Can You Hear Jesus Now?
“God wants to converse with you and share what’s in his heart.” -Krissy Nelson
Author Krissy Nelson of Slaying the Giant of Fear, recently posted this quote on Instagram.
Do you believe God wants to talk with you? I hope so!
As a young woman, I remember thinking that the idea of conversing with God in a two-way conversation seemed improbable, unless you were a pastor of a church or had put in years of study and practice. I’d like to encourage you today.
No matter your age or the number of years you have been a Christian, he is speaking to you! If you profess faith in Christ, then you can hear from him!
Not long ago, I was doubting whether I could hear from the Lord, or whether what I heard was really him speaking. In my journal, I took up my comfortable text style of writing out my thoughts with him. Here’s how it went:
I’m telling you, God will not only speak with you, but while doing so, he will often make you laugh out loud! In my mind, I heard him say the phrase exactly like the guy on the early 2000s Verizon commercial: “Can you hear me now?”
His words struck me by their simplicity. No matter what you think, what the enemy tells you, or whether you feel like you can, you are made to hear from God! Why? Because the Word of God says so:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27 ESV
Even though the scripture is very clear, the execution of listening and recognizing his voice can be a bit tricky. And it takes lots of practice. I’m still practicing and will keep practicing until the day I talk with him face to face.
Over the next five weeks, I will share 5 practical tips about hearing God’s voice.
Lesson One: If you are his sheep, then you hear Jesus.
Settle it in your mind that, Yes, you can hear from Jesus, right now.
If you need help to settle the idea that you can hear from Jesus today, right now, take some time to closely read all of John 10. Here are a few favorite verses from the NIV version to get you started.
Verse 3: “…the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
Not only does he talk to you, but he calls you by name! When he speaks, it’s not a generalized message, it’s specific to you. Oh, what a joyous gift!
Verse 5: “…they will never follow a stranger…they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
You were gifted with discernment when you became a Christ follower. You can recognize the truth when you hear it. However, if you aren’t sure, which can totally happen to me, you can pray and ask for clarity. He will make it clear, just like he did in my “Can you hear me now” text above.
Verse 14: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…”
You are known by him. We also know him, and we get to know him better by studying his Word!
Verse 27: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Listening and Following. We were programmed to Listen and Follow Jesus. Let’s make sure we are striving to do them both to the best of our ability!
Verse 28: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
This is just a bonus verse, not exactly on topic. But is there anything on Earth more comforting than knowing that YOU are in the hands of the Good Shepherd and that No One and No Thing can snatch you away? You are there to stay forever! Praise God!
To summarize: No matter your age or the number of years you have been a Christian, he is speaking to you! If you profess faith in Christ, then you can hear from him!
Let’s pray together right now:
Father God, I know it says in your word that I am your sheep and that I belong to you. Thank you for adopting me into your family. Thank you for the truly wonderful knowledge that I can never be snatched out of your hand! I am in awe that you want to speak to me. I might even feel sometimes like it is impossible or at least really difficult to hear you.
Papa, open my ears to hear you, my eyes to see you clearly, and my heart to receive your love today. I believe Jesus is a man of his word when he says in John 10 that I can hear his voice. Help me to look for new ways that you are speaking to me. Even now in this moment. Closeness and communication with you is what I long for with my whole self. I love you. Amen.
Join me next week for a post about engaging with Jesus using your imagination!
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