(John 10:3-5 NLT) The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice."

Things that make it hard to hear His voice:

√ Busyness

(Luke 10:39-40 NLT) ...Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. ...

(Psalm 46:10 NLT) "Be still, and know that I am God! ...

• You have to make time.

Things that make it hard to hear His voice:

√ Crowd Noise

(Luke 14:18-20 NLT) But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come.'

(Hebrews 12:1 GW) 'Since we are surrounded by so many examples ⌞of faith⌟ , we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus, ...

• To hear God's voice you have to turn down the world's volume.

√ Unprepared heart.

(Matthew 13:18-19 MSG) When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart.

• God comes to prepared environments.

(2 Corinthians 7:1 MSG) let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. '

(1 Samuel 3:3-11 NIV) The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down. Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. A third time the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle.

God speaks as we:

1. As we read His Word.

• Samuel laid down by the lamp.

(Psalm 119:105 NIV) ... Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

(Psalm 119:147 NIV) I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.

God speaks as we:

2. As we cultivate his presence.

• Samuel was by the Ark (Place of God's Presence)

(Psalm 89:15 NLT) Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, LORD.

(Psalm 22:3 NLT) Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

God speaks as we:

3. As we put roots down in the Church.

• Samuel stayed in the Temple.

(Psalm 92:11-13 NIV) My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

(Psalm 27:4 NKJV) One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.