I Live to Hear God Speak
The first time God spoke to me personally, I didn't know it was Him. I thought it was my mother. When I was five years old, she would tell everybody, "This is my
little preacher!" It embarrassed me at the time. But looking back, it was God speaking to me through her. Fifty years in ministry, and I am still preaching. It's humbling. The Lord will often speak to us through the least likely people; it's part of our training before we can hear His voice for ourselves.
As a new Christian, Hell tried to cancel any desire to ever hear God's voice. A wedge of offense developed between my Bible teacher and me the
moment he said, "God spoke to me." Those words were alien to me. I was flooded with doubt. The enemy whispered those famous words: "Indeed, has God said?" (Genesis 3:1). Surely this man had a big ego thinking God Almighty would take the time to speak to him personally.
I left the Bible study in frustration that evening thinking this man was certainly out of his mind. Thoughts about that crazy teacher kept me awake. Hours later, questions drifted into
my mind, "What if you could? What if you could actually hear God speak to you?" The questions lit a fire within me that has never gone out. I began to faintly consider an answer. I thought to myself, if God would actually speak to me, I would be willing to wait thirty or forty years to hear him speak just one word: not a whole sentence, but just one word.
Two hours later, the Holy Spirit interrupted my sleep. He said, "Son, I want to speak to you more
than you know."
My journey of listening for His voice began in that moment. Now you know what I live for. I live to hear God speak.
I believe we are in a time when we must personally hear God's voice. Interestingly, at the age of 77, I finally gave in and got hearing aids. The hearing in my physical ears has greatly improved. I pray for us all: May the hearing in our spiritual ears improve as
well. Dear Friends,
One of the things I've learned about hearing God's voice is that He won't let you miss Him. When He speaks to you about something, it won't be just once. He will continue to confirm it's Him. Then the most important part of hearing God is obeying Him. I will never forget when I was single, working in a steel mill and making good money, the Lord spoke, "Son, I want you to
lay down your nets and follow me." I wasn't sure it was Him, because I knew He had blessed me with that good paying job. And my dream was saving that money to get married one day. I dragged my feet for a year and a half. It was hard to let go. Finally, one day, while eating my lunch out in the factory yard by myself, I saw Jesus in the Spirit walking past that factory and looking straight at me. He said, "Son, I'm calling you for the very last time." Then He kept right on walking. I knew it was
a now-or-never moment for me. I had to obey what He had made crystal clear to me.
I immediately submitted my 2-week resignation. Interestingly 30 days after I left that factory, it shut down and never reopened. I knew then the Lord was showing me that what I thought was my security for the future was actually His word to me. I have never looked back. I have discovered that the true source of my provision is not my money, but what is written on
it.. "In God We Trust!" The real blessing of hearing God's voice is in obeying Him.
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22 (KJV)
Thank you for your prayers and support. That's what keeps us obeying the call to follow him.
Love,
Bill and
Dagmar
Ministry Update: Please Pray and Come Expecting! * Columbia Furnace Church - Sunday, July 19th 10:30am 20910 Senedo Rd. Edinburg, Virginia 22824 Pastor William Fitchett (540) 459-1632 * Redeeming River Church of God -
Sunday, July 26th 10am 7721 Woodbine Rd. Woodbine, Maryland 21793 Pastor Larry Digges * Zion Assembly of God - Sunday, August 2nd 10am 13814 Village Mill Dr. Maugansville, Maryland 21767 Pastor Henry E. Burtner (301) 739-3888 * People's Gospel Tabernacle - Sunday, August 9th 10am 543 Security Road Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 Pastor
Clarence Hurd * Lighthouse Assembly of God Church - Sunday, August 16th 10am 6329 Maddox Blvd. Chincoteague, Virgina 23336 Pastor Kevin
Wilson * Sapphire Church - Sunday, August 30th 1:15pm
Westchester Community Center
2414 Westchester Ave.
Oella, Maryland 21043
Pastor Tim & Brenda
Reinecke Send a check to: Blowing The Shofar Ministry
1215
Glenwood Ave.
Hagerstown, Maryland 21742 |
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