Showing posts sorted by relevance for query biblical preaching. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query biblical preaching. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Could the Next Great Spiritual Revival Happen Among the Homeless?

Homeless Revival?



Welcome, welcome, welcome to another edition of Coffee with Conrad! This is Conrad from ConradRocks.Net, where I strive to pour out "Rocks of Revelation" to you. My deepest passion, my core mission, is for each of you to develop a vibrant, authentic, and truly personal spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus. Today, I want to dive deep into a question that has been stirring in my heart, a question that might challenge some of our preconceived notions and open our eyes to where God might be moving next: Could the next great spiritual revival actually begin in the most unexpected of places – among the homeless community?

It might sound strange at first, especially from our comfortable vantage points, but bear with me. As many of you know, my team and I frequently go out praying for people, and in our journeys, we often encounter a significant number of homeless individuals. We carry "goody bags" – sealed, waterproof bags containing toiletries, food, and gospel tracts. The idea is simple: to show them some love, extend a hand of compassion, and, most importantly, share the love of Jesus and the life-changing message of the Gospel. We wish we could do more, and our hearts are always heavy with the desire to meet every need we see.

However, something profound has emerged from these encounters, particularly here on the Gulf Coast. What I’ve noticed, time and time again, is that a remarkable number of these homeless individuals not only believe in Jesus; they *trust* in Jesus. And I mean trust Him for their very survival, for their next meal, for shelter from the elements. This isn't to say we don't encounter those who use "Christian-ese" – spiritual-sounding phrases to elicit money. With a little discernment, those cases are usually quite clear. But what truly stands out are the many, many genuine souls. They often carry Bibles, and what’s more, many can quote large portions of scripture, often with an astonishing depth of understanding. It's a humbling experience to witness such profound faith amidst such profound hardship.

An Encounter with Lyle: A Divine Appointment on the Gulf Coast

Let me tell you about Lyle. Just recently, my friend Doug and I were in a shopping center in Gulfport. We were doing what we often do: praying for a divine appointment, asking the Lord to lead us to someone we could pray for, someone who needed a touch from Him. No sooner had we lifted our heads than this man rode up on a bicycle. Doug recognized him from a few months prior, and we called out to him. The man pulled over, and what unfolded was nothing short of awesome.

We started talking to Lyle, and almost immediately, I was struck by his knowledge of the Bible. He proudly told us he had large portions of scripture memorized. "Hey man, I've got Acts Chapter 2 memorized!" he exclaimed. Acts Chapter 2! The powerful Pentecostal passage, detailing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Peter's first sermon. I pulled out my phone, eager to see, and he began quoting, word for word, most of Acts Chapter 2. I was genuinely impressed.

Then I noticed the items on his bicycle and in his bag. He had these incredible trinkets made of wire – crosses, angels, and other Christian-themed artwork. I immediately knew I wanted to support him. I confessed that I rarely carry cash, as we typically prefer to give food to the homeless rather than money. But Lyle's deep faith and his dedication to sharing Christ's message stirred something in me. I went to the ATM, pulled out some money, and made sure to buy pieces that featured the word "Jesus" prominently. Here was a homeless man, riding around on a bicycle, sharing profound Christian artwork, memorizing vast passages of scripture, and engaging us in deep conversation about Jesus!

Doug, Lyle, and I sat there for over 30 minutes, delving into truly rich theological discussions. It wasn't just that Lyle had Bible passages memorized; he knew the Greek words and could articulate their meanings. He gave me a beautiful wire butterfly for my wife, Susan, and as he handed it to me, he said, "Tell her it comes from Romans Chapter 12, Verse 2: 'Be transformed.' I made that because the Lord was talking to me about transformation, and the Greek word there is metamorphoo, which is like a larva turning into a butterfly."

My jaw nearly dropped. This man, living on the streets, was not only quoting scripture but breaking down the Greek etymology and connecting it to profound spiritual concepts! I was utterly blown away by his insight and his faith. It wasn't just a divine appointment; it was a profound lesson for me. And it’s not just Lyle; we've met many others like him. We don't just "hit and run" with our prayers; we take time to truly engage, to have long conversations, to reignite or ignite their passion for Jesus, and to encourage them in their callings. Most often, we find people with a deep love for Jesus, many of whom have experienced "church hurt" – a sense of rejection or judgment when trying to enter traditional church buildings because of their appearance or circumstances. They've been treated poorly, causing them to shy away from organized religion, yet their personal faith in Jesus remains strong.

It’s a strange paradox to us who live comfortably in houses, with cars and modern conveniences. While I personally don’t own a TV, most of us are accustomed to a life of abundance. Yet, these individuals, often living on the margins of society, sincerely love Jesus and trust Him for their very survival. They are genuinely excited to talk about the things of God. This reality begs a deeper look at what the Bible truly says about living for Christ.

Biblical Parallels: Great Spiritual Leaders Who Were "Homeless"

When we ponder the concept of homelessness, our modern minds often associate it with failure, brokenness, or even a curse. But let’s look at the biblical narrative. What does the Bible say about Jesus, about the prophets, about the apostles? It might surprise you how many of the great figures of our faith lived lives that, by our contemporary standards, would be considered "homeless."

Jesus: The Son of Man with Nowhere to Lay His Head

Consider our Lord, Jesus Christ Himself. In Matthew 8:20, Jesus says, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Think about that. The very Son of God, who came to redeem humanity, did not have a permanent residence. He was itinerant, traveling from town to town, village to village, preaching, healing, and teaching. We see Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, on mountains praying all night, constantly on the move. His earthly life was one of self-denial and absolute reliance on His Heavenly Father, free from the entanglements of property and possessions. This profound truth about Jesus's lifestyle often gets overlooked in our pursuit of comfort and prosperity.

John the Baptist: The Prophetic Voice from the Wilderness

Then there’s John the Baptist, the prophetic forerunner of Jesus. He was raised by his parents, but his ministry began and largely remained in the wilderness. Matthew 3:1-4 describes him: “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.”

He didn't live in a mansion or wear fine clothes. He was a man of the wild, surviving on what the wilderness provided, clothed in rough garments. Jesus Himself, in Matthew 11:7-9, bragged about John: “What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.” John was a powerful prophetic voice, unburdened by worldly comforts, living a life of radical simplicity and devotion to God's call. His effectiveness was perhaps amplified by his detachment from societal norms and expectations.

The Apostle Paul: A Life Without a Certain Dwelling Place

And what about the Apostle Paul, the man who arguably shaped much of early Christianity? Many of us, influenced by certain doctrines, might assume that true blessing equates to material prosperity. But let’s be honest with ourselves and look at Paul's own words regarding his lifestyle. In 1 Corinthians 4:10-13, Paul vividly describes his circumstances:

"We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day."

"No certain dwelling place." Paul, the prolific missionary, the profound theologian, lived a life of constant movement, often without a fixed home, enduring hunger, thirst, and exposure. His life was far from the comfortable ideal many of us pursue. Yet, it was through such hardship and self-sacrifice that the Gospel spread so powerfully. This passage deeply challenges the modern prosperity gospel, which often suggests that following Jesus should lead to material wealth. Paul’s life demonstrates that true spiritual richness often comes through self-denial and suffering for the sake of the Gospel.

The Hall of Faith: Destitute, Afflicted, Tormented

Finally, let's turn to the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews Chapter 11, a passage often read for its inspiring accounts of faith heroes. But have you ever truly focused on the latter verses, particularly 37 and 38? Listen closely:

"They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."

These are the champions of faith, commended for their unwavering trust in God, yet they were "destitute, afflicted, tormented," wandering in deserts, mountains, dens, and caves. They didn't have houses; they didn't have permanent addresses. They were, by definition, "homeless." The world was not worthy of them, yet they lived outside the world's comforts. This powerfully illustrates that a life of deep faith, a life that truly moves God, does not necessarily correlate with material possessions or societal status. In fact, sometimes it's the very lack of these things that cultivates a profound reliance on God.

Now, I’m not suggesting we all sell our houses and become homeless! But I do think of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:21, whom Jesus told to “sell what you have, give to the poor, and follow Me.” And then Jesus adds, “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” This challenges us to consider: does our house, our possessions, own our heart to the point that it violates our conscience with Christ? Are we so consumed by comfort that we miss God's call to radical faith and compassion?

Confronting Our Assumptions: Poverty, Mammon, and the Church's Role

Another common misconception we often harbor is that homeless people are somehow "cursed with the curse of poverty." This idea, though rarely spoken aloud, often subtly influences our attitudes. It's time to confront this. What does Jesus promise us? Does He promise us houses, cars, and endless comfort? Let's revisit a pivotal passage from Matthew 6:24-34:

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no anxious thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

 

As you read this, keep the homeless perspective in mind. "They sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns," yet often, their Heavenly Father feeds them. "Why take you thought for raiment?" — Jesus asks. While we in Western culture are constantly laying up treasures for tomorrow, taking thought for our future, and worrying about Mammon (wealth), many homeless individuals live exactly as Jesus describes: day-by-day, relying entirely on God for their daily bread, drink, and clothing. They often embody "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" out of necessity, not always by choice, but it mirrors a profound biblical truth.

I’m not saying this is an ideal situation, and I know it’s rough. But we need to look at this honestly. We are so often focused on financial success, even within the church, which sometimes functions more like a business concerned with salaries and building maintenance. Yet, we know the scriptures: "You cannot serve God and Mammon." We know that "what you've done to the least of these, you've done to Me" (Matthew 25:40). And how are we, the church, often treating our homeless neighbors?

Consider the church in Smyrna, described in Revelation 2:9. Jesus says, “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan.” Here is a church commended by Jesus for being "rich" despite their "poverty" and "tribulation." This is a powerful paradox. They were materially poor but spiritually wealthy. The passage also touches on the "blasphemy of them which are Jews but are not," hinting at those who claim piety but lack true faith, much like the "church hurt" many homeless people experience from hypocritical "Christians" who look down on them. The people in the buildings, with their nice clothes and cars, often "thumb their nose" at the homeless, causing many on the streets to view them as hypocrites, not living according to the Bible's commands. I'm not exempting myself here; I'm still working on this, and we all need to pray about it. This isn't about judgment, but about honest self-reflection.

My aim in sharing these scriptures is to build a bridge from our current Western mindset – steeped in prosperity doctrines and societal pressures for financial success – to a more biblical understanding. We often prioritize comfort and material security above all else, sometimes at the expense of our true calling to love and serve the marginalized. We need to shed contempt for the homeless and, instead, embrace a Good Samaritan attitude. Let's confront the fact that perhaps, in many ways, we've been doing this wrong. We've often prioritized appearance over heart, and possessions over people.

The Spirit of Truth and the Supernatural Call to Transformation

One of the most striking observations Susan and I have made recently is this: many of the homeless people we meet don't have televisions. They don't have the constant stream of secular entertainment and distorted narratives that permeate our culture. Instead, they have Bibles. We often carry Bibles to give them out, only to be told, "No, thank you, I've got my own Bible." What can we learn from that?

I've often spoken about television's pervasive influence, how it can send a "strong delusion" across the Christian church. People sit back, passively absorbing content, often without truly thinking or discerning. When I talk about having a spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus, guided by the Spirit of Truth into all truth, I'm telling you, when we are honest with the spirit within us, it rings true with the Spirit of Truth. But when we listen to TV, it often puts us into an alpha brainwave state, almost hypnotizing us into believing what it says. This often directly counters what the Spirit of Truth is saying, and the Spirit of Truth always agrees with the Word of God.

Think about it: the homeless people, free from the constant mental corruption of television, are often abiding in the Word of God in a deeper, more direct way. While I can easily remember the lyrics to secular songs from my past – lyrics that, upon reflection, clearly do not glorify God – these individuals are often immersed in scripture. Their minds aren't being conformed by the spirit of the world but are being renewed by God's Word. This is truly a powerful, almost supernatural dynamic at play.

So, I ask you again, with all of this in mind: Is it possible that the next great spiritual revival will happen in the homeless community? Is it possible that the Lord is preparing a pure, unadulterated vessel among those whom society has overlooked and cast aside? The Hall of Faith, John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, Paul – none of them lived in houses or sought worldly comfort. They were focused on God's mission, not on accumulating possessions.

This is something we absolutely must pay attention to. We need to ask God, earnestly, what our next steps should be under His mission. What is God's mission for the homeless people in your area? What is God's mission for your relationship with the very things that pull your heart away from Him, like the constant barrage of media? As Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This transformation, this metamorphosis like the butterfly Lyle spoke of, is a supernatural process that requires intentionality and a deep commitment to God's Word over the world's influences.

I believe that God is working in unexpected places, drawing a people unto Himself who are unburdened by the very things that weigh us down. The simplicity of faith, the profound trust in divine provision, and the raw honesty found among many in the homeless community could very well be the fertile ground for a truly authentic and powerful spiritual outpouring. This isn't just a charitable cause; it's potentially a prophetic sign of where God is moving next.

Your Call to Action: Pray, Engage, Transform

If this message has touched your heart, if it has resonated with the Spirit of Truth within you, then I urge you to consider a few things. First, please share this blog post with your friends and family. Let's get this conversation going, challenging our perspectives and stirring compassion.

Second, and most importantly, pray about this. Pray about the homeless community in your area. Ask God, with a sincere heart, what His mission is for them where you are. As James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Check with the Spirit of Truth; He will talk to you about it.

Finally, consider how you might engage. Whether it's through volunteering, donating, or simply taking the time to truly see and listen to a homeless individual, let's step out in faith. Let’s allow God to transform our minds, our hearts, and our actions, so that we might truly embody the love of Jesus to the "least of these." We are called to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and love one another, and in doing so, we might just be participating in the next great move of God.

God bless you until we meet again. Dig deeper, and go higher!

Friday, January 19, 2018

Breaking the Box: Why Healing is the Dinner Bell for the Gospel - Doug Hanson Interview

Healing is the Dinner Bell for Salvation


The air in the Waffle House was thick with the smell of burnt coffee and sizzling bacon. It was one of those quiet mornings where the world feels like it’s holding its breath. Across from me sat my friend Doug Hanson. Most people see just another "regular guy," but I’ve come to know him as something else—a man who carries the fire of the early church right into the mundane places of life. There was nobody in there but us and two employees. One of them, a lady named Mary, was clearly hurting. You could see it in the way she moved, that stiff, guarded posture of someone living with chronic pain.

Doug didn’t make a scene. He didn’t pull out a pulpit or ask for an offering. He just looked at her with the compassion of Jesus and asked if he could pray for her. Within seconds of him commanding that pain to leave, her eyes went wide. The grimace vanished. "Wow," she whispered, moving her arm freely for the first time in goodness knows how long. She didn’t just thank him; she immediately pointed toward the back. "You need to go pray for the cook!"

That right there is the "dinner bell." We’ve spent decades in the Western church trying to convince people that God is real using eloquent arguments and fancy light shows. But when someone who was just limping starts walking normally, you don't need a three-point sermon to convince them the supernatural is at work. They start asking you what just happened. That’s the moment the door swings wide for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The pain point for so many of us is a sense of spiritual stagnation. We sit in the pews, we look at the back of someone’s head for forty-five minutes, we listen to a monologue, and then we head to Luby’s. We feel like there must be more to this walk than just being a spectator in a religious theater. The solution isn't a better "church system"—it's returning to the biblical model of discipleship where every believer is equipped to demonstrate the power of the Spirit. In this post, we're going to dive into how to break out of that passive box and start walking in the authority Jesus actually gave us.

Doug’s journey started much like mine did. For years, he sat in the system. When I talk about the "church system," I’m not attacking the people. I love the people. But the system itself—what some call the Constantine model—is often the biggest hindrance to biblical discipleship. It’s built on a foundation of "pay, pray, and obey the pastor." It disciples people to show up faithfully and keep the lights on, but it rarely disciples them to obey the Great Commission themselves.

Doug told me it took him two years of seeing the manipulation and control before he finally walked out. He realized that the church system as we know it often functions like a business focused on self-preservation. But the moment he left that building was the day his real ministry began. He stopped depending on a weekly sermon and started reading the Bible for himself. He started thinking for himself. And most importantly, he started doing for himself what the Word says we should all be doing.

He started with the "Way of the Master" style of evangelism, popularized by Ray Comfort. He’d go out to biker rallies with a satchel full of gospel tracts, using the Law to bring the knowledge of sin. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24 KJV). It was a great start. He saw people convicted and repenting. But Doug felt there was a missing piece. He noticed that while the message was good, there was no demonstration of power.

Then he found the bridge. He saw Torben Sondergaard and the Last Reformation movement. They were marrying the message of repentance with the demonstration of healing. Within two weeks of wondering if God wanted those two things joined, Doug was being "kick-started" in Las Vegas.

Now, if you haven’t heard that term, "kick-starting" is just a fancy way of saying "on-the-job training." It’s like a motorbike—once you kick it into gear, it keeps running on its own. A seasoned believer takes a newer believer out, shows them how to pray for the sick, lets them see it happen, and then has them do it. It strips away the mystery and the fear.

I remember being at the hospital with Doug recently. He was talking to a nurse, trying to find out who needed prayer, when I spotted a lady limping down the hallway. She looked like every step was a mountain climb. I had to nudge him—"Doug, stop talking to the nurse! This lady right here needs help!" He stepped up, prayed a simple command of authority, and she didn't just walk; she started out-walking us! She was so moved she took us right into her son’s hospital room to pray for him too.

This isn't about having a special "gift of healing." The gift of healing mentioned in the epistles is for the building up of the church, but the command to heal the sick was given to all disciples. When Jesus sent out the seventy in Luke 10, they weren't "specialists." They were regular people. And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you (Luke 10:9 KJV).

The key is understanding the New Covenant. In the old days, a blood covenant was the strongest agreement known to man. It was a "representative" agreement. Jesus acted as the representative for both God and man. Everything He accomplished—His death, burial, and resurrection—legally became our history. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

Think of it like a Property Owners Association. If you live there, you are in covenant with that association. If they secure a right for you to build a certain fence, you don't have to beg them for it—you already have the right. You just have to enforce it. The Kingdom of Heaven works similarly. We aren't begging God to heal people; He told us to go heal them. We are enforcing the victory Jesus already won on the cross.

Personal Reflections

I’ve had to go through this same "un-learning" process. I remember sitting in the pews as a kid, reading the Book of Acts and then looking around at the service and thinking, "Wait a minute. Something is missing. Where is the stuff I’m reading about?" It felt like we were practicing a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.

Leaving the comfort of the system was scary. It’s like jumping off the high dive. If you walk to the edge and let fear drive you back down the ladder, it’s twice as hard to go back up the next time. But when you finally jump—when you finally put your hand on a stranger’s shoulder and command pain to leave in Jesus' name—your world changes.

I’ve realized that my faith shouldn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 KJV).

There have been times I missed it. Times I was too shy or too "polite" to step out. But Jesus corrected me through the testimonies of men like Doug. He showed me that the harvest is truly plenteous, but the laborers are few. We often pray for God to send laborers, but we forget that we are the ones He’s sending. If we are in Christ, we are already equipped. We don't do these works to be accepted; we do them because we are accepted.

Biblical References

The foundation for everything we do must be the Word of God. When we look at the ministry of Jesus, he didn't just talk about the Kingdom; he demonstrated it. He told us, Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8 KJV). This wasn't a suggestion for a few elites; it was the marching orders for His followers.

In the Book of Acts, we see this continued. It wasn't just the "big name" apostles. And there also came together a multitude from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing the sick, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were all healed every one (Acts 5:16 KJV). Note that word: all. There is no record of Jesus or the early disciples telling someone, "Maybe it’s not God's will to heal you today." They operated in the authority of the Risen Christ.

We are ministers of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV). Healing is a massive part of that reconciliation. It shows a broken world that their Father is not distant or angry, but actively reaching out to restore them.

Key Takeaways

  • The "church system" can often foster passivity; true discipleship happens when we obey the Great Commission outside the building.
  • Healing is the "dinner bell" that captures people's attention and prepares their hearts for the Gospel message.
  • Every believer is "in Christ" and carries the legal authority of the New Covenant to enforce the victory of the cross.
  • "Kick-starting" is a vital biblical principle—learning to walk in the Spirit by doing it alongside others.
  • The Law brings the knowledge of sin, but the demonstration of power proves that Jesus is alive and the resurrection is real.

Conclusion and Call to Action

God is raising up an army outside the corporate structures. He’s looking for people who are willing to get off the pew and into the streets. Whether it's a Waffle House, a hospital hallway, or your own neighborhood, there are people hurting who need to know that Jesus is real and that He loves them.

If you’ve been feeling that "fire shut up in your bones," don't let the system quench it. Start reading the Word for yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a divine appointment today. You don't need a title or a degree; you just need to be a branch connected to the Vine.

If you want to dig deeper into these supernatural experiences, I highly recommend checking out my book, OPEN YOUR EYES: MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY. It’s full of stories about what happens when you decide to actually believe what the Bible says. And if you’re struggling with fear or spiritual attacks that keep you from stepping out, take a look at Overcoming Night Terror: Making the Demons Leave.

Visit me over at ConradRocks.net for more podcasts and articles. Let’s stop just talking about the Book of Acts and start living it.

What’s holding you back from praying for someone today? Leave a comment below and let’s talk about it.

Action Items

  • Identify the "Dinner Bell" opportunities: This week, pay attention to people around you who are in physical pain or distress. Instead of just thinking "I should pray for them," actually ask them if you can.
  • Study the New Covenant: Read through the book of Hebrews and pay close attention to the legal language of the covenant. Understand your identity "in Christ."
  • Practice Authoritative Prayer: Instead of asking God to heal someone, practice commanding the sickness or pain to leave in the name of Jesus, just as the disciples did in Acts.
  • Find a Partner: Find another believer who is hungry for the move of God and go out together. It’s much easier to overcome the "high dive" fear when you have someone with you.
  • Share the Gospel after the Miracle: When you see someone touched by the power of God, immediately share the message of repentance and the resurrection. Don't leave them with just a physical touch; give them the eternal Truth.


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