Ten Ways That God “Speaks,” Part 2

In our previous journal article {Ten Ways That God “Speaks,” Part 1} on this subject we learned four of the ten ways that the Lord speaks to His people.  They included:  

1. Angelic Visitation 
2. Rhema Words 
3. A Logos Word 
4. Visions/Dreams 

Once again, it’s important that we sharpen our discernment to detect His “voice” regardless of which communication method He uses.  Our willingness to comply reassures Him that we are submitted, that we honor His Lordship, and we glorify His name.  Let’s pick up right where we left off: 

5. Other People 

The Lord desires that His people live in unity and in a spirit of interdependence.  At times, He will allow one of His children to experience a need simply to demonstrate His ability to supply an answer through another person.  He greatly dislikes self-sufficiency as it robs Him of glory.  At times, He stores up resources on one side of His Kingdom simply to demonstrate His responsiveness to someone in need elsewhere. 

• “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) 
• “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.”
  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) 
• “Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.” (Isaiah 43:4) 

God speaks through covenant relationships, such as a parent, a spouse or a child. 

• “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1) 

He uses human channels to speak words of prophecy, tongues and interpretation and words of wisdom and knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). 

• The Courts of Heaven prophecy – “ your cause has been heard in the courts of heaven and they’ve ruled in your favor.“ 
• “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” (Acts 8:30-31) 

God speaks through anointed sermons, songs and writings. 

• “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11a) 

6. An Inner Sense of the Presence of God 

1. Our Conscience 
   • “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.” (Romans 2:14-15)
   • “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” (1 Timothy 1:18-19) 
2. A sense of peace or joy 
   • “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

7. Authority Figures  

1. Family 
2. Government  
3. Business  
4. Spiritual Leaders 

• Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (Romans 13:1-2) 
• “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17) 

8. Creation and Nature 

At the edge of the visible universe, galaxies are moving away from Earth at the speed of light.  Astronomers have a term for that “edge,” calling it the Cosmic Horizon.  It appears that time cannot be measured outside of this horizon.  Anything on the other side is hidden from our view.  Space does exist outside of this horizon, but time does not. It is entirely possible that a timeless realm exists there containing only light.  This timeless, endless realm meets the criteria that we would expect from Heaven. 

Our own planet and our solar system and life itself speaks to an invisible, omniscient Creator.   At times, the Lord speaks to us through His blessed creation.  We are wise to pay attention and draw inferences in the created world as the Lord will often speak to us by this means.

• “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalms 19:1) 
• “For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
• “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” (Romans 8:22) 
• “For it shall be, on the day you go out and cross the Brook Kidron, know for certain, you shall surely die…” (1 Kings 2:37a) 
• “Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, ‘You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.  And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.’”  (2 Samuel 5:23-24) 

9. Audible Voice 

1. Adam and Eve heard God’s voice in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8) 
2. God spoke audibly to Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4-6) 
3. God spoke to Israel from Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:1-22)
4. The Father endorsed Jesus at His baptism (Matthew 3:17) 
   • “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'”
5. God spoke at the transfiguration with an audible voice 
6. Saul saw Christ in a blinding light and heard His voice (Acts 9:30) 
   • “Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 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.'” (Acts 5-9:4)  

10. Supernatural Events 

Finally, the Lord can demonstrate His power through dramatic, instantaneous means.  He has supernatural abilities and the entire Creation at His disposal. He’s willing to activate these resources to accomplish His will on Earth.   

1. Peter pulled a coin out of the fish’s mouth to pay the Temple tax 
   • “Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.” (Matthew 17:27) 
2. Jonah and the whale 
   • “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17) 
3. Parting of the Red Sea 
   • “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.’ And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.'” (Exodus 14:13-18) 

As we become increasingly sensitized to the Lord’s style of communication, His confidence in us grows and we are trusted with greater assignments to bring His Kingdom into the Earth.