God Speaks
Some of my favorite Scriptures are Hebrews 1:1-2 which say that God has spoken in the past and is speaking to us now in the present. These words are encouraging, but lead one to ask “How has God spoken? What does His voice sound like?”
The Bible provides several answers to these questions. Psalm 19:1-4 says that He has spoken visually (without spoken words) by what has been created (General Revelation). 2 Peter 1:21 states that God spoke by inspiration of the Holy Spirit through holy men in the form of the Bible (Special Revelation). At times He spoke audibly as He did with Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:4). At other times He spoke softly as in a gentle blowing wind (1 Kings 19:12-13).
Today we have the Holy Spirit who teaches us and gives us the words to speak (John 14:26, Luke 12:12). He even helps us to speak to God as we pray and conveys the thoughts of God to us (Romans 8:26-27).
But you might ask “How can I know it’s really the Holy Spirit that I’m hearing?” Jesus Himself told us how to know that God is speaking to us. He said that God speaks through the scriptures. The scriptures truthfully testified and prophesied about Jesus long before He was born (John 5:39). Since the Holy Spirit is the author of those scriptures, what the Holy Spirit says must agree with the scriptures. If the prompting, the call to action or the peace that you receive agrees with scripture then it's a safe bet it's from the Holy Spirit.
So, what does all this mean for us? If there is a direct connection between scripture and what the Holy Spirit is saying, then the more we know what scripture says, the better our understanding will be of what the Spirit is saying. Is there a way that we can be better prepared to interpret what the Spirit is saying? Is there a way that we can know if the prompting we are getting is really God speaking?
The answer to those questions is Yes. For those desiring to better hear the voice of the Spirit we provide the opportunity to grow in your scriptural knowledge through the Intentional Discipleship (ID) classes throughout the year. There are classes that are scripture based where you will study the Word directly. Other classes will deal with applying the Word in Christian living.
So, whether you are a relatively new Christian, or you have walked with the Lord a long time, there will be something for your continued growth. I urge you to use this summer to pray about signing up for one of these ID classes this fall.
Ministry Minute
COUNCIL CLERK
Karen Warren
Deacon
Our LTCC Calendar of events for spring and summer is filling up fast! I hope you are in the habit of checking the LTCC website for what is happening in the near future.
Our SUPPER FOR SIX-ISH is open for registration for a few more days. This is one of the ways our families can fellowship with each other outside of the church walls. Six (more or less) people meet together to share a meal and get to know each other on a deeper level than is typically possible on Sunday mornings. The host will provide the main course and each family contributes to the meal by bringing a side dish, salad or dessert. Signup by Monday, May 26 to ensure your spot!
Seniors – there are several events coming up for you…a MAEVE CHOCOLATE FACTORY TOUR on May 28th, MEN’S & WOMEN’S COFFEE FELLOWSHIP, 5/29 and a HYMN SING (date to be announced soon). Check out our website for the details.
Mens, Women’s, and Children/Youth events are also listed on the website. Our children’s ministry END OF THE YEAR PARTY is on June 4. There will be games, crafts, snacks and the inflatable for ages 4-11. Rooted kids are welcome to help. And back by popular demand, parents will have their own competitive games to participate in!
Events for everyone are abundant as well: The GOING AWAY PARTY for Bob and Ronda on June 22nd, the INSTALLATION AND WELCOME RECEPTION for Pastor Andrew Middlekauff and his family on July 6th, the TACOMA RAINIERS GAME on July 18 (tickets are limited so sign up soon) and our Annual All Church POTLUCK AT MAYFIELD LAKE on July 30th are events happening this summer.
So if you aren’t in the habit of checking out our website (laketappscc.org) you might be missing out on some of the great events happening this spring and summer.