Scripture: Isaiah 42 v 5 - 9: "Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."
This Old Testament prophecy can be applicable to anyone who God calls into the ministry. His Word is never void, it accomplishes what He sent it to do. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts so we need to take Him seriously.
He announces Himself as God the LORD who created Heaven and Earth, and gave His breath to us.
In Colossians 1 v 14 - 16: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. Jesus created all things, and by Him all things consist. Therefore He is God the LORD in Isaiah - the Pre-Incarnate Son of God. He was in Eden when God said, Let us make man in Our image! The Hebrew word Elohim in Genesis 1 is translated as more than one God. Like Seraph is one Angel and Seraphim more than one.
We know that God is the Triune God. God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. It is like the Sun. It is made of gas, light and radiation, which can exist separately as well, but together they make the Sun.
1 John 5 v 6 - 9: " This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son."
God gave us the Holy Spirit so that every one of us has direct access to our Heavenly Father and to Jesus. If we are called to serve Him in a particular way He is our inspiration and Teacher. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to enhance our abilities to serve Him beyond the "only human" limitations.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit can be specific to the calling of God on your life. If you receive a prophecy occasionally to minister to others in the church, its a gift. Mostly it is used to encourage and uplift the church.
If you find yourself busy with prophetic utterances much of the time, its a ministry. When you have a prophetic ministry the other revelation gifts are usually present. The Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Discerning of Spirits of good and evil. Added to this you may see visions.
Paul said that the prophetic gift was the best. A true prophet of God constantly stands in the presence of God to hear His Word and to convey it where He wants it heard. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit anointing came upon prophets and kings only for the time they should prophesy. In the New Testament the Holy Spirit remains upon believers and anoints the words of the prophets to either encourage or chastise the hearers.
We want the Father to say He is well pleased as He said to Israel about Jesus, This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear Him. The Holy Spirit gives us the same abilities that Jesus had when He was on Earth. After His resurrection He was call the Firstborn of the New Creation. That's those who are born again, baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit.
We are a spirit being that the resurrection of Jesus turned into a New Creation. We are different and our first steps must be to find out what that difference may be. When God calls us He has already equipped us with talents that will help us to accomplish what He needs us to do. We just have to do some digging in the Bible and within ourselves to get started.
Most people who feel they are called to serve God assume they must become preachers after going to Bible College or getting a Theology Degree. However, that may not be what God wants at all.
1 John 2 v 27: "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
When God calls He anoints. To anoint is to set someone apart for specific service. We should know this anointing and wait for the Holy Spirit to lead us, teach us, open doors for us and reveal the gifts needed to do the ministry the Lord wants for us.
An Evangelist will have the gifts that demonstrate the power of Jesus Christ. Healing, Deliverance of demons, Faith and Miracles. The gift of Faith is an enhanced knowing that what he or she is praying or ministering absolutely cannot fail. There is not a shred of doubt or wavering. He or she knows that it will happen. Just like Peter walking on the water of the Sea of Gallilee. When he looked at Jesus he could walk on the water. When he looked at the waves he lost it.
When people feel called and rush off to join the Bible School they could find themselves to be square pegs in round holes. Wait upon the Lord for His wisdom, instruction anointing and timing. He knows what He is doing but needs us to be totally submitted to His will. Not everyone is called to be a Pastor or Teacher. So if you feel God is calling you into serving Him let Him show you what He wants you to be for Him.
He provides the necessary finance plus whatever else will help us accomplish His will. If we need confirmation ask Him and wait for the answer. He will find ways to confirm His calling that are unique and unmistakable. Don't spoil it by sending texts to all your groups requesting someone to guide you.
When God calls you He has a perfect plan for your life. Like Jackie Pullinger a British girl who in 1966 boarded a ship going to Hong Kong. She persuaded the authorities to let her in because she knew Jesus Christ. She lived among the opium addicts and won them to Jesus, got them saved, healed and delivered. The Gang Boss confronted her. He wanted his addicts back. She refused. She won. She is still in Hong Kong serving the Lord. Her book Chasing the Dragon is brilliant.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the life I have had with You. Every day for 50 years has been an extraordinary adventure and I am so blessed to be Your handmaid. I pray for all those You call to allow You to do what You do best. Anoint and appoint. Train and equip. Thank You for the wonderful team of prayer warriors that are scattered over the planet. They have done great things. In Jesus' name. Amen.