-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Sometimes the heart of this question is "How do I make God talk?" which isn't possible. 
God speaks when He wants and to His own purpose. Sometimes when we want Him to and sometimes when we don't. But I think He wants to have a conversation with us, so personally it's helped to just pray more often than usual. I'd turn it around and ask "How do I talk to God?" in terms of attitude and intention. The hearing part follows naturally when He responds in a specific way. If it feels like He's silent, it's usually because of serious distractions on my part.
God speaks when He wants and to His own purpose. Sometimes when we want Him to and sometimes when we don't. But I think He wants to have a conversation with us, so personally it's helped to just pray more often than usual. I'd turn it around and ask "How do I talk to God?" in terms of attitude and intention. The hearing part follows naturally when He responds in a specific way. If it feels like He's silent, it's usually because of serious distractions on my part.
D
Feeling the Holy Spirit and taking its lead took me a long time to get used to. I do ocasionally get so caught up in the mundane things of everyday life that I lose focus on God. During these times, I tend to feel seperated to an extent and the only way I know how to fix that is to repent for anything unrepented of and just fast until I hear from him. Might happen right away, might be a few days, might take a couple of weeks.
A
Tintin! Lol just seen this after I posted this: http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/124612-what-gods-message-you-today.html
*about what we hear from God and the ways that we do*
*about what we hear from God and the ways that we do*
T
I struggle to hear from God. I used to hear from Him semi-regularly. Through reading/studying the Bible, through discussion and just hanging out with friends, through church, through prayer and worship group (shot to hell), music and through all kinds of books, movies and TV series. This year has been awfully difficult for me for a number of reasons. I feel I've been hearing very little from God. I've spent long quiet times with Him, tried to listen, to hear what He wants of me, but I don't get much, if anything. The end result is that I'm left terribly confused and frustrated and back further than square one. Much of my faith walk this year has consisted of regularly reading the Bible, singing, earnestly praying through tears and anger and full-on wrestling with Him. I feel I've become less than I was before. Like I have even less resilience and confidence than before. What's the deal? I've been a Christian for as long as I can remember (not just by name but believing), I've always struggled in some capacity, but not like this. I've experienced the dark nights of the soul and wilderness periods. But not like this. This has been going on for a couple years now and I'm so over it. I'm over everything. How do you learn to love to God again when you don't even trust Him anymore?
Last edited by a moderator:
A
Sometimes the heart of this question is "How do I make God talk?" which isn't possible. God speaks when He wants and to His own purpose. Sometimes when we want Him to and sometimes when we don't. But I think He wants to have a conversation with us, so personally it's helped to just pray more often than usual. I'd turn it around and ask "How do I talk to God?" in terms of attitude and intention. The hearing part follows naturally when He responds in a specific way. If it feels like He's silent, it's usually because of serious distractions on my part.
God speaks when He wants and to His own purpose. Sometimes when we want Him to and sometimes when we don't. But I think He wants to have a conversation with us, so personally it's helped to just pray more often than usual. I'd turn it around and ask "How do I talk to God?" in terms of attitude and intention. The hearing part follows naturally when He responds in a specific way. If it feels like He's silent, it's usually because of serious distractions on my part.
Hence the bible. Hence the preachers. Hence the songs He did promise that if we seek Him, we will find Him. I don't think God wants to hide himself from us, He delights in revealing Himself to us So, it's really up to us. He speaks to our hearts, and if we're distracted, we'll fail to hear from Him.This is true. It is very very easy to get distracted.
Well, before I returned to God, I was in a messy situation and I kept asking God, I kept praying for God to answer me and show me the way out. Well, it didn't happen, I didn't find the way out. Not because God didn't answer me, but because I didn't try to find His answer. And because of that, I went through horrible pain (cause pain really does minimise everything else around us lol) and only then did I remember that my solution was Jesus Christ (after I took my mind off of everything because I couldn't stand the pain anymore that I was desperate to find the solution). God didn't speak to me clearly then. Only reminded me that I needed Him.
So, I started with prayer the next day. Asked Him to speak to me in all ways. Opened my bible (random pages), read the same old things. But I kept them this time and didn't ignore whatever it was I was reading (most of the time it was God's judgment upon Israel and I would /facepalm). Listened to audio sermons (daily, since Aug 25 this year, the day I got set free
) that was applicable to my situation then (like breaking free, going through tribulation and trials). I went through a lot of preachers (diversity!) with an open heart (my goal was to hear God speak to me and let Him speak to me through these ways, and not to bash preachers). Read daily devotionals from InTouch app. I made this a daily habit and after listening to at least 1 sermon and reading my devo, I'd pause and recall then write on my journal about what I 'thought' was God's message for me, everyday. Slowly (it was a progress for me, blessed are those who receive instant answers!) I started hearing from God, in a way that I, no longer choose the sermon I listen to, but I pick on whatever and realisations after realisations dawn upon me. Now, it could be God or my own thinking or the devil's whispers but we'll know it's from God if 1) It points us back to God 2) doesn't contradict His Word. I use these two in testing what I hear. Not every preacher is perfect, but that doesn't mean God stops using them to talk to us. I still have my journal about God's messages for me (and I intend to keep it for as long as I'm breathing) and today is my pay day, and amazingly when I read my daily devo (InTouch) it was about financial security (a few days ago, I was doubting if I should tithe this month or not). In my case, today, God made it clear that my finances are taken care of so I wrote in my notes today that God told me to tithe this month! lol. Simple things like that. Amazing how these little things can change our entire perspective in life.
**
I'll have to add, so what I did basically was open all doors that I knew to let God in and then I started hearing from Him
I may have gone overboard. Maybe not, I don't care anymore how, desperation can make you do things illogical. Lol.
Last edited:
M
I have dreams occasionally. They happen maybe three times a year. They are not common, but when I have them they're beautiful and intimate. It's a wonderful experience. Have you ever had dreams with Jesus?
I also hear from Him through the word of God. Reading the Bible, I think, is the main way in which our Lord speaks to us. I suggest you pray before you read it and ask Him to talk to you and for you to understand the word in the way He wants you to understand it that day.
When it's bedtime, I say my nightly prayers while kneeling down on my bedside. Kneeling, I think, helps me feel closer to God. I think it just reminds me of how I am His servant and how He is what matters most. When I pray that way, it feels different than when I pray sitting on my desk or over dinner. I think I am better able to hear Him because everything is quiet and still.
So I suggest you pray when you're not distracted. Just close yourself in your room, turn off the lights, no music and maybe kneel too.
I hope this helps you, God bless!
I also hear from Him through the word of God. Reading the Bible, I think, is the main way in which our Lord speaks to us. I suggest you pray before you read it and ask Him to talk to you and for you to understand the word in the way He wants you to understand it that day.
When it's bedtime, I say my nightly prayers while kneeling down on my bedside. Kneeling, I think, helps me feel closer to God. I think it just reminds me of how I am His servant and how He is what matters most. When I pray that way, it feels different than when I pray sitting on my desk or over dinner. I think I am better able to hear Him because everything is quiet and still.
So I suggest you pray when you're not distracted. Just close yourself in your room, turn off the lights, no music and maybe kneel too.
I hope this helps you, God bless!
D
Fast brother, Im telling you a good fast will do wonders. Fasting, humbling myself, submission and repentance always gets me back where I need to be eventually. Ive been through exactly what your describing more than once. I would suggest you try not to wrestle with him though, Ive tried that too. I end up getting bodyslammed, close lined, and my soul brought to the depths of depressive human experience. Struggling against God is a bit like trying to lick your elbow. Your not going to win, if anything you will just hurt yourself.
I'm not sure if I've shared this here before, but it's a good place to do so. Many years ago, I came across the idea that our conversation with God can be as easy and regular as chatting with a trusted older friend. I think somehow I took that to heart.
For several years, I would walk at lunchtime, simply stepping out onto the street and praying silently, "Which way, Lord?" and I'd walk until I reached an intersection, then ask again. I wouldn't say I got an answer every time, but I did often enough that I got back to work on time... mostly.
A few years later, I had to find someone in a hurry... it was potentially a life-threatening situation for her. I had no idea where she was... she could be anywhere within a few-mile radius. So I asked the Lord to guide me. I sensed to steer this way and that, and then to stop the car at one end of a city park, get out and start walking. So I walked through the park, again asking for directions at each pathway intersection. As I walked across a bridge, I thought I should go left at the end. I distinctly sensed to turn right. So I followed the direction, and within a few seconds found the person I sought, unharmed.
I continue to ask simple (and major!) questions of the Lord, and often enough I sense answers not of myself which are confirmed through circumstances and are consistent with the written Word and the character of God.
Tintin, let me suggest something to you. Simply ask the Lord to rebuild your trust in Him. Don't try to do it yourself... you can't. Continue to pray and read, but remove all 'effort' from it. Simply share your heart with Him, and read simply for the joy of it. To borrow a song from David Crowder, simply say, "Here's my heart, Lord. Speak what is true." God is faithful and He won't let go of you. The experiences you have in the meantime will be the soil in which praise and testimony grow.
And keep us updated, that we may lift you up.
For several years, I would walk at lunchtime, simply stepping out onto the street and praying silently, "Which way, Lord?" and I'd walk until I reached an intersection, then ask again. I wouldn't say I got an answer every time, but I did often enough that I got back to work on time... mostly.
A few years later, I had to find someone in a hurry... it was potentially a life-threatening situation for her. I had no idea where she was... she could be anywhere within a few-mile radius. So I asked the Lord to guide me. I sensed to steer this way and that, and then to stop the car at one end of a city park, get out and start walking. So I walked through the park, again asking for directions at each pathway intersection. As I walked across a bridge, I thought I should go left at the end. I distinctly sensed to turn right. So I followed the direction, and within a few seconds found the person I sought, unharmed.
I continue to ask simple (and major!) questions of the Lord, and often enough I sense answers not of myself which are confirmed through circumstances and are consistent with the written Word and the character of God.
Tintin, let me suggest something to you. Simply ask the Lord to rebuild your trust in Him. Don't try to do it yourself... you can't. Continue to pray and read, but remove all 'effort' from it. Simply share your heart with Him, and read simply for the joy of it. To borrow a song from David Crowder, simply say, "Here's my heart, Lord. Speak what is true." God is faithful and He won't let go of you. The experiences you have in the meantime will be the soil in which praise and testimony grow.
And keep us updated, that we may lift you up.
T
I have dreams occasionally. They happen maybe three times a year. They are not common, but when I have them they're beautiful and intimate. It's a wonderful experience. Have you ever had dreams with Jesus?
I also hear from Him through the word of God. Reading the Bible, I think, is the main way in which our Lord speaks to us. I suggest you pray before you read it and ask Him to talk to you and for you to understand the word in the way He wants you to understand it that day.
When it's bedtime, I say my nightly prayers while kneeling down on my bedside. Kneeling, I think, helps me feel closer to God. I think it just reminds me of how I am His servant and how He is what matters most. When I pray that way, it feels different than when I pray sitting on my desk or over dinner. I think I am better able to hear Him because everything is quiet and still.
So I suggest you pray when you're not distracted. Just close yourself in your room, turn off the lights, no music and maybe kneel too.
I hope this helps you, God bless!
I also hear from Him through the word of God. Reading the Bible, I think, is the main way in which our Lord speaks to us. I suggest you pray before you read it and ask Him to talk to you and for you to understand the word in the way He wants you to understand it that day.
When it's bedtime, I say my nightly prayers while kneeling down on my bedside. Kneeling, I think, helps me feel closer to God. I think it just reminds me of how I am His servant and how He is what matters most. When I pray that way, it feels different than when I pray sitting on my desk or over dinner. I think I am better able to hear Him because everything is quiet and still.
So I suggest you pray when you're not distracted. Just close yourself in your room, turn off the lights, no music and maybe kneel too.
I hope this helps you, God bless!
A
Oh, and I'll just throw this out there. After I came back to God, this verse spoke tons to me personally: we walk by faith and not by sight. To me it read: we walk by faith and not by feeling. I realised that not everyday, I will feel God's presence. And that's OK. I still choose to believe that I am in His presence, always. So I think it helps when we let go of our feelings, they're very unstable anyway.
T
I'm not sure if I've shared this here before, but it's a good place to do so. Many years ago, I came across the idea that our conversation with God can be as easy and regular as chatting with a trusted older friend. I think somehow I took that to heart.
For several years, I would walk at lunchtime, simply stepping out onto the street and praying silently, "Which way, Lord?" and I'd walk until I reached an intersection, then ask again. I wouldn't say I got an answer every time, but I did often enough that I got back to work on time... mostly.
A few years later, I had to find someone in a hurry... it was potentially a life-threatening situation for her. I had no idea where she was... she could be anywhere within a few-mile radius. So I asked the Lord to guide me. I sensed to steer this way and that, and then to stop the car at one end of a city park, get out and start walking. So I walked through the park, again asking for directions at each pathway intersection. As I walked across a bridge, I thought I should go left at the end. I distinctly sensed to turn right. So I followed the direction, and within a few seconds found the person I sought, unharmed.
I continue to ask simple (and major!) questions of the Lord, and often enough I sense answers not of myself which are confirmed through circumstances and are consistent with the written Word and the character of God.
Tintin, let me suggest something to you. Simply ask the Lord to rebuild your trust in Him. Don't try to do it yourself... you can't. Continue to pray and read, but remove all 'effort' from it. Simply share your heart with Him, and read simply for the joy of it. To borrow a song from David Crowder, simply say, "Here's my heart, Lord. Speak what is true." God is faithful and He won't let go of you. The experiences you have in the meantime will be the soil in which praise and testimony grow.
And keep us updated, that we may lift you up.
For several years, I would walk at lunchtime, simply stepping out onto the street and praying silently, "Which way, Lord?" and I'd walk until I reached an intersection, then ask again. I wouldn't say I got an answer every time, but I did often enough that I got back to work on time... mostly.
A few years later, I had to find someone in a hurry... it was potentially a life-threatening situation for her. I had no idea where she was... she could be anywhere within a few-mile radius. So I asked the Lord to guide me. I sensed to steer this way and that, and then to stop the car at one end of a city park, get out and start walking. So I walked through the park, again asking for directions at each pathway intersection. As I walked across a bridge, I thought I should go left at the end. I distinctly sensed to turn right. So I followed the direction, and within a few seconds found the person I sought, unharmed.
I continue to ask simple (and major!) questions of the Lord, and often enough I sense answers not of myself which are confirmed through circumstances and are consistent with the written Word and the character of God.
Tintin, let me suggest something to you. Simply ask the Lord to rebuild your trust in Him. Don't try to do it yourself... you can't. Continue to pray and read, but remove all 'effort' from it. Simply share your heart with Him, and read simply for the joy of it. To borrow a song from David Crowder, simply say, "Here's my heart, Lord. Speak what is true." God is faithful and He won't let go of you. The experiences you have in the meantime will be the soil in which praise and testimony grow.
And keep us updated, that we may lift you up.
D
I never thought that much of fasting either back in the day to be honest. Like what good could abstaining from food possibly do besides making you hungry? Though I had a pretty severe dark night of the soul early in my salvation experience and let me tell you, I was desperate enough to try anything. It truly does work, providing your doing it for the right reasons. Prayer and fasting has never ceased to amaze me when used in combination. Can not recommend it highly enough.