Summary:

Thankfulness is a key to hearing more from God. Like a natural parent, God is moved when His children show gratitude for the wondrous things He does. God will speak to you more when you are grateful for what you currently receive from Him.

1. It is God's will for you to give thanks no matter what the situation (1 Thessalonians 5:1-18).
   1. Thankfulness equals fruitfulness.
   2. Being thankful will increase results in your life.
      
      
2. How does thankfulness improve your hearing?
   1. It expands your capacity to receive from God.
      1. Thank God that you hear His voice every day, even when you feel you have not heard anything.
      2. Whether times are good or bad, always give thanks.
      3. Add thanksgiving to your faith.
         
         
3. Seven ways to gain better hearing:
   1. Maintain a spirit of expectancy and faith.
      1. When you come to church, always expect to receive something.
   2. Pray in the Spirit and pray without ceasing.
      1. When you pray in the Spirit, you pray the will of God.
         1. Pray a considerable amount of time; at least an hour a day.
         2. Jesus asked His disciples to watch and pray for an hour before He was betrayed. iii. They fell asleep, but if they had stayed awake and prayed, they would have overcome temptation during that time.
         3. When you pray for an hour, you exercise your faith for an entire hour.
   3. Tune, balance, and confirm what you hear with the teaching of the Scriptures.
      1. All scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
      2. God is not going to speak to you outside of His written Word.
      3. Pray for understanding of the written Word.
      4. Your knowledge of the scriptures is your weapon against deceptive voices.
   4. Wait for the peace of God to rule your spirit like an umpire (Colossians 3:15, AMP).
      1. Every part of your soul should be in harmony with what you heard.
      2. If there is no peace, do not act.
      3. Measure what you hear against these five safeguards:
         1. Does it require faith?
         2. Does it require courage? iii. Does it go against the reasoning and rationalizations of the world?
         3. Does it line up with God's written Word?
      4. Does peace rule in your heart?
      5. At times, you can hear a Word from God, but peace is still not there.
         1. When this happens, wait before you take action.
         2. This can also mean it may not be the right time to make a move.
   5. If you are not confident you heard from God, do not step out.
   6. Seek godly counsel (Proverbs 24:6).
      1. Talk to other trustworthy, mature Christians about the matter (2 Corinthians 13:1).
   7. Boldly obey God, and do not allow anything to stop you.
      1. Disobedience will cause you to have a hardened heart.
      2. If your heart is hardened, you will have a difficult time hearing God's voice.
      3. When you hear a Word from God, obey it in a timely manner.
      4. Your obedience builds His trust in you; you will then begin to hear God better.
      5. Success and failure in the Kingdom of God is determined by your ability to hear God's voice.

Scripture References:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:1-18
• 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
• Colossians 3:15, AMP
• Proverbs 24:6
• 2 Corinthians 13:1

PASTOR BAGONZA ROBERT

REDEEMED CHURCH

www.mrolec.org