What if I'm scared to hear God as I might not like what He says?

Have you ever not wanted to hear God or been unsure about hearing God because you didn’t know what He would say? Have you ever thought that God may ‘nail’ you on something, so you didn’t want to hear God? Do you think God may ask you to do something you don’t want to do? Join Gary & Jane as they unpack this topic using Jonah from the Bible as an example. Dealing quickly with disappointment and unforgiveness is encouraged so bitterness doesn’t develop. In this episode, Gary & Jane encourage listeners not to live paralyzed by fear but to take the next step of adventure with God.

Episode Description:

Episode Notes:

First Principle: Our view of God and His character

· God is a loving God who wants an intimate relationship with us.

· God is not wielding a stick and wanting to punish us.

· God sees the BIG picture.

· A classic story from the Bible is Jonah.

· A reminder to deal with unforgiveness and bitterness we may have towards God.

· Hebrews 5:13-14. We need to become mature and get into solid food.

· Our character and how we respond when we don’t like what God says are important.

Second Principle: Am I afraid God will nail me of sin in my life?

· Jonah 4:2 “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”

· We are all on a growth journey.

· Secrets bring shame – we need to expose them to the light.

· 2 Timothy 1:7 “ For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but power, love and sound mind.”

Third Principle: Past experiences may determine my attitude.

· Was it actually God I heard?

· Is it my perception?

· If fearful of what God may say is holding you back, it is worth looking into and having prayer ministry to remove misconceptions, barriers, etc.

· Joni Eareckson Tada’s definition of faith – “Great faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His word and taking the next step.”

· Don’t be paralyzed into not taking the next step of adventure with God.

· Some reasons why Christians don’t obey God quickly or are scared of what God may ask them to do.

· Evan Roberts, instrumental in the Welsh Revival in 1904-1905 emphasized immediate obedience to God. He would say that when we delay, we allow our mind to question everything, and we can expect something different.

Important Principles: How can I obey God immediately?

· Know God and His thoughts for me through intimacy with Him. Spend time with Him, read the Bible, confess sin, etc.

· Purpose in my heart to immediately obey God.

· Take the first step. Don’t dally.

· Surround myself with people of great faith.

· Receive wise, godly counsel.

Prophetic activation:

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

· Is there an area of my life that I have not obeyed you in yet?

· God, what do you want me to do about that?

Time Stamps:

[0:55] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[4:18] – First Principle – View of God and His character

[4:53] – Jane starts unpacking the story of Jonah.

[7:24] – A reminder to deal quickly with unforgiveness and disappointment.

[8:47] – Second Principle – Am I afraid God will nail me of sin in my life?

[10:18] – Secrets bring shame and need to be exposed to the light. Prayer for listeners.

[11:55] – Third Principle – Past experiences may determine my attitude.

[13:12] – Is it my perception?

[17:43] – Reasons we may not obey God.

[21:27] – How we can obey God immediately.

[23:24] – Prophetic activation.

[24:14] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[25:54] – Gary prays for you.

[26:40] – Jane explains about the survey at https://garyandjane.co/survey

Resources / Links Mentioned:

· Prayer Ministry / Inner Healing through various places. Contact your local church or various ministries like Bethel Sozo, Elijah House, Ellel Ministries (ellel.org), Heart Revive (Portico Church – online), Restore (Stairway SASH) or Restoring the Foundations.

· Joni Eareckson Tada - https://joniandfriends.org/ “Great faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His word and taking the next step.”

· https://www.unlockingthegold.com/growing-my-faith-part-1/

· https://www.unlockingthegold.com/growing-your-faith-part-2/

· Evan Roberts (instrumental in the Welsh Revival in 1904-1905)

· YWAM Christian Heroes books: https://www.ywampublishing.com/c-70-christian-heroes-then-now.aspx

· Survey – https://garyandjane.co/survey – opportunity to win a $50 Amazon Gift card

Bible Verses Mentioned:

· Jonah

· Hebrews 5:13-14

· Jonah 4:2

· 2 Timothy 1:7

· 2 Corinthians 6:14 – don’t be yoked together with unbelievers

· Matthew 14:22-33