Recognizing Your Spiritual Gift

The Holy Spirit has given each believer a spiritual gift.

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” - 1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

Each one of us has been given a spiritual gift. That’s the Biblical truth. So no matter what the enemy tells you, no matter what people tell you, no matter what your insecurity tells you - just know that God has given you a spiritual gift.

I know sometimes you might doubt that. And one of the reasons a believer will doubt that they have a spiritual gift is because they haven’t yet discovered which gift the Holy Spirit has deposited in them. So, let’s settle the matter now. The Bible makes it clear that God has given you a spiritual gift. Period. No matter what you feel, no matter what you see or don’t see, you have a spiritual gift.

Planted in that truth, you can begin to grow in your understanding of what God has deposited in you. So how do you know which spiritual gift God has given to you?

#1 Desire

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives…” - 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT)

There is nothing wrong with desiring a spiritual gift. Paul the apostle encouraged believers to desire the spiritual gifts. Your desire for a particular gift could be a sign that God has given you that gift. If you desire a spiritual gift, who was it do you think that put that desire there? The enemy? Why would he give you a desire to become helpful to the Church? Was it your flesh? Since when does your flesh want anything to do with God? Sure, the flesh might give you impure motives for operating the gifts. But the desire itself, the pure longing to help a believer in a certain area, couldn’t possibly be from your flesh.

#2 Recognition

“A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” - Proverbs 18:16 (KJV)

If you truly have a spiritual gift, you don’t have to go around announcing it. It just shows. It makes room for you. It creates ministry opportunities naturally. A sign that you have a spiritual gift is that others notice the gift on your life. 

This, of course, does not mean that others need to acknowledge a gift on you in order for you to have it. It just means that what other believers see on you can help you to discover your spiritual gift.

#3 Function

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.” - 1 Corinthians 12:4 (NLT)

This might be the most obvious, but it’s also the clearest sign that you have a gift. You know you have a gift if you sense or see that gift in operation.

Again, this might seem obvious. But you’d be amazed at how many people take for granted the gifts operating in their lives. Where they might just think that they’re really good at reading people, there could be a gift of prophecy. Where they might imagine that they just have favor, there could be a gift of miracles. Where they see only a positive attitude, there could be a gift of faith. 

Pay close attention to how God might be working in your life already, and you may see a spiritual gift - a gift that’s been hidden all along.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “Spiritual Gifts Made Simple: What Every Believer Must Know,” on YouTube by clicking here.

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The Next-Level Christian

Salvation is free, but the anointing will cost you everything. When you get saved, you lose your unsaved friends. When you become anointed, you lose your lukewarm friends. There is a price to pay for the anointing. All of us have the anointing within us, but not all of us walk in the anointing.

“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.” - 1 John 2:27 (KJV)

The anointing is God’s power. We all carry God’s power, but not all of us live in such a way that His power can flow through us to help those around us. 

If you desire God’s power to move through you, then you must count the cost.

The anointing oil, which was symbolic of God’s empowering presence, was created from olive oil. The olives used for the oil had to be shaken from their trees and then crushed. So two things had to happen before the oil was produced: a shaking and a crushing.

If you want God to use you, you’ll have to be okay with Him shaking you from the familiar. God loves you too much to leave you in mediocrity. So He’ll shake the systems upon which you rely, He’ll shake the relationships that hold you back, He’ll shake the circumstances that limit your potential in Him. 

Don’t expect that your life will go just as you want it to go. Expect that your plans will be disrupted. Expect that you’ll find yourself in situations that require much faith. After all, if where you are doesn’t require faith, you’re not in the will of God.

And after you are shaken from the familiar, you will be crushed, put under pressure to be processed. Here’s the thing: pressure can only reveal what’s already within you; it can’t produce what’s lacking. Only the Spirit-filled produce power under pressure. 

So if you want God to use you, if you truly want to walk in the anointing, you must die to self. God must process you before He can use you. Now, sadly, because we live in the day of social media, anyone can create an online platform. And because anyone can create an online platform, anyone can skip the process.

But ministry is more than influence; it’s service. We’re ministers, not public figures; servants, not celebrities. We’re called to preach God’s Word, not our political preferences or personal opinions. Ministry is not a promotion; it’s a death to self. Put your desires on the cross and leave them there.

But the reward is beyond worth it. Our reward is that we will please the Lord. Our reward is knowing that Jesus will reap the reward of His suffering - lost souls.

So if you want the anointing, die to self. The Holy Spirit can’t fill you if you’re full of yourself. Your prayer should be, “Lord, spend my life for your glory.” Count the cost. Lay it down. Let God’s power flow through you.

And remember that the anointing doesn’t come through striving; it comes through surrender.

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Unlock God’s Plan for Your Life

God wants to use your life for His glory. As a Spirit-filled believer, you carry the potential to become a vessel for God’s purposes. So what’s the key to being used by God?

To answer that, I want to take a look at the story of Jesus miraculously feeding a multitude.

Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” (John 6:5-7)

So there was a need. By all natural standards, the situation seemed impossible to overcome. The crowd was too big, and the supply seemed inadequate. But then something became available.

Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. (John 6:8-11)

A little boy offered to the Lord his food supply - five loaves of bread, two fish. Concerning the boy’s offering, Andrew asked a fair question: “But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

Jesus, seeming to ignore Andrew’s doubt-filled question, answered confidently, “Tell everyone to sit down..” Tell everyone to sit down? Jesus didn’t even address the doubt behind Andrew’s question. He simply responded with action, with demonstration.

Now the Bible tells us that that there were more than 5,000 people present - the men alone numbered 5,000. Let’s be conservative and assign only one child and one woman to each man. So at least 15,000 people were present and in need of food.

A big need; a seemingly small supply. But the need was met, and the crowd was fed. 

The boy offered what he had to Jesus - his five loaves of bread and two fish. Here’s what Luke’s gospel records Jesus doing with the bread:

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. (Luke 9:16)

So what can we learn from this most remarkable story? 

The boy’s meal was not enough to meet the need. The boy’s meal needed to be surrendered to Jesus before it could be distributed. Jesus broke the bread before He multiplied it. In the boy’s hands, the food was not enough. 

In our hands, our lives are not enough to meet the needs of the world’s masses. But in the hands of Jesus, our nothing becomes everything. Brokenness precedes usefulness; surrender precedes the miraculous. 

There is no limit to what God can do with a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit. Put your life in the hands of God. Surrender. Let Him break you, mold you, create anew. Tell Him, “God, if you can use nothing, here I am.”

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The Power in Your Hand

Questioning the Lord, Moses protested several times. His fears and excuses so overwhelmed his mind that he dared to question the mighty voice coming from the burning bush. But for every excuse Moses made, God gave a promise.

God was calling Moses to deliver the people of Israel from out of slavery. God had made it clear that Moses was to be the chosen deliverer of a nation, but Moses was filled with doubt and uncertainty.

It came then to the point where Moses worried about whether or not the people would believe that he was sent by God. The scripture records his questioning:

But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back. – Exodus 4:1-3 (NLT)

Now, there is much more to this dialogue between God and Moses than we are about to examine. However, I want to just focus in on how the Lord responded to this line of questioning in particular: “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me?”

Moses wanted to know how he would proceed with leading the people of Israel.

God responded to Moses’s question with a question of His own.

“What’s in your hand?”

When backed by God’s power, what was in Moses’s hand was enough to complete the divine mandate. When backed by God’s power, what you have, right now, is enough to move forward.

So I ask you, dear reader, “What’s in your hand?”

Don’t wait for the ideal situation to present itself before you step out in obedience toward God. Whatever it is He has called you to do can be accomplished. The next step can be taken. The next task can be completed. You don’t need to wait. Just step out and do what you’re supposed to do right now with what you have in your hand.

It is enough.

Plant that church. Start that ministry. Preach the gospel. Teach the Word. Pray that prayer. Write that song. Begin.

Obey God.

Don’t worry about being promoted, recognized, or celebrated. Don’t fear failure, rejection, or heartache. Just let God empower you right where you are, right now. Obey, and leave the results up to God.

Use what He’s placed in your hand.

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Some Good News and Some Bad News

Good news: I’m starting to work on a new book.

Bad news: To free up time to write the book, I’ll have to pause the blog.

Every two years or so, I take a break from writing my weekly blog so that I can give more of my effort to completing a new book. That time has come again. For the next several months, I will not be writing my weekly blog.

Of course, you’ll still get occasional ministry updates in blog format, and I will continue with events, videos, and livestreams as usual. But, for now, I’m going to free up some time by setting aside my blog. The book has an estimated release for the summer of 2023.

Now, this does not mean that the blog is going to be on pause until then. There are many phases to publishing a book, but the blog will only be down for the writing and editing portion of the publishing process. So the blog will return in a matter of months, should I be able to stay on track. Please, keep me in prayer as I dedicate myself to this important project.

For those who care to know, I’ll say that this book will be in the deliverance and spiritual warfare category. I’ve seen such a big and positive response to my latest teachings on this subject - including testimonies from pastors and leaders who have told me that the teachings have changed their approach to deliverance and spiritual warfare for the better.

Truly, the Holy Spirit is breathing upon this truth, as the hour calls for believers to be properly equipped in this area.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Spreading the Gospel,

David Diga Hernandez

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We Need to Focus on Soul Winning Again

Some live for the moment, and others live to make history. But there will come a day when every moment, and even history itself, will be consumed by eternity. Only what we do for eternity has actual purpose.

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. (Colossians 3:2, NLT)

Lately, the Holy Spirit has had me thinking about the destiny of the soul. I’ve also wondered what it might take to see believers, on a mass scale, focus again on the practice of soul winning.

I believe in ministry to the saints.

I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I believe in prophecy.

I believe in healing, deliverance, and good works.

Yet I can’t help but wonder: what good does it do to feed a man today who goes to Hell tomorrow? What good is it to minister healing to someone’s body without ministering salvation to their soul? What good does it do to cast out someone’s one demon if they eventually go to Hell with all of them? What good is it to prophesy someone’s future if that future doesn’t include Heaven?

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t show kindness and charity to the unsaved. On the contrary, good works often open doors for the gospel. I’m not saying that good works don’t please God or matter in the moment. And I would never stop praying for the sick, operating in the spiritual gifts, and casting out demons - at least not while I’m on this earth.

But my question is “What about souls?”

It’s wonderful that we have our Christian gatherings, revival services, fellowships, conferences, worship events, and meetings. It’s great that there’s Christian media, e-courses, music, and more. But what about the lost?

In all of our charity, in all of our power demonstrations, in all of our Kingdom building - let’s not forget about souls.

Practice evangelism. Identify ministries that focus on soul winning and support them. Encourage others to do the same. We have a world to win.

What does it profit a man to win the whole world yet lose his own soul? What does it profit the Church to wow the world yet lose its soul?

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The Sound of Heaven

We who are in ministry are stewards of God’s work. Therefore, we must remember to build God’s work God’s way - by His Spirit. 

In the book of Acts chapter two, when the Holy Spirit suddenly manifested His presence, a loud noise was heard at His entry. Like a mighty wind, His influence blew through the atmosphere. His fire rested upon His people. And the believers began to speak in tongues.  

The sound of this occurrence drew a crowd. 

When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. (Acts 2:6, NLT)

There’s just something about the sound of Heaven that has a magnetic pull on people. Wherever the Holy Spirit is moving, people are drawn. 

When the Spirit moves, believers and unbelievers alike come running to see what He’s doing. 

We who are in ministry can take no credit when the Holy Spirit draws people. We must remember that people come for His presence and power, not our talent or charisma. 

In our meetings, we have people who fly overseas to be in a single service. Many drive for miles, wait in line for hours, and arrange their whole week that they might sit in one of our services for a few hours. Why do they do that?

I promise you they’re not coming to hear me preach or hear our worship team play (as talented as they are.) The people come for the presence. The Spirit’s presence and power draws them. 

Surrender to the Spirit. Let Him do as He pleases. And people will come running to the sound of Heaven.  

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How a Tornado Became Our Testimony

My heart sank as soon as I read the text: “So everyone is hiding out. Jess is under the stairs now too.” At the time, I was in Florida - miles away from home, away from my wife Jess, away from my daughter Aria.

I was told that tornados weren’t common to the Austin area. So I was taken back when I first heard about the tornado warning. It came from seemingly nowhere, and so suddenly. 

I was in Florida. My wife and daughter were at our home in Texas. Being long distances away from family is one of the sacrifices that traveling evangelists have to often make. The situation was completely outside of my control, and I didn’t like that one bit. There was nothing I could do to protect my wife and daughter except pray.

I was in Orlando ministering. Meanwhile, my wife and daughter were huddled under our stairs, bracing for a possible tornado. And there was nothing I could do about it.

The tornado warning lasted for just about 40 minutes. But it seemed much longer. I was hanging on every update. Then relief. Another text came through. It read, “Cleared up. Looks good.”

Life for my family then resumed to normalcy.

But just as quickly as I had been relieved, I became mindful again.

The tornado didn’t touch down upon our home. According to the reports, it had touched down somewhere in Round Rock. That’s when I realized: “Our new studio is being built in Round Rock!”

I sent a text to our ministry group chat, asking someone to check on our studio to assess potential damage. Several of our team members were already on their way. 

Our operations manager messaged me saying, “The building took on some damage from the tornado. We don’t know the extent of it yet. I will give you updates when we get them.”

At this point, I know that my story sounds discouraging, but there’s a powerful testimony here.

Now, I hesitated sharing this testimony, because I was concerned that it may have come across as insensitive to those who suffered great loss from the tornado. But I think it’s important to share testimonies, even testimonies set in surrounding tragedy. 

Our building was, in fact, heavily affected by the tornado. But, you see, we are still in phase 1 of a 3 phase project, which means that we haven’t yet taken over the entire building. There are still a few months left for the tenant who leases the other side. And then we’ll lease 100% of the property. 

After a survey of the damage, it was discovered that part of the roof was removed from the building. But only from the other half.

There were fences taken out. But only on the other half. 

Equipment was damaged. But only on the other half. 

But our side of the same building was left intact. 

Same building. Same tornado. Different story.

Even the house behind our studio was significantly damaged. 

We only had a small hole in our roof which was patched in a matter of hours. 

And, by the way, the water from the rain (that came through the hole in the roof) didn’t damage any of our camera equipment. It was all packed away, because we just so happened to have been in Florida.

Only days later, construction resumed on our studio.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (Psalm 91:7, KJV)

That’s God’s favor. That’s God’s protection. When you put God’s Kingdom first, He takes care of the rest. 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (Matthew 6:33, NLT)

My prayer is that you too would walk in this kind of favor.

I want to thank everyone who has been praying for this project. It’s God’s project. 

I also want to thank everyone who has given toward this project, who plans to give toward this project, and who plans to give again toward this project. Your support has been overwhelming. God will bring this to completion.

To give toward the completion of our new studio, to see our progress, and to help us meet our goal date, click here: https://www.davidhernandezministries.com/expand

Let God Speak for You

In the book of Numbers chapter 17, we see a story of God endorsing His servant Aaron through a miracle. Because the people were complaining against God-ordained leadership, God instructed that a leader from each of the 12 tribes of Israel should bring a wooden staff to Moses. God instructed…

3 Inscribe Aaron’s name on the staff of the tribe of Levi, for there must be one staff for the leader of each ancestral tribe. 4 Place these staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark containing the tablets of the Covenant, where I meet with you. 5 Buds will sprout on the staff belonging to the man I choose. Then I will finally put an end to the people’s murmuring and complaining against you.” 6 So Moses gave the instructions to the people of Israel, and each of the twelve tribal leaders, including Aaron, brought Moses a staff. 7 Moses placed the staffs in the Lord’s presence in the Tabernacle of the Covenant. 8 When he went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron’s staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds! (Numbers 17:3-8, NLT)

By way of the miraculous, the Lord vindicated His chosen servant. 

If God has called you, people will come against you. That’s a fact. In times of attack, it’s tempting to try to explain yourself or speak up for yourself. Don’t. Just allow the Lord to handle it. He has a way of vindicating His people that is clear and conclusive.

When you speak for God, God will speak for you. Let Him blossom something that will demonstrate His hand upon your life.

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How to Preach with Power: One Simple Key

Do you want to preach with power? Remember this: God does not anoint our opinions; He anoints His Word. He doesn’t back our ideas; His backs truth. If you want there to be power behind what you preach, then you need to preach God’s Word.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20, KJV)

God has bound Himself to His message. Wherever His message goes, His miracle-working power goes. Think about this: the Word of God carries such power that it produces results even when a hypocrite preaches it. Consider those in Matthew 7:

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ (Matthew 7:21-23, NLT)

If we want to see real results, we need to stay faithful to preaching what the Bible teaches. We mustn’t try to force our ideas upon the Scripture. We must humble ourselves before the Word. When we honor the Word, God will honor our preaching with His power.

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Ministry Motives: Avoiding Jealousy and a Competitive Spirit

In Acts chapter 8, we see the story of Simon the Sorcerer. Simon was watching as Peter and John laid their hands on new believers. Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given as the apostles laid hands - and he desired that power. 

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19“Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 8:18-19, NLT)

What Simon desired wasn’t an evil thing. Like many believers today, Simon desired to have the Holy Spirit. But even though Simon desired a good thing, his motives for wanting it were polluted. 

20But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” (Acts 8:20-23, NLT)

Peter recognized that Simon the Sorcerer wanted the power of the Holy Spirit for selfish reasons. Peter could also discern that Simon was filled with jealousy. He was jealous of the power that Peter and John carried. He was jealous of how the people were affected by that power. He was jealous of how others looked to the apostles with such awe and honor. 

And so Simon offered to buy the power of God. He didn’t want to be used by God; He wanted to use God to make himself important. 

There’s danger in polluted motives. 

We who are in ministry must never allow ourselves to be overcome by jealous ambition. If you see the success of others as a threat, you need to purify your motives. If you secretly hope your fellow believer fails, you need to purify your motives. If you want to grow your ministry simply to up your status, you need to purify your motives. 

Remember, God has created you uniquely. God doesn’t have to take from you in order to give to others. The success of others in no way takes away from God’s favor upon your life. But do you know what does? Impure motives. So rest in who you are in Christ. Don’t compete with others, celebrate them. Keep your heart pure, and focus on the simple joy of pleasing the Lord.

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Disqualified from God's Call?

If you’ve made mistakes, you need to know that God’s not finished with you. He’s not giving up on you, and you still have a divine destiny.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

Of course, if believers want to be used by God, they ought to live holy lives. But perhaps you’ve made mistakes that you think have permanently disqualified you from ever being used by God again. Maybe you feel overwhelming shame and guilt - and it’s difficult for you to move forward. Let’s gain some perspective from the Scripture.

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

Consider why God raises someone. God doesn’t raise a person to elevate that person; God will raise a person to elevate His Word, His gospel. 

I think that sometimes the reason people imagine that God would never use them again is because they’re under the impression that it’s about them. But it’s about God’s glory; it’s about souls. God will use you again because lost souls are still slipping into eternity, and the world needs the gospel.

Get it right. Repent. Let God restore you. And then let Him use your life again. 

For God’s glory. For the lost.

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Encounters Lead to Callings

Those who have been touched by the glory of God are most powerfully used for the glory of God. The call of God is found in the presence of God. The power of the Holy Spirit is found in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Your purpose is discovered in His presence. 

Remember this: all true ministry is an overflow of your relationship with God. If there is no relationship, then ministry is not a calling, but rather a career. 

When Adam had life breathed into him, he became the steward of the earth. When Abraham heard God, he was called as a father of many nations. When Moses saw the burning bush, he was called as a deliverer. Isaiah saw God in the temple. Jeremiah felt fire in his bones. Ezekiel saw Heaven opened. The apostles sat with Jesus. The early church heard the wind and saw the fire of the Holy Spirit. Truly, encounters lead to callings.

God wants to use you too. You may feel like your don’t measure up, like you lack the skills and gifts needed to do something for God. Here’s what the Bible says.

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13, NLT)

Your connection with God is your position to do something for God. The Holy Spirit in you is your qualification for ministry. The time you spend in God’s presence is what prepares you to carry His power. 

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Are There Different Kinds of Anointing?

Just like most vehicles are powered by one kind of fuel - gasoline - so all ministries, gifts, and spiritual expressions are powered by one source: the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The anointing, simply put, is the power of God. It’s God’s ability at work in us. 

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38, NLT)

Though the anointing can accomplish different purposes, there is only one anointing. If you have the Holy Spirit within you, not only does the anointing work within you; the anointing also works through you to reach those around you.

18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.f” (Luke 4:18-19, NLT)

The anointing brings the power to proclaim the gospel, the power to bring healing, the power to bring deliverance, and more. The power of the Holy Spirit does it all.

Now, some believers wonder how they can acquire the "healing anointing”, the “deliverance anointing”, or the "prophetic anointing.” Some imagine that there are different kinds of anointing that require different protocols and procedures in order to collect. They may think that there’s something special one must do for the healing anointing, perhaps a special prayer to get the deliverance anointing, and so forth. But it’s actually quite simple.

The key to walking in the power of the Holy Spirit is surrender to the Holy Spirit.

When you live a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit, you make yourself available for God to use you in whatever way He wishes. So there are no secret keys. Live holy. Have a strong prayer life. Stay in the Word. And follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Just love Jesus. 

When you surrender to the Holy Spirit, you get the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Planted by the Hand of God

Salvation is free, but the call of God will cost you everything.

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. (John 12:24, NLT)

When you lay down your life for the call of God, you become like a seed planted in the ground. When you are planted by God, you may, at times, find yourself in dark and lonely places; but your life will be used of God to bring forth a harvest. 

Seeds are those who say to the Lord, “Spend me for your glory.” So here’s a question for you: Will you let God bury you? Will you let God take you to places that you may not want to go? Will you give up your own plans and ambitions and exchange them for God’s perfect will? 

Will you become a seed in the ground that others might hear the gospel? 

Paul the Apostle wrote of a daily death to self, and that’s exactly what it will take to be used of God. May you become a life planted, that Jesus might reap the reward of His suffering - a plentiful harvest of new lives, of souls.

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Don't Be a People Pleaser

When I was a teenager, I attended a Bible conference in Southern California. I was excited to attend that conference, because I was believing for God to move in my life. I went to the conference full of faith and prepared to receive God’s Word. I took my Bible, a notepad, and a pen. I arrived early and was even able to get a seat in the front row. 

Now, during this time, I had only just begun in ministry but God was blessing the ministry with some small but healthy growth. So there were a few people at the conference who were somewhat familiar with my ministry.

While sitting in the front row, my sense of anticipation intensified. I was ready to receive. Then, just a few minutes before the service began, a pastor approached me, greeted me, and then sneered, “Well, well, well. Look at you. You think that just because you’re in ministry now, you can sit in the front row.”

I was shocked and saddened by that comment. I began to search my heart. 

“Was I sitting in the front row to be seen?”

“Should I have not sat on the front row?”

“Was there some hidden impure motive in my heart?”

“I thought I was just excited to be there!”

I don’t remember what was preached during that night of the conference, but I remember how I felt about that comment.

Not wanting to risk or tolerate even a bit of impure ambition, I decided the next night of the conference to sit in the back row. So I did just that. I still arrived early. I still had my Bible, my notepad, and my pen. But I sat in almost the very last row. Surely, I would be free from all criticism there. 

This time, however, a different Christian leader approached me. He shook my, greeted me, and then remarked, “You get a little bit of popularity and suddenly you think you have to hide here in the back row.”

You can’t please everyone. So just worry about pleasing the Lord.

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. (Galatians 1:10)

No matter what you say, someone will disagree. No matter what you do, someone will think it should have been done differently. No matter what truth you speak, someone will point out a truth you left out. There’s no escaping the opinions of people. For every action and inaction, the offense of someone is waiting. 

Now, by no means am I saying that you should never consider the feelings or even the corrections of loved ones or the wise. I’m simply saying that it’s impossible to please everyone. So don’t even try. Instead, focus on pleasing the Lord, and everything else will fall in line. For when we please God, we are truly living. 

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Partnering with God

Good stewardship is always rewarded with increase in responsibility. Growth comes when we do well with what God has already given us. This applies to ministry, finances, and much more.

EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING

Everyone is given something to be used for the glory of God. Everyone has resources, big or small. Everyone has energy - whether a little or a lot. Everyone has time. Everyone has influence, free will, and relationships. Inside every human being, God has deposited gifts, talents, and abilities. Everyone has been entrusted with something, and, therefore, everyone has the responsibility of maximizing their potential and using all they have, to the best of their ability, unto the glory of God. 

DILIGENT PARTNERS

We were made for the glory of God. Since the beginning, God has sought a partnership with man. Man was made to steward what God started, to cultivate what God created, and to call into order what God has called into existence. We are called to be diligent partners of God.

God has provided you with the substance of your life. You must exercise your free will to shape that and then give it back to God as an offering. Our purpose is to love and glorify God through whatever means we have been given.

Good work ethic. Diligence. Focus. These are marks of the Spirit-filled. These are marks of good stewards.

THE PARABLE

Think of the parable of the talents. In that parable, a master went away on a long journey, leaving varying monetary amounts with his three servants. 

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. (Matthew 25:14-15, NLT)

The servants were given resources in proportion to their abilities. Now, in the parable, the master never once gave them specific instructions. They were simply expected to do something with what they had been given. They were expected to take initiative with what they had been entrusted.

When the master returned, he evaluated the performance of each servant. 

“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. (Matthew 25:19, NLT)

Notice that the servant who had the least wasn’t excused because He had a different starting point than the other servants. Nobody can say, “I didn’t do anything for God because I don’t have what others have” or “I don’t have anything to offer God.” A different starting point is never an excuse for inaction and poor stewardship. Just because we don’t have what others have doesn’t mean we aren’t responsible for what we do have.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP

When you steward well what God has given to you, that good stewardship unlocks the door to more responsibilities. God wants to entrust you with more, but can He?

Stewardship is about increase and productivity. Stewardship is about walking in divine authority. Stewardship is about recognizing that everything in your possession belongs to God. It’s all His. And when we take care of and when we use well what He has already given to us, He can trust us with more.

So how can you maximize what God has given to you? Even if you feel you have little, what can you do right now to further the Kingdom of God? When you treat what you have like it’s what you want, God will bring the increase.

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7 Signs of Ungodly Ambition

If you want God to use you as a spiritual leader, you desire a good thing. 

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. (1 Timothy 3:1, NIV)

Yes, the desire to be used of God is good, but you must guard your heart, lest it become contaminated with the mixture of impure motives. 

Here are 7 warning signs of ungodly ambition.

#1 - You lack personal holiness.

To perform in public is easy, but to live righteously in private takes true devotion to and fear of God. Many have gifts but don’t know the glory. Many have charisma but lack character. Living a lifestyle of sinfulness is a sign that your godly motives have been replaced by fleshly ambition.

#2 - You lack a personal devotional life.

If you don’t pray or read the Word consistently, you have no business being behind a pulpit. Spiritual leaders are supposed to help other believers grow spiritually. But how can you truly do that if you yourself haven’t grown? If you lack a prayer life and a devotion to God’s Word, then that’s a sign that your motives are becoming polluted by worldliness. 

#3 - You care more about crowds than you do about people.

If you don’t love God’s people, then why serve them? For financial gain? For status? For popularity? When you look into the faces of those to whom you minister, do you see people with needs, hopes, hurts, and stories? Or do you just see useful tools for your agenda? To have the heart of God is to have compassion for God’s people.

#4 - You have an unhealthy desire to be seen and recognized.

We all appreciate being encouraged and recognized for our work, but if you constantly crave the spotlight, you need to seriously evaluate your motives. People with an unhealthy desire for recognition are operating out of insecurity and rejection that hasn’t yet been healed. They need to be seen, celebrated, and noticed in order to feel fulfilled. These people love to see their faces on flyers, love to be seated in the front row, love to be noticed when they walk into a room, demand VIP treatment, and generally crave attention. 

#5 - You can’t receive correction.

When your motives are impure, everything you do becomes contaminated. Impure motives force you to build the ministry on self, not the Lord. Thus, when correction is brought to you, your first reaction is to be defensive, to protect what you have built upon self. Those who attempt to lovingly correct you are labeled as “haters” or “jealous.” Granted, you can’t give your attention or validation to everyone who brings criticism. Generally speaking, I think you should ignore the internet theologians and keyboard crusaders. But when those who know and love you, those who walk in relationship with you, bring correction, you should take that seriously. Rather than use deflections like, “Well, I’ve been in the ministry for blank amount of years” or “Well, they just don’t understand my anointing,” perhaps you should humbly receive the correction that comes from those who love and know you. If you can’t take legitimate correction, it’s time to check your motives.

#6 You imagine that the purpose of God’s favor is to elevate you.

When God elevates one of His servants, His goal isn’t to elevate a person; His goal is to elevate His Word - His message. God doesn’t raise you for the sake of you. Ministry is not so much a promotion as it is a death to self. Preachers and ministers, please, remember that we are not the main characters in the story. We are simply servants who serve the greater purposes of God. And we can very quickly be replaced. Count it joy that you can be a part of what God is doing, but remember your place. It’s about the lost. It’s about God’s glory. Walk humbly.

#7 You view other ministers and ministries as your competition. 

Ministry is not about competition but cooperation with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If you feel pains of jealousy whenever something good happens for another ministry, your motives need to be purified. If you feel like the success of others is somehow taking away from your success, then your motives need to be purified. If you take joy in the failings of other ministries, then your motives need to be purified. Why see the success of others as a threat if we all have the same goal? 

Again, if you want God to use you as a spiritual leader, you desire a good thing. But watch carefully for these signs of ungodly ambition, lest ungodly ambition destroy your ministry and your soul.

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Purified for a Purpose

Where would you be had the Lord not rescued you from sin? Think of all the Lord has brought you through, and consider this truth: God delivered you unto a divine destiny.

25“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezekiel 36:25-27, NLT)

Whatever your past, God has a future in mind for you. You are a recipient of God’s cleansing touch, and that touch has removed your guilt. Let go of the shame of yesterday, and, with gratitude toward God, step into newness of life.

You may feel as though you have been disqualified from being used by God, but remember this: Those who have been touched by the glory of God can be used for the glory of God. You have been purified for a purpose. 

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No More Excuses

Rightfully, we think of Moses as a powerful servant of the Lord, a hero in the faith. But, like many of us, when Moses was called, he responded to God’s commands with excuses.

9Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” 11But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” 13But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” (Exodus 3:9-13, NLT)

We have the tendency to disqualify ourselves. When God gives us a mission, we recount our mistakes. When God gives us an assignment, we hide behind our imperfections. And while it might seem humble to count yourself out, think of the arrogance of saying, “I know better than God.” Think of the audacity of saying, “God’s power within me isn’t enough to make up for the flaws within me.”

I love the Lord’s response to Moses.

God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14, NLT)

In other Words, all that He is, the all-encompassing, eternal Being - God Himself - has sent you. Whatever you lack, He doesn’t give; whatever you lack, He is. Whatever your shortcomings, you can go because “I AM” goes with you. No more excuses. Go. Respond to the call of God.

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