SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1299

“Jesus Speaks”

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. – Hebrews 1:1-2

We often talk to God, but how good are we at listening?

Ears to Hear – Jesus speaks to us every day if we will only hear Him. The seeds of God’s Word need to take root in prepared hearts – good soil – for us to hear Him.

A Sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path…, on rocky ground…, among thorns… Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear. – Matthew 13:3-9

Jesus Speaks Through His Word – How often do we read, meditate, and pray the Word of God? ‘Ears to Hear’ are a result of remaining in the Word of God.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart; So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. – Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:11

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Jesus Speaks Through Nature – On a recent camping trip I sat reading the Word out on the patio listening to the birds singing, going about building nests and feeding chicks. I watched ducks on the pond and fish nibling the bugs on the surface of the calm water. There was a turtle sunning himself on a log and I realized that none of God’s creation before my eyes worried about anything. God cares for them and provides for them. The Truth of God’s Word tells us that we are worth much more so why do we worry?

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made…; But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. – Romans 1:20; Job 12:7-10

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! – Luke 12:24

Jesus Speaks Through Others: A timely Word – God sends others to speak a word of encouragement to us and yes, at times, a rebuke. Do we have ears to hear?

So, Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 9:17

Then David’s anger was greatly kindled… and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die” …Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” – 2 Samuel 12:5-7

Jesus Speaks Through His Spirit – It can be an audible voice we hear in our mind, a gut feeling or a nudge that we know without a doubt comes from Him.

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction… your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. – Isaiah 30:20-21

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. – John 16:13

Jesus Speaks Through Sudden Circumstances – These can be both opportunities and challenges. He will close doors and block paths He does not want us to use. We can stubbornly listen to our flesh and kick these doors down and go around obstacles, but we do so at our own peril. God will always provide the open door and clearly light the path He desires for our best. We know it is His way because of the ministry for His Praise and Glory that results in that direction along with the peace and joy of His presence that we experience.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing… – James 1:2-5

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith… may be found to result in praise and glory and honor… of Jesus Christ;  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.- 1 Peter 1:6-7; Philippians 4:7

Jesus Speaks Through Prayer – We can hear His voice through active prayer and quiet waiting.

The enemy seeks to disrupt our prayer time. Errant thoughts assault us to break communion with God. There is a spiritual battle that we enter every time we step into our prayer closet. Worship and Praise creates a Holy atmosphere of prayer allowing us to press through the world and into the very presence of God. Reading and praying the Word aloud engages and aligns our entire mind, spirit, and soul. Now we quiet our soul and wait in silence for His Word of Truth.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. – Psalm 62:5

Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

May you have ears to hear what Jesus speaks to you every day.