Episode 124: Do I limit hearing God?

Episode 124: Do I limit hearing God?

Aug 30, 2026 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Have you ever thought you needed to do something significant with your life to make it count? Are you so busy you don’t intentionally take time to stop and hear God? Is your faith big enough to handle anything God might share with you? Join Gary & I as we unpack how we limit hearing God, share personal examples, and bring wisdom in these areas.

Episode Notes:

Background:

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been musing on the fact that when I was younger, I believed a lie – that I have to do something hugely important and big with my life that will live on after I die, i.e., for my name to continue down through the generations. I now realised that that was incorrect. For sure, a limited number of people do do something with their life that has huge implications, good and bad, for the world, but most of us are trying to make the best of our daily life.

How does that equate to hearing God?

First Principle: Am I believing the lie that I have to do something big for God to make my life count?

  • Sounds a bit harsh – is my mindset full of doubt or unbelief?
  • Always looking for more or devaluing what I am doing.
  • Confess that lie.
  • Gary & Jane share how they think they limit hearing God
  • It is not wrong to ask, “God, what am I meant to be doing with my life?” and regularly assess that.
  • Episode 123 “Which voice is louder?”

Second Principle: Am I living life too small?

  • Am I stepping out of my comfort zone and being courageous?
  • Is my faith big enough?
  • Do I have unbelief or doubt that God will speak to me?
  • Start from a faith-filled position.
  • Do I understand how God is trying to communicate with me?
  • Episode 4 – How does God talk to us?
  • Episode 8 – How can I grow in my ability to hear God?
  • Episode 13 – Recognising how God speaks to us.
  • Episode 75 & 76 – How can I grow in hearing God?
  • Colossians 3:1-2 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
  • Gary & Jane share how they have intentionally grown their faith.

Third Principle: Do I intentionally set aside time to hear God?

  • Like dating – initially you can’t get enough of spending time with this amazing person. Hang on their every word. Fast-forward: married for 7 years, take each other for granted. Prioritise spending time with other people over time spent with them.
  • Am I filling my time so I don’t have to be still and confront my demons?
  • Episode 20 – Making time to hear God.

Summary:

  1. Am I believing the lie that I have to do something big for God to make my life count?
  2. Am I living life too small?
  3. Do I intentionally set aside time to hear God?

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, where do I need to take a step forward? In which part of my life would You like me to step outside of my comfort zone?”
  • It might even help to draw a mind map of your life and ask God, “What are Your thoughts on my work here, on how I spend my time here, what are Your thoughts on… this?”
  • Take some time with God and ask Him questions about the different areas of your life and where He would like you to step forward intentionally.

Time Stamps:

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

[4:28] – Introduction.

[5:33] – First Principle: Am I believing the lie that I have to do something big for God to make my life count?

[9:17] – Gary & Jane share how they think they limit God.

[10:31] – Second Principle: Am I living life too small?

[14:12] – Gary & Jane share how they have intentionally grown their faith.

[16:27] – Third Principle: Do I intentionally set aside time to hear God?

[17:47] – Summary

[18:14] – Prophetic activation.

[19:42] – Gary & Jane share a prophetic word for a listener.

[22:43] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Colossians 3:1-2

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 you to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.
Episode 123: Which voice is louder – God’s or culture’s?

Episode 123: Which voice is louder – God’s or culture’s?

Aug 23, 2026 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Do you find it hard to hear God’s still, small voice? Does a lot of ‘noise’ fill your day and compete for your attention? Join us as we unpack this topic, share personal examples, and offer wisdom to help you create space and quiet to hear God’s voice.

Episode Notes:

Introduction:

  • Our culture today is very demanding.
  • Social media and noise can fill our day and compete for our attention.
  • FOMO – Fear of missing out.
  • Instant gratification.
  • Absorb culture and don’t seem to question it because everyone else is doing it.

First Principle: Regularly stop and assess

  • Take stock. What is the loudest, most influential voice in my life right now?
  • Look at what is filling your days, your mind, your thought life, the ‘down’ times of your day.
  • What is keeping you awake at night? What do you think of first thing in the morning?
  • Look at your social media access. Try fasting from social media or whatever is grabbing your attention and see how it goes.
  • Don’t just coast along, but make a habit of asking questions.
  • Learn to question your choices, decisions, lifestyle, e.g., education system, way you spend finances, holidays, buying a house, what fills your time, e.g., work/study, etc.
  • Romans 12:1-2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The Message version is “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.”
  • Conform – take on the shape. Don’t live in a fortress out of fear, though.
  • Surround yourself with ‘truth-tellers’ – people who will be honest with you. Not just ‘yes’ people.
  • Proverbs 13:20 “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”
  • I am prompted to get back into the habit of reading a chapter of Proverbs each day, e.g., on the 7th day read chapter 7, etc.

Second Principle: Pause. Be still.

  • Quiet the ‘external’ voice.
  • Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” It’s in a chapter about chaos. Verses 1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
  • Selah – stop and catch your breath. Pause. Usually used in the middle of chaos. A reminder to stop, pause, take a breath, settle your mind, heart, and thoughts. E.g. Psalm 3 when David is fleeing from his enemies. Not a time to take a break and rest. But it is built into the narrative – don’t turn your mind off God during those times.

Third Principle: One way God speaks is in a still, small voice.

  • 1 Kings 19: 7-12. Elijah had shown up the prophets of Baal and annihilated them, but then got scared and ran for his life. An angel of the Lord gave him food, water and rest because he was hungry and tired, and that was affecting him physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Then he travelled another 40 days and nights, went into a cave where he heard in verse 9: “And the word of the Lordcame to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
  • Nature can calm us.
  • John 10:27 “My sheep listen to (or recognise) my voice. I know them and they follow me.”
  • John 17:15-17 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Summary:

  1. Regularly stop and assess.
  2. Pause. Be still.
  3. One way God speaks is in a still, small voice.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, is there something I could take a break from or fast this week to spend more quiet time with You?”
  • “God, can You please show me how or when I can take a break this week?”

Time Stamps:

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

[5:41] – Introduction.

[7:09] – First Principle: Regularly stop and assess.

[16:28] – Second Principle: Pause. Be still.

[19:39] – Third Principle: One way God speaks is in a still, small voice.

[22:47] – Summary

[23:11] – Prophetic activation.

[24:23] – Gary & Jane share a prophetic word for a listener.

[26:51] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Romans 12:1-2
  • Proverbs 13:20
  • Psalm 46:10
  • Psalm 3
  • 1 Kings 19:7-12
  • John 10:27
  • John 17:15-17

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 you to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.
Episode 122: God never answered my prayer

Episode 122: God never answered my prayer

Aug 16, 2026 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

You may be wondering how the topic, ‘God never answered my prayer,’ relates to hearing God. Heaps. When we become disappointed with God because He never answered our prayer, it impacts our willingness, openness, and ability to hear God. Join us as we unpack this topic, share personal examples, and bring wisdom in this area.

Episode Notes:

Our experience:

  • Jane’s experience of Ruth dying, her mum dying, and infertility.
  • Gary’s experience with disappointment, especially around career changes.
  • Disappointment with God – unmet expectations, when something we have hoped for, prayed for, expected didn’t occur. Sometimes we can put up walls of protection to prevent further hurt. This can become a blockage to hearing God.
  • Be honest. Don’t become offended with God. Don’t let bitterness begin.
  • Practice gratitude.
  • Anchor myself in the promises of God. God’s truth, not my experience.
  • Episode 21: Hearing God when God is silent.
  • Episode 17: When I thought I heard God, but it didn’t come true.

First Principle: Deal with your disappointment.

  • Forgive. Then change your thinking.
  • Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” The Message version: “Unrelenting disappointment leaves your heart sick.”
  • Don’t critique God. Lean into Him. Now is not the time to pull away from God. Don’t allow the enemy to fester disappointment, offence, and bitterness.
  • Psalm 34:18 “The Lordis close/near to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” The Message version: “If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.”
  • Psalm 27:13-14 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lordin the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
  • Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
  • Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
  • Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The Message version – “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
  • Psalm 34:1 “I will praise the Lord at all times.”
  • Just because we’ve experienced disappointment does not mean that God’s character has changed.

Second Principle: Accept the mystery.

  • Life’s not fair. Accept it.
  • God’s character hasn’t changed because we’ve experienced loss. In his sermon several days after his wife died of cancer, Bill Johnson said, “God doesn’t owe us an explanation.”
  • We can be so busy asking God why that we don’t listen to what He is saying.
  • It’s not helpful to ask God ‘why’. Accept the mystery. Job in the Bible – God never gives him an answer to why. Instead, “I’m God, and you’re not”. Sometimes that has to be enough.
  • God’s not a fairy godmother who will fix everything.
  • We are not called to live an easy life. Luke 9:23 – we are called to deny ourselves and follow Christ.
  • Saw a quote – “Be so rooted in God’s love that even disappointment feels like divine protection.” @jenessawait (IG)

Third Principle: Move forward.

  • Can I say, “I still keep showing up”? “I still want to hear God”. This becomes my new normal.
  • Our purpose in life is not to reach a destination but in the journey.
  • Don’t be like the Israelites in the wilderness, whinging about everything despite seeing God turn up and do miracle after miracle. Be thankful, obedient and faithful.
  • Practice gratitude.
  • Isaiah 60:18 “No longer will violence be heard in your land nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates, praise.” We give God praise.
  • Psalm 100:4 – Enter God’s courts with thanksgiving and praise.

Summary:

  1. Deal with your disappointment.
  2. Accept the mystery.
  3. Move forward.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • “God, can You please show me any areas in my life or my thoughts that are not in agreement with You, Lord?”
  • “God, are there any walls of protection I’ve built in my life, or any bitter roots I’ve allowed to develop from past hurts?”
  • “God, is there anyone I need to forgive?” (Maybe even yourself. If a person immediately comes to mind, take that as a sign that forgiveness is still required.)

Time Stamps:

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

[5:38] – Gary & Jane’s experience.

[10:22] – First Principle: Deal with your disappointment.

[13:40] – Second Principle: Accept the mystery.

[16:44] – Third Principle: Move forward.

[18:50] – Summary

[19:10] – Prophetic activation.

[20:45] – Gary & Jane share a prophetic word for a listener.

[22:43] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Ruth
  • Proverbs 13:12
  • Psalm 34:18
  • Psalm 27:13-14
  • Romans 8:28
  • Hebrews 10:23
  • Romans 12:2
  • Psalm 34:1
  • Luke 9:23
  • Job
  • Isaiah 60:18
  • Psalm 100:4
  • Joshua1:6-9

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 you to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.
Episode 121: What if God asks me to do something bizarre?

Episode 121: What if God asks me to do something bizarre?

Aug 9, 2026 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

How would you respond if God asked you to do something bizarre? Do you have a ‘grid’ for how you would make your decision? Join us as we give both Biblical and personal examples and share guidelines and a caution to keep in mind if, and when, you hear God ask you to do something bizarre.

Episode Notes:

Previous episodes:

  • Episode 57 -Ezekiel

God asked Ezekiel to do prophetic acts – physical acts that have implications and change things in the spiritual world. A prophetic act is something done (at God’s direction) in the natural (physical) realm that supports God’s work in the spiritual realm and brings forth results manifested in the natural realm. It opens a channel for God’s presence, power, and victory to affect the physical realm and change outcomes. Examples of Ezekiel doing this include eating the scroll, taking a block of clay and building siege works, lying on his left side for 390 days to bear the sin for the number of days that represent the years of Israel’s sin and then lying on his right side for 40 days – the number of years of Judah’s sin. He took wheat to bake barley bread over human excrement for fuel – symbolising Israelites eating defiled food among the nations. Ezekiel said he would not defile himself that way, so God allowed him to bake it over cow dung instead. Shaving head, burning 1/3 of the hair, scatter 1/3, cut 1/3 with the sword, representing 1/3 die by plague/famine, 1/3 scattered to the wind and 1/3 fall to the sword.

  • Episode 34 – Hosea to marry a prostitute
  • Episode 39 – Esther – go before the King uninvited – beheaded if not accepted
  • Episode 40 – Noah in Genesis 6-9 when God asks him to build this 3-storey boat. He built this huge boat when there was no rain. Even more bizarre when you realise they were tent dwellers and had no grid for rain and floods.
  • Episode 51 – Mary in Luke 1:26-56 – angel said you will conceive supernaturally
  • Episode 53 – Jonah – to go to the most depraved city and tell them God is bringing judgment. 7th Century BC, Nineveh 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 Nineveh 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 to go to Hitler and tell Nazi Germany to repent.

First Principle: Check if it is from God

  • Ask wise, trusted people. Does it align with Biblical principles?
  • Mark 3:21 – Jesus’ family saying, ‘He’s out of his mind’. Jesus had broken the law by healing on the Sabbath, attracted great crowds, picked his disciples, and then his family came along to ‘save’ him.
  • Our view of how and what God expects of us is not always right.
  • Examples of Gary & Jane hearing bizarre things from God and how they obeyed.

Second Principle: Will it bring good or harm?

  • Will it harm someone or harm God’s witness?
  • Acts 8:26-40 – An angel told Phillip to leave the crowded area where he was having great success sharing the Gospel and instead go to a deserted road running through the desert. A chariot with a Eunuch from Ethiopia (in charge of the Treasury of the Ethiopian Queen) came along, reading the book of Isaiah. Phillip explained the Gospel, the Ethiopian Eunuch believed and was baptised in a bit of water on the side of the road, and Philip was taken away in the spirit. The Eunuch went on his way and started a huge expansion of the Coptic church in Africa.
  • A word of caution: Our thinking and other people’s reactions can limit what we perceive God may be saying, and that can impact on us never reaching our full potential in God.

Third Principle: You have a choice

  • We’re in charge of our obedience to God.
  • Our expectations or our limitations don’t limit God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:10-15 – when we appear before the judgment seat of Christ, we will each be called to give an account for how we lived our lives.
  • Genesis 6:22 “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say that at the end of your life.
  • If God asks impossible things of us, He plans to do the impossible for us.
  • You still have a choice whether you obey God, but you don’t really have a choice because you are a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Summary:

  1. Check if it is from God.
  2. Will it bring good or harm?
  3. You have a choice.

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him to show you a way you can share His love this week through food.

  • Ask God what to make / what food.
  • Who to give it to.
  • How to present the food.

Time Stamps:

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

[4:03] – Introduction.

[7:15] – First Principle: Check if it is from God.

[12:24] – Second Principle: Will it bring good or harm?

[18:08] – A word of caution.

[18:23] – Third Principle: You have a choice.

[19:51] – Summary

[20:11] – Prophetic activation.

[21:19] – Gary & Jane share a prophetic word for a listener.

[23:17] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Ezekiel
  • Hosea
  • Esther
  • Genesis 6-9
  • Luke 1:26-256
  • Jonah
  • Nahum 3:1-4
  • Mark 3:21
  • Acts 8:26-40
  • 2 Corinthians 5:10-15
  • Genesis 6:22

Connect with Gary & Jane:

Support the show:

  • Please share this podcast with someone who would value hearing from God.
  • Follow and leave a rating + review on your favourite podcast listening app.
  • If God is leading you to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.
Episode 120: Is it me or is it God?

Episode 120: Is it me or is it God?

Aug 2, 2026 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Have you ever wondered if it was your own thoughts instead of God’s voice? This is very common, as God speaks to our spirit and our soul, so God’s voice can sound like our voice. Join us as we unpack this topic, give practical examples, and share guidelines to keep in mind as you explore whether it is God’s voice or your own thoughts.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: It requires a step of faith.

  • Have to trust that God wants to speak to you, is speaking to you, and you are worthy of hearing God.
  • First thought principle.
  • Intimacy with God – what God sounds like. Get stuck into reading the Bible, praying, and listening to God.
  • His sheep hear His voice: John 10:27“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
  • John 10:2-4 “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
  • John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

Second Principle: First thought principle.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:5 – We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
  • Romans 12:2 -renewing of our mind. – Our thoughts will begin to sound Christ-like.
  • God speaks to our spirit but also to our soul and our mind. So, God can sound like our own voice.

Third Principle: Guidelines or parameters.

  • Like guard rails on the road.
  • Does it align with Biblical principles?
  • Would following it bear good fruit?
  • Do I bear inner witness ie peace?

Fourth Principle: Does it really matter?

  • If the fruit is good, does it really matter?
  • Caution – don’t say ‘God told me’, especially when prophesying.

Summary:

  1. It requires a faith step.
  2. First thought principle.
  3. Guidelines or parameters.
  4. Does it really matter?

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him to show you whom you could buy a present for, what to buy, and how to give it to them.

Time Stamps:

[0:50] – Gary & Jane share how they have heard God this week.

[4:20] – Introduction.

[7:15] – First Principle: It requires a faith step.

[11:11] – Second Principle: First thought principle.

[13:58] – Third Principle: Guidelines or parameters.

[14:43] – Fourth Principle: Does it really matter?

[15:30] – Summary

[15:54] – Prophetic activation.

[17:06] – Gary & Jane share a prophetic word for a listener.

[18:49] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • John 10:27
  • John 10:2-4
  • John 10:14
  • 2 Corinthians 1:5
  • Romans 12:2

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 you to donate or support the show in any way, please visit https://buymeacoffee/garyandjanM Thank you so much.