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 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 43: Hearing God when you are unsure who is speaking

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

Jun 9, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

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

Episode Notes:

Background of Samuel

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

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

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

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

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

Third Principle: Obey what God is telling you

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

Summary:

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

Prophetic activation:

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

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

Time Stamps:

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

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

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

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

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

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

[22:13] – Recap the principles.

[22:55] – Prophetic activation.

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

[25:30] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

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

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

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

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

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

Jun 2, 2024 | 0 comments

 

Episode Description:

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

 

Episode Notes:

Background to Deborah

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

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

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

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

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

Third Principle: Community is important to God.

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

Summary:

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

 

Prophetic activation:

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

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

 

Time Stamps:

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

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

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

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

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

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

[18:03] – Recap the principles.

[18:28] – Prophetic activation.

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

[21:35] – Gary prays for you.

 

Resources / Links Mentioned:

 

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Judges 4-5
  • 1 Kings 3:9, 16-28

 

Connect with Gary & Jane:

 

Support the show:

  • Please share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Follow and leave a rating + review on your favourite podcast listening app.
  • If God is leading your heart to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.
Episode 41: Hearing God when the Rules are Broken

Episode 41: Hearing God when the Rules are Broken

May 26, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Even though it meant breaking numerous rules, Jesus took a ‘shortcut’ to meet with a woman. They engaged in a robust debate, and even though the woman was unnamed, she had a voice, and it was heard. Join us in this latest episode of ‘Hearing God’ as we unpack the story of Jesus interacting with the Samaritan woman at the well and how it can apply to your life. We also unpack words of knowledge.

Episode Notes:

Background to the story:

  • Samaria was a region in Israel. Over the years, foreigners had taken up residence here and intermarried, so there was ‘mixed’ parentage/blood.
  • The Jews thought Samaritans were filthy people and inferior to them. They would never speak to a Samaritan, let alone touch them.
  • Galilee was another region to the north of Samaria. To get from Judah to Galilee, you needed to either go through Samaria or go an incredibly long way around it. The Jews would choose to travel the long way so they could avoid any contact with Samaritans.
  • Jesus stopped at Sychar at Jacob’s well. (Genesis 33:19) – thought to be Shechem.
  • Samaritans worshipped on nearby Mount Gerizim, whereas the Jews worshipped at the Temple in Jerusalem. There was a longstanding rivalry about the true place of worship.
  • The Bible passage is in John 4:1-42.
  • Jesus stops at the well. The disciples decide to go to get lunch. A woman comes along. Jesus had a lengthy conversation with her. The disciples return. The woman flees to town and tells everyone. The townspeople all come out to meet Jesus and hear him. Jesus and the disciples then stay in the town two days, and many believe.

First Principle: There are no shortcuts with Jesus.

  • Jesus wasn’t one for taking shortcuts in life, so I’m sure He had a purpose in cutting through Samaria – reaching this woman and her community.
  • Jesus waits for this woman at the 6th hour – midday. Not the time when you would go out to the desert in the blazing sun to draw water.
  • The timing tells us about the woman – shunned by others.
  • It was culturally taboo for Jesus to talk to a woman at midday with no one else around.
  • Spiritual taboo for Jews and Samaritans to interact.
  • Engaged in a robust debate. Even though this woman is unnamed, she had a voice, and it was heard. Jesus hears us. It is the longest recorded conversation Jesus had with a person that was recorded in the Bible.
  • This woman heard, saw, felt, and touched Jesus.

Second Principle: Jesus is deeply interested in every person. There’s no shame with Jesus.

  • Jesus doesn’t condemn. No judgement.
  • This woman had had five husbands – may not have been promiscuous or had a ‘tarnished’ reputation.
  • Perhaps she married at 13, then widowed. Levitical law – husband’s brothers/relatives marry her.
  • Man currently with not husband – she may have been a concubine or 2nd
  • The woman was curious. Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Third Principle: Encountering Jesus, hearing Jesus, changes us.

  • She became an evangelist. After chatting with Jesus and hearing his heart for her, she left her water jar (like Simon Peter and his brother Andrew left fishing nets in Matt 4:18-20 and Mark 1:16-18) to follow Jesus. She embraced her calling. The first evangelist. The disciples were told to evangelise in Matt 28:19. This woman did it on her own initiative.
  • She raced back to town, told everyone, and then they came out to meet Jesus. She must have had some sway in the community because the people trusted her and allowed Jesus to stay for two days.
  • Verse 39 – many believed because of the woman’s testimony.
  • Photini was her name. Recorded on Ancient manuscripts. She ended up in Emperor Nero’s court and brought Nero’s daughter Domnina and her Domnina’s servants to Christ.
  • Photini was thrown in prison along with her sisters and sons. Tortured and skun alive. Martyred for her faith.
  • This interaction is a great example of how to share your faith. Start with mutual/casual conversation, then go deeper.
  • Many believed because of the word of knowledge. (This is a fact that you don’t know normally, but it is revealed to you supernaturally.)

Summary:

  1. There are no shortcuts with Jesus.
  2. Jesus is deeply interested in every person. There’s no shame with Jesus.
  3. Encountering Jesus, hearing Jesus, changes us.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, is there a shortcut I’ve tried to take in my life? What is it, and what would You like me to do about it?”
  • “Where in my relationship with You, God do You desire me to go deeper?”

Time Stamps:

[0:40] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[5:19] – Background to the story of the Woman at the well.

[8:31] – First Principle: There are no shortcuts with Jesus.

[13:00] – Second Principle: There is no shame with Jesus.

[19:02] – Third Principle: Encountering Jesus, hearing Jesus, changes us.

[22:51] – Recap the principles.

[23:22] – Prophetic activation.

[24:30] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[25:54] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • John 4:1-42
  • Genesis 33:19
  • Jeremiah 33:3
  • Matthew 4:18-20
  • Mark 1:16-18
  • Matthew 28:19

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.