Hearing His Heart...

You know, it really is important to do what the Lord is saying...

"...Then they began to cleanse the Temple of the LORD, just as the king had commanded. They were careful to follow all the LORD’s instructions in their work."
2 Chronicles 29:15 NLT

Duh. We all know we need to listen to the Lord’s voice. But honestly, so often I get a directive or a sense of what the He is leading me to, then I try to come up with the best way to get there – without following His instructions. You too?

When King Hezekiah was restoring the temple from all the abuse his father had done to it, the Scriptures tell us here that King H was careful to follow all the Lord’s instructions. How often I try to take matters into my own hands, when a huge part of our Journey in Jesus is drawing close to Him daily, for His daily instructions to us.

Trying to clean up your life, just like that old Temple we read about? Don’t even attempt it on your own. Follow Jesus. Hear His heart day by day regarding your life. Do not follow your own advice or what the world is saying. Follow carefully His instructions. Walk in His abundance.

Listen...

Can there be such a thing as … “The Best Bible Story?”

Well…the story of one of Israel's battles ('cause they had quite a few...kinda like we do) certainly ranks among the top Bible accounts.

Nutshell:  Israel was about to be annihilated by her enemies. King Jehoshaphat called a fast (yes, fasting often precedes spiritual advancement for God’s Kingdom) and calls the nation to no-holds-barred prayer.  The Spirit speaks through a prophet who tells the people, 

“And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.”
2 Chronicles 20:15

Israel defeats her enemy by…singing….yes, singing.  Singing God’s praises.  (Kind of out-of-the-box warfare…don’t you think?)

There is much, much, much to receive from 2 Chronicles 20...however...I sense the Lord wanting me to only direct your attention to one aspect of the story…one word… “Listen.”

Whatever it is we are facing, or someone we love is facing…the first and best thing we can do after pouring our hearts out to God is to listen for...His voice. For as surely as He spoke to Israel…He will speak to our hearts…He calls us to listen.  Listen first…then obey…

Then stand back as He moves on our behalf. 

photo: Once Wed