Don’t out a Question Mark where God has put a period.
Category: inspiration
How Do You Know When God Is Speaking To You? 7 Ways…
How do you know when God is speaking to you? It’s a question I have asked. Many others too. At major decision points in life it prods us like an annoying toothache that won’t leave. With persistence, it knocks on the door of our hearts…(i.e. if we are attune). Well for me, I have long come to the realization that there is no point doing anything outside his will. It brings too many heartaches, pain, and hard work to get back on track as I shared in my own book GreenLight: When God Says Go.
So it was with a rush of fervent hunger, and the warmth of delicious delectables that I tuned in when I heard Dr. Charles Stanley refer to this during one of his sermons. Here I share my own thoughts and commentary.
7 Simple Points on How to Know When God Speaks
1) God’s Voice will be consistent with scripture. When I was writing GreenLight: When God Says Go it was very clear to me the words “write in a book everything you see“. And of course in order for us to ‘see’, we must experience. So search the scriptures and stay attuned.
2) His instructions may conflict with human reasoning. When Peter was told to cast his net on the other side, it was confusing to him. As an experienced fisherman, he knew where to put his net to make the catch. So though it defied the odds…when he obeyed, he could hardly bring in the catch.
3) It will challenge your faith that you end up questioning Him. How can I give up my successful career to step out into the unknown? But it is when we obey that he brings quiet peace.
4) It calls for courage. How will you survive? What if you fail? These are reasonable questions to ask when considering a change. But don’t worry he will equip you. Whom He calls He equips.
5) He speaks quietly. But you must be listening. What He says will be according to His will and divine nature. If our lives are filled with constant noise, then we may miss his quiet response.
6) He speaks clearly. In the book God Winks, author Squire Rushnell captured many stories of people who shared what seemed to be glimpses in time of what seemed as mere coincidences. But later they realized it was as clear as ever the answers to their petitions to God’.
7) He speaks individually to you. You may be in a crowd, at an event with hundreds, or even listening via the media. But you will know when you hear the words.
I dare say that none of this will happen unless we are tuned in. First we must ask. I am guilty of being afraid to ask for what seems like unreasonable requests. I may even be afraid to step out, so I hesitate to ask. To ask for directions, guidance, and which way to go. But if we don’t ask, how will we know when we receive the answer?
Today, I implore you to reflect on these 7 simple points on how to know when God speaks. Then stay in tune so you do not miss the response.
Blessings overflow.
He Makes No Mistakes…
God Makes no Mistakes
Sometimes Rest…
Rest. It’s important.
Even if…
Stay true to yourself, but always be open to learn.
Even if….
God desires that we cling to Him—even if our loved one isn’t healed, even if we lose our job, even if we are persecuted. Sometimes God rescues us from danger in this life, and sometimes He doesn’t. But the truth we can hold firmly is this: “The God we serve is able,” loves us, and is with us in every fiery trial, every even if. (Extract from our Daily Bread)
And It Came To Pass…
Hold on. Nothing Remains. It’s all passing through.
And it came to pass. Nothing remains. This stanza reminds us that everything passes through. Nothing remains at a standstill. It’s all just passing through.
Lord, please quiet our hearts. Give us comfort, peace, and love as we pass through difficult times.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)
Attempt Great Things…
Attempt Great things for God. Expect Great things from God. King David decided to build a house for the Lord (for the ark of the covenant). But the Lord blessed him instead. Building projects for God are costly. It demands vision, time, sacrifice and perseverance. It all begins with a dream! Do you have a dream of how God may want to use you, your family, skills or resources? Then dream it. Plan it. Pursue it; and as God enables, achieve it.
He does wonderful things that can’t be understood. He does miracles that can’t even be counted. (Job 5:9)
Hold On A Little While Longer…
Computer acting up while I was preparing for a presentation. Fed up I said aloud “What is happening Lord?” The immediate response from computer, “almost there.”
I applied that response to my heart. To the Lord’s action on my prayers, pleadings, and supplication in my life. He said to me, I am “almost there.” So, don’t worry, just hold on a little while longer.
Thank you, Lord, I have received you comforting reply. I will wait on you. Though I’m getting anxious about the issues that surround me, I know your timing is always right. Forgive my anxiety. Please help me to wait on you.
Jesus told his disciples a story. He wanted to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1)
Photo by Yuri Catalano on Pexels.com
We Forgot to Pray!!…
My grandson RJ awoke with a start and with a loud outburst panicked “We Forgot to Pray!” I replied with a big grin “so let’s do it now.” To which he replied, “no, it’s not night, night.”
Caused me to think of how often I ‘forget to pray’ and when the spirit urges me, I postpone it for the ‘right’ time. With God, any prayer time is always the right time. What about now?
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)
What To Do While Waiting. Here Are 5 Things…
Pondering what to do while waiting on God? Here are 5 things.
1.PRAY
Pray. Talk to him about your needs, desires, goals. Ask for guidance in accomplishing his will for your life
2. LISTEN
Listen for his response. Often we pray then walk away and when he responds in a different way, we even miss it because we’re either looking for a straight forward response or are too busy feeling sad, down and depressed. Listen. Just listen.
3. STAY CLOSE
Stay close to the lord so you can hear his answer. Dr. Tony Evans shared the analogy of when you are driving long distances and you move out of an area, you have to change the channel. In the same way when we move away from the Lord because you may be worrying, afraid, or impatient, then you will find it difficult to hear his response.
4. READ THE WORD
Read the word because that is one way you will hear him speak. If you do not read then you will not hear and may miss his response. We hear his response through the bible, circumstances and in some cases through what seems like ‘coincidences‘.
5. GET YOUR PRAISE ON
Praise Him in advance. That’s what David did. He praised God during times of waiting. He lamented …but in all he praised. Build in praise while you wait. It works wonders for your heart, your spirit, and your soul.
Let’s together Wait.
Blessings overflow.
GREENLiGHT 