October/November 2013
Dear Friends,
Colossians !:9 “… we do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and understanding….”
Last month Lorrie and I were the speakers at our annual Pastor’s conference in Virac, Catanduanes. The theme this year was, “Hearing The Voice of God.” It is interesting as you study the Bible, to see God spoke many times and in a variety of different ways in both the Old and New Testament. He called to Moses out of a “burning bush” and spoke to Paul, before He was even a Christian, while on a journey to persecute Christians.
The scripture tells us that He wants us to be filled with the knowledge of His will. How can we know His will if we do not hear Him?
I have listed below seven common ways we can hear the Lord today:
1. Bible, the written word
2. Circumstances
3. Audible voice
4. Dreams and visions
5. Internal voice
6. Authority figures in our life
7. The body of Christ
In John 10:27 Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me….” We are His sheep and need to hear and recognize his voice in our lives today.
I am convinced we do not “hear His voice” as much as we could because we are not setting aside time to listen. Today, as much as any time in history, we need to know God’s will for our lives.
This week we started building a small cottage at the school in Virac for Lorrie and I to live. It is our plan to spend more time living and teaching at the school. As time permits, we will continue to travel and speak at churches on other islands as well.
Please pray for us that we will not only hear His voice, but we will have the strength and courage to do whatever He would desire us do.
Your friends,
Nels and Lorrie