so I've asked Jesus into my life and I want to devote my life to him and have him in my heart but I just don't know how. I try praying but how do I know when he is answering?
What do you mean by have him in your heart? Here are some things to consider:
1. To be a child of God believe in the Gospel.
2. Involve God in your life daily after you've become a Christian.
3. Draw near to God by obeying him.
The more room you make for God in your life the more chances you'll have to see him work in your life. I think it's clear that God can speak with an audible voice. But seeing how he
spoke the universe into existence and how they are a
testimony of him and how Jesus is the
Word of God, I think it's easy to see that every response from God won't come in verbal format. And we really don't even need to know his answers to have him address our prayers and direct our lives according to his will. What is up to us to decide is whether or not to follow him. And I believe he will take care of the rest.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Notice that it doesn't say, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will verbally converse with you." But if you really want to perceive God's answers that takes discernment, and it depends on what you prayed for. A lot of our concerns in every day life may already be found in the Bible though. So I guess what I'm saying is, "Why search for extra-biblical confirmation of a specific path you're taking if the Bible already addresses it in verbal format?"
I think far too many people have done that and been led astray by their own hearts misinterpreting situations.