Does God still speak?

What is the main difference between a believer in Jesus Christ, and one who is not?  

There are believers who don't believe that we can still hear from God any longer.  How then can we have a personal relationship with God then?

An unbeliever gathers facts, and makes the best decision that he can; however, the believer gathers facts, and prays to God about His will.  

If you're considering a job, God knows the future. If the company is going to go out of business, He knows.  

Hearing God is not something you do, but it is who you are if you belong to Him.

John 10(NKJV)

10 “Most assuredly, I (Jesus) say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door,

but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 

2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 

Jesus knows His sheep not only collectively, but individually by name. 

4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 

Jesus's sheep can identify His voice from all the other voices that they hear. Jesus's sheep obey His voice when they hear it.

11 I (Jesus)am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  

16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Jesus's sheep hear His voice.  They follow Him, and they gather collectively with other sheep into flocks who are following Him and hearing His voice also.

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

(He's talking about the Jews first, and then to everyone else who believes in Jesus can be His sheep). 

1. If you belong to Jesus, you have the ability to hear (& discern) Jesus's voice. 

If you can't hear God, why would you pray to Him?  Prayer is not giving to God our to do list. 

2. God is a speaking God; therefore, He speaks to you if you belong to Him.   

3. The ability to hear Jesus is learned.  

Children need to be taught how to communicate. Jesus's disciples asked Him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1). 

Hearing God is dependent upon being taught.

When you read the Bible, write down what you think that God is telling you through those verses.  

4. The ability is matured. 

Children grow in their ability to communicate.  They say things that are inappropriate.  

Not everything that you think that you hear is hearing God.  You must have a Book, Chapter, and verse to support it. It is a learning process.  

A. There are some people who say that they hear God continuously.  

Do you want for God to tell you to do everything that you need to do?  What parent does not want their children mature enough to make some of their own decisions. 

B. There are the point and look philosophy. 

You open the Bible and just point. In this  philosophy, you don't have to hear and discern what God is saying.  That's not how to learn to hear from God. 

C.  Whatever will be will be philosophy.  

You don't hear God from what is. God's will is found in the Bible, and you discerning His voice in you.   

D. Your will is not God's will for your life either. 

     

God wants to speak to you.  

Ask the Holy Spirit what He is saying to you through this article.  

If you're going through a difficulty, why would you not ask God about it?  

The first step is to ask Jesus to forgive your past, and to be your Lord and Savior.  

Then, you will be Jesus's sheep with the ability to hear Him speak.  

Notes from Robert Morris, Gateway Church 
http://gatewaypeople.com/ministries/life/events/frequency-a-gateway-series/session/2016/04/16/im-a-sheep