When the disciples spotted Jesus in the distance walking toward them atop a stormy sea they screamed out in terror. It was like the worst horror movie and they were in it! Before they were able to jump overboard Jesus called out, "Don't be afraid, it's Me!" (Matthew 14:27) Their hearts went from panic to praise. They must have pointed at one another saying, "He got you, didn't He!"
So many Christians have great difficulty hearing from God. "I just don't seem to be able to hear God at all.", "How do you know it is God speaking?" Entire church groups are convinced God no longer has anything else to say than what is already written in the Bible. Yet, the hunger and desire to hear God has given birth to astrology, horoscopes and the occult. The devil will gladly accommodate the vacuum that occurs when God's voice is not being heard.
It is often the person that is under a lot of pressure who has the greatest difficulty hearing God speak. Too many Christians are trying to hear God with their natural mind. This is not possible. "The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God...because they are spiritually discerned."(1Corinthians 2:14) It's a bit like trying to find an AM radio station on the FM band; You can scan all you like, but it simply isn't there.
Often, when least effort is made, the Spirit of God will drop something into our mind. This is why it is not uncommon to hear God in our 'waking moments', just before you are fully awake. What's the key? You cannot 'try' to hear God, just as you cannot 'try' to walk on water.
Everything God has for you is received by faith. Often God wants to say things to me that I have difficulty believing. It is simply much better than I had expected. Consequently, I dismiss it. "...neither has it entered into the heart of a man the things God has prepared for those that love Him" (1Corinthians 2:9)
Here are 3 simple keys to hearing God speak:
First of all, you must believe it is His Will for you to hear His voice. As long as you are in doubt about that, you will continue to scan the FM radio-band! You need to find out what God has to say about your privilege in hearing His voice, not from someone's opinion, but from the Scriptures. There are so many promises He has made about that.
Second, you must rest from trying to hear anything and turn off the noise that is inside your head. Your mind is a wonderful thing, but when it comes to hearing from God it can get in the way. Often I will know the course of action God wants me to take, but my mind is still catching up on the details!
Finally, thank the Lord, in between moments of silence. These last 2 points really work together, even though I am mentioning them in point form. Speaking words of thanksgiving in a whisper, sets the tone for your spirit to hear God speak.
At some point you will experience receiving thoughts, insights and impressions of the Holy Spirit. The experience will move your expectation to a point where hearing from God will become as real as speaking to Him!
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