Does God Still Speak?
>> Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Elderedge asks, "I confessed in the Prelude my assumption that God still speaks, personally, to his people. What do you believe about that?" Do you believe God speaks to you? What is your assumption based upon?
"What would you love to hear from God on? Make a point to gently ask God about that this week. Keep coming back to the question.
8 comments:
I absolutley believe that the Father speaks us personally. It is hard to describe why I assume that...when He is prompting me I just know it. He likes to wake me up at night--maybe because I am less destracted then. Maybe if I were better at shutting out all of "the noise" during the day I would get more sleep at night! Anyway, a sheep knows the voice of its shepherd.
I would love the hear from Him on so many things. I think a big one would be guidance on raising our children. I constantly want to know how I can be a better mother and wife.
I would love to hear from Him more regarding cell groups at The Refuge. We need to constantly seek His will so that we are following His lead, rather than just running with it ourselves. It is so exciting, we can see the vision for it, but we have to be patient and do things according to His timeline. Right now I would also love to hear more from Him on what his plan is for women's ministry at The Refuge.
I too believe He speaks to His people. He has spoken to me very clearly at times and at other times not so clearly. I love hearing Him and I wish I heard Him more often. I know He's talking, I'm just not listening.
I specifically am wanting a word from Him on my kids. I've had a very rough week with my older two and am struggling to find some balance with the discipline. Nothing seems to be working and I need some clear direction from God.
Just a word of encouragement for you, Julie...You are an awesome mother and I have learned so many things from you! I know that I struggle with the same thing and it can be especially difficult when there are lots of things going on, especially around big events or after we have had a vacation or visitors have just left our home. It is like they have to start testing the waters again to see if the rules have changed.
You guys have been through a lot of change over the recent weeks...travels, move out, new place with your stuff in la la land, etc. (Praise God for all of those awesome things falling perfectly into place, too!) I know you and as you keep seeking the Father's direction, things will fall back into place. Your kids are all amazing (although I know that they can probably be little stinkers, too) and it is obvious that He is using you and Jeff to mold these precious little ones into great warriors and a warrior princess for the Kingdom!!
I know God speaks....I just have a hard time listening not just when I want to, but ALL of the time.
I would like to hear from Him on what my spiritual gifts are. Now that I am a stay at home mother, I am feeling a little confused about WHO I am, and what God intends with my life.
I am such a planner by nature I find it hard to sit still and just be satisfied where I am. I want to know what God expects of me not just now, but in the future as well.
Ash,
You might like the book "And Then I Had Kids" by Susan Alexander Yates. (The book we read last on this blog.) It spoke to me a lot about where I am in this season of life and realize that it is flying by really quickly.
You also reminded me of a "Uniquely You Profile" that we did in a spiritual gifts seminar at Oso Creek. I found it just the other day and it has a website attached to it. (www.uyprofiler.com) It is a personality profile that disucsses your personality and helps you identify your spiritual gifts. It is very informative and helped Zach and I gain more confidence and knowledge in where God has gifted us and courage to step out and serve more in those areas. It might be interesting for you to check out sometime if you think that it might help.
Thanks for the info Kasey.
Interestingly....just a couple of hours after posting this comment I had some "free time" and felt this strong urge to want to go back through what I have already read. And so, I was re-reading whatever my eyes kind of skimmed over and I ended back up in the section "What is God up to?" and read the following
"You can't find your real purpose in life while you are still slavishly serving other people's expectations of you"
I guess God was ready to answer my question right then! What an eye opener!!!!
A few weeks ago, I really felt like God was telling me something, but I couldn't figure out what it was that He was trying to say. I just continued to go through my daily life and just kinda put that feeling aside. Then I went out on a Friday night with some ladies from church, had a blast, but didn't want to go home at 930 when everyone else was. So, I went to my cousins house where he had a group of about 6 people just hanging out and playing the Wii. As I was leaving, I realized that was one of the most fun nights I'd had in I can't remember how long. I realized that it was the first night that I had spent time with people in the same season of life as me. I began praying and asking God to show me what I could do to nurture those relationships and He told me to clear up weekends to spend time with that group and others. I didn't know how I would be able to do that and keep babysitting, so I kept praying, and God kept telling me to just let everyone know that I wasn't going to be babysitting anymore. I was scared to death about what everyone would say, and basically decided not to do it. But, as I headed to the Leadership Summit, I prayed that God would show me what His will was in that situation. So, the first topics at the Summit was "The High Drama of Decision Making." Talk about a slap to the face. haha. God basically told me "Hey, I'm talking to you. Now listen." So, when I got home, I wrote a letter, and sent it to all the people I babysit for. I told them that as of September 1st, I won't be babysitting on weekends. I prayed about their responses, and so far, everyone has said great. I've actually had 4 or 5 people tell me that they have been praying that I take time for myself and make friendships with people in the same season of life!
Isn't it amazaing the ways that God works???
Thanks for the encouragment Kasey. You were right and things have settled down and the kids are back to their normal selves, whatever that really is. We miss you guys so much!
Amber, you are awesome and we love you. I'm so glad you are listening to God and actively seeking people in your season of life. God has big things for you and I love how you are continually seeking His will for your life.
Post a Comment