DOD 1, 40 Day Challenge

Brothers,

For the first DOD (devo of the day) I am totally plagiarizing a beautiful sermon I heard a couple of weeks ago.  It was the Sunday right after we had a great conversation about hearing the voice of God and how to and knowing how to listen.  I am excited about these next 40 days and the work we will do.  

Warm-up:
Read I Kings 19
This story happens right after Elijah had killed 400 prophets of Baal.  You should note that Elijah hears God's voice clearly in this story. 

Getting some reps in:
Consider these points.  Meditate on each.
1. verses 1-9: You have a body. God cares about it. Taking care of your body will make it easier to hear God.  You won't be distracted by physical needs.  God cares.  Maybe you need to eat a sandwich or take a nap or go for a walk. 

2.  verse 8: Elijah was on Mt. Horeb also known as Mt. Sinai.  The significance is this mountain had been a place God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave the Ten Commandments and I am sure a few other significant events.  Consider a holy ground you can meet God on or in.  Maybe a home office, or the car, or maybe on a rug.  Muslims have a prayer rug they use to pray on.  I don't think it has any significance other than to keep them off the dirty ground.  I am getting myself one.  A place I take anywhere and lay down and get barefoot.  It will be my holy ground.  Where is your holy ground?  Have a place to meet God most days.

3. verse 9: Elijah is in a cave. There are no distractions in a cave.  No noise. No weather to deal with. Not even light or shadows.  It is quiet.  Consider when you have your time with God how to remove as much distraction as possible.  Make sure the TV or radio is off.  You have to be on your computer or phone to get these but maybe after you have read them power down your media. 

4. verse 10, 14: Be honest with God. Share from the depths of your heart every feeling and thought.

5. verses 11-13: God spoke gently to Elijah because he was beat down at the time.  God will speak to you in a way that meets you where you are and in a way you can hear.

Heavy lifting:
How are you going to apply this?  What is you decision on what you need to do or change so you can hear God.  Use this application the next 40 days.

Cool down:
Share thoughts or decisions on GroupMe.  In the next 40 Days when you hear God share what you hear with the group.