July 25, 2008

Listen...He is Speaking

We hope you are enjoying the Girlfriends in God daily devotions. We (Mary, Sharon, and Gwen) would like to introduce you to some of our special friends. From time-to-time, the Friday devotions will be written by one of our friends in ministry. We call them our "Friday Friends." So grab your Bible and a fresh cup of coffee and drink in the words from our "Friday Friend", LaTan Roland Murphy.

Today's Truth

Job 16:20 "My Intercessor is my friend." NIV

Romans 8:26 “… but the spirit himself intercedes for us." NIV

Friend to Friend

I cannot resist the temptation to look around the room. I am captivated by the scene before me, my husband on his knees in prayer. Tears fill my eyes as I look over at our son, Kyle, almost a man, his big strong body on his knees before God. What a beautiful sight! I wish I could freeze this moment in time. Da-Nae, our daughter, kneels quietly beside me, her long, beautiful hair sweeps forward as her head bows in prayer. I look over at Bryce, his small body, a perfect pint-sized clone of the man I married. He kneels silently looking so sweet with his little hands clasped together in prayer. Frozen into place, listening intently to their father’s gentle voice, the children appear to be barely breathing as they soak in every word.

The scene takes me back across the years to a house in Georgia where, night after night, I knelt in family prayer. I recognize why my children are so silent and still for I, too, knelt quietly when I heard my father's voice in prayer. It was the most edifying time of my life. He would call my name out and ask God to bless me and walk with me through life. My heart melted as he pointed out good things I had never noticed in myself. His words were the kindest I had ever heard. I drew them into my very being, feeling the love spill over me as each precious word reached my motionless body and pierced my tender ears. I knew if my father spoke it, it must be true.

Now, the same scenario is played out in the lives of my children. Their father speaks; he speaks so quietly that they must not move a muscle for fear of missing something. They long to hear what he has to say. His words are kind, gentle and full of love. He brings his thoughts concerning us to the heavenly Father with a grateful heart of praise. He calls our names aloud.

Perhaps you have never had the blessing of a spouse or earthly father praying on your behalf. Perhaps no words of love ever flowed from the lips of those you needed most. Well, my dear friend, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whispers your name daily to God the Father. His words are edifying, gentle and full of love. He notices the special things you do and say to encourage another's heart. He praises God for your life, for in you, He is being revealed to others. If you are very quiet and still, you just might hear Him speak something new about you. For when the Father speaks, you can rest assured that His words are true. Don't move a muscle, be very still. The Father has something to say to you.

Let's Pray

Jesus, I thank You for the way You gently love and care for me. I thank You that You have good things to say about me. I thank You that You see the good in me and point it out to Your Father every day as You gently intercede on my behalf. Teach me to be still and listen for Your gentle voice in my life. Teach me to receive Your precious word - even when I am broken and in pain. You are my Father and I long to cling to Your every word. Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Think about your earthly father figure for a moment. Write down three positive ways he affected your life for Christ. If you have trouble writing positive things, then be honest with your Heavenly Father and write down the bad things you remember. Let it go. Let God heal you and become your true Father in whom you can depend on to love you completely. He desires the best for your life. You can count of Him in every situation of life. So, be very quiet and very still...you don't want to miss a word of what He might be speaking to you today!

More from the Girls

Today, we pray that you will experience and walk in God’s love as never before. Can you imagine how pleased God is every time He hears your voice? If it is important to you, it is important to Him. Don’t just pray. Take time today to stop and listen for His voice above all of the other voices in your life that clamor for your attention. You will never regret the time spent in prayer at His feet. Be blessed!

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Girlfriends in God, Inc.

P.O. Box 725

Matthews, North Carolina 28106