Knowing God’s Voice
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4
Here are seven occasions when knowing God’s voice is all-important: 1) Hearing from God before you entertain the ideas of others. Why? Because their ideas are not His commands. Don’t make commitments and end up bound by promises you can’t keep. You must love others, but be led only by God’s Spirit. 2) Hearing from God before you listen to the complaints of others. Why? Because you are not responsible for their happiness. Your need to ‘fix’ others in order to feel good about yourself is called ‘co-dependency.’ Give them to God! 3) Hearing from God before you consider the needs of others. Why? Because their needs are driving them; only the plan of God should be leading you. 4) Hearing from God before you respond to the requests of others. Why? Because you must discern what’s behind their requests. Check the soil before you sow your seed. 5) Hearing from God before you share your dream with others. Why? Because it’s not enough to have a dream, you must have a team. You need people to help you, cheer you on and lift you to a higher level. The right people motivate you to grow stronger, think better, work harder and risk more. They compel you to continue! 6) Hearing from God before you seek the approval of others. Why? Because people with an agenda will flatter and manipulate you. Hearing God’s voice will keep you from falling into their trap. 7) Hearing from God before you make significant changes. Why? Because it’s not your job to decide what God wants you to do, but to discover it and do it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, to hear Your voice I must listen for Your voice – help my hearing! In Jesus’ Name, Amen