How can you know if God is really speaking to you—or if it's just your own thoughts? Why does a good God allow suffering in the world? In this powerful Q&A episode, Pastor Stephen Martin and Pastor Nate Brown tackle two of the most important questions Christians face with biblical clarity and real-world application.

This is the first in a new Q&A series answering listener questions collected over the past six months. Pastor Stephen and Pastor Nate dive deep into Scripture, share personal testimonies of radical obedience, and equip you with the theological framework you need to discern God's voice and navigate suffering with hope.

Additional Resource: Pastor Nate references his complete sermon on "How to Hear the Voice of God" during this episode. For deeper teaching on this topic, watch the full message here: https://youtu.be/lEFxwXP1DG0?si=hJJ0VYyPpPahvKeZ

Hearing God's Voice: The Biblical Foundation

The foundation for hearing God's voice starts with the belt of truth—God's Word. As Pastor Stephen explains, "God's voice never contradicts His word." Before you chase prophetic words, visions, or fleeting feelings, you must be grounded in Scripture. The Bible should be the filter for every single thought, decision, and voice competing for your attention.

But it doesn't stop there. God also speaks through spiritual community—the body of Christ. Ephesians 4 tells us that Christ gives gifts to the church for the equipping of the saints. When you're wrestling with a major decision, lean into trusted believers who know you, love you, and are committed to biblical truth. Don't go off the reservation alone.

Finally, God speaks through peace. Not calm, not the absence of conflict, but supernatural peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). As Pastor Nate shares in his testimony, God called him to take a 72% pay cut to be home for his son—a decision that brought fear about finances but overwhelming peace about the future because he knew God was in it.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Suffering exists because of sin and death entering the world through Adam's choice (Romans 5:12). When Adam sinned, four relationships broke: man's relationship with God, with himself, with others, and with creation itself. That's why natural disasters happen, why people hurt each other, and why even believers face trials.

But here's the good news: God uses suffering to refine your faith, build endurance, and give you proven character that leads to hope (Romans 5:3-5). As Pastor Stephen emphasizes, "If you don't quit, God promises to work all things together for your good" (Romans 8:28). The secular world has no answer for suffering—but believers have Christ, the ultimate overcomer of the world (John 16:33).

The key is eternal perspective. When you understand that this life is momentary compared to eternity with Christ, suffering loses its sting. Whether you face persecution, loss, or trials, you can endure because your hope isn't in this world—it's in the imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance reserved for you in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-4).

What You'll Discover:

✅ How to discern God's voice using Scripture, spiritual community, and supernatural peace

✅ Why the Bible must be the filter for every decision and competing voice in your life

✅ The role of spiritual community in confirming God's leading and protecting you from error

✅ Real testimony: Pastor Nate's 72% pay cut and God's call to uncomfortable obedience

✅ Modern example: A couple selling their home to live in an RV to obey God in tithing

✅ Why suffering exists: Free will, sin, and the brokenness of creation

✅ How Romans 5, Romans 8:28, and 1 Peter 1 equip you to endure trials with hope

✅ The difference between worldly and biblical responses to suffering

✅ How eternal perspective transforms your view of trials and persecution

✅ Why the goal of your faith must be the salvation of your soul, not your best life now

📖 Related Scripture Study:

📖 John 10:27 - "My sheep hear my voice and they know me"

📖 Ephesians 4 - Christ's gifts to the church for equipping believers

📖 Ephesians 6 - The belt of truth and the sword of the Spirit

📖 Romans 5:1-11 - Peace with God through Christ and boasting in afflictions

📖 Romans 5:12 - Sin and death entering the world through Adam

📖 Romans 8:28 - God working all things for good for those who love Him

📖 1 Peter 1:3-9 - Living hope through the resurrection and trials refining faith

📖 John 16:33 - In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world

📖 Philippians 4:7 - Peace that surpasses understanding guarding your heart and mind

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