The sixth phase is receiving. We are to progress from knowing God intellectually to knowing Him intimately just like the relationship between husband and wife. He comes to us as a bridegroom to His bride (the church). God came to seek for us and is overjoyed when our relationship is restored. He longs for deep fellowship with us. It is in His presence that He pours out His grace, courage, love, peace and strength and makes us aware that we are not alone.
God’s voice comes as an intuition in our hearts, as spontaneous thoughts that are dropped into our hearts or spirits. It lights up our mind from the heart as He directly impresses His thoughts and ideas upon it. The difference between the thoughts from our mind and our heart is that while the former is analytical, the latter is spontaneous. When God speaks, write down the instructions, challenges or directions, and be determined to obey to the best of our abilities. When we listen to God, God speaks, and when we obey, God works.
The seventh phase is praise and thanksgiving. We should give thanks to God for simple things and things we have taken for granted until it becomes a symphony of praise. Finally, the eighth phase is intercession where we ask Him how we can intercede for someone, rather than telling God what we think is best for that person.
We have the privilege of praying alongside Jesus. As His prayer partner, we can learn about the leading of the Holy Spirit when we pray in the Spirit in partnership with the Holy Spirit for someone or for the issues that we are facing.
Hebrews 7:25 (NKJV) Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Romans 8:27 (NKJV) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Sermon Series: From the Closet to the Board Room (Part 1) – Listening to God
聆听上帝的声音 – 第二部分
约翰一书 1:9 我 们 若 认 自 己 的 罪 ， 神 是 信 实 的 ， 是 公 义 的 ， 必 要 赦 免 我 们 的 罪 ， 洗 净 我 们 一 切 的 不 义 。
乔伊斯·休格特的《聆听上帝的声音》一书中写道：聆听上帝的声音有8个不同阶段（前4个阶段已在灵修短篇的第一部分中论述了）。前4个阶段为放松和静默，意识到神的同在，降服及接受，接下来的第5个阶段是悔改和饶恕。这使神得以修剪和净化我们。我们需要认罪并接受从神而来的赦免。神不希望我们在认罪后仍旧耿耿于怀，而是在与神的团契中继续前行。
第6个阶段是领受。我们从对神有理智上的认识发展到与祂关系亲密如同夫妻。祂以新郎的身份来到我们这新妇（教会）。神来寻找我们，当我们与祂关系恢复时祂会喜出望外。祂渴望与我们有深切的团契。正是在祂的同在中，祂倾倒祂的恩典，勇气，爱，平安和力量，使我们意识到我们并不孤单。
神的声音以我们内心的直觉来传达，是那沉入我们内心或灵里的自发念头。当祂把祂的思想和意念直接印在我们的心上，它就从那里点亮我们的思想。来自我们头脑的想法与心灵的思想之间的区别是前者是分析性的，后者是自然而然的。当神说话时，赶紧记下祂的指令，挑战或指示，然后决心竭尽所能地服从。当我们聆听时，神就说话，当我们顺从时，神就做工。
第7个阶段是感谢和赞美。我们需要在那些简单的事上，那些我们觉得理所当然的事上感谢神，直到它成为赞美的交响乐。最后，第8个阶段是代祷，我们应该求问神当如何为某人代祷，而不是把我们所以为对那人最好的告诉神。
我们享有与耶稣一同祷告的特权。作为祂的祷告伙伴，我们可以学习跟随圣灵的引导，在灵里与圣灵一同为某人或我们所面临的问题祷告。
希伯来书7:25 凡 靠 着 他 进 到 神 面 前 的 人 ， 他 都 能 拯 救 到 底 ； 因 为 他 是 长 远 活 着 ， 替 他 们 祈 求 。
罗马书8:27 鉴 察 人 心 的 ， 晓 得 圣 灵 的 意 思 ， 因 为 圣 灵 照 着 神 的 旨 意 替 圣 徒 祈 求 。
讲章系列：从内室进到会议室（第一部分）- 聆听上帝的声音