Intro: Dog Trainer - trained the dog to move into small places, climb up to high places, trained noses to smell, trained ears what to listen for - had to tune out everything else and listen for survivors and to messages from the master. Dogs were extremely effective.

In much the same way we must be trained to listen to God.
1. Listening to God is a spiritual practice
that requires training.

How would those around us rate us at listening? Our friends, families, spouses? We have learned to listen for somethings and not for others. Daniel doesn't seem to hear if I say turn the T.V. off and do homework. Usually takes repeating several times.
How would God rate us at listening? Are we listening to him and following His guidance in our daily lives?

What do we listen for? TRUTH - Teachings/guidance of Jesus - like Mary - this is the one thing that is necessary and most important. Must turn to God's Word.

Listening to God's Word brings us to knowledge of the truth that sets us free ( John 8:31-32)

Barna Poll - 64% born-again Christians/40% of evangelical Americans say there is no such thing as absolute truth! Say they believe Jesus is Way, the Truth, the Life, but their answers to others questions reveal they do not believe in absolute truth.

Mixed message here - reveals being blown about by different doctrines and voices. That includes those undecisive voices in our own heads. We say we believe one thing, but our actions show something else. We are double-minded with divided hearts. Jesus said this was so…our inclination is to listen to Satan and his schemes, not to God our Father. We must intentionally take time to focus on the truth that comes through God's Word is we are to have faith to live as God desires…This is the instrument for listening to God.

Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:17

God speaks through the scriptures, but the voice is sometimes difficult to hear because we aren't listening. Takes fasting on the Word and listening for the still small voice - 40 Days - Jesus, Elijah, Moses, spend listening before acting.

2. Being r______________ to the guidance of the Holy Spirit is necessary for transformation.

If we could intuitively know the truth we wouldn't need God's Word of the Holy Spirit, but we can't intuitively know it. We must be guided in it through the Holy Spirit as God's gift of speaking to us….

The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth…He will bring glory to me by taking form what is mine and making it known to you.

The Holy Spirit has the power to change you once you allow it to go to work inside you. Like an antibiotic. Starts working inside to clear out the infection. It begins to breathe life back into us from the infections that are trying to take away our life. Sets us free from the bacteria.

The Holy Spirit breathes life into us through God's Word that changes us and sets us free to do God's will.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Scripture washing minds, hearts, etc. Ortberg p. 181

How do we accomplish this?

We listen to the Holy Spirit when we read the scriptures for transformation, not just for information.

1. Ask God to speak to you - listen for His Spirit.

2. Be ready to surrender everything in obedience.

3. Meditate on brief passages of scripture.

Goal is not to get through the scriptures, but to let the scriptures get through you.

4. Take one verse/thought with you all day.

5. Memorize this verse/thought.

James 1:21-25

The Holy Spirit keeps us focused on the word so we don't forget the word, but it becomes a part of us…it becomes our life.