Do You WANT to Hear From God?

Facebook Query Dud Causes Reset in Book Plan

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My plan, already under way to completion, is to write a "short" book on the subject of hearing from God.  By hearing from God, I don't mean in the every day sort of way with decisions to buy this or help us with our cousin's sprained toe.  Not to minimize the importance of bring all such matters to God, asking for his help, and expecting answers, but rather I'm talking about hearing from God in the Isaiah 6:8 sense.

God, in Isaiah, said that he was looking for someone "who would go for us? Who could He send?"  He was talking about calling out to someone to throw caution to the wind and be prepared to go wherever the Father asked.  Jesus went to the disciples and said, "Come, follow me."  They just dropped what they were doing and followed Him.

So, After posting the first installment of the book on this blog, (and I thank everyone in advance for any thoughts, comments, corrections, or ideas they can add), I wondered whether, and how many of my Christian friends even wanted to hear from God in that way.  I'm not a big Facebook user, but I have around 160 friends, most of whom are strong Christians.  I posted the question expecting a ton of responses.  I got three.

Of the three, one said his life was messed up right now, so not a good time.  (I get that.  My life was messed up much of the last five years, and it wouldn't have been a good time).  One said that he is in constant conversation through Bible study.  I get that, too.  One said, absolutely! Bring it on!

With such a low level of responses, I decided to ask a few more folks, face-to-face.  The answers fell pretty much into those three buckets, plus one new one.  A very mature friend said that he wasn't sure he was ready for whatever God might have for him.  He knew that he should be able to trust God to only ask him to do that which would be a great blessing.  But he noted there was a fear of making himself available.

I get that one, too.  Years ago, I prayerfully told God I was fully surrendered to go and do His bidding.  But I said "except Haiti!"  I'd been there, known some who done missions there, and I had no interest in ever going back.  Later, I repented of my lack of faith.  I went all in, and was richly rewarded with an immense project that blessed many. 

So, it may be that my book will have a limited audience.  Maybe only a small percentage of Christians are sold out enough at any given moment to be ready for that still small voice.

I wonder

In fact, the more I thought about it, I wondered whether each step in our faith walk might be faced with the same obstacles to a deeper, more abiding, more trusting walk.

So, if we don't believe in God and/or Jesus, the barriers might be a fear of taking that decision, concern over what we might have to give up, bad timing, and I'm okay where I am.  Then if we do decide we believe, we have to decide if we just believe, or if we're going to follow Christ.  Same barriers?

Once we say the sinner's prayer, we then have some discipline issues like Bible reading, church attendance, tithing, baptism, prayer, and intentional holiness that we understand should be the next steps, but the time may not be right.  What will I have to give up?  I'm doing okay.

Let me leave it there for now.  I'd really, seriously, be thrilled to get some comments from you.  If you don't want to leave your comments in a public forum, send me an email at RandyKirk77@gmail.com.  Or call me.  310-910-1848.
  
  The book is now finished and will be available on Amazon.com April 26 under the title God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  This will be the Kindle edition.  The print edition will follow approximately May 15, and the audio is slated for availability around June 1. 

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews

The rest of the book was available free for almost a year, but has now been removed.  It is my hope that you will truly enjoy the book and that it will bless you.  Some have already reported their thoughts about the book.  

Serious Disciples of Jesus should read God Called - He Needs Your Decision!  because, according to one reviewer:

If a baby were born and failed to thrive, the family would rightly consider it a great tragedy. When a Christian is born and fails to thrive, however, many people don’t notice. God Called—He Needs Your Decision! by Randy Kirk is an invitation to Christians to thrive. It is a spiritual counterattack to the widespread misconception that “being” a Christian is a passive state. Randy invites Christians to “do” Christianity.

Katherine Harms, Editor

Are you ready to ratchet up your devotion to God and Jesus to the next level?
God Called - He Needs Your Decision! is perfect for you

Do you sometimes feel stuck in your walk and desire to be of greater service?
God Called was written for Christians just like you

Are you the first to sign up for any seminar that teaches how to find out God’s will for your life?
The pathway to that answer for you is one click away.
Other early reviews:

Michael J. Webb, Bestselling Author of The Master's Quilt

Randy Kirk, in his latest book, God Called—He Needs Your Decision, shows a great gift for telling his story from with the crowd.  He lets the power of the principles exert the authority.  He walks alongside other disciples and points to the principles. 

The solid structure and content of the book attract and pull the reader toward growth.  Kirk’s personal narratives are like stories shared around the fire.  He and the reader work through all the same problems, and both he and the reader experience the successes and the failures, making each very real to the reader. 

Katherine Harms

Are you hungering for a closer walk with God? Do you realize that you need something more than what you have in your spiritual life? Then God Called by Randy Kirk is the book for you to read.

From the first chapter this book caught my attention. Filled with nuggets of wisdom and the instructions and encouragement to step out in faith for a fuller walk with God, this book carefully points out what it takes to go a little further in your daily life: to become a true disciple of Christ. Easy? Not at all. But for a very real sense of satisfaction in knowing you’re doing what you’re suppose to do at the right time in your life, becoming a disciple of Christ will give you a peace and fulfillment from a choice and decision that you must make. Excuses abound plentifully, no matter what age you are, to prevent one from praying the prayer of discipleship, and yet it all depends on your desire and willingness: are you willing to become humble and forsake all to follow Christ?

Kirk’s scriptures drive home his points and his knowledge in the topic is outstanding. His examples and quotes and expounding pinpoints the problems individuals have, the cost many will have, and the solutions to a life of happiness.

I heartily recommend this book for all serious Christians!

Katherine Harms

Click here to buy on Kindle and see more reviews