Helpful Hints for Getting Started ... continued

Developing the prophetic - Basic Level

It is important to remember that prophecy is given to edify, exhort and comfort God's people, so any prophetic word we bring should fall into one of these three categories. Read what Paul says to the Corinthians to encourage them to prophesy:

1 Cor.14: 1 "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men."

The following section gives some practical steps to take as you begin moving in the prophetic.

Pray - ask God to show you what he's saying.
Desire to prophesy - "But earnestly desire the best gifts." 1 Cor.12:31
Meditate - Psalm 143:5,6 "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I muse on the work of your hands. I spread out my hands to you; my soul longs for you like a thirsty land."
Wait on God - be prepared to wait for God to open something up to you - don't be in a hurry.
Speak in tongues - it edifies our spirit and renews our mind. We pour out our heart to God. It builds up a reservoir inside us and tops up the well within. It releases the anointing.
Expect - believe that God can and will speak to you and that you can hear.

Having taken these steps, God may speak to you in the following ways:

Seeing words - you may see one word and as you wait God clarifies and opens something up leading to revelation.
Still small voice - you may hear a whisper as Elijah did - 1 Kings 19:11-13.
Audible voice - you may hear God's audible voice as Samuel did - 1 Sam.3:1-11.
Scripture - God may bring to your mind a particular verse or passage of scripture.
Sentence - you may receive a sentence or phrase that sticks in the mind.
Dream - having asked God to speak to you, he may do so through a dream in the night - write it down as soon as possible and pray asking him to give you the interpretation of the dream.
Vision - you may see a picture of an object or people - ask God to reveal to you the meaning of what you are seeing.
You may get an impression - an inner conviction, which can be strong or faint. This can be a physical or emotional impression. You may be impressed to pray which can lead to prophecy.
Everyday objects - God may use an everyday object through which to prophesy - Jeremiah 1:11-13. We see the object but God can see differently - we need to ask Him what He wants us to say through the object.

Be willing to share what you think God has said to you with a leader or someone who moves in the prophetic. Be willing to submit what you've received and don't worry if you make a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes but that should not discourage us to continue, rather it should encourage us to learn from the mistake and move on. God wants to use you and it would be a great shame for the body of Christ if you gave up at the first hurdle. It's a privilege to be used in the prophetic ministry, so be determined to remain teachable and submissive as you seek to step out.

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