A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (November 14, 2018)
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)
We recently did a live radio program on “God Stories Radio” that was hosted by Fritz and Tina Amrhein. The following is a link to that live program.
There was one question that Tina asked me that I want to expand on in this devotion. The question was “How do you hear God”? I hesitated on that question and passed it off to my wife Cheryl and she handled it wonderfully. I didn’t pass it off because I didn’t have an answer but I passed it off because this is not a simple question to answer for me. Hearing God is a very personal thing for me and not easy to explain. After walking with the Lord, and hearing His voice for 38 years, it is not something that I think about in a step 1-3 format. I can’t just push a button and hear God. He speaks when He wants to speak and He speaks to each one of us differently. You just have to know that He still speaks and be in a position to hear Him.
Saying all that, I thought I dodged the question in the interview so here are several pointers that could help you get into a position to hear God:
Believe that God still speaks – God is not dead!!! He did not quit speaking after the Bible was written. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20) He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 11:15)
Ask Him to speak to you – I am convinced that there are a lot of things we could know that we don’t know because we just don’t ask. Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:2) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)
Spend time with God and Honor Him in prayer and worship – To know someone intimately you need to spend time with them. God is no different. Until you know Him personally, and know His heart, you will never be able to hear Him clearly or fully understand the Word of God. The Greek word in the New Testament for honour (or honor) is pronounced “tee-may” but it is spelled “time”. Isn’t that interesting? Spending time with God is how you honor Him.
Spend time in the Word of God – Jesus was the Word of God made flesh (John 1:14). You and I are flesh to be made the Word. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrew 4:12)
The bottom line is that you and I have to build a relationship with God. There is not a step 1-3 formula that automatically triggers God speaking to you. You have to fall in love with God and seek His face and believe He wants to talk to you. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)
