Prophecy is “one speaking for another”. So a prophetic word from the Lord is the Lord speaking through or by another. He is the Author of what is spoken, not the speaker. For the speaker, it’s the ear, not the tongue, that’s most important. It’s the purity of their heart, not the eloquence of their speech when receiving and giving a prophetic word. 

The Lord speaks prophetically, then. But why? To affirm us as His children and to encourage us in our relationship with Him. To confirm something we have already begun to hear or to see from Him in the secret of our heart. To correct us when we are in error or going astray, not to judge us and put an end to us. The Spirit of Jesus is to change us, not destroy us. To impart to us strength, power, encouragement, even spiritual gifts for what He has called us to do. To predict or to speak of something before it happens. The Lord knows the future.

So what happens after you’ve received a prophetic word? There are several things you can do to help explore those words further: 

1. Write them down as you remember them. We may forget a prophetic word. Having it written down somewhere ensures we have a record or history of God’s action in our lives.

2. Review them as time passes. They are nothing you have to “make” happen, but rather are indications of what the Lord may do. If what you’re going through is discouraging, they will lift your heart. If it is encouraging, they will multiply your hope and joy.

3. Don’t impose a time frame. Whether our inclination is that things will move quick or slow, it’s not wise to declare by when it will happen. The Lord speaks perfectly, we hear imperfectly.

4. Simply decide if you are willing for the Lord to move you somehow. Preparing your heart is about the most important thing you can do. The goal is never to receive a prophetic word, but to know God and His will for your life. 

5. Does it line up with any other things you have seen or heard or are feeling? The Lord will use other things to confirm what He will be doing. An idea that seemed far-fetched will become more and more plausible and even possible.

6. Does it resonate with those closest to you? Is there an affirmation in their heart? Is there a confirmation of something they see in you? What does your spouse think about what has been said?

7. Does it make sense of your gifts and desires? For example: if you dislike and are afraid of blood, a prophecy to attend medical school is likely off the mark.

QUESTIONS: (1) Have you written down prophetic words in the past? If not, start today. If so, why not revisit them today? (2) Have you seen a prophetic word come to pass in your life or in the life of someone you know? How has this helped grow your relationship with God? (3) Has there been a prophetic word that has come to pass but in a different way and at a different time than you imagined?

Pastor Jonathan & Pastor Bill