Tag Archive | attention

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 47 – Listen to God

May8

Pursuing the Heart of God – Day 47

Listen to God

Hello, Lord, are You there? Your Word says that You are with me always (Matthew 28:20); You will never leave me or forget about me (Joshua 1:5). Do you speak to Me often? Sometimes I try to be still and listen to You, but I cannot hear Your voice. I don’t really know what it sounds like or I’m not sure whether it’s Your thoughts or mine. How do I know the difference? Please help me be still enough to listen and give me the discernment to know Your voice when You speak to me.

A Message from God’s Heart to Yours:

My beloved one, I am always right here waiting to listen to you and talk to you. Will you do the same for Me? I desire intimate relationship and personal conversation with you daily. I want to listen to your requests and impart My wisdom and instructions for your life. I am your Shepherd, and you are My sheep. My sheep know My voice and follow Me (John 10:27).

You will know and recognize My voice by spending time with Me in My Word. Whenever you read My Word, you are hearing directly from Me. The Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see what I want you to understand when you spend time in the Scripture. You will hear Me speak to you through My Word. However, I love to communicate with you in prayer also. When you pray, go into the secret place, where you and I meet alone. Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). When you quiet your heart and mind enough, and give Me your undivided attention, you will hear My inaudible voice in your thoughts. It is soft as a whisper, yet powerful and majestic (Psalm 29:4).

When you spend time in My Word, getting to know My character better, you will better know what to expect when you hear Me in your thoughts. I am loving and compassionate; I will encourage you with My love and envelope you with My kindness. I am wise and discerning; I will instruct you with My wisdom. I am your Advocate; I will guide you and support you with My knowledge. I am your Counselor; I will advise you in all your circumstances. I am your Father; I will delight in you and bestow your identity as My child. I am the Prince of Peace; I will fill you with the confidence of knowing I am in control.

When you hear My voice, the message will always align with My Word in Scripture. My voice will always be consistent with My character. It will bring you a feeling of peace unless I am convicting you of a sin. My words will never be harsh, accusing, condemning, or confusing like Satan’s voice. My words in your thoughts will be sincere, clear, truthful, motivating, comforting, and uplifting. I may instruct you to do something challenging, but I will always equip you to carry it out. I will never ask you to do anything that does not agree with My Word in the Bible. I will not lie to you, manipulate you, deceive you, or shame you. Those actions identify your enemy, the devil. The more time you spend in conversation with Me, the better you will be able to identify and discern My voice in your thoughts, from your own thoughts and Satan’s.

Above all, I just want to spend time with you, however that works best: in My Word, in personal conversation, or shoulder to shoulder walking through the journey of your life. I love you, My friend, and I want what is best for you. It is best that you remain in relationship with Me by reading My Word, talking to Me in prayer, listening to Me and hearing My voice, loving Me with your obedience, and praising Me whenever possible. I look forward to our next conversation. When shall we meet again?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I so long to hear You speak more regularly, and to know for sure it’s Your voice I hear. Teach me more about Your character so that I may be confident in discerning Your voice from the other thoughts in my head. Lord, please speak to me now and let me know what needs to change in my life in order for me to hear Your voice in my thoughts more consistently. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Two-way Conversation with God: 

  • Father God, help me to quiet my mind and heart enough to hear You speak. What do You want me to know at this time? (Record every word or thought you have.)

 

  • Jesus, my Friend, will You share what You want me to know about listening to Your voice? How do I discern between Your voice and my own thoughts? (Write down what He says to you now.)

 

  • Holy Spirit, teach me to be more in tune with Your whispers and how You speak to me all day long. What do I need to do to hear You speaking to me and guiding me? (Journal all ideas and thoughts that pop into your mind.)

Review God’s thoughts and impressions you’ve sensed and written above. What Scripture comes to mind as you review your notes? Use the concordance of your Bible to look up an impression from God’s Word. Record the verse or passage here. Write all insights and encouragement the Holy Spirit illumines for you as you read God’s Word right now.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for speaking Your heart and pouring Your thoughts into my mind whenever I meet with You. Thank You for making Yourself available to meet with me any time and anywhere. Lord, I so appreciate that Your desire is for greater intimacy with me. Give me the same desire and expand my time, so that I may accomplish the goal of putting You first in my life, and listening to You daily. Thank You for Your loving kindness and forbearance. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 29:4, The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.

Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 46:10, He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Proverbs 3:5-6, 5Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Matthew 28:19-20, 19“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 20And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Mark 4:23, “If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”

John 10:2-4, 2“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.”

John 10:27, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.

Copyright © Sindy Nagel. All Rights Reserved

Roadblock #5 – Busyness – The Enemy of Freedom

Jun1


A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

When we don’t have time for God, it’s difficult to have a meaningful conversation or relationship with Him. The busyness of life may keep you from hearing God’s voice. Satan loves to fill up our lives, even with good, godly acts of service, so that we don’t have time to listen to God’s voice. The enemy keeps us in chaos and noise so that we cannot hear the still, small voice of Jesus. Are you too busy serving in too many places, so you miss out on what He says to you? Or do you make time regularly to sit alone with the Lord, listening to His Spirit within you? He does have something to say to you.

Remember Mary and Martha? Martha opened her home to Jesus. All her preparations for His visit robbed her of spending time with her Guest of honor, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and eagerly listened to what He said.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!â€

“Martha, Martha,†the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.†(Luke 10:40-41)

Are you too busy doing, doing, doing to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what He wants to say to you? It pleased Jesus that Mary sat and listened to Him, and He didn’t take that time away from her. Everything else could wait.

I must confess, my innate tendency is to behave more like Martha than Mary. Being the die-hard people-pleaser that I am, if Jesus and His disciples came to visit my home, I might be more worried about the hospitality than the relationality. I could see myself scurrying around, cleaning, preparing a meal, and making sure my guests are well taken care of. I would be more inclined to “do†than to “be†still and listen.

Understanding my nature and God-given spiritual gift of help or service, I must force myself to be more social and relational when hosting a gathering. My efforts are usually concentrated on fulfilling the roles of maid, cook, caterer, server, dishwasher, launderer, and concierge, rather than playing the warm, welcoming, congenial hostess role. I’m afraid I would be more concerned about making sure Jesus had a clean, comfortable place to sit, a nice meal to eat, a tasty wine to drink, and crisp, clean sheets to sleep on than on honoring Him with my undivided time, listening to every word that rolled out of His mouth.

Opposites attract, however. My husband is a popular, sanguine Mary. He walks into a crowded room and immediately bursts with positive energy from being in a social atmosphere. He loves communicating with anyone and everyone. He enjoys initiating and carrying on conversations with complete strangers. A social gathering is very exciting and emotionally stimulating for him. He talks and listens to each guest who enters our home, making them feel special and welcome. My husband would shake Jesus’s hand and cheerfully sit at His feet, listening to every word He spoke. Whose behavior do you think Jesus would most appreciate? Are you a Martha or a Mary?

When Martha told Jesus to reprimand Mary for not helping her with the preparations, Jesus very clearly set Martha straight on her priorities. We have to find a balance between serving and spending time alone with Christ, listening to His voice. Is Jesus pleased with the amount of individual attention you give Him? Are you making your time with Him a priority over your other activities?

Your calendar might be due for an overhaul. Free up some time daily to be with God. Cross off some of the less important activities. Write in ink, not pencil, to schedule your “God†time. Don’t let another activity “bump†your time with God or take priority over your relationship with Jesus, the Lord of your life. Perhaps you have fallen prey to some of these misconceptions:

 

A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.#1: I don’t have time to wait for God to speak to me.

#2: All these other activities I do are more urgent than spending time with God.

#3: Investing time in godly activities equals having a relationship with Jesus.

 

Click on the link below to purchase your copy of 7 Roadblocks to Hearing God Speak. Identify the obstacles and the lies that hinder your communication with the Holy Spirit, and then, make an effort to remove and disprove them. This book will get you started in the right direction.

Click here to Purchase the book now.

A woman is standing at the microphone and holding a pen.

Book Two in Hearing God’s Voice Series