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The Day of Small Things from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. As with many of my messages, this was a word for me, but I will share it with you as I found it encouraging. I have been building a new social media website for Refreshing Hope behind the scenes for months. It is a massive undertak... -
Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, "The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send ou...
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Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth dea...
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My Sheep Hear My Voice
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My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27 WEB
Jesus said that His sheep would hear His voice and that they would follow Him 'and a stranger, they would not follow" (John 10:5). God speaks to His people individually and collectively. Some are so concerned on being deceived that they ignore everything spiritual thinking that they are playing it safe, but today we need to hear His voice more than ever.
It is hearing the Shepherd's voice that keeps the sheep on the right path and safe from predators. Jesus said that you would hear His voice and that is what will help protect you from being deceived, hearing His voice, that quickening in your spirit that something is not right.
There are three things Jesus mentioned here: 1) My sheep hear My voice. 2) I know them. 3) They follow Me. To those He will give eternal life, they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of His hand. This is all a part of the Christian life, hearing the Lord speak, having a relationship with Him, obeying Him as best you can daily.
When we begin our walk with the Lord, we often start out listening for an audible voice, for God to speak to us as a human. While waiting on that, we can ignore the other hundred ways that the Holy Spirit is already speaking to us.
You may be praying about something and see an image that has meaning, a scripture that you have read a dozen times may reveal something new, you hear the words to a familiar song, you suddenly remember the words that a mentor once told you. You might get an email on the subject, or see a dove outside your window, or a cross in the sky. You may have a dream or a vision, and just maybe you will even hear an audible voice. I have experienced all of these and more in my own life at some point.
There is no set pattern, and the Lord speaks to each of us differently, but be assured that He does still speak today. Its always personal, and I have had the Lord speak to me in terms that only a computer technician would understand. Use common sense. If you read 'Judas went and hanged himself' and then hear 'Go and do likewise', DON'T. You're smarter than that, right? RIGHT?
When you pray, take a moment to listen. Flip open a Bible and read the page that it falls on. You may be surprised at what you find. Refine your relationship with the Lord and remember that His sheep hear His voice. Practice hearing the Lord's voice now. It is never too late to start and never too early to begin. In the days that are coming on the earth, you will be thankful that you did. The sheep's protection is entwined with hearing the Shepherd.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please speak to me in a way that I understand. Help me to hear Your voice and guide me today. I invite You to actively participate in my life and I look forward to hearing from You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
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This devotion spoke to me in so many ways, I had a rough night two days ago and couldn't sleep. satan kept putting lies in my head and my husband pointed out that outside our bedroom window he noticed something he had never seen before, an illuminating cross created by a light on our barn. In January I did just as you said, prayed and opened my Bible and the first words I read were "my sheep hear My voice". He does show us in many many ways He is with us, even when we stumble He is there. Thank you Pastor for this word!!!
Amen.
I've been praying for a week straight, reading the bible, trying to hear God's voice and what he wants me and my family to do, we are about to loose everything and I don't know what he wants me to do. I've looked for signs, images, songs, and listen to for his voice and either he hasn't shown me yet or I'm not seeing what he's telling me or he is silent at the moment testing me. I don't know what to do
Praying for you Larry. One thing is for certain, He is never early, nor late but ALWAYS on time. We can watch the clock tick away as our deadline is near but He always comes through at just the right moment. Hold on to Jesus and all that is promised to you!!!
Father, I lift up Larry to you and pray that you please speak to Him more clearly, in a way that he can understand and receive. Please grant him a sign of hope and open a door to the next step for him and his family, in the name of Jesus, amen!
I agrre with you in payer for Larry, Amen!
Larry, I,too, am experiencing the exact same as you. I will pray for you to hear His voice for direction for You and your family. I hope and pray everyday to hear His voice and receive my direction for my family, and feel forgotten. Yet, I believe that He is there and listening, therefore, I pray.
praying for you too Diann...
Hi Larry,
i know it can be frustrating waiting for an answer, but he will answer you when you least expect him to. He may not answer the way you are looking for.
Sometimes I can be watching something on tv and the spirit will speak a word into my spirit. Once we relax our minds, that's when he will answer, he will come to you like an idea that popped in your mind about what you should do. Be patient!
Praying for you!
Amen, totally in agreement!
OUR LORD GOD will come to you and answer you. JUst pray with supplication and thanksgiving and believe with all your heart that whatever you ask in the name of OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST it will be given unto you. Just believe and you will receive it. Always remember GOD LOVES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY VERY MUCH.
Father I pray for Larry and his family and ask that you speak to him in an unmistakable way. Open the right doors for them, provide for them, and protect them in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen!
Praying for you brother. Hold fast to God and trust Him no matter what it looks like on the outside.
Very good article, one that should wake Us all up!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amen.....yesterday was a day I had been dreading for several months. I was praying and reading my word to allieve my fears as I know that II Timothy 1:7 tells me that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. Your devotional yesterday and today were just what I needed for confirmations. I even wrote part of yesterday's in my journal. Anyways, yesterday turned out to be one of the most blessed days I have seen in a long time. I have many more days to face over the next 6 months or so of medical treatments, but God always shows up, and right on time. Thank you Pastor Dion and your wife and other site members for this ministry and being inspired and lead by the Holy Spirit. Agape, Pat
Praise God, praying that He will heal you and restore you completely, Pat!
In Yeshua's name, so be it...
Amen!!
What an awesome devotional. I share scriptures each day on FB and a lot of times I get confirmation when I read your devotional and it is the same. God is so amazing.
Thank you for all you do.
Amen. He has been speaking to me through repeated scripture. two verses repeating themselves often back to back, through different resouces. Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future and Philippians 4:6 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. This has told me my family members will prosper and not to worry about it. He is always so good about revealing things to me.
Amen, declaring it with you, Carol <3!
Thank you, Pastor Dion, for the reminder of the many ways God speaks in my daily life. What a mighty God we serve!
Amen ♡
Yes, TYL for continuing to use Pastor Todd to Bless us daily
This has all happened to me too. "You may be praying about something and see an image that has meaning, a scripture that you have read a dozen times may reveal something new, you hear the words to a familiar song, you suddenly remember the words that a mentor once told you. You might get an email on the subject, or see a dove outside your window, or a cross in the sky. You may have a dream or a vision, and just maybe you will even hear an audible voice. I have experienced all of these and more in my own life at some point." Wow we should all be swinging from tree branches praising God for these experiences right!!? What a gracious savior we have! Thanks for the reminder.
Amen, Michelle, His voice is often comes so much more simply than we think :)!
I usually hear Him in my mind. It is not an audible voice, but a distinct thought. Often this is confirmed through another believer.
Enjoyed this devotional very much, I have had similar experiences with answers from God. I've gotten the answer a few times from this devotional.
i hear people talking about what God said to them and what they said back, like a conversation going on, but I usually get a few words or signs. Not a long conversation that I know of:)
i know he converses with us thru his word.
thank you!
Amen
Amen and Amen . Thank you Lord with your word today Holy Spirit lead me and guide me and always let my ears heard your voice
Amen
Amen! Thank you Pastor Dion for todays devotion. :-) I remember when I was younger I use to flip open the Bible and read the page that it falls on. I use to do that a lot and would sit and think about what is God speaking to me about. Sometimes I think I got it and sometimes I was not to sure. I am going to start to do that again and see what I come up with. Amen <3
Heavenly Father, please speak to me in a way that I understand. Help me to hear Your voice and guide me today. I invite You to actively participate in my life and I look forward to hearing from You, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen <3
Amen!
Amen! I just read this to my husband with a listening ear! It's wonderful that I can read your devotion to him and he's listening!! Thank you Pastor Dion!!
Thank you Pastor Dion. Its comforting to know the Lord speaks to us in many different ways.Help me to hear your voice dear Lord and guide me today. Actively participate in my life and I look forward to hearing from you. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen
Amen. Praise God! Thank you Pastor Dion! Heavenly Father, please speak to me in a way that I understand. Help me to hear Your voice and guide me Today. I invite You to actively participate in my life and I look forward to hearing from You, in the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Right! Hallelujah I so belive this,the many ways that Father,Son and Holy Spirit speak to us! I've experienced this in my life too!
Amen.Praise you Heavenly Father, for your word and giving us The Holy Spirit,to lead and give us guidance.Thank you for speak to us each day.Help us always to be alert and attentive to hearing you speak to us,and the will to do all you ask us to do.In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Thank you Pastor Todd.
Go & do likewise Satan....