The Voice of Truth

As I was driving down to my old home place Saturday, I was listening to a cd with this song, which I have heard many times. This time, however, I really “heard” the words and God just spoke to me through this song. I knew there had to be a lesson here. After listening the song in class, we discussed some of the key verses about how “other” voices will tell us that We Will Never Win! Listen to the song and follow along with the words below and see what a truth there is in this song.

There is then a brief lesson at the end.

In Christ,
Hayward

Hear song by Casting Crowns at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is, And he's holding out his hand.

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory
"Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth.

Oh, what I would do to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand.

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me time and time again
"Boy you'll never win, you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth.

But the stone was just the right size to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles when I stop
and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me.

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth.

I will listen and believeI will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe 'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth

"The Voice Of Truth"

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27).

We're all creatures of habit and those who surround us come to know our schedules, our habits, our likes and dislikes, our walk, our voices, and our way of looking at things. Certainly, as believers, we should be familiar with our Master's voice as we devote ourselves to reading the Scriptures, particularly the gospels, which of course have the very words of Christ. The gospel writers recorded many instances where Jesus spoke to His followers regarding who He was and instructed them in the ways they were to follow Him.

We know the Master's voice; some of us have followed His instruction for many years. Yet there are a lot of voices still calling out to us; voices that cry out, "You must have this or do that to find fulfillment." Some of these voices may be neutral but other camouflaged voices have an attitude of greed, envy, lust and other such ungodly traits. There are voices that may tell us we are not really God's children or that we'll never amount to anything in life based on past failures. There are voices prompting fear and anxiety. And there are many more voices crying out to us.

But we must strive to keep our attention on the Voice of Truth; the voice of the Good Shepherd, who knows each of us. We must reaffirm our choice each day to follow Him. The text for this lesson are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: "My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me."

Today’s song states, "But the voice of truth tells me a different story." The challenge is to stay focused on the Voice of Truth! Those other voices can really be loud, persistent, alluring and even demanding, but they have no real interest in our eternal welfare.

God who often speaks in the "still, small voice" and at times in a whisper says, "My sheep listen to my voice. I know them…" How good and reassuring it is to not only hear the voice of our Shepherd, but to know that He is also very familiar with our voice and all our ways. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. (Psalm 139:3).

Isaiah 26:3 says, You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! When our mind wanders off into fear territory where other voices beckon us, let this verse draw our spirit back into the sanctuary of perfect peace where Jesus resides and trust is gained.

Today may we all indeed "choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth."

Be encouraged today.

Prayer: Father, Your Word cautions us to test the spirits, to see if they are from You or from the master deceiver. The voices that we choose to hear should always guide our hearts to the Master Shepherd; not to other vices, negative attitudes, or to self-glorification. As we seek after Your heart, we will easily recognize the voice of Jesus our Shepherd and desire to follow Him in all our ways. Amen.