Part 1- How CAN We Hear from God? (7 of 21 Ways)

Jean Oathout shares some interesting thoughts with us today about hearing from God.

It happens that we may know where another person is coming from, and what their usual message is, so we may tend to hesitate to ask for their input on something that we’re struggling with. 

When a person desires to hear from God, he may find that He will answer in a variety of ways. The question is, does he really want to hear from Him?

As we like to be in control, it may be hard to ask for help from God. But it happens, though, that when we've come to the end of ourselves, we tend to do so. True?

Some names God is known by: Almighty, Holy, All-Powerful, Just, All-Knowing, and Omnipresent. Many folks may not even ask to know what He would tell them, for fear of what He would say.

It’s good to understand: God is also kind, gracious, merciful, patient, loves us unconditionally, and desires for us to be blessed. Remembering this, may we be spurred on to find out just how He will speak to us.

I’ve made a list of 21 ways I've seen that God speaks. Here are the first 7 for you. May you recognize some different ways God may use to minister to you:

1. The Bible- Now, this is the most effective for me! When I read it, I look for special verses that address what I’m concerned with. It has been the life-giving source for many years, and 
I look to its inspiration, correction, and comfort.

2. Journaling- Write down your thoughts of what you believe God is speaking to you. They can be such a blessing to you later when you read them again! Even though you may not be sure at the time that He really did give you those thoughts, you can test them to see if they have inspiration and encouragement in them for you.

3. Daily Devotional-  Whether it's Our Daily Bread, Billy Graham's Unto the Hills, Frances Gregory Pasch's Double Vision, Dr. Charles Stanley's magazine, InTouch, or one of many others, we are amazed at how the day's devotion often is just what we needed at the time!

4. Worship Service at church—No doubt the songs we sing in the services have messages that can minister to us. When we hear the songs being sung, especially the old familiar ones we’ve grown to know and love, we’re blessed with the presence of the One to whom we’re singing. Be sure to pray for the worship team and leader to pick the songs we need to sing which will minister to us.

5. Trusted friends-  Pray for them to have heard from God for your edification, and to guide you to honor and glorify Him in what you do. (see 1 Peter 4:10-11)

6. Pastors- Thank God for caring pastors! They are given directions by the Holy Spirit to instruct us, and to bring loving correction when needed. We will do well to listen carefully, and to heed what they advise. When apologies are in order for something we've said or done, it is to our benefit to follow through and do it. God will help us! 

7. Circumstances-   “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” 2 Tim. 1:6-7. As we look to Him, He will help us walk through whatever 
we’re confronted with. 

This is just a partial list of ways to hear from God. I will be offering two more posts for the 21st & 22nd (eve), to cover the rest of the ways I've discovered God speaks to us).

The way God chooses to speak to you will be just what you need. As we’re all different, coming from different “walks of life”, some ways will be more effective for you.

Five Easy Steps To Reading The Bible appeared first on Jill Savage.

(This is an excellent message by her friend, Donna Jones. I encourage you to check it out).

In Acts 12:7-11, you can read how the Spirit speaks through different ways to His people, as He determines. Hopefully, He has given us leaders who have the words of wisdom, the words of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and those who can interpret the tongues. These are for the common good of us all.

The Holy Spirit is our Helper. It is He Who gives us understanding of each spiritual gift and how it works, the applications of the gifts, and how to exercise them. We are encouraged to become comfortable with using the particular gifts we've been given for the edification of other believers.

It is important to stay close to the Lord and to listen to His voice. His Spirit within us as believers in Christ, will help us become more attentive to what the Father directs.

Understanding God’s ways of speaking to you will cause you to be more open and can help you learn of His way for you.

If you haven't made the decision to become a Christ follower, I encourage you to give Him your heart and life right now. He's listening, and He will answer your heart's cry for salvation. (see John 3:16). 

Surrender your all to God, and see what happens! Go to a Bible-believing church to get the spiritual nourishment you'll need to live for Him.

Part 1- How CAN we hear from God? By Jean Oathout

Will we Listen?

When troubles come, we know they will.

Are we quite apt to cry?

God asks us then that we be still

And not to question, "Why"?

It's for our good we look to Him;

Be quiet, and listen. 

Our natural ways will become sin, 

If we don't want to bend. 

It will be good to start to learn 

What God does have to say. 

May we lay down our own concern 

To then find out God's way. 

By Jean Oathout

(Store this link: Jean's blog for checking the posts from time to time)

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Let's pray:

   Father, I'm open to learn about ways You may choose to speak to me. Please give me more sensitive ears to receive Your words, which come to me in various ways. Help me listen for You to speak to me when Your Word is preached. 

  When others speak into my life, may I remember that it may very well be how You've chosen to get my attention. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Deu. 10:17 "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."

17th- Tuesday’s post:  #93  Open Communication  
C. Peter Wagner
19th-  Thursday's post:  #94  Confidentiality  
C. Peter Wagner
21st- Saturday's post:  Part 2- How CAN We Hear from God? (8-14 of 21 ways) Jean Oathout
22nd- Sunday's post:  Praying Scripture Over Children  
Sharon Jaynes 

A popular post:  Making Right Choices 
Mary Southerland tells us today , "The fact is, as long as I live in this fallen world and sport this frail humanity, I will wrestle with sin and making right choices." [Her advice?] "Run from sin … and commit to making right choices."

How Great is our God!
He created this for us!

Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse  

Bridal Shower Devotional: Bridal

Wisdom for Women

Samples of Jean's crafts

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