JOEL: GOD BLESS YOU.
IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU
TODAY. I HOPE YOU'LL STAY
CONNECTED WITH US DURING
THE WEEK, THROUGH OUR DAILY
PODCAST, OUR YOUTUBE
CHANNEL, SOCIAL MEDIA.
WE'LL KEEP YOU ENCOURAGED
AND INSPIRED.
I LIKE TO START WITH
SOMETHING FUNNY.
I HEARD ABOUT THIS PASTOR
AND SONG LEADER THAT
WEREN'T GETTING ALONG.
IT STARTED SPILLING OVER
IN THE SERVICES.
ONE SUNDAY, THE PASTOR
PREACHED ON THE IMPORTANCE
OF BEING A GIVER.
AFTERWARD, THE SONG LEADER
GOT UP AND LED THE SONG,
"JESUS PAID IT ALL.”
THE NEXT WEEK, THE PASTOR
TALKED ABOUT NOT GOSSIPING,
WATCHING YOUR TONGUE.
THE SONG LEADER GOT UP AND
LED, “I LOVE TO TELL THE
STORY.” THE PASTOR WAS SO
FRUSTRATED, HE FINALLY
RESIGNED. HE TOLD THE
CONGREGATION, “JESUS
BROUGHT ME HERE AND JESUS
IS TAKING ME AWAY.”
THE SONG LEADER THEN LED,
“WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN
JESUS.”
SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT.
THIS IS MY BIBLE. I AM
WHAT IT SAYS I AM. I HAVE
WHAT IT SAYS I HAVE. I CAN
DO WHAT IT SAYS I CAN DO.
TODAY, I WILL BE TAUGHT THE
WORD OF GOD. I BOLDLY
CONFESS: MY MIND IS ALERT.
MY HEART IS RECEPTIVE.
I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
IN JESUS' NAME.
GOD BLESS YOU.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU TODAY
ABOUT LISTEN TO THE WHISPER.
WE DON'T ALWAYS REALIZE HOW
GOD SPEAKS TO US.
WE'VE SEEN IN THE MOVIES
WHERE GOD SPOKE TO MOSES,
THE VOICE BOOMED OUT OF
THE HEAVENS, SOUNDED LIKE
THUNDER. IT WAS SO
POWERFUL AND DRAMATIC;
IT GAVE YOU GOOSEBUMPS.
BUT MOST OF THE TIME GOD
SPEAKS TO US IN A GENTLE
WHISPER.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING LOUD.
IT'S NOT FORCEFUL.
IT'S CALLED THE STILL
SMALL VOICE.
WE FEEL AN IMPRESSION, A
PROMPTING, NOT IN OUR HEAD
BUT IN OUR HEART. IT'S LIKE
A SUGGESTION, SOMETHING
THAT WE SUDDENLY KNOW WE'RE
SUPPOSED TO DO.
THAT'S NOT RANDOM, THAT'S
NOT YOU JUST THINKING UP
THINGS, THAT'S GOD SPEAKING
TO YOU.
SIX TIMES IN THE GOSPELS,
JESUS SAID, “HE THAT HAS
EARS, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE
SPIRIT IS SAYING.” EVERYONE
HAS EARS.
HE WASN'T TALKING ABOUT
PHYSICALLY; HE'S TALKING
ABOUT YOUR INNER EARS.
HE WAS SAYING, ARE YOU
SENSITIVE TO THE WHISPER?
ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION TO
WHAT YOU'RE FEELING IN YOUR
SPIRIT?
IT'S EASY TO IGNORE IT,
PUSH IT DOWN.
BUT IF YOU'LL START OBEYING
THESE PROMPTINGS, THE
SUGGESTIONS, THE GENTLE
WHISPERS, GOD WILL LEAD YOU
DOWN THE BEST PATH FOR YOUR
LIFE.
YOU SEE THAT COWORKER AND
SUDDENLY YOU HAVE THE
DESIRE TO BE GOOD TO THEM. YOU
FEEL COMPASSION, SOMETHING
SAYS, “LET THEM KNOW THAT
YOU CARE.” YOU'LL BE
TEMPTED TO REASON IT OUT.
“THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'RE
DOING FINE.
THEY DON'T NEED MY
ENCOURAGEMENT.” DON'T
IGNORE THE WHISPER.
GOD WOULDN'T HAVE GIVEN YOU
THAT IMPRESSION IF THEY
DIDN'T NEED IT.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE
ARE GOING THROUGH.
YOU CAN'T JUDGE BY THE
OUTSIDE.
THAT WHISPER IS GOD LEADING
YOU.
THE MORE YOU OBEY THAT
STILL SMALL VOICE, THE MORE
GOD CAN ENTRUST YOU WITH.
SOMETIMES YOU FEEL AN
UNREST, AN UNEASINESS, LIKE
AN ALARM IS GOING OFF,
TELLING YOU NOT TO DO
SOMETHING.
STAY AWAY FROM THAT PERSON,
DON'T TAKE THAT BUSINESS
DEAL, DON'T GET INVOLVED IN
THAT SITUATION.
IT LOOKS FINE, EVERYTHING
SEEMS OKAY.
DON'T GO AGAINST THE
WHISPER.
GOD SEES THINGS THAT WE
CAN'T SEE.
HE KNOWS WHERE THE DEAD
ENDS ARE.
HE KNOWS THE PEOPLE THAT
ARE GOING TO PULL US DOWN
AND WASTE OUR TIME.
WHEN WE LOOK BACK OVER OUR
LIFE AT MISTAKES WE'VE
MADE, DISAPPOINTMENTS,
FAILURES, IF WE'RE HONEST,
MOST OF THE TIME, WE CAN
SEE HOW GOD TRIED TO WARN
US.
WE FELT THE UNEASINESS.
WE KNEW SOMETHING WASN'T
RIGHT, BUT WE WANTED OUR
WAY SO BADLY, WE OVERRODE
IT.
IF THERE'S AN UNREST, IF
THAT WHISPER IS SAYING,
BACK OFF, IT'S NOT BECAUSE
GOD IS PUNISHING YOU,
KEEPING YOU FROM SOMETHING
GOOD, HE'S PROTECTING YOU.
HE'S KEEPING YOU FROM
HEARTACHE.
THE REASON THAT WHISPER IS
SAYING NO IS BECAUSE HE HAS
SOMETHING BETTER IN STORE.
WHEN YOU HAVE BIG
DECISIONS, THINGS YOU'RE
CONCERNED ABOUT, IT'S
IMPORTANT TO GET QUIET AND
LISTEN TO THE WHISPER.
LISTEN TO WHAT YOU'RE
FEELING.
YOU CAN'T HEAR IT IF YOU'RE
ALWAYS BUSY, NOISY,
STRESSED OUT, GETTING
OPINIONS FROM OTHERS, ON
THE PHONE ALL THE TIME.
IT'S NOT THAT GOD ISN'T
SPEAKING, IT'S THAT IT'S
TOO LOUD AROUND US.
YOU NEED TIMES OF PEACE,
TIMES WHERE YOU CAN GET
QUIET AND HEAR THE WHISPER.
EVERY MORNING, I START THE
DAY OFF SAYING, “GOD, HELP
MY SPIRITUAL EARS TO BE
SENSITIVE TO YOUR VOICE.
HELP ME TO HEAR WHAT YOU'RE
SAYING.” IT'S NOT GOING TO
BE YOUR MIND, JUST A
FEELING DOWN IN HERE, AN
IMPRESSION.
ALL OF THE SUDDEN, YOU HAVE
A DESIRE TO CHECK ON YOUR
CHILDREN.
OR A PROMPTING TO GO A
CERTAIN PLACE.
IT'S EASY TO DISMISS IT,
“OH, THAT'S NOTHING, THAT'S
JUST ME DAYDREAMING.” NO,
THAT'S GOD SPEAKING TO YOU.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE
WHISPERS.
THERE ARE TIMES THESE
WHISPERS ARE GOING TO ASK
YOU TO DO THINGS YOU DON'T
UNDERSTAND.
THINGS THAT DON'T MAKE
SENSE.
IF YOU REASON IT OUT, LOOK
AT IT ONLY FROM A LOGICAL
POINT OF VIEW, YOU'LL TALK
YOURSELF OUT OF IT.
WHEN VICTORIA AND I WERE
FIRST MARRIED, WE FOUND
THIS TOWNHOME THAT WE
REALLY LOVED.
IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE
WITH BIG WINDOWS LOOKING
OUT TO THE WOODS, TALL
CEILINGS.
WE GOT IT FOR AN AMAZING
PRICE, ALMOST HALF OF WHAT
IT WAS WORTH.
WE WERE SO GRATEFUL.
WE NEVER DREAMED THAT IN
OUR MID-TWENTIES WE WOULD
HAVE A PLACE THAT NICE.
ABOUT A YEAR LATER,
VICTORIA SAID, “JOEL, I
FEEL SO STRONGLY, WE NEED
TO SELL THIS PLACE AND BUY
A HOUSE.” I THOUGHT, “WHAT
DO YOU MEAN?
THIS PLACE IS PERFECT.
WE JUST GOT HERE.” THAT
DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO MY
MIND, BUT WHEN I GOT QUIET
AND LISTENED DOWN IN HERE,
I COULD HEAR THAT SAME
THING.
DON'T BE SURPRISED IF THAT
STILL SMALL VOICE WHISPERS
THINGS THAT GO AGAINST YOUR
LOGIC.
GOD'S WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS.
THAT'S A TEST. YOU HAVE TO
TRUST THAT GOD KNOWS WHAT'S
BEST FOR YOU.
WE TOOK THAT STEP OF FAITH
AND SOLD IT.
A FEW MONTHS LATER,
VICTORIA CALLED AND SAID,
“JOEL, I FOUND OUR NEW
HOUSE, MEET ME AT THE
PROPERTY.” I PULLED UP, IT
WAS THIS OLD RUNDOWN HOUSE,
HADN'T BEEN LIVED IN IN
YEARS.
IT HAD BROKEN WINDOWS,
FOUNDATION PROBLEMS. THE
KITCHEN HAD BUCKETS OF
WATER ON THE FLOOR FROM THE
HOLES IN THE ROOF.
IT WASN'T EVEN LIVABLE, BUT
IT WAS ON A BEAUTIFUL HALF
ACRE LOT, CLOSE INTO THE
CITY.
ALL OF OUR LOGIC SAID, “ARE
YOU CRAZY?
YOU MOVED OUT OF YOUR
BEAUTIFUL TOWN HOME TO THIS
PIECE OF JUNK.” BUT DOWN IN
MY SPIRIT, I COULD HEAR
THAT WHISPER SAYING, “THIS
IS IT.
MOVE FORWARD.” THE
SCRIPTURE TALKS ABOUT,
“PEACE THAT PASSES
UNDERSTANDING.” THAT MEANS
SOMETIMES YOUR LOGIC IS NOT
GOING TO UNDERSTAND.
YOUR INTELLECT IS NOT GOING
TO GET IT, BUT DOWN IN YOUR
SPIRIT, THERE WILL BE A
PEACE, A REST, A KNOWING.
YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN IT, IT
DOESN'T MAKE SENSE ON
PAPER, YOU JUST KNOW THAT
YOU KNOW IT'S RIGHT FOR YOU.
WE BOUGHT THE HOUSE AND
WERE GOING TO FIX IT UP.
THE DAY WE CLOSED ON THE
PROPERTY, I WAS STANDING IN
THE FRONT YARD AND THIS CAR
PULLED UP.
A LADY GOT OUT AND ASKED IF
WE WANTED TO SELL THE
PROPERTY.
I SAID, “NO MA'AM, WE JUST
BOUGHT IT.” SHE SAID, “HOW
ABOUT I PAY YOU MORE AND
YOU MAKE A GOOD PROFIT?” I
SAID, “NO THANKS, WE REALLY
WANT TO STAY HERE.” SHE
SAID, “CONGRATULATIONS, YOU
JUST BOUGHT YOUR DREAM
HOUSE.” I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT
SHE MEANT.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS IN THE
PROCESS OF CHANGING THE
DEED RESTRICTIONS, SO YOU
COULD SUBDIVIDE THE
PROPERTY.
A YEAR LATER, A BUILDER
KNOCKED ON OUR DOOR AND
WANTED TO BUY IT.
WE SOLD HALF OF THE
PROPERTY FOR MORE THAN WE
PAID FOR THE WHOLE PROPERTY.
HE BUILT TWO HOUSES, ONE
FOR HIM AND ONE FOR US.
OUR HOUSE HE BUILT FOR NO
FEE, WE JUST PAID THE
MATERIALS AND THE LABOR.
IT WAS MORE THAN WE COULD
EVER IMAGINE.
WE WENT FROM A TOWNHOUSE TO
A BEAUTIFUL NEW HOUSE IN A
NICE AREA IN HOUSTON.
THIS ALL STARTED FROM A
WHISPER, A SIMPLE
SUGGESTION DOWN IN OUR
SPIRIT.
IF YOU'LL BE SENSITIVE TO
THAT STILL SMALL VOICE, NOT
TALK YOURSELF OUT OF IT,
GOD WILL LEAD YOU PLACES
THAT YOU'VE NEVER DREAMED.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ON THE
INSIDE OF EACH ONE OF US.
HE'S CALLED OUR HELPER, OUR
COUNSELOR, OUR GUIDE.
THE MORE SENSITIVE WE ARE
TO HIS WHISPERS, WHAT WE'RE
FEELING, THE PROMPTINGS,
THE NUDGING, THE FURTHER
WE'RE GOING TO GO.
THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE
LEARNED SO STRONGLY,
ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST
TWENTY YEARS.
I WON'T GO AGAINST WHAT I'M
FEELING ON THE INSIDE.
I TRUST MY SENSOR.
THAT'S WHERE GOD SPEAKS TO
YOU.
NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE
OPPORTUNITY LOOKS, NO
MATTER HOW IMPRESSIVE, IF
YOU DON'T HAVE PEACE ABOUT
IT, DON'T MOVE FORWARD. OR
JUST THE OPPOSITE, IT MAY
SEEM IMPOSSIBLE, THE ODDS
ARE AGAINST US, ALL THE
CIRCUMSTANCES SAY IT'S NOT
GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT IF YOU
HAVE PEACE, THAT KNOWING,
TAKE THAT STEP OF FAITH.
WHEN YOU DEVELOP THIS SKILL
OF LISTENING TO THE
WHISPER, FOLLOWING THAT
STILL SMALL VOICE, GOD WILL
NOT ONLY TAKE YOU FURTHER,
BUT HE'LL PROTECT YOU FROM
THINGS THAT WOULD HAVE
CAUSED YOU HEARTACHE AND
PAIN.
MY BROTHER-IN-LAW KEVIN WAS
WORKING ON HIS WASHING
MACHINE A WHILE BACK.
KEVIN CAN FIX ANYTHING.
HE DISCONNECTED THE HOSE IN
THE BACK, TURNED THE WATER
OFF AT THE VALVE.
HE NEEDED TO RUN UP TO THE
STORE AND GET SOME PARTS.
AS HE WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE,
SOMETHING SAID TO HIM, OUT
OF THE BLUE, HE WASN'T EVEN
THINKING ABOUT IT, “YOU
NEED TO PUT A CAP ON THAT
FAUCET IN CASE THE VALVE
BREAKS.” NORMALLY WHEN YOU
TURN THE FAUCET OFF, YOU
DON'T NEED TO CAP IT, BUT
HE HEARD IT SEVERAL TIMES.
NOT OUT LOUD, JUST AN
IMPRESSION, A GENTLE
WHISPER.
HE WAS IN A HURRY, THOUGHT,
“THERE'S NO NEED, I'M JUST
BEING OVERLY CAUTIOUS.” A
FEW HOURS LATER, HIS
CHILDREN CALLED, “DADDY,
HURRY HOME, THERE'S WATER
ALL OVER THE HOUSE, THE
KITCHEN, THE DEN, THE
STUDY.” HE SAID, “JOEL, I
HEARD IT SO STRONGLY BUT I
KEPT IGNORING IT.” PAY
ATTENTION TO THE WHISPERS.
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WON'T GO
AWAY, IT KEEPS COMING BACK,
THAT'S GOD SPEAKING TO YOU.
SOMETIMES THE WHISPER IS
VERY PRACTICAL, “YOU'RE
DRINKING TOO MUCH CAFFEINE.
YOU'RE NOT EATING HEALTHY.
THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU.”
YOU KEEP HEARING IT AGAIN
AND AGAIN, PUSHING IT DOWN.
DON'T IGNORE IT.
OR MAYBE YOU HEAR THAT
WHISPER, “YOU NEED TO GET
TO WORK ON TIME.
YOU NEED TO TREAT YOUR
SPOUSE BETTER.
YOU NEED TO WATCH YOUR
WORDS.” GENTLE WHISPERS,
IMPRESSIONS IN YOUR SPIRIT,
NOT YOUR MIND.
YOUR INTELLECT MAY SAY IT'S
FINE, BUT DOWN IN HERE,
IT'S SOMETHING YOU KNOW YOU
SHOULD DO.
WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE
WHISPERS ARE FOR OUR
BENEFIT, THE WHISPERS IS
GOD LEADING US DOWN THE
BEST PATH, THEN WE WON'T
IGNORE IT.
WE WON'T PUSH IT DOWN;
WE'LL BE QUICK TO OBEY.
AT THE MALL, YOU DON'T FEEL
GOOD ABOUT THAT PURCHASE,
YOU DON'T OVERRIDE IT, YOU
PUT IT BACK.
AT HOME, YOU FEEL THAT
PROMPTING TO SPEND TIME
WITH YOUR CHILD, YOU TURN
THE TV OFF AND OBEY.
AT WORK, SOMETHING SAYS,
“DON'T HANG AROUND THAT
PERSON.” YOU FEEL UNEASY,
THE ALARM IS GOING OFF.
YOU DON'T REASON IT OUT,
“THEY LOOK FINE TO ME.” YOU
TRUST YOUR SENSOR.
YOU MAKE THE CHANGE.
MY FATHER WAS DRIVING DOWN
THE FREEWAY ONE DAY.
WHEN HE GOT OFF ON THE
FEEDER, HE FELT SOMETHING
WHISPER, “YOU BETTER SLOW
DOWN, THERE'S A POLICEMAN
AROUND THE CURVE.” JUST AN
IMPRESSION, A PROMPTING.
HE DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION.
HE KEPT SPEEDING ALONG.
HE GOT AROUND THE CURVE
AND, SURE ENOUGH, THERE WAS
A POLICEMAN, WITH HIS RADAR
GUN, WAVING HIM INTO THE
PARKING LOT.
DADDY PULLED IN. THE
OFFICER CAME UP TO HIS CAR.
MY FATHER SAID, “OFFICER,
YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS, BUT
THE LORD TOLD ME YOU WERE
HERE.” THE OFFICER LOOKED
AT HIM LIKE.
“YEAH RIGHT, WHO IS THIS
GUY?” HE TOOK HIS DRIVERS'
LICENSE AND WENT TO HIS CAR.
HE CAME BACK IN A COUPLE
MINUTES AND GAVE IT BACK TO
MY FATHER.
HE SAID, “LISTEN HERE
PREACHER, I'M GOING TO LET
YOU GO, BUT NEXT TIME THE
LORD SPEAKS TO YOU, YOU
BETTER LISTEN.”
HOW MANY TIMES IS GOD
WHISPERING TO US THROUGHOUT
THE DAY BUT WE'RE NOT
SENSITIVE TO IT?
JUST A WHISPER, “SLOW DOWN
ON THE FREEWAY, BE KINDER
TO YOUR SPOUSE, CALL THAT
FRIEND AND ENCOURAGE THEM,
STOP BY AND SEE YOUR
PARENTS.
TURN OFF THAT COMPUTER, GET
SOME MORE SLEEP, TAKE CARE
OF YOURSELF.” GENTLE
WHISPERS.
THEY'RE NOT LOUD.
GOD IS NOT GOING TO FORCE
YOU TO DO IT.
IT'S JUST AN IMPRESSION.
THE WORD “OBEY” IN THE
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE MEANS
“GIVE EAR TO.” TO BE
OBEDIENT, YOU HAVE TO GIVE
YOUR EAR TO WHAT GOD IS
SAYING.
YOU HAVE TO BE A LISTENER.
BE SENSITIVE TO THE WHISPER.
WHAT ARE YOU FEELING IN
YOUR SPIRIT?
IT MAY NOT BE WORDS, JUST A
KNOWING.
SOMETHING DEEP DOWN YOU
KNOW YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
I'VE HEARD IT SAID, THE
LOUDEST VOICE IN YOUR LIFE
SHOULD BE THE STILL SMALL
VOICE.
THE WHISPERS WILL BE QUIET.
OTHER VOICES, THOUGHTS,
REASONING, PEOPLE'S
OPINIONS, NEWS WILL BE MUCH
LOUDER, BUT YOU HAVE TO
LEARN TO GIVE THE WHISPERS
THE MOST ATTENTION.
WHEN YOU LET THE STILL
SMALL VOICE BE THE VOICE
YOU FOLLOW, YOU'LL MAKE THE
BEST DECISIONS.
A FRIEND OF MINE THAT
ATTENDS LAKEWOOD WAS A
SENIOR IN COLLEGE.
THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN IN
HER MATH CLASS THAT SHE
BECAME FRIENDS WITH.
SHE WOULD SEE HIM FROM TIME
TO TIME.
THEY WOULD TALK OR GO TO
THE MATH LAB TOGETHER.
ONE DAY, SOMETHING SAID TO
HER, INVITE THAT YOUNG MAN
TO CHURCH.
SHE DIDN'T KNOW HIM THAT
WELL.
SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE
BELIEVED.
SHE THOUGHT, “THAT'S GOING
TO BE KIND OF STRANGE.
HE'S GOING TO THINK THAT'S
TOO FORWARD.” ON AND ON.
SHE KEPT COMING UP WITH ALL
THESE EXCUSES AND WOULDN'T
DO IT.
A WEEK WENT BY, TWO WEEKS,
A MONTH, BUT SHE COULDN'T
GET AWAY FROM IT.
ONE WAY YOU KNOW IT'S FROM
GOD, IS IT WON'T GO AWAY.
THAT IMPRESSION, THAT
PROMPTING, IT KEEPS COMING
BACK.
EVERY TIME SHE SAW HIM,
DOWN DEEP, SHE HEARD THAT
WHISPER, “INVITE HIM TO
CHURCH.” SOMETIMES, GOD
WILL ASK YOU TO DO THINGS
THAT ARE UNCOMFORTABLE,
WHERE YOU HAVE TO STRETCH
AND TAKE A STEP OF FAITH.
THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL,
SHE GOT HER NERVE UP AND
DID IT.
SHE INVITED HIM TO LAKEWOOD.
THEY BOTH GRADUATED AND
WENT THEIR SEPARATE WAYS.
SHE NEVER KNEW WHAT HE DID
WITH THE INVITATION, BUT
SHE FELT GOOD THAT SHE
OBEYED THAT STILL SMALL
VOICE.
TWO YEARS LATER, SHE MET
HER HUSBAND HERE AT
LAKEWOOD.
THEY FELL IN LOVE AND WERE
MARRIED, LIFE WAS GOOD.
ONE DAY, THEY WERE LEAVING
THE SERVICE AND SHE SAW THE
YOUNG MAN FROM COLLEGE AT
THE BACK OF THE AUDITORIUM.
HE HAD A BADGE ON, HE WAS
AN USHER.
SHE WAS AMAZED.
SHE SAID, “I CAN'T BELIEVE
YOU'RE HERE AND THAT YOU
VOLUNTEER.” HER HUSBAND
WENT OVER TO HIM AND GAVE
HIM A BIG HUG AND SAID,
“HEY, HOW YOU BEEN DOING?”
THEY BEGAN TO TALK LIKE
THEY WERE OLD FRIENDS.
SHE LOOKED AT HER HUSBAND
AND SAID, “HOW DO YOU KNOW
HIM?” HER HUSBAND SAID,
“HE'S THE ONE THAT INVITED
ME TO LAKEWOOD.
HE'S THE REASON THAT I'M
HERE.” THAT WHOLE TIME SHE
WAS HEARING THAT WHISPER,
“INVITE HIM TO LAKEWOOD,”
SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS DOING
HIM A FAVOR; IN FACT, SHE
WAS DOING HERSELF A FAVOR.
THAT GENTLE WHISPER WAS
SAYING IN EFFECT, “INVITE
YOUR HUSBAND TO CHURCH.”
GOD SEES THE BIG PICTURE.
HE KNOWS HOW TO CONNECT THE
DOTS.
WE'RE NEVER GOING TO
UNDERSTAND, AT THE TIME,
ALL HE'S DOING.
HOW HE'S ARRANGING, MOVING,
AND PREPARING.
ANY TIME YOU FEEL THAT
WHISPER, THAT IMPRESSION,
IT MAY BE TO BE GOOD TO
SOMEONE ELSE, BUT IT WILL
BE INSTRUMENTAL IN REACHING
YOUR DESTINY.
THERE WILL BE THESE TIMES
WHERE YOU'RE UNCOMFORTABLE,
YOU HAVE TO STRETCH, YOU
HAVE TO PUSH PAST THE FEAR,
THE UNCERTAINTY AND DO WHAT
YOU KNOW GOD IS ASKING YOU
TO DO.
EVERY ACT OF OBEDIENCE
LEADS TO A BLESSING.
YOU MAY NOT SEE IT RIGHT
NOW, BUT DOWN THE ROAD GOD
WILL CONNECT THE DOTS.
THAT GENTLE WHISPER MAY BE
TELLING YOU TO FORGIVE, LET
GO OF THAT HURT, QUIT
HOLDING ON TO THE GRUDGE.
THAT'S UNCOMFORTABLE.
YOUR MIND WILL SAY, “NO
WAY, THEY HURT YOU TOO
BADLY.” YOU GET TO CHOOSE.
WHICH VOICE ARE YOU GOING
TO OBEY?
THE LOUD, FORCEFUL, DON'T
CHANGE, TAKE THE EASY WAY
OUT VOICE?
NO, LET THE GENTLE WHISPER
BE THE VOICE YOU FOLLOW.
IT MAY BE UNCOMFORTABLE,
BUT GOD KNOWS WHAT HE'S
DOING.
WHEN YOU'RE SENSITIVE TO
THE STILL SMALL VOICE, WHEN
YOU'RE IN TUNE WITH WHAT
YOU'RE FEELING IN YOUR
SPIRIT, NOT JUST LIVING BY
YOUR INTELLECT, BUT
LISTENING TO THE
PROMPTINGS, THEN YOU'RE
GOING DOWN THE BEST PATH
FOR YOUR LIFE.
WHEN MY FATHER WAS IN HIS
MID-SEVENTIES, HE HAD TO GO
ON DIALYSIS.
HE'D STRUGGLED WITH HIGH
BLOOD PRESSURE MOST OF HIS
LIFE AND IT HAD DAMAGED HIS
KIDNEYS.
MANY TIMES, I WOULD TAKE
HIM TO THE CLINIC.
ONE MORNING HE CALLED ME AT
3:30.
HE SAID, “JOEL, I CAN'T
SLEEP; I'D LIKE TO GO UP TO
DIALYSIS NOW.” I SAID,
“OKAY, I'LL COME PICK YOU
UP.” I DROVE HIM TO THE
CLINIC.
AFTER WE GOT HIM ALL HOOKED
UP AND SETTLED, IT WOULD
TAKE ABOUT FOUR HOURS.
NORMALLY, I WOULD GO RUN
ERRANDS, GO TO WORK AND
COME BACK LATER.
IT WAS ONLY 3:45 IN THE
MORNING, I WAS PLANNING ON
GOING BACK HOME AND
SLEEPING.
BUT AS I WAS ABOUT TO
LEAVE, I HEARD SOMETHING
WHISPER, “JOEL, YOU NEED TO
STAY HERE WITH YOUR FATHER
AND VISIT WITH HIM. KEEP
HIM COMPANY.” I FELT IT SO
STRONGLY.
NOT OUT LOUD, JUST AN
IMPRESSION.
I KNEW I WAS SUPPOSED TO
STAY.
NOW MY MIND SAID, “JOEL,
YOU CAN VISIT LATER, IT'S
FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE
MORNING, GO BACK HOME.”
THESE LOUD THOUGHTS CAME
TELLING ME SOMETHING
DIFFERENT.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO LISTEN
TO THE WHISPER, YOU HAVE TO
HAVE YOUR EAR TUNED TO WHAT
YOU'RE FEELING.
DON'T LET THE LOUD THOUGHTS
DROWN OUT THE GENTLE
WHISPER.
DEVELOP YOUR EAR TO WHERE
THE WHISPER BECOMES THE
LOUDEST VOICE.
MY FATHER THANKED ME FOR
BRINGING HIM AND SAID HE'D
SEE ME LATER.
I SAID, “NO DADDY, I'M
GOING TO STAY TODAY AND WE
CAN VISIT.” HE WAS SO HAPPY.
WE TALKED FOR FOUR HOURS.
THE TIME WENT BY SO FAST. I
BROUGHT HIM HOME AT EIGHT
O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.
WE WERE STANDING IN THE
KITCHEN.
HE SAID, “JOEL, YOU'RE THE
BEST SON A FATHER COULD
EVER HOPE TO HAVE.” LEAVING
THAT MORNING, I FELT SO
SATISFIED, SO AT PEACE, SO
FULFILLED.
MY FATHER KNEW THAT I LOVED
HIM, AND I KNEW THAT HE
LOVED ME.
THOSE WERE THE LAST WORDS I
EVER HEARD MY FATHER SPEAK
TO ME.
THAT NIGHT HE HAD A HEART
ATTACK AND WENT TO BE WITH
THE LORD. I'M SO GLAD I
DIDN'T IGNORE THAT WHISPER
TO STAY WITH HIM. GOD KNOWS
THE FUTURE.
HE KNOWS WHAT WE'RE GOING
TO NEED, WHAT TO AVOID,
WHAT NOT TO DO.
AT THE TIME, WE MAY NOT
UNDERSTAND IT.
IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.
WE'RE UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT
YOU CAN TRUST THE WHISPER.
YOU CAN TRUST THAT KNOWING.
NOT YOUR MIND, BUT IN YOUR
HEART. DON'T OVERRIDE THE
STILL SMALL VOICE.
GOD IS LEADING YOU DOWN THE
BEST PATH.
YOU CAN'T ACCOMPLISH YOUR
PURPOSE ON YOUR OWN.
THE WHISPERS ARE WHAT GIVES
YOU AN ADVANTAGE.
THE WHISPERS WILL GIVE YOU
INSIDE INFORMATION.
THE WHISPERS WILL TAKE YOU
WHERE YOU CAN'T GO ON YOUR
OWN.
IN 1 KINGS 19, THE PROPHET
ELIJAH WAS IN A DIFFICULT
PLACE.
HE HAD JUST CALLED DOWN
FIRE FROM HEAVEN, DESTROYED
450 OF THE FALSE PROPHETS
OF BAAL.
IT WAS ONE OF HIS GREATEST
VICTORIES.
BUT WHEN THE KING'S WIFE
HEARD ABOUT ALL THESE MEN
THEY HAD LOST, SHE WAS
FURIOUS.
SHE SET OUT TO KILL ELIJAH.
HE WAS HIDING IN A CAVE,
DISCOURAGED AND AFRAID.
HE NEEDED DIRECTION.
GOD TOLD HIM TO GO STAND ON
THE MOUNTAIN, HE WAS ABOUT
TO PASS.
VERSE 11 SAYS, “THERE WAS A
GREAT AND POWERFUL WIND
THAT TORE THE MOUNTAINS
APART AND SHATTERED THE
ROCKS.” YOU WOULD THINK
SURELY GOD JUST SHOWED UP,
THAT WAS SO POWERFUL, BUT
IT GOES ON TO SAY, “GOD WAS
NOT IN THE WIND.” “AFTER
THE WIND, THERE WAS A GREAT
EARTHQUAKE, SOMETHING EVEN
BIGGER, THAT SPLIT THE
GROUND OPEN, BUT THE LORD
WAS NOT IN THE EARTHQUAKE.
AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE, THERE
WAS A GREAT FIRE, THAT
BURNED THINGS UP, BUT GOD
WAS NOT IN THE FIRE.
AFTER THE FIRE, THE
SCRIPTURE SAYS, THERE CAME
A GENTLE WHISPER.”
GOD WAS SHOWING US HOW HE
SPEAKS.
WHEN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES
ARE LOUD.
IT'S NOISY.
THOUGHTS TELLING YOU WHAT'S
NOT GOING TO WORK OUT,
PEOPLE COMING AGAINST YOU.
IT'S EASY TO GET STRESSED,
CONFUSED.
YOU HAVE TO COME BACK TO
THAT QUIET PLACE.
THE REASON GOD WHISPERS IS
BECAUSE HE'S CLOSE TO YOU.
YOU DON'T WHISPER TO
STRANGERS.
YOU DON'T WHISPER TO PEOPLE
YOU BARELY KNOW.
YOU WHISPER TO YOUR SPOUSE,
YOU WHISPER TO YOUR CHILD,
YOU WHISPER TO SOMEONE YOU
KNOW AND LOVE.
THAT'S WHY GOD WHISPERS TO
YOU.
YOU'RE HIS CHILD, HE LOVES
YOU, HE TRUSTS YOU, HE
WANTS THE BEST FOR YOU.
HE'S NOT GOING SHOUT, BE
LOUD, FORCEFUL, HE'LL LEAD
YOU BY THESE GENTLE
WHISPERS, BY THE STILL
SMALL VOICE.
PSALM 25 SAYS, “THE SECRET
OF THE LORD IS WITH THEM
THAT FEAR HIM.” WHEN YOU
HONOR GOD, HE'LL TELL YOU
SECRETS.
HE'LL WHISPER THINGS IN
YOUR SPIRIT THAT YOU HAD NO
WAY OF KNOWING.
HE KNOWS, LIKE HE DID WITH
ME, WHEN YOU NEED TO SPEND
TIME WITH SOMEONE.
HE KNOWS WHERE THE PROPERTY
IS THAT'S GOING TO INCREASE.
HE KNOWS, LIKE MY FRIEND,
WHERE YOUR SPOUSE IS.
HE KNOWS WHERE THE GOOD
BREAKS ARE, THE PROMOTION,
THE RESOURCES, THE
ABUNDANCE.
HE'LL GIVE YOU INSIDE
INFORMATION.
A GENTLE WHISPER, IT'S THE
SECRET OF THE LORD. IT
WON'T ALWAYS MAKE SENSE.
IT MAY NOT SEEM LOGICAL.
THE FACTS SAY OTHERWISE.
TRUST THE WHISPER.
OBEY THE PROMPTINGS, THE
KNOWING, THE STILL SMALL
VOICE.
THAT'S GOD WHISPERING
SECRETS.
A MAN I KNOW BOUGHT SOME
PROPERTY YEARS AGO WAY OUT
IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
HE HARDLY PAID ANYTHING FOR
IT, LESS THAN A HUNDRED
DOLLARS AN ACRE.
HE BOUGHT SEVERAL HUNDRED
ACRES.
LOGICALLY SPEAKING, AS AN
INVESTMENT, IT LOOKED LIKE
A WASTE OF MONEY.
THE LAND WAS DRY AND BARREN.
YOU COULDN'T GROW CROPS ON
IT.
YOU COULDN'T RAISE CATTLE.
IT WAS JUST ROCKS, CLAY AND
CACTUS.
HE USED TO GO CHECK ON IT
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
IT ALWAYS PUZZLED ME AS TO
WHY HE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY.
I THOUGHT MAYBE HE HAD
FAMILY IN THE AREA OR SOME
KINDS OF PLANS TO DEVELOP
IT.
HE SAID, “NO, JOEL, I WAS
JUST DRIVING BY AND I FELT
SO DRAWN TO IT.
I KNEW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO
BE MINE.” JUST A WHISPER.
JUST A PROMPTING THAT HE
FELT IN HIS SPIRIT.
GOD WILL ASK YOU TO DO
THINGS THAT ARE NOT ALWAYS
LOGICAL.
THE BATTLE WILL TAKE PLACE
BETWEEN YOUR MIND, ALL THE
LOUD VOICES AND THE GENTLE
WHISPER.
WHEN IT'S FROM GOD, IT'S
MORE OF A KNOWING.
YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN IT, ON
PAPER IT MAY NOT MAKE
SENSE, YOUR REASON CAN'T
JUSTIFY IT BUT DEEP DOWN
YOU HAVE THIS PEACE.
YOU KNOW YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO
DO IT.
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER, HE
RECEIVED NOTICE THAT THE
STATE WAS PUTTING IN A
HIGHWAY.
IT JUST SO HAPPENED, OUT OF
ALL THAT LAND, IT WAS GOING
TO RUN RIGHT THROUGH HIS
PROPERTY.
THEY HAD TO BUY HIM OUT.
HE ENDED UP MAKING MORE
THAN ONE HUNDRED TIMES WHAT
HE PAID FOR IT.
THIS MAN IS AN OLDER
GENTLEMAN, KIND OF COUNTRY.
A REPORTER FROM THE
REGIONAL PAPER WAS TALKING
TO HIM AND SAID, “SIR, YOU
SURE KNOW HOW TO PICK A
PIECE OF PROPERTY.” HE
SAID, “YES, MY FATHER TOLD
ME ABOUT THIS PLACE.” THE
REPORTER SAID, “I DIDN'T
KNOW YOUR DAD WAS IN REAL
ESTATE.” THE MAN POINTED UP
AND SAID, “I'M TALKING
ABOUT MY HEAVENLY FATHER.
HE KNOWS WHERE EVERYTHING
IS.” WHEN YOU LISTEN TO
THIS STILL SMALL VOICE,
YOU'LL COME ACROSS
BLESSINGS, FAVOR, GOOD
BREAKS.
THINGS YOU HAD NO WAY OF
KNOWING.
YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN IT.
YOU DON'T HAVE ANY DATA TO
BACK IT UP, BUT YOU DO HAVE
THE MOST HIGH GOD LIVING ON
THE INSIDE OF YOU.
HE'LL WHISPER SECRETS TO
YOUR SPIRIT.
SOME OF THESE WHISPERS ARE
DESTINY MOMENTS.
THEY ARE VITAL FOR YOU TO
SEE THE FULLNESS OF WHAT
GOD HAS IN STORE.
THE REASON YOU FEEL IT SO
STRONGLY IS BECAUSE IT'S
ABOUT TO LAUNCH YOU INTO A
NEW LEVEL OF YOUR DESTINY.
GOD IS ABOUT TO WHISPER
SOME SECRETS.
HE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU
INSIGHT INTO THINGS THAT
PROPEL YOU AHEAD.
YOU ARE ONE WHISPER AWAY
FROM STEPPING INTO GREATER
FAVOR, GREATER INFLUENCE,
GREATER RESOURCES,
SOMETHING MORE THAN YOU'VE
IMAGINED.
NOW IT MAY NOT HAPPEN THE
WAY YOU THINK.
IT MAY NOT MAKE SENSE
LOGICALLY.
YOUR MIND WILL TRY TO TALK
YOU OUT OF IT.
FOLLOW THE STILL SMALL
VOICE.
YOU CAN TRUST YOUR SENSOR.
I BELIEVE THAT GOD IS
WHISPERING SOMETHING TO ALL
OF US.
IT MAY BE AN AREA WE NEED
TO GROW, COME UP HIGHER,
MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.
WE'VE HEARD IT.
WE KEEP IGNORING IT, BUT IT
WON'T GO AWAY.
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.
MAYBE IT'S A WHISPER WHERE
WE NEED TO STRETCH, GET OUT
OF OUR COMFORT ZONE, TAKE A
STEP OF FAITH.
MY CHALLENGE IS PAY
ATTENTION TO THE WHISPERS.
BE SENSITIVE TO WHAT YOU'RE
FEELING, THE PROMPTINGS.
LET THE STILL SMALL VOICE
BE THE LOUDEST VOICE IN
YOUR LIFE, THE VOICE THAT
YOU CHOOSE TO OBEY.
IF YOU'LL DO THIS, I
BELIEVE AND DECLARE, GOD IS
GOING TO WHISPER SECRETS TO
YOU, HE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU
INSIDE INFORMATION.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO RISE
HIGHER, ACCOMPLISH DREAMS
AND BECOME ALL YOU WERE
CREATED TO BE, IN JESUS'
NAME.
IF YOU RECEIVE IT, CAN YOU
SAY AMEN?
I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN
OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE JESUS
THE LORD OF YOUR LIFE.
WOULD YOU PRAY WITH ME?
JUST SAY, “LORD JESUS, I
REPENT OF MY SINS.
COME INTO MY HEART. I MAKE
YOU MY LORD AND SAVIOR.” IF
YOU PRAYED THAT SIMPLE
PRAYER, WE BELIEVE YOU GOT
BORN AGAIN. WE'D LOVE TO
SEND YOU SOME FREE
INFORMATION.
YOU CAN TEXT THE NUMBER ON
THE SCREEN OR GO TO THE
WEBSITE.
I HOPE YOU'LL GET INTO A
GOOD BIBLE-BASED CHURCH AND
KEEP GOD FIRST PLACE.
VICTORIA AND I WILL BE
RIGHT BACK TO SPEAK A
BLESSING OVER YOU.
