A listener named Ryland writes in to ask, this, Pastor John, do we need to be listening

for God's voice to speak to us outside of the Bible?

Does he desire to speak to us audibly like he does to certain people in the Bible?

And if so, how do we know it's God's voice that we're hearing?

I really want to say something positive here and not just negative.

In fact, most of what I have to say is positive.

And the first and main thing is to say, God really has spoken.

And this word is living and active, it's not a dead word.

He really speaks today through the inspired scriptures.

He really, really does, Ryland.

He really does.

Not just with information, but with himself by his spirit.

For Samuel 321, the Lord appeared at Shiloh for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at

Shiloh by the Word of the Lord.

That really happens.

He stands forth from his inspired word as we read it prayerfully and dependently.

And I would add this, that word in the Bible is more sure than anything you can hear outside

the Bible.

I base that on 1 Corinthians 14, 37.

If anyone thinks he's a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge.

That the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

If anyone does not recognize this, he's not recognized.

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