To all who don't feel like they are hearing from the Lord,
First I'd like to tell you that I know exactly how you feel. I have gone through seasons in my life where I felt Jesus couldn't be any farther away. I had doubts. I had gone from being on fire for the Lord to doubting his very existence. I would pray, and nothing seemed to happen. I get it, I really do.
But my friends here is the truth. We all want to hear from God, and for the most part we all say we want to follow his will. There tends to be a few things that almost never fail to get in our way. We can't deny the distance spiritually that happens when we are in sin, managing sin, being unrepentant of sin. Sin my friends leads to death in all areas of our lives: relationships with others, could physically kill us, and spiritually kills us. With the power of the Holy Spirit we as christians need to put sin to death or it will put us to death. I encourage you to not settle, and don't be content living with it.
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective
We need to confess our sins to one another because than healing will come. Being open with one another will build community, and it will also build accountability. In a world that just beckons us day and night to sin, especially sexually. We need to build one another up.
After you have confessed your sins I can't stress enough reading your bible and praying. These are the two mediums that God has chosen to speak to his people. You want to hear from God....read your bible. With the Holy Spirit, the power that raised Jesus Christ from death, in us, He will convict us and speak to us. When you do this, I PROMISE you that God will show up. Also we need to be a people of prayer, and not narcissistic prayers. Yes it is true that God loves us individually, but he also loves other people as well. Jesus have given you eternal life! Your names are in the book of life and that is reason to be joyful. If you start praying for others and doing kingdom work you will find fulfillment. God loves you, but he wants you to tell other people of this love. He wants you to love others for him. Be like Jesus. If you read your bible than you God will reveal himself.
Mathew 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
God is not hiding from us, we are just in rebellion. We all like sheep have gone astray, and God is pursuing us. We need to start taking Jesus at his word and putting our faith in what he says in scripture. God is standing at the door waiting and pursuing you, but there has to be some level of commitment from our side.
I encourage you friends to devote yourselves to serving others and prayer. When you do this than God does and will show up. After all he promises over and over in the bible. Isn't it his reputation on the line? Put your full trust in the Lord and follow him. Those who lose their lives will find it in Christ.
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
I hope you find these words encouraging. Go repent, open your bible, and pray. Jesus will show up to all of those who call upon him.
In Christ