– Part 1 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:4).
The changes that are taking place in the world
system are God’s doing. These changes may seem very unsettling for most of us but these are foretold by the prophets of the Lord over the last six thousand years. But now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” (Hebrews 12:26b). As the day of the Lord is drawing near our choices become increasingly important as it may amplify outcomes. Our choices on global, national and individual levels will have magnified consequences. It can be compared to a ship that is about to enter into a harbor. When a ship is far from its destination small navigation errors can be tolerated because it can easily be rectified. When a ship is entering the harbor navigation errors can cause devastating accidents because of a lack of space to maneuver it away from disaster areas.
The most important decision in your life is to seek
the Lord in all of His ways and to follow Him wherever He may lead. Sound doctrine is essential for every true Christian. However, life is to know the voice of the Lord that you may follow and obey Him. We may know all sound doctrines and teachings well and do many miracles in His name, have a spectacular ministry, but if we do not obey Him to do the will of the Father, He do not know us and we will stand in His judgment.
There are two dimensions in knowing the Lord in
His word, which is His will. The first is to know Him in the Scriptures and the other His voice through the Holy Spirit. Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God (the Holy Spirit)” (Matthew 22:29). Since the beginning of time God intended for man to know his voice and since God’s written word was freely available to him, He intended for man to know Him in Scripture. God has never changed His mind concerning this. Man has changed but God has never changed. We need to know and heed His written Word and obey His voice.
This year is a season for rapid spiritual growth.
Therefore, we will endeavor to put our efforts forward to know Him in meditation on the written word and waiting on Him to know His voice better. Unless we developed a love for the truth we will be deceived in latter times. The Lord is already imparting into the spirits of the new generation saints worship and intercession in congregations which experience renewal and restoration. True worship is to worship the Lord in His word and true intercession is to pray according to the word and will of God.
If you want to excel in any field of science or sport
you need to do the basics flawlessly. Just as it is in the natural so it is in the spirit. If you want to live in the Spirit where you hear the voice of the Lord, the Enoch and Elijah generation will be found with a devotion to continually reviewing and practicing the basics. The stronger your basics and the broader your basis, the more you can build upon it, and the greater the structure of that house.
Presently more or less 3 percent of professing
Christians in the United States have a biblical worldview. Your worldview is how you perceive the world. One of the purposes for the Bible was to introduce you to God’s worldview so that you can be reconciled to His worldview. The degree in which your worldview differs from the Lord’s worldview is the degree of your deception. You as a Christian must set your heart to walk in truth.
Your worldview is formed through the things that
shaped your thinking. Your family background, the news media, a secular education, the opinions and influences of people are some factors that contributed to your worldview. As a born-again Christian, part of your reconciliation to God is the reconciliation of your worldview to His worldview. For this reason the Lord has given us the Bible, sound teaching from knowledgeable and anointed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip us for service and to shape us into the image of Christ. Our worldview must be filled with knowledge of the truth. The truth, and only the truth, will set us free.
The concept Christian is synonymous to the
concept disciple of Christ. It involves taking his yoke and learns His ways by sharing His meekness and lowliness of heart that you may know Him and view the world through His eyes. When Satan challenged Jesus who is The Word, He stood on the written word. Jesus set the example that you must follow. The two basic devotions of a Christian is continues prayer and the ministry of the word. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). Therefore, as a disciple you must read the Scriptures and meditate on what you have read. When the Holy Spirit quickens it you are changed in the spirit of your mind and you see things more like Jesus sees it. To follow Christ in this way is not necessarily easy but it is worth it. The contents of the entire Bible are an overview of the whole creation, maintenance and redemptive plan of God and are crucial for understanding the different aspects of it that we may apply its wisdom in the times in which we live. I went through the Scriptures many, many times over a period of thirty seven years and I cannot recall a single contradiction in it. I must be honest that in the beginning some things appear to be contradictory when I took it out of context, but when I start to see the whole picture, everything fits the puzzle. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). The Word is infallible because the Word is God. The written word contains God’s eternal plan for mankind.
The Bible’s integrity is also established with many
prophecies that came to pass as stated. For example the coming of the Messiah was prophesied by many prophets over a four thousand year period, and all of those prophesy God fulfilled. No one else in history has ever had such credentials not even Buddha or Mohammed. Jesus accomplished all that was prophesied. Surely the Bible’s integrity is established without a shadow of a doubt. Knowing Him in His message is to be His witness. To know the will of the Father in the gospel of His kingdom is the most important endeavor we can have in this life.
We dedicate this year to know the Lord in Scripture
by meditating on what we have read and start to apply it to our own times as we establish, and/or strengthen our biblical worldview. Growing into Christ’s worldview develops the platform for discerning the times that we may better accomplish our own purpose in them. In doing so, we will discern and interpret some major events and forces in our times.
The Scriptures are the basis for all Christian
doctrine. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). The revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit (prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, interpretation of tongues, interpretation of dreams and visions, discernment of spirits) are not given to establish doctrine. It is meant mostly to direct the Church in the present emphasis of the Holy Spirit and sometimes in revealing future events. When revelatory gifts have been inappropriately used to create new doctrines, these are false teachings and have often formed the basis of a sect or cult. We should avoid those who use a dream, vision or “wild revelation” to establish doctrine. The Bible alone is given to the Church for doctrine and instruction in righteousness. On the other hand, Scripture was never meant to replace the Lord’s intimate communication and interaction with us, which He normally does through the revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit. His sheep know His voice, and the Lord knows them and they follow Him. Those who do the will of the Father are the brother, sister and mother of the Lord. The quality of communication with the Lord establishes the level of relationship we have with Him. Our communication with Him is not only historical facts. We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). We have to gather everyday fresh manna. As our head has direct communication with each cell of the body, Jesus desires direct communication with each member of His body. If our hearts do not condemn us we have confidence toward God. Jesus purchased on the cross for each of His people a personal relationship with God. Every Christian should both know the Lord in the Scriptures, and His still small voice. The army of the Lord will be so close to Him before the end of this age that they will march in formation, they will not break ranks and they will not push one another. His church which is His bride and army will also have a loving and romantic communication with God and then again communicates about strategic purposes or work, but His love will always flow like a river and fall like the rain. What a phony relationship it would be if the bridegroom on the wedding day handed his bride a text book on marriage behavior so he would not ever have to speak to her again! Having sound doctrines is essential but your personal relationship with the Lord is your most prized possession. Truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit in Scripture but the love for the truth is birthed in an intimate relationship with the Lord. Those who remain in love with the Lord will endure to the end. Our major calling in life is to love God above all things. To get busy in ministry or religious activity can never substitute our intimate relationship with the Lord. Unless you have learned to daily sit at His feet you may not endure to the end. Love is built by sharing, communication, personal touches, and trust. Having doctrines and teachings without an intimate personal relationship with the Lord is to have a form of godliness but without the life of His power. A single touch from the Lord can accomplish what years of teaching are unable to achieve. However, teaching is also important. Developing an unassailable personal relationship with the Lord include both growing in the knowledge of sound doctrine and maturing in a love relationship with Him, which include learning His voice better. Having the one without the other is to go cripple in your walk with God. Maturity brings more responsibility and greater authority, just as with growing children. Maturity lessens the need for basic instruction in every small thing. As it is in the natural so it is in the realm of the Spirit. The Lord did not lead the apostles of the early Church all the time around by the hand. They made most decisions about what to do and where to go without a direct revelation from the Lord. They followed the inner-witness of the Holy Spirit within them because they knew His voice. Naturally they made mistakes just like us today because they know in part and they acted in part. When the apostles needed to change direction the Lord would redirect them in a dream, vision, or word. They were mature servants of the Lord and His relationship with them was different than the immature which need constant guidance, just like children. It is not a shame to be immature just as it is no shame to be a child. However, it is inappropriate to remain immature in the Lord just as it is inappropriate for a child to remain immature in the natural realm. It is such a shame to see from time to time elderly people behave without nobility or grace. One of the prophetic emphases of the Holy Spirit is that this year is a season for rapid growth in the Lord. This open door is the grace of God. Let us make use of the goodness of God in the right season. Nothing flourishes out of its season.
Our devotion to know the Lord’s voice is that we
may learn to obey Him in all things and thus doing the will of the Father. In all this we seek to mature in knowing His mind and heart that He may entrust us with more responsibility and authority for His kingdom sake. The mature ones are the ones that bring fulfillment and joy to the heart of the Father. Yahweh will be forever our God and Father and our eternal devotion to Him is to do His will. The basic knowledge to know the Lord and His ways are written in the Bible. To sink our roots deeper in knowledge and understanding of His written Word is not only to read it but to meditate on it day and night. And we shall be like a tree planted by the rivers. When you meditate on His word the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the Truth (The Word; Christ) and you will be changed in the spirit of your mind. A healthy relationship with God is to know both His voice and the Scriptures together. You will discover that His voice will never contradict the Scriptures. True prophecy and the other revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit will never contradict sound, biblical doctrine. Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89). Scriptural truth is the basis for getting to know His voice.
This year we must intensely focus to seek the ways
of the Lord in the Bible. The love for the Truth will compel us to seek His ways. We will also seek to know His voice better by getting closer to Him. For this to happen we need to exercise waiting on the Lord and meditation on His word. This is not legalism but a dedication of love to Him that we may grow rapidly in the knowledge of knowing Him.
The strong and the solid in the Lord will perpetually
grow in understanding the wisdom of the Scriptures as well as knowing the voice of the Lord, in a never- ending pursuit to know Him better. This is our focus for this year. If it is the only two things you will accomplish this year you will have done well; you would have achieved more than most saints have accomplished in a lifetime.
There will never be a variance between Biblical
truth and any revelation that flows from the Holy Spirit. The Word and the Spirit is one. God cannot lie for His word is settled in heaven. The Lord has never changed but man fell from truth and life into deception with the transgression. The covenant in the blood of the Lamb is the way back from our deceptive hearts toward Eternal Truth. The Scriptures alone is a trustworthy foundation for judging all prophecy. No prophecy or message from God has the authority to judge the Bible. True prophecy harmonizes with Scripture.
The most important aspect in knowing biblical truth
and knowing His voice is to realize that The Truth is a Person and not just information. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but not love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). Illumination without a faith-love relationship with God is information.
Illumination with a faith-love relationship with God
is revelation, which is the unveiling of Christ. The voice of the Lord is like the voice of your father which you know. I loved my father dearly and I knew both his voice and the way he walked. He could be so far from me that I could not recognize his face but by his walk (he was not limping) I could identify him among multitudes. When you are in a deep relationship with the Lord you learn both His voice and the way He walks. One day, many years ago, I heard a voice speaking to me, saying, “Andre, my brother.” I sensed a scratching sensation in my spirit and I knew it was not my Shepherd. Because of those beautiful words I desperately wanted it to be the voice of the Lord. I knew it was not the Lord’s voice, so, I rebuked the deceiver.
Normally we recognize a person by his face or
voice. The Scriptures encourage us to seek the Lord’s face and to know His voice.
I have studied the Bible over a period of 37 years. I
did not come to know the voice of the Lord only by reading the Bible. I came to know His voice by prayer, waiting on the Lord, meditating on the word and visualizing the will of God for my life. I am blessed in seeing vision and dreaming divine dreams. I am not engaging in all these activities just to hear His voice? I am a man of faith that lives in the realm of God Spirit that is why I engaged myself in spiritual activities. If I do not live in the realm of God’s Spirit, these activities will become a heavy legalistic burden to me that will crush me into depression and guilt.
For living in the Spirit study my previous articles.
In the realm of the Spirit is no time or division, it is the realm where you share the Lord’s life with Him. When you share the Lord’s life with Him it takes the burden of you to perform. Sharing His life is to flow with His Spirit. It is not a passive thing because faith, hope and love are vibrant activities filled with life and peace; these three are three doorways into the realm of God’s Spirit, which are the three dimensions of a divine relationship. Nobody taught me this; the precious, all compassionate Holy Spirit is teaching me the ways of the Lord. The Spirit of Truth which proceeded from the Father is testifying of Christ. He brings into remembrance the things of the Lord in Scripture. He can only bring into remembrance what is available in your memory banks. The Holy Spirit uses the Scriptures as the first line of defense. The more word you have in your heart the more the Holy Spirit can communicates with you. The more you hear from the Lord the more clearly you learn His voice. Spiritual growth is important because it is His sheep that hear His voice, not the lambs. The immature in the Lord need to follow the more mature men of God until they know the voice of the Lord well enough that they can discern it from all others voices. However, it is wisdom to engage into a relationship with the Lord immediately regardless the level of your maturity.
The longer you are in the presence of the Shepherd
the more intimate you will know Him. The more you stay focused on the Lord the quicker and better you will know His voice. Focusing on the Lord is vital important to live in the realm of God’s Spirit. Without focusing on the Lord all your endeavors will turn into legalism that counts for zero. Without focusing on the Lord you will not breakthrough into the realm of Spirit.