I would like to begin by talking to you about God, his Father’s heart and knowing him intimately through his son Jesus Christ.
When you open your heart to God and ask Jesus to come into your life and be Lord do you know what actually happens?
You begin a journey, stepping out of this earthly reality, into a new reality as an adopted child of God. You become part of His family, His child which means you receive all the benefits of being His son or daughter.
SO, what do you think some of the benefits of being His child might be?
Direct, intimate connection to God. The Bible tells us that when you invite Jesus into your heart you now have anew life opening up for you, through Jesus you have direct access to God, an intimate relationship with Him.
What does that mean?
He sees you and hears you when you pray or talk to Him, the Bible is clear on this and you can hear Him when He speaks to you too. Check out John 10:27.
God speaks to us in so many ways:
a. Through the Bible, scripture can speak to you, it gives you direction, teaches you how to live a life that is pleasing to God, it can correct you as well as direct you and can be very real to you. A scripture that seems to just jump out and hit your heart is called a Rhema Word and it can change your life when it happens.
Psalm 62:5-8 was one of those words for me when trouble came:
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
b. Then there’s dreams and visions, when God speaks and gives you direction, for example when Mary & Joseph were in Bethlehem and he had that dream when an angel came and told him to get up and go to Egypt because King Harrod was going to send soldiers to kill baby Jesus. Dreams can sometimes be from God.(Matthew 2:13–23)
c. The still small voice that you hear inside that guides you to do the right thing, it is almost like your conscience but it’s more like an “uh oh, don’t do that, ”You have to allow yourself to be sensitive to that voice and hear Him.(1 Kings 19:12)
d. The audible voice of God; yes it is rare, but it can be pivotal in how things turn out when you listen and obey Him. In John 10:27, Jesus said : “My sheep hear my voice”
e. God can speak through other people, sometimes preachers on TV or radio can have a message for you, but God will confirm what He says several times so you know for sure it’s Him you are hearing.
f. Sometimes God uses your imagination and ideas, so keeping a prayer journal writing a “Dear God” letter, then wait quietly and allow Him to writeback to you by recording what you sense down. This helps you learn to wait on Him and make time for Him in your busy schedule.
There is so much more I could say about knowing God as Father, stay tuned for part two…
By Jude Hodgson
Jude Hodgson was born in Toronto, educated at York University and has travelled extensively. She has been married to Bob since March 1971, they have a daughter, a son and daughter in law. She was Co Founder of the “Look Good Feel Better Program” now a national initiative for women with cancer, the Executive Producer of video “Facing Cancer with Confidence”.
