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Listening to God
TALKING TO GOD IS EASY. IT’S THE LISTENING THAT’S THE HARD PART. Although most of us can talk with ease to our best friend, many of us aren’t so good at keeping quiet and hearing what our friend has to say. So it is with God. For true communication with Him, we must learn to listen through understanding His Word. Dr. Charles Stanley’s Listening to God, part of the Life Principles Study Series, presents a sound way to explore the Word and hear God’s truths. You’ll learn to identify with the passages, recognize your emotional response, reflect on the passages’ meaning and take steps to apply what you’ve learned.
127 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
68 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Charles F. Stanley
555 books677 followersDr. Charles F. Stanley is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, founder of In Touch Ministries, and a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than fifty books, and has sold more than nine million copies. He demonstrates a keen awareness of people's needs and provides Christ-centered, biblically-based principles for everyday life.
Charles Frazier Stanley was born September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia. The only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley, Charles came into the world during a time when the entire nation felt the grip of the Great Depression. To make matters worse, just nine months later, his father Charley died at the young age of 29.
However, Charles refused to let the Great Depression or the difficulties of his life define him. Instead, like his father and grandfather before him, he clung to God’s Word and took up the mantle to preach the gospel to whoever would listen.
Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”
Dr. Stanley’s teachings can be heard weekly at First Baptist Church Atlanta, daily on “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio and television broadcasts on more than 2,800 stations around the world, on the Internet at intouch.org, through the In Touch Messenger, and in the monthly, award-winning In Touch magazine.
Charles Frazier Stanley was born September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia. The only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley, Charles came into the world during a time when the entire nation felt the grip of the Great Depression. To make matters worse, just nine months later, his father Charley died at the young age of 29.
However, Charles refused to let the Great Depression or the difficulties of his life define him. Instead, like his father and grandfather before him, he clung to God’s Word and took up the mantle to preach the gospel to whoever would listen.
Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”
Dr. Stanley’s teachings can be heard weekly at First Baptist Church Atlanta, daily on “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio and television broadcasts on more than 2,800 stations around the world, on the Internet at intouch.org, through the In Touch Messenger, and in the monthly, award-winning In Touch magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 18, 2025
I am just beginning my walk with Christ (for the last 5-10). I was always confused about how God communicates, and this book begins to clarify things a little bit more. I know I have a long way to go but this book was a "night light" for me. This book is a keeper and one I will refer back to.
December 18, 2018
Packed full of great information and guidance, this is one I will definitely have to read again!
October 22, 2010
If you are seeking a deeper walk with God, being able to distinguish God’s voice amidst in all others voices clamoring for your attention is essential.
If you are a Bible Study Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Small Group Leader, or if you want to engage in a personal, individual study that gives clear, concise teaching on this topic, Charles Stanleys’ Listening to God: Life Principles Study Series is an excellent choice.
This is a 10 session study that begins with a instruction on preparing to hear God, establishing how God speaks, and a why God wants to be heard (Lessons 1-5) and moves on to some of the more challenging aspects of listening to God such as ways God’s gets our attention, distinguishing between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy, and instruction for continuing in purposeful attention to God.
If asked to select a the Lessons I greatly benefited from, I would choose Lesson 5 ‘How God Gets Our Attention’ and Lesson 7 ‘How to Tell if the Voice is God’s, Not Satan’ because these are two of the most asked questions about learning to discern God’s voice.
In Lesson five about how God gets our attention, I enjoyed the lists of reasons we God does not answer our prayers. These are not easy to read but they are particularly helpful. I made note of them as a check list for myself when I feel that God is not hearing my prayers. They are 1)I am asking for the wrong reason; 2) I am in rebellion or disobedience, 3) I am asking for something outside of God’s will, and 4) I am holding on to unforgiveness.
I’ve never read, listened, or studied anything presented by Charles Stanley in which I did not take some truth or instruction. His approach to studying God’s word is both straight forward and convicting.
There is great wisdom packed in this short book and I would recommend it highly as a good choice for any Church curriculum or, better yet, for personal study.
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: The Vessel Project
If you are a Bible Study Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Small Group Leader, or if you want to engage in a personal, individual study that gives clear, concise teaching on this topic, Charles Stanleys’ Listening to God: Life Principles Study Series is an excellent choice.
This is a 10 session study that begins with a instruction on preparing to hear God, establishing how God speaks, and a why God wants to be heard (Lessons 1-5) and moves on to some of the more challenging aspects of listening to God such as ways God’s gets our attention, distinguishing between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy, and instruction for continuing in purposeful attention to God.
If asked to select a the Lessons I greatly benefited from, I would choose Lesson 5 ‘How God Gets Our Attention’ and Lesson 7 ‘How to Tell if the Voice is God’s, Not Satan’ because these are two of the most asked questions about learning to discern God’s voice.
In Lesson five about how God gets our attention, I enjoyed the lists of reasons we God does not answer our prayers. These are not easy to read but they are particularly helpful. I made note of them as a check list for myself when I feel that God is not hearing my prayers. They are 1)I am asking for the wrong reason; 2) I am in rebellion or disobedience, 3) I am asking for something outside of God’s will, and 4) I am holding on to unforgiveness.
I’ve never read, listened, or studied anything presented by Charles Stanley in which I did not take some truth or instruction. His approach to studying God’s word is both straight forward and convicting.
There is great wisdom packed in this short book and I would recommend it highly as a good choice for any Church curriculum or, better yet, for personal study.
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: The Vessel Project
January 11, 2021
Nice Refresher
I can remember, as a new believer, listening to Stanley on his radio broadcasts. He writes just like he talks. Perhaps these words in this book are basically his speech turned to text. I could hear his voice as my eyes read.
This stuff is great for a new believer and a good reminder for us meat eaters.
I can remember, as a new believer, listening to Stanley on his radio broadcasts. He writes just like he talks. Perhaps these words in this book are basically his speech turned to text. I could hear his voice as my eyes read.
This stuff is great for a new believer and a good reminder for us meat eaters.
September 6, 2012
As the author states, "Listening To God is the most important thing you can do for your eternal future."
This book is a practical 10-lesson guide suitable for personal or small group study. It includes a short introduction about "Preparing to Hear from God", open-ended discussion questions throughout the text, some scriptural references, and some uplifting thoughts based on the author's experience.
The book is of limited value if you reading it cover-to-cover in one sitting and are not willing to try out at least some of the things the author recommends. This includes deliberately setting aside time -- time get still before the Lord, time to pray, time to meditate and study God's word, and time to listen for God's response.
We do not serve a vending-machine God where we put in our prayer request and out pops the blessing. As such, this book sets a realistic expectation to why God speaks to us, how He speaks to us today, and how to make sure your are hearing His answer and not just getting a warm feeling about something.
This book is a practical 10-lesson guide suitable for personal or small group study. It includes a short introduction about "Preparing to Hear from God", open-ended discussion questions throughout the text, some scriptural references, and some uplifting thoughts based on the author's experience.
The book is of limited value if you reading it cover-to-cover in one sitting and are not willing to try out at least some of the things the author recommends. This includes deliberately setting aside time -- time get still before the Lord, time to pray, time to meditate and study God's word, and time to listen for God's response.
We do not serve a vending-machine God where we put in our prayer request and out pops the blessing. As such, this book sets a realistic expectation to why God speaks to us, how He speaks to us today, and how to make sure your are hearing His answer and not just getting a warm feeling about something.
October 31, 2010
This is a 10 part study that begins with a instruction on preparing to hear God, establishing how God speaks, and a why God wants to be heard (Lessons 1-5) and moves on to some of the more challenging aspects of listening to God such as ways God's gets our attention, distinguishing between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy, and instruction for continuing in purposeful attention to God. Generally, it was a well-written book, suitable for most readers.
One of the more disappointing attributes of the book are the many assertions about the way God thinks, acts, desires, etc., that are not accompanied by a Scripture verse. Though the point of the book is not to try to prove particular points but to get the reader to think, and even though I tend to agree with the assertions, it is always concerning when one can go for pages without a single reference to Scripture.
One of the more disappointing attributes of the book are the many assertions about the way God thinks, acts, desires, etc., that are not accompanied by a Scripture verse. Though the point of the book is not to try to prove particular points but to get the reader to think, and even though I tend to agree with the assertions, it is always concerning when one can go for pages without a single reference to Scripture.
April 23, 2012
How does God speak to His followers? Most of us do not hear an audible voice, but if we listen, we can still hear His voice. Charles Stanley says, "There are three main ways God speaks to us today: through His Word, through His Holy Spirit, and through other believers in Christ Jesus. The person who desires to hear from God and wants to put himself into the best position to hear from God will pursue His message through these three methods." The book is a 10-lesson study covering the following topics: Introduction) Preparing to Hear from God; 1) God Has Something to Say to You; 2) Why God Speaks to Us; 3) How God Has Spoken; 4) The Primary Ways God Speaks Today; 5) How God Gets Our Attention; 6) The Hallmarks of God's Messages to Us; 7) How to Tell If the Voice is God's, Not Satan's; 8) Our Predisposition to Hear; 9) How to Listen Actively; and 10) Sitting in God's Presence.
April 4, 2009
I hosted a study on this book with a small group of ladies, and it was quite excellent. If you are the type to look for a practical approach to how to do what god wants, you will love this book. It is methodical, and very practical, leaving room for individuals to be individual in thier walk with God and yet does not hold back on some of the tough spots that we would rather not hear. An excellent read for a group, or individual, I highly recommend it.
June 8, 2013
I read this book over several weeks as a guide to my morning devotionals. I found Dr. Stanley's style very conversational and easy to read. In many cases the material presented wasn't new to me but served as a reminder of Biblical basics I need to remember. I particularly liked the last part, where he outlines the steps in meditating with God.
January 24, 2011
I enjoy Charles Stanely's study books. This one was especially helpful since I have always had difficulty listening to God and hearing His voice. Stanely goes through things to do to be an "active" listener. Anything to enhance your relationship with God is a good thing and this book does that.
March 6, 2012
This was a really insightful and helpful book. Pastor Stanley is a great teacher and gets to the heart of the matter in clear language without being overly theological and theoretical.
I will definitely come to this book again.
I will definitely come to this book again.
December 11, 2011
A wonderfully succinct guide to recognizing when God is speaking to us and how to listen. Dr. Stanley explains all the ways God can speak to His people and warns of the two ways He does not communicate. At 128 pages, it holds the readers attention and contains much helpful information.
June 19, 2022
Really well done. A great, simple, direct set of lessons.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews