And he [Jesus] said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—
one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
Mark 9:1-7 New International Version [NIV]
“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
Mark 9:7b [NIV]
Essential #1: Reading and reflecting on scripture.
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Essential #2: Spend 10 minutes a day in silence before God.
Be still, and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
Essential #3: Discern God’s voice in our thought life.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. – John 10:27 (NIV)
Your will, Lord, not mine be done
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
How to know if it is really God:
It is aligned with the scripture
It does not contradict God’s nature, which is love
Christ convicts – Satan condemns
Christ clarifies – Satan confuses
Christ confirms – Satan contradicts
Christ compels – Satan constricts
Hindrances to hearing God:
Preoccupation with self – Unforgiveness – Sin – Worry – Busyness
If we do not know him, invite Jesus in.