God is a communicator of the very best kind. He longs to be in vibrant and constant communication with each one of His children. God wants to speak to you personally, more than you even desire to listen.

Have you heard His voice lately? I can guarantee you He is speaking to you in hundreds of different ways, every day of your life.

Listen for the voice of the Lord when you go to church every Sunday. Listen for His clear message in the sermon that your pastor has spent time preparing. Your pastor has studied the Word and has prayed that God would speak through the sermon or teaching that he presents. Don't be surprised if you find that often the pastor is speaking straight to you. You have been on God's mind this week as your pastor has prepared a teaching for the body of Christ!

Listen for the voice of the Lord when you speak with your brothers and sisters in Christ. God often uses a humble man or an ordinary woman as His mouthpiece. Don't be afraid to ask a man of woman of God, "Do you have a word for me?"

Listen for a personal message meant especially for you when you sing the lyrics of worship songs or the great hymns of the faith. God has often given me clear direction or has answered a nagging question as I have listened to words that have been set to music. I hear the heart of God through the verses of songs that thousands of believers have sung before me.

God speaks to me through the glory of creation! When I am aching for a word from God, I often hear His voice most clearly when I put away technology, escape from the demands of people and just breathe in the beauty that uniquely belongs to God. My soul is restored as He leads me beside still waters and causes me to rest in the green pastures that are His divine handiwork.

God is searching for you! He is on a relentless journey to capture your heart as He whispers words of love to your parched soul.

When you spend time in daily prayer, don't do all the talking. Spend at least half of your prayer time simply listening for the voice of God. Ask Him a question and then pause and listen for His response. When you sense He is answering, write it down in your prayer journal and think about what He has said to you.

And I always, always hear the voice of God when I open my Bible. If I hear His voice no other place at all, I hear His message of hope, wisdom and redemption through the divinely inspired words of Scripture. The writings on the sacred pages of God are my beacon in the storm. They are my strength when I am weak, and they are my joy in the night.

When God says to Abraham, "Do not be afraid," I know that He is saying it to me as well.

When God speaks to Joshua with the admonition, "Be strong and courageous," I know that those specific words are spilling onto my life as well.

When God reminds David, "You are loved with an everlasting love," I feel secure in God's love that never ends.

God is speaking to you!  I guarantee it! Listen for His voice today, and when you have heard His voice, take time to thank Him for speaking to you. Let the Father know how much you have enjoyed hearing His voice.

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written five books, including No More Ordinary, Holy Estrogen!, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart and Defiant Joy! Her most recent book, Refined: Finding Joy in the Midst of the Fire, was released last August. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol's "Jolt of Joy" program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at justjoyministries.com.

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