A few years ago, I was privileged to be one of the keynote speakers for a group who teach the grace message, aka, the New Covenant. I perpetually prayed many weeks ahead about what terrific topic Jesus wanted to speak through me but I was spinning my wheels, getting nowhere fast. Part of my struggle was this. “What do you teach that will minister to those who already know this message?” My thoughts darted from one topic to another but there was no peace yet.
Finally, I sat down and got quiet and simply said, “Jesus, what do YOU want me to speak about?” Immediately, this thought floated up from deep within my spirit to my mind. “How to Hear God for Yourself and Others.” I knew it was from Jesus because it was accompanied with God’s peace.
At the event, I taught from John 10 about how Jesus states emphatically that His sheep hear and recognize His voice. When he 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) The context is that Jesus was speaking to a large crowd, including the Pharisees, that Jesus’s sheep hear his voice but those who are not His sheep do not. The Pharisees understood that He was speaking about them not being His sheep, ie, not believing He was the promised Messiah. However, we do not want to miss the tremendous truth that all who believe in Jesus for salvation, CAN hear His voice.
For the most part, we hear His voice as He speaks to us in Scripture when we read it, study it, hear/read it taught, or meditate on it. Yet, He also speaks to us apart from Scripture in such a way that it will be consistent with Scripture.
At this event, after several minutes of teaching, I told the audience that we were going to practice hearing God’s voice. I asked them to close their eyes and ask God one question, “God, what do you think about me?” The room was very quiet as everyone silently asked God this question. I then asked how many of them thought they heard the Lord speak to them. The majority raised their hands which was awesome!
Afterwards, a friend named Julie who had been in the hospitality area asked, “Did you see the man run out of the room after he heard the Lord speak to him?” I responded that I had not. She went on to say, “He was shaking all over and crying tears of joy because of what Jesus had said to Him about His love for Him.” I never found that man but it confirmed again that the Lord had definitely told me what He wanted to teach through me.
How about you? Have you ever stopped to listen to the Lord? In particular, have you ever asked Him what He thinks about you? If you have in the past, have you done this recently? I often tell people that when He speaks to you, it will most often be a thought He places in your mind that is accompanied by His peace. It could also be a Scripture, an image or other ways. However He does it, neither anger nor condemnation will be attached.
So go ahead. Stop right now and ask Him, “Lord what do You think about me?” In addition, you can also ask Him what He thinks about your spouse, your ex, your parent(s), your child (children) or your friend(s) but be specific about each one. After you hear Him, share this with a trusted person so they can be encouraged, too.
Live Free in Christ!
