I had a Spirit-filled pastor mention to me today that I was the apostle of the message on "how to hear God’s voice which opens the door to communion with God."
They went on to say: "You were bringing NEW Light to those communities in the world. You carried, and continue to carry your apostolic message of How to Hear God’s Voice and it has reverberated around the world bringing LIGHT to millions, whether you are personally present or not. It will carry on long after you are gone.
"Mark, in your case, you learned various keys from various men. They said something that the Spirit of God HIGHLIGHTED inside your heart and mind with a yellow marker — in your spirit. And when you heard the booming voice from God telling you to go to Habakkuk and discern that all four keys were there, stillness, vision, flow, journaling. BAM! All 4 keys. So simple, so true. That was Jesus teaching you in real-time. YOU were obedient and did not doubt the vision. (Like Peter witnessing to Cornelius, the Gentile.)
"You did not receive a hypothesis or a theory. You received a spiritual LAW because it works the same way for any believer when they follow these 4 keys in faith.
"Others could have heard those various phrases and never put them together. YOU were called to make that “pie” so to speak. God not only caused the “ingredients” to stand out in your mind but took you to His kitchen that morning with a booming voice to make the pie crust with Hab. 2:1,2.
"It was all a move of the Holy Spirit for you to compile all those ingredients to regain a lost art, all believers CAN hear God’s voice. They can commune with God. The apostolic part was putting them together in an exact and beautiful fit for our understanding.
"And now MILLIONS are following that recipe, and having an intimate relationship with the Lord! What a wonderful gift to the body of Christ."
My reflections - There are MORE apostles mentioned in the New Testament than any of the other 5 Ministry gifts.
Hmmm, I don’t know that I have ever referred to myself as an apostle, even though there are 98 apostles mentioned in the NT. (Please go to my earlier blog which lists all 98 NT apostles and discusses the definition and work of an apostle. What I am writing below builds on those truths delineated in that blog.)
The basic summary is that the word apostle was what the captain of a ship was called. So if you picture the responsibilities of the captain of a ship, you will be picturing the work of an apostle. The captain organizes the expedition, draws together the people and resources, sets the course, and oversees the operations to ensure a safe voyage.
The New Testament defines an apostle as being "a sent one" (Lk. 10:1), "a foundation layer" (Eph. 2:20), and "a master builder" (1 Cor. 3:10).
Based on the above defining characteristics, I guess I have done the work of an apostle in receiving and releasing the 4 keys to hearing God’s voice, which has in turn restored the lost art of communion with God. Since Jesus said, “Behold I am with you always" (Matt. 28:20 NASB), it is clear to me that we can walk and talk with Him today, just like the disciples did on the Emmaus Road.
Not that "apostle" becomes my title. No, it is my function (which is an idea expanded in this earlier blog). Functioning as a foundation layer and master builder is a way I serve.
“Is there a value in using God’s words to describe our gifts, call, commission and function?” I think so as we are calling things into being.
In a sense, it calls us into our role. For example, “I, Mark Virkler, have been called and anointed by God to saturate the world with the message of communion with God by teaching people the four keys to hearing God’s voice.” This spoken commission from God in my journaling propels me forward with faith and clarity into the destiny God has for me. It gives me an added sense of priority and intention to not do anything to mess up the destiny God has chosen for me.
For example, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of a multitude.” He did this before Abraham had any children by his wife. So now when Abraham speaks his name, he is affirming his destiny and cooperating with God in the birthing of a miracle. This gives him a sense of destiny, and a passion to pursue this destiny and to walk in obedience to the ongoing words and direction that God will be providing him.
If I recall correctly, it was the Biblical Personal Profile I took years ago which gave me a one-word description of who I was. It said I was a “developer.” Wow! That is the best one-word description of who I am and what I love to do that anyone has ever given me. I still cherish that definition. I thrive when functioning in developmental projects, which God has called me to. I come fully alive, fully aware, and completely fulfilled by the process!
Parents as apostles of their homes
I don't see why successful parents are not functioning in the role of an apostle. They have been sent by God to love, care, and provide for their family. They are responsible as a foundation layer and master builder ensuring that love, harmony, honor, respect, and spiritual and physical well-being are present in their children. This takes the anointing of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit to bring these things about. They must manifest the keys to the anointing, which are faith energized by love (Gal. 5:6). Are they not in so many ways the "captain of the ship"?
So now it is your turn to ask the Lord the questions below.
Journaling questions - Let the Lord tell you who you are!
- Lord, how do You describe me and name me?
- Lord, what is the package of gifts You have deposited within me?
- Lord, how do You want me to serve humanity with these gifts?
- Lord, have I done the work of an apostle by going forth and effectively releasing the gifts, call and commission that You have given me?
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