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Elements of the Prophetic
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at Arise, we are blessed to have prophecy active in our corporate
services every time we gather. We have discovered that when this
anointing flows freely it brings life, peace and joy. Doesn’t
this sound great? Well, I’m sure you are wondering how you
can
activate the prophetic in your life. |
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are many aspects to this dynamic ministry, but if I were to concentrate
on just three elements they would be relationship, character
development, and transparency. This is not the time to let the spirit
of fear grip you – get a hold of yourself – you can
let the
Lord work in these areas of your life, right? You do want to understand
why you see and comprehend the things of God, when others seem
oblivious, don’t you? You do want to prophesy, right? If you
do,
then allow me to expound on three of many aspects of the prophetic. |
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gift of prophecy occurs as a person is moved upon by the Holy Spirit in
any given setting and at any time (I Corinthians 12:10) and the Office
of the Prophet is someone that has been called from birth to be an
oracle for God 24/7/365 (Ephesians 4:11). These men and women carry the
same anointing as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Deborah and Elijah. They have
learned what their counterparts experienced; that is, being prophetic
is a lifestyle. Yes, you eat, drink and sleep it - you never STOP being
a prophet! |
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The
first element is that of relationship. Our
heavenly Father desires a people who passionately and willingly pursue
Him. In reality, relationship with the Lord does not come naturally to
us, but needs to be taught, demonstrated, encouraged and activated.
Our
prayer should be "Lord, please remove anything that would hinder my
relationship with you and/or with your people." To really benefit from
communion with the Lord, you will need to surrender your control and
submit to His purpose and will for your life.
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The
second element is that of character development. Gifts
are given but fruit is grown. Since we are a microwave society, this
element can be a challenge. We have become a people who want things
now. When we’re hungry, many times we go to a fast food
restaurant and want our food immediately. When it comes out one minute
longer than we think it should, we complain. In God’s
economy,
this mentality does not work. He functions according to His time not
ours. Of all the character adjustments that each of us need to make,
laying down our control and submitting to the Lord’s control
is
enormous. Patience, dear ones, is the Word of the day!
Another
area the Lord test our resolve as it applies to character development
is in the area of obedience. As the Lord takes control and you become
obedient, the prophetic anointing will begin to increase in your life.
It is important that we have the type of character that lines up to
Christ’s nature. So be assured that God will deal with our
self-righteousness, religious attitudes and any other ungodly behavior
that raises its ugly head in our lives. Basically, the Lord wants us to
be like Him!
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The
third element is that of transparency. Vulnerability
before the Lord is a must, not an option. In the Garden of Eden after
Adam had eaten of the forbidden fruit, the Lord called to him, and Adam
ran to hide his nakedness from God. As a prophetic people or as a
five-fold prophet when the Lord calls, we must run to Him not away from
His voice. As the Presence of the Lord increases through your
transparency, passion will stir in you and dispel all thoughts of
running and hiding from a loving God. That said transparency is not a
formula but a lifestyle that is crucial for an intimate relationship
with the Lord. Like character development, this important key is honed
through the Lord challenging our human reaction to isolate and become
independent. We must find our place in the Body of Christ and stay
connected to God using our gifting and anointing to edify and build up
one another.
Finally, the prophetic is not given
to fulfill
your personal agendas. The Lord is displeased when we become
independent and self-serving. These negative and ungodly traits oppose
transparency and vulnerability and produce a pseudo-prophetic that
feeds the religious and creates a kind of spiritual death.
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hope you are beginning to see that the prophetic is more than an
anointing purposed to exalt the soul. It is based on, but not limited
to, a close relationship, character development and transparency with
the Lord. As much as I would like to outline a formula to use to get
you where you would like to be, I can’t! The essence of this
gift
comes through death to self, obedience, sacrifice, surrender and a
passion to follow wholeheartedly after the Lord, to say the least. If
you feel drawn to the prophetic and desire to learn more, then continue
to pursue the Lord and this anointed calling with all of your heart. It
is here, in this incredible spiritual dimension, that you will find the
peace that you have so longed to experience. |
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For more information on receiving a prophetic word, refer to the
amazing, foundational book, "Prophets and Personal Prophecy" by Dr.
Bill Hamon. |
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A
prophetic word is God’s personal intimate communication
through a
person with the anointing to prophesy to an individual or group of
people. It is one of His voices in the midst of the congregation. |
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