THE STILL SMALL VOICE

"That Still Small Voice is the Holy Spirit Speaking"

"And THE SPIRIT BADE (spoke; commanded with authority and urgency) ME GO with them, nothing doubting . . . " Paul, Acts 11:12a KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

"And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire A STILL SMALL VOICE". 1 Kings 19:12 KJV (Capitals are mine for emphasis)

IT IS THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK IN US

I hesitate to describe exactly how it works with me, as each of us is a little different. It may happen with you another way than it does with me. But, basically, I think that the way it takes place is fairly similar, as it is the same Holy Spirit at work in us. What I am writing about is "how we know in our knower" when the Holy Spirit is speaking, and urging us to do something specific.

IT IS USUALLY NOT SOMETHING SPECTACULAR, BUT A CALM AND PEACEFUL ASSURANCE WITHIN OUR SPIRIT WHICH CAUSES US TO "KNOW THAT WE KNOW THAT WE KNOW"

In the realm of the natural, a lady calls it "woman's intuition". A man will say that "I just knew it was the right thing to do". Psychics will claim to have "weird vibrations", which according to them send out certain signals. I am not talking about any of these. How does the Lord speak to give us directions and confirmations? One of the greatest prophets of all time, Elijah, discovered that God did not speak to him in an earthquake or a fire, but in "a still small voice". It is usually not something spectacular, but a calm and peaceful assurance within our spirit which causes us to "know that we know that we know".

THE MORE WE "PRACTICE LISTENING WITH OUR HUMAN SPIRITS TO GOD'S SPIRIT" THE EASIER IT WILL BE TO "HEAR THE LORD"

It will often "come out of nowhere as an impression". Another way to describe it is as "a nudge" or "an urge" to do something, or say something to a certain person. If we put it out of our minds, ignoring it, trying to forget it, we may have missed the Lord and the message He wanted to share with us. This is why it is so vital to develop a sensitivity to God's Spirit. The more we "practice listening with our human spirits to God's Spirit" the easier it will be to "hear the Lord". And, the more we respond to these impressions, the clearer they will become in the future. Also, the Lord sees that He can entrust us with more, as we have faithfully obeyed the past impressions which He has given us.

YOU WILL HAVE HOPEFULLY LEARNED FROM YOUR PREVIOUS MISTAKES, AND WILL AVOID THESE PITFALLS, AND THIS TIME HAVE A MORE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME

As we mediate on what comes into our spirit, if it is of God, we will receive a peace which will continue to grow, as the assurance that this is right will increase. The Scripture tells us to "test the spirits to see whether or not they be of God". This is called "the peace test". If you think it is from God, but later it does not work out, do not condemn yourself, but do some personal inventory, and the Lord will show you "where you went off track". By gaining this knowledge, you will have hopefully learned from your previous mistakes, and will avoid these pitfalls, and this time have a more successful outcome.

WHEN YOU FEEL "THE TIMING IS RIGHT", MOVE ON IT

Jesus said that His sheep "know His voice, and will not follow another". Test what you feel in your spirit with the written Word. If it is of God, it will not contradict the Scripture. When you feel "the timing is right", move on it. Somethings God expects us to do immediately, while others are for a future time. If it is not for now, treasure it in your spirit, and it will become stronger and more perfected. I often "test the readiness of the ground to receive" when I speak to others about what the Lord has told me to tell them, but I do not say it is from God. If they are ready to receive it, and recognize it as from God, it will work. If not, then the seed has been sown, but the person was not alert enough spiritually to receive it at that time. Then I just leave it with the Lord, as I have been obedient. The Lord is still speaking to His people today. What is He talking to you about?