Growing In The Apostolic

Growing in the Prophetic
us off balance and get our eyes off Jesus.” I argued with the Lord more than
once, telling Him of the perils of embracing the prophetic ministry. I was
tempted like many others to just back away from prophets. It seemed that
things would be easier without all the difficulty that comes with the prophetic
ministry. I have fully repented of such wrong thinking and am more resolved
than ever to receive any prophetic ministry that the Lord would send me. I
want all that He will give us, regardless how weak the prophetic vessels are or
how immature the response of the people is to their ministry. I am resolved
to embrace the Holy Spirit’s ministry through prophetic people regardless of
what it costs. I have made several conclusions.
First, I have reminded God many times that my involvement in prophetic
ministry was never my idea. I have said, “God, You got me into this; now You
must give me the direction and defend my reputation as I embrace prophetic
ministry!” We must not expect the Lord to lead the church in a way so that
nothing risky or troubling happens. A ministry that resists the prophetic
dynamic of the Holy Spirit will inevitably end up in a spiritual rut that could
have been avoided.
Second, the outpouring of the Spirit, the prophetic ministry, and the signs
and wonders in nature are clearly a part of God’s agenda for the End Times.
God has ordained that the church needs the input of the prophetic ministry
to stay properly encouraged and focused as well as to minimize unbelief that
plagues so many ministries today. What we have experienced in Kansas City
is only a drop in the bucket compared to the magnitude and the frequency
of the prophetic ministry that is coming to the church worldwide. This will
become more obvious as the Lord’s return draws closer.
Third, one reason we must embrace the prophetic is simply because the
Scripture teaches us to: “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially
that you may prophesy” (1 Cor. 14:1); “Desire earnestly to prophesy” (1 Cor.
14:39); and “Do not despise prophecies” (1 Thess. 5:20). It is easy to despise
prophecies, but we are commanded not to.
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