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.

Isaiah declared that we have been made a witness to many nations. People from every tribe and language will come to hear us minister about God and to see what he has done for us. Our commission is to the ends of the earth as we teach all nations about Jesus Christ. God’s family is made up of a rich variety of ethnicities, cultures and languages. We speak the language of heaven which cuts through cultural barriers.

“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). The world has changed significantly over the last two years and the church has taken on the form of a new global community. People from different parts of the world are able to meet virtually for worship and ministry. The barriers of time and distance are slowly being removed as people realise the possibilities afforded by the internet.

There has been an explosion of online ministries and people who could not access churches because of distance can attend in their homes. While we miss and long for the face to face gatherings and the corporate worship, we must be open to what God is doing. Let us not miss the great opportunities that are being created within the current challenges. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

Let us remember that the earth belongs to God and he established a people for himself. We have been sent into the earth for such a time as this and there is an assignment which we have been born to fulfil. Our ministry should reach the four corners of the earth and bear in mind that you don’t need the title of a Pastor to minister. Your God given gifts and talents have been given to you to use to evangelise and lead people to God.

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:8).

A.P.-Y.

The bible makes reference to different seasons that governs what God is doing in the earth. God makes mention in Genesis of seed time and harvest (Genesis 8:22). Solomon makes reference to different seasons and times for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastical 3:1). Isaiah prophesied to Israel concerning God’s plan for redemption and restoration. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). We like the smell of new furniture and certain times of year, we look forward to changing the curtains and other accessories in our homes.

God is able to make old things new again and gives people many opportunities to have new beginnings. The concept of being born again suggests being made brand new and given a new identity. “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true”” (Revelation 21:5). God is always looking for opportunities to give us a fresh start. We are never too far gone down the road of a bad decision for God to redirect us and help us to begin again.

God specialises in taking something that is totally messed up and creating a masterpiece. Let us consider how in the beginning, the earth was without form and void and was covered in darkness. Yet, the spirit of God moved upon the earth. What seemed empty, out of shape, lacking substance and dark was a canvas for God’s masterpiece. We have to believe that God can make the difference in us and make us whole again. God does his best work when we are fully surrendered and still before him. For example, a painter creating a portrait of someone will need that person to sit still long enough for them to capture their image.

There are endless possibilities for what God can make out of your situation. Some days may be dark, lonely and tiresome. Rest in God and allow him to lead you to find rest and a new beginning in him. “Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth” (Psalm 96:1)!

A.P.-Y.

Jesus worked many miracles as a demonstration of faith and power to the disciples. In Mark 7, Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree and hoped to find fruits on the tree. To Jesus’s disappointment, the tree was empty and had only leaves. “And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it” (Mark 11:14). Jesus went with his disciples to the temple to turn over the tables of the money changers and drive out those who sold in the temple. In the evening he travelled back the same way with his disciples and they came to where the fig tree was before. The fig tree was withered away from its roots.

“And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered”” (Mark 11:21). It is amazing that the disciples spent so much time with Jesus and each time he performed a miracle, they were as surprised as if they were seeing their first miracle. The interesting thing is that the disciples could not always predict what Jesus would do. I believe he worked miracles of different kinds to show them that there were no limits to what was possible. He did this to show them that if they had enough faith that all things were possible. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).

Jesus used the example of the mountain because it is one of the largest earthly structures that we can think of. The concept or idea of being able to move a mountain is mind blowing. Jesus was saying to his disciples that no matter how big or impossible the task, that if we have faith, then we can accomplish it. All we need is enough faith as large as the size of a mustard seed to move a mountain. We have to exercise our faith in the same way that we exercise our physical muscles for them to grow. Let us raise our level of expectation and go after the mountain standing in the way of our breakthrough.

“For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).

A.P.-Y.

We live in a world where there are forces of darkness, which stand in direct opposition to the children of God. Although we are in the world, we are not of the world and we are the light of the world to shine in the darkness. John exhorts us to walk in the light of God as God is light and there is no darkness in him. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). We are called to spread the light of God’s word as the Lord provides opportunities. We have all been sent to teach all nations about the salvation of Jesus Christ.

Our day to day job in the marketplace can be a ministry if we surrender it to God and allow him to use us. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”(Colossians 3:23). I know that most of us were interviewed by a Manager or set of Managers and appointed to a job. We also report daily to a Manager or supervisor, who oversees our work and sets targets for us to achieve. It can be difficult not to see our leaders in the workplace as the people who we are working for. To some extent, the work that we do does benefit our leaders. Paul’s instructions is to do the work that you do as if you are doing it for God.

If we are able to shift our mindset from performing to please a manager and a company, to pleasing God, then the possibilities are endless in terms of what we can accomplish. This perspective takes our focus off of men and places it on God. In that way, whatever our Managers do and however they behave will not stop us from doing our best. In fact if we are sure that God has appointed us to that job and a Manager is creating difficulties for us, then God will remove that Manager. If we have committed our work to God and we are working to please God, then he is our real boss.

God will not allow anyone to stand in the way of an assignment that he has provided for us. Especially when we are working to bring glory to God and are spreading his light among those who we come in contact with. When our assignment is complete in one setting, God will open a greater door and remove the adversaries. “no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17).

A.P.-Y.

Paul has urged us not to conform to this world but to be changed by making our minds new. Our minds are changed by studying the word to increase our faith and strengthen the inner man. We know about peer pressure among teenagers. Most adults won’t admit that they succumb to peer pressure and feel the need to conform to those around them. We see this in our communities, in our workplaces and even in our churches. The pressure to be liked and accepted by others forces people to fit into moulds that have been created by society. Many Christians compartmentalise their lives and have a persona for church and a different one for different settings.

The question is; If Jesus visited your place of work, would he find that you are demonstrating his message to your colleagues? Do we ensure that our churches are inclusive and treat everyone with dignity and respect? Do people feel the pressure to conform in terms of a particular style of dress or ways of speaking and acting? I am not referring to the biblical concept of modesty and the instructions about our speech and conduct. I am referring to the pressure to conform to church cultures and the way cliques appear in our churches. Do people feel the pressured to try to fit in even on a Sunday?

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13). Do not be afraid to stand out and to stand up for righteousness. There are times when you will be a lone voice at a time when someone needs to speak up for the oppressed and disadvantaged. If God has given you the conviction to speak, then speak up. We have been called to stand up for righteousness and be ready to give an answer about your faith in God. It is better to stand up for God now and be unpopular than to go along with the crowd and miss out on eternity.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “bad company ruins good morals.” You cannot be close to or friends with everyone who desires to be friends with you. You have to please God more than people. You have to constantly evaluate how your relationships affect your walk with God. Any relationship that jeopardises your walk with God or pulls you closer to the darkness is not worthwhile maintaining. “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet” (Amos‬ ‭3:3‬)?

“But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible” (Ephesians 5:13).

A.P.-Y.

In Exodus 3, God appeared to Moses to told him of his plans to send him to Pharaoh to command him to set the Israelites free. Moses was also being sent to the people of Israel to let them know about God’s plans for deliverance. He debated with God about his suitability to approach Pharoah with God’s message. “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:11)? He was also nervous about bringing God’s message to the Israelites.

“But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you” (Exodus 4:1). God demonstrated signs to Moses to show to the people and to Pharoah to convince them that he was sent. Moses then tried to convince God that he was not eloquent and that his speech was heavy and awkward. “Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord” (Exodus 4:11)? Despite all of this, Moses was not convinced and pleaded with God to send someone else.

God was angry because of Moses’s unbelief and agreed to send his brother Aaron along with him. “He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him” (Exodus 4:16). In the end, Moses was a lot more confident to go to Pharaoh and the people with Aaron because he was eloquent. God agreed although this was not his original intention. God did not choose Moses based on his eloquence and was able to make him more eloquent than Aaron if he had the faith.

God does not always choose those who are qualified based on human standards. Do not sell yourself short based on your attributes. God will equip you to do whatever he has asked you to do. Your educational status and qualifications does not limit what God is able to do through you. God is the giver of gifts and he works through our gifts and callings. There are times when a gift may lay dormant in us and our lack of faith can limit God’s ability to use us. God has no other hands and feet to use on this earth. He will use our voices to spread his word to the world and he will not always use those who we consider to be the most qualified.

A.P.-Y.

Naomi lost her two sons in Moab and decided to return to her home country alone. Naomi’s daughter in law Ruth refused to part ways with her and was determined to follow her home. Ruth’s resolve was that Naomi’s people would be her people and she would serve the same God who Naomi served. We can surmise that perhaps Naomi was a good mother in law to Ruth. This would have meant that she had grown attached to her and did not want to leave her alone. Another possible suggestion could be that Ruth did not like her own family of origin. She may have felt that staying with Naomi was a better choice because she felt safe with her.

Whatever the driving force behind Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi, we know that their meeting was one of destiny. Ruth may have felt a connection to Naomi that she could not explain. God saw ahead of time the plans that he had in store for Ruth and the part that she would play in the redemption story. “Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons” (Ruth 1:12). Ruth had two daughter in laws who wanted to return with her. She managed to convince one of them to return to her family but Ruth was adamant that she would stay with her.

“But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before” (Ruth 2:11). Ruth soon caught the attention of Boaz who was a relative to Naomi. As the story unfolds, Boaz later decided to make Ruth his wife. I don’t imagine that Ruth had the faintest idea that she would find another husband when she decided to follow Naomi.

Ruth must have felt an inner conviction that her time was not up with Naomi. Her God given destiny compelled her to stay connected to her mother in law. God will strategically position us with people who are assigned to assist our destiny. There are people who we can tell have been ordained and orchestrated to be in our lives. We have to be sensitive to the move of God to know the people who we need to be connected to. The people in our lives have a major part to play in the fulfilment of our destiny. May we move in alignment with the will of God and stay in right relationships.

A.P.-Y.

The children of Israel crossing the Red Sea is one of my favourite bible stories. I love the climax of the story where the Israelites were at the edge of the sea with nowhere to go. Pharaoh and his army were in pursuit behind them and they seemed cornered. “For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in’” (Exodus 14:3). I am tickled when someone speaks with authority concerning matters that are completely outside of their control. Have you ever had a Manager, a Teacher or someone in authority make a pronouncement over your life, which you know that they do not have the authority to determine?

The reality is that we live in a realm where there are spheres of human authority that oversee organisations. As children of God, we are connected to a system of government and authority which transcends this world system. Anything that a person in authority on this earth speaks about a child of God which is contrary to the word, can be cancelled. We don’t have to challenge them verbally or get into a debate or argument. All we have to do is to go to God in prayer and renounce and cancel anything spoken which is contrary to what God says.

We have the authority to cancel what a medical professional says and declare what the word says about our bodies. A parent can cancel the negative declaration from a Teacher over their child. Anyone can cancel a Manager’s pronouncement that they will loose their job. If you know that you have been sent to that company for a specific time and season, then no person in authority can end your contract before time. With all due respect, listen to what those in authority have to say. Thank them for their feedback and opinions and if appropriate, let them know that you are a child of God and your destiny is in the hands of God.

Make sure that you know what the word says concerning your situation. Then pray the word and declare what God says. God’s word cannot go back to him void and shall accomplish what it has purposed. Speak the word and let the word light your darkness.

A.P.-Y.