I recently had the opportunity and the privilege to
speak during a recent valley Women’s retreat. I challenged the women who sat
before me with one simple question……Are you listening? The title of the
workshop I taught was Encounter, and we explored the three C’s of an Encounter
with Christ. We first looked at the Challenge, (what gets in our way) the Conversation, (what does
that look like) and the Conversion (how does it change you). Each day brings
about many opportunities to see and hear from Christ but understand, you need
to be intentional about seeking them out.
Ultimately,
our greatest duty as believers is to know Him so we can make Him known.
Over the years I have met with, mentored, and sat in
counsel with fellow women and one statement in particular has been stressed by
the masses……”I just cannot hear Him Stef. How do I fix this?” My answer remains
the same each and every time I respond. When
do you take the time to listen?
It is imperative that in order to SEE Him,
you make an intentional effort to SEEK Him.
Hebrews 6:1-3 tells us “So let us stop going over the basics of
Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our
understanding. Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance
of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need
further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of
the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to
further understanding.”
Certain elementary teachings are essential for all
believers to understand. However, we are not designed to remain in a place of
first encounter, we are required to dig deeper and move beyond these basics and
into a more mature understanding of the faith. In turn, this allows for your
personal relationship with Christ to remain nurtured and flourish.
Each one of us travels an individual road at an
individual speed, but I ask you this…..Are you the same person of faith
currently than what you were a year ago, or even six months ago? Do you desire
to explore the road God has planned for your relationship with Him, or do you
find yourself constantly getting in the car but never igniting the engine? No
matter what your current level may be, it is so important that you
intentionally seek out time with the Father on a daily basis. Make it a point
to surround yourself with people more mature in the faith where you can draw
from their Spirit filled well, and also people you can turn around and pour His
waters into. Only then can the full circle of Christ be revealed, deepened and
solidified. If you are reading this today and Christ has filled you with
conviction, I want to encourage you to act upon that. Convictions Carry with them Change, and when you understand that
your relationship with Christ is the most rewarding relationship you will EVER
have, your life will NEVER be the same!
In Revelation 3:20-21 Jesus is preaching to the church
in Laodicea and says “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me
calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.
I will invite everyone who is victorious to sit with me on my throne, just as I
was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”
The Laodicean church had become complacent, so “busy”
relishing in what the world had to offer they had missed many opportunities to
see and experience Christ. It comes down to this friends, if you find yourself
feeling indifferent to church, God, or even to His Word you have begun to shut
Him out of your life. Only by leaving the door of your heart open to Him, can
you guarantee that your own actions do not drown out His voice.
So, what’s it going to be? Are YOU ready to listen?
He’s knocking, are you answering the door?
~Stef
http://youtu.be/zBUQqLp6N24
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