When God Speaks...

Our God is the God of Words.
When God created, He spoke the world into existence.
In creation God made man—to commune with Him.
In that perfect Garden, man talked with God and God talked with man. 
But man destroyed that communion when he disobeyed God. 
Yet the world still spoke of God’s power, majesty, order—so much of Who God is. 
By His creation, all men are without excuse for knowing God. (Romans 1).

God told Noah to warn the world of coming judgment. His words did not persuade them. The flood destroyed them.

When God moved Abraham to a place he did not know, God promised He would make him a nation, more numerous than the sand or the stars.
Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.

When this nation grew and groaned under Egypt’s bondage, they cried to God for deliverance. God heard and answered.

When God called Moses, He spoke from a bush on fire yet did not burn.
He demonstrated to Pharaoh that Moses was His spokesperson, by turning a leprous, white hand to be healed and by making a rod turn to a serpent then back to a rod.

God used words to communicate to His people on Mt Sinai, when He wrote with His own finger the words He wanted His people to know.
They were perfect words that showed all men their need for Him.

God called prophet after prophet to proclaim His message. 
The prophet Ezekiel declared judgment on the watchman if he refused to tell of coming danger (Ezekiel 33:6).
The prophet Jonah could not escape God’s call to tell Ninevah of their destruction.
God wanted His Words to be told.
Throughout Israel’s history, God made sure His Word was proclaimed. 

The Psalms are full of exaltation of how God’s Words guide a life that pleases God, a lamp to know what to do, a rock that would not move.
The longest chapter, Psalm 119, extols the greatness of God’s Word.
His Word will not fail.

When God was silent 400 years, it was significant.
His people looked for Him to do something—something that would save them from their dreary existence.
Then God sent His Word—the living Word, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1).
The Word—Jesus, Who showed us what living His Word looked like.
But The Living Word was not just an example of how we are to live. Because we could never do what He did.
Jesus, became sin for us—separating Himself from God—God turned His back on His own Son, so that we can know and talk to God again.
That Living Word came to restore our communication with God.
The curtain to the holy of holies was symbolic of man's separation from God.
God's doing, to show man he could enter God's presence on His terms.
When Jesus completed His task—being sin for us, and when He rose from the dead conquering sin, that curtain was torn from top to bottom.
The Living Word had made a way for us to enter into His presence.
We can hear His voice again.

He does not speak through prophets like He did in the Old Testament. 
His written Word is complete, not needing any additions or revisions. (Proverbs 30:5-6, Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelations 22:18-19).
But He continues to speak to His people.
Some use those verses to say God doesn’t speak anymore.
I'd question whether the Spirit resides within them. 
God is not silent with His own. 

He made man to talk with Him.
God cannot be silenced.
Nor has God stopped talking.

His Spirit spoke to me first by wooing me to know Him.
When I accepted His saving power and lordship in my life, He continued talking to me on a deeper level. 
Like a friendship growing deeper and stronger as it matures.

Second Timothy 3:16 says, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
As we read His Word, His Spirit talks to us, that's what it means in Hebrews 4:12 when it says the Word of God is living, active, sharper than any two edged sword—making the hard parts understandable, showing where we need to be changed to be conformed to His image.
But He doesn’t just tell us to change, He enables us through His Spirit to change.
Philippians 2:13 says, For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
(He not only helps us do what is right, but helps us want to do what is right.)

That’s a constant abiding in Him, that He tells in John 15:5. 
I am the vine, you are the branches…you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear…fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 
That’s constant communion!

Sometimes that inner voice is not Him. Jesus addresses that in John 10:27 
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.

We must be so in tune to listening to Him that we can distinguish the enemy’s imitation or our own wants.
It’s those Be still and know that I am God, (Psalm 46:10) moments, that we wait for Him to confirm His Words—to confirm that it is He.

He’s looking for us to see His hand throughout our day.
In those opportunities that show His power, wisdom, mercy… 
The Psalmist says it well, “His mercies are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.” 

But we must have eyes looking for His Works, ears ready to hear His Words.
We must put away the world’s noisy distractions, so we can hear God.
God still desires communion with His people. 
That old hymn comes to mind: 

I come to the garden alone, 
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

​I'd stay in the garden with Him
Tho' the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go; thro' the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling. 

As we live our day listening for His voice, we will hear it.
In this busy time of year, stop and listen for His voice.
And give Him praise.

I write about what matters...to you---
women, wives and moms---
about your family, faith and future.
I write about what's hard, what helps and what heals.
I show you how it's done. And not done.
I hold your hand as you find what matters to the Savior.
And let go of those things that mattered to you, but not to Him.
I write about what matters...to Him.
               Sonya Contreras

Faith
Find more articles about faith here:
The Need for Meaning Even in Pain
Reminders of What's Important
God's Unmeasurable Love
A Quarter of a Century Spent for Our Country
What Were You Thinking?
Who Are You Watching?
Boundaries for a Better Life
God's Boundaries
Memories of a Hero Mom
The Ripple Effect
How Do We Think Like Jesus
Litany of a Waiting Woman
Ever Cook a Frog?
New Year's Reminders
They Galled Her Gammy
When God Speaks
A Russian Christmas Story
Be Thankful
Be Grateful
Are You Tired of the Same, Old Thing?
  (reprint)
Laughter—Why Laugh?
Mom
Are You Disturbed?
Unity of the Brothers
Encouragements To Declutter
Do You Have Too Much Stuff?
Too Much Stress
Getting Past the Noise—The Value of Silence
Are You Scatterbrained?
How Good Are You?
Looking for Something Good To Read?
A Cup of Cold Water
I Will Trust When I Cannot See
Encouragement—What Is It?
Being in God's Presence
"Einstein and the Professor"
When God Is Silent
Do You Crave Beauty?
Using Stories to Discipline
The Danger of the Wrong Story
Using Stories to Teach Lessons
God is in charge of the future
November Dare Joy Challenge
Ungratefulness
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude
Looking for Jesus
What Do Your Prayers Reflect?
Life's Little Pleasures
Daniel—Greatly Loved by God
Take Every Thought
Jars of Clay
What Do Your Words Reveal about Your Heart?
How Do You Get Strong Faith?
Too Busy for God's Word?
How Do You Think Like Jesus?
Reflections from a Mom
Pain—What's It Good For?
Why Marry?
Consider the Robin
One Life Who Made a Difference
What Day Are You Living In?
Interrupted by God
Is Jesus Really the Answer to Everything?
Are You Beat Up?
What's Your Hurry?
Are You a Manipulator?
Are You Salty?
Are You Condemned?
Trying to Understand?
Do You Expect Answers to Your Prayers?
Do You Eat Your Stress?
Need Focus?
Going through Trouble?
Immanuel—God with Us
Looking for a Relationship?
When God Says, "No!"
What Do You Do with Left-Overs?
How Great Is Your God?
Are You Needy?
How Do You See Sin?
What Do Your Words Mean?
Is Evil Overwhelming You?
Those Aha Moments
Is Your Soul Happy?
Are You Ignored?
Looking for the God Moment
Do You Know Truth from Almost Truth?
I Believe in Jesus—What Now?
Do You Have Your "Son"-Glasses On?
Less Is More
Singing His Praise
Are You Trying To Do It All?
What Do You Do with All These Prayer Requests?
Have a Problem?
Do You Know How to Pray?
Looking for God in Every Moment
Are You Receptive to God's Blessings?
Tell the Senate: Mothers Aren't Birthing People
Is Your Life Complicated?
How Do We Fight Evil?
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Giving Up or Taking Away
the Bible is simple
Are You a Dripping Faucet?
What's Your Testimony?
The Final Move
Be Careful What You Wish For!
Are Your Prayers Answered?
I Choose Joy
What Have You Learned from Your Hardship?
Who Are You Trying to Change?
What's Your Five-Year Plan?
The Danger of "Aloneness"
My Colors
Are You a Whiner?
Are Your Works Approved?
Do You Think You're Stressed?
Is Your Soul Feeling Ragged?
God Speaks to the Heart of the King
What about the Details?
Have You Felt the Long-Suffering of God?
How Does God Lead You?
Do You Have Enough?
Don't Carry More than You Need
Cast the Seed
God Is Faithful
Are You Deceived?
Are You Essential?
Are You Safe?
Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
Does the World Make Sense?
Have You Seen God's Majesty?
Do You Feel Judged?
If You Only Had One More Day To Live
Are You Understood?
Do You Long for the Word of God?
Slow Down and Smell the Dead Leaves
Are You Hospitable?
Our Heritage Is Bought by Blood
Are You Disturbed?
Are You Depressed?
I Did It My Way
Finding the Simple Life with Meaning
The Simple Life
Do You Have the Right Words?
Did Your Dream Die?
On the Other Side of the Fence
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
Saving for Tomorrow
A Wedding Remembered
Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Are You a Protector or a Ruler?
Who Are You?
Are You an Image Bearer or a Wad of Cells?
Are You a Watchman?
Where Do You Find Meaning?
The Lamb of God as Told by a Scribe
What Love Is This?
Remember: The Symbols of Passover Explained
Tea and Rest
Do You Have Peace?
What Makes a Marriage Work?
When Life Is Awful
Are You Strong Enough?
Rules
Seasons
Be Faithful through Suffering
Do You Know the Word?
Wake Up! Strengthen What Remains
Are You Spit in God's Mouth?
Is Jezebel in Your Midst?
Do You Stand Against Satan Himself?
Are You Tired of Being a Mom?
What in the World Is Happening?
It's Not My Story
How Would Your Faith Compare?
Are You Sinking?
Are You a Rule Follower?
Useful for Him
An Intimate Moment with Mary
The Worldview that Makes the
   Underclass
Thoughts to Ponder
What Does It Take To Know the
    Heart of God?
See the Story in the Stars
Do the Scriptures Burn You?
Being in His Presence
Contentment: It's Not for the Timid
How Secure Are You?
How Do You Respond To Stupid People?
The Earthworm Is My Hero
Heart Issues or Issues of the Heart
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
More faith articles are found here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Or here:

under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Articles on Suffering can be found  here, 

under Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Special Days
Remember: The Symbols of 
   Passover Explained    
Aug 12, 2017 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
July 4th, Freedom
What Is an American Soldier?
Valentine's Day: A Day of Love?
Memorial Day-A Day To Remember
Veterans' Day-To Honor Our Men
Fall Colors
First Thanksgiving Day
    Proclamation
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs, part 2