#A PROPHETIC PEOPLE..

A PROPHETIC PEOPLE..

“A PROPHETIC PEOPLE”

As a Minister of the Gospel that has been greatly influenced by Pentecostal and charismatic environments -- I come from an interdenominational, multicultural, multiethnic and trans-generational background, where one of the many invaluable experiences of my walk of faith with Christ, has been during some of the amazing and notable encounters that I've had during my developing relationship with God, through the fullness or baptism of the Holy Spirit in my early adolescence (around 13 y.o.).

What I came to genuinely understand (even in my youth) was that the Spirit of God was nothing to "play with", and that there are dimensional realities and manifestations of the Holy Spirit, which are NOT common experiences or casual encounters that nominal believers will ever have, without a passionate hunger and thirst being birthed in their hearts that absolutely overwhelms their soul and attracts them to the deeper life in Christ, which makes even "the prophetic" a more common occurrence in their life.

In 1 Corinthians 14:1-12, (NIV) the Bible says: "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 

Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified. Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 

Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church."

So, when we reduce "the prophetic" to "the advanced knowledge of events, prior to their actual occurrence or fulfillment" -- instead of strengthening, encouraging and comforting of God's people, who truly "walk by faith and not by sight", we can begin to diminish the developing dependence and the growing trust that will come as a result of us fostering intimate fellowship and relationship with GOD and others -- that we must cultivate and nurture over time; by simply living for and walking with the Lord, which demonstrates our total reliance upon HIS exceedingly great and precious promises that are found in HIS Word.

In the church culture of our day, the me-centered approach to ministry service and to personal prosperity, often fuels a faddish commitment or inordinate desire for the prophetic that is based upon a false or fear-based affection and fleshly accumulation for things -- to be affirmed or confirmed by people, with the idea that some "special endowment from GOD" will reveal detailed information about the future that really just causes further speculation and aggravation on our part, without ever truly "adding to our faith" (a growing and radical dependence upon God and HIS Word); and without it genuinely fostering a greater rest and a greater peace inside of our very souls! 

And, when we're just "looking for another word", without the corresponding obedience and discipline to do what is required to see the promise established, we easily grow complacent and discouraged with waiting on the Lord, and in turn end-up forfeiting the faith-building exercises and manifestations meant to both deepen and to further develop our ability to follow, to listen, and to learn of HIM -- which is what a true "biblical harvest" looks like in our New Testament Reality in Christ.

Now, I have to share this major announcement with the Prophetic Community (The Body of Christ): "The prophetic dimension in Christ definitely does NOT eliminate process or negate the need for step-by-step obedience!" "Mysterious arrivals to destinations", or "supernatural interventions, where responsible actions are required" will NOT happen, to simply appease the itch for popularity or the political posturing driven by "the will of men", seeking the praise and power of people as their own.

The reason that most sincere people "seek out the prophetic", is to make sure that their "on track" in their pursuit towards the fulfillment of what God has promised, which is right and good -- and makes perfect sense in the scheme of "walking by faith"; but, it is NOT a replacement for old-fashioned "obedience" or the necessity of the mature in Christ "to wait on the Lord".

Not only do we have to learn to trust God one day at a time. But, did you notice that God never told Elijah (the peculiar prophet of God in 1 Kings 17) what the second step would be -- until he had taken the first step? God told His prophet to go to Ahab. 

When Elijah got to the palace, God told him what to say. After he said it, God told him, "Now, go to the brook." He didn't tell Elijah what was going to happen at Cherith; He just said, "Go to the brook and hide yourself." Elijah didn't know the future, but he did have God's promise: "I'll provide for you there." And God didn't tell him the next step until the brook had dried up.

YES, "prophetic people" are a spirit-led, spirit-controlled and spirit-directed company of mobilized believers, with absolute trust and dependence upon the Holy Spirit to guide, to guard and to govern every thing that they both say and do; to include them "actively" seeing and hearing the Word of the Lord, which basically means that their heart must always remain godward and single-minded on a daily basis, as they "die" to what they think, what they feel, and what they desire; that all-too-often conflicts or is contrary to what HE has said and is saying..

But, a "truly prophetic people" do hold to God's Word in a persistently peculiar and powerfully relevant way, which emboldens their faith in a very distinguishable manner in a world consumed with fear and indifference to the promises of God!  So, then, when the "logos" of God's Word finally becomes "rhema" or revelation in our hearts that is given or revealed by the Holy Spirit, the prophetic is authentically born, and the supernatural unfolding of what GOD intends from HIS Eternal Resting Place eventually and evidentially begins to manifest -- over "time", according to HIS will and HIS purpose alone.  WS-3