What'd You Say?

A question that I hear all the time is, "Is God speaking?"  I love to answer this question because the answer is yes!  God speaks today and He wants to speak to YOU!  When we entered into a relationship with Jesus, we didn't enter into a relationship with a religion but with a person!  We have the ability to interact with a person, and that interaction involves hearing from God!

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. - Revelations 3:20

We are able to see that the question is not "Is God speaking?" but "Am I listening when God speaks?"  Today I'd love to share some practical ways that you can listen to God everyday and grow in a much more intimate way with Him!  Here's some ideas on how to listen to God:

1. Know Jesus Personally - There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and being in a relationship with Him personally.  If you want to hear from God, you need to be in a relationship with Him.  Going to church doesn't mean you're in a relationship, being a good person doesn't mean you're in a relationship, knowing somebody who knows somebody doesn't mean you're in a relationship... surrendering your life, which entails confessing and repenting of your sin, to Jesus opens your life to a relationship with Christ.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. - John 10:27

2. Begin With Prayer - Begin with your listening time in prayer.  We teach our students to simply C.H.A.T. with God.  Confess your sins to Him, honor His name, ask Him for what you (or others) need, and thank Him for all He's done.  If you want to hear from God, He needs to hear from you!  I typically begin with the simple prayer that Samuel prayed:

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening... - 1 Samuel 3:10

3. Be Completely Open To God - If you are anything like me, there is a definite desire to look like you have it all together.  However, there is great danger in seeking that appearance before God.  We run the risk of hiding the areas of our lives that need the presence of Christ most!  When you come before God, be open and honest with Him... let's be honest, He knows everything about you anyways.  The more open you are, the more open He will be!

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. - Psalm 139:23

4. Wait For His Voice - This is where we become too impatient.  We give God a minute and get mad when we don't hear anything from Him.  We need to be patient and simply wait for God to speak.  Too often we just don't give Him enough time and we assume He didn't speak.  As we draw near and wait, we open our ears to hear the words that God is speaking.  We simply need to wait on Him...

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you... - James 4:8

I believe that these steps will help you to hear from God in a fresh way and there is nothing better than haring from God speak directly into your life!  God is speaking and we are called to simply... listen!

- Rick