Do you recognize His voice?

Have you ever been in a mall or a ballgame, a crowded place where there are hundreds of people and hear a voice and recognize it as Mom or Dad and instantly you respond by yelling your childs name? If you're a parent you probably know what I mean. It's the call of your child. How is it that when a friend calls, they say hello and you immediately recognize them without the need of introduction? Could it be that you talk to them regularly? How is it that a song can come on the radio and you immediately recognize the artist? You don't know that person but yet you recognize who they are? Could it be that you listen to them regularly?

Do we recognize the voice of the Lord as easily as we do others? Many many times I hear, I don't know what to do in this situation, or what would God have me to do, or even...how will I know when God speaks? The question can be answered with a question. How much time do you spend communicating with your Father? How familiar is His voice to you?

"I am the good shepherd: I know my sheep and my sheep know me" (John 10:14 NIV)

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27 KJV)

Has this ever happened to you? You are driving down the road with the radio blaring a great Steven Curtis Chapman cd and you're singing along at the top of your voice and in the midst of all the music and your own voice, you hear a small voice speak to you? It might be words of affection, or direction, or answer to a prayer you have been praying. How about the times when you are awakened in the middle of the night with a voice that says, "pray".

Hearing the voice of God comes from a relationship with Him in the same ways we hear the familiar voice of your friends and families and respond to them. God wants us to respond to His voice. You will recognize the voice of the Father because in His voice there is no confusion. He is the Prince of Peace and when He speaks Shalom comes.

This month we celebrate Fathers! Celebrate your Heavenly Father!!!

We love and appreciate you,

Pastor Mark and Sister Dana