Something About The Joy

Do you ever wonder how to hear from God?   What kinds of things He might be wanting to say to you?    Or if what you think you're "hearing" is actually Him? I just read, in my quiet time this morning, several chapters in Charles Stanley's book, How to Listen to God .   I highly recommend it for any Christian who longs for intimacy with God.   It's full of practical, godly advice from a humble, saintly man who is greatly experienced in hearing from God. Pick any one of these chapters.   Read, and you'll be blessed: ONE:   Is God Still Talking? TWO:   God's Goal in Communicating THREE:   How God Gets Our Attention FOUR:   Identifying the Voice of God FIVE:   Factors That Determine How God Communicates SIX:   Are You Listening? SEVEN:   Sitting Before the Lord EIGHT:   Your Spiritual Mind-Set NINE:   Hindrances to Hearing TEN:   Listening and Obeying ELEVEN:   The Life That Listens--A Well-Built Life Or hear Charles

Reading this morning from Luke, chapter 5, verse 16:    "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." I wonder what Jesus said to his Father when he withdrew to pray?   Was it anything like the things I say to Him?   I would love to have been there to eavesdrop on Jesus' prayers. I'm sure the things he said to the Father were wrapped in an attitude of total submission.   Jesus' prayer at the end of his life was true throughout his life. "Not my will, but yours be done."   Everything Jesus said to Satan in the wilderness reflected his commitment to his final obedience in the garden.  Jesus' life was one of t otal trust, and total abandonment to the Father. Are my prayers reflective of total trust, total submission to God?   No.   I can tell there's a holdback, a fear of submitting completely.   I sense it in my spirit.   Jesus' submission was complete.   Even in the garden, when He faced his greatest chall