Will God tell me what to do with my life?

Will God tell me what to do with my life?

Apr 20, 2025 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Would you love God to clearly show and tell you what you should do with your life? Are you at a crossroads in your life? Join us as we unpack hearing from God concerning your life purpose and share stories of how God has guided us with our various decisions.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: God can tell you what to do with your life, but perhaps not how you expect.

  • Childhood dreams. God put those dreams in your heart.
  • Gifts and abilities.
  • Inborn predisposition.
  • God can speak and show you.
  • Movie Bonhoeffer.
  • Christian missionary stories were brilliant – “YWAM Christian Heroes Then and Now” by Janet and Geoff Benge.

Second Principle: God’s will for your life is not singular or solitary.

  • Not one ‘right’ way.
  • Susannah Wesley – 19 children, but only 10 survived to adulthood. Mother to Charles and John Wesley. Strong-willed. Educated. Married to a poor rector. “What if I was to do my part?”
  • Micah 6:8b “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
  • John 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Third Principle: Your identity is not in what you do but who you are.

  • Ephesians 1 outlines who we are as a child of God.

Summary:

  1. God can tell you what to do with your life, but perhaps not in the way you expect.
  2. God’s will for your life is not singular or solitary.
  3. Your identity is not in what you do but who you are.

Prophetic activation:

Select something special to taste, and as you place that piece of food in your mouth,

turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him, “What do You want to say to me through tasting/savouring this mouthful?”

Time Stamps:

[0:45] – Gary & Jane briefly share how they have heard God this week.

[7:10] – First Principle: God can tell you what to do with your life, but perhaps not in the way you expect.

[11:11] – Second Principle: God’s will for your life is not singular or solitary.

[13:35] – Third Principle: Your identity is not in what you do but who you are.

[17:33] – Summary

[18:06] – Prophetic activation.

[19:23] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[20:42] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Psalm 34:8
  • Daniel 5:5
  • Micah 6:8b
  • John 13:35
  • Ephesians 1

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 70: Can anyone hear God?

Episode 70: Can anyone hear God?

Apr 13, 2025 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Do you believe that God would never talk to you? Do you think some people are so bad that God would never be interested in speaking with them? Gary & Jane share how nothing excludes you from hearing God, even in bizarre ways, but if you want to hear God more clearly, there are several things you can implement in your life. Join them as they unpack these principles.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: If a donkey can hear God, then anyone can hear God.

  • Numbers 22:21-34 – three times, Balaam’s donkey saw the angel of the Lord.
  • Many Muslims are hearing and seeing God through dreams.
  • Jamie Winship on identity – he helps people hear from God about their identity.

Second Principle: A more effective question is, “What can I do to hear God more clearly?”

  • Understanding how God speaks and the ways He speaks.
  • Hold on to John 10:2-16, especially verses 2 & 14 – my sheep know my voice.
  • It is normal to hear God’s voice if you are in a relationship with Him. This is an expected reality.
  • Doing life together with Jesus.

Third Principle: Sometimes we don’t recognise it is God speaking to us or there’s a block.

  • There is usually not only one way that God speaks to us
  • Sometimes, we may have selective hearing.

Summary:

  1. If a donkey can hear God, then anyone can hear God.
  2. A more effective question, “What can I do to hear God more clearly?”
  3. Sometimes, we don’t recognise it’s God speaking to us or there’s a block.

Prophetic activation:

Settle comfortably and turn your heart and thoughts to Father God. Imagine you’re in your favourite place, somewhere calm, relaxing and just you. Now imagine a book in your hands. Open the book and imagine seeing some words or a drawing on the page. What is written or drawn there? What does Jesus want to say to you through those words or picture?

Time Stamps:

[2:53] – Gary & Jane briefly share how they have heard God this week.

[6:19] – First Principle: If a donkey can hear God, then anyone can hear God.

[12:23] – Second Principle: A more effective question is, “What can I do to hear God more clearly?”

[19:58] – Third Principle: Sometimes we don’t recognise it is God speaking to us or there’s a block.

[22:49] – Summary

[23:18] – Prophetic activation.

[25:10] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[27:02] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Numbers 22:21-34
  • John 10:2-16
  • Jeremiah 33:3
  • Psalm 139:13-18
  • Psalm 119:105

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 69: Can I Hear God through ChatGPT?

Episode 69: Can I Hear God through ChatGPT?

Apr 6, 2025 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

In exploring the question, ‘Can I hear God through ChatGPT?’, I asked ChatGPT what God wanted to say to me today. The answer was very interesting. Join us as we share the answer ChatGPT gave, and some principles to keep in mind as you use any A.I. software.

Episode Notes:

Background to ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a chat-based software that can provide answers and solve problems. ChatGPT can write all sorts of articles, university essays, movie scripts, compile code for websites, write sermons or Bible studies, answer questions etc. Unfortunately, it doesn’t reference its sources, and not everything is Kosher. You cannot fully trust the information it is giving you. Everything you read and hear is not necessarily accurate or the truth. I think the season with Covid certainly brought that to the fore.

First Principle: God can use anything to speak to us.

  • God will reach us however He can. Nothing is a surprise to God.
  • If God can use a donkey, He can use artificial intelligence.
  • Episode 49 – Story of Balaam and his talking donkey in Numbers 22: 22-34

Second Principle: Look at your motive for wanting to use it.

  • Technology is amoral. It’s how we use it that’s important.
  • Ask, “Am I stealing other people’s creativity and work?”
  • Use wisdom and discernment.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:20 in the Message version says, “To be perfectly frank, I’m getting exasperated with your childish thinking. How long before you grow up and use your head—your adulthead? It’s all right to have a childlike unfamiliarity with evil; a simple no is all that’s needed there. But there’s far more to saying yes to something. Only mature and well-exercised intelligence can save you from falling into gullibility.”
  • Acts 6: 8 “And what does the Lordrequire of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
  • Use it to serve your purpose, but be discerning.
  • Acts 17:16-34 – Paul was in Athens and greatly distressed to see the city full of idols. So, he used what he saw and what the people believed to advance God’s Kingdom and preached to them about the statue of the ‘unknown God’ and who this God was and how to know Him.
  • Depends on your character and maturity. Are you prone to cutting corners, laziness or procrastination? Then, you may need to put boundaries in place so as not to use them for writing Bible studies or doing university assignments.
  • Nothing replaces your relationship with God. The other day, I heard a statement: “The real battle with technology is not for our data but for the desires of our heart.”
  • Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Third Principle: Nothing replaces intimacy with God for hearing from Him.

  • There are many areas in our life that we don’t need to ask God about, but we do. Sometimes, we just need to love our neighbour, serve others, and be kind. But we may not ask God about other things, but we should.
  • Get stuck into reading the Bible to know God’s character.
  • Who you are around will influence you. If you are using A.I. often, be careful of your truth meter. Everything you read and hear is not necessarily true.
  • Our heart posture is important. A.I. should never replace or take the place of the Holy Spirit and His promptings in our lives.
  • Don’t use it instead of praying and waiting on God, waiting for God’s answer. God isn’t into ‘shortcuts’.
  • I would even be as bold as to say that if you find that you are questioning whether you heard God right or not and then turn to A.I., you are on a ‘slippery slope’ of damaging your relationship with God. Only use it as a tool.

Summary:

  1. God can use anything to speak to us.
  2. Look at your motive for wanting to use it.
  3. Nothing replaces intimacy with God for hearing from Him.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, would do You want to tell me about my use of technology?”

Time Stamps:

[0:49] – Gary & Jane briefly share how they have heard God this week.

[6:12] – Brief background to ChatGPT

[8:46] – First Principle: God can use anything to speak to us.

[13:48] – Second Principle: Look at your motive for wanting to use it.

[19:22] – Third Principle: Nothing replaces intimacy with God for hearing from Him.

[21:49] – Summary

[22:15] – Prophetic activation.

[23:02] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[25:11] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Numbers 22:22-34
  • 1 Corinthians 14:20
  • Micah 6:8
  • Acts 17:16-34
  • Isaiah 41:10
  • Philippians 4:6-7

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 68: How can I be sure I heard God right?

Episode 68: How can I be sure I heard God right?

Mar 30, 2025 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Sometimes, it can be hard to know if I heard God right. How can I be sure it was God and not just my wishful thinking? Join Gary & Jane as they share Biblical and personal stories of hearing God and the principles and checkpoints they use to determine if it was God.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: Develop intimacy with God and learn to recognise Him.

  • As we grow closer to God, we learn how He speaks and what He says.
  • Read the Bible.
  • Learn to recognise how God speaks and what His voice sounds like.
  • Episode 3 – The four different voices we can hear.
  • Episode 13 – How to recognise God speaking to me
  • God doesn’t always speak the same way each time or the same to each person.

Second Principle: Have checkpoints in place.

  • We all need boundaries, a fence that outlines the field.
  • Line it up with the Bible. What does the Bible say about it?
  • The character of God.
  • Ask trusted, wise, discerning and godly people.
  • How has God communicated to you in the past? (It doesn’t mean He won’t use a new way of speaking with you)
  • What will be the fruit/outcome if you implement what you feel God said? E.g. sometimes you never know what the outcome will be.
  • Would implementing it bring a smile to God’s dial?

Third Principle: Ask God to confirm it.

  • Jeremiah 33:3 “‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
  • Episode 3: First thought principle
  • It’s okay to ask God to confirm it. To show/tell you again.
  • A fleece. Episode 38: Gideon in Judges 6:36-40
  • Gideon operated out of fear. Look at what may be blocking you from recognising it’s God speaking to you.

Summary:

  1. Develop intimacy with God and learn to recognise Him.
  2. Have checkpoints in place.
  3. Ask God to confirm it.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, is there an area of my life I need to trust You more in?”
  • “If so, what is that area?”
  • “What do I need to do?”
  • “What steps would You like me to take?”

Time Stamps:

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

[6:59] – First Principle: Develop intimacy with God and learn to recognise Him.

[14:19] – Second Principle: Have checkpoints in place.

[17:45] – Third Principle: Ask God to confirm it.

[22:41] – Summary

[23:17] – Prophetic activation.

[24:07] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[26:13] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Numbers 22
  • Jeremiah 33:3
  • Judges 6:36-40
  • Proverbs 3:5-6
  • Psalm 139:13-18
  • Jeremiah 29:11

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 67: The Best Way to Hear God

Episode 67: The Best Way to Hear God

Mar 23, 2025 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Have you ever wondered what is the best way to hear God? Maybe you feel God doesn’t talk to you at all. In this episode, Gary and Jane share the multiple ways that God can relate to us. They also share how they ‘hear’ from God and cultivate intimacy with Him.

Episode Notes:

Gary & Jane share how they best hear God.

First Principle: There are multiple ways to hear God.

  • The Bible
    • 2 Timothy 3:16 – all Scripture is God-inspired
    • Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
    • Hebrews 4:12 The word of God is alive and active.
    • Romans 15:4 – Bible written to teach, encourage, and give us hope.
    • Sounds like a prophetic word from 1 Cor 14:3
  • Supernatural manifestations
    • Moses & burning bush Exodus 3:1-4
    • Fleece – Judges 6:37-40 – Gideon didn’t trust God and still needed a fleece even after a powerful encounter with an angel.
    • Soul blinded by a light flashed from heaven, then sight restored in Acts 9:1-19
    • Balaam and the donkey in Numbers 22:1-35
    • Daniel 5:5 fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the wall plaster.
    • Acts 5:1-10 Ananias & Sapphira were struck dead after lying.
  • Character of God
  • Co-incidences or God-incidences
  • Dreams, visions, mystical sense e.g. angels
  • Nature
  • Music and lyrics
  • Signs, numbers, colours
  • Smells
  • Miracles
  • Supernatural manifestations of weather.
    • John 12:27-30 – God speaking to Jesus after Jesus was predicting his death. Some thought an angel had spoken from heaven; others heard thunder. What is your ear inclined to?
  • Other people.
  • Wise advice e.g. people, books, movies.
  • Holy Spirit – John 14:26 – Jesus said the advocate would com and teach us everything.

 Receive from God through our senses:

  1. Auditory or hearing God.
  • Most common.
  • When we talk about ‘hearing’ God – we can presume it’s the only way.
  • Still small voice internally – 1 Kings 19:11-12
  • Jeremiah 1. The word of the Lord came to me.
  • Loud voice externally.
  1. Visual
  • Habakkuk 2:1 “I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me.”
  • See things in the spirit.
  • Internal sight eg Amos 7 – plumb line.
  • External e.g. Jeremiah 1:11-13 seeing almond tree branch.
  • If God draws your attention to something, stop and ask Him what it is He is trying to tell you. Exodus 3:3-4 Moses saw a bush on fire that wasn’t burning up, so he thought, “Hmm, I’ll go over and see this strange sight.”
  • Kids seeing demons.
  • Dreams are so important. In Matthew 1 & 2, Joseph had three dreams that saved the life of Jesus because Joseph obeyed the dreams he had.
  1. Sense/feel
  • Using senses – feel, touch, taste.
  • Gut intuition. Impression. Imagination.
  • The Gospels are full of stories in which Jesus showed compassion towards people.
  1. Perceive or know
  • Luke 5:22 – Jesus knew what they were thinking in their hearts.
  • An idea comes into my head that isn’t my thinking.
  • Journalling helps.

Second Principle: The best way to hear God is whatever suits you and means you can hear God the best.

  • Try, explore, experiment.
  • The one way doesn’t suit everyone—different personalities and likes/dislikes.
  • Word of caution – Just because you’ve always heard God the same way doesn’t mean He won’t use another method.

Third Principle: Cultivate intimacy with God.

  • Hearing God requires intimacy to hear God. To know if it is Him speaking or revealing something to you or if it is Satan or yourself. You need to know the character of God and what God sounds like.
  • Gary shares how he cultivates intimacy with God.

Summary:

  1. There are multiple ways to hear God.
  2. Whatever suits you and means you can hear God the best.
  3. Cultivate intimacy with God

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, can You please reveal to me very specifically a way You’ve been trying to get my attention, and I haven’t realised?”
  • “God, can You please show me more about that please?”

Time Stamps:

[0:36] – Gary & Jane briefly share how they have heard God this week.

[3:56] – Gary & Jane share how they best hear God.

[11:23] – First Principle: There are multiple ways to hear God.

[16:45] – Second Principle: The best way to hear God is whatever suits you and means you can hear God the best.

[19:31] – Third Principle – Cultivate intimacy with God.

[20:59] – Summary

[21:26] – Prophetic activation.

[22:38] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[24:10] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • 2 Timothy 3:16
  • Psalm 119:105
  • Exodus 3:1-4
  • Judges 6:37-40
  • Numbers 22:1-35
  • Daniel 5:5
  • Acts 5:1-10
  • John 12:27-30
  • 1 Kings 19:11-12
  • Jeremiah 1
  • Habakkuk 2:1-2
  • Amos 7
  • Jeremiah 1:11-13
  • Exodus 3:3-4
  • Luke 5:22

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 66: Life Update and Beginning of 2025

Episode 66: Life Update and Beginning of 2025

Mar 16, 2025 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Gary and Jane share a life update on what has been happening over the last few months, raising the issue – “When things don’t turn out quite as we hope or expect, what do we do?” Jane also unpacks hearing God for each month of this year. They also cast the vision for the podcast for season 3 – common questions people ask about Hearing God.

Episode Notes:

Life update over the last three months.

  • Highlights and SUFM (Beach mission).
  • Word/phrase for the year and each month.
  • Jane reinjured her knee, bringing up the issue of when things don’t turn out as we hope or expect, what do we do?

First Principle: Our attitude is important.

  • What were you expecting? Were they false expectations?
  • Remaining open to God. Don’t close the door of relationship or allow it to impact negatively.
  • Paul in the Bible – reading Acts in the Bible (Acts 16:6-10) – a considerable number of things that went wrong. Imprisoned, shipwrecked, etc.
  • Paul ended up being put in prison in Macedonia. I’m sure that wasn’t his expectation. But he steadfastly sought God and chased after him.

Second Principle:  Be careful who you listen to.

  • Look at Job in the Bible. A lot of people ready and eager to give him advice on what he should do.
  • Are we cultivating intimacy with Jesus?
  • How do you cultivate intimacy with Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit? Do you ‘treat’/relate to each of them differently?

Third Principle: Look at the big picture.

  • In the Bible, if you just looked at the crucifixion, you would miss the whole purpose, that of relationship, as well as sin, salvation, and the resurrection.

Summary:

  • Our attitude is important.
  • Be careful who you listen to.
  • Look at the big picture.

For Season 3 in 2025, we are looking at common questions people ask about hearing God.

  • If you have any questions you would like answered, please email us at garyandjaneb@gmail.com
  • Some examples of questions we have already been asked are:
    • What’s the best way to hear God? (We are covering this topic next week.)
    • What if I’m not sure I’ve heard God right?
    • Can I hear God through ChatGPT?
    • Is it okay to ask God to speak to me in a certain way?
    • Will God tell me what to do with my life?
    • How do I help my friends hear God?

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “Father God, is there a phrase or a word You would like me to hang on to this next month, or a phrase/word that will describe my month ahead?”
  • You might like to ask God for a word/phrase for each month for the rest of the year or a word/phrase for the whole year, sort of like an umbrella over the entire year.

Time Stamps:

[1:01] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[6:30] – An explanation of a word/phrase for the year and each month.

[11:38] – When things don’t turn out quite as we expect.

[12:11] – First Principle: Our attitude is important.

[18:56] – Second Principle: Be careful who you listen to.

[21:11] – Third Principle – Look at the big picture.

[22:02] – Summary

[22:28] – What’s coming in Season 3, 2025.

[24:35] – Prophetic activation.

[25:41] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[27:56] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Acts 16:6-10
  • Job

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 65: Wrap Up for 2024

Episode 65: Wrap Up for 2024

Nov 10, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Sharing 14 main principles of how Biblical characters heard God and the application to our life, we also reveal which Biblical character from our series in Season 2 we have related to the most. We also share why this is the last episode for 2024 Season 2 and how we will return in March 2025 with Season 3. Meanwhile, we encourage you to listen to episodes you’ve missed or your favourite ones to inspire you while you wait for Season 3. Thank you so much for listening.

Episode Notes:

Review of 2024:

  • An explanation of why we are taking a break until March 2025 from podcasting.
  • The Bible characters that Gary & Jane felt they learnt the most from, especially concerning hearing God.

14 Main Principles from how the various Biblical characters we covered heard God.

  1. God speaks to us personally and in multiple ways. He desires relationship with us. E.g. Paul, Lazarus, Hagar, Ezekiel, Adam & Eve, Jonah, Mary & Joseph.
  2. Reading the Bible is important. E.g. Nehemiah, Josiah.
  3. God loves questions. E.g. David, Nehemiah, Haggai, Jeremiah.
  4. God works in bizarre ways. E.g. Hosea, Abraham, Balaam & the donkey, Gideon, Jonah, Ruth, Esther.
  5. Practice hearing God. E.g. Samuel, David.
  6. Grow in wisdom and discernment. E.g. Jochebed.
  7. Character is important. E.g. Noah.
  8. Live courageously. Hear God and then courageously step out and obey. E.g., Jochebed, Joshua (who heard God and was still afraid), Deborah, and Daniel (who was counter-cultural).
  9. Identity is important. Hearing God encountering God changes us—for example, Leah, the woman at the well, Gideon, and Saul.
  10. There’s always hope with God. Never give up. E.g. Lazarus, Ezekiel.
  11. Don’t limit God. E.g. Ezekiel.
  12. Position yourself to hear God. E.g. Lydia, Samuel, Jeremiah, Habakkuk.
  13. Act on what you hear. E.g. Lydia.
  14. Just because we can’t see God at work doesn’t mean He’s not working. E.g. Ruth, Esther.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, which Bible verse would You like me to hold on to for 2025?”
  • “God, what do I need to do in preparation for next year, and how does this Bible verse apply to my life?”

Time Stamps:

[2:21] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[9:59] – Gary & Jane share which Bible character they related to the most.

[14:48] – 14 Main Principles from how the Biblical characters heard God.

[18:13] – Prophetic activation.

[19:18] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[23:59] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Psalm 23:5 (I incorrectly mentioned Psalm 25:5 – sorry)
  • Song of Solomon 8:14
  • Mark 6:31-33

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 64: Hearing God when life doesn’t go according to plan

Episode 64: Hearing God when life doesn’t go according to plan

Nov 3, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Life often seems to throw us ‘curve balls’, and we can end up living lives different from what we imagined. How we deal with these events is vital. In the Bible, Moses dealt with significant events in his life, especially when he went from a ‘somebody’ living in a royal palace to a ‘nobody’ in the outback. He then discovered what God can do with a person fully devoted to Him. Join us as we unpack how Moses heard God amid these events and how it can relate to our life.

Episode Notes:

Background to Moses:

  • We read about Moses in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
  • Episode 63 – Jochebed Moses’s mother and the events surrounding Moses’ birth.
  • Basically, Pharoah was scared of the Israelites in his country and issued an edict to kill every male baby born. Moses’ mother, Jochebed, courageously hid Moses. He was found by Pharoah’s daughter who paid Jochebed to nurse Moses and bring him up for the first approx. eight years of his life.
  • Moses then went to live in the Royal Palace.
  • Can you imagine the emotions behind this story? The jealousy that Jochebed was being paid to bring up her only son. Jealousy that Moses went to live in luxury and have servants, whereas his brother and sister and friends were servants.
  • Flavius Josephus, a Jewish priest, scholar and historian, wrote in the first century in a manuscript called ‘The Antiquities of the Jews’ (Book 2, chapter 10) that Moses became the General of the Egyptian army and was famous for defeating the Ethiopians. Acts 7:22 says Moses was mighty in speech and deeds. He had power and the ability to do anything. He saw an Egyptian and Israelite fighting and went to intervene and killed the Egyptian. Expecting it to be kept quiet, he was obviously shocked and alarmed the next day when he saw two Israelites fighting, and they challenged him about killing the Egyptian. Moses then ran away and lived as a nomad for 40 years.
  • Hebrews 11:24-25 says, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.” Moses chose between royalty and being a servant.
  • After Moses had lived in the desert for 40 years, God called Moses through a burning bush experience to lead the Israelites in escaping from the Egyptians to cross to the Promised Land.
  • Moses had several mountain-top experiences with God, one of those being when God gave him the 10 Commandments for the Israelites (Exodus 20)
  • His death is recorded in Deuteronomy 34. Due to an incident recorded in Numbers 20 where Moses didn’t obey God but relied on a past experience, God prevented him from entering the Promised Land.
  • He had been leading this grumbling tribe around and around the desert for 40 years, and then he is prevented from seeing the one thing they were aiming for due to not obeying God.
  • 1st 40 years, Moses thought he was a somebody as Pharoah’s ‘grandson’. 2nd 40 years, Moses believed he was a nobody and lived a nomadic lifestyle as a shepherd. 3rd 40 years – discovered what God can do with a person devoted to him.
  • Moses was fluent in both Hebrew and Egyptian culture.

First Principle: Never underestimate God.

  • God is God. He can do whatever He likes. He can and often will do the bizarre and extraordinary.
  • God spoke to Moses through thunder, fire, and lightning.
  • God used Moses in the miraculous parting of the Red Sea so the Israelites could escape from the Egyptians.
  • God performed many miraculous signs. In Exodus 16, God provided manna and food each night for the Israelites in the desert.
  • God spoke to Moses face to face. Exodus 33:11 “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face as one would a friend.”
  • Moses sensed and felt God and had visual and auditory experiences. In Exodus 19, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.
  • What’s in your hand? Moses, in Exodus 4 – what was in Moses’ hand? Provision. Protection. Promise. Due to his Egyptian background, he had been taught to pick up snakes by the head so they wouldn’t bite you. God said, pick it up by the tail. Obey me, not your Egyptian ways and knowledge.
  • Always an outcome for disobeying God. Due to disobeying God, Moses wasn’t permitted to cross into the Promised Land. God could have waivered that, but He didn’t. Moses died before the fulfilment of the task. I don’t want to die prematurely before the fulfilment of what God has called me to. What about you?

Second Principle: Identity is important.

  • Acts 7:22 says Moses was mighty in speech and deeds. Yet in Exodus 4:10, we see Moses believed he lacked eloquence. Was slow of speech and stuttered. How Moses saw himself did not line up with how others saw him and how he truly was. Unless the trauma of being caught killing the Egyptian and disappearing into the wilderness for 40 years destroyed his self-esteem. Moses lost all confidence in himself. He felt inferior.
  • Thankfully, God sees us differently. God knows us intimately. God believes in us and our potential.
  • Moses had a massive fear of rejection in Exodus 3, telling God what some of the problems he might face could be. Despite God telling and showing him otherwise, he felt inadequate, unworthy, useless, and undeserving.
  • Moses did not trust God enough to believe God could triumph and do whatever through Moses. God gave him three signs – throwing his stick on the ground and it turns into a snake, putting his hand inside his jacket and it becomes leprous, and water turning into blood. Even after all these miraculous signs, Moses doubts.

Third Principle: Pay attention to the unusual.

  • Moses call in Exodus 3:1-6 Moses saw that though the bush was on fire, it did not burn up. So, Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.”
  • Whenever you see a strange sight, investigate.

Summary:

  1. Never underestimate God.
  2. Identity is important.
  3. Pay attention to the unusual.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “Father God, when you look at me, what do You think?” or “What’s on Your mind, God, when You see me, when You look at me, when You gaze at me?”
  • “Father God, can You tell me more about that please?”
  • Or “God, how do You see me dressed symbolically at the moment (ie what outfit am I wearing eg Warrior, Princess, Sailor etc)?

Time Stamps:

[0:36] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[8:09] – Background to the story of Moses.

[13:14] – First Principle: Never underestimate God.

[19:44] – Second Principle: Identity is important.

[22:59] – Third Principle: Pay attention to the unusual.

[27:18] – Recap the principles.

[27:39] – Prophetic activation.

[29:13] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[32:32] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Exodus, especially chapters 3, 4, 16, 19, 20, 33
  • Leviticus
  • Numbers, especially chapter 20
  • Deuteronomy
  • Acts 7:22
  • Hebrews 11:24-25

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 63: Hearing God when your faith is tested.

Episode 63: Hearing God when your faith is tested.

Oct 27, 2024 | 0 comments

 

Episode Description:

How do you respond when you’re required to do something contrary to your beliefs and principles? Join us as we unpack how Jochebed in the Bible (Moses’ mother) handled an order as a midwife to not only kill male babies but also the actions she took to save her baby boy. It may be a bit of a stretch to say Jochebed ‘heard’ God. It’s probably more how she responded to God throughout this time. Jochebed was willing to make difficult decisions and great sacrifices, putting her whole family at risk. But God. Just as God quietly orchestrated events in the life of Jochebed, be assured that He is also working behind the scenes in your life.

 

Episode Notes:

Background to Jochebed:

  • Married to Amran, her nephew (Numbers 26:59 and Exodus 6:20).
  • Mother of Aaron, Miriam and Moses. Moses was the youngest sibling.
  • Jochebed must have been a woman of character – when you look at her three children: Aaron – High Priest, Miriam, prophetic worshipper and intercessor, and Moses delivered the Hebrews from the Egyptians and led them for 40 years.
  • Read about her and her baby Moses in Exodus 1:8-22, and 2:1-10 and then again in Acts 7:18-22. Plus, Hebrews 11:23.
  • A new king came to power in Egypt, complaining that the Israelites living among them were too numerous. Says, “Come, we must deal shrewdly with them, or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
  • So, they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labour, and they made their lives bitter. But the more they abused and oppressed them, the more they multiplied.
  • The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah (Jochebed) and Puah, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then, the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”
  • The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.”
  • So, God was kind to the midwives, and the number of people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them their own families.
  • Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”
  • Jochebed became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She hid him for three months. When she could no longer hide him, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch to make it waterproof. Moses was put in the basket and set among the reeds. Miriam stood watch every day.
  • Interestingly, papyrus/bullrushes are soft, flexible, and capable of withstanding pressure and contact with hard and soft objects.
  • Both the Amplified and The Message versions in Hebrews 11:23 say it was an act of faith that Jochebed hid Moses.
  • Verse 5 – Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe and saw the basket among the reeds. She opened it and saw the baby, recognising it as one of the Hebrew babies.
  • Verse 7 – Miriam, an 8-10-year-old, boldly approaches Pharaoh’s daughter and asks, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?”
  • Pharoah’s daughter replied yes. Jochebed came, and Pharoah’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So Jochebed took Moses and was paid to nurse him.
  • When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
  • God was at work behind the scenes. Co-incidences/God-incidences:
    • Jochebed just happened to put Moses in the right spot on the Nile.
    • Pharaoh’s daughter just happened to see the basket.
    • Moses just happened to cry at the right time.
    • Miriam just happened to be nearby.
    • Jochebed just happened to be available and able to nurse.
    • Pharaoh’s daughter just happened to have enough influence to save baby Moses.
  • I gather Pharoah’s daughter didn’t tell her father that she had saved a Hebrew baby until he was returned to her some 8-10 years later.
  • What are some areas of your life you need to stop holding on to and start trusting God?

First Principle: Preparation is key.

  • How we react in situations begins long before the crisis occurs.
  • With our kids, we discussed certain situations with them when things could go wrong and talked through with them some actions, e.g. at a party and don’t feel safe, code words etc
  • Intimacy with God and reading the Bible are important and they build our faith muscle.
  • Practising hearing the voice of God.
  • Hebrews 11:23 “By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”
  • Moses’ sister acted quickly. She approached Pharoah’s daughter and asked if she wanted someone to nurse the baby for her.

Second Principle: Discernment is necessary.

  • Hiding the baby would have put her whole family at risk. Do you think Jochebed clearly thought through her plan from beginning to end and considered the consequences, even if it was a great sacrifice for her and Amram?
  • Jochebed had to let go and trust God.
  • Go to God yourself, not through others. Yes, seek wise counsel, but don’t rely on others hearing God for you. Prophetic words should affirm that which you are already sensing from God.
  • The whole Covid experience worldwide – I wonder if we as a society ‘failed’ that test. Not that it was a test, but fear undoubtedly reigned prominent, even amongst Christians.
  • James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.“
  • Colossians 3:15 “Let peace be your umpire.”

Third Principle: Be courageous.

  • Hebrews 11:23 – an act of faith that Jochebed hid Moses.
  • Courage to fear God, not man. Sometimes, we can let our fear override our faith or misplace fear. Jochebed was courageous and showed steadfast faith in God’s promises and provision.
  • Jochebed’s name means ‘Jehovah glorified’. She certainly brought glory to God in her actions.
  • Courage to trust God and place the situation in His hands. Not only with her baby but all the Hebrew babies. She was wise, righteous, and God-fearing. God is not into child sacrifice.
  • Trusting God often requires both decision and action.
  • Deuteronomy 31 has the command to “Be strong and courageous” three times, and Joshua 1 has it four times. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lordyour God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
  • One thing we can be certain of is that we will experience trials of our faith. We don’t want those trials to rock the foundations of our faith.
  • Courage may look like creativity, sacrifice, and trust.
  • The reward for fearing God is the Torah – Jochebed feared God and didn’t kill the Hebrew baby boys. She gave birth to Moses, through whom the Torah was given.
  • Trust that God is working behind the scenes.
  • As God quietly orchestrates events in the life of Jochebed, be assured that He is also working behind the scenes in your life.

Summary:

  1. Preparation is key.
  2. Discernment is necessary.
  3. Be courageous.

 

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “Father God, what would You like me to pray for myself at the moment?” (You might like to include ‘and my kids’ if you have kids.)

 

Time Stamps:

[0:57] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[5:39] – Background to the story of Jochebed.

[12:02] – First Principle: Preparation is key.

[14:43] – Second Principle: Discernment is necessary.

[20:03] – Third Principle: Be courageous.

[23:44] – Recap the principles.

[24:06] – Prophetic activation.

[25:03] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[27:12] – Gary prays for you.

 

Resources / Links Mentioned:

 

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Numbers 26:59
  • Exodus 6:20
  • Exodus 1:8-22; 2:1-10
  • Acts 7:18-22
  • Hebrews 11:23
  • James 1:5
  • Colossians 3:15
  • Deuteronomy 31
  • Joshua 1

 

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 62: Did Abraham get it wrong in hearing God?

Episode 62: Did Abraham get it wrong in hearing God?

Oct 20, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Was Abraham mentally unstable? Did he really hear God tell him to kill his son? What if God asked us to do something bizarre? How would we respond? There were also other occasions when Abraham made some questionable choices. It’s probably not that much different to us at times. Perhaps that’s part of the tension of living by faith. Join us as we unpack the story of Abraham in the Bible and the significant times he heard God. This episode also looks at the principle of returning to the last time you heard God if God appears silent.

Episode Notes:

Background to Abraham:

  • We read about him in Genesis, chapters 11- 25. He is called the Father of Nations.
  • In Genesis 11:27 – 32, we see where Abram’s father Terah took Abraham, his wife Sarah, and his nephew Lot from Ur of the Chaldeans (South Bank to the Euphrates River in Iraq) to go to Canaan (modern-day Israel). After about 1,000 miles, they stopped in Haran (thought to be in Turkey) and settled there.
  • In Genesis 12, after Terah died, God called Abraham to continue to Canaan to fulfil that which his father hadn’t done. God said to Abraham that he would make him a great nation and would bless him.
  • On the way to Canaan, they stopped in Egypt for a while, and since he was afraid that the Pharaoh would kill him because Sarah was so beautiful, he told Sarah to pretend to be his sister. Pharoah took Sarah as his wife, but God inflicted diseases upon Pharoah and his household – until it came out that Sarah was in fact, Abraham’s wife. Pharoah said, take her back and go. Leave.
  • Abraham then went back to where he had last heard God near Bethel. (Great principle!!)
  • Abraham and Lot had too many animals to live together, and the servants were fighting, so they separated. Lot chose the choice land of the plain that looked fertile but was next to an evil people.
  • This was when God said to Abraham, I will give you all this land you can see and make your offspring like the dust of the earth ie too numerous to count. (13:16).
  • Genesis 15 – look up to the sky – I will give you children as numerous as the stars.
  • Genesis 16 – Sarah is frustrated with not having any children and sick and tired of waiting. So she takes matters into her own hands, giving her maid Hagar to Abraham to have sex and get pregnant.
  • Hagar gives birth to Ishmael.
  • Genesis 17 – the Lord appeared to Abraham when he was 99. And talked with him. Changed his name from Abram to Abraham. Name changes are usually related to times of covenant or promise regarding the future.
  • Also told him that within 12 months, Sarah would have a child.
  • Genesis 18 – The Lord appeared to Abraham as 3 men standing before him at the entrance to his tent on a hot day. A vision. I wonder if he thought he had heat stroke. They reinforced the fact that within 12 months, Sarah would have a child. Abraham walked with these 3 men as they were leaving, and they all looked down towards Sodom and Gomorrah. Two men (angels) turned towards Sodom, but the Lord stayed and chatted with Abraham, telling him he would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham said, if there are 50 righteous people in the city, will you spare it? Yes, said the Lord. Abraham then bargained the Lord down – what about 45, 40, 30, 20 and finally 10 righteous people? Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed in chapter 19.
  • Chapter 20, Abraham once again pretended Sarah was his sister for King Abimelek.
  • Chapter 21, Isaac is born, and due to jealousy between Sarah and Hagar, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away to die.
  • Chapter 22 God said to Abraham, take your son, your only son Isaac and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there on the mountain. Early the next morning, Abraham got up, loaded his donkey and went with Isaac and 2 servants. After 3 days of travelling, he told his servants to wait there and took Isaac further, saying that they would soon return to the servants. Isaac saw the wood, the fire, and the knife, but there was no meat, so he asked where the lamb was for the burnt offering. Abraham said God will provide. He built an altar, bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. He raised his hand with the knife to kill Isaac when the angel of the Lord called out to him to stop, now that he knew Abraham feared the Lord. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a thicket, which they sacrificed instead.
  • Genesis 23 Sarah died.
  • Genesis 25 Abraham died.
  • Throughout Genesis 12-22, we read numerous times how Abraham heard God through God speaking audibly to him and God appearing in both visions and in person to Abraham. Abraham dialogued with God. He wrestled with God.

First Principle: God has a specific call for you.

  • God has a call for each of us. He has gifted us and created us for great things. He has a plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11
  • God had a call on Abraham’s life.
  • Generational call – finish that which our ancestors didn’t e.g. go to Canaan/Israel.

Second Principle: Practice and build credibility with hearing God’s voice.

  • Did Abraham really hear God’s voice when he believed God said to take his son and sacrifice him on an altar? What if it wasn’t God? What if Abraham was mentally unstable?
  • God is not into child sacrifice, murdering kids, or anything like that. Incompatible with God’s nature and character.
  • So Abraham believes God told him to do that, and for once in his life, he immediately obeys and sets out the next morning before Sarah is awake. Obviously, he was being secretive. Obviously, he hadn’t told Sarah, or I reckon they would have been up half the night debating if he should do it. Instead, he sneaks away extremely early the next morning, meaning he doesn’t have to face Sarah. I mean, imagine if God hadn’t provided a ram as the sacrifice. Imagine if Abraham had had to slaughter Isaac. Imagine coming back to Sarah and the response. I mean, did he consider all this stuff beforehand? Was he having some sort of mental breakdown? Or had he developed such intimacy over the years, especially those times when he hadn’t been obedient that he knew that he knew that he knew the voice of God.
  • Abraham does say in chapter 22 verse 5, we will return to you. Meaning him and his son would return to the servant. There was a lot of symbolism in that chapter of Abraham believing God would provide the lamb for the sacrifice.
  • Our context informs our decisions. Remember how Abraham argued with God over the number of righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah and convinced God to reduce the number of 50 to 10? I find it extremely interesting that Abraham doesn’t argue with God over such a significant issue as being asked to kill your son. Perhaps it was because Abraham was surrounded by people worshipping other gods who needed sacrifices to appease him – not a good argument though, as he was in charge of the area he lived in.
  • God’s voice always leads to healing, life, restoration, hope, and justice.
  • What if we were asked to do something so bizarre by God? Would you do it if your spouse believed it wasn’t right? If others said don’t do it?
  • Tension of living by faith. Trusting in God. Not knowing the end result. Was God bringing Abraham into a deeper level of trust?
  • Importance of knowing the nature and character of God. Build history and trust. Abraham had already journeyed with God for over 40 years – built credibility, trust, relational knowledge and not just blind faith. Intimacy with God.
  • John 10:3-4 the sheep know the shepherd’s voice. God’s voice becomes more real than logical reasoning.
  • Hebrews 11:8-19 “By faith Abraham trusted God” By faith 4 times “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.
  • Are we called to trust God blindly?
  • Is it okay to ask God to confirm what He has said to you? Does that mean you don’t have faith?
  • I think of the Apostles in the New Testament. They did some crazy stuff and went places everyone said don’t go as you will be killed. They went anyway.
  • What about the Moravians in the 18th Century? They packed their coffins when they went overseas as missionaries as they knew they wouldn’t return home.
  • Deuteronomy 30:11-20 telling the Israelites to choose life, not death, with their decisions.

Third Principle: Clean up your mess

  • Sarah and Hagar mishap – took shortcut. Yes, it was Sarah who said take my servant, but Abraham willingly had sex with her.
  • Twice, Abraham tried to pass his wife off as his sister. Surely, he would have learnt after the first time. Both times thinking only of himself.
  • Obviously, Abraham had a lot of character issues.
  • Imagine the lack of credibility and trust with Sarah after setting off to sacrifice Isaac.
  • Traumatising Isaac. Can you imagine lying on the altar, tied up with a crazy dad holding a knife over you to kill you? Scar you for life. Interestingly, his son Isaac was quite weak and passive and had everyone pandering to him over the years. I wonder how that traumatic event affected his life and character.
  • Also, if you are having trouble hearing God, go back to the last time you heard God. What’s changed since then? Is there something you haven’t obeyed God in?

Summary:

  1. God has a specific call for you.
  2. Practice and build credibility with hearing God’s voice.
  3. Clean up your mess.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “Father God, is there something I need to repent of, or someone I need to ‘clean up my mess’ with and ask forgiveness? If so, can You please bring it to my mind now?”

Time Stamps:

[0:51] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:38] – Background to the story of Abraham.

[13:16] – First Principle: God has a specific call for you.

[17:13] – Second Principle: Practice and build credibility with hearing God’s voice.

[25:07] – Third Principle: Clean up your mess.

[28:27] – Recap the principles.

[28:47] – Prophetic activation.

[29:53] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[31:52] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Genesis chapters 11-25
  • Jeremiah 29:11
  • John 10:3-4
  • Hebrews 11:8-19
  • Deuteronomy 30:11-20
  • Isaiah 40:31

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 61: Hearing God in the face of adversity.

Episode 61: Hearing God in the face of adversity.

Oct 13, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Despite being described in the Bible as a man after God’s own heart, David had many failings. Yet, repeatedly, he displayed courage in the face of adversity and quickly repented when he was wrong. When David was faced with a problem, he enquired of the Lord. When he had trouble hearing God, he did the work to distinguish God’s voice from the noise around him and the ‘noise’ within him. Join us as we unpack the story of David in the Bible, the principles we can learn from it, and how to apply them to our lives in hearing God.

Episode Notes:

Background to David:

  • You can read about David in 1 Samuel chapters 16-31, 2 Samuel, right through to 1 Kings 2:10, where he died.
  • Shepherd boy, youngest of 8 sons of Jesse
  • 17 years old – anointed and prophesied over by the prophet Samuel as a future King. 1 Samuel 16:12-13
  • Defeated giant Goliath with a stone and sling.
  • Served under King Saul, then became a fugitive. Hid in a cave.
  • 30 years old – anointed King over Judah for 7 ½ years. It can take a long time for God’s will to come to pass. It wasn’t an easy journey for David.
  • Then anointed King over Israel for 33 years.
  • 70 years old – died after being King for 40 years.

First Principle: Ask God for His perspective on things.

  • Jesse sent David to see how the three older brothers were going in the army. Giant – 1 Sam 17 Israel & the Philistines were at war, each on a hill with a valley between them. Goliath was nearly 10 feet tall with bronze armour and spear. 40 days Goliath challenged Israelites to come and fight him.
  • David’s courage in the face of adversity. Intimidation from Saul, his brothers and Goliath. Eyes remained on God and not on the natural circumstances. Knew God could do the impossible.
  • Also, God had equipped him in the past while caring for sheep. 1 Samuel 17:34-37
  • Use what’s in your hand. 1 Samuel 23:6-13 (David and the ephod – enquire of God)
    • Don’t wear someone else’s armour – your way of hearing God.
    • Bible – God’s Word – way of getting info to you
  • You don’t always need to hear God before you take the next step. Use wisdom and what you have been equipped to do.
  • Listen to the right people. 1 Samuel 23:14-23
  • Enquire of the Lord.

Second Principle:  Value the Presence of God.

  • David valued the presence of God. He did everything possible to return the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. 2 Sam 6:1-23. He recognised the value of the ark as the earthly throne of the God of Israel. Restoring the ark to a place of prominence in the nation acknowledged the Lord’s Kingship and rule.
  • Worship passionately.
  • Didn’t hold back with emotions.
  • Relationship with God is top priority.
  • Psalm 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” The Message version ‘Enter with the password – ‘Thank you’”

Third Principle: Stay close to God.

  • 2 Sam 11:1-27 – David commits adultery with his army captain Uriah’s wife Bathsheba, then kills him. He had stayed home and placed himself in a vulnerable position.
  • A man after God’s own heart. 2 Sam 12 – he realised his error and quickly repented.
  • Enquire of God. Seek confirmation. Frequently, David enquired of the Lord. 1 Sam 23:1-4 battle plans fighting the Philistines.
  • If you can’t hear God, do the work to distinguish God’s voice from the noise around you and the noise within you.
  • Psalm 13 – David’s dark moment. “How long, Lord, will you hide your face from me?”

Summary:

  1. Ask God for His perspective on things.
  2. Value the Presence of God.
  3. Stay close to God.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, what do You call me? Do You have a name for me?”
  • “God, why do You call me that?”
  • “Father God, what would it take for me to be called ‘a person after Your own heart’?”

Time Stamps:

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

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

[6:25] – First Principle: Ask God for His perspective on things.

[11:17] – Second Principle: Value the Presence of God.

[16:49] – Third Principle: Stay close to God.

[20:50] – Recap the principles.

[21:14] – Prophetic activation.

[22:19] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[24:54] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • 1 Samuel 13:14
  • 1 Samuel chapters 16-31, specifically 16:12-13; 17; 23:1-23;
  • 2 Samuel, specifically 6:1-23; 11:1-27; 12;
  • 1 Kings 1-2:10
  • Acts 13:22
  • Psalm 100:4
  • Psalm 13
  • Psalm 119:105

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 60: Hearing God when you feel unloved.

Episode 60: Hearing God when you feel unloved.

Oct 6, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

The story of Leah in the Bible is a messy, complicated, and beautiful story from Scripture. A whole gamut of emotions is displayed – deception, lies, jealousy, envy, desperation, disappointment, despair, heartache and longing, comparison, bitterness, pain and agony with unfulfilled promises. Betrayal. Competition. Fighting. It encompasses God’s ability to redeem broken heartedness, meet us in our imperfections, show up in our dysfunctional families, and fulfil the delayed dreams in our hearts. If you’re feeling the pain of a delayed dream or pain in your family relationships, allow God to speak to you through Leah’s story as you join us in listening to this episode.

Episode Notes:

Background to Leah

  • We read the story of Leah in Genesis 29 & 30.
  • Deception, lies and cheating, comparison, jealousy, envy, sexual misconduct and sleeping with the wrong people were rampant generationally.
  • Jacob was the younger brother, but he cheated his elder brother Esau out of his birthright. Jacob flees to avoid Esau killing him. He comes to the well of his Uncle Laban. He sees Uncle Laban’s youngest daughter Rachel – immediately falls in love with her and asks for her hand in marriage.
  • Jacob had physical characteristics – he rolled away the stone at the well, which would typically require the strength of three men, but he didn’t have the character to match.
  • Laban was another great deceiver and manipulator, and when Jacob asks for Rachel’s hand in marriage says – yes, if you work for me without pay for seven years.
  • Seven long years. Finally, the day of the wedding. That night, Jacob goes into the dark tent, has sex with his wife and wakes in the morning light to see Leah, the older sister who wasn’t as beautiful, staring back at him on the pillow. Imagine Leah witnessing the shock and disappointment in Jacob’s eyes. The shame and humiliation she must have felt.
  • Jacob gets up, goes and finds Laban and complains. Laban says the wedding celebrations last a week, so you can have Rachel at the end of the week, but that’s another seven years of working for me.
  • Woah – the family dynamics that day!! How to destroy your family in one easy step.
  • Can you imagine the tension in that household? Two sisters, living under the same roof and married to the same man, were trying to fulfil their needs, yet the other one had what they wanted the most. Both craving what the other has. Rachel was barren, desperately wanting children but loved by Jacob. Leah’s feelings and knowledge of her being unloved and unwanted but popping out children, intensifies their jealousy.
  • Jacob’s not innocent in this. He amplified their pain. He is harsh and inconsiderate, rebuking Rachel for not having children and blaming him. It was believed that children were a reward from God.
  • Rachel and Leah scheme to give their maids to Jacob. Rachel’s maid Bilhah (who had two sons with Jacob called Dan and Naphtali), and Leah’s maid Zilpah.
  • Leah’s son Reuben found mandrakes, a cure for infertility and brought them to Leah. Rachel asks Leah for them. Leah says you can have them as long as I get to spend tonight in Jacob’s bed. Leah then became pregnant again and gave birth to Issachar and Zebulun. Rachel gets the mandrakes but remains infertile.
  • In Genesis 30:22, God remembers Rachel, and she finally gives birth to Joseph.
  • Leah had six sons and one daughter, Bilhah had two sons, Zilpah had two sons and Rachel had two sons (Joseph and Benjamin).

First Principle: A key to hearing God is to begin with praise and thanksgiving.

  • Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
  • The Message Version puts it this way: “Enter with the password: “Thank you!” Make yourselves at home, talking praise.Thank him. Worship him.
  • Leah feels unloved. Not valued. Has to pay to get to sleep with Jacob. She gives her sons names that reflect this.
  • Reuben – the Lord has seen my affliction. Surely, my husband will love me now. (Love)
  • Simeon – Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also. (Acceptance and value)
  • Levi – Now this time my husband will be attached to me because I have borne him 3 sons. (Connection)
  • With the birth of her fourth son Judah, Leah finally realises that God’s love and approval was what mattered in her life.  When she gave birth to her fourth son, she named him Judah which means Praise. She declared, “Now I will praise the Lord.” (Gen 29:35) Leah changed her priorities. Instead of focusing on her husband, she shifted her focus to the Lord. No longer was Leah desperate for Jacob, her gaze had shifted upwards, and she found her joy in the Lord.
  • This time, I will praise the Lord.
  • A word for someone: stop nurturing your feelings of rejection. Stop striving and longing for love. Instead, resolve to ‘This time, I will praise the Lord.’
  • Leah saw what we need to see: all the striving in the world for love and acceptance won’t fulfil us–only God can do that. When we change our focus from the people we are trying to please, to the God we should please, He fills us with joy and peace that can’t be gained elsewhere.
  • Two parts to hearing God – God listening to us and us listening to God.
  • If you’re struggling with hearing God, spend time worshipping God. Praise Him and thanking Him.

Second Principle: Our identity (how we see ourselves) is important to God.

  • This story shows it is important to find our value and security in God.
  • Since a husband can easily divorce a wife if she doesn’t produce sons (there’s a law in Deuteronomy 21:15-17 about children from two wives, one wife being unloved), God sees Leah’s situation and affirms her status as Jacob’s wife by enabling her to have sons.
  • After the birth of Leah’s fourth son, she realises she is loved by God. She changes her heart attitude, turns her attention to God and praises Him. It’s only when her focus changes from her lack to God’s favour and abundance, that she finds true joy.
  • Once we find value and security in God, instead of our accomplishments, looks, strengths, relatives, etc., it opens the pathway to hearing God more easily.
  • I don’t know that Rachel ever truly got this principle. She is loved by her husband, so she doesn’t feel the need to look for fulfilment from God. She would feel valued already because she’s loved. Again, that value is based on what she can do, what service she can offer. But, if she can’t fulfil the one thing that she’s supposed to be able to do, where does that leave her? Suddenly it doesn’t matter that she is the one Jacob loves, because she’s no longer the one with an affirmed value. She’s jealous out of insecurity. She yells at Jacob out of insecurity. She’s spent her life putting her value in the eyes of man, and now she’s losing value because, while she’s the pretty one, she can’t produce a son. Childlessness was a curse. Rachel would have felt forgotten and unseen by God.
  • The women were all voiceless and powerless.
  • Leah was a pawn in her father’s scheming. She was the girl nobody wanted. Leah isn’t wanted by her husband – he disregards her. She isn’t wanted by her father – he discards her. And she isn’t wanted by her sister – she displaces her. Leah is truly ‘the woman that nobody wants’.
  • Leah’s desperate for love. When man doesn’t value her, her father cares for her. God wants her to see her value through His eyes, not her husband’s. It is not what you prove you can do. Value not based in productivity or what you can do. It is through who you are.
  • I read a quote during the week: Everyone in the world is on a search for something—or someone—to make them whole again. Jacob is looking for his ‘one, true love,’ and he thinks Rachel fits the bill. (Rachel and Leah, are on their own search.) Jacob’s experience is our experience: we reach out to take hold of the ‘Rachel’ that is going to make everything right…but in the morning we wake up and it’s only ‘Leah’. Every time we start a new job, or get into a new relationship, we think, ‘This is it! Finally my life will be right. This is my Rachel.’
  • Times when we don’t see our worth in God’s eyes, we can try to gain approval through people’s opinions or external performances, creating a vicious cycle of people pleasing and perfection.
  • No matter how we feel or our reality, God loves us and hears us despite our emotional baggage. God always has a redemptive purpose for our life. Often the thing we struggle with most will be the very thing that God uses to help others.
  • God sees. God hears. And God’s timing is always perfect.
  • We are accepted. Validated. Valued. Important. Loved by God.
  • Important to have inner healing ministry.
  • We are made to yearn for belonging and completion.

Third Principle: God plans, and works, generationally.

  • I love how this passage signifies hope to all. These children, fathered by a liar, manipulator, cheat, deceiver, and mothers that were bitter and twisted and schemed, grew up to fulfill the promise God gave to Abraham in Genesis 22:17 about his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. This is an example of divine grace not human merit.
  • Remember God’s goodness. Focus on His character.
  • The sibling competition was so ingrained in this family that it continued down the family line.
  • Leah’s unfulfilled desire for love and Rachel’s of children is what the other craves. Their relationship is a reflection of their father and his brother.
  • You can’t run from your issues. You need to face them and deal with them, otherwise, it permeates your whole life. Jacob – competition, jealousy, deceit, treachery, all followed him.
  • If you don’t deal with your sin, your descendants will be stricken with it.
  • I love how when Leah turned her focus to God, God blessed her extravagantly, beyond her wildest imagination. She was the one whose generational line would give birth to Jesus. She went from a nobody to a somebody.
  • Rachel played a role generationally in her son Joseph, who had a crucial role in the survival and flourishing of the Israelites in Egypt.
  • God loves those who are unloved and unwanted. He pours his grace into the lives of the outcasts and the despised. He is the Father to the fatherless, the husband to the widow, and the protector of the vulnerable. He exalts the humble, feeds the hungry, and gives strength to the weak.
  • This story is a messy, complicated, and beautiful story from Scripture. This story encompasses God’s ability to redeem broken heartedness, meet us in our imperfections, show up in our dysfunctional families, and fulfil the delayed dreams in our hearts. If you’re feeling the pain of a delayed dream or pain in your family relationships, allow God to speak to you through her story.
  • Leah didn’t get to see the full blessing in her generation. Could it be that God is blessing you with great blessings that will only be fully realised and appreciated by the next generation? Are you willing to believe and trust in God, His love, and His willingness to care and provide for you?

Summary:

  1. A key to hearing God is to begin with praise and thanksgiving.
  2. Our identity (how we see ourselves) is important to God.
  3. God plans, and works, generationally.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, which person in this story am I like the most? “
  • “God, why is that?”
  • “Father God, how would you like me to respond to this?”

Time Stamps:

[2:10] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[5:22] – Background to the story of Leah.

[9:51] – First Principle: A key to hearing God is to begin with praise and thanksgiving.

[14:31] – Second Principle: Our identity (how we see ourselves) is important to God.

[20:18] – Third Principle: God plans, and works, generationally.

[23:41] – Recap the principles.

[24:09] – Prophetic activation.

[25:07] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[26:47] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

  • Prayer Ministry / Inner Healing through various places. Contact your local church or ministries like Bethel Sozo, Elijah House, Ellel Ministries, Heart Revive (Portico Church – online), Restore (Stairway SASH), Australian Inner Healing Network, Orbis Ministries, or Restoring the Foundations.
  • Episode 59 (Lazarus): https://garyandjane.co/hearing-god-when-things-appear-dead/
  • Website: https://garyandjane.co

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Proverbs 13:12
  • Genesis 29-31
  • Psalm 100:4
  • Deuteronomy 21:15-17
  • Genesis 22:17

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 59: Hearing God when things appear dead.

Episode 59: Hearing God when things appear dead.

Sep 29, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Have you ever felt disappointed with God? That He could have prevented someone from dying? That He didn’t come through on something you were desperately longing for?

How do you respond when God is silent? When it appears that you can’t hear God?

Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we look at these issues and unpack how Lazarus in the Bible heard God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Lazarus:

  • We read about Lazarus and his sisters Mary & Martha in John 11:1-45 and briefly at the beginning of John 12. The other Gospels don’t mention this story.
  • A different Lazarus is mentioned in Luke 16:19-31 – a story about a rich man.
  • Lazarus is sick, and his sisters send word to Jesus to hurry and come and heal him. They live in Bethany, a couple of miles from Jerusalem.
  • When Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick, he decides to stay two more days where he is. Verse 5-6: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days”. The Message version says, “but oddly, he stayed on two more days.” Apparently, this was to reveal the glory of God.
  • By the time Jesus gets near to them, Lazarus is well and truly dead, having been in the tomb for four days.
  • Both Mary & Matha accuse Jesus of not caring. If he had been here, Lazarus would not have died. They act and speak out of grief, anger, disappointment, and bitterness.
  • Jesus calls out to Lazarus, “Lazarus, come out”.
  • Lazarus stumbles out of the tomb, wrapped in grave clothes/bandages.

First Principle: Jesus speaks personally to us.

  • In verse 43, Jesus calls out to Lazarus by name.
  • Jesus’ voice set Lazarus free. His voice sets us free.
  • God is most interested in and values intimacy and relationship.
  • Earlier, it says Jesus loved them. He cares intimately for us. He knows everything about us. He will speak personally and intimately to us about things concerning us.
  • Interestingly, Lazarus’ name means “God has helped”
  • God calls us from that which imprisons us to that which brings us freedom. Is there something today that has imprisoned you?
  • God calls us from our past to our future.
  • John 10:3-4 – my sheep hear my voice and know my voice, follow me.
  • How do we respond when God is silent?
    • Don’t despair when there is a lack of immediate action.
    • God’s timing is perfect. Sometimes, a bigger picture is at play.
    • Never give up. Develop persistence and faith.
    • Is God trying to speak to us, but we are unaware of how He is speaking to us?
    • It may not be the outcome we are looking for.
  • Episodes 4 & 16 – the different ways God can speak to us.
  • Episode 11 – when I can’t hear God.
  • Episode 13 – Recognising how God speaks.
  • Episode 21 – Hearing God when God is silent.

Second Principle: Jesus understands our emotions.

  • Verse 35 – Jesus wept. (shortest verse in the Bible)
  • He understands our emotions, feelings, and thoughts. He wants to break through into our world and reveal Himself to us in the way we best understand.
  • Don’t play the blame game with God. If… you did this, then that wouldn’t have happened.
  • Mary and Martha both blamed Jesus for Lazarus’s death. If you had been here, he wouldn’t have died. How often have we become angry at God? Thankfully, God can take our anger, so it is better to express it to Him as He already knows. Get it out. Clear the air.
  • If we want to truly hear God, be open to what He will say. Don’t blame. Don’t ask ‘why’ questions. Questions and faith go hand in hand.

Third Principle: There is always hope with God.

  • God is never late. Death is not final. This time, Jesus’s delay was driven by love and the desire to glorify God.
  • Learn persistence. Build faith.
  • Our dreams may look dead. There is still hope.
  • We may have forgotten our dreams, but God hasn’t.

Summary:

  1. Jesus speaks personally to us.
  2. Jesus understands our emotions.
  3. There is always hope with God.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, what area of my life appears dead in which I need to hear Your voice and realise Your thoughts?”
  • “Father God, what do You want to show me about this?”

Time Stamps:

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

[3:34] – Background to the story of Lazarus.

[11:17] – First Principle: Jesus speaks personally to us.

[19:44] – Second Principle: Jesus understands our emotions.

[22:25] – Third Principle: There is always hope with God.

[25:27] – Recap the principles.

[25:51] – Prophetic activation.

[26:50] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[29:31] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • John 11:1-45
  • John 12:1
  • Luke 16:19-31
  • John 10:3-4
  • Lamentations 3:22-23

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 58: Hearing God requires change or action.

Episode 58: Hearing God requires change or action.

Sep 22, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Nehemiah in the Bible is an excellent book for looking at how to prepare to hear God and how to pray when there is no easy solution to our problem. Nehemiah is a fantastic example of knowing the Word of God and the character of God. This meant he could quickly determine if he had heard God correctly. Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast for encouragement as we look at these issues and unpack how Nehemiah in the Bible heard God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Nehemiah:

  • Nehemiah was alive around the time of Ezra, Esther, Jeremiah, and Daniel.
  • In 587 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar and his army of Babylonians attacked the Jews, ransacked and destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem, forced the Jews from their land in Judah and took them back to Babylon.
  • They suffered for 70 years under aggressive rule.
  • The Persians then defeated the Babylonians, and the Jewish exiles in Babylon had a choice to return to Judah. 50,000 returned at this time. The second group that later returned included Ezra, who helped re-establish the religious system and rebuild the Temple.
  • Nehemiah remained in Babylon and was cupbearer to the King. It was a high position.
  • A brother came and told him about the plight of the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem. They had not only had their Temple and wall around the city destroyed but were aimless; their identity, lifestyle, culture, values and sense of community had all been destroyed. This was a people group with no hope. No peace. No sense of safety. Full of shame and disgrace.
  • An intact Wall around the city would represent physical and spiritual protection for security, defining the community and identity as no longer defenceless.
  • Nehemiah fasts and prays for 4-5 months, chats with the King, and is released to go and coordinate the rebuilding of the wall (1,000 miles away in a different country).
  • Nehemiah constantly met oppression while rebuilding the wall. Opposition came mainly from Sanballat, the Horonite, Tobiah, the Ammonite official, and Geshem, the Arab. He faced ridicule, intimidation, discouragement, fear, distraction. In restoration and renewal, we can apply Nehemiah’s principle of first praying and then asking, “What’s my part in this? What part am I willing to play to achieve the desired result?”
  • Nehemiah surveyed and assessed the wall. He had the Israelites rebuild the wall outside their own house. He posted guards at exposed points, and those rebuilding had a trowel in one hand and a weapon in the other, ready to fight.
  • The wall was rebuilt in a miraculous time of 52 days – evidence that God had helped them.
  • Nehemiah models:
    • How to pray when there is no easy solution to our problem
    • How to plan, set goals & achieve them when facing opposition
    • Vision casting
    • How to handle discouragement in both ourselves and others
    • How to motivate others when there is deteriorating morale
    • How to respond to those making false accusations against us
    • How to continue our job while fending off the enemy
    • How to not abuse privileges and success
    • How to manage anger

First Principle: Hearing God requires action.

  • At the end of chapter 1, Nehemiah needed courage to ask King Xerxes if he could go home to Jerusalem to be part of the solution.
  • Nehemiah’s courage to be angry about the Israelite’s brokenness compelled him into action.
  • His anger didn’t paralyse him.
  • St Augustine of Hippo, one of the early Church Fathers, said that hope has two daughters – anger and courage. Anger at the way things are, and courage to ensure they don’t stay that way.
  • Nehemiah as cup bearer would have had soft hands, plush surroundings, and walked daily on red carpet. To fulfil this crazy, wild, gigantic (dare I say) dream meant he had calloused hands, daily torture and hard labour, stumbling over rubble and rocks in an insignificant and politically unstable role. The opposition would have been overwhelming. Surely, he questioned his sanity and commitment. I wonder if he asked, “Did I hear you right, God?”
  • When Nehemiah first heard about the problem in Jerusalem, his first response was to pray. Chapter 1:5-10 we see how he fasted and prayed for about 4-5 months. Not a quick process. When you can’t feel, see or hear God, pray. Fast. Wait. Request God’s eyes and ears to show you what He sees and hears.
  • Then, whenever there was an ‘issue’ or opposition, he prayed. In chapter 2:4, he says a quick prayer before answering King Artaxerxes about why he is sad.
  • In chapter 4:4-5 he prays about the insults being thrown at God’s people. And then again in verse 9 when enemies conspired to attack. Chapters 5 & 6 also include numerous references to Nehemiah praying, asking God to remember him and to strengthen his hand and reminding God about those who wanted to harm him.
  • Nehemiah also takes action and is prepared when the King asks what he requires. He had fasted and prayed for 4-5 months. Nehemiah put together a response that clarified and defined what he felt and needed regarding protection for travel, provisions to build, and time required.

Second Principle: Reading the Bible helps to hear God.

  • Nehemiah often mentions the ‘Ancient Manuscript’. He knew the ‘Bible’ He knew the Scriptures. He knew who God was in those Scriptures, the promises, and how he could trust God.
  • He could trust God because he knew Him from the Scriptures. 2:12 says, “What my God had put in my heart to do”. He could trust that what he was feeling and thinking was of God because it lined up with the character of God.
  • Nehemiah knew that our God was a God of justice, so when the officials and nobles were trying to swindle people and charge interest and were not prepared to help rebuild the wall, he confronted them and ordered them to promise to return the money. Nehemiah then did a prophetic act and shook out his robe, meaning in the same way God would shake out of their house and possessions anyone who didn’t abide by the promise.
  • In chapter 6:9-12, Nehemiah had to capture his thoughts and look at what God had said through his Word. When scared or faced with opposition, first capture your thoughts. Are your thoughts of God?

Third Principle: Ask the right questions.

  • It can be hard to hear God when asking, “Why did this happen?”, or, “Why God?”
  • Instead, ask, “God, what do You want my response to be?” or “God, how can I glorify You at the moment?”
  • Nehemiah was distraught about the wall and the condition of the Israelites. He waited on God with fasting and prayer. He asked God to show Him what to do and say. He didn’t demand a quick fix. He was prepared to be part of the answer.
  • A challenge to us all: “Lord, I’m available to be used how you see fit.”
  • Is there something today you can see that honours God but needs completion?
  • A great question to ponder is: What upsets you the most? (divine burden, injustice, etc) This will then become the driving force to make a difference in the lives of others.
  • Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Nehemiah 8:10

Summary:

  1. Hearing God requires action.
  2. Reading the Bible helps to hear God.
  3. Ask the right questions.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “Lord, can You please show me or highlight how I can spend more time reading Your Word and memorizing Scripture?”

Time Stamps:

[0:36] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:42] – Background to the story of Nehemiah.

[8:58] – First Principle: Hearing God requires action.

[15:07] – Second Principle: Reading the Bible helps to hear God.

[18:04] – Third Principle: Ask the right questions.

[20:17] – Recap the principles.

[20:46] – Prophetic activation.

[21:37] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[23:44] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Nehemiah, especially chapters 1:5-10; 2:4,12; 4:4-5,9; 5; 6:9-12;

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 57: Hearing God in bizarre ways and trusting that it is God.

Episode 57: Hearing God in bizarre ways and trusting that it is God.

Sep 15, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

How do I know if the crazy vision I had was from God? How do I know if the voice I heard was God, myself, or something else? In the Bible, Ezekiel faced these issues, believed them to be from God, and willingly obeyed. What ‘checks’ do I need if I experience these things? Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we look at these issues and unpack how Ezekiel in the Bible heard God. Also, if you have ever wondered ‘why Lord?’, the book of Ezekiel is about restoration when all seems impossible, and where the river of life flows, life will flourish.

Episode Notes:

Background to Ezekiel:
  • Ezekiel was born roughly 627 BC. He was a priest in Jerusalem.
  • King Jehoiachin was king. (2 Kings 24:8-16 – not a good King)
  • King Nebuchadnezzar had invaded Jerusalem and had taken captive the people.
  • They were approximately 100 miles south of Babylon.
  • Ezekiel had bizarre encounters with God. He heard God’s voice, and he saw crazy visions (chapter 1 – windstorm, flashing lights, fire and in the middle were four living creatures with human form – 4 faces (human, lion, ox, eagle) and 4 wings, feet like calf, hands like human, wheels on the ground, rims full of eyes, above was a vault and above that a throne with a figure like a man sitting on it – glowing metal like fire and radiant brilliant light surrounding it like the glory of the Lord.
  • He endured criticism. He heard people gossiping about him. God called him to do prophetic acts that didn’t always make sense to those around him.
  • As I read Ezekiel, part of me was grieved for how he was treated and misunderstood. He could be likened to someone with schizophrenia. But there is always hope. Ezekiel reminds me that with God, hope abounds.
First Principle: God can ‘speak’ to us in multiple ways
  • God spoke audibly and through an inner voice to Ezekiel.
  • See Episodes 4 & 16 – ways God communicates.
  • God spoke in visions.
  • God asked Ezekiel to do prophetic acts – physical acts that have implications and change things in the spiritual world. A prophetic act is something done (at God’s direction) in the natural (physical) realm that supports God’s workings in the spiritual realm to bring forth results manifested in the natural realm. It somehow opens the channel for releasing God’s presence, power, and victory to affect the physical realm and change outcomes.
  • Examples of Ezekiel doing this include eating the scroll, taking a block of clay and building siege works, lying on his left side for 390 days to bear the sin for the number of days that represent the years of Israel’s sin and then lying on his right side for 40 days – number of years of Judah’s sin. He took wheat to bake barley bread over human excrement for fuel – symbolising Israelites eating defiled food among the nations. Ezekiel said he would not defile himself that way, so God allowed him to bake it over cow dung instead. Shaving head burning 1/3 of the hair, scatter 1/3, cut 1/3 with the sword representing 1/3 die by plague/famine, 1/3 scattered to the wind and 1/3 fall to the sword.
Second Principle: Don’t limit God
  • Chapter 24:15-27 God told Ezekiel his wife was going to die and to mourn her quietly but not lament, shed tears, weep for her. This was a sign of Judah’s lack of concern for the things of God. Ezekiel’s wife died that evening.
  • God cannot be put in a box.
  • Details matter to God: numerous times, exact measurements, exact little details.
  • If he asks you to do something bizarre, check it against God’s character and nature, the Bible, and trusted wise people. Episode 13 – Recognising how God speaks and checking that it is of God.
  • Elijah was translocated. Chapter 3:14-15 – then the Spirit lifted me up and took me away and Elijah was plopped down near the Kebar River in Tel Aviv for 7 days.
  • He was again translocated in Chapter 8:3 The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem. 4 catastrophic judgements against Jerusalem and the people there – war, famine, wild animals and disease.
Third Principle: God can turn a valley of dry bones into life. Don’t give up on God and the breakthrough that is coming.
  • Chapter 37:1-14
  • Verse 1 – (Another example of being transported) The hand of the Lordwas on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley of dry bones.
  • Beyond all reason and logic, the dry, dead bones were restored to life. He prophesied over the dry bones, and they came to life. The bones moved and came together, the sinews formed.
  • Imagine being there and seeing this. It does my head in. Still needed the breath in them.
  • God can and will bring dead things to life.
  • God can and will restore your dead marriage.
  • God can and will restore those dreams He’s given you to life.
  • God can and will restore those relationships.
  • Still need the breath of the Holy Spirit. His Word and His Spirit.
Caution in Ezekiel:
  • Be aware of idols in our life. Get rid of them. New Age stuff that creeps in. A great question to ask – Is God number 1 in my life?
  • Be aware of prostitution, pornography, abortion, etc.
  • God gets angry.
Summary:
  1. God can ‘speak’ to us in multiple ways.
  2. Don’t limit God.
  3. God can turn a valley of dry bones into life. Don’t give up on God and the breakthrough coming.

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –
  • “God, is there an idol in my life?”
  • “If so, what is that idol? What have I put at a higher place than You?”
  • “Lord, what do I need to do about that?”

Time Stamps:

[0:53] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week. [5:42] – Background to the story of Ezekiel. [8:13] – First Principle: God can ‘speak’ to us in multiple ways. [13:06] – Second Principle: Don’t limit God. [20:21] – Third Principle: God can turn a valley of dry bones into life. Don’t give up on God and the breakthrough that is coming. [23:52] – Caution in Ezekiel. [24:27] – Recap the principles. [24:50] – Prophetic activation. [25:37] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener. [27:26] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Ezekiel, especially chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 24, 37,
  • 2 Kings 24:8-16

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 56: Hearing God through my spirit being stirred up

Episode 56: Hearing God through my spirit being stirred up

Sep 8, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Sometimes, we can get comfortable and ‘forget’ the bigger picture. We can misplace our priorities. That’s what happened to the Jewish people after the exile. But, in the book of Haggai, we finally see that the people of Judah listened and obeyed a prophet!! This is an excellent example of a time when God spoke, stirred up their spirits, and the people listened. They heard. They changed their behaviour. God chose to work out His purposes through the faithfulness and obedience of His people. When God asks you to do something, do it. When God stirs up your spirit, He requires an outcome, an action. Haggai also urges caution numerous times with the phrase ‘give careful thought to your ways’. Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we look at how Haggai in the Bible heard from God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Haggai:

  • Around 520BC – 18 years after the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon.
  • The first 18 years after the faithful remnant had returned to Jerusalem, they had focussed on surviving, on their immediate needs. You do what you have to do to survive. E.g. shelter, food, safety. They built houses and planted crops.
  • But this was 18 years later, and the Temple of the Lord was still in ruins.
  • Sometimes, we get comfortable and ‘forget’ the bigger picture. Misplace our priorities. The Jews had forgotten their God, focussing on their interests, and it was time to consider their ways by rebuilding the Temple of the Lord. This would put worship back at the centre of the Israelite community and life.
  • Economic issues, food shortages, barely surviving, no extra money or resources for God. What we do in that situation speaks volumes. Actions speak louder than words.
  • Governor Zerubbabel and Joshua, the priest, were struggling. They lacked resources. They were left with the scraps.

First Principle: The Lord can stir up your spirit.

  • Chapter 1:14 “So the Lordstirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God.” The Lord stirred up the spirit of the governor, the High Priest, and the whole people. Also, if God stirs up your spirit, there will be an outcome—an action.
  • Also, God will often work with various people at the same time. Usually, He doesn’t call you to be a lone ranger.

Second Principle: Ask God for solutions.

  • Ask God for a solution when things are not going well or how you would like. Ask God what the problem is.
  • Here, we see that the Israelites were plagued by drought. Their crops were failing. Why – they had ignored the Lord and His Temple.
  • God can and will work in mysterious ways that we don’t always understand.

Third Principle: A reminder to put God first.

  • We are not called to live half-heartedly. We are not called to be lukewarm.
  • We are called to live courageous and bold lives with God.
  • The Christian life is not for the faint-hearted.
  • Great question to ask: Have I become ‘comfortable’ in an area of my life with God?

Summary:

  1. The Lord can stir up your spirit.
  2. Ask God for solutions.
  3. A reminder to put God first.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, what is something you’d love me to do for my neighbour this week?”
  • “God, how am I to do that?”

Time Stamps:

[1:37] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:57] – Background to the story of Haggai.

[7:41] – First Principle: The Lord can stir up your spirit.

[11:27] – Second Principle: Ask God for solutions.

[13:37] – Third Principle: A reminder to put God first.

[16:27] – Recap the principles.

[16:51] – Prophetic activation.

[17:47] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[19:46] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Haggai chapters 1-2

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 55: Hearing God by positioning myself in the right place at the right time.

Episode 55: Hearing God by positioning myself in the right place at the right time.

Sep 1, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Lydia was a mover and a shaker. She didn’t hang around waiting for opportunities. Lydia courageously stepped out and used what was in her hand. She positioned herself in the right place at the right time. She had the gift of hospitality and welcomed those not always accepted by society. Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we look at how Lydia in the Bible heard from God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Lydia:

  • Read about her in Acts 16:11-15 and again in verse 40 when Paul and Silas came out of prison and went straight to Lydia’s house where the believers were meeting. This passage chronicles her conversion and baptism.
  • Lydia was originally from Thyatira (what is now Turkey), but she moved to live in Philippi, Macedonia (now Greece). It was here that she met Paul.
  • Lydia was a seller of purple cloth. She is presumed to be a businesswoman with the education, skill, strength and determination required to work in a male-dominated business. She sold luxury textiles dyed purple to wealthy people. They were expensive. Thyatira was the centre of the indigo trade. Tyrian purple was a dye derived from Mediterranean marine molluscs and was very costly to obtain compared with the reddish local dye, which was far less expensive.
  • Lydia was honouring the Sabbath – most likely a Jew. She was gathered with a group of women on the Sabbath at a place of prayer by the river outside of Philippi. Paul, Timothy, Luke and Silas came to speak to the women. There weren’t enough Jewish men to open a synagogue in that town.
  • This place was significant as the first mention of Christianity outside the Jewish expansion.
  • Lydia was influential and respected in her family, as once she was baptised, her whole house followed her and were baptised.

First Principle: Position yourself to hear God

  • Lydia was the first person recorded in the Bible to have been saved in Europe.
  • She was in the right place at the right time. Divine intervention.
  • God had rerouted Paul – whose original intention was to stay in Asia, but due to a vision, he crossed the Aegean Sea and went into Macedonia.
  • Lydia listened eagerly. She obviously had a deep desire to know more about this God. An open heart, willing to be changed and grow. Not set in her ways.
  • Lydia’s value and worth were as a daughter of the Most High King, not what society said of her.

Second Principle: Act on what you hear

  • Verse 14 – The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
  • She then immediately acted on it by becoming baptised. Plus, the rest of her household followed suit. They obviously trusted Lydia and her wisdom.

Third Principle: Use what’s in your hand

  • Lydia had a large house. She opened her home for these men to stay in and hosted meetings. It sounds like she had the gift of hospitality, and nothing was too complicated for her.
  • Verse 15 – she prevailed upon Paul and the others to stay in her home. She forcefully or repeatedly asked. She insisted. She had a fervency of desire. They must have felt at home there, and Lydia was the ‘real deal’ because they went to her house as soon as Paul and Silas were released from prison. They could trust they would find her and the fellow believers there praying for them.
  • People could rely on her. She opened her home to the visiting missionaries and the locals.
  • Courageous hospitality. To God – opening her heart, and to others – opened her home. This was radical and unconventional – to invite Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke – strange men into her home.
  • She welcomed those who were not always welcomed by society.
  • Women were usually identified by their male relatives, but Lydia never was. We don’t know if she had a husband, but she wasn’t hanging around waiting and saying, ‘Woe is me. ‘ She was a mover and a shaker. She made things happen. She used ‘what was in her hand’.
  • Lydia used what was at her disposal – her home.
  • What’s in your hand? Time, talent, treasure

Summary:

  1. Position yourself to hear God
  2. Act on what you hear.
  3. Use what’s in your hand.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, what’s in my hand at the moment? What do I have at my disposal (time, talent, or treasure) that I can use for you?”
  • “God, how do you want me to use that?”

Time Stamps:

[0:36] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:18] – Background to the story of Lydia.

[6:55] – First Principle: Position yourself to hear God.

[9:03] – Second Principle: Act on what you hear.

[14:48] – Third Principle: Use what’s in your hand.

[19:17] – Recap the principles.

[19:36] – Prophetic activation.

[21:00] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[23:23] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Acts 16:11-15, 40
  • Matthew 5:3-12

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 54: Hearing God through the Bible and how it can change us.

Episode 54: Hearing God through the Bible and how it can change us.

Aug 25, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Josiah became King when he was eight years old. He didn’t have the family heritage of following God, yet he heard God and followed Him. Josiah did what was right in the eyes of God. The story of Josiah is a reminder to have a ‘backbone’ and stand up and be God’s person where He’s placed us. Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we look at how Josiah in the Bible heard from God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Josiah:

  • We read about Josiah in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35, around the time of Jeremiah.
  • In 2 Kings 20, Josiah’s great-grandfather was Hezekiah, a good king who did right in the eyes of the Lord until near the end of his life. He became proud. Hezekiah also became ill, and God answered his prayers and added 15 years to his life.
  • In 2 Kings 21:19-26, we read how Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son and Josiah’s grandfather, was King of Judah and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He sacrificed his son in the fire, practised witchcraft, and consulted mediums and evil sources. Then, his son Amon was appointed King, but he completely followed the ways of his father. He forsook the Lord, the God of his ancestors, and did not walk in obedience to him. Verse 23 Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated the King in his palace. Then, the people of the land killed all who had plotted against King Amon, making Josiah his son King in his place.
  • 2 Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became King of Judah between 640-609 BC. Can you imagine?
  • He was King for 31 years until he made a stupid decision not to inquire of the Lord but to take matters into his own hands.
  • Josiah had the courage to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
  • Josiah repaired the Temple of God, and the book of the Law was found during that time (at least Deuteronomy, if not the whole first five books of the Old Testament.)
  • 2 Kings 22:20 – The prophetess Huldah, a relative of Jeremiah, prophesied that Josiah would be buried in peace. But Josiah did the wrong thing that short-circuited his life.
  • Their world was in a state of heightened political turmoil. The Assyrian Empire, the superpower to the northeast, was disintegrating, and the Babylonians were taking over. They had captured Ninevah (the story of Jonah in episode 53).
  • Egypt was to the south of Judah, and their Pharoah Necho 2 saw this as an opportunity to assert their influence and power and capture land and people groups. Necho requests permission from Josiah to pass through Judah on the way to fight the Babylonians, saying they would leave the Israelites in peace. They just want to pass through. Instead, Josiah makes a terrible decision without inquiring of the Lord and goes out to fight Necho. In 2 Chronicles 35:20-21, we see Necho sending a message to Josiah saying, “What quarrel is there, King of Judah, between you and me? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”
  • In a moment of recklessness, Josiah then disguises himself and fights, gets shot with an arrow and dies. His son was appointed King and did evil. Egypt had captured Judah, deposed the King, and appointed his brother as King, who again did evil.
  • Josiah hadn’t brought up his sons to obey and honour God, and Josiah perhaps went a tad lukewarm towards the end of his life and lost his fervour for God.
  • Sometimes, good people make bad mistakes, and sometimes, it can be easy to stop seeking God.

First Principle: We can hear God through the Bible.

  • In 2 Kings 22, we read how Josiah ordered the repair of the Temple of the Lord. The high Priest dusted off some stuff and found the Book of the Law. Obviously, this high Priest hadn’t been doing his job.
  • Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Second Principle: Hearing God changes us.

  • 2 Kings 22:11 and 2 Chronicles 34 – when the King heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. This meant he was in deep sorrow and mourning and repentance.
  • He renewed the covenant with God by pledging to obey the Lord and all his commands. He renewed all the articles of worship to Baal, got rid of all idols and temple prostitutes, etc.
  • Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He didn’t follow his family or culture. You can’t blame your circumstances or upbringing on you not doing the right thing.
  • Hearing the Word of God convicts and brings repentance.
  • Word of caution – hearing God one time doesn’t mean you don’t keep seeking him all the time. Keep close to God.

Third Principle: Any person can hear God, no matter what age.

  • Josiah didn’t have the family heritage of following God, yet heard God and followed Him.
  • Kids can hear God.

Summary:

  1. We can hear God through the Bible.
  2. Hearing God changes us.
  3. Any person can hear God, no matter what age.

Prophetic Activation:

Get comfortable and turn your heart and thoughts to Father God. Ask God to highlight a book of the Bible to read. Spend time reading that book until you feel God is speaking to you through the Bible.

Time Stamps:

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

[3:18] – Background to the story of Josiah.

[10:05] – First Principle: We can hear God through the Bible.

[12:37] – Second Principle: Hearing God changes us.

[15:19] – Third Principle: Any person can hear God, regardless of age.

[17:42] – Recap the principles.

[18:12] – Prophetic activation.

[19:24] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[21:51] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • 2 Kings 22-23
  • 2 Chronicles 34-35
  • 2 Kings 21:19-26
  • Hebrews 4:12
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • Jeremiah 1:1-10

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 53: Hearing God when I Don’t Want to

Episode 53: Hearing God when I Don’t Want to

Aug 18, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Jonah is a fantastic story of a God who never gives up on us despite our attitudes and actions. A God who cares for everyone no matter what they have done. A God who values honesty and isn’t afraid of our anger. A God who loves our questions. A God who desires relationship. The story of Jonah can be likened to the story of the Prodigal Son – the lost, repentance, forgiveness, the elder son’s bad attitude, the Father who keeps reaching out. Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we look at how Jonah in the Bible heard from God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Jonah:

  • God asked Jonah (living in a city near Nazareth in Israel) to go to Ninevah (Mosul in Iraq today) to preach repentance due to wickedness in that city and tell them God was going to destroy them.
  • 7th Century BC, Ninevah was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. No love between Israel and the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians would conquer cities and rape and take captive the women and kill the men and children. The Assyrians would tear off the lips and hands of their victims and skin them alive.
  • Nahum 3:1-4 tells us what Ninevah was like – a city of blood, full of lies and plunder, war, fighting, corpses in the middle of the street, prostitution, and witchcraft. Jonah thought they would kill him. Likened to a Jew during World War 2, hearing God say go to Hitler and tell Nazi Germany to repent.
  • Instead, Jonah ran in the opposite direction as far as he could go.
  • He went to the port and hopped on a ship across the Mediterranean Sea bound for Tarshish (southern Spain).
  • God sent a violent storm. All the sailors were afraid, calling out to their gods. Jonah went to sleep. (Some Christians go to ‘sleep’ and hide out in places that protect them from the world.) The Captain was angry at Jonah.
  • Sailors said let’s cast lots to see who is responsible for the calamity. Lot fell on Jonah.
  • Jonah said, throw me into the sea as it’s my fault. The storm will become calm.
  • As soon as they threw Jonah overboard, sea calmed. Sailors greatly feared the Lord and offered a sacrifice to Him.
  • God provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah for 3 days and 3 nights (foreshadowing what would happen to Jesus. Matthew 12:39-42)
  • Jonah became greatly distressed and cried for help. Jonah repented and said I’ll do whatever you want me to do.
  • Fish vomited Jonah onto dry land.
  • God said – great. Now go to Ninevah and preach the message I give you that I will destroy them.
  • Jonah obeyed God and went to Ninevah.
  • Ninevites believed God after the first day of Jonah preaching purely repent. They repented. Fasted. Put on sackcloth.
  • One of the most prominent gods of Ninevah at the time was Dagon, the fish god. This man comes out of a big fish, claiming to be sent by God, and goes to the city called ‘house of fish’ who worship the fish god. Only God can orchestrate that with His sense of humour. This affected the people of Ninevah far more than if Jonah had gone to them telling them there was no Dagon fish god.
  • When God saw their repentance, he relented and didn’t bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
  • Jonah became angry with God and said God was unfair. You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in love.
  • Jonah sat down in the scorching heat and made a makeshift shelter to protect himself from the heat. God provided a leafy plant to grow quickly and provide shade.
  • The next day, God provided a worm to eat the plant so it withered. Jonah became angry and said it is better for me to die than live.
  • God said, “You’re only concerned about yourself. I’m concerned about the 120 thousand people who needed to know about me.”
  • Jonah was both reluctant and rebellious. He developed tunnel vision and felt that death was his only option. Depressed. Distraught. Dismayed.

First Principle: God speaks through your life

  • Sometimes we think it is all above ‘Ninevah’ when, in fact, it is all about us. God wanted to do a work in Jonah’s life.
  • Jonah played out the story of the Ninevites in real life. God sent the Ninevites a prophet who had just been through his very own rebellion and repentance to preach to a rebellious people the message of repentance.
  • Jonah ran away based on his feelings. Be careful of trusting your feelings or those impulses, even circumstances e.g. Jonah had the money for the fare to Tarshish. Sometimes we can think that the circumstances stack up – ‘God-coincidences’ – still need to check it out.
  • It can be so easy to justify your position and what you feel or think God told you to do.
  • Reading the book of Jonah is like holding a mirror up to our face. We see the worst parts of ourselves magnified.

Second Principle: God can give you direct instructions

  • God gave Jonah specific instructions. Go to Ninevah. Say this.
  • Ask questions of God. Clarify with God.

Third Principle: God speaks through circumstances, physical situations and nature.

  • God is Lord over nature – storm at sea. Vine grew up.
  • Through circumstances – swallowed by great fish, the vine grew up for shade and shelter. Jonah still bitter.
  • Look at your current circumstances: What is happening in your life right now? What is God trying to tell me through these circumstances?
  • God uses anything to speak to people. He used the weather these fishermen knew and understood to show His power and majesty. They turned their heart to God after witnessing the raging sea calm down. God used Jonah when he was unwilling.

What if you find yourself like Jonah – reluctant or angry at God.

  • Be honest with God. He knows already.
  • Jonah misses the 120,000 people around him. He misses reality. Does God have your attention?
  • Get stuck into reading the Bible, chatting with God, and thanking God.

Summary:

  1. God speaks through your life.
  2. God can give you direct instructions.
  3. God speaks through circumstances, physical situations and nature.

Prophetic Activation:

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

  • “God, is there an area of my life where I am not fully trusting You or am being rebellious?”
  • “God, what would You love me to do about this?”

Time Stamps:

[1:29] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[5:34] – Background to the story of Jonah.

[13:08] – First Principle: God speaks through your life.

[16:03] – Second Principle: God can give you direct instructions.

[17:49] – Third Principle: God speaks through circumstances, physical situations, and nature.

[19:53] – Recap the principles.

[20:23] – Prophetic activation.

[21:14] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[23:04] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Jonah
  • Nahum 3:1-4
  • Matthew 12:39-42
  • Acts 17:16-34
  • Psalm 103:8
  • Exodus 34:6
  • Psalm 145:8

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 52: Hearing God when no-one listens, or you’re struggling with God’s call on your life.

Episode 52: Hearing God when no-one listens, or you’re struggling with God’s call on your life.

Aug 11, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

If you are struggling with God’s call on your life, the story of Jeremiah and his response to God is extremely relevant. Jeremiah is a story of ups and downs, redemption and bitterness, rejection, loneliness, ridicule, backstabbing, murder, deceit, courage, imprisonment and danger – all for being faithful to what God said. If ever there was a time for someone to say, “I told you so”, Jeremiah had the right. Jeremiah is a reminder that we are to go directly to God and not base our ‘hearing from God’ through other people. But the book of Jeremiah and his life is also a story of hope and promise – if you seek to find God, you will not be disappointed. Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we look at how the prophet Jeremiah heard from God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Jeremiah
  • Set in the 6th and 7th century BC (627-587BC) Jeremiah was a contemporary of Daniel, Habakkuk, and Ezekiel.
  • The nation of Israel was divided into two Kingdoms. Israel in the Northern Kingdom (which had been wiped out and the people in exile in Babylon) and Judah in the Southern Kingdom – they had the city of Jerusalem in their Kingdom.
  • Jeremiah prophesied various other reigns would come and go until finally Babylon, under King Nebuchadnezzar, would become the superpower that invaded Jerusalem, would overthrow its armies and carry most of the remaining people of Judah away into captivity. Jeremiah was left there until politicians betrayed him and finally taken as a captive to Egypt, where he died as an unsung hero, stoned to death by his own people.
  • Jeremiah spent over 40 years as a watchman for Judah and warning the nation without people listening to him and obeying.
  • Jeremiah must have sounded like a ‘stuck record’. Kept saying – warning – God is going to punish you, not only punish you but use an evil King (Nebuchadnezzar) and nation to carry it out. But in the end, he will bring you back like the potter’s house.
  • He was imprisoned, thrown down a muddy well to die, beaten and abused.
  • There are many famous verses throughout Jeremiah. Example: 29:11; 33:3; 30:24; 17:7-8; 30:17, etc.
  • Chapter 1 – the call of Jeremiah. He felt inadequate. He was born the son of a priest and grew up in the Levitical town of Anathoth, where only priests lived, meaning he would become one too. His father’s name was Hilkiah, and scholars say he may well have been the priest who one day was tidying up in the Temple, moved some dusty scrolls and discovered a copy of the law of Moses! As he read it, he saw how far away from God the nation had fallen, so he showed it to King Josiah who was so convicted by it he got the whole nation to listen to the words then tear down their idols and turn back to God.
  • His dad modelled doing hard things!! Thus, his inner heart condition, as opposed to external acceptance and praise, was his family’s priority.
  • False prophets abounded. Hananiah was the main one. Hananiah kept prophesying God’s graciousness and that all the exiles would return from Babylon within two years and everything would be alright. Hananiah, by his prophesying, encouraged the Israelites to keep sinning and to live as they pleased and thereby resist God’s will and God’s Word. Word of caution: If we are unsure if it is from God or if it affirms sinful living, it is not of God. It is much harder to hear God if you crave acceptance or struggle with pride.
  • In chapter 26:20-23, we read about Uriah, son of Shemamiah from Kiriath Jearim (Not Uriah the Hittite, who David had killed after he had slept with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba). Uriah was a prophet who prophesied in a way similar to Jeremiah. King Jehoiakim threatened to kill him as he didn’t like what he said. Uriah was scared and escaped to Egypt. The King sent men to bring him back, and the King then beheaded him and threw him into a pauper’s grave. At the same time, Jeremiah stood firm. He cried out to God but stood firm. Do we stand firm in times of trial?
First Principle: Hearing God means setting aside time to hear God in the quiet.
  • Jeremiah was a watchman – he spent time with God, seeing and hearing what God was saying and then proclaiming it.
  • God spoke audibly to Jeremiah and through imagery. Chapter 1 – look around you, what do you see:
    • A stick/branch of an almond tree. I’m watching and sticking with you to see my word fulfilled.
    • Boiling pot/cauldron from the north would tip out its hot contents and destroy Juday.
    • The Potter’s house and God reworking the clay being an image of God bringing Israel back from Babylon and restoring them.
  • Chapter 30:2 God tells Jeremiah to write everything I tell you in a book. Often, God will tell us what to do and give us strategies.
  • God spoke audibly to Jeremiah. Numerous times throughout the book of Jeremiah, he says, “This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah…”
  • God spoke to Jeremiah through visions and pictures. Chapter 24 – two baskets of figs – one good fruit, the other bad fruit, symbolising the initial people in exile and the remaining Judean government.
  • God spoke to Jeremiah and asked him to do prophetic acts.
    • Chapter 19 – go and buy a pottery jar and smash it, representing what I will do to my people.
    • Chapter 27 to make a yoke out of straps and crossbars and put it on his neck and send word to enemy nations that they’ll be subject to King Nebuchadnezzar, and if they don’t bow their neck under his yoke, they will be punished with sword, famine and plague.
    • Chapter 32:15 – buy a field as a prophetic act that houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land.
  • God gave Jeremiah practical strategies – chapter 36: take a scroll, write on it, take it to the Temple, and read it.
  • In chapter 42, the army officials approached Jeremiah and asked him to petition God on behalf of the remnant. Verse 7 – ten days later, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. Jeremiah persevered. Sometimes, our prayers are not answered instantaneously. We need to keep praying.
Second Principle: In hearing God, don’t be afraid to question God and check what you are hearing
  • God is big enough to question Him and bring our frustrations to Him. We see this time and time again throughout Jeremiah.
  • In Jeremiah’s calling in chapter 1, we see that Jeremiah is unsure.
  • Verse 5 ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’
  • Jeremiah said, “I’m too young. I don’t know how to speak.” He questioned God and his own ability. He didn’t see himself as God saw him. Our identity is important in hearing God otherwise we can dismiss what we hear.
  • Love how God uses people who don’t know how to speak to be his mouthpiece. Moses in Exodus 4:10 I can’t speak. I’m not eloquent. I stutter and stumble.
  • Can’t take any credit for it ourselves. 1 Corinthians 1:27 God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.
Third Principle: Keep your heart turned to God, pure and focused on Him, not what others say and do.
  • Jeremiah must have had the worst job description ever. He is known as the ‘weeping’ prophet.
  • In chapter 20, he is pouring his heart out to God and complaining about his role, and verse 7 says, ‘it’s not fair, you deceived me in my calling. People ridicule and mock me all day long’. Imagine what his mental health must have been like!!
  • Verse 9 then says, “But if I say, ‘I will not mention his wordor speak any more in his name, his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” Can we say that?
  • If you want to hear God clearly, be prepared for rejection and do not pander to the status quo.
  • During the hard times, and there are always hard times for everyone, we need to remember the call of God. The things he’s spoken to us and promised us. We have to hold onto them or we’ll give way to doubt and give up.
  • We need wisdom and discernment. James 1:5-6
  • The only way for evil to prevail is for good men to say and do nothing.
  • Check the source of what you are hearing. Ch 23:16 “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” These false prophets spoke messages of hope – nothing wrong with that, but it was the wrong season. The real issue was the heart and the source – not from God.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” Be aware there will be people who speak from a source other than God. Test what they say. Do they come true? Don’t allow fear to dismiss all you hear. Weigh it up. Hold on to what God is showing you.
  • In prophesying (hearing God for others), we need to prophesy what God wants us to say, not what others want to hear.
  • Jeremiah 38 – the officials said to kill him, he’s too discouraging. Ended up putting him in a muddy cistern. This was after he had been under house arrest and imprisoned.
  • If you’re going through a hard time, chapters 31 and 32 are great to memorise, decree, battle and war with.
  • God can and will use anyone, often the humble to shame the proud. God desires true obedience and a pure heart.
  • Jeremiah’s prayers and prophecies affected not only his own nation but also Egypt, Assyria and Babylon. Imagine what our prayers and prophecies could do when we listen to God and act on what He is calling us to do.
Summary:
  1. Hearing God means setting aside time to hear God in the quiet.
  2. In hearing God, don’t be afraid to question God and check what you are hearing
  3. Keep your heart turned to God, pure and focused on Him, not what others say and do.

Prophetic Activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –
  • “God, what is something ‘hard’ that I need to hear from You? Something I need to change? Something new You would love me to do?”

Time Stamps:

[2:38] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week. [4:13] – Background to the story of Jeremiah. [9:31] – First Principle: Hearing God means setting aside time to hear God in the quiet. [12:46] – Second Principle: In hearing God, don’t be afraid to question God and check what you are hearing. [15:21] – Third Principle: Keep your heart turned to God, pure and focused on Him, not what others say and do. [20:32] – Recap the principles. [21:04] – Prophetic activation. [22:03] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener. [23:58] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Jeremiah – the whole book, but particularly 25:3; 29:11; 33:3; 30:17; 26:20-23; 30:2; 20:7,9; 23:16; chapters 1, 28, 18, 24, 27, 42, 31, 32,
  • Exodus 4:10
  • 1 Corinthians 1:27
  • James 1:5-6
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
  • James 5:16

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