His Voice

[sbbqb7n16]

Hey there! I'm starting this thread in my campaign of the awareness of the voice of God... and I felt that the Charismatic Movement thread would be the best place to start it up. Why? I've heard more of a focus on a higher level of relationship with God coming through joining the Charismatic movement (Yes I know there can be a high level of intimacy outside of the movement - don't get me wrong... it's not that kind of thread) So here's where the rubber meets the road!

SnuP (which ironically is PunS backward lol) opened a thread on your relationship with God. Relationships develop through communication (primarily). So here goes:

What is God saying to you right now? Is He saying anything? Are you listening?

Now if it's too personal and you dont feel comfortable sharing that's fine we'll all understand. But for those who are recieving specific instructions or just enjoying chatting with God... please post and share what God is doing because we'd all love to hear (at least I know I would) :D :D

[BigToe]

oh, i so like this thread, great question!

Is God talking to me? All the time, do I hear him? Not as often as I should. I need to work on listening, I am not great at that.

God likes us to talk to Him and tell him what is going on in our lives, just as we would with our friends. So we do a lot of chatting.

Recently God has been showing me and telling me about His love. He has been telling me how the worst of things He can use for the best of things. He has been totally reaffirming that my past is behind me and while it shapes who I am, it doesn't limit the future he has for me.

But I need a lot of work on the listening end, I sure can talk, but I need to spend more time being silent and listening. Its a tough habit to break, but God is helping me

[sparrow]

God has been reassuring me recently, over something I'm struggling with. He's just been subtely letting me know he's there for me, holding my hand as I struggle to triumph. Praise God :)

[SUNSTONE]

Have I ever heard a physical voice? No
Do I believe that God does actually speak in the physical? Yes

Its in the bible in several places, like when Jesus was baptized.

I do hear from God, but through the Holy Spirit, alot. Sometimes its this super peacefull feeling that comes over me, most of the time its not very intense.The main thing is the thoughts that come with it. God has on several times kept me up all night talking to me. I have to literally tell Him to let me get some sleep. 8)

[SnuP]

Right now?

God is saying to me, "Come away, come away with me."

He frequently says this to me.

He is also telling me that I will find a release from my desire to be affirmed in my quite time with Him. And that my need to be accepted and affirmed is actually something that He created in me for Him to meet, so that the relationship that we have can go to deeper levels then any human relationship can possible go.

He is telling me that he wants to wisper things in my ear, to tell me misteries. Misteries that can shake the church, and bring His people home. He is telling me that He has called me to be His child, and to help others to actually be His children in experience rather then just in name.

He is telling me that he longs for me, even more then my wife, even more then I long for Him, or her. That His desire for me is greater than I can imagine.

Right now... God is calling me away, away to His secret garden, where He can pour His love out on me again. I got to go.

[SpiritPsalmist]

Wow SnuP, this is pretty much the same stuff God is telling me too.

Just this morning, as I was dashing toward the CD player to turn it off and run out the door to someplace I had to go, the Lord stopped me in the middle of the living room and said, "Dance with Me". I could have rushed on but the song playing was Brian Doerkson's, "I love You Jesus". I made a sudden stop and just stood there for a moment and then I raised my hands toward Him and began to sing to Him and dance with Him. It was an awesome few moments.

He constantly is calling me to come away with Him. And the same as with you, my need to be accepted and affirmed can only be throughly met in and through and of Him. Nobody else can meet what He created for only His manifest presense to meet.

He is sooooo awesome and He love's us and His desire is toward us.http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/heartpump.gif

[sbbqb7n16]

oh, i so like this thread, great question!

Is God talking to me? All the time, do I hear him? Not as often as I should. I need to work on listening, I am not great at that.

God likes us to talk to Him and tell him what is going on in our lives, just as we would with our friends. So we do a lot of chatting.

Recently God has been showing me and telling me about His love. He has been telling me how the worst of things He can use for the best of things. He has been totally reaffirming that my past is behind me and while it shapes who I am, it doesn't limit the future he has for me.

But I need a lot of work on the listening end, I sure can talk, but I need to spend more time being silent and listening. Its a tough habit to break, but God is helping me

First off... GO UT!!!!! lol and second off... maybe you should ask Him sometime how you can make yourself more available to hear from Him. I'm sure that He has great ideas about all that :D

And I would encourage you to do as much chatting with Him as possible... you ever notice how when two people spend a lot of time together they start acting alike?? :)

[sbbqb7n16]

God has been reassuring me recently, over something I'm struggling with. He's just been subtely letting me know he's there for me, holding my hand as I struggle to triumph. Praise God :)
You seem to have it down pretty good then.... "Praise God" that's all you ever need :D I'm so glad you know He's helping you through all your troubles... maybe read Psalm 23? I know it's a common Psalm.. but still reassuring!

Have a great day!

[sbbqb7n16]

Have I ever heard a physical voice? No
Do I believe that God does actually speak in the physical? Yes

Its in the bible in several places, like when Jesus was baptized.

I do hear from God, but through the Holy Spirit, alot. Sometimes its this super peacefull feeling that comes over me, most of the time its not very intense.The main thing is the thoughts that come with it. God has on several times kept me up all night talking to me. I have to literally tell Him to let me get some sleep. 8)
As long as you're hearing one way or another. What do you mean by "through the Holy Spirit" ? Is that like the peaceful feeling

And I don'tknow if I'd even tryto get sleep if He was talking to me (He doesn't right now by divine withholding) Maybe that's just me....

What does He talk to you about?

Well Have great day!

[BigToe]

hehe yes Go UT! God even tells me that :) Since he is the one that told me to transfer here heh.

So is God telling you anything? When you do talk with Him what does he say?

What is cool is when I am talking with a friend and realize that God is talking through them. I love how God uses people to reach out to others, isn't he good?

[singonly4him]

God is amazing, and He DOES speak to me, in very real and undeniable ways. For so long I racked my brain wondering where on earth God was in all the midst of my life. Then he showed up in a major way to me at church camp recently, and I just HAD to ask the question, why now? Lord, why not before when I was in the middle of chaos? And he showed me Matthew 5:8-Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! It was not until I confessed and gave all the filth in my life to Him that he spoke to me. I asked for clean hands and a pure heart, and God showed up! Is an unclean impurity making a bridge between you and God? Could that be why we sometimes feel so distant, because of our sin??
Diana
oh by the way hehe God told me to commit my life to Him entirely, and two weeks later I am leading praise and worship at my new church!






Hey there! I'm starting this thread in my campaign of the awareness of the voice of God... and I felt that the Charismatic Movement thread would be the best place to start it up. Why? I've heard more of a focus on a higher level of relationship with God coming through joining the Charismatic movement (Yes I know there can be a high level of intimacy outside of the movement - don't get me wrong... it's not that kind of thread) So here's where the rubber meets the road!

SnuP (which ironically is PunS backward lol) opened a thread on your relationship with God. Relationships develop through communication (primarily). So here goes:

What is God saying to you right now? Is He saying anything? Are you listening?

Now if it's too personal and you dont feel comfortable sharing that's fine we'll all understand. But for those who are recieving specific instructions or just enjoying chatting with God... please post and share what God is doing because we'd all love to hear (at least I know I would) :D :D

[JesusServant]

Man I need more time to fellowship with you all. This is good stuff.

Pray for me that I have more time to fellowship here with you all. The world is distracting me lately. :(

[superdave]

God speaks... in all kinds of ways... he speaks to me- when I ask questions like, "What can I do about this?", "Why isn't this happening"- and most of the time... God reveals things in my heart. Most of the time God speaks through the word and through people.

[SpiritPsalmist]

Here's a new twist on the "Footprints" story. I though it might go good here.

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of
zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns.

For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends!

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints, that once etched the sand next to
Jesus', are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, safely you and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints; they have become one.

This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray:

"Lord, I understand the first scene with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But
you walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you."

"That is correct."

"... and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps;
followed you very closely."

"Very good. You have understood everything so far."

"... when the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like you in every way."

"Precisely."

"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."

There is a pause as the Lord answers with a smile in his voice. "You didn't know? That was when we danced."

[sbbqb7n16]

Well let's add onto all this....

what are ways that you prepare yourself to hear His voice? Is it always there? How do you settle yourself down to hear?

[Andrew]

God speaks to us in basically 3 ways:

1. Audible voice (very rare, perhaps once or twice in your lifetime).

2. Still small voice (something like 1. but inwardly, but also rarely, maybe 5-10% of the time).

3. Inward witness or 'knowing' or impression or promptings (this is the chief way God speaks to us today, probably 99% of the time).

Based on 3. God speaks to us everyday. So, it's not once-in-a-blue-moon -- after days of repenting/cleaning up -- that God shows up and says something to us.

Why 3? and not so much 1. as in the OT?
Becos we are now so close to God thru/in Christ! -- One spirit with his Spirit! Inter-twined like the vine and branches! Have you seen the vine and branches of grapes, they are not separated out, but closely intertwined.

An example of 3 is this: Suppose you have an urge to call up a brother you have not spoken to for sometime. Well, that's God speaking to you. Or, something in your gut just tells you not to take this flight, you perceive (like Paul did) that the journey would be perilous and dangerous.

Again, that's God's Spirit in your spirit witnessing to your spirit. Its a knowing, not a voice.

I'm not against voices but I strongly believe the Christian should not be looking for voices. Many have gone flaky hearing voices all the time.

Personally, I have never heard God speak audibly to me b4. So far its been 3.

Finally, whatever God 'says', it should line up with his written Word. :)

[SpiritPsalmist]

Well let's add onto all this....

what are ways that you prepare yourself to hear His voice? Is it always there? How do you settle yourself down to hear?

Well, I try to stay in a position of always hearing His voice. The best way for me though is praying in tongues. It gets my mind focused in the right direction and then I'm able to sense more of what the Spirit is doing.

I do believe He always directing me in some way. I hear Him and I'm learning to respond immediately instead of the game we all tend to play; is that You God or is that just me? More people need to get out of that habit.

[SnuP]

I just change my focus from the cares of daily living, onto the Most High, and suddenly I'm tuned into a heavenly broadcast. God all day, all the time. WGOD. Praying in the spirit really helps as does quite worship.

It is so easy to get up in the cares of life. I am looking forward to the day that nothing else can captivate me but my love for Yeshua.

The bishop spoke about intimacy today and how that intence comunion, teaches you how to understand the timing of God. It was GOOD. Unfortunately I didn't learn anything new, but it was good just the same. (Just alittle pride there) God has been good to me.

Also the worship was intense today. Just powerful. I'm standing in the sound booth and waves of God are just pouring from the front. Man, I love my job (sound man) I'm the one responcible for making sure that the anointing has a mic. LOL Life is good.

[JesseB.]

To me, His voice is as soft as a light breeze on a windy day...

[SnuP]

wow, I said that before cool

[BigToe]

what do i do to listen to God? hmm its different really. I think it is more of what desire God puts in my heart for the means to receive his message. Sometimes just being alone is what he wants, anywhere. Sometimes I go sit outside alone or go to a worship service. Sometimes reading the Bible first or doing a little reading in another book or listening to music (and sometimes not even Christian music). God has great things to tell us, and like when we tell friends things there is a good way to tell some things that might not be so well told a different way. (hmm i hope that wasnt too confusing). sometimes God simply wants to go on a "date" with me. Those are the best talks we have!

[abm]

God speaks to us in basically 3 ways:

1. Audible voice (very rare, perhaps once or twice in your lifetime).

2. Still small voice (something like 1. but inwardly, but also rarely, maybe 5-10% of the time).

3. Inward witness or 'knowing' or impression or promptings (this is the chief way God speaks to us today, probably 99% of the time).


I heard one time that 99.12453% of all statistics are made up on the spot. Most un-scientific statistics are bassed upon personal experience, or sometimes educated guesses.

Point number 1, the audible voice, which you say is very rare, is not nearly as rare as people might think. It is just not openly talked about.

I have only heard the audible voice of God once, but it was an experence that I will not soon forget. It was very intament, very direct, and it knocked me to the ground before I knew what was happening.

My grandfather, who has dedicated his life to prayer (4, 6, sometimes 8 hours a day!!! wow!) ragularly hears the audible voice of God. He is always dissapointed if God audibly talks to him 2 or 3 times a month, because he is used to every night. But, God, in His soverenty desides how much He will talk.

If God speaks to my grandpa when you are in the room various things happen. Sometimes it's just a sweet presence, other times you are thrown to the ground along with my grandpa. It's an amazing experence just being around such a man of God.

(Note: God does not always knock you down when He audibly speaks, but He does when He wants to get your attention.)

I know that most people that will read this will react in one of two ways. Ether they will say it just doesn't happen today, or they will wish they too, can hear the voice of God.

It is not as dificult as you may think to be in a place that God will accually audibly talk to you. All you have to do is accually serve Him, and spend time with Him. Not just spend a few min a day in prayer, but give Him entire days. Take a weekend and spend it fasting and praying . . . even if you do not hear anything. Do it often, do it every chance you can . . . and He will talk to you too!!!

[Andrew]

I heard one time that 99.12453% of all statistics are made up on the spot. Most un-scientific statistics are bassed upon personal experience, or sometimes educated guesses.


The percentages are just figurative to help one understnd, not to be taken literally as based on some scientific research.

Your grandfather's case is certainly unique, compared to the majority of Christians. You yourself have said that you have only heard the audible voice of God once, so far.

My point is simply that 3 is the norm today for the average Christian. This shld encourage them as it means that God does speak to them, just not in the way the expect ie voices, whether outside or inside.

I also forgot to add that God speaks to us mainly thru his Word. :)

[Blade]

Amen if we would just take the time. Well he has been saying alot to me but mostly, and we all know this is he keeps say to me "I am coming". He is saying it ALOT. I have never heard a audible voice. I will be very happy with that one that calls us home :D

[MyangelDems]

The percentages are just figurative to help one understnd, not to be taken literally as based on some scientific research.

Your grandfather's case is certainly unique, compared to the majority of Christians. You yourself have said that you have only heard the audible voice of God once, so far.

My point is simply that 3 is the norm today for the average Christian. This shld encourage them as it means that God does speak to them, just not in the way the expect ie voices, whether outside or inside.

I also forgot to add that God speaks to us mainly thru his Word. :)

Gosh...always knew i wasnt average....i primarily experience the 2nd choice you threw out there I think. I'm not entirely sure considering that to me it sounds the same as if I were speaking with someone directly in front of me. How then do you distinguish from audible and non-audible? The bible does say that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...it never makes mention of the bible though? The bible is the Word that you are speaking of, but I dunno if the bible is God?

[sbbqb7n16]

Gosh...always knew i wasnt average....i primarily experience the 2nd choice you threw out there I think. I'm not entirely sure considering that to me it sounds the same as if I were speaking with someone directly in front of me. How then do you distinguish from audible and non-audible? The bible does say that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...it never makes mention of the bible though? The bible is the Word that you are speaking of, but I dunno if the bible is God?
Why not just ask God if it is or not... whatever He says goes :D

[PrayerMist]

Wow, well, God has told me sooo many things!!

He is calling me to be a prophet.

Oh, and he said that next year Im going to be winessing to many people and my school is going to be under the power of God!!!

[hal weeks]

Although it has taken almost 25 years for me to experience an ongoing intimacey that is like being constantly online with Him. God -- the Holy Spirit -- has no doubt "spoken" to me all my ife but I was not aware of it.
the first time I heard Him and realized it was Him was when I was first baptize in the Holy Spirit, 26 years ago. There does not seem to be anything to trivial for Him to respond to.
I am now 90.

[calisa]

God most definitely speaks to me... usually while I'm praying or reading His Word... there are occasions when He shows me He's doing somethin in my life through circumstances or various themes (His love, majesty, grace) He seems to be pointing out during my day.

Blessings! :)

[Andrew]

How then do you distinguish from audible and non-audible? The bible does say that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...it never makes mention of the bible though? The bible is the Word that you are speaking of, but I dunno if the bible is God?

well, the audible voice is supposed to be very clear and sometimes loud. It is as though someone called you and you turned around to see who it was.

the still small voice is very quiet and gentle in is inside you, like in your head o heart.

that's the best way I can explain it from what I've read. the person who taught this is Kenneth E Hagin.

I've never heard the audible voice of God. Still small voice, perhaps -- I'm still learning.

most of the time for me it is the 3rd method (inward witness/leading for a few days/weeks) or through the Bible, ie a certain verse or word "speaks" to me uniquely for my particular situation.

a lot of times it has been through my pastor's preaching too. It's as though someone told him what was going on in my life, and my wife and I look at each other kind of surprised. and we know God is speaking to us about what just happened this morning or yesterday. :)