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Unexpected

4/9/2019

6 Comments

 
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I’m always amazed by how God moves and ministers in ways we can never fathom. He is a God of the unexpected. This past weekend I was invited to speak for a women’s luncheon and to stay and preach at the church on Sunday morning. God always has different messages for different congregations, and I always seek to hear exactly what He would have me share with each one.

This weekend was no different. I had prayed and prayed for direction on what He would have me to share with this particular congregation. I seemed to hear nothing but crickets! Then I finally felt impressed in my Spirit to share the same sermon I had preached at a service earlier in the week. I took out my notes from the previous service and looked over them in preparation for Sunday morning.

As I stepped onto the platform and began to preach, the Holy Spirit used the same bare bones structure for the sermon. But, then He stepped in and took me in a totally different direction than I had intended to go. As He led me, I found myself sharing things I had never planned on sharing, and things that were certainly not in my notes.

I love when the Holy Spirit does that. He knew exactly what He had planned for that congregation whether I expected it or not. I had envisioned a totally different outcome for that service that morning. But, He just wanted me to follow His lead. I wasn’t expecting what He did in the altar service either. He showed up in a powerful way, evidenced by signs and wonders.

His plans were totally unexpected, but they were absolutely perfect! I wonder how many times we miss amazing blessings because we are not expecting what He has planned? Do we get so caught up in our own plans that we don’t realize when He changes directions and begins to lead us in another direction?

I’m learning the importance of completely leaning on Him and allowing Him to upset my own plans and intentions more than ever before. I love seeing Him move in unexpected ways. I have heard report after report about how God spoke confirmations to people, and answered questions in the minds of different individuals this past weekend. Some were saved. Others experienced physical healing, and others were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

When we simply let the Holy Spirit have His way, He has the ability to minister to every need in the room. If we rely on our own knowledge we often stifle the work He is trying to do. We need to be willing to go in unexpected directions upon His leading. It might not look anything like what we are expecting. But, I would much rather see the outcome He brings about, than what I could witness through my own feeble attempts.

I’m embracing the unexpected leadership of the Holy Spirit.
What would happen if we raised our expectations, and allowed for His unexpected direction in every aspect of our lives? I think it would be nothing short of miraculous!
6 Comments
Dot
4/9/2019 01:28:59 pm

Love to read your blogs they are so good. I love the way you let God have his way and put your trust in him. God is going to do great things through your ministry. Love you!

Reply
Donna
4/9/2019 01:33:46 pm

Thank you! Love you too!

Reply
Connie Benton
4/10/2019 02:30:33 pm

It's Not About Me. He's been impressing this upon my Spirit for a very long time. It's all I can say.

Reply
Donna
4/10/2019 04:47:21 pm

❤️❤️❤️

Reply
Carol Brown
4/10/2019 04:17:58 pm

Raising our expectations was the theme of Beth Moore's sermons in Memphis a couple weeks ago: 'Raising the Roof: Re-estimating the Inestimable'. The Four part confessional was (1) We have underestimated God, (2) We have underestimated our value to Him and future with Him, (3) We haveunderestimated the power He is willing to exert on our behalf, and (4) We have now come to a new end of our old estimations.
It was powerful I had actually pulled the notes out this morning and was reviewing them. God always speaks in stereo, doesn't He. Thanks for sharing this.

Reply
Donna
4/10/2019 04:48:07 pm

Yes, I LOVE when He speaks in stereo! 🥰

Reply



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    Author

    Donna Sparks is an International Speaker and Evangelist. She is the Author of Beauty From Ashes: My Story of Grace, and, No Limits: Embracing the Miraculous.

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