YOU + GOD = MORE THAN ENOUGH (The Keys to Walking in Spiritual Authority & Emotional Intelligence)Sample

Hearing God Clearly

For the equation YOU + GOD = MORE THAN ENOUGH to hold true, a crucial aspect of the equation is the ability to hear God's voice clearly. However, so many times the question will arise if it's God's voice, your own, or even the voice of the adversary. Amid life's crises, this discernment becomes notably tougher. When you lack the ability to process emotions effectively, it's difficult to find the stillness needed to allow God to serve as your compass and guide.

Discernment empowers one to listen and make sound choices. I often liken it to being attuned to God’s heartbeat—a closeness essential for hearing and feeling it. Samuel embodies this principle admirably. He served as the final Judge before the Kingdom's unification, the first Prophet, and eventually became Chief Priest in the Tabernacle. Interestingly enough, his name, "Samuel," literally translates to "name of God.” In 1 Samuel 3, we witness Samuel's initial spiritual test - the ability to recognize the voice of God calling him by name. Ultimately, it was Eli, the Jewish High Priest, giving him the lesson on discernment and clarifying that it was God calling Samuel, not him. What Samuel required was an attentive ear to discern the voice. Samuel's spiritual development and education were crucial, as evidenced in verses 19-20, "And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all of Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord.”

As believers, it is essential for all of us to acquire the wisdom and understanding necessary to reach a point where we can actively listen to God and align our actions with His guidance. Achieving this requires consideration of key factors that facilitate hearing God's voice.

1. You need an intimate relationship with God. While we would like it to be instant, just like Samuel, our relationship and ability to hear God doesn’t happen overnight. It is developed as we get closer to God. It is walking with God like Enoch. Enoch's faithful walk with God serves as a notable example of intimacy with the divine. Its prominence within a genealogical narrative underscores its significance. “Enoch lived to be 365 years old and he walked faithfully with God” was highlighted in Genesis 5:24 NIV. It requires repentance, forgiveness of self and others, and delving into scriptures for clarity on personal matters. Furthermore, it entails honesty and vulnerability about our emotions, desires, and disappointments. While God already knows our innermost thoughts, He encourages us to share openly, facilitating healing and guidance from within.
2. Discernment is key to hearing God’s voice. In John 10:27 the scripture states “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Attaining perfect discernment is essential to recognize when God is communicating with you. Through cultivating an intimate relationship, you gain the ability to filter out distractions, silence the noise, and discern the moments for a “Holy Hush,” allowing God to impart guidance for your next steps as proclaimed in Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”. It is moving out of the way and letting God be God.
3. Maintain a spirit of humility. There have been times when people have come for my character, attempted to ignore my very existence, and told me that I lack significance and worth in the middle of a life lesson. The valuable lessons, if I am honest, on occasion have caused me to be mad, proud, or protective of myself when being attacked. I have to be reminded that Colossians 3:12 states “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” In every instance, the Holy Spirit has convicted me, and I had to humbly sit, repent, and let the Holy Spirit give guidance. I had to let God show me how to handle the situation. I have had to physically get in my prayer closet and sit until God speaks. I have had to keep an open mind to move as I am being led by the Holy Spirit, so I don’t miss a beat. It could be a minute or an hour. Nevertheless, it is where I sat still and quiet long enough for God to give me direction. It’s in those very moments that I experienced in full confidence that God’s word and God’s truth never fail.

PRAYER:

Father, as I grow closer to you give me the ear to hear, a spirit to receive, and a heart to move as I am being led by the Holy Spirit. I ask that you not take your spirit away from me, but give me a double portion of your love, grace, and understanding to move as the Holy Spirit guides.