Sometimes I feel like what I imagine a Spiritual Leader must feel like when the Lord puts something different than their “planned” sermon or speech on their heart to share. I have been starting numerous posts for this site, and every time, I feel stopped, or stalled. I save the draft and leave it there safely in my computer, hidden away from translation. I was getting a little stressed about the fact that I haven’t posted anything in a while, and needed to “get something posted.” I take so seriously, however, my responsibility to the Lord for what I put on here. I am to be a witness, a living testimony to Him.
So, two nights ago I was awoken about five-thirty in the morning, and was literally writing in my sleep! This post! I hope this is an encouragement, an edifying article for whomever God is talking to! He was putting on my heart to write about how to hear from Him. Me, Bess! I’m being taught, after most of a lifetime of communicating with my best friend, Jesus, how to stop talking, and start listening to Him.
God speaks to us all of the time, we just don’t always hear Him, because we aren’t listening. A lot of times, we aren’t listening because we have found ourselves and our lives to be more important at that given time. Then, a lot of times when we do finally hear Him, we don’t do what he is gently prodding us to do, and He won’t yell at us to do it! He’s given us our own will, he wants us to serve Him and love Him on our OWN! He doesn’t want a forced relationship, he wants our full surrender. He only wants that because of how much HE LOVES US, not to control us! OK, sorry for wandering off on that rabbit trail!
So, how does he communicate with us? One way is through His Word, our Bibles! This is a fail proof way to hear from the Lord. If your desire is to hear from God, you will EVERY TIME you open His Word! John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them through your truth: your Word is truth.” In John 8:31-32, he assures us, “Then said Jesus…if you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Not so well known is this powerful Scripture; Psalms 33:4 “For the Word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth.”
The more you search His Word for answers, comfort, knowledge, direction, reassurance, (I could go on!) the more you will find. It is full of wisdom, and does not lack explanation. I’ve heard people say before, “Well, the Bible doesn’t cover some subjects relevant to today’s world!” Nothing could be further from the truth. Every situation, problem and question you could have about God and what He desires of us in life can be found in the Word. It would take me far too long to cover all of those here, so we’ll cover them little by little as Confessions of the Word grows! Besides, that’s the whole idea – search YOUR Bible for answers from YOUR God!!! You will fall deeper in love with our merciful, loving, kind (again, could go on!)…Father!
Another way we hear from our Lord is through the Holy Spirit’s prompting. I am going to try to put into words the awesome thing that happens when I hear from my Savior through His mighty Spirit! Usually, what happens is that a “prompting” or urge happens in my heart/gut area. I’ll be reminded of a Bible verse that applies to whatever the situation is, or I’ll instantly have a testimonial thought, like something that is undeniably “truth” from experience, whether mine or someone else’s. Whenever that “urging” takes place, it is either to edify someone else in the faith, reminding them of God’s goodness, or just for myself, to strengthen my growth and bond with God. It is undeniably the Holy Spirit, meaning that it feels “right” in every meaning of that word, or it feels like reassurance. Ok, I knew this would be a hard one to put into words! So let me illustrate: let’s say I am worried about a certain body ailment, that it would affect my family, my future, my finances…I begin to pray for the Lord’s will to be done and I praise and thank Him for His guaranteed promises, etc…soon after I feel a reassurance in my gut, in my Spirit, and am reminded of James 5:15 “…And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up…” It happens kind of like that! It is so powerful!
The Lord also speaks through His people. There are many, many Biblical examples of this in our history. God wants to utilize His imperfect vessels, us! The Holy Spirit is available to us to equip us to the work of the Lord, or “Kingdom business,” as my Pastor likes to say! We are all given gifts, some of us, prophecy, some teaching, some ministry of helps (love servants), etc. We are to serve each other, and the unsaved, with these gifts, not with false pride, but with humility and our whole hearts.
As you can see, He talks to us! He loves to walk and talk with us! Did you know, He can talk to you directly? His Word speaks of many incidents where He spoke out loud to those who would listen. Well, if He is the same then and now, and He is, then he’ll talk to you, too. It is a thrill to hear from God! Usually, when he talks to us, the message is for us! Sometimes he entrusts us with a message for someone else, but be sure and run it through the Holy Spirit first. You’ll know whether it’s to be shared or not. If you have an agenda for that person that is not God’s, it’s probably better to hold back on that Word!!! God is big enough to speak to that person too!
One more thing to apply to this idea, look for confirmation anytime you are wrestling with a big question. For instance, if you feel the Lord is telling you to jump into a ministry of some type because your good friend from church told you that God told them that you would….well, it’s good to ask the Lord for confirmation or denial of that claim. Search the Scripture, be in regular prayer, give it a little time. God works through process, usually not instantly! He’ll let you know what to do!
Do you have a testimony (or two) of hearing from God, and the impact it had on your life? Please send it to me and share it here! I want to know what you think of this subject! Have you read a powerful Scripture on this subject? Please share! God bless you as you walk with Him!
James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
