Divine Appointments
As I was seeking the Lord in prayer a few weeks ago, two words kept playing over and over again in my spirit: divine appointments. I knew that the Holy Spirit was trying to get my attention by giving me the outline of the message He wanted me to share with my congregation and you who are reading this article. Divine appointments are encounters that God Himself has arranged to take place in your life. These experiences will do one of three things: change your life, change someone else’s life, or both. There will be times when you will be on the receiving end of it, or God will use you to bless another person’s life. These encounters that are divinely planned by God Himself are like landmarks or turning points in the road of life.
As I was reading the Word of God, I couldn’t help but notice that it is filled with accounts where people had divine appointments from God. One burning bush changed Moses’ life forever. One opportunity of favor with the king changed the course of Joseph’s life. A visitation from the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb changed her life and humanity forever. It was one encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ that changed the course of Paul’s life and ministry. It took one divine encounter with Jesus that set a demonized man free. It took one divine appointment with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost that caused the 120 in the upper room to catch on fire for Jesus and to be equipped with the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead! It only takes one divine appointment to pick you up out of the valley and set you on the mountain top of life. There are some that are reading this article that are only one divine appointment away from the greatest breakthrough of your life. Someone and something is being positioned by God right now for that appointment to come to pass. I want to share with you some keys that you need to know that will prepare you for these encounters.
First, you must desire and expect divine appointments. Jesus told 500 people to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit; only 120 showed up in the upper room. Less than half of the people that Jesus told that to had a desire and expectation for that divine appointment; to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. The percentage is probably still the same in the Church today. It is no wonder why much of the Church appears to be so powerless. Secondly, recognize and fulfill divine appointments. It is possible to let them pass you by and miss out on what God is trying to do in your life. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Be aware also that God could tap you on the shoulder at anytime to use you to speak a word into someone else’s life. You could be another person’s answer to prayer. There will come a day when you are in line at the grocery store and God tells you to start talking to someone about Jesus. If God is prompting you to speak a word to someone, there is a purpose and divine appointment ready to take place. We as Christians need to be alert and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Lastly, remember divine appointments that have taken place in the past. Keep the experiences fresh in your mind; don’t allow that encounter to fade away. One divine appointment that every Christian has in common is the born again experience. That is a life changing encounter! Let the impact of your past encounters with God carry you on to the next marker in the road. God is in the business of changing lives, and you’re on His list!
701 Woodward Ave, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307
(231) 796-8228