"The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies."
Nahum 1:2
These past few days have been emotional for me. With this being the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001, the airwaves were full of stories about the tragedy. There were many stories about survivors who were miraculously rescued. There were also many stories of families that still feel the pain and grief of losing family members on that infamous day. All this brought back the memories of that day for me. I was shocked, tearful, and angry all at the same time. These few days served to remind me of all those emotions again.
But I also realize something that is so important in my life. It is God who will take vengeance on his enemies. It is not mine. If I harbor hate toward the people who perpetrated this terrible attack, I will only be consumed with it. It is not my place to hate, my call is to love people as God loves them. Although it is difficult, I must come to grips with the fact that God loves the people who did this terrible thing. Furthermore, it is his place to avenge our nation. God is concerned with nations. He is the reason nations rise and fall. He is in control and has allowed every king, president and leader to emerge. This is too lofty for me to understand and I must yield to the wisdom of God.
Nahum the prophet understood that God has enemies. God has a people that he has called to himself. As Christians, we are those people. God has also chosen the nation of Israel as his own. He is protective of them and loves that nation as his own people. America has been blessed because we have been friends of Israel. Those nations who oppose Israel often suffer God's wrath. All the nations of the world must submit to God.
So,I am reminded to pray for our nation. I love America. I am honored to be a citizen of this great nation. But I am also reminded to pray for our enemies. Jesus taught us to do this and it is as important now as it was when he said it. Although I cry for the great loss we have suffered, I will pray for our enemies and leave the vengeance to God.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
People of Principle
"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings."
Colossians 2:20-22
This scripture is perhaps the most direct assault on legalism that is written in the Bible. Many Christians live their lives obeying religious rules rather than pursuing a relationship with God. Religion and legalism go hand in hand. If we choose to live this way, we are robbing the cross of its power. We are discrediting the work of Christ.
I lived many years of my Christian life believing that these rules and regulations were somehow imposed by God. I thought he was the author of all the 'do nots.' But I have been set free from this lie. God is not a God of do's and don'ts. He is a God of freedom. I have found that I retained my convictions about what activities to participate in and what not to participate in, but now, these convictions are based on a deep desire to express my love for God through the things I do. Before, I simply denied myself to follow the rules that were set before me. In the church I grew up in, we could not dance, go to movies, play cards, or go to roller skating rinks. There were rules, and we dared not break them. "If Jesus came back, would he go into that movie theater and get you?" they would say. We believed the answer was no, so we didn't go.
But here is the thing that really comes against this type of thinking: Jesus spent the majority of his earthly life hanging out with sinners. He went to their houses, he went to the places they were. If he were physically here today, he would be in bars, movie theaters, clubs, sporting events, and festivals. He would be with the people who needed him the most. So, how dare we walk around with pious faces, proclaiming that we don't do the things the people of the world do. I am not advocating that we take up drugs, excessive alcohol, or any other worldly thing. I am simply saying that living by a set of human imposed rules does not work...period.
We are to live our lives in the righteousness that Jesus provided. We are to strive for holiness by following the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we do these things, we are building eternal dwellings. If we choose religion, rules, and regulations as our moral compass, we will surely fall because these things will perish. So let's be people of principle. Let's become the reflection of God's glory in the world. How else will Christ be preached? If we are living in a human imposed puritanical world, we will be ineffective for the cause of Christ. Freedom, blessing, and love are found in an intense relationship with God. When we are in love with him, there are no regulations.
Colossians 2:20-22
This scripture is perhaps the most direct assault on legalism that is written in the Bible. Many Christians live their lives obeying religious rules rather than pursuing a relationship with God. Religion and legalism go hand in hand. If we choose to live this way, we are robbing the cross of its power. We are discrediting the work of Christ.
I lived many years of my Christian life believing that these rules and regulations were somehow imposed by God. I thought he was the author of all the 'do nots.' But I have been set free from this lie. God is not a God of do's and don'ts. He is a God of freedom. I have found that I retained my convictions about what activities to participate in and what not to participate in, but now, these convictions are based on a deep desire to express my love for God through the things I do. Before, I simply denied myself to follow the rules that were set before me. In the church I grew up in, we could not dance, go to movies, play cards, or go to roller skating rinks. There were rules, and we dared not break them. "If Jesus came back, would he go into that movie theater and get you?" they would say. We believed the answer was no, so we didn't go.
But here is the thing that really comes against this type of thinking: Jesus spent the majority of his earthly life hanging out with sinners. He went to their houses, he went to the places they were. If he were physically here today, he would be in bars, movie theaters, clubs, sporting events, and festivals. He would be with the people who needed him the most. So, how dare we walk around with pious faces, proclaiming that we don't do the things the people of the world do. I am not advocating that we take up drugs, excessive alcohol, or any other worldly thing. I am simply saying that living by a set of human imposed rules does not work...period.
We are to live our lives in the righteousness that Jesus provided. We are to strive for holiness by following the leading of the Holy Spirit. When we do these things, we are building eternal dwellings. If we choose religion, rules, and regulations as our moral compass, we will surely fall because these things will perish. So let's be people of principle. Let's become the reflection of God's glory in the world. How else will Christ be preached? If we are living in a human imposed puritanical world, we will be ineffective for the cause of Christ. Freedom, blessing, and love are found in an intense relationship with God. When we are in love with him, there are no regulations.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
No Time to be Timid
"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner."
2 Timothy 1:6-8a
I have read Paul's letters to Timothy many times. The second letter in particular, gives us insight into the life of the young pastor who was mentored by Paul. The verses I referenced here speak of an issue that Timothy had. It is one that I believe was in part, due to his personality. But I think there was another underlying issue as well. I believe Timothy had been hurt. We have no direct reference to how it happened, or what it was. But clearly there had been some event or events that led to Paul's concern for his son in the faith. Timothy had become timid.
The word timidity, used in the NIV, is translated fear in other Bible translations. So Timothy had an issue with fear. I have said it before, fear cripples your faith. If you are bound up in fear, you will never have the confidence to launch out and do what God is calling you to do. Like Timothy, we must overcome this and move into the glorious freedom found in acting on our faith. I realize that some people are timid. They are not comfortable speaking to others and even the thought of doing so raises fear. I do not believe that God asks us to act in ways that are contrary the way he created us. If a person is quiet and timid in their nature, it is okay. But if one is fearful because of a bad experience or rejection, this must be overcome. Hear the words Paul spoke to Timothy: "God did NOT give us a spirit of timidity (fear)." (Emphasis mine). So if God did not give it to us, it came through some other source, primarily the enemy. He loves to use circumstances to breed fear in God's people. But we do not have a spirit of fear, we have a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. This is who we are in Christ.
Timothy had a gift. It was evident to all. But somewhere along the line, he lost confidence in what God had placed in him. He gave up. Paul's encouragement to him was to fan that gift into full flame. All of us are gifted by God. Every Christian has the Holy Spirit within them and he is the giver of gifts. If your gift is preaching, then preach. If it is hospitality, then be hospitable. If it is evangelism, then evangelize. If it is prophecy, then prophesy. If it is healing, then lay hands on people and watch God heal them. Fear cannot stop us. Timidity cannot be an excuse. The same God who created us and gave us our personalities, also gave us gifts which he expects us to use. So let's stop being fearful and fan the gifts we have into flame. Let's believe we are gifted and blessed people. Let's say to the enemy, "You cannot stop me. You cannot cripple me with fear!" Then let's go and make disciples.
2 Timothy 1:6-8a
I have read Paul's letters to Timothy many times. The second letter in particular, gives us insight into the life of the young pastor who was mentored by Paul. The verses I referenced here speak of an issue that Timothy had. It is one that I believe was in part, due to his personality. But I think there was another underlying issue as well. I believe Timothy had been hurt. We have no direct reference to how it happened, or what it was. But clearly there had been some event or events that led to Paul's concern for his son in the faith. Timothy had become timid.
The word timidity, used in the NIV, is translated fear in other Bible translations. So Timothy had an issue with fear. I have said it before, fear cripples your faith. If you are bound up in fear, you will never have the confidence to launch out and do what God is calling you to do. Like Timothy, we must overcome this and move into the glorious freedom found in acting on our faith. I realize that some people are timid. They are not comfortable speaking to others and even the thought of doing so raises fear. I do not believe that God asks us to act in ways that are contrary the way he created us. If a person is quiet and timid in their nature, it is okay. But if one is fearful because of a bad experience or rejection, this must be overcome. Hear the words Paul spoke to Timothy: "God did NOT give us a spirit of timidity (fear)." (Emphasis mine). So if God did not give it to us, it came through some other source, primarily the enemy. He loves to use circumstances to breed fear in God's people. But we do not have a spirit of fear, we have a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. This is who we are in Christ.
Timothy had a gift. It was evident to all. But somewhere along the line, he lost confidence in what God had placed in him. He gave up. Paul's encouragement to him was to fan that gift into full flame. All of us are gifted by God. Every Christian has the Holy Spirit within them and he is the giver of gifts. If your gift is preaching, then preach. If it is hospitality, then be hospitable. If it is evangelism, then evangelize. If it is prophecy, then prophesy. If it is healing, then lay hands on people and watch God heal them. Fear cannot stop us. Timidity cannot be an excuse. The same God who created us and gave us our personalities, also gave us gifts which he expects us to use. So let's stop being fearful and fan the gifts we have into flame. Let's believe we are gifted and blessed people. Let's say to the enemy, "You cannot stop me. You cannot cripple me with fear!" Then let's go and make disciples.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Out of the Depths
"Out of the depths I cry to you, o Lord; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared."
Psalm 130:1-4
Do you ever feel like you are in the depths? Sometimes it seems like you are in the depths of despair. Other times, it may feel like you are caught in the depths of sin. Still other times, it may feel like you are so distant from God that he cannot hear your cries for help. These things sometimes overtake us. We are people who must contend with our own heats. Often, this is a difficult task..
But there is a key, according to the Psalmist. When we are in the depths, we must cry out to the Lord. Otherwise, we may be swallowed up by the miry pit. Despair is dangerous. It consumes us, creates feelings of hopelessness, and breeds a 'woe is me' attitude. It is easy for our flesh to agree with despair. It is also easy for the enemy of our souls to use despair to derail us. We have to recognize feelings of despair and take them captive in the name of Jesus. This is no different than any other type of spiritual warfare. Recognize that despair comes from the enemy, not God. Then deal with it as you would any other attack of the devil. Rebuke the enemy, isolate the thoughts, and ask God to take away the despair. Sometimes despair is so intense that you must cry out to God. Sometimes there is no other path that can bring release. Don't be afraid, just cry out to him and he will answer.
I remember a particular night, a year or more ago. I was filled with despair. We were struggling financially, had no job or income, and things looked bleak. I got in my car and went for a drive in the dark. I begin to cry out to God. In fact, I literally screamed at him. The prayers weren't eloquent, they were spoken out of a hurting heart. I cried until I thought no more tears could possibly come. But I released all of it to God that night. By the time I got home, our immediate financial need had already been met.
If you are are in despair because of difficult circumstances, cry out to God. It is from the place of despair that heartfelt petitions come. Be assured of this: God will hear you and he will answer your cries. If you are in despair because of sin, remember this: God keeps no record of wrongs. Confess your sin and know that you have been forgiven. God will never bring it up again. You are clean before him. Ultimate forgiveness comes from God alone. You are not separated from him, a bridge has been built that crosses the chasm of sin. The bridge is Jesus himself. Do not give into despair. Out of the depths, cry out to God, and he will rescue you. This is his word, this is his guarantee.
Psalm 130:1-4
Do you ever feel like you are in the depths? Sometimes it seems like you are in the depths of despair. Other times, it may feel like you are caught in the depths of sin. Still other times, it may feel like you are so distant from God that he cannot hear your cries for help. These things sometimes overtake us. We are people who must contend with our own heats. Often, this is a difficult task..
But there is a key, according to the Psalmist. When we are in the depths, we must cry out to the Lord. Otherwise, we may be swallowed up by the miry pit. Despair is dangerous. It consumes us, creates feelings of hopelessness, and breeds a 'woe is me' attitude. It is easy for our flesh to agree with despair. It is also easy for the enemy of our souls to use despair to derail us. We have to recognize feelings of despair and take them captive in the name of Jesus. This is no different than any other type of spiritual warfare. Recognize that despair comes from the enemy, not God. Then deal with it as you would any other attack of the devil. Rebuke the enemy, isolate the thoughts, and ask God to take away the despair. Sometimes despair is so intense that you must cry out to God. Sometimes there is no other path that can bring release. Don't be afraid, just cry out to him and he will answer.
I remember a particular night, a year or more ago. I was filled with despair. We were struggling financially, had no job or income, and things looked bleak. I got in my car and went for a drive in the dark. I begin to cry out to God. In fact, I literally screamed at him. The prayers weren't eloquent, they were spoken out of a hurting heart. I cried until I thought no more tears could possibly come. But I released all of it to God that night. By the time I got home, our immediate financial need had already been met.
If you are are in despair because of difficult circumstances, cry out to God. It is from the place of despair that heartfelt petitions come. Be assured of this: God will hear you and he will answer your cries. If you are in despair because of sin, remember this: God keeps no record of wrongs. Confess your sin and know that you have been forgiven. God will never bring it up again. You are clean before him. Ultimate forgiveness comes from God alone. You are not separated from him, a bridge has been built that crosses the chasm of sin. The bridge is Jesus himself. Do not give into despair. Out of the depths, cry out to God, and he will rescue you. This is his word, this is his guarantee.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
No Matter What
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Habakkuk 317&18
It seems that when things go wrong, they go wrong in bunches. I have found that there are times when it seems anything that can break, will. Anything that can cause trouble, will. And anything that can cause inconvenience, will. All these things serve to sidetrack me from the really important things in my life; my relationship with God, my relationships with my wife, children and friends, and the work to which God has called me. The apostle Paul calls these distractions: "Light and momentary troubles." (2 Corinthians 4:17). This is really what they are. They seem big and complicated at the time, but in reality, they are just momentary.
The problem with these troublesome distractions is the fact that they capture our attention. The prophet Habakkuk enumerated all the things that had gone wrong. To an Old Testament farmer, these were huge things. If the fig tree had no fruit, if the grapes vines were not producing, if the cows and sheep were all dead, this spelled big problems for them. It was their livelihood. Without these foods, they would surely starve. When it seems that everything around you is falling apart, it is difficult to see anything else. I know because I have experienced it.
But when I realize the hope I have in Christ, it changes everything. I believe that when I pay more attention to the kingdom of heaven and less attention to the troublesome distractions, I will weather the storm and come out unscathed. It is really a matter of perspective. I can choose to look at it from a Godly perspective, or a victim's perspective. Whichever I choose is where I must live. So if I choose to be a victim, I will buckle under the weight of the circumstance. But if I will only remember my position in Christ, the struggle will be much more manageable because I know there is a greater life.
So I resolve to be joyful in God my Savior. I choose to do this, even through the troubles. The next time the car breaks, I will rejoice in God. The next time the kitchen faucet quits working, I will rejoice in my Savior. The next time things don't go my way, I will be joyful because of my God. After all, there is really only one constant in my life and he is God. Everything else is subject to change at any time. So even though everything around me fails, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord." And I will do this...No matter what!
Habakkuk 317&18
It seems that when things go wrong, they go wrong in bunches. I have found that there are times when it seems anything that can break, will. Anything that can cause trouble, will. And anything that can cause inconvenience, will. All these things serve to sidetrack me from the really important things in my life; my relationship with God, my relationships with my wife, children and friends, and the work to which God has called me. The apostle Paul calls these distractions: "Light and momentary troubles." (2 Corinthians 4:17). This is really what they are. They seem big and complicated at the time, but in reality, they are just momentary.
The problem with these troublesome distractions is the fact that they capture our attention. The prophet Habakkuk enumerated all the things that had gone wrong. To an Old Testament farmer, these were huge things. If the fig tree had no fruit, if the grapes vines were not producing, if the cows and sheep were all dead, this spelled big problems for them. It was their livelihood. Without these foods, they would surely starve. When it seems that everything around you is falling apart, it is difficult to see anything else. I know because I have experienced it.
But when I realize the hope I have in Christ, it changes everything. I believe that when I pay more attention to the kingdom of heaven and less attention to the troublesome distractions, I will weather the storm and come out unscathed. It is really a matter of perspective. I can choose to look at it from a Godly perspective, or a victim's perspective. Whichever I choose is where I must live. So if I choose to be a victim, I will buckle under the weight of the circumstance. But if I will only remember my position in Christ, the struggle will be much more manageable because I know there is a greater life.
So I resolve to be joyful in God my Savior. I choose to do this, even through the troubles. The next time the car breaks, I will rejoice in God. The next time the kitchen faucet quits working, I will rejoice in my Savior. The next time things don't go my way, I will be joyful because of my God. After all, there is really only one constant in my life and he is God. Everything else is subject to change at any time. So even though everything around me fails, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord." And I will do this...No matter what!
Friday, September 2, 2011
The Gift of Sharing
"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."
1 Thessalonians 2:8
As Christians, you and I have been given a great commission. We are to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others in the world. There are many who have not heard the good news, and still others who have heard but have hardened their hearts toward Jesus. We have a responsibility to share this good news with them, through the words we speak, but also through our lives.
There are many seminars and teachings that instruct people in the proper way to share the gospel. They equip people with the proper scriptures to use and the proper answers to the different questions or objections they may encounter. But I think the best way to share the gospel is the way Paul shared it with the Thessalonians. He shared his life with them. Sharing the good news of Jesus is far more involved than just having a five minute conversation with a stranger. When Jesus commissioned us, he said that we were to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. This means that our responsibility does not end with the delivery of the message, this is only the beginning. We are to love people, give our lives to them, and raise them up in their new found faith.
We are the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus in the world today. He has placed himself within us and given us everything we need to do what he did when he walked the earth. So the obvious motivation for us to do this, must be love. Jesus loved us first. This motivated him to come to the earth, give up his heavenly place, suffer and die. All this, he did because he loves us passionately. Therefore, we must love others with that same intensity. If we don't have love and compassion for others, we will never be willing to share the good news or give our lives for them.
What God is doing in your own life becomes the foundation for you to share with others. The book of Revelation tells us: "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." (Revelation 12:11). Not only are we empowered with the things God is doing in our lives daily, but these things defeat the enemy and spread the cause of Christ in the world. Evangelism is as natural as breathing if you simply share your life with others. They will be able to see Jesus in you, simply by watching. Then the questions will come, the opportunity will present itself, and you will put words to what they already see in you. This is how we share our lives and the love of Christ with others. The love that he has freely given us, we now give. Go out and share your life!
1 Thessalonians 2:8
As Christians, you and I have been given a great commission. We are to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others in the world. There are many who have not heard the good news, and still others who have heard but have hardened their hearts toward Jesus. We have a responsibility to share this good news with them, through the words we speak, but also through our lives.
There are many seminars and teachings that instruct people in the proper way to share the gospel. They equip people with the proper scriptures to use and the proper answers to the different questions or objections they may encounter. But I think the best way to share the gospel is the way Paul shared it with the Thessalonians. He shared his life with them. Sharing the good news of Jesus is far more involved than just having a five minute conversation with a stranger. When Jesus commissioned us, he said that we were to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. This means that our responsibility does not end with the delivery of the message, this is only the beginning. We are to love people, give our lives to them, and raise them up in their new found faith.
We are the hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus in the world today. He has placed himself within us and given us everything we need to do what he did when he walked the earth. So the obvious motivation for us to do this, must be love. Jesus loved us first. This motivated him to come to the earth, give up his heavenly place, suffer and die. All this, he did because he loves us passionately. Therefore, we must love others with that same intensity. If we don't have love and compassion for others, we will never be willing to share the good news or give our lives for them.
What God is doing in your own life becomes the foundation for you to share with others. The book of Revelation tells us: "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." (Revelation 12:11). Not only are we empowered with the things God is doing in our lives daily, but these things defeat the enemy and spread the cause of Christ in the world. Evangelism is as natural as breathing if you simply share your life with others. They will be able to see Jesus in you, simply by watching. Then the questions will come, the opportunity will present itself, and you will put words to what they already see in you. This is how we share our lives and the love of Christ with others. The love that he has freely given us, we now give. Go out and share your life!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Blessed Days
"The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days, the word of the Lord was rare; There were not many visions."
1 Samuel 3:1
We live in the most blessed days of all history. As Christians, we are able to hear the word of God all the time. First, we have the Bible. We can learn from the Old Testament, all that God did for the nation of Israel as he raised them up to truly be his people. In the New Testament, we learn about a new way to live that was made possible through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We also learn that Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, who now lives within us and empowers us to be ambassadors of Jesus.
Lest we ever forget or become less thankful for the incredible blessings we have, we should pay attention to the scripture referenced above. In the Old Testament, they depended on the prophets of God to bring his word to them. They had no written documents, so the history regarding God was passed down by word of mouth from generation to generations. Fortunately, the Israelites were very adept at this, and the accounts of God's interventions were accurately kept. But they had no direct communication with God. If there were no prophets available, there was no word from God. In fact, between the Old Testament times and the coming of Christ, there was 400 years when there was no prophets in the land. There was silence.
I know that I talk about this a lot, but I want us to realize just how blessed we are. Jesus changed everything. He was no prophet, he was much greater than that. He spoke the words of God because he was God. Everything he said was right and true. Through his death and resurrection, he ushered in the days of the Holy Spirit. From that time on, all believing Christians have had God resident within them in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is not a representation of God, he is not a piece of God, he is God. Therefore, the fullness of God lives in us. We can communicate with God anytime we want. And we can be assured that he will talk to us.
I cannot imagine what it would be like to believe in God and follow him, yet never hear anything directly from him. Thankfully, those days are over. You and I live in such a glorious time that we need not fear silence from God. My point is this; be thankful for the days in which we live. There may be things we would like to complain about, but we live in a time in history that the people of old would have loved to experience. We don't have to wait for the prophet, we don't have to fear silence. God is with us...and he is speaking.
1 Samuel 3:1
We live in the most blessed days of all history. As Christians, we are able to hear the word of God all the time. First, we have the Bible. We can learn from the Old Testament, all that God did for the nation of Israel as he raised them up to truly be his people. In the New Testament, we learn about a new way to live that was made possible through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We also learn that Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, who now lives within us and empowers us to be ambassadors of Jesus.
Lest we ever forget or become less thankful for the incredible blessings we have, we should pay attention to the scripture referenced above. In the Old Testament, they depended on the prophets of God to bring his word to them. They had no written documents, so the history regarding God was passed down by word of mouth from generation to generations. Fortunately, the Israelites were very adept at this, and the accounts of God's interventions were accurately kept. But they had no direct communication with God. If there were no prophets available, there was no word from God. In fact, between the Old Testament times and the coming of Christ, there was 400 years when there was no prophets in the land. There was silence.
I know that I talk about this a lot, but I want us to realize just how blessed we are. Jesus changed everything. He was no prophet, he was much greater than that. He spoke the words of God because he was God. Everything he said was right and true. Through his death and resurrection, he ushered in the days of the Holy Spirit. From that time on, all believing Christians have had God resident within them in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is not a representation of God, he is not a piece of God, he is God. Therefore, the fullness of God lives in us. We can communicate with God anytime we want. And we can be assured that he will talk to us.
I cannot imagine what it would be like to believe in God and follow him, yet never hear anything directly from him. Thankfully, those days are over. You and I live in such a glorious time that we need not fear silence from God. My point is this; be thankful for the days in which we live. There may be things we would like to complain about, but we live in a time in history that the people of old would have loved to experience. We don't have to wait for the prophet, we don't have to fear silence. God is with us...and he is speaking.
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