Jana Spicka and Women Getting Real Ministries
Posts tagged hearing from God
God Stories from Zim: Growing Season
Jul 5th
Salem’s testimony about the ways God has grown her through this trip.
A Patient Expectation
Apr 19th
Play along. Imagine you drive up to a restaurant. Even before you walk in the door, you are hungry. The door swings open and you are washed with a flood of aromas — breads, spices, warm and inviting. Your stomach agrees with your selection and urges you on.
Now you are seated at the table, and the server hands you a menu. Your eyes take in all the possibilities. Choices, options, suggestions, pairings and combinations of flavors, textures and details.
Another rumble and you find you want to hasten the process. You just desperately want to actually be eating and not reading. You want the food to be in front of you, not on a page. Somewhere in this moment is the notion of sustenance, the notion of what you “need” to eat, what would be good for you.
But the first and primary urge is on what you “want” to eat. You desire the desirable.
So finally, the order is placed, your stomach is tense and waiting, waiting. You are so hungry you almost feel sick and then you…
get up and walk out of the restaurant.
A feast is being prepared for you, and you left the building.
Your stomach is in shock. Your server is stiffed, and your body has been robbed of much needed fuel. You are angry and unsatisfied.
Now suppose you turn around and say, “the restaurant didn’t answer your request.”
When you come to the table of God, come with a patient expectation. Come hungry, and come with a willingness to believe that He is preparing a feast for you. He knows and responds to the desires of your heart and the needs of your heart to keep you well fueled. Come to the table. And wait for the meal to arrive. Don’t get up and leave and say God doesn’t answer you. Wait and expect. Ask and receive. Though it tarry, wait for it.
But as it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” 1st Corinthians 2:9
Take a Breath, by Guest Blogger, Beth Hungerford
Mar 23rd
The Lord gave me a really cool spiritual picture. Jana was talking to me about sin issues and how when we have a break-through that it’s like God is bringing us up for air and letting us take a breath before we have to go back down and keep working through the issue. In other words, we are not done; He’s just giving us a breath and a sense of making progress.
Here is the picture He gave me. We were playing water polo during swim practice several summers ago. Brittany, my very fun and extremely competitive coach, was on the other team. I was having a great game and had scored 2 or 3 times practically unguarded. Brittany was getting frustrated that no one was defending me so she switched from offense to defense. The next time I got the ball she wrapped her arms around me from behind so tightly and completely that I couldn’t move and plunged me under the water in hopes that I would let go of the ball. After a few moments she brought me back up said, “Take a breath,” and immediately dunked me right back under. This is such a strong picture for me of what Jana was talking about.
As I thought about it more the Lord clarified it a little making a distinction. Brittany was taking me under trying to get me to give up and stop fighting whereas the Lord’s goal is for us to be free and have a deeper and closer walk with Him. He lets us struggle until we are ready to give up and then brings us up for air to let us catch our breath and says, “Ok you ready? You are stronger now and you can hold your breath longer so this time we are going in deeper and it’s going to be even more amazing.”
This goes for more than just sin issues. I need to remember this the next time I find myself having to deal with something I thought I had already worked through. We weren’t done, He was just giving me a breath.
A Timely Word Aptly Spoken
Mar 16th
On a very soggy, groggy morning, my friend sent me this great devotion. It was exactly what I needed. But of course, God already knew that didn’t He? That is why He stirred her to act and why I am so blessed that she listened.
It reminded me of a story my friend Mary K. told last night. She was really sick and God prompted a friend to call her. And the friend did. Mary K. could hardly speak for holding back the tears as she told the class how much that one gesture of kindness, that one act of her friend responding to the Holy Spirit’s tug, reassured Mary K. that God knew how much she was suffering and He cared.
Remember God is always working for our good. Even if it hurts. Be encouraged today. And better yet, if the Holy Spirit prompts you to love on someone today, please do. It may make all the difference.
March 16th
“It is good that you recognize your weakness. That keeps you looking to Me, your Strength. Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth; it is living in continual dependence on Me. Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing. This mindset will free you to enjoy Me and to find what I have planned for you to do. This is far better than trying to make things go according to your own plan.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about? I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long it is My will. The more difficult your day, the more I yearn to help you. Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts. When you look to Me and whisper My Name, you break free and receive My help.
Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presence.”
Philippians 4:13; Proverbs 17:22
“Jesus Calling” Devotions for every day of the year by Sarah Young.
Six Keys to Success
Mar 3rd
I have been watching one of my favorite people do life lately. She never ceases to amaze me with her great attitude about herself, others and God. So here are a few pearls from observing how Charis, my seven-year-old, walks it out.
“Mom, I can’t talk right now, I have Chuck Norris on the phone.”
Whhhhaaaat??? Charis has regular phone calls with Chuck Norris. They are in business together. Somehow she has heard of of this celebrity Bad A–, (probably through big sister) but even though she wouldn’t know him if he walked in the room, it doesn’t stop her imagination or her reach.
Pearl: Reach for people outside your scope. Don’t be limited to your little pool of life. It’s a big ocean, so learn to swim.
“Mom, I just got a text from Chuck.” (Norris, not Daddy)
Did I mention that this is a fake phone? I know the next generation is always quicker to catch on, but this cracked me up and challenged me. We are not a technologically savvy family, but she is observant. I think about my parents’ generation. They went from being born at home to sending emails. What a huge gap of change.
Pearl: Stay current with technology. Some of our greatest tools have yet to be discovered and utilized. Our children will lead the way.
“Mom, I can’t get my panties off!”
I turned around and Charis was standing by the door with her boots on, and her coat on, but her wet pants and panties were down around her ankles. When you have just come in from the snow, and your bottom is wet, you have to undress in the right order. No matter how cold you are, you have to remove the big obstacles before you can remove the little ones.
Pearl: Respect the order of success. Boots go off first. No matter how wet or cold, you still have to do parts of life in order.
“Mom, I have just discovered a secret! An orange is orange. It’s the same word!”
Pearl: Be willing to marvel at the little things. Take time to look at the obvious. Just TAKE time to think.
“Mom, God was talking to me…”
Charis never questions that she hears from God, and that He listens to her. I know a lot of people might balk at the notion of a child hearing from God, but isn’t that what Jesus promised? And isn’t that what we all long for, a deeper relationship with God? Chuck and I have talked and prayed about how to shepherd her imagination with really hearing God. But here is where we landed. I would rather her practice hearing God, and go too far on occasion, than never hear God at all. How about you?
Pearl: Believe that God is always available to you, and for you.
“Mom, it’s because I just love myself.”
I had just complimented Charis for doing a great job on something and I asked her how she felt about it. Her response stunned me. And shame on me, I started to correct her. But I heard the Spirit whisper, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” When I asked her what she meant, she responded with a comment that made me happy, and jealous. “I just know that God loves me, so I love me too. Is that crazy?” No, not at all.
Pearl: Confidence in God creates confidence in us.
Jesus “called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18
Have a child-like faith day….It just might turn out to be your best day.
