The Spoken Word of God - Part Two
Last week we introduced the concept of the “spoken” word of God – I introduced you to the word “rhema” which means God’s spoken word.
We learned that we have to learn to distinguish between the various voices in our hearts…
• Satan
• Intellect
• Will
• The Holy Spirit
We learned that God wants us to step out complete dependency of cognitive, analytical approaches to God and to willingly move into the heart – which requires that we be open to spontaneity. God bringing to mind ideas that express His heart to our heart!
• This is the voice of God: a chance idea that intersects your mind, not flowing from the normal processes, but simply appearing in your heart.
• This is the voice of God – an idea from God lighting upon your heart and being registered in your mind as a spontaneous thought.
The first time this happened to me it was like Christmas morning! He was talking to me! He was talking to me! There was an old song we used to sing when I was a kid: “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!” That’s what I’m talking about!
But, if you are going to hear the voice of God – you’ve got to embrace spontaneity! God does not jump through our soulish hoops to speak to us, we’ve got to open our hearts to His Holy Spirit in order to hear Him speak!
So – what does God’s voice sound like?
1. His voice is like a love song.
1. His voice is light and gentle, easily drowned out by soulish exertion.
1. He frequently speaks in the first person.
1. His voice takes me to higher levels.
1. His voice excites.
1. His voice brings power to do what is needed.
1. His voice is like a love song.
When he speaks, he speaks as a lover speaks to his beloved. He is tender, compassionate, and very much for you!
At the baptism of Jesus – God spoke:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:1
The Song of Solomon is an allegory of love between a husband and wife – but also between God and His people. God lovingly invites, entices and welcomes us to Himself…
“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me... show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” Song of Solomon 2:10, 14
This is quite different than our fearful belief that if God were to speak He’d be like a Middle School Principal scolding wayward students! Or a harsh parochial school nun ruling with an iron first!
Even when God speaks words of correction- they are gentle and loving!
Paul wrote in Romans that it is
“…God’s kindness leads you towards repentance.” Romans 2:4
You need not fear the voice of the Lord anymore than you’d fear the words of someone who really loves you! His voice is like a love song – which is why we are to be worshippers –
How do you respond to love – love back! Driving down the freeway singing of His praises! Going through the workday – giving praise in every moment of the day! Turn off talk radio and love God!
Paul McCartney sang a song called “silly little love songs” where he responds to the people who were critical of him for not being more like John Lennon. Many Christians are critical of other Christians who just want to worship and sing ‘silly little love songs’ to God – and let me respond to that: There is nothing more important ‘to do’ than to express your love in return to Him!
You want to hear God? Join in the love song!
1. His voice is light and gentle, easily drowned out by soulish exertion.
If I interrupt the spontaneous flow with my own analytical thoughts or self will, God will not try to out shout me or speak above the noise. As a man who is seeking to become truly Spiritual, I’ve got to discipline my mind, will, emotions and body to be subject to the authority of the Holy Spirit living within.
Psalms 46:10 tells us what to do:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” Psalms 46:10
The Hebrew word for ‘still’ is “rawpha” and it means to sink, let down, relax, to go slack!
When you are listening to God – and when you start to get ahead of Him in mind, will or emotions – simply say to your self: “Be still! God is speaking!” and then pray: “Holy Spirit, help me be still, for I long to hear from you!”
Thirdly…
1. His voice is highly personal.
What I’ve discovered as I’ve tuned into spontaneity, is the frequently when God speaks He’ll use my name: “Doug…” and then off He’ll go. If you were to read my journals, you’d see that frequently when He begins to speak to me, it begins with “Doug…”
This makes perfect sense – for God is a Person desiring a personal relationship with His people.
Jesus said:
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30
Don’t you think He knows your name?
He said to Moses in Exodus 33…
“I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17
Isn’t it thrilling to know that He knows your name and isn’t afraid to use it! God’s voice is highly personal!
1. His voice takes me to higher places.
Let me explain: When my soul is in control, my prayers, thoughts and attitudes are frequently pretty mediocre. “God help me with this, help me with that… I’m worried about this, that and the the other thing…”
But when the voice of God comes – it always takes me to higher places! His voice is more merciful than mine! His voice is more discerning than mine! His voice gets to the root issues while my mind is still running around in circles in circumstantial confusion!
When God speaks, He lifts.
When God speaks, He points to a higher way, to more pure motives, to better responses!
Do you know why?
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9
When the voice is from God, you can rest assured that it will take you higher – never lower!
Which leads us to #5 -
1. His voice excites.
And how could it not! To realize that you are so connected with God that you are now – beyond a shadow of a doubt – hearing His voice – how could this not thrill us to the core of our being!?
When God speaks, He brings with His voice a special sense of excitement, conviction, faith, vibrancy, awe and peace!
When you know that you know that you know that it is the Lord who is speaking, you’ll find that your body, soul and spirit will respond differently than to any other voice! I have had experiences where I feel my heart racing, my body feels like electricity is flowing through it, my mind sees more clearly – why? Because I am in the Presence of the Lord!
In Isaiah 66:2 God says:
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2
The voice of God excites. In an age of cynicism and doubt – hearing the voice of God makes you young again – filled with hope and excitement about what He is saying to you!
And then, lastly…
2. His voice provides the power to do what is needed.
When God speaks – and when He directs, He also provides. He gives you the power to do what needs doing.
Jesus said:
“My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” Matthew 11:30
It is only easy and light when we are living in the power of the Holy Spirit. But when God speaks – and when He leads – He provides what is needed. Even if He gives a hard assignment, He provides what you need, exactly when you need it.
Jesus speaks to Paul and to us:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Corinthians 12:9
When Moses heard the voice of the Lord – Moses was empowered to bring the slaves of Israel out of captivity in Egypt and to the Promised Land!
When Gideon heard the voice of the Lord – Gideon was empowered to fight with an army of 300 against an army 1000 times as large and win!
When Peter heard the voice of the Lord – Peter was empowered to preach the Gospel to tens of thousands gathered in the Temple courtyards and at least 3000 men were saved that day!
When I heard the voice of the Lord – I was empowered to stand my ground and fight on behalf of this church!
CONCLUSION:
• When you hear the voice of the Lord – you will be empowered to do what He tells you to do! When He tells you to forgive the person who hurt you, you will.
• When He tells you to love your enemy, you will.
• When He tells you to stay in that marriage and fight for it, you will.
• When He tells you to stay in that church and serve, you will.
Because what we are all looking for is the power of God in our lives. And the power of God comes as we hear the voice of the Lord.
LAST WEEK, I gave you an assignment to journal – asking God to speak as you wrote.
This week, I give you another assignment – do it again. And listen. Listen for a voice that…
1. is like a love song.
2. is light and gentle.
3. speaks in the first person.
4. takes you to higher levels.
5. excites.
6. brings power to do what is needed.
We learned that we have to learn to distinguish between the various voices in our hearts…
• Satan
• Intellect
• Will
• The Holy Spirit
We learned that God wants us to step out complete dependency of cognitive, analytical approaches to God and to willingly move into the heart – which requires that we be open to spontaneity. God bringing to mind ideas that express His heart to our heart!
• This is the voice of God: a chance idea that intersects your mind, not flowing from the normal processes, but simply appearing in your heart.
• This is the voice of God – an idea from God lighting upon your heart and being registered in your mind as a spontaneous thought.
The first time this happened to me it was like Christmas morning! He was talking to me! He was talking to me! There was an old song we used to sing when I was a kid: “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!” That’s what I’m talking about!
But, if you are going to hear the voice of God – you’ve got to embrace spontaneity! God does not jump through our soulish hoops to speak to us, we’ve got to open our hearts to His Holy Spirit in order to hear Him speak!
So – what does God’s voice sound like?
1. His voice is like a love song.
1. His voice is light and gentle, easily drowned out by soulish exertion.
1. He frequently speaks in the first person.
1. His voice takes me to higher levels.
1. His voice excites.
1. His voice brings power to do what is needed.
1. His voice is like a love song.
When he speaks, he speaks as a lover speaks to his beloved. He is tender, compassionate, and very much for you!
At the baptism of Jesus – God spoke:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:1
The Song of Solomon is an allegory of love between a husband and wife – but also between God and His people. God lovingly invites, entices and welcomes us to Himself…
“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me... show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” Song of Solomon 2:10, 14
This is quite different than our fearful belief that if God were to speak He’d be like a Middle School Principal scolding wayward students! Or a harsh parochial school nun ruling with an iron first!
Even when God speaks words of correction- they are gentle and loving!
Paul wrote in Romans that it is
“…God’s kindness leads you towards repentance.” Romans 2:4
You need not fear the voice of the Lord anymore than you’d fear the words of someone who really loves you! His voice is like a love song – which is why we are to be worshippers –
How do you respond to love – love back! Driving down the freeway singing of His praises! Going through the workday – giving praise in every moment of the day! Turn off talk radio and love God!
Paul McCartney sang a song called “silly little love songs” where he responds to the people who were critical of him for not being more like John Lennon. Many Christians are critical of other Christians who just want to worship and sing ‘silly little love songs’ to God – and let me respond to that: There is nothing more important ‘to do’ than to express your love in return to Him!
You want to hear God? Join in the love song!
1. His voice is light and gentle, easily drowned out by soulish exertion.
If I interrupt the spontaneous flow with my own analytical thoughts or self will, God will not try to out shout me or speak above the noise. As a man who is seeking to become truly Spiritual, I’ve got to discipline my mind, will, emotions and body to be subject to the authority of the Holy Spirit living within.
Psalms 46:10 tells us what to do:
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” Psalms 46:10
The Hebrew word for ‘still’ is “rawpha” and it means to sink, let down, relax, to go slack!
When you are listening to God – and when you start to get ahead of Him in mind, will or emotions – simply say to your self: “Be still! God is speaking!” and then pray: “Holy Spirit, help me be still, for I long to hear from you!”
Thirdly…
1. His voice is highly personal.
What I’ve discovered as I’ve tuned into spontaneity, is the frequently when God speaks He’ll use my name: “Doug…” and then off He’ll go. If you were to read my journals, you’d see that frequently when He begins to speak to me, it begins with “Doug…”
This makes perfect sense – for God is a Person desiring a personal relationship with His people.
Jesus said:
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30
Don’t you think He knows your name?
He said to Moses in Exodus 33…
“I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17
Isn’t it thrilling to know that He knows your name and isn’t afraid to use it! God’s voice is highly personal!
1. His voice takes me to higher places.
Let me explain: When my soul is in control, my prayers, thoughts and attitudes are frequently pretty mediocre. “God help me with this, help me with that… I’m worried about this, that and the the other thing…”
But when the voice of God comes – it always takes me to higher places! His voice is more merciful than mine! His voice is more discerning than mine! His voice gets to the root issues while my mind is still running around in circles in circumstantial confusion!
When God speaks, He lifts.
When God speaks, He points to a higher way, to more pure motives, to better responses!
Do you know why?
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8, 9
When the voice is from God, you can rest assured that it will take you higher – never lower!
Which leads us to #5 -
1. His voice excites.
And how could it not! To realize that you are so connected with God that you are now – beyond a shadow of a doubt – hearing His voice – how could this not thrill us to the core of our being!?
When God speaks, He brings with His voice a special sense of excitement, conviction, faith, vibrancy, awe and peace!
When you know that you know that you know that it is the Lord who is speaking, you’ll find that your body, soul and spirit will respond differently than to any other voice! I have had experiences where I feel my heart racing, my body feels like electricity is flowing through it, my mind sees more clearly – why? Because I am in the Presence of the Lord!
In Isaiah 66:2 God says:
“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2
The voice of God excites. In an age of cynicism and doubt – hearing the voice of God makes you young again – filled with hope and excitement about what He is saying to you!
And then, lastly…
2. His voice provides the power to do what is needed.
When God speaks – and when He directs, He also provides. He gives you the power to do what needs doing.
Jesus said:
“My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” Matthew 11:30
It is only easy and light when we are living in the power of the Holy Spirit. But when God speaks – and when He leads – He provides what is needed. Even if He gives a hard assignment, He provides what you need, exactly when you need it.
Jesus speaks to Paul and to us:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 1 Corinthians 12:9
When Moses heard the voice of the Lord – Moses was empowered to bring the slaves of Israel out of captivity in Egypt and to the Promised Land!
When Gideon heard the voice of the Lord – Gideon was empowered to fight with an army of 300 against an army 1000 times as large and win!
When Peter heard the voice of the Lord – Peter was empowered to preach the Gospel to tens of thousands gathered in the Temple courtyards and at least 3000 men were saved that day!
When I heard the voice of the Lord – I was empowered to stand my ground and fight on behalf of this church!
CONCLUSION:
• When you hear the voice of the Lord – you will be empowered to do what He tells you to do! When He tells you to forgive the person who hurt you, you will.
• When He tells you to love your enemy, you will.
• When He tells you to stay in that marriage and fight for it, you will.
• When He tells you to stay in that church and serve, you will.
Because what we are all looking for is the power of God in our lives. And the power of God comes as we hear the voice of the Lord.
LAST WEEK, I gave you an assignment to journal – asking God to speak as you wrote.
This week, I give you another assignment – do it again. And listen. Listen for a voice that…
1. is like a love song.
2. is light and gentle.
3. speaks in the first person.
4. takes you to higher levels.
5. excites.
6. brings power to do what is needed.
posted by Doug Love at 6:17 PM
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