I Live To Hear God Speak

The first time God spoke to me personally I didn't know it was Him. I thought it was my mother. When I was five years old she would tell everybody, "This is my little preacher!" It embarrassed me at the time. But looking back it was God speaking through her. Thirty-six years in ministry I am still preaching. It's humbling but the Lord will often speak to us through the least likely people as part of our training before we can hear His voice for ourselves. The Lord uses unique vessels. Like iron that sharpens iron, they often are the keys that unlock our spiritual ears.

As a new Christian, out of the gate running, hell took its best shot at me to abort the innate desire to ever hear God's voice. A wedge of contention drove deep between my Bible teacher and me the moment he said,"God spoke to me. Those words were alien to me. Immediately, my whole being was flooded with doubts as the enemy unleashed those infamous fatal words: "Indeed, has God said?" Genesis 3:1. Surely this man had a big ego problem thinking God Almighty would take the time to speak to him personally among the billions of people on earth. I left the Bible study in frustration that evening thinking he was certainly out of his mind. That crazy teacher kept me awake. An hour later a question walked into my bedroom, "But what if you could? What if you could actually hear God speak to you"? As I began to faintly consider the possibility of an answer, that question lit a fire within me that has never gone out. I thought to myself, if God could actually speak to me, I would be willing to wait thirty or forty years to hear him speak one word: not a whole sentence but just one word.

 Two hours later the Lord himself walked into my sleepless night. He said, "Son, I want to speak to you more than you want me to." From that moment my journey began Iistening for His voice. Now you know what I live for. I live to hear God speak. My worst days have taught me: when God speaks you live! When God speaks you're healed! When God speaks you're delivered! Storm clouds scatter. Dead dreams thunder with life! I'm not talking about man speaking but when God speaks you live! His voice has brought me through hell and back, changing doctors' reports and adding years to my life. The devil's best shot missed me.

 

Blessings,

 

Bill Yount

 

http://www.billyount.com

Whispers In Secret

I talked to mom last night at 88 yrs. old. She said, "Bill, I can't tell everyone this for they wouldn't believe it, but wanted to let you know. I was feeling discouraged and all of a sudden I was in the lap of Jesus. I don't know how I got there. He put His arm around me and I felt the greatest peace I have ever known." This is one more reason why I call mom everyday to see what God is doing in her life. I know the day will come when I call her and the phone will ring with no answer.

 Before I get up to minister lately I have found myself weeping at times, The last meeting I asked my wife if she had any more kleenexes. I've noticed the atmosphere is so different when this happens. God comes in on the wings of brokenness. He is healing our broken wings to fly again.

 Can you keep a secret?

I am learning that when God whispers one of His secrets to us sometimes it is to be kept between us and Him. Not many of us can keep a secret. It is tempting when you are told not to tell anybody, to want to tell everyone.

It's been two months now but it seems like I have been in this fiery furnace of trial forever. It must be the intense heat of seven times hotter that's affecting my vision, for I just saw a man step into my furnace. And this man looks like the Son of God! How can it be, that I now feel so free?

 All I want now is to carry the presence of the Lord, for I hear the cries of a dying world. I can hear billions.

 It's Maple Syrup Season. The sap of the Holy Spirit is flowing in spite of cold weather that refuses to let go of us. Newness of life is now flowing.

 

Blessings,

 

Bill Yount

 

http://www.billyount.com

Big Leagues And Big Hits Go Together

 

 

During the recent Super Bowl game, the kickoff receiver caught the football deep in the end zone and ran like a deer only to hit a brick wall of opposition at about the 20 yard line. Even the announcer sounded shaken at the sudden impact felt high above the stadium. The receiver held onto the football with a vengeance, and the opposing players' frantic scramble to steal the ball was all in vain.

 

Later in the game, unable to forget this play, I said to the Lord, "Why have I been in a season where I have been taking so many hard hits?" The Lord answered, "Son, I have put you into the big league. Big leagues and big hits go together!" His words were life to me. The enemy almost convinced me, "God has left you and He doesn't care about you." I thought it was God letting me down when He was actually raising me up.

 

I could see where God was now. He was on the sideline as my coach. Coaches are not allowed on the field when the game is going on. That's why He didn't seem near. Could it be when we experience His awesome presence is when we are on the sidelines with Him receiving encouragement and instructions for the next game play? All of a sudden, I felt honored by those hits and assaults from the opposition coming against me. They were now signs and confirmation of my promotion. Many others have been promoted into the big league of God's kingdom and are unaware of it. When the enemy hits you hard or life itself comes against you, hold onto the football with both hands. Hold onto God's word that He has spoken to you. The enemy's job is to strip the football or God's word from you. And when you get knocked down, get up proudly, for you are in the big league and the game is not over.

 

 

 Blessings,

 

Bill Yount