7 Ways God Speaks! (Part 2)
Sitting on the balcony of a condo in Hawaii many years ago, I wondered what lay ahead. I knew God had led me to step down after seven years from a spiritually rich and fulfilling ministry as the Teaching Leader of a Bible Study Fellowship class. But now what?
Was that the end of teaching His Word, talking about His reality, His love, His mercy and goodness? I didn’t know.
Turning to my Bible, I read a verse I hadn’t noticed before:
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)
As I look back over the path my life took, I am so grateful for God’s promise to lead, guide, and make the rough places smooth. He did!
DOES GOD SPEAK? YES!
1. Through His Word, which is applied by His Spirit, speaking to our hearts and minds with words of assurance, guidance, comfort and courage.
2. Through Prayer and time lingering in His Presence.
3. Through other Believers
In addition, here are four more ways to listen for God’s voice.
Was that the end of teaching His Word, talking about His reality, His love, His mercy and goodness? I didn’t know.
Turning to my Bible, I read a verse I hadn’t noticed before:
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)
As I look back over the path my life took, I am so grateful for God’s promise to lead, guide, and make the rough places smooth. He did!
DOES GOD SPEAK? YES!
1. Through His Word, which is applied by His Spirit, speaking to our hearts and minds with words of assurance, guidance, comfort and courage.
2. Through Prayer and time lingering in His Presence.
3. Through other Believers
In addition, here are four more ways to listen for God’s voice.
4. Through “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19)
We might not go around serenading one another but singing or listening to words about the glory, mercy, and grace of God are powerful ways we hear Him speak. We are created in such a way that music impacts our brains, our thoughts, our feelings and our decisions. When you listen to older hymns or more modern praise songs, notice not just the tune but the words. What is God saying to you through them?
5. Through the Spoken Word
With sermons available in church, on the internet, via podcasts, blogs and articles we don’t lack input. Listen a few times to a particular speaker and ask God to give you discernment. Is the teaching consistent with what Scripture says. Are you hearing His voice? Is it deepening your love for Christ, is it motivating you to live out His calling on your life?
6. Through the Writings of Mature Believers
I owe a great debt to many men and women who have written about the Christian journey. In my early days as a follower of Jesus, people gave me missionary biographies to read. The true stories I read amazed me. This God I was learning about didn’t just exist thousands of years ago—He was alive! He moved in amazing ways today! He was knowable!
Years later, God used a magazine article to convict me that I was to stop ignoring His voice and write! (This was after refusing to listen to three different people who encouraged me to write what I teach.)
When you read books about following Christ, be listening for God’s voice. He is speaking today—into your current circumstances—even through those who are now with Him. Don’t miss what they have to say today!
7. Through Spirit given thoughts that prompt action
Scripture affirms and illustrates that God speaks and guides us in many ways—but every thought, word, or action must always be consistent with Scripture, God’s character, and God’s purposes for the world.
If you feel the urge to call a friend, to pray for someone, to reach out in some way, recognize this can be the Spirit of God who indwells you directing your thoughts. Weigh what you should do and be willing to step out in faith. If it wasn’t a God-prompt, don’t feel embarrassed—know that your willingness to care honored God. That’s what truly matters!
In my next article, as part of learning to hear God speak, I’ll share 12 questions to ask when wondering what path to take.
Never forget: God is alive, He hears, He cares, He communicates.
Blessings,
Poppy
We might not go around serenading one another but singing or listening to words about the glory, mercy, and grace of God are powerful ways we hear Him speak. We are created in such a way that music impacts our brains, our thoughts, our feelings and our decisions. When you listen to older hymns or more modern praise songs, notice not just the tune but the words. What is God saying to you through them?
5. Through the Spoken Word
With sermons available in church, on the internet, via podcasts, blogs and articles we don’t lack input. Listen a few times to a particular speaker and ask God to give you discernment. Is the teaching consistent with what Scripture says. Are you hearing His voice? Is it deepening your love for Christ, is it motivating you to live out His calling on your life?
6. Through the Writings of Mature Believers
I owe a great debt to many men and women who have written about the Christian journey. In my early days as a follower of Jesus, people gave me missionary biographies to read. The true stories I read amazed me. This God I was learning about didn’t just exist thousands of years ago—He was alive! He moved in amazing ways today! He was knowable!
Years later, God used a magazine article to convict me that I was to stop ignoring His voice and write! (This was after refusing to listen to three different people who encouraged me to write what I teach.)
When you read books about following Christ, be listening for God’s voice. He is speaking today—into your current circumstances—even through those who are now with Him. Don’t miss what they have to say today!
7. Through Spirit given thoughts that prompt action
Scripture affirms and illustrates that God speaks and guides us in many ways—but every thought, word, or action must always be consistent with Scripture, God’s character, and God’s purposes for the world.
If you feel the urge to call a friend, to pray for someone, to reach out in some way, recognize this can be the Spirit of God who indwells you directing your thoughts. Weigh what you should do and be willing to step out in faith. If it wasn’t a God-prompt, don’t feel embarrassed—know that your willingness to care honored God. That’s what truly matters!
In my next article, as part of learning to hear God speak, I’ll share 12 questions to ask when wondering what path to take.
Never forget: God is alive, He hears, He cares, He communicates.
Blessings,
Poppy