Reviewing God's Words, Pictures, & Visions

We have been talking & praying about evaluation & reflection. Up until now in your praying you should have been receiving various words, pictures, or vision from God.

 As a brief review on how God speaks…. What I call “God Language”

What does God’s voice sound like?

·      Word of God

·      Mental pictures on the screen of your mind

·      Dreams, visions

·      Sensory- experience the emotions of God; sense God through your emotions

·      Hear the voice of God on the inside (inward witness or impression)

·      A knowing on the inside 

What is Your God Language: Discovering How God Specifically Speaks to Me?

These are the primary ways God may speak to you; you may have a mix of all (ie. You may be right handed; but you are good at using your left for certain things….)

o   Hearer

o   Feeler/Sensor

o   Seer

o   Knower

 Check Out the “Developing an Ear to Hear” Masterclass for more detail & handouts.

Prayer Points & Declarations

·      I hear the voice of God clearly and the voice of a stranger I will not and cannot follow (John 10:4-5).

·      I know Him. I see Him. I follow Him. It is so easy to hear the voice of God. It is my nature to hear God speaking (John 14:17).

·      I resist and rebuke fear of hearing God and getting closer to Him. I reject shame. I am accepted and beloved. I am worthy to be called a child of God (Eph 1:6; Isaiah 41:10).

·      I resist the enemy attempting to infiltrate my ability to hear and know God clearly. I plead the blood of Jesus over my mind, will and emotions (Revelation 12:11; Exodus 12:13-14; 1 John 1:7).

·      My hearing is blessed. My thought-life is blessed. My dream-life is blessed. I am blessed. (James 1:17; Jerimiah 17:7-8; John 1:16; Psalm 1:1-3; 2 Corinthians 9:8)

Accountability

·      We are accountable to God for what we hear

·      We must steward the word properly

Proper Stewardship

·      Write what you hear down

·      Record, rehearse, & speak the Word over yourself

·      Find scriptures & accounts in the Word which strengthen your faith

·      Pray for more clarity (detail, specificity, timing)

·      Ask God for confirmation

·      Be open to changes & variations of the Word which might come from God as you get more clarity

·      Use it as a starting point for preparation (invest in yourself). Study to show yourself approved.

Timing/Seasons

·      Kairos Timing

·      Chronos Timing

Kairos vs. Chronos Time

Kairos Time (Mark 1:15; John 7:6)

• Used 86x in NT

• Proper or opportune time for action

• Moment or season

Chronos Time (Acts 13:18; 27:9)

• Used 53x in NT

• A specific amount of time (ie. day or hour)

·      There is a specific season/timing in God when things are supposed to happen in your life.

·      Must seek God for His timing or Kairos= God’s result

·      Must have faith in the timing of God

Prayer Points & Declarations

·      I welcome God’s accountability. There is safety in a multitude of counsel (Proverbs 11:14)

·      I walk in God’s wisdom, revelation and understanding (Proverbs 4:6-7)

·      I commit to do what is necessary to be a good steward over what God has given me. I do not take God’s Words or hearing God’s voice for granted (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 4:2)

·      I study to show myself approved (2 Timothy 2:15)

·      I understand the timing and the seasons of God. I move in sync with God. I do not move before God or after God says move. I am in perfect harmony for God’s Kairos timing in my life (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Resources

Developing Your Ear to Hear Masterclass

Big Faith Big Goals Livestream Replay

Goals, Faith, Foolishness, & Presumption Livestream Replay (Coming Soon)

Evaluate Yourself: Prayerful Reflection

Self-evaluation and reflection are some of the most valuable skills you can master when it comes to developing yourself and seeing change occur in your life.

We have to know and evaluate where we have been to know where we need to go.’

·      At times reflecting back and looking at where we come from can be difficult.

Reflection/Self-Evaluation Can be Difficult Due to:

·      Pride (you think nothing is wrong regarding your vision/goal success)

·      Disappointment (you know a lot is wrong, but do not know how to handle it emotionally)

But self-evaluation/reflection necessary. If you don’t know where you have been, you don’t know where you are going.- Maya Angelou

·      Reflection helps us to learn (and apply what was learned)

·      Gives meaning to our experiences; we think about them in a different way

·      Causes momentum when we think through what we have accomplished

·      Gives us courage and confidence to continue on

Things to Evaluate

·      Prayer life

·      Personal Development

·      Bible Reading

·      Church Attendance

·      Accountability

·      Relationships

·      Your connection to healthy communities

Recognize where you are at and make the changes. Use your faith and make the needed changes.

Isaiah 43:19 AMP

19 Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

God desires to do a new thing in your life. Expect to see it. Expect God to work miracles regarding the changes you will be making (“rivers in the dessert”)

Prayer Points & Declarations

·      God, please show me myself. Show me my blind spots. Help me to reflect. I practice healthy reflection.

·      I will not be in fear to see where I need assistance.

·      I have a plan and strategy to make the changes and advances that need to be made.

·      I have a prayer strategy & plan for my:

o   Prayer life

o   Personal Development

o   Bible Reading

o   Church Attendance

o   Accountability

o   Relationships

o   Your connection to healthy communities

·      I have the necessary skills, tools, and help to move forward in attaining your vision & goals for my life.

Resources:

Book: Cruicial Conversations by Kerry Patterson

Fear of Setting Goals with God

We are on Day 3! Hopefully, you have been receiving a lot during this time of prayer! The journey so far has been life-changing! We have intentionally been praying through the vision God has for us and the elements that can hinder us from fulfilling the goals that God has for our lives.

2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

 [NKJV] For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 

A spirit of fear has not been given to you by God. A spirit of fear comes from Satan, don’t receive or partner with it. At times fear can enter in when God gives us a vision which is bigger than us

If the vision is from God it is meant to be bigger than yourself & you will need God to complete it. You cannot do it on your own. Fear comes when we don’t trust God with the vision. Fear can enter in when we attempt to take control of the situation.

Why do we take control:

·      Lack of trust that God can do it

·      Fear of disappointment

·      Self-sabotage

We must resist & reject the fear and replace it with faith. Fear is the opposite of faith.

Prayer Points & Declarations

·      I resist and renounce fear.

·      Fear will not paralyze me.

·      Lack of control will not paralyze me.

·      I trust God. I believe that He is faithful

·      I will allow God to root out of me anything that is holding me back from partnering with Him towards my success.

·      I will have courage. I am a faith giant.

How do we build faith?

·      Find promises of God to stand on

·      Rehearse those promises (Faith arises by hearing. Romans 10:17 NKJV- So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.)

·      Speak over your vision & goals

·      Write out & visualize your vision & goals (write a declaration based on the Word)

·      Pray over your vision and goals regularly and prepare for what you pray for. We must continue in our expectation.

James 2:17 NIV

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.)  

Areas of Goal-setting (These are your prayer points)

·      Spiritual

·      Personal

·      Health/Healing

·      Education

·      Financial

·      Business/ Career

·      Family

·      Lifestyle/Recreation/Travel

·      Civic/Community

Prayer Points & Declarations

·      I will receive the vision and goals that God has for each of the goalsetting areas (above).

·      I will intentionally build my faith in these areas.

·      I commit to study and search out the Word for promises in line with what I believe

·      I will rehearse the promises of God to build my faith and put action to what I am believing.

·      I will allow God to empower my vision and imagination with His thoughts and revelation for my life.

Resources

Do It Afraid Masterclass

Dealing with Control & Controlling People Replay (Youtube)

Being Ok With Where You Are

During Day 1, we discussed the basic elements of vision and prayed through vision and challenges which might prevent us from seeing God’s vision. If you missed it click the link in the resources section at the bottom of this page to gain access.

At times when we do introspective work like this, it can cause us to feel disappointed in ourselves and what we have not accomplished. However, we must be ok with where we are. God is always in control.

 Hebrews 13:5 NLT

… For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

God always sees and hears. He has a master plan complete with detours. We have to be ok with trusting Him and allowing ourselves to let Him lead and guide us.

Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

2 Cor 4:17-18 NKJV

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 The word “temporary” means that it is subject to change. Where you are or are not right now is always subject to change. Expect change to occur in your favor.

Prayer Points & Declarations

·      I trust you God and surrender my will to your will.

·      I will not be anxious or worried about anything.

·      I will not frustrate the grace of God and I commit to rest in God’s peace.

·      I will not focus on where I have missed it, but I will focus on how you are restoring it.

·      I expect change to occur in my favor.

1 Cor 2:9-10 NKJV

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

 ·      I will catch hold to the things of the spirit and see the things revealed by the spirit.

 

Do Not Despise Small Beginnings

 Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…

 The enemy will feed us lies that what we are doing currently or have done in the past doesn’t matter. The Word of the Lord for some of us today is “we need to begin again”. We need to fight through fear of failure and disappointment and start again. In our starting again we need to add to our faith wisdom, patience, revelation, and understanding.

We can use the story of Job as an example. He had every reason to be depressed and paralyzed in His fear of disappointment. However, things turned for Him. We see can see in the below scriptures an encouraging word that fit Job’s situation.

Job 8:7 God’s Word Translation

Then what you had in the past will seem small compared with the great prosperity you'll have in the future.

[NKJV] Though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would increase abundantly.

[NASB] Though your beginning was insignificant, Yet your end will increase greatly.
[NLT] And though you started with little, you will end with much.

[NIV] Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.

 Where we begin might seem small. But we have a promise from God for increase and abundance! The enemy would like us to believe otherwise. His purpose and job is to steal, kill, and destroy. He does this to us because of his hate for God.

John 10:10 NKJV

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The enemy wants to steal your hope, joy, and expectation

God is interested in your obedience. Obedience is God’s measure of success.

  We must practice reframing or changing our perspective. We must change our self-talk (negative vs positive) (Phil 4:6). We must do something different to get different results; have a plan towards success. We must forgive ourselves if we know we have not been obedient to the vision that God has shown us in the past.

 Romans 8:26-28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

v.26-27 discusses who all things work together for…those that are interceding by the spirit.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Prayer Points & Declarations

·      God. Thank you for redirecting me to fulfill Your vision in my life. I surrender my will to Yours.

·      I choose to forgive myself.

 Mark 11:24-26 AMPC

24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]. 25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. 26But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings.

·      I rest in the love of God.

·      I surrender to God’s will, plan, and ways.

·      I accept God’s direction or redirection towards His vision and goals for my life.

·      We are more than conquerors

 Romans 8:35, 37 Contemporary English Version

Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 

Resources:

·     Praying in the Spirit Free Masterclass

• Book: Why Tongues by Kenneth E. Hagin

·     Developing Your Ear to Hear Masterclass

·      FB Livestream Replay: Big Vision; Big Goals

·      Do It Afraid Masterclass

• God Still Heals Ebook or God Still Heals Print Book

·      Praying the Word Manual (pg.1-5 are specific to how to pray the Word)

What Do You Do When God is Silent?

Do you ever feel sometimes as if God isn’t saying anything? It feels like you cannot hear anything but your many thoughts and emotions. (Especially if you are facing a major life issue or challenge.) God is actually not silent. He is always speaking. What you have to check on is if you have lost reception to hear Him.

For example, think of a radio. Radio stations are constantly broadcasting 24/7. However, if you do not turn the radio on, it will seem as if nothing is happening. However, you have to do something to cause the radio to produce a sound… you have to be in range of the station and you have to turn the radio on. Some of us have been so out of range of God we could not hear him even if the “radio was on”. Some of our hearts are so far away from Him and crowded with the cares of life. We would not be able to hear God if He was yelling in our ears! 

There are 5 areas that you can check on to examine why God might be silent in your life. 

Do you know God’s voice? Do your recognize it?

We must spend enough time with God that we recognize His voice. Just as when you are growing up, you spend so much time with your parents; you can recognize their voices over everyone else's in a crowded room. We must get so acquainted with God’s voice it is the same way. The Bible says that we hear His voice and the voice of a stranger we will not follow ( John 10:27) 

Do you know the ways God speaks? 

God speaks in many different ways. The three most common ways are the Word of God, the inner witness/peace, and the “still small voice”. You can click here to learn more about these ways in my post, “The 12 Ways God’s Speaks”. 

Are your emotions overriding your hearing? 

We are spirit beings. According to 1 Thess. 5:23, we are a spirit, we possess a soul (our mind, will, and emotions), and we live in a body. Conscience is the voice of our spirit, feeling is the voice of our body and reason is the voice of our soul. 

Sometimes when we are so emotionally connected to a situation the voice of our soul will override the voice of our spirit. 

We need to exercise wisdom when hearing the voice of God in areas we are emotionally connected to. This is where Godly counsel will be helpful to us to confirm what we believe we are hearing from God. 

Do you have so much going on you can’t get “quiet” to hear? 

God often speaks to us in quiet places. At times distractions can hinder our ability to hear God clearly. When this happens  we must follow the peace of God. The peace of God should be our umpire. If we do not have peace about a situation we should not move forward. 

Are you in disobedience?

Go back to the last time you know you heard God. Did you do what He said? Were you obedient? 

Oftentimes, God will not lead us further than our last point of disobedience. God considers disobedience to be sin. 

Sin is simply missing the mark. You have missed the standard of what God holds to be true in His Word. Sin gets you further away from God. It breaks fellowship. Just like a cell phone being too far away from its tower. This causes loss of signal for the phone. How many of us have been so far from God its hard for us to know He is even there or talking? We must commit to get closer to the power source. 

If you are feeling far from God, ask God to forgive you of your sin (1 John 1:9). Tell Him you  are sorry. He will restore His relationship with you. Just commit to change and turn around. 

Strategies When God Feels Silent

• Practice solitude. God can be heard when you quiet yourself. Focus on Him speaking to you.

• Read your Bible. The written Word of God is the most common way God speaks to His people. The Holy Spirit will illuminate the scripture to you and customize the Word with revelation and understanding to fit your situation.

• Listen to the Word. The Bible says that faith comes or arises by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Listening to God’s Word has a similar effect as reading it. Expect to draw closer to God when you hear His Word. 

• Engage in praise and worship. Praise and worship is another way to get closer to God. We praise God for what He has done and we worship God for who He is. Think through all God has done for you and who He has been in your life. Spend dedicated time in praise and worship and see how God moves in your life. 

• Learn the ways to hear God. The only thing to say about this is to read my article on this subject lol! Click Here

• Pray with a mature Christian. Praying with someone who is more mature than you in the things of God is very helpful. They will be able to partner with you to go further in God. They will add their supply of the spirit to take you higher in God. 

Remember, God is not silent. He is always speaking. We just need to commit to being in the proper posture to hear. Do whatever is necessary to maintain your relationship with God. Make Him your #1 priority. 

Let’s continue the conversation… What did you do when at times in your life God felt silent? 

5 Ways God Will Speak to You Through His Word

We have been discussing the many different ways God will speak to you. In a previous post we discussed the 12 ways God speaks to His people. We talked about the still small voice God uses to speak to us. Click here to read this post. 

Today, we will be discussing five ways God speaks to us through scripture. This will not be an exhaustive teaching. God can speak to us through scripture in many more than five ways. However, we will highlight five distinct ways in this post.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; 17 so that the [a]man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

[a] 2 Timothy 3:17 I.e. all believers whether man, woman, or child.

Often, people of God are looking for “special” ways God speaks to His people. 

People often look for the supernatural in the spectacular. 

However, God desires that ALL His children are able to receive His direction. God speaks to us in very natural and normal ways alongside the spectacular ways. The primary way God speaks to His people is through His Word- the Bible. 

Any other manifestation of hearing the voice of God must line up with biblical scripture. If what you are hearing does not align with the Word of God throw it out. It is not of God. 

Voices you hear that are not in agreement with the Word of God are breathed from another spirit who’s origin is not God.

Let’s be biblically balanced and not follow any and every voice in the earth that aligns with our feelings and emotions. God will speak to you through scripture in five ways (non-exhaustive):

1.   The Word of God- Scripture you read and study in your private time.

God will speak to you about specific circumstances and situations in your life through the Bible. God will lead, guide, and direct you to certain passages through which the Holy Spirit will speak to you specifically. Studying the Word is different from simply reading the Word. In studying the Word you will delve deeper into the context and biblical meaning of the Word. There is a tremendous blessing in going beyond reading, but also studying the Word of God.

2.   The Word of God you hear from your Pastor or spiritual leadership.

God will speak to you through your spiritual leadership. I am a firm believer that every person needs a pastor/ spiritual leadership. It is the order of God based on the Word of God (Heb. 13:7; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Heb.10:25). Your spiritual leadership is anointed to speak into your life based on the Word of God.

3.   Biblical examples in the Word of God.

The Word of God is our example. The Word is filled with stories by which we can learn lessons. Sometimes God will speak to you and give you principles based on stories in the Bible which will speak to you concerning your life.

4.   Biblical principles and laws in the Word of God.

There are certain laws and principles found in the Word of God. At times, these principles can guide our lives. When we violate the principles of the Word of God we receive the circumstances of that violation. This also works in the positive. If you submit to the principles found in the Word of God you will receive the rewards of obedience.

5.   Biblical revelation, insight, and testimony received through meditation of the Word of God. 

Meditation in the Word is another level of study of the Word. Often meditation of the Word accompanies confession of the Word. Through meditation and confession of the Word, the Holy Spirit will illuminate those truths in your life. Your meditation and confession of the Word is breathed out of your reading and studying of the Word.  The richness of your meditation and confession is directly proportionate to your reading and studying of the Word. In meditation and confession, the Holy Spirit will bring additional truths to your remembrance to supplement the Word you are meditating. This has been one of the single most effective tools for my spiritual growth and development.

Concerning healing, the Word of God will show you examples of the ways people have experienced the power of God. The scriptures speak to you about your identity in Christ. It gives you healing promises. It shows you God’s love and His character. It is essential in maintaining your healing and walking in divine health.

Pray this prayer: “Lord increase my ability to recognize and hear your voice through your Word. Give me revelation of your Word. I commit to reading, studying, meditating and confessing your Word regularly. Thank you. Amen.”

Let’s continue the conversation…. How has God used the Word of God to speak to you in your life? has he given you peace, confirmation, etc.?