| Identifying The Prophet; Ref: Sheryl York | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 29 2006, 01:03 PM (3,351 Views) | |
| Stace4Jesus | Oct 29 2006, 01:03 PM Post #1 |
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What a Prophet looks like.... "Take, my brothers, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience." James 5:10 Most of us know the suffering of affliction, but many of us have to work on the patience part. I myself still need God's help and grace in this area. I personally believe the reference to patience is not always in our personal lives, but with the church, with how we handle rejection, patience with ourselves and even patience with God. A prophet often times wants to live in the future they see and they do not want to wait on the Lord. They seem to want everything yesterday. It can be difficult at times to remember that God's timing is perfect and I really sense that James 5:10 is like a prophetic word to those who walk in the office. Why prophetic? Because it reveals that those who are moving in the gift have suffered affliction, but they are not only an example of suffering affliction they are also to be an example of patience. Black or White~Hot or Cold... Most prophets see in black or white. With a prophet it is either yes or no, black or white, night or day, right or wrong. They will say; that guy is anointed or is not anointed, that was God or it wasn't God. There doesn't seem to be a middle line for the prophet. They can be frustrating to be around at times if you are still feeling your way around christianity because many times they will honestly tell you, "No, that's not the way. You're either for Him or against Him, your either committed or your not committed. You are on fire for the Lord or you aren't on fire for the Lord." They want you to make up your mind right now. Prophets are very conscious of the words that leave their own mouths as well as the mouths of others around them. You often times may find yourself being corrected as they try to help you to understand how powerful your words are. Desire to set the captives free.... A prophet has the desire to set the captives free and to see the hurting healed. They want to see those who have been broken restored, and to see the people who have been abused get healing. If you know someone like that they are probably a prophet. Their motivation is to set captives free in the world and the church. The prophet understands better then any other office the rejection and hurt that often comes even from the church. You will usually find prophets on the highways and byways looking for all the sheep that have fallen along the wayside. They are looking for those who have been rejected, and those who others believe are nobodies. They want to mentor them and see them healed. Prophets have a strong passion and desire to walk up to anyone who is keeping God's people in bondage and say; "Let My people go." Like young David most prophets (unless they are still growing) are bold as a lion and will go places and do things that others would never think of. Rejection.... Rejection is usually the middle name of a prophet. They truly know rejection better than they know anything else in the world. Most times from the day they were born they have been rejected somehow. Sometimes it will come through their own family members and other times it will come from suffering in illness. They usually start out their lives facing rejection. They may not have fit in at school or even at home. They could have been so different that they somehow became the black sheep of the family. They have most likely been kicked out, or left the church for a season. Sadly it is a trademark of the prophetic office. If you know someone is a prophet, just say to them; "You've been kicked out of or left the church haven't you?" They will usually reply with; "How did you know that?" then you can say; "You're a prophet aren't you?" If you are a prophet, the chances are you have left the system for a while, you have rebelled against the religious systems and foundations of the church or you have been thrown out. You know that the bible says that the church is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. You struggle with the desire to be in the church and to be accepted, but once you open your mouth in the assembly or to someone in leadership, it's all over, but the goodbyes. Continual Conflict.... The prophet has usually had alot of conflict with the local church and they need to have it, because it is part of their training. Each time the Lord brings them back changed. They seem to rock the boat and shake things up wherever they go and most times don't even have to try. They open their mouths to say what they hear the Lord saying and people look at them like they are from another planet. If you feel you have never fit in anywhere, even in your own family you are perfectly normal amongst prophets. Difficult life.... Most who are called to the office of the Prophet have had a difficult life. A large percentage of prophets that we have encountered have had some form of abuse, be it mental or physical. The minute the enemy sees a prophet being born he throws everything he can at them. So a prophet has faced a lot of difficulty, not just rejection, but actually abuse as well from the world and those closest to them. Desire to Identify Ministries in Others.... They have a real passion and desire to identify ministries in people. They don't just want to see somebody's potential. They want to say, "You're an Evangelist. You're a Pastor. You're a Prophet etc..." They want to identify the ministry people are called to and often times have a heart to mentor and train people. They want to be the one to release them into there ministries as well. Think in pictures, symbols and scriptures.... Most prophets think in symbols, pictures and scriptures. They often times will use illustrations to explain things. Intercession comes naturally to them. They pray, travail and pray more. Constantly listening for the voice of the Lord. They have a real passion for prayer. NOTE: You will at times find that a prophet has a keen ear to hear for others. They can prophesy to a congregation, to individuals and many may even interpret dreams & visions, but some have a harder time hearing what the Lord is actually saying specifically for them. Prophets spend more time in their prayer closet because they not only seek His face for others, but also must listen more intently for themselves. The Pendulum.... The prophet seems to swing a pendulum. One day he wants to conquer the world, the next day he wants to give up! They are like Elijah who is one minute calling down fire from Heaven and killing the prophets of Baal, to the next running from Jezebel's threats and hiding in a cave wanting nothing more then death. If you have ever found yourself saying; "Lord, I don't want to do this anymore." then you are in the company of prophets. A Heart like the Lord's with Obedience.... "Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure." 2 Peter 1:10 We have found that a heart for God's people is even more important than obedience in being used by God. Certainly there is much trial, difficulty, rejection, persecution and so on that a prophet faces, but the heart is the key. If you read the book of Jonah you see a man called by God for a great purpose, but he really needed a heart transplant. A Prophet must have the heart of the Lord. You must be able to walk in love, forgive quickly and keep going no matter where the Lord sends you. I feel the book of Jonah proves that God will use you even if you have some growing to do, but if you never get a revelation of His heart for His people and care more for others then you do for yourself, God may not use you again. Jonah's claim to fame was rebellion and then finally obedience in prophesying over Ninevah, but he did not go on to be one of the great prophets, because God could see that he was not a man after His own heart. One Final Clarification.... Since our on-line outreach ministry began we have had countless letters from people who identify with this page or the prophet as it is stated above. However, I feel it is imperative to make a clarification. Just because you have been rejected, wounded or hurt in a church etc... does not mean you are called to the office of the prophet. The bible distinctly says God wishes that we would all prophesy, but the office is entirely different then just speaking a word once in a while or hearing from the Lord. All people should be hearing His voice as the word says "My sheep hear my voice." What I want to clarify is that you really need to check your heart when reading this page. Look at yourself, your faithfulness to the Lord, your relationships with people and be sure that some of what you have experienced is not just out of a heart of unforgiveness or anger. When I say above that people have probably been thrown out or rejected in the church, what I mean is that because they were in obedience to God and speaking what the Lord told them to through the love of Christ they were rejected as Jesus was. Consider your ways as the Word tells us. Don't automatically call yourself a prophet just because you have been rejected. There may be some things you yourself need to repent for before you can even move on into your own calling and destiny. In His Service & His Love, Sheryl L. York ~ Founder & Administrator http://www.imentoru.com/ID.html |
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2:24 PM Jul 11