Day 2 - A Familiar Voice
As you begin to spend time with God, settle yourself somewhere quiet and comfortable. Take a few deep breaths. Spend a few moments gathering your thoughts, becoming aware of God’s presence with you and in you.
Journal for 5 minutes on yesterday’s reflection and practice. What did you think about and learn? What challenged you? Did God say anything to you throughout the day?
Then, begin today’s devotional.
Read: John 15:1-11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete."
This past summer, I was on a walk when the Lord spoke to me about a song we should sing at the first Pursuit gathering of the semester. I considered it for a moment, but since we have such capable worship leaders who always choose excellent songs, I just let it go. A month later, I was talking with two students and out of nowhere, one student mentioned one of his favorite songs and how he wished we would sing at NU. As he shared how much the song meant to him, I was shocked, and told him that God had spoken to me a month ago and told me that we should sing that song. The other student we were with asked me how I hear God’s voice.
To be honest, I do not think about the “how” very often. What I do know is that I have a deep desire to hear from God. Here are two simple thoughts that might help you:
First, I try to communicate with God throughout the day so that His voice becomes familiar. I am a natural planner and thinker, so sometimes I can rush ahead of God. I’ve learned that because the Bible says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are My ways your ways” (Isaiah 55:8), I better slow down and open my heart and mind to hear from God.
Second, I use prayer and the Word of God as the measurement to know if the word I think I have heard is truly God’s voice or mine. Knowing the difference is difficult, so often I do not act on a thought until I have prayed and made sure it lines up with God’s Word. I am also patient and wait for God to open the door before I speak.
This past December, during our Campus Ministries Christmas party, we exchanged mugs with each other and shared a word of encouragement. I asked the Lord to give me a word specifically for my selected person and the word was “grace”. I spoke to this person about how Jesus empowers us through His mercy and love. At the end of the party, she came to me with tears in her eyes. She told me that her middle name was Grace and that she had always hated that name, but the word I had shared was redemptive for her. It was a very special moment and one that I will never forget. I am so thankful I acted upon the voice of the Lord.
God is our friend and helper and He desires to lead and guide us. Don’t make it complicated. Talk to Him, listen for His voice, and trust Him.
Prayer:
Father, I want my relationship with you to deepen. Would you help me become a person who abides and remains in you? Help me to sense you throughout today.
Journal:
Take a few moments to journal through the following question(s).
Think about our Scripture for today (John 15). Branches that decide to “go it alone,” to try living without the life of the vine, soon discover their mistake. The urgent question, then, is this: How do we “remain” in him? What does this look like in practice?
What is Jesus saying about your relationship with Him?
When you think about abiding or remaining in Jesus, what emotions do you feel? What thoughts do you think? What might God say to those feelings and thoughts?
What do you hear is Jesus' invitation to you through this passage (John 15:1-11)?
Today’s Practice:
Practicing the presence of Christ is simply a way we love Him and stay connected to Him throughout the day.
Today, every time you walk through a door, dedicate the next thing you’re doing to the Lord. Ask Him to show you anyone or anything He wants you to notice, and simply to be with you.
Pay attention to songs that pop into your head throughout the day. Think about why that song is in your head. Allow God to fill your thoughts.
By Brenda Rasmussen, Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences