How we can minister the way Jesus did

I used to think that Jesus did the incredible things He did and said the wonderful, life changing things He said, because He was the Son of God.

Then, I discovered this was not so......Jesus had, in fact, given up all His rights to be equal with God when He came into the world as a man. (Philippians 2 ;5-8)

He received instructions from His Father, concerning what to do and what to say, during the times that He withdrew from the crowds and even His disciples, to spend one on one time with Him in prayer. I discovered that He did this often. (Luke 5 ; 16)

Some basic research revealed that these occasions preceded miracles that He did, like the feeding of the 5,000, for example and when the Pharisees challenged Him about the woman taken in adultery. On both occasions, He had come from one of these one on one sessions of prayer.... just Himself and His father. He had received instructions what to do and what to say. This is why He told the Jews, "I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him." (John 8 ; 26) and again, "I speak what I have seen with My Father." (John 8 ; 38)

Understanding this strategy that Jesus employed, has revolutionized both my prayer life and my personal ministry. It motivated me to copy His example and obey His words, as He instructed His followers, how they should pray; "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." (Matthew 6 ; 6)

Every week now, I go into my "secret place", where my Father (Jesus' Father) is waiting for me, to pray and receive instruction from Him, for the next phase of my life. I take my favourite Bible, my notepad and pen and write down ideas and thoughts that come, as I browse through various passages of scripture.

The effects these times have on people continue to be remarkable. In both my books, I have included quite a few real life accounts of the way God's power has been released into various peoples' lives, when I speak words I have "heard" during my secret place sessions with Him.

You might find some of these stories helpful, with respect to your own ministry.

In my next update, I will be explaining my use of "Therapeutic Touch", which is helping some of our patients to discover the reality of God in their lives.