Recognizing "The Voice of God"

[Starman3000m]

Question: "How can we recognize the voice of God?"

Answer: This question has been asked by countless people throughout the ages. Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed by Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Gideon had a physical revelation from God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times (Judges 6:17-22, 36-40). When we are listening for God's voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking? First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to read, study, and meditate on. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it. God will never lead us or direct us contrary to what He has taught or promised in His Word (Titus 1:2).

Second, to hear God's voice we must recognize it. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him—those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice, because they know Him as their Shepherd and they know His voice. If we are to recognize God's voice, we must belong to Him.

Third, we hear His voice when we spend time in prayer, Bible study, and quiet contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake. We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when God does speak to us or lead us, it is clear that it is God. God speaks to us so that we may understand truth. While God can speak audibly to people, He speaks primarily through His Word, and sometimes through the Holy Spirit to our consciences, through circumstances, and through other people. By applying what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize His voice.
Bible Questions Answered

 

[hotcoffee]

See... I knew He was talking....

I know there are some of the readers in this forum who will say that I am just insane... but I have to say... I am hearing Him

I love the verse Jeremiah 33:3. God says "Just ask me! I tell you things that you can't learn anywhere else!" I'm paraphrasing of course.

Since I believe that the Bible is the "Word" of God, I believe that when I read, God gives me the interpretation. I don't want for a priest or a preacher for translation... I listen to what the Spirit gives me.

Lately He's been telling me that there is a task for me. I'm just not getting the direct order that instructs me to do it.... is it to give hope to the homeless [after all He was with me when I was homeless]. Is it to tell people the End is Near and they should Repent? After all, the calendars are all ending in about 2 years. Is it to share the fact that God will speak to you once you have a relationship with Him.

I love my Lord Jesus Christ. I'm asking you.... do you think He talks to us today?

 

[Starman3000m]

See... I knew He was talking....

I know there are some of the readers in this forum who will say that I am just insane... but I have to say... I am hearing Him

I love the verse Jeremiah 33:3. God says "Just ask me! I tell you things that you can't learn anywhere else!" I'm paraphrasing of course.

Since I believe that the Bible is the "Word" of God, I believe that when I read, God gives me the interpretation. I don't want for a priest or a preacher for translation... I listen to what the Spirit gives me.

Lately He's been telling me that there is a task for me. I'm just not getting the direct order that instructs me to do it.... is it to give hope to the homeless [after all He was with me when I was homeless]. Is it to tell people the End is Near and they should Repent? After all, the calendars are all ending in about 2 years. Is it to share the fact that God will speak to you once you have a relationship with Him.

I love my Lord Jesus Christ. I'm asking you.... do you think He talks to us today?

Here's one of my favorite verses:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)


Yes, hotcoffee, God still speaks to us through the Divine Intervention of His Holy Spirit and will guide you along the path that He wants you to walk with Him. We are to just place sincere trust in God above all and He will answer according to His Will and purpose for your life. I am glad that you have placed your faith in Christ and as He has promised, He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5-6) Here are some other verses that may help:

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)

 

[thatguy]

Question: "How can we recognize the voice of God?"

Answer: This question has been asked by countless people throughout the ages. Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed by Eli (1 Samuel 3:1-10). Gideon had a physical revelation from God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times (Judges 6:17-22, 36-40). When we are listening for God's voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking? First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to read, study, and meditate on. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it. God will never lead us or direct us contrary to what He has taught or promised in His Word (Titus 1:2).

Second, to hear God's voice we must recognize it. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him—those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice, because they know Him as their Shepherd and they know His voice. If we are to recognize God's voice, we must belong to Him.

Third, we hear His voice when we spend time in prayer, Bible study, and quiet contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to spot a fake. We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when God does speak to us or lead us, it is clear that it is God. God speaks to us so that we may understand truth. While God can speak audibly to people, He speaks primarily through His Word, and sometimes through the Holy Spirit to our consciences, through circumstances, and through other people. By applying what we hear to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize His voice.
Bible Questions Answered

you know, you dont do much for your argument of standing by the book and only the word of the book when you post this stuff that "references" the bible. Your posted "anwser" is no more than religious doctrine not found in the bible. I point to the interpretation of titus 1.2 as the glaring example. THe author represents this as a quote of scripture when the actual passage is only loosly related to the authors point.
what you have postd is simply the doctrine of your beleive presented in an "interpretation of the bible". sounds awfully familar to those you accuse of walking down the wrong path.

Additionally, the fully passage in judges clearly talks to god presenting himself to gideon as an angle. somehting you claimed was impossible when you were discussing joseph smith. seems like your own denominational dogma is contradicted by what is actually in the book.

 

[Starman3000m]

you know, you dont do much for your argument of standing by the book and only the word of the book when you post this stuff that "references" the bible. Your posted "anwser" is no more than religious doctrine not found in the bible. I point to the interpretation of titus 1.2 as the glaring example. THe author represents this as a quote of scripture when the actual passage is only loosly related to the authors point.
what you have postd is simply the doctrine of your beleive presented in an "interpretation of the bible". sounds awfully familar to those you accuse of walking down the wrong path.

Additionally, the fully passage in judges clearly talks to god presenting himself to gideon as an angle. somehting you claimed was impossible when you were discussing joseph smith. seems like your own denominational dogma is contradicted by what is actually in the book.

What I stated about being "impossible" in regard to Joseph Smith was that God is invisible (God is a Spirit - John 4:24) but, Jesus would be able to appear and be seen in His Resurrected form. If God and Jesus are the same, He would have appeared in the form of only One person, not two personages as claimed by Joseph Smith. Therefore, Smith's claim contradicts the New Testament teachings that God and Jesus are ONE - not two "individual" personages.


Additonally, since you keep referring to Joseph Smith's teachings:

The New Testament proclaims that the shed blood of Christ is sufficient to cleanse us from unrighteousness while Mormon teaching claims Christ's Atonement is really only limited;

The New Testament proclaims that church leaders should be the husband of one wife while fundamental Mormon teaching encouraged polygamy.

The New Testament proclaims that there are no marriages in heaven while Mormon teaching claims righteous Mormon men will be married to many wives in the celestial heaven, and be the "god" of their own planet.

The New Testament proclaims that Satan is a created being ( now a fallen angel) that rebelled against God while Mormonism teaches that Jesus and Satan are "spirit brothers"

The point is: The Holy Bible is the Standard by which one can see if any religion is preaching the Truth about Jesus and one's eternal destiny, or whether "another Gospel" is claiming to be the truth. All organized religions will lay claim to be the right church but the fact remains the same no matter what: There Is Only One Truth.

 

[ItalianScallion]

Lately He's been telling me that there is a task for me. I'm just not getting the direct order that instructs me to do it....
After all, the calendars are all ending in about 2 years.

Just do what you think He's telling you to do. If it's wrong, He'll stop you; if it's ok, He'll guide you forward. No need to "fleece" God. If your feeling is strong, it's probably ok. When God speaks to me, what He wants is very clear. Everything happens soo easily and events fall right into place.

Explain that last line please; "the calendars ALL end in about 2 years"? :shrug:

 

[hotcoffee]

You misunderstand. When God speaks to me it's plain.

A few years ago He wanted me to go back to church. In the dream He said the words "I want you to take Dani to church". When I woke the next morning the directive was plain. Take Dani to church. I talked it over with my husband, we discussed the closest church, and I went in to change before changind Dani.

I decided that maybe I could watch church on TV that week and then go to TV the next week. The preacher on the TV turned to the camera that split second and said "I said go to church!".

So I turned off the TV and went to church. Now, there are several of Dani's friends that still think of me as the "Sunday School Teacher" they can talk to about things.

I know there's something He wants me to do. Just like I knew there was something He wanted me to do before He told me to "take Dani to church". He just hasn't told me what He wants me to do yet.

Thanks for helping me clear that up. Until I wrote it down I had forgotten the clarity of His voice.

So now I'm going to ask you, why did you start this thread????

 

[Starman3000m]

...So now I'm going to ask you, why did you start this thread????

In God's way, He wanted this to be discussed. Let me explain:

- At 2:28 pm on 12/03/10, hotcoffee (you) began a new thread titled "Do you ever feel like..."

- Shortly thereafter, I sign on to the somd forum board (as usual) and notice the title to the new thread you started. I read it and then moved on to other threads with the intent to get back later to participate in your thread.

- After moving on to read other threads, I signed off of the somd forums and about an hour later I signed on to the Internet and went to check my e-mail.

- Among all my e-mail messages was the article that pertained to Recognizing the Voice of God. Coincidence? I read through the article and what it stated was Biblical as it also addressed my own experience of hearing the voice of God.

- Then the thought came for me to post that article here on this somd forum. I began to have second thoughts about posting the article right then and felt that perhaps I would post it later that evening.

- I was ready to sign out of my e-mail but there came a "prompting" that I should not wait any longer but to post the article that moment.

- At 5:22 pm on 12/03/10 this thread began.

Yes, God still speaks to us in His own ways and His timing is always perfect; Not a moment too soon nor a moment too late. We can hear from God if we will just be still and know that He Is God.

Psalm 46:
1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2: Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3: Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4: There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6: The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7: The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8: Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9: He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10: Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11: The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

 

[hotcoffee]

I sincerely believe "the end is near".

I've seen those people prompted to preach those words. I've always felt a tug in my heart when I saw them. Then I felt that they were too early. I knew [in my heart] that there was at least a decade to go if not more.

Now I respect them. I feel that they are preaching a warning no less timely than Daniel reading the writing on the wall.

I've learned far more about the prophecies. Sunday Schools have started to teach them with clarity. Bible study groups are beginning to explain the connections between Daniel and Revolations. And the televisions shows are beginning to connect the Biblical with the historical.

The warnings are everywhere and people are searching for hope and healing. Now is the time! Now is the reason. This might be the last Christmas.... A new coming of the Lord may well be at hand.

 

[Starman3000m]

I sincerely believe "the end is near".

I've seen those people prompted to preach those words. I've always felt a tug in my heart when I saw them. Then I felt that they were too early. I knew [in my heart] that there was at least a decade to go if not more.

Now I respect them. I feel that they are preaching a warning no less timely than Daniel reading the writing on the wall.

I've learned far more about the prophecies. Sunday Schools have started to teach them with clarity. Bible study groups are beginning to explain the connections between Daniel and Revolations. And the televisions shows are beginning to connect the Biblical with the historical.

The warnings are everywhere and people are searching for hope and healing. Now is the time! Now is the reason. This might be the last Christmas.... A new coming of the Lord may well be at hand.

I also believe that we are entering into the beginning of perilous times greater than the world has ever known. If you are hearing / sensing God's stirring in your spirit it is a way that He is saying to us "Be Ready". The truth is, we always need to be ready and have our lives spiritually in order to be as close to God as possible, trusting Him in all things.

This discussion may lead to the start of another thread that specifically deals with the end-times prophecies and there we can cite specific verses from the Holy Bible that give us a hint of what to expect. For example:

- The world will adopt the system of a "cashless society"

- There will be an increase in strife and violence throughout the world;

- Natural disasters will increase throughout the world;

- The world governments will call for unification and the establishment of a One World Government and a One World Religion to control the populace of this earth;

- This will give rise to the leadership of an antichrist who will be "the one" that introduces a "peace treaty" that brings a halt to the problems in the Middle East which are primarily between Israel and the Arab world, etc.

- Perhaps this is the beginning of the end...

The point is that when God is tugging at a person's heart (inward spirit) it is best to respond and recognize that He is calling him/her to come to Him by faith and accept the Free Gift of Salvation that has been provided through the Atonement of Jesus Christ as written in the New Testament accounts.

For those who have received Christ as personal Lord and Saviour and are born-again believers, we can be assured that we are the Children of God by faith in Christ. We are always called to get even closer to the Lord in our spiritual walk each day and just be ready for whatever unfolds as we share with others how they too can be assured that God is not willing for them to perish. (2 Peter 3:9)

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

John, Chapter 3, verses:
14: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20: For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21: But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[onel0126]

Just do what you think He's telling you to do. If it's wrong, He'll stop you; if it's ok, He'll guide you forward. No need to "fleece" God. If your feeling is strong, it's probably ok. When God speaks to me, what He wants is very clear. Everything happens soo easily and events fall right into place.

You truly believe this--that God doesn't allow His followers to faulter?

 

[Starman3000m]

You truly believe this--that God doesn't allow His followers to faulter?

You are presenting a "free-will" choice that leads people to "falter" and be "misguided."

For example: If a person truly was abiding in following the lead of God, they would not falter at all - God does not lead people astray. However, they go astray out of disobedience and/or misinterpreting God's instructions.

When it comes to handling the Word of God, it is imperative that the leaders be held accountable for how they present the Truth of God, lest they are led astray and lead followers astray along with them. Thus, false teachings among pseudo-Christian denominations.

Well intended leaders of "Christian" denominations can also falter and when that happens the results become evident of what went wrong.

A good example from the Old Testament is when Moses "struck" the rock that poured forth water for the people instead of speaking to the rock as God had instructed him to do.

The problem was that Moses took the initiative to do his own thing on how he thought to interpret God's instructions. Sure, God could have told Moses to STOP - but God allowed him to falter and Moses also paid the consequences!

A person will not falter if they truly abide under the full control of God's Divine Guidance. God wants us to seek and rely solely on His Guidance at all times in our spiritual relationship with Him.

 

[thatguy]

When it comes to handling the Word of God, it is imperative that the leaders be held accountable for how they present the Truth of God, lest they are led astray and lead followers astray along with them. Thus, false teachings among pseudo-Christian denominations.

what is funny is that you continually cry about these so called false teachings among pseudo-christian denominations, in a thread that you started with a cut and paste denominational "interpretaion".

you should end all of your simlar posts with There is only one truth, the word of prophet S. Michael Houdmann

when i went to the site you linked, i saw a "statement of faith" with real nice references to the bible. However, when you actually read the references it is very clear that there has been a lot of interpretation. Almost everything was paraphrased to the point of being only loosely related to the actual texts. The site acts as a good example of a group that has cherry picked passages, interpreted them to fit their opinions, and represented this as the word of god when it is simply denominational teaching that are not really contained in the bible (at least not as represented).

 

[onel0126]

There is only one truth, the word of prophet S. Michael Houdmann

Not all evangelicals are in love with Houdmann.....

Got Questions S. Michael Houdmann Gets Skull Crossbones Award

 

[ItalianScallion]

You truly believe this--that God doesn't allow His followers to faulter?

Starman splained it very well. If I take a step in an honest effort to do God's will and I make a mistake, He will gently correct me. If I'm deliberately hardheaded and try to do things my way (as Moses did), God will allow me to falter. This is why I told hotcoffe to take a step in some direction. She wants to do God's will and, therefore, He will correct her if she makes a mistake.

 

[Starman3000m]

Not all evangelicals are in love with Houdmann.....

Got Questions S. Michael Houdmann Gets Skull Crossbones Award

Hmmm.. OK - so I went to the website that you gave as a reference and found out that the guy who gave out the "skull & bones award" was also a former Roman Catholic who had the following to say about the RCC:

"With nearly 1 billion people around the world embracing Roman Catholicism and their unique distinctive doctrines (Rosary, transubstantiation, Papal Infallibility), we all need to know, what that religious system teaches and how that compares to the word of God. The following Bible-based teachings should prove to be a great blessing for all who earnestly want to know the truth of God. Though I am a former Roman Catholic, more importantly I am now a Bible-defined Christian and a new creation, who has been changed by the power of God after I learned the truth as written in Scripture and acted upon that truth. The true plan of salvation, which sets one free from sin addictions is only found in the Bible! If you are a Catholic, for your own sake, carefully verify the following materials and change accordingly. Your eternal destiny depends upon it. God bless you all.

Dan Corner would like to debate any Catholic apologists or theologians
on the subject of Mary's role in salvation according to the Scriptures."



Former Roman Catholic Rosary Scapular Mother of God Fatima Saints

 

[thatguy]

Hmmm.. OK - so I went to the website that you gave as a reference and found out that the guy who gave out the "skull & bones award" was also a former Roman Catholic who had the following to say about the RCC:

Former Roman Catholic Rosary Scapular Mother of God Fatima Saints

Here is what he had to say about your one truth according to S. Michael Houdmann:

S. Michael Houdmann, the answer man behind Got Questions, teaches a license for immorality. While it might be true that S. Michael Houdmann has supplied thousands of answers to diverse questions, that doesn’t mean his answers are always Biblically sound or spiritually wholesome, especially when related to various salvation issues. I assure you, from the perspective of the Bible, they are not. (Many cults, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Church of Christ, etc. can answer questions too!)



In brief, Got Questions is a very influential and answer-giving once saved always saved group, which has undoubtedly misinformed thousands of precious souls seeking God’s truth. Its misleading answers regarding salvation issues are spiritual poison sprinkled throughout its ministry.

so hwat was that you were saying about denominational teachings not supported by the bible?

 

[Starman3000m]

Here is what he had to say about your one truth according to S. Michael Houdmann:


so hwat was that you were saying about denominational teachings not supported by the bible?

The articles I have posted from Bible Questions Answered have been scripturally based and correct in their message. Even the critic of S. Michael Houdmann admits that many are. However, I was not aware of the specific articles that may be questionable according to the critic and I will need to read them to see whether they are or they are not in agreement with the Holy Bible. Thanks for researching and bringing that to my attention. That is all part of getting to the Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth - so help us God.

In the final analysis - There Is Only One Truth. (John 14:6)

 

[thatguy]

The articles I have posted from Bible Questions Answered have been scripturally based and correct in their message. Even the critic of S. Michael Houdmann admits that many are. However, I was not aware of the specific articles that may be questionable according to the critic and I will need to read them to see whether they are or they are not in agreement with the Holy Bible. Thanks for researching and bringing that to my attention. That is all part of getting to the Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth - so help us God.

In the final analysis - There Is Only One Truth. (John 14:6)

according to who? I read them and i certainly dont think they are represented properly. I cited specifics, you know the titus reference. Additionally, the false teaching of your prophet S. Michael Houdmann are nothing more than denomiational teachings. Dont you see the conflict with your own prefessed stance that you only need the bible? I mean you make that claim all the while using some random guys book as the source of your "understanding and interpretaion" of the bible.

 

[Starman3000m]

according to who? I read them and i certainly dont think they are represented properly. I cited specifics, you know the titus reference. Additionally, the false teaching of your prophet S. Michael Houdmann are nothing more than denomiational teachings. Dont you see the conflict with your own prefessed stance that you only need the bible? I mean you make that claim all the while using some random guys book as the source of your "understanding and interpretaion" of the bible.

Sorry, but what I have presented is that the Holy Bible is the STANDARD by which other religions and "interpretations" should be compared to regarding The Truth about the Deity of Jesus Christ and the essential fundamentals of how to receive Salvation through Christ alone. When you compare all other religions to the Holy Bible you will find that they speak of a different Jesus, different set of rules for obtaining Salvation and pretty much say what you chide me about - They claim to be The Truth! Why are you not posting your complaints to the Catholic participants as well as the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, Moonies and Muslims who each all claim to have the right interpretation of God? Your complaints about my "Truth" should apply equally to all others and you should be "chiding" all the religions cited with the same complaint.

Regardless of my (or anyone else's) thoughts, and whether you like it or not,
At the end of the day - THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUTH! (John 14:6)