Episode 46: Hearing God before and after being disobedient

Episode 46: Hearing God before and after being disobedient

Jun 30, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

When we create, we partner with God and His creativity is expressed through us. Creativity can be a fantastic way of hearing and experiencing God. Join us in this latest episode of ‘Hearing God’ as we unpack Adam and Eve’s story in the Bible and how they heard and experienced God, both before and after they disobeyed Him.

Episode Notes:

Background to Adam & Eve

  • God created man in His own image.
  • God put man in the Garden of Eden and put him to work to care for it. God gives specific instructions: He commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it, you will certainly die.”
  • God brought all the living creatures to the man and asked him to name them.
  • Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. This speaks of intimacy with the Lord God. Nothing was hidden between God and man.
  • Chapter 3. The serpent asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” Notice he didn’t challenge the man who had directly heard from God. For the woman – it was second-hand knowledge. But the man was there with her and could have stopped her!! The woman correctly replies, “We may eat fruit from any trees in the garden but must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, or we will die.”
  • Serpent challenges: “You will not certainly die, for God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
  • The woman saw the fruit looked great and would give her wisdom, so she took it and ate. She gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Thus, the man abdicated his responsibility.) Then the eyes of both were opened, and they realized they were naked, so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
  • We then read the interaction between God and Adam and Eve after they had disobeyed God’s command.

First Principle: God reveals Himself through creation.

  • One of the ways we can hear God is through creation – His creation and also when we create.
  • We are called to co-create with God.
  • Genesis 2:19-20 God brought all the living creatures to the man and asked him to name them.
  • God created us and thinks we are great. Our identity comes from God.
  • We were created in God’s image – that’s probably the most profound revelation. We are in the image of God.

Second Principle:  We can hear God.

  • Audibly talked with Adam and Eve. Two-way conversation. They heard from God and spoke directly to God.
  • They heard God walking in the garden.
  • Cool of the day. Some say it was wind, sounding and feeling like what happened at Pentecost in Acts 2:2. It was more like they felt His presence.
  • Psalm 29:5-9 talks about the power, strength, and majesty of the sound of the Lord. It uses imagery of the sound of the Lord acting upon nature like a powerful storm.
  • God wants to be personally involved in our life. Speaks of God desiring relationship.

Third Principle: Nothing is hidden from God.

  • There is no shame in God. God made the first move towards them.
  • Don’t try and do things in your strength. They sewed fig leaves to cover themselves.
  • God ended up covering them in skin to cover the shame they felt.
  • They became all-knowing – they knew they had done wrong by eating the fruit.
  • The lens through which we perceive God is through which we will hear Him – grace or judgment.
  • God placed Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden with everything they needed. Food, work, companionship, fellowship with God, freedom of choice, and boundaries. God desires a relationship with us, and the best for us.

Summary:

  1. God reveals Himself through creation.
  2. We can hear God.
  3. Nothing is hidden from God.

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –

  • “God, what creative gifts have You given me?”
  • “What would You love me to know about these gifts or this creativity?”
  • “What else do I need to know about Your creativity, God, as it’s expressed through me?”

Time Stamps:

[0:35] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:23] – Background to the story of Adam and Eve.

[9:26] – First Principle: God reveals Himself through creation.

[13:26] – Second Principle: We can hear God.

[18:47] – Third Principle: Nothing is hidden from God.

[23:52] – Recap the principles.

[24:18] – Prophetic activation.

[25:29] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[27:50] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Genesis 1-3
  • Acts 2:2
  • Psalm 29:5-9
  • John 10:3, 14, 27

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

  • Please share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Follow and leave a rating + review on your favourite podcast listening app.
  • If God is leading your heart to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.

Episode 45: Hearing God with Kathryn Yaxley

Episode 45: Hearing God with Kathryn Yaxley

Jun 23, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Kathryn Yaxley is a guest on this episode of the Hearing God Podcast. Kathryn and her husband Peter are good friends of Gary & Jane. They operate a ministry called Kingdom Presence Ministries that equips people to hear God and grow in their journey of hearing God. Listen to Jane and Kathryn’s conversation as they chat about Kathryn’s healing journey, how she first recognised God speaking to her and several powerful examples of actioning what she thought God was saying to her, especially in her thoughts. Kathryn recently wrote the book “Threads of Hope Knots of Pain”.

Background to Kathryn:

  • Married to Peter and lives in Poatina, Tasmania.
  • Written a book and reflective companion journal: Threads of Hope Knots of Pain.
  • Run equipping workshops and reflective healing retreats.
  • National and international ministry – Kingdom Presence Ministries.

Topics discussed with Kathryn:

  • A brief history of how Kathryn became a Christian and her early Christian Walk.
  • The first time Kathryn recognised God speaking to her.
  • How Kathryn best receives from God.
  • A memorable time of Kathryn receiving from God for someone else.
  • A short piece of advice for our listeners in relation to hearing God for themselves.
  • The first time Kathryn heard God in her thoughts, and how she weighed it up – did it line up with God’s character, was it like something in the Scriptures/ something Jesus would do, does it break any commandments of Scripture, and is it something Jesus would like me to do?

Prophetic activation:

Think about something you’ve experienced this week; it could have been a good thing or a moment of challenge that you haven’t unpacked with the Lord yet. Write down briefly (dot points) what happened for you. Then ask this question, “Lord, what do You want to say to me about that event?”. Journal the flow in response to what might come and see what the Lord says to you.

Time Stamps:

[0:51] – Jane introduces Kathryn Yaxley.

[3:12] – Kathryn shares about her book “Threads of Hope Knots of Pain”.

[8:42] – Jane & Kathryn share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[12:31] – Kathryn shares how she became a Christian.

[15:26] – The first time Kathryn recognised God speaking to her.

[15:44] – Kathryn shares how she best receives from God.

[17:49] – Kathryn shares a memorable time receiving from God for someone else.

[19:56] – Advice Kathryn would give anyone wanting to hear God.

[21:51] – An example of weighing up what you hear.

[26:26] – Prophetic activation.

[27:37] – Jane & Kathryn both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[29:58] – Kathryn prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

  • Please share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Follow and leave a rating + review on your favourite podcast listening app.
  • If God is leading your heart to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.

Episode 44: Hearing God when you are called to be a Courageous Leader

Episode 44: Hearing God when you are called to be a Courageous Leader

Jun 16, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Are you in a leadership position and desperately need God’s help? Do you need God to give you a strategy for the way ahead? Do you need courage for something you are facing? Join us in this latest episode of ‘Hearing God’ as we unpack Joshua’s story in the Bible, how he was repeatedly told to be courageous and not afraid, and the unusual strategies God gave Joshua.

Episode Notes:

Background to Joshua.

  • Moses had liberated the Israelites from slavery under the Egyptians. The Israelites had wandered around the wilderness for forty years and were about to enter the promised land, but Moses was prevented from entering due to not trusting God completely at one time.
  • Joshua was first mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 17:8-15. Moses asked Joshua to choose some men and fight the Amalekites. Moses went up to the top of a hill and prayed. When he held his arms up, the Israelites won. When he lowered his arms, the Amalekites won. So Aaron and Hur put out a stone for him to sit on and hold his arms up. The Amalekites were completely wiped out. (The Lord is my Banner.)
  • Numbers 13:16-33. Moses chose 12 men to go into Canaan / the Promised Land, spy it out, and bring back a report about the land, people, towns, city walls, soil, trees, produce, etc. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones with a positive report. The others incited fear and said don’t go. Caleb and Joshua said the Lord is with us.
  • Numbers 27:12-18, the Lord told Moses to lay his hands on Joshua and bless him as the new leader –a man in whom is the spirit of leadership.
  • Deuteronomy 31:1-8. Moses spoke to all the Israelites and said Joshua will lead you into the Promised Land. Moses was about to die and said Joshua would cross over ahead of you. In verse 6 and again in verse 7, he repeats, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.” When repeated – pay attention!!

First Principle: We can hear God and still be afraid.

  • Joshua told numerous times to be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you.
  • The first thing Joshua does is to tell the Israelites to get ready to cross the Jordan River in 3 days. Meanwhile, he secretly sends two spies to spy out Jericho, the nearest town, up on the hill. They find a prostitute named Rahab and stay with her. The King of Jericho sent men to tell her to send the men out. She said they had already left and hid the men on her roof. The men promised to save Rahab and her family if they were in her house, and a scarlet cord was hanging out the window.
  • Crossing the Jordan River, Joshua did exactly as God commanded him. River flooding but dried up in that spot so they could cross over.
  • Then, a man from each of the 12 tribes would take a stone and pile it up as the memory stones. Joshua 2:6 – In the future, when your children ask you what these stones mean, you can tell them of the miracle.
  • Joshua then proceeds to circumcise every male (as everyone who had been circumcised in Egypt had died in the wilderness, and no-one born in the wilderness had been circumcised.) It was a great time to attack the Israelites, but the neighbouring Kings were afraid as they saw how God was with them and heard the reports about how the Jordan River had dried up until the last of the priests had stepped out of it.

In Genesis 34, read when the son of the Hivite King raped Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, Dinah’s brothers convinced all the Hivites to get circumcised and they would allow intermarriage etc. Three days after all the men were circumcised, and while they were in a lot of pain, two of Dinah’s brothers attacked and killed every male in the city.

Second Principle: We can hear God in numerous ways.

  • Episode 4 – the different ways God communicates with us.
  • God spoke verbally to Joshua but also gave him visions. Joshua 5:13 Joshua looked up and saw a man standing with a sword and realised he was an angel from the Lord.
  • How often do we not recognise it is God?
  • God said to march around the city once with all your armed men. Do this daily for six days. On the 7th day, march around the city seven times with the seven priests at the front of the ark blowing trumpets of ram’s horns. When you hear them sound a long blast, have the whole army give a shout, and the wall will collapse.
  • Joshua told the Israelites not to defile themselves with any idols – otherwise, they will be destroyed. Achan disobeyed by taking some idols. The next time they went to war, the Israelites were badly defeated. Joshua cries out to God as to the reason. God replies because Israel sinned by taking some idols. Found Achor had some hidden. Stoned Achan and all his family and animals and possessions and burned and buried them in the Valley of Achor. (Valley of despair redeemed to a door of hope)

Third Principle: God gives us strategies.

  • Joshua 8 – The Israelites destroyed Ai with an unusual strategy of luring the army out and ambushing from behind.
  • Joshua 9 is where Joshua forgot to ask of the Lord and was deceived by the Gibeonites. They wanted an alliance with the Israelites and pretended they were from afar. They had worn and patched sandals and clothes, mouldy bread, and old cracked and mended wineskins. They went to Joshua and said please make an alliance with us to save us from the surrounding countries. Verse 14 – the Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Made a treaty and realised it 3 days later.
  • The sun stands still in Chapter 10. Five surrounding Kings joined forces to attack the Gibeonites. Joshua had to go to their help due to the treaty. Took them by surprise near dawn, they fled, and the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them and killed them. Joshua said, “Sun stand still”. Verse 13 – the sun stood still and delayed going down about a full day until the nation avenged itself on its enemies.

Summary:

  1. We can hear God and still be afraid.
  2. We can hear God in numerous ways.
  3. God gives us strategies.

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –

  • “God, is there an area of my life where I need to be courageous and not afraid? What is that? What would it look like to be courageous in that area?”
  • “What else do I need to know about that, God?”

Time Stamps:

[0:37] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:17] – Background to the story of Joshua.

[7:05] – First Principle: We can hear God and still be afraid.

[12:41] – Second Principle: We can hear God in numerous ways.

[16:37] – Third Principle: God gives us strategies.

[21:09] – Recap the principles.

[21:41] – Prophetic activation.

[22:45] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[24:34] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Exodus 17:8-15
  • Numbers 13:16-33
  • Numbers 27:12-18
  • Deuteronomy 31:1-8
  • Joshua (specifically Joshua 1:1,6-8; 2:6; 5:13; 6; 7; 8; 9:14; 10; 23-24
  • Genesis 34

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

  • Please share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Follow and leave a rating + review on your favourite podcast listening app.
  • If God is leading your heart to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.
Episode 43: Hearing God when you are unsure who is speaking

Episode 43: Hearing God when you are unsure who is speaking

Jun 9, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Have you ever been unsure if it is God who is speaking to you? Join us in this latest episode of ‘Hearing God’ as we unpack Samuel’s story in the Bible, how he initially didn’t recognise God’s voice but began to hear God, and how hearing God influenced his decision-making. The story of Samuel is an excellent reminder that we are to seek a relationship with God first and foremost, not just chase after hearing God. Relationship and intimacy with Him is what God desires.

Episode Notes:

Background of Samuel

  • 1 & 2 Samuel were originally the one book. Samuel is not found in the book of 2 Samuel.
  • Hannah, his mum, desperately wanted children.
  • She bargained with God, “If you give me a child, I’ll give him back to you, and he will serve you all the days of his life”.
  • 1 Samuel 1-7 – Hannah and the rise of Samuel as prophet and leader of Israel.
  • 1 Samuel 8-31 – The downfall of Saul & the rise of David. In chapter 8 – the Israelites go to Samuel and demand a king. Samuel is distraught. He prayed to God. God replied, “They are not rejecting you. They are rejecting me.” Go first to God when you are upset.
  • 1 Samuel 8, Saul is looking for lost donkeys. Let’s ask the seer where they are. Samuel hears from God that Saul will be the King. Around chapters 13-15 – Saul looks great but lacks integrity. Samuel confronts Saul and warns the Israelites that they need a King who is humble and faithful to God.
  • 2 Samuel – God’s covenant with David as King.
  • Samuel’s name means “I have asked of the Lord. I am listening. I am a listener.” And “God hears you.”

First Principle: God is persistent. He keeps chasing us and doesn’t give up.

  • Eli, the priest, was old. The lamp had not yet gone out. Samuel positioned himself next to the ark. He lay down before the time of sleeping. He made time. God called to Samuel 3 times. Samuel keeps saying, “Here am I”, but God only speaks after Samuel shows he is willing to listen. “Speak for your servant is willing to listen.”
  • Do we want to hear God’s heart?
  • Are we willing to spend time chasing God? Positioning ourselves.
  • Eli’s evil sons surround Samuel, but he doesn’t allow them to influence him.
  • Are we allowing the evil ways of the world to affect our commitment to God and our character and purity?

Second Principle: Keep practising. Explore ways of recognising God’s voice.

  • Samuel didn’t at first recognise God’s voice. Three times, he thought it was Eli.
  • Ask for assistance.
  • Word of caution. We can be like Samuel, worship God, serve him, and have a close presence with God, but not recognise God.
  • Samuel sought wise counsel.
  • Samuel learnt to distinguish God’s voice from his inner voice. 1 Samuel 8:7 The will of God over your own desires/will.
  • Seek a relationship with God first, not just chase after hearing His voice. Intimacy with God is vital. Knowing the Father.
  • Psalm 27:8, “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
  • Episode 3, the four different voices we can hear and what God’s voice sounds like.
  • Age is irrelevant to God. God has no limitations.
  • If we want to hear God’s voice, we position ourselves where God is. Close physically and spiritually.
  • God’s voice is personal.

Third Principle: Obey what God is telling you

  • Eli’s eyes dim physically and spiritually. Eli hadn’t disciplined his sons.
  • God told Samuel that everything that had been prophesied against Eli for not restraining his sons would come true – the priesthood would be taken away, and the sons would die early.
  • Samuel was afraid to tell Eli. Eli was courageous enough to demand Samuel tell him. 1 Samuel 3
  • 1 Samuel 15:26 God refused to speak to Saul as he had disobeyed God.

Summary:

  1. God is persistent. He keeps chasing us and doesn’t give up.
  2. Keep practising. Explore ways of recognising God’s voice.
  3. Obey what God is telling you

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –

  • “God, how can I ‘position’ myself to hear You better, or just to know You greater / to know You more intimately?”
  • “God, what would that look like?”

Time Stamps:

[0:38] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[5:18] – Background to the story of Samuel.

[9:56] – First Principle: God is persistent. He keeps chasing us and doesn’t give up.

[13:04] – Second Principle: Keep practising. Explore ways of recognising God’s voice.

[17:00] – Seek a relationship with God first, not just hearing His voice.

[20:44] – Third Principle: Obey what God is telling you.

[22:13] – Recap the principles.

[22:55] – Prophetic activation.

[23:49] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[25:30] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • 1 & 2 Samuel (specifically chapters 1-8, and 13-15 and verses 1 Samuel 8:7, 1 Samuel 15:26 and all of 1 Samuel 3)
  • Psalm 27:8

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

  • Please share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Follow and leave a rating + review on your favourite podcast listening app.
  • If God is leading your heart to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.

Episode 42: Hearing God while Living an Influential and Extraordinary Life

Episode 42: Hearing God while Living an Influential and Extraordinary Life

Jun 2, 2024 | 0 comments

 

Episode Description:

Have you ever wanted to do more with your life? Have you felt called to have a greater vision and stop playing small? Have you ever wanted to make your life count by influencing other people? Join us in this latest episode of ‘Hearing God’ as we unpack Deborah’s story in the Bible, how she heard God, and how it can apply to your life. Deborah didn’t play small. She lived an influential and extraordinary life, fully committed to God and fearlessly trusting Him.

 

Episode Notes:

Background to Deborah

  • The story of Deborah is found in Judges 4-5.
  • The introduction to Deborah starts with Judges 4:1 “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord…. The Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin King of Canaan.” Sisera was the commander of Jabin’s army and severely oppressed the Israelites.
  • Deborah was leading Israel when the Israelites cried out to God to be rescued from the tyranny.

First Principle:  We are all called to live extraordinary lives.

  • Deborah was fully committed to God.
  • Deborah went into battle fearlessly trusting in God.
  • She was willing to contend for God. To stand and declare the truth of His word.
  • Deborah was the wife of Lappidoth (meaning light). She was considered to be the mother of Israel.
  • She was a Judge, Prophet, Military leader, and Worshipper. She healed and empowered the nation.
  • She was an intercessor and sought God’s battle plan.
  • Judge – settling disputes and making decisions. She held court between 2 cities (unlike men who sat at the city gates). Under a palm tree (symbol of justice). Open, neutral place, maybe near her home.
  • Discerning.
  • She knew the times and seasons of God.
  • Solomon – 1 Kings 3:9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. God was pleased with him.
  • Deborah didn’t play small—an encouragement to enlarge your vision. Don’t play small.

Second Principle: When I pray, do the heavens shake?

  • Judges 4:5
  • Put your relationship with God first.
  • What authority do we have in the heavenlies?
  • Deborah heard the battle strategy from God and took God at His word.
  • She sent for Barak, a mighty warrior, to lead the Israelite army. She told him to take 10,000 men to Mt Tabor. Meanwhile, she would lead Sisera and his huge army to the Kishon River and put him into Barak’s hands.
  • Barak says, “If you go with me, I will go. But if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”
  • Where have all the courageous men gone?
  • Deborah replies that she will go with him but that the honour of the outcome will be given to a woman. Sisera will be delivered into the hands of a woman.
  • The Lord rerouted Sisera as it poured with rain, and the dirt roads near the river became muddy, and the chariot wheels got stuck. Siera fled on foot. Israelites defeated them.

Third Principle: Community is important to God.

  • Our relationship with God impacts others.
  • An outworking of our relationship with God is empowering others to succeed.
  • Deborah nurtured the nation.
  • Jael – Sisera fled to Jael’s tent because of an alliance between him and her husband’s family. She invited him in, and he lay down. Jael covered him with a blanket. She gave him warm milk to help him sleep. He asked her to stand by the tent flap and protect him. Jael didn’t lie. She picked up a tent peg and hammer and drove the peg through his temple.
  • Jael could easily be overlooked and dismissed as ‘just a housewife’ / tent keeper.
  • She stepped up to the plate at the right moment. Did she hear from God? Don’t know, but it seemed the right courageous thing that she was equipped to do right at that moment.

Summary:

  1. We are all called to live extraordinary lives.
  2. When I pray, do the heavens shake?
  3. Community is important to God.

 

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –

  • “God, what would it look like for the ‘Heavens to shake’ when I pray? For my prayers to be answered?”
  • “Father God, is there an adjustment I need to make for this to happen?”

 

Time Stamps:

[0:39] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[3:30] – Background to the story of Deborah.

[4:27] – First Principle: We are called to live extraordinary lives.

[9:19] – Deborah didn’t play small. Enlarge your vision.

[10:48] – Second Principle: When I pray, do the heavens shake?

[15:33] – Third Principle: Community is important to God.

[18:03] – Recap the principles.

[18:28] – Prophetic activation.

[19:34] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[21:35] – Gary prays for you.

 

Resources / Links Mentioned:

 

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Judges 4-5
  • 1 Kings 3:9, 16-28

 

Connect with Gary & Jane:

 

Support the show:

  • Please share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Follow and leave a rating + review on your favourite podcast listening app.
  • If God is leading your heart to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.