When God Uses Women to Speak

A few months ago I attended Watershed, a training and equipping program for women to move in New Testament prophecy. Jan Bingaman, the leader, teaches and empowers women in order to prepare for the upcoming revival of love.

“New Testament prophecy is different than Old Testament,” explains Jan. “New Testament prophecy is for the purpose of edifying, encouraging and comforting. New Testament prophesy is to bring hope and life.”

“Any of you can prophesy,” says Jan. “1 Corinthians says we should ALL eagerly desire the gift of prophesy. And all can prophesy because we can all hear God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:17-18 says, ‘I will pour out my spirit on ALL people and they will prophesy.'”

Jan believes women don’t need more theory. They need hands on training. A safe place to practice under the guidance and direction of trained leaders.

Therefore, women who have formerly been trained are also in attendance. She jokingly refers to these women as middle schoolers. As the new women arrive the middle schoolers scan the room and ask the Lord for words of encouragement for the new women. At the end of the session, Jan asks them to stand up and speak those words to the women in order to demonstrate the simplicity and power of New Testament prophecy.

That morning, three of the women on the team had words for me that were spot on. They were direct confirmations of things the Lord had previously spoken to me.

Truth resonated within me.

When the third lady was finished, Jan interrupted.

“I have something for Christy also.” She stood and looked me in the eye. “Do you have your passport ready?”

My eyebrows scrunched together. “Yes,” I answered hesitantly.

“Good, because you will soon be speaking internationally.”

A blush hushed over my face.

Not that I’m one to discount a word from the Lord, but the enemy had done his number on me, planting many weeds to contaminate God’s truth.

You’re not worthy.

You’re not good enough.

You don’t have anything that important to say.

I left the meeting with an adrenaline laced with hope and doubt.

I’ll get the chance…Maybe when I’m 60.

Or 70.

Before I pulled out of the driveway I glanced at my phone.

A voice mail from Ontario, Canada?

A wave of excitement seared my skin, followed immediately by a wave of doubt.

Must be a telemarketer.

Instead, I listened to the message in awe.

“Hi Christy, this is Diane Stickler. I wanted to speak with you about the possibility of you coming to Ontario in the fall to speak. I got your information from Erin Campbell’s website and heard a lot of your story and it seems it lines up with our theme really well.”

Seriously? An inquiry about a speaking engagement?

And I’m not even 60 yet!

That enemy….He’s a stinking liar!

I bet he’s told you lies too. But here’s the truth:

You are special.

He has a purpose and a plan for your life—a purpose that ONLY you are uniquely capable of fulfilling.

You are beautiful.

You are His delight.

You are worthy.

And I’m going to Ontario in October!