Wednesday Whispers: Listening to Him

I started this blog seven years ago and I must admit I haven't been very faithful to this "blogging thing!" This year the Lord has reminded me of a special verse I hid in my heart a few years ago and it has sparked a renewed enthusiasm to share what God is teaching me with anyone who would read these posts. In Matthew 10:27 Jesus says,

"What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear proclaim upon the housetops." (NASB)

Each Wednesday I will seek to write down what God is speaking to me personally in hopes that it will encourage at least one person who would read this blog. This year the Lord has led me to another "word for the year."  He has done this for the last five years now and I look forward every fall for the Lord to whisper in my ear a word or phrase that He wants me to major on for the coming year.  This year the Lord has led me to center on the gospel: 

To listen to His voice in order to learn the gospel so that I can lead others to Him.  

In my study of the book of Romans the Lord is taking me deeper into the message of the gospel.  Romans 1:16 has been running over and over in my mind for weeks now: 

 "I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."  

The Lord spoke to me, not in a whisper, but in a very loud, but loving, voice as I meditated on and memorized this verse.  "Nancy, you have been timid in your witness, even ashamed to boldly offer this salvation message to your lost family and friends!"  But, Lord I love your Word and boldly speak and teach your Word to Believers.  In that still small voice He spoke, "Yes, but what about those who are lost in their sin and darkness." Why have I been stingy with my salvation?  I have enjoyed the peace of God and an inexpressible joy, yet have lacked the compassion and overwhelming gratitude needed to boldly share with any who would listen the glorious life-giving message of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I discovered that I need to be more intentional in listening to the Lord as He speaks deeper things concerning the gospel.  So, in 2014 my aim and heart's desire is: 

To truly take in every detail of God's redemption story, to be in awe of this gift I received by faith, 

and with great passion and boldness offer the Bread of Life to any hungry soul 

the Lord causes to cross my path. 

Here's to listening attentively to the Lord's voice in 2014!

Learning the Gospel,

Nancy Taylor