Familiarity Breeds Contempt?

"Our Primary Calling as followers of Christ is by Him, to Him & for Him. First & foremost we are Called to Someone (God), not to something (such as motherhood, politics or teaching), or to somewhere (such as in the inner city or Outer Mongolia). Our secondary Calling, considering who God is as Sovereign, is that everyone everywhere, & in everything should think, speak, live & act entirely for Him. Secondary Callings matter, but only because the Primary Calling matters." - Os Guinness

WOW. One of those elementary Truths of the Gospel that I've known & regularly take for granted, but never really meditated on or fully realized or appreciated. I especially LOVE the last sentence- "Secondary Callings matter, but only because the Primary Calling matters." EVERYTHING matters ONLY because of Christ & His redemptive work on the Cross!

Tying that in with another quote I read this morning...

"In some ways, it's those of us who are most familiar with the Spirit's Promises who are in the greatest danger. Someone has said that familiarity may not breed contempt, but it takes the edge off of awe. Something like this is true about the rich texts & glory-filled Promises that drop the jaws of newcomers but provoke no more than a raised eyebrow from those who have ceased to dream." - Jim McGuiggan

May we NEVER become so familiar with the Word of God that we become bored by it! May we ever grow in our knowledge & relationship with Him, while still possessing the "new believer's" passion, yearning & desire to ever know MORE of Him!!!

BETTER Hearing the Voice of God



Are you overwhelmed by the mounting pressure? Have you picked up too many responsibilities that God didn't call you to undertake (Luke 10:38-42)? Is too much of your identity bound up in doing great things for God rather than simply enjoying being with Him?

Why do we not hear God sometimes? Sometimes unrepentant, unconfessed sin stands in our way. Sometimes our lives are too loud. Sometimes we are proud & stubborn, unwilling to bow our heads & bend our knees. Sometimes our prayers are too one-sided, focusing more on our "needs" & "wants," rote & routine, without stopping to hear His answer. Sometimes we don't want to hear what He's telling us.

How do we better hear the Voice of God? Repent of all unconfessed sin (both intentional & unintentional). Ask God where you need to change. Be willing to obey, to follow where He leads. Be humble to receive instruction. When in prayer, be in an attitude of waiting on the Lord (Psalm 46:10). Rest in Him. Trust in His grace. Continually be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be ready & willing to be used of God, for His Glory & your Good (Romans 8:28). Take the time to sit at His feet, enjoying His Presence. Remove yourself from the distractions. Quiet the noise. Learn from other people (their decisions, lifestyles, experiences etc). Seek a quiet place to be alone with God. Weigh everything against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Seek confirmation. Grow your prayer life. Read His written Word. Be in relationship with other Christians. Actively look for godly input & influence. Quiet your soul. Actively seek Him. Cut down on the commotion, slow down & really listen to God. He will answer, but not always in the way we were expecting! Return to your first love. Draw near to God & He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Focus on Him; because NOTHING else matters!

Hearing the Voice of God



In my Bible reading the other day, I stumbled across 1 Kings 19:9-13. I have read this passage many times in years past, but this time it really stood out to me. It is the story of God speaking to Elijah, how His voice was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. After all of these displays of His power, He came in a gentle whisper. A still, small voice.

So, this gets me thinking: From the beginning of time, God has desired to dwell with His people. Too often our prayers are concerned with our "wants," "needs" & prayer requests. How often do we sit in silence, simply listening to the Voice of God?

Are you feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Are you sensitive to His touch? Are you in a "constant communion" with the Father? Do you delight in the Lord? Is your heart soft to His moulding? Are you consumed by fulfilling His Will & growing in relationship with Him? Have you entered into His rest & peace? Do you study theology & doctrine ("a right knowledge of God")? Do you tremble?

Are you diligently studying His Word? For it is here that He has most fully revealed Himself & His Will to us.

Mere outward religion does NOT equal real relationship.

Matthew 7:7 talks of seeking & finding, asking & receiving. Both the asking & the seeking mean "actively searching for Him, to be serious about wanting Him." Earnest, intense, passionate, fervent, sincere.

John 10:1-16 tells us that the sheep know His Voice. Do you know the Voice of your Lord? Do you recognize it? But even more importantly, do you follow it?

How will you respond to the Voice of God?