Hearing God's voice

John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, no one can snatch them out of My hand.

God has been showing me that in this day and age two things are of vital importance. This is what you need to know, to have victory in these times that we are living in. We must be able to hear God's voice and to be obedient.

So many times we think that we would never be able to hear God's voice, that is only for preachers! But the truth is, all of us who are God's children can and should hear His voice. He wants to talk to us, to lead and guide us, and to tell us of His great love for us.

In these times when things are unsure and danger lurks all around, we can know that God will lead us, and give us His divine protection.
What are some things that block the voice of God? Distractions, television, computer, fear, worry, unbelief, and being too busy. The Bible says to, "Be still and know that He is God." We have to be still sometimes. We have to work on and ask God to help us to be still on the inside ALL the time so we can hear when God speaks.

This is something I've been working on lately. Just turning off the t.v., getting off facebook, just being still. Being present for God and the people in my life. I don't always have to be doing something or be entertained. I can just be still. We have to make it a priority to have some alone time with God on a regular basis. Just to sit and praise, or pray, or read the Word. These are the times God speaks the most, in the quiet.

If you have doubt that you can hear God's voice, have faith! Say to yourself, "Because I am God's sheep, I CAN hear His voice!" Say it often, it will get down inside of you and you will begin to know it's true!
Other helpful hints for hearing God's voice - read the Word often and memorize it, God will use it to speak to you, listen to preaching tapes, go to church, fellowship with the people of God, and immerse yourself in praise music. God speaks to us in many ways and through many means. I find that He speaks to me mostly in a still quiet voice. I will have an impression in my spirit or just a strong knowing that He spoke. Also, it is very important that when you think you heard God speak that it absolutely must line up with the Word of God. God will never ever say anything to you that doesn't line up with His Word!

Something else that God has been telling me is that if we can't obey Him in the small things, we will never obey Him in the big things. This is another thing I am working on! I want to hear and obey quickly, even when it is inconvenient or seems frightening. Everything God asks us to do is for our good!
So remember, when you are feeling afraid, when you just don't know what to do, you can always count on God's leading! You can rest in that and have peace.

Practice hearing God's voice and quickly obeying!