Me? You want to know how I hear from God??

Listen along here:  https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/e8490454/me-you-want-to...

Lean in.

"This is really interesting - this notion that God speaks to people," he said. "Could you tell me more about this? While I used to be kinda in to church, if I'm honest, I mostly went out of a sense of obligation. Now, I am interested in knowing God for myself--not so much of the religion part of it, know what I mean? So if it is really possible, like you have been talking about, will you please tell me how I might hear God speak to me?"

Why, yes!

In an era of ever-competing voices, to hear and discern the voice of God is inspiring, but I believe it is more than that.

Hearing from God is imperative

if we are to be faith-filled and steadfast,

not given to being easily swayed.

God spoke in various ways in ancient days, recorded in both Old and New Testaments. The list includes among others Adam, Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Jesus himself, and Paul!1

There is mystery, awe and power in David's poetic description:

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders . . .

The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. . . 2

God speaks in and through Nature, through his creation daily. The repeated roar of a crashing ocean wave reminds me of God’s constant power. The swift current of a rushing river speaks of his urgent presence. The colorful red and blue birds in my backyard tell of his creative paintbrush and their birdsong? his whimsy. So even when God is not communicating in speech, he is always making himself known.

How do I hear God's voice?

>>Most often, I sense God speaking to me when I am in a posture of prayer--that is, when I am actively seeking to connect with God - to talk to him and to listen to him as well. You see prayer is meant to be a two-way conversation.

Do you want to hear God speak to you? Be intentional and resolute to meet with God each morning, and then follow through with your decision. Leave the television off, set your phone aside. Be still. But do so in order to be with God.

"Okay, I am willing to give that a try, so what do I do?"

Here's what I do: I read Scripture and then I pray, almost always writing out my prayer.

"Okay, but remember I told you I'm kinda new to this, so could you spell it out - what do I read when I open my Bible?"

Well, there are lots of possibilities, but since I just taught through the joy-filled book of Philippians, you could go back to it. What did Paul write to those early Christians that applies to you? Look at it, verse by verse. Or you could read through one of the gospels, a few verses a day. Or - some folks work a plan, some read through the Bible in a year. The important thing is to be in Scripture daily.

And not just to read it quickly, but for understanding, to apply it to your life.

. . . and then, I pray.

Call me simple minded because I am, but I keep it simple and work a simple plan daily. Can I be honest for a minute? I remember when I learned about having a morning moment with God; back in high school, we called it 'devotions'. But the fact is, I was on and off again until I truly recognized for myself the power in praying to the God of the Universe - and saw that He heard and answered my prayers--even desperate prayers for miraculous healing when my two-year-old was dying. More than that, I grew to personally love God more, I grew a confident faith in him because of what I experienced of Him.

NOTE: >'Listening' ought be part of your prayer time – Many Christians are bored with their own prayers because they feel like they are mostly just asking God for things--and that doesn’t feel right. Be attentive; listen - be aware, be desirous, and give God some quiet space in which to speak. Be still and know that he is God!3 Frederick Meyer, a contemporary of Dwight Moody’s, suggested—Be still each day for a short time, sitting before God in meditation, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truth of Christ’s indwelling.

Over time, I devised a prayer plan that looks like this:

Scripture Meditation: ~ Verse(s): _______________ [Remember I write in my journal]

Adoration. Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name . . .

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Psalm 103.1

Confession. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who

sinned against us…

Father, would you forgive me for:

Father, would you help me forgive:

Listening. Speak to me, Lord . . . I’m listening.

-->

Asking.  Give us this day our daily bread ~ our needs

Ask for God’s wisdom, ask for his blessing and favor daily.

Ask him for others’ needs: (use their names)

Thanks-giving. I thank you, God, for _____________

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So, make a little time for God to start each day. You will grow in your confident faith in God and his presence with you. Something about Isaiah's words compels me of the urgent dailiness of looking to God:

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near

More than two decades ago, I played this song at a breakout session I taught on this subject - it still holds up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZkVjbt7pbI

O, time with God is rich.

Christine

PastorWoman.net

1 - In the Old Testament, besides Samuel and Elijah, who we just considered, God also spoke to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Noah, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah and many others. In the New Testament, he spoke to Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Jesus, Saul who we mostly call by his Greek name Paul, and inspired the writers of the gospels and letters, including the apostle John on the isle of Patmos, giving him Revelation.

2 - Psalm 29

3 - Psalm 46.10

4 - Isaiah 55.6