The Power Of God's Whisper Podcast

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. LUKE 9:23

Let me lead you on a great adventure...

I will never forget the day that you gave your life to Me and trusted Me to forgive all of your rebellion and indifference so that you could become a child of mine! All of the heavenly creatures celebrated at that moment.

You surrendered all of your dreams, all of your plans, all of your possessions and asked Me to lead you on an extraordinary journey. I want you to remember that moment and that decision...because it will be tested every day. You will have to answer every day: "Do you still want Me to lead your life on this great adventure?"

When your life is fully surrendered to Me...you will have peace, confidence, and even excitement around what I will do next. you will find yourself being optimistic, less angry, and less fearful.

But I don't want you to ever feel there is something fundamentally wrong with you because you struggle with giving Me your dreams; your plans, your goals, and letting Me lead. It is a battle for every child of Mine. But do nothing and you will run the show instead of Me.

Until you get to heaven...it will be essential to re-commit to My leadership every day, and I promise to help you overcome your natural desire to control your life and live it without Me.

Remember...I love fresh starts and I am always eager to give them. I am more realistic than you are!

Also...remember this; it is about progress...not perfection.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. DEUTERONOMY 6:6

The Bible has often been described as an instruction manual for life as if we are simply to read the Word and follow the directions.

No one makes furniture out of an instruction manual. We don’t paint our houses using a how-to book. And we can’t learn to fly a plane from an instruction manual.

We use the information provided within to run off of, but the finished product is not something we can read about in any kind of printed material. Instead, there is an inherent difference between information and application. Information only becomes application when it is tapped into and used.

This means that you must be willing to hear God speak audibly to you in order to see change come into your life through His Word.

Jesus made it very clear that it’s possible to know the Word thoroughly yet not know God. (In John 5:37-39, He tells the religious leaders, who knew Scripture quite well, that they had never heard God’s voice.) Reading His Word and hearing His voice is not necessarily the same thing.

God speaks. He speaks clearly, plainly, and concisely through the Bible. Yes, there are instructions, but oh what glorious instructions we find in the pages of Scripture. I am grateful that even when we don’t understand something or when there is a bit of mystery about God’s actions, He doesn’t leave us wondering and questioning. He speaks and all is revealed.

God’s Word is alive and active—sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts deep into our innermost thoughts and desires, revealing the secret motives of the heart. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. By exposing our true selves, it shows us just how much we need God in our lives.

Holy Spirit, I want You to speak to me like that. I love Your Word, but I need it personalized. Pour it directly into my heart like a spiritual injection of truth. Highlight what I need to hear.

S.W.A.T. TEAM

Spiritual Warfare And Tactics

Satan’s going to knock the living crap out of you with a spiritual Lego if you don’t suit up with the FULL armor of God. It's not your fault that you haven’t, but I guarantee if you keep walking into Satan's territory he WILL K.O. you. It’s like walking into the ring in boxing gear and wearing a blindfold. You tell me how long you'll last in there without your eyesight? Not long at all. Satan can kick your butt because your eyes are covered! That’s why we need to put on the FULL armor of God – helmet; breastplate; shield; sandals; gospel sword.

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THE DAILY FORGE

"How Not To Fight Your

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

We have all experienced this phenomenon at one time or another. God's Word often speaks personally to us, as if we were the only one in the world whom He is speaking to.

It will speak to us through a verse, a phrase or even a single word that appears very plainly and simply on the page yet has incredible power to speak into our lives with great clarity.

Sometimes it can seem like an audible voice that calls us by name so clearly that it catches our ear and demands our attention.

All of Scripture speaks to us, of course, but sometimes God has specific guidance or encouragement for a particular situation or season. When we read or listen with an open spirit—a heart that is ready to hear—He will magnify portions of His written Word and apply them directly to our lives.

What if God were to speak to you?

What if He could speak directly to your heart, even as He did to the prophets and apostles in the past? The Scriptures refer to this direct speaking as God's whisper, for it isn't a voice so loud that we can hear it around others, but it is clear enough (like how a spouse will sometimes use a low voice) for us to know that it's our Father's voice. When we read His Word with an open spirit, the Holy Spirit can magnify and apply specific Bible verses to our lives.

There are many who ask the question: "Can we hear God's voice on a regular basis?" I have heard this question in lectures, read it in books, and seen it in blogs. It appears to be a common question among Christians as to whether or not they can "hear God". The answer is Yes and No. We cannot hear His voice audibly without special revelation, but we can hear Him speaking where He has already spoken—Scripture.

With me...for example...He will take away my breathe...and though I may not "HEAR" the voice...I understand what the voice is saying.

God speaks to us, and Jesus says that God is speaking still, in the only way He can (John 6:63). Sometimes we miss it and need to search for it. Sometimes we get distracted by the other voices competing for our attention. But keeping a Bible open on our desks or listening with audio Bibles on our phones is just the first step of our quest to hear his voice today. To have His word abiding in us, we must hear it with all the faculties of which we are made. Jesus says to be still, that there may be space for Him to speak (John 14:23,15:4).

Father, speak to me. Speak directly to my circumstances and give me direct instructions for my next step. Show me things—more specifically—that I may not be able to see for myself.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 TIMOTHY 3:16

We serve a God who is vocal. He has a lot to say and we can seek His voice in many different ways. But the Bible is unique among all of those ways because it is the ONLY authoritative source of doctrine and expression of His overall will.

Have you ever wondered what God whispers in your ear? I have. It seems to me that, as with everything else, He wants us to believe Him, trust Him and rely on His lead. Yet so often we don’t. We find our own ways to deal with challenges instead of seeking the Lord’s counsel. We play it safe—but by doing so may sacrifice all kinds of blessings He has just waiting to be released upon our life  —often in the form of a whisper from His lips.

Have you ever considered how much of God’s voice we don’t hear? Really, think about it. We can read all day long, constantly searching for the words He’s spoken. But even at that, we only get a glimpse of the voice of God.

God whispers to us all the time but we can’t hear Him unless we humbly ask...are You there God?

We need Him to help us hear. That’s why we can pray for wisdom from the Lord every time we open the Bible. As we’re reading, we ask Him to help us hear His voice so that we can accurately understand what He’s saying. The Bible isn’t like any other book; it requires a special approach because God is speaking to us through its pages. And when He does...He may whisper. As His children we must kearn how to listen to hear His voice.

Lord, give me understanding. Enliven Your Word and let it sink deeply into my heart.

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. ISAIAH 43:1

“No matter how often I tell you not to be afraid, you approach crisis moments of life in fear. That’s natural; I understand. But I want you to grow beyond that. I want your heart to trust in Me so easily that your first reaction in a troubling situation is not to wonder if I’m going to work it out, but to look to see how I will. Your spiritual reflex needs to bring you to a place of rest, not of worry. I have never let go of you, and I never will.

“Do you understand why? I’ve invested a lot in this relationship. I’ve ransomed you at no small cost to Myself. It was painful to do so, but I willingly accepted that pain. I have called you by name, completely aware from the beginning of who you were, are, and will be. I saw the end of your story before it even began, and I chose you in that light. I did not begin a relationship with you only to be disappointed. I did not cultivate your love only to give up on it later. I did not lead you down this path without knowing where it’s headed. That’s why I can tell you not to be afraid. I know the end. It’s going to work out well for you, no matter how things appear right now.

“When I calm your nerves and remind you that I’m with you, you have a choice. You can remain stressed and worried, or you can believe Me and relax. These are your options. Far too many people choose to continue in worry and stress, but they are wasting their energy. They have forgotten the nature of our relationship. You, however, must remember that I don’t speak empty words. When I say, ‘Do not be afraid,’ it’s because I know you have nothing to fear.”

Lord, stress is a natural instinct for me, but I want my heart to intuitively rest in You. Fill me with trust in You and peace in Your purposes at the sound of Your voice.

Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. ROMANS 15:4

Listen to stories about life, God, work, and what it looks like for Christians in the real world. We share stories from our lives broken down into three segments – The Good News, the Bad News and the Ugly News. If you are an overworked Christian or a recovering overworked Christian, this may be for you!

The conversion of Augustine marked a turning point in the world. He went on to become one of the most influential Christian leaders of all-time, setting in place ideas that remain prominent among Christians today. One such idea was that sexual temptations were not to be resisted by fleeing from them, but rather by fighting against them.

So he picked up a volume of Paul’s letters and read the first words he saw: “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness. . . . But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:13-14, NKJV ). At that moment, Augustine’s heart was flooded with the light of faith, and darkness was dispelled. He became a Christian.

Augustine’s story highlights the importance of reading Scripture. God has hidden truths in His word that we need to discover. The purpose of this podcast is to help you read more and better understand Scripture by discovering its meaning – not only for yourself but for those around you.

God speaks generally through His Word, but sometimes the words of Scripture come alive in a divinely personal way. We are not only taught by the truths of the Bible; they seem to be directed at the deep places of our hearts for the need for the day. Augustine had certainly read those words before, but they had not pierced him as they did in that moment when the war in his soul was at its peak. He was divinely guided to exact phrases that would address his urgent questions and struggles. He came to discover that God is not just interested in our moral conduct (though He is certainly concerned with how we live), but He has more important issues at heart.

MyR2B is a podcast to help you find your faith and follow it with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. If you find that your hard times are becoming more aggravating than allowing you to get closer to God, this will be a place where you can return again and again, as I encourage you to ‘stay in the race’ and conquer that day’s challenges, not just live through them."

Holy Spirit, I need wisdom. Speak to me through Your Word so it becomes effective in my life. Illuminate what’s on my heart so I better understand why I’m here and where I’m going.

The LORD said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets.” HABAKKUK 2:2

God has told us about things that we need to know for clarity and permanence. The things God has said are important enough to write down so we will never forget them, even from future generations.

Write it down. That’s what God told Habakkuk, Isaiah, Moses, and John when He spoke to them. His words were important enough not to be forgotten or unintentionally edited when told to others. He wanted them inscribed for the sake of clarity and permanence. Many people, even from future generations, would be able to read what He had said.

That’s good advice. Recording what God has told us will help us remember it and share it with others. Unlike the biblical prophets, we aren’t writing words that will become Scripture, but it’s helpful to keep track of what God has said over time. When we look back at this journal, we can determine whether we are following the instructions He gave us and remembering the lessons He taught us. Casual hearers don’t record what they have heard, and a week later they may not even remember it. Attentive hearers, therefore, are diligent about following God’s words and applying them. Just as a couple may keep old love letters or chronicle their love in a diary, we celebrate our relationship with God when we preserve what He has said.

We’re here to help you live the life God wants you to live by teaching and inspiring you with stories of how people are doing great things in their lives, businesses, and ministries. We’ll be transparent with you as we share what we go through so that our failures and wins can hopefully be a help in times of need. Listeners, keep up with us every week as we cover what it means to walk with Jesus and venture out to go do something great for His Kingdom. So, shall we start talking about awesome stuff?

Lord, journaling may never have been my forte, but Your words are too valuable for me to forget them. Help me to write them down accurately, and remind me to review them frequently. Teach me to treasure Your voice.

One who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.  1 CORINTHIANS 14:3

Paul tells us to eagerly pursue the gift of prophecy (see 1 Corinthians 14:1). In response, many believers have spoken judgmental words of correction or demanding words of guidance to the people around them. Perhaps they imagine God as angry and harsh, or as someone entirely interested in obedience and works, so the only words they can conjure up about His will are commands that require compliance.

But Paul is clear what prophecy should accomplish in the life of the receiver. It should strengthen, encourage, and comfort. It should find hope in the recipient’s future or treasure in his or her calling. It should build up rather than tear down, heal wounds rather than create them, pull us forward rather than harping on the past. God’s voice is a balm, not a battering ram. He embraces His children with warmth.

It’s true that God corrects us sometimes, but only as a loving father corrects a child. His discipline always comes with heavy doses of encouragement and comfort, and rarely through the mouth of another. Prophetic words don’t provoke guilt, fuel fear, or expose our sins to others. God much prefers to cover them in privacy.

So we can expect His voice  —especially His voice as it comes to us through other believers  —to strengthen, encourage, and comfort. And when we speak His heart to those around us, our words will be seasoned with these gentle and affirming tones. If we hear or speak words that don’t have this flavor, they are not from God. Those condemning or fearful words we hear inside of us sometimes  —about how we could have done better or didn’t do enough, or are disqualified from God’s blessings, and so on  —are also not from Him. Why? Because God speaks life to us, not death. Whatever He says to us will be strengthening, encouraging, and comforting.

Lord, open my heart to accept the blessings of Your voice, and close my heart to false, condemning words. Help me to recognize the warmth of Your love when it is spoken to me.

[John], leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” JOHN 13:25-26, ESV

We can assume God doesn’t need to be surrounded with good listeners, as if He would want to get something off His chest or seek counsel. This assumption would be wrong though. God created us for relationship — deep, personal interaction — and though He doesn’t need our counsel, He seeks our interest.

Have you ever tried to talk with your friends about their relationship with God? I’m not talking about in a “get right with God, buddy” kinda way. I’m talking about getting to know their Savior and trying to understand where He fits into their lives.

In the Psalms, we see a way to approach God that is more natural. In addition to His words of praise, we see that David would "whisper" before the Lord. Whispering takes more time and effort because it invokes more feeling, so you tend to be more careful about what you say. Whispering allows for a deep engagement as you allow yourself to get lost in the moment. You lose yourself in the other person, not trying to get something from them but just rejoice in being with them. Conversing is different from whispering; a whisper requires that we suspend our agenda, focus on another person, listen well, and discover when it’s our turn to speak...

Jesus had a close friend. A man he could talk to. A Friend who had the ability to read his heart and tell him anything he wanted.

There’s a reason why John was the only disciple of Jesus who wrote down the words he whispered in his ear on the night before He died. John had built a relationship with the Messiah! And no, you don’t need to become His friend to tap into this same power. Just like John, you can squeeze just one secret out of Him every single day for a lifetime.

Just as we feel connected to Jesus, God wants us to connect with people, especially those who are hurting. When we relate to others on a personal level as friends who are interested in what’s on their hearts, we share the love of Christ in powerful ways.

Start listening to Jesus right now, and discover the power of His whisper.

Jesus, what’s on Your heart today? I really want to know. Please share it with me.