As a team we came up with six norms:
1. Pursue Prophetic Lifestyle
2. Cultural Sensitivity
3. Intentionally Being Present
4. Daily Being Filled
5. Bold Obedience to the Spirit
6. Practicing the Power of God
And THANKSGIVING in all things (I had to bring eucharisteo into this!)
Each one of us is responsible for one of these norms, to make sure we cultivate these things into our lives. I am in charge of number one! I love the times when we just pray over each other and encourage each other in family time. We are going to add praying over one another to our routine because it is so important to listen to God on the behalf of others and call out what God is doing and invite them into more of what He has for them.
I am reading this book called Growing in the Prophetic by Mike Bickle and it is full of helpful things about prophecy. I thought I would just share a little about the things that have spoken to my heart.
Prophecy is the testimony of Jesus’s heart for His people (Rev. 19:10). Everyone who is born again is able to function in simple prophecy. It is the will of God and the inheritance of every believer to prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:5, 14:31). The three purposes of prophecy are edification, exhortation, and comfort. One way to do this is to give scripture that the Lord lays on your heart. Let the Holy Spirit move you with scripture, impressions, or visions to encourage others with truth.
I am no one to teach about prophecy, but I do just want to share what I am learning. When you receive a prophetic word make sure you test the spirit, which to me just means pray about it. “Many prophetic words are not guarantees but invitations to cooperate with God. God requires faith and obedience as we work and pray in agreement with what He promises” (165). I love the prophetic, just encouraging others and receiving encouragement, because it really does empower us and give us the confidence to make decisions to live in wholehearted love for Jesus.
My challenge to you is to watch and pray (1 Peter 4:7). Be attentive to what the Spirit is doing and how He is moving in the present moment and also what the Lord is calling you into. My goal is to live a life worthy of my calling by making changes that will usher me into what the Lord is offering me. Let words of encouragement, that are from the Lord, give you the faith to make hard decisions and stand firm in those decisions with endurance.
Jesus’s model of prophesying comes from John 5:19. Jesus did nothing unless He saw the Father doing it. I want to be so caught up with Jesus that everything I do in a day is filled with love and I don’t miss out on a chance to speak truth, to bless someone, or to be moved further into my destiny.
Just today (October 2nd) Rose, a lady we had just met yesterday, was crying on the side of the prayer hut. The Lord was doing something very sweet in her heart and Amie Galloges and I went to pray with her. After worship and prayer, it was time for testimonies. Rose shared last that God used her two sisters to confirm what He was speaking in her heart through a prophetic word. By the grace of God we were right on. I love watching how God uses the body to encourage each other.
You hear from God, so listen! Last thing I want to leave you with:
“God is jealous for intimacy with us, so He will wait patiently until we seek Him before He answers us. He has chosen to give us a dynamic role in determining some of the quality of our life. There are things that God simply will not give us until we walk in faith and obedience. There are blessings that God has chosen to give us, but only if we ask for them. James 4:2 says, You do not have because you do not ask” (177).
Watch, pray, listen, ask, and believe, and obey. Cultivate intimacy and walk out all God has for you, including the small things.
