The Senior Pastor of The Church of Divine Guidance has declared 2017 as the year of Prayer at CDG. The Sunday morning Adult Bible Study starting the year with a a study using the book "Prayer Begins With Relationship", by Cynthia Hyle Bezek, a study in the Breakthrough Prayer: Studies for Small Groups series. These are the notes for this study. In Session 6 we look at the ways that God communicates with us. The Session Audio is included at the end of these notes.
Review
I haven’t been here in a month so for my sake I want to review what we talked about before I left.
We started by saying that prayer is interaction between you and God, and it starts with the relationship that we have with God. It’s a dynamic conversation between two individuals who love, care for, and enjoy one another.
Proverbs 15:8 (NLT)8 The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
Proverbs 15:29 (NLT)29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
Clearly, upright cannot mean sinless.
The New Testament reveals by faith in Jesus Christ, we are accounted to be fully righteous.
Romans 3:21-26 (NLT)21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
Then we defined the relationship Between Man and God
Human beings are uniquely created in the image of God. When God created the earth, sun, moon, stars, and all the animals He said it was “good.” However, when it came to humans, the tone changed. He said that the creation of humans was “very good.” Human beings are an extra-special creation for at least three reasons.
First, it is clear that humans have an identity that is rooted in God.
First, it is clear that humans have an identity that is rooted in God.
Genesis 1:26-27 (HCSB)26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.”27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.
Second, humans are special because they were created for a unique purpose. No two humans are the same.
Third, humans are designed to have a one-on-one relationship with God through Jesus.
Let’s not get it twisted our friendship with God is not a friendship of equals. He will always remain in His rightful place of honor and authority. We are still the work of His hands, His people over whom He has final say. That never changes, no matter how close or intimate we become with Him. A proper respect of God is part of being His friend.
Friendship is just one of the ways God relates with us. God is many things to us at the same time, including Father, Shepherd, Lord, Redeemer, Teacher, and Friend. No one aspect of who He is cancels out the rest. The better we know Him - in all of His various aspects - the more accurately we’ll be able to relate to Him, talk with Him, and enjoy Him.
Then we said that we need to take the risk of being real with God.
Our friendship with God deepens when we risk being open and honest as we talk with Him.
No more faking feeling fine.
When we become convinced that God is really our friend, which is what we talked about last week we really know how He feels about us and the we can talk to Him about anything.
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
One of the things that keeps us from being bold is the common misconception that believers should be perfect. We fake it pretending to have our lives in order, smiling and saying all the right things. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings. Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we’re born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous. In our very first session, of this study, we learned that God hears the prayers of the righteous.
We shouldn’t cover up your emotions in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without becoming open we are unable to rely fully on God. When we realize this we can passionately seek Him, obey Him, and confess and repent when we miss the mark.
The we talked about Upgrading Your View of God.
A skewed view of God shuts down our prayers, but relating to God as He actually is fosters freedom and confidence in prayer.
When we have a clear view of who God is we will become more free and confident in prayer.
We discovered that we have two set of beliefs “head” beliefs and “heart” belief. Head beliefs are what we say we believe, and heart beliefs are the perceptions that actually shape our feelings and reactions to circumstances and our relationship with God.
We need to change that heart belief to a head belief, something that we say we believe.
Here are some characteristics that are true about God and that enable us to talk freely and openly with Him. Truths which we should want to regularly experience as you pray.
- Delights in and takes pleasure in me. - Psalm 147:11
- Cares about even the smallest details of my life - Matthew 6:31-32 , Luke 12:6-7
- Pities (has compassion on) me when I’m hurting - Psalm 72:12-14, Isaiah 63:9, 2 Corinthians 13:3-4
- Is patient with and understanding of my weaknesses and failures - Psalm 103:12-14, Hebrews 4:15-16
- Wants to help me out of the messes I get myself into - Psalm 40:1-3, Isaiah 61:7
- Enjoys sharing His heart with me - Psalm 25:14, Matthew 11:25-26
- Likes to hear what I think and feel - Psalm 62:8, 1 Peter 5:7 (HCSB)
- Is always happy to see me, even when I’ve sinned against Him - Luke 15:1-2, 11-24, Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 139:7-10, Hebrews 13:5
- Wants to rescue me when I’m in trouble - Psalm 91:14-15, 2 Timothy 4:18, 2 Peter 2:9
The last time we met we talked about the fact that God is talkative and wants to engage us in two-way communication. We should come to understand is that God does talk to us and wants our relationship to involve two-way communication.
The question then becomes how does God speak directly and personally to you?
It may not be as dramatic as when He talked to Moses from the burning bush, or when He spoke to me audibly. Those are rare and dramatic which are great and exciting but wouldn’t you want Him to speak to you everyday?
We talked about some of the ways God does talk to you.
1. Prayer. In order for God to speak to us, we need to be in his presence listening for his voice. As we spend time in prayer, we may sense God's leading in our lives.
2. His word. God speaks to us through his written word as we study and meditate upon his holy scripture.
3. Circumstances. Many times God will cause doors to open, or others to close. If we are walking in obedience to him, we have to assume that events in our life are ordered by God. They don't just happen by chance.
4. Our heart. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will minister to our spirit and reveal God's plan for us. We will have an assurance deep in our heart. We will feel God's voice guiding us.
If we’re to relate with God in two-way relationship, we need to become aware of the different ways He speaks and learn to discern His voice.
How We Communicate Is Important
When two people, friends, use different methods of communicating we really never communicate. For example today almost everybody has a cell phone but a lot people prefer texting and others never text. If you and I are friends and I text but you don’t then we may miss a very important occasion or message. If you have a cell phone and never answer it or check your voicemail you may miss a very important occasion or message. If I use email and you never check your email then you may miss a very important occasion or message. We may be communicating but the other person is not hearing you. So for us to stay in contact with each other and develop our relationship we have to be aware of the different ways that we communicate.
It is the same thing between God and us. If we want to communicate with God we not only have to do our part by talking to Him in prayer but we have to become aware of the different ways that He speaks and we have to learn to discern His voice. Discern means to perceive or recognize (something).
What Are God’s Methods of Communicating?
In order to learn of how God communicates we need to look at the Bible. There is a lot of scripture that says that God communicated but the don’t really tell us the method that He used. For example the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he wouldn’t die until he’s seen the Messiah but we don’t know how Simeon got that revelation.
Luke 2:26 (NKJV) And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
There are other places where it just says that “God said” or “the word of the Lord came.” However there are passages that do indicate the methods that God uses to communicate with us. Let’s look at some and see if we can see which method God used to communicate.
Matthew 17:1-8 (NKJV)1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid."8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Luke 3:21-22 (NKJV)21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
Acts 9:1-7 (NKJV)1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.
Audible voice
2 Chronicles 36:22 (NKJV)22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
Ezra 1:5 (NKJV)5 Then the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
Stirred or moved the spirits of Cyrus and people to go back to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.
Joel 2:28 (NKJV)28 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
Matthew 2:12 (NKJV)12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
Dreams and Visions
Acts 2:17 (NKJV)17 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.
Acts 10:9-16 (NKJV)9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.13 And a voice came to him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean."15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Vision and voice
Luke 1:26-38 (NKJV)26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.37 For with God nothing will be impossible."38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Acts 8:26 (NKJV)26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert.
Acts 27:21-25 (NKJV)21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
Angel
Psalm 19:1-4 (NKJV)1 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard.4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Romans 1:20-21 (NKJV)20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
The creation itself.
Numbers 11:25-26 (NKJV)25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again.26 But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp.
1 Samuel 19:20 (NKJV)20 Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.
Luke 1:67 (NKJV)67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
Acts 19:6 (NKJV)6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Holy Spirit led men to speak or prophecy.
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible Word of God
Romans 8:16 (NKJV)16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
His Spirit agreeing with you Spirit (still small voice)
How has God spoken you or not spoken to you?
He has also spoken through others and circumstances.
Barriers to hearing God’s voice.
We often need to identify hindrances to hearing God.
- Not taking time to listen
- Doubting that He will really speak
- Unconfessed sin
- Distractions
- Self-reliance, independence
- Fear of what He might say
- Being afraid of hearing the wrong voice
How do we break down these barriers? You guessed it prayer and practice. Once you identify the thing that you think might be hindering your hearing from God, confess it and talk to Him about it, and trust that He will answer. The risk of not addressing the hindrances is not hearing at all.
We’ve talked about how God communicates but we also need to learn how to discern when He’s speaking to us. Here are three steps that will help us discern that.
Learning to recognize God’s voice is a skill that takes time, practice, and intentionality. Don’t be discouraged if sometimes you think you’re hearing anything or you might be hearing wrong’ That’s normal for most of us when we’re getting started.
Discerning God’s voice from all of the other voices in and around us (our own thoughts, the philosophy of the world, the desires of our flesh, the temptations of the Evil One) is a skill that God is eager ot develop in us. He wants to talk to you. He wants you to hear His voice and receive His love, affirmation, guidance, instruction, perspectives, and companionship. He is invested in the process of helping you to know His voice.
Here are three things to keep in mind:
- God wants you to hear His voice. He will protect you from hearing the wrong thing. Remember;
John 10:27 (NLT) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 16:13 (NLT) When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.
Make it a practice to let Him know you want to hear Him only. If you ask Him to protect you from hearing other input, including your own logic and understanding.
- Scripture is always the measure for what we hear. Hod may tell us things not specifically discussed in Scripture, but He will not contradict Scripture. God’s voice is always consistent whether through the written pages of Scripture or His Spirit speaking in our hearts. He will always confirm what He says.
- God will speak to us in a way that is consistent with His character. He is never condemning or harsh. He invites, leads, and woos. He doesn’t force, drive, or push. Conversations with God should leave you feeling hopeful rather than defeated, accepted rather than judged.
It is important to be aware of the necessity to practice our listening skills, but it won't happen automatically for most of us. Until we learn to discern His voice, we often miss what He’s saying. Remember, be intentional ask God questions, then stop be still, listen, then pay attention to what’s happening in your heart and mind. Remember the difference between you head and heart beliefs.
Bible Study Audio
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