Is Someone Trying to Reach You?
Have you ever watch on the TV program a contest where members of the two teams were blind folded and were required to complete a task while another member of each team was allowed to watch and give verbal commands to the members. What were the necessary ingredients for winning this kind of contest?
How important do you think communication from God is for the life of a Christian?
Read 1 Samuel 3:1-11. What does this passage tell us about the nature of God?
Read John 10:1-5, 14-16. Who is the shepherd and who are the sheep?
What are the characteristics of sheep?
Read John 10:9-10. As a result of heeding the voice of the shepherd, what benefits will the sheep enjoy?
Revelation 3:20 from the Living Bible says, “Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me”. What does this passage say to you about the Lord Jesus’ desire to communicate with you?
If God create man for fellowship or relationship then it would be natural for his children to stay in touch with their creator and to hear from him often.
What Keeps Us From Hearing God?
Read Isaiah 6:1-8. What was keeping Isaiah from hearing God’s voice?
Read Hebrews 3:13-19. What does the writer of Hebrews tell us about responding to God’s voice?
In Proverbs 1:20-33, the writer speaks about God’s wisdom in human terms. What does he say wisdom will do for us Proverbs 1:23?
One of the biggest obstacles to hearing God’s voice is pride. Read the following passages and note how pride manifests itself:
Psalm 10:4:
Proverbs 3:34:
Proverbs 16:18:
Proverbs 25:6:
Proverbs 25:27:
Proverbs 27:2:
The distinguishing mark of a proud person is his lack of dependence of God. He believes that God has no relevance to his life; nor does he think it important to bring his life in line with God’s word.
Another obstacle to hearing God’s voice is double mindedness; read James 1:5-8. What does it say God will give to him to him who will ask? To whom is God willing to give it?
What practices will help me to hear God better?
So what characteristics do we need to hear God’s voice? What do you find in these verses?
Luke 18:15-17 & 1 Peter 5:5:
James 4:8:
Hebrews 11:1,6:
2 Chronicles 16:9:
1 John 2:3,4:
Are these all the ingredients we need to hear from God? Or is there something else. Let us take a look at the example of Enoch in Genesis 5:21-22. How does the Bible describe Enoch relationship with God?
How was Enoch able to develop such a relationship. He spent time with God. Amos 3:3 from the Amplified Bible tells us, “Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed?” Yes! It is just like if you have a friend or a spouse. If you want to hear what is on his or her mind you have spend time with that person. In the 15th chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus simply call this time spent together in relationship, abiding. Read John 15;4-6. What does Jesus tell us will happen if we do not abide?
You may be asking how do I abide in Christ. The answer is to spend time with God in these activities, not just on Sunday, but also during your week:
Reading, mediating and studying God’s word: Psalm 119-97-100; Psalm 1:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:15
Praying: Matthew 6:5,6; Mark 1:35; James 5:16-18
Fellowshipping with other believers: Acts 2:41-42
Praising and worshiping God in song and music: Psalms 22:3; Psalm 150.
As you make these activities a vital part of your life you will discover God speaking and directing you. How?
* Through his word: Psalm 119:105
* In response to prayer: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
* Through other Christians: Hebrews 10:23-25
* Through intimate worship: Acts 13:1-2
* In times of crisis: 1 Kings 19:1-18
What is an example in your life when God spoke to you?
How do I know what I have heard is from God?
Read Psalm 89:34 & 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22. Will God lead us in a direction contrary to his word?
Should we evaluate what we hear from God against his word?
What is our responsibility when we hear from God?
Once we hear from God, then we have a responsibility. We need to obey. Look at the example of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:1-23. Why was God not pleased with Saul?
Also, there is the example of Elijah. Read 1 Kings 17:1-16. How did God provide for Elijah’s needs?
How did Elijah receive what God had provided for him?
How can we receive what God has provided for us?
What benefits come from hearing God’s voice?
Isaiah 30:21:
Isaiah 50:4:
Proverbs 8:33:
Mark 4:23-25:
John 6:44:
Well, hearing God’s voice is not as difficult as it seems because God wants to talk to us. We just need to bring our selves into a close relationship to him and respond when he speaks to us. When we hear and obey then you and I can expect to see God at work in our lives and in the lives of those around us!
What things can I improve in my life to better hear God’s voice?
Recommended Memory Verses on hearing God’s voice
You will receive insight, comfort and encouragement from memorizing verses such as these along with their scripture references. Go over them twice a day until you can quote them word for word. Then review them once each month.
John 10:3-5 -The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 4 Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers.
Hebrews 3:15 – while it is said, “Today if you will hear his voice, Don’t harden your hearts, as in the rebellion.”
Revelation 3:20 – Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
Habakkuk 2:1-3 – I will stand at my watch, and set myself on the ramparts, and will look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. The LORD answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won’t delay.
Scriptures taken from the Word English Bible (WEB)