60 Days of Beauty: Day 51 - His Voice

We kicked off a 4-week series called, "He Speaks."  It's a study on listening, discerning and obeying God's voice.  The series layout:

January 19 - He Speaks, but how?

January 26 - He Speaks, but how do I make sure it's Him?

February 3 - He Speaks, but what about when He's silent?

February 10 - He Speaks, so how do I become a better listener?

Last night, I was able to pull out an oldie but a goody.  We looked at 6 key ways in which God will speak to us today.

1. The Bible - This is key to start with becuase it's right there for us to pick up at any point and hear God's Voice.  2 Timothy 3:16 and Hebrews 4:12 confirm this truth.  It's also key to start with because God's Word is essential to checking and discerning the other ways in which God speaks.  God's voice will never contradict God's Word.
2. Pastors/Shepherds - "Pastors" is a bit tricky to use in this category because we think of it as a title over the biblical understanding of those who are in a place of authority in guiding a flock.  In a student's case, the pastor/shepherd role may be taken up by parents, coaches, teachers, Small Group Leaders and other roles of authority.  God can use people of authority to speak His words to us. (Check out Jeremiah 3:15)
3. Friends - There are also those moments God will use those right around us (check out Colossians 3:16) 
4.  Circumstances & Events - Places, issues, opportunities continually come in our path.  Sometimes it's a coincidence.  Yet, there are those moments where it's clear that God is making a statement to us through the events around us.  (check out Romans 8:28)
5. Visions & Dreams - It's supernatural.  You can't explain it, but it has happened and continues to happen (Joel 2:28)
6. Still Small Voice - As a believer we have received the Holy Spirit in us, and Jesus explained that He would guide us into all kinds of truth (John 16:23).

We closed our time allowing God to speak.  It came in the form of Geoff, myself, and students taking different circumstances students may be facing and reading scripture that addresses those situations.  Students sat in silence and allowed God to what He wanted to.  In that little 7 minute exercise, there was opportunity for God to speak in every category mentioned above.  It was a powerful, and beautiful moment.

The fact that God can and is speaking to His people today is a beautiful thing.