Keeping a Prophetic Journal

Discerning Jesus’ Voice in a Spiritual, Supernatural Walk

Introduction

Welcome to Coffee with Conrad! I’m Conrad from ConradRocks.Net, and my passion is to help you cultivate a spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus. Today I want to share something that has profoundly shaped my prophetic journey: keeping a spiritual, prophetic journal. This simple practice has helped me discern the voice of Jesus, navigate the supernatural, and grow in intimacy with God in a trustworthy, practical way.

When I say “prophetic journal,” I don’t mean a mystical diary where we write whatever comes to mind and call it God. I mean a disciplined, documented walk with Jesus—recording dreams, visions, scriptures, impressions, confirmations, and outcomes—so we can learn to distinguish between the Spirit of God and our own hearts. The Bible is crystal clear: sincerity is not the same as truth. Some very sincere people prophesied from their own hearts and missed God entirely. That sobering reality is why journaling—with the Word of God as our plumb line—is indispensable for a balanced, prophetic, spiritual life.

If you prefer listening, this message grew from my talk “Keeping a Prophetic Journal,” which you can find here: Keeping a Prophetic Journal. But in this post I’m going deeper—sharing stories, scriptures, and step-by-step methods that have kept me grounded in Jesus.

Main Message: Why a Prophetic Journal Matters

The Spiritual vs. the Soul: Why Discernment Is Non-Negotiable

From early on in my walk, the Lord highlighted the danger of mistaking soul for spirit—of assuming that our inner emotions, fears, or desires are automatically the Holy Spirit. Scripture warns that our heart is deceitful and that some people prophesy from their own hearts while believing they speak for God. That’s not an insult; it’s a wake-up call to build guardrails.

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV): The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Jeremiah 14:14 (KJV): Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Ezekiel 13:2-3 (KJV): Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy... Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Jesus Himself warns that not everyone who prophesies in His name truly knows Him. That alone should push us to journal diligently and test consistently.

Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV): Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven... And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The Shepherd’s Voice: Learning Texture, Tone, and Truth

Think about how a child learns to recognize a parent’s voice. Before words are fully understood, the texture and tone become familiar. Over time, nuance and meaning are recognized instantly—even in a crowded room. Jesus says His sheep hear His voice, and they follow Him. That recognition grows with relationship and repetition. A prophetic journal becomes a record of those repetitions: when He spoke, how He confirmed it, how it aligned with Scripture, and what happened next.

John 10:27 (KJV): My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

And when we follow, the Good Shepherd leads us well—toward still waters and green pastures. That’s not just poetic language; it’s a practical promise for spiritual direction.

Psalm 23:1-3 (KJV): The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Scripture as the Sword: Dividing Soul from Spirit

The Word of God is our non-negotiable standard. It’s not there to limit the prophetic; it’s there to purify and sharpen it. Journaling without Scripture becomes self-referential. Journaling with Scripture becomes transformational. Over time, the Word divides between soul and spirit so we can tell the difference between divine leading and human impulse.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV): For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Jesus roots discipleship in continuing in His word. A prophetic journal is where I document that continuity—what I’m reading, what I’m hearing, how He’s confirming it, and how obedience bears fruit in real, measurable ways.

John 8:31-32 (KJV): If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Personal Reflections: How Journaling Shaped My Prophetic Walk

From Seventh Grade Scribbles to Spiritual Strategy

I’ve journaled since about the seventh grade. Back then it was mostly thoughts, hopes, frustrations—pages and pages of undirected passion. When I struggled or backslid, I’d sit on a beach and “mind-dump” for hours. Later, when I came to Jesus in a deeper way, I gained an unexpected gift: an honest record of my carnal thinking before Christ and the steady, supernatural transformation afterwards. Looking back through old entries, I could watch my spiritual eyes open—how the tone shifted from self-seeking to Jesus-seeking, from inward turmoil to prophetic clarity. That paper trail ministered to me when I needed to remember how far Jesus had brought me.

Wrestling with Hypocrisy and the Supernatural—Then Coming Home

I grew up in church and had legitimate supernatural experiences. But I also ran into hypocrisy and people who denied the supernatural power I knew was real. That tension pulled me away for a season, searching for truth in other places. Eventually, Jesus brought me full circle. In 1995, I encountered the Lord in a way I couldn’t deny. I dusted off my journals and realized how hungry I’d been—not just for truth in the abstract, but for the Truth who is a Person. Jesus is not simply the subject of Scripture; He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. My journaling turned into partnership with the Word Himself.

The Shoe-Laces Moment: A Prophetic Nudge Confirmed

One day, while bending down to tie my shoes, I sensed the Lord reminding me of Jesus’ words about preaching in other cities. It struck me alongside the “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” I wrote the impression down in my journal, prayed, and waited. Over time, doors opened, circumstances aligned, and the call became reality—we moved to the Gulf Coast. My journal captured the moment the word came, the scriptures that anchored it, the confirmations, and the eventual fulfillment.

Luke 4:43 (KJV): And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

Ephesians 6:15 (KJV): And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Not every impression is the Lord. But when the spiritual, prophetic word aligns with Scripture, is confirmed providentially, and bears righteous fruit, my journal becomes a testimony—and a training manual for future decisions.

“Bad Pizza” vs. the Breath of God

I’ve had dreams that were clearly God—and others that were clearly pizza. The difference became apparent in hindsight because I wrote them down and watched what happened. Over time, patterns emerged: the texture of God’s voice, the peace of His presence, the way His impressions harmonize with His Word, and the fruit that follows obedience. A prophetic journal helped me filter noise from the supernatural: the Spirit leads toward Jesus, toward truth, toward love, toward holiness. The flesh leads toward self, urgency without peace, and outcomes that don’t match Scripture. The journal turned those generalities into specific lessons etched in ink.

Practical Guide: How to Keep a Prophetic Journal with Integrity

1) Choose Your Journal

• Use a notebook or a digital journal that syncs across devices (phone, tablet, computer).
• Pick a tool that lets you add photos and captures the location (geotag) when entries are created. This helps with context later.
• Back it up. Your spiritual history is valuable—for you, and possibly for your children’s children.

2) What to Record

• Scriptures: What you’re reading, verses that stood out, and why.
• Impressions/Inner Witness: What you sensed in prayer or worship; note the tone (peace, urgency, joy), time, and place.
• Dreams and Visions: Write immediately upon waking; include symbols, feelings, and any scriptures that surface.
• Prophetic Words: What you believed the Lord said, how it came (word, picture, scripture, circumstance), and to whom it pertains.
• Confirmations: Repeated scriptures, providential alignments, wise counsel, doors opening/closing.
• Outcomes: Did it come to pass? How? When? What fruit did it bear?

3) Use Simple Hashtags to Track Themes

• #dreams – for dream entries.
• #visions – for visions/open-eyed or internal pictures.
• #revelations – for insights that align with Scripture.
• #scripture – note your daily readings and key verses.
• #decisions – major choices you’re praying through and the guidance you’re receiving.

These tags let you quickly pull a thread and see your spiritual trajectory over months and years.

4) Test Every “Word” by the Word

• Scripture First: Does it align with the KJV Scriptures? The Word discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV): For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword...

• Jesus-Centered: Does it point to Jesus—His character, commands, and kingdom—or to self-exaltation?
• Peace and Purity: Does it carry the Shepherd’s peace and lead to righteousness, or does it agitate the flesh?
• Time Will Tell: Journal the word and watch. Truth stands up under time and testing; the flesh fizzles out or bears bad fruit.
• Accountability: Trusted believers who love Jesus and the Word can help you weigh things without quenching the Spirit.

5) Continue in the Word—Become a Disciple Indeed

Don’t build your prophetic life on sporadic impressions. Build it on abiding in Scripture. A journal should show a steady, spiritual diet—page after page of the Bible shaping your interpretations of dreams, visions, and decisions. Jesus ties discipleship to continuing in His word, not occasional encounters.

John 8:31-32 (KJV): If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth...

And remember: we’re called to walk after the Spirit, not after the flesh. That’s a daily posture, not a rare moment.

Romans 8:1 (KJV): There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

6) Hide the Word in Your Heart

What we meditate on shapes our inner world. If we flood our heart with the world, our “prophetic” takes on a worldly tone. If we hide the Word in our hearts, we’ll discern with spiritual clarity and avoid sin’s subtle snares.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV): Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

God is a Spirit. Our worship, our journaling, our discernment—it must all be in spirit and in truth.

John 4:24 (KJV): God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

7) Expect the Shepherd’s Leading

As you practice this, expect the Shepherd to lead you—in real-life steps. Sometimes the prompt is small; sometimes it changes zip codes. Journal both. Let Scripture frame the moment and then let time and fruit confirm it. The goal isn’t just to be “prophetic”; it’s to follow Jesus well.

Biblical References: KJV Passages That Anchor Prophetic Journaling

These are the verses I often return to when I’m weighing impressions and recording spiritual, supernatural experiences in my journal. I encourage you to read them prayerfully and, if helpful, visit them online for deeper study. For example, John 10:27 (KJV) speaks directly to hearing Jesus’ voice.

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV): The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Jeremiah 14:14 (KJV): Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not...

Ezekiel 13:2-3 (KJV): Son of man, prophesy against the prophets... Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV): Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord...

Matthew 23:15 (KJV): Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte...

Hebrews 4:12 (KJV): For the word of God is quick, and powerful...

John 10:27 (KJV): My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Psalm 23:1-3 (KJV): The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want...

John 8:31-32 (KJV): If ye continue in my word...

John 4:24 (KJV): God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Psalm 119:11 (KJV): Thy word have I hid in mine heart...

Ephesians 6:15 (KJV): And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Luke 4:43 (KJV): I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also...

Romans 8:1 (KJV): ...who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Legacy: Journaling for Your Children’s Children

There’s another reason I keep a prophetic journal: legacy. The Bible speaks of leaving an inheritance to our children’s children. That includes more than finances; it includes a spiritual inheritance—a record of how Jesus led us, corrected us, provided for us, and transformed us. I’ve read diaries of historical figures, and I’ve often wished I could read the thoughts of my own great-great-grandfather. What did he wrestle with? What did God say to him? How did he discern the prophetic and navigate the supernatural in his day?

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV): A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children...

When you and I journal faithfully, we leave behind more than stories. We leave a map—of Scripture-tested guidance, Jesus-centered decisions, and spiritual victories that keep pointing the next generation to the Shepherd’s voice.

Conclusion & Call to Action

If this resonates with you—if you long for a trustworthy, spiritual, prophetic walk with Jesus—start your journal today. Keep it simple. Date the entry. Write the Scripture. Record the impression. Note confirmations. Revisit and reflect. Let the Word of God remain your anchor while the Holy Spirit trains your ear for the Shepherd’s voice. Over time, you’ll watch confusion give way to clarity, and you’ll see how Jesus faithfully leads you beside still waters and into green pastures.

I’d love to hear how you’re journaling, what questions you have about discernment, and what Jesus is highlighting in your life. Leave a comment, share this post with a friend who’s hungry for spiritual growth, and consider following along at ConradRocks.Net for more prophetic content and resources. If you’d like to keep up with new posts and Coffee with Conrad episodes, bookmark the site and check back often. Your engagement helps others discover a deeper, supernatural relationship with Jesus too.

Until we meet again—dig deeper and go higher.