Today we conclude the revelations the Lord has been releasing to me regarding 2013. To recap:

During this year (more than ever before), we will find ourselves repeatedly using the words “HOW ODD OF GOD” to describe:

• How He breaks through seemingly impossible situations when we hear His voice and carry out his marching orders as David did in 2 Samuel 5:17-25.
• His choice of seemingly “weak” and “foolish” people to accomplish great things, as Paul indicated in I Corinthians 1:27.
• How he uses the most unlikely “ungodly” leaders to bless Jews and Christians, as He did with his “shepherd”, the Persian king Cyrus in Isaiah 44 & 45.

As I started sharing these revelations with others in our sphere of influence, on more than one occasion, someone responded by saying that “Odd” should really be spelled “Awed!”

Of course, to say “How Awed of God” does not make sense grammatically. Hence today’s post: “HOW AWED BY GOD.”

One of the passages the Lord gave me to amplify this revelation is Luke 5:1-11. Please take a couple of minutes and read it now before you proceed further.

Did you notice how Simon Peter and the other fishermen responded to the huge haul of fish?

“He fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.” (v. 8, 9)

With AWE.

Professional fishermen can’t even catch a break while fishing all night long. Acting reluctantly on a non-fisherman’s advice they bag a net-breaking catch!

Go figure.

No, don’t.

Just admit that you were awed by the odd ways of God!

Fishing is a metaphor that Jesus uses for evangelism, as in “I will make you fishers of people.” (v. 10)

We have come to use the word “evangelism” almost exclusively for sharing the gospel in words with those who have not yet heard the Good News.

We are trained to convince the prospective convert of his/her sinfulness, normally using a Scripture passage such as Romans 3:23—“For all  have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

Yet, there is a very different form of evangelism happening in this very passage.

What convicts Peter of his sinfulness is not a catchy phrase or a convincing speech, but a catch of fish that leaves him awestruck!

Expect this scenario to be repeated over and over again in 2013, like never before.

“If all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, ‘God is truly here among you.’”

The apostle Paul’s words in I Corinthians 14:24-25 have been fulfilled literally thousands of times as I have ministered on teams led by our friend Heather Curnew. We set up booths at holistic fairs and university campuses with the simple sign: “Free Spiritual Readings & Healing Prayer Offered Here.” You should see the line-ups!

As the Holy Spirit delivers a destiny word straight from the Father’s heart through our mouths into their hearts, they have no choice but to fall on their knees as Peter did!

As Jesus ministers healing and they notice an immediate change in their physical condition or sense a deep peace descending upon them, non-Christians are awestruck!

Such encounters are not limited to holistic fairs or university campuses, you know 🙂 You can co-labour with Holy Spirit wherever you may find yourself.

How would you like to be one of the “All” in I Corinthians 14:24?

All you need to do is exactly what we saw David do in the very first post of this series. Learn how to hear God’s voice and act in obedience.

When you do, 2013 will be a year when you will say “How Odd of God” over and over again, because you and others to whom you minister will be AWED BY GOD.

Amen?