"PRAYER
LIFE" Part - 2
Foxe's
Book of Martyr's speaks about what many people have given up to hold on to
their faith, to listen to God, to obey God. It is a great history lesson in Christianity.
To order your copy of "Foxe's Book Of Martyrs", please go to the products page.
So, we talk with God, we listen, we repent of sins or anything that displeases God, we surrender our will to His.
Question: Now what?
Answer: Now we go do what God has directed, commanded, or guided us to do and we do it willingly and not begrudgingly.
Phillipians 1:20, 21 – According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phillipians 3:7 – But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
There was a time when Paul was having an issue and he prayed 3 times that the Lord would take it away. However, this is God’s response and then Paul’s response.
2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 – And He (God) said unto me (Paul), “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s response: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
You see, Paul wanted the issue resolved, however, that was not God’s will and so Paul surrendered his will to God’s will and did it gladly with out complaining, without arguing so that he would be a blameless and pure child of God.
1 Kings 19:11-13 – And He said, “go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord”. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, what he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, “What doest though here, Elijah?”
Elijah listened, it didn’t come immediately, it came after a little while. Then, God spake when He had Elijah’s full attention. You can have that experience with God also. Below are the steps to listening to God. There is no magic in it, it is just a process that can help you find the relationship and guidance you are needing. It can be altered to what works best for you, but this worked for me.
Steps to listening to God:
So, we talk with God, we listen, we repent of sins or anything that displeases God, we surrender our will to His.
Question: Now what?
Answer: Now we go do what God has directed, commanded, or guided us to do and we do it willingly and not begrudgingly.
Phillipians 1:20, 21 – According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Phillipians 3:7 – But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
There was a time when Paul was having an issue and he prayed 3 times that the Lord would take it away. However, this is God’s response and then Paul’s response.
2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 – And He (God) said unto me (Paul), “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s response: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
You see, Paul wanted the issue resolved, however, that was not God’s will and so Paul surrendered his will to God’s will and did it gladly with out complaining, without arguing so that he would be a blameless and pure child of God.
1 Kings 19:11-13 – And He said, “go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord”. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, what he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, “What doest though here, Elijah?”
Elijah listened, it didn’t come immediately, it came after a little while. Then, God spake when He had Elijah’s full attention. You can have that experience with God also. Below are the steps to listening to God. There is no magic in it, it is just a process that can help you find the relationship and guidance you are needing. It can be altered to what works best for you, but this worked for me.
Steps to listening to God:
1.
Take time out and find a quiet place.
2.
Give yourself a moment to clear thoughts from
the busyness of the day.
3.
Confess your sins, repent, and willingly surrender
your will to His.
4.
Meditate on words you've read in the Bible,
especially those that talks about who God is and what kind of God He is.
5.
Think about what Jesus would do in your situation that
you are seeking guidance in.
6. Talk to God about whatever is on your mind
that you need direction for.
7.
Afterwards, BE QUIET, DON”T TALK, clear your mind
of all outside thoughts, and focus and strain to hear even a still small voice.
So, you are now intently listening.
8.
Give yourself time to hear God’s guidance. It may
be verbal or it may be an impression on your heart.
9.
Begin with only 5 minutes a day listening; add 1
minute each week, of course, there is no limit to listening to God. This is
just a beginning to get you there.
If you want to sing… sing. If
you want to read a little first… read. It is a time devoted to God. So, worship
Him in song and study too if you want. However, BE SURE TO DO THE 5 MINUTES OF
LISTENING! If you still don’t hear His leading, don’t get frustrated. Be
patient, God may be testing your faith or He may be working things out one way
or another. Wait on the Lord.
It is easy to talk; it is a
difficult thing to listen, especially when you don’t hear anything for a long time.
Most of us don’t want to be quiet for even a minute, let alone just setting for
5 minutes trying to listen to God speak to you. It can be frustrating when you
want to hear God speak to you and you give the time but there seems not to be
any results. Don’t give up. Each day, be faithful at doing this, you will find
that, eventually, a new world opens up to you, one of be directed by the Lord
God personally, one of stronger faith, gained wisdom, guidance, patience,
increased understanding, knowledge, etc. You have learned to listen to God and
allowed Him to lead; now you can go and show someone else how to do it.
Foxe's
Book of Martyr's speaks about what many people have given up to hold on to
their faith, to listen to God, to obey God. It is a great history lesson in Christianity.
To order your copy of "Foxe's Book Of Martyrs", please go to the products page.
To order your copy of "Foxe's Book Of Martyrs", please go to the products page.