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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Hi, Renee. This study has been such a blessing! I know that one thing i can do to discern God’s voice is to find a nice quiet place every day to study my Bible and pray. I rush too much. Thanks to you and the Proverbs 31 staff! There is no better place on the internet to connect with God. (Phil 1:3). 🙂
Yay P31, arent’ they a great bunch to hang out with and be encouraged! =0)
One thing that I can really do to be more familiar with God’s voice is spend more quality time with Him. So often I make my personal time the last thing I do before going to bed, and by then, a lot of time I am so tired that I put it off. I really need to start my day with His truth, and basking in His love. The devil, as soon as we wake, he is up to no good, trying to fill our minds and hearts with his countless lies, so therefore starting my day off right, would make a world of difference!!
Take Care, God Bless 🙂
Amen! I struggle with the same thing.
I’ve always lacked confidence and had low self esteem. I know I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that Jesus loves me more than I can comprehend. Still I feel defeated much of the time. I need your Bible study of the Confident Heart so much. I don’t have the book yet. It’s not always easy for me to get out to get it. I take care of my special needs granddaughter 3 days a week. She is a JOY! I claim over and over again God’s promise of HOPE. She has a genetic disorder (Trisomy 18). She’s 14 months old and is a MIRACLE baby already. God has been GOOD! I know one day she will go home to Heaven, but I don’t want to let her go. I want to keep her here with us. I so want to live in God’s Will for my life each day. It’s difficult to concentrate on the ordinary everyday things of life, but these things are what I need to be doing to take care of my wonderful husband and myself. Don’t know exactly where this is going, just needed to share. Thanks for your devotions and teachings. They help me so much.
I have been struggling with learning how to discern if God was really speaking to me. It was hard for me to know if what I thought I was hearing was truly God or what I just wanted to hear. Renee’s message what very helpful for me to apply those questions daily and really teach me to listen for God. I have been doing daily quiet devotional time early in the morning before my kids wake up and my busy day begins. I think this has really helped me quiet myself and prepare my heart to hear God. It is hard some days and I don’t want to get up, but I have found my day just isn’t right if I don’t do it. Thanks for this bible study, what a blessing to have 8000 women participating. It is helpful to know I am not alone. Blessings to everyone!
I am well aware that I am too focused on the world and do not spend enough time with God. I’ve been trying recently to open my heart (and ears) more and being more willing to act when I hear the voice of God. This may be something like getting the urge to go to church (my schedule is variable and many days I don’t have the opportunity to go) so I will make myself go. Or I’ll hear a voice say “clean up the house so your husband doesn’t have to” (our roles are somewhat reversed). or “turn off the TV and do your Bible study”. I think mostly I’m OK at hearing, but I’m working now on saying “yes” without hesitation. Though I really like your 4 questions to ask yourself. So maybe instead of saying “yes” without hesitation, I should reflect more and then maybe I’ll hear God more loudly and more clearly.
I am hearing with obedience comes blessings.
One thing I started doing before this study begin was to go take a walk for 30 min a day ( unfortunately this wasn’t every day like I wanted) while listening to the bible via a bible app on my phone. I was attempting to do the ” Walk with Jesus for 40 days.” You start with Matt & by the time the 40 days are over you should have made it through Revelation. Doing this has really helped me to align my thoughts with God’s word. I feel more at peace, less agitated & all around happier & more confident. I plan to continue this “walk.”
Thanks for being obedient to the Lord & so transparent, Renee!!! This study is Awesome & I’m so glad to be a part of it. I struggle with some deep insecurities & I’m excited to see how this study is going to transform me in that area. 🙂
Many blessings to you & yours, Lana Roscoe
How to discern His voice – from doing the Experiencing God study we are to keep doing what we were told to do last until further notice and note in the Bible how God spoke to His people there. It’s very hard not knowing the big picture of His plans for me since I’m such a planner, but he has asked me to step out of my comfort zone (MIIIIILES out of it!) this past year and although I still don’t have the big picture and may never, I have more than I did a few months ago!
Renee, I love that you said “that it’s in our relationship with Him, we find the purpose, direction and meaning we’re looking for”. I’m seeing and experiencing that every day the more I spend time in prayer with Him. And it is in this relationship that I will be completely fulfilled and not feel the need for others’ approval and acceptance. I thank you for guiding and leading us on this journey. I am just joining the online study as of late last night. I tried to do it back a few months ago but had some health issues get in the way and had to stop so I felt it was God’s gift that he brought the opportunity back to me. Thank you.
The one thing that I can do to hear Him more is to do as you said in your video message, spend some more quality/quiet time, I hear God talk to me all the time, but this post made me realize that I am always in such a rush to get done, or get to the next thing that I never (before today and this lesson) realized that I may only be taking enough time to hear the first frew words or the first sentence instead of giving my attention to the entire conversation that God wants to have with me.
Thank you for this thought and lesson from you. I know it is part of my Conversation with God.
God Bless You, Stephanie
i enjoyed the pianist chad it was very pretty and very tranquil and peaceful. he was very good. you could tell he loves the lord by the way he played and put his heart into it. very good.
Just needin’ a bit of prayer….How timely for me to have the verse: ‘But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.” Jer. 17:7 nlt
In the past week, one of the areas I struggle with most (regarding trust)…my kids..has come to the surface. Two of our children are in bad places right now…(all of a sudden)…Coincidence? Perhaps not. TRUST is what God is teaching but it is a tough lesson. I am glad He is faithful and good. Please pray for us as we ask the LORD for His wisdom (and seek to truly hear/heed). Thank you. Is it possible to feel hope in the midst of tears? I think so…for He is close to the broken-hearted and His promises for our children are true…and for us.
Only way to hear God’s voice is spending quiet time with Him. Turn off the sounds in the world ….. and even moreso turn off the sounds in your hear and just listen. Just listen ! Simple but I know I use to have a hard time to even take the time to do it for I had so much to do. Only the truth I cannot do it for it is the foundation of my life……Quiet time with Him is where I will hear His voice. Thank you for all the insight and inspiration that you give us in your writing, Renee. We love you !
Hi Renee, I am looking forward to our study. I have a question about the verse Isaiah 49:23. On the site it states that this verse says; Then you know that I am the Lord. Those who hope in me will not be disappointed. What version is this? I have a New King James version and it says Then you will that I am the Lord, For the shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.
I think I need to stop worrying and live in God’s promises!
Hi ladies, I am a few days behind on my study but am catching up. I know God speaks to me through a weighing on my heart. I don’t hear his voice as much as feel his nudge…. I am working on submission in my marriage and just this morning he “nudged” me to tolerance and humor on an issue that has long haunted me in regards to my husband. this study and reading my audio book of a womans high calling are all weaving Gods will into my life. Renee your voice is in the chorus of angels used by God to deliver me from the confusion of my role and life’s business..thank you and know you are a blessing from God.
Today I am praying for God’s direction in the “hear and now.” May I make each decision throughout my day with a listening ear to the Spirit’s voice. The best way for me to hear the Lord speaking is to start my day with time in the Word and some prayer for guidance. Thank you for your sharing your struggles and then your discovery of the “hear and now” as you found God’s blessing when following His words.
This was so great of you to share today. It really touched my heart because I had a similar incident like that last night. I know my hubby needs shirts for work and they needed to be ironed. I walked past the dirty landry basket and it was has if God was saying do all of my hubby’s work clothes laundry and wash, dry and iron it. I felt it so strongly that I went looking for enough clothes to make a wash load. Lol. Funny I know, but I won’t wash it if there isn’t enough for one load. Turns out most of it was done earlier and what I could get was in the room where he was now sleeping. So I resolved not to do it! I hang my head in shame now because it was God prompting me and I disobeyed. Yours story today really resonated with me and I need to make sure that I serve God better and my family in the “hear” and now. Thank you for encouraging me to listen to God in each moment of the day not just in the bigger areas of my life.
I went back and forth about doing this online study Renee. I love your blog, but honestly, I am quite busy with work and another home group study with a wonderful group of 9 other ladies who meet weekly. But after reading the online study emails for this first week I have decided to go ahead and buy the book and join in. It just seems to go hand in hand with what we are studying in our group, and something I so desperately need right now.
The best way for me to hear from God is to spend time with him. Quiet time. And to seek him earnestly, asking for answers. He speaks, we just have to be willing to listen and position ourselves where we can here.
Looking forward to this journey with all of you.
Thank you for the online study. I travel for work and it’s hard to make a local Bible study group on a consistent basis.