2024-03-18
1 John 2:25 MSG
When you pray diligently and believe you have heard from God, but then you start asking other people what they think, you’re honouring their opinions above God’s. That kind of mindset will prevent you from developing a relationship where you constantly hear from Him. You need to trust Him. If you have made bad decisions in the past, this can be difficult. But you must learn to listen to God without constantly needing reassurance from others.
The Bible says: “The anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so]… you have no need that anyone should instruct you…. His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true… so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him” (v. 27 AMPC). That doesn’t mean you don’t need teaching and instruction when it comes to understanding God’s Word; it means you have God’s Spirit living inside you and that He will guide and direct you personally. You might have to ask somebody for advice from time to time, but you needn’t constantly go to other people and ask them about decisions you’re making for your life.
If you’re ever going to develop the ability to listen to God and be led by His Spirit, you must start making your own decisions – and trust the wisdom God has deposited in your heart. The devil wants you to think you’re not capable of hearing from God. Don’t believe him. The Holy Spirit who dwells inside you will give you confidence, comfort, and counsel for your life. So, learn to listen to Him.
Soul food: 2 Kings 16:1-18:16; Matt 24:29-51; Ps 26; Prov 7:26-27
2024-03-17
Jesaja 1:19 NLV
Mense dink dat hulle nie vir God kan hoor nie, wanneer die realiteit egter is dat daar dinge is wat hulle reeds weet waarop God wil hê hulle moet reageer en tot sover het hulle dit nie gedoen nie. Hoe vinniger jy doen wat ook al die Here vir jou gesê het om te doen, hoe gouer sal Hy die volgende stap aan jou openbaar. Sy belofte is: ‘As julle My maar net gehoorsaam… sal julle baie hê om te eet.’
Om God te kan hoor is iets wat jy net met oefening kan ontwikkel – veral as jy meer daarvan hou om te praat! Dis hoekom Hy sê: ‘Wees stil en weet Ek is God!..’ (Psalm 46:11 NLV). Ons vlees is vol energie; ons wil altyd besig wees om iets te doen en dit kan moeilik vir ons wees om stil te wees. Moenie net met God praat as jy iets nodig het nie, bestee tyd om ook te luister. Hy sal baie kwessies vir jou oplos as jy net sal stil word voor Hom.
Jy sê: ‘Ek dink nie ek het God al ooit met my hoor praat nie.’ Miskien omdat jy nog nie geleer het om te luister nie! Selfs al reageer Hy nie op daardie presiese oomblik nie, kan jy seker wees dat Hy wel sal. Jy mag dalk besig wees om ‘n gewone taak te verrig wanneer Hy met jou praat. Miskien doen jy dinge al vir jare op jou eie manier. As dit die geval is, moenie mismoedig voel nie; dis nooit te laat om van rigting te verander nie. As jy gewillig is om God te gehoorsaam, sal Hy jou op die opwindende reis om elke dag van jou lewe van Hom te hoor, lei.
Sielskos: Gal 5:22; 1 Kor 13; Ef 3:14-21; Joh 15:1-17
Isaiah 1:19 CEV
People think they can’t hear from God, when in reality, there are things they already know He wants them to respond to, and so far they haven’t done it. The quicker you do whatever the Lord has already told you to do, the sooner He will reveal the next step to you. His promise is, “If you willingly obey me, the best… will be yours.”
Hearing from God is something you only develop with practice – especially if you’re a talker! That’s why He says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 KJV). Our flesh is full of energy; we always want to be doing something, and it can be difficult for us to be still. Don’t just talk to God when you need something; spend time listening. He will open up many issues if you will just be still before Him. You say, “I don’t think I have ever heard God talk to me.” Maybe that’s because you haven’t learned to listen!
When you ask God for something, tune your “receiver.” Even if He doesn’t respond at that very moment, rest assured He will in due time. You may be doing some ordinary task when He decides to speak to you. And if you have honoured Him by learning to listen as you fellowship with Him, He will speak to you at exactly the right time.
Perhaps you have spent years going your own way. If so, don’t despair; it’s not too late to change direction. If you’re willing to obey God, He will guide you on the exciting journey of learning to hear from Him every day of your life.
Soul food: Gal 5:22; 1 Cor 13; Eph 3:14-21; John 15:1-17
2024-03-16
Johannes 16:13 NLV
Jesus het vir sy dissipels gesê: ‘Ek het nog baie dinge om vir julle te sê, maar julle kan dit nie nou hanteer nie. Wanneer Hy ook al kom, die Gees van die waarheid, sal Hy julle begelei in die volle waarheid…’ (verse 12-13 NLV). Jesus het hierdie woorde vir die dissipels saam met wie Hy die vorige drie jaar deurgebring het, gesê. Sou jy nie dink dat as Jesus in persoon by ons was, dag en nag vir drie jaar lank, sou ons alles geleer het wat daar is om te weet nie? Nee. Jesus sal inderwaarheid iets vir ons sê oor elke nuwe situasie waarvoor ons te staan kom. Daar is sekere dinge wat Hy egter net aan jou sal openbaar wanneer Hy weet dat jy gereed is om dit te hanteer.
God wil met jou op ‘n een-tot-een basis praat, om jou tree vir tree tot by die goeie dinge wat Hy vir jou in gedagte het, te lei. Hy gee vir die kleinste detail van jou lewe om. Moet dus nooit huiwer om die klein dinge na Hom toe te neem nie – alles is immers klein vir God! Hy gee vir die begeertes van jou hart om. Hy wil vir jou die waarheid wat jou vry van vrees en bekommernis sal maak, openbaar.
Sy plan om ‘n intieme verhouding met jou te deel was lank voor jy gebore is, reeds in plek. ‘…Hy het die tye van hulle bestaan bepaal, en die grense van hulle blyplek. God se doel met die nasies was om Hom te soek…’ (Handelinge 17:26-27 NLV). Dink nou daaroor: As God jou lewe voor jy gebore was al in sulke klein detail beplan het, is dit nie belangrik vir jou om te leer om na Hom te luister nie?
Sielskos: 2 Kon 13-15; Matt 24:3-28; Ps 24; Spr 7:24-25
John 16:13 CEV
Jesus told His disciples, “I have much more to say to you, but right now it would be more than you could understand. The Spirit shows what is true and will come and guide you into the full truth” (vv. 12-13 CEV). Jesus spoke these words to men He had spent the previous three years with. Now, wouldn’t you think if Jesus was with us in person, day and night for three years, we would have learned all there is to know?
Not so. In fact, Jesus tells us to stay tuned, because He always has something to say to us about every new situation we face. But there are certain things He will only reveal to you when He knows you’re ready to handle them. God wants to speak to you on a one-to-one basis, to lead you step by step into the good things He has in store for you. He cares about the tiniest details of your life.
So, never hesitate to take what you consider small things to Him – after all, everything is small to God! He cares about the desires of your heart. He wants to reveal truth to you that will set you free from fear and worry.
His plan to share an intimate relationship with you was in place long before you were born. He “marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him” (Acts 17:26-27 NIV). Now think about it: If God planned your life in such minute detail before you were even born, isn’t it important for you to learn how to listen to Him?
Soul food: 2 Kings 13-15; Matt 24:3-28; Ps 24; Prov 7:24-25
