Welcome back to the second part of our series ‘A Prophetic Word for 2025’
Last time I introduced, a word the Lord gave me. for 2025
The word was:
A year of remarkable opportunities !
The word He gave me to pass on, came with an invitation , a warning and also an application !
Firstly the invitation.
I shared how on the Sunday two days before I received this word , as I entered a local church, the Lord spoke to me these words.
Ask me to give you, the desires of your heart and I will grant them !
This very question is seen in many scriptures,like
John 16:23-24 (TPT) and 1 John 5:14-15 (TPT)
I posed the question:
If God were to show up right now, in front of you and
say, Ask me to give you, the desires of your heart and I will grant them !
Would you know what to ask for ?
Would it be clear and precise ?
Would it be truly what you want or just a random thought, as you know you need to say something or fear missing out ?
As God has asked this question before to one called Solomon and not only did the Lord grant him everything he asked for. Which was ‘wisdom and knowledge, to lead God’s people’. But God also upsize the blessing too.
‘wisdom and knowledge will be given you And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” (2 Chronicles 1:12(NIV).
Lastly I shared the warning around the story Jesus tells about the 10 virgins in Mathew 25:1-13
Five were prepared for the invitation with extra oil for their lamps and 5 were not. The five who were prepared were ready for the arrival of the bridegroom and the other 5 were not. So hence the 5, who were ready got to enter. But the five who were not ready, got leftout.
I shared that this verse may be symbolic of the day Jesus returns !
But it also reflects God’s nature. What happens when He gives opportunities ! Yes His will is for everyone to receive and be included. But He also knows that not everyone will be ready . So the ones who a ready will receive and those who are not ready, will miss out !
Sadly this is what it will be like, this year, when He releases remarkable opportunities ! (This was God’s warning He passed on to me )
Today we will start looking at the application. Also I will share a testimony. That I have already received from Don and Christine Simpson . Who were at our New Year’s Eve crossover service. They heard and received this word. Then applied it and are already experiencing it in their own life’s and ministry.
As I shared above God’s nature, is for all to receive and enter into remarkable opportunities He is going to release this year. So hence why, I believe He has given us, an application for preparation.
So how do we prepare ourselves for these remarkable opportunities ?
How do we know what to ask for ?
We do what Jesus demonstrated when He walked on the earth in flesh. We eagerly walk towards one with the Holy Spirit and the Father through Jesus !
Let me explain
Luke 3:21-22 (TPT)
One day Jesus came to be baptized along with all the others. As he was consumed with the spirit of prayer, the heavenly realm ripped open above him and the Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the visible, tangible form of a dove and landed on him. Then God’s audible voice was heard, saying, “My Son, you are my beloved one. Through you I am fulfilled.”
There is so much to learn in these verses, But the three things I want to point out are:
1. Jesus was consumed with the spirit of prayer,
2. The Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the visible, tangible form of a dove and landed on him.
3. Then God’s audible voice was heard, saying, “My Son, you are my beloved one. Through you I am fulfilled.”
Let’s break these three things down.
The entry point to ‘Truly becoming One, with any part of the trinity. The Father, The Son (Jesus) and The Holy Spirit, is prayer. Although not just a standard prayer. But being open to be fully consumed, by the spirit of prayer ! As you will see through this and the next part, of this message.
Once fully consumed, by the spirit of prayer the Holy Spirit has something to land on. The Holy Spirit landed on Jesus for a purpose. The purpose was that they would be come ‘One’. As the spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. This is where the marriage of two becoming one, between them happened. As in Luke 4:14 it says: Jesus came out of the wilderness…..empowered by the Holy Spirit. What once was upon, now had become a source or a stream within.
Lastly the Fathers prophecy My Son, you are my beloved one. Through you I am fulfilled.”
This was the Father confirming who Jesus was, But also that He would one day, be one with Him. Then from this place, Jesus would accomplish the Father’s will. We will look at this, in our next part, of this series. Exploring Jesus’s secret to coming one with The Father.
Challenge Time
1 1. Find some time to slip away with the Lord and start with worship and thanks giving. Thanking Him for all the blessings He poured into your life in 2024 and will do in 2025.
2. Ask the Father to release upon you the consuming spirit of prayer.
A prayer Like ‘Father I ask that You will, release upon me, the consuming spirit of prayer in Jesus name amen
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into becoming one with Him.
Say a prayer like ‘Holy Spirit I accept your invitation, to become one with You today. Come upon me and lead me into a place, to become one with You and through You. That I may come out truly empowered by You. I pray this in Jesus name amen.
4. Give thanks
Father ask as Your children come to You today ! Will you render the heaven and declare Your word over them as you did with Your Son Jesus. Also release upon and in them the consuming spirit of prayer. Holy Spirit would you full upon them and lead them into discovering oneness with You. I ask all this in the name above all names Jesus amen.
Before we finish today here is a testimony I have received, Thank you Don for sharing this with me and allowing us to share it with others.
Hi Craig. Remarkable opportunities is so true for us Craig your prophecy we take it on board. In Feb 4th 2025 we are at a seminar in Melbourne paid by the Nigerian people we know. Flights paid for accommodation paid for. A God blessing.
We are praying for an opportunity to visit Steward Island to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the locals.
In the next 4 months doing healing meetings with AOG.
Then in May off on a half world cruise running a Bible study on the ship and doing the Sunday services when ship is at sea.
Then a month in England and then doing another cruise to Iceland and Scotland then back to Nz after stopping off at Singapore.
Picking up the AOG meetings back in NZ. And running Bible study class.
Then picking up new ministries as ask.
As it is with Don and His wife Christine, May it now be with you, Thank You Jesus for leading and revealing the way. For us to understand and enter into the incredible opportunities, You have prepared for us in 2025 amen.
For those of you, who want to place an offering at the alter or plant a finical seed in the fertile ground of the Lord. Maybe you could contribute in someway towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry, then release His word through them, in a variety of ways.
Below is a link to a secure website, so you can do this safely online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@encounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre & Ministries