Hearing from God
Over the last two weeks there have been a number of articles published in His Kingdom Prophecy on the general theme of hearing form God.
As I read through them, I felt The LORD calling me to bring forth an outline teaching on the 5 SCs from The Alpha Course manual with which millions of Christians round the world will be acquainted.
The following is a short extract of the notes from Chapter 7, of The Alpha Course manual, with all the Bible scriptures included for ease of reference, rather than just giving the chapter and verse. Unless otherwise stated, all Bible quotations are from the New King James Version. All rights are reserved by the original authors.
Chapter 7 is entitled, “How does God Guide us?” and generally relates to communications from God which are not audible. From the testimonies I have read and from personal experience, a few Christians do hear God as an audible voice, or have heard Him at some time in their lives.
However, this it seems to be a very small minority who hear the audible voice of God. The others, as described in their articles, have learned to hear that “still small voice” (as from 2 Kings 19:12) and manage by practice, concentration and eventually familiarity with the Lord’s voice, to separate it out from all the background noises.
This short teaching demonstrates that the Lord uses many channels to communicate with us, often as we go about our normal daily lives. Both Jill and I find it to be true and the following 5 SCs are used on a daily basis.
“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice,” 2 Kings 19:11-12.
“How does God Guide us?”
“I. COMMANDING SCRIPTURE
1) General will
General instructions for marriage, work, money, children, elderly relatives.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16.
2) Particular will
May bring a light to a particular verse
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path…….
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me,” Psalm 119:105, 130-133.
II. COMPELLING SPIRIT
“They know his voice….”
“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice,” John 10:3-4.
“After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them,” Acts 16:7.
1) God speaks to you as your pray
- The good thought.
- Strong impressions.
- Feelings.
“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms,” Acts 3:1-3.
Need for testing.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world,” 1 John 4:1.
Is is love?
“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him,” 1 John 4:16.
Is is strengthening, encouraging and comforting?
“But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men,” 1 Corinthians 14:3.
Does it bring the peace of God?
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful,” Colossians s 3:15.
2) Strong desire to do something.
“To will and to act according to his good purpose.”
“or it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure,” Philippians 2:13.
3) Sometimes he guides in more unusual ways.
- Prophecy. e.g. Agabus.
“And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar ……
And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Acts 11:27-28, 21:10-11.
- Dreams.
“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 1:20.
- Vision / Pictures.
“Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them,” Acts 16:10.
- Angels.
See Genesis 18.
“Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,” Matthew 2:19.
“Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands,” Acts 12:7.
- Audible voice.
See 1 Samuel 3:4-14.
III. COMMON SENSE
Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you. Do not be like the horse or like the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bridle and rein to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you,” Psalm 32:8-9.
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into this.
“Think over the things I am saying [grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything,” 2 Timothy 2:7.
“God’s promises of guidance were not given to save us the problem of thinking,” John Stott. e.g. Marriage, job / career.
IV. COUNSEL OF SAINTS
“….the wise listen to advice.”
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise,” Proverbs 12:15.
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
“Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established,” Proverbs 15:22.
“Make plans by seeking advice”
“Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war,” Proverbs 20:18.
BUT:
- Who is responsible?
- Who should be consulted?
V. CIRCUMSTANTIAL SIGNS
“In your heart you plan your course, but the Lord determines your steps,” Proverbs 16:9.
Sometimes God closes doors.
“After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them,” Acts 16:7.
Sometimes God opens doors.
“For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries,” 1 Corinthians 16:9.
Watch the circumstances but don’t put too much weight on them. Sometimes we need to persevere despite the circumstances.”
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If you would like to hear the fill teaching on “How does God Guide us?” please do contact The Alpha Course nearest you.
Jill and I were involved with The Alpha Course for a number of years and we highly recommend it for seekers, new believers and those deep in relationship with Christ Jesus.
We found that each time we attended the course, we learned something new, something relevant and something worthwhile, as well as meeting some wonderful Christians with whom we still interact on a daily basis.
Again, you can find The Alpha Course here and they will direct you to a course near you.
Blessings in Christ,
~ Angus MacKillop
