Friday Open Heavens Devotional - Do You Recognise These Voices?

MEMORISE: And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10:4.

READ: John 10:2-5.
2.But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3.To him the porter  openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4.And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5.And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

MESSAGE
On your way to Heaven, one thing you need to identify clearly is the various voices you will hear. Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:10, indicates the existence of different voices, each with its own character: "There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification." Virtually everything seen and unseen has a voice, but of interest to the success of your race to Heaven is the recognition of the following voices: God's voice, your own voice, the voice of men, and the voice of Satan and his demons. It is your   duty to identify the voices that you hear, so that you can know how to respond appropriately. God's voice must be heard, understood and obeyed. God's voice can come audibly as a still small voice, through the word of God, from sermons, as prophecy, through dreams, in visions and through any other medium He chooses to use at a point in time. Obeying God's voice always adds value to the hearer, giving direction and upliftment. Every time you listen to and obey God's voice, you are saved from harm, given solution to a problem, divinely assisted, healed and blessed. God does not just speak; He speaks to His children for a good purpose. He could speak to warn you of dangers ahead. This is why you must ask God for grace to recognise His voice. A particular brother who claimed to have been led of God, proposed to three different sisters, asking their hands in marriage. It is very clear that if he was ever led at all, he did not know how to recognise God's voice. John 10:4-5 states clearly that God's  sheep know and follow His voice. If you are following a stranger's voice, it is doubtful you are saved; but if you are sure of your salvation, then it is pertinent that you learn to recognise His voice by paying attention to Him when He speaks to your spirit. This may occur while studying God's word, praying, worshipping or while in church. Learn how He speaks.
Test what you hear as His voice with His word, because if it is truly God speaking, He will not say anything against His written word. In the same way, you need to identify the voice of the flesh, which will always want you to do things that will satisfy its lusts. You should also identify the voice of devils, which will overtly or covertly nudge you to disobey God or violate His word. You must acquaint yourself with God's voice from today!

ACTION POINT: Father, as Your sheep, grant me grace to recognise Your voice at all times.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: PSALM 36-39 AND HEBREWS 2:5-3:6.