AM I REALLY LISTENING FOR GOD SPEAKING TO ME?

CHASING GOD – part 9

Green Valley Church

7 March 2021

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

                                                                                                            John 1:1 (NIV)

“Jesus answered (the devil), ‘As it is written in the Scriptures, people cannot live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but people live by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”                                                                                                            Matthew 4:4 (Amp)     

“Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of the Lord! For He spoke, and the earth came to be…”                                                                                                          Psalm 33:8-9 (ESV)     

“The Spirit gives life…The words I have spoken to you – they are of the Spirit and they are life.”                                                                                                                      John 6:33 (Par)

“As Jesus finished His story, He called out to the great crowd of people, ‘You people who can hear Me, listen!”                                                                                    Luke 8:8 (NCV)

Q. ARE YOU WILLING TO “LISTEN” TO GOD’S WORDS TO YOU?

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”     Proverbs 4:23

1. FIGHT HARD FOR “THE WORD OF TRUTH”!

“I am asking that you keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world…Make them holy by your truth. Your word is truth.”                                                  John 17:15-17 (NLT)

“…fight hard for God’s message of faith that was given the holy people of God…”

                                                                                                            Jude 1:3 (NCV)

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds came and ate it.”                                       Luke 8:5 (NIV/NLT)

“The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear God’s word, and then the devil comes along and takes away the word from their hearts, so they cannot believe and be saved.                                                                                                                                            Luke 8:12 (NLT/NIV)

“the footpath” soil = A HARD HEART

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by Him to do His will”                                  2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NKJ)

“Get rid of all filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your soul.”                               James 1:21 (NLT)

2. PREPARE NOW FOR “THE REPORT” OF STORMS TO COME!

“I have spoken these things to you, so that in Me you may have peace. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

                                                                                                            John 16:33 (NASB/NLT)

“Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. This seed began to grow, but soon it withered and died because it had no water.”                                                 Luke 8:6 (NLT/NCV)

“The rocky soil represents those who enjoy hearing the message, but the words never really get through to them. Like young plants in shallow soil their roots don’t go very deep. They claim the word to be true, and sort of believe for a while. But when the hot winds of trials and temptations blow, they lose heart.”                                                                                      Luke 8:13 (Par)

“the rocky soil” = A BUSY HEART

“You are worried and upset over all these details! But there is only one thing worth being concerned about! Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NLT)

3. REMEMBER ALWAYS “THE RULE” OF LIFE!

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also…No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve both God and money. For this reason, I say to you, do not worry about your life…But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So, don’t worry…”                                                             Matthew 6

“Some seed fell among the weeds, but the weeds grew up with it and choked the good plants.”                                                                                                                         Luke 8:7 (NCV)

“The seed that fell among weeds stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, the message is crowded out by the worries and riches and pleasures of this life. And so, they never grow into maturity.”                                                                                        Luke 8:14 (NIV/NLT)

the soil with “the weeds” = A DIVIDED HEART

“The LORD is my Shepherd; I have everything that I need.”                  Psalm 23:1

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength…And the Lord my God will supply all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

                                                                                                            Philippians 4:11-20 (NLT)

4. INTEND DOGGEDLY TO OBEY THE VOICE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD!

“The seed in the good soil – these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.”                                               Luke 8:15 (Msg)

“My sheep recognize My voice. I know them, and they follow Me.”        John 10:27