I'm in a slump. I'm reacting to life rather than responding from a reservoir of love and peace and joy. How do I get here? Not enough dates with my Love. And why, since the only one to blame is myself? Because I felt like He asked something of me that I haven't followed through with. So now I'm feeling like I don't want to hang out cuz He must be disappointed in me. I'm disappointed in me . . . so of course, He is disappointed in me.
Or maybe He's not and I just need to get over myself and have some Jesus time. I'm certainly low on the love . . . just ask the kiddos! So a date it is. . . . . . tomorrow. ;-)
Showing posts with label Hearing God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hearing God. Show all posts
Friday, February 8, 2013
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Seeing it differently
I'm reading through the Graham Cooke series "The Way of the Warrior." It has vastly improved my ability to think Jesus thoughts rather than replaying the tapes of discouragement, despair, or negativity. In this endeavor, I have found myself looking at situations differently.
For instance, I had a long day at the school with the kids. I hopped in the van, everyone buckled, turned. . . the. . . key, and . . . . . Hmmm. It wouldn't start. In the not so distant past, I would've immediately thought the worst, totaled up the amount we don't have to fix the van, and been in the "pit of despair" (Princess Bride accent please!).
Instead, I sat there a minute, commanded any little "breakdown demon" to leave and took a deep breath. Standing in the parking lot, just one car away from me, was a beautiful woman dressed in traditional Muslim clothing with her two little boys. I had noticed them out of the corner of my eye when I jumped in the van in a hurry. The thought zipped through my mind to greet her but I didn't. End of thought.
I got out to check the oil (for good measure) while the two little boys eyed me curiously. At that moment, I knew the van problem had NOTHING to do with little breakdown demons or a tune up. I was supposed to introduce myself to this family.
So I did. Nothing earth shattering. She didn't speak much English, but enough to welcome her and introduce myself. I said goodbye, hopped in the van, turned the key . . . and drove away!
Happy Jesus thinking to all of you!
For instance, I had a long day at the school with the kids. I hopped in the van, everyone buckled, turned. . . the. . . key, and . . . . . Hmmm. It wouldn't start. In the not so distant past, I would've immediately thought the worst, totaled up the amount we don't have to fix the van, and been in the "pit of despair" (Princess Bride accent please!).
Instead, I sat there a minute, commanded any little "breakdown demon" to leave and took a deep breath. Standing in the parking lot, just one car away from me, was a beautiful woman dressed in traditional Muslim clothing with her two little boys. I had noticed them out of the corner of my eye when I jumped in the van in a hurry. The thought zipped through my mind to greet her but I didn't. End of thought.
I got out to check the oil (for good measure) while the two little boys eyed me curiously. At that moment, I knew the van problem had NOTHING to do with little breakdown demons or a tune up. I was supposed to introduce myself to this family.
So I did. Nothing earth shattering. She didn't speak much English, but enough to welcome her and introduce myself. I said goodbye, hopped in the van, turned the key . . . and drove away!
Happy Jesus thinking to all of you!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Heroes and Hearing God
I'll admit I'm not big into heroes, mostly because I know people are people are people. And I know, no matter how amazing their stories or accomplishments are, they are still people just like me. I believe the same potential is within every single person (maybe on a smaller scale or different avenue but greatness nonetheless). . . but will we step into it? Although I'm not into idealizing anyone, I am truly inspired by people and the outstanding things some have been able to accomplish, persevere through, and do to impact their community and world.
One of my favorite people is Harriet Tubman. I absolutely love reading about her and how she was led by God to bring freedom to hundreds of slaves. The picture book I read yesterday with the kids brought me to tears. I highly recommend "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom" by Carole Boston Weatherford. This woman heard the voice of God. I have always believed that our potentiality to live out the good works created in advance for us to do is connected with our ability to hear God for ourselves. Harriet Tubman's story is an exceptional example of this. She heard and followed. God was personal with her because she was personal with him.
So today, though I don't foresee leading anyone out of physical slavery, I am going to press in to my personal, loving Jesus to hear what he has for me today, even if it's simply loving my family intentionally and taking my homeless friend out for lunch. Happy hearing to you.
One of my favorite people is Harriet Tubman. I absolutely love reading about her and how she was led by God to bring freedom to hundreds of slaves. The picture book I read yesterday with the kids brought me to tears. I highly recommend "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom" by Carole Boston Weatherford. This woman heard the voice of God. I have always believed that our potentiality to live out the good works created in advance for us to do is connected with our ability to hear God for ourselves. Harriet Tubman's story is an exceptional example of this. She heard and followed. God was personal with her because she was personal with him.
So today, though I don't foresee leading anyone out of physical slavery, I am going to press in to my personal, loving Jesus to hear what he has for me today, even if it's simply loving my family intentionally and taking my homeless friend out for lunch. Happy hearing to you.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Locke Leaping Update (Repeat email I sent out last night)
Hey Friends and Family,
Many things have transpired over the last month! We aren't starving to death, so that's good. We are still living in a house and not out of our van or on the streets, so that's good too! :-) I'm sure you're dying to know how Jesus came through for us, hey? I'll give you three guesses and give you a hundred bucks if you can guess (if you haven't heard the story yet). :-) Just Kidding. I'll give you a short version for those who like cliff notes. I'll follow it up with the mini novel, for those of you who like details and drama!! Thanks for taking time to read and for your friendship, encouragement, and following our journey.
SHORT VERSION:
Heath and I feel the Lord has said it's time to move again. Yes, physically move to another city. So, as of right now, we are planning to move to Redding, California at the beginning of July of this year. In light of this move, Heath feels it isn't worth the effort to build the business here only to leave potential clients and opportunities in 3 months. Soooo, he is back at his 9 to 5 job for the next 3 months. He is considering attending the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry up in Redding this fall, but this is not set in stone yet. That's the short of it folks!
LONG VERSION: (Grab your coffee, diet coke, or cupcake and enjoy the wild journey!)
In January, Heath and I both had an overwhelming feeling that the faith step of quitting his job to pursue "Covert Purpose" business was a "God set up." After he was done with his job, we knew Heath needed to be faithful to pursue and put all his effort into Covert Purpose (career and financial coaching). But the whole time, we've been waiting for the curve ball. While he was making "good contacts," we were fully covered financially for the month of February because of a videography job Heath finished up. But his stress about the business and our finances kept mounting.
That's what led Heath to fast and pray for a week at the end of February. He specifically took Wednesday through Friday to be alone with the Lord and wrestle things out. He came home a different man. . . and I'm not even kidding. I have not seen and felt such peace on Heath for over 2 1/2 years (ever since Mozambique). So here's the crazy curve ball part:
On Thursday early morning, the Lord woke me up at 4:44 and told me to read Luke 4:44. I wasn't even sure there was a Luke 4:44 but figured the Lord would know!! Verse 43 and 44 says, "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other places, too, because that is why I was sent. (v.44) So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea."
Ok, that was wild to me because Heath and I have known this year is about travel through other words from the Lord. And though Heath has thought it was connected to his business endeavors, I have had an underlying feeling that it was related to prayer meetings and more overt discipleship "ministry" (for lack of better terminology). But I didn't know how that would look or fit with what Heath was pursuing. I just let it be an underlying feeling. After reading the verse, I felt more sure that the travel this year is related to preaching the Good News and discipling people in the Body. Hmmm. Still not sure how this will look or transpire.
Flash back to a week prior to waking up at 4:44 AM: out of the blue, I told Heath, "I really love it here. I love the people, I love our prayer group, I love the area, I love our house, I love everything about living here and never want to leave." Heath said, "I like it too. I don't plan on going anywhere."
Flash forward: Later in the morning (after the 4:44 incident) I was worshiping and heard the Lord say to me, "Emie, what if it's time to move? Would you be ok with that?" I didn't shut him down with an "absolutely not," but I wasn't excited about it either. He didn't say anything else. He just let me ponder it all morning and occasionally brought things to mind to confirm that he had just asked me that.
Meanwhile, Heath was alone at a friend's empty house praying and worshiping and asking the Lord why he was feeling like there wasn't any breakthrough, and why he was spiritually feeling disconnected from faith and believing that God was going to come through financially. As he was worshiping, the Lord, out of the blue, said to him, "What if you're in the wrong place." So Heath asked, "Do you mean it's time to move?" "Yes." Heath's response was, "Emie isn't going to like this idea." (there was more, I just can't remember it).
SO he called and said, "Ok, I have something I feel like Jesus dropped in my lap to pray about. It isn't for sure, we just need to pray. I think Jesus said it's time to move."
My response? "I know." Heath about dropped over dead. Sooo, that began the conversation about moving. Heath felt the Lord wasn't giving a specific place to move. But Heath mentioned that Redding, CA would be a place he would like to be around for awhile. He loves Bethel's heart and focus on supernatural influence in the world (Business, education, government, etc.) When he shared that with me, I felt total peace and excitement. Right now we really sense we are to move forward in this direction. We are strongly considering Heath going to the School of Supernatural Ministry at Bethel Church in Redding as well. He is also planning to implement his business ideas and make contacts once we get there. We wouldn't move until after June because of Abiel's ballet recital and Heath is facilitating a Dave Ramsey "Financial Peace University" course for 13 weeks. We are open to the Lord redirecting or changing the plan, but for now, our hearts, spirits and minds are in complete unity and peace about this direction.
As for Heath and Covert Purpose? Has he, have I, been hearing God wrong in this direction? Neither of us feel that. For Heath, he knows that everything he learned and pursued will come full circle . . . in God's time and way. Heath loves business stuff and longs to see it done supernaturally, yet has never been part of business done this way. He desires to be around more like minded men/women who can teach him how. He feels the last few months have been striving to make it happen verses allowing the Holy Spirit to move it (hence the fast). It can be exhausting to continually live from day to day, week to week, or generous gift to the next generous gift. Part of his business endeavors were designed in hopes to give us a little financial breathing room. He knows it has to be about dependence on God and being connected to other people. And, he knows deep within his heart that he is called to preach the gospel. . . overtly. Neither of us feel like his work, time, effort, or money put into Covert Purpose is wasted or lost or that he's giving it up to go in a completely different direction. All of this has better equipped Heath and I to see individuals freed up to radically obey the Lord. Heath's heart is for people to become debt free so they can "more easily" go where the Lord directs.
For me, I felt the whole time that Heath needed to pursue this avenue as hard as he could and as far as the Lord would let him. I haven't really been concerned about whether or not it was what we were ultimately supposed to do, because I don't see life as finding the one thing we're supposed to do and then buckling down for the rest of our lives to do it. (Our "one thing" is loving, worshiping and co-laboring with Jesus. Other than that, our "one thing" is playing out in many avenues and venues throughout our lives.) A couple months ago, when I asked the Lord if we were on or off target, the Lord said, "You're on target, just not the bulls eye. But it won't take anything for me to make the arrow hit the bullseye." After that, I have had complete peace that even if we were a bit "off" we were "on" because Jesus could just send the "wind" and we'd be on target! Maybe this is the "Wind."
Last bit of craziness: Because of moving in 4 months, Heath has not had peace about trying to establish the business here. That means he is backing away from Covert for awhile. This gave him a lot of mind and physical time that he wasn't sure what to do with. We had our prayer team pray with us and Heath decided that getting a job for the next four months is the best option for lots of reasons. Short of the long of it is that he is back at Griffith Farms (his former job)! His boss was excited to have his help for the next few months, Heath is excited to have a paycheck for the next few months, and I am excited to have a few months of normal schedule again!!!!! (Heath at home = no set schedule!!)
SO, that is the new crazy direction we are moving. We are at peace and are very excited. . . even the kids!
As always, pray that our eyes are locked on Jesus, not on the impossibilities of everything in our path.
Blessings in your own journey.
emie for the Lockes
Many things have transpired over the last month! We aren't starving to death, so that's good. We are still living in a house and not out of our van or on the streets, so that's good too! :-) I'm sure you're dying to know how Jesus came through for us, hey? I'll give you three guesses and give you a hundred bucks if you can guess (if you haven't heard the story yet). :-) Just Kidding. I'll give you a short version for those who like cliff notes. I'll follow it up with the mini novel, for those of you who like details and drama!! Thanks for taking time to read and for your friendship, encouragement, and following our journey.
SHORT VERSION:
Heath and I feel the Lord has said it's time to move again. Yes, physically move to another city. So, as of right now, we are planning to move to Redding, California at the beginning of July of this year. In light of this move, Heath feels it isn't worth the effort to build the business here only to leave potential clients and opportunities in 3 months. Soooo, he is back at his 9 to 5 job for the next 3 months. He is considering attending the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry up in Redding this fall, but this is not set in stone yet. That's the short of it folks!
LONG VERSION: (Grab your coffee, diet coke, or cupcake and enjoy the wild journey!)
In January, Heath and I both had an overwhelming feeling that the faith step of quitting his job to pursue "Covert Purpose" business was a "God set up." After he was done with his job, we knew Heath needed to be faithful to pursue and put all his effort into Covert Purpose (career and financial coaching). But the whole time, we've been waiting for the curve ball. While he was making "good contacts," we were fully covered financially for the month of February because of a videography job Heath finished up. But his stress about the business and our finances kept mounting.
That's what led Heath to fast and pray for a week at the end of February. He specifically took Wednesday through Friday to be alone with the Lord and wrestle things out. He came home a different man. . . and I'm not even kidding. I have not seen and felt such peace on Heath for over 2 1/2 years (ever since Mozambique). So here's the crazy curve ball part:
On Thursday early morning, the Lord woke me up at 4:44 and told me to read Luke 4:44. I wasn't even sure there was a Luke 4:44 but figured the Lord would know!! Verse 43 and 44 says, "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other places, too, because that is why I was sent. (v.44) So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea."
Ok, that was wild to me because Heath and I have known this year is about travel through other words from the Lord. And though Heath has thought it was connected to his business endeavors, I have had an underlying feeling that it was related to prayer meetings and more overt discipleship "ministry" (for lack of better terminology). But I didn't know how that would look or fit with what Heath was pursuing. I just let it be an underlying feeling. After reading the verse, I felt more sure that the travel this year is related to preaching the Good News and discipling people in the Body. Hmmm. Still not sure how this will look or transpire.
Flash back to a week prior to waking up at 4:44 AM: out of the blue, I told Heath, "I really love it here. I love the people, I love our prayer group, I love the area, I love our house, I love everything about living here and never want to leave." Heath said, "I like it too. I don't plan on going anywhere."
Flash forward: Later in the morning (after the 4:44 incident) I was worshiping and heard the Lord say to me, "Emie, what if it's time to move? Would you be ok with that?" I didn't shut him down with an "absolutely not," but I wasn't excited about it either. He didn't say anything else. He just let me ponder it all morning and occasionally brought things to mind to confirm that he had just asked me that.
Meanwhile, Heath was alone at a friend's empty house praying and worshiping and asking the Lord why he was feeling like there wasn't any breakthrough, and why he was spiritually feeling disconnected from faith and believing that God was going to come through financially. As he was worshiping, the Lord, out of the blue, said to him, "What if you're in the wrong place." So Heath asked, "Do you mean it's time to move?" "Yes." Heath's response was, "Emie isn't going to like this idea." (there was more, I just can't remember it).
SO he called and said, "Ok, I have something I feel like Jesus dropped in my lap to pray about. It isn't for sure, we just need to pray. I think Jesus said it's time to move."
My response? "I know." Heath about dropped over dead. Sooo, that began the conversation about moving. Heath felt the Lord wasn't giving a specific place to move. But Heath mentioned that Redding, CA would be a place he would like to be around for awhile. He loves Bethel's heart and focus on supernatural influence in the world (Business, education, government, etc.) When he shared that with me, I felt total peace and excitement. Right now we really sense we are to move forward in this direction. We are strongly considering Heath going to the School of Supernatural Ministry at Bethel Church in Redding as well. He is also planning to implement his business ideas and make contacts once we get there. We wouldn't move until after June because of Abiel's ballet recital and Heath is facilitating a Dave Ramsey "Financial Peace University" course for 13 weeks. We are open to the Lord redirecting or changing the plan, but for now, our hearts, spirits and minds are in complete unity and peace about this direction.
As for Heath and Covert Purpose? Has he, have I, been hearing God wrong in this direction? Neither of us feel that. For Heath, he knows that everything he learned and pursued will come full circle . . . in God's time and way. Heath loves business stuff and longs to see it done supernaturally, yet has never been part of business done this way. He desires to be around more like minded men/women who can teach him how. He feels the last few months have been striving to make it happen verses allowing the Holy Spirit to move it (hence the fast). It can be exhausting to continually live from day to day, week to week, or generous gift to the next generous gift. Part of his business endeavors were designed in hopes to give us a little financial breathing room. He knows it has to be about dependence on God and being connected to other people. And, he knows deep within his heart that he is called to preach the gospel. . . overtly. Neither of us feel like his work, time, effort, or money put into Covert Purpose is wasted or lost or that he's giving it up to go in a completely different direction. All of this has better equipped Heath and I to see individuals freed up to radically obey the Lord. Heath's heart is for people to become debt free so they can "more easily" go where the Lord directs.
For me, I felt the whole time that Heath needed to pursue this avenue as hard as he could and as far as the Lord would let him. I haven't really been concerned about whether or not it was what we were ultimately supposed to do, because I don't see life as finding the one thing we're supposed to do and then buckling down for the rest of our lives to do it. (Our "one thing" is loving, worshiping and co-laboring with Jesus. Other than that, our "one thing" is playing out in many avenues and venues throughout our lives.) A couple months ago, when I asked the Lord if we were on or off target, the Lord said, "You're on target, just not the bulls eye. But it won't take anything for me to make the arrow hit the bullseye." After that, I have had complete peace that even if we were a bit "off" we were "on" because Jesus could just send the "wind" and we'd be on target! Maybe this is the "Wind."
Last bit of craziness: Because of moving in 4 months, Heath has not had peace about trying to establish the business here. That means he is backing away from Covert for awhile. This gave him a lot of mind and physical time that he wasn't sure what to do with. We had our prayer team pray with us and Heath decided that getting a job for the next four months is the best option for lots of reasons. Short of the long of it is that he is back at Griffith Farms (his former job)! His boss was excited to have his help for the next few months, Heath is excited to have a paycheck for the next few months, and I am excited to have a few months of normal schedule again!!!!! (Heath at home = no set schedule!!)
SO, that is the new crazy direction we are moving. We are at peace and are very excited. . . even the kids!
As always, pray that our eyes are locked on Jesus, not on the impossibilities of everything in our path.
Blessings in your own journey.
emie for the Lockes
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Hearing God for yourself: PART 2
My last post on "Hearing God for yourself" brought in great dialogue. This is a subject I am immensely passionate about. I think this will be an ongoing blog topic for me since I long for more of the Body to know how to hear God for themselves. I want to share a few of my core beliefs that affect the way, frequency, and accuracy with which I believe I hear the Lord. These are my thoughts and experiences. They may or may not be helpful to you. I am not proposing that if you hold a different view on any of the points below that you cannot or are not hearing God for yourself. I am simply sharing my journey and what I have come to believe about God speaking to us as His Body, Bride, Children, Friends, Co-laborers, and His people whom he passionately loves.
Core Beliefs that affect my ability to hear the Lord clearly:
1. Jesus is THE WORD. (John 1:1-5) He loves to speak, to be heard, to be understood.
2. He is currently speaking to anyone who is listening. (Heb 12:25-29)
3. Those who call themselves followers of Jesus are to know his voice and will follow no other.
(John 10:1-5, 27)
4. God speaks in MANY ways. It is a fascinating study in Scripture to find the ways God has spoken through history and continues to speak. He knows no bounds! Thunder, donkeys, dreams, visions, prophets, and on and on.
5. God is over the top committed to relationship with each one of us. And relationship entails communication - 2 way communication. He calls us his friends! (John 15:15)
6. I have a deep conviction that when we say yes to Jesus, we are made new (2 Cor 5:17-18). The old is gone the new has come. Many people preach this and very few live it. Many people still live like they are scum, sinners, beggars, getting in by the skin of their teeth rather than renewed, reborn, full of the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead. I believe 1 Cor 2. It tells us that we have the mind of Christ through the Spirit of Christ within us. As a believer who is committed to being set apart for the Lord, hearing His voice, and walking in obedience, I am absolutely confident that my mind is not only capable of being in line with the mind of Christ, but that it often is. Does that mean I never struggle with flesh or have thoughts that are generated from a source other than the mind of Christ? No. But the longer I practice hearing the Lord and recognizing Him speak, the more quickly I can determine when a thought is my own or from the Lord. But in the beginning of my journey, I had to overcome this gigantic barrier of the underlying belief that I was evil in my core and I could never trust my heart or thoughts. Once the Lord revealed the depth of transformation that happened in me when I said yes to Him, I was able to believe the things He would speak to my mind and heart were actually from HIM!
7. When I talk about "hearing God," I mean the whole gamut of how the Lord talks. Some people get pictures, visions, dreams, Scripture, prophetic words from other people, the Spirit talks to their mind or spirit, journaling, just "knowing," and on and on.
8. I believe the less clutter of the world we have in our lives, the more clearly we can hear the Lord. I believe we will hear the Lord more often if we give Him time, room, and space in our mind, spirit, and physical environments. I believe it is important for us to monitor the input of the world, what we are meditating on throughout the week, and what we give ourselves to. In no way am I trying to be religious about this or set up "Thou shalts and thou shalt nots." Each person needs to be honest with themselves before the Lord about what is good and right and healthy for them in terms of entertainment, hobbies, and what we meditate on. Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial (I Cor 6:12; 10:23) Phil. 4:8 Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
9. The more grounded we are in Scripture, the more confident we can be that we are hearing the heart of the Lord. I will not go so far as to say that if you do not have a solid grasp on Scripture you cannot hear the Lord. Based on facts that many throughout the world are without written Scripture available to them, I simply cannot believe that the Lord will only speak accurately or clearly to someone who knows or has the Scriptures. I have seen children as young as 3 hear from the Lord and then speak the words of the Lord accurately. They had very little knowledge of the Scripture! If you know THE WORD, you can hear the Lord accurately. Because if you know THE WORD, you will have HIS SPIRIT alive within you. And the two will bear witness to TRUTH that is spoken to your heart and mind. But even in saying that, I have a deep value for being in the Scriptures and knowing what it says. The more we know The Living Word, His character, how He operates, and what He has said in the past, the more we will be able to accurately represent His heart, life, and words to those around us.
10. It's a learning and growth process. Jesus is incredibly patient! The more surrendered I am to the Holy Spirit, the more freedom He has to speak to me and through me. We are to continually be "being filled" with the Spirit of God.
I am very aware that there are many ways to see and argue with every point I have made. I'm not sharing in order to argue or convince anyone to see things the way I do. I simply want to share my journey in hopes that someone else will benefit too. Feel free to email me if you'd like to dialogue about it. Happy hearing!
Core Beliefs that affect my ability to hear the Lord clearly:
1. Jesus is THE WORD. (John 1:1-5) He loves to speak, to be heard, to be understood.
2. He is currently speaking to anyone who is listening. (Heb 12:25-29)
3. Those who call themselves followers of Jesus are to know his voice and will follow no other.
(John 10:1-5, 27)
4. God speaks in MANY ways. It is a fascinating study in Scripture to find the ways God has spoken through history and continues to speak. He knows no bounds! Thunder, donkeys, dreams, visions, prophets, and on and on.
5. God is over the top committed to relationship with each one of us. And relationship entails communication - 2 way communication. He calls us his friends! (John 15:15)
6. I have a deep conviction that when we say yes to Jesus, we are made new (2 Cor 5:17-18). The old is gone the new has come. Many people preach this and very few live it. Many people still live like they are scum, sinners, beggars, getting in by the skin of their teeth rather than renewed, reborn, full of the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead. I believe 1 Cor 2. It tells us that we have the mind of Christ through the Spirit of Christ within us. As a believer who is committed to being set apart for the Lord, hearing His voice, and walking in obedience, I am absolutely confident that my mind is not only capable of being in line with the mind of Christ, but that it often is. Does that mean I never struggle with flesh or have thoughts that are generated from a source other than the mind of Christ? No. But the longer I practice hearing the Lord and recognizing Him speak, the more quickly I can determine when a thought is my own or from the Lord. But in the beginning of my journey, I had to overcome this gigantic barrier of the underlying belief that I was evil in my core and I could never trust my heart or thoughts. Once the Lord revealed the depth of transformation that happened in me when I said yes to Him, I was able to believe the things He would speak to my mind and heart were actually from HIM!
7. When I talk about "hearing God," I mean the whole gamut of how the Lord talks. Some people get pictures, visions, dreams, Scripture, prophetic words from other people, the Spirit talks to their mind or spirit, journaling, just "knowing," and on and on.
8. I believe the less clutter of the world we have in our lives, the more clearly we can hear the Lord. I believe we will hear the Lord more often if we give Him time, room, and space in our mind, spirit, and physical environments. I believe it is important for us to monitor the input of the world, what we are meditating on throughout the week, and what we give ourselves to. In no way am I trying to be religious about this or set up "Thou shalts and thou shalt nots." Each person needs to be honest with themselves before the Lord about what is good and right and healthy for them in terms of entertainment, hobbies, and what we meditate on. Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial (I Cor 6:12; 10:23) Phil. 4:8 Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
9. The more grounded we are in Scripture, the more confident we can be that we are hearing the heart of the Lord. I will not go so far as to say that if you do not have a solid grasp on Scripture you cannot hear the Lord. Based on facts that many throughout the world are without written Scripture available to them, I simply cannot believe that the Lord will only speak accurately or clearly to someone who knows or has the Scriptures. I have seen children as young as 3 hear from the Lord and then speak the words of the Lord accurately. They had very little knowledge of the Scripture! If you know THE WORD, you can hear the Lord accurately. Because if you know THE WORD, you will have HIS SPIRIT alive within you. And the two will bear witness to TRUTH that is spoken to your heart and mind. But even in saying that, I have a deep value for being in the Scriptures and knowing what it says. The more we know The Living Word, His character, how He operates, and what He has said in the past, the more we will be able to accurately represent His heart, life, and words to those around us.
10. It's a learning and growth process. Jesus is incredibly patient! The more surrendered I am to the Holy Spirit, the more freedom He has to speak to me and through me. We are to continually be "being filled" with the Spirit of God.
I am very aware that there are many ways to see and argue with every point I have made. I'm not sharing in order to argue or convince anyone to see things the way I do. I simply want to share my journey in hopes that someone else will benefit too. Feel free to email me if you'd like to dialogue about it. Happy hearing!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Knowing what God is saying to YOU
I am LONGING for more of Jesus, more of His Presence, more of His tangible glory to be reflected through me. It is a deep yearning in my heart and spirit. But I'm not always sure how to go about getting to that place of intimacy. I know it's just loving and worshiping and asking and receiving. But the "how tos" of it all can seem mystifying.
There are a million people with a million different ideas on how to press in for more of Jesus. And most of them are really great ideas. I talk to one person and they are reading through the Bible. Wow, I need to do that again. I'll find a read through schedule in a minute. I read someone's blog and they are spending concentrated time every day just worshiping. Wow, that's great. I love to worship. I'll do that at 3:00 when Ella is asleep every day. I chat with a friend and she is praying 3 times a day like Daniel did to get breakthrough in the things God has promised her. YES! That's right on. I'll try and pray three times a day like Daniel. I listen to a sermon about seeing God in the poor and homeless. EXACTLY. I'll make more concerted effort to stop for the one and spend time with my homeless friends and make more homeless friends. I just remembered something from the past that brought me into the Presence of God: 3 x 5 cards! When I wrote all the promises and current verses on them that God was highlighting and spent my mind time meditating on those throughout the day, I could FEEL God. Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I need to do that again. I'll get some 3 x 5 cards today. I read a biography about Hudson Taylor and the way he practiced living out tangible faith was to give EVERYTHING he had away so that he had NO OTHER CHOICE than to trust God to be his provider. YEAH LORD, bring it on. Maybe I should talk to Heath tonight about giving the rest of the money we have away so that we can really practice trusting God to come through. Friends of mine are doing a Daniel fast. Fasting. I haven't done that for awhile. Maybe it's time to start another fast. Someone I read about is starting a soaking prayer room. Oh, I love to soak. Maybe I'll try and find a soaking prayer room near by and go there regularly. I have another friend in seminary and she is finding God in all sorts of amazing ways through deep study and classes. Maybe I could take an online course or find a Bible class around here somewhere.
Ok, so crammed into one paragraph, this is absolutely ludicrous. But you can stop laughing now because how many of us are doing this every day?! WHY do we do this? There may be many reasons, but I am convinced of one main culprit. The Body of Christ in general, isn't confident enough in how God is speaking to them personally. In general, we have been trained to "hear God" through trained professionals, people who write books, or someone who seems to be farther down the road with the Lord than we are. Yes, we will hear God through those avenues. But if we don't know how to identify His voice in our own lives, we will be living the above paragraph our whole life. And feeling frustrated at that. There is NO WAY I can do all those great ideas at the same time. And I believe it is highly probable that God isn't even asking ME to do any of those things RIGHT NOW!
In my journey into deeper places in the heart of God, it started almost 8 years ago with the truth that "My sheep hear My voice and they will follow no other" (John 10). From that moment on, I began asking God to clarify His voice in my life. The journey has not been without misunderstandings, embarrassing situations, and bumps and bruises as I learn to hear and obey what my beautiful Jesus is speaking to me. But I can tell you this: I know the voice of Jesus in my life more today than I ever thought possible 8 years ago. And I am praying like crazy that in 8 years, I'll be able to say the same thing! My suggestion to you? Ask God to clarify His voice in your life. Then clear some clutter in your mind and spirit to make room for him to speak. He is ALWAYS speaking (through the Written Word, His Spirit to our spirit, music, people, nature, prophetic words, pictures, books, sermons, really anything. . . maybe even a donkey!). Are we listening to what he saying to us personally, or are we simply listening to what He's saying to everyone around us? I promise, He has some great things up His sleeve for you. Have fun!
Hebrews 12:25 "See to it that you obey God, the one who is speaking to you. . . . "
There are a million people with a million different ideas on how to press in for more of Jesus. And most of them are really great ideas. I talk to one person and they are reading through the Bible. Wow, I need to do that again. I'll find a read through schedule in a minute. I read someone's blog and they are spending concentrated time every day just worshiping. Wow, that's great. I love to worship. I'll do that at 3:00 when Ella is asleep every day. I chat with a friend and she is praying 3 times a day like Daniel did to get breakthrough in the things God has promised her. YES! That's right on. I'll try and pray three times a day like Daniel. I listen to a sermon about seeing God in the poor and homeless. EXACTLY. I'll make more concerted effort to stop for the one and spend time with my homeless friends and make more homeless friends. I just remembered something from the past that brought me into the Presence of God: 3 x 5 cards! When I wrote all the promises and current verses on them that God was highlighting and spent my mind time meditating on those throughout the day, I could FEEL God. Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I need to do that again. I'll get some 3 x 5 cards today. I read a biography about Hudson Taylor and the way he practiced living out tangible faith was to give EVERYTHING he had away so that he had NO OTHER CHOICE than to trust God to be his provider. YEAH LORD, bring it on. Maybe I should talk to Heath tonight about giving the rest of the money we have away so that we can really practice trusting God to come through. Friends of mine are doing a Daniel fast. Fasting. I haven't done that for awhile. Maybe it's time to start another fast. Someone I read about is starting a soaking prayer room. Oh, I love to soak. Maybe I'll try and find a soaking prayer room near by and go there regularly. I have another friend in seminary and she is finding God in all sorts of amazing ways through deep study and classes. Maybe I could take an online course or find a Bible class around here somewhere.
Ok, so crammed into one paragraph, this is absolutely ludicrous. But you can stop laughing now because how many of us are doing this every day?! WHY do we do this? There may be many reasons, but I am convinced of one main culprit. The Body of Christ in general, isn't confident enough in how God is speaking to them personally. In general, we have been trained to "hear God" through trained professionals, people who write books, or someone who seems to be farther down the road with the Lord than we are. Yes, we will hear God through those avenues. But if we don't know how to identify His voice in our own lives, we will be living the above paragraph our whole life. And feeling frustrated at that. There is NO WAY I can do all those great ideas at the same time. And I believe it is highly probable that God isn't even asking ME to do any of those things RIGHT NOW!
In my journey into deeper places in the heart of God, it started almost 8 years ago with the truth that "My sheep hear My voice and they will follow no other" (John 10). From that moment on, I began asking God to clarify His voice in my life. The journey has not been without misunderstandings, embarrassing situations, and bumps and bruises as I learn to hear and obey what my beautiful Jesus is speaking to me. But I can tell you this: I know the voice of Jesus in my life more today than I ever thought possible 8 years ago. And I am praying like crazy that in 8 years, I'll be able to say the same thing! My suggestion to you? Ask God to clarify His voice in your life. Then clear some clutter in your mind and spirit to make room for him to speak. He is ALWAYS speaking (through the Written Word, His Spirit to our spirit, music, people, nature, prophetic words, pictures, books, sermons, really anything. . . maybe even a donkey!). Are we listening to what he saying to us personally, or are we simply listening to what He's saying to everyone around us? I promise, He has some great things up His sleeve for you. Have fun!
Hebrews 12:25 "See to it that you obey God, the one who is speaking to you. . . . "
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