READ:  John 16:13 
Spirit desires to be our Guide while in this world (temporal realm:  birth-death)  Are you open to God's Word to your heart?
    e.g.:  Moses, Noah
Tells us of things to come
    Perhaps you have had the Spirit prepare you for things to come.
Mary Example:  
     I knew in my spirit from the first of December God was allowing change; I would later discover that it meant I would be leaving Oakhurst.
     This "sensing" helped to act as a "shock-absorber"

 
READ:  Psalm 46:10 
 Be Still before the Lord.  Do you make time to sit quietly before the Lord?
 Quietness is important (world is full of chaos)
  Schedule time with God

READ:  John 2:5 
 God desires our obedience.  When God speaks to you, do you act on that Word?
 Our attitude can either promote or hinder our experience with God.
 Listening:  Get ready you may not like what God speaks to you.  We have SELECTIVE HEARING.
 What if God asks you to do something you don't want to do.  You are resistant to the Truth.
 Bad Attitude:  Might say, "I don't think I actually heard from God."
 

READ:  Romans 8:16 
     RING Story:  Approximately 10 years ago, my niece was graduating from college.  I had been praying about what to give her as a graduation present.  She had been through a lot emotionally and I wanted to bless her.  In prayer, I felt like God was asking me to give her one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.  At the time I thought, "Well, that can't be God."  I suppose I thought that because it was one of my favorites!  I dismissed the message and prayed further; ever just want God to get into agreement with you?  Anyway, the next time I prayed it was the same thing.  So, I decided to part with my possession.  Lisa loved the ring; we shared a February birthday and it was both of our birthstone.  When she first opened the gift, she looked at me and said, "Oh, Aunt Mary!"  I just wanted to grab it back and say something like, "How did that get in there!ha!"  But, I knew God was asking me to give from my heart, so I had to get my heart into agreement with God.  Lisa moved to Michigan and took a job teaching.  She was so beautiful and becoming successful.  We were all very proud of her.  Within the next year, however, Lisa was diagnosed with brain cancer.  We would have her a short time.  After Lisa returned to spend eternity with God, I received a small velvet pouch and a note from my sister-in-law.  She said, "Mary, I am returning your ring.  It meant so much to Lisa.  She wore it all the time.  While taking chemotherapy and radiation, she would look at the ring.  It was so beautiful; made her smile.  At a time when she needed to feel loved and valued there was a tangible reminder.  Thank you, Mary."  To be a part of God's love story you must be willing to share even the things you desire to keep for yourself.  My ring means very little in a material sense.  But now, the ring means a great deal symbolically, because it sat on the finger of my very courageous and lovely niece. It was a conduit that connected us in the love of God.  What an honor to have been a part of blessing her.   You see, only God knew Lisa's future.  God will always lead and guide us in love for one another.  Of the many times I have neglected to listen to God, I am sorry.  For that and other special time when I listened, I will be forever grateful. May I continue to learn how to listen...it's a process.

READ: 1 Samuel 15:22 
 We would rather sacrifice our time or money than listen to God at times. 
 Obedience is essential if you are going to hear from God.
 God speaks...you respond...God speaks...you respond...

READ:  Hebrews 4:12 
    Bag of Excuses (Mary Moves On...)
Sometimes we are unwilling to do what God asks us to do.  We know but choose not to walk in obedience.  That can make it difficult for us to hear other things from God.  If we are unwilling to do the last thing God asked us to do, will God keep piling them on?
Obedience increases our fellowship with God

ATTITUDES:  Are you paying attention to the principles of God?

Honor God:  When you believe you have heard from God, honor that above all else. Care more about pleasing God than people.
Pastor Johnny, a dear friend, used to say, "Mary, when you have a Word from the Lord you are like a pit bull." (I will add "yes, with lipstick!")
Get with other people and pray for strength.
Hold on to the Word!

Faith:  This attitude keeps you moving forward.  Fear comes to try to stop you from moving forward.  
    I confront fear and it isn't always popular; sometimes people around me get defensive.  Someone has to say to you, "Fear not" or you will never step out of the boat! I need people to say the same thing to me.

Patience:  God's timing is not ours; many times we are impatient when waiting to hear from God.  Practice an attitude of patience!

SO LISTEN, GOD JUST MIGHT BE TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION!