Do YOU know the voice of God?

Sister Alvear · #1 04-23-2009, 06:03 PM

Jesus said, MY sheep will know my voice...in the last few years I have noticed more than ever before so many people that say God told them to do something or go somewhere and before you know it GOD has changed his mind...
Have you folks seen a lot of that in your area?

If we had on the field everyone that GOD told to come to Brazil since I have been here we would almost be stepping on each other´s toes...Either we have a lot of people who disobey God or a lot of people who do not know the voice of God.

I cannot imagine serving a God who could not make up His mind...

Digging4Truth · #2 04-23-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Jesus said, MY sheep will know my voice...in the last few years I have noticed more than ever before so many people that say God told them to do something or go somewhere and before you know it GOD has changed his mind...
Have you folks seen a lot of that in your area?

If we had on the field everyone that GOD told to come to Brazil since I have been here we would almost be stepping on each other´s toes...Either we have a lot of people who disobey God or a lot of people who do not know the voice of God.

I cannot imagine serving a God who could not make up His mind...

Yes ma'am... I have seen plenty of it.

I believe I have reached a place in my relationship with God where I know how to wait on and hear his voice.

But, over the years, I have traveled many a dead end road thinking that I was following God's voice and it often turned out to be man's voice instead or even my own will speaking.

I try to remember, though, that it took the trial and error of those days to hone my ability to recognize what is God's voice and what is not. So while I am very pleased and comfortable with the place I am today I have to recognize that I could not have made it to these days without the experience gained through days when my hearing was less attuned to God's wise and wonderful voice.

There is a day when we are mature sheep and we listen for the masters voice and walk in those instructions. But among those mature sheep will always be young sheep finding their way with little direct relationship with the shepherd. The follow every whim and wind. They are blown about by every wind that blows.

But over their lives their errors and mistakes will mature them and lock their hearing onto the voice that they have found to be true. The voice of the great shepherd.

It reminds me of the story of the young man who was so impressed with the wisdom of one of his elders. He asked... how is it that you never seem to make a mistake? All of your decisions are so wise. How do you do live your life with so few mistakes?

The man replied... experience young man.

The boy asked... how do you get experience?

To which the man replied... by making mistakes.

In the end... all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

shawndell · #3 04-23-2009, 06:39 PM

Sister most of the time I can be tongue tied when I speak to others and some times my words get lost in the middle of a conversation I chalk that up to getting old,but there are times when I need to say something and I cant get it out fast enuogh because my mind is full of words that need to be spoken thats when I know God is talking.He puts the thoughts in my mind and then its confurmed with something else that happened like the preacher at church bringing it up in service as a sermon or some one else that did not know what happened bringing it up in the same day.Thats when I know God is talking to me!! love you sis.

Michael The Disciple · #4 04-23-2009, 10:37 PM

Most of what people have told me what the Lord spoke to them is hard to believe. As Sister Alvear said they usually dont follow through.

The main way the Lord speaks to me is through the written word. Over the years he has given many prophetic dreams. How I know its him is when it comes to pass.

Every one who is a Christian is to KNOW HIM on a personal level in some way.

MissBrattified · #5 04-23-2009, 11:56 PM

Hmmmm...well, as a side note,

I think God can change His mind...He's God, after all. (Remember Ninevah?)

BUT, I think sometimes people get emotional about a subject, or feel (understandably) compassionate toward missions, and mistake that for God's voice, when really He's just trying to get them to send the missionary a new coat or something similar.

I'd say chalk it up to good-hearted zeal coupled with ignorance, and don't worry about it. They'll learn the difference...eventually...hopefully.

Sister Alvear · #6 04-24-2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Hmmmm...well, as a side note,

I think God can change His mind...He's God, after all. (Remember Ninevah?)

BUT, I think sometimes people get emotional about a subject, or feel (understandably) compassionate toward missions, and mistake that for God's voice, when really He's just trying to get them to send the missionary a new coat or something similar.

I'd say chalk it up to good-hearted zeal coupled with ignorance, and don't worry about it. They'll learn the difference...eventually...hopefully.

You are right however the good hearted zeal ruins many people...think of what it does on the mission field...people arrive...foreigners...a strange people to start with...get up and tell how God called them...for sure no doubts...no nothing (not good English) and the first bump they are gone...the poor Brazilians are left to wonder What KIND of God calls people...what kind of people he choses...and what kind of preachers back people like this...

Something is wrong...We can preach standards all we want to BUT IF WE do not teach the people GOD`S VOICE...his ways we are poor leaders...

I know people are over zealous...however should we not set these people down and tell them they NEED to know the voice of the LORD? I am seeing people backed by preachers just because of their name or politics...
I guess I am am old cranky woman but some people harm a lot more than they help.

Sister Alvear · #7 04-24-2009, 06:22 AM

I am not saying we do not make mistakes...we all do...However people spend thousands of dollars sending people off to some mission field and in no time they decide they are not called...think of the harm that is done on the field and how many pastors have stopped supporting missions because of so much money wasted. There are LONG lasting effects to things like this. I was once in a camp metting where 100 thousand dollars was taken up...for ONE missionary...the going guy of the day....smooth talker...but the person went to the field did really nothing and come home...that happened many years ago so no one that writes on this foum would know who I am talking about....however I have seen thousands of dollars WASTED in the name of God...That fact bothers me...WHERE are the TRUE watchman´s one the WALL?

Fiyahstarter · #8 04-24-2009, 07:29 AM

Good thread!

I think PART of the problem is that people are impatient. They don't wait on their promises. They bail out as soon as something goes wrong.

Persistence, commitment, and perseverance are virtues that need to be cultivated!

Sister Alvear · #9 04-24-2009, 07:58 AM

yes, that is true...

I just surprizes me pastors fall for people that do not know the voice of God...it would seem that there would be some prophets among us...

MissBrattified · #10 04-24-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

You are right however the good hearted zeal ruins many people...think of what it does on the mission field...people arrive...foreigners...a strange people to start with...get up and tell how God called them...for sure no doubts...no nothing (not good English) and the first bump they are gone...the poor Brazilians are left to wonder What KIND of God calls people...what kind of people he choses...and what kind of preachers back people like this...

You're right, it does have consequences.

Quote:

Something is wrong...We can preach standards all we want to BUT IF WE do not teach the people GOD`S VOICE...his ways we are poor leaders...

I know people are over zealous...however should we not set these people down and tell them they NEED to know the voice of the LORD? I am seeing people backed by preachers just because of their name or politics...
I guess I am am old cranky woman but some people harm a lot more than they help.

No, I'm not blaming you for being "cranky."

I agree, people need to learn and know the voice of God. And the only way to really learn His voice is to talk to Him on a regular basis.