Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration.
I’d like to follow-up on a comment I made a few posts ago concerning hearing God’s voice. Friends, in this coming new year—what if you heard God speaking to you with such clarity that you absolutely knew it was divine revelation? What if God spoke to you and used you in ways that it radically blessed your life and the lives of those around you? Wouldn’t you like that? Of course, you would. Who wouldn’t?
God spoke to Adam and Eve face to face in the garden. He spoke to Moses in a burning bush. God spoke through Daniel the prophet as he interpreted a mysterious writing on the wall shown to King Belshazzar. He spoke to Mary and Joseph through an angel. Paul heard His audible voice while walking on a road. But many people are asking—does God still speak to us today?
I have to admit that I am typically a pretty skeptical person. I question a lot. Sometimes, I guess I’m a lot like the disciple Thomas. It’s something I’ve really had to struggle in finding the right balance—especially in the matter of faith. In my defense however, through the years I have seen a lot of fake, superficial spiritualism. So, unless I really know someone, it’s really hard for me when some people frequently are saying “God told me this or that.” Unfortunately, there are those who throw out religious talk without it truly being in their walk. That said, if it is truly in their walk—then I want to hear all about it—in detail!
So, before I go any further let me just say that God is God. He can do anything He wants. Sometimes he speaks audibly. But in my experience, He most often speaks in various other ways. There is a story in the book of Numbers where God chose to speak to a man named Balaam through the voice of Balaam’s donkey. Seriously!? Why didn’t God’s own voice come blasting down from the sky? Who knows? As I said, God can choose anything, or any way He wants. It is not up to us to determine how He speaks.
There is also a passage in the Bible where Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27. So, I would suggest to you—very emphatically—that yes, God does still speak. In fact, I would suggest to you that He is speaking to you in some way at this very moment. Just as a good shepherd is constantly speaking to and guiding his sheep, God is doing the same for you.
This list is in no way comprehensive; but rather common. God chose a donkey to speak to Balaam for that time and situation. Who knows how He will speak to you?
1) Through His Word (The Bible) The Bible is the most relevant source document to life that exists on this planet. It is very accurately been termed as “God’s Word.” It is alive, and God speaks through it in relevant ways today. The Bible is our standard. Any other voice or message that you believe is from God will never contradict the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scripture is “God-breathed.” Do you need written instruction on the questions of life? God’s Word has the answers for marriage relationships, raising children, and business decisions. It has answers to health problems, fear and anxiety. It will guide you on how to live happy, successful, peaceful and content…it’s all found in The Bible.
Through the words of Jesus in Scripture, we can “hear” God’s heart and God’s voice–and know what God is truly like. These words were not written for a few, select individuals. It was never intended to be read only by pastors, priests, or leaders. No, it is for every individual. Someone in Africa, in Europe, in China, and in Minnesota can “hear” Jesus’ voice by reading the same Bible. Without question The Bible is the primary way in which God has spoken in the past, is speaking now, and is full of prophetic words for your future. It’s God’s gift to us; we, however, must read it and apply it.
2) Through other people God may use a pastor, a teacher, a parent, or a friend to convey His message to us. Their words may come as wisdom, a warning, a blessing, or as a prophetic truth about our lives. Whether we choose to hear it or ignore it, depends on us. We must align their words with Scripture. God will confirm or affirm that truth. James 3:17 says, “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere”
3) Through difficulties You must be diligent to seek God and to be attentive to His work in every facet of your life, because another way that God speaks to us is through our circumstances. As you focus on the Lord, especially during difficult or painful circumstances, God can show you His perspective about your circumstances. Rather than trying to figure out everything, equipped only with our limited knowledge and understanding, we can acknowledge the Lord in all of our ways and rely on His love for us, His sovereignty, and His plan for our good. (See Proverbs 3:3–13 and Romans 8:26–32.)
4) Through impressions of The Holy Spirit I remember when I first heard someone teach about “feeling a check” in their spirit. It got my attention. Then he stated that he heard “God’s still, small voice.” I was like—seriously, God speaks like that? Yes, He truly does. We are made in the image of God, and when we confess Jesus and follow Him as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit comes to live in us (John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 3:16). God’s Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, helping to make the right decision. When we’re tempted, that same Spirit warns and nudges us to do the right thing.
As a writer, I depend on God’s Spirit to give me direction. There are times when ideas pop into my mind totally unexpectedly. Other times God speaks to me as I see or hear something, and I feel the Holy Spirit within me saying “remember this, it is applicable to this or that…” The Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us.
Do you know that ten people can “hear” a sermon preached, but each person will walk away with a different truth that applies just to him? In fact, in some cases, the speaker never even spoke what some say they “heard.” This may be the result of God’s Spirit speaking a personal “Rhema,” a living, breathing word of truth to our spirits.
Repeated Instances: (I’ll also throw this topic under Impressions of the Holy Spirit). These are when similar things re-occur over a space of time, it might just be God calling your attention to something. It could be a name, a place, or running into a particular person. It could even be a number (often translated to a chapter and/or verse in Scripture). Don’t discount these things.
5) Through His creation Our son-in-law, Brandon is a great hunter–and he has several amazing mounts to prove it. He loves hunting, but Brandon has said that the thing he most enjoys about hunting is being alone with God in the beauty of God’s creation. Psalms 19:1 proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” The vastness of space and the complexity of nature testify to God’s intelligent design. You can hear the Creator’s voice in a bubbling brook, in the song of a bird, in the wind whistling through the trees and in a baby’s cry.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse ” (Romans 1:20). Through the intricate details and magnificent beauty of all that God has made, we can “hear” His voice.
6) Through music I cannot tell you the importance of music in my life. Granted, I grew up in a musical family, but I cannot imagine my relationship with God not being accompanied with music. The amazing thing is, when I worship Him through music—He in-turn speaks back to me. God has given me so much wisdom and knowledge of who He is—in and through the form of music.
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a huge army of enemies who could have easily destroyed His people, but he did a strange thing. With a declaration that his eyes were on God, he sent in a choir of praise singers: “Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). God “spoke” clearly. He released His power, and Jehoshaphat’s army defeated their enemies! Music is from God, and music is a very powerful form of His communication.
7) Through prayer Most people know that prayer is talking to God. But God also speaks to us when we pray. Unfortunately, many of us have the mistaken idea that the purpose of prayer is to change God’s mind. We think, “If I can just plead with God long enough and hard enough, He’ll give me what I’m asking for.” Prayer is not a way to twist God’s arm. Our attitude in prayer will most often determine if and how we hear God speaking to and through us.
Other times we may not know how to pray, but God’s Word tells us His spirit makes intercession for us (Romans 8:26-27). Often times, this is when I pray in my prayer language (out loud). What is my prayer language? It is a gift given and available to every believer in Christ. Please see and read about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in: Acts 1:4-8, 2:4, 1 Corinthians 14:4-17, and Ephesians 6:18 (see also chapter 3 of my book, The River)
Often through a combination of fasting and prayer, our minds become clearer and our hearts are more sensitive to God. Again, we may not hear God’s literal voice, but His Spirit confirms a certain direction or answer for us. As the distractions fade, we can sense His leading in a new way. Sometimes while praying, God’s Spirit will remind us of a Scripture or a truth in His Word that we can directly apply to the situation.
Does that happen immediately? Not always. There have been occasions where I still had no clue what to do, but in faith I thanked God whenever and however He would answer. A day, a week, maybe even months pass. Then one day while I am building or fixing something—maybe out riding my bike, a thought comes–that gentle “whisper” that could only come from Him, accompanied by His peace.
8) God speaks to us in silence This may sound like an oxymoron, but often times we cannot hear Gods voice until we take the time to be absolutely quiet before Him. No music, no phone/computer, not even your Bible—just you and God—alone, while just being quiet with Him.
In today’s technological age when most everyone is so connected to social media, and we want everything fast—getting quiet before the Lord without distraction can be a valuable discipline. Just remember, there is nothing that can compare with our friendship with Almighty God. Spending time alone with Him in silence enables us to be sensitive to the moving of The Holy Spirit. Amazing intimacy and revelation will come when we intentionally spend silent time with God.
9) Through dreams and visions Acts 2:17 says, “I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh . . . your young men shall see visions; your old men shall dream dreams” Simply put, a vision is an inspired appearance (something you see literally with your eyes or in your mind or spirit). A dream is something seen in your sleep or something you imagine doing—a goal or an aspiration. God can insert images and ideas into our minds whether we are conscious or not.
As you may know, I wrote The River as a direct result of a vision, and a connected dream that I had received from the Lord. Additionally, God gave me yet a third vision while I was finishing my manuscript. Over the years, I have received many dreams and visions from the Lord which have dramatically influenced my life. Many times, God has used my dreams and visions specifically for others. Most often used to encourage or give direction to them, but other times they are used as a visual reference point to be used in intercessory prayer.
I encourage you to ask the Lord to speak to you through dreams and visions. Particularly at night before you go to sleep. Tracy and I have prayed that together at bedtime for many years. There is something about that quiet time or “state” of our minds—while there are no other distractions—when we are more open to hear/see from God. I find it very interesting that there are thousands of testimonies of people today (particularly of the Islam faith) who are having dreams and visions which are leading them into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
10) Through miracles, signs, and wonders God speaks through miracles, signs and wonders mainly to increase our faith and ignite our hunger and thirst for Him. We serve a supernatural God, and He is absolutely full of signs and wonders. Our primary reference for these supernatural gifts is found in Mark 16:17,18: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”
Jesus was sending His disciples into the world to preach the Gospel. As He sent them forth, He said that God’s signature would be upon their ministry. These “signs” were to be the signature of God — the official declaration that they were sent by Heaven and that the Gospel message was true. For unbelievers, these “signs” would authenticate the fact that this was no man made message, but a message straight from God Himself. And just as street signs point a traveler in the right direction, these signs would point the unbeliever to the Lord if he would only pay heed to them.
It is perfectly clear that in New Testament times, the gospel was authenticated in this way by signs, wonders and miracles. However, there are those who adhere to a believe called cessationism, which basically says that these acts of God somehow ended with the original apostles, and so it was only meant to be true of the early church? But the Scriptures never anywhere say that these things were only temporary—never! There is no such statement anywhere. The message and the promise hold true today. I personally have been healed and have witnessed many miracles in my own life. God is still performing miracles, signs and wonders today. The evidence of which occurs every single day, all across the globe.
Friends, regardless of the way God chooses to reveal Himself or “speak” to us today, remember one truth. He will never contradict His Word, and the message He gives will always bring glory to God. The Bible warns about adding anything to the already written, God-breathed Word of God, or accepting any other messenger who claims to be superior to Jesus (Revelation 22:18-19;2 Corinthians 11:4).
One other caveat: Hearing God’s voice and receiving from God (an answer, or specific direction) are not the same thing. Answers and/or directions from God are subject to His timing—not ours. As an example: In my book—The River, I received the first vision (which was part one), almost nine years prior to receiving the connecting dream (part two). In the interim, I had been asking God an answer to a very pertinent question from the first vision—and it took nine (9) years to get the answer. Yet, God was not silent to me for those nine years. No, not at all—those were fantastic years of growth in our relationship. In fact, I had many other dreams and visions during that time. So, Just because you don’t get a particular answer about something, it doesn’t mean that God has abandoned you. God will never turn His back on you and will always be there for you. He just sees the bigger picture, and we must always be open to His timing.
If you are not hearing from God today, that does not mean that God does not want to speak to you. Furthermore, it does not mean that He is not trying to speak to you. Please note that when I say “trying,” it is not putting any limitation on God’s ability or desire to speak, but rather on our openness to hear Him. Perhaps the bigger question may be—are we listening correctly?
Without question friends, God loves you. You are uniquely and wonderfully made. He has amazing plans and purposes for your life, and He longs to communicate in an ongoing love relationship with you. I sincerely hope this was and continues to be a help to you.
Tracy and I are praying that this year -2019- is the absolute best year thus far in your life.
Blessed by the Best,
Mark
See You in the River 