Enliven Blog - Prophetic Teaching by Helen Calder

Tue 21 May 2013

The Visible Holy Spirit

Posted by Helen Calder under Holy Spirit, Prophetic Teaching
[3] Comments

‘Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.’ (Acts 2:33)

Wind_of_Holy_SpiritWinter is approaching here in Melbourne Australia, and looking outside my window, I see the trees waving in the wind. I can hear the sound of the breeze blowing through the branches.

Although we cannot see air itself, its existence is revealed by what we see and hear. The stronger the wind, the more it affects the environment.

It is the same with the Holy Spirit.

Unlike the wind, however, the Spirit of God is a Person—and that which we see and hear is the result of His Presence.

Clothed with Power from on High

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)

The picture of Moses’ Tabernacle reminds us that God’s purpose for us is not only to be filled with the Presence of His Holy Spirit, but also to be clothed with His Spirit. That He would not only be within us for our own sake, but would also be God’s Presence evident upon us, for the sake of the world.

Throughout the Bible, when the Spirit of God came upon God’s people, that empowering came with evidence—something seen and heard:

  • When the Spirit of God came upon the elders of Israel, they prophesied (Number 11:24-27)
  • When the Spirit came upon Balaam, he prophesied God’s favour over Israel (Number 24:2-9
  • When the Spirit of God came upon Gideon, he blew a trumpet (Judges 6:34)
  • When the Spirit of God came upon Saul, he prophesied. (1 Sam 19:19-24)
  • When the Spirit of God came upon Amasai, he proclaimed allegience to David  (1 Chron 12:18)
  • When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, the sound of a rushing wind was heard, and tongues of fire were seen over each believer. As they were filled they began to praise God in the languages of the pilgrims visiting Jerusalem. (Acts 2)
  • When the Spirit of God came upon the early church during a prayer meeting, the building shook, and they spoke God’s word boldly (Acts 4:31)

Notice that the above examples include ungodly men who simply got ‘in the way’ of the Holy Spirit. (Balaam and Saul) Let’s believe for non-believers and backsliders to encounter Holy Spirit’s Presence and to have an opportunity to commit their lives to Jesus.

Not just Initial Evidence, but an Ongoing Experience

Just as the pillar of cloud of God’s Presence journeyed with Israel throughout the wilderness, the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s Presence upon His people was never meant to be just a one-off display, but an ongoing experience.

It is the nature of the Holy Spirit that His Presence and activity be seen and heard. Jesus is made known and the Father’s purposes are accomplished—His Kingdom established on earth. (Acts 3:16, Matt 6:10)

How is the Holy Spirit’s Presence Manifested?

Following are just some of the ways that the Holy Spirit’s Presence and activity were experienced in the New Testament and that we can expect to occur today:

1. The Spirit’s impact on the hearts of people and their consequent actions—such as conviction leading to repentance. (Acts 2:37)

2. Through the use of spiritual gifts. ‘Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good’ (1 Cor 12:7) The Greek word translated manifestation, phaneroo, means to make visible and clear. [1]

3. Through the fruit of the Holy Spirit evident in the lives of God’s people, especially when it is recognised as being beyond what is humanly natural. Examples include unity (John 17:23), acts of service, love, and the expression of God’s grace to the poor. (Luke 4:18)

4. Through supernatural communication from God, including prophecies, dreams and visions. (Acts 2:17)

5. Unusual manifestations of His Presence. (e.g. wind, fire, earthquake, Acts 2:2-3, 4:31)

6. The sense of His Presence and anointing for a timely purpose (Luke 5:17b)

7. Through God’s power being released to effect healing, deliverance and other miracles in Jesus’ Name (Luke 4:18)

8. Through signs accompanying the preaching of the Gospel (Mark 16:20)

‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to…’ (Is 61:1) A quick study of the above tells us that the move of the Spirit requires our participation. Firstly, we need to be filled with, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And then, we partner with Him, whether it be through speaking out God’s word, through listening, prayer, or obedience.

And yet, no amount of self effort on our part will achieve a move of God.

The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal power, or force, at our command—He is a Person, with a will and desire. As sons and daughters of God’s royal Kingdom, we carry authority, but this can only be exercised with humility; knowing that our agenda and timing must become attuned to His.

This past weekend, many of us have observed ‘Pentecost Sunday’—in commemoration of the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. (Acts 2)
Let’s not treat the anointing and power of God as a mystical ‘something,’ but let’s honour the Person and Presence of the Holy Spirit. May we live with the constant expectation of experiencing His Presence and power; that Holy Spirit is at work in our lives and those around us—and as we seek and  join with Him, we will see lives changed and God’s Kingdom extended.

Questions to Consider:

1. What is my expectation concerning the experience of the Holy Spirit with regard to each of the points above?

2. Can I recall to mind times when I have ‘seen and heard’ what the Holy Spirit is doing?

3. Considering the Tabernacle illustration, are people around me able to see the Presence and power of God upon my life? Or does my anticipation of the move of the Holy Spirit only relate to my personal relationship with Him? What would a balance look like?

4. When was the last time I asked God to fill and empower me with His Holy Spirit?

Notes:

[1] Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Related Posts:

(The Holy Spirit is) The Greatest Evangelist In The World Today

Pentecost: How God Exploded My Box

What Pentecost tells us about God’s Heart for Nations

How You can have an Intimate Relationship with the Holy Spirit

Can you think of some other ways that the Holy Spirit’s Presence is evident (seen and heard), or do you have a testimony, scripture or poem to share? Leave a comment in the box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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Tue 14 May 2013

A Prophetic Picture of God’s Manifest Presence

Posted by Helen Calder under Prophetic Teaching, Prophetic Word
[4] Comments

Something in the hearts of prophetic Christians resonates deeply with God’s promise given through the Prophet Isaiah:

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth… but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Is 60:1-3)

We long for the coming day, when the Presence of God will be so evident upon His people that multitudes will be drawn to God’s Kingdom.

A Prophetic Picture of God’s Manifest Presence

With this in mind, there is a picture that has gripped me lately, and that is God’s Presence both within and manifested upon Moses’ tabernacle in the wilderness.

The word ‘manifested’ means to be seen, to be clear and obvious.

I believe this is a prophetic picture for our lives and for the Church, in that it is being highlighted by the Holy Spirit at this time. [1]

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” (Ex 25:8)

1. God’s Presence Within us

Once the Ark of the Covenant was housed in the Tabernacle, Moses no longer needed to wait for God’s Presence to come to him at the door, as he had earlier (Ex 33:9-11). He could speak to God face to face within it.

‘When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him.’ (Numbers 7:89)

Inside the Tabernacle, in front of the Ark, Moses had intimate communion and personal conversation with God.

This speaks of God’s Presence within us: our personal relationship with God and the intimate communion we can have with Him through faith in Jesus.

Whilst God’s Presence within us primarily relates to us personally, from there the fruit of our personal relationship with God touches others around us.

2. God’s Manifest Presence Upon us

The Presence of God also continually resided upon the Tabernacle in the form of the pillar of cloud by day and the fire by night.

God’s Presence was a heavenly shield of protection both from the harsh elements of the wilderness and from Israel’s enemies. The Presence of God provided guidance in their journeys.

But God’s Presence not only benefited God’s people. It was also a sign for the nations. When God was about to withdraw His Presence due to the Israelite’s sin, Moses said,

“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:15-16

The Presence of God upon our lives is a mark of our relationship with Him as sons and daughters.

God’s Presence upon us is our favour, shield and covering. But this is not solely for our benefit—the manifest Presence of God is for the sake of the world around us.

Jesus quoted the Prophet Isaiah:

‘The Holy Spirit is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good news….’ (See Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18)

Today we can also say, “The Holy Spirit is upon us, because our Heavenly Father has anointed us to reach and touch people for Him, bringing healing, deliverance and the message of salvation.”

His Presence and Glory is our Inheritance

The Apostle Paul said that if the Old Covenant of Presence of God manifested with glory, how much more should it be for us in the New Covenant? (2 Corinthians 3:7-8)

The truth is, we long for what belongs to us. The Presence and glory of God is our inheritance. This is why our hearts desire to know and experience more of Him.

When we realise this, we can position for and receive what our Father has for us.

It’s time to catch a vision of what God has prepared for us—for this is the first step of fully entering in.

Many of us have a deep desire to experience more of God’s Presence. But what does this mean? I am going to spend a few weeks exploring this topic. Next time, I will look more specifically of how the Holy Spirit’s Presence upon us is manifested in our lives.

Notes:

[1] The Tabernacle of Moses is a Biblical type: firstly of Christ, but also of the Church and the individual believer. (see Hebrews chapters 8-10, Col 2:17) Today, I am referring to it as a prophetic picture because I believe this aspect of the Tabernacle and God’s manifest Presence is a ‘NOW’ word of God for the Church.

Related Posts:

A Prophetic Vision: God’s Call to Intimacy with Him

Hunger for God: 6 Ways You Can Stir it Up

An Open Heaven Is Our Inheritance

Face to Face with God: Can I Have a Relationship like Moses?

Do you have any scriptures, poems or thoughts about the Presence of God that you would like to share? Leave a comment in the box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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Tue 7 May 2013

Have You Had A Prophetic Dream Lately?

Posted by Helen Calder under Prophetic Teaching
[4] Comments

Whilst not all dreams that we have are prophetic in nature, the Bible does teach that prophetic dreams are one way God speaks to His people. This week, I share an article on ‘what to do when you have a prophetic dream’ that I wrote several years ago, for the benefit of recent readers. [1]

What to do When you Have a Prophetic Dream

You wake up from a vivid dream that you believe had a significant or spiritual meaning. What do you do with it? [2]

As well as a physical body, the Bible tells us that we have a soul and a spirit; we are triune beings made in the image of God (1 Thess 5:23).

Dreaming is a natural process that our bodies carry out, as we are physically refreshed during sleep. But dreaming does not only have a physical function. We are aware that during our sleep our souls (mind, will and emotions) are processing our responses to our past and present, along with our perception of the future.

We are also spiritual beings, created to commune with God. The Bible tells us that one of the many ways God speaks to people is through dreams (Job 33:14-15). These dreams are spiritual, or ‘God dreams.’ A prophetic dream, when tested over time, will prove to be significant.

How to Make the Most of Your Prophetic Dream

If you believe you have had a prophetic dream, what should you do with it? Here are some ideas to start you off:

1. Pray About it

If you think your dream may have a spiritual meaning, pray about it. As the Bible says, symbolic dreams are mysteries; only God is able to reveal what they mean (Dan 2:26-28).

2. Record it

Write your prophetic dream down as soon as possible, or at least jot down some of the key points to help you remember it (Hab 2:2). Your memory of the details in your dream will naturally fade. If you dream regularly (or get great ideas in the night hours) then you might like to keep a notebook by your bed.

3. Remember it

Some other things you can do to help remember your prophetic dream are:

  • Replaying the dream in your mind will help you memorise the content of your dream
  • Share it. Find someone to tell your dream to who will be interested and draw the details out of you.

4. Reflect on its Meaning

What was it about the dream that made you think it was spiritual in nature? Some questions you can ask to get you started are:

  • What was the atmosphere in the dream?
  • Who appeared in the dream? A person who appears in the dream may also be symbolic of an attribute in you, a role that you play, a ministry you are called to, or symbolic of something else.
  • What objects, places or symbols showed up in the dream? This is where developing knowledge of the Bible and Biblical and prophetic symbols can be helpful. You can also find further helpful information about dream symbols in books from reputable Christian authors.
  • How did you feel during the dream?
  • What did you sense and what came to your mind when you immediately awoke from the dream?

Remember that a dream in its entirety can be a mixture of both natural and spiritual elements. There may be one factor in a dream that is a revelation from God, but the rest could be from your own inner world.

Don’t discount the value of a dream that is from your soul, not from God. It can still be valuable to show you how you are responding in your inner world to past and present circumstances in your life and it may well be worth taking the time to meditate on it.

5. Seek Help in Interpreting Your Dream

The best person to interpret your prophetic dream is you, as many of the symbols in your dreams are from your personal life. You may like to share your dream with one or more people who can help you understand its meaning. Remember that the principles for checking a prophecy also apply to dream interpretation.

Whilst some people do have specific gifts in interpreting dreams, realise that just as in all prophecy, no one person has all the answers. Never become dependent on a single person with a prophetic gift. Be wary of becoming reliant at ALL on others with prophetic gifts or upon the gifts themselves. God has given you the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth (1 John 2:26) and good leaders in the church for protection (Heb 13:17).

6. Release What you do not Understand (1 Thess 5:21-22)

It is OK to RELEASE what you don’t understand, or anything that is not encouraging. If you are disturbed by a dream, find a caring Christian friend or leader who can pray with you about it.

In the New Testament, the recipient of a dream usually knew what God was telling them. Don’t try and force meaning out of a dream that is a mystery. If you have recorded a dream that you believe is significant, it may take time for the meaning to become clear.

Finally, the Bible illustrates that God uses dreams to foretell His future plans (prophetic dreams, Gen 37:5-11), give guidance (Acts 16:9-10), impart spiritual gifts (1 Kings 3:5-16), warn (Matt 2:12) and even give successful business strategies (Gen 31:10-13) to His people.

Let’s be open to receiving a prophetic dream, for our dream world can be an opportunity to encounter Jesus and receive God’s instruction and blessing for our lives.

[1] The original article can be found here

[2] If you are not sure whether a dream you have had is prophetic, a review of the article 4 Types Of Dreams And Their Meanings may help.

Related Posts:

4 Types Of Dreams And Their Meanings

How Do I Know a Personal Prophecy Or Dream Interpretation Someone Gives Me Is From God?

Do you have any testimionies, scriptures or thoughts about what to do with prophetic dreams that you would like to share? Leave a comment in the box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down. (Note that I do not provide dream interpretations on this blog.)

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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Tue 30 Apr 2013

Growing In Prophecy When No One Is Cheering You On

Posted by Helen Calder under Prophetic Training
[18] Comments

As a prophetic ministry, our core values include accountability, honouring leadership and local church. These are things that I emphasise when I teach about developing and activating prophetic gifts. [1]

I sometimes receive questions from readers who do not have church leaders or mentors who can help them grow in their prophetic gifts.

Some reasons for this may include:

  • They are physically isolated in terms of location
  • Their church lacks expertise in the area of prophetic ministry (this can be due to size or emphasis)
  • The church is conservative and the leadership does not believe in—or make room for—prophetic ministry
  • A prophetic mentor or leader is not available
  • They feel hurt or misunderstood in church life in relation to their prophetic gifts

Struggling Without Prophetic Leadership? These Tips may Help

I will cover the aspect about being hurt at the end of this post. But first, some starter tips for those of you who do not have prophetic leadership for practical reasons, such as those I have outlined above:

Feedback and Fruit

Being unable to find a mentor or leader to help you in your prophetic journey is common to a lot of people. Whilst you continue to pray about and be open to receiving mentoring, feedback is important to helping you develop your gift.

When you share a thought, scripture or prayer that is of God, people will say things like ‘that was meaningful…spot on…thank you that really touched me…I feel encouraged, and so on.’ Don’t be afraid to ask if an insight, scripture or prayer you have shared is helpful. Even negative feedback will help sharpen your ability to hear accurately from God.

When you share a prophetic insight, be aware of the fruit (outcome). A word that is from the Holy Spirit and shared in a timely way should bear good fruit that is consistent with the New Testament purpose of prophecy, to ‘lift up, build up, and cheer up.’ (1 Cor 14:3) There may be an occasional circumstance in which someone does not respond well to an insight from God, but if that is happening consistently, there is likely to be something in your approach that needs adjusting. Remember always to share your insights in a loving and natural way.

When Prophecy isn’t Recognised

If you are in a church where prophecy is not recognised, offer what you hear from God in the form of general encouragement, scriptures and prayer. Depending on the culture of your church, you may be able to share that you have been praying and a certain thought or scripture came to mind, or that you believe God is saying something.

The Holy Spirit is not limited by our terminology and it is not necessary to always use the term ‘prophecy.’ The key is to be sensitive and loving and to keep it simple.

Honour and Accountability is Always Relevant

Focus on your intimate relationship with God, but be wary of elevating revelation that you receive from the Holy Spirit above leadership, even when your leaders do not expressly support prophecy. Those in whom God has invested a gift of leadership have good instincts when it comes to His direction and timing.

Remember, your church leader may not understand prophetic ministry, but can still hear from God.

Honouring God-given leadership, regardless of the form it takes, is still the best way to grow our prophetic gifts. Sometimes it is our own pride that gets in the way of us receiving from a leader who does not have the same spiritual gift that we do.

Exceptions—Yes of Course!

Every situation is different and while the above suggestions may be a general help, your gift, maturity, church and leadership will be unique to you. During the next few days, I will endeavour to answer questions that are left in the comments section of this post.

Online Resources

Enliven Blog is a teaching resource designed to help and encourage Christians who are developing and operating in the gift of prophecy. In addition to the above information, the following articles cover the topic of developing your prophetic gift:

There are many ministries on the Internet, but be very careful about who you learn from. Avoid those who make excessive promises to turn you into a ‘fivefold minister’ or who freely offer personal prophecy without accountability.

I personally enjoy Peter and Masha’s ministry at Prophetic Activation. They collate resources to help people hear from God and develop intimacy with Him (although I cannot vouch for everything on the site as I have not personally read or viewed it all).

When Hurt or Misunderstanding in Church Affects Your Prophetic Gift

If your sense of isolation and lack of leadership support is not circumstantial, but due to relational problems or being hurt, following are two articles that may help:

I wrote the book, ‘Prophetic People In A Changing Church‘ from my own experiences with hurt in church life.

If you would like a free copy of this eBook, let me know in the comments section of this post. I will email the PDF to the first 10 people who respond, during the next week only. (This offer is now closed. Thank you to everyone who has responded!)

Do you have any more ideas or questions on growing your prophetic gift when leadership support is lacking? We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Notes:

[1]  I am on the ministry team at David McCracken Ministries, which is based in Melbourne, Australia.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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Mon 22 Apr 2013

Your Value To God Is Not Based Upon What You Do

Posted by Helen Calder under Prophetic Teaching
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Precious to GodIt’s ironic, I know. The year I lost the ability to do anything for God was the year that I found Him.

It was only when I became burned out that I realised somewhere, along the way, I had subscribed to the belief that my value to God was based on my service for Him.

Finally, I reached the point where I had nothing left to give. It was during the following year of incapacitation that I met God as my loving Heavenly Father. I did not need to do anything to be approved by Him—I already was.

This revelation of God’s grace launched me into a new season of freedom—and ministry influence that went beyond anything I could have dreamed of. [1]

Incapacitated and Valuable

If our definition of value to God has to do with our service for God, then by extension we are saying that our value is determined by our capacity—physically, emotionally and mentally—to serve Him.

Then what happens when we are incapacitated for a season? Have we ceased to be useful to God? Have we lost our value? Have we lost our ability to be fruitful? [2]

My Mum-in-law, Rosemary Calder was a Godly woman with a prophetic call of God upon her life. The desire of her heart was that God would use her increasingly to minister to others. In the last 5 years of her life, however, Alzheimers cruelly robbed her of the capacity to comprehend and speak.

Yet Rosemary was no less precious to the Father in those final years. No illness could destroy her spirit, take away her salvation or rob her of her life’s fruit. In fact, I believe that the basket full of fruit accumulated in her life up until that time was only becoming riper and sweeter.

Rosemary contributed to the end, by giving her family the opportunity to love and serve her. And when she passed into glory, she gave us still more gifts: she strengthened our unity and gave us occasion to worship God and honour her life. Her spiritual legacy lives on in us. [3]

So Beautiful—Jeff and Lauris

Jeff and Lauris Hulls had been married for 27 years, when Lauris had a second stroke that hospitalised her and took away her ability to speak. During the last period of her life, all Lauris could do physically was blink and wiggle one joint of her right index finger.

Lauris had previously enjoyed devotional books and readings, and so Jeff continued to read these to her. However the readings which once inspired Lauris, now seemed to cause frustration. Jeff noted, ‘She disengaged clearly and shut me out by closing her eyes.’

Then it occurred to Jeff—the readings were all about doing.

And so Jeff began to compose his own devotions and meditations. These were about being, rather than doing. Jeff writes, ‘Her sense of spiritual value and self worth appeared to increase as she absorbed the meditations.’

After Lauris passed away in 2005, Jeff compiled his meditations, along with snapshots of Lauris’ final journey, into a book called ‘So Beautiful.’

‘So Beautiful’ is a tender love story; a story of family and faith and the value of a life lived with God. Jeff shares intimate moments as he and other family members and friends interact with Lauris.

Jeff’s love for his wife Lauris is a parable: a moving and extraordinary picture of Jesus’ love for us.

Today, I want to leave you with this thought:

You are loved, not because of what you do, but because of who you are.

You are already approved because of what Jesus has done.

You are valuable to God simply because you are His beloved son or daughter.

So Beautiful: Our Journey, by Jeff Hull is an easy-to-read, small booklet that is a powerful message of God’s love and a tribute to Lauris Hull’s life. I encourage you to check out his website and to buy a copy of the book. You will find it, along with other resources by Jeff at http://sobeautiful.net.au/

Notes:

[1] For more of my story, see the following posts:

No Longer and Orphan: How I Discovered The Father’s Love

1 Father, 2 Sons, 3 Positions: Which Describes You?

[2] In Galatians 5, the Apostle Paul defines the fruit of the Spirit, not as works and deeds, but as the inner attributes of love, joy, peace, patience, etc. (Gal 5:22)

[3] See ‘How to Leave a Spiritual Legacy.’

Would you like to share a response to this topic? We would love to hear from you! If the comments box is not visible, click on the blog post heading at the top of the page and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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Sun 14 Apr 2013

How To Pray For Healing And Other Needs

Posted by Helen Calder under Healing, Prayer, Prophetic Teaching
[4] Comments

Have you ever been talking to someone, and during conversation a need is mentioned? Perhaps there is a financial problem, a relationship crisis, or some other issue.

And in the moment, you realise that you have a window of opportunity to suggest prayer.

Or someone in your world becomes sick, or is injured. And an opportunity arises when you could offer to pray.

But you hesitate.

Perhaps you think,

  • ‘I am not sure how to pray.’
  • ‘What if they don’t want me to pray?’
  • ‘What if I pray and nothing happens?’

As Christians, we should make it our aim to become comfortable with praying on the spot for people when they have a need.

We can also become familiar with sharing an encouraging word from God: even to someone who does not know Jesus.

Today I would like to share some simple, Biblical ways that you can pray for others—whether for healing, or other needs—in everyday life.

Before you begin, remember that the simpler the prayer and more natural the language you use, the better—especially when praying for someone who is not a Christian.

How To Pray For Healing And Other Needs

1. ASK the Father

“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16

Jesus said that when we pray, we can ask the Father in His Name.

We can ask for God to intervene supernaturally, whether it is a healing, provision, comfort, help, or something else that is needed from God. ‘

“Father’ I ask that you would… [meet this need] in Jesus’ Name”

Some people think that this simple kind of petition is inferior to other types of prayer, but it is not! Asking is the privilege of royal sons and daughters, and our Father waits for us to ask. (Matt 7:7-11)

It also demonstrates to those we are praying for, and any onlookers, that it is possible to have a personal relationship with God, and that He loves them and cares for their needs.

2. ADDRESS the Issue

‘[Jesus] gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.’ Luke 9:1b

When praying, we can also exercise our spiritual authority in Jesus’ Name and directly address the sickness or problem (especially if we discern that the issue is demonic in origin).

When you read the Gospels and Acts, you can see how Jesus and the Apostles used words of authority to heal the sick and set people free.

We exercise authority by faith, in the Name of Jesus. “It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:16

3. ASSESS for Improvement

‘Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”’ Mark 8:23b-24

Jesus frequently required those He healed to do something they could not do before. (Matt 9:6, Mark 5:41, John 5:8)

If you are praying for healing, and it is possible to check whether the condition has improved or pain relieved, enquire with  the person you are praying for. This exercises your faith, and creates a sense of anticipation.

We are expecting God to move in answer to our prayer. [1]

4. ALLOW for Related Concerns

‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.’ Galatians 6:2

If you have a longer time to pray, or if you are journeying with someone, you can express caring in your prayers by praying for other needs that relate to the issue you are praying for.

For example, someone with a medical condition may have medical appointments or surgery you can pray about. There may be emotional responses to care for, family members who are involved, or financial needs as a result of the problem.

Stepping Out in Prayer

If offering prayer for another’s needs is new to you, begin in an environment where you feel most comfortable and step out from there, e.g., in your immediate family, or with Christian friends.

The main thing is to begin—to have a go. Eventually you may discover a prayer style that most suits you.

Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to direct you as to the best way to pray at any given time.

Imagine what could happen if every Christian brought people face to face with God through prayer during times of need! This week, let’s express God’s love and power to someone in our world by offering a prayer.

Notes:

[1] In prayer, as with prophetic ministry, our aim is to create a safe environment for people to connect with God. When someone you pray for receives physical healing, instruct them to continue to take prescribed medication until he or she has received medical advice and had the healing confirmed. If you feel led to place a hand upon someone when you pray, check with them first if it’s OK.

Related Posts:

How to Share A Prophecy With Someone Who Is Not A Christian

7 Reasons Why You Can Pray for Healing

The Supernatural Lifestyle Begins Here

Do you have any questions or testimonies about giving or receiving prayer for healing and other needs? Share it with us in the comments section of this article. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

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Tue 9 Apr 2013

Prophecy, Instrumentation and Worship

Posted by Helen Calder under Prophetic Teaching, Prophetic Worship
[2] Comments

During our early years of itinerant ministry in New Zealand, The Hunk and I often began with a song of praise or worship, accompanied by his acoustic guitar. [1] We sometimes used this to launch into a prophetic proclamation of God’s purposes over a church in song.

Prophetic praise and worship continues to be close to our hearts. I have recently been writing on the topic of prophetic worship, including:

7 Windows on Prophecy, Music and Worship in the Bible

There is a strong link in the Bible between prophecy, instrumentation, and worship.

Here are some glimpses of this from both Old and New Testaments:

1. In 1 Samuel 10, the Prophet Samuel gave these instructions to the young Saul: ‘…as you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying.’ (1 Sam 10:5)

The Spirit of God came upon Saul when he encountered the prophets, and God chose that moment to anoint him for his calling as King.

2. The Prophet Elisha valued musical accompaniment as a means of providing an environment for prophecy. The Bible tells us, ‘While the harpist was playing, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha and he said, “This is what the LORD says…”‘ (2 Kings 3:15-16)

3. King David formally instituted prophecy to musical accompaniment, along with praise and worship, in the Tabernacle of David. We read in Chronicles, ‘David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals.’ (1 Chron 25:1)

4. Many Psalms—not just those written by David—are prophecy set to music. In the Psalms, prophecy and praise or worship are frequently interchangeable. Many Psalms contain Messianic prophecy that is fulfilled in the life of Jesus. (See for example Psalm 16:10, Psalm 41:9, Psalm 34:20, Psalm 110)

5. The early church recognized that praise and worship comprised of different types of songs, including ‘songs of the Spirit.’

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul made reference to ‘psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.’ (Eph 5:19-20 and Col 3:16-17) The Greek words translated ‘spiritual songs’ are oide pneumatikos and could also be translated ‘songs of the Spirit.’ (See also 1 Cor 14:15) These songs could be prophetic in nature, as well as spiritual songs of praise to God.

6. In providing instructions concerning a Church service, Paul anticipated that the meeting would include songs and prophecy, as well as teaching and instruction. (1 Cor 14:26)

7. In Rev 11:16-18, we read of throne room worship that included prophetic proclamation of what God was about to do.

Notes:

[1] Here’s a random piece of information for guitar lovers out there. Malcolm’s guitar is an American-made Guild D25 arch back, with mahogany sides and back, and a spruce top. It is over 30 years old (purchased during our dating years) and sounds as rich now as it has always done.

Can you think of some other times the Bible links prophecy and worship together? Or do you have a thought or testimony you would like to share about prophetic worship? Share it with us in the comments section of this article. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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Tue 2 Apr 2013

Jesus’ Name Is The Master Key For Your Miracle

Posted by Helen Calder under Breakthrough, Prayer, Prophetic Teaching
[3] Comments

In Matthew 16:19, Jesus said, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

When I was an administrative team member at our church, I had a ring of keys. Over the years that I was on staff, the number of keys grew, enabling me to enter the multiple buildings and offices belonging to our church.

Eventually I had so many keys on the ring, I could not remember what some of the keys were for! I had authority and access that I was ignorant of.

How often do we come up against locked doors of impossibility in our lives, or in the lives of others, but we forget, or are ignorant of, the spiritual authority that we have?

Are we standing helplessly, looking at a problem or an obstacle, when God says, “That is a door—and I have given you the key”?

The Master Key of Jesus’ Name

The Bible teaches us that we have many keys that enable us to partner with God for breakthrough and miracles. These include prayer, praise, and hearing and obeying God in our intimate relationship with Him.

Recently, I had a vision in a meeting of God giving keys to people. But these keys were not held in the hand but in the mouth. The power of God is released when we pray, speak and declare in agreement with God’s purposes. That is why praying in accordance with, or declaring Scripture is so powerful.

When we have an intimate relationship with God, we can hear what His ‘now’ purposes are in any given situation.

‘Father, I have this door, right here. This door that stands against me, shut tight. This locked door that is obstructing my destiny—or the destiny of others. Which key do you want me to use?’

The Name of Jesus is the master key that unlocks doors and enables us to enter the realm of the miraculous.

And yet sometimes we use the Name of Jesus as a kind of an afterthought to our prayers. We make our request and we add, “In Jesus’ Name”

It’s more like rote, like a habit, a formula, an addendum to a request we hope God will answer, or (let’s be honest) the main time some of us use the words, “In Jesus’ Name” is at the close of saying a prayer of thanks at a mealtime.

It is like the key on our key ring that we have forgotten what it is there for.

Rediscover the Power of Jesus’ Name

The context of Jesus’ saying, ‘Ask in My Name’ comes from John chapter 14.  Jesus is saying to His disciples:

‘I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My Name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.’

And what do we see from there on… what was the precedent and example in the New Testament of Christian believers using the Name of Jesus?

  • In Acts 3:6, Peter cries out to a lame man… ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ The Bible tells us that as Peter took a hold of the mans hands and lifted him, instantly his feet and ankles became strong.
  • In Acts 4:30, the prayer of the church community is ‘Stretch out you hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ The Spirit came and shook the place and empowered the believers to speak boldly.
  • In Acts 16:18, Paul speaks to the demonic spirit in a woman and says to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ And it says, ‘At that moment’ the spirit left her.

This is the Biblical precedent of using Jesus’ Name: the lame walk, the bound are set free, the Spirit empowers God’s people, miracles break loose, and lives are brought into God’s Kingdom!

Yet it is as though many Christians today have forgotten what the key is for.

Every now and then we pull out our key ring and wave the key around. But how often do we stand in front of a locked door of impossibility, or brokenness, or sickness and get the key of the Name of Jesus out and say, ‘Door, open now… in Jesus’ Name!’

The Name of Jesus gives us access to the realm of Heaven, the realm of the miraculous.

When we pray in the Name of Jesus, we are reminded that we do not have authority in our own name, but in His powerful Name—the Name that is above every name!

2 Corinthians 1:19-20 ‘For the Son of God, Jesus Christ… was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.’

Related Posts:

Releasing the Resources of Heaven Through Prayer

How To Use Scripture As A Prophetic Declaration

Do you have a truth or scripture about praying in the Name of Jesus, or a testimony or poem you would like to share? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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Tue 26 Mar 2013

How Well Do You Receive God’s Comfort?

Posted by Helen Calder under Developing the Prophetic Gift, Prophetic Teaching
[2] Comments

I frequently hear from people who want to develop their prophetic gifts, enquiring:

  • ‘How can I learn how to prophesy?’
  • ‘How can I activate my prophetic gift?’ (i.e. put prophecy into practice)
  • ‘Who can mentor me?’

And these are great questions.

However, today I want to share with you another question that is vital, not only to prophetic ministry, but also to leadership and Christian living in general.

It is a question that I have been challenged on recently, and I believe comes to each of us from the heart of God Himself:

You desire to minister to others; how well do you receive from Me?

Taking Time to Receive from God

As prophetic people, we are called to bring ‘strengthening, encouraging and comfort’ from God to others. (1Cor 14:3, NIV).

We can study prophetic ministry. We can put it into practice. We can even have great mentors to learn from. But if we are not personally able to receive encouragement from God, how can we fully express the Father’s encouragement to others?

Following are some questions, based on Paul’s 3-fold aim of prophecy in 1 Cor 14:3, to help us explore how we are going in this area.

1. How Well do I Receive God’s Strengthening?

‘But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening…’ (1 Corinthians 14:3)

The Greek word translated ‘strengthening’ is oikodome. It refers to the process of building up (as in building a house), edifying and promoting growth. It has also been translated ‘edification’ and ‘upbuilding.’

God is intimately concerned about your growth and His heart is that you reach your full potential. The Holy Spirit desires to build you up.

Am I regularly hearing from God, or allowing the Holy Spirit’s dealings in my life that result in:

  • Revealing things that have been standing in the way of me moving forward in my life; breaking me out of stuck places.
  • Enabling spiritual growth, as well as growth in other areas, such as character, relationships and ministry.
  • Strengthening me, so that I am sustained no matter what is taking place in my life and circumstances around me.

2. How Well do I Receive God’s Encouragement?

‘But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging…’ (1 Corinthians 14:3)

The Greek word for ‘encouraging,’ paraklesis here is also translated ‘exhortation.’ Paraklesis comes from two words—para, meaning ‘beside’ and Kaleo, meaning ‘call, appeal, or entreaty.’ It includes a range of meanings, from admonition, instruction, persuasion.

You may recognize the similarity between this word and the one Jesus used for the Holy Spirit— parakletos, which has been translated Helper, or Comforter.

Through exhortation, the Holy Spirit desires to stir us up and spur us on.

The wonderful thing about the Father’s exhortation is that He does not call us to empty performance or religious practices. He offers us His Spirit to empower and equip us, and He ‘comes alongside’ in relationship to accomplish what He desires of us to do.

Am I regularly hearing from God, or allowing the Holy Spirit’s dealings in my life that result in:

  • Adjustment and God’s loving correction in areas of my life that are not honouring to Him
  • Him persuading me to change my position or thinking in relation to some issue
  • Repentance when I have allowed an area of sin in my life
  • Apathy giving way to action and obedience to God

3. How Well do I Receive God’s Comfort?

‘But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.’ (1 Corinthians 14:3)

The Greek word translated ‘comfort’ is paramuthia, from para, meaning near or beside, and muthos, meaning speech.

The word has also been translated ‘consolation.’

There is a sense of God’s tenderness and closeness, as He desires to comfort and uplift us.

Am I regularly hearing from God, or allowing the Holy Spirit’s dealings in my life that result in:

  • Being reassured when I am concerned, anxious or fearful
  • Comforted when I am grieving or have been hurt in a way that brings God’s healing and consolation into my life.

The Importance of Receiving God’s Comfort

If I were to rate ‘How do I receive comfort from God’ from 1 (I don’t receive His comfort very well) to 5 (I am in touch with my feelings and allow God to comfort me’) what score would I give myself?

Opening our hearts to receive comfort from God can be challenging, especially to those of us who are in leadership and desire to be ‘strong for God’ and partake in His victory. We need to remember that the same God who shares His victory with us, also desires to console, heal, love and comfort us in times of trial and the experience of human weakness.

‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.’ (2 Cor 1:3-4)

Two ways to receive from God

It is worth considering the above questions in two ways.

1. In relation to receiving personally and directly from God, in our devotional life with Him.

2. In relation to receiving the Father’s strengthening, encouraging and comfort through others.

It takes humility to receive from God through others, especially in the areas of adjustment and comfort. I encourage you to take some time to consider the above. If you realise that you are weak in receiving from God in some area, take some time to pray, and open yourself up to receive from the Holy Spirit. It will transform your life and ministry.

Notes:

I used the following resources in this study:

Online Greek Interlinear Bible
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. 1996 Refs G3619 G3874, G3889

Related Posts:

The Spirit of Encouragement: Are You A Barnabas?

Prophesying Out Of God’s Love

Escaping a Half-Lived Christian Life

Do you have any thoughts about receiving God’s strengthening, encouragement and comfort? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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Tue 19 Mar 2013

6 Benefits of Prophetic Praise and Worship

Posted by Helen Calder under Prophetic Teaching, Prophetic Worship
[4] Comments

Do you want to hear God’s purposes for your life and ministry, or receive a fresh infilling of His Spirit? Do you desire to encounter God and know Him more? 

Prophetic worship is one way that you can have a face-to-face meeting with God—or provide a means for others to encounter Him. ‘Prophetic praise and worship enables God’s message to be brought, or His purpose to be accomplished, in a worship setting.’ [1]

Here are 6 benefits of prophetic worship, followed with some ways that you can put this into practice in your personal life with God.

6 Benefits of Prophetic Praise and Worship

1. Facilitates God Encounters.

God created us for face-to-face relationship with Him.

Our worship honours God and brings Him pleasure. However, if we view worship as being solely a one-way giving of our love and adoration to Jesus, we have not attained the highest purpose of worship.

God’s desire has always been to commune with His people. Prophetic worship enables the Father’s voice to be heard, His heartbeat to be felt, and His purpose to be accomplished.

When we encounter God in a time of prophetic worship, we are transformed and brought closer to Him. We leave that place knowing that God has touched our lives personally and that we will never be the same again.

2. It Enables us to Receive an Impartation from God

When we are yielded to Jesus in an attitude of love and worship, we are more receptive and open to Him than at any other time.

‘Impartation’ means a release of God’s power into our lives. This can be an infilling of His Holy Spirit, or a specific attribute of His nature; for example, He may desire to infuse us with peace, strength or faith.

We can have an expectation that as God leads us in praise and worship, we and others will be healed and set free from oppression. Psalm 107:20 says, ‘He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.’

The young David was employed by Saul to play the lyre. As David played, the anointing of God on his music caused the demonic oppression to lift from Saul. (1 Sam 16:14-23)

3. It Breaks open the Atmosphere for God to Move

We know that an open Heaven is our inheritance. However, there are times when we have to contend for it, whether in our personal lives or in the Church.

This is where prophetic praise is especially helpful.

Praise is prophetic when it is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s ‘now’ purpose for our lives or a particular meeting.

Prophetic praise is the Spirit-led proclamation of who God is, of His attributes, of what He has done and what He will accomplish.

Prophetic praise penetrates the atmosphere and pushes back oppression, apathy, fear or any other effects of spiritual warfare. (See 2 Chron 20, Psalm 149:5,9)

4. It Prepares Our Hearts for God’s Word

Prophetic worship is, at its foundational level, Spirit-directed and Spirit-empowered worship. (John 4:23-24)

During a time of prophetic worship, the Holy Spirit has begun to speak to us and our hearts are opened towards God.

When the preaching or personal study of God’s Word accompanies or follows prophetic worship, the two merge together and a continuum of inspiration from the Holy Spirit takes place.

5. We can Receive a Prophetic Message from God

In prophetic worship, God uses a song, instrumentation or other prophetic communication to speak His purpose into our lives—and that word has creative ability. Your Father may have a specific word of encouragement or instruction for you to receive.

Whether personally, or corporately in a meeting, prophetic worship provides both the expectation and the opportunity for God to speak to us. (1 Cor 14:26)

6. Ii is Powerful When Specific Breakthrough is Needed

Prophetic praise celebrates the fulfilment of God’s promises before they are manifested in the natural realm. Prophetic praise is one vehicle that God uses to release His power and bring about His purposes in our lives and in the Church.

We see examples of the power of prophetic praise in the Bible.

King Jehoshaphat sent singers and musicians out ahead of his army to celebrate the victory God had promised through His prophet. The battle was won as God routed the armies in front of the praisers. (2 Chron 20)

A song of prophetic praise was also significant to releasing God’s provision (Num 21:17-18), transforming barrenness into fruitfulness (Isaiah 54:1-3) and overcoming obstacles and persecution. (Acts 16)

How to Incorporate Prophetic Worship into your Personal Life

Last week I looked at prophetic worship in the Church setting. However we can also use prophetic worship in our personal life with God.

Note that any prophetic revelation (beyond general encouragement) received during personal times of worship need to be weighed up and followed through with leadership.[2]

1. ‘Soaking’ worship means positioning ourselves before God in a dual attitude of worship and of receiving or hearing from Him. As we yield to His Spirit, He fills us, empowers us and speaks to us.

Discover the unique way of connecting with God that suits you—for example, finding a quiet place accompanied by a worship CD, or walking outdoors in an attitude of worship and receiving. The key is to take time and to be intentional.

2. Develop a playlist of songs that are God’s ‘now’ encouragement for you personally, and listen to them regularly.

3. If you are a musician, take time with your instrument to worship God without a practice agenda. As you do, wait on Him for fresh inspiration, believe He is filling you with His Spirit, and allow Him to fill your heart and mind with the Father’s personal message to you and others.

4. When attending a worship gathering with others, enter in wholeheartedly and with the expectation that you will personally meet with God and receive All He has for you.

Notes:

[1] See my previous post, ‘A Vision for Prophetic Worship in Church Life.’

[2] See ‘The Power of Prophetic Accountability.’

Related Posts:

How Your Prophetic Song Can Release the Power of God

A Vision for Prophetic Worship in Church Life

An Open Heaven is Your Inheritance

Do you have any thoughts about the benefits of prophetic worship, or stories of how you have been personally impacted? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

On team with David McCracken Ministries: Prophetic Ministry That Empowers The Church

Did you receive this from a friend? Read more from Enliven Blog or sign to receive our weekly prophetic teaching updates at http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog

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