The Coach's Voice: Learning to Hear Jesus

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet (the goal of being Christlike) - but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal, to win the heavenly prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 Amplified Bible)

Welcome back dear student, God’s blessings on our wonderful Kerry Team and supporters - praying for a great outcome on Sunday, and a safe and joyous day for all.

We appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that has brought these mighty footballers to this day. Their faithful endurance is admirable. Training in all weathers, they kept showing up, regardless of circumstances. Life throws curveballs at us all. Sometimes people feel hopeless or weak. This is when the enemy really puts on the pressure to give up - that all is lost.

But Satan is a liar and a thief! (John 8:44; John 10:10).

We must learn to identify his voice and refuse to listen. Jesus said, ‘My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me’ (John 10:27). The apostle Paul wrote of how athletes train and run to win the race. “Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT).

In sport nowadays they use earpieces. The competitor listens to the voice of their coach – they know that voice well. He or she has been encouraging them, chastising them, and navigating them onto success through days and nights – aiming towards the moment of the test. When the athlete hears that voice, they recognise relationship.

This is the key; trusting what that voice is telling them to do.

Some folks struggle because they hear voices in their heads. This is where the battle is fought – it’s spiritual warfare. The battle is won by realising you don’t have to pay attention to everything you hear. You must filter and throw out the negative, repetitive, and destructive voices, and replace it by listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd - the Lord Jesus (3 John verse 2). Your soul area is your mind, your will and your emotions.

When you get to know Jesus, He encourages you, He chastises you because He loves you and He shows you the way to success as you pay attention to His Words (Proverbs 4:20-23).

It’s Salvation of your spirit, soul, and body.

This is why Bible study is vital.

It’s not like a tablet you take for a week until the ailment clears up. It’s a lifestyle – real relationship. Jesus will walk with you through every season – He never changes (Hebrews 13:8). God is for you friend. He is with you – He will never leave or abandon you (Psalm 27). The enemy may have caused you trouble and pain in the past, but that doesn’t have to be the story of your future.

God has good plans for your life: to give you a bright future - but you must seek Him (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

Pray and ask the Lord Jesus to reveal Himself to you, and to teach you how to follow His voice, and renounce the stranger’s lying voice.

Recently at church we sang One Day At A Time, and the words ‘yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus’ really ministered to me. How wonderful it would be if people could realise that yesterday is gone. That life is short, and that God is good, and the devil is a liar; and we don’t have to waste another moment listening to his lies! Instead, we can face forward with Hope - focussing on the voice of the One Who created us and loves us.

He is shouting – ‘run! Run to win!’ Amen.