In Jesus' Name预览

His Word Speaks

I was sitting next to my mother’s casket, crying out to my heavenly Father to be comforted. We had prayed and prayed for her healing, yet her body had succumbed to the disease. I desperately needed to feel His peace and comfort; I needed to hear His voice.

I was a new Christian unfamiliar with the Bible, yet while I was praying, God prompted me to open His Word. My eyes fell on 1 Corinthians 15:42–44 (NIV), “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” The Word of God suddenly became the voice of God. As His words jumped off the pages, I heard Him speak. Peace flooded my soul. My mom was healed. She was in the arms of her Creator. He had heard. He had answered.

On that day in 1976, I fell deeply, passionately, totally in love with the Word of God. It has become a light unto my path, an ever-present help in time of trouble, a source of wisdom, comfort, direction and confirmation ... it’s become my everything. I’d been saying prayers all my life, but up to that point, my prayer life consisted of a list of requests I never expected answers to—not from God or His Word. To me, praying was like mailing a letter, hoping it arrived safely and then, just maybe, I would get an answer. But now, I knew God could speak to me. I knew He answered my prayers.

The Word of God became a powerful conversation starter between the Lord and me. We talked about His plans for me, His will for me, and His purpose for me. My prayers evolved from a list of wants to a cry of need. I needed to know what His will was for my life, what He was saying about my future. My focus began to change to His focus. The more I absorbed His Word, the more it became a part of me. Verses I had read months before made their way into my mind at just the perfect time. When I was feeling overwhelmed by a situation, God gently reminded me, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, NIV). When I felt weak and afraid, He’d remind me, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you” (Isaiah 41:10).

Over the years, the Holy Spirit has taught me how to talk with God through His Word. The conversation might begin with a scripture, a prayer, a word or a thought. It might be triggered by a message, a book I’m reading or something I heard on the news. Or it might start with a dream, a vision, a prayer journal or a favorite song. That thought, that word, that dream drives me to the Scriptures. I search out verses that contain that word. Often, a verse leaps off the page and into my spirit and triggers another word or scripture. It becomes an exciting time of revelation and hearing God share His heart with me. Open up the Word of God today and let it become the voice of God in your life.

Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue; God’s voice is its most essential part. Listening to God’s voice is the secret of the assurance that He will listen to mine.
~ Andrew Murray

Prayer

Father, my favorite part of the day is the time I spend with You reading Your Word. It’s full of endless wisdom and direction for my life. Every time I read it, I see something new. Thank You for the revelation of Your character, Your will and Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12–13 (NIV)