Hearing God in Amos

Reading through Amos as a requirement of my Old Testament paper (it's quite challenging reading several OT books per lesson I can tell you!) a lot of things have caught my attention but these verses really address the main topic I have blogged about recently:

"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land - not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. In that day the lovely young women and strong young men will faint because of thirst... they will fall, never to rise again." Amos 8:11-14

Interesting.

Its not a famine of words but rather of hearing. Also instead of turning to God the people will wander around the land seeking for His word. Even those with the most stamina and energy - the young - will fall from lack of God's word.

So how important is it to hear God's word and to hear it often?

Where are you looking to hear Him?

How hungry are you?

How healthy are you?

Dove - Evolution Commercial (higher quality)

Interesting...

How to hear God?

As a result of the essay I wrote for BCNZ I have become increasingly curious about how people hear God. The more I ask the more diverse the answers become! It seems though that the more intentional people are in seeking to hear God the more they hear and also the more diversely they recognise God in their lives.

I have asked at least 30 people so far and not one has said they hear God as an audible Voice - rather they hear Him as an unusual thought of wisdom (often in relation to something they are doing at the time - working or watching a movie etc), as a direction or guidance, as intuition, as reassurance and peace about a situation or a decision etc. By the by I have been only asking students and young workers not anyone with Bible College or similar teaching.

Interestingly most people tend to talk about the 'last time' God spoke to them - typically weeks or months ago. Also they are not very confident talking about this topic. Not once have I encountered someone who interacts with God as He speaks to them, not questioning or arguing or commenting even.

All of this research leads me pondering a few things. I think there really is a need for teaching on this subject - especially for those who have been Christians for a while and are struggling in their relationship with God. For me a relationship works two ways in terms of communication and so a huge part of my relationship with God is conversing with Him daily (and that isn't just me pray for an hour then listen for an hour - thats one of us say something - the other respond etc). I know we all have individual relationships with God but I'm pretty sure this sort of thing is key to growing in spiritual maturity. Thoughts?

Every day I receive a Devotion from Christian Women Today. This was yesterdays:

by Suzanne Benner

How do you define blessing? Do material possessions, such as a comfortable home, the latest gadgets and stylish clothes, determine whether or not you are blessed? Or does blessing refer to less tangible items like fulfillment in work, a healthy body or a sense of purpose in life? Is blessing simply a stroke of luck or good fortune? Does it apply only to people living in the western hemisphere of the world? Surely, blessing from God would include children, a satisfying marriage, and close friendships. Yet, if we are honest, we will acknowledge that we don't have answers for those who lack these "blessings" that we presume are ours. You know someone -- maybe it's you -- who has longed for children, but remains barren; who has ached to be married but remains single; who has suffered pain from a chronic illness that doctors can't alleviate; who although they are faithful to God have endured financial devastation, the agony of divorce, or the death of a child. Maybe we lack a response because our assumptions are incorrect. I was stunned by how Peter defined blessing from God in one of his sermons. "When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways" (Acts 3:26). Peter describes blessing as being turned from evil. God blessed us by sending Jesus to reveal the truth of our wicked and deceitful behavior, to change the direction of our lives. We are incredibly blessed by God when He opens our eyes to the sin in our lives, so that we can turn to Him. That is the blessing that every believer experiences. Consider your idea of blessing and thank God for turning you from sin.

Does this line up with your understanding of being blessed? It didn't with mine!

Hello world!

Hellllllllloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!

Yes I am back. We are currently onto our third modem in the flat in one week and I have had virtually no internet at home since my last posting so while the withdrawal symptoms have well and truly died down blogging once again is a novelty =).

I really have very little to say tonight other than watch this space and please pray as I am struggling a little with fatigue after being horribly sick during probably the busiest week of the year so far and now the semerster has dawned to find me yet again near the end of my tether. Be that as it may at least God is strong in my weakness!!!

luv Cat