Prophet-See

Prophet-See
I visited a new church with a relative some months ago. It was a special occasion for the church; a three-day revival so a prophet had been invited to speak and ‘shake things up’.

With the current tide of false prophets in our nation, I must admit a tiny part of me was skeptical. My doubts were heightened with his mannerisms: inciting the crowd to jump and shout, a ‘Yieeee’ here, “Shout Fire’ there, let’s just say his actions were not helping me trust the anointing on His life.
That is, until He started to preach and let me tell you this, there’s something authentic about the Word of God. It comes in truth and like a double edged sword; it pierces your very soul. I believed the word proceeding out of his mouth. It got an affirmation from The Holy Spirit and I must say the prophecies he declared were not farfetched from Scripture.

Which brings me to my rant; Dear Young Millennial Christian (Y.M.C, as I like to call my readers), where do we place the gift of Prophecy in our walk?

If you’re a committed member of a church like me, I bet you have received a number of prophecies over your life. Personally, I believe there’s a certain thrill that comes with being ‘identified’ by a Man of God, called from within the crowd to come and receive a specific Word. (..And if there’s a little vanity in you, your head almost swells, especially if it’s one about riches or marriage. Whoosh! Jesus loves me. I’m Super Spiritual! Lol silly humans)

Point is, the church may have unconsciously set us up to believe these prophecies are the ultimate guide to our life in Christ. I dare say, we are more focused on organizing programs with great worship to set the right atmosphere for the Presence of God to descend and maybe massage our egos with these prophetic declarations.
Massage our egos because how many of us go back to confirm these prophecies? How many times do we actively take the necessary steps of Prayer, Fasting, The Word and Fellowship to ensure that we are drawing closer to The God who declared these prophecies?

Psalm 34:10
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

It took a while to understand this scripture because taken at face value, it kind of suggests we do not want good things, but per revelation, the person who seeks the Lord shall find that He is good in Himself and all desires will be satisfied in the Lord.
What is my point? Certainly, I do not despise these prophecies for I myself have a list of them written down and I occasionally remind God of them. But dear Y.M.C, how can you live off of a prophecy of childbirth when you do not have a relationship with The One who grants children? Or that promotion or Ghanaian’s personal favorite: traveling abroad? These are inconsequential compared to what God wants, which is a relationship with you.

Nothing supersedes that so you cannot deny there is a little discomfort in your spirit when you keep jumping from church to church in search of a Word from God.

My dear, God is ALWAYS talking. Exhibit 66 books in the Bible and it’s filled with the voice of God.
And how will you confirm these prophecies if you haven’t familiarized yourself with the voice of God. (Clue: He rarely deviates from His Word)

John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Psalm 138:2
I will worship toward the holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name

Truth is, a relationship with The Holy Spirit comes with discernment and there’s no way you will be “paying” to hear a Word. As my Pastor always says, There’s no first class Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 12:11)

When it comes to the issue of the gift of prophecy, and the office of the Prophet, I must admit I am not as educated on it I probably should be. All I know is 1 Cor 12 -14 elaborates on the gifts of The Spirit. The Scripture describes the availability of these gifts to those who seek them, and the ultimate use of the gifts which is TO BENEFIT THE CHURCH (a.k.a strengthen one another in the walk with Christ)

1Cor 14:32
And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

There is a huge responsibility on prophets to ensure that they speak the authentic word of God but it must come to edify the person to whom it is spoken.
Prophecies are supposed to give hope, or edify or even warn believers but it should not replace your relationship with God. It should rather come to strengthen your walk reason for which, you must go back to God to confirm every prophetic word spoken over you.

Some people have quit their jobs because a certain prophet said they were going to be rich. Really? Everything is wrong with that if God has not confirmed it.

Dear Y.M.C, you must realize that everything God gives you is for the benefit of the church as a whole. To give Him Glory and to proclaim the Good News. Yes, He gives us our wants as He desires, but are you serving Him because you want to travel abroad or get married?
If they come to pass, then what? Do you have what it takes to sustain a Godly home? Is your light shining even with that travel opportunity?

Have we not read, Hebrews 11:13
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

So what if you don’t receive the prophecy on earth, will that make God a liar? Certainly not. The ultimate hope is resurrection after death, meeting Christ in eternity.

But have you met Him today???

-sheyla-