Chag sameach Rosh Chodesh kol beit Yisra'el and may the grace of our Master Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) be upon this congregation and all those assembling around the world to hear the devarim (words) of the nevi'im (prophets) in that most precious Name.

Each new moon we gather to hear a prophetic davar (word) from the nevi'im (prophets) because this is what the ancients used to do on this day but we are apt to forget sometimes that the goal of Israel has always been that all Yahweh's people should be nevi'im (prophets):

"Oh, that all Yahweh's people were nevi'im (prophets) and that Yahweh would put His Ruach (Spirit) upon them!" (Num.11:29, NKJV)

That does not, of course, mean that everyone should ideally hold the prophetic office. Rather, all should have the spirit of prophecy, foremost the husbands and fathers of Israel for their families as family heads, but also every indidividual for all are called to enter into a personal relationship with Yah'shua (Jesus) and be guided by the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit). Whether this guidance is for worship or for personal revelation, all who have been born again and have received the free gift of the Ruach (Spirit) are supposed to enjoy the spirit of prophecy for the times they need it. The malak (angel) who spoke to John said:

"Worship Elohim (God)! For the testimony of Yah'shua (Jesus) is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev.19:10, NKJV).

I know that those of you who are young in emunah (faith) would like some practical advice on how to hear and respond to the spirit of prophecy, and to know when it is operating in other believers and when it is not, so I am led today to share some tips. Yahweh is eager to communicate with His children - every day - and the words which He spoke to the navi (prophet) Jeremiah are extended to us too:

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things..." (Jer.33:3, NKJV).

That is a promise. Our part is to get ready to hear Him, but hearing from Elohim (God) is a learning process, just as all communication is. We none of us learn a language overnight and considerable effort and practice is normally needed. This takes time, discipline and patience. Nevertheless the promise is that it is available to everyone who sincerely desires it. As in learning a foreign language, if your intention is only half-hearted or insincere, do not expect to make progress. The apostle James tells us the condition that we must meet:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim (God), who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in emunah (faith), with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Master; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:5-8, NKJV).

Therefore there must be resolution and committment. Notice that the Scriptures nowhere say that you have to have reached a certain level of spiritual maturity in order to hear from Yahweh. We don't have to have all our struggles and issues under perfect control in order to talk to and hear His response. He is available to us just as we are, warts and all.

It's also important that we allow ourselves the freedom to listen expectantly for Him. During His ministry, Yah'shua (Jesus) took time to be alone with His Father and told His talmidim (disciples) to do the same:

"'Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while' ... And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray" (Mark 6:31,46 NKJV).

We too need a quiet place free from distraction. Once there, though, how do you know that what you're hearing is truly from Yahweh? I'd like to give you seven tips to answer that question. All you have to do is ask yourself these seven questions in order to determine whether it is really Yahweh speaking to you:

• 1. Is what you are hearing consistent with Scripture? If it disagree with what Scripture says, then the source is not Yahweh;
• 2. Is what you are hearing consistent with the character of Yahweh?
• 3. Does what you hear and respond to lead to change or growth in your life?
• 4. Does what you hear and respond to lead to the restoration of broken relationships?
• 5. Does what you hear lead to a sense of healing - are you aware of a release from past sin or pain?
• 6. Does what you hear lead to a sense of shalom (peace) and a lessening of anxiety? and
• 7. Does what you hear lead to conviction rather than guilt?

There is a very real difference between the conviction that the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) lays on your heart and the condemnation of the devil because the two speak radically different languages. Knowing the differences in personality and character between Yahweh-Elohim and Satan will most definitely aid us in distinguishing who is speaking to us. How is it, then, that sometimes we mistake Satan's voice for our Heavenly Father's? The answer is usually because we have fundamentally misunderstood who Father Yahweh is. Misunderstandings and distorted images of who He is, often taught us by the religious and irreligious alike who do not know Him or His Davar (Word), gives the Enemy a major foothold into our hearts and minds and this enables him to sow confusion and sabotage prayer. How, then, can we distinguish between the way our Heavenly Father speaks to us and how the Devil does?

Here are seven characteristics of the Enemy that need to be indentified early when he wants you to believe it is Elohim (God) speaking to you:

• 1. TONE: Satan is accusing, nagging and mocking, which generates fear and confusion;
• 2. VAGUE: Satan stirs up an overall sense of guilt, as if everything is wrong, which leads to a sense of hopelessness and weakness;
• 3. DISCOURAGEMENT: Satan attacks your self-confidence, and tells you that you are weak and worthless, and there's nothing you can do about it;
• 4. BRINGS UP THE PAST: Satan loves to replay your past sin and shame, constantly reminding you of your poor choices;
• 5. REJECTING: Satan loves to create the feeling that Yahweh has rejected you as unworthy and unholy, and portrays Elohim (God) as judge and you as a miserable sinner;
• 6. ISOLATING: Satan feeds you with suggestions that cause you to withdraw from others; and
• 7. NEGATIVE: Satan tells you that the horrible way you feel is simply the way it is and to live with it.

Now compare this with the character of the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) and Her impact on your soul:

• 1. TONE: Elohim (God) is gentle, loving, imploring and urges you to return to Him;
• 2. SPECIFIC: Elohim (God) tells you to take a specific action in response to sin, leading to freedom;
• 3. ENCOURAGING: Elohim (God) says you can rely on His power, not on your own strength;
• 4. RELEASES YOU FROM THE PAST: Elohim (God) tells you that your sins are forgiven and will never be held against you;
• 5. ATTRACTS: Elohim (God) generates an expectation of kindness, ahavah (love) and a new beginning with His empowerment;
• 6. DRAWS INTO FELLOWSHIP: Elohim (God) sends others to minister to you in ahavah (love), as well as sends you to others, and speaks comfortingly of His unchanging nature and steadfast ahavah (love); and
• 7. TRUTHFUL: Elohim (God) states the facts about you and Himself - always.

Every believer and every head of household has to stand alone in Yahweh and times are coming, or are already here for some, when you must learn to do this and not rely on intermediaries. One way or another, He will enable you to hear Him if you just trust and obey. The nevi'im (prophets) may not be around for longer or shorter periods of time during these difficult days - it is better to be prepared now so that you can avoid calamity rather than to find yourself thrust into calamity and then try to extricate yourself afterwards and try to listen and respond in less than advantageous circumstances. Numerous prophetic tribulation countdowns are underway, some have already concluded and war has manifested in certain places, but others are soon to end. Have you prepared? Are you ready now?

The Bible is very clear about the fact that Yahweh actively pursues a personal relationship with His children. He delights in you and desires to bring restoration to the painful places in your life. He offers Himself as a refuge from fear and anxiety. He holds out His strength to those who are weak, and He longs to mourn with those who are broken. He is here for you - anytime you come. He is gently calling, "Come with Me" (Mark 6:31). Now is the time. Amen.

Acknowledgements