Online Devotions: Using Scripture To Hear God

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Using Scripture To Hear God

May 1 (Luke 4:3-4)

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” (ESV)

It is true that God speaks through burning bushes and whispers and that we need to be attentive to any moment when He is trying to get our attention. At the same time, we must be careful that what we are hearing is actually the word of God and not merely human ideas or, worse yet, a suggestion from Satan cloaking itself to seem like something God would say.

How we know what we know changes depending on the subject. I know my children love me through personal experience, but I know that in geometry alternate interior angles are equal when two parallel lines are cut by a transversal because my teacher told me so. When it comes to confirming that a word indeed comes from God, we do what Jesus did. We use Scripture. The Bible is our authority, and if we sense that God is telling us something that runs counter to it, we can be sure of one thing. We are wrong.

How well do you know the people, the events, and the teachings of the Bible? How much time do you spend reading it? Do you see the events of your life and all that is going on in the world around you through the lens of Scripture? Simply put, Jesus did.

Thank You, Lord, for giving us Your word, the Bible. Reveal to me its truths and help me to understand it so I can use it as the foundation for how I go about my day. In all things may I be faithful to the one it reveals, even You, my Lord and my God. Through Jesus I pray, amen.

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History of Online Devotions

In January of 1999, I began the Online Devotions with the teens of the church we were attending. Each week they would receive a verse of Scripture, a short reflection, and a prayer. Over the years others subscribed to this email list, and soon the Online Devotions were going out to people across the country and beyond.

In 2007 I published in book format a collection called Desert Days: Forty Devotions for Men.

After suggestions from several readers, I launched in 2010 the Online Devotions blog. Devotions are still available each week by email, and if you would like to subscribe, please indicate so in the comment box.

As I have always said, if one of these devotions touches you, you can be sure it was from God. If one leaves you flat, then there was too much of me in it.