"Listen Up!"

Meet one of my beautiful Shiba Inu's, Arnie! Notice how attentive he appears! It is because he hears my voice, the voice of who he recognizes as his master. He is such a good boy and listens when we give him commands. Like Arnie, we have a Master. Our Master is the Creator of the Universe, our Lord and Savior who is worthy of all honor and praise! How well do we listen when our Master, our Heavenly Father, gives us a command? Are we truly attentive to His voice, or do we often let it go unheard in the midst of our busy lives?

The Holy Spirit dwells within us and is our guide and counselor, always present with us. When we open our hearts and minds to the leading of the Holy Spirit, even in the smallest matters, our ability to hear and understand becomes clearer. It is through this intimate connection with the Holy Spirit that we can experience a deeper level of communion with our Creator.

in Proverbs 3:6 we read, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." This verse emphasizes the need for us to submit ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit constantly. By acknowledging Him in all that we do and seeking His guidance, we can be assured that our paths will be directed according to God's perfect plan for our lives.

John 16:13 tells us, "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." This verse reminds us that the Holy Spirit has been sent to guide us in every aspect of our lives. Whether it be decisions about our careers, relationships, or spiritual growth, the Holy Spirit is there to provide divine wisdom and direction.

Furthermore, in John 14:26, we read "But the Comforter,which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." Jesus promises his disciples that the Holy Spirit will teach them all things and bring to their remembrance all that He has said. This verse reminds us that it is through the Holy Spirit that we can truly understand and grasp the teachings of our Master. The Holy Spirit illuminates the Word of God for us and guides us into all truth.

Another powerful example can be found in Acts 8:29, where Philip is instructed by the Holy Spirit to approach a chariot and speak with an Ethiopian eunuch. Philip's obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit resulted in the eunuch's conversion and baptism. This story serves as a reminder that when we listen to the Holy Spirit and act upon His promptings, lives can be transformed, and souls can be saved.

In Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." The apostle Paul warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit, for He is the seal of our redemption. This verse reminds us that when we neglect to listen to the Holy Spirit or disobey His promptings, our hearts can become hardened. Our relationship with our Master suffers when we fail to listen and obey. Therefore, it is vital that we cultivate a heart that is receptive to His voice and quick to obey His commands.

When we neglect to listen to the Holy Spirit, our hearts can become hardened. Hebrews 3:7-8, says, "Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness." This verse serves as a reminder that when we continuously ignore or disregard the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we risk becoming callous and unresponsive to His voice.

As believers, it is essential that we cultivate a habit of listening intently to the Holy Spirit. Through studying God's Word and spending time in prayer and meditation, we can nurture a sensitive spirit that is attuned to His leading. Listen up and be diligent in seeking His guidance in every aspect of our lives so that we may walk in alignment with His perfect will. Our Master is speaking - are we truly listening?©Rita Larson 9/10/2023

#ListenUp #HolySpirit #TheMasterSpeaks #OnWordandUpWord