I Trust the One I Hear

Today’s Reading:

• Genesis 15:1-17:27

Faith-Stretching Verse(s):

• Then the LORD said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith. – Genesis 15:4-6, NLT

Thoughts:
I’m playing catch-up, so I’ll be brief.

Part of the reason I believe what I believe, to be honest, is personal experience. I believe the God I hear.

No, I don’t hear God’s voice audibly. And if I did, I would probably double-guess my hearing so often that the experience would be more painful than blissful. But when I’m reading the Old and New Testament Scriptures, I hear God. And just as some would argue that I can prove my existence because “I think, therefore I am,” I would argue that, “I hear, therefore He is.” Let alone, “I am, therefore He is.” But I won’t get into that argument here.

I hear. Therefore He is. When I read this passage, where God announces the incredible to an aging, childless man, I hear God announcing the incredible for me. Not the same incredible. I’m not going to be the father of celestial numbers of descendants. But all the same, that promise was for me because I am one of the descendants who gets to receive God’s blessings.

People are still hearing God today. I’m one of them. And because I hear, I believe. Do you hear Him?

For an overview of this year’s blog, please see http://threequartertank.blogspot.com/2011/01/why-do-believers-believe.html.

Mother Mary vs. You and Me

ALL – Psalm 77:1-20
ALL – Proverbs 12:18
OT – Deuteronomy 28:1-68
NT – Luke 11:14-36

Have you ever wondered how much of a blessing it would have been to be Jesus’ mother Mary, or perhaps to be Joseph, her husband? Were they such special people that they deserved this honor more than all others? Should we give them special respect, special attention, special awe? Where do you and I stand in God’s sight, compared to Mary?

As [Jesus] was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came and the breasts that gave you suck!” He replied, “Yes, but even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice.” – Luke 11:27-28, The Living Bible

Make no mistake. Mary was blessed to be Jesus’ mother. Joseph was blessed to be called His father. But there is a blessing far greater than the blessing of being Jesus’ parents, and the blessing is available to you and me. It is a blessing which God bestows on all who not only hear His Word, but also put it into practice.

What’s keeping you from pursuing the blessing of God today?

Please find the rest of this week's readings below. To review the Bible reading plan options, please visit http://tinyurl.com/yj2o7jz.

April 6, 2010

ALL – Psalm 78:1-31
ALL – Proverbs 12:19-20
OT – Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20
NT – Luke 11:37-12:7

April 7, 2010

ALL – Psalm 78:32-55
ALL – Proverbs 12:21-23
OT – Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27
NT – Luke 12:8-34

April 8, 2010

ALL – Psalm 78:56-64
ALL – Proverbs 12:24
OT – Deuteronomy 32:28-52
NT – Luke 12:35-59

April 9, 2010

ALL – Psalm 78:65-72
ALL – Proverbs 12:25
OT – Deuteronomy 33:1-29
NT – Luke 13:1-21

April 10, 2010

ALL – Psalm 79:1-13
ALL – Proverbs 12:26
OT – Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24
NT – Luke 13:22-14:6

April 11, 2010

ALL – Psalm 80:1-19
ALL – Proverbs 12:27-28
OT – Joshua 3:1-4:24
NT – Luke 14:7-35

Weekly Sermons in Swanton: The Advent and Joy

The message covered Luke 2:1-20, and it can be heard via streaming audio at http://www.swantonalliance.org. Follow the shepherds' journey of joy, from hearing to experiencing to sharing the joy burning within them. Note: Past sermons can be accessed through the resources page.