Talking but not Listening

How often do you check your heart? Not going to a doctor but checking the condition of your heart.

For the past days, that’s what I’ve been doing. It’s just that I don’t know what’s really going on. I’ve been asking God so many times to tell me what’s going onĀ becauseĀ I just feel so restless inside.

And today, I got reminded of lukewarmness in our walk with God. Neither hot or cold. The relationship is there but there is no intimacy. And I realize that the condition of my heart reflects my relationship with the Lord.

For the past days, I really try to spend time with God. However, I realize that I do more of the talking and not the listening. I read the Bible to hear Him but I end up taking His time to speak to me and just keep throwing thoughts on Him. And eventually, all I hear is myself. My fears. My questions. My impatience. My noise.

Reading the Bible and hearing God through the Bible are totally different things. In spending time with God, one must acknowledge that it is a special time to meet God toĀ be able to know Him and receive revelation from Him. It’s not just merely talking and ranting about things to Him but with a humble heart and a listening ear, we must also letĀ God speak to us. He loves to talk to us. Ā It’s not just us meeting Him, but Him also meeting us.

And I realize, thatĀ is what I lack. And at times, I also struggle controlling my thoughts. As I start meditating, my mind would eventually start toĀ wander around. I really pray I will have the self-control not to over think and just focus on what God wants me to hear.

To ponder: If we allow other people to speak to us and impart to us wisdom, giving all our attention just to hear what they say, how much more from God who is our Creator and Heavenly Father?

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Ā Ā Ā Ā Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
Ā Ā Ā Ā and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139:23-24

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Sweeter

In my quiet time this morning, God made me fall in love with Jesus much more.

My reading was on the latter part of Luke 5 and beginning of Luke 6 which talked about the Pharisees trying to question all the ways of Jesus – like eating with tax collectors and sinners, His disciples picking wheat on Sabbath and Jesus healing during Sabbath.

How Jesus responded to the Pharisees made me thank God more for who He is. I’m just grateful and very glad that Jesus did not come into this world bringing set of rigid rules and traditions but love, hope and forgiveness which allowed us to live a pleasing life for Him.

Just imagine a life full of strict rules and traditions to be followed so that we could attain perfection and be with God. One – it is very impossible, Second – it would be very exhausting, and Third -it is pointless and useless. We will never be with God for eternity.

God’s love is so powerful and compelling that once we accept it through Jesus Christ, there’s no other way but to respond to it, not out of force but of free will. Not that we don’t do the right things and follow His commandments, but we do it not out of striving for perfection but out of our love for God. It’s an act of obedience resulted from love and not from a scary thought of hell.

Indeed, life is sweeter and better each day when I walk with Jesus even if it gets tougher sometimes. True enough, it is only with Jesus that I am able to experience a full, complete and abundant life – full of hope, peace, joy and love.

Thank You Jesus for a sweeter life. šŸ™‚

This is my song for today! šŸ™‚

Serenity

Tonight is a perfect night to be able to spend a great, quality time with the Lord.

Indeed, it is a privilege to worship the Almighty Father who is perfect, holy and powerful.

Thank You Father for this time.

I pray that you were pleased.

I love You Lord.

Sad

I just feel sad tonight. As i was trying to reflect how my week was, I haven’t really had a quality quiet time for the past 3 days. No wonder I just miss God so much. I’ve been so preoccupied with things that I just do a splash and go even when reading His Word. I really need to go back to my morning time. Must sleep early and wake up early!!

I have to glorify the Maker, the Giver before I enjoy the things that He made for me and gave me.

Good night for now.

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Don’t be tempted.

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