Friday, July 25, 2014

What keeps us from hearing Jesus' voice?

This week our high school and middle school students are away at the Montreat Youth Conference, a powerful retreat setting for Spiritual growth! (two separate retreat at two separate places)

I ask for your prayers for the students and leaders while they discover anew the power of God's transforming love. These thoughts are from the Middle School conference today...

Verse:
Revelation 3:20
“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.”

Reflect:
Jesus doesn't say, “Open the door, I’m coming in!” He says, essentially, “If you hear my voice, if you open the door, then I will come in.” 
Jesus is always right here, still speaking to us, but sometimes we have a hard time noticing. What are the things that keep you from hearing Jesus’ voice?

What are the things that, even if you hear his voice, keep you from opening the door? 
Even though Jesus still remains with us, is it easier to talk/listen with the door wide open?


Pray: (from Psalm 51)

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.


Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

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