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 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 47: Hearing God when we don’t see evidence of God at work in our life.

Episode 47: Hearing God when we don’t see evidence of God at work in our life.

Jul 7, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

I don’t want to be known as someone who couldn’t see God’s goodness. Do you? The story of Ruth in the Bible and how she encountered God is a reminder to focus on God’s goodness. The story of Ruth is also full of ‘coincidences’ – times when God chooses to remain anonymous. Join us in this latest episode of ‘Hearing God’ as we unpack all these truths and how Ruth heard and experienced God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Ruth.

  • Chapter 1: Famine in Judah. Elimelek, Naomi & two sons left Bethlehem and went to live in Moab. Elimelek died. The sons married Moabites – Orpah & Ruth. Deuteronomy 7:3 – don’t marry a Moabite. In Deuteronomy 23:3, “No Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, not even in the tenth generation.” It’s weird that the family would choose to go to Moab – it tells something of their attitude and relationship with God. Judges 21:25 (the last verse before Ruth) – Israelites didn’t ask God; they just did what they each thought was right.
  • Both sons then died.
  • Naomi heard that God had come to the aid of His people in Bethlehem by providing food for them.
  • Naomi sets out to return to Bethlehem. Both daughters-in-law go with her. Naomi is extremely bitter about her circumstances and strongly encourages them to return to their mothers. Naomi may also have been a tad embarrassed about having a Moabite Daughter-in-law.
  • Orpah returned home.
  • Ruth has a strong conviction to go with Naomi.
  • Famous verse 1:16 “Where you go, I will go. Your people will be my people. Your God, my God”
  • Verse 20 Naomi says, don’t call me Naomi but Mara because the Almighty has made my life bitter.” She blamed God and accused Him of bringing misfortune upon her. You can’t play with fire, do the wrong thing, and then blame God for the consequences!!
  • A perilous journey fraught with danger.
  • Chapter 2 – barley harvest beginning in the town of bread. Ruth took the initiative and went to glean the leftover grain after the workers had harvested the grain and around the outside of fields for widows/orphans. Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19.
  • “Coincidence’ was Boaz’s field – guardian redeemer, Deuteronomy 25:5-10 widow must marry the nearest relative unless they take off their sandal and say no.
  • 2:8 – Boaz turns up at the exact time she is there and tells her to stay in his fields where she will be safe, otherwise may be violated. Boaz tells his workers to give her food and water and leave more barley for her to pick up.
  • Ruth has an extremely successful day 13 kgs/30 pounds – enough for 7 days for 2 people.
  • Chapter 3, Naomi decides Ruth needs to make a move to let Boaz know she is ready to marry again. Boaz was winnowing barley on the threshing floor, sleeping the night there for an early start. Ruth washed, put on perfume and her best clothes, and lay at his feet and uncovered them. Boaz woke up – spread the corner of your garment over me – ie marry me. Very symbolic.
  • Chapter 4 – Boaz says there’s another man closer in relation than me – 1st dibs at redeeming her. Guardian redeemer. Went to city gate. That man just happened to be there at that particular time (another ‘coincidence’). The man said, I would buy Elimelek’s field, but I don’t want to marry Ruth or Naomi. Took off his sandal and gave it to Boaz, so Boaz could marry Ruth.
  • Boaz and Ruth marry – the Lord opens her womb, and she conceives and has a son. Obed. Family line down to Jesus.

First Principle: Just because we can’t see God doesn’t mean He’s not working / present.

  • Even though there’s no mention of God in the book of Ruth, Ruth acknowledges the presence of God in 1:16-17 “But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
  • Tragedies don’t mean that God’s given up on you.
  • Ruth kept believing in God despite her circumstances. An encouragement to look to God not at our circumstances.
  • 2 Bible verses: Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
  • Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
  • God opens Ruth’s womb – Matthew 1 – genealogy of Jesus. Ruth had been married to Naomi’s son for 10 years but no children. Married Boaz and had a son Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of King David, the line of Jesus. I love how the Bible puts it in Ruth 4:13 “So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he made love to her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.” Only mention of God in Ruth.
  • Story of redemption and God’s provision in so many ways. Ruth was empty, now full. Widow now married. Broken and no future to being in the genealogy of Jesus.
  • Naomi was bitter that God hadn’t helped her, but her family deliberately disobeyed God. Naomi couldn’t see God’s goodness. She was basically self-absorbed due to her painful circumstances, and that meant she was blind to how God was working. I don’t want to be known as someone who couldn’t see God’s goodness.
  • Our lens filter is often that which captivates our heart.
  • God chooses you in His story. You may feel that you don’t fit in, but God specialises in the broken, the hurting, the displaced, those who don’t fit in. God is always working behind the scenes.

Second Principle: God shows up in the everyday, often insignificant things, not just the miraculous.

  • We can have an active relationship with God regardless of whether we see Him.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
  • Hope is the practice of believing God’s loyal love is true for my situation. “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
  • In Ruth 3:18, Naomi encourages Ruth to sit still and wait. In a season of waiting, it is tempting to try and move things along.
  • Psalm 27:13-14 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

Third Principle: Ruth hears from God through coincidences.

  • Chapter 2:3 “As it happened…” she ended up in Boaz’s field, that field, that day, that particular time. God-incident. Another coincidence at the city gate with the guardian redeemer just happening to come along.
  • Love this statement: A coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
  • In the story of Ruth, we see God bringing people in and out of her life, directing her life, shaping the course of her life. The same with our lives. Perhaps you’ve never stopped to consider the major role God has had in your life through certain events.
  • Four women are named in Jesus’ genealogy – Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. Foreigners, tainted pasts, broken women. Testimony of God’s grace, love and acceptance for everyone.

Summary:

  1. Just because we can’t see God doesn’t mean He’s not working / present.
  2. God shows up in the everyday, often insignificant things, not just the miraculous.
  3. Ruth hears from God through coincidences.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, is there an area in my life I feel a victim in or I’m bitter or I’m looking at it through the lens of disappointment?”
  • “What are Your thoughts on that God?”
  • “God, what response would You love me to take in relation to this?”

Time Stamps:

[1:07] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[6:28] – Background to the story of Adam and Eve.

[13:30] – First Principle: Just because we can’t see God doesn’t mean He’s not working / present.

[20:06] – Second Principle: God shows up in the everyday, often insignificant things, not just the miraculous.

[22:08] – Third Principle: Ruth hears from God through coincidences.

[24:09] – Recap the principles.

[24:42] – Prophetic activation.

[25:47] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[28:07] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Ruth Chapters 1-4
  • Deuteronomy 7:3
  • Deuteronomy 23:3
  • Judges 21:25
  • Leviticus 19:9-10
  • Deuteronomy 24:19
  • Deuteronomy 25:5-10
  • Isaiah 55:8-9
  • Jeremiah 29:11
  • Matthew 1
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7
  • Hebrews 11:1
  • Psalm 27:13-14

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 40: Hearing God When It Goes Against Current Culture

Episode 40: Hearing God When It Goes Against Current Culture

May 19, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Am I prepared to be obedient to God, even when it is not aligned with current culture? Am I willing, faith-filled, courageous, future-sighted, totally trusting God even when there is no reference point of rain, willing to look ridiculous in the world’s eyes, swim against the stream, being a misfit, having tenacious faith? Join us in this latest episode of ‘Hearing God’ as we unpack the story of Noah from the Bible. Noah is an excellent reminder that God desires our obedience and is interested in our character and relationship with Him.

Episode Notes:

Background of Noah: Genesis 6-9

  • Noah first introduced in Genesis 5:32 how, after he had lived 500 years, he became the father of Shem, Japheth, and Ham.
  • Genesis 6:6 – The Lord regretted making humans as they had become evil.
  • Verse 8 & 9 – Noah found favour in the eyes of God because he was blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. Noah was not perfect but blameless compared to everyone else alive at the time.
  • Verse 13 – God said to Noah, I’m going to destroy all people but make an ark and gave him specific instructions: 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, 30 cubits high, rooms, roof, openings, etc. God was going to fill the earth with floodwaters, but Noah was to take himself, his wife and sons and son’s wives into the ark with 2 of all living creatures to keep them alive. In chapter 7. He mentions 7 pairs of clean animals and one pair of unclean animals and how he would send rain for 40 days and 40 nights.
  • They were tent dwellers – no grid for rain, floods, etc.
  • Symbolism: The ark was 3 stories – compared to the Tabernacle – 3-fold structure, like the 3 parts of the Gospel – judgement, forgiveness, and salvation. The word for ark in Hebrew is tebah – mentioned as the pitch coating of the basket that the baby Moses was placed in – symbolising God’s protection.
  • Waters flooded the earth for 150 days.
  • Process for coming out of the ark – sent out a raven, then a dove, then a dove again, and it came back with a fresh olive leaf, then next time it didn’t come back.
  • Chapter 8:21 – never again will I destroy all living creatures, and never again will a flood destroy the whole earth – this will be my sign – a rainbow.
  • Ch 9:20 – Noah planted a vineyard, drank some wine, and became drunk. Ham saw his father drunk and naked in the tent and told his brothers. Shem and Japheth took a garment as a sign of respect and covered their father and didn’t look at his nakedness.

First Principle: Our character is important to God.

  • Noah was blameless compared to his fellow man.
  • He walked with God. He found favour in God’s eyes.
  • If we are struggling to hear God – it is worth examining our behaviour and character. (God can still talk to us, but it is easier to hear God clearly when our character is pure/clean.)

Second Principle: Details are important to God.

  • God gave Noah specific instructions – how to build the ark, fill it, shut it, what to do and how to exit. God is in the details.
  • Ask God for prophetic blueprints.

Third Principle: Noah did all that God commanded.

  • Genesis 6-9 keeps saying that Noah did all that God commanded.
  • God desires our obedience. It is important to God, even when it doesn’t make sense.
  • Imagine building this colossal ark. There had never been any floods or water over the earth. People would think he was crazy. Who was he to believe – God or man? Imagine the reaction of people.
  • Noah was an entrepreneur and took a considerable risk. Faith is spelt RISK. He was confronted with discouragement and opposition.
  • If you are struggling to hear God – go back to the last time you heard God clearly and see if God has asked you to do something you haven’t obeyed.

Summary:

  • First Principle: Our character is important to God.
  • Second Principle: Details are important to God.
  • Third Principle: Noah did all that God commanded.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, is there something in my character You would love me to work on/improve?”
  • “Father God, is there an area I haven’t obeyed You in yet? What else do I need to know about it?”

Time Stamps:

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

[2:49] – Background to Noah and outline of his story.

[6:49] – First Principle: Our character is important to God.

[8:41] – Second Principle: Details are important to God.

[13:40] – Third Principle: Noah did all that God commanded.

[17:33] – Am I prepared to be obedient, even when it is not aligned with current culture?

[18:05] – Recap the principles.

[18:30] – Prophetic activation.

[19:50] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[20:59] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Genesis 5:32
  • Genesis 6-9
  • Acts 9:11

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.