Tag: word of knowledge
A Word of Knowledge!
Scripture reading for February 21: Mark 10
“And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, He began to tell them what was to happen to Him, saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days, He will rise.” Mark 10:32-34
This passage of Scripture describes the disciples and Jesus walking on the road to Jerusalem for the last time. Jesus had already told them on two other occasions that He would suffer and die in Jerusalem and then rise again on the third day. This was not fully understood by the disciples, and they were afraid as the journeyed onward. It is insightful that Jesus walked ahead of them. A good leader goes ahead and Jesus sought to help them by telling them what lie ahead as well. Through prayer and consultation with His Father, Jesus knew in detail the path that He would walk. He understood the mission and the demonstration of love that He would give to bring many souls to salvation and glory.
Jesus gave His disciples a word of knowledge of events to come. He demonstrated that as God, He knew the end from the beginning. He revealed details of the events to come that we know today took place just as He had foretold. Not only that, these events fulfilled Scripture thus proving God’s awesome fore-knowledge. He is comforting these disciples and us as well as He reveals the triumphant resurrection after three days. Our world view is expanded by Jesus’ amazing words of truth.
Have you ever followed Jesus with amazement and fear at the same time? Was there ever a time in your life when someone or God gave you a word of knowledge that calmed your fears? How does this story help you to trust Jesus Christ and His knowledge of your future?
Prayer: I thank You Father, that You know all things past, present and future. Thank You for calming my fears and amazing me at Your understanding and knowledge of details to come. As I call to You in my fear, reveal what I need to walk in faith through my trial. Amen.
A Word from the Lord!
Scripture reading for November 9: Acts 13-15
Wouldn’t it be nice to have God just send someone to tell you what He wants you to know? Have you ever had someone give you a word from the Lord that confirmed something the Lord had been showing you to do? Do you believe that God knows everything and wants to share some of His knowledge with you? These and other questions should set us thinking as we read today’s passages from Acts. God uses people to give words of knowledge and prophesy. Lets look at the principles for using these “words”.
“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hand on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3
In this account of the early church at worship and prayer, we find that the Holy Spirit used one of the prophets or teachers to give a word to Barnabas and Saul. This was not a directive word, but a confirming word. Note that the Holy Spirit had already called them to this work personally previous to this time. This word came during a time of corporate worship and the church obediently responded. They prayed more and fasted and then laid on hands and sent them off on the ministry journey laid out for them by the Holy Spirit. We find that God has prepared the “good works” and all we need to do is respond in obedience. (Ephesians 2:10)
When we get a word of knowledge or prophesy spoken over us, we must always test it in several ways. First, does it line up with what the Lord has been saying already to us? God doesn’t give second-hand mail! Second, does it line up with the Word of God and purposes stated in Scripture? Words must always agree with the written Word of God or at least not be in conflict with the revealed will of God. Next, is the Spirit in you in agreement with that word? Do others with the Holy Spirit agree and bear witness with the word? These tests are important before acting on a word.
God does truly direct His children and sometimes uses others to confirm to us a word. Mary and I experienced this when God spoke to us through two different people about having children in our old age! One of the words was written down and our son reminded us of it years later. It helped us confirm our direction and follow God’s leading! May the Lord direct your life each day by His Holy Spirit! May you learn to properly discern the will of God!
“Do not be afraid!”
Scripture reading for May 12th: Acts 27
Key Scriptures: Acts 27:21-26 “Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to Whom I belong and Whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.””
God likes to encourage His people when they are in the midst of a trial. Paul was a prisoner of Rome, being transported from Caesarea to Rome during the winter. As it got later and later, sailing became more treacherous with the stronger winter storms. Paul had advised the captain not to set sail. Of course, who was Paul to give him advice? They set sail anyway and a terrible storm caused them all to despair of life. After 14 days of constant wind and waves, Paul had an angelic visitor with a word of knowledge. He shared it with the crew and others while boasting on God and His mercy. He spoke out in faith and it happened just as he had been told. The ship was lost but all survived by God’s amazing grace!
Acts 27:43 “But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for encouraging words of knowledge when Your people are in dangerous situations. It is comforting to know that in every situation, You are with us and for us! Use me to give words of knowledge and encouragement as fearful times come.
Proverbs 4:13 “Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.”
Word of knowledge!
Scripture reading for June 2nd: Acts 21
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 21:10-11 “After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'”
Paul received a prophetic word of knowledge concerning what would happen to him when he arrived in Jerusalem. This word was not meant to frighten Paul or the church, but to strengthen them all for the persecution that would surely come to Paul and also to them in due time. The initial reaction of the church was to try and persuade Paul to avoid the journey to Jerusalem. But Paul had already heard from God about this trip. He informed them that he was ready to go and even to die for Christ if this was God’s will.
Observations for over-comers: God uses His people to bring words of knowledge and prophetic utterances to strengthen and encourage believers. Over-comers listen to what God is saying and press on to do His will! “Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:18-19)
A Word of Knowledge!
Scripture reading for November 11th: Acts 13-15
“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hand on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3
In this account of the early church at worship and prayer, we find that the Holy Spirit used one of the prophets to give a word to Barnabas and Saul. This was not a directive word, but a confirming word. Note that the Holy Spirit had already called them to this work personally previous to this time. This word came during a time of corporate worship and the church obediently responded. They laid on hands and sent them off on the ministry journey laid out for them by the Holy Spirit. We find that God has prepared the “good works” and all we need to do is respond in obedience. (Ephesians 2:10)
When we get a word of knowledge or prophesy spoken over us, we must test it. Does it line up with what the Lord has been saying to us? Does it line up with the Word of God and purposes stated in Scripture? Words must always agree with the written word of God or at least not be in conflict with the revealed will of God. Is the Spirit in you in agreement with that word? Do others with the Holy Spirit agree and bear witness with the word? These tests are important before moving on a word.
Mary and I experienced this when God spoke to us through two different people about having children in our old age! One of the words was written down and our son reminded us of it years later. It helped us confirm our direction to adopt our girls! May the Lord direct your life each day by His Holy Spirit! May you learn to properly discern the will of God!
God’s will be done!
Scripture reading for July 1st: Acts 21:1-17
As Paul traveled to Jerusalem, he and his traveling companions made stops to visit the brethren in the churches which Paul had planted. At Tyre, the group stayed with disciples there for seven days. Through the Holy Spirit, they warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:4) However, this did not deter them from traveling on.
When the reached Caesarea, they stayed a few days with Philip the evangelist. Philip was one of the original seven deacons (Acts 6:5) and he had four daughters who were prophetesses. “After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.”(Acts 21:10-11) This caused all the people there and with Paul to plead with him not to go to Jerusalem!
“Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (Acts 21:12-14) Paul knew what the Holy Spirit had told him. The prophecies only confirmed what he knew was the Lord’s will. He was willing to suffer as Jesus had for him and die if necessary!
There are several points to ponder. First, prophesy is not always directive but informative and confirms the will of God. It is also not always good news for our flesh, but is sometimes warning and preparation. We must hear from God ourselves first!
Second, God uses suffering and imprisonment to further His plans and reach people. His servants must be willing to suffer. We can’t always have it like we want it! In the end, we must say “The Lord’s will be done”! It is our privilege to suffer and even die for the Name of our Lord Jesus if that is required! We must be careful that our personal feeling and others opinions don’t sway us from obeying God! God’s will is always best, even if it’s difficult!
Paul’s Gospel!
Scripture reading for June 20th: Acts 13:16-41
The Book of Acts contains over twenty messages from various ministers of the Gospel in the early church. If you are a preacher or like to share the Gospel, it is helpful to study these messages and see how the Holy Spirit inspired these early men of God to share. Their preaching was certainly not ‘ear-tickling’ and often got them into trouble because it stirred up people who were under conviction. It also brought salvation to those who listened!
Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the Holy Spirit on their first missionary journey. As they went to the city of Pisidian Antioch, they went to the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath day. The synagogue rulers invited them to give a message of encouragement to the people. Paul stood up, himself a former Pharisee, and addressed the people who were gathered. In the back was a bench for ‘God-fearing’ Gentiles who were addressed as well. Paul began his message by going back through the Old Testament and recounting Jewish history to show them that Jesus Christ was a descendant of their forefather Abraham and then through King David. This Jesus was the Savior who was promised. (Acts 13:16-23)
Paul then told them the Gospel message that was for them, Jew and Gentile! Jesus Christ was crucified and buried. God raised Him from the dead! He was seen by many who are now witnesses of Jesus Christ. All these events were to fulfill Scripture promises that God had made to Israel! Paul cited Psalm 2:7: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” He also sited Isaiah 55:3 and Psalm 16:10 to prove that Jesus would be resurrected according to the Scripture. “I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.” “You will not let Your Holy One see decay.” (Acts 13:33-35)
Paul concluded his message with an altar call and a warning! “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the Law of Moses. Take care what the prophets have said does not happen to you: “Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you so.” (Acts 13:38-41) (Habakkuk 1:5)
Spiritual direction through a ‘Word’
Scripture reading for November 9th: Acts 13-15
Since God is omniscient, wouldn’t it be nice to have God just send someone to tell you what He wants you to know? God uses people to give words of knowledge and prophesy. Lets look at the principles for using these “words”.
“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hand on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3
In this account of the early church at worship and prayer, we find that the Holy Spirit used one of the prophets or teachers to give a word to Barnabas and Saul. This was not a directive word, but a confirming word. Note that the Holy Spirit had already called them to this work personally previous to this time. This word came during a time of corporate worship and the church obediently responded. They prayed and fasted and then laid on hands and sent them off on the ministry journey laid out for them by the Holy Spirit. We find that God has prepared the “good works”. (Ephesians 2:10)
A word of knowledge or prophesy must always be tested. First, does it line up with what the Lord has been saying to us? God doesn’t give second-hand mail! Second, does it line up with the Word of God and purposes stated in Scripture? Words must always agree with the written word of God or not conflict with the revealed will of God. Next, is the Spirit in you in agreement with that word? Do others with the Holy Spirit agree and bear witness with the word?
God does truly direct His children and sometimes uses others to confirm to us a word. Mary and I experienced this when God spoke to us through two different people about having children in our old age! One of the words was written down and our son reminded us of it years later. It helped us confirm our direction and follow God’s leading! May the Lord direct your life each day by His Holy Spirit!