How To Grow Closer To God By Seeking His “Voice”

James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. 

1 Peter 5: 7-10

Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you. 

    The best place to get advice is found in the Bible because the verses contained there are one of God’s specific ways of talking to you.  But just as in any good relationship, if you don’t spend time with a person, you never really know them.  You may think in concept that someone is just great, but if you don’t actually talk to them and in turn hear what they have to say to you, you miss the many gifts that they have to offer. And so it is with God.  In order to “grow” in a relationship with Him, you have to spend time “talking” to Him and “listening” to what He has to say to you. The problem comes, however when nobody ever tells you specifically how to use the Bible to “hear” God’s voice so that you don’t miss the message He is trying to send to you!  So here’s how you do it:  First, before you start reading the Bible, ask God to speak to your heart.  It can be in the form of asking for advice about a specific situation that is bothering you or just a general “Tell me what you want me to hear.” Then pick a book in the Bible and start reading until something just seems to be giving you an answer to what you were praying about or just really “hits” you. That touch on your heart is God “talking” to you, giving you hope and direction.  That is Him saying, “Don’t give up.  I’m with you.  See, I’m talking to you.  This is what I want you to do about what you just asked me about.”  Great “advice” books are Romans and Philippians, but God can speak through anything; through inspirational writings, through your spiritual friends.   You’ve just got to ask and listen.  Tell God you want to grow closer to Him.  Of course He will honor that and “speak” to you.  Think of your own children or someone that you really love. If they asked for your advice, you would pay for the opportunity to give it to them.   Once you have your verse, which is your word from God, write it down.  Put it in your pocket or on your desk where you can see it.  Let the words fill your spirit, so that you can recall them the moment you get anxious about your issue or when someone comes along that you think could benefit from your “word” from God.  Don’t be embarrassed about sharing it; that’s why He “gave” it to you! And then repeat the pattern.  Each day, keep reading a little more of the book you’ve chosen in the Bible or whatever spiritual literature you are using until something else “speaks” to your heart.  Just the fact that you want to be closer to God, shows that He is working in your life.  And how exciting it that: The Creator of the Universe is talking to you, loving you and pointing you in the direction that you should go! 

Click the link below to see my books,
"Keeping Your Lamp Lit"
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Your-Lamp-Lit-Schuler/dp/1451559321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277386999&sr=1-1#noop
"Good Strategies for Bad Times"
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Strategies-Bad-Times-Schuler/dp/1438257775/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265471485&sr=8-1