“In my hand I have two USA coins worth thirty cents. One of them is not a nickel. What are the two coins?” When I was a school teacher, I loved to give my students riddles like this.
The answer can always be found by listening well. . . and of course the answer is . . . a quarter and a nickel. You see, one is not a nickel . . . but, the other one is.
The answer becomes obvious if we just take the time to listen well.
The Lord urges us in Psalm 81:13 to listen to Him and then follow what He says:
“Oh, that my people would listen to me!
Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!”
Here are several ideas about listening well:
Listening To People:
stop talking
put your phone down
take an active interest in really hearing them
look at them
listen between the lines – what are they really trying to say?
listen and quit thinking of the next thing that you want to say
verbalize back to them what you heard them say
set some time aside to talk – minimizing interruptions
enjoy the process!
Listening To God:
stop talking
put your phone down
take an active interest in really hearing from God
set regular time aside to spend with Him – minimizing interruptions
learn to discern whether the voice you’re hearing is you, the enemy, or the Lord
remember, God can speak to you through:
His Word
your spouse
other people
your kids
a song
a dream
a situation
and a host of other ways (remembering that the Bible is our final authority)
quit telling God what you want to hear – and just listen
be aware of His presence
enjoy the process!
Do you need an answer?
Do you need direction?
Do you need hope?
Do you need encouragement?
Hearing from God is what sustains us and gives us what it takes to continue on . . . as Jesus said in Matthew 4:4:
“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
When you do hear something from the Lord, whether it is a clear word, a prompting, or a strong feeling . . . receive it as from Him. Always give thanks for His watchful care over you. If you hear Him ask you to do something, make sure you obey what He is telling you to do.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22
Love you guys . . .
Steve :)