Youth's Frustration with God.

As a Sr. High youth leader I get asked a lot "why can't I hear God talking to me or why does He not show him self".  It's frustrating to them because they read about God talking to people in the bible, but the youth don't hear God talking to them.  So they ask them selves is God real, does he want me, is my salvation real?(etc....) When I was a youth I shared in their thoughts and feelings.  It was not until I spent time in the word of God and reading amazing theologians like John Piper and Neil T. Anderson (I would recommend reading any one their books) that God opened my eyes through the Holy Spirit.

When I get asked "why can't I hear God talking to me", my answer is usually: Would you rather have someone love you for yourself or for what you give them?  It normally gets them thinking and the lesson moving forward, but am I doing them any justice by answering it this way?  I find myself asking, is what I am doing giving the teens enough of an answer to feed them for that lesson or am I giving them the tools to feed them selves for a life time. So what I hope to do with this blog is give you the tools to answer for your self this question "why can't I hear God talking to me?"  

So why do I think people can't hear God talking to them? One reason is they stopped leaning on Him as a father or as a friend. As a culture we trust the media, internet, friends, or doctors for help and advice. But that is not what God wants us to do, He wants us lean on him above all else(Mat. 11:28-30). The action of not putting God first is the same as pushing God away from us. However pushing God away is not the only reason we can't hear God speak to us.
Another reason we can't hear God is we have made ourselves God's enemy. Want proof? James 4:4 tells us: “If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” You might be asking, how is me having the world as my friend causing me to be God's enemy? Well the answer is Idolatry. The act of Idolatry is putting anything before or above the love and trust you owe God. Take the time to look at what you put before God, but make sure to be very honest with yourself. I know for me tv was a big idol and I know some people it is sports. Now that I have given you some examples of why you can't hear God, let me show how to correct it.

The way to start hearing God talk to you is by believing in Jesus as your savior. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me(John 14:6). You might say well I already believe in Jesus and I still can't hear him. What you need to realize is there is a big difference between believing in Jesus and living for him. If you are going to call your self a Christian you need to live as Christ lived(1 John 2:6). I know that is hard to do and so does God. That is why he sent his son to die on the cross for us and save us from our sins(Romans 3:23-25). I know I still have not told you how to live like Christ but don't worry I will.
Some key ways I have found to live like Christ is:

• Read the Bible daily. If you have trouble understanding your bible try to get a version that you can understand.
  
• Spend time in prayer, the best prayer are honest ones.
  
• Surround your self with people that up lift you in your faith and will help you grow as a believer.
  
• Start putting your faith first above all us.
  
• Lean on God as you would a parent.
  
• Last if your doing something and you get a bad feeling, stop what your doing and pray. Chances are it is probably the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you something.
  

I know there are more but as you grow closer in the Lord the Holy Spirit will open your heart to how to live(Romans 5:5).

God Bless and remember I am praying for you!