Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”—John 20:15 (ESV)

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. —Revelation 22:1-3 (ESV)

How do I hear God speak to me?

1. I need a receptive attitude.

“A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.” —Luke 8:5 (ESV)

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.” —Luke 8:11-12 (ESV)

3 CAUSES OF A CLOSED MIND
Self-righteousness
Fear

“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are My servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’” —Isaiah 41:9-10 (NIV)

Bitterness

2. I make time to water.

“And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.” —Luke 8:6 (ESV)

“And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.” —Luke 8:13 (ESV)

3. I learn to focus.

“And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it.” —Luke 8:7 (ESV)
“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” —Luke 8:14 (ESV)

4. I make a willful choice.

“And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” —Luke 8:8 (ESV)

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:6-9 (NIV)

“As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.” —Luke 8:15 (ESV)