How often haven’t we all wished for a crystal ball? Something we could look into to see the future and use as a basis for our decisions? As humans we are often faced with major decisions, and any serious Christian desires to follow God’s will. But how can you know just what that will is?

In the past God used prophets as His means of communication: “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways . . .” (Heb 1:1 NIV). I don’t know about you, but I’ve often thought, “It used to be so easy! You just go and ask a prophet!” But although there are modern day prophets, God no longer uses this as His primary means of communication: “. . . But in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Heb 1:2 NIV)

“Great,” you say. “But Jesus isn’t still on Earth! How can I speak to Him?”

When Jesus went back to Heaven, He left us a wonderful gift: His Spirit: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26-27 NIV)

Friends, Jesus speaks to us directly through His Spirit!

If you think about it, this is a pretty efficient method of communication. No more need to travel miles in search of a prophet! The Holy Spirit is available to all who believe! The only problem is, the voice of the Holy Spirit isn’t the only voice that speaks to us. How do you know which voice in your head is the one you should follow?

My first piece of advice is to have a good relationship with God. We recognize the voices of those we spend the most time with. Without this solid basis, knowing who is speaking to you becomes much more difficult. (For ideas on how to work on your relationship with God, click here.)

In addition to knowing His voice, there are a couple of safeguards built into the system. First of all, if it is truly God speaking, what you will hear will NEVER contradict His Word; and secondly, God often speaks in multiple ways, and if it’s truly Him speaking, all of those paths will line up! So if you recognize the voice you are hearing, the instructions you are being given are not contrary to God’s Word, and all of the messages point in the same direction, then you can be certain it is God speaking!

And just what are these ways God uses? God communicates to us by:

1. Speaking directly through His Word;

2. Speaking to our intellect;

3. Speaking directly to our minds;

4. Giving us ideas or impressions;

5. Giving us general uneasiness or peace of mind;

6. Giving visions and dreams;

7. Giving signs and wonders; and

8. Opening and closing doors.

The really great thing is that God always chooses methods of communicating with you that are unique to you. He chooses the one(s) that He knows you will recognize as His voice!

To illustrate some of the ways God speaks, I would like to share with you a story; one that has been ongoing for the past 15 years.

When my oldest son was born, I decided he would go to Christian school. I didn’t consult God about it, but before he was a year old, I had visited all of the Christian schools in the area, and I knew which one would be best for him. And when it came time for him to begin Kindergarten, I sent him to the school of my choice.

Notice I said “my choice”.

During his kindergarten year, my dad died and my mother decided to come and live with us. We put our house on the market and purchased a piece of land with the intention of building a house with an in-law suite. The land was situated, naturally, en route to my son’s school.

The day after our house sold, the sale on the land fell through. As we began our desperate house search, I prayed that God would provide a home that was on the bus route for my son’s school.

I specifically remember praying about this as I was weeding the flowerbed one day, and as I pulled up a particularly stubborn dandelion root, I was overcome with the impression that I should homeschool my boys!

I dismissed it. I didn’t believe in homeschooling.

God did provide the perfect piece of property for us at exactly the right price, one that we thought was en route for my son’s school. Only after moving in did we discover this wasn’t true. We frantically began searching for a different Christian school, only to learn that we weren’t on the bus route for any of them! We were left stranded. Literally.

Since I adamantly refused to consider public school, homeschooling was the only option left, but the really crazy part was that all of my former objections for homeschooling suddenly no longer seemed relevant! But I worked part-time. I would need a tutor for my boys on the days I was working.

I start to pray, and I told God that if He wanted me to homeschool, He would have to provide a tutor. He did. In a miraculous way. And He proceeded to miraculously provide the appropriate tutors for the next 8 years.

In this case, Jesus initially spoke to me through His Spirit by speaking into my mind and giving me general impressions. When it became apparent that I wasn’t listening, He closed doors. He then proceeded to confirm that homeschooling was right by giving me peace of mind and by working signs and wonders (the tutors!). But He wasn’t finished. As I would soon learn, this was only the beginning . . .

Lyn Chaffart


(To access the entire “God Speaks” devotional series, please click here.“