Something's Not Adding Up

[votivesoul]

Does anyone really think Ananias of Damascus poo-pooed his role in the church, complained about his ministry, worried that something was wrong with him, or thought God was upset with him because his only notable deed in the entire Bible was to share with Saul of Tarsus the good news of how to be saved?

Friend, have you not read how the Lord Jesus personally visited with him while in a vision and engaged him in a conversation in which the Son of God spoke no less than 92 individual words (per the KJV), while also listening to what Ananias had to say, and then addressing his concerns (See Acts 9:10-16)?

Seems to me Ananias had no such problems, complaints, worries, or concerns.

And yet here we are, vexed and overwhelmed trying to do so much for the Lord, desperate to even get Him to speak just one, single word to us...???

Something's not adding up.

[Esaias]

Who is being vexed?

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Esaias

Who is being vexed?

People I know, or have known, who've been constantly worried about not being able to hear the "voice of God" while still hammering away at trying to do, do, do as it pertains to church.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

People I know, or have known, who've been constantly worried about not being able to hear the "voice of God" while still hammering away at trying to do, do, do as it pertains to church.

I would have to assume, hopefully correctly, that my little sample of the Apostolic world speaks to some degree to the larger movement as a whole. As such, I would venture to say that there are a lot of people who are dissatisfied with their communion with the Lord, and are perhaps even subconsciously upset/mad at Him, that for all that they sacrifice and do for Him, that He seems distant and even silent.

[Amanah]

I see what you mean. The ones that most concern me though are the ones who feel that they have some sort of direct communication and revelation that is vastly superior to most other people, that most other people *just don't get it*

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I see what you mean. The ones that most concern me though are the ones who feel that they have some sort of direct communication and revelation that is vastly superior to most other people, that most other people *just don't get it*

I had a former pastor like that. His initials are JS.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I see what you mean. The ones that most concern me though are the ones who feel that they have some sort of direct communication and revelation that is vastly superior to most other people, that most other people *just don't get it*

I think the ones who God has decided are allowed into His private counsel, and are given particular gifting in the Spirit, are humble enough to not make an idol out of themselves. Things which are done in secret are rewarded openly by the Father, if the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ stays where it belongs: in the face of Jesus Christ, and not on the man or woman.

If someone is masquerading as the great power of God a la Simon the Sorcerer, there is no doubt they will perish in their sin, except they repent.

On a related note, this reminds me of Balaam, who, in his pride, insisted he had some great connection to YHVH, that he could speak for him as prophet and oracle, but really, was nowhere near as spiritual as he thought he was.

Such folks need a meeting with the Angel of YHVH with sword in hand.

[houston]

Super.

[Aquila]

People don't know how to listen to God. In fact, if one is "trying" to hear God they are not listening. Even the thought of "trying to hear God" will cause it to elude you. For you're affirming that you haven't heard or have yet to be able to hear. So, for as long as you are trying to hear from the LORD, you're not going to get much.

I believe that God speaks to us more than we realize. However, we are not trained enough to have the discipline necessary to hear Him or to realize that He is talking to us.

Here is what I was taught in a development group...

After a season of worship and prayer when you sense that you are "in the Spirit" follow these steps (contemplations should be done both before and after):

1.) Stop - Quiet your mind so that you can hear God's voice (Contemplate Habakkuk 2:1-2).
2.) Look - Look for vision as you pray - Through faith see yourself being spoken to by Jesus or being hearing from the LORD (Contemplate Hebrews 12:2).
3.) Listen - Recognize God's voice as spontaneous flowing thoughts which light upon your mind (Contemplate John 7:37-39).
4.) Write/Speak - Write down or speak out and share the spontaneous flow of impressions, thoughts, phrases, and images that come to you (Contemplate Revelation 1:10-11).

If this is done often enough, you'll soon become more familiar with the still small voice of God's Spirit that is speaking through His abiding presence in your inner man. At first, it feels silly. It can be conjumbled. But with time, you'll recognize a certain quality to a specific flow of impressions. It will be very unique. As you learn to silence your own mind, you'll begin to distinguish this still small voice with more clarity. Once you do... the adventure begins. For most, the biggest challenge is silencing the mind. It can be difficult to hear God when your own mind is just chattering away at 150 mph. You must train it. Discipline it. Silence it. Crucify it.

[aegsm76]

Originally Posted by Aquila

People don't know how to listen to God. In fact, if one is "trying" to hear God they are not listening. Even the thought of "trying to hear God" will cause it to elude you. For you're affirming that you haven't heard or have yet to be able to hear. So, for as long as you are trying to hear from the LORD, you're not going to get much.

I believe that God speaks to us more than we realize. However, we are not trained enough to have the discipline necessary to hear Him or to realize that He is talking to us.

Here is what I was taught in a development group:

1.) Stop - Quiet your mind so that you can hear God's voice (Contemplate Habakkuk 2:1-2).
2.) Look - Look for vision as you pray - Through faith see yourself being spoken to by Jesus or being hearing from the LORD (Contemplate Hebrews 12:2).
3.) Listen - Recognize God's voice as spontaneous flowing thoughts which light upon your mind (Contemplate John 7:37-39).
4.) Write/Speak - Write down or speak out and share the spontaneous flow of impressions, thoughts, phrases, and images that come to you (Contemplate Revelation 1:10-11).

If this is done often enough, you'll soon become more familiar with the still small voice of God that is speaking through the abiding Spirit in your inner man. At first, it feels silly. It can be conjumbled. But with time, you'll recognize a certain quality to a specific flow of impressions. It will be very unique. As you learn to silence your own mind, you'll begin to distinguish this still small voice with more clarity. Once you do... the adventure begins.

A - Good thoughts.
An additional thought is that God is far more interested in reaching people, than in giving us the next great "revelation" or our next great sermon idea.
That is what most of his speaking to me has been about.