Expect to Hear From Heaven

God is THE source of all wisdom in our lives. Think about it – He made us and the entire universe. God created time — He knows the past, present and future. Who else could possibly know each of us or our personal situations any better?

I have owned the same car for 10 years and it has over 100,000 miles on it. Some people would take an older car like that to Joe the mechanic down the street just to save money. But I take my car back to the Volvo dealer because the dealer stocks the correct original parts, has mechanics specifically trained to fix what’s wrong and the service managers clearly explain what is needed. Why shouldn’t I utilize the Volvo dealer’s knowledge and skill to get the repairs done swiftly so the car remains reliable? The same is true for us — why not go to God, who loves us and created us so that we can get His wisdom and be successful in life? The book of James clearly states: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ( James 1:5 -6) Some folks think that God is trying to hide His entire game plan for our lives and keep it all a secret. But that’s not true. God wants us to have good success in life. That’s why He’s available to give us the right information at the right time and place. Sometimes that means we have to wait on Him but mostly it means we have to listen very carefully, stay in tune with His wisdom and plans for our lives.

Asking for, waiting and then using God’s wisdom is absolutely the best approach to receive answers, including specific decisions that concern our everyday lives. For illustration, I’ll share two personal examples to illustrate the upside of listening as well as the downside of charging ahead without God. First, here’s the upside example. Several years ago I was in Florida on vacation near West Palm Beach. Since I love Florida and am totally wild about the beach, I got the brilliant idea to buy a vacation home. I reasoned that I could enjoy the home and also rent it out to family, friends and business associates. After spending a day looking around the area, visiting with a realtor and dreaming about my future beach stays, I returned to my room at the hotel. I was relaxing quietly and sensed a gentle warning from the Lord “You really don’t know what you are doing.” I had previously sought the Lord’s direction on many matters in the past and believed that His tender “tap on the shoulder” was enough so I immediately abandoned my plans without questions. Six weeks after returning home to the Midwest, a major hurricane hit the exact coastal area where I was planning to buy property! Suppose I had not listened to the Lord’s warning and charged ahead with my own plan? Do you think I’d really be happy about owning a badly damaged condo or home? How would I successfully manage the repairs in Florida from out of town? Seeking and listening to God’s wisdom spared me from aggravation, frustration and financial distress. That’s just one simple example regarding when I DID listen to the Lord.

Let me share another example when I DID NOT listen. Fortunately, the results were not disastrous. In fact the experience was so impactful that I made a commitment to deliberately wait for an answer from the Lord before moving ahead with any future business ventures or critical decisions. Several years ago (prior to the FLA real estate incident I related earlier) I decided to design, print and sell greeting cards and note paper. After creating a thorough written business plan, I hired a designer and contracted with a printer to produce the cards. My enthusiasm was higher than Mount Everest so instead of doing a small print job, I paid to have thousands of cards produced. I was so sure that this was a “God idea” that I rushed ahead to fulfill my entrepreneurial dream. You can guess what happened. I had a closet in my home filled with boxes and boxes and more boxes of note cards, greeting cards and envelopes! How did I miss it? I never committed to taking the time to seek God’s wisdom. Since I never asked Him whether or even how to proceed, I eventually wasted my time, money, energy and closet space on a half-baked idea. I still smile when I think about all those neatly stacked boxes of unused cards in my home office! Eventually, they had to be thrown out and destroyed.

Those two experiences and many others have inspired me to lay out seven principles which share specific keys which may help you to “ hear from heaven” – to seek God’s wisdom and receive His answers.

First, BELIEVE that God wants to communicate with you so that you can clearly hear His voice and receive His guidance.
• Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me…” (John 10:27)
• Psalm 32:8 reads: I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Second, BE STILL and quiet. An anxious mind filled with fear and confusion makes it more difficult to hear God’s instructions. This may require you to find a private location – office, spare bedroom, local chapel or park to pray. Sometimes confusion or deception may be masking the root cause so it’s important that you clearly identify the issue, problem or question.
• For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. (1 Timothy 1:7)
• Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)
• He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters ( Psalm 23: 2)

Third, Start COMMUNICATING and CONVERSING with God by reading HIS Word – the Bible.

Select a few key scriptures to read, study and reflect on DAILY. Here are few favorites if you are unfamiliar with the bible: Psalm 23, Psalm 34, Psalm 57 and Psalm 27 which begins like this – The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Fourth, LISTEN and BE SILENT. Remember the word game Scrabble ? or the daily newspaper jumble of letters? Listen and silent both have the same letters. That’s amazing and it means we must be silent in order to really listen! Easier said than done, when what we really want to do is whine to God and complain to other people! On the serious side, it’s very important to set aside specific time to pray and listen. Also, after you have shared the essential details of your situation with a wise friend or colleague, then it’s time to limit your commentary and focus on HEARING from the Lord.

Fifth, FOCUS on God’s solution –not the problem or question at hand. What do you think will happen if you focus your prayers like this: “God, this situation is so terrible that I can’t believe you are letting this happen to me. It is so so bad.” Or “I hate everything about this. I hate that no one is helping me.” Or “Things will never ever get better.” Reinforce God’s ability instead: For with God nothing shall be impossible. ( Luke 1:37) Based on personal experience, a time of fasting might also be useful. For instance, drink only broth (low sodium), 100% fruit juice or herbal tea instead of eating a meal with solid food. That’s what I call a jump start fast….. read and study more about fasting by reading Daniel 1:12 and Isaiah 58: 6- 12.

Sixth, Develop an action plan, listing next steps; write down the answers and instructions you receive from the Lord. Continue to pray that you hear God’s instruction clearly and accurately.

Seventh, VALIDATE the direction you hear by testing it against God’s Word and evaluation by wise counsel. God will always guide with honorable solutions that are in line with His Word, wisdom and above all –agape love.

As you proceed to implement and act upon God’s wisdom, continue to prayerfully listen. Remember God wants you to have good success in life and He’s ready, willing and more than able to help you achieve your destiny!