Hearing God through my spirit being stirred up

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 50: Hearing God with Peter Yaxley

Episode 50: Hearing God with Peter Yaxley

Jul 28, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

How do you know whether to rent or buy a house? This was the dilemma facing Peter Yaxley (our guest on this episode of the Hearing God Podcast.) So, together with his wife Kathryn, they asked God and clearly heard an answer through separate Bible verses. Peter and Kathryn are good friends of Gary & Jane. They operate a ministry called Kingdom Presence Ministries that equips people to hear God and grow in their journey of hearing God. (You can find Jane’s interview with Kathryn in Episode 45.) Listen to Jane and Peter’s conversation as they chat about Peter’s journey of becoming a Christian and starting to hear God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Peter:

  • He grew up in Tasmania and met Jane in his 20s.
  • Married to Kathryn and lives in Poatina, Tasmania.
  • Involved in running equipping workshops and reflective healing retreats.
  • National and international ministry – Kingdom Presence Ministries.

Topics discussed with Peter:

  • A brief history of Peter becoming a Christian and his early Christian walk.
  • In hindsight, Peter recognized God speaking to him.
  • Peter shares how he best hears from God.
  • A memorable time for Peter hearing from God about whether they should buy or rent.
  • A short piece of advice for our listeners in relation to hearing God for themselves.

Prophetic activation:

Look around wherever you are (e.g. the room, out the window, outside, etc) and see what God highlights to you. Ask God what He wants to say to you through this object/what has been highlighted. Feel free to ask God more questions about this.

Time Stamps:

[0:47] – Jane introduces Peter Yaxley.

[4:41] – Jane & Peter share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[7:21] – Peter shares how he became a Christian.

[9:05] – How to become a Christian.

[11:27] – The first time Peter recognized God speaking to him.

[12:40] – Peter shares how he best receives from God.

[14:04] – Peter shares a memorable time receiving from God.

[17:16] – Advice Peter would give anyone wanting to hear God.

[18:49] – Prophetic activation.

[20:28] – Jane & Peter both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[23:00] – Peter prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Acts 28:30
  • Nehemiah 5:16
  • 1 Corinthians 14:3
  • 1 Corinthians 2:16
  • Numbers 22:21-39
  • Matthew 6:28-33

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 33: Hearing God – Saul/Paul (Bible)

Episode 33: Hearing God – Saul/Paul (Bible)

Mar 31, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Join Gary & Jane in this latest episode of Hearing God as they unpack how Paul first heard God in Acts 9 and his radical conversion. Gary & Jane share that God desires a relationship with everyone and that when we encounter God, we change. They both share their personal story of how they encountered God. Gary & Jane also cover how we can respond when God asks us to do something that doesn’t make sense.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: There is no one too bad for God. God desires a relationship with everyone.

Saul

  • Saul / Paul was a ruthless man. Arrogant, self-righteous, loved finding fault.
  • God talks to non-Christians.
  • Saul saw a light, heard a voice, and then went blind. The men travelling with him heard the sound but didn’t see anyone. Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense to those around us. Who do we trust in those times?
  • Acts 13, when we read of Saul, also known as Paul (Latin version), says Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and could discern things. It was a ‘knowing’.

Second Principle: When we encounter God, we change.

  • Saul encounters God. Face to Face and had a radical transformation.
  • In Damascus, there was a Christian called Ananias, whom God told in a vision to go to Saul and pray for him to be able to see again. Ananias says, “Wait a minute, this guy will kill me” but follows what God told him to do.
  • Ananias goes and finds Saul and prays for him. Saul can see again and suddenly starts preaching and telling people about Christ—radical conversion.
  • There is always an outcome, a change when we encounter God.

Third Principle: How do we respond when we are asked to do something by God that doesn’t make sense.

  • Ananias was given specific directions (Acts 9:10-19) in a vision to go to a particular house on Straight Street and ask for a specific person (Saul).
  • Ananias responds by saying, “Hey, I’ve heard he wants to arrest Christians – are you sure God? It is okay to question God? What we do with the question and response is what is important.
  • God said Go and do this. Ananias obeys.
  • It is important to obey quickly, but if it sounds unusual, please check with mature people.
  • How many times do we miss out because we haven’t obeyed quickly? God uses someone else.

Activation:

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

  • Father God, who in my life needs to hear about You?
  • Father God, what do they need to know first about You?

Time Stamps:

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

[2:59] – First Principle – There is no one too bad for God. God desires a relationship with everyone.

[8:27] – Second Principle – When we encounter God, we change.

[10:55] – Jane’s encounter with Jesus.

[13:44] – Gary’s encounter with Jesus.

[15:14] – Prayer if you want to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your life.

[17:13] – Third Principle – How do we respond when we are asked to do something by God that doesn’t make sense.

[21:02] – Recap the principles.

[21:36] – Prophetic activation.

[22:36] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[23:52] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Acts 9:1-21
  • Acts 13

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

  • Please share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Subscribe 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 32: Life Update

Episode 32: Life Update

Mar 24, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Join Gary & Jane in this latest episode of Hearing God as they share a life update of the adventure they have been on as a family over these last few months. As they share their journey, Gary & Jane unpack how they have heard God during this time and a situation where Jane felt she missed hearing God. They also cover important principles of how to deal with disappointment in God.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: Life/mission is messy.

  • Beach Mission – tents flooded, team members with Covid, team member broke his leg.
  • Our response is what is important, and so is our heart attitude.
  • In the busyness & tiredness, it is sometimes hard to hear God unless we’re intentional.

Second Principle: Plan but be open to change.

  • Family changes over the last few months.
  • Jane’s bold prayer at the end of November.
  • Jane study and new business called ‘Mums in Transition’.
  • What is our response when we don’t feel at peace, especially as a married couple?
  • Wrestling with God – how do we know? How do we settle the way forward?
  • If the 2 of us aren’t in agreement, we need to pause.

Third Principle: Guard your heart during change

  • Something I had been praying for years didn’t work out.
  • It is easy to be angry at God or disappointed in Him.
  • Tired and hungry – Elijah in 1 Kings 18 & 19. Elijah had just experienced this incredible miracle. The next minute, Elijah is depressed and fearing for his life. An angel of the Lord said, “Get up and eat”. Address physical issues first – hungry and tired.
  • Don’t make any big life decisions when exhausted or heartbroken.
  • Doubts, questioning, and heartache all common.
  • Go back to what you know from God.
  • We are not God. We can’t see the whole picture.
  • Be careful what you fill any void with.

Activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him to show you if you are disappointed with Him.

  • Father God, can you please show or tell me if I harbour any disappointment towards You, especially when things haven’t turned out as I had prayed?
  • Father God, what do I need to do about this?
  • Father God, what else would You love me to know about this?

Time Stamps:

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

[5:44] – First Principle – Life/mission is messy.

[10:27] – Second Principle – Plan but be open to change.

[15:32] – A situation of unease between Gary & Jane & how they dealt with it.

[20:27] – Third Principle – Guard your heart during change.

[23:38] – Recap the principles.

[24:04] – Prophetic activation.

[25:18] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[26:42] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Psalm 46:10
  • 1 Kings 18 & 19

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

  • Share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Subscribe 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 31 Hearing God at Christmas

Episode 31 Hearing God at Christmas

Dec 17, 2023 | 0 comments

** We have a free 30-day pdf devotional – ‘Hearing God for the New Year’. You can download your copy here: https://www.unlockingthegold.com/product/hearing-god-for-the-new-year/

** Gary and Jane are taking a break from the Hearing God Podcast until February due to seasonal, family, and mission commitments. We encourage you to listen to past episodes over January.

Episode Description:

Christmas is a fantastic time for sharing the good news about Christ. We have the opportunity to speak into many people’s lives, encouraging them through both words (verbal and written) and gifts. Join us as we share practical ways to encourage yourself and others by hearing from God at this significant time.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: Hearing God for yourself this Christmas

  • Spend time with God.
  • Creative methods of rekindling the wonder of Christmas.

Second Principle: Hearing God for Others – ways to encourage people this Christmas season

  • People to prophetically encourage.
  • Ways to prophetically encourage people.
  • Acts of kindness.
  • Make space and time.

Third Principle: Bringing Christ into the centre of your Christmas

  • Change the atmosphere.
  • Christ came to bring joy, freedom, relationship, restoration, forgiveness, peace, and love.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • Father God, who do You want to be for me this Christmas?
  • Father God, how do You want me to celebrate You this Christmas?
  • Father God, am I creating an idol out of Christmas with my expectations?
  • Do I have to have the house perfect?
  • Do I need to give (and receive) the perfect present?
  • Are my emotional needs being ‘filled’ or ‘unmet’ by expectations surrounding the perfect Christmas when You should be taking that place?
  • Am I creating an ‘idol’ out of Christmas with my expectations of the ‘perfect’ Christmas?
  • Is there a lie I’m believing about having the ‘perfect’ Christmas?
  • Father God, am I spending my time, energy, money and thought life in a pleasing manner to You?
  • Am I spending too much time, energy and money on insignificant things?
  • Am I overthinking situations and creating a bigger problem in my mind?
  • Am I spending excessive time thinking about what to buy for people?
  • Have I fallen into the trap of people-pleasing?
  • Father God, how am I communicating Your love, peace, joy and power?
  • Father God, are people attracted to You through me?

Time Stamps:

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

[8:04] – First Principle – Hearing God for yourself this Christmas.

[11:45] – Second Principle – Hearing God for others at Christmas.

[14:22] – Different ways to prophetically encourage others.

[16:02] – Third Principle – Bring Christ into the centre of your Christmas.

[19:03] – Recap the principles.

[19:37] – Explanation of the ‘Hearing God for the New Year’ 30-day devotional pdf.

[21:38] – Prophetic activation.

[23:08] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[25:38] – Jane prays a Christmas blessing over you.

[28:15] – The next podcast will be in February due to seasonal, family, and mission commitments.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • 1 Corinthians 14:3
  • Matthew 22:37-38
  • Mark 12:30-31
  • Luke 10:27
  • John 13:34-35
  • Ephesians 3:20
  • Proverbs 31:25
  • Jeremiah 29:11

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

  • Share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Subscribe 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.

**30-day Devotional – Hearing God for the New Year

(available as a pdf download here)

This 30-day devotional has daily Bible verses and questions to help you hear God’s heart for you in the new year.

The start of a year is a fantastic time to reflect on the past year and dream with God to set new goals for the coming year. This 30-day devotional is ideal for reviewing and planning, realising that “many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

Each day has questions for you to answer, plus questions to ask God about your life as you ponder and meditate on specific Bible verses.

God has so much He would love to share with us throughout this process. I encourage you to pause and listen to the things on God’s heart for you for this coming year. If you would like to know how to hear what God is trying to communicate to you, click here to listen to episode 4 of our ‘Hearing God’ Podcast – ‘How does God talk to us’.

In the Hearing God Podcast, we encourage you to go with the ‘first thought’ principle – the first thought that comes into your head, as long as it aligns with Scripture, the character of God, and you are in a healthy place with God. You can listen to an explanation of the ‘first thought’ principle here in episode 3.

This 30-day devotional on Hearing God for 2024 covers:

  • Reviewing 2023
  • Achievements, challenges and pain, and the joys from 2023
  • Answers to prayer, and memory stones from last year
  • Distractions and disruptions from 2023
  • Things I need to let go of, plus areas still to obey God in
  • Seeing where God is currently working in my life and partnering with Him in this place
  • What God, Holy Spirit, and Jesus are currently praying for me
  • My values and vision
  • Monthly theme/word for 2024
  • Areas to grow and mature in, and where wisdom is needed
  • Asking God for impossible dreams
  • My unique Kingdom purpose
  • My 2024 roles and priorities
  • Disciplines needed
  • Any concerns going forward
  • Accountability
  • Intimacy with God and areas to grow in
  • How, and what, I will celebrate in 2024
  • What I will speak over myself  to see come to fruition