The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "ACTIVE LISTENING" for Thursday, 13 October 2016 with Scripture: Psalm 119:97-105

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "ACTIVE LISTENING" for Thursday, 13 October 2016 with Scripture: Psalm 119:מ (Mem)
97 How I love your Torah!
I meditate on it all day.
98 I am wiser than my foes,
because your mitzvot are mine forever.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
because I meditate on your instruction.
100 I understand more than my elders,
because I keep your precepts.
101 I keep my feet from every evil way,
in order to observe your word.
102 I don’t turn away from your rulings,
because you have instructed me.
103 How sweet to my tongue is your promise,
truly sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 From your precepts I gain understanding;
this is why I hate every false way.
נ (Nun)
105 Your word is a lamp for my foot
and light on my path.
-------
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”[John 10:27-28 (NIV)]
I serve as an instructor pilot in the United States Navy Reserve and teach students to fly complex jet aircraft that travel at high speeds. One of the areas in which student pilots encounter difficulty is in learning to listen effectively and understand critical radio communications. Air traffic controllers speak quickly and often use abbreviated terminology, which sometimes makes their communications difficult to grasp. When my students become confused by a radio call they do not comprehend, I draw on past experience and training to help them translate the controller’s instructions. We need those instructions as pilots in order to continue flying safely and to complete our mission.
The challenges faced by my students are not unlike those that we face as Christians trying to carry out God’s will. We might be eager and determined to follow God’s plan in our lives, but too often we neglect to work on our listening skills. Fortunately, like my students, we have the ability to become better listeners. Training our ears through regular study of the Bible and faithful participation in worship makes it easier to understand the communications God is sending us.
See an image of the author, here.
"Link2Life for October 13, 2016"

Upper Room author William P. Moynahan with his family

Read more from the author, here."More from Will Moynahan"

It’s quite a thrill and very humbling to have a meditation printed in The Upper Room. I sincerely hope the readership finds it beneficial. Like many of us, I imagine, I continually struggle to be a better listener and open to God’s will. Sometimes it’s easier than others, but I remain persistent.
I started reading The Upper Room in the early 2000s – a few years after I began my time in the Navy. Through these many years, it has been a constant blessing – both on joyful days and in times of sorrow. Reading the stories of “regular” people, like me, creates a very powerful connection. It is not uncommon for me to feel as if a meditation is an answer to a particular problem I have prayed about or an issue I struggle with. Invariably, my time reading The Upper Room brings peace and hope.
I still serve in the Navy Reserve. In the past few months, however, I have been involuntarily recalled to active-duty. For me, this means spending a year away from my family, deployed to a base in Africa. I am in training now and leave for Africa in November. While I understood this was a possible part of my Reserve service, it doesn’t make it easier on my family. I am married and have two small girls – ages three years and five months. I would respectfully ask for your prayers for my family and me during this upcoming year.
One final thing to mention – today, October 13th, is the birthday of the U.S. Navy (founded October 13, 1775). May God bless all the sailors serving around the world.[Will Moynahan, Learn more about The Upper Room military chaplains program here.]
The Author: William P. Moynahan (Virginia, USA)
Thought for the Day: How will I listen to God and others today?
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us prayerfully and continually to seek your guidance. Help us also to follow that guidance so that we may better serve you. Amen.
Prayer focus: AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS-------