In this podcast Andrew looks at the role of the shepherd with sheep in the Bible.

In John 10, Jesus goes into great detail about how we (his sheep) hear and recognize his voice.

This podcast refers to Genesis 48, Revelation 7:17, Psalm 23:1, Isaiah 53:6, Ezekiel 34, James 4:7, John 8:47, Luke 15:4-7, Romans 2:4, Psalm 46:10, Matthew 12:19.

Three ways that I have learned to recognize HIS voice:

1)  Read His Word:  While God doesn’t use King James English with me, the Holy Spirit will often whisper a phrase from His written Word to me.

2)  Acting on impressions I get from God, then testing the fruit:  If I get a picture in my mind, have a dream about someone, or have someone “randomly” come to mind – I pray, send them a prayer via text message, call them, and check in.  If the timing is clearly miraculous, then I know that was God nudging me – and I pay attention to what that was like to “hear” or “sense” God’s prompting. 

3)  I take prophetic words that are given to me seriously:  I take time to pray about and test any word from God that someone gives to me, often making sure it is written form.  As I see some words radically on target, I pay attention to the heart posture and “feeling” of the word.  It tunes my ear to hear the kind, loving, leading, guiding tone of Jesus toward me.  Words from God are NEVER condemning, but may be convicting (there’s a BIG difference).