Pure Magazine

Over and Out!

Are you listening?

I recently read an article entitled "Listen and be heard with 'walkie-talkie management" by Anne Milkovich. In the article, Milkovich is speaking about communication skills for managers. One of her main points is that we should train ourselves to communicate as if we are on a walkie talkie. You speak clearly...then you wait for a response. 

This is a wonderful idea for dealing with employees, co-workers, and even family members. However, do you think you effectively listen for a response during prayer?

Milkovich said, "When we think of communication skills, we tend to think in terms of how well we talk. But in fact, listening is really what determines good walkie-talkie skills. People are more interested in being heard than in hearing. Fight this tendency in yourself as you capitalize on it in others."

Image borrowed from http://www.basic-counseling-skills.com/images/foto-active-listening.jpg

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Often times when I am speaking to someone and mention that God revealed something to me, I get a strange look. The strangest look of them all comes when I say that God spoke to me. "He actually SPOKE to you?" some people might say. My answer, "Yes. He spoke to me".

The reason a lot of people claim they've never heard God is they don't know how to recognize His voice.

God speaks in many different ways (some of the following content was borrowed from http://www.allaboutprayer.org/hearing-gods-voice.htm):

1) The Bible: In his book Knowing God, J. I. Packer says, "God has spoken to man, and the Bible is His Word, given to us to make us wise unto salvation."

2) Our thoughts: Ever have a thought just pop into your mind and you couldn't figure out how it got there? Often times this is God urging you to do something.

3) Our conversations with others: Ever have a friend lend a shoulder to cry on during a hard time? Ever meet a stranger that had just the right words to say? Sometimes God designs "Holy Moments" and uses others to speak to us.

There are many more ways God speaks. To find a complete list of ways God can speak to us, I recommend buying the book "101 Ways God Speaks (And How to Hear Him) by Sandy Warner at http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/101-ways-god-speaks-%28and-how-to-hear-him%29/2012106.

God is constantly speaking to us, His children. It is our responsibility to listen and obey.

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In order to effectively listen, we must get rid of all "static" in the conversation. This can include the TV show you have on in the background, your pre-conceived thoughts on God, your emotions, your sins, your thoughts, etc. etc. etc.

Here is my suggestion: If you are yearning to hear the voice of God, make yourself available. Get rid of these distractions; go to your quiet place or "prayer closet" as some would call it. 

There is a song about entering the presence of God. It describes it as physically walking through the sanctuary into the most holy place. I like to think of it that way when I pray. I try to remember that I am in the presence of the Most High...it is a lot easier to remain quiet and listen when you understand that the one you are speaking to created the Universe. He might just have more knowledge than me.

The song is called "Take Me In" - by Kutless. I challenge you to look this song up and listen with your eyes shut. Try to imagine walking into the presence of God. There is nothing more powerful than that.

Take me past the outer courts

Into the holy place

Past the brazen altar

Lord I want to see your face

Pass me by the crowds of people

The priests who sing your praise

I hunt and thirst for your righteousness

But it's only found in one place

Take me in to the holy of holies

Take me in by the blood of the lamb

Take me in to the holy of holies

Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

Image borrowed from http://www.makeadiff21.com/storage/Obedience.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1254790866570

Psalm 119:60

"I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands."

There is one thing to point out here. When God tells you to do something, you should do it without delay. When you are in-tune with the Holy Spirit and recognize his tug on your heart, He can ask you to do anything at anytime without any warning. The closer you get to God, the easier it will be to obey without second guessing Him.

Believe me, it will be worth it to follow His direction. He has it all figured out already.

Conclusion

Tell me why it's easier to take advice from a television show or radio program that it is to take advice from God. Why is it that when we have the world on the other end of the walkie talkie, we turn the volume up and when God's on the other end, we turn it down? The answer: it is a whole lot easier to do what the world suggests because no one will oppose you. But when we follow God, the reward will be 10 times greater.

Let's all practice our listening skills and turn the volume up for God.