Translating God: Hearing God's Voice for Yourself and the World Around You
By Shawn Bolz and Bill Johnson
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
Shawn Bolz
Shawn Bolz is passionate about seeing individuals and groups learn how to be the most connected, best version of themselves through their relationship with God. Shawn has been a pioneer in ministry, including the prophetic movement, since he was in his teens. His focus on having a genuine relationship with God, creativity through entertainment & social justice have brought him around the world to meet with churches, CEO's, entertainers, and world leaders. Shawn is an author of several books including best-selling Translating God & Keys to Heaven's Economy. He is also the founding pastor of Expression58 Christian Ministries, a ministry focused on the entertainment industry and the poor in Los Angeles California where he lives with his wife, Cherie and their two daughters.
Read more from Shawn Bolz
God's Thoughts and Solutions for Business Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Keys to Heaven's Economy: An Angelic Visitation from the Minister of Finance Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Breakthrough: Prophecies, Prayers & Declarations Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Through the Eyes of Love: Encouraging Others through Prophetic Revelation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Modern Prophets: A Toolkit for Everyone On Hearing God's Voice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5God Secrets: A Life Filled With Words of Knowledge Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/58 Keys to Kingdom Resources Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Accessing the Riches of Heaven: Keys to Experiencing God's Lavish Provision Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Provision Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Exploring the Prophetic: A 90 Day Journey of Hearing God's Voice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wired to Hear: Connecting God's Voice to Your Life, Influence, and Career Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Encounter: A Spiritual Perspective That Will Shape Your Faith for the Coming Move of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Growing Up With God: Everyday Adventures of Hearing God's Voice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Speaking God's Frequency: Aligning with God to Unleash Transformation in Family, Life and Busneess Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Heavenly Expressions Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Do Greater Things: Activating the Kingdom to Heal the Sick and Love the Lost Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to Translating God
Related ebooks
God Secrets: A Life Filled With Words of Knowledge Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Encounter: A Spiritual Perspective That Will Shape Your Faith for the Coming Move of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Glory Carriers: How to Host His Presence Every Day Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Born for Significance: Master the Purpose, Process, and Peril of Promotion Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Prophetic Secrets: Learning the Language of Heaven Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5You Can Prophesy: Learning to Share God's Heart to Change Lives Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Lifestyle of a Prophet: A 21-Day Journey to Embracing Your Calling Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Secret to Experiencing God's Presence Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Becoming a Next-Level Prophet: An Invitation to Increase in Your Gift Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Shortcuts: The Proven Path To Purpose, Excellence, and Calling Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Intercessors Handbook: How to Pray with Boldness, Authority and Supernatural Power Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Exploring the Prophetic: A 90 Day Journey of Hearing God's Voice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wired to Hear: Connecting God's Voice to Your Life, Influence, and Career Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/58 Keys to Kingdom Resources Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hearing God's Voice Today: Practical Help for Listening to Him and Recognizing His Voice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Provision Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5School of the Prophets: Advanced Training for Prophetic Ministry Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Living a Supernatural Life: The Secret to Experiencing a Life of Miracles Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Heavy Rain: How to Flood Your World with God's Transforming Power Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Face to Face With God: Get Ready for a Life-Changing Encounter with God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Experience the Impossible: Simple Ways to Unleash Heaven's Power on Earth Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Voice of God: How to Hear and Speak Words from God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Growing Up With God: Everyday Adventures of Hearing God's Voice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Essential Guide to Healing: Equipping All Christians to Pray for the Sick Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Praying with God's Heart: The Power and Purpose of Prophetic Intercession Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Discernment: The Essential Guide to Hearing the Voice of God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anointed to Heal: True Stories and Practical Insight for Praying for the Sick Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Supernatural Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Do Greater Things: Activating the Kingdom to Heal the Sick and Love the Lost Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Meeting God Face to Face: Daily Encouragement to Seek His Presence and Favor Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Warrior of the Light: A Manual Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Translating God
59 ratings12 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5incrível, im amazed, it's absolutely wonderful✨?. Thanks God and Shawn
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is an awesome book. Thank you, Pastor Shawn Bolz!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very practical & thorough. Learnt a lot from his testimony.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very insightful about the prophetic ministry and overall communication with God
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I was encouraged to grow deeper in relationship with God, and to listen out for Him…for myself and for others. God desires to connect with the world! I want to be part of Him reaching out to let my friends and family know that He loves them way more than we imagine!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is an amazing book for anyone who seeks to demonstrate God's love in their spheres of influence.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An amazing book! God bless you Shawn! Completely changed and transformed mentally and spiritually!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's an easy read but I found that the devil wanted to keep me distracted, so I had to reread many portions to make sure I was getting the message. I especially appreciated the transparency the author revealed about his own shortcomings at the beginning and his gentle exhortation for all the step out in faith and take risks. I admired how he helped the reader to debunk false prophecies and question people who quickly give themselves the title, "Prophet So-and-so," to smoke out false prophets in a loving way. I will revisit this book again and encourage others to read it as well. Thank you.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is incredible! Shawn's testimonies of prophecy and words of knowledge blew my mind and have inspired me to seek the prophetic gifts! A worthy read!
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book is very centered on loving God first and others which takes away the focus from ourselves to actually see God's heart for people in a prophetic culture.
3 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The simplest, least religious and must understandable book about the prophetic that I have read. Shawn lives this stuff. Love is the Center of his message.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very inspiring and practical book on hearing God and stepping out. Highly recommend it!!
Book preview
Translating God - Shawn Bolz
others
A SIMPLE GOAL OF LOVE
I was sitting next to a man on a plane ride to Australia, so I struck up a conversation with him and found him to be very engaging, even though he seemed a little distracted. We talked about life and family and careers. He was working for oil companies, and this was his last month traveling the globe for them. He was particularly fascinated by our work against human trafficking and had not heard of the current research or grass roots efforts by groups like ours. He appeared very touched.
At one point he got up and went to the bathroom, and that’s when I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit: He hasn’t told you the whole truth. He is not working for oil companies but is the air marshal. I want to encourage him about his retirement, which is coming fast. I also heard a word of knowledge and got his wife’s name; the place he always wanted to visit in Europe in his retirement; and knowledge about his daughter, who was pregnant with complications. I was so overwhelmed that when he got back, I didn’t know what to say.
He initiated though, not knowing what he was inviting, and started right in about God. You were talking about your relationship with God and how you felt called to what you were doing. How did you know you were called?
I loved the lead into my word for him. I began to explain how real Jesus is and how he has so much love for us and is present in our lives. Then I asked him if I could share with him some things I felt God was showing me in order to encourage him. He was very excited and said yes.
He told me you are the air marshal and that your wife’s name is Patricia. He also told me that he wants what you want more than you ever wanted it—like going to the Italian vineyards in southern Italy when you retire. He also told me about your daughter, Anna, and how she is pregnant but experiencing difficulties, and how you prayed and asked him to help her. You told him you would do anything if he would just help her. He wants to help her more than you do, and she and her baby are going to be okay.
He had tears in his eyes the whole time, and when I talked about his daughter, tears streamed down his face. He was gripping both seat handles intensely. I am not the air marshal!
he said.
I laughed, because he had just received a direct communication from God that impacted him deeply and he was trying to cover his base about his job. Well, is anything else true of what I felt from God?
Yes, all of it!
he said, but I am not an air marshal.
He was covering again.
I just laughed because I knew he was, but thought maybe he was required to say this. We prayed together and exchanged information, and when the rest of the passengers got off of the plane, he stayed behind. I didn’t get to say goodbye, because he went up into the cockpit.
When I was at baggage claim I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and it was my new friend.
I can’t believe God showed you I was an air marshal! I had to go and do a background check on you before I talked to you! That was amazing that God showed you all of that! I want to hear from God like that! I feel like everything is right again in my world.
What a statement! I knew he had never felt more loved and connected to God than at that moment, and I knew both of us would never be the same.
The prophetic is one of the greatest tools of love we have. Picture how technology has created a platform of connection in one generation. We can communicate virtually anywhere in the world through smart devices, Internet services, streaming, virtual reality, etc. Technology has created the connection for anyone to talk anywhere to any of his friends, and to even make new ones. You can become part of an online community that you would have never had access to without it.
The prophetic is meant to be like this; it is the technology or smart device to our spiritual love. It is the tool that accelerates relationship and creates connection with people, cities, countries, industries, and the world. Through it we see a very real glimpse of God’s heart and get to treat people exactly the way God intended them to be treated from the beginning.
As with technology, revelation was not just meant to inspire prophetic gifts, but to help us live with a connection to how God feels and what he thinks. It is supposed to be our way of life—to see people the way God always longed for them to be seen and, from that revelation, to treat them out of his culture of love so that they will want to be the version of themselves we see. (More on that later.)
Having a deep relationship with God that includes authentic friendship will definitely lead you into sharing that kind of relationship and friendship with others. Many people pursuing prophetic gifts are about as close with God as they are with their yearbook friends, but they still insist on trying to use prophecy on others. Then they get discouraged about the lack of relational depth developed through the experience. It’s because prophetic ministry is about your being a gateway to God’s thoughts, emotions, and heart for others through your connection to him.
The world is full of 7+ billion pieces of God’s heart, and as you get to know him, you begin to absorb his affection for humanity. Your relationship with him is the primary source and goal of revelation.
Throughout this book, I am going to focus on why we should highlight love rather than information as the goal of prophetic ministry. I will bring insight into why God speaks, how he speaks, and how to steward and develop a track record of revelation. I will also challenge other philosophies of how to move in the prophetic that might violate this principle of love. Lastly, you will find pieces of my own journey here so that you can learn from my strengths and failures. I want you to take huge risks, but to do that you might need my examples of how I survived some very real misses.
There is nothing like being a translator who brings good news—news that not only is feel good
but can transform. I love seeing people connect with God, family, friends, their life purposes, and even just nature because of a useful prophetic word. It’s like the puzzle pieces come together in love for them.
On a negative side, though, I have been around so many types of prophetic ministries that I could tell you thousands of stories that would make you laugh, cry, and wonder at what people were trying to accomplish while prophesying. We will definitely get to some of these, but the prophetic gets a bad rap because of the types of personalities that get involved. If God really was responsible for every word that people were claiming were his, then the God of insurance companies truly would exist (with their acts of God
).
I digress. Let’s get into this exciting subject and hopefully, even for the experts, I will offer a new twist on a developing subject in the church.
MY NANNY
Before our nanny, Tammy, started working for us, she was one of the leaders in our school of ministry (at our church in Los Angeles). I didn’t know her very well, but she and her husband have great friendship chemistry, so I always felt a connection. I taught at the school one evening and I said in front of her class, I have a list of names for you, Tammy. It’s crazy…just a bunch of names. Tell me if they make sense.
I named all of her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren. At the end I even said, One more,
and discovered her daughter was currently pregnant. Then I told her, "You have given up your family to move out here because God told you to. He will take care of them and bless them while you are blessing his family. He loves them more than you