"Can you hear me now?"

How many times did you utter the phrase, "Can you hear me now?" and then laugh about it after that Verizon wireless commercial became very well known? It was one of those things that became a catch phrase for people to use when talking in casual conversation or even in their workplace. I just wonder how many times God has asked that same question of us, "Can you hear me now?" I am sure that in my lifetime God has wanted to get out His heavenly megaphone a time or two and shout into it-"Nicole, can you hear me now?" It's like that with parents and their kids sometimes, isn't it? We don't always hear what our Father is trying to tell us. In my bible study the other night we were talking about hearing the voice of God and one of my friends said that she heard a voice as clear as day. She was going through a terrible time in her life and she was sitting in the stillness of her home and she heard a man's voice speak a clear message that was meant just for her. I can honestly say that I have never heard an actual voice but I have definitely "heard" what God was telling me. It may be a feeling, a bible verse that you read that just clicks, or even a friend coming to you at the right time. After all, God does work in mysterious ways. I was talking to the ladies in my study and I told them about one night how I just woke up and started writing stuff down that God was telling me through scripture. It really goes along with the message of listening for God and then listening to God-they have to go hand in hand! We might hear what God says, but we aren't always listening closely enough to actually follow through with His plans. I hope that if you read this short message it will bless you today-thanks! Blessings-Nicole In the Still of the Night God says, “Be quiet and know that I am God. I will be supreme over all the nations. I will be supreme in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NCV How many of you out there enjoy talking? Now, I am not just talking about chatting casually with a friend on the phone or even having a heart to heart talk with a loved one. I am wondering who really enjoys just being able to talk? The kind of talking that happens just because you can! I know that if talking were an Olympic sport, I would possess several gold medals. My sister got the “curly hair gene” and I got the “gift for gab.” I enjoy talking, I really do. Often times I find myself talking out loud even though there is no one else around-is this normal? Whether it is normal or not, the ability to talk is an amazing gift from God. However, the ability to be still and listen is an even more amazing gift that we can experience with God and share with others. Psalms 46:10 says, “Be quiet and know that I am God. I will be supreme over all the nations. I will be supreme in the earth.” NSV The first part of this verse really “speaks” to me, “Be quiet.” I think that is God’s way of telling me to shut up-in Christian love! Just stop a moment and think about how much talking you do on a daily basis. I read somewhere that the average person says approximately 10,000 words a day! Wow! Can you imagine how many words an above average talker like me is saying? God probably can’t wait for some of us to go to bed at night so He can get some peace and quiet! Now, don’t get me wrong, I know that God loves to hear the voices of His children. But, do you ever find yourself praying and realize that you aren’t really saying anything? I think that as Christians when we have our alone time with God we feel like we always need to be saying something to Him, we don’t. Be quiet. The second part of the first line of Psalm 46:10 is “know that I am God.” When you are in the presence of greatness, you know it. When we are in His presence, the presence of greatness, there are no words to describe it. Words do not even need to be spoken. Our intimate time with God is precious. God sometimes speaks to us when we least expect it. God wants to talk to us, not talk over us. If we never stop talking how are we going to truly hear His voice? I was leading a woman’s Bible study once and one of the ladies raised her hand and said, “I know that this sounds like a dumb question, but what does the voice of God sound like? How will I know it is Him talking to me? Will he call me by my name, or what?” We all chuckled and I tried to answer her question. I told her that I don’t think that you need to hear a voice in order to know that God is speaking to you. It can be a feeling; an urge to read scripture, a phone call from a friend, or it may happen during a quiet moment alone. Whatever method God uses, you will know when it is Him giving you a message. The Psalmist must have had me and my fellow “chatty Cathy’s” in mind when he penned the verse-“Be still and know that I am God.” Just because you stop talking, doesn’t mean God stops listening. In fact, it is the lull in the conversation He has been waiting for. So, the next time you sit down to have a chat with God-don’t. Just be still and know that you are in the presence of the one whose action, the ultimate sacrifice of giving His son’s life for our salvation, speaks louder than any words you could ever possibly have to say.