This past Sunday as a part of my message, I spoke about keys to hearing the voice of God. Let me list them for you here and unpack them a bit.
1. Obey and live out what you already know to be right.
Someone has said: ‘we don’t need more and better sermons, we simply need to live out what we have already heard.’ Now, you will get more sermons, and hopefully they will get even better (working on that all the time), but why would God reveal more truth to us, when we have yet to live out what He has already revealed? Years ago, a young man in our congregation was playing on a local high school football team. When I asked the coach how the young player was doing, he said, ‘he would be fine if he would only listen and do as I say. I tried him out at carrying the ball and told him to run right and he runs left, I told him to run up the middle and he runs right, so now I don’t tell him anything and choose not to play him.’ The young player had potential but it was never realized on the gridiron because he chose not to listen to and carry out what the coach had revealed.
Some have asked me how do they know if something is God’s will? If it is a right thing and a biblical thing, then it is never wrong to do the right thing. We don’t need to sit and pray about God’s will concerning a tug we feel to go and be kind to our neighbor. It is right and biblical.
2. Read God’s Word Daily.
I cannot stress this enough. Many at LFC are doing their daily journaling / devotions and learning what God sounds like and what is important to Him and how He feels about issues of life. His Word is our examiner, balancer, and challenger and is used to align us to His heart. But you must read it, note it and think deeply about what God is saying to you.
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (NIV)
3. Respond to the Prompting of God and the themes that consistently are brought to your attention.
Consider if God was nudging you about an attitude you keep harboring. The next day a close friend (who is also a believer) says, ‘ you know you attitude lately has really been poor.’ That Sunday you come to church and hear me address attitudes. It is pretty easy to understand that you should respond to an attitude adjustment. Again, it is a right thing and biblical – so go for it.
4. Be Still before God and listen to His voice.
Invite God to search your heart and speak to you.
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God. (NIV)
God speaks to those who do what is right, respond to promptings that are right, allow the scriptures to their guide and welcome the Lord’s voice. I still wonder what that young football player might have done had he been willing to listen to his coach and welcome the coaches voice into his football playing. Unfortunately we never were able to know.
I Samuel 3:10
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (NIV)
Spend moments throughout the day allowing God to speak to you.
I believe that these four steps will calibrate your heart or hearing the voice of God.
There is also one last thing for you to consider.
5. Ask God how much He loves you?
This is something that a professor in college taught me years ago. By being still and asking God the questions of, do you love me Lord and how much do you love me, caused me to clarify the manner in which God would speak to me. Go ahead and ask Him.
God desires to speak to you and direct your life if you desire to listen and obey.
May we obey God and stand ready to hear His voice,
Pastor Bernie
