OBEYING THE VOICE OF JESUS

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

Take all your present perplexities then to Jesus. Tell Him you only want to know and obey His voice, and ask Him to make it plain to you. Promise Him that you will obey, whatever it may be. Believe implicitly that He is guiding you, according to His Word. Surrender all the doubtful things until you have a clearer light. Look and listen for His dear voice continually, and the moment you are sure of it yield an immediate obedience. Trust Him to make you forget the impression if it is not His will, and if it continues, and is in harmony with [His Word], do not be afraid to obey. 

-- Hannah Whitall Smith in “The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life” 

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RECOGNIZING THE VOICE OF JESUS

Jesus said, “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”  (John 10:2-5 NIV)

Every day, we recognize voices. Famous people, everyday people, family, friends, and local people. People in our community. The voices of our pastors, leaders, and teachers. Each voice is unique in tone and character, inflection, and delivery. But there is one voice that has the power to command the attention of every earthly and heavenly soul. Jesus. He is the living Word of God. When we read the Bible, we are ingesting His voice. His unique tone and character, inflection, and delivery. His supernatural ability to inspire writers to pen His voice and meet us in our everyday lives through it. 

-- Meg Bucher  

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THE MASTER’S VOICE

“I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,… I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.”  (John 10:14,16)

The mark of a sheep is its ability to hear the Shepherd’s voice.

The mark of the disciple is his or her ability to hear the Master’s voice.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.”  (Revelation 3:20)

The world rams at your door; Jesus taps at your door. The voices scream for your allegiance; Jesus softly and tender requests it. The world promises flashy pleasure; Jesus promises a quiet dinner… with God.

Which voice do you hear?

Let me state something important. There is never a time during which Jesus is not speaking. Never. There is never a place in which Jesus is not present. Never. There is never a room so dark… a lounge so sensual… an office so sophisticated… that the ever-present, ever-pursuing, relentlessly tender Friend is not there, tapping gently on the doors of our hearts -- waiting to be invited in. 

-- Max Lucado in “In the Eye of the Storm: A Day in the Life of Jesus”

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