Yes! I believe God is actively speaking to His people all the time. He speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances and The Church according to Dr. Henry Blackaby of Experiencing God fame. I believe He desires a relationship with us more than anything else. Could the same be said about us? Do we desire to “walk with God” and to experience life in Jesus through the power of His Spirit living is us, more than anything else? I know we’d all like to say “Yes!” but how does that line up with our present reality? Do we place our self in a position to truly hear from God? The good news is we can!

I am very excited about beginning our Wednesday Night Study next Wed. Jan. 12, 2011! Our first study of the New Year will be based on Pastor Bill Hybel’s book, “The Power of a Whisper. Hearing God. Having the Guts to Respond.” This four week study will include worship, video teaching, small group discussion and prayer. Be sure to pick up a copy of The Participant’s Guide this week in the Plaza ($6) and a copy of Bill’s book ($15) as well. This promises to be an “eye opening” and “ear opening” journey!

Here’s what the back cover has to say, “The greatest buzz of the Christ-following life comes from hearing directly from God - sensing his guidance to lean into some situations and steer clear of others, to speak a word one moment and fall silent the next, to adopt bold new practices and ditch the self-destructive habits that only do us harm. By his own declaration, if Bill Hybels could wave a wand over the entire world, he would wish for each person alive today to have this type of personal, meaningful and frequent encounter with the living God. ‘God’s wish is to speak into the situations faced by every individual, every family, every church, every school, every business, every government, every media outlet, every organization and every organism imaginable, ‘ he says, ‘and to train their steps according to his good and perfect will.” Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

Do you crave this full-throttle faith, the kind of divinely directed life that God alone can provide? If so, this study is made just for you!

I’ll kick off our time with this week’s sermon, “Listening to God in Today’s World.” I can’t wait to see you this Sunday! Hope your New Year is off to a great start!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Mark

PS – Be sure to join us this Monday night January 10, for our All Church Prayer Meeting as we “pray in” our new and existing First Church leaders! More prayer. More power!