Hearing God: Cultivating a Relationship Through Communication

Devotional

Day 1: Cultivating Receptivity to God's Voice

To truly hear God, one must cultivate an open mind, free from the barriers of pride, fear, or bitterness. A closed mind, much like the hardened path in the parable of the four soils, resists God's voice and guidance. This resistance often stems from past hurts or a reluctance to let go of personal grievances. By opening our hearts and minds, we allow God's love and wisdom to penetrate and transform us. This openness is not passive but requires intentional effort to let go of past burdens and embrace God's presence. [12:49]

"Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness.'" (Hebrews 3:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a past hurt or grievance you need to release to open your heart to God's voice today?

Day 2: Prioritizing Time for Divine Connection

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, God's voice can easily be drowned out. Allocating time to listen is crucial for spiritual growth and connection. Just as we miss important details when rushing through life, we miss God's whispers when we don't slow down. Setting aside dedicated time for quiet reflection and prayer allows us to tune into His guidance and wisdom. This intentional slowing down is a spiritual discipline that requires commitment and practice. [19:00]

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What specific time can you set aside today to pause and listen for God's voice?

Day 3: Clearing the Clutter for Clarity

Our minds are often cluttered with worries, plans, and distractions, making it difficult to hear God's voice. The parable of the soil with weeds illustrates how life's concerns can choke out divine communication. By eliminating these distractions, we create space for God's word to take root and flourish. This involves identifying and removing the "weeds" in our lives, such as unnecessary stressors or the relentless pursuit of material success, to focus on what truly matters. [29:50]

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one distraction you can eliminate today to better hear God's voice?

Day 4: Embracing Obedience to God's Guidance

God speaks to those who are willing to obey Him. This willingness to say "yes" to God, even before knowing His full plan, is key to hearing His voice. It requires a heart ready to cooperate with His guidance, trusting that His path leads to true fulfillment. By deciding in advance to follow His direction, we open ourselves to His transformative power and align with His purpose for our lives. [36:10]

"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can pre-decide to say "yes" to God's guidance today?

Day 5: Sharing God's Word to Deepen Understanding

When God speaks to us, sharing what we've learned with others not only benefits them but also solidifies it in our own lives. Teaching and spreading God's word is a powerful way to deepen our understanding and spiritual growth. This act of sharing is akin to bearing fruit, as it multiplies the impact of God's message and strengthens our faith community. [41:18]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can share a recent insight or lesson from God with today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God desires a relationship with us, and communication is the cornerstone of that relationship. Just as in any relationship, communication with God requires both speaking and listening. We often struggle with hearing God due to misunderstandings, distractions, and the busyness of life. However, as we grow in our relationship with Him, recognizing His voice becomes more natural, much like recognizing the voice of a loved one over time.

We delved into the parable of the four soils from Luke 8, which illustrates the different attitudes we can have towards God's word. The hardened path represents a closed mind, resistant to God's voice due to pride, fear, or bitterness. The shallow soil signifies a superficial mind, where initial enthusiasm fades because there are no deep roots. The soil with weeds depicts a preoccupied mind, where life's worries, riches, and pleasures choke out God's voice. Finally, the good soil symbolizes a willing mind, open and ready to receive and act on God's word.

To truly hear God, we must cultivate an open mind, allocate time to listen, eliminate distractions, and cooperate with what He says. This involves being receptive, setting aside time for quiet reflection, removing the noise and busyness from our lives, and being willing to obey God's guidance. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's best pathway for our lives, leading to true success and fulfillment.

Key Takeaways

1. Cultivate an Open Mind: To hear God, we must be receptive and willing to listen. A closed mind, often hardened by pride, fear, or bitterness, blocks God's voice. We need to let go of past hurts and open our hearts to God's love and guidance. [12:49]
2. Allocate Time to Listen: In our hurried lives, we often miss God's voice. Slowing down and setting aside time for quiet reflection allows us to hear Him more clearly. Just as we miss details when rushing through life, we miss God's whispers when we're always on the go. [19:00]
3. Eliminate Distractions: Our minds are often crowded with worries, plans, and activities, making it difficult to hear God. By eliminating these distractions, we create space for God's voice to be heard. Weeds in our lives, such as worries and the pursuit of riches, can choke out God's word. [29:50]
4. Cooperate with What He Says: God speaks to those who are willing to obey Him. By deciding in advance to follow His guidance, we open ourselves to His direction. This willingness to say "yes" to God before knowing His plan is key to hearing His voice. [36:10]
5. Bear Fruit by Sharing: When God speaks to us, sharing what we've learned with others helps solidify it in our lives. Teaching and spreading God's word not only benefits others but also deepens our own understanding and growth. [41:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - God Speaks to Us
[00:40] - Communication Challenges
[01:59] - Recognizing God's Voice
[03:27] - Tuning In to God
[04:21] - Importance of Hearing God
[05:56] - Communication Proves Relationship
[06:11] - Protection from Mistakes
[07:13] - True Success Defined
[08:32] - Parable of the Four Soils
[10:46] - Cultivating an Open Mind
[18:40] - Allocating Time to Listen
[28:25] - Eliminating Distractions
[35:37] - Cooperating with God
[39:53] - Bearing Fruit and Sharing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In the parable of the four soils from Luke 8, what are the different types of soil mentioned, and what do they represent in terms of our attitudes towards God's word? [08:32]
According to the sermon, what are the three mental barriers that can cause a closed mind, preventing us from hearing God? [14:50]
How does the sermon describe the process of "broadcasting" seed, and what does this metaphor illustrate about how God communicates with us? [09:13]
What does the sermon suggest is the key to recognizing God's voice more naturally over time? [01:59]

Interpretation Questions

How does the parable of the four soils illustrate the importance of being receptive to God's word, and what practical steps can one take to cultivate an open mind? [10:46]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that hurry and busyness can prevent us from hearing God's voice, and how might this apply to modern life? [19:00]
The sermon mentions that God speaks to those who decide in advance to obey Him. How does this concept challenge or affirm one's current approach to listening for God's guidance? [36:10]
How does the sermon interpret the role of sharing what God has spoken to us with others, and what impact does this have on our spiritual growth? [41:18]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt your mind was closed to God's voice due to pride, fear, or bitterness. What steps can you take to open your mind and heart to God's guidance now? [14:50]
Identify a specific distraction in your life that prevents you from allocating time to listen to God. What practical changes can you make this week to minimize that distraction? [19:00]
Consider the "weeds" in your life that might be choking out God's word. What are these worries, riches, or pleasures, and how can you begin to address them? [29:50]
Think about a recent decision you made. Did you seek God's guidance beforehand, and how did you respond to His direction? How can you improve your willingness to cooperate with what He says? [36:10]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of sharing what God has taught us with others. Who is someone in your life you can share a recent insight or lesson with, and how will you approach this conversation? [41:18]
Reflect on your current spiritual practices. How can you incorporate a daily time with God and a weekly small group into your routine to develop deeper spiritual roots? [26:19]
How can you ensure that you are not just emotionally moved by God's word but also transformed by it? What specific actions can you take to allow God's word to penetrate deeper into your life? [23:29]

Sermon Clips

You know when when the devil gives you an idea we call that Temptation when uh God gives you an idea we call that inspiration when you get an idea we call that stupidity I'm just just kidding uh but people say has God ever talked to you audibly no why would he need to he doesn't need to go through my ear he can go directly to my mind. [00:02:41]

Now here's a cool thing if you actually do listen to God on a daily basis you'll find that he's going to warn you some potholes some traps some bends in the road and you'll save yourself a lot of time and energy and frustration and failure if you do it God's way he will warn you in advance of traps. [00:06:08]

Success is being exactly what God made you to be it's the Fulfillment it's the meaning and purpose of living in the center of God's will and in Psalm 32 the Bible says this I will guide you along the best pathway for your life I will advise you and watch over you. [00:07:21]

I must cultivate an open mind I've got to be receptive I've got to be willing to hear from God I I've got to be ready and eager and and and willing to listen uh because the barrier to the first barrier to hearing God is actually resistance I'm I'm just resistant to it. [00:10:43]

When I am holding on to a hurt when I'm holding on to resentment when I'm holding on to a grudge then I'm not going to be listening to God because my heart is hardened things have happened in your life that have hurt you I'm sorry but if you're holding on to hurt whenever you hold on to hurt here's what happens you're heart grows hard and it grows cold and you become defensive even defensive to God's love. [00:16:04]

I must take time to listen I cultivate an open mind I allocate time to listen I take time make time to listen I have to slow down and make time to be quiet so I can hear him why because the second barrier to you hearing from God is H hurry when you're in a hurry you cannot hear God. [00:18:40]

You can't hear God if your mind is crowded with other things with other thoughts with other concerns particularly worries plans activities if you're always listening to the radio always listening to TV when God calls you the circuits are busy and it's kind of like on Mother's Day when you try to call your mom and you can't get through because all the lines are busy. [00:28:25]

God speaks to people who decide in advance they're going to do what he tells them to do even before he tells them it's saying yes in advance God I don't know what you want me to do with my life if you want me to move I'll move if you want me to go to school I'll go to school if you want me to get married I'll get married. [00:36:10]

The seed that fell in good soil stands for those who hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart and they persist until they bear fruit now this is the four fourth kind of soil I want you to Circle four things good soil means I hear it Circle here I retain it that means I'm I remember what God told me. [00:37:41]

When God tells you something the quickest way to get it in your life life is tell somebody else something you just learned if you get an idea you get an inspiration you get a truth from your quiet time in a small group tell somebody else in a Bible study the person who always grows the most is the one who's the teacher because by passing it on you grow even more. [00:41:18]

I want to tell you this God loves you too much to let you stay that way and so he's going to soften the soil if you have a hard heart toward God or a hard mind to God he will soften the soil and how does God turn hard soil into soft soil I hate to tell you this but he sends a storm he sends rain and the rain comes and it softens. [00:45:01]

Dear God I want to learn to hear your voice I don't want to have a closed mind I don't want to have a distracted mind I don't want to have a narrow mind I don't want to have a shallow mind I want to be good soil I want to cultivate an open mind I want to listen to you I want to be receptive I want to get my ears on. [00:46:41]

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