Our part in “Hearing” (II) Choosing to trust - if I ask for a fish

There were reasons (which I don’t need to go into) why I wanted to be “Grandpa” rather than Pop or Poppy. But there was initially a price to pay. Long after everyone else had it, I was left longing to be called by name. In a related story, there is nothing more heart melting for me, than for my five year old granddaughter to spontaneously say “I love you Grandpa!” The point I am making is that if, in our tender moments those of us who are not totally messed up long for communication and intimacy with our offspring, how much more must our heavenly Father long for the same with us!

I have learned so much about God in this way, from my children. What I am saying is that God is much more interested in loving intimate communication with us, than we could ever be. If we ever truly let the enormity of His love, demonstrated in the cross, sink in we would not doubt this. True we have to do it His way, or not at all. But as I blogged the other day, even when there is something that needs to be dealt with, conviction is not condemnation (c.f. John 8:1-11?). And He only puts His finger on things in our lives because they hinder our fellowship with our loving and holy God. And at such times, He is so wanting to restore fellowship.

We need to trust, that when we put Biblical safeguards in place (later), coming to Him humbly as little children, asking Him to “Speak Lord for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10), we can be sure He will answer. I mean “If a son asks from and father … for a fish, will he give him a snake?” And “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give …. to he who asks” (Luke 11:11-13). When we do it His way, we need to have more trust in our Heavenly Father’s ability to lift us up, rather than the Devil’s ability to deceive us!

Father, because in the here and now we have experienced so little of a love that is unconditional and quick to forgive and forget (Hebrews 8:12), we find it hard at times to trust You for this. Thank You that there is now no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Help us to truly believe that You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You (Hebrews 11:6). And in particular, help us to trust that You wish to speak to us, and to speak words that strengthen, encourage and comfort us (c.f. 1 Corinthians 14:3) in Jesus Name Amen

Our part in “Hearing” God’s voice (I)

There are many aids out there, to help us to hear the voice of God. I have found Mark Virkler’s material very helpful. It can be found in his writings, and on YouTube. Mark is interesting, because being primarily a left brain individual, hearing God’s voice did not come naturally to him. Well “seeing what only what the father does” (John 5:19), is more right brain than left brain. Mark was frustrated by being told “You know that, that you know, that you know,” when he asked how others how they knew it was God’s voice.

So Mark set out to discover how to do this, and if I remember correctly, he set aside a year to do it. His conclusion “Hearing God’s voice is as simple as quietening yourself down, setting your eyes on Jesus, tuning to spontaneous flow and writing it down.” In his teaching he also talks a lot about the necessary checks and balances. Mark bases the above four “keys” on the following extract from Habakkuk 2:1, 2. I will stand my watch … on the rampart (quiet myself down), watch to see (setting my eyes on Jesus), what He will say to me (tuning to spontaneous flow), Then the LORD …said “Write the vision.”

In my journey to becoming a Christian, I had a lot of what I now consider to be intellectual garbage. And the Lord gave me a lot of revelation, in order to sort it out. I should confess, that at first I thought it was my own brilliance! But I would come to realize that God was downloading the necessary knowledge, in order for me to have intellectual integrity as I came to Him. So when I did eventually get there, I was already hearing from Him. And all I really had to do then, was to learn to distinguish between my thoughts, His thoughts and the thoughts of the Evil one. Mark’s material is helpful here too!

Father, I am remembering my journey this morning. About two weeks after surrendering to You, I had the thought “This is so clear I don’t see how everyone can’t see it!” Two weeks later I was thinking “This is so confusing I don’t see how anyone can find it!” It was as though You had lead me through an incredibly complex maze, making sure I took all the correct turns. You then left me to try and find my way through on my own. And I was taking wrong turn, after a wrong turn, after wrong term. I began to understand that You were wanting me to see both the clarity and the difficulties. And in remembering these things this morning Lord, I realized then as I realize now, that You are far more willing to communicate than we are to pursue and learn the skills we need to hear You day by day. So Lord I pray for myself and for those reading this blog, that You will help us to hear, to hear clearly, and as Your sheep to know Your voice. In Jesus Name Amen

Three pots of cream

There were were three things among the distinctives the Lord was and is revealing through the “Toronto Blessing” (also known as the Airport Church). John Arnott tells of a picture he was given of three pots of cream. The three "pots" are firstly hearing God’s voice, then intimacy with God and thirdly inner healing. I want to say a little this morning, about the interconnections, the mutually reenforcing aspects, of them. To say a little about the need, whether we acknowledge it or not, at some level we are all wounded by the experiences and happenstances of life. And again whether we acknowledge it or not, we all operate out of these, often hidden, wounds. Many of these woundings took place in childhood, where we had skills neither to defend ourselves, nor to deal functionally with our hurts.

So abuse likely will leave us defensive and untrusting in relationships (potentially for life). Neglect will likely leave us unresponsive to the joys of life. Condemnation and/or being told how useless we are, how we will never amount to anything, will likely lead to the feeling that God is just waiting for us to mess up, so He too can condemn us! Any or all of these things will likely make it difficult to hear words from Him that strengthen, encourage and comfort us. They will likely make us what to shy away from intimacy with Him. I mean why would I want to get close to someone who is out to get me? They will also likely be hindrances to having our hearts healed. I may not even know that healing is possible.

But what I want to say, is that these three "pots" have strengthened, encouraged, comforted and brought (and are bringing) healing to my heart. The first came through hearing either directly and/or through the prophetic word, that God loves me, is well pleased with me (Mark 1:11) and that He has thrown my sins into the deepest sea (Micah 7:19). The second coming through the experience of His embrace (intimacy) has helped His words to move from my head to my heart. The third way coming through the knowledge of this intimacy (knowing by words, intuition and experience) has helped, and is helping me, to dismiss negative and condemning words from others. The point is that I now care a lot more of what He thinks about me, than I do about what you or others think about me.

Father, I have often said that You think I am the best thing since sliced bread. Actually this only begins to express how much You love, not only me but the whole world. Your initiating, extravagant, healing love was so clearly demonstrated “while we were still sinners” by Christ dying for us (Romans 5:7). And now I can easily answer the question “If God be for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)? Well none that I need care or worry about! Father, words are not sufficient to express my gratitude this morning, nevertheless thank You, thank You, thank You. In Jesus Name Amen

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings to search it out

When Jesus said that we could not be His disciple unless we hate mother and father and siblings (Luke 14:26), He did not intend for us to take this literally! It is hyperbole, a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point, for example “He is as old as the hills!” Jesus is wanting to teach us something about our relationship with Him, and in fact about relationships in general. I had to learn the hard way, that if a relationship is to work, then you cannot make up for what the other person is either not willing, or not able, to give.

I used to think that growing in intimacy was about constantly getting closer. I now think it is more like a dance where we come together, and then move back, and then come together again etc. When a relationship becomes difficult, the tendency is for one person to move back, needing space. If at this point the second person pursues them not recognizing the need for space, the first one is then likely to move back even further. And if the second person continues to pursue, they will likely chase the first person out the door! It is really hard not to do this at times, especially when you love that person passionately.

Now God loves you and me passionately, and the point I am making is that in order to have intimacy with Him, we need take part in the dance, by being responsive to Him. In fact we need to make Him our first priority! Well actually, life itself works better when do this. In particular, I will love my spouse and children more, if I put Him first loving Him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength! When we do this, what in effect happens is that He, who is the source of all love (1 John 4:8), flows through us loving them in a way that without Him we never could. Uppermost on my mind this morning, is the series of posts I have been blogging on hearing God’s voice. And what I want to say here is that if we really want to hear Him in a deeper and more consistent way, then we need to intentionally pursue it. Unlike with earthly relationships, we will never chase Him out the door!

Father the verse at the head of this post from Proverbs 25:2 came to me this morning, as I was thinking about how intimacy with You works. In particular the verse is telling me that You hide for us, not from us. It is like You are playing hide-go-seek with us, and when as little children do, we seek You with all of our heart, then we surly find You (Jeremiah 29:13). And when we do, we are both delighted. Thank You Lord for pursing me, thank You that You first loved us taking the initiative in sending Jesus to die in my place, so that I could find intimacy with a Holy and loving God. In Jesus Name Amen

I believe help my unbelief

I often can’t decide if it is surprise or delight, when the Lord confirms that I really do hear His voice. At least partially through the encouragement of a friend, I have become increasingly aware that much of what I am blogging here will eventually be a book. As I was thinking, praying and listening for His direction on what to blog this morning I came across what I had journaled in 2009 “Yes I am with you as you write the book in the mornings, I am there and walking and writing and loving you with all that I have darling, darling son.” And I was caused to remember a 2007 prophetic word I was give to the effect that I have a book in my bowls.

The quote above from my journal, was just part an incredibly strengthening, encouraging and comforting word I had journaled from Him. Journaling what He speaks to us, is one component of what I want to talk about in the coming days. It relates to our need to intentionally cultivating the hearing of His voice. But two things here, firstly I guess I must be something of an elephant considering the gestation period of the book (a book in my bowls). The Lord is clearly not in a hurry! Secondly with this confirmation coming to me this morning from all those years ago, the surprise/delight I am feeling is very much related to my increasing awareness that this is indeed a book.

Part of me wishes this morning that I could claim that it is all delight and no surprise. I mean why would I be surprised if, as I claim, I hear His voice morning my morning? But the combination of my surprise/delight contains the same paradox of faith and unbelief expressed by the father in the title of this post. He was responding to Jesus’s “All things are possible to he who believes” (Mark 9:23,24). But the overconfidence in such a claim, would likely not help you, since I we are all likely a mixture of these things. And overconfidence is dangerous, since it can isolate us, prevent us hearing from the Lord though others. It will also likely make us defensive when challenged! But also this paradox that I see in me, helps me to realize the relevance of the command to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21). And it is important to know the what and the how of doing this. We will need to speak of these things too!

Father, after all of the things I have heard from You, and have seen You do, I should, in many ways, be further ahead in my faith than I am. But there is no condemnation in Christ, and so with the father in this mornings story I pray “I believe help my unbelief.” And apparently it was good enough, since You healed his son! And since You keep moving me forward, it seems to be enough for me too. I thank You Lord for your love, mercy and patience in Jesus Name Amen

I can either be a big boy with a little Daddy, or a little boy with a great big Daddy

I am not talking about being childish here, I am talking about being childlike. I think we can take ourselves far to seriously, I know I can. And have been in danger of it recently. In looking for something in my journal this morning, I came across this entry where I was at a workshop and standing in line with a friend of mine waiting to be prayed for by one of the leaders. My friend has been something of a mentor to me from afar. I have always admired his warmth and friendliness, and his ability to see the good in others.

As we were talking I gave him a hug, and called him a bear. He told me that You had spoken to him about his being Winnie-the-Pooh. There were these incredible "coincidences" around this, including a little girl coming and giving him a Winnie-the-Pooh mug. There were lots of other things, I don`t remember them all. But there was this one this thing about honey, about honey being sweet – that Winnie-the-Pooh doing nothing but seeking honey. For my friend the honey is the presence of the Lord. He gave me a Winnie quote “It is too fine a day to be doing anything!” So I said well if you are Winnie-the-Pooh, then I must be Piglet, and I snuggle into him.

His wife (also standing there) then told me a Piglet story she had read to her granddaughter. Piglet was sad because he is small and cannot reach places the others can reach. The story ends well however, and Piglet is made happy because he discovers there are many places that he can go that the others cannot. When I finally get prayed for the leader simply prays that I might just have fun! If I am a big boy, just too sophisticate for this, then I dismiss all this as foolishness. But if I am a little boy with a great big Daddy, I see that He is gently telling me that I am taking myself far too seriously, and I need to have fun!

Father, thank You for drawing my attention to this incident years ago. In the context of it , I was wrestling, wrestling and wrestling. And I have been in danger of doing this again recently with a relationship gone sour, and my being blamed for it. And once again Lord You are showing me that I cannot make up for what the other person is either not willing or not able to give, and for teaching me the lesson I had to learn the hard way, that there is not a lot of point in talking when nobody is listening. So Father once again I am asking You this morning to help me to determine what is my responsibility and what it not. And to either let go, or to go the second mile. Please give me the wherewithal to do it which ever it is, and when it is to let go please give me the necessary serenity. Thank You Lord for Your wisdom and Grace in Jesus Name Amen

My Sheep hear my voice (11) Rhema words (IV) Prophecy

In speaking about the prophetic, I am talking this morning about the prophetic in church. Speaking prophetically to our culture is a whole different discussion. But in the church, in the body of those who believe, Prophecy is one of the several things that are there for “the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). More specifically, speaking about prophecy, Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:3 tells us “everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.” It should be noted, that while there is certainly a place for correction in the church, correction needs to be done gently, and in love in a more pastoral setting (i.e. Galatians 6:1).

Thus New Testament prophecy in the church is quite different from prophecy under the Law, which at least for Jeremiah, was “To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down,” as well as “To build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). So my understanding is that the use of prophecy to rebuke someone in the church is unbiblical. For me hearing God’s rhema (spoken) word though prophetic utterance, has been well “strengthening, encouraging and comforting!" There is one particular prophecy that was spoken over me (and recorded) in 2006, and it undoes me every time I listen to, or read, it.

I had been seeking to restore a significant relationship for over nine years at the time, and the ongoing rejection was threatening to sink me. The prophecy given by two complete strangers began by saying that the Lord had been speaking to him about my determination to go foreword and not give up, how I had kept my heart soft, and how you can get hurt again after, and hurt again after, and hurt again after (yes three times). It got my attention. Never again will I say that non-one understands me, for clearly God does! But the accuracy of this part of the prophetic word has helped me (and is helping me) to believe what was spoken later in the same prophecy. What I will mention here, is that part of what was also spoken was “There is an incredible teacher on you .. … a fathering teacher … a teacher out of the place I am a father… a loving teacher…” Others have told me they see this on me too, and this too has helped, and is helping me, to believe for the rest of that prophecy.

Father, I am so aware this morning that many in Your church have been hurt by wrong use, even abuse, of prophecy released perhaps in Old Testament mode (tearing down). Others are simply ignorant of this amazing gift (Ephesians 4:11) that You have given to the Church to build us up, to strengthen and encourage us. I cannot even begin to imagine where I would be at this time without all that I have received through the prophetic, and I pray this morning Lord that You will open up this wonderful gift to all parts of Your body. Here I am Lord use me. In Jesus Name Amen