Prophetic Ministries?

[RainCaster]

Hey all,
I grew up Lutheran, and they never told me about this stuff. :dunno Graham Cooke seems to understand this very well- a great speaker and terrible writer. (needs a good editor)
Are there any other resources worth looking in to? The web seems so full of garbage in this area that I am quite hesitant to rely on any of it for guidance.

TIA,
RC

[Barry]

Depends on what you mean by "this stuff", but I'll take a wild guess and jump right in:

I've been involved with Lutheran, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Assembly of God... All have the same thing in common: Jesus is Lord.

I believe that basically that's the only thing that counts. The worship format isn't the same but that's the difference in each Denomination, and sometimes even between different churches within the SAME denomination. Most people I know wouldn't feel comfortable going to a church where there's speaking in tongues and prophecy. They prefer a much more subdued and predictable format. Why would God care how one worships as long as the heart is in the right place?

I wouldn't want to be caught on judgement day saying that an old-fashioned God-fearing Catholic woman, who hasn't missed Mass in 80 years, doesn't deserve to be in God's presence when she passes away. Each denomination believes different things. Each one believes it is correct, all the others are wrong. I believe God doesn't care what denomination you are part of. He doesn't care how you worship Him. He looks at the heart. If you love Him and live as He would have you live, you are in His will.

Others here will no doubt respond, too. I don't know if you'll find what you're looking for, but I have a "religion" page, meant for online evangelism, that I link to different resources from. Please feel free to come take a look.

http://myhobbyspot.net/index_religion.html

Lord, help our brother RainCaster find his answers that he may be a better servant for you. In your name we pray. Amen.

[Kitty]

You say you grew up Lutheran. What church family are you in right now? Would it be possible to have a good discussion with your pastor about the things you're wondering?

What got you thinking about it?

Kitty

[OlsonAcoustic]

Do you specifically speak of THE Prophetic Ministries?

http://propheticministries.net/

Trumpet Wind, Faith Arrow, James Ryle, Benny Hinn, and many many others can fall under the "Prophetic Ministries" title, and most of them have some similarities, but also VAST differences. This is a broad subject, and may need a little narrowing down.

"The Prophetic" are folks that I have done enormous amounts of research on, and primarily due to a “falling out” of sorts that I had with associated ministries in my life. Ice can get theologically thin over some of the great lakes of “the prophetic” movement, while others are relatively harmless. It usually starts with what one defines the “Prophetic Ministries” as. Foretelling the future, speaking on God’s behalf, or simply proclaiming God’s written Word would all be various examples of the prophetic. Some examples have scriptural merit, and others don’t.

[RainCaster]

You say you grew up Lutheran. What church family are you in right now? Grew up a Misery Synod Lutheran- they would sooner talk about sex than the gifts of the Spirit. Now I am a Methodist- a church more concerned about adapting to the marginalized. My pastor (formerly AG) is no help either- we've talked about this several times over the last few years.

Do you specifically speak of THE Prophetic Ministries? Yes... and no. Certainly not that Adventist web site. It has nothing to do with the training and nurturing of those who find themselves suddenly gifted with something they do not understand. Our Father has a wonderful sense of humor dear brothers and sisters- I grew up very skeptical of the charismatic movement, now I have been thrust into it headlong.

Please pray for a peaceful heart my friends, as I have a bumpy road ahead.

[OlsonAcoustic]

From Graham Cooke's website...

Welcome to Graham Cooke's website. Thank you for your interest in Graham's ministry.
Please note that it is not a feature of Graham's, or his team's ministry to respond to requests for a prophetic word via the Internet or e-mail. Instead, we follow the guidelines Graham teaches in the Schools of Prophecy, where we advise folk to seek out significant people amongst whom God has placed them for personal input, prayer, and prophecy. These people are in a better position to judge and weigh any prophetic words given to individuals. Please understand this is, in no way, intended to discourage you, but rather to encourage you to seek out the very best people to assist you in your situation.

I won’t bother to post a bunch of what Graham is all about, but this is a field that I have been in, to depths that I cannot begin to describe in 100 posts. But let’s examine this quote.

1) “Please note that it is not a feature of Graham's, or his team's ministry to respond to requests for a prophetic word via the Internet or e-mail.”

I have red flags flying everywhere with just that. When did it become the case that prophetic messages would be passed about via the internet to begin with? Does the person who is prophesying know the requester of the prophesy? Do we just dial up prophetic words these days? Do we claim through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can understand ones life via a T-1 connection somewhere in cyberspace on demand?

2) “Instead, we follow the guidelines Graham teaches in the Schools of Prophecy, where we advise folk to seek out significant people amongst whom God has placed them for personal input, prayer, and prophecy.”

ok, good, but I used to do this. In fact, I was a part of these so called “prophetic schools” back when the Kansas City Prophets were big. What we would “seek out” as prophets were signs of the “indwelling or power” of the spirit, and this typically manifested itself through physical signs such as fluttering eyes, shaking hands, and even the redness of ones skin. We of course had to perfect these signs as people would fake a number of these signs to get attention from the “prophets” in order to obtain their next prophetic fix as if it were a narcotic. I had a “prophet” walk up to me one day, and what that led to was a long story that we can get to later. Through that prophesy, I became somewhat of an “anointed one” myself. You can read about Tom Stipe’s experience with this in the forward of Hank Hanegraaff’s book, Counterfeit Revival. Tom watched the prophetic movement consume his whole church in a relatively short period of time, in fact he willingly sent his church into the prophetic movement as a prominent board member of one of the largest and fastest growing church movements in the late 80’s and early 90’s, of which I was a dedicated part of. He literally handed the church he pastured over to a bunch of prophets that he did not even know, because he sat in a meeting with these prophets and they proceeded to tell him his life’s story and how that was all going to change now that the prophets were there. Read the book, it will blow you away.

3) “These people are in a better position to judge and weigh any prophetic words given to individuals.”

Well, like I said, I was one of those people, especially in my area, and my “judgment” was quite impaired, and I was absolutely no way in a better position to judge or apply prophetic words to individuals than fly. You might think that I was just an isolated problem child among the throngs of prophetic greats, but that is not true either. Once a false prophet, always a false prophet, and by the Old Testament standards, I would have been drug into the street and stoned to death for the mere attempt to speak falsely on God’s behalf. Prophetic words coming to fruition or failing to see the light of day from the same “prophet” does not make the prophet an 80% accuracy prophet, it makes the prophet false, period. What happens after that to justify the false prophesies is what really gets me.

1) There was some sin in your life that needed to be dealt with first
2) The anointing lifted because of your disbelief
3) You stood in the way of the power of the Holy Spirit
4) You denied the power of the Holy Spirit
5) That was not the right time, God has a lot of things to put into place first
6) (This one is one that even I used!) You need to seek out your own heart, and clean out what stands in the way of his master plan

If God says something, we can take it to the bank. If it fails, God did not say it, the prophet did. Maybe the prophet is super saved and full of love for Jesus! Believe me when I say that I was saved and in love with Jesus while doing exactly everything that was contrary to God’s plan for my life. I was headed in the 180 degree wrong direction. My roll as a prophetic worship leader was given to me by man, not by God. The anointing that I had received was from man, not from God. The lifting of that anointing was from man, not from God. What God finally was able to do to correct me from my path made by man was remind me of His Word which is unequivocally taking it to the bank truth.

I believe that prophesy is a gift, and that it is alive today, and I believe this because God’s word says so. I believe that there are real prophets out there, but I have yet to meet one. The prophets that I knew back in the day were pragmatically trained quasi-psychologists who knew how to look for signs that led to obvious conclusions. These conclusions were quite often the catalyst for total life destruction when the prophesy did not come true. Those stories are so innumerable that it might just make your head spin.

Yes... and no. Certainly not that Adventist web site. It has nothing to do with the training and nurturing of those who find themselves suddenly gifted with something they do not understand. Our Father has a wonderful sense of humor dear brothers and sisters- I grew up very skeptical of the charismatic movement, now I have been thrust into it headlong.

Please pray for a peaceful heart my friends, as I have a bumpy road ahead.

So do you believe that you are gifted with prophesy? I may very well have met the first one here on my 5th post here! When it comes to the charismatic movement, I could chat for months from my own experience. I would love to talk with you more about this, seriously. Not because I desire to shoot you or prophesy down, but because I desire to see God’s gifts work according to his word rather than man’s.

I don’t know that God would make someone a pastor without instilling in him with the understanding of that position. God does have a tremendous sense of humor, but not when it comes to directing his flock. A prophet speaks the Word of God.

Jer 1:4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Jer 1:6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
Jer 1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Jer 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.

I pray for God’s undeniable guidance by his own hand. All else is just man. I would hate to see you go down the road that I did.

[Kitty]

Grew up a Misery Synod Lutheran

Ha ha! Never heard that one before. :-) (I don't know many Lutherans so it took me a minute to get it.)


... those who find themselves suddenly gifted with something they do not understand. Our Father has a wonderful sense of humor dear brothers and sisters- I grew up very skeptical of the charismatic movement, now I have been thrust into it headlong.

Oh... bless your heart, brother. I remember when certain things "fell" on me and I had very little information to go on. I think maybe that was good at the time. In any case, that's how God did it.

I don't know what's going on with you, but whatever it is, it's a good to just keep asking the Lord "what do You want me to do with this?" And then after you learn what to do with it, keep on asking Him every time. Just because you have a gift doesn't mean God wants you to use it at every chance. But I believe He does want you to ASK Him if you should use it at every chance. When you sense a "no", then stand back and be quiet. When you sense a "yes", ask Him what to do. When you get no answer to that one :-) then just step out the best way you know how and tremble in your boots while you depend on the Holy Spirit to work through you.

And when you get it all figured out, just remember that you still don't know nothin'. :-)

As to your experience, OlsonAcoustic.... wow. I'm sorry you went through all that. But I have learned that God doesn't waste anything. He will someday redeem all of that for you. Don't ask me how or what it might look like; I haven't a clue. I just know He's like that.

But just because some — or many — may misuse or abuse gifts from God, doesn't mean He doesn't still give them. I get the feeling from your post that you do know that already, I'm just saying it in the way I like to say it.

God bless you both,
Kitty

[RainCaster]

Thank you for the kind words Kitty. It's been an interesting ride so far for me. Mostly I am asked to provide specific words of encouragement to others, but there have been the occasional warnings. Usually these messages are for people going through a very difficult patch. Sometimes, I am just to sit and listen as they sort out their lives.

Now all of a sudden ~I~ am the one getting the message "don't worry, everything is under my control". Hey- I never doubted that part before, so it has left me wondering what is going to befall me. (dumb, I know)

You are very right- I still don't know nothin'.

YIX,
RC

[Kitty]

Now all of a sudden ~I~ am the one getting the message "don't worry, everything is under my control". Hey- I never doubted that part before, so it has left me wondering what is going to befall me. (dumb, I know)

HA! I do the same thing! Sometimes when I get some kind of reassurance from the Lord, something in the back of my mind goes, "uh-oh... I wonder what's coming..." Paranoid little thing, aren't I? :crazy


I still don't know nothin'.

Me neither. Amen. :-)

[Crunchyriff]

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. Gifts are the same way, and they came, and come, from the hand of the Giver.

Not to stir up debate whether gifts are "for today" or not: I simply believe they are, inasmuch as God thinks so. I think that should speak volumes.

Who are we to say THEY ARE, or far worse, ARE NOT??

I have been though profound things in my walk that I hesitate to talk of here. I won't. Things I never dreamed I might be a part of, or privy to.

Keep in mind that I was raised a very legalistic "fire and brimstone" Freewill Baptist as a kid, where we are taught that any "gifts" today were of the devil...oh boy oh boy.... yeah guitars were of the devil too, drums, etc etc anything you didn't care for or understand you could label "of the devil".

That being said, it's GOD who decides what gifts are operational at any given time or not, and the Holy Spirit responds thru a chosen vessel, or not. Some receive more than others, both in number and in magnitude.

God also decides who gets WHAT gifts. We DON'T decide that. There is much false information to the contrary.

IN all this, please remember this: "to whom is given much is required."

Peace be with you.

[Ravindave_3600]

I'm a Baptist pastor, and believe God can and does give any gift He chooses to. Why? Because the Bible says He does what He wants!

I don't know what's going on with you, but whatever it is, it's a good to just keep asking the Lord "what do You want me to do with this?" And then after you learn what to do with it, keep on asking Him every time. Just because you have a gift doesn't mean God wants you to use it at every chance. But I believe He does want you to ASK Him if you should use it at every chance.

I agree and would add...
1) Use your gifts Biblically, for the truth, edification and the building up of the body. No matter what else "your spirit" says, if it says something that contradicts the Bible, it's not from the Spirit of God.
2) Gifts are called "manifestations of the Spirit". When you use your gift, make sure it is Christ's Spirit being manifested (made apparent), not anything about yourself. Many of the problems non-charismatics have with charismatics come from exhibitions perceived (rightly or wrongly) as self-serving.
3) Be cautious; if you prophecy falsely, you're a false prophet.

[Crunchyriff]

RD3600-

Please don't think I meant all Baptists believe as I was taught. I don't mean that, I don't think that, and if I have offended you my brother, please forgive me.

All three of your points are dead on in the "10" ring, IMHO.

If #3 doesn't make any would-be prophets (or even innocent, true spirit-led vessels of God) shake in their boots, I don't know what will.

[Ravindave_3600]

RD3600-

Please don't think I meant all Baptists believe as I was taught. I don't mean that, I don't think that, and if I have offended you my brother, please forgive me.

No offense given, no forgiveness needed. :-)


If #3 doesn't make any would-be prophets (or even innocent, true spirit-led vessels of God) shake in their boots, I don't know what will.

Keeps me slow to speak, quick to hear. Even if my wife things stupid things are always flyin' outa my mouth! :mrgreen:

[dmw]

Thanks for that excellent post, ravindave3600.

Fenderdave.

[BoomXer]

I'm somewhat new here, so that's why this post is shows up a month later.

This is a difficult area as it is so intangilbe and that makes it much harder to corner (somewhat like grabbing a bar of soap that's fallen into the bath water). :banghead I offer the following in gentleness and as a reflection of my own journey in trying to follow scriptural teachings.

One of the new testament sections of scripture that doesn't come up much when talking about gifts/manifestations of the Spirit is 1 Thes 5:19-22 "19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good . 22 Avoid every kind of evil." It seems that Paul is saying, don't forbid or ignore prophecy, but test it to make sure it is Godly. (See Ravindave_3600's comments above and Rev 19:10b). So current-day prophecy seems to be valid, but not accepted without testing.

I don't think that the New Testament teaches that the prophetic gift/manifestation of the Spirit is equivilent to the OT standard of 100% accuracy. The example for this is in Acts 21:10-12 where Agabus is identified as a prophet in v10 (also implied in Acts 11:27-28) and in v 12 tells Paul that "...the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles." Paul was was taken into protective custody by the Romans, not bound by the Jews--who had plotted to kill him, not turn him over to the Gentiles. Agabus was not 100% correct, but is still identified as a prophet by Luke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

In many matters (not limited to spiritual gifts) we can rob from ourselves and what God desires for us by casting aside all expressions of something because there are abuses of it. Under that methodology, the church could have been "thrown out" of consideration due to the abuses of the middle ages or even the late 20th century. Yet in both of those situations the best course was to turn to scripture and incorporate all it had to say about the subject. I think this is a good approach for this subject as well. I agree it would be easier if the bible stated "Forget it, there is no revelation anymore". Instead we are told to "eagerly desire spirituals (gifts/manifestations), epecially that you may prophecy". It seems that God is willing to take the risk of a mess or misuse in order to accomplish his purpose--just like when he create Adam and Eve in the first place.

OK, I'm off my soapbox. You can probably tell that I believe in the present day practice of revelatory gifts and am trying to mine the gold that is in them. I DO NOT regard current day prophecies to be equivilent with the authority of scripture, but I have found it to be better than natural wisdom in many cases. I can very much appreciate why the conduct of some of those who function in these gifts can be offensive to those who don't believe in current day revelation and those who do. I struggle with some of those same people, but I'm trying to find what God is saying through them even if I don't like the packaging. When the message is contrary to scripture, it's a no brainer, throw it out and if it persists, throw the messenger out too. But when it's just the methodology/packaging that's an issue, it seems to follow the experiences of Jeremiah, Isaiah, Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, etc.

[Crunchyriff]

BoomXer-

I would say that Agabus was still 100% correct, because it was due to the Jews' hatred & plotting against/for Paul that the Romans put him in protective custody. The Romans were simply the uhh, agents of God's hand.

[OlsonAcoustic]

BoomXer, good post.

I agree with Crunch, Agabus was 100% correct. Like I had stated earlier, while I believe that the gifts are present today, the rules still apply. These rules are what we use to judge the fruit of these gifts. A prophet does not speak his (or her) own words but rather the very words of God. Identity of the source of the words spoken by any prophet is confirmed through God's Word. Understanding the kid Jeremiah is a serious lesson. He did not even know how to speak to masses, for he was young, but God spoke his word through him regardless. Paul was an excellent educated public speaker but God spoke the truth that hurts through Paul regardless of his education or otherwise. Paul speaks to this throughout his writings, and we ought to learn from that as well. He tells us that he did not come with super fluid catchy punch lines and transcendent psychologically ponderous thought, but rather Christ and him crucified.

I think one way we rob God is through utilizing God’s gifts for our own selfish gain. I have witnessed “modern day prophets” develop guilt in this manner time and time again, and they typically have far worse arguments than Agabus for the inaccuracy of the gift, typically through explanations of God’s anointing being lifted, or denial of the power of the Holy Spirit in ones life. That is when red flags should be flying everywhere for us. Put the modern day prophets to the test of God’s Word my friend. And welcome to the board! :biggrin:

[stephen]

Good discussion!

Please forgive me for not remembering the Prophets name, or the passage (long day at work, thats gonna be a wee bit longer still), but in the Old Testament, a Prophet came to a town, and was instructed by the Lord, to give His message, and then to leave before nightfall: no if's, and's or butt's about, out by before nightfall.

There was another Prophet that was in that town, and when he heard of this visiting prophet, he was elated, and went to go see him (this town did not have many, if any beleivers in it, other than the old prophet). When he met up with him, he was joyful, but the new guy said I have to go, God told me to get out before nightfall. But the old prophet said something along the lines of, "No, God told me you can dwell with me tonight, everything is ok!" So they went back to the old prophets home and had dinner. During dinner, the old prophet got Word from God, instructing him to tell the new guy, he's gonna die, cause he did not head Gods admonition to leave before nightfall. The new prophet left, and was killed by a lion, waiting for him along the roadside; His body left for all to see. And the old prophet knew he had sinned, and it cost his new brothers life.

I want to just say, that I do believe in Prohecy for today. I believe it is from God. I beleive it is a Spiritual gift from God. And when it is from God, it is 100% accurate. There might be questions as to the analogies of the prophetic word being given (see Agabus), but it is still 100% accurate.

When it is not accurate, we see things like the 7 sons of Sceva; fortune tellers, seeking to impress people so much, they can milk them for as much money as they can. The sons of Sceva heard about Jesus, through Paul's preaching, but they only wanted to use the name of Jesus, for a profit: During an exorcism of a possessed individual, they proclaimed, "We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches!" The evil spirit in the possesed man said, "Jesus, I know, Paul I know, but who are you!" He then gave em one heck of a butt-whoopin, cause they ran away bleeding and naked!

In my opinion, prophecy has to be 100%, cause God would do no thing which would allow confusion to creep in, for God is not the author of confusion. If it is not 100% accurate, it is false prophecy, and nothing God does is ever false.

Today we see those that use (false) prophesy as a tool to have donations brought in, not for the Kingdom, but to line there pockets instead. And we see those that use (false) prophecy to spread confusion: many cults use "prophetic utterance" to guide their victims, and sadly, a lot of those cult followers, came out of the church!

But, we do see many true believers in church's, using the Spiritual Gift of Prophecy, to help guide them into the missionarry field, becoming a pastor, lending a hand to a brother or sister in trouble. It is meant as a help in our ministry, and our walk with Jesus.

Testing the Spiritual Gifts is crucial, and not a lack of faith. It wasnt a lack of Faith for the Berriniens when they heard Paul 's preaching, and they went and earnestly checked all the scripture to make sure what he was saying is 100% correct, so it is not a lack of faith, or a sin, to test the Spiitual Gifts either.

I remember a joke a pastor told me years ago:

Parishioner Mary: (with a somber, and slightly downcast appearance): Pastor Tom, I want to be obedient, and go to Africa as a missionarry. I have to go, I dont want to be disobedient

Pastor Tom (a bit puzzled): OK Mary, we can help with that, but why do you think you would be disobedient?

Mary: Cause I dont really want to go, but, I have to, cause God told me so. And I dont want to be like Jonah.

Pastor: Well, I feel the same way as you do: I would not want to be disobedient, if I knew that God has told me I have to go.

Mary: Good, so when do I go?

Pastor: Well, let me ask you, how do you know God wants you to go to Africa, and be a missionarry?

Mary: It was prophesied over me.

Pastor: It was?

Mary: Yes. Sister Sewenso told me she had a dream that I was in Africa, and God confirmed it too her, that I was to go be a missionarry their.

Pastor: hmmmm, Sister Sewenso huh?

Mary: Yes, you know how she has all those wonderful words from the Lord, and Prophecies soo much!

Pastor: Yeah, I do. So, is Sister Sewenso going with you too?

Mary, Well, no, it would be just me, not even my husband or kids are to go.

Pastor: Cause Sister Sewenso said so?

Mary: Yes, exactly!

Pastor: You sure Sister Sewenso isnt going with you?

Mary (a little perturbed now): I'm sure, I was told I have to go alone!

Pastor: Well if I was you, I would want to take Sister Sewenso along with me.

Mary (gettin a little upset now): And why is that!!

Pastor: Well, I'm sure you'll eventually want to come home, and since God only seems to talk to Sister Sewenso about you, and not you, I figure you might want to take her along, so she can tell you when God has decided its time for you to come home.

[BoomXer]

Steve the story you refer to is in 1 Kings 13.

[TheViking]

.... on this matter.
During the early 90's we had a huge wave of prophetic ministries in Scandinavia. Most of them are by long gone. Some of them are still standing strong, and yes, I do believe in accurate prophecies in our days.
I do however have problems with some kinds of prophecies.
In law prophecies
During the 90’s we had a lot of what I would call “in law” prophecies. Prophet this and Prophet that would tour the countries validating each other, as if they were in laws backing each other up. Of course a lot of them were actually in laws as well. One prophet would get on the platform and prophecies about the next one to come to town. This of course created hype, and not much came out of it.
Benefit prophecies
Another campus of prophets was the ones who went from town to town on behalf of some organization or new congregation. Their prophecies were always benefiting their own goals. If you went to one of their meetings you would find mostly young people were singled out to be prophesized over. Almost without exempt it would be prophecies about these young kids starting at the organizations bible college (needless to say mucho $), going in to full time ministry on a non paid base or donating half their pay check.
Fix it all prophecies.
The third and maybe biggest campus of prophets were the fixers. They would often travel with a rather good and well choreographed show visiting the more new and extreme charismatic congregations. Throwing these large prophecy parties would win them entrance with the more conservative congregations as well, and they would often be hired as fixers. In other words they would come to a congregation and have a chat with the reverend and the elders to see what the problem of this particular congregation was, and address it through prophecies. Like custom made prophecies to make the congregations jump on whatever the reverend said.

Well I do believe that prophets exist in our days. However I do not believe god raise a prophet to benefit a church, another prophet or even a particular congregation. I believe God uses prophets to speak directly into the lives of individuals or even to a congregation if it benefits the kingdom of God. I do not believe God has any interest in making a congregation bigger or richer or flashier unless that congregations shows some substance in teachings.

[Strat-tastic]

I think prophesy is for today. I have received words a few times at church that have spoken directly into my situation. Words of comfort, encouragement and gentle correction. Each time, I've felt closer to the love of God. These words were spoken from the front, to the whole church, but I felt strongly convicted by the Spirit.

Our church accepts prophesy, but it should go through the deacons first. They pray over it, and then if they think it is from God, the church hears it. We are all encouraged to pray into the message, and test it against scripture.

I don't believe that if one 'prophecy' turns out to be false, then that makes you a false prophet 100%. We all makes mistakes from time to time, that's why Paul advises us to test the spirits against scripture.

If a wrong word is delivered with a pure heart, my God's grace is more than big enough to cover my wrongdoing. Praise the LORD, His grace is awesome.

On the subject of resources, I've been studying some of the articles at http://www.godspeak.org/ and find them useful.

Martin.

[Pearly Gator]

Hi, Martin.

Actually if someone is giving a "yet to happen" prophecy that does not come to pass, scripture is quite clear that it's a severe offense. (Deut. 18:20)

Sharing God's word is prophecy, but not a foretelling type of prophecy. It's "fourth-telling."

Revelation 19:10b, "...worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

In Christ,

Gator

[Strat-tastic]

Hello Gator,

Forgive me, as a relatively new-born, I don't know my Bible very well. Please don't take this badly, but one of the prophecies delivered brought me back to the LORD from a sin habit I couldn't let go of myself. This very same lady shared another word with the church recently, but it concerned events which have not yet happened. If they don't, then should I kill her? She's pregnant, has three young children and a husband, and I do really like her as a person too. (I do realise that that sounds an absurd question.) We're not under law anymore, Christ has set us free. Am I missing something? :dunno

Love in Christ,

Martin.

[Pearly Gator]

Hello Gator,

Forgive me, as a relatively new-born, I don't know my Bible very well. Please don't take this badly, but one of the prophecies delivered brought me back to the LORD from a sin habit I couldn't let go of myself. This very same lady shared another word with the church recently, but it concerned events which have not yet happened. If they don't, then should I kill her? She's pregnant, has three young children and a husband, and I do really like her as a person too. (I do realise that that sounds an absurd question.) We're not under law anymore, Christ has set us free. Am I missing something? :dunno

Love in Christ,

Martin.

Martin,

My opinion is not the one that matters. You need to reconcile the issue through the study of the Bible with the guidance of Holy Spirit. My job is just to share scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

If God said it, that settles it. Your salvation was not the work of a prophet, but by the will of God. Ephesians 1:4, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"

PG

[Strat-tastic]

Thanks Gator for sharing with me. I very much agree that all Scripture is the first and last word in any doctrinal issue. It's the devil's job to reinterpret it.

I know I was saved by the God only. It was afterwards that I was struggling, and the prophecy cut right through to me and I took the action I needed to get right with God again, and praise Be! It hasn't been a problem since, long may it continue Jesus.

I'm not sure I should delve into this forum on doctrine anymore, it's a veritable minefield. So much division is caused by the "I'm right, you're wrong" kind of arguments. Unity is essential, and it's easy to be misunderstood with e-mail and on forums and the like. Even with the emoticons :screen: !!!

Right then, let's carry on. I'm glad I don't have to go and kill anyone now. O:)

[Crunchyriff]

Stat-tastic,

I'd like differ with you here. Doctrine DOESN'T have to be a 'veritable minefield', and this forum proves that. There is a difference between stating your opinion, and trying to convince or write off somebody else who believes contrary to you.

Generally, the members of this forum prove this true. Who is scathing about one subject will be likewise about another. I believe you will find this to be a very different "christian musician" forum than some of the others out there- not to their credit, sadly. Been there, seen that.

"Iron sharpens iron."

Welcome to the forum!

[randy_mc]

As a baby Christian, I received some prophetic words that I just thought were awesome. Nothing ever came from it, or at least I haven't noticed if something did.

I don't believe its wise at all to seek prophetic words. If God has something to say, you'll know.... you will DEFINITELY know.

The weird thing about faith is that you really have to live your life.

[Crunchyriff]

Always seek Jesus.

OTOH, Prophetic words, if they are really from God, usually have a longer shelf-life than our patience allows for fulfillment...the scriptures bear this out time and time again, and I have seen it in my own life as well.

Be that as it may, When and IF GOD says it, you can rest assured it 100%.

Unfortunately, us humans have a tough time with drawing our own conclusions into how and when somehting will actually happen. Preconcieved notions and what-not.

The story of Jesus' coming to earth 2000 years ago is a classic example.

[mattd]

growing up baptist (and still am) i never knew about prophecy, and was convinced that it was all fake. i just started reading a book by john deere called "surprised by the holy spirit" and it talks all about the gifts of prophecy. needless to say, i think i believe in them now. do need to be careful about who is and who's not, and who you listen to, but they are still out there.