Excerpt - HOW TO HEAR FROM GOD by Joyce Meyer

Today's Wild Card author is:

Joyce Meyer

and the book:

How to Hear from God: Learn to Know His Voice and Make Right Decisions

FaithWords (August 13, 2008)

In the hustle and bustle of today's busy world, sometimes it's hard enough to hear yourself think, much less take a minute to stop and listen for the voice of God. But learning to recognize God's voice and the many ways in which He speaks is vital for following His plan. In How to Hear from God, Joyce Meyer shows readers that God reaches out to people every day, seeking a partnership with them to offer guidance and love. She reveals the ways in which God delivers His word and the benefits of asking God for the sensitivity to hear His voice. Joyce asks the question, "Are you listening?" and shares how to do just that.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great,and the entire Battlefield of the Mindfamily of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

Visit the author's website.

Product Details:

List Price: $13.99

Paperback: 304 pages

Publisher: FaithWords (August 13, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0446691240

ISBN-13: 978-0446691246

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

God Talks to People Every Day

Read Chapter 1 in How to Hear from God. Then read in your Bible the Scriptures designated below and answer the questions that follow. When you finish, check your answers in the answer key provided at the end of this book.

TO WHOM DOES GOD SPEAK . . . AND HOW?

God has spoken to all people in their inner consciousness, through creation of the natural world and through creating within man an inner void that only God can fill.

1. Read Romans 1:19-21.

a. To what part of a person does God make Himself evident?

b. What does God reveal about Himself to all mankind through His creation?

c. What happens when people do not honor and glorify God, even when they know and recognize Him as God?

2. Read Romans 14:12.

What is required of each of us?

3. Read Isaiah 26:8-9.

a. What is our heartfelt desire?

b. Whom does our soul yearn for?

c. What does our spirit seek?

WHAT DOES GOD SAY TO ALL MEN AND WOMEN?

God speaks to men and women for very specific purposes—He speaks to them so they may know what is lasting and what isn’t, so they may carry out His will, so they may live forever, and so He may direct their daily footsteps.

4. Read 1 John 2:17.

a. What passes away and disappears?

b. What remains forever?

5. Read Proverbs 3-6.

What does God promise to the person who seeks to know, recognize, and acknowledge Him?

6. Read Jeremiah 29:11-14.

a. When does God hear us?

b. When does God reveal Himself to us?

c. What does God reveal to us when we seek Him and pray to Him?

d. What does the Lord do for us when we find Him?

WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAK TO US?

God speaks to those who seek to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in all they do. The Bible says all people can hear from the Holy Spirit if they will only seek God and receive Jesus as their Savior and receive the Holy Spirit Whom the heavenly Father sends.

7. Read Luke 11:13.

To whom does God the Father give the Holy Spirit?

8. Read John 1:32-33 and John 14:15-20.

a. Who is the One Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit?

b. Where does the Holy Spirit reside?

c. What does it mean to be baptized in the Holy Spirit?

d. Why can’t the “world” (unbelievers) receive the Holy Spirit?

9. Read John 16:12-13 and John 14:26.

a. Into what does the Holy Spirit guide us?

b. What does the Holy Spirit announce and declare to us?

c. What does the Holy Spirit cause us to recall?

10. Read John 6:45.

As those who listen to and learn from the Father, Who is our personal Teacher?

WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT KNOW TO TELL US?

The Holy Spirit knows all about us—all about the way we should conduct our lives—and about God’s plans and purposes. The Bible gives us examples of men and women who have heard from the Lord, including great details about God’s plans and purposes, as well as the consequences of their obeying the Lord’s instructions.

11. Read Matthew 10:30, Psalm 139:16, Acts 17:26-27.

What does the Holy Spirit know about us?

12. Read Matthew 7:13-14, Deuteronomy 30:19, and Jeremiah 21:8.

a. How does the Bible describe the “gate” through which the Holy Spirit leads us?

b. How does the Bible describe the “way” the Holy Spirit leads us to follow in life?

c. What critical choice does the Holy Spirit help us to make?

13. Read Genesis 6:13-17.

a. In this passage, what did God tell Noah that He was going to do?

b. What did God tell Noah to do?

14. Read Exodus 7:1-5.

a. In this passage, what did God tell Moses about Pharaoh?

b. What did God tell Moses about Aaron?

c. What did God tell Moses that he was to do?

d. What did God tell Moses about the way Pharaoh would respond to Moses’ message?

e. What did God tell Moses would be the end result?

15. Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-13.

a. What does the Holy Spirit unveil and reveal to us about God?

b. Why does the Holy Spirit reveal to us the thoughts of God?

WHAT ARE GOD’S PROMISES TO LEAD AND GUIDE US?

The Lord promises to be our Shepherd—to lead and guide us in the paths He desires for us to walk. He tells us that we will have the ability to hear His voice. God speaks to us—our role is to listen intently for what He has to say to us and then to obey Him fully.

16. Read Ezekiel 34:11-16.

In this passage, what does the Lord promise to do for His sheep?

17. Read 1 John 2:27.

a. What does this verse say about the permanent source of guidance that we have in the Holy Spirit?

b. What does this verse say the anointing of the Holy Spirit teaches us?

c. What does this verse challenge us to continue to do?

18. Read John 10:4-5.

As His “sheep,” what did Jesus say about our ability to hear and follow Him?

19. Read Psalm 46:10.

What is the best way for us to hear from the Lord?

20. Read John 2:5.

What should our response be when the Lord speaks to us?

PRAYER TIME

As you have read Chapter 1 and have completed this chapter of the workbook, has the Lord spoken to your heart and mind about His desire to speak to you personally on a regular, daily basis?

I invite you to use the space below to write out a prayer to the Lord, asking Him to speak to you about the matters in your life that are of greatest concern to you. Ask Him to speak to you about His plan for your life. Ask Him to give you an open heart to hear what He says. And . . . express your desire to obey whatever it is He tells you to do.

Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer

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