When Heart and Will Collide

I've been able to spend a lot of time in the Word today - which has been really good for me! I work all day, so I wasn't able to attend church this morning. We are really slow (*as always*) - which has given me ample time to pursue God!

I've been struggling lately with hearing God. How do I know if it's HIM wanting me to do something, or if its just me? Well, that's an obvious answer... but can it be both? Can I want something so badly... and at the same time it be in God's will for me? Does that make sense? How do I distinguish between the two?

I think the first part is a heart issue. Where is my heart? Jesus says in Matthew 6 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." James 2:2-3 says, "you do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." Wow!! I just love how God answers so blatantly!

So, what about the second part? Can I want something and it be God's will too? How do you know?

I still struggle with knowing God's will - which I guess all goes back to my relationship with Him. A sheep knows it's shepherds voice because they spend time together, so the more time I spend with God the more I'll become aware of his calling.