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NASB | Hebrews 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 1:1 God, having spoken to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in many ways, |
Subject: How does God speak to us? |
Bible Note: God speaks to us through his word, and personally. He either uses both, or he says nothing at all. It is such a good opportunity for two points of view to come together! And God would meet us there. Without the word of God, we cannot judge a revelation. Without the Holy Spirit working in us, we cannot understand the word of God, and it is useless to us. One group knows the Bible very well, or so it seems, but they get such a high from knowing that they do nothing to put the word into practice. They know in a general way what he might want done, but they are never sure what God wants done in the here and now. Another group gets such a high from feeling the presence of God that they go on impulse to do a thousand things, then think it not important to know if they were right things, for whatever God says is right. One group would say we should not be discussing personal experiences here. We should fill this space with Scripture. The other group says we are wasting our time with study. We should listen for the voice of God, and move. I know these people. One group met yesterday and talked, and they have not decided what to do, except to study more. Another group had decided that God wanted then to go to a specific spot to witness. But the last time they went, it rained, and they had to leave before it had started. Now they have decided to wait until God tells them to try again. One group would say we should not be discussing personal experiences here. We should document every statement with Scripture. The other group says we are wasting time with study. We should not be satisfied with obeying Scripture. We should listen for the voice of God, personally communicated, and we should be ready to move when we‘ve heard it. I know these people. And I wish that they would get together. I say that God uses both Scripture and the promptings of the Holy Spirit to lead us. The first without the second leaves us sitting in a secure spot, doing nothing. The second without the first has us wandering aimlessly, doing this and that that possibly adds up to nothing. The two need to be together, and the two sides need to get together, synergistically, to do God‘s will. Testimony and Scripture come together in Genesis 24:27. “I being in the way, the Lord led me”. The way is the word. The leading is by the Spirit. The two are inseparable. “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried” (2 Samuel 22:31). The way and the word come together in perfect harmony (Psalm 18:30). With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments (Psalm 119:10). The heart and the word, in harmony. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it, when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21). The Holy Spirit speaks the word of God, the written word of God, to guide us. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you (Philippians 4:9). He, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you (John 16:13) and give you peace (Galatians 5:22). He will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. He will guide you with his eye (Psalm 32:8). |