Can I hear God anywhere?

Can I hear God anywhere?

Episode Description:

Scripture is full of various places where people met and heard God. There is not just one place here on earth that has a monopoly on hearing God. However, there can be places where we find it easier to hear God. How often do we create time and space to hear God where we sense Him the strongest? Join us in this episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we share practical examples and tips for hearing God.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: Scripture is full of places where people heard God.

  • At the Table – Gospels full of Jesus ministering and speaking at the table, eg Matthew’s party in Luke 5:29, Zaccheus, the Last Supper eg Matthew 26.
  • Celebrations and weddings eg John 2 wedding at Cana.
  • Storms of life – eg boat on water Matthew 8:23-27
  • In bed sick Matthew 8:14-15 Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law.
  • During journeys eg Road to Emmaus Luke 24:13- 35 2 The disciples didn’t recognise Him (I don’t want to not recognise Jesus.)
  • Paul on the road blinded by light (Acts 9)
  • In a cave (exhausted and afraid, depressed) followed by on the mountain – 1 Kings 19
  • Whilst sleeping – dreams Joseph – the dream of technicolour coat Genesis 37, Joseph Mary’s husband in Matthew 1-2 – several dreams about marrying Mary and then taking Mary & Jesus to escape to Egypt.
  • In battle – David 2 Samuel 5:17-25 Israelites fighting the Philistines twice. Both times, David enquired of the Lord, and God gave him a different strategy. God is not into “cookie cutting” but unique strategies. 2nd time, don’t go straight up but circle around the back.
  • Gideon in Judges 7 – God reduced his army from 32,000 men to 300 men. Then the strategy came through overhearing the telling of a dream by the Midianites – loaf of barley bread came tumbling down the hill – trumpets in one hand and torches in jars in the other and break the jars.
  • Joshua in Joshua 5 with marching around Jericho 6 times and the 7th day to march around 7 times with the priests blowing the trumpet each time and then when long blast on the trumpet – whole army give a loud shout.
  • Up early – Mark 1:35 – Jesus got up early and intentionally set time aside to commune with God.
  • Doing life. Exodus 3:3-4 – Moses with unusual site – burning bush. Turn aside. Idea pops into head.
  • 2 Kings 3:15 “While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha.”
  • Death and funerals – Lazarus John 11:1-44
  • Nature
  • Work / daily life

Second Principle: Be where God is

  • A bit of an oxymoron as God is everywhere. He is omnipresent.
  • Physical location – Samuel – the presence of God around the ark. 1 Samuel 3. Intentionally went and lay there – verse 3, the lamp of God hadn’t yet gone out. So he made time and created space to be where God was strongest.
  • Where is God strongest for me?
  • “Thin” places
  • Emotional location – if fear, worry, anxiety, hurry, and chaos present – harder to hear God.
  • Spiritual location – church, worship, Bible reading, soaking/meditation. Mountain top experience. If envy, hate, or disobedience present – hard to hear God. Barriers between you and God.

Third Principle: Look for patterns as to where you hear God best.

  • Psalm 78:1 The Message says, “Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, bend your ears to what I tell you.” Hear my teaching. Listen. Then lean in.
  • Listening – giving our attention to God. Making it a priority.
  • Secondly – lean in. Bend your ear. Lessen distractions like radio stations and static.
  • Jane – running water.

Summary:

  1. Scripture is full of places where people heard God.
  2. Be where God is.
  3. Look for patterns as to where you hear God best.

Prophetic activation:

  • Think of a place locally where you wouldn’t normally go. In the next week, carve out 20-30 minutes to go there. Take your Bible, journal, pen etc. Once you are there, ask God,
  • “God, what do You want me to do now?”
  • “God, is there anything in particular You would love to show me here?”
  • “God, what would You love to say to me at the moment?”

Time Stamps:

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

[3:29] – First Principle: Scripture is full of places where people heard God.

[9:05] – Second Principle: Be where God is.

[13:44] – Third Principle: Look for patterns as to where you hear God best.

[18:27] – Summary

[18:50] – Prophetic activation.

[20:30] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[21:59] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Luke 5:29
  • Matthew 26
  • John 2
  • Matthew 8:23-27
  • Matthew 8:14-15
  • Luke 24:13-35
  • Acts 9
  • 1 Kings 19
  • Genesis 37
  • Matthew 1-2
  • Luke 19
  • 2 Samuel 5:17-25
  • Judges 7
  • Joshua 6
  • Mark 1:35
  • Exodus 3:3-4
  • 2 Kings 3:15
  • John 11:1-44
  • Judges 3:12-26
  • Esther
  • Luke 10
  • 2 Kings 4:1-7
  • Psalm 139:7-8
  • 1 Samuel 3
  • Psalm 78:1

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 73: Will God tell me who I should marry?

Episode 73: Will God tell me who I should marry?

Episode Description:

Will God tell me who I should marry? I think sometimes we are asking God the wrong question. Instead of asking God who should I marry or should I marry this person, more effective questions to ask God are: “What sort of person is best for me to marry?’ and “What are Your thoughts about this person, God?” as well as “Who do I need to be to marry this person?” Join us in this episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we share our story and real-life examples from others, plus practical tips and Biblical principles of finding a marriage partner.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: God can and will do anything

  • We’ve all heard stories about the first time someone laid eyes on a particular person, and God told them they would marry them. Please do not go up to them and say that.
  • Be careful of “God told me to marry this person”. It is often abused. God gets the bad wrap. What happens if you split up? You end up blaming God or having a crisis of faith. Often incorrect theology. Also, feelings are not facts.
  • Your character is more important.
  • God gives us freedom in choosing, but listen to wise and trusted advice.
  • In the Bible, God told several people who to marry: Hosea 1:2, a prostitute. Joseph in Matthew 1 to not be afraid to marry Mary. Abraham’s servant who asked very specifically for a wife for Isaac in Genesis.

Second Principle: Follow the Biblical principles

  • Do not be unequally yoked. 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” The Message version puts it as “Does Christ go strolling with the devil?”
  • This applies to business and unequally spiritually eg new Christian and mature Christian. Wait.
  • Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in their life? Galatians 5:22-23. Use the Bible as a guideline for the qualities that should be evident in a future partner.
  • Go where you will find like-minded people. If you hang out at nightclubs, bars, etc., you will find people who are different from those at church. Beware of secular dating apps.
  • If you have found a person through a dating app and begun a relationship, delete the dating app. Do not play with fire.
  • Listen to wise, trusted advice.
  • Find someone with a similar vision for life.
  • Look at the purpose of dating.

Third Principle: Be the right person

  • Your identity needs to be that of a child of God rather than having a partner.
  • If you are not ‘enough’ with being single, you will never be ‘enough’ being married.
  • Marriage isn’t the ‘end all and be all’. Any problems you have in your life won’t go away with a partner. They will only be magnified.
  • Chase after God and being all He wants you to be.
  • Your character is so Be the right person.
  • There is no hurry. It’s better to wait a few more months or years than hurry into something and regret it for a lifetime.
  • Remember, in your relationship with God, it is not just connecting with God to get answers. It is all about relationship and intimacy.

Summary:

  1. God can and will do anything.
  2. Follow the Biblical principles.
  3. Be the right person.

Prophetic activation:

Quieten your thoughts and heart, and imagine that you are at a water park. In your mind, see the bright sunny day. Feel the warmth on your skin. See the sparkling blue water. As you turn your heart and thoughts to Father God, ask Him to show you where you are in that scene at that water park. Are you sunbaking on a seat? Are you splashing in the water? Deep diving? High on a diving board ready to jump off? Ask God,

  • “God, where am I in that picture?”
  • “God, can You please show me where the person is in the picture that I need in my life at the moment?”

Time Stamps:

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

[3:45] – Gary & Jane share their journey of finding each other.

[7:00] – First Principle: God can and will do anything.

[9:58] – Second Principle: Follow the Biblical principles.

[18:38] – Third Principle: Be the right person.

[20:58] – Summary

[21:21] – Prophetic activation.

[23:26] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[25:25] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Habakkuk 1 & 2
  • Hosea 1:2
  • Matthew 1
  • Genesis 24
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14
  • Galatians 5:19-23

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 72: Can hearing God help me change the world?

Episode 72: Can hearing God help me change the world?

Episode Description:

Would you love to change the world? How about changing your circumstances? Join us in this episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we share both personal examples and stories from others of how hearing God implemented change and breakthrough.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: Hearing God can help you change the world.

Examples:

  • Mother Theresa’s call to go to the poorest of the poor and bring dignity and care.
  • William Wilberforce – shaped policies of politics – abolished slavery.
  • Harriet Tubman – smuggled slaves along the Underground Railroad – Holy Spirit prompting and heard God’s voice on developing safe houses along the route, where to go, etc.
  • Heidi Baker – Mozambique
  • Inventions – George Washington Carver asked God why the peanut was made. Urged farmers to plant peanut crops to replenish the soil as cotton had leeched the soil of goodness. Invented 300 uses for peanuts.
  • In 1450, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press – credits inspiration from hearing God.
  • Jacob, in the Bible, had a dream that enabled him to fund his family and future and leave his current circumstances. Genesis 30:25-43
  • Noah received specific dimensions of the ark from God. Genesis 6:11-22
  • Joshua 6 – Joshua received battle plans to defeat the enemy.
  • Elias Howe – dreamt of cannibals preparing to cook him, dancing and raising their spears up and down. He realised the needle on the sewing machine needed a hole for the thread to go through.
  • Herge – plagued by nightmares chased by a white skeleton, and then the whole environment turned white. His psychiatrist said to stop drawing comics. Instead, he created “Tintin in Tibet”. Nightmares stopped.
  • Paul McCartney – wrote the music to Yesterday after hearing it in a dream.
  • Mendeleev dreamt of the periodic table’s structure after 3 days nonstop trying to work it out.

Second Principle: It depends on what changing the world looks like for you.

  • I believe everyone can help change someone else’s world by being nice, smiling at them etc.
  • God can bring a breakthrough for you. Change your perspective. Reassure you. Navigate your way forward.
  • Give you strategies.

Third Principle: Cultivate your relationship with God.

  • Relationship with God is the number one priority.
  • Just spend time with God, not for what you can get out of it, but for the sake of ‘being’ with God.
  • Make time to listen. Read the Bible
  • Look for patterns and recurring themes.
  • Character is important – Biblical values, integrity,
  • Take that step of faith. Need to act at some point.
  • Wise counsel is also important.

Summary:

  1. Hearing God can help you change the world.
  2. It depends on what changing the world looks like for you.
  3. Cultivate your relationship with God.

Prophetic activation:

Think of a current circumstance you’re facing and turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –

  • “God, what do You want me to know about You in this situation?”
  • “God, what do I need to know about myself in this situation?”
  • “God, what do You want me to know about this situation I’m currently facing?”
  • “God, what do You want me to learn from this?”

Time Stamps:

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

[3:57] – First Principle: Hearing God can help you change the world.

[13:56] – Second Principle: It depends on what changing the world looks like for you.

[18:01] – Third Principle: Cultivate your relationship with God.

[18:43] – Summary

[19:10] – Prophetic activation.

[20:38] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[22:33] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Genesis 30:25-43
  • Genesis 31:10-13
  • Genesis 6:11-22
  • Joshua 6
  • Joshua 1:6-9

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 71: Will God tell me what to do with my life?

Episode 71: Will God tell me what to do with my life?

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?

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.