It’s hard to believe but tonight, Wednesday the 11th is my 68th birthday and the 31st anniversary of the first prophetic word that Cheryl and I ever received. It was 1992 and I had just graduated from Washington Bible College (now defunct) the summer before with a BA in “Pastoral Ministry”. Important to understand that WBC was a “cessationist” school which taught that many of the sign gifts on the Spirit were phased out by God after the “Canon” of scripture was completed. I was also a full-time associate pastor at a Baptist church in Frederick where I directed and oversaw youth and music ministries. To make long story short, my wife and I were invited to a house meeting where Michael Ratliff was the invited speaker. It was also a very difficult and stressful time in our lives.
I remember the night very clearly because the Lord had given Michael a prophetic message for every Chapter 9, verse 2 in the scripture. I remember looking at Cheryl and saying, “this is gonna take forever”. The next thing I knew, 3 hours had gone by, and Michael had spoken everything that had been on my heart all my life. He then spoke prophetically to Cheryl and I and then closed the night in prayer. We were the only ones to receive a “word” that night. This whole experience reminded me of 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 (ESV)
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”
We were greatly encouraged and built up. More importantly, our theological position on gifts were forever changed as we discovered relationship with Holy Spirit like we never had before.
Suddenly, we knew the Lord in an entirely new perspective; through His actual voice for us and not just through the Bible; so vital because it provides a purpose and a weapon to war with. In fact, the Apostle Paul tells his spiritual son, “Timothy” to do exactly that, to war with the prophetic words that he received; 1 Timothy 1:18-20 (ESV)
“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
Prophecy is a gift the Lord uses to share personal destiny and purpose in an individual’s life. We have had many prophetic words since then but the first word we received has been like the “north star” that has kept us grounded and headed in the right direction amidst at times great conflict and intense warfare.
In fact, receiving a true prophetic word always invites warfare. Satan doesn’t want you to succeed in your God-given purpose. He will throw up obstacles and hardships every step of the way. Discouragement and weariness are constant battles against your soul. The road to fulfillment is strewn with broken relationships and disappointments. Paul also experienced these disappointments. It seems that Hymenaeus and Alexander professed faith in Christ at one point, since it is their “faith” that was shipwrecked. But they refused to follow the dictates of their spirits. They walked according to the flesh and not the Spirit, claiming the name of Christ while behaving like unbelievers. Paul gives instruction to Timothy in his second letter of what to do. 2 Timothy 3:5 (ESV)
“having the appearance (or form) of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
The word avoid is from the Greek word ἀποτρέπω, (apotrepó) and is a middle, imperative command to turn oneself away, to shun the one who has shipwrecked their faith. Why is this so important? Because having relationship with such people robs you of potential power and delays the fulfillment of God’s ultimate purpose for your life. Imagine if Jesus had listened to Peter and not gone to Jerusalem to be tortured and crucified? (Mathew 16) Jesus would have been robbed of the very destiny and purpose that He was sent to earth for, and we would all be lost and without hope. Thus, fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives is all about the choices we make and the people we hang with and let speak into our lives. In almost 47 years of ministry, I have witnessed many who started out on fire for Jesus but associated with “lukewarm” or negative, cynical believers and after a while, their fire went out and they lost their way. Its important that you put people around you who celebrate you, believe in you and God’s purposes in you; that have the same passion for Jesus that you have. Don’t surround yourself with negative people who doubt both you and your calling. We are so thankful for people such as Michael Ratliff (now with Jesus), Graham Cooke, Bobby Connor, John and Carol Arnott, Arthur Burk, Paul Cox, Paul Keith Davis and Neville Johnson (also with Jesus) who God used along the way to build into us as we progressed towards our calling. Some for a season, others for life like Heidi and Rolland Baker, Bruce Allen, Don Potter, Gina Phillips, Karen Austin and Dr Betsy Eads who God is continuing to use to shape and speak into our lives and destiny. As Michael Ratliff said in our first word, “God has invested in you mightily”. I look at all the people we have had relationship with over the years, I must agree. God has also used many people within our congregation to encourage and shape what God has called us to. Again, some for a season and others for life. Such life-giving relationships are key to walking in purpose and calling. Paul was that kind of encouragement for the young pastor of the church of Ephesus, Timothy.
“You must war with the word spoken over your life and stay engaged in your calling”
Timing is also very important in a prophetic word. Only the Lord can bring about His purpose in your life. In our excitement to see things fulfilled, many “Ishmaels” are birthed instead of “Isaacs”. Delay often purifies the heart and motives. The key to seeing a prophetic word fulfilled is “waiting on the Lord” and only doing what He says to do. Never run ahead of the Lord. It has been 31 years since our first word was given and much of it has not been fulfilled yet. Because it is a word about purpose, it may take our whole life for it to be fulfilled. Along the way, the Lord will bring many tests and tribulations in your life to mature you and make your character ready for what He has promised. This truth is consistent with most of the patriarchs in scripture. It took years for God’s purposes to be revealed in their lives. According to the scriptures, many died not seeing them fulfilled for our benefit because apart from us, they were not complete; James 1:2-4 (ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The joy is not in the necessarily the word’s fulfillment but the daily walk and communion with the Lord. The key is learning to overcome every obstacle by thanksgiving, praise and worshipping your way to victory, desiring intimacy with Jesus every day; Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”
If we follow Paul’s instruction, God’s word and purpose will be fulfilled over us. Don’t be fooled by loving the purpose of God more than God Himself. That became the “Church of Ephesus” downfall. (Revelation 2:17). They had lost their first love. Serious? You bet, Jesus said He would remove their candlestick if they didn’t repent and return to love. It’s like loving the ministry more than the Lord. You know you can also love worship more than the One we’re supposed to be worshipping? That was Lucifer’s downfall. Jesus must be the focus and goal of our love and affection.
God’s purposes in your life will be fulfilled as you love Him. Honestly, I truly love Jesus more today than I did yesterday. It’s been 31 years but we’re stilling believing in and the things He has spoken over us that are yet to be fulfilled. I close with these scriptures; 2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
And, Numbers 23:19 (ESV)
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”
The prophetic word shows the destination (Psalm 139). Only God can fulfill it in and through you according to His timing. Therefore, enjoy the journey and don’t get weary in the travel. The longer the trip, the greater the joy when you reach the destination.