By God….

Do you know your calling? Do you know what spiritual gift God has given you? These questions, and knowing the answers to them really do matter. Paul, in writing to the Corinthian church says, “now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts…” (1 Cor. 12:27-31)

Yes, every child of God has a gift and a “place” to glorify God, in the Body-of-Christ! So, finding out “where you fit” and being used by God in His community of believers is an awesome thing to discover. And I encourage you to take some time to consider what drives you, what compels you, what sets your heart on fire when you are spending time in prayer and His Word. Or when you are around other believer’s, what is the Spirit prompting you to speak to someone, or to do somewhere? Or to lead something, etc.

We all have a part. And today I was reminded of the blessing, the burden, and the privilege, of the call by God to be a prophet to this generation. It is true that some people believe it is somehow prideful, or arrogant, or ridiculous to call oneself a prophet. I don’t know. All I know is I see it in the Bible, I see it named, I see it explained, and I see I should desire it. Here it is: “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God;…On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church” (1 Cor.14:1-4). There we go. I know the Lord called me years ago to be a voice into the Church. To build up the Body and to help equip it for ministry. NOW, a prophet in the New Testament and also in the Old Testament is not usually, or even mainly, speaking into the future. The prophet “called forth the voice of God” or in other words, “voiced God’s Word to its generation”. Many times it was a rebuke, a call to holiness, a reminder of Who their God was and who they were as His people. Most often a prophet was a voice of remembrance. A call to “remember”, to take notice of the times, a call to WAKE UP, and a warning during times of lukewarmness. As we see how the Spirit spoke to the Churches in the book of Revelation. So here I am. Along with those throughout this planet who also know the Lord has called them as a prophet, confirmed it, and put a message in their mouth…or in writing, and a fire in their bones, to magnify His name and His Word, and declare His glory. Now, go and find out what the Lord has given you to do with the spiritual gift He has given you. The days are short. The time is now. It is a day to draw near to the Lord with all our heart, and mind, and strength, and it is time to WAKE UP and time to SPEAK UP and time to SHINE the true LIGHT of CHRIST. Build up the Church and plant seeds of hope! AMEN