listen... what?

rejoice alway, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

I have recently started reading My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers.  It was recommended by a few of the people who led the discipleship sessions during Acts 1:8. 

The title for today's devotion was "Quench Not The Spirit".  I started reading this book each morning a few days ago and have found it to be challenging every time I open it.  

I have been asking some friends, "How do you hear God?" It seems like the simple answer would be to, "Listen." Honestly, the next question is, "How?" It is so hard to hear... to actually take the time to sit down - and truly listen to the voice of the Lord.  Today when I opened up to listen to what Oswald had to say, the first sentence said this... "The voice of the Spirit is as gentle as a zephyr, so gentle that unless you are living in perfect communion with God, you never hear it."  

... Okay... well.. thanks Oswald.. that is a wonderful answer to my question. 

After reading 1 Thessalonians 5... I looked deeper into the verses that I put at the beginning.  

ESV notes: 

Rejoice always: joy in Paul's letters is a basic mark of the Christian and a fruit of the Spirit. It is often associated with the firm hope of the Christian.

Pray without ceasing: suggests a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day.

Give thanks: Christians are to be marked by thanksgiving.

-it's funny how when you study things you realize how much certain things are lacking in your life... 

 

on to an update about life: 

It has been a very interesting past few weeks.  This time in life is just awkward. It's hard to figure out where home is and this whole growing up thing is quite scary.  - I typed that as my roommate walked up the stair and I was freaking out because I heard a squeaky door open.. not the best thing to hear at night when you are home alone. -

This weekend will be very refreshing. I get to visit my family in Ohio and spend time with my grandparents - that is always the best.  Then there might be a reunion with one of my friends when I get back to Kentucky - who knows.  

I am still a little curious about how it will feel to go back to my "home" - and by home - I mean my parent's house. I think that is the hardest thing to figure out when you are in this stage in life.  Where is 'home' and what does that even mean? When you grow up, you live in your house, anticipating the time that you will move out and become and adult.  But then once you are in college (if it is a different town from where you grew up), you wait to get out of the dorm (if you have to live in one during those first few years) to move into an apartment.  But that apartment is just a transition 'house' until you move out on your own... and then moving out on your own (if you don't already find him or her)- you are just waiting until you meet 'the one' to move into your official house. Life is so interesting.... these are the thoughts that develop from a day of painting a room.

so... as the days pass by - I will continue to daydream and try to figure out this thing called life and this stage where I am stuck in the middle of things. 

-a few song suggestions from the Worship playlist on my iTunes: 

  "You Won't Relent" by Misty Edwards

"We Are Yours" by Charlie Hall

"My Soul Longs For You" by Misty Edwards

"Sing, Sing, Sing" by Chris Tomlin

"Warrior" by Sojourn church in Louisville

"May Your Power Rest On Me" by Sojourn

ENJOY!