Hearing from God: 12 Points to Remember

(Condensed from: Is That Really You, God?: Hearing the Voice of God, by Loren Cunningham)

*If you know the Lord, you have already heard His voice—it is that inner leading that brought you to Him in the first place.

1. Don't make guidance complicated.

• Submit to His lordship. Ask Him to help you silence your own thoughts and desires and the opinions of others that may be filling your mind, right now you want to hear the thoughts of the Lord.
• Resist the enemy, in case he is trying to deceive you at this moment. Use the authority that Jesus Christ has given you to silence the voice of the enemy.
• Expect an answer.

2. Allow God to speak to you in the way He chooses (His Word, audible voice, dreams, visions, quiet inner voice).

3. Confess any unforgiven sin.

4. Use the Axehead Principle—2 Kings 6. If you seem to have lost your way, go back to the last time you knew the sharp, cutting edge of God's voice. Then obey (have you obeyed the last thing God told you to do?).

5. Get your own leading. God will use others to confirm your guidance, but you should also hear from Him directly.

6. Don't talk about your guidance until God gives you permission to do so. Waiting avoids the pitfalls of guidance—pride, presumption, missing God's timing and method, bringing confusion to others.

7. Use the Wise Men Principle—confirming what He is telling you.

8. Beware of counterfeits.

9. Opposition of man is sometimes guidance from God. Yieldedness to the Lord, not rebellion.

10. Every follower of Jesus has a unique ministry. The more you seek to hear God's voice in detail, the more effective you will be in your own calling.

11. Practice hearing God's voice and it becomes easier.

12. Relationship is the most important reason for hearing the voice of the Lord.

In the book, I also found this gem on hearing God/receiving guidance:

• Guidance is first of all a relationship with the Guide. The first goal of guidance is to lead us into a closer relationship with Jesus. All other goals should be subservient to that.

Hearing from God: He Speaks Through Us to Others

Last Sunday, the prayer team split into two groups and sought to be used by the Lord at church. We prayed for God to show us a face, name, clothing, etc. of someone that God wanted to speak to through us. Both groups got strong impressions and were able to identify and minister to the people God placed in our minds during prayer. Cool stuff.

Today (Tuesday) I was praying this morning before work and just soaking in the reports and enjoying a silly conversation with God... "God, thanks for being so cool, and allowing us to participate in Your Kingdom and be used for Your purposes to others," was the gist of my chat. I asked God, to use me again some way today at work....

While at the office, I new I needed to walk around the block over to Logos Bookstore to pick up a book for someone. I had a sense that I just needed to go now, during my lunch hour. So I prayed that God would use me there to minister to someone. When I got there, I quickly took note of a man with his little 2 year old daughter passing me and heading for the sales counter. I began looking for my book, and suddenly he and his daughter returned to my aisle and was right where I was looking. The little girl looked up at me and said, "Hello." That really broke the ice and we chatted about his daughter and general chit chat for a few moments...as is the custom, the conversation moved to, "what church do you go to..." and similar. After talking a bit he realized that I might know a mutual friend and I do.

To make a long story short, I asked if I could pray for he and his daughter and he was pleasantly surprised at what I prayed. He said that it covered things going on and I gave him a word that things are going to rapidly and amazingly change for him. He told me he had planned to just grab what he needed and leave the bookstore but he suddenly felt he was to hang out, and that's when I walked in. We chatted some more and I asked if he'd mind if I pointed out some great books to consider buying. I pointed out three books, and then I turned and said, "but the one book I think you should read is, The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting, by Mahesh Chavda. He tells me his church calling for a corporate fast and that he's been wanting to understand fasting more and really get to understand how it fits in the life of a Christian better.

We chatted further and he tells me he has a degree in Christian Ministry but it is not helping him get a job and he wants full-time work. I then explain what I do and that I work for ALTRES and we may be able to place him...so he's coming in later this week to apply...

As I left and started heading back to work, I had a huge smile and knew that God was pleasantly amused and in a good mood.

God ROCKS!

Hearing from God: Places to Hear Him Speak

Hi Guys,

Where do you go, (real or state of mind/activity) to really hear God?

Hmm, I've really had to ponder this question this week...

There have been different portals for me to access God. Sometimes I've found that during my morning swims (not been swimming in the past 6 months) at Ala Moana, that I would get into the rhythm of my stroke and breathing and start to praise God over and over and over, then there seemed to be a point when I would find myself silent and listening as God spoke to me during the swim.

I've also found a similar groove while on the treadmill, cycle, or elliptical trainer...but I would need to break through some of my busy mind for the first 15 minutes or so. Once I settled into a good pattern of breathing and movement, I'd find God speaking to me.

At other times (and very precious times to me) God would walk me up early in the morning (3AM-4AM) and I'd find myself praying, worshipping, conversing and interceding as He led me. I set my alarm clock for 5AM and make a concerted effort to converse with God, yet it's not the same as when He chooses to initiate.

Back when I lived on the west-side (Makaha and Makakilo), I'd have great conversations with God during my morning and evening commutes...It was a blessed time to forget the traffic and chat it up with God, or sometimes just listen. Now, as I fly and travel often for work, I've developed a practice of grabbing any time I can with Him, so while I am in the lounge waiting for my flight, driving to clients, having a meal alone, etc, I try to give time to chatting with God, and listening as He speaks....cool stuff.

I'm now trying to organize a real retreat for myself...perhaps Hana or just a cheap hotel in Waikiki, a place to hide out, pray, and fast for 5-7 days. I know that I need to do this, a bit of spiritual breakthrough, a bit of shaking things loose, and also seeking some quality time with Him.

What do you do to get alone with God?

Hearing from God: He Speaks through Others...part 3

Once again, Kacie Miura allows God to speak through one of her gifts to others:

The Filling

Clouds sink under the weight
of the Counselor’s footsteps,
sending rain cascading
onto my open palms and
into the hollow shell of my soul.

My heart becomes an ark
of eternal love,
floating in the mighty floodwaters,
which rise to fill my mind
with words washed in faith.

“Soak in my Spirit,”
He said in a still voice.
“When you are ready,
the waters will recede
in a steady stream of compassion
that will flow out from the corners of your eyes
and onto the parched regions
of people unreached.

Then you will stand in worship
with thousands more
gathered daily by my seraphs
to sing of salvation
on the golden threshold
of my glorious throne.”

Hearing from God: He Speaks Through Others...part 2

I just love it when God uses the gifts, talents, skills, and passions of someone. I hope you will enjoy this poem by Kacie Miura as much as I have...let it refresh you.

Golden Landscapes of Grace

I stared at the mistakes reflected in the mirrors

nailed onto the walls of my eyelids,

too ashamed to turn my gaze

toward the face that launched seven thousand vessels

of hope to the nations.

I wandered through the wilderness,

searching desperately for a way home,

but I was blinded by insecurity.

I stumbled over the roots of an evergreen

and onto a bed of fallen pine needles,

where I prayed for truth.

The treetops twinkled at dawn,

when He sent a miracle

that flickered in the spotted sunlight

on the wings of monarch butterflies.

I spent the day in the shade,

soaking in His spirit and sewing

the yellow petals of dandelions

into a crown for Him.

An angel called on me at midnight

and led me to a clearing,

where I watched with faithful eyes

as the clouds withdrew,

revealing the primeval patterns of His purpose.

Then the radiant sky released the stars

and sprinkled them like pollen

onto the forests and shores

of every nation.

Finally, I saw Him standing in full glory

behind the golden helm of grace,

leading home a faithful fleet of followers.

Hearing from God: He Speaks Through Others...part 1

God chooses to speak to us sometimes through others, and will use His children to minister....

The following is from, The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God, by Jim W. Goll:

** ** **
One of the most common ways the Lord speaks is through the members of the Body of Christ--each and every one. I think God must have a lot of flat-out fun at times as He attempts to speak to us through our spouses, parents, children, neighbors and other odds and ends besides the ones we believe He is supposed to speak through. we accept the fact that our pastor or favorite Bible teacher at church or a conference hears from God. But does God speak through Jerry, Susie, or (fill in the name)? Each of us is so different. He made us that way. The Holy Spirit must find it a bit hard and yet fun and a little crazy sometimes to speak through all these different and unique vessels.

God loves diversity. He created all of life to display His passion for variety and His personal touch. We must be aware of this bent if we are to learn to hear Him through our brothers and our sisters. We each have our own quirks, comfort zones and preferences. Certain teachers talk our lingo. Some people just push all of our buttons the right way. We love to hear God's latest word through these people--and then there are the others. In all our lives there will be the others, the ones who punch our buttons upside-down and ring our doorbells without mercy. Guess what? God Himself just might be at the door, and in our aggravation, we might miss Him.

Paul covers this tendency in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. The Body of Christ has a diversity of parts, each one important to the whole. And yet the eye chatters to the foot, "Hey, I can't receive from you, you're not a part of my comfort zone." Why? "You're on of those 'renewal people.'" The ear tells the knee, "Your church label has no room for what I've got to offer." The wrist declares to the hand, "Listen, honey, I'm the head of this house. I'm the spiritual leader here. I can move you any way I want. You just sit there and let me do the leading."

We all do it. We set our own strict little boundaries about how and through whom God can speak to us. We make a select list. Then, wham, somebody messes with our list. We don't know what hit us, so we rebuke the devil. Later on, after we've become more humble, we learn it was God. Sometimes I wonder if He actually delights in messing with our lives, doctrines and perimeters. I know He has worked me over a few times.

** ** **

The author later used the adage, "God offends the mind to reveal the heart." He was discussing the story of Naaman found in 2 Kings 5:1-27. Here Naaman was a great general in the Syrian Army, yet he had leprosy. His wife and a servant of his, suggested he goes to Israel to the home of the prophet Elisha for healing. He goes, yet Elisha doesn't go out to see him, rather Elisha tells his own servant to deliver a message to Naaman, "Go was in the Jordan River seven times..."

Naaman stormed off upset, but later humbles himself and is healed... Interesting because Naaman was initially upset because he was not greeted by Elisha and was even given a rather plain and basic command from Elisha's servant. He didn't like what he heard, yet it was the Word of God and the answer to manifest the healing he sought.

Cool stuff!

Hearing from God: Reflections and Testimonies from, "When the Spirit Comes in Power" Conference

A number of us attended the conference, When the Holy Spirit Comes in Power. I was so amazed with the messages, the fellowship, the prayer times, the manifestations of God, the worship, the way people relate and express their love of God....too cool!

There were also moments when I did question what I heard, saw, and felt...interesting to see the diversity and commonality, and the HUNGER for more of GOD!

I am pleading with each of you to share YOUR impressions, experiences, thoughts, and questions in the COMMENT link on this entry...That's where I'll share my thoughts too...

PLEASE SHARE, YOUR testimony is part of OUR testimony and our words become spirit.

You do have something to say!

God ROCKS!

Hearing from God: 10 Exercises to Try

Imagine you are a 6 year-old child. You come to God with a child-like faith and innocence. When you ask God a question, you know you will hear from Him and any thoughts that come to your mind you don't discount as, "I really think it was me, or something I ate, or something I was considering earlier". Please just accept that God speaks and what forms in your mind after you ask your question is God speaking.

1) "God, what game would You like to play with me today?"

After you sense what it is, ask, "God, why this game?"

2) "God, where in this universe and world You created would You like to meet with me today?"

After you sense where that is, ask, "God, why that place?"

3) "God, what would You like to say to me today, for me personally?"

4) "God, what would You like to say to my church?"

5) "God, please show me someone You are concerned about."

After you sense or picture someone (by name and/or face) ask, "God, what shall I do?"

6) "God, what book would You like me to read today?"

After you sense what book ask, "God, why this book?"

7) "God, what movie would You like to watch with me today?"

After you sense what movie ask, "God, why this movie?"

8) "God, what is one thing about me that You adore and love about me?"

After you sense what that is ask, "God, why do You love this about me?"

9) "God, what would You like me to pray for someone today?"

After you sense what that is say, "God, yes I will pray this right now."

10) "God, what song would You like me to sing or listen to today?"

After you sense what song ask, "God, why this song?"

** After trying some or all of these, please come and make some comments on this entry... People will be so encouraged by what YOU share... Your experience, may be the WORD God is giving you for someone else... THAT is part of why God wants to speak to you!

Hearing from God: Mathematics, Answers & Blessings mixed with Sorrow

I can't shake these thoughts....

1) The complexity of God's mathematics is so great that what MAN may consider to be a huge variable may not be even be a measurable fraction of number in scientific notation in God's calculations, nor even change any portion of the final solutions...

So, did God chose Saul to be King and allow a variable to exist (freewill) for him to stumble and the Lord then takes His hands from Saul and gives the Kingdom to David (calculated or small variable)?

*Keiger, are you saying God changes his mind?
(I blogged that one already: http://faithbrothers.blogspot.com/2005/06/changing-gods-mind.html )

Did God plan for this all to happen or was David his "plan B" should Saul choke it? But then the prophecies of Jesus contain David's lineage....?

2) Sorrow in the blessings...

God promised Abraham and his family GREAT stuff; Jacob too, and Joseph had dreams from God and they were all blessed big time while in Egypt (yea!)...to lead to 400 years of slavery (sigh)!

Which then lead to the blessing of Moses and the curses (sigh)/miracles (yea!) in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea (yea!), to the drowning of Pharoh's armies (sigh) to the 40 years in the desert (can you say, "Manna and Quail" for 40 years), to arrival in the promised land, to fights and battles for the promised land; to King Saul, the death of King Saul and his family, to the rise of King David and King Solomon; to the fall and break up of the kingdom...all the way to Jesus!
Talk about sorrow in the blessings!
WOW!

3) We also need to be careful what we pray for...more sorrow in the blessings:
Think about Hezekiah... He turned toward the wall and wept. He prayed to God to spare his life and he was granted an additional 15 years (yea!). It was in those 15 years that he had a son named Manasseh who was considered one of the most evil Kings there was (sigh)!

What's in your prayers....

Hearing from God: What the Heck?

A short time ago I finished reading a great book, "Strengthen Yourself in the Lord," by Bill Johnson, and it is my #1 book on helping someone grow strong in their faith. Now this blog entry is not about the book and some of you may have been inundated my my series of emails containing quotes from the book*. This is about "yet unfulfilled words from God."

*You may request to be sent them if you dare...

Here is one quote from the book, discussing the early years of David, before he became king:

"...Saul's rejection of him was the first sign that David's schooling for the kingship was based on testing his ability to believe and walk in the Word over his life, even when the circumstances seemed to completely oppose and deny his destiny..."

Man, that sucks! Why would God ever tell us stuff, and then make it seem impossible... David went some 13 years through tough times before God brought him into his destiny and it seems that God has done it like that with others:

Abram/Abraham & Sarai/Sarah: to have a child late in life, then to have to sacrifice that one son.
(I've always wondered what Isaac's point of view of his father was, as he was tied-up and a knife poised over him...wonder what he thought of the God of Abraham right then.)

Joseph: hears God through two dreams then gets 23 years of suffering, sorrow, difficulty, and isolation from his family.

So it has been interesting to hear Jordan say that God may speak to us so we can become uncertain...developing faith. It sounds like a bunch of junk to me...though I also see the truth in that too. * see my latest thoughts on faith [http://faithbrothers.blogspot.com/2008/01/my-thoughts-on-faith.html ]

Please understand that I am not saying that this is wrong, I'm just saying I don't like it, that's not how I'd do things...and I do submit to God's ways...(do I really have any other option?) I do want my faith to grow and I am confident that when I get to Heaven and God shows me the "big picture" I'll be like, "Whow, now I see, that is so cool, God!" But for now, it is much more, "what the heck?" I have had some prophetic words over my life and I sure don't see them any where near fruition and I have struggled against wanting to "hear" more "words from God."

See, growing up, my father was a dreamer and a flake. He would tell me how great things would be, and then when I was nine, my parents divorced. While he was going through his mid-life crisis, complete with several girlfriends and buying a sailboat he could not afford, he continued to tell me things would be great and prosperous. He'd write me checks for my birthday or Christmas and then I'd get notified by the bank that they bounced... things never got great and I watched him drink more, dream more, and then after a heart attack and complications including a coma; severely brain damaged and bound to a wheelchair finally die from a secondary heart attack after nearly two years of hell. So I am a bit gun-shy about hearing about future events or even promises from anyone, and yes, even with God, it has been a struggle. (I've gotten much better.)

I've since heard from people either as prophets or with the prophetic gift tell me stuff that has not happened and does not seem possible... (now I share this with you, NOT so you feel sorry for me, or for you to tell me to hang in there... I just want us to all examine our LORD God Almighty and be honest about it all.)

1) I don't see the new job with expanded responsibility, authority, and much more money (prophetic word 4 years ago).
In fact, I've held my full-time job and part-time work for 3 years now.

2) God has a book for me to write (prophetic word 4 years ago).
I can't even get my thoughts organized past short blog entries and nothing revolutionary about any of them.

3) I'd be a pastor involved with young people (prophetic word some 30+ years ago).
Possible as time goes by, I'm getting older and older and older, so more and more people are younger than me.

4) "Things are coming to fulfillment soon." (prophetic word 3 years ago).
WHAT things?

5) Happily married with a wife I adore and can place all my trust in and a loving family ( prophetic word 9 years ago, 5 years ago, and last year).
Don't see it happening and I'm getting much older, I'm almost 44 years old now, I can't imagine holding my own baby in my arms anymore (NO comments about Abraham please, heard those already).
I sometimes think these people have the gift of "wishful thinking." People thought I'd be married in my 20's, then in my 30's, and now more of them keep their thoughts to themselves...thank you.

6) God is going to give me great vision, dreams, and revelations (prophetic word 5 years ago).
I have a dream/vision journal that is nearly empty since then...I can't remember my dreams and the few I have...not much to them.

Now, with all that said, there are other words from God, and in my own thoughts from God that do echo true or are happening too:

1) "It's never how I expect it to be."
Yeah!

2) My ministry is in business, commerce, and community.
That describes my work at ALTRES.

3) Spiritual gifts to grow.
Seeing the start of that.

4) I am called to be God's spokesman.
Aren't we all?

I know I am exposing a private part of my walk with God with you guys... that is because I want us to see our God move, work, and amaze us. I want to talk about it with a heart to really have a relationship with God and open up to the real possibilities that I can't see it all. So, here I write to that end -- I give you my all if it will move you to loving the Lord like I do! Yes, even when I don't get it all.

So, do I have faith? YES! There are things I've not shared in detail and this is not the place or time, but I'm supposed to be dead, so I really am on His time some 22 years now, so you'll just have to trust me, when I say I know God has plans for me and that my life continues for His purposes, He has ownership of my life...His plans are way better than the plans I had.

I still pray with all my heart, I've seen miraculous answers to my prayers for myself and for others, and I still believe in what I don't see possible, it's just hard. I still know God is God and He's in a good mood. I know He keeps His word, and I can trust him... shoots, I just don't want it to be 23 years later like it was for Jacob.... LOL

I sure am getting some serious opportunity and time to grow in my trust in God, and faith in God... I invite you to also jump in, the water's fine.

READ: Isaiah 40:31
The KNJV uses the word, WAIT; the NLT uses the word, TRUST; and the NIV uses the word, HOPE.

READ: Psalm 27:14

READ: Ecclesiastes 3:11 (Thank you R.W.!)

READ: Jeremiah 29:11, 13

God ROCKS!

Hearing from God: A Price to Pay?

Do you think there may be a price to pay for hearing God's voice? It seems to me that God is not going to spend much time "talking at" people who are going to hear His voice and stop there. Really think about that, in any relationship you have right now, how would you feel if the other person never responded to you, other than a "that's nice" or "huh" response?

What I'm getting at is I don't think we are going to hear much from God if we only stay at, "Oh God, I want to hear Your voice," without moving from there to,"Yes, Lord, Your servant is listening" and then after hearing Him, follow up with, "what shall I do, Lord?" I can't imagine God giving revelation and vision to anyone that will not use the information to obey what He is saying. Does this make sense?

Here's the tough part, go ahead and read 2 Corinthians 11:23b-29
I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. [24] Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. [26] I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.* [27] I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. [28] Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. [29] Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?

Did God speak to Paul?

Did they negotiate the price?

Did Jesus barter when he spoke to Peter and how did Peter's life go?

What do you instinctively think when you hear the word, SURRENDER?

What about the word, OBEY?

I think saying, "no" to God is disobedience, just as much as hindering or delaying God's command is disobedience and even so, when we do follow through with a hostile or grudging attitude this is still disobedience...

Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned....


So:
Are you willing to be obedient to what God calls you to do?

What if He tells you to move to Bangladesh, will you be faithful as some others are?

What if He tells you to serve the poor and sell your nice home, or open it up to the needy?

What if He tells you to move to a rough neighborhood and show them God's love in action?

What if He tells you to stay in this difficult marriage and continue to seek Him and pray for your spouse, though you don't see any fruit?

What if you love that new car you're about to buy and God is asking you to give to a ministry in need?

What if God tells you to pray from someone even though you'd rather not?

What if God tells you to keep praying for someone even though you'd still rather not?

What if He tells you to help with the Keiki Life ministry yet you want to sit and be a front row pew potato?
(Okay Sonya, I'll write/talk with you later...)
:)

James 1:22
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

So, hear me, do you still want to hear the voice of God?


I suggest you spend some time in thought and then pray...oh yeah, and then obey!


There just might be a HIGHER price to pay for NOT obeying and for silencing God's voice in your life...hmm, that's some stuff to think about.

God ROCKS!

Please share your comments here.

Hearing from God: Online Enrollment--Lord's School of the Spirit

Please consider these verses for a moment...

[John 10:27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

[Revelation 3:20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.




Does other Scripture come to mind about hearing God's voice?



What is your heart saying right now? Do you yearn for more, because I am sure that as much as you may yearn to hear what God is saying--God, Himself wants all of us to hear what He's saying even more! WOW!




The Creator of the Universe wants to have a personal relationship with YOU: intimate, clear, and so loving... Let's not forget He has already spoken to you, when you said YES in your heart to seek and follow Christ, it was GOD asking you the question...

So, perhaps the principle key to hearing God's voice is by tilling, planting and cultivating a love-based relationship with God...to be called a friend of God.

I bet you are desiring to hear God more and more...

So, here is an opening invitation to sign-up for God's School of the Spirit:

Pray--
Abba, Father God, I want to hear Your voice and learn Your ways more and more. Be my Teacher and be my Guide. Please enroll me in Your School of the Spirit and teach me to hear Your voice. Write down my name on Your list! I want to know You, to have an intimate relationship with You, to be called a friend of God. I desire to be a faithful disciple of Christ Jesus, and have sweet communion with You. Oh Holy Spirit, I want to hear You, and I want to have more faith (faith comes from hearing), and I want to obey what You tell me. Help LORD, Your servant wants to listen! Amen.

Now just enter your name in the "comment" element of this entry if that helps you solidify this prayer and as a sign of your personal commitment.

Hearing from God: He speaks through us to others

This entry is the place where we can exercise God speaking through us to others...

You may post what God is saying through the "comment" element of this blog.

Since many people may read this, I ask that you don't use names and be sensitive to identifiers that may be in the words you hear from God... If it needs to be very specific then just tell that person, and perhaps just an outline of the prophetic word for us to "see" God using us more and more and more.... You can use MAN or WOMAN or CHURCH, things like that...just read over your comments/words from God before posting please.

God so ROCKS!

Hearing from God: Some initial thoughts and some questions too.

This is essentially a revisit of an old blog entry from 2005. I find it interesting where I am now compared to where I was then. So I have taken a bit of the original and now added a recent "hearing from God" story...

I do know God speaks to me, even better than just speaking, he answers my prayers and questions..specific, individual, and personal...that is very cool.

He had awoken me at 3am to pray for someone and their family for several months. I later find out that the person was awakened every day at the same time, sensing (hearing?) that I was praying at that very moment for them. WOW!

And yet, it was only through a never-fading sense and "joyful burden" to pray and sometimes very specific things to intercede for... I got to a point of having to ask God if it was just me, with my O.C. personality that was awakening me each night (3AM) with a desire to pray. This is when "out-of-the-blue" I get a call, "are you praying for me in the early morning? Because something wakes me up around 3AM, I come wide-awake with a peaceful feeling and something tells me you are praying for me right now." Now that is a cool confirmation...see, I have never heard the audible voice of God.

For that matter, I have never seen the Hand of God writing on a wall; speaking through an ass (that's a King James Donkey, you guys) or a small still voice--a whisper... Nothing that noteworthy, or in such Biblical proportions.

Now, the Bible has those examples and others, but what I want to discuss is if anyone else "hears God's voice"....If you "hear from God" how do you know?

What are some things to look for, as evidence it is God?

How do you hear Him?

What does He say?

Is there a difference between hearing God's voice and the Holy Spirit's urgings and promptings?

How do you separate your own inner voice and His?

I know we are to seek the Lord and we are to pray/ask for guidance....so what if we don't/can't hear a response? Do we just freeze up and not move forward? Do we forgo trying to hear and just blunder ahead....how can we "check-in" as we move?

Hmm, inquiring minds want to know...

Hearing from God: OPEN Comments & Questions

I've created this entry as a "general area" for you all to post your own experiences, comments, and questions that you'd like to share... Use this area if what you have to share doesn't fit with a specific post or thread of discussion...

God ROCKS!

One thing...

Questionnaire from Ka'ala Souza's sermon today...

1. What is one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
Create, track, attract, and remember testimonies of what God has and is doing.


2. What is the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
Grant me the gift of miraculous healing and raising the dead.


3. What is the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your personal life this year?
Seek first the Kingdom of God...


4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
EFFECTIVE prayer and fasting.


5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
Whining about the things that haven't gone my way. I will speak of ALL the wonderful things God has and is doing in my life.

6. What is the most useful new way you could strengthen your church?
Use my gift of prayer in every moment and invite people to receive prayer--allowing an opening for God to do His awesome stuff.


7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
The owner of ALTRES, Inc.


8. What is the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?
Effective intercession for people in my life and for whom God brings into my life.


9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
Understand the power and purpose of prayer; applying these principles effectively and seeking more opportunities to demonstrate God's power through the practice of intercessory prayer.


10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? For eternity?
Experiencing the Joy of the Lord through an intimate relationship with Him demonstrated through my prayers, deeds, and life. Both for the next 10 years and for eternity.

So, what is YOUR one thing?