The pressures of our environment are increasing today. At the same time the Lord is close to us. The Judge is standing at the door. The Lord Jesus is waiting for each of us to look to Him for wisdom and strength to successfully cope with each aspect of our daily life.

Are you listening to Jesus?

How long has it been since you heard from the Lord?

I know we all do not hear in the same way. Some of us prophesy to ourselves. Others have a strong mental impression. Still others acknowledge God in all their ways and God directs their paths. They are just as "spiritual" as the ones who hear an audible voice.

Today when we are bringing someone to Jesus we often say, "Let Jesus into your heart." I used to object to this because this expression is not found in the Book of Acts, or in the Epistles as far as I know.

Yet, it seems so right to say to someone, "Let Jesus into your heart"! Maybe the Lord is closer to mankind today than at any past time. Maybe He is so close that all we have to do is let Him in!

However, this invitation was written to the Church. It is the Church of the last days that needs to cease from its own works and permit the Lord Jesus to enter all the programs.

James said, "The Judge is standing at the door." I don't think this expression refers to calendar time but to proximity. Jesus is closer to us than ever before.

We find the word to Laodicea is as follows:

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20—NIV)

"Here I am!" To the worst church of all—"Here I am!"

The Lord is here, waiting for you and me to look to Him for every detail of life.

What would Church history have been like if all of the leaders and followers had looked to Jesus for every detail of life and ministry? The record would be very different.

What if all the leaders and followers of today looked to Jesus for every detail of life and ministry? Would the record be different from what is taking place? Probably so.

I haven't always been able to hear as clearly as today. I don't know whether it is because I am more experienced or whether the Lord is drawing closer because of the increasing evil of our day.

I have made mistakes in the past, trying to hear from the Lord. There are a lot of traps and poisonous watering places out there when we try to hear what the Lord is saying. There are numerous spirits hovering over us ready to imitate the voice of Christ. It is dangerous to scout out ahead of the wagon train.

Today as I listen for the voice of Jesus, or when I think He is about to speak to me, I ask God to keep me from hearing anything except that which is from His Throne through Jesus Christ. I'll bet I ask God for His protection twenty-five times a day, because I am trying to learn to listen to Jesus many times during the day.

To be continued.