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Read:

Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

1 Samuel 3:10, “The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”

Think:

God speaks to us and wants to reveal Himself to us. Sometimes He invites us to join Him and participate in His purposes. Sometimes He issues an invitation to draw closer to Him and listen as He shares more about His character and direction. God doesn’t usually speak audibly, but He does speak. He will give you a sense of “speak to that person about me,” “go tell him that he is doing a good job,” “I am proud of you,” “sit by that person.”

When we say, “God speaks,” it can raise a lot of questions and cause some confusion, but the reality is that we can learn to recognize God’s voice just like we do a loved one’s: by knowing Him. Here are a few questions to ask if you think God is speaking to you:

1.       Does what I am hearing line up with the Bible? God will never speak or tell us anything that is contrary to His Word. But we need to study His Word to know if it is consistent.

2.       Is what I am hearing consistent with His character? God speaks in accordance with His character. He doesn’t change.

3.       Is what I am hearing confirmed through messages at church, what I’m reading during my quiet time, and through the words of wise people in my life? When God is speaking to me about a particular issue, it seems I am bombarded with messages. I can’t escape it. He repeats it again and again.

God is not a distant deity. He wants to be an active part of your life. Pay attention, God is at work!

Act:

Today as you pray, ask God to speak and listen. God wants to speak to you; write it down. Then check it out against the questions listed above.

Pray:

God, speak to me; I want to hear your voice. When I hear your voice give me boldness to act. Amen.