Hearing from God

by Shawn Martin

Over the last many months i've been having a reoccuring themed dream. I won't tell you specifics here, but it's a good dream. It speaks to my heart's desire. Sometimes it's content is more vague than others but last night it was quite vivid and the 'best' one so far. I know 'what' the dream is about for the most part, but I don't know what the 'meaning' is.

So I'm on my way to church this morning. I'm praying in the car and at the end, the dream comes to mind. I'm just down the road from church and I begin to wonder if God speaks through dreams. I'm reminded of some Old Testament scriptures regarding God speaking through dreams, so I know he DID. But I ask to myself, does God STILL speak through dreams. And what I'm really fishing for is whether or not He is speaking through these dreams i'm having. So i'm indirectly asking the Father about my dream(s). He knows my heart's longing.

I get to church, sing some good worship songs, learn a new one, take communion and the Pastor steps up to begin the message. Today we start a new series that begins with Genesis 37. You know what the title of chapter 37 is.... "Joseph's Dreams". Clearly the Father is answering my question. I smile inside. I could dwel on the still 'unknown meaning' of my dream -but I simply enjoy the 'warm fuzzy' that is God showing me he hears me.

I have many stories like this and i hope you do too.

When it comes to hearing from God, we have to start with the assumption (reality) that He still speaks; in a conversational way. It is not reserved for the elite or devout; the Moses', Davids, Pauls or Jesus himself. And it's not just Old Testament stuff. In John 16:12 Jesus is telling the Disciples He has much more to say to them - more than they could then bear. He would be speaking to them through the Holy Spirit later on after he leaves them. This is just one passage - New Testament - that reveals Jesus and God the Father want to speak to us; LONG to speak to us; each and every one of us, still.

Secondly we have to believe that it is ours to hear his voice. He wants to speak to each and every one of us. John 10 speaks of the Shepherd and his sheep. He calls the sheep and they know his voice; hear his voice, and follow him. Jesus speaks to us. Not just to the Billy Grahams or other spiritual leaders.

Once you realize the first two fundamentals, what's left is to begin to tune into your heart. That's where Jesus is, right? Ephesians 3:17 - Jesus dwells in our hearts by faith. We ask him to come into our hearts when we 'accept Christ'. That's where he speaks to us. We don't audibly hear him. He is not an external voice in the room. The voice comes from inside us, within our heart.

That's the foundation to hearing from God. And unless He has something else in mind for me to talk about in two weeks, i'll continue on with what's next. 'Okay, i believe He still speaks. I believe He speaks to me. So now i've gotta tune into my heart - how do I do that?!' I hope to discuss that next time.