In some religious circles they call this a “Thus says the Lord” but I am just going to call it “God spoke…”
Recently, John Ragsdale visited our church. If you aren’t familiar you can check out his blog on my blogroll. When it comes to ministry, John is outside of the box. He is a prophetic psalmist with and apostolic anointing. In the future, I fully expect him and his wife to walk in the office of the apostolic (overseeing ministries, Establishing churches, etc.) . When John ministers at our church, we never know what will happen.
This service was no exception. John led worship and then sang several songs that will be released on his new album (available in May). Then he prayed for people and even prophesied to several people. At one point, he called a young woman out of the congregation and gave her a Word (a message from God specific to her).
One of my friends happened to be visiting me the Saturday that John and Kristin ministered at Promiseland San Marcos. My friend would be categorized as “Baptist” in other words, she has not been all that exposed to Spiritual gifts. She says she is open to it but….I am not entirely convinced. Over the years of our friendship, I have shared with her times when God has spoken in my life including when I have received a Word through another person. She wants to believe that someone can give you a Word from the Lord. She is not totally convinced. (I guess that part of her that doesn’t believe in it must think I am a huge liar or insane). Anyway, we were talking about the service on our way home and she cried. She was so disappointed that she did not receive a word from God. She was hoping John would call her out of the congregation and speak a Word over her life. Keep in mind, John opened the alter for anyone who wanted to go forward for prayer. I went but she stayed in her seat. I didn’t point this out to her. At times, receiving a Word requires some act of faith or worship on our part.
I’ve been thinking about all of this for a week. So many people I know, have heard from God in such a way that it changed their lives. I want my friend to hear from God in such a way that there is no doubt that it was God and there is no doubt it was specifically for her. To spark her faith in this area, I want to put together a book simply titled “God Spoke…” with stories of inspiration and faith. If you have a story about a time in your life when God spoke to you and the results of that event, I would love to hear them. You can either post in a comment here or email me at cbgrace71@yahoo.com.
C.B.
The World According to Grace 
I hear Jesus all the time but one particular instance which involved my young faith was absolutely terrifying and harrowing.
I had been serving the Lord only a short while when I had a dream that I was walking down the street alongside my sister-in-law. I looked up in this tall building and saw one of my friends in the top story and very much in danger. I ran up the stairs but the closer I got to her the more I couldn’t move because the atmosphere was so thick with peril. I woke up suddenly and the Lord spoke to me that I wasn’t prepared for the battle before me and I needed to fast to ensure His Spirit was in more control of my life than my flesh.
I went to visit with my sister-in-law and before I could say anything she started telling me about a dream she had had that night. She said she and I were walking down the street and she noticed my friend in the top of a tall building in danger and she couldn’t believe I dropped everything and ran into the building to get to her.
Needless to say, I immediately went on a fast to prepare myself for battle. It was then He taught me how to empty myself and allow Him to use me for intercession.
My friend was delivered of a serious drug addiction, filled with the Holy Ghost and baptized in Jesus’ mighty Name shortly thereafter.
Once I was in a service where the preacher asked everyone to kneel down at their chair and pray for the missionaries who are giving their lives for God’s cause in foreign lands. I did so out of obedience, not fervor, and started down a list of missionaries I knew. The first one was the Quiroz family in Morelia Mexico. I said “Oh God, bless the Qurioz” That is as far as I got because instantly into my mind came the overpowering words: “NO,YOU bless the Quiroz. You are my hands and feet. I need you to bless the Quiroz” That was it, nothing else. But that was all that was necessary to turn me into a sobbing wreck. That was a turning point in my spiritual life and from that day till now I have tried to bless the missionaries with prayers and finance.
Sweet blog. I never know what I am going to come across next. I think you should do more posting as you have some pretty intelligent stuff to say.
I’ll be watching you . 🙂