Listen for Yourself First (Oct 31)

Verses for the day

Ezek 3:10-11 Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.”

Thoughts

Through the years I have done a lot of writing. I have always enjoyed reading the Word, and sharing with others. But, I also know that, because I am often thinking about what to share with others, I don’t always really stop and let the Word sink deep into my heart. Ezekiel says here, “let my words sink deep into your own heart FIRST! Listen to them carefully FOR YOURSELF.”

Recently I have been writing down the verses that stand out to me, then journaling, as I pray through them. As I do that I come away so blessed, and am always amazed at how God ties the different verses together into a theme in my mind each day.

I have also felt Him continuing to encourage me to write. At times I have been discouraged, and felt people don’t care and don’t want to hear what I have to say. That is why I have scaled back and only write to my children, and post them to my blog. But, after the exhalation to listen carefully for yourself, Ezekiel is challenged with “Then go to your people in exile and say to them, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says.. whether they listen to you or not.:” Once again I feel the Father encouraging me to continue to write. Pray for me the He will lead me to who else to share these thoughts with.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I open your word today, and every day, may your words sink deep into my heart. This has been a very challenging time for me, but Father, don’t let me forget the lessons and don’t let me forget how I have felt. May your Word speak to my heart FIRST. But, also enable me to be your instrument to encourage others. As Miles Stanford said, “It is those who have plumbed the depths of failure to whom the Father invariably gives the call to shepherd others.” Those who have plumbed the depths… those who understand how it feels to be hurt, how loss feels, how disappointment with God feels… those are the ones whom the Father calls to shepherd others.

Listen to the Word carefully for yourself, then go share it with my people.” Help me to be more real with my writing and my sharing as a result of these last 9 months. This morning as I share on resilience and personal accountability to the orientation students, help me to be down to earth and relatable. May you speak through me this morning.

I pray for those who read this that as they open your word today that your words will sink deep into their hearts. I pray they will listen to every word you say to them and that you will use your word to guide their lives.