"How do we know if we're hearing from the Lord?"

Today, I received a letter from Pastor Charles Stanley with In Touch Ministries which asks the big question: "How do we know if we're hearing from the Lord?"  I could not help but compare my recent response from God with the guidelines set forth in the letter.  Here are the guidelines:

1) "God's voice is always consistent with His Word." (Acts 17:11)

2) "His messages often challenge our faith." (Hebrews 11:6)

3) "(T)he Lord's voice is often quiet."  (I Kings 19:11-13)

In reviewing these guidelines I am happy and certain to say that my last response from God which I posted in a blog entry yesterday was indeed God's voice.  Referring to the guidelines, the Words I received were directly from Isaiah 55:10, 11.  My faith was challenged in the sense that I was moved to share the experience with you.  My faith was increased because of the presence of God that I experienced.  Personally, the reward for me is God's presence  (Hebrews 11:6).

In his letter, Pastor Stanley said, "...(God) often speaks quietly to our hearts at unexpected times (I Kings 19:11-13).  This describes my experience because I was searching for other scriptures when I unexpectedly came across Isaiah 55:10,11.  To increase my faith even more, God has spoken to me in His perfect timing through the words of Charles Stanley.  Amen!

Has God ever spoken to you? If so, I truly would enjoy hearing about the experience.  Write to me at e.towns@hotmail.com to share your experience.  

The Word of God has Spoken!

Recently I posted a version of this song with the lyrics on facebook saying, "It's raining the the Northwest tonight and I'm finding myself hoping that the word of God will pour down with it!;)"  When I turned to God's word over the weekend, here is what He said:  10)"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10,11)  Through these words, God showed me the song is biblical and that He is present and listening to me!  Isn't God amazing?!

Inspired by F(f)riends!

I was introduced to this song through a blog posting on the Earlham School of Religion website entitled "When Way Opens: Having Faith to say "Yes" to the Movement of the Spirit" by Katie Heape.  I found the blog entry encouraging and the song speaking to my condition.  Perhaps you will relate.