OC February 12th

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"And they said to Moses, 'You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!'" Exodus 20:19 NLT

Chamber's discussion today is about listening to God. The truth for most Christians is that they are not listening to God or patiently waiting to hear Him. Chambers says, "We don't consciously and deliberately disobey God - we simply don't listen to Him. God has given His commands to us, but we pay no attention to them - not because of willful disobedience, but because we do not truly love and respect Him."

That is hard to hear, but I know it's true. The pursuits of our own hearts push God aside and in a box that we only access when we really need Him, or on Sunday mornings. Chambers further goes on to explain how we would rather listen to one of God's servants, than God himself. Because then we can take the message as delivered from a human, and rationalize it to fit our world. Again, placing what we want to hear ahead of what God may be trying to tell us.

"We show how little love we have for God by preferring to listen to His servants rather to Him. We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we don't want God Himself to speak to us."

We don't want to listen to God out of fear of what He will tell us and how we are to respond - either in obedience, or disobedience. Humility and surrender are not welcome terms for most of us. 

If you have been ignoring God, stop. You may feel some shame and regret for not listening and relying on Him, but His love for you will never change. So get over yourself, and remember - He has never, and will never change. We are the ones that turn away. So, out of the love and respect that God is owed, turn to Him, listen, and obey. 

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