Scripture Suggestions

In my quiet time, I am intrigued by God teaching us to listen to him. I will admit in my busyness, it is so hard to quiet my soul down. So, during my quiet time, on the sofa in the corner of our family room looking out into the woods, I will focus my heart on listening to what God desires for my heart. Here are some scriptures to focus on that listening to God process in the next few days:

New Testament Gospel Verses
John 10: 1-18. The sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Do we? Are we walking in deeper intimacy with the voice of God? When the sheep follow the shepherd they find pasture.
John 15:1-17. Jesus as the vine. We are the branches of the vine to abide in Christ and the Father’s love for us. We are called to be so intimately connected to the vine that we will bear fruit. That fruit is known in love for God and one another. Life flows from the vine to the branches to bearing fruit in this world.

Psalms/Proverbs
Psalm 32: 1-11. This talks about in vs. 8 God instructing us and teaching us in the ways we should go. If we follow him, he will counsel us and watch over us.
Psalm 42: 1-11. I love this one taking the imagery of a deer longing for flowing streams as the way we should thirst for God. There is so much more in this psalm!
Psalm 16:1-11. “You have made known to me the path of life.” Life as sheep following a shepherd has privilege and joy in following him. He will show us the path to true life if we listen to him
Psalms 119:89-111. “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (vs. 105—this is a great one to memorize!) Let the word of God be a joy of our hearts (vs. 111)

Other verses:
I Kings 19:1-18. Elijah has almost given up, tired, exhausted serving his God. God feeds him and tells him to go up to a cave to listen to God. Note in vs. 11-12 how God makes himself known in a “still, small voice.” Some say “sheer silence.” God typically doesn’t come in a theophany like a thunderbolt, lightning, an earthquake or a windstorm, but in a gentle, reassuring voice that is quiet and loving. That voice is the gentle voice of a loving shepherd.

I think that the next verses will focus on healing and restoration of our souls—knowing the peace of God that surpasses all understanding as we keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. I pray for alignment of God’s spirit to your hearts spirit this week as you long for his flowing streams. On to some prayer time!

Pr. Brian