SEEING strangers AS PEOPLE WITH NEEDS

7/16/16 HEARD:  When I was praying over this class I heard the following: 

I have a purpose for you.  A kingdom purpose.   You are on a mission to see strangers as people with needs.

Acts 14:8-10 (NLT) He was sitting ⁹ and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. ¹⁰ So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.

God is going to train us to become sensitive to His purposes in using us.  Expect the Lord to bring people into focus, even if for a brief moment in time where they suddenly land on our radar.  Most of us are so goal driven we head straight for the target and don’t stop to see our environment or people along the way. 

BECOMING SENSITIVE IN THE REALM OF SEEING

When the Lord is telling us that He wants us to SEE people not as strangers but as people with needs, part of that equation is SEEING them.  There are several types of seeing and God uses them all.        

• Seeing them with our literal eyes, where He draws them.

• Seeing in one’s mind as in recalling them into memory.

• Seeing in the realm of the spirit as in visions.

• Seeing by traveling in the spirit and observing them.

• Seeing through the eyes of our understanding.

1)    SENSITIVITY TO WHERE OUR EYES LAND

I usually shop at Wallmart for groceries because ours has really good fresh food and the prices are cheaper.  However there is another store closer to use that is more expensive and sometimes it is just a lot faster if I only need a couple items.  There is a cashier that is particularly crabby and I try to avoid being in her line when possible! 

One day she was very crabby and so I started praying for her whenever I came into the store.  It was a few months later that I was in the parking lot at 6:30 AM and had a quickened eye glance.  She was just getting off work and getting into her car!  I knew the Lord had drawn my eyes to look up at that moment to see her. 

Oh I had such compassion for her, no wonder she was crabby.  I suddenly saw her as a person with a need!  She worked graveyard shift sometimes and other shifts at other times. Her sleeping schedule must be really messed up.  This time I prayed for her with understanding and no longer saw her as the crabby cashier lady!

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There are many ways God leads us/ draws us into His perspective and one of those is by using our eye gates.  Become aware that He will lead you through His/your eyes.  Most of you have heard me share how God speaks through our eye gates, where He draws them or they land upon something/ someone that He wants to bring into our focus.  He wants us to become so sensitive to His leading that He doesn’t have to clobber us to get our attention!  It is time to become sensitive to His gentle leadings through our eye/His gates.

Psalm 32:8-9 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with my eye. 9 Be you not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, else they come not near unto you.

In the same way that He leads us through our eye gates to hear His Word, this is also one of the ways He will lead us regarding ministering to people.  Notice in the following scripture that the Lord causes Paul’s eyes to fasten onto the man with the need.  Now see in context that he didn’t PERCEIVE (become sensitive to what the Spirit was saying) until his eyes beheld the man. The two go hand in hand but not necessarily at the exact same moment.  Gazing intently is a “stop and ponder” moment… it is not just a glance. 

Acts 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

STEADFASTLY BEHOLDING HIM

Strong's Greek Dictionary
816. ἀτενίζω atenizo (atenízō)
Search for G816 in KJVSL; in KJV.

ἀτενίζω atenízō, at-en-id'-zo

from a compound of G1 (as a particle of union) and τείνω teínō (to stretch); to gaze intently:—behold earnestly (stedfastly), fasten (eyes), look (earnestly, stedfastly, up stedfastly), set eyes.

verb

When first learning to develop this skill, we are learning how to be led by the Lord through this means of the Lord bringing a person and their needs to our attention.

2)    BECOMING SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE HE BRINGS INTO REMEMBRANCE

Another time I was at Wallmart and a cashier was bending over the counter in a strange way.  As soon as I saw her do that, the Lord brought into memory the many times I did the exact same stance on our kitchen counter when my lower back hurt for a season.  The Lord brought that memory back so I could see her as a person who was suffering. 

I asked her if her lower back was hurting and she said she had damage in her lower back and that day was really bad.  I was too chicken to pray for her in the line, but I told her I would pray for her and she was really touched by that.  As I got into my car I earnestly prayed for her to know God loved her so much that He would touch her back.  Since that day I have not seen her stretch and lean over on the counter like that.

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John 14:26 But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit is to bring things into remembrance.  This is not only Jesus’ Words in red, but also His will and purposes in heaven and earth.  The more we consecrate our minds and ask for the mind of Christ, the more we understand He really speaks this way by bringing things into memory. 

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Numerous times, almost daily I will suddenly hear a person’s name, see a flash picture of someone, or a person will suddenly be recalled into my memory.  I have an understanding with the Lord that if He does this, I immediately stop what I am doing and I PRAY for that person. 

Almost every time I ask the Lord to bless them at that moment, but very often it is a deliverance prayer because I know the realm of my authority and how affective it is regarding certain issues.  I bind the power of the enemy off that person at that moment and loose them to come into safety and alignment with the will of God.  Sometimes because of who the person is, I am aware they need my specific forgiveness because they are being critical and speaking against me at that moment.  I BLESS them and I forgive them and release them into the will of the Lord.  Depending upon how well I know the person I will also pray over the details of what I know they are dealing with. It might only be an instant prayer, for instance sometimes I might bind fear, unrest, anxiety and loose peace… and then go right back to what I am doing.   

3)    BEING SENSITIVE THROUGH SEEING VISIONS

Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, beseeching him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel unto them.

If you receive visions of people, make yourself willing and available to partner with the Lord’s purpose regarding that person. Of course you always pray, but also consider contacting that person and asking what is going on or what the Lord is doing in their life at that time.  Seeing a person means there is a connection in the realm of the spirit with you, the Lord and that person.  Find out what the connection is and nurture it. Find out what that person needs. 

4)    traveling in the spirit and observing

2 Kings 5:25-27 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, From where come you, Gehazi? And he said, Your servant went nowhere. 26 And he said unto him, Went not my heart with you, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cling unto you, and unto your descendants forever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

This above passage speaks of the gift to be transported in the spirit to see things.  Elisha WENT WITH Gehazi and saw when the man turned around and spoke with Gehazi.  Thus Elisha knew Gehazi was lying. 

Here is another instance of such:

John 1:47-49 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael said unto him, Where do you know me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. 49 Nathanael answered and said unto him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

Some of the visions I have had have been this type of seeing where I have traveled both back in time and also forward in  time and EXPERIENCED the vision as though I was really in it, living in it for that brief time.  This is a promise for His last day saints where many will be used to travel and they will hardly know whether it is in the body or out of the body, as Paul said.  This type of seeing is so real and vivid where ALL of the senses are active and you cant tell if it is your body or spirit that is there.

One time I was taken back in time to my ancestors in Europe.  I came to their door and brought them a meal.  It appeared they lived in some kind of mud hut with a rounded roof.  They had been expecting me to bring them food and were not surprised when I came.  We sat down on hand carved chairs at a table.  There was no electricity, the light of the hearth fire lit the room.  We began worshipping the Lord in our own language to an old hymn.  I noticed when I spoke in tongues they understood me. I heard them speak their language that was very strange sounding to me but I understood what they said in the spirit in my mind.  The love between us was so special because we loved the Lord so much.  Because of the Lord’s love we were not strangers at all, even though our languages were strange and for me the environment was strange.  When I came out of that experience I could not tell if I had been there literally or spiritually.  It was so real I felt  I had been transported literally.

I have an intercessor friend that is a very high rank seer, praying for nations and their rulers. She once told me she was taken in the spirit into secret meetings and hovered over them in the ceiling observing what was going on.  She used the information she gathered to pray the Lord’s will and to break the realms of darkness.

Neville Johnson mentioned he was literally transported into the Queen’s bedroom and he gave her a very stern warning regarding the UK.  She strongly heeded the message as he bounced in past security, told her the message and bounced out again.

5)    Seeing through enlightened eyes

The meat counter lady has to be one of the most miserable people I have ever seen working.  She appears to be in her 60’s and I know she would never choose to work if she didn’t have to.  It hurts me to see her move and serve people. I recognize her limping walk, how she uses her arms, neck, shoulders, and her slow mobility.  I have prayed for her more than any stranger I have ever seen.  I have asked the Lord to set her free from the pain, and that she could find a job where she can sit down and not be on her feet. 

In my times of reflection and prayer for her I understand how much effort she is making to just go through the motions and get through her days.  Oh Lord pour out so that we can deliver these people!

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Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Some people coin this as seeing with the eyes of our heart but this Greek word for understanding comes from a foundation word regarding our intellect where we have the capacity to understand, create and think things through. 

UNDERSTANDING

Strong's Greek Dictionary
1271. διάνοια dianoia (diánoia)
Search for G1271 in KJVSL; in KJV.

διάνοια diánoia, dee-an'-oy-ah

from G1223 and G3563; deep thought, properly, the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication, its exercise:—imagination, mind, understanding.

feminine noun

Strong's Greek Dictionary
3563. νοῦς nous (noûs)
Search for G3563 in KJVSL; in KJV.

νοῦς noûs, nooce

probably from the base of G1097; the intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication, meaning:—mind, understanding. Compare G5590.

masculine noun

When it comes to ministering to others through this gift, I would say that we have the person on our mind or heart.  This isn’t a whim or a sudden thought, it is actually spending time where they are in our deep thoughts.  This can happen through soul ties (either appropriate or inappropriate ones).  But the way to know it is the Holy Spirit’s gift (and not the soul) is with the accompaniment of BEING ENLIGHTENED. 

ENLIGHTENED

Strong's Greek Dictionary
5461. φωτίζω photizo (phōtízō)
Search for G5461 in KJVSL; in KJV.

φωτίζω phōtízō, fo-tid'-zo

from G5457; to shed rays, i.e. to shine or (transitively) to brighten up (literally or figuratively):—enlighten, illuminate, (bring to, give) light, make to see.

Verb

Lu 11:36; Joh 1:9; 1Co 4:5; Eph 1:18; Eph 3:9; 2Ti 1:10; Heb 6:4; Heb 10:32; Re 18:1; Re 21:23; Re 22:5

Being enlightened is when the light bulb turns on in our head and we suddenly GET IT.  We understand what we didn’t understand before and we KNOW that we understand.  This is a true work of the Holy Spirit and a total joy when it happens!

The more we become acquainted with this gifting and how He operates in it, the more our faith is activated with boldness to pray for people, to give them words that help, and be used in their lives. Knowing it is God speaking to us makes all the difference in ministering to people. 

WHAT TO DO WITH WHAT YOU SEE

7/16/16 HEARD:  When I was praying over this class I heard the following:   I have a purpose for you.  A kingdom purpose.   You are on a mission to see strangers as people with needs.

The purpose of the Lord bringing someone to our attention or onto our radar is so that we see them with a NEED. Ask the Lord what is their need?  It is my understanding that once we know the need, the resolution for that need accompanies it - because God imparts things with His Word and that equips us.  Here are some ideas how to help with that need:

• a prayer

• an act of kindness

• the gift of helps

• a word of encouragement

• a scripture

• a provision

• a gentle touch

• a smile or a laugh

• etc

My faith says that if God brings a person to our attention, He knows we already know what is needed and if we don’t, we will ask either Him or the person.  It is really quite simple and doesn’t need to be harder than merely recognizing that God is in the picture and He is moving us to partner with Him.  Consider the following scripture not to condemn us, but in connect to the accountability of knowing to do good. 

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

That scripture talks about KNOWING to do something good.  Why does this make us accountable?  Because God has clearly given us the knowledge for His specific purpose.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:

This lesson is for the purpose of seeing people as with needs.  Here is your assignment: 

• Who is the person?

• What is the need?

• What do you have to offer?

• Describe these 3 and what you did about it.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.