GOD SPEAKS TO US AS FRIENDS

God Speaks To Us As Friends!

It is already amazing that God desires to speak to us. But it is even more amazing that God desires to speak to us as friends.  Jesus made this truth clear to his disciples:

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."  - John 15:15

We Can Fellowship With The Father & The Son

God desires to restore the fellowship between humanity and Himself. Eternal life is knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. The Bible tells us that we can fellowship with the Father and the Son:

"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. " - 1 John 1:3

We Can Fellowship With The Holy Spirit

The Bible tells us that we can also fellowship with the Holy Spirit:

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."  2 Corinthians 13:14

Application:

Let's strive to hear God. Let's always remember that He regards us as His friends. Let's listen to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit as we fellowship with them.

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

God the Father speaks to us through the Holy Spirit who lives within us. The Bible tells us that we can fellowship with the Holy Spirit who is our teacher, guide, and counsellor. That is why the Bible tells us that we can have fellowship with the Holy Spirit:

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."  2 Corinthians 13:14

Biblical Examples Of God Communicating Through The Holy Spirit

God revealed to Peter the apostle that he was to go to the household of a non-Jew named Cornelius. This visit would have been forbidden to religious Jews but God wanted to show Peter that salvation was not just for Jews alone but for all humanity. God spoke to Peter through the Holy Spirit:

"While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent you to them.'"  Acts 10:19-20

God revealed to forewarn Paul the apostle of the opposition and suffering that he would soon encounter.  This communication from God strengthened the apostle Paul's resolve to serve God to the end:

"Now compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."  Acts 20: 22-24

Application

Let's believe, not only with our minds, but also with all our hearts that the Holy Spirit is our counsellor, guide, and teacher. He will teach us all things! (1 John 2:27)  We need to quieten our spirit and hear the voice of God through His Spirit. We need to believe that God desires to fellowship with us today. We need to believe that His Spirit is still speaking the 'now' word of God for our lives.

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS SON JESUS CHRIST

God's Full & Final Message

In these last days of time and history, God has a final message for humanity. Whilst in the past, God may have used various means to speak to men and women, in these last Days He has chosen to speak through the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us:

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word..."   Hebrews 1:1-3

Jesus Christ is God's fullest and final message for us today. He is the expression of God's love, holiness, power and justice.  No wonder Jesus told His disciples:

"If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well . . . Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father..."  John 14: 7,9

Application:

Let's turn our eyes upon Jesus and look upon His wonderful face. Let's hear our Heavenly Father speaking words of love, guidance, blessing and comfort as we focus on Jesus our Lord. Let's turn our eyes away from the world onto Jesus alone so that we can hear God speaking clearly to us today.

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH OUR CIRCUMSTANCES

One of the ways that God frequently uses to speak to us is through the circumstances in our lives. It may not be as spectacular as an angelic visitation or a vision in the night, but it is one way that God often uses to give his guidance and thus reveals His will for our lives.

Reasons For Examining Our Life Situation

Is there a Scriptural basis for believing that God speaks to us through the circumstances in our lives? Yes. The Bible tells us that God is able to coordinate all the events in our lives for our good. It tells us that God directs the steps in our lives. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."   Romans 8:28

Another passage from the Bible re-inforces the truth that the circumstances in our lives are directed by God Himself:

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

Application:

Let's take time to examine the steps in our lives and prayerfully so that we can hear God's message to us through the circumstances that we find ourselves in. Let's not fret over the problems and difficulties in our lives. Let's seek His face and discover His will as our Shepherd leads us through the paths He chooses. 

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH OUR MINDS

The Bible tells us that God speaks to us through our minds. At times when He speaks to us, we may not even be aware that the thoughts running through our minds are from God. We may think that those ideas and thoughts were the result of our minds alone.

Every Believer Has Heard From God

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have heard from God. Jesus tells us that you have been taught by God our Heavenly Father! Let's see what our Lord says:

"It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me." John 6:45

God Speaks So That We May Be Transformed By His Word Through His Spirit

Spiritual transformation occurs when we renew our minds with God's thoughts:

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Spiritual transformation occurs when we our minds through God's Spirit instead of allowing the spirits of darkness to control our thoughts:

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." Ephesians 4:23

Application

Let's allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds with God's thoughts. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, a miracle happens! We begin to hear God and have the mind of God:

"But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:15

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

There may be times when God speaks to us through the word of knowledge. At that point, we receive from God some insight that we did not glean through natural means.

The Apostle Paul Received A Word Of Knowledge At Lystra

An example of the word of knowledge occured when the apostle Paul a cripple who had never walked. This man listened attentively as Paul preached.  As Paul looked at the cripple, God gave him a word of knowledge and Paul knew at that moment that the crippled man was ready to receive a miracle:

"He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, 'Stand up on your feet!' At that, the man jumped up and began to walk."  Acts 14:9-10

You don't see faith in the body of a person!  You can only see faith arising in another person when God reveals that to you. The apostle Paul looked at the cripple and saw faith because God had revealed that knowledge to his spirit.

John the Baptist Received A Word Of Knowledge From God

He was told by God that Jesus our Saviour would appear. One day, as John was baptizing, Jesus appeared and the Holy Spirit descended upon our Lord as a confirmatory sign. John declared:

"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpoassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I cam baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.'"  John 1:29-31

Personal Salvation Through A Word Of Knowledge

I was personally saved one Sunday when a lady preacher, Reverend Margaret Seaward, received a word of knowledge from God that her message of the lost sheep was meant for me. At the end of the service, she came down from the pulpit, walked down the aisle, excused herself from the church members at the entrance, walked down the steps, and looked for me in my father's car. God used her through the word of knowledge to reach me that day for Christ.

Application

Let's keep in tune with God. He might just whisper a word of knowledge in our ears!

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS ANGELS

Anyone reading the Bible will discover that God does speak to men and women through His angels. They did often appeared to reveal God's plans and guidance, or to strengthen and deliver God's children.

God Spoke To Mary The Mother Of Jesus Through An Angel 

For example, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was given God's message through the angel Gabriel:

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.'"  Luke 1:30-31

Other Angelic Visitations

Various angels appeared to individuals such as Cornelius, Philip, and Paul the apostle throughout the New Testament times. They did not occur to all and sundry at all times but they did appear to deliver God's message as He directed.

Does God Speak Through Angels Today?

Could we receive divinely appointed visits from angels today?  Only if God so directs. We should not worship angels nor should we imagine that we can grow so spiritual that we can command them to do our bidding.  The Bible tells us that God has assigned angels the responsibility of serving those who believe in Jesus:

"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"  Hebrews 1:14

Application

Let's allow God to be sovereign and speak to us throughout whatever channel He desires. Let's thank God for his ministering angels but let's not get so focused on angels that we forget to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH DREAMS & VISIONS

Whilst not all dreams are of God, the Bible is full of examples of people whom God spoke to by dreams and visions. These dreams and visions did not occur solely in the Old Testament times but in the New Testament times as well. God didn't speak only to the holy and saintly through dreams and visions. He even spoke to unbelievers such as King Nebuchadnezzar in a dream.

Are Dreams & Visions For Our Time & Age?
On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared that dreams and visions would be an increasing feature in our time:

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."  Acts 2:17

Application

God may choose to speak to us through dreams and visions as we live in the last days. Will we be open to His message?

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS PROPHETS

Prophets are another channel through which God speaks to us.  The truth that God speaks to us through prophecy is clearly taught in the Bible:

"In the past God spoke to our forefather through the prophets at many times and in various ways."  Hebrews 1:1

Prophets In The Old Testament

In the Old Testament, God spoke through the prophets a message of repentance to bring His people back to Himself:

"The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: 'Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your fathers to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.'"  2 Kings 17:13

Prophets In The New Testament Church

In the New Testament, God continued to speak to His children through His appointed prophets. The apostle Paul tells us that God deemed prophets to be vital for the life of the church:

"And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets,..."     1 Corinthians 12:28

Does God Speak To Us Through Prophecy?

In our time and age, God is still desires to speak to us through prophecy.  He desires to speak the 'now' word that relates to our needs and the direction that He desires us to take. The Bible tells us:

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy."  1 Corinthians 14:1

Application

Let's open our minds to the truths of God's Word. Let's open our hearts to desire and receive God's gifts. Let's open our ears to hear God speaking words that strengthen, encourage and comfort His people.

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH SIGNS AND WONDERS

Why did Jesus perform signs and wonders such as the healing of the blind, the raising to life of the dead, the casting out of evil spirits from the demonized, the feeding of the 5,00, and the calming of the sea and wind?

Jesus revealed the reason for these signs and wonders when he said:

"I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me."  John 5:36

Signs & Wonders Are A Message From God

Each sign and wonder that Jesus performed was a testimony from God confirming that He had sent Jesus Christ into the world to save the world. Each miracle was a testimony from God to encourage us to believe in Him.  

God continued to speak to the lost world through signs and wonders done by the apostles. The Bible tells us:

"God also testified to it (the gospel) by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."  Hebrews 2:4

Application

God desires to continue speaking to our world through signs and wonders - if we choose to believe the words of Jesus who said:

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  John 14:12

God still desires to speak to our wold through signs and wonders. Are we willing to believe in His Word and seek to do His works?

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES

The Scriptures are more than the writings of men. They are God's message to us, written down that we may direct our footsteps in the light of His will.

The apostle Paul recognized that there was a divine Author who inspired the Scriptures that were written down by men. Paul understood that the Scripture was God communicating His thoughts so that we might know how to live lives that please Him.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Let's seek to hear from God each time we read the Scriptures. Let's remember to ask God to open our eyes to discover His thoughts:

"Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things in your law."  -Psalm 119:18

GOD SPEAKS THROUGH HIS CREATION

We worship the God who speaks. He communicates His desires, thoughts and plans. The Bible tells us that God desires to speak to us and is still speaking to us today.

Creation Is A Picture Signed By God

The created world around us is one way that God has chosen to speak to us.  Through His creation, God has painted a clear picture of Himself.  The Bible tells us that God has made it plain or clear to all of us through creation that He is divine and has eternal power:

Since what can may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:19-20

Looking at God's creation, David the Psalmist immediately recognized it to be the work of God the Creator. He tells us:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Psalm 19:1

An Intuitive Knowledge Of God

Deep in our hearts, we intuitively know from the created world around us that God exists. We instinctively know our need to worship our Creator. No wonder the Psalmist declared:

"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'

Application

Let's open our eyes of our hearts to God's creation to see the glory and eternal power of God. Let's respond in faith and obedience to our Creator who communicates through His creation. We might hear whispers of His love in the rustling leaves and see assurances of His provision as the birds sweep through the skies!