Lessons From the Secret Place – Intimacy- Lesson 1: Knowing the Shepherd’s Voice

As I have been communing with the Father in recent weeks, I have come to realize that the focus of my ministry is intimacy with God. I have been journaling our conversations for months and no matter what else we talk about it always comes back to intimacy.  

On August 22, God spoke to me and told me to teach his people that an awakening cannot come to mankind until his bride is walking in holiness. Compromise is no longer an option! Making “excuses” for sin is not going to be tolerated! He is sending Holy Spirit fire to burn up the chaff. He is sending him to purify his bride and those who still choose to “play” church, those who still choose to go it alone and have their own way, are sitting ducks for the enemy.  He cannot bless or protect those who allow known sin in their life.  He cannot dwell where sin exists. Those who choose to ignore his word have walked from his presence and must repent and turn away from their rebellion and sin so he can draw them back into the safety of his hands.  (See blog post: July 28, 2025, for the word he gave me about our being in his hands.)

Following this word, he said, how, you ask, can I guarantee that I stay in your hand?  Then he answered his own question. Intimacy!! Being in my presence on a consistent basis allowing me to lead your steps throughout your day. Seeking me first over everything else.  The closer you get to me the quieter the enemy’s voice will become.  

Intimacy involves our becoming like sheep, totally dependent upon our shepherd.  It is vital that we know our Shepherd’s voice and follow only his leading.

Shepherds are seen throughout the Bible and were important members of society. Shepherds could be hired hands, or a member of the sheep owner’s family (usually the youngest son). Hired hands usually had little vested interest in the flock, and were not always reliable when trouble came, however, for the shepherd whose family owned the sheep there was a high level of commitment and care. 

Each shepherd had his own flock to tend to, but often shepherds would pasture their flocks together.  There was safety in numbers.  The flocks would mingle together.  However, when it was time for a shepherd to move his flock, it was vital for the sheep to recognize the voice of their shepherd.  We too must know the voice of our shepherd.

In John 10:27 Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (MEV)

How did the sheep learn the shepherd’s voice? They learned it through hours upon countless hours spent with the shepherd in the pastures and on the hill sides. The shepherd’s presence was a constant.  He was there in good and bad weather.  He was there when enemies tried to attack and scatter his flock.  He was there when the ewes gave birth. He was there when the lambs took their first breath and their first halting steps.  

The first step to deep, lasting, intimacy with Jesus is for us to recognize his voice.  We must recognize his voice so we can hear him speaking to us and then we in turn speaking to him.  I mentioned this before, however, it bears repeating, intimacy is not taking our laundry list of needs to God and “praying” through the list and then getting up and leaving.  Intimacy is our seeking God first because we love him and desire to spend time in his presence.  Laying our needs at his feet is fine if we don’t stop there.  

Intimacy is about connectedness with another. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines intimacy as: Close familiarity or fellowship; nearness in friendship. 

Familiarity and fellowship cannot happen without conversation.  I got to know my husband when we were dating by long periods of conversation.  Sharing my heart and listening while he shared his.  Intimacy with God is no different.  God is always talking to us; we just need to take the time to tune in and listen.  

Over the years I have often heard God speaking to me. I also spent countless hours talking to him.  However, it was not until this past year that I learned how to have a conversation with him. Wow!  The God of the universe, Creator of everything wants to have a conversation with me.  He wants to know my thoughts and desires?!!!  He wants to share his thoughts and desires with me?!!!! 

I want to state here that God speaks to each of us in different ways.  For me, I “hear” God speaking as thoughts running through my mind that are not my own.  They have a kinder, gentler tone than my own thoughts usually do.  Even when I am being chastened (disciplined) by God the tone is loving, kind, and gentle.  

My husband on the other hand sees pictures in his mind and with the picture comes revelation knowledge as to the meaning of the picture and events surrounding it.  He “hears” as revelation directly to his mind.  A “just knowing” so to speak.  

In our Bible study group of about 10, no two of us “heard” God in exactly the same way.  

If you are not sure that you hear God speak, my challenge to you is to take a notebook and pen and get alone with God and ask him to speak to you.  Begin writing the first impressions, images, or thoughts you receive and continue writing until they stop.  Then reread what you have written and balance it with what you know the Word says.  If it is in alignment with the Word, you have probably heard God.  If you are unsure, ask another believer who you trust to be led by Holy Spirit to read it and see if it resonates with their spirit.  Knowing our Good Shepherd’s voice is vital for us to have intimacy with God.