How to Hear from God & Know His Plan for Your Life: 3 Quick Tips

Reading Time 7 mins 0 secs –

Should you marry him?

Should you quit your job?

Should you move?

As Christians, we want to follow God and serve Him with our lives. But how do we know what God’s plan is for us?

We may not be sure which decision to make, what God is calling us to do, or whether we’re doing the right thing or not. So, how do we discern what God wants for us without letting our thoughts or feelings get in the way?

Here are three tips on how to hear from God and discover your purpose.

1. Spend time with Him.

In order to know God’s voice, you have to spend time with Him. You can’t expect to discern His voice if you are unfamiliar with what it sounds like.

“How do I hear God’s voice?”

I get asked this all of the time.

So many people have told me they feel like they can’t hear God. They’re expecting the loud, booming voice they’ve heard in old Christian movies that says, “Thus saith the Lord,” but it never comes.

The reality is that God is trying to speak to them every day, so where is the mix-up?

Most of the time, God does not speak in an audible voice. My husband describes God’s voice as sounding like a thought but with a different twang or conviction behind it. It’s often hard to shake, let go of, or you feel it in your gut.

The more you take the time to listen to God’s voice, the more you’ll learn to recognize it! And on the flip side, when we never take the time to listen for God, our spirits become quiet and His voice gets softer.

A great place to start is by reading God’s Word! God will speak to people in different ways, but if you want to learn His voice, spend time in the Bible.

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

—Romans 10:17 (NLT)

When we are consistently spending time in God’s Word, we will be able to recognize His voice when He speaks.

2. Be still and listen.

We live in a culture that is constantly giving us ideas on how to live, dress, talk, and everything in between. We are constantly being bombarded with ads on TV, online, and on social media.

Let’s face it: our culture is afraid to be bored. We put on music in the car, look at our phones 24/7, and sometimes even juggle multiple forms of entertainment at one time. Nowadays, we hardly go to the restroom without our phones!

When we constantly surround ourselves with noise, it can be hard to hear the still, small voice of God.

It’s easy to miss the voice of God in the midst of all of our entertainment. With all the noise coming at us, it’s more important than ever that we take TIME to listen for God’s voice.

Set aside a certain amount of time each day to spend with Him. If you miss it some days, that’s okay. Don’t be too hard on yourself. But it’s important to make God your priority if you expect to hear from Him. David describes God’s Word as his guide in Psalm 119:105, and that is what the Bible is meant to be. It will guide us through life and help us learn about God and His character.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

—Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

Relationships are a two-way street. That goes for our relationship with the Lord as well. God is perfect, and He is always there for us. If we want to turn to Him at any point in the day, no matter what we have or have not done, He will be there to love and support us.

Still, relationships require effort on both ends. If we are not spending time in prayer, worship, reading the Bible, and learning more about God, then we won’t be able to recognize His voice. The more time we spend with God, the more clearly we will hear Him and recognize His voice—just like in any relationship.

“For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.”

—Jeremiah 29:11–13 (CSB)

God tells us in His Word that we WILL find Him when we seek Him. He is not hiding from us. He wants us to seek Him, and He wants to lead us. He has a plan for our lives, and He wants to support and guide us on it.

3. Let go of whatever is holding you back.

Not spending enough time with God isn’t always what is holding us back from hearing Him. Sometimes, we have to cleanse our lives of things that are not of God.

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But sometimes, living in sin or unforgiveness can keep us from hearing God. If we are pursuing worldly things that are not of God, we may have a hard time hearing God and being able to fully commit to following His plan for us.

We may say we want His plan in prayer or in a small group, but if how we spend our time, money, and resources is toward a worldly lifestyle, then our lives will be headed in that direction.

Everyone faces different temptations in life. No matter what temptation you may be facing, the Bible tells us to get rid of everything that is slowing us down in pursuing God’s plan for our lives.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

—Hebrews 12:1–2a (NLT)

The Bible commands us to throw off everything that causes us to stumble. It also tells us in Romans 14:13 (NLT) to “live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.”

Ask the Holy Spirit what you need to get rid of in your life. It may be a habit, the TV shows you are watching, what you spend your time thinking about, or even a group of people with whom you may need to limit your time. All people are created in the image of God, and He loves them all, but if they are hindering you from following the Lord, then it may be time to limit their access into your life.

Why is it important for you to know God’s plan for your life?

If you don’t know where God is leading you, then how will you be able to follow? You may be confused as to what your purpose in life is. I want to assure you that God has a plan for your life. He has had a plan specifically for you since before you were born, and He wants to see you walk it out. He won’t abandon you either (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Stepping out in faith and following God’s plan can seem daunting. But if God is leading you to something, you WILL have peace about it. If you are unsure, continue to seek God about it, along with consulting with other believers. Ask them to pray for you as well. That’s why Christian friends are so important! If you aren’t a part of a small group, join one today and get connected with some like-minded people!

It’s never too late to step out and follow God. He will meet you wherever you are in life. You may have missed out on previous opportunities, but it’s never too late to follow Jesus. If you ask Him to lead you, He will. That’s why God sent us the Holy Spirit—to be our guide in life. God wants to guide you and to see you fulfill the plan He has for your life.

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Rooted in Faith for Everyday Moments

September 5, 2025

Reading Time 2 mins 56 secs – Take a moment and think about this: faith isn’t just for the mountaintop moments. It’s for Mondays. It’s for traffic jams, unexpected bills, and the times when you’re just trying to get through the week. God never designed faith to be complicated or out of reach. He designed it to be your everyday operating system. Faith Is for Today Sometimes, we picture faith as something we have to “muster up” for significant challenges, like praying for healing, believing for a miracle, or asking for a breakthrough in a crisis. And while faith absolutely applies to those moments, it’s also for the little ones. Faith is choosing to trust God with your attitude in a tough conversation. Faith is deciding to believe He’ll provide, even when your budget looks thin. Faith is remembering you’re never alone, even when you feel overlooked. Second Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “ For we live by faith, not by sight. ” Notice it doesn’t say “visit by faith” or “use faith once in a while.” It says live. Faith was always meant to be your way of life. Small Steps, Strong Roots Faith doesn’t usually grow in leaps; it grows in steps. Little, steady decisions that put your trust in God day after day. Opening your Bible instead of scrolling on your phone first thing in the morning Speaking truth over yourself when your feelings want to run the show Praying before making a decision instead of relying only on logic These may not seem dramatic, but they lay a strong foundation. And just like a tree with deep roots, your faith will keep you standing strong when storms come. God Is Faithful, Even When Life Isn’t Here’s the best part: your faith doesn’t rest on your ability to figure everything out. It rests on God’s ability to be faithful. And He is. Always. When you feel shaky, remember this: God is steady. When you feel uncertain, remember this: His promises are sure. When you feel small, remember this: faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. You don’t need giant faith for God to move. You just need real faith in a giant God. Faith That Shows Up in Action Faith isn’t just belief in your heart; it’s trust that shows up in your choices. James 2:17 says, faith without works is dead, which means faith comes alive when you act on it. That could look like forgiving when it’s hard, giving when it feels impossible, or stepping into an opportunity that scares you, but you know God is calling you to. Every time you take action in faith, you’re making a declaration: “God, I trust You more than my feelings, more than my circumstances, and more than what I see.” That kind of faith not only changes your life, but it also inspires others to believe. A Simple Prayer to Start With “Lord, thank You that faith isn’t complicated. Teach me to live by faith in the small things and the big things. I trust You with my today, my tomorrow, and every detail of my life. Strengthen my heart and remind me that You are faithful. In Jesus’s name, amen.” Take This with You Faith isn’t a moment. It’s a mindset. It’s not about pretending life is easy. It’s about trusting God, no matter what life looks like. Friend, you don’t need to wait for a crisis to practice faith. You can start today, right where you are, with whatever you’re carrying. Take a step. Speak His Word. Trust His heart. Because faith isn’t just for the extraordinary, it’s for the everyday. And your everyday is exactly where God loves to show up.

Everyday Healing: God Cares About the Little Things

By Gary Keesee • August 15, 2025

Reading Time 2 mins 49 secs – Okay, let’s take a breath. Not everything has to be heavy, and healing doesn’t have to feel impossible or mysterious. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded that God actually wants us to feel better. Yes, you included. God Cares About How You Feel We can get so used to pushing through that we forget God never designed us to live burned out, worn out, or always dealing with pain. Third John (NIV) 1:2b says, “ I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well .” God’s heart is not just that we survive life. His heart is that we thrive—spirit, soul, and body. That includes your sleep. That includes your energy. That includes your mind and your moods. Healing Isn’t Just for Emergencies Most of us wait to think about healing until something significant goes wrong. A diagnosis. A surgery. A crisis. However, healing is an integral part of your daily life as a believer. You don’t have to wait for something to fall apart to lean into God’s promises. It’s kind of like drinking water; your body needs it regularly, not just when you're dehydrated. The Word is the same. It brings strength, clarity, and peace to your health before the storm hits. You’re allowed to believe in a life where you’re not constantly recovering—you’re well. Small Shifts, Big Results Maybe you’ve been dealing with something for a while—nothing catastrophic, just something that lingers. A chronic ache. Fatigue. Brain fog. A stress habit that’s hard to shake. Can I encourage you? You don’t have to settle for “just getting by.” Start speaking life over your body. Make simple changes in faith; walk a little more, drink more water, eat a bit better, get quiet with God. Healing isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes, it happens gently. Daily. Gradually. The power of God isn’t always loud, but it’s always effective. The Best Kind of Doctor He doesn’t rush your appointment. He’s never stumped by your symptoms. And He doesn’t hand you a bill at the end. He simply says, “Come to Me.” Come tired. Come unsure. Come with your questions. And He’ll give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Yes, He heals in big, miraculous ways—but He also heals in little moments of laughter, sunlight, worship, and truth. Let’s Make This Simple Healing isn’t about performance. It’s about proximity—staying close to the Healer. So, take the pressure off today. You’re not failing if you’re still waiting. You’re not disqualified if you’ve had some doubts. You’re growing. You’re learning. And most of all, you’re loved. Let healing be a conversation you have with God, not a crisis you fear. Let it be part of your everyday life with Him, not just a 911 prayer when things feel scary. A Simple Prayer to Start With “Lord, thank You that You care about every part of me. You know when I’m tired, hurting, anxious, or overwhelmed. Thank You for being my Healer, not just in emergencies but in the everyday. I receive Your peace and Your promises. I speak life over my body and my mind today, in Jesus’s name. Amen.” Take This with You Healing doesn’t have to feel far away or hard to reach. It’s not reserved for the super spiritual or the desperate. It’s available, it’s real, and it’s for right now. You don’t have to make it complicated. Just take one step. Open the Word, talk to God, speak life over yourself, and trust that He’s working behind the scenes. You don’t have to live in survival mode. You were made for wholeness. And friend? You’re allowed to feel better.

Faith Walks Before It Sees

By Gary Keesee • July 14, 2025

Reading Time 3 mins 46 secs – Picture this. You’re standing at the edge of a foggy path that winds through a forest. You’ve never walked this path before. You can’t see more than a few feet ahead. There are no signs. No map. No flashlight. Just a still, quiet voice inside telling you to start walking. Would you? Most people wouldn’t. They’d wait until the fog clears. Until the way is visible. Until they feel “sure.” But that’s not how the Kingdom works. Friend, faith walks before it sees. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) tells us this plainly: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Not what we can see. Not what we understand. Not what’s guaranteed. Faith is walking when it feels like you’re walking blind, but you’re actually walking guided. Let’s talk about Abraham for a second. God said to him, “...Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1, NIV). God didn’t show Abraham the land first. He didn’t explain all the details. He didn’t promise a step-by-step plan. God simply said, “ Go, ” and Abraham went. He didn’t argue. He didn’t delay. He didn’t ask for the weather report or route details. He trusted the voice. He walked before he saw. And because of that one step, a generational promise was unlocked. Now, let’s fast forward to the New Testament, to the story found in Matthew 14. Jesus came walking on water in the middle of the night, and Peter saw Him. Peter said, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come.” And Jesus said, “Come.” What did Peter do? He stepped out of the boat and onto the water. Pause and think about that. Peter walked on water—not because he had magic in his feet but because he trusted the One who called him forward. Peter walked before he saw. Yes, he started to sink when he looked at the waves, but before that, he did what no other human besides Jesus had done: he walked on water by faith. Friend, your boat might feel safer. It might feel familiar. But if God is calling you out of it, staying there is more dangerous than stepping forward. Let’s get real for a second. There are seasons when God will not show you the full picture, on purpose. Why? Because if He showed you everything, you’d try to control it instead of trusting Him with it. Faith is trusting His character when you can’t see His hand. It’s saying yes without having every answer. It’s building the ark before the rain comes. It’s marching around Jericho before the walls fall. It’s digging a ditch before there’s a drop of rain. That’s the Kingdom. Here’s what the Bible says: “For we live by faith, not by sight,” (2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV). That’s not a metaphor. That’s a lifestyle. You don’t wait until all your fear is gone to obey. You don’t wait until you’re certain to trust. It means you don’t wait until your finances line up perfectly to give. You walk before you see. Let’s look at one more example. In Acts 9, Saul, who later became Paul, was traveling to Damascus while persecuting Christians when, suddenly, a blinding light stopped him. Jesus spoke directly to him, and Saul was blinded. God then instructed a man named Ananias to go and pray for Saul and restore his sight. Ananias was hesitant because he knew Saul’s reputation for harming believers. Despite his doubts and without any guarantees, Ananias obeyed and went to Saul. He stepped out in faith before knowing the outcome. That single act of obedience set the stage for Paul’s powerful ministry and the writing of much of the New Testament. So, let me ask you… Where is God asking you to walk, before you see? To step into a calling that scares you? To give up something you’ve leaned on for security? To trust Him with your finances? To forgive someone you haven’t gotten an apology from? Whatever it is, I want you to hear this. You don’t have to see the outcome to take the next step. You don’t have to understand the entire path to move forward in obedience. Faith walks before it sees. That’s where the miracles are. That’s where the provision is. That’s where peace is waiting. Your comfort zone won’t get you there. But your obedience will. God doesn’t need your full understanding. He needs your full surrender. So today, let this be your reminder… You don’t have to feel brave. You just have to follow. Even in the fog. Even in the unknown. Even when it doesn’t make sense. Because God is already in the place He’s calling you to. He’s gone ahead. He’s prepared the way. He’s waiting at your next step. So, take it. Because faith? It always walks before it sees.