Solomon’s encouragement in Proverbs is for us to remain faithful to God and allow his love to remain in our hearts. This recipe Solomon concludes, leads to activating the favour of the Lord and leads to good success. God wants us to show love because he is love. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). As we enter this season of uncommon favour, let us be perfected in love so that we do not have enmity towards others. We cannot say that we love God who we cannot see if we do not love those who we can see.

Some people are difficult to love and the difficult people are often the ones who are most in need of love. We can love our way into our blessings and a wealthy place of rest. God will lavish his blessings on those who are full of love because he can be sure that we will be willing to do his will. “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor” (Proverbs 22:9). The kingdom principle around increase relates to sowing and reaping. We sow into God’s kingdom and we expect a harvest which is multiplied. We have to love people to want to sow and be able to see the needs of others over our own.

God says it is more blessed to give than to receive because those who give will never be in need. “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). The scriptures do not lie and God means every word written by the prophets. Love one another, be kind and considerate and demonstrate to God that he can trust you with abundance.

God wants to bless us in the same way that parents want to be good to their children. God wants us to be good stewards of his blessings so that he can trust us to be a blessing to others. Being perfected in love will open uncommon doors of favour. As we lay aside the weights of sin that would keep us bound, we soar to new heights and territories in Christ Jesus.

A.P.-Y

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he cautions them to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling before God. The matter of working out one’s salvation relates to understanding and knowing who God is and serving him with reverence. Our fear of God is not a dreadful fear as we are his children. God is loving, gracious, kind and forgiving. He can also be a dreadful God and a God of judgement. God expects us to listen and obey when he speaks to us and for us to take heed to the Holy Spirit’s instructions. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10).

Paul understood as a leader that he was called by God to shepherd the church. Like many believers, some people adjust their attitudes depending on who they are talking to. Many Christians have a reverential fear and respect for ministers and those in spiritual authority. What about our fear of God who is always present with us and sees everything that we do? The Holy Spirit who lives in us hears even our deep thoughts, motives and intentions. Is it not wise to be more fearful of God than we are or men? “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Most parents discipline their children because they want the best for them. Parents understand that in order for their children to develop discipline and become positive members of society, that they need correction. In the same way, God will at times discipline us not because he does not love us. He wants to ensure that we accomplish our assignment on earth and have our place with him in eternity. God knows the things that gives the enemy a place in our lives and gives him legal rights to afflict us. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

Samuel once scolded Saul when he disobeyed a direct instruction from God and said, ‘to obey is better than sacrifice.’ At the time he was making reference specifically to the act of sacrificing an animal to God. Saul went against what God said in order to please the people. The consequence of Saul’s disobedience was costly for his entire family. We often cannot see the end from the beginning but we serve a God who knows how all situations will end. God knows the outcome and it takes faith for us to trust that he knows best. The will of God can be the hardest thing to do at times but our obedience will yield fruits of righteousness.

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

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Yesterday we looked at the story of Esther and the favour that she found with the king. Today we will look at how God also allowed her uncle Mordecai to find favour because he refused to bow to Haman. Haman was promoted by the King and all the King’s men who served at the gate would bow down and pay homage to Haman. Now Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman because his relationship with God forbade him to bow to any other man or God. Haman was angry at Mordecai for this and determined to destroy not only Mordecai, but all of the Jews who served God.

Earlier in chapter 2, Mordecai discovered a plot against the King’s life and told Esther who told the King in Mordecai’s name. The matter was investigated and the men punished and this was recorded in the book of the chronicles. When Mordecai let Esther know of Haman’s plot, she called a fast. It turned out that on the first day of the fast, the King was unable to sleep. The King asked for the book of the chronicles to be brought and read to him. The deed which Mordecai had done was read and the King was concerned that nothing had been done to honour Mordecai for saving his life.

While the King was considering Mordecai’s good deeds, Haman had gallows built to hang Mordecai because he refused to bow to him. To his surprise when he went to see the King to ask for Mordecai to be hanged, the King had an entirely different plan. The King asked Haman for suggestions of what he could do to honour a noble man. Haman thinking that the King wanted to honour him suggested that the King have the man paraded on horseback through the street. “let royal robes be brought, which the king has worn, and the horse that the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown is set” (Esther 6:8). The King commanded that Haman would do everything that he had described for Mordecai.

Imagine Haman’s confusion and frustration, when the King sought to honour Mordecai who he wanted to kill? God used Mordecai’s enemy to bring great honour to him. Because of the prayers of the saints, the King could not sleep as God brought to his attention what Mordecai had done. Our good deeds will not be forgotten and God will disturb the sleep of those in authority until they bring honour to us. No good deed will go unnoticed and at the correct time, God will cause you to have uncommon favour. He will bless you and establish you in the presence of your enemies.

There is a book of remembrance in heaven, in which is recorded all that you have done for the establishment of the kingdom of God. God will bring honour to his children who refuse to bow down to the kings of this world. There are many of God’s people who daily refuse to compromise and who continue to stand up for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Persecution can cause you to feel forgotten and forsaken. God has not forgotten your labour of love. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬).

A.P.-Y.

Scientific studies have shown that each of us are born with distinctly unique features that set us apart from every other person who ever lived or who will ever live. Science shows for example that, every single person has a different set of fingerprints that does not change until the day that we die. Even identical twins who we struggle to tell apart can be distinguished by their fingerprints. Why did God go to such lengths to create us so different and unique from each other? The answer to this lies in our unique purpose and destiny. This also trumps the idea that we can be reincarnated or return to earth at another time.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). God took the time to consider our unique characteristics, personality traits, physical features and the time for our birth. The most unique specifications about us are our gifts and talents. God designed us to fulfil a specific role and to pursue a particular pathway. Our gifts, talents and passions answers the question of why we were born and the problems that we were created to solve. Although we may have similar gifts to others, our authenticity relates to the unique way that we express those gifts and abilities.

While it is important to have mentors and people who we admire, God is pleased when we express what he has placed inside of us. There are too many people walking around as carbon copies of other people. Some people try to imitate their idols by trying to mirror how they sing, play an instrument or how they dress. If you are called to be a poet, write and express poetry based on what you feel on the inside of you. By all means, have role models who you emulate, but for heaven’s sake, do not spend your life trying to be like them. Be the best version of the person that God created you to be.

We are created in the image of God to display his creative expression in our humanity. Within our genes is the expressed image of God and his ideas formed our substance. Our desire for inspiration can be filled through intimacy with God who isn’t short of ideas. “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth” (Psalm 139:15).

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Saul was zealous in his pursuit to stamp out Christianity and to punish anyone who shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest” (Acts 9:1). I am intrigued by the fact that Jesus stopped him right in his tracks. While on his way to do the very thing which was against the people of God, he had an encounter with Jesus. Saul would be the last person that most of us would consider worthy of a divine visitation. Even the disciple Ananias was weary about Saul and cautious when God asked him to meet and pray with him.

“But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13). The Lord’s response was go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine. God planned to use him to spread the gospel among Kings and the children of Israel. Why Saul; would be the question on the minds of most people? Why choose the main antagoniser of the church? Some Christians would pray for God to strike him dead. He did fall off his horse when Jesus appeared to him but this was from the light which shone from heaven.

When Ananias met with Saul, he greeted him as ‘brother Saul.’ Ananias had come to lay hands on him so that he could receive the Holy Spirit and have his sight restored. Immediately the scales fell from his eyes, his sight was restored and he was baptised. “And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God”” (Acts 9:20). The people who heard Saul proclaim Jesus as Lord were amazed. This was the same man who came to their city with the intention of arresting disciples and taking them to the Chief Priest.

Saul’s message of salvation was so strong and powerful that the Jews tried to kill him. What Jesus saw in Saul and he wanted to use was his zeal and passion. The same zeal and conviction which Paul used to persecute the church was transferred into his mission in spreading the gospel. I am glad that we don’t get to choose who God uses because a lot of people would be disqualified. God chooses who he wants to use and he determines who is qualified for a place in his kingdom. We cannot write people off and try to determine who is worthy of a place in the kingdom of God. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

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Today we conclude our series on hearing from God, by looking at the examples of Gideon and other bible characters, who asked God for signs and further revelations. An angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, to tell him that God had chosen him to lead the Israelites into battle against Midian. “And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man”” (Judges 6:16).

Gideon wanted to confirm that God was with him and would help him, to lead His people to victory. He asked God for a sign and laid out a fleece at night. Gideon told God that in the morning, if the fleece was wet and the ground around it was dry, then God had confirmed that he was with him. Gideon asked for another sign on the second night. This time he wanted the fleece to be dry and for the ground around it to be wet. On both occasions God answered in the way that Gideon requested. This gave Gideon the assurance that God was with him and would help him to win the battle that he was about to fight (Judges 6:26-40).

What I like about the story with Gideon is that, he was not afraid to ask God for confirmation of his will. God did not become angry or frustrated with Gideon, but responded on each occasion, to reassure him that he was with him. There are other occasions in the bible where people reasoned with God, asked questions or requested more information. We have been taught not to question God but this is not entirely correct. If we ask God a question because we want more clarity, or reassurance so that we can carry out his will, then God is sure to answer us. What we should not do is to question the supremacy or the authority of God.

Samson’s parents prayed for God to send back the angel, who told them about Samson’s birth, to give them more information (Judges 13:8). God heard their prayer and sent the angel to teach them how they would care for Samson. Mary asked the angel how she would conceive given that she was a virgin (Luke 1:34). Abraham also questioned God concerning his covenant, since he was childless (15:2). In each of these situations, God provided an answer to reassure his people that he was with them and would meet their needs.

God is faithful and gracious to us and he longs to reveal himself and his will and purpose to us. God wants to speak to us, to show us his plans for our lives. God also wants to reveal his character to us and wants to fellowship with us. We develop a deeper understanding of God, as we spend time reading his word, communicating with him through prayer and listening and acting on his instructions. “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3).

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Joel’s prophecy signalled a time in the last days, when God would pour out of his spirit upon all flesh and reveal himself to his people, through dreams and visions. It is said that we have up to 4 different dreams each night and that we tend to not remember all of our dreams. Psychologists believe that our dreams are made up of subconscious emotions, desires and fears and it is still an area of mystery for many people. According to the bible, God speaks to us through our visions and dreams, when we sleep (Job 33:14-15). Job believed that God used dreams to warn us against danger. Dreams are said to reveal things about our future, while visions reveal the hidden characteristics of God. Not all dreams are from God or reveal supernatural content and we have to pray to discern those dreams, that contain messages from God.

Daniel had many dreams and spoke of having both visions and dreams, about the things of God. Daniel also interpreted the dreams of Kings concerning God’s will for his people. “but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these” (Daniel 2:28). In chapter 10, Daniel saw the angel Gabriel in a vision who showed him what would happen to his people in the future. This was after Daniel fasted and prayed for 3 weeks to seek answers from the Lord.

We also saw an angel appearing to Mary, to tell her about her conception and the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). The same angel later appeared to Joseph, to confirm that Mary had conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18-25). The angel also warned Joseph in a dream when Herod wanted to kill Jesus (Matthew 23:13-23). There are many instances in the bible, when the prophets heard from God through visions and dreams. God used this medium to reveal his plans and to transfer information, that we would not otherwise know without supernatural intelligence.

Similar to the other methods through which we hear from God, we have to test any dream or vision that we have, to make sure that it lines up with the word of God. The devil can also send his agents to interfere in our dreams and cause dream penetration. God will not contradict himself and his word cannot return to him void. The Holy Spirit is a good source to help us to interpret our dreams, as we pray and ask God for revelation. Writing down dreams that bear some significance is useful at times, to see patterns or to not loose out on key information which God reveals to us.

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The third way that I believe that we hear from God is through the spoken word. This is often from the voice of teachers, pastors, preachers and prophets who act as orators of God. Priests and religious leaders do not hold the same place within the New Testament as they did in the Old Testament. What I mean is that in the Old Testament, only the Priests and Levites could enter into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices unto God on behalf of the people (Exodus 20).

After the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the veil in the temple was torn open (Matthew 27:51). This symbolised the final atonement for our sins by Jesus’s blood. It also meant that the Holy of Holies (presence of God) was now accessible to anyone who accepted Jesus Christ. As such we can approach God in prayer individually and we can also hear from God individually. Despite these changes during the crucifixion, there is still an active role for the five fold ministries within the New Testament. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11).

Paul said that the ministries have been appointed to equip and build up the body of Christ, in preparation for Christ’s return. This means that we need Pastors, Prophets and Evangelists to help to guide and support the church. There is also a place for the prophetic voice to confirm God’s word to his people. This can be in the form of sermons, a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge and a word of prophecy. We are responsible for testing the spirits, to see whether they are from God or from the devil and be weary of false prophets.

Very often the Holy Spirit within us will witness to us, whether or not someone has the spirit of God within them (Romans 8:16). How we hear a word and confirm that the word is for us, is when it confirms what we have heard in our spirit. Often you may have a private conversation with God in prayer, where you ask specific questions or you bring a need before him. Sometimes soon after, you may hear a sermon which confirms the exact word that you heard from God earlier in your quiet time. At other times the sermon may answer the specific questions which you were asking. Sometimes a word may come to convict of sin or bring correction from wrong doing.

Have you ever attended church and felt like the preacher was speaking directly to you? There are other times when God may ask someone with a spiritual gift, to speak to you directly to relay the answer to something that you were praying about. You will know for sure that it is God, because only God heard your conversation with him. Very often, God will send many different confirmations over a short period of time to assure you that he has spoken. These are times when we can say with confidence that we have heard from God. The more we listen and take notice of what God is saying, is the more that God will continue to speak to us. This is because he can trust that we will listen. “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them’” (Luke 16:29).

A.P.-Y.

Yesterday we reflected on the Holy Spirit, as our inner witness of the voice of God and one of the main avenues through which God speaks to the believer. Today we will look at how we hear the voice of God through his written word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In this scripture, John made reference to Jesus as the word made flesh, to dwell among us. In essence, his reference is to the word being God himself manifested in the life of the believer. We know that the entrance of the word gives light and understanding to the simple (Psalm 119:130).

The word helps us to understand the ways of God, the principles of God, the heart of God and the mind of God. The written word is a good tool for us to measure whether or not, something that we hear originates from God or from the devil. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). If we get an impression and we want to confirm whether or not it is from our inner witness, we test it against the word.

This is why it is important to know what the word says, so that we can discern what we are hearing. Remember when the devil tried to tempt Jesus and he tried to twist the scripture to his own advantage. Jesus knew the word, so he was able refute what the devil was saying and recognise it as deception. “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).”” Remember that even the devil knows scripture and even people who appear well meaning, can try to use scriptures to justify sinful behaviour.

One of the simplest ways to hear God speak through the written word, is through our own study and devotional quiet times. The Holy Spirit will help us while studying the bible, by revealing hidden truths. There are days when we are searching for an answer to questions. There maybe things that we are praying and asking God to reveal his will to us about. It is often during our personal study, when the answer is revealed through the word. Sometimes this can come in the form of a devotional or a written word of encouragement that someone shared. Let us continue to listen as God continues to speak.

A.P.-Y.

During the rest of the week, I want us to look at what the scriptures say about hearing the voice of God. I want us to look at a few bible characters, who were well acquainted with hearing the voice of God and explore some scriptural references to hearing God speak. I won’t say that I am an expert at hearing God, but I have some ideas that I think maybe helpful to help us grow in confidence in this area. I believe that one of the primary ways in which we hear God speak, is through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus left the earth, he promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come. “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me” (John 15:26).

The Holy Spirit within us is the third person in the God head and the manifestation of God himself. We often hear the Holy Spirit through a still small voice within us, leading and guiding us. The Holy Spirit also speaks through us to minister to other believers about Jesus. We pray in other tongues through the Holy Spirit to the father and the Holy Spirit does the inner work in us to transform us into the image of God. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Earlier in chapter 10, Jesus mentioned that his sheep (children) will not follow the voice of a stranger, because we know the voice of the father.

Have you ever been in an area where you heard a voice telling you to leave that area or leading you to go in a different direction? Have there been times when you felt a need to contact someone? You made contact with them and they shared that they were desperate for someone to call and encourage them? What about a time when you were desperately in need of something and you heard a voice prompting you to contact a particular person, or to go to a specific place. You follow that prompting and you are led to the answer or the provision of that need.

All of the above examples sound quite simple and basic, but often is the leading of the Holy Spirit. Many people have shared experiences of times when they felt led to change their regular route to work. This would have led to them missing a major accident. There are testimonies of people who were due to be in the building during 911, who were otherwise delayed or deterred and believe that the Holy Spirit protected them. As we continue this discussion, we will delve a bit deeper into other ways in which we hear God speak and how we can increase our discernment of his voice.

A.P.-Y.