EdenWorship
Center
Welcome Page
Pastor Gingerich
Pastors
Map
Ministries
Sermons
Outline Notes
Indonesia
Missons
Resources
Links
Strengthened By The Prophetic
by Harold D. Gingerich
While every Spirit-filled believer understands that one does not order their lives on personal prophesy, we can draw spiritual courage and strength from what God has spoken into our lives. Listen to what the Apostle Paul wrote to a young struggling preacher.
"This command I entrust to you Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith." (I Tim. 1: 18-19, NAS)
The sensed in this passage is that prophetic words had been spoken over Timothy at the time of his ordination. Paul is saying that he should remember those prophetic declarations, draw strength from them, and let them be the basic upon which he continues to "fight the good fight" of faith. Everything in Timothy's call and ministry was to be viewed "in accordance" with God's prophetic revelation. Paul went on to boldly state that others had suffered spiritual shipwreck because they failed to embrace and build upon God's prophetic promises. As the prophetic people of God, the implications in our lives and ministries are profound.
Every spiritual gift needs to be tested. Generally we ask ourselves three questions whenever spiritual gifts are manifested: 1) Did what was spoken agree with Scripture; 2) Did you sense the heart and spirit of Jesus in what was spoken; and 3) Did it witness with your spirit that this was a word from the Lord (Rom. 8:16,)? If we can not answer "Amen" to these question than there is a serious question as whither this was indeed a word from the Lord.
Keep in mind as well that personal prophesy as a general rule will merely confirm what God has previously been speaking to your heart (Acts 13: 2; Acts 9: 15-16; Acts 20:23,). So just because someone prophecies "Thus saith the Lord" over you does not mean you sell your home and move to "Timbuktu" next week. There is always a process whereby the prophetic word id tested and confirmed.
However, once the prophetic word has been confirmed, we need to begin to draw courage and strength from God's revelation. It begins by doing what Mary the mother of Jesus did, "But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). There is something powerful about taking time to mediate and reflect upon what God has spoken to our hearts. Then when the spiritual battle becomes intense, we can remember and draw upon what God has spoken to your heart. It will help us to not give up and to not let go. If you "keep faith and a good conscience" you will see the victory of the Lord. It's a spiritual nugget of gold that is a key to walking in victory.
The peace of the Lord be with you.
Eden Worship Center
P.O. Box 518
Topeka, IN 46571
Last updated 1/20/03gc