Yesterday I had the honor of speaking at a PWOC retreat for the wives at Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay. Let me tell you, it was such a sacrifice to travel to Hawaii for this event. Just kidding–what joy to have an opportunity to come to Hawaii, run my mouth for Jesus, enjoy some friend time, and meet a whole new crop of amazing military wives. Blessed beyond measure for sure!

While things are fresh on my mind, I want to share a few highlights from the retreat content, My God Ears are On: The Quiet Time Guide.

I can’t hear you…I think I have a marshmallow in my ear!

• Learning to listen to a God that we cannot meet with face to face can be a confusing thing.
• Ever feel like there are marshmallows clogging your ears when it comes to hearing God?
• We long to hear from God, but sometimes lack confidence that God will speak personally to us.
• Ever been in that place of feeling like you are somehow missing something when it comes to hearing God?
• Hebrews 1:1 speaks to this very question that can plague our souls.

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son….”

This passage goes on to say that Jesus sustains everything by “the word of His power.”

Bottom Line:

God speaks through Jesus and  the sustaining power of His Word.

Expect to Hear from God

Learning to listen to God comes easier when we come with the faith and expectation that He will speak to us through His Word. For me, the essence of having my God ears on has everything to do with how I listen and what I do with what I hear.

It is so tempting to approach having a devotional time with God (Quiet Time) as one more good thing to be crammed into an over-loaded day. Ever catch yourself with the Wheaties mentality…”It’s supposed to be good for you…”, but your heart is chasing after other things?

Activity or Relationship?

When we begin to approach spending time with God as an activity rather than a relationship, we are missing the point. Hearing God through the Scriptures is about relationship. Too often, we are more focused on information and performance (doing what good Christians are supposed to do). The most important thing about having a Quiet Time is what God has to say, not how long I spent, or how many facts I can collect. It is a matter of the heart longing to grow deeper in relationship with the living, loving, ever-present God who specializes in grace.

Invited to enter in just as you are.

Listen to the heart of God for relationship in this verse that I have rephrased in first person: “Approach Me with confidence so that you may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of your need.”–Hebrews 4:16 rephrased.

This come-as-you-are invitation relieves us of the feeling that we must somehow get ourselves clean and polished before coming to God. God’s heart is wide open for relationship, and learning to recognize His voice breaks through the barrier of our misunderstanding and skewed expectations.

[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#hearingGod”]Begin to read the Bible as a conversation with the God who loves you more than you could ever understand.[/tweetthis]

3 Simple Ways to Listen to God:

Ask God to give you understanding, to speak to your heart. Begin reading a short passage of Scripture. As you read, consider these three questions

What does it say?

What does it mean?

What will I do about it?

As you read Scripture and listen, the Holy Spirit will speak, using your mind to direct attention and give insight, or sight into, what He wants to say to you today. As you listen, follow the train of Spirit-led thought.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”–John 16:13

Want to hear from God? Open that Bible and put your God Ears on.

What are you waiting for?