BENEFITS

This gift has changed my life, because through it I learnt to hear God's voice clearer when I needed to make a decision and I could encourage and help others too. Before I received this gift, it took me years to understand God's will about a difficult question of my life, and after receiving it, I understood it a lot sooner, sometimes in just an hour.

YEARNING  FOR  THE  SPIRIT

I was listening to a 6-hour-long teaching on the prophetic gift, meditating on it, praying, looking up scriptures, praying for the gift. But despite all these I could not prophesy, I saw no prophetic visions. I was disappointed and falsely assumed that God left me out of something great. But my "failure" just whet my appetite and I kept trying.

STIR UP THE GIFT (2 Tim 1, 6.)

I talked to a wise man at church and found out how I can stir up this gift: by praying for others and knowing the Word in depth. After all prophesy is "just" a manifestation of Jesus Himself, His Spirit in us.

So this is what I did for months till the point when I almost forgot that my original purpose for doing this was to have prophetic visions. Often tears of compassion were running down my face while I was interceding for other people's lives, sometimes for people I hardly knew. But I felt God's heart in my spirit- God's desire to save them from hell and from bad experiences. I received many promises from God- but not because I am good. But because He saw me through the filter of His love, through Jesus' perfection. I understood how much He wants to give me and He never wants to take anything good away from me. I understood that I do not have to overburden myself with too much work. He died on the cross so that I don't have to suffer. He exchanged our wounds and pains with His light/ pleasurable burden and healing. He only asks for our heart and that we may be ready to forgive others and do good things.

HEART KNOWLEDGE

After half a year I stumbled upon another teaching on the prophetic gift. I was begging God on my knees to be able to see what He sees. And then… Again I saw nothing. BUT I heard His voice:

• Happy are those who do not see but still believe.

This sentence meant a lot to me. These words were said to Thomas by Jesus while he was proving him that He is risen indeed and has godly power. I realized that it is not a problem if I see no prophetic vision. Important is that I feel in my heart, what He wants. I was overjoyed by the knowledge that Almighty Himself spoke to me.

MY  FIRST   VISIONS

After some months I saw some vague shadow while praying long (my eyes were shut), I saw something that I had never seen before.

- Wow – I thought. – This is a bit like dreaming awake, as if I could see in another dimension, not with physical but with spiritual eyes.

The more I prayed, the stronger the pictures became. I understood that it all starts from my heart, this is where God writes what He sees. Mostly I did not know the meaning of the prophetic visions right away. I needed to ask Him to explain them to me. But usually He quickened a Word to me. For example: When I saw a candle, the explanation may be: "He will not put out a flickering candle" Isaiah 42, 3. NLT. So God sees that humans are weak, He feels sympathy for us and strengthens us.

WHAT  IS  A  PROPHECY?

The prophecy is a message from God in a life situation, it should always encourage, correct, build up, help our lives. It never ruins or harms or condemns. It contains messages which do not contradict the Bible. When we say a prophecy to another person, we must examine that prophesy. These are the points we must check: Does the prophet speak with love? Is his/her life going in a godly direction? Is the prophecy helpful and encouraging? Than it may be a message from Almighty. If the above are not true to the prophet and the message, it is just a human thought.

A STORY OF A PROPHET

I have heard many stories of a prophet coming to someone and giving them a message from God and the person's life was changed. Many times, the prophet can describe the situation in the other person's life, what he/she needs, what kind of illness he/she is suffering from, so precisely and in detail that it is astonishing. (And of course, after that, a person comes to faith and his/her life changes.)

At other times, however, the prophet speaks a message that sounds completely general, but it still means a lot to someone and touches the listener's heart deeply.

Once a prophet heard the voice of God in a shop: "Tell that lady: I love you." The prophet ventured to the lady, who was apparently terrified and hiding from someone, and told her what he had heard from God. When the lady heard the message, she was very scared at first:

- Who sent you? - she asked, trembling with terror.

The man reassured her, saying it was "just" the Almighty God. When she realized no one was chasing her, she cried tears of joy and relief.

She explained why she needed those words so badly. Her foster father was a pastor, yet he lived in sin. He sexually abused and blackmailed her. When the lady refused to allow him to molest her, the foster father told her that the girl was disrespectful and rebellious, therefore not even God loved her.

In terror, she ran away from home and went into hiding. She tried to stand on her own feet and get by without her family, but she was afraid that she would not succeed in anything in life, because even her Creator had turned away from her, He did not love her. You can imagine, my dear Reader, that this message meant everything to her at that time.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROPHECY

Sometimes even the prophet does not know what his message will mean to the other person. We mustn't be afraid of people or their opinion, because His message may be life-changing.

• Sometimes God only gives the prophet a feeling or impression- so we must examine it and compare it with the Word so that we do not misinterpret it.

• It is also possible to feel a smell. For example once I sensed the scent of a rose. Almighty wanted to ensure me that His presence was there at that place, as Jesus is the rose of Sharon.

• It is also possible that somebody does not only see a picture, but a session of pictures like a short film. What is more, the Lord can also create an atmosphere, in which we see a sharp vision, which is like a dream when we are awake. (And our physical surroundings become vague for short while.) (like in Acts 10, 9-)

Slowly and surely I am developing in this gift and in understanding the meaning of prophetic visions. I would like to encourage you to grow in this gift, which has helped me a lot knowing how much God loves me and you, sisters, brothers. We can all prophesy and encourage each others. If you have a good testimony of prophesy or a good teaching, a Word, please share.

WORDS

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy… he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied" 1 Cor 14, 1-

1 Cor 14, 3-5 "But when someone prophesies, he speaks to encourage people, to build them up, and to bring them comfort. The one who speaks in tongues advances his own spiritual progress, while the one who prophesies builds up the church. I would be delighted if you all spoke in tongues, but I desire even more that you impart prophetic revelation to others. Greater gain comes through the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless there is interpretation so that it builds up the entire church." TPT

1 Corinthians 14:31 TPT

"For you can all prophesy in turn and in an environment where all present can be instructed, encouraged, and strengthened."

Joel 2, 28. "I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young man shall see visions" KJV

EXAMPLE  FOR  A  PROPHECY

I worked as a language teacher in an adult education institution. Most of the students in one group did not speak German well, so I adjusted the level of the lesson to them, but I also tried to sometimes include more difficult tasks so that there would be some challenge in the lesson for those who knew the language at a high above average level.

However, one of the girls was noticeably bored. He stretched, yawned, and did similarly annoying things.

I prayed and asked God to be able to see him through the eyes of the gracious Father. To this he showed a prophetic image: a dry land where a river began to flow. As I read the Word and listened to the Holy Spirit, its meaning became clear to me.

Although I was not in a conversational relationship with the girl, the Holy Spirit still gave me the courage to tell her in the simplest way during the school break that I had prayed for her and what God had shown her and the explanation for this: God produces springs even on the bare earth. He breathes life into even dead relationships.

Ezs 41, 18. 20. "I open rivers on bald mountains and springs in the middle of the rivers; I will make the wilderness a lake of waters... So that they may see, know... that the hand of the Lord has wrought this!"

When I told her this, she was very moved, shed tears, and even hugged me. He didn't tell me what this meant to him, since we were in a selfish relationship and I basically kept my distance from the students, but it still fit in that situation. From then on, he became my best student and our relationship changed. Thank God, who must have worked something else in the girl's heart then.

Through spiritual gifts God has given me much strength to seek the Lord with perseverance and getting wonderful revelations from Him.

THE CALLING

I used to think having the prophetic gift is enough to hear the Lord's voice well. Still, it took me sometimes long to hear Him well. Once I had a big question from Him (about my profession and calling). So I read the Bible to find an answer. But instead of showing me the answer, He showed me a way how to find the answer. I kept stumbling upon passages emphasizing the importance of the gift of tongues. I knew it is some kind of strange "talk". Not understandable words… Huh? Would that be what I need? I used to like praying long, explaining all details to God and it was hard to believe my prayer was not perfect. I feared that speaking ununderstandable words would just hinder my prayer. I did not understand why I should babble. Except maybe… if I could interpret what I said.

BURNING DESIRE

Soon came the prophets' school and at the end they prayed for everybody individually. I asked the lady to pray for me about a question. But the prophetess asked me right away if I spoke in tongues. I was quite surprised. I admitted that I didn't and I was wondering whether God wanted to give me this gift at all.

- You can be totally sure that He wants to give it to you – she said.

- How can you tell? – I asked.

- It is written in the Bible that He is happy to give us His gifts and the gift of tongues plays an important role in the life of a believer. At Pentecost the Holy Ghost descended onto all believers and they spoke in tongues and could serve the Lord more efficiently, with power. - But I… don't even know if I want this. I don't know what it is good for– I said.

- People want to pray with their minds, but only God's Spirit knows the words He would like to be addressed with. You need to humble your mind before Him. Then you will hear Him better.

- I would love that – I said, though I was mixed- up. – But I was not taught much about this at church. It is so strange for me and I have not enough desire for it.

- Then we shall pray for your desire to grow.

- OK.

She prayed… It felt like a firy, gentle hand had touched my throat… Often when I pray I still feel the same supernatural fire in my throat. This fire is a mixture of joy and yearning for Him. It is the hottest when I pray for others. Almighty gave me His strength.

BENEFITS

But back then I did not know what treasure I had received, so I was sad. I tried to pray in tongues but couldn't. I had heard stories of people who just started to pray in tongues without effort, right after they were prayed for. I was told God would fill my mouth up with words. But I didn't want to say anything silly. My throat was on fire, my eyes full of tears. Then I bumped into Ruth, a former friend of mine and asked her for advice. She said: "God loves you the same even if you cannot pray in tongues. You are a valuable child of God." I was so relieved to hear that.

Ruth said that since she had started to speak in tongues her relationship with God had become more intimate. She had experienced more miracles.

- Sometimes we do not even know from what dangers He protects us, when we pray in tongues – explained Ruth.

Yes, then I wanted this gift definitely. Ruth prayed for me. I was very excited and I focused but nothing happened. Only my throat was on an even bigger fire. Ruth said that it showed that I already had the gift but could not use it.

INTERPRET TONGUES!

As a language teacher I found it a weird idea to speak in tongues for minutes without understanding it. Then I realized that the Bible says that those who speak in tongues should pray that they can interpret it.

So I started to experiment with Ruth. She prayed in tongues and I tried to interpret it. It was a bold step and I had doubts and fears: What if I misinterpret something? But- I was reminded- I started out the same way with prophesy: I risked. I thought: I could not make a big mistake, because I would not say anything contradictory to the Bible! And if I interpret 1 sentence correctly out of 10 sentences- then it was worth it!

PRACITICE THE GIFT!

So this is how I started: I paid attention to my Father and I had in mind how good Jesus is. At the same time I was listening to Ruth' prayer. And I started. Sometimes I still saw prophetic pictures during prayer, but slowly I could set my mind to words instead of pictures. Sometimes I felt God's Word in my heart and then I said it out loud. At other times I started to speak and I said words that even surprised me. But when I understood how these words concerned our lives, I was so happy. We both sensed great joy sometimes when I interpreted the tongues. Then we knew it was from God. Then I went home and I started to read the Bible. Often I stumbled upon the same verses that came to me while interpreting tongues. This is how God assured me that I interpreted tongues correctly. I was overjoyed!

MY SPEAKING IN TONGUES

So I could interpret tongues earlier than I could speak them. So my desire grew! I knew God would provide. He is not like somebody who creates excitement in your heart about something and then lets you down. The Bible says: ask and you shall be given. I turned to a Christian sister, Eve for help, my prayer partner. She said that I should repeat some syllables that she says – suing tongues - and soon it will come naturally from the Spirit. So I hid myself in my room and I tried it out. I could only say one syllable and felt like babbling child. Actually it sounded like drums, a language of rhythm. But Morse is also a language, a sign language! I didn't allow anything to scare me away.

But the Bible says that tongues is like speaking like a babbling child (in the Hungarian translation), with stammering lips. (Isa 28, 11.) Slowly I could develop and spoke in even more kinds of tongues. This is how it is with God sometimes… you just hope for something small and that you get abundant joy and gifts multiplied.

Dear Reader, I bless you to desire and receive the gift of tongues and use it a lot during your life!

WORDS ABOUT TONGUES

1 Cor 14, 3-5. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he, who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

1 Cor 14, 19. 22.

AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE

The most wonderful experience I had was when I asked God about many many years ago about my calling. (What profession shall I work in?) And to find out the answer I spoke in tongues and interpreted it. To my biggest surprise He said that I am called to be a mother!!! Later when I got married, this prophesy meant me a lot. Soon we are to receive our biological and adopted children.

While writing this article I began to yearn for using my spiritual gifts more intesively again. 

On the other hand my view of God's guidance has changed a bit. As I am now more conscious of the truth that I am united with Christ, that Christ is in me, that I have the mind of Christ... I know that in every minute, every time I read the Bible and every time that get amazing revelations - I am being led by God in ations, during prayer... So I don't lean on these individual gifts so much, but rather on my main Gift: Jesus, who is in me. Hallelujah.