It was November 1988, and I had been saved for about two weeks. I had almost no interaction with other Christians for those two weeks because after I was saved, I left town for a job. During those two weeks, I had read a little paperback New Testament at night in the hotel room where I was staying. It was the only Bible I had ever been exposed to, and I was reading it like a starving man. The Lord was speaking to me through His written word, and I was very aware of it. I couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel at night to see what the Lord had to say.
When I returned home, I searched for the people who had prayed the prayer of salvation with me because I had a million questions about the word. I also wanted to know more about this wonderful experience that had happened to me.
They invited me to a bible study that night. When I showed up, the house was full of people who were engaged in this discussion about how God had spoken to this one individual a few days ago. As I listened skeptically, one by one they all related stories of how God had spoken to them. I thought they were ALL NUTS!
My Idea of God was somewhat shaken by all this conversation, and I wanted some answers. I had to know if this was real or just a bunch of weirdos that went off the deep end, so I politely asked, “what exactly do you mean by God spoke to me?”
A woman named Diane explained to me that God speaks to us in several different ways. He speaks to us through His written word, through other people, He can speak audibly, and he speaks to us personally in our hearts and minds. She claimed that we can learn to hear His voice. She added, that every night for one whole year she would lay in bed at night and pray, “God, you are my father and I am your child, and I should know my father’s voice, so I am asking you to speak to me.”
Many more words were said, and a lot of instruction was given, but what she said stuck with me and I could not get it out of my mind. To help me in my new faith, the group gave me a brand-new Amplified bible. I was so excited! I had never seen the Old Testament before and was looking forward to exploring it.
On the long drive home, I was wrestling with all this new information about how God speaks to people, and I just couldn’t bring myself to accept it. So, when I got home, I went to the bedroom, dropped my new bible on the floor next to the bed, kicked off my cloths and laid down staring at the ceiling.
With arms crossed, laying there in the dark, I decided to put this woman’s method to the test. So, I prayed, “God if you really do speak to people, I have to know it for myself. I am going to lay here until You talk to me if I have to lay here until daylight.”
I was not prepared for what happened. Immediately, I heard this strong voice inside me say, “Samuel 3.” It really freaked me out! I sat up on the edge of the bed and turned on the light. I can’t explain how I felt, but I knew one thing for sure: that voice did not come from me because I did not know what “Samuel 3” meant.
As I was sitting there, wondering if that was God that spoke or just my overactive imagination. I looked down at the floor and saw the new bible. I picked it up and turned to the table of contents, thinking this might be a scripture. I was completely shocked when I saw the books of first and second Samuel! I had never read or even seen the Old Testament before. It was the LORD! I had goosebumps double-parked. I sheepishly asked the Lord, “Which one?” and that same voice came again and said, “First Samuel.” I was blown away that God was actually talking to me personally!
I was almost scared to look at the passage, but when I did, God confirmed our new relationship miraculously. You may know the story. The prophet Samuel was a young boy. He was lying in his bed one night (just like me), and the Lord came and spoke to him (just like me). The boy ran to the priest because he thought Eli had called him. You see, Samuel did not know God’s voice either (just like me). This happened three times until Eli the priest had to tell Samuel that the Lord was talking. He told Samuel the next time He hears the voice say, “Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.”
It was at that point that I crossed the line from believing that God is real to knowing that God is real, alive, and speaks to His people.
This changed my thinking altogether. I had already made up my mind that I was going to do what God said. Now that I knew He would speak to me directly, I thought I had it made! This Christian thing is going to be easy now!
I soon realized that being a Christian is the hardest thing ever. It is also the most rewarding. It will cost you everything, but you will gain a Father, an elder Brother, and a new family that stretches across the globe.
Most importantly, you will receive the Holy Spirit of the living God in your heart and upon your life to help you navigate this exciting journey, be a witness for Christ, and bring Him glory along the way.
John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
JESUS IS COMING!
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