On Hearing

the 

VOICE OF GOD

To those seated with him that afternoon, Ryan explained:

"I really wanted to know HOW to hear God's voice." 

As a college student active in a campus Christian organization, his faith, honest inquiry and musical art would clash and leave him dissatisfied. The well-meaning attempts of student leaders  to provide answers to Ryan's questions, did not meet his need.

Ryan's musical ability grew as he became a singer/songwriter with a band. His commitment to God grew, and he married; becoming a good husband and father. His career as a computer programmer prospered because of his pursuit of excellence and diligence.

Now fifteen years past the college experience, he wants to impart to others - mainly young people with yet undeveloped abilities - his accumulation of knowledge and experience as it relates to their own gifts.

In short, Ryan is ready to be a mentor and just like the rest of us, he still needs to know HOW to hear God's voice. Because:

A mentor, a teacher, like a parent, is accountable to God for their influence on the students who listen to them.

Every mentor needs a mentor. The fathering / mothering principle in Christian discipleship is urgently needed and only God Himself can bring together the biblically valid relationships that will please the Father's heart, and further God's kingdom. We must willingly submit to HIS plan, and not pursue our own. We need to ask Him for a father or mother in the faith. 

The following comes to mind:

Jesus was teaching about authority. A Roman centurion with authority over the men under his command, came to Jesus. The centurion told Jesus that he had this authority because he, himself, was under the authority of officers ranking higher above him. There was a chain of command. 

It may surprise some church members, but the Church founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ is not a democratic organization. It is founded on a "chain of command" through ministry gifts given to the church by God.

These ministry gifts to God's people are the Apostle, the Prophet, the Evangelist, the Pastor, and the Teacher. 

They usually overlap in actual practice.  (1 Corinthians 12:27 through chapter 13) 

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of His Church; His Body. 

Through His ministry gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher, 

He communicates to and through, His people.

Although academic education can be helpful, it can also be a hindrance to those hungering for the realities of God's kingdom. Man's religion based on dogma and tradition are diametrically opposed to God's Word and Spirit.

So, how can we individually know God's will? How can we hear God's voice as He guides us?

His written Word tells us:

TRUST: 

Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.    Psalm 37:5

So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.   Proverbs 3:4-6 

OBEY:

"Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth."    Deuteronomy 28:1

(or disobey)

"Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. The LORD will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke, in all you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken Me."    Deuteronomy 28:19-20

LOVE GOD FIRST:

First of the Ten Commandments

Then God spoke all these words, saying,

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.    Exodus 20:1-6 

LOVE ALL PEOPLE:

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.For this, YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.   Romans 13:8-10

ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK:

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.    Luke 11:9-11

BE THANKFUL:

pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.   1 Thessalonians 5:17-18                          

PRAISE AND WORSHIP:

The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD'S house.

All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, "Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting."    2 Chronicles 7:2-3

YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.  

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; 

therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

STOP! WAIT! 

READ NO FURTHER UNTIL THE FULL MEANING OF THIS SINKS IN! 

  We Will Hear God's Voice  

  through Scripture, through nature,  

  through our relationships, through music and other arts,  

  and through His Holy Spirit as He speaks directly to us.  

  It is our obedience which attracts His attention  

  and invites His Voice.