Introducing... Responding to God s Voice

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3 Introducing... Responding to God s Voice One of the key ingredients to hearing and discerning the voice of God is knowledge of God s Word. When this knowledge moves from a casual knowledge to a familiar knowledge, and from a familiar knowledge to an integrated knowledge, it increases hearing, discerning and responding to God s voice with assurance. At Westgate Alliance Church, over the past number of years, we have been increasing our time in God s Word by engaging in the Reading to Grow ministry. This year s 40 Days of Prayer will take the scripture passages assigned for reading in Reading to Grow and assist us in responding to God s voice. This means that we need to read with listening ears we need to say, This is God s voice speaking in this passage of scripture - and then respond to His voice. Of course, there are other ways to enhance our hearing abilities. One such way is to memorize scripture. This can really assist us in praying scripture, which directly places our prayers close to the heart of God, as we are basically praying God s Word back to Him. I believe that by engaging scripture, your heart will be warmed by the Spirit of God. The next forty days will be the beginning of something fresh from God. Enjoy the time! Pastor Frank Jeske Acknowledgements: Cover Design: Al Willems Daily Devotionals: Lorraine Willems 2013 Editors: Carol Klassen, Norma Seidel, Al Willems

4 Matthew 6:5-13 Prayer Posture Humility

5 Monday, February 25 Ask to hear God s Voice: Heavenly Father, I ask that You open my eyes to see Your message to me from Your word so that I can obey it in the power of the Holy Spirit. Read God s Word: Write out key thoughts as you read these passages. Leviticus 16:29-18:30 Mark 7:24-8:10 Psalm 41:1-13 Proverbs 10:15-16 Food for Thought Leviticus 16:29-18:30 - God, as the sovereign author and proprietor of nature, reserved the blood for Himself and allowed men only to use it as a part of their sacrifices (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary). Mark 7:24-8:10 - This Gentile woman, living under the Greek government and probably speaking the Greek language, was by birth a Syro-Phoenician, born in that country, and descended from the ancient Canaanites. She understood that, in comparing the Jews to the children of God's family, and the heathen to the dogs without, [Jesus] simply used the customary language of a Jew. He would bring out fully the greatness of her faith. The gospel was offered first to the Jews and then to all (People s New Testament). Psalm 41: King David celebrates the blessedness of those who are considerate of the poor, conduct [which] strongly contrasted with the spite of his enemies and neglect of his friends in his calamity. He prays for God's mercy... and, in confidence of relief and that God will vindicate his cause, he closes with a doxology (Jamieson- Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary). Proverbs 10:15 - Rich people's wealth exposes them to many dangers; while a poor man may live comfortably, if he is content, keeps a good conscience, and lives by faith (Matthew Henry Concise Commentary). My Response: I will do the following today.

6 Tuesday, February 26 Ask to hear God s Voice: O God, forgive me for my sin and wash me clean, so that I come to You ready to respond to Your Word with clean hands and a pure heart. Read God s Word: Write out key thoughts as you read these passages. Leviticus 19:1-20:21 Mark 8:11-38 Psalm 42:1-11 Proverbs 10:17 Food for Thought Leviticus 19:1-20:21- This is a call to holy living by the Lord God. The Israelites were to pattern their lives according to these laws which brought them into a lifestyle of holiness. Mark 8: Peter states, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed One. Psalm 42: Thirst for God can not be quenched by anyone or anything short of a life lived close to God. Proverbs 10:17 - A person who obeys God s Word as his guide for life will not stray from God s path. My Response: Today, I ask You, O Holy Spirit, to fill me so that I can obey God. He is asking me to

7 Wednesday, February 27 Ask to hear God s Voice: O God, I declare You to be God of all of my life today. I invite You to speak to me so that I can live to please You in the hours ahead. Read God s Word: Write out key thoughts as you read these passages. Leviticus 20:22-22:16 Mark 9:1-29 Psalm 43:1-5 Proverbs 10:18 Food for Thought Leviticus 20:22-22:16 - The call to holiness is a call to be like the one true God who is holy. We are to live with God s desires and direction central in our lives, and evident to all around us that we are choosing to set aside our wishes and choices for those that please and honor Him. Mark 9: The disciples see Jesus transfigured after they join Him for a night of prayer (see Luke 9:28). Psalm 43:1-5 - No matter what our circumstance, we can tell God all about it, as He is our source of hope and life. Proverbs 10:18 - Lying, hatred and slander are used by fools. My Response: During these readings, I have been challenged about. My response today is.

8 Thursday, February 28 Ask to hear God s Voice: O God, I invite You to speak to me as I open Your Word today. Sharpen my mind and calm my spirit so that I hear Your agenda for this day. Read: Write out key thoughts as you read these passages. Leviticus 22:17-23:44 Mark 9:30-10:12 Psalm 44:1-8 Proverbs 10:19 Food for Thought Leviticus 22:17-23:44 - God gives a message to Moses, who passes it on to the priests and the people of Israel, on how to worship God through sacrifices and days of rest. Mark 9:30-10:12 - After Jesus tells His disciples about His death and resurrection, He teaches about the importance of serving others, and His view of divorce and remarriage. Psalm 44:1-8 - After reviewing how God had worked victoriously for Israel in earlier times, the Psalmist declares his trust in God and not in his own ability or strength. Proverbs 10:19 - The more you talk, the easier it is to talk yourself into sinful actions. My Response: Through today s readings, God has said..

9 Friday, March 1 Ask to hear God s Voice: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Open my spiritual eyes as I read Your Word, so that I can live today to please You. Read God s Word: Write out key thoughts as you read these passages. Leviticus 24:1-25:46 Mark 10:13-31 Psalm 44:9-26 Proverbs 10:20-21 Food for Thought: Leviticus 24:1-25:46 - God teaches: cursing God and blaspheming His name results in death. Mark 10: Jesus stated that, along with the blessings in this life, His disciples can expect persecutions, followed by an eternity with Him. Psalm 44: The Psalmist details the present trouble he is facing and prays that God will intervene. Proverbs 10: Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but obtain their own ruin. (The Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible) My Response: O God, thank You for.

10 Saturday, March 2 Ask to hear God s Voice: O God, I ask for wisdom to understand Your message to me today. Read: Write out key thoughts as you read these passages. Leviticus 25:47-27:13 Mark 10:32-52 Psalm 45:1-17 Proverbs 10:22 Food for Thought: Leviticus 25:47-27:13 - God rewards both the obedient and the disobedient according to their choices. The obedient receive rewards while the disobedient are punished. After God has set the blessing before them which would make them a happy people if they would be obedient, He here sets the curse before them, the evils which would make them miserable (The Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible). Mark 10: When the blind man discovers that Jesus can hear him, he calls out for His help. Jesus gives him sight and he immediately begins to walk with Jesus. Psalm 45: King Jesus deserves to be praised. He is honored most by hearts that are prepared to worship, rather than lovely voices singing without heart or intention. Proverbs 10:22 - Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (The Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible). My Response: Today I need to remember to

11 Sunday, March 3 Ask to hear God s Voice: O God, You are my God, and I praise You today. May I hear Your Word clearly so that my mind can be renewed and I can live to please You. Read: Write out key thoughts as you read these passages. Leviticus 27:14 - Numbers 1:54 Mark 11:1-26 Psalm 46:1-11 Proverbs 10:23 Food for Thought Leviticus 27:14 - Numbers 1:54 - The book of Numbers begins with God ordering Moses to number the people. He then tells Moses who is to assist him in the process. The enumeration is then completed and the total of each tribe and the sum total of all together are given. Only the Levites were exempt. Mark 11: Following His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus goes to the Temple and declares that He wants it to be a House of Prayer. He then teaches principles on prayer. Psalm 46: God is a refuge to those who have invited Him to be King and Lord in their lives. Proverbs 10:23 Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good (The Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible). My Response: O God, in the light of what I have read today, I ask Your Holy Spirit to fill and give me the power to obey You as I.

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