Don’t you love the word FREE? Especially at Christmas Time? I’ve decided to give away – (yes, FREE), my book “Holy Spirit Made Me Do It”. Last Sunday, Pastor John Wood of Christ Chapel preached a sermon about “giving freely what you’ve been given freely”. You can’t give what you don’t have, but you can give what you DO have. The question was presented – “What do you have?” My answer –  I have a book!  Next question – “Who gave it to you?”  God. He gave me the knowledge, the resources, the favor to get this book published. He FREELY gave that to me so I, in turn, freely give it to you.

How many times do we resist our own advice? We ask God for direction but yet we fail to “listen”. We whine and complain that God doesn’t speak to us. We call out to God, “Where are you?” We constantly pray and ask, pray and ask, yet…

God is faithful to speak but we must be faithful to listen. Listening takes practice. We hear sometimes but not actually listen to what is being said. Right now, I hear a multitude of noises. Music from the radio, the AC fighting the GA heat, the hum of the refrigerator, the sound of me typing on the keyboard… But I am not actively listening to those sounds. I don’t know what song is playing right now. I don’t know how long the air has been running (probably constantly) because I am not actively paying attention.  If I focus I can hear that “Waiting Here For You” is playing on K-Love. but I had to incline my ear towards the door to my office so that I could hear it well enough to make out the words.

This is what we do with God. We allow all of the noises of life to drown out his voice. We could hear if only we tried. We don’t “listen” for His voice. There are many examples in the Bible of those who actively positioned themselves to hear what God had to say. They were listening!

Habakkuk says in Habakkuk 2:1, “I will stand my watch and set myself upon the rampart and watch and see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected.” Habakkuk positioned himself to hear! He didn’t just say, while I’m going on with life, hopefully I will hear God when He speaks. No! He actively and purposely positioned himself. He said I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart and watch and see what He will say to me. He didn’t doubt that God would speak. He said, “what He WILL say to me”. Then in verse 2, “Then the Lord answered me and said…”  What happened when he actively positioned himself to hear?  God answered!

Let’s not skip an important part of this verse. Habakkuk fully expected to be corrected yet he still actively listened. How many times do we “listen” for the positive instruction but when it comes to correction or maybe an answer we do not want to hear, we don’t put the same effort into listening? We put our fingers in our ears and sing “la la la” and then say God didn’t speak to me!

Let’s dissect this verse for a minute so you can get the full understanding of what it means to actively listen.  “I will stand my watch”.  Webster’s defines watch as “to be awake, to look and wait expectantly, the act of keeping mentally awake or alert, a period of close observation often to discover something”.

Stong’s concordance defines watch as, “your duty, to keep your post, observance to be kept. A watchman leans forward, peers into the distance, observes, awaits, to wait for”. Does this sound like a casual event to you? So, as you stand your watch, you stay alert, wait expectantly, lean forward as in expectation to see, you wait and see what He will say.

A rampart is an elevated wall on top of a tower for protection or a mound of dirt surrounding a soldier to protect from enemy fire. So, Habakkuk not only is on watch for an answer, he is also protecting himself from the enemy as a good watchman or soldier would do.

We must stand our watch or posture ourselves to hear from God. We must be as serious as a watchman on a tower about hearing God’s voice. Usually, God is speaking and we don’t hear because we are not listening. We also are not watchful for the tactics of the enemy to distract us and to engage us in other areas so as to take our minds off of actively listening. Satan doesn’t want you to hear God’s voice. He wants you to think that God doesn’t care enough about you to talk to you. But that is simply not true and is a lie from the devil. God wants to lead and guide us. He wants to have relationship with us. He wants to have conversation with us. He speaks but are we listening!

A true sign that we are God’s mature children is that we hear Him when He speaks to us. John 8:47 says “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”  But we must not only hear, we must obey what God says.  Proverbs 22:17 says to “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge.” We must incline our ear to hear and then we must apply (or to establish for action) that which He speaks.

So the next time you declare that God is not speaking to you, examine yourself to see if you have indeed positioned yourself to hear Him.  Have you inclined your ear to hear? Are you waiting expectantly for what He will answer? If not, get into position and LISTEN!

But when it comes to our turn, we quickly forget all of that encouragement. Suddenly, it’s “I can’t do that.  The step is too big. The gap is too wide. It is impossible. How can God expect me to do that. After all, I’m just little ole ordinary me.  Nooo way, no00 how! Besides, have you heard what God wants me to do?”

Really? Is that what the devil told you? Why is it we are so quick to listen to what the devil has to say and so quick to dismiss what God has to say? Maybe we should listen to our own advice.  We CAN do it.  God doesn’t ask us to do anything he hasn’t prepared us to do. And you are right, With men this is impossible, BUT with God all things are possible. (Matt 19:26) I am the head and not the tail, I am a joint-heir with Christ. I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13). He will never forsake me. The Lord is my helper, I will not fear (Heb 13:6) and All things are possible to him that believes! I can!  In fact, Yes I Can!! How do I know? Because God said so!

So why is it so difficult to take that first step? It is the same thing Bill Cosby talks about when he got his tri-focals! (Bill Cosby tri-focals - http://youtu.be/IJ6jZv4S4VQ ) You have wrong perception. The step looks too high, but it’s not. It looks too wide, but it’s not. Take off your worldly perception and put on your God glasses. See things the way He sees it. If you do, you will quickly see Him giving you a “hand-up” to make that first step. He doesn’t leave you hanging but He does expect you to step out on faith, knowing that His hand is under your foot placing it where He wants it.

So if you desire to fulfill that God-given purpose or attain that deliverance, whatever it is you need to make that first step towards. Know this, God wants it more than you do so He will be there to guide you in it. He wants you to fulfill His will for your life. He wants you delivered and walking in victory. He wants you successful! God never asks more of us than we can accomplish! As long as we put our trust in Him and Him alone! And stop listening to “self” or the devil or the nay-sayers around you. What does God say?

He’s right, “I CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens ME”. “With God ALL things are possible.” So. close your human eyes and look with your spiritual eyes and…step!

When that happens, we need to stop moving and assess the needs. What needs to be accomplished today?  Then work on that one issue until it is accomplished. Then move to the next.  I know what you’re thinking – “Yeah, right!” I’ve been there more times than I could count.  Everything happens at once, everything needs to be taken care of at the same time, I need to be in 2 places at once, etc. But at the same time I know the Bible  says “Be anxious for nothing”. “Can you add an inch to your stature by worrying?” God knows what needs to be accomplished.  He also knows what you can handle and what you can’t.

This next month  is going to be a busy one for my family.  One daughter, Katie will be finishing up her first year at College, finals, and moving out of the dorm back home (until August).  The other, Lindsay, will be starting Grad school and needs to be moved from home to an apartment in another city. Looking for apartments and Easter this weekend, Relay For Life the next! I have a speaking engagement one weekend, SLSM Graduation the next. All exciting things but happening all at once is a little overwhelming.

What can I do about it? Step back and take one thing at a time. I will cover each weeks activities as they come. I am determined not to stress over them but to approach each one with purpose, knowing that God has it all under control anyway!

God is interested in every little detail of your life. If you don’t believe it, ask my daughter! She just had an incredible testimony as to just how much God cares about each individuals life. She applied to two different Physical Therapy Programs. One particular College was located in Savannah and was her first choice! The other, while comparable in programs was not located in a city of her choice. A good city but not one a 22-year-old would choose to live in!  She was accepted to the 2nd choice program while the first was dragging their feet about notifying her.  Time ticked on, looked like 2nd choice it was.  She registered for classes, got a student loan approved, looked for roommates, and scheduled a visit to choose her living arrangements on last Saturday. On Friday, the day before our trip, she got an email inviting her to attend 1st choice program in Savannah!   “AAARRRGGGHHH! “She yelled, “you’ve got to be kidding! What do I do now? Do I continue on with plans for choice #2 since I’ve pretty much completed my plans or do I start all over again and go to Savannah?” She was torn between the two.  My advice – “Pray about it. Ask God which one He has purposed for you to attend”. She had already done that and was resolved to attend which ever one God desired.  She would go to choice #2 if that is God’s will.  She basically only wanted God’s best for her and she knew He would lead her in that. So she had two ministers, that she trusts very much, pray with her that she makes the right decision. In the prayer, one minister asked God to make the choice obvious and to give her the desire of her heart. The next day, she and I head to city #2 to meet her potential roommates and to look at apartments and rental houses of their choice. Almost right off, I had a negative feeling about the compatibility of the roommates.  Both very nice girls but possible conflicting personalities. I decided that it was not fair to make a quick judgment and I should not express my opinion to Lindsay.  After looking at the first place and traveling to the next, Lindsay looks at me and says, “I don’t know about living with these girls”. We decided to continue and further assess the situation.  When all was said and done, the roommates wanted the exact opposite of what Lindsay wanted in a living space. They wanted to make a snap decision and sign a lease and Lindsay was not willing to do that.  (After all, she had Savannah in the wings). We inquired about her living alone there and made up our mind that if she remained with this program, she would live alone and look for another possible roommate.  Before leaving, we decided to eat supper.  As we were sitting there, Lindsay said, “We prayed that the choice would be obvious and I think after today, it is pretty obvious, what do you think?” It became rather laughable but she decided to sleep on it and see if she still felt the same way the next morning.  We drove home, when we got there she had an email waiting for her from a girl who needed a roommate in Savannah.  Lindsay said “this has to be a sign”. She went to check her out on facebook and immediately came back and said, “she is an athletic trainer like me, this has to be a sign!” On Monday she spoke with the Financial Aid office in Savannah to make sure her student loan would transfer with no problems, they assured her there would be no issues.  She has now made her choice – her 1st choice all along – Savannah!

I know that was a long story but I just wanted to show you that God will work out so many intricate details to get you where you need to be.  He not only worked it out but He gave her the desire of her heart. He made it an obvious choice. Most important, Lindsay has peace about the decision.  God arranged so many things in her favor that she is confident that she is going where He wants her.  That was her main desire – to be in His will!

All that to say, that if God will work all that out for my 22-year-old, then He will most certainly work everything else out.  We will get everything done during this next month that needs to be done. No need to stress – He’s got this!

That is the word to you – “HE’S GOT THIS!”

So stop moving fast and start going somewhere! Follow God’s lead.  He will guide you into your purpose. Yes, I mean your everyday purpose! The details that make up your day, your week, your month, your life! God is not only interested, He has designed it for you. He has worked out every little detail, to make you aware of His will. When nothing needs to be left to chance, He’s Got Your Back! When there are important decisions to make, He will make it obvious if you ask. When your future hangs in the balance, He has you in the palm of His hand.

Stop spinning your wheels. Stop and let God lead you. Stop and do one thing at a time. Stop moving so fast so you can get something accomplished. God not only cares but has it all worked out! Jesus said that if we seek His kingdom first that all of these things would be added to us. He said, do not worry about the details of your life, that He knows what we have need of. He knows and will supply it.

So, one last question – “Are you just moving fast or are you really going somewhere?”

I don’t want to just float along mindlessly and end up in a destination that is not my choice.  That is what happens when you float with no paddles – you are at the mercy of the currents and you go where they take you.  But if you have a paddle, you can direct your boat anywhere you want it to go.  Have you ever gone rafting?  With paddles and effort you can paddle upstream, against the current.  But if you pull in the paddles and just rest, you turn right back around and head in the direction the current takes you.  Sometimes you even go through some rough currents but if guided correctly with your paddles, you make it through safely.  You may wind up wet and tired but nonetheless safe!

That is what happens in life.  If we pull in the paddles and put forth no effort, we are at the mercy of whatever life deals us.  We just float along hoping for the best but having no control over where we go or how we go.  Sometimes, life even dumps us out of the boat – and as we are searching for something to grasp ahold of – we feel as if we are drowning!  Our main goal is to just get back in the boat.  Unfortunately, if we climb back in and still put forth no effort, the same thing happens time and time again.

Wouldn’t it make sense if we put the oars out and started guiding our lives to the path of safety? If we looked ahead at the obstacles and tried to avoid them?  If we actually followed the path of our Guide and let Him lead us to a life of adventure but one of direction?  In rafting, your trip guide teaches you the correct way to paddle, the correct direction to go, teamwork, and how to safely  maneuver through the scariest of rapids.  It is a trip full of excitement, hard work, and achievement.  You may be tired but you are fulfilled!

I believe, that is the way our lives are supposed to be – guided but full of adventure!  Who are you going to let guide your boat? Are you just going to float along hoping for the best or are you going to put out the paddles and guide it in the direction of your choosing?  Father God will supply the guidance and all we have to do is paddle in the direction He tells us.

We need to sit down and make out a Life Plan.  I know, sounds like a blast doesn’t it?  But without some plan, you are simply floating along at the mercy of life.  But with some planning and trip guidance, you can avoid some of the rough spots, make sure you enjoy most of the trip, plan some excitement, and come out feeling fulfilled.

We need to live life with purpose and intention!  What do you want to accomplish while here on earth? What do you want your family and friends to say about you when you are gone? What is the legacy you want to leave your children and grandchildren? What are your priorities in life? How do you plan to achieve them? What is your action plan?

If you really ponder these questions, you are well on your way to a Life Plan.  Write it down. (That’s biblical, you know – Habakkuk 2:2) Revise it as necessary.  Revisit it on a timely basis and see if you are on track.  If not, put the paddles out and get back on track. We can live a full and complete life if we put forth some effort!  Yes, sometimes life is hard work.  It’s even scary sometimes and we feel like we are drowning. But if we will just grasp hold of the hand that is reaching out to pull us to safety, we will make it through.  We are then responsible to put out the oars and make some adjustments in the direction we are heading.

And just like with any rafting trip, you come upon a nice calm area where you can rest, enjoy the view, and regain energy for the next adventure that is called life!

Let’s be intentional in our relationships, careers, rest, ministries, and health.  We need to guide each of these areas in the way we want them to go.  Let’s not just float along aimlessly, hoping for the best.  Let’s make the best happen!

Put the oars out and enjoy the adventure that is called Christian Living!

New Blog Post soon to come!