Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm 26:1-3 Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.
2 Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
Read the Entire Psalm
The writer looks to God to validate His life. He asks God to test, try and examine him. What does the Psalmist remember and rely on? God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. Praise God that validation is sure because God has unfailing love and faithfulness. Your life is vindicated when you look to God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.
SCRIPTURE READING:
John 12:44-50 – The Message
44-46 Jesus summed it all up when he cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not just in me but in the One who sent me. Whoever looks at me is looking, in fact, at the One who sent me. I am Light that has come into the world so that all who believe in me won’t have to stay any longer in the dark.
47-50 “If anyone hears what I am saying and doesn’t take it seriously, I don’t reject him. I didn’t come to reject the world; I came to save the world. But you need to know that whoever puts me off, refusing to take in what I’m saying, is willfully choosing rejection. The Word, the Word-made-flesh that I have spoken and that I am, that Word and no other is the last word. I’m not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. And I know exactly what his command produces: real and eternal life. That’s all I have to say. What the Father told me, I tell you.”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for Christian Challenge as they meet tonight at River.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Jesus came to save us that we would not remain in darkness (vs 46). If you are a believer in Christ, you are a child of light (John 12:36). Walking with Jesus is over the long haul. We don’t walk with Jesus only for a season. Therefore, it is imperative that we do not allow ourselves to grow disillusioned with the light. One way we prevent ourselves from growing disillusioned is to remind ourselves about the truth of our new creation identity in Christ. Eph 5:8 says that at one time we were darkness but now we are light. In Christ, we have been brought out of darkness, and delivered into the kingdom of light, life, and freedom. Remind yourself of this glorious truth often.