God's Talking: Are you listening?

Often in the hectic paces of life, it may seem that God isn't talking to us. We read the Bible, but it doesn't have the same effect. We pray and find ourselves wondering if we were heard.  We try to stay faithful, but find doubts creeping in. We know that God speaks through His word and answers prayers. But how do we know God’s will? How do we know if it is not expressed specifically in black and white scripture what God is saying to us?

  "Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God." 

Job 37:14     

We may have our issues, that Job’s friends weren't such good friends to comfort a suffering man. Yet, that doesn't make everything that they say erroneous. The statement above is a good case in point, as it offers some very good advice. When we’ve tried everything else and we still don’t think we can hear God, you often have to be quiet in order to hear God speak. This means sitting down – you and God – and you listening quietly. Turn off the cell phone! Turn off the TV!  

One of the reasons why God may never speak to you could be because you’re never quiet. Cultivating a quiet mind takes practice and has to become a habit. God may actually be revealing His will to you, lighting your path, enlightening your wisdom, you’re not hearing because He’s getting a busy signal from you. You've got to reserve time alone with God. So, here are some things to think about....

• Is getting God’s dream for your life, voice in your life, will in your life worth one day of your life? 
• Have you ever taken an entire day and done nothing but be alone with God? 
• Have you taken advantage of Sunday worship, to get yourself in tune with the Spirit of God? Let God talk to you through the Bible. Relax. Think. 
• Have you tried writing down the thoughts God puts in your mind? 
• Have you determined to set spiritual goals that you know that God wants you to achieve? 
• Look through your schedule for the week – is God there? We work, do things that we consider important – is God there in your priorities?

Recently, someone determined to spend one day saying nothing negative about anyone or anything. They found this to be a great challenge, yet in doing so they heard God’s voice telling them that they had let their lives become controlled by this type of thinking. We go here..go there – have you ever asked God, “God, where do you want me to go? What direction do you want me to go?”

God speaks to people who take the time to listen — not just for a day, but also on a regular

basis. This is called a quiet time. We exercise it best, when The Lord’s Day is the most important day for us and we wouldn't miss it for anything.  You think you don’t have time for this? We’re talking about figuring out why you’re here on Earth, so you've got to make the time.

• Do you want to hear God speak to you? What are you willing to do about it?
• How much time do you actually spend being quiet and waiting on God to speak to you?
• What distractions need to eliminated so that you can spend more time with God?

          "Hear this, O ; stop and consider the wondrous works of God." 

Jim