John 10:27 “The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice...”

Have you ever noticed a new born baby in a room with other people? All of them can be cooing, gooing, and gagaing over the baby. However; when the mother comes and picks up the child, that child immediately knows its mother’s touch and voice.

We know we can recognize the voice of Jesus because His word tells us we can. So the first thing we need is to believe we can hear Him.

Just as a baby learns to recognize its mother’s voice among the other voices, we must also learn to recognize the voice of Jesus among the many voices. This is discerning the voice of God.

If a voice causes fear, doubt, unbelief, condemnation, anger, or any other negative emotion, it is not the voice or our Savior. Kick it out. Ask for discernment.

Listen for the tone of the voice. Jesus’ voice causes no fear or condemnation. His voice is a voice of love, comfort, encouragement, hope, joy, peace and often direction.

There can also be a word of conviction for a sin that leads to repentance. We want to repent because, like King David, we realize that our sin is a sin against God alone. (Psalm 51:4)

The Bible tells us that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Confession gets us back into a right relationship with our Heavenly Father. Then God gets rid of the sin. (Psalm 103:12)  “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Many times Jesus speaks to me through scripture. It can be a revelation on His word such as realizing that I am no longer a non-covenant person (sinner), but a beloved child of God, restored to full fellowship through Christ. This gives us “…the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will (which is His Word), He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15) Our prayers become a conversation with Jesus.

Just remember, the devil knows scripture better that you do. Always check out what you hear with the Word. Jesus will never tell you anything that is contrary to His word. He may give you a better understanding of it that may be different from what you have been taught. Be opened to learn of Him. Your spirit will perceive the truth in this revelation. Ask God to confirm it with another scripture.

As we grow in hearing the voice of Jesus it will probably be sporadic. Rejoice! “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin...” (Zechariah 4:10 a)

We need to meditate on what Jesus tells us. Write it down.  Mull it over. It will not be a word of prophecy, at least not yet. Allowing the Holy Spirit to grow and expound our understanding of that word will grow us in our hearing and understanding of the gift of discernment.

Some words take a long time to understand. I received one word that grew over three years before I understood it. It began with one single word. Then the Lord began to build on that word. When I tried to share this word too early people just thought I was “off my rocker.” 

However; once the greater revelation of the word came, it not only gave me a deeper understanding, it became a revelation for others. 

Sometimes a word is for you to pray for someone else without them even knowing it. 

Remember, Mary often "pondered these things in her heart." She meditated on them before her understanding was complete.

Caution: Careful with whom you share these words. The devil likes to miss use your words and he will if you allow it.

The same base word for communion is the same from which we get the word communication. So today I celebrate communion, my ability to hear the voice of Jesus, and communicate with him because of the work of restoration He finished on the Cross. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen