Listening to God

Gone are the days when a real person greets you on the other end of a phone call. It seems as though whenever we try to “reach out and touch someone,” we are greeted with a computerized voice.

I’m glad this isn’t true of our Father in heaven. He is always there. No voice-mail boxes, no “press 2 for more grace” and no “call waiting” interruptions. Thankfully, “Call to Me, and I will answer you” (Jer. 33:3) has not been replaced by, “All lines are now busy. Your call is important to Me. Please stay on the line.”

Yet I wonder what kind of access He has to us?

Communication with God is a two-way street. He speaks to us through His Word when we come attentively before Him in prayer and through the clear voice of the indwelling Spirit. He paid a great price to keep the lines open so that we can experience the joy of being still long enough to know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). As my grandmother’s favorite hymn “In the Garden” says:

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known. —Miles
© Renewal 1940 The Rodeheaver Co.

The joy of hearing His voice is a call you don’t want to miss! —Joe Stowell

Is God getting through to you?

http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-09-05-07.shtml

Paris Hilton has changed...

I have thought that there are so many celebrities that get into trouble with alcohol or drugs or depresssion, etc and that they really need God and how good it would be to be able to meet them and tell them about God. God could then use them for his glory in many powerful ways...enough of my daydreaming.

Last month I did a Paris Hilton uncovered post which was basically attempting to get more hits to this blog and used pictures of Paris (the place) for Paris and Hil (a hill) and the ton as a cricketer scoring a ton. It didn't draw more hits but since Paris has been in jail, out of jail and back in jail she has come out with some interesting comments.

After having to go back into jail she contacted a journalist and revealed about how God has given her a second chance. (Jesus does give us second chances)

"Imprisoned hotel heiress Paris Hilton believes God has given her a new chance and says she plans to stop acting dumb and to instead put her influence to good use."

Now I am not going to lean either way because it could be a publicity stunt to make her seem a 'nice girl' and boost her reputation and sales but on the other hand she could be telling the truth that she 'feels more spiritual' and that God has given her a second chance because we cannot limit God.

If it is a publicity stunt then it will blow over not long after she is released but imagine the impact if she really is going to "help in the fields of breast cancer or multiple sclerosis, diseases that her grandmothers suffered, or build a "Paris Hilton playhouse" for sick children" and drop the 'dumb act'. God can use anyone and anything for his glory and maybe this will point more people to God.

For the full story from The Age: http://www.theage.com.au/news/people/hilton-drops-dumb-act-in-jail/2007/06/12/1181414254197.html

Daily Devotion

I like to read my bible every morning just after breakfast and I have found that it helps me to really grow in my faith in Jesus. However, over the weekend, I was busy doing a filming weekend and didn't read my daily devotion. Although that is bad, what it showed me was just how much I missed it once I didn't do it because I was wanting to have devotion time again more then before.

This morning from my readings I have learnt or re-emphasised the following:

• Knowing about God may interest us, but knowing God will change us - So we need to know him personally - http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-05-20-07.shtml

• Glorifying God means putting His character, His will, and His ways into action in all that we do - Our purpose is to show others less of us and more of Him. That’s living on purpose with a purpose! - http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-05-21-07.shtml

• From reading segment in Proverbs - Proverbs 19:8 - "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers."

All of this I read and was encouraged and challenged by in about 15 minutes. I had physical food and then spiritual food which helps sustain me.

I would really encourage you to read your bible each day as the more you read it, the more you will learn about God and get to know him more personally.

Matthew 6:11 - "Give us today our daily bread."

Hebrews 3:12-13 - "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."