(John 10:3-5 NIV) 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.”
(Matthew 1:23 NIV) “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
√ God speaks to facilitate FRIENDSHIP.
(Exodus 33:11 NIV) The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. …
√ God speaks to give GUIDANCE.
(Proverbs 3:6 MSG) Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
√ God speaks to provide PERSPECTIVE.
(2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV) For we walk by faith, not by sight.
(1 Kings 19:11-12 NLT) “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
1. He whispers ENCOURAGEMENT.
(Romans 8:16 NLT) For his Spirit joins with our spirit (DEEP IN OUR HEART) to affirm that we are God’s children.
(Isaiah 55:3 MSG) Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. I’m making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love.
2. He whispers WARNINGS.
(Acts 16:6-7 NKJV) Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
(Isaiah 30:21 NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
3. He whispers DIRECTION.
(Luke 2:27 NIV) Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. …
(Acts 20:22 NIV) “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.
4. He whispers DREAMS.
(Job 33:14-15 NLT) For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night. . .
(Acts 2:17 NLT) ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
√ I’m OPEN to hear.
(1 Samuel 3:10 NIV) . . .”Speak, for your servant is listening.”
√ I’m EAGER to respond.
(John 10:27 NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Twitter: Clint or BCSylvania
