I was the Senior Class President of my Benton, Wisconsin high school graduating class.  I don’t remember exactly how I got into that position.  It runs in my mind, that we were having our class meeting at the beginning of the school year which began with a class counselor (teacher) leading. I was present because we were required to be present.  I certainly wasn't there seeking an office.  Then someone nominated me and before I knew what was happening, I was president.

There were not many benefits to the position, except for one.  On graduation night, I would get to give the opening speech.  That was something I looked forward to because I very much enjoyed giving speeches.

As the big night drew closer, I worked hard on making sure I said exactly what needed to be said. I practiced the speech several times to be sure I would present it flawlessly. It was a speech filled with wisdom. After all, I was the ripe old age of 17.  On graduation night, it was a packed house in our high school gymnasium.  I knew for a fact that my words had the power to change the course of the whole world.  The Presidential Address rolled off my tongue and past my lips without a hitch. I was proud of myself because I knew our community had now been tremendously enlightened.

Upon returning to my seat among my classmates, I leaned over to my friend, Bob Lee, seated next to me, and quietly asked him what he thought of my speech. I will never forget his whispering response.

He said, "Your microphone wasn’t on. We couldn’t hear a word you said.”  My blown-up pride was deflated.

In retrospect, I doubt what I had to say, if heard, would have made any difference to anyone.  I cannot remember one bit of the speech myself.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Sometimes we talk a lot but don’t ever say anything.  Not so with Jesus.  In fact, with Jesus, it’s completely the opposite. Every single word He ever spoke is FOREVER important.  We need to be sure we hear what He has to say.  But how do we do that?

How do we make sure we’re listening to the Lord?   

We begin by just realizing the Lord is still speaking to us.

Some people don’t think God speaks to people. But in fact, He speaks to us through His written word, the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that… All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

When we read the Bible the Lord is speaking directly to each one of us.  Do you begin the day getting the latest news from the Lord?  Or do you begin with some news on TV,  or Apple news, or Google? Maybe you begin getting the news on Facebook or Twitter.

The most important message for all of us every day is found in the Bible.  If you don’t have a Bible reading plan…I encourage you to start one.  Make it simple and commit to doing it.  If it's not simple, it will become difficult to keep the commitment.

Second, know the Lord communicates to our hearts and minds by the Holy Spirit.

As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living in us.

  1 Corinthians 6:19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?

The Holy Spirit and you, as a Believer, are living together in the same house!   If you live with someone, I would hope there’s some communication taking place. The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and speaks to our minds.  He convicts us of sin and convinces us of the direction to take with our decisions. Sometimes He even speaks out loud to us.

Some time ago, I was leading a study group of new believers. One evening as soon as we were beginning, one of the guys had something to share and ask. He seemed both excited and bewildered.  He said, “Today at work, I hit my finger with a hammer and I yelled out the G.D. word. Immediately I heard a voice say, ‘Don’t ever say that again.’” He asked, “Where did that voice come from?”

That’s what I’m talking about. Sometimes, when the Holy Spirit needs to get your attention, you might hear Him speak out loud!   Whether out loud or in a still small voice within,  are you ready to hear from Him?   Are you prepared to go the way He directs you?

Hebrews 3:7-8 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Third, believe that through prayer we have continuous access to God.

Praying is not just saying a prayer at mealtime or “now I lay me down to sleep” at bedtime. Praying is having a conversation with God. You’re telling God how you feel and what concerns you. You’re listening to how God feels and what concerns Him.

Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

What this reminds us of is that we’re not some outcasts standing outside the gate trying to get God’s attention.  We are inside the family!  That means we come to God as a child comes to a good, good father shouting “Daddy, Daddy”.  He wants us to talk to Him and He wants to talk to us.

Then understand the Lord often uses other Believers to speak into our lives.

When a fellow Believer has a word of encouragement, a word of accountability, or advice on a decision, we need to be ready to listen, take it in, and seek further direction from God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.  Taking in and applying those words from a trusted Believer, will often prevent a lot of problems.

Finally, we need to make certain we’re paying attention.

When Jesus wanted people to pay attention, He would say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  I’m guessing the vast majority had ears.  But too often the vast majority might not be using them. I promise you will be refreshed every hour of every day if you will have open ears to what God is saying.

If we’re the proud ones, we might think we don’t need to listen. We might think our words are the only ones that matter. Remember, your microphone could be muted and pride comes before a fall.