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1 ,, I HEARING GOD'SVOICE(Reflection Questions/Scriptures to Remember)"8ut Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed"(Luke 5:16). Do you sometimes avoid silence,afraid of what God might actually have to say to you?'Search me, God, and know my hearg test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is anyoffensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.' Psalm 139:23-24."Search your hearts and be silenf'(Psalm 4:4). Why is silence so hard to deal with? Do you eversurround yourcelf with noise intentionally?oBe still, and know that ! am God'(Psalm 46:10). What kind of noise do you have in your life? Doesmy schedule, my time, my life look like that of a penson who wants to hear God's voice? What aresome things in your daily life you could change to eliminate some of the noise?

2 "After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentlewhisper" (1 Kings 19:12). !s it possible that you've been searthing for God in the theearthquakes and and He's waiting to speak to you in the silence?As you think about the times you don't hear from God consider this question: 'Am I expecting to hearfrcm God?" How has this series changed your perception on hearing God's voice?Am I too distracted to hearfrom God?"Listen to my voice in the morning, [ord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and waitexpectantly.' (lrsalm 5:3, NtT)'"[he one who enterc by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him,and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he hasbrought out al!]]

3 His own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know hisvoice." (John 10:2-4)"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God." (Romans 8:14)HEARING GOD'SVOICE(REVTEW POTNTS)1. Centralto God's uniqueness is His "spokenness". The God of the Bible is a revealing God. Thefact that He created us to speak and hear says something about the kind of relationship Hewants with Hearing God's voice is normal discipleship. We were created for communion with The most important thing is the choice to listen. Listening is intentional; good hearers make thedecision to be so. How often does God get our undivided attention?4. God still speaks and has something to say to Every religion offers principles for a better life, but the God of the Bible invites us into a dynamicrelationship with Him.

4 God still speaks. Our relationship with the God of heaven is a dialogue,not a The Bible is completety the Word of God. The first and best way to improve your hearing is todevour God speaks through the Holy Scriptures, creation, dreams, visions, angels, our circumstances,our faith family, promptings of the Holy lt takes a commitment to tune out the other noise. life with God is so much richer when I don'tdo all the Many of us grew up thinking of God as mute except for what He said in the Bible. You do notlisten for someone you do not expect to Deciding to listen is a choice. Your ears are not really open when your mind is somewhere truth is that often when God calls the line is busy on our end. ("choked by life's worries,riches and pleasures", Luke 8:14). Does our wealth afford us so many toys and gadgets thatGod's voice is drowned out by all the ambient noise?

5 !s your life too loud to hear God's voice?11. You cannot stiff-arm the Holy Spirit in one part of your life and expect Him to speak intoanother. "tf I had cherished sin in my hea4, the Lord woutd not have tistened.' (Psalm 66:18).Unconfessed and unaddressed sin may not be the reason you have not heard from God, but itcould be a Our goal for communing with God should not be to get something from God, but to get God is not about getting Him to endorse my agenda, is about helping me embrace GOD'S VOICE(pRAcflcAr succEsiloNs FoR HEARING HrS VO|CE)OfferThese Prayers:1) Ask God to help you hear what He says to you throuBhout the day and Ask God to sharpen your spiritual "listening skills'.Practical Suggestions:1) Designate some time as quiet time with you and the Lord. (Reading your Bible, ln prayer foryou and for other, reading spiritual books, listening to sermon lessonslDon't wait for time toopen up.

6 During this time, practice "Being Still" or being intentionally silent before God. Close your timein silence with a prayer of gratitude for God's prEsence $rith ) EXPECT God's communication with you throughout the day and ) Drive to and from work on select days without the radio ) Take a short walk in silence and enjoy time with ) As you go through the day turn off any unnecessary surrounding noise (again use your drivetimes as sared space / when at home keep the TV Find scriptures that directly speak to what you may be dealing with or battling in your life andmeditate upon ) Think back to some of your most recent prayens and ask God to examine your motives for yourrequests. Sit silently and allow the Holy Spirit to guide this time as you seek greater intimacywith Father as He moves you from your agenda to ) Practice this verse.

7 'Find a quiet, secluded space so you won't be tempted to role-play beforeGod. Just be there as simply and honestly as you ciln manage. The focus will shift from you toGod, and you will begin to sense His grace." (MaHhew 6:6, MSG)10) Be open to God about sin and shortcomings in your life. Don't pretend ifs not there.