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 had to laugh a little when I read the story about organizing your husband’s side of the closet and knowing that it must have been the Lord’s idea because it wasn’t yours — I can relate to the scenario! I am excited about learning to listen to the Lord and being able to discern his voice/ideas/plans for my life.
Thank you! I guess this is a Holy Spirit moment…as He is speaking through this…I have a hard time sitting and listening. I have been wanting to be in the Word more…to hear Him more clearly. Sometimes I do not become “like a weaned child” but more like “a child who just ate a bunch of sugar!”….so hard to sit still and listen. It takes discipline and humility (believing that God knows better than I do)… Thank you for the reminder. I printed off your post so I can re-read it…and learn to listen to God…He is so dear… God bless you!
There are times I’ll have a thought that seems to come from nowhere. It’s not something I was thinking then or even recently. When I realize that the thought has calmed me down, usually when nothing else has settled me, then I know it was from God. I suppose I could question, “Was that from you God?” but I choose not to. If He’s giving me peace and guiding my thoughts, I’m going to grab hold and not let go!! 🙂
I read and led a study on A Confident Heart last fall and found it to be a blessing. Thanks Renee!
In Christ,
Laura
I often pray for discernment, but have realized lately I rarely am still long enough to listen for God’s answer. Health issues have recently meant that I have more time to spend with God in the mornings when my house is quiet before everyone else gets up. In these moments God is pulling me into a closer relationship with him. I praise him for that and know I need to continue to draw nearer to him.
I really needed to hear this today – THANK YOU!
This really hit me this morning because I am reading the Made to Crave book & trying to “listen” to God. Trying to change my habits & becomed empowered to change through Christ.
When in bibly study I am going to really pay closer attention to what God is saying, why He is saying it. This year I am really focusing on studing scripture- slowing down – their is always the goal to complete the study in however many weeks it is design for- I am moving pass this belief and I am going to stay with a day/scripture until I get what God has for me there- I want His word to take root in my heart- we have a tendency to move through the word so fast- to finish, it never has the opportunity to take root in my heart. It has not been easy but I am still in week one of the study I begin at the beginning of the year-I’m still here because I am hearing God speak and He is sending me to many scriptures so I can learn His voice. Blessings and thanks
Thank you Renee for listening and acting NOW! Everything you wrote resonates with my heart and soul today. First, God nudged me to do something very similar and help my husband last week and I was blessed–not cursed to obey right then! I also felt His nudge to speak to an elderly man in a wheelchair at the grocery store and watched as my toddler brought a smile to the frail old man’s face. I’m hearing this theme of listening to His nudges this week and volunteer my time and write, supporting the efforts of Girlfriendit Radio and their radio show this week is titled, “Are You Listening to His Nudge.” http://girlfriendit.com/?p=3709.
My pastor is also teaching from the book of John and we are studying it in our small home group Bible study with other couples right now–would so love to share this DVD with them!!! Great idea:)
God has rearranged my schedule for me–taken some things away and brought some new things…for such a time as this!! Choosing to focus on Him…lean into Him, relying on the love He has for me and walking confidently…I’m choosing it…I am!!! So thankful for this experience online…Let’s keep going!!!
I seem to do all the talking in our conversations. I need to slow down, be still, and listen.
I’m trying hard to do better at having my quiet time with the Lord. I know this will help me to better
know when hes speaking to me. We recently started the bible study “Experiencing God” at our church and just after a few days into it I already feel my relationship with Him deepening. The enemy is well aware of it too in light of situations that have popped up this week. Its amazing how things happen when your getting closer to God. He may have won the battle but the war is mine with God on my side!
I will not give in!
Blessings,
Janet W.
One thing I could do is spend more time reading God’s Word. I don’t spend near enough time doing that. Then I would have His Word to compare the thoughts that come to me that I think are coming from Him. I would know if it is my sinful nature if it dosn’t follow God’s Word. Thank you for your daily devotion. I have often asked myself that very question, “how do I know if it is God asking me to do this or just me?”
I too have trouble discerning when He is talking to me. At times I think I need to be hit over the head with a sledge hammer to hear it. That is where the doubt thing comes in. I want to live in the hear and now, and become more of a doer of the word and not just a hearer. I have set aside daily time for the reading of the Word, which I did last year going through the Bible in one year. I often wondered if I followed through on all I read each day. It most certainly opened my eyes in a new way. My greatest desire is to hear and follow Him in all I do each day.
Thank you Renee for this great study.
I agree and appreciate the points you listed about when you hear God, you check it to make sure it’s biblically sound etc…. But my question is what if you think God is telling something different? Something that doesn’t make any sense? I know he has asked his children some strange things (Abraham to sacrifice his son, Peter to go find money in the mouth of the first fish he would catch etc…) this is where I’m sometimes frustrated. I have surrendered and told God ‘I will obey… I will do anything… I just need to know it’s YOU asking… Not in my own flesh or other things, people, spirits etc…’
Kim,
You have taken the words right out of my mouth! I, too, would surrender to and do anything for God. I just need to know it is Him asking. Thank you for helping me to express my doubts as well.
When I am focused and have a consistent prayer life and when I study the Bible and hear God’s word on a regular basis, I believe I will sense God’s leading and direction.
To become more familiar with God’s voice I am going to read His word; then be still and quiet in His presense and acknowledge Him in everything that I do and say and how I live. God inhabits the praises of His people, so when I worship Him in my daily life by how I walk and talk and live, I know that He will show up every time!
In order for me to hear God more clearly I need to carve out more time to be in His presence. Lately it seems that even as I am reading His word or praying the things of the world creep into my mind. My quantity of time with Him is low but sadly so is the quality of my time with Him. I am so excited to have this study to help guide me back into that focused, devoted time that is needed to truly hear God.
I am one who is still learning to keep still….Oh so hard to do! I have always been an anxious soul and a very emotional one to boot w/ not so good self-esteem. My anxiety has been through the roof lately, esp. at my job. Dealing with an aray of personalities with the clients and with the people that I work with day to day. As time goes on, I know that I am here for a reason…that God has placed me here to fufill His purpose. There are days that I struggle to understand why I am here (a lot of the time), and other days it is clear. It has been even more difficult, with my husband being in the ranks of the long-term unemployed and having to move back “home” close to my family (which has been a blessing there). I feel many times that I am never good enough, esp when I get barked at for something wrong or whatnot and then trying to be the ‘good-girl’ to correct the situation. I am so trying to learn not to take it personally and to be confident in what I do.
It has been very difficult for me to internalize and live it…the Christ Confidence. I am a very visual/audio learner. I have been doing my prayers on a visual level too, because my mind wanders too much. Inspired by Sybil MacBeth (Praying in Color) and Visual Prayer (Michelle Pindergrass).
I am so glad to be a part of this study so I can grow further into the person God wants me to be. ~ Thank you Renee 🙂
Bits and pieces of the journey: http://www.hopeintheclouds.blogspot.com…sorry I am not a “regular” blogger.
On another note: To Martha, I sent you an e-mail regarding the book you were sending me, was checking to see if you got my address via e-mail or not. Please let me know – Thanks!
On my blog link…copy and paste in the browser and delete the word…sorry, not sure why when I linked it it took that word with it too.
This really changed my perspective because I was basing most of my decisions on things that might happen tomorrow or in the future. Instead, I can focus on just living today and not concentrating on tomorrow. Then I will not be as quick to ignore the little things that God wants me to do right now (even things I think are insignificant but God thinks are important). One step at a time.
Thank you so much!
🙂
Thank you for adding clear, how-to detail to your message today! I’m that busy wife that runs through the day “fitting God in” through anxious whispers and quick glances up saying, “Please help me”!
One thing I can do differently is dedicating that 10-15 minutes to quiet listening and seeking His will for my day in the morning. I’ve felt God nudging me toward more discipline in this area. Thanks again for sharing your practical ideas to start listening for God’s plan.
Don’t be too surprised when your 10-15 minutes turns into 30 minutes.. or your 1 chapter of reading turns into 3! 🙂
I need to be more in His word and stop talking long enough to hear him. I am constantly on the go and sometimes I am so busy that I don’t even realize God is trying to talk to me. Sometimes someone else has to point it out to me after I have a conversation with them about what is going on in my life. My husband is usually the one. I struggled with organizing and leading a Christmas cantata and couldn’t even figure out why I would consider something so time consuming but it was God leading me in that direction I was just to busy to realize it. My husband finally said that I needed to stop running from God and allow him to use me. This all goes back to confidence in God. I certainly don’t have the training to be able to do what we did at Christmas but this was a God thing and He made it happen when I finally said yes.