Tag Archives: Hearing God podcast

The ‘Hearing God’ Podcast is back

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The ‘Hearing God’ Podcast is back!! The first episode (number 66) for season 3 of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast is published and ready to listen to. (You can listen to it here, or here, or on your favourite podcast listening app.) It gives a life update from Gary & me over the last three months and addresses the issue, “When things don’t turn out quite as we hope or expect, what do we do?”

In this episode, I also unpack how I hear a word/phrase from God for the year and each month.

This season, we will be addressing questions people ask about hearing God. The next few episodes cover the topics of ‘What is the best way to hear God?”, “What if I’m not sure I heard God right?” and “Can I hear God through ChatGPT?”. Please feel free to send any questions you have about hearing God to us at [email protected], and we will endeavour to address them in an episode this season.

Bonhoeffer, the movie

Gary & I went to see the movie ‘Bonhoeffer’ at the cinema on Saturday. It is powerful, confronting, and challenging. I encourage you to watch it.

Some of the quotes I managed to write down while watching it:

1. Our silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.

2. It takes courage to face the dark.

3. What we need is Christ without religion.

4. When the Nazis came for the Socialists, I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Socialist. When they came for the Trade Unionists, I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I wasn’t a Jew, so I didn’t speak out. When they come for me, who will be left to speak up for me?

5. I suppose sometimes, to defeat the father of all lies is to lie better than he does.

6. When Bonhoeffer was challenged with the question, ‘What has become of the church when a Pastor turns into an assassin?’, he replied, ‘When a bus driver runs over children, it is up to everyone to stop him killing them’.

7. We are not to simply bandage the wounds of the victims beneath the wheels of injustice. We are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.

8. Every act of courage carries a cost.

Below are our outline/show notes for this week’s ‘Hearing God’ episode on our life update.

Episode Notes:

Life update over the last three months.

  • Highlights and SUFM (Beach mission).
  • Word/phrase for the year and each month.
  • Jane reinjured her knee, bringing up the issue of when things don’t turn out as we hope or expect, what do we do?

First Principle: Our attitude is important.

  • What were you expecting? Were they false expectations?
  • Remaining open to God. Don’t close the door of relationship or allow it to impact negatively.
  • Paul in the Bible – reading Acts in the Bible (Acts 16:6-10) – a considerable number of things that went wrong. Imprisoned, shipwrecked, etc.
  • Paul ended up being put in prison in Macedonia. I’m sure that wasn’t his expectation. But he steadfastly sought God and chased after him.

Second Principle:  Be careful who you listen to.

  • Look at Job in the Bible. A lot of people ready and eager to give him advice on what he should do.
  • Are we cultivating intimacy with Jesus?
  • How do you cultivate intimacy with Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit? Do you ‘treat’/relate to each of them differently?

Third Principle: Look at the big picture.

  • In the Bible, if you just looked at the crucifixion, you would miss the whole purpose, that of relationship, as well as sin, salvation, and the resurrection.

Summary:

  • 1. Our attitude is important.
  • 2. Be careful who you listen to.
  • 3. Look at the big picture.

Prophetic activation:

Turn your heart and thoughts to Father God and ask Him –

  • “Father God, is there a phrase or a word You would like me to hang on to this next month, or a phrase/word that will describe my month ahead?”
  • You might like to ask God for a word/phrase for each month for the rest of the year or a word/phrase for the whole year, sort of like an umbrella over the entire year.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

How has your year started?

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How has your year started? What are your thoughts and feelings about what has occurred already in 2025? For me, I have felt like the first eight weeks of 2025 have raced past.

Every year, I ask God for a word or phrase for the coming year, and my phrase for 2025 was ‘Expect the unexpected’. Many unexpected events have already occurred, and I am finding a new ‘nothing phases me’ type of lifestyle.

Every year, I also ask God to give me a word/phrase to describe each month for the coming year. Sort of like a ‘heads up’. My word for January was ‘coming ready or not’, with February being ‘hidden surprises’. (By the way, I have updated the fantastic resource ‘Hearing God for the Year Ahead’ for you to use as a free 30-Day devotional download to help you hear God for the year. )

January flew past, beginning with the Scripture Union Family Mission team I was on. My daughter and her boyfriend were directors, and I loved assisting them and being there to help relieve them and make life easier for them. I headed up the team, ministering to the parents and being a ‘parent’ for the team. Our son was home from the RAAF in Darwin and was also a team member. I loved how he showed me extraordinary care and kindness and assisted me in numerous ways without asking. Gary, my husband, doesn’t go as this is his downtime after a massive finish to the year with his gardening business. Still, he assists most days – setting up, packing down, two trips to replace damaged gazebos, baking slices, bringing forgotten supplies, etc. All in all, it was a fabulous but extremely tiring 12 days of laughter, fun, tears, heatwaves, rain, wind, and hospital visits (this year, I had two team members at the one time as patients at the hospital), great conversations, yummy food, heaps of coffee and copious amounts of Zooper Doopers. There were fantastic morning and evening activities, as well as engaging Bible and serial dramas with great connections with the unchurched. I must admit, though, that I was exhausted at the end of the twelve days and definitely needed a break to rejuvenate.

February has seen several unexpected occurrences and a few hidden surprises. Our daughter Sarah started a new job, and I had been praying for five things she wanted in her next job (distance from home, how many days per week, days working from home, etc), and her new job met all five criteria. She is enjoying the change while she commences her honours degree. If you don’t keep a list of your prayers (I can be remiss), I encourage you to start recording them. It is encouraging to see them answered and a great reminder of exactly what you prayed for. I asked Sarah back in October what she specifically wanted me to pray for her in her next job, and she had forgotten the details, but since I had written them down and prayed regularly, it was a great confirmation and a time to build faith that God cares about the big and the small things in our life.

God has opened several opportunities to connect with other parents of Defence Force members; a highlight was praying with two other Defence Force mums last week. I took the initiative to commence a luncheon for parents of defence force members, and it has been exciting to see how God works in this area. Another mum was challenged by my doing this, and she began a group for Christian parents of Defence Force members to pray for their children. Within 24 hours, over 30 parents joined.

February had another hidden surprise for me when I attached the launch of a friend’s ministry (applesofgoldministries.com) as I caught up with a friend I hadn’t seen for over ten years, and the time was so rich.

On the family front, Sarah graduates next week with her double degree, and Josh is flying home from Darwin for the week to attend. I am so excited.

Do you ask God for a word or phrase to underpin the year for you?

Two years ago, I asked God for a word/phrase for each month of the year. I write down the months of the year and the first thought that comes to me as I ask God in connection to each month. I don’t labour over it, spending less than ten minutes. At the beginning of 2023, I had sensed a ‘crow’s nest’ for October that year and thought it was unusual, but wrote it down. In June 2023, Josh was selected to crew the Young Endeavour Tall Ships program for October. As we considered it, I realised that the ‘Crows Nest’ I had sensed from God six months before was an affirmation that it was the right timing and the right thing for Josh. God works in mysterious ways!!

An example from last year was in December when I felt to put the word ‘change’ next to March 2024. At that stage, we didn’t know that Josh would be leaving home and commencing his career in the Air Force at the beginning of March. I find it so encouraging and timely when I see words for the month line up and assist in our decisions months later.

Hearing God Podcast:

The Hearing God podcast has been on a break for a few months, but Gary and I are about to begin recording for season 3. This year, we aim to interview more guests and answer listeners’ questions. We have several questions we are planning episodes around already, but if you have any questions about hearing God, please email us ([email protected]) and we will endeavour to answer them in an episode.

We have found it exciting to see how many people have listened to episodes over the last few months while we have been on a break from recording. The feedback from people encouraged in their faith journey, especially with realising that God has been speaking to them but they haven’t realised it before, is enormous. We feel privileged to help people on their journey of hearing God.

If you haven’t yet listened to the ‘Hearing God’ podcast, you can find it either at garyandjane.co, or here or on your favourite podcast listening site. We would love to know your favourite episodes and any suggestions you have.

Unlocking the Gold Blog:

This year, I intend to resume blogging on this website, ‘unlocking the gold. ‘ I realised the other day that the ‘burden’ I had placed on myself by creating five new prophetic activations in each blog hindered my blogging. Thus, a change I am implementing in the future is to create one prophetic activation/exercise for each blog. Also, for those who receive the ‘Raising World Changers’ blog over at www.raisingworldchangers.com.au, I am endeavouring to recommence blogging there as well. The monthly prayer calendars for our children were a huge hit when I created them, so I hope to recommence them as well as the occasional blog concerning relevant parenting topics.

Writing:

I am currently organising my week to create time and space to write more as I sense to write a devotional book on ‘Hearing God’, similar to the book ‘Ministering like Jesus: How to grow in Healing, Deliverance and Miracles” – a 30-Day devotional from Mark’s Gospel.

I am excited and looking forward to the next few months, especially as we are heading to Darwin as a family to see Josh soon.

Prayer:

What are you looking forward to over the next few months? Is there something you would love Gary and I to be praying for you? Feel free to let us know.

As always, we value prayer for our family, my writing, and the ‘Hearing God’ podcast and its reach and impact.

I would significantly value your prayer concerning my left knee. I damaged it again recently, and it would be easy for me to get frustrated with it, but I am believing for a complete healing while living in the tension of that not being realised yet. I wonder if you are living in a tension of believing for something, but it hasn’t yet come to fruition? It can so easily be frustrating, but I am encouraged by James 1:2-4 with the fruit of perseverance coming forth and focusing on joy in my life.

Prophetic Activation:

I encourage you to have a blank piece of paper and some writing/drawing implements at hand. Quieten your heart before God and ask Him to show you His thoughts about your 2025. As you spend time with Him, I encourage you to begin drawing or writing and let it flow without critiquing. Go with the flow and enjoy God’s Presence as He reveals His heart through your writing/drawing and your heart postured towards Him. After some time, stop and reflect on what is now on the paper before you. Is there a deeper or a different meaning God has revealed through your creativity?

When I can’t hear from God for myself.

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Have you ever tried to hear from God and couldn’t?

Have you ever wished that God would write on your bedroom wall what you should do next (like in Daniel 5 for King Belshazzar)? I remember when I had just finished my nursing training in Tasmania and was trying to figure out what I should do next. I had an incredible opportunity with nursing, but I sensed God wanted me to shift interstate to pursue ministry training. I tossed and turned during the night, pondering God’s will for me. Even after 36 years, I can remember that overwhelming desire to have God write it on the wall or make it plain. I remember I even asked Him to write it on my bedroom wall so I would know what to do next.

I was young and had no real idea how to seek Godly wisdom. I had no way of recognising how God was speaking to me. I had minimal knowledge of the various ways God speaks to us.

This week’s podcast on our ‘Hearing God’ podcast covers that very issue – what to do when I can’t seem to hear from God for myself. (Next week’s podcast addresses what to do when our mind goes blank when we are trying to hear from God for others!)

The link for this week’s ‘Hearing God’ podcast is: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2196128/13276030 (You can listen to it on any podcast listening app.)

First Principle: Ask a Different Question

I will never forget the first time I decided to ask God a different question. I was driving home from an Anzac Day Service where I had watched my son march with his Air Force Cadet Squadron. Tears had flowed down my face. (When I am unexpectedly emotional, I have learnt to ask God what that is about.) I was processing this with God and asking why I had responded that way. “God – what was underneath that?” Nothing. I heard, felt, and saw nothing from God. I remember thinking, “well Jane, why don’t you ask God a different question then?” I changed the question to “God, was my response appropriate?” Bam!! The answer flowed.

Other suggestions when you are struggling to hear God for yourself:

  • Change things up – walk on the beach, different worship music, fast,
  • Read a different version of the Bible.
  • Devour God’s Word the Bible Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
  • Turn your heart and affections to God. Praise shifts the atmosphere. Psalm 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”

Some questions to ask yourself when you are feeling stuck and can’t seem to hear God for yourself:

  • Am I enjoying my relationship with God?
  • Am I treating God like Santa Claus? Am I wanting to hear a specific answer, thus not hearing God because I’m not getting what I want?

Second Principle: Check obedience.

If there is an area of my life in which God has asked something of me and I haven’t obeyed, I find it is much harder to hear God about another issue.

Ten years ago, I asked God to show me my future in nursing. I had a very specific dream that night, and the interpretation clearly outlined the step I needed to take. Fast forward five years, and I hadn’t obeyed. The outcome of the dream came true.

The Bible is full of amazing and often frustrating stories. Moses in Exodus 3 & 4 is one such example. Moses was going about his business, saw an unusual sight so went over to check it out (there was a bush on fire, but it didn’t burn up). God caught his attention with this unusual sight and showed up with a miraculous sign, then an audible voice telling him to go and address Pharoah. Moses refused five times with excuses that fed into his low self-worth. If you refuse, God can easily use someone else or limit your effectiveness.

Check:

  • If there is somewhere you haven’t yet obeyed God.
  • For sin, fear, ignorance.
  • Any unbelief in hearing God or needing more assurance or a sign.
  • For any preconceived idea of what God would sound like or say.
  • To see if you are realising your identity as a son/daughter of God or not realising the magnitude and greatness of God.

If you are struggling on an ongoing basis, it would be worth considering prayer ministry / inner healing. After my first time of having a SOZO, I left the building, and all my senses were electrified. Birds were singing. The sun was shining with a gentle breeze ruffling the leaves. God seemed extra close. I felt I could ask God anything and hear Him clearly. The prayer ministry session had ‘cleared’ my connection with God of any junk and it felt like an express highway of communication between God and me.

Prayer Ministry is valuable in clearing blockages and times when we may sense a wall between us and God or even when we may feel ‘frozen’ in relation to God and unable to hear Him.

Questions to ponder to begin the process may include:

  • God, is there a wall between you and me?
  • What does that wall look like?
  • Is there something you want to give me to help demolish that wall?
  • Is there an action I need to take?
  • If my emotions are frozen, when did that first occur?

Third Principle – God may appear silent, or the answer may look different.

My husband Gary recently gave a prophetic word to a young lady about three doors open before her. This young adult was gobsmacked as she had three research opportunities but wanted God to show her which option was from God. God was showing her that He would be pleased with whichever she chose, as He was giving her the choice, and all three pleased Him.

The book of Jeremiah in the Bible has much wisdom and many promises.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

The promise from Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable (or hidden) things you do not know.”

If you are unsure, here are some things to consider:

  • Am I devouring God’s Word? Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
  • Have I tried fasting?
  • What has God already given or shown me?
  • What has He promised me?
  • Speak life over my situation. Isaiah 55:11 “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Alternatively, have you ever asked God:

  • What are you NOT saying?
  • God, what is your perspective of where I am right now?

I would love to hear the strategies you employ when you are having trouble hearing God for yourself. Feel free to comment below.

Prophetic Activations / Exercises to incorporate into your week:

Every blog post, I list five prophetic activations/exercises under children/family, group, beginner, intermediate and advanced. The purpose of these exercises is to practice to help us hear God’s voice in a clearer manner. They sharpen our senses to hear and see and sense God and His way of communicating with us. This enables us to grow in our relationship with God and also to impart to others what God tells us for them. Feel free to use as many of these activations each week as you can. The more you practice, the sharper you become at hearing God’s voice. Enjoy! Remember that whenever you give another person a prophetic word or picture etc, please make sure that it is encouraging, edifying (strengthening) and comforting (1 Corinthians 14:3) and that it comes from a place of love.

1. Children / Families Activation: Gather Lego or building apparatus and enjoy creating what God is saying about you.

2. Group Activation: Get into pairs. Ask God to reveal to you which area of your life He wants to speak into. Then ask God which area of your partner’s life He wants to speak into. Ask God to show, tell, or give you something for that area of your partner’s life. Then share it with them. When your partner shares with you, see if it matches up with the area you sensed God wanted to highlight for you.

3. Beginner Activation: Spend time with God, asking Him to reveal to you something in the Bible that speaks to you today.

4. Intermediate Activation: Spend time with God, asking Him to highlight His desire for your next season, any preparation required and anything you may need to let go of.

5. Advanced Activation: Spend time with God hearing His heart for your nation and a current issue that is devisive. Ask God what He would love your response to be.