After Jesus had what must have been an amazing conversation with two obscure disciples on the seven-mile walk to Emmaus, He entered their house as if to spend the night. At the meal, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread—and suddenly the men recognized him. Then He disappeared. And what did they say? This must have been the most amazing moment of their lives, right? They saw the Resurrected Messiah—in THEIR HOUSE!
“They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32.
The Holman translation says:
“Weren’t our hearts ABLAZE within us while He was talking with us …?
This is a clue to help us recognize God’s voice: Is your heart ablaze? People are always saying they heard God say this or that. People who NEVER pray, who don’t even believe in Jesus, will tell stories about times when God told them this or that. God certainly CAN speak to anyone. But people often give God credit for things He did not say. How do I know? Because God would NEVER say something that contradicts His word.
TIPS on how to know God’s voice:
- Read the Bible. When you are spending time in the Word, He is speaking to you. That is the #1 way to learn His voice.
- When you face a fork in the road and need God to show you His will, lay down ALL your options. Make yourself truly willing to accept ANY answer from God. Only THEN will He speak.
- If you have ANY doubts, tell God and keep waiting. Say, “God, I’m listening, but I need you to make it more clear. I’m not sure.” It our job to listen; it is His job to speak clearly—but you MUST be patient! WAIT ON THE LORD.
- Is your heart ABLAZE? No, I mean really—the way it was for these men in Luke 24? If your heart is on fire as if God is scorching words into your heart with a white-hot branding iron, well, then that might be God’s voice.
*Remember—God will NOT contradict His word!
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Household Words: 