We serve a speaking God. We must learn to be a listening people.
Isaiah prophesied in 700 BC that one name Cyrus would give the command to rebuild the Temple. It would be 100 years before a baby named Cyrus would be born into the lineage of royalty. He would become king and in 539 fulfill what Isaiah predicted, exactly as it was prophesied.
Isaiah 42:9 See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you." NIV
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ESV
We will focus on The Beatitudes next year as we come out of focusing on our first 40 days of the year. I believe we are to introduce the atmosphere of God’s Kingdom now just to release something of a deposit in our hearts in preparation for that season.
“Blessed” also translates “Happy” in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. It’s interesting how God describes what it means to be happy and blessed in comparison to how the world describes what it means to be happy and blessed.
Matthew 5:3-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ESV
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ESV
If you take care of the purity of your imagination it’s supernaturally natural to hear God. You were created to be fascinated by God, and you have the ability to do so but you must be intentional about it!
When Lexi was about ten years old she was reading a book one day and I was talking to her. She gave no response, so I walked over and put my hand on her book. She looked up and said, “When I read it’s like my ears are turned off.” We have this ability to concentrate in such a way that we block out other things. This is God’s desire for us in the way we listen to him.
We serve a speaking God. We must learn to be a listening people.
The less we pay attention to the Holy Spirit the more we thirst for entertainment.
GP2RL: Read Matthew 5 this week reflecting on the reality of God’s Kingdom at work within you. Practice these characteristics intentionally in your five-foot circle.