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3 Ways to Grow in Knowing God's Voice (Wrapped in Grace) & Faith Filled Friday #15

6/21/2012

41 Comments

 

Teacher

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"Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds." Psalm 71:17

Does this verse amaze you? It does me, but perhaps that is because my memory is weaker than most (I think of it as my thorn the Lord allows. Though, God gave me a divine appointment with a brain expert at the homeschool conference last weekend and she says she can fix it. Yay!!). So to think that God has been teaching me all these years back further than I can remember. Wow. To think that He was there helping me perceive and learn... for years... there... with me... coaching, instructing, teaching. Just wow. To think that there is no event in my life that He wasn't right there actively helping me understand. Oh Lord, let this hit us. For a learner (what strengths finder said my top strength was) like me, this utterly blows my mind and brings me close to tears.

And another awesome thing about Him being a teacher is that it implies He speaks to us. I LOVE that about Him! I love that I can hear Him. I mean seriously, what kind of God is so incredibly awesome that He makes it possible for the finite to hear and understand the infinite. It is mind blowing that God says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 

Are you confident in knowing God's voice?
Here are a few ways I grew in confidence in hearing and knowing God's voice:

1. Saturate your mind with Scripture. It is God's words. If you want to know what He sounds like, go to the book He wrote. Only makes sense right. As you read, ask Him to help you understand and have a journal handy to write down the things that stand out and the insights you gain. The Holy Spirit is the One who illuminates our minds to Scripture. So if you have an ah-ha moment, recognize that as God's voice. 

It's like if you were to learn another language. The best way to learn it is to submerse yourself in the culture of people that speak it and it becomes natural. When we saturate our minds with Scripture, we are then able to recognize God's voice and heart.

2. Ask Him questions. When I was in college (and had much more free time than now) I would get up and walk 1/2 way down the block to my church and pray with the pastor and his wife for the church for an hour. Then I would go on a little walk down this beautiful road and pray for another hour. Then I would get home and do my Bible study. Everyday for... hmmm... (here's my bad memory kicking in...) a year or two(?) I would spend at least three hours a day with the Lord. (After I moved, the prayer time with the pastor and wife ended, but I still had 2 hours a day with the Lord for years and years after that) During my prayer walk 1/2 of the time would be spent asking Him questions. After I asked God a question, I would write down the thought that came to my mind (yes, I took my journal on my prayer walk) and I would weigh it against Scripture. "Would God really say that?", "Does it contradict anything He said in His Word?", "Does that match up with what His Word shows me His heart and character are like?" And if it didn't contradict Scripture or His character I would take it as though God has spoke to me. Looking back, that is the time I grew in confidence in hearing God's voice.  

3. Memorize Scripture. As I have said, my memory is super bad (how I wish I were exaggerating. Sometimes I think 80 year olds have a better memory than me). So my point is that having a bad memory cannot be an excuse for not memorizing God's Word. (It's the number 1 excuse I hear). It takes more work for people with a bad memory, but it's not impossible. And the reality is that God takes broken things and uses them to show Himself to be great. He wants to take you're awful memory to show Himself capable. Like how He took me, a girl who can't remember names or faces (sometimes growing up I would be afraid I wouldn't be able to recognize my own mom) or even my very own life events (just a few weeks ago some friends were telling me an amazing story of when I lead a girl to Christ right before she died or something like that... I can't even remember now what they said, and I was convinced they were confusing me with someone else because I could not remember this and surely I should be able to remember things like that!!! But when you have a memory like mine, trusting other peoples memory is just the best option. ;)  So anyway, the awesome thing about God is that He took my broken brain and enabled me to memorize the entire books of James, Philippians and half of  1 Thessalonians and hundreds of other verses. THAT is how capable God is! Surely if you have a better memory than me, He can do MUCH more through you! 

Wow this is getting long. Anyway, my point... when we put God's word in our mind, it is like putting stuff in there for the Holy Spirit to use to speak to us. It's like have a garage full of power tools. (Oh my, now I'm just getting tired. I don't even own a power tool. Surely I could have come up with a better analogy than a boy one!)  Ok. I best go to sleep friends before I get a little crazy and who knows what I'll end up writing. ;)

Oh, and guess I better touch on the

What does that make me?

Well, if God is the Teacher, that makes us pretty dang valuable. He considers we are valuable enough to share His Words with. We are worth it enough to stick by when we are just not getting it. We are not so far out of reach that we can't learn about Him. He see's potential. 

Here's a little resource I wrote about discerning God's will that talks about a few other things I don't have time to go into. 

Goodnight. And PS, here's a cool story of God speaking to me.
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Check out the rest of the Wrapped in Grace series:
Suffering King
Eternal
Creative
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I'm linking up with Spiritual Sundays, Finding Him Friday, Getting Down with Jesus, Create with Joy, The Beauty in His Grip, Nebraska Graceful, The Wellspring, The Better Mom      
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Faith Filled Friday Blog Link Up

We exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the the Lord somehow. 

So go ahead and link up below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. I just humbly ask that you please let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or put my button code (found on my side bar or the Faith Filled Friday Tab) so they can find these other great people glorifying God and we can continue to grow as a community. Thanks!    

In effort to encourage others in their writing by faith, please take a minute to comment on the two posts linked up before you.  
41 Comments
Robert Moon link
6/21/2012 04:30:58 pm

Although I did not know God as a youth, I do know he was watching over me and protected me from entering truely evil. Yes, I did smoke and drink and gamble, but he took that all away when he saved me.
God is so good.

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:14:26 am

The fact that He teaches us even when we don't recognize or acknowledge it's Him amazes me! He is the One who gives wisdom to the mind so even modern day inventions are evidence of Him teaching, yet we so often point to our own intellect. He is so gracious!!

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peggy aplSEEDS link
6/21/2012 04:36:09 pm

amen to those three points! i so agree that it's like power tools you can use! thanks for sharing!

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:15:22 am

Thanks Peggy. :)
Love your recent pics.

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Rina Peru link
6/21/2012 04:58:40 pm

I believe God has been teaching me, guiding me and giving me wisdom long before I surrendered my life to Him. He knew that there would come a time in my life that I would be truly His and I would know Him more.

To hear God's voice is VERY important. As in your #1, He also speaks to me when I read and meditate on His Word. I do write, too, those epiphanies when He speaks to me through His Word. Another way He speaks to me is when I praise and worship Him. His presence descends, I'm enveloped in His love and light, and He talks to me then.

Another way is through agonizing prayers. Yes, we can hear Him audibly - a still small voice. I experienced that when we stayed in the fasting house. He spoke to me and it was like a brilliant light that pierced through the darkness! (I wrote that in detail in my book).

The Lord lives and He speaks to His children alright!

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:16:40 am

Yes, He totally is! It reminds me of the verse where David says that even from his mothers womb the Lord was teaching him. Amazing!

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Pamela J. Kuhn link
6/21/2012 10:37:01 pm

Thank you, Laura, for writing this just for me. :-) I sometimes feel like that about God's Word. Surely God wrote some of those verses just for me. I pray that God will be able to use the life lessons I don't remember to bless others. You have surely been a blessing to me today.

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:18:07 am

Oh how encouraging! I love when God does that!!!
Thank you for blessing me by sharing!!

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Gail link
6/21/2012 10:43:25 pm

Dear Laura,
I just wanted to tell you that your series about using Social Media for God really impacted me. I thought I was doing a pretty good job of it, but you gave me so many good ideas/tools/ and inspiration. And I've been thinking that I wanted to pass that along to you. Thanks so much, Gail

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:19:32 am

Thank you Gail. I appreciate your words a lot.

And I think you are doing a good job, it's neat seeing your heart for the Lord and the wisdom He gives you poured out to encourage and teach others. :)

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Joe Pote link
6/21/2012 11:06:47 pm

Great insights here, Laura!

I am so thankful for The Holy Spirit's continual instruction!

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:20:00 am

Me too Joe. :)

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Sharon link
6/21/2012 11:21:45 pm

Laura,

I LOVE this post...you put into words what is so difficult to explain. I was actually thinking of measuring things up with the character of God as I was writing my post this morning. It is about Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac and his faith-filled reply was, "God will provide the lamb." Abraham knew God's character enough to trust what God was asking him to do and that He would provide what was truly needed.
Beautiful!
Blessings,
Sharon

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:22:04 am

What neat insight!
I've heard it said that the most important thing about us is what we believe about God. (Wish I could remember who said it. Some smart person like CS Lewis or Tozer) But what we believe about God really does affect every decision and emotion we have. Just mind blowing really.

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Angi link
6/21/2012 11:46:27 pm

Oh Laura you crack me up! I'm literally laughing out loud, a power tool? Haha! I'm so grateful for how God uses you to share truth about His character! Oh and that Psalms verse? BLOWS MY MIND. Love how He is constantly opening our minds to Him!

You rock my socks.

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:25:08 am

I am so glad Ang!
Seriously sometimes when I think I might be making a total fool of myself online I picture you reading and am encouraged (b/c I know you'll get it ya know.) So thanks!!!

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Lyli@3dLessons4Life link
6/21/2012 11:54:33 pm

Love the image of God as teacher (says the teacher). Great insights here. Awesome post! :)

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:25:51 am

Thank you!

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Wanda link
6/22/2012 02:56:53 am

I think most people wonder at times how can they be sure they are following the voice of God. You've outlined some very good practical means of attuning our ears to His voice.

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Laura
6/24/2012 04:27:06 am

Working with college students, I would have to say it's one of the top things they wonder about (knowing God's will).

Thanks for the affirmation Wanda. :)

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L
6/22/2012 05:14:09 am

I love this, Laura! It amazes me to look back t how God prepared me for my present ministries and walk with Him, decades before I was even saved! May we always hear His voice and follow the path leading to His perfect will.
Thanks for the great post & for hosting the linkup!
God bless,
Laurie

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Laura
6/24/2012 04:28:08 am

Thanks Laurie. :)

And I consider it an honor to host. There are such great blogs that link up. So much wisdom all in one place is so cool!

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Laurie Collett link
6/22/2012 05:15:36 am

I love this, Laura! It amazes me to look back t how God prepared me for my present ministries and walk with Him, decades before I was even saved! May we always hear His voice and follow the path leading to His perfect will.
Thanks for the great post & for hosting the linkup!
God bless,
Laurie

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Laura
6/24/2012 04:29:02 am

Thanks Laurie. :)

And I consider it an honor to host. There are such great blogs that link up. So much wisdom all in one place is so cool

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Esther Joy link
6/22/2012 06:03:06 am

Your paragraph about brokenness reminded me of a quote someone gave me a few years ago. She said "broken vessels often carry the most water".

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:37:42 am

I've never heard that. Something I'll have to think about.

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Laura Hodges Poole link
6/22/2012 08:01:45 am

Very good points that I can testify to. I also have a problem remembering verses at times. Often, my father remembers better than I do!

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Laura link
6/24/2012 04:47:13 am

Thats funny. I totally understand. My step dad remembers everything and every detail so trying to disagree with him seems impossible.

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Ed Ross link
6/22/2012 08:03:58 am

Laura - it's Kathy here - writing in on Ed's weekly post. I LOVE this and have had the very same experience knowing the Lord as my teacher first and foremost! This is why I believe so strongly in homeschooling - the parent should be the primary educator in a child's life in much the same way that the LORD should be the primary educator in our lives. Always inspiring . . . you are . . .
Joy!
Kathy for hubby, Ed
P.S. I really am going to get him properly schooled in managing his own blog reading and comments - in keeping with the "teacher" theme here . . . lol

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Laura
6/24/2012 04:48:10 am

Kathy,
What a neat thought on how God is glorified in homeschooling.

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Kate @ Teaching What Is Good link
6/22/2012 08:42:07 am

Excellent post, Laura! "My sheep know my voice." I particularly love that your shared scripture memory. What an opportunity to have His word(s) in my head allowing me to meditate throughout the day and letting His Spirit speak the scriptures deep into my heart!

Wonderful, as always! Your posts are always such an encouragement to me.

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Laura
6/24/2012 04:50:06 am

Thanks Kate!
I think the hardest part about scripture memory is keeping it there (especially with my memory). Then when there are tons of verses it just takes so long to review. But this super wise pastor told me once (who I am convinced he has the majority of the New Testament memorize... no joke) that he reviews his verses by using them to pray for people. What a great idea huh!

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Lori link
6/22/2012 12:08:13 pm

Laura, as usual you hit the nail on the head for me. I write about how reading scripture keeps me focused, and I can tell I am straying when I start feeling worried and less confident - and I find this is when I am not reading His word. But I know I need to memorize scripture - definitely an area I a missing.

Discernment for God's will is something my husband & I have been working on, , and I love what you have put together. Thank you so much, looking forward to using it.

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Laura
6/24/2012 04:54:57 am

oh so true Lori! Our emotions so often can be a gage of what we are believing. Like if we are worried it shows us we are thinking God is not in control or good or able.... If we are fearful, it could be because we are thinking God is not powerful or cares about us....

Thanks for the encouragement.

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Laura Rath link
6/22/2012 12:36:25 pm

Hi Laura,
How incredibly awesome it is that our King of Kings will take the time to talk to us! Not only will He talk to us, He WANTS to talk to us!

I think the more we study and soak up His Word, the better equipped we are to hear Him when He speaks to us, and to know when He is guiding us in a direction He wants us to go.

Thanks for your post and for hosting the link-up!
In Christ,
Laura

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Laura
6/24/2012 04:56:14 am

It is absolutely mind blowing! The One who knows everything! Would want to talk to me... and listen. Geez!

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Nikki link
6/22/2012 09:55:03 pm

Boy...I really needed this reminder b/c I have a situation that I need to make a decision on by Monday.....I want it to be what He wants.....not what I think....Thanks so much

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Laura
6/24/2012 04:58:25 am

Lord, thanks for the opportunity set before Nikki. Would you give her wisdom, discernment and inight and align her hearts desires to Yours. Show her what would be the best use of her time, talent and treasure for Your glory and give her confidence to do what You are calling her to do. And Lord, please give her scripture to stand on when it gets hard. Lord You are so good at leading us. Would you let this be an opportunity where she gets to see You show off in Your ability to lead.

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Joy link
6/23/2012 02:52:12 am

What a powerful post! And that is true. I notice that in my everyday life. If I submerged myself in God's wrds, really sturdy what the word God says to me, I can hear from him everywhere. But, when I am busy with other things and I hear less from God. When it comes to memory, I forget things just after it was said, if I won't write it, especially if it is an instruction. But, like you said, there is hope for everybody. I also write my prayer and devotion journal and learns a lot from God through it. Thanks for this post:)

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Laura
6/24/2012 05:01:57 am

yes, so true!! It's like He is always speaking but the more we let His Word get into us it's like tuning our ear to His voice.

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Shelley link
6/25/2012 01:32:35 am

I'm here from Heard It, Use it, and I loved your post ... so very thankful that your thoughts are about digesting to Word in order to hear ... thank you!

Reply



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  • Home
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