Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Soo, What if You Don't Get a Prophetic Word

These days, and I assume the days past, we like to know that when we need God to give us an answer on something or point us in the right direction that we'll get a prophetic word.

Granted, God does give us words over our lives, but in this relationship with Jesus is where you will learn to know the will of God rather than wait for haphazard prophetic words.

Don't get me wrong, the gift of prophecy is alive and active and useful, however, it is not God's primary way of helping us know His will.

You know the drill:

1. Humility
2. Confession
3. Transformation
4. Be filled with the Spirit

All this equals the ability and gift of knowing God's will in our lives. For the big things, and the everyday things.

I, like everyone else I know, long for the billboard kind of will revelations. We want God to give us direct messages like the Burning Bush or an Angel by our bedside (even if it would scare the pee out of us!) But how often does God really behave that way? How often have we begged Him for a "sign" only to look to the sky and see the same cloud float over that was there when we lowered our head to pray?

What about the same job problem? Or the cancer? Or the pending divorce?

Why doesn't He just give us what we want!

Bingo.

It usually has to do with what we want.

However, (oh I do love that word) the more we are doing those things above, the more we'll know the will of God. The more that what we want is what He wants. It's beautiful.

Let me show you.

You have made known to me the path of life...Psalm 16:11

The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. Psalm 25:14

We have not received the spirit of the world but he Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:11

But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

...but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. THEN you will be able to test and approve what God's will is... Romans 12:2

And this is my prayer that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best... Philippians 1:9, 10


You see, God is after our transformation into the likeness of His Son in body, spirit and mind. So much so, that if we want to know the will of the Lord He will tell us. We might just have to learn that what we begin to think and what we want to act on IS the will of the Lord.

It doesn't go without some serious devotion, humility, and quieting of ourselves to hear and know. We also must learn to believe that His word is true on this. We can begin to think and act like Christ. We can be moved by His Spirit and have faith that He is who we are following with or without the billboard prophetic moment.

His mode of operation is not billboard moments. Those seem to be reserved for His discretion. Even the great disciples and apostles did things that just seemed best to them. No billboard. No fire. They just went with their gut, which really was the Spirit.

This comes when we are actively and consistently seeking Christ: His love, His guidance, His friendship, His will.

We can know the will of God. He promised. Trust Him.

4 comments:

Mary Jo said...

Good stuff! I know that some people will 'sell the farm' on a word from God but never go and ask Him themselves.

The intimate relationship with Jesus is our best way to know what He wants for us.

I'd rather have him talk directly to me any day of the week than to have to depend on hearing a word from him THROUGH someone else.

(Not that that's bad - but I think you know what I mean)

Natalie Witcher said...

Thanks Mary! I totally agree!

Jesi said...

Great message for me this week! Thank you!

Vikki said...

AMEN! my post today talkied about listened and obeying God voice.... thank you for giving me the scripture for what happened to me this week!