Why Does God Speak?
Isaiah 55:2-3 - "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David" (NIV).
John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (NIV).
John 6:68-69 - "Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God" (NIV).
John 16:33 - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (NIV).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (NIV).
Have you ever drank a cup of hot chocolate? On a cold winter's day, a cup of hot chocolate hits the spot. It satisfies our frozen bodies. Sometimes, we get a special gift on top of the hot chocolate - some whipped cream and a cherry… so tasty. Your relationship with God is like the hot chocolate. He alone deeply satisfies. He speaks to us, because He wants to communicate His love to us. He is really into building a deep and meaningful relationship with us. But, too often, we get focused on the whipped cream. In other words, we want to hear God's voice regarding the "big" things in our lives - what job to get, who to marry, where to move, etc. Really, in comparison with our relationship with Jesus, the answers to these "big" issues of life are just the whipped cream on top of the hot chocolate. Why does God speak to us? It's all about our relationship with Him. That's the hot chocolate. And He does love, also, to speak to us regarding those other issues of life - job, marriage, finances and place to live. But, remember, as we "keep the main thing the main thing," (i.e. stay thankful and focused on the hot chocolate), we will be delighted to hear His voice over the good gifts that He wants to give us (James 1:17).
God not only speaks to us for building relationship with us, but He also speaks to us regarding the battle. In this world, we are called to extend God's kingdom. We are engaged in a spiritual conflict until Jesus' second coming. Hearing God's voice is vital in knowing how to push back the enemy and bring His kingdom into areas of the world. Jesus Himself relied on His Father's voice to show Him everything He was doing. “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed" (John 5:19-20, NIV). If we will be effective in seeing transformation in our world, we will be tuned into the voice of the Holy Spirit. He alone has the battle plan and wants to communicate it to us (Acts 16:6-10).
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Exodus 34:6 - "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (NIV).
John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (NIV).
John 6:68-69 - "Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God" (NIV).
John 16:33 - "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (NIV).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (NIV).
Have you ever drank a cup of hot chocolate? On a cold winter's day, a cup of hot chocolate hits the spot. It satisfies our frozen bodies. Sometimes, we get a special gift on top of the hot chocolate - some whipped cream and a cherry… so tasty. Your relationship with God is like the hot chocolate. He alone deeply satisfies. He speaks to us, because He wants to communicate His love to us. He is really into building a deep and meaningful relationship with us. But, too often, we get focused on the whipped cream. In other words, we want to hear God's voice regarding the "big" things in our lives - what job to get, who to marry, where to move, etc. Really, in comparison with our relationship with Jesus, the answers to these "big" issues of life are just the whipped cream on top of the hot chocolate. Why does God speak to us? It's all about our relationship with Him. That's the hot chocolate. And He does love, also, to speak to us regarding those other issues of life - job, marriage, finances and place to live. But, remember, as we "keep the main thing the main thing," (i.e. stay thankful and focused on the hot chocolate), we will be delighted to hear His voice over the good gifts that He wants to give us (James 1:17).
God not only speaks to us for building relationship with us, but He also speaks to us regarding the battle. In this world, we are called to extend God's kingdom. We are engaged in a spiritual conflict until Jesus' second coming. Hearing God's voice is vital in knowing how to push back the enemy and bring His kingdom into areas of the world. Jesus Himself relied on His Father's voice to show Him everything He was doing. “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed" (John 5:19-20, NIV). If we will be effective in seeing transformation in our world, we will be tuned into the voice of the Holy Spirit. He alone has the battle plan and wants to communicate it to us (Acts 16:6-10).
For More Study
- Exodus 33-34
- Deuteronomy 30
- Hosea 2:14-3:5
- John 1
- Acts 16
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- When do you get really focused on hearing God's voice? What questions do you need answered urgently?
- Have you spent much time listening to God specifically for His words of love, drawing you into deeper relationship with Him? Or don't you expect He will want to speak to you in that way?
- Take some time and ask God to speak about His love for you. Ask Him what He thinks of you. Write down what you feel like He is saying. Make this a practice. Remember, this is the "hot chocolate."
- How often do you get caught assuming that you know how to minister or know how to pray for someone? How many times do you forget to listen to the Holy Spirit before stepping out in ministry? Commit to the Lord that you will listen for the details of His plan. Now practice. Ask God who you can pray for…. And then ask how to pray.
Memorization
Exodus 34:6 - "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (NIV).
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