Prayer in its purest form is a love relationship with Father God. It’s an enjoyable relationship, not a religious activity. It’s the privilege of soaring to the very throne room of Father God to touch his face. Our souls are starved for this sense of awe—to speak and to hear from the living God who loves us and is waiting to share his heart with us.
Intimacy does not exist when our relationship is built on one-way speeches. As I pray to God, I’m fully aware that both of us will speak and both of us will listen. As you practice two-way prayer, listening carefully and humbly, you’ll hear him speak. And this prophetic interchange is not just limited to verbal communication. You can also expect to encounter him in other ways. Regardless of how you hear him, this divine encounter will always do two things: it will change you, and it will give you ammunition for spiritual warfare. As you enter into prayer, the Father will not only speak to you, but he will also pray through you. You’ll become one who hears from God in the secret place during your personal alone time with him.
Sometimes people ask me, “How do I know when it’s God speaking and when it’s the enemy? I don’t want to be misled. I only want to listen to the Holy Spirit.” Here are some simple guidelines for knowing God’s voice and discerning when it’s not him, but the voice of the enemy.
• Jesus is a gentle Shepherd, and his voice drips with mercy. Jesus does not condemn your personal worth; but satan is a condemning and accusing intimidator.
• The Lord’s voice is often quiet and deeply internal; satan’s is intrusive and vulgar.
• The Holy Spirit calls and draws us; satan threatens, demands, and drives.
• The Lord’s voice lines up with Scripture; the enemy speaks lies.
• The Lord’s voice will bring a fresh “now” word that will change you and touch you; satan will lock you in the past.
• The Lord’s voice is rooted in hope; satan brings negativity or despair that leaves you feeling hopeless.
• God’s voice inspires us to love; satan inspires us to criticize others.
• Peace comes from God; satan brings anxiety.
• The voice of the Spirit will always glorify Jesus; satan glorifies self.
Credit: www.uncommon.org
Something New.
Last weekend Nancy and I went hiking. It is something we have occasionally done during our marriage. With COVID-19 life, we are looking for every chance we can find to get outdoors. We went to a local lake that has great and challenging hiking trails. We had a blast.
Without so many things that occupied our time in the past, hiking is going to be a new high priority. What about the two of you? What is something you used to do and enjoy that has fallen by the wayside? What about trying something new?
Today’s One Thing: Pick one thing that you will do together.
DON’T JUST SURVIVE! – Your Marriage Was Meant To Thrive!
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Our Daily Bread
Ruth’s Story
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.—Romans 10:13
Ruth cannot tell her story without tears. In her mid-eighties and unable to get around much anymore, Ruth may not appear to be a central figure in our church’s life. She depends on others for rides, and because she lives alone she doesn’t have a huge circle of influence.
But when she tells us her story of salvation—as she does often—Ruth stands out as a remarkable example of God’s grace. Back when she was in her thirties, a friend invited her to go to a meeting one night. Ruth didn’t know she was going to hear a preacher. “I wouldn’t have gone if I knew,” she says. She already had “religion,” and it wasn’t doing her any good. But go she did. And she heard the good news about Jesus that night.
Now, more than fifty years later, she cries tears of joy when she talks of how Jesus transformed her life. That evening, she became a child of God. Her story never grows old.It doesn’t matter if our story is similar to Ruth’s or not. What does matter is that we take the simple step of putting our faith in Jesus and His death and resurrection. The apostle Paul said, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
That’s what Ruth did. You can do that too. Jesus redeems, transforms, and gives us new life. —Dave Branon
REFLECT & PRAY: Belonging to Christ is not rehabilitation; it’s re-creation.
Credit: Our Daily Bread
