Hear God in Your Everyday Life

Hearing God’s Voice

Scripture References

Primary text

• John 10
• 1 Samuel 3:8

Other references

• Jeremiah 33:3
• Isaiah 30:21
• Psalm 46:10
• 1 Kings 19:12
• Revelation 3:20

Overview

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, promises that His sheep can recognize and follow His voice. Pastor Craig unpacks three simple movements—ask, listen, obey—showing how every believer can hear God clearly in ordinary moments as well as critical decisions. Through Scripture, personal stories, and vivid illustrations, he reminds us that God is always speaking; the issue is whether we have slowed down enough to pay attention and respond in faith.

Context

This message is part of the “He Promises” series. Last week highlighted Christ’s unfailing love; next week will cover His constant presence. Today focuses on Christ’s promise that His followers can know His voice.

Main Points

Ask God to Speak

• Hearing begins with an honest, expectant request.
• Warning: it’s a “dangerous prayer”—God’s answer may differ from your desires.
• Story: As a new believer Craig watched a friend pray for guidance, then claim God told him to run head-first into a brick wall; the impact proved the voice wasn’t from God, illustrating how easily we can mishear.
• Biblical example: Young Samuel repeatedly heard his name at night; Eli taught him to say,

  “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

• Don’t ask if you’re unwilling to receive whatever God says.

Listen to His Voice

• Jeremiah 33:3: God invites us to call and promises to answer.
• Most reliable channel is Scripture; God never contradicts His Word.
• Additional ways God may speak: Spirit-prompted thoughts, sermons, songs, wise friends, circumstances, dreams, visions, inner peace or the lack of it.
• Illustration: Learning to fly, Craig at first missed ATC calls; over time he could pick out his tail number amid radio chatter—“the more you listen, the more you recognize when you’re being called.”
• Illustration: In a TV interview Craig heard a producer’s voice in an earpiece guiding him while he spoke publicly—God can direct us the same way.
• Isaiah 30:21 pictures God whispering directions as we turn right or left.
• Be still (Psalm 46:10); turn down the volume of the world.
• Exercise: Craig sits outdoors and waits until he can identify 20 distinct sounds; the noises were always present, but only careful focus made them audible.

Do What He Says

• Blessing follows obedience (Jesus’ statement about those who hear and obey).
• If God seems silent, check whether you completed the last instruction He gave. Many believers are “educated beyond their level of obedience.”
• Faith is usually required; God’s leading often stretches comfort zones.
• Example: Forgive, give, serve, confess—whatever He last prompted must be acted on before fresh direction comes.

God’s Whisper, Not the Spectacle

• Elijah looked for God in wind, earthquake, and fire but finally heard “a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).
• God’s whisper draws us close; He reassures, corrects, and guides in ordinary moments—doing dishes, driving, lying awake at night.

Key Truths

• Jesus is the Good Shepherd; His followers are designed to know His voice.
• Asking without willingness to obey short-circuits the conversation.
• Scripture is the fixed reference point by which all other impressions are tested.
• Persistent listening sharpens recognition; obedience invites further revelation.
• God’s voice is most often subtle—a whisper that requires stillness and focus.

Response

• Begin each day praying, “Speak, Lord; Your servant is listening.”
• Schedule intentional silence—put the phone away, open your Bible, and wait.
• Act immediately on the next clear prompt God gives, however small.
• Revisit unfinished instructions and follow through in faith.
• Reduce competing noise: limit media, distractions, and hurried multitasking.

Closing

God is continually speaking because He longs for relationship. The question is never His willingness but our attentiveness and obedience.

“Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.”
When we ask, listen, and obey, we discover the guidance, comfort, and purpose only the Good Shepherd can provide.

Prayer

Pastor Craig prayed for a church family that humbly seeks God in His Word each day, asking the Spirit to give clear confirmation, conviction, courage, and comfort—and for faith to act on whatever He says.