MULTIPLY

Whisper Pt. 1

 This is Chuck Rapp with a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters. 

Last time I shared on the theme that Jesus’ sheep hear his voice.  “But”, you may be asking, “Exactly how does God speak to me?”  If that’s your question I invite you to continue listening to this message. 

2020 has been a difficult year for all of us as a result of the pandemic.  However, one positive outcome for me is that I’ve had more time to read.  At or near the top of my list of those books that have been most beneficial has been Whisper written by Mark Batterson.  The main themes of what I will share today come from this book which I highly recommend.  (On a quick, personal note, Batterson’s father-in-law performed the wedding ceremony for my wife and me over 41 years ago.)   

Early in the book Batterson says, “Nothing has the potential to change your life like the whisper of God.  Nothing will determine your destiny more than your ability to hear His still small voice.” 

The author suggests that God speaks to us in 7 ways.  We will discuss the first four in today’s message. 

1.     Scripture – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 instructs us that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  Anything that we perceive to be from the Lord must align with scripture.  [emphasis added]

2.     Desires – as we obey God and align with His will in and for our lives, often He will place His desires in our hearts.  Psalm 37:4 applies to our lives when we meet these conditions.  “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.”

3.     Doors – open (or closed) doors, or our circumstances, many times reveal God’s will and/or the timing of His will. 

4.     Dreams – Acts 2:17 instructs us that "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people… your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”  Many of us have heard, in particular, stories how God has revealed himself to Moslems through dreams and visions. 

In my next message we will discuss the remaining 3 ways that God speaks to us. 

5.     People –

6.     Promptings –

7.     Pain –

As His children, His sheep, God wants to speak to us, and He wants us to hear, to discern His message to us.  Let us make sure that the Lord’s voice is the loudest voice in our lives.    

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.