recognizing & following his voice

Experiencing Listening Experiencing Listening PrayerPrayer

Experiencing Listening Experiencing Listening PrayerPrayer

I long to hear your voice O GodI long to hear your voice O God

I long to hear your voice O GodI long to hear your voice O God

How can I have a closer more personal How can I have a closer more personal relationship with Jesus?relationship with Jesus?

How can I have a closer more personal How can I have a closer more personal relationship with Jesus?relationship with Jesus?

How can I more clearly know GodHow can I more clearly know God ’’s will?s will?

How can I more clearly know GodHow can I more clearly know God ’’s will?s will?

Revelation 3:14-16 14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea

write:      These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:17-1817You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and

do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Why is success suchWhy is success sucha disappointment?a disappointment?

Why is success suchWhy is success sucha disappointment?a disappointment?

Why does happiness still eludeWhy does happiness still eludeus even when we have us even when we have

what we want?what we want?

Why does happiness still eludeWhy does happiness still eludeus even when we have us even when we have

what we want?what we want?

Revelation 3:14-16 14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea

write:      These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:17-1817You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and

do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

How do you begin to look at lifeHow do you begin to look at life from a heavenly perspective?from a heavenly perspective?

How do you begin to look at lifeHow do you begin to look at life from a heavenly perspective?from a heavenly perspective?

Revelation 3:19-22 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.

So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

It is not too late to get this straightened out: Here we see a church whose members are

respected, rich, envied by many, and think their frustration will disappear when they accumulate a little more power and money. They have no idea their emotional distress comes because their spirit desperately seeks God.

It is not too late to get this straightened out:All external measures tell them they are doing

well, but rather than gratitude to God, they assume just a little more and life will be perfect. Jesus reveals reality! They are in desperate condition! And, unless they need fellowship with Jesus to squelch their emptiness rather than more worldly goods, they will miss God’s blessings.

It is not too late to get this straightened out:

By turning to Christ, inviting him into their heart and establishing that fellowship they can receive a new desire to follow the Lord’s leadership, listen to the Holy Spirit rather than the world, then the Lord will bless them beyond measure.

Questions for discussion: How did this story impact you? Did it give

you a hunger to know God in this way? Or did it just raise more questions for you?

What if God spoke to you the way that He spoke to Corey, would you go and do what the Lord said to do if He spoke to you?

Questions for discussion: Is repentance a regular part of your life, or do

you find yourself resisting the thought of repenting before God?

Is the idea that your situation is desperate and that you need God more than you can possibly comprehend offensive, challenging, or a relief?

Heart barriers that this passage addresses: How could God ever speak to me the way that

he spoke to Corey? When people talk about repentance it sounds

judgmental to me. Trusting someone you can’t see with the very

real important decisions of life seems suspect to me.

Listen To Jesus And Invite Him Into Your Life

Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice

and opens the door, I will come In and eat with him and he

with Me. – Rev. 3:20

Listen To Jesus And Do What He SaysHe that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the

Spirit is saying to the churches. – Revelation 3:22

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mineTherefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man whoand puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. - Matthew 7:24built his house on the rock. - Matthew 7:24

Prayer Time: Tell the Lord that if He wants to use you the way He

used Corey, you are willing for Him to do this in your life.

Apologize for the lack of desperation in the way that you seek Him.

Ask the Lord to convict you through the power of the Holy Spirit so that you will know what you need to repent of before Him.

Spend time sitting quietly before Him with a listening heart.

Experiencing Listening Prayer

Experiencing Listening Prayer

Are you intrigued by the possibilityAre you intrigued by the possibilityof knowing Godof knowing God’’s will and s will and

plan for your life?plan for your life?

Are you intrigued by the possibilityAre you intrigued by the possibilityof knowing Godof knowing God’’s will and s will and

plan for your life?plan for your life?

““My sheep listen to my voice,My sheep listen to my voice,I know them, and they follow me.I know them, and they follow me.””

John 10:27John 10:27

““My sheep listen to my voice,My sheep listen to my voice,I know them, and they follow me.I know them, and they follow me.””

John 10:27John 10:27

When you are by yourself and you are alone When you are by yourself and you are alone with your thoughts, do you know that with your thoughts, do you know that

You are accepted by God? You are accepted by God?

When you are by yourself and you are alone When you are by yourself and you are alone with your thoughts, do you know that with your thoughts, do you know that

You are accepted by God? You are accepted by God?

““I give them eternal life and they shall never I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, no one can snatch themperish, no one can snatch them

out of my hand.out of my hand.””John 10:28John 10:28

““I give them eternal life and they shall never I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, no one can snatch themperish, no one can snatch them

out of my hand.out of my hand.””John 10:28John 10:28

What would have to change in your life What would have to change in your life so that you could yield your heart so that you could yield your heart to the Lordto the Lord’’s leadership? s leadership?

What would have to change in your life What would have to change in your life so that you could yield your heart so that you could yield your heart to the Lordto the Lord’’s leadership? s leadership?

What if God tells me to do something What if God tells me to do something that I donthat I don’’t want to do?t want to do?

What if God tells me to do something What if God tells me to do something that I donthat I don’’t want to do?t want to do?

But I like beingBut I like beingIn charge.In charge.

But I like beingBut I like beingIn charge.In charge.

Can I really trust God?Can I really trust God?

Can I really trust God?Can I really trust God?

But what if I miss out on things that But what if I miss out on things that I really want?I really want?

But what if I miss out on things that But what if I miss out on things that I really want?I really want?

But I am more afraid of what other But I am more afraid of what other People think than what People think than what

God thinks.God thinks.

But I am more afraid of what other But I am more afraid of what other People think than what People think than what

God thinks.God thinks.

IsnIsn’’t it possible to go reallyt it possible to go really overboard about God?overboard about God?

IsnIsn’’t it possible to go reallyt it possible to go really overboard about God?overboard about God?

Have you ever considered the possibility thatHave you ever considered the possibility that surrendering to Jesussurrendering to Jesus’’ leadership might leadership might

actually be fun or like going onactually be fun or like going on an adventure?an adventure?

Have you ever considered the possibility thatHave you ever considered the possibility that surrendering to Jesussurrendering to Jesus’’ leadership might leadership might

actually be fun or like going onactually be fun or like going on an adventure?an adventure?

““I have come that they might I have come that they might have life and that it mighthave life and that it might be full and meaningful.be full and meaningful.””

John 10:10John 10:10

““I have come that they might I have come that they might have life and that it mighthave life and that it might be full and meaningful.be full and meaningful.””

John 10:10John 10:10

Heart Barriers to hearing the Lord’s Voice:

I don’t want to lose control of my life. What if God tells me to do something that I

don’t want to do? Can God really be trusted to lead my life? What if I mishear from God and mess up not

only my life but the lives of my family?

Prayer Time: Share honestly with the Lord where you are

with the challenge to surrender to His leadership.

If you are fearful of making this kind of surrender, ask the Lord to bring to your mind anything that might be causing you to be afraid.

Surrender to the Lord, and tell Him that where He leads you, you will follow.

Experiencing Listening Prayer

Experiencing Listening Prayer

Sometimes we make requests in prayer

Prayer is also about asking questions

At the heart of prayer is relationship

Our Father, Who Art In HeavenOur Father, Who Art In Heaven

Lord, I want a close personal relationship with you.Lord, I want a close personal relationship with you.

Our Father, Who Art In HeavenOur Father, Who Art In HeavenLord, I want a close personal relationship with you.Lord, I want a close personal relationship with you.

Heart Barrier to listening to God: Our natural tendency is to retreat from God

rather than to seek God.

10As it is written:    "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands,       no one who seeks God.” Romans 3:10-11

Hallowed Be Thy NameHallowed Be Thy NameLord, I want to give you the respectLord, I want to give you the respect

And honor that you deserve.And honor that you deserve.

Hallowed Be Thy NameHallowed Be Thy NameLord, I want to give you the respectLord, I want to give you the respect

And honor that you deserve.And honor that you deserve.

Heart Barrier to Listening Prayer: We are more concerned about what people think

rather than what God thinks. "And when you pray, do not be like the

hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:5-6

Thy Kingdom ComeThy Kingdom ComeItIt’’s not about me Lord, but its not about me Lord, but it’’s s

about youabout you..

Thy Kingdom ComeThy Kingdom ComeItIt’’s not about me Lord, but its not about me Lord, but it’’s s

about youabout you..

Heart Barrier to Listening to God: We pursue what the world has to offer rather than

pursuing God’s will and plan for our lives. 15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If

anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. - I John 2:15-17

Thy Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven.Thy Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven.Lord, I donLord, I don’’t want what I want, I want whatt want what I want, I want what

you want.you want.

Thy Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven.Thy Will Be Done, On Earth As It Is In Heaven.Lord, I donLord, I don’’t want what I want, I want whatt want what I want, I want what

you want.you want.

Heart Barrier to Listening to God: We are afraid of what it will cost us to follow

Jesus.

23Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23

Give Us This Day Our Daily BreadGive Us This Day Our Daily BreadLord, I trust you.Lord, I trust you.

Give Us This Day Our Daily BreadGive Us This Day Our Daily BreadLord, I trust you.Lord, I trust you.

Heart Barrier to Listening to God: We are afraid of what will happen if we really

trust God.

33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Mathew 6:33

And Forgive Us Our Trespasses And Forgive Us Our Trespasses Lord, there is a problem between you and me,Lord, there is a problem between you and me,

and Iand I’’m the problem.m the problem.

And Forgive Us Our Trespasses And Forgive Us Our Trespasses Lord, there is a problem between you and me,Lord, there is a problem between you and me,

and Iand I’’m the problem.m the problem.

Heart Barrier to Listening to God: We want to make up our own rules rather than

to follow the Lord’s rules for living.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,        each of us has turned to his own way;        and the Lord has laid on him        the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against UsAs We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against UsLord, who do I need to forgive?Lord, who do I need to forgive?

As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against UsAs We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against UsLord, who do I need to forgive?Lord, who do I need to forgive?

Heart Barrier to Listening to God: We want people to have to pay for what they

have done to us, and our bitterness toward them is part of what they have to pay.

14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15

And Lead Us Not Into TemptationAnd Lead Us Not Into TemptationLord, lead me away from anything that wouldLord, lead me away from anything that would

entice me to fall away from you.entice me to fall away from you.

And Lead Us Not Into TemptationAnd Lead Us Not Into TemptationLord, lead me away from anything that wouldLord, lead me away from anything that would

entice me to fall away from you.entice me to fall away from you.

Heart Barrier to Listening to God: We don’t want to give up our addictions to

sin. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the

world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. - John 3:19-20

But Deliver Us From The Evil One.But Deliver Us From The Evil One.Lord, thank you for victory that is ours Lord, thank you for victory that is ours

in Jesusin Jesus’’ name. name.

Heart Barrier to Listening to God: We don’t want to really believe that Satan is

real, and that he can impact our lives by deceiving us about God’s truth.

44You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. - John 8:44

For Thine Is The Kingdom, And The Power, For Thine Is The Kingdom, And The Power, And The Glory Forever. AmenAnd The Glory Forever. Amen

Lord, I want to worship and honor you Lord, I want to worship and honor you with all of my heart.with all of my heart.

For Thine Is The Kingdom, And The Power, For Thine Is The Kingdom, And The Power, And The Glory Forever. AmenAnd The Glory Forever. Amen

Lord, I want to worship and honor you Lord, I want to worship and honor you with all of my heart.with all of my heart.

Heart Barrier to Listening to God: We think it is safer to worship by just going through

the motions with a disengaged heart rather than truly surrendering our hearts to the Lord.

7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:  8" 'These people honor me with their lips,       but their hearts are far from me.  9They worship me in vain;       their teachings are but rules taught by men."

Matthew 15:7-9

Prayer time Dear Lord,

This is very humbling Lord to realize that I am so resistant to really getting close to you. I confess Lord that it is difficult for me to really trust you enough to surrender to your leadership.

Prayer Time

It’s like I always want to hold something back in reserve so that I can be secure in case you don’t come through for me in the way that I would like you to. Thank you for your patience Lord as I continue to make these discoveries about myself. Help me Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen