welcome to this abide meditation on James C1
 do you ever feel left out when you hear people say that God is speaking to them
 maybe you even assume that God does not speak to you like he speaks to others
 slow down for a moment then tell us what you were doing
 try to shut out all other voices around you even your own thoughts circling around in your mind
 Hebrews chapter 4 verse 2 tells us
 for good news came to us just as to that
 but the message they heard did not benefit them because they were not United by faith with those who listen
 messages from the Lord are not cryptic messages that we must try to decode they are purposeful life giving messages that lead us in his will for our lives
 when you tune into the Holy Spirit within you and prayerfully seek truth from the Bible
 you are opening your ears to hear what the Lord has to say
 the next time you hear someone say they heard a message from the Lord
 you don't need to feel left out
 you too can hear what God is saying by taking the time to listen
 and before you know it you will be able to discern God's voice in every area of your life
 gracious God full of goodness and mercy thank you for speaking into my life
 forgive me Lord for not taking the time to listen
 help me to slow down and focus on your voice
 give me discernment Lord to know when you are speaking to me and give me the wisdom to walk in your ways
 in Jesus holy name I pray
 Baymax
 now if you aren't able right where you are open your hands to welcome the Holy Spirit
 allow his presence to cover you to fill the room and to dwell within you
 take a deep breath
 busyness of the day can wait
 and pray away the evil one who may not want you to hear God's voice
 Focus for several moments on the voice of the Lord
 now
 take this time to thank God for his presence in your life
 if there is anything you need to confess anything coming between you and the Lord admit that to him now
 she hears you and loves you
 he is faithful to forgive you
 now let's we prepare to read from God's word
 Center your thoughts on his life-giving promises
 his ways are just
 his promises are true
 you can trust every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord
 open wide your heart to receive what he longs to speak to you today as we read from Hebrews chapter 4 verse 2 from the English Standard Version
 for good news came to us just as to them but the message they heard that benefit them
 because they were not United by faith with those who listen
 good news came to us the good news of Jesus Christ the Messiah the savior of the world
 rejoice and not good news for a few moments
 and received by faith the greatest message of all
 the good news came to us just as to them
 but the message did not benefit them
 the message did not benefit them because they were not listening
 think about how often God speaks to you
 but it has no impact because you may not be listening
 or even expecting God to speak to you
 Ponder this for a moment
 listen as I read Hebrews chapter 4 verse 2 again this time from the new King James Version
 Hornady the gospel was preached to assault as well as to them
 what the word which they heard did not profit them not being mixed with faith in those who hurt it
 how is it that the gospel can be shared with many but only a few will actually hear and understand
 remember how you first heard the good news about Jesus
 the first time you actually heard and understood
 think about how you used to be
 without God
 without his presence in your life
 then remember how your eyes were opened to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
 as truth was mixed with faith for the very first time
 what did it take for you to open your heart to receive the truth of God
 if you had a hard time Discerning the voice of the Lord
 ask him to open your ears to hear
 in the name of his son Jesus and by the power of His spirit
 ask him to open wide your heart to receive the beautiful message he has for you
 listen once again as I read Hebrews chapter 4 verse 2 from the English Standard Version
 for good news came to us just as to them but the message they heard did not benefit them because they were not United by faith with those who listened
 and this chapter of Hebrews the Rhino refers to a passage in Psalm 95 verse 7 and 8 that reads
 today if you hear his voice do not Harden your hearts
 picture of someone holding their hands over their ears refusing to listen
 that's a picture of someone who is not willing to hear what the other person has to say
 think about how it can apply to hardening our hearts against the voice of the Lord
 now if for some reason you have covered your ears to block out God's voice remove your hands from your ears and turn your face towards the voice of Google
 if you struggle to understand what God is saying
 don't let that stop you from seeking his direction for your life
 simply call on his name
 ask for his Spirit to lead you
 and listen for the still small Whisper of his voice
 as you listen intently for the voice of the Lord please remember that everything he tells you will align perfectly with his word
 he will never mislead you
 he will always guide you according to the scriptures
 Lord thank you for speaking into my life as only you can
 help me to stop and listen for your voice by spending time in prayer and in your word
 please open my ears to hear what you have to say and help me to walk in obedience to what you are telling me
 thank you for caring about me so much that you would speak words of peace and comfort in my life
 in Jesus name I pray
 amen
 spend a few more moments listening for God's voice
 let the Stillness of his presence fill your heart mind and soul
 until next time may you abide in Christ