Your Voice is Sweet
A few months ago, this message about listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit was burning in my soul. It was becoming progressively apparent that church decisions are coloured or intermixed with some Bible truth and worldly-wise methods in the delivery of service. In similar fashion, the gifts of the Spirit are nothing more than an occasional idea according to todays' theology. A prayerful standard or traditionalism of the early church has been compromised over the centuries and the prayer meeting is nominal. The church has plugged-in to a safer religious atmosphere and minimized the authority of the gospel. The message today is "fellowship and worship songs" with a passing mention about "prayer/fasting." The gospel message needs more traction, perseverance and decisive listeners of the Holy Spirit. Are you ready to go the distance with Jesus? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5 ESV).
The Holy Spirit spoke to me about the importance of listening within our spiritual soul to hear His voice. It became more-and-more evident that all too often, people tend to use cognition (a mental action) to determine or reason a course of action. And yes, the Holy Spirit is able to speak to us through education, environment and circumstances by way of our cultural intellect. As a result, many Christians are untrained in the principle and practice of listening to God's wisdom directly and thereby, in a timely manner. It's no wonder that many people don't realize and/or believe in the baptism of the Spirit. "O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely" (Song of Solomon 2:14 ESV).
So once again, the Holy Spirit is able to speak into our thoughts and so does the many other voices of this world. Therefore we need the Bible to clarify His guidance when not sure about an answer. The more direct way is when His Spirit speaks to our spirit and the soul resounds that this is truly His voice. And if we hear something that doesn't seem right: simply ask Jesus to verify and assure us that it is His voice. The disadvantage of not reacting in a timely manner is to arrive at a resolve too late and miss an opportunity for success or evade an impending danger. Oh, help us Lord to walk in your mighty foot step and be a source of grace and hope in our communities. The move of a Holy Spirit led revival will be swift and only those who are waiting and listening at the throne of grace will run the race. Let's turn God's compassion into a song of victory through the discernment of the Holy Spirit and "rejoice in the Lord always."
This message was given to me a few months ago and sharing it only today; now that my computer is working again. Albeit, the delay has the benefit of time-honoured prayer. And on this note: It is time to bring/exact the authority of God's word into the prayer meeting and expect an answer according to His guidance. This is an enactment of God's love and not a rethink of the message to satisfy a social gospel. "The will of God - nothing less, nothing more, nothing else." A recent prayer asked Jesus, whom intercedes for us, to grant me the privilege of hearing His prayer. I would love to see His great and wonderful compassion in action and watch the angels eagerly serving the enactment (way of salvation) through the administration of faith.
"Lord, I have heard the report about You; Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds. Revive Your work in these years; make it known in these years. In Your wrath remember mercy" (Habakkuk 3:2 HCSB).
by Glenn Morrison (12)
