What is Naturally Supernatural?

To be naturally supernatural simply means to partner with God’s empowering Spirit in the everyday things of life. 

God loves to bring solutions to people’s problems, wisdom to their questions, and healing to their troubles, by releasing the resources of heaven here on earth. 

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

To do this, Jesus personally made the supernatural a natural and regular experience through His ministry. 

Acts 10:38 describes how “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”

 

Jesus modeled a naturally supernatural lifestyle, as He released words, works, and wonders that came from the Father’s heart. 

And after His resurrection and ascension, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower anyone who is a disciple (or apprentice) to carry on this same work. That means you and me!

We are sent to do supernatural activities that tap into the eternal resources of the Kingdom of God. For instance, none of us can heal the sick in our own strength, but through God’s empowering we can see amazing miracles take place. 

We are to do this in natural situations and ways. 

  • It is as we go into that difficult meeting at work that we ask God for a word of wisdom. 

  • It is as we bump into an unchurched neighbor who tells you that they’re sick that you offer to pray for healing right here and now. 

  • It is as we listen to the stressed out Mom whose child keeps waking with horrendous nightmares that we offer to come round and pray for spiritual cleansing in their home. 

No hype, no shiny suits, no shouting. Just naturally supernatural power and authority exercised in Jesus’ name and for His fame. 

“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8)

Developing a naturally supernatural ministry requires a deepening relationship with God and a willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Being naturally supernatural beautifully paves the way for people to personally experience God's love and presence in ways that make sense to them. We aren’t putting on a show or trying to impress people, but rather we’re simply allowing the Holy Spirit to work wondrously through us in everyday situations.

5 Steps to Test This Out

To start us off, here are a few practical ideas that we can all jump into this week:

1. Surrender to God

Letting Jesus have His way in us is the first step in developing a naturally supernatural ministry. This means letting go of our own desires and allowing God to work through us - including when we’re fearful, inexperienced, or beyond our human understanding.

As we surrender to God, we position ourselves to be far more useful to Him. This will always be the foundation for any lasting naturally supernatural activity.

2. Be Re-Filled With the Holy Spirit

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential to any naturally supernatural ministry. We must regularly ask God to fill us afresh with His Spirit.

The filling of the Spirit is not a ‘one and done’ experience. That’s because we leak! Whether from giving as we minister in God’s power and authority, or self-sabotaging through sin, we need to obey Ephesians 5:18 and “keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.”

As we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we become aware of His presence, sensitive to His leading, and empowered for ministry.

3. Believe That God Still Acts

Trusting that God can intervene today is key to developing a naturally supernatural ministry.

Whether we’re looking for a miracles, healing, deliverance, or prophetic insight, it is as we exercise faith in His loving kindness that we see miraculous moments crop up with greater regularity.

The world around us is tired, cynical, and worn down by false promises. Simultaneously it is hungry for authentic love and a deeper reality.

There is no better place to which we can point our friends and neighbors than the eternity-fueled peace, presence, and power of Jesus.

4. Learn From Others

Who locally is further along than you are in operating in the Spirit’s empowering? They don’t need to be famous, but they do need to be faithful!

Bear in mind that God looks at the heart rather than a title, status, or big mouth, so the one you need to learn from might be quietly sitting in His presence in the prayer room, be young and full of passionate energy to extend God’s Kingdom, or have a 40 year track record of obediently ministering God’s love to the least, the last, and the lost in your community.

5. Practice

When you learn any new skill, you have to get the reps in.

You just need to make the time and commit to seizing any and every opportunity to pray for lost of people, to minister to as many sick people as possible, to pause to listen to Jesus’ voice before you pray with anyone.

You will never leave this stage, because there is always more to learn and grow in. I’ve played soccer (or football, as Jesus calls it) for about 50 years, and I’ve noticed how many players plateau and don’t try new things. For the past few years I’ve been playing twice a week with an almost entirely Latino group, which has changed how I play since their possession-based approach is very different to the one I learned on muddy English playing fields! In turn, this has encouraged me to try new skills, and not to give up when I mess up.

Likewise, to keep in spiritual shape we must always keep on practicing a naturally supernatural lifestyle. We practice in the context of Christian community, so that we never plateau and become predictable. As we couple this with a Spirit-infused faith, we will become more confident in our ability to hear from God and to minister in His name and empowering.

Put This Into Action

  1. Take some time to ask God to fill you afresh with His Holy Spirit.

  2. Who do you need to spend time with to grow your spiritual boldness?

  3. Where can you practice a naturally supernatural lifestyle this week?

Go Even Further

Many of the resources here at Dandelion will help you move deeper into a naturally supernatural lifestyle - and equip you to build a Spirit empowered culture around you.

A couple of suggestions:

  1. Subscribe to The Seedhead, our FREE weekly newsletter on naturally supernatural discipleship and mission (there’s a link at foot of this page)

  2. Take the Naturally Supernatural Course, which comes in 6 session blocks and is ideal for either group or personal use.

  3. Invite us to speak at your church or event.

And if you want something more customized, drop us a note and we’d love to chat!

We look forward to hearing from you,

Blessings,

Alex + Hannah
ALEX AND HANNAH ABSALOM

P.S. Don’t feel intimidated if this area is fairly new to you or to your church. Our resources are designed to be biblical, practical, and simple, so that any believer can start trying things out today!