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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What a great message. This is something that has really been on my mind lately. And part of the problem is, I am so busy, I feel I don't have time to listen. However, in making some time to listen, I have realized just how busy I am. So I am starting to get rid of so many rocks on my plate. In doing this there has been such a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and a feeelng of peace. So I know it is what God wanted for me to do. He has a plan for all of us. And right now I need to get rid of all these extras so I can focus on his true plan for me.
Something I read recently really hit home for me, "The need is not always the call." I could really use some extra guidance from Lysa's book.
thanks
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I just picked up one of Lysa's books. I'm anxious to read. The one you are giving away is second on my list. Thank you for the chance to win.
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Wow Renee your message really hit home with me! I need to work on this for sure. I would love to win the book.
Deborah
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'…discover God’s purpose for our lives through dependent hearts that seek to listen to His'
I know God's purpose. It is to trust him, regardless of the circumstances. It is only when I truly trust that I can begin to hear what he is saying to me.
This article is an answer to my prayers , directly. I struggle discerning his voice over my own, which is my desire and which is His. What an awesome post Renee, thanks :). I will definitely be reading that book, whether I win or not, it is on my Christmas list 🙂 [email protected]
I want to hear God, I used to hear Him all the time…..I never thought I would get so out of touch with Him…but thankfully He is Faithful, He has chosen just the right time to reach me again. I love the way He works, even when I don't see it unfolding. I'm so glad He is always patient… These are just thoughts, they are pouring out of me in spurts, as I am watching my Dayhome children, so it is in the midst of their noise and laughter and 'a time out' that I am praising Our Lord, and thanking Him for letting me read you this morning!! Yes it is a confirmation. God Bless you, your marriage and your Family 🙂
One of my favorite things in my walk with the Lord is truly hearing that still, small voice. I love the "conversations" that I have with my Jesus, and there is no better listener, friend, advisor, and confidant.
I noticed recently that I am experiencing 'I thought I did everything or tried to my best abilities to do the way God would've wanted me to do this or that, so why am I not there yet? (as in dont have the desired result/achievement)'. I think it is along the line of what you mention in your blog where you say that you get a glimpse of what you think God wants you to do and then think you know how to get there. The more exact question that I have recently is 'what am I doing wrong?' (or am I Doing wrong something or it is just not the right time, etc etc). I actually had a sneak peak of that book, and it sounds great, I just cant seem to get a hold of a copy for now. But I think the book can teach us alot and help us understand God's doings even better.
~Marina
I want to hear God's voice so I pray that He will knock me upside the head to let me know it's Him talking. 🙂
I want to hear from God and i know in the busyness of my day times i lose His voice and start doing things my way thanks for this reminder God has been speaking to me personally about this very subjectt.
I simply LOVE this book, and I love you and Lysa both! You have been such a blessing to me this year…you have no idea! God is calling me to step outside of my box that is warm and comfy to do some bold works in His name, and it IS scary!! This is a great book to encourage you to be obedient, and the many blessings that will follow! Love to you both!!
Like many, I have a problem with getting quiet and still. I pray that I can hear God's voice and that I will listen. This is probably the hardest action of obedience for me.
I would sincerely love to own a copy of your book Renee….thank you for being so generous.
May you be blessed beyond your wildest dreams…
Sometimes its hard to hear God's voice and often I'm not really sure if what i hear is right….but we serve an awesome inspiring, gracious God and I'm thankful that we do!
Love Kathie
xoxo
I loved your devotional. I know there are times I feel God speaking to me (not audibly though), and would love to know that I'm always listening to Him. I know I don't always listen to Him any more than I always listen to my kids. I love the verse 'Be still, and know that I am God' I think I need to revel in the quiet moments, instead of filling them up with music, or tv, or something else.
Hi Renee,
YOur devotion and blog spoke directly to my heart. I've been wondering these last couple of months, not focusing on anything special. My relationship with the Lord has been greatly effected. And now my blessed Saviour and Friend uses your words to bring me home. The chorus from an old hymn came to mind as I read your posts. "Trust and obey, for there is no other way. To be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey."
Thank you! God Bless
Grace
First off, I just love reading your blog. It always offers inspiration and encourages me to walk faithfully with the Lord.
I am quick to listen to what God wants for my life and then I run with it- assuming that I can fill in the cracks and the details of how it should go and what I should do. I need to work on allowing God to continue speaking to me in the details – for there is where he dwells and shines bright!
Renee,
Sometimes, with all of the noise in our world, I have to just get away by myself to discern what He is telling me. Sometimes, I can hear His whisper; other times, I am uncertain as to whether I am really hearing His voice. I have learned one thing though–when peace follows, I keep following His lead.
I needed this right now. This is exactly what I am facing right now.
It is amazing how God works!
I frequently find myself wondering if its my thoughts or God's voice I hear.
Wow! Once again, God's timing is perfect. The devotional you wrote for Proverbs 31 today was good. Then when I got to your blog, it just got better! I often wonder if it is God I am hearing or just myself thinking. So many wonderful truths and inspiring questions. Keep up the good work!
Carrie
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