Living a Spirit Led Life

Hearing from God in Everyday Living

listen to God

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Word of the Day: Simple

The Invitation: While nursing a fever and sore throat, I stayed inside for over a week, just taking an occasional walk to the mailbox and a trip to the doctor’s. I began longing for time outdoors and decided to go into the yard and plop myself on the grass.

Laying down an old towel, I rested on my back, head in the shade and legs in the sun. I closed my eyes, was present in the moment, and something beautiful happened. The smell of the freshly cut grass, the warmth of the August sun on my legs, and the chirping of the birds filled my senses. I took it all in, noticing how much was available to me simply by lying on the grass.

Then a small yellow bird perched itself in the pine branches above me. Several others flew to and from the tree. In fact, the boughs were full of these lovely creatures. Why hadn’t I seen them before? Had they been there all along? I wondered how much of nature I miss simply because it is so simple. It requires me to pay attention. To notice. For God often speaks profoundly through His handiwork.

I paused and asked the Lord if there was something He wanted me to be aware of. “It’s simple,” came to mind, “see how nature all works together.” At that moment I realized that storms come and go, but just like the gift of the birds to refresh my soul, God makes provision for every need in the midst of all life brings our way..

Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?
–Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

Your Response: If you have the chance today, take a moment and go outside. Close your eyes and see what you notice. Then pray:

Lord, often I make things way too complicated and miss out on the simple things around me. Simple, beautiful things that display Your character. Is there anything You want me to be aware of right now, something I often miss? How do You want to use it to speak to me today?

Lord, remind me to take moments to be still. Use the simple things I’m around to help me be aware of Your beautifully multi-faceted nature and provision.

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Word of the Day: Integrity

Integrity of heart: Integrity is the opposite of hypocrisy.
The word integrity comes from the Latin integer meaning whole.
It describes an undivided life, a wholeness that comes from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character.
It means acting according to the values, beliefs and principles we claim to hold.
–Nicky Gumbel

The Invitation: We are constantly tempted to compromise, to live in ways that go against God’s design for us. The big enticements are easy to recognize, but the daily temptations are usually small: holding a grudge, putting someone down, or thinking destructive thoughts. And each time we compromise, we step away from wholeness, from the honesty and consistency of character that come from living an undivided life.

When our love for God is at the forefront of our heart and mind, our choices will flow from that love and temptations will lose their appeal. To live with integrity is to live in freedom–without torment or regret– according to the values, beliefs and principles we claim to hold.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
–Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)

Your Response: Lord, I want to walk in integrity at all times. I want to live from a place of wholeness and freedom. Is there any area where I am tempted to live a divided life—where I compromise what I believe?

What would it look like to live in integrity in this place?

Holy Spirit, thank you for empowering me to walk securely in integrity. I choose the straight paths. I choose wholeness and freedom.

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Listening Prayer: Tree

But blessed are those who trust in the LORD
and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. 
—Jeremiah 17:8 (NLT)

Listening Prayer Invitation: Our imagination is a tool God uses to speak to us. It’s a gift He has given that usually needs to be nurtured and developed. So today, in the midst of the beauty of spring, have some fun. Ask God to use a tree as an analogy, just like He does throughout the Bible, to give you wisdom and insight.

Your Response: Thank you, Lord, for blessing my imagination to be used in healthy, God-honoring ways. Thank you that I was created to hear from You. As I rest in Your presence, open my spiritual ears, eyes, and senses.

• Lord, if there was a tree that represented how You created me to live, what would it be?
• Why this tree, Lord?
• What keeps this tree healthy, and how does that relate to my relationship with You?
• Show me one surprising thing about this tree–something that makes me smile or marvel at You.
• And Lord, what is one thing You want to say to me through the Jeremiah verses above?

Take time to respond to your Heavenly Gardener in prayer–for He is tree-mendous!

Note: How did God speak to you? We’d love to have you leave a comment. As a Living a Spirit Led Life community, it’s fun to learn from one another.

Learn more about listening prayer, or check out other listening prayer exercises.

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Word of the Day: Escape

The Invitation: In the middle of the night, my thoughts seemed to be stirred up and sleep settled only on my husband’s side of the bed. I prayed for the people and situations passing through my mind and then decided I might as well make use of the awake time.

I asked God for a Word of the Day. Immediately escape came to mind. “Escape?” I wondered. The word came without inspiration or a scripture. I started to ask Him for another word, but I’ve learned that’s usually a waste of time. I decided to wait until morning and see if I had any ideas.

Then I prayed, “Lord, I want to care for my body and I know sleep restores it. What should I do?” I sensed I was to pile up all the thoughts, concerns, and people on my mind and ask Him to take charge of them. Then I asked Jesus to take them away from me, for I seemed incapable of turning off those thoughts and quieting myself. Soon I relaxed and sleep settled in.

You’d think I’d wake up and see why escape was the Word of the Day! But it wasn’t until I sat down and started looking up verses that it hit me. God had given me a way to escape sleeplessness last night. The temptation to worry had been eradicated because I was able to listen to His wisdom and do what He said.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;
and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also,
so that you will be able to endure it.
–1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)

Temptation is common to man, but it doesn’t have to rule us. We can crave time to do just what we want. Our desires can be for unhealthy foods or entertainment or for approval from others. We might be tempted to turn to things that have long-term negative consequences rather than to the ways of God. But God is faithful, and if we ask Him and then do what He says, the escape route is there. It often doesn’t seem easy, but God will be there to help us come through it.

Your Response: Lord, thank you for the gift of hearing Your voice through the Bible, in prayer, and as I go about life. Increase my ability to hear You and my willingness to follow what You say.

Lord, is there a temptation that is common to me? Bring just one to mind.

What is the way of escape You offer? Personalize it for me and show me, practically, how to walk it out.

Lord, if I follow Your leading, what difference will it make in how I live and think of myself?

(Take a few minutes to thank God for His love and care for you. He is the Master of Great Escapes and He can be trusted.)