Prophetic Weekend

It overwhelms me to attempt to summarize last Saturday and Sunday with Pastor Patricia Bootsma and her interns from Jubilee Christian Fellowship, Stratford, Ontario. In four amazing teaching and ministration workshops we were as a church (and visitors), brought into prophetic transformation.

Perhaps this is Prophecy 101..., more like 201: Enter in, prophecy demystified. And so we plunged into scriptures and teachings and probably a century or at least fifty years of prophetic revelation with reference to North America. We also practiced prophesying. "Is Saul too among the prophets?" I hear you ask. The answer: "Indeed!"

We met the prophets of the old and new testaments, highlighting their words particularly and learning the ways and purposes of the Father through the awesome Holy Spirit gift of prophecy. In short Jesus said it was better for him to leave earth so the Father would send the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the call answerer who reveals the intent and will of God through the RHEMA Word. Hold your breath, it is really simple, the Rhema Word is simply the now word of God, the word stirred up by the power of the Spirit. Oooh I love this word: Dunamis.

Our operative scripture, I believe, is found in 1Corinthians 14:1 "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts especially the gift of prophecy."
How do we activate and practise the desiring of this gift? This lies first in practising the love of God. Desire to spend time with God, rested and listening in quietness. It is closet time, quiet time, worship and the inclining of that spiritual ear He made for listening to His voice. "My sheep know my voice."

Prophecy must follow the way of love. The way of love is the way of redemption. Prophecy must align itself with scripture. Prophecy must be discerned and corroborated by the counsel of God.
Prophecy is foretelling and forthtelling, employing the gifts of the word of knowledge, word of wisdom, visions and promptings. It serves the body of Christ and individuals by alerting them to the will, purpose and intent of God. The response of the recipient should not be passivity or que sera, sera but meditation, discernment, prayer, faith and appropriate action.

In my words, don't be a dodo and don't be a scoffer! Prophecy comes to teach, encourage, warn, prepare and deliver. It should not intimidate or manipulate. Again, "Follow the way of love!"

The bible says "Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor mind understood what God has in store for His children." But He reveals by His Spirit. "The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth." Be equipped to hear from your Heavenly father. Be equipped to encourage others and build them up on His most Holy word.

If I took nothing away from the weekend, I know I must spend time in the Spirit's presence. I must learn to love Him more.