What are the voices you listen to the most? Your mom, dad, sibling, friend, or mentor. Maybe you are like me and listen to your worst critic… yourself. In a perfect world, your own mind is the voice you can lean on for guidance and confidence. Yet, it is often the complete opposite. You become a perfectionist that grills and drills at everything you try to create until you are convinced that it is worthless. But I cannot stop being around my own mind. How do we put to silence our mind so we can listen to God?
The truth is that there will always be lies and distortions that are waiting to grab our attention. Will I give my focus to the truth or to lies? Or in other words, what will I magnify?
There are a couple ways you can magnify God’s voice in your life.
I. ACKNOWLEDGE GOD’S PRESENCE
Someone smarter than me once said “You can take 10,000 steps away from God and He will always be one step behind you.”
God enters our mess to be the voice we need to hear. You can run as far as the east is from the west, yet He is right behind you the whole time. You only need to turn around.
The best way to acknowledge God is to talk with Him. When you know God is there, you talk to Him. You have a direct line straight to the Creator. When you open your mouth to speak to God. He responds. God is willing to listen, but are you willing to start the conversation.
II. HIDE GOD’S WORD IN YOUR HEART
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” [ p s 1 1 9 : 1 1 ]
You must know the truth in order to decipher the lies. This is one of the most effective tools to fight fear, loneliness, and lies. God gives us His Word as a lamp in this dark world. If you want to magnify God then internalize His Word.
III. BE WORSHIP
The soundtrack of faith is worship.
Louie Giglio
If I had one song that would play in the background for the rest of my life it would have to be Danger Zone. One because I could always wear aviator sunglasses. Two because I want to live a life of excitement and who does it better than Tom Cruise. But as a believer I must allow worship to be my soundtrack. All it takes is one act of praise to shift our focus back to Jesus. One song, one coworker, one post, or one message to lift high the name of Jesus.
There are great platforms to remind us everyday to live a life of worship. Here are the most popular:
- YouVersion Bible App
- Bible Reading Plans
- KLOVE or Spotify Playlists
- Watch sermons
- Podcasts
- ReadScripture App
A life of Worship does not happen on accident. You must make an effort to be worship everyday.
IV. FIND PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” [ h e b 10 : 2 4 – 2 5 ]
It’s hard to be a genuine, kind person. It is even harder to find genuine, kind people to live life with. Yet, it is an adventure we all get the pleasure of achieving.
It would be nice if God put genuine and loving people all in one place?
I am so glad He does every Sunday. We have the opportunity to grow spiritually and go find people who love God. The church is not for the elite but for the incomplete. You have a home where you can find restoration for your soul through finding people who love God.
You are not alone. You never have to be. God is doing things in you that you have ruled out years ago. He wants to shape you and mend you. Start magnifying His voice and watch the weight roll off your back. Listen to Jesus and trust His voice. He is calling you by name. Put to silence your mind and your flesh. Begin to magnify God.
For Your Name is my name and my name for Your Glory.
Forever and Ever, Amen.
nick settles 