Listening to God expectantly

In Charles Stanley's book, How to Listen to God,  he tells us that we must expect God to talk to us.  It's like encountering a stranger in the elevator or passing a co-worker in the hallway with a greeting, "Hi, how are you?" and never waiting for the response.  We don't expect to hear anything else but "ok or good or fine."  Often when we pray to God, seeking an answer, we don't expect to hear anything.  We believe that praying is the right thing to do but don't expect anything to happen.  We may believe that God answers certain prayers but not others or God answers some peoples prayers but not our own.  We won't hear because we don't expect to hear.  We are not paying close attention. 

Read Jeremiah 33:2-3  Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it--the Lord is his name:  Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. 

Did any phrase or word catch your attention?  Pray:  "Holy Spirit, open my heart to your presence and inspire my thoughts as I listen for God in these words."  Read the passage again.  What caught your attention?  Spend a little time with the phrase or word, seeking understanding. Read the passasge one more time.  I encourage you to jot down your experience in a journal.  Give thanks to God for the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

Read this passage again throughout the week.  Live with it.