LETTER 3 – AN APPRENTICE TO JESUS LEARNS TO HEAR THE VOICE OF JESUS.
Dear Redeemer Family,
I began hearing the voice of God before I became a follower of Jesus.
One time, when I was twenty, I was playing in a band, in a bar. Out of the blue, the thought came to me, “John, you are messed up.” I thought – This is different. And, it’s true.
I heard this in a way that was different and deep. In retrospect, I saw it was God, speaking to me, calling me to Him.
Today, I am a disciple of Jesus.
A “disciple” is an “apprentice.” An apprentice learns to do what their teacher does. This requires hearing from God.
My life is apprenticed to Jesus. I am a student in The School of Jesus My Lord. This is the greatest opportunity I have in life! If you are a disciple, you are in this for life, and joyfully so.
Jesus is my Teacher. I know what a teacher is. Linda and I are both teachers. Linda did her bachelor’s degree in education, focusing on special needs kids and behavior-disordered kids. I taught for eighteen years at Monroe County Community College, and have taught in several theological seminaries.
I know what it is to be a student. When a teacher teaches, the student hears their voice. This is basic.
In the same way, Jesus is my Teacher. Jesus is mentoring me to be like Him in his character, and in His abilities. As Jesus once said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Jesus knows His committed ones. He speaks to His disciples. His disciples recognize His voice. His apprentices follow Jesus their Lord.
I want this for you, too.
I want this for you, too.
I have been a follower of Lord Jesus for almost fifty years. I have grown in learning to hear His voice. I have learned that hearing the voice of Jesus is directly related to intimacy and familiarity with Jesus.
I have learned that I am to focus on intimacy with Jesus, rather than on hearing His voice. With greater intimacy, hearing comes.
You will learn to hear God’s voice by spending time with God.
I want this for you, as well.
I want this for you, as well.
One resource that currently deepens me in this area of discipleship is Hearing God Through the Year: A 365-Day Devotional, by Dallas Willard.
Grow in intimacy with Jesus, advance in hearing Jesus teach you.
Love,
PJ
DECLARATIONS
· I take much time to spend with God.
· I am more familiar with Jesus than I have ever been.
· I find that God, as my Shepherd, has much to say to me, His sheep.
· God speaks to me about many things.
· I love hearing the voice of God.
· I am a student in The School of Jesus Christ, and He is my Teacher!
