God has a way of lining up my past, and my mistakes and regrets with His calling for me in the future. He's just redeeming every part of my life as we go along, and it's the beauty of having a loving and omniscient God.
One of the biggest mistakes that I feel that I've done in my past is something that led me to fall away from God altogether, and that was the time that I went on my own power to serve at a Christian home for the differently abled, namely the reason I had started this blog in the first place. Funny how things come around, and how He works. I can just laugh over all the salvage that He has done in my life. All those times where I went on a limb and did something I would regret for as long as I live. So in my memory of hurt, I had come on my own terms, served on my own strength, dabbled in work politics and work romance which led to my demise and early dismissal. Then it led to cohabitation and my leaving my faith altogether. If there was ever a place to use the words "crash and burn", this was it.
Well, I've come to healing over this whole episode this week, as I was led back to visit under unexpected circumstances. And now that I have prayed for healing, cutting ties, and had grown over these last few years, I can see what a blessing this place is to me. It modelled everything I know and believe in in terms of working in ministry, and everything I would want for what I am called to do in the future. It is my belief that God is calling me to set up a shelter/school somewhere and serve in providing for, loving, protecting and teaching children in bad places. And in view of this task, I had always wondered where I would go to learn all the logistics of doing so, since my training is mostly in teaching.
And so the solution is simple. I would come back to this home for a second chance, and I would serve and learn there whenever I can over the next few years. But this time, on God's strength, at God's time, in God's way. This will be a blessing, I just know it!
--
Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. - Psalm 117
Saturday, 27 February 2016
Dreams, Dialogue & stewardship
Being secure in identity can sometimes lead you in the wrong direction. I wouldn't say wrong, but not right at the time. Lately, it led me to think that "maybe its time to meet someone". So I started meeting people from other churches with the intent of finding someone "special". Long story short, God sent some very clear messages about that, and redirected me once more to the gift of singleness. Which, I gladly take, just needed that extra confirmation that "it's not time yet, so focus". The message came in two prophetic exercises that I was doing in a course called The Art of Hearing God and in a very vivid dream. The two impressions I received through separate people were a stop sign and a red light.
The dream was so vivid that I woke up crying my eyes out this morning, and it was about buying a dog for charity. One of my closest friends tried everything her power to make me buy this dog, because she's crazy about dogs, and this was for a good cause. And, no matter how hard I tried to not get the dog, I ended up getting it, and it was the worst feeling in the world. It wasn't because I didn't want a dog, it was just because it was the wrong dog. I wanted the large breed poodle, and my friend forced me to get an Old English Sheepdog! And the whole process of how she did everything possible to make it happen was a frame-for-frame mimicry of what I have been doing to find a girlfriend, including all the reasoning involved, and as clear as day, the message was "it'll all end in tears". What a horrible friend, right? No, she's a nice gal in real life, it's just the dream depiction that made her horrible.
So God's message came with other revelation. I am in my early 30s, and while I had taken a participant role in the young adults community here at the Vine for a while, God was prompting me to be more. 1 Cor 13:11 comes to mind, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." I have reached the end of my 20s, and I have experienced what it was like, and it's time to look after those who are just entering theirs. Which comes very natural to me, so I have no problems with being intentional about it, and with taking care of community, but it does spell out some changes in attitude and perspective within my own life. A call to no longer reason like a child and to make defining choices about life. For example, I have recently decided to choose joy and life, over pain and suffering as the focus of each day. It was very natural to not want to be happy or motivated when you're constantly under pain, but making this choice now releases me to live despite of pain. A while ago this would not have been possible. So some personal growth is happening, and that is good.
I mentioned that God has been teaching me about prayer, and that He had given me a rule on when I can share about what He speaks to me about, and that was only if a person is already telling me about it. At first, it was difficult, because I was always in a hurry to "use the gift" but I was definitely using it the wrong way. Running off to prove myself useful after hearing the first words. The sort of mistake every intern or apprentice makes, right? Well, after a few months now, it's become a good routine where I just slowly listen, and ask God for clarity every now and then, and in all its ways, it's become an actual Dialogue with God. Which is really amazing, especially since God is answering all my questions, but at His pace and His own timing. Generally, He's very generous with the details when He speaks about others, because He wants my participation, He wants to partner with me in prayerful intercession. It's a new stage of spirituality and I'm loving it. Just to be by His side, no need to rush off, and listen, and respond, ask questions, and listen some more. I feel like I'm at the temple and just listening to my rabbi like any other. It's a new, exciting and yet very calm and wonderful experience. I have learnt much more about practicing my spiritual gifting in this way. On top of which, I've been given the opportunity to finally take the Art of Hearing God course, and it's so rich in helpful information that I need to be taking it more than once. Its basically a course on how to use our gifts for good and not end up hurting and alienating our people. It's a 3-day course, I am still processing it, so I may be back with more insights later.
And that's mostly it. I am job hunting at the moment, looking for opportunities in full-time teaching, or full-time learning since I will be learning for the sake of my calling.
Much love, and blessings.
James
I've also had a good lesson on stewardship recently, and it's simply this: Save so that I can bless. The privilege to bless far outshines the privilege to spend on oneself. So, budget, then wait for a chance to bless. There will be plenty.
The dream was so vivid that I woke up crying my eyes out this morning, and it was about buying a dog for charity. One of my closest friends tried everything her power to make me buy this dog, because she's crazy about dogs, and this was for a good cause. And, no matter how hard I tried to not get the dog, I ended up getting it, and it was the worst feeling in the world. It wasn't because I didn't want a dog, it was just because it was the wrong dog. I wanted the large breed poodle, and my friend forced me to get an Old English Sheepdog! And the whole process of how she did everything possible to make it happen was a frame-for-frame mimicry of what I have been doing to find a girlfriend, including all the reasoning involved, and as clear as day, the message was "it'll all end in tears". What a horrible friend, right? No, she's a nice gal in real life, it's just the dream depiction that made her horrible.
So God's message came with other revelation. I am in my early 30s, and while I had taken a participant role in the young adults community here at the Vine for a while, God was prompting me to be more. 1 Cor 13:11 comes to mind, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." I have reached the end of my 20s, and I have experienced what it was like, and it's time to look after those who are just entering theirs. Which comes very natural to me, so I have no problems with being intentional about it, and with taking care of community, but it does spell out some changes in attitude and perspective within my own life. A call to no longer reason like a child and to make defining choices about life. For example, I have recently decided to choose joy and life, over pain and suffering as the focus of each day. It was very natural to not want to be happy or motivated when you're constantly under pain, but making this choice now releases me to live despite of pain. A while ago this would not have been possible. So some personal growth is happening, and that is good.
I mentioned that God has been teaching me about prayer, and that He had given me a rule on when I can share about what He speaks to me about, and that was only if a person is already telling me about it. At first, it was difficult, because I was always in a hurry to "use the gift" but I was definitely using it the wrong way. Running off to prove myself useful after hearing the first words. The sort of mistake every intern or apprentice makes, right? Well, after a few months now, it's become a good routine where I just slowly listen, and ask God for clarity every now and then, and in all its ways, it's become an actual Dialogue with God. Which is really amazing, especially since God is answering all my questions, but at His pace and His own timing. Generally, He's very generous with the details when He speaks about others, because He wants my participation, He wants to partner with me in prayerful intercession. It's a new stage of spirituality and I'm loving it. Just to be by His side, no need to rush off, and listen, and respond, ask questions, and listen some more. I feel like I'm at the temple and just listening to my rabbi like any other. It's a new, exciting and yet very calm and wonderful experience. I have learnt much more about practicing my spiritual gifting in this way. On top of which, I've been given the opportunity to finally take the Art of Hearing God course, and it's so rich in helpful information that I need to be taking it more than once. Its basically a course on how to use our gifts for good and not end up hurting and alienating our people. It's a 3-day course, I am still processing it, so I may be back with more insights later.
And that's mostly it. I am job hunting at the moment, looking for opportunities in full-time teaching, or full-time learning since I will be learning for the sake of my calling.
Much love, and blessings.
James
I've also had a good lesson on stewardship recently, and it's simply this: Save so that I can bless. The privilege to bless far outshines the privilege to spend on oneself. So, budget, then wait for a chance to bless. There will be plenty.
Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Dance!
When God celebrates over us, He sings and dances in heaven. When we celebrate here on earth, we sometimes tap our feet, jump with joy, or wave our fists in the air. It's all the same, we are made to experience Joy and we are made to Sing, and we are made for Dancing.
From when I was healed of my self-rejection, and self-induced shame, I was freed to dance. And though it took a long time to come out of my shell, I had come to realise that God is pleased with my dancing. It's one thing to celebrate something as big as redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and everlasting love, by standing with one or two hands held up, and another thing altogether to do what we are made for, and that is dancing.
Just so you know. I have labored 3 hard years trying to learn dancing, much shorter than the years I tried to learn to clap to the beat or to sing in tune. I don't have what the world calls "musical talent" because I can't keep a beat, and I can't keep a tune. So what then, do I call dancing? It's mostly just moving the way your body demands to move when it is excited, full of joy and feeling the music. It doesn't have to have waves, steps, popping, specific styles and cultures, no. It doesn't have to please the physical eye. We aren't worshipping one another. If anyone is looking at you during worship, they're looking at the wrong place! No, dancing is just an extension to singing, and it is just what God wants to see in His people. You simply cannot stand in a pew and "celebrate" the Risen King! The second you get into it, your knee will surely hit the pew in front of you, and you will stop short in your celebration. If possible, find a nice quiet space, and just dance!
It doesn't have to be "hot", or "sassy", or anything.. simply put, I'm 100% sure that God has His goofy moments too, and when we go up to see Him, He will surely enjoy dancing with those of us who "cannot dance" in the way that the world expects to see, because our focus isn't on the world. It is on Him!
So I challenge you, brothers and sisters. Don't live up to the world's expectations. Don't judge yourself or reject yourself based on what you think is "appropriate". Think hard on how a child would act upon anticipating Daddy's return. Or simply, watch this video of a real baby waiting for Daddy, and doing a happy dance when he sees Daddy pull into the driveway.
Cuz worship is now. And worship is our audition for our dance in Heaven. So get with it =P And yes, it's thrice as satisfying to shake off the judgement and rejection, and dance than not.
From when I was healed of my self-rejection, and self-induced shame, I was freed to dance. And though it took a long time to come out of my shell, I had come to realise that God is pleased with my dancing. It's one thing to celebrate something as big as redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and everlasting love, by standing with one or two hands held up, and another thing altogether to do what we are made for, and that is dancing.
Just so you know. I have labored 3 hard years trying to learn dancing, much shorter than the years I tried to learn to clap to the beat or to sing in tune. I don't have what the world calls "musical talent" because I can't keep a beat, and I can't keep a tune. So what then, do I call dancing? It's mostly just moving the way your body demands to move when it is excited, full of joy and feeling the music. It doesn't have to have waves, steps, popping, specific styles and cultures, no. It doesn't have to please the physical eye. We aren't worshipping one another. If anyone is looking at you during worship, they're looking at the wrong place! No, dancing is just an extension to singing, and it is just what God wants to see in His people. You simply cannot stand in a pew and "celebrate" the Risen King! The second you get into it, your knee will surely hit the pew in front of you, and you will stop short in your celebration. If possible, find a nice quiet space, and just dance!
It doesn't have to be "hot", or "sassy", or anything.. simply put, I'm 100% sure that God has His goofy moments too, and when we go up to see Him, He will surely enjoy dancing with those of us who "cannot dance" in the way that the world expects to see, because our focus isn't on the world. It is on Him!
So I challenge you, brothers and sisters. Don't live up to the world's expectations. Don't judge yourself or reject yourself based on what you think is "appropriate". Think hard on how a child would act upon anticipating Daddy's return. Or simply, watch this video of a real baby waiting for Daddy, and doing a happy dance when he sees Daddy pull into the driveway.
Cuz worship is now. And worship is our audition for our dance in Heaven. So get with it =P And yes, it's thrice as satisfying to shake off the judgement and rejection, and dance than not.
Saturday, 21 November 2015
REND the heavens 2015
Last night was the end of the REND Worship Conference 2015. And Eddie Ma came and delivered God’s message on what it means to be radical, and why we worship.
I’m still in awe of what has been said and what has been given to me. He came calling, just like Bob and Kimberley Johnson before him, and Philemon Choi before them. “Young men’s visions will fulfil old men’s dreams before they end.” he said. I believe him, because God gave them big dreams, and he gives us, this generation, glorious visions.
So was it a calling? Maybe. For me, it was a timely reminder of what Radical Christianity is about. Real Christianity. Lifestyle Christianity. However you call it. The spiritual warfront. “How can a few radical guys from the dark end of the world strike fear into the heart of the world? The answer is, we are not radical enough. If we responded to God with the same radicality, we would be fulfilling the end time prophecies now.” If we read in Revelations, Christians raise up and go to the ends of the earth, sharing about God fearlessly, with the truth of God’s promises in their eyes and their hearts. That is because they have asked to see and hear and know God’s promises fulfilled, and with that reality in their hearts, they can stand strong against all atrocities. Nothing can stand against our God, whom shall we fear if He is our King?
We are in the end times already. The war has already started. The enemy is gathering troops. If we see this as a war, we can clearly predict what is going to happen very soon. The world is already in chaos. It’s time, brothers and sisters. It’s time to pick up our cross and follow Him. It’s time to go out, soldiers of the Cross, and fulfil what we are called to do.
What are we called to do? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and might. Love your neighbor as yourself. We have always been called to fight darkness with Love, and Love is the only way. What is a radical lover? Eddie Ma says a radical lover stops at nothing to love. I know you are radical, but are you radical in everything that you do? Are you a radical lover of God and of people? Are you radical enough? To die to the cross every time you do anything. Radical in your singing, radical in your dancing, radical in your tithing, radical in your loving. What would it look like if you were to sing as if you were to die for Jesus? What would it look like if you were to give as if you were to die for Jesus? What would it look like if you were to love as if you were to die for Jesus? Is that what you are doing now?
Raise up, my brothers and sisters. It’s time. It’s time to be radical again. The world won’t last, but His love will. And His will. So fix your eyes on Him, and not on this world. Fix your eyes on His promises fulfilled and not on the lies of the enemy. Fix your eyes on how to live radically as a Son and Daughter of God, and not as a son and daughter of this world.
Abide by heavenly rules, and not be blinded anymore. Choose. Choose to live for God, or to live without God. There is no middle ground anymore. If you hear, and understand, you need to make that choice now. The cost is great, living for Jesus. But the cost is even greater, living for the world. Which side will you be on? You have the will to choose, you have freewill. One thing that God made sure to give us. Even when the enemy makes every attempt to tell us that we don’t, we do. So, use it. Make your choice.
Saturday, 31 October 2015
God is Always Talking
Lately, God has been teaching me a new way of praying for others and it's really cool. He urges me to not speak at all, until He shows me in my heart a vision and clarify it to where I can speak of it. And so, I proceeded to pray out of faith for those around me, and needless to say, He has delivered every single time, something that is strongly applicable through visions of beans, saplings, and even tissue. It's amazing how it works!
And just today, I've noticed a pattern. A lot of the time when I am praying, I would thank God for love and for words and state that I will open up for the Holy Spirit to tell me what to say, and even as I was saying these, the Holy Spirit has already placed an image in my heart, and it's amazing as I seek to unfold it. I realised that it is very true. People say that God is speaking all the time, and it's a matter of learning to listen. Yes indeed! He is so eager to speak that He runs ahead and starts speaking out of excitement and love for us, much like when your best friend hits on a topic of great interest to you, you'd shoot forward too.
And so continues my journey to learn more about visions and prayers...
Thanks for reading.
And just today, I've noticed a pattern. A lot of the time when I am praying, I would thank God for love and for words and state that I will open up for the Holy Spirit to tell me what to say, and even as I was saying these, the Holy Spirit has already placed an image in my heart, and it's amazing as I seek to unfold it. I realised that it is very true. People say that God is speaking all the time, and it's a matter of learning to listen. Yes indeed! He is so eager to speak that He runs ahead and starts speaking out of excitement and love for us, much like when your best friend hits on a topic of great interest to you, you'd shoot forward too.
And so continues my journey to learn more about visions and prayers...
Thanks for reading.
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Fulfilment of prophecy
Remember that vision I had in March or so, where I was a sunflower standing near a goalpost, and that was God saying that I would grow to become like those spiritual giants in my fellowship? Well, it's happening right now. I was reflecting on some surprising findings about my growth this year, when I realised "Hey, didn't I have a vision about this before?"
And, I have a new friend to thank for that. I showed her my blog, and the first thing she responded was, "I'm sorry about your condition." I was.. pretty shocked, because as far as I knew, I've been pretty blessed and I've been opened about it. And so.. our conversation went like this:
Her: I'm sorry about your condition.
Me: Huh? What condition?
Her: You know.. the condition that you wrote about?
Me: I have a condition?!
Her: Autism.
Me: Ohhh.. yeah..
And I realised then, and much more these last few days, that.. in fact, I have lived like I had no condition at all. God had been so much of a blessing, and so beautifully awesome that I no longer felt disadvantaged, underprivileged, incomplete.. I felt the opposite. I felt chosen, loved, cherished, blessed upon blessed.. And not only that, I don't feel disabled.. I had completely forgotten it. Now that I think of it, I did have something.. and I did struggle so much with it, but God has been so faithful.. so faithful that I have forgotten how it was like. Can you imagine?
I have a friend who used to be an orphan, and just by looking at her, and the love that God pours down on her, you'd never know, because even she does not feel orphaned. He is Father to orphans, be it physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual. He is Healer to the sick; again, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual. There is nothing He can't complete. He completes us.
So, then seeing that I've come so far, that I've been so constantly fulfilled and filled with joy, that I don't even remember being broken and disadvantaged, I looked for other changes.. and there they were, I realised that people introduce newcomers in our fellowship to me, and I used to think it was just people trying to connect new people to regulars, but it's become more than that. People actually feel loved and welcomed when they spend their first evening with me. I didn't really think of that, I just wanted to love on people and make sure they get connected, because I know what it's like to be left out. For me, this is big because I used to be really bad with meeting new people.
Then my third discovery came nearly at the same time as this last one.. not only are new people coming my way, but other people have been coming to me for advice, comfort, encouragement, and I've slowly come to the realisation that I have taken a leap in Christ, that I have just by experiencing all the joy and love, and relationship with God, that I have grown so much. It's so encouraging, and effortless it seemed. Even though there were times when I had struggled, wrestled, brooded, cried, denied,.. it was all necessary for me to grow into who I am now. And the more I struggled, and the more I lower myself in the face of correction, and the more time I spend going over the basics, going back to God, weeping, crying, laughing, worshipping, soaking (sleeping!), and lately.. dancing.. the closer I get to who God is making me into.
What I realised these last few months is that most people reach a comfortable place in adulthood, and they stay there and defend their mountain. But if we just humble ourselves, and keep breaking habits, keep open minded, open hearted, open handed.. God can bless us so much more. Every time when He breaks our pride at our request, every time He builds us up from the pieces, He adds to us. He shows us a better way. He gives us life. Love. Peace. Joy. Humility. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is the beginning of a fulfilled life.
I've also started to do a media fast. I stopped watching anything that doesn't come with Jesus. That grew to no random youtube videos, no games, no time spent without God, and it's just been really awesome. And to top it off, God brought me to a new place in freedom. Freedom in worship with expression, aka dancing. I have little dancing background, but I can't hold still, I have to move when I worship.. I just have to! It's been super awesome! And that's mostly it.. oh yeah, and I also turned down a very good earthly offer that paid a competitive salary and share options in a very successful startup, in favour of an uncertain future with God. So I'm excited, I don't know what will come, but I intend to work for the glory of the Lord and noone else.
And finally, I'd like to wrap up with a photo of me dancing with angels at a Bethel Worship Night. =) Love you guys, and blessings in Jesus' Name!
And, I have a new friend to thank for that. I showed her my blog, and the first thing she responded was, "I'm sorry about your condition." I was.. pretty shocked, because as far as I knew, I've been pretty blessed and I've been opened about it. And so.. our conversation went like this:
Her: I'm sorry about your condition.
Me: Huh? What condition?
Her: You know.. the condition that you wrote about?
Me: I have a condition?!
Her: Autism.
Me: Ohhh.. yeah..
And I realised then, and much more these last few days, that.. in fact, I have lived like I had no condition at all. God had been so much of a blessing, and so beautifully awesome that I no longer felt disadvantaged, underprivileged, incomplete.. I felt the opposite. I felt chosen, loved, cherished, blessed upon blessed.. And not only that, I don't feel disabled.. I had completely forgotten it. Now that I think of it, I did have something.. and I did struggle so much with it, but God has been so faithful.. so faithful that I have forgotten how it was like. Can you imagine?
I have a friend who used to be an orphan, and just by looking at her, and the love that God pours down on her, you'd never know, because even she does not feel orphaned. He is Father to orphans, be it physical, emotional, psychological, or spiritual. He is Healer to the sick; again, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual. There is nothing He can't complete. He completes us.
So, then seeing that I've come so far, that I've been so constantly fulfilled and filled with joy, that I don't even remember being broken and disadvantaged, I looked for other changes.. and there they were, I realised that people introduce newcomers in our fellowship to me, and I used to think it was just people trying to connect new people to regulars, but it's become more than that. People actually feel loved and welcomed when they spend their first evening with me. I didn't really think of that, I just wanted to love on people and make sure they get connected, because I know what it's like to be left out. For me, this is big because I used to be really bad with meeting new people.
Then my third discovery came nearly at the same time as this last one.. not only are new people coming my way, but other people have been coming to me for advice, comfort, encouragement, and I've slowly come to the realisation that I have taken a leap in Christ, that I have just by experiencing all the joy and love, and relationship with God, that I have grown so much. It's so encouraging, and effortless it seemed. Even though there were times when I had struggled, wrestled, brooded, cried, denied,.. it was all necessary for me to grow into who I am now. And the more I struggled, and the more I lower myself in the face of correction, and the more time I spend going over the basics, going back to God, weeping, crying, laughing, worshipping, soaking (sleeping!), and lately.. dancing.. the closer I get to who God is making me into.
What I realised these last few months is that most people reach a comfortable place in adulthood, and they stay there and defend their mountain. But if we just humble ourselves, and keep breaking habits, keep open minded, open hearted, open handed.. God can bless us so much more. Every time when He breaks our pride at our request, every time He builds us up from the pieces, He adds to us. He shows us a better way. He gives us life. Love. Peace. Joy. Humility. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is the beginning of a fulfilled life.
I've also started to do a media fast. I stopped watching anything that doesn't come with Jesus. That grew to no random youtube videos, no games, no time spent without God, and it's just been really awesome. And to top it off, God brought me to a new place in freedom. Freedom in worship with expression, aka dancing. I have little dancing background, but I can't hold still, I have to move when I worship.. I just have to! It's been super awesome! And that's mostly it.. oh yeah, and I also turned down a very good earthly offer that paid a competitive salary and share options in a very successful startup, in favour of an uncertain future with God. So I'm excited, I don't know what will come, but I intend to work for the glory of the Lord and noone else.
And finally, I'd like to wrap up with a photo of me dancing with angels at a Bethel Worship Night. =) Love you guys, and blessings in Jesus' Name!
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
Learning about Prayer
Hi family, it's been a while since I posted. As you would expect, I've been seeking God in prayer and had been seeking to encourage and bless my fellow Christians with prophetics. Especially, when God does seem to reveal quite a bit to me, I really wanted to peer into my friends', family's and acquaintances' lives in order to offer some insight. Though, as I journeyed towards learning more about the Prophetic Word, or dreams, visions, and knowledge that comes from God, I noticed that there are many around me who are much more prophetic than I am and yet, they have a code that they live by. They don't share prophetic knowledge as often as they receive it. So I went to learn more, and I found out a few basic rules that I need to follow:
1. You must check what you receive with the Bible.
2. You must be accountable to others. (1 Cor 14:32-33, God will correct/confirm you with other people)
And then a checklist:
All revelation must..
* be in line with Scripture
* be helpful to the receiver
* be consistent with God's heart
* produce fruit
* comes with peace in your heart, practical situation confirmation, and actual fulfilment of the received word.
Because if we randomly dish out prophetic word, there is a chance that i) it is not God's will, ii) it is not from God, iii) it is given at the wrong time and circumstance (where they are not meant to know, or will be hurt by it more than helped), and I find that final one a big issue because I have received word before that came with a sharp edge and it hurts and breaks and destroys rather than save and build up and encourage.
And if these weren't enough, I have also learnt that most prophetic word is meant for prayer. God reveals issues that are too big for you to handle, so that you can bring them back to Him and ask Him in prayer to handle them. It sounds very rhetoric, but it's true. God is going places and doing things, and He wants to take us with Him, to train us and to involve us, and that's why like a teacher or a parent, He shares bits and pieces that He wants to teach and trust you with, and let you handle those and see the change that takes place.
Now, other than the basic check list, I noticed that most prophetic people I know also have their own personal arrangement with God. It's a rule that God impresses upon them quite deeply, because God has a special purpose for each of them and wants to use them in a different way. So, I sought for a rule for the longest time.. maybe 6 months of serious, consistent prayer, and one day during worship, He gave me the rule together with a promise and an instant fulfilment/practical confirmation. His rule for me is this:
"If you want to learn how to pray and bless with prophetic insight, then you must do as I say. You must talk to noone and just pray to me, bring these issues to me, cry out to me, and trust me to do what I can do."
Then I argued, "That's cool, but aren't I supposed to be community and love and share with these people?"
He replied, "Yes. So if you really want to encourage these people, stick around, love on them, and wait till they open up and tell you themselves. Then, and only then, can you talk about the issue and what you know with them. Otherwise, just believe in me. Believe that prayer is the best thing you can do."
Instantly following my acceptance of this rule, God followed up with 2 detailed descriptions of what 2 of the people sitting near me were going through, and I knew then that God means business, because He's going to show me even more when I keep quiet and pray to Him alone.
The promise to be able to hear what He hears, see what He sees, become heartbroken over what breaks His heart, and pray just as His heart desires. That is my path right now, the Path of Prayer.
As a result, my prayer life has become richer, my heart compels to pray for more things, big worldly issues, or small day to day issues, because of His promise, and His constant fulfilment in letting me see these visions fulfilled.
1. You must check what you receive with the Bible.
2. You must be accountable to others. (1 Cor 14:32-33, God will correct/confirm you with other people)
And then a checklist:
All revelation must..
* be in line with Scripture
* be helpful to the receiver
* be consistent with God's heart
* produce fruit
* comes with peace in your heart, practical situation confirmation, and actual fulfilment of the received word.
Because if we randomly dish out prophetic word, there is a chance that i) it is not God's will, ii) it is not from God, iii) it is given at the wrong time and circumstance (where they are not meant to know, or will be hurt by it more than helped), and I find that final one a big issue because I have received word before that came with a sharp edge and it hurts and breaks and destroys rather than save and build up and encourage.
And if these weren't enough, I have also learnt that most prophetic word is meant for prayer. God reveals issues that are too big for you to handle, so that you can bring them back to Him and ask Him in prayer to handle them. It sounds very rhetoric, but it's true. God is going places and doing things, and He wants to take us with Him, to train us and to involve us, and that's why like a teacher or a parent, He shares bits and pieces that He wants to teach and trust you with, and let you handle those and see the change that takes place.
Now, other than the basic check list, I noticed that most prophetic people I know also have their own personal arrangement with God. It's a rule that God impresses upon them quite deeply, because God has a special purpose for each of them and wants to use them in a different way. So, I sought for a rule for the longest time.. maybe 6 months of serious, consistent prayer, and one day during worship, He gave me the rule together with a promise and an instant fulfilment/practical confirmation. His rule for me is this:
"If you want to learn how to pray and bless with prophetic insight, then you must do as I say. You must talk to noone and just pray to me, bring these issues to me, cry out to me, and trust me to do what I can do."
Then I argued, "That's cool, but aren't I supposed to be community and love and share with these people?"
He replied, "Yes. So if you really want to encourage these people, stick around, love on them, and wait till they open up and tell you themselves. Then, and only then, can you talk about the issue and what you know with them. Otherwise, just believe in me. Believe that prayer is the best thing you can do."
Instantly following my acceptance of this rule, God followed up with 2 detailed descriptions of what 2 of the people sitting near me were going through, and I knew then that God means business, because He's going to show me even more when I keep quiet and pray to Him alone.
The promise to be able to hear what He hears, see what He sees, become heartbroken over what breaks His heart, and pray just as His heart desires. That is my path right now, the Path of Prayer.
As a result, my prayer life has become richer, my heart compels to pray for more things, big worldly issues, or small day to day issues, because of His promise, and His constant fulfilment in letting me see these visions fulfilled.
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