3 Ways to Start Your Day by Hearing From God

Is there anybody out there who has a word from God?

It seems like everywhere you look these days, negativity abounds. It’s in print, it’s on television, on the radio, on social media, online. Even the news is little more than an unending soap opera. It almost makes me want to shout, “Really? Are you serious?” With all this negativity in the media, I’m thinking about going on a fast from all TV and radio news in an attempt to lessen my exposure to it. Too much is at stake for me to risk getting bogged down with such mess. Whether or not you realize it, engaging with all this negativity is exacting a high price from you too. This commotion is distracting us from the voice of the Holy Spirit, and it is trying to distort our lives with frustration. It’s almost like this noise is deceiving us into believing that it is somehow the voice of God. It’s also covering up the power of what God is giving birth to in our generation.

Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to get better any time soon. We are less than 14 years away from the 2,000th birthday of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and I believe that confusion and frustration are going to continue to increase, just as the Word of God proclaims.

Yet in the midst of it, grace is not only going to grow; it’s going to abound. If you will turn the eyes and ears of your heart toward Him, you’ll perceive the Holy Spirit speaking in this transitional season through dreams, visions and extraordinary prophetic words. I believe God is wanting us to sow our dreams into the power of the Holy Spirit, and when we do, He will give us fresh direction. If we will follow these God-given directions, He is going to release an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is greater than anything we have known in the 2,000 years since Pentecost.

To ensure you’re ready to receive everything He has for you, consider starting your day every morning with these three practices:

1. Pray with a spirit of gratitude and expectancy. Get out of bed, lift your hands and begin to bless God. No matter what it looks like in your personal life or anywhere else in the world, open your mouth and get loud about it. Bless His name—His Holy name, His victorious name—that He is on the throne.
2. Ask for His help. We need God to show up and show off His wisdom and His abilities in our lives. I need His help more now than I have ever needed it before in my life, and you are most likely feeling the same.
3. Invite Him to surprise you. Every day I bless Him, I ask for His help, and then I say, “Surprise me.” It has been one of the most fruitful habits of my life and ministry. I speak confidently from a place of experience that I know it will be transformative for you too.

God is poised to give us a negativity-conquering impartation of His Holy Spirit power if only we will invite Him into our lives and work. The Word of God says in 1 Corinthians 2:9–10, “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” According to His Word, He will supernaturally, miraculously, and abundantly surprise us when we step into partnership with Him. I’m ready. Are you?

You’re beautiful. I see Jesus in you.

Have a great week! {eoa}

Mikel French has challenged spiritual awakening all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines, reaching 200,000 teenagers with the Book of Hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide soul-winning celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting the annual pastor’s conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia’s 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.