SOURCES OF PROPHECY

MEMORY VERSE: And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3:15

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Gen 6:1-8

The gift of prophecy is manifested when believers SPEAK THE MIND OF GOD, by the INSPIRATION of the HOLY SPIRIT, and not from their own thoughts. There are three ways, the Scripture tells us, in which prophecy ministers to believers: edification (building up), Exhortation (urging on) and comfort (consoling). 1 Corinthians 14:3 says: “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”

Prophecies come from three major sources. Firstly, flesh. A lot of the “thus saith the Lord of Hosts” today emanate from the flesh or are informed by personal agendas. Prophesying from the flesh is not new; the Bible is littered with several examples of men who prophesied as led by their flesh. An example of a prophet who prophesied as led by his flesh i.e. out of jealousy can be found in 1 Kings 13.The Lord sent a young brother to Bethel to prophesy against a particular altar. He gave this brother three instructions: You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came (1 Kings 13:9). On his way back from prophesying, an old prophet met him and shouted, “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.” This naive brother said, "yes sir" and went home with him. On his way home after dining and eating with the prophet, a lion mauled him to death. Beware of any prophecy that is not in line with the Word of God. Please ignore any prophecy to do anything contrary to the Scriptures e.g. marry a second wife. A man of God, with a big financial challenge, was praying sometimes back when a "prophet" turned up at his door and said, "God said I should tell you to buy me a car!" What a prophecy! This man of God at that time was struggling to feed his family. He told the prophet, "Tell God I don't have money to buy you a car". The prophet left in shame. A prophecy to sleep with any man other than your husband before you can conceive is not from God.

Secondly, evil spirits or demons. King Ahab wanted to war against Ramoth Gilead so he gathered 400 prophets to prophesy (1 Kings 22). Verse 6 says: “Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.” Unknown to him, these prophets were inspired by lying spirits (evil spirits). Thank God for men like King Jehoshaphat - a man with the Spirit of Discernment. He asked King Ahab “is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides that we might enquire of him?” You need the Spirit of Discernment to know the sources of a prophecy. Prophecies that come from evil spirits or demons are usually not in line with the Bible. Thirdly, Holy Spirit. Prophesies from the Holy Spirit are always IN LINE WITH THE BIBLE. Prophecies from God are either strengthening, encouraging or comforting (1 Corinthians 14:3).

NOTE: It is still present today, Christians are certainly given words for one another “in the Lord”, of knowledge or wisdom, and such words can be most refreshing and helpful, but there must be a WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT on the part of the person receiving the words, and extreme caution should be used in receiving any alleged directive or predictive prophecy. Never undertake any project simply because you were told to by presumed prophetic utterances or interpretation of tongues, or by a presumed word of wisdom, or knowledge. Never do something just because a friend comes to you and says: “The Lord told me to tell you to do thus and thus!” If the Lord has instructions for you, He will give you a witness in your own heart, in which case the words come from a friend, or through the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a meeting, will be confirmation to what God has already been showing you.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

HANDLING PROPHECY

MEMORY VERSE: Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. Jeremiah 23:16

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 1-4

Who is a prophet? A prophet is someone, actually a mature believer, who speaks the mind of God, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The use of the word ‘mature’ is deliberate. The ministry of prophet is listed as one of the offices to be used to bring the church to maturity. A true prophet will speak out against things that are wrong, whether it makes him unpopular or not. He will draw people to God and not himself. The enemy has counterfeits of all the true gifts, and there are plenty of false prophets in the world. A false prophet is a dangerous person, as he will use his supposed authority to gain wrong influence over people, and keep them in bondage to himself through fear. Jeremiah 23:16 says, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.” The deceiving prophet will not warn the people to turn from that which is wrong (Jeremiah 23:17-22), and usually immorality springs up where there is false prophecy. The deceiving prophet or false prophet will never talk about holiness or godliness.

We should be careful of personal, directive prophecy, especially outside the ministry of a mature and submitted man of God. Extreme caution should be used in receiving any alleged directive or predictive prophecy. Please don’t undertake any project simply because you were told to or by presumed prophetic utterances or interpretation of tongues, or by a presumed word of wisdom, or knowledge. Never do something just because a friend comes to you and says: “The Lord told me to tell you to do thus and thus!” If the Lord has instructions for you, He will give you a witness in your own heart, in which case the words coming from a friend, or through the gifts of the Holy Spirit in a meeting, will be confirmation to what God has already shown you. Your guidance must also agree with scripture. 2 Peter 1:19 says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” The save rule is never proceed until you get confirmation. 2 Corinthians 13:1 says, “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The written Word of God is our guidebook, which we must study well, and is the test of all spoken words. Note the caution of the prophet Jeremiah. He was told by the Lord to buy a piece of property from his cousin Hanameel. He took no action, however, until his cousin came and offered to sell him the property, having no idea what the Lord had already said to Jeremiah. ‘Then’ said Jeremiah, “I knew it was the word of the Lord”. If the prophet Jeremiah, that great man of God, was so cautious, not even believing his own prophecy until it was confirmed, we should be all the more ( Jeremiah 32:6-9). Prophecy is different from inspired preaching. Although preaching is inspired by the Holy Spirit, but in preaching, the intellect, training, skill, background, and education are involved and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Prophecy on the other hand means that the person is bringing the words the Lord gives directly; it is from the spirit, not the intellect.

NOTE: The written Word of God is our guidebook, which we must study well, and it is the test of all spoken words including prophecy.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world

CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GIFTS: A MINISTRY IN PROPHECY.

MEMORY VERSE: Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying. Jeremiah 1:4

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 5-6

We recently looked at the Gift of Prophecy, one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, which can be manifested in the life of any believer. The gift of prophecy is manifested when believers speak the mind of God, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and not from their thoughts. The fact that this gift is manifested in the life of an individual does not mean the individual is automatically a prophet, NO! As far as one has given his life to Christ, one may manifest any of the seven gifts of Holy Spirit – ‘Word of Wisdom’, ‘Word of Knowledge’, Gift of Faith, Gifts of Healings, Working of Miracles, Gift of Prophecy and Discerning of Spirits. However, after the infilling of the Holy Spirit or overflow of the Holy Spirit, any or all nine gifts may be manifested frequently and in power through the life of the believer. (Note: An infilling of the Holy Spirit or Baptism of the Holy Spirit needs to take place before a believer can manifest the Gift of Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues.) As a believer matures in the Lord, certain gifts of the Holy Spirit may be expressed more frequently and effectively through the believer. It is then said that the believer have a ministry in those gifts. For example, when a person needs healing, the Lord can manifest the gifts of healing through any yielded believer to the person who needs healing. This does not mean the believer has a healing ministry. However, as this believer mature, the gifts of healing may be expressed more frequently and effectively through this believer. It is then said that this mature believer has a ministry in healing.

Today, we will look at ministry in prophecy. Since we are still in the Apostolic Age and the ministry of the apostle is still going on today, there are still those with the ministry of the prophet today. Just because the Old Testament prophets often spoke out against social and political abuses, and against priestcraft and the hierarchy of that day, does not mean that every protester and militant campaigner for social just is a ‘prophet’. Also, prophecy does not mainly consist of denouncing evil. It is not what a man says in the natural realm that makes him a prophet; it is the fact that he is moved by the Spirit of God to speak the words God gives him. There are many who love the title ‘prophet’ and as such they call themselves prophet. The fact that one can perform miracle or magic does not mean one is a prophet. What makes a man a prophet or woman a prophetess is that he or she brings the mind of God to people. As such, a prophet or prophetess must be able to hear from God. All the people referred to as prophets (in the bible and today) became prophets when the word of the Lord came to them. For example, Jeremiah 1:4 says: “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,” A real prophet will not find it necessary to announce to others that he is a prophet; he will be known by his ministry. Look at what the bible had to say about Moses, a prophet of God. Numbers 12:3 says, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Moses did not need to print a flyer before people knew that he was a prophet. He didn’t even need to introduce himself as a prophet before people knew he is a prophet. Real prophets don’t need to announce that they are prophets before the people around know. A true prophet of God will naturally minister in the gift of prophecy often.

NOTE: A true prophet of God will be a mature Christian, as his ministry is listed as one of the offices to be used to bring the church to maturity ( Ephesians 4:8,11-16). No person should be allowed to minister as an established prophet in the Church unless he is thoroughly known by the brethren as to his doctrine and his manner of life.

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DON’T PERSONALIZE IT

MEMORY VERSE: Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Numbers 14:28

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Titus 3-Hebrews 3

In our daily devotional titled: ‘Don’t feed the pigeons,’ we said, “Whatsoever a man feeds, grows, and whatsoever he starves of food, dies.” If you want something to grow or die, firstly identify its food i.e. what makes it grow and then feed it, if you want it to grow or starve it, if you want it to die. Take for instance, our human spirit. Its food is praying in tongues, studying the word of God, meditating in the word of God, obeying the word of God, and obeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit. To grow your human spirit to hear from God, you must pray in tongues regularly, study the word of God daily, do the word of God, and obey promptly the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you starve your human spirit of its food, it will literally die. Faith and fear are two entities. If you feed one, the other will automatically die. If you feed your faith through hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), your fear will automatically die. In addition, if you feed your fears by listening to the doctor’s report, your faith will automatically die. Friend, listen to God’s report.

Whatsoever a man strengthens becomes strong and whatsoever he does not strengthen becomes weak. Take for instance your immune system - your body’s system for fighting off disease and illness. If you strengthen it by regularly washing your hands, quit smoking and avoid the company of smokers, avoid alcohol, exercise regularly, eat vegetables, avoid processed food, cut down your sugar consumption and all, it will become strong. If you do not strengthen it, by doing the above, it will become weak. This principle, applies to our relationships with people and God. You can strengthen your relationship with God by regularly talking to Him. The more you pray to Him, the closer He will be to you. In human relationships, communication is a key. If you want to be close to your children, find time to sit and chat with them.

The best way to end a fight is to say sorry. Many marriages would have remained i.e. not end in divorce, if only the parties involved learnt to say sorry. As a husband, learn to say sorry. As an employer, learn to say sorry. Recently, i read in a business journal that apologies aid in the resolution of a variety of legal cases, including wrongful firings, injury cases, and malpractice lawsuits. As a leader, learn to say sorry. Lastly, do not personalize a medical condition or challenges. I hear people say, “Oh my back pain… my head ache has started again… I can’t walk properly because of my dodgey knee…” Friend, that back pain is not yours but the devil’s. That headache is not from God neither is the dodgey knee. Stop claiming what is not yours. Whatsoever you say is what you will get. Numbers 14:28 says: “Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:” It is not your fever but the devil’s fever. Good health is your inheritance. Whatsoever is short of good health is not of God. Confess good health not your back pains. Stop saying “my problems,” it is the devil’s problems; he brought it to afflict you and frustrate you, command him to take his problems and leave your life.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Watch your confessions because what you say is what you will have.

PRAYER: Father, please uproot every tree you have not planted in my life.

Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.

WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED

 Gen 16, Matt 15, Neh 5, Acts 15

Luke 13:12 and when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

BIBLE STUDIES: Luke 13:11-13

God does not make people sick or put them in bondage to test them. James 1:13 says for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man. God does not use trials and tribulations to tempt His children. It is the devil that brings sickness or challenges. He is responsible for every theft, death and destruction, John 10:10. In our bible studies, we read the story of the woman who was bent over and could not fully straighten herself for eighteen years. To bend over for just an hour is very painful talk less of been bent over for twenty- four hours. She was in that position for eighteen years. Many of us do not appreciate the fact that we can stand upright, instead of been thankful we keep complaining to God. The last thing on the mind of this lady was marriage, promotion or financial breakthrough because she was in great pain. Standing was an issue for her, sitting was unbearable, lying down was worse. Asides the constant pain she was in, joy was a strange thing to her. Not only that, she knew unhappiness like the back of her hand. Many look forward to a great future, but this lady look forward to a future of pain because the pain increased with her age. While Jesus was preaching, He saw the lady and out of compassion He called and said “woman thou art loosed”; that marked the beginning of her healing.

There are certain questions we need to answer. Firstly, who said woman thou hath loosed from thine infirmity? It was Jesus. We receive salvation through Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 says for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Acts 4:12 says neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Not only that, all power in heaven and in earth has been giving to Jesus, Matthew 28:18. Philippians 2:10 says that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth , and those under the earth. The only One who can lose what the enemy has tied is Jesus. Luke 11:22-23 says a strong man guards his house and his goods are in peace but when a stronger man than he comes, he overpowers him , takes from him all his armor and divide his spoils. It takes a stronger man to overpower a strong man. Only Jesus can deliver those under the bondage of addictions, sickness e.t.c Secondly, who was the statement directed at? It was directed at a woman facing some challenges. The name of the woman was not mentioned which meant that it could have been anyone. Jesus could have been speaking to either you or me. Thirdly, what was the name of the infirmity or sickness or challenges? The bible did not specify it, which meant that it could have been any form of challenges- challenges in career, in finance , relationship , in business to mention a few. When we replace the word ‘woman’ with our name and ‘thine infirmity with our challenge, it becomes e.g. Jesus said unto him, Olusamuel thou hath loosed from every challenges in 2013. Go ahead and replace the word woman with your name and add whatever challenges you are going through. When you look at it from another angle, it becomes a prophesy “olusamuel thou hath loosed from every challenges”. Remember it is what God hears you say that He will do, Numbers 14:28.

CONFESSION: Your name (Olusamuel) thou hath loosed from every challenges in 2013.