Now that Christmas is behind us, the thoughts of many of us are turning to the New Year.

• What lies ahead for us?
• What are God’s plans for our lives in the coming year?
• What promises does our Heavenly Father want us to lay hold of?

Many people are looking for prophecies for the coming year. They want to know what the prophets are saying.

Like them, you may be searching for that special word from God that your heart connects with; a prophecy that His personal message for your own situation.

Reading prophecies from others can be encouraging—but there is something even better available to you and me. We can hear God’s voice for ourselves [John 10:4-5].

I am going to share some keys on how to receive a word of encouragement for you directly from God for the coming year.

But first, here are some personal stories to let you know how powerful even a simple and straightforward word can be.

A Word From God can Change Your Life

One regular visitor to our church office this past year brought me a great deal of joy. It was Brian—a retired, single man whose life has been transformed by a word from God.

As 2009 drew to a close, Brian’s life was the same is it had been for a long time. He describes it now as a life characterised by sadness. Brian found himself unable to stop continually dwelling on hurts and pain from the past.

Reading the book ‘The Shack’ at around this time gave Brian hope that his life could be different. A word came to him: it was ‘Freedom.’

Then one of our prayer leaders gave Brian a printed copy of my blog post on how to receive a personal word from God for the year 2010. At the top of the page was a space that read, “2010: Year of ______ “

One Sunday at church, our pastor’s message brought life to Brian’s soul. He responded to God and heard the Father speak personally to him, ‘I will set you free.’ From that moment, Brian was powerfully delivered.

He then wrote on the blog article, ‘2010, Year of Freedom.’

During the following months, Brian would often bring in the printed blog post and show me the words ‘Year Of Freedom’ along with a growing list of scriptures he added to the page in his own handwriting.

God’s Word was building his faith, enabling Brian to continue in the victory Jesus purchased for him on the cross.

A Word From God Can Herald Breakthrough

Late in 2009, I was participating in a prophetic worship night at our church, when I had a vision.

I saw myself smashing down a massive plate of glass that had a nice, smiling, but superficial image of me on the front. Behind the glass, another, real, ‘me’ was waiting to break out: a warrior and leader, who would call people to serve Jesus and join His army.

At that moment, to my amazement, a team member took the microphone and sang a prophetic song of the Lord calling His people to war.

Realising that the act of smashing down was symbolic of repentance, I took time to repent of projecting an image of myself that I felt would make me acceptable to people and to God. This image was an idol, standing in the way of being all that my Father had created me to be. It was keeping me trapped in a lifestyle of performance. [1]

As 2010 approached, I was praying about God’s purposes for the coming year and the vision kept coming to mind, along with the words, ‘Break Out.’
I felt that God’s word for me was that 2010 would be a ‘Year of Breaking Out.’

The Hunk felt that God was saying something similar to him.

‘Breaking Out’ proved true for us on many fronts. We broke through some stuck places spiritually, as a couple, and in our finances. New ministry opportunities began to emerge for me personally.

A Word From God Can Sustain Us in Times of Trial

But the fulfilment of God’s word is not always comfortable.

In May 2010, ‘Breaking Out’ was to prove painful as I felt that God was leading me to lay down a ministry leadership role.

I shared this with mentors and leaders in my church, who confirmed this guidance was from the Lord. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was evident in the decision and in the handover to a new leader.

For a short time, I felt lost. I knew I had broken out into a new place, but had no way of defining what that was. Knowing that God ordained my ‘Breaking Out’ helped me to trust Him for my future.

It was not long before the Holy Spirit revealed the Father’s plan. As I enter 2011, an exciting new door of ministry is opening to me. [2]

How You Can Receive Your Own Word From God for the New Year

Here are some simple steps to waiting on God for a personal word for the coming year. Of course, you can receive a lot more than a single word—however, I have found that encapsulating God’s message for your year in one or two words can help you remember and focus on His purpose for you throughout the year.

1. Pray and ask your Father to give a word concerning His promise and plans for your coming year

There are many ways in which you might receive a revelation. He might speak through a through, scripture, a picture, an idea or some other way [3]

2. Pray and ask the Lord for any further insights about the word.

I like to look the word up in a dictionary or thesaurus to clarify the meaning, as well as pray and seek out scriptures that reinforce what God is saying

3. If the word goes beyond simple encouragement and compels you towards action or change, remember that principles of interpretation and accountability apply to the word [4]

What you can do with your word

1. Write down or journal about how you received the word and what it means to you.

2. Share it with those around your life who can rejoice with you when it is fulfilled and encourage you on when times get tough

3. Keep it in front of you throughout the year.

4. Review the word and its outcome at the year’s end. As I have done, you can reflect upon what God has done in your life throughout the year and how the prophetic word has been fulfilled.

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Would you like to share your own experiences or word from God? Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

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Notes:

For further prophetic inspiration for 2011 see my post, 2011 Can Be A Year Of Visitation From God

[1] If my thoughts about performance resonated with you, the following post may be helpful:

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

[2] I will be announcing this in a few weeks time. It’s very exciting… Stay tuned!

[3] For more about this topic, check the following post:

How To Receive A Revelation From God

[4] As I did in the above story, I advise submitting what appears to be a directive word, or guidance, to your church oversight. For more about how to determine whether a word is of God, the following posts may help:

4 Things You Can Do With Your Personal Prophecy

How Can You Tell If A Personal Prophecy Or A Dream Interpretation Is From God?

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Would you like to develop your prophetic gift?
Here are 2 things that can help you:

1. Prophetic Teaching:
Enter your email address in the subscribe box at the top right hand side of this page to receive:

• regular blog posts containing teaching that will help you grow in your gift of prophecy, as well as articles on related spiritual gifts and spiritual renewal
• news of resources to help develop your prophetic gift

2. E-books to Help you Develop Your Gifts:

‘Grow Your Prophetic And Prayer Gifts’ is a high-value e-book specifically written to help you grow in your prophetic gifts – at whatever stage or season you are on the journey.

Check out our e-books page for more e-books related to prophetic and prayer ministry.

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© Helen Calder 2010    Enliven Publishing

http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries

Warm Christmas greetings from Melbourne, Australia.

The Hunk and I are looking forward to celebrating Christmas Day with friends and family, beginning with a service at our church to honour the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

I pray that this Christmas you will know the presence and love of Immanuel, God With Us (Matt 1:23). In His Presence is fullness of joy—a joy that transcends any circumstances you may be facing right now.

As a thank you to my readers who have shared the journey with me this year, I would like to offer you a free e-book as a Christmas gift.

(If you would like a free e-book, please follow the instructions at the end of this post. Note that this is a limited offer).

I would like to especially thank those of you who have provided feedback to me through comments over the past year.

Here are some of the comments I have received on the blog throughout 2010:

Prophetic People In Testing Times: Signs Of Trial

‘I am going through a rather very very tough time and relate with almost everything you have said. Its hard its my first time ever I feel so vulnerable… Only me and God and anybody who can relate to this understands. I am so glad I found this website especially at this time thank God for you.’

You Don’t Need to Have a Special Gift To Be A Supernatural Christian

‘I needed this message this morning! I know I have an incredible gift from God, but I do allow that to limit me in so many ways…this message has truly set me on fire and I am so excited to meet people where they are and not where I am, when I am out and about. Thank you so much!’

Breaking Free From An Orphan Mindset

‘I realized that I did indeed have an orphan mindset even though I’ve been a Christian for 30 years and still growing up in Him. My dad was an alcoholic and was neglectful and emotionally distant from me. I carried this mindset that God was like my earthly father… I prayed the prayer and I do feel a release and tearful. I know that I will need to renew my mind with God’s love to me as my Father.

Thank you so much for bringing this timely word into my life.’

A Prophetic Word For Those In The Golden Years Of Life

‘I have been wondering just what the Lord had in store for me in the sunset years of my life as I am 70, but don’t feel like it. This gives me hope that I am not “over the hill”, and there are still things that I can do to be a servant. What a timely message. Thank you thank you.’

When You Hit A Wall In Your Ministry

‘Thank you for sharing your journey and wisdom. I’m going to keep a copy of this on file as I know it will come in handy. It is clearly a difficult time (when you hit a wall) in which to be honest with yourself.’

Face To Face With God: Can I Have A Relationship Like Moses?

‘What a great teaching, this spoke to me right where I’m at and right where I want to be hungry and desperate for more of God! Constantly filled with his love! How great for us that we, in a greater day, get to experience even more than Moses through Jesus Christ!! Bless you and your ministry and the fire of God would fill you to continue preaching the good news and releasing the prophetic insight to the bride!’

When Your Devotional Life Is Dry: How To Fall In Love With The Bible Again

‘What great insight into rebuilding our devotional life. Mine has been so dry lately I feel I’m living in a desert but this sparks interest in my heart and I plan to put this into practice immediately. Thanks for sharing and not being timid about sharing your own trials.’

8 Signs You May Have The Spiritual Gift Of Discernment

‘This was an awesome blog to read. I have questioned this gift for years. After reading this I feel as though I have it, and also know that I have used it wrong and sadly not to the full extent.’

The Secret Of Living An Undivided Christian Life

‘I am really touched by the above article. As I was reading it I realised I have not been living a real undivided Christian Life. There are times I seem to lower the standard in order to fit in especially in my professional context. But now I know it is wrong, I take the commitment to be myself everywhere and to use my prayer and other gifts to impact the world around me. Thank you once more for the article.’

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How To Receive Your Free Christmas E-Book

I would like to offer you the opportunity to receive one of my e-books free of charge, as my Christmas gift to you.

Last week I saw one of my e-books viewed on an iPad, and it looked great!

Here are the instructions:

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1. Read through the e-books pages and choose the e-book that you would like to receive. Here is the link to the e-books page:

http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/e-books/

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2. Make a comment at the bottom of this post, sharing a) Which e-book you would like to receive and b) A brief note as to why you have chosen that particular book.

If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

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3. I will send the e-book to the email address you provide when you comment (note that your email address is kept private)

Note: This offer will expire on 31 December 2010 or after 20 requests, whichever comes first.

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Have a blessed Christmas and New Year.

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© Helen Calder  2010  Enliven Publishing

http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/

The Least Likely List

Do you have someone in your world right now whose heart seems hardened towards God?

Someone, who—if you were to make a list of those who would be least likely to become a Christian—would be first on that list?

Who else is on your list?

The imaginary list we have just made represents the PERCEPTION that we have about people close to us who do not yet know Jesus as their Saviour.

I believe that our Heavenly Father wants us to review our perception, shake it up and exchange it if need be—until we see people around our lives the way HE sees them.

The question is: will we?

Why the way we see People Around us is Important

The way we view people in our lives who don’t know God is vital:

• If we believe someone is hardened towards God and unlikely to become a Christian, that belief will affect our thoughts, prayers and actions towards that person.
• If we believe God is at work in a person’s life, we will be expectant and pray, speak and act accordingly.

Most often, we look at the evidence of our 6 senses—what we have seen and heard, as well as our history with people—and make a judgement about the state of their heart towards God and their potential for salvation.

But the Bible reveals a different viewpoint: the Father’s perspective.

The Father’s ‘Most Wanted List’

If Jesus’ disciples had a ‘Least Likely List’ of those God would welcome into His Kingdom, the Romans—despised, brutal invaders—would have been at the top of the list, followed closely by Gentiles and Samaritans.

But Jesus continually surprised them.

Time and time again, Jesus showed His disciples that those on their ‘Least Likely List’ were actually on the Father’s ‘Most Wanted List,’ along with everyone else.

A Roman commander came to him asking for healing for his daughter. Jesus healed his daughter with a word and praised him saying, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” (Matt 8:10)

A Gentile woman came asking for deliverance for her daughter and the disciples wanted to send her away. Jesus tested her faith and then exclaimed, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” (Matt 15:28)

As Jesus ministered, He sought out the unloved, the unwanted, the despised. Tax collectors, prostitutes, criminals—all were welcome in God’s Kingdom.

One time, Jesus went out of His way to speak with a Samaritan woman with a bad reputation. An entire Samaritan city came to faith in Him after hearing the story of how she encountered Jesus.

Realising Jesus had been speaking with a Samaritan woman, the disciples were mystified. Jesus said to them, ‘Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.’ (John 4:35)

I believe Jesus is speaking the same to us today:

‘Open your eyes and look at people—see them the way I see them. They are ready to come to Me.’

Heaven’s Perspective

Here are 4 insights that I believe are vital to having God’s perspective about people in our world who don’t know Him yet.

1. God is Already at Work In their Lives

Paul said in Acts 17: 26-27

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

If there are people in your world, to whom you are connected in some way and who does not yet know Jesus, be assured that God is already at work in their lives.

The fact that God has arranged for them to be connected to you is just one evidence that He is already at work in their lives, positioning them to seek Him.

2. They are Created for Relationship with God

‘He [God] has set eternity in the hearts of men,’ states the writer of Ecclesiastes.

Peel away the layers and within every person is a need for God—a place of hunger that will only be fulfilled by a relationship with the Father through Jesus.

Created by God and for God, each person’s need for Him is written into his or her DNA.

In spite of what may be presenting, that inner need, the voice of the spirit within them, is continually letting them know of their need for God—even if they are currently trying to fill that need with other things.

3. Nothing They have Done Affects God’s Response to Them

As Jesus demonstrated, the worst of sinners are candidates for the grace of God.

Choices they have made seem to have led them further away from Him. The degree of possibility of their salvation—at least in our eyes—seems to be reduced.

Sometimes we have a personal history with people that gives us reason to believe they are unlikely to respond to God. We may even have been hurt by them.

But none of these things affects God’s heart towards them or His ability to reach and transform them.  They are on His ‘Most Wanted List.’

4. Their Degree of Hardness of Heart does not Impact God’s Ability to Reach Them.

The Holy Spirit can break through the hardest of hearts. That is why you are His today. And what He has done for you, He can do for others.

It can happen in an instant. A criminal came to faith in Jesus in his dying moments on a cross. All it took was a one-sentence declaration of faith. (Luke 23:40-43)

Don’t be deterred by a person’s seeming attitude towards God. They might be a heartbeat away from faith.

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So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
(2 Cor 5:16)

We tend to see people through the lens of our culture, our priorities, our opinions, and our personal history with them. It’s time to take off these glasses and see people the way that Jesus does.

When we do, faith will rise up in us. We will pray, speak and act accordingly, giving the Holy Spirit freedom to move through us. And miracles of salvation will result.

‘Open your eyes and look at people—see them the way I see them. They are ready to come to Me.’

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Prayer

Who was on the top of your ‘least likely list? Let’s pray for him or her now:

Father, right now I bring _____ before Your throne.

Thank You that you are already at work in ____’s life, drawing him/her to You by Your Spirit.

Thank You that ____ is on Your ‘Most Wanted List’; that you sent Jesus to die for ____ that he/she would not perish, but have eternal life with You.

Send Your Spirit to reveal Jesus to him/her, to assure _________ of the truth of the message of salvation.

Lord, I ask that You would send Your angels to continue setting up Divine appointments. Connect _____ with your people who will speak words of life to him/her. Speak to _____ through circumstances and at every opportunity, day and night.

Help me in my relationship with _____ to take opportunities to share Your love, to speak Your word and to have timely insights to share. Anoint me by with Your Spirit to be Your representative to _______ . I choose to stir up my faith with regard to ________’s salvation.

In Jesus’ Name

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If you you have any responses or experiences to share on this topic, I would love to hear from you.  Leave a comment below. If the comments section is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

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Related Posts:

Divine Positioning: How To Be In The Right Place At The Right Time

Key To Prophetic Evangelism: What Is The Father Doing?

The Greatest Evangelist In The World Today

E-book: Pray For The Lost: Impact The Eternal Destiny Of Those You Love Through Prayer

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© Helen Calder 2010   Enliven Publishing http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries

Who is the greatest Christian evangelist in the world today?

Do I hear someone say, ‘Billy Graham,’ or ‘Reinhard Bonnke?’

The greatest evangelist on earth today is the Holy Spirit, and He lives inside of you and me [1] (John 14:17).

The Fullness of the Holy Spirit

I want to know and experience the Holy Spirit in His fullness—not just in part. This means embracing all He is and everything He has come to do in and through me.

The Holy Spirit empowers us and aids us in living the Christian life. He provides spiritual gifts for ministry; He is our Comforter, Helper, Teacher and Guide.

However, the disciples did not only receive Him as Helper. They also received Him as the One who would empower them to witness—share the good news of salvation and lead people to Jesus (Acts 1:8).

When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, He announced His arrival with wind and fire… and with 3,000 people turning to faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:41)

Power From On High

It was October 1994, and I was reading Charles Finney’s book, ‘Power From On High.’ [2] In his commentary on the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 1-2), Finney wrote:

‘We have the same promise that they had… Let us, then… accept the commission; fully consecrate ourselves, with all that we have, to the saving of souls as our great and our only life work. Let us go to the altar with all we have and are, and lie there and persist in prayer until we have received the enduement.’

I recorded in my journal:

‘I was greatly struck by Finney’s comment that our ‘life work’ is the saving of souls. Like so many others, I have considered this to be someone else’s lifework and not my own. If this IS true (and I believe it is), then there are great ramifications.

Have I accepted Christ’s commission as my own commission? Dare I?

If I have not accepted the appointing, how can I expect the anointing?

My reflections on Finney’s work coincided with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our church and upon us. At that time I was set free from three years of emotional and physical pain—but the impact of the Spirit’s visitation did not stop there.

The tangible Presence of the Spirit on our lives and in our home spilled over to our neighbourhood. The Hunk and I saw salvation and miracles happen in the lives of people around us as a result.

As I look back on this past year of 2010, I see the same pattern. An outpouring if the Spirit on our personal lives has resulted in the drawing of people around us to Jesus.

The Holy Spirit Loves and Leads People to Jesus

The Holy Spirit is intimately involved in the process of salvation.

In the same way that the Spirit hovered over the waters at creation, He is at work, moving unseen in the lives of those of people around us who do not yet know Jesus. (Gen 1:2; 2 Cor 5:17)

The heart of the Holy Spirit is that of Jesus, who came to ‘seek and save the lost’. (Luke 19:10)

The heart of the Spirit is that of the Father, whose desire that no person perish moved Him to send and sacrifice His Son. (John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9)

The Spirit of God loves people passionately and indiscriminately.

4 Ways that the Holy Spirit Helps in Evangelism are:

1. By testifying to people of the Gospel’s truth (John 15:26, Acts 5:30-32)

2. By confirming the message of salvation through answers to prayer—signs, miracles and the operation of spiritual gifts (Heb 2:4, Rom 15:19)

3. By bringing conviction that leads people to repentance (1 Thess 5, John 16:8)

4. By empowering Christians to be witnesses (Acts 1:8, Luke 24:46-49)

The Holy Spirit empowers ordinary Christian believers to be witnesses, but He also directly impacts the hearts of people who need salvation, convincing them of their sin and need for a Saviour.

Our prayers, our faith, and our actions help determine whether or not the Spirit is released to do His work.

What if you are not Gifted in Evangelism?

Maybe, like me, you would say that you are not gifted in the area of evangelism.

It is true that there is a gift and an office of evangelist (Eph 4:11, 2 Tim 4:5). An evangelist is empowered and called to make evangelism a primary focus of their ministry, as well as to equip the church for evangelism.

Can someone who does not a have a spiritual gift of evangelism be an effective witness?

Here’s the ultimate test: can an introverted, prophetic-intercessor-type person like me lead people to Jesus?

Evangelism may not be my personal strength, but my Divine Partner, the Holy Spirit, is the greatest evangelist in the world today.

• I am also a part of a Christian community that shares my passion to bring people to Jesus.

I have discovered that my inability is not a handicap to the Holy Spirit. The pressure is off. Instead of striving, I need only focus on cooperating with the Spirit, as He loves and leads people to Jesus.

How can we Partner with the Holy Spirit in Evangelism?

Here are some keys that can help:

1. Be filled with the Spirit

If you have already been baptised in the Holy Spirit, pray for a fresh infilling (Acts 4:24-31)

2. Acknowledge the evangelistic role of the Holy Spirit and take time to reflect on what that can mean for you and the lives of people around you

3. Recommit to being a witness—sharing the good news about what Jesus has done for you with people around your life
4. Pray for those around you who don’t know Jesus and believe that the Spirit is at work in answer to your prayers

5. Watch out for Divine appointments. Look for what the Holy Spirit is doing in people around you and simply cooperate with Him.

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If you you have any thoughts or experiences to share on this topic, I would love to hear from you.  Leave a comment below. If the comments section is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

 

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Notes:

 

[1] This statement is made to my Christian readers who have been ‘born again by the Spirit of God.’ (See Titus 3:4-17) If you are not sure whether this relates to you, here is a great resource:

http://www.allaboutgod.com/become-a-christian.htm

[2] Power From On High, Charles Grandison Finney (1792-1875). The book can be viewed here:

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/finney/power.html

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Related Posts:

 

A Beginner’s Guide To Prophetic Evangelism Part 1

How You Can Have An Intimate Relationship With The Holy Spirit

You Don’t Need A Special Gift To Be A Supernatural Christian

Pentecost: How God Exploded My Box

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© Helen Calder  2010   Enliven Publishing http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/

 

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries