Many Americans and even Christians have come to a point in their life that they have lost sight in what the Word of God teaches.  They speak of God but have forgotten how to truly trust Him verses trusting in what they see. Many Americans have fallen to a point of  survival instead of seeking God for our direction and trusting in Him to show us the way. Satan in our minds wants us to grab hold of anything that comes our way because he knows that after repeated struggles we become weak in just accepting whatever it takes to survive. This is where we must stand on our foundation of God to analyze our decisions and to insure not only the immediate results but most importantly the future consequences to protect our children’s future.

The United States of America was built on the core principals that was given by God in the Holy Bible that once kept our homes, our schools, our work place, our country and even our churches intact. Well, I believe it is obvious to see what has taken place since we have become tolerant to sin while other’s have been steadily removing God from our foundation from which we stand.

James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution of The United States once said this,” We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.”

In brief let me possibly open your eyes to the principles in the Word of God in a simple way to understand why our founding fathers stressed the importance of the Word of God within the freedom of this country;

Imagine a large playground and just before the children are released to go play the teacher must set some ground rules in order to maintain the order within their freedom which they are about to receive. Can you see the purpose of these guidelines in order to maintain the discipline, the security, the order, and how to stand in love with each other as a group that respects what they have been given in their freedom? Does this mean once on the playground they can’t enjoy themselves? Absolutely not! But we learn in this message that there is time to work, a time to play, and a time to rest in order to do our very best.

There is so much wisdom in the Word of God and I never understood before and let me tell you,”It is REAL and there is a reason for rules and commandments to follow.”  Because without the teacher giving us the instruction and correcting us when we get out of line then how do you honestly see the children acting in the playground with others? Do you see some hording a certain swing? Do you see some trying to take something from others? Do you see some even abusing other children at a distance? Do you see some sitting all alone under a tree while others call them names in being free? What about the teacher or the person in charge, do you see them having a responsibility and job to do?  What happens if they only cater to some and neglect others? Or better yet, what if they simply don’t care and turn the children out to play so they can just go on with their selfish ways?

The Lord has mercy in His grace through the love of Jesus Christ and God has proven throughout history that when His people return to Him that He will carry His body through their trials to one day stand again. Our country is setting ourselves up for a hard lesson to come economically, agriculturally and even in our way of life! It is only a matter of time before this takes place and the only thing we can do is to return to God and pray to be restored within the body of Christ. The signs are every where in human behavior, in natural disasters, and within the control of governments removing the freedom from which we stand. If we as a whole do not return to one nation under God then prepare for the wrath to only get worse! By returning we will find new strength to rebuild what has been lost in our families, in our homes, in our economy, in our nation, and even in our churches!

With God He gives us direction, purpose and protection while learning to balance our lives through peace and understanding. There is nothing better in life than having genuine love of God within the family and spending quality time with one another. Everything starts first within ourselves and then spreads from there. Impacting our homes, our communities, our schools, and our nation. Start the positive growth now and return to God with Jesus guiding your path of restoration for the sake of our children’s future. For I believe that with the POWER of GOD in the WORD, the Guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT and the LOVE of JESUS that all things are possible through Christ that strengthens us. Since when are we as Christians to go back when GOD has brought us forward??? May this song by Johnny Cash recall something in your spirit…I Won’t Back Down

James A. Harrison 

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

This morning as I walked out on our screened porch for morning prayer I noticed a sparrow that had slipped in through one little hole within the screen. This happens from time to time due to not addressing the hole within the screen. In order to repair the hole correctly it is going to involve the alot of work that requires time and if we were to patch the screen this would only bring further work due to not being done correctly.

As far as the little sparrow he was not flying wildly within the porch but would just hop from place to place along the floor. The sparrow did not see the door when it was opened due to the screen blending in with nature. So I did what I have done in the past by propping the door open and then walking in behind the bird for him to move on his own toward the freedom from the screened in porch. In the past I have done this and rather enjoyed watching the birds (which I now recall have always been sparrows) being set free to observe their next actions in flight. Some fly out and simply sit on the outside rail. Some fly just a little ways and perch on the branch of a tree but this morning there was something different about this little sparrow.

He paused for a moment once he found the door but then he took off flying through the woods and into the valley behind our home. I could here him chirping and and calling out to other birds in his excitement of being set free. The chirps echoed through the valley as he flew through the trees. As I listened to the call of the sparrow that had been set free I then heard this message that relates to you and me.

Recognize the significance of not addressing  the hole and what happens when we try to patch our problems. Another point the Lord was teaching me was how the screen blended in with the world. This is a very important point to recognize. The screen was almost invisible and made by man but was there holding back the bird from flight and it took the help of another to step behind rather than in front to assist the sparrow along the Way.

The part that touched me the most was the chirping of the sparrow that had been set free. As I stood there on the porch listening to the bird that had been released from the bondage of something made by man it was then that God gave me this spiritual message that relates to His overall plan. The Lord then opened my eyes of futher freedom that can related to the formation of America in which we stand. For in our freedom it should ring from the hill tops and echo through the valleys for all to hear. Because there is nothing like the freedom in knowing that God is near.

Enjoy this song Let Freedom Ring as I pray that you will stand with me in the freedom that God has given us through His only Son that got behind each of us for our freedom today. The spiritual door is open and all we have to do is walk on through as Jesus has taught us the Way. I pray that we can learn from our past in order to stand in the love of Jesus for our future…Amen 

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Throughout our journey in life with God He often sends other individuals across our path in order to warn, encourage, assist, and give or to simply serve. Sometimes there are periods of life that can be compared to a desert where the Lord is waiting upon His children to return for a drink. As we learn to follow the direction of God it is not our place to challenge or take over something given by the Lord but to assist as a midwife in the birth and then to wait upon the Lord in His peace and understanding while trusting in Him for our future.

If God gives a direct order then we are to follow and to deliver but if not then we are to recognize the needs within the mission and learn to serve those needs to the best of our God given abilities. You will find that when something is being led by the Lord it will be moving forward at a gradual rate based upon the maturity of the people. It is the individual’s responsibility with the vision to insure the first steps taken and to not allow the excitement or the emotions to push something before its time. Not only is it the leaders position to insure the first steps with the Lord but it is his or her place to delegate specific responsibilities to the individuals based upon their God given talents and understanding. This confirmation between individuals comes in the spirit as Jonathan confirmed with David. Jonathan had no doubts of the love of God that was in David and he knew whatever took place that it was in the Lord’s hands. Another important part to recognize is what happens when we challenge the positions that have been given by the Lord due to our own lack of understanding. Through Gods Word we gain liberty, achieve honor and maintain order as we learn the importance of obedience to our Creator through His mercy and unfailing grace.

We learn these leadership characteristics through the life of many individuals throughout history but most of all from Jesus Christ who taught us the art of being a living sacrifice. The life of Moses and Joshua teach us many lessons within leadership, the passing of the mantle and the proper function of the body. In the first attempt to reach their destination Moses could have attempted to rally the troops after they returned with doubts but he knew then it would have been short lived due to acting on emotions instead of being led within the confidence of God that we develop as our relationship builds as we spend time with Him. We also learn what happens when authority is challenged as the family and followers of Korah were consumed by the world when they came against the authorities established by God. One other valuable lesson is how the murmuring and disobedience of the body prolonged the blessings of the Lord simply due to the lack of trust and disobedience to His instruction.

Often you will find in the birth of something new many who will come and many that will go. The reason for this is often due to someone’s lack of understanding in the Word of God within the mission or in any new organization. Sometimes missions are on individual basis and sometimes they are on corporate levels. On corporate levels of success the one with the original vision must wait upon the Lord to bring the people together in order to move forward toward the Promises of God. How we confirm these individuals is by the parts of the overall vision that God gives them, their willingness to assist with understanding and through the confirmation of the spirit. There is an established order by God within any organization just as it is within our homes and if we neglect this order then this will eventually bring confusion and division within the body structure.

It is very wise for every individual to understand our service or submission is unto the Lord and not unto man. On corporate levels, as individuals it is very wise to stay in tune with the Lord to insure the inner drive is to serve the people and not upon the returns. Our returns are not earthly returns but are of the eternal Kingdom of God.

One of the hardest things to overcome in our human nature is looking beyond what we see to recall the instruction of the Lord and acting within His Word when we face confrontation or obstacles in this temporary life. We learn in 2 Chronicles 34 of a new king Josiah that was only 8 years old at the time he received kingship. With the elders that submitted under his authority this displays the Lords instruction and obedience within their own lives. They could have been bitter because of his age or rebellious due to coveting someone else’s position but instead they chose to serve as Gods Word instructs. On the other hand we learn another lesson in 1 Kings 12 with another youth that refused to listen for the Godly council of the elders and this brought oppression upon the people. Another lesson was the political marriage of Ahab and Jezebel. Ahab allowed the persuasion of the world to rob him and those that he served due to only thinking of the monetary returns. Without the discipline of God man cannot handle power and the only way is through the humble example of Jesus Christ.

Spiritually Satan uses many tactics to hinder or prevent something of God and sometimes when he misses one generation he strikes through the next. This lesson was taught through the lesson of the beheading of John the Baptist. The Kings wife carried a grudge and it was this generational grudge that was carried out through her daughter. Unlike Jonathan who recognized something wrong of God within his father Saul, the daughter carried out the sin instead of breaking the chain of evil. We learn of many things throughout the Word of God that teach us how to maintain our homes, our careers and our nation but if we can’t learn to keep God’s Word in front of all things and teach the Word to our children then it is only a matter of time before we stumble and fall. I praise God today for this drink in the desert and it is my prayer for God’s children to stand again united in One to drink from the well of God and help serve the people from the bread of life in Jesus Christ…amen

“But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves”…Luke 22

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Throughout the Holy Bible we learn how to recognize the drive of God in the persistence of men and women who made a difference for the good of the people even when they faced all odds. It did not matter what they faced or whether they stood all alone because they knew the drive and direction that was given by God that strengthened their faith to serve the people.

Noah did not quit his task when the people mocked him for building a boat when they had never experienced rain. Abraham did not disobey God when the Lord gave him instructions nor did he give up on pleading with God to spare the righteous in the land of Sodom and Gomorrah before it was destroyed. Joseph did not give up just because others gave up on him or because of his circumstances in life. Moses never asked for his job nor did he even think that he was qualified. Ruth remained strong in character and true to God even when the society around her was collapsing. Samuel did not go back to sleep when Eli told him to just lay back down! David was the least of all his brothers but had the heart of a lion when someone spoke against our living God. Esther risked her life for the life of others when she went against the traditions that were followed by the people. Job did not give in to Satan when he suffered so greatly even when those around him made false accusations. Daniel never gave in to man for what he knew was right in his heart by God! Nehemiah did not give in just because the task was so large and the people that he had to face!

John The Baptist did not detour from God’s calling because the way people looked at him for how he appeared on the outside because he knew who was directing him on the inside! Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour did not detour from God’s message when He taught us how to love and forgive those which do not understand God’s eternal plan in this fallen land. The four men that believed in the Lord did not let their friend fade away just because they had to carry him and lower him through the roof to be healed! Nor did Paul allow his previous life to detour him from the message that he was to deliver when he saw the light in Jesus Christ!

Martin Luther did not give in to the Pope nor to the Roman Catholics when he took a stand in 1517 strongly disputing the church and following God. Our American ancestors did not allow Britain to rob them of their freedom in religion nor did they allow their fears to stop them from moving across the seas in the 1700′s. Benjamin Franklin did not allow his age to stop him at 70 years old when he wanted to help his country win the American Revolution. James Armistead, a brave African American, did not subdue because of his color! Thomas Jefferson did not stand for someone to think that they were above another when he helped write the Declaration of Independence!  Benjamin Banneker, an African American, did not allow his fears to stop him from writing our leaders about ending slavery here in America. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not give in when he saw something that was not right! Nor did Billy Graham waver from his commitment in serving God.

Throughout history many men and women have persevered and overcome tough situations because they put their trust in God rather than allowing the world to hold them back. No matter who we are or where we have been it is vital to recognize how God is the one who picks us up and lays us down to serve His purpose and not our own! The Lord gives us our inner confidence and the loving drive that will not sway in this world and it our place to do the best we can in everyday that we have been given. By living our lives as an example under Christ it teaches our children to never lose hope no matter what they have to face. Because with God “All Things Are Possible” even when the world seems to be falling apart!

It is in the persistance of men and women that never give up when we can see God at work that will make a positive difference for our children’s future! I challenge you today and every other day to strengthen yourself in the Lord and allow the love of Jesus to shine in your life like never before! It is when we know that Greater Is He that Is In Us Than He That Is In This World that we will find strength to overcome  our obstacles in life! Never lose Hope no matter what you face or for what you have been through because it is when we let go of ourselves that God will take over and carry us to new levels in the Lord’ s mercy and grace!!!

James A Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

It was the day of Christmas and all through the house many in the family were struggling and broken due to some issues that were as small as a mouse. The tree was decorated with lights that flickered all around but unfortunately due to severed families some children were not gathered around. Hearts were hurting in disguise while many children simply hid their inner cries due to the lack of true love being shown and the strife in the air that was easily shown.

As the children began to cry out from their hearts for those that were lost to come home, all of a sudden an Angel dropped in and began to sing a beautiful song. On this Holy Night that Jesus was born the Angel began to tell them how their hearts can be healed from where they had been scorned. The Angel said that God so loved the world that He sent His Firstborn Son so that the family of God will no longer be splintered or torn. As the Angels sang the children that had been yearning for true love and experiencing many heartfelt pains began to cry due to the love in the air that began to spread everywhere. These tears were no longer tears of pain for they were tears of joy that began to fall like Healing Rain.

When the elders heard the children’s cries they stopped in to see what was taken place. There were no questions asked or doubts of speculation due to God’s mercy and unfailing grace.  As they all began to look for their children at the foot of the tree they were amazed at what they saw because the children had replaced the tree with a cross. The adults were so taken at this sight in the children’s unity and love of God that they knew better than to interfere because of Jesus being near.

As the adults entered the room a strong voice spoke saying,“It was time that we learned from our past in putting aside our differences for the family to be restored.” Then all of a sudden as the people began to come together in God’s unconditional love more Angels began to appear relieving the people of their fears because they knew God was near. There was a sweet melody that could be heard from the house in the spirit of God that reached the streets during that Silent Night which restored the treasures of the love within the heart of the home.

These gifts which were received were not gifts that grew old due to being eternal and realizing their purpose for this experience was to be told. For we are all equal at the foot of the cross and God so loves each one of us that He sent His Only Son to keep us from being lost.  As the night came to a close for a new day to begin the family went to bed with a new sense of peace between their family and friends. They knew their home was safe and secure because of the Good News and they praised God for simply sending His Angel that dropped in to share the love of God and to remind them of our purpose in discovering eternal life through Jesus Christ…Amen

Enjoy this song  O Holy Night by Josh Groban and listen for the Angels in the room ministering to your heart. For there is restoration when we humble ourselves and return to the Lord….MERRY CHRISTMAS & MAY OUR FAMILIES BE UNITED IN THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST…

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

The developing of an instrument requires first a vision and then a craftsman to begin the process. The craftsman not only sees the instrument through the vision but he knows the tune in which he or she seeks to achieve as an artist painting a picture. Sometimes during the construction process the craftsman has to tear down the instrument to start all over again but he never gives up on the God given dream or vision for he or she learns something in every attempt. Once he or she reaches the stage where the cords come into play this is where the senses must be developed and in tune to insure the proper sound of love that is to be shared in return.

As the strings are being placed into position and stretched to achieve their full potential this process often causes some to snap and to complain of their pain. Not all cords make the cut due to their own inner tension due to never learning the art of submission. Learning when to submit and when not to is a very wise process within the construction of an instrument of God that requires the unity of the people. This same process is displayed by the craftsman as well due to his or her own submission to the Lord.

We are not the craftsman for the craftsman is Jesus but we are to be an instrument of the Lord delivering the sounds of His praise. Within the instrument their are many different positions and the object is to find our particular position in order to hear the music of God that is being played. For an unbalanced instrument is an instrument without understanding and in order to have harmony we must first have unity…

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

As we learn to walk with God and hear His voice we can discover that within this walk there is a process that takes place within this journey of life through the love of Jesus Christ. This process is called transformation. It was not the fire that transformed Moses but it was the Word of God that transformed his life and gave Him the direction to move forward. The fire was there to motivate his spirit and to give them the assurance of His presence through God’s love.

Experiencing the love of God is something beyond words and God gives us a glimpse of this through our children that we so love. It is the love of God that gives us the drive to move forward and it is the all consuming fire of God that burns out our iniquities without destroying the life within the bush or living plant that we are in God’s creation. Over the years many have missed the boat in deliverance ministry due to fallen short in discipleship. For there is a balance between fire and water due to the fire of God contains a mighty power that the human flesh can not handle for long periods of time due to the drain of our physical being.

Teaching the Word of God is vital in the process of deliverance in multiple ways and we learn this in the walk of Jesus as He taught the Word of God as the people were drawn to the well. To drink from the well of God is an experience we can’t explain but if we do not disciple through God’s love by teaching others how to discover the source on their own then we are not fulfilling the instruction of God.

Jesus teaches us in Matthew 12 about evil spirits when they are cast out. These same evil spirits go out into the desert looking for a place to reside but when they find no water then we better prepare for their return. Upon their return they often invite others due to the room within the house since it was swept clean. Think about it in this way! Have you ever witnessed a defeat but then as you went out you gathered others to assist you in return? This is the same principle that Jesus taught in spiritual warfare in Matthew 18 verses 15 and 16 but He was teaching in the light of the Truth and not in the darkness of Satan.

Deliverance of God is always handled in love and in grace to those that are being drawn by God to the well of Jesus. The Lord said in Jeremiah 31:3,”I have loved you with an
everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness,” and Jesus said in John 6:44,”For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at
the last day I will raise them up.”There are many that seek healing and many that experience the fire power of God but without the understanding of His Word then we are spiritually vulnerable to Satan.

The Word of God teaches us to rethink our ways and it teaches us how to develop our spiritual senses between good and evil. Within this walk of life there is a process of shedding the old to receive the new and it is when we fail to take heed in God’s Word that we miss the narrow road that is right before us. As we are taught by God with Moses there is a balance between fire and water for without the fire it can become watered down and without the water the fire can burn us up. The road is narrow but a straight path for those with the eyes to see and the ears to hear but far too often like Pharaoh many fail to humble themselves as a child to receive God’s Word.

Within this message take note from the scripture of Matthew 12. For Jesus said the evil spirit goes out into the desert but finds no water so it returns to where it began. This teaches us in the spirit of the importance of staying in God’s Word which is the water that carries us forward by day to be warm and protected by night. Never become discouraged in your walk for when we learn to walk in the hand of God then He will show us the Way as we experience His promise in His Word.

May God draw each of you to the well of Jesus which is the living Word of God….

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Empowering leadership is a critical stage of maturity and learning how to build within the instruction of God. This is one of the most neglected areas in leadership due to several reasons. Some leaders simply become consumed with their responsibilties and they fail to balance their time in recognizing the next one to fill their shoes. While some leaders simply allow their own pride to grow out of control so they never learn the art of true leadership which is called sacrifice in giving up something for someone else. Then there are those that have the title but know nothing about true leadership as a servant for the people due to their own personal desire of power and allowing their position to take presidence as an idol before God.

In Exodus 18 we are taught true leadership skills and we learn how to apply them to our lives by empowering future leaders of today. Moses not only gave certain delegates authority but he allowed them to make decisions in the best interest of the people. These leaders under Moses not only seeked God for their direction but they taught us the importance of Godly council and they assumed responsibility for their actions.

Where the disconnect has taken place in todays time is where many men have forgotten to how stand togther in the unity of God with accountability between one another. Instead of taking responsibility for our actions or standing with each other many individuals have forgotten about what it means to be loyal to God in properly serving each other. For where there is no honor within our word there is no stability within our foundation.

Learning to empower future leaders by giving them the responsibility to make decisions not only displays our maturity in Christ but it teaches the upcoming generation how to build upon the foundation which has already been established. Too many times we cause our foundation to crack simply because we forget the real reason that we are here and what holds us all together.

As a leader where ever we are it is vital that we open up our eyes to the next generation and learn to train our future leaders as we learn to walk beside them and be behind them as they learn to walk on their own. For if all we do is hold their hands and not allow them to learn for themselves under God then how can we honestly expect them to ever stand on their own when we have to move on?

We all have a responsibility under God as leaders and it starts first within ourselves and within our very home. We have a responsibility under God as parents to set good examples in faith with our children and teach them how to make Godly decisions without allowing the world to guide their actions. Unless we teach this in our very homes then how can we honestly expect them to empower the future leaders of tomorrow? Leadership is not only about making good decisions but is about training the next generation…

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

Throughout the Living Word of God the Lord speaks to us through the Holy Spirit in order to warn us and to help prepare us for what is ahead. The Lord has given us His Word which still stands today in order to receive the blessings of God but when the people disobey God without recognition of our generational sins and continue to drift away from God’s Word then we better prepare for the inevitable.

In the lesson of Acts 27 with Paul in the ship during a storm there is much more to this than just a story of Paul’s life when you open your eyes in the Spirit of God. Look at his faith and how nothing would stop him from going forward. Look at how the men of the ship began to listen to him when their lives were in danger. If you recall in the first verses of Acts 27 the officers would not listen to Paul because they were stuck in this world and they only followed the captain which they could physically see  because they did not know how to stand on their own and properly believe. But once the trouble came then whom did they seek for advice? Can you see this relation to America today? Where is America looking at the present time? Are we looking for physical or spiritual answer’s?

Why is it we by nature won’t listen until it is almost too late? It is sad at how shallow we are in the flesh but amazing at how the depth’s never stop in the Spirit of God! We must remember whom was cast down to earth and the Creator in Heaven above.  For if we can’t see beyond our world and become stuck in our way’s without listening to the Holy Spirit of God in our hearts then our vision is being restricted by the evil one whom travels this earth in never wanting us to see our way home.

Vision in faith is not limited but only by our human restraints. For in the vision of God we always receive what we need as we seek Him daily within our walk of human life. He will show us goals to reach but we must do the work to get there and allow Him to bring our goals together in His timing and not ours. In the flesh of man we all want something now, like Eve in the Garden of Eden and America today. But we must learn in the lesson’s of life from our ancestor’s in the Holy Bible to our present day issue’s to recognize our human weakness in the flesh to build our individual character on the foundation of God and not on our personal desires!

There will be storm’s in our path with major rock’s up ahead if we don’t listen to the Word of God and follow His instruction in giving us the direction back to the kingdom. The Lord gives us the beginning and the end from Genesis to Revelation with the instruction in the middle but we must do the work in between this time period to help other’s along the Way! Our life begins with Genesis and ends in Revelation and as a book our life story is told in the middle. Looking at your life how will you be remembered from your physical birth to your physical death because this has a major impact on your eternal future.…In Jesus name we all can live!!! Amen

James A. Harrison

http://balancedlifeministry.org

http://specialdeliverybook.com

What is it like to hear the voice of God? The following story is told of the conversion of St. Augustine. One day, while he was struggling with his inability to overcome his own passions and desires, he went into his garden carrying the Letter of Paul to the Romans. While in agony of mind over his struggle, he suddenly heard a child’s voice from the neighboring garden saying, “Take up and read, take up and read.” He immediately opened Paul’s letter and read from Romans 13: 14, “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” This experience was the moment of his conversion. He became the greatest of the early Church Father because he heard the voice of God speaking as if through the voice of a child.

What would it be like today if God would speak to his people? How would we experience his voice coming from heaven to speak to us? Would it be a voice of thunder causing fear and dread? Or would it come to us, as with the baptism of Jesus, in a gentle voice of comfort and reassurance? Would we recognize it as the voice of God? Would anyone listen to him? Or are we too busy in our work and our play to have time to listen to God? Are we even too busy in our worship to actually take the time to listen for the voice of God to speak to us? Or do we not even really expect him to speak to us anymore?

If we are to be able to listen when God speaks to us, we will need spiritual ears. We want to learn to listen, and to develop ears that have the spiritual sensitivity to hear what God may be saying to us today. We may learn how we may have such spiritually sensitive hearing from the story of Elijah that we read from the Scriptures today.

In learning to hear God’s voice and to receive God’s message, Elijah had to learn to see things in accordance with God’s way. And that is not the way of punishment and judgement, but the way of grace and salvation. And today, too, if we truly want to hear the voice of God to guide our lives, we must begin by looking to Jesus Christ and to his example of love and service. Through his acts of apparent weakness, he showed us the real power of God. Are we listening for his voice and direction today?

Today, God may speak to us through some mighty miracle, through thunder and storm, through turbulent times and political events that shake the world. Or he may speak to us in quiet words and works of brotherly love. Such words arise when we have personally heard the voice of God speaking his salvation into our hearts and minds. Such works reflect the example of loving sacrifice shown to us by our Lord.

Sometimes we are so busy with our own concerns that we cannot hear God’s voice: the noise of our problems and our works block him out! No doubt our concerns, like Elijah’s are good ones. After all, we are concerned for the well being of God’s Church. Yet, we must learn to lay aside our own concerns, and our own expectations and to quiet our souls so that we may hear the ‘gentle whisper’ of God as he speaks to us today. We must learn to hear God in the quiet and gentle works of Christian love and mercy. We must learn to listen to the Spirit of God at work in us and around us in the quiet deeds of sacrificial love.

We have God’s promise that he will bring judgment upon those who deserve it in his own way and his own time, and not according to our demands. And we have his promise that he will preserve a faithful remnant in every time and place. Those who will not serve the gods of this world. Those who will tune their hearts and their ears to hear the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit urging us onward in our faithful service to God in our daily work.

May God find us all eager to hear his words and commands, eager to obey and to serve him in big ways or small ways. May we all truly learn to listen to the gentle whisper of our God as it comes to us today. Amen