Did God Just Say That?

The other day I was relaying a story to some people and in the course of the story, the beginning really, I was saying that I thought I heard God say, and then went on to tell the subsequent events and how they unfolded in the manner that I thought I had heard God say.  I found out pretty quick that some Christians don’t believe God speaks directly to people any more.  They feel that the revealed word of God in the bible is it, that’s all, nothing more will be said.  Is that true?  Or does God still speak to His children today?


The manner in which I heard God speak to me was no more than a passing thought, and one that described itself as “this is God”.  Of course my first thought was, ‘Is this just me’?  But, I just said, ok to the thought and continued on as if it had been.  When I began to become more sure it was Gods voice and not my own was when what was said to me started taking place.  Not just generally was it taking place either, but rather specifically.  And then it happened not just once, not just twice, but three times in the span of an hour I had Gods thought on my brain and it came to pass just as it said.


The first time was rather casual.  It was, “Hey.  This is God.  I’m going to give you a front row parking spot, facing in the out direction.  First non-handicap spot.”  This was about three minutes before I arrived at the Wal-mart.  At 5:30pm rush hour.  I casually drove up the front of the store, letting people walk by; letting cars turn ahead of me, somewhat confident I would get that spot.  It was crammed full and people were parking at the back of the lot.  I crossed the entire store and at the lane heading out near the opposite entrance where I came in, right when I pulled up, not just one, but two cars started pulling out.  Each one was a front row spot, first one passed the handicap section.  I did not have to stop to wait either.  As the first car pulled out, I parked in. I was parked just as described, right by the entrance.


The second time was when I was in the store.  I had gotten what I needed and was ready to leave.  It was crowded and the checkout lines looked packed.  Then the thought hit me again, “Go to the first row and it will be ready.”  So I made my way over to the checkout area, and the first checkout aisle was just being vacated.  I strolled up and checked out immediately.  All the other lanes were full and going into the aisles. 


The third time was when I was leaving the parking lot.  “Go ahead. You can get yourself some McDonalds” I was like, ok, thanks.  Now, normally during the rush hour, the line at the drive thru goes all the way around the building almost into the road.  When I got there, not a single car was in the drive thru.  I was in and out of there in a New York minute.   Even the cashier was like, we weren’t very busy for the day. 


If it had been just once, it could be argued that it was a coincidence.  Having it happen three times in an hour, before it happened, and having it happen just as it was said?  No, my mind is not that strong to just make these things happen.  This was not some Jedi mind trick.  It was just God showing me some love, I guess. 


Getting back to the questions I asked, does God speak to His children today, I would have to say yes, He does.  Why wouldn’t a God who cares so much about us, loves us, not want to communicate directly with us?  Maybe He will just tell us in a thought the Bible is sufficient too.  God can do whatever he choose to do.  In this instance, He chose to reveal Himself to me in a very simple manner with some very minor miracles just so He could tell me, “Hey, It’s God.  I’m here”.  There may be a future point where I will have to know this.


To those who think that hearing God speak to them is somehow “freaky”, or “dangerous”, or does not happen anymore, I’m here to say He does.  I heard him.  It’s not the first time.  I’d like to hear more from Him.  How do I know it wasn’t me?  It spoke of future events that came to pass exactly as stated.  How do I know it was God and not the evil one?   Nothing contradicted the Bible in conjunction with answer 1.    Why would God do that?  I don’t know.


Crosswalk writer Rebecca Barlow Jordan says this in an article entitled ‘8 ways God speaks to us today’: I once heard someone teach about “minding the checks” in your spirit. Some may call it “God’s whispers,” while others say, “God’s still, small voice.” We are made in the image of God, and when we confess Jesus and follow Him as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit comes to live in us (John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 3:16). God’s Spirit speaks to us through our conscience, helping to make the right decision. When we’re tempted, that same Spirit warns and nudges us to do the right thing.


As a writer, I depend on God’s Spirit to give me direction. There are times when ideas pop into my mind totally unexpectedly–and sometimes directly after a plea for help from God. The good ideas I credit to God, because after all, He is the source of every good and perfect gift. The others? They’re in file 13. Even the good ones need developing and rewriting, but that’s a different subject. 


Why do you suppose ten people can “hear” a sermon, but each person will walk away with a different truth that applies to him? In some cases, the speaker never spoke what the people say they “heard.” Many times, that may be the result of God’s Spirit speaking a personal “Rhema,” a living, breathing word of truth to our spirits. It’s when Scripture comes alive to us–because it is truly “God-breathed.”