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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Thanks so much for this posting. I really needed this just at this moment. Guess God was speaking to me? ; ) I still feel a need to “do” something. Charge ahead. Make things happen.
Thanks again.
For me, I had to learn to include the Holy Spirit into my everyday life and give Him room to speak to me and into my life. The more I am in His word, the more familiar I become with his language, the better I hear Him. I am so thankful for this study!
I need to make myself be still instead of always buzzing around! I liglhtly think “God, can’t catch up with me” and even though this sound comical – it is all too true! I need to sit still and listen for Him!
One thing that has helped me was an emergency in my family.This emergency has forced me to step out of several leadership responsibilities to care for my father. In the process I realized I was doing many things *for* God but wasn’t sure they were all things He had called me to be involved in. By clearing my plate, so to speak, I am more conscience about the things I put back on to it. Relationships rather than activities have become more prominent. I still struggle with wanting to DO things but I keep reminding myself that God is concerned with who I am BEcoming more than what I am DOing. I remembered the phrase “We are human BEings not human DOings”.
So I guess the one thing I could do/have done is say Yes less often and more slowly so there is less clutter and I can actually hear God.
Thank you Renee! I am at a crossroads with a job decision and this devotion was written just for me! I really want to do what God wants, I don’t think I’m holding onto anything. You spoke as if I wrote this devotional myself!!! I have signed up for your online Bible study and I thank you for all you are doing to be the hands and feet of the Lord.
I also struggle with discerning God’s voice. I’m trying to be more consistant with my Bible reading. I know that will help me tremendously. Thank you for this!
I have such a hard time discerning God’s voice…is this my own voice and will wanting to do this? Or is it truly God whispering in my ear. I am still struggling but your devotional e-mail helped at the exact moment I needed it the most. Thank you. My mind is constantly wondering and running; thinking that if I do this that I will grow closer to God, that if I do this others will see how God works and know that He is the truth and provides. But, He wants me to listen, and though I am still struggling at what that looks like, you devotional truly helped me and brought it to our attention. Thank you.
I really needed to read this story. It’s so easy to convince myself that the voice in my head is something I can or should ignore. I want to know what direction God is leading me in. I need to know what direction He’s leading me in. It feels like I’m driving 90 miles an hour down a path that I have no idea where I’m supposed to be going. Just like we sometimes argue with the GPS in our cars, I’m arguing with that voice in my head even when I know I shouldn’t. It’s so hard to be still and stopping to read the Bible more and talking to God more frequently and listening for that voice so I can really start to recognize it and know that I can confidently follow that voice and everything will be okay. I need to stop being so afraid of everything and stop doubting myself so much. Thank you for being there for us and showing us the way.
I too like Renee find that I try to do the “work of God” and be “responsible” without listening and checking in with God on HOW He wants me to do something. I think it has something to do with being a mom – Aren’t we supposed to take care of things? I really appreciated this message.
Exactly what I needed read! Thanks Renee. GOD IS AMAZING! May I learn to live in the HEAR and NOW.
Being “present” when in His word.
Allowing the spirit to speak to my heart.
Thank you for the encouragement.
what works for me is getting in his presence first thing in the morning, my prayer closet is the best results.n
No t.v on and no radio turn off the telephone as well pure Peace………Have A Blessed Day ……SHALOM SHALOM…….
thank you norma for sharing!! this is something that god want me to do is get in to his presence!
Good Morning I’m so glad to have so many of you feeling the same way I do about listening for God’s voice. I believe he hears me but wants me to be still a wait on him. I have patience but so many things are happening in y life right now i don’t no which way to turn. I see that Renee says that book can be purchased for 8.99 at this moment I don’t have that would love to have the book to continue reading and understanding God’s purpose for my life, I just need so help. I really enjoy all of the stories and blessing you offer they lift me up and gives me hope and courage. Glory be the God.
I’ve started listening to God’s Word read to me on biblegateway.com. Not only am I learning how to pronounce all those OT names and places, I really getting a whole new perspective of Him and His Word by listening to it being read. I read along and plan to start taking some notes on what God is saying to me and what I have questions about for further study.
Thank you Rene for offering this study, I am especially thankful for the pace and daily emails of encouragement. God bless you today!
One thing I could do is to read the Bible to get to know Him, having myself quiet before Him, expecting and believing Him to speak to me in His timing. Many times fail doing so because I am afraid if I never understand and know Him speaking to me… Big fear and doubt is blocking. So, I need to remind myself not to listen to those lies but to focus on the God’s words. and never give up!
My hearts’ desire is to a “woman who listens to God. But, sometimes I’m not sure if it’s God talking or just me thinking”. Soooo many times in my life I thought God was talking but it was just me thinking and I acted on my thoughts and really messed up alot and hurt alot of people in my life because of my decisions. Then I became extremely fearful of making any decisions!!! For the last 20 years I have been living in this fear and paralyzed to have hope or make any decsions because I doubted myself, not trusting God.BUT, praise God , He never gave up on me…He has brought me to a place of hope and trust. I trust you Jesus is my mantra!!
I’ve never really shared my story. I would like to share what happened the night before last. My 18 year old daughter came home stoned or so I thought. She said she wasn’t, but I know what I saw. Also, yesterday my husband found some alcohol in her car. As you might imagine, satan was doing his no goods. Because of this I “know” that I am walking closer to GOD than ever before. I do not like what she is doing. She told me last evening that she didn’t want to talk to me and she had nothing to say to me. HA! Her reason? I always have a GOD verse to tell her. AMEN!!! I am going to continue to pray for her. She said stop send her text bible verses. THANK YOU JESUS! I am going to send the verses. I am thankful to God for bringing her home safely. I have had some much happen to me before I saved 8 years ago. I live in a small town and in this town they have groups. I have been here since 1983. I am still an outsider. It is family groups in the churches and of course “experience” counts as well. For some reason people think that they can ride on the skirt tails of the parents and grandparents. GOD is in control, not peopel. In saying this, it is very hard to tell people here what is going on at home. I am learning to talk to GOD, he won’t spread it at the local school and city offices. It was hard to find a mentor here. I recently found one that I trust and she gives me so much support and helps me with my daily walk. So today I want to share what God has laid on my heart and what I have learned from Renee’s book. I was able to implement yesterday. I stayed in the light! woo hoo. He told me to read Jer. 29: 11-14. I listen to KLove. I kept humming This is the Air I Breathe. I admit I was running on 3 hours of sleep. God is good. I am on my way to this Confident Heart. God Bless y’all.
I have to be careful when listening for God to speak to me, sometmes I confuse my own ideas with His. I like the questions, especially “Is it consistent with God’s leading through doors He’s opened and closed.” I am guilty of opening doors myself out of impatience. I plan/desire to seek God more diligently and really listen and not step out without His guidance.
Im learning everyday that its not about me but about God and my obedience to him. Im nite to worry about what everybody is doing. Im learning to give my best to Him regardless how my day is going and the frustration i my feel at times to my children n husband. i need to please the Lord more and love more w patience and gentleness.
I am so very thankful to be a part of this study. I’ve been a christian for many years, but I still struggle with some selfish choices I’ve made in my life. I know that I am forgiven, however I struggle with trusting God. Therefore, I try to rely on my own self confidence which is fragile. What a relief to know that my confidence is not in me, but in God.