The Voice Especially when setting the course for an important destination that requires arrival by a certain time, it is important to know the source of the direction received and then remain true to what it says no matter what other options arise. Just stopping to get directions from the first available person is different than going with the instruction of a reliable friend. It will then make no difference at all what information this friend provides if it is ignored for what “seems” to be right at any turn. A missed turn will require redirection, but continual disregarding of a single guidance from the source’s voice will render further help ineffective. The voice of Truth we’ve been given in Christ is effectively providing direction for us throughout the course of our lives. Having His voice in every moment and juncture is an amazing advantage. Not only does the Father have great plans for our future, but He has given us a constant Voice that will be the source of those plans. Becoming familiar with the Voice that comes to us from His Word and learning faithfulness to what He’s spoken there enables us to discern His voice over the many other contenders. Our time on this earth is brief and with great potential for the Kingdom of God. Arriving at that potential before it’s too late will require recognition and response to His voice as a way of life. Those other ways spoken by deceptive voices will not be heard by those who have set their hearts to Hear His voice alone. Notes Hearing the voice is required for following. John 10:3-5 (NKJV) 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." John 10:27-28 (NKJV) 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. How to identify? Listen to what His voice has already said in His Word. Become faithful to respond to His Word. Listen and respond to the Voice of the Spirit on the inside. Knowing Him is knowing His words John 15:7 (NKJV) 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. Knowing Him is becoming responsible to what He’s said, where He leads. Psalms 95:7-9 (NKJV) 7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: 8 "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. It’s in constant adherence that knowing Him is demonstrated and the destination is secured. James 1:23-25 (NKJV) 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. When the Word is established, the Voice of the Spirit is familiar and followed as well. John 16:13 (NLT) 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. By following the Word, life’s foundation is established in construction and direction. Matthew 7:24 (NLT) 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. His Voice – Always Good Wholeness Abundance Ability Kingdom Greatness In the going is the true knowing. Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Overview: When the space is cleared and the time is made it is critical to establish the identity and nature of the voice that is heard and followed. The recording of God’s voice in His Word is the entrance to any knowing of Him and hearing of His Voice. Just the hearing/reading of His Word is not enough. It’s in obedience to His Word that He is actually known. Faithful response to His Word establishes familiarity with the inner Voice as well and constant hearing. It’s in the going of the direction received from the Voice that life’s building and direction are secured. Prayer: Father, I come now to hear and respond to the hearing of Your Voice and its direction for my life. I know that it will always lead me up and beyond anything I could imagine or the other voices could show. I desire to be taken where You lead and commit my steps now to full obedience at every turn to Your Word and Spirit. Declarations: Because of what He has provided for me with His blood, I abide continually in Jesus and the knowing of His Voice by His Word. I faithfully respond to every direction I receive from His Voice, knowing that it is critical to the direction of my life. In every doing of what He shows me, my knowing of Him and His knowing of me is secured with purpose. Because the identity of the Voice and myself are established in my obedience, I can know with confidence the Voice of the Spirit as He leads me into every aspect of my life. The Voice will always be known by its direction to Goodness. Wholeness, Abundance, Ability, and Kingdom Greatness, taking me beyond where other voices could have ever shown.