Declaring the Sins of a People: the Prophet’s Plight

Declaring the Sins of a People: the Prophet’s Plight

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”

Isaiah 58:1 (KJV)

     God used to raise up prophets to speak to His people, has spoken through Christ (Heb. 1:1-2) His Son, and speaks to those who truly know and follow Him by His Spirit. However, the gift of prophecy is still used today, but I have found that it often comes through preachers (not “ministers” necessarily, but men who are in tune with God and declare and stand for the truth in the midst of a day and age that lives contrary to the Bible and hostile toward Truth).

       Many pastors are called for at least a season to this prophet role. As they seek God, He brings some hard (stern) messages and lays them on their spirit to preach/declare.  Personally, I’ve been there. I’ve sat down with hopes for a year of encouraging people and hopefully having them be encouraged and happy with me, to like and respect me as I share the Word, but then I get into the presence of God and He gives me the “tough” messages that get me labeled as the spoilsport or downer. The guy that people just want to shut up. Ever been there? A part of you wants to shut up, but you know that God has called you to speak. People don’t like you, but God is not only using you but teaching you that you have to fear and respect Him, not man?

Let’s pray:

Lord, help us to speak and shout when you tell us too, but to be silent when you want us to be. And above all, may we Fear You and not people: may we serve You and not our fear of fitting in. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Precious Promises: Vision

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and

 not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come,

 it will not tarry.”

Habakkuk 2:3

 

     Habakkuk 2:3 declares a great principle for those of you whom God has given a dream, a vision to accomplish: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”

      Lord, instill in me a desire for Your vision for my life and help me by Your Holy Spirit and Your people to tarry and wait for Your perfect timing for its fulfillment. And Lord, if it be not accomplished in my lifetime, but passed on to someone(s) else, I pray that I may rest content that I have fully fulfilled my end and not be ashamed. In Jesus Name, amen.

　

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Precious Promises: Bring forth Treasure New and Old

“Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

Matthew 13:52

    As we are instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven, we have the opportunity to accept Christ. Once Christ is accepted, He gives us Living Water so that we shall never thirst. And this water, turns into a springing well, which we can pour upon others. In the same way, what we have learned we are able to bring out as a treasure: new things and old.

     Lord, help me to bring forth treasure, both new and old, out of the deposits You have built in me through the work of the Holy Spirit.

　

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Precious Promises: A Broken and Contrite Heart

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:          

   a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

Psalm 51:17

 

    Humility. Remember that phrase for it sums up having a broken spirit before the Lord. I remember one day in 6^th grade DVD school that my teacher, Mr. Howe, taught us a little about brokenness. He said that we needed to be careful when we pray for brokenness in others lives. Brokenness is painful for you must be broken apart; however, it does yield precious fruit. Amidst brokenness, we often experience our most intimate times with the Lord. We feel His loving hand and hear His gentle voice much more clearly. We are drawn to His heart.

      Living a life humbly before God where you are an open book, always willing for the Holy Spirit to transform you so that you can be more conformed to the image of Christ is a great desire to have. If that desire is fulfilled, you will probably have to experience brokenness.

      O Lord, help me to offer the sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart to You, O Lord. Help me to be humble and not to pridefully and willfully exalt myself. Help me to be contrite, Lord. In Your Son’s Name, amen.

　

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Precious Promises: Preach from Housetops

“What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.”

Matthew 10:27

 

     What we hear in the secret place, we are to make known to others. The Holy Spirit will teach us as we immerse ourselves in the Word and the Lord’s presence, and out of those sweet times should come our personal ministry. We preach the themes that have been birthed in our hearts through time with the Lord.

      O Lord, forgive me for at times simply declaring a message without pressing in to time with You. Lord, please help me to continue the rest of my days on this earth to declare the messages that You tell me. In Jesus Name, amen.

　

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