The Journaling Coach

Archive for the ‘How God Speaks’ Category

Still small voice – God may speak to us in a spectacular way, but usually He speaks to us in His still small voice in order to draw us near to Him in an intimate relationship.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8 NASB)

This may be a scripture floating through your mind, a thought impressed upon your mind, or someone’s name coming to your heart.  Or you may sense conviction in your conscience. This is God speaking to you.

Written Word & Rhema (the spoken word) – “the sword of the Spirit, which is theword of God” (Eph. 6:17)

The Greek word for word used in this verse Greek is Rhema. The Vine’s Dictionary says that Rhema is an individual scripture, which the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need. This may come through His still small voice or through scripture. The Holy Spirit illuminates the word, opening your eyes to understand its meaning so that it is applicable to you. At other times, a scripture floats through your mind at an unexpected time. When God gives you Rhema it comes filled with His power just waiting to be released.

Circumstances – God opened and closed doors for Paul and Silas, they sensed a stop in their Spirit and said that the Holy Spirit forbid them to go into some areas (Acts 16:6-9).

God may speak to you through opening and closing doors; but do not seek God’s will through open and closed doors alone. Seek Him and He will reveal His plan to you. If you try to get direction from your circumstances apart from your relationship with God, they will not make sense.

People - Many times God will speak through words that people speak to you, but they must confirm what God is already speaking to your heart. If someone says that they have a word from the Lord for you, it should always confirm what the Lord has already spoken to your heart, or it may confirm what He will be speaking to you in the future.

Burdens – A burden is heaviness or an apprehension in your spirit; when you sense this, go at once to the Lord to pray to see if He is calling you.

Peace or unrest in your spirit – “Let the peace of God rule in your heart” (Col 3:15).

The Amplified Bible says to let peace “act as an umpire”. The peace of God will GUARD your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). God’s peace will literally act like an umpire to reveal God’s will. If you have unrest about something, God is warning you. Wait until you have God’s peace.

Dreams and Visions – In the last days God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17 NIV). Not all dreams are from God, but when they are there usually is clarity and they never go against God’s word. There is a sense in your spirit that it was from God.  It would be dangerous to base your life on dreams or visions, but that does not negate the fact that God speaks to His children through dreams. He has in the past and He does today. God has given dreams of warning to reveal the enemy’s plans ahead of time so that we can pray and thwart those plans. These are dreams given for the purpose of intercession. Should God use you in this capacity, take these dreams and visions very seriously and pray until the answer comes. You may want to keep your journal or a dictaphone near your bed. Otherwise by morning you may have forgotten what He spoke to your heart.

Read How to Hear God’s Voice