The Volume Level

08/12/2008

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right,
but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
Romans 7:15 (NLT)

What do we have turned up in our life, and what do we have turned down? What if we are constantly tuned into a radio station called KFAITH, on the God channel, but there are times when we have it turned up loud, and times when we can’t hear it at all? Are we having the close and receptive relationship with our Lord that He desires for us?

The power of God in nature is not to be toyed with…But what about the power of God in us? Do we toy with that? Are we tuned in? Is the volume level turned up? Or are we desensitized to the things God is saying, causing us to drift in life, perhaps into dangerous waters? Are we listening for God’s instructions in our day?

The desire of the heart of every believer is to allow God to control all things in our life, but this is easier said and written about, than done. It takes discipline and practice to reach in and turn up the volume on God’s voice when He speaks rather than listen to our own voice, or the voice of the enemy that invades our thinking. God really does only want what’s best for us; He’s not trying to ruin our “fun.” And, God will still love us if we don’t always listen. God will still forgive us when we don’t always obey. God will still welcome us into His Heavenly Home, covered by the blood of Jesus, when our time on earth is finished. But, we’re missing out on the very best He has for us while we’re here if the volume level is turned down on His way of doing things.

When we squelch our direction from above and follow our own will, we’re headed in the wrong direction. The focus should not be on the weight we might need to lose, or on the purchase that’s out of our budget, or on the things we do or don’t do, the focus should be on our Lord, on listening to Him and having a closer more receptive relationship with Him throughout our days—and then no matter what we’re doing, we’ll be moving in the right direction! It’s not about following the “law,” it’s about following JESUS!

With some things it’s easy to hear the voice of God, but as children we can still convince ourselves that we really don’t need to listen. The more we understand God’s involvement in every aspect of our lives, the more we will start to live this life the way He designed it! As believers in Jesus Christ, we want to obey, and listening to the Holy Spirit within is where our power to follow God’s will comes from, not from listening to our own instructions and making our own rules and regulations. If we really listened to God on full volume, 24-7, we would be living an amazing, first-class life!! It’s guaranteed!!

Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master?
You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God
and receive his approval. Romans 6:16 (NLT)