VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS

ISSUE 2

Welcome back to Voice In The Wilderness. I am so excited to get this one published because there will be

a very special section this time. I had an interview with a very good Christian friend of mine with her own

ministry, and she was gracious enough to let me spread her message to my readers.

This issue will focus on obedience to the voice of God. Everything will center around that subject. It is so

important to be tuned in to the voice of God wherever you go so that you don't go wrong. In the words of

Charles Stanley, "Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him."

BIBLE STUDY – OBEDIENCE

Scripture References: Romans 8:28 & 2 Timothy 1:9

According to the two verses we are looking at, everyone has a calling. Another wonderful reference to look at

would be in Romans 9:11. It says, “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that

the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)”. There are two truths

that need to be understood.

The first truth, as stated before, is that everyone has a calling. God knew our calling even before our birth. He

knew us before we were conceived. But here is the problem most Christians face: your ministry will not work

unless God says to do it. Sometimes things don’t quite work out because it’s not what God is telling you to do. We

don’t always have to have a dramatic calling like being a missionary or pastoring a new church. Sometimes it’s

simply smiling at one person every day. Our part is to accept the calling. It is up to us to get the ball rolling. If it’s

truly a calling from God, He will provide the tools necessary to do it.

The second truth is that there will always be results from a true calling. In Romans 9:23, we are referred to as

“vessels of mercy”. That means that God is using us as His vessels to portray His mercy and love to a lost and dying

world. Those results are that the Gospel, the TRUE Gospel, is made known through us. Sometimes, we even see a

lost sinner come to know Jesus through salvation. Then the results can be furthered by that person fulfilling THEIR

calling in Jesus.

What is God calling you to do today?

A Passion For Purity

All of us are ministers. We may not be standing before a church of 300 people, but we are ministers. In the case of

one of my dear sisters in Christ, she is a minister to young folks who long to live a life of purity. I had the privilege

of asking her a few questions about her calling, and about how she knew she had to obey what God wanted her to

do.

Before you take a look at the interview, I want to tell you a little bit about Ashley and what her ministry is all

about. I first met her in a youth group at the church I used to be a member of. She was asked to lead music for a

few of our services. As I got to know her, I found out that she was starting a ministry of her own called Passion For

Purity. It is a ministry for young people who want to please God with a pure heart. I attended one of her meetings

at another local church and it was phenomenal. Many people made a commitment to a life of purity. She also has a

real talent in music, and it’s wonderful to hear her sing God’s praises. I hope you can get a little something out of

the answers she gave me to the questions that I had.

How did you get saved? What is your testimony to how you came to know the Lord?

“I got saved at my church when I was 5 years old. It was in Awana class, and when I got home I remember talking

to my mom. When I was 10, I rededicated my life and made the decision I didn't want to just be safe, but I wanted

to live for Him and not myself.”

As a ministry leader, how do you connect with others that want to be a part of it?

“I have a pretty big audience on social media. I meet lots of people there. Actually anyone who has greatly

supported me & passion for purity, I met on Twitter. I think it's a great platform to meet others who have the same

view as you.”

Do you personally find it hard to obey God’s voice when others tell you to do something different?

“Personally no. I know my standards and I stick to that. I don't let the voice of others define me, and I don't allow it

to shake me. I have my morals and convictions and it can't be altered. Setting your boundaries ahead of time helps

a lot in those situations.”

What does Romans 8:28 mean to you?

“That if you surrender yourself to Him, He will work out everything for you. That doesn't mean your life will be

perfect at all. But He has called us and equipped us. In return, we need to love Him. He will provide according to His

will.”

What would be your message to those that want to obey God’s calling on their lives, but they don’t know where to

start?

“First invest time into Him. Open your Bible, actually study it & apply it. Have a constant mindset of prayer. Be

faithful in prayer. Don't be shaped by the world or the standards of society. Place your life in His hands. Let Him

lead you. Pray for His desires to become yours. Let go of everything else. Follow Him in everything you do, and every

decision you make.”

I want to give a big thank you to Ashley for her time. She has been such a blessing to me and to many others.

WORD STUDY – Obedience

The word obedience comes from the Latin oboedire. It means to listen to, harken, serve, or to be subject to…

How can we apply it? Are we obeying God’s voice? Don’t let anything be a hindrance to your godly calling.

Character Study – When The Calling Just Doesn’t Make Sense

The first two people that come to mind when someone says obedience are Abraham and Noah. Let’s look at some

short lessons to be learned from these two men.

Reference: Genesis 22:1-18

Obedience can sometimes cost us something we love. Abraham was willing to listen to God because he knew

something good always came out of the Lord’s plan. The result of his obedience can be found in verse 18.

Reference: Genesis 6:13-9:17

Let’s rewind a little bit. Another lesson to be learned is that obedience can be a life saver…literally. Even though

Noah was made fun of, he continued to be faithful. In the end, the lives of the righteous were saved and fellowship

with God was restored.

A Hymn Of Obedience

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,

But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,

But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;

Never fear, only trust and obey.

Do You Know Jesus?

The highest form of obedience is trusting Jesus to be your personal Lord and Savior. If you would like to know Him

more intimately and to spend your time obeying God’s voice, say this prayer out loud:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that you died for me. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and wash

me clean. Lord Jesus, come into my heart today and make me a new person. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.