As I announce the title to this message, I’m reminded that Moses told the people in Numbers 11:29 “Would to God that all the LORD'S people would prophesy, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them all”!
To prophesy in the Bible is to speak under inspiration…to declare forth the promises of God—and the intentions of God. His promises of peace and not destruction, promises of grace and mercy, of truth that reveals deception, and of hope that drives away despair, leaders who will do what is just and right in the land, and Salvation and safety for the people. A prophet is an office in the body of Christ, it is an abiding gift, to build up and strengthen the church. But we all can speak as we are inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 18:21"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits". Or death and life are in your words!
Romans 6:23 “To set your mind on the flesh is death, but to set your mind on the Spirit is life and peace”.
There is a song by Bryan & Katie Torwalt, titled “prophesy your promise” Listen to the lyrics…
“I found You in the middle of my mess, You had been there all along, With open arms and open heart, You called me in, And You didn’t hesitate at all, And the lies I once believed, They crumble with the weight of Your truth, And the fear that gripped my heart Is arrested, So that I can see You. When I only see in part, I will prophesy Your promise, I believe You, God Because You finish what You start. I will trust You with the process, I believe You, God. You set a table in the middle of my war, Cause You knew the outcome of it all. When what I faced looked like it would never end, You said, watch the giants fall. Fear can go to hell, and Shame can go there too, Cause I know whose I am God, I belong to You”.
Revelation 19:10 “The Word of the Lord is the spirit of prophecy”. God’s word is already inspired, and God breathed.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.
We are being instructed here, that God’s word produces in us faith, so that we can move into the unknown with confidence that things we cannot see are being formed and shaped by God’s word coming out of our Spirit by the Holy Spirit which is transforming our voices into the creative Roush, or the God breathed word of prophetic substance.
We are familiar with Hebrews 11:1 which states that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence (hypostasis) of things not seen” But let me present you with something you might miss here….
When you can receive this in your spirit, you understand that the reality which you are believing for, in your life, your home, your job, your city, is waiting to be spoken out by the promises of God that need to be come out of your mouth in a consistent and unrelenting persistence, which refuses to give up or quit.
Hebrews 11:1 is not about what faith is, as much as it is about what faith does! It is the very beginning of everything that really matters spiritually, and it originates in the Spirit realm but affects everything in the natural realm in our lives. By saying that it is the "evidence" or in the Greek, “hypostasis” we are actually saying that we have received the "title deed," of the things we hoped for…If then, you hold the title deed, you will begin to talk and act like it is already yours, not like it will some day be yours….
As part of this presentation by Paul, on this “hypostasis” faith, he gives a list of some bible characters who exampled this for us. He points to Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.
When you understand that God has already given you the title deed to what you cannot see, and you begin to speak and act like it, miracles begin to be released to bring it to pass… The children of Israel walked across the Red Sea on dry ground, manna came from heaven, water came out of the rock, enemies were defeated against all odds….The walls of Jericho fell down flat…and there are Gideon, Samson, David and Samuel, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised. God shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, their weakness was turned to strength. Women received back their dead, who were raised to life again.
Hold on to your “hypostasis,” your title deed… for it has great recompense of reward!
As we look at all this, It’s important that we keep in mind, a portion of scripture in James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures”.
We need to grasp this…. When our motive is to honor God, and to serve Him, and to put Him first, these things become our covenant with our God. But when we begin to make it about us and not about Him, we forfeit this principal because James tells us we are asking amiss… or with the wrong motives and desires….
Someone has said “Generally, a person has two reasons for doing something...There is One reason that sounds good, and then there is the real reason”.
The Israelites were told by God that He would bring down the walls of Jericho if they would walk around them 6 days and 7 times on the 7th day. But if you read the story, he told them to march in total silence, because he didn’t want them to speak words that would cancel the victory He was about to give them. God knew the power of the tongue! The 7th day, the 7th time they blew their trumpets, broke the pitchers which hid the torches, and shouted or (prophesied to the walls) and down they came! Marching only worked when they obeyed!
Speaking of motives, A young fellow who worked in an investment house was impressed and very appreciative at the interest his fellow workers took in the news that his wife was going to have a baby. Every day one or more of them would drop around to his desk to inquire: “How’s the wife doing?” “What does the doc say?” “Any news, daddy?” “How many more days till the big event?” What he didn’t know was, the reason for all the interest in his future fatherhood, was really about winning the office bet about the birth date, they had all put money on.
What if we got up every morning and asked ourselves… “Am I doing the things that I truly believe in and am I doing them for the best possible motives”?
God looks on the heart, while others may look on the outward appearance…. There are a lot of metals that on the surface look like gold. Centuries ago, people discovered that unscrupulous operators would take advantage of this to trick people into paying for worthless metal. In order to determine whether gold was genuine or not, scientists devised an “acid test.” The item that is supposed to be gold is rubbed on a black stone, leaving a mark on the stone. Gold is what is called a noble metal, meaning that it is resistant to the corrosive effects of acid. If the mark is washed away when acid is applied, then it is not real gold. If it remains unchanged, the nobility of the gold is proven by the acid test.
The trial our faith, comes to confirm if our faith is in the right things and if our motives are right. Many folks do the right things and say all the right things, but they have motives that will not stand the tests…. 1 Corinthians 3:13 “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is”
The difference between the Powerball faith and the Gospel faith is the difference between luck and trust.
The Powerball is all about luck—and your chances are one in 176 million, which is not very good odds.
The Gospel is all about trust—which is confidence that God will come through, not just for one in 6 billion of us, but for the whole world.
There’s another big difference—With Powerball, one lucky family, or maybe two, experiences salvation, freedom from debt and a change of their lives.
But Gospel faith is not just for one person or one family, although it’s personal for each of us. The Gospel faith is for the whole world, for the salvation of everyone, so that we experience a change in the way the whole planet runs. It’s about justice and righteousness and peace and salvation for all. Everyone’s a winner. Because It’s a sure bet.
When it comes to the lotto, as opposed to the promises of God, There’s a big difference in the math. People play Powerball trying to spend a little to get a lot. Turn $3 into $580 million. Did you know that your odds don’t actually increase the more you play? It’s a myth, because the lottery doesn’t work like chances in a raffle. With lotto, no matter how many tickets you have, your chances are still just one in 176 million.
With God’s promises, the more you invest in faith and hope, the bigger it grows and the bigger the payout. Give it all, get it all and more, full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over!
Begin now, to prophesy God’s word into your world… You can begin with “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven”….
Prophesy a world of peace and justice, for the angel declared “peace on earth good will toward men”. Prophesy the world living together in harmony with God’s design. Prophesy right relationships, security, trust, and fulfillment of God’s intentions in the earth.
And you can know that these are not wild fantasies and lottery dreams—they are the hopes of every generation, the sure outcome of free grace, the covenant of peace and justice and righteousness and safety and salvation from the God who was and is and is to come. For the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill my gracious promise. Thanks be to God!
A young girl, who had never traveled, by train, knew that In the course of the day her train would be crossing two rivers and several wide chasms. The thoughts of that, begin to cause fear in her mind and the more she thought of it, the more fear rose up. As they drew near the *…..first river, the conductor noticed her fear and leaned over, telling her, “You can relax dear, somebody has put bridges for us all the way”. The girl was able to lean back with a long breath of relief and confidence and enjoy her trip.
He had just handed her the “hypostasis,” title deed to her destination!
So, lean back, child of God and prophesy the promises! Declare forth your destination… He has gone before you and built the bridges into your future, so you can arrive at your destination!
How about prophesying John 14:3 He has gone to prepare a place for us, and if He is preparing a place for us, He will come to us and welcome us into it, so that we may also be where He is”…
That’s what Peter did in the storm…. He cried out “It is Jesus”, then he said “Jesus, if that’s you, then let me come to where you are.”
The words we speak will either build us up or tear us down. It will attract our fears or transport us into His promises. Our tongue will either bring blessings or curses upon us—from both God and man—in both the present time and for eternity.
There is great power in your mouth!
We have all heard the stories of how a false witness has condemned people to spend years In prison, even though they were innocent. We have also heard stories of how the right words can give hope to a
suicidal person and turn them from death to life. A slanderer can destroy the reputation of a good person. A wise counselor can steer young people through the perils and vulnerabilities of their youth, and guide them into paths of success. How many lives were destroyed as a result of the words spoken by Adolf Hitler in the 1930s and early '40s?
Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”.
Proverbs 10:11 "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life"
Our words can reconcile people and make peace. Our words can make marriages sweet, families strong, and churches healthy. Our words can give hope to the despairing, help with understanding, and spread the gospel. Our words are the result of what we fill our spirit with. Luke 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart (the spirit) his mouth speaks”.
A critical spirit produces a critical tongue. A self-righteous spirit produces a judgmental tongue. A bitter spirit produces a bitter tongue. An ungrateful spirit produces an unforgiving tongue. But a loving spirit produces a gracious tongue. A faithful spirit produces an accepting tongue. A peaceful spirit produces a forgiving tongue. A trusting spirit produces an encouraging tongue.
So, fill yourself with the promises of God, and that’s what will come out!
One day John Wesley was walking with a troubled man who expressed his doubt as to the goodness of God. He said, “My life has seen so much trouble and turmoil.”
At that moment Wesley saw a cow looking over a stone wall. He said “Do you know why that cow is looking over the wall?”“No,” said the man with furrowed brow and fearful heart.
Wesley said, “The cow is looking over the wall because she cannot see through the wall. To his friend he said, “That’s what you must do with your wall of trouble—look above it instead of standing there staring at it, unable to see all that God has planned beyond.”
Luke said it so well in, Acts 20:32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance (the title deed) among all those who are sanctified”.
Like a hungry child, fill up your mouth so that it just automatically spills out everywhere and to everyone around you! Put so much in your spirit, you can’t contain it all…. And it just keeps spilling out….
Let your mouth be “a fountain of life”… Encourage, more than you correct and criticize. Say something affectionate to a loved one at an unexpected time. Catch someone in the act of being good…Seek to speak words that are “good for building a person up and inspiring.”
In spite of Israel’s failings, short comings and rebellion, listen to how Isaiah speaks forth in line with what God has promised, and not the thing he may have see at the moment….
Isaiah 43:1 “But now, says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
v3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. 4 Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you;
v6 I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth — 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
What if you put your spouse’s name, or your children’s names, or your friend’s and neighbor’s names in there?
You would be prophesying the promises of God not the problem….
Bobby McFerrin sang a cute little song in 1988 that swept the country….
“Don’t worry, be happy”…. Ooh, oooh, oooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh…. Don’t worry be happy….(Here’s some of the lyrics)….
“Here's a little song I wrote, You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry, be happy…In every life we have some trouble, Butwhen you worry you make it double, Don't worry, be happy. (come on, everyone) Ooh, oooh, oooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh…. Don’t worry be happy….
Ain't got no place to lay your head, Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy. The landlord say your rent is late, He may have to litigate. Don't worry, be happy…
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style, Ain't got no gal to make you smile
Don't worry, be happy. Cause when you worry your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down..So don't worry, be happy.. (Everyone now) Ooh, oooh, oooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh…. Don’t worry be happy….”
That song tells us what to do, but not how to do it… What I’m giving you today is how to be Happy!!! PROPHESY THE PROMISES! COME ON… PROPHESY WITH ME TODAY…..
We can prophesy the promise of Hebrews 13:5 “He will never leave you, nor forsake you. 6 So I may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”.
We prophesy the promise of Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for good to those that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose”.
And how about 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind”.
Let’s keep going…Isaiah 59:19 “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him”.
And let’s do Isaiah 61:3 "He has appointed unto them, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."
You are prophesying right now church!!! Let’s keep this going…..
Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…”
Let’s do 2 Timothy 1:12 "For I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep all that I have committed unto him." *…….. One more before we close…. 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God are “Yes in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen is spoken to the glory of God”.
In closing, I declare the promise of 2 Peter 1:2-10 over your life and the lives of those around you….Join me in this powerful Prophesy…..”Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us great and precious promises that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if youdo these things you shall never fail. In Jesus Name!
AMEN, let’s allow the promises of God to shine down and activate His covenant with His people in every situation we find ourselves in. God said it, we believe it, and that settles it!!!!
