God has created us for an intimate relationship with Himself. He wants us to know Him not just know about Him. One of the ways we know Him better is through prayer (by having a conversational relationship with Him). During this six week series we invite you to participate in some daily devotionals as we reflect on the messages from the weekend and look for ways to improve our hearing as we take some next steps in our walk with God. WEEK ONE: God Has Something to Say R E V I E W : Central to God s uniqueness is His spokenness. The God of the Bible is a revealing God. The fact that He created us to speak and hear says something about the kind of relationship He wants with us. REFLEC T: He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries...your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, This is the way you should go, whether to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:19, 21) R E S P O N D : Are there ways God might speak to you that you have not considered before? As we go through this series ask God to sharpen your listening skills. Close your devotional time in prayer and ask God to help you hear what He says to you throughout the day. R E V I E W : Hearing God s voice is normal discipleship. We were created for communion with God. R E F L E C T : For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Romans 8:14) R E S P O N D : Do you have a hunger for the voice of God? What adjustments do you need to make in order to hear God s voice when He speaks to you? Close your devotional time in prayer and ask God to help you hear what He says to you throughout the day. R E V I E W : The most important thing is the choice to listen. Listening is intentional; good hearers make the decision to be so. How often does God get our undivided attention? R E F L E C T : You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. (Exodus 34:14) R E S P O N D : Are you more comfortable believing truths about God or relating to God personally? Close your devotional time in prayer and ask God to help you hear what He says to you throughout the day. REFLEC T: R E V I E W : God still speaks and has something to say to you... R E S P O N D : What is the next step you need to take today to improve your hearing? Close your devotional time in prayer and ask God to help you hear what He says to you throughout the day. R E F L E C T : The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (John 10:2-4) Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing. (Luke 10:42). God wants us to hear Him in order to know Him. He doesn t just want you to know about him; God wants you to know Him (greater intimacy with God is the goal). R E S P O N D : Which of these truths resonated with you the most this week? Why? Close your devotional time in prayer and ask God to help you hear what He says to you throughout the day. How has God spoken to you this week? Share that with a close friend.
God has created us for an intimate relationship with Himself. He wants us to know Him not just know about Him. One of the ways we know Him better is through prayer (by having a conversational relationship with Him). During this six week series we invite you to participate in some daily devotionals as we reflect on the messages from the weekend and look for ways to improve our hearing as we take some next steps in our walk with God. WEEK TWO: Can You Hear Me Now? R E V I E W : Every religion offers principles for a better life, but the God of the Bible invites us into a dynamic relationship with Him. God still speaks. Our relationship with the God of heaven is a dialogue, not a monologue. R E F L E C T : Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). What kind of noise do you have in your life? Does my schedule, my time, my life look like that of a person who wants to hear God s voice? What are some things in your daily life you could change to eliminate some of the noise? R E S P O N D : Spend one minute in deep breaths and then be still before God and listen as you spend a moment with Him. Close your time in silence with a you. Practical Suggestion: Drive to and from work this week without the radio on. The Bible is completely the Word of God. The first and best way to improve your hearing is to devour scripture. R E F L E C T : Search your hearts and be silent (Psalm 4:4). Why is silence so hard to deal with? Do you ever surround yourself with noise intentionally? R E S P O N D : Spend two minutes in deep breaths and then Be still before God and listen as you spend a moment with Him. Close your time in silence with a you. Practical Suggestion: Unplug electronic devices that interrupt relationships. R E V I E W : The Bible is not the complete R E S P O N D : Spend four minutes in deep breaths and then Be still before God and listen as you spend a moment with Him. Close your time in silence with a you. Practical Suggestion: Spend one minute of every hour today in intentional silence. What is God saying to you in the silence? Word of God. God s Word in scripture gives our lives His general direction, but His voice gives each life specific guidance. R E V I E W : It takes a commitment to tune out the other noise. Life with God is so much richer when I don t do all the talking. R E F L E C T : My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation (Psalm 62:1). Does the noise in our lives make it hard to hear God? R E F L E C T : After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12). Is it possible that you ve been searching for God in the winds the earthquakes and fires and He s waiting to speak to you in the silence? R E S P O N D : Spend three minutes in deep breaths and then Be still before God and listen as you spend a moment with Him. Close your time in silence with a you. Practical Suggestion: Take a short walk today in silence and enjoy time with God. R E V I E W : Some of the clearest words of God s mouth are the works of His hands through creation, gifted teachers, faith family, dreams and visions, circumstances, angels and impressions of the Holy Spirit. R E F L E C T : But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16). Do you sometimes avoid silence, afraid of what God might actually have to say to you? R E S P O N D : Spend five minutes in deep breaths and then Be still before God for 5 minutes and simply listen as you spend a few moments with Him. Close your time in silence with a prayer of gratitude for God s presence with you. What next step do you need to take in your walk with God? Practical Suggestion: Be fully present with God and with every person you interact with today.
God has created us for an intimate relationship with Himself. One of the ways we know Him better is through prayer. Spend some time this week reflecting on the message from this weekend and looking for ways to improve your hearing as you take some next steps in your walk with your Father. Palms Down, Palms Up Daily Prayer Exercise: During the respond time of your devotional this week begin praying by turning your PALMS DOWN. Approach Father with this attitude, Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 Ask Father to reveal anything that is interfering with your relationship with Him (anxious thoughts, an arrogant mind, a disobedient spirit, a flippant will, etc.) and release it. Then, turn your PALMS UP in a receiving posture and ask your Father to pour into your life the things you need to receive each day (God s presence, God s Word, God s love, God s power, etc.). Spend some time releasing what needs to be released so that you can receive what needs to be received. Close your time of prayer each day by praying this scripture, My God, I want to do what You want. Your teachings are in my heart. (Psalm 40:8) Spend some time journaling each day. WEEK THREE: Got Reception?, April 30 Learning to hear God is a process that takes time. Good hearers intentionally develop the discipline. This week ask God to show you what s causing the static in your life. R E F L E C T : He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. (James 1:18) We were all designed to receive communication from God. Why is it, then, that only some seem to be getting any reception? The presence of interference means an absence of understanding. R E F L E C T : They hear, but they don t really hear or understand For the minds of these people have become stubborn. They do not hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. (Matthew 13:13, 15) RESPOND: Do the Palms Down, If the heart is humble then God can pour truth into it using whatever vessel He chooses. R E F L E C T : Read James 1:19-25 from a couple of different translations and reflect on what you hear. Sin that is unaddressed and unconfessed disrupts communication with God. Sin will plug up the ears to spiritual truth while allowing one to maintain the illusion that they are listening. R E F L E C T : James says, Get rid of all moral filth...and humbly accept the word (1:21). Read Isaiah 59:2. God does not speak to be heard; He speaks to be obeyed. You will get a Word when you allow the Word of God to get you. God speaks to those who have already decided to say Yes! Nothing clears up static between you and God s will like your willingness -- My God, I want to do what You want. R E F L E C T : Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22) Talk with a family member or close friend regarding the things you released and received this week.
God has created us for an intimate relationship with Himself. One of the ways we know Him better is through prayer. Spend some time this week reflecting on the message from this weekend and looking for ways to improve your hearing as you take some next steps in your walk with Father. Lectio Divina Daily Prayer Exercise: The spiritual exercise for this week is called lectio divina, which is a Latin term meaning divine reading. It is a prayerful way of reading the Bible that involves listening with the heart. The idea is to read through a passage of scripture several times listening for a word or a phrase that jumps out at you (allow God s Word to speak to you). This week we are going to read a different passage three times each day paying attention to the impact the words have on our hearts. First reading: slowly read the passage through one time. Then be silent for a minute or two. Second reading: slowly read the passage once again, pausing between phrases and be aware of words or phrases that jump out at you (write these words down). Third reading: read the passage again but this time stop at the word or phrase that touched you. Reflect for a few moments on the phrase that moved you. Let it interact with your thoughts, your memories or other scriptures that come to mind. Spend some time in prayer reflecting on these questions: What might God want to say to me today? What am I being asked to do as a result of the word I have been given? How does this apply to my life right now? WEEK FOUR: Recognizing His Voice We were created and intended to receive messages from God. The God whose voice we heard when we needed salvation is not going to abandon us when we need direction. passage is Psalm 23. R E S P O N D : How did this familiar passage speak to you today? What comfort did you receive? We must learn to recognize God s voice. Satan s aim is to keep you from hearing God, so he is ever present to provide another voice. passage is Luke 8:11-15. R E S P O N D : What is the condition of your heart? What is Father saying to you? Our hearts need to be so saturated with the truth of God that satanic thought-bombs are detonated before they can do damage. passage is Philippians 4:4-9. R E S P O N D : What requests do you have for Father today? What things have you been thinking about? God s spoken word will always agree with His written word. The more you know His written word the more you recognize His voice and obey it. passage is Psalm 119:9-11, 105-107. R E S P O N D : Based on what you heard from God s word today what is God calling you to do or become? The VOICE OF THE LORD will cheer your spirit, change your character, and challenge your comfort zone. passage is Matthew 11:28-30. R E S P O N D : Are you weary/burdened? What do you need to learn from Jesus?
Lesson Recap / Questions for a Hearing Test: Any discussion about hearing God must consider how to responsibly handle what one thinks they hear, and what someone else thinks they heard. This week s sermon focused on how we handle the gift of prophecy. Paul says, Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, NLT) The prophecies Paul refers to are not new authoritative revelation, but divine confirmation of God s Word and will to build up the church. In this sense, a prophecy is simply a message of encouragement from God delivered through another person. Prophecy is essential for the church s health, not optional; because the church still needs to be strengthened, encouraged, and comforted (1 Corinthians 14:3). Unfortunately, prophecy is sometimes abused and misused (that is why Paul tells us to test everything that is said ). So, each day this week reflect on one of the 5 hearing test questions. Keep these in mind whether you are receiving a word of prophecy or giving it. Let s ask God to improve our hearing... starting with our hearts. WEEK FIVE: Testing Our Hearing R E V I E W : A word is always measured by THE WORD. Nothing God says will ever contradict what God wrote. R E F L E C T : They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11). of this question: Does it line up with the Scriptures? Spend time testing a word with THE WORD. The Spirit of Christ will always point to the person of Christ. Any word that diminishes the deity, humanity, sufficiency, or uniqueness of Jesus is not from God. R E F L E C T : So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3, NLT). of this question: Does it lift up the Lord Jesus Christ? Spend some time today reflecting on the person of Christ? of this question: Does it show up in the speaker s life? Spend some time today reflecting on the fruit your life is displaying. Beware of any word that attempts to baptize bondage. Any news that undermines the Good News is not His. R E F L E C T : Let God s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. (Galatians 1:8, NLT). of this question: Does it hold up the gospel of grace? Spend some time today reflecting on the Good News and thanking God for His grace. The Bible never exalts giftedness over character. A person who bears words from Christ should bear the fruit of Christ. R E F L E C T : Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. (Matthew 7:15-6a) The gift of prophecy is not for discovering mysteries, but for discipling people. Words that discourage and tear down should not be excused with the God told me trump card. God never shares truth that cannot be spoken in love. R E F L E C T : Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. (Ephesians 4:29-30a) of this question: Does it build up the body of Christ? Spend some time today asking God to improve your hearing... starting with your heart. Give priority to loving and your hearing will improve.
Lesson Recap / Assessing the Silence: God has created us for an intimate relationship with Himself. With that in mind, the focus of this series has been to improve our ability to hear God. But what if you have perceived little change in your hearing? The last lesson in this series addresses the times you hear nothing. DON T ASSUME silence is a sign of God s displeasure. Many of scripture s heroes dealt with prolonged periods of silence from God. God s delays do not necessarily mean His displeasure. God is our loving, gracious, consistent Father; a Father who desires an intimate relationship with all of His kids. So if there is an extended season of hearing nothing from your Father in heaven, it is good to consider what on earth might be happening. So DON T ASSUME, BUT ASSESS Each day this week we will spend some time reflecting on the questions Rick asked us to examine as we consider what might be causing us at times to not hear from God. And by the way, be assured that until God speaks you haven t heard the last word (and the last word is always the best). WEEK SIX: When You Hear Nothing R E V I E W : Many of us grew up thinking of God as mute except for what He said in the Bible. You do not listen for someone you do not expect to speak. Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. (1 Samuel 3:7, NLT) R E F L E C T : As you think about the times you don t hear from God consider this question: Am I expecting to hear from God? How has this series changed your perception on hearing God s voice? R E S P O N D : During your quiet time today write a letter to your Father in heaven and then as you listen to His voice write a letter to yourself from Him (don t be in a hurry, cherish this time and expect to hear from Him). Deciding to listen is a choice. Your ears are not really open when your mind is somewhere else. The truth is that often when God calls the line is busy on our end ( choked by life s worries, riches and pleasures, Luke 8:14). Does our wealth afford us so many toys and gadgets that God s voice is drowned out by all the ambient noice? Is your life too loud to hear God s voice? R E F L E C T : Spend some time considering this question: Am I too distracted to hear from God? R E S P O N D : Practice this verse: Find a quiet, secluded space so you won t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace. (Matthew 6:6, MSG) As you go through the day turn off any unnecessary ambient noise (use your drive times as sacred space / when at home keep the TV off). You cannot stiff-arm the Holy Spirit in one part of your life and expect Him to speak into another. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (Psalm 66:18). Unconfessed and unaddressed sin may not be the reason you have not heard from God, but it could be a reason. R E F L E C T : Consider this question today, Am I ignoring His clear voice in another area of my life? R E S P O N D : Spend some time before Father today praying this Psalm (meditate on it during the day), Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 Be willing to listen, to be malleable, to be changed (spend time confessing and repenting as needed). Our goal for communing with God should not be to get something from God, but to get God. Hearing God is not about getting Him to endorse my agenda, is about helping me embrace His. R E F L E C T : Honestly answer this question: Am I wanting to hear God for my purposes or His? R E S P O N D : Think back to some of your most recent prayers and ask God to examine your motives for your requests. Sit silently and allow the Holy Spirit to guide this time as you seek greater intimacy with Father as He moves you from your agenda to His. Close by praying through Psalm 23. People of faith understand that sometimes God is slow to speak. God always speaks; He does not always speak right away. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3, NLT) R E F L E C T : Meditate on this question throughout the day, Am I willing to wait for His voice? R E S P O N D : Simply spend time with God today. Be still. Be patient. Bring Him your requests. Wait expectantly. Remember, just spending time with God is transforming.