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God speaks to me. I'm sure of it. I'm sure He speaks to you, too. Can you hear Him? Do you know how to listen to Him? And when you do, are you willing to respond?

Most of us have not been taught to hear God speak. Instead, we've been taught to listen to sermons. In fact, some people think God has stopped talking to us because we now have the Bible – believing the written word has replaced the spoken word. But I'm here to tell you, this isn't true - He still speaks.

I don't hear Him because I'm better than anyone else. In fact, I'm far from it. I hear Him because I listen. I talk to God all the time. We talk back and forth throughout the day, every day. I've developed a relationship with Him

I hear Him in the wind that blows the clouds away. I hear Him in the laughter of a child. I hear Him in the tears of sadness. I hear Him in the words of comfort and encouragement of a friend.

I'm constantly surprised and amazed in the ways in which God chooses to make Himself known to me. I do not believe things that happen in my life are mere random events or coincidences. What I do believe is that as long as I am seeking God first – He is ordaining my steps and divinely intervening in ways I can barely comprehend.

Just this past week, I was preparing for a lesson I was going to teach in our kids worship service at church when I heard God "speak" to me in a rather unusual way. As I was channel surfing prior to going to bed, I stumbled across an interesting TV program I had never seen before. The topic – Greece. I've often dreamt of going to Greece – so I was curious and continued to watch the show. I quickly realized this wasn't your typical show about a favorite tourist destination – it was a show about the biblical significance of Greece and Paul's travels throughout the region. It was extremely interesting, educational and entertaining.

Shortly after the show went off, I returned to the lesson I was preparing when I was completely caught off guard when the passage of scripture I was to work from was none other than what had just been covered in this TV show.

I suppose I could have written it off as some random coincidence. But I don't believe in coincidences. I believe God is constantly at work… revealing Himself in big and small ways. Watching this show reinforced the message I was going to teach the children, which in turn helped build my passion and enthusiasm for the material.

I smiled. I laughed. I knew I had heard Him "speak."

Do you spend time with God each day? Do you talk with Him? If the answers to these questions is "no" – then how will you know when He speaks? And when He does speak to you, will you listen?

Recently I was driving to Florida for a long weekend and much to my dismay it was in the rain almost the entire way. However, in the midst of the rain, the clouds broke for a brief time; the rain stopped and a bit of sun tried to shine through. It was in that moment, the most beautiful rainbow appeared. I could almost see it from end to end. And then, another rainbow appeared above it.

This is only the second time in my life I've ever seen a double rainbow. Immediately, I praised God, thanked Him and shouted out joyfully (even in my car). "Thank you Lord for keeping your promise."

God chose to give us a rainbow as a sign of His covenant. He speaks to us even today through this sign.

God is all around us. He wants to speak to us. But the only way we will know Him and be able to listen to Him is to develop a relationship with Him. It is through this relationship you will learn to "hear" His voice and "listen" to what He is saying. I think this part is the easiest part. The hard part – responding in obedience.

Dear Lord, it is my prayer for everyone to know You. I believe this can only happen through a personal relationship with You Lord. I pray for everyone reading this to open their hearts and their minds to You. May they learn how to hear You speak to them in big and small ways. May they listen to You all day, every day. May they develop a relationship with You that fills them with joy in any and all situations. And Lord, the hardest part – responding in obedience – please give each of us the confidence and strength to obey. Thank you! Amen!

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

A Great House Falls