Welcome Confident Heart Online Study and Encouragement for Today friends!! If you’re new here, welcome!
On Sunday, I started an online study of my book, A Confident Heart and I’d love to have you join us! (Click here for more details).
One of the first things I learned, when it came to overcoming self-doubts and living in the security of God’s promises , is that we have to recognize and listen to God’s voice. It’s also the topic of my P31 devotion today. Here’s a little more about where my “listening to God” story came to a turning point. At the end I share “How to Discern God’s Voice” and a give-away.
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I sat on looking out the window, wondering what the future held. My excitement, mixed with the fear of getting over-committed, ignited a rapid firing of thoughts: What would I say yes or no to? What was God calling me to do? How would I figure out His plans and purpose for my schedule?
Wondering and worrying wasn’t getting me anywhere, so I wrote questions in a notebook: “Lord, what should I say yes to? Where do You want me to spend my time? Will You please show me Your plans for me this coming year?”
I wanted a sneak peek into God’s calendar so I could adjust mine. Instead, I sensed Him telling me not to worry about tomorrow but to live each day in the hear and now. {And He even spelled it that way.}
I did okay when it came to obeying God in the obvious things. It was selfless acts of obedience that challenged me most. But that day, I made a commitment to live in the “hear” and now.
A few weeks after, I noticed my husband’s side of the closet was a mess. Immediately I thought about how J.J. enjoys “order” although it’s not his natural inclination. Then I sensed God whispering, “One way you could really love J.J. would be to organize his side of the closet.”
I wish I could say I obeyed. Instead, I argued: “He’s a grown man; he can organize his own side of the closet. I have two kids, two dogs and myself to keep up with. Have you seen our garage and attic, Lord?”
“Did you hear Me? Are you going to obey Me now?” God’s Spirit nudged.
How did I know it was God? you might ask. Well, I knew it wasn’t my idea.
Just that week I’d read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, and recognized myself in the third servant. He hadn’t been entrusted with much so he buried his talent in the ground. I always assumed since he wasn’t faithful with it because he thought his Master wouldn’t notice.
Sometimes I saw my role as a wife, mom and friend as “average” one-talent kind of assignments. Plenty of people have the same responsibilities, I thought. Without realizing it, I let myself slip into being selfish and impatient here and there. But God wanted my willingness in every area of my life – hear and now – acting on His promptings throughout my day.
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV) And the more we listen to and obey God, the more familiar His voice becomes.
Obedience means exchanging our will for His.
So, why does God wants moment-by-moment, day-by-day obedience? Because He loves us and wants us to trust Him.
God is so patient as we learn to trust Him. And we discover over time that it’s in our relationship with Him, we find the purpose, direction and meaning we’re looking for. When we live in the “hear and now” our calling and our calendar begin to reflect our love for Him, and His love for us — not our need for fulfillment or the desire for others’ approval and acceptance.
Dear Jesus, am I living and listening the way You want me to? Sometimes I fall into the trap of waiting for a better tomorrow or an easier assignment so that I can be faithful. Help me trust You. I want to but sometimes I’m afraid. Give me courage to listen and follow You with all my heart! Amen
PS. I reorganized JJ’s side of the closet ,and I’m almost sure I heard God chuckle and felt the warmth of His smile. May He smile on you today as you commit to live in the hear and now – acting on what you hear and living it out now.
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Discerning God’s Voice
Here are a few questions we can ask. When I sense God speaking, whether it be through scripture, an impression on my heart, circumstances or through His spirit in me, I always look for Biblical consistency:
- Is it consistent with God’s Word and God’s ways?
- Is it consistent with wise Biblical counsel I’ve sought?
- Is it consistent with God’s leading through doors He’s opened and closed?
- Is there a consistent theme I’m seeing in my life or hearing during my personal Bible study time, through sermons, Christian songs, conversations, etc?
Recognizing God’s ways and God’s will comes as we spend more and more time in His word. All of us have different things that draw us closer to Jesus, and here is one practical thing that helps me: watching the Gospel of John movie on DVD. It makes Jesus, His words, the people and the stories He lived in come to life in a powerful way. After watching it, when I read my Bible I can see Him and hear Him. Which makes me want to spend more and more time with Him, which helps me know Him and recognize His voice more clearly.
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So, what is one thing you could do to become more familiar with God’s voice?
Let me know by clicking “Share Your Thoughts” below and you’ll be entered to win my “Listening to God” gift pack which includes a copy of the Gospel of John movie on DVD, my book A Confident Heart and my message on CD, Rest Assured: How to Rest, Be Renewed & Remain in God’s Promises and Plans .
Also, if you want to join my online study, please click here for more details. I just found a deal this week for those who can’t afford the book and shipping. Amazon has the Ebook for $8.99 and they offer FREE Kindle for your PC software! So, you only have to pay $8.99 and the book downloads onto your computer! Email [email protected] if you want more details about that deal!
(If you are reading this post in an email, click here to return to my website to enter your comment into the drawing.)
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I have to sit quietly and just listen.. Reading His word and the word of others who know his voice helps also.
Gods impressed on me last year to “Talk less & Listen more” something that is hard for me to do, in most conversations I find myself thinking I need to constantly talk/give an opinion. Maybe because listening touches a sensitive nerve, I feel vulnerable. Unfortunately it was like a New Years Resolution, I was all excited and ready to make it happen but over time with busyness of life (Wife, Mother & full time employee) I lost focus. So for 2012 I will continue trying to “Talk less & Listen more”. Listening to God begins with the reading of his word & praying consistently & diligently and that brings on conviction, therefore I know I need to force myself to set aside quiet time to do the above so I can hear his soft & gentle voice speak to me. I know he’s there.
I need to really listen and take in what God is saying. Sometimes I have a message from God that I don’t really ‘hear’. So I don’t act on it as I should. This is where I need to put my attention.
I have been struggling with the concept of hearing God’s voice for several years. I kept feeling like I just couldn’t connect with Him enough to really hear Him. I came across very similar information that Renee has shared as far as listening and discerning His voice vs mine or the enemy. I’ve had to discipline my life and organize my time to allow peace and quiet in God’s presence each and every morning before my day becomes too filled with “stuff”. I actually look forward to this now rather than view it as an obligation plus I feel empty and deprived if I don’t get that time with Him first thing of the day. I had to learn that the way God speaks to us is not always obvious like a mountain top experience, but that we have to open our hearts, minds, and ears to His voice that will likely come to us through the study of His word, a song, or people He sends to us. Thank you so much, Renee, for all that you are doing. I give God much praise and glory for leading you on this venture and for bringing everyone along with you.
I too struggle with listening for His voice. I have often felt like maybe He doesn’t speak to me. I am learning that God’s voice may not be audible to me but it is a feeling I get that something is right or maybe isn’t right. I am trying so hard to carve out that quiet time to be alone in my study of His word. It is so hard for me as a single mom of three teenagers to have even a minute alone much less a quiet one!
Wow! What a great devotion today. I have had a season away from God (read that as I have not been paying attention though i know he was always with me) and have just started connecting back in the last 4-5 months. His absolute faithfulness to be is astounding eventhough I know I have been like a spoiled child for a couple years now. Now that I am here and connecting back in he is there just as he was when I was choosing. Of to connect. Tonight was a hard night at home with my little girls, they are in a rebellious and fiesty place and I was sitting on my bed praying about it and decided to look at the assignment for today. And I find this wonderfully honest and directive study about trusting God and listening and obeying as HIS child. How can I expect my girls to be obedient and trust me when I have not been modeling that behavior at all with God? What a HUGE realization that was for me. The other line that got me was the last … “When we live in the “hear and now” our calling and our calendar begin to reflect our love for Him, and His love for us — not our need for fulfillment or the desire for others’ approval and acceptance.”. THAT is where I have been the past 2-3 years trying to get fulfillment from others and their approval and acceptancVe. And you know what though God used that time in my life for his glory… It was not where I should have been in my life. Thank you Renee. Thank you fellow bible study followers. Thank you for helping me see and HEAR God’s will and words for my life. This is a journey I will not soon forget. Bless you all!
Boy, does the idea of a spoiled child hit close to home. God has been doing things in my life and putting me places where I DO NOT WANT TO BE! I am still struggling with it, but I think that as He is allowing me to recognize this He is also allowing me to be more aware of other, bigger, God-centered things. I hope. 🙂
I am so thankful. I put my trust in Jesus and by faith i hear his voice. I try to obey-it’s a struggle so I keep confessing my trust in Jesus. Miracles are happening PTL. It’s baby steps.
I am excited and nervous to begin this study. “A Confident Heart,” was definitely written for me. I am 55 years old and have grown so weary from a lifetime of self-doubt. I find myself thinking of my relationship with the Lord in the past tense. I “used” to pray more, be involved in church, read my bible more, etc. I want to live in the now. One important thing I can do to hear God’s voice is to stop numbing my mind with tv. It is such a powerful escape for me. I don’t have to think when I am zoned out in front of it. I look forward to turning my focus back to God and growing in Him.
Amen Vickie! I’m 50 years old and also weary of self-doubt. I’ve also been using TV to zone out and forget my problems instead of laying them at the feet of Jesus. Praise the Lord for this study and being able to share and support each other. Let’s pray for each other that we can get away from the temptation of TV.
Vickie I am 56 and I so identify with what you are saying! I was encouraged when I read the words of Paul this morning telling me to forget the past and strive forward in Christ. We cannot change what we did or did not do in the past. We can focus on today and the days ahead. I will pray for you and would covet your prayers also!
Renee,
I thank you so much for coming into my life. I am going through some struggles in my life. I am studying your book & trying to get all I can from this study. I thank you so much.
The way I can listen for God voice is by reading & studying more. Also by spending time in prayer. I am learning to pray scripture because of you. Thanks! Your very encouraging.
I used to ask God to yell at me because I was a bad listener. I found out that with patience time and practice He much prefers to speak quietly and lovingly to me. I just need to make myself present.
Like any other relationship, you need to spend time together to become familiar with His voice. This is done by spending time in the Word as well as prayer.
Good Evening! When I first became familiar with the Holy Spirit was when I could hear the God’s voice more clearly. Just recently I heard God speak into my heart about a medical mission trip with a Dentist team from my church. We are leaving for Guatemala in March. I am very excited about this trip but I can be honest and tell you this is way out of my comfort level. If you would have asked me this question a few years ago I would have told you my mission work is in our church working with our music ministry and youth. That was out of my comfort zone at the time. Now I am looking at foreign missions directly in the face and asking the question: “Are you sure God?” But he is telling me a definite yes. Through his word, prayer and every day circumstances I can see he is preparing me for this new adventure. It is just amazing. The power of God is amazing. I recall Luke 1:37 where it says, “Nothing is impossible with God.” The truth is in his word, and it will set you free to hear what he has to say.
W : )
I am so blessed to be a part of this study. I am looking forward to what the Lord has for me as we journey this together. One thing I can do to hear the voice of God is to slow down and pause during my day instead of shooting out prayers and carrying on in a hurry.
Good Evening, I am so excite about doing this online study. I don’t have a facebook or twitter page
I am new on the computer so please bear with me.I need to focus more and listen for God’s voice when He speak to me.I am seventy years young and like Nicole says I want God to transform me into the Jesus Girl that I was meant to be
As I read these posts, ir dawned on me that God is speaking to us all through these posts. There are ideas and suggestions that fit right in with what I need. There are stories that speak to my heart. There are truths that speak to me about the Word of God. This is fantastic. Thank you for a wonderful idea. In the living room!!
Renee, last year when I began to receive your daily emails and encourage words, I placed all in a binder and when the study started I already had a binder labeled and ready to go with printouts. Download Chapter 1 read it and answer the questions. Just finished day one and catching up, as I am a full time student, mom, daughter and sister. I just spent 22 days with a sick brother oldest, partial youngest suffering, mom sickly, daughter getting married, homework due, yearly apartment inspection today, busy and busier, dinner cooked, classmates awaiting and completed a resume for the 1000 times all in a run of a day. Pew
My day starts at 3 a.m if I want to get my devotional in starting with 365 daily bible devotional reading, 10 more devotional readings, listening to christian music all day, and sending out response to urgent emails.. What is God really saying to me! I haven’t ask for any of this only school. All the rest is just a test and school is just that most times, but I am to discipline just want to crawl in bed and lay there then something will go lacking and I will get behind and still have to clean up the mess.
Could I possible be to confident and God allows more to the plate and I complete it? I know the answer to the question God is bragging on his children, changing my name to Jobina LOL
That’s a powerful dvd, Renee. I watched it over Christmas break and was just finishing reading the Book of John. I love the Gospel of John. I am convicted that God’s Word holds the key to my life. The more I study, the closer I feel in my relationship to Him, the more I understand, and the more mature I become. Thank you for your ministry.
In a world where messages come at us from every possible direction, it takes courage and effort to be still and focus on listening to what God tells us. I have been blessed in the past year by keeping the music in my car and at my desk at work only on positive and uplifting Christian music. It keeps me positive and my thoughts on the things of God.
I am working hard on making time for the reading and study of God’s word and studies like this mean so much….it’s helpful to connect with others.
A goal for myself is to spend time in conversation with God and to pray specifically, boldly and with expectation!
I love your statement about looking and listening for themes that we run into often during the day or week. I too have come to watch listen for them. When certain scripture or phrases keep coming at me I have to stop and tell God “OK OK!! I hear you!! I am on my way to do as you ask! Sometime it is to read a book in the Bible, sometimes it is to clean out a closet (yes) or to help someone in need. I think it is so exciting to have a relationship with Jesus! Each day, I wake up peering around the corner just wondering what great miracle God has planned for my day. And there are many throughout the day if you look for them. Yes!! It is so exciting and I thank God for my life every day. I pray that I recognize His Will for my day. And that I can obey. PS….I wish I could say that I always obey. : )
I’ve grown to recognize the voice of my shepherd, a;though many of my first reactions include a hint of doubt and questioning, especially when I’m not too keen on the thought or if it sounds a bit too crazy for my practicality. When this happens, I keep putting it to prayer, asking for a confirmation or the next time He brings it to mind.
Renee: you said you would explain why you wanted us to read the acknowledgments before chapter One. I never heard why even though I did read them. Can you explain?