Midweek Morsel: God Speaks When He Seems Silent

5771861523_5c38e5529e_zAs children of God, we eventually go through periods when God seems quiet—we might even think of them as desert times. Last fall I shared about just such a period in my life lately. We may wonder why God is being silent, why he is not speaking to our spirits as clearly as in the past.

In truth, God speaks to us even in the silence. For example, at times when I may not hear his voice in my spirit, I still hear him speak through his Word. Also consider what Margaret Feinberg says on this topic in her book The Organic God:

“But as I practice the art of listening to God, I am discovering that he is surprisingly talkative even in the silence. Prayers are not going unanswered as much as he is responding in unexpected ways. . . . His voice is found in the wisdom of friends and spiritual leaders. He whispers through dreams and visions and abundant provision. He speaks through both conscience and conviction and an undeniable sense that some thoughts are more like God-thoughts than my own. He even speaks in the silence.”

So let’s take heart, friends, even when God seems quiet. Let’s listen. Let’s be alert to the unexpected. Our loving Father will indeed speak.

“. . . ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening. . .’” 1 Samuel 3:9

*How has God spoken to you even in the silence?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by seyed mostafa zamini, Creative Commons License

Midweek Morsel: Praying for Favor

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“The king said to me, ‘What is it you want?’ Then I prayed to the God of heaven and I answered the king, ‘If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight . . .’” Nehemiah 2:4-5a

Sometimes we find ourselves having to speak or make an appeal in an important or even fearful situation. The stakes are high, our nerves taut. Right words are needed, but even more than that, favor is needed from the one to whom we’re speaking. What do we do?

In the Old Testament, we see what Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, did in just such a situation. He had heard that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and that his countrymen were in trouble. He wanted to go help, but he would need the king to look on him with favor and grant him leave to make the journey.

So what did Nehemiah do? He prayed and asked God to give him success and grant him favor with the king. Wisely, Nehemiah knew that God could open the king’s heart to his request. And wisely, Nehemiah prayed before he ever approached the king (Nehemiah 1:11), but as we see in the scripture above, he also whispered a prayer immediately before he made his appeal. Nehemiah relied on prayer, he relied on God.

Are any of us in need of favor today? Let’s remember Nehemiah and his dependence on God. Let’s bathe the situation in prayer.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” Proverbs 21:1

*When has God granted you favor?

*Flickr photo by peasap, Creative Commons License

The Precious Words of Jesus

IMG_3679Last fall I started reading through the gospels bit by bit as part of my daily Bible reading. For some reason I just felt drawn to reading the accounts of my Savior’s life once more. I’ve finished Matthew and will go on to Mark later. (I’m currently reading Genesis since I was drawn to it recently as well.)

The main thing that struck me as I did my gospel reading this time was how much I eagerly anticipated and enjoyed reading the words in red—the words of Jesus. I thought these are the words that Jesus spoke, this is what came from my Savior’s lips. I wanted to read every word he uttered.

Each day my eyes zeroed in on the words in red. I noticed them coming. My eyes and my ears perked up. I grew excited in my spirit. I wanted to hear from Jesus.

As I read the words my Savior spoke so many years ago, I savored them. It was almost as if I could hear him speaking. Knowing that he spoke those very words touched a chord deep within my heart. The Savior who loves me, who died for me, spoke those words. And they were precious to me.

I guess that shouldn’t come as a big surprise, though, should it? Much the same thing happens when we lose loved ones. We yearn to hear from them. We search for messages they’ve left behind or words they’ve written down. We watch for their handwriting and our eyes zero in on their words when we find them. We savor any remembrance of them.

So when my heart felt so drawn to the words of Jesus, when I treasured them so much, my love for him was evident. And it was good for me to see that evidence in my life. It reaffirmed my close relationship to him. In these days of ours on earth when living by faith can sometimes be hard, it helps to see evidence of our faith, doesn’t it?

If you haven’t read the words of Jesus lately, I highly recommend it. I think you’ll enjoy hearing the words our Savior spoke as much as I have. For they are precious words indeed.

“‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’” Matthew 24:35

*What are some of your favorite words that Jesus spoke?

*My photo

Midweek Morsel: How Close Is God?

2646438199_b309cffd65_zDo you ever feel like God is distant—so far away you can’t quite connect with him? If so, you’re not alone. We all have times when we feel like that. In those moments, it’s important to remember the truth of his nearness, though.

Teresa of Avila had this to say: “We do not need to search for heaven, over here or over there, in order to find our eternal Father. In fact, we do not even need to speak out loud, for though we speak in the smallest whisper or the most fleeting though, He is close enough to hear us.”

Our God is as close as a whisper. Just think about what that means. You can’t hear a person whisper if you’re miles away from him—or even just across the room. You’ve got to be really close to him, next to him, no more than a couple of feet from him.

So next time God feels far away to you, whisper to him. Ask him to draw close. And then remember—he’s already there.

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

*What helps you experience the nearness of God?

*Flickr photo by Sean McGrath, Creative Commons License

*The current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, came out Feb. 3rd. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right!

*Don’t miss out on the “For You and Your Friend” Valentine’s Day Giveaway! See post for details.

Christmas Rest

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Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as Christmas rest.

Some of you may feel like Christmas rest is the oxymoron to top all oxymorons, but I promise you, dear readers, Christmas rest is possible. It may not come easily or happen without intentional effort, but it can indeed be experienced.

If you’ve read my blog during the holiday season before, you know I draw great inspiration, joy, and peace through the music of Christmas, and this year is no exception. Yes, a beloved Christmas carol shines a light on how we can enjoy some rest during any busy holiday season.

Look closely at the words penned by Edmund Sears in the third verse of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” Its words provide the perfect instructions:

“And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!”

So how can we experience rest during the Christmas season? We need to stop and pull off that hectic holiday road that’s wearing us out. (I need to take this advice!) We need to sit back and quiet ourselves. We need to listen. As we do, we just might hear the angels sing. As we do, our hearts will fill with peace and joy.

Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as Christmas rest.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:13-14 KJV

*How do you experience Christmas rest?

*Don’t miss out on A Little Yuletide Giveaway — throw your name in the hat by 6 p.m. CST this Wednesday the 11th!

*Flickr photo by John-Morgan