Jesus at IHOP

Some friends and I had dinner last week at IHOP. Our waiter thought it was going to be a typical night at work. Boy, was he wrong!

As he brought us our food we gave him a little taste of God’s love. He later texted me, “It was great to be accepted by you guys!”

At one point Je’Mahl asked him, “What do you need prayer for? Tell me the first thing that comes to mind.”

He replied, “Understanding.”

Several of us laid hands on him while Je’Mahl prayed he would come to understand how much God loved him. It was a powerful moment.

Enjoying the love he was tasting, he stopped being our waiter for awhile and pulled up a chair and listened to a bunch of grown men confess sins and share what God has been teaching us. He didn’t know he was watching the spiritual gift of prophecy in action.

To prophesy is simply to speak out what you hear God speaking in you by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul said we should “be eager to prophesy,” because…

“the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬ ‭

Watching our waiter’s reaction to our prophetic love reminded me of something Paul said could happen during times like this.

“If all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭

Our waiter didn’t fall to his knees and declare, “God is truly here among you.”

For a second though, I thought he might!

All of this goes to show that people don’t need to walk into a church building to encounter God. They can meet Him in a pancake house where a bunch of guys come together to love and encourage each other.

Our waiter tasted the love of Jesus when he met us. Pray he will be hungry for more!

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John‬ ‭13‬:‭35‬ ‭

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭