Those of you who know me really well know that I'm not what some might call a religious freak. I am not part of a cult, nor do I hear strange voices in my head. I'm not mentally unstable...hey, you stop laughing. So, you might ask...Then, why do you believe God speaks to us?
I believe because I have experienced His voice in my life even from early childhood. So, I know this to be true. He talks to me because I talk to Him. God has an open invitation into my life. I pray for His direction, His leadership, and I ask Him questions. He answers. Sometimes, I don't like the answer, but He does answer. Job 37:5 says, "God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. " Sometimes, He doesn't answer because there are just some things we cannot know in advance. Just like with my kids. I do not let them in on plans for the weekend too early in the week. If you are a parent, you know exactly why. I would be so tired of answering questions, questions, questions and more questions. There would be great temptation to "call the whole thing off!"
Some of you may say, He only spoke to people in bible times. He doesn't really do that anymore. I refer you to Hebrews 3:12-15:
Like earthly fathers speak to their children, God does speak to His children. Many times we may not recognize His voice. We either shrug it off entirely, question it and then ignore it, or we give the credit to someone or something else. However, most often, we just take the credit ourselves....I am sooo smart, Listen to MY idea, I can't believe I came up with this all by myself. Brilliant. I'm reminded of a church sign I saw the other day: "God without man is still God. Man without God is nothing."
So, has God ever spoken to you?
~Have you ever felt strongly to do something nice for someone? The feeling was so overwhelming that you thought you might actually die before you could accomplish the task.
~Have you ever asked a question in your mind and before you could even finish the thought completely, the answer hit your brain like a mac truck? Usually, it is an answer or idea you had not even considered.
~Have you ever found yourself in the middle of delimma not sure which way to go and someone you may or may not know says what seems to be a random thought that actually applies to you and the very crisis you are bogged down in? Often, you will find that you've zoned out for a moment because you are so "struck" by what the unwitting messenger just told you.
Psalm 34:8 encourages us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." In other words, try it! I dare you. Now, if you are really going to take this challenge, do so with respect and with no intentions of "rigging the results." God will not be mocked. (Galations 6:7) However, if you find yourself in a situation you cannot handle, you've tried everything else to no avail, I want you to try this viable alternative. What can you lose? So, stop what you are doing, look toward Heaven and say, What do you think, God? Then, get still and very quiet. You WILL be amazed, I assure you.
Still not convinced? Start with something small like lost car keys or the decision of whether or not to take your umbrella with you to work. Really??? Really. Afterall, whose forcast is more reliable? The Weather Channel or Your Heavenly Father?
Again, what can you lose? Nothing.
What can you gain? I point you to Psalm 34:7 and continue through verse 9: "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing."
Psalm 29: 4 "The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic."
I believe because I have experienced His voice in my life even from early childhood. So, I know this to be true. He talks to me because I talk to Him. God has an open invitation into my life. I pray for His direction, His leadership, and I ask Him questions. He answers. Sometimes, I don't like the answer, but He does answer. Job 37:5 says, "God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. " Sometimes, He doesn't answer because there are just some things we cannot know in advance. Just like with my kids. I do not let them in on plans for the weekend too early in the week. If you are a parent, you know exactly why. I would be so tired of answering questions, questions, questions and more questions. There would be great temptation to "call the whole thing off!"
Some of you may say, He only spoke to people in bible times. He doesn't really do that anymore. I refer you to Hebrews 3:12-15:
"See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts...'"
Like earthly fathers speak to their children, God does speak to His children. Many times we may not recognize His voice. We either shrug it off entirely, question it and then ignore it, or we give the credit to someone or something else. However, most often, we just take the credit ourselves....I am sooo smart, Listen to MY idea, I can't believe I came up with this all by myself. Brilliant. I'm reminded of a church sign I saw the other day: "God without man is still God. Man without God is nothing."
So, has God ever spoken to you?
~Have you ever felt strongly to do something nice for someone? The feeling was so overwhelming that you thought you might actually die before you could accomplish the task.
~Have you ever asked a question in your mind and before you could even finish the thought completely, the answer hit your brain like a mac truck? Usually, it is an answer or idea you had not even considered.
~Have you ever found yourself in the middle of delimma not sure which way to go and someone you may or may not know says what seems to be a random thought that actually applies to you and the very crisis you are bogged down in? Often, you will find that you've zoned out for a moment because you are so "struck" by what the unwitting messenger just told you.
Psalm 34:8 encourages us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." In other words, try it! I dare you. Now, if you are really going to take this challenge, do so with respect and with no intentions of "rigging the results." God will not be mocked. (Galations 6:7) However, if you find yourself in a situation you cannot handle, you've tried everything else to no avail, I want you to try this viable alternative. What can you lose? So, stop what you are doing, look toward Heaven and say, What do you think, God? Then, get still and very quiet. You WILL be amazed, I assure you.
Still not convinced? Start with something small like lost car keys or the decision of whether or not to take your umbrella with you to work. Really??? Really. Afterall, whose forcast is more reliable? The Weather Channel or Your Heavenly Father?
Again, what can you lose? Nothing.
What can you gain? I point you to Psalm 34:7 and continue through verse 9: "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing."
Psalm 29: 4 "The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic."
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