Our Speaking Father

Can we really hear the voice of God today or was that just for a special few we read about in the Bible?  Without a doubt I firmly believe the Father is always communicating to His beloved children.

When teams arrive to Oceans Retreat Center for a Kingdom Encounter experience we always begin by sharing our deepest prayer is that they would hear from their Father during their time here in South Africa. Our greatest joy are testimonies at the end of the trip or even after they have returned home and encounter His voice.

Let me share a few examples from this last trip. For one young lady it was experiencing a peace and joy as she was detached from her phone and could meditate and focus on the Father’s love for her. For another it was in a Sunday worship time in the township where a familiar song was song which led her to dance with joy and a freedom she had never experienced.

After dwelling on John 17 for a few days we asked each of the students to write a letter from the Father addressed to them personally. On a day we set aside for the team to intentionally spend some quiet time in a vineyard a young man shared afterward how he had a life changing encounter with God as he wrote his letter. The Lord kept bringing him back to Psalm 46:10,  “to be still and know that I am God.” It was a beautiful testimony to how the Father loves him and is putting the pieces together for the purposes He has for him.

There were others who encountered His voice in creation, in reading a devotional book we discussed on John 13-17, and in hearing God speak through people filled with joy and love living in the poorest of circumstances. Even on the very last day of the trip as students received hugs from the children they ministered to, tears flowed from 3 of the students 2 being young men. Those tears kept pouring out as we drove back to the Retreat Center and into our lunch time. The Spirit was doing a powerful work.

We have seen this over and over again with teams that have come to Africa. It has been a joy for us to witness the fruit of these young people who are learning to hear the voice of the Father.

As we enter into Holy Week and focus on the death and resurrection of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. We are reminded that He was sent by the Father to be a life changing Word to His children.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, Full of grace and truth…But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:14,12,13)

Take time this week to listen to your Abba Father speak His forgiveness, love, and His absolute pleasure over you through the gift of His Son. Maybe even try writing a letter from your Abba to you and listen to His Spirit speak in life changing ways to you His beloved.