Good morning,

Our devotion for today comes from Hebrews 5:13-14 "Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant.  But solid food is for the mature for those whose senses have been trained to distinquish between good and evil." 

Wherever you are today (Selah) think on this; have you ever used a set of walkie-talkies or transitor radios?  Sometimes marketed as children toys, these communication devices can actually serve as helpful aids for police officers, emergency personnel, and other professionals who need to convey important information quickly.

The key to the successful use of a walkie-talkie is to be within the proper distance of the person speaking to you.  If you move out of the designed range, the transmitted words will become jumbled and hard to hear.  Spiritual discernment works the same way.  If you truly want to receive God's instructions through the Holy Spirit, you must maintain a close relationship with Him.

How can you be assured that you are close enough to hear God's word?  You must remove any "static causing" elements in your life.  Sin and disobedience are the primary sources of static, in that they turn your attention away from God.  Since discernment is essential in the life of the believer, you must learn to recognize sin and ask God to remove it from your life so that you can effectively hear His voice.

The more time you spend in prayer, study, and meditation, the easier it will be for you to distinquish the messages of the Holy Spirit from the choas of the world around you.  Listen to your spirit today. Do you hear static or the voice of God?

Have a blessed listening day!

Your brother in Christ,

J. H. Flakes, III