God Conversations With Tania Harris

Growing up in church, we would make fun of Gideon. Everyone knew that this was a man who did not have enough faith. He kept asking God for signs or in his case, ‘fleeces’ to confirm what God had clearly asked him to do. I have since revisited that story and now I see it in a very different way. In this podcast, I am going to answer the question; 'Is it okay to ask God for a sign?' by looking carefully at Gideon’s story in Judges 6 and 7. It’s one of the few occasions that we get insight into an Old Testament character’s experience hearing the voice of God. We tend to think that the Bible characters had it easy; they simply heard God’s voice and confidently followed it. But in reading this account, it would seem that Gideon was a man just like us, stumbling along with his own fears and insecurities, unsure of what God sounds like and how he works in the world. We learn much from Gideon’s story! The first thing we notice in this account, is that God answers Gideon’s request for a sign. What does this tell u

Is God's will a narrow path where I must hear from God specifically for my life, then do exactly what he says? Or is it a 6-lane freeway where it doesn’t matter what I choose, as long as my heart follows Jesus, he will make it work for good. So which is it? How much influence does God have or should he have in our decision making? In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9) In this podcast, we look at both views; discussing first, the narrow path view, which gives a number of road signs we should follow for specific decisions. Then we look at the 6-lane freeway perspective which places its emphasis on our human capacity to gather facts and information, use common sense and follow wisdom principles. These two views are often presented in opposition to the other. Some advocate the narrow path and emphasise God’s supernatural leading. Others suggest that supernatural guidance is not only unnecessary; it’s untrustworthy and we shouldn’t expect God would in

God tells you to move from one country to another. Pack up your home, leave a secure job, uproot your family. How would you know if it was God? In this podcast, the dynamic and innovative Pastor Björn Schäfer shares the story of how God called him to leave his homeland of Germany and become the leader of the ICF College based in Zürich, Switzerland, where he oversees branches of the College in a growing network all over Europe. His story demonstrates God's heart to guide us as well as providing wisdom for those who are seeking direction. Facing a crossroads in some area of life? Whether it’s a career move, relationship guidance or another area of your personal world, stay tuned for the next podcast that will help you! - “Is God’s will a narrow path or a 6-lane freeway?” Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! Your Thoughts Has God ever told you to make a radical move? How did you know it was him? Leave a comment below.   Episode Resources Teaching Message: How Do I Kn

Hearing God’s voice is easy when we rely on God’s ability to speak rather than our ability to hear. Think about it. God is an expert communicator. He has all of heaven’s and earth’s resources at his disposal. He can and does use a whole host of creative techniques to get his messages through and he is totally committed to doing so because of his intense desire for intimate relationship with us. (Listen to Part 1 of I Don't Hear God Like You Do).   So what makes it difficult? What makes the vast majority of Christians struggle in this area? This is not a once-all answer by any means, but I would like to suggest that the biggest reason many of us find hearing from God difficult is because of the response God requires from us when we hear his voice. It’s not difficult to hear from God, what’s difficult is doing what he says. But I thought God’s words were spirit and they were life? That they are light to our feet, a lamp to our path? They are food to our souls such that we can’t live without them? So why

It's a line I hear often. I heard it again recently chatting with a friend. I’d just shared one of those stories of how God had spoken - a prophetic dream that miraculously came to pass. She looks at me and says; “Oh, but I don't hear from God like you do..” The look of disappointment: the shoulder shrug of resignation. That feeling like it’s all too hard. What she said bothered me then and it bothers me now. I went away puzzling over it. Why? Why do I hear from God like that while she doesn't? She loves God. She's faithful. A godly family, a strong Christian. But she doesn't have a spectacular God-story like mine to share. Why is that? Some would say; it's a gifting right? That's because you're a pastor; that's your specialty. Some would say; Oh those kind of experiences are the exception. Normal life - even the Spirit-filled life - isn't like that. You shouldn't expect it to be.  Some would say; Faith is trusting God without words like that, without signs and fleeces. True faith doesn't need that stuf

We read the story every year at Christmas time, but I wonder how it would have felt as a fourteen year-old girl to receive an impossible message from an angel in the middle of the night? One conversation between God and Mary initiated God’s plan for salvation of the world. One conversation changed everything. But, Why did God chose to speak to Mary? How did Mary know the message was from God?  What did God’s word mean for Mary’s life?  Listen to the God Conversations Christmas Message: Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! And a brief outline to sum up: 1. Listen Mary heard from God because her heart was positioned to listen. Her life was aligned to God’s purposes and she was ready to follow him wherever he led. They key to hearing from God is to actively listen, not just with our ears, but with our hearts. 2. Test We are told to ‘test the spirits to see if they are from God’ (1 John 4:1). It’s an instruction we’re given for every message we receive and one tha

If God said it, will it always happen? If I've received a promise from God, does that mean it will come to pass? I remember asking myself that question during my Bible College studies. I came across a journal article with the heading: ‘When Prophecy Failed…’ To be honest, it freaked me out. The author discussed a scenario in biblical history when a prophet delivered a word from God, but then it didn’t happen, so the people re-interpreted the word to suit the new circumstances. I sat there amongst the lofty bookshelves of the theological library, scouring the article and feeling increasingly sick. The idea went against everything I'd been taught. Wasn’t THE Word of God ‘living and active’? Powerful like a sword and purging like a fire, ‘smashing rocks to pieces’, speaking the universe into being and bringing life to the dead? Didn’t the word of the Lord never return void but always fulfill what it had been sent for? How could this be?! Could God’s word fail? What did it mean for God to be sovereign? When God