I've set up this blog for us - The Iron Roses. Several of the IRs (wow that kinda looks like that dreaded government agency, doesn't it? :) ) are blessed to see each other most Monday nights to be in Bible Study together. But to those of you who aren't, no worries. You are welcome to read my posts about Bible study or ignore. I'll try not to let them monopolize the blog. I'll use this site to post things about what's going on with Bible study as well as other items that might interest our little bouquet of Roses. I hope you enjoy it. And PLEASE post a comment every now and then. It gets really weird doing all the talking when you don't know what everyone else is thinking.
Today's post comes at the end of our Bible study by Priscilla Shirer, entitled "Discerning the Voice of God." Wow-o-wow, what a good one it was!
Ladies, we sure learned something about discerning the voice of God over the past few weeks, haven't we? So now that we know what we know, let's do what we need to do. And that is listen for the voice, discern the message and then obey with radical obedience!!
Remember when Abraham was called by God to leave his country and all that he knew, he didn't say, "hang on just a minute, I've got a meeting tomorrow and the dry cleaning will need to be picked up." What did he do?" He did it; packed up the camel and moved to Canaan.
What did he do when God called his name in Genesis 22? He said "here I am." Again, not hold the phone, the kids are crying, and my wife Sarah just told me to take out the trash. Nope, he listened and whew, did God have no small message . . just the littlest Big Test of All Time - sacrifice your son. That same son you and Sarah waited 100 years to have. I've often wondered - what do you think Abraham said to Sarah about this whole situation? "Um, honey, I was talking to God today and He asked me to do something. And you're probably not going to like it." Now, Abraham and Sarah had both seen God work in mysterious and marvelous ways over the course of their lifetimes, but are you kidding? Sacrifice "your only son, whom you love." (Gen. 22:2). Hmmm . . . now is it just me, or does this sound familiar? Did our God the Father not make a similar sacrifice? Praise Him, yes! He sacrificed His "only begotten son" to save us from our sin and through His grace and mercy, allow us a path to eternal life!
So, in my mind, what choice do we have given the example of this earthly father and our Heavenly Father? Sit around on our rears watching reruns of "Say Yes to the Dress?" I think not.
Now remember two things: First: Satan will try to manipulate the word of God into something false. John 10:10 says, that "the thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy; but I have come so you may have life and have it to the full." If there is one thing I want, it is to live life to the full!!! So be mindful that you don't let Satan rob you of that.
Second: In the profound words of Priscilla: "We usually refuse to follow God's direction when we think what we have to give up is greater than what we will gain. As a result, we miss God's blessing, experience His judgment, and break the intimacy that allows our spiritual ears to hear what He has to say to us in the future. Obedience will always produce benefits that outweigh the consequences of disobedience. In the short run it may appear our way is best, but we will soon see that obedience would have given us access to His supernatural power." Ladies, the benefits and blessings will always outweigh the costs. No, it may not seem so sometimes but if given the choice, I'll think I'll go with God. Kicking and screaming sometimes but still with God. I don't want to be trying to pick up the pieces when I've done my own thing (believe me, I've done that and it's not pleasant).
So girls, get out those cute high heels and dig into the Word of God. It will never let you down and you can take this to the bank, God Will Speak To You Through His Word! If you think you are hearing the voice of God, search His Word. He won't contradict it. Then you'll be able to answer that old nasty devil when he whispers in your ear like he did with Eve, "did God really say that?" You can say, "YES, yes He did! And just to spite you, I'm going to do it." And Ladies, the blessing will be more than we could imagine.
Always remember: "Call to me and I will answer you; and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
So now, let's do something fun. Since we won't be in the Word together over the next couple of months, let's do some online chatting about what God is doing in our lives. Don't leave me hanging out here. Please comment. If you have trouble with it, let me know. Emily will know how to help us. :)
Love you all!
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