Tuesday, March 8, 2011

What's New

What's New

In a Loud Voice

Have  you ever wanted to hear God in "a Loud Voice"?  As I read the Bible, I read about people who heard God speak to them.  Was it in their head, or did they really hear his voice speak to them? Often wondered about that!


Here I am almost 2 months after being let go from my job of over 8 years at one place! I've tried really hard to listen to "God's Voice" and I think I do hear him.  I just wish I could have no doubts that it is really Him that is talking to me and not just my desires coming through.  
I want to know that I am on the path that He wants me to be on.... I want to hear that voice say "Go this way, I will bless"  but I want to hear Him in a loud voice!


We've been talking about WORDS at NRHC the last couple of weeks.  I know that words are so important! They convey the message to others. They can hurt, heal, bring joy or sadness, a lot of things.   I read God's words and try desperately to apply them to my life. 


I'm in the book of Genesis, where 3 "men" visit Abraham and tell him what is about to transpire in his life. As I read on I realize that one of these men is the LORD. They just sit there and have a conversation between them "in the flesh!"



I want God to talk to me like that, (at least I think I do).  I don't want to just read his word and try to figure out what He is saying to me.  I want to hear his voice in my ear, "in a loud voice" . 
 
When I read His word, sometimes I get that "ah ha" moment, but most times I do not.  I sometimes feel like I am guessing as to how this applies to the situation I am in.
 
I know God's word says seek and you will find.  I am seeking, but am having a hard time finding, because I feel like I can't "hear' God talk to me in HIS voice. 
 
 I hear very wise  things from very wise people, and sometimes it feels like it is words from  God, but a lot of the times I wonder am I just hearing their own thoughts and words.
 
If God only talks to me through the Bible, Godly people, dreams, and my thoughts, I'm afraid I am missing out on so much that He wants me to know.

Why doesn't he come visit me like Abraham?  I would fix him a meal and sit at his feet learning all I could!

JoAnn

Monday, February 21, 2011

Trust in the Lord

 Proverbs 3: 7-10 states 'Don't be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil.  Then you will gain renewed health and vitality. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces.  Then he will fill your barns with grain and your vats will overflow with the finest wine."

It seems finally I can hear God talking to me through so many ways.  And He is saying the same thing through all of those.  "TRUST ME, I KNOW WHAT  I AM DOING"

Trust is such a easy concept, yet it is so hard to do for this "type A, domineering, in-control" woman.  In most things in my adult life, I have been the director and driver. Either directing the situation and telling everyone and everything what to do or doing it myself, because only I could do it the best way.

Now God is asking me to step back and let Him lead; let Him be the director and driver. How do I do this?  How do I just suddenly let go and let God?  In my head, I know He ALWAYS knows the right plan, but I still struggle with letting Him have complete control over my life. I guess that is why I am in the situation that I am in right now.  Now I must depend on Him to open the right doors and hang a big sign on it that says "This is the one, walk through, I'm here!
                          ********************************************


God, I pray that I will not miss the signs.  I have gotten the message that I must trust you COMPLETELY!  I do!  I know that only you can bring about change in my heart.  Change my heart.  Make me more like Jesus.  Let others see the transformation in my life that will point them to YOU. Guide my steps, put people in my path that need to see you through me.  Put people in my path that will help me stay on your path for my life.
I love you and am excited and scared about this new journey that I will be on. Calm my fears and give me the assurances along the way.


JoAnn

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Wisdom

For the last week, I've been searching the scriptures for answers.  I've really been searching for what King Solomon had: WISDOM.
It seems kind of elusive sometimes, I guess because I "lean on my own understanding" so many times more than I lean on God's understanding.  It seems easier to just do whatever I want instead of asking God to point me in the right direction and keep me on the straight and narrow.
Yesterday I read something that gave me that "ah-ha" moment.  It was from Oswald Chambers.
http://utmost.org/taking-the-initiative-against-despair
I have made some big mistakes in my life, but I cannot go back and retrieve those missed opportunities, so I must trust Him and go to the next thing!
I must let God take care of those missed opportunities and trust Him as I go with him into my future.

TRUST: now that is another thing, but it goes hand in hand with wisdom.
Proverbs 3: 5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart: do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do and He will direct your paths.

To receive God's guidance I must seek God's will in ALL I do. Turning EVERYTHING  over to Him.
Trust Him completely in ALL.  do .  his plan is in not be wise in my own eyes.  Pray and read His word to receive His guidance.  His plan is in His word.  To know His plan, I have to be in His word.  Wisdom and Understanding and Fear of the Lord cannot enter my life until I know His word and trust him in EVERYTHING.

Prayers would greatly be appreciated, as I begin AGAIN!  Thank you God for loving  me even when I mess up really badly!


JoAnn