Receiving prophetic words

We had a guest speaker at our church two Sundays ago. He is Pastor Alex Larsen, a prophet and senior leader from Mt Zion Assembly of God in Auckland, New Zealand.  He released a prophetic word to the church, telling us to arise by taking up the fullness of our anointing and authority because we are the appointed generation for this to happen.  We are to put on the fullness of all that God has provided, leaving nothing undone.  We are to place no boundaries or limitations on what can be done for our own words will become a hindrance.   This was the gist of what was prophesied; the full text appeared in last Sunday's bulletin.  He followed up with a message based on Jn 14:9-14, whereby Jesus said we shall do greater (in terms of rank or level) works because He goes to the Father. 

As in any prophetic word, we have to weigh it; judging it by the lens of God's Word.  No genuine word given should contradict the logos (written Word of God).  The speaker mentioned that he received the word at 5am on that very same day he was to speak at our church.  He wrote down what the Lord impressed upon him.  When our senior pastor shared about God wanting all of us to arise to do His work during exhortation time, the speaker mentioned that he was taken aback because the word he recieved confirms what our pastor has spoken.  When he took over the pulpit, he read the message he had written down earlier.  Only when the word takes root in our hearts, does it become rhema (a word spoken for a specific situation).

The word released is an encouragement for us to take God at His Word, that is, to move by faith and not by sight.  When we begin to confess God's positive words over peoples' lives, we must expect Him to answer in ways beyond our imagination.  However, if we limit God by our own human thinking or start to confess negatively, we hinder God's Spirit from working effectively through us.   So the exhortation is for every member to exercise faith by doing the works of God, whether it is sharing the gospel, praying for others or serving God/people through the various ministries of the church.   When each member of the body functions according to the anointing of God in our appointed area of work, and when we worship and serve God with a whole heart, it would cause the church to grow.  And this would indeed fulfill the words given by another two prophets this year: "There is momentum for multiplication in our church."

Pastor Larsen also prophesied to individuals and couples during and after the Sunday service.  Many of the words spoken were in the form of exhortation, to lift up the spirits of men and women.  I too received a word from him but not on Sunday but just yesterday, at a special meeting where he spoke.  It has been a long time since I received prophetic words.  Looking back at the prophetic words spoken over my life, I could see that it ranges widely in terms of issues prophesied:

1992: Dr Lay prophesied, "The Lord has need of you."
1993: Rev Jacob Kurien prophesied, " ... the Lord called you to be a leader though you did not ask for it ..."
1993: Sis Rebecca Wolf prophesied, " ... the Lord is doing a work in your family ..."
1995: Rev Allen Wilson prophesied, "...We thank you for strengthening him Lord.  The Spirit of the Lord to come on him Father.  We thank you Lord that he will bless young people ... reach out to them ..."
2000: Rev Daniel Matei prophesied, "... I see you with a Bible and teaching, teaching, teaching, teaching people ... The word that the Lord will give to you will be a revelation that you will receive ..."
2002: DGS Dhinakaran prophesied, "You have always been willing my son to work very hard for me.  Very humble.  I like it and I love you.  Be humble. ..."
2011: Pas Alex Larsen, "You have been faithful in the little things ... "

There was another prophetic word received concerning prayer which I couldn't recall by whom; it was given at a special church meeting sometime between 2002 and 2007.  The gist of it was that my prayer style is not the loud and boisterous one but one that is quiet and has effective power.  I can say that many of the words spoken have come to pass and it is good to hear God's commendation that one is faithful and humble (the latter was spoken by two different prophets).  Isn't that what really counts in life?  God wants to see the fruit (of the Holy Spirit) demonstrated in our lives.  Jesus said that we can judge people by the fruits they produce not so much of the works they do (Mt 7:20,22-23).   May we all who name the Name of the Lord be reflectors of His love in this world.  For we could be the only Jesus some will ever see (according to the words of a song).  And do cling on to the true prophetic words you have received; wrestle in prayer over them and allow God to mould your character as He brings about its fulfillment.

Shalom