I Believe that God Still Speaks

I believe that God has been and is still, speaking.  Some professing Christians may disagree. 

But I believe that God always has and he always will speak.  

I see evidence in the Bible that God speaks to people in the following ways, and I believe that all of them continue to be valid:

CREATION. How many of us first heard God speak through the wonder of creation?  Some of my earliest memories about the presence of God were experienced through outside beauty. He proclaims himself in nature with such clarity that the Bible says all are held accountable to believe in the Creator on these grounds alone (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:20).  

What has he spoken to you this week through creation? 

DIVINE PROVIDENCE. God speaks through evidence of divinely orchestrated circumstances and interactions. This evidence affects our lives and others in profound ways (Genesis 50:19-21; Acts 16:7; Hebrews 11:19-30).  Our moments are not left up to chance; the hand of God is upon our days in unexpected, astounding and even humorous ways. I believe that although he does allow us to make meaningful choices, his power, wisdom, knowledge, and love are also at work, simultaneously.  

What has God spoken to you this week through the order of your days and the interactions you’ve experienced — both the big and the small instances? 

SIGNS, WONDERS, DREAMS, PROPHECIES. I believe these have not ceased with the early church.  God speaks through these for edifying and instructing believers, as well as to convince unbelievers of His power and presence (The Gospels and Acts; 1 Corinthians 14). Who am I to limit God to a specific manner of working, in a particular time of history?  I have seen and experienced far too much to deny God the privilege of using these means today.  However, this does not negate the need to exercise biblical discernment.  And when we begin to seek the gifts of the Spirit above the fruit of the Spirit, I believe an imbalance takes place in our lives.  

What has God spoken to you this week through experiencing or observing any of these? 

INNER IMPRESSIONS. God speaks by what many have termed his “still, small voice”, addressing people within their inner man in relation to personal assurance, correction/conviction or guidance to intimately connect with each one of his beloved children (1 Kings 19:12; Isaiah 30:21; Habakkuk 2:2; John 10:27-28).  His voice is never one of condemnation, accusation, or fear.  I believe the Holy Spirit breaks through our natural human ideas through sudden, spontaneous thoughts that light upon our minds. This “voice” always corresponds with God’s character and heart exhibited in Scripture.  As we walk with God, we grow in our ability to identify and distinguish with greater clarity what is his voice, our voice, and the voice of the enemy. 

What has God spoken to you this week in the space of your inner being? 

SCRIPTURE. God speaks through His authoritative Word, the inspired and inerrant Scriptures, which He has given through His prophets and apostles by the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).  The Canon is closed (meaning there are no more continuing authoritative extra-biblical revelations), and any current impressions, personal or otherwise are to be measured against the full counsel of the Word of God.  What would we do, where would we be, without these beautiful words of life?  They are inexhaustible, and they are our true North.  

With what do we come to Scripture to hear God? 

1. With confessed sin that stands under the blood of Christ. 2. With a teachable and hungry heart.  3. With a prayer for revelation.  4. With un-rushed time. 5. With freely allowing the left and right brain to work together (example: using reason (Greek/Western mindset) and images (Hebrew/Eastern mindset). 6. With focus and purpose 7. With the intent to give God all the glory for insights gained.   

What has God spoken to you this week through the Scriptures? 

JESUS CHRIST. God has spoken and is speaking through His Son Jesus Christ, the living Word. Christ has revealed the Father’s heart of absolute love to us and has become our only way of salvation for returning to Him (Hebrews 1:1-4; John 14:1-12).  The Word was made flesh and through His Spirit, dwells among us!  He is a person who is personally indwelling us, interacting with us, always present .  He is alive, and because he lives, we too can truly live!   

Have you spent time this week in adoration of Jesus Christ, enjoying his fellowship and listening to all that he desires to make known to you, imparting to you wisdom and revelation?

 Yes, I believe God still speaks.  

Are we listening?