But how did the Word Of The Lord come to those who used the phrase?   

On some occasions an angel was sent to deliver the Word Of The Lord.   

Sometimes a voice rang out from heaven with no physical body appearing to speak it.   

On many occasions the phophet would simply say the Word Of The Lord 'came' to them.   

On some occasions the Word Of The Lord came in a dream or a vision.   

In the fullness of time, the Word Of The Lord was made flesh and dwelt among us - the Lord Jesus Christ.   

When Jesus finished His ministry He commanded us to be filled with His Holy Spirit.   He told us to be endued with power from on high and then go forth to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and set the captive free.   

We know that Jesus is Truth.   
We know that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit Of Truth.   
We know that it was the Holy Spirit who spoke through the prophets of old.   
We know that it was the Holy Spirit who spoke through Christ Jesus.   

In this day and time the Word Of The Lord comes to us by:
   ➛ hearing the Written Word
   ➛ believing on the Incarnate Word
   ➛ being filled with the Holy Spirit Of Truth

As John informs us in the first chapter of his Gospel, there is the eternal Word and the eternal Spirit, who constitute One being, who was made flesh and forever manifests Himself physically in Christ Jesus.   

Listening To God then becomes a matter of hearing the Word Of The Lord, meditating on the Word Of The Lord and receiving revelation knowledge of the Word Of The Lord by the Holy Spirit Of Truth.   

The Holy Spirit still speaks to men as He has always done.   The key thing to remember is that our Lord is always consistent - He doesn't change.   

So, if a person feels that the Word Of The Lord has 'come' to them, they must check that word against the scriptures verifying that the new word is consistent with the Written Word.   

When a person has absorbed the Written Word and has submitted themselves to the Holy Spirit Of Truth they begin to manifest the Mind Of Christ and so think the thoughts of the Lord, have the desires of the Lord and do the work of the Lord.