It was said tonight at church, "Having a word to share begins with hearing the Word." Those words were spoken by a missionary visiting with us for our annual mission conference. Those words resonate in my head, tying in with so many other thoughts I'm trying to process as God continues to stretch me and get me to think outside of the box.
I love the verse at the beginning of this post. My instruction comes from the Lord. The instruction includes words of life sustaining properties and proportions. He is the One who inclines me to hear Him. Everyday, He speaks. I am to listen in expectation.
I was challenged already on Sunday when one of our missionary ladies was sharing about her trips to a country where it is illegal to have a Bible, share the Gospel, or even speak of believing in the One true God. She is a missionary who does not carry a Bible. She memorizes passages and speaks the Word to those she is witnessing to in a whisper, in fear that someone would hear and imprison her and those with her. She indeed has to hear the Word in order to memorize it so that it can then be shared and heard by others who need to hear the Good News. God used spoken words to create the world we live in...and He continues to use spoken words to give life to those lost in the darkness of sin. He is so good.
So, as I continue on from here in my journey, striving to serve God with wholehearted devotion, I have no choice but to spend more time listening for God's Word to me. Only upon hearing It, will I be able to effectively and obediently serve Him and share His good news with others.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Philippians 2:12-16
Janet - this was my favorite part this morning, " I am to listen in expectation."
ReplyDeleteGreat wise words to start anyone's prayer time with the Lord!
I'm here from iFellowship! Your blog is really nice! I always enjoying visiting you here!
I love the phrase in Isaiah 50: 4'An instructed tongue' so different from James who talks about out of control tongues. May we allow God to direct our speech. Happy iFellowship Day
ReplyDelete"Having a word to share begins with hearing the Word." I'm thinking that's my word for today. I appreciate your counsel in this post. I will be facilitating an addiction recovery meeting tonight and you have reminded me that it is God who must be followed - not me, not the 12-step book, not the other leaders. It will be His word that shows them the way to recovery.
ReplyDeleteI have been blessed by your post. I invite you to visit my new blog during your iFellowship visits. I've offered #15 Home for the Holidays.
It is definitely hard to believe, when we hear that other countries can't read freely. It is such an inspiration and makes you thankful for being able to read the Bible freely. How often we take that for granted! What a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from iFellowship! :)
Have a great day!
Sherry
God's blessing on our lives comes sometimes by a spoken word. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
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