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NASB | Acts 9:4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 9:4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?" |
Bible Question: Does anyone here think that God can call out and talk to anyone in these days? I do. Anyone else? |
Bible Answer: Greetings, I believe I have posted this before on the Forum: God Speaks: There is a wonderful man of God at our church who works in the children’s ministry as an administrative assistant. He has quite a severe speech impediment. My 12-year-old son happened to be with me one Sunday morning when I was having a conversation with this man. Afterward, my son asked, “Mom, how can you understand him? I could only understand one word!” I thought about this for a moment and then I realized that there was a great lesson to be learned from this “teachable moment.” I replied, “Honey, I’ve worked with him for many years and my ears are accustomed to his manner of speaking, and his speech. I understand him because I listen and want to hear what he says. It has taken time and patience, but I had no problems comprehending what he was saying today.” I thought that this was a good analogy for us to apply to understanding God; to hearing His voice and recognizing His presence with us! God speaks in many different ways. How do we recognize His voice above the din of our daily existence? First, there must be desire. (When you seek me, you will find me!) Secondly, we must spend time in His Word and lastly, we must listen. His voice can be heard; do you hear Him? Often we are so “busy” with trivial pursuits that we forget that God is interested in all aspects of our lives. Those things that we relegate to the “insignificant” category are important to God. Seeing God at work in the little things of our lives reaps great benefits to our faith. All this being said, although it has been my experience to hear the audible voice of God, mostly He speaks to me through His Word into my spirit. I suspect that some fail to be blessed by "hearing" Him because they have decided that God does not speak as He did anyomre . . . Yet who are we to limit God in the way He "can" speak to us? Don’t be disappointed if you have never heard the audible voice of God. God speaks in many different ways. The point of this message is to encourage you: to first recognize His hand and His voice, and then to challenge you to respond in faith and obedience. As a child of God, your Heavenly Father has lots to tell you, lots to teach you and lots He wants you to do for Him. Delight in the Lord and His desires will become your desires! (Ps 37:4) “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to give you hope and a future.Then you will call upon me and come and pray . . . You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart. I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and un-searchable things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 29:11-13; 31:3; 33:3 He rewards those who diligently seek Him! Are you looking for Him? Do you recognize His voice? Are you listening? Blessings, mommapbs |