A New Sound...

Hi friends! Another short post today, but right now I feel so pressed in my spirit to share a word I heard this morning in my quiet time.

There is a new sound in the earth right now. I really feel God is doing a new thing. If we want to flow with Him in this new rhythm, then we must position ourselves to be sensitive to His sound, and His movement. It is subtle, especially in the midst of all the noise around us right now, but it is there. So, we have to be diligent in our seeking.

I need to gently warn you that the road you will travel will be unpopular. It will be very narrow, and may feel like the "wrong one" because it is not in the rhythm of the world around you. Literally, I heard the word, "wayward", and had to look up the definition of it: "following no clear principle or law; opposite of what is desired or expected." That is the way of the world right now, as it relates to the Word of God. You will feel "alone" at times, but press forward. The light of the Lord will expose each step ahead, in His timing. You may want to run ahead, but stay where the light is shining. I really feel this in my spirit. What I mean by "stay where the light is shining" is really practicing obedience. Waiting on the Lord, moving as He tells you to, and not at your own pace. Boy is this something I struggle with! But I am learning.

So, the only way you will be able to discern His voice, is to truly get to know Him. He says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27) How do

we learn His voice? We have to spend time with Him and learn to listen. This practice will feel so contrary to the nature of most of our minds, which tend to be very busy. I just want to point something out to you, He says , " Seek Me and you will find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." ( Jeremiah 29:13) We are to seek Him with our hearts, not our minds. This is a practice, but continue to take captive each thought as it comes to distract you. You don't have to give it attention. Keep turning your gaze back to Jesus. Every. Single. Time. I don't say this lightly, as if it is easy! This is hard, but it will become easier the more you practice.

Getting to the place of stillness...

Stillness does not necessarily mean silence. Stillness is actually more about our focus. Each one of us is different and will require a different "set up" to get to a place where we can really lay still at the feet of Jesus. You may have to try a few things before you find what works best for you. I'll share what has been working for me right now:

*Prepare: I have 3 kids, so I need to make sure they are all situated and my little one is in the care of my husband - so I can help eliminate at least 100 anxious thoughts of what they may be doing while I am tucked away! Also, I always bring my Bible and a notebook and pen. I have a certain notebook that I write down every word I hear Him speak to me, and every dream and vision that I have. I write it in this notebook. When I come prepared with it, I am showing Him, I am here, waiting to hear Your voice, not my own. Also, when He speaks to us, He always backs it up with His word. He will never speak something that contradicts His Word or His character.

*Worship music: I play it softly and prefer to use earbuds. I love Jackie Baker- it's actually made for sitting and just waiting on the Lord. It's a very soothing, quiet kind of worship music. (My Favorite: Low) Their music is actually made for prayer and intercession.

*Atmosphere: I prefer lights off and a little lighted wax warmer on. It's a very subtle night light, and the mild aroma of the wax (I usually use peppermint), helps relax me.

*Position: So, this changes as needed. Sometimes I sit in my bathroom with my back against my bathtub. Sometimes I lay flat on my bedroom floor next to my bed, bringing myself as low as I can before the Lord. Sometimes, I sit tucked away in the corner of my closet. The important thing is to find a place where you can really turn off everything around you, and kind of help yourself weed out external distractions. I have even sat in my car! God doesn't care where you are, He will find you and meet you there!

Don't be discouraged and frustrated if there are times that you feel like nothing is working. You just can't seem to feel His presence. It doesn't mean He isn't there. Believe me, you cannot escape His eyes on you- even if you wanted to! You will go through a sowing period sometimes. We reap from what we have sown. Keep sowing into this quiet time with Him.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption , but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."- Galatians 6:7-9

He doesn't want us to become so comfortable with His presence that we "get our fill". He wants us to always seek more and more of Him. I know we all long for that feeling- that undeniable shift that happens when we encounter His presence. There is nothing like it! But, remember that we are setting aside time that is devoted for Him. This time is all about Him, and not what we will get from it, although there is a powerful and mighty blessing that comes over your life from this time with Him. What I'm trying to get at, is come before Him with only the intention of being with Him, showering Him with your love and gratefulness for Him. Praise Him, sing and hum to Him the songs of your heart. You are bringing Him an offering, not trying to gain something for yourself in this moment. As you continue to pour out blessings onto Him, you will also be blessed!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His Holy name!"- Psalm 103:1

Be back soon with something I am excited to share with you!!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for every single person reading this right now. I pray, Lord, that as they come forward to meet you, that you'd give them such a tangible presence that they'd experience life-changing revelation, right there, in their secret place with You. I pray that You would speak to them as they long to hear from You! Let them feel Your love surrounding them and washing over them as they go through their days, Lord. You are worthy of our time, our attention, and all that we have belongs to You. You are so good to us, Father, and we love you so much!

In the precious name of Jesus,

Amen.

Blessings and Love!

-xoxo-

-Bethany Hope