Love The Lord & Listen To Him - Mark 6:31

This is Namma for Christ with the fifty-ninth inspirational message dated Saturday, December 6th, 2014. The title of this message is: "Love The Lord & Listen To Him - Mark 6:31". This message is based on the below scripture text from the sixth chapter of  Mark (written by the apostle Mark) as found in the New Testament (NIV) - where he informs the reader what Jesus "told His disciples" and what Jesus "tells us"..."today":

Mark 6:31

New International Version (NIV)

31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

During Jesus' ministry, He took time alone with His Father and told His disciples to do the same (as in the verse above). We, too, need a quiet place free from distraction to pray and talk to God. We also need to learn to "listen" to God's voice. How do we know that what we're hearing is truly from God? 

As taken from "Our Daily Bread"- below is an excerpt taken from "Come With Me" written by Elaine Martens Hamilton and Kathy Escobar - here are some questions you can ask yourself to determine if it is God speaking to you:

- Is it consistent with Scripture?

- Is it consistent with the character of God?

- Does it lead to change or growth in your life?

- Does it lead to the restoration of relationships?

- Is there a sense of healing; release from past sin or pain?

- Is there a sense of peace, a lessening of anxiety, of  contentment where once there was striving?

- Does it lead to conviction instead of guilt?

 There is a distinct difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the devil, because the two speak different languages. The characteristics of each should help you distinguish who is speaking. However, we sometimes mistake Satan's voice for God's, because Satan's voice fits so well with our own distortions and misunderstandings about God and how we think He feels about us. But God speaks to us in a way that is "completely different" from the condemnation of Satan.

 How can you tell the difference? Satan communicates in the following way:

- Tone: accusing, nagging, and mocking. Generates fear and causes confusion.

- Vague: generates an overall sense of guilt, as if everything is wrong. Creates feelings of hopelessness and weakness.

- Discouraging: attacks your self-confidence, tells you that you are weak and worthless.

- Brings up the past: replays your sin and shame, reminds you of your poor choices.

- Rejecting: produces the feeling that God has rejected you as unworthy and unholy. Portrays God as judge and you as a miserable sinner.

- Isolating: gives suggestions that cause you to withdraw from others.

- Negative: tells you that the horrible way you feel is the way it is.

 The conviction of the Holy Spirit is just the opposite:

- Tone: gentle, loving, imploring, and urges your return to Him.

- Specific: tells you to take a specific action in response to sin; freedom follows.

- Encouraging: says you can rely on His power, not your strength.

- Releases you from the past: tells you your sins are forgiven, never to be held against you.

- Attracts: generates an expectation of kindness, love, and a new beginning with His help.

- Draws into fellowship: sends others to minister to you in love, as well as sends you to others. Speaks of His unchanging nature and steadfast love.

- Truthful: states the facts about you and God.

Use the list above as a guideline so you will be able to clearly hear God's responses as you share your heart with Him.

"Love" the Lord and "listen" to Him.

Please enjoy the below inspiring video and song (with lyrics) as performed by the late Whitney Houston singing, "I Love The Lord"....


(I do not own the rights of the song.)


BE BLESSED!