How God Speaks To Us Today (Part II) Psalm 19:1 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 시편 19:1 1 하늘이 하나님의 영광을 선포하고 궁창이 그 손으로 하신 일을 나타내는도다 Last time I spoke, I shared with you the first part on How God Speaks to Us Today. In a brief summary, I ve shared that there are many ways in God speaking to us. As the Scripture says in Job 33:14, Job 33:14 14 For God does speak now one way, now another though man may not perceive it. 욥기 33:14 14 사람은 무관히 여겨도 하나님은 한번 말씀하시고 다시 말씀하시되 So, because God is speaking to us in many different ways, if a person is dogmatic about hearing God only in a certain way, it is possible that the person is unable to hear the voice of the LORD through different means. For example, in 1 Kings 19:11-13 [When Elijah ran from Jezebel and hid in a cave Elijah tried to hear the voice of God in a great and powerful wind, in an earthquake, and in a fire, but God spoke to him in a gentle whisper a gentle whisper that required Elijah to pull his cloak over his face. God did not speak to Elijah in one of expected ways, but in a gentle whisper. In a short summary, I ve shared about three ways in which God speaks to us today: The first, and the most important, way is through the Bible, The second way is through supernatural visitations from either Jesus Himself or an angel, and The third way is through the Listening Prayer. The Listening Prayer is done through three steps: By believing that God is the Good Shepherd and He is communicating with us, By believing that we can hear His voice, and By attentively hearing what He is saying to us. o This Listening Prayer is based on John 10:27 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 요한복음 10:27 27 내 양은 내 음성을 들으며 나는 저희를 알며 저희는 나를 따르느니라 o And, the amazing thing is, actually not-so-amazing thing is, that we can hear Him all the time, and be assured that He is with us Also, that we could even converse with Him for an hour or more, and continue a dialog and receive a lengthy revelation. For those who believe, hearing His voice is relatively easy when our hearts and our attention are given to Him. In fact, hearing His voice is an essential ingredient in developing intimacy with God for all relationship building starts with proper communication especially in sharing one s heart to the other. The same is true with God, as we could clearly and easily observe it through Psalms, especially those of David. When the people cannot hear His voice readily, many people become quickly disappointed when they have difficulties in hearing His voice. However, we need to reflect upon His faithfulness as the Good Shepherd, and understand that His silence may be caused by our impatience or our desperation to hear only what we want to hear. Moreover, it is important for us to know, one of the ways God communicates to us is through His silence. Therefore, when you have His silence as an answer, I want you to know that it does not mean that He is not communicating with us because He may have many good reasons in communicating in silence: His silence may be telling us to wait. His silence may be used to fan the desire in our hearts to seek Him. His silence may be used to teach us how to hear Him better. His silence may be used to train us in making decisions according to His Word and His character. His silence may be used to reveal the condition of our heart. - 1
So, whether you hear His voice regularly, or not, how do you respond to His silence? His silence is sometimes a gift and it may be a gateway to the next phase of your walk with Him and it may even mean that you are on His threshing floor being equipped to go to the next level in your walk with God. His silence may be so that you would choose to acknowledge Him even in His silence, His silence may be so that you would choose to wait for Him even in His silence, His silence may be so that you would choose to live according to His ways even in His silence, His silence may be so that you would choose to trust Him even in His silence, and His silence may be so that you would choose to love Him even in His silence. Psalm 91:14 14 Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 시편 91:14 14 하나님이 가라사대 저가 나를 사랑한즉 내가 저를 건지리라 저가 내 이름을 안즉 내가 저를 높이리라 So, once again, He reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd, and He knows how to lead us; especially when we acknowledge Him. Proverb 3:6 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 잠언 3:5-6 5 너는 마음을 다하여 여호와를 의뢰하고 네 명철을 의지하지 말라 6 너는 범사에 그를 인정하라 그리하면 네 길을 지도하시리라 Now, going back to how we hear the voice of God, what are two most important pre-requisites in hearing the voice of God? That is right, they are: Believing that God wants to communicate with us, and Paying attention to what He might be saying in those things that catch our attention. o For example: God caught Joseph s attention through a dream with a promise, God caught Moses attention through a burning bush that would not burn, God caught Elisha s attention through Elijah throwing his clock around him, God caught Saul s attention through lights from heaven flashing around him, God caught Peter s attention through a vision of unclean animals, and God caught Cornellius attention through a visitation of an angel. Today, I would like to share with you in how God speaks to us through the natural realms. Romans 1:20 20 For since the creation of the world God s invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made 로마서 1:19-20 20 창세로부터 그의 보이지 아니하는 것들 곧 그의 영원하신 능력과 신성이 그 만드신 만물에 분명히 보여 알게 되나니 Yes, God makes His qualities clearly seen by men. For example, the heavens declare[선포] the glory of God and the skies proclaim [증거] the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1-4 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. 시편 19:1-4 1 하늘이 하나님의 영광을 선포하고 궁창이 그 손으로 하신 일을 나타내는도다 2 날은 날에게 말하고 밤은 밤에게 지식을 전하니 3 언어가 없고 들리는 소리도 없으나 4 그 소리가 온 땅에 통하고 그 말씀이 세계 끝까지 이르도다 - 2
It says that the heavens proclaim the glory of God day and night, and that everyone hears their testimony about God. That is why God declares Psalm 53:1 1 The fool says in his heart, There is no God. 시편 53:1 어리석은 자는 그 마음에 이르기를 하나님이 없다 하도다 Have you ever looked up to the sky and heard Him saying to you, Here I am. Can you see me? Can you hear me? I am covering you today, tomorrow, and everyday. I will never leave you or forsake you, I will strengthen you and lift you up, and I will provide for you and guide you because I love you. Oh~ How beautiful He is, and how His creations speak forth His prophetic expressions! As the morning sun brings hope of a new day, and casts away the darkness of the night, if we would pay attention to Him and to His voice we can hear His whisper, that says, For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 [나 여호와가 말하노라 너희를 향한 나의 생각은 내가 아나니 재앙이 아니라 곧 평안이요 너희 장래에 소망을 주려하는 생각이라] Moreover, as the evening moon brightens the night sky, and as the full moon fades out the glory of the stars, if we would pay attention to Him and to His voice we can hear His whisper, that says, To which of my angels have I said that you are my son; today I have become your Father? You are my prince, and my ministering angels will minister to you And My glory on you will overshadow the glory I have given them. Hebrews 1:5 & Hebrews 1:14[어느 때에 내가 천사 중 누구에게 네가 내 아들이라 오늘날 내가 너를 낳았다 하였으며 또 내가 천사 중 누구에게 그는 아들이 되리라 하였느냐?...너는 나의 왕자요 나의 천사들이 너를 섬길 것이요 네게 임한 나의 영광이 그들에게 허락한 영광을 흐리게 할 것이다.] Furthermore, as the gentle breeze expresses His warm embrace and as sounds of leaves blown in the wind reminds us of the sounds of angels, if we would pay attention to Him and to His voice we can hear His whisper, that says, Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 [수고하고 무거운 짐진 자들아 다 내게로 오라 내가 너희를 쉬게 하리라 나는 마음이 온유하고 겸손하니 나의 멍에를 메고 내게 배우라 그러면 너희 마음이 쉼을 얻으리니 이는 내 멍에는 쉽고 내 짐은 가벼움이라 하시니라] Furthermore, as the white clouds in the bright blue sky rolls to form their shape, and as the setting sun shines upon it, if we would pay attention to Him and to His voice we can hear His whisper, that says. See, once again, I am painting the sky with red-white-and-blue uniquely for you do you like the colors I have chosen, the lattice work of the white clouds mixed within the setting red sun, and the white clouds forming the heart shape in the center of all so you may look up and find my love for you written on the sky. [보아라 다시 한번 내가 하늘을 너를 위하여 붉고-희고-파랗게 수채화를 그리지 않았느냐 내가 선택 한 색상 과 흰 구름이 얇게 펴져 붉은 저녁 햇빛에 조화를 이루는 것과 그 가운데 내가 하얀 구름으로 크게 하트모양을 그린 것을 바로 네가 눈을 들어 하늘을 보고 내가 너를 향하여 그려놓은 내 사랑을 찾을 수 있게 하기위하여] Now, other than the heavens, what other natural means does God use to communicate with us? Can you list them all? How about through the Stories, Movies [얘기, 영화] Pictures, Photos, Cartoons [그림, 사진, 만화] Billboards, Slogans [빌보드, 슬로간] Coincidences [우연] Almost Anything Do not limit God. In stories and movies, how does God speak to us? Can you think of an example in how God spoke to you through a story, a book, or a movie? - 3
Well~ The best example of God using stories to communicate with us will be the individual illustrations, stories, and parables in the bible. For example, Jesus gives us The Parable of The Sower [심는자의 비유], The Parable of The Weeds [가라지의 비유], and The Parable of The Mustard Seed and Yeast [겨자씨와 누룩의 비유], The Parable of Hidden Treasure and The Pearl [감추어진 보화 와 좋은 진주의 비유], and The Parable of the Net [그물의 비유] to explain to us about the Kingdom of Heaven [천국에 대하여] in Matthew Chapter 13. o As written in Matthew 13:10-11, the parables in the Bible are stories describing God s prophetic message to us. Matthew 13:10-11 10 The disciples came to him and asked, Why do you speak to the people in parables? 11 He replied, The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 마태복음 13:10-11 10 제자들이 예수께 나아와 가로되 어찌하여 저희에게 비유로 말씀하시나이까 11 대답하여 가라사대 천국의 비밀을 아는 것이 너희에게는 허락되었으나 저희에게는 아니 되었나니 o In a way, all prophetic messages are parables displayed to us hidden in a special way so that only those who are watchful and mindful [찾고 생각하는 이들]of God s desire to communicate with us could see and hear. o Now, do you know why I believe the two pre-requisites in hearing God better are: Believing that God wants to communicate with us, and Paying attention to what He might be saying in those things that catch our attention. Because, without out these two, it is very difficult to see what God is saying to us...because it takes faith to see into the spiritual realm. Matthew 13:16-17 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. 마태복음 13:16-17 16 그러나 너희 눈은 봄으로 너희 귀는 들음으로 복이 있도다 17 내가 진실로 너희에게 이르노니 많은 선지자와 의인이 너희 보는 것들을 보고자 하여도 보지 못하였고 너희 듣는 것들을 듣고자 하여도 듣지 못하였느니라 Now, can you think of a picture, photo, cartoon, billboard, or slogan [그림, 사진, 만화, 빌보드, 슬로간] that God used in the past to speak to you? Our banners speak much of who we are. o The banner on the Passion for Jesus speaks forth our life purpose, seeking His face to become more passionate with Him to know Him better. Ephesians 1:17 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 에베소서 1:17 우리 주 예수 그리스도의 하나님, 영광의 아버지께서 지혜와 계시의 정신을 너희에게 주사 하나님을 [더 잘] 알게 하시고 o The banner on the Love for the World speaks forth our life goal, so that we may carry the love God gave us to the rest of the world. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 사도행전 1:8 오직 성령이 너희에게 임하시면 너희가 권능을 받고 예루살렘과 온 유대와 사마리아 땅 끝까지 이르러 내 증인이 되리라 하시니라 - 4
o The banner on the House of Prayer speaks out that we are building a house of prayer, asking God to give us the nations as our inheritance, so that we may fulfill the Great Commission. Psalm 2:8 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 시편 2:8 내게 구하라 내가 열방을 유업으로 주리니 네 소유가 땅 끝까지 이르리로다 Now, can you think of a coincidence in your life that God used to speak to you? How about Abraham finding a ram stuck in a bush when he was about to sacrifice Isaac? o Was it a coincidence or His provision? How about Moses walking toward Mount Horeb on the day God spoke to him through the burning bush? o Was it a coincidence or His leading? How about God leading you to this church? Another set of coincidences God uses to speak to me often is the use of numbers, especially on a clock. When I look at a clock randomly, more often than not the numbers on the clock are 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, and 5:55. When this happens, I believe God is highlighting these numbers to me, and speaks to me an encouragement. To me, 1:11 speaks the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and God s exhortation for me to worship and praise Him. 2:22 speaks of His promise of the key of David to me, from Isaiah 22:22, the promise that He is with me and His assurance that His vision for me will be fulfilled. Isaiah 22:22 22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 이사야 22:22 내가 또 다윗집의 열쇠를 그의 어깨에 두리니 그가 열면 닫을 자가 없겠고 닫으면 열 자가 없으리라 3:33 speaks to me of the fullness and overflowing of the Holy Spirit in my life, and His promise that He will always be with me as my Helper and my Partner. 4:44 speaks to me of the fullness of life, and His promise for health & longevity. 5:55 speaks to me of the His grace in my life assured three times which represents not only promised, but also guarantee as if He is saying to me The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you and he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8 여호와 그가 네 앞서 행하시며 너와 함께 하사 너를 떠나지 아니하시며 버리지 아니하시리니 What other coincidences does God use to bless you and to speak to you? o How about the coincidence of having the realtor s sign that said John & Michelle all throughout Chino Valley as we were praying to occupy this sanctuary? Of course, we do not put great significance in these numbers every time I see them on a clock. However, every time I do see them, it is a reminder to me that God is with me, and He is faithfully embracing me --- each time is a moment to remember Him and His goodness in my life, to see whether He is speaking to me. Now, can you think of an example in which God used a movie to speak to you? Whenever I think of a movie, I think of Lord of The Rings, to a scene in which Frodo is tired and wondering whether he could go on and Gandalf says to him, something like, we do not choose the time we live in, but we do choose what to do with the time given to us. [우리는 우리가 살고있는 시간을 선택 할 수 없지만 우리는 우리에게 주어진 시간동안 무엇을 할 것인가는 선택 할 수 있다] Through such scenes, I hear God telling me the same thing, reminding me that I have the same choice. In the same way, that choice is laid before you, today. Would you choose to seek His face so that you may know Him better? - 5
What could be better than knowing Him better? When I first read Genesis 15:1, that says, Genesis 15:1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. 창세기 15:1 이 후에 여호와의 말씀이 이상 중에 아브람에게 임하여 가라사대 아브람아 두려워 말라 나는 너의 방패요 너의 지극히 큰 상급이니라 o I questioned, how can merely knowing God be a great reward? Now, as I get to know Him better, truly, there is no greater reward in my life than to know Him better. I hope that you agree with me that there is no greater reward than knowing Him better. So, what would you do with the time that has been given to you? Fellowship Group Reflection Questions 1. Have you ever looked into the sky and saw that God had drawn a picture for you? a. What was it like? b. What did He say? c. What did you feel? d. Were you able to thank God? 2. What do you do when you feel like God is speaking to you? a. Do you brush it off, and say, it could not be? b. Do you thank him? c. Do you ask a question back? d. Do you treasure the moment, and ask God to continue, and give you a revelation? i. of His love? ii. of His wisdom? iii. of His heart? 3. Have you ever had a coincidence in your life that God used to speak to you? a. What was the coincidence? b. Was it luck, His guidance, or His provision? 4. What if you could not discern the hand of God in your coincidence? a. Do you call it luck? b. Do you ask God a question? c. Do you shelf it? 5. We have been discussing the concept of seeking His face? a. What do you think that term is? b. What have you been doing toward it? Was there any difference in your relationship with the LORD afterward? 6. What would you do differently, if any, since you have a choice as to what to do with the time that s been given to you? - 6