Episode 27: Times when we can easily miss hearing God

Episode 27: Times when we can easily miss hearing God

Nov 19, 2023 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

I wonder how much we miss hearing God because we are not paying attention, life circumstances get in the way, or we are not in a healthy relationship with God. Join Gary & Jane as they share various heart and mind attitudes where we can easily miss hearing God. As always, they share engaging personal examples of times when they have heard God and stepped out in obedience.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: When we are not in a healthy relationship with God.

  • Sin or disobedience in our life.
  • Haven’t obeyed quickly.
  • g. Abraham in Genesis 22
  • Darren Wilson’s ‘Finger of God’ movie and how that impacted Gary.
  • Example of Gary driving 5 hours to stand outside the P.O. because God told him to.
  • Other times e.g. unforgiveness, unbelief in hearing God, not actively listening.
  • Inner vows and prayer to break an inner vow.
  • Contrasted with Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:1-4 re positioning.

Second Principle – Busy or distracted, not paying attention.

  • Mind crowded with life’s worries and distractions.
  • Luke 8:5-15 – seed fell among thorns, choked with life’s worries.
  • I wonder how much we miss hearing God because we are not paying attention.
  • Moses in Exodus 3 – investigated the ‘strange’ sight. He saw something unusual and paid attention.

Third Principle – Life circumstances get in the way.

  • False expectations – expect God to act in a certain way and then get disappointed.
  • Looking for something different so don’t recognise it e.g. 1 Kings 19:11-12
  • Grieving e.g. Disciples on the road to Emmaus and Moses in Numbers 20.
  • Times of celebrating.
  • Focused on wanting a particular answer.
  • Storms in life, e.g. the disciples in Mark 6:30-52 and John 6:1-21.
  • Peaceful times in life when everything is ‘easy’.
  • Immediately after a miracle in the Bible, the people often didn’t recognise God.
  • A call to position ourselves, expect God to speak, and posture our hearts towards God.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • Father God, is there a time when I especially miss hearing You?
  • When is that?
  • What do I need to know about those times?
  • What do I need to change or be aware of?
  • Father God, what would You like me to know about those times?

Time Stamps:

[0:36] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[5:31] – First Principle – Not in a healthy relationship with God.

[6:33] – Example of Gary driving 5 hours to obey God.

[11:18] – Other times when our heart may not be right with God.

[14:07] – Second Principle – Busy or distracted.

[17:13] – Third Principle – Life circumstances get in the way.

[21:02] – Recap the principles.

[22:05] – Prophetic activation.

[23:10] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[25:12] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Numbers 20
  • Numbers 17
  • Genesis 22
  • Genesis 12
  • 1 Samuel 3:1-4
  • Luke 8:5-15
  • Exodus 3
  • 1 Kings 19:11-12
  • Luke 24:13-35
  • Mark 6:30-52
  • John 6:1-21
  • Isaiah 43:19

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 22: Hearing God through our Dreams Part 1

Episode 22: Hearing God through our Dreams Part 1

Oct 15, 2023 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Dreams are a gift from God. As with any gift, it is useless if we don’t unpack it. The Talmud says a dream that is not interpreted is like a letter that is not read. We roughly spend a third of our life asleep – why not make use of it by receiving from God, as dreams are the purest form of a prophetic word you will ever receive. Join Gary & Jane as they begin to unpack the difference between dreams, visions, and nightmares, address night terrors in children, and inspire you to begin to record your dreams. Jane shares how nightmares often reveal your identity and expose the enemy’s plans. This episode is part 1 of a 3-part series on dreams and their interpretations.

Episode Notes:

Dreams are a gift from God.

  • Dreams are an invitation from God to draw closer to Him and to come to know Him at a greater level. Dreams open up the mysteries of God.
  • Our spirit is awake as we sleep. Song of Songs 5:2 “I was asleep but my heart was awake.”
  • It bypasses our minds to get our attention and bring things to the forefront.
  • Dreams are the purest form of a prophetic word you will ever receive.
  • The word for ‘dream’ in ancient Hebrew is chalowm. Unpacking the four meanings of that word gives a fuller understanding of the word ‘dream’ – the mystery hidden from you is being brought to you and revealed.
  • Proverbs 25:2 When God hides something in a dream, it is an invitation into a conversation to search out and to find out more, to go on a journey with God.

God uses dreams for evangelistic purposes.

  • God speaks through dreams to those who don’t know Him as Lord, such as King Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible in Daniel 2:28.
  • Over 4/5 of Muslims have never met a Christian. Thus, God needs to get their attention somehow. Many dream of a man in white (Jesus) and become a Christian through meeting Jesus in their dreams.

Difference between dreams, visions, and nightmares.

  • A dream refers to the events or series of thoughts and images seen in our mind whilst asleep.
  • The Bible also talks about visions – Peter was awake and praying and saw a vision/trance of the unclean food (Acts 10:9-23). John was awake for his vision recorded in Revelation (Revelation 1:9-20).
  • A nightmare occurs when the enemy tries to shut down communication between God and us. The enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). The enemy fears us stepping into our identity and calling. There’s a calling on our life that scares the enemy, and he will come while our defences are down – or when we are asleep.
  • Nightmares are a lie from the enemy, a lie that we end up believing about ourselves. Thus, we need to redeem that which the enemy is trying to rob from us.
  • Often reveals the strategy of the kingdom of darkness, exposing the enemy’s plans.
  • It usually highlights a truth about our authority in God.
  • Nightmares can be common in children and reveal generational strongholds that must be dealt with to bring freedom. If a door opens, fear will enter and usher in shame, guilt, and condemnation. A nightmare is a heads-up, a warning, a caution. Nightmares are always redemptive. Psalm 24:1
  • The enemy is counterfeit. Counterfeit to be like God. Usually chaotic if from the enemy as God is a God of order and not chaos.
  • Praying Medic says: “The enemy shows us things of darkness in order to draw us into them as a participant, while God reveals darkness to help us defeat it….. God has a redemptive purpose in all He does…..” (Praying Medic, Seeing in the Spirit Made Simple (2015))
  • Don’t focus on what the devil is doing/saying – prophesy to the devil. Switch it. Faith trumps fear. If he comes in this way, stand and declare in your authority.
  • James 4:7 “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
  • Night terrors – kids’ brains are trying to process stuff they’ve witnessed, usually on television. It is quite common when the television goes all day in the background. When tsunamis, floods, bushfires etc, kids see the news flashes.
  • Dreams reveal things about ourselves, God’s plans, the enemy’s plans for our lives, and they can also be processing past events or unresolved issues that we may well have ‘brushed’ over and felt that the event no longer impacts us. In His wisdom, God knows far greater, and sometimes that may be the only way we will start to process the past hurt or situation.

The source of dreams:

  • Demonic – often an invitation to intercession or revelation on overcoming the enemy.
  • God – often related to our calling/destiny or containing divine strategy or ideas.
  • Self – processing life or the day’s events. Often, dreams can pinpoint an issue that’s currently in our life but hasn’t risen to the surface yet or something that we’ve been asking questions about but haven’t found a solution to. God can still speak through these.
  • Look at the fruit to discern the source.

Preparing for a Dream:

  • Limit alcohol, drugs/chemicals and prescription drugs (eg sleeping tablets). The more alert your brain is, the clearer you can hear and see from God.
  • Be careful what you watch and read before bed. If you fill your mind with scary movies or stories before sleep, then expect that that may influence your thoughts while asleep.
  • Sleeping atmosphere – quiet, relaxing, peaceful environment contributes to calmer sleep, thoughts, and hearing from God while asleep.
  • Have a recording device (or journal & pen) by your bed to document your dream.
  • Look at your attitude towards dreams. Be intentional and expectant. Show God that you want to hear from Him during your sleep. Confess any inner vow you have made about not wanting any dreams.

Prophetic activation:

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

  • Father God, is there a dream I’ve had in the past that I’ve ignored or brushed over where you were trying to tell me something? Can you please remind me of that dream?
  • Father God, please show me what I need to know about dreams and my attitude towards them?

Time Stamps:

[0:41] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[2:44] – Dreams are a gift from God.

[5:01] – Preparation for dreaming.

[8:04] – Dreams bypass our minds to get our attention.

[9:35] – The meaning of the word ‘dream’.

[11:18] – God uses dreams as a method of evangelism.

[12:37] – The difference between dreams, visions, and nightmares.

[17:39] – Examples of redeeming nightmares.

[18:59] – Jane addresses night terrors.

[21:10] – The sources of dreams.

[22:24] – Encouragement to look at the ‘fruit’ of the dream if unsure of the source.

[23:02] – Preparation for a dream (expanded)

[24:00] – Prayer for those who have ‘shut’ down their dream life because of fear.

[25:06] – Prophetic activation.

[26:60] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[27:23] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Song of Songs 5:2
  • Proverbs 25:2
  • Daniel 2:28
  • Joel 2:28
  • Acts 2:17
  • Acts 10:9-23
  • Revelation 1:9-20
  • John 10:10
  • Psalm 24:1
  • James 4:7
  • 1 John 1:9
  • Ephesians 6:10-18
  • Galatians 5:22-23
  • Galatians 6:7-9

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 20: Making Time to Hear God.

Episode 20: Making Time to Hear God.

Oct 1, 2023 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Do you ever become so busy you ‘forget’ God? Are there times when you are so focused that God doesn’t get a thought? Do you tend to plan and then ask God to bless your plans rather than listen to God’s thoughts first? Join Gary & Jane as they unpack this topic. Hear numerous personal examples of how they intentionally make time to listen to God. Gary & Jane also share how they meditate on God by practising ‘stilling’ their thoughts.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: Be intentional

  • Sometimes a barrier to hearing God may be that we don’t make time to hear God.
  • Still my heart Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” but the whole chapter is about the almighty God and His power and strength and being able to be still and trust God despite our circumstances.
  • Sometimes I am so focused I don’t think about God and what He would like.
  • Sometimes I forget to ask God. So I need to train my mind. Hourly prompts.

Second Principle: Be careful not to go overboard.

  • So heavenly minded we are no earthly good.
  • Have friends who ask God absolutely everything.
  • Be careful of decision overload.
  • If something comes to my attention, giving God the credit.
  • Capture every thought – 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 12:2.

Third Principle: Practice ‘stilling’ your thoughts and focussing on God.

  • We all have 168 hours in week. 10,080 minutes. Important how we use them.
  • Dreams – spend 1/3 of our life in bed.
  • Soaking / meditating / stilling our thoughts.
  • Pray at beginning to silence any other voices.

Prophetic activation:

Turn heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him:

  • Father God, what would you like to tell me about how I manage my time?
  • What would you love me to know?
  • What would you love me to stop doing? Start doing?  Change?
  • Holy Spirit, what are you praying for me regarding this?

Time Stamps:

[0:35] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:17] – First Principle – Be intentional.

[5:48] – Jane shares practical ways she is intentional.

[7:09] – Gary shares a practical example of how he is intentional.

[8:48] – Second Principle – Be careful not to go overboard.

[11:37] – Third Principle – Practice ‘stilling’ your thoughts and focusing on God.

[14:28] – Jane explains how she meditates/soaks/practices stilling her thoughts.

[17:46] – Gary & Jane share more practical examples of intentionally listening to God.

[20:11] – Prophetic activation.

[21:09] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[24:40] – Gary prays for you.

[25:28] – Jane explains about the survey at https://garyandjane.co/survey

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • 2 Corinthians 10:5
  • Psalm 46:10
  • Romans 12:2
  • Matthew 28:18
  • John 14:12
  • Luke 10:19-20
  • 1 Samuel 12:16

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 18: Am I hearing God or is it just me?

Episode 18: Am I hearing God or is it just me?

Sep 17, 2023 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Have you ever thought, “Was that God or was it just me?” Often, we can doubt that we hear God because He may sound like our own thoughts or we are unsure what He does sound like. Join Gary and Jane as they unpack this question in this episode of Hearing God. As usual, they share ‘gems’ and examples from the Bible and their own lives. A fantastic question to ask when unsure is, “What happens if it is me and it isn’t God?”.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: Intimacy with God.

  • We need to know God and what He sounds like.
  • The Disciples were with Jesus 24/7 and still didn’t recognise Jesus after He rose again.
  • John 15:26 Jesus said that after He went to Heaven, the Holy Spirit would come as our comforter, advocate, and continue the communication.
  • Misconception of what God sounds like – the fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
  • When I go, “I wouldn’t normally think that”, it’s usually from God.

Second Principle: Capture your thoughts,

  • God speaks spirit to our spirit but also to our soul, our mind. So God can often sound like our own voice.
  • 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
  • We need to take charge of our thought life.

Third Principle: Do I have an incorrect theology?

  • Unbelief – don’t believe that God would be interested in us or what He would say about us. This can tie in with our self-worth – do we feel worthy and valued by God, that He would want to talk with me?
  • Disbelief – look to false news/culture/what friends say.
  • Fearful of the outcome if I followed through and it wasn’t God. Lack of trust in God, His goodness, and His Power.
  • Sometimes, we can want God to answer in a different way.
  • What have we got to lose if it is a good outcome?

Prophetic activation:

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

  • Father God, where are you in relation to me right now?
  • (Is He beside me, in front of me, behind me, across the room, can’t see him?)
  • Father God, what do I need to know about this?
  • For a few moments, change your focus to your earthly father.
  • Father God, I forgive my earthly father for being distant, for not hugging and giving me physical comfort, for making me feel seen and not heard, for ….
  • Father God, I am sorry for believing you would be the same and I repent of that and I ask you Father God to forgive me for believing that you wouldn’t ….
  • Father God, what would you love to show, tell, or give me now?

Time Stamps:

[0:55] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:14] – First Principle – Intimacy.

[5:18] – Need to know what God’s voice sounds like.

[6:26] – When I wouldn’t usually think that, I know it’s from God.

[11:29] – Second Principle – Capture your thoughts.

[12:39] – God speaks to our spirit and soul, thus He can sound like our own voice.

[15:33] – Third Principle – Do I have an incorrect theology?

[17:26] – What happens if it was me and it wasn’t God?

[19:12] – Prophetic activation.

[21:29] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[22:59] – Gary prays for you.

[23:47] – Jane explains about the survey at https://garyandjane.co/survey

 

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • John 15:26
  • 1 Kings 19:1-12
  • Galatians 5:22-23
  • Philippians 4:7
  • Jeremiah 29:11
  • Judges 4:17-21
  • John 10:14
  • 2 Corinthians 10:5
  • 1 Corinthians 13:9
  • Daniel 5

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 14: If I Can Pray, I Can Prophesy.

Episode 14: If I Can Pray, I Can Prophesy.

Aug 20, 2023 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Have you ever prophesied? It may be easier than you think. In this episode of ‘Hearing God’, Gary & Jane unpack the difference between prayer and prophecy and show that if you can pray, you can prophesy. Both prayer and prophecy have the same root of faith. The releasing action is prayer or prophecy. We pray and prophesy by first listening to God in our spirit to see what He’s praying for and then partnering with God to release that. As usual, Gary & Jane share practical strategies and powerful personal examples.

Episode Notes:

First Principle: If you can pray, you can prophesy.

  • Prayer is a dialogue, not a one-way communication.
  • The difference between prayer and prophecy.
  • Both prayer and prophecy have the same root of faith. The releasing action is prayer or prophecy.
  • We pray by first listening to God in our spirit to see what He’s praying.
  • Jesus is always interceding on our behalf. Hebrews 7:25.
  • Prophecy is co-creating with God by speaking into being the seed of what God wants to do.

Second Principle: I practice stilling my thoughts and emotions to sense God’s flow of thoughts and emotions within me.

  • Habakkuk 2:1-2
  • Psalm 46:10
  • Position our hearts and thoughts in the affection and wonder of God.

Third Principle: Write it down. Practice.

  • Habakkuk 2:2
  • Write out your prayers and God’s answers.
  • Does it line up with Scripture and God’s character?
  • Keep it simple.
  • Change the wording of your prayer to a simple prophetic statement.

Fourth Principle: Speak Life.

  • Pray the outcome. Decree and declare.
  • Isaiah 55:11
  • We build up our authority in the spiritual realm.

Prophetic Activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him how He sees an area of your life that concerns you.

  • “Father God, what is your heart for that area?”
  • “God, what would you love the outcome to be?”
  • “Holy Spirit, what are you praying for me in that area?”
  • “Father God, is there a Bible verse you would love to encourage me with?”

Time Stamps:

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

[3:05] – First Principle – if you can pray, you can prophesy.

[5:15] – The difference between prayer and prophecy.

[7:29] – Second Principle – practice stilling your thoughts and emotions.

[9:26] – Third Principle – Write it down. Practice.

[12:49] – Fourth Principle – speak life.

[13:50] – Jane gives an example of how she prays for healing.

[16:43] – We can build up our authority in the spiritual realm.

[17:14] – Jane shares a powerful testimony of speaking life over a situation.

[20:10] – Prophetic activation.

[21:15] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[23:09] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • Psalm 25:14
  • Psalm 100:4
  • Hebrews 7:25
  • Jeremiah 33:3
  • Habakkuk 2:1-2
  • Psalm 46:10
  • Judges 4
  • Isaiah 55:8-11

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.