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?
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I feel that I can continue to read His word that I may know Him and if I truly know Him, I will hear and know His voice.
Thank you so much for this teaching on how to hear the voice of God, one of the ways i know He is speaking to me is i will run across the same scripture several times and it always speaks to my heart or a situation i am dealing with. God is so good, if He doesn’t get through the first time He stays with us until we get it. His grace is sufficient for me.
anonomous,
Haven’t seen you. Still praying.
My walk with God is so much richer when I spend time just listening to God. When I take time to just be quiet and ask the Lord for a word or ask a question and WAIT for an answer, not just go on to the next question, request or item on my to do list. I have had beautiful experiences in that time.
The harder part is developing the discipline to actually do it. To prioritize that time within my day. It seems like He gets pushed aside for the chores, or sleep or any number of other things. I am making a commitment to spend some quiet time with God every day, even if it is 5 minutes. I know that God will treasure those 5 minutes with me just as much as he would treasure 60.
One thing that helps me to listen to God is to “Be Still and know that He is God”, however, it’s hard for me to “be still”. I’m an anxious person, so living in the here and now is challenging. I’m trying to focus on Him more each day and listen for his voice.
When I was 13 I lost three people very close to my heart within 6 months of each other. 1st was my mom in Aug. 83, 2nd was my great-grandmother in Oct. 83, and then Feb. 84 my grandmother. I was very miserable. My grandfather taught me right after my 14th birthday “Be still and know that He is God.” It is also challenging for me, but when I feel like I need to be still and listen to what God says I am in Him, I have peace. I am so glad that my grandfather taught me that Bible verse on that day and I still go back to it time and time again.
I have been struggling with a confident heart in God almost my whole entire life due to circumstances that happened in my childhood. This past year has been the hardest. Last Feb. I started dialysis and I have dreaded going. I finished reading and answering the questions last night and I have come to realize that I have wondered what have I done so wrong to deserve being put on dialysis. Many times I have felt that my life isn’t going to get better. But I know that is a lie and God wants me to know the truth. He loves me and is with me always. The Bible verse that spoke to me this week the most is Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” God isn’t punishing me for the need of dialysis. He wants me to put my whole trust in Him! That includes telling others His love for us. Dialysis is my mission right now. Renee, this devotion really spoke to me. I too have wanted a sneak peek into God’s calendar. I also want to live each day in the hear and now. I have always believed in God, now it is time for me to believe Him.
Amen, Kimberly! I love how you said Dialysis is now your mission. Think of all those people you can reach as you sit there. Or think of the meditation time with the Father you will have at that time. God is with you, sister, wherever you go. Never doubt that. Praying for you!!
Since beginning this study, I can already recognize God’s voice more clearly than before. At 22, I’m still not the woman I want to be. I’ve leave doubt and insecurity cloud my emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. By meditating on the Word, and being still and listening, I know that I will find that His words come through much more clearly. Like a relationship with any person, you must spend time learning, and listening to what God has to tell us to further that relationship.
Thank you for your heart and your encouragement, ever since I have joined the e-mail list and this study through Proverbs 31, I feel more joy in my heart and my heart is being softened to the things God has in store for me. You’re a blessing.
22!!! What a blessing you are! I wonder if we will ever be the women we want to be–here on earth. We strive, Katelyn and keep pressing in closer to the Father. And through this study, you will. Oh, what a joy to see a young sister reaching out to the Father for confidence. Blessings to you!
Headlights!
Yes, that’s right, I hear God’s voice better when the headlights are on. We live in the country, back off of the highway. When I manage to drag myself out of bed really early, before anyone else at home is up, I am rewarded. I make a cup of hot tea. Then, I sit in the living room, in the dark, and I watch the headlights of all those people driving by. I’m fascinated with thoughts of where these early birds may be going and where they may have come from. Somewhere in the midst of those quiet thoughts, God begins to speak. These are the moments I can really hear Him.
I love that, Kristine! Now you’ve got me thinking of headlights as eyes and the bumper as a smile.LOL God just brightening the day.
God let’s us know he’s talking in so many ways, thru the sky, thru your heart, thru his word. The key is recoginizing that is it God. WE can easily shut him out, but if we stay connected to God, thru prayer, thru his work, or just talking to him, he answers us.
I believe we must be still in order to hear him. When we rust around in this fast paced word, it’s hard to heard him. I believe he will speak to us, maybe loudly, if we don’t slow down. Have you tried taking your coffee at dawn and just watching the day wake, he will whisper to you softly.,
This is the year that scripture seems to be my focus, it seems that we can recognize lots of scripture but
are we really meditating on memorizing. I am slowly working on making scripture more of a meditation, somedays are lot easier than others.
I think one thing that God is really trying to teach me in this season, is to not only be more patient.. but not to worry when he has revealed his plan for me. Often times, I focus on what I NEED to do to get it done that I actually go about screwing everything up! Its hard to let go sometimes, and relinquish control. But I have learned recently that this sense of “control” I have is a false sense of control… because God is in control! I have also learned that just because God shows you a vision for you life, doesnt mean the journey is going to be easy. I have never been one that likes change. Actually I hated it, but I have experienced so much change in the last 2 years that I know God is trying to help develop me for the better. To trust him in every turn and to know that even though things may look grim or a certain way now, that it doesnt mean that the vision and revelation he has shown me will not come to pass. So I hope to become more confident in him and his word, to depend on more like never before. To be able to meditate and get the message he wants for me beneath the surface words Im reading and apply it to my life. To slow down among by busy day and to have that balance. Just how I can say no to others, to say no and make time for him no matter what! I want to grow to be who he has called me to be. A confident woman of God , who is independent but God dependent in the same light.
And I also want to be able to differentiate if its him taking to me, or just my emotions, cause sometimes I act off emotions which isnt the best option at all, and makes it worse. I want to step back, pause and listen when he directs me. I want to be able to hear his voice better and more esp as it relates to all aspects of me, including the direction and purpose for my life.
I am an older christian woman and it amazes me how many times I ask God the same questions. What do you want me to do Lord?, Where do you want me to go? I travel along in my daily life and talk to God, deal with my kids, (I am a widow) go to work etc etc and when I sit and talk to God at the end of the day, we look back over the day and God shows me the people he has bought to me, the decisions we have made the mistakes I have made and the highs and lows of each day. The next morning I ask God the same questions: What do you want me to do today?, where to go? Being obedient to him, daily is one of the hardest things I do, but when, together we look back over the day he shows that he even gives me the strength and the ability to do that. Thank you Jesus for being my Lord!
I thank all of you for your honesty and truth…It is safe here and that is something I need…my trust in God is strong and i feel i hear Him slowly after my mental breakdown over the last months…I know I have to start over sort of because the way I was doing things in the past year have not worked or it would not have happened. I do believe God speaks in so many ways and my eyes and ears are so much more open now. I have trust issues with myself so I have to be ever so careful it’s not something i am hearing because Peggy wants it to be…Thank you all for your love and support…
You are right, this is a safe place and I am glad you came. I had my breakdown on 2/15/08. I remember it so well, because I use it as a password for one of my emails. 215NLIC.. NLIC = New life in Christ. I was doing all the right things for everyone, but me. I found out that day in the hospital that if I wasn’t taking care of me, I was not doing all the right things for everyone. I did not have to prove anything to God, He just wants us to be still and know that He is God.
Thank you for being honest and I will be praying for you and “thank you for your honesty and truth”
Shalom.
Thank you my friend…God bless!!
God is good.
I am making a commitment to spend specific time in God’s Word each and every day. The time to do this will be easy to find as I trust God to pull me out of the depression I have been in and have the confidence to merely face each day. I know that I have been led to this study so that I can be alive again. I had prayed so long for my marriage and knew that God wanted me there, that when my husband of nearly 30 years left me 3 years ago and then divorced me last May, I literally felt abandoned and rejected on every level. My confidence in everything disappeared completely. I am praying that I can internalize everything I learn while in this study.
I do believe that this is God calling me back to Him.
I hear him often speaking to me. It’s that little voice inside my head. The one I know I should be listening to, but sometimes ignore. It’s when I ask myself a question, and a word or phrase pops into my head. I need to learn to trust that what I’m hearing is the truth. I just need to learn to walk more in my truth. Listen to that inner voice. The one that leads me to the right path.
There is no way that this is happenstance. As I grow and learn about who our Lord is, I am aware of His leading, even in the ‘little’ promptings and encouragements. In His love, He meets each of us where we are at in our lives. I am ever so grateful for this! I am in tears, even as I type this, tears of release, and of the hope of ‘being made new’.
My biggest obstacle I face, is when I know God has laid something on my heart, something he’s called me to I always result to “I’ll Pray About It.” I know in the pit of my stomach and the constant nudging of the Holy Spirit, that I shouldn’t have to pray about it…He’s already spoke! The only thing I should be praying about is the who, what, when and where guidance on what’s he’s already told me to do. So with a this bible study, I’m going to pray not only to build my self esteem about myself but also trusting God in what he is telling me to do and being more Confident and couragous with my life assignments in glorifying Jesus and his Kingdom. I thank God for this being my 1st study of 2012 and for each of you here posting and sharing and praying for one another.
The whisper I have been hearing in my ear since Christmas Eve is “Be still, and know that I am God”. Be still. And I am so NOT! Ps. 46:10 is now my verse for this year. I need to make a conscious effort to block out some of the noise and find or make the time to spend time ALONE with the Lord. This study is a great start. The questions at the end of the first chapter are really difficult for me, reminding me of events or circumstances I’d rather not think about. But I’m already seeing how those things have affected me in my adult life. This study is such a blessing already. And how wonderful to know that there are 8000 of us studying and praying together! AWESOME!
Listening for God’s voice was so hard for me! I felt led to join a Bible study at church and one of the first assignment when I was really struggling with this was to sit perfectly still, while you were all alone and let the Spirit of God wash over you. I just happened to be home alone at the time, which was very rare and decided to try. I can not encourage everyone to just do this! Sit with your eyes closed and just focus on the Spirit of the Lord! The feeling that comes over you are unreal! You feel so close to the Lord and just so refreshed and I can not even think of more words to describe how this was. Ever since then I have felt such a closeness with God I know when He is speaking to my heart!
Being quiet is so key to hearing God’s voice. I have had TAWGs (Time Alone with God) and DAWGs (Day Alone with God) many times. Spending concentrated time in quiet, meditating on who God is, writing in my journal is one way I know I’ll hear Gods’ voice. Sometimes it’s hard to make this time, but it is always so well worth it.
I long to hear His voice! I have a calling that I think He has laid on my heart and I keep questioning it. Trying to figure out how or why He would want me to do something such as this? Always asking does He really want me to do this????
Thanks for what you do and it was good to see you in Memphis last week!
I am enjoying this study so much. I took the list of promises and personalized it as suggested by inserting my name. Then, I did one for my mom, my sister and both my children and my son’s girlfriend. I love that we can read these promises with OUR name on them. I am working on hearing God’s voice and trying to become a sheep that KNOWS my master’s voice.
Spend more alone time in His word and waiting on Him to speak to me.
In order to hear God’s voice, I need to be quiet. That sounds simple enough, but it’s hard to put into practice. My church is doing a 21-day fast starting Saturday, and I’m fasting facebook, TV, and sweets. I’m hoping to hear His voice when I have more time to devote to listening.
Each morning I start my day with a small devotion and a journal, and I share my thoughts and seek God for direction and wisdom, but I don’t usually stop and wait and be quiet so He can speak to me. I’m working on being still and waiting for Him.
I tell my 12 year old daughter that when a thought or idea keeps coming to her and she keeps pushing it away (but it always comes back) that is the Holy Spirit guiding her. She needs to stop what she is doing and LISTEN. So, I guess the best thing I can do for me is to take my own advice! I spend time with God every day, either by reading, listening to Christian music or praying, but I don’t take enough time to LISTEN! I hope that while building my confidence to not only believe in Him but to BELIEVE HIM I will learn how to really listen to God and follow his lead confidently and obediently!
To be Familiar with God, I am reading the Bible and trying to relate to the scriptures that I have been place in front of me. I am really struggling with hearing his word but I feel that I’m just missing it. You mention themes and I keep on saying why am I hearing the word from the Preacher, from scripture and from devotions that I am reading. I am convince it’s all God.
Thanks for your devotions you are truly helping and blessing people. 🙂
I have found that I too have had trouble discerning God’s voice from my own. I love the simplification that “it wasn’t my voice”, it wasn’t what you wanted. I have also found that when I am in His word more, I can find links that I may have missed before. I am also doing a companion devotional with Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling along with Jesus Lives. I do not always read each day with each devotional; however, when I do open Jesus Lives, it has every relevance to the daily devotional regardless of which day. That is significant. HIs word is always relevant, but at times it is hard to make the connections. That is what I hope to learn (among many other things) during this study.
You know over the past week, I have been asked by three different people how I hear God, and how I know it is Him. This is something I struggle with too. So, I decided to really spend some time meditating over this. So, I prayed, and here is my findings:
Last night, I was looking for a book I had been reading. As I was looking for this book, I found book after book on “hearing God.” I believ…e I counted 23 before I was done. As, I stood there looking at this pile of books, I realized something profound.
I have read most of these books and plan to read them all. But, I can read every one of those books over and over again. They will teach me ways to hear God, but just because I read the book does not mean I will all the sudden just start hearing God’s voice. It’s quite simple really. If we want to hear God’s voice, we have to spend time in His presence learning to hear His voice.
It’s like this, I talk to my friend Doodles everyday or at least every other day. When I pick up the phone and hear her voice, I immediately know who it is. I recognize it because I have known her for almost 20 years. I hear it all the time. I have another friend that I don’t talk to very often, I don’t see often, but we are still friends. When she calls, I don’t always recognize her voice. It’s because I don’t hear it all the time.
If I don’t spend time focusing on God, and hearing His voice and recognizing it, then I may be hearing Him without recognizing it. I used to expect this audible, holy, and strong voice when I would wait to hear from God. Just like my one friend has a very specific voice and tone, my other friend has a very specific voice and tone. Since I hear Doodles voice everyday, I 99% of the time recognize it without hesitation. Since I don’t hear my other friends voice that often, I rarely recognize her voice.
So, how do I hear God’s voice. Well, it’s when I spend more and more time quietly in His presence and in His Word (He speaks through His Word to us as well). I am still working hearing Him at will, but I do hear His voice. I just need to make sure I spend time talking to Him as much as I do my friend Doodles, that way even when I am busy or I just need a right then Word, I can automatically recognize it in the same way I recognize my friends voice.
Funny thing, I got all this wonderful revelation last night, I came in this morning and opened my email to find a devotional titled: “Listening to God’s Voice.” You think God might be trying to tell me something? I think it’s quite obvious. Me thinks, He is asking me on a date to come sit at His feet, drink from the cup in His had, lay back against Him, and breathe. He wants me to simply seek Him. I bet He has something great to tell me. Ya think?
Sorry for the length, but I guess this is a little repentance for me as well.
I do notice when I’m in the word more & I feel little promptings to serve someone in a specific way or do something in particular- when I think about the scriptures I’ve read or have been reading, I’m pretty sure I can know God is the one doing the prompting:)
I lean on God’s Word to help me discern if it’s the nudging of the Holy Spirit or my flesh or the enemy speaking to me. I know what I want to do (flesh). I also know the enemy is a liar and wants to take me down. So, when I am hearing, feeling, or thinking something that makes me sad or makes me feel unworthy, uncapable, or mean and negative, I know that is not from God. So, when I am nudged to fix my husband breakfast when I am mad at him and would rather jab him with “no breakfast” – I make him breakfast!! That just happened this morning, too!! I didn’t want to do it, but I knew that not doing is is fostering anger and resentment in my heart and marriage – that is not what God wants. He want my heart to be humble, forgiving, and loving. It takes some practice, but God blesses me over and over and it gets easier and easier to know when it is Him talking and loving on me!! Have a great day!
I have been writing scriptures on notecards for several years now. It gives me a quick way to to remind myself of His promises. I started this week writing a scripture at the top of the page in my spiral notebook, (my version of a day planner) so that as I look at the tasks for the day I can read it several times throughout the day. Today I wrote, “The Lord will work out His plans for my life – for Your faithful love, o Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for You made me.” Psalm 138:8 Have a great day everyone!
Thank you so much for your suggestion Kim. Writing scriptures on notecards is a great idea and when I thought about doing that, I decided that writing them in a small notebook that I could carry in my purse or pocket would be best for me. (I’m pretty sure I would lose the notecards) Yesterday I was trying to recall Romans 8:28 which is a verse that I memorized decades ago & has been a comfort to me through really tough times. Unfortunately I am losing my memory and when I couldn’t remember this verse, I burst into tears. It was frustrating and scarey to think that I won’t always be able to bring verses to mind when I need them. I think a small notebook will really help. That way I only have to keep track of one thing. I am also praying that I will be able to feel God’s presence when I need to remember his promises and can’t because I do know that he will use my situation for good. Bless you!
What helped me a lot was prayer, as well as christian music. Music has always moved me. Once I found out how to use the the blue-tooth on my phone I put the songs on it, and then God led me to download the N.I.V. AUDIO BIBLE. I put it on my phone, I started with the New Testament and it really brought the bible to life for me. Actually listening to the words of Christ as well as God made a huge impact for me.
I put my headphones on plug it into my phone and listen whenever I can. I listen to the music when I workout, in my car etc. The bible I usually listen to at night before bed.
I have also signed up for the daily bible reading on the website biblegateway.com, I have emails everyday with chapters of the bible as well as daily devotionals and encouragement. In fact that is how I found you Renee, and your book. I also have my fathers bible that I read.
The more I listen and read the more I believe in what The Lord is saying and I believe it is meant for me as much as everyone else. Now I can calm my thoughts and pay attention to what God is saying to me, what is meant for me and my life. Thanks again Renee for writing this book, your words and encouragement paved the way for me to have a life dedicated to Christ and the word of God. A year ago my life was a complete wreck, 4 months ago I asked my local library if they could get a copy of your book. My future has never looked this bright EVER. Keep writing and sharing. 🙂
How do you upload a photo to the box? I love the quilt patterns, but wondered how some people have uploaded a photo.
“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?”
This is exactly where I am today. I am sitting in a coffee shop window about to embark on a new career. Exciting, yes; Apprehensive, yes! In Ester “For such a time as this” comes to mind. I have been trained my entire life for this moment. “Motherhood is not for the faint at heart”. That doesn’t finish when they start to move out, go to college and especially not high school. I home schooled for the last 14 1/2 years and now my son has been put in high school, all three girls are in college and I am beginning a new career. I am so thankful for the community of “Confident Heart”. I needed a Bible Study, but couldn’t find one to fit into my schedule. I am so thankful to know there are ladies lifting me up in pray all of the USA today.
Shalom.
I need to read God’s Word more consistently and then sit and listen. I need to trust that I am worthy to be used for His purpose on a daily basis.
Wow! Your words are the same as my prayer for myself. I have such a hard time stopping to listen.
I get distracted easily, especially by the negative thoughts I have carried for many years. There are times that I feel too insignificant to approach God. As I have read many posts I believe God has shown me that I am not alone in my journey to become not only a confident woman, but a person who is worthy of His love. So many of us share the same struggles as we walk through our lives. I am looking forward to digging into God’s word as I complete this study.
I am so grateful to have found this website. One of my goals in 2012 is to really learn to discern God’s voice and to obey him. One way I do this is when thinking negative thoughts, I recite to myself “to take every thought and make it captive to Christ”, and then ask God what he wants to to replace that thought with, what is His truth?
I know that I have vividly heard God’s voice in the past. Sometimes I wonder how I fall away from that so easily. It’s a day to day struggle, but I am believing that God will work with me in my humanness. I love reading and hearing about so many others who face the same struggles just because it makes me feel as if I am never alone and NORMAL! 🙂 I also recognize that being patient and quiet in the business of life is important so that I don’t miss the quiet whispers. Determined to grow….persevere….to discover all that God has for us in this life! 🙂
I need to be PATIENT and QUIET and listen for his voice.
God is so faithful! I have a real problem with self doubt! I’m very excited about reading a confident heart! I know he has led me to your site and the study. I struggle with listening too then I second guess myself and don’t feel I can accomplish what I’m called to do. I know that is the devils way of keeping me still when I need to move. I am trusting God as I proceed with this study. I watched a DVD called the encounter and it was very helpful in seeing how God does work around and among us. I am looking forward to seeing the DVD on the book of John. Thank you for your ministry and Gid bless you!!
God speaks to me a lot of times thru the Daily Devotions I receive or thru a songs lyrics. I will pray and turn the matter over to Him and then try to wait to see what His answer is – I don’t necessarily always like His answer – God & I have had numerous disagreements – but He always wins out!
I love that you say you have disagreements…..it’s obvious that it is a relationship with God that you have. 🙂
Thanks so much for this posting. I really needed this just at this moment. Guess God was speaking to me? ; ) I still feel a need to “do” something. Charge ahead. Make things happen.
Thanks again.
For me, I had to learn to include the Holy Spirit into my everyday life and give Him room to speak to me and into my life. The more I am in His word, the more familiar I become with his language, the better I hear Him. I am so thankful for this study!
I need to make myself be still instead of always buzzing around! I liglhtly think “God, can’t catch up with me” and even though this sound comical – it is all too true! I need to sit still and listen for Him!
One thing that has helped me was an emergency in my family.This emergency has forced me to step out of several leadership responsibilities to care for my father. In the process I realized I was doing many things *for* God but wasn’t sure they were all things He had called me to be involved in. By clearing my plate, so to speak, I am more conscience about the things I put back on to it. Relationships rather than activities have become more prominent. I still struggle with wanting to DO things but I keep reminding myself that God is concerned with who I am BEcoming more than what I am DOing. I remembered the phrase “We are human BEings not human DOings”.
So I guess the one thing I could do/have done is say Yes less often and more slowly so there is less clutter and I can actually hear God.
Thank you Renee! I am at a crossroads with a job decision and this devotion was written just for me! I really want to do what God wants, I don’t think I’m holding onto anything. You spoke as if I wrote this devotional myself!!! I have signed up for your online Bible study and I thank you for all you are doing to be the hands and feet of the Lord.
I also struggle with discerning God’s voice. I’m trying to be more consistant with my Bible reading. I know that will help me tremendously. Thank you for this!
I have such a hard time discerning God’s voice…is this my own voice and will wanting to do this? Or is it truly God whispering in my ear. I am still struggling but your devotional e-mail helped at the exact moment I needed it the most. Thank you. My mind is constantly wondering and running; thinking that if I do this that I will grow closer to God, that if I do this others will see how God works and know that He is the truth and provides. But, He wants me to listen, and though I am still struggling at what that looks like, you devotional truly helped me and brought it to our attention. Thank you.
I really needed to read this story. It’s so easy to convince myself that the voice in my head is something I can or should ignore. I want to know what direction God is leading me in. I need to know what direction He’s leading me in. It feels like I’m driving 90 miles an hour down a path that I have no idea where I’m supposed to be going. Just like we sometimes argue with the GPS in our cars, I’m arguing with that voice in my head even when I know I shouldn’t. It’s so hard to be still and stopping to read the Bible more and talking to God more frequently and listening for that voice so I can really start to recognize it and know that I can confidently follow that voice and everything will be okay. I need to stop being so afraid of everything and stop doubting myself so much. Thank you for being there for us and showing us the way.
I too like Renee find that I try to do the “work of God” and be “responsible” without listening and checking in with God on HOW He wants me to do something. I think it has something to do with being a mom – Aren’t we supposed to take care of things? I really appreciated this message.
Exactly what I needed read! Thanks Renee. GOD IS AMAZING! May I learn to live in the HEAR and NOW.