If you ask a Christian what it means when he says that he has been born again, he will probably tell you that he has a personal relationship with the living God. Because of this relationship, he knows that he has a loving heavenly Father and that he, as God's child, can return his love. This Father-child relationship makes it possible for him to hear God, because there is a communication in prayer and in Bible reading that was never there before.

All of us have a great need to hear that "still small voice" of God so that we can receive His guidance and know more and more about the plan He has for our lives. We need communication with Him all through the day-allowing Him to speak to us by placing His thoughts in our minds. We need to hear Him teach us as we read scripture's. We need to seek to hear Him much as a child seeks the guidance of a parent.

If we are to hear God, we must humble ourselves as a little child. We try so hard to be sophisticated adults not realizing that God is desires for us to be "as little children." God does not look upon His people as sophisticated adults-if we are Christians, we are "children of God." Of course, older children can become rebellious, but little children are naturally trusting, teachable and submisive to their parents. Is that the way you are with your heavenly Father? Or, are you a sophisticated adult?

God wants His people to be responsible for what they say and do, but He wants them to be as little children in their hearts. Jesus said, "Anyone to humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4). The desire to be sophisticated adults makes it difficult to humble ourselves as a little child. The way to hear God is through and on-going Father-child relationship. Out of a trusting, teachable and submissive attitude, we can truly commit ourselves to God-He then makes it possible for us to grow in His grace by the power of His Holy Spirit.

It takes strength or power to live this life and God has very clearly promised it to us. Jesus said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" (Acts 1:8). Our heavenly Father, through his holy spirit, gives a strength to be successful in life to be what he wants us to be. If we are to have to help and strength we need, we must seek that father-child relationship with a repentant heart.

Most of us, most of the time, do not realize that we are sinful. We deceived ourselves. The Bible says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8).

It is only when we see the reality of our sin that we can become truly sorry for it. And it is only when we repent of our sin, that we can gain fellowship with God. When we repent, we open up that Father-child relationship that is so vital for our spiritual growth. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

You may be a businessman, a housewife, a church member, a deacon, an elder or even part of the church staff, but if you are not hearing God, you need to become as a little child in your heart. God will give you the power to humble yourself as a little child and truly repent of your sin ... Ask Him to forgive you and fill you with His Holy Spirit everyday. Realize that God loves you as an individual and ask Him to teach you to return His love-that is a real Father-child relationship. It is also the way to hear God. When we are hearing God, faith is exercised and prayers begin to be answered. As faith and answered prayers increase, the relationship deepens and we began to share our whole life with our heavenly Father. That is fellowship with the living God-because we are hearing God and being heard by Him!