Want to explore how the power of prophecy can foster deep connections and transform lives? Curious about how communicating with God goes beyond strict obedience and into a realm of relationship and personal growth? Ever wondered about the role of prophecy in the dramatic transformation of South Korea or the personal journeys of individuals struggling with life's challenges? Dive into this engaging exploration of prophecy, its impact on personal and global stories, and its potential to bring a divine perspective into our everyday lives.

Translating God: Hearing God's Voice For Yourself And The World Around You

On a plane ride to Australia, Shawn Bolz, the author, struck up a conversation with a man who seemed distracted but engaging. He was nearing retirement from a job he claimed was in the oil industry. Their discussion turned to Bolz's work against human trafficking, which deeply moved him. 

When he went to the bathroom, Bolz felt a divine prompting that he wasn't fully honest about his job. Bolz learned he was actually an air marshal, his wife's name was Patricia, he dreamed of visiting Italian vineyards, and his daughter, Anna, faced a complicated pregnancy.

When he returned, their conversation naturally shifted to God, and Bolz shared this with him. Touched and tearful, he initially denied being an air marshal but later admitted the truth after checking Bolz's background. They prayed together, and he expressed a newfound connection to God.

This experience underscored the power of the prophetic to connect deeply with others. It's like a spiritual smart device that enhances relationships and reveals God's profound love. Prophecy isn't just about sharing information but about seeing people through God's eyes and treating them with the love they deserve.

Jesus exemplified this by valuing and believing in people others overlooked. He treated them as already restored, reflecting the Father's love. This perspective can transform how we interact with others, encouraging them to become their best selves.

Prophetic ministry should prioritize love over mere information, fostering deep relationships with God and others. It’s about seeing the potential and inherent worth in everyone, much like how John the Beloved saw the church as the bride of Christ, fully prepared and beautiful.

In essence, prophecy helps us see the gold in others, encouraging them to embrace their divine potential. It’s a powerful tool to bring people closer to God and to each other, fostering a world where everyone feels valued and loved.

Can Prophecy Bridge the Gap Between Strangers on a Plane Ride?

When Shawn Bolz was six, his parents prayed for a woman with back pain at a retreat. As he fidgeted on his mom’s lap, she asked him if God was showing him anything. Bolz felt a sudden inspiration and asked the woman if her pain was from a car accident. She was shocked and confirmed it. Bolz prayed with his parents, and they watched her get completely healed. This experience deeply influenced Bolz's understanding of God’s love and the supernatural.

As Bolz grew up, his parents taught him that everyone was special and deserving of compassion, without prejudice. This shaped his view against elitism and instilled a desire to empower the underdog. Unlike others with dramatic supernatural experiences, Bolz felt normal but realized that this would help him connect with other “normal” Christians.

As a teenager, Bolz sought answers about his purpose and significance. One night, he felt God guiding him to a family seminar. There, a pastor prayed for the youth, and a man prophesied over Bolz, affirming his questions and telling him he would help others know God. This encounter profoundly changed Bolz, making him feel loved and known by God.

Throughout his life, the prophetic has shown up in crucial moments, offering guidance and connection. Moving frequently due to his father’s Air Force career, his family and Bolz prayed to hear God’s voice about new friends and communities. This practice continued into adulthood, helping him form meaningful relationships.

One memorable encounter was with an actor struggling with depression and negative reviews. God revealed specific details about his life, and as Bolz shared them, the actor felt a profound release from years of sorrow and self-doubt. The prophetic restored him in an instant, showcasing its transformative power.

The prophetic is not just a spiritual gift but a heart culture rooted in love. It allows us to see people’s true value and potential, fostering deep connections. Whether it’s a struggling individual on the street or a dictator in need of compassion, the prophetic bridges the gap between God’s heart and humanity, offering hope and transformation.

In every encounter, the prophetic demonstrates God’s love and desire for relationship. It empowers us to go beyond our limitations, seeing the world with a heart of compassion and a sense of purpose. Through the prophetic, we can participate in God’s divine nature and bring his love to those who need it most.

From Childhood Miracles to Prophetic Encounters: A Journey of Faith and Compassion

We evolve beyond our innate abilities when we embrace Jesus through His Spirit, which allows us to partake in His thoughts and guidance, leading to greater fulfillment in our lives. Revelation, as discussed in the Bible, is the Holy Spirit unveiling God's intentions and nature to us, encouraging us to live purposefully.

Paul's prayer for the Ephesians highlights the core of Christianity: to have wisdom and revelation to know Jesus more intimately. This differs from the Old Testament, where God communicated through select prophets who had unique roles and destinies. These prophets were close to God's heart and were responsible for guiding His people, contrasting with the New Testament, where every believer has a direct connection to God's Spirit due to Jesus' sacrifice.

Jesus emphasized that God wants to speak to each believer, promising that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13). This personal connection with God was not available before the atonement. In the New Testament, every believer is responsible for their spiritual journey, making each a signpost for God's kingdom.

The transition from Old to New Testament prophecy shows that while Old Testament prophets had to be infallible, New Testament prophecy is about love and relationship rather than mere information. Paul’s journey to Rome, despite a prophet's warning, exemplifies this shift: prophecy now aims to deepen our connection with God rather than dictate actions.

Real-life stories illustrate this principle. For instance, at a Hollywood coffee shop, a failed word of knowledge led to a meaningful conversation and salvation for a man seeking to hear from God. This underscores that love and relationship matter more than information.

Discernment, an innate human ability, should serve as a starting point for deeper spiritual revelation. It's important to connect with God’s heart beyond our initial discernment. Failure to do so can lead to negative and critical perspectives, which are counterproductive.

Prophecy, like the warning of the earthquake in Peru, demonstrates how God's guidance can prepare and protect communities. Such instances show that God’s revelations are always geared towards goodness and protection, not condemnation.

Ultimately, prophecy should encourage and build up, focusing on love and relationship rather than judgment or negative outcomes. This approach aligns with the New Testament's emphasis on faith, love, and the Spirit’s guidance, moving beyond the Old Testament's focus on strict obedience and infallibility.

How Does Jesus' Spirit Transform Our Connection with God?

During one of Bolz's sessions, he asked if there was a Mary with a son named Jonathan or John. A young man named John responded, and Bolz saw a vision of his late wife, Rachel, holding Jesus's hand. Jesus relayed a message from Rachel that John and his mother, Mary, had taken care of her while she was dying of cancer, and it was prophetic. John later confirmed Rachel's words and found peace in moving on with his life, as she had encouraged him to do.

Communicating with God is about relationship, not strict obedience. He wants to reveal His nature and help us make decisions, not control us. This is why Jesus spoke in parables, to realign our hearts with heaven's culture. 

Bolz's parents encouraged him to dream and make his own choices, teaching him to be a strong, free thinker. Similarly, God wants us to develop our identity and make powerful decisions. He doesn't want us to rely on Him for every small choice but to grow in confidence and maturity.

For years, Bolz was haunted by the numbers 11:11 and 22. When he moved to Los Angeles, he discovered a plaque stating the city was founded by 11 men, 11 women, and 22 children. This revelation showed Bolz that God wanted to build a family culture in LA.

Revelation is progressive, and God weaves His prophetic message through our lives. Prophecy connects us to God's heart and our future. For example, Bolz once prophesied to a woman named Lauren, revealing her passion for makeup artistry, which led her to pursue her dream career.

Words of knowledge, supernatural revelations about a person's life, can open hearts to God's love. In one instance, Bolz accurately listed a man's family members and addresses, but it was the revelation of his newly adopted dog's name that deeply moved him, showing him God's love.

God's voice has many facets, including dreams, visions, and impressions. Educating ourselves on these can make them powerful tools in our spiritual journey.

Divine Encounters: Prophetic Moments with Jesus and Everyday Revelations

Bolz remembers the heat on his ear as he took the stage, feeling shaky and euphoric, like he had drunk too much coffee. It was an odd mix of sensations. He nervously addressed the worship leader, “Is your wife’s name Tiffany?” The leader confirmed, holding up her hand. Then Bolz asked, “Does Clay Aiken mean anything to you?” “Yes, that’s our last name,” the leader replied. 

Encouraged, Bolz mentioned two names and Missouri, which were their cousins. Suddenly, Bolz saw a vision of a boy, a runner in heaven, who had recently passed from Parkinson’s. His father loved running so much that he named his son Runner. This vision brought an overwhelming sense of divine presence and connection, healing the family’s grief.

This experience taught Bolz that the anointing is not just a mystical power but a deep relationship with God. It’s about maintaining a connection with the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. This relational nature of God’s power was evident in Paul’s writings, where he compared his longing for the Galatians’ spiritual growth to childbirth pains. This illustrates the deep love and connection required to manifest spiritual gifts and prophetic power.

A prophetic attitude starts with being an encourager, seeing the world through God’s loving eyes. Bolz admired his wife’s natural ability to affirm others, a skill he had to develop intentionally. Encouragement opens hearts and builds bridges between divine intentions and earthly realities.

Consider South Korea’s transformation, driven by prophetic vision and practical action. Compassion International’s investment in children’s education laid the foundation for the nation’s development. This prophetic power stems from seeing God’s original design for nations and believing in His plans, despite contrary reports.

True relational power comes from connection, not just conversation. Bolz's parents’ unspoken coordination in the kitchen after fifty years of marriage exemplifies this. Similarly, God desires our hearts.

Could Prophetic Visions and Divine Connections Transform Lives Like They Did for Clay Aiken's Family?

In the 1980s and 1990s, prophetic ministries were booming, but the excitement to hear God's voice overshadowed accountability. People were so eager to equip others that they often overlooked the importance of responsibility. This led to many self-proclaimed prophets who were unaccountable and sometimes caused more harm than good. The result was a mix of awe-inspiring moments and instances of deep disappointment and moral failures among prophetic leaders.

One key problem was the lack of self-awareness and accountability among these prophets. Shawn Bolz shared a personal story where he felt blocked during a prayer session. God reminded him of a previous prophecy he had given to a girl named Jessica, which did not come true, leading to her disappointment. This experience taught him the importance of taking responsibility for his words.

Bolz also emphasized the need for prophetic people to track their words and seek feedback. He shared another story where his mentor, Mike Bickle, encouraged him to track his prophecies to understand their accuracy and impact. This practice helped Bolz grow in his gift and learn from both his successes and mistakes.

Accountability in prophecy is crucial. Bolz recounted interactions with other prophets who had given harmful or inaccurate words, highlighting the need for relational responsibility. One instance involved a prophet who told a pastor he would die if he stayed in his city, which was based on the prophet's personal fears rather than God's message.

Building a history of accurate and connected prophetic words helps establish trust and credibility. Bolz shared how his consistent efforts in prophesying and tracking his words led to significant breakthroughs and built lasting relationships.

Ultimately, the prophetic journey is about growing in love and relational responsibility. It requires practice, feedback, and a commitment to understanding God's heart. As we develop these skills, we can prophesy in ways that truly encourage and build up those around us.

Shawn Bolz and Mike Bickle: Redefining Prophetic Accountability

On a flight to Australia, a conversation with a stranger, who turned out to be an air marshal, highlighted the profound impact of the prophetic in connecting deeply with others and sharing God's love. Prophecy isn't just about revealing information, but about viewing and treating people with divine love, much like Jesus did. This approach can transform relationships and help individuals realize their potential.

Growing up, Shawn Bolz learned the significance of compassion and the supernatural, which shaped his desire to empower others. His experiences with the prophetic have guided him in forming meaningful relationships and offering hope and transformation to those in need.

The prophetic is a heart culture rooted in love, aiming to see the value in everyone. It encourages us to form deep connections with God and others, moving beyond mere obedience to a relational understanding of His will. Bolz's journey illustrates that prophecy is about encouraging and building up, focusing on faith and the Spirit's guidance rather than judgment.

Revelation is progressive and intertwined with our lives, helping us connect with God's heart and future. Words of knowledge can open hearts to God's love, demonstrating His multifaceted communication through dreams, visions, and impressions. Maintaining a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for manifesting spiritual gifts and prophetic power.

Encouragement and accountability are key in prophetic ministry. Tracking prophecies and seeking feedback ensure responsibility and growth. Ultimately, the prophetic journey is about growing in love and relational responsibility, prophesying in ways that truly encourage and build up others.

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Translating God: Hearing God's Voice For Yourself And The World Around You

Shawn Bolz

7 Key ideas

17 MINS

4.9 (141)

Want to explore how the power of prophecy can foster deep connections and transform lives?

Curious about how communicating with God goes beyond strict obedience and into a realm of relationship and personal growth?

Ever wondered about the role of prophecy in the dramatic transformation of South Korea or the personal journeys of individuals struggling with life's challenges?

Dive into this engaging exploration of prophecy, its impact on personal and global stories, and its potential to bring a divine perspective into our everyday lives.