What Gets Between You and God

What Gets Between You and God by Rick Warren “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.”(James 1:21 NLT) We’ve all noticed that the quality of reception on a cell phone varies widely. The same is true with you. You must be positioned correctly in order to hear God speak. Sometimes we never give God a chance to talk to us. We’ve made up our minds. We want to do what we want to do, not what God wants us to do. Our hearts are hardened, and we’re unwilling to listen. When you have a closed mind, of course he’s not going to talk to you! But if you really want to hear from God — and what believer doesn’t? — you have to understand what is keeping you from hearing from God. There are three mental barriers that keep your mind closed to God’s message. Pride. If you think you don’t need God in your life and want to handle things yourself, you’re probably not listening for God to speak. Pride keeps you from being open to the possibility that God might want to say something to you. Fear. A lot of people can’t hear God speak because they’re afraid to hear God speak. Maybe you think that hearing God’s voice makes you some kind of religious fanatic. Bitterness. When you hold on to hurt, resentment, or a grudge, then you’re not going to be able to hear God, because your heart is hardened. It has grown cold and made you defensive, even to God’s love. Some of you have been hurt badly, whether it happened this week or years ago, and you’re still holding on to it. I want to tell you that you’ve got to let it go. Not for their sake, but for your sake. The resentment is killing you! Resentment is a self-inflicted wound that allows people from your past to continue to hurt you today. You need to let it go, not because they deserve forgiveness but because you need to get on with your life. You need to get rid of the bitterness, fear, and pride that keep you from hearing God’s voice and living out his purpose for your life. James 1:21 says, “Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (NLT). “Humbly accept” means you let go of your pride and stop trying to figure it out on your own. This is the key to opening your mind and heart so that you can hear from the Lord. Talk It Over How do you hear God’s voice? In what ways has he spoken to you? What changes do you need to make in your life so that you can get rid of the “filth and evil” and hear God’s voice? Why do you think we sometimes equate hearing God’s voice with religious fanaticism? Remain in Him TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria In life, we all have ups and downs. This time of year can be especially trying for some. There are seasons that are more difficult when our character is being developed and our faith in God is being strengthened. Sometimes it can feel like you are taking two steps forward and three steps backward. If we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be this way. God doesn’t want us to live life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of stability so we can remain strong in Him. Jesus said, “I am the vine. You are the branches. If you abide in me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.” In other words, if you will just keep abiding in Him, just keep meditating on His Word, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong; He’ll keep you stable, and you’ll embrace the life of blessing He has prepared for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, today I set my heart and mind on You knowing that You are good and faithful. I trust that as I seek You and put You first, You will direct my steps. I choose to remain in You and follow Your leading in everything I do in Jesus’ name. Amen. PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOW8-9meEvM