Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Week 5: Listening to the Spirit

“Speak for your servant is listening”

Week 5, Day 2

Hannah poured out her heart to God and He heard her cries. Eli thought she was drunk, but God was listening. Read 1 Samuel 1:21-28.
What was the relationship between Samuel and Eli?

Now read 1 Samuel 3:1-21.
What happened on that night in 1 Samuel 3?

What did Samuel do when he didn’t recognize the voice calling out to him?

How can we apply the same practice for listening today?

Who do you have in your life that has developed the practice of listening to God and His Spirit—has learned to recognize His voice? How have they developed that skill?

Today’s prayer comes from Eli’s suggestion and Samuel’s words: “Speak for your servant is listening.” You are learning to recognize when and how the Spirit speaks in your life. And even when the voice is unclear, we can call out to Him and invite His words. “Speak for your servant is listening.”

Additional notes, drawings, or thoughts 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.

Written by Aileen Bonilla, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador 

Breaking the generational cycle of disobedience is a very big responsibility placed on our shoulders by God. However, He promises to be by our side at all times, and not only this, He also promises to lighten our load because His yoke is easy (Matt. 11:28-30) and His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

With this in mind, let me share some thoughts about the generational cycle between Saul and his son Jonathan. The scriptures tell us that God chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. King Saul had serious character flaws, so why would God anoint such a man to rule His people? The answer may not be totally clear to us, but it is evident that God allowed this situation so that His people would realize that no human king could compare to Him, and that absolutely no one could be as good as God Himself.

Saul was an arrogant man. However, the position he had been given was not what made him prideful; it simply exposed what was already in his heart (Prov. 23:7). Being the first king of Israel certainly must have reinforced his pride. This king did not trust God: he made foolish and unwise oaths (1 Sam. 14:24), and he did not comply with God's commandments. This leads us to conclude that he did not fear God. He did not value even the life of his own son (1 Sam. 14:44); however, in spite of this, Jonathan decides in his heart not to be like his father.

The Bible describes Jonathan as a brave, strong man, and a good warrior, but it also describes him as a man of love (1 Sam. 18:1), a loyal friend, and a good son. Above all, he was a young man who feared God and lived to assure that nothing or no one would hinder Jehovah's purposes.

Jonathan knew that the Spirit of God was no longer in his father. Recognizing this truth was very critical, because everything Saul did was subject to his human nature, rather than out of a desire to please God. As a result, it was impossible to trust him. Jonathan decided not to be like his father. To make such a crucial decision, his bond with the Lord must have been very close since God is the only one who can help us break these generational chains.

Any one of us can choose not to follow the same destructive path as our parents if we grew up in a non-Christian family. Asking God to help us break those unfaithful generational cycles will bring light not only to our current family, but will also build future generations of believers, and God will pour out His blessings on all of them. It all begins with creating a close relationship with God. Then He will show us what sinful attitudes we have inherited from our unbelieving ancestors which will enable us to break the generational cycle and be transformed into faithful followers.

This is also a way of fulfilling the command of Jesus when He says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple”(Luke 14:26 NIV). Jonathan was not willing to sacrifice obedience to Jehovah for the unholy whims of his father. Many times, without realizing it, we carry bitterness in our hearts, because our parents were also bitter. We downplay the importance of church involvement because we do not believe that God requires this, and as if that were not enough, at least in Latin America, faithfully congregating every Sunday with the Lord’s church is no longer a priority.

Jonathan was clear about his purpose on this earth—to give glory to God at all times—even to the point of offering his own life so that his best friend David could live, assuring that the messianic lineage would continue its course until it reached Jesus. In the same way, we must fervently ask that God show His purpose for us so that we can live giving Glory to Him, and above all, accept His grace every day to break family yokes that are not healthy. Building a spiritual life that transcends for many generations depends on our effort and courage, but above all, it depends on the openness and sensitivity of our hearts toward the voice of God.Saul closed his heart to Jehovah; therefore, the Spirit of God left him.

Today, I first encourage you to pray and ask God to show you His purpose for your life. Second, ask Him to help you live for this purpose and, in this way, He will break every chain that ties you to the past.

Week 3: Listening to the Father

Called to Listen through the Prophet Jeremiah

Week 3, Day 6

As someone who stays quite busy, whose thoughts are always whirling with a multi-tasked variety of ideas,  calendars, commitments, and people, it is hard to stop and listen—to be fully present in the moment and listen. Listening to God, to others, and to the world. The book of Jeremiah refers to listening or hearing more than any other book in the Bible. And it is in reference to God lamenting that His people have not listened to Him. I do not want to be the subject of our Father’s lament. And I’m sure you don’t either. You have already made that choice by listening to the Father’s voice throughout these forty days. For that, I congratulate you!

Now, based on what we have each heard, we will share in the Common Threads (an Iron Rose Sister Ministries way of making any lesson, teaching, or reflection very personal and practical). The Common Threads help us focus in on the specifics of what we have heard and guide us into putting those things into practice, all in the context of community. They also serve as a form of spiritual journaling, which is why I encourage you to date them and look back later to see your growth.

Each woman’s answers will be different because we hear unique things and each face different spiritual battles at any given moment. However, we can encourage one another to grow and bloom in those areas, remove thorns that hinder that growth, and hold each other accountable as iron sharpening iron.

Conclusion

Love God. Love others. Listen to God. Listen to others.

For the past forty days of devotion, we have done exactly that. By developing our listening skills, we are better equipped to fulfill the greatest command (Matt. 22:34-39).
And since you have worked for forty days to create a new habit, don’t stop now! You are well equipped to continue your devotion to listening to God and listening to one another. For me, personally, my renewed commitment to listening can be summed up in the following two phrases, which I have repeated consistently over the past six weeks:
“Speak for your servant is listening.”
“I’m listening to the still, small voice.”

I still find it a struggle to listen. The noise of life invades my thoughts, even as I first awaken. C.S. Lewis* put it this way:
The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.
We can only do it for moments at first. But from those moments the new sort of life will be spreading through our system: because now we are letting Him work at the right part of us. It is the difference between paint, which is merely laid on the surface, and a dye or stain which soaks right through.

My prayer for you specifically is that the things you have heard over the past forty days not be like a white-washed coating of paint. Rather, may what you have heard soak deep into your soul, transforming your heart, renewing your mind, and filling you with strength.

Love God. Love others. Listen to God. Listen to others.
Thanks for joining us on this listening journey. I can’t wait to hear what God does in our lives from this point forward as we continue to listen!

*Mere Christianity

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.

Week 2: Listening to the Creator

God Listened First

Week 2, Day 3

Made in God’s image, we were designed to be in relationship. And our Creator modeled this relationship, starting in the Garden of Eden. We are familiar with the story of the fall of man—sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command. Today, we are going to focus on the interaction and relationship between the Creator and the created as seen in the following four verses: Genesis 3:8-11 (ESV). 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”

What did Adam and Eve hear (v. 8)? What do you think it sounded like?

How do you think they reacted to the same sound before that day?

Week 5: Listening to the Spirit

He Who Has Ears to Hear—Not Afraid to Listen

Week 5, Day 6

A gentleman went to the doctor and asked for advice on how to convince his wife to come in and have her hearing checked. The husband’s frustration with his wife’s lack of attention to what he had to say was growing, and he needed some assistance. The doctor recommended that the man, upon returning home, stand about 15 feet away from his wife and ask her a question. If she didn’t answer, stand about 10 feet away. And if there was still no response, move to about 5 feet away and repeat the question.
The gentleman decided this was a good strategy and agreed to try it. “Thanks, doc! Hopefully, I’ll be bringing her in for that hearing check later this week.” When he got to the house, the husband greeted his wife and then stood the fifteen feet away and asked, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Nothing. Moving to 10 feet away, he repeated the question. “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Still nothing. Now standing five feet away, after restating his question, his wife turned around and responded, “For the third time, we’re having rice and beans. Now how did that doctor appointment go?”

When we have frustrations in communication, we react, thinking that the other person is the one with the hearing problem. We read the verses admonishing, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear...” But our response is, “I wish sister so-and-so would open her ears to the truth.” However, the first assessment should always be to check our own ears. No matter how true the statement or good the news, we can fall into the trap of seeking only to listen to what our itching ears want to hear.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 (ESV)
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Today’s prayer for listening is that the Spirit will open our ears and our heart to hear exactly what He wants us to hear. You may be tempted to pray that prayer over someone else—that God will open his/her ears and heart. It is a valid prayer, but we can only control our own listening, not anyone else’s. Why do we avoid listening?

I admit that, at times, I am afraid to listen. I avoid going to the Word, fearful of what God may reveal in my life or the pain of conviction that may come from what I hear.
Yet there is a difference between feeling convicted and being condemned. When we don’t hear what our itching ears want to hear, rather listen to what God needs to say, our toes may get stepped on. But these words are spoken out of love, for our own good. When the Spirit came on the apostles at the Day of Pentecost, they were inspired to speak as God directed. The Spirit equipped them to speak in the languages of all of the people present. And even though the message was convicting, what did it lead the
people to?

Acts 2:36-41 (ESV)
36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you
crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Repentance. An opportunity to begin anew. May we not cling to what our itching ears want to hear, but rather listen for the truth—even if it means we are cut to the heart.
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 websiteand 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.

Week 2: Listening to the Creator

Hearing the Creator through His Ultimate Creation

Week 2, Day 2

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). And throughout the following five days, the Creator
created the marvelous and wondrous things we reflected on yesterday. Every aspect of creation proclaims His glory. And we are no exception.
The Creator saved the best two creations for last when He made man out of the dust of the ground, breathing life into Him, then formed woman from a rib taken out of man (Gen. 1:26-27, 31; 2:18-25). The intricacies of the human body are a marvel. They definitively affirm the design of a creator. Where we differ from animals, and the most fascinating facet of all, is our minds—how our brains form, learn language, communicate, think, process, problem-solve, desire, dream, and perform daily functions.

Written by Brenda Davis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas

“Above all, love each other deeply.” (1 Pe. 4:8a NIV)

God did not create us to go through life alone. I am blessed to be surrounded by people that I love and by those who love me. God’s Word is filled with reminders that we need to love each other. Jesus spoke plainly about how we are to love. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (Jn. 15:12).

But is simply loving enough? Paul tells the Romans that they need to “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Ro. 12:10 ESV). I love this concept. Imagine how the world would be if everyone tried to outdo one another in showing honor? Peter also goes above and beyond encouraging us to love when he says we need to love each other deeply.

This deep love is demonstrated in the relationship between Paul and Onesimus. The two became such close friends that Paul refers to Onesimus as “my very heart” (Phm. 1:12). Another touching story of this kind of love is that of David and Jonathan found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Their relationship was built on loyalty, trust, and love so deep that Jonathan even risked his life to protect David from his father's anger.

If you Google “How to deepen your spiritual relationships” you will get about 293,000,000 results! Thankfully, the Scriptures provide ample guidance for how to develop this deeper kind of love.

Begin by focusing your relationships on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Php. 4:8). As 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage one another and build one another up.”

Here are three additional suggestions for developing deeper love in our relationships.

Stay in the Word Together
Deep relationships are based on Biblical truths. When we are not digging into the Scriptures to see how to love deeply, it’s hard to build a relationship based on truth and honesty. But when we let the Scriptures guide us, our relationships will grow and reach maturity, as Paul states in Ephesians 4:15 (NIV). "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

Have Deeper Conversations
Conversation with someone we love should edify us and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24b). But we often spend entire conversations talking about our children, current events, and social activities, ignoring opportunities to dig deep into each other’s life instead of sharing our stories, struggles, and dreams.

To go deep, these conversations often mean delving into difficult areas, and we may be presented with some hard truths. Messy conversations are part of spiritual growth, and the more truthful we are, the messier and more painful it can be. But “wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Pr. 27:6a). Depth takes courage!

When you love someone deeply, it's almost like there's nothing you can't share with them. You can tell them how you truly feel, knowing that you will not betray each other’s trust. "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret" (Pr. 11:13). You know they won't judge you, and when you experience this lack of judgment, you'll feel safe and secure.

In addition, you can bring up touchy subjects with them because you know that you can be open and honest. Are you an honest friend? Do you only tell those you love what they need to hear, or is it more important that they like you? When we love deeply, we tell them the truth when we see them going the wrong way, even if it may hurt at first.

Listen
At times, you can communicate more with just your presence than with words. Deep love means giving focused attention without interrupting. Maintaining eye contact and actively listening to what the other person has to say and responding with sincere facial expression and body language sends a strong message of love.

James exhorts us to be “quick to listen,” and “slow to speak” (Jas. 1:19-20). In Proverbs 18:2 we read, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (ESV). So, Paul says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Php. 2:3-5).

Dear sisters, love deeply! “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you” (1 Th. 3:12).

Week 5: Listening to the Spirit

How the Spirit Speaks and Listens

Week 5, Day 1

In the Old Testament, the Spirit was more of a silent partner (Gen. 1:2). God anointed a few choice individuals with His Spirit, some with a double portion (2 Kings 2:9). And then the Spirit carried along the prophets and the writers of the Bible, as we know it today (2 Pet. 1:21, ESV). 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Now that Christ has come and was raised, we each have the opportunity to walk intimately with the Spirit—even have Him dwelling in us! When and how are we anointed with the Spirit? Be sure and include specific scriptures to answer this question.

How does the Spirit speak today?

Read John 15:26-27, 16:7-15. From these verses in John, list five characteristics of the Spirit and His role in our listening.

What does Romans 8:26-27 (ESV) say about the Spirit’s listening and speaking?
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

As the Spirit searches your heart and intercedes for you, take some time today to thank God for the Spirit that listens and speaks. If you don’t have the words, call on the Spirit to speak for you. We can claim these promises! How have you heard the Spirit speak to you? Have you felt its gentle nudging? Did you answer that call or ignore it? Make notes about that time, especially if are willing to share the story when you gather with your Iron Rose Sisters.

If you have not ever felt that the Spirit has spoken to you or led you, now is a good time to ask Him to speak—let Him know that you are listening.

Additional thoughts, notes, 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.

How do we fulfill the commands in Matthew 22:34-39 to love God?And to love others? Listen to God. Listen to others.
Our Heavenly Father has a message that we have each been called to hear, but are you listening? Amid the noisy world we live in, listening has become a lost art. We know that “anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand” (NLT). But how should we listen? What is God saying?
We may not hear from a burning bush like Moses, but we can hear His voice through His Word, through nature, through Christian brothers and sisters, even through silence... But again, the question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we listening?”

Week 4: Listening to the Son

It’s a Matter of Perspective

Week 4, Day 7

Compliments and cut downs. Constructive criticism and complaints. For good or for ill, we hear what we want to hear—or at least what we think we have heard. If someone offers a compliment, we may not hear it in the spirit it was shared. The tone of voice, speaker, timing, and many other factors play into our interpretation of the other person’s words. We filter our listening through our perceptions, our past experiences, and our warped understanding. Two people can say the exact same thing, but we hear it better from one person than from the other. We also hear things better when they are presented from a different angle or highlight things in a way we can more easily understand. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John did that. They each shared the story of Jesus, but did so with different audiences and perspectives in mind.
Why do we have the gospel story shared in four different books?

Matthew wrote to the Jews about Jesus, the Messiah—the fulfillment of the prophecies and the One who established the kingdom.
Mark gave an action-packed account of how the people were amazed at all Jesus did.
Luke chose a more Gentile audience who was not familiar with the Jewish traditions and longed to hear other details highlighted during Jesus’ time on earth.
John focused more on who Jesus is and all He represents as the great I AM, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us.

Today, a group of us are headed out to the retreat center to get things set up. The rest of the women, from eight states and over twenty congregations will arrive tonight and tomorrow! We are ready to rest, renew, and refresh: Called to Listen.
Thank you for your prayers for all that God has done and will do through this weekend. I know there are many of you who wish you could be with us. The good news is that the classes will be recorded, the booklets will be made available, and you can join us in the forty days of listening, starting on Monday through Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion.
As you join us in prayer for the Destination Retreat, may we also keep the victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the victims of the earthquake in Mexico, those affected by the wildfires in California, Oregon, and Montana, as well as others we each know who are hurting through their own personal tragedies.
God is listening.
Thank you for listening.

Week 1: Listening to the Good Shepherd

Week 1, Day 1
Knowing the Voice of the Good Shepherd

Sheep are dumb. But there is one thing that makes them smarter than many of us: They know the voice of the Good Shepherd.
Read John 10:1-18 and reflect on the questions that follow as we listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice today. (The NLT version is included below, but feel free to read it in multiple versions to hear the Good Shepherd’s voice in different and new ways.)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gath-ered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Week 1: Listening to the Good Shepherd

Listen and Walk in His Ways

Week 1, Day 4

The Good Shepherd is a guide for the sheep. We sheep cannot find pasture or still waters on our own. And when we try to find our own path or make our own way, we get into trouble and sadden God.

Psalm 81:13 (ESV)
Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!

God often laments that His sheep do not listen or walk in His ways. We tend to want to do things on our own. We are stubborn. And even if we started out listening, we try to change God’s message to fit our own agenda, like Balaam. And when we refuse to listen, we become blind, again like Balaam.
Sheep. Donkeys. God will use any animal or anything in our path to illustrate His point and remind us to listen. Because left to our own devices, desires, and design, we are asking for trouble and headed toward destruction. It really is wisest to listen to God the first time and to choose to walk in His ways. 

In summary of the story, Balak, king of Moab, is fearful of the Israelites. He recognizes that they are a protected and numerous people. So, he sends the following message to Balaam, a prophet of God (Num. 22:5b-6, ESV).

5b “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth, and they are dwelling opposite me. 6 Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”
Balaam hears the message and consults with God (after God initiates the conversation, Num. 22:12-13, ESV).
12 God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” 13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go to your own land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

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 websiteand 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.

Week 1: Listening to the Good Shepherd

Listen patiently
(especially when you don’t understand)

Week 1, Day 3

I’m waiting... but how long am I supposed to wait?
I’m listening... but I’m not sure that I’m hearing anything.
I’m waiting... but this is not what I wanted to hear.
I’m listening... but I’m not sure I get it, or that I want to.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17) And is there any better way to increase our faith and get to know the I AM than through listening?

I AM longs to be in relationship with us. He invites and speaks to us as the Good Shepherd, Creator, Father, Son, Spirit, and through the five senses... but are we listening?

Amid the noisy world we live in, listening has become a lost art. We know that “anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand” (NLT). But how should we listen? What is I AM saying?

We may not hear from a burning bush like Moses, but we can hear His voice through His Word, through nature, through Christian brothers and sisters, even through silence... But again, the question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we listening?”

Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion is an invitation to personal devotion through forty days of Daily Listening Exercises, and to six weeks of small group discussion through the Weekly Reflections.

We are equipping ourselves to listen to I AM and listen to others, growing in our relationships by doing so. Thank you for joining us in devotion to listening!

I am so excited that this resource is now available on Kindle in both English and Spanish! Order your copy today and invite a friend to listen with you. Print copies are also still available.

Join us March 6 to April 14 as we listen together. This first week we are listening to I AM the Good Shepherd, since His sheep know His voice.

#IronRoseSister #listentoIAM #listentoothers #calledtolisten #MichelleJGoff

Week 3: Listening to the Father

Listen to Who He is,not just What He says

Week 3, Day 2

Be still and know that He is God.
Cease striving.
Stop fighting.

Psalm 46:10 expresses each of these sentiments. God is in control. And if we will be still, cease striving, and stop fighting, we will know and remember that He is God.
However, my spirit is often far from still. I feel anxious. Questioning. Doubtful. Focused on listening to the Father’s voice, I have been disturbed by some of what I hear. Have I been so focused on my own thoughts and driven by my own desires—an interpretation of what I think God’s will is for my life—that I have ceased listening? Henri Nouwen said, “How sad it is that thinking often makes prayers cease.” And prayer is listening as much or more than it is speaking.

So I will be still. I will cease striving. I will stop fighting the war within me.
And I will KNOW that He is God.

Week 4: Listening to the Son

Listening at the Feet of the Cross

Week 4, Day 6

Today, we are listening through music. Whether or not you know the following hymn, reflect on the words as a promise of truth. For me, this listening exercise was most impactful when I pictured myself singing in front of the empty cross. And don’t forget to proclaim this truth-filled promise to others. Feel free to make notes in and around the blank cross on the next page, as you listen to the Son, our Redeemer.

I Know that My Redeemer Lives, by Fred A. Filmore

I know that my Redeemer lives,
And ever prays for me;
I know eternal life He gives,
From sin and sorrow free.

Chorus
I know, I know that my Redeemer lives,
I know, I know eternal life He gives;
I know, I know that my Redeemer lives.

He wills that I should holy be,
In word, in tho’t, in deed;
Then I His holy face may see,
When from this earth-life freed.
Chorus

I know that unto sinful men
His saving grace is nigh;
I know that He will come again
To take me home on high.
Chorus

I know that over yonder stands
A place prepared for me;
A home, a house not made with hands,
Most wonderful to see.
Chorus

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.