Verse of the Day - John 10:4

"When he [Jesus] has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." ~ John 10:4 (NIV)

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A person's voice is very distinct, unique in fact, if analyzed with audio technology that can map out a voice like a fingerprint. Many crimes have been solved using voiceprint technology! But you don't have to be a forensic scientist to recognize the voice of people you know. When your phone rings, it usually takes just a couple of words to know whether it's your best friend or a telemarketer. The voice of a friend or loved one brings a sense of joy and comfort. Telemarketers, not so much. :-\

If you had a friend whom you met on the internet and communicated with only through email, how would you know who they were on the phone? I mean, if you never heard their voice, wouldn't that be difficult? Perhaps at first, but by context, you would know them because of their personality and your history of past topics of conversation. You've seen this in TV and film -- if people want to signal someone that they're in trouble, they can send a message that, to an outsider, seems normal, but to someone who knows them, it is out of character and an indication that they're in trouble. They just wouldn't talk that way. So if you get a phone call from someone who says they're your internet friend, the flavor and context of the conversation will tell you pretty quick who you're talking to -- friend or foe.

So, how do you know the voice of Jesus? You've never heard Him speak at a conference or talked to Him on the phone. You've never seen Him on TV or purchased His CDs. How do you know His voice when He speaks?

Interestingly but not surprisingly, a writer has a voice also. When I forwarded a story I'd written to a writer friend of mine for her opinion, she came back with, "I love your voice!" It's a distinct way of writing that defines one from another. Personality and character are revealed through a person's written words.

God recorded Jesus' voice in the Bible -- have you read it? Can you say that you know Him and His voice?

There is a wolf out there, in the world, who desires nothing more than to seek out and destroy humanity. He spreads lies like sugar on a sugar cookie. But you will never be able to tell Satan's voice from God's voice unless you've listened to God through His word. God reveals who He is, in all His divine beauty, through the Scriptures. He is love and mercy, justice and forgiveness. He is comfort and joy, faithfulness and patience. He is light and hope. Do you know this voice?

Don't be misled by the voice of the evil one. Get to know the sweet voice of the Savior. He will never lead you astray, because He's the Good Shepherd. And He talks to us all the time, through many means. Do you hear Him talking to you?

Love,
Joelene