Proverbs 1:33 (ESV) but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."
John 10:27 (ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
In Mark Chapter 5, we see two stories. In the first, an uncontrollable maniac is delivered from demon possession and begs Jesus to let him become a disciple and travel with Him. The response of Jesus is surprising.
Mark 5:19-20 (HCSB)
19 But He would not let him; instead, He told him, “Go back home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.”
20 So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed.
Jesus delivers a raving lunatic from demon possession and IMMEDIATELY sends him out to testify and witness!
How many preachers today would do what Jesus did?
Would you do it?
In the next story in the same chapter, Jesus raises up a dead girl and instructs her parents not to tell anyone what happened.
Sometimes God speaks more powerfully by what He DOES than by what we say.
People can argue with our words but it is hard to argue with facts.
A girl was dead but after a visit from Jesus she was visibly alive.
Jesus came to earth to demonstrate what God is like and how He communicates with people. Clearly God gives clear specific instructions which we cannot predict with the best Bible knowledge in the world.
How does God do this today? Through the Holy Spirit.
- We must allow God to train our spiritual ears to know what God is saying.
- I must know what God is saying to me here and now.
There are times when you must know exactly what God is telling you to do NOW.
Bible study will help you to learn to know God’s voice but Bible study alone is not enough.
- We must read the Bible with listening ears.
- We must pray with listening ears.
God rarely speaks with an audible voice but He speaks to the heart of all who love Him.
- Do you practise listening with your heart?
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