Are you okay with listening to His Spirit within?
In the quiet? Just you and Him and a notebook or journal and pen?
Are you willing to write down what you sense He says?
If so, tell me more.
If not, what stops you?
Do you believe God still speaks today?
As I’ve mentioned I’ve written for years now what I sense God says to me. At first I felt like I was making things up. I didn’t trust what I sensed I heard. But as I’ve continued to take time to be still and listen, I’ve grown in confidence. Today, without a doubt, I believe I hear God’s whisper. Sometimes the words I hear are so amazing, I am taken into a deeper place of worship. I feel so content. So loved.
Here’s an entry of listening I wanted to share, may you be encouraged by these words from April of 2004. I love looking back at how He has directed my steps. He is such an amazing God.
“My bride, where are you? Why are you not getting ready? You must start preparing. You must not waste your days away. Listen to my voice. Follow me. I will show you the way to everlasting life. Remain in me. Do not wander. Come as you are. Bow down before me. Give me your all. Surrender to the shaping process. Admit your needs. Prepare your heart. Enter into my sanctuary. I am your God. Quit worrying. Lay down your fears. Have faith, believe, trust me no matter what life brings you. I am a good God. My plans include you. I have created you for good works. Prepare yourself.”
The best part about sitting and listening is the fact that much of what I hear is Scripture. Often, the Spirit brings to mind His Word. That’s one way I know I hear His voice, it lines up with truth!
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me,” John 10:27 (emphasis mine).
(added more of my thoughts into the comment section for further explanation)
I definitely hear His voice. Sometimes it’s in the stillness of the night after hubby is in bed. Other times it’s a passage of Scripture or something I’ve seen in nature. His ways of speaking to me have grown more precious with each passing year. My heart grieves for friends of mine that know Him as Savior and yet say they never hear Him speak. I can not comprehend this.
I love listening. I have conversations with Him all the day long. One of the things that most frustrates me is when the Spirit of God is moving so profoundly in an atmosphere, and others are too quick to leave His presence. So much is missed because of this.
God speaks to me alot while I’m sleeping. I wrote this poem one early morning when He did just that.
WORDS WHEN I REST
By Bonnie
I sleep,
I toss,
I turn,
I dream,
when inspiration comes to me.
Words just come
creativity strikes,
“Why now Lord”, I ask?
“Don’t question, just write”.
Now that I’m awake
not so easily do words come,
I wonder my Lord, for you is this fun?
Is it your desire to give the inspiration,
when it’s not tried and forced contemplation?
In the slumber and peace that you give me in bed,
when nothing else is polluting my head?
In the sweet rest my body craves and needs,
is this when you choose to give words to me?
You’re beautiful God,
and yes, this does make sense,
creation is better when we’re not all tense.
I’ll write down these words that you put in my head,
and I’ll take my pen and paper with me to bed.
– This was long, I know. But, I do so appreciate sharing my thoughts with you!
Much love,
Bonnie
extendedhope.com
My problem with listening to God is that there are so many distractions vying for my attention. However, when I am still before Him and spend time focusing on praying and reading my Bible, He does speak. The other morning I was feeling so down and the words to a particular verse just spoke to my spirit. I’d read those words many times before but they were just what I needed at this time in my life. I cried because I realized that the Lord was speaking to me!
Dear Tiffany, Thank you so much for sharing for even as I read your entry I felt the Lord echoing those words to me. Sometimes I write down what I hear, sometimes-mostly not. I so want to hear Him more clearly and learn to be still and listen.
Thanks for sharing.
Love in Him,
Noreen
Beautiful! His words are beautiful and I am praising God they landed on a listening heart!
Beautiful words Tiffany! I am so thankful that God speaks to us. I only wish I took more time to listen. I am trying more these days and thanking Him for His words of life.
Thanks for sharing my friend!
I hope you have a great week!
Keep listening….
I love spending time alone with God and hearing His voice. I so not always spend that time with Him as I should.
Tiffany,
I loved this post and I LOVE listening to what the Lord has for me each day. I also record my “hearings” in a daily journal.
Imagine—King of Kings—with a soft word for us!
Bless you friend,
pat
Quick note to say I am not trying to make anyone feel pressured or guilty to sit and listen to God. God’s ways are not ours. Rather, I’m trying to show there is always a reward when we do. I’m no expert on stillness and listening, however I’m always hungry to hear His voice.
So my friends, no condemnation. This post is just a carrot dangling for you to go to that secret place with Him. He’s waiting to speak!
Yes, I believe He speaks today, Tiffany! I have heard His voice in many ways. It’s difficult to describe, how He whispers. But you are right, it usually comes in those quiet times with Him…such intimacy, and I am poised to hear.
I love this post, His word is alive and active!!
Amen, Praise God, Tiffany.
I don’t journal these things on paper. I’ve tried keeping a paper journal it it never works out. So, when the online journaling came along I really appreciated it. I don’t journal the way most people do with notes and so on like you’ve described. When I feel the Lord speaking to me through scripture or a devotion I take mental note of it and savor it for a bit, then voila, the Lord gives me a blog post.
I love all the blogs I follow because they too are an inspiration.
Thank you.
Another point worth mentioning is realizing we are all unique. Our God-given design will determine how we go about hearing His voice. I love that Kimberly records what she hears on her blog. I do that too. An online record. What an opportunity to share with the world.
There is no formula. No rules. Only an open invitation from the King of kings! He wants to speak to His children. His love calls us.
This was beautiful!