Just Listen

God is speaking to us daily, but the question is are we listening? He desires to share the mysteries of Himself and of your life on a regular basis. It is not easy to see or believe, but God wants to have an intimate relationship that involves consistent and personal conversations daily. Jesus said, “ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15)  He not only wants to be talked to, but He wants to talk back. We have to just listen. Psalm 143:8 says, “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (ESV)

What’s so sad is that most of us think that hearing from God is a very rare occasion when in reality, Moses talked with God all throughout Exodus through Deuteronomy. Enoch walked and talked with God so much so that he was translated from this world into Heaven (Genesis 5). People think that for whatever reason that God is hiding His voice from us and that He isn’t interested in what we would consider mundane. I beg to differ. If God didn’t desire us or want intimacy with us then He would not know the number of hairs on our head. (Matthew 10:30)

If one says that they follow God, how would they know where to go unless they knew His voice?  John chapter 10 verses 27-30 says this,”My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (NIV) What does that have to do with us? It means that we should be discerning God’s voice regularly. How can we do that unless we are reading and hearing His Word? We cannot. Since God doesn’t contradict His written Word then we need to know the Word. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (ESV) We should also be studying the Word of God so that we understand what it means when God speaks. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

One would also argue that God doesn’t speak audibly. I will venture to say that it depends on the circumstance, but since you have the Holy Spirit who lives inside of you, He speaks to you in your spirit. What is the Holy Spirit's job? John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV). He is an Advocate, Helper, Comforter, and Teacher. Teachers have to communicate the lesson in order for it to be comprehended. When you received Jesus Christ, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit thereby, you have access to hear God’s voice via the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)

With all this access to God’s voice, why do we struggle so much to know who is talking? Well, the first thing is that the world around us is always louder than the voice of God. We are bombarded daily with so many other things that are competing for our attention. God speaks in a still small voice. This is the way He spoke to Eliljah in 1 Kings 19:11-13. Another thing is that we have to be open to hearing from God. Hebrews 3:7-8 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, (ESV) Last thing is that many times out of fear we don’t reach out to God or listen to His response for answers needed. You have to remember that He loves you so there is no need to be afraid. (1 John 4:18)

I have heard stories of people who asked God to reveal Himself or even speak to them and they received a response. Jeremiah 33:3 says this, ”Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (ESV) I say all that to plainly tell you that God is speaking, just listen. He wants to connect with you daily, consistently and regularly. Shut everyone out. Quiet yourself and get present in the moments that you spend with God. He will speak if you are willing to just listen. 

Let's Pray: Father, as we come to you in prayer, first we want to repent. We have allowed the distractions of this world, our jobs, our busyness and various other things to take our attention away from You. Forgive us God. We want to be mindful of Your Presence. We want to be mindful of Your voice. Give us a renewed sensitivity to Your Spirit. Give us the direction to focus on You. Help us to listen for that still small voice. Help us to hear You and to obey. Help us long to commune with You. Give us the desire to chase Your Presence. Lord, we know that when we draw nigh to You that You will draw nigh to us (James 4:8). Thank You Lord, for hearing this prayer in Jesus name. Amen. 


Sinner’s Prayer: Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. He died on the cross just for me. I also confess with my mouth and believe with my heart that He rose again on the 3rd day, paying my sin debt in full. He is now seated at the right hand of power, interceding for me to the Father. I thank You, Jesus, that as I pray this prayer and believe with my heart that You have saved me. I receive Your love and commit my life to You. You are now the Lord of my life. Thank You for all that You have done and will do for me in the future. In Jesus name, Amen. 


Scripture References: Matthew 11:15, Psalm 143:8, Genesis 5, Matthew 10:30, St. John 10:27-30 (NIV), Romans 10:17, 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV), John 14:26 (NIV),  Ephesians 1:13, 1 Kings 19:11-13, Hebrews 3:7-8, 1 John 4:18, Jeremiah 33:3, James 4:8 - all scriptures in English Standard Version unless otherwise noted


Follow Me:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SOFaith2013

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sistersoffaith2013/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoVGIIqsp7R4nbIBvjaL6Ow

Email: sofpray2013@gmail.com

Buy my book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/b6bOVmo


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's Time to Get Off the Fence

     Either you're for me or you're against me this is what Jesus said in Matthew 12:30. These are harsh words to some people, but it's a matter of loyalty to God. Are you going to go all in or keep one foot out because it's convenient? He also said if you're not gathering you're scattering. It's every believer's responsibility to draw others to Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:11)       It's relatively black and white. You're either pursuing a relationship with Christ or you're pulling back. Luke 9:62 says, “But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”(NASB)  It's so easy for people to say things like, "well there's more than one way to Heaven." Jesus said differently. He is the Way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)  Convenience tells us to be neutral. One problem: Jesus wasn't neutral. He was radical....
Read more

Sufferings

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:18 I have to say that the scripture above never really had as deep a meaning as it has had in the last couple years, months, weeks, etc. of my life. Most people who know me personally or are following my blogs know my story to some extent. It's that I am: currently unemployed, living with my parents (again) after losing my job in Wichita, Ks. About 3 months before I lost my job, I suffered a seizure at the wheel and got into a horrendous car wreck; losing my driving privileges for 6 months and totaled out my vehicle (that I was still paying for without current insurance since I was recovering from the 2010 unemployment issue). Yeah, yeah, yeah...you all have heard my story. I have told it so many times I think I am even tired of hearing it. To say that I have had some challenges would be an understatement. To say that it has bee...
Read more

Patient with Me

     One of the best qualities that exists in God is His patience.  The very first phrase is 1 Corinthians 13:4 is, “Love is patient.” (NIV) When I think about true love, I have to align my expectations with the Only True and wise God- with Jesus. He is the purest form of love. (1 John 4:8b) I think the most transcendent characteristic of the Lord is that He is patient. Not only is He patient, but He suffers long with us.       What is long suffering? From what I understand, it is made up of 2 different words in Greek that are long and temper. That in essence means, God has restraint even when He is upset.  He is not quick to retaliate or punish because of His displeasure. How many of us can say that we are like this? Psalm 103:8 describes it like this, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”(ESV)      When we look at the World around us we see that no one is patient. No one is willin...
Read more