How does or has the Holy Spirit speak to you?

[Publican]

If God wasn't regularly speaking to me of His mercy, His grace and His completed work upon the cross, I would never make it through this life. I hate it here.

Daisy, if you didn't know it about me, I spent 30 plus years as a backslidden believer. During that painful season the Lord told me one night that His grace was sufficient for me. This was in 2006 after crying out to Him in fervent prayer. It was not a prayer of repentance. God knew I wasn't ready yet, or maybe He had other plans. But my repentance did not come until January of 23.

In all that time Our Father watched over His wayward child with pity, compassion, and the understanding that only He possesses. I will be eternally grateful for this amazing love.

Wonderful tune btw. Here's another.

 

[Lynx]

I've been fervently praying for some issues. Sometimes, I can't tell if the Holy Spirit is speaking to me or if it's just my mind and or my own thoughts.
We have thoughts all the time, but everyone once in a while I'll get a thought out of the blue or feeling out of the blue like a strange thought or even a weird dream. Our human brains are capable of imagination, but God also places dreams and visions in our hearts. I NEVER heard an audible voice of God saying to me, I am God and I want you to do this or that like Moses. When I'm alone in my room and pray and worship, I can feel the Holy Spirit being near and or inside, but there are no spoken words, more like a peace.

The people who have been on this forum for a long time are probably expecting me to post this song on this topic, because I always do. So here it is.

I would take no
For an answer
Just to know I heard you speak
And I'm wondering
Why I've never
Seen the signs they claim to see
A lot of special
Revelations
Meant for everybody but me
Maybe I don't
Truly know you
Or maybe I just simply believe

Cuz I can sniff, I can see
And I can count up pretty high
But these faculties aren't getting me
Any closer to the sky
But my heart of faith keeps pounding
So I know I'm doing fine
But sometimes finding you
Is just like trying to
Smell the color nine

 

[Seeker47]

This has been my experience:

The one time in my life that God spoke directly to me was like getting hit by a tsunami. It was totally overpowering, there was no doubt who was speaking and obedience was not an issue, only obedience.

The Holy Spirit has always been a quiet, yet unmistakable whisper that pulls on my heart.

 

[jacko]

We aren't speaking of doctrinal revelations friend, those were all given long ago. And yes, I agree with you that that is how cults get started.
So I guess my only question for you is, presuming you read my earlier post, did God tell me to pray for my son when He was on the verge of death, or was it just a lucky guess, or maybe I'm psychic?

Explain to me how it wasn't God speaking to me, please.

About a month ago, I was sleeping the middle of the night and I had a dream about an old friend who we use to be super close friends, and he received Christ at age 17 or so at the same church and time as me and he’s a year younger than me, so 50 now but has drifted away from faith….also like me until recently.

We stayed friends over the years but for some reason after Covid he kept a distance from a lot of our mutual friends and myself. In any case, A couple of weeks ago I had a dream out of nowhere and God/Holy Spirit told me to tell Him to come home to Jesus. I woke up at 4 AM and I tell you I didn’t want to do it. But eventually I obeyed and sent him a text message at 4 AM to get it over with so to speak and I went back to sleep. I mean, it's not something my mind would have thought of on its own but I’m pretty sure it was the Holy Spirit and yes, it was kinda a weird thing to do and it didn’t feel super comfortable.

Two days ago I asked God for a sign and my cousin who I haven’t spoke with in a few months called me out of nowhere and I find out he’s been a Christian since Covid and we had a deep conversation about the Lord. He told me he’s been praying for our extended families for years.

 

[daisyseesthesun]

If God wasn't regularly speaking to me of His mercy, His grace and His completed work upon the cross, I would never make it through this life. I hate it here.

Daisy, if you didn't know it about me, I spent 30 plus years as a backslidden believer. During that painful season the Lord told me one night that His grace was sufficient for me. This was in 2006 after crying out to Him in fervent prayer. It was not a prayer of repentance. God knew I wasn't ready yet, or maybe He had other plans. But my repentance did not come until January of 23.

In all that time Our Father watched over His wayward child with pity, compassion, and the understanding that only He possesses. I will be eternally grateful for this amazing love.

Wonderful tune btw. Here's another.

Publican,

God knows the end before the beginning, being outside of time, so he knows we are his before even we do. But because he is real, he sent his son Jesus to die for our sins so that the Gentiles could also be saved and the holy spirit to guide us on our journey. A real and present friend, Jesus is to us. He performs miracles every day. A preacher said, "I don't know why some are saved early, and some are saved late, but that the wait has done them some good." But Jesus said that from the person much is forgiven, there is much love. Like glass in the ocean, the pride of life washes away, and only trusting in Jesus and our Heavenly Father remains.

 

[ResidentAlien]

We aren't speaking of doctrinal revelations friend, those were all given long ago. And yes, I agree with you that that is how cults get started.
So I guess my only question for you is, presuming you read my earlier post, did God tell me to pray for my son when He was on the verge of death, or was it just a lucky guess, or maybe I'm psychic?

Explain to me how it wasn't God speaking to me, please.

No, I didn't actually read your earlier posts so don't take anything I said personally.

 

[Publican]

No, I didn't actually read your earlier posts so don't take anything I said personally.

No worries Alien. Its all good.
I would still like for you to read that earlier post and get back to me.

 

[jacko]

The Bible mentions the idea of young people having visions and older people dreaming dreams in Joel 2:28 (also referenced in Acts 2:17).

This passage speaks to a time when God promises to pour out His Spirit on all people, inspiring both young and old:

“And afterward,​

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.​

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,​

your old men will dream dreams,​

your young men will see visions.”​

— Joel 2:28​

​

​

Here’s a deeper look at this concept:

1. God’s Spirit Unites All Generations
   The prophecy in Joel 2:28 and its echo in Acts 2:17 are not only about individual revelation but also about the unity of God's people across generations. In pouring out His Spirit, God breaks barriers, bringing together young and old, male and female, servant and free. This outpouring emphasizes that every person, regardless of age or status, has a purpose and role in God’s plan.
2. Dreams and Visions as Divine Communication
   Throughout the Bible, God speaks to His people through dreams and visions:
   • Joseph’s Dreams (Genesis 37): As a young man, Joseph’s dreams revealed God’s future plans for him. Though his dreams caused tension with his family, they eventually led to his role in saving many lives.
   • Daniel’s Visions (Daniel 7): Daniel received visions that provided insight into future events and encouraged God’s people during times of trial. His visions were complex and often required interpretation, showing that God’s revelations can carry profound meaning.
3. These examples illustrate that dreams and visions are channels of God’s guidance, each providing insight tailored to the needs of the recipient and the broader community.
4. The Role of Youth and Elders in the Church
   Proverbs 20:29 says, "The glory of young men is their strength, and gray hair the splendor of the old." This verse highlights the complementary gifts of each age: young people offer energy, strength, and vision, while older individuals contribute wisdom, experience, and discernment. In the church, both are essential for a balanced, thriving community. The vision of the young is often action-oriented, inspiring change and progress, while the dreams of the old provide rootedness and long-term perspective.
5. Vision and Dream as Personal Transformation
   God often uses visions and dreams to transform people personally, giving them new perspectives or deeper faith:
   • Isaiah’s Vision of God (Isaiah 6): Isaiah, a prophet, had a powerful vision of God’s holiness, which changed him and launched his prophetic ministry.
   • Peter’s Vision (Acts 10): Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, received a vision that expanded his understanding of God’s inclusivity, leading to the spread of the Gospel among Gentiles.
6. These transformative visions show that God’s revelations bring change, sometimes shaking up our beliefs and prompting us to take bold steps in faith.
7. Dreams and Visions as Symbols of Hope and Renewal
   Visions and dreams often signal a time of renewal and revival. For the early Christian community, as recorded in Acts 2:17, Peter’s quotation of Joel’s prophecy represented the dawn of the Holy Spirit’s work in the world. This vision for the future continues to offer hope for every believer—that God’s Spirit is always active, empowering, and guiding us forward. Visions and dreams thus become signs of God’s ongoing work, reassuring us that we are part of something greater than ourselves.
8. Encouragement for the Young and Old Alike
   This biblical teaching is also an encouragement for each generation:
   • For the young: God wants to work through their enthusiasm, creativity, and energy. Visions can inspire them to pursue goals aligned with God’s purposes.
   • For the old: God honors their life experience and grants them dreams, showing that their journey is far from over. Their role as mentors and dreamers allows them to impart wisdom and offer direction to younger generations.

This promise from Joel and Acts ultimately reminds us that God’s plans encompass all generations, each person carrying a unique calling. By recognizing and valuing both youthful visions and seasoned dreams, we get a fuller picture of God’s heart and His work through every stage of life.

per ChatGPT

 

[Iconoclast]

Rhema
Means "any spoken word" or "utterance". Some Christians believe that rhema is the word of God spoken directly to an individual through the Spirit. It's considered a revelation that's custom-made for each person, and is used for more than just reading or hearing.

Logos
Means "word," "speech," "utterance," or "message". In the Bible, logos is most famously used to refer to Jesus as the Word, as in John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word (Logos) was with God, and the Word (Logos) was God".



I’m searching for Rhema…


. 2. Romans 10:17 – Paul explains the origin of faith:
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word [rhema] of God.”

This suggests that faith grows through hearing God’s rhema—His spoken word that can resonate personally and inspire trust and action.
3. Ephesians 6:17 – In the armor of God:
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word [rhema] of God.”

The rhema in this verse represents the word of God as a weapon for spiritual warfare, emphasizing that specific scriptures or personal revelations can empower believers to resist spiritual attacks.
4. Luke 1:38 – When Mary responds to the angel Gabriel:
“Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word [rhema].’”

In this context, Mary receives a rhema word directly from God through Gabriel. Her acceptance of this word illustrates faith in a specific message that God delivers personally to her.
5. John 6:63 – Jesus speaks about the life-giving nature of His words:


In a modern Christian context, rhema often refers to a “personal word” or insight from God that speaks directly to a believer’s current situation, bringing clarity, direction, or encouragement. Believers often seek a rhema for guidance, relying on the Holy Spirit to illuminate specific Scriptures or provide fresh insights for decisions or challenges.

Ultimately, rhema complements logos—the complete and written Word of God—by giving believers timely, relevant applications of Scripture that reveal God’s personal involvement in their lives.

There are no new revelations, no new spoken words. The false teachers in the word of faith movement started this up.

 

[MeowFlower]

How?
Sometimes in what is referred to as gut instinct. Also,as that intuition voice. Also in dreams that eventually appear in future as Déjà vu.

 

[jacko]

How?
Sometimes in what is referred to as gut instinct. Also,as that intuition voice. Also in dreams that eventually appear in future as Déjà vu.

yes, mostly it's a feeling or conviction based on my own experiences and what others have shared.

 

[seantspence]

I've been fervently praying for some issues. Sometimes, I can't tell if the Holy Spirit is speaking to me or if it's just my mind and or my own thoughts.
We have thoughts all the time, but everyone once in a while I'll get a thought out of the blue or feeling out of the blue like a strange thought or even a weird dream. Our human brains are capable of imagination, but God also places dreams and visions in our hearts. I NEVER heard an audible voice of God saying to me, I am God and I want you to do this or that like Moses. When I'm alone in my room and pray and worship, I can feel the Holy Spirit being near and or inside, but there are no spoken words, more like a peace.

That’s how I sense it but it’s like a peace/cooling sensation in my mind, as if the spirit is replacing my brain in a way. Sometimes I feel the Holy Spirit get brighter in me, like it is right now talking about it.

 

[seantspence]

The Lord has given us His word; it's for all of us. We don't need personalized messages, that's how cults get started. Someone thinks they've received a special revelation and they go off the rails or start to act like they're more important than everyone else. But people seem to want to be special rather than become part of the one body.

"Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 1 Corinthians 1:10

i ended up receiving a message from what I thought was God in 2010, when I was losing my mind before I accepted Jesus as my lord and savior, and he told me that I had to finish reading the entire Bible before i can go to heaven.

After talking to my pastor about that, he said that isn’t biblically accurate. If it isn’t biblically accurate, I can say that is possibly a personalized message, that could have definitely been turned into a cult.

Luckily I was born again 4 years after that.

 

[jacko]

I found this to be very helpful for me.