Ep. 17 - Hearing the Voice of God
In this episode, Angel continues on the story from Ep. 16 of heartbreak, and how God had a conversation with him over it. How can we hear when God speaks?
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Intro (0:07)
What is going on everyone! Welcome to The Message with Angel! We are finally in June folks can you believe it? 2018 is moving by so quickly it’s insane. These past couple of weeks as most of you may know, have been a real roller coaster for me. Luckily we’re on the very up right now and I have so much to update you guys on what I’ve been up to. First and foremost I have recently launched my official website which I am super excited about. I’ve worked on this for weeks and I’m very pleased to now have a hub for everything. This means if you know me for my music, then everything is there. If you know me for my rap battles, well all my battles are up there as well. If you are a fan for The Message Podcast, then every episode is on there. I’m also adding show notes for every episode, so now if you’re at work and want to tune in without getting caught, Angel’s got you covered haha.
I also will be adding the actual SoundCloud track embedded on the page so you can tune in by just clicking play on there. I’d do with the iTunes link instead but unfortunately Apple doesn’t have that as a feature yet. All good because the important thing is that you have multiples ways to listen to the podcast. So the website name is pretty simple, and it’s mynameisangel.com. So please check it out after this podcast. I’ve even added 10 fun facts about me in my bio, so you guys can get to know me a little better. But yeah, let me know what you think!
Now let’s get back to talking about the podcast here. First off I want to thank everyone for the outpour of encouragement and support over the last episode which was named “Guard Your Heart.” If you haven’t heard it yet, then I definitely suggest you do before listening to this if possible, only because much of what is discussed is a continuation in a sense from the last episode. But anyways in short, the episode was about a recent heartbreak I had over a girl, and talking about how essential it is to guard your heart.
It was not at easy episode to write at all. It required me to be completely vulnerable with you guys. To not be afraid to let you guys know how down I was feeling during that grieving process. And you guys are awesome. From the bottom of my heart thank you because so many of you guys have reached out and reminded me that my testimony was needed and valued. One of the best comments I received was on Instagram but @eyesstraightahead and she said,
“Thanks for being vulnerable and transparent in this podcast. I was once told that when we think we’ve found “the one” and we find it hard to move on, it means the person who we do marry will end up blowing our minds. What we think is “best” God sometimes smiles and shakes His head at, saying “Oh Angel...if you only knew what I have in store for you.” I will be lifting you up for complete healing so when your queen does arrive you won’t miss her due to grieving this loss while also praying that as your healing is complete the Lord brings into your life young women who live in true purity and integrity who would have nothing other than a friends first mentality and will be seeking only God’s will not what the eyes desire. Bless you!”
Huge shout outs to her because her words of encouragement brought me a lot of peace in my heart. If you’ve reached out to me regarding the episode, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I needed that encouragement because believe it or not, the girl who I had been talking about, heard the podcast and wasn’t too happy about it. I hate things had to go as sour as it did, when I did nothing wrong. All I did was share my story without bringing up her name or throwing dirt on her, but it is what it is. That’s why I thank everyone who reminded me that I went about the whole situation with her, as a gentleman and that while things did not turn out the way I would have liked, God has big plans for me.
I now feel 1000x better than when I wrote that episode and I thank God for healing my heart. I realized that her and I were not meant to be, but I just wish things ended amicably. I’ve learned a lot since then, and while the heart break did suck, I now will try and avoid to make the same mistake again of just pouring my heart out so quickly over someone. My pastor did warn me that even when I find the “one” for me, that I may be tempted to do it. So I just need to be careful and not get too excited. All I know is, I’m glad that I’m moving on with life and my focus is now even sharper when it’s come to my goals. All that’s been on my mind, is preparing for a rap battle I have in late July, and growing this podcast and how make it better for you guys.
So that’s my recap from what’s been going on since May. So anyways, this episode here, is a continuation in a way of last episode, because there were some things I didn’t mention in the previous episode that I wanted to shed light on, that would be important for another topic and that was, hearing the voice of God.
God spoke to Me (5:36)
So what do I mean by hearing the voice of God? Well we’re going to backtrack a little bit here. Like I said earlier, I’m hoping you already tuned in to Episode 16 - Guard Your Heart, but if not I’ll give you guys a summary of what happened before this little story here. So the girl I had been talking to, decided we would probably be nothing past friends. She didn’t want to take things slow and I respected her decision and that was that. That same day, she got upset over a discussion about politics. Things went sour and she wanted to move on. So that very night, I woke up randomly or so I thought, at 3:58 in the morning.
The strange part was, I wasn’t groggy like I normally am when I wake up before my alarm, which is at 7 am. I was wide awake this time and my heart was tugging at me. I knew I didn't wake up for no reason. So a few seconds later I hear a voice inside my head and it said, “Let’s talk.” I knew exactly who was talking to me. It was Yahweh. Abba. God. The same God who made the world and everything in it in 7 days, just woke me up in the middle of the night to talk to me. Wow. My heart already knew why He woke me up. I had been praying so much over the situation with this girl that, I never gave God the chance to speak back to me. I’d do my devotional, pray and then move on with my day. I never meditated silently or anything.
So I told God how I’ve been feeling. Wasn’t like he didn’t already know, but God is someone who wants us to be intimate with him and part of intimacy is vulnerability. I was being vulnerable with God, and told him how I’d been feeling. I told him I felt so frustrated and confused over everything. How did she allow politics destroy a potential relationship? Why was she trying to move on when it was clear we agreed on being friends? Why was she so unwilling to take things slow when she’s in the military for another five years? I let everything spill.
Couple of seconds go by and wouldn’t you know? God responds. We at 4 o clock in the morning, are having a full blown conversation that lasted around roughly 5 minutes. I would say something, then he’d respond right after. It was amazing and I never experienced anything like it. Since it was so early in the morning, I don’t remember everything word for word that God told me. Fortunately I do remember some key things from our conversation. I remember asking him why this was happening. He then told me that he is preparing me and that, this is a process that I’m in. I realize what he meant. He was allowing all this to happen because this would shape my character in a positive way.
The way I was responding to this girl showed me that as frustrated as I was feeling, I would not allow my tongue to speak death over the situation. I refrained from letting my flesh text something hurtful. Instead, I chose to speak from the spirit and say things out of love and patience. If I can be this way with someone I’m talking to, then I will have amazing communication with my future wife. That is a positive for sure. Another thing I realized was that guarding my heart was essential. As I said in my last episode, it is so important to not just go 100% vulnerable with someone you just started talking to. Especially when you don’t really know them that well.
This process God currently has me in, is to mold me to continue becoming more Christ-like. The process is life-long, but eventually I will reach a point where he will trust me to be with a woman, and yet, remain clear minded and focussed on Christ. I’m not there just yet, but great progress has been made rest assured.
The process isn’t easy though let me tell you. Just the other day, I was in the bathroom and randomly I started thinking about what had happened with this girl again. I begin just asking, why this? Why that? I suppose God felt the need again to speak back to me, in a different way this time. I have an uncle who gets used a lot by God. God bless him, he’s such a selfless person and God uses him a ton. Literally as I was having this moment of introspection, I get a text from him that reads,
“God says, Angel don’t give up. Keep fighting for better things. God will be with you. Lord knows it’s not easy, but wait for him. You will know God’s voice. God loves you so much you have no idea. He is still working on you.”
How amazing is God right? I mean God might as well have texted that himself. The Lord knows that even though I know he’s working, there are moments where I worry. I worry because I don’t know the details of when, or where, or even who will be my wife. All I know is the fact that, it’s going to happen. Luckily God understands how I feel and decided to use my uncle to send me a message of encouragement. That God has not abandoned me and is close by. He wants me to forget about the how, because that’s his job. He is working on me and I need to wait on him. This means no more downloading Christian dating apps. This means focussing on my goals and waiting on God.
As God knows already, it isn’t easy. Had one girl recently tell me, “I’m surprised girls don’t flock to you. You’re a good looking guy, just look at you.” While I’m incredibly flattered, the answer is simple. I don’t go looking for things in places where I shouldn’t be. I get approached on occasion, but I never give off the vibe that I’m some guy looking to hook up. I just mind my business and try to live my life the way God would want me to. Recently I even had someone try and introduce me to a Christian girl. I turned it down because, God told me already that he is preparing me and that I’m in a process. So I need to trust that process because right now, my heart tells me I am not ready for a relationship yet. I do know that in the end, the sacrifices I’ve made will have been worth it.
How to Hear Him (11:40)
So now the question is, how is it that God speaks to me so clearly? Well it has a lot to do with your relationship with Him. Being able to hear from God means you having a close relationship with him. If your dad calls your cell from another number right now, does he need to say who it is for you to know it’s him? If you know his voice, probably not. We need to know who God is so that when we hear from him, we are able to recognize his voice. It also has very much to do with our obedience. I’m a flawed human being and I do have my struggles, but I do think for the most part I’m doing a good job in pleasing God through my life. This results in being able to hear him more clearly.
In 1 Samuel 15: 22-23 it says,
“But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Obeying God draws you closer to him. Makes sense right? As sinning does the complete opposite, since it draws us further from God. So obeying what God has already said, whether it be from the Bible or during prayer, is essential.
God also speaks to us in different ways. The time he woke me up and spoke to me, had never happened before. I never had a full blown conversation with God like that. Most times, I’ll get a text from someone who told them God put it in their hearts to text me what they said. Other times, I’ll remember scripture and the scripture answers the question in my prayer. So please understand that God is our father and just like a parent is with their kids, as is he in that he speaks to us differently. You may actually hear an audible voice. Someone else may get a dream where they see Jesus. Another person will a text message from someone who God used to deliver his message. Everyone is different. God speaks to us in different ways, so it’s important to make sure our ears are listening.
Even The Bible says it. In Job 33:14-18 it says,
“For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride. He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death.”
So we must keep our ears tuned in to God. This means praying in a quiet area whenever possible. Cutting off all distractions truly does help. God doesn’t yell when he’s trying to speak, he is more of a whisperer. As my youth pastor Dave said in a sermon once, some of us are afraid of silence. We’re afraid of the issues and problems we’ve been trying to avoid. This is why sometimes we use distractions such the radio or calling someone. In those quiet moments, is where God will tug at our hearts on an area of our lives we've been possibly neglecting. Maybe you're asking him for forgiveness on something, but you still haven't forgiven your friend for betraying your trust. Maybe you’re asking God as to why your boyfriend or girlfriend cheated on you, but then you remember that you refused to take people’s advice on avoiding a relationship with them because they weren’t even Christian.
What if I don’t hear God? (15:17)
This brings me to my next point. If you don't feel God is speaking to you, then it may mean God has already spoken to you, and you have yet to move on what he was already instructed you to do. People ask God for answers for all types of questions but maybe we’re jumping the gun on things and not doing what God has told us to do already. Some of tend to forgot that The Bible is God’s word. He has spoken to us through the Bible and many answers to our questions may be found in there. Answers to questions that we wouldn’t have asked in the first place, if we had just looked to what was already said by God.
One of my favorite verses from the Bible, is Matthew 6:33 where it says,
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Many times we ask God about why life is so stagnant. Why can’t I get that promotion at my job? Why do I feel like I’m going around in circles? Have we obeyed God in what he has already instructed us to do? He tells us here to seek the kingdom first. This means reading The Bible. This means prayer, and not just saying grace before a meal. I’m talking about speaking to God at work, or on a drive some where. It also means obeying him. How are we living our lives in the world, and in secret? Are we portraying to be these amazing Christians, but behold closed doors we’re completely different people? I think worship counts the most in the moments where the only one who sees you is God. In those situations where you’re tested is when it’s most important, because there's no one watching. Usually by ourselves, is where we are at our most honest. So let’s be mindful of where we are in our walk with God. If you’re not being diligent in that, than don’t be asking for something you’re not prepared for yet. If you’re lazy at work, but don’t be upset at God that you haven’t been offered a promotion or something yet. Let’s work on doing what God has already told us to do, so that he can entrust us with more and we will grow as a result.
God isn’t the only one talking to you (17:32)
What’s also important is to know that, God is not the only one trying to talk to you. You ever have those moments where a negative thought randomly creeps in? Maybe you’re trying on an outfit and inside your mind says, “You’re not attractive enough to pull it off.” or maybe you’re in college stressing over studying for finals and your brain may say something like, “You’re not going to pass that class, you’re too stupid to graduate.” This is not you thinking this. This is not God speaking to you either. Please remember there is a spirit world where the enemy is constantly trying to find ways to break us down. They’re aware of our insecurities and will attack it whenever the opportunity strikes. I can’t tell you how many times the enemy has thrown thoughts in my head regarding me not being a man because I grew up with a single mother. I will say this though, once you’re aware it’s not you or God telling you this, you know will what to do. What you need to do when those negatives thoughts come, is to cast out in the name of Jesus. Do not feed those thoughts and have it snowball into you believing it and acting on it.
How to know it’s God (18:37)
Some of you guys may now ask, “Well Angel since I now know the enemy will try and talk to me as well, how will I know which one is God and which one is the enemy?” The answer to this, is to test it. When God speaks to us, it will give us peace in our hearts. The enemy is not capable of having that effect on us. What we will feel from hearing from him may be shame, guilt, insecurity, and worry. When something comes from God and you may be skeptical, then go to the word of God. God will never contradict The Bible. When God told me to wait on him, because he working with me and I am in a process, that did not contradict The Bible. It also gave me peace in my heart, so I knew it was from God. So when someone says something that they say comes from God, then put it to the test. Pray on it if you’d like as well. For God to give you further confirmation if this is really what he is trying to communicate with you.
God is amazing. God is a god that is always speaking to us in different ways. Sometimes we can be so stubborn in life and it’s such a blessing to have such a patient God that is always trying to reach us. Remember God loved us and died for us before we even knew who he was. You live because God died for you. And that’s very deep. God walked among us as one of us. He didn’t come to earth to be praised as God, but he came here to serve. God became man and that’s how close he is with us. It’s truly amazing. So please understand that God is not some silent observer. God is someone who does speak to us, but our ears have to be willing to listen. I promise the more you grow closer to God, the more often you will be able to pick up when it is He’s speaking. And I’ve realized, it’s very often!
Prayer (20:25)
You know I love to end these podcasts with a prayer with you. I think it’s important to use the opportunity I have with you to pray and remember that God is always near. So let’s pray right now for us to be focussed on God first and foremost. Let’s be focussed on knowing Him and seeking his presence, so that we can hear him more clearly in our daily lives. So if possible, just close your eyes where you are and bow your head.
Dear Father in heaven, Lord we thank you for this amazing day. We thank you for your grace and mercy to give another opportunity in this thing we call life. We understand you have created us with purpose and are here to be your instruments of salvation. Lord at times you know our walks with you can be amazing one day, and not so great on the next. We’re humans Lord and at times we allow our circumstances to affect our faith. Lord we ask you right now where we at, to help remind us that you are always with us. Remind us that you are not a silent God, but one who is always speaking to us. There may be moments where we fail to act on what has already been instructed and for that, we ask for your forgiveness. Help us be more diligent in what you’ve instructed us to do. Help us move forward and grow in our faith. Help us father to be stronger, in the temptations that hit us along the way. We pray Lord that you may help our faith in you grow, so that we may hear your voice more often in our lives. Thank you God for all that you’ve done, for what you’re currently doing, and for what you will do. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Outro (22:07)
You guys as always, it’s been an absolute pleasure. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be a part of your day, even if its for only 15-25 minutes. Thank you so much for tuning in! Please do not forget to subscribe on iTunes if you haven’t done so already and leave me a review! They help me a ton so I appreciate that. Also make sure to check out my website mynameisangel.com where all my podcasts are, as well as my music and rap battles. Thank you so much for tuning in to the Message, until next time folks! God bless and have an amazing June. Take care.
