Objective: Activate the power of the written word in prophecy.

Transcription

1 PROPHECY AND WRITTEN WORDS C HAPTER THREE Objective: Activate the power of the written word in prophecy. In 1839, English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote the famous words, The pen is mightier than the sword. Words written down have truly shaped the mindsets of generations and turned the course of nations. Among all written words, none compares with the Bible. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any doubleedged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). God s Word is alive. It radically alters those who hear and choose to do it. The Word itself has the power to penetrate into the deepest part of the 53

2 BASIC TRAINING FOR PROPHETIC ACTIVATION human heart. It is no wonder it is also a powerful tool for prophetic ministry. Perhaps that is why Jesus quoted from Old Testament Scriptures 78 times in His public ministry. The preaching of Jesus is so laced with prophecy that it is difficult, and probably not necessary, to separate the two. It suffices to say that the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ validates the practice of quoting Scripture as a means of prophetic encouragement. Scripture also cites the use of non-biblical or extra-biblical sources for ministry. When Nathan the Prophet was confronting King David, he used a prophetic story, or parable, to prepare the king s heart to receive the word from the Lord. 16 Likewise, Paul quoted a modern poet of the day when ministering to the group at Mars Hill. 17 These examples give us context for using creative writing in all its forms to convey a prophetic word. Prophesying Using Written Words Prophecy Triggered from Scripture Passages Memorizing Scripture is a great way to prepare yourself for prophetic ministry. From what you have memorized, God can quicken your heart to share a specific word with an individual. You can also read devotionally each day, not only to get a fresh word for your own life, but also to equip yourself to minister to others. A Powerful Prophetic Word My lovely wife, Regina, and I received our first prophetic word nearly thirty years ago in a lively revival church in the Greater 16 2 Samuel Acts 17:28. 54

3 Prophecy and Written Words Cincinnati area. The guest speaker that night spoke with a smooth, southern drawl, and wore a crisp suit and power tie. He always started his prophetic words by calling out someone s name and then saying, I have a word from the Lord for you and it is found in the book of Then the classy preacher would progress quoting a significant scriptural passage or promise. After sharing the Scripture, the speaker would begin to elaborate on what God was saying prophetically. Thirty years later, I can truly say, that every word of that first prophecy given to us by this seasoned preacher came true and held a powerful place in our lives. Scripture is a great launching pad for powerful prophetic ministry. Prophecy through Creative Writing Sharing something that you have written requires a lot of vulnerability. Because of this, when people have the opportunity to read something in your presence which you have written, they are usually more open, tender, and caring in how they respond. This vulnerability of the creator and the reader creates a great opening for giving and receiving prophetic ministry. A Prophetic Song Among the towering redwoods of the North Coast of California, I taught at a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base where the buildings were all carved from the local wood giving it the shirelike appearance of a J. R. Tolkien novel. With a crisp ocean fog rolling across the treetops, we settled near a crackling fire to share stories about our prophetic experiences. 55

4 BASIC TRAINING FOR PROPHETIC ACTIVATION One of those stories came from a flannel-clad young man who had composed a story-song about a single mother s struggle with her terminally ill child. Toward the end of the song the young mother cried out to God for help. The young man shared how one day he was eating at a local café in the small coastal village nearby. As he ate, he struck up a conversation with a young waitress whose face mirrored the weariness of her soul. Much to his surprise, the waitress turned out to be living in the exact situation of the song he had written. Before she could elaborate on her personal details, the young man pulled the lyrics out of his folder and let her read the story in song. Though she was not a follower of Christ at the time, when she got to the end of the story, tears were streaming down her face and she began to call out to God. Little did he know that this bit of creative writing was actually a prophetic word that would change someone s life. Prophecy through Written Communication With social networks, , cell phone texting, and the like, we are constantly connecting with people through written communication. Because people in most cultures today are comfortable with this form of communication, it can make a great bridge for delivering a prophetic word. It is so affirming when someone writes to you saying something like, I was praying for you today, and I feel like the Lord spoke something to my heart for you. New Wineskin I received an from a friend containing this word: I saw you at a fork in the road. One road has an old wineskin attached to it and the other a new one. I saw a 56

5 Prophecy and Written Words natural draw to the old wine skin. There s enlargement, an inheritance available for you in this season through this new wineskin. I saw you walking in a holding pattern. Today is the day of decision. I see the word father attached to the new wineskin as well with sources of life sprouting simultaneously. It is not to be confusing to you; it is about fathering. Your fruit in this season is going to begin to self-duplicate and self-represent. You aren t even going to be present and yet, you ll be reaping. Wow! So strong. I see a repositioning of how you think geographically. It is going to be a whole new strategy, maybe with similar tools, but a new end-goal. It s deeper and more mature now. I knew exactly what this word was talking about even though the friend who wrote it had no knowledge of my current circumstance and lived thousands of miles away. These types of written prophetic words can be so encouraging. It is so great to know that you have friends who can hear from God. We want to continue to enlarge our ability to prophetically communicate in creative ways. 57