Learn 9.1

Introduction

Every day, God speaks. The question is not if He speaks, but will we listen and will we respond? From the moment of salvation to the ordinary moments of our lives, God is inviting us into an ongoing relationship—one where listening and responding to His voice brings transformation, direction, and blessing.

I want to paint a consistent picture through scripture: God calls us to daily obedience, empowered by His Spirit, motivated by love, and rewarded with His faithful blessings.

1. Responding to God Begins with Trust Acts 9:10–18

10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.

Ananias’ hesitation: God asked him to go to Saul, a known persecutor.

In Acts 9, Ananias faced a terrifying instruction: go to Saul, the persecutor of Christians. His first instinct was hesitation—“Lord, I’ve heard many reports about this man…” But God reassured him, and Ananias responded in obedience.

Ananias’ obedience: Despite fear, he went—and God used him mightily.

What if Ananias had refused? Saul’s conversion story—Paul’s ministry—might have looked very different. His simple “yes” opened the door for one of the greatest missionaries the world has ever known.

Application:

God calls us daily, sometimes into situations that stretch us. Our obedience, even when hesitant, can ripple into eternity.

God’s instructions may feel uncomfortable or risky.

Our obedience often becomes the open door for His greater plan.

Illustration: One “yes” can ripple into eternity.

Takeaway:

2. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Obey

Ezekiel 36:22–27

22 “Therefore, give the people of Israel this message from the Sovereign Lord: I am bringing you back, but not because you deserve it. I am doing it to protect my holy name, on which you brought shame while you were scattered among the nations. 23 I will show how holy my great name is—the name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal my holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign Lord, then the nations will know that I am the Lord. 24 For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.

25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.

God promises to give us new hearts and His Spirit.

God promises to remove hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh. He places His Spirit within us—not just so we can believe Him, but so we can obey Him.

The Spirit’s role: not just comfort, but empowerment for obedience.

Have you ever felt that gentle nudge—“Call that friend,” “Apologize for those words,” “Step into this ministry”? That’s the Spirit helping us respond.

Application:

Obedience is never about our willpower alone. The Spirit empowers us to do what we could never do by ourselves.

Obedience is not about willpower.

Listen for those Spirit nudges—small whispers of direction.

Illustration: The Holy Spirit is a lot like a GPS: not forcing, but guiding, redirecting, and rerouting us toward God’s will.

3. God Directs Our Steps Daily

Psalm 37:23–24

23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

24 Though they stumble, they will never fall,

for the LORD holds them by the hand.

God orders the steps of the righteous.

David reminds us that the steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord. That means God isn’t only interested in our “big life decisions”—where we live, who we marry, what job we take. He cares about our steps today.

He cares about everyday moments, not just big decisions.

Every ordinary moment is sacred: driving to work, cooking dinner, helping a child with homework. God’s voice can meet us in those spaces, steadying us, holding our hand, and guiding us.

Application:

When we cultivate an ear for His voice, no step is wasted, and no stumble disqualifies us—He upholds us with His hand.

Expect God to speak at home, work, school, or in quiet moments.

Even when we stumble, God holds us by the hand.

Illustration: A child learning to walk—falling but never abandoned because a parent’s hand is steady.

4. Obedience Is Love in Action

1 John 5:1–5 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Love is more than words; it’s proven in obedience.

John makes it plain: loving God is not just a feeling—it’s obedience. We show love for our parents by honoring them. We show love for our children by providing and protecting. In the same way, our love for God is proven not by words alone but by doing what He says.

John reminds us: “His commands are not burdensome.”

Yes, obedience can feel hard.

Yes, it may demand sacrifice.

But John reminds us: “His commands are not burdensome.” Why? Because love transforms duty into delight.

Application:

True love responds. Obedience is not drudgery—it’s devotion.

Just as children show love by obeying parents, we show love for God through obedience.

Love transforms duty into delight.

Illustration: A spouse doing something small daily—not because they have to, but because love motivates them.

5. Obedience Bears Fruit in Due Time

Galatians 6:7–10

7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

The principle: we reap what we sow.

Paul reminds us: we reap what we sow. Daily obedience may feel wearying, especially when we don’t see results right away. But Paul assures us: “at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Temptation: to grow weary when results are not immediate.

Have you ever stopped responding to God in a season—maybe because of disappointment, fear, or fatigue? Paul’s encouragement is for you: don’t quit. Keep sowing seeds of obedience, and trust that the harvest is coming.

Application:

Responding to God daily may feel costly now, but it always yields blessing in time.

Don’t give up—keep sowing obedience.

The harvest may not appear right away, but it is guaranteed in God’s timing.

Illustration: A farmer planting seed—waiting months before seeing fruit, but trusting the process.

Conclusion: A Life of Daily Response

From Ananias to the Galatians, the theme is clear:

God calls us daily.

The Spirit enables us.

His hand guides us.

Our love motivates us.

His harvest awaits us.

The Christian life is not about one big “yes” years ago at the altar. It’s about a thousand little “yeses” from that day on to this moment now.

Challenge for the Week:

Each morning, pray: “Lord, help me to hear You and respond today.”

Be attentive to the Spirit’s nudges—in conversations, in interruptions, in opportunities.

Remember: every “yes” every step of obedience is love in action, is love in action, and every act of obedience plants a seed for blessing.

Closing Scripture:

John 10:27

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”