HEARING GOD from his words.

How do you hear God? The main and consistent way I hear God is through the scripture.

I hear God by reading his voice off the page (kind of, not literally)

Andrew Murray said: I talk to God through prayer, he talks to me through the scripture.

This might sound like the easy answer, but it's true.

God gave us his word for a reason - to communicate his love and purpose to us.
Read the story and you'll hear God's overwhelming message to you.
Of course you can't just read the Bible like a letter (even though you've heard it called God's love letter). Read it for what it is - the story of redemption. That includes the creation narrative, the beginning of Israel, it's history, it's problems, it's prayer book (psalms) and wisdom (proverbs/job/ecclesiastes), it's prophets, the gospels, church history, the church's development through Paul's letters, and the cryptic and often strange account of the recreation of a new heaven and new earth in Revelation.

Of course, inside the story you'll find out God's intended purpose for your life, his promises for you, the kind of life Jesus led and taught that gives a model for our own.

If you want to hear God in 2009, pick up a Bible and read it

Ed Dobson, after trying to live exactly like Jesus for one year, recently said on ABC.com, "I would encourage people, whether you've ever read the Bible or not, begin reading the Bible, and just listen to what God has to say."

Here's how I would start if you never picked one up before - read the gospels - Matthew or Mark. As you read, ask this: If Jesus is really God's son and has this authority, what would my life look like if I really believed him.

If you're more familiar with the Bible, than choose a book/letter or section and slowly work through it.

HOW MUCH? HOW OFTEN?
I usually don't read more than 1-2 chapters (for personal reading and prayer)
- you might even stop at one verse or paragraph and let it settle
I usually try for 4-5x per week (outside of longer study or personal retreats)
I usually pray before and after I read: "God, speak to me through your word" & "God, what do you want me to focus on today after reading this" OR "God, how does this speak into my role as a... husband, father, pastor, man, human, neighbor"
I also journal my reflections and prayers (that works for me, it doesn't work for everyone)

This is the primary way I hear God and have seen him influence my life, decisions, relationships, finances, and understanding of him.

If you need some help, comment or leave your email address.

Start listening, start reading!