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 of the Day
Psalm 142:1-2 I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy.
2 I pour out my complaint before him; I reveal my trouble to him.
Read the Entire Psalm
To the Lord. If you have trouble or a complaint. You can bring it to the Lord. He hears. He cares. If you do not have pressing trouble, consider the awe-inspiring reality that the Holy, Triune God – would hear your plea for mercy. Praise Him that he is so vast that he can see and hear you.
Scripture Reading
John 15:1-17 – English Standard Version
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Give thanks to God for His gifts and His goodness.
- 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 Hope’s Gate. Pray that they would be affective in bringing the hope of the gospel to the women they are reaching out to in Wichita.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
What conclusions did you come to regarding the pruning value of God’s word? How has God used his word to make your life more fruitful? Look at this verse from Hebrews. How does it match your experience?
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
What are some ways that God’s word has penetrated your heart and “judged” a thought or attitude? When we respond positively to God’s pruning word, we are becoming more like the Lord Jesus. Why doesn’t the writer of Hebrews add, “thoughts, attitudes, and actions?” It is because actions are assumed. When God’s word is directing our thoughts and attitudes then it is going to direct the course of our lives, our actions. It is essential that we are reading, studying, and talking about God’s word to be pruned by it. We want our lives to be fruitful; we want them to have impact. For this to be true we must make sure the Word of God has continual access to our hearts and minds.