work.
2 Tim. 3:16
There is no faster way to learn to hear God’s voice than to meditate on scripture, communicating with God about whatever He is trying to show you. For many people, reading scripture is just an exercise, something to do because we “should.” However, scripture is meant to be alive, producing the communication with God that actually is prayer.
Some of the best directions for really making scripture come alive that we have heard of is to begin journaling scripture. Do this by reading until the Holy Spirit stops you on some verse. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and show you what God wants to say before you start. When God stops you (one verse will grab your attention) journal the verse, personalizing it to yourself on paper, i.e. “John, the Lord is your shepherd.” (Psalm. 23:1)
The next step is to sit and think about the verse. What do you want to inquire of God about this verse? Whatever it is, write it down, and ask God whatever question that comes into your mind. You could ask “Why do I need a shepherd,” or “What is it about me that is like a sheep?” or “How could having a Shepherd be a benefit in my life?” Then, still thinking about the scripture, write down the next few thoughts that come into your mind. This will be God speaking.
The thought that comes might be “You need a shepherd because you keep going off my path,” or some other such thing.
You could then ask “Why did I go wrong,” or “Where did I go wrong?” The Lord will continually show you why He stopped you on the verse. He may show you unrighteousness that you are not aware of, or causes behind habits that you wish you didn’t have, or He may reveal a good deal about His own personality and character. At the very least, you will relationship with the living God. This is prayer.
There doesn’t seem to be any shortcut in learning to perceive what the Holy Spirit is trying to show you. It takes practice, and time. But eventually you learn to recognize this dear, accepting, convicting, relation-full voice that will guide you in all things. Scripture is always meant to “speak.”If it isn’t “speaking”, then it is just ink on a page. God wants it to produce His very life in us, to show us our sin, and the causes for our sin, to reveal who He is, and how He works, and to give us guidance for every day of every year.
We must learn to KNOW Jesus instead of just knowing facts about Him. Facts are dead. Conversation with Him causes Him to be alive in us. Praise His name. Scripture is also the tool that we use to determine whether a revelation is coming from God or not, because God never brings any revelation to us that doesn’t agree with scripture. Things He shows us have his character, his purposes and His attitude clearly evident. Anything other than this may be from Satan, who sows confusion. Scripture comparison is essential.
Little of the word with little prayer is death to the spiritual life. Much of the word with little prayer gives a sickly life. Much prayer with little of the Word gives more life, but without steadfastness. A full measure of the Word and prayer each day gives a healthy and powerful life.
Andrew Murray
God’s listening to our voice depends upon our listening to His voice.
Andrew Murray
The most promising method of prayer is to allow oneself to be guided by the word of the scriptures, to pray on the basis of a word of scripture. In this way we shall not become the victims of our own emptiness.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Bible is not just the answer book. The Bible is also the asking book. Answering and asking are both God’s department.
Armin Gesswein
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