“The way you counsel and correct me makes me praise you more, for your whispers in the night give me wisdom, showing me what to do next. For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life, the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.” (Psalm 16:7,11 TPT)

“All at once their eyes were opened and they realized it was Jesus! Then suddenly, in a flash, Jesus vanished from before their eyes! Stunned, they looked at each other and said, “Why didn’t we recognize it was him? Didn’t our hearts burn with the flames of holy passion while we walked beside him? He unveiled for us such profound revelation from the Scriptures!” (Luke 24:31-32 TPT)

Scripture May seem as difficult to understand as the Bible in Welsh pictured above but inviting the Holy Spirit to be your guide and teacher can change that dramatically for the better.

Beginning the dialogue:

Invite the Holy Spirit to be your instructor, now, today.

Take you most favourite or least favourite verse/passage of Scripture. Write it in a journal. Write it in at least 3 different Scripture translations if you can.

Read an introduction to the Bible book it is in from a Bible encyclopaedia or a study Bible or Bible web site.

Read the entire passage that contains it out loud slowly. Use more than one translation if you can.

Look up key words for meaning in a Bible dictionary (there are web based ones).

Write down all your thoughts on what it means and in particular what it means for you, how it is relevant for you, now, today.

Then ask the Holy Spirit what He wants to say to you about this verse/passage today. Ask Him how He wants to apply it to your life today. Ask Him about anything you don’t understand until you do understand.

Write those things down without questioning if it is God speaking until you finish. If what you write is more helpful, more encouraging, more loving, more insightful, more empowering and more like Jesus than anything you would say, it is God speaking.

Pray a prayer thanking the Holy Spirit for His insight, receiving anything He wants to give you and asking Him to make it a real experience in you today.

Journal what happens.

Be aware that it is likely the Holy Spirit will continue to talk to you about that Scripture so don’t be surprised if thoughts about it you had not had suddenly pop into your head unexpectedly or things you hear, see or read from other people and resources seem to be relevant to that passage. Journal these things too and continue the conversation with the Holy Spirit daily until He moves you on to something else.

Pausing for instruction:

At appropriate points during the day pause and imagine Jesus is standing or sitting beside you right now (because He is).

Ask Him, “What instruction do you have for me right now?” ” What would You do?”

Record His answer.

Ask questions if you don’t understand.

If what you hear is more helpful, more encouraging, more loving, more insightful, more empowering and more like Jesus than anything you would say, it is Jesus speaking.

Respond as seems appropriate, taking His words seriously.

A God adventure:

Set aside one day , or part of a day, for doing only what God tells you to.

Let it be a time of simple time of child-like faith in and with God.

Right from the start ask God, “What are we going to do now?”

Keep asking child-like questions like you were a small child with their parent. Questions like, “What should I wear? What’s for breakfast? How do you want me to do that? Are we walking or taking the car? Are we there yet?”

Ask questions until it is clear, then act.

Journal what happens.

Receiving Jesus instruction:

Invite the Holy Spirit to be your instructor, now, today.

Choose one of Jesus’ teachings or commands to His disciples from one of the Gospels.

Write it in a journal. Write it in at least 3 different Scripture translations if you can.

Read an introduction to the Bible book it is in from a Bible encyclopaedia or a study Bible or Bible web site.

Read the entire passage that contains it out loud slowly. Use more than one translation if you can.

Look up key words for meaning in a Bible dictionary (there are web based ones).

Write down all your thoughts on what it means and in particular what it means for you, how it is relevant for you, now, today.

Then ask Jesus what He wants to say to you about this verse/passage today. Ask Him how He wants to apply it to your life today. Ask Him about anything you don’t understand until you do understand.

Write those things down without questioning if it is Jesus speaking until you finish. If what you write is more helpful, more encouraging, more loving, more insightful, more empowering and more like Jesus than anything you would say, it is Jesus speaking.

Pray a prayer thanking the Holy Spirit for His insight, receiving anything Jesus wants to give you and asking the Holy Spirit to make it a real experience in you today.

Journal what happens.

Be aware that it is likely the Holy Spirit will continue to talk to you about that Scripture so don’t be surprised if thoughts about it you had not had suddenly pop into your head unexpectedly or things you hear, see or read from other people and resources seem to be relevant to that passage. Journal these things too and continue the conversation with the Holy Spirit daily until He moves you on to something else.

FunInstruction practice:

Jesus said, “the sheep recognize the voice of the true Shepherd [Jesus], for he calls his own by name and leads them out, for they belong to him. And when he has brought out all his sheep, he walks ahead of them and they will follow him, for they are familiar with his voice.” John‬ ‭10:3b-4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Getting familiar with Jesus voice is like getting familiar with the voice of any loved one. It comes from being with Him, listening to Him and even having fun with Him on a daily basis. So choose to make Him part of Your fun too.

Play a game for one, do a puzzle or artwork imagining Jesus is by your side (because He is) giving you instructions on what to do.

Ask Jesus what to do at each step and do what Jesus says.

Record what happens.