If you’ve been watching or listening to me for any amount of time, you know that I have a pretty strong pentecostal side. One of the things that draws me to charismatic believers is their emphasis on hearing the voice of God. I think it’s important to remember that in New Testament times, Christians did not have the entire canon of Scripture; they only had bits and pieces. Instead, they were moved by the very clear voice of the Holy Spirit, who prompted them to do Kingdom work, perform miracles, and write the rest of the Bible. They relied on hearing from the Lord to know where to go and what to do next, and I don’t believe we should do any less today. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and they know it; they go after the call of their Father and not the words of a stranger. I don’t know about you, but I want to know the voice of Jesus that way — I want to hear Him clearly and follow Him implicitly.

My friend, as thousands of messages are competing every day for your attention, it’s vital to hear and go after the voice of your Good Shepherd. In a climate of global crisis, when fear abounds and words and images are ready to flood your mind with panic, you have been entrusted with a gift to discern the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to tune in to what He is saying and listen closely for His direction. Ask God to protect you from the voices that seek to distract and paralyze you so that He becomes your sole focus. You are chosen, held, protected, and beloved, and your Savior is faithfully leading you to all that is good, pure, excellent, and praiseworthy!