How God Speaks To Us

How God Speaks to Us – R. Nelson

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27;

ENCOURAGING WORD:

How does God speak to us? That is a question that so many wonder about. The truth is, there are many ways that God speaks to us, but it is up to us to do the listening! I think the biggest issue with people is this, they pray to God with hopes of getting an answer immediately, and they don’t wait on the Lord for their answer. The verse above really sums up why people don’t always get an answer, it is because they have not submitted to Gods will for their life. Jesus says that “His sheep” hear His voice. If you are not of His sheepfold, you will not hear from God in any way, shape or form.

God speaks in a language that only His true followers with understand. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “seeing is not believing, believing is seeing and also hearing.” Let’s say that you are an English speaking American at a foreign speaking convention that doesn’t speak English, you would not understand a word that would be spoken unless you learned that language. In the same way, you will not understand the Word of God unless you first receive the Holy Spirit into your heart. If you have not received the Holy Spirit into your heart, then you will not understand the Words of the Lord. We read in 2 Corinthians 4:4; “In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” If you are not a born-again Christian, then you are in the category of an unbeliever according to the following verse. We read in John 3:3; where Jesus Himself tell us the following, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” These are the Words of God, not man.

Once you have become born-again, the there are various ways God will speak to you. I believe the number one way is certainly through scripture. If you are in the Word daily, you will understand a lot of things that you have questions about. Other ways are through other people that God will use to answer you. God will also speak to you through His Holy Spirit. All believers know how this works, all of a sudden something pops in your head and gives you an answer to a question that you previously had. I think this is a very common way for God to speak to us. We read in Act 2: 17; where Peter says, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.” These are three more ways above that God will speak to man. Then there are those that have actually heard the audio voice of God. In the Old Testament, God spoke to His prophets and other devout men of God often in an audio voice.

We read about an interesting account about Paul when He was on the road to Damascus where suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. This we read in Acts 9:4-7; “Then he (Paul) fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.” Here is an example of Jesus speaking in an audio voice. There are many such stories in the Old Testament where God spoke in this manner. Today, you don’t hear of it as often but it as a fact that God still speaks to us occasionally in a voice that we can actually hear.

I personally had such an experience. A while back when I was just getting into the Word of God, I obviously didn’t understand much, especially all the evil that was permeating throughout the world. So one day in total dismay and confusion, I cried out to God and said, “God, what is going on in this world with all the evil?” That night while I was lying in bed trying to get to sleep, I heard what I thought was a voice. It said, “John 16.” I thought I was just hearing things but then couple minutes later, I heard again, “John 16.” I knew I heard a voice that time so I listened a little longer and one more time I heard, “John 16.” At that time I had no knowledge of scripture or verse memorization. I eventually got to sleep that night and when I woke up, I went right to my Bible and read John 16. I stated reading John 16, but nothing jumped out at me as to why I should read that verse. And then at the end of John 16: 33, it said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” From that day going forward continually reading the scriptures I understood what was happening and what was coming to the world.

Once again as I stated above, I believe that the most common way today for God to speak to us is through the Holy Spirit in a spiritual voice. You will be driving along minding your own business and all of a sudden a thought will enter your head that you had no clue where it came from. It might be an answer to something that you prayed for a while back or it may be something that God wants to reveal to you. When you open your mind to the Holy Spirit you will receive divine intervention at times. But with all this in mind you also need to be aware that there is an adversary out there called Satan that is trying to get into your head as well. He is a great deceiver and that is why you need to know Jesus Christ personally so He will protect you from these attacks from Satan. Without Jesus, we are powerless against the evils of the world as we read in Ephesians 6:12; “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Jesus said in John 15:5; “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.”

If you are sincere in your heart and really want Jesus in your life, you will hear from Him in one way or another, but don’t be impatient, you will hear from God at the perfect time when you need Him most. Matthew 7:7-8; “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” If you truly believe that the Bible is the true and inherent word of God, then once again, be patient, you will get an answer. We also read in Mark 11:24; “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” These promises in the Bible are to true born-again believers that put their full trust and faith in the Word of God. When you start to believe and understand the Word of God, you will see things that only true believers can see, but you will wonder how everything now seems so obvious where before it was unknown to you.

ACTION POINT:

I remember a song we sang called “Oh what A Friend we have in Jesus” Back then, it was just a bunch of words that we memorized, but now, I realize that Jesus is not only our Friend, He is our Lord and Savior and God of all. You have a Friend that will never leave you not forsake you under any circumstance. I’ve had some pretty good friends in my life, but none that came close to Jesus Christ. I wish I knew Jesus back when I was young, because I look back and see times when I really needed a true Friend. Here are the first two verse to that song, “What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear, and what a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer, oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.” The writer of this song hit the nail on the head! We should take everything to God in prayer. (EVERYTHING) Receive Jesus Christ today as your Lord and Savior, and reach out to Him in prayer. “Oh, what a Friend you will have in Jesus! “Written To the glory of God.” Amen!

A Commentary from our Chaplin – R. Fritz

Our God speaks to us in every way possible and imaginable. Let me tell you a story that happened to me. I was on vacation in Colorado about 8 years ago. My wife, son, his fiancé and I went to a Colorado Rockies night baseball game. We decided to leave the stadium before the game was over. As we were walking out, I happen to notice this guy walking with a sign, it was at least 12”x12” that read “Jesus Saves” and I said to God, what do you want me to do? The next day we got to go to a gold mine and as the owner of the mine was talking, I noticed a post that was in the mine. There was carved on that post, going downward with the message, “Jesus Saves.” The next day we went to the Farm Market in Vail and I see this guy holding up what looked like the same sign saying “Jesus Saves.” It was the same one I saw as we were coming out of the baseball game. God wasn’t done yet. Before I left Breckenridge, as I was getting onto the highway, I saw another guy holding that same sign that said, “Jesus Saves.” God’s not done yet, about 500 miles down the road, I read on the back of camper that had a decal on it that said “Jesus Saves.” You think God was trying to tell somebody something. Our Lord and Savior is speaking to us and most of the world is not paying attention. That is what most of God’s people need to understand. Just pay Attention to things going on around you. I had many times where at work I heard a voice (God’s voice) saying my name. For me it was different to accept. God was sending messenger after messenger to teach me, and then a time came when I started to hear the Holy Spirit answer questions before I would get the questions out of my mouth. The Holy Spirit said He would teach me. The Holy Spirit will reveal answers to questions sometimes before you even get the question asked. There are often times when God also sends people to me to give a word of encouragement or an answer to something I’ve been praying for.

Prayer is a wonderful gift from God where we can actually enter the throne room of the universe and ask Him for answers to our questions and concerns. If you are a child of God you can expect an answer from Him. The problem is, we have a preconceived idea of something that we want, but God knows what’s best for us. In other words, we are asking for something specific and he gives something else, but we don’t know it or see it. This is what I can tell you, I normally get an answer, but again if I don’t get an answer, I keep on asking and by talking to him and being persistent and by not giving up, we learn from the scriptures that this is what God is looking from his people, an attitude of never giving up! In Mark 11:24 it says “Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”. Sounds good doesn’t it. The problem is in the next 2 verses, “and when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have fought against any: that your Father also which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in Heaven forgive your trespasses”. In other words, because of your unforgiveness, there is a spiritual separation between you and God. If we have any un-resolved issues in our life that we haven’t taken care of, we need to ask God what those issues are. We need to take care of those issues and if God doesn’t answer your prayer, the next prayer should be to ask God to have somebody around you to help you. Those issues will hold back Gods healing or answers until they are resolved. This may be a big reason why some prayers are not answered. Forgiveness and spiritual issues are one of the biggest reasons. Take care of that sin! “We will put out a blog on forgiveness at a different time.”

When we are born-again or saved, God accepts us the way we are. He tries to help us to get through the issues we have. We have to be a willing participant in what God is trying to change in our life. When we get through those issues, we get to have a much better relationship with Him. Now you should have a better understanding of what we need to do for that relationship to grow. It took me years to overcome the issues that I had, but you can do better. I just would not give up. The words in the Bible come alive for me and the Holy Spirit shows me how to use them. It took me years to overcome “Fear”, but the Holy Spirit gave me tools I needed to overcome “Fear.” The tools are Bible Verses. “We will discuss this at a different time also.” It’s all up to you now, only you can choose the path you want to take. If it is a decision to get closer to Jesus Christ, you will have to make some changes. Let me tell you, it’s not easy, but if that’s your choice you choose, you will not regret that relationship with Him! “Let’s get started!”

In Closing – R. Nelson

There is no doubt that if you are a child of God, you will hear from Him and He will guide you through life. You are His child and He will watch over you morning, noon and night, 24-7. You will never be alone. If you happen to be an unbeliever, reach out to someone that is a born-again Christian and listen to their story of how God changed their life, they are all inspiring. Whether we know it or not, we all need Jesus Christ, He is just waiting to hear from you, so He can give you the life that he created for you. You have a choice to either continue in life as you are, which ultimately ends up on a dead end road, or you can receive Jesus Christ today and have the security of knowing that you will live forever! What will you choose? “Written To the glory of God.” Amen!

Inspiring Letter from our beloved Christian Sister – Alexandra Ader

“This is a powerful message that God spoke to Alexandra through Spiritual Inspiration!

My Dear One,
​I wish I could fully explain my love for you, but it is unfathomable, it is too great to fully grasp, (1) but my words are all I have to share. Look at this world around you. The glorious mountains, the breath-taking ocean with all its mysteries, the starry night sky in all its beauty, the birds that fly, the leaves of the trees, this world is magnificent, but it is nothing compared to you. (2) You are more precious than any of that. You are my treasure. (2) You were created to reflect love. (3) You are a light in the world of darkness around you. (4) I find such bliss when I look at you and I can’t help but sing. (5) You are the apple of my eye, I cherish you above all else. (6) My love, I want to spend eternity with you. (7)
How you feel is so important to me. I know when you are mourning, I know when you are filled with sorrow. Even if you can’t see me, I am there when you cry, each tear that falls I catch it and keep it. Each of your tears are precious to me. (8)
Sometimes you may feel distant, there are times that we are both hurting. But I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere I’m always here. (9) No matter how much you think you mess up, there is nothing you could do to make me stop loving you. (10)
I have searched all the earth for you (11) and now that I have found you, I won’t let go of you. I promise to always do what is best for you, (12) I promise to always fight for you and I do go to battle for you.(13)
I carry you close to my heart (14) my dear, my love for you is everlasting, and my love for you is the greatest power in existence. There is no other power that is great enough to separate my love from you. (15)

Always yours, God

Bible verses in support of the letter from Alexandra Ader

1) – Ephesians 3:19; “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
2) – Matthew 10:29-31; “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Isaiah 40 is where I got my inspiration. God is so big and He created everything but He called you a treasure, He calls you precious, His special possession.
2) – Proverbs 3:15; “She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
2) – 1 Peter 2:9; “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
3) – Genesis 1:26; “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” “we are created to reflect God”
3) – 1 John 4:16 God is love; “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
4) – Matthew 5:14-16; “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
5) – Zephaniah 3:17; “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
6) – Psalm 17:8; “Keep me as the apple of your eye; Hide me under the shadow of your wings,”
7) – John 3:16; “but this is the story of the entire Bible, that He wants to have a relationship with you and He died so that He could be with you for all eternity” “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
8) – Psalm 56:8; “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into your bottle; Are they not in your book?”
8) – Psalm 136:2-3; “Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:”
9) – Isaiah 59:1; “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”
9) – Joshua 1:9; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
9) – Matthew 28:20; “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
9) – Hebrews 13:5; “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
10) – Romans 5:8; “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
10) – 1 Corinthians 13:7; “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
11) – 2 Chronicles 16:9; “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”
12) – Romans 8:28; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
12) – Jeremiah 29:11; “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
13) – Isaiah 40:11; “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”
14) – Titus 3:7; “that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
15) – Romans 8:38-39; “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”