Listening

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Monday, April 27, 2015
Jeff Lampl

Begin 
Silence and  Stillness  (2 minutes)  Think about the day ahead.  In your mind apply what you know about God to your day.  Play out how that might direct your attitude, decisions and your approach to others.

Scripture

“you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father.  And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.  I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray.  But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie.  So, just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ”                 1 John 2:24-27 (NLT)


Reflect  

If you are a believer, you have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).   The Spirit will bring to your mind whatever Jesus wants you to know at any given moment (John 16:14)  

In today’s passage, John reminds us that in order to actually access what we need for today from Jesus we must “remain in fellowship with him”.  This means reorienting your day around God’s will, practice at listening to the various thoughts that come to you and sifting among them so as to discern which voice is God’s voice.   Often the best way to discern God’s leading from other leadings is simply to recall what you’ve read in the Bible and then trust it and then obey it.   Doing so is fundamental to the Sprit-led life.    

What’s John’s ultimate motive for this reminder?   He wants you not to miss eternal life which is available not just in the future but in the now.   Recall that obedience not only leads to abundance, but over time you’ll discover that obedience itself is abundance.

Question to Consider  

What will you face today or this week, big or “small”, for which you need the courage to obey the Spirit’s leading?        

Prayer

“Lord, I do need practice in discerning your voice.  But even more than that I need both the "want to" and the courage to obey the leadings I have already discerned.  I think you're waiting for me to take first steps before I can take next steps. thank you, Lord,  Amen"

Conclude with Silence   (2 minutes)

 
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