The Father's Voice

Bill Gates revolutionized the computer world by creating a method for all programs on a computer to speak the same "language." Before "Windows" each program on a computer worked independently of the others and had to be separately opened and closed before another program could be accessed.
With "Windows" the programs are unique, but able to "talk" to each other because they are in the same "environment." Thanks to Gates' genius, working on a home computer is now fun, fast and focused compared to life before this revolution.

The Father's Voice
It’s a tragedy for young ministers and sons to align themselves with people who can’t speak their destiny. Too many ministers have been misnamed by those who prophesied their defeat instead of their destiny; because of the lack of a Spiritual Father who can't "speak" their language.

Sons need their father's blessings.
Jacob refused to die until he had blessed his sons. Genesis 49:1, 33
Moses blessed the children of Israel before his death. Deuteronomy 33:1
Jesus didn't begin His earthly ministry without His Heavenly Father’s blessing.

1. Fathers Speak With Authority
A. No one speaks like a father speaks.
B. True authority comes from God. Matthew 28:18
C. Fathers have been delegated by God to represent Him.
D. The abuse of authority does not give us the right to become rebels. Romans 13:1-2
E. Understanding spiritual authority is one of the great conflicts of the church.

2. Fathers Speak With Knowledge
A. God gave us parents to care for us until we are able to provide for ourselves.
B. Parents sacrifice to educate their children.
C. Everything we learn in life comes through other people.
D. “Train up a child in the way he should go.” Proverbs 22:6
E. The education and training we receive as youth equips us to find fulfillment as adults.

3. Fathers Speak With Wisdom
A. Wisdom is the ability to properly use knowledge.
B. “Wise people store up knowledge.” Proverbs 10:14
C. Sin makes fools of us. Psalm 14:1, Proverbs 21:15

It has often been said that, "it's best to learn from your mistakes." I believe that it's "good" to learn from your mistakes, but it's "best" to learn from someone else's mistakes. Thus never having to make that mistake yourself.
Let's be honest, there's not enough time in the world to make all the mistakes possible. I'd rather not waste my time and character learning the hard way. A Father's voice is the safeguard.

This is why it's important to hear and know the voice of a Spiritual Father. In looking at these three points, I have discovered there are plenty of people who speak with knowledge but lack wisdom.
A Spiritual Father is one who has knowledge, speaks with wisdom, with the authority you've submitted to in order to grow as a spiritual son.

We must recognize our father's voice.



(inspired by: Dale Yerton)

Listen Up

I went to church today.
A statement was made.
It has been bothering me all day.

The well-intended minister was speaking in regards to us as children of God and hearing God's purpose for our lives.

The statement(paraphrased): "You should be concerned with knowing what God is saying to you rather than feeling inadequate to hear Him."

The example: If your child is playing in the street, and a car is coming, are you going to quietly say, "John, please get out of the street" hoping he hears you? Or are you going to do everything you can to get his attention? Of course you'd be jumping and yelling.."Get out of the road!" That's how God is.

I see what he was trying to portray. I personally believe there's more under the surface that we all at one time or another have questioned when trying to listen to God.

As a parent, I want my children to hear my voice and respond instantly. This really stuck out to me this morning because this was a real life situation that happened to me when my son was two. We were outside in the front yard and before I knew it...he took off down the driveway headed towards the street. I instantly stood up and yelled, "Son, stop!" He did. A two year old. My child instantly heard and responded. Why? He knows my voice.
Now don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that my children instantly do this every time. If you're a parent then you know the joys of telling your children to do something and they look at you like your Vanilla Ice trying to explain the difference between his beat on "Ice Ice Baby" and David Bowie's beat "Under Pressure."

I distinctly remember one time being in a church with 2000 other people listening to a message with my wife, Lora. Then I heard a sneeze. I leaned over to Lora and said, "that sounds like my dad." Unknown to us, he was in the building, too. Turned out, it was him sneezing. How did I recognize him out of a room of 2000 people? I spent time with him. A lot of time.


Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)
Again, going back to personal experience, I have found that the times in my life where I have asked God to talk to me, give me direction and it seems that He's not talking.....the truth is He was talking, I just forgot what He sounded like. I hadn't spent time with Him like I once did.

If you're like me and have struggled lately to hear from God, the good news is He does speak and the key to hearing Him...is spending time with Him. I assure you when you do that you'll hear His heartbeat and know what He wants for you. And He didn't have to jump around and yell at you.