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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 .
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I need to be still and hear God’s voice and be patient with my plans.
The biggest thing I need to focus on is what seems to be the simplest…”be still and know that I am God” With 4 kids (2 teens, 1 tween, and 1 preschooler) I tend to get so caught up in doing that I forget to take some time to just be with God. I need to start putting it on my schedule rather than trying to fit it into my schedule!
One thing I can do is provide more time for just listening.
Wow! I am doing Discerning the Voice of God study right now too and it gives exactly the same message. I think my circumstances are confirming I need to listen to God’s voice! I have to say over the last couple of years I have tried so hard to be still and hear him. And the more I obey, the more I hear him. And the more I want to hear him! It is amazing that the God of the universe takes time to lead each of us personally. I can’t even begin to understand it all, but I am so grateful.
One thing I can do is to start journaling to God again. I did it years ago and it made me feel closer to Him. I have let life get in the way and keep me from spending much quiet time with God, my bible, and a journal. It’s easy to say and doesn’t seem so easy to do, but I need to get back to it.
Thanks for your message today Renee, I really needed it!!
This is something that I have been meditating on lately. Sometimes it is hard to discern between your own voice the enemies voice and God’s voice but if we are children of God His voice is our voice because He is in us and we are in Him. Just as all negative thoughts come from the enemy all positive thoughts come from God. We make things harder than they have to be sometimes instead of just letting go and letting God. We must renew our minds through reading His Word and doing his work so that we can have confidence that our voice is his voice and that His desires are our desires. Having confidence in God and who you are in God makes a big difference.
Thank you,
Jalisa Ray
COO Innov8ion Ent.
DMV Area
Intenionally petition the Lord to hear His voice and be given the wisdom to know
When it is truly God speaking. Dive into the word and pray scripture back
to the Father. Talk to the Lord as you do your friends or family…
Do this consistently then you will know His voice.
It never fails, when I REALLY listen to His voice, and follow His lead, He always fills me with His peace, so that I would know which direction I should take.
I just love your “Hear and Now” – so profound. I am always looking it seems for the “Big” obedience in my life – like breaking a bad habit, watch what I eat – but you make me see obedience can be found in the little acts throught out each day – to our loved ones and always to our enemies! The obeying part has always been so hard for me – maybe as “if I obey in the little things, I will obey in the bigger struggles and challenges of life”. Thanks so much for your insights!
One thing I could do to become more familiar with God’s voice is to slow down and actually listen to what He is actually speaking into my heart. I tend to want to hear HIs voice right away. I want an immediate answer or vision about my next steps, future, etc. However, in doing that, I side step the intimacy and courtship of establishing a relationship with God. Thankfully and prayerfully, I have begun to invest more one-on-one time with the Lord. As a result, I have more peace because I know his voice and I am able to move forward assured that I am walking in the will that He has for my life.
I read from the Bible everyday and try to stay open to any message He is trying to send me rather than just reading to get through a chapter. Sometimes I am led to write a verse down and come back to it during the day. Within a few days, a situation will come up that brings me back to that verse.
I am blessed and say hallelujah for this day and the time spent with God. Just this morning I had a deep conversation with a friend and one thing that stood out was that “I have to Listen to God not just hear him. There forth with the study and daily emails has been truly a blessing. Knowing God has a plan for my life. As I grapple with everyday life (world) I no God’s way is the right way. I have to be patient “Be Still and let God” do his will. I am looking forward in listening to GOD speaking to me. I say thank you for your encourage words each day.
i need to start LISTENING! just the possibility that He is really speaking to me is astounding; a whole new concept really, so i just want to focus and listen! and like you said, a common theme is a really good way to realize that we Juuuusst might be on to something 🙂
I had to laugh when I read, “How did I know it was God? you might ask. Well, I knew it wasn’t my idea.” That is probably the best answer for me when I’m wondering if that is what God wants me to do. I’m quite withdrawn and happy to stay at home. I feel safe there. I must admit when I am out at church or work I’m content with being there but sometimes it is just the process of getting up, getting ready and leaving that I find difficult. So when God wants me to go somewhere or even call someone, I have to know it is coming from God because I know in my heart that it wasn’t my idea! So I guess a better way of listening to God is by discerning that fact that what I’m being told is surely not coming from me when it is taking me away from my comfort zone. Thank you for your insight and helping me see a new way of hearing God. 🙂
I like the consistent theme. It seems that is the best way for God to get through to me. I have noticed if God is trying to tell me something i will here it over and over in class or a sermon and see it in an email or hear it in a song. Sometimes its like i am being knocked upside the head.
I have been struggling with my purpose over the last few weeks, feeling anxious for God to define that and light the path. However, deep down I know I am being very impatient because it just isn’t time for my purpose to be revealed. I have a lot of listening to do, some hard things to work through and I too need to live in the hear and now. God has been faithful to give me my daily bread each day. I am fully aware of what my will is but seek His will above all else praying that my will will be covered by His as I listen to His voice each day and follow Him. I do sense a consistent theme in my life as I seek the Lord and fill my life with things that glorify Him. Those themes are listening, patience and seeking the Lord to bring healing into my life before His purpose is revealed to me. Thank you for your words today Renee.
This is so hard for me to do. We do adopted a precious angel almost two years ago, from China. Things have been so very busy in lives with medical and transitioning, a job lay off, major move and keeping our teenage son grounded as we home school him. I have not been good at the ‘listening” and as a result, have had much unconsistency and do not like who I have become, impatient and not quick to listen. I pray God will help me to stop and be still enough to listen. I need to be still.
One way is to always be in the Word and searching for truths. Pray for wisdom;God to show us.
A very timely subject for us and where we are in our spritual growth. My husband and I begin our day together reading a daily devotional and praying together. Chief among those things we have been praying over is hearing God’s voice in a clearly unmistakable way so that it leaves no doubt that is it the voice of God. Than having the faith and trust in the Lord to not only hear his direction but to obey and put it in to action in our lives. It’s a marvelously scary journey but our God is an AWESOME God and we know the plans he has for us and we rejoice in that knowledge.
The one thing that I myself can do to be more familiar with Gods voice is, read my Bible more. This is something that I am working on. Making time for just me and Him.