You don't have to wait for God for His gifts. You already have them. You’ve probably prayed for prophecy, open visions and to hear God more clearly. Maybe you’ve prayed for tongues or the interpretation of them. Overall you may want a sense of ‘knowing’ what the Spirit is saying, what He is doing on your behalf or behalf of others. You may be looking for answers, looking for more of God’s love or anxious about your future.
How many times have you prayed for His gifts? OR maybe even something else close to your heart? Possibly many times. When the way that you expect what you've asked for doesn’t happen the way you thought, you may:
Blame God for not answering.
Think you’re not worthy for some reason.
What if I told you that the true core issue isn’t God at all? The issue is You. Yes, with you. OK, so hear me out. Let me share with you what God taught me in prayer one day. I think this will help you!
There's one thing you need that will open your box of gifts and more 'yes' to your life. What would that be? BELIEF
I know that sounds ‘cliché’. It can even sound ‘religious’. How many times have people told you to just believe? But let me open you up. One day I was praying and seeking God asking for more glorious visions. You know the kind that is spirit filled with His beautiful presence and colors. Let me tell you more about what I mean. Years back I had a vision God gave me right before my spiritual warfare battle. He was giving me a warning of what was to come. But this vision was one of those visions like Ezekiel had. I saw soldiers running through a beautiful rain forest. (This was when I was packing to move to Florida). It was as if I was standing in the actual forest watching these soldiers. The vision was so quick. It was like being in a trance that lasted a second but enough to place an imprint in my soul. I’ve had visions with mental pictures up until that moment but never ultra-color HD looking video visions like that.
So anyhow, there was a day when I asked God to give me more visions like that. It wasn’t once, twice, or three times. I had prayed about it many times. And then something happened one day. God responded. But He didn’t respond in the way I had expected. He responded almost in a way that said ‘Someone please tell her the truth’ lol.
He whispered one word to me. In fact, it was a name. The name was ‘Thomas’, just as clear as day. At first I was like, ‘uh’? I’m thinking who is Thomas? Then it hit me. John 20:24-29 talks about doubting Thomas. Woops! In addition to that, He gave me scriptures in Matthew 16:
John 20:24-29 - Doubting Thomas
One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
Matthew 16:1-6 - Beware of the yeast of the Pharisee's and Sadducee's
One day the Pharisee's and Sadducee's came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away. Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisee's and Sadducee's.”
Of course, this convicted my spirit. The Holy Spirit will refine you with His truth. This is what God was saying:
Continue by reading Part II.