God Speaks to People Today: Learn 64 Methods on How to Hear from the True Living God Today

By Michael Ighoyivwi MDiv. MS Psychology

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. He knows the limitations of human beings, and fixed them in such a way that we all can look up to Him for understanding, direction, guidance, hope, restoration, and wisdom in our daily lives. But do we know how to listen and then follow His will?

A spiritual guide that intertwines scripture with wisdom, Michael Ighoyivwi teaches believers how to communicate effectively with the true living transcendent God to nurture a closer relationship with Him and follow His divine plan. Through his guidance, spiritual seekers will learn who God is, reasons why we need to hear from Him, the barriers that hinder fluent listening, the characteristics of God’s revelation, and helpful hints on how to develop better communication with Him.

God Speaks to People Today is an inspirational reference manual that provides a roadmap to understanding and really hearing God when He is communicating with us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385014750

Michael Ighoyivwi MDiv. MS Psychology

Michael Ighoyivwi MDiv., MS Psychology has vast experience communicating with God, and knows that He is intricately interested and willing to participate in our everyday activities. With the intent of encouraging all believers to learn, understand, and apply this knowledge to their lives, he shares his first book, God Speaks to People Today.

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Copyright © 2024 Michael Ighoyivwi MDiv., MS Psychology.

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WestBow Press rev. date:  01/19/2024

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

Scripture marked (KJV) taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.

Scripture marked (NKJV) taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture marked (BSB) are taken from the Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NASB) taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked (AMPC) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1   Who Is God?

Many Gods Are Worshipped in the World; Do You Believe in the True Living God?

How to Find Out if the God You Are Following Is Real

Where Is God Today?

Chapter 2   More Than One Hundred Reasons We Need to Hear from God

Why Does God Speak to Human Beings?

Chapter 3   Barriers That Hinder Fluent Hearing from God

Why Do People Ignore God’s Revelations and Communications?

Unbelievers Cannot Fully Understand the Ways of God

Chapter 4   How Do We Communicate with God?

1. Prayer

2. Singing Praises to God

3. Speaking in Tongues

4. Offering Spiritual Sacrifices

5. Vows

6. Fasting

7. Doing Services for Other People

8. Lifting Up Holy Hands to God

9. Meditation

10. Walking and Living in Humility

11. Obedience to God’s Word and Will

12. Faithfulness to God, Church, and Our Families

13. Walking in Love (1 Corinthians 13)

14. Collaboration with God

Chapter 5   Characteristics of God’s Revelation

1. God Reveals End Result Before the Beginning

2. Our God’s Revelation Is the Truth

3. God’s Revelation Will Lead Us to the Ultimate Destiny

4. God’s Revelation Leads to Physical, Mental, and Material Wholeness in Life

Chapter 6   Does God Speak to All People?

Why Would God Speak to You or Me?

Chapter 7   How to Tell If a Message Is from God

The Devil Speaks with People and through People

The Basic Tricks the Devil and His Minions Use to Influence People

Chapter 8   Methods God USE to Communicate with Us Today

1. The Written Word of God

2. Dreams and Interpretations

3. Visions

4. Audible Voice

5. Angels

6. Conscience

7. Nature

8. Similitude

9. Events That Occur in Our Lives and in the Lives of Others

10. Divine Timing

11. Somatic Sensation

12. Fleece

13. The Handwriting on The Wall

14. Inner Spirit Peace Witness

15. Word of Knowledge

16. Word of Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)

17. Tongues and Its Interpretations

18. Prophecy

19. Miracles

20. Healing (Corinthians 12:9)

21. Faith (Corinthians 12:9)

22. Mercy (Romans 12:8)

23. Giving (Romans 12:8)

24. Service or Help (Romans 12:7)

25. Discernment of Spirit (Corinthians 12:10)

26. Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)

27. Exhortation (Romans 12:8)

28. Hospitality (Peter 4:9–10)

29. Leadership (Romans 12:8)

30. Pastors (Ephesians 4:11–12)

31. Teaching (Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; and Ephesians 4:11)

32. Martyrdom (Corinthians 13:3)

33. Missionary (Ephesians 3:6–8)

34. Voluntary Poverty (Corinthians 13:3)

35. Signs and Wonders

36. Favor or Lack Thereof

37. Premonition or Intuition

38. Circumstances and Obstacles in Life

39. Godly Hints and Impressions

40. Disappointments in Life

41. A Name Divinely Given to Us

42. Casting of Lots

43. Spiritual Passion or Desire

44. Silence

45. Song of Praise or Worship

46. Sanctified Sight (Seeing)

47. Sanctified Sense of Touch

48. Sanctified Sense of Hearing

49. Sanctified Sense of Smell

50. Sanctified Sense of Tasting

51. Thought Patterns

52. Blessings of Companionship

53. Holy Spirit Led Providential Utterance (Matthew 10:18–19; Luke 12:11–12)

54. Solitude

55. Hope (Romans 5:3–5)

Fruit of the Holy Spirit

56. Love (Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 13)

57. Joy

58. Peace

59. Patience (Longsuffering/Forbearance/Endurance)

60. Kindness

61. Goodness

62. Faithfulness

63. Meekness (Gentleness)

64. Self-Control (Temperance)

Chapter 9   How to Develop Good Communication with God

Helpful Hints for Developing Good Communication with God

Epilogue

References

PREFACE

I was blessed and privileged to learn and experience dynamic communications with God early in my life, and it has blossomed over the years. God had been speaking to me by dreams, and later, He spoke audibly. I have shared some of the methods that God uses to communicate with us today with other people, and they were interested in learning how to foster more effective communication with the Almighty God. I certainly believe that God is actively communicating with every human being daily, but not everyone is open or attentive to His direction in their lives. I felt compelled to share how to establish dynamic communication with God daily and be guided by His Holy Spirit.

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice … But you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:2–5, 26–28 NIV)

This book will inform and educate people about some of the ways God uses to communicate with human beings today. It is by no means exhaustive. God is the Creator of the universe and all that is visible and invisible.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1 NIV)

The God of the Holy Bible is the Self-Existing One, and He loves and cares for His creation. He wants to fill everything He has made. You and I are part of His creation, and He wants to be a part of our lives to make our existence more fulfilling (John 10:10). God is an invisible living Being who has power over all living and dead, both animate and inanimate. We call God Jehovah (YHWH). The name is often written LORD in the Bible (Exodus 20:1-2).

Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ God also said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation." (Exodus 3:13-15 NIV)

However, different individuals have their personal views of God and His existence, presence, and nature of interaction with people in the past, present, and future. This book is written to demonstrate the existence of God and to share some of the many ways that God has already been trying to intervene in your life and communicate with you. It is to your advantage that you learn how to communicate with Him because He has a special destiny for your life.

When God’s destiny for our lives is not being pursued, life can be miserable and unfulfilling. If you feel miserable in your life right now, you probably have not understood and pursued the destiny He has for your life. Your own pursuit of happiness or purpose might be different from God’s purpose and plan for your life.

I have met individuals who—at one time in their lives—did not care to follow God’s wisdom and guidance for their lives. They lived their lives according to their personal desires, which only brought dire consequences and repercussions. Unless they repent and turn back to God can you imagine how hell will treat them when they get there? Do you know what God wants, likes, or prefers? If so, do it without amendments.

There are so many marvelous things about God. He knows everything, He sees everything, and He is everywhere at the same time (Psalm 139:7–12). He has the power to change our circumstances for our good and His (Romans 8:28–29). Nobody is too bad or too good for Him.

It is fascinating that you and I can establish good communication with God today. This book provides more than one hundred reasons why we all should learn to communicate with God. With an open mind, you will find huge benefits from reading this book (whether or not you believe in God). Some of the methods God uses to communicate with us may help you renew or establish communication with the true living God.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I want to thank my wife, Linda, and our children for listening to me talk about publishing a book about how to hear from God for many years. My wife particularly worked very hard on editing and believing in the benefits of the book to the public.

I want to thank the members of our church, New Life Christian Fellowship – KC, for listening to me teaching and convincing them that our God communicates with us today.

Also, I want to extend gratitude to the Sunday Night Men’s Bible Study Group for allowing me to present the content of this book for several weeks. It offered me opportunities to address questions and concerns and rephrase some topics.

I want to thank WestBow Press for their assistance in the publication of this book.

INTRODUCTION

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Psalm 90:2 (KJV)

Hearing from God is not a new phenomenon in the New Testament; it has been going on since the beginning when God created Adam and formed Eve. God spoke to Adam and gave him work to do and rules to live by (Genesis 2:15–17), and God has been speaking with human beings ever since. Do you think because the canon of the Bible is completed, God’s speaking with human beings becomes irrelevant? In the New Testament, we have the Holy Spirit poured out into the hearts of born-again Christians (Acts 2:1–4; Ephesians 1:13–14). Do you not believe that the living Holy Spirit can communicate with- us more now than ever before? The devil has not stopped talking and misleading people. God wants to reveal secret things to His children:

The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. (Psalm 25:14 NIV)

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29 KJV)

He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. (Matthew 13:11–12 KJV)

We have a leader to follow, Jesus Christ, and He knows everything about us. God is our Maker, and He knows everything about us. Jesus Christ came into the world to show us the Father, and He died for our sins to pave the way for us to be restored to good fellowship with God. Jesus Christ said:

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep … My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. (John 10:14–15, 27–30 KJV)

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God that indwells born-again Christians to lead, guide, and teach believers about God’s will and plan for their lives, make intercessions on their behalf, and empower them (John 14:15–18, 25–26; Acts 1:8).

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26 KJV)

Jesus is the only One who can bring us to God the Father:

Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)

We all need to know more about Jesus Christ. He is the Word of God (John 1:1 KJV) and the Creator of everything created (visible and invisible), as well as thrones and dominions (Colossians 1:16 ESV). A refusal to pay attention to Him and obey what He taught could lead you to eternal damnation in hell. The Holy Bible teaches that there is no salvation in any other than Jesus Christ:

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12 NIV)

Whenever I heard people say that God spoke to them, I thought they were very spiritual—and next to God Himself. I thought that much closeness to God was unattainable for ordinary Christians like me. I wished I could hear from God as they did. Many people have a great hunger in their hearts for an authentic relationship with God.

Most people believe there is a real God who knows everything and has supernatural powers over and beyond human beings. On January 22, 2015, the Pew Research Center’s Religion and Public Life Project asked, Do you believe in God? How certain are you about this belief? Are you absolutely certain, fairly certain, not too certain, or not at all certain? Based on this survey, 90 percent of those questioned responded, Believe in God, absolutely certain.

God spoke to people in biblical times, and He is still speaking to people today. He promised to direct our paths in the following passages:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5–8 NIV)

God may not reveal every reason—who, what, where, when, why, or how—all the time, but He reveals them in due time. An example of this is when Elisha, the powerful prophet of God, was not aware of the reason why the generous woman who had lost her son came to see him until she told him (2 Kings 4:27). When bad or negative things happen to us, we should not react so negatively. Instead, we should believe that God is in our midst, He is up to something, and He will work it out for our favor:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28–29 KJV)

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV)

Some outcomes in life might be different if we utilize the basic precautions and directives that God established for every human being. We may be able to prevent major disasters in life if we pay attention to God early. Think of the biblical story of Joseph and Mary. Joseph thought about divorcing Mary because she was pregnant before the consummation of their marriage, but God’s angel spoke to him in a dream and told him not to divorce her (Matthew 1:18–25). If he had been hardheaded, like many people are today, he could have suffered dire consequences for divorcing her. He heeded the warning and helped bring God’s plan to fruition. He could have refused to follow the directives, but God knew Joseph would obey His instructions and guidance. Joseph was the kind of man who listened and followed the will of God for his life.

Have you ever wondered if you could get advance warning from God before things happen? Many people have experienced certain events and felt déjà vu. They might have received a supernatural intelligence briefing, but they did not pay much attention to it. When events like this unfold, we are flabbergasted or shocked because we had premonitions about them earlier.

Physical and Spiritual Realities in Life (Visible and Invisible Realities)

There is a physical reality that we interact with through our five senses every day: touching, seeing, tasting, smelling, and hearing. In addition to the physical realities, there are supernatural, spiritual (nonmaterial) worlds and realities that surround us. However, we cannot comprehend or interact with them physically unless they materialize in our physical realm. The spiritual realities are encountered spiritually when we are empowered to discern or see them with supernatural eyes:

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments. (1 Corinthians 2:13–15 NIV)

Encounters with Spiritual Beings

God created all things visible and invisible:

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16 KJV)

The Word of God declared that there are visible and invisible realities in life. To encounter visible realities, we use our five senses. However, engaging the spiritual or invisible world requires special abilities from the true God—or from the devil. We must rely on spiritual powers or abilities to see beyond the physical world. The biblical methods for acquiring supernatural knowledge are not demonic or evil; they are godly.

Christians are blessed with supernatural godly blessings that other human beings do not have full measure of:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3–4 NIV)

God knows the limitations of human beings, and He fixed them in such a way that we all can look up to Him for understanding, direction, guidance, hope, restoration, and wisdom in our daily lives.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Jewish Messiah, a gift from the Father to save the whole world (John 3:16) through His sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3–11).

Everyone—whether they believe in God or not—should read this book. To those who are not Christian or do not believe in God, it will be an excellent way to find out—beyond a reasonable doubt—what life is about. If you have an open mind and really want to know which faith (spiritual/religious) conviction to follow or if God exists, this book will help you find more or better answers to events happening as well as the unknown.

An open mind is needed because many of us have been taught by parents, families, friends, religious leaders, media, or society to believe in certain things or ways of life that may or may not be true. By consulting with God personally, you will be able to determine what is right and wrong. All human beings are subject to the laws of God, and if we disobey Him, life on earth today could be miserable—as well as in the life after death. Heaven and hell are real destinations for people after they die.

Two Supernatural Entities in the Universe

There are two supernatural entities or beings that desire the service and allegiance of human beings and created things. The first supernatural entity is the Holy God, represented by Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirt, and God’s angels. The other supernatural entity is the devil, also known as Satan or Lucifer. To learn more about God and Satan, you need to read the Holy Bible. It describes the origin of all things and the end of all things.

The Holy God is revealed as the heavenly Father, represented in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. God created all living and nonliving things, both visible and invisible (Genesis 1 and 2). He created Satan as one of the cherubim:

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (Ezekiel 28:14 KJV)

God and His angels are forces for good and not evil, but they can inflict punishment if disobedience persists without repentance. When Satan rebelled against God, he was kicked out of his heavenly office and cast into the earth along with fallen angels:

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9 KJV)

However, these fallen angels are no longer able to serve God or have the privilege of making appearances in physical bodies. They are called demons, devils or unclean spirits (Matthew 10:1, 12:22, 15:22) because their mission is no longer good; it is evil. The satanic forces influence and attempt to draw human beings to pull away from God, do evil deeds by influencing their thoughts, decisions, feelings, passions, desires and affect their environments, leading to harm and evil:

The thief (Devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10a KJV)

When he (Devil) speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44b KJV)

Satan (the adversary) is not a god, but some people worship him. And the true God said:

I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides