Podcasts about god does god

You need to desire a relationship with God  Does God need to work on you? We need to understand God is in charge God holds each of our breaths 

Message from morning service - Church on the Hill, San Jose, CA

"God spared my life for a reason" Those were the words of president-elect Donald Trump after his 2024 election victory. Did God really spare his life for His purposes? Does God place - or remove - leaders for His purposes and glory? Is God involved in politics? Dr. Walt Swaim shows from Scripture the surprising answers. Audio only and video: https://truthunbound.podbean.com/ Truth Unbound website: https://truthunbound.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnbound YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TruthUnboundMinistries Info@TruthUnbound.org

"God spared my life for a reason" Those were the words of president-elect Donald Trump after his 2024 election victory. Did God really spare his life for His purposes? Does God place - or remove - leaders for His purposes and glory? Is God involved in politics? Dr. Walt Swaim shows from Scipture the surprising answers. Audio only and video: https://truthunbound.podbean.com/ Truth Unbound website: https://truthunbound.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnbound YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TruthUnboundMinistries Info@TruthUnbound.org

"God spared my life for a reason" Those were the words of president-elect Donald Trump after his 2024 election victory. Did God really spare his life for His purposes? Does God place - or remove - leaders for His purposes and glory? Is God involved in politics? Dr. Walt Swaim shows from Scripture the surprising answers. Audio only and video: https://truthunbound.podbean.com/ Truth Unbound website: https://truthunbound.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnbound YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TruthUnboundMinistries Info@TruthUnbound.org

"God spared my life for a reason" Those were the words of president-elect Donald Trump after his 2024 election victory. Did God really spare his life for His purposes? Does God place - or remove - leaders for His purposes and glory? Is God involved in politics? Dr. Walt Swaim shows from Scipture the surprising answers. Audio only and video: https://truthunbound.podbean.com/ Truth Unbound website: https://truthunbound.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruthUnbound YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TruthUnboundMinistries Info@TruthUnbound.org

Solomon brings the Ark of the Covenant to the new Temple: Why did Solomon wait 11 months to dedicate the temple? Solomon performs a huge amount of sacrifices to God Does God appreciate animal sacrifice? Why David understood God more than Solomon God's Spirit fills the temple Solomon writes a weird poem to God, which comes off as arrogant   I know you need more: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries  Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries  Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com  Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/c-6493869  Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk  Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop  YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle    Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee  https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40   This ministry is only made possible due to your generous support https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries

Special Announcement #1 The Legendary Summer Intensive Starts on Thursday of this week! Featuring Drs. David Burns and Jill Levitt August 8 - 11, 2024 Click for registration / more information! This workshop is a training program which will be limited to therapists and mental health professionals and graduate students in a mental health field  Apologies, but therapists have complained when non-therapists have attended our continuing education training programs. This is partly because of the intimate nature of the small group exercises and the personal work the therapists may do during the workshop. Certified coaches and counselors are welcome to attend. Special Announcement #2 Here's some GREAT news! The Feeling Great App is now available in both app stores (IOS and Android) and is for therapists and the general public, and you can take a ride for free! Check it Today's Podcast #408-- Does God exist? We started today's podcast with a beautiful testimonial and a shout out for the intensive from August 8 to 11, 2024 at the South San Francisco Intensive in person or virtually if you prefer. To learn more, contact www.CBTintensive.com. Act fast because the intensive is on Thursday of this week when today's podcast will be published. Today, we tackle another popular and intensely debated philosophical / religious puzzle: Does God exist? People have very heated views, one way or the other. I (David) will start with a brief explanation of a Wittgenstein answer to this question, and then for the most part, we will focus instead on the question of how we all incorporate spirituality into TEAM-CBT. Wittgenstein emphasized that philosophical problem exist when we debate about the meanings of words or terms that are vague, or poorly defined. Traditionally, we think there are three positions one could take: Theism: You believe that God exists. Atheism: You do not believe in God. Agnosticism: You say that you do no know whether or not God exists. My own thinking, which is strongly influenced by Wittgenstein, would be that I don't understand any of those three stances because I have no idea what you mean by your use of the word, “God.” What is it, exactly, that I'm supposed to believe in, or not believe in? To me, the question, “Do you believe in God,” is nonsensical, so I simply do not deal with it. All of the three positions listed above are based on the idea that the word, “God,” has some kind of clear meaning that we can all agree upon. But it clearly does not. You might define “God” as the “creator of the universe.” Well, there is certainly something magical and mysterious about the existence and creation of the universe (assuming it did begin with some kind of “big bang.”) Some questions might include “Where did all the energy come from all of a sudden?” Or “Are there many universes?” These are valid questions, and physicists are pursuing the answers, which is very exciting and fantastic. But they are generally not invoking the concept of a “God,” although some undoubtedly would say that they do “believe in Gad.” Regardless, I cheer them on and find every new discovery about the nature of the universe, and how the universe works, endlessly fascinating! For today, we will ask a much simpler question of whether and how we include some kind of spiritual dimension into our work as shrinks. This is a topic that is equally exciting, and definitely meaningful. Rhonda got us started by explain that she sees the belief in God as a matter of faith, and is not something that can be tested empirically, which is certainly true. She says she does believe in God, or some “higher power,” but does not believe in a God who “rules over things.” She was raised in the Jewish religion, and says that many Jews believe that God exists in everyone . This sounds a little like Hinduism, which traces back at least 2500 years ago, and possibly as early as 5000 years ago. I believe that the Hindus believe that God exists in everything. The practical impact of the belief that God exists in all of us, is that we will treat each other with love and respect, since we are all an expression of God. She also said that we can “create God among us as a community.” Matt said that he was raised as a Christian and that when he was growing up he had heard about miracles, like Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in the New Testament on the Gospel according to John. He said that he views our work with individuals who are severely depressed as a kind of spiritual healing, even though we are working with purely secular methods. This is especially true when we are working with individuals who appear to be paralyzed by depression, claiming they are unable even to get out of bed, people who bombard themselves with harsh criticisms, and feel hopeless and ashamed. Matt said that self-acceptance (accepting ourselves exactly as we are) is one of the many tools we use, and that he (Matt) loves to think about the ripple effects of our work, which not only transforms the lives of individuals who awaken from their depressive trance, but this also has enormous positive effects on their friends and family as well. He asks, “How do we achieve this?” I (David) loved hearing from Rhonda and Matt on spirituality in TEAM, and pointed out many areas of overlap between TEAM and the Christian theology I was raised on, since my dad was a Lutheran minister. For example, The TEAM concept that you do not, and cannot, earn genuine feelings of worthwhileness or self-esteem through achievement. In other words, your worth is not your work, but something you give yourself unconditionally. In Christianity, we are sometimes taught that you cannot get to “heaven” through your good works. Enlightenment is a gift, a decision, and not something you have to earn. We also teach that humans are not purely good, but have a mixture of positive and negative motives, and that many people suffer because of guilt and regret about past errors or sins. When we are teaching the Acceptance Paradox, we are teaching a “letting go” of the inner abuse we endure from that relentless, critical voice in our brains, labeling us and telling us that we aren't good enough, we're “bad,” we're “losers,” and so forth, using powerful tools like the Externalization of Voices. In Christianity, this message is delivered in my ritualized ways, including the act of communion, confessing your sins and accepting the blood and body of Christ who “died for your sins.” This is just another way of sending the message that it is okay to accept the fact that you are flawed and fallen, and yet still worthy of God's love—and your own love! In the interpersonal TEAM model for troubled relationships, the entire emphasis on pinpointing your own role in a problem with a friend, colleague, loved one, or stranger, instead of casting blame on the other person and feeling angry and morally superior. My Relationship Journal is a tool designed to facilitate this process very rapidly. In Christianity there are many messages about taking out the moat in your own eye, as well as the idea that when you blame others, and cast judgment, you condemn yourself. There is a strong emphasis on humility and accountability in TEAM-CBT. This often comes up during positive reframing; we talk about how the patient's self-criticisms are often an expression of high standards, honesty, and humility, and that these are beautiful qualities that are real, important, and powerful. And this similar, it seems to me, to the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus talked about “blessed are the meek, for they shall be called the Children of God.” There are many, many additional areas of overlap, and many books have been written on this subject. During the podcast I provided examples of how the spiritual and psychological realms can meet and reinforce each other at the moment the patient recovers and discovers their own enlightenment. I am proud to have developed TEAM-CBT, and it is clearly infused with many spiritual dimensions, even though it is entirely secular. I mentioned that I was born on a Sunday morning, and my dad said it was the only time he was unable to preach his sermon. He was too excited, especially since my parents had become reconciled to the notion that they could not have children. He called me David Dean Burns, and hoped that someday I would become D.D. Burns, D.D. DD is an honorary degree in theology, and he (and everyone) assumed that I would one day be a minister, like was. He was L.C. Burns, DD. (Lyle Charles Burns) I went in a different direction, but have kind of returned to my original calling, though threw an unexpected route, and hope you have all enjoyed our “sermons” this morning. I would add that I would never impose my beliefs or spiritual orientation on any patient, and only ask about the integration of their successful recovery with their own religious beliefs AFTER they have recovered, so as to add a deeper level of meaning to the work and transformation that they experienced. We only emphasized the Jewish and Christian approaches to spirituality because that was our upbringing, but the spiritual “discoveries” during TEAM treatment are actually compatible with nearly all, if not all, religions and spiritual paths. Warmly, Rhonda, Matt, and David

Immerse yourself in the supernatural rescue of the people of Israel from Egypt. This vividly illustrates how God saves. Embark on a journey to get to know God anew as the near and kind God.

Have you ever heard someone say that God doesn't need us, we need Him? Have you ever felt like a relationship with God is all a one-way street? In our second discussion on the topic of exploring the presence of God, we are going to discuss this very topic. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thispoorpastor/support

Is The Christmas Story Believable —God Does God Stuff by Lettered Streets Covenant

Do you ever wonder about the nature of God? Is God a loving god or an angry god? Is it possible that the creator of the universe really cares for you and is for you? What about Jesus? Was he just a wise teacher, or was he truly the Son of God? This series will look at some of the common questions that people ask when it comes to God, Jesus, and how He relates to His creation.

Michele Thompson

When the disciples faced a fierce storm, rather than trusting that Jesus would keep them safe, they looked to him and asked "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?". When trouble comes into our own lives it is easy to look to God and to ask "Do you really care?". In this message Ross explores the idea that when storms come, and they will, is this evidence that God doesn't care? If you enjoyed this sermon please consider subscribing. CONNECT WITH US Instagram: www.instagram.com/humeridgechurch Facebook: www.facebook.com/humeridgechurch YouTube: www.youtube.com/humeridgechurch Have you made a decision to follow Jesus? Do you have a praise point, or want to request prayer? We would love for you to get in contact with us so we can follow up with you! Please complete the contact form on our website at https://humeridge.church/contact

Continuing the convo on prayer, Alison talks with Julia (Phi Mu alumna) about how God speaks to us. If we listen, will God actually talk back to us? Insta: @greekiv TikTok: @greekintervarsity greekiv.org

Join in this message series and learn how to Rehab broken relationships and strengthen good ones. Learn what the bible has to say about relationships and how to do them right.Main scripture:   1 King 19Topic: Fixing relationship | relationships | dating | love | dealing with unforgiveness | How to forgive someone | build long lasting relationships | learn to control your feelings | how feelings impact relationshipSupport the show ------------------------------------------ Want More?Say You Love Me 1: Building healthy relationships Things Jesus Never Said 1: Is Loving Money Bad? Not Afraid 4: How Do I Maintain Hope? Digging into God: Does God permit suffering? ------------------------------------------ Join Us!Visit us at www.FusionChurchNY.com for the most up-to-date in-person service times and events. Join a Small Group.------------------------------------------Follow Us!Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Tiktok.

Join in this message series and learn how to Rehab broken relationships and strengthen good ones. Learn what the bible has to say about relationships and how to do them right.Main scripture:   Hebrews 12:15; Ephesians 4:31-32; Genesis; 27:25-40; Mark 11:25; Genesis 32:22-30; Genesis 33:1-11 | Matthew 5:7 | Romans 12:8Topic: Fixing relationship | Relationships | Dating | Love | Valentines Day | Support the show ------------------------------------------ Want More?Say You Love Me 1: Building healthy relationships Things Jesus Never Said 1: Is Loving Money Bad? Not Afraid 4: How Do I Maintain Hope? Digging into God: Does God permit suffering? ------------------------------------------ Join Us!Visit us at www.FusionChurchNY.com for the most up-to-date in-person service times and events. Join a Small Group.------------------------------------------Follow Us!Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Tiktok.

Hearing God - Does God Speak to Us?.wav by Life Point SA

Join in this message series and learn how to Rehab broken relationships and strengthen good ones. Learn what the bible has to say about relationships and how to do them right.Main scripture:  Matthew 22:36-40; 1 John 4:20; Luke 10:30-37; Matthew 25:31-40Topic: Fixing relationship | Relationships | Dating | Love | Valentines Day | #Jesus#BattleReady#Winningfaith#StrongFaith#Faith#Encouragement#GetOverRegretSupport the show ------------------------------------------ Want More?Say You Love Me 1: Building healthy relationships Things Jesus Never Said 1: Is Loving Money Bad? Not Afraid 4: How Do I Maintain Hope? Digging into God: Does God permit suffering? ------------------------------------------ Join Us!Visit us at www.FusionChurchNY.com for the most up-to-date in-person service times and events. Join a Small Group.------------------------------------------Follow Us!Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Tiktok.

Great people, when you hear from God what's ahead you have to make moves. In the period of looking for a new name and throwing out possible names for the channel, UnApoloGetically CHRISTian was the one that I heard and the one that I'm running with because.. GOD DID. So be sure to tap in to all this podcast will grow to be as God Does God!   I just ask that you pray with me and for me as I will for you and future content!  Thank you again to   @MyronGolden   and   @TheBasementPodcast    for giving me the confidence to be the Christian that I am boldly and with confidence.   Subscribe Please and thank you! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therickeyjonesjrpodcast/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/therickeyjonesjrpodcast/support

In this episode, Fr. Harry and Fr. Anthony discuss the following listener question; 1. "In regards to humans being in the image/likeness of God: Does God have a ‘gender'? and 2. "If a priest is just a witness to confessions, could you use someone such as your spouse for confessions as well?" Enjoy the show!

In this episode, Fr. Harry and Fr. Anthony discuss the following listener question; 1. "In regards to humans being in the image/likeness of God: Does God have a ‘gender'? and 2. "If a priest is just a witness to confessions, could you use someone such as your spouse for confessions as well?" Enjoy the show!

Welcome to the audio podcast of Generation Church, led by Pastor Rich and Tina Romero. Our hope is that these messages give you hope, faith and encouragement throughout the week. To learn more about Generation Church: Visit us online: https://mygeneration.cc Contact us: https://mygeneration.cc/contact Interact with us: If you made a decision to follow Jesus, text "Established" to 970-00

November 6, 2022 - Len W Wyatt It's normal to have doubts about God. Learn how to address your doubts in a candid and courageous way in order to build your faith.

Message from Marty Tackett on November 6, 2022

Sunday Morning Sermon with Pastor Mike Shoaf

God speaks to His people - we simply need to be available to listen for His voice.

If God is sovereign over our pain and suffering, then how we respond to it will display what we really believe about Him being worthy of worship

We continue in our message series, The Conspiracy of God, which takes us through the Sermon on The Mount. Today, you can follow along in Matthew 5:31-32. 

It should push us to share our faith without reservation when we remember that God has a limit to His patience, but not to His grace, and that He will keep His Word because He is powerfully able to.

In this third installment of the Attributes of God, we discuss the self existence of God. This self existence of God presents the question of whether God needs men. This is part of a series titled 'The Doctrines of the Gospel.

Pastor Leyton Erickson begins our new series on Hearing God with "Does God Speak Today?"

In the Bible, we know that GOD loves people and hates sin. He proved His love when He sent His son to rescue us from the bondage of sin - if we so choose it. To save us, He did not ignore all the sin in one's life but rather paid a very high price to set us free. We'll look into the following verse in Proverbs to better understand GOD's hatred for sin compared to His love for us.  Proverbs 6:16 "These six things the LORD hates, Yes seven are an abomination unto him".Full show notes at hopesharbor.netHope's Harbor Gritty Bible DevotionsEpisode #18 Title: The Goodness of GOD - Does GOD hate us?  Part 3 of 3Date: August 2, 2021Contact: info@hopesharbor.netKey verse(s): Proverbs 6:16 - ‘These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:'Intro: We know from verses throughout the Bible that GOD loves people and hates sin.He proved His love when He sent His Son to rescue us from bondage to sin if we so choose the rescue.To rescue us wasn't by GOD ignoring the sin in us and upon us.Our rescue came at a high price.Devotion focus: GOD's hatred is against sin. Those who practice sin with malice, or with pleasure associate themselves with GOD's hatred of the sin they embrace. By this, they put the hatred of GOD upon themselves.Listen to the Word of GOD describe some of what He hates:·         Proverbs 6:16 - These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: ·         Proverbs 6:17 - A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, ·         Proverbs 6:18 - A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, ·         Proverbs 6:19 - A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Do notice there is nothing here accidental? Every one of the sins listed are ones people choose to commit and the theme in each sin described is an act carried out against others.Now, I want to contrast GOD's hatred with His love.First, we should understand GOD's nature is indivisible. This means GOD is One in His characteristics, although for us to understand Him better we attribute virtues to GOD such as love, peace, power, forgiveness, kindness, grace, hate, anger, vengeance, etc.But GOD is like, and forgive me here because trying to compare GOD to any created thing is dangerous ground on which to tread, but think of it this way:A single diamond can be cut and display several facets which when held up to light gives off colors. Each facet causes a different effect of refraction but is part of one diamond.I have a crystal hanging on my truck mirror that is circular with small facets evenly spaced out around the sphere. When sunlight hits the crystal multi-colored spots of the light display around the cab of the truck. Multiple effects – one crystalNow, GOD's love is one with His hatred. His action and power are one with His patience and kindness and even gentleness.Even when GOD strikes out at evil, it is being done in kindness. Two sides of the same coin so to speak.I know this can be hard to accept, but think of a surgeon when it becomes necessary to cut out or cut off parts of a person's organs or body in order to stop the spread of cancer.Cutting is a violent act done in kindness to save the patient's life.So, behind GOD's acts that we see only the surface, are His kindnesses driving His stern actions to protect and save.Case in point: GOD the Father sent His only begotten Son to

Sharing my perspective about the GOD consciousness and does really god exists ? Join my upcoming masterclass - http://mvpriyank.co/soundhealing Connect with me - http://mvpriyank.co/connect

Hi every one,This is vikram aditya !!! Welcome to my channel. Here i bring u the most intersting facts and things about education and entertainment in telugu...

Early AA members listened each morning for God's Voice. They experienced God guiding them through Two Way Prayer. In this episode, Fr. Bill briefly explores the history of listening to God and attempts to demystify the practice for members of today's 12-Step fellowships. Notes: Books: A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly and Good Morning by Dick B. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/fatherbillw/support

Discover if God permits evil to occur and why He intervenes on His own time. why your salvation can not be erased and welcome His glory into your life. Remember to hit that subscribe button and SHARE the podcast!Make sure you don't miss it!To learn more or connect, visit our website at fusionchurchny.com/, download the FusionChurch App, or follow us on Facebook.You can submit a prayer request or connect by sending us a message.Join a Small Group.Also, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and Leave A Review.Topics: finances, love, affection, devotion, idolatry, misguided goals, missed opportunities, guilt, regrets, half-truths, and liesSupport the show (http://www.fusionchurchny.com/give )Support the show (http://www.fusionchurchny.com/give )

Want to be closer to God? This message teaches us what it looks like to have a heart after God. We'll learn five ways to get closer to God through David's life journey.There are some challenging questions in this message that could help you grow in your relationship with God: Does God hold first place in your heart? Are you as obedient as you think you are to God? Dive in and know that God is already on your side. The battles you are facing are his, and he never loses.Through this series, you'll learn how to live well & enjoy God's promises. You are loved by God; He knows your name. He has a plan for your life. Get helpful advice, encouragement, and hope for a life well lived in 2021 and beyond.Are you walking in faith and victory? Set your eyes on the promises of God. You only have one life journey; say yes to Jesus. Like the parables of the buried treasure and the valuable pearl, stop at nothing to gain your entry into the kingdom of heaven.See full notes and suggested praise and worship here: https://agfaithchapel.org/sermons-messages/how-to-be-like-king-david-with-a-heart-for-god-life-is-a-journey-part-10For more sermons and resources, visit www.agfaithchapel.org/sermons. Please consider supporting this ministry at www.agfaithchapel.org/give.This is brought to you by Faith Chapel church in Pleasanton, CA. Learn more at www.agfaithchapel.org.If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review? It's quick and very appreciated!

Rob Forbes beantwortet 3 Fragen über das Hören Gottes: 1) Spricht Gott zu mir?, 2) Wenn er spricht, höre ich ihn?, und 3) Habe ich den Mut, das zu tun, was er mir sagt? Anhand von Johannes 10,27, Jes 41,10 und Matthäus 17,20, neben anderen Bibelstellen, wissen wir, dass Gott spricht. Lasst uns zuhören und tun. Rob Forbes leads us through 3 questions about hearing God: Does God speak to me? When He speaks, will I hear Him? and Do I have the courage to do what He says to do? Exploring John 10: 27, Is 41: 10, and Matt 17: 20, among other Bible passages, we know that God is speaking. Let us listen and do.

Johnny is joined by Ceasar Santos as they tackle the very tough topic of Gods Grace. They also pay tribute to Annette Quiles, who passed away do to COVID 19 complications.- What is Grace?- Is this a license to sin?- Can God forgive everything? Everyone?- Do you have a hard time extending Grace? Receiving Grace? Both?www.soh.churchSupport the show (https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/440033)

So what exactly is the providence of God- Does God determine everything and we have no choice in how things unfold, or is it something different- Join us as Pastor Andy begins our study in the book of Esther by examining an understanding of what the providence of God is, and what it is not.

Are you ready for some serious soul stretching? What kind of hitch-hiker would I stop for late at night? Does human suffering prove that God is either impotent or cruel? Can people be good and decent without a belief in God? Does God and His Bible require people to renounce passion and exclude fun from their lives? Is belief in evolution a religious or scientific issue. Does God prefer poor people to rich? Science is terrible at telling us how to believe (masks) and horrible at informing us how to behave. It is not even much good at explaining things like gravity or colors or language. But it is outstanding at describing. Formulae, equations and theories all attempt to describe physical phenomena but never to explain them. The big bang theory and why Einstein didn’t like it. Happy warriors are like salmon—we’re okay with swimming against the current. Just because the masses have been hypnotized and the crowds have been indoctrinated doesn’t change our beliefs or our behavior. Three cheers for happy warriors. This is the happy warrior’s textbook https://rabbidaniellapin.com/product/americas-real-war-ebook/  that I believe I wrote with Divine assistance.

God, what do you want me to do next? God, am I following your plan? These can be frequent prayers for people who want to know God's will and fulfill it. But what if living out God's plan for you has less to do with a specific decision and more to do with how you approach whatever comes your way?

How do you discern the voice of God? Does God speak to us today? If so, how does He speak to us? And how do you know it's his voice not just your own thoughts? These are important questions that have powerful life implications. And there is a lot of unclear and unhelpful teaching on this topic. What does the Bible say about how to hear God's voice and what it means to be led by the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit Book: Click this link to buy the book on walking in the Spirit by Kenneth Berding: https://amzn.to/2HeQQz0   Bible Passages referenced in the episode: Luke 9:33-36 33 And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.    John 8:31-32  So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”   Romans 8:14 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.   Romans 8:5-6 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,   Romans 8:12-14 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.    Want to deepen you connection with God? Free Resource: The #1 key to becoming like Jesus is living our life attached to him. So I've got a gift for you on my website ... a free video series designed to teach you how to read the Bible in a way to deepens your attachment to God. Click the link below. https://www.johnwhittaker.net/minicourse   Support this ministry: Thank you to all of you who make this ministry possible by your financial support! Do you want to join the team? Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   Teaching through Bible books:  The Listener's Commentary on the New Testament is an audio commentary on each New Testament book, explaining its meaning in its original context so you can better understand what it means and live it out. https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.   *Note these notes contain affiliate links which mean I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. 

How do we learn to lean into God, to experience him more fully, and to come to rest in his love for us? To relate to God not just as a distant King who we've read a book about, but as a real, present, loving Father who “walks with us and talks with us and tells us we are his own.” Because for me, everything God wants to do in us and through us hinges on an unfolding relationship and growing intimacy with God. That's the subject of today's show, and in particular, we're going to talk about what communication looks like in the relationship between us and the Father. If we're going to develop real intimacy with God, there has to be communication, and that communication has to be both ways. And that's often where we as Christians stumble. Because we understand talking to God. But it doesn't always seem like God talks to us. Or maybe some of us don't believe God talks to us. I've spent much of my adult life as part of a denomination that largely denies that God speaks to us. He spoke to us in creating the Bible, and that's the only way he speaks. So, what about this idea that God talks to us? Should we expect it? Does Scripture affirm it? Yes. There are loads of examples of God talking to individuals, and there just seems to be the overwhelming expectation on the part of the biblical writers that God speaks to his people. For example: Ps. 4:1 — “Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.” Ps. 16:7-8 — “I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand.” This is parallelism. The Lord counsels me; my heart instructs me. Ps. 17:6 — “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” Again, there's the expectation of an answer. Ps. 28:1 — “To you I call, O Lord my rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone to the pit.” Matt. 4:4 — “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” John 10:1-18 — The sheep follow him because they know his voice. Hearing God is about relationship with him. Calling his sheep by name = personal. He created us to encounter him. John 14:15-18 — The Spirit (Counselor) - “you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” You can't know him if he's silent and invisible. John 16:12-13 — The Spirit will speak and guide you. Okay, so Scripture affirms both God's willingness to speak to us and the expectation of his people throughout history that he will. Speaking words is one form of communication, but God can speak to us without words, too, just like we do. So take a few minutes and think: How many different ways in can you think of in Scripture that God has communicated with people? Here are a few: Audibly (Paul on the Damascus Road — Acts 9:1-9) Through a donkey (Balaam's donkey — Num. 22:21-39) Through a burning bush (Moses — Ex. 3) Writing on the wall (Daniel 5) Through other people Through prophets (Agabus re. Paul's imprisonment) Through his Word (which is the plumb line for hearing God in other ways) Dreams/visions (Paul/Man from Macedonia — Acts 16:6-10) Through creation (Psalm 19:1; Rom. 1:18-20) Through confirmation from two or more sources saying the same thing How about some more modern ways? What other ways have you experienced in your own life where you felt like God was speaking to you? Where he got your attention in a way that felt like time stopped for a minute and revealed something brand new to you that changed the way you saw yourself or the world around you. Music (God used the song Desperado to get my attention one time) Books Movies The Bible (the first time I ever "heard" God speak to me I was reading Ps. 139) The point is that God is endlessly creative. He has every means of communication at his disposal to communicate with you. So we shouldn't expect that it's only gonna happen in just one way. So what are some of the barriers to hearing from God? The first one is disbelief. If you don't believe God speaks to you, that doesn't mean he doesn't or won't. He's not limited by your disbelief. But it does mean you won't recognize it as God. Another barrier is simply the lack of training & examples. If no one guides us, how can we learn? Only once in my life have I ever seen a church that put forth any real effort to help its people learn how to discern the Lord's voice for themselves. And that leaves people uncertain, unsteady in their faith, feeling like they should be able to hear from the Lord, but because they can't, it must be because they lack faith, or they're not good enough in some way. And it can really end up undermining people's faith. "The UFO Syndrome” -- If you saw a UFO, would you tell anyone about it? Maybe not because of the fear of ridicule). Why is it that when we speak to God we are said to be praying, but when God speaks to us we are said to be schizophrenic? Why does it seem like such a bizarre thing to admit to people that we might actually hear from the Lord who created us? Some people get derailed by the fear that maybe it's just all in our head. But why on earth should we expect the voice of God to arise from outside us when he has placed his own Spirit within us??!! Paul talks in both Gal. 5:25 and Rom. 8:16-17 about the Spirit living inside us and that we're to “walk by the Spirit” and be “led by the Spirit.” How do you think that works? We should expect God to speak to us from within. We should expect that God's “voice” is going to probably come from within and is probably gonna sound a lot like our voice. But that leads to the fear of being unable to distinguish our voice (or the enemy's voice) from God's voice. Well, discernment is something we struggle with sometimes, isn't it? And it's definitely healthy to want to make sure we're discerning things correctly. “Do not believe every spirit,” we're told in 1 John 4:1, “but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Discernment is a skill we're supposed to grow in. But just because something requires spiritual discernment doesn't mean we should avoid it, or disbelieve in it. It means we need to be careful, yes, and mature in our thinking, but we don't reject it simply because it's not easy. Here are a few book recommendations that have helped me tremendously in learning to discern God's voice in my own life: Armchair Mystic: How Contemplative Prayer Can Lead You Closer to God, by Mark E. Thibodeaux SJ (2001, updated 2019) Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God, by Dallas Willard (2012) Walking with God: How to Hear His Voice, by John Eldredge (2016) Dallas Willard says, “Today, there is a desperate need for large numbers of people throughout our various social groupings who are competent and confident in their own practice of life in Christ and in hearing his voice. Such people would have the effect of concretely redefining Christian spirituality for our times. They would show us an individual and corporate human existence freely and intelligently lived from a hand-in-hand, conversational walk with God. That is the biblical ideal for human life.” Arthur F. Miller says something that has helped me tremendously. He says, “How does [God] so communicate with you? How will you know? Because God has designed your frame and understands how you are put together, and how you function, what you notice and what you ignore, what you read, what you hear, and what gets your attention. Because the Spirit of God is resident within you and has a job to do as you do yours — leading, nudging, instructing, guiding, opening new doors, reminding, questioning, affirming, prodding, sometimes engineering circumstances — strange, extraordinary things happen. If you need a knock on the side of your head, or a sense of God's love that will take your breath away — that will happen in God's time and in a way only you will understand.” - Arthur F. Miller, Jr. Thanks for spending time with us today. Please like and subscribe, and tell others about the podcast, if it's been helpful to you. And remember, you are greatly loved.   Music Provided by Nathan Longwell Music

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God exists due to the impossibility of the contrary

God exists due to the impossibility of the contrary