HEAR BETTER

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear” – Unknown

That little quote popped onto my TV this morning as I was setting it for a little music while I write.

And yes while a little obvious, it is good counsel.  

I needed to hear it for my world is noisy.  

Really noisy.

Folks seeking treatment.

Families seeking answers; even my family.

Lots of calls filled with crisis and desperation.

Everyone “clamoring”.  Just the word clamoring denotes “noisy” doesn’t it?

I am sure your world is noisy too.

Deadlines.

Pressure.

Uncertainties.

Difficulties.

And they all seem to always operate in full throat and at full volume.

Yet it is in those times that “quiet” is more crucial than ever.

“In the craziness of our world, it takes tremendous effort to find a quiet place. It takes time to quiet your mind and your heart before the Lord.” ― Francis Chan

It’s a good thing to QUIETLY hope, QUIETLY hope for help from God. 

Lamentations 3:26 (MSG)

Quietly hope for GOD.

(And) …Be still and know that He is GOD (Psalm 46:10)

Ask yourself, where are you getting quiet so you can "hear better"?

The Word reminds that GOD is awake and ready to speak.

Perhaps the prayers for today should simply begin with a gentle “hello”, an “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, I am ready to hear what you have say today” even before “the kingdom come”.

I will quickly admit, I don’t handle the quiet well. 

I don’t.  

I sleep with the TV on because my brain will not shut off.  

The car radio is always squawking or I am chatting on the phone.  

I don’t allow much of my space to ever be filled with silence.

Yet ironically after we added Lincoln to the family (that is our little dachshund) his “schedule” is now such that he needs a little time outside before daybreak. So now most mornings he and I wander out on the hill in front of our house before the sun rises and he takes care of his business and I embrace the “quiet”. 

And I will be honest, this quiet time has been convicting.  I have been reminded of areas of my life and ministry that need to better today than they were yesterday and often GOD has offered the needed focus, a plan for the day and a little new energy to see it out. I am finding this “quiet”, albeit bleary eyed at times, to be welcoming and helpful.  I am often “hearing better”.

I am sure you have gleaned the encouragement for today already.  

Carve out a little quiet today.  

Tune your ears in the silence so that you can “hear better”.

And... 

Psalm 37:7 (AMP)

Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him…

I love you all!

Be blessed!

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)