Advent Week 4 theme: Peace – There are no mood swings in God's personality

Sometimes I think I make God tired. It seems like all I do is ask. “Please, God …. “. Even though I often follow the ACTS structure, learned way back in my first women’s Bible study, I feel like I spend a lot of time in S. ACTS stands for Adoration – Confession – Thanksgiving – Supplication.  Do you ever feel that way? Last week I was having a ‘moment’ and I prayed out loud to God sitting right there in my car – Please, please, God show me something, give
me some way of knowing … and 15 minutes later, God presented me with a sign from Him that I was right where I belonged and all I need to do is to trust Him for the next step. I felt like Ahaz at the time. Is it OK to ask God for confirmation, a sign? Does God get tired listening to our recycled prayers “Please, God …. “. I don’t think God gets tired. He doesn’t have mood swings. And here’s a tip – God wants us to talk to him, constantly  (1 Thessalonians 5:17) so when he speaks to us, we recognize his voice. What happens when you hear the voice of a friend? They rarely have to identify themselves because as soon as they speak you recognize their voice.
Look at the Advent scripture for today. God told Ahaz to ask for a sign. And notice that Ahaz refused. It’s not because he didn’t want to bother God. It’s because he was proud and pious. I don’t know about you, but I never want God to tell me I’m pious. What I want is a peaceful heart and that’s my prayer for you today too. You might need to spend extra time talking Jesus as a trusted friend. In fact, if you’re feeling stressed out and anxious, now would be a good time to pray, “Please God. Do you see me here? I’m exhausted from everything. Please take this. Can you be my comfort and strength? I’m at the end of me and need you.”
Be at peace in this most beautiful time of year. I hope you listen to this beautiful song of peace and that it brings you joy.   Michael W. Smith & Carrie Underwood – All Is Well  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thotoEXt42E
Isaiah 7:10-14 (The Message)
God spoke again to Ahaz. This time he said, “Ask for a sign from your God. Ask anything. Be extravagant. Ask for the moon!”  But Ahaz said, “I’d never do that. I’d never make demands like that on God!”  So Isaiah told him, “Then listen to this, government of David! It’s bad enough that you make people tired with your pious, timid hypocrisies, but now you’re making God tired. So the Master is going to give you a sign anyway. Watch for this: A girl who is presently a virgin will get pregnant. She’ll bear a son and name him Immanuel (God-With-Us)