Listening to God
Hi Church,
Another amazing Sunday has just happened. Our community life in worship and word has been so enriching lately. The presence of the Lord for healing restoration and intimacy has been so deep. Lets increase our expectancy, especially in the leadup to Powerhouse Conference. Our prayers for the success of this conference needs to be focussed and often. Remember as we ASK, SEEK, AND KNOCK continuously, the Lord will answer. So let your Kingdom Come Lord!
Sunday saw part three completed on Listening to God. I highlighted the 6 main ways God speaks to us with some variations within each point. They were through Jesus directly, through the Word as written, but also through inspired highlights and also through direct chapter and verse references. Through Circumstances in the way God opens and closes doors, this was recommended to be done in review with wise counsel. Following your desire as the Lord places them in your heart. Prophecy, Dreams, and Visions which are supposed to be natural outcomes of a Spirit filled life. Then Still small voice listening through journaling. Habakkuk 2:1-3 gives great understanding around that as we listen and see and write what we feel God is saying to us. A good book to read to help in understanding this process is a classic called Dialogue with God By Mark Virkler. He also has a book which I haven’t read but may be useful regarding dreams, it’s called “Hear God Through Your Dreams Workbook”.
Now there are other ways that God speaks to us, God has used a Donkey as in Numbers 22. He uses creation as said in Rom 1:20 and various Psalms. In fact one of the best places to hear the voice of God is to go for a slow walk into the mountains or forest. Jesus was in the habit of doing this around Nazareth and Galilee. God also uses Prophetic Art and Music.
Its so important that we spend time to listen to God speak to us. Jesus told us its more important than the pursuit of what earns our daily bread. Matt 4:4. God is speaking, the question is are we listening?
To help you well in the listening exercise start your prayer time with this prayer.
Listening prayer
Heavenly Father, I wait upon you.
I pause, still my mind and still my heart.
I wait upon you. I stop, and listen beyond the everyday.
I wait upon you.
I rest, and allow my soul to have space.
I wait upon you.Quiet, at rest, held.
I wait upon you. And call Abba, Abba Father.
I know you have searched me, and you know me.
I know you are the beginning and the end.
I know you are the Redeemer.
I wait upon you,
Allowing your grace to penetrate my whole being.
And in this place, close, protected and eternal,
I find that this grace renews my strength,
Wipes away my tears,
And promises new hope. I wait upon you.
There is also a prayer practice to follow called Praying the Examen.
This is away of examining your day by bringing your highs and lows to God and asking him what he says about those times. It was developed by St Ignatius of Loyola, follow the link to get a good understanding of this with Strahan Coleman of Practicing the Way.
Another announcement to watch out for is the Dad’s (Including grandads) and Kids camp at the end of August. See the advert within e-news and Grace Church Connections for details. We would love to see an opportunity for fun and spiritual refreshment in the outdoors.
Amanda and I are away this Sunday and the week following for a retreat and holiday time to prepare for Powerhouse.
Love and Blessings
Ps Greg
11th July 2023