Edgars knew that smell anywhere. In fact, he knew it just a little too well. The 22-year-old counselor at Saturday’s Baltic Youth Festival had struggled with an alcohol problem for years before finding Christ and overcoming the addiction. So when…
Read Luke 11:27-32.
I may be the world’s worst at not being aware of what’s going on around me. If I’m reading, or watching something, or even just thinking about something else, Heather (my wife) or the girls can be talking to me – and although I look like I’m getting the message, I’ve missed absolutely everything that they’ve said!
Anyone else have this problem? You miss what someone is saying; you miss an exit driving not paying attention; you forget about something important that is going on… all because you aren’t aware.
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| There isn’t an app for what we’re talking about! |
Most of these situations we can laugh about – but what happens when we lose our awareness of the nearness of God in our life?
This is what Jesus is talking about in this passage (Luke 11:27-32) and His message is clear: Realize His presence, obey His voice, and take comfort that He is near to you.
Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep (obey) it.” The test of your awareness of God is in your obedience to His word. I know you’re hearing the word, but you have to ask yourself: What’s to show for it in my life? Am I aware of what He’s asking of me, and am I being obedient to that word? We pray, like David in Psalm 25: “Lord, teach me Your ways, so that I may be obedient to You.” And this is a part of your life that never ends. I must be continually aware, because when I stop being aware of His nearness in my life I stop growing in obedience.
Jesus goes on to give the examples of Jonah and Solomon. People were attentive to their messages and responded appropriately – yet, one greater was there and the people lost their awareness and missed their opportunity. It all comes back to awareness of what is already there. Realize God’s presence, obeyHis voice, and take comfort that He is near to you.
This isn’t just about missing the opportunity for salvation (which is where we often pigeonhole these verses). This is about being aware of His nearness in every area of your life. This is about the peace that comes when I realize that He is still with me, and the comfort He brings as He walks with me and speaks to me and lets me know that He’s still here!
I want you to receive that awareness today! When you aren’t aware you miss the blessings that He desires to bring. In your suffering, awareness of Him brings comfort and strength. In your confusion, awareness of Him brings direction and hope. In your boredom, awareness of Him brings purpose and desire. In your temptation and sin, awareness of Him brings forgiveness and new direction.
Take a moment right now, wherever you are, and ask Him to reveal His nearness to you.
Perry Stone teaches from Israel.
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