How does God talk to you?

[nolongerfallen]

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have only been a Christian for a short time ( around 9 months) and I have 2 questions for the more experienced and knowledgeable Christian.

Question 1: How does God talk to you?
Do you hear His voice? God talks to me through other people, songs, through nature eg a sunrise, sunset, the beach, etc and as though a "thought" has been placed in my head - a very wise, loving thought - and, of course, through the Bible. But i do not hear Him actually speak to me with His voice. So I guess the real question is Does God speak directly to you with His voice? Forgive me if i sound silly.


Question 2: Why do many Christians think that the Devil is more an idea than a reality?
Some Christians at my church infer that the Devil is more of a metaphore for sin/evil etc and that he does not actually exist. I find this to be quite perplexing as, upon becoming a Christian, and especially after my baptism, i was attacked by the Devil a number of times. What I went through was as real as anything of this world, - surely I wasnt imagining things?

Thankyou to those who take the time to answer my questions..

 

[amadeus2]

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have only been a Christian for a short time ( around 9 months) and I have 2 questions for the more experienced and knowledgeable Christian.

Question 1: How does God talk to you?
Do you hear His voice? God talks to me through other people, songs, through nature eg a sunrise, sunset, the beach, etc and as though a "thought" has been placed in my head - a very wise, loving thought - and, of course, through the Bible. But i do not hear Him actually speak to me with His voice. So I guess the real question is Does God speak directly to you with His voice? Forgive me if i sound silly.

We are definitely not all the same. God deals with different people differently in accord with His purpose. God, always knowing a person's heart, knows just where someone is and just what is needed to move the person closer to God's goal for that person. God has spoken to my heart through scripture as well as through the voices of ministers in a church assembly setting or through the testimonies of believers.

Question 2: Why do many Christians think that the Devil is more an idea than a reality?
Some Christians at my church infer that the Devil is more of a metaphore for sin/evil etc and that he does not actually exist. I find this to be quite perplexing as, upon becoming a Christian, and especially after my baptism, i was attacked by the Devil a number of times. What I went through was as real as anything of this world, - surely I wasnt imagining things?

The devil is real. Does it matter in the end whether it is a separate entity or a corrupted part of ourselves? Perhaps in some cases, it may, but the most important thing for a follower of Jesus is to recognize is that there is an adversary which wants us to go some way other than Jesus. The battles of the new man versus the old man mentioned by Paul do continue within each of us, who has not yet overcome his own little world as Jesus did. He overcame and each of who has accepted Him has been provided with the means to similarly overcome.

"...If God be for us, who can be against us?" Rom 8:31

 

[Brad Huber]

Answer one: I pray out loud or silently sending my communication to the Lord. The Lord speaks to me in the same ways that he speaks to you, and in dreams. No, I have not heard a vocal answer from God, as one human speaks to another. There are times that a warning comes to me though, that seems like someone spoke quietly nearby to me, but no one is there. Its less important that a vocal voice is heard, and more important that you are listening to Him and acting upon that statement.

Answer two: The devil in my opinion is not one created being, but a group of created beings that do evil, to include speaking to the hearts of man to enlist them to do evil as well, so that they corrupt us as they have been corrupted. I think the term Devil applies to any spirit that manipulates us to do evil. But as amadeus2 says, our own heart tend toward evil, and we cant always blame the devil for everything bad. We are very capable of evil without satan manipulating us to do more, but those satans are out there trying to manipulate and corrupt humans. He is not just a metaphor to me. I have been a christian for over 30 years.

 

[Strypes]

The Holy Spirit has spoken to me in all the ways mentioned above and out loud.

To learn His voice, you must read His word.

Once the Holy Spirit has spoken to you by the scriptures, you can recognize it in a sunset or a dream or a sermon etc and audibly too.

I must add that most of the time I hear His voice deep within my spirit. The couple of times that I have heard Him "out loud" was extremely significant to me. Life changing experiences dealing with urgent matters that immediate action on my part was required.

Once when had I not obeyed, I would have faced some serious consequences. What I heard "out loud" was "NOW" which was after I heard in my spirit, "get out of here".. That is a long story and to tell it I would have to betray a friend. So I will just say "Thank God" whew!

Another time I had asked a specific question and heard out loud "The Phone Bill".. That was also a direct answer (which I wasn't expecting) to a specific question. It kinda freaked me out a bit. It was a turning point that lead me to a "truth" that I didn't want to face but I had to face it to find freedom. It taught me that the "Truth" will set you free.

Another time, I had had a cancer scare (abnormal mammogram) and what He said to me brought me peace. (Too personal to share publicly here.)



For your second question..

Oh yeah, the Devil is real and will mess with your head, (the reason you must have your spiritual armor on .. helmet of Salvation etc. Study Ephesians chapter 6 to learn about your spiritual armor), your health, your family and anything you hold dear. Your job and finances.. anything to get your focus off God and onto him (satan).



I would like to share a story from the old testament. It is about King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20).

"1 Some time later, the Moabites and the Ammonites, along with some of the Meunites, attacked Jehoshaphat. 2 Jehoshaphat was told, "A large army from beyond the sea, from Edom, is coming to attack you. They are already at Hazazon-tamar!" (that is, En-gedi). 3 Frightened, Jehoshaphat decided to seek the LORD's help and proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 People from all of Judah's cities came to ask the LORD for help. 5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem in the LORD's temple in front of the new courtyard. 6 "LORD, the God of our ancestors, you alone are God in heaven. You rule all the kingdoms of the nations. You are so powerful that no one can oppose you. 7 You, our God, drove out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and gave this land to the descendants of your friend Abraham forever. 8 They have lived in it and have built a sanctuary in honor of your name in it, saying, 9 ‘If calamity, sword, flood, plague, or famine comes upon us, we will stand before this temple, before you, because your name is in this temple. We will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.' 10 So look here! The Ammonites, the Moabites, and those from Mount Seir—the people you wouldn't let Israel invade when they came out of Egypt's land, so Israel avoided them and didn't destroy them— 11 here they are, returning the favor by coming to drive us out of your possession that you gave to us! 12 Our God, won't you punish them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We don't know what to do, and so we are looking to you for help." 13 All Judah was standing before the LORD, even their little ones, wives, and children. 14 Then the LORD's spirit came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah son of Benaiah son of Jeiel son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the line of Asaph, as he stood in the middle of the assembly. 15 "Pay attention, all of Judah, every inhabitant of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat," Jahaziel said. "This is what the LORD says to you: Don't be afraid or discouraged by this great army because the battle isn't yours. It belongs to God! 16 March out against them tomorrow. Since they will be coming through the Ziz pass, meet them at the end of the valley that opens into the Jeruel wilderness. 17 You don't need to fight this battle. Just take your places, stand ready, and watch how the LORD, who is with you, will deliver you, Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be afraid or discouraged! Go out tomorrow and face them. The LORD will be with you." 18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD in worship. 19 Levites from the lines of Kohath and Korah stood up to loudly praise the LORD, the God of Israel. 20 Early the next morning they went into the Tekoa wilderness. When they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and every inhabitant of Jerusalem! Trust the LORD your God, and you will stand firm; trust his prophets and succeed!" 21 After consulting with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed musicians to play for the LORD, praising majestic holiness. his They were to march out before the warriors, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD because his faithful love lasts forever!" 22 As they broke into joyful song and praise, the LORD launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites, the Moabites, and those from Mount Seir who were invading Judah, so that they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and the Moabites turned on those from Mount Seir, completely destroying them. Once they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy each other! 24 When Judah arrived at the point overlooking the wilderness, all they could see were corpses lying all over the ground. There were no survivors."

There is a lot to be gleaned from that passage but the point I want you to see is that "PRAISE" was the battle plan.


When I am facing "fiery darts" and I recognize that I am under attack, I have what I call my "War Song".. Seriously.

It is "He Reigns" by Newsboys.

"all the powers of darkness tremble at what they have just heard, because all the powers of darkness can't drown out a single word"

Another (which quotes the passage above) is "Forever" and "Forever God is Faithful" by Michael W. Smith/ Hillsong/ Chris Tomlin.

Remember to keep your focus on God when the enemy is trying to get you to focus on him. Songs of Praise will help you to do that and stand your ground (Ephesians 6:14 / 2Chronicles 20:20)

 

[Quasicentennium]

all things positive and negative

God's creation of all things called matter - if you have studied Chemistry in college like I have for a couple of years but failed to go further in that subject - have two things in common: positive and negative elements or ions in an atom. To widen that thought by allowing God to help my thinking, as his son Jesus lives inside spiritually in my body, is to understand that there are opposites that cause us to fail and succeed, be sick and be healed, hear our own negative thoughts or gossip from others as if you can read people's minds - or hear positive thoughts or nice compliments as if you are one of the most popular individuals in the world. Believe it or not, Satan would use negative human experiences to make us lose our faith in Christ. Faith is very powerfully supernatural and we make so many decisions that keep us safe and healthy, and by allowing Jesus to "take the steering wheel" of your life is his supernatural faith that in itself is a positive miracle to keep you from becoming faithless, where Satan gets his thrills every time we decide to make a wrong move, and on the other, Satan goes bananas every time we make a right move towards winning the supernatural victory our Lord Jesus Christ who died to save us: to have a positive future as brothers and sisters of Christ with newly transformed minds and bodies of Christ, where youth and health along with super-intelligence will keep us so positive, that not one negative thought or action of failure will make us feel miserable because the joy of Christ is an experience we have yet to understand once sin and Satan have been deleted from our new lives when Jesus returns soon in his second coming .;*;.

 

[Malkavian10th]

I don't find either one of your questions silly at all. Personally in my own life I've found that God does speak to us although not always in a loud booming voice, and He hasn't ever come running through the middle of my house waving His arms around yelling "Here I am!!!". For me I hear Him as a small still quiet voice in my head most of the time. Usually when I'm least expecting it, but not always. It's never the exact same but it's not all that different either. I've learned that sometimes you have to listen with more than your ears and look with more than your eyes. Try and be quiet and receptive to what He has to say and don't overlook it by waiting for lightning flashes and thunder. Sometimes He gets back to me on my questions through other people and through situations. When it happens I somehow just know inside that it's Him, but I can't always say I know how. I guess for some maybe He does talk in an audible voice. I've found that no matter what way He uses there's no misunderstanding who it's from.

As for your second question I personally believe that satan as a single being certainly does exist. In my life I've seen things that you wouldn't believe. At one time in my life a long time ago I was a satanist. I messed around in the occult and other things quite a bit. It's nothing I'm proud of, but at the same time I can't deny it ever happened or I'd be a liar. I've stood and faced pure evil in ways that defy imagination. I've been close to eternity more than I like to think about. I saw things that I won't talk about to this day. I know how Paul felt when he described himself as the worst of sinners. But something that happened to me a good many years ago that changed my life. When I came to Jesus and accepted Him into my life as my savior satan went totally beserk. The one thing about him is that he hates to lose and simply cannot stand when he doesn't get his way. So I sincerely do believe that the devil is all around us trying to make life just as hard on us as he possibly can. When you become a christian, get baptised, when you pray, or when you trust Jesus with your problems that He'll take care of it the devil gets extremely angry. It's then that he tries hardest to discourage you and make you question and disbelieve. I heard a saying once that always stuck with me. If the devil is leaving you alone it's then that you should worry the most because he has you doing what he wants and has you right where he wants you. I believe that he can do his worst and throw whatever he has at me because I'm now a Child of the King.

 

[Brighthouse]

Sister NoLongerfallen You ask a very good and important question. Important because the answer you choose to believe in matters much as to your walk in our Jesus! As you know nothing is impossible with God. ( luke 1:37) So to say how he revels himself to one person, can be much different then how he revels himself to another.BUT!!! One point is for certain! He does hear and answer all prayer! And he does not love one another more then he loves another! ( acts 10:34) When Jesus first choose me( john 15:16) He reveled himself to me by sight. I saw Jesus from the side, at the time I was being delivered from many bad spirits,in a dorm room in College,the testimony is quite long,but Jesus came, Close to what happened to Paul, so I would say at that time it was a vision, as I was fully awake.( 2 cor 12:2-3) I was not caught up into heaven, just looking at our Jesus, as he waved his hand over the enemy to have him depart,which he did!

The only other time something supernatural happened to me was two angels came to minister to me concerning a need I had at the time. Many wonder why such things do not happen to them? Perhaps because your faith was much stronger then mine! I was so low at that time I could not have crawled under a snake!! LOL God knows what to do,and always has a purpose in all things he does do!Or does not do! From what so many brothers and sisters have gone through.We remember doubting Thomas. Notice something here please,he was not rebuked!! ( john 20:19-31) No Jesus showed him!! ( verse 27) Those who have not seen but yet believe are called blessed!!!

Many do not understand what blessed is! Blessed is having the confidence without seeing about truth! ( matt 5:3-12!!!) Sometimes like yourself, I believe I have need to see our Jesus!! Not for believing in him,but just comfort in my flesh. Holy Spirit inside of us tells us things to comfort us,this my sister is the whole purpose of why he lives in us. Before Jesus departed from we his disciples, he gave us all a new Commandment ( john 13:33-34) then please read John 14:16-21) Please do consider this much! At times now in my walk with our Jesus,I will pray,or I will study his Word much,and remain comforted by Holy Spirit.

Many times in our walk, depending on just where we are in him,Jesus will do this as well to us.( Jeremiah 17:10) Jesus does this for a purpose!! To have us see in ourselfs what he already knows!and to learn! And grow in HIM! To understand all the promises of God,we must first know who we truly are now in him. It takes time,time we learn the easy way,or like me the hard way! LOL Just how important is Jesus really to us? We and the enemy find out! Dear sister, I have walked now in our Jesus for just over 30 years. and still everyday something new,something wonderful happens to me from the time I spend with our Jesus! Both from his Word I study and read.Out loud. Why do I read outloud??( rom 10:17) is why.

And from great prayer daily to him. It is not the length of prayer Jesus cares about,no, it is rather how long you are willing listen to him after your prayer. This again takes time to learn. Do not fear dear sister,or become anxious over anything!! Jesus loves you, and knows you!! He knew you sister before you were even born!!( psalms 139:13-18!!) ( psalm 23:6!!) And good sister never ever forget this verse!!! ( PSALMS 27:13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I would have despaired!!!!! unless I had BELIEVED!!! that I would SEE the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! The land we are living in right now!! PRAISE GOD!!! For His goodness!! Praise God for his favor upon us each day to!!!( psalm 90:17) And praise God for his comfort from Holy Spirit lives in each,and everyone of us who believe in, and through his great and Holy Name!!( philippians 2:9-11!!) amen!

 

[Furious_Love]

Question 1: How does God talk to you?
Do you hear His voice? God talks to me through other people, songs, through nature eg a sunrise, sunset, the beach, etc and as though a "thought" has been placed in my head - a very wise, loving thought - and, of course, through the Bible. But i do not hear Him actually speak to me with His voice. So I guess the real question is Does God speak directly to you with His voice? Forgive me if i sound silly.

Primarily God speaks to me through His word and through prayer. He also uses exactly what you described; by nature or through people, it could even be a piece of writing from someone, to even watching a television program where a sentence sticks out in front of you. God will use anything to talk to you. God has said ‘For those who have ears’ (Mat 11:15), (Mat 13:9), (Mar 4:9), (Rev 3:22) which means we listen via the Spirit of God. It is by God’s Spirit we are able to hear Him, remember that ‘still small voice’.

There can also be dangers in believing you hear God’s voice as it can be questionable in regards to our own conscience. The guide I have used and was taught is that if it is line with the Word of God it is most likely God speaking to you. The more you become attuned to God the more you are able to discern the point of origin of the voice you hear. Yet there can be pitfalls if you are not careful. Never go it alone believing you have the voice of God talking to you-it can be a dangerous thing believing you hear God’s voice if not aligned with God’s word (Wako, Jonestown, Westboro Baptist Church). Go one-step further and talk to others about what God has said to you. There is a fine line between discernment and gullibility. Use the Word of God (The Bible) as your final authority when you believe you hear the voice of God; does it align with the Word. If there is just one part that does not align with the Word then it is most probably your conscience speaking to you.

In short, God can and will talk to you by any means He can.

Question 2: Why do many Christians think that the Devil is more an idea than a reality? Some Christians at my church infer that the Devil is more of a metaphore for sin/evil etc and that he does not actually exist. I find this to be quite perplexing as, upon becoming a Christian, and especially after my baptism, i was attacked by the Devil a number of times. What I went through was as real as anything of this world, - surely I wasn’t imagining things?

Thankyou to those who take the time to answer my questions..

Satan goes after the ones who earnestly seek Him, even newborns to the mature Christian-He will attack you and put doubt in your mind. Satanists believe more in Satan than many Christians do. So sad…

(Isa 14:12) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [KJV]


(Isa 14:12) How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! [NIV]


Satan, the devil is real; there are many symbols, companies and books dedicated to him. Look up Lucis Trust, The Secret Teachings of All Ages. There is the satanic bible of course as an example of satanic worship we have Molech which is still worshipped today. There is an extensive list. Satan is real, he will even attack mature Christians. For those who decide to not believe in the reality of God’s nemesis are indeed hoodwinked. Believe in what God’s word says as fact. I do not focus on Satan as he is already defeated and is a coward. My space has been invaded on numerous times and calling upon Jesus resolves the issue. Fear not; use the armour of God, and read Ephesians 6, taking note of verse 12.

Answer two: The devil in my opinion is not one created being, but a group of created beings that do evil, to include speaking to the hearts of man to enlist them to do evil as well, so that they corrupt us

Hello Brad, don’t want to stir the pot but would just like to get your opinion on these verses which depict a singular entity.

(Job 1:7) The LORD said to Satan, "From where have you come?" Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it."

(Job 1:12) And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

(Mat 4:10) Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

(Rev 20:7) And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison

(Rev 12:9) And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Other names used depicting Satan from a Christian perspective are; Baal, Pan, Father Time, Lucifer, Beelzebul, The Serpent, Belial, Ishtar, Vishnu, Set, Nimrod, Lilith, Hades, Kronos, Azazel, Osiris, Anubis, Baphomet, The Goat of Mendes, Ra etc…

There are many Satanists who firmly believe in Satan more so that we Christians do. It is a sign of the times that many would fall away. Just be careful who you listen to.

(2Ti 3:1-7) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. (2) For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, (3) heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, (4) treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (5) having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (6) For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, (7) always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

(1Ti 4:1) Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

(2Th 2:3) Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

(Mat 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come.

(Gen 3:14) The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. (Gen 3:15) I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

Christ proclaimed and Christ redeemed. He did indeed fulfill scripture. He came to rectify what Satan thought would put enmity between God’s creation. Christians denying the existence of Satan maybe need to re-assess their position.

(Mat 24:13) But he who endures to the end, the same shall be kept safe.

We do have an enemy that roams the earth seeking whom he can devour. Fear not.

Peace Be With You.

 

[Opal]

Hi, Nolongerfallen, right now I am happiest that you have changed your name from 'fallen'. Hope as you continue to grow
in Christ taking on His character=the fruit of the Holy Spirit, you will even change your name again. Now its not a big deal
as such, but God HIMSELF does have a lot of names, so in that respect I beleive if HE considers it important to have a good
title/name etc then I consider it the same. God bless you richly. I shall endeavor to answer your questions as the Holy Spirit
moves me. Yours in Christ, Opal

 

[Far Traveler]

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have only been a Christian for a short time ( around 9 months) and I have 2 questions for the more experienced and knowledgeable Christian.

Question 1: How does God talk to you?
Do you hear His voice? God talks to me through other people, songs, through nature eg a sunrise, sunset, the beach, etc and as though a "thought" has been placed in my head - a very wise, loving thought - and, of course, through the Bible. But i do not hear Him actually speak to me with His voice. So I guess the real question is Does God speak directly to you with His voice? Forgive me if i sound silly.


Question 2: Why do many Christians think that the Devil is more an idea than a reality?
Some Christians at my church infer that the Devil is more of a metaphore for sin/evil etc and that he does not actually exist. I find this to be quite perplexing as, upon becoming a Christian, and especially after my baptism, i was attacked by the Devil a number of times. What I went through was as real as anything of this world, - surely I wasnt imagining things?

Thankyou to those who take the time to answer my questions..

Question 1 You summed it up pretty good here:

God talks to me through other people, songs, through nature eg a sunrise, sunset, the beach, etc and as though a "thought" has been placed in my head - a very wise, loving thought - and, of course, through the Bible. But i do not hear Him actually speak to me with His voice.

I would agree that is how for me too.

Question 2 The devil, and his co-horts are real. The Bible gives many names for them, fallen angels, demons, beelzebub, satan, abaddon, and well I'm not gonna list all of them. Even if they didn't mess with my mind directly from personal experience I'd still believe the Bible that they exist.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Ask God to give you wisdom,then believe that he will guide you to the truth(Jesus is the Truth).

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

If we believe we have received something then we don't need to ask again.
We simply thank God in faith that we have received.
He is not at all limited in the way he will answer your request so keep your eye/eyes,ear/ears and heart open to his guidance.


As for the Devil all I can say is that the imagination is a form of reality to the one experiencing it.
However there is a lot of mythology mixed in the the beliefs of one extreme and a lot of philosophy mixed in at the other extreme.Jesus IS the Truth.

 

[Whitestone]

James 1:5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Ask God to give you wisdom,then believe that he will guide you to the truth(Jesus is the Truth).

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

If we believe we have received something then we don't need to ask again.
We simply thank God in faith that we have received.
He is not at all limited in the way he will answer your request so keep your eye/eyes,ear/ears and heart open to his guidance.


As for the Devil all I can say is that the imagination is a form of reality to the one experiencing it.
However there is a lot of mythology mixed in the the beliefs of one extreme and a lot of philosophy mixed in at the other extreme.Jesus IS the Truth.

Excellent post.

 

[Whitestone]

Whenever the Lord speaks to me, it is always the voice speaking the Word. Always a scripture. Never something that isn't scripture do I listen to.

I've also had great personal revelations through some dreams and visions which served to deliver me from sin and served to show me how it feels to Love with the Love of God, and to be confirmed in crucifying the flesh and not seeking vengeance.
In such dreams also is confirmation as a Son of God, but it wasn't evident to me until someone else I shared them with pointed that out. A blessing beyond compare!
I have great need to know the Love of God as a feeling for others. I don't possess this of my natural self. I have a natural 'loner' tendency. I am an Anchorite. I pray for Christ to Come into me and fill me with this Love toward His brethren. I pray this all day and night. The epistles of John are my favorite for this message.
My form of intermingling is as an evangelist as I travel from church to church searching out the hearts desirous to know truth. I see mostly apostacy in every single church service I step foot in. I've learned what every religion teaches and how they believe and where they get it from, how they handle scriptures.
I seek those who are prone sola scriptura, who only desire God's revelation of meaning out of His written word. I do not spend time with people who come from theology schools or hard core cults like catholic jw mormon or sda who follow creeds, especially the nicene creed, they are impossible to minister to, at least for me.
Jesus is faithful, as our comforter, to come in alongside our spirit and become One and Reveal all things. It is a prayer that He loves to answer. For that is His entire reason to exist, is to come in to us and overcome sin and death in us and make us His Righteousness in joy and peace in His Holy Spirit.
Nothing can be compared
Thank you Jesus!

 

[Trisha]

This is not to brag or be bigger than anyone else, as I have my faults like anyone else on this earth. Only a few know that I heard the audible voice of God. He has called me by my name. It is very authoritative, very strong, very distinctive and a wonderful male sounding voice. It shocked me and I jumped because I didn't expect it and knew nobody else was at home. I was a brand new Christian. It was just my name and that was all and I wished after that I had had a better reaction. At the time I thought maybe He would have said more. (But God is God and who am I to say what He would have said or not said)

This being said, before this happened I also heard what I took to be the devil speaking in my left ear one night in bed. It was horrible sounding and horrible words. Words I have never spoken and nobody has cursed at me like that before. It was right after being saved. I was so taken aback by this that I discussed it with one other Christian. I did not know my enemy well enough to realize this is what he does sometimes. This Im telling you because people will say about the devil masquerading, but there was no confusing the two voices. Thankfully it was the one and only time for this awful thing.

I only ever heard God's audible voice once and I would know it again if I ever heard it. It is a sound that stays with a person. I have begged God to speak audibly to me again but it never happened. He does speak in the other ways mentioned in the other posts here. Faith is where its at anyway. Without faith it is impossible to please God. And this is more important to me than hearing His voice even though I would like to hear it again. We have eternity to hear him and it will be wonderful.

I'm no better or worse a Christian than anyone else for having had this experience. I don't know why He speaks audibly to some and not to others. Maybe God knew how weak I would be a few years later, as alot of you know I have gone through a crisis where my entire life changed. He is my rock whether He speaks audibly now or not, makes no difference. We must just be thankful for all He did and does for us. Whichever way he communicates with us, it is His desire for us to have a relationship with Him, and that means to relate. There are different ways of relating.

 

[Travis]

I must add that most of the time I hear His voice deep within my spirit. The couple of times that I have heard Him "out loud" was extremely significant to me. Life changing experiences dealing with urgent matters that immediate action on my part was required.

Once when had I not obeyed, I would have faced some serious consequences. What I heard "out loud" was "NOW" which was after I heard in my spirit, "get out of here".. That is a long story and to tell it I would have to betray a friend. So I will just say "Thank God" whew!

Sometimes God speaks to me through the testimonies of other brothers and sisters in the faith. Like the above.

Most the time I hear God through my spirit, which gets sort of translated into something my mind can partially comprehend. A few times, it has been quite loud when I needed it.

Many times I thought I was hearing God, and it was not God. Too many people (in my humble opinion) assume anything that is supernatural is automatically from God. I think much of our time and effort should be spent discerning the counterfeit from the real thing. If we automatically assume everything is the real thing, we are basically putting a bit in our mouth and handing the reigns to the devil to allow him to lead us as he pleases.

2 Corinthians 2:11 "...... for we are not ignorant of his devices."​

Travis

 

[Brighthouse]

There really is no limit to his love,and how he decides to show his love to his children.I had always wondered early in my walk if the Lord would ever grant his children to experience something that would mean so much for the rest of our natural lives. Of course his salvation! But I mean something to confirm that salvation. In my third year of the Lord,such a request was granted me. it was early evening in Clarksville Indiana, I was working security there for a client,i had gone to church, and was walking back home,along the way i was crossing a bridge,where there was a man standing by the side of it.

He was about 30, poorly dressed and rather dirty,as if this man had been living under this bridge for a time,I asked him if he needed a place to stay,he replied " i have no place to rest my head"( luke 9:58) but this did not register for me at the time! LOL I asked him as we were walking his name,to which he replied,"my name is not ever important brother,what is important is the good deed done towards that name." Again I was baffled a bit. I served the man some food to which he did eat,but it seemed very much that he was not where i was at?

As if he was in another place listening to someone i could not see. I made him a cot to sleep on, offered him the shower to wash himself,to which he did not respond to,well ok. So I went to my room, while he slept in the living room area. I thought he was just a rather quiet kind of man,he did smile a lot,but did not really understand why he was so happy? I woke up at 7am,to check on him,and perhaps offer him some breakfast,but he was gone! In fact the cot was very clean, the blankets were clean as well?

There was a note by the pillow of his cot,and as i opened the note it read simply Heb 13:2 which says" Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this ,some have entertained Angels without knowing it!" i was visited?? YES I WAS!! Upon dwelling upon this fact I went to pray,as to both the purpose and meaning of this event. After a few hours,Holy Spirit entered my bedroom,i knew this was him because i could not see to well through a most Holy Light being set upon me! From Holy Spirit came these exact words!"

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;and that you being rooted and grounded in love,may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth,and length,and height,and yes depth! AND!!!! to KNOW the love of Jesus Christ which surpasses, knowledge,that YOU may be filled up to ALL the fulness of God!( Ephesians 3:17-19) He continued, "For from every gift you have received by Jesus,you freely give, proving you are my disciple!( john 13:35) For now my son you fully understand, and will always understand my love for you, because you have given my love to another!"

The point! I am now 61 years of age brothers and sisters,38 years in our Jesus,this confirmation of God's love poured out to me, who sure did not deserve it,or could have ever worked hard enough to ever receive this,is how the Word of God has become fully alive in my own life! i never looked upon someone any longer as if they had no worth,i never again for a moment hesitated to, at the very least give a kind word to someone who needed it. I could never have done this in self brothers and sisters! For self love is limited to feeling and emotion from our flesh,God's love, the very nature of our Spirit man,is found here!!( 1 cor 13:4-8)

This love never fails,because it is not our love,it is God's own love! May this both bless, and give great comfort to those who really need it!( 2 cor 1:3-7) It does not matter who you are,or where you are at,Jesus sees,and moves! To him be the glory both now and forever amen!!( psalm 27:13) God is good because God is good! Not because we earned it! I am most thankful daily for his goodness!! And for you all who spread his truth by loving one another even as Jesus himself loves us!!( john 13:34!!) Grace and truth is the nature of our Jesus,and always should be his children's nature to!!( john 1:14-17!) Blessing all! ( Jude 1:24-25!!) Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling,and to make you stand in the presence of HIS glory blameless with great joy,to the only God our Savior,through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty,dominion and authority,before all time and now and forever!!! AMEN!

 

[Seeker Of Jesus]

Wow Brighthouse, that was an amazing story, what a blessing to have an experience like that as it is certainly not a common thing.

I'm gonna share how God one day spoke to me through a secular song. I had just gotten back from work, it was 1 or 2 am and at the time I was going through ALOT spiritually, and I was not (and still am not) close to God and I was having a lot of problems with myself and my sins and I felt somewhat overcome with grief because of how tired I was of being in that state and I started crying a bit and prayed to God. After a brief prayer I wiped my tears and since I had not eaten all day I got hungry an lucky for me there was a Kennedy fried chicken right downstairs from where I was staying at. So I go down stairs to buy some food and there was music being played but I didn't pay any attention as I was so emotionally/mentally distracted. Then when I heard the words "you are not alone, 'I AM' here with you, though your far away, 'I AM here to stay" and it hit me like a ton of bricks and I don't understand how I knew but I knew that this was from God and as I listened to the rest of the song I felt so comforted and surprised as it was so unexpected and i never thought God would use a secular song to reach out to me.

The song was "You are not alone" by Michael Jackson.

 

[Brighthouse]

I really want these word I am typing to be fully understood!! Brother Seeker, There is not a night that goes by before I go to sleep,that I am not being very tough on myself as far as 2 cor 13:5!!! I am so brutal at times upon myself,that many would think, is this man really a believer??? LOL I know me!! And when you really know yourself as i am sure you do as well seeker.

What may seem to others as you being a good example in your faith, you know! You could be FAR Better!! Then reality sets in!! Holy Spirit says do you know just how far you came over this last year in me??( phil 1:6) Do not worry about the road ahead of you,for you are no longer leading,you my son are now following! And you know this for a fact,without me( Jesus),you would have already went off yet another cliff! I have went off so many myself brother!

You realize my grace is never taken for granted,and therefore I give much more to those who remain humble!( 1 Peter 5:5-11!!, James 4:5-10!!,proverbs 3:31-35,and Proverbs 29:23!) You remember the bribes you took,saying such scripture as proverbs 17:8, but forgetting about verse 23-24!)

So good brother you are so young,and have so much to learn in both grace and truth( john 1:14) I can say that, because at 61 years of age i find myself still the same as you! Brother Seeker,there will never become a time ever in our lifetime when we do not depend upon our Jesus bro! NEVER! And you see, unlike our earthly parents who cannot wait for you to leave there house and start your own family,God wants us to always depend upon him, at all times!! For even as there was never a time when God was not,there also is never a time in our life,we can ever do without Jesus in our life!

We were taught by earthly men,to go out on your own,but Jesus sent his disciples out 2 by two,( mark 6:7 and luke 10:1-11) just as he did the animals of the ark! Do you know why? Because every believer needs a witness to there belief!!( 2 cor 13:1!!!,and 1 cor 14:29) To stay and remain humble!( rom 12:3) to be subject to another other then ones own self! In this my good brother do we live, and by being a doer,and not just a hearer only( james 1:22) Jesus through his most wonderful grace and love brings our mindset back to what he sees, not what we presently are!( 2 cor 4:7-18!!!)

So because of this!! ( philp3:12-14) we in Christ follow him in this!!( phil 4:5-9!!!!) We serve a very mighty and loving Jesus brother!! Remember that!! We can stay thankful brother because we have every reason to be thankful!!!!( 1 thess 5:18) His WILL!!!! OUR LIFE!! amen!! You indeed are never alone good brother!! amen! Thanks for your comforting story as well bro!!