PROPHETIC SCHOOL 1
Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Introduction to Prophecy Old & New Testament Prophecy Proper Response to Prophecy Evaluating and Judging Prophecy Local Church Protocol for Prophecy Different Levels of the Prophetic Characteristics of the Prophetic Hearing from God and Guidance Part 1 Hearing from God and Guidance Part 2 Finding your Calling and Gifting Times and Seasons Understanding Authority
Introduction To Prophecy
By Cathi Mole What is Prophecy? Prophetic = to hear from God Prophesy = to speak or sing by divine inspiration (proclamation) Prophet = roeh a seer- 1 Samuel 9:9 Nabhi - one in whom the message from God springs forth - a bubbling forth When speaking about the prophetic we come to realise that God has a voice. Psalm 68:33 Psalm 18:13 Psalm 29 God desires to speak to us. The enemy wants us to think God doesnt speak. To be prophetic means to hear something from God and to express what you have heard. It also means that there is an added dimension to hearing - a person or church which is prophetic has the supernatural ability to see ahead. An individual hears the plans and purposes for his or her own life. There is a collective hearing within a church or group of people for a city or a nation. When operating in the prophetic we have to learn to lay down our own agendas or our hearing will be affected.
What happens when we recognise the prophetic operating in our own lives?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. We become the house of prayer - Isaiah 56 We delight in our prayer life because there is communication Isaiah 55 abundance and life We have vision We walk in righteousness and faith
1 Chronicles 25:1-7 The fundamental requirement for those who feel they are prophetic is to have a heart after God for His Bride. There has to be a desire to seek the Lord in all things and to be able to see the church in the way God sees it.
HOW
DOES
GOD
SPEAK?
God speaks to us in many ways and we should never limit Him. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The Word of God Dreams and visions Teaching - your pastor or leaders Angels (book of Acts) Whenever God speaks, it can be confirmed through the Word of God.
PROPHESY?
WHY
1. Prophecy will reveal the heart of God to us. 2. 1 Corinthians 14:3 edify = to build up / exhort = to draw alongside someone and shout in their ear with the view to changing their behaviour or direction / comfort. 3. To increase our faith and clarify our vision. 4. To give us a prayer strategy. 5. To confirm what we have heard already 6. Psalm 44:20-21 1 Corinthians 14:24+25 7. Prophecy spoken into our lives is creative. Isaiah 55 8. Brings us out of limitation in our thinking Psalm 118:5 9. It will cause things to happen in the supernatural realm Psalm 29 10. It will change mindsets Romans 4:17; Luke 7; Judges 6 11. It will give you a new song to sing Psalm 32 12. Prophecy will assist you to persevere because you have an idea where you are going. 13. Timothy 1:18 Prophecy is a weapon for warfare.
WHAT
1. 2. 3. 4.
Religion - refusal to acknowledge that God still speaks to us today. Unbelief Fear 2 Timothy 1:7 Lack of prayer and study of the Word
SIMILARITIES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
BETWEEN
OLD
AND
Called by the same titles - prophet, man of God, servant of the Lord, etc. Both function as spokesmen for God and His mouthpiece. Both foretell (prediction) and forth tell (using inspired scripture, to inspire as a now word from the Lord) Both pronounce judgment and interpret the Law (word of God) Prophetic words are received (visions, dreams, inspirational utterances on the spur of the moment etc.) and delivered (proclamation, teaching, preaching etc.) Prophets of vision in the Old Testament are (Daniel, Ezekiel etc.) and in the New Testament (John who wrote the book of Revelation via vision) From both covenants, prophets are concerned with morality and purity of Gods people. Both are called to prepare a people for the Lord - Elijah in the Old and John the Baptist in the New. Both deal with restoration. Malachi 4:5-6
BETWEEN
DIFFERENCES
OLD
AND
1. In the Old Testament, Prophets were called seers. In the New Testament, Prophets are not called by this old title. 2. Old Testament Prophets were sought out by people needing guidance or a word. New Testament, Prophets are called to teach the church how to hear from the Lord for themselves, seeing that those born again have the indwelling Holy Spirit. 3. Prophets of the Old Testament heard from God and guided, steered and governed the people of God into His will. In the New Testament, Jesus is our high priest and the Holy Spirit is resident within us to guide and cause us to live governed by the Kingdom of God. Prophets of the New Testament give confirmation of guidance already received from the Holy Spirit. 4. Prophets of the Old Testament wrote infallible scripture. After the Apostles, there is no more writing of scripture or infallibility. 5. Old Testament Prophets were very forthright in rebuking, warning and chastising people. New Testament prophets minister the word of God by exhortation, teaching and living by example. 6. Old Testament Prophets were independent and the main voice of God to the people of God. New Testament prophets should have the fruit of the Spirit with grace and humility. They need to be accountable to the Body and under authority of the Local churches. 7. Prophets were mainly a blessing ministry in the Old Testament. Prophets of the New Testament need to be mainly functioning in building, equipping and laying foundations in the Life of the church.
3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8.
9.
Testament revealed the grace and forgiveness of God and thus the prophets of the New Testament speak forth from a place of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness, pointing us towards our potential. Israel was instructed prophetically through Moses who had direct access to God and spoke with Him face to face. Numbers 12:1-8 Prophets who spoke the Word of the Lord spoke about the coming Messiah who was to rule over Israel as King. Not only did God speak to Israel, but spoke, warned rebuked and reproved heathen kings and nations concerning his servants the prophets and patriarchs Psalm 105:14-15 He permitted no one to do them wrong Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes, Saying, Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm. At times, God addressed Israel as a nation and then addressed individuals personally. (personal prophecy) The authenticity of Old Testament prophets was determined by their prophecies, whether they came to pass or not. A prophecy which did not come to pass was not the Lords word to the people. The prophet and his prophecy were judged together, in the New Testament, the prophet is judged separately from the prophecy - New Testament prophets are judged by their fruits and not by their prophecies. Prophecies in the New Testament are judged according to scripture as well as whether they come to pass or not. God spoke mainly to the Old Testament peoples through prophets and prophecy, but had other ways in which He spoke - Urim and Thumim, Dreams, Visions, audible voice, through nature, through the mouth of a donkey and through angels.
AND
URIM
THUMMIM
Numbers 18:27-21 And the Lord said to Moses: Take Joshua the son of Nun with you, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and inaugurate him in their sight. 20 And you shall give some of your authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire before the Lord for him by the judgment of the Urim. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the children of Israel with him-all the congregation. A. Urim - arar (Hebrew) judge or curse - lights or revelation. B. Thummim - tummium (Hebrew) perfection. The Urim and Thummim were 2 black stones in addition to the 12 stones in the breastplate of the high priest. These 2 stones were kept in a pouch over the heart of the priest as he went in before the presence of God in the tabernacle. The Urim and Thummim were used or cast (casting of lots) or determine the will of God in a particular situation (1 Samuel 30:7-8 ) The judgement of the Urim and Thummim were mainly to be used by leaders of the people to determine a particular direction to follow. The word Urim is related to a Hebrew word which means to curse this suggests that a negative indication would be given if the direction to be followed was not according to the will of God. A particular way was then considered cursed. The word Thummim is related to a Hebrew word which means to be perfect or perfection. This would indicate a positive answer to a direction inquired for. Hence the way was the perfect way of God in the situation and the inquirer would find the blessing of the Lord there. There is no historical evidence on how the stones were used. Their use is a mystery. They were later lost at the time of Israels captivity in Babylon and were never recovered. In both Old and New Testaments, prophecy always pointed toward the intended purposes of God to an individual and to the nations.
Introduction
In this study we will deal with two different aspects of evaluating and judging prophetic things. 1. Judging the prophetic utterance 2. Judging the person or prophet prophesying
JUDGING
1. Does the prophecy edify, exhort and comfort us, or is the effect confusion, condemnation or discouragement. 1 Corinthians 14 : 3 - 4 2. The actual content of the prophecy must be judged by scripture. 3. The spirit in which the word is given Acts 16:16-18 (spirit of divination and false prophecy) Does the prophecy cause us to feel a lack of peace and an uneasiness. This is how we discern by the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2 : 19-20 4. The prophecy should point to and testify of Jesus - Revelation 10 : 19 - The nature of prophecy is to testify of Jesus and bring glory to Him and not to us. 5. Even though the prophecy may have a timing involved, it should come to pass. 6. The prophecy should confirm what you have already heard from God for yourself. 7. The prophecy should reveal a secret or secrets of your heart. 8. Does the prophecy bring manipulation and ungodly control?
HOW
1. Rely on the inner witness of the Holy Spirit within you. 2. If the prophecy is negative and sounds harsh, does it lead to a godly fear of the Lord or a fear of God that is not based on His character of mercy, kindness and grace. 3. Sometimes God may reveal some truths about a negative attitude of heart, or things we have neglected to do, but He will always speak of the things He takes delight in and is pleased with us about. 4. Prophecy should never be used to sort people out who we dont like. 5. Sometimes God can warn us of negative events which may still take place in a predictive form which should lead us to action. Acts 11 : 28 - 30 6. Negative prophecies should first be submitted to the leader or leaders of the church, especially if the word is with regard to things in that particular church. 7. Negative prophecies should be part of the ministry of mature prophets instead of just anyone giving a word from God into a situation.
JUDGING
1. Operating in the gifts of the spirit does not mean that the person is mature or never makes mistakes. 2. The person prophesying needs to operating from under delegated authority. 3. They need accountability. If someone wants to prophesy, but is not part of the local church, it can be very dangerous to release them to minister in the gifts, because we dont know their accountability record. 4. Fruit always follows peoples lives. Bad fruit, bad life. Good fruit, good life. 5. Those operating in ministry gifts should have a humble, submissive, teachable attitude.
6. The person should be evaluated firstly by their fruit and next according to the content of the word they bring. 7. Manners and mannerisms should be normal and natural, not weird and spooky spiritual. 8. Immature prophets or prophetic people should not be classed as false prophets, but as immature and still growing into their gifting and calling. 9. Many prophets or prophetic people have faced rejection and ridicule for their gifting and may come across as aloof or sensitive. 10. Correction and adjustment in the lives of young ministers should come from senior pastors and leaders.
THE
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
NATURE OF
PROPHECY
This is a spontaneous utterance given during times of worship, prayer and fellowship amongst believers. This can take place in an organized structured service It can also happen in our everyday lives and relationships. Its effects are encouraging, stimulating and comforting amongst believers. To establish rules that this kind of prophecy be used within the confines of organized and structured meetings would rob the body of a great blessing. 6. In an organized meeting, there should be a certain amount of control exercised here because there may be many different thoughts coming through the prophecies which could affect the direction of the flow of the meeting.
IMPORTANT
8. The shallower flow of inspirational prophecy is mainly to edify, exhort and comfort believers in the Lord. 9. As beginners who start off receiving this level of prophecy, it is helpful to have a mentor or person who we can submit our words to. 10. As a beginner develops more and more in his / her gift they should also develop inner character and an attitude of servanthood. 11. Usually in an organized church service, the person who has received a spontaneous word of prophecy, should submit the word to the leader who is leading the meeting or someone who has been delegated with the responsibility of evaluating what is about to be spoken forth. 12. At times, more than one person would approach the leader on duty with a word. At times like these, the leader needs to determine the order in which the different words should be released. 13. If there is more than one person who has received the same word of inspirational prophecy, then the pastor or leader who has been given the responsibility to evaluate and help discern the prophecies, should summarize the different words and he/she should share the summary with the church. 14. Much of the revelation received by people either during the worship service and even during the week before Sunday is usually intended for the individuals concerned and should not be brought forth publically. 15. There are 2 types of prophecies which should be corrected immediately and publically during a service. (1) A word of correction or new direction in which the church is going in. (2) A word which contradicts sound doctrine. In both instances, the correction should be firm, but gentle. Kindness in the correction process will still encourage others to step out in boldness to release words God has given them. A typical response to (1) I appreciate the fact that you are trying to hear from God for this church and that you care about us, however, I would like you to take this word, share it with the leadership team and let us discern it together. A typical response to (2) Im sure our brother or sister meant well, but the word which came forth, calls into question a doctrine which we believe to be biblical. Then state the doctrine in an accurate way.
REVELATION
AND
PREDICTION
1. This level of prophecy usually flows from people who are already established in a prophetic ministry within their local church. They have developed from the lower levels of the gift and are now responsible to leaders and are usually team people. 2. This level deals with direction, instruction and correction.
HOW
1. These prophecies need to be recorded either by writing them down or on a tape recorder. 2. They need to be submitted to leadership. 3. If the words are for an individual and are dealing with sensitive areas of the persons character and life, then the person receiving the revelation should pray and wait on God for the right timing to release the word. 4. If the word came in a vision format, then care should be taken to search the heart of God for the right interpretation. Wrong interpretations can bring tremendous confusion and warfare upon a church or individual. 5. We must understand where our responsibility lies when we receive prophecy on this level. Usually our responsibility is to give the word to the receiver. This is where their responsibility starts and ours ends. 6. Sometimes our responsibility will go beyond the delivery of the word, and should continue via prayer. 7. People delivering prophecy on this level must be accountable in a team environment. 8. If a visiting speaker has a prophetic word on this level for the leadership of the church, he/she should submit the word in private to the leadership. 9. When a word is received by the leadership of a church and has been confirmed to them in their hearts, then it is important for them to bring it to the church. The word must be spoken out and even laid out in a visible way for people to come into agreement with what God has declared. Then this word should be used in prayer times to strengthen the overall faith of the prayer focus. 10. No prophetic word must be allowed to overule the authority of the Local leadership. God has established local church leadership and structures which should be honored and respected.
Simple Prophecy
1Co_12:1-2 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years agowhether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knowssuch a one was caught up to the third heaven.
(not knowing because of a lack of knowledge) (ignoring knowledge already given) Spirituals (not gifts in original Greek) Carried away to these dumb idols (idols cannot speak or communicate thoughts feelings) - (God desires above all else for us to receive His thoughts and feelings for us, that is why we have prophecy)
Characteristics Of Prophecy
1Corinthians 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. Edification - Oikodome (to build or construct a dwelling) (to promote spiritual growth and development of character of believers) (to make strong or bold) Exhortation - Parakaleo (to give commands or orders) (to come alongside a person and shouting in the ear with the intention of changing his behavior) (to turn and propel one in a forward direction) Comfort - Paramuthia (speaking close to someone with a great degree of tenderness) (to apply soothing medicine to a place of irritation)
As A Sign To Unbelievers
1Co_14:22-25 In the law it is written: "WITH MEN OF OTHER TONGUES AND OTHER LIPS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE; AND YET, FOR ALL THAT, THEY WILL NOT HEAR ME," says the Lord. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.
A Sign
(a mark, token or indication of divine authority) Those who are uninformed (an ignorant, unlearned, idiot ) If all prophesy (indicates that it is possible for all to prophesy) (most times it is not possible for all to prophesy) Convicted and convinced (means to be fully persuaded of your fault) (to have a sense of shame for ones state) Secrets of his heart are revealed (things buried in the crypt brought to light)
Prophetic Gifting
1. This operates on a more regular basis 2. Person has his spiritual senses developed 3. Their gifting might not be recognized in the church by this stage. 4. Still a sense of not being absolutely sure of flowing in their gifting. 5. Gifting still being developed into a ministry
6. Prophetic operates mainly through impressions and revelations in riddle or vision form. These people may even be called to the prophetic office, but are in training
Prophetic Ministry
Three areas qualifying us for ministry Faithfulness, Holiness, Obedience Three requirements for ministry Recognition, Nurturning, Commissioning.
Philips Daughters
Acts 21:8-9 On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. No mention of them being in prophetic office Their ministry was well developed They must have prophesied regularly 1. Any of the fivefold ministry may have a prophetic ministry. 2. There is a prophetic anointing that rests on the gifting that enables the person to come into a ministry. 3. It takes time to develop a ministry. It is not just operating in your gift that shows you have a ministry. 4. Ministry is serving the Lord and others through your gifts. 5. You develop credibility in the local church before you are release to function in liberty. 6. Without credibility there is not liberty to function. 7. Mostly this level of prophetic ministry is local in the body and operates mainly in team ministry. 8. This level is not just the gift of prophecy operating but also word of knowledge or word of wisdom. 9. These people make up the main body of intercessors and prayer warriors of the local church. 10. They may also be leaders and counselors functioning in their respective ministries.
Prophetic Office
The Calling
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." You were known (intimately acquainted with us before we were born) Sanctified (to be made sacred, to be set apart as holy for special purposes) Ordained (to be destined and set apart for an office or duty) (to arrange in regular order) A prophet to the nations (jurisdictional authority on a national level)
Do not say (important to agree with God instead of your own opinion of yourself or your low self esteem) Do not be afraid of their faces (God had to deal with fear of man in Jeremiah) The Lord touched his mouth (Prophets are those whose mouth the Lord has touched) (God puts His words in the mouths of the Prophets) (Prophets need to be careful of speaking their own words) Set you (means, appointed and given a mandate) Over (above and against) Nations and Kingdoms (Jeremiahs prophetic utterances would affect nations and kingdoms) (The Kingdom of God, the kingdoms of men, the kingdom of darkness) Root out (means to tear away) Pull down (beat or break down) To destroy (have no way to flee) (to cause to perish) To throw down (to break into pieces) To build (to set up and make repairs) (to design according to a specific pattern or plan) (to construct, establish, fortify) (adding to existing material to fashion a new object) To plant (to strike in the ground) To call - Qara - means to summon to a specific task.
The Preparation
1Kings 17:3-7 "Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
Time of hiding
(Hide - Cathar - to hide by covering yourself) Brook Cherith (Means - to cut, a place of cutting, to covenant by cutting of flesh) Drink from the brook (Elijah was sustained by the grace of God at that particular place) Command of provision (Ravens - unclean bird fed Elijah - it was a dealing with his religious mindset to be fed by ravens) (Elijah had to learn how to trust God)
(Elijah had to learn that only God was his source and not men) (He learned two schools - school of faith, school of obedience) The brook dried up (when God is about to move us on to another place or dimension of preparation, he begins to change circumstances in that place) (You need to be sure that you are not dry when the brook dries up) (This speaks of specific signs that a move is about to take place) (Elijah could not move just because the brook was drying up) (He had to wait for the word of the Lord to come to him.
T HE
Jer_1:9-10 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant." 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1. In Gods kingdom there are three governmental ministry gifts to the church Apostles, Prophets and Teachers. 2. Because of the governmental anointing on prophets, they have the ability to build into the foundations of the church. 3. The governmental anointing has the authority to set things in order. 4. Prophets are important for the shifting of things in the Spirit.
Guidance.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Don't over spiritualize everything. Do not seek direction directly from someone spiritual. Do not use prophecy as your only means of direction. Spend time studying, meditating and pondering on the written word of God and you will hear more of the voice of God. Understand what a door is (a person or people, an opportunity) Impressions might be from God. The things God wants us to do, He will give us a desire for. Recognize when you "brook" dries up - Elijah - 1 Kings 17:7-9
Understanding Transition
Definition - A passageway from one place to another Transition is also a time to be prepared to give birth to a fresh purpose - (Seedtime and harvest)
* We need to continually be mindful of the things of God instead of getting things done. * We need to create a capacity which can receive fresh new things from God. * We need to be committed to seek God for the new thing He is doing. 9. God will repeat previous promises and purposes to you. 10. There will be a restructuring and re-evaluation of your relationships, connections and associations. 11. Churches and individuals may come to a complete spiritual standstill. (so that we can get in step (find momentum)with God)
Direction
1. Vision is about where you are going, direction is about the steps we need to take in order to get there. 2. Finding the door of opportunity will depend on what we do in our season of opportunity and where we are positioned. 3. It is possible to miss our God-given door of opportunity and to lose momentum towards our lifes purpose. 4. Crisis times will not affect our direction if we are focused on Gods purposes for us.
Finding Direction
James_1:2-8 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Wisdom is the strategy to know which step is next through our trial or crisis. Finding direction is linked to patience and endurance. Doubt leads to double mindedness which leads to instability which leads to us not receiving or hearing from God. Direction comes from God alone and not from man. We should not seek direction from prophets. God might use prophets to confirm the direction that He has already given us.
In the kingdom, God takes pleasure in being our security and in being the One who is strong and the One we need to rely upon. When God calls us or we are saved, He gives us a vision. Habakkuk 2 at the end it will speak Everything in operation in the kingdom is done by faith. When you find your calling you find your purpose. Col_4:17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." 2Ti_4:1-5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. When we feel called to do something we need to be able to define that calling. 2Pe_1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble Make your call and election sure. Elect = to choose someone by voting (Oxford dictionary) Election = choosing A burden is how God feels about something or someone. It is important to be positioned in order to find your purpose. Col_2:18-20 1Peter 2 Hebrews 12 Katartismos 1Chronicles_28:9
Reasons why some people are not doing their calling yet?
We are still in a period of training or preparation Could be practical - financial, lack of planning Disobedience or our own lack of tithing or giving Fear of stepping out into change Short sightedness - Bible school labelled you as a pastor and youre not
Difference between someone with dreams and someone walking in their destiny
A dream is in your head and a vision is something to do Calling of God Living your life according to prophecies and not Gods voice to you Sacrifice Discipline and commitment Commitment to a vision brings responsibility Willingness to try and fail and try again Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit Napoleon Hill History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats B.C. Forbes
Exo_36:1 "And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the LORD has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the LORD has commanded.
Prayer strategy
Word from God to confirm whats in your heart Mentoring/discipleship - divine connections Finance and favour 1Co_1:1-11 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. We all have spiritual giftings Ephesians 4:1 Walk worthy of the calling v7 grace has been given
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called
Why do most christians stay in the same season without change or moving ahead?
A lack of understanding that God uses seasons to prepare us for new dimensions. Unworthiness complex. Fear of failure. Unwillingness to change. Being superspiritual and intense. Ignorance
Season of Promise
This is a time in our lives when God is speaking clearly and specifically about our lives and the plans He has for us. Joshua_1:8 Meditate = make your way prosperous = move forward, push ahead
Season of Preparation
1. This is a time where God is preparing us to walk in the purposes He spoke about in the previous season. 2. It is also a time when the enemy will challenge us about what God has promised.
Season of Purpose
Joseph = Genesis_41:51-52 He forgot and was fruitful in the land of affliction
Understanding Authority
By Rory Mole
What is Authority?
It is the grace God gives to govern This speaks of the actual right to stand in the place of authority
3 Meanings of Authority
Power or ability to influence Authority figures have the ability to influence Person in Command A person who has the right to take command The person who has the highest level of responsibility will have the highest authority. An Authority on a subject. Knowledge, experience and skill in a specific field gives a person the ability to be an authority in that field.
This authority deals with the laws, decrees and other things that God has Himself set in place. These decrees cannot be challenged or changed.
Veracious Authority
Deals with the infallibility of Scripture Gods word is His Character God is able to carry out what His word says.
Conscience
This is the combination of 2 kinds of knowledge - knowledge from above and knowledge from within. Both knowledge from above and within need to be in agreement before we can have authority to act. God has set the conscience in us to bring to us the knowledge of His will concerning good and evil. Conviction of sin operates through the conscience.
Spiritual Authority
Is given to the set man in office who God has set in place. This is the authority to govern or rule in Gods household. This authority comes with acceptance of responsibility The set man is responsible to God and others. This authority comes by the calling and choosing of a person to Gods purposes and plans.
Delegated Authority
Operates within positions or functions which carry responsibility to those who delegated them. It never goes beyond our responsibilities As we receive the delegated authority, we begin to represent the Chief Shepherd and the local authority.
Positional Authority
Come by receiving grace to operate in gifts and callings. As we grow in faithfulness and obedience, so the authority grows.
We need to grow in grace - (operate in humility and godly character) We need to mature in knowledge and experience We need to build relationships based on mutual accountability We need to have an understanding of authority structures in the local church and to honour God and them. There is only 1 authority structure in the local church.
To give or subject oneself freely to the will of another. Submission is never demanded from one to another, but is earned. It is something we give of ourselves to those we can trust. Without love and trust, submission cannot operate. It is the attitude of heart rather than an action. Submission grows as we build relationships together with communication.
Kingdom
Gods rulership and way of doing things. The Kings domain The different blessing and advantages that flow from Gods rule. The collective subjects of the kingdom or His church. When we live in accordance with Gods will, His kingdom comes which we enter into. The kingdom of heaven is extended by the mission and advance of the church in the world.
The key of David - Rev_3:7 The key of Hades - Rev_1:18 The key of Death - Rev_1:18
Divine revelation brings us into Gods authority Faith, hope and love opens up the realm of the operation of the Kingdom of God. Binding & Loosing comes from a lifestyle of obedience, holiness and faithfulness and operates through faith in the Word of God. Authority to trample upon serpents and scorpions Luke 10 : 19 Keys of authority go along with our calling and ministry in Christ. Apostolic authority in the church comes through the calling of Jesus to an individual to stand in a certain ministerial office.
The key of David is to do with Christs kingly authority over the church and the world. It is linked with His ability to open doors of opportunity The key of David opens up to us doors of utterance Ephesians_6:19; Colossians_4:3-4
The key of David opens up to us the door into full time ministry. It opens up the doors of revelation for things far in the future. Revelation_4:1 It also opens up the door of peoples hearts to hear and receive the word of God preached or spoken Acts_16:14 It also opens up our understanding to the scriptures - Luke_24:45 Prison doors are opened up in a supernatural way - Acts_16:26