Strategies For Hearing From God

I love it when God speaks in a deeply personal way. Recently the Lord spoke to me so deeply my eyes started sweating. (Guys don’t cry, their eyes just sweat!)

I don’t always sense God’s voice so clearly. Often it is much more subtle. But some people never seem to hear from God.

Perhaps some don’t know how to listen. So here are some ideas that I practice almost every day.

I suggest you ask and listen in the following three areas. Soon you will be hearing from God:

God’s AFFECTION

My dad got more comfortable with saying “I love you” and “I’m proud of you” as he grew older.

But our Heavenly Father doesn’t have any growing to do. He will whisper His love if you simply listen. You will be hearing from God about His love if you are His child through with Jesus Christ: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 NIV)

God’s CORRECTION

Once you understand that God loves you and that He will continue to love you no matter what you have done, it becomes easier to let Him correct you.

Ask Him, “Are there any adjustments I need to make—any sin that must be confessed and corrected?”

When He shows me a sin, I “take out the garbage” by practicing 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sin  He is faithful and just to forgive our sins.” Then I rest in His forgiveness.

God’s DIRECTION

God will guide you if you ask Him: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (Isaiah 30:21 NIV)

What should you ask regarding direction? I ask:

1. What to Do

My question here is, “God, what do you want me to do today, this week, this month, this year?” I listen for direction in both work and personal life.

After asking, I just sit and wait for God to whisper what I should do.

I agree with theologian Wayne Grudem who said: “I find the most helpful thing I do regarding use of time is to spend time in prayer each morning bringing my plans and my ‘to do’ list before the Lord and seeking his direction.”

2. What Not to Do

I also ask, “God, what do you want me NOT to do?” This is as important as what I should do, because if I do what I shouldn’t it keeps me from doing what I should.

Perhaps you remember the account of Jesus at Martha’s house found in Luke 10. She was cleaning and preparing a meal. Meanwhile her sister Mary was just sitting at Jesus feet and “listened to his teaching.” Martha asked Jesus to make Mary get to work (v. 40). (Kinda funny.)

But the Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

We waste a lot of time on unimportant stuff. Ask the Lord what NOT to do.

3. What Decisions to Make

Sometimes we have big decisions looming:

• Who to marry.

• Selling or buying a home

• What career direction or job to take.

God’s promise in James 1:5 (NLT) is, “If you need wisdom — if you want to know what God wants you to do — ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”

These questions are simple yet powerfully effective as we seek the mind of the Lord.

For more help in this arena:

Read my article on the topic “How to Hear from God“Read my article on the topic “Five Ways God Speaks to Us“

Six Tips To Relax And Call It A Day

I haven’t always been good at letting go of work when away from work. In years past, Carolyn would sometimes look at me and say, “You’re here, but you’re not here.” Or, “The lights are on but nobody’s home.”

My body was present but my mind was absent—focused on how to accomplish a goal, how to solve a problem, on a difficult situation, or on my next message.

Over the years I’ve learned some techniques for “switching off” and “calling it a day.”

Here are some of the best tips I have found to help relax:

1. Exercising.

The most helpful exercise refreshes my mind as well as my body. By that I mean some activity that takes my mind off work issues and lets it relax.

My favorite is basketball. It’s hard to play basketball and think about anything else. After basketball, I am physically stretched and mentally rested.

2. Praying.

Taking my issues to God in prayer allows me to let go.

Sometimes my prayer degenerates into a “pity party.” But when done right, I place issues in the hands of the Almighty and let Him carry the load.

3. Talking with a friend or family member.

This quote says it well: “Sorrow shared is half the sorrow; joy shared is twice the joy.”

My Accountability Partner Jim is a great listener, sounding board and prayer partner. My wife Carolyn and I love to walk and talk to unload and decompress. We share and pray together about our concerns and blessings.

4. Resolving conflict.

Unresolved conflict eats at me. Some can live with unresolved conflicts. Others, like me, find that very difficult. I go over and over it in my mind.

So, for shutting down, it is much better to resolve conflict as quickly as possible.

5. Deciding to “switch off” work and refocus.

Sometimes I just have to discipline myself not to think about work any longer. After that decision, when my mind drifts back toward it, I refocus on another arena.

6. Remembering God is in control.

One of the greatest blessings of being a Christian is knowing that God is in control in even the most difficult situations.

I don’t like suffering. But I thank God in every difficult situation, knowing that “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28).

Some Fantastic Podcasts To Check Out

In a blog titled “Don’t Miss the Joy of Podcasts”  I wrote about why I love to listen to podcasts. If you are not already a podcasts listener, check it out. I think podcasts are going to become more and more popular–the advantages are overwhelming. Now I’d like to share with you some of my favorite fantastic podcasts, all free of charge and very high quality.

CC Image courtesy of Bent Kure on Flickr

This list was updated in August of 2014 and July 2016.

Please note that just because I am recommending the podcast here does not mean that I agree with every viewpoint expressed by the podcast.

Here are my favorite fantastic podcasts: 

LEADERSHIP AND PRODUCTIVITY:

• “This is Your Life” (Michael Hyatt)

• “The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast”

• “The Ray Edwards Show“

• “The Church Leader’s Podcast“

• “The Multiplier Mindset” (Dan Sullivan)

• “The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast“

FAMILY ISSUES:

• “Family Talk” (James Dobson)

• “Focus on the Family” (Jim Daly)

• “Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman”

• “Family Life Today” (Dennis Rainey)

SERMONS:

• “Timothy Keller Podcast” (Redeemer Presbyterian Church)

• “Saddleback Church Weekend Messages” (Rick Warren)

• “Daily Radio Program with Charles Stanley”“Oak Hills Church” (Max Lucado and Randy Frazee)

• “Menlo Park Presbyterian Church Sermon-Cast” (John Ortberg)

• “Take 5” (short daily devotional with Don Sweeting)

APOLOGETICS (INTELLECTUAL DEFENSE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH):

• “Let My People Think” (Ravi Zacharias)

• “Reasonable Faith Podcast” (William Lane Craig)

• “Apologetics 315 Interviews” (Brian Auten)

• “Cold Case Christianity” (J. Warner Wallace)

NEWS AND COMMENTARY FROM A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE:

“The Briefing” by Albert Mohler

I’m discovering more fantastic podcasts regularly. These are the best I’ve found so far.

Do yourself a favor and check out fantastic podcasts!