Hearing From God: We Know in Part

LIFE (Living In Fellowship Everyday):  We are on a relational Journey--Greater connection with God and people.

The Word of God is our Light that dispels darkness.  Tonight we are going to explore God's Word to remind ourselves that sometimes God is silent.  We only know in part, so our faith must lead the way.

READ: Matt 28:18-20  God has promised to be with us--The Great Commission (Matt 28:20) All authority in heaven and earth...so go...making disciples...baptizing...following my commandments...I am with you!
Jesus has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us.

READ: Isaiah 42:16  Servant of the Lord. God wants us to grow to the point where the inner witness--our "knowing"--is just as valuable as our hearing from God.
Our blindness and deafness can be a physical or spiritual problem.
Someone can have 20/20 vision, but be spiritually blind to the love and work of God.
Sometimes we must rest in our inner knowing for a season

READ:  Proverbs 3:5-6
"Lean"  sense of putting your whole weight on something; resting and trusting
Not just trust our own thoughts w/o gaining the wisdom of others
MULL it OVER
Mary experience:  "Mary, Press in and Lean on"

   In mid-March of this last year, I had been asked to officiate the wedding of a dear friend's son.  It had been planned for a long time.  The week preceding this wedding, however, was a week from hell!  I mean that sincerely.  I had no idea how I was going to pull myself together in order to celebrate this wedding the way I wanted; I wanted to be strong and confident...I was struggling to find those things in me.  I began to pray that I might hear from the Lord; gain His strength and confidence.  By faith, I moved forward putting one foot ahead of the other.  God met me with every step.  The tears stopped, the strength came, and I stood confident in Christ.  That grace covered me until I left the reception.  On the drive home, I began to cry all over again.  I prayed seeking God to again deliver me.  God called my name, then four words came into my spirit in a way that could not be mistaken.  It was such a strong rhema word that I found myself saying the words aloud, "Mary, press in lean on."  It took me a few days, but God began to take me to the scriptures that called every Christian to this posture of trust.  Press in to a new place, a new level, in God and you will find Him.  Lean on His might and His understanding...not yours.  Daily, I began to find a place of rest, again.  The rest that can only come from a vital relationship with God; because Christ is the Vine of Life--fellowship. 

  
Trust isn't needed if you and I have all the answers!
Hebrew meaning of "trust"  (be bold, confident secure, and sure)
Silent Times:  Must lean on God's character.  "Who is He; Who has He been in my life"
It is not uncommon to have certain portions of life going smooth...and other areas falling apart!!! 
Always some area of life that requires trust.
 the best of times; worst of times; all at the same time
"Don't define the love of God by your circumstances...Define your circumstances by the love of God.
You must know that God loves you.

READ:  I Corinthians 13:9-10  We are not going to know it all! We know in part!
• Let's look at the life of Abraham-- Genesis 12:1-4  he heard from God to "Go"
• Let's look at the life of David--I Samuel 16:13   he is anointed king and then pursued--Saul tried to kill him. (Samuel anointed David king)
• Let's look at the life of Joseph --Genesis 37:5-10 --has a dream and finds himself in prison--falsely accused.
• The Clash:  Should I Stay or Should I Go--God you gotta let me know...should I stay or should I go?
• Step by step:  it is our process right now; requires faith and determination to pursue God.

Our FAITH and PRAYERS must stretch us...God is not predictable.

SO, YOU BETTER LISTEN, BECAUSE GOD MAY BE TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!