LIVING WATERS from Lightbearers

Dear Ones,

Our weekend in Nashville, May 7-9, the HOUSE CHURCH ROUND TABLE WEEKEND, still has a few open slots for dear ones to fill. All you have to do is get yourself there, and we will cover the rest. But you do need to register with RM by emailing her at admin@lightbearers-ministries.com. This is going to be a great time of inspiration, education and relationship building with national and international leaders. Come ready to share and be filled!

THE POWER OF PROPHECY

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Gen 1:3 NKJV

What is prophecy? The Greek word is PROPHETEIA, which literally means ‘to speak out.’ But prophecy is much more than just spoken words. It is all that is communicated. I have a hallway going into my office where, on one wall, is a singular print of Jesus as the Lion and the Lamb. On the other wall is pictures of people and situations where the Lion and the Lamb have done miracles through our ministry – healings, miracles, even resurrections. I believe God ordered that hallway to speak to me of His power every time I walk into my office, and to never take His power for granted.

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song 2:1 NKJV

Outside the picture windows in my office are six rose bushes, to remind me to give thanks daily for my beautiful bride Rosemarie – I actually ordered seven, but the landscaper installed six, which is perfect, because six is the number of imperfect man, and my bride and I both qualify as very imperfect people – and a fountain that speaks to me of the river flowing from the throne of God out into the world. A bridge made of cedar with a cross on it – built by a fine craftsman with a Bezaleel anointing who also leads worship at his church – crossing the fountain speaks of Jesus, who is the bridge between the unsaved world and God’s throne, that everyone who would approach the throne must cross. All prophetic, yet not a word spoken…

We are considering the gift of prophecy and the fruit of goodness, both of which are listed sixth in their respective lists.

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. Rom 8:19NKJV

Recently I was asked to preach on the virtuous woman from proverbs thirty one at the memorial service for a dear saint. How does one become a virtuous person? What is in you, evil or good, always comes out. Man has no inherent virtue or goodness in himself, so he must receive that from God, which he does in the new birth. This is the first step. This is why if you want to change the world, your city, or your neighborhood, the only sensible way to do that is to get people born again.

The next step in becoming a virtuous person is to learn the ways of God. The ways of God are almost the opposite of the ways of the world. The world says, climb over others to get to the top. God’s ways say, humble yourself that He may exalt you in due season. The world says, get everything for yourself. God’s ways say, give and it shall be given unto you. The third step to becoming a virtuous person – letting what is in you come out – is to consecrate yourself to the ways of God. This means a daily decision to walk in the ways of God – love, not fear; joy, not depression; peace, not anxiety… do you see it?

…if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; Rom 12:6 NKJV

The gift of prophecy works closely with the fruit of goodness because you draw prophecy out of your spirit – you prophesy by faith – where the goodness of God dwells. Where does that good word come from? We draw it out of our spirits in every situation, not just preaching or in church, but every situation, to bring the light of God into that situation, that dark place. Look inside to see what you say outside. True prophecy out of the goodness of God will release words or communications of faith that release faith in others. You get it?

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. 1 Peter 4:11 NKJV

The problem with prophecy is twofold – we think it’s only for church settings, and its only for preachers or real serious prayer people. No, that’s wrong. Read that verse again and drop your preconceived notions about it. IF ANY MAN OR WOMAN, BOY OR GIRL, WHO IS BORN AGAIN, SPEAKS…any one of us, in any situation, at any time, can speak by the Spirit of God as we draw from the goodness of God in us.

There are two ways to prophesy – actively or passively. Have you ever heard a child say something that just blows your mind? That is passive prophecy at its best – sweet, beautiful, unrehearsed, straight to your heart! Some one will say something, or you will see or hear something, that just releases faith in you and turns the day around. That’s the passive operation of prophecy!

…You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. Luke 21:12-16 NKJV

This is an example of the active operation of prophecy. You are preparing to prophesy, perhaps by speaking much in tongues and refusing to premeditate or decide what you are going to say – the Lord may give you an outline or an idea of what to say or write, but you trust Him in the moment to give you the words. You also refuse to say something stupid out of your flesh. The conscious act of suppressing your flesh plays a key role in speaking by the Spirit.

One time I was in Kenya and I was about to preach on prosperity to a noon time gathering of saints. As I approached the lectern Holy Spirit said, “What you are about to preach is spiritual poison!” Oh boy, what do I do now? It was time to prophesy. The message about prosperity that the Lord gave me literally as I spoke I’ve written in an article called BE A RIVER, NOT A LAKE. I think you can draw some conclusions from the title. You can check it out some time at lightbearers.injesus.com…

In considering the power of prophecy we’ve got to consider that the sword of the Spirit is the spoken Word given to you by Holy Spirit…

The problem here again is similar to the one above, that we think that the sword of the Spirit is only for the ‘big guys,’ not ordinary people like us. Trust me, dear one, you are seated in the heavenlies next to Jesus…it doesn’t get any bigger than that!

Is it possible to sense the emotions of God? Does God have emotions? In the realm of communication with human beings, even ones with reborn spirits who are sons and daughters, God communicates on levels we understand. We understand love, compassion, anger, jealousy, joy, grief, fear or holy reverence…we weep and we laugh! So, the Lord uses all those emotions to communicate His will.

And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” Mark 3:5 NKJV

Jesus, who was all love, was moved with holy anger and grief to speak this prophetic word that delivered the believer. Jesus released the sword of the Spirit with the emotions that He felt in His spirit coming from Holy Spirit. Perhaps the followup question to ‘what would Jesus do?’ is ‘How does Jesus feel about this….?’ There’s times when I’m casting out demons that I FEEL ten feet tall with the hammer of God in my hands. I call it the John Wayne (google him) anointing…“Come out or I’m coming in after ya!” You can access my JW anointing, even you sisters, if you need it. Just go get ‘em!

 With a sense of God’s emotions working in you, the Lord will put the strength in your soul to deliver the spoken word that meets the need in that situation.

“Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped… Josh 10:12-13 NKJV

The Lord created the universe with the power of His spoken word. His prophetic word even in our hands still runs the creation. You ought to check out Dutch Sheets on Youtube – GIVE HIM FIFTEEN – where he’s done some wonderful teaching on priestly and kingly decrees, which had absolutely nothing to do with what I’m teaching now…they just nicely coincided. Practice every day to draw out the goodness of God that’s in you and present the Word that He gives you in every situation, whether it’s at work, at home or anywhere in between. The power of prophecy can bring the goodness of God into any place…love you!

Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…