As we’ve invested these last weeks learning to hear and respond to God’s whispers and promptings; I’ve been reading a book by Christian Men’s author John Eldredge. The book is entitled Walking with God. He too is writing about talking to the Lord and listening to His voice on a daily basis. How can we know if it really is the Holy Spirit talking and not just our own thoughts or preferences or even that of the Enemy? We’ve learned about the Five Question “filter” Pastor Bill Hybels uses when seeking to discern if a prompting is truly for God.

1. He asks, “Lord, is this whisper from you?”
2. Is it scriptural? God’s promptings will always agree with his Word.
3. Is it wise”?
4. Is it in tune with my own character? Does it fit my giftings?
5. What do the people I trust most think about it?

John Eldredge says in his walk with Christ he too asks questions of clarification especially in times of crises. He writes… "That’s a really important part of listening to God, by the way. Ask the next question. So often we get an answer to the first part of a question but fail to ask the second half. We hear, “Yes, take the job” or “Yes, sell the house.” But then we need to ask, “When? Today, next week, next year?” Don’t just get a first impression and then blast ahead. He goes on to say, “When it comes to crises or events that really upset us, this I have learned: you can have God or you can have understanding. Sometimes you can have both. But if you insist on understanding it often doesn’t come. And that can create distance between you and God, because you’re upset and demanding an explanation in order to move on, but the explanation isn’t coming, and so you withdraw a bit from God and lose the grace that God is giving. He doesn’t explain everything. But he always offers us himself.”

That is certainly a good reminder to me. There are many things that happen in this life that are painful – some even seem unfair. Children diagnosed with terminal illnesses, financial downturns we didn’t create, deaths from car accidents, jobs terminated without explanation, etc. It is at those times we often question “Where is God in all of this?” “Lord, what are you doing?” We may not get an immediate answer or ever get one this side of heaven; but we can be assured God is with us. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us what God has promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” It’s OK to ask God questions; but even more important than the answer is knowing He is with us whatever we’re going through. His Presence makes all the difference.

I was given a great book recently by one of our newest members; it’s called Heaven is For Real. If you want to be encouraged, be sure to put this book on your reading list. It’s about a three-year-old, Kansas boy who nearly died due to a ruptured appendix and shares his story with his parents of going to heaven! It’s an amazing story about a near tragedy that God has turned into a great testimony!

Hope you’ve enjoyed a few days in the snow and a more relaxed schedule again this week. We had an impromptu potluck dinner with the families in our cul-de-sac last week since we were all snowed in! We had the church parking lots cleared again yesterday; so we’ll be well prepared for Sunday. I’ll see you then!

Blessings –
Yours in Christ,
Mark

PS – Our Men’s Retreat with Dub Ambrose is still on! All men invited. We’re leaving at 6:30 on Friday.