Noise & Hearing From God

[EternallyPierced]

This is a bible a study I did a few weeks ago. It's basically what I spoke from but I felt lead to post it. Hope it helps ​

“Noise and Hearing from God”

​

You know, I was thinking. Why is that? Why do we have so much trouble slowing down and catching our breath for a minute? I was watching that and it brought up a good point. Matthew 11:28 clearly says “Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavy burdened and will give you rest” The Amplified Bible goes on to say “I will ease and relieve and refresh your soul”. “Refresh you soul”, doesn’t that sound good? I don’t doubt that all of us could use some soul refreshing.

Let’s try something. I want everyone to sit up straight no slouching or holding yourself up with your hands. Sit Indian style if you like.

Now gently close your eyes and take a deep breath. Don’t think about anything and if anything comes to mind, just push it away.

Relax.

Take some deep breaths and focus on resting.

Enjoy the silence, nothing to disturb you just quiet.

Rest.
Isaiah 58:11 says:

The LORD will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

You can open your eyes now. God’s promised us these things so why aren’t we experiencing them. Why do we go around dragging our feet and running around like a chicken with our heads cut off wondering when were going to get a break. It’s there, in simple letters, “Come to me and I will give you rest”.


Mother Theresa said “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

In order for God to hold up His end of the bargain and give you the rest you so desperately need, you have to be willing to come to Him in the silence where He resides. This is easier then you think. Just think about it for a minute. How many times a day do you bypass the chance to hear from God by indulging your ears or mouth every chance you get?

How often do you surround yourself with noise? Whether your riding down the road, taking a shower or just occupying your free time, when was the last time you just embraced the silence?

Psalm 62:1 says:
“My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation”

Why is silence so awkward? Why do we feel the need to pop in a cd or tune in to our favorite radio station every time there are more then a few moments of silence?

Some people on occasion, myself included, don’t even allow a chance for silence. Before the car is put into drive we’re already thumbing through cd’s or radio stations. I’m not saying this is a bad thing in itself, but how are we ever going to hear from God if we don’t give him the chance to speak to us.

It’s a true display of God’s love and patience for that when were finally ready to pull the cotton out of our ears that He is right there ready to speak peace, love and direction to us.

Jerome K. Jerome said: “Among all nations there should be vast temples raised where people might worship in Silence and listen to it, for it is the voice of God”

No talking just listening.

I’m sure some of you are thinking to yourselves “Well, what if I do this, what if I do give God the chance to speak to me. Will He really talk to me?”

Well of course He will, and we’re going to prove it. Not only does the bible say countless times that He will guide us and speak to us if we let him but common sense says that it wouldn’t make sense for Him not to talk to us.

First let’s look at a few verses.

Psalm 34:4 says: “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 143:8 says: "Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You." Psalm 143:8

Psalm 32:8 says I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

And finally Isaiah 30:21: "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,'
Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left."

That last one is about as blunt as it gets, God is saying flat out “I will speak to you”. The only thing you have to do is let Him.

So we see that God says without a doubt that if we make ourselves open to hear His voice that He’ll speak to us. Now let’s look at how common sense plays into this.

Okay, let’s get a few facts in order:
First of all God made us in his image, right?

He had the option of making us anyway He wanted too but no He didn’t. He made us in His image, the very best image there is.
So this for one shows that He’s loved and cared about us from day one.

We see now that we were made after Him, the work of His hands, His children.

(Pick someone from the audience) So tell me _____, what does any good father want to do with his children? (Spend time with them)

So right off the bat we can see that God loves us and wants to spend time with us. But it goes on. (Big smile)

God loved us so much that He sent his only and son Jesus for us. Not only so that he could heal us and guide us but also save us by dying for us.

That’s seems like a pretty big act of love. Not something you would do for just anybody.

That’s the key, we’re not just anybody, we’re the apple of His the eye, the thing that makes His heart flutter. He sent His son, the only one who could pay the price for us to show us that He loves us more then life itself. He died, so that we could we could live.

Imagine for a second, the person you love most in this world.

Imagine that you get to spend the entire day with that person.

Would you talk to them? Of course you would. God’s no different.

He loves you more then anything else in this world and He’s there by you every day whether you realize it not. He’s saying “Come and I will give you rest” or “Walk this way”.

So the question is not if or will God speak to you. The question is, are you willing to make the effort to listen?

This brings me to my final question.

Do you think God is really worth listening too?
Let me ask you this, who do you listen to now?

Do you listen to the doctor? You must think he’s worth listening to, to be willing to accept the rather hefty fees that go with seeing him.

Why not then listen to God, the creator and maintainer of all life. The Master Physcian. The one capable of healing all our ailments whether they’re physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.

Do you listen to the forecast? Do you take your umbrella with you when they say it’s going to rain?

Why not then listen to God, the creator of the all heaven and earth and everything that resides in it.

Do you listen to friends and family? Do you take advice from them?

Why not then listen to the one who planned every moment of your life out before you were ever born. The one who knows every tear you’ll cry and word you’ll say before you even say it?

Why not listen to Him?

So the next time your driving from point a to point b or taking a shower or even just killing some free time. Turn the radio off for a few minutes, put the phone down and see what God has to say to you today.

 

[EternallyPierced]

~ Edifying Bump ~

 

[Hisfirebrand]

what is described in the OP - the first few lines - is new age mysticism - called meditation praying and breath prayers - it's pretty occultish stuff.

rest in Christ is not finding quiet time - it is simply knowing that He is in control of one's life no matter what happens and being content in Him - it's not sitting and waiting for God to speak. When one empties their minds, they allow deceiving spirits to speak, not God.

God spoke through His written Word. All that He wants us to know He gave to Jesus, and through His disciples - who told us how to live in the Bible.

What you are teaching is emergent church philosophy and channeling/focusing on God. This is not what His Word says - it distracts, rather then keeps us in Him. He is more than able to complete His work in us, and lead us where He wants us to go - all we need to do is submit to Him and love Him with all our hearts.

 

[tturt]

Eternally Pierced - thanks for this post - it's awesome!

Quiet time is scriptural - such as "Luk 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed." Christ Jesus prayed and listened b/c He heard when the Father spoke to Him.

The more time we spend with Him in worship, the deeper our relationship will be with the one true God. Psa 22:3 "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." God blesses worshippers and we're ministering to HIM.

 

[johnchao]

Today how to tell that the Spirit of Jesus speaks through us?
Lk 24:25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
The words explained – are the Word of God.
Jesus talks and opens the Scriptures:
Lk 24:32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
The words of the Scriptures explained are the Word of God:
[This makes us think that while the flesh of Jesus breathed his last on the cross for our sins, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, the curtain is Jesus; one half of the curtain is his flesh, which went up to heaven, and the other half on the earth is the words of God—the Word of God.
See: The flesh of Jesus was resurrected and stands by the right hand of God, and entered the curtain for us and became a high priest for ever
Heb 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Ac 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
Ac 2:31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
Ac 2:36 "'Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
(The flesh of Jesus was resurrected and taken up to heaven, and received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and poured down, and the Holy Spirit which came down is the Word of God:
Eph 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Tit 2:10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the doctrine of God our Savior attractive. )
Heb 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,
Jn 2:21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.]
Lk 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
(All the words explained must be fulfilled.)
Lk 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
(Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.)
Lk 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
(Note: Be clothed with power from on high. The power refers to the word of God:
Lk 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.)

 

[EternallyPierced]

what is described in the OP - the first few lines - is new age mysticism - called meditation praying and breath prayers - it's pretty occultish stuff.

rest in Christ is not finding quiet time - it is simply knowing that He is in control of one's life no matter what happens and being content in Him - it's not sitting and waiting for God to speak. When one empties their minds, they allow deceiving spirits to speak, not God.

God spoke through His written Word. All that He wants us to know He gave to Jesus, and through His disciples - who told us how to live in the Bible.

What you are teaching is emergent church philosophy and channeling/focusing on God. This is not what His Word says - it distracts, rather then keeps us in Him. He is more than able to complete His work in us, and lead us where He wants us to go - all we need to do is submit to Him and love Him with all our hearts.

It grieves me that you feel that way. I think you havemisunderstood.

I know on a firsthand basis that quiet time with God is essential, I couldn't get through my day without it. There has to come a time where you just have to stop and put everything aside and say "Ok God, you have my full attention". You have to make God top priority at that moment. How you make Him top priority is all up to you. It can be reading through the bible, prayer, singing praise and worship or just by sitting still and submitting your thoughts. Psalms 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

By no means am I advocating channeling or mysticism or any of that garbage. I'm saying that you should sit still and acknowledge that God is God and you want what He wants. I know the more often you stop looking for what you want and check with God and see what He wants the better off you'll be.

When one empties their minds, they allow deceiving spirits to speak, not God.

I think the exact opposite is true, it's hard to hear from God when your own desires are screaming in your ear.

He is more than able to complete His work in us, and lead us where He wants us to go - all we need to do is submit to Him and love Him with all our hearts.

Your absolutely right. He is more then able to lead us and we should submit to him and love Him with all our hearts. My question is how is He going to lead us though if we don't listen? Sure He forces us to listen sometimes, but frankly, I don't want to be forced to do anything unless absolutely neccesary. Why would you make a privilege (hearing from God) a burden? Quiet time, however you chose to go about it, is an act of submission. And if you love God, you'll spend time with him. Don't you spend time with those you love already? Shouldn't God just be that much more important?

You wouldn't drive with your eyes closed, you need to know the right way to go. The same is true with God; you shouldn't go a day without allowing yourself to be directed by God as we are all blind without Him. God Bless and I hope this clarifies things for you.

 

[Hisfirebrand]

It grieves me that you feel that way. I think you havemisunderstood.

I know on a firsthand basis that quiet time with God is essential, I couldn't get through my day without it. There has to come a time where you just have to stop and put everything aside and say "Ok God, you have my full attention". You have to make God top priority at that moment. How you make Him top priority is all up to you. It can be reading through the bible, prayer, singing praise and worship or just by sitting still and submitting your thoughts. Psalms 46:10 says "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

By no means am I advocating channeling or mysticism or any of that garbage. I'm saying that you should sit still and acknowledge that God is God and you want what He wants. I know the more often you stop looking for what you want and check with God and see what He wants the better off you'll be.


I think the exact opposite is true, it's hard to hear from God when your own desires are screaming in your ear.



Your absolutely right. He is more then able to lead us and we should submit to him and love Him with all our hearts. My question is how is He going to lead us though if we don't listen? Sure He forces us to listen sometimes, but frankly, I don't want to be forced to do anything unless absolutely neccesary. Why would you make a privilege (hearing from God) a burden? Quiet time, however you chose to go about it, is an act of submission. And if you love God, you'll spend time with him. Don't you spend time with those you love already? Shouldn't God just be that much more important?

You wouldn't drive with your eyes closed, you need to know the right way to go. The same is true with God; you shouldn't go a day without allowing yourself to be directed by God as we are all blind without Him. God Bless and I hope this clarifies things for you.

*** HFB: Thanx for your thoughts and concerns. Perhaps I can clarify a little more. Here is the first part of the OP:

You know, I was thinking. Why is that? Why do we have so much trouble slowing down and catching our breath for a minute? I was watching that and it brought up a good point. Matthew 11:28 clearly says “Come to me, all of you who are weary and heavy burdened and will give you rest” The Amplified Bible goes on to say “I will ease and relieve and refresh your soul”. “Refresh you soul”, doesn’t that sound good? I don’t doubt that all of us could use some soul refreshing.

Let’s try something. I want everyone to sit up straight no slouching or holding yourself up with your hands. Sit Indian style if you like.

Now gently close your eyes and take a deep breath. Don’t think about anything and if anything comes to mind, just push it away.

Relax.

Take some deep breaths and focus on resting.

Enjoy the silence, nothing to disturb you just quiet.

This is the exact process of meditation and breath prayers that are being taught in the church today. they come from eastern religions who practiced such to "find god within" and elevate one to a "higher level of awareness of the spiritual".

Unfortunately, the Bible does not teach this. Rest in Christ is being one with Him - He indwells by His Spirit. That is perfect rest and peace. One does not need to have external peace and quiet to be in peace. One also does not need "times of refreshing" as it is taught today. In Christ are those times -they never end. His Spirit constantly renews and refreshes as we keep submitted to Him. Peace does not require that we do something - it is a state of being in Christ.

It's interesting that Paul speaks of running the race with our eyes focused on Jesus - casting aside hindrances as you run. No quiet time there

Psalm 139 tells us that the book of our lives is written before we were born. That means God has planned out our lives with no help from us. I think we are over zealous in our approach to "hearing from God". He directs our paths perfectly. If He did not, and it was left to us to wait to hear His voice, our lives would be pretty screwed up.

I am not saying that time alone with God is not important. But it is not the "stuff" from which God guides us. We have His written Word for that - this is how the Holy Spirit leads and guides into all truth. What we do in life is to glorify God with our wills fully submitted to Him. He does not have to say a thing - He opens doors as He chooses and you KNOW what direction you need to go in. By putting man in charge of quiet times - as if that is the way God moves, we have been severely mislead. There is absolutely no scriptural support for that.

I believe that because God has made His home within us, we do not need to beckon His presence by doing something. He is "there" and never moves an inch. Prayer is something that is done by thought, by your spirit with His, because you are one - 24/7. Praise and worship are because HE IS, not to be more aware of Him, but an act of love and devotion. You do not feel and see and touch God's Presence. It is by faith that we know He IS.

 

[EternallyPierced]

*** HFB: Thanx for your thoughts and concerns. Perhaps I can clarify a little more. Here is the first part of the OP:



This is the exact process of meditation and breath prayers that are being taught in the church today. they come from eastern religions who practiced such to "find god within" and elevate one to a "higher level of awareness of the spiritual".

Unfortunately, the Bible does not teach this. Rest in Christ is being one with Him - He indwells by His Spirit. That is perfect rest and peace. One does not need to have external peace and quiet to be in peace. One also does need "times of refreshing" as it is taught today. In Christ are those times -they never end. His Spirit constantly renews and refreshes as we keep submitted to Him. Peace does not require that we do something - it is a state of being in Christ.

It's interesting that Paul speaks of running the race with our eyes focused on Jesus - casting aside hindrances as you run. No quiet time there

Psalm 139 tells us that the book of our lives is written before we were born. That means God has planned out our lives with no help from us. I think we are over zealous in our approach to "hearing from God". He directs our paths perfectly. If He did not, and it was left to us to wait to hear His voice, our lives would be pretty screwed up.

I am not saying that time alone with God is not important. But it is not the "stuff" from which God guides us. We have His written Word for that - this is how the Holy Spirit leads and guides into all truth. What we do in life is to glorify God with our wills fully submitted to Him. He does not have to say a thing - He opens doors as He chooses and you KNOW what direction you need to go in. By putting man in charge of quiet times - as if that is the way God moves, we have been severely mislead. There is absolutely no scriptural support for that.

I believe that because God has made His home within us, we do not need to beckon His presence by doing something. He is "there" and never moves an inch. Prayer is something that is done by thought, by your spirit with His, because you are one - 24/7. Praise and worship are because HE IS, not to be more aware of Him, but an act of love and devotion. You do not feel and see and touch God's Presence. It is by faith that we know He IS.

So sitting and relaxing is evil? Last time I plopped down in the recliner and closed my eyes was because I was tired, not because I was "trying to find god within myself or some higher sense of enlightenment".

I'll respond to this in a little while God Bless!

 

[Hisfirebrand]

So sitting and relaxing is evil? Last time I plopped down in the recliner and closed my eyes was because I was tired, not because I was "trying to find god within myself or some higher sense of enlightenment".

I'll respond to this in a little while God Bless!

Not hardly evil

I was referring to the private prayer time that appears so ritualistic to some. I apologize for coming off so critical. We all have stuff in our lives that bugs us due to teachings that are off the wall. I submitted to those for wayyyyyy too long. And so I am sort of sounding off. It was not meant to be personal

There was a time when I crashed and burned too. But since I gave my life to the Lord about 12 years ago, I have not had the time

I guess what I am trying to say is that I talk to God all day long. I spill my guts to Him constantly and He knows my thoughts as my day progresses. It's not like I "practice the presence of God" which is contemplative nonsense, but rather I depend on Him because I belong to Him and He is Everything to me. It's just kind of simple, not a big huge deal. I think people make to much out of "prayer time". When I talk to someone who needs prayer, I do it right then - I don't need a prayer list

 

[tturt]

Hisfirebrand, sorry you were burned before. Also, I understand the caution whether a Christian has been burned or not.

In relationship to hearing from the Lord, you’ve heard from God before on a personal level or you would not be saved. Joh 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” So you have a heart for listening.

The OP isn’t advocating emptying our minds like is done in yoga. Saying it’s New Age is like some Christians who don’t celebrate Christmas because pagans used trees in their worship. Since God made the trees then the enemy has tried to pervert this – as he has tried with so many other things. What I do in life isn’t going to be based on the enemy’s perversions.

There are tons of scriptures that show private time with the Lord such as instructions to
Moses “Exo 34:3 And no man shall come up with thee.”

Overzealous in hearing from God? I use to think the same thing. Some Christians would talk about praying about which head of lettuce to buy, which street to take to work, etc. I’m thinking – God gave us a brain! Though buying a particular head of lettuce and taking a particular street may save you from getting sick, vehicle accident, etc. It also shows that we’re submitted, listening, and obeying. It’s difficult to create a relationship when we do all the talking.

Yes, His will is in His Word and what He tells us will always line up with His Word.Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way." Steps seem pretty incremental to me.

Worship to some Christians is only the singing portion of their Sunday morning church services. Ever notice how many of the songs focus on us?

Someone said the Lord told them not to come to Him with a prayer list for a month. When I applied that to my life, I was upset to find that there wasn’t much to my prayer life. So I researched prayer, praise, and worship. God doesn’t need our private worship time, we do. It is a time of focusing on Him alone

 

[Hisfirebrand]

Hisfirebrand, sorry you were burned before. Also, I understand the caution whether a Christian has been burned or not.

In relationship to hearing from the Lord, you’ve heard from God before on a personal level or you would not be saved. Joh 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” So you have a heart for listening.

The OP isn’t advocating emptying our minds like is done in yoga. Saying it’s New Age is like some Christians who don’t celebrate Christmas because pagans used trees in their worship. Since God made the trees then the enemy has tried to pervert this – as he has tried with so many other things. What I do in life isn’t going to be based on the enemy’s perversions.

There are tons of scriptures that show private time with the Lord such as instructions to
Moses “Exo 34:3 And no man shall come up with thee.”

Overzealous in hearing from God? I use to think the same thing. Some Christians would talk about praying about which head of lettuce to buy, which street to take to work, etc. I’m thinking – God gave us a brain! Though buying a particular head of lettuce and taking a particular street may save you from getting sick, vehicle accident, etc. It also shows that we’re submitted, listening, and obeying. It’s difficult to create a relationship when we do all the talking.

Yes, His will is in His Word and what He tells us will always line up with His Word.Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way." Steps seem pretty incremental to me.

Worship to some Christians is only the singing portion of their Sunday morning church services. Ever notice how many of the songs focus on us?

Someone said the Lord told them not to come to Him with a prayer list for a month. When I applied that to my life, I was upset to find that there wasn’t much to my prayer life. So I researched prayer, praise, and worship. God doesn’t need our private worship time, we do. It is a time of focusing on Him alone

I didn't really get "burned" by other's teachings - no regrets - it's ancient history. I just follow Christ, not teachings - much simpler that way. And I didn't say we shouldn't spend time alone with God. I think we are over zealous in that it has to be legalistic - like we have failed or something because we don't "start our day with God" - He indwells - did He leave during the night?

I don't find prayer lists in the Bible so I have to say that this is man's perception, not God's. I also took note of how Paul prayed. He never asked for a "thing", but that all people would have wisdom and knowledge of the depth of the love of Christ and be bold to preach the Gospel. He never prayed to be healed, never prayed for a job, never prayed for relationships to be healed, never prayed for his bills to be paid. He submitted to all the inflictions and infirmities that were a major part of His life with praise and gloried in them because God was glorified in his weaknesses.

we are far too zealous to pray for things here, when we should focus our attention on the will and purpose of God.

as far as contemplative prayers, meditating, etc with your mind empty and breathing as described in the OP, go to any mediation site and you will see the exact same process. No where in the Bible does it state that we are empty our minds so God can speak to us.

You can be alone with God while changing a baby's dirty diaper

 

[Ichooselife]

Hisfirebrand,

I agree with you completely.

 

[tturt]

For myself, if I can't take a few minutes and give undivided attention to the Lord, how do I think I'll be able to worship Him in my eternal home.