Is That Really You, God?
Hearing the Voice of God
The Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Story

Written by Loren Cunningham, with Janice Rogers


Chapter 1
- Hearing God is not all that difficult. If we know the Lord, we have already heard His voice - after all, it was the inner leading that brought us to Him in the first place. But we can hear His voice once and still miss His best, if we don't keep on listening. After the WHAT of guidance comes the WHEN and the HOW.
- We only have one lifetime; don't wait to obey God's voice later, do it now!

Chapter 2
- To do the work of God efficiently, we must be hearing Him with clarity.
- Guidance, the "inner voice", is sometimes quite audible, at other times more of an impression that comes fully formed to the mind. God also speaks through scripture, and through dreams and visions.
- The high purpose of guidance is to tell people about Jesus. It was an urgent command from Jesus himself. The Great Commission is the key. If God did, in fact, commission individuals to the task of going everywhere telling people the Good News, then He would surely guide them.
- The sin of independance is trying to live life without God's guidance. Even if you're doing "His work"!
- Learning to hear the voice of God and obeying -- circumstances will not affect us. It's an adventure with God!
- Include others, especially your spouse and children, in doing God's work and in the process of learning to listen to God. Children are never too young.
- Hearing God's voice in everyday happenings -- Monday through Saturday -- is much more important that just hearing God in church on Sundays!
- When in despair, don't explode even though it might be serious. Pray FIRST, before trying to solve it yourself. Ask God for guidance and help! Depend on Him, not yourself- !
- After asking God, wait for Him to reply! Expect Him to reply! And when He does, believe it, act and obey it! Faith = action! Don't lose hope, don't give up at the first challenge, don't doubt, keep trusting.
- Everyday experiences with God and depending on Him is a school in learning to trust God, and learning His principles.
Ps. 86:11 - Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
- Pray with perseverance, and keep praying even if you don't see the results yet.
- Test ALL "words from God" from others, ask to hear from God yourself; He WILL speak to you if it's for you! Do not reject it outright, consider it and ask God.
- Is that you, God? I promise to try to accept this man's words if they are really from You. Just let me know, that's all I ask.
- Fully expect God to answer in a fatherly-like manner, with no shadow of doubt. Then leave it to God to answer.
- God speaks through dreams!
- Getting God's leading for someone else is tricky. We can hear a confirming voice through another person. But if God has something important to tell you He will speak to you directly.
- What kind of family inheritance do you want to leave behind? Worldly riches and wealth, or heavenly riches and wealth?

Hands and Feet

I just watched BersamaMu on national television (TV3), which is a documentary program on the poor and needy in the country. Today's program was on one indian lady who lives on Jalan Peel, KL. She stays with her ill father and mentally-stricken sister, both of which are unable to work, in a small squatter house. She works as a security guard and traffic safety conductor from 7am-7pm daily in a nearby primary school. This enables her to earn RM800 per month. As she is the only one who is able to work, RM300 is set aside to support her young son who lives with another sister in her hometown in Pahang. Another RM150 is used to pay for medical expenses of both her father and mentally-ill sister. And the remaining RM350 is used for the daily expenditure of the 3 of them. Collecting recyclable cans and bottles for sale enables her to earn another RM40 per month. Doing the math, all they have is RM13 per day for the 3 of them. The house they live in is old and threatens to fall apart each time it rains heavily, with water leaking from the roof. Their daily lives are filled with sorrow and hopelessness.

I was tempted to switch the channel when I turned on the television and saw this program on air. However, something prompted me to continue watching. As I watched, I began to realize, again, how fortunate and blessed I have been, and what a comfortable life I have enjoyed all this while. Really, there's so much that we take for granted.

With these people in need right here in our home land, the call to make a difference becomes even more compelling. Why the need to go for 'missions' abroad, when our own people are still in need of help?

The government should really step up their efforts in helping to eradicate the poor. Newspapers report a reduction in the hardcore poor in the country, and that is great news. But there definitely are many who still could do with the love of God.

Where are His hands and feet?

'For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' -- Matthew 25:42-45

Hearing God's Voice, by Stuart Gramenz

If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5

Independence of God and seperation from Him is the fall of man and the root of all our sins. Once we repent of our independence of God and begin to depend on Him everyday, the Holy Spirit begins to progressively reveal to us the areas in our lives that need changing.

Hosanna!

What does the word "Hosanna" actually mean?

Do some research on the internet and you'll find:


Hosanna = "Help, I pray!", "Save, I pray!", "Salvation is here!"

Yes, Lord, hosanna!

Heal my heart and make it clean,


Open up my eyes to the things unseen,


Show me how to love like You have loved me


Break my heart for what breaks Yours,


Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause,


As I walk from earth into eternity

Two Dozens and Counting...

Fast!

I vividly remember receiving and replying a long list of birthday wishes on my Facebook wall last year, and the long list of wishes has come again! Time really flies...

Anyway, looking back at the first 24 years of my life, which is probably close to 1/3 of my life here on earth, I've learnt that there are many, many things to be thankful for:

1. Loving parents


2. A wonderful companion and partner


3. A comfortable life


4. Great friends

We really should count our blessings always.