Over the next few weeks, I am going to share some thoughts on how to weigh up prophetic words for 2012, as well as how to receive the Father’s encouragement for you personally.
I will also communicate some specific prophetic insights regarding 2012 that I have sought God about, for my readers and for the church in general.

Before we embark on this journey, here are some things about 2012 that, whether you have a prophetic word or not, you can have absolute assurance on:

1. It is Time to Release past things that have been Holding you Back

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

You do not have to continue tripping up over past issues, old habits and ingrained thought patterns. Your Heavenly Father’s plan for you is freedom, and He has paid the ultimate price in the shed blood of His Son Jesus.

You already have the word of release, but you have to rise up in faith and take it. Persevere in 2012 for the freedom of yourself and others—and chains that have held you back will be broken.

2. God is Working all things Together for Good

‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.’ (Rom 8:28)

‘Good’ does not mean ‘as we like it.’ ‘Good’ means, ‘the outcome that our Heavenly Father, Who knows the end from the beginning, has intended for us.’ And He is completely trustworthy.

The Gospel, the Good News of Jesus is one of redemption—and He loves you immeasurably.

No matter what you have done; no matter what has been done to you, His plan is to restore. He desires to bring ultimate good out of the pain and trouble of the past—to turn your tests into a testimony, and your mess into a message.

And whatever comes your way, know that His goodness is with you every step of your journey.

‘Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.’ (Ps 23:6)

3. You can Experience great Fruitfulness this Year

^‘You did not choose me, but 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)

God’s plan for your life this coming year is one of fruitfulness.

In our culture today we equate fruitfulness with tangible results, but that is not the way of God’s Kingdom.

• Kingdom fruitfulness is sourced and rooted in the Holy Spirit and grows out of our intimate relationship with God
• Then it overflows into our inner life and attitudes (Gal 5:22-25)
• Finally, it results in obedient action that reproduces His purpose in our lives and that of others.

God’s plan for you is fruitfulness—but it will require your cooperation—it will require you to rise up and say, ‘No matter what! This year, I will rise up and be all God has called me to be.’

4. God Wants you to draw Closer to Him

‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’ (Jesus – Rev 3:20)

There is no end to the depth of intimacy that is available in our relationship with God. There is no end to the revelation of who He is and His ways that we can learn about and discover.

This coming year, you can draw closer to God than you have ever done before. If you have drifted from your first love in your relationship with Him, you can choose to return. What does taking that step look like for you? Today you can begin the journey.

Do you have any scriptural promises that you could share with others? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Related Posts:

2012: A Year Of Unprecedented Access

Prophetic Words For 2012: How To Make The Most Of Them

3 Mistaken Beliefs About God’s Blessing

How You Can Have An Intimate Relatonship With The Holy Spirit

Prophetic Words For 2012: How To Make The Most Of Them

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

Dear friends,

Greetings from Melbourne, Australia!

‘For the kingdom of God is… righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.’
(Rom 14:17)

All of heaven celebrated at the first coming of Jesus Christ.

Shepherds in the fields witnessed a great multitude of angels rejoicing and praising God nearby in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:8-14)

I believe that joy is our portion and inheritance. Right now as you read this, I pray that the Spirit of God will release fresh joy over your life.

This joy is not conditional upon circumstances or relationships or feelings; it is sourced in the presence of ‘Immanuel’, God with us.
(Ps 16:11, Matt 1:23)

With Christmas only a few days away, I want to take this opportunity to say a big thanks to you, the readers of Enliven Blog. I have enjoyed sharing the journey with you in 2011.

From our home to yours, The Hunk and I, along with the whole team here at David McCracken Ministries, send you warm Christmas greetings.

The 10 Most Popular Posts on Enliven Blog

Could you do with some inspiring and informative holiday reading? Here is a countdown of the 10 most popular pages on Enliven Blog this year. Bookmark this page to return and read these articles at your leisure—enjoy!

10. 6 Tips For Exercising The Gift Of Discernment In Church Life

9. How To Exercise Your Prophetic Gift Pt 1: Understand The Process Of Prophecy

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

7. How To Exercise Your Prophetic Gift Pt 2: How To Receive A Revelation From God

6. Activate Your Prophetic Gift Through Prayer Journaling

5. How To Discover Your Spiritual Pathway

4. 12 Signs Of Spiritual Warfare

3. 8 Ways To Grow Your Gift Of Discernment

2. How To Develop Your Prophetic Gift Pt 1: Where To Begin

1. 8 Signs You May Have The Spiritual Gift Of Discernment

Father, right now I pray and release a blessing over every person reading this page, wherever they are. May they experience Your grace, joy and overflow during this Christmas period. Let there be miracles of breakthrough, healing and provision. Let relationships be strengthened and families united. Let there be refreshing of body, soul and spirit. And may each one draw closer to You than ever before, in Jesus’ Name.

Have you enjoyed Enliven Blog in 2011? Leave a comment to tell us what Enliven Blog has meant to you personally or share with us your favourite post or topic. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

Advent is an important season in the Christian calendar. It consists of the weeks leading up to Christmas, which is the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

The word ‘Advent’ is derived from a Latin word, ‘adventus’ which means ‘coming.’ [1]

Advent is a season of preparation and expectation.

Christmas Advent Today

In our culture, it is easy to lose the wonder and anticipation of Christmas Advent.

For many of us, preparation means the pressure of buying gifts, planning menus and events, or tying up loose ends at work.

Expectation consists of mixed feelings as we anticipate the positives and negatives of having family with us—or absent from us.

If you can relate to this, I urge you to take some time to allow the Holy Spirit to minister to your heart.

The weeks leading up to Christmas can be busy and distracted.

I don’t want my life to be like the inn at Bethlehem—so busy accommodating everything and everyone else that I turn Jesus away at the door. [2]

The Challenge of the Original Advent

(Luke 1:5-38)

Zachariah was the father of John the Baptist. Mary was the mother of Jesus. Their lives, and many others at that time, were changed forever by the coming of Jesus.

Let’s take a few moments to consider what Advent meant to those involved in the birth of our Saviour—and what following Jesus Christ may also mean for us today.

Divine Interruption

For Zachariah, it was business as usual—performing his occasional duties as a priest in the temple.

Mary was a young woman whose life was already mapped out. She was going to be married to Joseph, a carpenter from her hometown of Nazareth, in Galilee.

But their ordinary lives were suddenly interrupted by a message from the throne of God, brought by the angel Gabriel.

Am I willing for God to interrupt my ordinary life? Am I open to hear what He has to say to me at this time?

‘Do not be Afraid’

As I muse over the Christmas narrative, I see the words ‘Do not be afraid’ mentioned many times—to Zachariah, to Mary, to Joseph, and to the shepherds.

‘Do not be afraid’ encapsulates the Christmas message. It speaks hope and life into my present circumstances.

But it also deeply challenges me. It tells me that encountering God, and contemplating His demands upon my life will require something from me.

And that this ‘something’ will be so costly, and this encounter with Him so awe-inspiring, that the reaction of my soul will be fear.

Am I willing to encounter God, knowing that it will require something of me?

Life Change

The angel Gabriel’s announcement changed the landscape of Zechariah and Mary’s lives forever.

It marked a point of no return. Making room for the coming of Jesus would mean that their lives would never be the same again. It would bring both joy and sacrifice.

Am I willing to make room for Jesus in my life—even if it means moving or giving up other personal priorities?

Crisis of faith

When the angel Gabriel announced God’s plans, he received different responses from Zachariah and Mary.

Zachariah doubted.

Mary trusted.

Zachariah’s doubt cost him his voice for a season. But not even unbelief could halt the progress of God’s plans.

What is my personal response to God’s purpose for my life? Am I doubting—or trusting His word?

Participation in a Greater Plan

Zachariah and Mary were just two of a company of people whom God used to make way for the first coming of Jesus.

At the birth of his son John, Zachariah caught a glimpse of God’s purpose—the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ.

He prophesied:

‘And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.’ (Luke 1:76-79)

As we respond to the call of God to make room for Jesus in our lives, we too will become participants in God’s plan of salvation.

By making room for Jesus in our personal lives this Christmas and beyond, we are opening the door for our families, our friends, and those near and far to encounter the Good News of salvation.

Advent is a season of preparation and expectation.

Today, let’s pause from the busyness of our schedule and ask the question,

‘When it comes to my life of faith right now,

What am I preparing for?
And what am I expecting?’

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

Notes:

[1] For more information on Advent, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advent

[2] See Luke 2:7, Rev 3:20

Related Posts:

Hunger For God: 6 Ways You Can Stir It Up

Angels Herald Jesus’ Birth And The Beginning Of A Supernatural Era

How To Recover The Wonder Of Hearing God’s Voice

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

As I write today, I believe there are people and pastors reading this who are weary and in need of encouragement in relation to your church life.

The Holy Spirit is ministering renewal and a fresh sense of expectation to you.

A few weeks back I looked at identity and destiny from a personal level.

I noted that your DESTINY is the answer to the question, ‘What has God called me to do?’ While your IDENTITY is the answer to the question, ‘Who has God called me to be?’

This is also true of your church. [1]

If you can benefit from having your church vision renewed, here are some reflections that may help:

Your Church has a Unique Gift and DNA

The Hunk and I have been visiting churches of different denominations and movements for over 20 years, and we never cease to marvel at the unique grace and calling that is on each individual church. [2]

No other church has the same blend of people, leaders, vision, values, history, experience, gifts, strengths and call that your church does. Your church has its own, one of a kind, DNA.

Looking back, you can see a trail of clues where God’s blessing has been, where His power has been released, and where people’s lives have been impacted. Your church is individually anointed and called for a purpose.

The problem is, we sometimes forget these good things and lose our focus. Maybe our church has been through a season of difficulty, or we have become wearied through busyness or trials. When this happens, we need to remember the things that make our church great and why became a part of it.

Q: What are the things that comprise the DNA of your church—the ‘Distinctive Nature of your Anointing?’

Remember why you are Here

At this time of the year, when one can easily become weary and distracted, I believe God is calling us to rise up and celebrate—to remember the people and the qualities that make our churches great.

In every marriage, there are times when it is helpful to remember the things that attracted you to your partner in the first place.

In the same way, we also need to take time to reflect on the good things of our churches—those things that comprise our unique DNA.

We have been members of our local church for over nine years—since we immigrated to Australia from NZ. I spent much of that time on staff, as well as being a department leader.

In nine years, it has not all been smooth sailing. Whenever the waters become rough, it helps me to remember the unique qualities that I love about our church—the DNA that drew me to our church in the first place.

• I love that my church is generous, reaching out to our local community with love and practical assistance—and has a significant overseas mission impact
• I love that one of our values is being authentic and non-religious
• I love that my church makes unchurched people feel welcome and that I can bring a neighbour or friend in who does not know Jesus
• I love the passion in our church and leaders for the power of God to transform lives—to be a church not just of talk but of power

When I remember these things, then I know with absolute assurance that there is no place I would rather be.

Q: What are the qualities that drew you to your church in the first place?

God has a Unique Purpose for Your Church

When you study the New Testament, you see that no single church was alike. Each one had a unique gift and call.

• The Corinthian church was recognised as rich in the demonstration of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 1:5-7)
• The church at Philippi had a unique partnership with the Apostle Paul’s ministry (Phil 4:15)
• The Thessalonian church was known for the regional influence of its testimony (1 Thess 1:8)
• The church in Philadelphia was an example of faithfulness and perseverance in hardship (Rev 3:7-13)
• The Macedonian churches were known for their gift of generosity (2 Cor 8:1-2)
• The church at Antioch was uniquely positioned as the capital of Syria, a province of Rome, and became a centre of missionary activity to the Gentiles.The apostles Paul and Barnabas were sent out from there—both released from and reporting back to, their sending church (Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:26-28)
• The Jerusalem church had a unique position as the founding church. It had governmental influence and was a centre of missionary activity to the Jews (Acts 16:4-5, Gal 2:8)

One of the things we notice about this list is that even smaller churches can have a significant impact beyond themselves.

The key lies in identifying the unique gift that God has entrusted you with—and taking that to the world.

Q: What is on the heart of God for your church to be known for?

It is Time to Dream Again

Why has God placed your church in your community, in your nation, in this generation? It is for His purposes.

It is time to dream again, because your church has a calling and a mission that cannot be fulfilled by any other church.

And God has called you personally to be a contributor towards that calling.

For a free, comprehensive 10 page questionnaire to help you discover the unique DNA and Mission of your church, click here for the Enliven Blog Articles page.

Do you have any further thoughts about this topic, or something that you would like to share about your own church? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Notes:

[1] I am sharing a favourite photo in today’s post—taken on the day we were received into membership in our home church.

[2] Much of this was in our capacity as missions leaders, including the 9 years my husband was National Director of a mission agency in New Zealand and Australia. I now minister itinerantly with David McCracken Ministries—often accompanied by my husband Malcolm—or ‘The Hunk,’ as he is affectionately known!

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

Today I am going to review a very common barrier to growth in prophetic ministry, and that is being hurt in relation to your spiritual gift of prophecy.

(Note that these same points relate to wounds experienced in other spiritual gifts or ministries—replace ‘gift of prophecy’ or ‘prophetic ministry’ with the name of your gift or ministry)

An unhealed hurt or disappointment will not only affect your gift of prophecy, it will hold you back in other areas of your life, too.

Some signs that your prophetic gift may be blocked due to sustaining a wound are:

• You can trace a blockage in your prophetic ministry to a hurtful event that took place in your past
• You hold back because you are afraid of being criticised, hurt or rejected
• You may find it difficult to trust leaders or other people in the church to recognise or release you in your gift
• You seem to go through cycles—you might move from one church or ministry to another and yet never get recognised or released to the degree you would like to be
• The same pattern of stepping out in prophetic ministry and then getting hurt or disappointed seems to happen repeatedly.

There are many ways that people can become hurt or wounded in relation to prophetic ministry. The two most common are criticism and disappointment.

1. Criticism

There are several ways that criticism can occur:

• We may have made a genuine mistake in the use of our gift, but leadership of the situation was handled badly. Perhaps we were publicly shamed. Perhaps we were not guided or restored as we should have been.
• The criticism may have been completely unwarranted—this adds a sting of injustice to the wound.
• Criticism was aimed at our level of maturity in the gift.

We do not criticise or judge babies who are learning to crawl or walk—in fact we celebrate their efforts. And yet it is amazing how quickly we Christians judge one another when we are stumbling through learning stages in our spiritual gifts.

Accusation and judgement are also related to criticism.

I have known people who have been accused of being Jezebellic, for example. This kind of accusation can cause a deep wound in someone who has prophetic gifts. [1]

2.Disappointment

Some ways in which we can experience disappointment include:

• Our prophetic ministry has not been listened to, encouraged or appreciated
• Leaders have not recognised our gift or they have not made room for us to exercise or grow in our prophetic ministry
• Mentors or people dear to us in prophetic ministry let us down, are removed from our lives, or are themselves wounded in relation to their ministry
• Ministry opportunities—for whatever reason—have been removed from us

If you have experienced any of these types of wounds in your prophetic ministry, you are not alone. These are things that many of us can relate to in some form or another.

In fact, you will see these types of hurtful things happen to people with prophetic callings in the Bible.

Think of the rejection that Joseph went through with regard to his gift of prophetic dreams and interpretation. He was criticised, rejected, misunderstood and passed over for many years before God raised him up and released him in his call.

Yet he kept his heart free from bitterness—and in that is a lesson for each of us.

It seems that God allows us to go through these tests as part of our development and character growth. When we overcome, He can use us in greater ways and entrust us with His Word and His power.

Steps to Breaking Free from Blockages in your Prophetic Gift due to Hurt

1. Take Ownership

A blockage takes place when we put up barriers, or walls of self-protection around us to prevent us from being wounded again.

Even though others may have been the reason that we were shut down to start with, the ongoing issue is that we are reluctant to expose ourselves to further hurt. Our instinct is to hold back.

So the very first thing we need to do, is to recognise our own part and responsibility in the blockage.

We are the ones who, with God’s help, have the ability and the keys to break ourselves free.

We do this by taking acknowledging this in prayer and repenting of allowing the walls to go up.

God is sufficient. He is all the protection we need and He waits and longs for us to trust in Him. But often we use our own efforts to protect ourselves—and this is wrong.

Secondly, if we have been criticised, removed from ministry or held back in the past, there may be an aspect of truth in the reasons for the action that was taken.

I know from experience that this is a tough area to acknowledge, but addressing it and being humble enough to make any necessary adjustments is vital to fulfilling God’s call on our life.

2. Release forgiveness to the person or group that has wounded you

Jesus said, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

Unforgiveness and the desire to obtain justice can chain us to an event, preventing us from making progress in our prophetic gift.

In prayer, speak out forgiveness, release the offenders from judgment, and from any debt that you believe they owe you.

Sometimes, God might lead you to communicate with the person or group that has hurt you, but isn’t always necessary.

Use discretion here, and look for some wise counsel.

Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a choice that we make. Also remember that forgiveness is not just a one-off decision; it is an ongoing process. This means continuing to choose forgiveness whenever you feel the hurt or the negative effects of the situation.

3. Find a Safe Person who can pray with you

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Some things that can be prayed through personally and with a prayer partner are:

• Pray through the issues raised in points 1 and 2 above
• Identify and renounce any wrong belief that you have taken on board following the hurtful event—e.g. ‘I will never be good enough,’ ‘God has not called me to this ministry’
• Pray and affirm the redemptive opposite of that lie, i.e. the truth about God’s love and affirmation of you as a person, as well as your gift
• If criticism, accusation or judgement was involved, pray against the power or effects of the words spoken
• Pray for healing of your heart and a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit

This also reminds us of the fourth and most important aspect of breaking free from any blockage caused by a wound to your gift and that is:

4. Receive God’s Healing

If we have believed a lie, we need a truth encounter. We need to know that God’s love for us, and His attitude towards us, is not reflected in the hurtful attitudes, words or actions of others—even when they are people in authority.

Meditate on the Father’s love and acceptance as expressed in the Bible, especially in the New Testament in the life and ministry of Jesus.

5. Step Out in your Gift Again

Finally, at the right time, we need to begin to step out again in our prophetic gift. [3]

Firstly, this means being accountable—and being under leadership. Sometimes, this means responding well to leaders who have hurt us in the past.

We know we are healed when we can receive feedback and be open to adjustment in the operation of our gift without reacting badly.

Becoming activated in our gift of prophecy again will mean taking risks and being vulnerable. However, the fruit in our lives and in the lives of others we minister to will be eternal.

Do you have any further ideas for healing from hurts that could help readers, or experiences and questions to share on this topic? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Notes:

[1] For more information about the Jezebellic or religious spirit in relation to prophetic ministry, read my e-book, ‘Prophetic People in a Changing Church.’ Check the following links:

E-books Page

Prophetic People In A Changing Church E-book

[2] Sometimes hurts arise from a leader in the church—if this is familiar to you, I encourage you to consider my e-book, ‘Prophetic People in a Changing Church’ for more information on how to break free.

[3] I believe it is vital to foster a safe, nurturing environment in our local churches and prophetic communities to do this—so if you are a leader, I encourage you to make this a priority.

Related Posts:

11 Signs That Your Prophetic Gift Is Being Held Back

Why Is My Spiritual Gift Or Ministry Not Being Released

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

Have you ever purchased something on sale, at a marked down price, and then tried to pull away the price sticker to see what the original value was?

The higher the original price tag, the better you feel about the savings made on your purchase.

Sometimes in life, we get stuck with ‘mark-down labels’ that are not God’s original estimation of us.

These are definitions that others or we place upon us, that are not consistent with our God-given identities.

This can occur, for example, if we have been through an extended time of hardship. And it can happen not only to individuals, but also families, churches, even geographical regions.

When this happens, we need to peel back the label, and recover our God-given identity.

Last week, we looked at how Gideon received a life-changing insight into his identity and destiny when God spoke it over his life. Today we look at another story set in the Old Testament time of the Judges, from the book of Ruth.

1. Bethlehem – House of Bread

Remove the Label of Barrenness and see God’s label of Fruitfulness

‘In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.’ (Ruth 1:1)

In scripture, a God-given name is synonymous with identity and can speak of destiny.

The name Bethlehem means ‘House of Bread,’ and its original name, Epharath, means ‘fruitful,’ or ‘fertile,’ so we know from the scripture that this was a fertile region.

Bethlehem destined to be the birthplace of David, a future king and deliverer of Israel, and the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world—one of whose names would be, ‘The Bread of Life.’

So the name, ‘House of Bread,’ was both descriptive and prophetic.

And yet for some reason, as the book of Ruth opens, there is no bread in the ‘House of Bread,’ and there is a famine in the place that was named ‘fruitful.’

For a season, Bethlehem becomes synonymous with famine and hardship. But that is not the last word—it is not God’s Word. [1]

Remove the Label of Insignificance and see God’s label of Significance

Bethlehem was a small town in Judah. It was deemed to be so insignificant, that when Joshua and Nehemiah listed the cities of Judah, they left Bethlehem out. [2]

And yet the Prophet Micah was later to say, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” (Micah 5:2)

And in the Father’s eyes, you are significant. With Him, there are no little people and no little places.

2. Naomi – Pleasant

Naomi’s husband Elimilech, did not wait for God’s hand to bring Bethlehem through the tough time to its destiny. Perhaps he thought,

‘My household needs bread, and God’s not providing here, so I’ll go and find it myself.’

And he took his family to go and live outside of Israel, in the land of Moab.

The sad thing is, that the very thing that he had thought to escape from came upon his family. And he lost his life and the life of his sons in the process.

Now, Naomi is now alone and without support. In this place of devastation, she hears ‘Good News’—a message of hope that there is a move of God back in her hometown of Bethlehem.

She hears that God has ‘visited His people’ and that once again, there is bread in the ‘House of bread’. Bethlehem’s identity is once again emerging. And so she turns her face towards Bethlehem.

Remove the Label of Bitterness and see God’s Identity of Sweetness

‘“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”’ (Ruth 1:20-21)

Naomi’s name means ‘pleasant.’ This is her God-given identity, but severe hardship has robbed her of the ability to believe it.  She says, “Call me Mara.” Mara means bitter.

Although Naomi does not know it at this time, God’s word to her is, “I have named you ‘Pleasant,’ pleasant is your identity, and pleasant your life shall be.”

3. Ruth – A member of God’s Family

Remove the Label of ‘Not Belonging’ and see God’s Identity of Chosen

Ruth, who is Naomi’s widowed daughter-in-law, enters Bethlehem alongside Naomi as a foreigner relying on charity.

In the first part of the book of Ruth, she is known as ‘the Moabitess.’ Her perceived identity is that of a stranger, a foreigner.

But her true identity from God—one of belonging—is about to be established.

The Redeemer Makes the Difference

The key to the recovery of Naomi’s identity—and the key to the discovery of Ruth’s identity—lies in the identity of a man called Boaz.

Boaz is a member of Naomi’s husband’s family, a ‘Kinsman Redeemer’, and has the ability under the laws of Israel, to marry Ruth and restore the family line and inheritance. [3]

Boaz marries Ruth, and they bear a son named Obed—the grandfather of King David.

Naomi’s rejoices in the birth of Obed, and her life, which was bitter for a season, is pleasant once more.

And Ruth now belongs to God’s people Israel, fulfilling her destiny—to be included in the Messianic lineage that will bring forth kings and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Matt 1:5)

Prophesy a word of God’s Goodness

A lengthy time of hardship can start to impact upon your sense of identity.

But we too have a Redeemer—Jesus, who has paid the price to restore our lives to God’s original intention and design.

It is time to prophesy a word of God’s goodness over your life, over your family, your church, or your geographical area.

It is time to pull off the labels that history, hardships, the viewpoints of people, even your own perspective, have placed upon you.

And whatever the perception that events have caused your life, your town, city or region, your family or church to be synonymous with, today we can declare again the Father’s Word.

Do you have any experiences or questions to share on this topic, or difficulties you are facing that you would like us to agree with you in prayer for? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Notes:

[1] I believe God is speaking to someone today regarding persevering in your current situation–His hand is on it and will bring it through to that place of fulfilment.

[2] See http://topicalbible.org/b/bethlehem.htm

[3] For a concise definition of a kinsman-redeemer and scriptural references, check here: http://www.gotquestions.org/kinsman-redeemer.html

Related Posts:

Your Identity And Destiny: 3 Keys From The Life Of Gideon

In Transition? Take The Next Small Step

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

Your DESTINY is the answer to the question, ‘What has God called me to do?’

Your IDENTITY is the answer to the question, ‘Who has God called me to be?’

How can we discover the answers to these questions? And what will it take to completely fulfil the calling of God on our lives?

Out of Hiding and into History

In Judges 6, Israel is living under oppression from their enemies, the Midianites. A young man called Gideon is hiding from the enemy in a winepress, threshing wheat.

God sends an angelic messenger to Gideon to proclaim his God-given destiny and identity.

‘And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valour!” Gideon said to Him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?… Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:12-14)

When the angel calls Gideon a ‘Mighty man of valour,’ he is calling him by his God-given identity.

In the Bible, a given name is often synonymous with a God-ordained identity or destiny. [1]

The name Gideon means ‘cutter down’ or ‘destroyer’, and Gideon is destined to be a leader who, with God’s help, overthrows Israel’s powerful enemy.

Gideon, however, sees himself differently—as insignificant and powerless. As a result, he is living in fear and weakness.

The angel’s pronouncement of Gideon’s identity and destiny sets in motion a chain of events that propels Gideon out of hiding and into history.

What Gideon teaches us about our Identity and Destiny

We may not have an angel turn up on our doorstep with a message from God like Gideon did. We may not even have a personal prophecy. But we can begin to grasp our God-given identity and destiny.

When we do, it will have life-changing consequences to others and ourselves.

Here are some things that we can learn from Gideon’s story:

1. God Himself Initiates our Identity and Destiny

‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.’ (Eph 2:10)

God steps into Gideon’s normal, everyday life and announces His intention for him.

God’s purpose for our lives is not our own good idea of what we would like to be or do; it is His plan for us.

God’s destiny for your life will be consistent with the way He has wired you. It may be helpful to consider the clues He has given—your unique experiences, passion, abilities and spiritual gifts.

But don’t limit God by over-defining these things. Remember—He took Gideon by surprise and may have some surprises in store for you too.

Prayer journaling is one helpful tool that you can use to converse with God. [2] Take time to pray and ask your Father the questions:

• ‘What have you called me to do?’
• ‘Who have you called and created me to be?’ [3]

Ask godly leaders that you have a relationship with what they see in you. Allow them to speak into your life.

2. He Turns our Weaknesses into His Strengths

‘Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.’ (1 Cor 1:26-27)

When God calls Gideon, the young man does not comprehend his destiny or his identity—in fact, he is currently being and behaving the very opposite of what God has called him to be.

Gideon is fearful, however his God-given identity is to be bold. He feels himself to be the smallest and least significant, but God is calling him to be a leader.

In the Bible, those whom God uses powerfully usually have a history of weakness or failure in their very area of strength.

God is by nature a Redeemer.

Consider where you have been hurt and wronged, or have sinned, or are weak. These are the very things God is redeeming. With His help you will not only overcome those weaknesses, but they will become points of strength. They will become areas in which you minister to others.

Remember, too, when your Heavenly Father speaks to you of your identity and destiny, it will be something beyond your own natural ability to accomplish.

3. It Takes an Intimate Relationship with God to Wholly Fulfil our Destiny

An encounter with God is an invitation to relationship with Him.

Potentially, Gideon’s encounter with God could be the beginning of a personal relationship with Him. He has the opportunity to be an Abraham, a Moses—a friend of God.

Gideon has the opportunity now, to not only overcome the enemy, but also to lead Israel in worship of God.

However, tragically, he will fall short of his destiny and instead, lead the nation into idolatry. (Judges 8:22-27)

Here is the bottom line.

Here is the very foundation of our identity and destiny.

We are created to have an intimate love relationship with God. This is both the beginning of our identity and the ultimate end of our destiny.

As Christian believers, we are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. This is the relationship that Jesus paid to restore when He shed His blood on the cross.

And before we can fully understand our personal identity, we need to comprehend our Family identity.

We need to understand what it means to have the divine DNA, the identity of being a member of God’s royal family. [4]

Only once we have understood this can we fully embrace and enter into our personal God-given identity—and fulfil it.

Do you have any experiences or questions to share on this topic, or difficulties you are facing that you would like us to agree with you in prayer for? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down

Notes

[1] It makes an interesting study to track name changes in the Bible, and see the destiny that God was speaking into those He named—for example, Abram became Abraham (father of a multitude). Jesus renamed Simon (meaning reed), Peter (meaning rock).

[2] To learn more about prayer journaling, read the following post:

Activate Your Prophetic Gift Through Prayer Journaling

[3] In relation to personal guidance, the following post contains vital information:

Personal Guidance For The Important Decisions Of Life

[4] I discuss this more in the following article:

Breaking Free From An Orphan Mindset

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

I regularly come across gifted prophetic people who wonder why they are not being given opportunities to minister in the area of their spiritual gifts and passion.

There are two contexts in which this can happen:

• You may be aware that you have a gift of prophecy, or another spiritual gift. In fact, you may have exercised that gift or ministry in the past, and even seen great results as the Holy Spirit touched people through your ministry.

• You may be newly emerging in your spiritual gift. You are aware that you have a gift and Spirit-given ability—so why is it that others do not see it?

Maybe you can identify with the following questions:

• ‘Why does it seem as though my gift is hidden?’
• ‘Why am I not receiving opportunities to exercise my gift?’
• ‘Why don’t leaders in my church recognise my ministry?’
• ‘Will I ever fulfil the call of God on my life?’

These are questions that I have asked myself at various times in the past. If you can relate to this today, I have some things that  I would like to share with you on a personal level.

Blaming Others will Disempower You

It can be very easy to blame others when we are not being given opportunities to exercise our gifts in church life.

We perceive that leaders especially, have the power to release or hold back possibilities for us to minister. It may seem that they are blocking the achievement of God’s call on our lives.

But the reality is that as long as we are blaming others for our lack of ministry fulfilment—whether it is a spouse, pastor, ministry leader or anybody else—we are actually disempowering ourselves and limiting God.

Invariably, we will begin to voice our frustration and resentment, for as Jesus said, ‘Out of the abundance of our hearts our mouths speak.’ (Luke 6:43-46)

Eventually, discouragement, disappointment and frustration pervade the atmosphere around our lives, creating a cycle of barrenness. But I have good news for you today: you can break free!

Reasons why Your Gifts are not Being Used

Firstly, you need to remember that God is sovereign. No human on the planet can hold back the fulfilment of His call on your life—except you.

You are empowered. You do not need to look to someone else to release your ministry.

So, if your spiritual gift or ministry call seems to be hidden, here are some possible reasons why this might be happening, along with some suggestions to help you move forward: [1]

1. You are Waiting for Appointment Unnecessarily

Sometimes we wait for an invitation, role or position when Jesus just wants to love people through us.

For example, if you have a gift of prophecy, you can use it at the basic level of encouragement in a small group and everyday life amongst family and friends. Remember, though, that if you have a word that goes beyond simple encouragement, the principles of accountability apply.

If you want to be used in the area of healing, start offering to pray for people—and so on.

The key is to stay within the appropriate context in the use of your gift. [2]

2. You Need to make your Desires and Dreams Known

Sometimes we think that ministry leaders are aware of our gifts and calling and should open doors for us. They would—if only they knew what was on our hearts.

I can remember one time in particular where I was frustrated because a ministry leader wasn’t giving me an opportunity. When I eventually broached the subject, he asked me why I hadn’t mentioned it, and happily provided a pathway forward for me.

Leaders aren’t mind readers. Sometimes we think that they are supermen and superwomen who should be listening to God about our personal gifts and situations.

They may simply need the opportunity to hear from us firsthand.

3. You are Beginning and Need to Step out.

Sometimes we wait too long for encouragement, when we should be stepping out of the boat ourselves.

Understandably, when you are new in your gift, this can be a bit daunting.

When a seedling emerges from the soil, there is a last push to break through the earth. When a butterfly is emerging from a chrysalis, there is a final wrestling to break free.

This is the kind of motivation that the Apostle Paul talked about when he said, ‘Desire spiritual gifts.’ (1 Cor 14:1) Is your desire strong enough that you will seek tangible ways of moving forward in your gift? [3]

4. The Delay is about God’s Timing

Wilderness seasons are a Biblical theme—remember Moses, Joseph, David, John the Baptist and the Apostle Paul? [4]

Some reasons that God ordains a time of hiddenness may include:

• Timing as He brings circumstances and people together
• Strengthening other gifts and skills in your life that will be needed in the long run
• Preparation of our character or gift

If God has ordained a season of waiting, He is faithful and will release you at the right time.

5. You may Benefit by Adjusting Something in Your Ministry Approach.

This is a vital point. Many times I have seen people held back because there is something unsuitable in their approach to using their gifts—and yet they are completely unaware of it.

Here are some checks we should do regularly in relation to our gifts and ministry:

Faithfulness

• Am I willing to serve in small ways?
• Am I present at meetings, even when my gift is not being called on?
• Am I honouring my leaders in my conversation and actions?
• Am I being self-centred, i.e. it’s about my gift and my ministry, or others-centred—“What can I do to help you?”

Culture and Style

• Does the style of the way I use my gift fit with the culture of my church?
• What about my language—terminology and expressions?
• Do I use any methods or ‘formulas’ when I minister that my leaders do not use?
• Do I use actions, gestures or manifestations, e.g. when I pray for people, which are not in keeping with the culture of my church?

If a movement we have been brought up in, imparted to, or taught by, is different from that of our church, this is something that we need to especially consider.

We need to be willing to lay these methods aside and align our ministry style with the culture of our church or ministry organisation.

Vision and Values

• Do my values and vision for ministry differ from that of my church?

A friend of mine observed that a church is like a train—led by God and our leadership with a definite destination in mind. We need to decide whether we are willing to get on board and to serve in the direction that our church is going.

So long as we are nurturing our own desires for a different destination or culture of church life, our leaders will perceive this. They need to know we are pulling with them—not against them.

Why not ask?

You may benefit by approaching someone in leadership—perhaps sharing this article with him or her—and reviewing any possible reasons why you seem to be stuck in relation to your gift or ministry.

This will only work if you take an open and humble approach and are willing to listen to suggestions without becoming hurt or offended.

Often leaders do not address situations such as I’ve mentioned above because they know that their observations will not be well received. If you initiate the conversation, and are willing to make adjustments, you may be surprised at the results.

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

Notes:

[1] Another reason our gift or ministry may be hidden is because we are hiding ourselves—due to fear or hurt. We will be covering these topics in the next few weeks.

[2] Every church has unique protocols for the operation of spiritual gifts. See Prophetic Ministry In Church Life: Why Have Guidelines

[3] If you believe you have a gift of prophecy emerging, see the following post for ideas:

How To Develop Your Prophetic Gift: Where To Begin 

[4] Here is a post on the topic of wilderness seasons that you may find helpful:

Going Through A Testing Season In Your Spiritual Gifts

Related Posts:

11 Signs That Your Prophetic Gift Is Being Held Back

Do You Have A Ministry Call?

Break Free Of Hurts That Are Blocking Your Prophetic Gift

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

My earliest job involved assisting at a Christian bookstore during a school holiday break. Eagerly, I spent the first of my income on a music album called ‘No Compromise,’ by prophetic singer/songwriter Keith Green. [1]

In addition to Keith Green’s powerful songs, the artwork on that album cover remains etched into my memory to this day.

Set in ancient times, it depicts one man standing whilst people all around him bow down to a passing official.

A soldier following the official is pointing at the upright man in fury.

The picture is from the story of Esther in the Bible, and the man’s name is Mordecai. [2]

What It Takes To Be An Overcomer

The story of Mordecai reminds us that no matter our background, our circumstances, or the power of the enemy against us, we will overcome when we give the ultimate allegiance to God in our lives. This is what it takes:

The Odds are Stacked Against You

Mordecai came from humble beginnings, being the son of Jewish exiles, of the tribe of Benjamin, in ancient Persia.

His enemy Haman—the official infuriated by Mordecai’s refusal to bow down to him—had power, wealth, the ear of the King of Persia, and the ability to issue commands in the king’s name.

There was no earthly way that Mordecai could overcome such a powerful foe.

When God calls you to be an overcomer, you can be certain that the odds will be stacked against you.
In the face of seeming impossibility, when you experience breakthrough, He will receive the glory.

The Presence of a Powerful Enemy

Mordecai’s allegiance to God and his Jewish faith was likely to be the reason why he risked his life by going against the king’s edict and refusing to bow down to Haman.

This uncompromising stand inflamed Haman’s hatred, not only against Mordecai, but also against those that Mordecai represented.

Not content with destroying Mordecai alone, Haman issued an edict in the king’s name ordering the annihilation of the Jews throughout Persia.

What enemy are you facing at this time? The presence of a powerful enemy is certain proof that you are destined to be an overcomer.

You have a Sovereign God

With overwhelming odds set against him, Mordecai had God on his side—and we know that one man or woman with God is a majority.

Prior to the events that had set Haman on his path of destruction, the God of the Jews had already set His plan in motion to save Mordecai and his people.

From humble beginnings, Mordecai would rise up with Esther to help deliver the Jews from annihilation, and become the second most powerful man in the kingdom of Persia.

Traits of an Overcomer

What else can we learn from Mordecai as we ask, ‘What does it take to be an overcomer?’

1. Courage

Mordecai feared God and not man. By refusing to pay homage to Haman, he willingly risked his life to uphold his faith and his principles.

Later, Mordecai could call his cousin Esther to risk her own life, because as a leader he already practiced and exemplified great courage.

It took Esther great courage to enter the King’s presence without being summoned. This disobedience of the law could have cost her life, but instead, she received favour, because God was with her.

It takes great courage to face your enemy and refuse to bow down to intimidation. Allow your reverence and love for God to be greatest—and act upon that.

2. Loyalty

Mordecai not only demonstrated loyalty to God and his Jewish heritage, he was also loyal to key people in his life.

Esther was not his daughter, but his cousin, given to his care at the death of his aunt and uncle. When she married the King, Mordecai could have released her. But instead, he still kept in close touch with her—providing wisdom, care and spiritual oversight.

Mordecai was also loyal to God’s chosen leader of that time, the King of Persia. When he heard of a plot against the King’s life, Mordecai informed the King of it via Esther.

Mordecai’s loyalty to the king was a factor in Haman’s downfall and proved to the King that Mordecai would be trustworthy when his time of promotion came.

Are we fostering the value of loyalty in our lives—to the people God has placed within our care or oversight, and to the leaders God has given to us? It will make the difference when victory is needed.

3. Proactive in Spite of Pain

When Mordecai heard the news of the edict against the Jews, he was deeply grieved. The Bible tells us that he went out into the city in sackcloth and ashes and with loud crying.

But he didn’t allow the pain of the terrible news to immobilise him. Instead, he worked on a plan with Esther to make known the truth to the King.

At his darkest hour, Mordecai’s spoke some of the Bible’s most compelling words to Esther:

“…who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)

In times of pain, we do not need to be disabled by negative emotion. Like Mordecai, we can use that distress to spur us forward in God’s purposes with renewed determination: God’s purpose in our lives and that of others will be accomplished!

4. Unity and Teamwork

Mordecai and Esther worked as a team to bring down the plans of the enemy Haman. Mordecai provided oversight, instruction and wisdom to Esther and she was able to expose the enemy’s plans to the attention of the king.

Later, Esther brought Mordecai before the king and they set in motion an edict that would overturn Haman’s plans and bring victory to God’s people.

Through unity, a nation was saved, an enemy destroyed and God’s plans were brought to fruition.

Unity with those God has called you to partner with is a powerful force in God’s Kingdom.

Breakthrough: The Overcomer’s Outcome

The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits (Daniel 11:32)

As a result of Mordecai’s stand, together with Esther, the plot to annihilate the Jews was overturned, their enemies were destroyed, and the mourning of the people was turned to great rejoicing.

Mordecai was promoted to being Prime Minister in Haman’s place—second in power to the King of Persia himself.

When he left the presence of the king, Mordecai was crowned, clothed in royal garments, and in possession of the king’s signet ring—symbols of authority and power.

When you overcome your powerful enemy, you emerge with greater experience and insight of the authority God has already given to you as His son and daughter.

Do you have any experiences or questions to share on this topic, or difficulties you are facing that you would like us to agree with you in prayer for? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment in the comments box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

Notes:

[1] One of the songs off this album, ‘Make My Life A Prayer To You,’ written by Keith’s wife Melody Green, profoundly impacted me and became my life’s theme. You can listen to the original recording here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EDGmeP1aA4&feature=related

[2] Read the full story of Esther and Mordecai in the book of Esther in the Bible.

Some mysterious aspects of the story of Mordecai fascinated me as I researched for this article.

• Why did he spend so much time at the King’s Gate? Was it solely because of his concern for Esther?
• The King’s Gate was where important legal and business transactions were carried out.
• It is possible that Mordecai worked as a minor official there. (Esther 3:2)
• This would have been practical preparation for the future responsibilities that he would have as the nation’s next Prime Minister.

Enjoy the read!

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching

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

Apathy is a common barrier to growth in our spiritual gifts [1]—and it is the one that we have the least motivation to overcome!

We do not choose indifference—we drift towards it. (Heb 2:1) And as we do, it robs us of  our hunger for God and our motivaton to serve Him.

It also robs other people of receiving a life-changing blessing from God through us.

Some signs that apathy may be blocking growth in your gift of prophecy or other spiritual gift are:

• You believe that you have gone as far as you can go in the development of your gift
• You are comfortable with where you are, and not motivated to move forward in your ministry
• You can remember a time when you were excited about your spiritual gift, but you’ve lost the passion
• There is always a ready—and plausible—excuse as to why you should not step out and use your gift

There is one crucial ingredient that we must have, in order to overcome indifference and push forward in our spiritual gifts.

That ingredient is desire.

This also holds true for all spiritual gifts. This includes prophecy, as well as other revelatory gifts such as discernment, intercession and word of knowledge.

The Apostle Paul said,

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (1 Cor 14:1)

Here are three kinds of desire that are vital to growth in our gifts:

1. Desire for God

In any relationship, when we love someone, we want to spend time with him or her—and it is the same in our relationship with God.

To crave spiritual gifts without the greatest desire being for God Himself is like marrying someone for his or her money.

In Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer offered money to the apostles so that he could have the same power that they did. Peter rebuked him strongly for the wickedness in his heart.

Our love for God leads us to want to be close to Him, and out of that hunger for intimacy comes the longing also to hear what He is saying—to know His heart and priorities.

And right there is the place where we receive revelation.

Our prophetic ministry will not have depth, impact and anointing unless we foster intimacy with God.

If you feel that you have lost that sharp edge of hunger for God and His Presence, now is the time to return to that place. (Rev 2:4-5)

2. Love for People and Desire to help them.

The Apostle Paul made it clear in his lengthy discussion about spiritual gifts, that love is the vital prerequisite to the use of the gifts. (1 Cor 13)

Jesus said the whole law is summed up by the commands to love God and to love our neighbour. (Luke 10:27-28)

Loving people leads us to desire to help them and build Jesus’ church.

I encourage you to stop and do a check on how you are going in this area.

• Is your motivation to prophesy, or utilise your gift based on a genuine desire to help people and lead them closer to Jesus?

• How are you going in your desire to build the church—what about your own church? I’ve learned that my passion for my own local church is often a barometer or how I am going in this area.

Of course, sometimes discouragement or hurt can get in the way of this—and I will discuss that in another post.

3. Desire for the Spiritual Gift Itself

In 1 Cor 14, we are told to ‘Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.’

This desire keeps us moving forward, not only to develop the gift, but also to use it to minister to others.

I have often heard it said that we should desire the Giver, not the gifts (and have sometimes said it myself!) But the Bible clearly says we should desire the gifts.

We should desire the Giver and His gifts.

I am challenged to have the desire that Elisha did, that caused him to pursue Elijah for his mantle. (2 Kings 2)

That mantle was the outward representation of Elijah’s prophetic ministry and office of the prophet.

We have all seen people who have an unhealthy focus on spiritual gifts or prophecy. Being concerned about this is a good sign.

We need to be alert to the wrong kinds of desire. To check our motives, we can ask questions like: [2]

• Am I comparing myself to someone else and wanting an ability that they have?
• Am I willing to wait, if this is not the right time to step out?
• Am I willing to submit this longing for a gift or ministry to leaders in the church—and hold back if they do not see God has called me to this area?
• Is this about loving people—or feeling fulfilled myself?
• Does reaching for this gift free me to be more of who God has created me to be?
• Is it clear—to others and to me—that it is God’s glory and His church that I want to bring attention to and not myself?

Don’t Separate the Gifts and the Giver

We think of a gift in the human sense, that we give a gift that is separate to us.

However, the gifts God gives us are the expression of His Holy Spirit living on the inside of us. We cannot separate the two.

When we cease desiring the gift, we have not only forgotten the value of the gift itself, we have lost sight of the treasure that is the unique expression of the Holy Spirit impacting others through us.

In valuing our spiritual gift, we are valuing the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 12:7)

When we long for the manifestation of a gift with a God-breathed desire—a desire that is birthed in communion with Him—we are longing for God Himself.

Keys to Reawakening Desire

Some things we can do are:

• Pray and ask God to stir a hunger up in you, so that you are not satisfied with anything less than God being first in your life

• Specifically repent of apathy. Invite the Holy Spirit to move and breathe His life into your heart and gift

• Stir up the desire by reminding yourself of the benefits of the use of your spiritual gift in helping people and bringing them closer to God

Was there an event you can look back on that caused you to stop desiring the gift? We will be looking at this in another post.

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

Notes:

[1] Wayne Grudem defines a spiritual gift as ‘any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church.’ (GRUDEM, W. Systematic Theology. 1994. Nottingham: Inter-Varsity. p1016)
For examples of spiritual gifts see the following scriptures:
1 Cor 12:4-11, Rom 12:6-8

[2] From my e-book, ‘Grow Your Prophetic And Prayer Gifts.’

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog

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