God Speaks (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain,

God Speaks

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. –Hebrews 1:1-2 

Our generation is preoccupied with methods. When we find a program that works in one business, we immediately want to package and distribute it so that it will work for others. This attitude carries over into the spiritual life as well. We spend much energy looking for spiritual disciplines, books, seminars, or conferences that work in order to feel satisfied with our Christian life. God does not want us to trust in methods. He wants us to trust in Him.

Trusting in methods rather than in a Person seriously limits the way we experience God. When we expect Him to speak to us only in predictable ways, we forget that God is much more complex than our perception of Him. In times past God spoke in dreams and visions. He used nature; miraculous signs; prophets; a still, small voice; fire; trumpets; fleece; and angels. He spoke in the middle of the night, during worship services, at mealtimes, during funerals, while people were walking along the road, through sermons, in the middle of a storm, and through His Son.

The important thing was not how God communicated but that He spoke. If God always spoke to us through dreams, we would remain in our beds awaiting a divine revelation! The means God uses to communicate with us is irrelevant; the fact that He is communicating is critical.

Don’t limit yourself to a method, expecting only to hear from your Father in predictable ways. Rather, open yourself up to other means by which God wants to commune with you. Allow the Holy Spirit to sensitize you to God’s message at all times, in very location, under any circumstance. Then you will experience God in entirely new dimensions as you are receptive to His voice.

REFLECTION

Has God spoken to you in some way other than through His Word, the chief means by which He speaks?
What was God’s latest communication to you? How did you respond?

PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of May 18, 2008

FOR CHURCH WORK and THOSE WHO SERVE

We thank God for Julie Paluch, as she has answered our call to serve as our Kindergarten teacher.  Please continue to keep Julie in your prayers as she transitions to a new job and a new home.

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

God we thank You for your continuous love and blessings.  May we remember that we are Your chosen people, to serve with a willing heart.

FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD

We pray for the people of China who have suffered loss of over 19,000 lives. Provide protection from harm as they have lost their homes, property, and access to basic needs due to the devastation of the earthquake. Thank you for allowing aid from other countries to reach them so quickly.

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.-- Hebrews 6:10-12 

In Christ,
Paul Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church
 

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