001) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com