Let's look at 1 Kings 19:11-3.
The Old Testament prophet Elijah
had just defeated
450 prophets of Baal.
The evil queen Jezebel was after him,
so he fled for his life.
He'd experirenced a great victory,
but now he was hiding in the mountains.
While he was there . . .
God spoke.
"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the Lord told him.
And as Elijah stood there the Lord passed by,
and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain;
it was such a terrible blast
that the rocks were torn loose,
but
the
Lord
was
not
in
the wind.
After the wind,
there was an earthquake,
but
the
Lord
was
not
in
the
earthquake.
And after the earthquake,
there was a fire,
but
the
lord
was
not
in
the
fire.
And after the fire,
there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
When Elijah heard it,
he wrapped his face in his scarf
and went out
and stood at the entrance of the cave."
(1 Kings 19:11-13 The Living Bible)
Elijah knew God's voice was in the whisper.
It wasn't in the tornado,
the earthquake
or the fire.
It was in the whisper.
How well do you know the voice of God?
Do you know it so well
that above the screams and cheers
at a football game,
you'll hear His voice
in the whisper
if He chooses to speak to you?
How can I learn God's voice?
By spending time with him.
When your best friend calls,
she doesn't have to identify herself.
You know it's her as soon as you hear the first utterance of her voice.
You've spent enough time with her,
you just know.
It works the same way with God.
The more you talk with Him,
the more time you spend together,
the more you read His letter to you,
the easier it becomes to hear His voice.
As you're heading into school . . .
think about all the times
God may want to speak to you.
It may be in the middle of a teacher's lecture.
Or in a crowded hallway heading to the next class.
Or by your computer as you work on home-school lessons.
When He speaks, will you hear His voice?
Get to know the voice of God!
Love you!
Susie
Wow! Thanks susie, that was really good! That is one thing that I do need to do more of. Reading the Bible and spending more time with God!
ReplyDeleteabby
Susie,
ReplyDeleteWOW! You -- or should I say God -- really spoke to me while I was reading that! That totally describes how I want my relationship with God to be. I want to be able to recognize His voice no matter what storm I'm in and no matter how loud the noise of my life has become. This may be your best post ever!
- Melissa
Thx Susie you always give me something to think about. I'm going to be a junior this year but this is going to be my first time at public school. I've been really praying for God to use me in the lives of the people I meet. But I know that can't happen if I'm not listening for His voice in everything I do.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie. I have heard God speaking to me before, but I have always been afraid that it was just my head. I went and read "Knowing God's Voice" by the online SUSIE mag. It was good. I did the seven day devotion, too. IT was also very good. I feel that God has spoken to me and told me what he wants me to be when I grow up, I am only in 8th Grade, but I feel like he wants me to be a musician.. kinda scary, but I know I can do it, but only if He is beside me. :)
ReplyDeletewow susie, that was really good. knowing that God is always with me, and how to know His voice. i love God and knowing Him more every day.
ReplyDeleteWow, that was an awesome post, Susie. It really hit me because today was my first day of school and I know that in the business of everything, I forgot to listen for Him. So that was a great reminder.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just have to say thank you for remembering us home-schoolers. Sometimes it bothers me when I read magazine who only take the perspective of kids who go to school because it is hard for me to see myself in it. So thanks for taking the time to remember us!
KK from IA
Thank You Susie for this post!
ReplyDeleteIt's really true. We need to be open because God puts all kinds of people in our lives to help us. Recently I've had an issue, and I've been taking it pretty badly, but my MOTHER gave me some comforting words and scripture, which has helped.
God speaks to us in so many ways even in a song. We just have to open our ears. Please pray for me and I'll pray for you!
amanda, I'll pray for you. Have you heard the song Mighty To Save by Hillsong? Listen to it...it's so good.
ReplyDeletehave a great day!
susie sis,
quinn emery
I agree with everyone above. Susie, this was AMAZING. I want my relationship with God to be that way. I am working on spending more time in prayer now, and I know that will help. Thanks so so so much! God really spoke to me through that.
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
-Esther-
I agree with KK about the homeschooling part. It is nice to know that people care about homeschoolers!! lol Speaking of school. . . prayer would be appreciated that I finish 9th grade this week. If I don't I have to redo all that I have worked toward. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteabby
You know, that is the one that a lot of us struggle with. Is it really God speaking to us, or is Satan tempting us? So many times I struggle with this and I haven't ever been able to fix it. This post helps and the article on the Susie website. I printed off the 7-day devotionals and I am super excited to see what God has in store!
ReplyDeleteAlso, it is so awesome to read about what other girls are going through and that we can pray for them! This new Susie website and blog is amazing! Thanks so much for this!
Rachel
Praying for you Abby!
ReplyDeleteKK from IA
Thanks KK! I will let you know when I finish! :D
ReplyDeleteabby
isn't it neat how we can just listen to the voice of God,how he can lead us in his own way,if we just listen through the chaos and the noise,Its Just amazing How God Can Speak to us & Leads us to do his Great works.
ReplyDeleteThanx God for your Voice, wisdom and mighty Power...
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see Your majesty
-word of God speak-mercy me
Proud to be his :0)
~nerual
well i got a blog its
ReplyDeletemagilicutty.blogspot.com
or click on my name at the top.
hey chicks i'm praying for ya guys.
i could also use some prayer.
i've got a infected lymphnode
on the side of my neck.
its really painful.
Magilicutty, loved the quote you put up! That was awesome! And I will totally be going to your blog. I am so excited that you got one! Will be praying for you!
ReplyDeleteKK from IA
Hey Magilicutty, I will be praying for you! Hope it gets better soon! :D
ReplyDeleteAwesome post as always! Love reading your thoughts on this.
ReplyDeleteMy sister had an infected lymphnode and she was in a lot of pain and had to be admited to the hospital for a couple of days so I will defenetly be praying that you feel better (And that you don't have to go to the hospital) keep us updated.
ReplyDeleteNataleigh
Nataleigh, just went to your blogs and love both of them! I can't wait until I have time to sit down and read your stories. Just reading 1/2 of the first chapter of the first book made me not want to stop! I can't wait to find out what happens!
ReplyDeleteKK from IA
I posted the first chapter of my story, 'The Journey', and three character bios.
ReplyDeletehttp://journeyfiction.blogspot.com/
this post made me realize that if God spoke, I have nooo idea if I would know it! I need to get to know Him better! Thanks, Susie!
ReplyDeleteKay
Michalea: I know how you feel! Sometimes, I'll think I'm having a real discussion with the Lord, but then I'll worry it's just me talking to myself, making up a conversation. I guess i need to get to know Him better.
ReplyDeleteK
How and when do i sign up for the sisterhood??? I'm just wondering.....^_^
ReplyDelete@Kay and K: I know what you mean!
ReplyDelete"update" -
ReplyDeleteThanx for all the Prayers i can see that god is working, swelling is going down and just gotta get rid of the sharp pain-
it means alot to me that ya guys are praying for me.thanx so much for caring!
:o)
-Magilicutty
I'm ashamed to say that in the past few years I haven't really been all that interested in hearing God's voice. I was in college, meeting guys, away from my parents...I was doing the whole "me" thing.
ReplyDeleteLooking back now, I shake my head at how incredibly selfish and silly I was. To think that I could make a better life for myself than what God could plan for me was so arrogant.
I've really been focusing on God in these past few months and listening to his voice. He's really been challenging me in the issue of obedience.
You see, for so long, I had stored up earthly treasures here on Earth, and God has really been making me see that I need to give it all away. I've been challenged in the area of my tithing...but now that I'm doing it, I know that God will take care of me.
That's what happens when one starts listening to the voice of God. He takes our distorted view of what we think we want and gives us what we didn't know that we needed. It's incredibly and so amazingly fulfilling.
Thanks for your blog posts Susie...they challenge me to think in new ways. God bless you.
Thanks Susie!! I have really been trying to hear God's voice in the midst of my hectic schedule! THanks for the encouragement!! :)
ReplyDelete~~Meg ♥♥♥
Thans for that Susie.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel like i'm not really hearing God's voice, I'm just hearing my own thought's. I think I have to spend more time in His word.
Just like a boat needs an anchor, we also need an anchor for the storms in life. Jesus not only gave His life for you on the cross but He gives you a hope of eternal life. Don't think salvation comes by yourself, hold onto what He did for you and believe!
ReplyDelete"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" Hebrews 6:19
"Isn't it amazing how each of us can be as differant as water droplets,but each of us plays a importaint part in doing the will of God." :o)
-magilicutty
This is a very good question and honestly I have no idea.
ReplyDeleteI've heard stories from the bible and real life stories like this and I simply can't relate.
I took your quiz in your magazine about this
'Speak To Me Lord." and I got the result that
I try to listen but I need to try harder.
So I made the decision to try to ask God about things before I decide them.
Wow! What an annointed post full of power. Isn't it awesome how God speaks in our lives? It really was a touching article; thanks for posting bold truth! Wonderful...
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts girls and great post Susie.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that I love reading the poems and looking at the pictures in the Creative Corner. Thanks for setting it up! : )
Allison S.
Magilicutty: Girl, you have some awesome ideas! Susie...is there any way we can submit articles for your blog?? If there were a way...Mag, you should do it, girl! You have talent! Both you and susie really make me think...thanks!
ReplyDeleteK