Darren and I were at a great party last evening – and Darren felt led to share parts of his story with one of the attendees.  Which – if anyone reading knows my dear husband – he doesn’t really speak in a crowd. Maybe one on one with alot of trust – but not anything personal.  Past stories, yes, but current – not so much.  So – He is going along sharing what the Lord has done in his life this past year – and weaves in and out what the Lord layed on his heart here and there to move us in different directions.  One direct part of the story – was when we filled out an application for the Florence Bi-Mart -but then I didn’t feel the Lord wanted me to mail it to them at that time.  However, I did keep it – and Darren used that application as a resource on other job interviews – since it resembles a Federal Student Aid package and dates back to about 1985 in work performance.  Hmmmm?  Why didn’t we send it?  Um. Well. The timing didn’t seem right.  I didn’t feel that the Lord wanted me to mail it.  When the Bend opening came up – it was all ready and filled out – typed up – about 10 pages – and in an instant Darren was qualified for the position. It was God’s timing. Again with the question – How did you know? How did God tell you? What did you hear? How did you hear it.How would I explain this to a new Christian?    We talked and gave examples – but our faith and hearing are strong. We’ve been exercising them for years – how do you explain the certainty to a new Christian?

I woke up this morning with what seemed like a clear answer.  "How do you hear my voice?  Read what I have said.  Learn the clarity of who I am in what I have written. My Word is clear – My Word is living.  Read my Word and you will hear my Voice."   Wow.

My mind turned to Blogs. I just love blog surfing. People will write out journals on line discussing things they would never talk about in public.  It seems like there is not an appropriate time to talk through deep thoughts and personal feelings at the park.  However, it is a calming almost medicating time of typing or writing out thoughts on paper or blog.  Those writings are personal. They  show you who that person is.  Or who they want to be. Or who they wish they weren’t . What they did throughout the day. What they are planning and training for. They give advice from experiences they’ve been through, mess ups and triumphs.

Do you think that journaling and blogging is new?  No. Of course not.  God was the originator of the Write it Down theory.  It was so important to Him that we know who He is – that He directed the pen of many a man to write down His exact thoughts.  Do you have any idea how I lament over not being able to write my exact thoughts down?  Would be handy. Anyways – See – I gotta focus . . . .God writes it down!  I did a search in the New Living Translation and there were over 1500 references to Hear.  There were over 180 references to Voice.  How important it is that it is weaved through the Bible that God Hears Us – He wants us to Hear Him!  John 10 talks of the sheep that hear His voice and follow him.  Hebrews 3 warns us not to be like the Israelites who with hardened hearts did not hear his Voice – and wandered in the wilderness.

So – After prayer and reading scripture – and talking to Him myself –

I would start in the Word.  Read a Psalm and a Proverb each day.  Take time with pen in hand to write down the verses that relate to you today.  Write down something you learned about God.

More focused?  Write out the Lords Prayer – in a notebook – with tabbed sections.

Our Father Who art In Heaven Hallowed be thy Name. – Write down the attributes of God that come to mind.

They kingdom come – they Will Be done – On Earth as it is in Heaven.  – Pray for your family. Pray for your friends. Write down their names. Space it out for notes.  Ask of what he wants to accomplish in your life. With the ministries He has you involved in.

Give us this day. Our Daily Bread. Here ask about what I need for the day. Financially, Emotionally . Spiritually, Physically. If I am worrying about an upcoming financial situation – I write it here and give it to Him.

Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Here I take a serious moment of silence.  Asking God to reveal anyone I have wronged or left unforgiven, or surface forgave and have a seed of bitterness that might sprout a root.

And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us From Evil. – If I have temptations that overwhelm – I lay them down here.

For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory – Forever. Writing down my thoughts of thankfulness for his Awesome interaction with my daily life!

Amen.

Now You can look at what you just wrote down.  See what you have peace over. See what you wrote that you hadn’t remembered before.  See how you were directed to pray for someone that you didn’t know to pray for before.

Do a word study on Hear – Voice – Thoughts.  It should quickly become clear how important it is that we Hear him.

Isaiah 55:8

⁸“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.

“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

Be intentional.  Start with the Clear Word.  Ask God to separate your thoughts from  His Voice. Ask him for confidence. Ask. Him. Invite Him.

^{Rev 3: 20}“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.