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!
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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?
I could so relate to your blog/devotional. I loved reading the ” hear and now”….that is something I need to do more is hear and listen and be still.
El Roi, The God who sees me. I am a window through which God can see all of me. Despite the false walls of self I build, He continues to love the true me. All the while He sees me I only foul myself thinking that my efforts are enough. God is all seeing, all knowing, and all loving.
Thanks for being El Roi to me!
I know God wants me in His word more. I’ve dragged my feet for sooo long….fear, rebellion, confusion???
I am also hearing Him say that He wants to love on me, compliment me, affirm me, tell me that I’m worth pursuing. I’m asking Him to help me hear His voice loudly and clearly in this area.
Sometimes I feel that I am hearing God’s voice and following his lead….and I run right into a brick wall. I end up feeling so let down and confused and this has really made me doubt…..doubt so many things. Discernment….it’s so difficult for me.
I “usually” make good decisions based on my instincts and I credit that to God. I have been recieving the Proverbs 31 devotionals to help me become more familar with God’s word and this is helping along with the study we are doing now to listen to the messages he is giving me.
Like your devotion today, I need to listen to what I hear as common sense! It really is the Voice of God speaking to my heart that I brush aside as just me! I also pause….be still and know He is God. Living a more quiet, simple life tunes my ears into Him because I cant hear Him when Im rushing around, distracted with too much information or noise coming at me!
I try to remember to do this, as well. “Be still”. So simple…..but so easily overlooked. (by me…)
Quite a few years ago I was trying to quiet my mind so I could hear God better. It was a challenge for me. As I was sitting on my couch I heard a voice behind me that said “Be Still” I know but know it was the Lord speaking. Our world is so filled with constant noise that it is almost impossible to hear Him! So many distractions! But, He is a patient God and He wants us to hear Him even more then we want the same thing. It is a blessing to be a part of this study!
I so love this study. It is hard to “be still and quiet” for me. I set aside time every morning, but there are very few days that I am able to spend this time uninterrupted. I have started going into my bathroom and locking the door, and if that does not work, I lock my bedroom door and go into my closet.
Taking this time has helped me deal with my grief since my husband died in October. The day of his death, I walked into my bathroom and locked the door and feel on my face and asked the Lord to guide me, give me the strength I needed and to help me put on the armor of his love to get through this. Such a sense of peace overcame me and I knew that He would be with me throughout this new journey that I am on. He does not guarantee me that it will be easy, but even on the worst days I have such a sense of peace because I know that my Lord and Savior is with me always guiding me and that he has a plan for my life if I will only “be quiet and listen.”
Bless you Miss Renee and all of the other ladies at P31! You are all such an inspiration! Thank you for doing this study.
Phyllis….Your story has moved me. I pray for your continued peace and strength in your trial.. Thank you for sharing your story. I also love all the ladies at P31. I have been receiving devo’s for quite some time and they have helped guide me to a more secure place in God’s hands. With Love in Jesus. Cheryl
I so feel for you Phyllis. I also had a death i the family last year. We lost our grandson to a heart condition that we did not know he had. It has made me more aware that I need to do more to become closer to God myself. I pray for your peace in the Lord and the knowledge that we will be with out loved ones again.
I hear God most clearly through His word. I do not have a great memory but, I try to memorize praise verses. In the morning I have several now that come to mind instantly and I thank the Lord for them. It is wonderful to give Him praise through His word. This helps to keep the negative thoughts away. Throughout the day I give Him praise through song and talks with friends. His spirit keeps me on track, giving me discernment and I praise Jesus for that.
I know the question is what I need to do and not what I did but as I read the entry above the homework it dawned on me what just happened to me yesterday. All at just about the exact same time a server crashed at work (being in my technology position that’s not a good thing), my son was coming home on the school bus and we had numerous inches of snow that had fallen during the day that covered the driveway he would need to walk up to get in the house (he is in middle school but totally blind and i only sent him in tennies shoes that morning) and a young college woman I’m mentoring called & needed to meet for coffee. Needless to say I felt like I was spinning like a top about the time she called. My flesh told me there is absolutely no way I can do one more thing right now and almost in he same moment I felt God nudging me to make time for the important stuff. I told her that I would need to discuss the time with my son because he would need me for homework and I didn’t know if he’d be up for starting right away so I could meet her in a couple hours or if he wanted to wait and do it when I returned. After talking with him a time was set for us to meet. I was able to get the driveway & sidewalks cleared of the 4-5inches of snow and the computers up and working at work again and during the time I was helping my son with his homework the young woman called and said a friend from the east coast got into town a couple days early and she wouldn’t be able to meet any longer but she’d talk with this other friend. God just wanted my obedience. I didn’t know how I was going to fit it all in but He did. Listening to Him really has its blessing! I praise Him for being all knowing!
Although I talk to God throughout the day and pray often in my day, I really need to set up time daily just for Him. Even if this means starting small and adding time each week.
I tend to do the same….talk to Him throughout the day and ask for guidence but the real quiet still time I need to do as you mentioned. Start small and work into carving out more time. Thanks for the idea.
By taking the time to spend with God- just he and I. He is waiting for all of us .
To be still & know that He is God! How can I hear Him, unless I’m quiet. Resting is a struggle for me! But I want to recognize what God wants.
I am so excited to learn other people have the same thoughts and struggles I have. I am learning if I pay close attention-Be still and know that HE is GOD, it feels as if I can hear HIS voice in my heart. I know it sounds silly but that’s what it feels like when HE speaks to me. Now don’t get me wrong we do not have a two way conversation all day any day…just sometimes I feel HIM nudging me to do what I know HE wants me to do. Like straighten the other side of the closet!!
Thank you so much, Renee for putting it all out there for us.
Great advice, Renee. I had one week where 4 different people recommended the same book to me. I told God, “OK, OK, I get it! I’m gonna read it!” I just know sometimes He is wondering how the heck I can be so dang hard-headed, and not hear Him when He is so clearly talking to me! 🙂
I’m going through a huge transition in my life and my confidence has been shaken. This study is so good for me. Since the study God has used your message, sermons, music, and others to reinforce my confidence in the Lord. I’m so grateful!
Sometimes, I don’t believe that what I am hearing is truly from God. I often say— “He couldn’t possibly call me to do that! I’d be horrible at it!” I need to embrace the reality that God not only knows the numbers of hairs on my head, he formed me in my mother’s womb, wrote his words upon my heart, and died for me. When he calls and speaks my name, I need not fear, he knows me better than I know myself. His desires are much more perfect than my own. So, I need to trust. I need to trust that God is God and when he whispers to me I can trust him. By trusting his voice, it will become more familiar to me. Sheep do know the sound of their Shepherd’s voice.
I definitely needed this. I’ve been really struggling to hear God’s voice. This has really helped me draw closer to God and now I’m starting to get back into earshot range of what God wants for me. This would be the one thing that I struggle the most with. I want to hear what God wants me to do, but when He would reveal what He wanted me to do I would think that I could do it on my own time. So I want to commit to hearing God’s voice and doing as He commands me to do.
Today’s devotional has coinciding with other themes I have been hearing whether through your book, sermons, or other devotionals I have read this past week. As I was reading today, you mentioned that when we think of something that we wouldn’t naturally think of it could be God. You also mentioned that one way we can be more in tune to God speaking to us is through the themes that we notice. One thing that I’ve always had a hard time with is listing to God. I was reading Lysa’s book last week and she mentioned the same thing, and God has been speaking to me through all of these messages lately.
Quite frankly, I love it when God speaks to me through His word and our daily communication. Just today, a thought crossed my mind about a job opportunity. I already have a full life now, and I am not sure this is the path God has laid before me. I knew immediately that I need to talk with God daily about this opportunity, and I am pondering doing a fast. However, fasting is a new experience with me, and it makes me a bit nervous. When I read the email today from Renee, along with the devotion, it really underscored how much I need to spend time with Him every day, seeking His wisdom, especially with regards to this decision. I think, above all things, I need to be in His word daily, seeking after Him.
Hi. So excited for a chance to win. In the past,I have heard what I know to be God before naps or bed. I am sure its him Cuz the things he tells me are not usually things I think of. Love to share with you all
Renee
Thank you for this posting today! It really spoke to my heart. I made a commitment this year to place God more in my life. I am reading the New Testament this year on my Bible App on my phone. It is one chapter a day, that is so easy! I am doing good so far and also keeping up with your studies! I am listening to God and hearing when he has spoken to me lately. You are so right, when we stop and listen he is talking!
Thanks
Angela
Today’s subject hit me – I really need to spend ore time with God so I can hear Him. How can I ever follow His direction for my life if I am not consistently spending time with Him? I want to know Him and be known by Him.
I get really confused on this issue. But I think we can know God’s voice by knowing what His word says and paying attention to His leading in our lives thus far.
become less busy, and plan things in advance so I am not always rushing and on the go.
Thanks SO much for this! Just last night I had a group of 3 ladies ask when/what I’m going to do next. That next step is so scary and I’ve always been cautious and not much of a risk taker but this situation has been going on for at least two years and is not getting any better. I often wonder what the Lord wants me to do next. I have sought wise counsel on my situation and everyone seems to agree but yet I am unsure of how to proceed in taking that next step. This devotional was so timely!!! I will endeavor to make it a priority to spend time alone with HIm. I often find myself getting distracted when I try to do that.
One thing that I could do to hear God’s voice is to make sure that I’m taking time to talk with Him and ask Him things. So much of my day is spend doing. Watching the kids, reading the bible, checking my email, posting on facebook, cooking lunch, driving the car, changing diapers, . . . I hardly take time to stop the doing and start the resting. It’s good to talk with God continually throughout the day, but I really need a time of just me and God, not me, dinner, kids, tv and God.
I can come more familiar with God’s voice by reading His word, believing it for myself, and really receiving it in my heart, so that I know anything outside of that, that contradicts – like those nagging negative thoughts or past failures, can be superceded by the Word of God.
I have been through much over the last 8 weeks or so and I feel like I am starting all over with God…i thought I clearly heard Him tell me to take a trip home to where I used to live. Struggling in my marriage and his alcohol issues caused me to be just as bad. Once I got there i never had peace, what i thought was a trip for good, two weeks later I was driving back. I know now there was a reason for it but His will was definitely not what I thought it was. Being back and healing emotionally and spiritually over the last month has taught me much. I asked God to start using me again. I am not good at home alone al day. I want it to be His Way and in his time. I got a call this morning from the daughter of a 95 yr old woman i cared for two years. She asked me to please come, she would fly me down and pay all expenses. I thought and prayed and asked God if it was Him , not me and everything fell right into place. Even my husband agreed I should go. It will be a difficult trip for many reasons but I do believe when God moves us sometimes it is not always going to be easy….I need to trust and have faith that this is part of my healing and moving forward….I have to keep pushing out the fear and doubt…because it’s there big and I know that where there is faith, there can not be fear!!! Prayers for travel mercies and the unknown are appreciated. I love hearing all these posts it helps me know I am not alone and encourages me so to move onward and upward in Him!!! <3
Praying for you!!
I have learned I need to quiet myself and ask HIm to speak. Getting to that rested spot by reciting His promises helps also
To maybe just learn to be still!! I would just love to know how to control all the clutter inside my head, it sometimes exhaust me.. I try to Hear Gods voice but I can’t tell if it’s his voice or just me with rambling inside my head:( I hope to learn and grow with this bible study!!
I understand, Kim.
All that rambling in our heads is exhausting.. Praying that both of us will be able to hear Him.
I need to have less distractions and find a very quiet place. I really do want to hear God talking to me but it is difficult to separate my own thoughts and what I want to hear from what He wants to tell me. I am worried that I will not be able to tell the difference.
maybe Ijust cant accept what God is telling me.so I don’t really listen Idon’t know I do need to stay in his word and keep listening- to be still
Wow! I have never really heard God speaking to me. This week, however, I feel a definite theme circulating. Between the sermon on Sunday, beginning A Confident Heart book and study, the P31 daily devotion, and another Bible Study I am in, all the messages have been pointing to pleasing God, not man and following God’s will. How cool is that?! I suppose that that’s exactly what I need to be doing, right now. 🙂
Sounds like you are hearing from God!! How encouraging it is to discover how He speaks to us!
I try so hard to become familiar with God’s voice by studying His Word and praying. But I am realizing that I often don’t listen for His voice when I do those things. I believe God is asking me instead to be still when I open His Word. To approach His throne in prayer with quietness and ready to hear Him. To hush and just LISTEN for His voice. To actually SEEK out His voice in the Scripture instead of just reading it. To, in fact, just BE in His presence when I pray instead of just coming at Him with my bullet lists of things to ask for. This is the new prayer of my heart.
I try to read His Word in the mornings before I go to work and on my lunch break.
I’m really hoping to hear God…I’m waiting patiently.
My biggest challenge in hearing God in my life is believing that I am good enough to be someone that he would want to hear Him. I very much identify with the part in Confident Heart that says ‘move beyond believing in God to believing Him….or rather believing that He is there for me or even loves me. Struggling with how to do this. Need to break through the deep down screwed up belief that only gets it half right….when I fall into the belief that God is an amazing and wonderful God…but only there for others…because why would He be there for someone like me? I think I am generally a pretty good person, I try… I can’t pinpoint what I did so bad, or where I get that I am and never will be “good enough”. I think God could scream in my face right now and I wouldn’t hear. Sorry…feeling lost….I am at the one foot in front of the other stage!!! I believe in God, and I so want to know in my heart that his promises are for me too….just not there yet….sometimes I am scared I will never get it right…sometimes I think I am being tested an I am falling short….sometimes I wish I could just not care because then it wouldn’t hurt….and sometimes I am pretty darn good at pretending I am ok : ) Sorry…tough day.
Beth, I’m praying for you right now. My heart feels heavy for you. Please know that not any one of us is good enough to matter to God, it’s HIS goodness alone that makes us matter to Him. The only reason He is there for any of us is because of His love and completely undeserved grace and favor. It’s all about HIS being good. HIS absolutely undeserved kindness that never ever wavers. That’s why He gave us Jesus Christ — so that He could make us good enough to be with Him forever by the righteousness of Jesus. I am praying for Him to “scream” that love and grace of His right in your face. I know you will hear Him. Without a doubt. Truly.
Beth, I am praying for you right now. Please keep sharing and being real here. You matter to us and you matter so much to Jesus. We love you b/c you are our sister in Christ. All that you shared is what we’re going to be reading and talking about in Chapter 2 and 3. Feel free to go ahead and read those as they might be just what you need to hear right now. But then come back here and keep walking through Chapter one with us. We’re just gonna take this one step at a time because it is a process.
As Brianna shared – it’s HIS goodness that makes us good enough. It’s because WE ARE HIS – You ARE HIS!! He’s called you by name and you belong to HIM (is. 43:1)
I am SO glad you are here for this study, Beth! This book is just the right book for someone who does not feel like they are good enough! I am all too familiar with the feelings of not being “good enough” to deserve one scrap of His love or to think He would want to bother with me. But the truth is, He wants to give you more than just scraps. He wants to lavish His love on you. He wants you to hear His voice. Praying that through Renee’s book and through your time in His Word and in His presence that you will get a fresh revelation of how LOVED you are. Right now. Just as you are. Totally and completely. You matter to Him. 🙂
I love that this is the topic of your post today. My 5 year old asked me today why he couldn’t hear God. I tried explaining the best I could how we hear God (through His word, the Bible, through prayer, etc.) and shared some of my own stories of hearing God’s voice, but I really struggled with explaining this to him. Any advice?
One thing I can do? List out prayer requests and their answers/outcome. I have been saying I would do this for years, and haven’t.
One thing that I will do to hear Gods voice, is to believe in God’s promises for my life! Everyday!
Love you all!
Listening for God’s voice is sometimes hard to discern, but one sure thing is to copy His Words on paper. I do this each morning before prayer and after reading my devotionals. It is my sure clear way to hear His voice above all the other noise of the day.