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In this compelling episode of our spiritual exploration series, we delve into the timeless story of Moses and his profound struggles to discern and respond to God's voice amidst chaos, doubt, and divine encounters, battling between pride and humility. As well, this is our last episode with Luke, which has been a blessing for all this time for us!
The Old Testament gives us a very surprising story about a false prophet being filled with the Holy Spirit. Hear God brings about a 180 degree turn in a life.
REJOICING IN MOTHERHOOD - Christian moms, Spirit-filled parenting, marriage, homeschool, big family
Watch this episode on YouTube!My husband Nathanael Vossler joins me on the show for the first time to talk about how listening to God has impacted our family. Listen to Nathanael's stories of how being personally connected to the Lord has shaped his life, and how it changes the way he fathers our kids. You might want to grab your husband and listen to this one together!Join the conversation or ask a question here!Connect with me on my email list.Let's be friends on Instagram!Things we mentioned:Episode 186 Teach Your Kids to Hear God's Voice (Listen on Apple Podcasts) (Listen on Spotify)Rhema NOW appHow to Hear from God Course
We have learned how to talk to God but few of us are in tune with how He speaks to us. We are His sheep, and we can hear the voice of the good shepherd!17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
God didn't need Moses to be perfect—He needed him to move. In this powerful message, Pastor Mark Rempel unpacks how our excuses often keep us from the very miracles we're praying for. Whether it's fear, shame, or insecurity, this sermon is a reminder that God parts seas when we stop waiting and start walking.SUBCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@2911Church?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW: https://www.instagram.com/2911church/?hl=enLISTEN: https://pod.link/1456498714LEARN MORE: https://www.2911church.com/SUPPORT: https://2911church.churchcenter.com/givingJoin us live every week from 2911 Church in Tempe, AZ as we worship together, hear powerful teaching, and grow in faith as a community. Whether you're local or tuning in from afar, there's a place for you here. Come as you are and experience hope, connection, and purpose. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a service!00:00 – Intro: Moses, Mountains, and the Mess02:15 – From Palace to Wilderness04:30 – The Desert We All Know Too Well06:00 – What Does Your Desert Look Like?08:25 – God Speaks Loudest in the Silence10:00 – Burning Bush Moments Explained12:00 – Recognizing God's Voice in the Routine14:30 – Creating Space to Hear God17:00 – When Obedience Feels Costly19:00 – Humility: Taking Off Your Sandals22:00 – Repentance Isn't Just for “Big” Sins26:00 – Listening Without the Excuses28:30 – Moses's Hesitation, God's Assurance30:45 – The Papa Voice We All Need33:00 – Pastor Mark's Burning Bush Moments37:00 – Your Dry Season Isn't Wasted39:00 – Final Challenge: Are You Listening?
How To Hear God's Voice - Henry Gotosa (27 July 2025)
God is a God who speaks to us. It's something He's been doing for centuries. Millennia in fact. And sometimes, sometimes he speaks to us in ways that we just don't expect. Right out of the blue. Question is – are we listening? The Power of the Prophetic It's just fantastic to be with you again this week and yes, we are continuing this week with our look with how it is that God speaks to us today – here and now, in the twenty first century. This series is called, “How Can I hear God Speak to Me?” And today's message is about expecting the unexpected. It's interesting, way back in the Old Testament, God spoke to His people through the prophets – people like Isaiah and Jeremiah and Ezekiel and all those Old Testament prophets – men whom God had called to speak His message to His people. Then in the New Testament, He speaks to us, first and foremost, through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ and the Apostles and the other writers of the New Testament Books. And He is still using those, through His Word the Bible, to speak to us today. By His Spirit, He speaks today. But interesting – the New Testament in particular, tells us how His Spirit speaks today. Sometimes it's easy to ignore that – it's easy to get all dull and boring about the way that God communicates with us but God is a stunningly creative communicator. There's absolutely nothing dull and boring about how He communicates. And one of the ways He does that is through the power of the prophetic. So today, what we are going to do is take a look at that. Now, in embarking on this today, I acknowledge that there are those amongst God's people who simply believe that there are no more prophets today – that this is something that belongs to the past and not the present. What's a prophet? Well, simply someone who speaks on behalf of God. Someone who speaks God's will into the lives of God's people. And yet, other traditions and denominations really emphasise the prophetic dimension of God's communication. And sadly, some do so to the point of abusing the prophetic. What do I mean by that? Well, I don't carry any particular baggage of denomination or tradition around when it comes to these things. My heart is simply to open God's Word, the Bible and to figure out what God says and to go with that. So that's precisely what we are going to do today. Let's take a look – this is the Apostle Paul writing to the church in Corinth – so after Jesus has died, risen again and is sent into heaven. This is the fledgling New Testament church that he is writing to. First Corinthians chapter 12, beginning at verse 4: Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. Now, here Paul is talking about supernatural gifts that are given to the family of God. And not just the special super-spiritual Christian leader type people. Have a listen again to verse 7: To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. In other words, to each person; to each believer, is given one or more of these supernatural gifts. Now, I have heard people say, "Oh, well. That was for back then. It's not for now.” Umm! This passage – First Corinthians 12 – rolls straight on to First Corinthians 13; the next chapter that famous passage about love, which kind of says, "You know, you can have all the spiritual gifts under the sun but unless you use them in love, they are useless." And it goes on to explain what love is. These same people love to quote First Corinthians 13 but somehow, maybe it's because in our Western mindset; maybe we are uncomfortable with the idea of these supernatural gifts - we can't explain them rationally. Some people want to deny that this bit of the New Testament – 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – actually exists and yet they go on and rely on the next chapter. I'm not quite sure why that is. But I find nothing – let me say this – NOTHING in the New Testament that tells me that this thing on spiritual gifts – supernatural gifts – was meant for them back then and not for us here and now. Nothing! And the gifts; words of wisdom and of knowledge, extraordinary faith, healing, miracles, prophesy, discernment of the Spirit, speaking in different tongues, interpreting different tongues. One of the arguments against words of wisdom and knowledge and prophesy, is that these so-called "modern day" prophets can set themselves up above the Word of God. They can say things that don't agree with the Scriptures; God's Word. So what are we going to do with that? Well, I have to tell you: like anything else good that God gives us, you can take it and you can abuse it. Absolutely! I have seen it happen in this area, where people go for emotionalism and manipulation, where they claim to be speaking for God, but in fact, they are not at all. But just because something good from God can be abused doesn't mean that it's not a good thing from God. There are several times in my life when someone has given me a specific prophesy, just for me, and all of those, barring one exception – which simple didn't ring true as being from God to me or other people who were there at the time – but the rest of those had a huge impact on my life. I look back on them now – and most of them were key turning points in my walk with God. And you know, these weren't proud people coming out with “Thus sayeth the Lord” type of proclamations. One of the most powerful was from a man called Dennis Adams. He worked at the time for a Christian Radio Network called HCJB – it was at a conference. I had just become involved, full time, here at Christianityworks. My predecessor had taken all of our radio programmes off the air. There was almost no financial support – the ministry was almost dead and I simply didn't know what to do. I met Dennis for the first time at a Christian Media Conference. He looked at my name tag – we didn't know each other – but he had heard some of the short radio messages I had preciously put together. And almost immediately, tears welled up in his eyes and with such passion and such conviction, he said to me, "You have to start doing those radio programmes again. You just have to." That day, Dennis's words pierced my heart and because of that we spent the last few thousand dollars the ministry had on producing the first series of these radio programmes but at the time we had no idea how we were going to get onto a radio station anywhere. Well, that was almost six years ago now and today, these programmes are heard by millions of people each week, around the world. See, I know that those words that Dennis spoke to me that day were God's words; they were a prophesy and without them I wouldn't be here today. Should we discern prophesies? Absolutely! Should we think them through and pray them through? Absolutely! Should we reject any that don't ring true? Absolutely! But, friend, God's Word says that He has appointed prophets amongst His people. God's Word says that He is still speaking to us through prophets and their prophesies today. Why, oh why would we want to deny that? Out of the Blue Have you ever heard kind of a voice out of the blue and wondered, now, where did that come from? We are chatting this week again on the programme about hearing from God. How does God speak these days and how can we hear Him. That's what we are exploring because God is still speaking and He means for us to hear Him. Now one of the ways I notice He talks to people throughout the Bible is well, it's like a voice out of the blue. I had coffee with a dear friend of mine, James, just yesterday. He was telling me about how the day before he had been racing out for a meeting and he had this distinctive impression on the way out the door; a strong impression that he should go back into his study and grab his diary. Of course, he ignored it and on the way something happened and he needed to contact the person he was supposed to be having this meeting with to adjust the arrangements. The problem was he didn't have the man's phone number on him. You guessed it – the phone number was back in the diary, sitting on the desk in his study. Now sometimes God has big things to say to us and sometimes He has just little things to say. And in my experience, if we love Him, if we are in the business of drawing close to Him, sometimes in the thick of things, while we are on the run, He speaks to us out of the blue. Some people are uncomfortable with that. There is a school of thought that God only ever communicates to us through His Word, the Bible. Well, I agree – the Bible is the primary way that He communicates with us and if anyone claims any other form of communication – prophesy, a word of knowledge, something from God out of the blue – if anyone claims to have any communication from God like that, but it's inconsistent with what the Bible says, well then, my friend, it is not from God. God never contradicts Himself, so I agree on that front. But the number of times He speaks to people in the Bible and they answer Him, "Here I am, Lord" – let's have a look at one of those today: Moses – this burnt out old wreck of a man – he is eighty years old. He had murdered an Egyptian as a young man and so, even though he grew up in Pharaoh's house, he fled out to the back of the desert and he had been tending sheep for forty or fifty years. But all of a sudden, when God is ready to speak with Moses, well, God speaks – out of the blue or at least out of a bush. Let's have a look at Exodus chapter 3, beginning at verse 1: Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up. When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of Israel has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” Was it an audible voice or was it a voice that Moses heard in his heart? Well, we don't know, but God didn't have a Bible to speak through back then – it wasn't written yet. So He spoke to Moses out of the blue, as it were. Now if you have access to an electronic version of the Bible, I suggest that you do a search on the words ‘here I am'. It happens over and over again – God speaks to people out of the blue and they answer Him, ‘Here I am, Lord.' Has it ever happened to me? Well, I have never quite been called to lead Israel out of Egypt, to be quite honest with you, but at the same time God has spoken to me out of the blue, about things that are big and about things that are small. I remember not long after I became a Christian. I was alone in my house – it was a Saturday afternoon and I was ironing down stairs. As I finished each shirt, I would take it upstairs and hang it in the wardrobe. As I was heading back downstairs I was just overwhelmed by the presence of God so I sat down on the stairs and what I experienced over the next fifteen/twenty minutes was God calling me to preach the Good News of Jesus. I thought, "Hang on, I have been a Christian like five minutes and You are calling me to do this?" And then He showed me how, over the prior twenty years, as I had been invited all over the world to speak at conferences and events in the I.T. Industry, which is what I did back then – I was an I.T. consultant – He showed me how He had been getting me ready for this, even before I had given my life over to Him. These weren't my thoughts or my ideas. This wasn't a vivid imagination at work. It was a definite ‘someone' outside of me, speaking to me and showing me this stuff – kind of an experience. Did I hear an audible voice? No, I didn't – never have. But I knew it was God. Jesus said in John chapter 10, verse 16: I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they will follow me. And that's exactly how it was for me that day. I just knew that it was God speaking. I just knew that He had called me to do this. I didn't know how it would happen – I had absolutely no idea, at that point that it would involve radio – none what so ever. That didn't come until another eight years later. Sometimes I thought I heard His voice and I don't think I got it quite right, so I always test things – I think, I pray, I see if it makes sense. And little by little, what I have discovered is that I am getting better and better at recognising His voice and listening to Him. In my day to day life, God sometimes nudges me this way, sometimes that. In the middle of the pressure and conflict sometimes, the Holy Spirit speaks strongly and directly, often with a Scripture, to me, that leads me to behave in a godly way, rather than following my natural human inclinations. And that's exactly what Jesus promised. When the Advocate comes,” He said in John chapter 15, “whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, will testify on my behalf. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Friend, God is in the business of communicating with us. When He does, when we hear Him out of the blue, let us test everything against His Word, the Bible, if it's not consistent with His Word, then it is absolutely certain this thing was not from God. But He does communicate with us in all sorts of different ways and sometimes He speaks to us completely out of the blue. It's fantastic! Let's just be ready to listen. Feet on the Ground You know, I love the fact that God speaks to us in all these different ways. We have looked at quite a few over these last couple of weeks – ways that He speaks to us today. And we will be doing that again next week too. But as I said, I really feel the need to end today on a note of caution. The point is that not everything that someone says, supposedly in the name of God, is going to be true. And not everything that we feel sometimes, or think we hear sometimes, is going to come from God. Why? Well, we're human, we're fallible. Sometimes we get things wrong. Sometimes other people have ulterior motives. Now, this is nothing new – false prophets have been around for a long time. And sometimes the things that false prophets have to say, is stuff that we really, really want to hear – its stuff that sounds much better than the stuff that's coming from the true prophets. Listen to this – Jeremiah chapter 5, verse 31: The prophets prophesy falsely and the priests rule as the prophets direct; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?” In fact Jesus said - Matthew chapter 7, verse 15. He said: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. So, there is a risk; there is a danger. Now that doesn't mean that God doesn't speak through prophets or through dreams or visions – quite to the contrary. The biblical record is clear – He has been doing that for millennia, even though all that time, there have indeed been false prophets around. In fact, often in Israel's history there were many more false prophets than there were true prophets. And so, in the face of that, there are two equal and opposite errors that we can make. The first one is to deny the unexpected; to retreat to the safety of things that we can understand and live our lives believing that God only ever speaks to us from one source these days – the Bible – and that's it. Now if you know me you will know that I believe that the Bible is God's Word and it is the authority; the absolute truth, when it comes to what God has to say. And for that reason, it's because of what I read in the Bible that I simply can't come to the conclusion that God doesn't speak through prophets anymore or dreams or visions or words of knowledge. God's Word doesn't let me draw those conclusions. And the other error that we can make, on the other end of the scale, is to chase after the false prophets who tickle our ears with things that we love to hear. Jesus said – Matthew chapter 24, verse 11: And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. So, the answer, quite simply, is this: it too comes from God's very own word and I love this because God's wisdom is so balanced. First Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 19 to 22: Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. In other words: don't fall into either of these two errors. Don't deny what God is doing anymore. Don't quench the Spirit – don't throw the baby out with the bath water. God is still speaking today – God is still speaking through prophets. “Don't despise the words of prophets.” But at the same time, don't take everything everybody says as though it is true – especially if it tickles your ears and if that's what you want to hear. Instead, test everything, sift it and weigh it, sort through it – go to God, go to your Bible and under God's hand, decide whether it's good or bad. If it's good, hold onto it, if it's bad, abstain from it. I mean, imagine you are walking down the street – some guy in a flashy, shiny suit walks up to you and he says, "I have the best investment plans for your savings that you will ever find. Give me all your savings and I will invest them for a hundred percent return every year." Let me ask you something: you don't know this man from a bar of soap – would you give him all your savings? Would you at that point, walk to a bank, take out all your life savings and give it to this man to invest? Of course not! We would discern what he has to say; we would figure out – is this person trustworthy? Is this something that's good or should I just ignore him and walk away? And it's the same with prophesies and words of knowledge. People, God's Word calls us “not to quench the Spirit, not to despise the words of prophets but to test everything” – to sift it, “to hold fast to what is good; to abstain from what is evil.” Pretty good advice! I frankly can't figure out why people want to fall into either of these two errors – throw the baby out with the bath water, quench the Spirit, or, accept everything without being discerning. Why would you want to do that? Now, I know I am going to get some mail over this message, from both camps – that's okay. For me, it's about going to God's Word – without baggage we carry from the past and openly, honestly, faithfully finding out what it is God is saying and how He speaks to us today. That's where it's at! That's what God honours!
Discover the timeless struggle between pride and humility in “The Battle To Hear God's Voice,” as we journey through the story of Abraham and Isaac. This episode explores how Abraham's willingness to listen and obey shaped his destiny.
It's summer time and here on Youth Culture Matters we're devoting our time to shorter episodes where we're talking about "Purposeful Parenting." We'll be addressing timely topics to encourage and equip you as parents to help your kids navigate their world in ways that bring honor and glory to God. Take a few minutes to listen in today as Walt Mueller shares ways to teach your kids to hear and follow God's will.
Learn more about Christian Leader™ Community Coaching:https://www.ryanfranklin.org/communitycoaching In this episode of The Christian Leader Made Simple Show, Pastor Luke St.Clair joins us to explore what it means to pray as a whole man—spirit, soul, and body. Drawing from his book The Whole Man, Pastor St. Clair unpacks a powerful framework of praying Scripture, hearing God's voice clearly, and creating a consistent rhythm of prayer in the middle of leadership demands. We talk about everything from the Tabernacle model of prayer to renewing strength through prayer over the body—and how leaders can carry the right burdens while laying down the wrong ones. If you've ever felt spiritually dry, overwhelmed, or just stuck in your prayer life, this conversation will point you back to clarity and connection with God.Purchase The Whole Man book: https://amzn.to/407qLr9 (affiliate link)Connect with Luke St.Clair:https://www.facebook.com/LukeDStClairhttps://www.instagram.com/luke_stclair?igsh=MTBjOWQxbG5qY3U5Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Purchase The Christian Leader Blueprint book today: https://www.ryanfranklin.org/blueprintbookDownload The Christian Leader Blueprint – Short Guide (Free): https://www.ryanfranklin.org/blueprint Take the Christian Leader™ Self-Assessment (Free):https://www.ryanfranklin.org/clselfassessment YouTube and Audio Podcast: https://www.ryanfranklin.org/leaderpodcast Connect with Ryan: Email: info@ryanfranklin.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rnfranklin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rnfranklin/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rnfranklin/ Audio mastering by Apostolic Audio: https://www.apostolic-audio.com#leadership, #thoughtleadership, #ministry, #pastor, #pastors, #churches, #leadershiptraining, #churchleader, #churchleaders, #influence, #leadershipdevelopment, #coaching, #executivecoach, #leadershipcoaching, #productivitycoach, #productivity, #growthmindset, #theproductiveleader, #ChristianLeader, #ChristianLeadership, #LeadershipPodcast, #FaithAndBusiness, #PodcastInterview, #ChristianEntrepreneurship, #KingdomImpact, #PodcastInspiration, #LeadershipJourney, #PurposeDriven, #ChristianPodcast, #LeadershipEssentials, #LeadershipFundamentalsSend us a text
What if the thing holding you back isn't sin—but comfort? In this powerful message, Pastor Zion Rempel unpacks how God confronted Pharaoh's comfort, idols, and pride through the plagues—and how He still does the same today. Sometimes what feels safe is actually stealing your purpose. God's protection and power come through obedience, not convenience. Are you willing to surrender your comfort to step into your calling?SUBCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@2911Church?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW: https://www.instagram.com/2911church/?hl=enLISTEN: https://pod.link/1456498714LEARN MORE: https://www.2911church.com/SUPPORT: https://2911church.churchcenter.com/givingJoin us live every week from 2911 Church in Tempe, AZ as we worship together, hear powerful teaching, and grow in faith as a community. Whether you're local or tuning in from afar, there's a place for you here. Come as you are and experience hope, connection, and purpose. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a service!00:00 – Intro: Moses, Mountains, and the Mess02:15 – From Palace to Wilderness04:30 – The Desert We All Know Too Well06:00 – What Does Your Desert Look Like?08:25 – God Speaks Loudest in the Silence10:00 – Burning Bush Moments Explained12:00 – Recognizing God's Voice in the Routine14:30 – Creating Space to Hear God17:00 – When Obedience Feels Costly19:00 – Humility: Taking Off Your Sandals22:00 – Repentance Isn't Just for “Big” Sins26:00 – Listening Without the Excuses28:30 – Moses's Hesitation, God's Assurance30:45 – The Papa Voice We All Need33:00 – Pastor Mark's Burning Bush Moments37:00 – Your Dry Season Isn't Wasted39:00 – Final Challenge: Are You Listening?
It's one thing to want to hear God speak. Lots of people do – How can I hear God speak to me is one of the most common questions I'm asked. But half the time, I wonder whether we're not wandering around with our ears shut and our eyes closed. Really! The Providence of Preaching My enduring memory of being dragged to church when I was a child was the droning of the preacher. I can honestly say he never said one thing; not a single thing back in those days, that impacted my life for good. Perhaps there was one thing – I was so bored this particular Sunday, sitting on these hard wooden pews, as a young lad, that I took the time to learn to wiggle my ears. But that was it! An incredible waste of time when you think about it and really sad because there is something incredible powerful about hearing the Word of God preached and receiving God's wisdom that way. Last week, we kicked off a series of messages about how we can hear God speak. I mean, if God is God and we are meant to have a relationship with Him then, shouldn't we be able to communicate with Him? Of course, we can pray – that's communication in one direction but what about communication back in the other direction? How can you and I actually hear God speaking His will into our lives? As we saw last week God is still speaking today. We have chatted so far about hearing Him speak through His Word, the Bible and during times when we get still before Him in prayer. We are going to chat today about two more ways that we can hear God speak – firstly hearing through His providence of preaching and later through the reading of signs. Humm! Now, the idea of preaching – some guy getting up and speaking about God's Word, teaching what is in the Bible – you know, to many people, it seems pretty old fashioned. And the other problem with it is that there's lots of bad preaching going around as well. I have sat and listened to a lot of people talk about the messages they get from their pastor on a Sunday morning and I have to tell you, in many, many cases, the news is not good. There's a lot of dead preaching out there – people droning on with irrelevant, boring messages. Not everywhere, of course, not every pastor, not every church, but a lot of it. A.W. Tozer in his book “The Pursuit of God” put it this way. He said: It's a solemn thing and no small scandal in the Kingdom of God to see God's children starving while actually seated at the Father's table. Sound Bible exposition is an imperative ‘must' in the church of the living God. Without it no church can be a New Testament church, in any meaning of that term. But exposition can be carried on in such a way as to leave the hearers devoid of any spiritual nourishment whatsoever. For it is not mere words that nourish the soul but God Himself and unless and until the hearers find God in their experience, they are no better for having heard the truth. It's sad but true! Hang on, this is nothing new though! This is how Luke records the reaction of people to Jesus preaching - Luke chapter, verse 31: Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. And again, in Matthew, listen to what he says. Matthew chapter 7, verse 28: Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. In other words, this stuff that Jesus was talking about was not the sort of preaching and teaching that they had been hearing from their scribes and synagogue leaders and priests and the rest of the religious establishment - in fact, quite to the contrary. Again listen to what Jesus had to say about the teaching of the scribes and the Pharisees – Matthew chapter 23, beginning at verse 2: The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. So, I guess what I am saying is that there is good preaching and bad preaching. Let's call a spade a spade here. Preaching that brings life and sadly, preaching that brings death. And people who sit under dead teaching, well, their faith and their passion for Jesus ebbs away. And little by little, they grow cold – little by little their faith dies and they with it. Does that mean that good preaching is all hyped and motivational and you know, about success and earning a lot of money? No that's not what makes good preaching! Good preaching speaks the things of God into our lives – there's an authority, there's a gravitas – a weight, a power that reaches into our hearts. The people listening to Jesus were amazed because He spoke with authority. They could just pick it. Remember what Jesus said to His disciples when He was telling them how He was the Good Shepherd? John chapter 10, beginning at verse 2: The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear the shepherd's voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought all his own out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run away from the stranger because they do not know the voice of strangers. And then Jesus went on to say: I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. See, when you hear the voice of God through someone preaching, you just know. Friend, seek out the sort of preaching and teaching that you know comes from Jesus – the sort with authority; the sort through which power and grace and truth and love from Jesus ring out. Clear, pure and unmistakable – it's the sort of teaching that God uses to change lives. It's astounding; it's amazing because you can feel God reach out through the speaker into the realities of your own life. Listen to those sorts of teachers and do not sit under dead teaching. Scribes and Pharisees are alive and well in the church today. And there's tired, uninspired, dead preaching to be had in abundance. I don't want to sound critical or self-righteous – that's not what this is about. This is about calling a spade a spade; it's about being honest and direct. How sad it is to sit there and just learn to wiggle your ears, as I did as a lad, and miss out of the Bread of Life. Tozer was right – this is no small scandal. Let me share a story with you. There was a time just before my wife Jacqui and I were married and we were engaged and it seemed that everything was going against us. We were really, really low – both of us. We had a great church and a great pastor and a great teacher but we were low. So we decided to go down the hill one Sunday evening and visit another church – just on a whim. The preacher wasn't the regular pastor whom we knew but a visiting guy from some surfing ministry. He preached on Matthew chapter 14, verses 22 to 33 – the bit where Jesus walks on the water and Peter steps out of the boat in the middle of the storm. As we listened to this message, we looked at one another because we realised that God had put this message and this preacher there for us, to strengthen us and encourage us. Over the coming weeks, we preserved through the challenges we faced with a new courage and it all worked out. And to this day I remember that message, even though it was decades ago now. To this day, when I am facing challenges and my faith is being challenged and I need courage, I go back to that passage. God is still using that message in my life today. Inspired, anointed preaching and teaching is one of the ways we hear from God. It's mighty and it's powerful and God can target issues and needs in our lives so accurately; so precisely. Let me encourage you to find and to receive that sort of teaching and preaching in your life. Not the stuff that necessarily entertains you or tickles your ears or tells you what you want of hear – there is plenty of that stuff out there too and that is leading many people astray. But the sort of preaching that tells God's truth with power and with authority. Reading the Signs Now, in February 2007, German woman Ewa Wisnierska was competing in an international para-gliding competition in rural New South Wales in Australia. The winds were from the south so she and most of the other competitors headed north. Now there was a thunder storm brewing towards the north but if they could only get through that before it formed, well, they would be well on their way. She could see it happening but the band of clouds and storms hadn't formed fully yet. So there she is, hanging off her para-glider, trying to skirt around a small cloud when all of a sudden the clouds merged in front of her and she found herself in the middle of a powerful thunder storm – rain, hail, lightening and winds. She had misread the signs. Now the problem with clouds for a para-glider is that clouds mean lift. The storm rocketed her upwards at twenty metres per second – up and up. There was nothing she could do to stop it – the updraft was just too powerful. Three thousand metres, four thousand, five thousand, six thousand – now at seven thousand metres we run out of oxygen – no one survives. Seven thousand, eight thousand, nine thousand – almost ten thousand metres; ten kilometres above the earth's surface – frozen, unconscious, in the minus fifty five degrees Celsius, oxygen depleted stratosphere, dangling from her para-glider, she glided there in a slow turn until suddenly, the weight of the ice on her para-glider caused her to plummet several thousand metres. Then, miraculously, the para-glider snapped open again and the jolt woke her up. This was the most extraordinary experience – really a miracle. No one has ever survived something like that. Can you imagine how she felt when she came to – she has been sucked up into this thunderstorm, she is covered in ice, barely able to move, aware that she was in a precarious life and death situation. Still in this storm that could snuff her out, as by the way it had to another experienced competitor from China who had been just a few hundred metres away from her. Even in this barely conscious state though, knowing the mistake that put her in this place; knowing that she only had one chance at survival, now that the storm was weakening and she was more on the edge than in the middle, she did the one thing she knew to do – she put herself in a downward spiral. With everything she could muster, she created this downward spiral and she survived to tell this most extraordinary tale. In fact a week later, she was back in the air with the very same para-glider. I watched her being interviewed – the one thing she said was this, along these lines: "It was a race. We were all trying to win. We saw the storm coming but everyone headed towards it and so I followed them. The thing that I have learned," she said, "was that next time I'll read the signs for myself and make my own decisions about going on or pulling out." Now that ... that is a bit of wisdom that really struck me between the eyes. We are talking this week and the next few weeks too, about hearing God speak. If God is God, how can we hear Him speak? Last week we saw that He speaks through His Word the Bible, and we can rely on that as our bedrock; our foundation. God never contradicts Himself – whatever else we may hear, see or feel – what He says in His Word is the truth and anything that contradicts that, isn't the truth. And we saw that He speaks to us as we spend time in prayer; in thought quietly with Him. And earlier we saw that He speaks to us through anointed and inspired preaching and teaching. What we are going to look at now is "signs". Now God speaks to us through signs as well and one of the things we are taught in His Word is to read the signs. Come with me to Luke chapter 12, beginning at verse 54: Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat'; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Now here, let's get the context right: Jesus is talking to them about the fact that they have got the Son of God right there, under their noses and they just don't get it! But the word "sign or signs" appears over a hundred and eighty times throughout the Bible. Sometimes we are talking ‘miraculous signs' but other times, they are not so much "miraculous" and almost exclusively, these signs – listen to this – are pointing towards God and what He is doing and who He is. That's the whole point of "signs" – they are pointing to something. Jesus, the miracles He did: John in his Gospel refers to them as ‘signs'. Jesus was and is the Word of God; God speaking to us about whom He is and what He is up to in this world. And so often there are signs in our lives – maybe right under our noses, God is pointing us in a direction but either we miss them altogether or we misinterpret them. I wonder how often people look at all that is going on in their lives; the storm clouds are rolling in and they ask themselves, "I wonder what God is up to?" Have you ever been travelling through a situation; something difficult or complex and you don't quite know the whole picture or how it's going to turn out and then all of a sudden there's a flash of lightening over there and a thunder clap that follows but over in a different direction there is a ray of sunshine; of hope? See most of us, we can look up at the sky and see that the weather is changing but we ignore what God is saying to us about what He is up to in the things that are happening around us. So here's what I do: well, if something is a little fuzzy; it's not quite clear, I take the time to quietly get before God. I pray a bit for wisdom and insight and then I just look at the different things that are going on and I think about them prayerfully. "God, that event, what does that mean? Is there anything that You are trying to say to me through that? Or this person, he's being so difficult and what she said, do you mean for me to take notice of those things?" I remember once we were having problems selling one of our houses, when we had already bought another one. Now, it's not something we had done out of hubris, we felt God leading us on to downsize and downscale and so we stepped out in faith – we bought a new house before we had sold the other one. And way before things became difficult, a wise, experienced real estate agent has quipped to me – he said, "I always tell people when they are selling, ‘Don't panic, it will sell eventually.'" Now, I thought nothing of it at the time. When things got tight and difficult and really tight and settlement of the new place was coming up and the old place wasn't selling, time and time again, God brought that passing comment back to me; into my remembrance and spoke to me through it and gave me peace. It might be something you saw in a movie or on television or a thunderbolt or a ray of sunshine – you know sometimes God will give us insight through those things that He is doing. He expects us to read the signs – it says so over and over again in the Bible. Is that like reading tea leaves? No! It's about looking at all the stuff that's going on through God's eyes – getting still and listening to what He is saying to us. So often God is speaking and we aren't even listening. I really encourage you to get still before God. Think about the different things that are going on and ask Him what He is trying to say to you through the signs that you see around you. Ask God for His wisdom and insight. You know, when we go to God, He never holds back; He never withholds wisdom if we ask Him and believe He will give us the wisdom and believe He will give us the insight, you know what – He will give it to us. It's a process of learning to discern what God is saying and when it's Him talking and when it's not. The one thing I always come back to is this: God never contradicts Himself. That's why we can be absolutely certain that anything that contradicts God's Word, in fact, isn't from Him. Preaching and Practice I often tell people about a man who has had an enormous impact in my life – Phil Littlejohn. He was the pastor of the first church I attended after I became a Christian. Phil was and still is a gifted teacher of God's Word. Week after week I have listened to him preaching and whilst I didn't realise it back then, him faithfully telling me each week what God had to say through His Word, laid the foundations of my faith. It's like a bedrock; solid. I realised that when I stumbled across this passage; something that Jesus said to His disciples – Matthew chapter 7, beginning at verse 24: Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall! That's exactly what was happening when I received God's Word through the preaching from Pastor Phil – it was like building a house whose foundations were on solid ground. The preaching of God's Word, that I received through Phil, was very much God's providence for me. In every sense of the word, it was God sent. And that's why it is such an incredible tragedy for people to waste their time, waste their lives sitting under dead, lifeless, uninspired teaching. With all that I am, let me say this: if that's what you are doing right now in your church, something has to give. Don't keep doing that because instead of laying a foundation of rock; solid, strong – you are building your house on the sand. And here's the point: the preaching thing is not just about learning the theory, it's about have the wherewithal to put it into practice in life because storms come in our lives – they always do. So we need the foundation of God's Word. But then we go out there and we put it into practice. That's why being able to read the signs out there in life, is equally important. I know people who believe in Jesus but they treat preaching like it's some theory lesson. They don't value it highly because they don't ever intend to go out there and – wait for this – put it into practice. But that's exactly what Jesus intends. There's no separation between preaching and signs in His view. Just read how He lived His life, here on earth. The preaching and the practice were one and the same to Him. And the more God's Word becomes a part of us – through our own Bible reading, through the preaching of those whom God has sent to us to teach us His Word, the more His Word becomes part of our DNA like that, the more we see the world through His eyes; from His perspective. Rather than from our own selfish, worldly perspective and the more we will be able to read the signs, to hear His voice, to figure out His will for our lives. It is exactly what the Apostle Paul writes in Romans chapter 12, verse 2: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. In other words, as God's Word takes root in us, we are changed because we change our minds and that is when we become able to discern the good and acceptable and perfect will of God for our lives. It's not just theory – it's theory and practice. It's hearing God's Word and taking that – let it become part of us and go and do it and live it. Preaching and practice, preaching and practice, preaching and practice, over and over and over again and before we know it, we are hearing God so clearly ... so clearly, it is just an awesome thing. Friend, I want to encourage you again – get in your Bible, spend time with God, reading His Word, prayerfully thinking through it, praying. Go and get good teaching – good, solid, inspired, anointed, God-given Bible teaching and then take those things and put them into practice in your life and my friend, they will bear fruit a hundred fold.
Online Service Sunday July 20, 2025Grace Community Church 5102 Old National Pike Frederick, MD 21702 Pastor Jon Keeler-Lead PastorPastor Kyle Barnette-Pastor of DiscipleshipPastor Paul Wareham-Community PastorWorship Set List-Take You At Your Word-Cody CarnesHe Will Be-CityAlightCrowns Down-Josh BaldwinLove of God-Brandon Lake/Phil WickhamWelcome! Thank you for joining us today. Please check out our event on YouVersion to follow along with today's message.Make sure you head over to our website: http://www.gracetoday.orgEmail prayer requests to: GracePrays@gccfred.org
This is a Men in the Arena podcast highlight from EP 839: Just 5 Minutes Can Transform Your Ability To HEAR Jesus w/ John Eldredge. This episode is sponsored by MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab, a Christian-owned fitness app. Get 6 weeks free with the code ARENA30 at MTNTOUGH.com. Every man needs a locker room. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men in The Locker Room, our bi-monthly live Zoom Q&A call! We meet in the Locker Room twice a month for community, fellowship, laughter, and to help each other find biblical answers to life's difficult questions. Sharing community with these amazing men is one of the most enjoyable things I do. - Jim Ramos https://patreon.com/themeninthearena Get Jim Ramos' USA TODAY Bestselling book, Dialed In: Reaching Your Full Capacity as a Man of God (https://tinyurl.com/dialedinbook)
Explore the age-old tension between pride and humility through the lens of the Garden of Eden story. In this podcast, we unravel how Adam and Eve's choices reveal deeper truths about human nature, ambition, and the costs of self-exaltation.
How should interpret Genesis? Why is God withholding faith from me? What do Protestants believe that grace does? This and more in today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders
Knowing about God is one thing, but knowing God is another. Believing in Him is good, but believing Him is better. The difference between impersonal religion and vibrant faith is in how you experience the presence of God. Every Sunday in July at The Story, we will hear powerful testimonies from people whose lives have been transformed by spiritual encounters, and we'll learn how to make ourselves more available to God.
How should interpret Genesis? Why is God withholding faith from me? What do Protestants believe that grace does? This and more in today's Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders
What if the very thing blocking your breakthrough is your disobedience? In this powerful message, Pastor Kristyn Rempel dives into one of the strangest passages in Exodus — when God almost kills Moses — to show how obedience is often painful, inconvenient, and misunderstood… but essential. From spiritual warfare to pruning and resistance, this sermon challenges you to release what you're holding back and step fully into the life God's called you to. Your miracle might be waiting on your "yes."SUBCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@2911Church?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW: https://www.instagram.com/2911church/?hl=enLISTEN: https://pod.link/1456498714LEARN MORE: https://www.2911church.com/SUPPORT: https://2911church.churchcenter.com/givingJoin us live every week from 2911 Church in Tempe, AZ as we worship together, hear powerful teaching, and grow in faith as a community. Whether you're local or tuning in from afar, there's a place for you here. Come as you are and experience hope, connection, and purpose. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a service!00:00 – Intro: Moses, Mountains, and the Mess02:15 – From Palace to Wilderness04:30 – The Desert We All Know Too Well06:00 – What Does Your Desert Look Like?08:25 – God Speaks Loudest in the Silence10:00 – Burning Bush Moments Explained12:00 – Recognizing God's Voice in the Routine14:30 – Creating Space to Hear God17:00 – When Obedience Feels Costly19:00 – Humility: Taking Off Your Sandals22:00 – Repentance Isn't Just for “Big” Sins26:00 – Listening Without the Excuses28:30 – Moses's Hesitation, God's Assurance30:45 – The Papa Voice We All Need33:00 – Pastor Mark's Burning Bush Moments37:00 – Your Dry Season Isn't Wasted39:00 – Final Challenge: Are You Listening?
Let me ask you a question – is God still speaking to us here and now? Today? And if so – how? Well – what are the answers? If God is indeed still speaking, shouldn't we be listening? Imagine what a difference it could make, to know His will for our lives. Is God Still Speaking? Now, here ... here is a question that these days, pretty much divides the church down the middle. Are you ready? Here it is: does God still speak today? Ooooh ... the controversy; the division that that little question creates, is huge. There are some who contend that the only way that God speaks today; the single only way is through the Bible. Read the Bible; that's God's Word; that's how He speaks. Then at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, you have Christians who claim to have seen signs and wonders; to have so called, "words of knowledge" and "prophesies" over their lives. I even know one man whose pastor constantly claims to have visions of Jesus. WOW man, what do you do with that? How do you understand that? And then there is little old you and me. If you are anything like me, deep inside there is a desire that burns for God – something that, well, it's hard to explain – a hunger after God Himself; a yearning that won't, that can't be satisfied by some dry, academic, cerebral answer to this question: does God still speak today? It won't be dismissed by shallow responses either. And nor will sensational claims quench the thirst after Christ Himself. And so that's why these coming weeks on the programme we are going to explore this question: does God still speak today? And if so, how? As I said, I ache to know God; to experience Him; to hear Him speak into my life. And I know that there are many, many more people on this earth who feel exactly the same. I want to live my life out completely for Him – everything I am, everything I have, all my hopes and all my dreams, to serve Him with the lot. And it's not because I'm some great guy – believe you me, I'm not. It's because I have tasted the sweetness of His love – the many splendored love of Christ, as A.W. Tozer calls it. I have tasted His goodness and His joy and His peace and do you know what – I want more! And so I want to hear Him speak because any relationship that means anything; that has any value to it is based on communication – and not one way communication, two way communication. A marriage is headed for divorce when there's a stony silence between husband and wife. If all that they do is communicate on a transactional basis, about the mundane things of life and they no longer communicate heart to heart, then friend, unless they do something about that, their marriage is headed for divorce. So the question is: Does God still speak? In my experience, He does, in a variety of ways. But experience ... experience isn't the "be all and the end all". We have emotions – they go up, they go down – sometimes we are on the top of our game, other times, frankly, let's be honest, we are off with the pixies. So whilst we may be experiencing God speaking through prophesy, through signs, through dreams ... all sorts of different ways, I believe with all my heart, the truth, God's chosen way of revealing Himself to us; providing us with a rock solid basis for understanding Him and understanding our experience, is His Word, this thing we call the Bible. Inspired by Him, written through human beings, for sure – each of the sixty six books of the Bible, written in different times in history, under different circumstances, for specific purposes but together those sixty six books are the inspired Word of God – God speaking to the generations that have gone before us and to us and the generations that will come after us. And God never contradicts Himself. He never says one thing and does the other. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. So if any one, whether it's you or me, claims to have heard from God in a certain way, then the question is: does the Bible say that that is how God communicates with us? Because if it doesn't, then friend, at the very, very least, I am very, very suspicious that this person has indeed heard from God. And secondly, if this person claims to have heard from God and acts on it or shares what God has allegedly said to him or to her, is the message consistent with the Word of God – the whole council of God? Because if God says one thing and some so called, "prophet" comes up with a so called, "revelation" that contradicts God's Word, then forget it. It ain't God talking! Does that make sense? When we step into the realm of God speaking with us about specific things happening in our lives or in the lives of other people, then we are stepping into territory which is rich and fertile on the one hand – if God is indeed speaking. I for one would want to hear but on the other hand, it's open to manipulation and to error. This approach is summed up in this Biblical principle – it comes from First Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 19 to 22. Have a listen – it says: Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. In other words, don't ignore God speaking through His Spirit. Don't despise the words of prophets, but at the same time, sift it; test it – hold onto the good, ditch the evil. So, is God still speaking? Absolutely! This is what Jesus said: John chapter 10, beginning at verse 1: Truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and – listen to this - the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and he leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers. Again John 15:26: When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. And again, John 16:14: He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. Is God in the business of still speaking to His people through His Spirit today? Absolutely! That's exactly what Jesus promised would happen – over and over and over again. It's promised in the Bible. But as we read back in First Thessalonians – whilst the Spirit is at work, speaking, declaring and we shouldn't quench what He is doing. When people claim to be speaking on God's behalf, then we had better test it to make sure that it's from God. And I guess that's at the very heart of what we are going to be talking about over the coming weeks – discovering how to hear God speak into our lives. It's powerful stuff! The Word of God I remember when I first gave my life to Jesus – I had such an incredibly strong sense of God's presence. He wrapped His arms around me during a particularly difficult and painful time in my life and yet I was full of the joy of the Lord. And a dear friend of mine, Phil, the pastor of the first church I attended sat me down over a coffee and he said to me, "You know Berni, it's not always going to feel as good as this." And whilst in one sense, he was right, there was something inside me – well, it made me angry. I thought to myself and I said this to God, "If I can't have a close, intimate relationship with my God, each day; if I can't experience His joy and His peace, each day, then you know something, Lord, I don't think I want You." It's pretty radical stuff! And to be sure life has had its ups and downs. Sometimes circumstances are against us and sometimes everything is rosy. Sometimes our emotions are up and sometimes they are down. In those early days of becoming a Christian, they told me; Phil told me that I should read my Bible every day. Can I tell you what a turn off that was? Can I tell you what a burden it was to think that I would have to open this old, stuffy Book; this huge Book; seven hundred and seventy five thousand words, thirty one thousand, one hundred and seventy three verses, one thousand, one hundred and eighty nine chapters in sixty six Books. Written in times and places and cultures that were completely unfamiliar to me. Who or what, for instance, is Ephraim? And why was everyone sacrificing bulls and goats and doves and stuff? You get the drift! But Phil, my pastor, was a persuasive guy – real salt of the earth kind of guy and when I listened to him preaching on Sundays he made an enormous amount of sense to me. So I did something back then – I established this pattern of getting up early in the morning; something I have been doing since I was a small child anyway, because I am an early riser – while everyone is still asleep – and spending some time in prayer and reading the Bible. I was surprised – God's Word made a lot of sense. A lot of it was confronting – it was like shining a really bright light on my own immaturities and the things I was doing that weren't pleasing God. And day after day, month after month, year after year, here's what has happened to me – it's changed me. I open the Bible these days and it is God speaking to me. Now there aren't fireworks and clashes of thunder and great amazing revelations each and every day – it's not like that. Little by little, God's Word has become part of who I am. I'm not good at memorising verses – some people are - I'm just not. But what I find amazing now is that when someone asks me to get up and speak about something or we are having a discussion amongst friends about this issue or that, the recall that God has given me over His Word, is amazing. I can remember the things that God says – maybe no word for word, but pretty close – and where He says it and that makes all the difference. When someone is really bugging me and I want to tear them apart, all of a sudden the Holy Spirit says to me, “Turn the other cheek!” And wisdom from above is pure and peaceable and gentle and willing to yield and all of a sudden, God's Word is guiding my behaviour. God's Word is giving me what I need to live my life. The Holy Spirit speaks His Word right into my life when I need it. And the other thing is – sounds really mundane reading the Bible every day and I guess it is. I tend to read an Old Testament Book followed by a New Testament Book – one of the Letters, from Romans to Revelation, followed by one of the four Gospels and Acts. It's kind of how I cycle through the Bible. And I have pretty much read it all now, several times. The reason I cycle is that the different Books feed me in different ways. Some of those Old Testament narratives – the Judges and Kings and Chronicle Books – they feed me with the power and the majesty of God's faithfulness. And then the Letters in the New Testament – they teach me about real life and understanding life, in light of what Jesus has done. And then the Gospels and the Book of Acts – they take me back to the heart of my faith in Jesus. And then some of the wisdom Books in the Old Testament – Proverbs, Psalms, Lamentations – I sprinkle them throughout and it's like adding salt to everything else. And as I read through, bit by bit, I can't begin to tell you how many times I have found exactly what I need for today – the things I am going through or the things unbeknown to me that are going to confront me later on today. It's amazing how many times God has given me what I need for today from those very next few verses, in the next chapter that I was due to read. Reading the Bible sounds like a chore – it sounds mundane but the strength and the maturity and the growth and the transformation; the things that have so made my life better – I can't begin to tell you. They have come from this wonderful habit that Phil taught me all those years ago - the ability to discern whether someone else is speaking for God or not – the wisdom to know how to handle tough situations – the maturity to lay down my life. That's hard, boy, it's hard some days. All those things have come as the Word of God has become part of who I am. Genesis chapter 1, verse 26 tells us that we have been made in God's image. Problem is, our rebellion; our sin has marred that image. And reading God's Word most days, listening to what He has to say most days, is like being restored back into His original image. It's a repair job here; a cleanup job there; a new bit here ... and all of a sudden we become a different person. It is knowing the truth that sets us free and the Bible is God's way of speaking with us. If there is one thing ... just one thing that I could point to as the smartest thing that I have ever done, after giving my life to Jesus, it's opening up the Bible – that daily habit – and letting God speak His Word into my heart through His Spirit. And the tragedy is that so many people ... the people who don't do that are the very ones whose lives are all over the place because there is no foundation; there is no anchor into God's truth. The Time of Prayer Earlier we saw that one of the main ways that God speaks to us ... in fact, THE main way is through His Word, the Bible and it's an awesome thing. And as I said back then, the simple habit of reading God's Word, even if it is just a few verses, every day, has utterly changed my life. But that's only one side of the coin in my daily time with God - because the other side of the coin is prayer. There's an amazing contradiction that so many people are living out in their lives – people who believe in Jesus. Here's how it goes: on the one hand these people really would love to hear God's voice; they would really like to know that He is there with them, that He has some practical words of wisdom for them, some guidance on the decisions they need to take – that's on the one hand. And yet these, so often, are the very same people who are too busy to sit down for twenty minutes, half an hour, maybe even forty five minutes or an hour, most days, to spend that time in prayer with God. Too busy, too busy, too busy! Well, fair enough, I know all about that! See, I'm one of these busy type "A", action oriented people – we're more focused on doing things and getting outcomes than on spending time on relationships. So anyone who says to me, ‘I'm just too busy to pray', well, I really understand; I really relate to that. But the problem that comes out of that is that we head off into our day and we confront all the issues and tensions and decisions and all that stuff – we are so immersed in it all – and then right in the middle of it, we think, "Ah, where's God? Why is God talking to me? Why isn't God guiding me? Why isn't God comforting me?" Well, I'll tell you, friend! God was waiting for you this morning; He was waiting for you to get still before Him, to spend some time with Him reading His Word the Bible, listening to what He has to say and then chatting with Him in prayer. Have a listen to this Psalm – it is one of my absolute favourites – Psalm 46: God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it will not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice and the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, he shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Powerful truth in verse 1 is that God is our refuge and our strength in the middle of all this mess. You don't have to be afraid – if the mountains are shaking, if they are falling into the sea, if there is calamity, there's upheaval, there's uproar – that's the picture in the Psalm. The sorts of things that we go through in the rough and tumble of life – we don't have to be afraid! Why? Because there's a stream flowing right through the heart of our city that makes us glad. The nations may well be in an uproar but God is God above all and when He speaks the earth melts before Him. Now, that's a great theory but when we are in the middle of this calamitous uproar; when tensions are running high at work; when we are hard pressed on every side; when we are running through life at a hundred miles an hour, how are we meant to experience this river of joy from God? How are we meant to hear Him and know Him and not be afraid because of Him when all this stuff is flying through the air? Well, the answer comes to us in verse 10 of this Psalm: Be still and know that I am God. Isn't that beautiful! Just ... with all that stuff going on ... just be still and know in your heart of hearts that your God is God; that your God is in control. I don't care who the relationship is with, if we don't take time away from the hustle and bustle, just to connect, just to spend time together, just to talk – whether it's husband and wife or work colleagues or friends – if we don't do that, then the hustle and bustle is going to distract us from the reality of the relationship with that other person. We forget, in our experience, how wonderful the love of our husbands or wives is; we forget the joy of a friendship because our dominant reality; the thing we are focused on is the busyness and the battle of life. And friend, if we want to know that God is in control, we need to get still before Him and just KNOW! It's as simple as that! That's what prayer is – getting still before God. Here's how it so often works for me: I pray a bit and I ask God to speak with me. Then I open the Bible and I read the next bit I was going to read; the next chapter in Luke's Gospel or whatever and in reading that, the Spirit of God speaks to me through God's Word. I get this sense that God is up to something here but then I need to chew it over so I pray about it and I ask God, ‘What are You saying to me?' I think about it, I get still, I listen and that's the place where God so often speaks, with a word of reassurance, with some specific guidance or direction. I had that happen this morning, in fact. I had a difficult situation; some difficult decisions to make and after spending time in God's Word and thinking and praying and listening, well, the answer was as plain as the nose on my face. So often I'm confronted with a "to do" list longer than my arm – I can't possibly get it all done today. "God, what is Your priority? What do You want me to do today?" And that's where the most important things drop into my lap, so I go and I do those ones. It's a gift from God. Friend, so many people's lives are in a mess. "I want to hear God speak!" Well, let's get still before God; let's spend time with God. If we want to hear God speak right into the middle of the realities of our lives, we need to get still before Him. Let's get a revelation today! I know your life is busy – mine is too. But if we start spending fifteen minutes, twenty minutes a day, quietly, all the distractions gone, the doors closed, the Bible open – time in prayer; God shows up. He loves spending time with us. He loves it when we set time apart for Him. And frankly, if you are struggling to hear from God but you are not making time to spend with Him, this message today, is for you. Start spending time just with Him and little by little He will start speaking. Day by day, we will learn better how to recognise His voice. Little bit by little bit we will get guidance about things for today and things for tomorrow and things that we need to lay down. Jesus said, "The shepherd speaks and the sheep hear His voice.” In my experience, sometimes in my prayer times over the years I have misheard God but the longer I spend at this, the more discerning I am and the more easily I am able to recognise the voice of my Shepherd.
You Are Wonderfully Made: Embracing God's DesignIn this episode of Teens Draw Near to God, hosted by Shirah Chante, listeners are encouraged to embrace their God-given uniqueness through the original poem Models. Shirah Chante shares her own experiences from her brief stint in fashion modeling and the judgments faced in the industry. She juxtaposes these harsh critiques with the biblical affirmation from Psalm 139:14, reminding teenagers and their guardians of their inherent worth. Listeners are invited to download the Relationship Rescue plan to learn how to hear God's voice and seek His guidance in all areas of life.00:00 Welcome to Teens Draw Near to God00:55 Introduction to the Poem Models02:32 Reading the Poem Models04:13 Personal Story: My Modeling Experience08:01 You Are Wonderfully Made: Psalm 13912:33 Encouragement and Conclusion13:49 Invitation to Hear God's Voice
Revival Mom | Grow Deeper with God, Encourage children in the Lord, Christian Home
This episode is especially for the busy Christian mom who's longing to hear God's voice but feels like life is just too noisy. I get it. It's summer. The kids are home. The house is louder, your quiet time has vanished, and you're wondering if you've somehow lost your connection to God. But here's the truth: God is always speaking. And in today's episode, I'm sharing what helped me grow in God and finally recognize the ways He was already speaking to me. I open up about a moment when a wise mentor prayed over me and shifted everything. That moment marked the beginning of a spiritual breakthrough I didn't even know I needed—and it's exactly the encouragement I want to pass on to you. I'll walk you through how I started hearing Him more clearly in everyday moments, even during a chaotic day with my kids. I'll also share a powerful prayer you can speak out loud today, plus scriptures to declare over your life when doubt creeps in. If you've ever thought, “Why can't I hear God like other people do?”—this one's for you. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to have long quiet times. You just need to be willing to let Him in. And if you missed it, go back and listen to Episode 18 with Jenilee Samuel: Helping Your Kids Hear God's Voice. It's a great companion to today's episode and gives you practical ways to help your children tune into what the Lord is saying too. If you want more support as you grow in this area, send me an email at alyssa@alyssarahn.com with “one-on-one coaching” or “Revival Mom Academy” in the subject line. Let's talk about what it would look like to walk this out together. And if this episode encouraged you, share a review on Apple Podcasts or email me directly—I'd love to hear how God is moving in your life. Let's keep going, mama. You can hear Him—and He's already speaking.
This episode explores the struggle between pride and humility in hearing God's voice, inspired by Romans 1:16-17 and Martin Luther's personal journey. Discover how pride can block us from receiving God's message, while humility opens our hearts to the gospel's power. Just as Luther humbled himself to accept that righteousness comes by faith—not by our own efforts—we'll discuss how embracing humility allows us to truly hear and respond to God in our own lives.
You can connect with today's guest Michael Pink by visiting https://www.michaelpink.com/---------------------------------Do you recognize when God is speaking to you—especially when His voice is subtle? How can you be sure it's Him? And can the wisdom of Scripture be applied beyond your personal spiritual walk—into your work, your business, and the marketplace? Michael Pink has built both a life and a career by doing exactly that. Today, he shares how he's learned to hear God, and beyond that, how to apply His principles in everyday work—insights that just might help you see Scripture in a whole new light.---------------------------------✟ Become a supporter of this ministry here! ⇨ https://www.astrongerfaith.org/give---------------------------------✟ RECOMMEND A GUEST HERE ⇨ https://www.astrongerfaith.org/contact----------------------------------✟ CONNECT WITH US! ⇨ Website: https://www.astrongerfaith.org/ ⇨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrongerfaith/ ⇨ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrongerfaith ⇨ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astrongerfaith✟ LISTEN/WATCH/SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ⇨ YouTube: https://bit.ly/asfmyoutube ----------------------------------------✟ If you need prayer or deliverance, or if you would like to join us as a prayer partner, please visit our prayer resources page at https://www.astrongerfaith.org/prayer.✟ If you are looking for a good faith-building book, visit our recommended books page at https://www.astrongerfaith.org/books.----------------------------------------✟ If you would like to send something in the mail, you can do so by mailing us at:A Stronger Faith MinistriesP O Box 2594Tuscaloosa, AL 35403
Amazing message from Pastor Michael Todd. Felix, Tedi, and I thank you for tuning in and SHARING!
We all hit seasons where nothing makes sense—where it feels like God is silent, progress has stalled, and hope is drying up. In this powerful message, Pastor Mark Rempel unpacks Moses's 40 years in the desert and the truth we often forget: God does some of His deepest work in the quietest places. If you've ever felt stuck, delayed, or overlooked, this message will remind you—you're not abandoned, you're being prepared.SUBCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@2911Church?sub_confirmation=1FOLLOW: https://www.instagram.com/2911church/?hl=enLISTEN: https://pod.link/1456498714LEARN MORE: https://www.2911church.com/SUPPORT: https://2911church.churchcenter.com/givingJoin us live every week from 2911 Church in Tempe, AZ as we worship together, hear powerful teaching, and grow in faith as a community. Whether you're local or tuning in from afar, there's a place for you here. Come as you are and experience hope, connection, and purpose. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a service!00:00 – Intro: Moses, Mountains, and the Mess 02:15 – From Palace to Wilderness 04:30 – The Desert We All Know Too Well 06:00 – What Does Your Desert Look Like? 08:25 – God Speaks Loudest in the Silence 10:00 – Burning Bush Moments Explained 12:00 – Recognizing God's Voice in the Routine 14:30 – Creating Space to Hear God 17:00 – When Obedience Feels Costly 19:00 – Humility: Taking Off Your Sandals 22:00 – Repentance Isn't Just for “Big” Sins 26:00 – Listening Without the Excuses 28:30 – Moses's Hesitation, God's Assurance 30:45 – The Papa Voice We All Need 33:00 – Pastor Mark's Burning Bush Moments 37:00 – Your Dry Season Isn't Wasted 39:00 – Final Challenge: Are You Listening?
The story of Samuel highlights this unique experience of hearing God speak to him in the middle of the night. And after that, his life is changed. What happens when God calls our names?
We begin our Audience Questions series by exploring the question "How do I hear God's voice?" Listen as Dave offers some practical ways we can cultivate a posture of listening in order to distinguish God's voice in our lives. Dave also offers a midyear update on Awaken and where we stand financially.
God draws near to meet with us. He speaks truth that doesn't change. Are you listening? Expect Him to speak! Prepare your heart to hear him and be ready to respond.
A meaningful message from Pastor Michael Todd. Jaggy and I thank you for tuning in and SHARING!
Pastor Randy HartzAre you new to Faith Family? We'd love to connect with you! Simply fill out this form: https://faithfamilychurchsd.churchcenter.com/people/forms/209342?source=ccaTo give online, go to https://faithfamilychurch.com/giveTo give through texting, simply text the amount to 84321You can also download the Church Center App to give on your phone and to register for any upcoming events, just select Faith Family Church as your home church when you first open the appiPhone Users Click Here to Download: https://apple.co/2YjPvw7Android Users Click Here to Download: https://bit.ly/3sX8St7Wednesday, June 25th, 2025
Revival Mom | Grow Deeper with God, Encourage children in the Lord, Christian Home
Can kids really hear God's voice? And what if you're not sure you can? In this episode, I'm sharing simple, Spirit-led ways to help your kids grow in God and recognize the Holy Spirit—without pressure, perfection, or Pinterest-worthy plans. You'll hear the story that sparked the Revival Mom movement, why teaching kids about Jesus starts with your own daily connection, and how Christian parenting can feel light and joyful again. We'll cover practical ways to strengthen spiritual parenting habits, how to model prayer and listening, and why your home is the front line of spiritual warfare for moms. Whether you're just starting or you've felt stuck, this episode will equip you to raise godly kids in today's culture with peace, presence, and Holy Spirit empowerment. Grab the free Ignite Revival Prayers & Declarations Guide at revivalmomprays.com and start building faith-filled habits that make a lasting impact. OTHER EPISODES YOU MAY ENJOY: Episode 15 | Summer Activities to Teach Your Kids About Jesus
I see you sister... Scrolling on your phone searching for answers to WHY you feel so crappy allll the time…. Looking up things like: WHY do my joints always hurt, is this a sign of menopause, why is my brain so foggy and why am I always so exhausted? What are the best supplements for women over 40? Before you know it, 1 hr is gone and your stress levels are higher than when you started. (Ask me how I know.) When it comes right down to it, You secretly and desperately WANT to rest cuz you KNOW that would help a lot but HOW? With your schedule and life… how can you really get the restorative rest your body is crying for? You may ask yourself and God: How do I find rest when I'm so overwhelmed? Why can't I focus when I try to pray? Is my constant exhaustion a spiritual attack? Lord why can't I HEAR YOU??? It can become a big spiral. Stay til the end to see my own struggle with this… but First, you are not alone and you are not crazy. Changes ARE happening inside your peri-menopausal/menopausal body and it's all gonna be ok. You have a heavenly Father who desires to walk this road WITH you. Hand in hand. Leading you, guiding you and shepherding you. We are gonna talk about how resting…spiritually, mentally and physically helps us to hear from God. This is a big component we work through in coaching cuz we address ALL areas of wellness: Physical, mental and spiritual. So I am going to share 3 questions you can ask yourself that will help you to dial in deeper into this topic of hearing God's voice. Especially as you are leaning closer to Him for your whole health. I pray this brings peace to you today! XO, Michelle Book your Fatigue Freedom Call today, where together we will uncover what's really keeping you exhausted AND show you how you can start feeling BETTER in your whole health, within DAYS. Online Supplement Dispensary Info: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/michelle-mccoywellness ***Join our community, Fight FATIGUE over 40 with FAITH & Holistic Health, to be supported, encouraged and educated as you take back your health WITH God at the center. **Catch the Treasured Wellness Podcast on https://christianmix106.com/ AND YouTube ***DISCLAIMER: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Contact your own physician for any medical concerns you have. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Treasured Wellness, LLC, guests or contributors be responsible for damages arising from the use of this podcast.
In this episode, Mike Linch interviews David McIver, who shares his heart for evangelism and the concept of 'Looking for the One.' David recounts personal stories of transformation and emphasizes the importance of cultivating a heart for the lost. He discusses daily practices of evangelism, connecting with people in everyday life, and his experiences in Major League Baseball clubhouses. The conversation highlights the power of prayer, building relationships, and the significance of having a mission statement in life. David concludes with a heartfelt prayer, encouraging listeners to be open to God's leading in their lives.Mike's Biggest Takeaway's:- 75% of churches in America win zero people to Christ.- The concept of 'Looking for the One' focuses on individual connections.- Listening to the Holy Spirit is crucial in evangelism.- Every day can be an adventure in sharing faith.- People are often open to spiritual conversations when approached personally.- Building relationships is key to effective evangelism.Welcome to the Linch with a Leader Podcast, where you're invited to join the spiritual principles behind big success, with host Mike Linch.Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode: Watch: @linchwithaleader Prefer just listening? SUBSCRIBE to the podcast here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dJfeLbikJlKlBqAx6mDYW?si=6ffed84956cb4848Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/linch-with-a-leader/id1279929826Find show notes and more information at: www.mikelinch.comFollow for EVERYDAY leadership content and interaction:Follow on X: https://x.com/mikelinch?s=20Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikelinch?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==https://www.instagram.com/mikelinch/?...JOIN Mike for a Sunday at NorthStar Church:www.northstarchurch.org Watch: @nsckennesaw
I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Friday morning, the 20th of June, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Gospel of John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Can you hear His voice today? You know, I marvel when I maybe get invited to a birthday party and there's are a whole lot of young mothers and they all chatting, having a cup of tea together, and all the little children are playing on the playground, maybe 10, 15 children, little ones, under 4 years old, and all of a sudden one of them falls and starts to cry. It's a miracle. I just hear a whole lot of children shouting and playing but that mother, the mother of that child, straight away, she puts her cup down and she goes straight to the playground to her child. Why? Because she knows her child's voice even if she's crying. It's incredible, it's a miracle! I read something very special the other day. It is not unusual for a person who loses someone very dear to them to hang on to a final voice mail recording, just to be able to hear their voice again. How many times have you heard that? Sad but true.The Good Shepherd knows His sheep and they know His voice. In the Middle East they don't chase sheep around with sheepdogs like we do in the west. No, the shepherd calls his sheep and his sheep follow him, it's quite something to see. I've got a son who uses cattle dogs to herd his cattle. These dogs are amazing. I love them, I pat them, I talk to them but they don't listen to me. They only listen to one voice and that is my son's voice. Why? Because they know him. When a child is in it's mothers womb is already connecting with mom, and when it's born and it grows and mom speaks to that child, and dad, every day, when they grow up there's a bond that cannot be broken. Now, we need to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. In John 14:6, Jesus said: “I am the way…”. We need to listen to that beautiful voice, still small voice, and we need to obey Him, then we will not get caught up on the wrong road and get ourselves into trouble. Today, listen and hear the voice of God. He is speaking to you.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day. Goodbye.
What does it mean to truly walk by the Spirit? In today’s heartfelt devotional, Annie Yorty shares the touching story of her loyal dog, Misha, whose devotion to her offers a living illustration of what it means to stay close to God’s Spirit. Just as Misha shadowed her every move—never straying far—so too are we invited to abide in the presence of the Holy Spirit, seeking God's will and resting in His love. Drawing from Galatians 5:25, Annie reminds us that walking in step with God is more than a quiet metaphor—it’s a daily, intentional choice to live under the guidance and care of our ever-present Helper. Whether we face distractions, temptations, or spiritual fatigue, the invitation remains: draw near, walk closely, and let the Spirit lead. ✨ Main Takeaways Galatians 5:25 calls believers to actively “keep in step with the Spirit,” implying discipline, intimacy, and direction in daily life. Walking with God means turning away from distractions, temptations, and the lure of the flesh. Staying close to God brings protection, discernment, and peace—just like a loyal pet finds security beside its owner. The Holy Spirit grieves when we drift, but His call to return is always tender and redemptive.
GOD: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher - The Podcast, S1
Questions? Comments? Text Us!In this episode of From God To Jerry To You, we explore the moment that changed everything: when Jerry heard God's voice for the first time. What began as a private prayer became a divine calling—“Tell My Story.” But what does that mean in a world of many religions, traditions, and truths?Jerry shares how God's message was not confined to one faith or one people, but revealed in different ways across history and cultures. From ancient Israel to India, from sacred texts to personal moments of clarity, divine Reality calls to each of us uniquely.Can we hear that call in our own lives? What does it mean to be part of God's story today? This episode invites you to reflect on your own path and how to recognize your most intimate access to the divine.Other Series on the Podcast:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book, God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher, and now includes several unique series:The Life Wisdom Project: How to live a wiser, happier, and more meaningful life with special guests.From God To Jerry To You: Calling for the attention of spiritual seekers everywhere, featuring breakthroughs, pathways, and illuminations.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God: Sit in on a dialogue between philosophers about God and the questions we all have.What's On Our Mind: Connect the dots with Jerry and Scott over the most recent series of episodes.Jerry and Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue: A personal, philosophical, and spiritual conversation between soulmates.What's On Your Mind: What are readers and listeners saying? What is God saying?What's Your Spiritual Story: Submit your spiritual experience and hear it explored on the podcast.Stay ConnectedShare your thoughts or questions at questions@godandautobiography.com
Back on April 1st, Episode 213, I shared a personal chitchat about why I was working with urgency – because life felt short, and I didn't want to waste time. I wanted to crush my personal and business goals as soon as possible because we're not guaranteed time.And while most of that was true, here I am 10 episodes later taking a lot of that back, not because life isn't short, but because I've come to realize that Jesus never hurries, and maybe I wasn't supposed to either.In this episode, I open up about one of the most refining seasons I've ever walked through: burnout, back-to-back ER visits, fertility struggles, financial debt, and business plans falling apart. But it's also the season where God met me most tenderly, showing that even in weakness, He always provides. That even in chaos, He always brings peace. And yes, that includes an unexpected $18,000 check that covered every single debt I was carrying.This is my raw, unfiltered testimony of God's faithfulness in the slow and uncertain. If you're in a season that feels the same, where everything seems completely off-track, please hold on to your faith. God sees you. God hears you. And He will make everything perfect in His time.Soli Deo Gloria.
In this opening episode of the Summer Q&A Series, Nicole addresses one of the most heartfelt and relatable spiritual struggles: “What do I do when I can’t hear God’s voice?” Drawing from James 1:2–8, Nicole unpacks why God may feel silent in seasons of confusion or pain—and how that silence could actually be an invitation. With compassionate insight and biblical depth, she offers listeners practical wisdom for enduring trials, examining their hearts, and pressing deeper into God’s promises. This is a powerful episode for anyone feeling stuck, discouraged, or distant from God. Main Takeaways You’re Not Alone in the Silence: Even faithful believers experience seasons of unanswered questions or silence from God. James 1 Offers a Roadmap: Troubles are opportunities for growth, not obstacles to joy. When we ask for wisdom, God will give it—but we must ask with faith and undivided loyalty. Mixed Motives Can Muffle God’s Voice: Sometimes our desires are entangled with fear, selfishness, or cultural pressure. Regular self-examination can purify our requests. Endurance Builds Spiritual Maturity: The waiting seasons are formative. Joy, wisdom, and clarity come with time and perseverance. God’s Promises are Steady Anchors: Holding tight to the truths of Scripture can help steady your faith during spiritually dry times. For Further Bible Study: Bible Verse References James 1:2–8 – Consider trials as joy and ask for wisdom with faith Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened…” John 10:10 – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life…” John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Want More? Subscribe to How to Study the Bible to follow the full Summer Q&A Series! Leave a review to help more listeners discover biblical answers to real-life questions. Visit nicoleunice.com for Bible study tools and Nicole’s books. Get Nicole's book Brave Enough Submit a Question for future Q&A episodes via social @NicoleUnice. BibleStudyTools.com – Verse reference and study help Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
How To Hear God's Voice and Get Your Prayers Answered. How To Hear the One Opinion That Matters in a Noisy World.Follow on social media!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MarkDriscollMinistries?sub_confirmation=1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastormarkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/markdriscollTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pastormarkdriscollTwitter: https://linktr.ee/markdriscoll Click here for more resources: https://linktr.ee/markdriscoll
We say God still speaks—but what does that actually sound like? In this message, Pastor Joseph walks through Luke 24, Mark 6, and 1 Kings 19 to show that God still speaks—just not always how we expect. From conversation and Scripture to sacred rhythms, prophetic nudges, and inward whispers—God's voice isn't silent. It's gentle, consistent, and near. This message unpacks 5 ways God speaks and clears up the noise that keeps us from hearing Him. God's not playing hide-and-seek. He's drawing you in.
How can you know you're hearing God's voice—and not just your own thoughts? In this video, we explore how to hear from God without falling into deception or starting a cult. Whether you're a new Christian, a skeptic, or someone who's simply curious about Jesus, this episode will help you understand the Biblical and responsible ways to hear from God.We cover how to practice listening prayer, how the Holy Spirit leads believers, and the importance of Scripture in discerning God's will. You'll learn how God can speak through dreams, prayer, Christian community, and even your circumstances. We also break down red flags to watch out for so your spiritual journey stays rooted in truth and humility.If you've ever asked, “Is God speaking to me?” or “How do I know this isn't just my own voice?”, this is the video for you. Strengthen your faith, grow in spiritual maturity, and learn to walk closely with God—without losing your mind or misleading others. Perfect for Bible study, faith growth, and Christian discipleship.Enjoy!Got any questions or topics you'd like to hear about? You can email us at tydhcpod@gmail.comLike our content? Consider helping us grow through Patreon, a follow, or subscribe!Leave a rating on whatever platform you listen on and write some nice commentsYOUTUBE herePATREON hereINSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/thingsyoudonthearinchurchpod
Wanting to hear God's voice in your life? If you can't or you're struggling, you are NOT alone! We hope this episode encourages you with keys to breakthrough in hearing God's voice and discovering His closeness in everyday life!Find out more about YWAM Furnace below
The Holy Spirit is not only with us and near us but in us as believers. He enables our prayers. This connects us to God every moment of our lives, no matter how busy life gets. In today's episode, learn how to sense the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life so you can connect with God every moment. Prayer is unlocked when we team up with the Spirit. Enjoy! Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: How to Hear God Through His Word How to Hear God in Prayer How God Speaks Through Your Current Circumstances How God Speaks Through Our Past Experiences How God Confirms His Word Download Christina's Free 5-Day Prayer Guide to help you put into practice the powerful habit of prayer. Take the Prayer Personality Quiz to learn how you best Hear from God and communicate with Him: https://www.prayquiz.com.CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA:Go to her site, www.belovedwomen.org, and study the Bible with her in the Beloved Women app available in the Apple and Google Play stores, where she invites busy women to fill up on God's love and truth through online Bible study, practical Christian living, and authentic womanhood. https://www.belovedwomen.org/join/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us. Scriptures are taken from ESV. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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In this episode, I'm chatting with Andy Mason, the founder of Heaven In Business. We dive into his journey from New Zealand to the U.S., following God's call to leave behind a stable life and career to pursue a new path. Andy shares insights on integrating faith into business, how to hear God's voice in business decisions, and practical ways to build a kingdom-centered company. We also talk about navigating seasons of uncertainty, leadership, and balancing faith with entrepreneurship. You'll walk away with inspiration, practical tips, and a deeper understanding of living out your faith in the marketplace! __________________________________________________________ Ready for more? Here are 3 ways we can help you: 1)
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