HOW DOES GOD SPEAK TO YOU?

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HOW DOES GOD SPEAK TO YOU?

            As a minister of the gospel, it has often been asked to me, “How do you hear from God?” or “How does God speak?” Serving an invisible God, it may certainly seem challenging to hear from him or even more to know if what we are hearing is him at all. If there were a cut and dry answer, I’m sure these types of questions would cease to be asked. Yet there is not. We must sift through the myriad of distractions and messages coming at us from all directions and recognize the truth that God definitely speaks to his people. How do we do this? I have some practical suggestions, but beyond that, I would like to discuss ways we can know God is speaking to us. Ultimately, it is up to us individually to make that determination. Nonetheless, being mindful of certain things regarding God speaking will greatly aid in our ability to perceive God’s voice to us both individually and corporately.

The Bible

            I think the most obvious way in which God speaks to us is through the Bible. Bear in mind that the word spoken of in Scripture is Jesus Christ, not only the text of the Bible, i.e. the Bible is the word because it centers around the person and work of Jesus; Jesus is superior to the Bible because he indeed is the very one who spoke it. For that reason, we can trust Scripture. We can trust it and rely on it. If Jesus is right, then the Bible is right. When discerning whether God is speaking, we should be ever-cognizant of the fact that when God speaks, he never contradicts his word, e.g. he will not tell a spouse to abandon their marriage. That is not to say that there are no grey areas. Undoubtedly, there are times when interpretation comes into play. The Bible, nevertheless, should be the primary tool used for God to speak to us. In fact, I would suggest that the Bible should be the first place we turn to hear God speak. Rest assured also that when we read the text of Scripture, God speaks each time. The question then is whether we are listening and willing to obey. God speaks through the Bible.

Prayer

            In addition to the Bible is prayer. God speaks through prayer on both a personal and a corporate basis. Prayer is the channel through which God communicates with his people. Where the Bible is God speaking to us, prayer involves us also speaking to him. It is not giving him a list of wants but rather dialoging with the Father through the mediation of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we may not know what to pray; that is where the Spirit’s guidance is vital. More than a mere feeling, God speaks to us in a still small voice as he did to Elijah in 1 Kings 19. The question again then is whether we are listening and willing to obey. Additionally, as already mentioned, God’s messages to us in prayer will never contradict his already and forever written word, namely the Bible, which will stand forever.

Your Brain

            Beyond the Bible and prayer, there exists some ambiguity. When we measure the means through which God is speaking against Scripture though, the ambiguity becomes clarity. God gave us brains to use and to discern what he is saying. Not to take faith out of the equation, there are times when logic is involved. We must be careful with the fine line here though, for often, faith begins where logic ends. Our brains should never override Scripture or faith. Furthermore, we should never forget that God often calls us to do what may seem (to the faithless) irrational. This is proven in the abundance of times he did so in Scripture. Our brain, however, is a tool and a tool that should be used for the glory of God. If we have an idea that does not contradict Scripture, it could very well be from God. Use your brain; think through issues; and make the best decision.

Your Desire

            Psalm 37:4 says to delight in the Lord and he will give you the desire of your heart. This might be easily misunderstood to mean that he will give you what you want. It is simpler than that though. Upon the foundational step of finding all delight and satisfaction in God, we soon discover that nothing else matters. Therefore, what he wants becomes our desire. The psalmist then intends to point out that God places the desire itself in your heart. If you seek God and if he is your sole delight, your desires are placed within you for a reason; don’t neglect them. It could be that God is speaking to you through the desires he has placed within you. What we must know with certainty then is whether our complete delight and trust is in God.

Unexplainable Peace

            Paul tells the Philippians, “. . . the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). The leadership of God is not something we must try to achieve; it is a perpetual fact, i.e. he continuously leads us whether we realize it or not. Disobedience does not happen because God is not leading. He is leading, but we choose to disobey. The peace of Christ, similarly, continuously guards our hearts and minds. It moves beyond human understanding because it is not from human logic; it is rather from God. The peace of God then is often cannot be explained. One can possess the peace of God even in the most tumultuous situation. The peace of God exists always. We, his people, have it, but do we allow ourselves to be governed by it? We are not promised ease; in fact, we are promised quite the opposite. Yet, God’s peace exists still. It is unexplainable, but when we allow ourselves to be moved and controlled by God’s peace, we hear God in no uncertain terms. More than a feeling, the peace of God grants us certainty in uncertain times. God speaks through his unexplainable peace.

Recurring Thoughts, Ideas, and Dreams

            Finally, God continues to grant recurring thoughts, ideas, and dreams. Nowhere in Scripture are we told that God has ceased speaking to people in these manners. While they might be rare (as they were in the Bible as well), God still speaks through these mechanisms. I have built a foundation upon which God speaks here beginning with the Bible and prayer. Going back to the Bible, when God speaks through thoughts, ideas, and dreams, they will not contradict the text of Scripture. If your delight is in the Lord, the thoughts and ideas you have, like desires, could be from God so don’t disregard them. God places these items in our minds for a purpose.

God’s Messages are Often Personal So You Must Determine What to Do with Them

            I’ve given some practical ways God speaks to us. The truth is, however, that we must each discern whether God is speaking to us. It is not said often, but sometimes God gives us choices, and one or the other is not wrong; either choice could be fine. The determination must be made by us. God speaks to his people individually and corporately. It is typical to have to discern whether God is speaking to us. God is speaking; the question then is whether we are listening and prepared and willing to hear and obey.

THE DIFFERENCE IN OLD TESTAMENT AND NEW TESTAMENT GIVING

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THE DIFFERENCE IN OLD TESTAMENT AND NEW TESTAMENT GIVING

            Most evangelicals have been taught to tithe; it is not a foreign concept to many including myself. Growing up as a Baptist, tithing was engrained in me from an early age. Nevertheless, as I grew older, I began to question the concept of tithing under the new covenant. I did not (and still do not) see a positive example of tithing (in its purest sense) under the new covenant of grace. To be clear, I am referring to the pure meaning of the word, tithe.

            Tithing, a difficult issue to grasp, is the topic of discussion here. I would like to approach tithing by examining it from its purest meaning. To do so, we must see tithing under the old covenant and under the new covenant. What are the purposes of tithing in each context? Determining these variables will help those of us in the new covenant to clearly comprehend our role in tithing if there is one at all. Furthermore, I will approach the issue of tithing with the idea of giving in mind. My aim is for us to realize the difference in grace giving and tithing.

Old Covenant Giving

            Before the law, Scripture mentions the first tithes given to Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God (Gen 14:17-20). This is the first example we have of tithing. The emphasis on Melchizedek should be placed on his position as priest, not as king. As a servant of God, tithes paid (not necessarily given) to Melchizedek went to the purposes of God. Bear in mind that the Old Testament is replete with theocracies. We are not quite to that point in Genesis 14, but a progression of societies and peoples who exist to honor their god(s) plays out during the course of the Old Testament. Melchizedek is mentioned in the New Testament as well, usually referring to Jesus Christ as the High Priest forever (Heb 4). Like Melchizedek, Jesus was not from the tribe of Levi[1]; the origin of Melchizedek is unknown.

            Under the Mosaic Law, there are several references to tithing. To name a few, there is Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-24, and Deuteronomy 14:22-27. In these cases, the giver is instructed to pay a tenth of their resources to the Lord. It was a law and a command no one was exempt from except the Levites. The Levites, those called to serve the Lord throughout their days, were exempt from the tithe. The tithe, in fact, was paid to the Lord through the Levites. This could be the first important clue letting us know that modern churches have it wrong on tithing when they force their ministers (usually paid on leftovers anyway) to tithe. The second important clue here is the realization that a tithe, under Old Testament law, was a tax. It is not the same as grace giving for new covenant Christians. It was a tax under a theocratic system.

            Perhaps, by this point, you might question the concept of tithing. Many of us have been taught to tithe throughout our lives. The issue is not giving but tithing. Certainly, we are called to give, but a true tithe is vastly different from the type of giving we should partake in. It is a tax; it is a tenth; it is forced; and the ministers of God were exempt from it. Perhaps we should cease to refer to our giving as tithing.

New Covenant Giving

            Under new covenant of grace, giving is placed in stark contrast to old covenant giving. While old covenant tithing was (largely) forced by taxation, new covenant giving is compelled by grace. It is not necessarily a tenth. It certainly could be for some, but it could be more (or less) for others. One significant difference in new covenant giving is that the amount depends largely on the individual, i.e. there is not a standard amount for all believers. Not to negate the obligation to give, it must be understood that those who profess Christ are called to give all they have; the way this happens could certainly vary. However, no one is exempt from giving, including ministers of God.

            In the Gospels, Jesus is found criticizing those who brag of the tithes they give; often, it is Pharisees he is criticizing. A couple of examples of this are Matthew 23:23 and Luke 18:12. Tithing, in these cases, is placed in a negative view. That is because giving is a matter of the heart. Scripture tells us that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). We should rightly understand then that right giving involves more than the mere act; it involves the heart and attitude behind the act. One way we can be sure that giving is an individual matter is the inclusion of the heart.

            If we are no longer required to tithe, how then should we approach giving? The Apostle Paul tells the Church at Corinth to give as each individual person has determined with God in his or her heart (2 Cor 9:7). Additionally, in Ephesians 4, Paul makes clear that grace has been given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Eph 4:7), which is bountiful, by the way. Our giving then is based on the grace given to us. It is not repayment, for it is impossible to repay Christ for his grace. Grace, however, is the foundation upon which we give, hence the reason new covenant giving is often referred to as grace giving. In many cases, a tenth of our financial resources would be considered low for what we should give. The problem then is not the amount but rather a lack of obedience, i.e. many Christians do not give on the foundation of grace but instead cheat God by disobeying. Grace giving is disparate from tithing primarily because of the heart behind it.

What Now?

            Certainly, the church is called, as a body and as individuals, to give. Grace giving, nonetheless, is not the same as tithing. In many (and perhaps most) cases, grace giving constitutes more than a tenth. While the old covenant tithes went to the literal and physical house of God, new covenant gifts go to meeting the needs of Christian workers (1 Tim 5:17-18[2]), meeting the needs of the saints (Acts 2:44-45), and meeting the needs of the poor (Eph 4:28[3]). Grace giving then is for a plurality of purposes, not the least of which is taking care of people. Because God is not constrained to a brick and mortar building, God’s people should give abundantly with the purposes of meeting needs in mind. In some cases, perhaps meeting needs does, in fact, involve caring for the meeting space of a local church, but it also involves meeting the needs of other people. Many might like to argue that paying ministers is wrong and unbiblical, but according to the Apostle Paul, the opposite is true. It is a two-way street though; ministers of God should minister with no thought of return, and the people of God should have in mind to take care of their leaders.

            With these concepts in mind and understanding the difference in grace giving and tithing, we should strive to be a giving people. We should give because God is a giver. As God gave in grace, we should also give of our resources to honor him and to be like him. We are not taxed or required to give a certain amount of our resources to the Lord. However, if we are not compelled to give, we have not experienced the fullness of God’s grace. We should give because God gave. In grace, we receive, and in grace we respond by giving.

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[1] Jesus was from the tribe of Judah.

[2] Paul instructs that the ministers of God be counted as worthy of double honor.

[3] Paul tells the Church at Ephesus to labor to have something to share with those in need.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX! OR NOT?

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THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX! OR NOT?

            Almost inevitably, worship leaders, are also artists. I would tend to also refer to pastors as worship leaders since they certainly play a vital role in the worship gatherings of God’s people, but when we use the term, worship leader, we are usually referring to those men and women who stand before God’s people and lead congregations in artistic expression through music, dance, scripture reading, and drama. As artists then, we are often given the idea that good art is created by thinking outside the box, the implication being that artists should not be limited by parameters. On its surface, this idea seems appropriate and beneficial. Nevertheless, when we realize the foundation of parameters, it should become evident to us that art is not limited by parameters but thrives within parameters. I would not deny that artists should be as creative as possible. I would, however, point to creative parameters as the enabler of unique ideas, i.e. when we have a set of parameters, we tend to think more precisely about what we are creating rather than think of only large-scale structures. Unique art is created with attention to detail. Details then possess greater overall quality within the context of parameters.

How do we, as worship leaders, approach this conundrum? Are we to think outside the box, or should we set parameters for the art we create and through which we lead God’s people in corporate worship? I would like to suggest four primary reasons parameters are a good thing for worship leaders and aid in providing clearer and greater creativity.

Parameters Provide Structure

            Humanity has an innate need for structure. For centuries, societies have thrived with structure and failed without it. In the context of art, parameters give artists an opportunity to create with specific guidelines. While thinking outside of boundaries might be intriguing, boundaries give the artist goals. This concept does not imply that artists should not seek disparate approaches to creating the boundaries. In fact, the first step in creating good art is usually to create good boundaries. Boundaries may certainly be avantgarde, but they give the artist a chance to pay close attention to detail in the creation of disparate art.

            As worship leaders, the artistic expressions in which we lead God’s people should serve primarily as a tool for congregational participation. Nonetheless, there is room for artistic stretching among a people, i.e. a worship leader should seek to lead his or her congregation in excellent and yet new artistic creations. Musically, for example, worship leaders should not be bound by large parameters but by small ones; small parameters then provide a sense of structure for local churches and allow God’s people to worship in a given context. This is not to say we should never deviate from parameters, for if the Holy Spirit spontaneously leads a worship leader or congregant to leave those boundaries, we should be obedient. It is to say, however, that structure is necessary for life and, therefore, for worship.

Parameters Ensure Theological Integrity

            Without parameters, worship leaders might easily grow detached from theological integrity. A church’s identity is found solely in Jesus Christ; yet, it is the theological nuances that clarify that identity. What worship leaders say, teach, and present as artistic expressions of worship are directly linked to the depth of their congregation. To judge a church’s spiritual depth, observe their worship practices, most of which stem from worship leaders’ directions. Without theological parameters, leaders of worship are prone to error. Since much a local church’s thoughts about God are often derived from her worship practices, worship leaders should strive for theological excellence and integrity, neither of which is possible without parameters. Previously, I mentioned the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit, for doubtlessly, he works in such a manner; yet, the Spirit also works through planning and parameters. If the Holy Spirit gives a prompt, worship leaders must be sure to obey. Those prompts, however, could come at the discretion of boundaries. What parameters do for worship leaders theologically is ensure precision, accuracy, and integrity.

Parameters Ensure Aesthetic Integrity

            Parameters also ensure aesthetic integrity. Although it seems more creative to think outside the box, creativity should be applied to the parameters themselves. Artists should carefully examine how they desire to present art and even more to lead a congregation to participate in artistic expressions of worship. An old adage states that less is more; this is often the case with art. Art’s purpose should usually be narrow and specific, i.e. artists should strive to achieve a defined purpose; therefore, the aims of an artistic expression should have such a purpose in mind. Once these artistic parameters are established, the artist may then seek mechanisms of creativity to achieve the desired goals, thus forming creative parameters. Worship leaders then attain a catalyst by which to lead the church in artistic expressions of worship, and it is executed excellently rather than sloppily with little to no clear goal or vision. God is a God of order (1 Cor 14:33-40) so worship should be orderly even in its creativity.

Parameters Provide Clear Direction for the Church in Worship

            Most of us do not serve in churches whose congregants possess the skill and ability to sing well spontaneously. This surely exists in some local churches; I have experienced worship services in such congregations. For most us, however, our congregations need guidance and direction, and the more, the better. When I was younger, I strayed from much structure and direction; worship leadership tended to be spontaneous and (honestly) sloppy. The older I grow, however, the more formally I approach worship. I do not mean formal as a musical or aesthetic style but rather as the manner in which I approach God. The formality of worship and reverence before holy God demands clear direction. Parameters, as artists and as worship leaders, employ a trajectory toward such direction. Even among musically and artistically skilled congregations, parishioners necessitate direction. Parameters provide clear direction for the church’s worship.

Acts of Worship Are Founded on Obedience

            Part of the underpinning of Christian worship is obedience. In my finite human mind, I have presented an argument for parameters, specifically in artistic expressions of worship. I believe parameters are beneficial, edifying, and helpful to the church and to her worship practices. Paradoxically, however, God the Spirit guides churches and worship leaders in the moment. We should always be obedient to the Spirit’s leadership. In any act of worship, God must be the very foundation upon whom we rest. No matter the parameters we set and no matter their great benefits of allowing us to worship creatively, the ultimate parameter is the management of the Holy Spirit. Within the confides of triune God, there is freedom and creative artistic expression. Let us, the people of God and worship leaders of the church, strive for aesthetic and theological excellence within the parameters to which God himself leads us.