God Speaks…Are You Listening?

God’s Word is ever-present for all of us to experience. While it is always present and ready for use in His kingdom, it is still up to each of us to be willing to act on how God’s Word speaks to us. When we are at work in ministry; therefore, we are to know and understand that our primary purpose in our work and accomplishments is to glorify God. God, in turn, provides us with the power and ability to have influence in the lives of the people we come in contact with. We are here for the reason and purpose of changing the world for Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). We are not reaching people on our own abilities…we are reaching people because of the power of Jesus Christ. Christ is the one who can overcome how Satan perpetuates the blindness of the world (2 Corinthians 4:4). In order to truly be effective for God, we must have a heart for God and for the things of God (Luke 19:41). We have a heart for God because we are yielding to the Holy Spirit and living by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). Salvation through Jesus Christ means living out His will in your life. It is now more than just practicing a religion…it is about living out a relationship with Jesus Christ. In living out this relationship, people will see the evidence in how we love the Lord and love others (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:27). It is our salvation from God through Jesus Christ that gives us the ability and pleasure to do what we are called to do. We have to be willing to listen to Him and act accordingly (1 Samuel 3:4-10). We are not to pick and choose what we want to do; rather, we are to ask the Lord and wait on Him (Acts 1:8). Unless the Lord empowers us with the Spirit, we cannot reach others on our own strength. The Spirit gives, through your obedience to God and in your testimony for Him, will give others the desire to want to hear more (Acts 13:42-44; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3; Romans 1:16-17). What we ultimately believe shapes who we are, what we do and how we do it. It reflects our testimony to others. If we are not living for the Lord, it will be evident to others. We have to live our lives through more than just our own strength, feelings and abilities. It is our life for Christ, in the Word and in faith, that will speak volumes to others. The gospel is declared to others by our life, the Word and our deeds. Each of these must be in agreement with each other. You cannot be a witness for the Lord by saying one thing and then contradicting yourself by your actions. The Christian life is operating at its best when it is operating in faith in today’s world (Colossians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Are you truly listening to what God is saying to you and are you living your life in obedience to Him? If you are, God will be glorified!