God is not the author of natural disasters, and He is not a remote spectator—rather, He is a God of love who is present with us in our suffering.

This past week we watched in horrified disbelief as the first news reports of Japan’s earthquake and resulting tsunami flashed across our screens.

As New Zealanders, my family is still reeling from news of the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

Some of the questions I muse over as I write today are:

• Why are there natural disasters?
• Where is God in the pain?
• Should we look for prophetic meaning in the earthquakes and natural events?
• Do earthquakes prove that we are in the end times?

Creation in Crisis

‘How could God allow natural disasters? Couldn’t He intervene and prevent the pain?’ My reflections take me back to the very beginning: the book of Genesis.

God created the earth to be perfectly in balance and to sustain life. The Fall that brought separation between humanity and God also affected creation—the earth itself. (Gen 1-2, 3:17)

Genesis reminds me that the imbalance in creation that causes natural disasters was not God’s plan, but the tragic outcome of sin.

In Romans 8, Paul tells me that creation is groaning in bondage, waiting for a future time when it will be set free. The earth is running a course that is parallel—and intrinsically connected to—the salvation of its people.

Turning to the last book in the Bible, I read that God’s plan for restoration climaxes in a new heaven and a new earth, where ‘There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ (Rev 21:1-4)

The reason for delay in the culmination of God’s plan is His mercy—the Father desires to give as many people as possible the opportunity to hear the Good News. (2 Peter 3:9)

I don’t have answers as to why disasters happen. [1] But I do believe that the Bible reveals:

• God is not the author of natural disasters, and He is not a remote spectator—rather, He is a God of love who is present with us in our suffering.

• Having participated in our suffering through Jesus’ death on the cross, He is at work to restore all things—including the earth we live in—to His original purpose.

Seeking Prophetic Meaning In Disasters

Should we look to see if there is any prophetic meaning in the earthquakes and other events that are taking place?

Two perspectives I have come across recently are:

1. Natural disasters are the judgment of God on nations that refuse to repent of sin and
2. Natural disasters are earthly signs of changes that are taking place in the spiritual realm.

Before embracing these, or any other viewpoints, we should ask, ‘What message are we sending out to those who are suffering?’

As a prophetic community, we need to view all insight through the lens of God’s love and mercy. All prophecy must be tested against the message of the Gospel. [2]

We must take the stance of Jesus, who said,

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

I believe that the most important prophetic insight to do with current events is that of Jesus’ own prophecy.

Are we in the End Times?

In Matthew 24, Jesus Himself prophesies, ‘There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.’ (Matt 24:7-8) [3]

According to Jesus, an increasing number of earthquakes and natural disasters is one sign of the end times. As He continues His discourse, we learn that there are even more tragedies and evil to befall us.

In this catalogue of darkness, Jesus shines a beacon of light:

‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.’ (Matt 24:14)

We cannot know for sure whether or not we are in the end times. (Acts 1:7)

One thing, however, is of primary importance to me:

Regardless of the Biblical era we live in, for our generation, it is the end of time.

This generation—alive on the earth right now—is never going to have another opportunity to learn about the love of God expressed through His Son Jesus.

We have had recent reminders of our vulnerability and our mortality.

Our consuming passion should be that of Jesus. Our vision should be that which the prophet Zephaniah spoke of:

‘The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land.’ Zeph 2:11

The Banquet is Ready

Jesus told a parable about a man who prepared a great banquet. (Luke 14:16-24)

When the time of the banquet arrived, the man sent out his servants to those who had been invited. However many made excuses, saying they could not attend.

He sent out his servants again, this time urging,

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ (Luke 14:21)

Finally, the servants returned, saying, ‘There is still room.’ The master sent out his servant one last time saying,

‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’ Luke 14:23

Let’s pray earnestly for those who are suffering.

Let’s give extravagantly.

And let’s be a church on fire with an urgency to share the Gospel while we can, wherever we can, to reach whomever we can.

Because for this generation—time is running out.

Notes:

[1] Many people grapple with the question, ‘Why does God allow suffering?’ If you know of some helpful resources on this topic, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below this post. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.

[2] I urge Christians to weigh up what prophetic ministries are saying carefully before embracing and repeating their viewpoints. See my posts:

How To Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 1

How To Weigh Up What The Prophets Are Saying Pt 2

[3] Paul further explains the birth pains of creation in Romans 8:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Rom 8:22-24

© Helen Calder 2011 Enliven Blog http://propheticpeople.com/

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries

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.

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.’

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries

Have you ever declined to do something because you are ‘not gifted’ in that area?

I have.

‘I’m not gifted in that area’ is an apology that I have used often, especially when it comes to things like hospitality or evangelism.

And this can be a very good thing!

In the church environment particularly, it is vital that we serve where we are gifted and passionate and called.

‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’ (1 Peter 4:10)

But—what about in my relationships and my everyday life? Does ‘I’m not gifted in that area’ work as a reason to not speak to someone about Jesus, or not to pray for a family member who is sick, or not to provide hospitality when it is needed?

Don’t be Intimidated by Others’ Spiritual Gifts

We will never truly be fulfilled until we step into the fullness of life that we are designed for—and be comfortable with our own unique expression of spirituality.

I have an old Toyota Camry, which is a vehicle that serves my family and me well. If I am driving and alongside me a hot, turbo-charged Ferrari pulls up, I don’t say, “What is the point of me being on the road? My car is not as powerful as that one.”

My car may be ordinary, it may not go as fast, but it is the only one that will taxi my children around, carry my family’s groceries and get me to work.

In the same way, we must not allow the fact that we do not have a spiritual gift of prayer, prophecy, healing and so on, intimidate us, or stop us living the supernatural life that is our rightful inheritance as Christians.

You and I will connect with people in our everyday life that the pastors and gifted people in our church will not, and occasions for prayer will arise when there is no one present but the Lord and us.

Where is the evangelist when the opportunity arises for you to discuss your faith with a neighbour, or work colleague, or lead your child or grandchild in a salvation prayer?

Where is the prophet when you or someone near you is struggling in your daily life, and needs direction or breakthrough, and could benefit from an encouraging word from God?

A Spiritual Gift, or a Characteristic of Christian Living?

It is vital that we grasp the difference between what a spiritual gift is, versus what is a basic characteristic that we should be exhibiting as followers of Jesus.

For the most part, spiritual gifts are turbo-charged, Holy Spirit-boosted versions of attributes that should be present in the life of every Christian believer.

For example:

• Every Christian is a witness and can share the Good News about Jesus (Col 4:5-6). However, a person with a gift of evangelism will see more people make commitments to Jesus through his or her ministry than the average Christian.

• Every Christian can pray (1 Thess 5:17, Eph 6:18). In fact, prayer is foundational to our relationship with God. Some Christians will pray more, and experience more miraculous results, because they have a gift of prayer or intercession

• All Christians can prophesy (Acts 2:17-18)—i.e., hear God’s voice for themselves and others. Some people can prophesy more powerfully, with greater accuracy and at a higher level, because they have a spiritual gift of prophecy

The same is also true of other areas such as healing (James 5:16), helps (Mark 10:43-45), giving (Rom 12:13) and hospitality (1 Peter 4:9).

This is why, in Ephesians 4, Paul describes the 5-fold (‘Ascension’) ministries—not as exclusive ministers in their area of giftedness—but as those whose primary calling is ‘to equip God’s people for works of service.’ (Eph 4:11-12)

The Basis for Supernatural Christian Living is Not a Spiritual Gift

It is true that some people do have a higher degree of giftedness than others in prayer, healing, prophecy, and so on.

But having a gift is not the basis for you being able to share with someone about Jesus, or pray, or receive a message from the Father for yourself or someone else.

Your ability to hear God’s voice is your right as a son or daughter in His Kingdom.

The source of your authority is the Name of Jesus Christ. What He has accomplished on the cross, and the authority that He has given to you as His committed follower, is the basis of your prayer power.

Further—and this is amazing—you and I have the same Holy Spirit indwelling and anointing us, who empowered Jesus to go about His life and ministry in the Gospels.

I have come to realise that there is NO ONE more qualified than you and I

• to hear from God
• to offer a prayer
• to have a Divine appointment
• to be involved in leading someone to Jesus

wherever we are in our everyday world.

Some Questions to Consider:

• What spiritual gifts am I aware that I do NOT have?
• Have I used the absence of a spiritual gift as a reason to not expect that God could use me to help love and lead people to Jesus, or to pray, or to believe God for miracles in my everyday life?

Prayer

Father, I want to be fully alive—to be all you have called and designed me to be.

Help me to be comfortable with my own unique, down-to-earth expression of spirituality and to not be intimidated by the spiritual gifts and strengths of others.

Thank You that Your Spirit anoints and empowers me to be a supernatural Christian in my everyday world—to live a life for which Jesus is the only explanation, and to love and lead people to you.

In Jesus’ Name

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

How To Be A Supernatural Christian: Turning Your I Can’ts Into I Cans

The Secret Of Living An Undivided Christian Life

The Greatest Evangelist In The World Today

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries

Have you ever been told some exciting news and then asked not to share it with anyone?

You are bursting with it. Even if you keep your mouth shut, your expression may give it away. You may be distracted, or find it hard to keep still. You search your mind for someone—anyone—you can safely share the happy news with.

Last year my brother called from London, to share the news that he and his wife were expecting their first baby. The Hunk received the call while I was out shopping and couldn’t wait to tell me.

By the time my brother located me—on my mobile phone—my squeal of joyful surprise was not as genuine as it would have been if he had shared it first. My delighted hubby had beaten him to it.

It is a universal law: good news just has to be given away!

The Ultimate Good News

To all who received [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)

As Christian believers, we have been entrusted with the ultimate Good News, the story of how:

• Jesus came to earth and died for the forgiveness of our sins, so that we could be restored in relationship to the Father
• He was resurrected that we might share in His life
• We enter into this new birth, not through anything we can do ourselves, but by faith in Him alone.

This is wonderful news, and all of would agree, truly GOOD news

And yet, many of us go through times when we are no longer excited about the good news of the Gospel. We have lost the urge to share it with others.

There have been times in my own Christian life when I have known in my head that the Gospel is good news, but my heart has lost the song.

In these seasons, I can look back and remember what God has done in the past, but I do not have a current testimony of God’s goodness.

When this happens, I am not the only one who is affected—others around me lose the opportunity to hear Good News.

The Power Of A Testimony

Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:38-39)

God has designed that the Gospel be expressed through the vehicle of our testimony. When the two are teamed up, extraordinary power is released to lead people to faith in Jesus.

• The word testimony is a legal term and dictionary meanings include ‘an outward sign,’ and ‘evidence in support of a fact or statement, proof.’

Our personal testimony stands as proof of the truth of the Gospel—evidence that it is life-changing Good News.

• The root word of testimony, ‘testi’, comes from a word meaning ‘witness.’

Our testimony provides a witness to others of what Jesus has done for us—and that what Jesus has done for us, He can do for them.

The story of how we first encountered Jesus and how our lives were changed when we accepted Him into our lives powerfully illustrates the Gospel.

But our testimony is not just the story of what took place when we first believed.

The ongoing stories of God’s Divine intervention in our lives have tremendous power to witness to others, as we talk about:

• How God impacts our lives every day
• Answers we have had to prayer
• What God has spoken to us
• How we have seen Him at work in our lives and in those around us.

Through this current testimony of God’s grace, we know, and others see, that Jesus is the only explanation for what is taking place in our lives.

As the Apostle Paul explained,

‘You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God.’

How To Recover Your Testimony

Right now, I can’t wait to share with others all the good things I am seeing happen in my life and in the lives of others around me. However, it hasn’t always been that way.

Have you lost the fire? Here are some things that have helped me to recover a current testimony of God’s goodness:

1. Recognise that Something is Missing

If you can’t come up with an existing reason to be thankful about what God is doing in your life, something is missing.

We can always have a current testimony of God’s goodness in our lives, even if that testimony is of His empowering or His comforting word to us in the trials we are experiencing.

2. Meditate on What Jesus has Done for you

Take some time to meditate on what the Bible says about God’s love for you personally, as well as what Jesus has accomplished through His death on the cross and how it applies personally to you.

Remember your experience of salvation and how encountering God for the first time changed your life. Think about what He has done since, and about all of His faithfulness.

3. Ask God for a Fresh Infilling of His Spirit

Pray and ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. It is a prayer He loves to answer.

As you encounter Him in this way, you will fall in love with Jesus again.

Every time I have experienced a significant new infilling with the Holy Spirit, my passion for God and for people has been restored.

4. Take time to Listen—Receive a Word from God

To hear God speak to you is to encounter Him. He wants to speak to you about His love for you, His involvement in your past and present circumstances, and His purpose for your life.

5. Pray—and Watch for what Happens Next

If you are aware that you have lost the fire of your testimony, talk to your Father about it. Ask Him to move in your life, pray and then open your eyes. You will soon see Him at work.

We can’t give away what we do not possess ourselves.

When we recover a fresh and vibrant testimony of God’s goodness to us, the Gospel will be Good News to us once again—and nothing will hold us back from sharing it with others.

Do you have any more ideas or thoughts on this topic? I 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.

Related Posts:

How To Be A Supernatural Christian: The Good News

Spiritual Renewal: Cafe Moments With God

The River Returns: How To Be Re-Filled With The Holy Spirit When You Are Dry

© Helen Calder   Enliven Blog  http://propheticpeople.com/

Now on team with David McCracken Ministries

You did it! You have a prophetic word, picture, scripture or thought that you believe is from God for your non-Christian friend or family member. How do you share it?

Prophetic Evangelism: How to Share a Message from God

In the context of church life, we understand that prophecy is imperfect and incomplete and subject to testing (1 Cor 13:9, 1 Thess 5:20-21). So generally, we don’t preface a prophecy with ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ and neither should we when we have a prophetic insight for someone who is not a Christian believer.

You can frame a word that you believe God has given you for an unbeliever with a question like, “Does ___ mean anything to you?” or, “I’ve been praying for you and I believe God is saying, ___.”

Remember that your objective is to build a bridge, not to burn your bridges! This is especially true when the person you are bringing a prophetic word to is someone you know personally and not a stranger. So you should bring a prophecy sensitively and in a relaxed manner.

I have also found it helpful to give a brief explanation about what a prophecy is, and to encourage them to consider it and even pray about it!

A genuine word from God will hit the spot, even when you bring it tentatively. This is because:

1.    You are sharing something that you could only know by supernatural means, and

2.    The Holy Spirit will bring impartation or conviction with a word that originates from God

Recently, I preceded bringing a prophetic word to a couple of young guys by saying, “If this is me, you’ll be able to brush it off, but if this is God, it will lodge.”

A Prophecy Will Point People to Jesus

To share a word that you believe is from God takes faith and involves risk. When deciding what to share, remember that God’s word to an unbeliever or backslidden Christian will be like a signpost.

A prophecy will point or lead them to Jesus. It will always be redemptive. It’s going to have the mark of the Gospel on it. In other words, it will reflect God’s desire to save them, turn the direction of their lives around, and transform their mess into a testimony of God’s goodness.

It will convey the message that God is personally interested in them, that He loves them and has a destiny and a purpose for them.

1 Cor 14:24-25 says,

‘But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

I would love to hear of any experiences or ideas you have, so if the comments facility is not visible at the end of this post, or you are not on the website, click on this link and leave a comment in the boxes below.

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Related Posts:

 A Beginners Guide To Prophetic Evangelism Part 1

Key To Prophetic Evangelism: What is the Father Doing?

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Are you interested in Prophetic Evangelism?

The above post was adapted from a chapter in the e-book,

‘How To Be a Supernatural Christian In Your Everyday World’

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© Helen Calder   Enliven Publishing

This is the third post in the Prophetic Evangelism series.

What is Prophetic Prayer?

Prophetic prayer occurs when we use revelation received from the Holy Spirit in the process of praying.

The New Testament Greek word translated ‘revelation’ means ‘unveiling.’ The Holy Spirit shares knowledge that we could not know by natural means. We then reflect that supernatural insight back to God in requests, intercession and proclamation.

A revelation from God may come in the form of a prophecy, picture (vision), dream, idea, or scripture. However, there are a myriad of creative ways that the Holy Spirit can speak to us if we are open to hearing His voice.

We can also pray prophetically without it being premeditated on our part. During or after the prayer we realise that the Holy Spirit has directed us how to pray.

4 Types of Prophetic Prayer

There are four main types of prophetic prayer. These are:

1. Receiving:

The Spirit shares prophetic revelation with us as we wait on God in prayer

2. Interceding:

We use the prophetic revelation we have received to remind God of His promises

3. Warfaring:

We use prophetic revelation to wage spiritual warfare and make powerful proclamations

4. Imparting:

God uses us to pray prophetically as we minister in prayer to others

How Prophetic Prayer can help in the Process of Evangelism

1. Receiving revelation in prayer

One time, I was praying for a family in our neighbourhood in New Zealand, when I had a vision. It was like a slide show. I saw the couple getting married; I saw my husband officiating at the wedding; I saw them becoming Christians.

Many months later, the man called us to share a secret—he had asked his partner to marry him and wanted The Hunk to perform the ceremony. We were thrilled, because we knew that God was at work, drawing them to Himself.

As you pray for God’s guidance in the process of evangelism, or for someone on your heart that is not a Christian, be open to have the Holy Spirit speak to you.

We do not need to be limited to set times of prayer. As we learn to walk with God in our daily life, we can be open to revelation that the Holy Spirit shares with us as we go along.

2. Using revelation to make requests in prayer

Once God has spoken to us about His plans for a friend or loved one who is unsaved, or for people that we come across, we can use that revelation to make specific, faith-filled requests to God. (Is 62:6-7)

The date of our friends wedding was getting closer. One morning I prayed and cried out to God, reminding Him of the vision and promises for this couple. That very day several events took place that showed us—and them—that God was at work in their lives.

Scriptures can be especially powerful in this regard. I have a Bible verse that the Lord has spoken to me regarding a family member that I frequently bring back to Him in prayer.

The power of this kind of prophetic prayer can be summed up by these words from the Bible:

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

3. Using revelation to wage spiritual warfare

Similarly, prophetic revelation can be used to wage spiritual warfare in prayer for the lives of people who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus. (Eph 6:12-18)

We can use the prophecies, scriptures, and other revelations we have received to declare God’s purposes for their lives and to pray against demonic strongholds (2 Cor 10:4-6).

Prayer helps us lead a prophetic lifestyle

In the process of prophetic evangelism, prayer can also help us in other ways:

• Prayer is where we get to know the Father’s heart and values—this helps us to respond to people the way He would.
• Prayer is the place where we commune with God. As we live out of that fellowship, we grow in sensitivity to what He is doing moment-by-moment, in our daily lives.
• Prayer helps us to stay filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to witness of His love and power to others.

Prophetic prayer is powerful because we are praying according to what is on God’s heart and in His purposes for a situation, ourselves or other people.

Just as with all prophecy, it is important that any revelation we receive in prayer be weighed up, to see if it really is from God.

In the next post, I will look at a third key to prophetic evangelism, which is ‘positioning’—being aware that God has strategically placed you alongside people who are on His heart. He is already at work in their lives, drawing them to Himself.

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Are you interested in finding out more about how to pray effectively for your unsaved family and friends?

For further information, check out the e-book,

Pray for the Lost: Impact the Eternal Destiny of Those You Love

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Related posts:

Prophetic Prayer Training Session

A Beginners Guide To Prophetic Evangelism Part 1

Pray for Those You Love and Unleash the Power of God

Need A Breakthrough? Uncover the Mysteries of Heaven

© Helen Calder    Enliven Publishing

Prophetic Evangelism

Prophetic evangelism is sharing the Good News about Jesus with people, using the means of prophetic revelation.

I have come to realise that God wants to use our gifts in every arena of life, not just in ministry in the church.

The gift of prophecy, when used in the process of evangelism, is a powerful way that we can partner with the Holy Spirit to lead people to faith in Jesus.

Over the last few days, I have been thinking about Jesus statement: ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.’ (John 5:19)

It seems so simple, and yet so profound. It is the basis that Jesus lived and ministered from—and holds a vital key for us today.

Seeing the way Jesus Sees

In John 4, the disciples returned from buying lunch and saw that Jesus had been speaking with a lone Samaritan woman. They wondered why Jesus had crossed cultural and religious boundaries to speak with her. No doubt they were shocked at His social impropriety.

Jesus, however, saw the situation differently to the way His disciples did. He looked at the Samaritan woman and saw a precious soul in need of a Saviour—and a city won to God.

He said to His astonished followers,

‘”My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.’ (John 4:34-35)

Jesus had the ability to look beyond the situation or person that He was presented with. He knew whether or not that person was someone the Father was ministering to at that time.

Another time, Jesus drew one man out of a crowd of disabled and ill people who were gathered at the Bethesda Pool, and healed him. In response to criticism of this healing being done on the Sabbath, Jesus said,

‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.’ (John 5:19)

The Power of Focus

It seems that faced with numerous options as to how to spend His time and particularly, who to focus on, Jesus limited Himself to doing those things that He ‘saw the Father doing.’

Sometimes I feel guilty or inadequate because I do not have the personal resources or time to meet the needs of every person I come across.

But Jesus’ example assures me that success in ministry in general and evangelism in particular, does not come from spreading myself thin, but in focusing on what God is doing at any given time.

What freedom! Truly, His ‘yoke is easy and His burden is light.’ (Matt 11:30)

How did Jesus see what the Father was Doing?

 
This week I have asked myself the question, ‘If Jesus did what He saw the Father doing, how did He receive that revelation?

I used to imagine that when Jesus had His prayer times, the Father would show Him in open prophetic vision what His plans were, and who Jesus needed to spend time with. Somehow, the level of prophetic revelation that Jesus walked in always seemed unattainable to me.

But what if the way Jesus was able to see what the Father was doing IS attainable to us? What if the way that the Father guided Jesus is the same way He wants to guide you and me—any Spirit-filled believer—today?

Prayer is the Starting Place

The prophet Habakkuk said,

‘I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me.’ (Hab 2:1)

In order to be effective in prophetic evangelism, we need to put ourselves in a place where we can see what the Father is doing, and that begins with prayer. Prayer is the primary way we connect to God.

As we pray, we can receive prophetic revelation about what God is doing in the lives of people around us. I have received scriptures, visions, insights and feelings about what God wants to do in the lives of people around me at different times.

Seeing what God is doing after we have Prayed

 
However, seeing what the Father is doing only begins with our prayer times. It continues as we commune with God in our daily life. Here are some more things I am learning to look out for:

1. Being alert to what happens next after I have prayed—in other words, actually believing God is answering my prayer! Who is God bringing into my life or across my path?

2. Learning to look past what I see with my natural sight, to what God is seeing. Being aware that I can be derailed by prejudice, by the hurriedness of my life, by my insecurity.

3. Holding on to my own agenda or expectations lightly.

4. Realising that God often works through happenstance—seeming coincidences and interruptions to show me what He is doing.

I am learning not to limit God. There are many ways that He can show me what He is doing. One time, a scripture verse emailed from our church office prompted me to visit a friend. The timing of that visit set in motion a chain of events that would bring my friend closer to faith in Jesus.

This week, I’m going to ask, Father, what are You doing? What are You doing in ____’s life right now? How can I join with You?

In the next post, we will look more closely at the part that prayer plays in the process of prophetic evangelism.

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Are you interested in Prophetic Evangelism?

For further information, inspiration and stories, check out the e-book,

‘How To Be a Supernatural Christian In Your Everyday World’

*****************************************************************

Related posts:

A Beginners Guide To Prophetic Evangelism Part 1

© Helen Calder   Enliven Publishing

The prophetic evangelism movement is growing.

Teams of Christian believers are pouring out into the streets and shopping malls, listening to the Holy Spirit as He directs them to speak with people. Using spiritual gifts, they are passing on words of knowledge and prophecies to people who may never have stepped into a church. They then offer to pray for them—and Jesus is doing miracles.

As awesome as this is, I have a burning conviction that ordinary, Spirit-filled believers, who might never join a team doing street witnessing, do not need to miss out. Anyone who has a heart to hear from God and to walk in spiritual gifts can learn prophetic evangelism. I believe that:

1. Prophetic evangelism can occur in our daily life

2. The principles of prophetic evangelism can be learned in a series of simple steps.

But before I start—lets ask the question:

What is Prophetic Evangelism?

Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 5:19)

Prophetic evangelism is, at its most basic level, sharing the Good News about Jesus with people using the means of prophetic revelation.

It begins with hearing from God (or seeing, if you’re wired as a visionary person) how and what He wants you to pray, speak and do in the process of witnessing, as well as where and to whom. Sometimes, but not always, prophetic evangelism involves sharing a prophetic message from God with someone who is not a Christian.

‘Revelation’ means that you are receiving knowledge or insight from God that you wouldn’t know by natural means. The Holy Spirit reveals it to you supernaturally.

Supernatural Evangelism

One time, I was walking along a beach when I noticed a man and his son dragging a large net to shore. With great difficulty they laboured to bring the net into shore, only to find it contained a few bits of seaweed. The young man shrugged his shoulders and began to take off his wetsuit. His whole demeanour said, “Don’t ASK me to do that again!”

It reminded me of how many times in church life we have worked hard to bring lost people to Jesus, only to have worn ourselves out for very little result.

Jesus once told His disciples to let down their nets for a catch of fish. Like the young man I saw, they had worked hard all night for nothing, but when they let down the net at Jesus’ word, a miracle happened. The net was filled to overflowing with fish. (Luke 5:4-6)

This is a great illustration of prophetic evangelism. When we partner with the Holy Spirit, miracles happen.

God never meant for spiritual gifts to be confined to within the four walls of the church. Jesus moved in healing, prophecy, deliverance, miracles and knowledge in the streets, in fields, in homes and in parties. The early church did the same.

I am being challenged not to be one kind of person in a church meeting and another outside. If the Lord has given me gifts of prophecy, intercession and so on, why shouldn’t I walk in those gifts wherever I go?

Over the next couple of weeks we will be looking at some simple principles to help us enter into a fruitful partnership with the Holy Spirit in prophetic evangelism. These include:

Prayer—waiting in God for prophetic revelation. Who does He want us to share with? What is He doing in their lives and what is He saying to them at this time?

Position—we recognise that God has placed us alongside people, and that He is already at work in their lives

Power—felt needs in people’s lives give us an opportunity to offer prayer and for miracles to happen

Prophecy—an opportunity may arise in which we can share a message from God. Or—He may give us prophetic direction as to what to speak or an action to take.

Proclamation—at the right time, we share the story of Jesus with them.

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Are you interested in Prophetic Evangelism?

For more information, inspiration and stories, learn more in the e-book,

‘How To Be a Supernatural Christian In Your Everyday World’

*****************************************************************

Related posts:

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

How To Be a Supernatural Christian: The Good News

The Greatest Evangelist In The World Today

© Helen Calder  2010   Enliven Publishing

Have you ever dreamed of praying for someone and seeing them healed or set free in Jesus’ Name? Have you ever thought it would be great to bring a prophetic message from God to a person that changed their life?

I’m not talking about a Christian meeting or church service;
I’m talking about your everyday life—your family, your workplace, your neighbourhood—wherever you happen to be.

Here are some common reasons why we hold back from praying for people, whether in the context of a Christian environment or in our everyday world. See if you can identify with any of these and take action to overcome them today:

1. I don’t have experience

If we used inexperience as a reason not to step out and pray, no one would ever begin! There came a day when Jesus sent out His disciples to pray for the sick and preach the Gospel for the very first time (Matt 9:35-10:1, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 9:1-6, Luke 10:1-20).

The real issue is not whether or not you have experience, but whether you are willing to begin. Sometimes it is actually our pride that is holding us back. We are concerned at how our inexperience will look to those who are more capable than we are, or to the person we are praying for.

Another thing Jesus did was He sent His disciples out in pairs (Luke 10:1). You don’t have to go it alone! When the lame man by the Temple gates was healed, John was alongside Peter when he gave the word (Acts 3:1-10). There may be someone in your world who God has given to you to partner with and pray and take action together.

Pause right now and ask God to show you what the first step for you to begin is. Ask Him to show you the person or group who can partner with you in being a supernatural Christian.

2. I’m not good enough

No human being on the planet is ‘good enough’ to be used by the Holy Spirit—or ever will be. If you were to make a list of those that you perceive to be the most effective Christian ministers in the earth today, none would make the grade before God. No one is on top of all of their weaknesses and problems. We were not deserving of salvation, but Jesus gave it to us freely as we believed and received Him (Rom 8:31-34). We minister, not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus has done.

Having said that, it is right to ensure that you are, as best as you are able to be in your current season of life, a ‘clean vessel’ for God to use—walking in excellent moral character, displaying the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and living in unity with others in the church (2 Tim 2:20-22, Gal 5:22-25).

If God is calling you to step out, and you are accountable, teachable, and walking in transparency—not denial—concerning the problems that you do have, then go for it!

When you read the words, ‘not good enough,’ is something coming to mind for you? Pray about this and release it to God. Receive the capacity and worthiness that Jesus has paid the price for on the cross for you.

You might need to find a safe person to process this with who will pray with you and help you move forward. You CAN overcome this.

3. I can’t pray for the sick—I’m sick or weak myself

—or other issues

You are the channel, or ‘vessel’ God uses, the power of God flows through you, but it is not from you. The power is exercised in the Name of Jesus and not your own strength (Acts 3:16).

The Hunk and I were acquainted with a man who had the ministry of a healing evangelist. Many people were healed under his ministry. He saw people cured of deafness through the power of God, however he himself wore a hearing aid. He explained to us that he did not know why he remained unhealed; that was a mystery. However he pointed out that his lack of healing did not disqualify him from praying for others.

Again, the important thing for any weakness that we are struggling with, be it physical or otherwise, is that we remain accountable to leaders in our church and keep doing what we can to become free or whole. In the case of physical weakness or illness, we need to manage our health and be good stewards of our physical bodies. But the presence of unwholeness in ourselves does not disqualify us from praying for a miracle of wholeness in others. In fact, releasing the gift of God in praying for others can build our faith for our own situations.

If being sick or weak in any way has held you back in praying for healing for others, now is the time to take action! Pause and pray for God to release healing to someone in your world who has a need in a similar area. Next time you see them, offer to pray with them.

4. I’m not gifted

(in prayer, healing, prophecy and so on)

It’s true that some people have a stronger gift or higher degree of giftedness than others. But not knowing whether or not you have a gift in a particular area should never hold you back from learning how to pray for people. Neither should it prevent you from ministering when you have an opportunity or the need arises.

Remember, the basis for you being able to pray is not your gift. It is the Name of Jesus Christ. What He has accomplished on the cross, and the authority that He has given to you as His committed follower, is the basis of your prayer ability.

Remember also that you will connect with people in your everyday life that the ministers and gifted people in your church will not, and occasions for prayer will arise when there is no one present but you and the Lord.

And if you are in a leadership role of any description in the church, you will need to be ready to pray for those you are leading, whenever there is a need. You signed up for this!

When Jesus sent out the 12 and the 70 disciples, He didn’t say, “OK, you who are gifted in healing in this group, and those who are gifted in deliverance, you go there”. He sent them ALL out—together. We need to be Kingdom-culture Christians who are open to hearing God’s voice and loving and praying for people wherever we go.

You are never going to be good enough and you may never feel ready. That is why the Christian journey is called a walk of faith.

Become a Can-Do Christian

At the beginning of the school year, my daughter’s Grade 3 teacher asked the children to write a list of the things they believed they could not do. The list included things like physical sports activities such as swimming, subjects such as mathematics, and other things, like talking in front of the class.

When each of the children had written their list, the teacher collected them all up and put them in a box. Then, she took the children outdoors, where they had a ceremony to bury the box. “This class,” she announced, “is going to be a ‘Can-Do Class.’” Not surprisingly, my daughter made more progress in that school year than in any year previously. My challenge to you as you begin to move out is to identify and surrender your list of things you can’t do to God.

Now add some things to the list of things you can do:

• Praying for sick people to be healed in Jesus’ Name
• Sharing a prophetic word, or message from God
• Offering to pray for someone who has a need
• Prophetic evangelism

Remember that it is not about you. It is about Jesus—He gets the fame when He uses weak people to do the job (1 Cor 1:26-29, 2 Cor 4:7), it is about God loving people and extending His Kingdom. Finally, it’s about who you are in Jesus, not who you are apart from Jesus.

If you are interested in learning more about being a Supernatural Christian, take a look at www.supernatural-christian.com

How Your Perspective Can Impact Your Destiny

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

For more information, inspiration and stories, learn more in the e-book,

‘How To Be a Supernatural Christian In Your Everyday World’

© Helen Calder   Enliven Publishing