Reigners Radio: Recent Episodes
Reigners Radio
www.TheReignersClub.org
Practical Training for Joint-Heirs with Christ. * To Hear His Voice. * To Rule and To Reign * To Mentor Others.
Emphasis is on healing and learning how to know God on His terms.
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As you learn to live as a Spirit being here on this earth, you will encounter all kinds of new situations and beings that may or may not fit into your expectations. Treat each with the confidence of knowing your own authority and power, yet with the respect due the unknown. This is not an area to be sarcastic or playful or teasing. Treat others, and other situations, the way you wish to be treated. All was created by God, for you for this time, and is deserving of high regard. That doesn't mean you don't banish the demonic, but not out of emotion or personal motivations, but by direction of the spirit within.
Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Mid-Day:Speaking in TonguesInterpretationSpeaking Life to a person or situationLaying hands in inconspicuous waySpeaking change and revelation over situation or personEvenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleep
Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Mid-Day:Speaking in TonguesInterpretationSpeaking Life to a person or situationLaying hands in inconspicuous waySpeaking change and revelation over situation or person Most of what we have written in the Bible was for public consumption; it is likely that Jesus taught his disciples by example how to deal with strongholds and principalities and personal needs that we don't have in a record. Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worship
Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Mid-Day:Speaking in TonguesInterpretationSpeaking Life to a person or situationLaying hands in inconspicuous waySpeaking change and revelation over situation or person Most of what we have written in the Bible was for public consumption; it is likely that Jesus taught his disciples by example how to deal with strongholds and principalities and personal needs that we don't have in a record. Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worship
Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Mid-Day:Speaking in TonguesInterpretation Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
As we experience God’s goodness, our thirst for more of Him increases, helping us to release anything that intrudes on our relationship and enjoyment.Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
As we experience God’s goodness, our thirst for more of Him increases, helping us to release anything that intrudes on our relationship and enjoyment.Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
As we experience God’s goodness, our thirst for more of Him increases, helping us to release anything that intrudes on our relationship and enjoyment.Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
As we experience God’s goodness, our thirst for more of Him increases, helping us to release anything that intrudes on our relationship and enjoyment.Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
As we experience God’s goodness, our thirst for more of Him increases, helping us to release anything that intrudes on our relationship and enjoyment.Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
As we experience God’s goodness, our thirst for more of Him increases, helping us to release anything that intrudes on our relationship and enjoyment.Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
As we experience God’s goodness, our thirst for more of Him increases, helping us to release anything that intrudes on our relationship and enjoyment.Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
As we experience God’s goodness, our thirst for more of Him increases, helping us to release anything that intrudes on our relationship and enjoyment.Mornings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:Remind yourself that God loves you completely and eternally and that there’s nothing you can do to stop Him20 minutes waiting“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
Keep good records of all your encounters; writing it out longhand reenforces the experience" into your brain. The Lord may tell you to do something, give you an answer to a question, or even ask you a question.Mornings:20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
Keep good records of all your encounters; writing it out longhand reenforces the experience" into your brain. The Lord may tell you to do something, give you an answer to a question, or even ask you a question.Mornings:20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
Keep good records of all your encounters; writing it out longhand reenforces the experience" into your brain. The Lord may tell you to do something, give you an answer to a question, or even ask you a question.Mornings:20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me last night?”For now we are sticking with "yes" and "no" questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit by the time I woke up?“Lord, draw my attention three times today.”Best not to tell Him what to draw your attention to…When He does draw your attention, ask, “Lord, is that you?”This will increase your awareness and sensitivity throughout the dayLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop the habit.Evenings:20 minutes waiting - suspended & available“Lord (God, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit - whatever) did you visit me today?”For now we are sticking with yes and no questionsDid I miss you?Did I forget about your visit before I could write it down?“Lord, please visit me tonight, with your presence.”Best not to limit how He comes to youWhen He does visit you at night, ask, “Lord, is that you?”Just sit with Him. Don’t need to talk or pray or worshipThis will increase your awareness and sensitivity even in your sleepLater we’ll talk about what to do next, for right now just develop these habit.
In this new series, each of us will develop a plan that fits our lifestyle and goals. We will start very simply and build on the foundation laid in this episode. Even if you feel you have already conquered these steps, try them again and compare with your past experiences. The Lord may have something special to say to you!
So What Exactly are Supernatural Experiences?Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm. This is why learning to wait on the Lord and being able to hear His voice is so important—it is only by having our senses tuned to Him, to His reality (the spirit realm), that we will be able to see from His vantage point in our soul. He cleans out our ears, lifts the veil from our eyes, sensitizes us to His movement and utilizes all of our senses to become aware of the slightest activity in the supernatural realm.A great illustration of this is in 2 Kings 6:17: And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. If our senses are not tuned to what is going on in the supernatural, we will not recognize it. It will still be going on, we will just not be able to engage in battle, worship, rest, victory, etc.
So What Exactly are Supernatural Experiences?Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm. This is why learning to wait on the Lord and being able to hear His voice is so important—it is only by having our senses tuned to Him, to His reality (the spirit realm), that we will be able to see from His vantage point in our soul. He cleans out our ears, lifts the veil from our eyes, sensitizes us to His movement and utilizes all of our senses to become aware of the slightest activity in the supernatural realm.A great illustration of this is in 2 Kings 6:17: And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. If our senses are not tuned to what is going on in the supernatural, we will not recognize it. It will still be going on, we will just not be able to engage in battle, worship, rest, victory, etc.
PositiveSupernatural Experiences are part of the Believers’ daily experience and should be cultivated, valued, enjoyed and appreciated. The Holy Spirit can be trusted to train, protect and provide whatever is necessary to promote His agenda, keeping us focused on His goals and plan. Because we’re depending on the Lord to BE Lord, we can rest, enjoy and prevail through whatever kind of experiences He has planned for us.Negative Those who have a negative attitude toward supernatural experiences usually do so because of misinformation, based on someone else’s experience or opinion, or the fear of being out of control and the possibility of making a mistake or being hurt. One of the reasons the Lord wants us to want supernatural experiences is to expose those areas in our belief system that are based on a lack of confidence in God (dependence on self-strength) and abdication of the authority we have been given in Christ. We have nothing to fear from trying new things and asking for supernatural experiences. Period.NeutralThis stance toward the supernatural is characterized in word or deed by the thought that, “If God wanted me to have supernatural experiences, I’d be having them.” This nullifies our personal relationship with God, in that He wants us to want Him, and want everything He wants us to have. We will have to learn to deal with the supernatural sometime, so it is wise to take advantage of every opportunity now.Ignorant Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now.
PositiveSupernatural Experiences are part of the Believers’ daily experience and should be cultivated, valued, enjoyed and appreciated. The Holy Spirit can be trusted to train, protect and provide whatever is necessary to promote His agenda, keeping us focused on His goals and plan. Because we’re depending on the Lord to BE Lord, we can rest, enjoy and prevail through whatever kind of experiences He has planned for us.Negative Those who have a negative attitude toward supernatural experiences usually do so because of misinformation, based on someone else’s experience or opinion, or the fear of being out of control and the possibility of making a mistake or being hurt. One of the reasons the Lord wants us to want supernatural experiences is to expose those areas in our belief system that are based on a lack of confidence in God (dependence on self-strength) and abdication of the authority we have been given in Christ. We have nothing to fear from trying new things and asking for supernatural experiences. Period.NeutralThis stance toward the supernatural is characterized in word or deed by the thought that, “If God wanted me to have supernatural experiences, I’d be having them.” This nullifies our personal relationship with God, in that He wants us to want Him, and want everything He wants us to have. We will have to learn to deal with the supernatural sometime, so it is wise to take advantage of every opportunity now.Ignorant Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now.
PositiveSupernatural Experiences are part of the Believers’ daily experience and should be cultivated, valued, enjoyed and appreciated. The Holy Spirit can be trusted to train, protect and provide whatever is necessary to promote His agenda, keeping us focused on His goals and plan. Because we’re depending on the Lord to BE Lord, we can rest, enjoy and prevail through whatever kind of experiences He has planned for us.Negative Those who have a negative attitude toward supernatural experiences usually do so because of misinformation, based on someone else’s experience or opinion, or the fear of being out of control and the possibility of making a mistake or being hurt. One of the reasons the Lord wants us to want supernatural experiences is to expose those areas in our belief system that are based on a lack of confidence in God (dependence on self-strength) and abdication of the authority we have been given in Christ. We have nothing to fear from trying new things and asking for supernatural experiences. Period.NeutralThis stance toward the supernatural is characterized in word or deed by the thought that, “If God wanted me to have supernatural experiences, I’d be having them.” This nullifies our personal relationship with God, in that He wants us to want Him, and want everything He wants us to have. We will have to learn to deal with the supernatural sometime, so it is wise to take advantage of every opportunity now.Ignorant Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now.
Experiencing the supernatural should be a normal aspect of every believers’ life. In fact, it already is, but our senses have not become tuned to what the Lord is already doing in the spiritual, supernatural and natural realms. So by learning to wait on Him, hear His voice and cultivate quietness, we have provided an environment for the Lord to reveal to us what is already happening all around us now.Because supernatural experiences are already occurring, we want to learn to be both observant and confident that the Lord provides the training and protection we need as we venture into new experiences. Just as if we were to move to a new country, we would have to learn the laws, language, cultural traditions, challenges and dangers that reside in that land. As overcomers, know that who you truly are, a spirit-being, has already accepted the challenge and adventure of exploring your inheritance (authority over this realm) and enjoy learning to know the Lord by expanding your need to depend on Him.
The First Step: Tie up loose ends with God, with yourself, with others.Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
The First Step: Tie up loose ends with God, with yourself, with others.Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
The First Step: Tie up loose ends with God, with yourself, with others.Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
The First Step: Tie up loose ends with God, with yourself, with others.Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
The First Step: Tie up loose ends with God, with yourself, with others.Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
The First Step: Tie up loose ends with God, with yourself, with others.Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
The First Step: Tie up loose ends with God, with yourself, with others.Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
The First Step: Start to "Tie Up" loose ends with God, with yourself and with others. Is there anything that you need to clear up with God? Any doubt, fear, question? Write it out. You don’t have to have the answer or resolution now, you just need to have it out in the open. Hidden resentments can hinder your hearing and seeing and being; this is private between you and God.Is there anything that you need to clear up with yourself? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, shaming, blaming and holding on to regrets. Do whatever is necessary to be free from the weight of your past. Again you don’t have to be fully free now, just be working on it. The process will expose any areas that need behavior change. Be ready.Is there anything that you need to clear up with others? Remember that forgiveness doesn’t free the other person, it frees us. And YOU are a forgiving person; you CAN’T not forgive. Likewise if you need to restore or walk away from a relationship, even if its a process, put it on the table as part of your learning to live as a spirit being here on this earth.
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, FastingOur Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, FastingOur Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, FastingOur Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, FastingOur Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Develop a Supernatural Strategy that makes sense to you, that suits your particular circumstances. God has created the situation you are in and given you the desires that you have, don't fight them, though you may have to overcome them. This may be Exactly why he put those obstacles in front of you, for you to learn to over come them. Or maybe to turn you toward a different direction or goal. Knowing God is not a "One Size Fits All" relationship, God knows and wants what is best For You. He cares About You! Take time to care about You as well!
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, FastingOur Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Our Warfare is not against flesh and blood (natural realm), but with principalities and powers (supernatural realm).
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.Waiting, Speaking in Tongues, Fasting
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
Developing a Supernatural Strategy to achieve your personal goals will help to maintain the motivation and consistency needed to learn to Rule over your self and Reign over your circumstances.
It's Your Path, but Don't Take It Personally! Staying objective about your circumstances and your reactions to them will prevent your soulical bad habits from growing.
It's Your Path, but Don't Take It Personally! Staying objective about your circumstances and your reactions to them will prevent your soulical bad habits from growing.
It's Your Path, but Don't Take It Personally! Staying objective about your circumstances and your reactions to them will prevent your soulical bad habits from growing.
It's Your Path, but Don't Take It Personally! Staying objective about your circumstances and your reactions to them will prevent your soulical bad habits from growing.
It's Your Path, but Don't Take It Personally! Staying objective about your circumstances and your reactions to them will prevent your soulical bad habits from growing.
As you explore and encounter creatures and ideas and events that you don't understand, be open to learn. Where there is fear, there is often a wound. Learn to heal yourself in every area. God will protect you to the degree He wants you protected.
As you explore and encounter creatures and ideas and events that you don't understand, be open to learn. Where there is fear, there is often a wound. Learn to heal yourself in every area. God will protect you to the degree He wants you protected.
As you explore and encounter creatures and ideas and events that you don't understand, be open to learn. Where there is fear, there is often a wound. Learn to heal yourself in every area. God will protect you to the degree He wants you protected.
As you explore and encounter creatures and ideas and events that you don't understand, be open to learn. Where there is fear, there is often a wound. Learn to heal yourself in every area. God will protect you to the degree He wants you protected.
Our enemies are the world system, our flesh (self), and the devil and his cronies. Part of our challenge is to develop our soulical senses AND learn to recognize our spiritual senses when any of these enemies intrude in our lives so we can learn to overcome them appropriately.
As you explore and encounter creatures and ideas and events that you don't understand, be open to learn. Where there is fear, there is often a wound. Learn to heal yourself in every area. God will protect you to the degree He wants you protected.
Soul & Self & Living with a Double Mindplus... using your soulical abilities on yourself
Soul & Self & Living with a Double Mind
plus... using your soulical abilities on yourself
Soul & Self & Living with a Double Mind
plus... using your soulical abilities on yourself
Soul & Self & Living with a Double Mind
plus... using your soulical abilities on yourself
Entanglements of the Soul
Our soul wants both control and freedom, even as it desires to return to its union with our spirit.
How do we manage the push and pull of our soul in everyday situations, as well as in times of chaos and crisis?
Entanglements of the Soul
Our soul wants both control and freedom, even as it desires to return to its union with our spirit.
How do we manage the push and pull of our soul in everyday situations, as well as in times of chaos and crisis?
Entanglements of the Soul
Our soul wants both control and freedom, even as it desires to return to its union with our spirit.
How do we manage the push and pull of our soul in everyday situations, as well as in times of chaos and crisis?
Entanglements of the Soul
Our soul wants both control and freedom, even as it desires to return to its union with our spirit.
How do we manage the push and pull of our soul in everyday situations, as well as in times of chaos and crisis?
Entanglements of the Soul
Our soul wants both control and freedom, even as it desires to return to its union with our spirit.
How do we manage the push and pull of our soul in everyday situations, as well as in times of chaos and crisis?
Entanglements of the Soul
Our soul wants both control and freedom, even as it desires to return to its union with our spirit.
How do we manage the push and pull of our soul in everyday situations, as well as in times of chaos and crisis?
We already have everything we need for Life and Godliness; there is nothing we need to be or achieve.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is enter into His rest, even as we learn to exercise power and authority - violence - from that place of rest.
We already have everything we need for Life and Godliness; there is nothing we need to be or achieve.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is enter into His rest, even as we learn to exercise power and authority - violence - from that place of rest.
We already have everything we need for Life and Godliness; there is nothing we need to be or achieve.
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is enter into His rest, even as we learn to exercise power and authority - violence - from that place of rest.
Not a Name it and Claim it, but recognizing what you are in your spirit versus your soul.
When we remind your soul what you are in your spirit - generous, strong, creative, just, your soul is drawn by these truths, closer to your spirit.
What attributes of your spirit is your soul struggling with? That's likely a place in your soul that God is currently working to bring healing, truth and life.
What can we do to help? Re-enforce to our soul what God's truth is, that we ARE life, and love and truth, that we are loving, kind, strong and courageous. That we are joint-heirs with Christ, a co-inheritor with Him, that God loves us unconditionally, and that we are on the Right Track.
We can learn to accept change as it happens, be willing to change our behaviors and our beliefs, not put them off till heaven etc.
In other words, be engaged without interfering with what He's doing or trying to direct Him or help Him. He knows what we need far better than our soul ever could.
Not a Name it and Claim it, but recognizing what you are in your spirit versus your soul.
When we remind your soul what you are in your spirit - generous, strong, creative, just, your soul is drawn by these truths, closer to your spirit.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature. Our soul's reaction to our failure to change.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature. Our soul's reaction to our failure to change.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature. Our soul's reaction to our failure to change.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature. Our soul's reaction to our failure to change.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature. Our soul's reaction to our failure to change.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature. Our soul's reaction to our failure to change.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature.
New homework!
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature.
"Why Do I Do What I Do?" ~ Soul & Spirit: Making Mistakes & Our Will - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature.
Soul & Spirit: Forgiveness and our Emotions - we're going to look at this hopefully helpful example of the importance of understanding the difference between our soul and our spiritual nature.
WORD OF WISDOM A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord's point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person's need, expose error, or to reveal a person's identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It's not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
WORD OF WISDOM A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord's point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person's need, expose error, or to reveal a person's identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It's not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
WORD OF WISDOM A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord's point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person's need, expose error, or to reveal a person's identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It's not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
WORD OF WISDOM A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord's point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person's need, expose error, or to reveal a person's identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It's not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
WORD OF WISDOM A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord's point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person's need, expose error, or to reveal a person's identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It's not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
WORD OF WISDOM
A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord’s point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person’s need, expose error, or to reveal a person’s identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It’s not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
Most problems, stresses are caused by the people you will be in contact with - people want God to fix the problem the way they want and will ignore anything God may have to say to the contrary.
Success often reveals our greatest wounds and character weaknesses. Be prepared, don't take it 'personally'...
As God restores our soul, little by little our soul returns to its original state of being saturated with the nature of God.
Most problems, stresses are caused by the people you will be in contact with - people want God to fix the problem the way they want and will ignore anything God may have to say to the contrary.
Success often reveals our greatest wounds and character weaknesses. Be prepared, don't take it 'personally'...
Most problems, stresses are caused by the people you will be in contact with - people want God to fix the problem the way they want and will ignore anything God may have to say to the contrary.
Success often reveals our greatest wounds and character weaknesses. Be prepared, don't take it 'personally'...
Most problems, stresses are caused by the people you will be in contact with - people want God to fix the problem the way they want and will ignore anything God may have to say to the contrary.
Success often reveals our greatest wounds and character weaknesses. Be prepared, don't take it 'personally'...
Most problems, stresses are caused by the people you will be in contact with - people want God to fix the problem the way they want and will ignore anything God may have to say to the contrary.
Success often reveals our greatest wounds and character weaknesses. Be prepared, don't take it 'personally'...
Most problems, stresses are caused by the people you will be in contact with - people want God to fix the problem the way they want and will ignore anything God may have to say to the contrary.
Be honest and objective - you are putting in work and effort in order to learn how to use your abilities. People will want you to ‘gift’ these abilities to them, don’t go there. This is one of the problems with calling them ‘gifts’ - like any other skill, learning to walk, do math, sing, each of us has to learn how to do it for ourselves.
Be honest and objective - you are putting in work and effort in order to learn how to use your abilities. People will want you to ‘gift’ these abilities to them, don’t go there. This is one of the problems with calling them ‘gifts’ - like any other skill, learning to walk, do math, sing, each of us has to learn how to do it for ourselves.
Simplifying the process of using your soulical abilities...
DIVERSE KINDS OF TONGUES
The gift of tongues is a supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue, as a sign to unbelievers, for speaking to God, and to express devotion. Paul boasted that he spoke in tongues more than others, and since he valued this so highly we likewise should esteem this gift highly. As it is developed, it is quite possible that you may find a different language being used in different circumstances; you may be able to sense what is being spoken by the language being used, even without interpretation.
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
The supernatural giving forth of the meaning of utterances in other tongues following the message in tongues. For edification, instruction, understanding, or to encourage the participation of hearers. The combination of tongues and interpretation is generally the equivalent of prophecy.
WORD OF WISDOM
A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord’s point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person’s need, expose error, or to reveal a person’s identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It’s not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
GIFTS OF FAITH
The supernatural impartation of confidence for patience, protection against enemies, divine intervention, preservation from judgment, and deliverance. Remembering that our confidence is in the Lord’s faith, which is perfect, keeps us from focusing on either the quality or quantity of our own faith, and even trying to distinguish whether it is a manifestation of this gift or not.
WORD OF WISDOM A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord’s point of view so counsel is appropriate.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person’s need, expose error, or to reveal a person’s identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information.
GIFTS OF FAITH The supernatural impartation of confidence for patience, protection against enemies, divine intervention, preservation from judgment, and deliverance.
GIFTS OF HEALING Supernatural healing of diseases, relationships, or other impairments, whether progressively, unconditionally or conditionally.
WORKING OF MIRACLES The supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature, for provision, deliverance or to express the authority and supremacy of the One Who resides within us.
PROPHECY The gift of prophecy is a supernatural utterance in the language of the speaker. It is commonly used for announcing future events, imparting a ministry, increasing confidence, and generally to encourage and build up either an individual or group.
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS The supernatural insight into the supernatural realm, for discerning the source of an utterance, sickness, insanity, violence and immodesty, whether from a supernatural being or from some aspect of a person’s soulical being.
DIVERSE KINDS OF TONGUES The gift of tongues is a supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue, as a sign to unbelievers, for speaking to God, and to express devotion.
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES The supernatural giving forth of the meaning of utterances in other tongues following the message in tongues.
WORD OF WISDOM
A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord’s point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person’s need, expose error, or to reveal a person’s identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It’s not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
GIFTS OF FAITH
The supernatural impartation of confidence for patience, protection against enemies, divine intervention, preservation from judgment, and deliverance. Remembering that our confidence is in the Lord’s faith, which is perfect, keeps us from focusing on either the quality or quantity of our own faith, and even trying to distinguish whether it is a manifestation of this gift or not.
GIFTS OF HEALING
Supernatural healing of diseases, relationships, or other impairments, whether progressively, unconditionally or conditionally. The more we see things from the Lord’s perspective the more likely we are to see this gift functioning on multiple levels at all times. Since it is the Lord’s desire that all be made whole, we can assume that as He flows through us, this gift, like all others, will be active unless there is a block that hasn’t been dealt with yet.
WORD OF WISDOM
A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord’s point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person’s need, expose error, or to reveal a person’s identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It’s not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
GIFTS OF FAITH
The supernatural impartation of confidence for patience, protection against enemies, divine intervention, preservation from judgment, and deliverance. Remembering that our confidence is in the Lord’s faith, which is perfect, keeps us from focusing on either the quality or quantity of our own faith, and even trying to distinguish whether it is a manifestation of this gift or not.
GIFTS OF HEALING
Supernatural healing of diseases, relationships, or other impairments, whether progressively, unconditionally or conditionally. The more we see things from the Lord’s perspective the more likely we are to see this gift functioning on multiple levels at all times. Since it is the Lord’s desire that all be made whole, we can assume that as He flows through us, this gift, like all others, will be active unless there is a block that hasn’t been dealt with yet.
WORD OF WISDOM
A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord’s point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person’s need, expose error, or to reveal a person’s identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It’s not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
GIFTS OF FAITH
The supernatural impartation of confidence for patience, protection against enemies, divine intervention, preservation from judgment, and deliverance. Remembering that our confidence is in the Lord’s faith, which is perfect, keeps us from focusing on either the quality or quantity of our own faith, and even trying to distinguish whether it is a manifestation of this gift or not.
3 Realms of Reality Chart
FORMAT CHANGE: Due to numerous suggestions, we are going to try a shorter broadcast, 15 minutes instead of 30. Let me know what you think!
WORD OF WISDOM
A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord’s point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person’s need, expose error, or to reveal a person’s identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It’s not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
GIFTS OF FAITH
The supernatural impartation of confidence for patience, protection against enemies, divine intervention, preservation from judgment, and deliverance. Remembering that our confidence is in the Lord’s faith, which is perfect, keeps us from focusing on either the quality or quantity of our own faith, and even trying to distinguish whether it is a manifestation of this gift or not.
GIFTS OF HEALING
Supernatural healing of diseases, relationships, or other impairments, whether progressively, unconditionally or conditionally. The more we see things from the Lord’s perspective the more likely we are to see this gift functioning on multiple levels at all times. Since it is the Lord’s desire that all be made whole, we can assume that as He flows through us, this gift, like all others, will be active unless there is a block that hasn’t been dealt with yet.
WORD OF WISDOM
A supernatural utterance of divine wisdom and instruction, for divine aid in persecution, to minister Truth, to escape a snare, to understand a situation from the Lord’s point of view so counsel is appropriate. Often the application of a word of knowledge.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
A supernatural utterance of divine knowledge, to reveal a person’s need, expose error, or to reveal a person’s identity. Generally speaking a word of knowledge deals more with objective facts or data, while a word of wisdom deals with what to do with that information. It’s not essential to be able to identify which is at work in any given situation, and trying to do so may even become a distraction.
GIFTS OF FAITH
The supernatural impartation of confidence for patience, protection against enemies, divine intervention, preservation from judgment, and deliverance. Remembering that our confidence is in the Lord’s faith, which is perfect, keeps us from focusing on either the quality or quantity of our own faith, and even trying to distinguish whether it is a manifestation of this gift or not.
We are quickly approaching a time when most of the moving of the Spirit of God in and through His people will occur outside organized religion of any kind, simply because those in legal authority—according to a name on the door—have usurped the Spirit’s authority over what happens inside, and are therefore unwilling to let the Spirit have His way, because it could be “out of order.” This is not to say that there is no order in the church! There definitely is. And it’s very simple: Jesus is in charge! If Jesus Himself approached the church in physical form, how many churches would turn Him away from the pulpit either because He hadn’t cleared His message with them beforehand or because He wasn’t a member of that church organization?
When someone is dying of cancer, or is wounded in heart or head, or in the depths of despair, they want to be set free by God. They don’t care whether the one setting them free is “under an approved, ordained authority,” neither does God, and neither should we.
Likewise, just because someone is growing in the operation of the gifts doesn’t mean they are more dependent than someone else and should be listened to more closely. Our standard is dependence, not power. The power follows! It doesn’t lead! But if what is being preached and taught is truth, change will be taking place.
Because of His compassion, the Lord may continue to use someone’s gifts even though that person has again asserted his independence and is living out of his flesh, pushing God off His throne. Authority is non-transferable; God does not share it with our self or with others.
Our God has a great sense of humor, and draws us by His goodness, not by His sternness! Don’t be surprised if He occasionally likes to have fun with us and with His power! Let Him be and do whatever He likes, and whatever needs to be done will be done!
Most structural religious organizations have been built to accommodate certain beliefs. If the Lord wanted us to use the scriptures as a pattern to set up a church structure, they would be so clear that there wouldn’t be 2,000 official denominations in the United States alone, each of them “scripturally based.” So the gifts are operated out of “functional authority.” We are quickly approaching a time when most of the moving of the Spirit of God in and through His people will occur outside organized religion of any kind, simply because those in legal authority—according to a name on the door—have usurped the Spirit’s authority over what happens inside, and are therefore unwilling to let the Spirit have His way, because it could be “out of order.” This is not to say that there is no order in the church! There definitely is. And it’s very simple: Jesus is in charge! If Jesus Himself approached the church in physical form, how many churches would turn Him away from the pulpit either because He hadn’t cleared His message with them beforehand or because He wasn’t a member of that church organization?
The Best Gifts?
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
The best gift is the one that is most needed, can we extend that valuation to the person being used in that gift? Does the person who has the most and/or best gift have the most authority? Again most structural religious organizations have been built to accommodate certain beliefs. If the Lord wanted us to use the scriptures as a pattern to set up a church structure, they would be so clear that there wouldn’t be 2,000 official denominations in the United States alone, each of them “scripturally based.” So the gifts are operated out of “functional authority.” We are quickly approaching a time when most of the moving of the Spirit of God in and through His people will occur outside organized religion of any kind, simply because those in legal authority—according to a name on the door—have usurped the Spirit’s authority over what happens inside, and are therefore unwilling to let the Spirit have His way, because it could be “out of order.” This is not to say that there is no order in the church! There definitely is. And it’s very simple: Jesus is in charge! If Jesus Himself approached the church in physical form, how many churches would turn Him away from the pulpit either because He hadn’t cleared His message with them beforehand or because He wasn’t a member of that church organization?
When someone is dying of cancer, or is wounded in heart or head, or in the depths of despair, they want to be set free by God. They don’t care whether the one setting them free is “under an approved, ordained authority,” neither does God, and neither should we.
Likewise, just because someone is growing in the operation of the gifts doesn’t mean they are more dependent than someone else and should be listened to more closely. Our standard is dependence, not power. The power follows! It doesn’t lead! If truth is preached, change will be taking place.
If the best gift is the one that is most needed, can we extend that valuation to the person being used in that gift? Does the person who has the most and/or best gift have the most authority? Again most structural religious organizations have been built to accommodate certain beliefs. If the Lord wanted us to use the scriptures as a pattern to set up a church structure, they would be so clear that there wouldn’t be 2,000 official denominations in the United States alone, each of them “scripturally based.” So the gifts are operated out of “functional authority.” We are quickly approaching a time when most of the moving of the Spirit of God in and through His people will occur outside organized religion of any kind, simply because those in legal authority—according to a name on the door—have usurped the Spirit’s authority over what happens inside, and are therefore unwilling to let the Spirit have His way, because it could be “out of order.” This is not to say that there is no order in the church! There definitely is. And it’s very simple: Jesus is in charge! If Jesus Himself approached the church in physical form, how many churches would turn Him away from the pulpit either because He hadn’t cleared His message with them beforehand or because He wasn’t a member of that church organization?
When someone is dying of cancer, or is wounded in heart or head, or in the depths of despair, they want to be set free by God. They don’t care whether the one setting them free is “under an approved, ordained authority,” neither does God, and neither should we.
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
What Do We Do with The Gifts?
Whatever God wants! Part of our training is learning to depend on God for instructions on what to do with them, and when. For instance, with our healing example, Jesus passed by many people whom He did not heal to get to the one the Father wanted to heal. We learn the discipline of dependence in using the gifts; they are not for us, they are not for others, they are an extension of God’s will and purpose, which is to give His love. HE ALONE chooses how this is done! Very often we interrupt God’s purposes in others’ lives because we step in with encouragement, financial help, even prayer—right when God is getting them to the place where He can break their independence! So the more we are tuned to His small voice, the more we see what the Father is doing, and join Him in His purposes; the more we will tune out the cries of the people, and our own needs as well.
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
What Do We Do with The Gifts?
Whatever God wants! Part of our training is learning to depend on God for instructions on what to do with them, and when. For instance, with our healing example, Jesus passed by many people whom He did not heal to get to the one the Father wanted to heal. We learn the discipline of dependence in using the gifts; they are not for us, they are not for others, they are an extension of God’s will and purpose, which is to give His love. HE ALONE chooses how this is done! Very often we interrupt God’s purposes in others’ lives because we step in with encouragement, financial help, even prayer—right when God is getting them to the place where He can break their independence! So the more we are tuned to His small voice, the more we see what the Father is doing, and join Him in His purposes; the more we will tune out the cries of the people, and our own needs as well.
Consider, though, that if you want to grow in exercising the gifts, wouldn’t you rather rely on God’s sovereign desire and ability to stir up and train you in the supernatural gifts, than on being in the right place at the right time to receive from the right people in the right way? (One test is, would an approach work if you were stranded alone on a desert island without the scriptures or anyone else to help you but God? If you need God plus something else you are not submitting to His full sovereign authority.)
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
The Best Gifts?
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
The Best Gifts?
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
The Best Gifts?
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
The Best Gifts?
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
The Best Gifts?
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
The Best Gifts?
Let’s say you’re stranded in the middle of a desert, without food or water, for days, and are about ready to expire. Two fellows come along, one with a sack full of gold, another with a canteen of water. Which is the best gift? The water, of course! As far as the gifts of the Spirit are concerned, which is the best gift? That which meets the need at the time! So if knowledge is needed, the gift of healing is of no effect. If teaching is needed, the gift of hospitality is of no effect. This is why we need to depend on the Lord to meet our needs and those of others; He alone knows the need!
As you grow in dependence on the Lord, and learn how He moves through the operation of the gifts, you will become more and more comfortable to be available to be used by Him in whatever capacity He chooses. Say the Lord has been flowing through you in the gift of healing, but gives you the discernment that what is needed for the person is a word of wisdom, understanding, to enlighten his situation. Ask the Lord, "What do you have for this person?" The Lord may choose to give Himself through you, or through another person. The point is that, from your point of view, this may be an opportunity to begin letting the Lord minister through you in the gift of a word of wisdom. There is a danger in becoming "specialized" and in letting others decide how you should minister, to whom, and when. God doesn't appreciate it when others usurp His authority, and His "order" is not like ours.
What Do We Do with The Gifts?
Whatever God wants! Part of our training is learning to depend on God for instructions on what to do with them, and when. For instance, with our healing example, Jesus passed by many people whom He did not heal to get to the one the Father wanted to heal. We learn the discipline of dependence in using the gifts; they are not for us, they are not for others, they are an extension of God’s will and purpose, which is to give His love. HE ALONE chooses how this is done! Very often we interrupt God’s purposes in others’ lives because we step in with encouragement, financial help, even prayer—right when God is getting them to the place where He can break their independence! So the more we are tuned to His small voice, the more we see what the Father is doing, and join Him in His purposes; the more we will tune out the cries of the people, and our own needs as well.
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What Do We Do with The Gifts?
Whatever God wants! Part of our training is learning to depend on God for instructions on what to do with them, and when. For instance, with our healing example, Jesus passed by many people whom He did not heal to get to the one the Father wanted to heal. We learn the discipline of dependence in using the gifts; they are not for us, they are not for others, they are an extension of God’s will and purpose, which is to give His love. HE ALONE chooses how this is done! Very often we interrupt God’s purposes in others’ lives because we step in with encouragement, financial help, even prayer—right when God is getting them to the place where He can break their independence! So the more we are tuned to His small voice, the more we see what the Father is doing, and join Him in His purposes; the more we will tune out the cries of the people, and our own needs as well.
At the same time, God is developing our good judgment, He wants to be able to say, You decide this one...
If you want to grow in exercising the gifts, wouldn’t you rather rely on God’s sovereign desire and ability to stir up and train you in the supernatural gifts, than on being in the right place at the right time to receive from the right people in the right way? (One test is, would an approach work if you were stranded alone on a desert island without the scriptures or anyone else to help you but God? If you need God plus something else you are not submitting to His full sovereign authority.)
What Do We Do with The Gifts?
Whatever God wants! Part of our training is learning to depend on God for instructions on what to do with them, and when. For instance, with our healing example, Jesus passed by many people whom He did not heal to get to the one the Father wanted to heal. We learn the discipline of dependence in using the gifts; they are not for us, they are not for others, they are an extension of God’s will and purpose, which is to give His love. HE ALONE chooses how this is done! Very often we interrupt God’s purposes in others’ lives because we step in with encouragement, financial help, even prayer—right when God is getting them to the place where He can break their independence! So the more we are tuned to His small voice, the more we see what the Father is doing, and join Him in His purposes; the more we will tune out the cries of the people, and our own needs as well.
Some of you may have a hard time with this explanation, and that’s fine. This description accommodates the scriptures just as clearly as any other, it makes sense and works when tested. But if you want to abide by another teaching, that’s fine as well. Consider, though, that if you want to grow in exercising the gifts, wouldn’t you rather rely on God’s sovereign desire and ability to stir up and train you in the supernatural gifts, than on being in the right place at the right time to receive from the right people in the right way? (One test is, would an approach work if you were stranded alone on a desert island without the scriptures or anyone else to help you but God? If you need God plus something else you are not submitting to His full sovereign authority.)
What Do We Do with The Gifts?
Whatever God wants! Part of our training is learning to depend on God for instructions on what to do with them, and when. For instance, with our healing example, Jesus passed by many people whom He did not heal to get to the one the Father wanted to heal. We learn the discipline of dependence in using the gifts; they are not for us, they are not for others, they are an extension of God’s will and purpose, which is to give His love. HE ALONE chooses how this is done! Very often we interrupt God’s purposes in others’ lives because we step in with encouragement, financial help, even prayer—right when God is getting them to the place where He can break their independence! So the more we are tuned to His small voice, the more we see what the Father is doing, and join Him in His purposes; the more we will tune out the cries of the people, and our own needs as well.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Just by way of a broad example, say you’re among believing friends, one of whom expresses to you that the Lord wants you to begin moving in a gift of healing. Perhaps this gift has been on your mind, or perhaps this just sounds right when he suggests it. (You are never obligated to let anyone pray for you just because they say they have something for you from God.) You agree. Your friend places a hand on your shoulder, and simply asks the Lord to stir up the gift of healing within you. You may even feel a warmth, or shock, or nothing at all where he is touching you, and you may or may not sense any response from within. What is happening is that the Spirit, flowing to your friend’s spirit, through his soul via a gift, by means of his body (his touch), is breaking through whatever log-jam there may be in your soul (mis-beliefs, fears, etc.) that is hindering the resident gift within from freely flowing. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is rising within your spirit to your soul to break the log-jam on your end. That particular attribute of the Spirit, healing, now has a way to freely pass from spirit to soul through body, which is when your training begins in that area.
Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a particular ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a particular ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Just by way of a broad example, say you’re among believing friends, one of whom expresses to you that the Lord wants you to begin moving in a gift of healing. Perhaps this gift has been on your mind, or perhaps this just sounds right when he suggests it. (You are never obligated to let anyone pray for you just because they say they have something for you from God.) You agree. Your friend places a hand on your shoulder, and simply asks the Lord to stir up the gift of healing within you. You may even feel a warmth, or shock, or nothing at all where he is touching you, and you may or may not sense any response from within. What is happening is that the Spirit, flowing to your friend’s spirit, through his soul via a gift, by means of his body (his touch), is breaking through whatever log-jam there may be in your soul (mis-beliefs, fears, etc.) that is hindering the resident gift within from freely flowing. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is rising within your spirit to your soul to break the log-jam on your end. That particular attribute of the Spirit, healing, now has a way to freely pass from spirit to soul through body, which is when your training begins in that area.
Just by way of a broad example, say you’re among believing friends, one of whom expresses to you that the Lord wants you to begin moving in a gift of healing. Perhaps this gift has been on your mind, or perhaps this just sounds right when he suggests it. (You are never obligated to let anyone pray for you just because they say they have something for you from God.) You agree. Your friend places a hand on your shoulder, and simply asks the Lord to stir up the gift of healing within you. You may even feel a warmth, or shock, or nothing at all where he is touching you, and you may or may not sense any response from within. What is happening is that the Spirit, flowing to your friend’s spirit, through his soul via a gift, by means of his body (his touch), is breaking through whatever log-jam there may be in your soul (mis-beliefs, fears, etc.) that is hindering the resident gift within from freely flowing. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is rising within your spirit to your soul to break the log-jam on your end. That particular attribute of the Spirit, healing, now has a way to freely pass from spirit to soul through body, which is when your training begins in that area.
Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Just by way of a broad example, say you’re among believing friends, one of whom expresses to you that the Lord wants you to begin moving in a gift of healing. Perhaps this gift has been on your mind, or perhaps this just sounds right when he suggests it. (You are never obligated to let anyone pray for you just because they say they have something for you from God.) You agree. Your friend places a hand on your shoulder, and simply asks the Lord to stir up the gift of healing within you. You may even feel a warmth, or shock, or nothing at all where he is touching you, and you may or may not sense any response from within. What is happening is that the Spirit, flowing to your friend’s spirit, through his soul via a gift, by means of his body (his touch), is breaking through whatever log-jam there may be in your soul (mis-beliefs, fears, etc.) that is hindering the resident gift within from freely flowing. Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is rising within your spirit to your soul to break the log-jam on your end. That particular attribute of the Spirit, healing, now has a way to freely pass from spirit to soul through body, which is when your training begins in that area.
Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement.
Just by way of a broad example, say you’re among believing friends, one of whom expresses to you that the Lord wants you to begin moving in a gift of healing. Perhaps this gift has been on your mind, or perhaps this just sounds right when he suggests it. (You are never obligated to let anyone pray for you just because they say they have something for you from God.) You agree. Your friend places a hand on your shoulder, and simply asks the Lord to stir up the gift of healing within you. You may even feel a warmth, or shock, or nothing at all where he is touching you, and you may or may not sense any response from within. What is happening is that the Spirit, flowing to your friend’s spirit, through his soul via a gift, by means of his body (his touch), is breaking through whatever log-jam there may be in your soul (mis-beliefs, fears, etc.) that is hindering the resident gift within from freely flowing.
Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These abilities can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent. This is where ESP, some witchcraft, divination, etc., comes from.
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
How Do We Get Them?
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
How do we get them? Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Supernatural abilities already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
Well, actually, you already have them, or at least they are already available to you from within. Rather than asking the Lord to "give" us these supernatural gifts, we can ask the Lord to identify and stir up those gifts or aspects of the supernatural that He would particularly like to focus on at that given time. The Lord may or may not use terms from the scriptures; it is His right to train you in the way He wants you to go. The purpose is not for you to be able to fit into a specific group at church or be equipped for a ministry. The goal is to be dependent on Him for all things, including life, fellowship and discipleship.
These gifts can also be “imparted” by others. This doesn’t mean that someone gives, or prays for you to receive, something that you didn’t have before. Rather it is the process of discernment at work, where another is able to identify a gifting in you that the Lord wants to encourage you to focus on. By the expression of encouragement, whether through prayer or laying on of hands, the Lord often takes the opportunity to baptize or immerse the receiver in an additional level of His movement. This is perhaps an explanation of why there is often either an emotional response or a clear manifestation of His presence as the gift is stirred within.
Who Has Soulical Abilities?
Soulical Abilities already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
Who Has Soulical Abilities?
Soulical Abilities already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
Just because some may have abused or misrepresented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
Who Are They For?
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
Also remember that just because some may have abused or misrepresented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
Who Are They For?
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
Who Are They For?
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or mis-represented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or mis-represented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or mis-represented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or misrepresented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
These gifts can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent. This is where ESP, some witchcraft, divination, etc., comes from.
As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or misrepresented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or misrepresented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
Who Are They For?
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
These gifts can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent. This is where ESP, some witchcraft, divination, etc., comes from.
As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also, remember that just because some may have abused or misrepresented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
Who Are They For?
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
What Are Gifts of the Spirit?
Since they don’t function in the spiritual realm, but reside in the supernatural realm (our soul) and function in the supernatural and natural realm, it is more accurate to call them supernatural gifts given by the Spirit. These gifts can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent. This is where ESP, some witchcraft, divination, etc., comes from. As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or mis-represented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
Who Are They For?
Supernatural gifts already reside in every believer, and the Lord wants each of us to desire their enlivening in our daily life as well as stirring it up in others. Since this is one of the ways God shares His life with His world—through us, these gifts—to ignore or resist the necessary training is to deny God His throne rights in our lives, and in fact to deny our very nature, which is to give unconditionally what we have already received unconditionally.
What Are Gifts of the Spirit?
The charisma, or gifts of the spirit, are often referred to as spiritual gifts. However, since they don’t function in the spiritual realm, but reside in the supernatural realm (our soul) and function in the supernatural and natural realm, it is more accurate to call them supernatural gifts given by the Spirit. These gifts can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent. This is where ESP, some witchcraft, divination, etc., comes from. As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or misrepresented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
What Are Gifts of the Spirit?
The charisma, or gifts of the spirit, are often referred to as spiritual gifts. However, since they don’t function in the spiritual realm, but reside in the supernatural realm (our soul) and function in the supernatural and natural realm, it is more accurate to call them supernatural gifts given by the Spirit. These gifts can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent. This is where ESP, some witchcraft, divination, etc., comes from. As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or mis-represented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
This is another area where a lot of teaching has been produced based on just a few scriptures. What we want to look at is what are the gifts, who are they for, how do we get them, and what do we do with them.
What Are Gifts of the Spirit?
The charisma, or gifts of the spirit, are often referred to as spiritual gifts. However, since they don’t function in the spiritual realm, but reside in the supernatural realm (our soul) and function in the supernatural and natural realm, it is more accurate to call them supernatural gifts given by the Spirit. These gifts can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent. This is where ESP, some witchcraft, divination, etc., comes from. As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or mis-represented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
This is another area where a lot of teaching has been produced based on just a few scriptures. What we want to look at is what are the gifts, who are they for, how do we get them, and what do we do with them.
What Are Gifts of the Spirit?
The charisma, or gifts of the spirit, are often referred to as spiritual gifts. However, since they don’t function in the spiritual realm, but reside in the supernatural realm (our soul) and function in the supernatural and natural realm, it is more accurate to call them supernatural gifts given by the Spirit. These gifts can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent. This is where ESP, some witchcraft, divination, etc., comes from. As believers, we need to understand that the “gifts” themselves are not “holy”; they are not infallible or to be exalted in any way, though their activity in our lives is to be honored and sought after. We will go into more detail regarding some of the gifts described in scripture later, but for now in general know that supernatural gifts are real and for today. Also remember that just because some may have abused or mis-represented their use doesn’t mean that they can be ignored or dishonored. As the Spirit interacts with our spirit, the outflow will be expressed in some measure as administrations, extensions and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
So be aware, expectant and ready to respond with stillness, gratitude and rest. This doesn’t mean you will have a specific experience mentioned in scriptures. For instance, you may or may not experience speaking with other tongues, audible sounds of rushing wind, physical manifestations of fire, or the ability to preach in other languages! We know God is faithful, and in time and in His way will make Himself known. He doesn’t want us to be drawn to the baptism, He wants us to be drawn to Him.
Supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit
This is another area where a lot of teaching has been produced based on just a few scriptures. What we want to look at is what are the gifts, who are they for, how do we get them, and what do we do with them.
What Are Gifts of the Spirit?
The charisma, or gifts of the spirit, are often referred to as spiritual gifts. However, since they don’t function in the spiritual realm, but reside in the supernatural realm (our soul) and function in the supernatural and natural realm, it is more accurate to call them supernatural gifts given by the Spirit. These gifts can be described as one of the many ways the Lord impacts the supernatural and natural realms through the cooperation of a believer. For non-believers, these same capabilities, which were created in Adam and passed down to each successive generation, have either stagnated through lack of use or have been abused, or not used according to their original intent.
Be aware, expectant and ready to respond with stillness, gratitude and rest. This doesn’t mean you will have a specific experience mentioned in scriptures. For instance, you may or may not experience speaking with other tongues, audible sounds of rushing wind, physical manifestations of fire, or the ability to preach in other languages! We know God is faithful, and in time and in His way will make Himself known. He doesn’t want us to be drawn to the baptism, He wants us to be drawn to Him.
Supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit
This is another area where a lot of teaching has been produced based on just a few scriptures. What we want to look at is what are the gifts, who are they for, how do we get them, and what do we do with them.
By asking the Lord for the baptism, you have made yourself available to Him unconditionally in this area so that whatever He wants for you, you have acknowledged His right and authority to give it to you, in His manner and timing. Whether you sense a change at that moment or not is not relevant to the asking, though you can be assured that He will in some way acknowledge the asking by responding. So be aware, expectant and ready to respond with stillness, gratitude and rest. This doesn’t mean you will have a specific experience mentioned in scriptures. For instance, you may or may not experience speaking with other tongues, audible sounds of rushing wind, physical manifestations of fire, or the ability to preach in other languages! We know God is faithful, and in time and in His way will make Himself known. He doesn’t want us to be drawn to the baptism, He wants us to be drawn to Him.
But throughout our life, subsequent baptisms, both infillings and immersions, where we are filled inwardly in our soul and immersed outwardly in the Spirit, will occur. The Lord has a specific relationship for each of us, and it is best to let Him reveal Himself as He chooses. So the best approach to learning about the baptism in the Spirit is the same as for knowing the Lord: Ask! Here are a couple of questions you may want to try out (remember the Lord is not nearly as concerned about asking Him the “right” way as we are—it is His nature to give good things to His sons).
“Lord, do you want me to be baptized in your Spirit?”
“Lord, is that you?”
“Lord, I ask you to baptize me in your Holy Spirit in whatever way you choose, whenever you choose, and now would be fine!”
Then give the Lord a couple of moments to make Himself known. By asking the Lord for the baptism, you have made yourself available to Him unconditionally in this area so that whatever He wants for you, you have acknowledged His right and authority to give it to you, in His manner and timing. Whether you sense a change at that moment or not is not relevant to the asking, though you can be assured that He will in some way acknowledge the asking by responding. So be aware, expectant and ready to respond with stillness, gratitude and rest. This doesn’t mean you will have a specific experience mentioned in scriptures. For instance, you may or may not experience speaking with other tongues, audible sounds of rushing wind, physical manifestations of fire, or the ability to preach in other languages! We know God is faithful, and in time and in His way will make Himself known. He doesn’t want us to be drawn to the baptism, He wants us to be drawn to Him.
Throughout our life, subsequent baptisms, both infillings and immersions, where we are filled inwardly in our soul and immersed outwardly in the Spirit, will occur. The Lord has a specific relationship for each of us, and it is best to let Him reveal Himself as He chooses. So the best approach to learning about the baptism in the Spirit is the same as for knowing the Lord: Ask! Here are a couple of questions you may want to try out (remember the Lord is not nearly as concerned about asking Him the “right” way as we are—it is His nature to give good things to His sons).
“Lord, do you want me to be baptized in your Spirit?”
“Lord, is that you?”
“Lord, I ask you to baptize me in your Holy Spirit in whatever way you choose, whenever you choose, and now would be fine!”
Then give the Lord a couple of moments to make Himself known. By asking the Lord for the baptism, you have made yourself available to Him unconditionally in this area so that whatever He wants for you, you have acknowledged His right and authority to give it to you, in His manner and timing. Whether you sense a change at that moment or not is not relevant to the asking, though you can be assured that He will in some way acknowledge the asking by responding. So be aware, expectant and ready to respond with stillness, gratitude and rest. This doesn’t mean you will have a specific experience mentioned in scriptures. For instance, you may or may not experience speaking with other tongues, audible sounds of rushing wind, physical manifestations of fire, or the ability to preach in other languages! We know God is faithful, and in time and in His way will make Himself known. He doesn’t want us to be drawn to the baptism, He wants us to be drawn to Him.
When we are born again, Jesus comes to live within, and our spirit is regenerated by the Spirit; by definition we are birthed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, a one-time event. But throughout our life, subsequent baptisms, both infillings and immersions, where we are filled inwardly in our soul and immersed outwardly in the Spirit, will occur. The Lord has a specific relationship for each of us, and it is best to let Him reveal Himself as He chooses. So the best approach to learning about the baptism in the Spirit is the same as for knowing the Lord: Ask! Here are a couple of questions you may want to try out (remember the Lord is not nearly as concerned about asking Him the “right” way as we are—it is His nature to give good things to His sons).
“Lord, do you want me to be baptized in your Spirit?”
“Lord, is that you?”
“Lord, I ask you to baptize me in your Holy Spirit in whatever way you choose, whenever you choose, and now would be fine!”
Then give the Lord a couple of moments to make Himself known. By asking the Lord for the baptism, you have made yourself available to Him unconditionally in this area so that whatever He wants for you, you have acknowledged His right and authority to give it to you, in His manner and timing. Whether you sense a change at that moment or not is not relevant to the asking, though you can be assured that He will in some way acknowledge the asking by responding. So be aware, expectant and ready to respond with stillness, gratitude and rest. This doesn’t mean you will have a specific experience mentioned in scriptures. For instance, you may or may not experience speaking with other tongues, audible sounds of rushing wind, physical manifestations of fire, or the ability to preach in other languages! He doesn’t want us to be drawn to the baptism, He wants us to be drawn to Him.
What is the “baptism with the Holy Spirit”? Whole denominations have been built on differing interpretations of the scriptures that refer, directly or indirectly, to some form of baptism. Our focus will be on how baptism in the Holy Spirit contributes to our goal of knowing God. For our purposes, baptism with the Holy Spirit is the infilling or immersing of the believer with and in the Holy Spirit. This experience occurs many times over the life of the believer. One of the reasons we are “emptied” is to make more room for the “infilling” (figuratively speaking, of course). When we are born again, Jesus comes to live within, and our spirit is regenerated by the Spirit; by definition we are birthed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, a one-time event. But throughout our life, subsequent baptisms, both infillings and immersions, where we are filled inwardly in our soul and immersed outwardly in the Spirit, will occur. The Lord has a specific relationship for each of us, and it is best to let Him reveal Himself as He chooses. So the best approach to learning about the baptism in the Spirit is the same as for knowing the Lord: Ask! Here are a couple of questions you may want to try out (remember the Lord is not nearly as concerned about asking Him the “right” way as we are—it is His nature to give good things to His sons).
“Lord, do you want me to be baptized in your Spirit?”
“Lord, is that you?”
“Lord, I ask you to baptize me in your Holy Spirit in whatever way you choose, whenever you choose, and now would be fine!”
Then give the Lord a couple of moments to make Himself known. By asking the Lord for the baptism, you have made yourself available to Him unconditionally in this area so that whatever He wants for you, you have acknowledged His right and authority to give it to you, in His manner and timing.
What is the “baptism with the Holy Spirit”? Whole denominations have been built on differing interpretations of the scriptures that refer, directly or indirectly, to some form of baptism. Our focus will be on how baptism in the Holy Spirit contributes to our goal of knowing God. For our purposes, baptism with the Holy Spirit is the infilling or immersing of the believer with and in the Holy Spirit. This experience occurs many times over the life of the believer. One of the reasons we are “emptied” is to make more room for the “infilling” (figuratively speaking, of course). When we are born again, Jesus comes to live within, and our spirit is regenerated by the Spirit; by definition we are birthed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, a one-time event. But throughout our life, subsequent baptisms, both infillings and immersions, where we are filled inwardly in our soul and immersed outwardly in the Spirit, will occur. The Lord has a specific relationship for each of us, and it is best to let Him reveal Himself as He chooses. So the best approach to learning about the baptism in the Spirit is the same as for knowing the Lord: Ask! Here are a couple of questions you may want to try out (remember the Lord is not nearly as concerned about asking Him the “right” way as we are—it is His nature to give good things to His sons).
“Lord, do you want me to be baptized in your Spirit?”
“Lord, is that you?”
“Lord, I ask you to baptize me in your Holy Spirit in whatever way you choose, whenever you choose, and now would be fine!”
Then give the Lord a couple of moments to make Himself known.
What is the “baptism with the Holy Spirit”? Whole denominations have been built on differing interpretations of the scriptures that refer, directly or indirectly, to some form of baptism. Our focus will be on how baptism in the Holy Spirit contributes to our goal of knowing God. For our purposes, baptism with the Holy Spirit is the infilling or immersing of the believer with and in the Holy Spirit. This experience occurs many times over the life of the believer. One of the reasons we are “emptied” is to make more room for the “infilling” (figuratively speaking, of course). When we are born again, Jesus comes to live within, and our spirit is regenerated by the Spirit; by definition we are birthed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, a one-time event. But throughout our life, subsequent baptisms, both infillings and immersions, where we are filled inwardly in our soul and immersed outwardly in the Spirit, will occur. The Lord has a specific relationship for each of us, and it is best to let Him reveal Himself as He chooses. So the best approach to learning about the baptism in the Spirit is the same as for knowing the Lord: Ask! Here are a couple of questions you may want to try out (remember the Lord is not nearly as concerned about asking Him the “right” way as we are—it is His nature to give good things to His sons).
“Lord, do you want me to be baptized in your Spirit?”
“Lord, is that you?”
“Lord, I ask you to baptize me in your Holy Spirit in whatever way you choose, whenever you choose, and now would be fine!”
Then give the Lord a couple of moments to make Himself known. By asking the Lord for the baptism, you have made yourself available to Him unconditionally in this area so that whatever He wants for you, you have acknowledged His right and authority to give it to you, in His manner and timing.
The Holy Spirit has power and authority over all three realms: spiritual, supernatural and natural. He knows no other purpose or existence than to be an extension and expression of God; He is trustworthy and reliable and utterly consistent with the nature and intent of a holy God. So as we pursue knowing God, and learn to distinguish the activities of the Holy Spirit from all other sources, we can have confidence that the Spirit is in fact revealing the nature of God to us in the manner and timing established by the Father and made possible by the Son.
Since we know by experience that the Father loves us, and we know by experience that the Son loves us, we also know by experience that the Holy Spirit loves us. And that love is so big that He spends every minute, of every hour, of every day, of every week, of every year, doing nothing but arranging every circumstance in our life to bring us into greater healing, wholeness and dependence on the Father and intimacy with the Son.
The Holy Spirit reveals Himself to each individual as He so chooses. The two most common ways we speak of His manifestation are baptism with the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. Though the scriptures do shed some light on each of these, it is up to each of us to be taught by the Lord through experience. These are all relational aspects, reflecting our availability and dependence on the Lord, not on our knowledge, level of sanctification, anointing, calling or impartation.
The Holy Spirit has power and authority over all three realms: spiritual, supernatural and natural. He knows no other purpose or existence than to be an extension and expression of God; He is trustworthy and reliable and utterly consistent with the nature and intent of a holy God. So as we pursue knowing God, and learn to distinguish the activities of the Holy Spirit from all other sources, we can have confidence that the Spirit is in fact revealing the nature of God to us in the manner and timing established by the Father and made possible by the Son. Since we know by experience that the Father loves us, and we know by experience that the Son loves us, we also know by experience that the Holy Spirit loves us. And that love is so big that He spends every minute, of every hour, of every day, of every week, of every year, doing nothing but arranging every circumstance in our life to bring us into greater healing, wholeness and dependence on the Father and intimacy with the Son.
The Holy Spirit reveals Himself to each individual as He so chooses. The two most common ways we speak of His manifestation are baptism with the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. Though the scriptures do shed some light on each of these, it is up to each of us to be taught by the Lord through experience. These are all relational aspects, reflecting our availability and dependence on the Lord, not on our knowledge, level of sanctification, anointing, calling or impartation.
The Holy Spirit has power and authority over all three realms: spiritual, supernatural and natural. He knows no other purpose or existence than to be an extension and expression of God; He is trustworthy and reliable and utterly consistent with the nature and intent of a holy God. So as we pursue knowing God, and learn to distinguish the activities of the Holy Spirit from all other sources, we can have confidence that the Spirit is in fact revealing the nature of God to us in the manner and timing established by the Father and made possible by the Son. Since we know by experience that the Father loves us, and we know by experience that the Son loves us, we also know by experience that the Holy Spirit loves us. And that love is so big that He spends every minute, of every hour, of every day, of every week, of every year, doing nothing but arranging every circumstance in our life to bring us into greater healing, wholeness and dependence on the Father and intimacy with the Son.
The Holy Spirit reveals Himself to each individual as He so chooses. The two most common ways we speak of His manifestation are baptism with the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. Though the scriptures do shed some light on each of these, it is up to each of us to be taught by the Lord through experience. These are all relational aspects, reflecting our availability and dependence on the Lord, not on our knowledge, level of sanctification, anointing, calling or impartation.
Throughout history, apprehension has been expressed that since the activity of the supernatural is not seen or controlled by us, we can be controlled by it, and therefore there is a danger that we can be deceived and led into doing something offensive to God. First of all, let’s settle it that if God was not strong enough to keep us from being deceived, what makes us think that we are! Second, this thinking reflects that ingrained lack of trust in the love God has for us. He can be trusted with our training, and though He will often put us into situations WE cannot handle, He will never put us into a situation that HE can’t handle! As we partner and cooperate with the Spirit, He will maintain whatever balance is necessary to keep our focus on Him and not on what He is doing.
Before Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they communed with God and with each other on a spiritual level: spirit to Spirit. Their spirit dwelt within them and through them, permeating every aspect of their soul (mind, will and emotions) and body. This means that every spiritual aspect available in the Spirit was flowing from Him to each of their spirits, then through their soul and body. Each had the full knowledge, understanding, wisdom, compassion, motivation, power, authority, dominion, strength and ability that was inherent in the Spirit. What we today call the manifestations of gifts of the Spirit was a normal part of their everyday existence.
But once they sought and accepted a knowledge of their own, their spirits died, and they no longer had access to the Life that had been sustaining them from the Spirit. Gone also was that source that enlivened their soulical, supernatural abilities to funnel the spirit nature. Those capabilities either became dormant, misused, or misinterpreted.
Now, as believers, our spirit has been re-born, and that connection with the Holy Spirit is re-established. As He continues His work of bringing our soul and body into completeness, He clears out the once-used conduits of the debris of misuse and repairs the pathways to be able to once again transport His knowledge, power, encouragement, etc. The more we embrace the Holy Spirit in this endeavor, the more we see Him move supernaturally in our lives and in our world. Conversely, if we resist His activity in the supernatural, we are not only keeping Him from doing His job in and through us, we are also grieving God, by resisting His healing for us.
Before Adam and Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they communed with God and with each other on a spiritual level: spirit to Spirit. Their spirit dwelt within them and through them, permeating every aspect of their soul (mind, will and emotions) and body. This means that every spiritual aspect available in the Spirit was flowing from Him to each of their spirits, then through their soul and body. Each had the full knowledge, understanding, wisdom, compassion, motivation, power, authority, dominion, strength and ability that was inherent in the Spirit. What we today call the manifestations of gifts of the Spirit was a normal part of their everyday existence.
But once they sought and accepted a knowledge of their own, their spirits died, and they no longer had access to the Life that had been sustaining them from the Spirit. Gone also was that source that enlivened their soulical, supernatural abilities to funnel the spirit nature. Those capabilities either became dormant, misused, or misinterpreted.
Now, as believers, our spirit has been re-born, and that connection with the Holy Spirit is re-established. As He continues His work of bringing our soul and body into completeness, He clears out the once-used conduits of the debris of misuse and repairs the pathways to be able to once again transport His knowledge, power, encouragement, etc. The more we embrace the Holy Spirit in this endeavor, the more we see Him move supernaturally in our lives and in our world. Conversely, if we resist His activity in the supernatural, we are not only keeping Him from doing His job in and through us, we are also grieving God, by resisting His healing for us.
There are numerous teachings available on the Holy Spirit and it is not our intention here to present an exhaustive account of His nature, actions and character. What we want to look at are some practical ways of relating and cooperating with the Holy Spirit with the goal of knowing God.
The Holy Spirit is fully God. Though the word “Trinity” is not found in scriptures, there are definitely references to God as multi-parted. Though we continue to be curious about how God interrelates, we don’t wait for full understanding to accept the level of revelation God has given on this subject as “enough for now.” We know the Holy Spirit is a person, in that He has character, specific attributes, can speak for Himself, move, interact and has all other attributes of personality. So He can be grieved, pleased, patient, persistent, empowering, kind and expectant all at the same time.
As you pursue the knowledge of the Lord, you will experience the Holy Spirit Himself firsthand. For instance, when we speak of the manifestation of the Personal Presence of the Lord, I suspect it is the Holy Spirit that makes the Son and Father real to us on a personal level. What role each aspect of the Godhead plays is not clear, and probably varies, but I know that they “travel together.”
The Holy Spirit is a person and wants to be known as a person. We don’t know what we don’t know, and we don’t know the dynamics of how the Father, Son and Holy Spirit relate. We do know that who we truly are, a spirit, DOES know how the aspects of God relate, and so we can have confidence that what the Lord is teaching us is bringing us closer to the complete relationship He wants us to have with every aspect of Himself, as Father, Son, Holy Spirit and His Body. We don’t have to know all the answers or understand Him fully in order to trust Him and have a relationship with Him; God is not touchy or petulant, and is not nearly as concerned with our approach to Him as we often think He is.
We are going to take a very practical approach to expanding our relationship with the Holy Spirit and embracing His activities and gifts. This approach is in no way meant to counter what others may teach, or have experienced. You are free as always to take it or leave it; our purpose here is to share with others what God has shared with us, and what has been tested and found to be objectively true in its practical application.
Often our greatest temptation is to react to a supernatural experience by taking on the responsibility of understanding or responding. Perhaps the greatest lessons we can learn are:
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Respond quickly. Stop what you’re doing as soon as you have the slightest impression that there may be something going on. It’s better to be overly reactive and wrong than afraid of making a mistake and miss the Lord’s knocking. Our goal is to become very sensitive to His slightest whisper or impression—we don’t want to force the Lord to have to use a bullhorn, whether through circumstances or supernaturally, to get our attention.
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Respond accordingly. Let the Lord teach you how to respond. We are not to just hear and understand, but hear and respond, sometimes without understanding. We honor our heritage as sons and co-inheritors when we live according to our identity, giving His lessons our attention and first priority, making room for Him first.
Often our greatest temptation is to react to a supernatural experience by taking on the responsibility of understanding or responding. Perhaps the greatest lessons we can learn are:
-
Respond quickly. Stop what you’re doing as soon as you have the slightest impression that there may be something going on. It’s better to be overly reactive and wrong than afraid of making a mistake and miss the Lord’s knocking. Our goal is to become very sensitive to His slightest whisper or impression—we don’t want to force the Lord to have to use a bullhorn, whether through circumstances or supernaturally, to get our attention.
-
Respond accordingly. Let the Lord teach you how to respond. We are not to just hear and understand, but hear and respond, sometimes without understanding. We honor our heritage as sons and co-inheritors when we live according to our identity, giving His lessons our attention and first priority, making room for Him first.
Often our greatest temptation is to react to a supernatural experience by taking on the responsibility of understanding or responding. Perhaps the greatest lessons we can learn are:
-
Respond quickly. Stop what you’re doing as soon as you have the slightest impression that there may be something going on. It’s better to be overly reactive and wrong than afraid of making a mistake and miss the Lord’s knocking. Our goal is to become very sensitive to His slightest whisper or impression—we don’t want to force the Lord to have to use a bullhorn, whether through circumstances or supernaturally, to get our attention.
-
Respond accordingly. Let the Lord teach you how to respond. We are not to just hear and understand, but hear and respond, sometimes without understanding. We honor our heritage as sons and co-inheritors when we live according to our identity, giving His lessons our attention and first priority, making room for Him first.
Often our greatest temptation is to react to a supernatural experience by taking on the responsibility of understanding or responding. Perhaps the greatest lessons we can learn are:
-
Respond quickly. Stop what you’re doing as soon as you have the slightest impression that there may be something going on. It’s better to be overly reactive and wrong than afraid of making a mistake and miss the Lord’s knocking. Our goal is to become very sensitive to His slightest whisper or impression—we don’t want to force the Lord to have to use a bullhorn, whether through circumstances or supernaturally, to get our attention.
-
Respond accordingly. Let the Lord teach you how to respond. We are not to just hear and understand, but hear and respond, sometimes without understanding. We honor our heritage as sons and co-inheritors when we live according to our identity, giving His lessons our attention and first priority, making room for Him first.
Hopefully by now you will be encouraged to ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you through supernatural experiences and will have become comfortable starting to follow the “8 Steps.” Remember that He has a unique relationship with you, so although you can learn from others, He alone knows the path He has laid out for you, and is jealous over His rights and responsibilities toward you. You may indeed have experiences that you’ve never heard of or imagined for yourself. Our goal is that you would have objective ways of evaluating and participating, and if necessary, taking authority within and over whatever the Lord has for you. Remember also that this is only part of God’s overall approach to bringing you into wholeness and dependence on Him, not the only means, and certainly not above questioning.
Because we are one with Him as a spirit-being, we grow in confidence in that still small voice. We test what we hear and experience against the nature and character of Christ. We are encouraged by His call to greater dependence on Him, rather than more work, higher standards, greater knowledge in our self. We enter into greater rest and the strength of stillness, even as He works in and through us. More and more He draws our focus toward Himself, with a witness of His Life and Truth bearing fruit in our life. We learn to walk gently with Him on His path, step by step, with growing understanding of His ways, because we have experienced His love for us personally. This is true communion, true fellowship, His Life.
As we experience the supernatural as part of our training and everyday life, we become more and more familiar with and responsive to the witness of our spirit to His Spirit. Because we are one with Him as a spirit-being, we grow in confidence in that still small voice. We test what we hear and experience against the nature and character of Christ. We are encouraged by His call to greater dependence on Him, rather than more work, higher standards, greater knowledge in our self. We enter into greater rest and the strength of stillness, even as He works in and through us. More and more He draws our focus toward Himself, with a witness of His Life and Truth bearing fruit in our life. We learn to walk gently with Him on His path, step by step, with growing understanding of His ways, because we have experienced His love for us personally. This is true communion, true fellowship, His Life.
Receiving Supernatural Experiences
Hopefully by now you will be encouraged to ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you through supernatural experiences and will have become comfortable starting to follow the “8 Steps.” Remember that He has a unique relationship with you, so although you can learn from others, He alone knows the path He has laid out for you, and is jealous over His rights and responsibilities toward you. You may indeed have experiences that you’ve never heard of or imagined for yourself. Our goal is that you would have objective ways of evaluating and participating, and if necessary, taking authority within and over whatever the Lord has for you. Remember also that this is only part of God’s overall approach to bringing you into wholeness and dependence on Him, not the only means, and certainly not above questioning.
We are not learning how to defeat the enemy to please God, win souls or for rewards in heaven, but because it is part of our training as sons, since we already please God, are expressing His life, and are experiencing eternal life now. If the emphasis is on our being able to do something a certain way or using the right words, the success of the encounter will rely on our strength, memory and ability to apply what others have taught. For us, our success in the encounter will be determined on whether we depended on the Lord for instruction, strength and authority on a personal level in that particular situation. It’s all about our relationship with our Father, not about overcoming the devil. The more we focus on Him, the more He will set others and us free.
Having said that, the Lord will put in your path books, people, tapes, etc., that will provide you with the opportunity to learn what the Lord wants you to learn. As He does this, ask the Lord, for example, “Lord, is this from you?” and, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?” He is your teacher, guide, coach, instructor, mentor, captain, tutor, and has every training manual you need to accomplish His purpose for you now. The devil has been left on this earth as an object lesson, for you to test what you have learned, to prove that what the Lord is teaching really works.
As we experience the supernatural as part of our training and everyday life, we become more and more familiar with and responsive to the witness of our spirit to His Spirit. Because we are one with Him as a spirit-being, we grow in confidence in that still small voice. We test what we hear and experience against the nature and character of Christ. We are encouraged by His call to greater dependence on Him, rather than more work, higher standards, greater knowledge in our self. We enter into greater rest and the strength of stillness, even as He works in and through us.
We are not learning how to defeat the enemy to please God, win souls or for rewards in heaven, but because it is part of our training as sons, since we already please God, are expressing His life, and are experiencing eternal life now. If the emphasis is on our being able to do something a certain way or using the right words, the success of the encounter will rely on our strength, memory and ability to apply what others have taught. For us, our success in the encounter will be determined on whether we depended on the Lord for instruction, strength and authority on a personal level in that particular situation. It’s all about our relationship with our Father, not about overcoming the devil. The more we focus on Him, the more He will set others and us free.
Having said that, the Lord will put in your path books, people, tapes, etc., that will provide you with the opportunity to learn what the Lord wants you to learn. As He does this, ask the Lord, for example, “Lord, is this from you?” and, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?” He is your teacher, guide, coach, instructor, mentor, captain, tutor, and has every training manual you need to accomplish His purpose for you now. The devil has been left on this earth as an object lesson, for you to test what you have learned, to prove that what the Lord is teaching really works.
Does God want to prevent us from ever being hurt? Are there things that we learn ONLY through pain -- like, the joy of being healed, knowing God as The Healer, knowing the process of overcoming pain, moving out of His strength regardless of the pain we experience. Though some of what these have learned may be interesting and helpful, their teachings and insights will need to be especially scrutinized. Why? Because our goals are different! We are not learning how to defeat the enemy to please God, win souls or for rewards in heaven, but because it is part of our training as sons, since we already please God, are expressing His life, and are experiencing eternal life now. If the emphasis is on our being able to do something a certain way or using the right words, the success of the encounter will rely on our strength, memory and ability to apply what others have taught. For us, our success in the encounter will be determined on whether we depended on the Lord for instruction, strength and authority on a personal level in that particular situation. It’s all about our relationship with our Father, not about overcoming the devil. The more we focus on Him, the more He will set others and us free.
Having said that, the Lord will put in your path books, people, tapes, etc., that will provide you with the opportunity to learn what the Lord wants you to learn. As He does this, ask the Lord, for example, “Lord, is this from you?” and, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?” He is your teacher, guide, coach, instructor, mentor, captain, tutor, and has every training manual you need to accomplish His purpose for you now. The devil has been left on this earth as an object lesson, for you to test what you have learned, to prove that what the Lord is teaching really works.
We are not learning how to defeat the enemy to please God, win souls or for rewards in heaven, but because it is part of our training as sons, since we already please God, are expressing His life, and are experiencing eternal life now. If the emphasis is on our being able to do something a certain way or using the right words, the success of the encounter will rely on our strength, memory and ability to apply what others have taught. For us, our success in the encounter will be determined on whether we depended on the Lord for instruction, strength and authority on a personal level in that particular situation. It’s all about our relationship with our Father, not about overcoming the devil. The more we focus on Him, the more He will set others and us free.
Having said that, the Lord will put in your path books, people, tapes, etc., that will provide you with the opportunity to learn what the Lord wants you to learn. As He does this, ask the Lord, for example, “Lord, is this from you?” and, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?” He is your teacher, guide, coach, instructor, mentor, captain, tutor, and has every training manual you need to accomplish His purpose for you now. The devil has been left on this earth as an object lesson, for you to test what you have learned, to prove that what the Lord is teaching really works.
We are not learning how to defeat the enemy to please God, win souls or for rewards in heaven, but because it is part of our training as sons, since we already please God, are expressing His life, and are experiencing eternal life now. If the emphasis is on our being able to do something a certain way or using the right words, the success of the encounter will rely on our strength, memory and ability to apply what others have taught. For us, our success in the encounter will be determined on whether we depended on the Lord for instruction, strength and authority on a personal level in that particular situation. It’s all about our relationship with our Father, not about overcoming the devil. The more we focus on Him, the more He will set others and us free.
Having said that, the Lord will put in your path books, people, tapes, etc., that will provide you with the opportunity to learn what the Lord wants you to learn. As He does this, ask the Lord, for example, “Lord, is this from you?” and, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?” He is your teacher, guide, coach, instructor, mentor, captain, tutor, and has every training manual you need to accomplish His purpose for you now. The devil has been left on this earth as an object lesson, for you to test what you have learned, to prove that what the Lord is teaching really works.
Throughout history there have been individuals, and occasionally a group or movement, that have for at least a time learned to rest in dependence on the Lord unconditionally. This has made them targets for the enemy, and we can learn much from them. There have also been many groups that have exalted the influence of the devil as equal to, and sometimes greater than, the absolute authority and influence of the Lord Himself. Though some of what these have learned may be interesting and helpful, their teachings and insights will need to be especially scrutinized. Why? Because our goals are different! We are not learning how to defeat the enemy to please God, win souls or for rewards in heaven, but because it is part of our training as sons, since we already please God, are expressing His life, and are experiencing eternal life now. If the emphasis is on our being able to do something a certain way or using the right words, the success of the encounter will rely on our strength, memory and ability to apply what others have taught. For us, our success in the encounter will be determined on whether we depended on the Lord for instruction, strength and authority on a personal level in that particular situation. It’s all about our relationship with our Father, not about overcoming the devil. The more we focus on Him, the more He will set others and us free.
The Lord will put in your path books, people, tapes, etc., that will provide you with the opportunity to learn what the Lord wants you to learn. As He does this, ask the Lord, for example, “Lord, is this from you?” and, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?” He is your teacher, guide, coach, instructor, mentor, captain, tutor, and has every training manual you need to accomplish His purpose for you now. The devil has been left on this earth as an object lesson, for you to test what you have learned, to prove that what the Lord is teaching really works.
Throughout history there have been individuals, and occasionally a group or movement, that have for at least a time learned to rest in dependence on the Lord unconditionally. This has made them targets for the enemy, and we can learn much from them. There have also been many groups that have exalted the influence of the devil as equal to, and sometimes greater than, the absolute authority and influence of the Lord Himself. Though some of what these have learned may be interesting and helpful, their teachings and insights will need to be especially scrutinized. Why? Because our goals are different! We are not learning how to defeat the enemy to please God, win souls or for rewards in heaven, but because it is part of our training as sons, since we already please God, are expressing His life, and are experiencing eternal life now. If the emphasis is on our being able to do something a certain way or using the right words, the success of the encounter will rely on our strength, memory and ability to apply what others have taught. For us, our success in the encounter will be determined on whether we depended on the Lord for instruction, strength and authority on a personal level in that particular situation. It’s all about our relationship with our Father, not about overcoming the devil. The more we focus on Him, the more He will set others and us free.
Having said that, the Lord will put in your path that which will provide you with the opportunity to learn what the Lord wants you to learn. As He does this, ask the Lord, for example, “Lord, is this from you?” and, “Lord, what do you want me to learn from this?” He is your teacher, guide, coach, instructor, mentor, captain, tutor, and has every training manual you need to accomplish His purpose for you now. The devil has been left on this earth as an object lesson, for you to test what you have learned, to prove that what the Lord is teaching really works.
Supernatural Experiences can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class. By now the phrases, “Lord, is that you?” and “Lord, what does this mean?” should jump to your mind every time you encounter something new. We can therefore move forward with confidence that God won’t get us into something that HE can’t handle (though I guarantee He’ll eventually set you down in the middle of something YOU can’t handle!).
Warfare with the Demonic
Throughout history there have been individuals, and occasionally a group or movement, that have for at least a time learned to rest in dependence on the Lord unconditionally. This has made them targets for the enemy, and we can learn much from them. There have also been many groups that have exalted the influence of the devil as equal to, and sometimes greater than, the absolute authority and influence of the Lord Himself. Though some of what these have learned may be interesting and helpful, their teachings and insights will need to be especially scrutinized. Why? Because our goals are different! We are not learning how to defeat the enemy to please God, win souls or for rewards in heaven, but because it is part of our training as sons, since we already please God, are expressing His life, and are experiencing eternal life now. If the emphasis is on our being able to do something a certain way or using the right words, the success of the encounter will rely on our strength, memory and ability to apply what others have taught.
We will look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class. By now the phrases, “Lord, is that you?” and “Lord, what does this mean?” should jump to your mind every time you encounter something new. We can therefore move forward with confidence that God won’t get us into something that HE can’t handle (though I guarantee He’ll eventually set you down in the middle of something YOU can’t handle!).
Rather than creating an encyclopedia of signs, wonders and miracles that He has performed, we will focus on His character and love for us. The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we recognize His activities, and the more we experience the supernatural and begin to exercise our authority over it.
Dreams, Visions, Trances
We will also look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class. By now the phrases, “Lord, is that you?” and “Lord, what does this mean?” should jump to your mind every time you encounter something new. We can therefore move forward with confidence that God won’t get us into something that HE can’t handle (though I guarantee He’ll eventually set you down in the middle of something YOU can’t handle!).
It is imperative that we all learn to distinguish those manifestations that are to signify truth from those that are created to manipulate or confuse. Rather than creating an encyclopedia of signs, wonders and miracles that He has performed, we will focus on His character and love for us. The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we recognize His activities, and the more we experience the supernatural and begin to exercise our authority over it.
Dreams, Visions, Trances
We will also look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class. By now the phrases, “Lord, is that you?” and “Lord, what does this mean?” should jump to your mind every time you encounter something new. We can therefore move forward with confidence that God won’t get us into something that HE can’t handle (though I guarantee He’ll eventually set you down in the middle of something YOU can’t handle!).
It is imperative that we all learn to distinguish those manifestations that are to signify truth from those that are created to manipulate or confuse. Rather than creating an encyclopedia of signs, wonders and miracles that He has performed, we will focus on His character and love for us. The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we recognize His activities, and the more we experience the supernatural and begin to exercise our authority over it.
Dreams, Visions, Trances
We will also look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class. By now the phrases, “Lord, is that you?” and “Lord, what does this mean?” should jump to your mind every time you encounter something new. We can therefore move forward with confidence that God won’t get us into something that HE can’t handle (though I guarantee He’ll eventually set you down in the middle of something YOU can’t handle!).
They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class. By now the phrases, “Lord, is that you?” and “Lord, what does this mean?” should jump to your mind every time you encounter something new. We can therefore move forward with confidence that God won’t get us into something that HE can’t handle (though I guarantee He’ll eventually set you down in the middle of something YOU can’t handle!).
Dreams, Visions, Trances
We will also look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class. By now the phrases, “Lord, is that you?” and “Lord, what does this mean?” should jump to your mind every time you encounter something new. We can therefore move forward with confidence that God won’t get us into something that HE can’t handle (though I guarantee He’ll eventually set you down in the middle of something YOU can’t handle!).
It is imperative that we all learn to distinguish those manifestations that are to signify truth from those that are created to manipulate or confuse. Rather than creating an encyclopedia of signs, wonders and miracles that He has performed, we will focus on His character and love for us. The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we recognize His activities, and the more we experience the supernatural and begin to exercise our authority over it.
Dreams, Visions, Trances
We will also look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class. By now the phrases, “Lord, is that you?” and “Lord, what does this mean?” should jump to your mind every time you encounter something new. We can therefore move forward with confidence that God won’t get us into something that HE can’t handle (though I guarantee He’ll eventually set you down in the middle of something YOU can’t handle!).
Scriptures refer to a wide variety of ways the Lord has manifested Himself supernaturally. Rather than go through each one, suffice it to say that because our Lord is Lord of all, there are no limits to the ways He can move in and upon His creation. Now of course the enemy can duplicate many of these signs, and even we ourselves often elevate circumstances and the natural to the “sign” level. We’ll delve into this subject a little deeper later, but for now it’s important to recognize that signs and wonders are to be witnesses to the truth that is being expressed. It is imperative that we all learn to distinguish those manifestations that are to signify truth from those that are created to manipulate or confuse. Rather than creating an encyclopedia of signs, wonders and miracles that He has performed, we will focus on His character and love for us. The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we recognize His activities, and the more we experience the supernatural and begin to exercise our authority over it.
Scriptures refer to a wide variety of ways the Lord has manifested Himself supernaturally. Rather than go through each one, suffice it to say that because our Lord is Lord of all, there are no limits to the ways He can move in and upon His creation. Now of course the enemy can duplicate many of these signs, and even we ourselves often elevate circumstances and the natural to the “sign” level. We’ll delve into this subject a little deeper later, but for now it’s important to recognize that signs and wonders are to be witnesses to the truth that is being expressed. It is imperative that we all learn to distinguish those manifestations that are to signify truth from those that are created to manipulate or confuse. Rather than creating an encyclopedia of signs, wonders and miracles that He has performed, we will focus on His character and love for us. The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we recognize His activities, and the more we experience the supernatural and begin to exercise our authority over it.
Dreams, Visions, Trances
We will also look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class.
Scriptures refer to a wide variety of ways the Lord has manifested Himself supernaturally. Rather than go through each one, suffice it to say that because our Lord is Lord of all, there are no limits to the ways He can move in and upon His creation. Now of course the enemy can duplicate many of these signs, and even we ourselves often elevate circumstances and the natural to the “sign” level. We’ll delve into this subject a little deeper later, but for now it’s important to recognize that signs and wonders are to be witnesses to the truth that is being expressed. It is imperative that we all learn to distinguish those manifestations that are to signify truth from those that are created to manipulate or confuse. Rather than creating an encyclopedia of signs, wonders and miracles that He has performed, we will focus on His character and love for us. The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we recognize His activities, and the more we experience the supernatural and begin to exercise our authority over it.
Dreams, Visions, Trances
We will also look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class.
Scriptures refer to a wide variety of ways the Lord has manifested Himself supernaturally. Rather than go through each one, suffice it to say that because our Lord is Lord of all, there are no limits to the ways He can move in and upon His creation. Now of course the enemy can duplicate many of these signs, and even we ourselves often elevate circumstances and the natural to the “sign” level. We’ll delve into this subject a little deeper later, but for now it’s important to recognize that signs and wonders are to be witnesses to the truth that is being expressed. It is imperative that we all learn to distinguish those manifestations that are to signify truth from those that are created to manipulate or confuse. Rather than creating an encyclopedia of signs, wonders and miracles that He has performed, we will focus on His character and love for us. The more time we spend with Him, the more easily we recognize His activities, and the more we experience the supernatural and begin to exercise our authority over it.
Dreams, Visions, Trances
We will also look at some practical approaches to receiving and interpreting dreams, visions and trances, but for now we want to settle for ourselves that these are among the ways God reveals Himself to us personally. They are tools in our supernatural tool belt, and the Lord wants us to become handy with everything that He’s made available. As previously stated, these can be copied by the devil and by our own soulical power. But do we stop using twenty-dollar bills because there are counterfeit twenty-dollar bills out there? NO! We simply learn to find ways to distinguish between what is real and what merely appears to be real. Likewise we approach our learning on the same principle of asking the Lord to teach us, then showing up for class.
The Lord doesn’t just work with us supernaturally when we are alone. Another manifestation of the supernatural is an unexpected reaction to a situation or person. This reaction can be either negatively- or positively-oriented, alarming or assuring, or even neutral, just getting your attention to His drawing regarding the situation. For instance, say you are in a meeting at work, and you find yourself somehow separate from what is being said (besides falling asleep and/or daydreaming). Or talking on the phone, or in a class, or pulling up to a red light. The Lord draws your attention to the student on your right, or the classroom itself, or the traffic in front of you. How do you respond? The same way as above. You don’t need to include everyone involved; this too is a matter to inquire of the Lord. The training here is to learn to be aware of the possibility of His showing up on His terms at any time, in any way. Our response is always to go to Him for direction, and not rely on past experiences, scriptural examples, others’ teaching or our own intellect to figure out what He wants.
These “8 Steps” are general guidelines to help get you started, in practical and objective terms, in approaching the simple reality of living in a constant awareness of the Presence of God in the supernatural realm. This is where you will experience the results of the sharpening of your senses during the waiting periods. The more you wait, the more your senses are fine-tuned, and the more you will find yourself interacting with full awareness to what the Lord is already doing in your life in the supernatural realm.
The Lord doesn’t just work with us supernaturally when we are alone. Another manifestation of the supernatural is an unexpected reaction to a situation or person. This reaction can be either negatively- or positively-oriented, alarming or assuring, or even neutral, just getting your attention to His drawing regarding the situation. For instance, say you are in a meeting at work, and you find yourself somehow separate from what is being said (besides falling asleep and/or daydreaming). Or talking on the phone, or in a class, or pulling up to a red light. The Lord draws your attention to the student on your right, or the classroom itself, or the traffic in front of you. How do you respond? The same way as above. You don’t need to include everyone involved; this too is a matter to inquire of the Lord. The training here is to learn to be aware of the possibility of His showing up on His terms at any time, in any way. Our response is always to go to Him for direction, and not rely on past experiences, scriptural examples, others’ teaching or our own intellect to figure out what He wants.
These “8 Steps” are general guidelines to help get you started, in practical and objective terms, in approaching the simple reality of living in a constant awareness of the Presence of God in the supernatural realm. This is where you will experience the results of the sharpening of your senses during the waiting periods. The more you wait, the more your senses are fine-tuned, and the more you will find yourself interacting with full awareness to what the Lord is already doing in your life in the supernatural realm.
The Lord doesn’t just work with us supernaturally when we are alone. Another manifestation of the supernatural is an unexpected reaction to a situation or person. This reaction can be either negatively- or positively-oriented, alarming or assuring, or even neutral, just getting your attention to His drawing regarding the situation. For instance, say you are in a meeting at work, and you find yourself somehow separate from what is being said (besides falling asleep and/or daydreaming). Or talking on the phone, or in a class, or pulling up to a red light. The Lord draws your attention to the student on your right, or the classroom itself, or the traffic in front of you. How do you respond? The same way as above. You don’t need to include everyone involved; this too is a matter to inquire of the Lord. The training here is to learn to be aware of the possibility of His showing up on His terms at any time, in any way. Our response is always to go to Him for direction, and not rely on past experiences, scriptural examples, others’ teaching or our own intellect to figure out what He wants.
These “8 Steps” are general guidelines to help get you started, in practical and objective terms, in approaching the simple reality of living in a constant awareness of the Presence of God in the supernatural realm. This is where you will experience the results of the sharpening of your senses during the waiting periods. The more you wait, the more your senses are fine-tuned, and the more you will find yourself interacting with full awareness to what the Lord is already doing in your life in the supernatural realm.
Protecting the Presence
As you are engaged at work, in a conversation, involved in a complex task that must be completed (driving a car, performing brain surgery or landing an airplane, for example), simply acknowledge His Presence and put a “tent” of protection over it. Draw back from conversation as much as possible, and be ready to make plans to accommodate His Presence. By doing so you honor His Presence, rather than ignoring or pushing it away, as well as planning for giving it attention at a later time. It is crucial that this commitment be honored; at the earliest possible opportunity follow the 8 steps to engage in the Lord’s purposes for that time.
For situations less critical, but where your actions may be misinterpreted or offensive (say you’re at your boss’s home for dinner and the Lord draws your attention to Himself), protect His Presence by drawing back from your conversation as much as possible; don’t put everything you’ve got into the conversation; reserve some of yourself to protect His presence. Then as soon as you get in your car, follow the above outline.
Unexpected Reaction to Situation or Person
The Lord doesn’t just work with us supernaturally when we are alone. Another manifestation of the supernatural is an unexpected reaction to a situation or person. This reaction can be either negatively- or positively-oriented, alarming or assuring, or even neutral, just getting your attention to His drawing regarding the situation. For instance, say you are in a meeting at work, and you find yourself somehow separate from what is being said (besides falling asleep and/or daydreaming). Or talking on the phone, or in a class, or pulling up to a red light. The Lord draws your attention to the student on your right, or the classroom itself, or the traffic in front of you. How do you respond? The same way as we've discussed.
Protecting the Presence
In line with respecting and highly valuing these training opportunities, we will also need to learn how to protect His Presence when we can’t immediately give Him our undivided attention. As you are engaged at work, in a conversation, involved in a complex task that must be completed (driving a car, performing brain surgery or landing an airplane, for example), simply acknowledge His Presence and put a “tent” of protection over it. Draw back from conversation as much as possible, and be ready to make plans to accommodate His Presence. By doing so you honor His Presence, rather than ignoring or pushing it away, as well as planning for giving it attention at a later time. It is crucial that this commitment be honored; at the earliest possible opportunity follow the steps above to engage in the Lord’s purposes for that time.
For situations less critical, but where your actions may be misinterpreted or offensive (say you’re at your boss’s home for dinner and the Lord draws your attention to Himself), protect His Presence by drawing back from your conversation as much as possible; don’t put everything you’ve got into the conversation; reserve some of yourself to protect His presence. Then as soon as you get in your car, follow the above outline.
Unexpected Reaction to Situation or Person
The Lord doesn’t just work with us supernaturally when we are alone. Another manifestation of the supernatural is an unexpected reaction to a situation or person. This reaction can be either negatively- or positively-oriented, alarming or assuring, or even neutral, just getting your attention to His drawing regarding the situation. For instance, say you are in a meeting at work, and you find yourself somehow separate from what is being said (besides falling asleep etc.). Or talking on the phone, or in a class, or pulling up to a light.
8. Back to business! Return to what you were doing. Remember the Lord is under no obligation to explain His timing or direction to us, though as we become reliable and instantaneous in our response, He will likely keep your name high on His list of those He can trust.
Regarding His Personal Presence: Protecting the Presence
In line with respecting and highly valuing these training opportunities, we will also need to learn how to protect His Presence when we can’t immediately give Him our undivided attention. As you are engaged at work, in a conversation, involved in a complex task that must be completed, simply acknowledge His Presence and put a “tent” of protection over it. Draw back from conversation as much as possible, and be ready to make plans to accommodate His Presence. By doing so you honor His Presence, rather than ignoring or pushing it away, as well as planning for giving it attention at a later time. It is crucial that this commitment be honored; at the earliest possible opportunity follow the steps above to engage in the Lord’s purposes for that time.
For situations less critical, but where your actions may be misinterpreted or offensive (say you’re at your boss’s home for dinner and the Lord draws your attention to Himself), protect His Presence by drawing back from your conversation as much as possible; don’t put everything you’ve got into the conversation; reserve some of yourself to protect His presence. Then as soon as you get in your car, follow the above outline.
Unexpected Reaction to Situation or Person
The Lord doesn’t just work with us supernaturally when we are alone. Another manifestation of the supernatural is an unexpected reaction to a situation or person, or just getting your attention to His drawing regarding the situation.
6. Respond! If He gives you something to do right then—DO IT! If the task is to simply respond for that moment, DO IT!
7. Respect & Follow-through! Sometimes during these times the Lord will give us direction, instruction, or birth in us a desire or new purpose. As He does so, our enemies (the world, the flesh and the devil), are all right there waiting to steal that seed. Be diligent to take these things seriously and respectfully begin to nurture it with the time and attention it deserves. This is where clear direction from the Lord so often quickly turns into questions. At first we KNOW we’ve received something from the Lord, but because we do not have the established habit to follow through, do the research, work and planning necessary, the most convenient doubt is that maybe it wasn’t the Lord after all.
8. Back to business! Return to what you were doing. Remember the Lord is under no obligation to explain His timing or direction to us, though as we become reliable and instantaneous in our response, He will likely keep your name high on His list of those He can trust. Over time you will find it likely that He will begin to share His purposes and plans, what He is doing through you, not so that you can take on the work, but so you can rejoice with Him as He does the work to and through you.
- Engage! Sometimes the Lord will give us a specific taskto do, whether it’s for us or on behalf of someone else. But often He simply wants us to “stand at attention,” waiting with Him, for Him and on Him, for as long as He chooses. One of the hardest things to accept is that patient, silent waiting in His presence—felt or not—is the highest form of spiritual activity. There is so much going on beyond our senses; being quiet keeps our soulical and physical attributes from interfering with His work.
6. Respond! If He gives you something to do right then—DO IT! If the task is to simply respond for that moment, DO IT!
7. Respect & Follow-through! Sometimes during these times the Lord will give us direction, instruction, or birth in us a desire or new purpose. As He does so, our enemies (the world, the flesh and the devil), are all right there waiting to steal that seed. Be diligent to take these things seriously and respectfully begin to nurture it with the time and attention it deserves. This is where clear direction from the Lord so often quickly turns into questions. At first we KNOW we’ve received something from the Lord, but because we do not have the established habit to follow through, do the research, work and planning necessary, the most convenient doubt is that maybe it wasn’t the Lord after all.
8. Back to business! Return to what you were doing. Remember the Lord is under no obligation to explain His timing or direction to us, though as we become reliable and instantaneous in our response, He will likely keep your name high on His list of those He can trust.
1. Make Yourself Available. Let the Lord know you are trusting Him to make Himself known in the supernatural and/or physical realm any way He chooses, and that you will pursue and take this training seriously as a way to learn to know Him and His ways.
2. Attention! The Lord will likely begin to interrupt your plans to draw attention to Himself.
3. Ask! “Lord, is that you?” Once confirmed that it is indeed the Lord drawing you, respond with something like, “Lord, I’m Here for You! What can I do for you?” If it is not the Lord, determine its source and deal with it accordingly.
4. Listen! You may find that a word, specific thought, song, scripture, image or idea may be forefront in your thoughts. It is just as likely that no specific communication will be evident. If you’re getting a blank, simply rest in that quietness until it lifts.
- Engage! Sometimes the Lord will give us a specific taskto do, whether it’s for us or on behalf of someone else. But often He simply wants us to “stand at attention,” waiting for as long as He chooses.
6. Respond! If He gives you something to do right then—DO IT!
7. Respect & Follow-through! Sometimes during these times the Lord will give us direction, instruction, or birth in us a desire or new purpose.
8. Back to business! Return to what you were doing.
1. Make Yourself Available. Let the Lord know you are trusting Him to make Himself known in the supernatural and/or physical realm any way He chooses, and that you will pursue and take this training seriously as a way to learn to know Him and His ways.
2. Attention! The Lord will likely begin to interrupt your plans to draw attention to Himself. Say you’re washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, driving, or even reading this text. You become aware of a change in your thought patterns, or a gentle or abrupt change in mood or ability to concentrate.
3. Ask! “Lord, is that you?” Once confirmed (more on that later) that it is indeed the Lord drawing you, respond with something like, “Lord, I’m Here for You! What can I do for you?” If it is not the Lord, determine its source and deal with it accordingly.
4. Listen! You may find that a word, specific thought, song, scripture, image or idea may be forefront in your thoughts. It is just as likely that no specific communication will be evident (your mind, emotions, etc. may be “blank”). If you’re getting a blank, simply rest in that quietness until it lifts.
- Engage! Sometimes the Lord will give us a specific task to do, whether it’s for us or on behalf of someone else. But often He simply wants us to “stand at attention,” waiting with Him, for Him and on Him, for as long as He chooses. One of the hardest things to accept is that patient, silent waiting in His presence—felt or not—is the highest form of spiritual activity. There is so much going on beyond our senses; being quiet keeps our soulical and physical attributes from interfering with His work.
6. Respond!
7. Respect & Follow-through!
8. Back to business!
“8 Steps to Engaging the Supernatural”
1. Make Yourself Available. Let the Lord know you are trusting Him to make Himself known in the supernatural and/or physical realm any way He chooses, and that you will pursue and take this training seriously as a way to learn to know Him and His ways.
2. Attention! The Lord will likely begin to interrupt your plans to draw attention to Himself. Say you’re washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, driving, or even reading this text. You become aware of a change in your thought patterns, or a gentle or abrupt change in mood or ability to concentrate.
3. Ask! “Lord, is that you?” Once confirmed (more on that later) that it is indeed the Lord drawing you, respond with something like, “Lord, I’m Here for You! What can I do for you?” If it is not the Lord, determine its source and deal with it accordingly.
4. Listen! You may find that a word, specific thought, song, scripture, image or idea may be forefront in your thoughts. It is just as likely that no specific communication will be evident (your mind, emotions, etc. may be “blank”). If you’re getting a blank, simply rest in that quietness until it lifts.
- Engage! Sometimes the Lord will give us a specific task to do, whether it’s for us or on behalf of someone else. But often He simply wants us to “stand at attention,” waiting with Him, for Him and on Him, for as long as He chooses. One of the hardest things to accept is that silent waiting in His presence is the highest form of spiritual activity.
“8 Steps to Engaging the Supernatural”
1. Make Yourself Available. Let the Lord know you are trusting Him to make Himself known in the supernatural and/or physical realm any way He chooses, and that you will pursue and take this training seriously as a way to learn to know Him and His ways.
2. Attention! The Lord will likely begin to interrupt your plans to draw attention to Himself. Say you’re washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, driving, or even reading this text. You become aware of a change in your thought patterns, or a gentle or abrupt change in mood or ability to concentrate.
3. Ask! “Lord, is that you?” Once confirmed (more on that later) that it is indeed the Lord drawing you, respond with something like, “Lord, I’m Here for You! What can I do for you?” If it is not the Lord, determine its source and deal with it accordingly.
4. Listen! You may find that a word, specific thought, song, scripture, image or idea may be forefront in your thoughts. It is just as likely that no specific communication will be evident (your mind, emotions, etc. may be “blank”). If you’re getting a blank, simply rest in that quietness until it lifts.
- Engage! Sometimes the Lord will give us a specific taskto do, whether it’s for us or on behalf of someone else. But often He simply wants us to “stand at attention,” waiting with Him, for Him and on Him, for as long as He chooses. One of the hardest things to accept is that patient, silent waiting in His presence—felt or not—is the highest form of spiritual activity.
1. Make Yourself Available. Let the Lord know you are trusting Him to make Himself known in the supernatural and/or physical realm any way He chooses, and that you will pursue and take this training seriously as a way to learn to know Him and His ways.
2. Attention! The Lord will likely begin to interrupt your plans to draw attention to Himself. Say you’re washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, driving, or even reading this text. You become aware of a change in your thought patterns, or a gentle or abrupt change in mood or ability to concentrate.
3. Ask! “Lord, is that you?” Once confirmed (more on that later) that it is indeed the Lord drawing you, respond with something like, “Lord, I’m Here for You! What can I do for you?” If it is not the Lord, determine its source and deal with it accordingly.
4. Listen! You may find that a word, specific thought, song, scripture, image or idea may be forefront in your thoughts. It is just as likely that no specific communication will be evident (your mind, emotions, etc. may be “blank”). If you’re getting a blank, simply rest in that quietness until it lifts.
- Engage! Sometimes the Lord will give us a specific taskto do, whether it’s for us or on behalf of someone else. But often He simply wants us to “stand at attention,” waiting with Him, for Him and on Him, for as long as He chooses.
6. Respond!
7. Respect & Follow-through!
8. Back to business!
1. Make Yourself Available. Let the Lord know you are trusting Him to make Himself known in the supernatural and/or physical realm any way He chooses, and that you will pursue and take this training seriously as a way to learn to know Him and His ways.
2. Attention! The Lord will likely begin to interrupt your plans to draw attention to Himself. Say you’re washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, driving, or even reading this text. You become aware of a change in your thought patterns, or a gentle or abrupt change in mood or ability to concentrate.
3. Ask! “Lord, is that you?” Once confirmed (more on that later) that it is indeed the Lord drawing you, respond with something like, “Lord, I’m Here for You! What can I do for you?” If it is not the Lord, determine its source and deal with it accordingly.
4. Listen! You may find that a word, specific thought, song, scripture, image or idea may be forefront in your thoughts. It is just as likely that no specific communication will be evident (your mind, emotions, etc. may be “blank”). If you’re getting a blank, simply rest in that quietness until it lifts.
- Engage! Sometimes the Lord will give us a specific taskto do, whether it’s for us or on behalf of someone else. But often He simply wants us to “stand at attention,” waiting with Him, for Him and on Him, for as long as He chooses. One of the hardest things to accept is that patient, silent waiting in His presence, felt or not, is the highest form of spiritual activity. There is so much going on beyond our senses; being quiet keeps our soulical and physical attributes from interfering with His work.
“8 Steps to Engaging the Supernatural”
1. Make Yourself Available. Let the Lord know you are trusting Him to make Himself known in the supernatural and/or physical realm any way He chooses, and that you will pursue and take this training seriously as a way to learn to know Him and His ways.
2. Attention! The Lord will likely begin to interrupt your plans to draw attention to Himself. Say you’re washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, driving, or even reading this text. You become aware of a change in your thought patterns, or a gentle or abrupt change in mood or ability to concentrate.
3. Ask! “Lord, is that you?” Once confirmed (more on that later) that it is indeed the Lord drawing you, respond with something like, “Lord, I’m Here for You! What can I do for you?” If it is not the Lord, determine its source and deal with it accordingly. [Supernatural warfare is covered in-depth in “Getting Healed.”]
4. Listen! You may find that a word, specific thought, song, scripture, image or idea may be forefront in your thoughts. It is just as likely that no specific communication will be evident (your mind, emotions, etc. may be “blank”). If you’re getting a blank, simply rest in that quietness until it lifts.
As in all the above cases, don’t expect that you will see an instantaneous or reciprocal response from the Lord. But there is a guarantee that those who seek, and keep on seeking, find, and that for those who knock, and keep on knocking, the door will be opened. Let the Lord respond as He chooses; you just make yourself available.
Can’t Sleep?
If you find you can’t sleep, rather than trying to quiet your mind, or find something else to fill the time, like reading, watching TV, or cleaning the fridge, seize this prime opportunity to spend time with the Lord, turning your focus from yourself to His grace, and simply making yourself available in the sheer naked faith that He is already there waiting for you to wait for Him.
A Word of Caution
The reasons the Lord likes to visit us at night are also the reasons that make the night seasons an excellent time for demonic activities. When we are asleep we are most vulnerable to the enemy’s suggestions, and if he can get us to believe his lies at night we are more ready to accept them as truth in the cold light of day. So be aware that the night is a battleground. Especially if you are choosing to seek the Lord on your own, you are treading into territory the enemy has (illegally) laid claim to. He will put up a fight! So be prepared to recognize his presence and exercise your authority as necessary. Over time you may find much more going on in your life in the night seasons than you ever thought possible, which may in turn cause you to change your priorities during the day. This is exciting and important stuff, and the Lord wants us to enjoy learning to depend on Him for this warfare as well!
If you are really interested in speeding up the development of your soulical senses and experiencing greater dependence and intimacy on the Lord, schedule a time to wake up on your own in the middle of the night simply to spend time keeping Him company. Don’t necessarily hear something, just listen. Don’t expect that you will see an instantaneous or reciprocal response from the Lord. Those who seek, and keep on seeking, find, and for those who knock, and keep on knocking, the door will be opened. Let the Lord respond as He chooses; you just make yourself available.
Can’t Sleep?
If you find you can’t sleep, rather than trying to quiet your mind, or find something else to fill the time, like reading, watching TV, or cleaning the fridge, seize this prime opportunity to spend time with the Lord, turning your focus from yourself to His grace, and simply making yourself available in the sheer naked faith that He is already there waiting for you to wait for Him.
A Word of Caution
The reasons the Lord likes to visit us at night are also the reasons that make the night seasons an excellent time for demonic activities. When we are asleep we are most vulnerable to the enemy’s suggestions, and if he can get us to believe his lies at night we are more ready to accept them as truth in the cold light of day. So be aware that the night is a battleground. Especially if you are choosing to seek the Lord on your own, you are treading into territory the enemy has (illegally) laid claim to. He will put up a fight! So be prepared to recognize his presence and exercise your authority as necessary. Over time you may find much more going on in your life in the night seasons than you ever thought possible, which may in turn cause you to change your priorities during the day. This is exciting and important stuff, and the Lord wants us to enjoy learning to depend on Him for this warfare as well!
Getting Up on Your Own
If you are really interested in speeding up the development of your soulical senses and experiencing greater dependence and intimacy on the Lord, schedule a time to wake up on your own in the middle of the night simply to spend time keeping Him company. Set your alarm clock for a time that is about the middle of your designated sleep time; this will mean that you will have had enough sleep so that you can stay up with the Lord without falling asleep, yet enough time afterward so that you can get some sleep for the rest of the day. Get yourself fully awake (that means getting out of bed, sticking your head under the faucet, whatever), then just sit with Him in your Waiting Room (which could be a chair in your bedroom, for instance). Acknowledge His Presence (remember He is always present), and just listen. Don’t necessarily hear something, just listen. As in all the above cases, don’t expect that you will see an instantaneous or reciprocal response from the Lord. But there is a guarantee that those who seek, and keep on seeking, find, and that for those who knock, and keep on knocking, the door will be opened. Let the Lord respond as He chooses; you just make yourself available.
If you find you can’t sleep, rather than trying to quiet your mind, or find something else to fill the time, like reading, watching TV, or cleaning the fridge, seize this prime opportunity to spend time with the Lord, turning your focus from yourself to His grace, and simply making yourself available in the sheer naked faith that He is already there waiting for you to wait for Him.
The reasons the Lord likes to visit us at night are also the reasons that make the night seasons an excellent time for demonic activities. When we are asleep we are most vulnerable to the enemy’s suggestions, and if he can get us to believe his lies at night we are more ready to accept them as truth in the cold light of day.
Getting Up on Your Own
If you are really interested in speeding up the development of your soulical senses and experiencing greater dependence and intimacy on the Lord, schedule a time to wake up on your own in the middle of the night simply to spend time keeping Him company. Set your alarm clock for a time that is about the middle of your designated sleep time; this will mean that you will have had enough sleep so that you can stay up with the Lord without falling asleep, yet enough time afterward so that you can get some sleep for the rest of the day. Get yourself fully awake (that means getting out of bed, sticking your head under the faucet, whatever), then just sit with Him in your Waiting Room (which could be a chair in your bedroom, for instance). Acknowledge His Presence (remember He is always present), and just listen. Don’t necessarily hear something, just listen. As in all the above cases, don’t expect that you will see an instantaneous or reciprocal response from the Lord. But there is a guarantee that those who seek, and keep on seeking, find, and that for those who knock, and keep on knocking, the door will be opened. Let the Lord respond as He chooses; you just make yourself available.
Can’t Sleep?
If you find you can’t sleep, rather than trying to quiet your mind, or find something else to fill the time, like reading, watching TV, or cleaning the fridge, seize this prime opportunity to spend time with the Lord, turning your focus from yourself to His grace, and simply making yourself available in the sheer naked faith that He is already there waiting for you to wait for Him.
Don’t expect that just because you ask Jesus to visit you in the night that He will do so that very first night! It’s doubtful that He will! So then why do it? Because the next night you will do it again. Over many nights, days, weeks, months, your soulical senses are being tuned to be receptive to Him. Even the nights that you aren’t aware of His responding, know that He is taking note, and that these times are as valuable to Him as when He does reveal Himself openly, because you are living according to your identity as a spirit being, and making yourself available to Him to do His work. Your behavior is lining up to the truth of who you are in Christ—patient, confident, trusting, available. Eventually He will respond objectively, and it will be worth it.
Getting Up on Your Own
If you are really interested in speeding up the development of your soulical senses and experiencing greater dependence and intimacy on the Lord, schedule a time to wake up on your own in the middle of the night simply to spend time keeping Him company. Set your alarm clock for a time that is about the middle of your designated sleep time; this will mean that you will have had enough sleep so that you can stay up with the Lord without falling asleep, yet enough time afterward so that you can get some sleep for the rest of the day. Get yourself fully awake (that means getting out of bed, sticking your head under the faucet, whatever), then just sit with Him in your Waiting Room. Acknowledge His Presence (remember He is always present), and just listen. Don’t necessarily hear something, just listen. As in all the above cases, don’t expect that you will see an instantaneous or reciprocal response from the Lord. But there is a guarantee that those who seek, and keep on seeking, find, and that for those who knock, and keep on knocking, the door will be opened. Let the Lord respond as He chooses; you just make yourself available.
If you are really interested in speeding up the development of your soulical senses and experiencing greater dependence and intimacy on the Lord, schedule a time to wake up on your own in the middle of the night simply to spend time keeping Him company. Set your alarm clock for a time that is about the middle of your designated sleep time; this will mean that you will have had enough sleep so that you can stay up with the Lord without falling asleep, yet enough time afterward so that you can get some sleep for the rest of the day. Get yourself fully awake (that means getting out of bed, sticking your head under the faucet, whatever), then just sit with Him in your Waiting Room (which could be a chair in your bedroom, for instance). Acknowledge His Presence (remember He is always present), and just listen. Don’t necessarily hear something, just listen. As in all the above cases, don’t expect that you will see an instantaneous or reciprocal response from the Lord. But there is a guarantee that those who seek, and keep on seeking, find, and that for those who knock, and keep on knocking, the door will be opened. Let the Lord respond as He chooses; you just make yourself available.
Can’t Sleep? If you find you can’t sleep, rather than trying to quiet your mind, or find something else to fill the time, like reading or cleaning the fridge, seize this prime opportunity to spend time with the Lord, turning your focus from yourself to His grace, and simply making yourself available in the sheer naked faith that He is already there waiting for you to wait for Him.
A Word of Caution
The reasons the Lord likes to visit us at night are also the reasons that make the night seasons an excellent time for demonic activities. When we are asleep we are most vulnerable to the enemy’s suggestions, and if he can get us to believe his lies at night we are more ready to accept them as truth in the cold light of day.
We can ask the Lord to wake us for a visit, if He chooses. Before going to bed, simply ask Him to visit you: “Lord, if You want to speak with me tonight, that would be alright with me.” Or, “Lord, don’t let me miss You if You want to come for a visit tonight.” So we’re not talking some specific language that will get Him to come to us, but rather an attitude toward acknowledging His value and being receptive to His visits. This takes discipline, though. You can’t stay up late into the night, then go to bed with all the cares and worries of the day swirling around in your mind, and then expect to be able to stay up with the Lord! Put Him first by dealing with those things that need to be dealt with in a timely manner during the day, so that when He comes for you, you will be attentive.
Over many nights, days, weeks, months, your soulical senses are being tuned to be receptive to Him. Even the nights that you aren’t aware of His responding, know that He is taking note, and that these times are as valuable to Him as when He does reveal Himself openly, because you are living according to your identity as a spirit being, and making yourself available to Him to do His work.
Getting Up on Your Own
If you are really interested in speeding up the development of your soulical senses and experiencing greater dependence and intimacy on the Lord, schedule a time to wake up on your own in the middle of the night simply to spend time keeping Him company. Set your alarm clock for a time that is about the middle of your designated sleep time; this will mean that you will have had enough sleep so that you can stay up with the Lord without falling asleep, yet enough time afterward so that you can get some sleep for the rest of the day. Get yourself fully awake, then just sit with Him in your Waiting Room. Acknowledge His Presence, and just listen. Don’t necessarily hear something, just listen.
We can ask the Lord to wake us for a visit, if He chooses. Before going to bed, simply ask Him to visit you: “Lord, if You want to speak with me tonight, that would be alright with me.” Or, “Lord, don’t let me miss You if You want to come for a visit tonight.” So we’re not talking some specific language that will get Him to come to us, but rather an attitude toward acknowledging His value and being receptive to His visits. This takes discipline, though. Put Him first by dealing with those things that need to be dealt with in a timely manner during the day, so that when He comes for you, you will be attentive.
Now don’t expect that just because you ask Jesus to visit you in the night that He will do so that very first night! It’s doubtful that He will! So then why do it? Because the next night you will do it again. Over many nights, days, weeks, months, your soulical senses are being tuned to be receptive to Him. Even the nights that you aren’t aware of His responding, know that He is taking note, and that these times are as valuable to Him as when He does reveal Himself openly, because you are living according to your identity as a spirit being, and making yourself available to Him to do His work.
Getting Up on Your Own
If you are really interested in speeding up the development of your soulical senses and experiencing greater dependence and intimacy on the Lord, schedule a time to wake up on your own in the middle of the night simply to spend time keeping Him company. Set your alarm clock for a time that is about the middle of your designated sleep time; this will mean that you will have had enough sleep so that you can stay up with the Lord without falling asleep, yet enough time afterward so that you can get some sleep for the rest of the day. Get yourself fully awake, then just sit with Him in your Waiting Room. Acknowledge His Presence, and just listen.
We can ask the Lord to wake us for a visit, if He chooses. Before going to bed, simply ask Him to visit you: “Lord, if You want to speak with me tonight, that would be alright with me.” Or, “Lord, don’t let me miss You if You want to come for a visit tonight.” So we’re not talking some specific language that will get Him to come to us, but rather an attitude toward acknowledging His value and being receptive to His visits. This takes discipline, though. You can’t stay up late into the night, then go to bed with all the cares and worries of the day swirling around in your mind, and then expect to be able to stay up with the Lord! Put Him first by dealing with those things that need to be dealt with in a timely manner during the day, so that when He comes for you, you will be attentive. (This is the secret of the illustration of Mary and Martha. Both women had their assigned household tasks, but while Martha was listening to Jesus speak in public, Mary was at home doing her work. Expecting Jesus in her home, she wanted to have her work out of the way so that she could give Him her undivided attention.)
Now don’t expect that just because you ask Jesus to visit you in the night that He will do so that very first night! It’s doubtful that He will! So then why do it? Because the next night you will do it again. Over many nights, days, weeks, months, your soulical senses are being tuned to be receptive to Him. Even the nights that you aren’t aware of His responding, know that He is taking note, and that these times are as valuable to Him as when He does reveal Himself openly, because you are living according to your identity as a spirit being, and making yourself available to Him to do His work. Your behavior is lining up to the truth of who you are in Christ—patient, confident, trusting, available. Eventually He will respond objectively, and it will be worth it.
Seeking the Lord at Night
Before going to bed, simply ask Him to visit you: “Lord, if You want to speak with me tonight, that would be alright with me.” Or, “Lord, don’t let me miss You if You want to come for a visit tonight.” So we’re not talking some specific language that will get Him to come to us, but rather an attitude toward acknowledging His value and being receptive to His visits. This takes discipline, though. You can’t stay up late into the night, then go to bed with all the cares and worries of the day swirling around in your mind, and then expect to be able to stay up with the Lord! Put Him first by dealing with those things that need to be dealt with in a timely manner during the day, so that when He comes for you, you will be attentive.
Getting Up on Your Own
If you are really interested in speeding up the development of your soulical senses and experiencing greater dependence and intimacy on the Lord, schedule a time to wake up on your own in the middle of the night simply to spend time keeping Him company. Set your alarm clock for a time that is about the middle of your designated sleep time; this will mean that you will have had enough sleep so that you can stay up with the Lord without falling asleep, yet enough time afterward so that you can get some sleep for the rest of the day. Get yourself fully awake (that means getting out of bed, sticking your head under the faucet, whatever), then just sit with Him in your Waiting Room (a chair in your bedroom, for instance). Acknowledge His Presence (remember He is always present), and just listen. As in all the above cases, don’t expect that you will see an instantaneous or reciprocal response from the Lord. But there is a guarantee that those who seek, and keep on seeking, find, and that for those who knock, and keep on knocking, the door will be opened. Let the Lord respond as He chooses; you just make yourself available.
Though He deals with each of us uniquely, just being expectant regarding His visits will make you more aware of His approach. So when He does come for a visit, you will know how to respond. Some of the ways the Lord will announce His visit through supernatural manifestations have already been mentioned: knocking, calling you by name, audible noises, hearing a song internally or audibly, His footsteps, strong odor, or rising within of His Presence so strongly that it breaks your sleep.
Often the way in which the Lord awakens you will be an indication of His purpose. A soft calling of your name may reflect that the Lord is seeking a time of intimacy with you, whereas a sharp knocking may be an alarm regarding an issue or a need for intercession, and the content of a song heard inwardly may give some indication of the topic of conversation. Over time, the Lord Himself will teach you the meaning of His approach, as long as you ask and don’t try to figure it out yourself. You will begin to just “know.”
Seeking the Lord at Night
We can ask the Lord to wake us for a visit, if He chooses. Before going to bed, simply ask Him to visit you: “Lord, if You want to speak with me tonight, that would be alright with me.” Or, “Lord, don’t let me miss You if You want to come for a visit tonight.” So we’re not talking some specific language that will get Him to come to us, but rather an attitude toward acknowledging His value and being receptive to His visits. This takes discipline, though. You can’t stay up late into the night, then go to bed with all the cares and worries of the day swirling around in your mind, and then expect to be able to stay up with the Lord! Put Him first by dealing with those things that need to be dealt with in a timely manner during the day, so that when He comes for you, you will be attentive.
While our body sleeps, deep calls to deep, and the Lord changes our mind, quiets our emotions, and gives new direction without our conscious awareness. Things that during the day we’d argue with Him about are readily accepted during the night. The result is that in the morning, or perhaps days, weeks or months later, we realize that something has changed, about us, about a situation, about our relationship with God, ourselves or others. Since waiting for Him and cultivating quietness are engaging with the Lord in His purposes, there will likely be an increase in responses in this way, as we have given God the opportunity to release His healing, strength, and understanding in His ways and according to His time.
Visiting with the Lord
There will likely be an increase in occasions when the Lord will wake you up to be with Him. Though He deals with each of us uniquely, just being expectant regarding His visits will make you more aware of His approach. So when He does come for a visit, you will know how to respond. Some of the ways the Lord will announce His visit through supernatural manifestations have already been mentioned: knocking, calling you by name, audible noises, hearing a song internally or audibly, His footsteps, strong odor, or rising within of His Presence so strongly that it breaks your sleep. Often the way in which the Lord awakens you will be an indication of His purpose. A soft calling of your name may reflect that the Lord is seeking a time of intimacy with you, whereas a sharp knocking may be an alarm regarding an issue or a need for intercession, and the content of a song heard inwardly may give some indication of the topic of conversation. Over time, the Lord Himself will teach you the meaning of His approach, as long as you ask and don’t try to figure it out yourself. If you do begin to experience these night visits, count yourself well on the way to knowing the Lord on a deeper level than most Christians.
There are two general ways the Lord visits us at night—without waking us, and by waking us up to be with Him.
Communing with the Lord
While our body sleeps, deep calls to deep, and the Lord changes our mind, quiets our emotions, and gives new direction without our conscious awareness. Things that during the day we’d argue with Him about are readily accepted during the night. The result is that in the morning, or perhaps days, weeks or months later, we realize that something has changed, about us, about a situation, about our relationship with God, ourselves or others. For instance, we may have an answer to a situation that never occurred to us before, or our mind or emotions toward a person may have changed without our realizing it. Very often God does His greatest and fastest work as we sleep so that He is not interfered with. Since waiting for Him and cultivating quietness are engaging with the Lord in His purposes, there will likely be an increase in responses in this way, as we have given God the opportunity to release His healing, strength, and understanding in His ways and according to His time.
Visiting with the Lord
There will likely be an increase in occasions when the Lord will wake you up to be with Him. Some of the ways the Lord will announce His visit through supernatural manifestations have already been mentioned: knocking, calling you by name, audible noises, hearing a song internally or audibly, His footsteps, strong odor, or rising within of His Presence so strongly that it breaks your sleep.
Often the way in which the Lord awakens you will be an indication of His purpose. A soft calling of your name may reflect that the Lord is seeking a time of intimacy with you, whereas a sharp knocking may be an alarm regarding an issue or a need for intercession, and the content of a song heard inwardly may give some indication of the topic of conversation.
The Lord’s Night Visits
You will likely find that the Lord is much more active in our lives during the night seasons than during the day. There are several reasons for this: 1) Our body is less active, which lessens its demand for attention from our soul and spirit, freeing our soul to respond; 2) Our soul (mind, will and emotions) is less distracted by the cares of this world, the demands of the clock, external and internal voices, and its need to control. Therefore the soul is more available to receive unconditionally what the Lord wants to share unconditionally; 3) Because our conscious mind is subdued, the Lord has greater opportunity to override, change or ignore the parts of our belief system that hinder His revelation. This is done by the Lord from His Spirit through our spirit to our soul; 4) The Lord also likes to test what we have learned during the day by visiting us at night.
Communing with the Lord
While our body sleeps, deep calls to deep, and the Lord changes our mind, quiets our emotions, and gives new direction without our conscious awareness. Things that during the day we’d argue with Him about are readily accepted during the night. The result is that in the morning, or perhaps days, weeks or months later, we realize that something has changed, about us, about a situation, about our relationship with God, ourselves or others. For instance, we may have an answer to a situation that never occurred to us before, or our mind or emotions toward a person may have changed without our realizing it. Very often God does His greatest and fastest work as we sleep so that He is not interfered with. Since waiting for Him and cultivating quietness are engaging with the Lord in His purposes, there will likely be an increase in responses in this way, as we have given God the opportunity to release His healing, strength, and understanding in His ways and according to His time.
His Drawing
Though there will be times the Lord makes Himself known during the times we are specifically focusing on Him, the majority of the time we will be engaged in other activities when He does something to get our attention. He doesn’t want to have to “shout” at us—it’s a GOOD thing if the Lord doesn’t have to send an angel or perform a miracle to get our attention or encourage us. One of the ways we show respect to a person is if we are at their “beck and call.” So to strengthen our attention, the Lord will engage us to attend to Him at what may seem to be odd times. Learning to pay attention, and how to promptly respond, is essential to moving into being led by the Spirit, and eventually living, moving and having our being in Him.
The Lord’s Night Visits
You will likely find that the Lord is much more active in our lives during the night seasons than during the day. There are several reasons for this: 1) Our body is less active, which lessens its demand for attention from our soul and spirit, freeing our soul to respond; 2) Our soul (mind, will and emotions) is less distracted by the cares of this world, the demands of the clock, external and internal voices, and its need to control. Therefore the soul is more available to receive unconditionally what the Lord wants to share unconditionally; 3) Because our conscious mind is subdued, the Lord has greater opportunity to override, change or ignore the parts of our belief system that hinder His revelation. This is done by the Lord from His Spirit through our spirit to our soul; 4) The Lord also likes to test what we have learned during the day by visiting us at night.
There are two general ways the Lord visits us at night—without waking us, and by waking us up to be with Him.
As your senses become sharpened you will more quickly and easily begin to be able to identify His Presence, and over time will be able to discern His purpose, direction and intention with confidence, not because you’ve studied much or tried hard, but because the Lord has removed the veil separating your senses from His reality. Again, knowing the Lord is simple.
His Drawing
Though there will be times the Lord makes Himself known during the times we are specifically focusing on Him, the majority of the time we will be engaged in other activities when He does something to get our attention. He doesn’t want to have to “shout” at us—it’s a GOOD thing if the Lord doesn’t have to send an angel or perform a miracle to get our attention or encourage us. One of the ways we show respect to a person is if we are at their “beck and call.” So to strengthen our attention, the Lord will engage us to attend to Him at what may seem to be odd times. Learning to pay attention, and how to promptly respond, is essential to moving into being led by the Spirit, and eventually living, moving and having our being in Him.
The Lord’s Night Visits
The Lord is much more active in our lives during the night seasons than during the day. There are several reasons for this: 1) Our body is less active, which lessens its demand for attention from our soul and spirit, freeing our soul to respond; 2) Our soul (is less distracted by the cares of this world, the demands of the clock, external and internal voices, and its need to control. Therefore the soul is more available to receive unconditionally what the Lord wants to share unconditionally; 3) Because our conscious mind is subdued, the Lord has greater opportunity to override, change or ignore the parts of our belief system that hinder His revelation; 4) The Lord also likes to test what we have learned during the day by visiting us at night.
Experiencing the supernatural is better “felt” than “telt.” You have to experience it for yourself. The Lord encourages us to taste and see that He is good. Not See and Taste, but Taste and See. Experience first, understand second.
When I was in grade school in Michigan we had a new student in my class who had just moved from Hawaii. His first week we were all excited, because we were expecting a “big” snowstorm, the first snowfall of the winter. Of course, our new classmate had heard of snow, seen pictures of it, and imagined he understood what it was. But he couldn’t understand our excitement, even though we enthusiastically related past winter’s stories of building forts, snowball fights, sledding and, of course, ice skating. He just didn’t get it. Until it started to snow. By the time recess came around there was already a good accumulation, and he had started to get an idea of what it looked like firsthand. But it wasn’t until recess, when he could play in it for himself (with us enjoying his first experience of snow), that he began to “know” what snow was. Likewise, have you ever tried to explain a flavor to someone? Vanilla? Root beer? It’s just so much easier to let them taste for themselves. Sharing with others creates a thirst, not the satisfaction. Trust God that what He has planned for you will be from Him, and will stir up your hunger to want to know Him more.
Experiencing the supernatural is better “felt” than “telt.” You have to experience it for yourself. The Lord encourages us to taste and see that He is good. Not See and Taste, but Taste and See. Experience first, understand second.?
Sense of His Presence
Perhaps the best example of needing to experience the Lord firsthand is in regard to recognizing His Personal Presence. As your senses become sharpened (through much waiting on the Lord and cultivating a quiet lifestyle) you will more quickly and easily begin to be able to identify His Presence, and over time will be able to discern His purpose, direction and intention with confidence, not because you’ve studied much or tried hard, but because the Lord has removed the veil separating your senses from His reality. Again, knowing the Lord is simple.
His Drawing
Though there will be times the Lord makes Himself known during the times we are specifically focusing on Him, the majority of the time we will be engaged in other activities when He does something to get our attention. He doesn’t want to have to “shout” at us—it’s a GOOD thing if the Lord doesn’t have to send an angel or perform a miracle to get our attention or encourage us. One of the ways we show respect to a person is if we are at their “beck and call.” So to strengthen our attention, the Lord will engage us to attend to Him at what may seem to be odd times. Learning to pay attention, and how to promptly respond, is essential to moving into being led by the Spirit, and eventually living, moving and having our being in Him.
It is our responsibility to test what we hear and not rely on the name on the door or a teaching or ministry’s popularity to prove its truth. We must test it for ourselves, check out the facts, see if it works. It takes a lot of effort and time to learn what’s available to us in the supernatural realm, but it is thoroughly worth it. Because we have Truth within us, we are learning to distinguish between what is True and what is merely opinion, no matter how well presented or commonly accepted.
Experiencing the supernatural is better “felt” than “telt.” You have to experience it for yourself. The Lord encourages us to taste and see that He is good. Not See and Taste, but Taste and See. Experience first, understand second.
When I was in grade school in Michigan we had a new student in class who had just moved from Hawaii. His first week we were all excited, because we were expecting a “big” snowstorm, the first snowfall of the winter. Of course, our new classmate had heard of snow, seen pictures of it, and imagined he understood what it was. But he couldn’t understand our excitement, even though we enthusiastically related past winter’s stories of building forts, snowball fights, sledding and, of course, ice skating. He just didn’t get it. Until it started to snow. By the time recess came around there was already a good accumulation, and he had started to get an idea of what it looked like firsthand. But it wasn’t until recess, when he could play in it for himself (with us enjoying his first experience of snow), that he began to “know” what snow was. Have you ever tried to explain a flavor to someone? Vanilla? Root beer? It’s so much easier to let them taste for themselves. Sharing with others creates a thirst, not the satisfaction. Trust God that what He has planned for you will be from Him, and will stir up a hunger to want to know Him more.
Many natural manifestations occur as supernatural events as well. For instance, instead of audibly hearing knocking, you may “hear internally,” while having a conversation with a friend, or driving, for instance. The Lord trains us during our waiting periods to learn to recognize His intrusions on all levels and under all circumstances, and we are to respect His right to make Himself known to us at any time during the day or night regardless of the activity we are otherwise engaged in.
The resources available to us in the supernatural and spirit realms can be likened to the informational resources available on the internet. The vast majority of “information” or web sites are personal (opinion) or business (profit-making) in nature. Many are also using the internet as a way to disseminate news and information, though these also can be categorized as personal opinion and profit-making. So on the internet, how do you know what to believe? For those topics that truly concern you, do your own research and follow the facts! Though we are all entitled to our own opinion, we are not entitled to our own facts. Those sites that habitually deliver facts that are independently verifiable are more likely to also deliver opinion and information that is likely to be closer to reality. You are responsible to do your own research.
Likewise regarding the supernatural realm, it is our responsibility to test what we hear and not rely on the name on the door or a teaching or ministry’s popularity to provide veracity. We must test it for ourselves, check out the facts, see if it really works. It truly takes a lot of effort and time to learn what’s available to us in the supernatural realm, but it is thoroughly worth it. Because we have Truth within us, we are learning to distinguish between what is True and what is merely opinion, no matter how well presented, highly regarded or commonly accepted.
Most of us have, at one time or another, in one way or another, “sensed” the Presence of the Lord, heard His voice internally, or recognized His guidance and provision apart from a change in our natural circumstances. Our goal, however, is to actively participate in the learning process to develop our senses and increase our awareness. Through the practice of waiting on the Lord and cultivating quietness as a lifestyle we make ourselves fully available to be taught directly by the Lord. Though attending conferences, reading books, receiving prayer and exercising our gifts are all helpful in this process, there is absolutely no substitute for hearing and being taught directly by the Lord. We rob Him of His throne-rights, rejecting His sovereignty and Lordship, when we substitute other authority or teachings for His personal One-on-one instruction.
Many of the above natural manifestations occur as supernatural events as well. For instance, instead of audibly hearing knocking, you may “hear internally,” while having a conversation with a friend, or driving, for instance. The Lord trains us during our waiting periods to learn to recognize His intrusions on all levels and under all circumstances, and we are to respect His right to make Himself known to us at any time during the day or night regardless of the activity we are otherwise engaged in.
Our goal is to actively participate in the learning process to develop our senses and increase our awareness. Through the practice of waiting on the Lord and cultivating quietness as a lifestyle we make ourselves fully available to be taught directly by the Lord. Though attending conferences, reading books, receiving prayer and exercising our gifts are all helpful in this process, there is absolutely no substitute for hearing and being taught directly by the Lord. We rob Him of His throne-rights, rejecting His sovereignty and Lordship, when we substitute other authority or teachings for His personal One-on-one instruction.
Many natural manifestations occur as supernatural events as well. Instead of audibly hearing knocking, you may “hear internally,” while having a conversation with a friend, or driving, for instance. The Lord trains us during our waiting periods to learn to recognize His intrusions on all levels and under all circumstances, and we are to respect His right to make Himself known to us at any time during the day or night regardless of the activity we are otherwise engaged in.
The resources available to us in the supernatural and spirit realms can be likened to the informational resources available on the internet. The vast majority of “information” or web sites are personal (opinion) or business (profit-making) in nature. Many are also using the internet as a way to disseminate news and information, though these also can be categorized as personal opinion and profit-making. So on the internet, how do you know what to believe? For those topics that truly concern you, do your own research and follow the facts! Though we are all entitled to our own opinion, we are not entitled to our own facts. Those sites that habitually deliver facts that are independently verifiable are more likely to also deliver opinion and information that is likely to be closer to reality. You are responsible to do your own research.
Awareness of the supernatural realm is essential in recognizing and responding to the Presence and Communication of God. Most of us have, at one time or another, in one way or another, “sensed” the Presence of the Lord, heard His voice internally, or recognized His guidance and provision apart from a change in our natural circumstances. Our goal, however, is to actively participate in the learning process to develop our senses and increase our awareness. Through the practice of waiting on the Lord and cultivating quietness as a lifestyle we make ourselves fully available to be taught directly by the Lord. Though attending conferences, reading books, receiving prayer and exercising our gifts are all helpful in this process, there is absolutely no substitute for hearing and being taught directly by the Lord. We rob Him of His throne-rights, rejecting His sovereignty and Lordship, when we substitute other authority or teachings for His personal One-on-one instruction.
Many of the above natural manifestations occur as supernatural events as well. For instance, instead of audibly hearing knocking, you may “hear internally,” while having a conversation with a friend, or driving, for instance. The Lord trains us during our waiting periods to learn to recognize His intrusions on all levels and under all circumstances, and we are to respect His right to make Himself known to us at any time during the day or night regardless of the activity we are otherwise engaged in.
It is our responsibility to test what we hear and not rely on the name on the door or a teaching or ministry’s popularity to provide veracity. We must test it for ourselves, check out the facts, see if it really works. It truly takes a lot of effort and time to learn what’s available to us in the supernatural realm, but it is thoroughly worth it.
You will likely be questioned, if not criticized, by friends and strangers alike, and you may even be tempted to criticize yourself as you pursue becoming familiar with these manifestations. Settle it now that natural manifestations are real, helpful, and encourage you into greater dependence on the Lord, and to not take advantage of them is to shortchange yourself the wonderful relationship God has waiting for you.
Soulical / Supernatural Manifestations
Awareness of the supernatural realm is essential in recognizing and responding to the Presence and Communication of God. Most of us have, at one time or another, in one way or another, “sensed” the Presence of the Lord, heard His voice internally, or recognized His guidance and provision apart from a change in our natural circumstances. Our goal, however, is to actively participate in the learning process to develop our senses and increase our awareness. Through the practice of waiting on the Lord and cultivating quietness we make ourselves fully available to be taught directly by the Lord. Though attending conferences, reading books, receiving prayer and exercising our gifts are all helpful in this process, there is absolutely no substitute for hearing and being taught directly by the Lord. We rob Him of His throne-rights, rejecting His sovereignty and Lordship, when we substitute other authority or teachings for His personal One-on-one instruction.
Many of the above natural manifestations occur as supernatural events as well. For instance, instead of audibly hearing knocking, you may “hear internally,” while having a conversation with a friend, or driving, for instance. The Lord trains us during our waiting periods to learn to recognize His intrusions on all levels and under all circumstances, and we are to respect His right to make Himself known to us at any time during the day or night regardless of the activity we are otherwise engaged in.
Hearing
Phone ringing (may not sound like your phone, but will be enough to get your attention; may sound like your phone but no one will be there when you pick up, and yes, it could be that someone just hung up—ASK THE LORD!); Knocking or doorbell ringing, but when you answer the door no one is there; Footsteps, but no one there; An annoying sound that I hear a lot is my garage door opening—definitely an attention-getter! Car door slamming. Audible voice calling by name, singing, or even humming. All of these are pretty typical sounds that we probably hear throughout the day. As the Lord sharpens our senses we will be able to distinguish those that are made by Him to get our attention from those that occur circumstantially.
Taste
Sweet, bitter, metallic, sour, sudden thirst. Again, these are ways the Lord is trying to get our attention. These sensations may or may not be related to what the Lord wants to say to us. I have on a couple of occasions had a metallic taste in my mouth; when followed up with the Lord I discovered that He wanted me to speed up something I was doing. I’ve also had a bitter taste, which ended up in intercession.
Touch
Touch of a hand from the Lord or an angel; breeze or wind where no source is evident; abrupt change in temperature or humidity. All these are to draw our attention that the Lord wants to speak to us. I’ve many times felt someone brush up against me when I’m working and often when I’m driving.
Smell
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable by scent—roses, musty/moldy, sandalwood, indescribable. Again, since the purpose of the scent is to get our attention, it is not necessary to identify the odor in order to learn its meaning—we simply ask the Lord!
Sight, continued
...visions, dreams, trances (covers a wide array of ways the Lord communicates to us); unusual, multicolored or flashing lights (the Lord has awakened me several times with flashing blue lights, like a police car, in my room—and no, when I go to look for a police car in the street, there is none); angelic appearances (for me these appear most often when I am very weary and need encouragement); also demonic manifestations (a demon of bronchitis manifested itself as a lizard-like critter while I was trying to work; it disappeared under a door, though there was not enough of a gap between the door and the floor).
Hearing
Examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our ears—Phone ringing (may not sound like your phone, but will be enough to get your attention; may sound like your phone but no one will be there when you pick up, and yes, it could be that someone just hung up—ASK THE LORD!); Knocking or doorbell ringing, but when you answer the door no one is there; Footsteps, but no one there; An annoying sound that I hear a lot is my garage door opening—definitely an attention-getter! Car door slamming. Audible voice calling by name, singing, or even humming. All of these are pretty typical sounds that we probably hear throughout the day. As the Lord sharpens our senses we will be able to distinguish those that are made by Him to get our attention from those that occur circumstantially.
Taste
Examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our taste—Sweet, bitter, metallic, sour, sudden thirst. Again, these are ways the Lord is trying to get our attention. These sensations may or may not be related to what the Lord wants to say to us. I have on a couple of occasions had a metallic taste in my mouth; when followed up with the Lord I discovered that He wanted me to speed up something I was doing. I’ve also had a bitter taste, which ended up in intercession.
Hearing
Phone ringing; Knocking or doorbell ringing, but when you answer the door no one is there; Footsteps, but no one there; An annoying sound that I hear a lot is my garage door opening—definitely an attention-getter! Car door slamming. Audible voice calling by name, singing, or even humming. All of these are pretty typical sounds that we probably hear throughout the day. As the Lord sharpens our senses we will be able to distinguish those that are made by Him to get our attention from those that occur circumstantially.
Taste
Sweet, bitter, metallic, sour, sudden thirst. Again, these are ways the Lord is trying to get our attention. These sensations may or may not be related to what the Lord wants to say to us. I have on a couple of occasions had a metallic taste in my mouth; when followed up with the Lord I discovered that He wanted me to speed up something I was doing. I’ve also had a bitter taste, which ended up in intercession.
Touch
Touch of a hand from the Lord or an angel; breeze or wind where no source is evident; abrupt change in temperature or humidity. All these are to draw our attention that the Lord wants to speak to us. I’ve many times felt someone brush up against me when I’m working and often when I’m driving.
Smell
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable by scent—roses, musty/moldy, sandalwood, indescribable. Again, since the purpose of the scent is to get our attention, it is not necessary to identify the odor in order to learn its meaning—we simply ask the Lord! For myself I have noticed a pattern emerging in the ways God communicates to me in the natural realm: sirens and flashing lights are to alert me to an attack of the enemy or that I’m vulnerable somewhere; more subtle interruptions are to draw my attention to a specific area of teaching or instruction.
Sight
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our eyes—The Lord Himself appearing (I’ve not experienced this yet, but am looking forward to it); something “catching your eye” via peripheral vision (for me this happens a lot when I see something in my rearview mirror while driving); visions, dreams, trances (covers a wide array of ways the Lord communicates to us); unusual, multicolored or flashing lights (the Lord has awakened me several times with flashing blue lights, like a police car, in my room—and no, when I go to look for a police car in the street, there is none); angelic appearances (for me these appear most often when I am very weary and need encouragement); also demonic manifestations (a demon of bronchitis manifested itself as a lizard-like critter while I was trying to work; it disappeared under a door, though there was not enough of a gap between the door and the floor).
Hearing
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our ears—Phone ringing (may not sound like your phone, but will be enough to get your attention; may sound like your phone but no one will be there when you pick up, and yes, it could be that someone just hung up—ASK THE LORD!); Knocking or doorbell ringing, but when you answer the door no one is there; Footsteps, but no one there; An annoying sound that I hear a lot is my garage door opening—definitely an attention-getter! Car door slamming. Audible voice calling by name, singing, or even humming. All of these are pretty typical sounds that we probably hear throughout the day. As the Lord sharpens our senses we will be able to distinguish those that are made by Him to get our attention from those that occur circumstantially.
Sight
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our eyes—The Lord Himself appearing (I’ve not experienced this yet, but am looking forward to it); something “catching your eye” via peripheral vision (for me this happens a lot when I see something in my rearview mirror while driving); visions, dreams, trances (covers a wide array of ways the Lord communicates to us); unusual, multicolored or flashing lights (the Lord has awakened me several times with flashing blue lights, like a police car, in my room—and no, when I go to look for a police car in the street, there is none); angelic appearances (for me these appear most often when I am very weary and need encouragement); also demonic manifestations (a demon of bronchitis manifested itself as a lizard-like critter while I was trying to work; it disappeared under a door, though there was not enough of a gap between the door and the floor).
Hearing
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our ears—Phone ringing (may not sound like your phone, but will be enough to get your attention; may sound like your phone but no one will be there when you pick up, and yes, it could be that someone just hung up—ASK THE LORD!); Knocking or doorbell ringing, but when you answer the door no one is there; Footsteps, but no one there; An annoying sound that I hear a lot is my garage door opening—definitely an attention-getter! Car door slamming. Audible voice calling by name, singing, or even humming. All of these are pretty typical sounds that we probably hear throughout the day. As the Lord sharpens our senses we will be able to distinguish those that are made by Him to get our attention from those that occur circumstantially.
Taste
Sweet, bitter, metallic, sour, sudden thirst. Again, these are ways the Lord is trying to get our attention.
A natural manifestation is no more significant or trustworthy than any other way He makes Himself known—take everything to Him and let Him speak to you about it. But do enjoy it when it happens! The Lord does!
We will also be sharing some personal examples in hopes that they will trigger a thirst and hunger for them for yourselves, and to see the diversity and simplicity of the ways in which God communicates. They are not meant to project a standard or establish guidelines, as each of us has the experiences that He wants us to have.
Sight
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our eyes—The Lord Himself appearing (I’ve not experienced this yet, but am looking forward to it); something “catching your eye” via peripheral vision (for me this happens a lot when I see something in my rearview mirror while driving); visions, dreams, trances (covers a wide array of ways the Lord communicates to us); unusual, multicolored or flashing lights (the Lord has awakened me several times with flashing blue lights, like a police car, in my room—and no, when I go to look for a police car in the street, there is none); angelic appearances (for me these appear most often when I am very weary and need encouragement); also demonic manifestations (a demon of bronchitis manifested itself as a lizard-like critter while I was trying to work; it disappeared under a door, though there was not enough of a gap between the door and the floor).
Hearing
Examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our ears—Phone ringing (may not sound like your phone, but will be enough to get your attention; may sound like your phone but no one will be there when you pick up, and yes, it could be that someone just hung up—ASK THE LORD!); As the Lord sharpens our senses we will be able to distinguish those that are made by Him to get our attention from those that occur circumstantially.
Physical / Natural Manifestations
God may choose to make Himself known in ways that are apparent to the natural senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell. It’s fine to ask the Lord to make Himself known in these ways, but even more important is to become habitually aware that He may choose this avenue. A natural manifestation is no more significant or trustworthy than any other way He makes Himself known—take everything to Him and let Him speak to you about it. But do enjoy it when it happens! The Lord does!
We will also be sharing some personal examples in hopes that they will trigger a thirst and hunger for them for yourselves, and to see the diversity and simplicity of the ways in which God communicates. They are not meant to project a standard or establish guidelines, as each of us has the unique experiences with the Lord that He wants us to have.
Sight
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our eyes—The Lord Himself appearing (I’ve not experienced this yet, but am looking forward to it); something “catching your eye” via peripheral vision (for me this happens a lot when I see something in my rearview mirror while driving); visions, dreams, trances (covers a wide array of ways the Lord communicates to us); unusual, multicolored or flashing lights (the Lord has awakened me several times with flashing blue lights, like a police car, in my room—and no, when I go to look for a police car in the street, there is none); angelic appearances (for me these appear most often when I am very weary and need encouragement); also demonic manifestations (a demon of bronchitis manifested itself as a lizard-like critter while I was trying to work; it disappeared under a door, though there was not enough of a gap between the door and the floor).
As He visits, don’t assume you know how to interpret or respond—Ask The Lord! He will explain Himself.
Physical / Natural Manifestations
God may choose to make Himself known in ways that are apparent to the natural senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell. It’s fine to ask the Lord to make Himself known in these ways, but even more important is to become habitually aware that He may choose this avenue. A natural manifestation is no more significant or trustworthy than any other way He makes Himself known—take everything to Him and let Him speak to you about it. But do enjoy it when it happens! The Lord does!
We will also be sharing some personal examples in hopes that they will trigger a thirst and hunger for them for yourselves, and to see the diversity and simplicity of the ways in which God communicates. They are not meant to project a standard or establish guidelines, as each of us has the unique experiences with the Lord that He wants us to have.
Sight
Here are some examples of the Lord making Himself perceivable to our eyes—The Lord Himself appearing (I’ve not experienced this yet, but am looking forward to it); something “catching your eye” via peripheral vision (for me this happens a lot when I see something in my rearview mirror while driving); visions, dreams, trances (covers a wide array of ways the Lord communicates to us); unusual, multicolored or flashing lights (the Lord has awakened me several times with flashing blue lights, like a police car, in my room—and no, when I go to look for a police car in the street, there is none); angelic appearances (for me these appear most often when I am very weary and need encouragement); also demonic manifestations (a demon of bronchitis manifested itself as a lizard-like critter while I was trying to work; it disappeared under a door, though there was not enough of a gap between the door and the floor).
Examples of Supernatural Experiences
This is by no means an exhaustive study of what is going on even now in the supernatural realm. Our goal is to begin to objectively look at some of the categories that the Lord’s supernatural expressions commonly fall into. One experience is not more valuable than another; it is up to the Lord Himself to make those determinations for each of us, depending on our unique relationship with Him and His plans for us. We can expect, however, that we will probably not experience exactly what someone else has, in order to keep us from relating more to the experience or another person than to the Lord Himself.
The Lord’s Visits
When we speak of the Lord’s visits, we are referring to the ways in which the Lord makes Himself personally known either to our natural or supernatural senses. He does this for a variety of reasons, but it will always be to draw attention to Himself, not the manner of the revealing. As He visits, don’t assume you know how to interpret or respond—Ask The Lord! He will explain Himself.
Physical / Natural Manifestations
God may choose to make Himself known in ways that are apparent to the natural senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell. It’s fine to ask the Lord to make Himself known in these ways, but even more important is to become habitually aware that He may choose this avenue. A natural manifestation is no more significant or trustworthy than any other way He makes Himself known—take everything to Him and let Him speak to you about it. But do enjoy it when it happens! The Lord does!
We will also be sharing some personal examples in hopes that they will trigger a thirst and hunger for them for yourselves, and to see the diversity and simplicity of the ways in which God communicates. They are not meant to project a standard or establish guidelines, as each of us has the unique experiences with the Lord.
Ask the Lord to bring others into your life with whom you can share experiences. The Lord wants us to be able to learn from others’ learning from Him, as well as teaching us how to share with others what He has shared with us. Our confidence in His faithfulness grows as we see that He treats each of us with respect and gentleness. Likewise, as we see what the Lord is doing in like-minded believers, we are challenged to want to know Him more and more.
Ask the Lord to reveal Himself objectively. What is truly from the Lord will stand up to scrutiny “by the light of day.” The Lord sharpens our discernment for this very reason—just as we trust what we see, taste and touch with our physical senses, what we experience supernaturally is just as real. The Lord wants us to have that same confidence of its realness.
Examples of Supernatural Experiences
This is by no means an exhaustive study of what is going on even now in the supernatural realm. Our goal is to begin to objectively look at some of the categories that the Lord’s supernatural expressions commonly fall into. One experience is not more valuable than another; it is up to the Lord Himself to make those determinations for each of us, depending on our unique relationship with Him and His plans for us. We can expect, however, that we will probably not experience exactly what someone else has, in order to keep us from relating more to the experience or another person than to the Lord Himself.
The Lord’s Visits
When we speak of the Lord’s visits, we are referring to the ways in which the Lord makes Himself personally known either to our natural or supernatural senses. He does this for a variety of reasons, but it will always be to draw attention to Himself, not the manner of the revealing. As He visits, don’t assume you know how to interpret or respond—Ask The Lord! He will explain Himself.
Supernatural experiences can be desired and asked for.
Ask the Lord to help you to overcome any apprehensions and answer any questions you may have. This is about your relationship with the Lord, and will expand your confidence in Him as you learn the extent of your authority and responsibility.
Ask the Lord to bring others into your life with whom you can share experiences. The Lord wants us to be able to learn from others’ learning from Him, as well as teaching us how to share with others what He has shared with us. Our confidence in His faithfulness grows as we see that He treats each of us with respect and gentleness. Likewise, as we see what the Lord is doing in like-minded believers, we are challenged to want to know Him more and more.
Ask the Lord to reveal Himself objectively. What is truly from the Lord will stand up to scrutiny “by the light of day.” Hearing from, knowing God and having supernatural experiences is not something that we strain for or experience in our imagination. The Lord sharpens our discernment for this very reason—just as we trust what we see, taste and touch with our physical senses, what we experience supernaturally is just as real. The Lord wants us to have that same confidence of its realness.
Examples of Supernatural Experiences
This is by no means an exhaustive study of what is going on even now in the supernatural realm. Our goal is to begin to objectively look at some of the categories that the Lord’s supernatural expressions commonly fall into. One experience is not more valuable than another; it is up to the Lord Himself to make those determinations for each of us, depending on our unique relationship with Him and His plans for us. We can expect, however, that we will probably not experience exactly what someone else has, in order to keep us from relating more to the experience or another person than to the Lord Himself.
Ask the Lord to help you to overcome any apprehensions and answer any questions you may have. This is about your relationship with the Lord, and will expand your confidence in Him as you learn the extent of your authority and responsibility.
Ask the Lord to bring others into your life with whom you can share experiences. The Lord wants us to be able to learn from others’ learning from Him, as well as teaching us how to share with others what He has shared with us. Our confidence in His faithfulness grows as we see that He treats each of us with respect and gentleness. Likewise, as we see what the Lord is doing in like-minded believers, we are challenged to want to know Him more and more.
Ask the Lord to reveal Himself objectively. What is truly from the Lord will stand up to scrutiny “by the light of day.” Hearing from, knowing God and having supernatural experiences is not something that we strain for or experience in our imagination. The Lord sharpens our discernment for this very reason—just as we trust what we see, taste and touch with our physical senses, what we experience supernaturally is just as real. The Lord wants us to have that same confidence of its realness.
Examples of Supernatural Experiences
This is by no means an exhaustive study of what is going on even now in the supernatural realm. Our goal is to begin to objectively look at some of the categories that the Lord’s supernatural expressions commonly fall into. One experience is not more valuable than another; it is up to the Lord Himself to make those determinations for each of us, depending on our unique relationship with Him and His plans for us. We can expect, however, that we will probably not experience exactly what someone else has, in order to keep us from relating more to the experience or another person than to the Lord Himself.
Ask the Lord to create in you a hunger and a thirst. Supernatural experiences can be desired and asked for. God wants us to want what He wants for us!
Ask the Lord to help you overcome any apprehensions and answer any questions you may have. This is about your relationship with the Lord, and will expand your confidence in Him as you learn the extent of your authority and responsibility.
Ask the Lord to bring others into your life with whom you can share experiences. The Lord wants us to be able to learn from others as they ’ learning from Him, as well as teaching us how to share with others what He has shared with us. Our confidence in His faithfulness grows as we see that He treats each of us with respect and gentleness. Likewise, as we see what the Lord is doing in like-minded believers, we are challenged to want to know Him more and more.
Ask the Lord to reveal Himself objectively. What is truly from the Lord will stand up to scrutiny “by the light of day.” Hearing from, knowing God and having supernatural experiences is not something that we strain for or experience in our imagination. The Lord sharpens our discernment for this very reason—just as we trust what we see, taste and touch with our physical senses, what we experience supernaturally is just as real. The Lord wants us to have that same confidence of its realness.
Examples of Supernatural Experiences
This is not an exhaustive study of what is going on in the supernatural realm. Our goal is to begin to objectively look at some of the categories that the Lord’s supernatural expressions commonly fall into. One experience is not more valuable than another; it is up to the Lord to make those determinations for us, depending on our unique relationship with Him. We will probably not experience exactly what someone else has, in order to keep us from relating more to the experience or another person than to the Lord Himself.
Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm. This is why learning to wait on the Lord and being able to hear His voice is so important—it is only by having our senses tuned to Him, to His reality (the spirit realm), that we will be able to see from His vantage point in our soul. He cleans out our ears, lifts the veil from our eyes, sensitizes us to His movement and utilizes all of our senses to become aware of the slightest activity in the supernatural realm.
A great illustration of this is in 2 Kings 6:17: And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. If our senses are not tuned to what is going on in the supernatural, we will not recognize it. It will still be going on, we will just not be able to engage in battle, worship, rest, victory, etc.
Keys to Experiencing the Supernatural
Ask the Lord to create in you a hunger and a thirst. Supernatural experiences can be desired and asked for.
Ask the Lord to help you to overcome any apprehensions and answer any questions you may have. This is about your relationship with the Lord, and will expand your confidence in Him as you learn the extent of your authority and responsibility.
Ask the Lord to bring others into your life with whom you can share experiences. The Lord wants us to be able to learn from others’ learning from Him, as well as teaching us how to share with others what He has shared with us. Our confidence in His faithfulness grows as we see that He treats each of us with respect and gentleness. Likewise, as we see what the Lord is doing in like-minded believers, we are challenged to want to know Him more and more.
Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm. This is why learning to wait on the Lord and being able to hear His voice is so important—it is only by having our senses tuned to Him, to His reality (the spirit realm), that we will be able to see from His vantage point in our soul. He cleans out our ears, lifts the veil from our eyes, sensitizes us to His movement and utilizes all of our senses to become aware of the slightest activity in the supernatural realm.
Keys to Experiencing the Supernatural
Ask the Lord to create in you a hunger and a thirst. Supernatural experiences can be desired and asked for. God wants us to want what He wants for us!
Ask the Lord to help you to overcome any apprehensions and answer any questions you may have. This is about your relationship with the Lord, and will expand your confidence in Him as you learn the extent of your authority and responsibility.
Ask the Lord to bring others into your life with whom you can share experiences. The Lord wants us to be able to learn from others’ learning from Him, as well as teaching us how to share with others what He has shared with us. Our confidence in His faithfulness grows as we see that He treats each of us with respect and gentleness. Likewise, as we see what the Lord is doing in like-minded believers, we are challenged to want to know Him more and more.
So What Exactly are Supernatural Experiences?
Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm. This is why learning to wait on the Lord and being able to hear His voice is so important—it is only by having our senses tuned to Him, to His reality (the spirit realm), that we will be able to see from His vantage point in our soul. He cleans out our ears, lifts the veil from our eyes, sensitizes us to His movement and utilizes all of our senses to become aware of the slightest activity in the supernatural realm.
A great illustration of this is in 2 Kings 6:17: And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. If our senses are not tuned to what is going on in the supernatural, we will not recognize it. It will still be going on, we will just not be able to engage in battle, worship, rest, victory, etc.
Keys to Experiencing the Supernatural
Ask the Lord to create in you a hunger and a thirst. Supernatural experiences can be desired and asked for. God wants us to want what He wants for us!
Ask the Lord to help you to overcome any apprehensions and answer any questions you may have. This is about your relationship with the Lord, and will expand your confidence in Him as you learn the extent of your authority and responsibility.
Ask the Lord to bring others into your life with whom you can share experiences. The Lord wants us to be able to learn from others’ learning from Him, as well as teaching us how to share with others what He has shared with us. Our confidence in His faithfulness grows as we see that He treats each of us with respect and gentleness.
Choosing Ignorance
Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now. There is no guarantee (in fact I believe it is highly unlikely) that remaining in ignorance regarding the supernatural will in any way benefit us in regard to whatever is coming in the next age.
So What Exactly are Supernatural Experiences?
Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm. This is why learning to wait on the Lord and being able to hear His voice is so important—it is only by having our senses tuned to Him, to His reality (the spirit realm), that we will be able to see from His vantage point in our soul. He cleans out our ears, lifts the veil from our eyes, sensitizes us to His movement and utilizes all of our senses to become aware of the slightest activity in the supernatural realm.
A great illustration of this is in 2 Kings 6:17: And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. If our senses are not tuned to what is going on in the supernatural, we will not recognize it. It will still be going on, we will just not be able to engage in battle, worship, rest, victory, etc.
Ignorant
Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now. There is no guarantee (in fact I believe it is highly unlikely) that remaining in ignorance regarding the supernatural will in any way benefit us in regard to whatever is coming in the next age.
So What Exactly are Supernatural Experiences?
Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm. This is why learning to wait on the Lord and being able to hear His voice is so important—it is only by having our senses tuned to Him, to His reality (the spirit realm), that we will be able to see from His vantage point in our soul. He cleans out our ears, lifts the veil from our eyes, sensitizes us to His movement and utilizes all of our senses to become aware of the slightest activity in the supernatural realm.
A great illustration of this is in 2 Kings 6:17: And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. If our senses are not tuned to what is going on in the supernatural, we will not recognize it. It will still be going on, we will just not be able to engage in battle, worship, rest, victory, etc.
Neutral Attitude Toward Supernatural Experiences
This stance toward the supernatural is characterized in word or deed by the thought that, “If God wanted me to have supernatural experiences, I’d be having them.” This nullifies our personal relationship with God, in that He wants us to want Him, and want everything He wants us to have. We will have to learn to deal with the supernatural sometime, so it is wise to take advantage of every opportunity now. There is no neutrality with God—we are either walking according to spirit or according to flesh.
Ignorant Attitude Toward Supernatural Experiences
Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now. There is no guarantee (in fact I believe it is highly unlikely) that remaining in ignorance regarding the supernatural will in any way benefit us in regard to whatever is coming in the next age.
So What Exactly are Supernatural Experiences?
Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm. This is why learning to wait on the Lord and being able to hear His voice is so important—it is only by having our senses tuned to Him, to His reality (the spirit realm), that we will be able to see from His vantage point in our soul. He cleans out our ears, lifts the veil from our eyes, sensitizes us to His movement and utilizes all of our senses to become aware of the slightest activity in the supernatural realm.
Negative Attitudes: Those who have a negative attitude toward supernatural experiences usually do so because of misinformation, based on someone else’s experience or opinion, or the fear of being out of control and the possibility of making a mistake or being hurt. One of the reasons the Lord wants us to want supernatural experiences is to expose those areas in our belief system that are based on lack of confidence in God (dependence on self-strength) and abdication of the authority we have been given in Christ. We have nothing to fear from trying new things and asking for supernatural experiences. Period.
Neutral: This stance toward the supernatural is characterized in word or deed by the thought that, “If God wanted me to have supernatural experiences, I’d be having them.” This nullifies our personal relationship with God, in that He wants us to want Him, and want everything He wants us to have. We will have to learn to deal with the supernatural sometime, so it is wise to take advantage of every opportunity now. There is no neutrality with God—we are either walking according to spirit or according to flesh.
Ignorant: Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now. There is no guarantee (in fact it is highly unlikely) that remaining in ignorance regarding the supernatural will in any way benefit us in regard to whatever is coming in the next age.
So What are Supernatural Experiences?
Supernatural Experiences can be broadly defined as the reality of the spiritual and natural realms breaking through and/or being revealed to our soul, which exists in the supernatural realm.
Positive: Supernatural Experiences are part of the Believers’ daily experience and should be cultivated, valued and appreciated. The Holy Spirit can be trusted to train, protect and provide whatever is necessary to promote His agenda, keeping us focused on His goals and plan. Because we’re depending on the Lord to BE Lord, we can rest, enjoy and prevail through whatever kind of experiences He has planned for us.
Negative: Those who have a negative attitude toward supernatural experiences usually do so because of misinformation, based on someone else’s experience or opinion, or the fear of being out of control and the possibility of making a mistake or being hurt. One of the reasons the Lord wants us to want supernatural experiences is to expose those areas in our belief system that are based on lack of confidence in God (dependence on self-strength) and abdication of the authority we have been given in Christ. We have nothing to fear from trying new things and asking for supernatural experiences. Period.
Neutral: This stance toward the supernatural is characterized in word or deed by the thought that, “If God wanted me to have supernatural experiences, I’d be having them.” This nullifies our personal relationship with God, in that He wants us to want Him, and want everything He wants us to have. We will have to learn to deal with the supernatural sometime, so it is wise to take advantage of every opportunity now. There is no neutrality with God—we are either walking according to spirit or according to flesh.
Ignorant: Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now.
Positive: Supernatural Experiences are part of the Believers’ daily experience and should be cultivated, valued and appreciated. The Holy Spirit can be trusted to train, protect and provide whatever is necessary to promote His agenda, keeping us focused on His goals and plan. Because we’re depending on the Lord to BE Lord, we can rest, enjoy and prevail through whatever kind of experiences He has planned for us.
Negative: Those who have a negative attitude toward supernatural experiences usually do so because of misinformation, based on someone else’s experience or opinion, or the fear of being out of control and the possibility of making a mistake or being hurt. One of the reasons the Lord wants us to want supernatural experiences is to expose those areas in our belief system that are based on lack of confidence in God (dependence on self-strength) and abdication of the authority we have been given in Christ. We have nothing to fear from trying new things and asking for supernatural experiences. Period.
Neutral: This stance toward the supernatural is characterized in word or deed by the thought that, “If God wanted me to have supernatural experiences, I’d be having them.” This nullifies our personal relationship with God, in that He wants us to want Him, and want everything He wants us to have. We will have to learn to deal with the supernatural sometime, so it is wise to take advantage of every opportunity now. There is no neutrality with God—we are either walking according to spirit or according to flesh.
Ignorant: Ignorance of the supernatural, or our involvement, is no excuse, and even makes us vulnerable to our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. The supernatural realm is the main battleground for our life here on earth; not doing our homework and failing to fully engage in life now merely puts off till later what God has arranged, at great expense, to accomplish now.
Experiencing the supernatural should be a normal aspect of every believers’ life. In fact, it already is, but our senses have not become tuned to what the Lord is already doing in the spiritual, supernatural and natural realms. So by learning to wait on Him, hear His voice and cultivate quietness, we provide an environment for the Lord to reveal to us what is already happening all around us now.
Because supernatural experiences are already occurring, we want to learn to be both observant and confident that the Lord provides the training and protection we need as we venture into new experiences. Just as if we were to move to a new country, we would have to learn the laws, language, cultural traditions, challenges and dangers that reside in that land. As overcomers, know that who you truly are, a spirit-being, has already accepted the challenge and adventure of exploring your inheritance (authority over this realm) and enjoy learning to know the Lord by expanding your need to depend on Him.
Attitudes toward Supernatural Experiences
Positive: Supernatural Experiences are part of the Believers’ daily experience and should be cultivated, valued and appreciated. The Holy Spirit can be trusted to train, protect and provide whatever is necessary to promote His agenda, keeping us focused on His goals and plan. Because we’re depending on the Lord to BE Lord, we can rest, enjoy and prevail through whatever kind of experiences He has planned for us.
Negative: Those who have a negative attitude toward supernatural experiences usually do so because of misinformation, based on someone else’s experience or opinion, or the fear of being out of control and the possibility of making a mistake or being hurt. The Lord wants us to want supernatural experiences to expose those areas in our belief system that are based on lack of confidence in God and abdication of the authority we have been given in Christ.
God’s Personal Presence is Present
God doesn’t want us to put off until later a relationship that is available now. Eternal life IS knowing God! It is not something that someday we will receive. We see Him face-to-face now in our spirit, and His desire is that we would be one in Him in our soul and body as well, now. Knowing Him Now is our great, abundant and exceeding reward; anything that comes later is icing on the cake!
Have Confidence!
Knowing God is being in a unique, intimate relationship with Him. Because it is His idea, He is doing the drawing. And it is a drawing into His place of abode. He draws us into His kingdom, His rest. So we can relax! He knows how He has made us; He knows the questions, doubts, strengths and weaknesses each of us carry, so He long ago decided that He would reveal Himself to us on an individual basis. This is His job; we refer to Christianity as “having a personal relationship with a personal Savior,” right? Well, there is a roadmap, showing a fairly straightforward highway, that takes us from where we are now into an intimate relationship with God where He is now. It is the sideroads, the distractions along the way that divert us from The Way. Jesus says “Come!”
Supernatural Experiences: Practical Lessons in Learning to Know God
Experiencing the supernatural should be a normal aspect of every believers’ life. In fact, it already is, but our senses have not become tuned to what the Lord is already doing in the spiritual, supernatural and natural realms. So by learning to wait on Him, hear His voice and cultivate quietness, we have provided an environment for the Lord to reveal to us what is already happening all around us now. Because supernatural experiences are already occurring, we want to learn to be both observant and confident that the Lord provides the training and protection we need as we venture into new experiences.
Knowing God will birth a desire, a thirst to know Him still more. We become more willing to deal with everything that obstructs us from entering into that dependent relationship. Any desire to know Him comes from Him, so we know it will not be denied by Him, and that He will make a way for it to become reality for us.
God’s Personal Presence is a Lifestyle
God is looking for a home to dwell in, not just a place to visit. The more our lives are transformed into a habitation for the Lord, someplace for Him to rest His Head, the more we will enjoy His eternal Life on a moment-by-moment basis. Realize that God hasn't come to take part in your life, He's come to TAKE OVER!
God’s Personal Presence is Present
God doesn’t want us to put off until later a relationship that is available now. Eternal life IS knowing God! It is not something that someday we will receive. We see Him face-to-face now in our spirit, and His desire is that we would be one in Him in our soul and body as well, now. Knowing Him Now is our great, abundant and exceeding reward; anything that comes later is icing on the cake!
Have Confidence!
Knowing God is being in a unique, intimate relationship with Him. Because it is His idea, He is doing the drawing. And it is a drawing into His place of abode. He draws us into His kingdom, His rest. So we can relax! He knows how He has made us; He knows the questions, doubts, strengths and weaknesses each of us carry, so He long ago decided that He would reveal Himself to us on an individual basis. This is His job; we refer to Christianity as “having a personal relationship with a personal Savior,” right? Well, there is a roadmap, showing a fairly straightforward highway, that takes us from where we are now into an intimate relationship with God where He is now. It is the sideroads, the distractions along the way that divert us from The Way. Jesus says “Come!”
God’s Personal Presence is a Lifestyle
God is looking for a home to dwell in, not just a place to visit. The more our lives are transformed into a habitation for the Lord, someplace for Him to rest His Head, the more we will enjoy His eternal Life on a moment-by-moment basis. Realize that God hasn't come to take part in your life, He's come to TAKE OVER!
God’s Personal Presence is Present
God doesn’t want us to put off until later a relationship that is available now. Eternal life IS knowing God! It is not something that someday we will receive. We see Him face-to-face now in our spirit, and His desire is that we would be one in Him in our soul and body as well, now. Knowing Him Now is our great, abundant and exceeding reward; anything that comes later is icing on the cake!
Have Confidence!
Knowing God is being in a unique, intimate relationship with Him. Because it is His idea, He is doing the drawing. And it is a drawing into His place of abode. He draws us into His kingdom, His rest. So we can relax! He knows how He has made us; He knows the questions, doubts, strengths and weaknesses each of us carry, so He long ago decided that He would reveal Himself to us on an individual basis. This is His job; we refer to Christianity as “having a personal relationship with a personal Savior,” right? Well, there is a roadmap, showing a fairly straightforward highway, that takes us from where we are now into an intimate relationship with God where He is now. It is the sideroads, the distractions along the way that divert us from The Way. Jesus says “Come!”
Knowing God will birth a desire, a thirst to know Him still more. We become more willing to deal with everything that obstructs us from entering into that dependent relationship. Any desire to know Him comes from Him, so we know it will not be denied by Him, and that He will make a way for it to become reality for us.
God’s Personal Presence is a Lifestyle
God is looking for a home to dwell in, not just a place to visit. The more our lives are transformed into a habitation for the Lord, someplace for Him to rest His Head, the more we will enjoy His eternal Life on a moment-by-moment basis. Realize that God hasn't come to take part in your life, He's come to TAKE OVER!
God’s Personal Presence is Present
God doesn’t want us to put off until later a relationship that is available now. Eternal life IS knowing God! It is not something that someday we will receive. We see Him face-to-face now in our spirit, and His desire is that we would be one in Him in our soul and body as well, now. Knowing Him Now is our great, abundant and exceeding reward; anything that comes later is icing on the cake!
Have Confidence!
Knowing God is being in a unique, intimate relationship with Him. Because it is His idea, He is doing the drawing. And it is a drawing into His place of abode. He draws us into His kingdom, His rest. So we can relax! He knows how He has made us; He knows the questions, doubts, strengths and weaknesses each of us carry, so He long ago decided that He would reveal Himself to us on an individual basis. This is His job; we refer to Christianity as “having a personal relationship with a personal Savior,” right? Well, there is a roadmap, showing a fairly straightforward highway, that takes us from where we are now into an intimate relationship with God where He is now. It is the sideroads, the distractions along the way that divert us from The Way. Jesus says “Come!”
The more we know God, the more we see things from His grace-oriented perspective. We learn to accept Him, ourselves and others unconditionally as we experience His love, acceptance and honor of others. We also gain appreciation for His way of doing things. Though we may not understand our circumstances, as we gain His perspective we can at least endure them in rest.
God’s Personal Presence Creates Desire
Knowing God will birth a desire, a thirst to know Him still more. We become more and more willing to deal with everything that obstructs us from entering into that dependent relationship. Any desire to know Him comes from Him, so we know it will not be denied by Him, and that He will make a way for it to become reality for us.
God’s Personal Presence is a Lifestyle
God is looking for a home to dwell in, not just a place to visit. The more our lives are transformed into a habitation for the Lord, someplace for Him to rest His Head, the more we will enjoy His eternal Life on a moment-by-moment basis. Realize that God hasn't come to take part in your life, He's come to TAKE OVER!
God’s Personal Presence is Present
God doesn’t want us to put off until later a relationship that is available now. Eternal life IS knowing God! It is not something that someday we will receive. We see Him face-to-face now in our spirit, and His desire is that we would be one in Him in our soul and body as well, now. Knowing Him Now is our great, abundant and exceeding reward; anything that comes later is icing on the cake!
We have not been this way before, and though we can encourage one another along the way, each of us develops a unique relationship with God that may or may not be able to be confirmed by a response in the soul. In other words, we may not “feel” any closer to God, or “understand” or learn more about Him, and He may not change our outward activities as part of our resting in His Presence. Nevertheless, we know that since knowing us is His idea, He is both drawing us to Him and removing barriers according to schedule.
God’s Personal Presence Provides Perspective
The more we know God, the more we see things from His grace-oriented perspective. We learn to accept Him, ourselves and others unconditionally as we experience His love, acceptance and honor of others. We also gain an appreciation for His way of doing things. Though we may not understand our circumstances, as we gain His perspective we can at least endure them in rest.
God’s Personal Presence Creates Desire
Knowing God will birth a desire, a thirst to know Him still more. We become more and more willing to deal with everything that obstructs us from entering into that dependent relationship. Any desire to know Him comes from Him, so we know it will not be denied by Him, and that He will make a way for it to become reality for us.
Rather than focusing inward to know ourselves, we focus inward, where our spirit is, to know God. Introspection is paying attention to our self, our soul, whereas acknowledging and experiencing His Personal Presence is paying attention to God. As we focus our attention internally on Him, we may or may not notice what activity we are participating in in the natural realm. In this way we can carry on daily activities and still maintain soul-spirit communion with God. This experience of living out of the spirit is something that is better experienced for yourself; it’s better “felt” than “telt”! But once you experience it, you’ll never be fooled by imitations.
God’s Personal Presence is Objective
As we become more and more aware of our spirit nature, our soul is brought into submission to our spirit and we become less and less reliant on our emotions, understanding and actions to confirm that we are in relationship with God. We have not been this way before, and though we can encourage one another along the way, each of us develops a unique relationship with God that may or may not be able to be confirmed by a response in the soul. In other words, we may not “feel” any closer to God, or “understand” or learn more about Him, and He may not change our outward activities as part of our resting in His Presence. Nevertheless, we know that since knowing us is His idea, He is both drawing us to Him and removing barriers according to schedule.
God’s Personal Presence Provides Perspective
The more we know God, the more we see things from His grace-oriented perspective. We learn to accept Him, ourselves and others unconditionally as we experience His love, acceptance and honor of others. We also gain appreciation for His way of doing things. Though we may not understand our circumstances, as we gain His perspective we can at least endure them in rest.
God’s Personal Presence is Active
Rather than focusing inward to know ourselves, we focus inward, where our spirit is, to know God. Introspection is paying attention to our self, our soul, whereas acknowledging and experiencing His Personal Presence is paying attention to God. As we focus our attention internally on Him, we may or may not notice what activity we are participating in in the natural realm. In this way we can carry on daily activities and still maintain soul-spirit communion with God. This experience of living out of the spirit is something that is better experienced for yourself; it’s better “felt” than “telt”! But once you experience it, you’ll never be fooled by imitations.
God’s Personal Presence is Objective
As we become more and more aware of our spirit nature, our soul is brought into submission to our spirit and we become less and less reliant on our emotions, understanding and actions to confirm that we are in relationship with God. We have not been this way before, and though we can encourage one another along the way, each of us develops a unique relationship with God that may or may not be able to be confirmed by a response in the soul. In other words, we may not “feel” any closer to God, or “understand” or learn more about Him, and He may not change our outward activities as part of our resting in His Presence. Nevertheless, we know that since knowing us is His idea, He is both drawing us to Him and removing barriers according to schedule.
The more we get to know God, the more we are able to recognize and appreciate His protection and care. His presence provides a refuge from the criticism, rejection and slander that often comes our way, not by preventing it, but by providing a safe place to receive healing.
God’s Personal Presence is a Resort
The personal presence of God within provides a place of refreshment and rejuvenation. Whenever we are stressed, overworked or weary, His Spirit refreshes and restores our soul, just as a relaxing vacation refreshes and restores our body.
God’s Personal Presence is Active
Rather than focusing inward to know ourselves, we focus inward, where our spirit is, to know God. Introspection is paying attention to our self, our soul, whereas acknowledging and experiencing His Personal Presence is paying attention to God. As we focus our attention internally on Him, we may or may not notice what activity we are participating in in the natural realm. In this way we can carry on daily activities and still maintain soul-spirit communion with God. This experience of living out of the spirit is something that is better experienced for yourself; it’s better “felt” than “telt”! But once you experience it, you’ll never be fooled by imitations.
God’s Personal Presence is Objective
As we become more and more aware of our spirit nature, our soul is brought into submission to our spirit and we become less and less reliant on our emotions, understanding and actions to confirm that we are in relationship with God. We have not been this way before, and though we can encourage one another along the way, each of us develops a unique relationship with God that may or may not be able to be confirmed by a response in the soul.
God's Personal Presence is Rest
When Moses was assigned his ministry (to free God’s people), He asked God for someone to go with Him. God could have assigned all the resources and power of the universe. Yet He promised Moses two things: My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. Not power, not wealth, not creativity or organization (though He did provide these in different ways as needed). But Rest, or the freedom from self-effort.
God’s Personal Presence is a Shelter
The more we get to know God, the more we are able to recognize and appreciate His protection and care. His presence provides a refuge from the criticism, rejection and slander that often comes our way, not by preventing it, but by providing a safe place to receive healing.
God’s Personal Presence is a Resort
The personal presence of God within provides a place of refreshment and rejuvenation. Whenever we are stressed, overworked or weary, His Spirit refreshes and restores our soul, just as a relaxing vacation refreshes and restores our body.
God’s Personal Presence is Active
Rather than focusing inward to know ourselves, we focus inward, where our spirit is, to know God. Introspection is paying attention to our self, our soul, whereas acknowledging and experiencing His Personal Presence is paying attention to God. As we focus our attention internally on Him, we may or may not notice what activity we are participating in in the natural realm. In this way we can carry on daily activities and still maintain soul-spirit communion with God. This experience of living out of the spirit is something that is better experienced for yourself; it’s better “felt” than “telt”! But once you experience it, you’ll never be fooled by imitations.
Recognizing that intimate communion with God on a personal level occurs within us, within our spirit and soul, part of our task will be to lessen, and eventually be able to ignore, the “noise” we live with on a daily basis. This is not necessarily just our earthly situation; the activity in our soul, our thoughts, emotions and decisions, all need to be brought under the control of our spirit (which is already under the control of His Spirit). Our goal is to be able to recognize His slightest whisper or moving in any realm—spirit, supernatural or natural. To be able to do that, the activity in each realm must be neutralized, where it is neither positive or negative, and does not affect our ability to know God. As you devote time and attention to knowing God, it is likely He will begin to point out areas that need to be adjusted from your life or areas of your soul that need to be brought under control. This does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with the activity or habit, but that it is a distraction from entering into His rest according to His schedule.
God’s Personal Presence is Rest
When Moses was assigned his ministry (to free God’s people), He asked God for someone to go with Him. God could have assigned all the resources and power of the universe. Yet He promised Moses two things: My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. Not power, not wealth, not creativity or organization (though He did provide these in different ways as needed). But Rest, or the freedom from self-effort.
God’s Personal Presence is a Shelter
The more we get to know God, the more we are able to recognize and appreciate His protection and care. His presence provides a refuge from the criticism, rejection and slander that often comes our way, not by preventing it, but by providing a safe place to receive healing.
The activity in our soul, our thoughts, emotions and decisions, all need to be brought under the control of our spirit (which is already under the control of His Spirit). Our goal is to be able to recognize His slightest whisper or moving in any realm—spirit, supernatural or natural. To be able to do that, the activity in each realm must be neutralized, where it is neither positive or negative, and does not affect our ability to know God. As you devote time and attention to knowing God, it is likely He will begin to point out areas that need to be adjusted from your life or areas of your soul that need to be brought under control. This does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with the activity or habit, but that it is a distraction from entering into His rest according to His schedule.
God’s Personal Presence is Rest
When Moses was assigned his ministry (to free God’s people), He asked God for someone to go with Him. God could have assigned all the resources and power of the universe. Yet He promised Moses two things: My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. Not power, not wealth, not creativity or organization (though He did provide these in different ways as needed). But Rest, or the freedom from self-effort.
God’s Personal Presence is a Shelter
The more we get to know God, the more we are able to recognize and appreciate His protection and care. His presence provides a refuge from the criticism, rejection and slander that often comes our way, not by preventing it, but by providing a safe place to receive healing.
God’s Personal Presence is a Resort
The personal presence of God within provides a place of refreshment and rejuvenation. Whenever we are stressed, overworked or weary, His Spirit refreshes and restores our soul, just as a relaxing vacation refreshes and restores our body.
Since we are spirit beings, we are in constant union with Him now, so we are experiencing this personal presence now, though pretty much only in our spirit. As we pursue knowing Him inwardly, our confidence in recognizing His presence without an outward expression will grow to where He will be able to guide, direct and commune with us one-on-one as deep speaks to deep. The hidden things are protected from the encroachments of this age, and God keeps them hidden FOR His beloved.
Experiencing God’s Personal Presence
As we experience healing and learn to overcome our enemies, we will also need to adjust our expectations of what it is like to know God. Many of us want to know Him better so we can be “in His will,” perhaps thinking that doing so will keep us from danger or in line for a future reward. Or we want to know Him better because we think that we will then be able to feel or perceive Him more certainly, which will in turn motivate us to do what we think He’s called us to do. Or we think that getting closer to Him will please Him, or meet our earthly needs, provide healing, or launch us into ministry. But the Kingdom of God is not built—it is not something that is leading to something else! The Kingdom of God is Entered! Experiencing the Personal Presence of God is the Goal, the final reward, the Kingdom of God; it is where He reigns, rules, creates, governs, celebrates eternally, even as we reign, rule, create, govern and celebrate with Him.
God’s Personal Presence involves Cultivating Quietness
Recognizing that intimate communion with God on a personal level occurs within us, within our spirit and soul, part of our task will be to lessen, and eventually ignore, the “noise” we live with on a daily basis. This is not necessarily just our earthly situation; the activity in our soul, our thoughts, emotions and decisions, all need to be brought under the control of our spirit.
God is everywhere, created everything and everyone, and exists eternally. He created time, and tis Master over and controls it. He created the elements, and is Master over and controls them. He created the three realms of reality (spiritual, supernatural and natural) and therefore is Master over and controls them.
God’s Manifest Presence
There are also times and situations in which God chooses to make Himself known to our physical senses. The scriptures are replete with examples of His making Himself known in various ways (burning bush, dove, even angelic representations). In our age He has manifested Himself in this present reality through His Son, who was fully real as fully man. Personally, there may be times when He chooses to make Himself known to our physical senses; a personal visitation, the scent of roses, a touch of His hand, the sound of His knocking or footsteps, His calling our name, or even a taste of honey. He wants to increase our awareness of this possibility so that when He reveals Himself in this way we will recognize it is Him and respond appropriately.
God’s Personal Presence
Finally there is that personal awareness that is unique for each of us. Though it is exciting and encouraging to experience a supernatural or natural manifestation of God, what He longs for is an intimacy that has been so fine-tuned that we don’t need to have His presence or direction confirmed through outward manifestations. Since we are spirit beings, we are in constant union with Him now, so we are experiencing this personal presence now, though pretty much only in our spirit. As we pursue knowing Him inwardly, our confidence in recognizing His presence without an outward expression will grow to where He will be able to guide, direct and commune with us one-on-one as deep speaks to deep. The hidden things are protected from the encroachments of this age, and God keeps them hidden FOR His beloved.
God is a real person, and wants us to be confident of His present-ness. He exists on many levels, but as His sons we have the privilege of knowing Him in an intimate level not available to unbelievers and other elements of His creation. Part of the process of getting to know Him is learning to appreciate our privilege and in turn respecting and honoring our God by responding to His call to “Be With Him.”
God’s Omni-Presence
God is everywhere, created everything and everyone, and exists eternally. He created time, and is Master over and controls it. He created the elements, and is therefore Master over and controls them. He created the three realms of reality (spiritual, supernatural and natural) and therefore is Master over and controls them. Whether a person or creature acknowledges His existence and control or not, He Is indeed in control.
God’s Manifest Presence
There are also times and situations in which God chooses to make Himself known to our physical senses. The scriptures are replete with examples of His making Himself known in various ways (burning bush, dove, even angelic representations). In our age He has manifested Himself in this present reality through His Son, who was fully real as fully man. Personally, there may be times when He chooses to make Himself known to our physical senses; a personal visitation, the scent of roses, a touch of His hand, the sound of His knocking or footsteps, His calling our name, or even a taste of honey. He wants to increase our awareness of this possibility so that when He reveals Himself in this way we will recognize it is Him and respond appropriately.
God’s Personal Presence
Though it is exciting and encouraging to experience a supernatural or natural manifestation of God, what He longs for is an intimacy that has been so fine-tuned that we don’t need to have His presence or direction confirmed through outward manifestations.
Taking Responsibility
God Himself not only made the way for us to enter into a knowing relationship with Him, He also takes full responsibility for every aspect of our progress. He provides the teaching, encouragement, revelation, strength, circumstances, understanding, fellowship and companionship that we need in order to enter His rest.
God Makes His Presence Known
God is a real person, and wants us to be confident of His present-ness. He exists on many levels, but as His sons we have the privilege of knowing Him in an intimate level not available to unbelievers and other elements of His creation. Part of the process of getting to know Him is learning to appreciate our privilege and in turn respecting and honoring our God by responding to His call to “Be With Him.”
God’s Omni-Presence
God is everywhere, created everything and everyone, and exists eternally. He created time, and therefore is Master over and controls it. He created the elements, and is therefore Master over and controls them. He created the three realms of reality (spiritual, supernatural and natural) and therefore is Master over and controls them. Whether a person or creature acknowledges His existence and control or not, He Is.
God’s Manifest Presence
There are also times and situations in which God chooses to make Himself known to our physical senses. In our age He has manifested Himself in this present reality through His Son, who was fully real as fully man. Personally, there may be times when He chooses to make Himself known to our physical senses; a personal visitation, the scent of roses, a touch of His hand, the sound of His knocking or footsteps, His calling our name, or even a taste of honey. He wants to increase our awareness of this possibility so that when He reveals Himself in this way we will recognize it is Him and respond appropriately.
Overcoming the World System
God purposes specific circumstances designed for each of us to learn, through dependence on Him, to overcome the world and to learn to know God in our entire beings just as we know Him in our spirit now. Though we have overcome the world in our spirit, we are also overcoming the world in our soul and body as we learn to know God. The world system has a life of its own, and will put up a fight to keep us from learning to rest in knowing God in His time and in His way. There will be peer pressure, time pressure, and contention with the world’s standards as we set our soul to follow the Lord.
Overcoming Satan
Jesus has also already overcome that old liar, the devil. He’s left him around, though, to reveal to us where we are depending upon our selves, our soul strength, to get our needs met, and to provide opportunities to learn about our new spiritual nature in overcoming Him in the supernatural and natural realms. Although Satan and his demons are no longer an obstacle to knowing God, they are present in our lives so we can learn how to deal with them.
Taking Responsibility
God Himself not only made the way for us to enter into a knowing relationship with Him, He also takes full responsibility for every aspect of our progress. He provides the teaching, encouragement, revelation, strength, circumstances, understanding, fellowship and companionship that we need in order to enter His rest. As we accept His timetable, learn to hear His voice and recognize His presence, we enjoy our time here on this earth regardless of our outward measure of success or change in circumstance.
God Makes His Presence Known
God is a real person, and wants us to be confident of His present-ness. Part of the process of getting to know Him is learning to appreciate our privilege and in turn respecting and honoring our God by responding to His call to “Be With Him.”
Overcoming the World System
Jesus has already overcome the world system, so in our spirit being, we also have overcome the world system. However, our soul and body have not yet walked this out experientially. God purposes specific circumstances designed for each of us to learn, through dependence on Him, to overcome the world and to learn to know God in our entire beings just as we know Him in our spirit now. So though we have overcome the world in our spirit, we are also overcoming the world in our soul and body as we learn to know God.
The world system has a life of its own, and will put up a fight to keep us from learning to rest in knowing God in His time and in His way. There will be peer pressure, time pressure, and contention with the world’s standards as we set our soul to follow the Lord and His purposes alone. It’s part of the process, so don’t take it personally!
Overcoming Satan
Jesus has also already overcome that old liar, the devil. He’s left him around, though, to reveal to us where we are depending upon our selves, our soul strength, to get our needs met, and to provide opportunities to learn about our new spiritual nature in overcoming Him in the supernatural and natural realms. Although Satan and his demons are no longer an obstacle to knowing God, they are present in our lives so we can learn how to deal with them.
Taking Responsibility
God Himself not only made the way for us to enter into a knowing relationship with Him, He also takes full responsibility for every aspect of our progress. He provides the teaching, encouragement, revelation, strength, circum-stances, understanding, fellowship and companionship that we need in order to enter His rest. As we accept His timetable, learn to hear His voice and recognize His presence, we enjoy our time here on this earth regardless of our outward measure of success or change in circumstance.
Overcoming Our Flesh
Though our spirit knows God now, our flesh (our soul getting its needs met outside of God), is a barrier between our spirit and our soul. Through the working of sin, death and our flesh, as well as what has been passed down to us historically, our soul is dysfunctional and seeks life wherever it can find it, through control. Knowing God necessitates a subjection of that control to His life, which is now within us. So one of God’s goals is to bring us healing in our soul and body so that our soul and body can come into alignment with our true identity. Remember, “I am a spirit, I have a soul, and I live in a body.” God wants to know us and be known completely, so He has set out to make us complete.
Overcoming the World System
Jesus has already overcome the world system, so in our spirit being, we also have overcome the world system. However, our soul and body have not yet walked this out experientially. God purposes specific circumstances designed for each of us to learn, through dependence on Him, to overcome the world and to learn to know God in our entire beings just as we know Him in our spirit now. So though we have overcome the world in our spirit, we are also overcoming the world in our soul and body as we learn to know God.
Overcoming Satan
Jesus has also already overcome that old liar, the devil. He’s left him around, though, to reveal to us where we are depending upon our selves, our soul strength, to get our needs met, and to provide opportunities to learn about our new spiritual nature in overcoming Him in the supernatural and natural realms. Although Satan and his demons are no longer an obstacle to knowing God, they are present in our lives so we can learn how to deal with them.
3 Realms of Reality Chart
Salvation: The Restoration of Our Spirit
At the core of God’s plan of these present ages is His intent to bring you and I into an intimate relationship with Him. Jesus wasn’t sent to earth to die on the cross, He died on the cross because that was the only way to the Resurrection! And it is ONLY through the Resurrection that we become new creatures, new spirit beings that are now able to commune with a Holy God on His terms. Before the Resurrection, Moses saw God face to face, but the glory that shone on his face faded because there was nothing inside to contain that Life. He was still dead in his spirit. But thank God that through the Resurrection of His Son we are now beholding Him in our spirit, able to hear, see and experience His totality now. Knowing that His desire for us is that we be one in Him, we can boldly come before His throne and get to know Him as He is, in reality.
The Healing of Our Soul and Body: Overcoming Our Flesh
Though our spirit knows God now, our flesh (our soul getting its needs met outside of God), is a barrier between our spirit and our soul. Through the working of sin, death and our flesh, as well as what has been passed down to us historically, our soul is dysfunctional and seeks life wherever it can find it, through control. Knowing God necessitates a subjection of that control to His life, which is now within us. So one of God’s goals is to bring us healing in our soul and body so that our soul and body can come into alignment with our true identity. Remember, “I am a spirit, I have a soul, and I live in a body.” God wants to know us and be known completely, so He has set out to make us complete.
Overcoming the World System
Jesus has already overcome the world system, so in our spirit being, we also have overcome the world system. However, our soul and body have not yet walked this out experientially.
God paid a very high price to make a way for each and every one of us to know Him intimately and uniquely. Don’t settle for anything less than an intimate relationship with Him! More than 2000 years ago God took the initiative to remove every obstacle that stands between us and knowing Him intimately:
Salvation: The Restoration of Our Spirit
At the core of God’s plan of these present ages is His intent to bring you and I into an intimate relationship with Him. Jesus wasn’t sent to earth to die on the cross, He died on the cross because that was the only way to the Resurrection! And it is ONLY through the Resurrection that we become new creatures, new spirit beings that are now able to commune with a Holy God on His terms. Before the Resurrection, Moses saw God face to face, but the glory that shone on his face faded because there was nothing inside to contain that Life. He was still dead in his spirit. But thank God that through the Resurrection of His Son we are now beholding Him in our spirit, able to hear, see and experience His totality now. Knowing that His desire for us is that we be one in Him, we can boldly come before His throne and get to know Him as He is, in reality.
The Healing of Our Soul and Body: Overcoming Our Flesh
Though our spirit knows God now, our flesh (our soul getting its needs met outside of God), is a barrier between our spirit and our soul. Through the working of sin, death and our flesh, as well as what has been passed down to us historically, our soul is dysfunctional and seeks life wherever it can find it, through control. Knowing God necessitates a subjection of that control to His life, which is now within us. So one of God’s goals is to bring us healing in our soul and body so that our soul and body can come into alignment with our true identity. God wants to know us and be known completely, so He has set out to make us complete.
Knowing God, His Part
God knows we have difficulty knowing Him fully in our soul and body. It’s been a long time—ages in fact—since we communed with Him in our true state of spirit being. His ways are not our ways; He does things altogether differently than we do. To try to figure out on our own and from our own strength how to know God will leave us frustrated and confused. So He has taken the responsibility to teach and guide us into all Truth, into His ways. We can relax as we come into His presence, knowing that since He loves us, and knowing Him is something He wants for us, He can be trusted to do what is necessary to bring us into the relationship He wants. He knows how wounded, easily distracted, narrow-minded each of us is, and brushes that aside, speaking instead to our hearing inner spirit being.
God Approaches Us: The Presence of the Lord
God paid a very high price to make a way for each and every one of us to know Him intimately and uniquely. Don’t settle for anything less than an intimate relationship with Him! More than 2000 years ago God took the initiative to remove every obstacle that stands between us and knowing Him intimately...
Salvation: The Restoration of Our Spirit
At the core of God’s plan of these present ages is His intent to bring you and I into an intimate relationship with Him. Jesus wasn’t sent to earth to die on the cross, He died on the cross because that was the only way to the Resurrection! And it is ONLY through the Resurrection that we become new creatures, new spirit beings that are now able to commune with a Holy God on His terms. Through the Resurrection of His Son we now behold Him in our spirit, we hear, see and experience His totality now. His desire for us is that we be one in Him, so we come before His throne and get to know Him as He is, in reality.
Man, in his intellectual arrogance, loves to make complex what God has made simple. And knowing God is simple. It’s not easy, but it’s simple. He’s already done all the hard work; our job now is to get on His timetable, let Him make the changes in us, and learn to rest, trust and respond accordingly. As we’ve said before, there will be attacks from the world, our flesh and the devil to keep us from entering into His rest, but as we violently persevere we will experience that peace, contentment and energy that is our inheritance and birthright.
The essential approach to knowing God is that it will involve a change in our lifestyle. We can’t devote our time and attention to God without changing how we manage and where we spend our time and attention. As we review the ways in which God seeks a relationship with us, and how we desire relationship with Him, be aware of areas the Lord may be putting His finger on. These may range from getting our time priorities straight, to getting healed, to acting on something He has already told us to do. Whatever it is, calmly let the Lord speak to you as He sets your house in order so that you can spend more time in His.
What can we do to know God?
First, we show up for class.
Second, we do our homework.
Third, we take the tests, and be willing to fail and take them again.
Fourth, be willing to be promoted.
Fifth, be willing to learn more.
For now, simply begin to orient yourself to the simplicity of God’s approach to learning.
Waiting on the Lord impacts every aspect of our daily lives. Though we will need to structure our time to incorporate a specific time period for waiting, we will also need to shift our view of control over our lives in its entirety in order to be able to allow that time period to expand to encompass our entire life, including our time. This is learning to cultivate quietness, living in dependence on His life for all our needs; to be fulfilled by and through Him alone, so that in Him we live, and move, and have our being.
Man, in his intellectual arrogance, loves to make complex what God has made simple. And knowing God is simple. It’s not easy, but it’s simple. He’s already done all the hard work; our job now is to get on His timetable, let Him make the changes in us, and learn to rest, trust and respond accordingly. There will be attacks from the world, our flesh and the devil to keep us from entering into His rest, but as we violently persevere we will experience that peace, contentment and energy that is our inheritance and birthright.
The essential approach to knowing God is that it will involve a change in our lifestyle. We can’t devote our time and attention to God without changing how we manage and where we spend our time and attention. As we review the ways in which God seeks a relationship with us, and how we desire relationship with Him, be aware of areas the Lord may be putting His finger on. These may range from getting our time priorities straight, to getting healed, to acting on something He has already told us to do. Whatever it is, calmly let the Lord speak to you as He sets your house in order so that you can spend more time in His.
What can we do to know God? Show up for class. Do your homework. Take the tests, and be willing to fail and take them again. Be willing to be promoted. Be willing to learn more.
A word of warning to those who desire to hear the Lord; He WILL respond! God desires to speak to His people on a personal level. As you set your ears to hear Him, He will put you in situations that will provide opportunities to test what you are hearing. As the Lord draws you to Himself, He will become more and more jealous over you and how you spend your time and what you think about. Your lifestyle, attitudes and beliefs will be changed, which will affect others. Some will recognize the Lord’s presence in your life to a greater level, and will respond in one of four ways: They will encourage you, mock you, join you or ignore you. Be prepared to have your motives exposed, and set your will from the start that you will pursue the Lord’s training.
Cultivating Quietness
Waiting on the Lord also impacts every aspect of our daily lives. Though we will need to structure our time to incorporate a specific time period for waiting, we will also need to shift our view of control over our lives in its entirety in order to be able to allow that time period to expand to encompass our entire life, including our time.
Knowing God is simple. It’s not easy, but it’s simple. He’s already done all the hard work; our job now is to get on His timetable, let Him make the changes in us, and learn to rest, trust and respond accordingly. As we’ve said before, there will be attacks from the world, our flesh and the devil to keep us from entering into His rest, but as we violently persevere we will experience that peace, contentment and energy that is our inheritance and birthright.
The essential approach to knowing God is that it will involve a change in our lifestyle. We can’t devote our time and attention to God without changing how we manage and where we spend our time and attention.
Develop the habit of going TO THE LORD with your questions or for clarification in how to respond. Though the Lord may very well use others to speak to you, He is not obligated to, and reserves the right to speak to you in person. FIRST!
Very often we don’t want to learn how to hear from the Lord because of the responsibility that comes with that ability. We’re afraid of what He might say or ask us to do. This fear is likely part of what the Lord wants to expose and free us from! Though the increasing opportunities on the internet and elsewhere to share with others and get input can be great, to a large extent it has encouraged believers to turn to anyone and everyone else before we turn to the Lord. But the Lord wants to speak for Himself, and wants us to turn to Him first.
The more clearly you hear His voice, the more clearly He will direct you, and the more clearly He will provide the encouragement, motivation and results He knows you need in order to live an excellent life now.
A word of warning to those who desire to hear the Lord; He WILL respond! This will likely propel you into conflict with beliefs and relationships you now hold. God desires to speak to His people on a personal level. As you set your ears to hear Him, He will put you in situations that will provide opportunities to test what you are hearing. As the Lord draws you to Himself, He will become more and more jealous over you and how you spend your time and what you think about. Your lifestyle, attitudes and beliefs will be changed, which will affect others. Some will recognize the Lord’s presence in your life to a greater level, and will respond in one of four ways: They will encourage you, mock you, join you or ignore you. Be prepared to have your motives exposed, and set your will from the start that you will pursue the Lord’s training.
Response (WHAT TO DO with what you’ve heard)
Ask! “Lord, what should I do with this?”
We will get into some specific responses to specific situations later, but for now develop the habit of going TO THE LORD with your questions or for clarification in how to respond. Though the Lord may very well use others to speak to you, He is not obligated to, and reserves the right to speak to you in person. FIRST!
Think of your closest personal relationship, or even your relationship with a co-worker or person in authority over you. What if your boss came to you and asked that a task be accomplished in a certain way by a certain time? Would you say, “Well, let me check with my pastor.” Or even “Let me pray about that?” No, you recognize the boundaries of the relationship and respond accordingly.
Very often we don’t want to learn how to hear from the Lord because of the responsibility that comes with that ability. We’re afraid of what He might say or ask us to do. This fear is likely part of what the Lord wants to expose and free us from! Though the increasing opportunities on the internet and elsewhere to share with others and get input can be great, to a large extent it has encouraged believers to turn to anyone and everyone else—experts, pastors, religious leaders, prophetic ministers—before we turn to the Lord. But the Lord wants to speak for Himself, and wants us to turn to Him first.
He knows where you are—The more clearly you hear His voice, the more clearly He will direct you, and the more clearly He will provide the encouragement, motivation and results He knows you need in order to live an excellent life now. In order to do this we need to be quick and able to respond.
Think of your closest personal relationship, or even your relationship with a co-worker or person in authority over you. What if your boss came to you and asked that a task be accomplished in a certain way by a certain time? Would you say, “Well, let me check with my pastor.” Or even “Let me pray about that?” No, you recognize the boundaries of the relationship and respond accordingly.
Very often we, too, don’t want to learn how to hear from the Lord because of the responsibility that comes with that ability. We’re afraid of what He might say or ask us to do. This fear is likely part of what the Lord wants to expose and free us from! Though the increasing opportunities on the internet and elsewhere to share with others and get input can be great, to a large extent it has encouraged believers to turn to anyone and everyone else—experts, pastors, religious leaders, prophetic ministers—before we turn to the Lord. But the Lord wants to speak for Himself, and wants us to turn to Him first.
Consequences of Hearing the Voice of the Lord
A word of warning to those who desire to hear the Lord; He WILL respond! This will likely propel you into conflict with beliefs and relationships you now hold. God desires to speak to His people on a personal level. As you set your ears to hear Him, He will put you in situations that will provide opportunities to test what you are hearing. As the Lord draws you to Himself, He will become more and more jealous over you and how you spend your time and what you think about. Your lifestyle, attitudes and beliefs will be changed, which will affect others. Some will recognize the Lord’s presence in your life to a greater level, and will respond in one of four ways: They will encourage you, mock you, join you or ignore you. Be prepared to have your motives exposed, and set your will from the start that you will pursue the Lord’s training.
Secrets & Mysteries
There will be times that we are to accept what He says without understanding it. God is under no obligation to explain Himself. Well, then, why does He share it with us? Who you truly are in your spirit already knows the answer to all these questions, and knows why the Lord doesn’t want you to have understanding in your soul realm. As your confidence in your relationship with God grows, you’ll simply be able to accept the situation and enjoy what the Lord has given.
One reason is because He loves to show His friends what is on His heart before He does things. So sometimes He reveals secrets to us that He wants us to keep secret. God wants to be able to trust us with things that are important to Him; part of the process of getting there is entrusting us with secrets and seeing how well we handle them. And here’s how to handle the secrets of the Lord: Ask! “Lord, is this something you want me to share, and if so, with whom? Or is this something just between us?” I think one of the greatest marvels of self-control was when God revealed to Daniel what He would do in the future, then told Him to “seal the vision.”
Silence
The final and sometimes most difficult way the Lord communicates with us is through silence. We live in a culture and time in which our ears and minds are bombarded with information, noise and chatter 24 hours a day. Part of our learning to hear God will involve making a distinct effort to quiet our senses, often involving shutting the door, whether figuratively or literally, on both the inward and outward distractions that keep us from experiencing His silence. It is generally in knowing His silence that we come to recognize His presence. It is in His silence that He does His greatest work in, through and for us. And it is in His silent presence that we find our rest, and where He finds His dwelling place.
Secrets (Mysteries)
Sometimes the Lord speaks to us things that we don’t understand at the time. Often this is to draw us into a deeper understanding of His ways by encouraging us to put other things aside (both things that take up our time, and beliefs and doctrines based on tradition) in order to get the answer from the Lord (not by figuring it out by talking to those who know better or reading every book on the subject). There will also be times that we are to accept what He says without understanding it. God is under no obligation to explain Himself. Well, then, why does He share it with us? Who you truly are in your spirit already knows the answer to all these questions, and knows why the Lord doesn’t want you to have understanding in your soul realm. As your confidence in your relationship with God grows, you’ll simply be able to accept the situation and enjoy what the Lord has given.
God loves to show His friends what is on His heart before He does things. So He reveals secrets to us that He wants us to keep secret. God wants to be able to trust us with things that are important to Him; part of the process of getting there is entrusting us with secrets and seeing how well we handle them. I think one of the greatest marvels of self-control was when God revealed to Daniel what He would do in the future, then told Him to “seal the vision.”
Silence
The final and sometimes most difficult way the Lord communicates with us is through silence. We live in a culture and time in which our ears and minds are bombarded with information, noise and chatter 24 hours a day. Part of our learning to hear God will involve making a distinct effort to quiet our senses, often involving shutting the door, whether figuratively or literally, on both the inward and outward distractions that keep us from experiencing His silence. It is generally in knowing His silence that we come to recognize His presence.
God loves to show His friends what is on His heart before He does things. He wants to be able to trust us with things that are important to Him; part of the process of getting there is entrusting us with secrets and seeing how well we handle them. And here’s how to handle the secrets of the Lord: Ask! “Lord, is this something you want me to share, and if so, with whom? Or is this something just between us?”
Silence
The final and sometimes most difficult way the Lord communicates with us is through silence. We live in a culture and time in which our ears and minds are bombarded with information, noise and chatter 24 hours a day. Part of our learning to hear God will involve making a distinct effort to quiet our senses, often involving shutting the door, whether figuratively or literally, on both the inward and outward distractions that keep us from experiencing His silence. It is generally in knowing His silence that we come to recognize His presence. It is in His silence that He does His greatest work in, through and for us. And it is in His silent presence that we find our rest, and where He finds His dwelling place.
- Response (WHAT TO DO with what you’ve heard)
Ask! “Lord, what should I do with this?”
Develop the habit of going TO THE LORD with your questions or for clarification in how to respond. Though the Lord may very well use others to speak to you, He is not obligated to, and reserves the right to speak to you in person. FIRST!
Think of your closest personal relationship, or even your relationship with a co-worker or person in authority over you. What if your boss came to you and asked that a task be accomplished in a certain way by a certain time? Would you say, “Well, let me check with my pastor.” Or even “Let me pray about that?” No, you recognize the boundaries of the relationship and respond accordingly.
Confirmation
Once God knows He has our confidence, He will likely enjoy celebrating with us through confirmation, after we have stepped out or made a decision. God’s confirmation to Moses that he was hearing from Him was that after Israel was set free, they would worship Him on the Mount. Not before—after!
Secrets (Mysteries)
Sometimes the Lord speaks to us things that we don’t understand at the time. Often this is to draw us into a deeper understanding of His ways by encouraging us to put other things aside (both things that take up our time and beliefs based on tradition) in order to get the answer from the Lord. There will also be times that we are to accept what He says without understanding it. God is under no obligation to explain Himself. Well, then, why does He share it with us? Who you truly are in your spirit already knows the answer to all these questions, and knows why the Lord doesn’t want you to have understanding in your soul realm. As your confidence in your relationship with God grows, you’ll simply be able to accept the situation and enjoy what He has given.
God loves to show His friends what is on His heart before He does things. So sometimes He reveals secrets to us that He wants us to keep secret. God wants to be able to trust us with things that are important to Him; part of the process of getting there is entrusting us with secrets and seeing how well we handle them. And here’s how to handle the secrets of the Lord: Ask! I think one of the greatest marvels of self-control was when God revealed to Daniel what He would do in the future, then told Him to “seal the vision.”
Silence
Part of our learning to hear God will involve making a distinct effort to quiet our senses, often involving shutting the door, whether figuratively or literally, on both the inward and outward distractions that keep us from experiencing His silence.
Direction
Most of us have put such an emphasis on being in the center of the divine will of God that we lose the peace and rest that comes from letting Him guide us as He chooses. His purpose, His goal is not that we make the “right” choice or decision, but that we depend on Him to reveal what that decision is. As we mature in rest we will more and more find ourselves making decisions and choices without realizing it; not until after we find ourselves traveling in a new direction will we even notice, for our eyes and ears will be upon Him, not on our surroundings.
Confirmation
One of the benefits of gaining the confidence of knowing that we are hearing the Lord’s voice is we will become less dependent on the need for confirmation. As we begin, the Lord knows we need this encouragement, and will use confirmation, giving a sign in some way, for instance, that what we’ve heard or understood is from Him. Part of the process of learning to hear is not only testing what we hear, but also how it is confirmed; the devil is perfectly capable of confirming his word using the same means God does. So it’s important that we grow out of needing to have a confirmation. Once God knows He has our confidence, He will likely enjoy celebrating with us through confirmation, after we have stepped out or made a decision. God’s confirmation to Moses that he was hearing from Him was that after Israel was set free, they would worship Him on the Mount. Not before—after!
Secrets (Mysteries)
Sometimes the Lord speaks to us things that we don’t understand at the time. Often this is to draw us into a deeper understanding of His ways by encouraging us to put other things aside (both things that take up our time, and beliefs and doctrines based on tradition) in order to get the answer from the Lord (not by figuring it out by talking to those who know better or reading every book on the subject).
Direction
One of the main ways the Lord gets our attention, to draw us to Him, is by putting us in positions where we need to make a decision or choice. Most of us have put such an emphasis on being in the center of the divine will of God that we lose the peace and rest that comes from letting Him guide us as He chooses. His purpose, His goal is not that we make the “right” choice or decision, but that we depend on Him to reveal what that decision is. As we mature in rest we will more and more find ourselves making decisions and choices without realizing it; not until after we find ourselves traveling in a new direction will we even notice, for our eyes and ears will be upon Him, not on our surroundings.
Confirmation
One of the benefits of gaining the confidence of knowing that we are hearing the Lord’s voice is we will become less dependent on the need for confirmation. As we begin, the Lord knows we need this encouragement, and will use confirmation, giving a sign in some way, for instance, that what we’ve heard or understood is from Him. Part of the process of learning to hear is not only testing what we hear, but also how it is confirmed; the devil is perfectly capable of confirming his word using the same means God does. So it’s important that we grow out of needing to have a confirmation. Once God knows He has our confidence, He will likely enjoy celebrating with us through confirmation, after we have stepped out or made a decision. God’s confirmation to Moses that he was hearing from Him was that after Israel was set free, they would worship Him on the Mount. Not before—after!
Secrets (Mysteries)
Sometimes the Lord speaks to us things that we don’t understand at the time. Often this is to draw us into a deeper understanding of His ways by encouraging us to put other things aside in order to get the answer from the Lord.
Specific
There are, of course, times when we will be able to identify a specific message or idea from the Lord. Sometimes I marvel at the level of detail God can communicate; think of the direction Moses received concerning the tabernacle and priesthood, and the mathematical and construction details relayed to Noah for the ark. And both of these guys lived before the Resurrection! We have so much more available to us today—we have the Living Christ dwelling and speaking within us. Don’t be surprised if the Lord begins to find ways to stretch your hearing to accommodate His details, whether in financial matters (how much should I pay for this?), travel (when, where, for how long, with whom), or any matter that may arise.
Direction
One of the main ways the Lord gets our attention, to draw us to Him, is by putting us in positions where we need to make a decision or choice. Most of us have put such an emphasis on being in the center of the divine will of God that we lose the peace and rest that comes from letting Him guide us as He chooses. Regarding divine guidance, discerning and following His leading, it is helpful to remember now that His purpose, His goal is not that we make the “right” choice or decision, but that we depend on Him to reveal what that decision is. As we mature in rest we will more and more find ourselves making decisions and choices without realizing it; not until after we find ourselves traveling in a new direction will we even notice, for our eyes and ears will be upon Him, not on our surroundings.
Confirmation
One of the benefits of gaining the confidence of knowing that we are hearing the Lord’s voice is we will become less dependent on the need for confirmation. As we begin, the Lord knows we need this encouragement, and will use confirmation, giving a sign in some way, for instance, that what we’ve heard or understood is from Him.
Understanding (recognition of WHAT is being said, by revelation and experience)
Once we realize it is indeed the Lord speaking to us, the next task is identifying what He is saying to us. Over time we will begin to become familiar with the way He speaks to us individually, but at first, as our confidence is nurtured by the Spirit, it is often helpful to approach this aspect of training fairly objectively. Keeping a record, or talking it over with a trusted friend may be helpful. There’s no rush; God’s goal is relationship with you, not holding it against you that you may not hear Him as accurately as you’d like.
General
God is speaking to us 24/7/365 in our spirit. What is He saying? Very often, it’s the same things that we speak to our family and friends about on a regular basis—what’s going on in our life, what are we going to do today, how much He loves us. He doesn’t want us to “over-react” to what He says to us; He’s usually not that dramatic. We find that as we are tuned to His voice, most of what we hear from Him is very general because we’re already becoming one with Him in our soul. As our purposes, desires and motivations become joined to His, He will not be instructing us to do what we are already doing, or encouraging us under specific circumstances, because we have “become” courage.
Specific
There are, of course, times when we will be able to identify a specific message or idea from the Lord. Think of the direction Moses received concerning the tabernacle and priesthood, and the mathematical and construction details relayed to Noah for the ark. We have so much more available to us today—we have the Living Christ dwelling and speaking within us. Don’t be surprised if the Lord begins to find ways to stretch your hearing to accommodate His details, whether in financial matters, travel, or any matter that may arise.
Practical exercise in hearing God using the example of asking Him if / how to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Questions answered at dianne@thereignersclub.org?
The enemy is subtle, and will often speak to us in phrases we use ourselves. The above test, “Is that You, Lord,” will likely expose him, though it may take several times applying the test. That’s fine with the Lord; He wants us to grow in confidence and authority. The enemy is NO HINDRANCE to hearing from the Lord, as he is a conquered enemy. God has left him here, though, to reveal where we are wounded and living out of our flesh, and to teach us how to overcome (how to hear the voice of the Lord). Just because you’re hearing the voice of the enemy doesn’t mean you’ve missed God or are in some kind of dire straits. It simply means God has placed an opportunity before you to overcome the enemy by standing on your authority and commanding him to skedaddle or to reveal a wound so you can get healed. Either way, his presence in your life is allowed by God and serves His, and your, purpose for that time.
As we learn to IDENTIFY the voice of the Lord, we will also be learning to discern if what we are hearing and being taught from others is from God or some other source. Our confidence in our ability and judgment grows, and we become free from the fear of being exposed to “error.” Your discernment will become so sharp that if even an angel of light were to appear spouting scriptures you’d be able to inwardly know if the source was God or of some other origin. This hearing comes with time, experience, trial and error, but it is more than worth the effort.
- Understanding (recognition of WHAT is being said, by revelation and experience)
Over time we will begin to become familiar with the way He speaks to us individually, but at first, as our confidence is nurtured by the Spirit, it is often helpful to approach this aspect of training fairly objectively. God’s goal is relationship with you, not holding it against you that you may not hear Him as accurately as you’d like.
Being able to distinguish between our own thoughts, thoughts the enemy may speak to us and the thoughts of the Lord is a long-term process that begins with becoming aware of what we are thinking. We will likely find that we have a thought-life that is flesh-based rather than Life-based. But if we are going to hear from the Lord, as He cleans out our ears we will likely have to lay aside that which interferes with our hearing to begin with.
The Voice of the Butcher
The enemy is subtle, and will often speak to us in phrases we use ourselves. The test, “Is that You, Lord,” will likely expose him with some effort. That’s fine with the Lord; He wants us to grow in confidence and authority. The enemy is NO HINDRANCE to hearing from the Lord, as he is a conquered enemy. God has left him here, though, to reveal where we are wounded and living out of our flesh, and to teach us how to overcome (how to hear the voice of the Lord). Just because you’re hearing the voice of the enemy doesn’t mean you’ve missed God or are in some kind of dire straits. It simply means God has placed an opportunity before you to overcome the enemy by standing on your authority and commanding him to skedaddle or to reveal a wound so you can get healed. Either way, his presence in your life is allowed by God and serves His, and your, purpose for that time.
As we learn to IDENTIFY the voice of the Lord, we will also be learning to discern if what we are hearing and being taught from others is from God or some other source. Our confidence in our ability and judgment grows, and we become free from the fear of being exposed to “error.” Your discernment will become so sharp that if even an angel of light were to appear spouting scriptures you’d be able to inwardly know if the source was God or of some other origin. This hearing comes with time, experience, trial and error, but it is more than worth the effort.
Most of us are totally unaware of what we are thinking, feeling, or even how we make decisions. So part of the training that God puts us through is for the purpose of bringing these to the surface, so we can objectively evaluate the source. That which is Life will stand the light of day, but we must also be willing to change our beliefs.
We will likely find that we have a thought-life that is flesh-based rather than Life-based. We think thoughts that keep our flesh in control, which keeps us protected and comfortable. But if we are going to hear from the Lord, as He cleans out our ears we will likely have to lay aside that which interferes with our hearing to begin with. Environmental influences (what we read, listen to and say) and internal dialogues (what we spend our time thinking, and affirming to ourselves) will be evaluated over time, with the Lord’s direction, to separate life from waste.
The Voice of the Butcher
The enemy is subtle, and will often speak to us in phrases we use ourselves. The above test, “Is that You, Lord,” will likely expose him, though it may take several times applying the test. That’s fine with the Lord; He wants us to grow in confidence and authority. The enemy is NO HINDRANCE to hearing from the Lord, as he is a conquered enemy. God has left him here, though, to reveal where we are wounded and living out of our flesh, and to teach us how to overcome (how to hear the voice of the Lord). Just because you’re hearing the voice of the enemy doesn’t mean you’ve missed God or are in some kind of dire straits. It simply means God has placed an opportunity before you to overcome the enemy by standing on your authority and commanding him to skedaddle or to reveal a wound so you can get healed. Either way, his presence in your life is allowed by God and serves His, and your, purpose for that time.
Talking to Your Self
Being able to distinguish between our own thoughts, thoughts the enemy may speak to us and the thoughts of the Lord is a long-term process that begins with becoming aware of what we are thinking. Most of us are totally unaware of what we are thinking, feeling, or even how we make decisions. So part of the training that God puts us through is for the purpose of bringing these to the surface, so we can objectively evaluate the source. That which is Life will stand the light of day; but we must also be willing to change our beliefs.
We will likely find that we have a thought-life that is flesh-based rather than Life-based. We think thoughts that keep our flesh in control, which keeps us protected and comfortable. But if we are going to hear from the Lord, as He cleans out our ears we will likely have to lay aside that which interferes with our hearing to begin with. Environmental influences (what we read, listen to and say) and internal dialogues (what we spend our time thinking, and affirming to ourselves) will be evaluated over time, with the Lord’s direction, to separate life from waste.
The Voice of the Butcher
The enemy is subtle, and will often speak to us in phrases we use ourselves. The above test, “Is that You, Lord,” will likely expose him, though it may take several times applying the test. The enemy is NO HINDRANCE to hearing from the Lord, as he is a conquered enemy. God has left him here, though, to reveal where we are wounded and living out of our flesh, and to teach us how to overcome. Just because you’re hearing the voice of the enemy doesn’t mean you’ve missed God or are in some kind of dire straits. It simply means God has placed an opportunity before you to overcome the enemy by standing on your authority and commanding him to skedaddle or to reveal a wound so you can get healed. Either way, his presence in your life serves His purpose.
- Identification (WHO is talking)
Ears to Hear
Whatever the condition of your hearing, ask God to give you ears that hear, and a heart to respond. We often miss the connection between the circumstances in our life and direction from the Lord simply because we have a preconceived idea of what and how the Lord speaks.
“Is That You, Lord?”
Remind yourself that knowing God is simple; we often want to make it complex for reasons of control of others or to keep from changing our own beliefs or experiencing the pain that accompanies getting healed. But this is really the sum of hearing: asking, “God, is that You?” We can come up with all kinds of guidelines (which may be helpful), but the bottom line is the answer to that question.
Say you hear (in whatever sense) what you believe to be the Lord. You ask, “Is that You, Lord?” You hear, “Yes.” How do you know this is the Lord? There are two voices that speak to the sheep: the butcher and the shepherd. Is the voice you’re hearing reflecting the qualities of the Lord, and His unconditionally gracious, loving stance toward you? Is the voice encouraging, accepting, loving, honoring? Or is it condemning, harsh, arrogant or demeaning?
Talking to Your Self
Being able to distinguish between our own thoughts, thoughts the enemy may speak to us and the thoughts of the Lord is a long-term process that begins with becoming aware of what we are thinking. Most of us are totally unaware of what we are thinking, feeling, or even how we make decisions. So part of the training that God puts us through is for the purpose of bringing these to the surface, so we can objectively evaluate the source. That which is Life will stand the light of day; but we must also be willing to change our beliefs.
Discerning the Voice of the Lord
- Identification (WHO is talking)
Ears to Hear
The first step in hearing the voice of the Lord is recognizing that you are hearing something! This may involve the Lord cleaning out your ears, and perhaps clearing away some wounds and beliefs that are keeping you from hearing clearly. Whatever the condition of your hearing, ask God to give you ears that hear, and a heart to respond. We often miss the connection between the circumstances in our life and direction from the Lord simply because we have a preconceived idea of what and how the Lord speaks.
“Is That You, Lord?”
Remind yourself that knowing God is simple; we often want to make it complex for reasons of control of others or to keep from changing our own beliefs or experiencing the pain that accompanies getting healed. But this is really the sum of hearing: asking, “God, is that You?” We can come up with all kinds of guidelines, but the bottom line is the answer to that question.
Say you hear what you believe to be the Lord. You ask, “Is that You, Lord?” You hear, “Yes.” How do you know this is the Lord? There are two voices that speak to the sheep: the butcher and the shepherd. Is the voice you’re hearing reflecting the qualities of the Lord, and His unconditionally gracious, loving stance toward you? Is the voice encouraging, accepting, loving, honoring? Or is it condemning, harsh, arrogant or demeaning?
I’ve heard it said that God never yells, so if you hear someone “yelling” at you it’s not God. I think God reserves the right to communicate with us however He chooses! But even in that “yelling” there will be a sense of urgency, getting our attention, rather than threat or coercion. It’s best to learn to rely on our “inner-knower” to be able to recognize His voice rather than on a set of guidelines.
- Cultivation
If we really want to be able to recognize the Lord’s voice, we will have to make lifestyle changes, rearranging our schedule and beliefs to make room for Him first. The more time and attention we give to God, the more fine-tuned our senses become to His leading. He reveals Himself, we spend time with Him, then we begin to act on what we’ve heard. As we test what we’re hearing, His voice will likely change in character. His direction, encouragement and comfort is likely to become unspoken and subtle the more intimate our relationship with Him becomes. The more we work to know Him, and labor to enter into His rest, the fewer specific words are needed.
Discerning the Voice of the Lord
His voice has been revealed to our spirit, and our spirit is perfectly communicating with His Spirit at all times. Let’s assume we have decided that we want a more intimate knowledge of Him and want to be able to hear Him more clearly and more often in our conscious awareness. We decide we want to cultivate, put the necessary time and attention into developing a relationship with God. How do we start?
As we spend time with the Lord, both throughout the day and at specific times we’ve set aside, we can objectively evaluate what we are sensing, discerning and hearing using the following guidelines:
- Identification (WHO is talking)
Ears to Hear
The first step in hearing the voice of the Lord is recognizing that you are hearing something! This may involve the Lord cleaning out your ears, and perhaps clearing away some wounds and beliefs that are keeping you from hearing clearly. Some of us need our ears cleaned, while others may even need to have their eardrums pierced to relieve the pressure of condemnation, guilt or demonic oppression. Whatever the condition of your hearing, ask God to give you ears that hear, and a heart to respond.
- Cultivation
If we really want to be able to recognize the Lord’s voice, we will have to make lifestyle changes, rearranging our schedule and beliefs to make room for Him first. The more time and attention we give to God, the more fine-tuned our senses become to His leading.
Discerning the Voice of the Lord
Now that we know the stages in developing our ability to hear, we can look practically at learning how to recognize His voice for ourselves.
Spend time with the Lord, both throughout the day and at specific times we’ve set aside, so you can objectively evaluate what you are sensing, discerning and hearing:
- Identification (WHO is talking)
Ears to Hear
The first step in hearing the voice of the Lord is recognizing that you are hearing something! This may involve the Lord cleaning out your ears, and perhaps clearing away some wounds and beliefs that are keeping you from hearing clearly.
“Is That You, Lord?”
Remind yourself that knowing God is simple; we often want to make it complex for reasons of control of others or to keep from changing our own beliefs or experiencing the pain that accompanies getting healed. But this is really the sum of hearing: asking, “God, is that You?” We can come up with all kinds of guidelines, but the bottom line is the answer to that question.
Talking to Your Self
Being able to distinguish between our own thoughts, thoughts the enemy may speak to us and the thoughts of the Lord is a long-term process that begins with becoming aware of what we are thinking. Most of us are totally unaware of what we are thinking, feeling, or even how we make decisions. So part of the training that God puts us through is for the purpose of bringing these to the surface, so we can objectively evaluate the source. That which is Life will stand the light of day, but we must also be willing to change our beliefs.
If we really want to be able to recognize the Lord’s voice, we will have to make lifestyle changes, rearranging our schedule and beliefs to make room for Him first. The more time and attention we give to God, the more fine-tuned our senses become to His leading. He reveals Himself, we spend time with Him, then we begin to act on what we’ve heard. As we test what we’re hearing, His voice will likely change in character. His direction, encouragement and comfort is likely to become unspoken and subtle the more intimate our relationship with Him becomes. The more we work to know Him, and labor to enter into His rest, the fewer specific words are needed.
Now that we know the stages in developing our ability to hear, we can look practically at learning how to recognize His voice for ourselves.
His voice has been revealed to our spirit, and our spirit is perfectly communicating with His Spirit at all times. Let’s assume we have decided that we want a more intimate knowledge of Him and want to be able to hear Him more clearly and more often in our conscious awareness. We decide we want to cultivate, put the necessary time and attention into developing a relationship with God. How do we start?
As we spend time with the Lord, both throughout the day and at specific times we’ve set aside, we objectively evaluate what we are sensing, discerning and hearing using the following guidelines:
- Identification (WHO is talking)
The first step in hearing the voice of the Lord is recognizing that you are hearing something!
Say you hear (in whatever sense) what you believe to be the Lord. You ask, “Is that You, Lord?” You hear, “Yes.” How do you know this is the Lord? There are two voices that speak to the sheep: the butcher and the shepherd. Is the voice you’re hearing reflecting the qualities of the Lord, and His unconditionally gracious, loving stance toward you?
- Revelation
The process of hearing the voice of the Lord begins with Revelation. Unless God chooses to make Himself known, we cannot of ourselves hear His voice. Thankfully, part of His gift of grace at salvation is exactly that: when He re-created us, He revealed Himself to our spirit. The process now involves His voice being revealed from His Spirit through our spirit to our soul. If you are a believer, God has already revealed Himself to you and given you the ability to hear and recognize His voice.
- Association
Once we realize that because we are now In Christ we are already hearing God in our spirit, we can fine-tune that ability in the soulical realm by hanging out with God. Like learning to speak a new language, the best way is to actually move to that country. How do sheep learn to recognize the voice of their Shepherd? Just by being with Him, spending time thinking, listening, acknowledging that every circumstance in our life is from Him and a way He speaks to us, will quicken our ability to hear Him in other ways as well.
- Cultivation
If we really want to be able to recognize the Lord’s voice, we will have to make lifestyle changes, rearranging our schedule and beliefs to make room for Him first. The more time and attention we give to God, the more fine-tuned our senses become to His leading. He reveals Himself, we spend time with Him, then we begin to act on what we’ve heard. As we test what we’re hearing, His voice will likely change in character. His direction, encouragement and comfort is likely to become unspoken and subtle the more intimate our relationship with Him becomes. The more we work to know Him, and labor to enter into His rest, the fewer specific words are needed.
5. ASK! God will give you a hunger that will not be satisfied with anything less than His best.
6. Be Bold! Any interest you feel at any time in knowing God IS FROM HIM! Any desire to know Him is of divine origin, and therefore contains the divine guarantee of its fruition.
3 Principle Means of Learning to Hear
- Revelation
The process of hearing the voice of the Lord begins with Revelation. Unless God chooses to make Himself known, we cannot of ourselves hear His voice. Thankfully, part of His gift of grace at salvation is exactly that: when He re-created us, He revealed Himself to our spirit. The process now involves His voice being revealed from His Spirit through our spirit to our soul. If you are a believer, God has already revealed Himself to you and given you the ability to hear and recognize His voice.
- Association
Once we realize that because we are now In Christ we are already hearing God in our spirit, we can fine-tune that ability in the soulical realm by hanging out with God. Like learning to speak a new language, the best way is to actually move to that country. How do sheep learn to recognize the voice of their Shepherd? Just by being with Him, spending time thinking, listening, acknowledging that every circumstance in our life is from Him and a way He speaks to us, will quicken our ability to hear Him in other ways as well.
- Cultivation
If we really want to be able to recognize the Lord’s voice, we will have to make lifestyle changes, rearranging our schedule and beliefs to make room for Him first. The more time and attention we give to God, the more fine-tuned our senses become to His leading. He reveals Himself, we spend time with Him, then we begin to act on what we’ve heard. The more we work to know Him, and labor to enter into His rest, the fewer specific words are needed.
4. Rest: Be patient, confident and dependent. The timing of the process is in God’s hands. Your success in this is not judged by how well you think you are doing, how clearly you think you are hearing from Him or anything else for that matter. Anxiety is a signal you are trying to do God’s job. Your success is based on being dependent on Him to make Himself clear. To hurry God is to find fault with Him.
5. ASK! God will give you a hunger that will not be satisfied with anything less than His best. He gives us a hunger by giving us a personal encounter, rather than inspiring or motivating through providing a goal or presenting a need. He desires to speak with us face-to-face, now. Drop your expectation of what hearing God will be like; you are in a unique relationship with Him, and He will reveal Himself how and when He chooses. God will give you experiences you can not anticipate.
6. Be Bold! Any interest you feel at any time in knowing God IS FROM HIM! THE GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL BE FULFILLED IS CONTAINED IN THE DESIRE. God doesn’t tease us. The desire to know Him more doesn’t come from the enemy, doesn’t come from our soul, the world or our flesh. Any desire to know Him is of divine origin and therefore contains the divine guarantee of its fruition.
3 Principle Means of Learning to Hear
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Revelation: The process of hearing the voice of the Lord begins with Revelation. Unless God chooses to make Himself known, we cannot of ourselves hear His voice.
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Association: Once we realize that because we are now In Christ we are already hearing God in our spirit, we can fine-tune that ability in the soulical realm by hanging out with God.
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Cultivation: If we really want to be able to recognize the Lord’s voice, we will have to make lifestyle changes, rearranging our schedule and beliefs to make room for Him first.
3. Develop your soulical senses. Once we experience salvation, we become a new creature, a new being that has never lived this life before. Part of that new life is that we are learning how to live using new spiritual senses, which in turn activate, or give true life to, both supernatural and natural senses. The more time we spend with God, the more our spirit is given the opportunity to bring our other senses into alignment so that, over time, direct communication can occur from God’s Spirit to our spirit, to our soul, to our body. We become united, whole and complete in Him, and can hear, know, and experience Him completely.
4. Rest: Be patient, confident and dependent. The timing of the process is in God’s hands. Your success in this is not judged by how well you think you are doing, how clearly you think you are hearing from Him or anything else for that matter. Anxiety is a signal you are trying to do God’s job. Your success is based on being dependent on Him to make Himself clear. Can you let Him do that? To hurry God is to find fault with Him.
5. ASK! God will give you a hunger that will not be satisfied with anything less than His best. God desires to speak to us openly, to reveal Himself and His truth. He gives us a hunger by giving us a personal encounter, rather than inspiring or motivating through providing a goal or presenting a need. He desires to speak with us face-to-face, now.
6. Be Bold! Any interest you feel at any time in knowing God IS FROM HIM! THE GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL BE FULFILLED IS CONTAINED IN THE DESIRE. God doesn’t tease us. The desire to know Him more doesn’t come from the enemy, doesn’t come from our soul, the world or our flesh. Any desire to know Him is of divine origin and therefore contains the divine guarantee of its fruition.
1. We can’t hear God without His help.
2. Commit to waiting on Him, for Him and with Him. The goal of hearing is to KNOW God, not just to hear Him more clearly. Often part of our struggle to hear Him is that we have a misunderstanding of what God may say to us. He wants to speak to us because He wants to speak to us, not merely to correct us in some way. As we commit our time and attention to hearing Him, He turns every circumstance in our lives into a teaching opportunity.
3. Develop your soulical senses. The more time we spend with God, the more our spirit is given the opportunity to bring our other senses into alignment so that, over time, direct communication can occur from God’s Spirit, to our spirit, to our soul, to our body. We become united, whole and complete in Him, and can hear, know, and experience Him completely. God is always speaking to us, and our confidence will grow as we experience His Life.
4. Rest: Be patient, confident and dependent. The timing of the process is in God’s hands. Your success in this is not judged by how well you think you are doing, how clearly you think you are hearing from Him or anything else for that matter. Anxiety is a signal you are trying to do God’s job.
5. ASK! God will give you a hunger that will not be satisfied with anything less than His best. God desires to speak to us openly, to reveal Himself and His truth. He gives us a hunger by giving us a personal encounter, rather than inspiring or motivating through providing a goal or presenting a need.
6. Be Bold! Any interest you feel at any time in knowing God IS FROM HIM! The desire to know Him more doesn’t come from the enemy, doesn’t come from our soul, the world or our flesh. Any desire to know Him is of divine origin, and therefore contains the divine guarantee of its fruition.
1. Recognize that we can’t hear from God without His help. We’ve seen how He has already removed all obstacles, but He also does the enabling in us, providing the teaching, opportunity, encouragement and confirmation we need. He’s already given us ears to hear, a mind that understands and a heart to respond.
2. Commit to waiting on Him, for Him and with Him. The goal of hearing is to KNOW God, not just to hear Him more clearly. He wants to speak to us because He wants to speak to us, not merely to correct us in some way. As we commit our time and attention to hearing Him, He turns every circumstance in our lives into a teaching opportunity.
3. Develop your soulical senses. The more time we spend with God, the more our spirit is given the opportunity to bring our other senses into alignment so that, over time, direct communication can occur from God’s Spirit, to our spirit, to our soul, to our body. God is always speaking to us, and our confidence will grow as we experience His Life.
4. Rest: Be patient, confident and dependent. The timing of the process is in God’s hands. Your success in this is not judged by how well you think you are doing, how clearly you think you are hearing from Him or anything else for that matter. Anxiety is a signal you are trying to do God’s job.
5. ASK! God will give you a hunger that will not be satisfied with anything less than His best. God desires to speak to us openly, to reveal Himself and His truth. He gives us a hunger by giving us a personal encounter, rather than inspiring or motivating through providing a goal or presenting a need.
6. Be Bold! Any interest you feel at any time in knowing God IS FROM HIM! THE GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL BE FULFILLED IS CONTAINED IN THE DESIRE. God doesn’t tease us.
How do we hear Him in our mind, will and emotions, even by our physical senses? It isn’t all that complicated; in fact, it’s simple! Not easy, because there are enemies that don’t want us to hear from God, but it is simple. Here’s a great way to start:
1. Recognize that we can’t hear from God without His help. We’ve seen how He has already removed all obstacles, but He also does the enabling in us, providing the teaching, opportunity, encouragement and confirmation we need.
2. Commit to waiting on Him, for Him and with Him. The goal of hearing is to KNOW God, not just to hear Him more clearly.
3. Develop your soulical senses. Once we experience salvation, we become a new creature, a new being that has never lived this life before. Part of that new life is that we are learning how to live using new spiritual senses, which in turn activate, or give true life to, both supernatural and natural senses.
4. Rest: Be patient, confident and dependent. Your success in this is not judged by how well you think you are doing, how clearly you think you are hearing from Him or anything else for that matter.
5. ASK! God will give you a hunger that will not be satisfied with anything less than His best. God desires to reveal Himself and His truth. He gives us a hunger by giving us a personal encounter, rather than inspiring or motivating through providing a goal or presenting a need.
6. Be Bold! Any interest you feel at any time in knowing God IS FROM HIM!
Circumstances May or May Not Change
It is through our circumstances that we often see the greatest evidence of where we are still under the influence of our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. It is worth waiting on Him to be able to overcome according to His plan rather than our impatience or ignorance.
Physical Changes
People who habitually engage in waiting on the Lord often find many symptoms of stress lessened simply from the process of letting the body relax. This is in addition to the healing the Lord desires to bring to all of us according to His plan and time. Some physical symptoms that may improve are headaches, high blood pressure, inability to concentrate, sleeplessness and sleep interruptions.
Hearing His Voice
God is practical and knows that learning to wait can be a hard transition for many of His people. The realization that He is always speaking to us in our spirit is comforting, but the fact that we are not always hearing Him speak, lead, guide, comfort, encourage, correct us in our soul, where we really need to hear Him, can be discouraging.
1. Recognize that we can’t hear from God without His help. He’s already given us ears to hear, a mind that understands and a heart to respond. All we need to do is join Him in His process.
2. Commit to waiting on Him, for Him and with Him. The goal of hearing is to KNOW God, not just to hear Him more clearly.
3. Develop your soulical senses.
4. Rest: Be patient, confident and dependent.
5. ASK!
6. Be Bold!
Wounds Healed
The more time we spend with the Lord, the more liberty He takes in bringing our soul and body into alignment with our spirit, which is already in alignment with His Spirit. Though nothing may appear to be happening on the surface during our times of waiting, the Lord is doing a deep work without our interference. He heals wounds, speaks to our mind, will and emotions, provides guidance, direction, encouragement and wisdom, all without our necessarily knowing it in our consciousness. Eventually we notice we don’t react to stress the same way, the decisions we were struggling with last week now have clear answers. And we are no longer controlled as much by the rejection of others.
Circumstances May or May Not Change
God has coordinated the very circumstances you find yourself in to accomplish His purposes. Part of the benefit you will receive is a greater understanding of the circumstances, with the confidence that because you are hearing from Him, if there are changes that need to be made, you are receiving the best counsel available. Give Him time to accomplish His purposes in you and for you, even if you don’t understand what He is doing through the circumstances, and you will at least be able to endure them. It is through our circumstances that we often see the greatest evidence of where we are still under the influence of our enemies the world, the flesh and the devil. It is worth waiting on Him to be able to overcome according to His plan rather than our impatience or ignorance.
Physical Changes
People who habitually engage in waiting on the Lord often find many symptoms of stress lessened simply from the process of letting the body relax. This is in addition to the healing the Lord desires to bring to all of us according to His plan and time. Some physical symptoms that may improve are headaches, high blood pressure, inability to concentrate, sleeplessness and sleep interruption.
Relief
Learning to wait on the Lord is something we can all do, regardless of our circumstances, skills or abilities. When we realize that God is waiting for us to wait, and that waiting is something we CAN do, DOING it can take the pressure off of us as we learn to rest and let Him do the work. Instead of having to perform or achieve to get a blessing from or connection with God, we rest in the realization that all requirements have been paid by Jesus already, and we are doing all that we need to do.
Senses Quickened
The Lord Himself changes us in ways that we can’t even imagine, then provides us with opportunities to test what our senses are picking up. His voice becomes easier to recognize and His ways more. His presence comforts, encourages, leads, guides and directs us ever more subtly. The more our focus is fine-tuned on the things of the Lord, the more the things of this natural realm become strangely dim. We find ourselves at peace with Him, with others and with ourselves.
Wounds Healed
The more time we spend with the Lord, the more liberty He takes in bringing our soul and body into alignment with our spirit, which is already in alignment with His Spirit. Though nothing may appear to be happening on the surface during our times of waiting, the Lord is doing a deep work without our interference. He heals wounds, speaks to our mind, will and emotions, provides guidance, direction, encouragement and wisdom, all without our necessarily knowing it in our consciousness.
Circumstances May or May Not Change
As you wait on Him, giving Him time to accomplish His purposes in you and for you, even if you don’t understand what He is doing through the circumstances, you will at least be able to endure them.
Physical Changes
People who habitually engage in waiting on the Lord often find many symptoms of stress lessened simply from the process of letting the body relax.
We miss Him because He comes to us Un-Understood: He is Truth, and what He says and does will not necessarily line up with what we already “know.” To understand Him, we will have to relinquish our understanding.
Practical Consequences of Waiting
Relief
Learning to wait on the Lord is something we can all do, regardless of our circumstances, skills or abilities. When we realize that God is waiting for us to wait, and that waiting is something we CAN do, DOING it can take the pressure off of us as we learn to rest and let Him do the work. Instead of having to perform or achieve to get a blessing from or connection with God, we rest in the realization that all requirements have been paid by Jesus already, and we are doing all that we need to do.
Senses Quickened
The Lord Himself changes us in ways we can’t even imagine, then provides us with opportunities to test what our senses are picking up. His voice becomes easier to recognize and His ways more obvious. His presence comforts, encourages, leads, guides and directs us ever more subtly. The more our focus is fine-tuned on the things of the Lord, the more the things of this natural realm become strangely dim. We find ourselves at peace with Him, with others and with ourselves.
Wounds Healed
Though nothing may appear to be happening on the surface during our times of waiting, the Lord is doing a deep work without our interference. He heals wounds, speaks to our mind, will and emotions, provides guidance, direction, encouragement and wisdom, all without our necessarily knowing it in our consciousness.
Circumstances May or May Not Change
Part of the benefit you will receive from learning to wait on the Lord is a greater understanding of your circumstances, with the confidence that because you are hearing from Him, if there are changes that need to be made, you are receiving the best counsel available.
Part of the process of learning to wait brings us to the point of wanting to know the Lord simply because we want to know Him, not for what He does, says or how He makes us feel. Would we go where we’re not wanted? Do you want Him? How long are you willing to wait?
We miss Him because He comes to us Unexpected
Just as Jesus wants to be wanted, He also wants us to know His character enough to know that He will respond to our waiting. He wants us to have confidence, excitement and patience for His coming. He is not under our time restrictions, and makes Himself known in the manner and timing of His choosing.
We miss Him because He comes to us Unrecognized
What does hearing from the Lord, knowing Him look, feel, sound like? Though He is gracious and considerate, He wants to broaden our perception of His Presence and make Himself known in a variety of ways.
We miss Him because He comes to us Un-Understood
Likewise, even if we want, expect and recognize Him when He comes, we must also learn to understand what He says or does. If we want to understand the Lord and His ways, we can count on Him to provide that understanding in a variety of ways according to His purpose and plans.
Relief
Learning to wait on the Lord is something we can all do, regardless of our circumstances, skills or abilities. When we realize that God is waiting for us to wait, and that waiting is something we CAN do, DOING it can take the pressure off of us as we learn to rest and let Him do the work.
Senses Quickened
The Lord Himself changes us in ways that we can’t even imagine, then provides us with opportunities to test what our senses are picking up. His voice becomes easier to recognize and His ways more obvious to respond to.
Wounds Healed
The more time we spend with the Lord, the more liberty He takes in bringing our soul and body into alignment with our spirit.
Here are some of the ways we reject the Lord’s overtures without even knowing it:
We miss Him because He comes to us Unwanted
Jesus wants to be wanted.Though the odds are that all of us say that we want to know the Lord, we may only want to know Him on our terms. But how He comes to us is for Him to decide. He doesn’t take too well to being dictated to. As we learn to wait on Him, He begins to reveal to us things that we want MORE than we want Him! We want to control our time, our circumstances, and how and when He speaks to us. Part of the process of learning to wait brings us to the point of wanting to know the Lord simply because we want to know Him, not for what He does, says or how He makes us feel.
We miss Him because He comes to us Unexpected
Just as Jesus wants to be wanted, He also wants us to know His character enough to know that He will respond to our waiting. He wants us to have confidence, excitement and patience for His coming. He is not under our time restrictions, and makes Himself known in the manner and timing of His choosing. But He doesn’t want us taking Him for granted. He wants us to wait for Him with anticipation.
We miss Him because He comes to us Unrecognized
What does hearing from the Lord, knowing Him look, feel, sound like? It is more important that we have our senses tuned to be able to recognize His Presence than to have memorized ways to evaluate whether it is the Lord or not. We recognize Him because we know Him and know the sound of His Voice.
We miss Him because He comes to us Un-Understood
Likewise, even if we want, expect and recognize Him when He comes, we must also learn to understand what He says or does. What He says and does will not necessarily line up with what we already “know.” To understand Him, we will have to relinquish our understanding.
Here are some of the ways we reject the Lord’s overtures:
We miss Him because He comes to us Unwanted
Jesus wants to be wanted.Though the odds are that all of us say that we want to know the Lord, we may only want to know Him on our terms. But how He comes to us is for Him to decide. He doesn’t take too well to being dictated to. As we learn to wait on Him, He begins to reveal to us things that we want MORE than we want Him! We want to control our time, our circumstances, and how and when He speaks to us. Part of the process of learning to wait brings us to the point of wanting to know the Lord simply because we want to know Him, not for what He does, says or how He makes us feel. Would we go where we’re not wanted? Do you want Him? How long are you willing to wait?
We miss Him because He comes to us Unexpected
Just as Jesus wants to be wanted, He also wants us to know His character enough to know that He will respond to our waiting. He wants us to have confidence, excitement and patience for His coming. He is not under our time restrictions, and makes Himself known in the manner and timing of His choosing. But He doesn’t want us taking Him for granted.
We miss Him because He comes to us Unrecognized
If we come to the practice of waiting with a clear set of expectations, we are essentially dictating to the Lord how He can reveal Himself to us. Though He is gracious and considerate, and will often respond according to our preconceptions, over time He wants to broaden our perception of His Presence and make Himself known in a variety of ways.
We miss Him because He comes to us Un-Understood
He is the Teacher and Counselor. If we want to understand the Lord and His ways, we can count on Him to provide that understanding in a variety of ways according to His purpose and plans. To understand Him, we will have to relinquish our understanding.
God wants us to value Him; we do not seek what we do not value! So He withdraws His Presence, not to tease us, but to draw us after Him, and to expose our hidden attitudes toward Him. Here are some ways we reject the Lord without even knowing it:
We miss Him because He comes to us Unwanted
Jesus wants to be wanted.Though the odds are that all of us say that we want to know the Lord, we may only want to know Him on our terms. But how He comes to us is for Him to decide. Learning to wait brings us to the point of wanting to know the Lord simply because we want to know Him, not for what He does, says or how He makes us feel. Do you want Him? How long are you willing to wait?
We miss Him because He comes to us Unexpected
Just as Jesus wants to be wanted, He also wants us to know His character enough to know that He will respond to our waiting. He wants us to have confidence, excitement and patience for His coming. He is not under our time restrictions, and makes Himself known in the manner and timing of His choosing. But He doesn’t want us taking Him for granted. He wants us to wait for Him with anticipation.
We miss Him because He comes to us Unrecognized
What does hearing from the Lord, knowing Him look, feel, sound like? If we come to the practice of waiting with a clear set of expectations, we are essentially dictating to the Lord how He can reveal Himself to us. It is more important that we have our senses tuned to be able to recognize His Presence than to have memorized ways to evaluate whether it is the Lord or not.
We miss Him because He comes to us Un-Understood
Even if we want, expect and recognize Him when He comes, we must also learn to understand what He says or does. He is the Teacher and Counselor. He is Truth, and what He says and does will not necessarily line up with what we already “know.”
What’s Happening?
Our soul’s awareness is being transferred by our spirit in cooperation with God’s Spirit from what is going on in the body (and through the body, our natural circumstances) and in the soul realm (what’s taking up the attention of our mind, will and emotions). In this way, He gives His life to us and lives His life through us, often without our even knowing it (He will often bypass our mind, will and emotions and directly impact both our personal circumstances and the natural realm, including time).
Meditation & Mysticism
There are many similarities between waiting on the Lord and Eastern meditation techniques. The reason is that whether you are a believer or not, your soul and body function the same way. For Christians, the purpose of quieting the soul and body is to become available to, receive life from and give up control to the Holy Spirit. For the unbeliever, the purpose is to become available to, receive life from and give up control to something other than the Holy Spirit. That “other” is defined in numerous ways depending on your beliefs. We don’t need to be concerned about what others may be focusing on; the Lord is strong enough to make Himself known to us on His terms, and provide whatever guidance, assurance and protection we may need as we follow on to know Him.
Results
As you develop the ability and practice, you will begin to notice that the Lord will draw your attention to Him, inwardly and/or outwardly, at various times during your routine daily activities. His eventual goal is that our entire life be lived with an awareness of what is going on in the supernatural and spiritual realms, because the Lord has quickened our senses to be able to perceive what He reveals. Of course, He is simultaneously bringing us into wholeness by exposing our flesh and healing our wounds.
Adrift in Him
As an illustration, picture yourself on an inflatable raft in the middle of a lake. There are waves all around, being whipped up by the wind, and there is nothing you can do about it. The wind is caused by external distractions, and the waves are caused by activity in your soul. But you find that as you accept the waves as they are, and let your outward and inward senses rest, over time the waves begin to be quieted. The waves get smaller and smaller, until you find that the only ripples are caused by your own movements on the raft. Eventually even these ripples will cease as you relax in His presence, whether that presence is sensed or not. The surface of the lake becomes as smooth as glass. Just “be” there—you don’t need to hear, sense, think or feel anything to know God is doing His deepest work in you. He is tuning your senses to His frequency, so you will be able to recognize and respond on His terms.
Eventually, over time, there is a strong likelihood that during these times He will begin to make His presence known to you by deliberately causing ripples on the surface of your stillness. Because you have allowed the Lord to sharpen your senses, you can rest assured that He will make Himself known in a way recognizable to you, and you will recognize and be able to discern its source and meaning.
What’s Happening?
Our soul’s awareness is being transferred by our spirit in cooperation with God’s Spirit from what is going on in the body (and through the body, our natural circumstances) and in the soul realm (what’s taking up the attention of our mind, will and emotions). In this way, He gives His life to us and lives His life through us, often without our even knowing it (He will often bypass our mind, will and emotions and directly impact both our personal circumstances and the natural realm, including time).
Whatever happens during this time is up to the Lord! This is His training ground, and He will provide exactly what we need to accomplish His purpose for this time. Reacting to the actions of our soul only gives it control and keeps it from being free and available to the Lord. The importance of this time is not that you get something out of it or see a change or have a sense of His presence. The purpose of this time is simply that you show up for class. The Lord will do the rest.
Adrift in Him
Just “be” there—you don’t need to hear, sense, think or feel anything to know God is doing His deepest work in you. He is tuning your senses to His frequency, so you will be able to recognize and respond on His terms. Eventually, it is likely that He will begin to make His presence known to you by deliberately causing ripples on the surface of your stillness. Because you have allowed the Lord to sharpen your senses, you can rest assured that He will make Himself known in a way recognizable to you, and you will recognize and be able to discern its source and meaning.
What’s Happening?
Our soul’s awareness is being transferred by our spirit in cooperation with God’s Spirit from what is going on in the body (and through the body, our natural circumstances) and in the soul realm. In this way, He gives His life to us and lives His life through us, often without our even knowing it.
Meditation & Mysticism
There are many similarities between waiting on the Lord and Eastern meditation techniques. The reason is that whether you are a believer or not, your soul and body function the same way. For Christians, the purpose of quieting the soul and body is to become available to, receive life from and give up control to the Holy Spirit. For the unbeliever, the purpose is to become available to, receive life from and give up control to something other than the Holy Spirit.
FocusYour mind WILL wander! The odds are that for most of your life you have let your thoughts and emotions go wherever they wanted. There were of course times when they would be disciplined, but they would entail self-discipline, brought under control by your own strength of mind, will or emotions. Now we are learning to free our soul to be joined to our spirit, which is already joined to the Holy Spirit. As your mind wanders, don’t react! Or if you feel anxious, or are even antsy sitting still, don’t react! Simply close your eyes again and remind yourself of your present purpose—to be with the Lord!
Whatever happens during this time is up to the Lord! This is His training ground, and He will provide exactly what we need to accomplish His purpose for this time. Reacting to the actions of our soul only gives it control and keeps it from being free and available to the Lord. The importance of this time is not that you get something out of it or see a change or have a sense of His presence. The purpose of this time is simply that you show up for class. The Lord will do the rest.
Adrift in Him
Eventually, over time, there is a strong likelihood that during these times He will begin to make His presence known to you by deliberately causing ripples on the surface of your stillness. Because you have allowed the Lord to sharpen your senses, you can rest assured that He will make Himself known in a way recognizable to you, and you will recognize and be able to discern its source and meaning.
What’s Happening?
Our soul’s awareness is being transferred by our spirit in cooperation with God’s Spirit from what is going on in the body (and through the body, our natural circumstances) and in the soul realm (what’s taking up the attention of our mind, will and emotions). In this way, He gives His life to us and lives His life through us, often without our even knowing it.
The act of waiting is providing the Lord with the opportunity to do His work IN you with as little interference FROM you as possible. To do this, your focus will be to let the Lord bring your mind, will and emotions into focused submission to Him. This will not be accomplished by your own efforts; you are simply making yourself available.
Focus on what’s going on inside, literally, what’s going on in your body. Without strain or effort, let yourself become aware of a single rhythmic element in your body, such as your breathing or heartbeat. If you like, you can focus on an outside rhythm, such as a clock ticking. The point here is to cooperate as much as you are able with the Lord as He begins to still your mind, will and emotions. As you focus on your heartbeat, for instance, don’t pay attention to what you are thinking, feeling or should be doing. Just listen; don’t necessarily “hear” something.
Your mind WILL wander! The odds are that for most of your life you have let your thoughts and emotions go wherever they wanted. Now we are learning to free our soul to be joined to our spirit, which is already joined to the Holy Spirit. Whatever happens during this time is up to the Lord! This is His training ground, and He will provide exactly what we need to accomplish His purpose for this time. Reacting to the actions of our soul only gives it control and keeps it from being free and available to the Lord. The importance of this time is not that you get something out of it or see a change or have a sense of His presence. The purpose of this time is simply that you show up for class. The Lord will do the rest.
What’s Happening?
Our soul’s awareness is being transferred by our spirit in cooperation with God’s Spirit from what is going on in the body and in the soul realm. He gives His life to us and lives His life through us, often without our even knowing it.
Focus
First, get comfortable in a quiet, undisturbed setting. If you only have a limited amount of time, be able to see a clock easily from where you are sitting. As you close your eyes, think of closing the door to outside distractions. Focus on what’s going on inside, literally, what’s going on in your body. Without strain or effort, let yourself become aware of a single rhythmic element in your body, such as your breathing or heartbeat. If you like, you can focus on an outside rhythm, such as a clock ticking. The point here is to cooperate as much as you are able with the Lord as He begins to still your mind, will and emotions. As you focus on your heartbeat, for instance, don’t pay attention to what you are thinking, feeling or should be doing. Just listen; don’t necessarily “hear” something.
Your mind WILL wander! The odds are that for most of your life you have let your thoughts and emotions go wherever they wanted. There were of course times when they would be disciplined, but they would entail self-discipline, brought under control by your own strength of mind, will or emotions. Now we are learning to free our soul to be joined to our spirit, which is already joined to the Holy Spirit. As your mind wanders, don’t react! Or if you feel anxious, or are even antsy sitting still, don’t react! Simply close your eyes again and remind yourself of your present purpose—to be with the Lord!
Whatever happens during this time is up to the Lord! This is His training ground, and He will provide exactly what we need to accomplish His purpose for this time. Reacting to the actions of our soul only gives it control and keeps it from being free and available to the Lord.
The importance of this time is not that you get something out of it or see a change or have a sense of His presence. The purpose of this time is simply that you show up for class.
Location.
Pick a place that is comfortable yet not conducive to falling asleep. You’ll also want to make sure there are not a lot of distractions, whether visual, mental or audible. You may want to set up a particular location for this purpose; this may contribute to your ability to get into a mindset that is attentive to the Lord. Once you develop the habit of waiting, you will expand that ability to wait into any situation that the Lord calls you to. You will also want to limit the number of locations that you do your waiting in, as each location is likely to have distinct distractions that will have to be overcome. You may find taking your lunch break in a nearby park may work.
Focus
Get comfortable in a quiet, undisturbed setting. As you close your eyes, think of closing the door to outside distractions. When I first started this I would announce, “Lord, I’m here for you” to set the purpose of my time. When my mind began to wander I would repeat the phrase to myself as a way to gently bring my thoughts back to their focus on the Lord.
Focus on what’s going on inside, literally, what’s going on in your body. Without strain or effort, let yourself become aware of a single rhythmic element in your body, such as your breathing or heartbeat. Cooperate as much as you are able with the Lord as He begins to still your mind, will and emotions. Just listen; don’t necessarily “hear” something.
Whatever happens during this time is up to the Lord! This is His training ground, and He will provide exactly what we need to accomplish His purpose for this time. Reacting to the actions of our soul only gives it control and keeps it from being free and available to the Lord. The importance of this time is not that you get something out of it or see a change or have a sense of His presence. The purpose of this time is simply that you show up for class. The Lord will do the rest.
How to Start
Decide on a specific amount of time.
Set a separate time apart from study, prayer or healing. This time is dedicated to the purpose of making yourself available to the Lord for His purposes. Your focus will be on being still before Him, not hearing, learning or receiving from Him, but simply being present with Him. So distinguish this time from other times you may have set with Him for other purposes.
Time of day. Your personal schedule will contribute to your decisions regarding when to spend time waiting on the Lord. There seems to be something particularly effective to waiting on the Lord in the mornings. Perhaps it is because the cares of the day have not entered into our mind, will and emotions. But it is often the best time to be open to instructions for the day as well as having the mindset that we are starting fresh (though the Lord wants us to learn to “start fresh” throughout the day). Ask the Lord when the best time for you is; start with something that makes sense to you, then give the Lord an opportunity to revise to fit His requirements.
Location. Pick a place that is comfortable yet not conducive to falling asleep. Make sure there are not a lot of distractions, whether visual, mental or audible. Set up a particular location for this purpose. Later you will expand that ability to wait into any situation that the Lord calls you to. Limit the number of locations that you do your waiting in, as each location is likely to have distinct distractions that will have to be overcome.
Focus on what’s going on inside, literally, what’s going on in your body. Without strain or effort, let yourself become aware of a single rhythmic element in your body, such as your breathing or heartbeat. The point here is to cooperate as much as you are able with the Lord as He begins to still your mind, will and emotions. Just listen; don’t necessarily “hear” something.
How to Start
Decide on a specific amount of time. We want to be occupied with living, but not pre-occupied.
Set a separate time apart from study, prayer or healing.
This time is dedicated to the purpose of making yourself available to the Lord for His purposes. Your focus will be on being still before Him, not hearing, learning or receiving from Him, but simply being present with Him. So distinguish this time from other times you may have set with Him for other purposes.
Time of day.
Your personal schedule will contribute to your decisions regarding when to spend time waiting on the Lord. There seems to be something particularly effective to waiting on the Lord in the mornings. Perhaps it is because the cares of the day have not entered into our mind, will and emotions. But it is often the best time to be open to instructions for the day as well as having the mindset that we are starting fresh (though the Lord wants us to learn to “start fresh” throughout the day). Ask the Lord when the best time for you is; start with something that makes sense to you, then give the Lord an opportunity to revise to fit His requirements.
Location.
Pick a place that is comfortable yet not conducive to falling asleep. You’ll also want to make sure there are not a lot of distractions, whether visual, mental or audible. You may want to set up a particular location for this purpose; this may contribute to your ability to get into a mindset that is attentive to the Lord. Once you develop the habit of waiting, you will expand that ability to wait into any situation that the Lord calls you to. But for now, do whatever is helpful to establish a habit. You will also want to limit the number of locations that you do your waiting in, as each location is likely to have distinct distractions that will have to be overcome.
How to Start
Decide on a specific amount of time. As a starting point, set as a goal to practice learning to wait 20 minutes 5 times a week and 2 hours twice a week. Set a separate time apart from study, prayer or healing.
Time of day.
There seems to be something particularly effective to waiting on the Lord in the mornings. Ask the Lord when the best time for you is; start with something that makes sense to you, then give the Lord an opportunity to revise to fit His requirements.
Location.
Pick a place that is comfortable yet not conducive to falling asleep. You’ll also want to make sure there are not a lot of distractions, whether visual, mental or audible. You may want to set up a particular location for this purpose; this may contribute to your ability to get into a mindset that is attentive to the Lord.
What Do You Do?
The act of waiting is providing the Lord with the opportunity to do His work IN you with as little interference FROM you as possible. To do this, your focus will be to let the Lord bring your mind, will and emotions into focused submission to Him. This will not be accomplished by your own efforts; you are simply making yourself available.
Focus
First, get comfortable in a quiet, undisturbed setting. If you only have a limited amount of time, be able to see a clock easily from where you are sitting. As you close your eyes, think of closing the door to outside distractions. When I first started this I would announce, “Lord, I’m here for you” to set the purpose of my time. When my mind began to wander I would repeat the phrase to myself as a way to gently bring my thoughts back to their focus on the Lord.
Your mind WILL wander! The odds are that for most of your life you have let your thoughts and emotions go wherever they wanted. Now we are learning to free our soul to be joined to our spirit, which is already joined to Holy Spirit.
Who you truly are, a spirit being, is in perfect communion and communication with God. Your soul—your mind, will and emotions—is in the process of being healed of the wounds caused by believing lies. As your soul is healed, your body is also being relieved of the stress and pressure of trying to meet the needs of the soul. Your soul is now learning to get its needs met from the Eternal Life that now dwells within you and is available to the soul from your spirit.
How to Start: Decide on a specific amount of time. As a starting point, set as a goal to practice learning to wait 20 minutes 5 times a week and 2 hours twice a week.
Time of day: Your personal schedule will contribute to your decisions regarding when to spend time waiting on the Lord.
Location: Pick a place that is comfortable yet not conducive to falling asleep.
What Do You Do?
The act of waiting is providing the Lord with the opportunity to do His work IN you with as little interference FROM you as possible. To do this, your focus will be to let the Lord bring your mind, will and emotions into focused submission to Him. This will not be accomplished by your own efforts; you are simply making yourself available.
Focus
Without strain or effort, let yourself become aware of a single rhythmic element in your body, such as your breathing or heartbeat. Cooperate as much as you are able with the Lord as He begins to still your mind, will and emotions. As you focus on your heartbeat, for instance, don’t pay attention to what you are thinking, feeling or should be doing. Just listen; don’t necessarily “hear” something.
Whatever happens during this time is up to the Lord! This is His training ground, and He will provide exactly what we need to accomplish His purpose for this time. Reacting to the actions of our soul only gives it control and keeps it from being free and available to the Lord.
Waiting: The “How-To’s” of Hearing the Lord’s Voice
For our purposes, waiting on the Lord is the process by which our soul and body are presented before the Lord in stillness by faith to provide Him the opportunity to do His work without our conscious interference.
Decide on a specific amount of time.
As a starting point, set as a goal to practice learning to wait 20 minutes 5 times a week and 2 hours twice a week. The blocks of time can be broken up, though it’s good to set the goal to be able to eventually spend a good chunk of time waiting on the Lord. The ultimate goal will be to maintain a constant, perpetual, restful waiting on the Lord, while still engaged in normal everyday activities. We want to be occupied with living, but not pre-occupied.
Set a separate time apart from study, prayer or healing.
This time is dedicated to the purpose of making yourself available to the Lord for His purposes. Your focus will be on being still before Him, not hearing, learning or receiving from Him, but simply being present with Him. So distinguish this time from other times you may have set with Him for other purposes.
Time of day.
Your personal schedule will contribute to your decisions regarding when to spend time waiting on the Lord. Ask the Lord when the best time for you is; start with something that makes sense to you, then give the Lord an opportunity to revise to fit His requirements.
Location.
Pick a place that is comfortable yet not conducive to falling asleep. You’ll also want to make sure there are not a lot of distractions, whether visual, mental or audible. You may want to set up a particular location for this purpose; this may contribute to your ability to get into a mindset that is attentive to the Lord. Once you develop the habit of waiting, you will expand that ability to wait into any situation that the Lord calls you to.
As we learn to depend on Him, as He exercises His full rights over our lives, we begin to enjoy letting Him live through us, even in unpleasant situations. Since one of the goals of the flesh is to maintain control, as the Lord begins to exert His absolute control over our life, there will be conflict with the flesh, both our own and the flesh of those who, for whatever reason, believe they have a right to exert spiritual, or in some cases soulical or natural rights over us that they do not have. But as we continue to submit our rights, we also become blind to how the Lord deals with these situations.
One of the reasons we may avoid learning to know God for ourselves, and be directly under His authority and lordship, is we are believing lies, and are afraid of what He may say to us or ask us to do. You DO want to know Him. By grace we know that we are already totally acceptable, honored and loved by Him permanently, so that whatever He may say or ask of us, it is for our good, to bring healing, deliverance and rest to us and through us. Don’t tell Him what to do, or how to do it; He is under no obligation to tell us when or how or what.
The Act of Waiting
Just as there are things we can do to hinder our soul from learning to know God on the same level as our spirit (denying God’s sovereignty, refusing to change our beliefs, etc.), there are habits we can develop, opportunities that we can respond to that will cooperate with God in His plans for His revealing. The fastest and most effective habit we can learn is the Act of Waiting on the Lord. For our purposes, waiting on the Lord is the process by which our soul and body are presented before the Lord in stillness by faith to provide Him the opportunity to do His work without our conscious interference. Who you truly are, a spirit being, is in perfect communion and communication with God.
At one time or another, we all likely fall into the trap of trying to take responsibility for our relationship with God. But it is all His idea, and He already has planned out every circumstance, challenge and encouragement necessary to bring us into the full realization of experiencing His eternal life in our whole being. Realizing this, we may fall the other way, into the deception that since God is in complete control, and has every circumstance planned, we can just lean back and let Him do His thing. We need to come to a basic understanding that knowing God is not an either/or proposition. We are in cooperation with God in this endeavor; He is not raising up slaves, but sons, to rule, reign and fellowship with Him. So part of our training as joint-heirs will be to learn by experience how to cooperate with our Older Brother in every endeavor.
God is a jealous God, and does not delegate His sovereignty, His authority to anyone else. So if you want to get along with God, don’t sit in His chair—AND DON’T LET ANYONE ELSE SIT IN IT EITHER!
As we learn to depend on Him we begin to enjoy letting Him live through us, even in unpleasant situations. Since one of the goals of the flesh is to maintain control, as the Lord begins to exert His absolute control over our life, there will be conflict with the flesh, both our own and the flesh of those who, for whatever reason, believe they have a right to exert spiritual, or in some cases soulical or natural rights over us that they do not have. Don’t tell Him what to do, or how to do it; He is under no obligation to tell us when or how or what.
The Act of Waiting
The fastest and most effective habit we can learn is the Act of Waiting on the Lord. For our purposes, waiting on the Lord is the process by which our soul and body are presented before the Lord in stillness by faith to provide Him the opportunity to do His work without our conscious interference.
As our soul and body align with our spirit, His River of Life flows through us unhindered; our behavior begins to line up with our identity. Not only do we experience freedom, healing and dependence in our own being, but we become available and engaged, enthusiastic and sacrificing, to bring His life to those in need according to His plan. So as knowing God is developing that personal relationship with Him on all levels, Knowing His Ways, understanding Him is sharing His goals, desires, and activities here on this earth: Doing His Acts.
Knowing God is a Process
Though you can learn from others’ experiences, and it is advisable to do so, your teacher, counselor, guide and encourager is Jesus Himself. Give yourself time—be patient with yourself. You’re exactly where God wants you to be, and He will not let you miss out on anything He has for you. His desire is for you to know Him, and He ALWAYS gets what He wants.
Knowing God, Our Part
We are in cooperation with God in this endeavor; He is not raising up slaves, but sons, to rule, reign and fellowship with Him. So part of our training as joint-heirs will be to learn by experience how to cooperate with our Older Brother in every endeavor.
The Sovereignty of God
God is a jealous God, and does not delegate His sovereignty, His authority to anyone else. The ONLY spiritual authority in a believer’s life is God Himself. God is NOT your co-pilot, He’s your Pilot; He doesn’t want the Guest Room, He wants the Throne Room; He doesn’t come to help out, He comes to take over! So if you want to get along with God, don’t sit in His chair—AND DON’T LET ANYONE ELSE SIT IN IT EITHER!
The Act of Waiting
There are habits we can develop, opportunities that we can respond to that will cooperate with God in His plans for His revealing. The fastest and most effective habit we can learn is the Act of Waiting.
Growing in God?
As we follow on to know Him, we will increase in our awareness of His presence, involvement, and His character in our lives. In our spirits, who we truly are, we are already as mature as we are ever going to get. What DOES change in us is only the appearance of God Himself to and through us. We are not really growing, or reaching the “next level.” But our experience of knowing God personally brings us more and more into dependence on Him, where He is more and more clearly and easily revealed to and through us. So though it may appear we are “growing” in Him, it is simply that He is increasingly apparent, and in comparison, that which we are, even that which was created by Him and is pleasing to Him, pales in His brightness.
Can We Understand God?
The more we experience His Eternal Life, Knowing Him, we begin to get on the same wavelength with Him. As we grow in our dependence on Him, we become activated by Him. As our soul and body align with our spirit, His River of Life flows through us unhindered; our behavior begins to line up with our identity. So not only do we experience freedom, healing and dependence in our own being, but we become available and engaged, enthusiastic and sacrificing, to bring His life to those in need according to His plan. So as knowing God is developing that personal relationship with Him on all levels, Knowing His Ways, understanding Him is sharing His goals, desires, and activities here on this earth: Doing His Acts.
Knowing God is a Process
You have not passed this way before, nor has anyone else. The path God has for you is for you alone! Though you can learn from others’ experiences, and it is advisable to do so, your teacher, counselor, guide and encourager is Jesus Himself. So give yourself time—be patient with yourself. You’re exactly where God wants you to be, and He will not let you miss out on anything He has for you.
We start by asking Him to reveal Himself, acknowledging that He fully enabled us to know Him when He gave us a new heart at the Resurrection. We already have the capability to know and understand, we just fail to put in the time and attention that any valuable endeavor deserves.
Growing in God?
As we follow on to know Him, we will increase in our awareness of His presence, involvement, and His character in our lives. In our spirits we are already as mature as we are ever going to get. And our true soulical condition is not growing either, but becoming free from all masks and hindrances to exist as it was created by God to be. Our body, as well, though it is growing older, is not “maturing.” So do we get “closer” to God? Are there “levels” of “saintliness”? In Him, if we ARE in Him, there is no “shadow of turning,” no change, no growth. What DOES change in us is only the appearance of God Himself to and through us. Our experience of knowing God personally brings us more and more into dependence on Him, where He is more and more clearly and easily revealed to and through us.
Can We Understand God?
Not only do we experience freedom, healing and dependence in our own being, we become available and engaged, enthusiastic and sacrificing, to bring His life to those in need according to His plan. Just as knowing God is developing that personal relationship with Him on all levels, Knowing His Ways, understanding Him is sharing His goals, desires, and activities here on this earth: Doing His Acts.
Knowing God is a Process
As we commit to His plan for relationship, we will be faced with many challenges. We will come up against our enemies the world, our flesh and the devil. We have simply taken the first step of a unique, lifelong journey. You have not passed this way before, nor has anyone else.
You Already Want to Know God
Who we truly are, as spirit beings, already completely knows Him and is receiving His Life, living His eternal Life now. But our soul and body do not yet know Him on that same level. This is the separation that we are experiencing here on this earth—that in our soul and body we are still trying to get life, our needs met, on our own, through our own efforts and by our own strength. As we respond to God’s drawing, as we experience our need to know Him, God will bring to light those things that need to be healed, and those areas where we need to overcome. As our soul and body experience freedom and life, they are joined to our spirit which is already one with God.
How Do We Know God?
We start by asking Him to reveal Himself, acknowledging that He fully enabled us to know Him when He gave us a new heart at the Resurrection. So we already have the capability to know and understand, we just fail to put in the time and attention that any valuable endeavor deserves.
Growing in God?
In our spirits, we are already as mature as we are ever going to get. Do we get “closer” to God? Are there “levels” of saintliness?
Can We Understand God?
The more we experience His Eternal Life, Knowing Him, we begin to get on the same wavelength with Him. His character begins to overwhelm us, and we begin to be passionate and focused on the things that He is passionate and focused on. As our soul and body align with our spirit, His River of Life flows through us unhindered; our behavior begins to line up with our identity.
Knowing God is a Process
As we commit to His plan for relationship, and begin to give Him the time and attention He deserves, we will be faced with many challenges. We have simply taken the first step of a unique, lifelong journey.
What Knowing God is Not
Knowing God cannot necessarily be measured by what we’ve been taught by others. We can know all about a subject or person and never have experienced that subject or truly known that person at all. Even when a person passes along their experiences, because you are unique and God seeks a unique experience with you, sharing in another’s relationship with God is no substitute for developing your own relationship.
God Wants Us to Know Him
God is often misunderstood because we don’t know and understand why and how He does things. So we are unable to clearly hear His voice, understand His direction, or respond appropriately. Helping us to know and understand Him is high on His list, which should make it high on ours as well. Everything God has done historically has been in movement TOWARD a relationship with us. Since this is all His idea, there is a guarantee of success. He does not start things He hasn’t already completed in His Spirit reality.
You Already Want to Know God
Who we truly are, as spirit beings, already completely knows Him and is receiving His Life, living His eternal Life now. But our soul and body do not yet know Him on that same level. As we respond to God’s drawing, as we experience our need to know Him, God will bring to light those things that need to be healed, and those areas where we need to overcome. As our soul and body experience freedom and life, they are joined to our spirit which is already one with God.
How Do We Know God?
We start by asking Him to reveal Himself, acknowledging that He fully enabled us to know Him when He gave us a new heart at the Resurrection. So we already have the capability to know and understand, we just fail to put in the time and attention that any valuable endeavor deserves. As we follow on to know Him, we will increase in our awareness of His presence, involvement, and His character in our lives.
What is Knowing God?
Knowing God is being in an intimate relationship with Him in all aspects of our being, spirit, soul and body. As Believers, we already enjoy this relationship with God in our spirit. But in our soul (mind, will and emotions) and body we are still in the process of getting to know Him as He is. So though we already possess all the eternal life we ever will, this great salvation of relationship has not yet been worked out through our soul and body. As we accept the responsibility to join God in relationship, valuing Him and appreciating everything that He is, He changes us into His image, according to His unique plans for us.
God Wants Us to Know Him
God is often misunderstood because we don’t know and understand why and how He does things. So we are unable to clearly hear His voice, understand His direction, or respond appropriately. Helping us to know and understand Him is high on His list, which should make it high on ours as well.
Everything God has done historically has been in movement TOWARD a relationship with us. Since this is all His idea, there is a guarantee of success. He does not start things He hasn’t already completed in His Spirit reality. If you have ANY desire to know the Lord at all, you can be confident that it is from the Lord, and He will follow up with you, regardless of your lack of understanding, knowledge, past history, woundedness or flesh.
Who we truly are, as spirit beings, already completely knows Him and is receiving His Life, living His eternal Life now. But our soul and body do not yet know Him on that same level. This is the separation that we are experiencing here on this earth—that in our soul and body we are still trying to get life, our needs met, on our own, through our own efforts and by our own strength. As we experience our need to know Him, God will bring to light those things that need to be healed, and areas where we need to overcome.
Knowing God is being in an intimate relationship with Him in all aspects of our being, spirit, soul and body. As Believers, we already enjoy this relationship with God in our spirit. But in our soul (mind, will and emotions) and body we are still in the process of getting to know Him as He is. So though we already possess all the eternal life we ever will, this great salvation of relationship has not yet been worked out through our soul and body. As we accept the responsibility to join God in relationship, valuing Him and appreciating everything that He is, He changes us into His image, according to His unique plans for us.
God Wants Us to Know Him
God is often misunderstood because we don’t know and understand why and how He does things. So we are unable to clearly hear His voice, understand His direction, or respond appropriately. Helping us to know and understand Him is high on His list, which should make it high on ours as well.
You Already Want to Know God
Who we truly are, as spirit beings, already completely knows Him and is receiving His Life, living His eternal Life now. But our soul and body do not yet know Him on that same level.
How Do We Know God?
We start by asking Him to reveal Himself, acknowledging that He fully enabled us to know Him when He gave us a new heart at the Resurrection. So we already have the capability to know and understand, we just fail to put in the time and attention that any valuable endeavor deserves.
Growing in God?
As we follow on to know Him, we will increase in our awareness of His presence, involvement, and His character in our lives. In our spirits, who we truly are, we are already as mature as we are ever going to get. And our true soulical condition is not growing either, but becoming free from all masks and hindrances to exist as it was created by God to be. Our body, as well, though it is growing older, is not “maturing.”
- Be willing to be out of control. The more you get to know God personally and practically the more you will be willing to be out of control. One of God's main purposes for us now is to make this a reality in our lives on this earth. This can be a scary thing, but the Lord knows this, and gives us exactly the training we need to be able to have confidence in Him based on experience. We find out He’s a really great God, that He’s trustworthy, and that depending on Him is fully satisfying and exciting.
What is Knowing God?
Knowing God is being in an intimate relationship with Him in all aspects of our being, spirit, soul and body. As Believers, we already enjoy this relationship in our spirit. But in our soul and body we are still in the process of getting to know Him as He is. Though we already possess all of the eternal life we ever will, this great salvation of relationship has not yet been worked out through our soul and body. As we accept the responsibility to join God in relationship, valuing Him and appreciating everything that He is, He changes us into His image, according to His unique plans for us.
To know God we need an open mind, heart, and will. We also need a “need.” If we think we have all the answers, or are not open to having our beliefs challenged or changed, we have a closed-door to God in that area, regardless of how hard He may be knocking. What is from God will stand scrutiny, questioning and challenge; He wants us to challenge and test what we think we know. Does what you believe WORK? Is it setting you FREE? Are you experiencing HEALING and greater dependence and RELATIONSHIP with God?
What Knowing God is Not
It cannot necessarily be measured by what we’ve been taught by others. Much of what we’ve learned has just been passed along, never having been tried or tested on a personal or practical level.
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Develop your Warfare Skills. Recognize, prepare and engage in battle with your three enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil. Failing to engage in this battle surrenders that battlefront and makes you vulnerable in that area. Warfare is waged through depending on the Lord, but rest assured that this warfare is part of teaching us how to depend on Him and not on our own strength or understanding. The understanding of Practical Christianity as both Rest and Warfare can only be fully realized through experience.
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Be willing to be out of control. The more you get to know God personally and practically the more you will be willing to be out of control. This can be a scary thing, but the Lord knows this, and gives us exactly the training we need to be able to have confidence in Him based on experience. We find out He’s a really great God, that He’s trustworthy, and that depending on Him is fully satisfying and exciting.
What is Knowing God?
Knowing God is being in an intimate relationship with Him in all aspects of our being, spirit, soul and body. To know God we need an open mind, heart, and will. We also need a “need.” If we are not open to having our beliefs challenged or changed, we have a closed-door to God in that area, regardless of how hard He may be knocking.
God Wants Us to Know Him, And You Already Want to Know God
God is often misunderstood because we don’t know and understand why and how He does things. So we are unable to clearly hear His voice, understand His direction, or respond appropriately. Helping us to know and understand Him is high on His list, which should make it high on ours as well.
How Do We Know God? Do We "Grow" in God?
As we follow on to know Him, we will increase our awareness of His presence, involvement, and His character in our lives.
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KISS: Keep it Simple, Saint! The desire to make the Christian walk complicated or specialized, by depending on mental understanding of the scriptures or approval from others, is often merely an expression of the arrogance of our adamic soul trying to control God.
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Develop your Supernatural Senses. The more we depend on the Lord for Life, Guidance and for the meeting of all our needs, the more He tunes all of our senses to His wavelength.
-
Develop your Warfare Skills. Recognize, prepare and engage in battle with your enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil. Failing to engage surrenders that battlefront and makes you vulnerable. Practical Christianity as both Rest and Warfare can only be fully realized through experience.
-
Be willing to be out of control. The more you get to know God the more you will be willing to be out of control. We find out He’s a really great God, that He’s trustworthy, and that depending on Him is fully satisfying and exciting.
KNOWING GOD is simple, but it’s not easy. His Coming 2000 years ago removed every obstacle to our being able to enter into relationship, and every movement and revelation since has led each of us to this day, our opportunity to Know God, on His terms and in His time. Knowing God is being in an intimate relationship with Him in all aspects of our being, spirit, soul and body. As Believers, we already enjoy this relationship with God in our spirit. But in our soul and body we are still in the process of getting to know Him as He is. Though we already possess all the eternal life we ever will, this great relationship has not yet been worked out through our soul and body. As we accept the responsibility to join God in relationship, valuing Him and appreciating everything that He is, He changes us into His image, according to His unique plans for us.
-
Accept that God loves you as a unique individual, and wants what is best for you. Your value is not measured by what you can accomplish FOR Him, but by how much you depend ON Him. No comparisons are adequate to describe the satisfaction and contentment that awaits those who know their God.
-
KISS: Keep it Simple, Saint! The desire to make the Christian walk complicated or specialized, by depending on mental understanding of the scriptures or approval from others, is often merely an expression of the arrogance of our adamic soul trying to control God.
-
Develop your Supernatural Senses. The more we depend on the Lord for Life, Guidance and for the meeting of all our needs, the more He tunes all of our senses to His wavelength.
-
Develop your Warfare Skills. Recognize, prepare and engage in battle with your enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil. Failing to engage surrenders that battlefront and makes you vulnerable. Practical Christianity as both Rest and Warfare can only be fully realized through experience.
-
Be willing to be out of control. The more you get to know God the more you will be willing to be out of control. We find out He’s a really great God, that He’s trustworthy, and that depending on Him is fully satisfying and exciting.
KNOWING GOD is simple, but it’s not easy. His Coming 2000 years ago was to remove every obstacle to our being able to enter into relationship, and every movement and revelation since has led each of us to this day, our opportunity to Know God, on His terms and in His time. Our expectations, beliefs and even how we spend our time will all be challenged as we follow on to Know Him, but hearing His heartbeat, seeing Him face to face, now, is worth every effort and struggle He challenges us with.
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Don’t put off until another time the freedom, healing and responsibility God wants you to experience now. Discover God’s purpose for you now, in personal terms, then keep your focus on what He is doing in your life. Let Him be God, and you’ll get along pretty well.
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Acknowledge and submit to the sovereignty and jealous authority of God over your life. Let Him show you areas in your life where you are letting other people, or even your own beliefs, usurp the authority He has reserved for Himself.
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Accept that God loves you as a unique individual, and wants what is best for you. Your value is not measured by what you can accomplish FOR Him, but by how much you depend ON Him. No comparisons are adequate to describe the satisfaction and contentment that awaits those who know their God.
-
KISS: Keep it Simple, Saint! The desire to make the Christian walk complicated or specialized, by depending on mental understanding of the scriptures or approval from others, is often merely an expression of the arrogance of our adamic soul trying to control God.
-
Develop your Supernatural Senses. The more we depend on the Lord for Life, Guidance and for the meeting of all our needs, the more He tunes all of our senses to His wavelength.
-
Develop your Warfare Skills. Recognize, prepare and engage in battle with your enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil. Failing to engage surrenders that battlefront and makes you vulnerable. Practical Christianity as both Rest and Warfare can only be fully realized through experience.
-
Be willing to be out of control. The more you get to know God the more you will be willing to be out of control. We find out He’s a really great God, that He’s trustworthy, and that depending on Him is fully satisfying and exciting.
Here’s a quick summary of 10 things that we can do to join God in His purposes for us now:
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Be willing to change your beliefs. Question what you think you know, and let the Lord reveal His Truth.
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Embrace your True Identity: You have already agreed to everything God is doing in, to and through you, so don’t look for someone (including your self) to blame for the situation you’re in or the mistakes you’ve made in the past.
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Be objective about your temperament. Don’t use your temperament as either an excuse to get out of doing something or a means by which you accomplish something for yourself or for God.
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Don’t put off until another time the freedom, healing and responsibility God wants you to experience now. Discover God’s purpose for you now, in personal terms, then keep your focus on what He is doing in your life.
-
Acknowledge and submit to the sovereignty and jealous authority of God over your life. Let the Lord show you if there are areas in your life where you are letting other people, or even your own beliefs, usurp the authority He has reserved for Himself.
-
Accept that God loves you as a unique individual. Nothing outside of God can compare, so no comparisons are adequate to describe the satisfaction and contentment that awaits those who know their God.
-
KISS: Keep it Simple, Saint! The desire to make the Christian walk complicated or specialized is often merely an expression of the arrogance of our adamic soul trying to control God.
-
Develop your Supernatural Senses. The more we depend on the Lord, the more He tunes all of our senses to His wavelength.
-
Develop your Warfare Skills. Failing to engage in this battle surrenders that battlefront and makes you vulnerable in that area.
-
Be willing to be out of control. God gives us the training we need to be able to have confidence based on experience.
Joining God as He works out His purposes in our lives enables us to rest and abide with confidence. When we know we’re on God’s side, we know the result is guaranteed and will be satisfying for both us and God. We can face life’s guaranteed trials and tribulations with excitement, waiting to see what God is going to do, knowing all is under His loving control. And we can take responsibility over our own lives, knowing that God is aligning our desires, dreams, goals and aspirations with His.
Does What You Believe Work?
The more we embrace God’s purpose for this age, the more likely we are to enter into the rest and freedom which our spirit already enjoys. Here’s a quick summary of 10 things that we can do to join God in His purposes for us now:
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Be willing to change your beliefs. Question what you think you know, and let the Lord reveal His Truth.
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Embrace your True Identity: “I am a spirit, I have a soul and I live in a body.”
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Be objective about your temperament. Learn how to appreciate and submit to Him the unique way God put your soul together.
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Don’t put off until another time the freedom, healing and responsibility God wants you to experience now.
-
Acknowledge and submit to the sovereignty and jealous authority of God over your life.
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Accept that God loves you as a unique individual, and wants what is best for you. The more you depend on Him, the more your needs are met experientially and practically.
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KISS: Keep it Simple, Saint! You will become more and more free from the manipulations and entanglements of the present religious system.
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Develop your Supernatural Senses. The more we depend on the Lord for Life, Guidance and for the meeting of all our needs, the more He tunes all of our senses to His wavelength.
-
Develop your Warfare Skills.
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Be willing to be out of control.
God really only wants two things from us: our Time and our Attention. First, we show up for class. Second, we work on the assignments He gives us.
Persistence
We join in God’s purposes by sticking it out with Him. There will be many opportunities to settle for less, because good and better are always the greatest enemy of best. Saying “enough” to the Lord is rejecting His plan, and He deals quite precisely with us in these cases, often by giving us what we want — to be left alone. So commit yourself to enduring to the end, and don’t settle for less than the absolute freedom and wholeness God intends for you.
Patient Purposefulness
Joining God as He works out His purposes in our lives enables us to rest and abide with confidence. When we know we’re on God’s side, we know the result is guaranteed and will be satisfying for both us and God, though it may be a hidden thing. We can face life’s guaranteed trials and tribulations with excitement, waiting to see what God is going to do, knowing that all is under His loving control. And we can step up to the plate of our own lives, knowing that God is aligning our desires, dreams, goals and aspirations with His.
Does What You Believe Work?
Christianity is a personal relationship with a Personal God.
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Be willing to change your beliefs.
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Embrace your True Identity: “I am a spirit, I have a soul and I live in a body.”
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Be objective about your temperament.
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Don’t delay your healing.
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Acknowledge and submit to the authority of God over your life.
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Accept that God loves you as a unique individual, and wants what is best for you.
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KISS: Keep it Simple, Saint!
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Develop your Supernatural Senses.
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Develop your Warfare Skills.
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Be willing to be out of control.
God’s Purpose Now: God Teaches Us How To Walk In Freedom
God’s purpose is to teach us in practical terms how to walk in this life in freedom from the influence of the world, our flesh and the devil.
What Hinders God’s Purpose Now?
Nothing! He will not let anything — our mind, our will or our emotions — stand in His way! Our soul, even our will, is not stronger than God.
How Do We Join God In Accomplishing His Purpose?
Learning to walk in the Spirit is not as hard as it is sometimes made out to be if we remember that God is the one doing the teaching. God Himself is providing everything we need to join Him in His purposes now.
Time and Attention
So is there anything we can do? First, we show up for class. This is sometimes so simple we forget to do it. God really only wants two things from us: our Time and our Attention. We usually don’t grumble (too much) when others make a claim on them, but somehow, perhaps because we don’t see a quick response, we have a hard time giving our time and attention to God. Second, we work on the assignments He gives us. This involves knowing what His ultimate agenda is.
Persistence
We also join in God’s purposes by sticking it out with Him. There will be many opportunities to settle for less, because good and better are always the greatest enemy of best.
Patient Purposefulness
Joining God as He works out His purposes in our lives enables us to rest and abide with confidence. When we know we’re on God’s side, we know the result is guaranteed and will be satisfying for both us and God, though it may be a hidden thing. We can face life’s guaranteed trials and tribulations with excitement, waiting to see what God is going to do, knowing that all is under His loving control.
Removing our flesh is His job, not ours, and He is always working on this. Our flesh is the only thing that truly stands in the way of our resting and relaxing in our new identity, and it is the only thing that interferes with God’s life working in and through us. He’s got His own time-table, and we can rest assured that He’s working on what’s most important to Him, though it may not be what we want Him to be working on. It’s also reassuring to know that by the time He makes us aware of an aspect of the flesh He’s working to consume, the vast majority has already been dealt with, so we’re involved only in the bonfire of victory.
God’s Purpose Now: God Teaches Us How To Walk In Freedom
God’s purpose is to teach us to walk in freedom from the influence of the world, our flesh and the devil. That doesn’t mean that He removes us from their influence, or that He removes them from this earthly realm. It does mean that as we learn to walk in confident victory day-by-day we become impervious to their influence, like brushing the dirt off of our shoes.
What Hinders God’s Purpose Now?
Nothing! He will not let anything stand in His way! Our soul, even our will, is not stronger than God. Who we truly are — spirit — has already given God permission to do whatever He wants to do, and is actively cooperating with God’s dealings in our lives. So even when we want Him to stop, or are feeling like we can’t go on, it is just our soul resisting change.
How Do We Join God In Accomplishing His Purpose?
Learning to walk in the Spirit is not as hard as it is sometimes made out to be if we remember that God is the one doing the teaching. If it were up to us to learn, we’d be hopeless. But God Himself is providing everything we need to join Him in His purposes now.
God Gives Himself
God’s purpose now is to give Himself to us and through us. Since this is His nature, and it will not change, receiving what He wants to give is something we’d better get good at. From our perspective, this giving is evidenced by His meeting our needs for unconditional love, acceptance and individual value. There is no limit to His meeting of these needs, and He shows no partiality in the way that He meets them. In other words, He doesn’t meet our need for unconditional love more than He meets our need for unconditional acceptance or individual significance. Love without acceptance is meaningless, as is acceptance without the recognition of a person’s individuality.
God Reveals Himself
Each of us needs to have our senses tuned to His wavelength, so we can recognize Him and learn to know Him on His terms. Though God often manifests Himself to our natural senses, and enjoys doing so, He is always manifesting Himself spiritually — in the spiritual realm, His Spirit to our spirit — and desires to make Himself known, to manifest Himself, more and more clearly on the supernatural level. But this requires ears that hear and eyes that see on our part, so that we don’t insist that He only reveal Himself to our natural senses. As we become trustworthy, and pursue Him with expectation and persistence, we will come to a place where whatever He is doing or saying, He can share it with us.
God Directs Us
God wants to reveal Himself to us in part so that He can direct us. Very often we want to be led by Him, following after Him, but as we grow to depend on Him, more and more He wants to point out the way, then move with us as we proceed. This may seem contradictory to walking in dependence, but what actually happens is that our confidence in our resting and abiding deepens.
Part of the process of bringing us into relationship with Him is that He brings to the surface the sources and foundations of what we believe, often by putting us into situations where those beliefs are tested. Since none of us has all the truth, at least some of what each of us believes is a lie. We need to be willing to change our mind, to submit what we believe to scru-tiny, realizing that what is Truth will stand up under inspection. It is not faith in what we believe that is important, but faith in the living Person of Jesus Himself.
Religion also hampers our fulfillment of our purpose now through those we have placed in authority over us. We often subtly believe that making our leaders happy also makes God happy. Well, first, God is not depending on us or anyone else to make Him happy. Second, our relationship with God is between Him and us and no one else. This gives God and us the only authority over that relationship, and everything that springs from it. If you want to get along with God, stay out of His chair — and don’t let anyone else sit in it either! God is a jealous God, so don’t give others the authority over your spiritual life and walk that God has reserved for Himself.
The object of appropriate doctrinal teaching is not knowing, but coming freely and unencumbered — “as is.” The truth we learn is to bring us to Him, and until we commit ourselves to the implication of that truth, we haven’t learned, even if we pass every so-called test. The true test is whether we come.
Dependence Overcomes Hindrances
We often get bogged down trying to battle these hindrances ourselves. And it is here that we usually spend most of our time. But God will not let us overcome these in our own strength. Remember, though, that God loves us and has everything under control, and is working out every circumstance in our lives to bring us into the fulfillment of these purposes.
Knowing God is what we are made for; or more accurately, what we are re-made for. It is only when we continue to try to know Him on our terms, continue to do things our way, that we come to believe we can't hear Him consistently on this earth.
But God’s purpose for us now is to be in a knowing, experiential relationship with Him, and He will not let anything stand in His way. Yet if we don’t know how to know Him, we are easily distracted and deceived into settling for less than His best. First, settle it that, Yes, you do want to know Him . . . but we need our senses tuned to recognize Him, and the flesh or self doesn’t want to die! So there will be some changes that we will be actively involved in — initiated, worked into and completed by God — in order for us to truly know Him the way He wants to be known.
Intimacy with God is a pure gift — it cannot be earned or maintained by obedience or anything else, for that matter. It was given to us at the Resurrection 2000 years ago. Now we know Him from two perspectives; 1) we take the initiative in knowing God by waiting for Him; and 2) we become increasingly aware and responsive toward God as He approaches us. He is always talking to us, revealing Himself to us. We just need to have our senses tuned to Him and then not settle for what others have experienced or say is “knowing” Him.
Religion Hinders Our Purpose Now
Our preconceived religious beliefs are some of our greatest hindrances. Generally speaking we “catch” our doctrines, our beliefs from what we hear and what we read, not necessarily from what the Lord Himself has revealed to us. So part of the process of bringing us into relationship with Him is that He brings to the surface the sources and foundations of what we believe, often by putting us into situations where those beliefs are tested.
We are learning to resist the peer pressure that is so prevalent in this present age. How easy it is to settle for less — we compare ourselves with those who are close to us or those in leadership positions, and by doing so subtly affirm their lives or teachings as our standards. God values us now “as is,” and expects us to value ourselves on the same basis. It doesn’t depend on what we have accomplished in the past or what we may accomplish in the future.
As citizens of the kingdom, we walk in this world, though we do not use its resources to get our needs met, but bring to this world the riches of His Kingdom. We minister to the world because we have received from outside of it. We spend most of our lives trying to make life easier for ourselves, but Jesus said in this world we WILL have tribulation.
Not Knowing How To Know God Hinders Our Purpose Now
God’s purpose for us now is to be in a knowing, experiential relationship with Him, and He will not let anything stand in His way. Yet if we don’t know how to know Him, we are easily distracted and deceived into settling for less than His best. First, settle it that, Yes, you do want to know Him . . . but we need our senses tuned to recognize Him, and the flesh or self doesn’t want to die! So there will be some changes that we will be actively involved in for us to truly know Him the way He wants to be known.
Religion Hinders Our Purpose Now
Religion also hampers our fulfillment of our purpose now through those we have placed in authority over us. We often subtly believe that making our leaders happy also makes God happy. Don’t let others establish standards for pleasing God, or give in to others’ expectations of service or conditions of salvation. God is a jealous God, so don’t give others the authority over your spiritual life and walk that God has reserved for Himself.
We are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy where we have unhealed wounds and are therefore walking after the flesh in that area. Where we believe a lie, the enemy has a legal right to interfere in our lives.
Overcoming the enemy does not mean we will stop being vulnerable to temptation. Being tempted does not mean anything — Jesus was in all ways tempted as we are. It’s when we ascribe meaning to that temptation that we enter deception. Even after Jesus persevered through 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness, even after Jesus triumphed over him, did Satan just give up? Hardly. The same will happen to us. In the spiritual realm Satan and his buddies have no influence or position. In the supernatural/soulical realm, they continue to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives by provoking our flesh, showing us where we have wounds so they can be healed. Then his involvement in our lives gives us an opportunity to learn to rule and reign in this lifetime spiritually, soulically and naturally, over the already-conquered one.
The World System Hinders Our Purpose Now
The World System includes time, death, decay, peer pressure, success, busy-ness, circumstances, status, physical needs, social structure/class structure and over-commitment. There is a power in the world system that comes from the primary curse. There is also a wisdom of this world; the children of this world are wiser than the children of the Kingdom.
Not Knowing How To Know God Hinders Our Purpose Now
Intimacy with God is a pure gift — It was given to us at the Resurrection 2000 years ago.
Religion Hinders Our Purpose Now
Our preconceived religious beliefs are some of our greatest hindrances. He brings to the surface their sources and foundations by putting us into situations where those beliefs are tested.
The goal of flesh is to control, so as God brings healing into our lives, and we begin to enter into His rest and freedom, we more and more find ourselves giving up control to God. So any changes He makes can be, if not understood, at least endured.
Unhealed Wounds Hinder Our Purpose Now
Unhealed wounds are places in our soul where our needs have not been met in the past, so that we are now believing a lie. The most common wound is rejection. We are all rejected on a regular basis and will continue to be while we are here on this earth. So the issue is not how to prevent rejection, how to prevent being wounded, but how to go to the Father to get healed, as Jesus Himself learned to do.
Misunderstanding the dynamics of the wounding process will divert us into one of two tracks: 1) we will become distracted by our woundedness, putting all our energy into getting ourselves healed and avoiding being rejected again, or 2) denying that we have been or are being wounded, we will either stuff the hurt and rejection or hide behind activity so that we don’t have to deal with the hurt or be vulnerable to additional rejection.
The Enemy Hinders Our Purpose Now
We are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy where we have unhealed wounds and are therefore walking after the flesh in that area. Where we believe a lie, the enemy has a legal right to interfere in our lives. Overcoming the enemy does not mean we will stop being vulnerable to temptation. Being tempted does not mean anything — Jesus was in all ways tempted as we are. It’s when we ascribe meaning to that temptation that we enter deception.
The World System Hinders Our Purpose Now
There is a power in the world system that comes from the primary curse. There is also a wisdom of this world; the children of this world are wiser than the children of the Kingdom.
Flesh is getting our God-given needs met outside of dependence on God alone. If we don’t understand what our personal flesh patterns are, and how flesh develops, it will continue to develop and interfere with the learning process. Before our nature was exchanged at the cross, the only resource we had available to get our needs met was the flesh, also called our “self” and the “self-life.” Flesh perpetuates our misconceptions, especially telling us that if we really give in to God, bad things will happen. Though we may know differently, we’ll often feel that it might be true. As we begin to understand our new nature, and that all of our needs are met already, we will cooperate with God as He consumes our flesh.
Wanting To Maintain Control Hinders Our Purpose Now
The goal of flesh is to control, so as God brings healing into our lives, and we begin to enter into His rest and freedom, we more and more find ourselves giving up control to God. We all find it hard to change, however, because change means having to deal with something new. So flesh comes along and gives us a reason to resist change, or to want to control how we are changed. This is normal, though the Lord will deal with this in His time as well.
Unhealed Wounds Hinder Our Purpose Now
Unhealed wounds are places in our soul where our needs have not been met in the past, so that we are now believing a lie. We can receive wounds both before we become believers and even after, if we don’t depend on God to meet our needs in a particular area. The most common wound is rejection. We are all rejected on a regular basis and will continue to be while we are here on this earth. So the issue is not how to prevent rejection, how to prevent being wounded, but how to go to the Father to get healed, as Jesus Himself learned to do.
We often live according to the belief that our temperament is who or what we are. But our temperament, the way God put our soul together, is not the basis upon which He evaluates us. In fact, most often our temperament, because of our misbeliefs, is our greatest hindrance because it provides a means to excuse the flesh. Our goal for freedom is not so that our temperament can be free, but so that He can be free, unhindered by our temperament. Before our soul (our temperament) can be fully available for the Lord to flow through, it must become unencumbered by the flesh.
Not Understanding How God Uses Circumstances Hinders Our Purpose Now
If your watch stopped, yet you still went by it because you didn’t know it had stopped, you would be believing a lie, you just wouldn’t know it. You’d start showing up late for things, and that’s how you’d find out your watch had stopped, that you were believing a lie. Likewise, God often allows things to go wrong in our lives, to reveal that what we are believing is a lie. If we don’t understand this, and then learn to listen for His voice, to see His hand in every circumstance of our lives, we miss out on learning to know Him in the practical areas of our lives.
Our Flesh Hinders Our Purpose Now
Flesh is getting our God-given needs met outside of dependence on God alone. If we don’t understand what our personal flesh patterns are, and how flesh develops, it will continue to develop and interfere with the learning process. As we begin to understand our new nature, and that all of our needs are met already, we will cooperate with God as He consumes our flesh.
Wanting To Maintain Control Hinders Our Purpose Now
The goal of flesh is to control, so as God brings healing into our lives, and we begin to enter into His rest and freedom, we more and more find ourselves giving up control to God.
Misconceptions About Who We Are, Who God Is and What He Is Doing Hinder Our Purpose Now
Do you know why you believe what you believe? Beliefs are caught, not taught, and we are often not aware that much of what we believe contradicts something else we believe. God wants us to know His ways, how He does things, how He feels about us, and how He works on our behalf. Taking another’s explanation for this hinders God from revealing the truth to us directly.
Knowing Ourselves According To Our Temperament Hinders Our Purpose Now
We often live according to the belief that our temperament is who or what we are. But our temperament, the way God put our soul together, is not the basis upon which He evaluates us. In fact, most often our temperament, because of our misbeliefs, is our greatest hindrance because it provides a means to excuse the flesh. Our goal for freedom is not so that our temperament can be free, but so that He can be free, unhindered by our temperament. Before our soul (our temperament) can be fully available for the Lord to flow through, it must become unencumbered by the flesh.
Not Understanding How God Uses Circumstances Hinders Our Purpose Now
God often allows things to go wrong in our lives to reveal that what we are believing is a lie. If we don’t understand this, and then learn to listen for His voice, we miss out on learning to know Him in the practical areas of our lives.
Our Flesh Hinders Our Purpose Now
Flesh is getting our God-given needs met outside of dependence on God alone. If we don’t understand what our personal flesh patterns are, and how flesh develops, it will continue to develop and interfere with the learning process. As we begin to understand our new nature, and that all of our needs are met already, we will cooperate with God as He consumes our flesh.
Well, yes and no. We can learn to actively rest. To get to that state of rest, God will teach us how to truly repent, renew our minds and submit our beliefs, until we believe what He says about us. We will then trust Him because we have experienced His love for us, not because of the strength or nature of our beliefs.
His life in us becomes our reality. We become blind to our surroundings and our own desires, and deaf to the cries of the needs within and the needy without, to the point that all we know is what He tells us, and only respond to His will, joyfully and with His power and authority. This will require turning a deaf ear, and shutting our eyes to what we have learned about God and how we fit into what He is doing.
Our thinking, feeling and choosing all need to be reconciled, brought into alignment, with the Truth — what God says is true. Just because you believe something is true doesn’t make it true. Test it! A fact is anything someone can get you to believe. What is from God will stand up to all scrutiny. We must learn to trust the Lord to lead us into all truth more than we trust the world, the flesh and the devil to lead us into deception.
Misconceptions About Who We Are, Who God Is and What He Is Doing Hinder Our Purpose Now
Do you know why you believe what you believe? God wants us to know His ways, how He does things, how He feels about us, and how He works on our behalf. Taking another’s explanation for this hinders God from revealing the truth to us directly.
Knowing Ourselves According To Our Temperament Hinders Our Purpose Now
Our temperament, the way God put our soul together, is not the basis upon which He evaluates us. Our goal for freedom is not so that our temperament can be free, but so that He can be free, unhindered by our temperament.
Our purpose now is to know God on His terms and in His timing. This may sound simplistic, yet we often struggle with that very simplicity; man loves to make complex what God has made simple. By making “knowing God” harder than it is, we often rob God of the opportunity to reveal Himself. Knowing God is His idea, and it is His responsibility to make Himself real to each one of us. He teaches us, and we learn.
What Does Knowing God Look Like?
Since we already completely and perfectly know God in our spirit, it is only in our soul (mind, will and emotions) and in our body that the learning to know Him is taking place. This learning is three-fold: 1) learning how to go to Him to get healed (soulically and physically), 2) learning how He exposes our flesh, so He can consume it, and 3) learning to rest in and enjoy our present relationship with Him. Every circumstance in our lives contributes to these three activities. Our purpose now is not to “do” these three things, but to depend on God to do them in and through us. The Lord will prove His trustworthiness and lovingkindness as we allow Him to work in and through us. How and when we are changed is His responsibility.
If Change is God’s Responsibility, Is There Anything WE Do?
The best we can do is be still and learn to know Him. To get to that state of rest, God will teach us how to truly repent, renew our minds and submit our beliefs, until we believe what He says about us. We will then trust Him because we have experienced His love for us, not because of the strength or nature of our beliefs. His life in us becomes our reality. We become blind to our surroundings and our own desires, and deaf to the cries of the needs within and the needy without, to the point that all we know is what He tells us, and only respond to His will, joyfully and with His power and authority. What is from God will stand up to all scrutiny.
God does want us to know how we are doing, so He will often give us tokens of accomplishment or graduation appropriate to what we have overcome. He knows we need encouragement, and does what He needs to in order to keep us coming to Him for that encouragement. You know you’ve overcome in an area, or achieved a goal, not because it’s finished or a deadline met, but because you can rest in dependence in that area.
What Is Our Purpose Now?
If Success is simply actively depending on God to live His life in and through us, on His terms, what are we here for? What is our purpose? What are we doing here on earth?
Our purpose, our job now is to know God on His terms and in His timing. Though this may sound simplistic, we often struggle with that very simplicity; man loves to make complex what God has made simple. By making “knowing God” harder than it is, we often rob God of the opportunity to reveal Himself. Knowing God is His idea! So it is His responsibility to make Himself real to each one of us. He teaches us, and we learn — to live and move and have our being in Him.
What Does Knowing God Look Like?
Success, knowing God, will outwardly look different for each of us at different times. Since we already completely and perfectly know God in our spirit, it is only in our soul (mind, will and emotions) and in our body that the learning to know Him is taking place. This learning is three-fold: 1) learning how to go to Him to get healed (soulically and physically), 2) learning how He exposes our flesh, so He can consume it, and 3) learning to rest in and enjoy our present relationship with Him. Every circumstance in our lives contributes to these three activities. Our purpose now is not to “do” these three things, but to depend on God to do them in and through us.
Unfortunately, in many, if not most cases, Christian role models in leadership positions or public ministry are either not exemplifying dependence on the Father, or they have isolated themselves from the people in such a way that wereally don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. It’s interesting that it took Jesus 30 years to learn and practice being dependent on His Father in private in order to minister publicly for three and a half years.
As we truly learn how to depend on the Father, we want to also be aware that there will likely come a time when we will be used as a role model in some capacity. We just don’t want a public ministry to be our measure of success.
When you recognize the peace, rest and confidence that comes from dependence on the Father, don’t be shy about asking how to do it. If a person is truly depending on God, His nature is flowing to and through him. Since God’s nature is, basically, to give, anyone depending on Him will be willing to mentor and instruct on how to enjoy the freedom that comes with this relationship.
How Can I Judge How I’m Doing? If I’m Successful? If I’m On the Right Track?
God doesn’t want us to wait until we die to find out if He’s going to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” I mean, it’d be a little late, wouldn’t it? So how can we know how we’re doing now? Ask the Judge.
God does want us to know how we are doing, so He will often give us tokens of accomplishment or graduation appropriate to what we have overcome. He knows we need encouragement.
While we are here on this earth our battlefields consist of overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil. You know you’ve overcome in an area, or achieved a goal, not because it’s finished or a deadline met, but because you can rest in dependence in that area.
The Kingdom of God is entered, not built. His work is complete. Our spiritual walk and work is complete in Him. So where is the activity and change? In the soulical realm, with the physical following after. Our goal is to enter into His rest, not to become more productive, build His Kingdom, or even to make disciples of all nations (remember Jesus didn’t send out everyone, only those who had first come to Him, and had learned dependence on His Father).
So recognizing success will be a private thing, centering around a restful dependence. That’s not to say that a successful Christian walk is passive; far from it. It’s just active in a different way. Jesus’s walk on earth was the perfect example of a dependent life, yet the last thing we would say was that He was passive. But His motivation to act, His ability, His power all came through His depending on His Father.
Where Are the Role Models of Success?
One of the ways we are motivated is by wanting to be like someone we admire. We recognize someone’s positive traits or that they have achieved certain goals that are appealing to us. So we reason that if we can do what they do we can also achieve similar goals or traits. This is a normal expectation; Christians should be able to identify role models that exemplify dependence on the Father. This is one of the reasons Jesus came in the flesh, and dwelt among us. And Paul encouraged his readers to follow him as he followed Christ; to examine his life, to see where he was depending on his God. As we truly learn how to depend on the Father, we want to also be aware that there will likely come a time when we will be used as a role model in some capacity. We just don’t want a public ministry to be our measure of success.
In familiar terms, the outward evidence of a successful Christian walk will be love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. But what these look like will vary from person to person, often depending on what particular circumstance God has placed a person in at a particular time, and what is being dealt with. So a person could appear to be depressed, anxious, angry or may have just failed at a job and yet be successful — because he is not relying on his own strength to deal with these things, but on the Lord. This is an incredible mind-shift for many of us, but one that needs to be made, since our basis for success often drives us away from the very thing that provides true success, thus making us vulnerable to manipulation from leaders, vulnerable to attack from the enemy, and at the mercy of our flesh. We need to be careful when judging either ourselves or others as to what success looks like.
Having said this, we can look at the example of Jesus Himself to see what His success looked like to others. Somehow He stirred an entire nation with His words and His actions. What did it look like? Jesus said that if they had seen Him, they had seen His Father. What did it sound like? Jesus said that He spoke only those things that He had received of His Father. So what is the standard of success we want to look for? Do our actions and words reflect our Father, His Nature? Do our actions and words reflect contentment, wholeness and dependence on our Father alone?
How Can I Recognize Success?
The Kingdom of God is entered, not built. His work is complete. Our spiritual walk and work is complete in Him. So where is the activity and change? In the soulical realm, with the physical following after. Our goal is to enter His rest, not to become more productive, build His Kingdom, or make disciples of all nations.
For many of us this is a pivotal question, since our motivation is often based on how we think we’re doing in terms of how successful we are. We want to know how we compare, if we’re meeting some standard. Worldly success is measured in terms of what is produced, accomplished, or in terms of recognition. Or in achieving and maintaining certain personal goals.
For Christians, success is simply actively depending on God to live His life in and through us, on His terms. Success is our true nature working its way out into our soul and body in His time. Success is not about our spiritual relationship with God, but about our soulical and natural walk for our time here on earth.
What Does Success Look Like?
The outward evidence of a successful Christian walk will be love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. But what these look like will vary from person to person, often depending on what particular circumstance God has placed a person in at a particular time, and what is being dealt with. So a person could appear to be depressed, anxious, angry or may have just failed at a job and yet be successful — because he is not relying on his own strength to deal with these things, but on the Lord. We need to be careful when judging either ourselves or others as to what success looks like.
Having said this, we can look at the example of Jesus Himself. Somehow He stirred an entire nation with His words and His actions. Do our actions and words reflect contentment, wholeness and dependence on our Father alone? What this specifically will look like will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis, but as our soulical senses are tuned, we will learn to recognize those who are walking in this dependence, as well as recognize it in ourselves. Those that have eyes and ears quickened will see and hear.
God wants us to know where He’s taking us. He wants us to have personal goals, worked out between us and Him. And He wants us to know when we’ve achieved them. Along with this, He wants us to know what our limitations are, and abide by them until He changes them. What God has purposed for someone else may not be something He wants us to be concerned with.
Practical Christianity is Customized
Practical Christianity is clear and specific for each of us as individuals at a particular time and place. One of the ways we can recognize religious manipulation is when we are instructed, whether by something we read, hear or think, to do something that does not have clear boundaries.
Then What?
When we recognize that check from Him, how do we respond? Simply, “Lord, is this true? What does this mean for me? Is this something you want me to be paying attention to? How do You want me to respond?” He is faithful to answer these questions, often by bringing some circumstance to our mind and showing us how it fits, if the teaching is indeed grace-based. The more we depend on Him for His leading and direction, the more rest we will enjoy and the more flesh He will consume. If He doesn’t respond, it probably wasn’t from Him, it wasn’t for you, or the timing wasn’t right.
For Christians, What is Success?
For many of us this is a pivotal question, since our motivation is often based on how we think we’re doing in terms of how successful we are. We want to know how we compare, if we’re meeting some standard. Worldly success is measured in terms of what is produced or accomplished, or in terms of recognition. But for Christians, success is simply actively depending on God to live His life in and through us, on His terms. Success is our true nature working its way out into our soul and body in His time.
When we talk about Practical Christianity, we’re talking about knowing how God works in our lives in ways in which we can cooperate with Him on a day-to-day basis in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Practical Christianity is about our relationship with God, with the Holy Spirit, with Jesus and with the Father. We want to know how to relate, and then do it.
Practical Christianity is Not Just Theory
God wants us to know Him in reality, acting on, testing and proving the teachings and doctrines we are exposed to. If it doesn’t “work,” we are to pursue God until we find something that does. God wants us to understand Him and His ways. What is from Him will stand up to scrutiny, and will bring us into a dependent relationship with Him.
Practical Christianity is Practicable
There are things we can do objectively, not depending on others’ approval or direction, that will bring measurable results. God doesn’t want us to be wondering how we’re doing, what He thinks about us, or if we’re pleasing Him. He wants us to know — in reality — what to do and how to be. And since we’re free to make mistakes, we can practice what He’s teaching us as much as is necessary. In a way, we will be “practicing” our relationship with God for as long as we are here on this earth, in much the same way as doctors “practice” medicine. Though we attain certain skills, there will always be another area to explore, since God Himself is never-ending, and is always creating new experiences for us to share with Him.
God also wants us to know where He’s taking us. He wants us to have personal goals, worked out between us and Him. And He wants us to know when we’ve achieved them. Along with this, He wants us to know what our limitations are, and abide by them until He changes them.
In the Age of Knowledge, God wanted man to become aware of his need for God. In the Age of Grace, God wants man to have that need met. In the Age to come, God wants man to learn to live in dependence and freedom, without any constraints from the law, and all that that means, by first starting to rule and reign over our selves.
Practical Christianity
We’re talking about knowing how God works in our lives in ways in which we can cooperate with Him on a day-to-day basis in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Practical Christianity is about our relationship with God, with the Holy Spirit, with Jesus and with the Father. We want to know how to relate, and then do it.
Practical Christianity is Practicable
There are things we can do objectively, not depending on others’ approval or direction, that will bring measurable results. God doesn’t want us to be wondering how we’re doing, what He thinks about us, or if we’re pleasing Him. He wants us to know — in reality — what to do and how to be. And since we’re free to make mistakes, we can practice what He’s teaching us as much as is necessary. We will be “practicing” our relationship with God for as long as we are here on this earth. Though we attain certain skills, there will always be another area to explore, since God Himself is never-ending, and is always creating new experiences for us to share with Him.
God also wants us to know where He’s taking us. He wants us to have personal goals, worked out between us and Him. And He wants us to know when we’ve achieved them. Along with this, He wants us to know what our limitations are, and abide by them until He changes them. What God has purposed for someone else may not be for us at all.
Imagine yourself standing outside Lazarus's tomb, and Jesus has just arrived. Lazarus has been dead for 3 days now, and “he stinketh.” What does Jesus have to do in order to raise Lazarus from the dead? If Jesus only restored his life, Lazarus would still have pneumonia, and would simply die again. And if Jesus only healed the pneumonia, Lazarus would be nothing more than a pneumonia-free corpse. Jesus did both. He removed what caused Lazarus’s death, he removed the pneumonia, and gave him life, got his heart pumping again. He does the same for us: at His Crucifixion Jesus removed what causes us death — our inherited sin nature; at His Resurrection He gave us new life, His own.
Time On Our Hands?
In the Age of Knowledge, God wanted man to become aware of his need for God. In the Age of Grace, God wants man to have that need met. In the Age to come, God wants man to learn to live in dependence and freedom, without any constraints from the law, and all that that means, by first starting to rule and reign over our selves.
There are really only two things we can give to God: Time and Attention. And even these He has to reveal and make us able to relinquish to Him. It is because our time and attention are so valuable to God that they are also the battleground where we fight the world, the flesh and the devil. We feel the pressure to be producing more now, to prove our spirituality, to earn, gain and keep the blessing and gifts God has given to us. Ask the Lord to reveal to you any area where you are spending too much or too little time. Then depend on Him to make through you whatever changes may be necessary to make the most of the time you have. Remember, God has so much time on His hands that He is spending every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day doing nothing but thinking, and planning, arranging and rejoicing over every circumstance in your past, present and future.
Finding out and finally believing who and what we are in Christ doesn’t suddenly make it true; because we are born into His family we have all the benefits that go along with it, not because we believe it, but because it’s true. So if you are a believer you are living in a new time zone, a new realm, eternity, whether you believe it or not. The battle is to believe it; the behavior will follow.
The Example of Lazarus
We are probably all familiar with the story of Lazarus, Jesus’s friend who died. Imagine yourself standing outside the tomb, and Jesus has just arrived. Lazarus has been dead for 3 days now, and “he stinketh.” Now Lazarus died of something; for the sake of our illustration let’s say it was pneumonia. It could have been he had had an accident and had broken his neck, but for now, let’s say he died of pneumonia, and has been entombed. What does Jesus have to do in order to raise Lazarus from the dead? He has to restore his life (get his heart beating and his brain functioning again, etc.) and heal what caused his death. If Jesus only restored his life, Lazarus would still have pneumonia, and would simply die again. And if Jesus only healed the pneumonia, Lazarus would be nothing more than a pneumonia-free corpse. So Jesus did both. He removed what caused Lazarus’s death, he removed the pneumonia, and gave him life, got his heart pumping again. He does the same for us: at His Crucifixion Jesus removed what causes us death — our inherited sin nature; at His Resurrection He gave us new life, His own.
Time On Our Hands?
God created time, He controls it, and does whatever He wants with it. In fact, He has so much time on His hands that He is spending every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day doing nothing but thinking, and planning, arranging and rejoicing over every circumstance in your past, present and future.
The old covenant was like a marriage covenant. These days we include the phrase “till death do us part” in wedding ceremonies; it was the same thought in Paul’s day as well. The idea was that if either the husband or wife died, the remaining spouse was free to re-marry. Death ended the contract, or covenant, leaving the door open for either entering into a new contract or none at all, remaining free from contractual obligations.
In Adam, we are all born “married” to the law. The law is still in effect for those born into it. So someone in the marriage covenant has to die in order for the new relationship to be instituted. How did God handle this? Since the law was still in effect, and someone in the relationship had to die, God killed US!
In the spiritual realm, where eternity supersedes time, God takes us out of the time zone that we live in today, places us back onto the body of Jesus Christ as He is being crucified, and we die with Him, are buried with Him, and resurrected with Him as He is resurrected.
The Example of Lazarus
Imagine yourself standing outside the tomb, and Jesus has just arrived. Lazarus has been dead for 3 days now, and “he stinketh.” Lazarus died of something; for the sake of our illustration let’s say it was pneumonia. It could have been he had had an accident and had broken his neck, or any of a number of things. But for now, let’s say he died of pneumonia, and has been entombed. What does Jesus have to do in order to raise Lazarus from the dead? Actually there are two things: He has to restore his physical life and heal what caused his death.
Time On Our Hands?
There are really only two things we can give to God: Time and Attention. It is because our time and attention are so valuable to God that they are also the battleground where we fight the world, the flesh and the devil.