How to Hear The Voice of God in Your Writing Ministry

9/30/2021

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If you could actually receive guidance from God towards your writing ministry,
would it (or could it) make a difference?

Now, when I ask that question, I am not talking about just reading the Bible so that you can come up with a sermon, or put together some kind of devotional, and get some good principles for being moral and upright in your ministry.

No, what I am asking about is actually hearing God’s voice guide you with specific advice, about your specific situation, problems, and opportunities.

Believe it or not, it really is possible. And rather than try to convince you with a theological argument, I’d like to propose you simply try it, and see for yourself what happens.

Here are 5 steps to help you hear the voice of God for your writing ministry:

1) Invitation: Welcoming God into Your Writing Ministry

It sounds simple, but I think it is often overlooked. God has granted us each the inspiring, and a somewhat terrifying ability to accept or refuse His gifts. If we don’t invite Him into our affairs, including our writing ministry, He’s not going to force His way in. And the fact of the matter is: it really doesn't make much sense to enter into the ministry and not invite God to be a part of it.

So we begin by inviting Him to be a part of the work that we cherish so dear. In the book of James, we are promised that if any of us lack wisdom, all we have to do is ask God and He will grant it. That’s exactly what you’re doing when you make this invitation. And let me add that this is one of the best invitations that you will ever make.

This doesn’t have to be anything fancy or ceremonial. You could start by having a quiet moment before your workday begins, and praying something simple: “Lord, I invite you into my writing ministry today. Give me ideas, insights, revelations, and spiritual awareness to make the right decisions and to say and write the right thing in every situation that I might face today.”

2) Prayer: Conversations With God

If I invite you to a gathering or a moment of fellowship, and you show up but I never talk to you, and I never listen to you, how much communication takes place? Zero.

So it’s not enough just to invite God into your writing ministry. He will be faithful to show up, but you need to treat Him as if you would an honored guest at a dinner party.

Pay attention to Him, and listen to what He has to say. Ask Him questions. Communication is never one-sided. I believe God desires a dialogue with us, not a monologue (on either side.) So have a conversation!

3) Mediation: Giving What God Says Positive Thought

So you have invited God into your writing ministry. You have been in conversation with Him, learning to hear His voice, and becoming sensitive to what He has to say to you. The next step is actually positively considering what He has to say.

Here’s the thing: When you invite God into your writing ministry He is going to have opinions about what you should do, and probably more so, what you shouldn’t do.

In short, He is going to have ideas and suggestions for you. Sometimes they may just “pop into your mind” like popcorn, and other times you might wonder if they are your thoughts or His?

Learning to discern the difference is part of the conversation step. However, the only way you’ll ever learn is to actually try to positively consider what God is saying to you.

Sometimes, you may mistake your own voice for His (trust me this does happen), but over time, as you consider the ideas that He plants inside your heart and mind, which comes from hearing His voice, you will become more and more familiar with it.

And it is only through this cooperation that you can move to the next step — implementation.

4) Application: Acting on What God Has Said

While I think of considering what God has to say as a form of agreement, a way of saying, “Yes, God, that is a good idea. We should definitely think about doing that.” There is a step beyond just consideration and cooperation (or agreement): this is the step of application.

I don't know about you, but I have been persuaded that God blesses us far beyond what we can ask, imagine, or even deserve. I believe that He is interested in every detail of our lives, including our writing life.

And I believe He desires to send us amazing writing opportunities, and to give us ideas that will make our writing ministry more profitable for His Kingdom.

Moreover, I am persuaded that the more we get closer to Him, and align with His purpose, the more He moves on people to help open doors for us so that we are able to reach the lost with His message.

However, working with God, and having God with us at work, does not mean that we are completely passive.

Bill Johnson once said, “Jesus didn’t accomplish everything so that you could accomplish nothing.” I would tend to agree and I would take it one step further, and say that Jesus accomplished everything so that you could accomplish anything… in His name.

What this means is we have to actually apply the ideas, strategies, and tactics God gives to us (during the conversation step). If you’re a farmer, for instance, God might give you a plan for a new crop rotation schedule that could cause your land to yield better harvests. But if you never get up and plow the fields, tend the crops, and bring in the harvest, you’ll never reap the rewards.

Which brings us to…

5. Reaping the Harvest (Or Manifestation)

This is the step we all would like to jump to. We would all like to start with reaping our harvest or witnessing the fruits of our labor. This thinking almost reminds me of the New Age book (and movie) “The Secret”, which was all about how thinking will make things so. For example, if I just sit and visualize a brand-new Mercedes long enough and hard enough, it will just “show up” in my driveway.

You and I both know that is completely nonsense.

Now there is nothing wrong with you wanting or owning a Mercedes. And there is nothing wrong with you building up the wealth to be able to afford one.

In fact, doing so blesses and provides provision for the people who created the car, those who manufactured it, those who delivered it, sold it, detailed it, and who service it. And all the other people in between.

As long as you don’t worship the thing, and as long as you understand that success is about more than accumulating earthly riches, I believe you’re free to enjoy the rewards of your labor. It’s been said that if you “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness” that everything else will be added to you.

However, this doesn’t mean that if you decide the thing you want most in life is a Rolex, you should seek God’s Kingdom in order to get it. But it does mean that if your desire for a Rolex is not motivated by greed, or the idolatrous worship of money and earthly things (vanity), that God certainly has no problem with you owning a nice watch.

Look, if you seek first His Kingdom -- and that’s all you seek -- you will get your heart’s desire because you will never desire anything that is outside of His Kingdom.

Please understand these 5 steps are not some kind of magic formula.

They are rather a description of the natural process that happens when we are in deep relationship with someone we love. When we are in love, we invite our loved one into our life, we have deep conversations with them, we positively consider their desires because we want them to be happy, we apply the plans that we cultivate together, and we enjoy the harvest of our co-joined hearts desires.

That, my friends, is how you invite God into your writing ministry. That is how you see tangible results and God-given answers to your questions and concerns.

Now Over to You

Now, I want to encourage you to find a church that preaches the Oneness of God, and baptizes in the name of Jesus Christ. Consider reading through the United Pentecostal Church International's (UPCI) website and utilize their church locator to find a church near you.

And if there is not a UPCI church near you, consider looking through the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ's (ALJC) website and utilizing their church locator feature.

Finally, I want to encourage you to subscribe to our monthly Bible Study Blog and Newsletter so you never miss a beat. Plus, when you subscribe today, you'll also be given access to a complimentary digital copy of our booklet, "Etiquette: For Apostolic Christian Writers." If you have ever felt called to the Writing Ministry (in any way) then this resource is for you.

Until next time, please take a moment to share your thoughts on today's post in the comments below. I look forward to reading your insights. And if you so desire, consider following me on Instagram. I look forward to connecting with you there.

Hi, my name is William Ballard!

I'm the Founder and CEO of William Ballard & Associates, LLC where we work with incredible business owners and entrepreneurs like yourself every single day. We are big believers in the fact that one of the main keys to your success as to do with your spiritual growth. With that said, I encourage you to schedule a Bible Study call with us. We would love to be able to share the Love of God with you, and to be able to pray over any needs you might have.

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