Are You Ready for God to Speak? by Doug Addison

I just released a new prophetic word this week that God is going to speak to many people between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

To help you hear what God is saying, I want to give you some pointers to help you maximize any revelation you might receive, even though the following 4 tips are not limited to that time period.

1. Understand the purpose
One thing Jesus often taught through the parables is that in the Kingdom of God we must have eyes that see and ears that hear. He was talking about seeing and hearing spiritual things so that we may come to know His voice in deeper ways.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV

The sole purpose of hearing God—and the reason I release prophetic words—is so that you may know God better!

2. Remove any limits
Our own theology can stop us from hearing God, especially if we believe God only speaks in a certain way.

If God is calling you to something new, sometimes what you believe can get in the way. God wants to help us where we do not yet trust Him to do things we have never seen before.

When God calls us to do something new, we often have to forget the former ways that we did things. Our old ways of thinking or doing things can be the very reason we need to hear God for something new. God has changed the season in our lives and what worked in a previous season will not work now.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18

3. Stay positive
There are a lot of prophecies floating around the Internet these days that can cause us to become fearful or believe that God is judging the world.

But we need to remember to base what we are hearing from God and the gift of prophecy on the key principle of encouragement.

“But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” 1 Corinthians 14:3 NIV

This is what we are aiming for. When we hear the Father’s voice for ourselves or for others, the goal is to be strengthened, encouraged and comforted.

4. Activate what God is speaking

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

Most people are used to asking God for things, but we need to remember to “seek and knock” as well.

Seeking and knocking are proactive steps that go beyond just waiting for God to open the door for you. Yes, there is value in waiting, but while you wait for the greater things, you can prepare yourself now.

Here are a few steps to prepare yourself:
• Believe that God wants to speak to you.
• Write down what you are hearing.
• Pray about it and ask God to clarify or confirm it.
• Don’t make major decisions without several clear confirmed pieces of revelation.

These are some practical steps you can take to align yourself and get ready to cross into a new season in the New Year. This really is an exciting time to be alive!

What steps are you taking right now to prepare yourself to get ready for this new season? Share it with me in the comments.

Blessings,

Doug Addison
DougAddison.com