DO YOU WANT TO CONNECT WITH GOD?

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Did you read my recent post “Does God Speak To Us Today“? If not can I suggest you do so as it is a precursor to this post.

Many people view the Bible as an ancient religious text, a historical document, or a collection of moral teachings. But Scripture is far more than that. The Bible is God’s living communication — His ongoing conversation with His people. When we open its pages, we are not merely reading words; we are encountering the voice, heart, and wisdom of the living God.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul writes that “All Scripture is God‑breathed.” This means the Bible did not originate from human imagination or cultural tradition. It came from the very breath of God — the same breath that spoke creation into existence, the same breath that gives life to every believer.

To say Scripture is “God‑breathed” is to say it carries His authority, His truth, and His life. It is not outdated. It is not silent. It is not powerless. Every verse carries the imprint of the One who inspired it, making the Bible eternally relevant and spiritually alive.

How the Holy Spirit Uses Scripture to Transform Hearts

The Spirit of God works through the Word of God to shape the people of God. When we read Scripture with open hearts, the Holy Spirit illuminates truth, convicts us of sin, strengthens our faith, and reveals the character of Christ.

  • A single verse can bring comfort in grief.
  • A familiar passage can suddenly speak with new clarity.
  • A story we’ve read many times can reveal a fresh layer of God’s wisdom.

This is not coincidence — it is the Spirit actively working through the living Word. The Bible is not static ink on paper; it is a divine instrument the Spirit uses to renew minds, heal wounds, and guide our steps.

Why Daily Engagement With God’s Word Matters

If Scripture is truly God’s living communication, then spending time in it is not a religious duty — it is a lifeline. Daily engagement with the Word keeps our hearts aligned with God’s heart. It anchors us in truth when the world feels chaotic. It nourishes our spirit the way food nourishes the body.

Even a few minutes a day can open the door for God to speak, correct, encourage, and strengthen you. The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the more clearly we recognize God’s voice in every part of life.

Jesus is returning soon. How good it will be if you have already developed a close relationship with Him. Will you be ready to rule and reign with Him in Jesus Millennial Kingdom? If you want to know more about what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net, there I post the latest news on living with Jesus and the glorified Saints in the Millennium.

HOW TO BE HOLY SPIRIT LED

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How the Holy Spirit Speaks Through Scripture

One of the greatest gifts God has given His people is the ability to hear His voice through the pages of Scripture. The Bible is not simply a record of what God once said — it is the living Word through which He still speaks. And the One who makes that possible is the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, Scripture would remain ink on a page. With the Spirit, it becomes a living conversation between God and His children.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide us into truth, remind us of His teachings, and reveal what we need to know. This promise is fulfilled every time we open the Bible with a listening heart. The Spirit takes the eternal Word of God and applies it to our present lives with precision, wisdom, and love. Understanding how the Spirit speaks through Scripture is essential for anyone who desires to walk closely with God. In total I will do three poste on the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit Illuminates the Word

The first way the Holy Spirit speaks through Scripture is by illuminating it. Illumination is the Spirit’s work of opening our spiritual eyes so we can understand what God is saying. Without the Spirit, we may read the Bible but miss its meaning. With the Spirit, truth becomes clear, personal, and powerful.

Have you ever read a passage you’ve seen many times before, only to have it suddenly come alive? A verse you skimmed over for years suddenly grips your heart. A story you thought you understood reveals a deeper layer of truth. That is the Spirit illuminating the Word.

The Spirit does not change the meaning of Scripture — He reveals it. He helps us see what was always there but hidden from our understanding. This is why prayer is essential when reading the Bible. We are not just studying a text; we are inviting the Spirit to speak.

The Spirit Applies Scripture to Our Lives

The Holy Spirit not only illuminates Scripture; He applies it. He takes the timeless truth of God’s Word and connects it to the specific circumstances of our lives. This is one of the most personal ways God speaks.

A verse about peace may come alive when you are anxious. A passage about forgiveness may confront you when you are holding a grudge. A story of God’s faithfulness may strengthen you when you feel weak.

The Spirit knows exactly what we need, and He uses Scripture to meet us where we are. This is why the Bible is never outdated. The same passage can speak differently at different times because the Spirit applies it according to our season, struggles, and spiritual growth.

The Spirit Convicts, Comforts, and Corrects

Scripture is God’s tool for shaping our hearts, and the Spirit uses it to convict, comfort, and correct us.

Conviction is the Spirit’s gentle way of showing us where our lives are out of alignment with God’s will. It is not condemnation or shame. Conviction is a loving invitation to return to God’s path.

Comfort comes when the Spirit uses Scripture to reassure us of God’s presence, promises, and faithfulness. In moments of grief, fear, or uncertainty, the Spirit brings verses to mind that anchor our souls.

Correction happens when the Spirit uses Scripture to redirect our thinking or behavior. God’s Word becomes a mirror that reveals what needs to change and a guide that shows us how to walk in obedience.

In all these ways, the Spirit speaks with clarity and love, using Scripture as His instrument.

The Spirit Forms Christ in Us Through the Word

The ultimate purpose of Scripture is not information but transformation. The Spirit uses the Word to shape us into the image of Christ. As we read, meditate, and obey, the Spirit renews our minds, softens our hearts, and strengthens our character.

This is why spiritual growth is impossible apart from Scripture. The Spirit forms Christ in us through the steady, daily intake of God’s Word. The more we allow the Spirit to speak through Scripture, the more we begin to think, act, and love like Jesus. The more the fruit of the spirit is manifest in our lives:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.“ Galatians 5:22-23

Listening to the Spirit Through Scripture Requires a Posture of Surrender

Hearing the Spirit through Scripture is not automatic. It requires a posture of humility, openness, and obedience. The Spirit speaks most clearly to hearts that are willing to respond.

Before reading, pray: “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word. Open my eyes. Guide my heart. I am listening.”

As you read, pay attention to what stands out — a phrase, a command, a promise, a warning. These moments of clarity are often the Spirit’s voice.

After reading, ask: “Lord, what do You want me to do with what You’ve shown me?”

The Spirit speaks not just to inform us but to transform us. When we respond with obedience, His voice becomes clearer and more familiar.

The Spirit Speaks Through Scripture Every Time We Open It

You don’t need a dramatic experience to hear God. You don’t need a special moment or a supernatural sign. Every time you open the Bible with a listening heart, the Holy Spirit is ready to speak.

He speaks through the stories, the teachings, the promises, the warnings, and the wisdom of Scripture. He speaks through quiet moments of reflection and sudden moments of revelation. He speaks through familiar passages and through verses you’ve never noticed before.

The Spirit is faithful. The Word is alive. And God is always speaking.

Jesus is returning soon. How good it will be if you have already developed a close relationship with Him. Will you be ready to rule and reign with Him in Jesus Millennial Kingdom? If you want to know more about what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net

RECOGNIZING GOD’S VOICE

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Recognizing the Voice of the Shepherd

One of the most comforting truths Jesus ever spoke is found in John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” With these simple words, Jesus reveals something profound about the relationship He desires with His people. He is not a distant ruler or silent observer. He is a Shepherd who speaks, leads, and calls His sheep by name. And His sheep — those who belong to Him — can learn to recognize His voice.

Yet many believers struggle with this. They wonder, How do I know if God is speaking? How can I tell His voice apart from my own thoughts, fears, or desires? These questions are not signs of weak faith; they are signs of a heart that longs to walk closely with God. Recognizing the voice of the Shepherd is not about spiritual talent — it is about relationship, trust, and familiarity.

The Shepherd’s Voice Is Rooted in Scripture

The first and clearest way to recognize the Shepherd’s voice is through His Word. Jesus is the Living Word, and Scripture is the written expression of His heart, His character, and His truth. God will never speak in a way that contradicts what He has already revealed in Scripture. His voice is always consistent with His Word.

This means the more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the more familiar we become with the tone, rhythm, and nature of God’s voice. Just as a child learns a parent’s voice by hearing it day after day, we learn the Shepherd’s voice by spending time in His Word. When we read Scripture regularly, we begin to recognize the difference between God’s truth and the enemy’s lies, between God’s peace and our own anxieties, between God’s wisdom and the world’s noise.

If you want to hear God more clearly, start by opening your Bible. The Shepherd speaks most clearly through the Word He has already given.

The Shepherd’s Voice Reflects His Character

God’s voice always sounds like God. That may seem obvious, but it is one of the most important principles of discernment. The Shepherd’s voice carries the qualities of the Shepherd Himself — love, truth, gentleness, conviction, wisdom, and peace.

God’s voice does not condemn; it convicts. Condemnation pushes us away from God with shame. Conviction draws us toward God with hope and repentance. God’s voice does not create fear; it brings courage and clarity. God’s voice does not confuse; it brings understanding and direction. God’s voice does not flatter; it speaks truth in love.

When you sense a prompting, impression, or inner nudge, ask yourself: Does this reflect the character of Jesus? Does this align with who God has revealed Himself to be? If it does, you are likely hearing the Shepherd. If it doesn’t, it is not His voice.

The Shepherd’s Voice Produces Peace, Not Pressure

One of the most recognizable marks of God’s voice is peace. Not necessarily the absence of difficulty, but the presence of calm assurance. When God speaks, even if His words challenge us or call us to change, they carry a sense of steady confidence. His voice leads us forward without panic or confusion.

Pressure, urgency, chaos, and fear are not the marks of the Shepherd’s voice. They are often signs of our own anxious thoughts or the enemy’s attempts to distract and discourage us. God may call us to act, but He does not drive us with fear. He leads us with peace.

If a thought or prompting feels frantic, condemning, or fear‑filled, pause. The Shepherd does not speak that way.

The Shepherd’s Voice Is Recognized Through Relationship

Sheep recognize the shepherd’s voice because they spend time with him. They walk with him daily. They learn the sound of his call, the rhythm of his footsteps, and the tone of his voice. Recognition comes through relationship.

The same is true for us. The more time we spend with Jesus — in prayer, worship, Scripture, and quiet moments of listening — the more familiar His voice becomes. Hearing God is not a technique to master; it is the fruit of a growing relationship. As we walk with Him, we begin to sense His leading more naturally. His voice becomes clearer, not because He speaks louder, but because we have learned to listen.

The Shepherd’s Voice Is Confirmed in Community

God often uses the voices of other believers to confirm what He is speaking to us. Wise counsel, godly mentors, and spiritually mature friends can help us discern whether what we are sensing truly reflects God’s heart. The Shepherd leads His flock, not isolated individuals. Community is one of the ways He protects us from deception and strengthens our ability to hear Him.

If you believe God is speaking something significant, share it with a trusted believer. The Shepherd often confirms His voice through the unity and wisdom of His people.

Learning to Listen With Expectation

Recognizing the voice of the Shepherd is a journey. It takes time, practice, and patience. But the Shepherd is faithful. He wants to be heard more than we want to hear Him. He is not hiding His voice from His children. He is inviting us to slow down, draw near, and listen.

Make space in your life for quiet. Open your Bible with expectation. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Pay attention to the gentle nudges, the Scriptures that stand out, the peace that settles in your heart, and the wise voices God places around you.

The Shepherd is speaking. And as you walk with Him, you will learn to recognize His voice with growing clarity and confidence.

Jesus is returning soon. How good it will be if you have already developed a close relationship with Him. Will you be ready to rule and reign with Him in Jesus Millennial Kingdom? If you want to know more about what is next on God’s agenda for planet Earth go to http://www.millennialkingdom.net

THIS SCRIPTURE VERSE IS A MONUMENTAL BLESSING – STRENGTHENED AND UPHELD

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I have been blessed greatly by Dr James Tour. Just watch this video (25 minutes) and you will changed for the better. He has an amazing testimony.

Dr. James Tour emphasizes that Isaiah 41:10’s promise — “Do not fear … I will strengthen you … I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” — provides believers with lasting comfort, strength and assurance whenever life becomes overwhelming. He reminds Christians to trust God’s presence and power rather than giving in to anxiety or fear. It has worked for James Tour. It can work for you.

James Tour is an amazing scientist. He has been the facilitator for many start-up companies utilising new technologies. God wastes nothing, Jesus will use the talents that God has given to James Tour in His coming Millennial Kingdom. James will be in his new glorified body and he will be used by God to ensure new technologies are wisely used by business for the entire 1000 years of Jesus Millennial Kingdom.

GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH: FULFILLED PROPHECY PROVES IT

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Scripture says this about its own nature:

“Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

“No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet’s own imagination, for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

The people in Berea were commended for subjecting the apostle Paul’s words to God’s Word:

“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” Acts 17:11

Everything the Bible says about God is true; everything anyone says about God that contradicts the Bible is false. Apart from a belief in the authority of God’s Word—as well as a growing knowledge of what it says—we’ll be vulnerable to deception. This is why one of the greatest needs in churches today is the consistent teaching of sound doctrine. Without it, and without people reading good books that reinforce a biblical worldview, God’s people will drift along, swept away by the current of popular opinion.

Faith is not inherently virtuous. Its value depends on the worth of its object. The Bible, understood in context and given precedent over our own instincts and preferences, is our dependable guide for faith and practice. Only by learning what Scripture says about God can we know what’s true about Him.

When we delight in God’s Word, we are delighting in Him.

I’ve heard people say, “Don’t take pleasure in the Bible; take pleasure in God.” But to study God’s words is to take pleasure in God because His Word is an expression of His very being.

Anyone who finds happiness in God must find happiness in God’s words as David did:

“In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.” Psalm 119:14

“I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.” Psalm 119:47

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97

Notice these Scriptures demonstrate that to delight in and to meditate upon God’s Word is to delight in God Himself.

The point of studying God’s Word is to know Him.

There is a danger of idolizing our own knowledge of the Bible rather than remembering the point is to know Him better. (If we fail to understand that, the problem is with us, not the Bible!)

J. I. Packer, in the first chapter of his book Knowing God, says this: “To be preoccupied with getting theological knowledge as an end in itself, to approach Bible study with no higher a motive than a desire to know all the answers, is the direct route to a state of self-satisfied self-deception. We need to guard our hearts against such an attitude and pray to be kept from it. …there can be no spiritual health without doctrinal knowledge, but it is equally true that there can be no spiritual health with it if it is sought for the wrong purpose and valued by the wrong standard… Our aim in studying the Godhead must be to know God himself better. Our concern must be to enlarge our acquaintance, not simply with the doctrine of God’s attributes, but with the living God whose attributes they are. As he is the subject of our study, and our helper in it, so he must himself be the end of it.“

May we see Bible study and doctrine as a basis for humble worship of our King and Savior, not for prideful posturing.

God’s words have the power to bring heart happiness.

When Jeremiah said that God’s Word “became to me a joy and the delight of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16), he was suggesting that Scripture has a cumulative effect that increases over time. Happily, by God’s grace, As Joni Eareckson Tada says: “If you want to increase your desire for God, then get to know Him more deeply. And there is no better way to know Him than through His Word. Get into God’s Word, and you will get a heart for Jesus. Get passionate about Scripture, and your passion for Him will increase. Feelings follow faith…and faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.“

God promises that His Word “will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). We live in a time where the Bible is increasingly minimized. Let’s be committed to doing everything we can to uplift and honor God’s Word, as a means of knowing and loving Him.

Adapted from an article by Randy Alcorn, “Is There a Danger of Worshipping the Bible Instead of God” http://www.patheos.com

KNOWING GOD BY KNOWING HIS WORD

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Knowing God, as He is presented in scripture, is a non-negotiable for Christians. Theology offers an eternal well of joy and a shield of protection from the enemy. Any Christian who thinks they can continue with a “no creed but Christ” is setting themselves up for failure. Anyone with this paradigm should truly self-evaluate if they really love the Lord at all. A denial of the need for theology is a denial of the Lord Jesus.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.“ Hebrews 4:12

It is impossible to know doctrine, love, or God without the scripture. This is where the oracles of God and His gospel are contained. It is this special means by which God has chosen to reveal Himself to us.

Psalm 119 is extraordinarily helpful here. I do not think it is a coincidence that the single longest chapter in scripture (176 verses) is dedicated to loving the law of God. The psalmist reminds us over and over how his true delight and protection are only found in knowing God, via His word. He writes:

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips, I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies, I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” Psalms 119:9-16

A pursuit of theology is fundamental and vital to our makeup as human beings. Because we bear the Imago Dei (made in the image of God), we’re designed with a natural inclination for the spiritual and divine. We are wired to pursue theology – if not formally, then certainly informally. Even atheists, by their own self-admission, are going out of the way to classify themselves by an a-theological position. The great efforts made to publicly deny God are, in and of themselves, admissions of the great importance God plays in our world. It’s for reasons like these that statements that deny the need for theology are so absurd.

In Australia, WordLive from Scripture Union is a free, online Bible reading guide, to help you meet with God devotionally through the Bible. It is just one of the many Bible reading guides available free online for your use.

DBS WITH NICKY

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Nicky shares with us the A-B-C process of Discovery Bible Study. I love this simple explanation of how to make disciples. Allow God’s Word to speak into their lives and expect the Holy Spirit to do His work. As Nicky explains in this video, in a group of four or five people the Holy Spirit will use one verse to speak a different message into the lives of each of them. It is awesome and confirms what the following two scriptures tell us.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13

“so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, Isaiah 55:11

We just need to bring God’s Word and our own testimony to people who are willing to listen and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest. People need to experience God for themselves our words will accomplish little. I am reminded of the KISS principle.

YOU VERSION BIBLE APP – A REASON TO CELEBRATE

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The following report on usage of the YouVersion Bible App demonstrates how God uses catastrophes for His purposes. How important it is we seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance so we are in step with His purposes in our sphere of influence.

Searches on the YouVersion Bible app increased by 80% this year, to nearly 600 million, as the pandemic created a sense of uncertainty and turmoil. The verse Isaiah 41:10, which is about God’s promise for strength and help, was the verse that was bookmarked, highlighted, and shared the most.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

With 43.6 billion Bible chapters read, 7.5 billion audio chapters played and 1.4 billion Bible Plan days completed, YouVersion says it “saw its highest levels of global Bible engagement in app history.”

“This has been a challenging year with many people facing devastating loss, loneliness, and fear,” said YouVersion founder Bobby Gruenewald. “While 2020 is a year so many say they’d like to forget, we see it as a year to remember how God used the Bible App to help so many people who are searching for answers. Through every hardship, people continue to seek God and turn to the Bible for strength, peace, and hope.

The results reveal how people are seeking God as they wrestle with the difficult circumstances they’ve faced in 2020, and that’s something we can celebrate.

SCRIPTURE NEEDS TO CHANGE OUR LIVES

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Another life changing message from Francis Chan about how Scripture needs to change our lives. He explains how it has and is changing his own life. Francis is now ministering in places such as Myanmar to the poorest of the poor and he and his family are happier now than they have ever been. For most of his ministry Francis says, he did not believe in the supernatural, that has changed dramatically now as he ministers in places where they have never heard the Gospel before. Now! everyone he touches are healed. The power of God is evident as he goes where God leads. Is it any wonder why Francis is happier now than he has ever been.

Young Leaving Churches That ‘Abandoned Belief in Authority of Scripture,’ Says Head of World’s Largest Pentecostal Denomination

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Spirit-Empowered Leaders Gather for What Could Be Largest Christian Pentecost Celebration in Israel’s Modern History

Dr. George O. Wood

JERUSALEM May 21st, 2015 — George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church (USA) and chairman of the World AG Fellowship, considered the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination with more than 67 million adherents, said Wednesday that young people are leaving traditional churches that have “abandoned a belief in the authority of Scripture.”

Responding to a question asking how the Empowered21 movement is doing among young people, considering reports that many are moving away from the church in general, Wood explained that it’s not the case for Empowered21.

“All I can do is tell you our statistics in the USA,” began Wood.

“We (AG USA) have 3.1 million young people in the USA and 34 percent of them are under the age of 25. … The young people that are moving away from traditional religious structures in the U.S. typically belong to churches which have abandoned a belief in the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness and centrality, and exclusiveness of Jesus Christ,” said Wood.

“They have no belief to hang on to since that has all been gutted by those who have chosen, under the guise of religion, to reject the very claims of the founder of the religion,” he said.

“This movement is very attractive to young people around the world because it believes we can experience God. We don’t just talk about Him, we don’t just think about Him, we actually can experience Him,” said William Wilson, co-chair of Empowered21.

“There is a whole generation of young men and women who are looking for purpose and really want their life to count and the radical message of Jesus Christ gives them that opportunity. In an expression, they can experience God in reality, so we’re seeing explosive growth in many parts of the movement among young people. It’s exciting,” said Wilson

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/young-leaving-churches-that-abandoned-belief-in-authority-of-scripture-says-head-of-worlds-largest-Pentecostal-denomination.