This is our forth blog at Blog Convergence 2016. Enjoy and get ready to war against the enemies!
Are your engaging now in a spiritual attack? Bounce back and position on God’s victory for you. Engage in a spiritual warfare! It is time to prophesy! – Read more…
Spoken blessing is significant throughout Scripture.
The first words God spoke over Adam and Eve were words of blessing. (Gen 1:27-29) The last words Jesus spoke over the assembled group of disciples as He was ascending to Heaven were word of blessing. (Luke 24:50-52) Jesus taught His followers to bless, and He continually demonstrated it.
The world around us views blessing as an occasional happy event. [1] However, the truth is, that in Christ you are already blessed and always blessed. (Eph 1:3) Jesus is the source of your personal blessing and through Him you have the ability to bless others.
Here are 5 powerful truths about blessing, along with some practical tips to help you put it into practice:
When you bless in accordance with the Father’s intent and purpose, your blessing is prophetic.
One of the NT Greek words for blessing is ‘eulogeo’, which means, ‘to speak well of.’ Today, we speak a ‘eulogy’ as we reflect positively on someone’s past life and achievements. A eulogy is frequently used in the context of a funeral or memorial service.
However the Father speaks His word of blessing ahead of time, speaking forward, and that blessing has the power to bring His intentions to pass.
In our culture today, people are more likely to complain, speak negatively and criticise, than to bless. People are more likely to forecast harm than prophesy good.
Because of this, speaking and praying words of blessing may seem unnatural for us at first. However, it is time to align our words and our lifestyle with the Kingdom of God.
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:27)
God instructed His priests to speak a blessing over God’s people. (Num 6:22-27) As they spoke the blessing, something tangible was being imparted to the people, and God followed the words to bring about His blessing.
‘Peace’, or ‘Peace be with you’ was (and continues to be) a common greeting in Jewish culture. Jesus told His disciples that something tangible was released when they spoke a word of ‘peace’ upon households they entered. (Luke 10:5, Matt 10:12)
The fuller meaning of the Hebrew word for peace, ‘shalom’ includes peace, wholeness, wellness, and prosperity. [2]
This teaches us something about Kingdom culture. You too have the ability to bless, and to release the ‘shalom’ of God—something tangible imparted by the Holy Spirit.
Power follows your words. Are your words empowering the move of the Holy Spirit?
Blessing is powerful to cut through the plans and strategies of the enemy. Life-giving words, sourced in the Father’s heart, break the power of cursing and negativity. (Prov 18:21)
Jesus teaches us to bless our enemies. (Matt 6) He teaches us when in the trial, to move in the opposite spirit of what is taking place. Blessing releases the power of God when we are undergoing opposition from others to God’s purposes in our lives.
We often pray, ‘Lord bless so and so’ but have lost the real meaning and power of blessing. We have reduced blessing to a wish, something we can hope and pray for.
However, the Kingdom mindset is one of plenty and abundance.
In the context of prayer, blessing requires a shift of perspective. We are not praying for something, we are praying with something.
Jesus said, ‘Freely you have received, freely give.’ (Matt 10:8b)
You are empowered to bless others, as you comprehend the abundance that you have received from God and that you have access to. You carry something that you can give away!
Blessing is an act of faith. (Heb 11:20-21)
Those of us who are parents and leaders have a special mandate from God to bless our children, as well as those we lead and serve. The Scripture is full of examples of fathers and leaders who blessed.
Blessing was part of the priestly function in the OT and today in God’s Kingdom we are all ‘priests’ (1 Pet 2:9, Rev 1:6) and God’s sons and daughters, with the ability to bless.
It is one thing to be convinced that blessing is powerful, and quite another to know how to put it into practice! Of course, the main key is to be led of the Holy Spirit. Remember that the source of prophetic blessing is your intimate relationship with God. Be open to different ways that the Holy Spirit may lead you to either pray blessing, or to speak and release it.
Here are some thoughts to help you get started:
Notes:
[1] See the article, 3 Mistaken Beliefs About Blessing
[2] See the Strongs definition for shalom, H7965 http://biblehub.com/hebrew/7965.htm
The equivalent Greek word used for peace is eirene (Strongs G1515) and speaks of harmony, tranquility and the rest that comes from salvation.
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‘There is resurrection life rising up on the inside of you. There is a fire, a fresh determination being released and it is pouring through your spirit…’
This week, our David McCracken Ministries’ team is attending the Planetshakers Awakening conference here in Melbourne, Australia. [1] Before we leave, I am posting the following prophetic encouragement for you.
Resurrection is something Jesus accomplished and Resurrection is Who He is. Jesus is the Author of Life and He IS Life.
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
Resurrection is that which has been dead, returning to life. The Spirit of resurrection lives on the inside of you and His anointing rests upon you.
‘And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.’ (Romans 8:11)
The Spirit of the Father who resurrected Jesus lives in you and His power is actively at work in you. The Holy Spirit brings healing to your body and life to your soul.
‘Freely you have received, freely give.’ (Matt 10:8b)
Now you in turn are appointed to release life-giving power to the dying and hurting. As you speak words of life, those words have resurrection power. Declare life over your family and relationships, your job or business, your study, your church and ministry! Decree life over your town, city, region and nation.
Death does not reign, life is here, and Life has overcome!
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.’ (Isaiah 60:1)
You are destined to rise.
No matter how far you have fallen in the past, no matter how hard you have been crushed, the resurrection of Christ gives you a future and a hope that is secure.
‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (Jer 29:11)
Has the enemy sought to rob, steal and destroy your family, business or ministry? It’s time to turn it around. There is life rising up on the inside of you. There is a fire, a fresh determination being released and it is pouring through your spirit.
This is not an end, it is the beginning of a new day.
Jesus said, ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)
Have you lost an opportunity? Have you been betrayed, or cheated out of money that you were owed? Your Father is a God of redemption and restoration. The new thing He has for you is better than that which has gone before. So let go, and reach forward in anticipation of new gifts from God.
‘Awake, awake, Zion, clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor, Jerusalem, the holy city…Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, Daughter Zion, now a captive.’ (Is 52:1-2)
It is time to rise.
Regret is washed away. The past cannot be changed, but it will be redeemed. Jesus is the Master Craftsman who makes something beautiful out of something broken. He is faithful, He is completely trustworthy. He is safe.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Rom 8:31-32)
You are forgiven.
The forgiveness of Christ is lavish and all-encompassing. Forgiveness sets you free from the stain of the hurts and abuse of the past.
Let forgiveness overflow, both to you and through you—let it be fully unleashed in your life.
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:33-34)
It is time to walk clean, stride ahead with your head held high. Shame is washed away. Say ‘Yes!’ to the Father’s plans for your life. It is a new day.
Refuse to settle for less than what Jesus has fully paid for.
As you obey the leading of the Holy Spirit and the voice of your conscience, you are breaking out of limitations that have held you back. You are breaking through to a new level. Old assignments that have been against you are cancelled, in Jesus’ Name.
You are anointed with boldness.
Resurrection is in your spiritual DNA as a son and daughter of God. The Spirit of resurrection empowers you. You are destined to rise and to be a life-giver.
You are loved.
Notes
[1] Planetshakers Awakening is going global this year! If you are interested, find out how you can view online via Daystar Television here.
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Today I have a suggestion for those of you who are keen to grow past the beginning stage of prophecy. This tip about adding words of knowledge to prophecy will be especially helpful if you:
1. Be open to receive knowledge from the Holy Spirit concerning someone’s past or present situation.
A ‘word of knowledge’, is information given to you by the Holy Spirit about a person or situation that could not be known by natural means.
There are many ways the Holy Spirit may share an insight with you, such as through an impression, thought, feeling, physical sensation, vision or picture.
By beginning with knowledge that relates to the past or present, you can have immediate feedback as to whether you are hearing the Holy Spirit clearly (or not). This helps sharpen your prophetic gift.
2. Always seek to add encouragement, comfort, or exhortation to the knowledge, to complete the word. This is an important key.
‘But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.’ (1 Cor 14:3, NIV)
For example, you may have an insight that someone is concerned about an issue right now with family/work/health/finances. What is Father’s encouragement for them? What is He up to? If the insight relates to something from the past, how does Father see that, what is He doing in relation to that—if it is about a difficult situation, how is He redeeming that?
Step into the heart of the Father and speak from the perspective of His love for the person.
3. When delivering the prophetic insight, you can ask questions to check you are hearing from the Spirit, such as, ‘Does ___ mean anything to you?’
Be honest, if you are practicing or praying for someone you know or have journeyed a little with, about what information you know ‘in the natural.’
4. A safe environment for the prophetic gift to operate is one in which there is prophetic accountability and also, appropriate guidelines and protocols in place. [1] There are important points about how to create a safe environment for personal prophecy here.
Notes:
[1] See the articles The Power of Prophetic Accountability and Prophetic Ministry in Church Life: Why Have Guidelines?
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Have you ever tried to reach out with a spiritual insight, such as a prophecy or discernment to someone, only to be rebuffed or criticised?
It is sad when people resist the ministry of the Holy Spirit. They miss out on an encounter with God and the gift He has for them.
This can be difficult, especially when we have done our best to be obedient to what the Holy Spirit is telling us.
Here are three reasons why using your spiritual gift, such as prophecy or discernment, may upset some people—and some ideas to help you respond appropriately when each occurs.
The power of the Holy Spirit was continually manifesting through Jesus’ ministry, and not everyone liked it. Instead of rejoicing that people were being set free from demons, the religious leaders of His day accused Him of being possessed by a demon Himself!
Jesus told His disciples that they would experience the same persecution that He did. He said, ‘If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul [prince of demons], how much more the members of his household!’ (Matt 10:25) [1]
Jesus warned His disciples that being like Him was going to get them into trouble. (see Matt 10:24-25)
The Apostle Paul gives instructions on how to respond to persecution:
Our natural human response to persecution is to be defensive, to get offended and leave the situation hurt, or even to lash back.
However, persecution is a signal that the Holy Spirit has a special gift for you. He gives you power to forgive, to speak well of your accusers, to be gracious, and to move in the opposite spirit of goodness, acceptance and love.
‘The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.’ (2 Cor 10:4)
Spiritual warfare can impact the way people perceive your ministry and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
We need to be especially aware of this when sharing with non-Christians, and pray accordingly.‘The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.’ (2 Cor 4:4)
Spiritual warfare can also come against us personally—for an example, consider the way Jezebel responded to Elijah when he had a powerful victory over the prophets of Baal. (1 Kings 19)
One sign of spiritual warfare is confusion. The enemy attempts to twist or distort what people hear. There is a negative or resistant atmosphere.
There are many ways that you can combat spiritual warfare. [2] These include:
The enemy hates your gift and wants to shut you down. But God has a plan and purpose for your gift. He has fruitfulness and influence for you to step into.
When people take offense at our spiritual gift of prophecy or discernment, it is easier to look to something outside of us for the source of the problem—such as demonic attack, or the other person. But what if there is something that we are doing that is causing the problem?This is something I learned the hard way! [3]
Some signs the issue may be with us personally include:
What can we do when we see these signs taking place? Here are 4 things we should always check when we are ministering in prophecy or discernment, especially if people are responding negatively to what we are sharing:
A. The Love Check (1 Cor 13:1-2)
B. The Attitude Check
C. The Culture Check (1 Cor 13:1-2)
D. The Accountability and Accuracy Check
Don’t let one person with a problem stop the flow of the Holy Spirit through you.
Resist the temptation to respond to offense by becoming hurt or discouraged, or being afraid to step out again. Instead, use the opportunity to grow—in humility, in character, and in your gift of prophecy or discernment.
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Our Father will always give us a God-sized prophetic dream or task—one that we cannot accomplish in our own strength or with our current resources.
When that dream is fulfilled, Jesus will receive the credit and the glory. Onlookers will know that the only possible explanation for what we have achieved is that God is with us!
Remember Moses and Aaron—a shepherd and a slave, standing in the presence of the mighty Pharaoh of Egypt? (Exodus 5) Or the young shepherd David, standing before a giant with a slingshot and stone? (1 Sam 17) And let’s not forget Paul and Silas, locked in a prison dungeon whilst on a mission for God. (Acts 16)
Inevitably, there will be limiting factors as you pursue God’s purposes—for example not enough time, not enough money, and not enough people.
Take Gideon, for instance, who was sent by God against a powerful Midianite army. Gideon’s band was reduced by God’s design to a mere 300, and yet, with God’s help, he overcame the enemy. (Judges 7)
Sometimes we look at what God is calling us to do for Him and are tempted to shrink back, because it appears to be humanly impossible.
Today I believe God is encouraging you to dream with Him and to declare, ‘It’s possible! With my God, this is possible! No chain, no giant, no power and no limitation can prevent my Father’s plans from taking place!’
‘Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”’ (Matt 19:26)
The Greek word translated ‘possible’, dynatos, means able, powerful, mighty, strong, to be able to do something, mighty, excelling in something, having power for something. [1]
Today, your Father wants you to know that all things are possible to Him. Nothing is impossible!
God is well able to fulfill His promises. Nothing is beyond His ability to achieve!
Extraordinary power is released as you see God’s intended outcome ahead of time using the eye of faith, and declare, ‘It’s possible! With my God it is possible!’
‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ (Phil 4:13)
When you declare the possibility of God, it shifts you from the position of negativity and doubt, into the wide-open space of faith. Proclaiming God’s ability changes the way you think, and the way you see.
You are no longer viewing your inadequacy; you are looking through the lens of what Jesus is capable of.
‘Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.’ (2 Cor 3:4-5)
‘For no word from God will ever fail.’ (Luke 1:37)
When you come into agreement with the promises of God, you affirm that God is faithful to His Word and His personal promise to you. As Prophet David McCracken has said, ‘When your mouth agrees with God’s intention, the impossible becomes possible!’ [2]
God’s word transforms you. It sets you free from fear, anxiety and uncertainty. Your thinking comes into alignment with the promise of God.
‘He [Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.’ (Rom 4:20-21)
Abraham chose to believe in God’s ability to perform His promise over the physical evidence. As he persevered in that agreement, the miracle took place.
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
When you see the fulfilment of God’s prophetic promises and declare, ‘it’s possible!’ your spirit is stirred with a sense of anticipation. ‘It’s possible’ is the voice of expectation, the proclamation of faith. ‘It’s possible’ leads to prophetic thanksgiving—praising and thanking God ahead of time for what He is yet to accomplish.
‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ (Heb 11:1)
‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.’ (Eph 3:20)
Seeing your God-given dream as already accomplished, and declaring the possibility of God, puts you into the place of agreement with His purposes. It breaks open your destiny and gives you the boldness to step firmly into the future Father has for you.
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When I arrived after enjoying a vacation favored by God, there was a stirring to seek what He has revealed last October 14, 2015. I then remembered that when I scheduled posts for this week before leaving to Palawan, God did not give me His word to share on October 14 and 16. I sought more but He really concealed His plan for these dates. When I got home, I was inspired by the Spirit of God to check out what He revealed through other people, specifically through the contributors of this website. And it was impressed to me that there was a turning of page happened from October 13 to 14. It was a massive shift in the spiritual realm. There was a great revealing of God’s thoughts and wisdom from those dates onward. The activity of the Spirit of God is so unprecedented that it is so active. Giftings, ministries and lives are being positioned for a greater war ahead. There were tremendous impartations released all over us. God is revealing more of His Wisdom to us. Fear and anxieties are broken. The following are the revelations of the Lord through His beloved children. May these will bless us all!!!
The gift of discernment of spirits is the Holy Spirit-empowered ability to determine the spiritual source of something—whether it is an atmosphere, something spoken or something presenting through a person or wider group.
Those of us who are gifted in discernment tend to be very sensitive to what is occurring in the spiritual realm, often being alerted ahead of time to what is taking place.
There will be times when we are confronted with something that is demonic in origin, or spiritual warfare is taking place.
When this happens, it helps to remember not onlywho we are, but also where we are. We need to be able to step back and recognise our spiritual position. It is only from our position in Christ that we are protected, and can confidently respond in a way that honours Him.
‘And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’ (Col 2:15)
‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ (2 Cor 5:17)
‘For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.’ (Eph 3:3)
What a wonderful truth—the power of the cross. The enemy cannot touch you because you are hidden in Christ! See it, believe it, and confess it.
There will be contention for that truth and so you need to guard your heart.
‘The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.’ (Prov 18:10)
When you have a revelation of Who your God is, and your righteousness in Christ, you can be secure in Him—no matter what is taking place around you, and no matter what you are discerning or perceiving. When the enemy looks at you, he sees Christ.
When fear or discouragement arises from something we are discerning, this is a sign that we need to recognise our spiritual address—our location. The Bible is our GPS and Scripture says we are hidden in Jesus. We are seated in Heavenly Places.
‘Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.’ (Col 3:1-4)
‘And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.’ (Eph 2:6)
When we understand that our spiritual position is in heavenly places, then our focus is on what is happening in the Throne Room. We want to hear what the Father is saying and see what He is up to. The highest use of the gift of discernment is to perceive what the Holy Spirit is doing.
There will be times we need to be reminded of this. We need to be intentional about our focus, because the enemy will try and distract us.
‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.’ (Gal 3:13-14)
You are blessed in Christ! You are ‘the head and not the tail’, ‘above and not beneath.’ (Deut 28:13) Your location and address is that you are seated in heavenly places.
This is your Kingdom perspective.
When you wage spiritual warfare, you are not beneath the enemy, trying to fight your way up. You may be wrestling and contending (Eph 6:12) but your position is one of strength and authority. You reside at the Throne and the enemy must bow to the name of Jesus.
We are located in Christ. This is our permanent address! This is something we can celebrate and be confident in. However, when we value this, we will not take it for granted. It is vital that we stay under cover.
Jesus said in John 14:30, ‘the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.’ He was referring to His sinlessness.
The Apostle Paul said, ‘In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.’ (Eph 4:26-27)
‘Not giving the devil a foothold’ does not mean that we will always be perfect; it means that we are trusting in the only Perfect One. It means walking in repentance and in the light—not fighting battles with sin in secret, but being open and accountable. (Eph 5:8-13)
We need to deal with issues quickly, and not ‘give the devil a foothold’ because our inheritance is righteousness.
You can be conscious of your righteousness in Christ every moment of every day. Through the cross, you are cleansed, justified (‘just-as-if-I-have-never-sinned’) and made holy. (Rom 3:24 Heb 10:10),
You can walk every day knowing that your location is that you are at home in Jesus. You are hidden in Christ and seated in heavenly places. And when you perceive through discernment that something is amiss, you can have complete security from your spiritual position.
I felt the Lord encouraging His people to specifically have their hearts fixed on Him for fresh impartations.
I saw HUGE heavenly downloads, big presents labelled IMPARTATIONS falling from the heart of Papa to His people.
I felt the heart of Papa God so excited.. “Ask Me what impartation I am releasing to you that is going to bring such radical change.” I could feel Him beaming with excitement and joy in this releasing.
As these impartations were received, some were expected and others fell suddenly when they least expected it.
These impartations are flowing from the heart of God and the throne room and bringing miraculous change. Even the most unlikely and things/people that have been spoken against will suddenly see the miraculous hand of God bringing a total change and shift that only He could bring.
Impartations of heavenly reality and manifestation are coming upon the people of God now that is moving them from what has felt like DECREASE to RAPID INCREASE! These impartations are also seeing the Lord release His “victory card”. A sudden cutting away, breaking an annihilating of the enemy’s assignment and chains that have held some down.
Impartations from His heart are bringing miraculous change!
This is a prophetic word by Cindy Jacobs that was recorded on October 14, 2015 about God providing abundant wisdom.
For the Lord would say, “You have asked for wisdom, and you need wisdom. I am going to provide for you a well of wisdom.”
As I was personally praying about this, I began to have a vision after the Lord began to speak to me about the wisdom He wanted to provide. And I saw an artesian well, a bubbling up well.
The Lord says, “I have continual wisdom for you. I don’t give you wisdom in portions. There is a well of My wisdom that is abundant, that is going to flow for you. And this wisdom is provided for you every day, every hour, every minute. And so as you learn to walk with Me, walk and talk with Me, as I’ve created you, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, I’m going to give you that which you lack. For your lack of wisdom causes you to fear. Your lack of wisdom causes you to be anxious and uncertain.” But the Lord says, “I am your ever present well of wisdom. So fear not.”
The Lord would say, “I have been speaking this to you, but know you’re going to grow in who you are in Me. You’re going to grow in your ability to tap into this well of wisdom that I am giving you. Because I am wisdom,” says the Lord. “I am wisdom. I am the spirit of wisdom,” says the Lord.
And the Lord says, “The spirit of wisdom is embodied in my Holy Spirit in you. So as you begin to pray and you begin to pray in the spirit and you begin to seek My face, as you incline your ear unto me, as you say, ‘Lord, I know I’m lacking, I know I don’t know what to do,’ I would say to you, I will show you the way, and you will hear My wisdom. It will be so supernatural, and it will be so full of revelation that from one minute to the next, what you didn’t have you’re going to have. You’re going to know what to do with your family, you’re going to know what to do with your finances, you’re going to know where to find that job, you’re going to know what house to buy, you’re going to know how to pay your bills,” says the Lord, “Because I’m going to give an abundance. It is there. It is flowing. It is artesian. And it is there to meet your every need,” says the Lord.
Amen.
Break Free Of Hurts That Are Blocking Your Prophetic Gift
By Helen Calder of Enliven Blog and a member of David McCracken Ministries
Today I am going to review a very common barrier to growth in prophetic ministry, and that is being hurt in relation to your spiritual gift of prophecy.
(Note that these same points relate to wounds experienced in other spiritual gifts or ministries—replace ‘gift of prophecy’ or ‘prophetic ministry’ with the name of your gift or ministry)
An unhealed hurt or disappointment will not only affect your gift of prophecy, it will hold you back in other areas of your life, too.
Some signs that your prophetic gift may be blocked due to sustaining a wound are:
There are many ways that people can become hurt or wounded in relation to prophetic ministry. The two most common are criticism and disappointment.
There are several ways that criticism can occur:
We do not criticise or judge babies who are learning to crawl or walk—in fact we celebrate their efforts. And yet it is amazing how quickly we Christians judge one another when we are stumbling through learning stages in our spiritual gifts.
Accusation and judgement are also related to criticism.
I have known people who have been accused of being Jezebellic, for example. This kind of accusation can cause a deep wound in someone who has prophetic gifts. [1]
Some ways in which we can experience disappointment include:
If you have experienced any of these types of wounds in your prophetic ministry, you are not alone. These are things that many of us can relate to in some form or another.
In fact, you will see these types of hurtful things happen to people with prophetic callings in the Bible.
Think of the rejection that Joseph went through with regard to his gift of prophetic dreams and interpretation. He was criticised, rejected, misunderstood and passed over for many years before God raised him up and released him in his call.
Yet he kept his heart free from bitterness—and in that is a lesson for each of us.
It seems that God allows us to go through these tests as part of our development and character growth. When we overcome, He can use us in greater ways and entrust us with His Word and His power.
A blockage takes place when we put up barriers, or walls of self-protection around us to prevent us from being wounded again.
Even though others may have been the reason that we were shut down to start with, the ongoing issue is that we are reluctant to expose ourselves to further hurt. Our instinct is to hold back.
So the very first thing we need to do, is to recognise our own part and responsibility in the blockage.
We are the ones who, with God’s help, have the ability and the keys to break ourselves free.
We do this by acknowledging this in prayer and repenting of allowing the walls to go up.
God is sufficient. He is all the protection we need and He waits and longs for us to trust in Him. But often we use our own efforts to protect ourselves—and this is wrong.
Secondly, if we have been criticised, removed from ministry or held back in the past, there may be an aspect of truth in the reasons for the action that was taken.
I know from experience that this is a tough area to acknowledge, but addressing it and being humble enough to make any necessary adjustments is vital to fulfilling God’s call on our life.
Jesus said, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)
Unforgiveness and the desire to obtain justice can chain us to an event, preventing us from making progress in our prophetic gift.
In prayer, speak out forgiveness, release the offenders from judgment, and from any debt that you believe they owe you.
Sometimes, God might lead you to communicate with the person or group that has hurt you, but isn’t always necessary.
Use discretion here, and look for some wise counsel.
Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a choice that we make. Also remember that forgiveness is not just a one-off decision; it is an ongoing process. This means continuing to choose forgiveness whenever you feel the hurt or the negative effects of the situation.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
Some things that can be prayed through personally and with a prayer partner are:
This also reminds us of the fourth and most important aspect of breaking free from any blockage caused by a wound to your gift and that is:
If we have believed a lie, we need a truth encounter. We need to know that God’s love for us, and His attitude towards us, is not reflected in the hurtful attitudes, words or actions of others—even when they are people in authority.
Meditate on the Father’s love and acceptance as expressed in the Bible, especially in the New Testament in the life and ministry of Jesus.
Finally, at the right time, we need to begin to step out again in our prophetic gift. [3]
Firstly, this means being accountable—and being under leadership. Sometimes, this means responding well to leaders who have hurt us in the past.
We know we are healed when we can receive feedback and be open to adjustment in the operation of our gift without reacting badly.
Becoming activated in our gift of prophecy again will mean taking risks and being vulnerable. However, the fruit in our lives and in the lives of others we minister to will be eternal.
Notes:
[1] For more information about the Jezebellic or religious spirit in relation to prophetic ministry, read my e-book, ‘Prophetic People in a Changing Church.’ Check the following links:
Prophetic People In A Changing Church E-book
[2] Sometimes hurts arise from a leader in the church—if this is familiar to you, I encourage you to consider my e-book, ‘Prophetic People in a Changing Church’ for more information on how to break free.
[3] I believe it is vital to foster a safe, nurturing environment in our local churches and prophetic communities to do this—so if you are a leader, I encourage you to make this a priority.
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By: Helen Calder of Enliven Blog and a member of David McCracken Ministries
Three times the young boy Samuel heard a voice calling his name, and each time he ran to Priest Eli in response. Finally Eli realised that it was God calling the boy. He gave Samuel some simple instructions:
“Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” (1 Sam 3:9)
The story of how young Samuel first heard God’s voice, and how his prophetic ministry was launched, provides some important keys for us today:
1. Develop the Awareness of God Speaking to You
When God first began speaking to Samuel, the boy did not know that God was the source of the voice.
We also need to awaken to the fact that God is speaking to us and be expectant to hear from Him.
We read, ‘In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.’ (1 Sam 3:1) That is not the case today. You have the Holy Spirit within you, communicating what is on the Father’s heart. God delights in sharing His thoughts and intentions with you.
Perhaps God is communicating more than you have previously been aware of. He is stirring your faith to receive more.
Psalm 139:17-18 says, ‘How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!’(In the NIV footnote it reads: ‘how amazing are your thoughts concerning me!’) ‘Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.’
The picture is one of a constant stream of personal thoughts towards you, from God. It could be likened to ‘live streaming’ on the Internet—a constant flow of communication.
Many people have a scarcity mindset when it comes to hearing God’s voice. But you can develop the awareness that God is speaking to you continually and that He wants you to hear what He is saying, because He loves you.
‘For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he does.’ (John 5:20a)
2. Position Yourself to Listen to God
In our home, we have difficulty with mobile phone (cell phone) reception. In order to speak to someone using our mobile phone, we have to locate a spot in our house where there is one or two bars of signal, and prop the phone up on a shelf to have a conversation.
Positioning to hear God’s voice can be like that. The Holy Spirit is continually communicating what is on Father’s heart, but we may not be tuned in. We have to position ourselves internally to listen. Remember, God was already speaking to Samuel, but the boy had to put himself in the place to hear God.
Like Samuel, you can have your ‘antenna’ up and develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s voice.
Developing the ability to listen is firstly about attitude.
You can hear from God any time, at any place. However, there may also be a space where you can focus on relating to God and hearing Him more clearly. For me, that is taking time outdoors to walk and pray. It is an appointment when I have greater clarity and focus—I develop sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in those moments that impacts every moment of my life.
3. Seek Relationship with God First
In prophetic ministry, it can be easy to drift into focusing on the ‘what’ God is saying, and the word of the Lord, and forget that the heart of ‘prophetic’ is relationship.
Hearing God’s voice is about encountering God as a Person.
Samuel began his prophetic ministry with an encounter with God. God met with Him personally.
When people heard from God in Scripture, in the many ways He communicated, they were encountering Him. And God is calling you to a ‘face to face’ relationship with Him.
It is possible to hear what someone is saying, without engaging with them on a personal level. There is a distance between you.
In these instances, you can hear someone speak, but it is an impersonal, remote listening. It is one way.
Hearing God’s voice is not like that. It is firstly about relationship. When God speaks to you, He desires for you to engage with Him. Like having coffee with a friend or loved one, a conversation and an exchange is taking place.
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By: Helen Calder of Enliven Blog and a member of David McCracken Ministries
Do you want to hear God’s purposes for your life and ministry, or receive a fresh infilling of His Spirit? Do you desire to encounter God and know Him more?
Prophetic worship is one way that you can have a face-to-face meeting with God—or provide a means for others to encounter Him. ‘Prophetic praise and worship enables God’s message to be brought, or His purpose to be accomplished, in a worship setting.’ [1]
Here are 6 benefits of prophetic worship, followed with some ways that you can put this into practice in your personal life with God.
1. It Facilitates God Encounters.
God created us for face-to-face relationship with Him.
Our worship honours God and brings Him pleasure. However, if we view worship as being solely a one-way giving of our love and adoration to Jesus, we have not attained the highest purpose of worship.
God’s desire has always been to commune with His people. Prophetic worship enables the Father’s voice to be heard, His heartbeat to be felt, and His purpose to be accomplished.
When we encounter God in a time of prophetic worship, we are transformed and brought closer to Him. We leave that place knowing that God has touched our lives personally and that we will never be the same again.
2. It Enables us to Receive an Impartation from God
When we are yielded to Jesus in an attitude of love and worship, we are more receptive and open to Him than at any other time.
‘Impartation’ means a release of God’s power into our lives. This can be an infilling of His Holy Spirit, or a specific attribute of His nature; for example, He may desire to infuse us with peace, strength or faith.
We can have an expectation that as God leads us in praise and worship, we and others will be healed and set free from oppression. Psalm 107:20 says, ‘He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.’
The young David was employed by Saul to play the lyre. As David played, the anointing of God on his music caused the demonic oppression to lift from Saul. (1 Sam 16:14-23)
3. It Breaks open the Atmosphere for God to Move
We know that an open Heaven is our inheritance. However, there are times when we have to contend for it, whether in our personal lives or in the Church.
This is where prophetic praise is especially helpful.
Praise is prophetic when it is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s ‘now’ purpose for our lives or a particular meeting.
Prophetic praise is the Spirit-led proclamation of who God is, of His attributes, of what He has done and what He will accomplish.
Prophetic praise penetrates the atmosphere and pushes back oppression, apathy, fear or any other effects of spiritual warfare. (See 2 Chron 20, Psalm 149:5,9)
4. It Prepares Our Hearts for God’s Word
Prophetic worship is, at its foundational level, Spirit-directed and Spirit-empowered worship.(John 4:23-24)
During a time of prophetic worship, the Holy Spirit has begun to speak to us and our hearts are opened towards God.
When the preaching or personal study of God’s Word accompanies or follows prophetic worship, the two merge together and a continuum of inspiration from the Holy Spirit takes place.
5. We can Receive a Prophetic Message from God
In prophetic worship, God uses a song, instrumentation or other prophetic communication to speak His purpose into our lives—and that word has creative ability. Your Father may have a specific word of encouragement or instruction for you to receive.
Whether personally, or corporately in a meeting, prophetic worship provides both the expectation and the opportunity for God to speak to us. (1 Cor 14:26)
6. It is Powerful When Specific Breakthrough is Needed
Prophetic praise celebrates the fulfilment of God’s promises before they are manifested in the natural realm. Prophetic praise is one vehicle that God uses to release His power and bring about His purposes in our lives and in the Church.
We see examples of the power of prophetic praise in the Bible.
King Jehoshaphat sent singers and musicians out ahead of his army to celebrate the victory God had promised through His prophet. The battle was won as God routed the armies in front of the praisers. (2 Chron 20)
A song of prophetic praise was also significant to releasing God’s provision (Num 21:17-18), transforming barrenness into fruitfulness (Isaiah 54:1-3) and overcoming obstacles and persecution. (Acts 16)
How to Incorporate Prophetic Worship into your Personal Life
Last week I looked at prophetic worship in the Church setting. However we can also use prophetic worship in our personal life with God.
Note that any prophetic revelation (beyond general encouragement) received during personal times of worship need to be weighed up and followed through with leadership.[2]
1. ‘Soaking’ worship means positioning ourselves before God in a dual attitude of worship and of receiving or hearing from Him. As we yield to His Spirit, He fills us, empowers us and speaks to us.
Discover the unique way of connecting with God that suits you—for example, finding a quiet place accompanied by a worship CD, or walking outdoors in an attitude of worship and receiving. The key is to take time and to be intentional.
2. Develop a playlist of songs that are God’s ‘now’ encouragement for you personally, and listen to them regularly.
3. If you are a musician, take time with your instrument to worship God without a practice agenda. As you do, wait on Him for fresh inspiration, believe He is filling you with His Spirit, and allow Him to fill your heart and mind with the Father’s personal message to you and others.
4. When attending a worship gathering with others, enter in wholeheartedly and with the expectation that you will personally meet with God and receive All He has for you.
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