The early morning was peaceful and quiet as I sat in my chair with my Bible, unhurried to start the busy day that lay ahead of me. Sometimes I am a constant chatterbox in His Presence. Other times my mind wanders aimlessly in the quietness. Not today. There was such a stillness as I simply sat there, enjoying His Presence so real and so near, even though not a sound was uttered. Listening. Waiting.
Something powerful happens when I listen to God rather than filling the air with my voice echoing my own wants and needs. Sometimes He speaks to me. Most of the time He does not. At least, not right away. He will, however, speak to me throughout the day as my spirit is attuned to His Voice.
Today was a perfect example. After my quiet time with Him, as I proceeded throughout the day's activities, I could feel His Presence in a special way, a closeness. I was studying for a Bible study scheduled for later tonight when I heard Him. He was speaking.
Don't start the study in the book of Genesis. Go straight to the plan of salvation. "Ok. Lord, I hear You. But, will she comprehend it? She's simple-minded as you know." The plan of salvation does not necessarily require comprehension, but it does require obedience. She has child-like faith in Me and she will obey.
(Note: Sharon, the lady I am referring to has some kind of physical and/or mental illness. She has slurred speech and poor motor control. Although she can read and write, we are not sure how much she comprehends. She has a sweet disposition and loves everybody. And we all love her!)
I must admit, I was very nervous teaching the 3-step plan of salvation* to Sharon. I wanted to make it simple without making her feel like a child. Mary, another lady in the church, joined us in the study. We read a few scriptures on repentance, the first step. Then, I heard Him. He was speaking. Don't just teach on repentance. Show her how to do it. We prayed a short prayer asking God to forgive us of our sins. Next, we covered water baptism in Jesus' Name, the second step. I told Sharon any time she wanted to be baptized to let us know. I heard Him speaking again. Ask her if she wants to be baptized tonight. "Sharon, do you want to be baptized tonight?" She replied "Yes, I do. I want to go to heaven." Wow! Mary and I were pleasantly surprised. Sharon responded with child-like faith, just like God had already said she would do. Finally, we covered the third step, which is receiving the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in an unknown tongue (language). We wrapped up the study and went to the prayer room. (We have church-wide prayer on Monday nights.) After prayer, we all gathered around as Sharon was baptized in Jesus' Name.
When I listen to (and obey) His Voice, then His Will (not mine) is accomplished in the earth.
* The 3-step plan of salvation is found in Acts 2:38. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." This is based upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1,3-4, "Moreover brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached unto you...For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures....And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Repent = death, baptism = burial, receive Holy Ghost = resurrection.
Something powerful happens when I listen to God rather than filling the air with my voice echoing my own wants and needs. Sometimes He speaks to me. Most of the time He does not. At least, not right away. He will, however, speak to me throughout the day as my spirit is attuned to His Voice.
Today was a perfect example. After my quiet time with Him, as I proceeded throughout the day's activities, I could feel His Presence in a special way, a closeness. I was studying for a Bible study scheduled for later tonight when I heard Him. He was speaking.
Don't start the study in the book of Genesis. Go straight to the plan of salvation. "Ok. Lord, I hear You. But, will she comprehend it? She's simple-minded as you know." The plan of salvation does not necessarily require comprehension, but it does require obedience. She has child-like faith in Me and she will obey.
(Note: Sharon, the lady I am referring to has some kind of physical and/or mental illness. She has slurred speech and poor motor control. Although she can read and write, we are not sure how much she comprehends. She has a sweet disposition and loves everybody. And we all love her!)
I must admit, I was very nervous teaching the 3-step plan of salvation* to Sharon. I wanted to make it simple without making her feel like a child. Mary, another lady in the church, joined us in the study. We read a few scriptures on repentance, the first step. Then, I heard Him. He was speaking. Don't just teach on repentance. Show her how to do it. We prayed a short prayer asking God to forgive us of our sins. Next, we covered water baptism in Jesus' Name, the second step. I told Sharon any time she wanted to be baptized to let us know. I heard Him speaking again. Ask her if she wants to be baptized tonight. "Sharon, do you want to be baptized tonight?" She replied "Yes, I do. I want to go to heaven." Wow! Mary and I were pleasantly surprised. Sharon responded with child-like faith, just like God had already said she would do. Finally, we covered the third step, which is receiving the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in an unknown tongue (language). We wrapped up the study and went to the prayer room. (We have church-wide prayer on Monday nights.) After prayer, we all gathered around as Sharon was baptized in Jesus' Name.
When I listen to (and obey) His Voice, then His Will (not mine) is accomplished in the earth.
