When God Whispers

Posted on June 5, 2021 by KD Manes under God's Call, Uncategorized

“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹²And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
~ 1 Kings 19:11-12

I wonder if God’s gentle whisper completely surprised the prophet Elijah. It’s possible he had only known God’s justice. For God had called him to confront an evil king, his court, and corrupt priesthood. Elijah’s call wasn’t easy, but with it he experienced God’s awesome might and power, like the time God flashed fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:36-38). God not only worked miracles through Elijah, but would also whisk him away in a moment’s notice to the next mission (1 Kings 18:12). Up until hearing God whisper, Elijah’s interaction with Him seems to highlight His wrath. Maybe Elijah didn't know God's mercy.

After defeating Baal’s prophets, Elijah fearfully ran from the furious Queen Jezebel to Beersheba, then into the desert, and finally to Mount Horeb, which was also known as Mount Sinai. One doesn’t have to be in a crowd to hear noise. Besides the loud beating of his heartbeat, I imagine Elijah’s initial adrenalin rush filled his head and heart with the noisy anxious thoughts that spiraled into his state of despair.

But why was Elijah set on going to Sinai? Why travel over 200 miles‒in a state of exhaustion‒to a mountain that literally shook violently from God’s presence centuries earlier when the nation of Israel returned and received God’s laws (Exodus 19:1-3,18)?

This sacred mountain was a constant reminder of God’s words and promises. It was here that God met Moses and commissioned him to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10). (Interestingly, centuries later, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus would once again meet together on a mountaintop, Luke 9:28-36.)

Even though God questioned Elijah twice, “What are you doing here?” first on his solo trek across the desert, and then again at Mt. Sinai, He knew Elijah’s heart. God’s question brought clarity to Elijah’s troubled mind.

Lonely and discouraged, Elijah believed the lie that he was the only one left who was still true to God. In desperation, he determined to hear God’s voice, even if it meant an arduous journey to this sacred place, Mount Sinai, where his ancestors heard from God.

And though God knew Elijah was immersing himself in self-pity, I think it pleased Him that Elijah was seeking after Him. He sustained him by counseling him to take a good nap, and then eat supernatural food, angel food cake. 🙂 Thus giving him energy for the forty days and nights journey, (1 Kings 19).

Upon arrival at Sinai, Elijah obeyed God by standing on the mountain in His presence. As he waited and experienced the terrifying wind, earthquake, and fire, he realized that God wasn’t in these dramatic displays. He also realized, perhaps for the first time, that the sound of the gentle whisper was God’s voice.

God doesn’t reveal Himself only in dramatic, powerful ways. How many times do we miss Him when our focus is finding Him in big rallies, conferences, churches, and/or highly visible leaders?

How many times have I missed God’s voice from my own busy activities? How many times have I rushed through my Bible reading and prayer requests without taking time to quiet my thoughts and be still, allowing God to speak to me? Too many times. . . too many forfeited blessings.

Thankfully, we don’t have to trek to a mountain to meet with God. As born again believers, we have His indwelt Holy Spirit who is always with us. The location of worship and fellowship with God isn’t nearly as important as our attitude.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross proves His deep desire is for us to know Him and commune with Him. Do you struggle to hear God’s voice? If you haven’t already, try implementing these practical steps:

Spend time with God every day. It takes time and work to develop a relationship. The same is true with God. “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly,” Psalm 5:3

Pray. Ask God to help you hear His voice; to show how He speaks and that He would reveal himself to you. Ask Him to reveal any unconfessed sin. If He does, ask for forgiveness and turn away from the sinful activity that has broken fellowship with Him.

Join a church. Grow together with other believers.

Journal. What is God is laying on your heart? Record it in a notebook. Be slow to judge a thought or impression too quickly. After a few weeks or months, read it again. Does it align with God’s character? A trusted mentor or Christian friend can sometimes be helpful in discerning experiences.

Study the Bible. This is God’s infallible, anointed WORD. We need to be in it on a regular basis to know what it says. Join a Bible study group. Follow a daily Bible reading plan. When God’s Word is your foundation, you can discern if what you’ve heard is from God or not. If it doesn’t align with Scriptural principles, it isn’t from God.

Pray about everything you’ve heard the Lord say. Do I need to take action now? Is this something in the future? Do I need to surrender something? Ask the Lord what He wants you to do with His revealed word.

Be patient. Like anything else in life, it takes time and work to discern God’s voice. I’ve never heard God’s audible voice, but He speaks to me often. He brings peace, comfort, guidance, and even conviction.

“Lord, thank you for your incredible patience. Thank you that you want to fellowship with me. Although you are powerful and mighty, You are also a friend of silence. Your very creation‒flowers, trees, the moon and stars‒not only witness to your powerful creativity, but also grow and move in silence. Quiet my rumbling anxious thoughts. Help me to wait on you, humbly listen, and then obey.”

Five Habits of Highly Missional People: Eat Together

Posted on June 29, 2019 by KD Manes under God's Call, Uncategorized

Last week, the focus of my post was on ways Christians can intentionally bless others. We can do this in three simple ways: 1) words of affirmation, 2) acts of kindness, and 3) giving a gift. Did you take the challenge of blessing three people during the week, one of whom is not a member of your church? If it slipped your mind, no worries, we have a new week coming up! Along with this challenge, I have added one more for you at the end of this post. I think you’re going to like it. 🙂

Highly Missional People Habit #2: Eat Together

Yes, you read those words correctly. Highly missional people intentionally eat together. In our highly digital world, connecting face to face is becoming a rare, but treasured feat. Honestly, I feel challenged in this area. My breakfast is usually on the run, lunch is eaten during work break, and dinner is a toss-up between a family meal and/or snacks at a baseball game. But in reality, grabbing a snack or drink with someone at a ball game is easily attainable. After all, everyone needs to eat and drink. And most of us eat at least three times a day, which equates to 21 meals a week.

Eating together has been a common practice among Christians since the beginning of God’s church. Sharing a meal together is one of the primary ways where people connect not only with God, but also with others. It’s a place where relationships begin and flourish. When we take the time to eat together, we are showing the other person that we care enough about them to live ordinary life with them. It satisfies our need to know and be known through face-to-face conversation.

In his book, Surprise the World!, Michael Frost shares a posed question: How would you complete the following sentence: ‘The Son of Man came . . . ?” There are three ways that the New Testament completes that sentence: while the first two are well known, the third is surprising:

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, ESV).
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10, ESV).
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking” (Luke 7:34).

While the first two oft-quoted verses tell us about Jesus’ purpose in coming—to serve, to give his life as a ransom, to seek and save the lost—the third describes his method. How did Jesus come? He came eating and drinking.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, we see him reclining “at the table” while interacting with common people and sinners as He furthers His kingdom work. This is also where true community and genuine fellowship among His disciples developed (Luke 5:29; 7:36; 11:37; 14:15). The early church gathered regularly in homes to “break bread together” as a practical expression of their fellowship in Christ (Acts 2:46). The Apostles also exhort us to show hospitality (Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9). (A great article on hospitality can be found here: A Meal Says More Than You Think: The Importance of Hospitality.)

Finally, God declares that eating together is important through the depiction of the great marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 9:6-10). Joyous, soul-quenching eternal communion with God and our brothers and sisters in Christ is detailed through the sharing of a meal together.

Weekly Challenge

So here’s our challenge for this week:

Bless three people, at least one of whom is not a member of your church.
Eat with three people, at least one of whom is not a member of your church. It doesn’t have to be a big fancy meal. If you’re a coffee lover, go ahead and have that cup of coffee with that person who has been on your mind.

Happy New Year!

Posted on December 31, 2018 by KD Manes under Uncategorized

I hope that joy and peace graced your Christmas. I also hope you have managed to find some rest time, especially if you have a house full of kids.:) Reflecting on this past year, I’ve found myself enjoying lots of our kids’ sporting events. Other highlights from 2018 include:

Cameron’s high school graduation, (our oldest son). He attends Grand Canyon University and loves it.
Eric and I celebrated our 22^ndwedding anniversary in Coeur d’Alene, ID in June.
Our family enjoyed a vacation in Whitefish, Montana and visiting Glacier National Park in July. We spent our time hiking, mountain biking, ziplining, and viewing some beautiful scenery.

God has graciously blessed our family in many ways, for which I’m grateful. He has also led me into some new ministry terrain that is challenging and rewarding at the same time.

I am also starting a new business called L&L Abode. So far my products comprise canvas and mugs with pictures that I photograph and/or digitally create. But I plan on adding more products and variety in the near future. (If you’re interested in checking it out, this link will take you to my store: L&L Abode.)

As you reflect on this past year and set your sights on new horizons, I hope and pray that God makes His will clear for you and that you see his hand at work in your life. We can trust God in the year ahead, for he has good plans for our future. The following Bible verses, shared by Mary Fairchild, are grounds for excitement!

NEW BIRTH – A LIVING HOPE

Salvation in Jesus Christ represents new birth — a transformation of who we are. The start of a new year is a great time to reflect on the new and living hope we have in this life and in the life to come:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3, NIV)

A NEW CREATION

This passage describes a transformation that will eventually lead to the full enjoyment of eternal life in the new heavens and new earth. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection introduce followers of Jesus Christ to a foretaste of the new world to come.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)

A NEW HEART

Believers are not merely changed externally, they undergo a radical renewal of heart. This total cleansing and transformation reveal the holiness of God to an unholy world:

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command. (Ezekiel 36:25-27, NLT)

FORGET THE PAST – LEARN FROM MISTAKES

Christians aren’t perfect. The more we grow in Christ, the more we realize how far we have to go. We can learn from our mistakes, but they are in the past and need to stay there. We look forward toward the resurrection. We keep our eyes on the prize. And by maintaining our focus on the goal, we are pulled heavenward.

Both discipline and perseverance are required to accomplish this objective.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT)

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:10-11, NIV)

WAIT ON THE LORD – GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT

We can be content and wait for God’s timing, for it is sure to be the right time. By waiting and trusting patiently, we gain quiet strength:

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7, NLT)

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (Isaiah 40:31, NASB)

Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 21, 2018 by KD Manes under Uncategorized

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” – Isaiah 9:6-7

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!

Why We Need Advent

Posted on December 7, 2018 by KD Manes under Uncategorized

Ten Old Testament Prophecies fulfilled by Jesus’ birth as recorded in the New Testament.

Don’t celebrate Christmas too early. Before unleashing the joyful revelry of the holiday, enter a season that readies your heart for the celebration. . . . Wake up on Christmas morning with a hard-fought hope grown out of a rich season of spiritual preparation. That’s what Advent is all about.” -Scott James

Scott James is the author of the Advent devotional book, The Expected One, and The Littlest Watchman, an Advent book for children. Scott reminds us that it is important to prepare our hearts for the Christmas celebration. Advent also reminds us of the people of God awaiting the promised Messiah and “helps us hone those same sentiments as we await his second coming.”

You may read Scott’s post here: Why We Need Advent. Blessings!