Can you hear Him?

[calliope]

Can you hear Him?

What does it feel like and sound like when our Lord and Father speaks to you? How can you differentiate your will from God's?

I understand that some will say that we have already heard from Him, and of course we have, in the Bible. However I am looking for something more personal. How do you sense God's will for your life? When you say that you are going to go and pray on a decision, how do you know His answer for the situation? Is it physical, such as a ""gut feeling"? Do you hear a different voice inside your head, or even out loud? Finally how do you know that it is His will, not your own, 'talking' to you?

I started this discussion after reading Kimberly's blog, found here:
http://wholelifeliving.ning.com/xn/detail/2086048:BlogPost:32358?xg...

I can't wait to read what you have to say.

“So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:11-19


(((((hugs))))

Cali

[Coach Marla]

Hi Cali,

These are GREAT questions, and somewhat difficult to answer to where it makes sense to someone other than yourself......but I will give it a try.

When I hear or feel answers from God, it is more of an overwhelming feeling of comfort, happiness, peace, along with sometimes the tingling all over sensation....does that make sense?

When I have those types of feelings I know that is Him answering my prayer or directing my next step, and if for some reason I might have misunderstood His meaning.....and I do something wrong (so to speak) I will get this feeling in the pit of my stomach and the overall feeling of ....nope, this isn't right, don't do it.....know what I mean?

I hope that kinda helps you out a bit....it's really the best I can do to describe my experiences, but I would love to hear what your experiences are, won't you share with us?

~Blessings~
Coach Marla

[Jan Lyn Lewis]

Hi Cali,

This is a fascinating topic and I'm not sure I have the words to describe my experience, but I too will try as I'd really LOVE to hear from many on this topic.

I have not heard from God audibly, but feel that I am often in ceaseless prayer with him and some where deep in my spirit connects with his Spirit. I know it is said that one should not rely on their "feelings" too much, but it is often feelings that I am given that become stronger and stronger over time in which I believe God is connecting with me in. Likewise, if I am doing something wrong or making a choice not in line with his will, I feel an awful restlessness within me and I am not able to be at peace. One time, I experienced a totally sleepless and very restless night only to realize in the morning that I had a clear answer to a prayer. It was not the answer I wanted at all but I knew it was so, and it became a matter of obedience. I also believe that God speaks through other people to me, such as through my children, other believers and I've had non-believers also be used by God to point me to a certain way. Those times have been a bit surprising and humbling to me.

When I pray for wisdom over a decision, I try to make certain my choice is not in disagreement with the scriptures. Even if it is not, that still doesn't mean a particular purpose/solution is for me--I've come to realize this through a few inappropriate choices I've made in the past. I once looked at those blunders as a mistake on my part--not discerning God's will properly, but looking back on the journey I've taken, I think regrets some times teach us much and make us who we are. In other words, the path which appeared right didn't work, but was maybe allowed to show me something deeper, to prepare me for some thing else or even protect me and my family. I look for a way before me to open or close and that some times may take me a very long time. At times, I have difficulty and so will go to a trusted friend with a circumstance and ask for what I call "clearness". Usually these friends will not TELL me what to do, but rather listen and ask probing questions that may help me discern a little bit more in time.

Knowing God's will to me is not a one time deal. He's had many purposes for me that I've not expected along the way and I've had times where I've just cried out to him to reveal his will as I SO long to be obedient, but don't know what that is to be in the present. It's those times, I spend a lot of time simply waiting....waiting and listening. I'm determined to go slower in this process.

A book I've found to speak to my condition on this topic lately is Sacred Compass by Brent Bill. Would love to hear from you more as well.

In Friendship,
Jan Lyn........
......who some days would like a low flying airplane with a banner behind it to tell me what to do. LOL.