Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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...

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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. :coffee2

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.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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?

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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!

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

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...

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

You're right, it does have consequences. :(

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.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

yes, I know you are not blaming me...I just see an dangerous crack in the foundation of many people lives and it will affect many...

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Yea I know the voice of God I went under my house one time to get a rug and when I removed the rug I uncovered a Hornets nest God told me to run and so I obeyed and did..

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

:ursofunny

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Sis. Alvear,

I'm not trying to be offensive, but I am honestly curious.

Do you not think that when someone comes to a Pastor and tells him they have been called to missions, ministry or anything else; that the Pastor would wait to hear from God himself? Something along the lines of confirmation of that calling?

Might it be that people rely too much on what others say God is telling them, instead of learning to develop a relationship with God and recognizing His voice?

We are married to Christ, to me that's a personal relationship. I believe every adult knows that the key to a good relationship is communication. I have been married for 25 years, I've learned who my husband is through continuous communication, and because of that communication, after 25 years I know "his voice" even when he is silent. A look, a smile, sometimes just standing there, I know what he is thinking, because I know him. This has come from learning how to communicate and through that communication, recognizing what he is saying and his methods of "speaking" to me.

The same holds true in our relationship with God. We have to communicate daily with Him, in order to build our relationship to the point that we recognize His voice. Even when there is no one there to tell you "God said". If you have a healthy relationship and have learned to not just talk at God, but to communicate (prayer, fasting, and study of His Word) then you recognize His voice; even when it's that 'still small voice."

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


Sister Alvear, IMHO, I don't believe we serve a wishy-washy God, I think it is more likely wishy-washy people serving God, who as you said, haven't learned to recognize His voice.


And for what it's worth, I do think these people on a mission field can cause more harm than good.


God Bless You, Sis. your burden for missions and God's people is inspiring and always evident in your writings.:heart

Sinatra

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

My pastor watched me grow up...I always had a deep love for souls and a tremendous burden even as a young child for missions. I came to Brazil barely 18 years old WITH his permission. I came for a visit to see if this was what I really wanted...When I stepped off the plane on a cool windy day in June of 1968 a people walked into my heart...After a couple months I wrote my pastor and told him I had found the desire of my heart...

That was over 40 years ago...there have been lots of ups and downs...lots of mountains and valleys...but like the writer of old I too have found streams even in the hottest deserts.
No, dear one it has not always been easy...I have been hungry without food, slept in bus stations, walked long weary miles...I have wiped the tears from my eyes many a time...though the way grew blurry I knew the call was there so I pondered on...

The call of God is hard to describe however if it is there you will never be happy any other place other than fulfilling your call.

I am not young anymore…my motor has lots of miles on it…YET my spirit burns within me to go on…keep climbing….evangelize another city…go to another village…

I march to the drumbeat of missions…and know for all my failures and weaknesses He is STRONG and in HIS name battles are won and lives are forever changed.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

yes, there are some people that cause more harm than good on the mission field...

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Sister Alvear,

I hope you didn't misunderstand the first paragraph of my response.

My question in that first paragraph about Pastors and confirmation was in response to the above statement you posted. It was not directed at you or anyone else. I meant it as a general question.

Also, in case there was a misunderstanding on this other statement I made about wishy-washy people serving God. That wasn't directed at you or anyone else either. That statement was made in response to your statement about how you could not imagine serving a God who couldn't make up His mind.

I agree that when God calls someone and places a burden within them, that is a calling that doesn't disappear when things become difficult. :thumbsup

Sinatra

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

I think a person should choose a pastor with care...I don´t think a pastor has to be informed everytime we go to town...however in a major move we will need a wise pastor to help us.

I guess sometimes my opinions are a paradox...I believe 100% in pastors HOWEVER we must know the voice of God for ourselves.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

For example I have lived my whole adult life in Brazil. I do not believe people have to do that unless they are called but I am talking about people who appear and tell the people here of their great call and the next thing you know they are gone...and believe it or not suddenly they get called somewhere else and fail there too..and on and on goes the story.

As a leader I personally would not support someone that changes their mind every few days...

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

I have watched this happen over and over again...I am not saying to be unmerciful to wishy washy people but I am saying some pastor somewhere needs to sit them down and explain to them God does not work like that.

Some people need some basic and bedrock teachings...

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

We must remember when we use the name of God and HE said...we are involving HIS character and pesonality. We must be careful not to take the Name of the Lord in vain.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

You are very right, and this is a worthy message for anyone who thinks they are called to must consider-

I do think people say "God told me" or "God said" way too easily..for one the voice of God goes through our gray matter (our brains) and sometimes God maybe speaking and he could be saying "pray" and instead of praying they "go"

You are saying some great stuff Sister Alvear! You can tell you are a preacher.

BTW You are never cranky! imo :D

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Thank you...I have seen far too many people use the name of God just to impress people are take up collections...

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

This is so TRUE!


I used to believe people like that- I once gave 1k that I didnt have because of that--many many years ago.

It is wrong to deceive people, some people their position goes to their heads and they take advantage of innocent people.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

so true.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Some people are so filled with emotions they do things without even thinking...no wonder they build on the sand. We must have a solid conviction of what God has called us to do. Many make ship wreck of their lives and the lives around them.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

As I said earlier I would hate to serve a God that did not know for sure where he wanted me...it would be frustrating to say the least!

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Jeff and I very rarely give or commit to giving in the same service as a presentation. It's not that we're stingy--we're not at all!--but we've learned if God wants us to give on Wednesday, He'll still want us to give it on Sunday. ;) It's alright to go home, pray about it, look over the budget, and make a wise decision.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

YOU are very wise.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Yikes!!!! I don't know how to take that!!! LOL!!! :blush I'm not old enough to be wise--but maybe someday.

I do try to learn from my mistakes instead of regret them--and I've had plenty to learn from. :D

Anyway, that's not to say that we never give spontaneously, if we have extra on hand. And a couple of times, Jeff has given because God spoke to him directly & specifically.

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

MissBrat, God has given you wisdom. It's evident to all of us. :)

Re: Do YOU know the voice of God?
 

Isn´t it wonderful to have people of balance among us? I am very thankful for you wonderful folks.