Day 1 - Our Most Necessary Ability

[fmckinnon]

Welcome to Week 4 - The Methods ...
This week focuses on a very important thing in becoming worshipers in spirit and truth - "hearing God's Voice".

Day 1 is discussing this, "our most necessary ability".

Share your thoughts on Day 1 and specifically, share with the group what God has been speaking to you. How do you hear His voice?

[MandoRon]

So many great points today!

The opening quote from Brother Lawrence spoke to me:

Sometimes I imagine that I'm a piece of stong, waiting for the sculpture. When I give myself to God in this way, He begins sculpting my soul into the perfect image of His beloved Son.
I don't know about you, but I'm not very good at sitting around waiting for God to sculpt me. Definitely something to work on.

The fourth point on page 57 about surrender is so true. How often do we ask for God's direction and then try to put conditions on God? We're not bending our will to Him; we're seeking confirmation of what we want to do.

I also liked praising God for sunsets as My Daily Praise. It's got me thinking about writing a song around that.

Lastly, I feel God speaking to me, telling me to be a better husband. When God really wants to tell me something, He seems to hit me from all angles. The last few days, I've been getting hit everywhere on improving my marriage - including movies, sermon, my wife...

[RuthABraun]

This Bible study came about at the most perfect time for me (praise you, God!) and I am so thankful that, once again, God set up the conditions ahead of time for me to have victory in a battle I didn't even know was coming. I have recently moved from team member to team leader and have felt like I had a target around my neck since then. Through circumstances in my life, self-doubt, doubting in others and doubting that this was, indeed, God's call in my life, I was pretty miserable. God moved so mightily in speaking to me through the last week in this study, and this morning was no different. When I prayed that He would speak a word to me this morning, what He said was that He was pleased. That's all. It was enough to bring me to my knees sobbing, though, knowing that I was doing what He wanted me to do, even through the turmoil and the doubt. Hearing from people that you did a good job doesn't mean anything compared to hearing from the King that He is pleased! May my heart always be turned to pleasing You, God, and may I never doubt again that You will direct my path.

[alangustin]

I never thought I would have to type this, but I am bummed about not being able to continue discussion on Pure Praise. It is an awesome study, and I will continue it on my own at a slower pace due to some changes in my life/work situation. I will also take my team through this study, once I find out if I will be able to continue as worship leader at our church.

Today's topic is especially appropriate for me, as I really need to take a lot of time right now meditating on God and His Word, trying to hear clearly from Him about what direction I should take. Unfortunately, I cannot wait too long, as my family income is at stake. I thank all who have been praying for me, and ask that you please DON'T STOP! I will continue to lift up my worshiping brothers and sisters in prayer, praying for unity and clear, common purpose - to glorify Christ and expand His Kingdom.

I'm not leaving the forums here, I just can't make the daily devotionals for now.

Love, in Christ from a brother...

AG

[MimsiGal]

This study came at such a perfect time for me... each day has fit perfectly into what was going on in my life - isn't He good!

Over the past week or so I have also been getting hit from just about every angle with the message that we are called to be intentional in reaching out to the world around us - that we need to choose to share His love and kindness and grace with a world that is craving those things!

This is difficult for me. I've also discovered about myself that I am entirely too selfish! If you are in my inner circle, I will do just about anything I can to help you, but if not... well, let's just say that the thought doesn't enter my mind.

God has been calling me to the mat on this over the past 10 days or so. Goody. :o

So, once again, this study is hitting a sore spot that He is digging into and revealing in my heart and showing me what I need to work on.

[hisfirewithin]

I love getting a refresher and some new insights on hearing from God. It's so important to me to know His voice and follow His leading.

The sunset thing was a little bit fru-fru for me, to be honest. I love the idea of God's creating everything and God being creative, but really, it doesn't impact me in the same way as the idea of His Holiness and mercy. I was never moved by visual creativity or art very much. God built me with good ears and bad eyes!

I like the way they're putting the "hearing from God" week in the broader context of "Practicing the Presence of God." I long to walk in that constant intimacy and communication with Him. I definitely want to have more of a sense of His presence and His interaction in my everyday life. I love how Bro. Lawrence described it in the book. It really whets my appetite to read on and grow!

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

I have not been in the habit of listening to God speak to me, but I am ready to listen. There is so much noise in my head, all of everything that is going on, so I probably won't hear the still, small voice until God washes the noise out of my head. (I am praying about that).

I have heard Him speak to me a number of times; sometimes I listened, sometimes, not. The book asked, if we aren't willing to listen, why will He bother to speak?

God, I long to hear your voice. Help me to tune my heart and my ears to hear and to listen to you.

After I posted the previous part, God reminded me of many times that I have done the right thing, been helpful, or encouraging; and His reminder was that it was His voice that prompted me to do those things.

[Rogenia]

It appears to me that I have been tossing between God’s voice and mine. In the past several months, I have been dreaming a lot and feeling a great discernment in the pit of my stomach. I know that God’s is doing something with me and I believe that He is guiding me to another place and level. I love Him so much, until it scared me to think that I am missing his voice or hearing what I want to hear.

My prayer today is Father God, just as you hear me and take the time to listen and answer me; please continue teach me to hear you and take the time to listen and obey you. Amen

[MidlandFlute]

I love getting a refresher and some new insights on hearing from God. It's so important to me to know His voice and follow His leading.

The sunset thing was a little bit fru-fru for me, to be honest. I love the idea of God's creating everything and God being creative, but really, it doesn't impact me in the same way as the idea of His Holiness and mercy. I was never moved by visual creativity or art very much. God built me with good ears and bad eyes!

I like the way they're putting the "hearing from God" week in the broader context of "Practicing the Presence of God." I long to walk in that constant intimacy and communication with Him. I definitely want to have more of a sense of His presence and His interaction in my everyday life. I love how Bro. Lawrence described it in the book. It really whets my appetite to read on and grow!

I too have the deep desire to "walk in that constant intimacy and communication with Him" that Brother Lawrence talks about. Maybe if I continue to read on and listen for the Voice of God, as HisFireWithin so beautifully stated, I will eventually sense His Presence and Intimacy in my daily life also. Surely this week's lessons on "hearing from God" will produce within me a greater desire to be more "discerning" about what voices are from God, and be more submissive to His leading in my everyday life.:)

[Wrapped in Jesus Love!]

God speaks to us - but are we listening - are we too busy. We need to listen to what God has to say to us. God is speaking but are we willing to listen? Do we take the time to "Be Still".

I love to be still and look at a sunrise, or a field of daffodils, or a sky full of white puffy clouds. I look at creation and am amazed at what God has created.

[efrisch]

This is something I've found myself thinking about a lot lately... being a recent college graduate with no full time job, I've really been praying for God's leading as to my "next step". It can be hard to discern the voice of God from all the din of the world, but that is what we're told to do.

God, help us to open our ears to Your voice, in our lives and in our leadership.

[sblawrence]

In today's study, Dwayne talks about that God can speak to those who don't even have a relationship with him, like Saul on Damascus road. But his first requirement for hearing God's voice is that we have a relationship with him. I think I understand what he's trying to say, but I'm curious how everybody else justifies those two statements...

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

In today's study, Dwayne talks about that God can speak to those who don't even have a relationship with him, like Saul on Damascus road. But his first requirement for hearing God's voice is that we have a relationship with him. I think I understand what he's trying to say, but I'm curious how everybody else justifies those two statements...

Romans 8:28 says, "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."

God called us while we were lost. (For many of us he had to yell or do something drastic to get our attention.) We heard his call, and responded.
Now that we are believers, God works in our lives. It is in this working relationship with him that we hear the still, small voice

[Maggievt]

Well, I am one that He had to hit upside the head at first -
and today, He did it again!
Today's study was so amazing to me as I am in the middle of reading 'Practicing the Presence of God' - a collection of letters, ect, written by Brother Lawrence.
Clearly, no conincidence.
I have some intense praying to do here - I have heard His calling, and, to this point, have 'done my best' - but it is time to let HIM lead me, totally. I am fairly new to this church (4 years), and, over the past two years, have stepped up to lead the worship band (due to calling and training and a Pastor that feels it is where I should be as much as I), BUT I have been 'careful' - the main vocalist has been in the church for years, ect, ect, ect, my training is FAR more traditional than what we do in my church, ect, ect, ect.....
It is time to stop being careful (and fearful!) and be Godfull, Spiritfull and lead.
Maggie

[dwaynemoore]

Alan wrote: "I never thought I would have to type this, but I am bummed about not being able to continue discussion on Pure Praise. It is an awesome study, and I will continue it on my own at a slower pace due to some changes in my life/work situation. I will also take my team through this study, once I find out if I will be able to continue as worship leader at our church."

Hey Alan. Thanks for doing the study with us. We'll miss your great comments! Just wanted to encourage you to keep on keeping on with your growing in the Lord and leadership. I am not sure of the circumstances at your church, but if you are like so many of us, sooner or later, you discover that working in the local church can be very tough and some people can be quite cruel. I know something about that personally. If fact, you'll discover that I wrote about some of my past problems at churches where I've served in Week 6, Day 5. Just keep your knees to the earth and your eyes looking up. And please do continue with the study, no matter what.

[alangustin]

Dwayne,

Thanks for leaving me a note, it blessed me. It seems that many people are being stretched right now due to changing economic situations. All the more reason to lean on the everlasting arms of Christ. You have provided a great way to get closer to God with Pure Praise, and I know the study will continue to bless me and others.

In Him...
AG

[Rogenia]

Ruth, I love what you wrote. It has been a week for me. I had been having this same dream for a while. Getting our women group together on the same accord in spirit and truth, I went to my pastor and He told me that God had spoken to him also about some things and to go ahead with the project. Well, the very next day, I received a few phone calls and my “First Lady” at our church is the one who initiated the phone calls. It hurt me. They were talking about difference spirits of the women and a bunch of stuff that I know was not of God. I know that God word said to guard our heart. Anyway, I have prayed over it, and God brought to my remembrance that He is not an author of confusion and he does not cause division within his body. So, I have decided to be still and let God work it out. Yet, I felt bad and miserable because I felt that I would be letting some people down and God also. This Bible study came also at most perfect time for me. I am at peace now and letting God answer it for me. It is so important to me to do what God said and not lean to my own understanding, whereas I do not do what he wants. It is very important to me to hear his voice and know that I am doing his will.