SurprisinglySupernatural

APracticalGuidetoReleasingtheGiftsoftheSpirit

ByNeilGilligan

Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar23

SurprisinglySupernatural:APracticalGuidetoReleasetheGiftsoftheSpirit

Preface

45

Introduction

613

ChapterOne:DefinitionsandHindrancestoReleasingtheGifts

1419

ChapterTwo:SurprisinglySupernaturalStep#1:BeFilledwiththeHolySpirit

2034
ChapterThree:DiscussionQuestions

35

ChapterThree:SurprisinglySupernaturalStep#2:

HowtoAsktofortheGiftsofProphecyandWordsofKnowledge

3650
ChapterThree:DiscussionQuestions

51

ChapterFour:SurprisinglySupernaturalStep#3:

HowtoAskfortheGiftsofHealingsandMiracle

5269
ChapterFour:DiscussionQuestions

70

ChapterFive:SurprisinglySupernaturalStep#4A:TheGiftofDiscernment
7176
ChapterFive:DiscussionQuestions

77

ChapterSix:SurprisinglySupernaturalStep#4B:HowtoAskforAuthorityto

BindEvilSpiritsandDriveoutDemons

7893
ChapterSix:DiscussionQuestions

94

Chapter:Seven:ThePracticeReleasingtheGiftsoftheSpirit

94101
ChapterSeven:DiscussionQuestions

102

ChapterEight:BecomingtheBrideofChrist

103108
ChapterEight:DiscussionQuestions

109

Bibliography

110116

AboutNeilGilligan

117

Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar23

Preface

IfyouhavefollowedmywritingsyouwouldknowthattheLordJesuswooedmetobefilledbyHisHoly
SpiritandledmetoasktheHeavenlyFathertoclothemeinpower.Allofthatisdescribedinthebook:
TransformedbythePowerofGod:LearningtobeClothedinJesusChrist.iIwastransformedand
becameamiracleworkeronlybecauseJesuswaswithme.DuringthattimeIwenttoBennyHinns
healingcrusadeinBillings,MontanaandtheLordtoldmeIwasgoingtobepartofanewmovement
thatwasdifferentfromHinnsstyleofministry.Thismovementwasnotgoingtoinvolveorchestras,
teamsofsingers,stagingandlighting.Itwasgoingtoinvolveindividualbelieverswhowouldreleasethe
giftsoftheSpiritrightwheretheylived,worked,andplayed.TheLordbegantoexpandthegiftsofthe
SpiritthatIcouldusewhenIministeredinthechurchandalsowhenIwitnessedtopeopleinthe
marketplace.WhenIministeredinthemarketplaceIbegantodiscernevilspiritsonagreatnumberof
peoplesbacks.Ibegantocastthemoffofthemandthenthosepeoplewerehealed.Thisalertedmeto
thefactthatevilungodlyspiritswereattackingpeopletryingtosteal,killanddestroytheirhealthand
theirbirthrights.

ThenIwasledmetowriteWakeUp!PreparingfortheEndTimesOutpouring.InthisbookIshared
howtheLordshowedmethecharactertraitsandpracticesthatDanielandhisfriendshadandthefirst
discipleshad,andthenIrecognizedthatmanyChristiansdonotpracticethosesamepractices.Wake
Up!imploresthebodyofChristtobegintoembracethoselostpractices.Themostsignificantpractice
thatwaslostwasthefirstdisciplespracticeofbeingcontinuallyfilledbytheSpiritofGod.Isharedthat
theywerecontinuallyfilledbecausetheyhadtheSpiritoftheLorduponthemlikeJesushad(seeLuke
4:18).Thenwhenevertheywouldslowdownandwait,theHolySpiritwouldbegintostartfillingthem
again.ItestifiedthatthisiswhatIhadexperiencedbecauseIhadbeenclothedinJesusChrist(seeRom.
13:14).ThispracticeofbelieversbeingclothedinChristhasbeenstifledbytheevilone,thelittlehorn,
whoplanstodefeatthesaintsunlessweWakeUp!tohisplan(seeDan.7:21).Ishowedhowthelittle
hornhadinfluencedtheWesterncultureanddemonstratedhowthesaintswerebeingdefeatedover
thepastthreecenturiesandcitedthatthevastmajorityofbelieversfailedtodemonstratethegiftsof
theSpiritbecausetherewerefewbelievingBelieversaround.

AbelievingBelieverissomeonewhohaswokenupintheendoftheendtimesandwantstorespondto
JesusquestionabouttheendoftheendtimeswhenHeasked,willtherebefaithontheearthwhenHe
comesback?(seeLuke18:8).Consequently,thebelievingBelieverwillexhibitgreatfaithashewalksout
hisspiritualjourneyoffaithduringtheendoftheendtimes.Therefore,thebelievingBelieverbelieves
theScripturesandobeysthem,andiscontinuallyfilledbytheHolySpirit;asaresult,thebelieving
BelievercanreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritaroundhiminhisrelationalnetworks.Daniel7:22revealed
thattheAncientofDayswasgoingtoreleasethekingdomtothesaintswithsuccessiveoutpouringsof
HisSpirit.AndthatisstillhappeningsothesaintsarecalledtoWakeUP!andreceivetheseoutpourings
andbecomebelievingBelievers.

InWakeUp!IalsoshowedhowtheAncientofDayshadreleasedthekingdom,theHolySpirit,tothe
saintsshortlyaftertheEnlightenmentstartedandHecontinuedtoreleasethekingdomtothesaintsin
consecutiveoutpourings.IderivedstatisticaldatafromEdwinJOrrandPhilDOxionsbook:The
OutpouringoftheSpiritinRevivalandAwakeninganditsIssuesinChurchGrowth.ii

FromtheirrecordstheyshowtheoutpouringsofGodsSpiritoverthepastthreecenturies:TheGreat
Awakeningbeganin1727andlastedfor65Years.ThenTheSecondGreatAwakeningbeganin1792and
lastedfor42Years.ThentheTonga/Hawaiioutpouringbeganin1830anditlastedfor28Years.Then
Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar23

TheThirdGreatAwakeningbeganin1858andlastedfor22Years.ThentheWelshRevivalandtheAzuza
outpouringbeganin1905andlastedfor17Years.ThentheNorthIrelandoutpouringbeganin1921and
lastedfor14Years.TheNorwayoutpouringbeganin1935andlastedfor15Years.ThentheSouth
Americaoutpouringbeganin1952andlastedfor12Years.ThentheCharismaticMovementRenewal
beganin1961andlastedfor11Years.ThentheVietnamoutpouringthatbeganin1970andlasted24
Years.ThentheTorontoAirportChristianFellowship(TACF)outpouringbeganin1994andtheSpirithas
continuedtobepouredoutattheTACFuptoandbeyondthetimeofthiswritinginearly2011.Hereisa
linegraphthatdepictstheseoutpourings:

2200
2000
1800
1600
1400

Series1

Youcanseethatthelineappearstobegettingflatter.Thisindicatesthetimebetweennotable
outpouringsisgettingcloserandclosertogether.Every12to15yearsistheintervalofthemostrecent
outpourings.TheFathersBlessingwasreleasedinToronto,OntarioanditbeganinJanuary1994and
thatoutpouringhaslastedfor17years.Consequently,itappearsasifthenextoutpouringisnow
overdue.Ifitisfollowingthesamepatternthenitwillarriveverysoon.Unlessthisnextoutpouringis
anotherGreatAwakening,thenitmaytarryalittlelongerforthepreparationstocomeintoplace.

TheprimarypreparationthatmusttakeplaceisforthesaintstoWakeUp!andreceivethecurrent
releaseoftheHolySpiritsotheywillbetransformedandbecomemiraclesworkersthemselves.When
enoughofthesaintsknowhowtoreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritintotheworldaroundthem,thenthe
AncientofDayscanreleasethisnextGreatAwakeninguponthesaintssotheywillbeabletonotonly
releaseittononbelievers,butwillbeabletoshareitwithotherbelieverssotheywilllearntoreceive
thekingdomandreleaseitthemselvesaswell.ThisisinpreparationfortheGreatEndTimesHarvest
thatwillsweepagreatnumberofpeopleintoarelationshipwithJesusChristandHisbodyonearth.iii

InWakeUp!IdeterminedfromthepropheticwordsfromDanielandthehistoricalevidencehowthe
littlehornhasalreadybeendefeatingthesaints.Daniel7:21givesustheclueasitsays

AsIwatchedthishornwaswaginghiswaragainstthesaintsanddefeatingthem(Dan.7:21).

IshowedthattheaccelerationofthedefeatofthesaintshadoccurredduringtheEnlightenment.The
AncientofDaysdidnotwantthesaintscompletelydefeatedsoHereleasedthekingdomtothesaints
andthatbeganwiththeoutpouringontheMoravianbelieverswholivedonCountZinzendorfsestate,
whichwascalledHerrnhut.ZinzendorfsestatewaslocatedinGermany.TheseMoravianshadcried
outforthereleaseoftheHolySpiritandtheAncientofDaysreleaseditandasaresulttheFirstGreat
AwakeningbeganonAugust13,1727.iv

WhatissignificantisthatfromDaniel7wereadhowthehornwaggedhiswarandwasdefeatingthe
saintsbuttheresponseoftheAncientofDayswastoreleasethekingdomuponthesaintssotheycould
Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar23

counteractagainstthedefeat.August13,1727wasthebeginningoftheresponsefromtheAncientof
Days,whichcoincideswithDaniel7:22.AndHehascontinuedtorespondbyrepeatedlyreleasingthe
kingdomtothesaintseversincethen.ThiscorrespondstothephraseThetimecamewhichisthe
HebrewwordzawmanfromDaniel7:22,whichmeansaseason,atime,anappointedseasonor
occasion.vTheAncientofDayshasbeenreleasingthekingdomoverthepastthreecenturiesforthe
saintstowakeupandreceiveit,andthentocounteractagainsttheungodlypowersthatarealigned
withthelittlehorn.

Christianbelieverswhoarealivetodayarelivingintheinbetweenperiodoftime.Theyarelivingin
thepostdefeatofthesaintsera,buttheyarenottoremaindefeated.Christiansarecalledtoriseup
andcounteractagainsttheirdefeatbybeingcontinuallyfilledbytheHolySpiritandlearningtoreceive
thegiftsoftheSpiritandthenlearntoreleasethegiftsoftheSpirit.TheeventualgoaloftheseChristian
believersistoworkwithGodtobringaboutthepropheticwordinRevelation11thatsaysthekingdom
oftheworldhasbecomethekingdomofourLordandofHisChrist(Rev.11:15).

IcalltheseChristianbelieverswholiveattheendoftheendtimesbelievingBelievers.Theyactjust
likethefirstdisciplesactedwhichshowstheyarejustordinaryChristianbelieverswhocanreleasethe
kingdomofGodandseemiracles,deliveranceandpropheticwordsregularlyhappenastheygoabout
theirdailybusiness.

Theseinfluencesonmylifeandmypreviouswritinghaveledmetowritethisbook:Surprisingly
Supernatural:APracticalGuidetoReleasingtheGiftsoftheSpirit.Thisbookisintendedtohelpthe
contemporarybelieverstoreceivetheHolySpiritandthentoreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritandthen
learnhowtopracticethemuntiltheycanreleasethegiftsoftheSpiriteverywheretheygo.Atfirst
believingBelieversmayappeartobesurprisinglysupernatural,butthatisduetotheinhibitionthelittle
hornhadcreatedthatsuccessfullyinhibitedChristiansfromreleasingthespiritualgifts.AllChristiansare
supposedtooperateinthesupernaturalgiftsoftheSpirit,buttheyhavebeenimpededbythelittle
hornsinfluenceoverthepastfewcenturies.Consequently,manyChristianshaveneverrealizedthat
theywereactuallycalledtohealthesickandcastoutdemons(seeMark16:1718;Matt.10:78).Butin
orderforthekingdomsoftheworldtobecomethekingdomsofourLordandHisChristbelieving
Believersneedtoariseatthistime(seeRev.11:15).Thisbook:SurprisinglySupernatural:APractical
GuidetoReleasingtheGiftsoftheSpiritisatrainingmanualforbelieverssotheycanlearntobecome
surprisinglysupernatural,whichmeanstheywillbecomebelievingBelievers.vi

Iwanttothankallmyfriendswhohelpedmebringthisbooktomaturity,soinallthevarious,different
andwonderfulwaysyouhelpedme.Iwanttothankyoufromthebottomofmyheart:RyanEllis,Linda
Hackett,StephenandDonnaHynes,MaryOliver,StephenSaunders,JimRousenau,andJeremySmith.
Thankyouforallyourhelp.
IalsowanttothankmyteacherswhohavesharedtheirknowledgeoftheSpiritualgiftswithme.Iwant
tothankRandyClarkandGlobalAwakeningandtheHealingSchoolsandtheShorttermmissiontrips
thatyouoffer.IwanttothankDr.PaulCoxandAslansPlacewithyourDiscernmentandGenerational
DeliveranceSchoolsthatyouoffer.IwanttothankDr.BillHamonandallyourstaffatChristian
InternationalintheApostolicPropheticTrainingcoursesthatyouoffer.IwanttothankMaryOliverfor
yourPrayerCaretrainingcoursesandtheothersupernaturaltrainingclassesthatyouofferatOpen
HeartMinistries.IwanttothankCalPierceandallyourstaffattheHealingRoomsInternationalforthe
Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar23

trainingonhealingthatyouoffer.AndIwanttothankMarkSandfordandalltheElijahHousestafffor
theInnerHealingcoursesandthepropheticschoolsthatyouoffer.AndtoalltheotherteachersIhave
notmentionedbutweresignificantinallowingmetogrowinthegiftsoftheSpirit,Ithankyou.
IalsowanttothankmyGod:theHeavenlyFather,theLordJesusChrist,andtheHolySpiritforchoosing
metobeavesselofyourpowerandlovesoIcanbringintheharvestandbringglorytoyournameupon
theearth.ThankyouforyourmercyonmylifeandfornotleavingmethewayIwas,butwakingmeup
andtransformingmesoIcangofromglorytoglory.Lordthisissuchanamazingjourneyoffaith.What
anadventure.Thankyousomuchforalifethatisexcitingandthankyouforgivingmylifesignificance.I
prayyouwillblessthiswritingandprosperthemessageamongyoursaintssowecanallrepresentyou
ontheearthbyreleasingthegiftsoftheSpirit.Thankyousomuchforgivingmethismessagetoliveand
tosharewithothers.IloveyouLord.

Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar23

Introduction

BecomingSurprisinglySupernatural

Becomingsurprisinglysupernaturaldoesnothappenlikeyoumighthaveexpected.Thechangeisnotall
thatapparent.YoudontwakeuponemorningandhavearedSemblazonedonyourTshirt.Andyou
dontburstoutofyourclothesandturnextremelymuscularandgreen.No,itsnotlikethat.Itkindof
creepsuponyou,andonedayyounoticesomeonewithaphysicalailmentandyoufeelcompassionfor
her.Soyouworkupyourcouragetoaskheraboutit,Howdoyoufeel?IsthereanythingIcandofor
you?Thenyouask,MayIprayforyou?Andthenwhenyoupray,yourealizethatyouaresurprisingly
supernaturalbecauseshegetshealed.Thechangeisnotallthatapparent.Itjustkindofslowlybeganto
growinsideofyoueversinceyouaskedGodtouseyouandyouaskedHimtoallowyourlifetobelived
outsignificantlyforHispurposes.Andohyeah,youalsostartedtoasktheHolySpirittocomeandfill
youregularly.Butthatwasit.Nothingelsehadreallychanged.Exceptnow,everysooften,yousuddenly
havebecomesurprisinglysupernatural.Youarefindingitwonderfullyenjoyabletobeoperatinginthe
supernaturalrealmsandjoyburstsforthfromyourheartasyouexclaim:ThisiswhatIwasmadetodo!
Ihavewaitedallmylifeforthis!Youaresurprisedatbeingsupernatural,yetdeepdowninsideyou
knewthatsomedayitwouldberevealedthatyoureallyaresurprisinglysupernatural.

Thisbook,SurprisinglySupernatural:APracticalGuidetoReleasingtheGiftsoftheSpiritistohelpyou,
thebeliever,whohasfaithinJesusChrist,totakethosefewstepsthatleadintothesupernaturalrealm
ofthekingdomofGodwheremiracles,healing,love,andpowerflowfrom.Thisbookdefinestheterm
believinganditisdescribingthepracticesofabelieverwhohasfaithinJesusChristandfaithinthe
Scripturesandobeysthem.Whentheadjectivebelievingislinkedtobeliever.Andifitisatrue
believer,fireworksgooff,andanexplosionoccurs.Faithisacurrencyofheaven.Whenyouhavereal
faithinJesusChristyouwillhaveaccesstoalloftheresourcesinheaven.Withrealfaithyouwillhave
accesstoallthespiritualblessingsinChristandyoucandrawonthoseresourcesandyouwillbe
changedintoasurprisinglysupernaturalbelievingBeliever(seeEph.1:3).

IsharethiswritingwithyoubecausethatwaswhattheHolySpiritbegandoingwithmesincethe
summerof2007.Hewouldgivemewordsofknowledgeformywaiter,letmeministerphysicalhealing
fortheguywhosatnexttomeonanairplane,andallowmetodriveoutademonfromaclientwhereI
work.TheseoccurredquiteregularlyandIstartedteachingaseriesbasedontheseexperiences.Thenin
late2008,afewmorechapterscametomeandIrealizedImusthavebeengiventhebasisforthisbook:
SurprisinglySupernatural.

IwasamazedatwhattheLordhadopeneduptomeandIwasreflectingonsomeofmyspiritual
experienceswhenIrememberedthatasachildIwenttochurchandIlearnedtheLordsPrayer,
whichisalsocalledtheOurFather.Iwouldreciteitsaying...

OurFatherinheaven,hallowedbeyourname,

Yourkingdomcome,yourwillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven(Matt.6:10).

Iprayeditdutifullyforyears.IrepeatedlywouldaskforthekingdomtocomebutIfailedtounderstand
it.AllthathaschangednowsinceIlearnedtobecontinuallyfilledwiththeHolySpirit.SinceIwas
continuallyfilledwiththeHolySpiritthekingdomofGodcamewithitssupernaturalworldofhealings,
miracles,drivingoutdemons,prophecy,andangels.AllofthatopeneduptomeonlyafterIwas
continuallyfilledbytheSpiritandasaresult,Iwascatapultedintothekingdomitself.Ihadbecome
Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar23

surprisinglysupernatural,asIhadlearnedtoreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritanddemonstratethatJesus
ChristwastheKingofkingswhereverIwent.

LisaisoneexamplethatshowshowIamnowsurprisinglysupernaturalbecausethegiftsoftheSpiritare
releasedthroughme.Iwasproofreadingadraftofthisbook,whenIsensedIwasbeingledbytheHoly
SpirittogototheDennysrestaurantinBellevue,Washington.Iwasatmytabledrinkingcoffeeanda
womancamebyandpouredcoffeeintomycup.ThenmywaitercamebyandIaskedhim,Doesshe
workhere?Hereplied,Yes,sheworksthemorningshift.IhadseenherrubherbacksoIaskedhim,
Wouldyoupleaseaskherifherbackwassore?Ifitis,Iwouldliketoprayforherhealing.Hesaidhe
would,andhewentoverandtoldher.Shebegantolookaroundtoseewhohadsaidthat.Iwalkedover
toherandIintroducedmyselfandfoundouthernamewasLisa.ThenItoldher,SometimeswhenI
prayforpeopletheygethealedandInoticedyourubbingyourbackasifitwassore,somayIprayfor
you?Shesaid,Okay.IhadherputherhandsonherbackandIputmineontopofhers.AndI
commandedthepainandsorenesstogo,inJesusname.Inaboutthreeminutesshewashealed.Itold
herthatIhadprayedinJesusnameandHewastheonewhohealedher.IaskedherDoyouknow
anythingaboutJesus?Shereplied,Ihavebeentochurchafewtimes.Itestedherhandwiththe
anointingoftheHolySpiritandshefeltit,buttheHolySpiritleftwhenIpulledmyhandaway.I
explainedthatwhenpeoplearebornagainandbecomechildrenofGod,theHolySpiritwouldstaywith
them.Iaskedher,WouldyouliketoaskJesustobeyourLordandSaviornow?Sheturnedawayand
thoughtaboutitforaminuteandthensaidYes.SheprayedwithmeandafterwardsIimpartedtoher
someofthegiftsoftheSpirit.IhadawordofknowledgethattheSpiritwasmovinguptohershoulders
andsheconfirmedthatshefeltituptohershoulders.AfterwardsIaskedLisaifshehadanyChristian
friendsandshetoldmeshedid.Isuggestedshetellthemaboutherdecisiontoday.TwodayslaterI
wentandspokewithherandtestedheragainwiththeanointing,anditstillremained.So,Itoldhershe
wasnowabornagain.Igaveherthebooklet,CongratulationsonYourNewLifeinJesusChristandalsoa
NewTestament.AndIconfirmedwithherthatshewouldspeakwithherChristianfriendssoonandtell
themofherfaithinJesusChrist.IalsogaveherphonenumbertoaChristianladyinthecitywhereshe
liveswhowillphoneherandhelphertogrowinherfaith.Lisasstoryisagoodexampleofbeing
surprisinglysupernaturalasIwasabletoreleasethegiftsoftheSpirit,ahealingoccurred,andLisawas
bornagain.

VideoIllustrations

Ihaveuploadedanumberofvideosontothebookswebsite,www.surprisinglysupernatural.com,to
helpillustratesomeofthepointsIshareinthisbook.ThefirstvideoIwouldlikeyoutolookatiscalled:
SurprisinglySupernaturalfromBeingHealedtoBeingBornAgain.Toaccessthisvideoyouwillneedto
logontothewebandgotowww.surprisinglysupernatural.com.WhenyougettotheSurprisingly
Supernaturalwebpageclickonthevideostabthenscrolldowntothevideoyouwanttowatch.The
videosareorganizedbychapter.GototheIntroductionandthenclickonthepictureandthevideowill
uploadandbegintoplay.IhopeyouenjoywatchingatestimonyofabelievingBelieverwhoreleased
healingsothatLisacouldbebornagain.

IfindreleasingthegiftsoftheSpiritisfunandexcitingbecauseIgettooperateinthesupernatural
realmsofmyFatherskingdomandIalsogettodomyFatherswill.Ithastakenmeaverylongtimeto
understandwhattheprayercalledtheOurFathermeantwhenitsaid,Yourkingdomcome,yourwill
bedone.ButnowIunderstandit,forIamseeingHiskingdomoperatingthroughmeandaroundme
almosteverydayasIgoouttodothewillofmyFatherinheaven.
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TheministryofreleasingthegiftsoftheSpiritisforthebelievingBeliever,itisnotjustforspecially
anointedbelievers.IwasintroducedtotheHolySpiritandthekingdomrealityalittleearlierthansome
believerssoIcouldbeoneofthebelieverswhowillhelptoawakenthebodyofChristtoreleasethe
giftsoftheSpirit.

Manybelievershavetriedtosharetheirfaith,buthavefounditdifficulttobringnonbelieverstothe
leveloffaithwheretheywouldacceptJesusChristastheirLordandSavior.Othershavetriedprophetic
evangelism,butthosebelieversdidnotfindhowtheycouldfitthatpropheticpracticeintotheirlives,so
itwasprimarilyforgotten.Andsomehavetendedtorefrainfromwitnessingandhavesaid,Idont
thinkIamcalledtobeanevangelist.Iamawarethatmanybelievershaveshiedawayfromsharing
theirfaith.ButwhatIbelievetheproblemhasbeenisthatbelieverswerenotdoingitnaturally.
Believershaveneverlearnedhowtolivesothatthesharingofyourfaithliterallyflowsoutfromyou.
Instead,believershavebeentaughthabitsthattheyhadtomemorizeanddo,butthatisnotalifestyle
ofsharing.Ibelievethatiscalledworks.Butifbelieverslearntohavethelifestyleofreleasingthegifts
oftheSpirit,thenallthegiftswillflowoutofthemforGodsglory.Theministryofreleasingthegiftsof
theSpiritistoglorifytheLordJesusChristontheearth.Thegreatestthingaboutthislifestyleisthatitis
notaboutdoing.Itsaboutbeing.BeinginarelationshipwiththeLordJesusChristthroughHisSpiritand
walkingwiththeLordinpartnershipwithyou,soyoujustreleasethesupernaturalrealmsofheavenand
bringglorytotheLord.viiItsnotaboutworks.ItsaboutalifestyleofwalkingintheLordspresenceand
simplyexpressingthatrelationshiparoundyouasyougoaboutyourdailyroutine.

Iwanttoreassureallbelieverswhoreadthisthatifyoufollowtheteachinginthisbook,Iwillshowyou
howyoucanbecomesurprisinglysupernaturalandyouwillbeabletobegintolearntoreleasethegifts
oftheSpirit.Thisbookispractical,soifyoupracticetheexercisesinthisbook,thenoveraperiodof
timeyouwillbegintoflowinthegiftsoftheSpirit.Thenyouwillhavefunjustbeingyourself,justbeing
abelievingBelieverwhoisplayinginyourFatherskingdom.Whenyouseesomeoneinfrontofyou
duringyourdayandiftheLorddirectsyou,youcanlayyourhandsonhimandwhenhegetshealed,
thenhewillbethankfulandblessedbecauseyoulaidyourhandsonhim.viiiIfhewasanonbelieverhe
maybeinterestedinlearningmoreabouttheJesusyouspokeaboutwhenyouprayedforhishealing.I
thinkyouwillbedelightedifyouwilllearntoreleasethegiftsoftheSpirit,asitwillbringasupernatural
dimensionintoyourlifeandyouwillrecognizethatyouweremadetobeabelievingBelieverwhocan
bringGodssupernaturalloveandpowertootherpeopletodemonstratethatJesusistheLord.Itwill
notbeapressureonyou,asyouwilljustbringthekingdomofGodwithyouwhereveryougoanditwill
benaturalforyoutoreleaseit.Youwillnothavetoargueordebatesomeoneabouttheologicalissues
foryouwilljustdemonstratethegiftsoftheSpiritandwhenthemiraclehappens,themiraclewillspeak
foritself.

IbelievethatwearenowinatimewheretheFatherinheavenisgoingtoequipbelieverssotheywill
findthemselvessurprisinglysupernaturalandareabletoreleasethegiftsoftheSpiriteverywherethey
go.ForIbelievethatbelieverswillbeequippedwiththepowerandloveoftheHolySpirit.JesustoldHis
disciplesthatyoumusttestifyaboutHim(seeJohn15:2629).Jesuswasaddressingthebelieverwhoisa
discipleofJesusChrist.Ifthebelieverwantstoobeythatcommand,youneedtoseethatyour
testimonyistiedtoJesussendingyououtwiththeHolySpirit.Therefore,thebelieverneedstolearnto
becontinuallyfilledbytheSpiritandthenyouareenabledtotestify.Andyoumusttestify.Jesussends
theHolySpiritsowecantestify;ourtestimonycomesoutofthepartnershipwiththeHolySpirit.
Youneedtoawakentotherealitythat

ThekingdomofGodisathand(Matthew3:2KJV).
Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar23

Whenthekingdomisathand,thenyoucaneasilytestifyaboutJesustopeople.Jesusdoesnotwantto
makeitonerousforyou,soHegivesyoutheHolySpirit.WhenyoureceivetheHolySpiritthenyoujust
havetohavefaithandtrustthatHeiswithyouandthatHewantstoreleaseHiskingdomthroughyou.
ThenHewilldirectyoutowhereyouaretoreleaseit.TheLordbegantoshowmethatmyrolewasto
helpotherpeopledowhattheHolySpirithadtaughtmetodo.Ihavewrittenthisbookinhopesof
gettingthemessageoutthatthekingdomofGodreallyisathand!Nottoolongagothatstatementwas
onlyafigureofspeechforme,butnowitisliteralastheSpiritspowerflowsoutofmyhands.Ishake
myheadatalltheobviousthingsthattheScripturerevealed,butthatIhadfailedtounderstand
becauseIhadnotunderstoodthewaysoftheSpirit.

IfyoubelieveintheLordJesusChrist,thenallyouhavetodoistoaccessHisHolySpiritandthenyou
canreleaseHispowerandthemiraculouswillhappen.SometimesitfeelslikeIamdancingwiththeHoly
Spirit.Iwasaprofessionaldancecompetitor,teacher,andjudgesoIknowalittlebitaboutdancing.
Whenyoudance,onepartneristheleader,butagoodleaderdoesnotmakehispartnerfollow,instead
theleadergivesanindicationaboutwhathewantstodoandthenwaitstoseeifthepartnerwill
respond.Thepersonwhofollowshastopayattention.Thebestdancersintheworldhardlytouchone
anotherwhentheydancetogetherandtheyrespondtotheslightestindicationoftheleadorthe
movementfromtheirpartner.

ThisislikethedynamicthatoccurswhenIamledbytheHolySpirit.FrommyexperienceswhenIhear
theLordsvoiceorwhenHisSpiritnudgesme,orifIamledbytheSpirit,IhavelearnedthatImustbe
sensitivetoHislead.Imustpayattentionandfollow.TheSpiritscuesappeartobeverysubtle.IfIam
notpayingattention,Imightmissit.SometimesIdonotrealizeIamdancingwiththeSpirituntilIsee
GoddoingsomethingthroughmethatisimpossibleformetodowithoutHim.ItisonlythenthatI
becomeawarethat:Oh,nowIambeingled.BelieversaretoldthatwearesheepandnowIunderstand
why.Sheeparenotstubbornandsheepdonotgotheirownway,sheepinherentlyfollowtheGood
Shepherd(seeJohn10:3,11,14).IhavefinallylearnedtoenjoytheprocessofknowingthatIamnotin
controlofmylifeallthetime,butthatIjusthavetoyieldtotheHolySpiritsleadandthenIgetto
participateinreleasingthegiftsoftheHolySpirit.

BishopandProphetBillHamon,founderofChristianInternational,gavethe2009WordoftheLord
whichstatesthatwearenowinthethirdreformationperiodforthechurchandthatitbeganin2008.
ThisperiodiswherethebelieversaretoactivatetherestoredtruthsofScriptureinourlivessowecan
demonstratethekingdomofGodintheentireworld(seeMatt.24:14).Hamonsays,Thechurchhas
nowbeencommissionedtoinfiltrateanddominateeverykingdomandnationuntilRevelation11:15is
fulfilled.Hamonsaysthatthefivefoldministersmustexpandtheirvisiontogobeyondmaturingthe
churchtoactivatingandequippingeverysainttobeakingdomdemonstratorintheirsphereof
influence.ix

IbelieveSurprisinglySupernatural:APracticalGuidetoReleasingtheGiftsoftheSpiritisinthesame
spiritthatDr.Hamonspeaksabout,asitwasbirthedbytheHolySpiritattherighttimeinthespringof
2008.Itiscallingouttoeachandeverysaintwhocanreadorhearthismessagetobecontinuallyfilled
withtheHolySpirit,andfilledwithHisgiftsandHisfruit.Thentheycandemonstratethekingdomof
Godeverywheretheyfindthemselvesintheworld.ThisisaglorioustimeforbelievingBelievers.I
encourageyoutostepintotheriverofGodandjoinmeinthefunofbeingsweptawayinHispowerand
HisloveaswesharethereleaseofthegiftsoftheSpiritwithallthepeopleinourrelationalnetworks.

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ThewonderfulpartofreleasingthegiftsoftheSpiritisthattheLordJesusChristhasplacedyouexactly
whereyouneedtobetodoit(seeActs17:2627).Sowhenyoureleasethegiftsyoudoitinyoursphere
ofinfluenceandinyourrelationalnetworkswhereyoulive,work,andplay.Somepeopleyoutouchwill
beyourfamilymembers.Somepeopleyoutouchwillbeyourfriends.Somepeopleyoutouchwillbe
youracquaintances.Andsomepeopleyoutouchwillbestrangers.Someofthepeopleyoutouchwillbe
believersandsomewillbenonbelievers.ThereasontheLordhasyoureleasethegiftsoftheSpiritisto
helpotherpeopletoknowtheLordbetter.KnowingtheLordJesusChristandtheOnlyTrueGodiswhat
eternallifeisallabout(seeJohn17:3).Somebelieversthatyoutouch,youwillhelptoknowtheLord
betterasyouwillshowthemhowtheycanreceivetheHolySpiritandshowthemtheycanreleasethe
giftsoftheSpiritthemselvesaswell.Somenonbelieversyoutouch,youwillhelpthemtoknowtheLord
bettertoo,especiallyifyougivethemawordofknowledgeoriftheygethealed.Thenonbelieverswill
eitherfindoutthattheLordknowsaboutthemortheLordhastheloveandthepowertohealthem.
ThegiftsaretoblessotherpeopleandtohelpthemtoknowJesusloveandpower.

IhavesomerecurringthemesinthisbookwhichessentiallycomefrombeingfilledwiththeHolySpirit,
forwhenyouarecontinuallyfilledwiththeHolySpirit,Hisfruitandthegiftscomealongwithit.Then
youcanjustgooutandfollowtheleadingoftheSpiritinthedance.Hewillteachyouallthingsfor
Scripturetellsus,

Asforyou,theanointingyoureceivedfromHimremainsinyou,andyoudonotneedanyoneto
teachyou.ButasHisanointingteachesyouaboutallthings,andasthatanointingisreal,not
counterfeitjustasithastaughtyou,remaininHim(1John2:27).

Sothatsthesecret.Thatswhathappenedtome.TheSpirittaughtmetobesurprisinglysupernatural
onceIwasclothedinJesusChristandIlearnedtoremaininHim.ThenIlearnedtoreleasethegiftsof
theSpiritwhereverIgo.Youcanreadthisbooktoencourageyourselforyoualsocanreceivesomenew
insightsyourself.ButifyoualreadyhavetheHolySpiritfillingyoucontinuallythentheHolySpiritcan
teachyouwhatIwanttosharewithyouinthisbook.IfyouheartheSpiritspeak,weshouldbeinunity,
forIbelieveHewillencourageyoutofreelyreceiveandtofreelygivethekingdomofGodawaytothe
otherpeopleinyourrelationalnetworks.

AsImentionedearlier,thefocusofthisbookisforthereadertolearntoreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritin
theirrelationalnetworksandtheconsequenceofthatisthatsomeevangelismwilloccur.But
evangelismisafruitofreleasingthegiftsoftheSpirit;therefore,Idonotaddressconventional
evangelisticpracticesinthisbook.Therearemanygoodresourcessuchas:books,DVDsandwebcasts
thattrainpeopleonhowtosharethegospelmessageinlovebyusingtheBible.Theyteachhowto
sharethemessageofJesusChristscross,andtheyexplainwhyweneedoursinscoveredinJesus
blood.Conventionalevangelisticresourcescoverthesepointsandmanyotherpoints,whichareall
important,butIdonotcovertheminthisbook.Ibelievethoseprinciplesserveasverygoodsupportfor
apresentationofthegospelandfordiscipleship.However,thisbookfocusesonthemainpointsof
accessingthegiftsoftheSpiritsotruebelieverswillbecomesonsanddaughtersoftheFatherinheaven
andthenwillreleasethegiftsoftheSpirit.

Whenabelievertrulybecomesason,liketheFatherinheavenhadwantedallalong,thenthebeliever
willbegintoactlikeasonoftheFatherissupposedtoact,whichhappenstobethewayJesusChrist
acted.IamnotadvocatingforyoutowearoneofthoseWWJDbracelets(WhatWouldJesusDo?).This
isnotaboutmemorizingprinciplestoliveby.No!ThisisbecauseJesusisliterallywithyouviaHisSpirit.
Youwillnolongerthink:IwonderwhatJesuswoulddo?Instead,youwilljustaskHim,becauseHeis
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righttherewithyou,soyouaskHim:Jesus,whatwouldyoulikemetodohere?AndthenHewill
respondandtellyouwhatyouaretodo.WhenJesusistherewithyou,youwillbeassuredthatyou
havebecomeasonordaughteroftheFatherinheaven.BelieverswhoaresonsoftheFatherare
empoweredtoreleasethepowerofGodintotheirrelationalnetworks.Jesusdidnothealeveryoneor
castoutallthedemons.HejustdidwhattheFathertoldHimtodo(seeJohn5:19).Thatswhatthe
believingBelieverswhoreadthisbookwillbegintodo,theywillactlikesonsoftheFatherinheaven,
andthentheywilldowhattheFathertellsthemtodo.BecausethebelievingBelieverisasonofthe
Fatherinheaven,itisnaturalthatsomeevangelismwillhappen.Probablymuchmorethanyouhave
everexperiencedbefore,butthatisnotthegoal,itisthefruitofobeyingthecommandsyouhearfrom
theFather.

WhenallthefollowersofJesusChristunderstandthatyouaretoreceivetheHolySpiritcontinuallyand
thencopyJesusmodelbyreleasingthegiftsoftheSpiritintoyourrelationalnetworks,thenyouwill
operateinasurprisinglysupernaturalmanner.Therewillbenostressorfear,foryouwillknowthatthe
Lordisnear.Whenyouknowthat,youwillknowyouareendowedwithGodssupernaturalpowerthat
youcanreleaseeverywhereyougo.ThenyouwillbehavelikethesonsofGodaresupposedtoactlike,
inthisbookIcallthembelievingBelieversfortheywillcopyhowtheSonofGod,JesusChrist,
operated.ThetermChristianhasbeenwatereddownsomuchthatithaslostitsmeaning.AChristian
wassupposedtobeasonofGodandshouldbeidentifiedbytheSpiritofGodtestifyingonhisbehalf
(seeRom.8:16).Butthatproofofthefaithhasbeenlostoverthecenturiesandthechurchhasaccepted
alowerstandardoffaithforChristians.Therefore,inthisbookIusethetermbelievingBeliever,which
capturestheessenceofbeingthechildofGodthattheHeavenlyFatherwanted.ThebelievingBeliever
willactjustliketheelderbrotherJesusactedwhenHewalkedupontheearthbyreleasingthegiftsof
theSpirit.

IaminvitingyoutoleanonJesusChristandaskingyoutoimploreHimtomovethroughyousoyoucan
demonstrateHiskingdom,Hispower,andHisgiftsinthisnextseasonsomillionsandmillionswillcome
toreceiveHimastheirLordandSavior.Yetthiswillnotoccurbecauseyouareazealousbeliever.No!It
willonlyoccurbecauseeachoneofyouwillbecomeabelievingBelieverwhoreceivestheHolySpirit
andthenyouwillreachoutandtouchoneortwononbelieversamonthwhoareinyourrelational
networkswhomyouwillinvitetoreceiveJesusmercyandsalvation.ThisisthebodyofChristcoming
aliveanddemonstratingJesusChristsloveandpower.EachoneofyouiscalledtobefilledbytheSpirit
continuallyandthenyoucantouchthepeopleinyourrelationalnetworksthattheFatherinheaven
directsforyoutotouchforHisglory.WhenyoubecomeabelievingBeliever,thenyoucanreleasethe
giftsoftheSpirit,andthenmillionsandmillionsofpeoplewillreceiveJesusChristastheirLordand
Savior.WhenthishappensitwillbetheDayofthesaintsx(Romans8:16).

Aftereachchapter,Ihavesomediscussionquestionsthatareintendedtofurtherhelpthereaders
studyonthetopicandtohelpthereaderabsorbthematerial.Thesequestionscanbedoneasgroup
projectsorindividually.ThequestionsshouldhelpthereadergraspwhatIamsharinginthisbookas
manyoftheideasmayrequirethereadertochangeherwaysofdoingthings.Romans12tellsus,

Donotbeconformedtothepatternofthisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyour
mind(Rom.12:2).

TheexperiencesIsharewithyouinthisbookandtheperspectivesonScriptureIsharewithyoumay
challengeyou,butIhopeyouseemyheartthatIwanttoseeJesusChristglorifiedontheearthby
inspiringallbelieverstobecomebelievingBelieverswhowilldemonstratethegiftsoftheSpiritin
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theirrelationalnetworks.IhopeyouwillreflectontheScripturesIpresent,thetestimoniesIshare,and
thevideoclipsthatIdirectyoutowatchonthewww.surprisinglysupernatural.comwebsite,andthen
youwillallowtheideasthatyoupreviouslyheldtoshift,soyourmindwillbetransformed.Thenyouwill
overcometheliesoftheenemyandyouwillbecomeabelievingBelieverwhowillbefilledcontinuallyby
theSpirit,andthenyouwillreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritintoyourrelationalnetworks.Thequestions
aftereachchapteraretohelpyoutoengagewiththeScripturesaroundthistopic,towrestlewiththe
newideasproposed,andtowrestlewithyourowncourageandfaithsothatyoucanstepintothe
presenceofGodsHolySpiritwithmeandotherbelieversandbecometransformedintoJesusChrists
likeness(see2Corinthians3:18).

Thisbookisnotjustabookforyoutoreadandputdown.ItisatrainingmanualandIsuggestthatyou
willwanttoreadandrereaditanduseittohelpyoupracticeacquiringandreleasingthegiftsofthe
Spirit.ItwillprobablytakeseveralmonthsbeforeyouareabletoreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritregularly
asyougoaboutyourdailyroutine.Soapplyyourselfandbecomeanovercomerwhounderstandswe
areinawarandtheevilspiritualpowerswanttoextinguishyourflame.Butdontletthem.Learntobe
continuallybefilledbytheSpiritofGodandtohavetheSpiritofGoduponyou.Thatwayyourflamewill
nevergrowdim,butinsteadyouwillbemadeholyandbetransformedbytheSpiritthatisinyouand
surroundsyou.Bepatient,passionateandpersevereinreceivingthegiftsoftheSpiritandreleasing
theminyourrelationalnetworks.

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ChapterOne
DefinitionsandHindrancestoReleasingtheGifts

Thisbookisintendedtoempowerthesaintstobecomeovercomersanddemonstratethegiftsofthe
Spiritintheirrelationalnetworks.However,Ineedtostartbydefiningsomeofthetermsand
understandingsthatIhaveputintomywriting.

DefinitionsoftheTerms

RelationalNetworks

Yourrelationalnetworkswouldincludefamilymembers,neighbors,schoolmates,workmates,friends,
acquaintances,andanyoneyoumeetalongthewaylikeagroceryclerkorsomeoneinalineat
Starbucksorastrangeryourunintoduringyourday.BecausebelievingBelieversarecontinuallyfilledby
theHolySpirittheywillreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritintheirrelationalnetworkswithawidevarietyof
peopleastheygoabouttheirdailylife.

BelievingBelievers

WhenIusetheterm:believingBelieveritreferstoaChristianwhochoosestorespondwithgreatfaith
toJesusquestionwhenHeasked:WillHefindfaithontheearthwhenHecomesback?(seeLuke18:8b).
JesuswasspeakingabouttheveryendoftheendtimeswhenHespokeaboutcomingbackagain.The
believingBelieverrespondsingreatfaithattheendoftheendtimesandasksfortheHolySpirittofill
herandtheniscontinuallyfilledbytheHolySpirit.Sheisdistinguishedfromherculturebecausethe
HolySpiritregularlytestifiesthatthebelievingBelieverisachildofGod.ThebelievingBelieveristhe
kindoffollowerthatJesusenvisionedthatHewouldhave(seeJohn20:21).ThebelievingBelieverloves
theLord,lovestheWordofGod,andobeysalloftheLordsinstructions,whichincludesbeing
continuallyfilledbytheHolySpirit,sosheisovershadowedbytheHolySpirit.Consequently,shehas
becomeahomefortheLordJesusandtheHeavenlyFather(seeJohn14:23).ThebelievingBelieveris
theprotagonistinthisbook.

MisunderstoodTeachingsonSpiritualGifts

SomepeopleinthechurchhavewhatIbelieveisamisunderstanding.TheythinkthegiftsoftheSpirit
aredistributedinalimitedfashion.Thisthinkingcomesfromtheirreadingofthepassagein1
Corinthians12,

AllthesearetheworkofoneandthesameSpirit,andHegivesthemtoeachone,justasHe
determines(1Cor.12:11).

SomepeoplehaveviewedthephrasejustasHedeterminesinalimitedfashion.Theybelievethatthe
HolySpiritlimitswhoHegivesthegiftsto.ThesesamepeoplealsolookattheprecedingScriptureand
notethatitrepeatsthephrasetoanother(see1Cor.12:810).Andtheybelievethisphraseimplies
thateachpersonmaygetonegift,butnotmorethanone.However,JesustellsyouthattheHolySpirit
willnotspeakonHisown.HewillonlyspeakwhatHehearsfromtheFather(seeJohn16:13).Jesusalso
tellsyouthattheFatherwantstogivegoodgiftstoHischildrenwhowillasktheFatherforthem(see
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Matt.7:11;Luke11:913).TheScripturealsotellsusthatbelievingBelieversshoulddesirethegreater
giftsandtheyalsoshouldcometothewatersanddrink(see1Cor.12:31;Isa.55:1).TheFatherin
heaven,thatIknow,wantstogivegoodgiftsfreelytoHischildrenwhowillusethem.Heisnotstingy
withHisHolySpiritifyouwanttowalkoutasoneofHisobedientchildrenanddemonstratethe
kingdominyourrelationalnetworks.Thosewhowanttousethegiftstodemonstratethekingdomwill
berecognizedbytheFatherinheaven.AndHewillbepleasedtogivethegiftsoftheSpirittoallofHis
obedientchildrenwhowanttogooutanddemonstratethekingdom.

Paulwrites,

NowyouarethebodyofChrist,andeachofyouisapartofit.Areallapostles?Areallprophets?
Areallteachers?Doallworkmiracles?Doallhavegiftsofhealing?Doallspeakintongues?But
eagerlydesirethegreatergifts(see1Cor.12:2931).

YouareallpartofthebodyofChristandeachofyouhasyourownparttoplay,butPaulalsosays
eagerlydesirethegreatergifts.Youmaystartwithonegift,butifyouexpressyourdesireformore
thanonegifttotheFatherinheaven,Heispleasedtoexpandtheselectionofthegiftsthatoperate
throughyou.AllthegiftsareavailabletothechildrenofGodoncetheyhavedesiredthemandhave
askedforthespiritualgifts,andthentheywillreceivemanyofthosedifferentspiritualgiftsfromthe
Fatherinheaven.

WhenIaskedtheFatherinheaventogivemethegiftofprophecy,IfeltthattheHolySpirithad
encouragedmetoaskforit.ButafterthatnooneinmychurchinformedmethatIcouldaskfor
differentgifts.SoIdidntaskforthem.However,fifteenyearspassedandIsensedthattheHolySpirit
wantedtoencouragemetoabideinHim.ThenIlearnedtobecontinuallyfilledbytheHolySpirit.After
havingsoakedforfourmonthsseveralhoursadayIbegantoseehealinggiftsstarttooperateinmylife.
Thendeliverancecameandthendiscernmentcame.IttookmefifteenyearsformetorealizethatifI
desiredanotherspiritualgiftthatIcouldaskforitandtheFatherwouldgivememorethanonegift.My
FatherinheavenisnotstingywithHisspiritualgifts.InsteadHeispleasedwhenHischildrenunderstand
theyaretodesirethemandaskforthem.

IalsodiscoveredthatwhenIaskedfortheHolySpirittofillmeandIaskedtobeusedbyGodforHis
purposes,theothergiftsstartedtoappear.Jesusdidtellyou,

Youdidnotchooseme,butIchoseyouandappointedyoutogoandbearfruitfruitthatwilllast.
ThentheFatherwillgiveyouwhateveryouaskinmyname(John15:16).

Jesuschoseyoutobearfruit.BearingfruitmeansyouarebeingusedbyGodforHispurposes.Withthat
motiveinmind,wantingtobearfruitforJesus,thedoorwaywillopenuptoallbelievingBelieversto
receiveallofthegiftsoftheSpiritsotheycanreleasethemintheirrelationalnetworks.IhadaskedGod
tousemeandallowmylifetobefruitful,andthenIreceivedadditionalgiftsoftheSpirit.ButIfirsthad
toaskforthegifts(seeMatt.7:7;7:11;18:19;21:22;Luke11:913;John11:22;14:1314;15:7;15:16;
16:19;16:2326).

ThemostsignificantkeywasthatIrespondedtotheHolySpiritwhenHeencouragedmetobe
continuallyfilledbyHim.xiThentheothergiftsseemedtocomeattimeswithouthavingtoaskforthem,
onceIhadtheHolySpiritcontinuallyfillingme.However,therewereothertimeswhenIexpressedmy
desireandIspecificallyaskedformorespiritualgifts,orIaskedforanincreasedlevelinthegiftingthat
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operatedthroughme.Thenoftenthegiftinglevelwouldincrease.Thegiftingandtheincreaseingifting
wasattributedtomylearningtoalignmywillwiththeFatherswillandaskHimtousemeforHis
purposes.ThenitappearsasifHerespondedtomyfaithandmyrequests.

TheFatherwantstogivegoodgiftstoHischildren.AllbelievingBelieverswhowanttobeusedbyGod,
andarecontinuallyfilledwiththeHolySpiritwillreceivemorethanoneofthegiftsfromtheHolySpirit.
ButtheyhavetoexpresstheirdesirefortheHolySpiritandforthegiftsoftheSpiritandthenaskfor
them.

BesidesaskingforthegiftsoftheSpirit,IalsoactivatedtheSpiritualgiftsbyusingthegiftswheneverI
could.TheresultwasIgrewinmanyofthespiritualgifts.AndIalsobelievedwhatPaulwroteEagerly
desirethegreatergifts.SothatswhatIdid.IdesiredthegreatergiftsandIaskedtheFatherforthem.
ButIalsotriedtodemonstratethegiftswheneverIcould.ThenmyFatherinheavensometimeswould
bringoutaspiritualgiftwheneverHewantedthatgifttooperatethroughme.ButIalsofoundthatI
couldpressintothegiftsinfaith.

PressingintotheGiftsoftheSpiritinFaith

PaulwritesinRomans12,

Ifamansgiftisprophesying,lethimuseitinproportiontohisfaith(Rom.12:6b).

IfoundthatbyfaithIcouldprophesy,soIpressedintoitandpracticedprophesying.ThenbyfaithI
foundIcouldprayforthesick,soIpressedintoitandpracticedprayingforhealingandthenIsawthe
sickstarttobehealed.ThenbyfaithIpressedintoandpracticedthegiftsofdiscernmentandI
discernedangels,demons,anddemonicstructuresandthenIdroveoutthedemons.Theresultwasthat
IsawthespiritualgiftsthatIhadaccesstobegintogrow.Andtheybegantobecomeevenmore
accessiblebecauseIexercisedmyfaith.Jesusdidsay,

Considercarefullywhatyouhear,Hecontinued.Withthemeasureyouuse,itwillbemeasured
toyou,andevenmore.Whoeverhaswillbegivenmore,whoeverdoesnothave,evenwhathehas
willbetakenfromhim(Mark4:2425).

TheLordsaidthatmorewillbegiventothosewhohave.IbelieveHewasreferringtothegiftsofthe
Spirit.TheincreaseisbasedonhowthebelievingBelieverusesthespiritualgifts.Ifyouareintenton
demonstratingthekingdomofGodinyourrelationalnetworksyouwilldevelopgreateraccesstothe
giftsthatyouhavebeengivenandyouwillalsobegivenmorespiritualgiftstoaddtoyourrepertoire.
AllbelievingBelieverswillbegivenanassortmentofspiritualgiftsbecausetheywilldesirethegreater
gifts.TheywillcontinuallybefilledbytheHolySpirit,asthatiswherethegiftsoftheSpiritcomefrom.
AndtheywillasktheFatherforthosegiftsandtheywillpracticeusingthegiftsbyreleasingthemtothe
peoplewholivearoundthem.

NowitisgoodthatevenifyouhaveallthegiftsoftheSpirit,youneedtoknowthatyouarestill
dependentonotherbelievingBelievers,asyouneedotherbelievingBelieverstoconfirmthespiritual
insightsthatyouwillreceive.ItisgoodforthebelievingBelievertoworkwithotherbelievingBelievers,
soyoucanlearntocomplementoneanotherwithyourgiftsduringyourministrytimetogether.But
eventhoughitisgoodforyoutoworkwithoneanother,IbelieveitisincorrecttothinktheSpiritlimits
thegiftsoftheSpirittooneperperson.TheSpiritdoeswhattheFathersays.AndtheFatherresponds
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tothefaithandobedienceofHischildren.Ibelievethateveryonewhoasksinfaithforthegiftsfromthe
FatherinheavenandintendstousethemtoglorifytheLordJesusChristwillreceiveallthespiritualgifts
thattheyaskfor.

Paulalsowrites,

Therearedifferentkindsofworking,butthesameGodworksalloftheminallmen(1Cor.12:6;
Emphasisadded).

PaulmeantthatGodspowerisatworkinthegiftsoftheSpiritregardlessofwhohasthem.Andwith
thephraseGodworksalloftheminallmen,Paulcouldhavebeenimplyingthatthekeytohaving
accesstoallthegiftsoftheSpiritisforthebelieverstohaveGodwithus.Whoeverwantsthespiritual
giftswillgetallthegiftsthattheyaskfor,whentheyarecontinuallyfilledbytheSpiritofGod.Asthatis
whenGodiswithus.AndthenthosebelievingBelieverswillhaveGodwiththemworkingallofthegifts.
Pauldidwritein1Corinthians12forbelievingBelieverstodesirethespiritualgifts.Allbelieving
Believerswhodesirethegiftswillaskforthem.Thephrasealloftheminallmencouldimplythatall
believingBelieverscanhaveallthegifts.Andifnotallthegifts,thentheycanhaveatleastavarietyof
thespiritualgiftsaslongastheydesirethemandaskforthemandtheyareintentonreleasingthemin
theirrelationalnetworkstodemonstratethatJesusChristisGod.Thisappearstocorrespondwithwhat
Moseshadsaid,

IwishthatalltheLordspeoplewereprophetsandthattheLordwouldputHisSpiritonthem!
(Num.11:29b;Emphasisadded).

AllinthisverseindicatesthatMoseswasexpressingGodsheartthesamewayPauldidin1
Corinthians12:6.TheybothsawthattheLordwantsallofthebelievingBelieverstopossessavariety
ofthespiritualgifts.Especiallysincethegiftslistedin1Corinthians12willhelpbelievingBelieversto
avoidbeingignorantofidols,demons,anddemonicstructures.Andtheywillhelpthemtodestroythe
devilsworks.IbelievethatifyouhungerandthirstformoreofGod,andifyoubecomeason,daughter,
servant,orsheeplikeallbelievingBelieversare,thenthegiftsoftheSpiritwillbefreelygiventoyou.

TheFatherinheavenwantstogivethegoodgiftstothosewhoaskHim,especiallyiftheonewhoasksis
abelievingBelieverwhowantstoloveandobeytheLordJesusandtheFatherinheavenandbecomea
homeforthem.ThenaturalresponseoftheFatherthenistogivethebelievingBelieveravarietyofthe
spiritualgifts,sohecanaccessthemwhenevertheyareneeded(seeIsa.55,Matt.10:45,Luke11:913).
Consequently,IbelievetheFatherinheavenwantsHissons,daughters,servants,andsheep,whoare
believingBelieverstoaskHimforthegiftsoftheSpiritthentheywillsurelyreceiveallofthegiftsthat
theyaskfor.

Withthisunderstandingthenextfivechapterswillteachyouhowthereadercancontinuallyreceivethe
HolySpiritandreceivethegiftsoftheSpiritandthenthereadercanpracticethosegiftssoeventually
youcantakethemoutintoyourrelationalnetworktogiveglorytotheLordJesusChrist.

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WarningabouttheGiftsoftheSpiritBecominganIdol

OnecautionarynoteisthatitisclearfromtheScripturesthatittellsusthemanifestationofthegiftsof
theSpiritcanbecomeidolatry,iftheyaresoughtoutsideofarelationshipwiththeLord.Matthew7tells
us,
NoteveryonewhosaystoMe,Lord,Lord,willenterthekingdomofheaven,butonlyhewhodoes
thewillofMyFatherwhoisinheaven.ManywillsaytoMeonthatday,Lord,Lord,didwenot
prophesyinYourname,andinYournamedriveoutdemonsandperformmanymiracles?ThenI
willtellthemplainly,Ineverknewyou.AwayfromMe,youevildoers(Matt.7:2123).

ThepursuitofthegiftsoftheSpiritoutsideofarelationshipwithJesusChristandtheFatheris
inadvisable,asyoumightendupinhellifyoupursuethegiftsoutsideofthoserelationships.ManyNew
Agepractitionersprayanddohealingtouch,andinvokethenameofJesus,buttheyarenotina
relationshipwiththeLordJesusChrist.Theyaresomeofthepeoplewhomightberepresentedin
Matthew7:2123.Therefore,Isuggestforthereadertonotehowthesubsequentchaptersshow
variousScripturesthatindicateyourneedtobeinarelationshipwiththeLordasason,daughter,
servantorsheep.AndtheScripturesalsoencourageyoutolistenandobeywhatevertheLorddirects
youtodo.IbelievewearenowinaspecialtimewheretheLordwantsintimaterelationshipswithallHis
children.IalsobelieveHealsowantstoseeustransformed,soourlivescanobtainagreaterlikenessto
theLordJesusChrist,thiswillresultingreatermanifestationsofthegiftsandthefruitoftheSpirit.

ThePhraseSurprisinglySupernatural

Iusethephrasesurprisinglysupernaturalinthetitleofthisbooktoaddressthebelieverwhodoesnot
reallybelieveJesuspromisewhenHesaidHewouldbewithus,

AndsurelyIamwithyoualwaystotheveryendoftheage(Matt.28:20b;John14:18).

IfyourenewedyourmindsoyoureallybelievedJesuspromise,thenyouwouldnotbesurprisedthat
youoperateinthesupernaturalrealm.ButJesustoldyouHewouldbewithyouwhentheHolySpirit
comes,notwhenyouhavementalassenttobiblicalprinciples,norwhenyouhavementallyaccepted
JesusasyourLordandSavior.Withthebelieversunrenewedminditfailstounderstandthatheisa
truebelieverwhenhebecomesasonofGodandthatonlyoccurswhenhehasaskedJesustoforgivehis
sinsandsavehim,andthenaskstheHolySpirittofillhimandtestifythroughhim,demonstratingthat
heisasonofGod(seeJohn3:6Rom.8:16).Arenewedbelieversmindinthisbookmeansthatthe
believingBelieverhasdevelopedthepracticeofbeingcontinuallyfilledbytheSpirit;consequentlyhe
willbeassuredthatJesusiswithhimalways.Therefore,hewillnotbesurprisedthatheoperatesinthe
supernaturalrealmofGodskingdom,becausetheHolySpiritiswithhimandsoisJesus,whohappens
tobetheCreatoroftheuniverse(seeJohn1:3).

YoumaynothavebelievedthepromisethatJesuswouldalwaysbewithyou,becauseyouwerenot
continuallyfilledwithHisSpiritandbecauseyoudidnotseetheSpirittestifythatyouareasonofGod.
Thebelieversunrenewedmindispartiallyattributedtothedevilleadingthewholeworldastray(Rev.
12:9).ButIwanttoencourageyoutoresistthedevilslies.Thisbookaddressesyourunbeliefandit
encouragesyoutoexplorethegiftsoftheSpirit,soyouwillsurpriseyourselfwhenyouseethatyoucan
releasethesupernaturalgiftsoftheSpiritwithinyourrelationalnetworks.

Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar2318


UsetheSurprisinglySupernaturalCardstoRegularlyPracticeReleasingtheGifts

IfyoupracticeusingtheSurprisinglySupernaturalCardsthatareassociatedwiththisbook,thenyouwill
declaretotheFatherthatyouwantthegiftsoftheSpiritandyourlifewillneverbethesameagain.You
willbecomeabelievingBelieverwhowillcarrytheSpiritofGodwithyouallthetime.Andwhenyouare
directedtoreleaseityouwillparticipateinhealings,miracles,anddemonsbeingcastout.Youwillbe
walkinginthebirthrightthatGodtheFatherhadplannedforyourlifesincebeforethefoundationsof
theworld.YouwillbecomeamemberoftheendtimesarmyofGod,andyouwillwalkoutasan
overcomerduringthefinalhoursontheearth,duringtheDaysoftheSaints,astheBrideofChrist!I
blessyouasyoupursueintimacywiththeLord,andasyoumakeyourbody,soul,andspiritahomefor
boththeLordJesusChristandtheHeavenlyFather.

SurprisinglySupernaturalCardsAreFreeDownloads

Onthebookswebsitewww.surprisinglysupernatural.com,IhavemadeavailablealloftheSurprisingly
SupernaturalCardsforyoutodownloadforfree.Youhavemypermissiontoprintthemandgivethem
outtoasmanybelieversasyoucantoencouragethemtobecomebelievingBelievers.

Thisbookisnotintendedforyoutojustpickitup,readit,andthenputitdown.No,thisbookisa
practicalbookwithexercisesinitandwithSurprisinglySupernaturalCardsthatyoucandownloadso
youcanpracticeaskingforthegiftsoftheSpiritandpracticereleasingthegiftsoftheSpiritinyour
relationalnetwork.ThisbookandtheassociatedSurprisinglySupernaturalCardswillprobablystaywith
youforanumberofweeksandmaybeevenforafewmonthsuntilyoucanacquiretheskillsassociated
withreleasingthegiftsoftheSpirit.Thisbookisnotjusttogiveyoumoreinformation.Theintentionis
totransformyouintobecomingabelievingBelieverwhocanregularlyreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritin
yourrelationalnetworks.IhopeyouenjoyreadingthisbookanddeclaringtheSurprisinglySupernatural
CardssoyouwillbetransformedintoasurprisinglysupernaturalbelievingBelieverwhowillglorifythe
LordJesusChristbyreleasingthegiftsoftheSpiritintotheworldaroundyou.

ReceivingtheGiftsoftheSpirit
Thisbookispracticalandineachofthenextfivechaptersyouareinvitedtoacquireoneofthegiftsof
theSpirit.EachchapterhasaSurprisinglySupernaturalCardthatisassociatedwithit.TheSurprisingly
SupernaturalCardsaretohelpthereaderappropriatetheScriptures.TheSurprisinglySupernatural
CardsareintheformofprayersthatdecreeanddeclaretheScripturalpromisesthatareintheBible
backtotheFatherinheavenandaskHimforthespecificspiritualgift.

Iencouragethereadertousethereferencematerialinthisbookoveranumberofweeks.Duringthis
timethereaderwillbeaskingforthegiftsoftheSpirit.OncetheformatintheSurprisinglySupernatural
Cardismemorized,thereaderdoesnotneedtolookatthatcardagain,butcanstartonthenext
SurprisinglySupernaturalCardandbegintopracticesayingthedecreesanddeclarationsthatareonthat
newSurprisinglySupernaturalCard.

Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar2319

Bibliography

i
Gilligan,Neil,TransformedbythePowerofGod:LearningtobeClothedinJesusChrist,(Shippensburg:Destiny
Image,2010).

ii
Orr,JEdwin,andOxion,DPhil,TheOutpouringoftheSpiritinRevivalandAwakeninganditsIssuesinChurch
Growth,(London,England:BritishChurchGrowthAssociation,2000).

iii
Joyner,Rick,TheVision:TheFinalQuestandTheCall(Nashville,TN:ThomasNelsonPublishers,2000),1213.

iv
Weinlick,JohnRandAlbertH.Frank,TheMoravianChurchthroughtheAges:TheStoryofaWorldwide,Pre
ReformationProtestantChurch,Bethlehem,PA:TheDepartmentofPublicationsandCommunications,Moravian
Church,NorthernProvince,1989.

Greenfield,John,WhentheSpiritCame:TheamazingstoryoftheMoravianRevivalof1927,Minneapolis:Bethany
Fellowship,1967.P.13.

AtrulyconvertedCatholicorProtestant,Calvinist,orLutheran,MoravianorArmenian,BaptistorQuaker,when
heisbaptizedwiththeHolyGhost.P.57

v
Strong,(H2166; H2165).

vi
Gilligan,Neil,WakeUp!PreparingfortheEndTimesOutpouring,Shippensburg:DestinyImage,2011.

ThisisanexcerptistakenfromWakeUp!sPrefacewhereIshowhowIcametousethetermbelievingBeliever.

WakeUp!andActliketheFirstChristiansBehaved

OnceIgotclothedinChrist,theLordhadbeguntoreleaseHisSpiritthroughmesopeoplewerehealedand
demonswerecastaway,butIdidnotseemanyotherChristiansdoingthat.WhenIexaminedtheNewTestament
thefirstbelieversseemedtodothethingsthatIwasdoingandtheywerecalledChristians.SoWakeUp!isacallto
allChristianbelieversdeclaringitistimetoWakeUp!andgrabholdofarealbelievingleveloffaithsoyoucan
starttoactlikethefirstChristiansbehaved.IaminvitingallChristianstoembraceanincreasedleveloffaithand
anincreasedamountoftheHolySpiritinyourlivessoyouwillbecometruebelievers.AsImentionedinthe
previoussectiontheLordshowedHimselfinthecloudsinmyvisionandthatforeshadowedHimreturninginthe
cloudsingloryandpower(Mark13:26).WhentheLordspokewithHisdisciplesaboutHimcomingbackHeasked
whentheSonofMancomes,willHefindfaithontheearth?(Luke18:8b).ThekeyisiftheLordJesuswillfindany
believerswhoreallybelievewhenHecomesback.TheChristianswhoarealivetodayneedtodetermineifyou
wanttolivealifethatpleasestheLordbyhavinganincreasedleveloffaithandanincreasedlevelofHisSpirit
becauseyouarelivingattheendoftheendtimes,ornot.

Faith,beliefandbelievingareessentialforanactivespirituallife.WhenwelookintheNewTestamentwecan
easilyseethemestheLordimpliesthatweshouldknowaboutfaith.Thefirstthemeishavingbelieforfaithinthe
Lord(John14:1;John17:21;Acts16:31;Romans10:9).AnotherthemeistobelievethattheLordhasauthorityand
powertodowhateverHewantstodo,whichincludeshealing,drivingoutdemons,multiplyingfoodandchanging
theweatherpatterns(Matthew8:10;Matthew15:28;Mark9:23;Mark11:24;Mark11:22;Luke7:9;Luke8:25).
Anotherthemeisthatwithonlyalittlefaithwecanmovemountains(Matthew17:20;Matthew21:21;1
Corinthians13:2).AnotherthemeisthattheLordwantsbelieverstohavefaithtodriveoutdemons(Matthew
17:17).AnotherthemeisthattheLordwantsyoutohavefaiththattheFatherwillclotheyouinpower(Luke
12:28;24:49).AnotherthemeshowswearecalledtohavefaithasourfaithcanpullontheLordshealingpowerso
Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar2320


peoplewillgethealed(Matthew9:22;Matthew14:31;Mark5:34;Mark10:52;Mark16:17;Luke8:48;Luke18:42;
James5:15).Anotherthemeisthebelieveristohavefaithinordertooperateinthegiftofprophecy(Romans
12:6).Faithisyourlifeandyouareto:standinfaith,walkbyfaith,bejustifiedbyfaith,besavedthroughfaith,live
byfaith,andbyfaithyouwillsubduekingdoms,bringforthrighteousness,obtainpromiseswithfaith,andstopup
lionsmouthsinfaith.Andyourfaithistestedsoyouwilldevelopperseveranceandovercometheworldby
believingthatJesusChrististheSonofGod(John1:12;2Co1:24;2Co5:7;Galatians2:16;Ephesians2:8;Galatians
2:20;Galatians3:11;Hebrews11:33;James1:3;1John5:5).

IfyoustudiedtheBibleyouwouldknowthatGodisreallypleasedwhenweexhibitourfaith.Hebrews11tellsus
thatwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod(Hebrews11:6).AndJesuswonderswhentheSonofMan
comes,willHefindfaithontheearth?(Luke18:8b).JesusisstillwonderingiftheChristianswhoprofesstohave
faithinHimwillbeabletoreallybelieveallthattheScripturehasforbelievers.Especiallybecauseyouarelivingat
theendoftheendtimesandyouarecalledtohavegreatfaith.JesuswantsHisfollowerstohavegreatfaithatthe
veryendoftheendtimesbeforeHecomesbackforus.ThatswhatIwanttoencourageyoutograbholdof.I
wantyoutoseethattheLordreallywantsyoutohavemorefaithinwhatHecandothroughyou,ifyoucanonly
believethatHewantstoworkthroughyou.

IbelievethattheLordJesusChristwantsHisfollowerstobelieveHehasgiventhemaccesstotheHolySpiritso
theywillbecontinuallyfilledbyitandhavetheSpirituponthem.Beforeitwasonlythekings,prophets,eldersand
judgeswhohadtheHolySpirituponthem,butnowintheNewTestamenteraitistobeeverysinglebeliever.I
encourageyoutobelieveforthatandtoaskinfaithforthat.TheLordalsowantsyoutobelieveyoucandriveout
demons(Mark16:17;Matthew10:8).TheLordalsowantsyoutobelieveyoucanhealthesick(Mark16:18;
Matthew10:8).AndtheLordwantsyoutobringintheharvestandyoudothatbecausetheSpiritwilltestifyabout
JesusandyoumusttestifyaboutHim(John4:3536;15:2627).Youareinvitedtobelievethatyoucanreceivethe
HolySpiritofGodcontinuallyandhavetheSpirituponyouasthatmakesiteasyforyoutotestifyaboutJesusto
others.JesusdidsayifweareinHimandHeisinuswewillbefruitful,butwithoutHimwecandonothing(John
15:15).AsaChristianyoumayhavebeenabelieveratsomelevel,butthetimeisnighforyoutoincreaseyour
levelofbeliefandtheleveloftheSpiritthatisinyouanduponyou.ThatswhyJesustoldustheFatherwillclothe
usinpower,butweneedtohavefaithforthat(Luke12:28;24:49).

Iamjoiningyouinthisjourneyasmyfaithneedstogrowtoo.Idonotyetcommandtheweatherpatternsto
change,norhaveIprayedforfoodtobemultiplied,norhaveIprayedandseenamountainmove.SoIstillneedto
havemorefaith.IneedtobelieveformoreofwhattheLordJesuscandothroughmetoo.Thewholebodyof
ChristiscalledtowalkinahigherleveloffaithsoyoucaneasilydemonstratewhoJesusistotheworldaround
you.

Iamemphasizingtheneedforbelieverstoshifttheirlevelofbeliefhigher.IbelievetheLorddoesnotjustwant
believers,butHewantsbelievingBelievers.AbelievingBelieveristhetermIwillusetodescribethefaithofthe
believerinthisbookanditmeansheisaChristianthatbelievestheScripturalpromisesintheNewTestament,and
heiscontinuallyfilledbytheHolySpiritandasaresulthecanreleasethegiftsoftheSpiritregularlyinhis
relationalnetworks.WhenIlookedintheScriptureIsawthatalltruebelieverswhohavefaitharecalledtodrive
outdemons,healthesick,andheartheLordsvoicebecausethatswhattheScripturessaid,butyouneedtohave
thefaithforit(Matthew10:78;Mark16:1618;John10:16)vi.ThefirstdisciplesreleasedthegiftsoftheSpiritand
thatwasthenormalpracticeoftheirfaithandtheywerethefirstonescalledChristians.Iaminvitingallbelievers
tocometoahigherleveloffaith.AndthatsbecauseScripturetellsuswithoutfaithitisimpossibletoplease
God(Hebrews11:6).ButtheScripturealsotellsuswhatisimpossiblewithman,ispossiblewithGod(Luke
18:27).WhenyoupracticewhatthefirstChristiansdidandyouarecontinuallyfilledbytheHolySpiritandyou
havetheSpirituponyou,youwillhaveGodwithyou,sotheimpossiblethingswillbemadepossiblebecauseyou
haveGodpartneringwithyoujustlikeHedidwiththefirstdisciples.

vii
Smith,Oswald,J.,TheEnduementofPower,Edinburgh:Marshall,Morgan&Scott,1965.P.88.
Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar2321

viii

InthisbookIwillinterspersetheusageofson,daughter,he,she,sonofGod,anddaughterofGodetc.Idonot
dothisonthebasisofbeingpoliticallycorrectongenderissues.AlthoughIamawareofthoseissues,Iammore
awareoftheparadoxofthekingdomrealityinthatmaleandfemalebelieversarebothtobethebrideofChrist
(Revelation21:2,9),andthatmaleandfemalebelieversarebothsonsofGod(Romans8:1416).Andtheultimate
realityofkingdomofGodbelieversisthatweareneithermalenorfemaleforwearealloneinChristJesus
(Galatians3:28).ThatisifwehaveclothedourselvesinChristJesusthenweareoneinHim(Galatians3:26).The
paradoxofthekingdomofGodisthatthetermsmale,female,son,ordaughter,sheorhehavenospecific
meaningastogenderorsex,butifbelieversareclothedintheSpiritofChristJesusthenweareallone.Iwill
sometimesusesonsanddaughters,andsometimesIuseonlysonsofGodoronlydaughtersofGod,sometimesI
willusesheandsometimesIwillusehe.Thiswillhelptokeepthewordcountdown,andhelpthereaderwrestle
withthisparadoxofGodskingdom.

ix
TofindtheWordoftheLordgotoChristianInternational:http://www.christianinternational.org/Thenclickon
ArticlesthenClickonWordoftheLord)

x
Hamon,Bill,TheDayoftheSaints:EquippingBelieversfortheirRevolutionaryRoleinMinistry.Shippensburg:
DestinyImage,2002.

xi
PaulC.JongisanAsianauthorwhowrotethatpeopleshouldnotask,astheymightgetthewrongspirit.
However,withalltheScripturesthattheLordspokeaboutaskingIthinkJongisoffbase.Idonotrecommendhis
book,butIrefertoithereforreferencepurposesonly(Matthew7:7;7:11;18:19;21:22;Luke11:913;John11:22;
14:1314;15:7;15:16;16:19;16:2326).Jong,PaulC.AFailSafeWayforYoutoReceivetheHolySpirit,Seoul:
HephzibalPublishingHouse,2001.

Mar 23, 2010, Surprisingly Supernatural: A Practical Guide to Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit, by Neil Gilligan 15CMar2322