Prophesying over someone is an interesting thing. In general, the more faith you have, the more clearly you can receive from the Holy Spirit and give prophecy to someone else (Romans 12:6). General prophetic words are good, and so are specific ones! Yet there is a safer, 'easier' way to prophecy that can sometimes be overlooked.
"Then Yahweh said to me, 'You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.'" Jeremiah 1:12
The written word of Yahweh stands forever. It is the most sure word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:19). It cannot fail, because God Himself is watching over it.
In a sense, the written Word is an example of 'self-fulfilling prophecy'. Our Heavenly Father fulfills it! The promises of God are a self-sowing seed. They are enough, and they will bear fruit without any outside human help. These written promises are the "smallest seeds" that, even without observation or assistance, soon blossom and provide covering for the oppressed (Matthew 13:32).
Once we've released the Word as prophecy, we've done our job. We don't have to think about it. We don't even have to pray about it (although those things are wonderful). This kind of prophetic word is inhabited by the Wind of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit can take care of things from there.
If we prophecy over someone out of love, just imagine how much more Love the Father has for that person. And how much more eager is He in intending to show it! He takes it from there. There is a trust activated after we release personal prophecy. We need to know that God is faithful--more faithful than we are.
This is all something I've been learning. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will tell me a verse, like "Psalm 33:8". I don't have that verse memorized, but He does (He's got a better memory, too)! And whenever He shows you something, it usually pertains to something you're going to right now.
Prophesying Proverbs 24:4 over someone is a perfect example of this kind of thing. Whether you prophecy a verse you know, or a verse number you don't know, God is going to back it! He's the One who brings the important to your remembrance. He's the One who teaches you how to prophecy, and He's the One who teaches you how to pray.
Who knows, Prov. 24:4 may just be a life verse for that person. It may guide them in 30 years when they're opening up a Bed and Breakfast. The important thing is to hear the passion of the Spirit.
Showing posts with label Spirit of Prophecy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spirit of Prophecy. Show all posts
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Communion: It's Different
Communion is awesome--yet it's also not for everyone. We need to walk on the right path so that we can take the Elements faithfully. We need to be woven into Jesus by the Spirit. If we know the truth, then we'll have been set free. If we've already been set free, then we are free to take communion!
Communion is for Believers: It's through our belief that we are justified (Romans 10:10). If we have the faith of God, then we will be blessed in our doing. In other words--If you know Jesus, remember Him thru communion. Receive what He's done with thanksgiving and reverence--Yahweh does not give as the world does (John 14:27).
Communion is a Proclamation: When we partake of the Elements, we are proclaiming the Lord's death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). And when we proclaim God's will in faith, it is established for us (Job 22:28).
So as we take communion, we are having Jesus' death established--fulfilled-- in our new life. We realize that One died for all and that therefore all died (2 Cor. 5:14). We proclaim Communion as the most sure Word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:19)--the most reliable prophetic word. It is the most powerful positive confession. We proclaim that God really did send His Son for us.
Communion Requires Discerning the Body: We need to treasure what Jesus has purchased--our brothers and sisters, for whom He died (1 Cor 8:11)! We need to be perfected in forgiveness and love (Matthew 5:48). And because God's already done the perfecting, we just need to choose to yield to it. This means having the faith to discern that Jesus is enough.
We need to acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:2). With that, He destroyed the sinful nature once and for all (Romans 6:6). Let's receive the grace of freedom from sin (Romans 6:18). We are a sacrifice of Holiness! We have received the sinless body of the Lord.
Communion Requires Discerning Yourself: The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and of righteousness (John 16:8). He shows us a wonderful paradox--we were sinful in the flesh, but now we are flawless in His Spirit.
If we are convicted of our own righteousness, if we know that Christ is in us, then we can turn from sin and understand how we need to yield to God's growth. We can discern how we've went wrong and see communion as a marking point of change. It's so important to remain in His purifying fire.
Communion is Seperate: Do you know what the word 'Holy' means? It's original meaning is different, set apart, other. We are a holy priesthood, a chosen nation (1 Peter 2:9)! We have been selected and set apart by God, and communion can activate our living like it.
The Holy Spirit is saying come away, He's saying come out of oppression. He's saying be in the world, just not of it (John 17:16)! Communion is a spiritual force that draws us away from the world and into the wonderful, sacrificial Love of our Saviour. It's a blessing for those who are worthy, and a curse for those who are not. It's a torrent of God's love for those who believe, and the cup of His wrath for those who do not (Matthew 26:42). When we receive the needed belief, we receive the abundant blessings!
Communion is for Believers: It's through our belief that we are justified (Romans 10:10). If we have the faith of God, then we will be blessed in our doing. In other words--If you know Jesus, remember Him thru communion. Receive what He's done with thanksgiving and reverence--Yahweh does not give as the world does (John 14:27).
Communion is a Proclamation: When we partake of the Elements, we are proclaiming the Lord's death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). And when we proclaim God's will in faith, it is established for us (Job 22:28).
So as we take communion, we are having Jesus' death established--fulfilled-- in our new life. We realize that One died for all and that therefore all died (2 Cor. 5:14). We proclaim Communion as the most sure Word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:19)--the most reliable prophetic word. It is the most powerful positive confession. We proclaim that God really did send His Son for us.
Communion Requires Discerning the Body: We need to treasure what Jesus has purchased--our brothers and sisters, for whom He died (1 Cor 8:11)! We need to be perfected in forgiveness and love (Matthew 5:48). And because God's already done the perfecting, we just need to choose to yield to it. This means having the faith to discern that Jesus is enough.
We need to acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:2). With that, He destroyed the sinful nature once and for all (Romans 6:6). Let's receive the grace of freedom from sin (Romans 6:18). We are a sacrifice of Holiness! We have received the sinless body of the Lord.
Communion Requires Discerning Yourself: The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and of righteousness (John 16:8). He shows us a wonderful paradox--we were sinful in the flesh, but now we are flawless in His Spirit.
If we are convicted of our own righteousness, if we know that Christ is in us, then we can turn from sin and understand how we need to yield to God's growth. We can discern how we've went wrong and see communion as a marking point of change. It's so important to remain in His purifying fire.
Communion is Seperate: Do you know what the word 'Holy' means? It's original meaning is different, set apart, other. We are a holy priesthood, a chosen nation (1 Peter 2:9)! We have been selected and set apart by God, and communion can activate our living like it.
The Holy Spirit is saying come away, He's saying come out of oppression. He's saying be in the world, just not of it (John 17:16)! Communion is a spiritual force that draws us away from the world and into the wonderful, sacrificial Love of our Saviour. It's a blessing for those who are worthy, and a curse for those who are not. It's a torrent of God's love for those who believe, and the cup of His wrath for those who do not (Matthew 26:42). When we receive the needed belief, we receive the abundant blessings!
Thursday, August 20, 2015
The Gift of Faith in Prayer, Part Four
How do we walk in the gift of faith? Well...
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17
"...Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise." John 5:19
"For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak." John 12:49
In order to operate in the gift of faith, we need to draw closer to the Lord. We need to hear His will and act only based on that. This is a trust thing!
God wants us to operate in the creative gift of faith. This is a place of prophetic inspiration and declaration. We pray according to His will on heaven, in order to see His will happen on earth!
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17
"...Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise." John 5:19
"For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak." John 12:49
In order to operate in the gift of faith, we need to draw closer to the Lord. We need to hear His will and act only based on that. This is a trust thing!
God wants us to operate in the creative gift of faith. This is a place of prophetic inspiration and declaration. We pray according to His will on heaven, in order to see His will happen on earth!
Saturday, August 8, 2015
Video Journal: Visions and Fruit
This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls"
Jeremiah 6:16
God has given us as Christians lots of ways to receive direction from Him. He allows us to know the unknowable so that we can confidently walk along that ancient path.
The Holy Spirit's been giving increased guidance through visions recently. There's a measure of foresight He reveals so that we can walk how He wants us to. It's called the spirit of prophecy! (Revelations 19:10) God's foresight--what He shows us--is always given to bring us closer to Jesus.
So, here's some recent stuff the LORD's been doing....enjoy the high quality video! (well, I thought it was uploaded in HD...oh well)
“In the last days” God said, “I will pour out my Holy Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams.”
Joel 2:28
Monday, June 8, 2015
Faith is A Force
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1
Faith changes things. Faith is the Holy Spirit within us agreeing with God. Any gift or blessing or victory that God wants to give us comes by faith. Faith is what makes God's perfect will possible.
Let's look into this verse a little bit, starting out with the first half of it:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for..."
There are things that all of us are hoping for that have not yet come to pass. We've been hoping in God's promises, in His Logos and Rhema Word, and we haven't seen everything yet. And that's okay--delays are OK--as long as we have faith! Faith manifests the things that we've been hoping for. Faith is as tangible as God's promises get, prior to their actual fulfillment. And if faith is that tangible, if it's an actual substance, then we can see that our faith paves the way for God to act on our behalf. Faith is a force that works in companionship with hope, bringing first spiritual substance and then physical substance into our lives. Faith is a force that changes things.
"...the evidence of things not seen."
We need to remember that God is the One who can make something wonderful out of nothing. We need to remember that things we are not yet seeing will soon be brought to us. We need to remember that it is God who makes all things possible. It's God who brings all His promised to pass. And our faith need to acknowledge this. Our faith needs to have God's foresight. Our faith needs to produce actions, so that these actions can serve as proof--evidence-- of things yet to come.
And if our faith is evidence of God's future purposes, then the way we live our lives today should be evidence of our faith. Our faith will point to that future point in time when God does a miracle. Our faith will lead us to walk in a way that looks foolish to the outside world. Our faith will probably even make us look foolish to other Christians! Our faith should lead us to expect God to come through. Our faith may lead us into 'dangerous' situations.
Before God comes through, our faith will be the only evidence that others can see of His future plans. In a sense, our faith will be prophetic, and our faith will be ahead of it's time. God chooses the foolish things to shame the wise--eventually! In the meantime, however, others may try to shame us if we live according to a higher measure of faith. Even then, it's up to us to provide the only evidence we can--our faith--of that coming moment when God fulfills our hopes.
If we have faith, we should have works. Our faith and our actions should be in agreement! Together, they will provide the initial evidence of God's plans. Together, they will eventually provide the foundation for an amazing testimony. When God comes through, and when others see that He rewarded our faith, that's when the foolish things shame the wise. That's when true wisdom is--finally--proved right by her actions (Matthew 11:19). That's when others can see that we partnered with the Lord. That's when others can see that we were right act 'foolishly' and put all our faith in God.
To quote Kenneth Copeland, faith is a force. It is the force that brings us into alignment with God, and it is the force that makes something "on earth as it is in Heaven". Faith is a force that heals and saves and delivers. Faith is a force that encourages God to do something big.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Video: Building Faith--It takes Positive Reinforcement!
Faith comes from hearing (Romans 10:17). The more faith we have in God, the more equipped we are to have Him speak to us. And the more equipped we are, the more He can give us the specifics (Mark 4:11)!
Each person sees (hears) in part, according to their measure of faith. As we hear, we speak, and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit takes us onwards into specifics. As faith is built, God's knowledge is revealed. That's when words of knowledge, words of wisdom, words of prophecy flow.
I'm not aware of anyone who received more accurate words of knowledge than William Branham. Now, I do think he got off base, especially near the end of his life, when it came to his theology...but I believe he was a child of God who the Spirit used in amazing ways.
What an example of how faith makes a way for the prophetic to flow. What an example of the Spirit of prophecy! If more people in the body of Christ operated in even a fraction of this insight, I think we'd be making a lot more disciples. Praise God!
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith..." Romans 12:6
Each person sees (hears) in part, according to their measure of faith. As we hear, we speak, and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit takes us onwards into specifics. As faith is built, God's knowledge is revealed. That's when words of knowledge, words of wisdom, words of prophecy flow.
I'm not aware of anyone who received more accurate words of knowledge than William Branham. Now, I do think he got off base, especially near the end of his life, when it came to his theology...but I believe he was a child of God who the Spirit used in amazing ways.
What an example of how faith makes a way for the prophetic to flow. What an example of the Spirit of prophecy! If more people in the body of Christ operated in even a fraction of this insight, I think we'd be making a lot more disciples. Praise God!
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith..." Romans 12:6
Monday, April 27, 2015
Snapshot: Jesus Sows The Prophetic Word
Last week, I saw a vision where the Lord Jesus was holding a large, intact loaf of bread in His hands, just waiting and smiling at me. Then He began to break off pieces and throw them up into the air, where they were caught in the wind and scattered across a larger area. It was really cool! This vision was confirmed the next day in the natural, because Vanessa and I started feeding our chickens old bread by hand, first breaking it up and then throwing it to them.
And the Lord also gave the knowing into the vision--what He was holding was our daily bread. He was breaking it up according to His will, and each piece of bread represented a specific and personal prophetic word. He tossed the pieces, pretty much all at once, into the air, and it was the Holy Spirit than distributed each message to it's recipient. Wow!
"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:11
It is Jesus who sends out the word. He's the one mediator! (1 Timothy 2:5) He's the one through whom all blessings flow. His testimony is by the Spirit of prophecy, and by this same Spirit, we ourselves receive a message that points us back to Him. (Revelation 19:10)
"All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."
1 Corinthians 12:11
So Jesus sows this word, which is our daily bread, and then the wind of the Holy Spirit carries out the Father's will in delivering each message to the intended person. One person gets one message, another gets a different one. They all come from one body of life, which is Jesus, and they are all given to one body--the Church. And it's the Spirit that elevates the prophetic message so that it can be carried to it's recipient!
"Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth."
Ecclesiastes 11:1-2
Sometimes there is a lag time between a message from God and it's fulfillment. There probably will be! The revelation is waiting for it's appointed time (Habakkuk 2:3). We need to give our prophetic words, our gifts, back to the Father, and trust Him with them. We need to acknowledge His faithfulness, and we need to acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit. He may deliver the same word again and again, in dynamic ways, until it is finally fulfilled. Jesus casts our bread upon the winds of the Spirit, and once we have received, we may need to wait patiently, knowing that our promise will not be lost.
Once our word returns to us fulfilled, then we can share it with others! Then we can use God's message to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16). When disaster happens, mercy can triumph over judgement. (James 2:13) And then we can look back to Jesus, hopeful that He will continue to give us our daily bread.
And the Lord also gave the knowing into the vision--what He was holding was our daily bread. He was breaking it up according to His will, and each piece of bread represented a specific and personal prophetic word. He tossed the pieces, pretty much all at once, into the air, and it was the Holy Spirit than distributed each message to it's recipient. Wow!
"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:11
It is Jesus who sends out the word. He's the one mediator! (1 Timothy 2:5) He's the one through whom all blessings flow. His testimony is by the Spirit of prophecy, and by this same Spirit, we ourselves receive a message that points us back to Him. (Revelation 19:10)
"All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills."
1 Corinthians 12:11
So Jesus sows this word, which is our daily bread, and then the wind of the Holy Spirit carries out the Father's will in delivering each message to the intended person. One person gets one message, another gets a different one. They all come from one body of life, which is Jesus, and they are all given to one body--the Church. And it's the Spirit that elevates the prophetic message so that it can be carried to it's recipient!
"Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth."
Ecclesiastes 11:1-2
Sometimes there is a lag time between a message from God and it's fulfillment. There probably will be! The revelation is waiting for it's appointed time (Habakkuk 2:3). We need to give our prophetic words, our gifts, back to the Father, and trust Him with them. We need to acknowledge His faithfulness, and we need to acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit. He may deliver the same word again and again, in dynamic ways, until it is finally fulfilled. Jesus casts our bread upon the winds of the Spirit, and once we have received, we may need to wait patiently, knowing that our promise will not be lost.
Once our word returns to us fulfilled, then we can share it with others! Then we can use God's message to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16). When disaster happens, mercy can triumph over judgement. (James 2:13) And then we can look back to Jesus, hopeful that He will continue to give us our daily bread.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
All About Visions: Sharing the Message
**For the previous post in this series on visions, see this link:
All About Visions: Discerning the Meanings
So, say that the Lord gives a vision. It may be come in personal prayer, it may come while praying with others, it may come unexpectedly. It may be an open vision. Either way, it's a gift from God, and that's awesome! And it's likely that the Lord will give us ourselves the interpretation, also. (If not, all the more reason to share!)
We all see in part (1 Corinthians 13:9), so it may just be that God withholds the meaning from us--even if we were the one who had the vision-- so that the faith of everyone can be built up. If we are in a corporate setting with other believers, I think it's safe to assume that any God-given vision can be shared in order to obtain the full revelation on it.
So, we receive a message, a vision or mental picture from God. We will probably get some sort of interpretation. What should we do with it? Often, we should share! Often...but not all the time. Let's look at a few responses we might have after God gives a vision. Keep in mind that there are a lot of variables here. But more than that, know that if God can give a vision, He can also give the receiver a knowledge of what to do with it.
Keep in mind that many times, vision are for our own edification and upliftment. They may not be meant to share. But the following categories can apply to that, too:
1) We share the vision--not knowing ourselves exactly what it means
Like I said, if we are surrounded by loving brothers and sisters in Christ, this could happen often! God may want us to share, so that someone else can be edified in getting the interpretation. Or, He may want us to share because the vision is meant to prophetically apply to someone else present, in a way only they could understand. It can take a level of boldness to just throw the message out there, but we can have faith that it can and will benefit someone else. We probably won't know how--but God does!
It's also possible that a vision is shared and several people receive a personal interpretation that is perfect for them. And that's awesome! Every vision God gives is perfect, in accordance with His Word, so this kind of simultaneous edification can be hoped for and expected.
2) We share the vision and our own interpretation
So, God gives a vision and also gives us that knowing into it's primary meaning. Then we should share both the vision and it's interpretation. It may apply to just one person, or it may apply to a large group of people. It may apply to your home church, or to the Church in general. The Lord may give me a vision that is just meant to build up Vanessa...or He may give Vanessa one that is meant to build up several people.
Don't be surprised if you get the vision while in prayer for one person, and then realize that it also applies to several others later on down the road. Christians are of one mind (hopefully...), and it's pretty common for God to 'recycle' a vision and use it over a variety of people. His timing is intricate and perfect!
Also don't be surprised if, after sharing, others have a different interpretation for what you saw. You yourself probably received the primary meaning...but not necessarily! Even so, there's almost always more than one meaning. The fact that many people are contributing their own interpretations is good--it means that you are all digging further into the revelation!
3) We don't share the vision--it just gives us a foundation for our prophecy or prayer
This is also pretty common. Say you're in prayer, and the Lord is giving visions that help you know what to pray for. He probably doesn't expect you to share all of them. It's more so a case of doing only what you see the Father doing (John 5:19). These visions are being delivered so that we can understand how to pray His will onto the earth. Once they are given, it's our responsibility to 'pray into them', so to speak.
4) We don't share the vision--it's not yet a 'now' word
The revelation that God gave you may just be waiting for that appointed time. (Habakkuk 2:3) We need to deliver a vision when God says so! Often, He wants us to share right away, but sometimes we may need to hold back the message for a season. I find that God likes to come in at just the right time. He creates better stories than we do. So, we need to be in tune with Him...it may be that He tells us or leads us into not sharing right away. In this case, the vision may not be prophetically attuned to the 'now'...but it may be 'waiting' for God's hand to move, so that after He moves, we can deliver to this or that person a confirmation on what just happened. God wants all of His words to be released in their season.
5) We don't share the vision--it's just for us
We don't share the vision, because it's encouragement from God to us that deals with personal issues. There are a lot of things that I don's share. God may want us to lay low for awhile. He may want us to withhold from sharing what He's doing in a certain area of our lives. Maybe He's forming a testimony, or maybe He's going to allow us to overcome a certain major struggle. Maybe at that point He'll prompt us to share. We'll see!
It isn't always a good idea to share if other people won't understand. Jesus said not to throw our pearls to pigs--not to disclose spiritual gifts to the undiscerning (Matthew 7:6). This is especially true if the vision God gave is symbolic. A non-spiritual person just won't get it! Only a spiritual person--someone filled with the Holy Spirit--can lovingly discern all things (1 Corinthians 2:15). We don't want to risk being trampled and having our faith mocked.
In general, some things are better left withheld. At least until God says share! If He does, then trust that He's opened the door to an awesome opportunity. It may be that the vision He gave you will apply to a nonbeliever in ways that you yourself couldn't imagine. That's what personal prophecy is all about. It shows the reality and redemption of Jesus! But I'm hesitant to go around sharing every symbolic vision.
More posts on visions in the near future. I feel that this is a very important topic. God wants us to be able to convey the word! So, more on this later.
All About Visions: Discerning the Meanings
So, say that the Lord gives a vision. It may be come in personal prayer, it may come while praying with others, it may come unexpectedly. It may be an open vision. Either way, it's a gift from God, and that's awesome! And it's likely that the Lord will give us ourselves the interpretation, also. (If not, all the more reason to share!)
We all see in part (1 Corinthians 13:9), so it may just be that God withholds the meaning from us--even if we were the one who had the vision-- so that the faith of everyone can be built up. If we are in a corporate setting with other believers, I think it's safe to assume that any God-given vision can be shared in order to obtain the full revelation on it.
So, we receive a message, a vision or mental picture from God. We will probably get some sort of interpretation. What should we do with it? Often, we should share! Often...but not all the time. Let's look at a few responses we might have after God gives a vision. Keep in mind that there are a lot of variables here. But more than that, know that if God can give a vision, He can also give the receiver a knowledge of what to do with it.
Keep in mind that many times, vision are for our own edification and upliftment. They may not be meant to share. But the following categories can apply to that, too:
1) We share the vision--not knowing ourselves exactly what it means
Like I said, if we are surrounded by loving brothers and sisters in Christ, this could happen often! God may want us to share, so that someone else can be edified in getting the interpretation. Or, He may want us to share because the vision is meant to prophetically apply to someone else present, in a way only they could understand. It can take a level of boldness to just throw the message out there, but we can have faith that it can and will benefit someone else. We probably won't know how--but God does!
It's also possible that a vision is shared and several people receive a personal interpretation that is perfect for them. And that's awesome! Every vision God gives is perfect, in accordance with His Word, so this kind of simultaneous edification can be hoped for and expected.
2) We share the vision and our own interpretation
So, God gives a vision and also gives us that knowing into it's primary meaning. Then we should share both the vision and it's interpretation. It may apply to just one person, or it may apply to a large group of people. It may apply to your home church, or to the Church in general. The Lord may give me a vision that is just meant to build up Vanessa...or He may give Vanessa one that is meant to build up several people.
Don't be surprised if you get the vision while in prayer for one person, and then realize that it also applies to several others later on down the road. Christians are of one mind (hopefully...), and it's pretty common for God to 'recycle' a vision and use it over a variety of people. His timing is intricate and perfect!
Also don't be surprised if, after sharing, others have a different interpretation for what you saw. You yourself probably received the primary meaning...but not necessarily! Even so, there's almost always more than one meaning. The fact that many people are contributing their own interpretations is good--it means that you are all digging further into the revelation!
3) We don't share the vision--it just gives us a foundation for our prophecy or prayer
This is also pretty common. Say you're in prayer, and the Lord is giving visions that help you know what to pray for. He probably doesn't expect you to share all of them. It's more so a case of doing only what you see the Father doing (John 5:19). These visions are being delivered so that we can understand how to pray His will onto the earth. Once they are given, it's our responsibility to 'pray into them', so to speak.
4) We don't share the vision--it's not yet a 'now' word
The revelation that God gave you may just be waiting for that appointed time. (Habakkuk 2:3) We need to deliver a vision when God says so! Often, He wants us to share right away, but sometimes we may need to hold back the message for a season. I find that God likes to come in at just the right time. He creates better stories than we do. So, we need to be in tune with Him...it may be that He tells us or leads us into not sharing right away. In this case, the vision may not be prophetically attuned to the 'now'...but it may be 'waiting' for God's hand to move, so that after He moves, we can deliver to this or that person a confirmation on what just happened. God wants all of His words to be released in their season.
5) We don't share the vision--it's just for us
We don't share the vision, because it's encouragement from God to us that deals with personal issues. There are a lot of things that I don's share. God may want us to lay low for awhile. He may want us to withhold from sharing what He's doing in a certain area of our lives. Maybe He's forming a testimony, or maybe He's going to allow us to overcome a certain major struggle. Maybe at that point He'll prompt us to share. We'll see!
It isn't always a good idea to share if other people won't understand. Jesus said not to throw our pearls to pigs--not to disclose spiritual gifts to the undiscerning (Matthew 7:6). This is especially true if the vision God gave is symbolic. A non-spiritual person just won't get it! Only a spiritual person--someone filled with the Holy Spirit--can lovingly discern all things (1 Corinthians 2:15). We don't want to risk being trampled and having our faith mocked.
In general, some things are better left withheld. At least until God says share! If He does, then trust that He's opened the door to an awesome opportunity. It may be that the vision He gave you will apply to a nonbeliever in ways that you yourself couldn't imagine. That's what personal prophecy is all about. It shows the reality and redemption of Jesus! But I'm hesitant to go around sharing every symbolic vision.
More posts on visions in the near future. I feel that this is a very important topic. God wants us to be able to convey the word! So, more on this later.
Friday, April 10, 2015
All About Visions: Discerning the Meanings
So, say that the Lord gives a vision. He may show you something internally--most likely when in prayer or when your eyes are closed--or give a more external, 'open' vision. Either type is a blessing! Either type of vision is a way that the Lord conveys His word. (1 Samuel 3:1)
Now, this vision is a message from God. It tells you something otherwise unknowable--it tells you whatever God wills to reveal. It's knowledge may be meant to apply to yourself, or to your best friend. Or maybe God wants you to share it with anyone who has ears to hear. And receiving this vision is relatively easy--it's a free gift! (1 Corinthians 12:4) Interpreting the vision may be a little more difficult. Our response to any God-given vision should be to seek Him for the fullness of the interpretation. A picture is worth a thousand words, and any picture God gives is perfect. In addition, a general rule is that God speaks with double entendres--double meanings.
"One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard..." Psalm 62:11
So we need to discern the vision and understand that it probably (not always) has a primary and secondary meaning. I've found that the two meanings contained in a vision probably relate to each other in one of three ways:
1) The vision relates to the now and also to some time in the future or past. It's prophetic in that it carries God's mind for this present moment and it's connection to another point on the timeline. It's a predictive vision.
2) The vision relates both literally and figuratively--symbolically--to a certain theme or situation. It may describe both the physical and spiritual aspects of something. It's a parable vision.
3) The vision relates to a smaller topic and a larger topic--it contains a theme within a theme. This kind of vision zooms in on an issue--it magnifies and "divides" the truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) It allows you to understand how the initial roots of something are manifested farther down the line. Therefore, this vision might reveal either the cause or effect of an event--or both! It's an amplifying vision.
Now, these three categories are not the only three, nor are they always mutually exclusive. There are many other potential interpretations found within the visions that God gives. But I feel that they provide a general template. Also keep in mind that a vision may not fit into just one of the categories. It may be prophetic and also apply to smaller forces that cause larger issues. Or it may be "parabled"--highly symbolic-- and also prophetically point to the future. Just look at the books of Daniel and Revelation for examples of that!
With so many nuances, potential meanings, and combinations of meanings found within a vision, it's clear we need the help of God to discern. And we will receive help, if we seek the Lord for it! Remember that Jesus spoke in parables, and His disciples didn't always understand...until they received the Holy Spirit. And Jesus told His disciples in advance that the Spirit would be the One who would explain all things to them. (John 14:26) In the same way, it is a yielding to the Holy Spirit that will lead to the full revelation on any vision God gives. Let's seek Him as He reveals to us the scope and significance of His truth!
"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him." 1 John 2:27
Now, this vision is a message from God. It tells you something otherwise unknowable--it tells you whatever God wills to reveal. It's knowledge may be meant to apply to yourself, or to your best friend. Or maybe God wants you to share it with anyone who has ears to hear. And receiving this vision is relatively easy--it's a free gift! (1 Corinthians 12:4) Interpreting the vision may be a little more difficult. Our response to any God-given vision should be to seek Him for the fullness of the interpretation. A picture is worth a thousand words, and any picture God gives is perfect. In addition, a general rule is that God speaks with double entendres--double meanings.
"One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard..." Psalm 62:11
So we need to discern the vision and understand that it probably (not always) has a primary and secondary meaning. I've found that the two meanings contained in a vision probably relate to each other in one of three ways:
1) The vision relates to the now and also to some time in the future or past. It's prophetic in that it carries God's mind for this present moment and it's connection to another point on the timeline. It's a predictive vision.
2) The vision relates both literally and figuratively--symbolically--to a certain theme or situation. It may describe both the physical and spiritual aspects of something. It's a parable vision.
3) The vision relates to a smaller topic and a larger topic--it contains a theme within a theme. This kind of vision zooms in on an issue--it magnifies and "divides" the truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) It allows you to understand how the initial roots of something are manifested farther down the line. Therefore, this vision might reveal either the cause or effect of an event--or both! It's an amplifying vision.
Now, these three categories are not the only three, nor are they always mutually exclusive. There are many other potential interpretations found within the visions that God gives. But I feel that they provide a general template. Also keep in mind that a vision may not fit into just one of the categories. It may be prophetic and also apply to smaller forces that cause larger issues. Or it may be "parabled"--highly symbolic-- and also prophetically point to the future. Just look at the books of Daniel and Revelation for examples of that!
With so many nuances, potential meanings, and combinations of meanings found within a vision, it's clear we need the help of God to discern. And we will receive help, if we seek the Lord for it! Remember that Jesus spoke in parables, and His disciples didn't always understand...until they received the Holy Spirit. And Jesus told His disciples in advance that the Spirit would be the One who would explain all things to them. (John 14:26) In the same way, it is a yielding to the Holy Spirit that will lead to the full revelation on any vision God gives. Let's seek Him as He reveals to us the scope and significance of His truth!
"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him." 1 John 2:27
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Anticipating God's Spirit
The Lord began speaking to me about how to better anticipate Him--how to foresee His next move. And there can be several steps to this. Now God can't just be formatted, but formats can help us understand how He works.
Step 1) The first step in anticipating God's next move in your life is understanding hope. We need to look forward to restored joy, restored love, restored peace...we need to look forward to restoration of fullness of life. We need to know that He will uphold us and push us higher and higher.
"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit."
Psalm 51:11-12
Step 2) Once we have hope, then we can call on Him in confidence. (1 John 5:14) Then we can be bold and know that He will reveal to us something according to His will. We call on Him, and we have the awareness of our future 'saved'. (Romans 10:13) Once we have hope for the future, we can attain to the promises found in Jeremiah 33:3. And we can have boldness and confidence in this.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Step 3) So we call out to God, and God tells us something. He tells us something about His future work that would otherwise be knowable. He tells us something that testifies to Jesus, something that is in line with the spirit of prophecy (Revelations 19:10). He gives us a word, or a vision, or a parable that points to and reveals His movement in the future.
For example, the Lord may reveal that tomorrow is going to be a day when a sibling of yours is really going to feel His love. This kind of prophetic knowledge can also come as a warning to pray against---He may say that tomorrow is going to be a day where the enemy is going to try to attack you financially. Whether God gives an encouraging word or a warning, the response needs to be in praying according to His will. We can 'pray into' that coming sense of love and call it forth, or we can 'pray against' that financial warfare. Remember that all God's promises are "yes" and "amen" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Step 4) Step 3 is repeated as the Lord trains our ears to hear (Mark 4:9). We become accustomed to His voice, and build trust in the revealing of His plans. Once God has sanctified our ears, then He can sanctify our minds. He can make us attuned to Him. This is when He gives us the mind of Christ.
"But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:15-16
If we have the mind of Christ, the Lord speaks to us in a way that transcends a word, a vision, or a parable. The spirit of prophecy manifests in a new way that brings fullness and truth to our awareness of the future. And our own logical or mechanistic thinking on tomorrow, or the next day, or the next, is replaced by a knowing that comes from oneness with the Lord.
For example, I may be thinking about Vanessa's (previous) back problems, and in thinking with the Lord, I feel Him reassure me that everything is going to be alright. And then the next day, Vanessa tells me that her back was healed by the Lord that morning. Or, I'll be thinking of a certain Christian friend who we don't see often, and then go on to hear that they're coming to our house next month. God inspires our thoughts to the extent that they become prophetic. And if our thoughts are prophetic, then we don't necessarily need a clear word. We develop a type of godly premonition. What would Jesus think? As it relates to us, we begin to think along with Him, too.
Step 5) If we have the mind of Christ, praise God! That's when we can act on it. We can pray into it, act into it, and walk in it. God's reality can continuously be coming into union with our own. We can do only what we see, or envision, the father doing. (John 5:19) This is where God wants to take us, if we ourselves will respond by wanting to get there. If we are controlled by the spirit of prophecy to this extent, then we will be made into a testimony to Jesus. And that's what it's all about!
Step 1) The first step in anticipating God's next move in your life is understanding hope. We need to look forward to restored joy, restored love, restored peace...we need to look forward to restoration of fullness of life. We need to know that He will uphold us and push us higher and higher.
Psalm 51:11-12
Step 2) Once we have hope, then we can call on Him in confidence. (1 John 5:14) Then we can be bold and know that He will reveal to us something according to His will. We call on Him, and we have the awareness of our future 'saved'. (Romans 10:13) Once we have hope for the future, we can attain to the promises found in Jeremiah 33:3. And we can have boldness and confidence in this.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Step 3) So we call out to God, and God tells us something. He tells us something about His future work that would otherwise be knowable. He tells us something that testifies to Jesus, something that is in line with the spirit of prophecy (Revelations 19:10). He gives us a word, or a vision, or a parable that points to and reveals His movement in the future.
For example, the Lord may reveal that tomorrow is going to be a day when a sibling of yours is really going to feel His love. This kind of prophetic knowledge can also come as a warning to pray against---He may say that tomorrow is going to be a day where the enemy is going to try to attack you financially. Whether God gives an encouraging word or a warning, the response needs to be in praying according to His will. We can 'pray into' that coming sense of love and call it forth, or we can 'pray against' that financial warfare. Remember that all God's promises are "yes" and "amen" in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
Step 4) Step 3 is repeated as the Lord trains our ears to hear (Mark 4:9). We become accustomed to His voice, and build trust in the revealing of His plans. Once God has sanctified our ears, then He can sanctify our minds. He can make us attuned to Him. This is when He gives us the mind of Christ.
"But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:15-16
If we have the mind of Christ, the Lord speaks to us in a way that transcends a word, a vision, or a parable. The spirit of prophecy manifests in a new way that brings fullness and truth to our awareness of the future. And our own logical or mechanistic thinking on tomorrow, or the next day, or the next, is replaced by a knowing that comes from oneness with the Lord.
For example, I may be thinking about Vanessa's (previous) back problems, and in thinking with the Lord, I feel Him reassure me that everything is going to be alright. And then the next day, Vanessa tells me that her back was healed by the Lord that morning. Or, I'll be thinking of a certain Christian friend who we don't see often, and then go on to hear that they're coming to our house next month. God inspires our thoughts to the extent that they become prophetic. And if our thoughts are prophetic, then we don't necessarily need a clear word. We develop a type of godly premonition. What would Jesus think? As it relates to us, we begin to think along with Him, too.
Step 5) If we have the mind of Christ, praise God! That's when we can act on it. We can pray into it, act into it, and walk in it. God's reality can continuously be coming into union with our own. We can do only what we see, or envision, the father doing. (John 5:19) This is where God wants to take us, if we ourselves will respond by wanting to get there. If we are controlled by the spirit of prophecy to this extent, then we will be made into a testimony to Jesus. And that's what it's all about!
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Word: Seek and You Shall Find
Yesterday the Lord spoke to me and told me,
"There are many choices behind you, and many choices before you, but there is only one choice that's best. So seek Me diligently. Seek Me early, and seek Me late in the evening. Seek, seek, seek...seek, and you shall find."
This has been such a recurring thing for me recently. If I seek Him, I will find Him. If I diligently seek Him, I will find His Will. These are promises, and they are waiting to be fulfilled. And the Lord continues to feed me this verse again, and again, and again... (and again, four times!). Remember Jesus' question to Peter? (John 21) He speaks to us repetitively so that we can get His Word deeply ingrained. He stresses a message so that we can know He is God, even in our stillness (Psalms 46:10).
I remember that when Vanessa and I were in Springfield, Missouri, last month, a close friend of ours imparted to me some godly wisdom. Now this friend is very prophetic--glory to God for the gifting--and he told me specifically, "Seek and you will find". I was so blessed by that. The Lord has quickened this verse to me in my own quiet time so often and in so many ways.
There is so much to be found--so many things to find out. There is so much to hunger after--the unspeakable riches we have inherited in Christ, and more than that, the unspeakable love we have been given by Christ. We need to know that the Lord is good, so that we can praise Him accordingly.
And there is so much to seek. Those who seek Him find Him (Proverbs 8:17). Those who seek Him become filled as He draws near (James 4:8). Those who seek Him do so when they are hungry, and He fills the hungry with good things (Psalms 107:9).
The Lord is coming in glory. (Isaiah 60:1) He is coming in splendor. And He will come, as soon as we really, really search for Him. As we seek Him, pieces and portions of His character will surface. The many facets of His Will can come to the surface, and He brings them to our attention. (Jeremiah 6:16) Glory to God!
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
"There are many choices behind you, and many choices before you, but there is only one choice that's best. So seek Me diligently. Seek Me early, and seek Me late in the evening. Seek, seek, seek...seek, and you shall find."
This has been such a recurring thing for me recently. If I seek Him, I will find Him. If I diligently seek Him, I will find His Will. These are promises, and they are waiting to be fulfilled. And the Lord continues to feed me this verse again, and again, and again... (and again, four times!). Remember Jesus' question to Peter? (John 21) He speaks to us repetitively so that we can get His Word deeply ingrained. He stresses a message so that we can know He is God, even in our stillness (Psalms 46:10).
I remember that when Vanessa and I were in Springfield, Missouri, last month, a close friend of ours imparted to me some godly wisdom. Now this friend is very prophetic--glory to God for the gifting--and he told me specifically, "Seek and you will find". I was so blessed by that. The Lord has quickened this verse to me in my own quiet time so often and in so many ways.
There is so much to be found--so many things to find out. There is so much to hunger after--the unspeakable riches we have inherited in Christ, and more than that, the unspeakable love we have been given by Christ. We need to know that the Lord is good, so that we can praise Him accordingly.
And there is so much to seek. Those who seek Him find Him (Proverbs 8:17). Those who seek Him become filled as He draws near (James 4:8). Those who seek Him do so when they are hungry, and He fills the hungry with good things (Psalms 107:9).
The Lord is coming in glory. (Isaiah 60:1) He is coming in splendor. And He will come, as soon as we really, really search for Him. As we seek Him, pieces and portions of His character will surface. The many facets of His Will can come to the surface, and He brings them to our attention. (Jeremiah 6:16) Glory to God!
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
Friday, March 20, 2015
Jeremiah Twenty--The Training of a Prophet
Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long.
But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him."
But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.
In this segment of Jeremiah, 20:8-11, we see here what it means to be trained as a vessel for God to speak through. We see the hardships and humblings involved, and we see how God's passion burns within as He makes His will known. We see the development and training of a prophet.
Now in the Old Testament, true prophets were sometimes rare. And everyone knew when someone was blessed by God with the gift of hearing from Him. So God spoke to a few as He willed.
Now Jesus has come for us, and it's time to remember the Lord and remember His benefits (Psalms 103:2). Every saved and filled person can be prophetic. We may not all be prophets--there's a lot of responsibility that comes with that title--but we can all be prophetic. We can all hear from God in a way that overshadows our own knowledge. We can all receive a heavenly revelation that points to Christ. We can all receive this gift and learn from the Giver how to best use it.
"For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged..."
1 Corinthians 14:31
"...Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."
Revelation 19:10
This is our New Testament identity, and this is our New Testament ability, if we are abiding in Jesus. Every one of us can be used by God to supernaturally know His will.
And this is a training process. It may just require steps! Samuel, Elijah and Elisa had their schools of the Prophets. If there's a school, then it follows that there is a progressive learning involved! Many today call it the school of the Holy Spirit. I think that's a good term. Here are some steps involved in this learning. They may or may not be in order according to your own experience--God is dynamic and speaks to us all in ways we can best understand! The point is that God usually takes the gifting from step to step:
1) Reading the Word. This is where it all starts. We are nourished and transformed by the Truth. (Romans 10:17 relates to steps 1-3)
2) Hearing God through the Word. God typically will speak to you about yourself--your own identity, inheritance, and importance to Him--before He will speak to you about others or your own shortcomings. He brings you to the potter's house, and usually confirms you before the shaping begins. (Jeremiah 18) He may make a certain scripture passage jump out at you, or have a Christian friend share with you a verse that He's laid on their hearts. And the Lord will also develop within you that still, small voice that comes through the Word (1 Kings 19:12).
3) Acquiring Faith. Faith comes by hearing! And the more faith you have, the better you hear, and the more that you can hear. That's why we only prophecy according to our measure of faith (Romans 12:6). In general, God will only tell you what you have faith to accept. But the one who can accept a word from God--a personal, specific message--should accept it! (Matthew 19:12) I've heard people say that before God speaks through a prophet, He speaks to a prophet. Yes! Generally speaking, at least.
4) Internal work develops more and more. We grow in faith, and we grow in hearing. It's a cycle of teaching that the Holy Spirit takes us on. We see God confirm His Word, and that reassures us that we're hearing from Him. We see Him tell us something, and then we see it come to pass (Isaiah 55:11). And when He tells us something, it may just test us (Psalms 105:19). We may think it is impossible, or that we're just hearing our own imagination, but then God comes and confirms it. And that builds faith!
I remember once that the Lord told me He was sending me to kids from Kansas city--kids who would later come to know God and His salvation. And I thought He meant I was actually going there--literally traveling to KC to follow God's voice. But within two weeks, I was ministering at the Hospital and met a guy my age who was from Kansas city. He needed a ride to the hotel he was staying at, and the Lord also healed Him of the pain He originally went to the hospital for. So, we also learn to not be presumptuous with hearing and acting on god's voice.
5) We know God's Will. In one area or another, He shows us His will and His plans. He may tell us. He may show us. (Job 33:14-15) He may allow us to just know by having His mind on an issue (). But He will reveal to us things unknowable--He will give us insight into His plans.
6) We share God's voice with others. By this point in time, we know it's Him--we have the faith that comes by hearing. We are His sheep, and so we are now able to really discern and trust in His voice. (1 Corinthians 2:16) So He instructs us to share it--share the message He's given us. This part can be very difficult sometimes. And more often than not, God wants us to share. And His love compels us to (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). If gentle promptings fail, then His word becomes a fire. So we release it then! We choose to please God. We choose to encourage and exhort others in the faith. We choose to get away from ourselves and share.
And there you have it--some typical steps to prophetic training! The cost may be high, but the cost is worth it. There is so much satisfaction in helping yourself and others attain to God's perfect will. It is so precious to be in tune and one with God. There is so much value in the gift, because there is even greater value in the Giver. There is so much importance in knowing God's heart.
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy." 1 Corinthians 12:31
But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side! Report him! Let's report him!" All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, "Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him."
But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten.
In this segment of Jeremiah, 20:8-11, we see here what it means to be trained as a vessel for God to speak through. We see the hardships and humblings involved, and we see how God's passion burns within as He makes His will known. We see the development and training of a prophet.
Now in the Old Testament, true prophets were sometimes rare. And everyone knew when someone was blessed by God with the gift of hearing from Him. So God spoke to a few as He willed.
Now Jesus has come for us, and it's time to remember the Lord and remember His benefits (Psalms 103:2). Every saved and filled person can be prophetic. We may not all be prophets--there's a lot of responsibility that comes with that title--but we can all be prophetic. We can all hear from God in a way that overshadows our own knowledge. We can all receive a heavenly revelation that points to Christ. We can all receive this gift and learn from the Giver how to best use it.
"For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged..."
1 Corinthians 14:31
"...Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."
Revelation 19:10
This is our New Testament identity, and this is our New Testament ability, if we are abiding in Jesus. Every one of us can be used by God to supernaturally know His will.
And this is a training process. It may just require steps! Samuel, Elijah and Elisa had their schools of the Prophets. If there's a school, then it follows that there is a progressive learning involved! Many today call it the school of the Holy Spirit. I think that's a good term. Here are some steps involved in this learning. They may or may not be in order according to your own experience--God is dynamic and speaks to us all in ways we can best understand! The point is that God usually takes the gifting from step to step:
1) Reading the Word. This is where it all starts. We are nourished and transformed by the Truth. (Romans 10:17 relates to steps 1-3)
2) Hearing God through the Word. God typically will speak to you about yourself--your own identity, inheritance, and importance to Him--before He will speak to you about others or your own shortcomings. He brings you to the potter's house, and usually confirms you before the shaping begins. (Jeremiah 18) He may make a certain scripture passage jump out at you, or have a Christian friend share with you a verse that He's laid on their hearts. And the Lord will also develop within you that still, small voice that comes through the Word (1 Kings 19:12).
3) Acquiring Faith. Faith comes by hearing! And the more faith you have, the better you hear, and the more that you can hear. That's why we only prophecy according to our measure of faith (Romans 12:6). In general, God will only tell you what you have faith to accept. But the one who can accept a word from God--a personal, specific message--should accept it! (Matthew 19:12) I've heard people say that before God speaks through a prophet, He speaks to a prophet. Yes! Generally speaking, at least.
4) Internal work develops more and more. We grow in faith, and we grow in hearing. It's a cycle of teaching that the Holy Spirit takes us on. We see God confirm His Word, and that reassures us that we're hearing from Him. We see Him tell us something, and then we see it come to pass (Isaiah 55:11). And when He tells us something, it may just test us (Psalms 105:19). We may think it is impossible, or that we're just hearing our own imagination, but then God comes and confirms it. And that builds faith!
I remember once that the Lord told me He was sending me to kids from Kansas city--kids who would later come to know God and His salvation. And I thought He meant I was actually going there--literally traveling to KC to follow God's voice. But within two weeks, I was ministering at the Hospital and met a guy my age who was from Kansas city. He needed a ride to the hotel he was staying at, and the Lord also healed Him of the pain He originally went to the hospital for. So, we also learn to not be presumptuous with hearing and acting on god's voice.
5) We know God's Will. In one area or another, He shows us His will and His plans. He may tell us. He may show us. (Job 33:14-15) He may allow us to just know by having His mind on an issue (). But He will reveal to us things unknowable--He will give us insight into His plans.
6) We share God's voice with others. By this point in time, we know it's Him--we have the faith that comes by hearing. We are His sheep, and so we are now able to really discern and trust in His voice. (1 Corinthians 2:16) So He instructs us to share it--share the message He's given us. This part can be very difficult sometimes. And more often than not, God wants us to share. And His love compels us to (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). If gentle promptings fail, then His word becomes a fire. So we release it then! We choose to please God. We choose to encourage and exhort others in the faith. We choose to get away from ourselves and share.
And there you have it--some typical steps to prophetic training! The cost may be high, but the cost is worth it. There is so much satisfaction in helping yourself and others attain to God's perfect will. It is so precious to be in tune and one with God. There is so much value in the gift, because there is even greater value in the Giver. There is so much importance in knowing God's heart.
"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy." 1 Corinthians 12:31
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Words of Knowledge
"For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit..."
1 Corinthians 12:8-9
What is a word of knowledge? It is a shorter prophetic revelation that reveals external knowledge from God, usually given to uplift someone else. There are a few characteristics that separate the word of knowledge from prophecy or the gift of wisdom. Below are a few of them:
1) Gives insight, a supernatural knowing, into the lives of another that could not be obtained naturally
The Lord might impress to a pastor that a lady in the church has had lower back pain for three years. Sometimes, a word of knowledge may not be given for a specific individual, but rather apply to a whole group of people. In other words, the pastor in that church may not know who has back pain, only that they are in need of healing. If more knowledge is necessary, then God will give it.
2) Often reveals details needed for healing--physical, spiritual, or mental details
The example about revealed need for a physical healing. But it may just be shown that a person is suffering from depression that God wants to heal. Or, that a person has been hurt by their sister. God reveals negative things so that we can pray for healing. We can exhort, encourage, and speak in the positive, and not the negative. The power of life and death are in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).
3) Comes by the insight God gives, usually by a shorter phrase, or even just one word
We have the mind of Christ, and if we are abiding in it, then we can hear more easily what God is saying. The Lord may speak, or impress through our thoughts, a sentence, or phrase, or word, that gives needed information about the condition of another. I may hear, "he has lower back pain and leg weakness", when I look at Or, I may just strongly feel that this is the case. The word of knowledge doesn't even have to be a word, as described in these next two points...
4) May come as a mental picture or vision
When praying for a lady downtown, I may see a picture of her knee with emotional chains being wrapped around it. The Lord is 'speaking' that she has a knee injury rooted in emotional pain. Once again, God may reveal the sad truth so that we can pray into His will instead. We don't have to accept those chains; instead, the Lord reveals them so that they can be broken off in the name of Jesus.
5) May come as a pain in your body.
This is another way that the Lord can speak without using words. For example, in my own walk, I sometimes get a pain in my right ear if I need to pay attention and 'listen!'. More often, a physical pain or sensation can be "picked up" from someone else if God is wanting to heal them. Last time Vanessa and I did ministry downtown, she picked up the left foot pain of a young guy playing basketball, and God healed him completely. Any word of knowledge, especially this type, is so effective in identifying a problem, that we can then target in prayer. Through Him laying on pain, through God sharing with us another's burdens, we can accomplish His will. This kind of word of knowledge also has the benefit of increasing our own compassion for others. If you can feel the headache of another person, then you will probably feel more love for that person, too. Since God is Love (1 John 4:8), then you can better share Him with another!
6) Are usually applicable right away, but may be fulfilled later
Usually a word of knowledge is true in the very moment it is given. You might see a person, and bam, God reveals their spiritual condition right now. It is not usually prophetic in that it speaks of a future time. But sometimes, this isn't the case. Prior to going into Wal-Mart, the Lord may reveal that a lady in the store wearing pink and purple needs prayer. More often, though--at least for me--a word of knowledge is given and meant to be applied within minutes of it's giving. It's a now word.
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It's so important to be motivated by Love, and so important to be moved with compassion. The word of knowledge is such a gift, but it's only a means to an end. It only reveals to us an otherwise unknowable piece of God's heart, so if we do not use this gift with love, then it is worth nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). What counts is not faith or gifts in themselves. Faith expressing itself through miracles or wonders is not that important. The most important thing to obtain, to receive, from God is His Love for people. That's how we know how we are His. Words of knowledge and other things are only means of expression. They need to be used as faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6).
1 Corinthians 12:8-9
What is a word of knowledge? It is a shorter prophetic revelation that reveals external knowledge from God, usually given to uplift someone else. There are a few characteristics that separate the word of knowledge from prophecy or the gift of wisdom. Below are a few of them:
1) Gives insight, a supernatural knowing, into the lives of another that could not be obtained naturally
The Lord might impress to a pastor that a lady in the church has had lower back pain for three years. Sometimes, a word of knowledge may not be given for a specific individual, but rather apply to a whole group of people. In other words, the pastor in that church may not know who has back pain, only that they are in need of healing. If more knowledge is necessary, then God will give it.
2) Often reveals details needed for healing--physical, spiritual, or mental details
The example about revealed need for a physical healing. But it may just be shown that a person is suffering from depression that God wants to heal. Or, that a person has been hurt by their sister. God reveals negative things so that we can pray for healing. We can exhort, encourage, and speak in the positive, and not the negative. The power of life and death are in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).
3) Comes by the insight God gives, usually by a shorter phrase, or even just one word
We have the mind of Christ, and if we are abiding in it, then we can hear more easily what God is saying. The Lord may speak, or impress through our thoughts, a sentence, or phrase, or word, that gives needed information about the condition of another. I may hear, "he has lower back pain and leg weakness", when I look at Or, I may just strongly feel that this is the case. The word of knowledge doesn't even have to be a word, as described in these next two points...
4) May come as a mental picture or vision
When praying for a lady downtown, I may see a picture of her knee with emotional chains being wrapped around it. The Lord is 'speaking' that she has a knee injury rooted in emotional pain. Once again, God may reveal the sad truth so that we can pray into His will instead. We don't have to accept those chains; instead, the Lord reveals them so that they can be broken off in the name of Jesus.
5) May come as a pain in your body.
This is another way that the Lord can speak without using words. For example, in my own walk, I sometimes get a pain in my right ear if I need to pay attention and 'listen!'. More often, a physical pain or sensation can be "picked up" from someone else if God is wanting to heal them. Last time Vanessa and I did ministry downtown, she picked up the left foot pain of a young guy playing basketball, and God healed him completely. Any word of knowledge, especially this type, is so effective in identifying a problem, that we can then target in prayer. Through Him laying on pain, through God sharing with us another's burdens, we can accomplish His will. This kind of word of knowledge also has the benefit of increasing our own compassion for others. If you can feel the headache of another person, then you will probably feel more love for that person, too. Since God is Love (1 John 4:8), then you can better share Him with another!
6) Are usually applicable right away, but may be fulfilled later
Usually a word of knowledge is true in the very moment it is given. You might see a person, and bam, God reveals their spiritual condition right now. It is not usually prophetic in that it speaks of a future time. But sometimes, this isn't the case. Prior to going into Wal-Mart, the Lord may reveal that a lady in the store wearing pink and purple needs prayer. More often, though--at least for me--a word of knowledge is given and meant to be applied within minutes of it's giving. It's a now word.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's so important to be motivated by Love, and so important to be moved with compassion. The word of knowledge is such a gift, but it's only a means to an end. It only reveals to us an otherwise unknowable piece of God's heart, so if we do not use this gift with love, then it is worth nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). What counts is not faith or gifts in themselves. Faith expressing itself through miracles or wonders is not that important. The most important thing to obtain, to receive, from God is His Love for people. That's how we know how we are His. Words of knowledge and other things are only means of expression. They need to be used as faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6).
Monday, December 29, 2014
Snapshot: Prophetic Praise
If we draw near to God, we will be consumed in His Love. We will Praise Him, we will worship Him, and maybe we'll even dance to Him. This is what King David did, and this is what God wants from those who would express themselves this way. Music is a powerful thing, and a force that can align us with either Jesus or evil. God wants us to glorify Him through music. He wants us to know that "for Him are all things" (Romans 11:36).
In the last month I've been reading about King David and his team of musicians in my new Bible commentary books. I've been realizing in a new way that David was a very musically- oriented man. Music was a means of life for David, because David lived for God. He had such a heart for God's people coming together in worship. God wants to give all of us a heart like that.
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1
When the hungry come together, they come to worship and experience true Life. They live in His presence, and they live for their relationship with Him. When the hunger is there, the Holy Spirit is there.
So Worship elevates us to a place where we better understand Jesus. And worship music helps with this. Worship music is a holiness tool. It elevates us to a place where our thoughts and our actions bring us to the King. It gives a testimony to Jesus.
This is where prophecy comes in. This is where we can give a revelation of Jesus through our speech and through song. This is where music brings in a message from God that testifies to forgiveness and love. This message testifies to Jesus. It tells us that God is doing a new thing; that He is making a way where there was only hopelessness before.
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
It tells us to change in accordance with His will. And it speaks of a future hope and a future calling that far exceeds past doubts and failures. This message comes as the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10) And music helps us get to that place. When God's people come in unity and seek Him in song, God is pleased. When the music and the worship please Him, the atmosphere becomes prophetically charged.
This is one thing King David loved about the body. This is why David surrounded himself by a team of worshippers and musicians. It allowed Him to come closer to God.
"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation."
Let's praise Him vocally. Let's sing and praise and shout as we become the hope of God. Let's sing a new song, let's sing in the Spirit, let's sing as we are led. Let's worship with all of our spirit, as His Spirit leads into all truth (John 4:24).
But don't sing out of obligation--God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Sing because there is no other way to express His character. Sing, because when His Love comes, it's often hard to be quiet. Make a joyful noise, as He fills you to overflowing with His Love. Wigglesworth said that you're in a terrible place if you can't shout. Now, to each their own. But we need to be passionate about our God. We need to be passionate about what He's done, and we need to be passionate about giving Him all the glory we can.
"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed." Psalm 40:3
God gave this. God is still doing this. By the Spirit, He will give you all the songs you want. Let Him inspire you. Let Him renew your mind and give you music that glorifies Him. Sing to Him, and sing to Him a new song. Sing by His leading to glorify what He's done, to share your testimony. That's what King Hezekiah did after God healed Him (Hezekiah's Song). So sing praises, and allow Him to uplift you and spread His glory.
Confirmed: As I was writing the last paragraph, seen above, Vanessa came in with a testimony. She was singing to God in the other room, singing praise as she felt led and thanking Him for His goodness. All of a sudden, she was prompted to file down her fingernails, so she left the room and found a new nail file in the next room over . As she filed, she turned it over and read the back--sometimes God will lead you towards apparently random things--and it said, "ENCORE!".
Glory to God! He likes our music. God is pleased by our worship. He wants us to continue in it! He wants us to give Him an encore! He wants us to stay in praise, abide in Him, and let Him take our fears away. He wants to surround us with His Love and with a sense of His presence.
So Worship elevates us to a place where we better understand Jesus. And worship music helps with this. Worship music is a holiness tool. It elevates us to a place where our thoughts and our actions bring us to the King. It gives a testimony to Jesus.
This is where prophecy comes in. This is where we can give a revelation of Jesus through our speech and through song. This is where music brings in a message from God that testifies to forgiveness and love. This message testifies to Jesus. It tells us that God is doing a new thing; that He is making a way where there was only hopelessness before.
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19
It tells us to change in accordance with His will. And it speaks of a future hope and a future calling that far exceeds past doubts and failures. This message comes as the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10) And music helps us get to that place. When God's people come in unity and seek Him in song, God is pleased. When the music and the worship please Him, the atmosphere becomes prophetically charged.
This is one thing King David loved about the body. This is why David surrounded himself by a team of worshippers and musicians. It allowed Him to come closer to God.
"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation."
Let's praise Him vocally. Let's sing and praise and shout as we become the hope of God. Let's sing a new song, let's sing in the Spirit, let's sing as we are led. Let's worship with all of our spirit, as His Spirit leads into all truth (John 4:24).
But don't sing out of obligation--God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Sing because there is no other way to express His character. Sing, because when His Love comes, it's often hard to be quiet. Make a joyful noise, as He fills you to overflowing with His Love. Wigglesworth said that you're in a terrible place if you can't shout. Now, to each their own. But we need to be passionate about our God. We need to be passionate about what He's done, and we need to be passionate about giving Him all the glory we can.
"He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed." Psalm 40:3
God gave this. God is still doing this. By the Spirit, He will give you all the songs you want. Let Him inspire you. Let Him renew your mind and give you music that glorifies Him. Sing to Him, and sing to Him a new song. Sing by His leading to glorify what He's done, to share your testimony. That's what King Hezekiah did after God healed Him (Hezekiah's Song). So sing praises, and allow Him to uplift you and spread His glory.
Confirmed: As I was writing the last paragraph, seen above, Vanessa came in with a testimony. She was singing to God in the other room, singing praise as she felt led and thanking Him for His goodness. All of a sudden, she was prompted to file down her fingernails, so she left the room and found a new nail file in the next room over . As she filed, she turned it over and read the back--sometimes God will lead you towards apparently random things--and it said, "ENCORE!".
Glory to God! He likes our music. God is pleased by our worship. He wants us to continue in it! He wants us to give Him an encore! He wants us to stay in praise, abide in Him, and let Him take our fears away. He wants to surround us with His Love and with a sense of His presence.
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