Iron Rose Sister Ministries

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Published: 20 October 2017

• Called to Listen

Week 5: Listening to the Spirit

Too Busy to Listen

Week 5, Day 5

I seem to never have time to do many of the things that are important to me. There are only 24 hours in a day, and I can fill them up quickly. Sometimes, my day is filled with all the right priorities. Other days, Netflix draws me into one more episode, scrolling through Facebook takes a twenty-minute chunk out of my day... my “too busy to listen” is really an excuse—an inaccurate description of my day because I have gotten lost in things that are not my highest priority. What is your excuse?

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Making sure God is the highest priority in our time, in our relationships, and in our listening is tough. It doesn’t happen without effort and intentionality. Listening requires discipline. It is like a muscle we must exercise. And when we don’t practice our listening exercises, our spiritual muscles weaken and we have to work harder again to re-learn to listen. During week 2, we practiced listening in silence. You were asked to sit still for five minutes and listen. When other thoughts creeped in, we repeated the phrase, “I’m listening to the still, small voice.” 

Today, we are going to use a similar practice throughout the entire day, inspired by Mary, Martha’s sister, who “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (Lk. 10:39, ESV). (For those with physical limitations, you can create a modified version of this listening exercise.) Three different times today, sit on the floor for at least two minutes at a time, and picture yourself at the Lord’s feet, listening. Invite the Spirit to speak to you through quiet reflection, reminding you of truth from the verses we have read together this week, or other scripture on which you are meditating. Remembering is one of the Spirit’s special roles. We are going to invite Him to help us remember today.

At least three times today, we are going to intentionally pause to listen and remember.
Listen to His voice.
Remember His truths in Scripture.
Listen in silence.
Remember the countless blessings.

Additional notes, thoughts, or drawings from listening to the Spirit today:

We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what you are hearing and how you are growing in your devotion to listening.

This blog post is taken from the book Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion. To order a copy of this book, please visit our website and invite a friend to participate in the study with you. The book includes additional guides and questions to be reviewed in a small group context weekly.

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Published: 19 October 2017

• Called to Listen

Week 5: Listening to the Spirit

Listen First and Twice

Week 5, Day 4

As we highlighted while listening to the Creator, God listened to Adam. He desired to engage in conversation with His people, and still does! James 1:19 (NIV) gives us a formula for listening. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

And our anatomy gives us another reminder for listening: How many ears do we have? ____ And how many mouths? _____

James’ recommendation applies to our communication with God and also with others. A wise missionary once phrased it this way as a reminder when meeting someone with whom you are studying the Bible: “You’ve got to let the other person empty their bucket. Listen to what they have to say and let them tell their story. Then you will know better how to respond to their doubts, answer their questions with Scripture, and know where they are coming from. How can you know where to begin the study if you don’t know where they are starting from?”

Proverbs 18:13 (ESV)
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Thoughts about listening first and twice when talking with others:

The same practice is true in our communication with God.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 (ESV)
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
God is infinitely wise. His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8-9). What does it look like to listen first and twice in prayer?

As you pray today, listening first and twice, may your prayer be an echo of Christ’s prayer in the garden: “Not my will but yours be done” (Matt. 26:39). The Spirit will help you in this listening prayer. May we be slow to speak (James 1:19) and may our words be few (Eccl. 5:2).

Additional notes, thoughts, or drawings from listening to the Spirit:

We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what you are hearing and how you are growing in your devotion to listening.

This blog post is taken from the book Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion. To order a copy of this book, please visit our website and invite a friend to participate in the study with you. The book includes additional guides and questions to be reviewed in a small group context weekly.