God Speaks. Are You Listening?

For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  Matthew 10:20

We see so many people today with headphones on their head and ear buds in their ears.  Sometimes I wonder, though, if they are listening to the voice of God.  God does speak, and he wants to speak to us if only we would listen. 

How does God speak?  He speaks through His Word, through people like ministers and teachers, and through providence. 

God speaks through His Word, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go" (Ps. 32:8).  That is why we should study the Bible on a regular basis, and ask questions in small group settings.  Jesus says, "My sheep know voice"  (John 10:14).  We know the voice of God by studying the Word of God.   God speaks through providential means, that is, through timing.  Sometimes God's timing is so profound that we know instantly, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is the voice of God because no one could have done it but Him.  He puts people in our lives at just the right time in answer to prayer.

God speaks  through divinely-called ministers.   Ministers and teachers, ask God for direction and for a word for the people.  Then, believe that what God gives you is what He wants preached.  We must pray for ministers to preach the truth of a balanced gospel in love; to speak with holy boldness even when what God has to say through them makes us uncomfortable. Who goes to a mirror and sees something on their face and does not wipe it off? As listeners, we should be ready to actively listen and act upon what we hear.  This is why we should not be distracted or walk out of church at the preaching moment, or leave before the benediction.   God speaks.  Are you listening?

It is important to understand that God speaks through His divinely appointed pastors, ministers, teachers, and evangelists.  But know this - God will never say anything through the man or woman of God that contradicts His word.  The Bible warns us about false prophets, so we should test and examine everything that is said (Micah 3:11-12). 

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, "For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking in you" (Matt. 10:20). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God in us.  The Holy Spirits comforts, teaches, convicts, helps, and warns us.   This why we should not lie, grieve, quench, resist, insult, or blasphem the Holy Spirit, nor conduct ourselves in ways contrary to the will of God.

God speaks with His people, "and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ"  (1 John 1:3).  God speaks with us as a friend, for He is "a friend that stickteth closer than a brother" (Proverbs 17:17).  God speaks with us as a companion, for He has promised never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  God speaks through His people through songs, poems, speeches, prayers and artistic gifts.  We should ask God's guidance and believe He speaks through us when we visit the sick and bereaved and witness for Christ.  Can you hear the voice of God?  Is He speaking to you?

Happy July 4th Holiday from Jesus Saves Ministries

Celebrate Your Freedom In Christ!

By:  Min. Angela Lee Price

On this July 4th holiday, we celebrate  the birth of our nation, freedom and independence.  Let us also celebrate the Believer's freedom in, with, and for Christ.  Freedom in Christ describes the spiritual liberty we have as followers of Jesus Christ through his death, burial, and resurrection.  Through our confession of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we have been set free from the  power and the penalty of sin.  The Bible states, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death"(Romans 8:1-2).

   

Our freedom in Christ allows us, by the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation and those sins that once so easily beset us.   This freedom does not give us the right to do whatever we want, disregarding the plain truth of the Bible, but gives us power to keep God's commandments.  Romans 6:1-2 states, "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?  Of course not!  Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?"

Brothers and sisters, not only do we celebrate freedom in Christ, we celebrate freedom with Christ.   We live with Christ right now through the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:10-11 states, "And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.  And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you."   And when we get to heaven, Jesus has prepared an eternal home for us free from the very presence of sin in our lives (John 3:16).

God has given us freedom to live not only in Christ and with Christ, but for Christ.  Here in the USA, we enjoy tremendous religious freedom. Please don't take it for granted. As the birds sing, and the "Son" shines, take advantage of the freedom you have to  live for Jesus Christ by letting your light shine, by sharing that powerful testimony God has given you, that Scripture He has placed on your heart, that sermon excerpt that in faith will become a rhema word for a weary soul, that upcoming revival, conference or ministry event, that prayer request or praise report, or note of encouragement for someone who may be hospitalized or grieving.  Use your freedom to become an instrument of God's drawing and saving power in someone's life. Has Jesus broken every chain that had you bound in sin and shame?  Has Jesus set you free?  We would love to hear what great and marvelous things God is doing in your life today.

Celebrate your freedom in, with, and for Jesus Christ, "For you have been called to freedom brethren, only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh but through love, serve one another" Galatians 5:13