Steven N. Walker's Blog

Everyday, each of us are releasing words over our lives. It is those words that are birthed from thoughts that ultimately shape the way we live. For this reason, it is important that we only utter words that actually line up with the truth. However, in order to speak the truth over our lives we must understand what the truth is. One of the enemy's biggest tactics in your life is to convince you to identify with the wrong choices you make. He knows that If he can get you to identify with your mistakes or failures, then you will begin to believe you are what you do. His goal is to implant thoughts like I am worthless, I am a loser, and I am not a good person, into our minds to negatively influence our lives. I am is a statement about identity. If I believe I am something, I will always live in accordance with the I am I claim. For example, if I always claim that I am worthless, I will continually walk and talk as a defeated, worthless victim. These I am statements are birthed from thoughts as I stated earlier. Yet the more we speak these words over ourselves, the more they take root in our subconscious mind, ultimately moving us to a point where we dont even have to think about it anymore. What we have continually spoken now becomes the reality we live in. Eventually we come to a moment in time where we actually believe our identity is wrapped up in what we do, whether good or bad. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, in the natural realm, we are often slapped with an identity based on the decisions we make and the actions we take. But in the spiritual realm, your identity is constant. in other words, it can't change. The only way it can change is by a supernatural force outside of time. And Guess what, that already happened. Your identity is not determined by what you do. It is determined by what Jesus did and whether or not you have received it. As a true Christian, the problem is not your identity. That was changed when you said yes to Christ's finished work on the Cross. With your salvation came a new identity and nature; one made after the likeness of the Creator Himself. No, the problem for a born again Christian is not who they are, it is who they think they are and who they continually say they are. Whatever God speaks is the truest form of reality. So what does God say about you Christian? What does He day about your identity? Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. Colossians 1:22 NLT In Christ, you are holy and blameless. You are perfect in His sight. No longer must we identify with who others say we are. We can now stand confident, knowing we are made in His image, created to be like Him. The more you understand your new identity, the more you will live congruent with that identity. Don't believe the enemy's words regarding your identity. Speak truth over yourself daily and remind yourself of who you really are. Let your I am statements line up with who He says you are. Read the Bible and build your own list of I am statements. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
All Rights Reserved.

Tithing always seems to be a touchy topic. Biblically it means a tenth, or ten percent of your first fruits. Many people preach that tithing is reserved only for the Old Testament and that it has no relevance for a New Testament Christian. Others engage in tithing today solely because they believe they have to, and rather than being a beautiful expression of love, it becomes a binding religious activity. I wouldn't place myself in either of those categories. I happen to fully believe in tithing but I do so out of my relationship with God rather than because of a religious rule. Tithing has become a high priority for my wife and I. You may have different reasons for choosing, or not choosing, to tithe, but here are a few reasons I have chosen to say yes. 1. I see it in the Bible. My beliefs and actions must always pass through this question: "Is it found in the word, or does it line up with the word?" If the answer is no to either, it is hard for me to do something while keeping a clean conscious. The majority of the verses referring to tithing are located in the Old Testament (Genesis 14:9, Leviticus 27:30, Deuteronomy 12:5, Malachi 3:10, etc.) with the exception of a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23). This becomes good news to many as they see the Old Testament as something we no longer apply to our lives. While this is true for many things within the Old Testament such as animal sacrifice and shoving women out of the city once a month because they are considered "unclean", not everything has come to a screeching halt. There are some things within the Old Testament that have made it through the cross into the New. One example is worshipping with musical instruments. Nowhere in the New Testament will you find a verse that undeniably encourages musical instruments in a worship service, yet it is often mentioned in the Old Testament. Do you think that Jesus died to rid the church of musical instruments? Highly unlikely. There are many who would disagree, however it is hard for me to make that leap. Just because something from the Old isn't directly mentioned in the New, doesn't, by default, make it null and void for us today. To me there is no hard evidence to suggest that the Lord wants us to stop tithing as New Testament believers. Are you required to Tithe? No. You are invited to tithe. 2. It funds the local church. Many people don't realize that it takes money to fund the local church. But the truth is, without the hard earned money of faithful members, the church as we know it today would not function. Being a pastor in a local church has opened my eyes to the necessity of faithful givers. From the electricity to the free coffee, or the staff salaries to mission trips, everything we do takes money. If you are currently serving in a local church, I encourage you to start engaging in tithing and see a greater impact take place in your city. And if for some reason you don't trust your current church with your money, then it's probably time to find a church with a leadership team you can trust. 3. It shows I trust God. When I choose to engage in God's financial system, it shows Him I fully trust Him with my finances. The lie many people often believe is that everything they work for is theirs, as if to say each person is solely responsible for every dollar they have. This mentality fails to realize that without God instilling within you the talents and abilities that got you that dollar in the first place, you would be broke and without any increase. Once I understood that everything belongs to Him, it put me in a place to willingly give Him a portion of what He blessed me with. A major reason many people refrain from tithing is because they are afraid of not having enough. Yet when I recognize all He has given me and in turn give back ten percent, it tells the Lord I believe my 90 pecent will go farther than my 100 percent ever could because I trust you to always be my provider. When money diricts my desicions, the real place in which I place my trust is revealed. 4. It makes money a tool instead of a treasure. Your heart is always connected to what you treasure (Matthew 6:21). I have found that often times the things I am unwilling to share have become idols I can't live without. Jesus makes a profound statement in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money." Jesus makes it plain. If money is your master, then your obedience to God will be diluted. Many people fall into the trap of either loving money or being afraid of money. Both happen to be a suckers choice. The enemy wants you to believe it's one or the other, however God wants you to pick a third option. He doesn't want you to love it or fear it. He wants you to use it. When money is a tool rather than a treasure, God is able to trust that person with an abundance of it. Why? Because He knows that this particular person will know how to handle it. When I make the conscious decision to tithe, I am showing that money is not my master. 5. It is a beautiful expression of love. When I was a kid, my mom would buy me an art set every Christmas. It came complete with markers, paints, colored pencils, and crayons. Even though it was a gift from her for me to use and enjoy, the first thing I would always do is make her a picture. I wanted her to know that I loved her and treasured her. She didn't tell me to do this. Rather, something deep within me believed she deserved something. Interestingly enough, without the art set I would never be able to give her anything. I see tithing in the same way. Without God's gifts, I would have nothing to bring to Him. Yet He has given me everything. In a sense, the tithe is something I was able to give from the tools He gave me. I don't do it because I have to, I do it because I love Him. Whether you agree with me or not, freely giving is never a bad idea. If for some reason you grit your teeth and complain every time you drop your money in the offering during a church service, then keep it. God doesn't want your money, he want's your heart. The New Testament model for tithing is found in 2 Corinthians 9:7. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." If there isn't joy surrounding your tithe, then your heart isn't in it. And if your heart isn't in it, it is evident who you have made your master. Tithing is no longer a rule for Christians. Instead, it is an invitation to cheerfully give to God and benefit humanity. There are many other reasons that tithing is beneficial that I have chosen not to include in this article. I encourage you to dive deeper into this topic and trust God with your finances. The reward may surprise you. Share your thoughts with me in the comment section below. Scripture quotations taken from the New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

I am so excited about the release of my first book and I wanted to share a portion of it with you for free! Here is the introduction to the book that will hopefully show you what you can expect when the entire work comes out. Thank you so much for journeying with me through this exciting process. Feel free to share this with your friends and family. Thrive Introduction I am not a seasoned believer nor am I theologian. I don’t have a Bible degree, and I didn’t attend seminary. At first glance, you wouldn’t consider me a candidate to write a book, or a Christian book for that matter. Writing was never something I had on my radar, and church was something I did only to keep my mom happy. Yet through all of this, God planned this moment before the foundation of the world. The moment you open this book, you are going on the journey with me. The wonderful thing about God is that He does whatever He wants, and He uses whomever He wants. As it has often been said, God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. There are many stories in the Bible about unqualified candidates doing mighty things. My story is no different. The things I was afraid of my entire life have become the very things God has anointed me for. It is my belief that the enemy will always attempt to instill fear regarding the abilities God has placed within you. Yet when you discover the Lord's call on your life and fully trust Him, you will step into a destiny that the world will examine and take note of. In the following pages, I will attempt to show you many things. Some I have learned directly from the Lord, and others mighty men and women of God have revealed to me. Yet in the midst of the massive download that is about to take place, I aim to prove one major thing: You can thrive in all circumstances. No matter the season and no matter the time, you were born to stand out for God’s kingdom. But this doesn’t come without a price. The good news is that Jesus Christ paid the price so every season can be your season. No situation becomes too big because the infinite God is on your side and lives within you. This is not another book with ten steps on how to prosper or a play-by-play on how to be successful. Instead, in the following pages, you will find out who you are and who God is. Yes, there will be practical tips enabling you to walk as a confident Christian and in the fullness of what Jesus paid for. However, at the core of it all, you will discover the beauty of the gospel. There is more to this life than you have been told. Whether you are a seasoned believer, a new Christian, or someone who is merely interested in Christianity but have yet to make the jump, this book has something for you. I pray that as you read the next ten chapters, you will fall more in love with God and see Him for who He truly is. For too long, God has been painted as an abusive father, sending hurricanes and raining sickness on people. But this isn't the God I have come to know. He happens to be a good father who wants the abundant life for you. When you see Him in His proper form, everything in your life changes. There is so much beauty that has yet to be discovered right here in this life. What is seen isn't all there is. You were built with a deep desire to experience the supernatural. It is time to discover what Jesus has made available to all those who call upon His mighty name. No longer will you be moved by the temporal trials that come at you daily. No more will you let others dictate what you do and how you feel. Here is the moment that we draw a line in the sand and forget the past. Now is the time to Thrive!

For the past year, the Lord has been leading me on a journey of discovering what it means to live an abundant life. As a teenager and up until my early twenties, I carried a special dislike for any and all who were successful. I believed that if someone had plenty of money and possessions they must be living a life distanced from God. To me, the less you had the more righteous you were. I didn't realize it then, but in hindsight this belief system was nothing more than a form of selfishness and bitterness. I didn't realize that God's will was the abundant life for all believers. In John 10:10,  Jesus makes this statement, "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give you the abundant life."  Jesus is telling us that the reason for His coming was to bring a life of abundance for all who believe. We know that eternal life is included within abundance, but what about this earth? Is the abundance of God only available after death? I would like to submit that the answer is no. In Matthew 6:10, Jesus tells us to pray, "Your will be done on earth as in Heaven." If God's will on earth is the same as His will in heaven, then this tells me that abundance can be received in this life. Abundance is not confined to material possessions, however I believe it does include it. 2 Corinthians 8:9 tells us that Jesus became poor so that we might be rich. This word 'rich' in the original greek language speaks of outward possessions. Many lean toward the idea that God only wants spiritual, not earthly, riches for us. Upon closer examination, we can see that this is not true. Do not think for a second that I am promoting greed and selfishness. Abundance can often become an idol in the lives of believers. The minute this happens, we have stepped out of God's purpose for blessing and into the enemy's corruption. The blessings point to the Blesser. Just because some have taken advantage of a good God doesn't mean that all believers need to distance themselves from the abundant life Jesus paid for. When the world looks at believers what do they see? Do they see a people who are barely scraping by or do they see children of royalty thriving in a dying world? We represent our Father in this life. If we live lives of lack then our God will be portrayed as a God of lack. I believe that as followers of Jesus, we have been made into vessels of abundance. All believers have the Spirit of God living within them; the same spirit that rose Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). Stop for a moment and think about what this means. God Himself has decided to dwell in you! In the Old Testament, God dwelt in a man-made temple. In 1 Kings 6, God instructed King Solomon to build a temple, or house, that He could dwell in and be among His people. Understand that this was not a tiny little town house. This was a multi-million dollar project that took seven years to build (1 Kings 6:38)! It was handcrafted with gold, silver, and precious metals. God didn't want some "hole in the wall" joint to call His own. He wanted something that, when looked at, would express His abundant nature. God was unable to dwell in man at this point because they were sinful in nature. It wasn't until Jesus died and rose again that the sin issue was taken care of. Thank God we are on the right side of the cross! Because of the blood of Jesus, we are now considered righteous, holy, and spotless (Colossians 1:22). In the new covenant, God doesn't dwell in temples made by man, He dwells in man Himself (Acts 7:48). If the temple that God instructed Solomon to build was worth millions of dollars, what does that say about you? You are worth more than all of the gold in the universe! Worth is decided by how much someone is willing to pay for something. The Father was willing to pay the ultimate price by sending His son in human form to die on a cross so that we could be with Him forever. Because the God of abundance decided to make His home in believers, it tells us that we have become vessels of abundance. When I actually come to the realization that God Himself dwells in me, I will have the confidence to walk as one without lack regardless of my external conditions. Wherever I go, God goes with me. This understanding removes fear in times of natural lack because the abundant God is still present. We have been invited into a world without limits because we belong to a limitless God. Don't make the mistake of believing that the less you have the more righteous you become. Jesus died to bring the abundant life (John 10:10). You are not benefiting the world around you by avoiding the very life Jesus died for you to attain. You were created to thrive!

“You are the light of the world; one that cannot be hidden. People don’t light a lamp and then cover it. No, they place it high on a stand so the house can be lit. So let your light shine! Let others see the works you do so the Father will be glorified!” These words of Jesus have echoed across the universe over the past 2000 years and impacted lives. What Jesus speaks, He means. We as believers are created to shine in this life; to light up the world with the goodness of God that resides in us. The authentic life of the believer exudes the gospel of Christ. Just by each person living their daily life, they are sending out an invitation for all to meet God. We have become naturally evangelistic. Romans 2:4 says that God’s goodness is meant to lead you to repentance. In other words, seeing how good He truly is, sends the world running to Him with a heart filled with love for Him. We were created to experience His goodness. It’s a hardwired need within all mankind; to know Him and be known by Him. That word goodness in the Greek is chrēstos. This is actually the root word for chrēstotēs which is translated as kindness in Galatians 5:22 which speaks of the fruit that Holy Spirit produces out of all Christians. Think about that! Holy Spirit produces out of you the same goodness of God that leads people to Him! You have become a model for His goodness. Interestingly enough people don’t step into lighted places to stare at the light. They come into the light to see. The goal of the believer is not to have all eyes on them, it's to point all eyes to Him. We are not in the spotlight so others can see how spiritual we are. We are the spotlight that points directly to the power source that is God Himself. When unbelievers approach us, we have the wonderful privilege to illuminate their perspective through the light of our life. When we live as light, other people are exposed to the reality of the kingdom and the Goodness of God. The blinders come off, the veil is removed, and they can clearly see the true nature of reality. Jesus once said, “If you have seen me you have seen the Father.” Is it so farfetched for the believer to live with a belief system that says, “When people see me they see Jesus?” 1 John 4:17 says, "...as He is, so are we in this earth." Do you know what this means? We are actually invited and empowered, through the finished work of the cross, to live like Jesus! Jesus said, When others see your good works they will glorify God.” Our lives have become worship that glorifies God; a worship that becomes contagious to all who see. When people see how we live, it compels their heart to respond to our God. Live as light and watch the world around you transform into the image of Heaven.

Many people think that Christianity is all about following a set of rules; that behavioral obedience is the foundation of the Gospel. But what if I told you that your behavior, your obedience, and your righteous works are all the manifestations of something greater; something deeper? What if I told you that if your focus is your behavior, then you have lost sight of the teaching of Christ? Don't turn away just yet, I will explain. It has been a common misconception that those who become Christians are dragged kicking and screaming into a lifetime of striving to keep the rules of God. Apparently, this way of thinking says, "Your works didn't save you, but your works will now keep you saved." It is as if Jesus handed us a list as soon as we said yes and said, "You better do this or you are out!" While I do believe that God has a certain way of living and has things He wants us to accomplish, I do not believe that a Christian's sole duty is to focus on His laws or our works. The Pharisees were very good at memorizing laws. They knew the Bible and could quote it on cue. However, they missed the very Messiah that their beloved book prophesied about. They kept the commandments and memorized the laws, but when the Author Himself stepped into their world, They had no idea who He was. Instead, they called Him the devil and hung Him on a cross. Don't take me the wrong way. I believe that the Bible is the infallible, life-giving word of God, intricately designed to teach us the ways of the Kingdom and reveal Jesus Christ, the exact image of the Father's perfect nature. The issue I have is when we read the Bible as a rulebook to follow rather than a love letter to enjoy. I have come to a place of believing that everything He writes is to draw me closer to Him. The purpose of the Bible is to get to know the Author. It is in that place of knowing Him that I am able to keep every commandment within His book. His written words are a personal invitation to encounter His amazing presence. In Matthew 7, Jesus says this, "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-23)." Honestly, these verses once scared me. But since then I have learned that if the Word is bringing anxiety on me it is because I am misinterpreting His words of hope. Everything Jesus speaks is purposed to give me life. At first glance, it seemed to me as if Jesus was insinuating that I wasn't doing enough. Many people have likewise viewed this verse through a lens of fear, going through life hoping that their actions were good enough for God. Now I see it differently and, because of that, have experienced the true freedom Jesus was releasing through His words. Jesus is revealing that knowing Him is the birthplace of everything. His focus is not the list of accomplishments of men, it is whether or not they chose to connect with His heart. Life is not about living for the list, it is about living from love. When we love God, it is inevitable that the way we live will coincide with His way of life. Three times in John 14 Jesus said, "If you love me you will obey my commandments (John 14:15, 14:21, 14:23)." It sounds like Jesus is giving another commandment, but He is instead revealing this truth: If you truly love Jesus you are going to do what He says. Keeping His commandments is the fruit of a loving relationship with Him, not the requirement to receive His love. If that were the case we couldn't really call His love unconditional. Thank God that His love has nothing to do with our obedience. Even if I chose to do nothing for Him the rest of my life, His love would remain the same. It does not grow according to our actions. Imagine if my wife gave me a list of chores and said, "Do these or I'm leaving you." I would probably question the nature of our relationship. Love does not require a list. Jesus isn't threatening us with a catalog of commandments, He is inviting us into a relationship of unconditional love. Because I love Jesus, I want to do what He says. Because I love my wife, I want to do chores for her. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). Commandments only become a burden when I try to keep them without loving Him. It is the starting place of love that empowers me to do all He is asking. When we focus on the list we lose sight of love. But when we focus on love, the list comes naturally. God loves you more than you think. He is extending a personal invitation to know Him, therefore transforming the way you think, live, and operate. Will you accept His invitation?

Does the title bother you? That's ok, it bothers a lot of Christians. As a matter of fact, it would have bothered me not so long ago. We grow up believing that we are "sinners saved by grace." Even after we receive the love of Jesus and believe in our heart that He has risen from the dead, there often still exists a deep belief that we will spend the rest of our lives as sinners. Only after death will we experience true transformation and walk as saints. This, to me, is missing the truth. We are either a sinner or we are saved by grace. We can't be both. When you are saved, something actually happens. You are recreated. The old dies and the new is born (1 Corinthians 5:17). You no longer identify as the old sinner because he doesn't exist anymore. "For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin (Romans 6:5-7 NASB)." One could argue that we are still sinners because we still sin. However, is it wise to pair someone's identity with their actions? Yes, actions should flow from who we are but what if a person is uninformed about their identity? They will live from who they believe they are rather than who they really are. If I steal something, I am slapped with a "Thief" label. If I tell a lie I am considered to be a "Liar." Yet is it still so for the reborn Christian? I suspect that when we truly see what Jesus accomplished, we would then have the correct lens to see our new Christ-like nature. The issue for a Christian is not their actions, it is their beliefs about who they are. If I believe I am a sinner, I will always sin. Until I come to a realization of my new identity, I will continue to live in the same patterns I did as a sinner. The standard is actually holy living (1 Peter 1:16). This becomes a burden when I think I am a sinner. A sinner can not possibly sustain a Holy lifestyle because it goes against their nature. Thank God He has killed us and given us a new nature; a Christlike nature, made in His image (Galatians 2:20). I am not a sinner, I am saved by grace. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB). We have become righteous. It's our truest identity. We, as Believers, are in Christ. If this is true then we can no longer claim a sinner's identity. Why? Because in Him there is no sin (1 John 3:5). If sin is active in a Christians life, it's not because they need to work the rest of the evil out of them. This belief would suggest that Jesus did a poor job on the cross. Sin is only active in the life of a Christain who has forgotten, or never understood, what Jesus actually accomplished. I for one, believe that when Jesus said, "It is Finished" he actually meant it. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does (James 1:23-25). Jesus is perfect law. He is the mirror we look at to see what we look like. If we, as Christians, are not doing what the word says it is because we have walked away from the mirror and have forgotton who we are. We must return back and see for ourselves who He has made us to be. Life is about discovering what is now a reality. You are made in His image. You are created in His likeness. You didn't do it. He did it. He lived a life you couldn't live and paid a price you couldn't afford to give you the life you didn't deserve. Discover your new reality as a saint and watch your lifestyle change without even trying. Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB),
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission. www.Lockman.org"

How does God speak? Can I truly hear His voice? These are questions I have asked myself over the years as I have walked as a Christian. Sadly, many like me are continuing to ask the same questions. Too often we walk through life thinking we are incapable of hearing our Lord. However, the Bible makes a distinct promise that completely topples this idea. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:3-5 These verses make one bold promise. It is a God-given ability within all believers to hear His voice. Regardless of feelings, regardless of circumstance, you have been given the capacity to hear heaven's call. Each has unlimited access to the voice of God. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. One of the enemy’s biggest tactics is to trick you into believing you have issues with hearing. If he can stifle God’s voice he can then keep you from walking in God’s purpose. The good news is that he can’t actually keep God from speaking. He is an illusionist instilling lies in your head that manifest in your life. The belief that you can’t hear is the only thing hindering you from hearing. Once you come to the conclusion that you were built to hear, a door is opened that seemed to have previously been tightly shut. Many confine the voice of God to just one, if not two ways of speaking. In doing so they have silenced many of the auditory avenues He has chosen to communicate through. There truly are no limits to How God can communicate with His kids. In the following pages, I would like to provide you with eight different ways, I have learned, He uses His voice. The following list creates an acronym that spells out H.I.S.V.O.I.C.E. 1. Hearing Audibly: Although I have never experienced this particular way of communication, I have read it in the Word and heard testimonies from other believers. The Father spoke audibly to Jesus when He was baptized in the Jordan River. After Jesus had ascended to Heaven, He spoke to Paul audibly as he was traveling to Damascus. Although this way of communication is quite rare, it is unwise to cancel it out altogether. 2. Internal Knowings: I like to think of these as thoughts. This seems to be the most prevalent in my life. God often drops thoughts in my mind pertaining to different things throughout the day. Sometimes it is a revelatory one-line statement regarding scripture that brings understanding to what was previously confusing. Sometimes it’s a word of knowledge about someone else, which opens a door for gospel-centered conversation. It can even be a simple yes or no answer to a question I asked Him. Regardless, God often speaks to the minds of believers. After all, we have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)! 3. Scripture: No one is debating whether or not God speaks through Scripture. Sadly, many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have restricted His voice to the Bible only. Although He does speak through His written Word, He is not confined to what He wrote. If the Bible is His only way of communication then how will we know who to marry, what job to seek, what school to attend, or what town to reside in? However, God will never speak something that contradicts what He has already written. If the voice you hear contradicts the Bible you hold, you are listening to the wrong voice. As we read the word, God illuminates our understanding of reality and allows us to see as He sees. Those that go without reading the Bible, miss out on many of the answers they are seeking in life. 4. Visions & Dreams: Job 33 says, “Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it. In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.” Many people have experienced the voice of God in their dreams. Although our dreams are often a result of our poor meal choices, God is still willing and able to encounter you in the night. Visions can also come to those that are awake in the form of mental pictures. There are even such things as “open visions” where God gives people access to see into the spiritual realm here on earth. I know a lady who actually sees different colors over people that are hidden from the normal eye. She actually predicted our son before we knew he was coming simply because she saw the color blue over my wife! 5. Other People: God often speaks to a person through a person. This is the beauty of prophetic insight. God has often given me a word He wanted me to deliver to someone. Likewise, I have received many words from others that were straight from God. It is a wonderful opportunity to become a mouthpiece for the Lord. Have I received bad words before? Absolutely! But rather than stifle the voice entirely, I simply take personal responsibility to decipher between truth and lie. I would submit that there are daily opportunities for you to deliver a message from heaven to someone you encounter. 6. Impressions: I think of these as feelings. Although we shouldn’t let every feeling become the leaders of our lives, to avoid them altogether is problematic. God Himself has feelings. I have often been given deep impressions to do something that I later realized was completely from the Lord. It can be the impression to take a different route home, to call a friend, to pursue a specific career, or to say yes or no to a major life decision. Don’t deny your feelings, become aware of them. They could very well be the voice of your Father. 7. Creation: Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” God is clearly seen in His creation. He is the artist that signs each of His paintings. Everything that is visible holds within in it a little piece of His divine nature. His voice radiates throughout the universe through all He has crafted. The sunset that inspires creativity, the mountain that ignites awe, and the unique animal that unravels wonder, all have become a storyteller of the majesty of God. I once had a God-encounter on my honeymoon, sitting on the back porch of a rented cabin in the middle of The Smokey Mountains as I stared at a majestic mountain in front of me. Look around. He is everywhere. 8. Everything: This may seem like a complete cop-out but hear me out. I have included this way just to keep you from creating another confining religious list. He has no limits of communication. When we limit His voice, we also limit our future. My abundant future is contingent upon His eternal voice. Abundance without His voice becomes a curse rather than a blessing. God can speak through anything, anywhere, anytime. Whether it be a song on the radio, a news reporter on T.V., or even a shirt your friend was wearing, there truly are no limits. When we discover that God is always speaking and that we have been invited into the conversation, it allows us to walk with full assurance that we are headed in the right direction. Jesus modeled this when He said, I only say what I hear Him say (John 12:49).” God is in constant communication with you. Look around and hear His voice; it’s your God-given right.