The Voice of Circumstance

[Ncdataman]

The Voice of Circumstance

"So Gideon said to God, 'If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said—look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.' "
— Judges 6:36–37


Not only does God speak to us through His Word, and not only will He never contradict His Word, but God also speaks through circumstances. Although I'm not one to base major life decisions on circumstances alone, there have clearly been times when I have sensed that something was the will of God and then things would fall into place circumstantially. At other times, circumstances have made it obvious that God was saying "no."

A classic example of God speaking through circumstances was when God spoke to Gideon, who laid his fleece out on the ground, asking God to confirm His Word. Certainly, Jonah got the right message when God brought his journey to an abrupt halt, and he found himself in the belly of a very large fish.

Of course, as a part of this process, God speaks to us through people. For example, there have been times when I have been listening to a someone preach or have been talking with a friend, and suddenly what he is saying addresses the situation I'm going through, even though he is completely unaware of my circumstances. It makes me realize that it is God himself speaking to me through those individuals.

Maybe God has spoken to you through a pastor or a Christian friend. Or perhaps He has been speaking to you through circumstances. Listen carefully, and remember that He will never contradict His Word.


Reprinted from Harvest.

 

[jiggyfly]

Good post Ncdataman, Father does communicate to us through the bible, others and natural phenomenon but most importantly Father speaks to us directly by His Spirit which is the highest level of communication.

 

[redfox]

Thanks Nc that was really good to read.

jiggyfly, you said:

most importantly Father speaks to us directly by His Spirit which is the highest level of communication.

I don't mean to be contentious but I have always thought of the Holy Bible as being God's highest level of communication. Because we weigh all other communication with God against the Bible. What do you think?

 

[jiggyfly]

Thanks Nc that was really good to read.

jiggyfly, you said:



I don't mean to be contentious but I have always thought of the Holy Bible as being God's highest level of communication. Because we weigh all other communication with God against the Bible. What do you think?

Well what do the scriptures tell us concerning our communication with Father? Are we to be led by Holy Bible or HolySpirit? Are the translations of the bible inerrant? Is the bible to be our teacher? Did Abraham have any scripture to follow? Did the first century ekklesia have a bible?

While man makes such claims as the bible is the final authority and the highest level of communication with God, the scriptures itself, do not.

Just look at what Jesus says in Revelation 2 and 3.

Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Jesus gives this instruction to each group.

The reality is that the bible has become a graven image and worshiped by many. Don't misjudge me I am very thankful that we have the bible and consider it a great tool ( I have about 12 or more different translations) but it's purpose is to encourage and help me to relate and listen to Father.

1Timothy 4:1-5
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Notice here that Paul did not say that the scriptures express but rather the Spirit. Notice also that the scriptures that were available at that time actually were commonly interpreted to speak about special diet (abstaining from meats).

Again, look at Paul's statement here in 1Corinthians 2:10-16.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

I think many confuse logos with rhema because they are both interpreted as "word" in most english translations. I think an important question to ask ourselves is ; what is Father's intent. Is it for us to understand Him or experience Him?

 

[redfox]

Ok I understand jiggerfly.

The Holy Spirit is the higest form of communication.

But when discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit to establish whether it is authentic we turn to the Bible, and weigh it against that.

So effectively the Holy Bible is (among many other things) a means of entering into genuine communication with the Holy Spirit.

Have I got that about right?

Thanks for your wisdom,

Love Jack

 

[jiggyfly]

Ok I understand jiggerfly.

The Holy Spirit is the higest form of communication.

But when discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit to establish whether it is authentic we turn to the Bible, and weigh it against that.

So effectively the Holy Bible is (among many other things) a means of entering into genuine communication with the Holy Spirit.

Have I got that about right?

Thanks for your wisdom,

Love Jack

Most definitely.:thumbs_up

 

[Ncdataman]

Wonderful discussion! What a blessing! God Bless

NC

 

[redfox]

Just one other thing:

"So Gideon said to God, 'If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said—look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.' "
— Judges 6:36–37

I'm always wanting to lay fleeces down before God but I am always wary because there is a fine line between putting God to the test, and laying a fleece before him.

What do you think are the correct conditions for laying down a fleece and how should it be conducted?

I think for certain it should be accompanied with lots of PRAYER and FASTING and an earnest desire to glorify and be obedient to God's will and his plan in our lives...

What do you think?

Love jack

 

[Ncdataman]

I would agree that alot of prayer and fasting would be needed. I would think a sincere heart would be key in this instance. I will do some addtional research and get back to you on this. Be blessed in Christ,

NC