Hearing God's voice

Some key words to hearing God's voice are consistency, connections, and peace. However, there is no formula for hearing His voice. If it doesn't line up with scripture, it's not God's voice. There are so many different Bible translations but not in every language. The idea that God only speaks through the Bible is an idea made up of people who have always had access to the Bible. A Hebrew mind would understand the Bible better. (Philippians 1:21) A scene from the Lord is brief! Being 60-90% sure is plenty. Hearing God's voice is about faith and obedience. Knowing God is of crucial importance. Let fear go.

Being saved is only step one, the rest of your journey through life is meant for being a disciple to others and to follow Jesus as a daily devotion. When you communicate with others it's 70% tone, 20% body language, and 10% words. Without knowing the Gospel, our ability to hear God will be limited. God enjoys it when we fight for answers. If our heart is to know God, He will honor that. Study the truth to know if you're living in faith. God is always speaking in our lives, but are we always listening? Faith has to lead to action. Sometimes we are not even aware of God speaking through us.

(John 15:13) Jesus came and raised the standard. To love one another became the hardest quest. When He convicts your heart how will you respond? Will you allow your pursuit of God to influence every area of your life? The chosen people of Israel were meant to be set apart, but over time they became like everybody else. It is better to be different than to conform. How often do we half obey? God said, "Samuel they aren't rejecting you, they're rejecting me." (1 Samuel 8:7) Don't be too concerned with what other people think. Saul had head knowledge, but little heart knowledge. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

David was an outcast, rejected, and unwanted. He wasn't assumed to be the man he turned into. David consistently stayed true to God but was still an emotional person. Later on David's character plummets. He sinned and tried to cover it up but repents. David's descendants became sinful, but He was still a man after God's heart. He wasn't perfect but he responded. The more we know God the easier it is to discern (recognize/find out) that the voice (thoughts in your head) is God. Hearing God's voice is rarely literal. It can be tied to gut feelings, tingles, or simply giving Him credit for your successes.

The treasure is Jesus. Following God diminishes coincidence. Having lasting faith is more important than hearing His voice. Rationalization is just doubt. Peter was a fisher of men and asked lots of questions. He taught us that we should stop asking if God is good enough. He shows us that we should just jump in the water! Accept the consequences of your actions going into things. Looking at life in seasons and recognizing the one you're in helps you grow much faster. It's hard to steer a parked car!

Notes during AJ Hanke's lecture