Not only has the Lord giving the ministry gift of the prophet to the Church, He also said that He would send them forth personally. “Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute.”(Luke 11:49)
This is #5 in our series.
Many Christians today know Jesus as their Shepherd or Pastor, but did you know that Jesus is your Prophet as well? According to the life of Jesus and the scriptures Jesus is Priest, Prophet and King. (Hebrews 7:17-28, Luke 24:19, Matthew 2:2, 21:5)
He is the only man that walked the earth that has held and continues to hold all of these functions or graces. (Through His body.) Not only is Jesus Priest and King, He is also our Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. (Hebrews 3:1, Luke 24:19, Hebrews 2:10, Matthew 4:17, I Peter 5:4, John 3:2)
This is a very important fact to know. Why? Because if we want to embrace Jesus, we need to embrace the totality of all whom He is, not just the parts or functions that we choose to. If we want to totally embrace all of Jesus, this includes embracing and receiving His servants or prophets as well.
The Lord has given the five distinct ministry gifts of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher to the Church. (Ephesians 4:11)
Each of these ministries has been given the charge and responsibility by the Lord to work together as a ministry team to help the saints become spiritually mature. They have also been given the divine grace and ability to teach, train and prepare the saints to do works of service for God, in whatever capacity that He has called each of them to serve Him. (Ephesians 4:12-13, I Corinthians 12:11,18)
There is nothing but stresses when we rely on one man or one woman. Imagine a house built only electricians or plumbers. Continue reading The Prophet, A Ministry Gift To The Church #4
If we asked people in the church and asked them if they believed that there were prophets in the Old Testament, everyone would certainly say yes. Many would respond with Jonah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha and Isaiah to name a few. But if you would ask the same question about whether they believe or thought that there are New Testament prophets today, you would most likely get entirely different results.
If we asked people in the church and asked them if they believed that there were prophets in the Old Testament, everyone would certainly say yes. Many would respond with Jonah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Elisha and Isaiah to name a few. But if you would ask the same question about whether they believe or thought that there are New Testament prophets today, you would most likely get entirely different results.
I have been putting the manual together and a number of people said sometimes I talk better than I write! 🙂 So, here is some thought process of what I am going to be adding for next steps!
I called my daughter last night and my grandson Jacob answered. He wanted to tell me all about his new clothes and his news shoes and how excited he was for school to begin today. I asked him if I could pray for him and he said “yes.” As he said “amen” he began to tell me that Jesus talks to him every day. That He was going to school with him. “I see Jesus every day at school.”
Now let me be very clear. As much as I love Jacob and all my grandchildren, I know Jacob has a child’s side that can cause trouble for him and his mom. He can be stubborn, develop an attitude and more. But if I have learned one thing it is this. His grace is sufficient for Jacob. For me. For you. Continue reading Jacob and Jesus – A Walk With Grace
Yesterday I wrote of the widow Elisha went to, her two sons and the story of the vessels being filled. This is the story of the woman (2 Kings 4:8) who wanted and went to Elisha. This woman was well of, married. She lived in Shunem, a place meaning “uneven.” Previous mentions in scripture indicate this was under the allotment given to the tribe of Issachar. It is also the site of the gathering of the Philistine army against Saul, where he was so frightened he turned to the witch of Endor. It was a farming community through which Elisha passed often. There is a divine “yes” here as the Lord shows you the “have” and the “have not”, the barren and the fruitful, one gave-one received, the married and the widow.
Why is this background important one might ask. The Bible is laden with hidden truths, layers of revelations. Think about it. Not a woman of need, but barren, having no children. Come on! If this was not a set up for God, in a place of unevenness, I do not know what is. A place where the “sons of Issachar” A place where the “sons of Issachar” (Their name means “there is recompense.” Wow!) had been given their reward. The same tribe that God said “And of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.” 1 Chronicles 12:32 (By the way did you see that “all their kinsmen” statement? Huge!) A place that fear had struck. Continue reading The Woman Who Wanted – Constraining The Prophet
Do you see grace…
How you see grace will determine how you walk out life. I see too many who want grace but do not give grace. True grace will not only work in your life, but in your relationships, your circumstances and in your “I don’t feel it times.”
I find that it is not the law of the Bible that causes me consternation or difficulties. The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.1 Corinthians 15:56 It is the ones I keep in my head!
I am not likely to run out and cheat on my wife or kill someone. But I am likely to remember something I might deem superstitious (black cats, broken mirrors, etc.) or a rule for me. “Step on a crack and you’ll break your mother’s back.” Urban legends, old wives’ tales, myths and legends are often the mixture of partial truth. (Was that not how the serpent deceived Eve? Just enough truth to make it credible?) Or in my case I get caught up in “focus” thought process. I “have” to finish this. I have to do the dishes before I relax. Please understand I am not saying there is not value in delayed gratification or completion of tasks or chores. What I am SAYING is this. Anything that controls, creating anxiety or unrest has become a law in your mind and your thinking. It would biblically be considered a stronghold. How many of us never investigated some of the stories well meaning parents* and teachers may have bestowed upon us?
I do not denounce truisms like “early to bed, early to rise, makes a young man healthy, wealthy and wise.” There is value as long as it does not become compulsive or anxiety ridden. I know people who are compulsive givers. Lovers of life with intent in their hearts. But if it causes you issues in other areas of your life (Like home!) or causes you to look down on one who has not given, what truly is the life value of it? And has the “law” you may have set up created sin in your life?
Sin comes in all forms, shapes and sizes. It goes away when we are at rest and allowing Him (Christ) to change us. It returns when we determine to fix something ourselves or live under the pressure of the “law” in our head.
Compulsivity in any manner works against the idea that He(Jesus) can do it. Try not to think about Polar Bears? Did that work? Not usually, because that which we try to avoid we walk right in to. So we end up thinking about Polar Bears. Try not to be anxious about money and you usually find yourself developing methods and thought process to avoid it.
God wants us to not only be free of the Law, but of the laws in our mind as well. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
What are the rules you have made take precedence in your life? Have they made you feel worse about yourself? Do they supersede the peace of God? If you find yourself compulsive, thought driven or addicted to thought processes, consider turning your eyes to Him, the author and finisher of your faith.
*There’s a story about a guy who called his grandmother the first time he cooked a roast. “I did it just like you used to. First, I first lopped of the ends of the roast, then seasoned it, added onions and carrots, and put it in the oven for two hours. It was perfect.”
“You cut off the ends?” she asked.
“Didn’t you?” he countered.
“Only when the roast was too big to fit the pan,” she said.
