Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (Full Version)

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Casper22 -> Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 4:08:41 AM)

I asked my Nana this question and her responce was he says all he needs to say to us thru his word. Ok I understand that but from my point of view it would be so much easier for those like me that doubt faith from time to time to hear him audibly say I do love you I am here. Reading it and hearing it is two different things. Its almost as if we are created to be alone and hope our salvation will be enough to hopefully truley see him face to face someday. Is his silence a test does he not want to activily speak to us. I dont understand him I feel like were just meant to only know our role and keep our mouths shut and just accept that he doesnt need to talk to us or comfort us. And if I offended anyone I am so sorry Casper



BibleL7 -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 4:53:22 AM)

For one we are given promises from God of His love and His Salvation. We are to believe His Word and in Him. Trusting Him helps build faith. Read the definition of Faith in the book of Hebrews. Read of the assurance of Salvation in the first epistle of John. Pray and talk to the Lord. Pray before reading His Word. He says He will never leave you nor forsake you. And from time to time you will find He does speak to us through His Word. As for wanting to audibly hear His voice some say they do others say it is just by reading His Word. But then Jesus said blessed are those who do not see Me yet believe, and if He spoke to everyone how would that grow our faith for without faith we can not please God. In studying His Word and prayer and meditation on His Word He does in deed comfort us. Know that many doubt from time to time and each has their own experiences. We can also know of His love for us through other believers for He does use His children to comfort and encourage His other children. Is why we need to be in a local congregation. We learn of Him, Praise and Worship Him and also get encouraged by Him and you would be amazed at how many times we hear from Him in different ways just how much He loves us and cares for us.

Just the opinion of a small town preacher



mvic -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 7:10:48 AM)

Although God Himself has not appeared (of late) or spoken to us as He did in the Old Testament, there have been many other visions and miracles over the years to help those who want to believe to believe: e.g. Lourdes, Fatima etc ...

But that aside: let's imagine for a moment that Jesus appeared to you. Yes you. Right now. And spoke to you.

What would you do? Would you tell everyone and risk ridicule and accusations of being a fraud or even mentally unstable? Or would you keep quiet about it?

God knows we've become cynical. Perhaps that's why He does not talk to us so that you can "hear Him audibly".

But I can tell you something: He does speak to His followers and believers - in more ways than you can imagine.



floydette -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 8:13:23 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Casper22

I asked my Nana this question and her responce was he says all he needs to say to us thru his word. Ok I understand that but from my point of view it would be so much easier for those like me that doubt faith from time to time to hear him audibly say I do love you I am here. Reading it and hearing it is two different things. Its almost as if we are created to be alone and hope our salvation will be enough to hopefully truley see him face to face someday. Is his silence a test does he not want to activily speak to us. I dont understand him I feel like were just meant to only know our role and keep our mouths shut and just accept that he doesnt need to talk to us or comfort us.
And if I offended anyone I am so sorry
Casper


Hi Casper,

What good questions you have! It is a hard spot to be in when we want to hear God more. I grew up believing the same thing your Nana said. However, on the journey, I learned the wonderful, gracious news is that he DOES speak today! Yes, he can speak through the bible, but he is not limited in this way. He can speak to you anyway he desires. He knows you best, and so will speak to you in a manner that fits you well. Simply start paying attention to ways that he could be speaking to you. Talk to him as if he was next to you. It is a process to learn to hear God's voice - and to differenciate it from your own - but you will learn - He totally desires relationship with us. After all, he made us quite relational didn't he? Blessing on your journey!



kmangel -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 8:58:40 AM)

God absolutely does speak to believers today. He's spoken to me. And you'll come to see here on this forum people hear from God each and every day.



Doc65 -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 9:15:47 AM)

Look back to the liturgy -
"In many and various ways, God spoke to his people of old by the prophets; but now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son."
Heb. 1:1-2a

He speaks to us daily in His Word and through the promises made by Him and fulfilled through the birth, life, death and resurrection of His Son, our Savior. And, if God were to speak to us, whether through some outside means (e.g., a sign) would people necessarily recognize or even acknowledge Him?
quote:

"Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him." John 12:37



Little_1 -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 9:19:33 AM)

It is not wrong to have questions Casper. The fact that you have questions like this means that you want to hear from God yourself perhaps.

God communicates as your nana has said - through His Word. However, God communicates to us through his creation also. I remember not long after my father died looking up at the sky at night and seeing all the many stars blinking away like little diamonds and thinking that there had to be a God who created such beauty. I come from a mountainous area of Scotland and when I looked around me walking home from my dad's grave, I could not help but believe God created such majestic mountains and beautiful lochs - I therefore believe creation communicates to us that God exists.

God also speaks to Christians and non Christians via our conscience, i.e. that inner voice that tells us something is right or wrong.

Sometimes, we think of God communicating to us by words out of His mouth only but as I explained above re: creation, God uses other methods also. Added to this - think about how a loving parent communicates their love to their child other than verbally? Here are just a few examples: by caring for them; providing for them; working on behalf of them (i.e. making the best opportunities available for them, etc). This is what God does for His children also.

It is not therefore verbal communication alone that proves somone loves you. There are other ways to show love as listed above.

Furthermore, God's Holy Spirit does sometimes speak unmistakably into the hearts and minds of His children. When this happens, there is no mistaking the Lord has communicated - sometimes it is a Word of comfort and other times it is a word of direction that is given - and sometimes it is a rebuke. The Holy Spirit sometimes works through others to speak such words to His children (e.g. in church or Bible Study for instance) and at other times He speaks directly Himself (He sometimes does this with non Christians too when He is trying to get their attention). Any time the Holy Spirit has spoken to me directly - it has involved scripture being spoken clearly into my heart and mind so your nana is right because everything I have explained to you is also found in God's Word. It is therefore not only written communication God uses but visual, verbal, our conscience, and providential communication.



Ignited-Faith -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 9:19:39 AM)

The Lord speaks in many ways.
One of the ways I hear His voice is just by looking out any window.
It can even be the same window and what one may say is the same view each day... When I look out and see all the beauty that the Lord Created, (The ever changing beautiful sky, the brilliant bright hot sun, (that keeps us warm, and helps our food to grow, etc!) the georgeous trees and plants (that give us food and shade etc!) it makes me think of how Wonder-Ful He is!!! And how God does care for All of our daily needs!
And how personal He really is, and how much I love Him... (Etc.)
Just looking out I get blessed with little mini-sermonettes!
God is speaking. Be quiet and listen.



sparkleingsnow -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 9:38:32 AM)

quote:

Original: floydette

Hi Casper,

What good questions you have! It is a hard spot to be in when we want to hear God more. I grew up believing the same thing your Nana said. However, on the journey, I learned the wonderful, gracious news is that he DOES speak today! Yes, he can speak through the bible, but he is not limited in this way. He can speak to you anyway he desires. He knows you best, and so will speak to you in a manner that fits you well. Simply start paying attention to ways that he could be speaking to you. Talk to him as if he was next to you. It is a process to learn to hear God's voice - and to differenciate it from your own - but you will learn - He totally desires relationship with us. After all, he made us quite relational didn't he? Blessing on your journey!


He not only speaks through His word, but through His Holy Spirit that dwells within us. He no longer needs to speak through a burning bush, because He is right there, with us all the time. Spend time with Him and grow closer to Him, and listen to that still small voice within you.



DaveW -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 10:23:06 AM)

God does indeed speak to us today, thru the pages of the Bible, in that "still small voice" inside our own hearts, and if we really are not listening, occasionally an audible voice. (I have heard that exactly once about 35 years ago)

Those who claim that He is silent except for the pages of scripture have an inadequate understanding of how God and the world around us operate. They think in a mechanistic rather than a relational way.

God speaking to us is NOT new biblical revelation. (is that really the ONLY reason he ever spoke to men?)



rcjames -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 10:30:32 AM)

If God is not speaking to someone today, they had better check their connection!

Thanks
RC



Liveloved -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 2:14:06 PM)

God does speak today---but you have to listen, take time, be quiet before Him and be willing to humbly receive. He longs for people to listen. Wait on Him and you will hear Him speak. It begins with His whispers of mercy. . .



makarizo -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 2:31:43 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Casper22

Its almost as if we are created to be alone and hope our salvation will be enough to hopefully truley see him face to face someday. I
Casper

part of the beauty of the fellowship of believers is watching God speak in the lives of others. watching God carry out His will thru His body..... this wouldn't happen if He was silent.
I am remembering my first 'promise keepers' experience and the incredible presence of God that filled the room.

by faith we hear God speaking..........."Lord, increase Casper22's faith"



Ignited-Faith -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 6:42:04 PM)

Heavenly Father,
Please speak LORD,
Thy servant Casper22 is listening..."



jn1010lf -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 7:13:49 PM)

Hello Casper22

Have you ever gotten alone and asked God to make Himself real to you? Have you ever then listened?

It seems that we've been watered down on this. My traditional training cast muc doubt on the fact that God speaks. But he does; through his word, directly to believer that listen and in circumstances. He also speaks through other people, most notably his anointed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/26/2008 8:21:39 PM)

Literally, your post has given me the first time I ever considered that some believers might not know that G-d still speaks to us. I had never thought that before. Chalk that up to limited experience, I guess. But indeed, G-d has given us all we need in the Bible, and he still speaks to us through it.

I have met people who think that they hear voices, see angels, etc. Hard to say about them, but for the majority of those I have met, they need a strong pill or a long, guided "vacation." (But maybe we should chalk that up to my limited experiences as well.)

I have also met people who think they prophesy things that were never in the Bible and with which the Bible disagrees. These people's "gifts," in my opinion, are not just useless, but they are dangerous. When we add to what is in the Word, and call it necessary for our and others' salvation, we are in trouble.

I like Judge Judy. She basically says that if it's not on paper, it's not worth the air it takes to say it. She says this about living together without the benefit of marriage, loans without a written agreement, and almost anything else that appears before her. I like to watch her on occasion, because the ignorance of people in her court is usually amazing and often entertaining. It's the same with the Bible. He gave us His Word, clearly written out, and it's enough, but we often add to it, subtract from it, ignore it, refuse to study it, then we wonder why it is not sufficient. It is sufficient -- it really is!



Casper22 -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 12:07:08 AM)

I just sometimes think ive sinned to much in my past and the thing is I believe God has forgiven me but the part of me that thinks with my brain and not my heart would and still does agonise over the past. Especially when I was younger and I was dealing with some very sensitive and personal issues and I would lie in bed and just cry my heart out to him and beg him to change me and just to tell me he loved and I would hear nothing and it was some of the worst times in my life. I know he is there and I know I am loved I just wish he would say those words just one time when we need it the most. And this is not about doubting the Word thats not what im trying to say. So please no one misunderstand me and feel like they have to judge me in someway. Its an emotional thing that im talking about Take care my friends and thanks for the encouragement and prayer Casper



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 12:18:10 AM)

It's maturity, Casper. I know that is hard to hear, but it is. Many of us went through it and outgrew it. You can, too. Probably not overnight, but you can. In the meantime, you are learning to trust, if you allow it.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 12:25:31 AM)

Another thing: The young look at those of us who are older in Him, and they only see the things we have learned in our later lives with Him. They don't see the struggles we had in our earlier times, the failures, the regrets. They only see the later peace of being able to just let Him carry us, knowing that all His ways are the right ways.

Those who are young in the faith often get the idea that what they see in us is what has always been. Not so. I believe we all start out on the same level -- as sinners in need of a Savior. He comes, seeking us, and we fall in His arms.

We grow, and sometimes, we see successes, other times, we see failures, and yet other times, we seem to just be on a flat road into some distant horizon. We have high times and low times. We have times when our knowledge of and in Him grows exponentially and other times when we wonder where-in-the-world He is.

This is simply the human way, as we travel with Him.



bzirk -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 1:28:03 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveW

God does indeed speak to us today, thru the pages of the Bible, in that "still small voice" inside our own hearts, and if we really are not listening, occasionally an audible voice. (I have heard that exactly once about 35 years ago)

Those who claim that He is silent except for the pages of scripture have an inadequate understanding of how God and the world around us operate. They think in a mechanistic rather than a relational way.

God speaking to us is NOT new biblical revelation. (is that really the ONLY reason he ever spoke to men?)


Excellent post, Dave.

Casper,

Scripture makes it clear that we should be inclined to hear Him and receive Him as a result.

I love the refrain in Revelations:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)

and then:

If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (Rev. 13:9)

There's no question the Lord's written word has power (Hebrew 4:12 just to cite one reference). But to limit it to mere words and the Almighty having no interaction with us after His book has been written is quite frankly in conflict with what He has said in His Holy word. His written word is testament to the fact He has and is speaking to us. Of course He will never be in conflict with Himself, so whatever He says will line up with what He has inspired men to write.

A book that might be edifying to you is Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. Here's an online copy, and Chapter 6 is particularly interesting (excerpt below):

quote:



In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.-John 1:1

An intelligent plain man, untaught in the truths of Christianity, coming upon this text, would likely conclude that John meant to teach that it is the nature of God to speak, to communicate His thoughts to others. And he would be right. A word is a medium by which thoughts are expressed, and the application of the term to the Eternal Son leads us to believe that selfexpression is inherent in the Godhead, that God is forever seeking to speak Himself out to His creation. The whole Bible supports the idea. God is speaking. Not God spoke, but God is speaking. He is by His nature continuously articulate. He fills the world with His speaking Voice.

One of the great realities with which we have to deal is the Voice of God in His world. The briefest and only satisfying cosmogony is this: "He spake and it was done." The why of natural law is the living Voice of God immanent in His creation. And this word of God which brought all worlds into being cannot be understood to mean the Bible, for it is not a written or printed word at all, but the expression of the will of God spoken into the structure of all things. This word of God is the breath of God filling the world with living potentiality. The Voice of God is the most powerful force in nature, indeed the only force in nature, for all energy is here only because the power-filled Word is being spoken.

The Bible is the written word of God, and because it is written it is confined and limited by the necessities of ink and paper and leather. The Voice of God, however, is alive and free as the sovereign God is free. "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." The life is in the speaking words. God's word in the Bible can have power only because it corresponds to God's word in the universe. It is the present Voice which makes the written Word all-powerful. Otherwise it would lie locked in slumber within the covers of a book.

We take a low and primitive view of things when we conceive of God at the creation coming into physical contact with things, shaping and fitting and building like a carpenter. The Bible teaches otherwise: "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth .... For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast." "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God." Again we must remember that God is referring here not to His written Word, but to His speaking Voice. His world-filling Voice is meant, that Voice which antedates the Bible by uncounted centuries, that Voice which has not been silent since the dawn of creation, but is sounding still throughout the full far reaches of the universe.

The Word of God is quick and powerful. In the beginning He spoke to nothing, and it became something. Chaos heard it and became order, darkness heard it and became light. "And God said-and it was so." These twin phrases, as cause and effect, occur throughout the Genesis story of the creation. The said accounts for the so. The so is the said put into the continuous present.

That God is here and that He is speaking-these truths are back of all other Bible truths; without them there could be no revelation at all. God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years. God breathed on clay and it became a man; He breathes on men and they become clay. "Return ye children of men," was the word spoken at the Fall by which God decreed the death of every man, and no added word has He needed to speak.


(emphasis mine)

You can read the rest here:

http://www.woundedheart.org/tozchp6.htm

As for an audible voice, I certainly know the Lord can speak that way, but the Lord is not limited to an audible voice, and the scripture makes it clear that the Lord conveys spiritual things with spiritual words (I Cor. 2:13).



DaveW -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 12:39:53 PM)

Interesting:

Today I got an email from Steve Sampson's ministry (he looks and sounds like Bob Newhart - same dry humor) who has just released a video series based on his book You Can Hear the Voice of God. His books are all pretty good. My favorite is Don't Talk to me Now Lord, I'm Trying to Pray.

http://www.stevesampson.com/store.html



kmangel -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 2:03:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Casper22

I just sometimes think ive sinned to much in my past and the thing is I believe God has forgiven me but the part of me that thinks with my brain and not my heart would and still does agonise over the past.

I know I am loved I just wish he would say those words just one time when we need it the most.
Casper


I think a lot of people have felt as you have. It comes down to forgiving ourselves for our sins. We know God has forgiven us, but it's so hard to move past how we feel about what we've done. I know it's hard for me anyway. There are some things about my past, both when I was an unbeliever and didn't have the Holy Spirit living in me and guiding me and some things I've done as a believer, that I wish I hadn't done. God's forgiven me and it would behoove me to forgive myself and move on.

God doesn't love us because we are lovable. He loves us inspite of ourselves! Before we were saved there was nothing in us that even wanted anything to do with God yet God went after us and brought you and me to Him--otherwise we'd still be lost in our sins. Think about that. God loved you and went after you while you were not in the least interested in Him. I for one don't care much for people who reject me and push me aside. I tend to want to do back to them as they do to me. Not a very loving attitude. God didn't do that with you and me thank God! He wooed us while we were openly disinterested in Him. That's real, unconditional love.



bzirk -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 2:21:39 PM)

I agree with kmangel that many people have felt like you. Thankfully, the Lord does not let us stay in that thinking. It does help to read His word, but I hope that the posts here encourage you to expect the Lord to speak to you. He wants you to hear Him, and if you can't, then ask for His help in hearing Him. He'll help you.



WhiteRoseBlessings -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 2:24:29 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveW

Interesting:

Today I got an email from Steve Sampson's ministry (he looks and sounds like Bob Newhart - same dry humor) who has just released a video series based on his book You Can Hear the Voice of God. His books are all pretty good. My favorite is Don't Talk to me Now Lord, I'm Trying to Pray.

http://www.stevesampson.com/store.html
I think I'm going to get that book . . . just from the title alone!



Liveloved -> RE: Why doesnt God feel it necessary to talk to us today? (4/27/2008 3:42:04 PM)

quote:

but the part of me that thinks with my brain and not my heart would and still does agonise over the past.


A scripture for you to pray, Casper, would be II Corinthians 10:3-5. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh; (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. . ."

Our minds are those places where we have strongholds, fortresses, where lies can flourish. When we listen to the lies (such as having to do with past FORGIVEN sin), we are exalting our own thoughts over what God says. And this is part of our pridefulness that has to go. I'm speaking from experience, Casper. I listened to and believed the lies for many years. But when the Lord showed me what I was doing, exalting MY thoughts over HIS, I began to stop. It does not come easily. It is a battle. And satan is wily. But Jesus is stronger and will help you identify and give up the giving into and believing of lies. He has for me. He will for you.

Pray II Cor 10:3-5 for yourself and believe that Jesus WILL ACCOMPLISH this in you and for you! I do. He will. He is faithful! Bless you! [:)]LL



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