Listening to Sermon Podcasts

If you work at a desk all day and have the opportunity to listen music or podcasts, listening to sermons are a very good way to pass the day. I really am thankful for the opportunity to have God’s Word planted in my heart while I am working on the computer. As of late I’ve been following the “Kickstart” sermon series by Fresh Life Church. I’ve found that following a sermon series during the week is very beneficial:

• God’s Word cleanses my mind, my motives – me! We all are in a constant tug of war between our new creation in Christ and our flesh nature. I’ve found that after I listen to sermons that I interact with others in a more Christ like manner and it also reminds me of the real focus of my life. It also gives me scripture to meditate on that day and throughout the week.
• As we listen to God’s Word declared and are cleansed by His Truth we are drawn “closer” to Him. Although God is everywhere at once and we can never get away from Him – believer or not – there is a difference between resisting Him/being complacent vs seeking Him. When we are abiding IN Him and relying UPON Him then we experience His presence more.
• While abiding in God’s Spirit is very refreshing and seriously the best thing I’ve EVER experienced…I’ve found that I need to be careful that my motivation for getting into God’s presence shouldn’t be that “euphoric” feeling or sense of closeness to God. What a clever twist to watch out for! Seeking God – is about God, about finding Him and being transformed by Him to glorify Him. The more we enjoy God’s presence and the more we hungrily feast on Him instead of trying to fulfill our appetite other ways -the more God is glorified!
• Being “closer” to God allows us to be led by Him, to Hear His voice. His word is a lamp unto our feet. As we are transformed by the entire renewal of our minds (Romans 12:1-2) then we will begin to operate within God’s will for our lives – being able to discern what that is. God’s will always brings glory to Him. There is a reason you and I are still on earth and it’s not about getting a raise or making it to the weekend – it’s about the Great Commission (Mark 15 – 18) which is about making the Gospel known to everyone.

Dear Heavenly Father, Please teach me through your Word, cleanse my heart and my mind. Please fill me With Your spirit and help me to have discernment and wisdom from You. Humble me, change me, transform me all for your glory and use me as your vessel to share Your gospel with others. In Jesus’ name amen.

Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.
Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.
 Help me abandon my shameful ways;
for your regulations are good.
Psalm 119:36-39

I have considered my ways and have turned my steps toward Your statutes.
I will hasten and no delay to obey Your commands.
Psalm 119:59-60

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Psalm 119:105

Isaiah 50 – a Summary

Instead of checking our email/facebook/texts first thing in the morning how about first checking what message God has for us? God has something to say to us everyday, in fact he’d like to hang out and have a conversation with us as we listen to Him through scripture study and meditation and as we talk to Him with our prayers and worship. This conversation can last throughout the day as He sends us messages and opens our eyes and ears to Him. We just have to respond in obedience and get that conversation started! Let’s not rebel or withdraw from Him but instead run to His open arms with everything within us!

For example, today I made that decision to obey Him and put Him numero uno! In spite of some plans that I had for the day I humbled myself before God and recognized that time and life are entrusted to me from God and belong to Him, not me. Obeying Him and spending that time the way He wants me to instead of putting myself first is something God is talking to me about lately. This morning I opened the word to Isaiah 50 and sure enough God had some awesome things to teach me today through it! In fact more than one thing and I’m soooo glad I obeyed Him and spent the time with Him! On a side note, I just got a phone call that the event I was supposed to attend was cancelled…of course God knew what He was doing when He told me to dig into the word and trust Him with the time to get ready to go! I just had to have faith and believe Him…trust Him…rely on Him.

Isaiah 50 is…beautiful.

Summary
It starts out with God pointing out that our separation from Him is not irrevocable because He, Who can dry up rivers with a mere rebuke and He Who controls the weather, is mighty enough to ransom us from our slavery to sin and death. I learned in my Bible’s study notes that the reason why God was asking for the certificate of divorce was to point out that there wasn’t one. This was significant because the controversial certificate used by the Israelites was irrevocable and permanent. However, our seemingly hopeless condition of sin is, through His power and might, redeemable.

God then goes onto describe the means of this ransom through the Messianic prophecy in verses 4-9. This was particularly special that God chose to teach me through this chapter this morning because I listened to two sermons this week where the pastor talked about Jesus setting His face like flint towards the cross. I knew I’d heard that before and I was pretty sure it was a fulfillment of prophecy but I wasn’t sure where in scripture that was. Well God knew I was wondering about that and well He showed me where the prophecy was! (:

The chapter finishes by asking who of mankind will fear and obey God – trusting and relying on Him instead of ourselves.

Continuing the Conversation
I had a really good conversation with God this morning and he convicted me of some areas in my life through this chapter. He also encouraged me and gave me hope.

Originally I ended this blog post saying I was going to be adding two more posts going into more depth. Although I did do a lot of research into the new testament scriptures that correspond with Isaiah 50 I feel like God is telling me that He and I had a very important, meaningful time of growth with this chapter but that He wants me to move forward to some other things in my Bible study so I’ve done that. I want to follow His leading in writing this blog – its His Whisper I’m seeking and wanting to proclaim – not my own voice.