One day, I was going about my daily business at home, when I sensed in my spirit that I should stop everything, and cover my family in prayers of protection. A short time later, I got a call from my husband, who said he had been on the freeway, driving more than 60 miles an hour, when the car in front of him came to a dead stop. My husband couldn't stop his car in time, and he plowed into the car before him. Expecting to see severe damage to both vehicles, my husband and the other driver jumped out of their cars to survey the damage. Both were stunned and speechless when they saw that neither vehicle had sustained any damage.

Another time, I was in my kitchen making dinner for my family, when I suddenly felt led to stop what I was doing, and pray the promises of God from Psalm 91 over my loved ones. Only minutes later, my son, Joseph, and his wife, Miriam, walked in the door and began telling me how they lost control of their car when it hit a patch of ice. In wide-eyed amazement, Miriam described how, instead of hitting the car in front of them, they could visualize the hand of God coming between the two vehicles, preventing what could have been a disastrous collision.

Scripture says: "Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track." (Proverbs 3:6 MSG) The longer I walk with the Lord, the more I realize how much He wants to speak to His children, and to direct their steps. If we will make the effort to become more and more God-inside minded, we will become increasingly sensitive to His voice. First, we have to believe that when we made Christ our Savior and Lord, we were given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. Then we have to believe that God desires to communicate with us on a continual basis, and we must expect Him to do so. I have to admit that when I first began seeking the Lord in earnest, and sensing His voice speaking to me, I found it a little bit scary. Now it seems perfectly natural, and I constantly long for, and listen for, His "still, small voice." (1 Kings 19:12)

I can still remember the first time I clearly heard God speak to my heart. My sons were teenagers at the time, and I had some good reasons to fear for their safety. As I took my fears to the Lord and began to weep, I opened my Bible, and my eyes fell on Isaiah 49:25 (NIV), which says: "I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save." I knew without a doubt that God was speaking to me through this promise. And from then on, I allowed Him to teach me how to hear from Him on a regular basis. I discovered that studying His Word was an important part of the process. Having a working knowledge of the Scriptures will help us to tune into the Lord's voice. The Bible says, "Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105 NLT) If we don't regularly set aside time to read, memorize, and meditate on God's Word, our way will be cloudier and darker than it needs to be. Let the light of God's Word shine on the path before you, and you will be less likely to struggle with confusion, doubt, and fear.

Jesus said that His sheep would hear, know, and follow His voice. (John 10:3-4) When we do our part in this process, it will be easier for us to hear the Lord's voice when it's His desire to warn us of trouble up ahead. Because of my sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's promptings, I was able to hear and heed His commands to drop what I was doing, and pray for my loved ones. And because of my knowledge of the Scriptures, I was able to claim God's promises of safety and blessing, even without having a Bible in my hands. The Lord may not always choose to warn us of impending disaster, and even if He does, we may not always be sensitive enough to hear His warning. But for the times that God does desire to speak words of warning to us, shouldn't we be prepared to listen? Today, let us commit to doing all we can to receive all the wisdom, protection, and provision that the Lord has in store for us!

Prayer: Lord, I ask that You make me sensitive and obedient to Your Spirit's leading in all things. Help me to do my part by devoting myself to prayer, and the study of Your Word. Thank You that as I cooperate with You in this process, You will not only reveal more of Yourself to me, but more of Your heavenly and earthly rewards!