Get the courage to do what you can.

Can God Amplify Your Story? – RevTrev Radio (Part 4)

We all know people who have given up on Christianity. Some have even gone over to the enemy’s camp. Have you ever wondered what it would take to get them back? You’ve got to hear this message based on an incredible passage of Scripture that will make you pray, “Lord do it once more through me!”

Listen Now >>>
Download audio file (amplify4.mp3)

Download the Entire Message

Listen to:

• Part 1 
• Part 2 
• Part 3

Are you ready to risk for the sake of the other?

Can God Amplify Your Story? – RevTrev Radio (Part 3)

We all know people who have given up on Christianity. Some have even gone over to the enemy’s camp. Have you ever wondered what it would take to get them back? You’ve got to hear this message based on an incredible passage of Scripture that will make you pray, “Lord do it once more through me!”

Listen Now >>>
Download audio file (amplify3.mp3)

Download the Entire Message

Listen to:

• Part 1 
• Part 2

We continue to find out our part in God’s plan.

Can God Amplify Your Story? – RevTrev Radio  (Part 2)

We all know people who have given up on Christianity. Some have even gone over to the enemy’s camp. Have you ever wondered what it would take to get them back? You’ve got to hear this message based on an incredible passage of Scripture that will make you pray, “Lord do it once more through me!”

Listen Now >>>
Download audio file (amplify2.mp3)

Download the Entire Message

Listen to:

•  Part 1

Does preparing for a suddenly make it less amazing? What if we need to prepare in order to see it happen? Listen to this message by Trevor Lund of http://revtrev.com and be encouraged that God is good and on your side.

Listen to an excerpt…

Download audio file (suddenprepareexcerpt.mp3)

Buy Now At Expectancy Press

I’m not saying you’re infallible and I’m not suggesting I shouldn’t test and confirm what God is telling me. We’re told to test everything and hold to the good. Here’s how to test it:

1. By the Word of God

It can’t be contrary to the will of God in Scripture. (Hebrews 4:12; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Isaiah 8:19-20; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 John 1:7-11)

2. By the Witness of the Spirit

It needs to “seem good to us” and others. (1 John 2:27; 1 Corinthians 2:15)

3. By its Fruit

Does it edify? Does it produce life? Is it clear or confusing? ( 1 Corinthians 14:4; John 6:68; 1 Corinthians 14:33)

You test what you write against the cannon of Scripture and major decisions you come to should be confirmed by a spiritual father or mother.

Conversational Journaling is a valuable tool to learn how to hear God for a specific situation. And to have hope at the end of the rope, you need to wait on God, expecting He’ll speak.

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

God is almost always speaking. Here are 10 ways God speaks in Scripture and one that bows to his sovereignty. He speaks through:

1. His Word (Psalm 119:105),
2. other people (1 Peter 4:11),
3. our circumstances (Numbers 23:19),
4. creation (Psalm 19:1-3),
5. prayer (Romans 8:26-27),
6. the church (Ephesians 3:10-11),
7. still small voice (1 Kings 19:12),
8. an audible voice (1 Samuel 3:8),
9. in dreams (Job 33:14-15),
10. in visions (Numbers 12:6)
    

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11. in just about any other way it takes to get our attention when He wants our attention or we need His attention.

Yes, some times He will hide His voice. When the test is on, the teacher is silent. But He doesn’t hide it from us, He hides it for us.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings. ?Proverbs 25:2 (New International Version)

God has promised:

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
Jeremiah 33:3 (New International Version)

When you’re at the end of the rope, you need to know how to hear God’s voice so you know what you need to obey. There are two keys to hearing God’s voice: Soaking and conversational journalling. We’ll look at both in the coming posts.

Do you know of other scriptural ways God speaks? Leave them in the comments.

Find out more at HopeInTransition.com

Do we mistake the grace of God for the blessing of God?

Download audio file (BlessingBoundaries1.mp3)

Download the Entire Message at Expectancy Press

The Grace of Blessing of God?

Too many of us excuse sin in our lives by seeing the grace of God as the Blessing of God. The two are very different things. Listen to learn the difference.

This is a message “The Key of Blessing Boundaries“  by Trevor Lund of revtrev.com

Subscribe via iTunes

The Principle of firstfruit is a principle of worship. Listen to what the Bible says and be challenged to see the blessing promised for the experience in your life..

Download audio file (understanding_firstfruit.mp3)

Download the Entire Message at Expectancy Press

Understanding the Principle of Firstfruits

The Principle of firstfruit is a principle of worship. Listen to what the Bible says and be challenged to see the blessing promised for the experience in your life.

This is from a message by Trevor Lund called “Keys of the Economy of Heaven”.
Earlier podcasts were “What Are Kingdom Principles” and “Understanding the Principle of Abundance”

Subscribe via iTunes

Listen to an excerpt:

Download audio file (Blessing_Boundaries_Excerpt.mp3)

Learn More at Expectancy Press

There are many keys to the economy of heaven. The keys are principles for us to live by. What does the Bible say about blessing boundaries and what does that mean for your life and ministry? Discover encouragement and tools to live the destiny God has created you for. This is a message by Trevor Lund of revtrev.com

This complete message is available for Immediate Download at ExpectancyPress.com

Can you rest? Busy-ness cannot be a badge of honor in a Kingdom that promises righteousness, peace and joy.

God’s been leading me to a few passages to slow me down and rest in His presence.

This is what the Sovereign Lord,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it.

Isaiah 30:15 (New Living Translation)

I have to admit, I get a little offended at that last statement “but you would have none of it”. But once I slow down and thank Him, slow down and love Him, slow down and listen to Him…there’s no judgement only enjoyment and joy.

Jesus said (according to Peterson)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Rest today. Enjoy God. Be at peace with Him, yourself and those around you.

Then make it habit. Try the 40 day fast from negativity love to have you join us.

How to Keep In Step with the Father
a message by Trevor Lund

How can you hear God? You’re His sheep, you know His voice. You may need help. Here is a tool that can help you hear what the Father is saing. Immediately download the MP3 to listen to on any device.

Download audio file (keepinstep.mp3)

Buy Now

Available at Expectancy Press

About the Speaker:

Trevor Lund is a Christian Speaker, Author and Lead Dreamer for Expectancy Ministries. He lives with his beautiful wife and kids in Edmonton Canada and blogs at RevTrev.com

Listening to the Father part 2 - Episode 19 – RevTrev Radio

Download audio file (RTRadio1_19.mp3)

Listening to the Father- Part 2

You can hear the Father’s voice. You’re His sheep you know His voice. Learn to keep in step with Him. This message presents a tool that can revolutionize your relationship with God. This part concludes this message, I’d love to hear your experience with conversational journaling.

Enjoy!

-Trevor

Listening to the Father part 1 - Episode 18 – RevTrev Radio

Download audio file (RTRadio1_18.mp3)

Listening to the Father- Part 1

You can hear the Father’s voice. You’re His sheep you know His voice. Learn to keep in step with Him. This message presents a tool that can revolutionize your relationship with God.

Enjoy!

-Trevor

Keeping in Step part 2 - Episode 17 – RevTrev Radio

Download audio file (RTRadio1_17.mp3)

Keeping in Step – Part 2

The Gospel is simple. Worship, Wait, Obey. You can hear the Father’s voice. You’re His sheep you know His voice. Learn to keep in step with Him. This is part 2.

Enjoy!

-Trevor

Keeping in Step part 1 - Episode 16 – RevTrev Radio

Download audio file (RTRadio1_16.mp3)

Keeping in Step – Part 1

The Gospel is simple. Worship, Wait, Obey. You can hear the Father’s voice. You’re His sheep you know His voice. Learn to keep in step with Him. This is part 1.

Enjoy!

-Trevor

If you’re enjoying this series on moving from Milk to Meat you may like to check out the Podcasts episode 1 and episode 2. You may like to also check out the posts on Repenting from Evil Deeds, Placing our Faith in God, Baptisms, theLaying on Of Hands, the Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgement.

It’s the condition of our heart that’s important every time we hear a message.

We can all see this happening. Our attitude determines what we get in any service. If we decide we know it all, we’re not going to learn anything new.  If we don’t expect God to speak, we’re not going to hear Him when He does.

I often have people hear a sermon that wasn’t preached. They’ll come up to me after and tell me how amazing it was and the detail they go into is incredible and none of it came from me. God was speaking to them in spite of me because they were ready to hear.

My wife can see it in me. I hear a message and get all excited and tell her about it and she says, “Why weren’t you excited about it when I told you three years ago about it?” The answer is “My heart wasn’t ready to receive it then.”

What’s the condition of your heart? Not just now, but every time you read the Word? Every time you listen to a podcast, or webcast or CD? Watch yourself. If you think you know it all, you’re not going to learn anything new. But if you’re wanting to hear from God, wanting to learn, your going to get meat anywhere.

Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge. Proverbs 18:15 (New Living Translation)

God wants you to mature. He wants you to grow more-and-more into the image of His Son, who was an exact representation of the Father. The world needs to see Jesus in you.

What do you do to make sure you’re ready to listen to God each day? He’s speaking all the time.

photo credit: Peter Hellberg

Can You Hear Me?: Tuning In to the God Who Speaks

Brad Jersak’s book is one that you’ll want to pick up if you don’t think you can hear God’s voice. I’ve reviewed it more in the video below.

As I set up Hope In Transition this week, I started preparing to speak on the different insights on Hope to different settings, personal and group experiences, and theology. For some reason that got me thinking about “being transparent.”

Trying to be transparent may already be passe. I’ve given up years ago trying to keep up with the gurus who have literally studied the church to death. But I still run into people who put value on transparency for transparency’s sake. I’ve come up with three (3) reasons why that sucks.

1. Being transparent means I share my struggles. This is not a bad thing, but like a joke timing is everything. Being transparent has come to be a cathartic event for me. It helps me heal. But sermons need to be about God, not me. When it’s about me and I’m not already healed transparency sucks the hope the hearers have that they can be healed.
2. Being transparent means I share my sin. Usually it’s not, “I’ve sinned, confessed, made it right, now I know how to deal with the temptation so  you can as well.” Transparency usually is a declaration of the grace of God. It’s a time of confession, not a time of empowerment. Transparency sucks the expectancy that we can have victory over sin.
3. Being transparent means I focus on my fallen state. Almost exclusively that means I have no real solutions to give you. It ignores who we are in Christ and sucks the faith of those we should be ministering to.

Yes, I’ve listened to one to many sermons from Job’s friends. Transparency really sucks.

This may seem strange coming from someone who is an open book online. Search for “Trevor Lund” and I’m usually the first 15 pages – and there are 7 Trevor Lund’s on facebook. Search for “RevTrev” and you’ll find almost the same thing. (It’s true, I write SEO web copy for companies). I just blogged about my nephew’s Zamboni Liberation Treatment. I regularly meet people who know more about my week than I remember because they read my blogs, or see my tweets or view my facebook status and I’m onto thinking about the next project.

But my goal is not transparency.

I’d rather be authentic. When I speak, blog, write, or tweet people don’t see me wearing a mask.

I know authentic can be a passe word as well, and honestly, it may already be. I’m at that age it doesn’t really matter. I’ve settled on “authenticity” because “transparency” has been so corrupted and authenticity speaks to who I really am – saved, washed, sanctified, justified.

In my book, Hope In Transition, I share my struggles since leaving full-time vocational ministry and the loss of my father. I don’t hide much, but I also didn’t write this book until I found solutions that worked because I know that if they worked for me, they can also work for you.

Hope is tested in our health, our relationships, and what we earn through what we do. Since 2005 Karen and I have struggled in all three. We know how to help you hope. Check out the new site HopeInTranstion.com and download 3 messages of hope and keep up with the launch of “Hope In Transition” later this fall.

Lately I’ve been hearing “wait for a week”, it gets me thinking I should slow down and consider God and give Him time so I can hear. I just made a list of of a number of projects I want to get done before I start a huge writing project. It’s not going to be easy fro me to wait…at least I know I’ll hear Him when I listen. This is one of the ways I’ve learned how to listen.

If the Father spoke, and all came into being… and the Spirit inspired the Son to be called “the Word made flesh”… then it is safe to assume God is always speaking. We know His creation always is:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19:1-4 (New International Version)

So if the Father is constantly trying to communicate with us, we need to learn how to listen. Many people don’t know they can learn.

But we can, and here’s a quick and “safe” exercise to get you started.

1. Write down a prayer list of people you’re praying for.
2. As you pray for them, asked the Father, “Can you show me how to pray?”
3. Pray the first thought that comes into your head.
4. If you can, talk to the one you’re praying for and find out if you’re on track. Take them out for coffee and say something like: “I’ve been feeling like I should pray for you about …. ” and fill in the blank. “Does that make any sense to you?”

You’re practicing. You’re allowed to make mistakes. If they can’t make sense of it, it may not mean you’re off. It could be in the near future for them, or they could be lying.

They don’t need to be a follower of Christ in fact, it’s more fun if they’re not. But remember, use discretion if God has you praying for something you shouldn’t know that could make them embarrassed or uncomfortable. It’s best to not bring up sin, but instead show them the gold.

Here’s what I mean… you could sense there is real trouble in a marriage and you could be led to pray for them before they mention it to you. You may not want to bring up the hard heartedness you’ve been praying about, but rather shine a light on the gold in their relationship and point it to a positive future.

How do you listen to God? I’d love to hear how you do. Please leave your comments.

Truth:

But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. Jeremiah 23:22 (New International Version)

Thought:

There is one sermon I often hear preached that I just can’t agree with. It is divisive to evangelistic outreach, ignores the context of Scripture and it’s ignorant of the plans and purposes of God.

Yet the main point it makes is true… it’s just based on the wrong text.

Now, don’t lambaste your pastor if he ever preaches, “Don’t have an Ishmael” because in this fast from negativity you should be in the habit of only speaking words that build up.  It’s not my intention to cause divisions with this illustration. Most preachers just don’t read the text, God will hold them to account – you don’t have to.

The basic premise of the sermon is, “don’t get ahead of God.” Great, I agree.

That’s not what Abraham did though:

In Genesis 13 God told Abram his offspring would be like the dust of the earth – no one could count them. In Chapter 15 God confirmed the offspring would come from Abram’s own body. In Chapter 16 Abram’s wife Sarai offered her maidservant to fulfill a culturally legitimate function that God honored in the creation of the twelve patriarchs, two generations later. In Chapter 17 God finally told the newly named Abraham, Sarah would have a son AND that God would bless Ishmael (v.20).

That’s really not the topic of today’s thought, simply something we need to change in the church if we’re ever going to see Islam go the way of Communism before Christ returns. God loves the children of Ishmael, and is waiting for their full number to come in.

“Don’t get ahead of God” is a true message. Jesus only said what He heard the Father say and only did what He heard the Father do (John 5:19-20). Do you think Christ’s times of getting away to pray had anything to do with it?

“Don’t get ahead of God” isn’t a license to stay stagnant. It’s a challenge to listen and obey. When you stand in the council of God, He tells you the words to say, He gives you the love to show, He provides the strategies you need. (Jeremiah 23:22)

When we listen with expectancy, we hear the voice of God.  When we hear God, we are encouraged. When we hear God, we are blessed. When we hear God, we know who we are. Waiting to hear the voice of God is another way to strengthen ourselves in the Lord.

So make the time to expectantly listen… then go until God says, “no.”

Prayer:

Father, I come in the name of Jesus Christ with thanksgiving and praise. As I wait upon You now, I do my best to listen to Your voice. I stand before the almighty God and seek Your counsel. Please reveal any information that I need for today. Reveal any strategies that I need to employ right now. I need to be knowing and doing what You want.

Challenge:

Spend time in the presence of God. Expect Him to speak. Wait for Him to speak. Do what He says… it will always be in line with His will expressed in Scripture.

Declaration:

I choose not to be discouraged. I choose to look to God instead of my circumstance. I choose to strengthen myself in the Lord.