Do you ever get the feeling that no one's listening? From time to time we all do. So what is preventing the listening? Maybe it's all the things of our lives that occupy and distract our minds. Not all that long ago, I recall stepping into our teen' daughters room . . . both the TV and computer were running as she read from her book. Multi-tasking, multi-listening . . . they say it's a generational thing but I don't know. Who is the one with the listening problem in your life? Maybe you. The old saying goes, Listening - Listening well - is work. But what reason could anyone have for not listening to God?

In the Bible God speaks to us His truth and wisdom, teaches the way of salvation through Christ, trains and enables us to live thankful lives in response to His goodness. God both commands and enables us to listen. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. John 10.27 He says, Be still and know that I AM GOD Psalm 46. But then people come up with excuses for not listening to God . . . We're too busy, too distracted, to set on doing things our own way. And how many times have we chosen not to listen well . . . or not even listened at all?

For more reasons than we can know, the best thing for us is to listen to Jesus. Who being in very nature God . . . humbled Himself and became obedient to death; even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8 The Son listened to the Father and obeyed the Father; displaying His greatest glory on the cross, giving His life to save a disobedient and dying world. Here is the greatest message of the Bible - That on the cross Jesus died for all sins of every sinner, and that by faith in Him we may have a new and eternal life with God our Father! This is my beloved Son God said. Listen to Him! But for those who will not listen God warns, If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account.

Over the next 7 weeks, April 3 - May 15, we have a tremendous listening opportunity as we gather to hear God's word in church. Our readings will focus us on all that happened in the days following our Savior's resurrection. As Luke describes in Acts 1, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up (Ascension) after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. Jesus presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Dear friends in Christ, turn off the TVturn off the computer-set aside your time to be with the rest of your church family as we keep watch, pray, and listen to God. For you and your children and for all who are far off . . . Jesus gives life!

Pastor Kelly Mitteis