30 for 30 RESET – Day 3

Gatheringplace   -   September 3, 2024

“The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” Isaiah 50:4 NIV

Hearing from God is a very personal thing. He is a very personal God. And He will speak to you in a way that you will understand.

The phrase, “Hearing from God” or, “God spoke to me” can really trip some people up. They interpret that to mean that everybody is constantly hearing the audible voice of God, except for them. Or that others have a hotline to God and hear Him as clearly, and as regularly as if He were sitting on the couch right next to them. This is misleading.

God’s voice is usually very subtle. He speaks mainly through revelation. What do I mean by that?

Paul says this in his letter to the Ephesian church:

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV

God primarily “speaks” to us through “illumination”. He illuminates a Scripture while you are reading it. It makes an impact on you. You “see” something you’ve never seen before. It “speaks” to you.

Or you may hear something in a conversation with someone during the day, then later you read a Scripture that says the same thing. Often, God will confirm what He is “saying” to you through two or three different sources:

“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”
2 Corinthians 13:1b NKJ

God will communicate with you through:

  • Thoughts in your mind that are either very strong or that have a boatload more wisdom than you possess.
  • Conversations you have with others
  • Prophecy: Someone sharing something they believe God wants them to tell you
  • Illumination of Scripture
  • Romans 1 says that nature itself proves there is a God. God will speak to you through it.
  • Impressions in your heart. You may just feel His heart, or a subtle, or not-so-subtle “witness”. Think John 3:7-8; Romans 8:14
  • Dreams, visions, signs, and wonders
  • Through whatever, whomever, and however He wants to “speak” to you.

Be open to how God may want to communicate with you. He LOVES to “speak” to you. Stay open. Stay aware. Look for Him. Expect to “hear” from Him.

God will “open” your spiritual ears to “hear” Him as you continue to seek Him.

John

QUICK TIP ON HOW TO SPEND 30 MINUTES WITH GOD (REMEMBER: This 30 for 30 is a tool to help you, not a rule to shame you. Just do your best and let God do the rest.)

“Upward, Inward, and Outward”

  1. Upward: Get quiet. Settle down. Begin to thank God for Who He is – patient, kind, merciful. A God Who forgives sins – Who has forgiven your sins, A God Who cares, Who listens to your prayers, a miracle working God. (There are many other attributes you can thank Him for. Go HERE for a prayer guide as well as a list of God’s names that will help you thank Him for Who He is)
  2. Inward: Read a chapter in the Bible. I would suggest one Psalm per day. Start with Psalm 1 and go from there. Or read one chapter of Proverbs per day. Start with Proverbs 1 and go from there. And as you read, stop, and think about what it is saying. Take your time (even if you don’t get through an entire chapter – it’s okay!). Ask God to speak to you through it.

A deeper dive: For those of you who would like to read the Bible in a year, here is a fantastic way to do it. It will take more than 30 minutes per day, but it will be well worth it. It not only gives you a reading plan but each day there is a short, very well-produced video explaining what you are about to read. Go HERE for your one year through the Bible reading plan.

  1. Outward: Ask God to show you how He can use you to reach those around you. Then begin to pray specifically for individuals. Pray for your family members, your boss, co-workers, classmates, friends, your church, its members, its mission, and its leadership. Pray for our city and our nation – that God would rule and reign in every mountain of influence, raising up leaders who fear Him: Church, Family, Government, Education, Media, Entertainment/Arts, and Business. You won’t be able to get to everything in 30 minutes, but that’s okay, just pick an area or two per day.

PRAYER POINTS:

Personal:

  • Closeness with God
  • Deeper devotion to Christ
  • Renewed vision
  • Renewed passion
  • Strength
  • Joy
  • A profound commitment to act as Jesus would during this election year.

Church:

  • And increase of God’s manifest presence.
  • To see more CHANGED LIVES!
  • An increase in Miracles
  • Salvation for those far from God (make a list and pray for them every day)
  • More young people joining the vision at GPC
  • New building for GPC

World:

  • A mighty harvest in our city and nation.
  • That godly men and women will fill the seats of government at local, city, state, and national levels.
  • For our missionaries (Use the bookmark handed out at church, or go to our website and check out our Missions page HERE)