We are not always great at talking to God, at least I'm not, but I think we are even worse at listening to God. Of course, if we think we can't hear God's voice, at least in the figurative sense, why would we listen?

Some Christians "hear God" when He is not speaking, and many of us fail to hear Him when He is-and sometimes we manage to do both at the same time.

God is good. But until we understand the truth that He is not safe, that He is not under our control, until we come to grips with the truth of His uncompromising holiness, we will never begin to grasp His amazing grace.

God is not a genie, under our control. He is the master. When we fancy ourselves masters, it can be intimidating to agree to being a servant. Christ is in charge of the universe whether or not we recognize Him-but when we do, we honor Him by submitting to His lordship.

Last week I had the opportunity to go to Orlando and speak.  There were roughly 1,000 people there at this event at First Baptist Church of Orlando.  David Uth is the pastor there and he's a great guy.  Later that day I had an opportunity to go to a local prison and speak.  It really was a life-changing experience for me to speak there.  There were 1,000 prisoners in the courtyard at the prison and it was raining that day.  So, I walked out into the courtyard with them and for the next 40 minutes, I gave them my testimony. 

Since God is all knowing, all powerful, and eternal, did He know when He created Adam and Eve that they would fall and the earth would be as it is now, filled with sin and immorality? It is hard for me to understand why God would knowingly allow all the sin and suffering.

God is not the author of evil. Neither, however, is He ever the victim of evil. His hands are never tied by evil. He's never painted into a corner by evil. When Jesus went to the cross He didn't fall into Satan's trap-Satan fell into His. Wills were being exercised, but men weren't calling the shots-God was.

5. How do I know God hears my prayers?

Each of us have known the feeling of staring up against a darkened sky and wondering if the words we are speaking to God are merely words we are speaking to ourselves. This is part of the walk of faith, where He stretches us in areas we would rather not be stretched, helping us learn to think the way spiritual people are designed to think.

4. Father, Son, Spirit-isn't that three Gods?

One egg, comprised of yolk, white, and shell. Water, existing as ice, liquid, and steam. These are the most common analogies of how three distinct entities can unite in one single reality. Yet even these examples fall short because nothing in our frame of reference is as perfectly intact as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. Why does He seem so mean in the Bible?

It is true that God's dealings with men (particularly in the Old Testament) contain some recollections that are not for the squeamish. God was-and is-an active opponent toward anything that threatens the purity and freedom of His people. He will work against those who contribute to the downfall of society, and He will discipline those of His own who are harming themselves and others by choosing sinful behaviors.

2. What if there isn't a God?

Our logic and intellect are insufficient to prove much of anything beyond the shadow of question, much less something as vast and unsearchable as the existence of God. This is not to say we must have blind faith in order to believe in Him. It simply means that the knowledge of Him is greater than mental ascent. He has made Himself known to us in ways that transcend thought.

Do you know all there is to know about how movies are made? Or how frozen dinners are made and prepared for shipping? Or how electricity is harnessed and brought into your home? Yet you don't let your gaps in knowledge keep you from enjoying good films, eating your food, or a taking a hot shower. You sense a need for these things. So you accept them, even if you do not totally understand them.

Trials are incredibly painful. Yet they can teach us that momentary suffering leads to long-term blessing. This is because trials teach us to trust God's character and commandments. When couples trust God's perspective concerning trials and fix their eyes on Him, they begin to see God more clearly. His faithfulness and Word begin to take on new meaning.