Greetings!!!

It is a brand-new year in the Lord. During this season a lot of people are hitting the gym because of New Year’s resolutions. We are always working on this physical body trying to improve it and work against time. The Spirit Man is even more valuable than our physical bodies. What commitments have you made to the Lord this year regarding your Spirit Man?

I am reading a book currently by Mark Batterson, titled Whisper. There is a chapter in the book about the power of a whisper. He says something very powerful. “Tell me to what you pay attention, and I will tell you who you are. You will eventually be shaped in the image of the loudest voice in your life-the voice you listen to most.” This next one hit me like a ton of bricks. “Genuine listening is ultimately an act of submission.”

This applies in our everyday relationships but most importantly in our relationship with Jesus Christ. How often do we fill our lives with noise, distractions, mindless scrolling and drown out the whisper of God? If we are not genuinely listening to Him and His voice and His will, then we are not submitting to Him. A lot of times I don’t listen and I complete people’s sentences in my mind. I do that same thing to God sometimes.

This year I am committing to quiet time with Him so that I can open my ears to genuinely listen to the voice of God. Jesus said multiple times in scripture, “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” In our pastoral roles we think because we are “doing” in the name of the Lord, we are being obedient unto His will. But true genuine obedience is birthed in the abiding and the listening to the whisper of His voice rather than our assumptions that we already know His will.

We are seeking a fresh vision from the Lord in this new year. Lord, please help us to consecrate our ears to Christ so that we can hear Your voice above anyone else’s voice. Lord help us to listen to all that you have to say rather than only parts of it.

Mark Batterson said, “Change of pace + change of place= change of perspective.” Why don’t we slow down this year, and learn to listen to God’s voice and simply do what He says?” I think we will see the Bible come alive in our lives through our obedience.

I pray the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord turns his face toward you and give you peace!

Amen.