destinychurch

How do I know when God is talking to me?

Are you "restless"? Is there something inside you crying out, longing to know and fulfill what God has for you next?

When we know God's voice we learn God's heart. And when we know God's heart, then we can follow His will. 

Take the first step and determine to know the voice of God like never before! 

Here are the most frequent ways God has spoken throughout history. Jesus said we are His "sheep" and we know His voice... the question is are we listening? John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

God speaks through Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God speaks directly to your heart (still small voice)

Isaiah 31:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

1 Kings 19:11-13 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

God speaks through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (Convictions, leadings, dreams, visions and Prophecy)

John 16:8-11 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

2 Peter 1:19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Joel 2:28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

God speaks through Peace

Col 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

God speaks through common sense and wisdom

Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.

God speaks audibly (the actual voice of God)

Exodus 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 

God speaks with messages sent through angels

Acts 5:19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

God's talking - are we listening?

Lies That Attack Our Character

Everyday our character comes under attack; the question is do we have the truth to address the lies thrown at us?

The first 7 below are from last weekend's service at Destiny. There are 8 more added to them for personal study. There are countless other things that attack our character, but I see a few on the list below that I know will keep me busy for a while. 

Taking specific truths from God’s Word and addressing those specific lies is key to victory. Here are some of the prevalent lies that attack our hearts… and a starting point from Scripture. Truth should be vocalized (spoken), personalized, prayed, and meditated on. 

John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Lies that Attack Our Character

Pervasive Thoughts (sins in our thinking)

 The Lie – I can’t help what I think about

The Truth – Our hearts follow what we feed them

Col 3:1-4 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Besetting Sins

The lie – I can manage the outcome of sin

The truth – wherever there is sin, there is death

James 1:15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Lying/Exaggeration/Deception 

The Lie - We believe a lie can get us something or somewhere the truth can’t

The Truth – a lie works against what God wants to do in me

Col 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

Unforgiveness

The Lie – We can’t forgive, or they don’t deserve it - so I refuse to.

The Truth – we forgive, because Christ forgave us

Col 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Pride

The lie – It’s ok to play God

The Truth – We are to be the hands and heart of God

Jer 9:23 – 24 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,”

Greed

The Lie – there’s not enough, I have to take all I can

The Truth – Hoarding brings poverty, sharing brings prosperity.

Proverbs 11:24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 

Relationships

The Lie – I’ll influence them, they won’t rub off on me

The Truth - The company you keep, determines the direction you go.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Possibility of Personal Change

The lie – Meaningful, lasting change, can’t happen to me

The Truth – Anything is possible for God

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Authority

The Lie - If I don’t agree with the rule, I don’t have to keep it

The Truth – God is the one who establishes authority

Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Selfishness

The lie – my things are most important

The Truth – we should look out for the needs of others before our own

Phil 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Materialism

The Lie – As soon as I get "x,y,or z" I’ll be content

The Truth - Prosperity without character is devastation.

Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep falsehood and lies far from me give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

Speech

The Lie – I can’t help what I say

The Truth – Words give life or death

Eph 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Anger / Revenge

The lie – I deserve to see them get what they’ve got coming

The Truth - Our anger never accomplishes God’s will

James 1:19-29 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 

Majority Rule

The Lie – The majority must be right and we should follow a crowd

The Truth – God has set you apart

Gal 1:15-16 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,

Work Ethic

The Lie – Minimum effort is permissible as long as minimum responsibilities are met. 

The Truth – We work for God, not money or man

Col 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,