4 Keys of Hearing God's voice - Key #2 Getting Still before God

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Listening to God sermon summary

Sermon = Listening to God Key #2

Invitation to have Prayer ministry

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Announcements

Journey to Bethlehem Trailer

https://www.journeytobethlehemmovie.com/

https://tickets.journeytobethlehemmovie.com/

In theaters this week till Thursday. Has anyone seen it? I don't think I can find an opening this week. but would encourage a group from the Church to go.

Operation Christmas Child

collection this week.

Veterans Day

Throughout our history, millions of American men and women have chosen to serve their fellow citizens in the US military where they willingly gave their time, talents, and even their lives to protect our cherished freedoms. On Veterans Day, we pause to honor these patriots.

World War I ended at 11AM on November 11, 1918. The next year, President Woodrow Wilson declared the Armistice Day holiday to commemorate that peace. Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1938 and, in 1954, that holiday was renamed Veterans Day. America's acknowledgment and appreciation for veterans existed long before the 20th Century, however. For example, Abraham Lincoln acknowledged an 1864 victory with these words:

I am indeed very grateful to the brave men who have been struggling with the enemy in the field, to their noble commanders who have directed them, and especially to our Maker....we should, above all, be very grateful to Almighty God, Who gives us victory. George Washington, American General and the first President of our nation, discussed the importance of providing veterans benefits: It was a part of their [the soldiers'] hire, I may be allowed to say, it was the price of their blood and of your Independence, it is therefore more than a common debt, it is a debt of honour, it can never be considered as a pension or gratuity. Since our freedom is protected by these brave men and women and is "a debt of honor" we owe to them, we encourage you to remember America's heroes! Make this day special by thanking a veteran for his or her service, by attending a Veterans Day parade, or by visiting veterans at a local nursing home (where tragically, many have been abandoned or have no family members remaining). And, of course, remember to pray for our military members and their families.

Revelation Bible Study

Starting Assumptions to Revelation:

1st and foremost about Jesus. Jesus is the center piece - about Him and not about events! Are you embarrassed by end time theology. Jesus was not. Is it time to repent and pay attention? (yes).

Revelation is designed to be understood. The book is a pastoral letter from the great Shepherd Jesus to addressed to the angles of 7 churches. but is sent to the churches, and it is expected they would share it and read it aloud in the congregations, to it is expected all Christians at that time will understand. Not so that they will be mystified. Don’t let pride, and previous teaching blind you to the plain clear meaning of Revelation. we may not agree on a few parts, but the bulk of this book is understandable if we don’t try to get to complicated. It is written to 1 century Christians that had allot of OT understanding. It should be interpreted in light of the entire Bible. It is written in a visual style, using imagery that is a bit like a comic book of today using lots of pictures,and visual meanings… the symbols are mostly interpreted in the text. and they fit with the rest of the Bible, so we don’t have to agonize over it and create exotic interpretations.

Revelation is about real events that will happen. we read about the plagues in exodus, believe they were literal and real. Therefore the events in Revelation would also best be interpreted as if they were literal.

These events are imminent. Matt 24 gives us the timeline. The Gosple must be preached to the whole world and then the end will come. that has not happened yet, but it could very soon. The generation that sees that happen (Fig tree signs), will be at the gates. We are living at the beginning of the generations leading to these events.

Jesus expects us to know the signs and season of his return. Matt 16:3. Jesus expects those that teach spiritual truths should know the signs and seasons of his return. Jesus commands us to watch several times. Matt 24:42, and Matt 25:13. Revelation said we are blessed if we watch Rev 16:15 and are ready.

There are actionable, moral imperatives given in this Book. There is a lifestyle we are to adopt and maintain, in light of the message of this book. This is a message and teaching that is best communicated within a powerful visual narrative that is both shocking and stunning in its implications. It is designed to keep us awake, and not sleep. And that is what is needed at this time.

Opening Prayer

Best time of the week - together with friends blessing the living god together!

set aside everything that would hinder the free flow of the H.S> in you today.

Dec 2 first saturday - Dec decroation day - 9am

Dec 3rd - Sunday luncheon, brunch npt thanksgiving not themed

Womens, Friday 8th 6pm Church - bring a women’s wrapped gift.

Worship

Sharing

Amber’s Testimony

News & Prayer

Israel

CA

California Sues to Stop Crisis Pregnancy Centers From Helping Reverse Chemical Abortions As chemical abortions grow, California is working to stop women from learning how they might reverse them.

Friends and family came together this week to grieve the death of Paul Kessler, a Jewish man who died on Nov. 6, the day after an altercation at dueling pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests in Thousand Oaks, California.

Loay Alnaji, a 50-year-old computer science teacher at Moorpark College in the Ventura County Community College District, hit Mr. Kessler in the face with a megaphone at the Nov. 5 rally, causing him to suffer a fatal fall.

Antisemitic incidents have dramatically increased in the United States since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League, which documents a nearly 400 percent jump in reports over the same time period last year.

“The amount of antisemitism that has been happening has truly been mind-blowing,” Thousand Oaks Police Chief Jeremy Paris told those gathered at the vigil.

IN LA there was another violent riot for Hamas. “Last night’s violence at the Museum of Tolerance is incomprehensible but not surprising,” the organization said in a Nov. 9 post on X. “The level of hatred directed at the Jewish community here and worldwide is unprecedented, horrific, and becoming deadly.”

USA

Political fund raising. Dems have raised a total of over $143 million. This year since Biden's announcement in April. Republicans are much less than half of that from what I can tell. this means Republicans are still less engaged and have righter budges than democrat funding. (surprise). Our only hope is prayer. Voting has not been fixed.

abortion in Ohio, and so much worse. Signs of how election is going. Hope in God.

Nashville

Nashville Christian school murderer, Audrey Hale, identified as transgender. he/her murderd 3 children and 3 adults at the Covenant School on March 27th. The shooter left behind a manifesto, which the FBI and Nashville police and mayor kept under wraps, not letting anyone see it. This has been a politically motivated coverup to protect people from seeing the political and, anti-white, and I believe, anti-Christian radical ideology of the killer. this was an example of the type of hate and anger found with kids indoctrinated with Marxist Critical Race Theory (CTR). this is an ideology that is set against the knowledge of God. Pray for the kids that are being indoctrinated, and pray that the sick idology is exposed. Thank gof for this being leaked. Not everything was leaked. all of it should be released to the public.

EXODUS in USA: Thousands of people and businesses collectively move out of pro-socialist states every year. The mass exodus from the pro-socialist states is staggering as people and businesses flee the high taxes, burdensome regulations, high cost of living, and out-of-control crime...

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the top 5 states seeing the most people flee are all Democrat-controlled states.

California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Michigan lost over 4 million residents in the last 10 years.

Since 2019, New York has lost over 160 Wall Street financial firms.

According to The Wall Street Journal, these financial firms took with them “over $1 trillion in assets under management and taking thousands of high-priced employees with them.”

Covid Vaxx - Do not get it. Since the newest COVID booster rolled out—which was designed based on the XBB.1.5 variant—there have been two major variants that have replaced XBB.1.5 as the dominant strain in the United States. THe latest HV.1 more easily evade the Vaccines.

We can't control the virus or how it is going to mutate. However, we can control our lifestyles: what we eat, our bedtime, whether we take a daily walk outside, and even our outlook on life. All of these things matter.

taking Vit C, D, Zink and a Zink ionophore like Ivermectin is a powerful way to recover from Covid. as sson as you feel sick. Zink ionophore increase the intracellular concentration of Zinc ions (Quercetin, Chloroquine, Ivermectin)

Taking vitamins D and C and trace minerals, maintaining a peaceful and optimistic attitude, and avoiding stress, anxiety, and depression will all benefit our immunity.

A new study released by Elsevier this week (Oct 14) on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for treating Covid-19 provides even more evidence that what AFLDS reported early on during the “plandemic” was true...

People who took hydroxychloroquine, in combination with another drug, while hospitalized with COVID-19 were less likely to die than those who didn't.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7534595/

this was known and reported in the early pandemic, but was systematically discredited and silenced by big tech murdering many to increase the demand for experimental vaccines. Now WHO wants to have control officially to control US doctors.

Biden replacement?

1 Timothy 2:1–2 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

4 Keys to hearing God’s voice.

Summary: 4 keys

We must KNOW the TRUTH and know we are speaking what God is leading us to share. For that reason, we must Hear Gods Voice!

John 10:27 ESV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

It was so simple Jesus did give us much how-to guidance.

Overview of 4 keys

What are the 4 keys?

Quiet yourself down - STILLNESS

Fixing your eyes on Jesus - VISION

tuning to spontaneity - SPONTANEITY

and writing - 2-way JOURNALING

If someone asks you “how do you hear God’s voice” say this:

Repeat after me:

“hearing Gods voice is as simple as,

quieting yourself down,

fixing your eyes on jesus,

tuning to spontaneity,

and writing.

4 keys in one simple sentence!

This approach is Biblical.

Habakkuk did it Chapter 2

Habakkuk 2:1–2 ESV

1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. 2 And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

Moses did it.

David did it in Psalms

John the revelator does it.

Every Book of the bible was written this way.

Summary: Spiritual Intimacy:

God desires it. You will crave it once you get started. Draw close to him, he will draw close to you.

Spend the first part of the day with God. God has always wanted this for his people. Walking with Jesus in the Cool of the Morning every day.Genesis 3:8.

Lets be like young David - a man whos heart was after God. He spent time with God pouring out his troubles and his Praise for God and journaling it out and putting it to music. Jesus, too patterned this desire to get away and be alone with God.

Summary: Key #1 STILLNESS (Meditation)

Thoughts from my mind are analytical (Study)

Thoughts from my heart or the Spirit are spontaneous

Much study (analytical reasoning) is a weary task! Ecc 12:12.

But biblical Meditation is better than STUDY. Be diligent to your best to present yourself to GOD. (2 Tim 2:15) For biblical mediation is about listening to God.

The NT the word sometimes translated “study” is σπουδάζω spoudazō be zealous; be eager

Meditation is a zealous eager attitude from Heart, not boring STUDY! Not building up on intellectual knowdege that causes pride.

If we are to reason, analytically it is to reason together with Jesus. Not on our own. Isa 1:18.

Meditation (הָגָה hâgâh, haw-gaw´) means:

to murmur (in pleasure or anger) heart involved. (related to the sound of the harp) Psa 49:3.

to ponder / imagine = engage the right side of your brain. with vision.

mediate - a bit of circular reasoning there…

mourn - heart engaged in this for sure.

Moaning, or sighing” (hāghīgh) Spirit groans for us with meaning to deep for words. Psalm 5:1-2 & Rom 8:26.

/ mutter / babble = this could be considered as speaking in tongues in your prayer - you can do this over anything that you are asking God. let the H.S. ask the questions for you!

“roar” - this gets pretty dynamic! get so passionate you get to shouting cheering and victory roars!

Inspiration = meaning “breathed forth by God” - How the scriptures came to us. 2 Tim 3:16.

Meditation then is were you gain understanding from God directly. He breathes it into you through the spirit(breath) of God the H.S.

It is in Meditation that you will recognize the spontaneous flow of thoughts. we devided thought sout to

Summary: Remove idols from your heart

Be attitudes, So many Good ones.

But given Rev 2:4-5 says that abandoning your first love in God will require repentance, or removal of our lampstand,

The first of the BE Attitudes: BE in love with God.

Brian described this as a concept “happy Joyous and Free” - IN LOVE with GOD. versus “restless irritable and discontent” when our EYES and HEART are not focused on the LORD.

When God is FIRST in our life we have NO IDOLS.

When something else has first place in our heart they are IDOLS. It can be Money, Job, health, our spouse, our Kids, or even our grand-kids.

What if we have an Idol in our Heart and we seek the Lord for guidance?

Ezekiel 14:4 (NSFLB)

“Therefore speak to them, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols,

We notice that this is what happened in the story of Balaam the prophet that wanted profit. in Numbers 22. After geting a clear word from God:

Numbers 22:12 ESV

God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

he later decided to ask God again to see if he had changed his mind, and this time motivated by the prospect of getting paid handsomely. Strangley God gave him the answer he wanted…

Numbers 22:20–21 ESV

And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.

This is the opposite of what God had said the first time. And guess what, this was not God’s will. God was angry with him.

Numbers 22:22 ESV

But God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.

But God is angry… but god told him to go… whats going on? According to 2 Peter 2:15 the Idol in Balaam’s heart was Money. HE love money… root of all evil. And according to the Idol he held in his heart was the way God answered him.

We use money as a tool, but we do not Love it.

If you need to repent join into this prayer, and come up for prayer ministry.

Summary Key 1: Recognize God’s voice as a spontaneous flow of thoughts.

Last week I told you that you could recognize God’s voice as a spontaneous flow of thoughts. And we noted that

Spontaneous thoughts from the Holy spirit:

1. are not our own thoughts that are analytical with chains of reasoning. Bu they can sound like our thoughts and style. (like you can tell the difference in writing style between bible books written through John or Paul)

2. are often light and gentle and can be interrupted by any effort of our own

3. are often be wiser, more loving than my own thoughts

4. an cause a positive reaction in our being ; excitement, conviction, faith, live purpose, awe, peace, etc…

5. when embraced, they a carry with them a fullness of strength to carry them out and joy in doing so.

6. as we train ourselves to tune to this flow of the holy spirit is becomes easier to hear God. Practice diligently for 3 months! own it an make it natural if you focus your attention on it to master it.

In FAITH we believe we can hear God’s voice His word is true.

Lets consider 3 types of thoughts

1. Spontaneous Positive Thoughts= Holy Spirit?

Thoughts that Align with the nature of the Holy Spirit: counselor, Comforter, Intercessor, Comes along Side, Spirit of Adoption

2. Spontaneous Negative Thoughts = Demons?

Thoughts that Align with the nature of Satan: Accuser, Liar, Advisory

3. Analytical thoughts = Self

2+2 = 4, reason and analytical thoughts. But we have a very limited data set, limited to context we know.

Not 100%, but a good starting rule of thumb. They need further testing, and discernment, but this is a pretty good start.

Sermon Key 2: How to Quiet yourself Down

Psalm 62:5 ESV

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Remove OUTER NOISE.

Remove OUTER NOISE

remove distractions (phone etc..)

Remove tension by sitting comfortably (1 Chr 17:16)

Tap into the Quietness in the early morning/evening.

remove distractions (get away from phones, and children). Be alone and undesturbed.

In front of the computer or phone or tablet, is way too distracting.

Remove tension by sitting comfortably (1 Chr 17:16)

David could do it while sitting.

Can you do it while your laying down?

Tap into the Quietness of the world in the early morning/evening.

Zero noise in the background at first

Of very soft and no words, and not known songs.

Remove INNER NOISE

How did the Prophets of the bible do this?

Using music to help settle and focus 2 Kings 3

Jehoram the son of Ahab became king over Israel. and the King of Moab decided to rebel against him because he feared Ahab, but not his son. SO Jehoram asked the King of Judah Jehoshaphat join him in the battle against Moab. And Jehospahat foolishly said, “sure” without asking God. and they wandered in teh desert fo 3 days wiht the army and Jehoram began to dispair, but, Jehoshaphat realized they needed to ask a man of God for a word form God. It turned out that Elisha was there and he was known as the one who was Elijah servant. But that was enough for Jehosaphat, so he called him in to give a word to Jehoram.

We covered this story in Church 4 years ago. Now Elisha is put on the spot. he is unsettled I image and he is not really wanting to give a word to this Evil King Jehoram. So he needs to get past this mental block and quiet his spirit so he can hear God’s voice. What does he do? HE is having INNER NOISE problems.

2 Kings 3:14–16 ESV

And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’

This is a very reasonable technique to switch yourself into a condition that is more able to sense the thoughts of God.

Using Pictures and Visioning to Focus on the Lord.

What about using your imagination to help focus your thoughts on God. THis is what David did sometimes. see Psalm23.

whatever you do don't think about xxx. what will you do? think about xxx, in fact you cant stop it. so when you want to stop you mind form thinking about stray thoughts, you must focus your mind. But you cant force it. you you will get stuck.

like trying to go to sleep quickly before an early morning flight.

Psalm 23 ESV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Such great pictures to focus on the Lord. while thinking about these scenes the other thoughts running through your brain had now receded to nothing. such a great technique. this is what david was doing in Psalm 36:5–6

Psalm 36:5–6 ESV

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.

This is great. so lets take a look at some common problems to quieting our inner mind.

Problems in quieting my Mind:

To-Do items pop up

Thoughts of Sin in my life

Mind Flitting about

Can’t Get in touch with my heart

Need more time with God

How do you overcome these problems.

need to learn the art of shifting your thought so the inner posture of peace with God. i noticed people in my life that were obviously really good at this. Dick Schroeder (Xia ALpha Leader at MSU) exemplified this to me. smile on his face. then I met Stan Koon and he also exemplified this style of living. It is worth is. It needs to be your diligent focus. 6 weeks. is all it takes.

Thoughts of things pop up. So write them down so you won’t forget them and release the worry on you mind. (first level of divine creativity… allowing God to give you reminders).

Thoughts of Sin in my life. Confess the Sins. (truly, repent, and then know you are forgiven. forgive yourself. If this is a repeated sin, you are still forgiven, but take note to ensure you are taking the necessary steps to truly remove it - you cannot allow yourself to play with this sin) Gal 3:27. Envision that you are clothed in Christs robes of righteousness.

Mind Flitting about. Switch your mind form reason to spontaneous flow. Focus on a vision of Jesus like David did (examples: Psalm 23, Psalm 36:5–6) Quiet meditative devotion song, and then sing in tongues it will quite your heart. It is ok to use your mind to picture the Lord and mediate and imagine a comfortable bible scene helps move you mind to the right side of your brain so you can catch the spontaneous flow of thoughts from God. Smile… so you help your body relax into the process of being quiet.

Can’t Get in touch with your heart. Begin singing a worship or praise song that draws you into the Spirit. For me this is Rest On Us by Maverick City, “your al l I want” Fresh Wind by Hillsong Worship.

Need additional time to fellowship with God. realize that when you are doing automatic activities. bathing, exercising, routine jobs, driving) open your heart to hear from God.

Becoming Still: shifting left…

Physical Calm <— Physical Tension

Focused Attention <— Distracted

Letting Be <— Over control

Receptive <— Active

Spontaneous flow <— Analytical thought

this is so hard for me.

Techniques to being still before God

1. Cease striving. Let go. relax Ps 46:10

Psalm 46:10 NASB95

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

TRYING TO HARD - can be a problem. If you think about it too much it can make it harder. (Like Bowling). the harder I tried the worse I got.

2. Not doing, but BEING (you can’t DO stillness) Ken you got to learn to rock and roll. i wanted to control everything.

3. Living in the present tense. Let go worry. Focus on the now. It is all there is. the Future is imagination, Past is a memory.

4. The Key emotion is LOVE. FAITH HOPE and Love but he greatest of these is LOVE. without love we are just annoying noise

5. It Cannot be forced or hurried. Allow it to happen. You cant rush yourself and demand yourself into the presence of God. like trying to force yourself to going to bed early for an ealy flight. You know you have got to get the extra rest so you try to hard to go to sleep and stay up half the night. Anyone having problems going to sleep? These techniques will help. try different things, pray in tongues. better than counting sheep.

6. In your stillness God takes over and an active flow wells up within you you are able to “hear” that still small voice.

7. The Bible calls this “being in the spirit” (Rev.1:10)

FOCUSED ATTENTION is the KEY to LEARNING ANYTHING

All your effort needs to be on this, and don't give up after trying it once or twice. If it does not work, don't give up. if you shoot a basketball at a basket the first time and miss it the first time. do you give up? no. you need to keep trying and practice until you have a breakthrough. It is worth it.

Journaling Exercise: Lord please talk to me about become still. What avenues are most effective to bringin me to inner stillness? WHat are your thoughts concerning stillness?

Pray -

Lord help us to see you and enter your presence and learn how to be still before you.

Jesus what do you want to say to me about stillness?

I need you to trust me. you do trust me don't you.

yes lord, but my worries pile up.

I know. and you know you can trust me with each of them. I will cover these things for you . take them to me and cast those burdens upon me. I can give you such efficiency that you can easily do all that I have for you and more.

I will wait upon you lord.

my grace is not only sufficeint for you but ablt o do ore htan you can imagine. cast yourself upon my grace let the full weight of your trust land on me. set you alarm for 6:30 each day and call to me. and I will answer. ask me to speak to you each mornig. be silent in my presence from 6:40-655 this is only 15 minutes but I can take that time and grow it. and show you what ican do with it. shower. can be added at night.

Next time Key #3 : Look for Vision as you Pray

Start your day journaling

Start your day with Jesus and journal… it will run better!

you wont be so busy if you listen to me before you start your day out!

Aks God what you don’t have to do. he can help you avoid things that are not necessary.

Practical Application: 2-way journaling

Lord, do you love me?

Lord how do you see me?

Lord, what would you like to say to me?

Exercise - prayer of meeting jesus on sea of Galilee

tune to flow of the H.S. tune into the Spontaneous flow of thoughts.

4 minutes in small groups

Prayer Ministry is available after the service!

Song by Diane