Don’t touch those weeds! Here’s a story I wrote several years ago that illustrates what I’m talking about:

Saved by the Weeds

Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Farming, like other high-risk occupations, requires a great deal of faith, dependence, and trust in God’s timing and goodness.

One year a potato farmer encountered some problems due to hot weather. Because potatoes are a very temperamental crop and must be in the ground a certain period of time the farmer was concerned that the planting be done on time.

The weather broke, however, and he planted the potatoes only five days late. As the cultivation program began, everything looked good except for two plots where weeds began to grow out of control two weeks before the harvest. It was too late to destroy the weeds. The farmer had to let them keep growing.

Another more severe problem emerged when a truck strike interfered with the targeted harvest date. The farmer knew that leaving his potatoes too long in the Arizona summer heat would destroy the crop. In the meantime, the “carpet weeds” continued to flourish and provided an almost blanket-like protection over the potatoes, while taller weeds gave additional shade. Later as the harvesters examined the fields, they discovered that wherever the weeds had grown up, there was no spoilage of potatoes. In weed-free areas, the potatoes were ruined because of the heat. The weeds saved his crops. He had only 5 percent spoilage.

God often uses seemingly adverse circumstances to shield and shade us from “spoilage” in our lives. The very “weeds” we chafe about–petty irritations, chronic interruptions, “irregular” people–are often the means He uses to enhance our ultimate growth and develop a harvest of godly character in us.¹

“Let both grow together until the harvest.” -Matthew 13:30 NIV

¹Rebecca Barlow Jordan, “Saved by the Weeds,” Copyright 2002 Cook Communications Ministries, In the Garden with God by Honor Books. Used with permission. May not be further reproduced. All rights reserved.

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Please share your comments below. Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this Christian blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it below or on my Facebook networked blog. If you’re reading this via newsletter you can always “share” my blogs from the large buttons at the end of each blog on my website. If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

How Can I Thank You, Mom?

Let Me Count the Ways

 By

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

I thank you for the tender care you gave to me each day;

the times you rocked me in your arms, and sent bad drams away.

I thank you for the times you picked me up from spills and falls,

for smiling with approval of my silly, childish scrawls.

I thank you for the times we spent vacationing through the years,

for always letting me collect my precious souvenirs.

I thank you for the bandaids, and the permanents, and tears,

for laughter and sweet music, for respecting childish fears.

I thank you for the stories and the prayers shared at night,

and even for the discipline to turn my wrongs to right.

I thank you for not giving up on me in adolescence,

for showing me throughout my life, it’s love that makes a difference.

I thank you for the memories of years that fleeted by,

too fast, it seems, for now I reminisce and heave a sigh.

And yet there’s more to thank you for; there really is no end.

For even now as I extend this special thanks to you,

I say without a single doubt, my greatest joy will be

to echo to my children all the love you’ve shown to me.

“Love…always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 NIV

If your mom is still living, don’t forget to say “thank you” to her often, especially on Mother’s Day.  And if she’s gone, thank God often for the memories you have and the life and legacy she gave to you. I lost my mom four years ago. And I still miss her. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms!

Something New

I love to give away gifts! From now on, whenever you buy any of my books from my website, you will automatically receive a complimentary greeting card (per book).

It’s Your Turn to Share Your Comments Below

What does your mom mean to you? Share your favorite memory or comments below. Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this Christian blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it below or on my Facebook networked blog. If you’re reading this via newsletter you can always “share” my blogs from the large buttons at the end of each blog on my website. If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

Photo by Rebecca Barlow jordan

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)

What’s Next?

What’s next?  Are you facing decisions about tomorrow? What job to pursue? Whether to keep working in retirement? Who to marry? Which school to attend? What book to write? How to go on when you’ve lost someone close? Which house to buy? Whether to rent? How to raise your children? Where to serve God best? Whether to have surgery? What church to attend? How to make the most difference with your life?

Every day we face decisions. And depending on the seasons of our lives, some are fairly big ones. Where can you find wisdom and direction for tomorrow for all those big and little choices we must make?

God Promises to Answer

God has an answer for that question. Will we trust God completely? Will we rely on His wisdom, or try to figure things out on our own? If we make the wise decision to trust God with all our heart, and not depend on our own limited understanding, God’s promise in Proverbs says “He will direct our paths.” God doesn’t give a timetable. Trust depends on God’s timing, not our own.

The Amplified version says this: “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways, know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.”

The Conditions

The condition for God’s promise  is absolute trust. Most of us know that, because we often struggle with it. But some of us miss the second part. ”In all your ways,” (or in everything, or everywhere you go, or in whatever you do) acknowledge Him (submit to Him, make His ways known, put Him first). Talk about the Lord! Share His faithfulness! Be faithful to give Him credit! In little ways and big ways, make sure He’s the One in control.

Some might label you a fanatic. But God would call you a “normal Christian.”

God’s Faithfulness

God is faithful to keep His word. Since God cannot be unfaithful, or untrue to His Word, then what a life-changing promise this is! To know that my future and the direction for tomorrow is totally in God’s hands frees me from unnecessary fear and worry. Have I always remembered and acted on that promise? I wish I could say yes. But the older I get, the more I can look back and see the tracks of God’s faithfulness in my life–and the more I want to trust Him completely and make His ways known any way I can.

That’s why I love writing this blog.

My Prayer for You

Lord, You know our foolish tendencies to rely on our own understanding, instead of on Your guidance. Forgive us for not trusting you at times. You have promised to give us direction for tomorrow, and to make our paths straight. Help us to believe that Your promises are true, that You are dependable, and that faithfulness is Your character. You know best, Lord! When we look at Your track record of faithfulness, why would we choose any other way than trusting You! Lord, wherever we go, may we honor the name of Jesus and make Your name known!

Something New

Just to remind you again: I love to give away gifts! From now on, whenever you buy any of my books from my website, you will automatically receive a complimentary greeting card (per book).

It’s Your Turn to Share Your Comments Below

What does this Bible promise mean to you? Would you share your comments below? Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this Christian blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it below or on my Facebook networked blog. If you’re reading this via newsletter you can always “share” my blogs from the large buttons at the end of each blog on my website. If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

Photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

“But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. for they are transplanted into the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, ‘The LORD is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!’ (Psalm 92:12-15, NLT)

Is Your Goal to Stay Beautiful?

Today people spend ridiculous amounts of money trying to keep themselves young and beautiful. “Old” is not a goal, but a curse for many. Some worry about wrinkled skin or double chins. Others fear being placed on the “shelf,” replaced by younger candidates. But the fact is, we will all be there someday. We will all grow “old.”

The late Dick Clark testified that he learned to think younger by being around young people. And there may be some truth to that. But he still grew old, just like the young stars he helped to promote.

Old, But Not Stagnant

I love this promise, because it applies to every believer who chooses to trust in the Lord for his past, present and future. As we age–and we all will–we don’t have to grow stagnant or wither. While our bodies may weaken, our spirits can become even stronger. Not because we are growing in an established family garden, but because we have been transplanted into God’s own garden. When that happens, our relationship with God just gets better.

Like cedars, the “godly,” or those who belong to God, will actually flourish. They will still bear “fruit”–that which gives evidence of life and vitality. They will still make a difference for Jesus–because they are connected to the Lord, growing stronger in His own garden.

What You Believe About God Makes a Difference

As you look at the last part of these verses, I think a key to staying green and productive is that our faith and trust is in a God whom we believe is capable of nothing but good. That means no matter what happens to us or those around us, no matter how huge the storms that have crashed through our lives or our world, we are holding on to Jesus, our Rock. And we know and believe that a just God will bring good out of everything in our lives (Romans 8:28). That attitude alone is sweet fruit in a world filled with negativism and attempts at self-preservation.

Whether you’re 19, 39, 59, or 89, this promise is for you. Let God determine what it means to “flourish like a palm tree” and “bear fruit in old age.” Where, when, or how is His business. Not even old age diseases can steal the real “you” from God’s beautiful garden. Your part is to trust and believe in a God who has “nothing but goodness in him.” That’s especially true about all His promises.

My Prayer for You:

Lord Jesus, help us to abandon our pre-conceived ideas about growing older. Useability has nothing to do with age, but everything to do with Your plan and purpose for all of us. And Your desire is that our spirits would keep growing stronger in You, day by day, until you call us home or come back again to receive us–whichever comes first. Though it’s painful, keep us pruned. But above all, keep us close and connected, drawing our nourishment from You and Your Word daily. We abandon our excuses because of physical limitations or past mistakes. We long to reach out to others with strong limbs of love, and to reach up to You in gratitude and praise. Keep us green, Lord!

Something New

I love to give away gifts! From now on, whenever you buy any of my books from my website, you will automatically receive a complimentary greeting card (per book).

It’s Your Turn to Share Your Comments Below

What does this Bible promise mean to you? Would you share your comments below? Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this Christian blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it below or on my Facebook networked blog. If you’re reading this via newsletter you can always “share” my blogs from the large buttons at the end of each blog on my website here: If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

Photo courtesy of Laura Griffith, www.sxc.hu

“Thank God!” someone yells. Another asks, “Why should we?”

It’s the season for devastating storms. Fourteen tornadoes swirled through my part of the world last week. Weathermen reported a twister on the ground a few miles from town, headed in a direct path for our neighborhood. My husband and I prayed and took cover in the bathtub for several minutes, protected by sofa cushions.

Fortunately the tornado lifted, and we thanked God that it passed over our city. But as we watched the news channel later, we heard the testimonies of others who had lost entire homes and property in other places, not too far away. “Thank God!” they said. “We’re still alive, even though we had so much damage!”

Most people feel a sense of great gratitude to God for sparing lives or loved ones in times of tragedy. But why else should we thank God?

One day I decided to count some of those reasons. I recorded my thoughts in the following poem:

How Can We Thank You, God?

By

Rebecca Barlow Jordan

How can we thank You, God?  Let us count the ways.

We thank You for your patience on long and trying days.

We thank You for the friendships You give us through the years,

for fighting all our battles, for calming all our fears.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude for promises You made,

for vows never broken, and for the price You paid

to cover all the debts incurred from foolishness and pride.

For the shelter from the storms of life, a place to run inside,

we thank You, God, today, and for each precious gift of life–

a father, mother, son or daughter, husband or a wife.

Our voices ring with joyfulness because of all You do–

For unseen angels watching us and helping us get through

the heavenly encounters that come to each of us.

For loving us the way we are, when we complain and fuss,

How can we thank You, Lord, enough, and yet there’s so much more:

For small and mighty miracles, for opening up the door

to greater opportunities than our limited dreams or visions.

We thank You for forgiveness when we make the wrong decisions,

for answered prayers, heart repairs, and blessings in disguise,

for lessons learned, for bridges burned, for each new day’s  sunrise,

for eyes attuned to beauty, for ears to hear your voice.

For words to sing Your praises–and hearts that can rejoice.

The question really isn’t, “Why should we thank you, God?”

Instead, because of all You’ve done, “God, how could we not?”

It’s Your Turn to Share Your Comments Below

Why do you thank God? Would you share your comments below? Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this Christian blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it below or on my Facebook networked blog. If you’re reading this via newsletter you can always “share” my blogs from the large buttons at the end of each blog on my website here: If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

photo courtesy of Billy Alexander www.sxc.hu

Some of us may feel like Thomas, who questioned the Lord after His resurrection appearance. At times, we too, need to know that Jesus is truly real. Circumstances leave us discouraged, and we soon forget God’s work in our lives.

You don’t need to feel the nail prints in His hands or see His footprints in the sand to know that Jesus loves you. His actions speak just as loud as His words. But just in case you were allowed one glimpse of the scars He bore for you, you would see in those hands your own name written in red. Just like the Father said, He died and rose from the grave.

And if we listen closely, I can only imagine that we might hear His sweet whisper, “My child, if you had been the only one, I still would have died for you.”

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29 NIV)

An Easter Prayer for You

Lord Jesus, by faith we “see” the nail prints in your hands and feet and believe that you rose from the dead. And though our eyes can’t physically recognize you, our spirits can’t contain the emotion we feel. This Easter–and every day–we join in with scores of others shouting, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” Thank you for your faithfulness to us, to carry out your Father’s plan. Because you live, we can face each day–each tomorrow–with joy, purpose, and hope!!

NOTE: On Easter Sunday, try greeting those you meet in the same way the new believers did after Jesus’ resurrection. Instead of saying, “Hi, how are you?” greet them with, “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”

It’s Your Turn to Share Your Comments Below

Is Jesus real to you? Would you share your comments below? Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this Christian blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it on my Facebook networked blog. If you’re reading this via newsletter you can always “share” my blogs from the large buttons at the end of each blog on my website here: If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

Photo by Gary Scott www.garyslens.ca

The disciples could not comprehend Jesus’ words at His Last Supper with them. For three years He had taught them, fed them, and lived with them, preparing them for such a time as this. When Jesus’ fingers broke the bread and passed it out to his chosen twelve, He was telling yet another story—a true one about to unfold before their eyes.

Little did they know what that “brokenness” would mean in their own future. Each one in his own way would be broken through death or persecution. But each one, except Judas, would be made whole because of Jesus’ own willingness to be broken on the cross in His sacrificial death.

At Easter, in communion, and all year long, we remember not only our Lord’s dear sacrifice through His blood and broken body; we celebrate our wholeness as well. For those who understand the principle of brokenness have already been made whole.

“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”Luke 22:19 NIV

It’s Your Turn to Share Your Comments Below

What does ”brokenness” mean to you? What does it mean to be “whole?” Would you share your comments below? Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it on my Facebook networked blog. If you’re reading this via newsletter you can always “share” my blogs from the large buttons at the end of each blog on my website here: If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

You’ve called. You’ve prayed. You’ve asked. You’ve waited. But heaven gives no answer. Why is God silent?

Forget the formulas. God deals with each person uniquely, and we can’t always answer the why’s to our own satisfaction. Here are some reasons you won’t find why God is silent.

1. He’s Too Busy

God doesn’t need call waiting, and His line is never busy.  Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things….” Multi-tasking is no problem for God, because He’s also omnipresent. He can be everywhere, anywhere, at all times.

2. He’s Too Big

Meaning what? We’re too small and insignificant? In reality, we probably imagine a God who is too small, not too big.  But in terms of how God really feels about us, read Genesis 1:27 again. We were made in His image!

I’ve always been amazed that when God passed by and allowed Moses to view a small part of His glory, these are the words God used to describe Himself: “Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God,  compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and  truth” (Exodus 34:6 NASB). Does that sound like a God who is too big or too busy?

3. He’s Too Tired

Doesn’t God have more important things to deal with than our petty concerns? After all, He has a world to take care of–wars, freaky storms, fighting evil–and billions of other people to take care of. We serve a God who is sovereign. He never worries, is never caught off guard, and is always in control. He has no needs. He doesn’t even need us (Acts 17:24-25). But He wants us, and He loves us (John 3:16).

We are His work–and His workmanship! Would a God who has no needs and who requires no sleep (Psalm 121:4) be too tired to care or to listen to His children? To me, that will always remain one of the biggest mysteries I know: that a Holy, righteous God would love–and send His own son to die for someone like me!

Why Is God Silent?

So if those aren’t the reasons why God is silent, what are the reasons? The only way I know to even begin to answer that is to see how God has responded in Scripture. Remember, there are some questions we will never adequately answer. This is one of them.

God May Be Silent…

1. Because He Has Already Answered in His Word.

In some cases, He may be waiting on you to believe His promise or act on His written Word. “The Word is near you–in your mouth and in your heart, that is the word of faith” (Romans 10:8 NASB). The principles regarding justice, love, morality, and other issues are clear and need no further instructions. Warning: Interpret Scripture carefully, and make sure you are not “proof-texting,” where you try to pull a Scripture truth out of context to rationalize or prove something which God never intended. We can all be guilty of that at times.

2. Because Fellowship Has Been Broken

God could be silent because we have broken fellowship with Him. Isaiah 59:2 (NLT) says, “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” I remember a painful time earlier in my life when I thought my way was surely better than God’s way. The result was worse than any “icy treatment” or withdrawal of affection from a human parent.

The silence grew; His Word brought no understanding. It was like God placed a temporary veil over my eyes and heart. Thankfully God’s Spirit still worked silently behind the scenes until I renewed fellowship with Him again. God will always hear a prayer of repentance. But if we insist on “cherishing sin” (Psalm 66:18, NIV,) we may experience a painful hush from heaven. Thank God for His promise of I John 1: 9, NIV: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Jesus’ own Son experienced God’s silence as He hung on a Roman cross to die. But it was our sin that caused the silence, not Jesus’. He had no sin. When Jesus cried, ”My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34, NIV), God knew the answer. So did Jesus. But the quiet only lasted three days. Jesus’ obedience to death, followed by His resurrection, opened up Heaven’s voice forever: “He is Risen! He is risen, indeed!”

 3. Because We’re Asking for the Wrong Reason

What are we asking God for? James 4:3 says we may not receive (or hear an answer from God) if we’re asking God with wrong motives, selfishly. Examine your reasons. Is it possible to ask for your mate’s salvation with wrong motives? Possibly, if your prime reason (though it could be an unconcious one) is to make your life much easier with a Christian spouse, rather than simply wanting God’s best for your partner: eternal salvation.

4.  Because the Answer Is Still Coming

In Daniel 10, Daniel waited three weeks for God to answer. When He did, an angel revealed the reason to Daniel. God had already sent His answer the moment He heard Daniel, but the angel had been detoured by spiritual warfare in the heavens for twenty-one days. He enlisted Michael, one of the chief “princes,” to help. If you know what you are asking for is God’s will, keep on praying, believing, and waiting. God may have already spoken, but there could be a battle going on between good and evil to prevent that answer from arriving until later.

5. Because God Wants to Grow Your Faith and Depend on Him

God could be silent because He wants to grow your faith so that you will keep on praying and not give up. He wants to increase your dependency on Him. In Luke 18 Jesus told a parable about a woman who kept bothering an uncaring judge about getting justice for her from her adversary.  The woman wouldn’t quit, so the judge finally agreed to help her.

Jesus explained the parable in his summary statements: “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8, NIV)

What Now?

God will always do His part. He doesn’t play hide and seek. Jesus is always pursuing us, whispering to our hearts, giving us wisdom, leading us on the right path. He wants us to experience His best, so sometimes He may delay His answer because He knows perfect timing is critical.

Sometimes His silence may not be silence at all. One way or another God has spoken, but for some reason we may seem unable to discern His answer at the time. May I encourage you to keep seeking; keep knocking; keep asking, but most of all, keep believing?

What about our faith? Will we do our part? I truly believe that we may not experience God’s complete answers regarding some issues this side of heaven. But in the end, God will right all wrongs. Then, His voice will ring loud and clear, to the just and to the unjust. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess His Lordship at that time. And maybe then, all our “why’s” will be answered.

Or maybe not. Perhaps by then, it will be enough to join in with other believers, praising the One we will hear clearly. When the Lord comes back again, we will see; we will know; we will hear; and we will celebrate the One who has been so faithful to us from the very beginning.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John,saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4, NIV).

It’s Your Turn to Share Your Comments Below

What about you? Are there times when God has been silent in your life? Would you share your comments below? Your words might encourage someone today! You will not be hounded, prodded, or automatically added to my mailing list if you do so. Feel free to email this blog to someone or to re-post on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, using the buttons below, or to “like” it on my Facebook networked blog. If you’re reading this via newsletter you can always “share” my blogs from the large buttons at the end of each blog on my website here: If you want to re-post any of my blogs on your own blog or website, please contact me for permission first. And if you’d like to, you can sign up for my blog/newsletter and updates at the top of this website page/sidebar. Your e-mail address will never be sold or given to anyone!

5. Through Music

Perhaps one of the ways I can sense God’s presence the most and “hear” His voice the best is when I am praising Him through music. Maybe it’s because in times of depression and difficult trials in the past, I would pour over David’s songs in Psalms, often singing them back to God with my own tunes. Praise brings me instantly to attention, like a sargent’s command to his soldiers. The words and the notes bring a soothing comfort, excitement, and passion that open my ears and heart and lifts my spirits immediately.

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat faced a huge army of enemies who could have easily destroyed His people, but he did a strange thing. With a declaration that his eyes were on God, he sent in a choir of praise singers: “Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his  holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.’” (2 Chronicles 20:21, NIV).

God “spoke” clearly. He released His power, and Jehoshaphat’s army defeated their enemies!

6. Through Circumstances

When others claim to hear God through circumstances, I try to caution them to test their conclusions with other evidence. God is a Holy God, and often uses circumstances to get our attention. But He will usually confirm it in other ways.

This happened to us before my husband and I married. We were dating in high school and were both involved in what could have been a deadly accident, when a speeding pick-up hit our car broadside. Through that accident, my  husband felt God had a special purpose for his life. Did he “hear” God’s literal “Yes?” No, but through much prayer, seeking God’s Word, and talking to others, he felt God’s confirmation. Several months later, he committed his life to full-time Christian service.

Someone once told me they just knew God was telling them it was okay to buy a brand-new pickup. They’d prayed about it, and circumstances confirmed it: the local car dealership had just the color and model they wanted. But there was one small problem they were neglecting. They couldn’t afford it on their income . And they ignored other red flags as well.

Through Moses, God used circumstances (plagues) to convince Egypt’s leader to release God’s people from slavery. But Pharaoh wouldn’t listen.

Sometimes God uses our circumstances to test our faith. We don’t always know how to interpret the things that happen to us. I recently took my first trip in an ambulance to the local ER–unfortunately as a patient. My pulse, along with my blood pressure, dropped dangerously low. For several minutes my world looked like a spinning photo negative. Scary, to say the least. Four hours of testing later found no cause as to why it happened. The doctor pronounced me healthy and sent me home, after encouraging me to get a follow-up–which I did. Nothing showed up.

I don’t know if God was speaking to me about something special, but the first thing I did was tell Him I was listening! If nothing else, life–and loved ones–suddenly became much more precious to me. One of the first things I usually ask God when circumstances change is: “God, is there something you want to teach me through this?” Yes, I know everything is “fodder” for writers. But I want to make it personal and learn the lesson first.

7. Through His Spirit

I once heard someone teach about “minding the checks” in your spirit. Some may call it “God’s whispers,” while others say, “God’s still, small voice.” We are made in the image of God, and when we confess Jesus and follow Him as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit comes to live in us (John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 3:16). God’s Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, helping to make the right decision. When we’re tempted, that same Spirit warns and nudges us to do the right thing.

As a writer, I depend on God’s Spirit to give me direction. There are times when ideas pop into my mind totally unexpectedly–and sometimes directly after a plea for help from God. The good ideas I credit to God, because after all, He is the source of every good and perfect gift. The others? They’re in file 13. Even the good ones need developing and rewriting, but that’s a different blog subject.

Why do you suppose ten people can “hear” a sermon, but each person will walk away with a different truth that applies to him? In some cases, the speaker never spoke what the people say they “heard.” Many times, that may be the result of God’s Spirit speaking a personal “Rhema,” a living, breathing word of truth to our spirits. It’s when Scripture comes alive to us–because it is truly “God-breathed.”

8. Through Prayer

Each way I’ve shared that God may speak to us today meshes into the other. God often speaks to us through His Spirit, through prayer. We may not know how to pray, but God’s Word tells us His spirit makes intercession for us (Romans 8:26, 27).

Often through a combination of fasting and prayer, our minds become clearer and our hearts are more sensitive to God. Again, we may not hear God’s literal voice, but His Spirit confirms a certain direction or answer for us. As the distractions fade, we can sense His leading in a new way. Sometimes while praying, God’s Spirit will remind us of a Scripture or a truth in His Word that we can directly apply to the situation.

Does that happen immediately? Not always. There have been occasions where I still had no clue what to do, but in faith I thanked God whenever and however He would answer. A day, a week, maybe even months pass. Then one day in the shower or on a walk, a thought comes–that gentle “whisper” that could only come from Him, accompanied by His peace.

You Are Unique

Does God speak to all of us the same way? No, we are all unique. Are these the only ways God speaks today? No. He’s a creative God. He speaks so many ways, including through miracles. In other countries where Christianity is taboo, God is also revealing Himself repeatedly through dreams. Report after report confirms that an unbeliever who has never heard of Jesus dreams of Him–but doesn’t know who the “man” is–or what the dream means. Then a messenger comes, shows a film about Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the one who has dreamed recognizes the man in his dream: It’s Jesus, the Son of God!

Remember One Truth

Regardless of the way God chooses to reveal Himself or “speak” to us today, remember one truth. He will never contradict His Word, and the message He gives will always bring glory to God. The Bible warns about adding anything to the already written, God-breathed Word of God, or accepting any other messenger who claims to be superior to Jesus (Revelation 22:18-19; 2 Corinthians 11:4).

 Next Week: Why Is God Silent?

Join me in next week’s blog as we look at the topic, “Why Is God Silent?”

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