Watch Out!

LISTEN CAREFULLY I am listening carefully to all the Lord is saying—for he speaks peace to his people, his saints… (Psalm 85:8 TLB) I am convinced that in both stages of our lives–before and after we receive salvation–God is attempting to reveal Himself to us, to guide us and help us in some way. At a young age, before I was Born Again, He clearly told me to stop attempting to commit suicide. He told me if I did it, I’d be lost for eternity. When I was 26 years old, He spoke to me again while I was in the process of committing suicide by overdosing on 71 sleeping pills. Just before my body was completely immobilized by the poison and I was about to pass out, an extremely loud ringing tone sounded in my left ear and startled me out of my relaxed state. This happened three times as I was drifting off to sleep. The third time it rang, I sat up and exclaimed, “I don’t want to die!” At that moment, I believe I experienced: The word from heaven will come to us with dazzling light to shine upon those who live in darkness, near death’s dark shadow. And he will illuminate the path that leads to the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79 TPT) My spiritual eyes were opened, and fear gripped me. I became aware of the eternal horror toward which I was heading, and I decided I wanted to live! Then, in my befuddled state of mind, I distinctly heard God say, ”Dial 911.” At that point, my vision was so blurred that I could barely distinguish the numbers on the phone. My hands were so weak I barely had enough strength to dial the numbers, and my speech was so slurred the operator had difficulty understanding me. By the goodness of God, I had just enough strength left in my legs to stumble to the door to let the paramedics in when they arrived. After 10 days in the psychiatric ward of the hospital–enduring the torment of the evil spirits that filled that place–the prayers of family and friends helped me recover, and I was released. A short time later, I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior in my pastor’s office. Then I started learning God’s Word and Ways, including how to recognize, listen and be led by the Spirit of God who had come to dwell in me. I was excited to learn that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our Helper. He said He will guide us into all Truth, and He will speak to us and tell us things about the future. Romans 8:14 says all Children of God are led by the Spirit of God. I was taught to listen and expect Him to speak to me as I read the Bible, pray and meditate on the Word. Then write down what I hear in my heart and follow any instructions given. I learned that we must draw close to God to fellowship with Him, experience His Presence and hear His gentle Voice. We are told in the Psalms to come into God's Presence with thanksgiving. We are also told in the Psalms that He inhabits our praises. So one key way to draw close to Him and experience His Presence is through thanksgiving and praise. If I have a problem sensing His Presence and hearing His Voice, I learned I was most likely lacking the proper protocol of thanking and praising Him. Since He looks at and judges our hearts, a grateful heart expressing thanksgiving and praise to Him is necessary to approach Him properly so I can have sweet fellowship with Him. Because He dwells in us, He guides us from within–through giving us a spiritual impression, a perception, a knowing or through speaking to us. Therefore, when I share what He speaks to me, I often say, “The Lord spoke to my heart…” There are also Biblical accounts and present-day testimonies of angels delivering messages to people. Also, some have testified that they heard the audible Voice of God. However, He has always led me from within. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will only speak what He hears, and He will always honor and glorify Jesus. Therefore, I test the spirit that speaks to me by making certain Jesus is honored–in acknowledging His Word, in His Sacrifice for us, His defeat of satan, in His Lordship and His finished work that redeemed us from the curse. This test is very necessary because we are instructed to test every spirit to see if it is the Spirit of God or a false spirit. Hebrews 12:25 ERV says, Be careful and don’t refuse to listen when God speaks… Now God is speaking from heaven. I believe just as an attentive earthly father regularly speaks to his little children, our God is regularly speaking to us. . In addition, Jesus said in John 14:23 NKJV, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him…” Therefore, I believe (through learning from others and from my own studies) that we have the Godhead–The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–making their home in us and speaking to us through the Spirit. As a result, the Spirit witnesses to our spirit and assures us we are Children of God. His witness gives us peace, which I believe is the peace that Jesus, the Lord of Peace, promised to give us when He said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 NKJV)