Now Think On This World News 

Running From God? – Now Think On This by Steve Martin

 November 11, 2019  Steve Martin  0 Comments call of God, Jesus, Jonah, obey, walk in His wayEdit

“But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” Jonah 1:3, NKJV

God spoke. Jonah heard. Jonah ran from God.

Ever happen to you? God speaks a word to you, either through another person, reading His Word in the Bible, or through a circumstance which you know is from Him, giving you a directive, and yet you run from Him?

Your response was “No. I am not going to do that.”

We all have done it at one time, and more. We heard the word. And then we ran from it. Fear. Uncertainty. Laziness. There is always a “good” reason not to do it.

The Lord speaks to us through His still voice, or we receive a prophetic word. We deny it. We say, “It isn’t so.” We do everything we can to pretend we didn’t hear it, so we can believe we don’t have to respond in obedience to Him.

And yet, He doesn’t give up on us. He has a very good reason He has given the word to us. And as the “hound of heaven”, He still seeks after us to reveal His will and direction for our life, knowing there will always be life in obeying the word, that “this is the way, walk in it.”

“O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:19-22, NASU

It reads in Jonah 1:1-3, “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” NKJV

Jonah heard the Lord speak a word of direction, and yet he did as we do too many times ourselves, we run from it. We tell ourselves that “That word isn’t for me, I can’t do it, what will people think?” Or, “How can I walk in faith when I am too fearful to step out and obey? It will cost me too much.”

And yet the very word the Lord is giving us too is the word that will change our life. And at the same time, it will change the lives of those He wants you to be the one who will bring the word of change to them.

As I read the first chapter of Jonah, it is very interesting that Jonah was very clear in what the Lord told him to do. There was no uncertainty. There was no ambiguity. He just didn’t want to do it. He ran from the Word. He ran from God Who gave it. “But Jonah rose up to flee…from the presence of the Lord.” Jonah 1:3

It was only after the fierce wind came down upon the ship he was hiding in, the other men found out it was he who was the cause of this before throwing him overboard, and the large fish swallowed him up.

“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17, NKJV

I like how the Lord had already prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. He knew the plan. He was making the way for it to be done. Jonah still had a choice all along, but the Lord was setting him up to make the right choice.

The Lord spoke a clear word to Jonah (whom I believe was a real person, and the book of Jonah is a real, historical book of the Bible and not a fictional story.) It took a while, but Jonah finally did respond the way he should have in the very beginning and save himself from a lot of trouble.

He knows His plan for us. He will do all He can to get our attention and accomplish His will in our life. If only we quit fighting His plan, His purpose, and do what He has called us to do.

You may have known the Lord for a year, and after the excitement wore off and the challenges became too great, you quit the zeal and the adventure.

You may have followed the Lord for 10 years, 20 years, or even 40 years, and the vision you once had has become too dim, the zeal has been lost, the disappointments too many, or the wind of opposition in your face has been more than what you now think you can take.

But the Lord is still calling you. The Lord is still making a way where there seems to be no way. The Lord has not given up. He is calling you back. He is telling you to still “Come, follow Me.”

The decision is yours. But the gift and grace of God is always available to help you make the right one. I hope you choose life and walk continually in His ways.

Run to God, not from Him.

Now think on this and see what good things the Lord has in store for you and those around you.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Thank you for reading! PLUS: Our new mobile app is for Android smart phones, on Google Play store, or click here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.itsapp2you.lfhp

The mobile app for the iPhone on the Apple Store will be available in a few days.

Please sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter: Now Think On This. The sign-up form is on our new ministry website: https://loveforhispeople.com

You are welcome to help support the families in Israel that we do. Give now. Givelify.

Love For His People ministry

P.O. Box 414

Pineville, NC 28134

loveforhispeople@gmail.com

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.  Others will be thankful you did.

Now Think On This #468 – in the year of our Lord 11.11.19 – “Running From God?”, Monday, 7:30 am

For the Love of God - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

For the Love of God

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:3 NASU)

For the love of God we are called to do what we do. Mostly that is to give our life for others, even as the Lord Jesus Himself demonstrated it – by showing us how to do it as He gave His life for us. In walking daily in the leading of the Holy Spirit, and choosing to let go of His natural pleasures in order to do what He came to do, He gave His life.

So when the nudge came to wake up from the night’s sleep, and get out of bed, even though the red numbers on the digital clock read 5:08 am, a bit before my normal rising time these days, I dismissed the urge to lay there, and got up. And I knew why.

The night before someone had shared with me some of their struggles and concerns from that day. And as we all so often do, we allow worry and fears of the future to sometimes rob us of the faith and assurance of the times ahead. Sure, we know the verse, “My times are in Your hands…” (Psalm 31:5), but at times it doesn’t seem to be as strongly settled in our spirit as we would like it to be. We let the certainties be not as certain.

After getting up, getting dressed, and going downstairs, I said to them that I wanted to pray for them before they left for work. A simple prayer for peace, assurance, and trust in the Lord’s guidance – to know once again that their times were in His hands.

I believe it was a meaningful action, both for them and myself. Encouragement can come in many ways. I trust my obedience would bring the results the Lord intended, and the love of God He wanted to be expressed to them had been.

Bearing one another’s burdens is part of the calling we each have who call upon the Name of the Lord. Being there for each other, in good times and not so good, helps the encouragement level in our spirits to be a bit higher than walking it out alone. And so we do these things, as acts of faith and obedience.

We can daily stand on the promise given to us in His Word. When life gets hard, we can always trust in Him.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39, NKJV)

For the love of God will keep us until the end. We encourage each other with His words.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this,

  

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Use the "Sign Up" button on our website, or go here: Sign Me Up!

If these messages have ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$50 today, and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently help monthly through our humanitarian work. Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.

  

Secure, conveniently contributions can be done online now. Click here: DONATE 

(or use the DONATE buttons on the blog.)

Contribution checks can be sent to: 

Love For His People, Inc. 

P.O. Box 414   

Pineville, NC 28134

Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.) 

Please share Now Think On This with your friends on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and LinkedIn.  We appreciate your help.

Now Think On This #346 - in the year of our Lord 04.11.18 – “For the Love of God”, Wednesday, 6:30 am

"IF YOU OBEY" - Pastor Oyewale Abel of Abba Father International, Nigeria, West Africa

Pastor Abel with his wife Margaret

IF YOU OBEY

Pastor Abel Oyewale

Abba Father Fellowship International

Nigeria, West Africa

A.God Commands Obedience

"If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I gave you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth." (Deuteronomy 28:1)

If is a conditional word. The covenantal blessings of God for His people are premised on the condition of obedience. God Commands us to fully obey Him, not turning aside from any of the commands.God expects total, not selective, obedience.

The sin of the Amorites, "But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again for the iniquity of the Amorite." ( Book of Genesis)

The sin of Amorites may have been part of why God dislodged them. Israel, privileged to occupy their place, should have therefore remembered that the only way to remain in the Promised Land was to remain faithful to the covenant-keeping God.

"And the Lord gave unto Israel all the Land which He sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it and dwelt therein." (Book of Joshua)

God gave them possession of the Land as He had promised. Obedience and fidelity would be the best way to reciprocate His kind gesture, and their continued possession of the Land largely depended on this.

The need for obedience also became more evident in the fact that the survivors of those nation among them would continue to be divinely rendered powerless before Israel, as long as the latter adheed strictly and faithfully to Yahweh and His ways.

To all of us - we need to be reminded that the divine favour we enjoy is conditioned on our continued faithfulness to God.  Don't we need such reminders each today? Think of it.

B. GODLY BLESSINGS ON THE OBEDIENT (DEUTERONOMY 28:2-14)

"All these blessings will come upon you and  accompany you if you obey the Lord your God". (Deuteronomy 28:2)

Obedience attracts God's blessings immediately, and as with Abraham, his obedient faith brought him immeasurable blessings. 

As it says in Deuteronomy 28:3, "Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field."

This verse highlighted few of the countless blessings that would attend Israel's faithfulness:

- Blessings on the goings in and out of the obedient
- Divine Security
- Abundant all-round prosperity and countless stay in Promised Land
- Headship in all things

Please remember that all these blessings are premised on their continued obedience to God's commands. God is forever faithful to His word. In fact, He has bound Himself by His word. Why would anyone then think that he or she can enjoy God's blessings without total obedience to His word?

Brothers and sisters, the only way to be happy to the fullest in Jesus is to trust and obey Him without reservations.

May the God of Israel bless everyone reading this message, in Jesus Christ Name.

Shalom,

Pastor Abel Oyewale
Abba Father Fellowship International
Nigeria, West Africa

souls4christ2005@yahoo.com

+2348115306866

Nigerian orphans who have lost both parents. 

Pastor Abel and his church members try to help them as best they can.

Please use the DONATE button on the side columns to help.

Help Love For His People keep sending teaching materials free of charge to international pastors, by supporting this ministry. We also send financial support for families in Jerusalem, Belfast, UK and Lahore, Pakistan monthly. Even a gift of $10 helps. Thank you.

Please donate online safely here, through our website. Click on the DONATE button found in the side columns of Love For His People blog, or the DONATE tab at the top of the blog page.

A USA tax-receipt will be provided for each online gift and check.

Checks can be sent to:

Love For His People, Inc.

P.O. Box 414

Pineville, NC 28134

"5778: Governing Glory Storms—A Year of Apostolic Advance" - Ryan LeStrange and Jason Armstrong THE ELIJAH LIST

"5778: Governing Glory Storms—A Year of Apostolic Advance"

Ryan LeStrange and Jason Armstrong, THE ELIJAH LIST Sep 7, 2017

From the desk of Steve Shultz:

As we come to the end of September, many prophetic writers and prophets are inquiring of the Lord what He is saying for the new year. The Hebrew calendar starts roughly two months before our Gregorian Calendar.

So this year, we are entering the Hebrew year 5778, so when you read these revelations, please understand that the word for the year is for BOTH calendars at the same time.

I asked Bob Jones one time which calendar is the one God operates on. He said, "Oh, God operates on MANY calendars."

As you read this conjoined word by Ryan LeStrange and Jason Armstrong, try to learn something new that you may have never known about prophecy, dreams or visions. There is GREAT CONTENT here to teach you how to understand prophecy. And there is a LOT of good revelation to encourage you and a few things to exhort you to seeking HIS PRESENCE!

Enjoy! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

And thanks for forwarding this to your friends! They can subscribe here.

Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News 
http://www.elijahlist.com

P.S. – Oh, and a Quick Note to our readers: To EXPLORE our more than 2,500 Christian Prophetic books, CDs, and gifts go to: elijahshopper.com.

"5778: Governing Glory Storms—A Year of Apostolic Advance"

Ryan LeStrange, Abingdon, VA and Jason Armstrong, Morristown, TN

5778 (2018) is going to be a year of apostolic authority, sending and supernatural moves of glory! There is a convergence of glory and the apostolic happening in the realm of the spirit, bringing the glory of God together with governing authority and a rising apostolic paradigm. It is a year of the apostolos—a year of the sent and the sending! The gates and walls of authority are being re-established in the earth. There will be an increased emphasis on the apostolic office and anointing. It is marked in Heaven as an apostolic year!

The Coming Glory Storms

Recently I (Ryan) had a profound encounter with the Lord as He revealed to me new depths of His glory. As I was lying down to go to sleep, I suddenly had an inner-vision. I saw a tremendously large glory cloud coming into gatherings. I could see that as the cloud was moving and manifesting, the atmosphere and authority of Heaven was crashing down. As I looked into the cloud, I saw storm systems and then storms bursting forth from the cloud.

"There are storms coming, storms of glory, that will change the spiritual climate over regions."

I saw amazing rainstorms carrying the rains of refreshing, renewal and revival. The Lord is sending these storms to soak the ground and transform the territory! I heard the Lord saying to me that sudden flash floods of revival are coming forth from the cloud. Dry places are about to be soaked!

"All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance." Exodus 20:18

Next, I saw violent eruptions of lightning and realms of power coming forth. The Lord showed me that there will be lightning strikes, igniting wildfires of revival! The lightning also represents flashes and bursts of revelation. Every move is fueled by revelation. 

There is coming forth sudden insights and heavenly impartations from the midst of the cloud. The lightnings of God shall strike and knock down sickness and disease. The lightnings shall electrify people and regions with infusions of divine power. The lightnings shall burst forth with power for mega deliverance.

"Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God." Revelation 4:5

After this vision, I fell asleep and had a series of dreams about the glory storms and the cloud of His presence. In the first dream, I was ministering in a church, and the Lord asked me to share about the glory storms. The church was convinced that they knew and understood the glory realm. They were singing songs about the glory but it was out of ritual and routine. They had the language but not the presence. 

I told them that they needed to worship in the cloud, follow the cloud and get caught up in the cloud. They refused, so the Lord released me from that group. The Lord showed me that they were out of alignment and blinded by routine. 

The message here is that to move in the glory storms, it takes much more than the right language. It takes radical pursuit and obedience!

Then I had a second dream where I was at another church preparing to speak in a meeting after a well-known prophetic leader. After that leader spoke, I got up to share for a few moments on the glory storms and the cloud. People began a mass exit, totally uninterested in what I had to say. I was stunned! I inquired of the Lord about what was happening. He revealed to me that they were more interested in getting a prophetic word and receiving insight or information than hosting His presence.

I believe that this picture exposes some of the current prophetic movement...many want the revelation, the information, but are uninterested in His presence! The message of the cloud and the storms is one of presence and personal pursuit. There is a refocusing of prophetic ministry to be presence-based! 

Authentic prophetic declaration unlocks realms of His presence and calls people up higher. To really host the cloud demands pursuit and hunger. (Photo via flickr)

In the same dream, there was a group following a particular person but they were very out of order and rebellious. I was so grieved that they would not listen. They ignored every instruction and refused any level of submission. The Lord began to show me that there was a breach of order in their alignment with the agenda and the person they were following. They were in the right place but not in the right order! 

It is absolutely vital that we are in the right position and the right office. There are breaches of office and grace taking place that hinder the move of God.

There are glory storms of fierce winds coming forth. These are winds of refreshing, winds of transition and winds of shift. These are the whirlwinds of Heaven that will supernaturally pick people up and place them in the proper ministry and geographical location! We must ride the winds that come forth from Heaven. (Photo via flickr)

"Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning; and the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and will march in the storm winds of the south." Zechariah 9:14

The glory storms will unlock dimensions of power! The glory storms bring sudden reordering and restructuring. As the rain comes forth, the seed is watered and divine growth occurs! Seed that has been lying dormant springs to life.

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:7

The Lord is raising up people who carry the atmosphere of the cloud with them! As they speak what they have heard and seen, the dimension of glory will come forth in power and demonstration. They are literally speaking from another dimension. Their language is different because it came from the glory! They will carry an unusual atmosphere around them. These are the glory carriers!

The Days of Noah and the Storms of Glory

There are storms coming, storms of glory, that will change the spiritual climate over regions. A climate is generally defined as the weather conditions that prevail in an area over a long period. As the glory comes, we will see places and regions that had a climate of barrenness become regions of birthing. Places that have been like a desert will become places of refreshing and renewal. As the storms come, there will be lightnings of deliverance released. In the glory, deliverance is not a process, it is immediate. There is an acceleration in the glory.

As Jesus saw satan fall like lightning from Heaven, we will see the captives set free speedily in the glory (Luke 10:18). We must be prepared to steward the glory. We must prepare our hearts to receive the light of the knowledge of the glory in the face of Jesus. There is great grace for great glory that is being released in this hour.

I (Jason) believe this grace is an apostolic grace (divine empowerment) to build, pioneer, and father in the glory. We will see strategies and structures built that can steward these storms of glory to bring transformation to a region (Gen. 6:15). It is time for the apostolic fathers to rise up and release sons that will help build, guide, and govern in the glory. Among the earliest uses of the term "apostle" or "apostolos" were the Greek historians, who used it to describe an admiral over a fleet of ships sent out by his king to establish his government in new territories.

"Authentic prophetic declaration unlocks realms of His presence and calls people up higher."

As we look at the word picture associated with this upcoming Hebraic year of 5778 (Ayin Chet), we will see that it is a picture of a wall or fence. Walls and fences are structures that are built-up to protect what is inside. There is a building up of apostolic houses and centers that will govern, guide and guard the glory that is being released in the glory storms. These centers will be places of justice in the sight of injustice. They will be places of righteousness in the midst of unrighteousness. Mercy will be the currency and truth will be the constitution (Ps. 89:14).

The hammer that was used for building will become the gavel that is used to govern and guard in the glory. Chet is the 8th letter of the Hebrew alphabet and carries the numerical value of eight. The letter Chet is used to form the Hebrew word Chen which means Grace. This word is used in the Scriptures when Noah found grace (chen) in the sight of the Lord (Gen. 6:8). Noah is a picture of an Old Testament apostle. He was the first admiral of a ship. Some key attributes of the apostolic advance are building, pioneering and fathering. Noah did all three. He built an ark and an altar, he pioneered in the outpouring, and he did it with his sons (Gen. 6:9, 14. Gen. 8:20).

As we look at the days of Noah we can glean insight into the days ahead. We are in the days of Noah.

"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24:37-39

In the days of Noah, the land was filled with violence and injustice (heb. chamac "hamas", Gen. 6:11). In the days of Noah, they were busy with routine (Mt. 24:38). In the days of Noah, they couldn't discern the time (Mt. 24:39). In the days of Noah, the deluge came to destroy all flesh (Gen. 6:13). In the days of Noah, the waters lifted up the ark (Gen. 7:17). In the days of Noah, he walked faithfully with God (Gen. 6:9).

The Lord is raising up the Noahs in this hour that will be able to steward the storms of glory that are coming. The land is to be filled with the knowledge of the glory as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14). When a land is filled with violence, it is void of glory.

The Noahs will be able to discern the time and the seasons, to release strategies, and build by faith when no one else will build. They will walk in obedience and endure the mockers and scoffers who say it is foolish to prepare for an outpouring of glory. The glory storms will separate and elevate the Noahs. The Noahs will come out from among the old wineskin structures to build vessels that can steward the glory. They will be separated from those who walk after the flesh and are not lead by the Spirit. No flesh can glory in the glory storms of the Lord. (Photo via Wikimedia)

Just as the waters lifted up the ark, the glory will elevate true Kingdom vessels. Noah's name means rest. In the glory, we can build, pray and see miracles happen without striving. There is a resting that is released in the glory. All needs are met in the glory. The clouds are rolling in, the sounds of thunder are clapping, and lightning is flashing across the horizon. There are storms coming, storms of glory, and it is time to prepare!

"Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought Him, and He hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered" (2 Chronicles 14:7). (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

Ryan LeStrange, Pastor & Founder
Impact International Ministries/Ryan LeStrange Ministries
Email: info@ryanlestrange.com
Website: www.ryanlestrange.com

Ryan LeStrange is an apostolic leader & prophetic voice. The apostolic call on his life has led him to build multiple ministries in various geographical locations, the foremost being Ryan LeStrange Ministries. Ryan moves strongly in the power of God as he travels the globe igniting revival fires and his conferences & gatherings are alive with prophetic declaration, miracles, healings and powerful preaching. Ryan is the founder of TRIBE Network, a global network of ministries and AwakeningTV.com. Ryan has authored several books Overcoming Spiritual Attack and Releasing the Prophetic and Revival Hubs Rising, co-authored with Jennifer LeClaire. Ryan and his wife Joy have one son Joshua and currently reside in Virginia.

Jason Armstrong
Remnant Fire Ministries
Email: remnantfireministries@gmail.com
Website: www.remnantfireministries.com

Jason Armstrong is the founder of Remnant Fire Ministries and The Fire House equipping and training center in Morristown, Tennessee. Jason also travels as a prophetic teacher releasing Kingdom strategies and prophetic insights to ignite individuals, families, churches, and nations with a burning heart for God and His Kingdom. Jason currently hosts a weekly TV show on the CTN network called Remnant Voice. Jason currently resides in Morristown, TN with his wife Misty and three children.

To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link http://elijahlist.com/subscribe.

R.T. Kendall: Are You Listening to the Spirit Correctly? - R.T. KENDALL CHARISMA MAGAZINE SPIRITLED WOMAN

What could be more important than correct listening? (Pexels)

R.T. Kendall: Are You Listening to the Spirit Correctly?

 8/13/2017 R.T. KENDALL  CHARISMA MAGAZINE  SPIRITLED WOMAN

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).

What could be more important than correct listening? We only worship God to the degree that we hear Him speak. This is why there are injunctions throughout Scripture about hearing and listening. Jesus would frequently end a parable with the words, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Luke 8:8d). The psalmist said, "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah" (Ps. 95:8a). This was echoed in Hebrews 3:8. There is also the warning in Hebrews 5:11, where the writer says, in effect," "I was getting ready to talk to you about Melchizedek, but I can't go on, seeing that I have many difficult things to say, and you are hard of hearing."

Isaiah said, "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call you upon Him while He is near" (Isa. 55:6).

What we are talking about is the ability to recognize and respond to the Spirit's impulse. I consider this to be the highest level of spirituality that exists.

Are we able to see the work of the Holy Spirit? Would we recognize revival if we saw it or heard about it? If God poured out His Spirit in some unexpected place, would we still recognize Him? Do we know when God is speaking to us? Can we sense the way God is leading us? The spiritual ability to recognize the Spirit's impulse comes from listening to and hearing God.

I want to approach this subject from the general and then move on to the particular. By general, I mean knowing how to listen to God anywhere—at home, at work, on a train, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

It's very interesting that after Jesus addressed all seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, with the words, "Hear what the Spirit says," He then narrowed the invitation down to one person and said, "If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20b).

Someone may protest, "My problem is getting God to listen to me like the psalmist in Psalm 4:1. That's where I am. I'm always asking God to hear me."

Maybe you feel like the people who said, "O God, we have fasted and you didn't even notice!" (see Isa. 58:3). It is possible to spend hours every day talking to God like this. But the problem is that it is we who are doing all the talking, all the thinking, all the groaning, and we shut God out. We think we are open to Him, when in fact, we are only talking to Him. And all the time, He may be wanting to communicate at the level we need, not at the level at which we're addressing Him. We want to talk about one thing, and God is saying, "That's not your problem; your problem is over here." We are looking in one direction, and He is trying to get us to look in another.

When someone develops a hearing problem, it doesn't usually happen overnight. It is a gradual and almost unnoticed event. And the same thing is true at the spiritual level: We hardly know it is happening. In the end, we have to be jolted and made to realize what has been going on. It's like not realizing we are asleep until we wake up.

There are two reasons why God has difficulty in getting us to listen to Him. The first is our inability to absorb or take in His counsel. Jesus said it like this: "I have yet many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now" (John 16:12). God has to deal with us where we are. The second reason why God has difficulty in getting us to listen to Him is that there is uncleansed sin within us as a result of not walking in the light. We say, "Lord, speak to me." God answers, "I did speak, but you wouldn't take it."

There are two kinds of listening: active listening and passive listening.

By passive listening, I mean when we suddenly, unexpectedly hear the voice of God without planning it or seeking it. If there is a combination of a good knowledge of God's Word plus obedience, then the ecstatic breakthrough may come. Hearing God in this way comes less frequently than hearing God as a result of active listening, but most of us want only passive listening. We want God to seek us out.

But passive hearing is not the primary way God speaks to us. He calls us to active listening: "Hear what the Spirit says...."  Here are some prerequisites that need to be exercised (see Heb. 5:14, Phil 4:8) to develop active listening:

• Keep an open mind.

• Let go of your pride—be vulnerable.

• Be listening for His voice even if it involves rebuke.

• Deal with any impediment that goes against the Spirit.

• Obey the impulse of the Spirit, which we know leads to holiness and brings honor and glory to God.

Actively listening to God will enhance your worship and bring Him glory.

Adapted from Worshipping God by R. T. Kendall, copyright 2017, published by Charisma House; Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group. This life-changing book gives insight into true worship and will bring you into deeper fellowship with the Godhead. To order your copy click on this link.

Prayer Power for the Week of Aug. 14, 2017

This week fully engage in whole-hearted worship and take time to listen to God's voice through His Word and His Spirit. Pray for our nation and its leaders as they face decisions regarding current threats from our enemies, economic concerns, natural disasters, administration issues and so on. Ask God to surround President Trump with wise counsel and give him the godly wisdom he needs to lead the nation. Remember our allies, our military and our children as they return to school. Read: Rev. 3:20; Phil. 4:8.

Readers are Leaders! Subscribe now and get 3 magazines for the price of 1. Get Charisma, Ministry Today and SpiritLed Woman all for $24. YES - Sign me up!

3 Reasons Why you should read Life in the Spirit. 1) Get to know the Holy Spirit. 2) Learn to enter God's presence 3) Hear God's voice clearly! Click here to draw closer to God!