Tag: prophet
Set apart from before conception!
Scripture reading for August 3: Jeremiah 1-6
When does life really begin? This debate has been going on in our nation for a number of years. Some say life begins at conception while others say it begins when the fetus is able to maintain life on it’s own outside of the womb. Others say that life begins only after birth. But God’s Word states another truth!
“The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:4-5) This Scripture and others in the Bible indicate that God knows each person before they are formed in the womb! Ephesians 1:4 states that God chose us to be in Christ before the creation of the world! We are more significant than we might think to God and He has a plan for each of us before we are conceived!
Before he was born, Jeremiah was appointed by God to be a prophet. Prophets were to listen to God and then speak His thoughts and Word to people. As he spoke, God promised to be with him and deliver him. I don’t know about you, but if God told me that He would deliver me, I would be asking what I would be involved in that called for deliverance! But when any prophet spoke the Word, it always brought some kind of response. God uses His Word to uproot and tear down, or to build up and plant. (Jeremiah 1:7-9) Prophets often need deliverance from the response of those who hear them!
Next God gave Jeremiah a vision of an almond tree. The almond tree was the first tree to bloom in the spring in Israel and it was watched by all the people as a sign that spring was coming. God spoke to Jeremiah through that vision that God Himself would watch over His Word to bring it to pass. (Jeremiah 1:11-12)
I believe that as we read through Jeremiah God will speak to us about our time and day! Listen closely for God speaking to you and confirming His call. Let Him show you how He has watched over His Word and is still watching over it to bring it to pass. It will revolutionize your faith and daily walk.
Prophetic intervention
Scripture reading for April 8: 1st Kings 20-22
God places us in a family so that we might learn from parents who are older and wiser. God may also place a mate in our life. A mate may be a great blessing or lead us astray. God also sends people to us who will speak the Word of God into our lives. The Old Testament called them prophets. They were sent to give warning, direction, and advice for living God’s way. Heeding their word would result in a victorious life; rejecting their word brought trouble and defeat. Ahab had a pagan wife, Jezebel, who led him astray. Ahab’s attitude made prophetic intervention necessary since he was not following God fully.
1 Kings 20:28 “And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills but He is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.””
In the course of time, God sent another prophet to Ahab with instructions on how to defeat his enemy Ben-Hadad, king of Aram. (1st Kings 20:13) God worked a miracle and the enemy was defeated but Ben-Hadad escaped. God sent another prophet to speak to Ahab a word of action. (1st Kings 20:28) Ahab spared Ben-Hadad’s life and made a treaty with him. God sent another prophet to pronounce judgment.
(1 Kings 20:42-43) “And he said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall be for his life, and your people for his people.'” And the king of Israel went to his house vexed and sullen and came to Samaria.”
Ahab responded with anger and sulking! Out of this attitude, Ahab coveted a neighbor’s vineyard to built a garden for himself. The neighbor, Naboth, refused to sell or trade the family property. Jezebel, his wife, promptly set in motion a plan to get the vineyard through lies and manipulation. Naboth was killed and the vineyard is secured for Ahab. Elijah the prophet pronounced their deaths.
Why do you think God sent all this prophetic intervention and correction? Why was God so gracious and long-suffering with this king and his wife? Has God ever given you prophetic instruction or warnings?
Proclaiming the Kingdom of God
Scripture reading for March 23rd: Deuteronomy 15-18, Psalm 115, Luke 9
Luke 9:1-6 “And He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.”
Through Moses, God spoke prophetically of a coming Prophet, like Moses, Who would speak all God’s Word! The Words of God that were spoken would be the basis of judgment on those who heard but did not receive or heed. When Jesus sent out His disciples, He gave them power and authority to preach the good news and heal the sick and demon possessed. They were to stay where welcomed. If anyone would not receive them, they were to shake out the dust as a witness against them. God’s love and faithfulness bring glory to His Name and Word!
Deuteronomy 18:17-19 “And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And whoever will not listen to My Words that He shall speak in My Name, I Myself will require it of him.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for fulfilling Your Word in sending Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh! Thank You for the calling to preach the Gospel and heal, calling all people to repent and enjoy salvation and healing and eternal life. May Your Name be glorified for Your great love and faithfulness to save the repentant and judge those who reject Your Word!
Psalm 115 :1 “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and Your faithfulness.”
God’s will be done!
Scripture reading for May 12th: 2 Samuel 1-2, 1st Chronicles 11, Psalm 96, 106, Acts 21
Key Scriptures: Acts 21:10-14 “While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.””
Paul was heading to Jerusalem where he knew that persecution and imprisonment awaited him, even possible death. A prophet, Agabus, warned Paul of what would happen to him but God had directed Paul in his mission. His friends tried to dissuade Paul from going, but Paul set his face towards Jerusalem and all agreed that God’s will must be done! Sometimes His will involves suffering, persecution, and eternal life through death!
Psalm 96:3 “Declare His glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to live faithful to Your Word and will, even if it will bring hardship. I believe Your grace is sufficient for every trial and Your will is always best.
Psalm 106:47 “Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name and glory in Your praise.”
The Feast of Tabernacles
Scripture reading for May 13th: John 7:31-53
After delaying His appearance at the Feast of Tabernacles, halfway through the celebration Jesus appeared in the Temple and began to teach there. His teaching amazed many and caused much discussion about who Jesus was. Some tried to seize Him and others put their faith in Him. (John 7:30-31)
It was during this last day of the Feast, that Jesus came to the Temple. “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If any one is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to later receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” (John 7:37-39)
On the last day of this feast of Tabernacles, it was the custom to draw large jars of water from the Pool of Siloam and to pour them out before the Lord, celebrating how Moses brought water from the rock in the wilderness to refresh God’s people. This was done in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah, who would take them to their ‘Promised Land” and provide food and eternal refreshing. In this context, the Jews who heard Jesus would have paid attention. Some thought that they had heard a great prophet, and others thought the He was the Christ. (John 7:40-41)
As we look at this prophetic word from Jesus, we now know that Jesus was speaking of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those who would put their faith in Him as the Messiah. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church and each believer received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4) Out of their mouths flowed a new language of praise to God and power to be witnesses to all the world. This gift empowered the Church to live fruitfully and to be ready for the coming of Jesus Christ at any time.
We are all just passing through this life, the world is not our home! We have been given rivers of living water to bring refreshing to those who will hear! The King is coming soon! Let those waters flow here in this wilderness!
“Who do you say I am?”
Scripture reading for January 24th: Matthew 16, Psalm 18:1-6, Proverbs 4:18-19
The religious leaders were continually looking for ways to trap Jesus. In today’s reading, they ask Him for a sign or a miracle to prove to them who He was. He had been healing the sick and ministering in the miraculous and these “signs” were not sufficient because their hard hearts. His response to their request was sharp, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” (Matthew 16:4) His death, burial and resurrection after three days would be the final and greatest “sign” that the world would have that He was from heaven.
When the disciples and Jesus visited Cesarea Philippi, Jesus had a serious discussion with them about who they thought He was. They had been with him for some time now and seen many “signs” in the miracles and healing that took place whenever Jesus went among the people. They had even done some of these miracles themselves. Jesus questioned them, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)
People had different opinions but Jesus wanted His disciples to know the truth. He called them to be with Him and learn who He was and who His Father was. Peter’s response was dead on! Jesus noted that Peter did not get this from his own fleshly understanding, but His Father in heaven had revealed this truth to Peter. It was this truth that Jesus would use to build His church upon! Jesus was the Messiah and long awaited Savior. He came from His Father, the only Living God. Knowing Jesus as the Son of God was only possible by revelation.
This basic truth is so important for us today. Jesus is building His Church on this truth. It is part of the Gospel message of the kingdom that is revealed to those with humble and teachable hearts. Confession of sin and repentance through faith to Jesus Christ, Son of the living God is the only way to the Father. Who is Jesus to you? Can you confess Him as the Christ?