1 Samuel

Speak, Lord, For Your Servant Is Listening - 1 Samuel 2:26

11:00 AM


My Grandma always said, “God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. Be sure you’re using those ears to listen to God!” Great advice since I’ve always been better at talking than listening. Whatever is on my heart, I go to God. I tell Him all my thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams, and disappointments. And that’s exactly what He wants me to do. However there’s more to it. Because the Lord doesn’t just want me talking. More importantly, like my Grandma said, He wants me listening. Actively seeking His voice, direction, correction, and will. To say, as did the young Samuel, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)


Samuel was a mighty prophet of Israel. But he only got that way by learning to hear, recognize, and obey God’s voice. This allowed him to grow closer and in favor with the Lord. And if we want to grow closer to God, we too must learn to do the same. Many are the ways the Lord tries speaking to us. One is through His Word. Often when we’re reading the Bible, the Holy Spirit will make a particular scripture or passage jump out at us. Another is through prayer. As our two-way life line of communication with God, prayer is our chance to not only talk, but more importantly, listen for His small, still voice. And yet another is through a feeling or impression. Some call them “God Tugs”.  A pull of conviction on our heart. Or a sense of just knowing something deep in our spirit. 


God never intends for our relationship with Him to be one of coldness or distance. As our Father in heaven, He longs for us to run into His open arms of pure, unconditional love. To hop up on the lap of our Abba, and share with Him everything we do and are. God wants a relationship with us that is so close, nothing can shake us from His perfect love, grace, and peace. So today I challenge you to use the ears of your heart to listen for the Lord. Be on the lookout throughout your day for “God Tugs.” Little “aha” moments where you recognize God reaching out. And when you spot one, stop and say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” 


God's Calling

There Must Be Some Mistake {Jeremiah 1:1-4:31}

12:00 AM


Jeremiah, often called the weeping prophet, and author of the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations, was the son of Hilkiah, a Levitical priest from the small village of Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. He was a prophet who served God during the rule of kings, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. The Lord called Jeremiah to deliver prophecies to the unrepentant people of Judah. He warned them of their soon to be bondage by the Babylonians, and begged them to repent of their sins and turn back to God. 

Although he faithfully served God for over forty years, when a youthful Jeremiah first heard God’s voice he did as many of us do; he questioned God. After all, being so young there was no way he could go out and be the voice of the Lord! He cried out, “Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak.” (vs. 1:6) He thought, “There must be some mistake. I can’t do this.” But there was no mistake. God knew exactly what He was doing. For in His perfect plan, He created Jeremiah just for this time and this purpose. 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (vs. 1:5) God knew the purpose He had for Jeremiah because He knew Jeremiah, and us, even before the first beat of our hearts. Think of that! And not only did God fearfully and wonderfully create us (Ps. 139:14), He knows us by name,(John 10:3), how long we will live, (Ps. 139:16), and all we were created to be. (Eph. 2:10) And before we are born, He sets us apart for the purpose that is uniquely ours. 

Whatever that purpose may be, we can trust that God never intends for us to accomplish it alone, nor in our own strength. When Jeremiah faced the daunting challenge ahead, God reassured him saying, “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” (vs. 1:8) “They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you.” (vs. 1:19) Although the task God gives may not be an easy or enjoyable one, (Jeremiah himself faced hatred and persecution), God does promise that when we walk in obedience, He will never leave or forsake us, (Heb. 13:5) will be our refuge and strength, (Ps.46:1), and will make all things possible. (Matt. 19:26).

“Each time God calls a servant into action, He essentially says, ‘You can be strong and courageous because I am with you. Victory isn’t about your abilities, your strength, your skill, your armor, your gifts, or your dedication; it has to do with My presence. You can be strong because I will be strong in you.’” (Dr. Charles Stanley)

No matter the calling, whether it be as simple as helping a friend in need, or as hard as delivering a message of doom to a nation, the next time you hear God’s voice, don’t ask, “Who me? There must be some mistake!” Remember you were created to be the perfect person for the job, and if God sees you to it, He’ll see you through it. So, as the Lord said to Jeremiah, “Gird up your loins and arise!” (vs. 1:17) There is work to be done!


God's Voice

We’re Talking But Are We Listening {Psalm 79:1-84:12}

12:00 AM



Often when my Grandma would have to repeat herself she’d say to us, “Do you think I’m talking just to hear my own voice?” Then she’d scold us about how we needed to close our mouths and open our ears. Now as an adult I find myself saying the same thing to my husband, my son, and even my dog! They all seem to have caught a case of selective hearing. That made me think about my own ears when it comes to listening to God. 

Throughout the Bible we hear of God directly speaking to people; whether in visions, dreams, animals, angels, or through Jesus Himself. But what about in today’s time? Often I can’t help but think how wonderful it would be to sit across the table from the Lord and have a clear cut conversation where there is no questioning or deciphering what He is trying to tell me. But if I truly listen, His voice is there. And whether I hear Him and more importantly obey Him, is all on me.

In Mark 4:9 Jesus says, “He who has ears to hear let him hear.” One of the most obvious ways in which we hear from the Lord is through His Word. The Bible is God’s blueprint for life. It gives us everything we need to become saved, and to walk in His ways. It answers our questions, guides our steps, and teaches us who exactly God is. In Isaiah God describes it this way, “So is My word which goes forth from My mouth: it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” And as important as reading and following the Word of God is, it’s not the only way He communicates with us. He also speaks with us directly. That is...if we’re listening.

Far too often when I don’t hear from God as quickly as I want, I do as Joyce Myers puts it, “fill my ears with all kinds of things that drown out the voice of God and push Him far, far into the background of my life.” And still at other times after talking with God and not getting an immediate response, I talk some more; as if He didn’t hear me the first time! Although God cares about all aspects of our lives and wants us to talk to Him about anything and everything, He also wants us to listen. He wants us to listen with not only our ears, but with our hearts. And we can’t talk and listen at the same time. 

It’s when we fail to be quiet, patient, and listen for God’s voice that we make our biggest mistakes. Think about the people of Israel. Such heartache, despair, and destruction they could have saved themselves by listening to God. “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel if you would listen to Me!” (Ps. 81:8) I think of the heartache, despair, and destruction in my own life that could have been avoided if I had only done less talking and more listening. For as Solomon says about hearing in Proverbs 1:33, “But he who listens to me shall live securely and  will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

God doesn’t speak trivially, so listening to Him is vital when it comes to our relationship with Him. Every word He speaks is for our benefit not His. And yet He won’t force us to hear His voice. Whether we listen to Him or not is our decision, as is obeying what He tells us to do; even if we don’t like what He has to say.

So the next time you find yourself talking with God, which is I hope everyday, make sure that you’re listening as much as you’re talking. Besides just asking for your needs and wants, ask to hear His voice clearly, and then...listen. Because when you listen to the Lord He promises, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jer. 33:3) And I don’t know about you, but that sounds like an offer too good to refuse!