Is That Really You, God?: Hearing the Voice of God

This book is as beneficial for those of us who are not called into the ministry as it is for those who are. The reason why is that we all need to hear and know His voice. This book instructs us regarding how to hear His voice, its importance for everyday living, and the relational value it brings as we come to know Him more!

Loren's life far exceeded his expectations, and God delivered an abundance. For anyone who wonders if God can use them, read this book. This isn't only his story, but the lives of many others simply given the space to be free and lead. Dont look at this as Lorens' testimony, but the group testimony of all those who said Yes to God!

My granddaughter is now a part of this mission work at base camp in Kona, Hawaii. This was a fascinating autobiography of Loren and Darlene Cunningham, founders of YWAM (Youth with a Mission and theUniversity of Nations.. Their work is still being carried out today (2023) all over the world. God is continuing to speak to these students and leaders about their faith in Jesus.

As an autobiography of Cunningham's life and how he came to start Youth With A Mission, and how the organization grew, the book is all well and good. If that was all it was, I'd likely have little real problem with it.But it's not. Worked through it is the notion that there are things we can do to somehow hear God's voice, and ways of determining if what we're hearing (to a loose definition of "hearing") is really God or not. It is these things that I simply cannot buy into, because they simply are not biblical.One example would be what he calls the Wise Men Principle. "This really is amazing, I thought to myself. It was like the Three Wise Men. They each followed the star--their individual perceptions of God's direction--and in doing so came together to be led to Jesus." (Kindle Locations 1165-1167). "What a great idea! Maybe, in fact, it was God's idea! If so, perhaps I could see the Wise Men Principle I'd just learned in New Zealand work in the lives of young people, where two or more people see the same guiding star at the same time." (Kindle Locations 1301-1303). The account of the magi following the star to Jesus can be found in Matthew 2, and you'll find nothing there or in other parts of the Bible which teaches this Wise Men Principle. The account of the magi was not recorded to tell us to follow stars, literally or metaphorically, but to show us that Jesus is indeed the King."I had come as a speaker, but it turned out that I was the one who was learning new ideas on this isolated island. The first came from the New Zealand kids themselves. They had a guidance practice that intrigued me. In their minds they would be "given" a chapter and verse from the Bible without knowing what the reference said; then they would consider whether or not that reading was a special guidance for whatever they were facing. "You'd be surprised how often God uses that as a way to speak," they insisted." (Kindle Locations 1135-1138). Can one even imagine Paul or any real Apostle telling the churches that God would lead them in such a trite, haphazard way? Or that they should read the Scripture in such a way? That isn't hearing the voice of God, that's closer to fortune telling.Then, there's what I've seen referred to as the Magic 8-Ball way of reading the Bible. "I was sitting quietly praying with my Bible open to Hebrews. Suddenly the words of chapter 12, verses 26 and 27, leaped off the page. "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven...that those things which cannot be shaken may remain" (NASB, italics added). A rock hit the bottom of my stomach. "Oh no! I hope that doesn't mean the ship!" (Kindle Locations 1767-1770). Umm...no, Hebrews 12 had nothing to do with that ship, sir. It was written well before that ship had been constructed, well before you ever planned to make use of it. A look at the context of the verses in question would show you that."Yes, God had told us to get a ship, and repeatedly He had confirmed His guidance, using all the ways we had learned for hearing His voice. He used the Wise Men Principle; He used scriptures that He seemed to lift off the pages for us; He used provision of money and people; and that inner conviction--but we had failed in the way we had carried out His guidance. We had subtly turned from the Giver to the gift." (Kindle Locations 1827-1830). There are two things to be learned from this. First, these supposed confirmations are hardly confirmations at all. God can give all these go-ahead signs, but then pull the rug out from under their feet? Is that really God, period?But instead of wondering if maybe these ways of getting confirmations were really sound, he resorts to the second thing to be gotten from this, what I think of as the Cheap Guilt Trip. A bunch of people who have been trying hard to determine if what they are doing is really what God wants them to do suddenly get broadsided by a guilt-trip of them taking their focus off of God? Is the really God, period?But this brings up perhaps the biggest error Cunningham makes, an error in regards to the Gospel itself. "My calling was clear: to preach the twin character of the Gospel. Through Jesus Christ it is possible to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves." (Kindle Locations 2099-2100). "Jesus told us there were two important things to do. One was to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength--teaching people to do that is evangelism. The other command was to love our neighbors as ourselves--to take care of people, as much as is in our power to do. These were two sides of the same Gospel: loving God and loving our neighbor." (Kindle Locations 1003-1005).Those commands, as important as they are, are not the Gospel. Those are commands, laws, things we must do, things we fail to do every day, every hour, every minute, every second. The Gospel is not a command, but the message of God's gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins through the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ. One of the important aspects of the services of the Anglican church I attend is the confession of sins, where we confess "We have not loved you with our whole heart, we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves". It's not an excuse, it's a confession, a reality. For a good look at the division between Law and Gospel, please read  The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel (ESV) .And this is not just a matter of semantics. Of course, they let their focus get off of God, and they continued to do that even after their Cheap Guilt Trip, every day and often. When your gospel is a gospel of law, know going in that you're going to fail at it.But the happy news is, the Gospel is for saved sinners as well as unsaved ones. As Paul said in I Timothy 1:15, "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost"In the end, I cannot recommend this book as a guide to teachings about hearing the voice of God. It's principles and techniques are without sound biblical support. Though they may tack a verse or two on to what they say about the principle or technique, when one looks at the passage they refer to, one sees that they simply don't teach what the principle or technique says. For example, the account of the magi coming to the Christ child does not teach the Wise Men Principle, Isaiah 30:21 says nothing about a "quiet inner voice". And, even more important, the Gospel is made into something we do (law), not something God has done for us (gift).

I have grown up in missions and have a deep understanding of the concepts, teachings and lessons written in this book. I too have been given an expansive vision and I take the words in this books as guidance from an elder. The ministry I have been given is not yet ready to starts but when it does I truly hope to avoid many of the growing pains.Glory to God and the writing he has led man to do. Through the Bible and though many other great men.

If you desire to grow in hearing God and follow him on the adventure of life. This is the book for you filled with true and very practical stories we can all learn from

Loren Cunningham really obeyed God and devoted his energy and life in sharing the good news to the world through young missionaries. His approach was revolutionary - nobody had really believed in short-term missions before, especially by youth. He relied on God to provide for all material and financial needs. He was always sensitive to what God was saying, and he was humble because he was ready to listen to others who God spoke through.However, his approaches can be a bit dangerous when just about anybody tries to apply it the same way in their lives. I personally was humbled by his methods because I realized how widely God's ways range, but I also knew Cunningham's method is not for everyone. He often asks a group of people to pray, and call out words or images that have impression on them. People call out words like, "boat!" "white!" "shore!" and Cunningham takes that as God's direction. That could work (we really cannot limit God's ways in our little boxes), when all the people who are praying are already in deep fellowship with God. But in today's society, most people will likely call out words depending on their emotions, what others are calling out, what they think is right according to their own judgements.Overall, this is still a fantastic read about an incredible man of God. However, use discernment when you read.

Love this book. Learned so much. Good stories to back up Biblical values. Definitely a great book to read when your looking to grow.in wisdom and relationship with God

This is the life story of Loren Cunningham, author, who founded YWAM, and his many experiences of hearing God's voice. He experiences miracles on almost every page, I felt, and it's a real encouragement that we can hear God's voice and should spend time listening (and how to!). This is core text for the YWAM DTS course, and is connected with the main topic of Hearing God's Voice. Amazing testimonies, so encouraging!

A classic. Brilliant.

Could it down, . Useful guide too., One to keep for future use and reference or study . I really enjoyed the suspense and excitement of God's plan being outworked.

This book is the one to read if you want to see into your life, how God works for good. it is not only a good story but it touches parts of our own lives and puts things in perspective. very enjoyable.

Excellent and inspirational, very easy to read and encouraging. Clear guidance on hearing God, and straightforward steps to apply the teaching. Well worth the read. I'm so pleased I read this book!!