Welcome friends! Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit. If you found your way here through my P31 Encouragement for Today devotion, “Living in the Hear and Now,” I’m so glad you stopped by. I hope you’ll stay a while and make yourself comfortable.
One of my deepest desires is to be a woman who listens to God. But, I don’t always get it right. Sometimes I’m not sure if it’s God talking or just me thinking. Ever wondered that?
I also I admit, I’m not always crazy about what I sense God telling me to do. Yet I’ve learned over the years that when I listen to God, I discover His best for me. And I grow in my trust in Him.
I’ve seen again and again that His ways lead to His goodness. And when I follow Him, His mercy follows me.
As I shared in my devotion today, I went through a season of learning how to really listen closely so that I could experience a day by day abiding in God’s presence and plans. I thought I’d been listening to Him all along, but my prayers reflected that I wanted to know where to invest my efforts. In a still small voice God showed me that He wanted my ears more than my efforts.
He was more concerned about character than my calendar. I realized that many times I’d sought God for the larger plans in life, convinced that if I figured out what He wanted me to do I could become the person He created me to be.
Have you ever thought, “If only God would show me what job to take; what man to marry; what church to attend – then my life would be complete and I could serve Him with my whole heart”?
The problem is sometimes we get a glimpse of where He wants us to go and then assume we know how to get there. I’ve made that mistake many times and then wondered why I wasn’t getting anywhere.
Jesus depended on the Father for the large and fine print written in His life plan. He listened closely and obeyed quickly. John 5:19 reflects His absolute dependence: “The Son can do nothing by Himself; he can do only what He sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son does also.”
Like Jesus, we will discover God’s purpose for our lives through dependent hearts that seek to listen to His. We will find out what’s on God’s calendar and part of our calling when we live in the hear and now – listening for His voice and obeying it each day, in every here and now.
Questions to Consider
- Do I read my Bible so that God’s words and ways are familiar to me?
- Do I intentionally listen for God’s voice or do I assume I know what He wants me to do?
- If God were to speak to me, would I recognize His voice?
- Is my mind so full of worries that my thoughts drown out the possibility of hearing God’s thoughts?
Steps to Take
- Take time now to quiet your heart and your thoughts.
- Be still and acknowledge that God is God and you are not.
- Tell God your desire to hear Him today and then ask Him to speak to your heart.
- Share with Him your plans for the day and then ask Him to show you His.
- Give God permission to interrupt your thoughts and agenda and lead you in a different direction if He wants to.
- Get ready for a day filled with adventure and companionship as you walk hand in hand with your Maker.
Verses to Ponder
1 Samuel 3:10, “The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Psalm 119:16, “I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
John 14:31, “But the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”
Isaiah 55:2-3, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live….”
Isaiah 50:4, “The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
If you want to become a woman who listens to God, and discover the adventure of faith He has for your life, you will want to read Lysa TerKeurst’s book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
I’m giving a copy away to one of you this week! It’s one of my all time favorite books and it kept me inspired to keep my promise to God that I will live in the hear and now! To enter to win, click on the word “comments’ right below this post and share your thoughts or questions about listening to God. Please include your email so I can find you if you win. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Anything. Just talk to me…I’m listening :0). I love reading what you have to say!
And be sure to come back tomorrow! I’ll be talking more about listening to God and offering a great free resource to help you discern His voice from your own. If you’re new, I want you to know there’s a place for you here and I’d love for you to join us! You can subscribe to updates via email in my sidebar, link up in the Google Friend Connect box or become a friend on Facebook!
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Sometimes I get caught up in the busyness of the day and forget to "be still and know." I need to give the details of my worries to God and listen for His direction. Your devotoinal was a blessing today and much needed reminder. Mary – [email protected]
I know that God is listening to me, but I like you wonder if it is my mind talking to me or if it is actualy God. I want so bad to take my ministry a step further but don't know where to begin. I want to go on a mission trip. I want to save children from poverty. I want to be more than I am. but see the problem with this is every sentance starts with "I want"! What does He want of me? I know I have got to take the time, be still and listen. This is the most difficult thing for me to do. Why? It should be the easiest! Everyone likes to stop and rest or take a breather, right? I can't seem to. I'm always in a hurry. Oh Renee, I know I need your prayers. One day all my questions will be answered. Thank you for the beautiful blog to stir all those emotions within my mind, again! Hugs my friend!
I'm a military wife and a homeschooling mother of four great kids. My life can get pretty busy, I'm sure many moms would know that feeling. We have once again moved in the past year. I find it hard to just slow down and try and listen to what God wants me to do, and easier to just do what "I want" to do. I'm sure selfishness plays a big part in my wanting to listen or not. I keep praying that God will show me and guide me in this walk of mine, so that I can help guide my children as well. It's been a struggle. I just keep finding myself ignoring my "spiritual gut", not sure if it's God or me, and later saying "I should have listened!"
Now, I consider myself to be a very blessed woman and thank God for His blessings daily, I just desire a better ear for Him, so that I can stay in His will.
Thank you for this ministry. it's a wonderful start to every morning.:-)
Hey,
I must admit for quite a long time I've been a little afraid to listen to what God wants me to do incase im too afraid to do it, but your blog has shown me that God's paths do lead to goodness, His ways are good, acceptable and perfect and I know He has plans to prosper me 🙂
I just wanted to say that I love Proverbs 31 and the ministry is so helpful to me, I live in England so I really hope you know that God is using you on more than one continent 🙂
Steph
It is really hard to listen to God when my life gets so complicated when taking care of my husband (hurt on the job) taking on the job of head of the household; the kids and being the only one that works and so on. When a mom doesn't have time for herself and I know this sounds like a pity party and maybe it is, but it really isn't. I'm tired. But I know i have to keep going for the sake of my sanity; my kids; my husband; my kids i teach in the 4 and 5 years old in children's church. I can't let the devil get the best of me. It is hard, but I'm an overcomer and God will make a way. I hope you have a Blessed Day!
My favorite verse is "Be still and know that I am God". I try to live by that verse daily. However, in my busyness, I sometimes forget to "listen". God has had His hand in some many things in my life and the ones that I love. His voice has helped prepare listens for the children in the church when I felt I had hit a wall. His voice is a soothing, loving and sometimes gentle nudge. I am so thankful for a living God who wants to see us succeed for His kingdom so that one day we will be with Him forever! Thank you Father!
Sunday, the congregation we encouraged to take a 10 day challenge based on Daniel requesting vegetables and water for 10days and the blessing of God that followed. I comitted to spending more time in the mornings with God. Yesterday I was lead to read Psalm 119 as the benefits of being in the word were revealed. Today, I learned about being in the "hear and now". I am realizing God's blessings already.
Thank you!
Wow – what encouraging words. I have read Proverbs 31 devotions for a long time, but never managed to visit your blog – what great stuff!!!!! I'll definitely be popping back in for great encouragement! Would love to have Lysa's book. I have not heard of that one!
Staci ([email protected])
Good Morning. In my earliest morning prayers today I was praying right along these very same lines!! I love when our Lord gives me confirmation like this. I'm hearing His voice. I am excited about today's adventure with Him. Thank you for your encouragement. Praise God from whom all blessings flow…..especially the sound of His voice. Karen ((*_*))
God being more concerned about my character than my calendar really spoke to me. I want to truly listen to God speaking to my heart so that He can change me and use me moment by moment. I need to learn to live in the "Hear and now" for God.
[email protected]
This devotion really spoke to my heart as I have questioned, complained and wondered why do I have to do all the work…..Martha came to my mind so many times during a very hard week and family emergency, where I was glad and thankful I could go and be there for my family in every way needed, yet I was crying out to God and complaining about how hard it was and I was so tired. I have really had a difficult time forgiving myself even though I have prayed and asked God to forgive me for being so selfish and not focusing or listening to him I know HE has forgiven me. It is so hard sometimes to slow life down and quieten it so I can hear God's sweet voice whispering to me. Thank you for your words of wisdom and some knowledge that maybe I am not alone in my thoughts. I pray God will let me hear him today as I seek HIS wisdom for today. I want so much to hear HIM and do what HE wants for me…. thanks again
There are times I feel did He really say that. Sometimes He speaks the simplest things, I don't always pay attention to them. Not realizing till later He did say that. Why is it hard to pay attention to those little simple things. To see those little or simple things are what He is asking. Thanks for reminding
Your words today were definitely meant for me. Recently I have been feeling so far away from my Father, I know He is there but I just feel alone and empty. And the Devil is sure having a field day. I have not been finding time to read my Bible, my prayer time in the morning seem to disappear before I get to spend the quality time I need to spend in His presence. I need your help with focusing on reading the Bible – at this moment I am feeling vulnerable, my children just acquired a stepmom and she has begun giving expensive gifts to the eldest – things I can't afford – please guide me – I need to feel that I am in His presence. Thank you for the resources you provide they help me daily.
i listen but i dont really hear anything then i get frustrated and start thinking that there is something wrong in my walk with God thanks [email protected]
What a great reminder-to listen!!
I really enjoy and look forward to your daily encouragement. I start my day by reading it and applying it to my daily life.I enjoy forwarding them to my family and friends.Todays reading really hit home because I always wondered how I can slow down in my busy life and just listen to what God wants me to do for any given time or day. Instead of just trying to live my life as I see it.I will open my heart more and have more quite time so I can reflect on his calling on what He wants me to do and I will listen and obey. Thank you for sharing everything with people like myself that need decipline in our lives.
I feel have that my issues is taking time to actually listen to God. I always heard and was always told to pray to pray to pray. But no one ever told me to listen, listen to God. I always thought by praying to God and recieving the blessing from him answering my prayer through wonders, communication through someone else, a word that I read out of the Bible, or a message that I hear from a sermon that was God speaking to me. I never really thought of actually hearing his voice because I never thought of that being so except for me answering my own questions in my voice..smh.. I also feel that I have a problem with talking to much trying to get my point across and I feel that this is what I have been doing to God. I think that I rush my time with God and I don't take the time to listen and I feel that I don't know how I should listen. But I again God is working with this issue with me and is trying to help me become more personal with him through different resources that he has set fourth in front of me so I can be a better spirit filled individual. This is one of my many blessings that I thank him for he always allows me to obtain peace through any challenges that I maybe facing.
Wow….love it when God wakes me up to "hear" His voice. I spoke at a women's conference for our church about a month ago and shared this same concept and similar verses. Following that event I felt like God was asking me….really? do you really hear my voice and listen to me??? I went to Haiti last week and spent a week with the people and children down there…what an amazing time! (This was my first mission trip and I listened to God telling me to go.) And of course I came back with ideas of what God wants me to do next, yet I wonder am I hearing His voice and listening to Him or is this just me wanting to jump in and change the world. Thank you for your comments….I really need to be reminded to sit and listen, stay connected to Him and do what He is calling me to do…daily, hourly. This is the first time I've read your blog….amazing how God speaks to us, if we only listen.
Thank you!!! [email protected]
I try not to so much, but actually I do it a lot. IT being second guessing what I am hearing from God, kind of lilke "heidiforward" said. There are those raaaare moments when I hear something and KNOW that I heard what I heard. Those moments give me hope.
I find myself "second-guessing" when I am hearing something that could be from God..I wonder if it is God, or if it´s just me hearing what I want to hear. I struggle with this daily and actually pray that he will let me hear Him. I think I definitely need to quiet down and "listen".