How God Speaks

Can God really speak to me?

I had a college professor whom I still pray for to this day. Should I say his name? Andy.

Andy was highly regarded in his field and had lots of world experience. He was well-versed in culture and the different meanings and spellings of words depending on one’s whereabouts. He also taught me about Boxing Day and maybe some other less interesting things, but one thing he mentioned stuck with me, especially since he was a proud atheist.

He told us some facts about the Bible just in conversation one day and talked with fun about the quoting of philosophers in the Bible. He laughed when he thought about the absurdity of Socrates’ and Plato’s words being in the Bible, and most Christians did not even know that or would even find it hard to believe! I can see him now, sitting on the desk, slapping his knee, head back and shaking with that prideful, silent laugh, scanning the room without eye contact in search of a companion in conversation.

It wasn’t me. Not that day for sure.

That information was new to me. I took it with a grain of salt and didn’t really do anything with it. It was not until recently I learned the power of that truth. And yes, it was true what he said, but a mark was missed.

You see, the Bible is a collection of letters and messages, each originally intended for different certain groups or individuals. Keep that in your back pocket.

If I’m writing a guest column for a sports paper, I’m not going to mention a quote from Sally Hansen to pique interest, much less to get my point across or to compel any action from a reader. No, for a group of sports fans, I’m going to mention what they already know from other athletes, those whom they “know,” like, and trust.

Many times, Paul, as clever as ever, adapted to his audience. He spoke to the Gentiles with a focus on freedom, so he could reel them in and explain the importance holiness and purity. He spoke to Jews using the Law, which they loved so dearly, so he could have a foundation for when he began to explain freedom from the Law, as Christ did fulfill the Law. For the elite and sophisticated (especially the Pharisees), he spoke with references to other well-educated and renowned men – enter Aristotle and his counterparts.

I think that is so neat.

This strategy put Paul on the same playing field as every target audience he had. Can you imagine knowing this man could talk to anyone essentially based on their appearance and instantly connect with them? Each of these categories dressed differently or and had different backgrounds, yet he was able to minister to every single one of them. What a gift this man was given to be so knowledgeable and relatable without ceasing to promote the Truth, and what a gift he returned to the Lord to be faithful to the end.

I would certainly entertain him and be entertained by his message to me.

Though sometimes Paul's tactics changed, the fact remains that God will speak to us in a way that catches our attention and in a way that we can understand.

If Paul can speak to the "us" in the Bible, we better believe God can speak to us here and now.

That Sally Hansen quote won’t make a grown man cry, but God may use it to remind a woman why she does what she does. A song on the radio might not mean anything to me, but to you on a certain day it might if God has ordained it to encourage you. A scripture about laughter being good for the soul might not mean much to the one who laughs every day, but to the one who yearns for connection and relief, opening the Bible to that verse may change their whole outlook and spark gratitude for the God who sees.

If God ordained Paul to speak in ways that would resonate with his diverse audiences, won’t He speak in a way that will resonate with you too? Imagine a God who doesn’t even have to study you – He just knows you so well – that He will speak to you in a very “you” way. He’s awesome, isn’t He? We just need to listen.

Your turn to share: how has God spoken to you before? Leave a comment here, or find this post (search tag #happyhearing) in our Facebook group to comment there. Let’s encourage this body of believers by reporting how He has shown His love for us in our lives. I personally cannot wait to hear from you.

From my notes - January 20, 2023:

Tell the Lord that you trust Him and that your trust transcends all other thoughts. When a different opposing doubtful thought enters your mind, take it captive as the Bible tells you to. Renew your mind from any tainting from the world.

See things through the eyes of a child because you are a child of God. Renew your mind in the word of God.

The knowledge of evil hinders us from hearing God and will cause us to distrust him and his intentions for us. Don't rely on your knowledge of evil or earthly wisdom/knowledge/likelihoods.

As a child, you say, “I trust my Father. He is always talking to me and leading me, and I care to know what He has to say, and I desire to listen and obey Him.”

Your positioning is what will set you up to hear the Lord, who is continually speaking to His sheep. The smaller voices require more faith, more attention, more expectancy, more intimacy. He speaks through small leadings in your spirit, which requires you to listen and lean in.

While God does speak through the written Word, it is not the only way He does. He also gives words or pictures of knowledge to help build confidence in who He is. Rather than being dismissive or doubtful, say, “Lord, show me more,” or “Lord, what are you trying to tell me?”

If you limit the way God speaks to you, you are rejecting what He is trying to say to you. Repent for being dismissive and for wanting things your way and for not accepting anything else. If you are hungry enough, you will not be dismissive.

Stand firm in your identity as a coheir with Christ. God is always talking to you and desiring to draw near.