Don't remember the former things, and don't consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don't you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 WEB.

One morning, I was sitting in church listening to the guest speaker's monotone message. When to put it frankly, I became bored. I yawned, searched for the time, and wondered how long it would be before we could go home. I had served the Lord for a couple of decades, graduated seminary, and listened to a thousand sermons I liked better than this one. So I felt this particular speaker had nothing new to say that I hadn't already heard.

While contemplating my boredom, I felt the Holy Spirit suddenly speak to me, and He wasn't happy about my attitude. He said, "Do you really know everything that I am going to say? Is there nothing new that I can teach you?" Chills ran down my neck. I sat up straight and started paying attention. I actually learned a couple of things during the rest of the service.

I left church that day like a dog with his tail tucked between his legs, and I try to pay better attention when the Holy Spirit uses someone. If you're not careful, God can be standing right in front of you trying to tell you something, and you can dismiss Him.

In (Numbers 22:28), God spoke through a donkey to a stubborn prophet that wouldn't listen. The religious leaders of the day missed the Messiah, even when He stood right in front of them. When Jesus spoke in His hometown of Nazareth, they tried to kill Him (Luke 4:28-29). Stephen was so full of the Holy Spirit that his face shown like that of an angel. Yet, highly religious people stopped up their ears and stoned him to death (Acts 7:54-59). We can miss God just as easily as they did if we aren't willing to be teachable and keep an open mind.

It is easy to become cynical and believe that you are really smart when you have been around religion a long time. We can become a modern-day pharisee. We know people for who they were, but God knows who they are today. He will use anyone willing. At least once, the Lord spoke to someone through a donkey. When He does that, we should listen. So if someone is sharing something, listen to what they are saying! You might learn something like I did.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me of the times that You have been trying to tell me something, and I paid You no attention. Help me recognize when You are speaking to me and tune my ear to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: For those interested, we will be celebrating today at our Wednesday morning prayer service at the usual time of 10:30am EST! This is a short service, about 15-20 minutes, where we pray together for any needs you bring forth. Hope to see y'all there! As always, if you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network.