When Satan tempted Jesus, our LORD responded: "It is written" for He knew the Word. 'And the devil said unto Him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." (Luke 4:3-4)
God speaking to us with His Holy Word as the avenue He most frequently chooses to speak to us demonstrates the importance placed on the Word and is a testimony of the Christian faith. What a comfort it is to go to the Bible when I have a specific need or am hurting knowing I will find my answer in His Word. Here is a wonderful example:
While I was in the Holy Land God spoke to me and said to send my daughter, Terry, there. I responded: "If you will supply the money I will do it." I asked God for a sign as I did not have the money, we were getting short on time and Terry would have to get a passport. When I went to the post office there was an unexpected check for $73.00 which was the amount needed for picture, application fee for passport, etc. I sent her the money and she applied for her passport. Everything was set only I still did not have the money. Two days before the deadline to book the trip I called the group with whom I was going to send them. They only had two seats available. That was perfect because I was sending both my daughters. Her sister Linda had a passport and even though I didn't have the money I felt it would be best for the two of them to travel together. Without having to pay the single person surcharge the second one wasn't as costly and I wanted them both to have the same opportunity. I prayed asking God what to do as my loan had not been approved yet and I did not want to put more charges on my credit cards saying Lord, if You want me to send them without the loan to open the Bible to Jonah as You did when You wanted me to go. I took a new Bible lying next to my desk and let it fall open and it opened directly to Jonah. As it begin to close it stopped on the map at the back of the Bible with my eyes falling on the word Jerusalem. Prety clear, right!? I thought to myself (or Satan whispered) maybe it is just because it is new and just happens to fall open to this page. Sometimes I ask for more then one as I did this time and He solidified His desire through His Word to the point that there was no doubt in my mind. (Journal 1, pg. 101) My heart knew but Satan tried to persuade me otherwise. It is OK to put a fleece before God and it is scriptural as was the case of Gideon putting out a fleece in (Judges 6:36-40). God is patient in His teaching and wants us to know His will and have peace so we trust Him. God overcame many obstacles and they had a wonderful trip. Did I get the loan? Yes!!!, of course, for God is faithful and sometimes just wants us to step out and grow in faith.
While I was praying for a friend's sister, Joyce, who needed a heart transplant and was facing death, believing for total healing and wondering what God's will was for her, God impressed upom me that He brings people before me to pray for them and puts it on my heart what to pray. I felt prompted to go to my Bible. I picked it up and it opened to: "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." (John 11:4). I then knew without a doubt no matter how bad it looked that God would make a way and she would live. (J 6, pg. 167) I will speak more about Joyce under the heading God speaks through physical feelings.
Every day I go to God's Word and receive messages from Him which help me know Him better and they may be to comfort, enlighten, direct, warn or encourage me. Sometimes it's to praise Him and sometimes it is to tell me He loves me. His promises are many and so are His instructions. The Bible is God's Word and it states: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (John 1:1) Since the Word is God it is living and it is God Himself speaking to us. Sometimes I like to substitue my name in places where scripture states someone's name. It is personal. "I'm my Beloved's and my beloved is mine." (S of S 6:3) Isn't this awesome? He tells me: "Take delight in the Lord and He will grant your hearts request." (Ps. 37:4) In simple words God tells me to be delighted in Him and He will give me whatever my heart desires. The simple truth is, if we are delighted in Him and love Him that we are going to desire what He wants for us. Whatever it is we will have it for it is His will. Think of God speaking to you personally when reading certain scriptures. If you haven't tried this I encourage you to do so.
I will include one more example which is part of a prayer and how God answered me: "This morning I asked you for something special as yesterday and during the night I was suffering doubt about how I was going to be able to do this. I am hurting and confused not knowing what to do. I want to hear from you and do Your will. I am not sure what to do or what you want. I opened my book, Experiencing God Daily and it opened to Your scripture "Your words were found and I ate them, and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." (Jer. 15:16) I do rejoice in your Word and talking to you replenishes me. I picked up my Bible and again asked you for a special message. It opened to "O Lord thou knowest, remember me, and visit me, and defend me from them that persecute me. Do not defend me in thy patience. Know that for thy sake I have suffered reproach. Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was to me a joy and gladness of my heart. ...If thou shalt separate the precious from the vile thou shalt be as my mouth. They shall be turned to thee, and thou shalt not be turned to them, and I will make thee to this people as a strong wall of brass; and they shall fight against thee and not prevail. For I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee saith the Lord. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the mighty." (Jer. 15:15-21) All I need do is trust and wait on you Almighty God. What are the odds of that same verse coming up in both books? I know you did that to help take away any doubt in my mind." (Journal 3, pgs. 57-59) I had some hard decisions to make and it was a very difficult time, however, by the time I finished praying I had peace and joy knowing that God was in contol.
We can fellowship with Jesus - what a privilege. "God is faithful, by Him you have been called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ." (Cor. 1:9) God gives us the opportunity to choose if we want to be blessed and live with Him forever. Isn't it amazing that so many choose to give up their inheritance and live defeated by a curse rather then living in victory. "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live." (Deut. 30:19) Could it be that they just haven't heard God speak!? If we choose blessings and are obedient He tells us that "Blessings shall come upon and overtake you." (Deut. 28:2) Nothing, is impossible. No goal is unobtainable when we are walking in His will. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13) God tells us that He has great things prepared for all of us who love Him that no one knows. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." (1 Cor. 2:9) I could go on and on for I do delight myself in the Lord and His Word. God's Word helps me to know God better, how He desires me to live, what He expects from me and How much He loves me. His Word is filled with everything we need to know in order to live prosperously in this life and to obtain everlasting life with Him. His promises are many and they are mine and they are also yours. If you aren't reading God's Word daily I encourage you to do so. You may be amazed and delighted at how alive His Word becomes. Hebrews 4:12 says that "The Word of God is alive and active: Sharper than any two edged sword." God honors our efforts and as you start claiming His promises and speaking His Word watch to see the changes in your life.
Quoted from the book: Hearing God Speak
Author: Margaret Jensen