have you ever wondered why sometimes life feels like a whisper calling you to pause reflect and truly listen could it be that God is trying to get your attention imagine you're standing in a crowded room filled with noise chatter and distractions suddenly someone calls your name but amidst the chaos you struggle to hear it could it be that this is how God feels when he's calling us trying to get through all the noise we surround ourselves with today I want to share a message that I believe God wants you to hear one that will touch
your heart encourage your faith and help you see his hand in every part of your life listening to God is not just a suggestion it's an invitation to transformation this is not a coincidence you are here for a reason God speaks to us in many ways through his word through others and through the circumstances of Our Lives the Bible tells us in John 10:27 my sheep listen to my voice I know know them and they follow me God desires a relationship with us one where we hear and respond to his voice but in our busy
noisy World listening can be a challenge in Deuteronomy 6:4 we find the words here o Israel the Lord Our God the Lord is one God's First Command to his people was to hear him this isn't just about hearing with our ears but engaging our hearts to understand and respond the first step in understanding this message is recognizing that God has always been speaking think about the story of n Nam Moses and the burning bush ning and your Exodus 31-12 Moses was tending sheep when he saw a bush that was burning but not consumed it was
only when Moses turned aside to look that God spoke to him what does this tell us sometimes God uses extraordinary moments to capture our attention but we must choose to pause and listen God doesn't always speak with thunder or earthquakes sometimes his voice is a gentle whisper in Myers Kings 191113 Elijah experienced this firsthand after a wind storm an earthquake and a fire Elijah finally heard God in a still Small Voice could it be that we often miss God's voice because we're waiting for something dramatic while he's speaking Softly tenderly have you ever had a
moment in life where everything seemed to stop a situation so unusual or unexpected that you couldn't ignore it maybe it was a loss a challenge or even a blessing that came out of nowhere these moments are often God's way of saying be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10 think about your own life when was the last time you felt a nudge in your spirit an inner conviction or a sense of peace about a decision these moments are not coincidences they are God speaking directly to you listening to God requires intentionality but let's
be honest we often struggle to make space for him we live in a world that demands our attention with endless notifications responsibilities and worries in watch Luke 10 38:42 we read about Martha and Mary Martha was busy preparing for Jesus while Mary sat At His Feet listening to his teaching when Martha complained Jesus said Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her the lesson here is clear it's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and miss the voice of God are you more like Martha or
Mary ignoring God's voice can lead to restlessness and missed opportunities in Proverbs 1: 24-28 God says but since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand I will laugh when disaster strikes you these are strong words but they remind us of the consequences of turning a deaf ear to him God speaks through his word the Bible is not just a book it's a living breathing message from God to his people in second Timothy 3:16 17 we read all scripture is God breathed and is useful ful
for teaching rebuking correcting and training in righteousness when was the last time you truly opened your Bible not out of Duty but with a heart ready to listen God also speaks through people remember the story of young Samuel in 1 Samuel 31:10 Samuel was lying down in the temple when he heard God calling him he thought it was Eli the priest but Eli eventually realized it was the Lord Eli told Samuel to respond Speak Lord for your servant is listening sometimes God uses the wisdom of others to guide us are there people in your life
who might be speaking God's truth to you God can also speak through our circumstances in Romans 8:28 we're reminded and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose even in pain and challenges God's voice can be found so how can we to our hearts to hear God in the midst of life's noise make time for Solitude Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray in Mark 1: 135 it says very early in the morning while it was still dark Jesus
got up left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed follow his example by setting aside time each day to be alone with God puru immerse yourself in Scripture let the word of God saturate your heart and mind memorize verses meditate on them and allow them to shape your thoughts and decisions three then practice active listening during prayer spend time in silence asking God to speak keep a journal to record what you sense he is saying person seek wise counsel surround yourself with Godly mentors and friends who can help you discern
God's voice five be willing to obey hearing God's voice is just the beginning obedience is what transforms his words into action in James 1:22 we are told do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves do what it says let me share the story of a man named George Mueller George felt God's call to open orphanages in England during the 19th century he had no resources and no plan but he listened to God's prompting through unwavering faith and prayer George provided for thousands of Orphans without ever asking for donations every need was met
because he trusted and obeyed God's voice consider the life of X Dietrich Bon Hoffer a German pastor and theologian who stood against the Nazi regime he listened to God's voice even when it meant risking his life his obedience not only inspired countless Christians but also demonstrated the power of listening to God no matter the cost or think of the story of Cory 10 boom who during World War II heard God's call to hide Jews from the Nazis despite the danger she obeyed and her family saved many lives or consider the story of a young woman
named Rachel who felt called to leave her corporate job to serve in missions despite criticism and fear she obeyed God's voice today she leads a Ministry that feeds and educates hundreds of children in underserved communities today God is speaking to you maybe he asking you to trust him in a situation that feels uncertain perhaps he's calling you to let go of something that's holding you back or to step into a new season of Faith whatever it is don't delay let us take a moment to pray Lord we thank you for your patience and persistence in
calling us help us to quiet our hearts remove distractions and focus on your voice give us the courage to listen and the faith to obey speak to us Lord for your servants are listening in jesus' name amen this week I challenge you to carve out intentional time to listen to God open your Bible pray with an open heart and watch how he speaks into your life remember God's voice is not distant it's near he's waiting for you to listen
