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The Ultimate Test of Obedience

Jesse Birkey's picture

Back in the summer of 2000, my wife and I attended what was called a “Jesus 2000 Conference” on a Thursday evening in St. Louis. It was held in the huge Edward Jones Dome. This conference was an attempt to bring all streams of different denominations together, in unity, including many Protestant denominations and Roman Catholics.

 

During the course of the evening, several well-known speakers had been given fifteen-minute segments of speaking time. About halfway through the evening, there was a point at which the host of the event announced that if anyone had a prophetic word from the Lord, they were invited to come forward.

 

I had a “word” that was burning inside. My heart was pounding so much I thought it was going to jump out of my chest, but I decided not to share the word. There were just too many nationally well-known individuals on the stage. I was intimidated by their titles and statuses. I said, “Lord, I’m not going to do it!”

 

Again I heard the announcer say, “Does anyone have a word from the Lord?” I knew they were speaking to me. Again I silently said no.

 

I soon learned that it was a big mistake not to obey when the Lord was prompting me to prophesy. He quickly reprimanded me and said, “Son, if you are not willing to give the words I give you to give to others, I’ll not use you anymore. I’ll find someone else.” I knew in retrospect that it was a very important word from the Lord, and I was the one He had chosen to deliver it to thousands of people.

 

I began to shake all over, and I was so grieved at my own disobedience and His stern rebuke, that I quickly repented and said to Him, “Lord, from now on, no matter who you tell me to speak to, or wherever it might be, or whatever the circumstances, I will obey You when You want to use me in the gift of prophesy that You have given me.”

 

With a promise like that, I was sure to be tested. And sure enough, the ultimate test came only a few months later.

 

My wife and I were driving to Atlanta to visit some family members, and we stopped somewhere in a small town in Kentucky to fill up the car with gas and to use the restrooms. When I opened the restroom door, I saw a man standing at the facility trying to well, you know... I quickly did my business, and as I washed my hands I noticed a very worn-looking Bible on the vanity. I said a quick hello to the man and got out of there. I went back to the car and started to turn the ignition key, when I heard that still, small voice saying, “I want you to minister to him.” I said, “What? That has to be the devil talking to me! You must be kidding!” The voice came again, “I want you to minister to him.”

 

I recalled the past summer and vividly remembered the day that I refused to prophesy at the conference, when I had made the promise that I would never again refuse the Lord in that way.

 

I said, “Okay, Lord, but please, I beg you, don’t let anyone else come in while I am ministering to this man!” I was impressed of the Lord to give the man one of my books, and so I grabbed a copy and told my wife I’d be right back. I must say that I walked back to the men’s room and opened the door reluctantly. Unbelievably, the man was still standing there at the urinal, still unable to “do his business.” I thought, “Great! You know, there’s an unwritten code of ethics that men don’t even look at one another in the restroom, much less have a conversation at the urinal!”

 

I timidly approached the man, keeping my distance, and said, “I have a book here that may help you get through what you are going through. I’m going to lay it here by your book.” He said, “Okay, thank you.” I then said, “Are you doing okay?” He said, “I’m having a real hard time with my health, and I’m holding unforgiveness toward God, asking Him why He took my beautiful wife and left me with only my son.” He went on to say, “Before she died a year ago, I was a minister. I have since left the ministry because I feel that God has really let me down.”

 

I said to him, “You know, God has a reason for everything He does. We may not understand the things that happen to us, but God does. God can heal us both physically and spiritually. I came back in here because I believe God wants me to pray for you. Would that be okay with you?” He said, “Please, I would like that.”

 

As I began to pray for him—still keeping my distance—I heard the Lord say, “Now put your hand on his back and pray for him.” So I did, and unbelievably both his hands shot up straight in the air as he began to weep profusely. At that point, I was saying to myself, “Lord, please don’t let anyone come in here!” After all, this was a public, unlocked restroom.

My prayer quickly turned into a prophecy, a word from the Lord straight to his heart. I continued to speak the word of the Lord for several minutes as He was revealing many things about the man’s life. At the same time, I was hoping and praying that no one would come in and think I was robbing this man, or something worse.

 

As the word came to a close, the man was shaking and sobbing like a baby. As soon as I finished prophesying, he turned around and wanted to hug me. I said, “Oh, no, that’s okay.” Then he wanted to shake my hand! I said, “No, that’s alright, I was just being obedient to the Lord.” The man told me that since his wife had passed away, he was struggling in a lot of areas, including a new prostate problem. He said that the word I gave him was just what he needed to encourage him to move past what had happened to him and that now he knew he should be obedient and go back into ministry.

 

He thanked me profusely, and I said, “You’re welcome. Now I must be on my way.” I went back out to the car and told my wife. She could not believe what had just happened, and neither could I. I will not soon forget that experience, but a promise to the Lord is a promise, and whenever He wants to use us, there is always a good reason. Sometimes we just have to get beyond our own “flesh” and our own “reasoning” to be used of the Lord. I believe this man was not only encouraged, but also restored and healed that day.

 

I may never know all that happened in that restroom to the man whose name I didn’t even know. All I know is that I did my part, and I know that God did His part. Never be surprised at how the Lord may want to use you. By His grace, I have not gone back on my promise, and there have been many unusual circumstances in which I have been used, but none quite like that one!

 

-Vito Rallo

 

Excerpt from Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Jesse and Kara Birkey

 

www.jessebirkey.com

jbirkey@reflectministry.com

twitter.com/JesseBirkey

http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey

http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey

 

Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone.  They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can.  Follow their blog here.    

 

Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue.  Find more information here.

 

Get a sneak preview of Jesse’s upcoming fiction, Finding Home.

 

Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him.  It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get the paperback here.  Get the Kindle Version Here. View the trailer here.    

 

Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration.  They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for.  Get the paperback here.  Get the Kindle Version Here.

 

Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation.  Find more information here.

 

 

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