UPDATE: Hi sweet friends! You moved me with your response to my devotion and your stories, questions and more.I've been praying for you as I read your comments. So many thoughts rush into my mind - things I'd love for us to process together. Please know I haven't forgotten to come back and write more. Unfortunately, I caught my 2yr old's cold and it slowed everything down. I'm better now but I have a project due to my publisher today for my book. With the weekend coming, let's plan on meeting here Monday. And I'll announce the winner of the book then too! If you haven't entered to win, read this post and you'll know what to do!
I've got a devotion today over at P31 and Crosswalk about becoming a woman who listens to God. If you'd like to read it, click here. In it, I shared how I used to wonder if I was hearing God's voice or just my thoughts. Does that ever happen to you?
Well, before we jump into our talk about listening, I first wanted to "welcome" any new friends who are visiting for the first time from Encouragement for Today. We're glad you're here and hope you'll stay a while! There is always a place for you.
One thing that helped me listen to God was learning how to capture my run-away thoughts that caused me to doubt my ability to discern God's voice. Several years ago, I came up with a few questions I ask myself when I sense God is speaking to me, whether it be through scripture, an impression on my heart, circumstances or through His spirit in me. I always look for Biblical consistency:
If you want to become a woman who listens to God, and discover the adventure of faith He has for your life, you will want to read Lysa TerKeurst's book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.
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I've got a devotion today over at P31 and Crosswalk about becoming a woman who listens to God. If you'd like to read it, click here. In it, I shared how I used to wonder if I was hearing God's voice or just my thoughts. Does that ever happen to you?
Well, before we jump into our talk about listening, I first wanted to "welcome" any new friends who are visiting for the first time from Encouragement for Today. We're glad you're here and hope you'll stay a while! There is always a place for you.
One thing that helped me listen to God was learning how to capture my run-away thoughts that caused me to doubt my ability to discern God's voice. Several years ago, I came up with a few questions I ask myself when I sense God is speaking to me, whether it be through scripture, an impression on my heart, circumstances or through His spirit in me. I always look for Biblical consistency:
- Is it consistent with God's Word and God's ways?
- Is it consistent with wise Biblical counsel I've sought?
- Is it consistent with God's leading through doors He's opened and closed?
- Is there a consistent theme I'm seeing in my life or hearing during my personal Bible study time, through sermons, Christian songs, conversations, etc?
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If you want to become a woman who listens to God, and discover the adventure of faith He has for your life, you will want to read Lysa TerKeurst's book What Happens When Women Say Yes to God.Today, I'm giving a copy away to one of you! Enter to win by clicking on the word "comments' right below this post and share your thoughts or questions about listening to God. Please include your email or friend me on Facebook so we can let you know if you win.
After you've entered to win, click here to download a great FREE resource from Lysa's book with more ways to hear and discern God's voice.
**To find out when this post is updated and to see if you are the winner, be sure to link up in the Google Friend Connect box or become a friend on Facebook!
246 Comments:
Renee,
Something I have been questioning a lot lately. I've been unsure of my thoughts relating to my mom's health, my husband's safety and my own purpose. I am quite sure it is fear and my own thoughts but it is very clear while I am trying to talk to God. How can I stop my thoughts from racing from one thing to the next and LISTEN to God and be sure it is him? I thought he was telling me something a few years ago and believed it with all of my heart...however it has not happened. Have lost faith a little...trying to get it back! Appreciate all that you ladies do....so glad I found you on Encouragement Today and was lead to Proverbs 31! Even though I have followed and unfollowed over the past two years :)
Hugs!
Mary
This devotion is very timely for me. I am trying to discern the voices in my head as to whether they are from God or of Satan. I am so confused right now. Trying to come out of a long burnout period in my church. I know Satan has me engaged in a spiritual warfare b/c I am trying to become closer to God. Right now my mind is filled with so many conflicting thoughts and so much hurt and disappointment and I don't know how to discern the voice of God. I am desperate for guidance. I feel so alone and scared. I know this is Satan and I am trying so hard to put him in his place. I am so confused about mercy and grace and how it relates to accountability and responsibility. Trying so hard not to lose my faith in organized religion and the church. I just don't know my role and purpose anymore. I have been jaded by the humanness of the church and trying to understand how to live and witness to others and deal with rejection and hurt. Trying to figure out if it is me that is the rel problem or if the church I am in is where I am supposed to be. Please help me understand how to discern the difference. i need a safe place to explore this and support. I don't know how to trust my church anymore. Thank you for providing a safe place for me to openly admit my struggles.
It's really hard for me to know when God is speaking to me. I pray and pray but I'm never sure if it's God speaking or me just wanting him to tell me what to do so I assue it's him. This has happened many times over the year and I become frustrated and anxious. How do you know for sure that it's God speaking. I'd really like some help on this. I love Provebs 31 and have shared it with many people. You all do a great job together. Thank you for sharing. Jean
"How Do I Know if it's God Speaking to Me?" I thought He forgot about me, but I am hearing Him right now! Thanks for helping me to tune into My Jesus!
Blessings,
LORI
I love when God has someone, unknown to that person, reconfirm to me something that He has also told me. It's just such a neat feeling of peace and joy when you realize how close God really is and how much HE cares for ME!
I also sometimes wonder, "Was that God talking or just myself talking?" When I know I really need to hear from the Lord, I try to remove all distractions from my life, spend more time in prayer, and fast. I appreciate those questions you put and I look forward to reading the other insights you post later today.
I feel my biggest problem with listening to God is spending enough time. I wake up in the mornings with just enough time for a prayer, a quick devotional thought (sometimes) and there is no time for reflection to let the Lord talk to me. In the evenings I get to caught up with "stuff" that I don't take time with God again until I'm so sleepy that I fall into bed and say a quick prayer before falling asleep. God and I are working on it. Thanks for the encourangement!
Sometimes, I too, am confused as to whether it's God I'm hearing or just my own thoughts. I have made decisions in the past few years thinking it was God leading me and now I'm asking myself if it was just something I wanted to do because I'm questioning the outcome of my decisions! I truly want to be a woman God can lead and go in the direction He wants for me; by trying it myself, I keep messing up. I just found this website and Proverbs 31 but I know it was God that led me here because I don't remember how I found it! I don't have any close girlfriends to share with and am desperate to have just one or two other women to be able to open my heart to. Yes, I'm involved in my church but haven't been able to really make a "connection" as far as close, intimate relationships. I pray that God will open doors for me and use me.
LISTEN is my oneword resolution. Listening to God is first and foremost and I do believer that you hear him through your circumstances and people around you. I want to become so in tune with Him and become the best listener with Him. Just in the last few days He is showing me the peace you can have by just listening and being slow to speak. Thank you for being a good listener and providing this word of encouragement for today.
In Christ, Judy
Hi am eliza from kenya
I have reading proverbs 31 since last year. now my question is who is entitled to enter and wine something in the blogs.I have tried in the past but my view is that is is only for those sisters in America given the cost of mailing the presents/gifts/awards. take for example the 5 $ star bucks voucer, i bet it would only be useful in US. Please let us know weather anybody can enter to win or it is only for some few
God bless
Eliza
God truly knows what we need, when we need it. Your devotional from Encouragement for Today and this blog is so timely. Sometimes it's crystal clear when I hear God speaking (it's usually something I wouldn't do on my own), but then there are times when I really don't know. My prayer during my time of fasting has been to clearly know His voice. He said that his sheep know his voice and a stranger, they won't follow. I want to ALWAYS know His voice!
It's a shame how much I allow the "noise" of life to drown out the very voice I need to be following. I've set a plan in motion for this year to do more listening AND following knowing that time with my Savior is more valuable than checking off my to-do list.
I appreciate your words of encouragement in this area : )
Happy Day!
Pam
Renee,
First of all, thank you for listening to God's voice with this devotional. I have been following P31 ministries for atleast a year now and every morning God shows me something through atlease one or all of you through this ministry! Last night I spent the better part of the night praying and crying trying to figure out if I have been listening to my own voice or God's for some pretty big decisions in my life. Six years ago I married a great man who is an unbeliever. I heard God's voice loud and clear telling me not to do it, however I rationalized it away because we had a baby girl and I couldn't understand how God would want me to be a single mom instead of married to my beautiful baby's dad. Since that day we've had another baby girl and while we have that family atmosphere we both wanted our girls to have, my heart is consistently in battle as I raise my girls in the christian faith and he does not agree with it. For the past year in a half, I have been back in school in a nursing program. My daughters are 6 and 4 and the program has me absolutely exhausted! While I know the program will put me in a great place financially, I don't know if I am doing it in for the right reasons anymore. I have been sensing God telling me to wait and focus on my family. Some have said that means taking a semester off and concentrate on my family others have told me it's just satan getting in the way of the path God has put me on right now. To be honest, I wonder if I started school as a safety net in a difficult marriage. I know I serve an amazing God, but doing what God would have me do right now is confusing because I can't tell if the voice telling me to take a break (which, by the way my husband is not a fan of at all) is my own or God's. Quite a bit of info for a blog comment I know but I'm asking, as a sister in Christ, for your prayers as classes begin again for this semester on Monday and I have no idea what I should do! Thank you for this beyond timely devotional, God has met me here this morning and I could not be more thankful for your obedience to Him to right it!! Thank you so much!
Angel
Renee, We are in the midst of a very challenging time in our family. It is so hard to continue to trust each day and continue to seek God's voice when you feel at times that he is not there and not hearing you. I know that this is not true, but I feel like Satan is overpowering my thoughts right now. I really need to hear Jesus and I know that all my hope lies in Him. How do you keep your heart in the right place when you feel so defeated? Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Renee,
I am listening to a "new" (to Knoxville, TN) Christian radio station, and one thing they are doing is a "word of the year" instead of a resolution. This is a word, that you use through out the year to expand your relationship with God. As I thought about it, I thought about the word BELIEVE, because I feel that in order to have a "good" life, you must believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Before I read Encouragement for Today, I prayed that God would show me if that was my word, or if my word was something else. I then read your devotional, and God showed me my work is LISTEN. I already believe, but I have a difficult time LISTENING!! Thank you for writing about listening today, as always, Encouragement for Today pertains to my life in very meaningful, timely ways.
Thank you for helping God tell me my word of the year, and thank you for helping me LISTEN to him!! :-)
In Christ,
LisaAnne
Well, here I am. I have been a stay-at-home mom for 10 yrs. now! Four boys ranging from 14 to 5 yrs. of age. Staying home has left me with a lot of questions about listening to God. A couple of years back I had finally realized it was God telling me to stay home. I had tried a few odd jobs out of the house, but they never felt right, or I would go for an interview "thinking" I was ready, and I wouldn't get the job. I finally 'fessed up and realized God said "stay home!" So, here I am at this point again. Things this fall are going to be changing as my youngest will be in kindergarten. All day! What does God have in store for me? I don't know, but it's time to start asking and listening again. I can only imagine!!
Wow, all I can is Wow God! Today is a Wow God Wednesday! I have been struggling to know what GOd's plan for my life is and really trying to daily walk closer with Him. Even though I sm still not quite sure what the whole path is, I know and am comforted in this deovtion today. I know that if i daily step by step follow Him and trust in Him that all the other pieces will fall together. It brings me such joy, just to know that and have that peace. Whew, it is going to be so great and exhilerating to see His plans unfold. Please pray that I truly drown out all the backround noise and continue to listen closely. Thank you for bein an inspiratio and obedient to God's calling.
Blessings and Hugs,
Marlene :O)
God does is showing me to slow down and not re-act to situations and to be patient with others and myself. Then He gently speaks and shows ways to solve problems. I make lots of mistakes and come down hard on myself. HE doesn't. He correctly compassionately and encourages me to do the same.
Listening is one thing but HEARiNG is another. I realize that God speaks to me all the time. My struggle is to hear... really hear and do!
This is exactly what I'm going through right now...His voice or my thoughts. I've been driving myself crazy! This is one of those struggles I thought I was alone in. Apparently not! This post couldn't be any more timely! Thank you!!!!! Thanks for the chance to win the book too.
Prayers to all!
Renee,
Your words of Encouragement was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. But as always that is how God gets my attention and I know it's Him. I think about something and God says I hear you and I Am right here. He is wonderful about speaking softly in my ear and patiently waiting for me to say"Y es Lord"? were you taking to me? Doesn't He ever grow tired of constantly chasing after us?
I remember being the Mommy of 4 small children under the age of 7 : ) I remember constantly moving and telling them Yes, No, Wait, Hurry Up, and Slow Down that I felt completely exhausted and would collapse into my bed at night. At that very moment I would snuggle into my pillow and thank God that I was not Him.
I don't want to follow my own path and make my own decisions and I want to hear His voice in my ear through out the day. But, I have a hard time because I'm never quiet enough to hear it. So, beginning today I am waking earlier than usual to spend time with him : ) Thank you Renee for listening closely to Him for your post to come exactly when I needed it in my life. Ahhhhhh yes, Gods timing is the best timing! Amen!
This is exactly what I needed to hear. God spoke to me through this devotion! His timing is PERFECT! I am grateful that He spoke to you with your thoughts and words and to post it for all of us to LISTEN! Thank you!
I have learned to trust wholly in God, Prov 3:5-6. Whenever someone tells me how to live my life (to go back to work instead of being a SAHM), I know it's the devil trying to get to me. God gives me enough ammo against him and I know that God has placed me right where I should be.
I love the daily email from Prov 31 and really enjoyed today's message. I have added you as a friend on Facebook. My name is Heather Lundquist!
God bless,
Heather in Buffalo, NY
That's one question I have often asked myself and will probably ask for the rest of my life! :-) I have a tendency to "go out and do" even if it has been His voice and have gotten on the wrong track. Thank you for your column today - a big help!
Wow! Your devotion today on Encouragement for Today is exactly! What I needed. I have some major decisions to make and have been asking for God to direct me and show me where He wants, but the key thing I was neglecting to ask for was, discernment! I would love to win a copy of Lisa's book and I thank you for sharing this devotion!
God IS AMAZING!!! Thank you for sharing your insights...I know without a doubt this is where God directed me today...and I believe God will allow you to post the remainder of your message in His perfect timing...I'm anxious to see what He has to share through you! I'm truly grateful that you have learned to listen and follow God's voice! Love, Kim
kcschoonover@hotmail.com
I know that there are times where my prayer/devotional life are not what they should be which means my fellowship with God is not what it should be. When I am not in sync with my Savior then I am not going to be hearing the still small voice of the Spirit giving me direction. I know that I need to listen more closely for HIS voice and direction in my life and I need to be closer to him do so. I am going to be working on this area of my life.
Thank you for the devotional and the reminder to follow God through an entire process (not just the parts I want to follow). I intend to find some time where I can commune with God through prayer today. It gets tough b/c of my health and my two very energetic little guys but I am not going to have that be an excuse, no I am going to find that time anyway with God's help! Feeling better this morning already even though things are about to get busy-the youngest is rattling the crib:)Bring on this day!
lrm0568@hotmail.com
Wow! So timely, (of course!) We are doing a church-wide study on prayer. My biggest difficulty with prayer is knowing that my words are not just bouncing off the ceiling. And knowing that it is a two-way conversation. Learning to hear the other side of the conversation, that is definitely where I need to learn more and practice.
Sometimes I wish I had a clear cut, "This is what you need to do next..." answer from God. Trying to discern if/how to have an uncomfortable conversation with my parents.
Let me tell you how much I can relate to this topic! Thank you for the reminders straight from the Scriptures!! ~Amy S.~
e-mail: chocolateroseswine@gmail.com
I am always so confused about which voice I am hearing! It is my own, is it the Lord or is it the enemy. Sometimes ( a lot of the time) it paralyzes me from making a decision or acting on something at all. Or even worse, I make the wront decision because I listened to the wrong voice! I want to when the LORD speaks!!!
My sister and I were speaking on this exact thing yesturday. Its hard sometimes knowing Gods will. My recent issue has been about church. Our pastor has been guiding the church through a fast, but I have been having my doubts about it. I have been wondering if I really should be fasting at this time? Is my heart in the correct place? And I am having a hard time hearing God at this time.
I am always confused about which voice is speaking to me. Is it God, my own voice or the enemy? This sometimes makes me fearful of making a decision at all because I dont know who is speaking. I want to know it is the LORD! I want to make decisions that are in God's will for my life, but never feel like I am doing the right thing becuase I don't know how to hear Him!
I can so relate to this; I have to continually tune out "myself" and listen to the Holy Spirit---I know there are times I want so much to say this must be devine when in fact I realize it is Satan trying to get his hooks into me and my life; Satan only comes after the saved, he already has his hold on the lost---the more I seek the Holy Spirit direction the more I know there will be trials to try to sway me----but I know I have the victory in Christ Jesus, He has already defeated the evil one and He has my heart and soul---Thank You Jesus!!!!!!!! Alberta
I have continually struggled with knowing that I am hearing God's voice in my life. I know that I have heard Him speak to me and felt his pressing on me to do certain things for Him. But I still doubt that I hear Him. Recently, I was praying so hard when my son was in the hospital. I really heard in my spirit the Lord tell me that He was with me. Wow. That was definitely what I needed to hear, and I chose to believe that it was really His voice. Since then, I am believing that He does speak to me. I just need to learn how to listen. Thank you for your devotional and blog of encouragement.
Christie
clambert11@gmail.com
Today's message on Proverb's 31 along with your blog message could not have had better timing. My life has been in somewhat a state of chaos since losing my husband to cancer 2 years ago. My faith was the biggest thing that got me through all those months both before and after his death. If it had not been for my belief in God and the fact that He knows best, it would have been so much harder to see him go. Since then, I have fought an internal battle as to what I need to do, where I should live, etc. I have been a student for most of that time but I need to go back to work, but I'm not sure what capacity that should be or at what. I have always relied on God to tell me or lead me in the direction I should go but sometimes as you say, I'm not sure if it is really God speaking or the internal thoughts of my brain just trying to convince me that's His way. I do need to really take the time to LISTEN to him. Thanks so much for your message.
It is certainly a hard thing to recognize in a day without visions and writing on the wall, but God is so good to reveal Himself to us when we are in tune with Him. Something that a friend of mine recommends often is to make a 'Think On' list when you are fearful or doubting. Take Phil 4:8 and only think about what is true, honest, etc for that situation and it is a great way to realize which of your thoughts are coming from God and which ones are not. I wish I could say I am consistent about doing that, but as has been revealed lately in some family situations I have not been listening to God, but rather justifying my own thoughts. Thank you so much for this reminder and the great questions to use as a checklist. I am so thankful for your ministry. You have been a great encouragement to me time and time again.
Sometimes I find it hard to discern God's voice amidst all the other distractions in my life.
Good morning,
Thank you for your wilingness to allow God to use you to help others. Your blog as well your P31 encouragement has blessed me this day. My mind has really been racing with thoughts and emotions are once again riding the rollercoaster. It appears that I've reached crossroads in my life and need to turn ...no it is my desire to go Gods way. Thanks again because you have helped me by your wise and Godly counsel.
Listening.....that has been my downfall lately. And I've justified it with the fact that I'm a single mother raising two children, one being a teenager, working full time, going to school, working to develop a side business and engaging in volunteer work. There is no time to listen but instead to move forward on what I believe to be His will. But is it really? How do I know this is what He wants for me. For my children? Today's devotional sang to my heart and came to the realization that I don't think I know how to hear Him. With that, my prayer was asking Him to teach me how to listen. To teach me how to calm my mind, set my sites on Him and His will, and to help me recognize when He is leading me and speaking to my heart. I also prayed that He help me listen to my children, my boss, my parents and the man who is dearest to me. Thank you for the devotional today and I thank Him for leading me to the work you do.
There have been so many times in my life that I wondered if God was speaking to me or was it me wishing God was there giving me directions. I appreciate your insight on this subject! Have a wonderful day!
Trying to discern what God is saying to my heart is at times one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I am learning to trust and believe what He says and is asking of me, but I am human with emotions, feelings, and doubts all the time. I know God knows my thoughts, but I still need to trust that His will is best, no matter how painful it is in the moment.
This is a question I've been asking myself a lot over the past several months. I appreciate the 'how to know' questions, especially when reflecting over the past several months it's clear that YES, it has been the Lord trying to say something (well, many things) to me and I have recognized it :) I would absolutely love to read this book! It has caught my eye for some time now and feel it's perfect timing to pick it up. Thank you for your words today.
I always hear people saying..."God said, or he told me..." I have longed to hear those directions, and as I grow in my faith and in my walk I am learning to hear and more importantly listen to God. This was a very helpful post. Thank you!
Renee,
As I've grown older, I've figured out what Paul meant by "What I want to do I don't do and what I dont want to do I do". I have "ideas" on what God wants me to do and I half work on them but it seems that I get distracted with family needs and work schedules and just helping other people out. I sometimes wish it would be the pillar of fire and cloud again and God would audibly speak. It gives me comfort though that the Israelites who had a God that was that physically present in everyday life still messed up and were accepted and loved by our Lord. Gives me hope :o) Thanks for the blog and all the encouragement that you have provided.
I have been struggling for almost 4 yrs. now. I was married for 20 yrs to a man I built a very large benevolence ministry with. It was our life, we raised our children in the ministry. Until I realized he had been unfaithful to me and started an affair with his very young assistant. My struggle is not with that situation or even the divorce but with trying to hear God and trusting Him. Since the affair we have lost everything. The ministry, my home, my career (the ministry) my husband of course. I have been in a virtual survival mode for almost 4 yrs. now. I can barely support myself I feel as though I've been in this strange holding pattern all this time. I can't find a job, I can't seem to hear God nothing is happening what do I do??? Dale
Thanks for this great article. I truly want to hear and obey God's leading in my life.
I am also having a little hard time understnading/hearing the voice of God. I so want to, but my thoughts are so negative all the time that it is hard to focus that God even loves me. I am really working on this and hoping the book Made to Crave will help in this area too. I see God's work in my life, I just feel so lost right where I am. Thank you for your post Renee! And if anyone wants to pray for me today as I have two doctors appointments, I would really appreciate it. Nanci @ kelbla@aol.com
This is my first visit to your blog (via the P31 devotion) and I'm happy I've come. This is a question that plagues me constantly and consistently. Like you, I sometimes believe that I check in with God on a regular basis but, in truth, it's usually only with the 'big' things OR I seek Him but don't really listen.
Lysa has quickly become a favorite of mine and, judging by what I've read of your blog, I think you'll be added to that list ;-) I'm looking forward to reading more of your insights on recognizing and really listening to His voice.
This was a topic so applicable to my life right now. After having a baby 6 months ago, my husband changing jobs and me leaving mine to stay home, I feel like I am in a state of inter turmoil and self doubt. I am questioning if I was truly hearing God's voice or if my selfish desires. I feel as though I am a walking contradiction. One minute I feel as though God is calling me here....then the next day it is a complete 180. This post has given me some points to consider each time I feel anxious and frustrated. Thank you!
I am a mom homeschooling 2, and it has been hard to not let the distractions of the day sweep my time with Lord away. I am trying to get up and not look at anything else on the computer until I have connected with Him. I know He will teach me if I am faithful. What a good word for the new year....LISTEN. I picture it said in a hushed tone, by the Lord, and with a gesture to come closer so He can tell me, his beloved!! THANK you so much for your part in keeping this theme going in my life. I am still on shaky ground to change my old habits, but I know God is bigger and desires so much more for me than left on my own!!
Blessings,
Kathy
Renee
God speaks to me through His word or through my
devotions. But I still long to hear His voice clear as day.
That has not happened for me bc I'm a hoarder.
My mind is so full of junk...why doesn't my older boy
believes in God anymore , why is my younger boy so angry , why am I so fearful & the list goes on. I know that
the moment to let go of all my junk, I will be free for
God to come in & sup with me.
So pray that I let go & let God speak to me.
Your sister in Christ
Kim
Oh Renee,
Did you ever hit a cord this morning!
I ask God to lead me where he wants me to go and I never seem to be able to understand what he is telling me. My thoughts drift in and out from my to-do lists, to going to work, who is going to be home to take care of the kids when I'm at work, what is for dinner, do I have enough money in my acct and so on. When I do settle in for some quiet time it seems that there is always another distraction: a garbage truck, the phone rings, the dogs bark and such. I always ask why am I here and what do you want me to do? I feel like I'm just walking around this earth in a fog wasting time that could be spent doing so much more.
Thanks for listening...
Sherry
I woke up early this morning and spent some time with the Lord. I was planning on what I was going to listen to on the way into work when I heard God say nothing. I was to listen to him this morning. He spoke to me and let me know that I was to be kind today. That should be my focus as I would be tested and tried in this area today but that kindness should be my focus. I've been thinking lately about listening/hearing God and this devotional couldn't have come at a better time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
What timing! Thanks always for your encouraging and wise words!
I have been so hungry to hear God's voice also and would like to know more. Is it an "audible" voice or just something He might lay on my heart? Like you said, I can't discern whether it's God leading me to something or trying to tell me something, or my own thoughts that are coming to me.
I could use help in this area. I don't always recognize God's voice or I doubt the message.
dora
I hear God speaking to me in that still small voice quite often. I feel Him tugging at my heart and urging me to follow. I haven't gotten clear direction or vision of where that will lead as of yet. He just tells me to really search for Him (and my direction) in His word... He assures me He will reveal His will in His time. Scary stuff, following "blindly."
I too feel unsure about God's guidance in my life. I feel adrift and wasting what He wants me to do. But I can look back at crucial decisions I made that blessed me and changed my life because I knew He wanted me to do them. I want that again, so much. I don't think we were made to live in a world we have today, bombarded 24/7 by words, video, information, communications, sounds, impressions. We don't realize how hard we have to fight for God's guidance and help. My heart goes out to the ladies who shared and will share their struggles today. God bless you.
I do not think I hear God speaking to me and this is one of my goals for 2011. I want to be a woman who listens to God. I want to hear him in every moment but I do not know how. Winning Lysa's book would be an ideal tool which assist me in my journey. My email is dixoname@msn.org
Sometimes, I do have some thoughts or dreams and not sure if they came from God. But I do believe if we walk close to God, He will show the direction through our environment, bible verses..etc. Step by step following Him is what I need to learn too because sometimes, I jumped too fast by my own way as your said, and did not reach anywhere although I thought God showed me the direction.
Thanks, Maureen Wu
We just made a *huge* move to Texas. I knew it's what God wanted for our family, but I buried my head in the sand not wanting to go. I loved where I lived...had friends...an amazing church. The kids were all doing well. It broke my heart to have to move...but still knew it was what God wanted for our family. Through the decision making process I struggled and continued to seek God and His wisdom. It's only been a few weeks. I'm missing home so much. This post gives me hope that if I continue to seek Him in All things...not just the big things. I will be blessed.
Thanks for your post today.
Missy~
enstad6@msn.com
Mi
I'd love to be included in this book giveaway. I'm reading Made to Crave right now. thanks for the post
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I also have a hard time telling if it's God's voice, or me just thinking it is. This is one of my biggest struggles!
This is confirmation for me. This morning I was just asking God to give me His spirit of discernment. I often doubt if I'm hearing God or just my thoughts. I'd really like to get to a place where I'm sure of His voice.
~Mimi
myrlanded@gmail.com
I prayed your prayer from the post 'Listening to God.' My thoughts do get distracted and I can feel myself falling away from dependence on God. A very unsafe place to be in a world given to sin. I have always struggled with hearing God's voice. I thought it was just for the 'really Christian girls.' I believed I had to have a super-uber Christian life in order for God to speak to me. But as I have studied, prayed, listened and learned from 'real' life people about their journey with Christ, I have come to find out that God loves me deeply and is molding me into the woman he created me to be.
Your devotion inspired me to give my prayer and my worries for today to Him.
WOW....Did this ever speak to me. I know I have been thinking it for years and through making moves in KNOWING I heard God but doing it all in my steps and in the way I "thought" he wanted me to or before he wanted me to. When I failed I ran and blamed Him. Now I question everything...was that God or I think God told me and never really moving due to fear of letting Him down again. What you said though on giving him my heart totally and allowing him to build the character is exactly what he is telling me to do and has been for a while now. Thank you so much for allowing Him to speak through you.
Dondi
I've been in a "valley" season of life for over a year now...unemployment, then employment for a short time, then unemployed again. Financial concerns. Strained marriage. Issues with my husband's new career direction and friendships with young women I think are inappropriate. College daughter that has been depressed. Strain with my siblings over estate division of my mom's estate, to the point we are not speaking anymore. At the times I feel the lowest, I get on my knees and pray for God's mercy and that I learn the lessons He wants me to learn in this season of life.
Thank you for your devotion and work with Proverbs 31 ministries
I have has major choices come up in my new Chrsitain life. I pray and wait and then I feel that God is leading me. If I don't follow, I usually won't have peace. When I do follow His leading; there is peace. Or so I claim...later AFTER the choice has been made-----I second guess myself...was that what God said? How do i know if its God speaking to me?
God has really been speaking to me about listening to Him daily. Your devotion really encouraged me to search my heart about this very important topic. Thank you!
Holly
hcastagna_1999@yahoo.com
I'm in the wilderness right now and have lost trust in when I "think" I hear God speaking to me.....
dbeso@yahoo.com
Renee,
What you said in the P31 devotion about how God being more interested in my ear more than my efforts (which, let's face it are usually lacking), that he wants more intimacy with me and daily and some days moment-to-moment dependence on Him, and especially that He is more interested in my character than my calendar -- that was the big gun -- really touched me in a very soft, vulneraable patch of my heart. I'm a very task-oriented person and I get caught up in checking off the boxes in my to-do list. My busy-ness drowns out God's still small voice most of the time...Thank you for your encouraging words to my heart today.
Joyfully,
Jenn
I have often wondered when it's my own thoughts or if it's God whispering in my ear. Lately I have been struggling through a very tough job situation. I keep hearing Him say...don't worry about that...you won't be here for it. I have heard Him say it often so I keep telling myself to trust Him. I don't have to suffer through this much longer and He has bigger and better plans for me. It WILL happen. Great Blog and thanks for confirming what I have been feeling in my heart!
I amazed that how God leads us to certain readings and scriptures when we are pondering things. I recently joined my husbands church and i feel like i am in a dessert with dry bones, although i joined the choir ministry and the womens ministry i just don't feel the same. I know that joining him was Gods plan, however in choosing the ministry i wonder if i am wear he wants me to be. Your words have encourage me to be stead fast because i know he has everything in control, i just don't want to miss his voice when he speaks to me. Nicole
What an encouragement it is to me to realize I'm not alone in the "charge ahead and get it done" category! I'm learning (daily!) to just ask for the next step. I don't need to know where the path is leading. I just need to know the next step He wants me to take. After reading your devotion, I'm humming "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus; just to take Him at His word. Just to rest upon His promise; just to know thus saith the Lord."
I have been in this place myself of questioning whether or not I'm hearing from God or my own thoughts. This is when I know that I have to fast and then I truly hear clearly from God what He wants me to do. I have to remind myself daily that as long as God has me in the palm of His hand, that there is nothing to worry about. This is how I stay on point with my Faith walk and trusting that God is going to work it all out.
Jackie
I think about this a lot too. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us! hadams007@nc.rr.com
I do love how God provides exactly what we need exactly when we need it! This topic of listening to God has been a struggle for me for a few months now. Your devotion shed a light on what may be a link to my struggle... to abide in His presence AND promises. I now realize I am not reminding myself of God's promises when I spend time with Him... a key step in faith! He has promised many things in His word, but I lack a depth of intimacy with Him if I only "read" His word and not rely on His promises. Thank you, Renee for encouraging me by sharing how God is reaching your heart.
Really could use the book. Reading the other comments makes me feel better that im not the only one who struggles to hear God's voice!
God Bless!
Hi Renee
Its so amazing to see how God connects thing...
The last 2 weeks and for the next couple... our Pastor is preaching on Power of A Whisper by Bill Hybels...
Its been great so far... talking about how to discern if it it God speaking to us.... and the points were pretty much what you mentioned...
My husband and I are really trying make sure that we are listening for His voice.....and need discernment on some unspoken requests.
Thankyou for sharing what God has put on your heart.
I would love to read Lysa's book....I want to be a woman who says yes more to God...
Chrissy Gunning
I often ask God to lead me, but then I fail to wait for the answer and go full speed ahead in the direction I feel he (I) wants me to go. This seems to be one of those areas where I am always going back to and trying to concentrate on, but eventually go off on my own way. Great topic! And great giveaway. I enjoy reading Lysa's books.
ConnieH
connieh67@yahoo.com
Many runaway thoughts lately. Getting myself all worked up over trying to "show" everyone I can be a SUPER CHRISTIAN. I am so glad there are godly women reaching out to other godly women desiring to help all seek the face of our Saviour. Thank you for the posts
Kara
7whartons@insight.rr.com
Oh this is so true in my life. I would love to figure out how to discern the thoughts and feelings I have and determine God's path for my life!!
Blessings to you!
Linda
I'm definitely going through a month of trials and desperation to hear God's voice and direction. I'm growing one step at a time.
I have been walking in condemnation for weeks now. I've prayed about it, sought counsel (Godly counsel) for it, and still it consumes me. I even had a friend tell me that God spoke to her about me and His vision for my life had me wanting to shout in a book store! But this morning my daughter read me her essay for her college application and she focused on how hurt she was when her father and I divorced, and so here I sit, wallowing in condemnation yet again. I know that there is no condemnation for them that are in Christ, so what door have I opened for the enemy to continue attacking me? Why can't I trust God's voice?
Since the new year began, I have been in some kind of "funk" I guess you could call it. I find myself thinking through who I am and what I do and where I need to be. Finding myself simply wanting to be in a quiet place, all alone!
As much as I trust God and I firmly believe to turn your worries over to God, how to I turn off these doubts that keep going through my head? I am miserable with my job, my church, spiritually and emotionally. In todays world, where do you begin to make changes and know they are changes from God?
Like some of your other readers, I chose the word "Listen" as my one word resolution. I, too, have trouble discerning when the Lord is talking to me or if its just my own thoughts. Thanks for the guidelines to make that determination. Please pray for me as I listen for God to speak to me about my life situation right now and which direction He wants me to follow.
I would love to hear more about what you have to say on this - God speaks to me all the time -- mostly through His word. I can't tell you the number of times I have questioned something, and I'll pick up my Bible and read a passage or a verse will come to mind that totally answers what I was asking.
But He also "whispers" to me (impresses me with His thoughts). I know it is Him because I trust that He answers my prayer that I pray almost every day "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, my Rock and my Redeemer."
Now if I will only walk obediently......
Hi there You were righ in my thoughts thanks for you devotion.
I'm so glad I found your blog again! It meets me just where I am today, needing direction in my life and not knowing which voice in my head to listen to. Thank you for all you do and all of us you help through Jesus Christ.
Blessings!
Barb T
Dear Renee
Thank you for the Encouragement today message of Jan 19, 2011. It really resonates with me and I can identify. When are you coming to West Africa for a speaking engagement? I would love to be there.
I, too, struggle with "was that God?" telling me something or is it just me--because I want something or because I'm afraid to do something. Thank you for your "word" today. I will check back for rest of comments on hearing the voice of God.
Sharing with women is a passion of mine - I am the Womens Leaders for my church and I am always looking for new ways to get women to share what they are looking for from a womens ministry and how to share. This helps everyone even the Leaders - always learning from my Ladies. I will be using this one as a lesson for fellowship. Thanks
As I was driving in to work this morning, I realized that my mind never stops and never slows down. I have a million thoughts of what I need to do to get thru the day, to finish up the month, and all that is constantly followed by the question of "What would God have me do?" I have committed to returning to my faith this year and leaning not into my own understanding. I want so much to completely give up myself and trust completely in God! Yesterday we got news that my husband is severely diabetic (at the age of 30). He has been thru so many hard things in the past few years. Pray for him, and his salvation. Pray that God would speak directly to my heart and give me directions and encouragement to be a good example of a Christian for my husband. Help me to slow my brain long enough to listen for God's voice. And pray that I will trust His words and obey without question! Proverbs 31 has been my best friend for almost a year now. I visit every morning! Thank you for your work in this ministry!
Candi
Such wonderful advice! I use similar techniques myself. Run-away thoughts can be crippling and that is the key--God would never cripple me, or have me cause hurt and pain to others. My past has been very abusive and has created many residual issues. Without the Lord, I would continue choosing the wrong people, the wrong path. Unfortunately, I have not completely shed my defense mechanisims, which cause me to want to run away from many things. Trust and Love are very hard things for me to embrace, but the Lord walks with me daily, encouraging me to be strong and to remember I was never a "victim". People who inflict pain on others are hurting as well. He has given me the strength to forgive, love and find compassion rather than hold on to anger and fear. I love your blog as it helps me stay focused and very often reminds me of the things I listed above!
I talk to much in my head to have room for God's thoughts. I really need to learn how to sort the two out.
Thanks so much for this devotion today. Right this very moment in my life, and I am learning so much about listening to God. Giving everything (large and small) over to His will, and then listening for His answers, looking for His guidance. I have experienced a very direct answer, hearing God tell me some very specific things. That doesn't happen often in life, and it was awesome! But then there are the times when it's not so obvious, and the human tendency to take action on my own steps in. I've been trying to figure out how much God depends on us to use the intelligence He's given us vs waiting for specific guidance each step of the way. It's a challenge I have not mastered, but thankful for your reminder to let God lead, in all things.
Renee - Your message today really spoke to me about the need to listen to God more. The reason it's so hard for me to discern what He wants for my life from what I want for my life is because I don't make enough time to slow down, enjoy some alone time with Him, and truly listen. My prayers today will include asking Him to help me be a better listener and to make more time for Him in my life so he can better speak to me and guide me. Thanks for sharing your message today.
For years I have been struggling with my faith, not that I don't believe but I don't know how to believe. I want it so bad but have no idea where to begin. Lately, I have been drawn to all things spiritual with God and I feel that it is His way of showing me the way back. I love the daily Encouragement emails and feel this is my first step in the right direction.
I feel like God is speaking to me through your post today! It is my first time to visit your blog. Our family is at a crossroads and I was up half the night last night praying (and worring!) about what our next step should be. I am paying attention, Lord!
Reading this really opened my eyes and my heart. God has spoken to me in many ways. Through people and dreams. But I've never heard the, whispering in the ear talk while I'm awake that I've heard so many people talk about. I desperately need his guidance. I need to know the difference. I have the same feelings like the blog from Tracy. I'm so confused and not sure of the church I'm at is where I'm supposed to be at, my marriage is hanging by a thread, and my kids are the ones suffering. Satan has me tied to the railroad tracks and I feel like I can't get out of this.
Your message today really hits home. I started this year on a mission to quiet my thoughts and focus on those still small voice moments that I feel like I have been missing. Thank you so much for your message today.
I have trouble often with this certain area in my spiritual journey. When I think it is God speaking to me. I have two questions I ask myself "Is this something I want to do on my own?" or "Is this biblical?"
If I do go on with whatever thought is in my head, I often pray to God through the process to ask him if this is his will to open doors, or if it is not, to close the doors immediately.
Your message today really hits home. I started this year on a mission to quiet my thoughts and focus on those still small voice moments that I feel like I have been missing. Thank you so much for your message today.
I have a hard time listening to God...I hear Him but don't listen. This year I really want to be able to hear Him. Thank you for the great devotion today!
Kim Abbott
skabbott2009@yahoo.com
Renee you really hit on a topic that alot of us need to fine tune.
Whenever I'm confused I just wait because I had always acted before I thought, I mean really thought about what I say or do. Waiting on the Lord is a challenging task for our fast forward friends,moms, sister, aunts, grandmas etc. There doesn't really seem to be a clear step by step program and if one is presented is that God's will too?
My heart went out to Tracey after reading her comment. I had been in a previously similar situation and found the best answer was to seek help by exploring other church options, Celebrate Recovery for example. The church I had left had served God's purpose for me and now it was time to move on and heal. I do miss the old but God directed me to a new. This might be something Gods asking you to do, I don't know for sure though sweet sister. It's hard but He can do anything!!
There could just be what we need waiting for us on the other side of the furnace!
See you soon Renee!
Enjoyed reading your blog for the first time today. I also have a difficult time hearing God. Often, I get so wound up in a situation and my feelings and reaction just take over. I am praying that I can learn better skills at listening to God speak to my heart and through situations. I need his leadership and guidance more each day.
Thank You!
It sounds like I am not alone in my struggles. I know God speaks to me thru you ladies. My dear friend and I share your devo back and forth when we know the timimg of a particular message resonates in either of our lives. Oh and how I thank you for your words. I also struggle with knowing if what is going on in my mind is me, or God. Thank you for the breakdown on how to test those thoughts to see if they are consistant with what God's word says.
You are all such a Blessing to me !! Janice
I just took a new job and I had the same question for God, "is this what I should be doing?" I felt it in my heart that this is where He wanted me to go at this time even though it was not a pay raise and actually not as convenient for travel. I think God wants me here to make a diference somehow with my work or somethin else in my life.
This is definitely a question that I have a lot. Sometimes I do think that I am being prompted by the Spirit to do something. Othertimes, I am afraid it is just my desire taking wing and not really wanting the Lord to possibly change that desire. Very unsettling place to be. So thankful to have found your blog and to know that there are others who express the same problems but desire to have the same outcome: to hear His voice and to be obedient to His desires for me. Thank you.
Just got the daily devotional, and truly needed it today. My husband and I have major decisions to make, and it was the perfect message for me to hear! What a blessing!!
I have been having great difficulty with my children (20, 19 and 16) and the direction that their lives are taking. I ask God to help guide them and help them to make wise decisions. I keep hearing "Let Go and Let God" in my mind but Im not sure if it's Him or me. I see it in books, stores, etc. And I wonder, is he telling me this or is it me telling myself this? I am so confused and feel lost. I feel like a horrible parent not knowing what to do. I have spoken to him regarding other issues and I know when He speaks to me via confirmation through a timely Proverbs 31 Ministries, Verse of the Day or even passages in the Bible. But when it comes to my kids, I dont know what Im hearing.
I think this is one of the hardest areas in our Christian walk and that is listening to God and knowing is this really God talking to me? I enjoy and agree with the questions you lay out to ask ourselves. Also, to just pray, pray and pray again!! Thank you for your words of encouragement
This is my first day to read your daily email and I am so happy my sister recommended this site to me.
I am struggling, at 59 years old, to find my purpose and what God's Will is for me.
I've raised 4 kids, I have 7 granddaughters and another grandchild on the way, I have been successful as a copywriter and in public relations in the past, but was downsized and haven't found a creative outlet since then. I'm currently working part time and very unsatisfied with my life as it is.
I know God has a higher purpose, or calling for me, but I cannot seem to find it in my heart yet.
Maybe He is still preparing me?
Thank you for being here. I look forward to receiving her emails each day from now on. (Another) Mary
One of my "annual goals" this year is to improve my prayer life, specifically to speak less & listen more. As I was reading your devotional about listening to God, I came to where you talk about “asking God what He wanted me to do…then went about doing that without depending on Him….” I am certain that the Lord used you to speak to my heart. So often I have done the same thing in regard to my area of ministry. I thought I was relying on Him completely; I just didn’t see that I wasn’t, until now. I have been praying about my future in ministry. I think know what I’m supposed to do; now I need to continue praying & rely on Him to get me there. Thank you for being obedient to His calling on your life. L. Brewer
I have been praying for God to help me be a better listener to what he wants of me. Today my email is about this subject. I think I am on the right path.
This is exactly what I have been praying about! It seems that every time I get my devotion from Proverbs 31 it is exactly what I have needed. Thank you for your ministry and being a vessel for the Lord!
I am approaching that "middle-age" part of life where I have found myself questioning who I am. My children will be graduating from high school in the next few years and I am struggling just to figure out my identity as my role as "mom" will soon change. Like you said, in the past I have gotten glimpses of God's plan and moved forward in my own strength without His direction only to find I was going nowhere and that I was very frustrated in the process. I feel like I am swimming upstream and struggle has become a way of life. Maybe like Jacob wrestling with God? I want more, I want a much deeper relationship with the Lord and to know I am choosing each moment to walk by His side assisting Him in His work, not mine. I just feel like I am walking in the dark, although I know He is always with me.
Blessings,
Terri
I am right in the middle of seeking God for some direction in my life regarding my career and this so spoke to me. I do struggle with time and giving more of it to Him so that I can hear from Him. Thank you for the encouragement! we4sextons@gmail.com.
Lana
I can not keep my mind still enough to know it God is speaking to me or not. Sometimes I am emotionally moved by things I hear or read but I can not say that it is anything other than feelings. I would love to read your book and develop a relationship that I need with the God who loves me.
Knowing if it's God's voice or my thoughts is always a struggle, but your last 4 points in the blog were helpful. I'm going to put them on an index card and keep it with me. In the past I've learned that consistency in the thought is usually from God and I try to step out of the way so He can speak to affirm what I think it is He's saying. I am beginnig a discipleship group at church and I wll lean on this as I seek to do what the Lord wants more than "leaning on my own understanding". Thank you for all you and your team of women do at P31!
whenever GOD speaks to me He always reveals to me thru certain situations confirming what it is He wants me to know. My problem is sometimes I dont pay as much attention as I should to His prompting!!!! Thanks for your insight for one thing I will always know is He will never leave me or forsake me!!! To GOD be the glory!!!
This is an area in which I need a lot of help! I feel completely lost most of the time. I think I'm listening, but never really sure.
I can so relate to your blog posting today. Often times I feel like in order to "hear" God, I need him to put a big flashing neon sign in front of me!
I am alone in my walk with God in that my husband is not a believer, therefore when it comes to difficult decisions regarding family, our business, how to handle situations, instead of trusting God to answer, my mind gets all filled up with how to even have discussions about major decisions because we look at life so differently. He, my husband, believes he is the one in control, where I know in my heart God is in control. So my listening for Gods direction get interrupted with fear, anxiety and knowing my strengh always seems to wane.
If you say you are "giving away a free book" why dont you also say under what conditions instead of trying to deceive people who can not afford to put food on the table that you are really giving something away? very disappointed in what I thought was a "true woman of God"-- guess I should listen more closely to God too
This is so God's timing. This has been on my mind for the last couple of weeks. Thank you for your encouragement!
Bridgett,
I've found that the closer I get to God, the better I can "hear" Him. And it is always a wonderful surprise when an outsider reaffirms what you know God is telling you. I would really like to win this book. It was actually saved in my shopping cart when I found out my husband lost his job- so I haven't been able to buy it yet!
Thank you for being such an encouragement.
-Jennifer
jen6122@hotmail.com
I struggle with hearing God's promptings and then going on with my day as usual. Not intentionally including him in my every thought and decision. It takes alot of purposeful thinking and chosing. Which I need to do way more of. thanks for the great thought provoking devotional.
would love to read the book by Lysa. email is jeffandbeth82@hotmail.com
thanks again,
Beth
I sure could use this book and would enjoy sharing it with others in my mom group. We talk this subject the other day. I feel this would help me in learning more so when I study God's word and pray to Him I will be able to hear and understand better.
I've read thru several comments and they sound so similar to what I have been going thru! I believe there is so much spiritual warfare going on right now! Satan would like nothing more than to take us all down! It is such a hard battle!! However Satan is VANQUISHED and JESUS IS KING!!
~Heather
My 25 year old daughter and I have been having this very discussion in the last couple of days. She and I both stuggle with knowing if its just our own wishes or if God is truly talking to us.Losing the faith is not something we want to do but need some help. I would love to win the "How do I know if it's God Speaking to Me?" so that we can learn together to HEAR God clearly. I love the messages that I have read today and can't wait to read more...Keep up the great work!
God Bless
Nona
SEEK AND HE WILL SPEAK!!
What??? You mean this life isn't all about ME?? ...and MY happiness?? LOL!
We often are so busy and distracted by the noise of life, we miss the point! Jesus IS our life!
Joh 17:3 says "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
As a child placing our complete dependence upon Jesus, we can KNOW what He desires from us! Though Jesus came to earth and then ascended into Heaven; He did not leave us alone. He left an incredible person of the trinity to guide EACH of us (THIS is not only a good thing-it is a GOD thing!)...The Holy Spirit!
The problem? We aren't listening to that guidance, or we don't even know how to perceive it is there! One of the primary ways the Holy Spirit works is by His word. Yet, we dismiss it often times, and say "Surely He wouldn't tell me to do that! It is too hard!". In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, we observe:
verse 27 " But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong... (read through verse 29).
He wants us to DEPEND on Him to accomplish the IMPOSSIBLE! Think of it-an entire human race in need of a Savior with God's eternal wrath abiding on our heads-that is an impossible scenario at best! ...But for the grace of GOD!!
Furthermore, God's purpose for our existence is that we should glorify HIM! Our lives are not for us! Our greatest example is JESUS. It is proven over and over, verse by verse-Jesus existed to "do the will of His Father!" (John 5:30) And by this, God achieves His ultimate goal: GLORY! (Col 1:16)
So bearing this daunting task of the believer, and then add to this our particular circumstances, or better known as "trials" as described in the book of James chapter 1:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness....verse 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all...
IF YOU LACK WISDOM, ASK IT OF GOD! His Glory is a stake! He will honor the request of a child who desires to accomplish HIS will! (and not to "consume it upon our own lusts").
So, we can see, the child of God CAN hear God. We simply need to ask in faith. That may not always result in a trial being lifted...or the impossible tasks of life being removed from our path. Instead, we should EXPECT these things as a part of our walk-God's word spells it out! (1Peter 4:12)
Enter the Holy Spirit...He is there for the child of God as we walk forward in this journey.
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
Joh 14:17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
HE dwells in YOU! And in ME! We just have to earnestly seek Him in faith...He will speak. He will empower us by His word.
If we are SEEKING, He will be SPEAKING!
When I say seeking, I don't mean a cursory prayer that we "say" sitting at the computer while doing FB...(why do I know about that?) No...I mean sacrificing precious sleep time, or cleaning the house, or getting projects done when the kids are napping, or after a busy day at the job! Use that time to seek our Heavenly Father instead!
SEEK AND HE WILL SPEAK!
Joh 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
I pray this ministers grace to all that read it! I also pray that I will have a closer walk with the Lord and SEEK HIM with my whole heart!
:o)
SEEK AND HE WILL SPEAK!!
What??? You mean this life isn't all about ME?? ...and MY happiness?? LOL!
We often are so busy and distracted by the noise of life, we miss the point! Jesus IS our life!
Joh 17:3 says "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
As a child placing our complete dependence upon Jesus, we can KNOW what He desires from us! Though Jesus came to earth and then ascended into Heaven; He did not leave us alone. He left an incredible person of the trinity to guide EACH of us (THIS is not only a good thing-it is a GOD thing!)...The Holy Spirit!
The problem? We aren't listening to that guidance, or we don't even know how to perceive it is there! One of the primary ways the Holy Spirit works is by His word. Yet, we dismiss it often times, and say "Surely He wouldn't tell me to do that! It is too hard!". In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, we observe:
verse 27 " But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;read through verse 29.
He wants us to DEPEND on Him to accomplish the IMPOSSIBLE! Think of it-an entire human race in need of a Savior with God's eternal wrath abiding on our heads-that is an impossible scenario at best! ...But for the grace of GOD!!
Furthermore, God's purpose for our existence is that we should glorify HIM! Our lives are not for us! Our greatest example is JESUS. It is proven over and over, verse by verse-Jesus existed to "do the will of His Father!" (John 5:30) And by this, God achieves His ultimate goal: GLORY! (Col 1:16)
So bearing this daunting task of the believer, and then add to this our particular circumstances, or better known as "trials" as described in the book of James chapter 1:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness....verse 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all...
IF YOU LACK WISDOM, ASK IT OF GOD! His Glory is a stake! He will honor the request of a child who desires to accomplish HIS will! (and not to "consume it upon our own lusts").
So, we can see, the child of God CAN hear God. We simply need to ask in faith. That may not always result in a trial being lifted...or the impossible tasks of life being removed from our path. Instead, we should EXPECT these things as a part of our walk-God's word spells it out! (1Peter 4:12)
Enter the Holy Spirit...He is there for the child of God as we walk forward in this journey.
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
Joh 14:17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
HE dwells in YOU! And in ME! We just have to earnestly seek Him in faith...He will speak. He will empower us by His word.
If we are SEEKING, He will be SPEAKING!
When I say seeking, I don't mean a cursory prayer that we "say" sitting at the computer while doing FB...(why do I know about that?) No...I mean sacrificing precious sleep time, or cleaning the house, or getting projects done when the kids are napping, or after a busy day at the job! Use that time to seek our Heavenly Father instead!
SEEK AND HE WILL SPEAK!
Joh 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
I pray this ministers grace to all that read it! I also pray that I will have a closer walk with the Lord and SEEK HIM with my whole heart!
:o)
Renee,
I'm overwhlemed right now. This devotion & the link to your blog was in my in-box the very day I'm studying Discerning the Voice of God:How to Recognize When God Speaks. Your devotion & blog are just exactly what I needed to hear.
Thank you for sharing! By the way, I clapped for the Lord!
Nikki
SEEK AND HE WILL SPEAK!!
What??? You mean this life isn't all about ME?? ...and MY happiness?? LOL!
We often are so busy and distracted by the noise of life, we miss the point! Jesus IS our life!
Joh 17:3 says "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
As a child placing our complete dependence upon Jesus, we can KNOW what He desires from us! Though Jesus came to earth and then ascended into Heaven; He did not leave us alone. He left an incredible person of the trinity to guide EACH of us (THIS is not only a good thing-it is a GOD thing!)...The Holy Spirit!
The problem? We aren't listening to that guidance, or we don't even know how to perceive it is there! One of the primary ways the Holy Spirit works is by His word. Yet, we dismiss it often times, and say "Surely He wouldn't tell me to do that! It is too hard!". In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, we observe:
verse 27 " But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;read through verse 29.
He wants us to DEPEND on Him to accomplish the IMPOSSIBLE! Think of it-an entire human race in need of a Savior with God's eternal wrath abiding on our heads-that is an impossible scenario at best! ...But for the grace of GOD!!
So bearing in mind this daunting task of the believer, and then add to this our particular circumstances, or better known as "trials" as described in the book of James chapter 1:
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness....verse 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all...
IF YOU LACK WISDOM, ASK IT OF GOD! His Glory is a stake! He will honor the request of a child who desires to accomplish HIS will! (and not to "consume it upon our own lusts").
So, we can see, the child of God CAN hear God. We simply need to ask in faith. That may not always result in a trial being lifted...or the impossible tasks of life being removed from our path. Instead, we should EXPECT these things as a part of our walk-God's word spells it out! (1Peter 4:12)
Enter the Holy Spirit...He is there for the child of God as we walk forward in this journey.
Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Joh 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
Joh 14:17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
HE dwells in YOU! And in ME! We just have to earnestly seek Him in faith...He will speak. He will empower us by His word.
If we are SEEKING, He will be SPEAKING!
When I say seeking, I don't mean a cursory prayer that we "say" sitting at the computer while doing FB...(why do I know about that?) No...I mean sacrificing precious sleep time, or cleaning the house, or getting projects done when the kids are napping, or after a busy day at the job! Use that time to seek our Heavenly Father instead!
SEEK AND HE WILL SPEAK!
Joh 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
I pray this ministers grace to all that read it! I also pray that I will have a closer walk with the Lord and SEEK HIM with my whole heart!
:o)
My tendency is to DO for God. I know He wants me to just BE with Him.
Thank you so much for your post on "Encouragement..." which led me to your blog. This post is perfect timing in my journey as I am listening for a specific response, once again, from God for His will on how He wants me to share my experiences and testimony with other women. I feel as though He has put these ideas on my heart and that I didn't just cook them up, but that it would be such a giant leap and involve getting out of my comfort zone. I don't want to miss the opportunity to serve Him, but I also don't want to jump ahead of Him either by doing something that is not in His will. I so need that book!!! I will definitely be back to your blog for more insight.
Thank you again.
Carlita
Wow...this really hit home today. I have not been reading all of my email devotionals lately...but today I was drawn to read them and it was like He sent this directly to me.
I write a daily prayer journal & this has been a concern that I have recently prayed about "How do I know it is you speaking & not just my own thoughts" I have added that if it is just my own thoughts that He would bless them. I've asked for knowledge on learning to identify when it truly is He who is speaking. God Bless You!
Vicki
applelane17@yahoo.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
I am in a place right now of counseling young ladies (teens-college aged) and this question is constantly asked especially in the area of knowing who "God" wants them to marry...I would love to have more to share with them about truly knowing that you have heard the voice of God. Too often they are told to just follow their hearts and I feel that we have a lack of substance to this very important question (How do I know if it's God speaking to me?") I look forward to reading more about what you have to share and I am truly blessed by your ministry. Thank you and may God richly bless you in return!
I usually have to have a brick thrown at me to "get" what God's is telling me...sometimes it's not so difficult!
Renee, its hard to reach out to you and tell you of my struggles. I want to walk with God leading me every step of life's journey but it is so hard to know if it is just my random thoughts or feelings or????
This ministry that i can access through Proverbs 31 is amazing and has been helping me to stay connected and grow in my faith daily but i am still struggling so much.
I was fortunate to be born into a christian home and have a pastor for a father but it created some other barriers that have come between God and I. Everyone always assumed that I was going to be so spiritual and holy and all I wanted to do was kick against that, so I did. I chose a man to marry who professes to be a christian but doesnt have the tools to walk with God and himself is struggling to know what that is and how it applies to his life.
We have been married for over 25 years and we are still spiritual babies. I am also so impatient to run forward and am so slow to understand I want to wait for my husband to catch up with me but I want it to happen NOW. I pray that God will guide us to Him but it doesnt seem that He is listening.
Please keep sharing your walk with all of us and be the encouragement that I need to keep moving forward. Thanks for listening, Abby
I am a single mom of two and I am at a place in my life where this is my question, does God hear me and when I seemingly get an answer, is it God speaking to me or my own thoughts or the enemy? I know that I have been through so much in my life that when things are going well I tend to over analyze and question whether this is God showing me Favor or is it the luck of the draw. I am still learning how to jst rely on the idea that God loves me and wants only the best for me so when positive things occur in my life it is okay to be happy and give thanks to Him for His grace. Then there are those times when I get quite and want to speak with Him and my thoughts are all over the place and while I am trying to pray another thought comes in, usually one that I should be thinking adn I try to quite that secular thought with Jesus' name, but then I ask mayself, why is this happening? Why, now when I want to be with Him are these other thoughts invading my space? I so love reading these devotionals daily as they show me that I am not alone and yes, He does love you and these things are all apart of the process.
Thanks for the words of inspiration.
Chandra
My Dear Renee,
Reading your devotional today has really helped me to realise, that I am confusing my thinking with what God is speaking and so very often I find it hard to act as I am uncertain if it is God speaking. I am at crossroad as to when to step out of the boat and lounge into the deep. While I,m hoping for a Peter's experience, I want to be absolutely sure I am making the right decision. How can I be sure to venture into a ministry that I felt God clearly revealed to me yesterday morning while eating an apple? While I believe He is leading me in a direction to be an encourager in the restoration of lives, I am also thinking that He is seeking to show me the hidden beauty in my life that He wants to reveal. I truly want to be obedient and allow Him to disrupt my agenda to hear from Him. Hence, here I am on line sharing my thoughts...something I have never done before...let's see where He takes me from here. The steps of a man are ordered by God and I am allowing Him to cover my steps from today on. Thanks for the great work that God is using you to do. I am truly encourage. I am not on facebook so I'll follow your blog.
Much Love,
Arlene
Renee,
I look forward to your words of email. Today's message from you was right on time since just this morning while meditating and resting in the Lord, I heard my name called twice and felt like Samuel as a young boy who thought it was Eli calling him. However, this morning I knew it was my Lord for as He states, my sheep know my voice. I thank you so much for this message which was encouraging and enlightening.
Helen, Philadelphia
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the devotional today...this topic has really been in my head a lot and i have been trying to figure out God speaking to me and hearing him, getting quiet with and for him and so forth so much to the point of asking a very dear friend of mine, which i call my spiritual mentor now, about it. thanks for the insight....i always enjoy reading your devoltionals and your page :) have a good day!
I am so happy that you spoke about this because this is something I have been struggling with myself. Thanks for the encouragement and the tips.
Sincerely,
Chantelle Cotton
Self-Love Author & Speaker
www.whydoisayyes.com
www.whydoisayyes.blogspot.com
Thanks Renee for the reminders to LISTEN-- so easy to act then think we've heard... Keep writing as you have been gifted.
Needing HIM,
Lynette
This comment has been removed by the author.
Just what we were discussing yesterday......is it God talking or is it simply my idea? I want to know more.
I find myself running in circles constantly, and I know that God keeps leading me back to the beginning so that I can follow His plan and not my own. How do I figure out which way is His way? I do not even know where to begin! I only know that he wants me to listen, and obey Him, but I can't figure out what it is He has planned for me!
I want to become a person who listens, hears, and then does what I hear God telling me. I also am someone who questions if what I am hearing is what I want or really God at work in me.
Thank you for your timely post. Lately, it seems as if my thoughts, Bible reading, my preacher's sermons are all closely related. Since I am still not exactly sure what God wants me to do, I am praying for clarity and God's direction. Your post came at just the right time.
Michelle J.
I just recently signed up for daily emails and this message could not have come at a more prevalent time for me!
I believe that when God speaks to us and tells us the way in which to go it is for our own benefit! But, and its a big but, us actually listening and being obedient to His calling on our lives is where "we" fall short!
I have been working hard on this thing we call obedience to what God is telling me and it is always the absolute hardest thing to do because when He is telling me to do something is is generally something I really do not want to do!! He has called me to start an outreach ministry in my community for those who are sexually and relationally broken, and "I" really do not feel like I am the right person for the job, in other words I keep trying to tell God that He had got it all wrong! I am still being obedient in what He is telling me to do but I am absolutely scared to death! But I desire to be used by Him!
I am also engaged to a man and have had no peace regarding this engagement. The more I pray the less peace I have had and I know I need to call things off with him, but being obedient to that is a tough thing to follow through on! I know that God will bless both of us through my obedience but I just keep dragging my feet!
I truly believe that when God speaks we should listen and trust because "He has plans to prosper and not harm" no matter how much we may dread doing something when we obey God He will always bless us!
Good grief....I just preached to myself!! =0)
Rejoice Always,
Amy
after my battle with breast cancer last year I have been asking God "what is it I am to do now"? I am unemployed, developed a chronic pain syndrom from surgery, and the medicine I am on now leaves me with a hazey dazed feeling alot. So Lord I need to hear you loudly to get through all of this" I am still waiting! I hope that your book can help me to figure it out!
Rebecca M from Ohio
renee,
I have found that listening to God does bring goodness and a closeness with God.I go down this journey following him looking to him .Then I find myself wandering away from his presence .Hearing God is essential if I want peace and a close relationship with him.my life has been filled with hurt,pain and brokeness .I have spent my life around abuse finding out the truth was very devestating .your parents are supposed to nuture you protect you and give you the love you need to grow healthy and mature.but as
I grow fiding purpose in my life .how difficult I find it at times to really hear God .relizing that reading God's word is most important that's where I truly hear him speaking to me .through all the chaios the demands of being a mom .finding a quiet place and meditating on his word shuting out all other voices .I know it takes faith to hear God and when I do hear him I sense his presence,and feel his peace that surpasses all understanding .I would like to say thank you so much for encouragment today I have been reading the devotionls for the past year off and on I have been so blessed and encouraged .God truly is speaking to me through these devotionals .I'm so happy I found proverbs 31 ministries .hugs geri
Dear Renee,
Here I am again posting my comment for the first time after inadvertently delting it...Satan is a liar! Yes, He is and I am going to put him to shame as I write to let you know that your devotion today has certainly encouraged me and has helped me to realise that I have been confusing my own thinking with what I God is saying or not saying. Like many of us, we long for that Peter experience but would not dare get out of the boat and lounge into the deep for we are not hearing that voice that says 'You're safe" How can I be absolutely certain that I am not confusing God speaking with my own thinking. How do I follow through with what I think is a clear revealation of what God is leading me to as a ministry to encourage and restore lives. This experience occured yesterday morning while eating an apple, and the feelings and the connected thoughts have been with me all along; again today, I've been encouraged through your devotion along with others. As I intend to be obedient, I've followed your application steps for today to let Him disrupt my day and here I am sharing my thoughts on your blog...somethig I have never done before...let's see where He's leading me with this. Our steps are order by Him who has the plan in his hands, and so I am following. I give God thanks for you and the wonderful and amazing work He is using you to do. I pray for his continued guidance, unmerited grace and mercies on you and your family as you continue your journey. God bless.
Much Love,
Arlene
I know that when I hear from God I have a quiet assurance in my heart. when I question what I have heard or feel uneasy of just anxious I wait.
thanks for the devotion.
I know that when I hear from God I have a quiet assurance in my heart. when I question what I have heard or feel uneasy of just anxious I wait.
thanks for the devotion.
I'm afraid I don't know how to listen to God anymore. Once on a spiritual high and now drowning in despair, loneliness, discontentment, . . . Thank you for sharing today. It is a good starting point for me.
I struggle with the thought if God is speaking to me. There have been times I know He has spoken to me to help someone else, however I run away from what He wants me to do. Many times He wants me to tell my life story and my struggles and all I do is run. I knew that God wanted me to tell a friend of mine that she needed to give her whole life to God, but for months I didn't, because I didn't want to upset her. She has had a lot of turmoil in her life with her daughter, son and husband. I kept asking my husband to pray for her and a couple of weeks ago, he responded that God sent me to tell her to start relying on God and trusting Him and find a church to go to. I finally told her, but at the same time I feared she would be mad at me for telling her. She told me that she felt she needed to rely on God and that she was glad that I told her, even though she knew all alone.
I no longer want to question God when He has called me to do something. He wants my whole heart and I want to give Him the glory in my life. I no longer want to be afraid of my major health problems, where I am to work as a teacher, our finances, my son, or anything else that has been troubling me. I want to put my trust in God and know without a doubt He is with me every step of the way.
I know God is speaking when i hear a versr of encouragement and I hear it three or more times from different sources in the same day or week.
From reading all the other comments I am glad to hear that I am not the only one to struggle with discerning God's will in my life! This is my first time reading this blog and it's very encouraging to find that we all have the same struggles. I think that having a HUNGER to listen to God's will is important and I am certainly in prayer for everyone else and for myself for following this desire to do God's will. I trust that He will let it be known to us, as He prevails above all.
In our modern, high-tech world nowadays, God should just get an email account and send us an email DETAILING what we are supposed to do. LOL!!
Thank You very much for this word it was very timely for me as well. In my much younger days before I was bombarded by the demands of being an "adult" I could hear the father's voice with unfaltering clarity but in my haste to grow up and be more responsible hearing the fathers voice became a second, sometimes third priority to all of the other “adult responsibilities” I had enlisted for: such as becoming a new bride, being a non-traditional college student, a store manager, a mom etc..
With all my newfound responsibilities My fathers’ voice started to become clouded out his voice, the peace, the clarity and the wisdom that seemed to appear almost magically out of nowhere especially when I needed it most.
It was so second nature that I EXPECTED to have clarity, wisdom and peace about all of the important life decisions that I felt I needed to make happen so when I started to lose them I didn’t find fault with myself.
I found fault with the father and began to question him about why my life was not like he promised or liked his word promised and liked all good parents he ever so gently reminded me that he left all of the decisions up to me because I told him that I didn’t need him for this decision or for that decision.
So like all parents he moved out of the way and began to wait for the day and time that I would need his help again!! And if you’re a parent then you know that it was soon than rather than later.
I've been learning that when I hear from God and act on it, I'll never be disappointed...it's a win- win!!! Amy (kevamysolik@gmail.com)
Thank you for the encouragement today. I will check back on friday to read more.
sharonvolkmar@yahoo.com
Every morning I asked God to quiet my mind, so that I can hear him speak. I ask him to guide my thoughts and actions through out the day. I often wonder as you've stated is it him or me. I think when it's him it comes out of no where, without any thought of my own on the subject. I've learned that I need to be obedient and if he places a word or thought on my heart I need to trust that is what he want's me to say or do. May your ministry recieve many Blessings, Lola
This is my first time ever seeing anything like this. I happen to come across this in a pivotal time in my life. It is a very long story. But I really would like your book. I want to be the mother and wife God wants me to be. But I believe my own thoughts interfere with God's voice. I am on the verge of a divorce, although I know that is not in God's will. I am confused. Neither I nor my husband have been the best parents. As a matter of fact we are in a homeless shelter and our children are with my aunt. We have both since been babtized at a church we now attend. We have also become members of this church. I continually seek the will of God for fear of anymore damage to my family. I don't want to make any wrong decisions and don't trust my own discernment seeing where it has gotten me. I know that God can help me and I know He has already. All morning I have been seeking His counsel. Then I came across your e-mail and your giveaway. Please consider me for your book but if not maybe you can direct me to some resouces. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Debbie
I too have a hard time figuring out whether God is speaking or me thinking what I want. Most often it is because I am in a hurry for an answer.
It's been awhile since I've read my Encouragement for Today daily devotionals. I normally read two other devotionals on a regular basis and stop there. Today, however, I felt lead to read Encouragement. I'm so thankful that I did.
I've been battling scattered thoughts during prayer, readint, sleeping for years and believed I had no control over them. I have hope now after readng P31 January 18, 2011 devotional, "How Do I Know If It's GOD Speaking To Me." I totally relate to everything that is mentioned about staing focused and confusing my thoughts for GODs' or praying for His intervention over a matter and then taking over only to find myself in a worse predicament.
I can't wait to read the remainder of the devotional and to get a copy of Lysa Terkeurst book, "When Women say YES to GOD". I desire to be a woman after GODs heart and to have the same mind a CHRIST when He said, "The Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees the His Father doing, because whater the Father does the Son does also. (Jn 5:19). That's the attitude and obedience I desire.
GOD BLESS YOUR P31 MINISTRY, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
In His Name,
Debra B.
It's me Debbie again. I don't know too much about this software so I am not sure if I correctly entered your contest. I suppose I should leave an account. I hope I did this right.
All too often I try to deal with things in my life without taking it to God first. I always think I have the answers that that I can handle anything. Deep down I know life is so much easier if God is the center of it. I have often struggled with knowing whether I hear God talking to me, or if it's my own thoughts, conscience, etc. I want to say yes to God, to develop a deeper relationship with Him and to allow Him to lead my life! The Proverbs 31 devotions are always so enlightening and are usually very appropriate to things going on in my life.
I loved reading that you too sometimes think you know what God wants. I have gotten somewhat complacent and don't stop to listen when God is talking to me. I have often said if you don't listen to God speaking to you, he may turn down the volume. I am currently in the best place I have ever been in my life, but my intimate relationship with God feels distant. I needed to hear what you had to say today. Thank you.
Michelle-GJ Colorado
One current struggle is that I thought I had a clear path of where my dear Father wanted me to go with regards to my health treatment. I was so "sure" He wanted me to choose a particular path. However, months later it is failing and I'm a bit perplexed, fearful, ill yet again, and near crushed. I now wonder if it really was Him I was listening to. How would I know? Because it worked? Failed? Was it really Him, or was it my desire clouding my discernment? Does He send us down a failing path as part of a lesson or for our personal growth? I desperately want to be healthy, but the doctor's path is so riddled with dangers... and I don't have much time to make the decision.
I'm confused again about how He communicates with me personally. I went to His Word and, of course, found very gloomy verses ~ LOL ~ taking them personally, of course.
I would love to know what the author's wisdom on discerning the voice of our Daddy is in this book.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
Blessings to all who struggle!
Katherinej
vikingjob at yahoo dot com
Great devotional! I certainly want to hear Gods' voice!
CRPrairie1@imonmail.com
This is exactly what I needed today. I have started my own business and am trying very hard to listen to where the Lord is leading me and my family. My husbands job is not going as well as before and we are both trying to listen to God and where he is leading us! Thank you for reminding me to really listen to Him.
Renee, you hit the nail on the head. As a first born daughter, I desire order, having the answers, planning, organizing, etc. I often have difficulty discerning that still small voice. I also sometimes catch myself thinking that God maybe has forgotten my struggles with spiritual, emotional and financial needs and that other people's needs are more important to Him. I am on a journey to read the New Testament in 2011. but I have trouble remembering what I've read and identifying the truths I can apply to my life. I am begging God as the song says, "Word of God Speak."
Thank you for your "realness" and for sharing and encouraging me.
Thanks, Renee. I don't have time to read everyone's blogs, but I felt the need to click over and read yours after that wonderful P31 message today. I like the questions you posted and they will be very helpful. I'd like to add that when God is talking to me, I seem to feel it in my gut. If I ignore him, I will usually read, hear, or see something a second or third time sometimes in the same day or over a few weeks or more. Instinctually, I just know it's Him when this happens. After your post, I followed your application steps. I went into my quiet time and awakened refreshed 3 hours later. I have my quiet time every day and stay awake and today I crashed for hours. I obviously needed the rest and He thought so, too. What a refreshing sleep, too! Now, back to your application steps...
I don't always know when God is speaking to me and I would love to know. I would love to hear that I am on the right path as my days have been crazy with a recent separation and pending divorce from my abusive husband.
This is the first time I have commented on a blog and the first time reading this blog. I found you through Encouragement Today at Proverbs 31.
Wanting and needing to hear his word.
I am going through a difficult time with my 23 year old son. He has taken so many wrong paths. I have prayed and prayed and I just don't see God answering or giving my son guidance. I know Satan has a very strong hold on my son I just pray that my son finds God. He knows the Bible has a wonderful heart but he chooses flesh over God. I know in my heart God has a plan for my son. His Father and I are divorced and I have a wonderful and supportive husband now and I thank God everyday for him. I am a mother that just begs for peace for my son. He has had many addictions and continues with the drinking I just pray that one day he will hate the taste of alochol and be able to help others with the same issues. I have begged God daily for years to help I know he is there I just want my son and I to hear from him.
Renee,
I lost my job this past year and have gone back to doing nursing and am seriously thinking about getting my BSN for nursing. I have really felt God leading me when I let him and listen to him and your daily emails have really given me direction and support and I thank you for that. I do have a nursing job and it seems to be working out better each day with God leading the way. Thanks so much. Doreen
Interesting how I posted on my wall today how confused I am, but waiting on God. And then I open my email to my Encouragement devotion that lead me here. It's my marriage, my 5 children, my devotion to God and what He would have me to do, to think, to apply, etc... After 2 years of my husband and father to our 5 children walked away, I'm still trying to know what God wants me to do. Still married, but he just told me he has no intentions of coming back after just 3 months ago, telling me he wanted to come home. It's been like a ping-pong game and I'm emotionally and physically exhausted, yet evenso I have no desire to go against anything God wants to happen here - but what is that exactly? I have experienced complete brokeness which brought me extremely close to God and have stayed close to His side ever since. . . now what? I would do and be anything He so chooses if I could only know what that is. All I want and all I will ever want is His will.
I love your devotion, Renee! This is something I've struggled with for many, many years. Is this thought my own or is it a prompting from God? Like you, there have been times when it has been, w/o a doubt, God's prompting but He was prompting me to do something beyond my comfort zone...like publically share my testimony or reach out to someone I'd rather distance myself.
Thanks for your encouragement and advice!
Amy V. in WI
Thanks for this week's devotion. I've been in holding pattern for a few months. I know God has slowed me down to 'Be Still' and know and listen. Sometimes hard for the Martha in me to sit down and become more Mary like :-)I know His plans are best - thanks for the reminder that when I trust in Him His mercy is not far behind. Pray that I am granted eyes to see and ears to hear His leading.
Thanks!
René
Thank you for sharing what God layed on your heart. I too have been struggling with knowing what is God's versus my thoughts. Thank you for the questions..I will ask those myself..and I know that I need to study His word more! Thank you for the scriptures and resources as well.
This was a message that I needed to see on today...I have been wondering and asking myself for the last few weeks do I really hear from God or are my thoughts overpowering his voice. This devotion today lets me know that he is and has been speaking to me because the devotions and scriptures that I have been studying over the last two weeks have been right on point with what is going on in my life. I just need to turn down the volume of life and listen to the suttle suggestions of the Spirit!
I was just praying about this today, if I really head God's voice speaking to me about my health. I'm about to have biopsy on Friday and I need the reassurance that it was really Him and not my thoughts alone. If y'all can pray with me about this, I'd appreciate it.
Being of His sheep I am supposed to be able to recognize his voice as He guides me, but do I recognize His voice? Sadly, no not always. Sometimes I know I have but not nearly as often as I'd like. I don't like when I get the feeling that I'm missing a clue that I've probably already been given. Thankfully, He is always patient and will remind me over and over when I need it, much like I have to do with my energetic, curious 3yr old daughter. Like her, I usually do eventually get it, I just might take the long way around or have to start over. In any case, He is building a story in me that will bring Him Glory.
thanks for the post and giveaway.
Discerning God's voice - that's a tough one. I would love to be so "in tune" with God that I could know for sure what His will is in any given situation. How is that possible?
When I think about the question "How Do I know if it's God Speaking to Me the one verse that keeps coming to my mind is: "Be Still and know that I am God."
This is exactly my weak point....determining if it's me or God. Sometimes I do what I think He is telling me to do, but nothing happens so then I think it must have been my thoughts and not His.
This is exactly my weak point....determining if it's me or God. Sometimes I do what I think He is telling me to do, but nothing happens so then I think it must have been my thoughts and not His.
I too struggle to know if I am hearing from God or if it just my thoughts and feelings. Occasionally I think I might be hearing something so I ask God to speak louder or somehow make it more clear if it is Him speaking to me! This is so timely in my life as I have just been really grappling with this over the past few weeks. I really want to hear from God and be a good listener because I truly want to be obedient to Him. I would love more thoughts, ideas, truths, encouragement on this matter!
thank you so much for the devotion on the proverbs 31 site. It has encouraged me today. I have struggled with not being good enough to serve for some time and am just now starting to step out and up for God. I'm trying to follow Him and not get carried away with my own desires. It is my hearts desire that God be gloried in everything I do. thanks again.
Wanda
Renee,
Let me first start out by saying that I have heard God's voice, from a very young age of eight years old, it is a great testimony!
One day my aunt started teaching me about the bible, and I did not understand how there could be a God upstairs! She said, pray for him to reveal himself to you and he will! So one day I got on my knees and prayed that if he really existed to reveal himself to me, so I heard his voice and he asked me, do you want to ask me for something? and I said yes! I was living in a communist country at the time, that being Cuba, and the communists had taken my father away, and my mother would be sad every day, so I told Jesus that I wanted to leave Cuba some day soon.
He, then asked me, when would you like to leave, and I answered him August 26, August, being my birthday month and 26 being my favorite number at the time. I prayed this prayer in April, and guess what? August 26 came around and my family and I left Cuba on that day! I then went and shared this great testimony with my parents! I also recently prayed for my boyfriend to be saved because he had been very unfaithful to me and we both started going to church and last weekend he got baptized! I know that God answers and hears our prayers but we have to continually seek him with all our hearts every day! I just found P31 website today, and what a blessing it is to be able to share my story with other christian women as encouragement that God does hear our prayers when we choose to walk with him!
Blessings to you all!
Mary
Thank you for your devo today, Renee. It grabbed from the first sentence. Among many struggles this is one and also the doing doing doing. Your devo is so jammed packed with truth that I think I'll need to read it several times and let it all sink in but the one I'm letting sink in now is that the Father doesn't want all the stuff to do with me (calendars, efforts, etc), he wants me. Although He choses to work through us, He doesn't really "need" me to accomplish what he wants in the world, what he wants first and foremost is ME. What a word of love to let sink in today. Then, when I'm ready and it's his time, I can do for Him want he wants in obedience to him. Thank you for your words and efforts. I hope the manuscript went well.
Everyone in my family looks to me to keep my chin up and have that cheery disposition. Due to several things going on in our lives I have become weary. I do not know how else to explain it. I have given God my burdens and concerns. I know he is supreme. And I desire that his will be done. But I am still weary. Your message hit the spot today. Thank you!
Wow, so many of us are in the same place. My voice, God's voice, the enemy's voice, distractions, etc. It brings me encouragement that I am not alone in this struggle to be sure I hear God's voice, and yet I still want an immediate loud and clear on so many things. We are teaching our K6 kids this concept and I feel like I am most inadequate to teach this, but it appears I am just as average as the rest. I am thankful His mercies are new each day.
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