Archive for August, 2024

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 18

Saturday, August 31st, 2024

Hearing GOD’S Voice requires us to be diligent!

Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Peter chapter 1:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

3 as His Divine power has given to us all things that pertain to Life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us by glory and virtue,

We have all been called but few have accepted His call wholeheartedly.  His Grace was freely given but He expects us to take steps toward full maturity in Christ.  Our salvation was just the beginning.

4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We have been given the ability to be partakers of the Divine Nature here on earth.  What is a partaker?  It is one, by his own volition, takes part in something.  You and I must decide to take part in the Divine Nature and it requires us to diligently seek It.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

7 to Godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness Love.

8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We will be rewarded from our diligence in hearing and responding to GOD’S Voice and will be abundantly fruitful in all areas.  Then Peter warns us:

9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Don’t be shortsighted… be “longsighted”.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

It is up to each of us to make our call and election sure.  It is vital that we be diligent on a daily basis to become mature in our walk with The Lord so that we don’t stumble.

11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What a great promise!

12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present Truth.

13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent (body), to stir you up by reminding you,

I too have been called to remind you of these Truths!  I remind myself as well and I am grateful for such an opportunity to grow in THE LORD.

And in 2nd Peter chapter 3:

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation-as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the Wisdom given to him, has written to you,

16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

Untaught and unstable people will insert their own soulish opinions to what the Scriptures say.  Beware of men’s opinions!  Their opinions will cause you to go into a ditch.  They can be convincing in their arguments and will often tickle your ears to entice you to accept such error.  This is why it is critical to hear GOD’S Voice!

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Diligence is an active noun.  We are to be active, not passive, in pursuing a mature walk where we consistently hear GOD’S Voice.  We must not allow ourselves to become lazy and attempt to coast through life.

As Paul reminds us by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 12:

9 Let Love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly Love, in honor giving preference to one another;

11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Another Kids In Need Update

Friday, August 30th, 2024

From one of the elementary school counselors:

I was able to provide a student some shoes and socks. He had outgrown his old shoes and the family did not have the resources to purchase a new pair.

Thank you for your support!

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 17

Friday, August 30th, 2024

Faith comes by personally hearing GOD’S Voice!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 10:

16 But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?”

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word (rhḗma) of God.

FATHER will talk to you by HIS Holy Spirit if you will quiet your soul and listen.  HE wants to have an intimate relationship with each of us more so than an earthly father.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Luke chapter 5:

15 After this miracle, the news about Jesus spread even farther. Massive crowds continually gathered to hear Him speak and to be healed from their illnesses.

16 But Jesus often slipped away from them and went into the wilderness to pray.

And Matthew wrote by The Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 14:

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

Jesus found the need to separate Himself to pray and listen to FATHER’S Voice… we need to follow His example as well.  Jesus separated Himself from all distractions.  He revealed this necessity when He spoke in John chapter 14:

10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The Words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you ask (FATHER) anything in My Name, I will do it.

15 “If you Love Me, keep My commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-

17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Jesus instructed us in prayer as He revealed in Matthew chapter 6:

5 “Whenever you pray, be sincere and not like the pretenders who love the attention they receive while praying before others in the meetings and on street corners. Believe Me, they’ve already received their reward.

6 But whenever you pray, go into your innermost chamber and be alone with Father God, praying to Him in secret. And Your Father, Who sees all you do, will reward you openly.

7 When you pray, there is no need to repeat empty phrases, praying like the Gentiles do, for they expect God to hear them because of their many words.

Jesus said “when”, not “if”.

Jesus spoke about faithfully carrying out the (rhḗma)Word in Matthew chapter 25:

14 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.

18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’

21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’

23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

You can only be faithful if you have personally heard the (rhḗma)Word from Our Heavenly Father.  When you do, you will produce good fruit for the Kingdom.

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 16

Thursday, August 29th, 2024

Ultimately, all men will hear GOD’S Voice, whether It expresses mercy and grace or judgment!

In recent years, most teaching from the pulpit has focused on the grace and mercy of GOD and very little teaching/preaching has mentioned HIS judgment.  Without judgment, the message can become watered down.  The result?  Christians think they can sin without consequences and many do.  They are the ones who do not walk in Holiness and have little or no interest in hearing GOD’S Voice.

Everyone will experience judgment concerning their personal life.

Jesus spoke about judgment in Matthew chapter 25:

1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

14 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

In both parables, believers were judged according to their own actions and results.  Some received rewards and some suffered and were rejected with eternal consequences.  Our actions will determine how we will be judged!  We will either be rewarded or punished for our actions.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Joel chapter 3:

14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

15 The sun and moon will grow dark, And the stars will diminish their brightness. 16 The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His Voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel.

17 “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, Dwelling in Zion My Holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be Holy, And no aliens shall ever pass through her again.”

Without question, FATHER will shake the heavens and the earth.  This has not yet occurred, but you can be assured it will!

Paul recorded by The Holy Spirit in Hebrews chapter 12:

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,

23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the Blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

25 See that you do not refuse Him Who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him Who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him Who speaks from Heaven,

26 Whose Voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.

Paul wrote of a future shaking that will include all existence, both the heavens and the earth.

27 Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear.

29 For Our God is a consuming Fire.

Are you prepared for this great shaking?  The Holy Spirit instructed me to write extensively on “Pursuing Holiness” and “Hearing GOD’S Voice”.  Why? Because a shaking is coming, and HE wants HIS Elect to be fully prepared.  Those who aren’t, will suffer great loss.  It is vital that our priorities line up with HIS.  We must hear HIS Voice and walk accordingly before the great shaking!

Judgment or Repentance

Wednesday, August 28th, 2024

It is impossible for us to determine how long FATHER’S longsuffering lasts.

We are on the cusp of World War III.

We are at a major risk of economic collapse.

Suppression of free speech is occurring around the world.

Believers are increasingly being persecuted.

Major divisions among the citizenry are being promoted by those in control.

Artificial Intelligence is being developed to manage, manipulate, and control all aspects of life.

You can be assured that there will be a great shaking!

Jonathan Cahn produced the following video which compares today’s events to the time of Ahab and Jezebel.

Each of us should assess whether we are fulfilling what GOD has called us to do or have we simply compromised our walk to fit in with the current society’s values.

Will the nation be given another chance to repent or, are we entering into the time of judgment?  Either way, FATHER will protect the elect.

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 15

Wednesday, August 28th, 2024

When we hear GOD’S Voice, we will trust that HIS rhḗma Word will come to pass in our lives!

We cannot apprehend the whole counsel of GOD; it is beyond our grasp.  FATHER progressively disclosed HIS counsel to men who recorded vital portions of HIS counsel that we know as Scripture (HIS Logos).

In FATHER’S great grace and mercy, HE sent both HIS Son and HIS Holy Spirit to lead and guide us individually once HE restored us by The Blood of Jesus Christ.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 4:

4 But Jesus answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word (rhḗma) that comes from the Mouth of God.'”

HIS rhḗma Word is unique to each of us who hear HIS Voice.  HE measures HIS Word out to each of us and It becomes personal and specific as we are able to receive It.  Jesus implied that GOD has a rhḗma Word for us each day.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 3:

1 Brothers and sisters, when I was with you I found it impossible to speak to you as those who are Spiritually mature people, for you are still dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. And because you are immature infants in Christ,

2 I had to nurse you and feed you with “milk,” not with the solid food of more advanced teachings, because you weren’t ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready to be fed solid food,

3 for you are living your lives dominated by the mind-set of the flesh. Ask yourselves: Is there jealousy among you? Do you compare yourselves with others? Do you quarrel like children and end up taking sides? If so, this proves that you are living your lives centered on yourselves, dominated by the mind-set of the flesh, and behaving like unbelievers.

Here, immature believers who have received the baptism of The Holy Spirit are still behaving like unbelievers.  Why?  Their mindset is still dominated by the flesh rather than focused on living a Holy life.  They have allowed their mindsets to be directed to worldly things rather than develop their spiritual ears to hear.

As we focus our mindset on hearing daily from GOD, our faith is built up so that we can deal with the weightier matters of our individual callings.  A mature son or daughter will be given greater responsibility whereas a baby is focused only on self and is irresponsible in all areas.  How can one rule and reign if they are immature in hearing HIS rhḗma Word?

Faith does not come by reading the Bible but instead, by hearing HIS rhḗma Word!  However, as you are reading the Bible, a Scripture comes alive and It becomes your rhḗma Word for that moment.  The rhḗma Word and logos Word are interchangeable according to FATHER’S purpose.  Both confirm each other.

Matthew wrote by The Holy Spirit in Matthew chapter 8:

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Him, appealing to Him,

6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.”

7 And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the Word, and my servant will be healed.

9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such great faith.

11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

When The Son of GOD speaks, power and authority manifest.  When we are given FATHER’S rhḗma Word, we are to embrace the power and authority behind HIS Word by faith.  HIS rhḗma Word will manifest in our lives!

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 14

Tuesday, August 27th, 2024

We are led by The Holy Spirit by focusing on the present, the Eternal now!

Many Christians either live in the past or future but not in the present where GOD’S Voice is speaking.  Those who focus on the future often seek out the next prophecy for their encouragement which is at the expense of the here and now.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 6:

33 “So above all, constantly seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.

34 Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”

Our prayer today should include, “FATHER, what do YOU want me to do today?” and, “I pray that YOU lead me to the right place at the right time.”  Let Our Heavenly Father set our daily priorities, and HE will bring forth HIS provision for our lives.  HE will open doors, and HE will close doors as needed.

Am I saying that you should disregard true prophecy?  Absolutely not!  However, you should not focus on prophecy at the expense of today’s directives by The Holy Spirit.  HE will direct you to what prophetic Words apply to your walk.

Hearing GOD’S Voice is personal.  It involves a direct relationship with HIM.  Hearing HIS Voice is intangible, you cannot locate it at a particular location… you can hear HIM no matter where you are at.  As well, HE hears you even if you are in prison.  HE does not require you to be in a church building or some special private location.  Hearing HIS Voice is always present in time so we are to live in the present, the Eternal now where THE GREAT I AM resides!

Hearing GOD’S Voice produces faith.  This is of incalculable value to you and me.  Many people will seek faith without discovering the secret of walking in faith.  You achieve faith by hearing GOD’S Voice.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 10:

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word (rhḗma) of Christ.

In other Words, faith, then, is birthed in a heart that responds to God’s Anointed Utterance of the Anointed One.

Faith does not come by reading.  Paul himself had to hear Jesus personally in order for a complete change in his walk from enemy to apostle.

The Greek word rhḗma (ῥῆμα) translates to “utterance” or “thing said”.  It is vital that we understand Romans 10:17 and its ramifications.  Reading the Bible (Logos) is essential, but faith is produced by rhḗma The Word.  Both will always agree with each other.  Moses had no written Word to determine his calling.  FATHER spoke to him with HIS rhḗma Word.  This produced faith for Moses to confront Pharaoh and lead the nation out of Egypt.

And in Hebrews chapter 11:

8 Faith motivated Abraham to obey God’s call and leave the familiar to discover the territory he was destined to inherit from God. So he left with only a promise and without even knowing ahead of time where he was going, Abraham stepped out in faith.

17 Faith operated powerfully in Abraham for when he was put to the test he offered up Isaac. Even though he received God’s promises of descendants, he was willing to offer up his only son!

18 For God had promised, “Through your son Isaac your lineage will carry on your name.”

Moses did not read this promise, he heard it directly from GOD’S Voice.

Logos is the total Mind, Counsel, and Eternal Purpose of GOD.  It is summed up in a Person as the Beloved Disciple wrote in John chapter 1:

1 In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word (logos) was with God, and the Word (logos) was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

Jesus is the personified (Logos) and is the total Counsel and Purpose of GOD.  The Holy Spirit reveals the thoughts and purposes of Christ to us.  Without The Holy Spirit, we cannot understand the mysteries of GOD and implement His purposes on earth.  We must be able to hear His Voice in the present!

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 13

Monday, August 26th, 2024

We are led by The Holy Spirit by listening and responding to I AM’S Voice which is always in the present!

It is essential to read the Bible, but it is not sufficient.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 10:

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,

23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.

24 So the Jews gathered around Him and said to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s Name bear witness about Me,

26 but you do not believe because you are not among My sheep.

27 My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

28 I give them Eternal Life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My Hand.

29 My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s Hand.

30 I and the Father are One.”

The Jews had read many passages in the Old Testament time and time again, pointing to Jesus Christ, the Messiah yet when they stood before Him, they did not recognize Him.  They did not have ears to hear and eyes to see!  Hearing His Voice is critical to our future.

The one requirement of hearing GOD’S Voice has not changed throughout all dispensations.  It is summed up in Jeremiah chapter 7:

23 But this command I gave them: ‘Obey My Voice, and I will be Your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’

This is the same basic requirement of the New Testament!  The true followers of Jesus hear His Voice.  It is not a denominational label, it is not a form of worship, it is not adherence to a particular doctrine, it is hearing His Voice.

Because we hear His Voice, He knows us, He recognizes us, He takes notice of us, He acknowledges us, and then we follow Him.  How can you follow Jesus if you can’t hear His Voice?  This must be our highest priority!

When you hear His Voice, many things in your life will change.  It will change your standards, it will change your priorities, it will change your values… it will change the way you live.  I can testify of this Truth!

Hearing GOD’S Voice is personal.

David wrote by THE SPIRIT in Psalm chapter 23:

1 THE LORD is My Shepherd; I will lack nothing.

THE LORD will provide each of us with exactly what we need to live a blessed life.  What I need is unique to my life, calling, and circumstances.

Hearing GOD’S Voice is intangible, It can’t be touched by man.  We can’t apprehend It with our sight, we can’t apprehend It with our feelings, there is only one sense that can apprehend It, it is only by hearing.

I have known people who primarily rely on physical signs to direct their paths.  FATHER may provide a sign, but it will only serve as a confirmation of what HE has specifically said to you.  Without first hearing HIS Voice, signs will misdirect you away from HIM.  We must not place our trust in signs for if you look for a sign, the world will gladly provide one.

Tangible objects, places, or customs will not replace hearing HIS Voice.  The largest, most beautiful cathedral will not replace hearing HIS Voice.  You can be anywhere and hear HIS Voice.  Rituals are not required to hear HIS Voice.  Uniforms, clothing, furniture, or any other objects are not required to hear HIS Voice.  It is an intimate, personal relationship with THE LORD.

Hearing GOD’S Voice is always present in the sense of time.  It’s not past, it’s not future, it is present.

Moses recorded by THE SPIRIT in Exodus chapter 3:

13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His Name?’ what shall I say to them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”

15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is My Name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.

A voice has not past, nor does it have a future, it is always now!

Jesus spoke about the present in Matthew chapter 6:

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and Your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

And concerning the end of the age which we are now in, Jesus spoke in Mark chapter 13:

9 “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, to bear witness before them.

10 And the Gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

11 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Let us rely on hearing GOD’S Voice continuously as we confront the challenges set before us!

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 12

Sunday, August 25th, 2024

We are led by The Holy Spirit by listening and responding to GOD’S Voice, not by what we see!

Jesus spoke in John chapter 10:

7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

In other Words, Jesus is the Gateway. To enter through Him is to experience life, freedom, and satisfaction. The adversary knows this, so he attempts to steer everyone away from Our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is clear that the world is attempting to silence anyone who speaks of Jesus Christ.  Those that speak His Name are disparaged and censored.  The world wants to eradicate the use of His Name but it won’t work.

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have Life, and that they may have It more abundantly.

Why would anyone give up this promise?  Life or death and destruction… you choose!

11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His Life for the sheep.

12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.

13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.

A hireling is one who only considers self at the expense of others whereas Jesus considered others at the expense of self.  We will walk the same path as Jesus and be a blessing to others.

14 I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My Voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.

In other Words, “And I have other sheep that I will gather which are not of this Jewish flock. And I, their shepherd, must lead them too, and they will follow Me and listen to My Voice. And I will join them all into one flock with one shepherd.

The Words of Jesus apply to Jews and Gentiles alike!  There is only one Door, period!

It is impossible to follow THE LORD unless you hear His Voice.  Jesus did not say “My sheep read the Bible”.  It is essential to read the Bible, but it is not sufficient.  In order to be led by THE SPIRIT, we must hear His Voice.  Sheep will follow their shepherd.  Goats, on the other hand, are stubborn.  When we hear His Voice, He knows us and we follow Him.

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 7:

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.

22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wonders in Your Name?’

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!

Those who hear His Voice will become pure in heart and will reject lawlessness in all aspects of their lives.  The word lawlessness means: contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness.

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Those who place the greatest priority on hearing GOD’S Voice and do HIS Sayings, will be wise!  Major storms of the last days are now developing, and the inhabitants of the earth are going to be tested.  Will you be seen as wise or foolish?

Hearing GOD’S Voice: Part 11

Saturday, August 24th, 2024

Faith comes by hearing GOD’S Voice, not by just reading The Word!

If you could develop great faith by just reading The Word, most believers would be doing great miracles.  Reading the Logos Word and hearing the Rhḗma Word are not the same.  It is vital that we understand the difference between the two.  They are not interchangeable.  If they were, we would all be in unity.  We are not.

Both logos and rhema are the Word of God, but the former is God’s Word objectively recorded in the Bible, while the latter is the Word of God spoken and quickened to us individually at a specific occasion and purpose.  Can we develop faith by reading the Logos?  Yes, but not at the same level of developing faith as you would when you hear The Holy Spirit speak personally to you… there is a difference.  The prophets and disciples did not have a New Testament to read.  They relied on hearing The Holy Spirit.

We need the written Word as our foundation, but we also need the spoken Word (rhema) for direction. We have the written Word to stand on. We have rhema, the spoken Word, so we know what to do and where to go.

When the Holy Spirit speaks to you, He quickens a Scripture verse or specific direction to you—a specific Word for a specific time and purpose.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 10:

16 But not everyone welcomes the good news, as Isaiah said: Lord, is there anyone who hears and believes our message?

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word (rhḗma) of God.

Faith comes by hearing His Voice!  Rarely is it audible but The Holy Spirit is not restricted to a specific means of speaking.

Matthew recorded in his Gospel in chapter 17:

14 They came to where a large crowd had gathered to wait for Jesus. A man came and knelt before him

15 and said, “Lord, please show your tender mercy toward my son. He has a demon who afflicts him. He has epilepsy, and he suffers horribly from seizures. He often falls into the cooking fire or into the river.

16 I brought him to your followers, but they weren’t able to heal him.”

17 Jesus replied, “Where is your faith? Can’t you see how wayward and wrong this generation is? How much longer do I stay with you and put up with your doubts? Bring your son to me.”

The disciples had not yet been able to develop their ability to hear The Holy Spirit except through Jesus.

18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him and the boy was instantly healed!

19 Later the disciples came to him privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we cast out the demon?”

20 He told them, “It was because of your lack of faith. I promise you, if you have faith inside of you no bigger than the size of a small mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move away from here and go over there,’ and you will see it move! There is nothing you couldn’t do!

21 But this kind is cast out only through prayer and fasting.”

When we focus on prayer and denying our soul and flesh, we will be able to deal with such encounters and the power of The Holy Spirit operating in our lives.  As we mature in being led by The Holy Spirit, we will no longer be moved by our souls or bodies.  Both will submit to our spirit man.  GOD’S Voice will become so distinctive, we will become confident in every step we take and every word we speak.  The adversary will flee from our midst.