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 65:9-13
You visit the earth and water it abundantly,
enriching it greatly.
God’s stream is filled with water,
for you prepare the earth in this way,
providing people with grain.
10 You soften it with showers and bless its growth,
soaking its furrows and leveling its ridges.
11 You crown the year with your goodness;
your carts overflow with plenty.
12 The wilderness pastures overflow,
and the hills are robed with joy.
13 The pastures are clothed with flocks
and the valleys covered with grain.
They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.
Read the Entire Psalm
Is there anything that you enjoy that God did not provide? Praise him for his abundant provision.
Scripture Reading & Reflection
Jesus told his disciples that the Spirit would come, and that when he did he would guide them into all the truth. This truth would be about Jesus. The Spirit would glorify Jesus by helping them understand all that he had shown them and taught them. Sometimes people will misapply this Scripture to mean that the Spirit will directly give them some personalized truth in addition to, or independent of Scripture. This is not going to happen. What the Holy Spirit will do is help us understand and apply the Scriptures. Of course, we should pray for wisdom and direction in decision making. At the same time, we must not turn wise decision making into something that is overly subjective. Where Scripture does not speak directly to a decision you need to make, it does speak in principle. When you are unsure about how to apply Scripture to your current situation ask a pastor or other seasoned leader or leaders in your church. The Spirit will guide you into all truth and he will do so through God’s word and godly wisdom.
John 16:12-16
12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks 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 our nation. Pray for our government leaders. Pray that they would carry out their God given duties with integrity and wisdom.