xjwsforChrist

LEAVING QUIETLY SAID

John 10:16 says: "And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd."

What did He mean when He said, "they will listen to my voice"? Is this to be taken literally? I ask because I have not personally heard His voice.

TEC SAID

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:53 pm Post subject:
I hear His voice... a real voice. Not a physical voice in my physical ears, per se... because He is spirit and so speaks to the spirit that we are, within. But His voice within me. Sometimes in words, sometimes in reminders of verses, scriptures, events - sometimes in pictures and images of verses and scriptures and events (read about or experienced myself). Sometimes the spirit within us bears witness to the Truth that another shares. So that what we have is a knowing... a deep knowing that we can feel in our blood, even in your bones.

So sometimes He speaks in words; and sometimes in understanding given... absorbed. That is my experience. Some hear Him very clear and hear a lot... and some hear less clear, and a little... but are continuing to listen, to ask for ears to hear, and putting faith in Him that He will answer them.

You may well have heard his voice... but attributed it to your own inner voice. Or perhaps He has gotten lost in the mix, because other voices are very loud, drowning His out. (like the wts and its voice, like doubts and fears and disbelief, like the scorn you can 'hear' that others would give you if you confessed to hearing the Spirit of Christ alive and speaking)


But when you do hear AND recognize His voice, thereby knowing Him... you may find that you will 'run from the voice of a stranger'. From anyone speaking contrary to Him. Even to the point sometimes of physically recoiling from the lies that come from some of these strangers' lips.

Many people have already heard Him calling them out of the wts. They might not recognize yet that He is speaking to them, but they still follow Him, knowing his voice and feeling the pull and the draw, feeling sick in their stomach every time they hear a lie told about him. Many are also hearing the call to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood, to the point of obeying His voice... rather than obeying the voice of the stranger telling them NOT to partake.

Hope that helps a little.

Peace to you,
tammy

LOZ SAID




This is beautifully put Tammy, and I agree absolutely. It was only recently for me that realised I was actually hearing His voice so clearly. And as you say, it is 'within' us.

Loz x
_________________
Don't let anyone put you down, and don't do it to yourself.

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

JUSTMOM SAID


YES and I must second that! Beautifully put, and yes how it works for me as well.

Something I would like to add to the verse you quoted dear LQ, notice our Lord mentions that besides the " little flock hearing"...there were " other sheep that we were taught were the great crowd as JWs.

They ALSO would be able to hear His voice and not be " separated" as the WTBS teaches, but also be a part of this flock under one Shepherd , Christ.

Such good news this is that the invitation to " hear his voice" and to be joined to his body by partaking of His flesh and drinking His blood IS NOT just for the 144,000 but ALSO a great crowd of other sheep.

John 10:16 is clear on this to most everyone except JWS.

Ephesians 2: 19-22 and 3: 4-7. is encouraging as it confirms the nations (great crowd) As no longer strangers and alien residents, but are fellow citizens of the holy ones, and PARTAKERS with them of the CHRIST and members of the household of God, being harmoniously joined together and being built up together into a place for God to inhabit BY SPIRIT.

I remember how my spirit leaped with joy many years ago when my Lord showed me this. What a beautiful sacred secret.

Love to you all this morning
Justmom

LEAVING QUIETLY SAID

Yes, justmom, I now see that John 10:16 applies to the other sheep, thus my original question.

From the two threads you mentioned, tec, I get the feeling that "hearing" is more of an internal thing, much like getting a thought in your mind. I'm guessing one just has to "know" and since I don't personally "know", I must not have heard, or simply am not able to identify that I've heard. All I "hear" are my own thoughts.

TEC SAID


You can ask to know, Leaving. You can ask for ears to hear; for your ears to be 'pierced'. For the FAITH to hear and discern the voice of Christ speaking to you. Then put your faith in Him that He WILL answer, guide, teach you.

Then do not worry about it. Worry and fear both work to keep us from hearing Him. Simply have faith in HIM, that He will answer you and grant you what you have asked for. In the meantime continue to ask, seek, knock... listen... and exercise your love/faith for Him.

These are the things that I did. I did not worry about a timeline. I simply put faith in Him to answer and to help me understand and hear Him... on his timeline according to His knowledge. In the meantime, I just loved and followed Him, and let Him guide and teach me.

When I came to recognize Him, to hear and discern His voice, I found that He had been speaking to me for a long time, before I ever knew it. I think that has been the experience of just about everyone I have ever spoken to, who also hears His voice.

Peace to you, and also to Loz and JM!

AGUEST SAID



The second part, dear LQ (peace to you, dear one!). But you can LEARN to identify what you've heard... and from Whom: KEEP asking, KEEP seeking, KEEP knocking... and he WILL be opened to you:

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-13

The thing is... do you want to know the truth (about things/stuff)... or do you want to know... by being known BY... the Truth? (John 14:6)

I would suggest: THINK... about what... or WHO... you WANT... to KNOW... before you ask. Then... ask.

I hope this helps, truly!

Again, peace to you!

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

Shellama

PSACRAMENTO SAID

IMO,
His voice first starts off as our own, it is the voice we hear of our conscience, guiding us to what is right, reminding of Us what we deep down know, speaking to us to make us better and more loving.
As we accept what we are hearing, His voice "changes" and we begin to FEEL Him as much as hear Him.

AGUEST SAID

You got it, dear brother P (peace to you!). And as you listen to HIM... recognize it AS him, and so give the credit and glory TO him... you hear more... and more... and more. Not just in your heart and/or in your blood, but in virtually every (living) thing around you: inside AND out.

For some, it starts outside, yes. But for ALL, it is/includes inside. NOT in one's head, but in one's blood (and bones).

Thank you for articulating that!

Peace!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellama

LEAVING QUIETLY SAID

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:21 pm Post subject:
I think I'll take tec's advice:



I think I am worrying about it way too much.

bump also ; )


Peace,
tammy