The Power of Prayer: Understanding its Role in Our Relationship with God

If God is not influenced by us, why should we pray?
If God cannot be affected by what we say, he is God . Why do we pray?

1. God is sovereign as his word
2. God is limited by his word
3. God will never violate his word.

- Whatever God speaks becomes law not only to humanity but also to himself. (He will never break his word).
- Prayer was created by limitations of Gods word.

Luke 11 : 1
WHY IS PRAYER THE ONLY THING DESCIPLES ASKED LORD TO TEACH THEM?

- Prayer is a personal thing, it's not a group thing.
- The priority of Jesus was not a ministry with men but with God.
- Jesus used to wake up very early in the morning and spend hours praying.
- After spending some time with Jesus, Disciples realized that Jesus used to spend most of his time praying and very little time doing the other tasks like casting out demons and healing the sick.
- The longer the time you spend in prayers the shorter the time you spend with earthly problems.

THE BIRTH OF PRAYER

Genesis 1:26
"Let them have Dominion over the Earth"

- God didn't include himself in Dominion over the Earth.
- The only creature that has Dominion over the Earth is the human. (Spirit in a body)
- Any Spirit without a body is illegal on Earth.
- If anything should be done on Earth legally, it should be done by Spirit with a body.
- Thats why God could not interfere when Eve was picking the fruit.
- Christmas was possible because of God's word. Jesus had to be born for God to come to the Earth legally.

Isaiah 9:6
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.."

- Mary produced the body, God gave the spirit.
- Jesus was human but Christ was the spirit.

- PRAYER IS GOD RECEIVING LICENSE FROM MAN TO INTERFERE ON EARTH.
- God needs us to impart our city
- Jesus said, I have given you the keys of the Kingdom...
- God is committed to your body thats why he provides healing.
- He needs my body to be legal on Earth.
- Whatever we bind Heaven binds, whatever we lose Heaven lose.
- God heals you for his sake, to use you for his righteous purposes.
- WHEN​ MAN STOP PRAYING, GOD STOPS WORKING.

Unlocking the Power of Prayer: Understanding its Role in Granting Earthly Authority to Heavenly Interference

-PRAYER is the most misunderstood Kingdom concept and also the most important Kingdom concept.
-PRAYER is the ambassadors number one priority.
-WITHOUT GOD MAN CANNOT, AND WITHOUT MAN GOD WILL NOT. In other words without God's power Man cannot do anything in the world and without Man's authority God cannot do anything in the Earth. We have the authority but God has the power.

Genesis 1:26(KJV)
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Dfn: PRAYER IS EARTHLY LICENSE FOR HEAVENLY INTERFERENCE.

- The most powerful creature on Earth is the human.
- Human is the spirit being living in a dirt body.
- Any spirit without a earthly/dirt body is illegal on Earth.
- The most powerful weapon you pocess on Earth is your body, that's why when you loose your body you are dead and you have to leave. Spirits don't die only the body which dies.
- Demon pocession is simply a demonic spirit trying to use your body so that it can become legal on Earth for it to work.
- God chose to become illegal on Earth when he said let them have Dominion.
- GOD himself cannot interfere in this planet unless you allow him to interfere. This doesn't mean that he is not powerful, He is only binded by His words "Let them", he did not include Himself in the authority of the running of the Earth.

PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER

1. The legal authority to Dominate Earth was given to HUMANS​
2. God did not include himself in the legal authority on Earth.
3. Man became the legal steward of earthly domain.
4. Only spirits in a physical body is legal on Earth.
5. Any spirit without a dirt body is illegal on Earth that's include God himself.
6. Any supernatural influence on Earth is only legal through a Human.

- Why did God not interfere when Eve was picking the fruit? If God interfered, he could have gone against​ his word ( let them have Dominion)
- Satan needed a body that's why he used the body of serpent to become legal on Earth.
- When Adam and Eve sinned the holy Spirit left because the body was contaminated, and His spirit could not live in us.
- That's why God had to become a Man.
- Jesus made Christ legal, Christ was God and Jesus was the Man.
- When God wanted to judge Sodom and Gomorrah he used Abraham to give him permission.
- When God wanted to save the children of Israel from the slavery, he used Moses. When Moses spoke God makes it happen.

LAWS OF PRAYER

1. The legal authority on Earth is in the hands​ of Human.
2. God will never violate the laws of his word.
3. Nothing can ever happen on Earth without mankind allowing it.
4. God cannot interfere on Earth without cooperation of man.
5. Mankind holds the power of license on Earth. God has the power but mankind has the authority.

JOHN 5:27 kjv
And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

- In John 5, Jesus used two words to describe himself. Son of man and son of God,
- What gave Him authority to do all what he used to do is because of part of him being a Son of man, Son of man has authority and son of God has power.

When we pray, we give God permission to interfere. If we don't pray, nothing will happen. That's why we ought to pray always.

How to Change Your Life through the Power of Words

Who hasn’t spoken jokingly or playfully at some time or another? We’ve all done it. How differently would people speak, though, if they truly believed in their words? Statements like, “That makes me sick.” or “This is what kills me.” would quickly disappear from our lips. New statements like, “I am a millionaire!” and “I am out of debt!” would be spoken with conviction and heard for miles around!
However, one saying remains true, whether people choose to believe it or not, and that is: “Words have power.” For the origin of such power, let’s begin with the source, God.
We’ve heard the stories of Genesis. Throughout its pages, runs a central and constant theme: God spoke and a corresponding action or manifestation occurred. “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3.) Ultimately, the elements of everything we can see, and also those things that we cannot see, like oxygen and electricity, originate from the voice of God—even you and I!
Mankind was made in God’s image and in the image of the Word of God, who was present with God when creation occurred. “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature” (Genesis 1:26, MSG). More importantly, we don’t just look like God, we are like God! “Jesus said, ‘I’m only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, ‘I tell you—you are gods’ ” (John 10:34, MSG). That means we possess within us God-like qualities, such as the ability to love and even the ability to create through the power of speech. Examples of such life-changing occurrences are throughout the Bible. Here are a few:

• “Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose” (Proverbs 18:21, MSG).
•  “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith” (Mark 11:23).
• “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked” (Mark 5:41, 42).
• “So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them” (Isaiah 55:11, MSG).

Any one of these is powerful enough to change your circumstances or your life! The Bible contains numerous instances of Word power. It is a book of seeds—Word seeds. You can take your pick!
Because God’s creative force is within us all, it is so important that we consciously choose the words we speak. Words have consequences. Through what you say, you have the ability to bring to pass either good or bad. In addition, words are spiritual containers that can produce physical things. All they need in order to reproduce is the fertile ground of a believing heart. This works either purposely or not on purpose.
As a Christian, there is authority available to you through the words you speak in the name of Jesus. We call forth His name when we pray, and He backs what we say, when it agrees with what God has said.
Know that the Word of God is alive and effective! As a result, you can speak it with confidence over your finances, or more particularly, concerning a light bill. You can declare it for a body to be healed! You can call into existence a job, a spouse, well-behaved children—whatever you need! With the Word of God consistently on your tongue and in your heart, along with the dynamic power of the name of Jesus, you can rearrange your life. Change will come. Expect it to eventually show up!

Unlocking the Power of Praise: How Giving Thanks to God Can Transform Your Life

As Christians, we should make praise a central part of our lives. Why is this important? Praise is one of the ways we thank God for His unfailing love and mercy, and it helps us focus on His goodness rather than negative circumstances. Praise also builds our faith, defeats the enemy, and brings us into God's presence.

There is always something to worry about, but there is also always something to praise God for. Even small things like waking up in the morning or having a roof over our heads are worth praising Him for. God loves to be praised and appreciated, no matter how big or small the thing we are praising Him for is.

Praise is also a powerful weapon against the devil's attacks on our joy. The devil wants us to focus on problems instead of solutions and to live in fear instead of faith. But when we give God praise in spite of our circumstances, we defeat the enemy's tactics and cultivate a deeper relationship with God.

One example of this is found in the story of King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah in the Old Testament. When a great multitude rose up against Jehoshaphat, he was afraid and sought God's help. He proclaimed a fast throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 20:1-25) and the Lord's reply came through one of the prophets, "Hearken, all Judah, you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15, AMP). After receiving this message, the situation improved for Jehoshaphat and the people he governed. He appointed singers to praise the Lord and "when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah: and they were smitten” (2 Chronicles 20:21, 22). Their enemies were defeated while they were praising God, and they spent three days gathering the spoils!

Praise and worship served as weapons on the frontline of battle, in the same way, when we focus on the goodness of God instead of worrying in the midst of trouble, we will find that praise and thanksgiving expands our capacity to receive from Him. Our praise has many dynamic effects, that's why it should be established as part of our everyday lives. Praise is also one of the ways we acknowledge God’s grace. When we praise God and allow Him to do what we cannot do, we experience His complete and perfect work in our lives.

Embracing the Wait: Understanding the Power of Trusting in God's Timing

We all want good things to happen in our lives, but too often we want it now...not later. When it doesn't happen that way, we are tempted to ask, "When, God, when?" Most of us need to grow in the area of trusting God instead of focusing on the "when" question. If you're missing joy and peace, you're not trusting God. If your mind feels worn out all the time, you're not trusting God.

The tendency to want to know about everything that's going on can be detrimental to your Christian walk. Sometimes knowing everything can be uncomfortable and can even hurt you. I spent a large part of my life being impatient, frustrated and disappointed because there were things I didn't know. God had to teach me to leave things alone and quit feeling that I needed to know everything. I finally learned to trust the One who knows all things and accept that some questions may never be answered. We prove that we trust God when we refuse to worry. 

God wants us to live by discernment—revelation knowledge, not head knowledge. It's difficult to exercise discernment if you're always trying to figure out everything. But when you're willing to say, "God, I can't figure this out, so I'm going to trust You to give me revelation that will set me free," then you can be comfortable in spite of not knowing. Trusting God often requires not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done and not knowing when He will do it. We often say God is never late, but generally He isn't early either. Why? Because He uses times of waiting to stretch our faith in Him and to bring about change and growth in our lives. 

Wait With Patience

We spend a lot of time in our lives waiting because change is a process. Many people want change, but they don't want to go through the waiting process. But the truth is, waiting is a given—we are going to wait. The question is, are we going to wait the wrong or right way? If we wait the wrong way, we'll be miserable; but if we decide to wait God's way, we can become patient and enjoy the wait. It takes practice, but as we let God help us in each situation, we develop patience, which is one of the most important Christian virtues. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). It's developed only under trial, so we must not run from difficult situations. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing (James 1:4).

As we develop patience, the Bible says we finally feel completely satisfied—lacking nothing. Even our relationship with God involves progressive changes. My relationship with God is so much different now than it was in the early days of my Christian experience. It is not nearly as emotionally exciting...and yet it is better. Every change I've gone through has made me more mature, solid and well-grounded. We learn to trust God by going through many experiences that require trust. By seeing God's faithfulness over and over, we let go of trusting ourselves, and gradually we place our trust in Him. Looking at it like this, it is easy to see how timing plays an important part in learning to trust God. If He did everything we asked for immediately, we would never grow and develop. Timing and trust work side by side. 

Accept God's Timing

God gives us hopes and dreams for certain things to happen in our lives, but He doesn't always allow us to see the exact timing of His plan. Although frustrating, not knowing the exact timing is often what keeps us in the program. There are times when we might give up if we knew how long it was going to take, but when we accept God's timing, we can learn to live in hope and enjoy our lives while God is working on our problems. We know that God's plan for our lives is good, and when we entrust ourselves to Him, we can experience total peace and happiness.

The book of Genesis tells the story of Joseph, who waited many years for the fulfillment of the dream God had given him. He was falsely accused and imprisoned before the time came for him to do what God had shown him he was to do. Exodus 13:17-18 tells us that God led the Israelites the longer, harder way on their journey to the Promised Land because He knew they were not yet ready to go in. There had to be time for their training, and they had to go through some very trying situations. They wasted a lot of time wondering about God's timing, but God never failed to take care of them and show them what He wanted them to do. The same is true in our lives. It was many years after I received my call from God in February of 1976 before I finally began to see major fulfillment of what God had called me to do. God's training period simply requires us to do what He tells us to do when He tells us to do it...without questioning or trying to figure everything out. 

Learn to Rely on God

Proverbs 16:9 says, A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. Proverbs 20:24 says,Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way? When God directs our paths, He sometimes leads us in ways that don't make sense to us so we're not always going to understand everything. If we try to reason out everything, we will experience struggle, confusion and misery—but there is a better way. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. This sounds so simple, yet too many people make the mistake of trying to figure everything out themselves. Most of us have spent our lives trying to take care of ourselves, but when we accept Christ as our Savior, we must learn to trust our lives to His care. When we do, we can say with the psalmist, ...I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. My times are in Your hands...(Psalm 31:14-15).

First Peter 5:5 tells us that ...God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble. Anyone who thinks they're a self-made man or woman has a rude awakening coming because Jesus said, ...apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing (John 15:5). Humility is a covering that draws the help of God into our lives to protect us. When we humble ourselves by saying, "God, I don't know what to do, but I'm trusting You," God gets in gear to help us. God won't allow us to succeed at anything unless we're leaning and relying on Him. But when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, in due time, He will exalt us (see 1 Peter 5:6). "Due time" is God's time, when God knows we're ready, not when we think we're ready. The sooner we understand and accept that, the sooner God can work His plan in our lives. 

From Seedtime to Harvest

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us: To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. This lets us know that we all don't live in the same season at the same time. You should never be jealous of someone who is enjoying harvest while you're still in the planting season. Remember, they had to go through a season of planting just as you are. Seeing the results they are enjoying should be an encouragement to you. Understand and trust that God is doing the very best for you in your present season. Seedtime represents learning the will of God. Each time I choose God's will instead of my own, I'm planting a good seed that will eventually bring a harvest in my life. If you want to be victorious, you cannot afford to get pulled into the world's system, doing what you feel like doing. James 1:21 tells us what we should do: ...get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. 

Your soul is your mind, your will and your emotions. When the Word gets rooted in there and begins to change your mind, it begins to heal your emotions and turn your will away from self-will and onto doing the will of God. Living out of one's own soul is equivalent to staying in the wilderness. When my flesh is finally crucified and I get out of my soul and into doing the will of God, that's when I enter the promised land. The promised land is knowing who you are in Christ, knowing how to fellowship with Him, enjoying His presence, and having peace, contentment and joy. Between seedtime and harvest comes a time of waiting. After a seed is planted, the heat, moisture and pressure of the ground finally cause the outer hull to crack open. Then roots shoot down, digging their way through the ground. It takes time for this to happen, and it takes place underground. Above the ground, you can't tell anything is happening. That's the way our lives are. After we plant seeds of obedience, we feel like nothing is happening, but all kinds of things are happening inside where we can't see. And like the seed that finally bursts through the ground with a beautiful green shoot, our seeds of obedience finally break forth into a beautiful manifestation of God in our lives. 

When harvesttime comes, the desires of your heart begin to manifest—bondages fall off of you and you see your dreams come to pass. You see your kids changing and your family getting saved. Prosperity, favor, promotion, honor, and all kinds of good things come out in the open where they can be seen. In harvesttime, more than ever before, you hear from God, you enjoy His presence, and you're led by the Spirit. Blessings begin to chase you down the street, and joy and calm delight become your normal mood. Are you tired of waiting for harvesttime in your life? Are you frustrated, crying out, "When, God, when?" Then you need to understand that God's timing is often a mystery. He doesn't do things on our timetable. Yet His Word promises that He will not be late, not one single day. But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! (Habakkuk 2:3 TLB).

God causes things to happen at exactly the right time! Your job is not to figure out when, but to make up your mind that you won't give up until you cross the finish line and are living in the radical, outrageous blessings of God! The more you trust Jesus and keep your eyes focused on Him, the more life you'll have. Trusting God brings life. Believing brings rest. So stop trying to figure everything out, and let God be God in your life. 

Mindful and Healthy: How to Keep Your Mind in Tune with God

Keeping our mind healthy is crucial for maintaining overall well-being. There are several ways we can do this, including:

1. Meditating on the word of God: This involves reading, studying and reflecting on the Bible and its teachings. When we fill our minds with the word of God, we are able to align our thoughts and actions with His will and purpose.

2. Confessing God's word loudly: This involves speaking the word of God out loud, rather than just reading or thinking about it. When we confess God's word, we are declaring it over ourselves and our circumstances, which helps to renew our minds and align them with God's truth.

3. Walking in the conscious of God's presence: This involves being mindful of God's presence in our lives and allowing it to guide and direct us. When we are aware of God's presence, we are able to trust in His guidance and protection.

4. Being conscious of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is always with us, and by being aware of His presence, we are able to receive His guidance and direction.

5. Walking in the fear of God through saying no to sin: The fear of God is a healthy fear that helps us to stay away from sin and align our lives with God's will. When we say no to sin, we are able to maintain a clear conscience and a healthy mind.

All these tips aligns with Philippians 4:8 which says "Finally, brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things."

The Power of God's Word in Demolishing Spiritual Strongholds

Stronghold refers to a spiritual fortress where Satan and his followers hide to protect themselves. These strongholds can exist in our thinking patterns and ideas that govern individuals, churches, communities, and missions. In order to claim victory, these strongholds must be dismantled. The powerful weapons of the word of God and the spirit of God can effectively destroy these strongholds.

On one hand, a stronghold can serve as protection for us against the devil, as when the Lord becomes our stronghold (Psalm 18:2). However, in the context of the mind, a stronghold can also serve as a defense for the devil, where demonic or sinful activity is defended within us by our sympathetic thoughts towards evil.

A demonic stronghold is a type of thinking that elevates itself above the knowledge of God, giving the devil a secure place of influence in an individual's thoughts and life.

Deliverance

This comes when we humble our minds. As Matthew 12:43-45 states, "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

It is important to note that our mind should not be left unoccupied. The demon we are fighting uses our thoughts to protect its access into our lives. We can combat this by dealing with carnal thought systems that act as strongholds for the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Every form of habit of sin in a believer has its roots in carnal, unholy thinking, thereby keeping demonic activities in the area of such life where Satan feeds on sin. The process of dismantling these strongholds begins with repentance (Mark 6:12-13).

How to maintain a healthy mind

It is important to constantly meditate on the word of God, confess God's word loudly, walk in the consciousness of God's presence, be aware of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and walk in the fear of God by saying no to sin. Philippians 4:8 advises, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.”

TALKING AND LISTENING TO GOD

Talking to God
We talk to God in order to constantly build and strengthen our relationship with him, to get to know him better, to learn what he expects of us, what we can expect from him, and to find out how we can best accomplish the things that he wants us to do. We also talk to God in order to seek his advice and help, to show him that we recognize his existence and awesome power, and of course to show him that we have trust and confidence in him.

And talking to God should be the same as if you were talking to your best friend. You should tell him your thoughts, desires, hurts, and problems, as well as giving him your thanks and praise. Talking to God not only tells God that you have knowledge of him but that you also have faith in him. Talking to God also tells him that you have a desire for his presence in your life and that you need him and are dependent on him. It also shows God and that you want to be obedient to him. He wants to hear these things from you. He already knows what they are but he wants you to tell them to him. He wants you to make the effort to talk to him and not to take him for granted.

Two things you should do to strengthen your relationship with God.
1) Talk to God daily, in a normal everyday type of conversation. Remember that God can read your mind and that he is constantly observing your inner most thoughts at all times, so he knows what is going on in your heart and your mind far better than you do. So your conversations with God do not have to be vocal and you can mentally talk to God anytime you want. God gave us little taste of his ability to search the hearts of men and read their minds back in Jeremiah 17:10 when he said, "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds."
So you can easily talk to God in your thoughts, and these conversations can be done anytime or anyplace. They can be done in school, at work, or at any other place, even if the rules of the world are against it.

2) Read the Word of God each and every day. The Bible was the one thing that Jesus left for each one of us to read and study so that we would be able to find out about God. Only by reading the very word of God can we hope to draw near to him.

When Our Lord sees that you are taking the time to read his word every single day then what he is going to do is begin to peel away the layers of cloudiness that are covering your eyes and that hide the truth. Once he sees that you are serious about reading his word, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will begin to open your eyes and mind, and allow you to begin to understand the Word of God and the incredible meaning that it has on every aspect of your life. It won't be long before you realize that the Bible isn't difficult at all to read and understand, and to your amazement you will begin to also realize that you and Jesus have been drawn closer together. Suddenly you will know that indeed he is communicating with you.

It is really a joyous occasion to see a believer who has devoted the time to talk to God and to read his word daily, suddenly realize just how much God is speaking to them. The true believer takes great comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ is constantly talking to them, directing them, guiding them, and teaching them throughout each and every day.

Also keep in mind that the way you talk to God is extremely important. Do you talk to him only when you are in trouble and need help? If so then it shows God that you are simply taking him for granted. However if he sees that you are setting aside certain periods of time during each day just to talk to him, then what you are doing is opening up the channels of communication between you and God.

We are living in a world that rarely thinks about Jesus and seldom talks to him, and if Jesus sees one person out of a million who is actually taking the time each and every day just to talk to him, then you are going to put great joy in his heart. Just think of it. The creator of the entire universe will be personally listening to you each and every time you talk to him.

He may watch for a while to see if what you are doing is only temporary and whether or not you will stop it after a few days. But if you continue, then God is going to be extremely pleased and I believe he won't be able to wait to begin to communicate with your heart, your conscience, your soul, your spirit. In fact you will not believe how much God will be talking to you.

Listening to God
Listening to God is probably the most important thing that will ever happen to a person. In fact your entire eternal future is based on you hearing God speaking to you and whether or not you listen to him. And this is because your spiritual life doesn't begin until God speaks to you and you finally decide to listen. This is so beautifully described in John 10:27-28. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand".

It is for this reason that you need to not only talk to God constantly about everything, but you must also listen for God to speak to you. And the best way to listen for God to speak to you is to look to your heart and your mind for his answer. Most people expect God to answer them in some divine way or somehow speak to them verbally, right out of the heavens, but that isn't the way God operates. God speaks to a persons heart. To their mind. To their sense of moral righteousness and fairness. To their sense of what is right and Godly. When Jesus Christ is dwelling within a person he is communicating constantly with that person's, heart, conscience, soul, and spirit. His answer may even be in that certain feeling that you have. That unexpected feeling that came out of no where and that shines additional light on the problem. His answer may lie in that sudden pause that you experience. That pause that gets you thinking about a different path to take.

And those methods of communication that God uses are extremely loud and clear. The true child of God can hear God speak just as clearly as if God was standing right along side of them and verbally talking to them. However for most people, especially in the beginning, they need to be quiet and really listen for God's answer because it is so very easy to block his answer out. You can get busy watching a TV program or cleaning the house and you never really hear his side of the conversation.

It's amazing, but a true child of God is carrying on a constant two way conversation with God all day long. This is why talking and listening to God is so easy. It's like listening to music. That's why if your driving down the street going 30 Kph over the speed limit, you know that's the voice of God telling you that you are wrong and that you must get back to the proper speed limit. That speeding is against the law, that you very possibly might hurt or kill another person, that you will be stopped by the police and given an expensive ticket, that your insurance rates will go up, or any number of other reasons. (You know it's not satan talking to you because if it was satan he would be telling you to go faster, that a little extra speed doesn't matter, that the other drivers owe you, or that it is ok for you to speed because you are in a hurry).

After a while God is carrying on a conversation with you even while you are talking to other people; and you are tuned in to God just as much as you are to the other person. When was the last time you and another person were talking and that person used the name of God in vain. Did your mind not hear the Lord cut into that conversation and instantly begin to tell you that the conversation was wrong. That it is wrong to be around someone dragging his Father's name through the dirt? Or how about the time when you were talking with another person and one of you happened to mention vicious gossip about another person. Didn't your heart hear God tell you that it wasn't right to gossip? Did you feel that gentle warning letting you know that you were traveling out of God's camp and into an area that is owned and ruled by satan. That was God simply talking to you. And it will be one of the most glorious days of your life when you finally realize that you can conduct a constant two way conversation with God 24 hours a day.

Also a great many people love to say that God works in mysterious ways. That they have absolutely no idea how or why God does what he does. But for the true believer, God's ways aren't mysterious. His ways aren't concealed behind smoke and mirrors. It is just the opposite. Because once you begin to understand Jesus Christ, once you begin to learn what he is all about, once you begin to understand what he is trying to do in this world and in your life, once you begin to understand the tremendous importance that he holds for all of mankind, then his actions will not be mysterious. That's when his ways will become crystal clear. In fact many times you will actually be able to predict what he is going to do.

The believer, who has surrendered his life up to Jesus Christ, will see God actively working in their daily lives. But this seeing will not be a visual image focused in our eyes. Instead, God has allowed his children to see him through his faithfulness, his blessings, his guidance, his encouragement. Our very spirits tell us that he is very near to us. Do we not see him by the feeling of peace and calm that his very presence brings? Do we not see God through the daily provisions that he brings for our many needs? We see God when he is carrying our burdens, when he is lighting our paths, and when he is nestling us in his arms. The believer that has surrendered, is able to see God all day long.

Various ways we listen to God speak

We can listen to God speak to us through his Word. As mentioned above, God uses the Bible as his foremost tool to impart his daily instructions to us. That is one reason why it is so very important to read the word of God daily because God will direct you to specific passages that will have a direct impact on the problems you are facing and the questions that you have. You will find specific answers to specific questions that you are presently facing or will face shortly. It is absolutely incredible how this works but it does and it happens almost on a daily basis. However if you don't read the word of God everyday you will miss out on this extremely important method of communication that God uses to inform and teach you, to answer your questions, and to guide you along your spiritual path.

Do you realize that 10 men can read the exact same passage of scripture in the Bible and each man will come away with a little different meaning for that verse. God will reveal that passage differently to each man, depending on each man's background, his age, his life experiences, his circumstances, his environment, his present situation, and many other factors. We all have different needs, we all find ourselves passing through different trials and tribulations, we all have different fears, and we are all on different missions and goals from God. That is the incredible power that lies behind the Bible. And why shouldn't it be this way considering each word in the Bible was inspired from God directly to the Bible writers.

And just as incredible is the fact that as each of these men grow spiritually, they will interpret that same passage a little differently each time they go back and reread that verse. They can take what they have recently learned and use that information as building blocks so that they are able to get a better and clearer understanding of that verse and the information and knowledge that verse contains.

That is how an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about God grows and grows. It's also how God continually instructs a person, how he allows a person to grow in their spiritual daily walk, how he gets the believers character and moral fiber to improve in a Godly manner on a daily basis, how God reveals mysteries that the believer never dreamed he could possibly understand or comprehend, and most importantly how the believer is able to love and trust and obey God more today than he did yesterday. The knowledge about God is through the pages of your Bible.

We listen to God through the Holy Spirit who is with us every second of the day. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us, guides us, and instructs us. It is the Holy Spirit who is our helper and our educator. It is the guidance of the Holy Spirit that is going to bring Jesus Christ into your life. The Holy Spirit is the one who opens the hearts and the minds of men. The Holy Spirit is the one who educates and instructs a person in how to lead a life which is pleasing to God The Father, and it is The Holy Spirit who tells you and the rest of the world about Jesus Christ.

We listen to God speak to us when we pray. God can communicate with us when we pray because this is the time when we are really concentrating on God, and this makes our hearts and minds accessible to the voice of God. It is in prayer where you can have a one-on-one conversation with Almighty God. It is in prayer that God can impress his desires on our spirits, have impact on our minds, and have the ability to change our hearts. Our prayer gives God the authority to have incredible communication with us.

We listen to God speak to us through other believers. When you are faced with a problem or have a question, who better to go to then another believer who will give you good Godly advice that is based on the Bible. Someone who is already letting Jesus Christ lead them in living their life, and who has a firm understanding of the Bible, and who will want God to advise them on just how to answer your question.

We also listen to God speak to us through divine circumstances. We are all living under heavenly guidance and many times God will do certain things in our life which will absolutely astound and amaze us. Many times these happenings are absolutely incredible, but unfortunately most people will say that these things are just due to pure luck or fate. But the true believer can see the hand of God written all over these occurrences and realizes that they are just another way that God uses to communicate with us.

Since God has unlimited ways to talk with you, he may do so using other forms of communication. He may lead you to other Godly people for certain answers, he may guide you to certain verses in the Holy Word of God or other literature for answers, he may arrange your future circumstances so that that specific things become very visible and you find the answer there, you may even see an answer in another person whom God has brought across your path. The possible ways in which our Loving Father can answer us is absolutely incredible.

The method to determine which solution is the one from God consists of 7 very simple questions that you ask yourself regarding each possible solution or each possible answer.

The seven questions
1 - Is it consistent with the word of God? Does this solution fit the principles that are in the Bible? Does it violate anything in the Bible?

2 - Is it a wise decision? In your own heart and mind is it the type of solution that Jesus Christ himself would agree with? Would Jesus implement this solution himself?

3 - Are you confident in asking God to enable you to achieve this solution? Can you look upon this solution as one that God would send into your life?

4 - Do you feel that it is a God given solution? Deep within your heart do you feel or sense that this solution is the will of God?

5 - Does this solution fit a child of God? From all that you know about God, does this solution or this answer fit a person that truly loves, believes, and trusts God?

6 - Does the solution fit God's overall plan for your life? Does this solution fit in with God's guidance and direction of your life?

7 - Does this solution honor God? Does it bring glory and praise to Almighty God?

But what happens if you have a number of possible solutions and none of them satisfy all seven of these steps? Or even worse, you still don't have any solutions or answers. Then you need to remember that we are all on God's time schedule, and we have to simply be patient and wait on the Lord. He will bring you the answer or solution but only when the time is right and only God can see your entire life so only he knows when the time is right.

The Bible is jammed full of examples of men and women who for one reason or another were not patient, who refused to wait on the Lord, who decided to do it their own way, and thus made the decision to bypass God and take a shortcut. And what were the results of these many examples of people taking shortcuts around God? Failure and heartbreak in every single example. In fact ask yourself this question. If you have saved for years and now have enough money to build your first brand new house, would you be happy to see the builder suddenly start to take shortcuts in building your new home?

So this would be a very good time to remember some of the great many Biblical verses about patience and about waiting on the Lord. Verses like:

2 Thessalonians 1:4 "So that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure."

2 Thessalonians 3:5 "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ."

1 Timothy 6:11 "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."

2 Corinthians 6:4 "But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses."

Luke 21:19 "In your patience you shall possess your souls."

So if you are observant and pay attention you will hear God as surely as if he was standing right in front of you speaking to you orally. God wants you to talk to him and to trust him. In return he will love you and bless you and teach you. He will show you how you can achieve a life filled with peace and happiness. God wants to be involved in every single aspect and facet of your life, because as it says at Galatians 2:20, "It is no longer I that live, but it is Christ that is living in union with me. Indeed, the life that I now live in flesh, I live by faith".

So the true child of God is letting Christ live their life. Christ is in charge. Christ is running the whole show. You might say that you are along just for the ride. There is nothing that you should not involve God in. Each and every single thing you do, from opening your eyes in the morning to shutting them at night, should be done by both you and God.

So in conclusion, the really sad thing about not talking and listening to God, is that you miss a golden opportunity to draw closer to God, to get to know him better, and to let him know that you realize that you want and need his help. You would have missed the Godly advice given at James 4:8, "Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you". Instead when you don't talk or listen to God you pretty much tell him that you don't need him, that you can do things on your own, that his advice and his concern are not needed, that you are very capable of going through your life under your own power and doing it your own way. If so, do you feel a little like Matthew 13:15 with your eyes starting to shut, your ears starting to close up, maybe your heart beginning to become a little harder?

This is because without that communication between you and God, you will soon find yourself drifting further and further away from God. And as the distance between you and God increases, your heart will indeed become harder and the ways of the world will begin to become ever more important.

This life on earth is simply a training school that allows us to refine and perfect ourselves, to learn from our mistakes and our errors in judgment. But to be successful at this requires complete faith and trust in our Lord. So listen for that soft gentle voice filled full of love, intelligence, and caring.

Prayer: The Key to Intimate Fellowship with God

The power of prayer cannot be overstated. It is a vital aspect of our relationship with God, and is essential for spiritual growth and development. In James 4:8, it says "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." As believers, we are called to maintain an ongoing dialogue with our Heavenly Father, to seek His face and to know His heart.

Prayer is more than just asking God for things. It is a form of fellowship and communion with Him. It is a way to worship and to seek His guidance and wisdom. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." As we prioritize our relationship with God and make time for prayer, we open ourselves up to His blessings and provision.

One of the keys to effective prayer is consistency. In Luke 18:1, Jesus tells a parable about a persistent widow who kept coming to a judge for justice. He said, "And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me." In the same way, when we are persistent and consistent in our prayer, we will see results.

It is also important to pray correctly. This means basing our prayers on the Word of God and aligning them with His will and purpose. In John 15:7, Jesus says "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." When we pray in accordance with the Bible, we can be confident that our prayers will be answered.

To develop a strong prayer life, it is important to set aside dedicated time to pray. This can be at a specific time each day or throughout the day as opportunities arise. It is also important to make prayer a daily habit. We should seek God with our whole hearts, and make Him a priority in our lives.

In summary, prayer is an essential aspect of our relationship with God. It allows us to communicate with Him, to seek His face and to know His heart. By being consistent, persistent and basing our prayers on the Word of God, we can deepen our relationship with Him and see the power of prayer in our lives.