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The Seers & Prophets Institute - October 12-14, 2017

SCHEDULE FOR EVENT:

Thursday, October 12

5:00pm Registration opens 5:00-6:30pm Prophetic Appointments 6:30 – 9:00pm Session 1 Friday, October 13

9:30 - 10:30am Workshops 10:45-11:45am Workshops & Connect Groups 1:30 – 4:00pm Session 2 4:00-6:30pm Dinner Break 5:30pm – 6:30pm Prophetic Appointments 6:30 – 9:00pm Session 3 Saturday, October 14 8:30am – 9:30am Prophetic Appointments 9:30am – 12:00pm Session 4 12:00 – 1:30pm Lunch Break 1:30pm – 4:00pm Session 5

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WORKSHOPS AND CONNECT GROUPS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 9:30am – 10:30am 10:45am – 11:45am Please Note: There is no wheelchair access to the Underground or Chapel

THE EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY PROPHET with Pastor Ron Eivaz in the Main Sanctuary

PROPHETIC PSALMISTS with Joshua Vera & Angel Ladd in the underground PACKAGING YOUR PROPHETIC WORD With Elaina Ayala in the Chapel

HOW GOD COMMUNICATES IN NATURE with Sid Widmer in the Kids Building across the street

SHIFTING ATMOSPHERES (Online Only) with Michelle Passey from 10:45am – 11:45am only CONNECT GROUPS with Jay Salinas & Andrea Hinojos 10:45am – 11:45am only In the Green Room behind the Main Sanctuary

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SESSION 1

By Jennifer Eivaz THE PROPHET’S IDENTITY

I. The Prophet’s Identity When you prophesy, that is something you do. But when you are a PROPHET, it’s who you are. You are wired differently. You think differently. You see what others don’t see. You are unusually passionate for the things of God You demand holiness, but you are merciful You feel things deeply. You call things out. You’re an intercessor, a change agent, a forerunner, a pioneer. I believe this weekend is really going to affirm you. Affirm your identity. Get you rooted in who you are. No more second guessing. No more feeling bad for being different. You are on God’s A-team. You don’t need human validation. You are validated by God.

A. A prophet is called of Jesus Christ

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Eph. 4: 11-13

B. Every prophet has a metron.

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Do you know your metron? Metron is a Greek word meaning: (3358) metron (met'-ron); an apparently primary word; a measure ("metre"), literally or figuratively; by implication a limited portion (degree). “We learn this concept from Paul’s ministry. Paul was attacked by critics, accused by his own church people and by other leaders of not having as good a relationship with Christ as they had. Paul answers his critics by defining his ministry sphere, what I call “metron.” In 2 Corinthians 10:12-18, Paul exposes the faulty way that ministries evaluate themselves by using the measuring rod of others. Evaluating themselves by themselves is acting unwisely, and in fact, is harmful. Paul’s key ministry concept that he personally lived by is that he knew his “measure,” his “rule.” “We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us...” (2 Corinthians 10:13). Ministry identity, style, and motives all rest on the understanding of the ministry metron – the sphere God has drawn for you.” Frank Damazio, City Bible Church

C. Prophets flourish in community

“The Old Testament mentions a school of prophets in 1 Samuel 19:18–24 and in 2 Kings 2 and 4:38–44 (some translations say “company of prophets” or “sons of the prophets”). Also, the prophet Amos possibly mentions a prophetic school in stating his credentials (or lack thereof) to King Amaziah: “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet” (Amos 7:14).” “In 2 Kings 2 Elijah is traveling with Elisha, and a group of prophets from Bethel tells Elisha that Elijah would be taken from him that day (verse 3). Another group of prophets at Jericho repeats the prophecy (verse 5), and a third group of prophets near the Jordan River also delivers the same message (verse 7). This third group of 50 men may have been a subset of the group of prophets at Jericho. After Elijah was taken up into heaven, Elisha reluctantly sends 50 of these prophets to search for Elijah for three days (verses 15–18).” (https://www.gotquestions.org/school-of-prophets.html) And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Acts 11:27 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers… Acts 13:1

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On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. Acts 21:8,9

D. Prophets are leaders

After I had a vision in which I was called as a prophet, I began to recognize the voice of God in a set of repeated circumstances. One church in particular, The International Church of Las Vegas, would have an annual “Holy Spirit” conference that was consistently anointed and a place of refreshing for my husband and I especially as young pastors. The ICLV pastors enjoyed bringing to the front all the visiting ministers for personal ministry. Hands would be laid on us, the anointing would fall, and as ministers we would receive powerfully. In my case, however, I noticed I would often receive the anointing much deeper than the rest. It was the same pattern each time. I would be out in the Spirit on the floor and I would stay that way well past the others. They would respectfully move their conference service forward, but I would be left in the altar space of the church and a few times up on the platform. It was quite embarrassing to me as I was not an upfront person at all. I was always a back-row person. I came to realize much later that God did that on purpose and it was a message. He was saying that as a prophet He had called me to stand before the people, not behind them. It’s a leadership role.

Since then, I’ve understood the role of a prophet to be the role of a leader. It’s taken a long time to cultivate a mindset and application of leadership in my life. Being a prophet involves a “governing” role in the Body of Christ that equips and matures the saints alongside the other gifts of Christ: apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph 4:11,12). Are You Called As a Prophet? Then You Are Called to Lead, Jennifer Eivaz (blog article)

E. Prophets must deal with intimidation

If you are going to succeed as a Prophet-Leader, you need to deal with the spirit of intimidation. Second Timothy 1:7 says we are not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Prophets often deal with the spirit of fear and anxiety in a heightened way. The spirit of fear, which is often connected to a Jezebel spirit, wants to keep you silent and put you in hiding. This spirit will discourage you, make you suicidal, and cause you to second-guess everything you hear from the Lord (see 1 Kings 19:4). You must relentlessly resist fear and discouragement in all of your thoughts and your relationships.

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F. Prophets are trained by the Holy Spirit AND by other prophets

I’ve heard many times from lone prophets who shun any training or equipping in the company of other more mature prophets saying that the Holy Spirit is the one who teaches them. If this is true, then it would work everywhere. Those of us who have the Holy Spirit, including our children, would not need to go to school or study or read or do anything. Just listen to the Holy Spirit. We all know this doesn’t work. Those with that kind of thinking end up being socially inept, awkward, and remain dormant and unknown. We need teachers! We need the Holy Spirit and other prophets to teach us! One of the five-fold ministry gifts is the teacher! Thank God for teachers. We are taught of the Spirit AND we are taught from other prophets.

G. Prophets and their ministry must be life-giving What does life-giving ministry look like? Acts 2:38 And He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil. Words that lift. Words that bring faith. Words that deliver. Words that reveal the heart of God. What doesn’t it look like? You can’t bring forth life as long as death is working in you. That’s about the heart. Satan goes after your heart because out of your heart flows the issues of life. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. So he goes after your heart. You will be tested with offense and I want to remind you that Jesus died for His betrayers. When you have a healthy heart, you carry the fragrance of heaven. When you don’t, you carry the stink of bitterness.

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We can see it in your words. Negative. Always calling people out. Self-righteous. Nothing endearing about you at all. Is there a time to call things out? Yes. But its led by the Holy Spirit and not your own bitterness. So we have to understand the purpose of betrayal. Jesus was betrayed and we are no better. Betrayal does come to kill you, it comes to kill your heart, but your Heavenly Father is ready to raise you up and take you above it. It also comes as the "sifter." It sifts wrong people out of your life, but it also sifts out your true heart identity. Who do you identify with more? Do you identify more with Jesus or do you identify with your friends, family, denomination or movement? If your identity is firmly in Christ, your heart will remain in Christ even when wounded. If your identity is in someone else, you will lose your identity and not overcome your season of sifting. You have to know who you are and whose you are or you will stumble at this point and fail to carry the glory. ******** Prophets are healers, deliverers, deep worshipers, intercessors, and lovers of the written word of God. Prophets are purifiers, refiners, reformers, dreamers, and culture changers.

II. There are different kinds of prophets

This has to do with expression and communication. You can flow in more than one expression. There are additional expressions that are not on this list and many more still waiting to be discovered.

A. Nabi prophets

The ordinary Hebrew word for prophet is nabi, derived from a verb signifying "to bubble forth" like a fountain; hence the word means one who announces or pours forth the declarations of God. (http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/smiths-bible-dictionary/prophet.html)

B. Seer prophets

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(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: “Come, let us go to the seer”; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.) I Sam. 9:9 1. Ro'eh: means ‘a seer’ (used 12 times in Hebrew text) and describes the

prophetic revelation of the prophet through visions. This word is the active participle of “ra’ah” which means you can interpret it as “the one who sees” “the seeing one”, “the one having vision.” It stresses the prophet’s receiving of visions.

2. Chozeh: translated to English as ‘prophet’ and carries the base meaning of ‘a seer.’ (used 22 times in Hebrew text). A broader term referring to cognitive or visionary perception. A common operation of the prophetic in your life. God shows you something and gives you the task of verbalizing what you saw in your heart.

3. Hozeh: similarly reflects the visionary characteristic of prophecy. Active in

origin translated as “the one who is seeing or prophesying”

**Thus SEER Prophets typically major in dreams and visions and have the ability to “read” the voice of God in the natural and ordinary world.** C. Prophetic Psalmists

“A psalmist is much more than a praise and worship leader or a choir director. He is like a painter with a blank canvas. Music is his paintbrush and the environment, the atmosphere is his canvas. He paints the mood in which the Holy Spirit is to move among His people. He hears music in his spirit and transfers it to his instruments. Sometimes his canvas takes on the mood of healing, sometimes gladness, sadness, laughing in the spirit or whatever the need is. The psalmist has to be sensitive to what the Spirit is leading him to and flow in accordance. He creates the heart/mind set called worship so the church can begin to praise God.” Luis Nazario, http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=52236

D. Shamar prophets

This word shamar means to guard, to keep, to be a watchman. It emphasizes the protective element of the prophet’s mantle. The preserving and guarding aspect of the prophet’s ministry is needed in every local church. Many well

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meaning pastors have suffered unnecessarily due to the lack of understanding this aspect of the ministry of the prophet. The shamar aspect of the prophet’s ministry is one of the most important ones, and it will benefit the church greatly…

Shamar can refer to guarding a flock, the heart, the mind, a nation, or a city from outside attack or ungodly influences. It is used in reference to keeping (guarding) the gates or entries to cities. Each local church needs a prophetic guard. This is not one prophet but a company of prophets who help guard the church from the invasion of the enemy. Churches that develop the prophetic ministry will have the advantage of being protected through prophetic intercession and the shamar aspect of the prophetic ministry. Apostle John Eckhardt, https://www.charismamag.com/spirit/prayer/17155-understanding-the-role-of-a-watchman

E. Prophets to nations

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jer. 1:5 1. A prophet gains spiritual authority by the things they overcome (Rev. 2:26).

Their battles are harder because they are being conditioned to deliver nations. Don't quit. God's grace will meet you in the hard places.

2. If you are going to deliver nations, you must first learn how to deliver

yourself. Your battle has a much higher purpose.

3. Our first training ground for ministry is often in our own home. How can we win the battle for the nations if we can't win the battle for our homes? Bloodline blessings and legacies are often at stake. We don't war against flesh and blood. Consider the spirit of the matter and don't be quick to quit your family.

F. Prophets to kings

Nathan was a prophet in the Bible who lived during the reign of King David in Israel. God spoke to David through Nathan on several occasions. Nathan was a member of David’s royal court and one of his closest advisors. Nathan apparently also knew Bathsheba well enough to speak to her about Adonijah’s

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attempt to usurp David’s throne from her son, Solomon (1 Kings 1:11) and to enlist her help in bringing the matter to the king. There are three or four stories in the Bible featuring Nathan that occurred during some of the darkest and most emotional times in David’s life.

First Chronicles 3:5 reveals the fact that King David and Queen Bathsheba named one of their sons born to them in Jerusalem “Nathan.” No doubt, the child’s name is a reflection of the royal couple’s appreciation for the prophet Nathan’s faithfulness, friendship, and tough love through the years. (https://www.gotquestions.org/Nathan-in-the-Bible.html)

G. Marketplace prophets

We often associate prophets just in connection with the church. While this is true, there are prophets being assigned to sectors of society. Consider the “Seven-Mountains Mandate” and then you’ll understand the call and establishing of prophets in each of these areas. 1. Religion 2. Family 3. Education 4. Government 5. Media 6. Arts & Entertainment 7. Business

H. Glory prophets

(This is a term that I’ve been presenting to people because I believe the Holy Spirit wants to fan it into flame) These would be signs and wonders prophets, such as Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Enoch, Ezekiel, etc. Prophets who administer the glory of the Lord and signs and wonders in connection with the glory realm. For example, Ruth Ward Heflin. Glory clouds, lights, fire on the buildings, oil, supernatural laughter, miracles, salvations, jewels, feathers, and on and on.

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The two witnesses in the Book of Revelation, chapter 11, will fall into this category. Only, they will turn water into blood, fire will come out of their mouths, they will stop the rain at will, and call forth plagues.

I. Nature prophets

Prophets who can translate the voice of God as it emerges in nature. They experience signs and wonders in nature and can also have a measure of control over the weather as God directs them.

J. Scribal prophets

Prophets anointed to write with the mantle of the “writing sword.” (Jennifer Eivaz) This also is an umbrella term that includes ancient and modern scribal prophetic functions such as writer, journalist, lawyer, publisher, printer, copy editor, orator, judge, transcriptionist, clerk, secretary, devotionalist, novelist, news reporter, copyist, treasurer, etc. (The Scribal Anointing by Theresa Harvard Johnson)

K. Praying prophets

A Praying Prophet is a prophet whose primary assignment is prayer, but even more importantly to equip and develop leaders of prayer. I see an army of prayer leaders emerging. Not just people who pray, but people who equip other people to pray. (Jennifer Eivaz)

III. WHAT DOES A PROPHET DO?

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Eph. 4:11-16

A. A Prophet and the church:

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1. Equips the saints to do the work of ministry.

2. Builds up the body of Christ

3. Promotes unity, maturity, and growth in believers

4. Creates constructive ecosystems within the body of Christ

B. A Prophet and their metron

1. Commissions leaders

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. I Tim. 4:14,15 KJV

2. Gives warnings, protects, and watches And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. Acts 11:27-29

3. Intercedes for people, cities, nations, etc. (All prophets are intercessors)

a. The intercession of a prophet carries much weight with God. A prophet

can intercede and stop judgment, plagues, and destruction.

b. We build people. We don’t destroy them.

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. Luke 9:55-59

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4. Prophets prophecy the future, announce times and seasons, and proclaim

the new things coming

Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 Prophets need to discern the right word for the right time. The third chapter of Ecclesiastes gives us a list of fourteen opposites with an instruction that there is a season and timing for everything. What is the point of this passage? The point is the right word for one season is the wrong word in another season.

5. Engages culture, deals with injustice, and delivers the people

a. Moses

b. Martin Luther King

c. Christine Caine – A21 End Slavery Now Campaign

VISIONS & SEEING INTO THE SPIRITUAL REALM SESSION 4 DECLARATIONS OF FAITH

• I will look to see what He will say to me -- Hab. 2:1

• My eyes are blessed to see! -- Matt. 13:16

• I only do what I see my Father doing -- John 5:19

I. You were made to hear the voice of God. You were made to hear His voice with accuracy.

A. My sheep hear My voice: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

B. I am the good Shepherd:

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I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. John 10:11-14 Good in John 10:11 is: καλός (kalos) good, possessing moral excellence, worthy, upright, virtuous.

C. You can trust My voice:

I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say. John 12:49-50

D. We are being invited to KNOW His voice:

ginóskó: to come to know, recognize, perceive

Original Word: γινώσκω

HELPS Word-studies 1097 ginōskō – properly, to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance). 1097/ginōskō ("experientially know") is used for example in Lk 1:34, "And Mary [a virgin] said to the angel, 'How will this be since I do not know (1097 /ginōskō = sexual intimacy) a man?'"

E. His voice is to be experienced and His voice is multi-dimensional.

Question: What are some ways God speaks?

“God will speak to you anyway He wants to.” – Bobby Conner

II. GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH VISIONS

A. Greek words 1. Optasia: an apparition, a sight, vision (Luke 1:22; 24:23; Acts 26:19; 2 Cor. 12:1)

2. Horama: something gazed at, a sight, a thing seen, vision (Matt. 17:9; Acts 9:10,12;

10:3; 18:9)

3. Horasis: a sight, an appearance, seeing (Acts 2:17; Rev. 9:17)

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(Greek and definitions by John Paul Jackson’s Understanding Dreams and Visions) Question: Based on these definitions, have you ever had a vision? God gives divine visions from time to time to communicate what He wants you to see. He also opens your spiritual eyes to see in general the things that are happening in the spiritual realm. This is a supernatural ability from the Holy Spirit to distinguish what is indistinguishable to others. Often, you will encounter in the spiritual realm things that are intangible and without definition or highly symbolic. Other times, you will see things that are plain and easy to understand and communicate. For things that are intangible and symbolic, we have to learn interpretation skills and develop in our ability to "say what we see" so that others can understand it. Jennifer Eivaz And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17

B. Connecting to visions

1. The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit 2. The Doorway of the Word 3. Prayer 4. By the release of the SEER Prophet’s anointing

C. Eastern vs. Western thinking

D. Group Exercise

We connect to visions because God has poured out His Spirit. We also connect to

visions through the doorway of the word. Jesus is the Word and His written Word

always points to Him. His written word is so powerful that Jesus used scripture as His

weapon of choice during His battle with Satan in the wilderness. When we meditate on

His Word, we actually enter into His Word and will have a real experience with Him.

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high

mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the

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sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared

to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us

to be here; if You wish, let us[a] make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses,

and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed

them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in

whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their

faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do

not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Matt

17: 1-8

1. Visualize yourself in the scene

2. See Jesus

3. Ask Jesus your question

4. Write down the answer

III. GOD IS ALWAYS SPEAKING TO US BUT HIS FIRST LANGUAGE ISN’T ENGLISH

A. At times His voice feels like:

1. A riddle (or parable)

2. A mystery

3. A series of coincidental experiences

4. Sudden changes in emotion or thought

5. Visions/dreams

B. God speaks to us in many ways

Many of us struggle with analytical thinking when it comes visions. Perhaps the vision

starts out as a “God vision”, but then we find that our own mind begins “directing the

movie” after a certain point in time. When that happens it can be very frustrating, many

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times we forfeit the legitimate things God is speaking to us because our analytical mind

keeps “grabbing the steering wheel”. Much of this type of analytical thinking (in

relation to God) is rooted in the breaking away of Protestants from the Roman Catholic

Church 500 years ago. “I believe that when Protestantism protested and left the Roman

Catholic Church, they reacted against Catholicism's use of imagery. I believe Protestants

have held an ungodly belief that all use of images constitutes a graven image. Their

corresponding inner vow was that they would reject all uses of imagery in their Christian

lives. The result is that most Protestant books on systematic theology do not even include

a section on dream, vision, imagination, or any other application of the eyes of one's heart.

This is startling considering that the biblical stories and actions which came as a result of

dreams and visions form a section of Scripture equal in size to the entire New Testament!

Their ungodly belief has given them the right to ignore one-third of the Bible.” Excerpt

from 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice by Mark and Patti Virkler

We need the help of the Holy Spirit to break us from these analytical thought patterns

that put God in a box, so to speak.

Just for fun, let’s take a look at one scientific theory that refers to analytical thinking

and brain function. For those who are more analytically and logically bent, this will help

you to “switch over” into right-brain thinking and tap into God’s flow of visions.

The theory of brain lateralization or the “left-brain-right-brain” theory was first

introduced in the mid 1800’s by a French neurosurgeon by the name of Paul Broca.

Summary of the “left-brain-right-brain” theory from Indiana University Bloomington’s

website:

The human brain is a paired organ; it is composed of two halves (called cerebral

hemispheres) that look pretty much alike.

The term brain lateralization refers to the fact that the two halves of the human brain are

not exactly alike. Each hemisphere has functional specializations: some function whose

neural mechanisms are localized primarily in one half of the brain.

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In humans, the most obvious functional specialization is speech and language abilities. In

the mid – 1800’s, Paul Broca (a French neurosurgeon) identified a particular area of the left

hemisphere that plays a primary role in speech production. Shortly afterwards, a German

neurologist, Carl Wernicke, identified another part of the left hemisphere primarily

concerned with language comprehension.

The idea of this theory is that each brain hemisphere hosts a different series of brain

functions.

RIGHT HEMISPHERE LEFT HEMISPHERE

Spatial awareness, intuition, facial

recognition, visual imagery, music

awareness, art, rhythm

Speech and language, logical analysis and

reasoning, mathematical computations.

Problem solves with hunches, looking for

patterns and configurations.

Problem solves by logically and sequentially

looking at the parts of things

Looks at similarities Looks at differences

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Is fluid and spontaneous Is planned and structured

Prefers elusive, uncertain information Prefers established, certain information

Prefers drawing and manipulating objects Prefers talking and writing

Prefers open ended questions Prefers multiple choice tests

Free with feelings Controls feelings

Thought process — random; non- verbal

(process with visuals).

Thought process — sequential; verbal (process

with words)

Which do you identify with?

EXERCISE: Just for fun, let’s see if you’re prediction is right. Give yourself a point for each “left”

or “right” answer you receive.

1. Does the image on the screen spin clockwise or counterclockwise?

2. Put your hand on your head – which did you use?

3. Cross your arms over your chest, which are is on top?

4. Cross your legs, which leg is on top?

5. Close one eye. Which eye is still open?

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Left Right

II. VISIONS ARE MORE DOMINANTLY RIGHT HEMISPHERE FUNCTIONS.

A. Here are some left-brain qualities that directly war with our ability to tap into God’s

flow of visions: 1. Overanalyzing

2. Being overly restrained

3. Lack of flexibility

4. Not being okay with mystery or open-endedness

B. At the same time, there are traits of the right-brain, if left unchecked, can war with our

ability to accept that “God visions” are from God 1. Problems with focusing, easily distractible

2. Insomnia or racing thoughts

3. Too many irons in the fire The goal isn’t to be someone you’re not but to quiet the things that take up real estate in your imagination so you can see what God is saying.

EXERCISE:

1. Try to see more than one perspective of these images (on screen).

2. Because speech and language are mainly “left-brain” functions, I’m going to read a

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short story to you and I want you to tell the story back to me using “right-brain” recording techniques. As you do this, get creative!

(Adapted from John Paul Jackson’s Intuitive Recording Method)

Cluster

Story Diagram

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Spiral Recording

Intuitive (drawing)

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Here are a few additional tips to intuitively record the information:

• Classify things according to movement in space and time.

• Categorize elements according to strong emotions or impressions

• Emphasize certain words by using larger or bolder script

• Use different styles of writing. For example, print some words, and use cursive for

others.

• Be creative with doodle or stick figures

EXERCISE: Take a piece of Playdough (or piece of paper). As I read these words out, I want you

to form (or draw) something that relates to these words without the use of words.

• Marriage

• Ocean

• Courage

EXERCISE: Nominate one person from your group to act out a secret phrase without using

language. Your group has to guess what you’re trying to say. (Charades)

III. RECEIVING VISIONS

Visions from God bubble up. Visions from our own mind – we cook up Recognize that

visions from our own minds are analytical; Visions from God are spontaneous. Write what

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you see. Also write out your train of thoughts. This will help you make sense of the

seemingly random images that you’re seeing.

EXERCISE: Let’s practice receiving visions. I’m going to read a scripture and I’m going to have

you visualize the imagery as I read. (Rev. 1:12-18)

Some examples of what you might see:

• God’s personal vision to you (for your strengthening and encouraging)

• Visions of a particular person/people group/nation, etc. (intercession/prophecy)

• Visions that bring a solution to a problem (spark of creativity, words of wisdom)

• Visions of past events (words of knowledge)

• Visions to encourage others (personal prophecy)

• Visions of heaven (to create faith/sense of purpose)

• Visions of hell (to stir up compassion for the lost)

• Visions of future happenings (foretelling and/or intercession)

EXERCISE: Still your mind and open five senses. Close eyes.

Ears – Lord, we yield our ears to you. Revelation 14:2 BLB And I heard a voice from heaven,

like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard

was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps.

Nose – Lord, we yield our nose to you. John 12:3 NIV 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure

nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And

the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

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Mouth – Lord, we yield our mouths to you. Psalm 119:103 NIV How sweet are your words to

my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Touch – Lord, we yield our sense of touch to you. John 3:8 NIV The wind blows wherever it

pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it

is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Eyes – Lord, we yield our eyes to you. Micah 7:7 NIV But as for me, I watch in hope for the

LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Now take some time and meditate on

what God is showing you right now. When you’re ready, write out what God has shown you.

WE HAVE VISIONS WHEN WE PRAY

John 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do

nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in

like manner.

Not only do we “listen to hear,” but we “look to see."

Hab. 2:1-3 I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He

will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the Lord answered me and

said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the

vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it

tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

ACTIVATION:

You will receive visions as you pray for another.

What do you see?

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Turn these visions into ministry:

Pray the answer, not the problem.

SESSION 5 The Gift of Discerning of Spirts (Be sure to purchase your copy of SEEING THE SUPERNATURAL) I. Delivered from a spirit of sorcery

(show Sid Roth video … just the part from 8:48 – 12:00) II. Anointed with the gift of discerning of spirits, but didn’t know it III. The story of Easton IV. The gift of discerning of spirits explained

A. A common description for the gift of discerning of spirits is that it’s a supernatural ability from the Holy Spirit to distinguish between spirits – divine, demonic and human. It also enables us to discern the hidden motives of the heart.

B. Embraces the “hard-to-explain” and the “intangibles” of the spiritual realm, making it historically difficult to teach. We’ve lacked adequate language to explain it properly.

C. There are numerous examples of the gift of discerning of spirits in both the Old and New Testaments. 1. Elisha and his servant 2. Lot 3. Samuel 4. King Saul’s servants 5. Jesus cast out demons and knew their “kind” 6. Apostle Paul discerns a python spirit 7. Apostle Peter discerns a deceptive offering

These examples exhibit the gift of discerning of spirits in operation, but they don’t explain how this gift operates or how to distinguish one spirit from another. We see the end point, but not the process. And it’s the process of discerning that is often

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misunderstood, ignored, or rejected. The reason is this gift is a sensory process before it is an intellectual one. And in our Greek-thinking culture that elevates logic and reason above emotions and the spiritual, we’ve inadvertently shut down the internal mechanism by which this gift flows. Seeing the Supernatural, Jennifer Eivaz V. This gift operates primarily through your senses

But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Heb. 5:14 NASB

VI. You’re not crazy, you have a gift

Melisa Villegas attends Harvest Christian Center in Turlock CA and also has the gift of discerning of spirits. She describes this gift as overbearing at times and involving all of her physical and emotional senses. Melisa will feel, literally, what another person feels. For example, if she were to read a news article about someone who attempted suicide, she will find herself agonizing in the deep anguish of pain that they couldn’t see past. This, of course, pushes her into places of deep intercession. “This gift is not a ‘feel great’ gift, but a gift that goes deep,” she said. “That’s where our Heavenly Father is. He’s in our deep places, the places that need His cleansing.”

Sid Widmer business owner and prophetic teacher, described himself as always having an awareness about people and a sensitivity to the spirit realm. In his 20s, he was often in his pastor’s office “emotional and stormy” describing various burdens he felt for the church and the people in it, burdens about situations he had no prior knowledge about. He finally realized in his 30s that he discerned a lot through his emotions, picking up things that were going on in the spiritual environment and processing them through his feelings. “I used to think I was becoming unstable or bi-polar,” he said. “My moods would shift so fast and disproportionally to the situation I was in.” Sid began to make mental notes about his mood shifts, noticing repeated patterns, and realizing that his mood would shift in reaction to certain spirits in the vicinity. He is still learning about this gift and how to remain anchored to the Holy Spirit when these things take place, something most will say is easier said than done.

VII. Wrong Discernment

The fruit of this gift is just as important as learning how this gift processes. Are people being set free? Is the kingdom of God being established in greater measures? Too often this gift has been credited for shaming and blaming people and/or falsely accusing them. Because the gift of discerning of spirits works primarily through the senses, it requires practice and maturity to know what you are sensing and why. It also needs a

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redemptive application. Unfortunately, wrong discernment happens. Here are some reasons why: A. Having a loveless heart B. Looking on outward appearance C. Inexperienced with the spiritual

I had a dream It was my first attempt ever to teach the gift of discerning of spirits. I remember it being a Sunday night service at my home church, Harvest Christian Center in Turlock, CA. My husband and I had been ministering there for approximately five years and we were teaching our church about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which included the gift of discerning of spirits (I Cor. 12:7-11).

My teaching about this gift was quite simplistic. I gave a standard definition for the gift of discerning of spirits, that it is a supernatural ability from the Holy Spirit to see and distinguish between spirits: the Spirit of God, the spirit of man, and the spirit of devils. I then gave several biblical examples of the discerning of spirits as well as some testimonies. I had felt deep down that my teaching was somewhat lopsided and shallow. I just couldn’t explain in plain language, yet, how I discerned what I discerned. There were so many variables and so many strange feelings and physical sensations involved. Trying to package that in an understandable way seemed almost impossible. At the same time, I felt I could only best present how to discern the demonic realm because I had enough clear language to explain that side of this gift. Either way, my teaching was still well-received and it did open the eyes of our congregants more than before.

The night after I spoke, I had a disturbing dream. In the dream I was being escorted by a strong angel named Jeff. Jeff means “the peace of God.” This angel was muscular, but the size and appearance of a man. He wore regular clothing, but his clothes were white and so was everything else about him. He escorted me through the air to a large city. I did not know the name of the city or have any idea where I was at. He then escorted me into a high rise building located in the center of the city. We went up the elevator to the very top floor and then stepped out of the elevator right into a penthouse office suite. There we met a physically short man wearing business attire. When he saw us, he firmly stood up from behind his desk and walked briskly around it coming right in front of me to look me square in the eyes. He had the meanest countenance I’ve ever seen. The fierce hostility radiated off of him. “Why are you teaching this?!” he demanded nastily and with force. “Don’t you ever teach this again!” Here the dream ended and I woke up realizing that I just may have encountered Satan himself in a dream. Why was the gift of discerning of spirits such threat to him? As time progressed, I began to realize the price tag for those who operate in this gift. Most everyone loves you when you spiritually discern the Presence of the Lord, the angels, and

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discern their more positive attributes. When you have the ability to discern the hidden things, however, it can bring a very real level of persecution by those who don’t want you to see the things that you see. In addition, that vile deceiver, Satan, will do anything he can to stop you from blowing his cover. Still, it’s immensely worth it to be in the know even when no one else is.

The dream also showed me that Satan still occupied very high places in the earth. He was in the tallest building at the very top floor! Whoever occupies the high places overshadows the people with their presence, and in this case, Satan’s wickedly deceptive presence. For this reason, the gift of discerning of spirits will be challenged from the high places, that is until we, Christ’s church on the earth, rise up and occupy them. This is what this gift is all about. You see and discern so you can respond. You see and discern, so you can battle. It is a gift with a purpose, to advance Christ’s kingdom in the earth. -- Seeing the Supernatural, Jennifer Eivaz