I have heard that the way a government agent is trained to determine if a piece of currency is counterfeit is NOT by having them look at counterfeit bills, but by spending 100% of their training time on looking at genuine bills. By using this method they know the real thing so well that they can immediately spot a fake. Jesus uses the example of how sheep know the voice of a shepherd so well that they will only follow that shepherd, never another. The emphasis Jesus is trying to make is about both the sheep and the shepherd. They know each other so well because they have a very close relationship.As a believer we can be assured that Jesus knows our voice, and He wants us to know His as well. We need to simply allow His voice to be in our ears constantly. Time in the Word of God and prayer are two great ideas. The one thing I have found in my own life is that it is much easier to hear the voice of God if I spend less time talking. For many people, prayer (and even reading of the Word) is time to inform God as to what He needs to be doing. More listening and less telling makes for a greater intimacy with God. Another great way to hear God’s voice is time with believers who also have an intimate relationship with Jesus. Sometimes that may take the form of just listening together, not solving the world’s problems.This week take some time to listen to Jesus with a few of His followers.