gifting - a panoramic view of the spirit's work
I have a feeling that this is one of the parts of the website that will have the highest number of visitors.
For some the interest is because they already move in the realm of the prophetic ministry, for others it may be just borne out of a healthy interest to see what is available, to weigh it against scripture and maybe press in for themselves. For others it is sadly a 'compare and contrast' exercise.
It cannot be denied that the issue of gifting is the element that gets a prophetic person noticed. The ability to hear God is no doubt, what gets them noticed. Character issues help sustain that gifting, especially protecting one from pride.
A major problem prophetic ministries may encounter is the consequence of pride; comparing ourselves with others. In comparing or contrasting ourselves with others we rarely make a right judgment, we either elevate them above ourselves, or we elevate ourselves above them! Either way, we elevate someone else other than Christ. Sobering!
Our attention is to willingly be on Jesus alone, He is the hero! Our character develops over time, as does our gifting. It almost seems as if the two are tied together. Grow in character and your gifting may grow with you. It's never the other way around though. We want to do everything for the Glory of God, and that means soberly assessing how we minister in the gifts that He imparts to us, and the way He leads us by His Spirit.
Just because you have a gift of prophecy doesn't mean that you are a prophet and that your own Church will recognise you as one. As you learn about your gifting you and what God really wants you to say and do (as opposed to what some call themselves into!) you will begin to have more joy in fulfilling your call and moving out in faith in the gifts of the Spirit.
We are encouraged to go after the gifts of the Spirit especially to prophesy, because it builds the Church in the most remarkable way. These gifts work in amazing ways at times.
As time permits I want to address some of the ways that God speaks to prophetic people from dreams and visions, to angelic visitations, audible voices, impressions and discernment. God has got so much for us to enjoy in Him, and for some, may the journey start here...
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