I’VE SEEN IT happen before. A powerful move of God sweeps through, and instead of embracing it, people reject it because it doesn’t fit their traditions. That’s what happened with many Pentecostal churches and the Charismatic movement. Many Pentecostals rejected the Charismatic move and insisted that their way was the only way to receive the Holy Spirit. They told people, “You have to come to our church and do it our way.” But those who were hungry for God followed where He was leading, and the Charismatic movement exploded.
I remember watching Pentecostal churches not accept Charismatics and thinking, “That’s not going to be me.” I wanted to stay open to whatever God was doing. But it wasn’t always easy. When I first walked into a Charismatic meeting, I was used to sitting and singing from a hymnbook. Suddenly, I was expected to stand up for an hour to sing! But instead of rejecting it, I prayed, “God, if this is what You’re doing at this time, I just want all of You.”
Now, as part of the Word of Faith movement, I see the same danger creeping in. If we’re not careful, we’ll start rejecting what God is doing just because it doesn’t look like what we’re used to. There’s nothing wrong with the way we do things—our three songs, our running and rejoicing—but we need to ask, “God, what do You want?”
Let’s not forget there’s a lost and dying world out there. PEOPLE ARE HURTING…. They are going to hell. AND WE HAVE THE ANSWER.
STAY HUNGRY FOR MORE
God responds to spiritual hunger. He wants to move in miraculous ways, but we have to be hungry. His Word says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6 NKJV). If we come to church already satisfied, expecting nothing, we won’t receive anything. But if we come with open hearts, wanting more of Him, He will fill us.
Sometimes, God’s presence moves us to shout and celebrate. Other times, He leads us to be still and listen. But no matter how He moves, we can’t get comfortable. We can never have enough of Him.
It’s easy to focus on the blessings God has given us. But let’s not forget there’s a lost and dying world out there. People are hurting. They’re suicidal and hopeless. They are going to hell. And we have the answer.
Our prayer should be, “God, give me a passion like I’ve never had before. Give me a passion for the lost—to go out and tell others what Jesus has done for them.”
CALLED TO GO
When God called my husband and me to come to Rhema, I had always loved pastoring. I had a pastor’s heart. I wasn’t an evangelist. I didn’t like traveling. I liked being in my own bed, in my comfort zone.
But as I sought God, He made it clear in a supernatural way that we were called to evangelistic ministry. I had to be honest with Him. He knows our thoughts, so we might as well be honest with Him. I prayed, “God, I have a pastor’s heart. So if this is where You’re calling us for this season, You’ll have to change my heart and give me a passion for evangelistic ministry.” And He did.
In fact, when COVID shut everything down and we couldn’t travel, I felt an urgency in my spirit: “I have to go! I have to reach people!” God had changed my heart. And the truth is, every believer is called to share the Gospel. This isn’t just for pastors or evangelists. God wants every one of us to have a passion for the lost.
Our first assignment is to go and tell others what we have. It’s true that God has given us so many things, and we have our rights and privileges in Christ. But it’s time for us to quit concentrating on that and go to the world and tell them what they can have in Christ.
Jesus is coming back, but He won’t return until we finish the work He gave us. There are billions of people who still haven’t heard the Gospel. And there are people in your community, at your workplace or school, and maybe even in your family, who haven’t heard about Jesus.
THE URGENCY OF THE GOSPEL
We take so much for granted. My daughter, Denise, once lived next to a woman in Texas who had never owned a Bible. She had to explain to her, “This is the Old Testament. This is the New Testament. These are chapters and verses.” Can you imagine? Right here in America, someone had never heard.
The Apostle Paul told the Ephesian Christians, “Pray for me, that I will boldly proclaim the Word of God” (Eph. 6:19). We need that same boldness. God will give us opportunities to share His love—often when we least expect it. I spend most of my time around Christians, so God opens doors for me to share when I’m in a restaurant or a store, or when I’m busy and have my mind on my to-do list.
I remember one day, I was in a hurry, and I heard someone call my name. I almost ignored it. I was busy. But I had prayed, “God, send someone across my path.” And He did.
That woman was a Christian, but she was struggling. She told me, “This morning, I prayed that someone would come across my path to minister to my hurting heart. You are my angel today.”
I ended up standing there for two hours ministering to her. I could have rushed past her. I could have said, “Hi. I have a busy day. I’m sorry. Bye.” But God redeemed my time. And He will do the same for you—if you put His assignments first.
BE READY TO ANSWER
Every day, God is sending people across your path that He wants you to minister to. Are you ready to answer the call? Are you sensitive to His voice? The world is waiting. And we have the answer. Let’s take Jesus to the world.
Author
Lynette Hagin
Share this Post