Spiritual Senses #10 – Hearing in the Present for Validation

A Spiritual Kingdom

Noni fruit 2013

 

1. When I was a new Christian, I didn’t know “how” I was supposed to hear the voice of God. My life at the time was 95% prayer along with reading the bible. The thing I wanted most was for my parents to see what my church was all about. Well, one day it seemed I was arguing with my mind. I was being told to see our pastor. I was new. I didn’t want to. I wasn’t ready. The voice argued, “Okay. If you see your pastor, I promise your parents will go to your church”. I was fed up. I called the pastor who just happened to answer the phone. I said I thought I was supposed to see him but I didn’t know about what. He cleverly asked, “Is God sending you?” I broke down and told him about the argument I was having with myself in my mind. He chuckled and invited me over. That day with the pastor, I discovered my potential for the “gifts and calling of God”. The next two years, pastor implemented my gifting and calling. Then, after I became “somebody” in the church, my parents showed up—on the day of my first sermon! God was faithful to his promise.

2. One evening, I was walking to catch the bus home from work when I heard an audible voice to my right say, “Alex is going to pick you up”. As I turned my head to see where this voice was coming from, I saw Alex, who also saw me. He slowed his truck. “Hey!” he called, “You want a ride home?” Alex and I attended the same church. As leaders of different ministries, it became obvious to me that God had something planned, and our connection that day was the beginning of it; so I accepted.

Remember that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world; that it is spirit. His kingdom operates by spirit even now, whether Christians access it or not. To access it? Live by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the sinful nature—and renew the mind (Gal. 5:16-25; Rom. 12:2).

Next week: The Sense of Touch

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Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.