This post from Colleen Coombs is the third in a new series for us, HOPE AT HOME KIDS. So, when you see H@HKIDS! in the title, you know we are giving you something geared specifically to use with your children. For many, these posts will be good read-alouds during family devotions, and for some they will be great to email or print out for your older children to read on their own.We are excited about this opportunity to share with your children!
“Every word of God is flawless.”
The next language we will be learning about is HEARING God’s actual voice. His voice can be heard in two ways – outer audible and inner audible.
One of our most popular breakouts last year was one Jenni Means did on helping our children hear God for themselves. We've asked her to do another breakout this year along the same lines. It is called, Helping Your Child Hear and Experience God. Watch this video to hear what one adoptive mom has to say about it:
We'd love for you to join us October 5-6 for HOPE AT HOME 2012. You will be refreshed and encouraged in your parenting, and you will experience afresh the love of your Father God for you, His very own precious child. To find out more and to register, click HERE.
From Colleen:
So we already know that God wants to talk to His children because he is the best Father of all and because we are his sheep. You can read about that here. We also learned that God has many languages He uses to speak to us and that many of these are non-verbal – they can not be heard. Click here to read about some of these.
So, now let’s take a look at some more of His languages!
So, now let’s take a look at some more of His languages!
The first language of God that we are going to learn about is THE BIBLE, which is God’s word to us. Whenever we are having difficulty hearing from God in other ways, we always have his word that we can read and store in our heart because His word is perfect!
Proverbs 30:5a
Why do you think that the bible is such an important language for us to learn? Because it is used to encourage us, build us up and draw us closer to God. It tells us all about who God is, what He has done and what His plans are for us!
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
God created us so that he could have a relationship with us. That means that He wants us to be close to him. For us to be close to him, we have to understand who He is. We can know God’s deeds, character, and qualities (attributes) through the Bible. He says it is ‘the bread of life’ and it’s how He feeds us.
Matthew 4:4
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
The bible also gives us many examples that we may look to when we are going through a tough time, or when we need wisdom. It shows us what God has done in the past, what he is doing now, and what he will do in the future. These things will not pass away.
Matthew 24:35
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
David encouraged himself over and over again in the book of Psalms by reminding himself of what God had already done. When God reminds us of what He has done through the bible, we are encouraged too!
It is amazing how God speaks to us in so many different ways, but with some languages it may be harder to know exactly what God is saying. The one exception to this is the bible. We know that the bible is true and we must look to it for direction because it is always trustworthy.
Outer audible means that we are able to hear it with our ears. It’s how we hear all sounds and other people’s voices. God can speak just like he is in the room! Inner audible means that we hear it in our minds. When God speaks to us with His inner audible voice, we don’t hear it the way we hear sound-- it’s like a thought or His voice in our head.
God spoke audibly to Adam and Eve when they were in the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:8-9
“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. “But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’”
God told Abraham that his wife Sara would have a baby when she was very old. He gave him a promise about his future generations (Gen. 17:1-22). He also spoke to Moses and told him that he would put His words in his mouth, when he called him to lead God’s people out of Israel (Exodus 4:1-15). God spoke to the Israelites through Moses when he led them to Mt. Sinai. He gave Moses the 10 Commandments and he wrote them in stone for all to see (Exodus 20:1-17).
Samuel, a prophet of God, for which the books of 1&2 Samuel are named after, first heard the voice of God when he was a child. He was growing up in the temple, and when he heard God’s voice, he thought that it was Eli, the priest, who was calling him. (1 Samuel 3:1-15)
Did you know that when this happened to Samuel he didn’t even know God yet? That shows us that some people can hear God before they know Him. God does this so they will know he is real and to show them how much he loves them. (1 Samuel 3:7)
In fact God spoke so clearly to Samuel that it was said that not a word he spoke was ever wrong! He was the only prophet that this was said about. Perhaps it is because he learned to recognize God’s voice as a child and never forgot it! (I Samuel 3:19-20)
God continued to speak too many of his prophets in this way, so that they could then tell the Israelites what God wanted them to do.
Isaiah (Isa. 7-24), Jeremiah (Jer. 1-19), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 2:1-8, 8:5-6), Books of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
In the New Testament gospels, God the Father spoke from heaven during the baptism of Jesus. All the people gathered there heard this!!!
Matthew 17:5
While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Also in the New Testament, a Jewish Pharisee name Saul (Paul) was persecuting the new Christian believers. He was on his way to Damascus to try to find Christians so he could throw them in prison. While on the road to Damascus, God spoke to him.
Acts 9:4
“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’”
Saul’s encounter with God changed him and he dedicated his life to preaching the gospel. God gave him a new name - Paul. God continued to speak to Paul as he spread the good news. (Acts 22:17-21)
These are just two languages God uses. We will take a look at some others soon. Have your bible nearby and ask Him to speak through his word to you. If you take some time today to listen for God you might be surprised what happens!
We'd love your input-- what are some topics you'd like to share with your children?
We'd love your input-- what are some topics you'd like to share with your children?
No comments:
Post a Comment