(by pastor Norman)

We are God’s sheep and He says that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27). God can speak to us as we study His word and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal it to us (John 16:13-15). The Spirit will also bring ideas into our mind (Rom 9:1) and heart (1 John 3:20-21, Rom 8:16). God also speaks to people by a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12 AMP) or even an audible voice (1 Sam 3:1-8). God uses dreams and visions, prophecy (Acts 2:16-18) and godly counsellors (Prov 24:6b). How do we actually know that it is God speaking to us? If it is God’s, guidance it should line up with His word and come with a strong sense of peace and assurance (James 3:17). We are to “test all things” (1 Thess 5:21); does it line up with God’s word? “Test the spirits”, does the word come from a godly source? “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom 8:1-2; NKJV). As Christians, we must renew our minds away from the worldly, fleshly thinking that dominated us to a state where we are sensitive to and directed by the Holy Spirit (Rom 12:2). “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom 8:6). As we saturate in God’s word, we will experience a great peace and hear God’s Spirit clearly (Ps 119:165). Then like Jesus we can all say, “I only do what the Father has instructed Me to do” (from John 14:31). Did I hear an amen!