We drove across a railroad track the other day and I remembered that as a young school girl, that for safety reasons, we were taught to “stop, look, and listen” before crossing railroad tracks. This simple memory began my thinking about how those three words apply to our spiritual growth and safety too. We need to stop looking at our busy schedules and take time to be with our Lord. We need to look at the Word of God every day, and we need to listen intently to hear His voice speaking to us. So, let’s begin study today.

Stop: We need to stop looking at and to the world for answers to our problems; for acceptance, approval, love, happiness, joy, and peace. The world’s idea of seeking those things is for us to look at ourselves, but we can only achieve those things when we look into the eyes of God through His Word, the Bible. We do not, in and of ourselves, have the power to bring anything of value into our lives, or give ourselves real value. God, through Jesus Christ, is the One who gives us value.

When we stop looking to the world for assurance, we will then stop having the appearance of evil; we will then have more of Jesus seen in our appearance in how we talk and behave. (1 Thessalonians 5:22-23) When we spend time in the Word, we learn how to walk free from that “old person” who once walked according to the world’s way; the more we learn of God the more we will be like Him – the “new person” that we are in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-23)

Look: Every day and throughout the day, we need to be looking at God’s Word to learn what He has to say about the problems we face at our work, in our health, our families, and our happiness and joy. The worldly part of you may be saying it’s impossible to be in the Word constantly, but God says it is possible. How? By reading His Word and then thinking on it throughout our day, that’s how!

When we see the pretty blue sky with wonderfully shaped white clouds floating, or the majestic view of a mountain, or a beautiful lake, we need to think of God our Creator and thank Him for such beauty in our world. When we see family and friends, we need to thank Him because they give us joy just by being with them. When we see kindness in the hearts of our family and friends, we need to thank God for developing His love in their lives. When we see a church, we need to thank God for His Son Jesus for the Salvation He gave us by dying on the Cross, and to thank God for the Resurrection of Jesus that gives us hope for our future. God’s Word has all the answers and instructions we will ever need and desire of Him. He even has examples of how to diligently seek and obey Him in the people who have walked before us in faith. Abraham, Noah, Esther, Daniel, Moses, David, Mary and Joseph, and the Disciples are a good start to learn from.

We need to be on guard to watch and pray that we don’t enter into temptation. (Matthew w26:41) We cannot keep temptations from coming to us BUT we don’t have to yield to them. Most of the attack that come to us are in our thoughts and Philippians 4:8 tells us what to think on: whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, and praise, we are to think on these things. Correct thinking helps to avoid yielding to temptations. When we learn to measure our thoughts by this list, we learn which thoughts to cast down that are disagreeing with God, as we are instructed to do in Second Corinthians 10:5. Joshua 1:8 teaches that when we keep the Word before us and meditate on it day and night it will help us to observe (obey) all that is written in it.

Listen: Just as we make an effort to listen to our loved ones when they are talking, we need to realize that God is talking to us also. Now I agree that it’s a little different listening to him than a family member or friend because we can actually hear their voice with our natural ears, coming from without us, but God’s voice comes from within. Many people describe it as an intuition, a thought, or a knowing. In other words God’s voice isn’t usually audible like our family or friends or co-workers. Usually for me, His “voice” is more like a thought that I should do something. Sometimes a strong thought, but more likely a quieter thought which is why some people say they can’t or don’t hear God talking to them. This is the reason we need turn off the television, the music, and our cell phone, and get quiet and still and listen for His Voice. Sometimes His voice can come as a desire or sense of urgency that you should pray for someone or call them; maybe even to go see them. Now that’s an idea!

I think the society we live in now has almost lost its sense of fellowship with each other when it comes to actually talking with each other. Texting is handy and very useful for giving and receiving sort, quick information, however, I still like to hear a person’s real voice from time to time. I like what John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Notice this says that not only do His children know Him but that He knows His children. That means you and me! God knows who we are, our desires, and how to help us live out our greatest potential for Him. As children of God we are to listen for God’s voice and follow (obey) Him. The more time we spend listening for His voice, the stronger we become in our obedience to Him.

My challenge to you is to stop from your busy schedule for a while each day – throughout the day – and look (read) the word of God, and listen to His Voice for instructions in how to apply and live His Word in your life.