Samson's Jawbone

Recently I had a friend call me for counsel about a problem at their work. A few days later they called me to tell me that God had told them how to handle the matter, which was different from my biblically based counsel. I said to them, "Oh really, tell me about that." The person then described a restless night full of dreams, through which they said that God had redirected them. This is an experience all too common in pastoral counseling. People believe that God directs them through an encounter  rather than through conforming their lives to God's Word. How do we hear the voice of God? Does God speak to us today? The scripture is clear that God directs and often redirects our experience:           [3] He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness. for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3ESV) [9] The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9ESV) [7] “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, a...

After speaking on how to hear God's voice at a church where I was providing regular pulpit supply, an Elder contacted me the following week, furious about what I had said. "I can't believe what you said," he said, "that all we need to make decisions is the Holy Spirit and the illuminated Word of God." Another active member in the church said that my view on divine personal guidance amounted to "blasphemy of the Spirit," and that I should repent or be forever condemned. Yet, for some reason they continued to invite me back to speak. Yet no one was able to refute the points I was making biblically. The Word of God is the voice of God. The scripture is clear, that God has given us His Word, the Bible, to be our guide and His Holy Spirit to empower us to live godly lives: [3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has g...

A friend of mine once told me how God told her whom she was to marry. When her car broke down on a traffic-circle near the Chrisian college campus she attended, she knew that a man, a fellow student, who had romantic interests in her would likely be following the same route on his way to work. She "put out a fleece" asking God to confirm whether she should pursue a relationship and marriage with the man. She prayed that God would lead him to pass her, stop, and rescue her from her distress, if he was the man, she was supposed to marry. In this way God would speak to her about his purpose for the relationship. Within minutes of her prayer the young man did pass, saw her, stopped, started her car and went on to work. Nearly a year later they were married in the college chapel. It was hardly a "happily ever after" story. The marriage was troubled from the start. The young man had substance abuse issues, practiced criminal activity and was involved in multiple extra-mar...