1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 2: Teach Us to Praise brought to you by Life Audio 3 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:11,880 Speaker 2: and is a part of our Faith Toolkit series. For 4 00:00:12,000 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 2: more inspirational faith affirming podcasts, visit lifeaudio dot com. 5 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:21,840 Speaker 1: Welcome back, friend. 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 3: You are listening to the Teach Us to Pray podcast, 7 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:29,560 Speaker 3: where we teach believers practical and real life tips on 8 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 3: how to grow your faith and relationship with God through 9 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 3: the power of prayer. I'm Christina Patterson, host of the 10 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 3: Teacher Us to Pray podcast and founder of Beloved Women, 11 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:44,440 Speaker 3: where I encourage, equip and empower women in the love 12 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 3: of Jesus Christ and the truth of God's Word. We 13 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 3: have another exciting episode for you this week on the 14 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:03,200 Speaker 3: hour of Prayer, but specifically we're going to be talking 15 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:07,279 Speaker 3: about how we hear from God through his Word. 16 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: But before we. 17 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 3: Get to that, I wanted to share something with you 18 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 3: that was very special to me. It is a podcast 19 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 3: rating that came in from Wailing Women When now wherever 20 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 3: you listen to the Teach Us to Pray podcast, we 21 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 3: are so grateful for all of our listeners, and we 22 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:30,880 Speaker 3: are especially grateful when you take the time to not 23 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:33,080 Speaker 3: only listen to the podcast. 24 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:35,040 Speaker 1: But to also leave us a review. 25 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 3: A review that I want to share from you today 26 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 3: comes from Wailing Women When that says awesome. I was 27 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 3: so blessed by this amazing podcast. She was anointed, engaging, knowledgeable, powerful. 28 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. 29 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 3: I have always understood the importance of prayer, but this 30 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 3: helped me even more. 31 00:01:57,920 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: I can't wait. 32 00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 3: To share, and I just want to say thank you 33 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:06,560 Speaker 3: so much, Wailing Women When for again not only listening 34 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 3: but taking the time to leave us a positive review 35 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 3: on how this teach Us to Pray podcast is impacting 36 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 3: your life and your prayers to God. It encourages me 37 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,560 Speaker 3: so much to know that the work that we're doing 38 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 3: here on the podcast is having positive effects on your 39 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 3: relationship with God. If you haven't had the chance yet, 40 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 3: I just want to ask you to take a moment 41 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 3: when you can and leave us a positive podcast review 42 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:42,679 Speaker 3: wherever you listen to the Teach Us to Pray Podcast. 43 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:45,639 Speaker 1: Not only does this further encourage us. 44 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 3: And let us know that we're headed in the right direction, 45 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:53,040 Speaker 3: it also helps other believers find our podcast so that 46 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:57,080 Speaker 3: they too can be encouraged in their prayer lives as well. 47 00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 3: Now let's get into today day's episode. We often talk 48 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:06,640 Speaker 3: here on the podcast about how we talk to God. 49 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:08,920 Speaker 1: However, as I've. 50 00:03:08,760 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 3: Said multiple times on this podcast, prayer is not a 51 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:16,680 Speaker 3: one way street. It is not us just only talking 52 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:22,079 Speaker 3: to God, it is also Him talking back to us. 53 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: Now, what does that mean? That means we don't just 54 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:25,640 Speaker 1: need to know. 55 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,920 Speaker 3: How to communicate to God, we need to also know 56 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 3: how to hear from Him. In upcoming episodes, I want 57 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 3: to share with you different ways that God speaks to us, 58 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 3: and that how we can also hear from Him through prayer. 59 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 3: In today's episode, I specifically want to talk about how 60 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:55,480 Speaker 3: to hear from God through his word? How can we 61 00:03:55,720 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 3: listen to God through the reading and studying and meditator 62 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 3: of our Bibles. Because here is a really important truth 63 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:09,920 Speaker 3: that all Christians need to understand. God is speaking to 64 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 3: us through his word. The question is are we listening. 65 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 3: There are many ways that we can hear from God. 66 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 3: So many ways you might hear from Him just through 67 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:25,719 Speaker 3: your spirit. You might hear from him through confirmation. You 68 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:28,159 Speaker 3: might hear from him through someone else, through a dream 69 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 3: or a vision. The ways that we hear from God 70 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:34,960 Speaker 3: are all going to be different because we're all different. 71 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 1: But there is one way that. 72 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 3: God speaks to all of his children, and that is 73 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:45,920 Speaker 3: through his word. If you've never heard from God in 74 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 3: any other way, you can be sure that you can 75 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:54,320 Speaker 3: and will hear from Him through the study and reading 76 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:58,240 Speaker 3: of His word, the Bible. 77 00:04:59,080 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 1: And that is exactly what the. 78 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 3: Bible is meant for. It is meant for us to 79 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:07,599 Speaker 3: hear from God. Now why is this important for believers. 80 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,520 Speaker 3: It's important because it's through his word that God tells 81 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 3: us his will, It tells us his heart for us. 82 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 3: The Bible tells us his character, so that we even 83 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:20,840 Speaker 3: know who God is in the first place. The Bible 84 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 3: communicates the essential truths that all Christians need to know. 85 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:30,760 Speaker 3: I often think Joshua, who was commanded to lead the 86 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 3: Israelites into the Promised Land. Now this would mean that 87 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:38,279 Speaker 3: he would have to go into war. He would have 88 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:41,200 Speaker 3: to go into battle to take this land because the 89 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 3: land was already occupied. Now, before he goes into battle. 90 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:50,320 Speaker 3: In Joshua Chapter one, we hear God give Joshua like 91 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 3: a pep talk. 92 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: Right, It's like they're in the locker. 93 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 3: Room about to go into this game, into this war, 94 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 3: and God is giving Joshua with his pep talk. Now, 95 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,080 Speaker 3: you would think that God would give him some sort 96 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 3: of military strategy, right, No, he does none of the such. 97 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 3: God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous, but then 98 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 3: he says to Joshua that he should keep God's word 99 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:23,159 Speaker 3: close to him if he wants to be successful. Joshua 100 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 3: one verses seven through eight, says, only be strong and 101 00:06:27,760 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 3: very courageous, being careful to do according to all the 102 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:33,799 Speaker 3: law that Moses. 103 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:35,120 Speaker 1: My servant commanded. 104 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 3: You do not turn from it to the right hand 105 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 3: or to the left, that you may have good success 106 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 3: wherever you go. 107 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 1: This book of. 108 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:48,359 Speaker 3: The law shall not depart from your mouth, but you 109 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:52,479 Speaker 3: shall meditate on it day and night, so that you 110 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:55,719 Speaker 3: may be careful to do according to all that is 111 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:59,919 Speaker 3: written in it. For then you will make your way prosper, 112 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 3: and then you will have good success. No military strategy here, 113 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 3: No step by step ten step process on how to 114 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 3: get to the promised Land. No, just focus on God's word. 115 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 3: Meditate on God's word. That's the instruction, and that is 116 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:23,280 Speaker 3: the same instruction that. 117 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: God gives us for our lives. 118 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 3: So often we want to know from God what should 119 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 3: we do next? 120 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:33,119 Speaker 1: Where should we go? What decision? What choice should we make? 121 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 1: And oftentimes we will find those answers in the very 122 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 1: word of God. 123 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 3: Two Timothy three, verses sixteen through seventeen says, all scripture 124 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 3: is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, 125 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:54,520 Speaker 3: for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man 126 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:59,880 Speaker 3: of God may be competent, equipped for every good word. 127 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 3: It's the Bible, It's the scriptures. It's the very word 128 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 3: of God that teaches us, that corrects us, and molds 129 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,320 Speaker 3: us into the people that God wants us to be. 130 00:08:10,760 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 3: It trains us in righteousness so that we should know 131 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 3: what to do and how. 132 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 1: To do it. 133 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 3: It gives us wisdom so that we can be competent 134 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:21,200 Speaker 3: in the work that we're called to do. God is 135 00:08:21,280 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 3: speaking to us through his word to tell us everything 136 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 3: that we need to know. But ultimately, the Word of 137 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:35,400 Speaker 3: God is God's love letter to his people. 138 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 1: It's how we know that God loves us in the 139 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 1: first place. 140 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 3: I see a growing movement of people saying, my religion 141 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 3: is love, Just love people, and that's it, right. 142 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 1: But here's the truth. How can we know what love 143 00:08:52,720 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: is apart from God? 144 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 3: And is it not the word the Bible that shares 145 00:08:59,320 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 3: with us God's love for us. Without his truth, we 146 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:08,840 Speaker 3: can't know that we are loved. We can't know that 147 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 3: we can't know what love is. That is why God's 148 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 3: word is so important. His truth is so important. It 149 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 3: reveals his love, his character, and his will for us. 150 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:29,320 Speaker 3: So how can we hear God through his word? 151 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: Today? 152 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:33,680 Speaker 3: I want to give you three steps to hearing God 153 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 3: through the Bible. 154 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: The first step is to pray for guidance before you 155 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 1: open your Bible. 156 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 3: Now, I have a whole episode on what to pray 157 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 3: before you study the Bible. I want you to go 158 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:47,960 Speaker 3: back and check that out if you want a more 159 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 3: in depth, step by step process on the things that 160 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 3: you can be praying for before you actually study the Bible, 161 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:56,319 Speaker 3: so that you can make sure that you hear God clearly. 162 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:00,040 Speaker 3: But the point of praying before you actually study the 163 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 3: Bible is to ask God what he wants to say 164 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 3: to you before you start reading his word. Oftentimes we 165 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 3: can go to the Bible and we think, Okay, well 166 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 3: I want to hear this or I need to hear this, 167 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 3: instead of first going to God and saying, God, this 168 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 3: is your letter to me, what do you want to 169 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 3: say to me. 170 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:24,880 Speaker 1: It's not only about what we want to hear. 171 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:28,559 Speaker 3: When it comes to opening our Bible, it's more important 172 00:10:28,559 --> 00:10:31,120 Speaker 3: to know what is it that God wants to say, 173 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 3: What is it that he wants to share with us? 174 00:10:35,559 --> 00:10:38,040 Speaker 3: So before we open our Bible to hear from him, 175 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 3: we need to be in prayer because what that's going 176 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,840 Speaker 3: to do is it's going to open our spiritual ears, 177 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 3: open up our hearts, not just to only hear what 178 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 3: we want to hear, right when we put up these 179 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,000 Speaker 3: spiritual filters so we only hear what we want to hear, right, 180 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 3: it opens up our hearts and our minds and our 181 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 3: ears so that we can actually hear what God wants 182 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 3: to say. There are so many times where I went 183 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 3: to my Bible and I was just praying to God 184 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:14,680 Speaker 3: about what he wanted to say, and He led me 185 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 3: to a specific scripture, and I would be thinking to myself, 186 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 3: what does this have to do with anything? Why does 187 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:25,200 Speaker 3: God have me in Exodus today? That doesn't seem to 188 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,040 Speaker 3: match anything that I'm going through. Right, and one of 189 00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:31,720 Speaker 3: two things will happen. Either one I will get a 190 00:11:31,800 --> 00:11:34,800 Speaker 3: complete revelation from a scripture that I did not expect 191 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,640 Speaker 3: to hear anything from God about, Right, and I never 192 00:11:37,679 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 3: would have went to that scripture if I wasn't led 193 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 3: by God to do so in the first place. But 194 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:46,520 Speaker 3: in his sovereign knowledge about what I need most, even 195 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:50,200 Speaker 3: more than I know I need myself, he leads me 196 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:55,199 Speaker 3: in the right direction. Or second I realize that God's 197 00:11:55,280 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 3: leading me to a scripture not for myself. It's not 198 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 3: all about me. Maybe I'll read something, I'll learn something. 199 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 3: I might not necessarily feel like it applies to my 200 00:12:04,880 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 3: life at the time, but I'll meet someone else that 201 00:12:07,840 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 3: day or that week that it does apply to. And 202 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,199 Speaker 3: God had me go to that scripture because he wanted 203 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 3: me to encourage someone else in that word, because God 204 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 3: had a message that he wanted to give me to share. 205 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,240 Speaker 1: With someone else. We don't want to be. 206 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 3: So me focused when it comes to hearing God through 207 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:32,440 Speaker 3: his Bible that we don't actually hear from him. It's 208 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 3: kind of like when you're talking to someone and they're 209 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 3: talking and you're listening to them, but you're not really listening. 210 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 3: You're only thinking about what you want to say next. 211 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:47,720 Speaker 3: You're only thinking about what your response is going to 212 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:50,120 Speaker 3: be the moment that they stop talking, and. 213 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:53,600 Speaker 1: So you're not listening. We can sometimes do that with God. 214 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:56,440 Speaker 3: When we approach his word and we already assume what 215 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:58,680 Speaker 3: we want to hear, what we want to say. 216 00:13:00,360 --> 00:13:00,839 Speaker 1: We need to. 217 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:06,719 Speaker 3: Approach God's word and humility through prayer to open our 218 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:09,560 Speaker 3: ears and our hearts to whatever it is that He 219 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 3: wants to say. The second step that we need to 220 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 3: take to hear God through his word is to read, study, 221 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 3: and meditate on the Bible. To read, study, and meditate 222 00:13:25,840 --> 00:13:27,800 Speaker 3: on his word. 223 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:29,679 Speaker 1: Here's the difference. 224 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:34,440 Speaker 3: We read God's word to gain understanding of what He's saying. 225 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:37,920 Speaker 1: We study God's word so that we. 226 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 3: Can learn how we can apply what we've learned, what 227 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 3: we understood to our everyday lives. And we meditate on 228 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 3: God's word. And I again, I have a whole another 229 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 3: podcast episode check it out on how to meditate on 230 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 3: God's Word. But we meditate on God's word so that 231 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 3: we remember it. Hebrews four twelve says for the Word 232 00:14:02,520 --> 00:14:06,760 Speaker 3: of God is living and active, sharper than any two 233 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 3: edge sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, 234 00:14:11,840 --> 00:14:16,200 Speaker 3: of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and 235 00:14:16,360 --> 00:14:23,160 Speaker 3: intentions of the heart. The Bible is so powerful that 236 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 3: not only. 237 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:27,360 Speaker 1: Do we read it, but it reads us. 238 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 3: The Bible reveals the intention of our hearts. It gets 239 00:14:33,200 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 3: deeper into the core of who we are, to help 240 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:40,680 Speaker 3: mold us into the women and men that God wants 241 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 3: us to be. And that's exactly what God is speaking 242 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 3: to us. His word is here to transform us, to 243 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:53,640 Speaker 3: change us. But it can only do that if we 244 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:58,560 Speaker 3: actually read the Bible, if we make time to open 245 00:14:58,560 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 3: the Bible and read. 246 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 1: It so that we can actually hear from him. 247 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 3: If someone wrote you a letter, you don't just leave 248 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 3: it on your nightstand and never open it up and 249 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 3: read it. No, you open the letter and you read 250 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 3: it so that you can hear what the messenger wanted 251 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 3: to say to you. 252 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: That is God's intention. 253 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 3: With his word that we would actually open it up 254 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:22,320 Speaker 3: and read it. 255 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 1: We study the word so that it will actually change us. 256 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 3: Studying the Bible is different from reading the Bible. Reading 257 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,200 Speaker 3: the Bible, like I said, is so that we gain understanding. 258 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 3: But studying the Bible is actually understanding God's intention behind 259 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 3: the scripture. What is it that he wants us to learn? 260 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 3: What is he trying to teach us? What principles does 261 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 3: he want us to apply to our lives. What promises 262 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 3: does he want us to hold onto? 263 00:15:53,480 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 1: And then we don't just hear the word. 264 00:15:56,600 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 3: We actually do it. We actually live it out. That's 265 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 3: an important part of Bible study. It's not enough to 266 00:16:05,960 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 3: just know God's word and to know what we need 267 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:11,000 Speaker 3: to do. We actually have to live it out to 268 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 3: activate it in our everyday lives. And this is where 269 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:19,360 Speaker 3: meditation comes in. As we meditate on God's word, as 270 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 3: we think about God's word, as we hide God's word 271 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,760 Speaker 3: in our hearts, we're reminded as we go through the 272 00:16:24,880 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 3: day to actually live it out. 273 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 1: We're not always going to have. 274 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 3: Our physical Bible on us twenty four to seven. Well, 275 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 3: I guess we kind of do now that we have 276 00:16:34,160 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 3: our phones on us, but we might not always have 277 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:39,360 Speaker 3: them out in the moment ready. 278 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 1: To read Psalm twenty three. Right. 279 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 3: We need to have it in our hearts so that 280 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 3: when we're stressed or anxious, we can go back to 281 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 3: the word that's deep in our hearts and remember, the 282 00:16:50,320 --> 00:16:52,200 Speaker 3: Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 283 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: When we're afraid, we can go. 284 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:57,480 Speaker 3: Back and remember God has not given us a spirit 285 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,000 Speaker 3: of fear, but of love. 286 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,800 Speaker 1: Power, sound mine. That's the power of meditation. 287 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:07,199 Speaker 3: It gets God's word deep in your heart so that 288 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:10,879 Speaker 3: you can live it out as a natural lifestyle, so 289 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:15,119 Speaker 3: that God's voice is always in your ear no matter 290 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 3: where you go or what you go through. The third 291 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 3: and final step that I want to encourage you to 292 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:27,280 Speaker 3: do to hear from God through his word is write 293 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:31,120 Speaker 3: down what you hear when God. 294 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: Speaks to you through his word. 295 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 3: Let's say you're reading a scripture and there's a specific 296 00:17:35,760 --> 00:17:40,719 Speaker 3: verse that just stirs your spirit. Write it down, highlight it, 297 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 3: make a point to memorize that scripture so that it 298 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:48,760 Speaker 3: stays with you. The point here is so that you 299 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 3: don't forget what good is it to pray before you 300 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:57,199 Speaker 3: study the Bible. Then read, study, and meditate on the Bible, 301 00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 3: receive a wonderful word from God, and then forget it. 302 00:18:01,680 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 3: Just forget what He was trying to communicate to you 303 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:05,320 Speaker 3: through his word. 304 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:12,439 Speaker 1: Now, the problem is we have bad memories. That's just 305 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:13,920 Speaker 1: a fault that we have. 306 00:18:15,240 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 3: Can you remember what you ate two weeks ago on Thursday? 307 00:18:20,080 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 1: Probably not right. 308 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 3: So it's so important to write down what you hear 309 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 3: God speaking to you as you study his word. As 310 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:34,920 Speaker 3: we learned, God's word is living and He will give 311 00:18:34,960 --> 00:18:38,920 Speaker 3: you a word when you need it, but we got 312 00:18:38,920 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 3: to remember it. So write it down. Keep a prayer journal, 313 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:45,919 Speaker 3: keep a Bible study journal, and write it down so 314 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 3: that you can remember what God is speaking to you, 315 00:18:48,359 --> 00:18:50,160 Speaker 3: what He has spoken to you through. 316 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:54,359 Speaker 1: His word for years to come. The Bible is no 317 00:18:54,840 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 1: ordinary book. 318 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:59,879 Speaker 3: It's the very message and word of God speaking to 319 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 3: you and me, a message that's definitely worth remembering. 320 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:07,760 Speaker 1: I just want to remind you. 321 00:19:07,760 --> 00:19:10,760 Speaker 3: Before we close today that God does speak to us 322 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:14,240 Speaker 3: through his word. Now, some people may feel like they 323 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:17,600 Speaker 3: don't hear from God. They may hear other people say, 324 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,919 Speaker 3: oh God told me this, and I heard God say 325 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:23,439 Speaker 3: and you may wonder. Maybe you're one of those people, 326 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:26,159 Speaker 3: and you wonder, why isn't God speaking to me? 327 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,320 Speaker 1: Why don't I hear from God like that? Let me 328 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:29,920 Speaker 1: tell you this. 329 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:33,840 Speaker 3: If you are reading your Bible, if you are praying 330 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:36,120 Speaker 3: to God as you study your Bible, if you are 331 00:19:36,200 --> 00:19:40,200 Speaker 3: meditating on the word of God, God is speaking to you. 332 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 3: If you are reading and living out the truth of Scripture, 333 00:19:45,480 --> 00:19:50,280 Speaker 3: you have heard from God. This is why Jesus says 334 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 3: that man cannot live by bread alone, but every word 335 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:55,960 Speaker 3: that comes from the mouth of God. 336 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:59,400 Speaker 1: It is God's word that is our source. 337 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:05,640 Speaker 3: It is God himself speaking to us every time we're 338 00:20:05,680 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 3: ready to hear him through the scriptures. Did you know 339 00:20:11,160 --> 00:20:14,359 Speaker 3: that God made us all beautifully different, even in the 340 00:20:14,359 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 3: way that we pray. 341 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:16,560 Speaker 1: That's right. 342 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:20,919 Speaker 3: Your prayer personality is the unique way you are most 343 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:24,679 Speaker 3: likely to communicate with God. And knowing which of the 344 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:28,639 Speaker 3: three prayer personality types you have can equip you to 345 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:32,399 Speaker 3: hear from God more clearly and overcome any obstacles to 346 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 3: your communication with Him. I invite you to take my 347 00:20:36,320 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 3: prayer personality quiz to learn how you best hear from God, 348 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:43,879 Speaker 3: how you most likely connect with Him in prayer, and 349 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:45,120 Speaker 3: to just have a little fun. 350 00:20:45,760 --> 00:20:47,959 Speaker 1: Take the prayer personality. 351 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:51,680 Speaker 3: Quiz now at prayquiz dot com. That's p r a 352 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:56,399 Speaker 3: y quiz dot com, or find the link and the 353 00:20:56,440 --> 00:21:00,159 Speaker 3: show notes for today's episode. It is my hope that 354 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:04,320 Speaker 3: today's episode has provided you with insight and helpful tips 355 00:21:04,560 --> 00:21:07,440 Speaker 3: on how you can pray. We have so much more 356 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 3: to talk about when it comes to prayer, so I 357 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:12,720 Speaker 3: hope that if you were encouraged by today's episode, you 358 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:15,399 Speaker 3: will share it with a friend and subscribe. So you 359 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:17,840 Speaker 3: don't miss any future episodes of the Teach Us to 360 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:21,119 Speaker 3: Pray podcast, where we will continue to learn. I'll just 361 00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:25,359 Speaker 3: like breathing, prayer can become a natural, consistent, and life 362 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:28,960 Speaker 3: giving part of our everyday lives. Until then, be sure 363 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 3: to connect with me at Belovedwomen dot org and join 364 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 3: the Beloved Women app for unlimited videos to grow your faith, 365 00:21:36,760 --> 00:21:37,680 Speaker 3: learn God's. 366 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:41,560 Speaker 1: Word, and encourage your soul. Available now in the Apple. 367 00:21:41,320 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 3: Or Google play stores, or at Beloved Women dot tv. 368 00:21:45,280 --> 00:21:47,720 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen today. 369 00:21:48,040 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 3: God bless you and I'll talk to you in the 370 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:53,719 Speaker 3: next episode. 371 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:56,679 Speaker 1: Teach Us to Pray is a production of Life Audio 372 00:21:56,800 --> 00:21:59,639 Speaker 1: and Salem Media. If you liked what you heard today, 373 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: please please take a second to rate and review this 374 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:05,960 Speaker 1: podcast in your favorite podcast staff so that more listeners 375 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:09,159 Speaker 1: like you can find the show. For more faith filled 376 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 1: inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio dot com.