Session Notes

Following God's Plan for Your Life

Lessons from Hebrews 12:

This teaching explores the Christian life as a race set before us by God (Hebrews 12:1-2). Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—faithful believers from the past whose lives testify to God’s faithfulness—we are called to lay aside every weight and the sin that entangles us, then run with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus. The notes stress seeking God first, delighting in Him so He gives us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4), being faithful in small things to be entrusted with much (Luke 16:10), resting in obedience rather than striving, and trusting His timing without imposing limits. God is deeply interested in relationship with us—He burns for our hearts, cares about our struggles, and invites us to thrive in His light. Pressure or weights aren’t meant to crush us but to be laid aside through faith, so we can run freely in His plan. If you’re feeling weighed down, distracted, or impatient, this is an encouragement: Seek Him, strip off the hindrances, rest in His love, and keep running—He will honor your obedience and align your desires with His perfect will.

Removing Prayer Hindrances

Prayer works when the heart is aligned. Anything in the heart that is out of line will hinder results.

Unforgiveness blocks receiving from God (Mark 11:24-26). Any form of offense, animosity, or ill will disrupts communication with Him. Even how we treat others matters, as seen in (1 Peter 3:7).

Sin must be dealt with intentionally. Put it to death (Colossians 3:5).

Every leading must be tested against the Word. God never leads beyond what He has already spoken.

 

Praying Out God’s Plans Practically

Your present prayer life is shaping your future. What is prayed now determines what unfolds later.

Prayer lays tracks for your life. It positions divine connections, opportunities, and assignments.

Consistency matters more than length. Even a few minutes daily builds alignment.

The Holy Spirit will prompt you to pray. Respond immediately.

 

Word of God as Foundation

God’s leading will always agree with His Word. The Word sharpens your ability to hear Him.

The Word and the Spirit speak as one.

Practically, revisit teachings and notes during prayer. As you do, the Holy Spirit highlights truth and brings understanding.

 

Praying in the Spirit (Tongues)

Praying in tongues strengthens your spirit and helps you access God’s plan.

It quiets the mind and positions you to hear clearly.

(1 Corinthians 14:2) shows that you are speaking mysteries to God.

A practical focus is to listen to the sound of your prayer. This helps silence distractions. Growth in this takes consistency.

 

Foundation for Following God’s Plan

Walking in God’s plan requires a strong relationship with the Holy Spirit. He is your helper, comforter, and guide.

He must be invited. He does not force His involvement.

Prayer is how you draw near to the Father. It is relational and honest.

Be open before God. As you draw near, He responds (James 4:8).

 

Getting Clear Direction Before Acting

Do not rush decisions. It is better to move slowly and accurately than quickly and wrongly.

Take time in prayer until your spirit is clear. Lay down emotions and personal thoughts before God.

Stay in His presence, meditate on the Word, and allow clarity to rise from within.

Direction from God is known inwardly before it is acted on outwardly.

Foundation for Following God’s Plan

  • Strong relationship with Holy Spirit essential for following God’s plan
    • Holy Spirit is helper, comforter, intercessor, advocate
    • Must actively ask Holy Spirit for help – he never forces himself
    • Jesus left earth so Holy Spirit could stay and help everyone
  • Strong prayer life required alongside Holy Spirit relationship
    • Prayer = drawing near to Father, talking to God, open relationship
    • Be vulnerable before the Lord – share struggles and desires honestly
    • James 4:8: “Draw near to him and he will draw near to you”

Getting Clear Direction Before Acting

  • Brother Hagen’s principle: “Rather be too slow than too fast” with big decisions
  • Must get God’s direction clear in spirit before acting through prayer
  • Take enough time to pray until you have Lord’s direction clear in spirit
  • Process: Get in God’s presence long enough to sift out human emotions/thoughts
    • Lay them on altar before God
    • Pray and meditate on Word until you hear from Lord in spirit
    • Know from inside what to do

Word of God as Foundation

  • God will never lead outside His Word principles
  • Being in Word sharpens spiritual perception and ability to hear God’s voice
  • Word and Spirit speak with same voice
  • Practical tip: Take notes from Sunday/previous teachings and read them during prayer time
    • Holy Spirit will enlighten things as you read
    • This is God speaking through highlighted passages

Praying in the Spirit (Tongues)

  • Greatest asset for seeking God’s plan for life
  • Builds you up spiritually, strengthens spirit man
  • Helps quiet mind and get body in neutral to hear spirit
  • 1 Corinthians 14:2: Speaking mysteries/divine secrets to God
  • Practical technique: Focus on sounds coming out of your mouth to quiet mind
  • Takes practice – used to take Brother Hagen 1.5 hours, now takes few minutes

Removing Prayer Hindrances

  • Must rid heart of anything hindering prayer life to get results
  • Key hindrances:
    • Unforgiveness toward anyone (Mark 11:24-26)
    • Husbands not honoring wives (1 Peter 3:7)
    • Any animosity, ill will, or unforgiveness blocks communication with God
  • Colossians 3:5: Put to death sinful earthly lurkings within you
  • Always examine leading in light of Bible – God never leads beyond His Word

Praying Out God’s Plans Practically

  • Present prayer life reveals your future
  • Many bad things that happen result from failing to pray out God’s plans in past
  • What happens in future will be result of present prayer life
  • Train track analogy: Praying builds tracks for your life journey
    • Meet right people, opportunities, assignments along the way
  • Start with just 2 minutes daily – power is in consistency
  • Holy Spirit will give promptings/unctions to pray – don’t flinch, obey immediately

Ministering to the Lord and Waiting

  • Ministering to Lord = lingering in presence, loving and worshiping him
  • Creates atmosphere where Holy Spirit can speak to heart
  • Psalm 100:4 (Passion): “Pass through his open gates with password of praise”
  • Process: Be still, let mind/body/emotions become quiet until no emotion colors thoughts
  • Listen deep in innermost being to what Holy Spirit is saying
  • Don’t give God deadlines – wait in faith that he will answer in his time
  • Stay teachable and open to anything Lord may tell you

Final Session Summary

  • Last session of “Following God’s Plan” series before transitioning to new teaching with Esther
  • Series covered: running your race, maintaining your glow, consecration to God’s plan, how Holy Spirit leads, praying out God’s plan
  • Focus on being doers of the Word, not just hearers
 

Praying Out God’s Plan (2-minute practice)

  • Daily 2-minute prayer sessions to yield vessel to Holy Spirit for God’s plans
  • Key approach: quiet your mind, let spirit speak, don’t try to figure out words mentally
  • Reference Jeremiah 29:11 – God knows plans to prosper, not harm
  • Creates “tracks” for divine connections and opportunities to manifest
  • Accountability options available if needed
 

Obedience Pays, Disobedience Costs

  • Core principle: obeying God doesn’t cost you, it pays – disobedience is what’s costly
  • Examples given: minister who rejected Holy Spirit baptism became sick, lost wealth until he obeyed
  • When disobedient, you’re on devil’s territory where he can attack
  • Obedience sometimes has immediate cost but long-term blessing
  • Must take up your cross, lose your life to find true life
 

Walking in Current Revelation

  • Don’t seek new revelation until walking in what you already know
  • Do the written Word before expecting interpretive/specific guidance
  • Example: can’t neglect church assembly and expect God’s specific will
  • Stay faithful to current instructions and teachings
 

Forgiveness and Moving Forward

  • Must forgive yourself for past mistakes, not just others
  • God doesn’t remember confessed sins (Isaiah 43:25) – neither should you
  • Don’t let past failures stop you from pressing forward into God’s plan
  • Reference Philippians 3:13-14 – forget what lies behind, press toward the goal
  • Focus thoughts on Philippians 4:8 – things that are true, honorable, pure, lovely
 

Practical Encouragement

  • Faithful person will abound with blessings (Proverbs 28:20)
  • Serve God from love as first motivation, not performance or people-pleasing
  • Mistakes are normal on the journey – repent quickly and move forward
  • Ask for help when needed – others have walked this path before
 

Next Steps

  • Continue daily 2-minute prayer practice for God’s plans
  • Apply forgiveness principles to self and others
  • Focus on being doer of current Word rather than seeking new revelation
  • Reach out for accountability or help as needed
  • Prepare for transition to new teaching series with Esther next week

 Lessons from John 2:

This teaching explores how Jesus’ first miracle reveals God’s pattern: Obedience under pressure unlocks the supernatural. When we “fill the jars to the brim” as instructed—despite the weight, lack of understanding, or natural impossibility—God transforms the ordinary into extraordinary abundance. The servants didn’t create the wine; they simply obeyed, carried the burden (handling those massive 20–30 gallon stone jars filled with water), and witnessed the miracle. In our lives, pressure isn’t the enemy—it’s often the pathway to tasting the “best wine” of God’s promises, drawing us closer in faith, and positioning us to experience and testify to His glory.