How does God speak to you?

How does God speak to you?

That is the question a friend asked me last week.

My off-the-cuff answer was something along the lines of getting quiet, stilling my mind and the noises of the world and then listening. I said I usually feel Him communicate with me when I am outside admiring His great creation. I feel close to Him while enjoying the breathtaking bluebonnets that color the hills here in Texas or appreciating a spectacularly painted sunrise over the ocean or even just gazing up into a bright sky contrasted with puffy white clouds and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. These are the ways I drink in His presence.

Other times, I hear His voice in the words of a friend or even a stranger that speak exactly to something I have asked Him. It might come in the form of a Facebook post, a blog that shows up in my inbox or the verse of the day from my bible app.

As I have had time to ponder this question more fully, I realize it is when I am seeking Him, His will, His guidance, His answer with my full heart, that I hear Him.

If I long to hear Him, I must first seek Him.

God’s words in Jeremiah 29:13 are still true for us today. “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with your whole heart.” Later, in Jeremiah 33:3, He says, “Call to me and I will answer you; and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

 

 

His Word promises that He will reply. Even though we may not like His answers, He will always speak TRUTH.

The devil on the other hand roams the earth searching for ways to twist and confound and confuse us. Satan works to bind us in guilt, shame and condemnation to keep us from living out God’s purposes. He entices us to pursue opportunities for the wrong reasons - power, prestige or riches. We give the enemy too much control over us when we believe his lies.

So, how can we know it is God speaking?

To thwart Satan’s plans, we must know our Master’s purpose. (Jeremiah 29:11)

The Potter’s plans will stretch, test, refine and grow our faith. (James 1:3, 1 Peter 4:12-13)

The One Who Is Love will encourage us to love and serve others. (Galatians 5:13)

The Lord will continuously remind us of His unending love for us. (Romans 8:38-39)

The Great I AM desires our complete reliance on Him. (John 15:4-5)

The Strong Tower will reassure those of us who truly believe in His Son as their Redeemer of the security of our salvation. (John 10:28)

Yahweh won’t try to make us think we have to earn it. (Ephesians 2:8)

Our Heavenly Father won’t use our past mistakes or confessed sins to discourage us in the present because He is focused on the possibilities of our future. (Psalm 103:12 and Philippians 1:6)

Satan’s attacks will come contrary to God’s TRUTH. He is a skillful deceiver who is fully acquainted with our weaknesses and uses them against us.

When the enemy tries to knock you down, stand firm on THE WORD!

If you seek and search and strain for God’s response, you will hear Him. But chances are it won’t be in anything as dramatic as wind, earthquake or fire. It is more likely to be that still, small whisper that Elijah experienced while hiding in the cave on top of the rocky mountain in 1 Kings 19:11-13.

Seek Him and listen for His response. You will be certain it is Him because He will know you and your needs. His message will be filled with truth and light and love.

If you know satan habitually hits you with a specific lie, choose one of the encouraging truths from the paragraphs above, look up the referenced verse and write it out as a personal affirmation. Post it prominently so you can meditate on it until it soaks deeply into your soul where it can protect you from the devil’s attacks.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that You care enough about me to speak to me. I’m so grateful for the gift of Your Word through which I can always confirm Your messages. Guard me from the attacks of the evil on and protect my mind from his lies. By Your Holy Spirit, I ask that You would help me to seek You above all else and to expect an answer to all that I ask in Your Son’s name. Amen!

In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice,
In the morning I will order my prayer to you
and eagerly watch.”
Psalm 5:3 (emphasis mine)