Tag Archives: biblical guidance

Hearing God’s Voice

Speak, Lord, for Your Servant is Listening

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God is speaking to His people. His voice is not distant or silent; He longs to guide, to instruct, and to pour out His plans for your life. Yet, the question remains: are you listening? Are you ready to respond when He calls, as in the Scripture, “Speak Lord for Your Servant is Listening”? Throughout Scripture, we see men and women who heard the voice of God, responded with faith, and were forever changed. But listening to God is not passive. It is an active pursuit that requires humility, persistence, and surrender.

When Samuel heard the voice of the Lord as a young boy, his reply was simple but profound: “Speak, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10 NASB). His heart was positioned to hear and obey. Isaiah, standing before the throne of God, declared boldly, “Here am I. Send me!”(Isaiah 6:8 NASB). These responses were not only acts of faith but acts of surrender—offering themselves wholly to God’s purposes.

The same God who spoke to Samuel and Isaiah speaks today. The question is not whether God speaks, but whether we are willing to quiet our hearts, press into His presence, and listen.

The Call to Persevere in Listening

There are times when hearing God requires persistence. We see this in Daniel, who prayed and fasted for three weeks before an angel appeared to him with the answer he sought. The angel explained: “From the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard… but the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in my way for twenty-one days” (Daniel 10:12-13 NASB).

Daniel’s story reminds us that spiritual resistance is real. When you ask God for guidance, the answer may not come immediately. But do not lose heart! Keep seeking, keep asking, and keep knocking (Matthew 7:7 NASB). Your persistence demonstrates faith and trust in God’s perfect timing. God hears you the moment you pray, and His answer will come at the appointed time.

Hearing and Responding to God’s Voice

Hearing the voice of God today may not always look like a burning bush or an audible call from heaven, but He is still speaking to His people in personal, profound, and powerful ways. God communicates through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, and through circumstances, but hearing Him requires intentionality on our part.

1. Through His Word

The primary way God speaks is through the Bible. As we read and meditate on Scripture, the Holy Spirit brings passages to life, applying them to our specific situations. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that “the Word of God is living and active” (NASB). To hear Him clearly, prioritize time in His Word daily. Ask Him to reveal Himself through the pages of Scripture, and listen with a heart ready to obey.

2. Through the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit lives within believers, guiding, convicting, and encouraging us. When you pray, quiet your heart to sense His direction. It may come as a gentle nudge, a persistent thought, or peace about a decision. Jesus said, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and remind you of all that I said to you” (John 14:26 NASB). Be sensitive to His prompting, and when He speaks, act in faith.

3. Through Prayer and Stillness

In a world full of noise and distractions, it’s easy to miss God’s voice. But when you intentionally set aside time for prayer and stillness, you create space for Him to speak. Elijah didn’t hear God in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12 NASB). Turn off the distractions, quiet your mind, and simply ask, “Speak, Lord.” Then, wait for Him in the stillness.

4. Through Circumstances and Others

Sometimes God speaks through the circumstances in our lives or through wise counsel from others. Pay attention to how He might be orchestrating events to guide you or opening and closing doors to direct your steps. Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (NASB). Seek counsel from mature believers and remain open to how God may confirm His Word through them.

The Call to Respond in Faith

Listening to God is only the beginning. The true test comes when you hear His voice—when He calls you to step out in faith, to let go of fear, or to trust Him in uncertainty. Consider Noah, who obeyed God’s instructions to build an ark even when the world had never seen rain. Or Mary, who surrendered to God’s plan to bear the Messiah despite the cost to her reputation. Or the disciples, who left everything at Yeshua’s call to “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19 NASB).

Each of these individuals not only heard God’s voice but responded with trust. They didn’t hesitate, delay, or make excuses. Their obedience brought them into alignment with God’s purposes and allowed them to experience His power in ways that changed history. God is calling you, too. Will you respond as they did—with faith, surrender, and obedience?

An Entreaty to the Reader

Beloved, this is your moment to press in. God is calling you to deeper intimacy, greater faith, and unwavering trust in Him. Quiet your heart, remove distractions, and ask Him to speak. Then, listen. He may whisper to your spirit, illuminate His Word, or nudge your heart through circumstances. However He chooses to speak, remain persistent in prayer. Some answers take time because of spiritual resistance, but do not let that discourage you. Keep asking, keep seeking, and keep believing.

And when He speaks, respond. Say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” Say, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” Say yes to His will, even if it requires stepping out in faith, letting go of your plans, or trusting Him in the unknown. The God who created you, who knows the number of hairs on your head, and who has prepared good works for you in advance (Ephesians 2:10 NASB) is calling you to a deeper walk with Him. Will you listen? Will you respond?

A Closing Prayer

Father, we come before You with hearts open and ready to hear Your voice. Teach us to be still, to quiet the noise around us, and to press into Your presence. Strengthen our faith so that we may persist in prayer, even when the answers seem delayed. Lord, when You speak, give us the courage to respond with obedience and trust, just as Samuel, Isaiah, Mary, and others did before us. Let our hearts echo their words: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” Use us for Your glory, and lead us into a deeper relationship with You. In the name of Yeshua, Amen.

See Also

Humility, Leadership

Leader’s Compass

Ministry leadership is a high calling that comes with great responsibility and accountability before God. To stay on the straight and narrow, leaders must continually cultivate their relationship with God, guard their hearts, and serve with humility and integrity. This Leader’s Compass provides practical steps and biblical wisdom to help ministry leaders honor God in their leadership.

1. Cultivate an Intimate Relationship with God

Your personal relationship with God is the foundation of your ministry. You cannot lead others spiritually if you are not walking closely with the Lord yourself.

• Daily Prayer and Devotion: Spend time in prayer and Scripture daily. Seek God’s guidance for your ministry and personal life. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you also” (Matthew 6:33 AMP).

• Guard Your Sabbath: Set aside time to rest and recharge spiritually, trusting God to sustain your ministry. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8 AMP).

• Be Teachable: Always remain open to God’s correction and leading. “Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23 AMP).

2. Lead with Humility and a Servant’s Heart

Jesus modeled servant leadership, reminding His disciples that true greatness comes through service, not authority or control.

• Serve, Don’t Dominate: Approach leadership as an opportunity to serve others. “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43 AMP).

• Deflect Glory to God: Remember that the ministry is not about you but about God’s work through you. “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP).

• Be Accountable: Surround yourself with wise, godly counselors to ensure humility and integrity in your decisions. “Where there is no wise guidance, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is victory” (Proverbs 11:14 AMP).

3. Protect Your Heart and Mind

The pressures of ministry can make leaders vulnerable to temptation, discouragement, and burnout. Proactively guard your heart and mind.

• Stay in the Word: Fill your heart with God’s truth to resist temptation. “Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11 AMP).

• Set Boundaries: Protect your time and relationships. Avoid situations that could compromise your integrity or give the appearance of wrongdoing. “Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it]” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 AMP).

• Maintain Purity: Guard against lust, pride, or greed. Stay faithful in your relationships, finances, and thought life. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8 AMP).

4. Prioritize Prayer and Dependence on God

Ministry leaders must resist the temptation to rely solely on their own abilities or strategies. True success comes from dependence on God.

• Pray Without Ceasing: Make prayer your first response in every situation. “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your requests known to God” (Philippians 4:6 AMP).

• Seek the Holy Spirit’s Guidance: Invite the Holy Spirit to direct your decisions and ministry efforts. “But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener), the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things” (John 14:26 AMP).

• Trust in God’s Strength: Remember that the work of ministry is God’s, not yours. ”‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6 AMP).

5. Foster Healthy Relationships

Strong relationships within your family, congregation, and leadership team are vital for your effectiveness and spiritual health.

• Prioritize Family: Do not sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry. Love and lead your family well. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8 AMP).

• Build Unity: Encourage collaboration and mutual respect among your leadership team. “Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]” (Ephesians 4:3 AMP).

• Mentor Others: Invest in the spiritual growth of others, passing on what you have learned. “The things which you have heard from me…entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2 AMP).

6. Avoid the Pitfalls of Ministry

Common pitfalls can derail even the most sincere leaders. Stay vigilant to avoid these dangers.

• Burnout: Avoid overcommitting yourself. Rest is as important as work. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 AMP).

• People-Pleasing: Resist the temptation to compromise biblical truth for the approval of others. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?” (Galatians 1:10 AMP).

• Pride: Success can lead to arrogance. Always give God the glory. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 AMP).

7. Stay Focused on the Gospel

The central mission of every ministry is to glorify God by sharing the gospel and making disciples. Do not let secondary concerns distract you from this primary purpose.

• Proclaim Christ Alone: Keep the message of Christ at the center of your ministry. “For I determined to know nothing [that is, to be concerned about nothing] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 AMP).

• Disciple Others: Equip others to grow in their faith and lead in their own spheres of influence. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19 AMP).

• Measure Success Spiritually: Evaluate your ministry by spiritual fruit, not numbers or worldly achievements. “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16 AMP).

8. Regularly Self-Examine

Continually assess your spiritual health, motives, and effectiveness as a leader.

• Ask Hard Questions: Are my actions glorifying God? Am I leading in humility? Am I growing spiritually? “Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as committed believers” (2 Corinthians 13:5 AMP).

• Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with trusted mentors or peers who can speak truth into your life.

• Repent Quickly: When you fall short, confess your sins and turn back to God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9 AMP).

Conclusion

Ministry leadership is not about personal glory, but about glorifying God by serving His people. By cultivating a vibrant relationship with God, leading with humility, and guarding against sin, you can remain faithful to your calling and honor the One who entrusted you with it. Remember, your ultimate aim is to hear the words of Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21 AMP).

A Prayer for Ministry Leaders

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for calling me to serve in Your kingdom. Keep my heart pure and focused on You. Grant me wisdom, humility, and strength as I lead Your people. Protect me from pride, discouragement, and temptation. Help me to love and serve others as Christ did, and to always point them to You. May my life and ministry bring glory to Your name.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See Also

Life, Spiritual

The Wise Choice and the Right Way

Embracing the Wisdom of God

Beloved, I urge you to embrace the wisdom and guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ and the enduring truths of the Scriptures. Choosing the wise choice and the right way is paramount in our walk with God. As Joshua implored the people of Israel, “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Commit your heart wholly to the Lord, as Ruth did when she declared, “Your people will be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16). Moreover, seek the wisdom of Solomon, who asked God for a discerning heart (1 Kings 3:9), and walk faithfully in the path of truth, saying with the psalmist, “I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me” (Psalm 119:30).

“But only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Let us, too, choose the good part by dedicating ourselves wholly to Him. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul urges us to “learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value” (Philippians 1:10). Walk in the discernment given by the Spirit, aligning your life with God’s will. Additionally, Moses chose “rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). Let us also choose the eternal over the temporary, following the narrow path that leads to life, as our Savior taught: “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Walking in God’s Path

Walking in the right way is underscored when Moses instructs the Israelites to “walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper” (Deuteronomy 5:33). Moreover, wisdom’s paths are “pleasant ways and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17), illustrating the peace that comes from following God’s wisdom. “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21) assures believers of God’s guidance. Psalm 50:23 reminds us, “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.”

Jesus guides us, saying, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Embrace the light of Christ, who came “to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved” (Acts 16:17). Let us walk in the wisdom of God’s guidance and the light of His salvation.

Reflection and Self-Examination

Reflect on these questions, dear ones: Are you choosing daily to follow Christ, the only way to eternal life? Do you seek what is truly valuable in God’s eyes, or are you swayed by the fleeting pleasures of this world? Are you walking in paths of peace and righteousness, guided by the Holy Spirit? Self-examination is crucial for maintaining a path aligned with God’s will. Like Solomon, we must continually seek a discerning heart, asking God to reveal areas where we need to grow in faith and obedience.

Consider the peace that comes from walking in God’s wisdom. Proverbs 3:17 reminds us that all of wisdom’s paths are peace. Are your daily decisions leading you towards this peace, or do they lead to unrest and turmoil? Jesus offers us a way to peace and fulfillment, guiding our feet in the way of peace (Luke 1:79). Are you allowing Him to guide your steps, trusting in His path over your own?

Commitment to the Narrow Path

The narrow path, though difficult, leads to life. Jesus teaches us that “the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14). This path requires a commitment to following Christ above all else, forsaking worldly temptations for eternal rewards. Hebrews 11:25 tells of Moses, who chose to endure suffering with the people of God rather than enjoy fleeting pleasures. This choice is before us daily: to follow Christ, even when it means sacrifice and difficulty, trusting that His way leads to life everlasting.

Walking in God’s way also means living in a manner that honors Him. Psalm 50:23 states, “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.” Ordering our lives according to God’s will brings honor to Him and leads us to His salvation. This ordered way is a life lived in gratitude, humility, and obedience to God.

A Prayer for Guidance and Strength

Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts open to Your wisdom and love. Help us to choose the wise choice and the right way, to seek what is excellent and of real value in Your eyes. Grant us the strength to walk the narrow path, forsaking worldly pleasures for the joy of eternal life with You. Guide our feet into the way of peace and righteousness, as we follow Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. May Your Holy Spirit fill us with discernment and courage to live according to Your will. Strengthen our resolve to follow You wholeheartedly, even when the way is narrow. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

See Also