Terry Casales - June 16, 2020
(Photo: riverchasechurch.org)
Many of us have become so accustomed to the busyness of life that we rarely take a minute to slow down, stop and be still. In the American culture, we have been indoctrinated with the mindset that we always have to be doing something — that when we are not, we have no value.
Even when we meet someone for the first time, one of the first questions that is asked of us is, “What do you do?” Society has been so structured to put “labels” on people based on external attributes — a person’s looks, cultural background, social status, financial status, education and career. Society teaches us that these things are what give us value and give us our identity.
When we allow the voice of people to become louder than the voice of God, no wonder so many people ask themselves why they are not able to hear God’s still, small voice. As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, unfortunately, the majority of us tend to automatically rely on the voice of others for God’s wisdom— preachers, teachers, evangelists, prophets, etc… to receive a word of what God is doing and what He wants us to know. While these spiritual leaders may indeed be hearing the voice of God directly for themselves, it is OUR responsibility and OUR birthright to hear the voice of God for ourselves. When we hear others speak what they hear from God, this should be confirmation of what you are already hearing directly from Him. We have all been guilty in one way or another of placing too much weight on what the people on the pulpit say over what God has been speaking to our hearts. We have taken what is preached as gospel, without testing the spirit — going to the Word of God in prayer and being still in His Presence.
We must remember that there is no shortcut for our relationship with God. This is not something that anyone else can walk out for you. Our relationship with God is to be 24/7 if we are to walk in our God-given assignment and destiny as His son/daughter. God gave each one of us free will to choose Him. Jesus paid the ultimate price on the Cross to make a way for us to have the freedom to access our Heavenly Father. We have each been adopted into the Family of God.
The enemy throws so many things and so much noise at us to keep us from being still long enough to go beyond our natural surroundings and into the presence of God. We must remember that our relationship with God is a two-way street. We have allowed way too many things to distract us from what really matters — God! We have kept one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom for too long. You must realize that Jesus bought 100% of you! Just as He gave up everything for you so you are to give up everything for Him!
I believe that our Heavenly Father, in His infinite mercy and love, is drawing us close to Him. He has allowed everything to slow down and He has removed the noise so that we would sit still and listen for His voice. We must recognize that this time of Selah is a gift from Him. We must recognize that we have all been guilty of making up every excuse in the world as to why we are not able to spend time with God — our jobs, our families, our friends, sickness and even our own lack of ability to diligently seek Him, etc…
When we ponder about the last minutes of a person’s life, time and time again, the person does not think about his/her job, or what he/she watched on TV, or about what the stock market is doing or not doing, etc… — he/she can only think about what is most important in his/her own life — family, friends and the memories he/she shared with those he/she loves. The person also thinks about what he/she could have done differently. He/she in those moments always desires to have had more time to forgive others, to love others more and to spend more time in relationship with God.
It is in those moments that he/she meditates about who they are and about who God is. It is in those moments when he/she is still long enough to open his/her heart before God, to connect with His heart and to listen to Him.
If you are like me, you do not want to miss anything that God has to say about you and what He wants you to know about Him. God is inviting us to partner with Him in the greatest love relationship of our lives! Our Abba wants to reveal to us what He is about to do on earth. But it all begins and ends with that personal, intimate relationship with Him in the secret place.
Religion teaches that spending time with God is a chore - a duty - something to check off your list. We have all been guilty of this practice whether being aware of it or not.
I believe that God does not want us to miss out on everything that we can experience with Him in this life and beyond. The simple Truth is that God wants to be our Father if we will allow Him to be. Our Abba is offering us His love and everything that He is. Jesus paid the price so that we can have the gift of the love of God. When we allow ourselves to be still, we will be surprised at how easy it is to hear His still, small voice and, as we continue to do this daily, we will find that it is the easiest thing that we can ever do! When we are in His Presence, there is no striving — there is fullness of joy, peace and love! We will discover that what we can encounter with God is priceless! Nothing in our existence could ever compare to our relationship with the Creator of the universe! When we receive the love of our Abba we will never want to leave! What is so amazing about this is that we do not have to wait until we get to Heaven to know God!
If you are in a place in your Christian walk where you know about God, but do not hear His voice speak to your heart, there is a loving, Heavenly Father, waiting for you with open arms and an open heart! Position yourself to hear His voice with child-like faith and say to Him, “Abba, here I am with my heart open before you. Speak to me, I am here and I am listening!”
A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, - Proverbs 1:5 (NKJV)
Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; - Proverbs 8:6 (NKJV)
Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. - Proverbs 8:24 (NKJV)
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. - John 6:63 (NKJV)
And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV)
and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a]a still small voice. - 1 Kings 19:12 (NKJV)
And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. - John 10:4 (NKJV)
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and [a]mighty things, which you do not know.’ - Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)
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