Can You Hear Me Now?

Jeremiah 29:12

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

My husband and I were conversing the other day about “how do we know it is from God”.  Through writing this blog I am secretly thinking by the end I will have the perfect formula.  But don’t count on it.  What you will want to count on is an aptitude for God’s Word.  Because it is in God’s Word where the hearing begins.  It is in Gods Word where we find the compass for our lives. 

When I first began digging into God’s word, studying precept upon precept it was amazing how black and white the bible had become.  Having the Holy Spirit to guide me.  I hadn’t realized that in studying Gods word not only was I increasing knowledge but also I was building a relationship, a deep love for my Father. 

In any relationship, communication is key. Often there are miscommunications because of a lack of information. We might read a passage here or there in the Bible and not really know its meaning.  How then can we know more of His word?  Ask God for discernment.  Meet with a sister that might be ahead of you in her studies, meet with your Pastor.  If we are not in Gods word how can we know and communicate with our Father?  If we do not know our Father and His promises how do we know what to ask for, to be thankful for?  Psalm 106:1 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: For His lovingkindness (promise) is everlasting.

  Relationships take invested time.  Think of a bank account, to build wealth we need to make deposits, when we take time to read Gods word, a deposit is being made in your relationship account with God. When we serve people, being the hands and feet of Christ, we make a deposit into that relationship account with God.    When we join a small group we make a deposit into Gods account building a relationship with our Father.  All these deposits add up and you will notice as your deposits grow, your relationship grows and the ability to hear God becomes more discerning.  The largest deposit you can make is being in Gods word, and your quiet time with Him.  From personal experience, I find myself less anxious when I am studying Gods Word.   The lines of communication will open up.  The promises are in His word, the plans for our lives are in His word, the council for our troubles is in His word. 

On the flip side, this world would love to put all this static between you, (me) and our Father.  Nothing bugs the enemy more than when we are in fellowship with God.  He (Satan) puts obstacles in our way, hurdles, roadblocks; he lies to you, me about this or that.   Have you ever noticed that when you are getting ready for church, or a small group, or quiet time with God that distractions begin to escalate?  It is when our endurance, our hunger for a relationship with God, our praying, that these obstacles become like little gnats instead of huge mountains that we can’t overcome.  And our line is clear to hear from God, in His Word.

Recently I had to make some decisions in my career.  Asking God, “what should I do”?  Walking daily I would ask “what should I do”?  Even today I am asking Him that question without a clear-cut Yes or No.  What I do know is I have a choice daily to move in His direction.  No matter what I am doing I need to be doing it for His glory.  I can’t allow myself to freeze up with fear especially knowing God has a plan for me.  God’s word promises.  Reading Gods word will build the muscle of discernment; changes the plumb line of my decision-making.   My workout is staying in Gods Word.  By journaling, fellowshipping, reading, praying and listening. 

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flowers fades, But the word of our God stands forever.

Can you hear Me now?   I believe if we take the time to read the word of God, to trust what He has written, memorize scripture, and know His promises and to study His word; we will hear from our Mighty God!