<p><b>Dear Daily Message Readers,</b></p>
<p><b>READ:</b>1 Samuel 3:1-14<br><br>
<p><b>1 Samuel 3:7</b> (NLT) "Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before."<br><br>
<p>Let me ask you a question: Have you ever heard God speak to you directly, in an audible voice, or otherwise? If you seek Him daily, chances are you have heard Him at some point in your life. In fact, God speaks to us in many ways today--through personal and group Bible study and by the Christian counsel of friends. <br><br>
<p>Now let me ask you another question: If God spoke to you right now, would you know it was Him?<br><br>
<p>The third chapter of the Old Testament book of First Samuel gives us a biblical model to answer this very question. Samuel, Israel's last judge and first prophet to the king, served under the priest Eli during this time. However, Eli had some struggles himself, for his two sons were more into ripping people off than they were two ministering to them. So when God called Samuel, using an audible voice, he didn't know it was God until Eli realized it and told him how to respond.<br><br>
<p>Are you seeking God's voice today? If so, then examine these guidelines given to me a few years ago by my spiritual mentor: <br><br>
<p><b>1. Read the Bible Daily:</b> This may seem like an obvious answer to hearing God's voice, but the power of personal Bible reading cannot be matched by anything in the world. So many Christians pray for direct guidance from God, but they neglect their Bibles. The Bible is your most reliable communication from God--He will answer most of your questions there.<br><br>
<p><b>2. Be careful:</b> As humans with wide array of emotions, it is tempting to think what we desire is God's will. However, it might not but could be. If we allow our emotions to overtake us, we may just become like a "spiritual ventriloquist," speaking our words into God's mouth. So be careful on this one!<br><br>
<p><b>3. Be wise:</b> A key thing to remember when discerning God's voice from the world's is that God will never contradict Himself. This means that any impression you think is from God should line up with perfectly with the Bible.<br><br>
<p>So have you heard God speak to you recently? No matter how you answer that question, I challenge you to study the life of Samuel in the first few chapters of First Samuel. With his story in mind, you will find it easier to say, "Yes, LORD, your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9). <br><br>
<p><b>Faith Lesson:</b> God speaks to us today through His Word and His Holy Spirit.<br><br>
In Christ,<br>
Darin Smith</p>
<hr>
<p>Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your <a href="http://www.dailymessage.org/resources/jesussaves.htm">Savior and Lord.</a>
<p>Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at <a href="http://www.dailymessage.org">http://www.dailymessage.org</a>
<p>To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.<BR>
<p><b>READ:</b>1 Samuel 3:1-14<br><br>
<p><b>1 Samuel 3:7</b> (NLT) "Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before."<br><br>
<p>Let me ask you a question: Have you ever heard God speak to you directly, in an audible voice, or otherwise? If you seek Him daily, chances are you have heard Him at some point in your life. In fact, God speaks to us in many ways today--through personal and group Bible study and by the Christian counsel of friends. <br><br>
<p>Now let me ask you another question: If God spoke to you right now, would you know it was Him?<br><br>
<p>The third chapter of the Old Testament book of First Samuel gives us a biblical model to answer this very question. Samuel, Israel's last judge and first prophet to the king, served under the priest Eli during this time. However, Eli had some struggles himself, for his two sons were more into ripping people off than they were two ministering to them. So when God called Samuel, using an audible voice, he didn't know it was God until Eli realized it and told him how to respond.<br><br>
<p>Are you seeking God's voice today? If so, then examine these guidelines given to me a few years ago by my spiritual mentor: <br><br>
<p><b>1. Read the Bible Daily:</b> This may seem like an obvious answer to hearing God's voice, but the power of personal Bible reading cannot be matched by anything in the world. So many Christians pray for direct guidance from God, but they neglect their Bibles. The Bible is your most reliable communication from God--He will answer most of your questions there.<br><br>
<p><b>2. Be careful:</b> As humans with wide array of emotions, it is tempting to think what we desire is God's will. However, it might not but could be. If we allow our emotions to overtake us, we may just become like a "spiritual ventriloquist," speaking our words into God's mouth. So be careful on this one!<br><br>
<p><b>3. Be wise:</b> A key thing to remember when discerning God's voice from the world's is that God will never contradict Himself. This means that any impression you think is from God should line up with perfectly with the Bible.<br><br>
<p>So have you heard God speak to you recently? No matter how you answer that question, I challenge you to study the life of Samuel in the first few chapters of First Samuel. With his story in mind, you will find it easier to say, "Yes, LORD, your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9). <br><br>
<p><b>Faith Lesson:</b> God speaks to us today through His Word and His Holy Spirit.<br><br>
In Christ,<br>
Darin Smith</p>
<hr>
<p>Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your <a href="http://www.dailymessage.org/resources/jesussaves.htm">Savior and Lord.</a>
<p>Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at <a href="http://www.dailymessage.org">http://www.dailymessage.org</a>
<p>To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.<BR>
