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2. Be Still = "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalms 46:10).  In today's society, this seems to be one of the hardest things to do.  Sometimes, I have to turn off the computer, close the door, and even close my Bible to hear from God.  That was what I had to do to begin this study.  God would not even allow me to write the thoughts down until He finished revealing them to me.

3. Have a clear conscience =  "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16).  "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully" (Psalms 24:3-4).  If we don't have a clear conscience, when we get still, the issues of our conscience will arise to the surface and keep us from hearing from God.

4. Have a disciplined mind =  "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 1:13).  This is a picture of someone putting on a belt to hold up our pants.  We need to discipline our minds to keep them from wondering here, there, and everywhere.  This also take practice.

5. Be discerning =  "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14).  We have a responsibility to grow in discernment.  The more we learn of the Word, the more we should grow in discernment.

6. Be on Guard = "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1).  A totally opened mind is much like an open window.  It can also let dust or bugs into the house.  We are to be careful of what thoughts we entertain.

7. Be Receptive = "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Luke 11:10). God offers revelation to us, but we must be willing to receive it.  As a counselor, I give counsel.  However, I can not force anyone to receive it.

8. Be Expectant = "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him" (Hebrews 11:6).  When we stop to meditate and focus our attention upon God, we should expect God to respond.  Some people never expect to hear from God, so they don't stop to meditate.

9. Have a Quiet Spirit = "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (I Peter 3:4).  It is amazing of all the things that I CAN think about even when I stop to meditate.  Sometimes I just have purpose to be quiet so that I can hear from God.

10. Be Alert = "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (I Peter 4:7).  The word "watch" is often associated with the word "prayer" in Scripture.  It mean to be alert!  There are times when I stop long enough to meditate and become extremely sleepy.  If this occurs, I may have to take a nap before I can be alert enough to receive anything from God.

11. Live in Peace =  "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).  If we are in conflict with someone and stop to meditate, then the conflict will immediately pop into our minds.  We need to purpose to live in peace that we can be free to meditate upon God and His Word.

12. Be a Listener = "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19).   We can be still without listening.  We also can do a lot of praying (talking to God) and still not listen to hear from God.  We have to purpose to listen.

13. Be Diligent = "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth" (Hosea 6:3).  God usually nudges me in a general direction.  Then I have to take a step of faith to move in that direction before He gives me more specific revelation.  We should be diligent to follow the leading that God give to us.

14. Be Humble = "By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life" (Proverbs 22:4).  "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know" (I Corinthians 8:2).  If we, in our minds, already know it all, why should God bother to give us His revelation?  We must come to God as an empty vessel, ready to be filled by Him.

15. Be Yielded = "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).  Often, God's desire is to give us direction.  However, we must be willing to yield our wills to Him and obey.  Usually, we must purpose to obey even before He gives us direction.

Joshua 1:8  "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Psalms 1:2  "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

Psalms 63:6  "When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches."

Psalms 77:12  "I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings."

Psalms 119:15  "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."

Psalms 119:48  "My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes."

Psalms 119:148  "Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word."

Psalms 143:5  "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands."

Proverbs 15:28  "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things."

Isaiah 26:3  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Isaiah 57:19  "I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him."

Mark 11:23  "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

Philippians 4:8  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

I Timothy 4:15  "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."