MODULE 7 - HEARING GOD'S VOICE

About PRIDE

A. Signs of Pride

1.   Cannot be Corrected
      If you are a person full of PRIDE, you feel bad when you are corrected. “sa tingin mo, ikaw ay always right”. There is always a ready explanation for everything that you do ex. Full of justifications. And when you are being corrected, you always see the sins and mistakes of others but you do not see your own. “alam ko…, hindi ko naman talaga sinabi yon…, ba’t ikaw?..., alam ko na yan…, siya naman talaga ang may kasalanan…, ganito kasi yun…” PRIDE!!!
      A humble person on the other hand is ready to be corrected. “kahit na masakit, tinatanggap ang corrections… without explaining everything. Actually it is pure and simple PRIDE which is the greatest hindrance to TRUE REPENTANCE.

2.   Cannot Ask for Forgiveness
      Because pride serves as blindfold and you refuse to see your sin, you therefore cannot say “will you please forgive me?” … but rather “bakit ako hihingi ng tawad?... sino ba siya?... kung sino ang may kailangan at may kasalanan siya ang lumapit…” Asking forgiveness from the people you hurt is a sign of humility. If you find it hard to ask forgiveness, then you have a problem with pride in your life.

3.   Cannot Submit
      Pride makes you think you are better and higher than other people that is why it is difficult for you to submit specially to someone who is younger than you or to someone who you think is lower in status than you. You want people to follow you, or do whatever you say but you, yourself cannot submit to your leaders. You want your own sides or plans to be followed. The root cause of rebellion and insubordination is PRIDE.

4.   Cannot say “thank you”
      Pride makes you see that people should be serving you. “Dapat lang na gawin niya yan… dapat lang na gawin nila yon..” So you are not thankful to people when they do little things for you. Humility on the other hand causes you to be always thankful to God and to man for the things they do or gave no matter how little these things may seem to you.

5.   Cannot appreciate others
      Pride causes you to hide your appreciation to other people. Even if you think they are very good or beautiful or that they did an excellent job, you will not appreciate them because Pride causes you to see, instead the mistakes, the weaknesses, and the failures of people. “Para kang sinsapawan kung pupurihin mo sila o di kaya you will have the feeling na baka lumaki ang ulo ng taong yun…” if this is the case let them be… you don’t have to worry about it… its their accountability to God… as long as you know that you are doing it for the Glory of God, you don’t have to think twice but to appreciate at once. Humility, on the other hand causes you to consider other people better than yourself.
      Philippians 2:3 – “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (pride) but in humility consider other better than yourselves.”

6.   Cannot serve others
      The best humility is SERVANTHOOD! Pride wants you to be served; not to serve others. If you are full of pride, tamad ka at ayaw mong maglingkod sa iba. You will only serve with wrong motives. On the other hand, pure, selfless servanthood is possible only if you are humble person. (Matthew 20: 25-28)

Matthew 20:25 -28
25 – But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princess of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 – But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 – and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 – even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to give his life a ransom for many.

7.   Cannot Give
      Pride makes you think of yourself and your needs more than the others. You cannot give your time, money, things, effort, work for others because you are always thinking “paano naman AKO???”

8.   Very Sensitive
      Madali kang masaktan kung may sasabihin sa iyo na correction or anything. Madali kang mapahiya. You are easily hurt because you think highly of yourself. Hindi ka lang pinansin or sinali sa program or sinali sa group, you are already hurt. Biniro ka lang tungkol sa height mo or size mo or way of talking, nasaktan ka kaagad. Napagalitan ka lang, gusto mo nang umuwi o umalis sa ministry.”

9.   Concerned with Reputation
      “Concerned ka sa sasabihin ng tao kaysa sa Diyos.” Pride makes you very self-centered. You are always conscious about your REPUTATION: “Ano ang sasabihin nila sa akin?”…”baka naman isipin nila na ganito AKO”… therefore you are always protecting your reputation.
      Makikipag-away ka pa…in order to protect your reputation if somebody has said something about you. You are a very shallow person since you are only concerned about your outward appearance – what others think of you.
      That is why in front of other people you always want to look your best, “pa-impress”, you show all your talents and abilities” FOR THE SHOW… BUT WHEN NOBODY IS LOOKING AND YOU ARE ALONE, wala rin pala!!!

TWO FACES OF PRIDE:

1.   Superiority complex
   You think of yourself as the TOP GUY. NUMERO UNO… the best among the rest… the STAR of the party and the group is nothing without you. ME, I and MYSELF… ito ang laging bida.
   Therefore, you find it hard to serve, to give, and to appreciate others. You cannot be corrected but you want to correct others because all you see are their faults, weaknesses and mistakes.
   The people with this kind of attitude are usually the ones with a history of being a “spoiled brat” of a kid who always get what he wants because he was very “cute”, smart or the only child. He grew up with “WHATEVER I WANT, I GET’ attitude.
   If you are this kind of person, you better decide to break your heart and get down from your throne because “God resists the proud (kalaban ka ng Diyos!) but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6)”.

2.   Inferiority Complex
   You are sill the center of your thinking although it is on the negative side. “KAWAWA NAMAN AKO… GANITO LANG KASI AKO… Nahihiya ako, kasi baka kung ano ang sabihin nila sa AKIN…”
   Is this a form of Humility? NO!!! it is still self centeredness because you are still in the center. Your concern is still your reputation. Sometimes you cannot serve, you cannot give your testimony because you say “nahihiya AKO”… in that sense, you are not able to give God the glory because of your hiya. When is “HIYA” a form of pride? When you refuse to do things because you are so concerned about what others will say about you. This is FALSE HUMLITY.
   True humility is when you think of others, how to serve them and how to be a blessing to them, without considering what other people would think of you. True humility is when you are so concerned about how GOD SEE YOU. “Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng tao sa akin?...” kahit na ano ang sabihin ng tao sa iyo, ang mahalaga nalulugod ba ang Diyos? That is our main concern in life!

Formula for Misery

   Think about yourself, what you want in life, then think of how people are treating you, keep a record of “wrongs” and create your “museum of injustices”. Remember all the unfair treatment people did to you and soak in the memory of yourself…”kawawa naman AKO…” self is still the center!

Evaluation: What kind of face do you wear? (Face 1: Superiority Complex or Face 2: Inferiority complex? Explain)

ROOTS OF PRIDE

?   LUCIFER said: AKO, I, ME, MYSELF
      Isaiah 14:12-14

12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
       From these verses taken from Isiah 14, the fall of Lucifer, God’s original Praise and Worship leader in heaven, had the word “I” five times used. The center of his life is HIMSELF.
      That was the basic reason he was kicked out from his ministry in heaven and thrown out (Ezekiel 28) to the depths of the pit. In the same manner, if you are still full of “I”, “Ako”, “me”, “Myself”, “akin”… you are a candidate to follow in the footsteps of LUCIFER, the paragon (model or perfect example) of PRIDE! Listen to yourself talk. Look at the way you live.
      If you are always first on the list, or if you always want to do things your way, watch out… the basic hindrance to serve God is: “ME, I , MYSELF” “This is graphically illustrated in the fall of Lucifer in Ezekiel 28: 12-19; Isaiah 14:12. The five I is really a big hindrance to serve God.

REMEMBER: “There are only three (3) persons in the Godhead and you are NOT one of them.

RESULTS OF PRIDE:

?   Destruction – Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before fall…

      It is not an issue whether you will fall or not. The bible says the next step if you have pride is: DESTRUCTION! Why is this so? Because if you are full of pride you are fighting agains God ( 1Peter 5:5), and if you fight against God, of course you will be destroyed. Kung mayroon kang pride, ang kaaway mo ay Diyos. (1 Peter 5:5)
      The NO. 1 thing that God hates is a proud man! (Proverbs 6:16-18)

There are five things that the Lord hates, yea five things that are detestable to HIM:

1.   A PROUD LOOK – Lucifer (Ezekiel 28:12-19); (Isaiah 14:12-15)

Ezekiel 12:12-19
12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
Isaiah 14:12-15
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

2.   NEBUCHADNEZZAR- (Daniel 4, 5:20)

Daniel 5:20 - But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

3.   SAUL – ( 1 Samuel 15:12) “nagpatayo ng sariling bantayog”. Saul was a king who never humbled himself but was so concerned with his reputation. He always finds excuses for his sins and blames other people for his misdeeds.

1 Samuel 5:11-12

11 - So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.
12 - And the men that died not were smitten with the emerods: and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

4.   HEROD – (Acts 12: 20-25) – tinanggap ang pagsamba ng mga tao sa kaniya
20 - And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.
21 - And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
22 - And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
23 - And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
24 - But the word of God grew and multiplied.
25 - And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark
5.   _________________ (I pray that your name will not be listed as another example of Pride… who will be later DESTROYED)

   PRIDE stinks! “MABAHO”… people can see it, smell it, know it, hear it. People will run away from you – “hindi ka blessing”… People know that you have pride and usually, you are the last one to accept it because you refuse to see yourself having pride but the smell of it is very strong. You cannot hide it.
   All forms of FALSE HUMILITY will be exposed and sooner or later, lalabas ang tunay mong kulay, so do not delay!!!! Find the solution!!!

SOLUTION: DIE TO YOUR SELF

STEP 1: Die to your selfish ambitions

   Your self-centeredness, your “AKO, AKIN, ME, MYSELF, I” must be put to death on the cross. (Romans 6:6-11)

Romans 6:6-11
6 - Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 - For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 - Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 - Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 - For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 - Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
DIE TO YOUR SELF!!!!......
STEP 2: BURY
   A dead thing which is not buried will smell so bad. Furthermore, a dead person will not arise anymore… No matter how SWEET IS THE SMELL OF TEMPTATION… a dead man will not rise anymore!!! WHY??? HE IS SIMPLY DEAD!!!
CONCLUSION:
   “In the kingdom of the “SELF” the KING must DIE!!! Palitan ang hari ng puso mo, ipalit si JESUS…

   If you are working in the ministry and you do it “depende sa mood” then you are not serving God at all but YOURSELF. That is because you are serving only if you feel good or if you feel OK.
   The sacrifice of worship comes when you serve God because He is God, not depending on the circumstances. “kung hindi uulan… kung may pamasahe… kung ok ang mga tao sa paligid ko… kung may sundo… kung wala akong sumpong…” the ONLY reason you should not minister is when you have sin in your heart that you have not repented of, or when you are dealing with a situation that requires you to settle the matter first. If you serve with these things in your heart, your sacrifice of worship will not be accepted, no matter how sincere or how talented you are. Settle yourself and clean up your life first!

DYING TO SELF
Kung ikaw ay nakalimutan, hindi pinansin o hindi ginalang…
At hindi ka nagdamdam o nasaktan man
Kundi ang puso mo ay mapayapa
Dahil alam mong ang Diyos ay nalulugod sa iyo...
Yan ang kamatayan sa sarili!!!

Kung ang ginawa mong mabuti ay tinaguriang mali o masama
At ang iyong mga nais mangyari ay hindi binigyang halaga, at kung ang
Iyong mga payo ay di pinansin,
Kung sa kabila nito ikaw ay hindi umalsa, nagreklamo o nagmukmok,
Yan ang kamatayan sa sarili!!!

Kung kaya mong tiisin ang anumang hirap, pasakit, panlalait o pangungutya
At katulad ni Jesus ay hindi mo ipinagtanggol ang iyong reputasyon
Yan ang kamatayan sa sarili!!!

Kung hindi mo na pinag-uusapan ang iyong sarili,
Magagandang gawa, kadakilaang nakamit,
At hindi ka nangangating marinig ang papuri ng iba,
Bagkus kung ang puso mo ay mayaman sa papuri at pasasalamat sa iba...
Yan ang kamatayan sa sarili.

Kung ikaw ay handang makinig sa karaingan ng iba
At kung kaya mong ilaan ang iyong panahon
Sa kanilang mga problema…

Kung sa kabila ng iyong karamdaman ay kaya mong maramdaman ang kalagayan ng iba at isinasantabi mo ang iyong sariling kapakanan,
Yan ang kamatayan sa sarili…

Kung sa kabila ng pagod mo at pressure sa workplace mo
Ay nagagawa mo pa ring ngumiti at makipag usap ng tama
Mahinahon pa rin ang iyong pagsasalita
Yan ang kamatayan sa sarili…

Sa kabila ng kawalan ng tiwala sa iyo ng ibang tao dahil sa nagawa mong
Mga karumal dumal na kasalanan
Maging ang mga mahal mo sa buhay ay iniwanan ka
Subalit ikaw ay nagpakumababa sa Panginoon at inako mo lahat ng kasalanan mo
At dahil dito hindi mo binalingan ang mga taong nanakit sa iyo
Bagkus pagmamahal ng Diyos ang ipinakita mo
Hindi ka nanumbat o ipinagtanggol ang sarili mo
Ito ang tunay kamatayan sa sarili

Meditation: Daily Devotion

Isaiah 14:12-15         Proverbs 9:7-10
Ezekiel 28:4         Philippians 2:4-11
Proverbs 16:18-19      1 Peter 5:5-6
Proverbs 6:16-19

HEARING GOD’S VOICE – (JOB 33:14-30)

Meditation: Hearing God’s Voice!

1 John 10:1-5         Matthew 7:7-11
Psalms 32:8-10      Romans 12:1
Isaiah 59:1-3         Proverbs 3:5-6
Jeremiah 42:3-6

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE GOOD NEWS???

God speaks!! God talks TO US in many ways. The problem is that:
1. Man does not listen.
2. Man does not understand.
3. Man does not know God’s voice

Job 33:14-24
14 - For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 - In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 - Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 - That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 - He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 - He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 - So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 - His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 - Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 - If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 - Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

A. IMPORTANCE OF HEARING GOD’S VOICE

   It is very important to hear God’s voice because God has a PERFECT BLUEPRINT for your life and you must hear His directions so that you can obey His will each step of the way!
   The Christian life is an exciting walk where we listen and obey God’s specific directions each step of the way as He guides us on the way to success!!!

Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Exodus 33:15 - And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

Exodus 33:16 - For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

B. CONDITIONS FOR HEARING GOD’S VOICE:

1. Personal Relationship with God – You must have a personal relationship with God. This means that as you meditate on His Words, you begin to know Him more and more, you will learn to know what He likes, what He hates, and what makes Him happy. When you know someone so well, you will understand his ways, his desires, thoughts and plans. When he says something, you will not misunderstand him because you already have a basic knowledge about him. People who do not know him may misunderstand or mis-interpret what he says but those who know him so well will take what he says in the light of who he is. In the same way, as we come you know the God whom we serve, we can possibly know His plans for us. We cannot misunderstand Him or misinterpret what He says because we know Him.
   We have to know Jesus more and more so that we can know His voice. In the book of John, this is clearly seen. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice. This is the main key in heating God’s voice. If your relationship with God is on a personal basis, you know that it is His voice speaking and not your own, or someone else. Without a shadow of doubt, 100% it is God who has spoken. How do you know??? Because I know my shepherd. I know His voice. Kabisado ko kahit nakapikit ako, kilala ko ang boses Niya at hindi ko mapagkakamalan na iba.

John 10: 1-5

1 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
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.
   It does not take a special anointing to know and understand God’s plan for you. It will be revealed as you develop your relationship with Him. My friend, it is very important to develop your relationship with your Father.
2. HOLINESS ( Isaiah 59:2 - But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.)
   In this verse, it is very clear that SIN blocks our ears so that we cannot hear God talking to us. In trying to seek God’s Will in your life, first check the sin factor. For sure, you will hear a wrong voice if you try to listen while sin is still in your heart.
   If you are seeking for direction, eliminate all possible hindrances that plug your ears. Repent from ALL known sin and you can hear His voice clearly.
3. FAITH (Hebrews 11:6 ; Romans 14:23)
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Romans 14:23 - And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
   Most of us Christians ask God a lot of questions but we lack the faith to believe that He answers us or that He really cares for us. In hearing God’s voice, we must walk by Faith.
   It is about time to drop the “I DON’T KNOW” ANSWER from our glossary of most used words in our life. What will you do? “I don’t know... where will you study? Surely all questions are answerable by “I DON’T REALLY KNOW”…
   Many times, specially during decision making when we reach a cross-road and we have to choose, we MUST KNOW. WE MUST MAKE A DECISION BASED ON FAITH. Indecision is NOT from God. When we are so confused, we do not know what to do, that is not from God.
   We seek the Lord, we receive from Him and then WE DECIDE! Most of the questions we ask have their ANSWERS written in the Word of God. What about questions which do not bear moral consequences but refer to personal questions in life like where to study, what to do… etc.
   First, there are Biblical principles to follow. If your question has no answer in the Bible but concerns your future personal life, seek God and then DECIDE by faith. This is God’s will in this area. Your decisions should only be based on what you believe is God’s will for you, not because of pressures or any other reasons.
4. DESIRE TO KNOW & DO ALL OF GOD’S WILL
   Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
   Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.
   If you are a child of God, the only reason you will want to know God’s will in your life is that you WANT to do it. Many times, we ask what God’s will is but then at the back of our mind, WE WANT TO DO OUR WILL.
   In Proverbs 3:4-5, it says there that IN ALL our ways, we should acknowledge Him and what will be the result: He will direct our paths.
   Not only in some ways, but in ALL. In this way, we will be so used to hear His voice.
5. TEACHEABILITY AND OPENNESS:
F - FAITHFUL
A - AVAILABLE
S – SUBMISSIVE
T – TEACHABLE

   God is looking for FAST people: Those who are not close-minded but are open for rebuke, for instruction and for correction. Usually, it is hard to listen to rebuke, correction and instruction. These are painful words specially to a man who does not want to be corrected and most specially to a self-righteous person who thinks he is perfect in his ways.
   Job 33:14 – For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth not.

   Hear the voice of God like a Father. Father knows best, He wants the best, and He gives the best to His children. Do not choose only the pleasant words in life. Listen to the words that may be painful but will bear fruit of righteous living. A teachable heart listens to all that the Father says to him, pleasant or painful words.

5 KINDS OF VOICES

1. God’s Voice – Psalms 73
   In this psalm, David displays the different consequences of not hearing God’s voice and listening to it.
   From the first verse until verse 16, David outlines a litany of woes as he sees and complains about the prosperity if the wicked. He grumbles and complains about how wicked they are and yet they prosper.
   In these sixteen verses of complaining, he did not yet hear God’s voice. A Christian who is not hearing God’s voice is a man full of complaints. Why are the leaders like these? Why is the program so long? Why are they like that? Where do they spend the tithes and offering??? Lots of complaints arise from a man who does not listen to God’s voice. It happens everywhere. Maybe in your church… Listen to your mouth talk. If you are a complainer, maybe you have not entered into the sanctuary yet like David.
   However in verse 18 up to the last verse, a radical change occurs. In these verse, the questions of David are answered. Suddenly, he says he now understands why these things are happening. He begins to have a clear revelation of everything he wanted to know. He finally stopped complaining and realized how ignorant and foolish he was. Finally, he ends-up worshipping and praising the Lord. How did this happen? What change tool place from a complaining and foolish David to a praising David filled with understanding? The answer lies in verse 17 – “until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end…”
   The revelation happened WHEN HE WENT INTO THE SANTUARY OF GOD! My friend, if you have lots of questions and doubts about life, its no use complaining. It will just destroy your faith and the faith of other people. The only place to go to if you have question is in the PRESENCE OF GOD. There He will reveal to you the answeres… there He will change you from a COMPLAINER to a WORSHIPPER.
   Ang taong hindi nakikinig sa Diyos ay laging nagrereklamo...
COMPLAINERS, Listen: GO TO THE SANTUARY OF GOD and hear Him speak to you. The VOICE OF GOD will give you peace, freedom and understanding – it will change your heart and attitude.

2. VOICE OF THE ENEMY – there is confusion and bondage
   One of the names of our Enemy is Satan: or the Accuser of the Brethren… it is his job to accuse us and condemn us. The Voice of Satan brings condemnation…”you are bad… you never do anything right… you are so stupid… you will never change…tanga… bobo… wala ka nang ginawang mabuti… palpak ka talaga… ang sama mo talaga…”
   The enemy also sows confusion, doubt, mistrust, and sinfulness. If you know God’s voice, it is easy to detect the voice of the enemy.

3. OUR OWN VOICE - Proverbs 3:5-7; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 4:23)

Prov 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
Prov 3:6- In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.
2 Cor 10:3- For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2 Cor 10:4- (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2 Cor 10:5- Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2 Cor 10:6- And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
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   One of the loudest voices that block and drown the voice of God is “OUR VOICE” the voice of selfishness and pride… it shouts and wants to be heard… MY need. MY desires. MY ambitions. MY dreams, MY reputation, MY comfort. Sometime, we pray and seek God’s will but OUR WILL is still the one we choose to follow. The only solution here is DYING TO SELF. If you are dead, your voice will no longer be a hindrance in seeking God’s will. DIE DAILY!!!

4. VOICE OF A NEED – John 11:1-6, v.22, 23
   In the story of Lazarus, the VOICE OF A NEED echoed so loud in the ears of Jesus. “LAZARUS, YOUR FRIEND IS DYING!!!” But no matter how great the need was, Jesus was not moved by it… He waited two more days until finally, Lazarus was dead. However, because Jesus was used to hearing God’s voice, the voice of a need was not louder and Jesus only heard the VOICE OF THE FATHER. What a lesson to be learned by all of us. Many times, the voice of a need drowns the voice of God in our lives.

   “Once you have choices to choose from, that means you are NOT ALREADY HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD. When God speaks a direction, He declares it. He does not give you choices.”

   Do not ever fall into the reap set by the devil convincing you that you are the “savior of your family”. As per experience of a lot of full time ministers, most of those who hear God’s call for full time ministry always undergo the “savior-of-the-family” test. The VOICE OF A NEED booms in full stereo, slamming into full force and challenges the decision of the person to continue serving the Lord. If you are not tuned-in to the VOICE OF GOD, this voice may seduce you back and you lose the blessings that God has in store for you.

5. VOICE OF OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS –
   John 11:21 - Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

   In verse 21 of the story, Jesus pressured by another voice: The voice of other people’s expectations. Lazarus was His friend, and He was noted as a Man who made sick people well. Naturally, the people expected Him to run to Lazarus and heal him. His reputation as the compassionate friend was at stake.
   But then Jesus was not pressured even by other people’s expectations. If Jesus was concerned about His reputation, He might just listen to this pressure but then greater was the voice He was tuned-in to. He knew what the Father wanted Him to do. He already hear God’s voice that He was to RAISE LAZARUS FROM DEATH and not just heal him… so he did not give in to this pressure. If Jesus listened to the voice of other people’s expectations, then He would not have performed His greatest miracles, RESURRECTING THE DEAD!!!
   My friend, do not ever be pressured by the expectations of people from you. If you are talented, of gifted, they would expect you to sing in front of audiences every available time. But… Is that what your Father leading you to do??? Your actions and decisions should not be based upon other people’s expectations but based only on the VOICE OF THE FATHER.
   Did He tell you to do it? Listen to your Father’s voice. If you have a very good relationship with Him, you can know if He wants you to do something or not.

6. VOICE OF EMOTIONS
   Romans 14:23 b – for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

   The only walk that God wants us to walk is to walk by faith, not according to our emotions. Sometimes the voice of emotions is too loud. It drowns the voice of God in our lives.
   When loneliness begins to shout… when anger shouts the loudest… when jealousy screams, these emotions may drown the voice of God telling you…”this is the way… walk ye in it…”
   There are many voices that try to influence your life. Tune-in to the VOICE OF GOD and when you do so, drown out the “jammers” which distract you from following God’s perfect will in your life.

HOW CAN YOU HEAR GOD’S VOICE

Discerning God’s Voice

1. Die Daily – mamatay ka sa sarili mong kagustuhan at ambisyon…

1 Corinthians 15:31 - I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily

2. Know your God – Kilalanin mo ang iyong Diyos

John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

3. Read your Bible - the only way you can know God is by knowing His Words. The more you are familiar with God’s written Word, the more it becomes easier to hear and discern His clear voice. Read, meditate, memorize, study and treasure the Word of God and you will be open to the precious plans of God in your life.

4. Fellowship with Him – The more you fellowship with someone, the more you get to know him. In the same manner, God’s voice becomes crystal clear as we consciously and consistently fellowship with Him.
   Zephaniah 3:17 – The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

5. Know your personal prophecy – for every child of God, there is specific blueprint or plan that God has in store. Since He loves you and wants you develop His relationship with you, He is the first one to let you know His plans for you. That is the reason why Knowing God and fellowshipping with Him is a priority in every believer’s Christian Life. The prophetic voices is only to confirm what God has already spoken in your spirit.
   When you are in confusion, go to God. Confused people must be counseled to go to God first not to question Him and ask Him for directions but just to ENJOY HIM… ENJOY HIS PRESENCE… Dedicate the time to worship and seek the Father, not seek directions. Just stay in the presence of the Lord and let His peace rest upon you. Settle your spirit and mind on the Lord until you experience the peace that whatever happens, everything is under control. Remember: God will not lead a man in confusion… If your spirit is at peace and your mind is settle by the gentle spirit of God, then you can think clearly and apply Proverbs 3:5-6.
REMEMEBER: DECISIONS IN LIFE ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU BECOME A PRODUCT OF YOUR DECISIONS! Before you make decisions, always make sure you are hearing the RIGHT VOICE…
1. Do not decide when you are confused.
2. Do not decide when you are emotional
3. DO NOT MAKE ANY DECISION AT THE PEAK OF YOUR EMOTION – that may mean a great defeat in your life which you would regret later.
WALK BY FAITH AND DECIDE BY FAITH! – “Father, if your presence will not go with me then I will not go… if you will not speak through me, then I will not speak” (Exodus 33:15-16 - And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.)
GOD’S COMMITMENT:

“I will INSTRUCT YOU and TEACH YOU in the way you should go…I will COUNSEL YOU and WATCH OVER YOU!” (Psalms 32: Cool

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a VOICE behind saying: THIS IS THE WAY, WALK YE IN IT…” (Isaiah 30:19-20)