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God's Voice

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Colin:
Hi Jeff

When I read the contributions to this thread, I was amazed by the “co-incidence” of having been semi-awake early this morning and having thoughts running around my brain, as the saying goes; I had been dwelling on the prodigal son parable which I referred to in a recent post on spiritual death.   And also to thoughts I had earlier expressed about Elihu’s address to Job – now to be found in the “general discussions”.

With the mention of Solomon and his experiences, I once again am pondering the methods whereby God, who is spirit, communicates with our spirit…..influencing our thought patterns.
1 Kings 3:5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.   

I do not imagine that God appeared as an “apparition” at the foot of Solomon’s bed, speaking audibly - although the KJV use of the word “said” tends to imply that.    It tells us that Solomon had a dream and by means of communication to and with our spirit/mind, which God knows how to employ, Solomon was able to request from God. 

This reminds me of Elihu’s address to Job, where he mentions a similar situation…..about the “voice of God”.
Job 33:12  Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Job 33:13  Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Job 33:14  For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
Job 33:15  In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
Job 33:16  Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Job 33:17  That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 

As I had mentioned, on numerous occasions, after having read and contemplated some of Ray’s articles/transcripts prior to retiring to bed - the next morning, as I am slowly awakening, I have had a clarification come to me at times, of what I had been reading and thinking about the previous day/evening. 
So I wonder, seeing that correction/instruction (Job 33:16) can be “transferred” to man’s mind, then why might not the same means be used for clarification and also transference of thoughts such as Solomon’s in seeking for wisdom.    God, the father of spirits, (Hebrews 12:9) the Creator of spirits, must be the “Expert” in communicating with us, in directing our thoughts as we volunteer to be led by Him.    God “looks upon the heart”….not like a surgeon about to perform literal surgery, but He knows our thoughts and desires.
Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Ray told us that he “prayed without ceasing”, as he went about his daily routine, explaining that his thoughts were “attuned to God”.   That’s a good habit to follow.   

When I think back to the parable of the prodigal son, I thought about the man “coming to himself”.  What made him analyse his wretched predicament ….his own “cleverness”?   Don’t think so - it was his own cleverness which got him into the mess in the first place.   We know in the parable that his physical father was a type of God the Father; we also know that our road to repentance has its starting point with God opening our eyes…..our “spiritual eyes” - and in granting us repentance.   We just aren’t able to do it by ourselves.    It needs an “outside/external” spiritual influence working on our spirit/mind.   
Philip 2:13  For it is God which worketh [Greek energeo  = is active and efficient] in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Our wills are being “worked on” by God….I feel that is by means of a “Spirit to spirit connection”.   And that “small voice of God” is there if we are sensitive and volunteer to respond to it.   

It is miraculous how God unifies us in spirit, as we strive, desiring to become the "bride", with our thoughts in agreement with the "bridegroom".    No other mix would endure.       Colin

Jeff:
Colin,

I really appreciate what you wrote and I identify with the way you think.  Those early morning hours must be a time when we're not so concerned about "self" and possibly more open to God's prompting.  I'm constantly trying to stop focusing on "me" and be connected to our Creator, but it's a fruitless effort on my own.  God drags me before I finally understand. The flesh is such a hindrance.

I think about the story of Job often.  It's a good lesson from the physical perspective, but it also reminds us of Jesus' tribulation. 

We're reminded that we have ministering Messangers in our midst,

Luke 10:40 "For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep..."
Hebrews 4:7 'Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”'
Psalms 34:7 "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." 

When God creates a being who in part is intended to share God's instruction with us, we can be sure that He's always watching over us.

As God said and you referenced:
Matthew 6:8 "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

This is something I think about every day.  Do I need to pray for something specific when God knows far better what I need?  Probably not, although I think it's possibly more a matter of faith, and hope is an important aspect of our faith.

Hebrew 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

I think this probably refers to salvation primarily but we can apply Scripture in all areas of our lives.

I think you're right that God works in us in a number of ways, Scripture, our thought life, in the circumstances we experience, the people who cross our path, and probably far more than I know.

I think it's profound in the way God chooses to impact our lives. It seems rare that He just directs our thoughts, but rather chooses to bring us through the challenges He sets before us - trying us through fire. It makes sense to me that rather than skirting around some issue, He wants us to experience, and sweat through the obstacles.

God is perfect and just.

It's interesting to me that the more I seek God, the more He uses the early morning hours to instruct me, and let me know that He's there. it's becoming a very important time in my day.

Our Creator is so much more than we can possibly understand and yet He desires to bring us into His family.  We were created for the express purpose of being part of Him. I can't imagine anything more important.

I think one reason God gives us a spirit (other than it makes us alive) is that it's the way He communicates with us.

It's all so perfect, that it makes me want to hide out of shame in my carnal nature, but I also know that He wants us to "draw near to Him"

James 4:8 "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Being unified with God, I think, is our sole purpose.

Peace,
Jeff

rick:
Hi Jeff,

I find God teaches me things in scripture , through Rays writings and my experiences in life, I think when one has thoughts about sins in their life or when we are doing things that don’t lead to spiritual life I believe those thoughts are prompted by the Holy Spirit.

I feel that my sins are a great part of my relationship with God, first the physical then the spiritual, we start off with a carnal mind, the carnal mind hates God, wants to be in charge, a god until itself.

It takes a miracle by God for us to not want to be a god until ourselves, God walks us out of carnality and as He does this we become aware of our sins and this is our relationship with our creator.

Now we desire not to sin and so we put forth the effort only to discover we are powerless to live righteously before God, God makes sure we understand this, remember, no one can boast.

When scripture says put on the mind of Christ, it does not happen all at once, its God who puts on the mind of Christ in us by the Holy Spirit who prompts our thoughts and then one discovers its God teaching them.

When I’m angry with someone, the carnal mind wants revenge, but when my thoughts are about forgiving that person and I start to think I am no better than that person and that person is under the same law as me, cause and effect I know this is the Holy Spirit leading me in those thoughts.

God is God, He can teach us by any means, I find all the circumstances in my life God uses to teach me, to get me to think about what I’m doing, why I’m doing it and leads me in a better way than I could ever lead myself.

Through this process we decrease and He increases and God becomes the God in our temple but this takes a life time Jeff, its all done in Gods time, and that teaches us patience to wait upon God.

Whatever I’m going through I have to go through it, there are many things I don’t want to go through but its those things that teach me the most.

There is only one way and that is Gods way except here its Gods way and there is no highway, God rules us through our circumstances.

P.s. just when you think you got it together you screw it up and God lets you know He gets it together for you, He will cause His to follow.  :)

 
God bless.

Jeff:
Amen brother! You have the Spirit of God guiding you. :)

arion:

--- Quote from: Jeff on October 02, 2015, 01:09:52 PM ---
I just can't figure out if the thought is from God, the Adversary, or something that's just mine alone.  It's tormenting me, but it also may be there for a purpose. 

--- End quote ---


It really doesn't matter in the long run.  Don't stress out about it because that is something that the adversary can do.

It's simple.  God is either in control of everything that happens to you, every thought that you can think and everything that you do or he is not in control of all these things in your life.  Which one of these opposites is true?  That, I believe is what it means to have child like faith.  Since God IS in control of everything that happens to you, every thought that you think ect, then all the hand wringing is unproductive and harmful.

If you think about it, since God is our Father just what do we have to worry about?  Not only is God our Father but our elder brother is always making intercession for us before the throne of grace and mercy.  Does a little child holding to his Father's hand worry about all these things?  We are little children and our Father is holding our hand.  Whatever we do or think God is in control even if we drift off into disobedience from time to time.  In the end it will all be good. 

Easier said than done I know because even your stressing about these things right now is part of God's plan [right now] for you and even admonitions to the contrary won't bear fruit for you until it's your time to understand it and walk in it.  The areas you struggle with are probably areas that I don't and the things I struggle with are things that you don't have a problem with.  It's all of God and will all be good in the end.  It is enough.....

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