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From a message by Jon Alsdorf
Prayer is one of the most fundamental aspects of the Christian faith, yet many believers struggle with a crucial question: How do I know if what I'm hearing is actually from God? With so many voices competing for our attention and so many people claiming "God told me this" or "God told me that," it's essential to have a biblical framework for testing what we believe we've heard from the Lord. Why Testing Spiritual Messages Matters The Apostle John gives us a clear command in 1 John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world." This isn't just about testing what others tell us - it includes testing our own hearts and the messages we believe we're receiving. Not everything that sounds spiritual, Christian, or even good actually comes from God. There are many sources of spiritual influence in this world, and we need discernment to distinguish between them. This is why having a clear litmus test is so important when evaluating what we think God might be saying to us. Seven Tests for Hearing God's Voice When you believe you've heard from God, the message should pass all seven of these biblical tests: 1. It Will Be Consistent with God's Word God will never tell you something that contradicts what He has already revealed in Scripture. This is why knowing the Bible is so crucial - if you don't know what God has already said, you can't test anything against it. Jesus declared in Luke 21:33, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away." God's Word is the most unchangeable thing in the universe. Even when everything else passes away, His truth remains. The Apostle Paul took this so seriously that he wrote to the Galatians: "Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." That's how important consistency with Scripture is. 2. It Will Help You Become More Like Jesus Just because something doesn't contradict Scripture doesn't automatically mean it's from God. God's primary concern for your life is that you become more like Jesus. This means He may actually lead you into difficult circumstances that will refine your character. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that if something is God's will, it should be easy. The Apostle Paul was clearly in God's will, yet everywhere he went he faced beatings, stonings, and persecution. God uses conflict and hardship as a crucible to purify us and make us more like His Son. James 3:17 describes wisdom from above as "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." When God speaks to us, it produces these Christ-like qualities in our lives. 3. Other Mature Christ Followers Will Confirm It This is one of the most important reasons to be part of a church family. When you're going through difficult circumstances, you need objectivity and perspective - things that are hard to get from your own heart and mind when you're in crisis. Proverbs 19:20 says, "Listen to advice and accept instruction that you may gain wisdom in the future." Having spiritually mature brothers and sisters who can speak truth into your life is one of God's greatest gifts to you. If you have someone in your life who will tell you the truth you don't want to hear, you have a treasure. Don't surround yourself with people who only tell you what you want to hear - that's pride and foolishness. 4. You Have Been Gifted by the Holy Spirit for It God has uniquely gifted each person for specific purposes. You are His workmanship - His masterpiece - created for good works that He prepared beforehand for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). God chose for you to live in this time and place, and He's given you unique gifts and calling. No one else can fulfill the purpose God has given you because there isn't another you. When God speaks to you, it will align with how He has gifted and called you. 5. It Relates to Your Life Personally God isn't going to come to you with messages for other people. He's not going to tell you that someone else needs to be more patient or move to Africa. God has your number too - focus on the messages He has for you about you. You can free yourself to mind your own business when it comes to hearing from God. Major in the messages God has for you personally before worrying about what He might want to say to others. 6. It Is Convicting Rather Than Condemning Contrary to popular belief, God isn't trying to crush people's hopes and dreams. Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come into the world to condemn the world." When the Holy Spirit points out sin in your life, it's not to crush you but to lead you to repentance and change. The voice of condemnation is not God's voice. First John 1:9 promises: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God's voice brings conviction that leads to freedom, not condemnation that leads to despair. 7. You Sense God's Peace About It God is a God of peace, and Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. One of the great characteristics of followers of Jesus should be that they walk with peace, even in the midst of trials and difficulties. However, don't start with this test - it should confirm the other six. Peace alone isn't enough, but when all the other tests are met, God's peace will accompany His voice in your life. The Importance of All Seven Tests Notice that these are "AND" tests, not "OR" tests. A genuine word from God will pass all seven tests, not just some of them. God knows how to thread the needle in your life and accomplish His will in magnificent and seemingly impossible ways. Don't blame God for every decision you make or every time circumstances don't work out as you hoped. Sometimes we need to own up to the fact that our choices didn't work out rather than claiming God led us into situations that clearly weren't His will. Life Application This week, commit to growing in your ability to discern God's voice by taking these practical steps: First, increase your time in God's Word. You cannot test what you hear against Scripture if you don't know what Scripture says. Make Bible reading a daily priority. Second, seek out spiritually mature believers who will speak truth into your life, even when it's difficult to hear. If you don't have these relationships, begin praying for God to bring them into your life and look for opportunities to build them within your church family. Third, the next time you believe you've heard from God about a decision or direction, write down these seven tests and honestly evaluate your situation against each one before moving forward. Questions for Reflection:
The more we learn to listen with discernment, the more we will genuinely hear from God in our lives. He wants to speak to you, guide you, and work through you - but He also wants you to have the wisdom to distinguish His voice from all the others competing for your attention.
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From a message by Jon Alsdorf
Prayer and hearing from God can feel frustrating at times. We pray earnestly, yet wonder if our prayers are making it past the ceiling. We long to hear God's voice but struggle with doubt about whether He's really speaking to us. These feelings are real and have a significant impact on our spiritual lives. Why Do We Struggle to Hear God's Voice? Many Christians develop unrealistic expectations about prayer and God's responses. Sometimes we want to use prayer to change people, forgetting that God doesn't violate someone's freedom to choose. We pray for circumstances to change in specific ways, and when they don't, we become discouraged. This lack of biblical understanding about prayer has caused some people to walk away from Christianity entirely because God didn't meet their expectations. But what if the problem isn't with God's silence, but with our ability to hear? God Wants You to Hear His Voice Jesus frequently said, "He who has an ear to hear, let him hear." This phrase appears throughout His teaching, indicating that God is speaking to individuals - to you personally. The first truth we must grasp is simple: God wants you to hear His voice. His voice is available to hear, but there are principles we must understand to fully receive what He's saying. The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 provides four key insights into how we can better hear from God. The Parable of the Sower: A Guide to Hearing God Jesus tells of a farmer scattering seed that falls on four different types of soil:
Jesus explains that the seed represents God's Word, and the soil represents our hearts. Our hearts can be in any of these four conditions at different times, but we want to be characterized as good soil. Principle 1: Decide If You Really Want to Hear God Speak Do You Really Want to Hear from God? This might seem like an obvious question, but it deserves honest consideration. Sometimes we avoid speaking to God because we suspect what He might say. We know there are areas in our lives He wouldn't approve of, and we don't want to hear His correction. We might think that if we ask God about something and He answers, we become more accountable. The truth is, you're already as accountable to God as you can ever be, whether you listen to Him or not. Living in Honesty Every one of us likely has something we don't really want to hear from God about - something we're avoiding in prayer because we don't want to surrender control of that area. We fear that if we give it to God, He won't handle it the way we would. It's okay to admit this fear. In fact, living honestly about our struggles can bring amazing freedom. When we choose to be honest with God, He can finally lead us through our fears and help us trust Him more. Principle 2: Make Room for God in Your Heart The Problem of Shallow Faith The rocky soil represents hearts that receive God's Word with joy initially but have no depth. When persecution or difficulty comes, they quickly fall away because there's no room for deep roots. In our culture, there's significant conflict over taking God's Word seriously. Many people, even in pulpits, don't treat Scripture as truly being God's Word. When we don't believe God can deliver and maintain His Word for us, we're reluctant to make room for it in our lives. Rejecting False Promises Some popular teaching today promises that following Jesus means you can have everything you want - health, wealth, and constant happiness. This is a dangerous lie. If this were true, God would owe Jesus and the apostles a huge apology for their suffering. God's agenda isn't your happiness - it's your holiness. He wants you to be holy and find joy in that holiness. Jesus promised that in this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world. Laying Aside Every Weight Hebrews 12 encourages us to "lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely" so we can run the race of faith with endurance. Living for Christ isn't a sprint - it's a marathon. You can't run a marathon carrying heavy backpacks full of sin, past hurts, and unnecessary burdens. Ask yourself: What am I carrying that I need to set down? What is taking up room in my life that God's voice needs to occupy? Principle 3: Focus Your Life on What God Gives You The Danger of Distraction The thorny ground represents hearts where "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it proves unfruitful." We live in a culture obsessed with stuff, and we like our stuff too. The problem isn't having things - it's when the pursuit of things becomes our focus. We often want what others have rather than being content with what God has given us. This constant pursuit of more can choke out God's voice in our lives. Godliness with Contentment Paul wrote that "godliness with contentment is great gain." This might sound unrealistic in our consumer culture, but there's one way to find out if it's true: try it. Take God at His word and test Him in this area. When we focus our attention, life, and will on what comes from God rather than what comes from this world or our own desires, we create space to hear His voice more clearly. Principle 4: Surrender Your Will to God's Purpose The Good Soil Bears Fruit The good soil represents those who "hear the word and understand it" and bear fruit - some thirty, some sixty, some a hundredfold. But what does it mean to bear fruit? Bearing fruit means sharing what God has given you. When you learn something from God's Word or hear from Him in some way, tell somebody. Share it with your family, friends, small group, or neighbors. The Principle of Spiritual Investment Here's something amazing about God's economy: when you share spiritual truth with someone else, it doesn't diminish what you have - it multiplies it. The truth takes deeper root in your own life and grows bigger every time you give it away. God is a wise investor. If you're determined to share every spiritual insight He gives you with someone else, He will pour more of His words into your life. You want to hear from God? Become the kind of person who shares what He gives you. Be Doers, Not Just Hearers James warns us to "be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." The quickest way to create a busy signal with God is to consistently hear His Word but do nothing with it. But if you want to hear from God, share everything you've heard from Him. The more you do this, the more you'll hear from Him. Life Application This week, commit to becoming better soil for God's Word. Start by honestly examining your heart: What areas are you reluctant to surrender to God? What "weights" do you need to lay aside to make room for His voice? What distractions are choking out His Word in your life? Then, make a commitment to share. When God speaks to you through His Word, through prayer, or through circumstances, tell someone about it. Share it with a family member, friend, or fellow believer. Watch how this simple act of sharing deepens your own understanding and opens your heart to hear even more from God. Questions for Reflection:
From a message by Jon Alsdorf
Life feels overwhelming. Between work pressures, family responsibilities, health concerns, and constant uncertainty, many of us find ourselves desperately searching for peace. We want quiet moments, calm circumstances, and an end to the chaos. But what if true peace isn't found in changing our external circumstances, but in allowing Christ's peace to rule in our hearts? What Does It Mean to Have Christ's Peace Rule Your Heart? In Colossians 3:15, Paul writes, "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful." This isn't about having perfect circumstances or a quiet house. It's about experiencing the deep, abiding peace that comes from the Prince of Peace himself dwelling within us. Consider the story of Jesus sleeping in the boat during a violent storm. While the disciples panicked about drowning, Jesus remained at perfect peace. When they woke him, he didn't frantically start bailing water or express concern about their circumstances. Instead, he asked, "Where is your faith?" This illustrates a profound truth: Jesus is always at peace, even in our storms. The question isn't whether he can handle our circumstances, but whether we'll join him in his peace. Why We Struggle to Find Peace Often, we want God to bring peace to our external circumstances rather than allowing his peace to transform our hearts. We wish the peace of Christ would rule at our jobs, in our bank accounts, in our health, or in our relationships with difficult people. But Paul specifically says to let Christ's peace rule "in your hearts." We also make the mistake of treating God like a vending machine, believing that if we just do enough good things or read the Bible enough, we'll earn his peace. This works-based approach actually destroys peace because we're constantly wondering if we've done enough. Five Ways to Cultivate Christ's Peace in Your Heart 1. Be in the Word Regularly Paul says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16). Research shows that people who read Scripture four or more days per week experience significant spiritual growth and life satisfaction, while those who read three days or less often drift toward reading zero days. The amount of time matters less than the consistency. When we regularly engage with God's Word, we're inviting the Prince of Peace to dwell richly within us. The Word of Christ and Christ himself are intimately connected - as John writes, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 2. Worship with Gratitude in Your Hearts Paul encourages "singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16). Worship puts us in proper perspective - it's hard to be arrogant and worship God simultaneously. Worship doesn't require musical ability or a church building. You can worship through prayer, appreciating God's creation, or simply thanking him for who he is. When we worship, we experience God's presence and peace in powerful ways. 3. Only Do What Can Be Done in Jesus' Name "Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17). This doesn't mean slapping Jesus' name on sinful behavior. Rather, it means choosing to engage only in activities that align with his character and purposes. Every honest job is God's work. Whether you're a teacher, cook, healthcare worker, or anything else, you're in full-time ministry when you serve Christ through your work. Stop working for your earthly boss and start working for Jesus - you'll find greater peace and purpose in the same job. 4. Make Jesus the Center of All Your Relationships Paul addresses various relationships - marriages, parent-child relationships, and work relationships - with one consistent theme: put Christ at the center. Don't make Jesus just a high priority among other priorities; make him the defining characteristic of every relationship. If you want peace in your marriage, put Jesus at the center - nothing else is strong enough to hold it together. If you want peace at work, bring Christ into those relationships. He doesn't want to be a category in your life; he wants to transform every category. 5. Pray About Everything "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2). This isn't hyperbole - God wants to hear about everything in your life, big and small. There's nothing too insignificant for his attention and nothing too overwhelming for his power. Prayer doesn't need to be long or eloquent. God understands every language and loves simple, honest communication. Even atheists instinctively cry out "O God, help!" in desperate moments because deep down, we know where true help comes from. The Community Aspect of Peace Notice that Paul says we're called to this peace "in one body." Experiencing Christ's peace isn't meant to be a solo journey. Those who try to live the Christian life without being part of a church body consistently lack the support, encouragement, and peace available to those connected to Christ's body. We need each other to "teach and admonish one another in all wisdom." When we're not grounded in God's Word and connected to his people, we tend toward whining and complaining rather than building each other up. Life Application This week, choose one of these five practices to focus on implementing consistently. If you're not regularly in God's Word, commit to reading Scripture four days this week - even if just for a few minutes each time. If you struggle with gratitude, intentionally worship God daily through thanksgiving. If you're experiencing relationship conflict, ask how you can put Christ at the center of that relationship. Remember, Jesus is always at peace in your storms. He's never wringing his hands over your circumstances or asking, "What are we going to do?" He's waiting for you to join him in his peace. Questions for Reflection:
From a message by Jon Alsdorf
The Power of Spiritual Transformation The difference between the disciples before and after receiving the Holy Spirit is remarkable. Before Pentecost, they were confused and fearful despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His teachings. After the Holy Spirit came, they became bold, fearless preachers who transformed the world. This same transformative power is available to every believer. However, many Christians struggle to experience this change because they're distracted from the Holy Spirit's work, trying to achieve transformation through their own efforts instead. Why Self-Made Religion Doesn't Work Paul addresses this problem in Colossians, questioning why believers with this massive spiritual upgrade aren't living it out. Instead, they're submitting to human-made regulations and rules that have "an appearance of wisdom" but are "of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." The issue isn't just following Old Testament law, but the countless additional rules created by religious committees - what's called "fencing in the law." These man-made regulations attempt to prevent people from getting close to sin, but they miss the point entirely. True transformation doesn't come from external rules or self-punishment. It comes from dealing with the root, not just the fruit. You can't paint green apples red and expect them to taste different - you need to change what's producing the fruit in the first place. Four Keys to Cultivating Supreme Character 1. Reset Your Focus on Your Destination "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). Our default focus is typically backwards - dwelling on past mistakes and failures. The enemy loves to whisper about what you've done wrong rather than where God is taking you. Here’s a life principle: you always move toward what you focus on. Just like crossing a narrow bridge over water, you must keep your eyes on your destination, not on everything else around you. If you want to become more like Jesus, focus on Him because you will move toward what you focus on. 2. Stop Taking Your Demons Prisoner "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness" (Colossians 3:5). Many Christians try to control their struggles rather than eliminate them. This is like an alcoholic keeping drinks in front of them while trying to stare them down. God doesn't want you to manage your demons - He wants them destroyed. The Bible doesn't tell us to fear demons, confront them on our own authority, or try to control them. Instead, we're called to resist them (and they will flee) and put to death the earthly things within us. Don't get sin under control - put it to death completely. 3. Stop Acting Like a Christian and Start Living in the Light "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self" (Colossians 3:9-10). Many people know the Christian conventions - the right words to say, how to smile on Sunday, the proper responses to give. But Paul isn't just talking about verbal lies; he's addressing lifestyle lies. Living in the light means embracing the truth of who you are in Christ. You're new. You're a new creation. The struggles, past mistakes, and hangups are part of the old self that's passing away. Stop presenting who you want to be and start living as who you actually are in Christ. 4. Make Loving Others Your Chief Goal in Life "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Colossians 3:12, 14). One of the fastest ways to become more like Jesus is to love people everywhere you go. In every circumstance, ask yourself: "How can I love someone in the name of Jesus in this moment?" This includes forgiving others as the Lord has forgiven you - a remarkably high standard that requires meditating on how completely God has forgiven you. How Close Do You Want to Be to Jesus? Jesus doesn't want you spending decades slowly creeping toward becoming more like Him. He's ready to sweep you into His presence and remake you in dramatic ways if you're willing. The question is: how close do you want to be to Jesus? Rather than settling for feeling like a distant relative of Jesus, He wants to invite you so close to His heart that people have trouble telling the difference between you and Him. Life Application This week, choose one of these four keys and take decisive action. Don't wait for gradual change over years - meaningful transformation can begin with a single choice to cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work in your life. Ask yourself these questions:
The goal isn't to manage your spiritual life better, but to experience the dramatic character transformation that comes from fully cooperating with God's work in your life. Choose to live this week like no week you've ever lived before. Want to hear more? You can listen to the entire message here. (No Rivals Week 5) |
Apply it!Next Steps is a collection of articles drawn from the sermons of Pastor Jon Alsdorf, and guest speakers, written to help you connect God's Word to real life. Each post is designed to inspire, challenge, and encourage you to live out your faith in practical, everyday ways -- because following Jesus is more than words, it's actions. Archives
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