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Psalm 94:9 “Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?”
Hebrews 1:1-2 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”
John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John G. Lake – “Dear friends, men in the Word of God were guided by the Voice of God. God talked to them. This is the inner thing of real Christian experience; the reason men seek by the grace of God to enter into the real heart of God—into the real soul of Jesus Christ into the place where He lives within you where His Voice speaks in your heart.”
An Introduction
(Taken from the orientation page of House on the Rock Prayer School 5/4/2012)
“Prayer is a fascinating journey into the awe-inspiring wonder of intimacy with God. For some this may be a seismic paradigm shift of Biblical proportions, but, have no fear, it’s a journey your Heavenly Father has prepared for you.
In any examination of prayer, it is generally understood that prayer in its purest biblical sense is a dialogue with God. In the Bible it becomes clear that two way conversations with God is the norm for all believers.
You have been given the necessary tools (and ample time to practice using them) to bring your intimate relationship with your heavenly Father to realms that were formerly unknown to you.
If you are an intelligent orderly analytically driven individual, who craves principles to map out every step of your journey…you may be disappointed, for this is one journey you’ll take by learning to trust with all your heart.
Our Heavenly Father is a person not a principle; therefore, this journey is all about discovering the movements of the heart (God’s as well as your own).
As anyone who’s been in love knows, you cannot be intimate with all your head; you must love with all your heart.
Patience is truly a virtue (also a fruit of the Spirit) on this journey. No one is perfect, and it does take time and practice to learn how to follow your heart. To be transformed by renewing our mind to think differently about God and prayer takes persistence. In the end, discovering God is a priceless reward.”
“Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” Jeremiah 24:7
“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
1. Noticing that the voice of God is real
One cannot read the bible for long without noticing that the voice of God or the “word of the Lord” was very real to the people in both Old and New Testaments. Having God communicate with people was not thought to be something strange; it was for them a normal part of their lives. In fact, to communicate with the “gods” was a very real part of their culture.
From Genesis to Revelation God continually affirmed and reaffirmed His instructions, promises, and covenant intentions by speaking to His people. God did not leave his global strategy for world redemption to chance, nor was it his intention to keep it a mystery for us to figure out (see Psalm 22:27-28, Ephesians 3:2-11).
The prophetic ministry has always been a practical verbal means of communication from the Holy Spirit to and through God’s people.
The prophetic ministry is simply real time communication with God, without it how can we possibly see and hear what God is doing today? This is precisely how Jesus functioned, and taught his disciples to do the same.
Despite the many abuses, misuses, and extreme fanaticism that has plagued the Church since the time of the apostles; the Church in every generation still has the responsibility to reverence, cherish and safeguard the genuine ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer (which is our lifeline to God) by its very nature is prophetic, because it is real time communication with the Almighty.
2. The Scriptures Reveal a Continual Rapport Between God and People
Throughout both the Old and New Testaments we are confronted with men and women who were guided, instructed, warned and even visited by God. We see in the following examples that:
Adam worked together with God in Eden Genesis 2:15-20.
Enoch walked with God for 300 years Genesis 5:22-24.
Noah received detailed blueprints from God to build the ark Genesis 6:14-22.
Abram called by God receives a blessing, a promise, and builds an altar Genesis 12:1-9.
Moses received detailed blueprints to build the tabernacle Exodus 24:15 – 31:18.
David received detailed blueprints and instructions for the temple 1 Chronicles 28:11-19
Mary is visited by Gabriel and told she would give birth to Jesus the Messiah Luke 1:26-37.
Joseph was visited by an Angel in a dream, and told that Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit Matthew 1:18-20.
We also come across narratives of visions and dreams given to those who didn’t even know God!
Abimelech king of Gerar talks with God in a dream Genesis20:1-7.
Pharaoh is given a prophetic dream Genesis 41.
King Nebuchadnezzar is given two dreams Daniel chapters 2 and 4.
Cornelius receives instructions in a vision that brings the gospel to the Gentiles Acts 10.
3. The Bible Commands And Encourages People To Hear God’s Voice
More than 30% of the entire bible is taken up with passages concerning visions, dreams, angelic visitations and direct revelations from God. That’s almost the size of the New Testament!
Almost half of the New Testament alone contains references to supernatural encounters from the spirit realm. In the Law (Pentateuch) alone recorded instances of God speaking directly to His people number no less than 255 times.
Genesis at least 60 times
Exodus at least 70 times
Leviticus at least 35 times
Numbers at least 65 times
Deuteronomy at least 25 times
Learning to hear God’s voice must be our highest priority if we intend to cooperate with Him. God’s people are His prophetic voice in the earth. Walking in covenant blessings including a prayer life that consistently obtains answers from God depend upon our hearing His voice.
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