Effective Communication

Objective: Keep in contact and communication with God through prayer and Bible study. Concentrate on learning, living, and proclaiming the truths found in God’s Word.

Diamond quotes:

“Everyone wants to be a diamond, but very few are willing to get cut.” –Kushandwizdom

“Like the intense pressure which transforms what appears to be a worthless piece of carbon into diamonds, God takes bad and somehow does good with it.” –Jim Scudder

 

Pecos Diamonds Factoid:  Pecos diamonds are small, hexagonal, doubly-terminated, quartz crystals—meaning the 6-sided crystals narrow to a point at each end.

            Communication with God involves two basic components. We communicate to God through our prayers; God communicates to us through his written Word, the Bible. As a side note, at the end of this devotional, I have compiled a resource of verses on both prayer and Bible study.

            The most authentic prayers are the ones between you and your Heavenly Father. It doesn’t matter if you are standing, sitting, kneeling, or stretched out in bed—it doesn’t matter if you are having a great day or a horrible one—it doesn’t matter if your voice is audible or if the thoughts are quietly in your head—nor does it matter if you are praying in a group or alone—He knows your heart and hears your prayers. The point is to be genuine and authentic when speaking to God, after all, he already knows before you even utter a word; but he wants to hear the words directly from you.

            Simple prayers are best, but there are a few parts to include. Every prayer should recognize and praise the Holiness of God and the fact that we can pray directly to God because of the sacrifice of his only Son, Jesus Christ. Take time to admit our failings and ask forgiveness. Include time for thanksgiving. In fact, sometimes, the problem isn’t trying to find enough reasons for thanksgiving—it’s finding enough time to list them all. Personally and this may or may not apply to your style of prayer, I try to make the first three parts (i.e., praise, confession, thanksgiving) outweigh the final part of my prayer which is supplication—fancy word for requests. We always seem to have things on our mind to ask of God, but I try my best to make sure that “asking” is not the only reason I pray.

            God often communicates with us through the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit within us and for me it is often a still small, whispered thought in my heart. But our greatest source of God communicating with us is through his written Word. Yes, that requires a little time and effort on our part; but it is so critical to our spiritual growth. Knowing his Word, and committing it to heart, can guide us through the ups and downs in life. Each verse in your heart becomes another “tool in your toolbelt” when times are difficult and you are met with challenges.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Remind us that communication with you flows in two directions. In one direction, we voice our prayers to you. In the other direction we receive guidance from the nudgings of your Holy Spirit and more tangibly from your written Word. Guide us as we grow in daily communication with you.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Effective Communication  appeared first for a Pecos Diamonds Devotional series, written and compiled by Dotty Willmon, August-September 2018;

updated and posted September 2024 on Write From My Heart at

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

 

PRAYER: Our Communication to God.

Psalm 34:4  I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 55:16-17  But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.

Psalm 69:30  I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Matthew 6:6-8  When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Mark 1:35  Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

John 11:41-42  Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

Acts 2:42 (The early church)  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Ephesians 1:16  I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

BIBLE STUDY: God’s Written Communication to Us

Psalm 119:11, 15-16  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Psalm 119:26-27  …teach me your decrees. Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.

Psalm 119:33-35 (NLT) Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

John 17:17 …your word is truth.

Romans 15:4  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT)  But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.