Hear God Every Day with Sara Whitten

It is in the exciting times of new beginnings that the enemy loves to plant the seed of comparison and bring everything to a standstill. How do we resist comparison and finish what the Lord has started?   Encounter Questions  Lord, in what ways has comparison crept in to what you're doing in this season of my life? Father, what healing do you want to bring to past disappointments? Holy Spirit, what hope do you want to show me about what you're doing with me right now?

The very places the enemy wants to bring fear are the places the Lord is fueling the fire of His deliverance, His anointing, and His guidance.  - Holy Spirit, where are areas of low hope, low confidence, or low courage? What words of Yours do you want to remind me of to “fill up” these areas? - Lord, illuminate what the “warriors boots” or “bloodied garments” have been for me in this seasons? As I place them in Your hands, show me how they can be fuel for Your fire. I trade these fears for more of Your fire, Lord. Amen. 

Part of building in our Promised land starts with tearing down. What does it look like to tear down what the enemy is wanting to "catch" us with and to "catch the vision" instead of where the Lord is leading us in His strength and promise.  Encounter Questions:  - Lord, what "blustering" lies of the enemy am I letting fill my sails? Holy Spirit, what truth do You want to speak to these lies? - Lord, could you show me how I am being tempted into shallow waters? Jesus, what does it look like to go deep with You? - God, what are the ways of victory that the enemy wants to lead me away from with His strongholds of questions?

Shaking us free from idols prepares us to move into what God has next for us. But we can't do much moving at all if we're too busy looking at the way God moved in the past that we forget to look to our WAYMAKER.  Encounter Questions:  - What way (looking for God to do a specific thing) have I been worshipping that has taken my eyes off the waymaker? - What truth do you want to tell me about who You are that will prepare me for Your Promises?

“We've always done it this way!” What happens when our traditions, cultures, or relationships carry us away from God's best. How do we weed out the idols to get back to a unhindered intimacy with the Lord? Encounter Questions:  1. Holy Spirit, where have idols been introduced to me through (generational history? Culture? Organizations?) 2. Father what truth from Your Word do you want to replace this idol with? (Repeat as many times as needed)

Seasons of waiting seem like nothing is happening, but what if God was using them to shake loose all the things we were leaning on that would not serve us in the place He is taking us? Declarations:  - I Stand in the waiting, trusting You have told me all I need to know. - I Surrender my power and judgment to You.

What places of leadership or stewardship has the Lord spoken over you? What have you been persistently wrestling with? What stagnant pools of blessing are still to be released both for you and from you? God is giving you His grace in that place and telling you “behold!” Encounters:  - God, what grace are you wanting to insert into my life? - Holy Spirit, highlight ways I have become worn out? Lord, what promises would you revive me with? - Pray: Father, like Sarah I release the how and when to you in humility…thank you for your grace and your promises that seek me out even in hiddenness or when I am worn out! 

How are we invited to find treasure even in our season right now? Find new hope in our invitation to walking in the ways of Heaven here on earth. Encounters:  - God, how can I further step into bringing your Kingdom through my life now? - What would you have me trade? - What would you call me to invest in? - What disappointment do I have to throw out?

What is God's protocol in the face of bad news? As we look at Hezekiah's encounter with the Lord, let it encourage you in the face of whatever threats the enemy may be making. Encounters:  -Lord, what is Your report? -Holy Spirit, to what situation in my life are you saying "don't be afraid of what you hear"?

Living in a knowledge-rich world, it's easy to put all kinds of self-improvement protocols or wise teachers in our lives in the seat of “judge” of what's good and bad. In our effort to earn it or keep the latest cleanse, we sometimes miss God's invitation to be childlike and lean on His Word alone.  Encounters:  -What wisdom that isn't your wisdom am I putting on the seat of Judge/Driver in my life? -Lord, what areas are you inviting me to be more childlike and lean not on my own understanding?

Instead of just having peace for a time, what would it look like to never take our peace off? Encounters:  -How can I keep my shoes on today? -Lord, what safety do you want to reveal to me that invites discovery?

Part 3 of our prayer series! What Jesus taught about prayer reveal both the truth of our identity as well as the greatest stumbling blocks to our persistence in prayer.  Encounters:  -How can I know you better as my Father or my protector/provider? -Lord, give me eyes for your timing and your justice.

Part 2 of our prayer series! Take a deep dive into the root of prayer in Scripture. How can we utilize prayer time to exchange our "good" for God's "best"? Encounters:  -God, what divine exchanges are you wanting to make in my ideas or wishes?

Take a deep dive into the root of prayer in Scripture. How does God use our prayers to build things in the Spirit that impact the world? Encounters:  - God, what are you building through my prayers?

Some seasons feel like staring at a garden bed waiting for sprouts. The truth behind that, however, is even in these seasons there is much to do and much to hope for. Encounters: -God, what does watering look like for me? - What is something You are growing, Lord, that I don't yet see?

A life of faith isn't about praying the right prayers, doing the right declarations, or prescriptive behaviors. So what does it mean to live a life of faith? What good messages from God are hard for you to really believe? Join me as we invite the Lord into these places. Encounters: - God, what messages am I having a hard time believing? - What would it look like for me to really live like the Kingdom of God is here?

In the time between our prayers and the fulfillment of God's answers for them, how do we encounter joy in the journey and lean into the transformation of the wait. Encounters:  - Ask God to remind you of His promises or review old written down prophetic words - What fruit are You producing in the wait, God? - How can I embrace joy today?

God is always providing, but sometimes we're missing the new resources He's opening up because we're busy seeking fulfillment from the same place it came last season. Let's seek the Holy Spirit about what thinking patterns or habitual behaviors may need to change with our new season. Encounters:  -In what ways am I still getting horses from Egypt? - What new sources are you opening up for me in this new season?

When the Bible says the Lord FIGHTS for us, that fighting doesn't mean the hand-to-hand combat we imagine. Learn how God designed us to fight, and find delight in the place of your pressure today. Encounters:  -What battle do I need to stop fighting and realize that you already won? - What does it look like to eat instead of fight in my season? - What works have you made for me to enjoy with you that the enemy is trying to distract me from?

Encounters: We are plowing where our focus is fixed. How can we step into a greater joy even in the midst of hard seasons?

Encounters: Relationships are complicated enough...especially when we encounter people who don't agree with us. What does Jesus say about the people who don't listen to us? The answers in scripture may surprise you.

Hopelessness doesn't always feel hopeless. Let me share a new infusion of hope from God's Word that will break through the lies of expecting bad things, expecting nothing, or fearing the future.

We tend to look for perfection in our circumstances, our responses, and our timelines. But what if the places of IMPERFECTION were the places we could be most poised for a move of God? Encounters:  1.) Where are areas of perfectionism in my own thinking? 2.) Circumstances- How could this imperfect situation be setting the stage for a miracle? 3.) Responses- How could my imperfect response or the imperfect response of another set the stage for a new revelation of Your perfect love? 4.) Timeline- How could this imperfection in timing set the stage for a divine interruption?

When we get a word about growth, often the first place we look for God's increase is in the place of last season's fruitfulness. But what if God is doing a different kind of growth? Be encouraged-- something is happening even when you haven't seen the growth! Encounters:  1.) What does Your growth look like on the inside this season?  2.) What does Your growth look like on the outside this season?

Sometimes our own expectations or gaps in understanding can lead to delays in our follow-through. How can we forget the forecast and trust God's lead? Encounters:  1.) What are the "seeds" you want me to sow this season?  2.) What is the "harvest" you want me to gather in this season? 3.) What "forecasts" of my own are keeping me from follow through? Open my eyes to see false forecasts for what they are. 

Multiplication is good and essential to stewardship...but are we called to multiply everything? Let's look at Genesis 30 for a fresh encounter on strategic multiplication. Encounters:  1.) What are the strong sheep (things You want to multiply) in my life that you're calling me to multiply?  2.) What are the weak sheep (eat up too much time/effort/resources) in my life that you're calling me to multiply? 

We take a look in our own lives at the Biblical recurring theme of choosing believing God's love for us versus blaming God.  Encounters:  1.) In the challenging places, what transformation are you doing?  2.) How can I view this through the lens of your love instead of the lens of offense or blame?

Comfort and encouragement to remind you that when you're in control of nothing, God's up to something. Encounters:  1.) What area or areas am I feeling out of control? 2.) How can I lean into Your growth in those areas? What words would You "water me" with?

Survival mode can happen during busy seasons, seasons of trial, or even really slow seasons. When we focus our prayers, thoughts, time, and energy on just "getting through this" we miss the "more" that God is wanting to do in our season. Encounters:  1. What area or areas am I currently in survival mode? 2. What would it look like for me to live like you've already taken care of it? What would my dreams be?

Breakdown this encouraging word for now. There's something for you and your season! Encounters:  1.) What does it look like right now for me to "sit on" all you're preparing me for? 2.) Remind me of the promises that this is preparing the way for. 

Jesus set an example for us by both being a conduit of God's love, healing, and wisdom to the MASSES and to the twelve He chose to MENTOR. God has purposes to work through YOU both to reach masses and to mentor on a smaller scale. What does that look like for you? Real Life Discipleship by Jim Putman Encounters:  1.) What does it look like for You to use me to minister to the masses this season? 2.) What does it look like for You to use me to mentor this season? 3.) What small steps can I take in those directions in the upcoming weeks?

Whether you're in the middle of a big decision or looking to reignite your passion in your walk with the Lord, here's some encouragement for going all in! Audio from Impact Christian Fellowship. Encounters:  1. What does it look like for you to be done with anything that would tempt you to go back? 2. Who can you tell who will cheer you along and hold you accountable in the direction the Lord is calling you? 3. Who will be fed by what you surrender?

Are you in a waiting season? Or maybe things are just off to a slower start than you anticipated. Hear some encouragement from the Lord about how what seems like closed doors may actually be an invitation to more.  Encounters:  1.) Show me some of the wisdom from you that I need before taking more territory 2.) What aspect(s) of Christ are you building on in me?

Hard-heartedness doesn't always look like we think. It can be anxiety, depression, indecision or any other place we're letting ourselves be convinced in a direction other than acting on His Word. How do we notice God's tenderness in these areas of our lives and allow His softening grace to loosen the grip of hard-heartedness?  Encounters:  1.) Where are the areas of hard-heartedness in my life? 2.) Would you pour out your grace right now in those areas and show me; what does listening in these areas look like?

Sometimes we can become discouraged because something we felt we were called to or promised didn't work out in a past season. Be encouraged by this message that God puts purpose in every season and that the timing of His promises is just as critical as the promises themselves.  Encounters:  1.) Is there an area that I've been stuck in instructions from an old season? 2.) What does "get up, go now" look like in my life right now (what is it for me to be "about your business" now?)

Usually right before the breakthrough- when we are on the threshold of our promise- is when we are stretched, discouraged, and tempted to say "this is good enough. I'm done". How can we get the hope to push through to our promised land? Encounters:  1.) What are my areas of complaint? Give me insight into how these areas are opportunities for you. 2.) What are generational areas of complaint? How can I occupy those places?

When we get stirred up, we get cloudy on who we are. How do we get with God and get a view of who we are- aside from what we're doing or what's going on in our life? Learn more with me about what it means to "be still" in a world where activity almost never ceases.  Encounters:  1.) What's something you can't see? How can you be still or TRUST in that area? 2.) Allow the activities to be pushed aside…God how do you see my heart? (Not what I'm doing…who I am)

Did you know that God wants you to WANT what He's destined you for? God loves to move in and through our desires WHEN we submit them to Him. Let's take this week to become aware of a dream or desire we have and to submit to the Lord how we can begin to walk in it right here, right now. Encounters:  1.) What is a dream or desire that you've placed in my heart? (or multiple!) 2.) How can I begin to walk in that (grow those skills, step into that role, step out of my comfort zone, etc) right now with the time, skills, and resources I have?

We long to be wrapped up in God's presence, but life doesn't allow us to stay in moments of inactivity for long. How do we break places that are barren or hopeless in our lives and become wrapped up in His hope in a new way? Encounters:  What am I wrapped up in currently? What "more important" things do you have for me?

We are all asking questions right now about God's plans and are callings- even if we don't realize it. What questions are you asking, and what is it saying about your hope level? Be encouraged this week by a "recalibration" encounter in which we focus more on God's goodness and less on the obstacles. Encounters:  1.) What areas am I leaning on due to a past season that are not helpful but harmful? What does it look like to instead walk in fullness in those areas? 2.) What questions am I really asking about my future, and how can I adjust them to focus more on your hope?

Community can be a source of immense stress but also the answer to immense stress. Hear this encouragement for whatever season you're in with "community"- from burned out to lonely. God has more than what you need. 

Often times in hard seasons we're waiting for God to clear our path. Hebrews 12 shows us there's a partnering we can do that actually levels our own path. How do we do this? Encounters: 1. Where have I grown relaxed or paralyzed and been neglecting or omitting things? 2. What does it look like for me to clear the path vertically? What actual actions and changes can I make right now to do this?

Before they could ever have any idea what was coming, the first call of Jesus to His disciples was to leave their nets? What does that look like for you? Spend time hearing the Lord this week for your own situation and receive new hope and inspiration in following Jesus. Encounters:  1.) What does it look like to leave my nets? (What are my nets?) 2.) What does it look like to follow you right here, right now in this season?

We all love hearing that it's an appointed time or season for something God has for us, but did you know that in every appointed time and season Biblically, God prescribes two things? Find out what they are and how you can make them a part of your season. Encounters 1. What does celebration look like in my day today? week? season? 2. What does rest look like in my day today? week? season?

Between a calling, a word, or a dream and it's fulfillment, hopelessness can take root. This Bible-based word reminds us that even a tiny bit of faith and obedience can turn things around overnight.  Encounters: 1. In what area have I had a calling/word/dream and lost hope for it? Refresh and remind me of Your words over my life. 2. What does having a “mustard seed” of faith look like in this season for me? 

In what ways are you sowing into the next generation? Maybe through your family? Your church? Your job? Here are five to teach the next generation and also have Holy Spirit help you search your own life as places of potential growth. -Teach them their hunger is for God -Teach them to not be addicted to hype -Teach them faithfulness -Teach them the value of a servant heart -Teach them Biblical truth

Are you in a season where you feel like nothing "big" is happening? Or maybe things aren't panning out the way you envisioned. How do we meet God with our trust and obedience in a way that stirs our hope and produces opportunity for the miraculous.  Encounter questions: 1. What are areas of victory or high regard in my life right now that I may be overlooking? 2. Where is an area I feel powerless where you have actually given me influence? 3. What does it look like for me to be obedient or have perseverance in my situation right now?

The world values exclusivity, but the Lord looks for accessibility. Which is different than inclusivity. How do we engage with God wherever we are to find out- right in that moment- how to model the accessibility of Jesus? Encounter questions: 1. What does a posture of accessibility to You look like for me in this moment? 2. How (if at all) do you need me to be accessible to those around me in the moment as a steward of Your love and power?

How can we see the places we feel stuck or thrust into with new enthusiasm and purpose? Find out where God has placed you as a gate keeper, what that means, and how that can take us deeper in hearing from God. Encounter questions: 1. Where are you a gatekeeper right now? 2. What would you say to me as gatekeeper? 3. What do I need to get out or bring in before your business can be done?

When we do thankfulness the right way, there is no way we can't come out of it more JOYFUL, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. What ways do we commonly get "off" in our approach to thankfulness, and how can this 15 minute mind-shifting encounter change our day?

Not every "prophetic" word should get to grow in our lives. How do we sift through all the words out there to find what God wants to plant in our hearts?   Encounters:  What is chaff in my prophetic life? Are there words from others or even myself that I need to recognize as chaff? What words are you planting in my life?