God Speaks!

Earlier this week I happened to have some down time with two full days at home buried under 12 inches of snow with icy roads and blizzard conditions. Gotta love Iowa in December! That being said, it gave me a chance to slow down and open up a good book. This was a book that was so thoughtfully given to me as a Christmas gift by two very special girls (college students/graduates) who are currently sharing my home for a season. The book is called The Heart of A Woman Who Prays by: Elizabeth George. It's about drawing near to the God who loves us. 

It's a beautiful book with so many good nuggets - quotes, scripture and a checklist on "how to" pray... including timing, posture and place - praying for specific needs and praying intercessory prayers on behalf of others. As I was reading this book, one of the checklist items for prayer was to memorize Psalm 23. I often think of this psalm as something that is only recited at funerals. I recall hearing it often but not really listening to the words. This time, I listened with a different set of ears. This time, I was reminded that by immersing myself in these sacred truths, my worries would be decreased. There are 12 very powerful, life-changing, worry reducing promises here:

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

1The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,^a

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

I have been ministering lately to several people whom God has placed in my path, one being a mom with 2 year old triplets (one of whom was just diagnosed with brain cancer). I often ask myself on really tough days, "Am I really equipped to do this?" Then, God speaks to me in a gentle voice, 

"Precious daughter of mine, do not be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10  

How comforting it is to hear this. It soothes my soul and reminds me that I don't have to do this alone. We are called to obedience through His word  and in our obedience, we are free and blessed beyond measure. He equips us with everything we need. All we have to do is fall to our knees and ask. For He is the vine and we are the branches. Apart from Him, we are nothing.

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Today, in church, God spoke to me again; this time through my pastor's words about of all things - The Good Shepherd. He included Psalm 23 in his message this morning. How divine! When you allow yourself to meditate on the word, God speaks! Clear your mind, open up the word and listen. God is who He says He is.

My notes from Pastor John Fuller's message

Sunday, December 23rd 2012
Prairie Lakes Church

You can't hear God when your ears are plugged because you are counting on your own will to control your life. You are not in control. You are not your own healer. You have to open up your heart and open up the word if you want to hear God speak. If there is an area in your life where you are not being obedient, then you are listening to other voices and letting other things speak into your life. Every time you take a step of obedience,  His voice gets clearer and the others get more faint. Jesus says, "I am the Good Shepherd and the sheep know Me by my voice." Jesus says, "I never run away when trouble comes." God didn't eliminate the wolf in the story about the sheep. The wolves will come. Trouble will be part of the equation. The reality is that we live in a fallen world - sin soaked, sin stained world. The world needs Jesus. Jesus is the only One who can take something evil and bad and bring peace to the situation. We the church, have been commissioned to gather together and to be the hands and feet of Jesus in dark places and to bring light to others. Amen? Quit following substitute shepherds (money, other relationships, pride, envy, self medication, gambling & other addictions etc). He says, "I've got you and I'll never let you go. I love you so much that I will lay down my life for you." Stop fighting this Jesus. He is ALL in. Are you?

For more on the current series at Prairie Lakes Church and to watch online, go here:

Current Message series called: I AM

I am - The Good Shepherd
I am - The Light of the World
I am - The Resurrection and the Life
I am - The Gate
I am - The Vine
I am - The Way, The Truth & The Life
I am - The Bread of Life