W5D1 Space For God To Speak

READ THE BIBLE

Acts 9:1

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ The men travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus

REFLECT ON WHAT IT MEANS

Years ago, a church leader told this story about man who came to his church. The man liked the singing so he thought he would come to church just for that. However, he didn’t want to listen to the preaching. So when it came time for the pastor to preach, he stuck his fingers in his ears. It was fine for a few minutes but then an insect came and landed on his face. So he moved his hand to brush off the insect but that meant he could hear! At the very moment the pastor read from the Bible these words of Jesus, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.” This man was so taken with these words that he took out his other finger and listened to the whole sermon. He was so impressed by what he heard he gave his life to Jesus right there and then.

God is the God who speaks to ordinary people. God so much wants to speak to us too. The challenge is, are we open to hearing him? In our Bible reading the man called Saul thought he was okay with God, but actually, he couldn’t hear him at all. Saul was so caught up in his own life, so much affected by all the things he was used to having around him, so busy with what he was doing, it was hard for God to speak to his heart.

It was like Saul had his fingers in his ears all the time!

How can God get through to a man like him who is so caught up with his own life and his own campaign?

There was a way, a moment when Saul was on a long journey to the next country. Now God could get through, when Saul was not in his usual surroundings, not with his regular crowd, not doing his usual stuff. All of these things just kept Saul so busy and far too distracted to really hear God properly. The journey was different.

It took him out of his regular places and away from his usual work and the people he normally mixed with. Suddenly, he was away from all of that and in that place of no distractions.

We could say that his “fingers were out of his ears.” That’s where he encountered Jesus, the Son of God. Jesus met him and spoke to him - personally and powerfully! It changed his life - forever. He became a totally different person (and, by the way, he changed history as well).

If only we could all encounter God in some similar way to Saul. What if there was an opportunity for God to speak to us and change us? Wouldn’t that be amazing? Read on to see how Life Class can help you in this. (Saul’s story continues tomorrow.)

RELATE IT TO YOUR LIFE

The Lifeclass course you are taking part in recognises that most people are surrounded with the usual busyness of life. So, to help us clear some extra space for ourselves so we can hear God better, we put on a special weekend called “Encounter.”

The idea is that, like Saul, we have some time away from usual things we do with all their distractions. Instead, we take some extra time just to focus on God and us. We have Lifeclass for a whole Friday evening and Saturday daytime. During that time we come together somewhere that’s not our home, turn off our phones, (yes, really! it’s so refreshing). We spend time listening to the Bible speaking to us about how God wants to do so much more in us and in our lives. The Life Class Encounter is at the end of this week. So, if you’ve not already decided and registered to come - why not make your mind up right now to come? You can contact your “guide” for the details.

RESPOND WITH A DECLARATION

“I’m going to have ‘ears to hear’ what God is saying to me”

(And how about?) “I’m coming on the Life Class Encounter weekend!”