Thankful for this trial

As you tell God all the things you’re grateful for this Thanksgiving, is your present trial on that list? It is in times of hardship that we undergo significant transformation within ourselves for the better. And that is the greatest blessing of all — to be conformed to the image of Christ. Romans 12:1-2.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:7-11 (niv)

One of the missionary women the Lord led me to mentor came over weekly for counseling and prayer. But on this occasion, just a few days before Thanksgiving, she came angry.

Her family had planned to spend the holiday with close friends, but she had just found out a certain missionary woman she didn’t like would be there also.

“She’ll ruin it!” my friend vented, pacing the room, and spouting off a tirade of things she didn’t like about the other woman.

Just because you believe something doesn’t make it true. Only what God says is true. If your eyes are on your problem, rather than how big your God is; or if your eyes are on how people aren’t doing what you want them to, then you’re looking in the wrong direction.

As I put on soft worship music in the background to help my friend shift her thoughts, I encouraged her to lay down her opinions and ideas about that woman at Jesus’ feet; and then ask Him for His. What does Jesus say about her? That’s what really matters. Only He knows a heart, and only He knew what He was doing when she was invited to Thanksgiving dinner.

A few moments later, my friend looked up, tears glistening in her eyes. “God showed me her pain. She’s been through so much. I can’t wait to put my arms around her and tell her I love her, and Jesus does too!”

In just a few minutes, the Lord had transformed bitterness into joy, anger into love … by giving her His viewpoint and plan.

The enemy had arranged a nasty dissension feast for Thanksgiving that year, but the Lord overcame it with His purposes, and gave those families one of the most beautiful holiday celebrations they would ever know.

The key is surrender. When we lay down our expectations, desires, opinions, judgments, plans, and agendas to ask God for His, He makes something beautiful of what the enemy purposed for evil. Romans 8:28. Especially within us.

What are you facing during the upcoming holidays? Is there anything you’re dreading about the next few weeks? A situation you’d rather avoid?

Lay down your schedule before the Lord, and let Him arrange it the way He desires. Forgive those you hold grudges against, and ask the Lord how you can be a blessing in others’ lives — a channel of love to draw those around you closer to Him and each other.

Don’t waste this trial. Look for what God’s doing, and follow Him there!

If you’d like a deep devotional Bible study to help you remove the barriers to oneness with Christ and others; or if you’re looking for transformational gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com. Some suggestions below:

Delight to Be a Woman of Wonder (for her), and Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior (for him): Deep devotional Bible studies with practical, tactical strategies for overcoming the enemy in the battlefield of the mind, and walking as one with Christ and others

Dare to Be a Man of God, and Delight to Be a Woman of God: Deep Bible study workbooks on listening to God, following His lead, overcoming lies with truth, and loving others well

The Chronicles of the Kingdom of Light Christian fantasy series for older children and teens, to help them listen to God, follow His lead, forgive, fight for what matters most, overcome lies with truth, and break free from pride, fear, and other strongholds.
Book 1: Rescue from Darkness, and Book 2: Sands of Surrender.

I Want to See Jesus! (beginning reader)
Out You Go, Fear! (steps to freedom from fear for ages 4-8)
I Want a Horse! (for ages 4-8, when you want something so badly it’s all you can dream about)

Names of God Prayer Journal
Dare to Be a Man of God Prayer Journal
Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior Prayer Journal
Soar on Eagle Wings Prayer Journal
Delight to Be a Woman of God Prayer Journal
Bejeweled Touch of India Journal
Finding Beauty Among the Ruins Adventure Journal
Friesian Horse Lovers Journal
Horse Lovers Journal
Delight to Be a Woman of Wonder Prayer Journal

All the way

One of the things I often do for exercise is run up and down stairs in a high rise building. My goal has been 7 flights 7 times, as I pray for Christians who are persecuted here in the dark corner of the world where God has called us, and for the millions who have yet to hear Jesus’ name. But a few days ago, as I prayed for a Christian brother struggling with sin, I stopped a flight too low. When I hurriedly turned around to go back up, I tripped and nearly fell! I heard the Lord saying to my heart, “Tell him he must not stop. He must go all the way with Me. If he stops too soon, he’ll fall again. Tell him, ‘You must go all the way to win the prize.‘” Galatians 5:1, Hebrews 12:1-3.

Run, runner! Run from that sin!
If you think you’ve got this, you will fall.
Fix your eyes on Jesus, and never stop running to Him.
Galatians 5:1, Hebrews 12:1-3

Actually, the Lord is telling me that now. What about you? Where have you fallen back? When did you stop pressing forward in the Lord for freedom from that stronghold that controls your thoughts and reactions instead of the Holy Spirit?

Every day is a new day.
Every moment is a new moment.
Make it His. … Forever.

Recently, I climbed the stairs again, and got so caught up in worship and prayer, I didn’t focus on how far I went. Sometimes I stopped at 7 floors, sometimes 6, sometimes 8. When at last I finished my seventh round and was ready to head home, I felt the Lord whisper, “Press on.”

He became the air in my lungs, the beat of my heart, the energy that flowed through my body.

There are treasures hidden in the Secret Place you will never find until you climb higher up and deeper into Christ.

I ran higher and faster, past floors I’d never seen before, each with new discoveries unavailable on the lower levels I had frequented.

A soft bed, tucked in the stairwell somewhere around floor 15, reminded me of the peace and rest that overtook my frazzled heart when I learned to surrender my every moment to Christ to make it His. Isaiah 30:15a.

Sturdy building materials on different levels reminded me of the various tools He has provided for me at different levels in my walk with Him to repair His temple, my heart, and build up His church.

A writing desk, somewhere around floor 23, reminded me that, before God anointed me to write together with Him books that make a difference, I first had to let Him re-write the pages of my own heart and mind, knocking down lies with His truth, and setting me free to flow in His Spirit.

Somewhere around the 25th floor, a human-sized vase, gilded with intricate flowers of gold, surprised me. What such an exquisitely detailed masterpiece was doing in a dank stairwell, hiding its beauty from the world, I have no idea. But it brought to mind 2 Timothy 2:20: The Lord wants to make us vessels for His glory.  So, what on earth are we, His masterpieces, doing hanging out in dark corners?

“Wasting His grace.” That’s what a dear local brother here calls it when we veer from God’s plans to chase our own, when we trade in the golden vase to become stinky pots used for unholy purposes.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 NIV

Upward and upward we climbed, the Lord and I, and not once did I think of quitting, for His Spirit empowered me.

He gave me instructions along the way, like to walk across certain floors, and then pick up the climb at a different stairwell. But never did we stop moving upward.

That’s what this life with Him is supposed to look like. Not 7 steps up, 7 steps back. Not mountain highs, and valley lows.

Once you truly fix your eyes on Jesus, you can’t help but keep climbing. Getting closer and closer to Him is all you ever want.

What are you chasing these days that’s keeping you from the climb?

Even if you stumble, there’s no retreating. Even if He keeps you on a plateau until you learn whatever He’s teaching you, you don’t dive off the cliff. There’s no rock-bottom when you go through trials in Jesus’ arms. Every difficulty becomes a chance to press in all the harder, hear Him all the louder, obey Him all the more, and draw all the nearer to the One you love.

I know what it’s like to ride that spiritual roller coaster you might feel you’re on, because I used to waver up and down, and sideways, even. But, then … Jesus … He stole into my quiet times, toppled my lies with His truth, and set me free. Each time a stronghold fell, I could hear His voice louder, feel His presence stronger.  Why would I throw away LIFE — for He is the very air I breathe — and go back to snuffing up vomit, as 2 Peter 2:22 so graphically puts it? Galatians 5:1.

You get the point. Anyway, I continued to climb that stairwell with the Lord, until we reached the topmost floor anyone who rides the elevator knows about — anyone who takes the easy way up.

But there was one more secret floor above that one, for those who refuse to stop with “I’ve finally arrived.”  And above that highest level reached a ladder up, up, up to an open portal to the heavens.

There comes a point in drawing near to God, when our hearts are so surrendered that His Spirit overtakes us. HE is the One Who empowers us to climb higher and higher, uncovering mysteries and treasures of His love we never found at lower levels of faith.

If we press on in Him, He will open up a portal above us, where we can touch the things of Heaven even here on earth. Then, not even the sky will be the limit of what He will do in us, through us, and all around us.  

What’s keeping  you from going deeper in Christ? Let Him remove the barriers to oneness.

Is God Good?

“If God is good, then why does He let bad things happen?”

Have you ever thought that?

What if at the core of all our depression, anxiety, bitterness, anger, fear, hopelessness, frustration, wrong choices, stress, and struggles is the belief that GOD IS NOT ALL GOOD?

If God isn’t all good, if He’s sometimes evil, then I wouldn’t have to trust Him. If His judgment is fallible, then I could rely on my own reasoning over the Word of God. If He’s not really for me, I could do things my own way, rather than obeying Him. And if He’s not Sovereign, then I could spiral effortlessly into anxiety, depression, and hopelessness.

What would happen if I truly believed that God is Who the Word says He is?

• Rather than feeling anxious, I would trust in the Lord, rejoice that He’s got it all under control, and feel peace. (Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:25-34)
• Rather than leaning on my own imperfect understanding to make devastating decisions, I would seek all-knowing God for His wisdom and follow His lead. (Proverbs 3:6-7, Isaiah 55:6-9)
• Rather than pornography or some other worldly thing captivating me, sin would lose its appeal, as I fix my eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
• Rather than running in my own strength and burning out, I would do only the things God asks of me, and do them in His power. (Philippians 4:13)
• Rather than ceasing to pray, I would pray without ceasing and see miracles happen. (Ephesians 6:18)
• Rather than depressing myself and others, I would worship God and feel joy in His presence. (Psalm 16:11, Galatians 5:22-25)
• Rather than letting the darkness overwhelm me, I would shine for Christ, pushing back the darkness with His Light. (Matthew 5:11-16, Philippians 2:14-15)
• Rather than getting angry at God or pointing a finger at someone else, I would take responsibility for my sinful reactions, and let God change me, so my circumstances and the people around me would also then change. (Matthew 7:1-5, 1 John 1:9-10, Matthew 5:16)

True peace comes through believing God is in control, and He is good.

So, here is my challenge to you today:

Ask the Lord when you first began to doubt His goodness. Let Him take you to that memory. Feel what you felt when that happened, so you can find the lies, like “God isn’t really All-Powerful because He didn’t protect me,” or “God doesn’t care,” etc. Then ask Him for His truth. Let Him plant it deep in your heart.

Need some extra Truth ammunition to blow the lies out of your mind? Look up these verses and write what God shows you in your journal:

• 1 Chronicles 16:34
• 2 Chronicles 5:13
• Psalm 25:8
• Psalm 33:5
• Psalm 34:8
• Psalm 69:16
• Psalm 85:12
• Psalm 100:5
• Psalm 106:1
• Psalm 107:1
• Psalm 109:21
• Psalm 118:1, 29
• Psalm 135:3
• Psalm 136:1
• Psalm 143:10
• Psalm 145:9
• Jeremiah 33:11
• Lamentations 3:25
• Nahum 1:7
• Matthew 19:17
• Mark 10:18
• Luke 18:19

Don’t let the father of lies kill your joy, rob your peace, or destroy your faith. John 10:10.

Jesus said to them, … “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my Word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.

John 8:42-47 NRSV

The areas of our lives where we do not believe Truth are the very places we have allowed the father of lies to take us captive to think and do his bidding.

Only Truth can set us free.

(John 8:31-32)

When we choose to agree with Truth, we open up a channel for the Spirit to fill us with love, joy, and peace. Galatians 5:22-25.

For steps to removing the barriers to oneness with Christ so you can live a life of freedom, see Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior, or Delight to Be a Woman of Wonder.

Overcome the enemy in the battlefield of the mind with these his-and-hers spiritual warfare manuals for freedom from strongholds, Delight to Be a Woman of Wonder, and Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior.

Let 2019 be a Year of Love and Power

What did God do in your life this past year? Did you ask Him at the beginning of 2018 for a word, verse, vision, purpose, or something else He wanted to speak over the year? How did He fulfill that? Did you make a resolution to do something for the Lord or for yourself in 2018? Were you able to do that?

The word I felt the Lord giving me for 2018 was “plenty.” And it was indeed that in many ways. We had plenty of harrowing emergencies, and even some deaths. But we also had plenty of blessings, opportunities to love, family time, new adventures in new places with new people, … and most of all, plenty of Jesus — His love, protection, felt presence, Spirit’s empowering, even miracles in the midst of difficulties, uncertainty, and loss.

We all face trials. But the difference for those who walk with God is we get to go through them in His arms, and come out the other side changed.

No matter how you weathered last year, 2019 can be filled with power and wonder if you let Jesus transform you.

Has God given you a special verse or book of the Bible as a theme for 2019? How will you purpose to draw all the closer to Him, and let His love flow through you to others this year? Ask Him.

Here are some purposeful habits that have helped me walk in the Spirit’s leading all throughout the year:

1. Every morning, before I get out of bed, before I open my eyes, before I think any other thought, I give my day to Jesus and make it His:
   • “Lord, what are You doing today? I want to do that with You.”
   • “Is there anything on my schedule You haven’t asked me to do? Or anything You’re asking me to do that I’m not doing?”
   • “What do You want to teach me today?”
   • “How do You want to use me for Your glory today?”
   • “Do You have a special word or verse for my day today? A theme you want me to walk out in? Or something special You want to show me?”
   • “Delight me with Your love today, Lord, in some special way that only You would do, so I know that I know it’s You.”
2. Every day, I purpose to spend time with Jesus. Mornings are my favorite, before anyone else wakes up. I like to
   • be still.
   • worship.
   • read the Word and listen for His voice.
   • journal what I feel God showing me.
   • check thru my heart to repent of any sin.
   • pray, intercede.
   • ask God questions and journal His answers.
   • study the Bible (with a Bible study workbook,  a concordance, or some other study help).
   • commit passages or verses to memory.
   • listen to the Lord’s instructions on how to walk out in what He’s showing me.
3. I talk with God and listen for His leading all throughout my day.
   • I ask Him, “Lord, what are You doing now? What are You saying?” and look for what He’s showing me, so I can join Him there.
   • I hand Him my thoughts: “Lord, I think…. What do You say to that?”
   • I seek His viewpoint: “Lord, when You look at this person (or situation), what do You see?”
   • I ask Him to flow through me and use me: “Lord, speak through me. What can I do to bless (person’s name) today?”
4. I set aside special dates or personal spiritual retreats with the Lord. I might go hiking, sit by a beach, stay overnight at a friend’s house while she’s away, or go to an empty church. It’s a sweet time to worship as long and as loudly as I like, go all the deeper in the Lord, and let Him renew my strength. Just like Jesus did, I might set aside a whole day, half day, or overnight
   • at the beginning of a new season, so I can hand all my plans to the Lord and ask for His.
   • when I need to make a difficult decision.
   • when I’m hungry for more of Him.
   • when I need to prepare for something else He’s called me to do.
   • just because I love Him.

If you’d like a free guide to knowing God’s voice, a day planner to help you hand every moment and plan to the Lord, a deep Bible study to help you walk as one with Him, or a prayer journal to write down the things God is teaching you, visit www.MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com.

Grace and peace this Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope this finds you warm, safe, and welcomed by people who love you.

Where God has called our family to serve, most people don’t know who Jesus is, and those who have chosen to follow Him face the constant threat of persecution. So, as you snuggle up close to the fire with Christmas lights and carols playing in the background about peace on earth, breathe a prayer for those around the world who don’t have that freedom.

And as you shop, ask the Lord to lead you to presents that invite His presence.  

All proceeds this author receives go to shining Christ’s light in dark places of the world where few have heard His name. 

This season, in addition to all the deep Bible studies, pure novels, and transformational prayer journals and children’s books at MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com, I’m excited to share with you a new 2019 day planner for worshippers the Lord inspired: May My Life Be a Love Song to You, God. Each month features soft worship themes with deep prayers of surrender, inviting God’s anointing through a lifestyle of worship.  

2019 May My Life Be a Love Song to You, God Day Planner Diary

The lined version has time slots for detailed planning, with room to write what God’s showing you each day. But the unlined version has lots of wide-open space for you to write or draw anything you like.

For those of you studying through the Delight to Be a Woman of Wonder spiritual warfare manual and Prayer Journal, there’s now an accompanying 2019 Power Planner for surrendering every moment and plan to Christ to make it His.

Visit www.MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com to see all the available versions, as well as other Bible studies and books to make a difference in the lives of those you care about.

Also, I just launched a new blog specifically for Christian parents, Kingdom Culture Parenting, so if you’ve enjoyed the last few posts here, please pop on over and follow me there. And if you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll join our Kingdom Culture Parenting group for Christians to encourage one another as we raise our children up to walk as one with Christ. We’re also doing a Bible study in that group, you are welcome to join.

I was talking with a friend the other day, and she was laughing about different pranks they’ve played on their kids, telling them they’re on Santa’s naughty list. But it got me thinking….

So many people see God kind of like a Santa up there writing down in a book all the bad things we’ve done; no matter how good we try to be, that list never seems to even up.

Do you ever feel that way? Do you run all day long from one task to the next, trying to please God and everyone else, but never quite making it there? Maybe others are quick to tell you what you’re doing wrong. Or maybe you judge yourself. Either way, that guilt pit is deep, and the lies so sticky, it will take Truth’s hand to pull you out of there so you can be free.

Our kids tend to lean on God the same way they lean on us. So, if we’re telling them all the ways they don’t measure up, they’re likely to see God as displeased with them, as well.

How are children respond is a good indication of what’s going on in their hearts.

The sweet thing about grace is it’s not about how great we are, but about the greatest Sacrifice paid for us. Because of what Christ has done, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1a kjv), because “For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14 kjv.

So, this Christmas season, I challenge you to receive fully God’s grace for whatever Satan has been holding over your head your whole life. And to offer freely His grace to your spouse, children, and other loved ones around you.

After all, none of us is perfect; except through the One Who has made us so. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Blessings! And merry Christmas!

Raising Warriors a Culture Apart (Part 7: Parenting from a freed heart)

What I’m going to share with you in this blog today is perhaps one of the most powerful ways God has transformed my heart and made me into the mother my children needed to grow up as more than conquerors.

The Galatians Gauge:

Whenever you feel something negative outside of the love, joy, peace and all the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), get alone with God and ask Him where that comes from, so He can transform you. 

You see, whenever we feel anxious, depressed, angry, defensive, or anything else negative outside the fruit of the Spirit, a lie is usually involved—something the enemy planted in your heart, usually through a traumatic or otherwise difficult experience, to draw you away from intimacy with God and others. John 8:42-47, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Matthew 22:37-40. Those lies and negative experiences become the building blocks for strongholds like depression, anger, selfishness, etc.

What you need to topple those prison walls is a close encounter with the One Whose name is Truth. John 8:32; 14:6, 15-17.

Truth Encounter

1. Whenever anxiety, self-defense, anger, doubt, stress, or anything else negative outside the fruit of the Spirit comes up in your heart, excuse yourself from the situation as soon as you can, and get alone with God. Ask the Lord to shield and guide that time with Him, and keep away distractions.
2. Then ask Him, “Lord, when did that reaction first enter my life? Where do those thoughts (fear, vengeance, disappointment, etc.) come from? Take me anywhere You want to take me and show me anything You want to show me.”
3. He will usually take you to an earlier memory (But just follow His lead if He takes you somewhere else.). Allow yourself to feel what you felt when that happened. You’re looking for the lies, like, “Nobody cares about me,” “I’m all alone,” “I can’t do anything right,” etc.
4. Now, while you’re still in that memory, pray, “Jesus, What do You say to that? You were there when that happened. What were You doing or saying?” 
5. Then look around for Him in your memory, or listen for His still, small voice reminding you of a verse or telling you how much He loves you. Jeremiah 29:13. This is the truth that sets you free. 

Such a Truth Encounter usually takes only a few minutes, but the heart transformation is eternal! When I’m bound by a stronghold, thoughts of judgment, envy, or whatever my issue is, control my reactions rather than the Holy Spirit. But once Truth knocks down those lie-walls, I am free! The enemy may come back again with the same old temptations to react, but now that Truth has set me free, I’m not overwhelmed by those lie-thoughts anymore. I can choose to walk in the Spirit’s leading instead.

If I want to make sure that what I feel God showing me is from Him, I run it through the Three-Fold Sieve in Part 6: 1) Does it agree with God’s Word—all of it, not just a portion? 2) Does it agree with God’s character, especially His love and grace? 3) Does it draw me (and others) closer to Him?

For example, someone with a stronghold of failure may have done or said something wrong as a child. His father or someone else he looked up to might have said, “You can’t do anything right!” Then after several failed tests, relationships, and job attempts, he agrees, “I can’t do anything right!”

That’s a lie because of Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 5:19, 1 John 1:9, and so many more passages that speak of how we live in God’s strength doing what He leads us to do and we are more than conquerors through His love.

But the enemy loves to confirm his lies, so he brings many more circumstances into our lives to punctuate them and strengthen the strongholds he’s building in our hearts. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 8:42-47.

Head knowledge and sheer will aren’t strong enough to break free from such negative thought habits and sins that have a “strong hold” on us. We need Someone stronger. John 8:31-32.

So, how do we help our children to freedom, then?

That’s actually much simpler. Because children don’t have all the barriers adults have against experiencing God and believing His Word.

Whenever our kids were upset about something, we would pray together with them, “Lord, You see our hearts. You know why we’re hurting and what we feel. Take us anywhere You want to take us. Show us anything You want to show us. Do anything You want to do.” Immediately, He would show them just what their little hearts needed, and the crisis was over!

For example, my son was upset one time because I had just gotten home from leading a women’s retreat, and the house was filled with those who had helped me (We were about to debrief.). At the same time, my husband left on a trip. (We work in a dark corner of the world where few have heard Jesus’ name.) Our son, who was nine at the time, was crying because he wanted time in-between trips to just be a family. (He was right, actually. We never did that again!)

I excused myself from my guests, closed the door to my son’s room, and prayed with him as he asked Jesus to “Take me anywhere You want to take me and show me anything You want to show me.” Immediately, the eyes of his heart saw the image of a peaceful forest, with the sunlight streaming through the trees and a beautiful waterfall. Jesus stepped through the light and said to him, “Don’t worry. It’ll be all right. Your father will be home soon.”

Immediately, his heart was calm and he fell asleep! From tears to sleep in just under two minutes! Nothing I could have said to him would have had those results, even if I had said the same thing!

Because I’m not Jesus. My son needed Truth Himself to set him free.

For more help in leading your children to listen to God, try the tips for parents in the back of Out You Go, Fear! 

SaveSave

Raising Warriors a Culture Apart (Part 6: Training Your Children to Listen to God)

Children hear so easily from the Lord. They’re not inhibited by doubt, fear, pride, or any of the other walls most adults have built between God. They have no trouble believing He speaks to us. After all, nothing is impossible for God; the Bible tells us so. Proverbs 3:5-6; John 10:27; Matthew 19:26.

So, take advantage of this time while your children are young to learn together with them how to listen to God. 

If you yourself have trouble believing God speaks to you, remember that everything we think, believe, and act upon must agree with what God says in order for it to be true. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, John 8:42-47. There just is no verse that says He stopped speaking when the canon was closed. So, let’s look at some of the many ways the Bible says God speaks:

• The Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• Circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Psalm 40:1-3)
• Others (1 Corinthians 2:4-13)
• His still small voice in your mind and heart (Psalm 42:8)
• Dreams and visions (Acts 2:17)
• Impressions or urgings (Acts 15:28)
• A sense of peace (Acts 2:17-21)
• Signs and wonders (Acts 2:17-21)
• Nature (Psalm 125; 19:1-4)
• and many more!!!!

His voice might be loud and earth-shattering (Psalm 29), or soft and whispered (1 Kings 19:11-13), but God most certainly speaks!

So, how will you and your children know His voice, when so many other voices (like your own, others’, the enemy’s, and the world’s) are vying for attention?

The Three-Fold Sieve

Everything God says

1. Agrees with His Word — all of it, not just a portion
2. Agrees with His character, especially His love
3. Draws us closer to Himself

So, let’s try that now. Run the sentence, “God speaks to others, but not to me,” through the Three-Fold Sieve. Does it make it through?

Sometimes the reason we think we can’t hear God is because He’s not answering us in the way we expect or want Him to. 

The best way to “hear” the Lord is to surrender. Lay all of your opinions, ideas, hopes, desires, etc., down at His feet and ask Him for His.

There’s more on listening to God in the devotional Bible study workbook, Dare to Become a Kingdom Culture Leader, Volume 1, and Volume 2. But in this post, I’d like to encourage you to lead your children to listen to the Lord. They will need that belt of truth sooner than you think. Ephesians 6:14, Psalm 8:2.

Now is the time to train your children (and yourself!) to grab hold of what Truth says so the father of lies won’t take you captive.

John 8:42-47, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

This is one of the methods the Lord led us to do:

1. Snuggle up together in bed at night with the lights out.
2. Pray for Him to push out any distractions and enemy interference.
3. Ask God to lead us in our time together and speak to our hearts.
4. Then ask Him a question.

Here are a few of our favorite questions to ask Him:

• Lord, what do You want to say to my heart right now? Take me anywhere You want to take me. Show me anything You want to show me. Say anything You want to say.
• Lord, when You look at me, what do You see?
• Lord, what’s on Your mind? What makes You happy? What makes You sad?
• Lord, show me where You were throughout my day today and what You were doing.
• Lord, show me where You’ll be tomorrow and what You want to do with me.

Our kids were so excited to share what God was saying to their hearts that we had to make a rule to keep silent while others were still listening, and then put a hand on my arm when we’d heard from God. When all the hands were in place, we’d share with each other what He said.

Because we asked the Lord to protect that time together and to lead us, and because we asked God to speak, not the enemy or ourselves, we trusted Him to answer, and He did. That time was also extra-protected because we could run what He said through the Three-Fold Sieve together.

Just to give you an idea of how God speaks to children, the first time we did this together we asked, “Lord, when You look at me, what do You see?” Both our kids immediately saw pictures.

“I’m a mighty warrior, with so much armor from head to toe that you can only see my eyes,” said our son.

And our daughter giggled, “I’m a warrior princess in a white dress, carrying a plate of fruit to Jesus.”

Growing up in a dark corner of the world where spiritual warfare is at crazy levels, our son has fought countless battles ever so bravely for the Lord. And our daughter lives out all the fruit the Spirit has given her, but she so joyfully offers it all back to Jesus. (See Ephesians 6:10-20, Galatians 5:22-23).

As if that wasn’t evidence enough that the pictures were from the Lord, a few days later we received a book in the mail from a friend: Children, Can You Hear Me? by Brad Jersak (which I highly recommend, by the way.) The kids and I flipped through the pages together and found that very same question we had asked Jesus. Next to it was a drawing of a brother and sister looking in the mirror; and in their reflection, he was armored from head to toe and she was wearing a white princess dress.

Indeed God speaks in mysterious and wonderful ways!

(For more information on equipping your children to triumph over lies, see Out You Go, Fear! children’s book for ages 4-8; in the back are tips for parents to help kids listen to God and walk in freedom from fear and other strongholds.)

For a free guide to knowing God’s voice, visit www.MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com.