Every now and then I will get the question:  “How do you come up with some of the stuff that you come up with?” I usually answer:  “If I come up with anything good, then it most likely is not me, but the Holy Spirit!”  This answer tells you where the good stuff comes from, but not how to open up your life to receive it.

I was thinking this morning about how I hear, feel and receive from the Holy Spirit and here are five things that I do, that I believe help me to be in touch, in tune and in step with the Holy Spirit!

1.) I take time to pray meaningful prayer everyday! I don’t just mean that I pray!  I pray on purpose and with a purpose!  I want to talk to God and I want to hear from God!  Meaningful prayer is much more than simply going through the motions of prayer!  In fact, I usually begin my day with prayer and pray all throughout the day as things come to mind.  This ongoing conversation with God often reveals amazing things and brings comfort and strength on a continual basis!

2.) I make time to reflect on a regular basis! One of the things that will slip out of your life is the time to think about what is happening and why.  We experience opportunities for growth almost continually, but we miss out on the growth, because we fail to take the time to reflect, think and learn.  I have found that if I don’t make the time, then I won’t take the time!  This reflective learning is so important that I make time to slip away and ask the question:  What is the Spirit trying to teach me?

3.) I study and learn new things all of the time! I learned a long time ago from John Maxwell that leaders are readers.  I have books, magazines and printed articles all over the place.  If I have a still moment, then I try to fill a part of that moment with reading that will allow me to learn something new!  I now am blessed to have an iPad and Kindle, and I use both of them to enhance my reading and often share thoughts as they flow into my head and heart via Twitter and Facebook!

4.) I serve others and give the glory to God! One of my favorite things in life is getting to spend time with others.  I love to sit down across the table from someone and listen to their story, struggles and victories, and then encourage them to head into the even more amazing stuff that God has for them.  Time is the most valuable commodity that any of us have on this earth and one of my greatest pleasures is being able to use the time that I have to help serve others by helping them to find and travel in the right direction!

5.)  I submit and am accountable for Kingdom glory! I have a small handful of very close friends, who I talk with on a very regular basis.  I trust them completely and share with them every part of my life, especially the parts that you can’t see, that float around in my mind and heart.  I listen to what they have to say and use it to help me understand God’s guidance and direction.  Many times this changes the direction that I am traveling.  Often I don’t want to change my direction, but have to submit, because ultimately it is not about me, but God, His glory and His Kingdom!

I hope these five will help you in your journey toward right direction!  God Bless, Press On and G3!  (Give God Glory!)