It has lost power in the proportion that man has gained knowledge. It was produced by ignorance, and has been believed and defended by its author. If the writers of the various parts of the bible had known as much about the sciences as is now known by every intelligent man, the book never could have been written. “If the people of Europe had known as much of astronomy and geology when the bible was introduced among them, as they do now, there never could have been one believer in the doctrine of inspiration. Whence arose all the horrid assassinations of whole nations of men, women, and infants, with which the Bible is filled and the bloody persecutions, and tortures unto death and religious wars, that since that time have laid Europe in blood and ashes whence arose they, but from this impious thing called revealed religion, and this monstrous belief that God has spoken to man? The lies of the Bible have been the cause of the one, and the lies of the Testament of the other.” It is better, far better, that we admitted, if it were possible, a thousand devils to roam at large, and to preach publicly the doctrine of devils, if there were any such, than that we permitted one such impostor and monster as Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and the Bible prophets, to come with the pretended word of God in his mouth, and have credit among us. It has been the most dishonourable belief against the character of the divinity, the most destructive to morality, and the peace and happiness of man, that ever was propagated since man began to exist. When does God speak? Every time you open his word, ready to serve and ready to listen.“The most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries, that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this thing called revelation, or revealed religion. You need to stop reading your Bible – and you need to start listening to it. You have heard the Bible spoken of as “God’s word.” It is. They didn’t have God’s word, in various versions, they were able to access at any time. Don’t worry if you haven’t had an experience like Samuel or Paul had. ( Acts 9:1-7) So…does God speak often? Yes, but usually through his word. There were others with Paul at the time, but he was the only one blinded by the light and the only one who understood what God was saying. Saul of Tarsus heard Jesus speak to him on the road to Damascus. Does God speak audibly? Sometimes…but his voice may be audible only to you. Samuel heard God speak, and it seemed audible – to him. When will God speak to you? When you are ready to serve and ready to listen. Spiritual leaders are people who know their greatest need is to listen to God. Spiritual leaders, according to the Bible, are servants. But God speaks to those who will serve his purpose and will. He spoke to Samuel and he will speak to you. When does God speak? When there is a servant who will listen. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel! Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening: ( 1 Samuel 3:7-10). A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. The passage: “Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. God’s call to Samuel, is God’s call to me, and you. ![]() Eli’s advice to Samuel has become the “theme song” to my life, the reason I go to work each day and the reason I’m sitting here at 3:00 a.m. Go back and lie down.” The third time Samuel went to Eli, the prophet realized that God was calling out to Samuel. You called me.” Each time Eli told Samuel, “I did not call. He went to Eli three times saying, “Here I am. Samuel was trying to sleep, but he kept hearing what he thought was the prophet Eli’s voice. ![]() That is why I’m sitting here typing a blog when I should be sleeping! But I’m in great company, according to one of my favorite passages, 1 Samuel 3. When does God speak? Unfortunately, for me, it is often around 3:00 a.m.
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