29th October 2024

Do you have a hard time listening? I set my mind to be still and to listen to the voice of God. I tell God that I have come to listen to him, and I try to think of nothing else but God speaking. I must admit that it is not very long before I find myself speaking and I realise that I have failed to listen, and I must start all over again. Cornelius and his household had gathered, had prepared themselves, to listen to the words of Peter, and in doing so, to listen to God speaking through him. God had called them to listen to his instructions, and they quickly did as he said. And now, at the coming of Peter, they stilled themselves and prepared to hear God’s words and instructions.

Before Peter could speak to this devout group, he too had to listen to the voice of God. God spoke to Peter in a vision (Acts 10: 9-20). Three times God spoke to him as he repeated the vision, preparing Peter for the mission he had for him; one that would break the misconceptions he had about who God was and what he had planned for all humankind. God is always teaching us about who he is, and he shatters our false visions. How many times have we come to realise that we had not heard clearly, not listened correctly to the voice of God? What a wonderful and exciting journey this is when we prepare ourselves to listen to God’s truth.

We gather before God in our churches, in our Zoom meetings and videos, and in our prayers to listen to his words of wisdom. Are we really listening or are our minds wandering to all the things we must do that day? We worry because of the troublesome events of the times, or the needs of others, and not to forget the needs of ourselves. It is hard to keep focus, especially when God is not standing before our eyes in all of his glory. And so, we must ask God to help us to still ourselves and teach us to listen. As Psalm 25:5 (NLT) reminds us: “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” 

Listen
Listen?
How do we listen in this world?
People are talking, laughing
As a jet flies by. 
Cars are swishing past
And engines roar, 
While the mechanic throws
Parts on the floor.
And the roar of the power wrench
Makes my ears ring
With the sounds of progress
That this crazy world brings.
I hear a mobile phone
As it rings, chirps, and whirs.
It is no wonder I cannot listen
To your soft, tender, words.
May God bless you all with the ears to listen, and the heart to obey! I send my love!

Local congregation:

You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation check on our website, Grace Communion International | Grace Communion International under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church