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Translating God: Hearing God’s voice for yourself and the world around you by Shawn Bolz

“A Simple Goal: The goal of revelation is so simple: See what God sees, hear what God hears, and speak what God speaks so we can all love the way God loves.  Revelation is given to us so we can carry a piece of God’s heart for eternity to the world.:

“We prophecy each time we make known his passionate heart” Mike Bickle, pg 20”

Shawn Bolz starts his book with this message: Prophecy is about Love.  God loves us and wants to talk with us and share His message with others.  Throughout the book this message is clear, that any words are to be spoken in love. 

However, he also adds another dimension to this by suggesting that we are also called to be responsible for our prophetic words that we give.  As we are learning to take a step of faith and share with someone else we are bound to make mistakes.  Even people later on in the journey make errors.   It is important on the part of the recipient and the word giver that we are honest.  Sometimes errors are made because they are telling their own story to someone else.  Sometimes there are just mistakes.  It is important to follow this up with the recipient.  Shawn has spent a lot of time following up on his words throughout his ministry.  He has taken phone numbers, talked to them later etc.  It has cost him in time, but he has found this beneficial and feels that this a way to stay accountable for the prophetic words that are given.  He is demonstrating God’s love by doing this.  We are not to just leave a word and run, but it must be given in Love, and followed up in love. 

Shawn adds that when he has been a recipient of an incorrect word he is honest and asks questions to the deliverer.  Again, this is done in a spirit of encouragement however giving correction in love. (Chapter 11)

The other strong theme that Shawn talks about throughout the book is the importance of relationship.  If we are to be a true and affective prophetic people then we need to have an ever grown relationship with God.  The more we know of Him, the more we hear Him then can we share His love and heart for His people.  God also created us to be in relationship.  It is key for prophetic people to have mentors who can be honest, push us, keep us accountable and challenge us to keep listening to God’s heart.  There is also no use having words for people if we are not able to share this message in love with His people.  It is important for prophetic people to have relationships within and outside of the prophetic company. 

Overall this was a great book with sound teaching on the importance of sharing God’s love through the prophetic words and encouraging the us, the reader, to continue to grow in our relationship with God and His people.