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.
_________________________________
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.
_________________________________
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.
_________________________________
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.)
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
We can hear and not listen like Renee said. Listening is obeying. I have learned that GOD speaks in the present. Remain in today for tomorrow has it’s own worries, a verse I don’t know fully. Also, that Satan attacks by wondering thoughts, to pull our focus off GOD, therefore, what I need to do is keep my thoughts from wondering all over the place. Setting aside a time for meditation to hear, followed by listening would help me grow in knowing GOD’S voice.
I’m constantly in a struggle to really discern God’s voice. I try to quiet myself enough to hear him above my everyday distractions but I’m often discouraged because the more silence I need, the louder everyday life becomes. As funny as it may sound, the most peaceful and quiet place that allows me to truly hear God is my bathroom. My husband. And son both laugh but they have come to realize that if I’m having one of those days, leave me to my bathroom for just a few minutes and their life is also more peaceful. Its funny to others until they try it. Once they try it, they totally understand. I’m also quite grateful that my life has become filled with the “busyness” of a family that I have always prayed for. Busyness that requires a lock on my bathroom door allows me to unlock my heart.
God speaks to me. God’s word is for everybody, but when I read them it is addressed soley to me. I read the gospels, the letters, and ( finally) can project myself into their world. I see Paul in a jail with someone sitting outside the bars as he dictates his letters. I see Jesus in the garden when he prays for the disciples, and the believers, and the future believers that have not been born yet. Yes, He knew me then. God has been hammering me with something since Feb 2011. Renee is right. I can’t ignore what he is telling me any longer.
One thing I could do to become more familiar with God’s voice is to slow down and listen more carefully, then consult with God in prayer and His word. Instead of doing this, I have a bad habit of throwin up popcorn prayers because I don’t slow down! I just need to make time to spend with my wonderful Father! Bottom line, Nothing can take the place of time spent with God. I need to be sure I take time to confirm what I think God is asking me or telling me to do instead of just rushing forward on my own! Afterall, its what our walk with God is all about, listening, trusting and following what he says!
Thank you for taking time to address this!
This is my second time around doing this online bible study. I didnt finish the first one so I am hoping that I will get through this one. I have a problem with never finishing anything I start. I get so confused as to know when its God talking to me or when they are just my own thoughts. Everytime I try to be still and try to listen to God my mind wonders. I am excited to go through this study with you. Thank you so much Renee for offering this study again.
One way I can practice hearing God’s voice is to stop and consider the thoughts that come to my mind. Rather than brushing them aside and moving on with my day, I need to ponder them and see if they may be the Holy Spirit prompting me. There have been many times that I had a thought, but dismissed it only to find out later that it was the Lord trying to help me. If I had recognized that it was information from God instead of just a random thought, I would have saved myslef some trouble. I want so much to become more sensitive to the Spirit of God. The Bible teaches us to pray without ceasing. The only way to do that is to have constant open communication with God. It’s like realizing He’s right beside us all the time. Anytime He needs to speak to me, I’m right there and He can turn to me and speak, and I will turn and listen. If I need to speak to Him, the same is true. When He hears my voice, He will turn to me and listen. Wow! What an awesome privilege we have – an open ear from the God of all creation. I want to always have an open ear for Him as well. Praise God for His patience with us as we learn how to hear him more clearly!
I have really been thinking lately about the things I “supposedly” do for the Lord. I do want to help people but I sometimes think that I am doing some things for acceptance or approval, wanting to feel needed, or to feel like I matter to someone I guess. I do need to ask Him what He wants because I so easily see a need and jump in to do it and many times I get overwhelmed by all I try to do.
To be still and listen during prayer – not just spouting off prayer requests. I also like listening for God’s words through music.
Wow! God is wanting me to learn to discern hearing His voice better! I just heard on the radio this morning that satan pushes and condemns but God draws and encourages….this is so true! I am learning that the encouragement I hear is from God and He wants me to grow, but if I am being discouraged, you betchya its the enemy not wanting me to listen to what God has to say! My husband and I have 5 boys and we have always said we are raising an army of boys for God…..I believe the enemy is going to do all he can to destroy that army….including trying to get me to hear to him instead of God. I plan to use the quiet moments I find in the day to listen to the tone of voice so that I know its God speaking!
Thank you – that was so what I needed to hear. That’s something I need to do more of – hear, listen, and stop talking. I’m good at coming back with something – like I’m trying to tell God what He needs to do – when what I need to do is stop and listen. Just hear the voice of my master talk to me. Thanks again.
The thing I learned that was most beneficial in knowing God’s voice was the word “selah” in Psalms. Selah means “to pause”. If I just pause, listen, keep my mouth and brain silent I hear Him speak to me, most of the time it is a gentle whisper to my heart and I just know that I know it is Him.
Your words really struck home with me this morning. I am having a bad day, really struggling with some issues with my husband. I know that I have had an increasingly hard time listening to God’s voice. Sometimes I don’t always hear it at first and sometimes I do and choose not to listen. Either way, I desperately want this to change and know that the one thing I can and need to do is continue to spend more time in the Word. Being able to hear him comes with familiarity too I believe and I need to focus on this.
I feel the biggest thing I need to do in order to hear God and become familiar to His voice, is to quit drowning it out with negative, doubting, habit-forming self talk. I am realizing that when I engage in negative self-talk, I place limitations not only on myself but on God as well. When I catch myself doing this I need to repeat Phl. 4:13 and Jeremiah 29:11.
I so needed this today! Thank you, Renee.
“So, what is one thing you could do to become more familiar with God’s voice?” How about this, as quoted by you!
“God has taught me that He wants my spiritual ears MORE than my spiritual efforts. God wants DAILY dependence, interaction and intimacy with ME. And God is MORE concerned with MY CHARACTER than what I schedule for Him on my calendar.”
“Dear Lord, I want to become a woman who listens to You. I come to You today with a seeking heart, asking not only for direction but for discernment, humility and dependence on You — each step of the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Both posts deeply touched my heart today! Thank you sooooooooooooo much Renee!!!
I need to really be still and hear God when I am praying with Him. Sometimes I feel like if I’m not actually speaking then I’m not praying but I’ve learned that there are times when I need to be quiet and listen for what God wants me to hear from Him!!
I’ve come to learn that it is so very important to spend time with God everyday. I cannot breathe air once a week and survive – it is just the same with spending time with God, you can’t spend time when you remember and expect to hear Him. I started to understand that if I wanted to become familiar with God’s voice, I’d actually have to see it by reading His word, meeting with Him in prayer, hearing it in the wonderful uplifting songs I love to listen to, through keeping a prayer journal where I can write letters to God, and note His answers to me, and strangely enough through the few conversations I have with people I love and trust, but I can’t forget to just have some plain old quiet time in order to hear Him. Some times, just being in silence preparing dinner for my family brings some of the best “face time” I have with God.
My problem is that instead of listening to God, I argue with God trying to get him to give me something easier, better or bigger. I also find it hard to listen to him, instead of my own fool hardy voice and sometimes, I get the two mixed up. I need to be quiet and stop talking and listen with my heart and not my head.
I adored this passage today, you are an inspiration!
Thanks!
I either have a hard time hearing or listening for God’s voice. I need to slow down and quiet my thoughts.
One thing I can do to become more familiar with God’s voice is to try and refrain from becoming so totally consumed with my job as I am prone to do. Make time to listen is my goal.
Sometimes, I worry that I’m going to make a decision that’s outside God’s will for me, and then everything will fall apart. I pray for God to reveal what he wants me to do, but I get anxious that he’s asking me to do something, and I don’t hear it; or that he’s warning me against a path not to take, and if I head down the path anyway, then I’ll make a huge mess! I read about women that hear God speaking to them, calling them to do something, and I think I must be spiritually deaf. I’m still; I’m listening! What’s wrong with me?
Recently, though, I was reading about Jacob, of his deception in taking the birthright, the two wives and two maidservants…and a moment came that I KNEW God was saying to me that I just needed to relax. God used every poor decision Jacob made for His glory. These stories of the Bible aren’t stories of people who made the right decisions all the time; they aren’t even stories of people who always did what God called them to do right when he called them to do it (uh…Jonah didn’t just NOT do what God called him to do, he flat out went the opposite direction.) And yet, God’s glory signs in each story. What a relief! The story of God in my life isn’t dependent on my hearing His every whisper. His grace is more than enough to cover my poor decisions.
i have committed to reading the bible through this year and i am so amazed at the realization of the great men of god and their weaknesses from abraham on down Some if the things they did and how they tried to “help” god are laughable until i realize i do the same thing and then i realize im not in the sot God intended now I have to learn to wait for him to bring about my mistakes for his glory ugg!
i need to BE QUIET and LISTEN thanks for all the comments I too am unemployed and wondering what Gods purpose is for me.