As a woman, it’s hard not to get caught up in the day-to-day life of changing diapers, answering questions, answering phones, working, etc… and we just don’t take the time to sit and truly hear God and give Him the time we should each day. Often, when we do have a free minute, we want to just sit and turn off life and not see or listen to anyone or anything. We tend to give God our leftovers, if we give Him anything at all.

With all the focus on getting things done, multi-tasking, and always being busy; it’s easy to neglect the time we should spend with our Lord each day. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This isn’t a new challenge. In Luke, we hear Martha ask Jesus to tell Mary she should be busy helping her, and not just sitting listening to Him speak. Jesus tell her Mary has chosen what is better. Mary chose to hear only one voice and that was the voice of Christ.

Our challenge is simply to shut out all the other voices and listen to that one, beautiful voice, God’s voice.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Still. Quiet. Hushed. As we fill our hearts with silence, God’s voice will slowly grow strong within us. As that happens, we will find the other voices of lies and destruction slowly fade away.

Do you hear voices? We all do. But there is only one should listen to. Jesus will never stop trying to break through the voices. He will never stop calling. All you have to do is listen for his one beautiful voice and then…. answer.

So, how do YOU quiet yourself and prepare yourself to hear God’s voice? Do you listen to praise music? Do you pray first? Do you just skip it because you don’t really know how? I asked a few of my friends to share with me how they quieted themselves. One, begins her quiet time by reading a Godly book, while another will sing a song or journal a question or two before going into prayer and quiet time. If she must re-focus her mind, she prays aloud, ” Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” A mom of 7, has a walk-in closet with her bible and study material set up inside so she can go inside, close the door and sit in the dark and clear her mind before beginning her studies. Another friend helps others prepare to hear God before she begins her talks with them by having them do an exercise, if you will. I want you to all try this one with me. It will only take a moment.

I want you to close your eyes and take in a deep breath through your nose and let it out through your mouth. Try to count to 10 with each breath in and out. We will do this 3 times. With each breath, imagine releasing your burdens, worries, fears and concerns to God. Release your children and you marriages to Him. As you breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth, this will release your jaw where your tensions are held.
Okay….. now, open your eyes. Are you more relaxed?

I read a short devotional recently. It was titled, “In Order to Hear My Voice.” I want to share it with you now. “In order to hear My Voice, you must release all your worries into My care. Entrust to Me everything that concerns you. This clears the way for you to seek My Face unhindered. Let Me free you from fear that is hiding deep inside you. Sit quietly in My Presence, allowing My Light to soak into you and drive out any darkness lodged within you. Accept each day just as it comes to you, remembering that I am sovereign over your life. Rejoice in this day that I have made, trusting that I am abundantly present in it. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank Me and don’t be fearful; thank Me and rest in My sovereignty.”

This devotional is restating 1 Peter 5:6-7, Psalm 118:24 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Isn’t it always nice to hear someone else put scripture in words that you can really relate to? I have read those scriptures many times, but this devotional really touched my heart and gave me a renewed sense of these scriptures.

In James 1:22-24, we are told, “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Sometimes, I find this hard to do.

I met a lady, Angela Perritt, from Good Morning Girls, at a conference a couple of years ago and she spoke about how she studies scripture each day. She said she used the S.O.A.P. method to study scripture. I have began using this in an online bible study I do and it really makes me dig deeper into my study when I use the S.O.A.P. method. I want to take the time and explain what the S.O.A.P. method is and WHY you should use it during your quiet time.

What does S.O.A.P. mean?

S- The S stands for Scripture you physically write out the scripture……you’ll be amazed that what God will reveal to you just by taking the time to slow down and actually write out what you are reading!

O- The O stands for observation what do you see in the verses that you’re reading. Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you?

A- The A stands for applications this is when God’s Word becomes personal. What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my own personal life? What changes do I need to make? Is there an action that I need to take?

P- And finally P stands for Prayer. Pray God’s Word back to Him. If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life.

Why S.O.A.P. it?

It’s one thing to simply read scripture, but when you interact with it, when you learn to slow down to REALLY read it, suddenly words start popping off the page. By SOAPing your verses you are able to dig deeper into scripture and “see” more than if you simply read the verses and then went on your merry way. Let me encourage you to take the time to S.O.A.P. the daily verses and see for yourself how much more you get out of your daily reading……you’ll be amazed. Studying God’s Word like this can take as little or as long as you have time to give. Some days it can take just 10 or 15 minutes, other days longer.

I have a couple more scriptures to share with you and for you to think about as you go about your day. The first are from Proverbs 2:1-5: If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear or the Lord; and Proverbs 3:13-19: Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed; Proverbs 4:7-9 “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.” And finally, Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Lastly, I’d like to leave you with some things for you to ponder and discuss with others.

What voices in your life are competing with His voice?

What are they saying to distract you?

What can you do to be still and hear God?

Are you able to hear God’s voice? What is He saying?