The Red Pill Awakening
Spirituality/Belief • Culture • Writing
We serve the gospel and advocate for our Lord and God Jesus Christ by sharing our gospel stories and we believe that "You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
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Raw Evangelism and Kairos Agape

Luke 9:1-2

"And he [Jesus] called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal."

Luke records for us a recalling of the time when Jesus empowers the twelve disciples, giving them authority over demons and the ability to heal diseases, while sending them out to proclaim the kingdom of God. It’s a strong call to action. And hopefully we'll discover from this that discipleship isn’t passive; it’s about being equipped and sent out with purpose.

Jesus's equipping of them seems to be direct and supernatural. This doesn't seem to be some sort of long training process or seminary type of education. It's a divine gift of calling and sending. The word in Greek used for it is dynamis, which, as you might imagine implies strength and dynamic miraculous power. But maybe even more importantly he gives them authority to do these things. Which implies there's a necessity for that. The Greek word used is exousia, which delegates his own divine power to these men. He's giving them leave and liberty to wield that power. Divine authoritative power over the demonic influencers he knows they will encounter.

This isn't a circus event; it's not a spectacle or sideshow. This isn't an exorcism exhibition. They are given a specific purpose, to proclaim the kingdom of God. This seems to have more to do with teaching them to live a mission lifestyle, it's a way of being in Christ.

This is as it should be in my opinion. This is the business of the church. We should be about meeting the needs, the spiritual needs, of the people whom God is trying to reach with the gospel. And this is not to say that we are on a social gospel mission. At the end of the day healing, and providing, for the needs of the people is incidental to the primary mission of preaching and teaching the kingdom of God. We are advocates for Jesus Christ first and foremost. This sending and all that it entails is on-the-job-training for that kingdom purpose. We learn by doing. The power and authority that Jesus gives them backs up the advocacy they are giving for the kingdom of God. The caution that we should be aware of is that it's in our human nature to make more of the power and authority than was ever intended. We should be aware that we can easily slip into idolatry if we aren't cognizant of this trend within our own human nature. We never want to exchange our primary motivation for a social gospel work, because it will inevitably lead to idolatry. The power and authority are tools used to support the mission, not the main attraction. It's like Jesus gave the disciples a megaphone to preach the good news and the danger is that many will begin worshiping the megaphone and forget about the one who sent them.

And almost as if to laser point that exact thing what happens next bears this out.

Luke 9:7-9

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him.

Herod catches wind of the great happenings. He heard about the various deeds Jesus had been performing. The miracles, the buzz, the curiosity. The who and the what and the power involved. It's like he's interested in chasing after the next big show now that John the Baptist is gone. There doesn't seem to be any desire in him to know the message. He's just interested in the sideshow.

Meanwhile, after a little time the disciples return from their mission trip. And Jesus takes them on a journey into a more remote and quiet retreat area, to a town called Bethsaida. Jesus hits the pause button and sets up a time to review all they've learned and experienced. A kind of debriefing. But it doesn't last for long.

Luke 9:11

When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.

The people heard about all that had happened, and they followed them around, trying to draw nearer and closer to them. And as they went along traveling and trying to get ahead of them, they picked up more people along the way and before you know it, they had a huge crowd.

And Jesus doesn't turn them away, but instead he teaches them about the kingdom of God. About a kingdom of light and love. He cured their illnesses while they were there and fed their spirits with the gospel truth.

Jesus welcomes them and their intrusive throngs. That word "welcomed", in Greek it's prosdechomai, which carries this sense of receiving them gladly, like He’s open to their pursuit no matter how uninvited. He’s showing them what God’s reign looks like, not just telling them.

I recognize this mission posture. It's not unlike our Kairos Prison Ministry. We come together as a team of Christian people from all sorts of faith backgrounds. From many different church communities. And we come together on what we call "common ground". That common ground is advocacy for the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Not for any one church doctrine or established tradition. Not for personalities, and influencers. Not for a social gospel; the prosperity gospel, the liberation gospel, the Good-People Gospel, the Self-Esteem Gospel, the Individualism Gospel, the Optional-Jesus Gospel, the Faith-And Works Gospel, and the Cheap Grace gospel. Not any of these other gospels.

We come on common ground teaching and preaching the good news about Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, and all his glory revealed to humanity through the trinity. We teach about his forgiveness of sin and restoration. We call this freedom and friendship with God.

I call it "raw" evangelism, stripped of all the extra baggage. It's like what we see in Luke 9. We don't let the crowds get lost in the fascination and sideshow. We don't get sidetracked by extraordinary ideas. We call this staying within the riverbanks. And we bring this raw gospel to a captive crowd that exists in a very dark place. And this direct and focused messaging prevents the muddying of the waters with points of style and doctrinal disputes.

This focused approach is necessary in that environment where the darkness, or absence of light, is both literal and spiritual. It's unvarnished truth that cuts through the noise. And this is most notably seen while we're there in the prison gymnasium. Where the acoustics are horrible, sound bouncing off of concrete walls echoing every little sharp noise. Every rattling of the prison door keys on the belt of the corrections officer. Every click and scratch from the corrections officers walkie-talkie. Every hum and buzz and blast of air from the HVAC systems every noise echoing, cutting through the deep and insightful conversations we're having about Jesus Christ following the wonderful testimonies and talks given by the team. Noise is palatable in that place. Even a whisper can interrupt the message. It's quiet chaos.

The darkness is thick, and the noise is relentless. It's church and something completely different. The environment itself is the challenge. It's truly like preaching at the gates of hell sometimes. And yet it's beautiful. Because the message resonates through it all. Even when the guards begin shouting and blowing their whistles and screaming at the men to line up against the walls for count, even then the message resonates. Because we planned for that. We assembled all the prayer warriors' prayers and listed them and their names on a colorful paper link chain. Each link of that paper chain has a name of a prayer warrior on it and the date and time that they are praying for that weekend event. And that chain is hanging on the walls of the gymnasium. And as the men are lined up there to be counted as they often are throughout the entire day. They can turn and see that chain and see those names of those prayer warriors praying for them, and they can know they are loved by God in that moment and not just another number being called out by the corrections officers. Turning a grim routine into a moment of grace.

In the Kairos prison ministry, we have planned for the noise, and the chaos, and the corrections officers, and the dissension, and the rival gangs, and the rival religions, and all the other distractions that the enemy sends our way. We've thought about them, we've taught about them, and we've planned for them. The darkness and chaos will not win because we've got it covered in prayer.

In a place where everything tries to strip away identity, we give them something tangible to hold onto. We give them physical proof that they are being seen and heard. We call this agape love. Sacrificial love strung up right there on a gymnasium wall. That's raw intentional evangelism. That chain isn't just a reminder, or a decoration, it's a lifeline.

It's not a miracle of casting out demons or curing disease, but it's a sign of God's grace just the same. Showing the men, they're not forsaken, it amplifies the unvarnished truth. And assures them that forgiveness and restoration has come into that place. It's offered freely and without baggage. The Kairos agape is more than paper chains and letters and cookies, it's more than just the sum of its parts, it's a tether to hope and joy in Christ. It's an anchor to the reality of God's love in a place that tries to strip it away.

And isn't that what Jesus was intending when he sent the disciples out that day?

Food for thought.

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John 21:18-19

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"Someone's got to be oppressed"

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God and Brother: The Kenosis of Christ and Our Faithful Friendship

Philippians 2:5-8

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I think it's very obvious that what's being said here is that our divine Lord Jesus, second person of the trinity, takes upon himself human form. I mean it says exactly that. He's taking on human form while being divine. He is not laying aside his God nature. In the incarnation he doesn't lose his God nature, and likewise he doesn't deify his human form.

If you were to ask me what it was that he "emptied", I would say he emptied himself of glory, of exaltation, and privilege. He made himself of no reputation. He made himself available to human violence and subjugation. The Greek word for "emptied" (ekenōsen) in verse 7 implies a voluntary act of ...

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Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 2:8-9

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Spiritual grace refers to divine or transcendent favor, love, or empowerment, often unearned and freely given. Grace is a no questions asked welcoming love. This is why Grace is sovereign and transformative, overcoming human resistance to bring about salvation.

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Matthew 28:19-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Biblically speaking, a Christian is someone who trusts in Jesus Christ as their Savior, repents of sin, and follows Him through faith (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10). This faith involves a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit, producing love, obedience, and good works (spiritual fruit) as evidence (Galatians 5:22-23; James 2:17).

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It's not universally seen as the sole criterion for being a Christian. There are millions of baptized non-Christian's and millions more are unbaptized Christians. Is baptism something a Christian should be indifferent about? These are questions I think about a lot.

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Shaken by the Spirit: Fulfilling Christ’s Call to Make Disciples

Acts 4:31

"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

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Psalm 2:1-12

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Bold Confessions in the Face of Opposition: The Early Church’s Faith Declared

Acts 4:1-4

"And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand."

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Being raised in the shadow of bitterness:
Uprooting the Bitterroot with God’s Grace
Hebrews 12:14-15
"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled."
 
You can't keep a perfect law of love and keep God's grace in your heart and not create a bitter root of anger if you're striving to ghost people (cutting off contact without explanation) in your life. You will "fail to obtain the grace of God" with all your plans and boundaries. You can't maintain grace in your heart if you're harboring disrespect and dishonorable behavior toward another. Ghosting or dismissive behavior often stems from unresolved anger, pride, or a refusal to engage in reconciliation, which contradicts the pursuit of peace. It's a poisonous attitude that spreads, harming both the individual and the community. By choosing to disconnect in a way that dishonors another, we risk failing to obtain God's grace and defiling others along the way. There's a fallout that comes from this bitterness. It hurts others who love them. They may think themselves righteous and alone, but their anger stirs up bitterness among many others. And now they've become the very thing they thought they were trying to separate from. Bitterness is contagious, spreading negativity and division. Ghosting can be a form of malice or indifference that allows bitterness to fester, blocking the flow of grace. You may think you're being holy and righteous, but you're really just stirring up malice, gossip, and slander.
 
Ephesians 4:31-32
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you"
 
That bitter root digs down deep and weaves it way away the arteries of your heart. It squeezes and breaks them, and it will make you sick. Ghosting not only harms the individual harboring bitterness but also spreads pain to others, creating a ripple effect of division and defilement.
 
Ghosting often stems from unresolved anger, pride, or refusal to reconcile. It creates a poisonous attitude that spreads its self-righteous hypocritical harm.
 
Deuteronomy 29:18
"Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit"
 
It's something that starts out small but grows insidiously, corrupting not just the individual but the whole community. Ghosting someone doesn’t just affect the person ignored; it can cause confusion, pain, or division among mutual friends, family, or church members who care about both parties. You may justify your actions as a form of self-protection or moral superiority, but this pride blinds you to the collateral damage. You may model or provoke negative behaviors in others; gossip, slander, or further estrangement, creating a cycle of division. This hypocrisy is a spiritual trap, where the attempt to distance oneself from toxicity leads to embodying it.
 
Failing to obtain God’s grace, as the scripture passages warn, doesn’t necessarily mean losing salvation but can speak to missing the active, transformative power of grace that enables peace and holiness. Ghosting, as an act of malice or indifference, blocks this grace by prioritizing self over love for others, contradicting the “perfect law of love”.
 
James 2:8
"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well."
 
You've got to ask yourself, do you want resurrection, or do you want healing? Let's see if we can figure this out...
 
Your bitterness is making you “sick” is supported by both scripture and science. Psalm 32:3-4 describes how unconfessed sin (including unforgiveness) causes physical and emotional decay, while studies (Mayo Clinic, 2023) link chronic resentment to stress-related illnesses. Forgiveness, as Ephesians 4:32 urges, is the path to healing. Love requires action, kindness, reconciliation, or at least respectful communication, not the indifference of ghosting. And that bitterroot will cause leaks in every other relationship around you. It'll bleed into other areas of your life, like a hemorrhaging internal wound.
 
Personal Testimony:
I'll tell you a story. My family came through many generations of bitterroot bitterness that choked out love and joy in that time. My dad and his siblings loved each other in their own way, but the past crippled their love and forgiveness. Too many instances of abuse I suppose. Too much anger was involved. And too little forgiveness was given. And so, generations were poisoned by it. The result was that my parents were caught up in that bitterness by no fault of their own. And so, when I came along the family was very unkind to them. This isn't to say that my dad wasn't a jerk or causing division among them, but that bitterroot doesn't stop with the parties involved.
 
I was just six months old when my mom had enough. She left my dad and went home to her dad. He wanted nothing to do with her child (me) because he wanted nothing to do with my dad's child. You see, there's that bitterness again. Why? I don't know, no one knows really because the anger continues the harm even far beyond to initial hurt. Whatever started this fight was long ago forgotten, but now that bitterness is bruising the next generation. I was punished for the sins of my ancestors I suppose.
 
For six years (the first formative years of my life) I lived with a foster family because of this bitterroot's death of love and grace. I lived just a few houses down the street from my ancestral family home. I knew my extended family and my father who lived just down the street, but I wasn't one of them as far as I knew.
 
So I began my life as an outcast. No real family and no true understanding of what that truly means. This was the fallout of bitterness. I was the fallout of that bitteroot. The "bitterroot", gets passed down through your family, and this shows how unresolved anger and unforgiveness can become a legacy of pain, punishing generations for sins they didn’t commit. My mother’s rejection by her father, my separation from family, and my years in foster care, all stemming from conflicts long forgotten, reveals the devastating reach of this spiritual and emotional decay.
 
My dad's family wasn't helpful much, in fact not at all really. Some tried, but again that bitterness crept in and put an end to grace. My aunt and her children tried to help my dad and care for his newborn son. But his brother, like my grandfather (my mother's dad), wanted nothing to do with his brothers' child. So, this generational trauma pushed me out again.
Six years later my dad takes me out of the foster home, and he and I begin my new life together. He believed I was old enough now to take care of myself for the most part. He worked most of the time but tried his best to provide a home for me. He was depressed and an alcoholic, and he took care of me with what he understood about love.
 
But what did I know about love?
 
Nothing really but what my dad taught me by his example. I learned about bitterness, drunkenness, and separation. I knew I belonged nowhere. I didn't have a family like my friends families. I didn't have a mom, she abandoned me six years before, and dad told me she was dead. And for twelve years I knew that to be true. Until that day she came to our front door.
 
What did I feel that day?
 
I was afraid of it. I didn't want it, I didn't need it, I didn't want a step family. I had learned in twelve years to be alone and comfortable in that aloneness. Bitterness had its roots deep inside me. I was born from it you could say. Every instance in my childhood that look even a little like love, hope, and joy was quickly ripped away from me.
 
This is the foundation of a principle that was forged in me. I believe you should never punish a child for the sins of the parents, or the family, or whatever. NEVER force a child to grow up in an environment that fosters bitterness. This is a foundational principle with me, and believe it or not it's not gracious or righteous.
 
What do you mean Mike? How can that principle be a bad thing.
 
Because it too can become a bitterroot if it doesn't allow for people to make mistakes. In fact, most principles don't allow for mistakes. There is rarely very much grace in a principle when its root is bitterness. So, as you can see, bitterness shapes not just families but the very core of a child’s understanding of love, belonging, and trust.
 
I didn't know my family. I didn't know my grandparents. I wasn't given the opportunity because bitterness had its roots deep inside my family. It was passed down through my family’s unresolved anger and unforgiveness. It became a force that isolated me, first through my mother’s rejection by her father, then years in foster care, and later through my father’s family’s inability to overcome their own resentment. An innocent child was made to bear the weight of sins he didn’t commit.
 
This created in my a resentment of a kind. It manifested itself in how I view people. I don't trust people. I don't trust authority. And I really don't like false accusations made against me. I suppose being raised in an atmosphere of bitterness created a sense in me that I was by default guilty of something in the eyes of others, even when I knew I was innocent. So I very easily believe most people are bearing false witness against me. Cut off from my grandparents, rejected by my mother’s father, placed in foster care, and distanced by my father’s family; all created a profound wound in me.
 
Hebrews 12:15
"warns of this very thing: a root of bitterness that "causes trouble and defiles many."
 
My story shows how this defilement can ripple across generations, shaping a child’s worldview and relationships. The resentment I carry, manifesting as distrust in people, authority, and a heightened sensitivity to false accusations, is a natural response to growing up in an environment where love and trust were scarce. This aligns with psychological insights: chronic exposure to rejection or unfair treatment, especially in childhood, can foster "hypervigilance" and a belief that others are prone to bearing false witness (APA, 2023). I can attest to this fact. I live with it daily.
 
Spiritually, this echoes the pain of being sinned against, which can tempt us to build walls rather than bridges. Distrust and fear of false accusations reflects a deep longing for justice and truth; qualities rooted in God’s character (Psalm 89:14). Yet, as I've hinted, resentment can become its own bitterroot, keeping me guarded and reinforcing the isolation I've already endured. I'm very distant for the most part. And it's ironic because I can easily fit into public life, in fact my vocation demands it of me. And I do alright with it. But I don't want it really. I welcome it when it comes, but it needs to be forced upon me, because my guarded nature will always resist.
 
Trauma profoundly shapes our identity, often reshaping how we perceive ourselves, others, and our place in the world. My story of generational bitterness, rejection, and isolation illustrates this vividly. Especially in childhood, which disrupts the formation of a stable sense of self. Being ostracized by family and placed in foster care, can lead to an identity rooted in survival rather than belonging. I can want a family all day long, but my identity will always have that connection to the bitter root (hypervigilance).
 
Survivors like me often develop "masks" to navigate social settings while hiding a wounded core self. My preference for distance, despite being capable of connection, suggests an identity caught between longing for belonging and fearing betrayal. And believe me, I take betrayal very personally. And often very loudly. This is the "defilement" I mentioned earlier. Defilement can distort our view of ourselves, making it hard to internalize spiritual truths like Psalm 139:14; that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made." My sense of being an "outcast," punished for others’ sins, may have led to an identity tied to rejection rather than divine purpose. So, this bitter root can sap my connection with my Lord as well. Maybe this is why I strive so much to keep that connection. I'm fighting my own root of bitterness. This hints at a redemptive thread in my story, an identity capable of extending grace (e.g. Kairos prison ministry), even if I struggle to receive it myself.
 
During a Kairos weekend event inside the prison, we have a forgiveness ceremony. I won't go too much into the details, but I'll share that we write down the names of people we need to forgive or who we need forgiveness from. And these notes get dissolved into a large bin of water. And they're gone. Put in God's hands. I've been involved in many of these ceremonies. I'll share now, that I've had the names of my entire family on those notes. My wife, my extended family, my mom, my dad, my children, and my own name. I've asked for forgiveness both ways, coming and going. I’ve left it there in God's hands. And I'm at peace with it to the extent that I am able given my bitter root identity.
 
Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
 
Joseph understood this idea that betrayal is raw and painful, especially when it comes from one's family. It wounds when we've become the subject of a double-cross. Joseph acknowledges the evil of betrayal but sees God’s greater purpose in it.
 
I understand this as well. Forgiveness, as I've practiced it, imperfect as I am, doesn’t erase the hypervigilance or fear of betrayal but loosens the grip some, allowing space for God’s good to emerge. The evil meant against me; family's rejection, abandonment, and the resulting wounds, has been real and painful. Yet, God is weaving good from it. My principle of protecting children from their family’s sins, though tinged with bitterness, reflects a heart aligned with God’s justice (Micah 6:8). And I see the prisoners as God's children as well. They need to face justice it's true, but they also need God's love and forgiveness. My hypervigilance, while painful, has honed a sensitivity to truth and fairness, which God can use for advocacy or discernment.
 
The "good" God intends might include a redeemed identity. Through forgiveness and faith, I'm moving toward an identity as God’s beloved, not an outcast. God is breaking these cycles of resentment. By releasing my family’s names in the forgiveness ceremony, God is halting the bitter root’s spread and hopefully ensuring that my children and others don’t inherit its pain.
 
But today there is purpose in the pain. My betrayal sensitivity fuels a calling to protect and guide others, as seen in ministry for the outcasts, turning personal wounds into communal healing if I can with God's help. There is still a lot of work to do in this regard. My children are not always at peace with me, and rarely do we speak. They don't appreciate my words and they resent my identity because of misunderstandings and frankly ignorance. The tension I share with my children, is a raw reminder that healing is ongoing. The bitterness still has a hold on my history. Their struggle to connect with me stems from their own wounds and bitter root misunderstandings, mirroring the family bitterness I've worked to overcome. This doesn’t negate the grace process; it highlights the complexity of relationships fractured by generational pain. I can’t control their response, but I can continue leaning into God’s redemptive purpose.
 
I pray for their hearts:
Following Matthew 5:44, I pray daily for my children’s peace and healing, asking God to soften their resentment. This keeps my heart open, even when they resist, much like Joseph’s patience with his brothers (Genesis 50:20).
 
I try to model grace where I'm able:
Knowing that I'm damaged goods and pretty much incapable of being lovable, I try to extend grace to the outcasts. Showing love without demanding response. With me it's not transactional. Grace isn't supposed to be a give and take, it's always unconditional. This mirrors Jesus’ persistent love despite rejection (Luke 23:34).
 
I reflect on other perspectives:
I know my hypervigilant intensity can make communication difficult, and I try to think about how that reflects upon other perspectives. This aligns with Psalm 139:23-24’s call to let God search my heart, helping me approach relationships with empathy, even when communication is hard.
 
And I trust God to find a way:
I've already seen God’s good in my redeemed identity and ministry. My children have very notably resisted my attempts to include them in these contexts. Some have vehemently stated they will never join me in this ministry. This tells me that there is an underlying tension between them and me and my redeemed identity. The bitterness still wants my family to cling to it. The bitter root won't allow for healing. And as a consequence, they can't accept a redeemed me. Not unlike the experience of the prisoners I know.
 
My response is to nurture my own peace, in daily prayer and devotional writing, affirming my identity as God’s beloved, countering the outcast narrative. Daily prayer and devotional writing are grounding practices for me, affirming my identity as God’s beloved. This practice puts me at rest and gives me power to overcome my hypervigilance.
I know I'm not alone in this work, God is with me, turning evil into good. I know all the tension is coming from misunderstanding and prideful things. I know resistance stems from the bitter root, from misunderstanding my journey and probably feeling disconnected from the grace I've found, especially if they associate me with the family’s past dysfunction. There's a lingering anxiety I call "the bitteroot", and what my children don't understand is that it's the enemy's energy they are feeding when the choose resentment toward me.
 
I don't think I'll ever completely be free from the hypervigilance, (a lingering side-effect of my childhood trauma; rejection, foster care, and betrayal), it's a survival mechanism that may never fully fade. Early trauma often embeds hypervigilance in the brain’s wiring, making reactive responses automatic. It's not an excuse, just my reality. It will always drive me to react when I should respond with grace. But I can try to soften my nature whenever I can. This is my work and God's work to be done. I acknowledge that God is with me, turning evil into good (Genesis 50:20), this is my faith, and it anchors my hope in His redemptive power.
 
Earlier I asked: "You've got to ask yourself, do you want resurrection, or do you want healing?"
I suppose the answer I've come to is we should want healing. Resurrection is wonderful when it comes, but the bitter root needs to be healed today if it's going to last. Thankfully grace is renewed with each new day.
 
Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
 
Please pray for me in this work.
 
Heavenly Father,
You are the God who turns evil into good, who heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds (Psalm 147:3). I come before You, carrying the bitterroot of my past; rejection, betrayal, and the hypervigilance that guards my heart. Thank You for redeeming my identity, calling me Your beloved, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
Uproot the bitterness that clings to my family, especially my children, and replace it with Your peace and healing. Help me model Your unconditional grace, showing love without demand, as Jesus did. I lift up my children to You, asking You to soften their resentment and open their hearts to Your love. Guide me to pause and pray in moments of anxiety, trusting Your timing to turn this pain into purpose.
 
Thank You for never leaving me alone in this work. Strengthen me through Your Spirit to nurture peace, affirm my identity in You, and extend grace to the outcasts. May my life reflect Your redemptive power, breaking generational cycles for Your glory.
 
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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From Transactional Works to Transformative Love:
Knowing God’s Heart
Galatians 5:4
"You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace."
Thinking you've got to do something for God in order to deserve something from God, feels like a transactional love.
Let me ask you a question...if you don't hear those words (well done) from Jesus, would you still love Him?
Galatians 5:4 warns against seeking justification through the law, which cuts us off from Christ and His grace. Reducing a relationship with Jesus to a checklist of deeds, is not a gift rooted in Christ’s sacrifice. When someone does this they make an idol of themselves and their works. They are in effect saying their deeds are greater than Christ's sacrifice and love.
 
Relying on the law for justification severs us from Christ’s grace.
 
Why?
 
Because Christ's glory cannot have an effect upon us while we're still living in our own works of self-righteousness. It shifts our trust from His finished work to our own efforts. What if the virgins whose oil ran out were too busy practicing their self-righteous works, what if they forgot to fill up with God's love while they were working to fulfill their perceived religious duties.
 
When we make an idol of our works, we’re essentially declaring our self-righteousness sufficient, which dims the radiance of Christ’s glory in our lives. His grace can’t transform us while we’re clinging to the illusion that our deeds outshine His sacrifice. It’s like trying to earn a gift that’s already been freely given; our self-focus blocks the reality of His love and power.
 
Q: Why do people do this?
A: Unbelief. Because some will always fall back into self-preservation and performance. The enemy has convinced them that sin is so powerful that Christ could not forgive it, defeat it, or defend against it.
 
Think about this. If Christ can't defeat sin, even with forgiveness alone, with mercy, then He is not worthy to be called our Savior. You adopt this attitude, and you are saying Jesus is not worthy, he's not a perfect sacrifice. It's a subtle but profound rejection of Christ’s sufficiency.
 
People fall into this trap because the enemy exploits our human tendency toward self-preservation and prideful performance, whispering that sin’s power is too great for Christ’s sacrifice to fully cover. This lie leads to a mindset where we feel we must earn God’s favor, as if our works could outdo the cross.
 
Q: You want to know when true repentance and born again faith happens?
A: When your dependence upon yourself runs out. When your supply of self-sufficiency comes to end.
Born from above, salvation from dead works, happens when our self-dependence and self-sufficiency are exhausted. When we hit the end of our own resources, when we realize our works can’t save us, that’s when we surrender to Christ’s sufficiency. It’s in that moment of humility and brokenness that we truly grasp the power of His cross and are reborn by faith in Him alone.
 
Q: What is this thing, "dead works"?
A: Doing something, sometimes militantly, to get God to do something for you. It's spirituality without love for God. Maybe it's a love for the law. It's a desire to perform your love to earn God's grace.
 
Hebrews 6:1
"Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God."
Dead works are not just futile efforts but a misdirected affection that prioritizes self-effort or legalism over a genuine relationship with God. As Hebrews 6:1 urges, believers must repent from "dead works" as a foundational step toward spiritual maturity.
 
Acting like what you think a Christian should act "to get God to do something for you" reflects a quid-pro-quo mindset, treating God like a vending machine rather than a loving Father. It's transactional love, not transformative love. Rigid rule-keeping, compulsive service, or ritualistic devotion to prove worthiness lacks the heart of worship, driven instead by duty, fear, or pride. A "love for the law" suggests an idolatrous fixation on rules or performance, where the law becomes a substitute for Christ’s grace. It's revealing the contradiction; grace, by definition, cannot be earned, yet dead works chase this impossible goal.
 
Let's look closer into why people fall into this trap:
 
1. Unbelief in Christ’s Sufficiency: The enemy convinces people that sin’s power outstrips Christ’s sacrifice, so they must add their own efforts to "secure" salvation. This leads to a "love for the law" as a false savior. This deception drives individuals to supplement Christ’s work with their own efforts. This lie creates a spiritual insecurity, prompting people to "add" their own efforts to ensure their standing with God. The enemy’s deception preys on human vulnerabilities, amplifying doubts about God’s grace. The enemy exaggerates sin’s power, making it seem unconquerable. The fear that "I’m not good enough" or "God won’t accept me" drives people to perform. Some view God as a harsh judge rather than a loving Father, assuming He demands constant proof of worthiness. The enemy reinforces this by twisting scriptures to emphasize law over love, obscuring God’s character as revealed in Christ (John 3:16-18). They forget that Christ did not come to condemn.
 
2. Fear of Losing Favor: The militant drive to perform often comes from fear; fear of God’s rejection or not being "enough." This fuels a transactional approach: "If I do this, God must respond." The fear of losing God’s favor stems from a deep-seated insecurity about our standing with Him. This leads to a transactional approach to faith: "If I do this (pray enough, serve enough, obey enough), God must respond (love me, bless me, save me)." This mindset is the essence of dead works; efforts devoid of love for God, rooted in fear rather than faith, and disconnected from the grace of Christ’s finished work. It's a distorted view of Christ's character. The enemy exploits this, sowing doubts about God’s unconditional love.
Remember always: 1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear"
 
3. Pride in Performance: A "desire to perform your love" can stem from pride, where people want to take credit for their righteousness rather than rely on Christ’s. It's showcase faith. Pride rejects the humility required to accept grace, insisting on earning salvation to maintain control. This desire to "perform your love" refuses to admit dependence on Christ’s sacrifice. Pride is a core aspect of fallen human nature, seeking self-exaltation over God’s glory (Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"). Many church cultures celebrate self-reliance and accomplishment, fostering a mindset where value is tied to performance. This spills into faith, where people assume God’s favor must be earned through impressive (sainthood) works.
 
4. Cultural Conditioning: Many are taught that love must be earned, so they project this onto God, assuming His grace requires payment through works. Cultural conditioning shapes our worldview, often teaching that love, acceptance, and value are contingent on our worldly and Church performance. These church-culture works are driven by a need to earn love and lacks worship, producing the "dead" quality of Hebrews 6:1. At the heart of it, these faith practices lack love for God. Example: Performing religious duties out of obligation feels hollow, missing the joy of a grace-based relationship with God. And without love all these works are like a clanging gong. All noise no substance, no love.
 
5. Lack of Intimacy with God: "Spirituality without love for God" is key. Without a deep, personal relationship with Him, people default to rules or rituals, mistaking activity for devotion. Loveless, performance-based faith. Believing God is primarily a judge leads to performing duties to appease Him, not seeking His heart. A believer might read the Bible daily but skim it as a task, missing the chance to hear God’s voice. It's faith without the hope of salvation, often tied to a faith that isn't anticipating Christ's return. A church that prioritizes church attendance or tithing over personal prayer and anticipating Christ's return can condition believers to equate activity with church devotion. Feeling unworthy to approach God in anticipating prayer, a believer might overcompensate with charitable acts to feel more righteous and thereby earn their reward. The enemy promotes this performance-based faith, making catechism feel more reliable than a vulnerable faith connection with God's word. Some believers never learn how to cultivate direct intimacy with God, especially if their faith community focuses on external practices. Growing up in a tradition heavy on liturgy but light on personal devotion can leave someone unsure how to relate to God personally. This is the danger of both orthodoxy and fundamentalism. Without a deep, personal relationship with God, people default to rules or rituals. Believers perform spiritual duties; prayer, church attendance, fasting, out of obligation, not love, treating them as checkboxes to maintain God’s favor. Praying a set number of minutes daily to "stay right with God," without engaging the heart in worship. This is the "love for the law" I spoke about earlier. Obsessively tracking church involvement to feel spiritually secure, rather than seeking God’s presence. It brings to mind the Pharisees who embody the pitfalls of a loveless, performance-driven faith. Prioritizing ritual over heart.
 
Modern "Pharisees" might enforce strict rules (e.g., orthodox ritualistic worship, self-righteous dress codes, traditional behavior standards) over grace, fostering a "love for the law" that sidelines intimacy with the word of God.
To avoid the Pharisees’ error and cultivate intimacy with God, believers need to know God.
 
Q: How do you "know God"?
A: Let's see if the word of God can help...
Jeremiah 9:24
"Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness."
So right away we see that God shifts the focus from the believer toward Him. It's about engaging with God as a loving Father, not a distant judge, through prayer, worship, and trust.
 
John 17:3
"This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Spirituality must be rooted in love for God. Knowing Him fuels this love, making works a response to His grace, not a payment for it. Knowing God changes us, aligning our desires with His and producing fruit through the Spirit, not dead works (John 15:4-5). Unlike the Pharisees, who relied on law, knowing God means resting in Christ’s finished work (the resurrection and the anticipation of his return).
 
The Pharisees doubted God’s grace, relying on law over relationship. Their pride sought self-glory, not God’s heart.
Jesus used a parable to describe this:
Luke 18:9-12
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
It was cultural conditioning. Their tradition taught that righteousness was earned, projecting this onto God. Knowing God would have shifted their focus from dead works to a faith rooted in love.
 
How to "Know God" and Cultivate Intimacy
 
Prayer is a two-way conversation, not a ritual to earn favor. Share your heart with God and listen for His voice.
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Pause to reflect, asking, "Lord, what do You want me to know?"
Read the Bible to know God’s character, not just rules. Approach it as His revelation of Himself, seeking His heart.
Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
In your devotion ask God, "What does this reveal about God’s love, mercy, or faithfulness?" Journal insights to deepen understanding.
 
Q: Do you love worship?
 
Worship in love for Christ, not from a sense of duty. Worship through songs of love, prayers of thanksgiving, and reflection upon the gospels, and expressing your love for God, focusing on His goodness rather than performance. Unlike the Pharisees’ empty rituals, worship from love fosters intimacy, making works a response to God’s glory, not a transaction.
 
The Holy Spirit (not idols like temples, cathedrals, vestments and furniture) reveals God’s heart and empowers intimacy. Before your worship, your prayers, or your devotion to scripture, pray, "Holy Spirit, show me God’s love and truth." Be open to His nudges, like a sense of peace or conviction. Ask the Spirit to help you regularly examine your heart, confessing specific sins or fears in prayer. Thank God for His grace, accepting His love without earning it.
 
Conclusion:
Jesus said,
"Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4-5).
And the apostle whom Jesus loved wrote:
1 John 4:7
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."
This verse powerfully connects to our discussion about knowing God to cultivate intimacy and avoid the Pharisees’ error of dead works. What Jesus taught they were lacking was love. Love for God and love for one another. They were trapped in a transactional relationship with God.
 
1 John 4:7 emphasizes that love is the hallmark of knowing God, as it originates from Him and is evidence of being "born of God." To know God is to experience and reflect His love, which is the essence of a personal relationship with Him. The Pharisees missed this mark, and Jesus said of them, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."
 
Justice reflects God’s righteousness and commitment to fairness, equity, and care for the oppressed. It involves living rightly with others, upholding God’s moral order, and advocating for those who are wronged (Micah 6:8). The Pharisees practiced a superficial justice, focusing on outward compliance with the law. They neglected the poor, the marginalized, and sinners, judging them harshly instead of seeking their restoration.
 
Mercy is God’s compassionate forgiving love, extended to the undeserving, reflecting His grace and willingness to withhold judgment. It involves showing kindness, forgiveness, and empathy, especially to the broken or sinful. The Pharisees lacked mercy, condemning sinners rather than extending grace. Their rigid adherence to the law left no room for compassion, as they saw themselves as superior, not in need of mercy.
 
Faithfulness is steadfast trust in God and loyalty to His covenant, expressed through a life of obedience rooted in love, not duty. I see it as "anticipation" of Christ's return and a living faith that experiences Christ's Spirit even now. Faithfulness is a dynamic, forward-looking love for God.
 
Viewing faithfulness as "anticipation" connects it to our eschatological hope, where believers live with eager expectation of Christ’s second coming.
Titus 2:13
"Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"
This hope fuels obedience, not to earn favor, but to align with God’s kingdom. This makes faithfulness active and relational, not a static rule-following, producing works that are alive, not "dead".
 
By grounding our faithfulness in love, we echo 1 John 4:7’s link between knowing God and loving, ensuring spirituality avoids the Pharisees’ transactional mindset. This view transforms faithfulness from the Pharisees’ external, loveless adherence to law into a dynamic, Spirit-filled relationship that anticipates Christ’s return while living in His presence now in love.
 
Food for thought:
How do you see modern believers missing this kind of faithfulness; perhaps in routine faith practices or church cultures that lack anticipation or Spirit-filled life?
 
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, seeking to know You deeply and love You truly. Forgive us when we fall into the trap of transactional love, striving to earn what You freely give through Christ’s perfect sacrifice. Lord, we confess our unbelief, fear, pride, and the cultural conditioning that makes us think Your love must be earned. Break the enemy’s lies that sin is too great for Your cross, and help us trust in Christ’s sufficiency. Holy Spirit, guide us to abide in Jesus. Teach us to pursue justice by caring for the oppressed, to show mercy to the undeserving, and to live faithfully with eager hope, free from the Pharisees’ loveless spirituality. When our self-sufficiency runs dry, lead us to surrender, finding new life in Your grace. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Savior, who calls us to know and love Him forever. Amen.
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Speak, Lord:
Hearing Jesus’ Voice Through Visions and Scripture in the Last Days
John 10:27
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
Hearing leads to following. Hearing Jesus’ voice is a privilege of belonging to Him. It’s not a distant command but a personal call rooted in love and mutual knowledge. The Greek word for "listen" (ἀκούω, akouō) implies not just hearing but heeding or obeying. It suggests active, attentive listening. Sheep recognize their shepherd’s unique voice amidst the others. Similarly, Jesus’ followers discern His voice; through His teachings, the Holy Spirit, or Scripture, because they belong to Him. This listening is relational, rooted in trust and familiarity, developed through ongoing communion with Christ. And in this communion, there is "knowing". Jesus’ knowledge of His sheep is personal and intimate, experiential understanding, akin to the mutual knowledge between the Father and Son (John 10:15). Distinguishing Jesus’ voice from others (false teachers, worldly noise) requires spiritual sensitivity, cultivated through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. In a world full of competing voices (media, opinions, doubts, and fears), test what you hear against Jesus’ teachings and character.
 
But What About ACTUALLY Hearing from Jesus?
 
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in helping believers hear Jesus’ voice, acting as the divine intermediary who bridges the gap between Christ and His followers.
 
John 14:26
"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
 
The Holy Spirit illuminates Jesus’ teachings, bringing His words to life in our hearts. When we read Scripture or recall Jesus’ words, the Spirit helps us understand their meaning and relevance, making Jesus’ voice clear and personal. The Spirit tunes our hearts to discern God’s voice, much like a sheep learns to recognize the shepherd’s call (John 10:27). He softens our hearts, removes spiritual dullness, and fosters intimacy with Jesus. The Spirit acts as Jesus’ mouthpiece, relaying His truth and will. By conveying what Jesus desires for us to know, the Spirit ensures believers hear the Good Shepherd’s voice in a way that glorifies Him.
 
John 16:13-14
"When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you."
The Spirit convict's believers of sin, aligns them with Jesus’ righteousness, and guides them in practical decisions, helping them follow Jesus’ voice. In our trials, the Shepherd’s voice reassures us of His nearness. The Spirit conveys this presence, helping us hear God’s comfort amidst our fear's. God provides His comfort and peace abundantly despite opposition. His Spirit's anointing signifies honor and blessing; and He freely brings an overflowing cup of excessive provision.
 
1 Corinthians 2:10-12
"The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God…No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is…the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us."
 
The Holy Spirit enhances this posture of listening by enabling you to recognize Jesus’ voice, much as Samuel learned to discern God’s call. The Spirit prepares your heart to say, "Speak, Lord," and equips you to respond faithfully.
 
1 Samuel 3:10
"Speak, for your servant is listening."
 
Samuel’s response models for us the posture of readiness that the Spirit cultivates. The Spirit prepares us to listen humbly and respond faithfully to Jesus’ call.
 
Like Samuel, approach God with humility. Ask: What might be hindering my ability to hear Jesus today? Many aren't hindered really, they are likely very intimately involved in a relationship with God's word and that's enough to achieve the Lord's work in them. And others? They're probably lost in other things and need goading. Maybe they need a radical call. Whatever the situation, the Lord isn't limited by apostolic cessation. If He needs to speak He will. To image our Lord is somehow incapable of that is nonsensical.
 
What Can We Do to Be Open to Hearing from God?
 
Sit in a comfortable, distraction-free place. Maybe light a candle, (I don't), or play soft worship music, (I don't), or listen/read the Bible or expository commentary on the Bible. But ready your mind for listening and hearing a word from God.
 
Pray:
"Holy Spirit, prepare my heart to hear Jesus’ voice. Lord, speak for your servant. Open my heart to Your Scriptures, peace, dreams, visions, or promptings. Help me trust Jesus’ knowledge of me. Amen."
 
Take a few deep breaths, release your tension. Imagine Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calling you by name in His intimate knowledge of you, your joys, struggles, and needs. And then consider how hearing leads to action. Open yourself up to these thoughts and meditate on them in silence. Close your eyes and visualize this scene. Hear Jesus say your name; softly, warmly, and with care. Let the Spirit bring His voice to life. If it helps, imagine a peaceful setting, like the green pastures of Psalm 23. Rest in the moment, trusting that Jesus knows you intimately.
 
Now, bring to mind one joy, one struggle, and one need in your life.
 
For each, say:
"Jesus, You know my [joy/struggle/need]. Speak to me about it."
 
This isn't a rote recitation of a mantra, this is you being honest and open to hearing from God. Trust the Spirit to convey Jesus’ understanding, perhaps through a Scripture, a sense of peace, dreams and visions, or a gentle prompting.
 
Say aloud or in your heart:
"Jesus, You know my joy. Speak to me about it."
 
And listen in silence for a prompting. Maybe a scripture will come to mind. Maybe not even in that moment, maybe in the next day or several days later as the Spirit finds the avenue in you by which to reveal The Lord's will.
 
When I meditate, I have expository sermons and meditations playing as a background for my time of devotion. For instance, I'll turn on Spotify while driving throughout the day, or early in the AM before I start my day. And there I have many teachers podcasts that I follow. I'll start these programs and allow them to enrich my meditation as I search the scriptures in my thoughts. Expository sermons are a form of preaching that focuses on explaining and applying a specific passage of Scripture in its context, aiming to convey the original meaning and intent of the biblical text to the listener. These sermons involve a detailed, verse-by-verse or passage-by-passage explanation of Scripture, prioritizing the text’s original meaning, historical context, and theological significance. These sermons are anchored in a single passage or book, often preached systematically. And likewise, my devotional writing follows this same line of systematic thought.
Often, I'll have already received a focus scripture from my prayer time or interactions earlier in the week that I search to hear messages about. Allowing these Spirit-led teachers to help open up the scripture will enrich the word from God that you hear. The devotion writing unpacks the meaning of the text for me, often addressing grammar, word meanings, or theological themes. This is how I've always learned, by writing. I've always been a great note taker, and I learn by writing what I hear. I learn best when I'm scribbling, drawing, just moving a pencil on a page. I don't know why, I just know it works that way with me.
 
Try journaling. Write down what you sense/hear. For example: "My joy is [describe]. I sensed Jesus saying [note Scripture, feeling, or prompting]." This activity for me has evolved over the years into a daily verse by verse devotional writing through the entire Bible. It started with my lay ministry studies and became "a thing" for me when I was leading as the prayer coordinator in my local church.
 
For me this practice of using the background teaching was an attempt to drown out the tinnitus I suffer from. Music was too distracting and soft meditative sounds weren't enough, though I've experienced revelation through music. So, I use the preaching and teaching to mellow the mood and the tinnitus, but often I find that I'll hear a related timely message chime through teaching.
 
If you use Spotify, select a playlist with trusted teachers (expository sermons or devotional podcasts) or a specific message related to your focus Scripture (e.g. John 10:27 or another from your prayer time). Start the audio at a low volume to enrich without overwhelming your thoughts.
 
Pray:
"Holy Spirit, tune my heart to hear Jesus’ voice. Guide me through Your Word, peace, dreams, visions, or promptings. Use these Spirit-led teachings to open the Scriptures. I say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ Amen."
 
By focusing on the text, expository listening lets God’s Word speak directly to you, helping you hear Jesus’ voice as the Spirit illuminates the passage. Practice testing these promptings against Jesus’ character and align this time of study with expository teaching, emphasizing sound doctrine. Theological depth equips you to distinguish Jesus’ voice from "worldly noise".
 
Speaking of "noise", there are many competing voices out there on the spectrum of dreams and visions. Many believe they have experienced these manifestations of The Spirit, and many others completely reject the idea that we are still hearing from God through prophets, apostles, dreams and visions. The spectrum of beliefs, ranging from those who embrace dreams and visions as ongoing manifestations of the Spirit to those who reject them as ceased with the apostolic era, creates a complex landscape for believers to navigate. And we could write many books about the subject. But as for me, I know the Spirit still speaks in these ways. I've personally experienced a waking vision and revelation in which I heard the voice of God speak directly to me. So, for me it's kind of one of those things, I can't deny what I already know to be true.
 
So, what do I know?
 
Dreams and visions are supernatural experiences through which God communicates with His people, often involving visual or symbolic imagery, messages, or impressions. I'd say that I've experienced all the above in several different situations.
 
From Joseph’s dream of divine favor (Genesis 37:5-9) and Daniel’s symbolic dreams (Daniel 7:1-28), to Peter’s vision of clean animals (Acts 10:9-16) and Paul’s vision of the Macedonian man (Acts 16:9), God has personally visited people with answers to heartfelt questions and concerns. And even speaking directly to them. Don't be fooled, the Devil ha spoken as well, through mystics and so called "saints".
 
In Acts 2:17 The Lord’s Scripture says,
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people...your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams"
 
This promise, fulfilled at Pentecost, I believe, extends into the church age. And believe me, I understand the difficulties in believing this. I've known lifelong pastors and missionaries who have served Jesus with everything they have but have never experienced The Holy Spirit outside a religious context like in the sacredness of a ritualistic moment or devise. I would believe likewise if it weren't for my own personal experience. Not hearing directly from God isn't a problem and doesn't somehow diminish ones faith. In fact, I might argue that people of great faith don't need to hear directly from God.
 
Dreams and Visions:
There are specific manifestations of the Spirit’s outpouring, alongside prophecy. These manifestations should glorify Christ and especially reinforce His intimate knowledge of you. In one instance, in my case, I heard in a vision God speak, "I was there, I heard your prayer, and I'm answering it." The context was a vision of myself as a small boy. I had climbed to the top of my favorite climbing tree (a large silver Maple in the backyard). I was very troubled, upset about my sequestered life of loneliness and abuse. I was crying out to my mother who I never knew and to God. I cried out for a family. For a family like all my friends had. I remember I bawled my eyes out. But I had forgotten about that prayer so long ago. I was 40 when I remembered that prayer. I was given a vision of myself in that tree. And I heard God speak those words, "I was there, I heard your prayer, and I'm answering it."
 
Immediately upon hearing that I was given a vision of my own family, my children, my wife, my grandchildren. And I realized in that moment that in God's glory I was given a tremendous gift. I was getting an ongoing answer to my childhood prayer. I was so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that I completely broke down in tears and humility. Very few times have I been in this state. Once before, when I experienced my sudden conversion in Christ. And since then, a few times at critical moments of spiritual awakening. Each time, apparently, I have to be brought completely to my knees. I'm a hard nut to crack apparently. But I can testify that God is a nutcracker.
 
Don't take my word for it...
1 Corinthians 2:10-11
"These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
My vision glorified Jesus by revealing His faithfulness across decades, fulfilling my prayer for a family. Jesus’ intimate knowledge of me is evident, as He knew my childhood pain and is answering my cry throughout my entire life. Now that's intimacy. God’s words, "I was there, I heard your prayer," reflect His presence in my loneliness and abuse, fulfilling Psalm 23:4 ("You are with me"). The vision of me as a boy in the Maple tree shows Jesus’ omniscience, as He discerned my heartfelt cry (John 2:24-25). The subsequent vision of my family underscores God’s ongoing answer, revealing His prevenient grace, a Wesleyan theme I had learned about shortly after that encounter with God. The overwhelming joy and gratitude that brought me to tears mirrors many biblical responses to divine revelation, (e.g. David’s awe in Psalm 16:11 "You fill me with joy in your presence"). And finally, being brought to my knees reflects a broken spirit, (Psalm 51:3 "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.").
 
This vision fulfills the Spirit’s outpouring, as young men see visions. Its clarity and impact, recalling a forgotten prayer at age 40, echoes New Testament revelations. The Spirit’s role in revealing the past and present affirms my testimony against cessationist doubts. My undeniable experience equips me to steward this vision confidently, but the full spectrum of that revelation requires a biblical approach in order to filter out false voices and deepen my understanding of Jesus. And this ongoing revelation never ends in this life. I'm still learning about Christ from this extraordinary experience. I'm still learning about family and I'm still learning about the depths of my own sinfulness. The lessons go on; the vision is still alive today and is still teaching me.
 
Knowing this calls for a biblical approach to deepen my understanding of Jesus while filtering out the distortions. This is why I devote so much of my time to reading and writing about scripture. I'm not devoting time to dreaming or producing visions. They aren't the source; the source of truth is scripture.
 
Scripture is the ultimate test for visions (1 John 4:1).
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
 
One important rule of thumb, if your dream, visions, revelation from scripture, fosters pride and self. Reject it!
 
Test it.
Does it uphold God’s Word?
Does it exalt Christ?
Does it produce love, joy, or humility?
And confirm it.
Seek prayer, Scripture, or counsel.
 
And remember always, Scripture has primacy over any and all dreams, visions, and revelations. It requires interpretation by its very nature. Scripture remains central to that task. Yes, visions and dreams have diminished since the end of the apostolic era, but God is still alive and present through his Spirit and will speak if it is His will. Why else do we pray if not to be heard, and if we are heard will not our God who is righteous and holy answer that prayer? And maybe he'll explain that answer in person if need be.
 
I have no idea why I received that answer in that way. I was praying while driving and listening to Christian music. I was crying because I was moved by the Spirit in that prayer. And then it happened.
 
I trust in God’s responsiveness, as evidenced by my vision. I trust God's holy Word above all else. This connects deeply with my practice of meditating with expository sermons. Scripture is the ultimate authority for faith and practice. The Spirit’s work continues in this church age, guiding believers into truth (John 16:13-14) and glorifying and revealing Jesus in His word, dreams, visions, and as well as in revelations.
 
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Good Shepherd, thank You for calling us by name and speaking through Your Word and Spirit. Holy Spirit, thank You for guiding us into truth, revealing Jesus’ intimate knowledge of our joys, struggles, and needs. Lord, keep Scripture as our lamp, ensuring Your Word remains central above all dreams and visions. Protect us from the noise of competing voices, granting discernment to test every revelation against Your truth. Deepen our understanding of Christ, family, and our own sinfulness, that we may follow Jesus with humility and obedience. May our prayers rise to You, righteous and holy God, trusting You hear and answer according to Your will.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
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