 A big part of communicating with God is prayer. Prayer is the lifeline and the direct link that connects us to the Lord – and is a vital part in our relationship with God. For more on prayer, see the post I wrote a few days ago.
Today I want to talk about another important part of communicating with God: listening. Listening to God and what He tells us is another very important part of our relationships with Him.
There are times when all of us, myself included, talk to God until we’re blue in the face. We just keep talking and talking, and that’s fine – God wants us to talk with him – but sometimes we fail to do the other part, which is listening.
If we are truly going to be deciples of Christ and follow his ways, we ultimately need to listen to him. If you’re in a classroom and you want to learn about something, why not listen to your teacher? And isn’t that what God is – our teacher? Our father? Indeed, he is the one we need to be listening to.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
- Psalm 27:14
15He who has ears, let him hear.
- Matthew 11:15
20Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” 21He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”
- Luke 8:20-21
written by Josh
 What are your priorities? Earn Money? Maintain your job?… GET a job? Have a boy/girl friend? Get A’s in school? A relationship with God?
We think of all these things in our lives, and we think of what is more important then others. We have our friends and our family. Our grades and our work. God, and everything else. What’s the most important?
I think we all do a pretty good job of telling ourselves “I’d never have any other gods above God” but we do put a lot up there with him, don’t we? Not wanting to go to church on Sundays because that pillow is just so comfortable. Not reading the bible because you’re just too tired in the morning, and at night, you’re ready to go to bed. Not wanting to pray because you’re just too lazy. Heh. Laziness seems to be a running theme here.
Do you put laziness about God? What are your priorities?
Matthew 6:33 says
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
It’s simple – if we put God FIRST, all these things will be GIVEN to us – everything we need. Sounds like a pretty good deal, huh? The God of the Universe that died for you just wants your time and attention, and a measly 10% of what he’s given you. In return, he will give you all you need. Put the God first, and you’ll make enough money to get by on. Put a relationship with Jesus first, and you’ll be fed, clothed, and housed. Give God back what he’s told you to give, and you’ll get it back – don’t worry if you don’t know where that money’s going. God does.
All these things will be given to you, out of God’s love. So.. what are your priorities?
written by Matt
\\ tags: Attention, Bible, Gifts, God, Jesus, life, Priorities, Tithing
 Today I want to talk about Prayer and why it’s important to each and every one of us.
Prayer is the lifeline of our relationship with God; it is the direct link between us and Him. When we pray, we are talking to God – and what better way to keep up a relationship with someone?
Think about it – you have good friendships with your friends because most likely you talk and communicate with them. That’s just as important, if not more important, when it comes to our relationship with God. Ever here the phrase “livin’ on a prayer”?
8I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
- 1 Timothy 2:8
Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
- Isaiah 65:24
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
- Romans 12:12
Indeed, prayer is the lifeline of our relationships with God.
written by Josh
\\ tags: 1 Timothy, God, Isaiah, prayer, Romans
 My point today is simple: Jesus is coming back; we don’t know when – he could come in a century, next year, next month, tomorrow, or even in an hour - we don’t know, but we should be ready.
So along with living like you were dying, why not also live like Christ is coming back tonight? If you knew for a fact that Christ was going to return tonight, what would you do? How would you act? Would you repent? Would you make amends to relationships? Would you be more loving?
Guess what – these are all things we need to be doing regardless. We don’t know when Jesus is going to return, but we are to live like it could be any day now.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.[a]
11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b]That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
- 2 Peter 3:10-13
Peter talks about how the Lord’s second coming will be unknown and somewhat of a surprise, and ultimately we ought to be devoting ourselves, in the meantime, to becoming more Christ-like. We should put our confidence in what is lasting and eternal – not what is bound to earth. We ought to spend our time striving to develop Christ-like character, and not piling up possessions we hold dear.
14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
- 2 Peter 3:14
The bottom line: be ready for the Lord. We must not sit and wait for him to come, but we should live knowing that time is short. Keep living your life and plan for your future, but be ready to meet him at any time!
written by Josh
\\ tags: God, Jesus, Peter, returning
 What if you saw that note? What if you had only seven days to live?
That’s such an intense question, but really think about it; you have seven days to live. What would you do differently. Surely you wouldn’t waste any time. You’d try and fix everything you have that’s broken – relationships, friendships, grudges. You’d try and say everything you’d been too afraid for all these years. You’d live more passionately. You’d love a little more. Focus more on spreading the word of God a bit more, perhaps?
This month in church, we are talking about ‘One Month to Live.’ It’s based on a book about that very subject – what if you had one month to live? I’ve decided to talk a little bit about that, but for you, dear readers, I’ve given you a week.
So, really – what would you do? It’s interesting to think about.
Here’s another question: Why don’t you live like that already? Seriously. Why don’t you live that passionately everyday? Fear? Embarrassment? What’s to be afraid of?
Well, here’s something from the Bible that might make you think a bit differently.
4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.”
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it. —Psalm 39:4-6
Now, from the other Testament…
14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. — James 4:14
Your days are numbered. There WILL be a day when you will die. Here’s the kicker: what if that day is tomorrow? The bible even says that tomorrow is not promised to you. Isn’t that a very good reason to live more passionately, love more, and meet more people today? What sort of legacy are you going to leave? Something meaningful, or something worthless?
No one’s going to remember you for your funny Facebook statuses. No one’s going to remember you for your ability get 100% on ‘Through Fire and Flames’ on Guitar Hero. You’ll be remembered for the live’s you’ve touched – change – and the life that you devoted 100% to God.
It’s something to think about.
-Matt
written by Matt
\\ tags: Advice, Bible, church, Death, God, James, life, Living, Love, Psalms
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