Learning to hear & recognize God's voice
When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen:
Either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught to fly. Edward Teller
“Is not God as willing to show the mercy of healing to His worshippers as He is to show the mercy of forgiveness to His enemies?” (Romans 8:32) – F.F. Bosworth in “Christ The Healer“
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 NKJ
The Amplified Bible is often helpful for explaining the meaning of words in a passage (amplifying them):
“He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?” Romans 8:32 AMP
He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction.
Psalm 107:20 AMP
Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits—
Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle’s [strong, overcoming, soaring]! Psalm 103:1-5 AMP
There are many, many more Scriptures about healing, as well as many examples of healing in the Bible. There are also many books written about healing, but not all of them line up with Scripture. In my study on healing I’ve ran across several books that completely disregard what the Bible says about it. I’m currently reading “Christ The Healer” by F.F. Bosworth, as I’ve quoted above. I’m not finished with it yet, but my opinion about it so far is good. The book is mostly a compilation of Bosworth’s sermons, with some incredible and encouraging testimonials from people who were healed of various ailments and diseases, several which were life-threatening.
Have you read any good books on healing that are based on Scripture? If so, please share them in the comments.
The message on this church sign caught our attention when driving through Alabama, so we turned around to see if the – – – part was filled in on the other side. It wasn’t.
We thought the – – – was “and the truth…”, as in:
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32 (NKJV)
And it will.
However, if the blanks represented letters, then it would be a three-letter word, as in:
“God will set you free”
And He will.
Maybe the message was a reference to an upcoming sermon that would explain or fill in the blanks.
Or maybe the message was just meant to cause passers-by to ponder how we would fill in the blanks.
“Wisdom is, and starts with, the humility to accept the fact that you don’t have all the right answers,
and the courage to learn to ask the right questions.” – Unknown
How would you fill in the blanks?
“Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it.” Erwin W. Lutzer
In the heat of summer this little flower came up through a crack in the asphalt of our church parking lot. It was right in the middle of a parking space that is used daily, yet it survived the hot sun and the heat of car exhaust, with no rain or water, for more than a week. Maybe longer, I didn’t keep track of it after that.
Even in harsh circumstances and adverse conditions this tiny flower continued to bloom, day after day. It was a beautiful reminder of how God blesses us in the most unexpected places and ways. And it came at a time when I desperately needed it.
“God still draws near to us in the ordinary, commonplace, everyday experiences and places.
He comes in surprising ways.” Henry Gariepy
How has God surprised you lately?
Character is not built by battling and excitement alone. The harvest is not ripened by the thunderous forces of nature, but by the secret silent invisible forces.
So the best qualities of our spiritual lives are matured by quietness, silence and commonplace. A. P. Gouthey
The sight of the bright yellow of these pretty daffodils against the drab brown of our hillside was a welcome sign that Spring is near. Even though they were buried under leaves and weeds, the “secret silent invisible forces” not only allowed them to survive the cold and harsh conditions, but also to quietly push through and rise above it all. Just after the first few flowers bloomed there were several days of hard rain and gusty winds, causing the blooms to droop almost to the ground. But as soon as the sun came out they not only perked back up, but even more daffodils began to grow and bloom.
Have you struggled under the weight of problems, battled harsh circumstances, or been battered by the storms of life?
I have. I do. And I could not survive without knowing that the Lord is my strength and my shield, and that I can always trust Him.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:7
God created the flowers to withstand harsh conditions, and even to keep blooming in the storms. How much more willing He is to help us not only survive our life storms, but also to grow spiritually because of them, or in spite of them.
As He says in Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
If you are also battling some illness or circumstance in your life, or being battered by a storm sweeping through your life, I pray you will find comfort and strength in God and His promises, and declare with confidence,
Follow @learning2hear“my help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman
If each of us would just do a little, much could be accomplished. One word of encouragement, one visit, one meal, one act of kindness, or one prayer can make a difference in someone’s life.
What is one thing you can do for the work of Christmas this year?
Even though we’re a week and a half away from Thanksgiving, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Richard Roeper
Has Thanksgiving become just a day on the calendar that marks Black Friday Sales?
Or just a day to eat turkey and all the trimmings before watching the game?
Do you find yourself rushing past Thanksgiving as you decorate, make your gift list for shopping, and schedule Christmas activities?
Remember to take time to give thanks. And maybe a few minutes to read the history of Thanksgiving.
Follow @learning2hearThis inspiring hand-painted sign reminds all who pass by to remember the encouraging and timeless words of Psalm 46:10 and Isaiah 30:15. Psalm 46:10 is an invitation from God to take time to be still before Him; to remember Who He is, no matter what we’re facing or going through. To know that He is God, He is all-powerful and in control, regardless of how it may seem to us. Isaiah 30:15 instructs us that our deliverance comes from resting in Him, and being strengthened through quiet confidence in His ability to be victorious.
It also goes along with these inspiring quotes on faith. But although they’re inspiring, some have an “ouch!” factor that reminds us of what faith really consists of, and that the “food of faith” is not cotton candy!
Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. George Mueller
Faith is the assurance that the thing which God has said in His word is true, and that God will act according to what He has said in his word…
Faith is not a matter of impressions, nor of probabilities, nor of appearances. George Mueller
Faith is two empty hands held open to receive all of the Lord. Alan Redpath
If we desire our faith to be strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried, and therefore, through trial,
be strengthened. George Mueller
To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings. George Mueller
Faith doesn’t wait until it understands; in that case it wouldn’t be faith.
Vance Havner
Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends. George Mueller
God delights to increase the faith of his children. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God’s hands as a means. Trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith. George Mueller (Emphasis mine)
Difficulties in life present us with opportunities to grow in our dependence on the One who gives us strength. Michael Minot
Return to the battle again, no longer trusting in the false and insufficient human resources which so foolishly we had taken into the battle, but now trusting in the limitless resources of our risen Lord. Alan Redpath
If the Lord fails me at this time, it will be the first time. George Mueller
Follow @learning2hearI heard the waves crashing against the shore before the beach came into view, the sound blending with the smell of salt air. A sound that is relaxing to me with its rhythmic splash as a wave hits the shoreline, carrying shells and sandy debris in its foam, then receding slowly from the smooth sand, leaving its gifts behind.
Gathering shells the tide leaves behind is irresistible to me, so I have to be very careful not to get salty water or sand in my camera as I stoop to pick up the treasures each wave brings in. Sometimes the waves tumble up and grab them again before I do, and they get pulled back into the swirl of water and sand. But that’s all part of the beach experience I love, including the feeling of sand between my toes, and sand washing away under my feet as the tide goes rushing back out.
We were suprised with a special show when two dolphins swam by, jumping and diving just a few feet from the shore. They played to the crowd watching in fascination for only a few moments before making their way back out to deeper water.
I love going to the beach any time of day, but sunrise and sunset are my favorite times. In this final photo the dolphins were long gone, and most people were beginning to pack up their beach chairs and head to the parking lot. Since we timed our beach visit to include taking sunset photos, we didn’t leave until the colors of sunset changed to dusk and the beach closed for the night. There is an indescribable display of colors as the sun slowly drops from the sky and seems to slide into the shimmering water, like a brilliant curtain is pulled down to signal the end of another day.
The sights and sounds of the beach are one of the many ways we can see and enjoy the beauty that God created. The waves crashing, the sun rising and setting, and the dolphins dancing declare the glory of God in their own way. Even though there are many troubles and trials in this world, we are so blessed to have the wonder of God’s creation to remind us of His love for us.
He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea; Job 9:8
God made us in such a way that we can fully enjoy the world into which He has placed us—ears that hear in stereo, a nose that inhales all kinds of fragrances, eyes that see in full color, taste buds that savor food, and hands that feel texture—all our senses declare the glory of God! Roy Lessin
Follow @learning2hear