God is Still Speaking

Sometimes I’ve witnessed to individuals online by countering unscriptural comments posted on Facebook and in response to YouTube videos. One person wrote back to me claiming, “God doesn’t speak to men. Any man that tells you he hears God’s words is either a liar or delusional.”

“God doesn’t speak to men?” What about Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and all the other prophets? Jesus Himself talked with the Father while He was on the earth. The Apostle Paul’s conversion resulted from a conversation with the Lord on the Damascus Road. Why wouldn’t God speak to us today? Did He suddenly become mute?

On the other hand, there are ministers and religious organizations claiming to be God’s mouthpiece but really aren’t. One denomination has been using the advertising slogan “God is still speaking.” My question for them is, “Which god are you listening to?” It must be “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) because their website states the following…

“No matter who – no matter what – no matter where we are on life's journey – notwithstanding race, gender, sexual orientation, class or creed – we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized – past, present and future – are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism.”

Aside from the fact that God’s word forbids homosexuality, Jesus said in John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Baptism does not save anybody.

I agree God is still speaking. Contrary to what Joy Behar recently stated on ABC’s “The View”, Christians hear His voice not because of having a mental illness. Everyone who wants to know the Lord can learn to recognize His voice if they follow what He has already said in His word (John 10:27). One of the things they should be willing to hear from Him is “Go and sin no more.”

"There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.”- 1 Corinthians 14:10 (KJV)

If You Can’t Say Something Nice...

Three pastors met privately one day to share their major weaknesses and to pray for one another. The first pastor confessed he had a serious lust problem and many times found himself in compromising situations. 

The second pastor, encouraged by this display of candor, admitted that he had stolen money from the church and needed help in managing his finances. 

The third pastor then said, “My weakness is gossip…and I can hardly wait to get out of here!”

While the above story is meant to be humorous, it’s unfortunate some ministers don’t tame their tongues. Once I sought counsel from a pastor regarding a personal matter and assumed he would keep the details of our conversation confidential. A couple of weeks later, a woman who attended this pastor’s church called me asking questions about my situation. The pastor had told his whole church about it! 

From that point on, I avoided contact with this pastor. Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” A few weeks later as I was walking home, this pastor happened to see me while driving down the street. He immediately pulled over and offered to take me out for coffee. I went along hoping to receive an apology. Unfortunately, most of our conversation consisted of him talking about other people's problems.

Another time I briefly stayed in a house owned by an elderly woman who went on missions trips and previously hosted other ministers. Realizing she was a chronic complainer, I kept my contact with this woman to a minimum. One day in her living room, she insisted on describing to me bad things another missionary had done while staying at her house. After repeated attempts to change the subject, I finally said, “I don’t want to hear any more gossip. It’s ungodly.” In response, this woman mockingly asked the Lord to forgive her for being ungodly. Sadly, she was starting to falsely accuse me of saying certain things to her. 

Whenever someone does us wrong, we should first pray for that person (Matthew 5:44). Then if possible, we should make an effort to reconcile with that person instead of blabbering about the problem to individuals who are not part of the solution. In Romans 1:29-30, gossips and slanderers are compared with God-haters and inventors of evil. Christians who repeatedly talk bad about others are treading on dangerous ground. Jesus said in Mark 11:26, “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

While I was growing up, my mother often told me, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” I later learned that phrase originated from Thumper in the old Disney cartoon “Bambi.” Whenever we encounter someone used by the devil who gets on our nerves, sometimes not saying anything is the best answer. Silence can never be misquoted.

Christian trash talkers need to repent. God wants our words to edify people, not tear them down. 

“Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy.” - Psalm 101:5

Seated in Heavenly Places

Do you sometimes feel your prayers aren’t going beyond the ceiling?  Maybe you’re tempted to think God isn’t hearing them at all.  If that’s the case, then let me share a simple truth that can help transform your prayer life.

I’ve heard Christians talk about “bombarding” or “storming” the gates of heaven when praying.  Yet the gates of heaven aren’t closed at all to those who know the Lord.  Ephesians 2:6 says God has “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”  Spiritually speaking, you already have a position of authority in heaven.

Unanswered prayers are not God’s fault.  Sometimes it’s due to our own disobedience such as not tithing (Malachi 3:8-10) or being in strife with our spouse (1 Peter 3:7).  Demonic opposition can also delay prayers from being answered.  The prophet Daniel fasted and prayed for 21 days until he received an answer that had been immediately sent to him by an angel (Daniel 10:12).  Under the New Covenant, we have greater promises and therefore should expect quicker results. 

God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8) and even wants to give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4).  So if you are a born again child of God, don’t think you have to “rend the heavens” to receive answers to prayer.  You are already a King’s Kid seated in heavenly places!

 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16

The Mr. Ed Doctrine

Before committng my life to the Lord in 1991, I worked primarily as a nightclub disc jockey.  Bar owners were usually difficult people to work for.  The first five clubs that hired me let me go after a short period of time, mostly for not talking enough.  I felt that club DJs should simply shut up and play the music.

The Bible has much to say about the power of the spoken word.  But that doesn’t mean increasing the amount of our words will make more of a difference.  Ecclesiastes 5:2 commands to “…let your words be few.”  When God spoke creation into existance, He didn’t utter a bunch of words but simply said, “Let there be…”  In Mark 4:39 when Jesus rebuked the wind, all He said to the sea was “Peace, be still!”

Consider these other Scriptures…

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” - Proverbs 10:19

“He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” - Proverbs 17:27

“And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.” - Hebrews 13:22

Nowadays whenever someone tells me I don’t talk enough, I respond by saying I follow “the Mr. Ed Doctrine.”  If you’re familiar with the old TV show’s theme song, you'll remember the talking horse never spoke unless he had something to say.  That’s good advice.

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” - Matthew 12:36

On Bended Knee

At a men’s prayer breakfast I attended earlier this year, one of the other men asked me if it was okay for a Christian to bow to another person during a martial arts contest. My reply was that it’s permissible if done as a form of respect and wouldn’t involve bowing the knee. We are to honor men but not give them reverence that solely belongs to God alone.

One might also question, “Must a Christian pray on his knees?” Christ Himself knelt down to pray in Luke 22:41. So did Stephen (Acts 7:60), Peter (Acts 9:40), and Paul (Acts 20:36; 21:5). Kneeling before God is a posture representing worship. 

Years ago while doing street evangelism with a group from a ministry school, I overheard a student suggest getting new converts to pray on their knees. Philippians 2:10 does say, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” But this doesn’t mean someone has to literally be on bended knee when receiving salvation. On March 19, 1991 I was sitting in my sister’s living room chair when her husband led me to the Lord. The presence of God poured upon me even though I wasn’t on my knees. Repentance is really an attitude of the heart.

Whenever I have led sinners to salvation, some of them have done things to show reverence such as tossing their lit cigarettes, taking off their hats, closing their eyes and/or bowing their heads. Then again I remember one young man in Springfield, Massachusetts who voluntarily got down on his knees when he prayed with me to get born again.

Everyone will eventually bow before the Lord Jesus Christ. One can choose to do so willingly while he is alive or before the Great White Throne on Judgment Day. Sadly for the latter, that will be done for the final time. Will you choose to bow now?

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.”

- Psalm 95:6 (NLT)

Talk to the Animals

It’s amazing how heresy hunters will fault-find the silliest little things. A few months ago while John Crowder was speaking at a conference in England, a group stood outside protesting various things he has said and done. One thing they didn’t like was John encouraging people to talk to animals. The protesters apparently forgot about Balaam and his donkey in Numbers 22. In verse 30 of that chapter, the donkey talked back. Scandalous!

One could assume the animals in the Garden of Eden talked before the fall of man. After all, Eve conversed with the serpent in Genesis 3. Some people might also think of birds that talk today like parrots and mynas. But these creatures simply mimic words taught to them. 

There are animals in heaven. Some people believe they will see their deceased pets there. Of course, that is open to speculation. Nevertheless, the Book of Revelation mentions Jesus and His saints riding to earth on white horses and also describes beings that don't exist on earth like the ones that have eyes that see in every direction.  How would you like to have a pet like that? Perhaps this creature is God's guard dog.

God gave man dominion over all animals. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with people talking to them whether they are our own pets or in the wild. Of course, I would be shocked if one ever talked back to me. But I wouldn’t run away. I would listen in case God chose to use that animal to say something to me.

“Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal.  And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.  The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.” - Revelation 4:6-7