Here are Five Ridiculously Good Ways to Minister the Holy Spirit!
When folks come up for prayer I understand that it’s about a serious issue, and God knows that!
But remember, that people are people.
You realize how alike you are to the other guy when you see a celebrity’s feet sticking from the toilet stall next to yours at The Oscars.
DON’T BE CHURCHY, BE YOURSELF!
So don’t always be churchy, or solemn or serious or stuffy!
1Ti 1:11 according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed (word for happy) God, with which I was entrusted.
God is a happy God.
How can someone who is pure love, not be happy?
People like happy people, outgoing, exuberant, with big arms to hug, and a big heart to love!
We have ministered through the world.
Everywhere, people love to laugh, everybody enjoys a good joke.
Here are excerpts from my time in the Tanzanian wilderness when I preached at a rural church.
A CONVERSATION THAT GENERATED TONS OF LAUGHTER, EVEN TO THE POINT OF TEARS, WAS THE ISSUE OF DOGS.
IN AFRICA, DOGS ARE CONSIDERED MERE BRUTES AND DIRTY ANIMALS.
IN AMERICA DOGS ARE CONSIDERED PETS.
THE THOUGHT OF AMERICANS HAVING DOGS LIVING INSIDE HOMES IS UNTHINKABLE TO AFRICANS.
I ASKED THE MEN OF GOD, “WHAT WILL YOU DO WHEN AMERICAN PASTORS INVITE YOU TO PREACH IN THE USA AND YOU FIND DOGS LIVING INSIDE THEIR HOMES?”
THEY IMAGINED AMERICAN DOGS WEARING LITTLE SWEATERS WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD OR GOING TO A VET TO HAVE A SURGERY.
LAUGHTER!
I DID A SHORT SERVICE AT 8:00PM UNDER THE LIGHTS OF A KEROSENE LAMP, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A PRAYER SESSION IN WHICH TWO PEOPLE GOT DELIVERED FROM DEMONS.
WE HAD DINNER WITH OTHER PASTORS UNDER THE TANZANIAN STARS, A COOL BREEZE, PLASTIC CHAIRS, AND ONE KEROSENE LAMP.
THE PASTORS LAUGHED AND LAUGHED AT MY STORIES.
FROM THAT TIME IF WE WERE NOT MINISTERING, WE WERE LAUGHING WITH THE JOY OF THE LORD.
God is in a good mood.
He is serious and loving, but has an amazing sense of humor, tap into it!
Don’t use Christiannezee lingo.
Be yourself, and not the big minister on the block!
Be a normal Jim or Jane.
Be your authentic you!
Let down your guard!
The renowned and late evangelist John Wimber was chubby.
WHEN ASKED WHO HE WAS, HIS ANSWER WAS, “I’M JUST A FAT MAN TRYING TO GET INTO HEAVEN!”
Shut up, and let the person talk about themselves.
Everybody has a story to tell.
Everyone wants a listening ear.
There is a short supply of listeners in the globe
If all that you can do is listen, you will be loved by tons of people!
DON’T POINT OUT SIN!
For Pete’s Sake, the church is so backwards on this.
This is basic people skills 101.
Do you draw a bear with honey or with a rotten piece of meat?
Jesus did not say, “If I be lifted up I will bash all people …”
He said, if I be lifted up I will draw (with love) all people…”
Before you point out sin, what about building a bridge of love with this person so that then you can cross it and talk about what is wrong?
Remember where God met you at, and how He met you.
Where were you at?
What kind of a sinner, were you?
Christian are quick to point to sin, because they are scared that they have to perform or prove something about their walk with the Lord.
FIND COMMON GROUND
Especially with a person who does not know Jesus, you can’t start out with the religious stuff.
What common ground do you have with him?
For me it was my many years in rock and roll music, and drugs and parties.
Many can I identify with that.
I have gotten into intense conversations that have created a friendship and chance to meet Jesus from common ground discussions.
THE WAY TO A MAN’S HEART IS THROUGH HIS STOMACH.
People not only love food.
There is something special about building a relationship around a meal.
AFTER YOUR TIME OF MINISTRY ASK, “ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING NOW? WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO OUT TO EAT, MY TREAT?”
You will be surprise what a few dollars can do to establish a relationship with this person!
BE THE SOCIAL BUTTERFLY
Take a business card, or give the person your Facebook contact or phone.
Get theirs.
Send them a text or Facebook message.
Ask them if there is anything else that you can be in prayer for them about?
Don’t let this prayer meeting be the end.
It’s not just about a Sunday prayer.
It’s about discipleship and mentoring.
When possible take this relationship to a new level!
Cheers!
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Jose and Mary Alvarez 