“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. _Romans 10:17

Throughout the scriptures God speaks to his people, and yet many Christians today doubt God’s desire to speak to them individually. The Word tells us, “he is the same, yesterday, today and forever.” That says God has never stopped speaking to his beloved.

So how does one learn to hear God’s voice?

As you journal God’s Word, get into the scriptures, and develop a desire to hear from the Lord it becomes clear—God speaks through the Word.

God Still Speaks.

God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Yes, God still speaks to his people. His people must learn to listen.

In every step of every day, in every issue that we face, we are to rely on the Lord.

Psalm 23 teaches us

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.” _Psalm 23:1-3

When God’s speaks, faith comes. By faith we trust him to provide all of our needs, lead us, refresh and guide us.

Trying our hardest does not ensure God’s grace works in and through us. Attempting to be passive does not invoke a display of his grace. Humbly trusting in the Lord, no matter whether we take action or patiently wait, will always result in God’s grace, and through his grace God speaks.

Listen!

God Is Able

Keeping a journal of daily prayers, study notes, personal goals and “words of grace” develops faith.

God speaks to his people, in the Spirit, about Himself and His ways. He tells us his plans and purposes. He provides insights into reality. He drives away illusions and misconceptions. He offers promises and assurances. As we journal these revelations we learn to trust him to work them in our life. When we face any situation we trust that he will be faithful to what he has told us

As our faith and trust mature, as our journaling progresses, we look to the Lord in our daily personal issues and he proves Himself ever faithful. Though it all, our reliance continues to grow in response to what the Lord reveals to us and what he has done for us. This is God’s grace at work, because his word is… “The word of his grace.” _Acts 20:32

Mature Faith

Faith is not something you can produce. Faith results from getting to know the Lord more and more. Paul wrote “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him.” Years past and Paul became more acquainted with the Lord in whom he had first believed. As the relationship grew he learned to rely more and more on Christ. Paul was increasingly convinced of his Master’s ability to handle any situation he might encounter. God taught him to lean entirely upon the resources of God’s grace.

“Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” _2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (RSV)

As you mature in journaling God’s Word the Lord will work in your heart, giving you a growing appetite for the scriptures. Your faith will develop as you hear and record what you are hearing from him.

so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. _Isaiah 55:11 (RSV)

You will be transported from thinking as the world thinks.

“...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” _Colossians 1:12-14 (RSV)

Your instinct to always take matters into your own hands will change as you understand, as Paul understood, God’s grace is sufficient, and every situation can safely be entrusted to Him.

Journal God's Word - copyright Ellen Lebsock