Hearing From God

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." - John10:27

Do you believe that God speaks to ordinary people? Well, when I say "ordinary" I am referring to ordinary Christians. If you are not a Christian you do not have the capacity to hear God because God is Spirit and if you are lost, you are spiritually dead. I am not making this up!

"Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." - John 8:47

"The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit." - 1 Corinthians 2:14

So have you? Heard from God that is. I know for some that is a little more "spiritual" than they are comfortable with. I am certain that you know or know about someone who claimed that they had heard from God to justify some "bizarre", unbiblical behavior. There are charlatans, there are always charlatans in every generation. That being said, I am convinced that God has in the past and does today, speak to His children. Just ordinary kids, like you and me.  Why? Because He loves us. A lot!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:16-17

God did not save us from our sins only to ignore us. Just to give us the silent treatment. He wants to have a relationship with us. A personal relationship. Personal means intimate. Intimate means communication - verbal and non-verbal. I know - it is difficult to imagine that the Creator God would have time for any of us - well maybe the super-Christians - but that's it. Certainly not for a spiritual nobodies. Wrong!! In God's eyes, we are all somebodies!

So how does He speak to us? Glad you asked. Four ways but typically not exclusively in only one way. Since Jesus ascended and the Father sent the Spirit as a helper - and we need help! God speaks by the Spirit through prayer - one on one time with God, the Bible - which according to Timothy is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness so that the servant of God (us) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Josiah said that if we meditate on the Word we will be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8). Of course that means you have to read the Bible. Hello!?!?!?

God also speaks through life - circumstances in our lives - often times events that are inexplicitly coincidental.  I like to call them God-incidences. And fourth, through other Christians. A Christian may have a word from God for you. They have the same spiritual father and have the very same Spirit indwelling them. And very often, other Christians will confirm what God has said though the Word, prayer and/or circumstances.  Very often it is two or three ways, not just one.

I could share many instances in our lives over the years, when it has been clear that we heard from God. It always brings us to a crisis of belief. A place that requires faith and action on our part which means we have to adjust our lives to obey what God has said.  And maybe you are thinking, "I don't know if I want to hear from God!" Oh yes you do my friend - yes you do!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone