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!
There are so many examples I could share of how the Lord has ALWAYS blessed my obedience when I hear and obey Him. One in particular is from several years ago. The Lord kept impressing me to leave from my teaching position. I didn't want to leave. I loved the staff & faculty and being able to minister to the students. I did, however, surrender to the Lord and did not sign my contract at the end of the year. Directly after that a substitute teaching position became available for the Christian school. For an entire year, I was almost the only substitute. So needless to say, I was able to work most days. Our income was supplemented but more importantly, I was able to serve in all age categories from 3 years old all the way to 8th grade! I came to know many families and students. Even after 8 years, there are many that I still stay in touch with! ALWAYS obey God; He keeps His Word. It won't always make sense at the time, but trust Him. He knows best!
"Hearing God". That has been the foremost thought on my mind over the past few months. I wonder all the time how to hear Him. I think I am like Elijah, waiting for the thunder and lightening and God is speaking quietly. There are times when I "know", just "know" that God has spoken, these are more knowledge than a voice. I have so much trouble with noise in my head, so many thoughts all the time. It is so hard to sit and just listen and then I question, is it me or God? How do I know? I have been in ministry so many times in the past, but then I short curcuit when life goes aray. This time, I want to "know" what God wants me to do beyond a shadow of a doubt so that I don't do it in my own power and I don't short circuit again. Tired of being disqualified and feeling that I have disapointed my Lord! I pray daily that God leads me every step of the way. Thank you for your devotion today! It reminds me to be still and Know God! It reminds me that He cares about everything I do, even my motherhood and my boring, trivial, daily job that pays my bills. I need to stop and listen and learn His voice over my thoughts. I will continue on daily and keep following the little steps He has been giving me. I guess He knows right now I am not ready for the giant leaps! I know that one day little will become much and I will be able to look back on this valley and see that God walked before me each step of the way. Thank you!
Deann Young
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I would love the book about saying "Yes" to God again. I haven't really felt "connected" to God for a long time and I need a refresher! I know he is there waiting and I have been stubborn. I'm going about my life taking care of my kids, taking care of my husband, the house, trying to be a good person but I am feeling rather empty and lonley. Yes, I have friends and all that I need but I have not been putting God first or even giving him a place at all. Time to get real. Time to get started. Time to put priorities in place. Time to trust and be healed. Its time.
Renee –
Boy, did your reflection today hit home! I've been so focused on the "bigger" issues (like my writing and teaching religion) that often the day flies by and the laundry piles up and I start to resent the daily grind stuff (dishes, laundry), you know the stuff that no sooner gets done and you have to start all over.
AND, I've organized my husband's dresser and closet before and it's fallen back into chaos so I pledged I wouldn't touch it again. Your devo caused a stirring in my heart. He works hard all week and then is involved with our kids on the weekend. It really would be a loving gesture if I organized his things…AGAIN. Just like the laundry and dishes…it's the daily, small, and nitty gritty gestures that show our love and faithfulness.
Thank you!
Robin
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I am trying to listen with so much on my mind its so hard . I am always looking and trying to hear God speaking to me and showing me the right way to go. I am not sure but does it have to do what you feel in your heart?
Hi Renee, what an encouragement! I tend to get caught up in trying to figure out God’s will for my life and your post reminded to live for His will today, in the hear and now. I often do wonder if I’m hearing from God or if I’m hearing my own voice and it is frustrating. Thank you, I’m excited to be more intentional about listening to God today!
I sometimes find myself too busy with things in life to listen to what God wants me to do for Him. I know if I listen to him and hear his voice the decisions that I make even in every day life would be in His will and maybe even help others in the process. I pray every day but sometimes wonder if I am praying for the right reasons. That is why I need to Be still and let God speak for a change. Sometimes I do too much of the talking. Thanks so much for your daily encouragement.
…seems like time after time God speaks in a quiet yet firm voice…it calls to mind when God spoke to Elijah after all that he went through at Mount Carmel..his human discouragment (yet not spiritual, just had more than enough :> )and his forty day journey (interesting parallels!) until he reached that cave to watch the earthquake, fire etc. Then to hear God speak so gently and quietly, (not in the fire or earthquakes etc) encouraging Elijah and giving him a helper in Elisha and taking care of the threats against Elija's life. What a comfort God is…and thank you so much for your encouragment. It really is so hard to "hear" God sometimes through our own earthquakes and firestorms, guess He's waiting for us to just have a quiet "cave" moment by ourselves with Him :>.
God does speak to us through His Word. I know farewell God has the very best instore for my life. The Bible tells me so. The difficult part is being obedient. One word has helped me more than anything especially in loving others and that is "unconditional". God loves us unconditionally and IF we would just love others unconditionally and be obedient to what we know is right, our temporary lives here on earth would certainly be more peaceful. We need to just keep our eyes on Jesus and be obedient to what our Father tells us.
Your words spoke to me today. I am a former teacher who is able to stay home and raise children. I am very thankful for that. My kids are getting older and i am questioning all the time what it is that i am supposed to be doing! I know i am meant for more but every time i try to figure it out,it doesnt work out or i give up! I know from your words that God wants me to live in the here and now and not worry about my calendar or my success. I just need something to help me work on that!
I'm a single mom with 5 amazing children. I need to be certain that I listen to God's voice because it essential for me to parent and make choices that are pleasing to Him and that will guide my children to godly living. At times, I feel that I'm so busy or have so much on my mind that I'm afraid I'm not listening as I should. Thank you for your words of encouragement today to "hear and now".
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Love this topic!! I went through a season of fear and anxiety two years ago and still have the occasional episode. I have been FORCED to depend on God in a moment-to-moment way! It has been VERY good for me. Hard, but good. I, too, struggle with whether it's "Him or me" (as far as hearing His voice) but I've found that if I assume it's Him and obey, the results are always a success, so why not just go for it?? And if I think, "Oh, I'll wait and see…." I notice that I can't get it off my mind, then I KNOW I better follow through! It's amazing how, when we earnestly seek Him, He is faithful to be found.
I love serving God, it's a never-ending journey and it's a blast!!
It is encouraging to know that I'm not the only one struggling with distinguishing Yahuveh's voice. This, combined with wanting to know everything in advance, increases my confusion. Thank you for elaborating on why we are not told in advance. Just trust. We don't have to look down at the keyboard to type. We automatically know what finger goes where because we have done it over and over again. That is where I want to get to. I can feel the exact point many times now when I turn "off" what I don't want to hear or feel, just like I change the news channel upon hearing some desolate news being broadcast. Please keep doing what your doing!!
Your article is so timely on the subject of listening with the heart to God's speaking. The next step is to obey His Word and find the joy that comes from being in the path of righteousness. I do want to respond daily to God's voice and today seems the best time to start this "habit." His Word is such a wonderful way to enjoy His presence.
Your blog post came at the perfect time today!! I had just finished my prayer time…asking God to reveal Himself more to me and what it is that HE wants for my life. I have plenty of ideas and they all have to do with serving Him…all good things, but I realize I'm only one person and He couldn't possibly be asking me to do them all.So, today He spoke to me, ever so gently, "Be still"…"listen"…"I will show you".
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My daily reading of Encouragement for Today has been so helpful in getting me to listen to God. I want so much to be like Samuel when God was calling him and he said yes Lord I am here. Ps. 37:7is another scripture which tells us to "be still and wait patiently for Him". I have that one posted in my office as a daily reminder. Katie ([email protected])
Thank you Renee for your encouraging words today. I am 13 weeks pregnant tomorrow! This is my third pregnancy, but this will be our first child. Having lost 2 really makes you have a different view of pregnancy, and it’s changed the way I view and listen to God. One might say that these experiences have really matured me in my walk. After the second one it was really hard to listen to God because my flesh was being torn in 50 different directions and no matter what people said nothing seemed to make a difference. I admit that I got lost after the second one and I was ignoring what God was saying and pointing me to. I was focusing on getting into really good shape and I was being vein about how I dressed and how my makeup and hair was. This made me feel better for a time, but then there’s always that little voice that is sometimes so quiet that you second guess if you really heard it or not. To skip forward a bit I started to come back to my walk with God, and my OBGYN wanted to put me on Clomid to help me get pregnant. At first I was ok with that, then that little voice kicked in, “If having children is the desire of your heart, won’t I give that to you when the time is right?” My answer had to be yes, so I decided not to go on the Clomid and I started telling people that Tim and I were trying to get pregnant and that when the Lord sees the time is right it will happen. Not 2 months after I started to voice that to people I had a positive pregnancy test. With that I was happy, scared, joyful, scared, so thankful, and oh…did I mention scared? Like we all do sometimes I was letting my brain run wild and fear was creeping in. I had to remind myself that God does not give us the spirit of fear, but it still kept showing up when I least expected it. One evening I was cooking dinner and I started to just break down, I was crying over my turkey chili and pleading with God, “Please don’t take this one away from me.” Then I heard a voice say, “I won’t.” It was a moment of absolute peace within me. This pregnancy has progressed differently then the others with my symptoms, meaning I have been really sick to my stomach, but it’s a joyful sickness. Everything about this one feels different and I am still at peace with everything. Praise God! I am looking for books to read and encourage me and my husband during this pregnancy that are built on God’s words. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and thank you for the time that you spend encouraging us with your blog and P31 devotions. My email address is [email protected]. Have a wonderful day and God bless! Smiles, Shelon M.
I must admit I half read the devotions that I get. Maybe not wanting to hear what they say? I know I need to spend way more time listening… Thanks for the gentle nudge!!
God used your devotional this morning to speak truth to me.
Thank you for sharing your obedience to Him!
Most of the time when I pray to God I spend that time giving Him suggestions on how to solve my problem. I don't listen enough. I am reminded by Him of the times He has answered my prayers without using any of my suggestions. I bow my head and ask His forgiveness for thinking I know a better way to solve things than He does. I pray that I will be more of a listener than a talker. The knowledge that He wants what is best for me encourages me to listen every moment of the day so that I won't make such a mess of things. I find that my suggestions never work out the way I thought they would, but God's always work out for the best.
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I had been praying for years for the courage to make contact with my half-brother. I had been adopted at birth and noone in my birthmother's family knew about me even though I grew up knowing about them. One morning last August, I woke up to hear God saying, "Today is the day". I knew immediately what God meant. I looked up and repeated, "Today is the day"? and God replied, "Yes, Today is the day". I said, "Okay, Lord, Today is the day". I got on the internet and could not find my brother listed and it took me a couple of weeks to locate him. But on September 5, 2010, I made contact with the brother I had never been able to claim and it has been the greatest journey of my life. I only wish, I had been more courageous, been a Believer who not only prayed, but listened much earlier in my life.
thank you so much for this blog today, I sent you a friend request on fb so I can follow you more 🙂 sweet blessings, I am constantly wondering in the midst of all the noise in my head how I can even hear my Lord when it is so loud in there. I enjoyed this morning looking out the windows at the trees and quieting my mind and it was wonderful as I asked the same questions about what should I do, say yes to etc and the answer was one I know and have heard before. great clarity and direction. Thank you Lord! Blessings to you and keep up the great writing cheri ure [email protected]
In terms of listening to God, the big thing for me is to separate out the religious aspect of reading my Bible and devotions from truly spending time in His presence. Just like a sheep that spends time with his shepherd to hear his voice calling, I have to be intentional about spending time truly communing and worshiping Him. Often as a busy Mom, I just want to fulfill my commitment (self-focused!) of daily bible reading to go about my day 🙁
I often times second guess myself but God has been gracious and given me validation that he was speaking to me. There are those times however, when I am not quite sure. Thank you for a place to share my struggles and see others sometimes struggle as well. I know to "Be still and know that He is God" is key!!!!!
I've never read your blog before, but I believe God lead me here today, because what you wrote was exactly what I needed to hear. Exactly! I've been struggling with kowing God's purpose for my life, wishing I could somehow be "more". But it is SO true that I need to be faithful in the little things of the here and now. Thank YOU for being faithful and writing these words. I have taken them to heart…
I am learning to listen to what God wants of me. I pray each day that I will do the right things, I too ask what the answer is, I thank God for the life he has given me and the strength to carry on through the rough spots in my life. Now I want to learn how to better hear Gods voice and directions. I sense when I do the thing that he wants me to do the wonderful feeling that I have done the what he wants.
Renee,
Your words were really speaking to me. I find myself more and more wanting to hear God but realizing my thoughts are on worries and concerns that I allow to fill my mind on daily or future things. Thanks for the great verses. I'll be spending more time reading those today on my lunch hour. Have a sweetly blessed Tuesday.
In Christ,
Angela
I really needed to hear this. I so often feel like I am struggling to hear the voice of God, but the truth is that I'm not always listening. I am usually listening for what I want to hear. This is not the way I plan to continue living my life and I know I need to break this habit. I don't want to be one of those people who gets to caught up in day to day routines that I can't see what God has in store for me.
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I so often have times of being restless. I am going to start taking your steps that are listed. I definitely like the 2nd one "Be still and acknowledge that God is God and I am not." The Lord is really tugging at my heart today that He is the one who is making me restless, because He wants me to stop…and follow His plan, but I need to be quiet and listen to His plan. He has always been faithful in showing me that when I am faithful with "my time" with Him He is faithful in giving me more time in getting the things that "need" to be done, completed. Yes Lord bring me to a place where I instantly hear Your beautiful still voice and experience Your peace within all my choices in life.
I know that I have a hard time just slowing down my life, and getting quiet enough to even try to hear God speaking to me. Somethign I'm going to try to concentrate on is reducing all that I think I have to do, because I'm not really going to "miss out" on anything if I don't run myself ragged trying to do everything possible. In that way, I can slow down enough to get pay attention to what God is saying to me!
thanks for your encouragement and verses to ponder!
I really enjoyed your devotion today. I know that I get too concerned with what is on my calendar and I need to be more concerned with what God would have me doing. Thanks for the reminder to listen.
I really enjoyed your devotion today. I know I get too concerned with my calendar and I need to be more concerned with His. Thanks for the reminder to listen.
I too struggle with listening and obeying in the little things. I have had words and visions from God on some of the biggest things in my life and I manage- most of the time- to be very faithful to them, but in the everyday steps I am not always as immediately obedient as I want to be. Thank you for the reminder today that it is in the small steps that we truly show our obedience and are forever changed.
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I read the P31 devo most every day, but this is my first visit to your blog. Love it! May God bless you for your faithfulness in obeying Him through your encouraging words to your readers. This is a message I can definitely stand to hear! With homeschooling and raising 6 kiddos I find myself getting consumed with the busyness of life and the tyranny of the urgent. I need to slow down and listen to God – not merely read my daily devo, and shoot up my perfunctory prayer, so that I can get on with my daily to-do's. Thank you Renee, and nice to "meet" you!
I really needed to "hear" that today! These daily inspirations somehow manage to speak directly to me! Thanks for sharing!
I don't always hear what God is telling me unless he is basically screaming it in my ear. I've been focusing on listing and being patient more. God has been dealing me when it comes to gossiping. I get excited when people wnat to gossip to me and God quietly tells me to change the subject. Talk about something else. Obedience is something I am working on. I hear him now but obeying is another vice I must overcome.
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I'm dealing with this very issue in my life right now. As a wife, mother of two, full-time Financial Controller, MOPS Coordinator, small business owner, AWANA nursery worker (wow I'm tired just typing all of that), I've come to realize that it's time to stop and LISTEN to God. Over the last couple weeks God keeps whispering to me that my number one ministry is to my family. God has also told me over and over again that I cannot serve my family if I'm not home to do so. He may have been telling me this for quite some time but I have FINALLY listened. I'm now praying God to show me what HE wants me to give up, which can be so difficult! Thank you for your message!
this was perfect for me to stumble across today…thank you!
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I feel like I have a hard time telling when it is my idea or God's. I want so badly to do what the Lord would have me do, and I am so affraid of failure that I spend most days frozen. I have had a few times in my life that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was telling me to do something, but like you said, I think that it is the small things that I struggle with. I have so many good intents and yet I seem to fall short daily. I try to give it to God and somehow I always end up with it right back in my lap. I really want to live each day as it comes serving the Lord, but I spend way too much time worrying about the future, and how not to mess it up. Lately, I have been having this almost crazy thought (that I am not sure is me or God) that the change that I need to make will be radical. Like most people will think that I am crazy. It would be nice to know if I am losing my mind, or I God is really telling me this. On that note, your listening to God message really hit home for me, THANK YOU!!
Amy Holt
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In the past three months, I have learned the importance of not only being still and listening for God, but also how important it is to trust and be obedient. My husband of 13 years came home to tell me he was having and affair and wanted a divorce. My world was shattered in that very instant and since then I have clung to God and His word. It was during these last three months, that I for the very first time in my very short 32 years of life felt the presence and heard the voice of God speak to me. I am constantly on my knees asking for Gods guidance, but more importantly I am trying every day to listen for Him. The peace and comfort that comes with knowing and hearing God are some of the greatest gifts any one could receive. One that I am thankful for even at my darkest moment. With 5 children to care for and a husband who is wanting out of our marriage, I find my relationship with Christ growing deeper every day. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn how to be still and listen for God. Thank you for addressing a topic that at this very moment is near and dear to my heart.
Thank you so much for this wonderful, eye-opening (ear-opening) message! Sometimes I feel I hear God so clearly, yet just this morning, I had to really stop and listen for God. I was making so many plans in the flesh (what I was gonna say, do, feel,and act), when that voice rang through clearly! I immediately felt better, but still I wondered: Is this God's directive? Anyway, your blog was useful and I am going to practice your application steps to better hear from God–and obey!
Thanks!
F. Brown
This was meant for me today. Trying very hard to be patient and listen to God. Not to worry about economy, income, etc. God has it in his control, but it is hard! Praying that I will be patient and wait on his timing, not mine.
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Oh Renee…I so needed this today. I am struggling with quieting my mind enough to listen to God. I have been living out of fear and not faith for quite a while now. I have 2 teenagers and an elementary age child, a full-time job, a husband, parents who are aging, and 2 brothers who don't know the Lord. I spend the majority of my time in a state of worry and fear. I don't want to live this way! I want nothing more than to be able to abide in my sweet Lord every day. I just can't seem to hush the voices of worry and doubt in my head for any substantial length of time. I welcome the time of day when I can put everything on hold for just a couple of moments and read the P31 Daily Devotions. I so appreciate you and Lesa and your openness about your own lives and struggles. You have truly been a blessing to me!
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I'm a first time mom and was very overwhelmed in past week with worries and thoughts about everything.My son's changing alot and this is the biggest transition I'd ever face as far as my role as mother. Being disciplinarian was very draining and I was sick of hearing my voice over and over again. I was on my knees asking God for extra strength not only to be patient with my son but also to carry other tasks. My dishes and chores are piling up and I feel so guilty about it. I just took time the other day to quiet down and talk to God about all my worries and plans. He reminded me that whatever I do, I need to seek His hand and let Him guide and help me. I want to hear him in the midst of chaos, chores, and changes in life.
I am a 65 year old "grammie" of 4 great, but ornery, grandkids. I am working on an ssiciate's degree at a local college. Never had the chance when I was young so now that I can, I am! I have always had a hard time listening, because I always had so much to say, but I am learning. It's an on going process. When we stop learning it's because we're dead. So I hope we will all continue to learn.
My friend, Dawn, has pointed me to your e-devotional more than once and they've always been spot-on. Today's message about listening to God in the little things was just the same.
I offer my day to the Lord, but do I offer the hours, the minutes, the moments? Does He lead me through my day as I pray He will, even when I am not supremely conscious of Him?
As a homeschooler and mom of a special needs (medical) child, my hands and heart (and head!) are full … but too full to let Him lead? You challenge me, Renee! And I am thankful for it!
I listen for God all the time since my near death experience. He has help me get reinvolved in my own life in a Godly way. Be still and know that I am God!
Listening to God sometimes can be difficult, especially when you have to cut your quiet time short too fulfill your duties of being a mother, wife, friend, daughter, student, & a member in ministry. We as women need to learn to sit still sometimes to hear God's voice without worrying about the shopping list or what you cooking later. Hearing God's voice for everything we do is very important.
My husband sounds like your husband as far as wanting to be organized but not having the time (or inclination) to do it. I often will be frustrated by it, but when I submit myself and clean it up for him I know God is pleased. Your devo today really touched a chord with me. Being a stay-at-home mom usually feels like a "one-talent" job, but I know it is where God has me right now. Thanks for the encouragement to do the right thing and have the right attitude.
Paula