What Do You Do When You Listen to God?

What Do You Do When You Listen to God?

We've talked about listening to God and how to do that. But, here's a question. So, what do you do when we are listening to God? Are we doing anything?

The simplest is we should always be listening to God, even as we live. 

Okay... What does that mean? 

Most of the time we spend with God throughout our days and nights should be listening (and not talking or ignoring). So, that means the bulk of our time listening is as we carry on with life and do our normal life things: clean the house, cook, drive to work, work, watch TV, wait in line or for an appointment, eating and drinking, exercising, reading a book, etc. We should keep our minds and hearts turned toward Him and listen at all times. 

We should also realize that when we read and study the Bible, in times of prayer, and during our quiet times, and the times devoted to be just God and us alone with no distraction, we should also listen. This is the time I recommend before we start, while in the middle of, and after doing anything of spending quiet time with God, we should have times when we aren't doing anything and listen to God. 

During the quiet and alone time with God, I recommend not doing anything, but prayer journaling whatever He says. We may focus our thoughts by saying something from what we just read or studied, or a memory verse, or just, Lord, for example. Then, wait. When our minds wander, repeat one of those things. Bring our attention back to listening. I recommend doing this for at least ten minutes or so each time, if time allows. 

There will be days you might not hear a single thing from God. That's okay. There may even be weeks and months when this happened, but trust me, if you are regularly in the Word, this is very, very rare. God will talk if we are in His Word. He speaks every time, for it is the Word of God, the Holy Bible. 

But, if you don't hear anything from God, even after ten minutes or an hour, it's okay. Really. It's about being with Him. This matters more than anything. 

There are days my husband and I don't say much to each other at times. Does this mean we love each other less? No. Not at all. It's quite the opposite actually. We are comfortable enough with one another, our love, and marriage that we don't have to fill the quite times with words or actions. It's just being present that means so much. These quiet times I think make our marriage because we are able to hang out together with no pressure. We are not filling it with noise.

It's the same with God. Do not fill the silences. It's okay if you aren't hearing anything. Seriously. Just be present. He is. I guarantee you will get far more out of these nothing times than some times when He or you are talking a great deal. 

Silence is not bad. It's a lie we believe to think that this is the case. It's insecurity speaking as well. Be secure in your relationship with God, where there doesn't always have to be mindless, senseless conversation. There can be moments that are quite special where He and you give each other time. Time is the most precious gift we can give one another. Time is saying to one another, you're important and matter to me. Words and actions do not always convey this.

I also recommend having once a week where you have an hour or more where you do not do anything but listen to God. And, once a quarter, spend at least half a day in silence with God. Then, once a year, spend a day or more in silence.

All of that may sound extreme. Hours with God--just listening? Isn't this a waste of precious time?

Tell me something. Who is the most important one you should ever listen to? 

How can you hear God if you're always busy?

In the noise of this world, which surrounds us, it's hard to hear God. We need to be intentional about this.

Also, can we listen to God while we listen to music? Of course. If it brings us to worship, you bet. I recommend doing this each week as well. I even recommend having intentional time of this, along with listening to sermons as well. 

But, it's the silent times I recommend most. Sneak them in in segments throughout your day. It will bless you. God and you will develop a closer relationship. Your life will also transform.

At first, listening to God in the silence is awkward at best. But, don't give up. Keep doing it. In time, it gets easier. Practice makes it easier and more rewarding. Hang in there. Don't give up. And, don't fill the silences. Listen. Hang out with God if nothing else. Just be there--as He is. Enjoy one another's company. 

Can you think of anything more important or rewarding in your life? 

Enjoy God. That's what listening is. 

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease 2010-2014.)

Take advantage of opportunities

Snow: Is it yucky or is it an opportunity?

Snow: Is it yucky or is it an opportunity?

Is snow a pain, miserable, and yucky--or is it an opportunity? That is the question. 

The weather in my area has been below freezing for two days. We actually got some snow--and it rarely snows here. My husband has been on two-hour delays getting into work the last two mornings. 

Is the snow and ice yucky? Is it something to dislike? Is it something to groan about and complain? 

Snow shows the power and glory of God. The beauty is staggering. It brings moisture and freshens the air. 

Sure, it can be a challenge to drive in, but if you leave early enough (which is the key, by the way... just a tip from this Colorado native gal) , it can be fun. 

Another thing to love about snow: It makes breathing easy. I can breathe easier when it snows. 

Another two-hour delay of hubby going into work. That means less writing time for me today, which with a writing conference coming up, time is precious for my writing. But, do I focus here? No. No way. Why? I like to take advantage of opportunities. The snow brought us a special opportunity to do something unusual on a work day. We went out for breakfast. What a special time. 

Also, I rarely turn on my radio in the car. I use it for quiet time to be with God and listen. but, I turned it on today to a Christian music station--and the song that came on as I got close to home was one of my favorites. So, I sang at the top of my lungs and worshiped God through the glory and splendor of the snow. It gave me an opportunity I would not have had otherwise. I was able to have some special time with both my men this morning--God and hubby. 

Yep. Life is good. 

So, the next time you have something that your first instinct is to take as yucky in your life, turn it into something good. Take advantage of the opportunity God gives you through the yuck. 

To God be the glory!

(Images credit: Microsoft images online 2008-2014.) 

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 43:2

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 43:2

Isaiah 43:2 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
2 I will be with you
when you pass through the waters,
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
You will not be scorched
when you walk through the fire,

and the flame will not burn you. 

-- HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

What a sweet reminder.

God will be with us at all times. He is with us at all times. He's there in the good times, the tough times, and the in-between times. He's always, without fail there. 

When we do not hear Him, or feel Him, He's still there. It's us who are not listening as we could or should. Why aren't we listening? It's because, we are tempted, we aren't listening, we are too busy, too stressed, we sin, and/or most likely we haven't been in the Word throughout the day and night--today or in quite some time. Those are the reasons why we don't hear God. There may be times one or two of these may come to play in our lives and other times when they all do. 

Regardless, remember this. Jesus died for this, too. We are forgiven. We just need to cling to Him, to the Bible, be with Him, and let go of the chaos in our lives. We also need to read this verse. That will sure help. 

God is with us now. The Almighty God, the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present God is with us now--whether it's a time of trial or a time of joy. He is with us. Even now. Look around. Listen. He calls. He is waiting. 

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online 2008-2014.)

How do we hear the voice of God (or how do we hear God)?

How do we hear the voice of God (or how do we hear God)?

How do we listen to God? The simplest and best answer to this question is: We hear God through the Bible, when we pray, through the Church, and others. 

This then brings up another question: How do we know it's God and not the enemy or our own wishful thinking?

God will repeat what He says in multiples ways at multiple times. He would prefer us to respond immediately, but if we are testing to make sure it is Him and not someone or something else, He will cut us some grace. 

So, how do we do this and what does it look like?

First of all, open the Bible, read one word. Guess what? You just heard from God. Read more of the Bible and you'll hear more from Him. He will speak to you as you read the Word. I guarantee it. He speaks through His Word and into our hearts as He tells us what the verse means for us and our lives today. 

Rule of Thumb: What God says NEVER contradicts His Bible.  

The more we are in the Word of God, the Bible, each day, the more we will hear from God.

If we are not in the Bible each day, we cans till hear God in other ways and through others, but is it really God speaking? Or is it our own wishful thinking or the enemy? That is the question. If we are not in the Bible, we are blowing around in the wind like a windsock, not having any control. We are waving around, but do not have focus. We are going every way imaginable, hoping to find our way and settle down. But, this is wrong. It's only through being in the Word throughout the day and night that we can guarantee we hear God. The Bible is our focal point. It keeps us on the path and prevents us from wandering aimlessly. 

We will hear from God in the Scripture. 

From there, we will have it verified in other ways. God will make sure He gets His message through to us, as long as we are praying for it (and in our prayer journaling). How He does this is through confirming it through others, through the church, through a radio ministry, in our Bible study (personal and in group), and through our prayers. Each becomes an exclamation point. 

So, how do we hear God? It's most importantly through being in the Bible throughout the day and night, every day. After all, the Bible is the WORD OF GOD. It's how He speaks to us.

So, read through your Bible this year or over the next two. Find a plan and stick to it. I recommend this. You can go to their website on your laptop or PC, and they also have an app for your cell or e-reader. It is YouVersion: https://www.bible.com/.

Another thing to remember is to listen about 75% of your prayer time. God cannot get through to us if we are talking so much He can't get a word in and we sure cannot hear Him if we are babbling. 

God speaks to us all the time. We just need to listen and be in the Word all day and night. 

TIP: Every day, I pick at least one verse I want to pray all day and night. God speaks to me through it. I carry it with me everywhere I go and look at it at every opportunity. Moreover, I think on it and chew on it throughout the day and night as well. This is the best way God speaks to me. It's always a verse I choose from my Bible reading or studying of the day. 

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease 2009-2014.)

Thought to Pray and Ponder Ephesians 1:7-11

Thought to Pray and Ponder  Ephesians 1:7-11

Ephesians 1:7-11 / New Living Translation (NLT)
7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.  
-- NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.  

Ruminations and Praying the Word of God and Matthew 6:33

Ruminations and Praying the Word of God and Matthew 6:33

(Ponderings, Contemplations, Meditations)

Let's begin with the verse we looked at earlier to ponder and pray: Matthew 6:33. After all, there is nothing more simple than this verse. We can build our entire lives off of this verse and study no more in all actuality. It's the essence and foundation of the Christian faith. Isn't it? Take a look at it.

Matthew 6:33 / Expanded Bible (EXB)
33 ·Seek first [Be concerned above all else with] God’s kingdom and ·what God wants [his righteousness]. Then all ·your other needs will be met as well [these things will be given to you].
--  EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Now, do the instructions for Ruminations and Praying the Word, found here: 
http://agodlyvision.blogspot.com/2014/01/ruminations-and-praying-word-of-god.html

ADDITIONAL POINTS TO PRAYER JOURNAL AND CONTEMPLATE

1 Seek first. Do this first. Focus on this first and foremost, above all. First. Not last. Not second or third. First. Not later. Now. 

2 What are we to seek first? 

3 What is the kingdom of God? 

4 The kingdom of God is eternity. It's eternal life in and with Jesus Christ. It's heaven. It's the afterlife. It's forever. It is the life to come after this earthly and fleshy life. 

5 Seek first eternity. Not anything or anyone of this world. Keep eternity in mind first, foremost, above all, and always. 

6 Concern myself with eternity first. Let this be what I think about and focus on above all else. 

7 And, concern myself at the same time, with as much importance, what God wants from me now and today. 

8 Then He will give me everything I need. He determines what I need, from how I put eternity and what He wants from me now in this moment first. I do not decide what I want or need. He does. And, it's all determined by how I seek eternity first and what He wants first. 

9 It isn't about me, or anyone else, or anything else. It's all about Him and eternity with Him.

Matthew 6:33 / New Living Translation (NLT)
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  

--  NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.  

Matthew 6:33 / New Century Version (NCV)

33 Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well. 

--   NCV: Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

Ruminations and Praying the Word of God: An Introduction

Ruminations and Praying the Word of God: An Introduction

(Ponderings, Contemplations, Meditations)  

Today, I'm going to start a daily blog post segment called, "RUMINATIONS: PRAYING THE WORD OF GOD." What it is is ruminating, pondering, contemplating, meditating, chewing on, thinking about, and praying the Bible and Word of God. I will talk about how this leads to A SIMPLE STILL SILENT FAITH in some of those posts and will leave it to you in others. It will be a devotional Bible study and a praying the Word and prayer journaling spiritual discipline. 

WHAT IS RUMINATING THE WORD OF GOD (THE BIBLE) ANYWAY?
What a fancy word, RUMINATIONS. It sounds impressive, doesn't it?  It means to chew on, contemplate, ponder, meditate upon, mull over, consider, study, digest, etc. 

Ruminating the Word of God is to do all of that. It's that simple.

When we ruminate on Scripture, we pray for God to speak to us through the verse, for our hearts and minds to be open, and for Him to tell us what it means and how we are to apply it to our lives. We listen 95% of the time and speak the other 5% as we ruminate. 

First, read the verse or passage all the way through rather rapidly. Get a feel as to what it is talking about. Prayer journal as you go and write anything that jumps out at you and anything God says to you. Write questions you might have. 

From here, prayer journal anything God says to you about each word, anything you say to God, what He wants you to apply to your life, questions you have, and whatever jumps out at you, etc.. Do this with each of the 6 segments below. Take your time. The idea is to allow God to fill you with thoughts, not for you to think. If your mind wanders, repeat the word or phrase you are ruminating. Listen to God and keep yourself open to Him and His promptings and instructions.

Also, if at any times, God tells you to stop and ruminate over a certain word or phrase for a longer time length, then by all means stop. Keep praying. Keep prayer journaling. 

There have been times when I have prayed the Word and a verse for several years or just a day. So, do not be surprised if God has you linger on something until you gain as much clarity and insight from Him as possible. 

The point of praying the Word and ruminating on it is to allow the Word to become part of your life. 
Ruminate on a verse for at least an entire day and night. If God wants you to continue with it the next day, ask Him to let you know then. Although, He might let you know the moment you see a verse He wants you to spend some time in the verse and in that specific Word. 

1 As we read the verse, we read it slowly. Very slowly. Read it slower than you have ever read anything. Read one word and stop. Let this echo through your mind and heart. Repeat it over an over as the full meaning of the word comes to mind. Do this even if it's the words: a, the, to, at, etc. Remain open to god as you do this.

2 Once you get to the end of the verse, break it into two word segments and repeat #1 in the same manner. Do more of the same.

3 Then, break it into three word segments.

4 Then, break it to the first punctuation mark, second one, etc. until you reach the final period.

5 Then, break it in half.

6 Then, do the entire verse again. 

I prayer journal the entire time, whenever I start to ruminate and pray a verse or passage of Scripture. After all, prayer journaling keeps me focused. My mind tends to be unruly at times and needs discipline. Prayer journaling helps with this for me. 

Also, I print out the verse in at least my favorite version of the Bible, if not in multiple. I try to ponder all of them. Right now, I'm using several versions of Mathew 6:33, for example, to ruminate and pray the Word. 

I then think of the phrase that jumped out at me most from that verse every moment for the rest of the day and night. And, I try to re-read it whenever I can, for I carry the multiple versions of the verse with me everywhere I go. 

CARRYING THE VERSES TO RUMINATE AND FOR PRAYING THE WORD

Come up with the system that works for you. 

And, if it stops working, try another system.

Right now, I print all of my versions of my rumination verse onto an 8.5 x 11 letter sized sheet of paper. I do it in 14 point type so I can read it from far away. 

Then, I fold the sheet into thirds. If type gets caught off, I will add a space between lines. 

Also, I only use the top two-thirds of the sheet. The last third is kept empty/blank. 

Then, I punch the left-hand side with two holes and I use two paper rings to bind them together. I add to it at least once page, if not more, throughout the day each day. I add it to the bottom of the pile.

When the rings get full, with too many pages, I take the top week of papers off and add them to the previous/old book. I either carry the old book with me as well or I leave it on my desk where I still go through it from time to time. I try to go through it each week as well. The only exception of not removing is if there are verses God wants me to ruminate and pray back to Him for longer. Then, I take other pages out from the next week and move them to the previous/old book. 

I fold my pages in half because when I work-out, that's when I ruminate on them over and over and repeat them over and over to the point I memorize them accidentally. It's handy for when I am getting ready in the morning, when I cook, as I wait on hold or stand in a line, etc. 

Find your favorite system today. Be willing to change if it stops working. Just make sure you carry several with you at one time.

I try to carry at least one month of verses, and usually three months, to ruminate with me at all times. 

Find your system. 

Thought to Pray and Ponder: Ephesians 1:7-14 EXB

Thought to Pray and Ponder: Ephesians 1:7-14 EXB

Ephesians 1:7-14 / Expanded Bible (EXB)
7 In ·Christ [him] we ·are set free [have been redeemed/purchased] by ·the blood of his death [his blood; blood signifies his sacrificial death], and so we have forgiveness of sins. ·How rich is [or This redemption reveals the wealth of;  …according to the riches of] God’s grace, 8 which he has ·given to us so fully and freely [lavished on us]. With ·full [all] wisdom and understanding [this phrase may go with the previous sentence], 9 God let us know ·his secret purpose [or the mystery of his will; a “mystery” in Scripture is something God had not previously disclosed]. This was what ·God wanted [pleased him], and he ·planned to do it [or set it forth; publicly revealed it] through Christ. 10 His goal was to carry out his plan, ·when the right time came [or at the time of fulfillment; in the fullness of the times], that all things in heaven and on earth would be ·joined together [unified; or summed up; or renewed] in Christ as the head.
11 In Christ we ·were chosen to be God’s people [have received/were given our part of an inheritance], ·because from the very beginning God had decided this [L having been predestined] in keeping with his plan. And he is the One who ·makes everything agree [or accomplishes everything in accord] with what he decides and wants. 12 We are the first people who hoped in ·Christ [the Messiah], and we were chosen so that we would bring praise to God’s glory. 13 So it is with you. When you heard the ·true teaching [message/word of truth]—the ·Good News about [Gospel of] your salvation—you believed in Christ. ·And in Christ, God put his special mark of ownership on you by giving you […having been sealed with] the Holy Spirit that he had promised. 14 That Holy Spirit is the ·guarantee [down payment; deposit] ·that we will receive what God promised for his people [L of our inheritance]until ·God gives full freedom to those who are his [or we acquire possession of it; L the redemption of the possession; v. 7]—to bring praise to God’s glory.  

--  EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.   

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease)

Verse to Ponder: Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33

1

  Matthew 6:33 / New Living Translation (NLT)
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
--  NLT: Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

2
// Matthew 6:33 / Expanded Bible (EXB)
33 ·Seek first [Be concerned above all else with] God’s kingdom and ·what God wants [his righteousness]. Then all ·your other needs will be met as well [these things will be given to you].

--  EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

3
// Matthew 6:33/ The Message (MSG)
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  
--  MSG: Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

4
//  Matthew 6:33 / Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.  
--  HCSB: Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

Simplify Your Life: Listen most and pray the Word

Thought to Pray and Ponder: Psalm 36:5-6

Thought to Pray and Ponder

Psalm 36:5-6 / The Message (MSG)

5-6 God’s love is meteoric,
    his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic,
    his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
    nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
    slips through the cracks.  

--  MSG: Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.