How can we hear?
We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” Acts2:11
What a wonderful event to think about! On the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit filled the first New Testament believers, His first act was to ensure that those on the outside could hear and understand the wonderful works of God. It didn’t matter what language they spoke; the Holy Spirit spoke directly to them in their own language so they could know the message that God had for them that day. As a result, many were saved and added to the church!
Today, we live in a world filled with countless languages and cultures. Ministries worldwide are working tirelessly to translate God’s Word into every known language, ensuring the message of salvation reaches the ends of the earth. However, what about those in our own communities? Many may have access to the Bible but never read it or fully grasp the love of God flowing from its pages. How can they still hear the Holy Spirit speaking today?
The truth is, the Holy Spirit is still making Himself known. He speaks to hearts, stirs minds, and reveals the presence of God in tangible ways. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, quoted the prophet Joel, who described the many ways the Holy Spirit would pour out in the last days:
- Visions – God reveals His plans and direction through divine insight and perception.
- Dreams – God speaks through dreams, giving wisdom and instruction.
- Prophecy – Messages that build up, encourage, and strengthen faith.
- Wonders in the heavens – Signs in the skies that declare God’s majesty.
- Signs in the earth – Miracles and supernatural events that reveal His power.
- Blood, fire, and vapor of smoke – Reminders of both judgment and deliverance.
- The sun turned to darkness – A sign of God’s s control over creation.
- The moon into blood – A prophetic marker of the times we live in.
- Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved! – The greatest promise of all!
These manifestations of the Holy Spirit remind us that God is not distant or silent, but active and moving in the world today. He desires to reveal Himself to people in personal ways, just as He did on the day of Pentecost.
If the Holy Spirit is speaking, how can we be sure we are listening? Here are some practical ways to position yourself to hear Him more clearly:
- Ask for a Fresh Filling – Just as the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we too need fresh encounters with Him. Ask the Lord daily to fill you again with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
- Quiet Your Heart Before Him – The Holy Spirit often speaks in a still, small voice. Set aside time in prayer and worship to listen intentionally (1 Kings 19:12).
- Pay Attention to Dreams and Visions – If God is speaking through a dream or vision, write it down, pray about it, and seek understanding (Job 33:14-15).
- Look for Signs of His Presence – The Holy Spirit moves in ways that may seem unusual or unexpected. Be aware of the ways He might be speaking through circumstances, divine appointments, or even nature itself (Romans 1:20).
- Be Ready to Share – When people around you ask questions about what’s happening in the world or in their lives, be prepared to point them to Jesus. The Holy Spirit is always working to draw hearts to God (1 Peter 3:15).
- Test Everything Against Scripture – The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word of God. Everything you sense, hear, or experience should be in agreement with Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Just as the first believers spoke in many languages so that people from every nation could understand the Gospel, we are called to be messengers of the wonderful works of God today. Whether through words, actions, or simply living a life led by the Spirit, we can partner with the Spirit of God to show His love to those around us.
Today I want to encourage you to look for the Holy Spirit’s presence in your every day life. Start by asking for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and following the directions He whispers to you on the inside. Be open to His direction and take time to share what He reveals with others. When you do, many will call upon the name of the Lord and be saved!
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 2:5-21
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.
7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?
9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,
10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.
15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.
16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out my Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
The Daily Dose 