Hearing God in the New Testament

In the past, God spoke through the prophets but in these last days God is speaking to us through his son, sustaining all things by the power of his word. (Hebrews 1)

Two Greek words are used in the Bible to identify God’s words in the New Testament.

1. Logos is the Greek word identifying an expression, concept or thought.
2. Rhema is the Greek word referring to a personal, living or life giving word from God.

Many people want to hear God’s audible voice, but God longs for us to hear his voice through a rhema word. In fact, Jesus, in Matthew 4:4, states that men do not live on bread alone, but on every word (rhema) that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

The word “proceeds” is an active word. It indicates past, present and future. The Word proceeds as a fountain proceeds. If God ever spoke, He speaks today.

Hearing God’s voice through a rhema word is instructional to living an abundant life.

John 10 gives us a clear picture of what it means to follow the voice of God. Listening to God and following his voice is a continuing process. We must be listening and following God’s voice all week long so that our abundant life can be sustained (Hebrews 1:3 & John 10:10).

Our God, the creator of heaven and earth, the God of the old testament, God of the new testament is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has a NOW answer for every circumstance, problem, and situation we face.

God is speaking. Are you listening?

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Hearing God in the Old Testament

A newborn baby is cute, cuddly and full of potential.

What can one new birth do for the world?

God called Abraham and changed an entire people through him. God called Moses as a baby to free his chosen people. Samuel was called by God to establish the rule of Kings.

We need to teach our children to hear the voice of God.

When God speaks, he has a specific reason for communicating with us. I believe scripture reveals three areas God chooses to speak to us about.

1. God speaks so he can relate to us. We shouldn’t be surprised that God longs to connect and have relationship with us.
2. God speaks to assure us that he will meet our needs. God owns it all and he is our source so we do not need to worry.
3. Finally, God speaks to us about what we were created to do. He speaks to us about our purpose in life.

When we know who we are and why we are here, we are going to be much better at loving others.

Do you seek God as much as he’s seeking you?

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

The essence of knowing God’s will for our lives... is to hear His voice.

We began a new series this past Sunday, designed to help us believe that God still speaks to us and that I can hear his voice. I shared 4 reasons last Sunday why I believe God speaks to us:

1. It is God’s nature to communicate.--He does so in many unique and powerful ways. The heavens cry out and nature speaks volumes to us.
2. We were created to speak and to hear.--We were created in the image of God. He walked and talked in the Garden and had open communication with his creation.
3. Jesus said so! -- He said many times. “My sheep know my voice.” We know His voice because He speaks and we can Hear.
4. Jesus said the Holy Spirit would speak to us-- “He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears.” John 16:13

God speaks so that we may take action.When we hear God’s voice, the evidence will be observable.

Inside information must produce outside evidence.

God doesn’t speak to hear himself talk. He speaks to make real things happen.

So the question we should be asking isn't, "Does God still speak to us today," but rather "Am I willing to listen".

In your prayer time this week, ask God to speak to you. Seek Him earnestly. God wants to communicate with you.

Which voice will guide you this week?

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve

Eternal Light

Eternal Light is out there somewhere, but it’s a hard concept to grasp.

It's hard to understand or describe something we haven’t experienced.

But we can look forward to Eternal Light. Peter writes in 2 Peter 3:11 that “because we are looking forward to this eternal light or eternal glory that we should make our lifestyle focused on living Godly and right”

CS Lewis said, “It is because Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this one.”

We have an obligation to live our lives with an eternal perspective.

There are some things we probably wouldn't do or say if we lived today in LIGHT of eternity.

Know that the promise of eternal light is for you. Make it personal!

Be effective in this life and walk in love today.

When we walk in love, we show the Light of Jesus.

Right thinking,

Pastor Steve