Gift of Prophecy, Gift of distinguishing between spirits.

 

As Jonathan looked at speaking in tongues last Sunday,

This Sunday theme is on

Gift of Prophecy,  Gift of distinguishing between spirits,

Days of Elijah 

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=ca9LnzJnpjQ&list=RDGMEMMib4QpREwENw3_jAc0YgNw&index=1

Prayer

Lord God, Thank you for the Prophets who heard your voice and you gave them your spirit; For there Is No God like you O God, I lift my voice to give you praise. Help me to look to you when things are hard; help me do things in your strength, especially through days that are filled with the unknown, be with my friends at Chapel, may they know that I am thinking of them now and asking you to bless them.

Be with all who are suffering the effects of the Covid virus. Lord God bring healing to our world. Bless those who are working to bring peace, those who are helping others on land or sea. Bless those I hold dear (especially …Name ……………………..) I ask this prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

"Look to God"-Don' t be discourage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-myC02KhXrY

The Prophet

What’s your mental image of a prophet? For many of us, it’s a caricature of a weather-worn man with long hair and a beard, wearing sandals and a robe, and carrying a placard that reads something like this: “Repent and be saved! Judgment is coming!”

Well, there is some validity to that stereotype. The most familiar prophets are those introduced into our language from the biblical narrative—serious men of the wilderness who probably did wear a robe and sandals.

But what about their message? Warning definitely was the key word. Like many of the other prophets of the Bible, Isaiah preached a message of repentance, judgment, and reconciliation. The reason that virtually all true prophets preached a similar message is that they were sent by God to warn about danger on the horizon.

Compassion and indictment don’t sound like compatible terms. But consider their more simple expression: love and justice. Understood in those terms, they begin to come into balance. Isaiah indicated their balance and their significance when he wrote, “In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—One from the house of David—One who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness” (Isa. 16:5).

This verse gives us a handle on the book of Isaiah. It shows us that this is a prophecy from a God who cares enough for His people to be their judge and—unbelievable as it may seem—even provide for them a Saviour. This Saviour from “the house of David” would eventually bear the entire judgment for their rebellion. God didn’t turn His back and walk away from a rebellious humanity. “In love” He judges and “speeds the cause of righteousness.” How the world needs to know that God loves enough to warn about real danger!

As you consider what Isaiah said about our compassionate God, keep in mind that love and justice are at the heart of all the promises God asked Isaiah to lay before His people. The promises of due punishment for rebellion and disobedience and the promises of eternal peace for repentance both proceed from the same loving heart of God. Throughout the book of Isaiah there are two ways set before mankind: the way of truth, life, and light; and the way of deception, death, and darkness. Our loving Creator, however, pleads with us to choose the way of life. And His message, carried by His prophets, has always been the same: Repent, turn to God, and be saved. This message is even evident in Isaiah’s name, which in Hebrew means “the Lord saves.” That is also the meaning of the name “Jesus” in Greek. So it’s no surprise to find that Isaiah’s book is filled with prophecy about Jesus.

Isaiah is one of the most important voices of the Old Testament. This is a book about a God who promises not to turn His back on His people if they will not turn their backs on Him.

Published by By Our Daily Bread Ministries

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1 Corinthians 12: 7 – 10

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,  and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

The Bible names many prophets, but some of the most significant prophets to remember are:

Abraham, whom God himself calls a prophet (Genesis 20:7)

Moses, the greatest of the Old Testament prophets (Deuteronomy 34:10)

Samuel, who anointed two kings of Israel on God’s behalf (1 Samuel 3:19–20)

David, a king whose Psalms were considered prophetic by the Jews (Acts 2:30)

Elijah and Elisha, who worked miracles and anointed (and denounced) national leaders on God’s behalf (1 Kings 19:15–16)

Jeremiah, who warned Jerusalem’s leaders that Nebuchadnezzar would take the city (Jeremiah 1:5)

Joel ( Acts2; 15 – 19) a prophecy l was recorded by Luke an Apostle of Christ.

In the Bible, and especially in the Old Testament, a prophet has the role of holding people accountable to the God of Israel. They do this through the ministry of prophecy, which has a much broader meaning in the Bible than we’re used to.

What is prophecy?

When you encounter prophecy in the Bible, it usually refers to a message claiming to be of divine nature or origin. Since most of the Bible focuses on the ancient Israelites’ relationship with their God, it makes sense that most of the Bible’s prophecy comes from the same God. These messages come in many forms: dreams, poetry, sermons, and even dramatic physical stunts—like when the prophet Isaiah went nude for three years to signify how the Assyrians would strip and shame the Egyptians (Isaiah 20:3).

There are also “prophetess” or women prophets in the Old Testament:

Miriam ,(Exod. 15:20) claims the Lord “has spoken” through her

Deborah, (Judg. 4:4) says to Barak: “Look, the Lord, the God of Israel, has commanded”

Huldah, ( 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chron. 34:22) “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says:

God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophet's Sons"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGa2K1-rVi0&t=40s

Prophets in the New Testament

Luke presents Anna as a prophetess,  (Luke 2:36).

Anna is led by the Holy Spirit to speak about Jesus “to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (2:38) Simeon who is paired with Anna (2:25–27),

The New Testament

John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:9–14)

Jesus Christ, who was called a prophet before he was resurrected (John 7:40)

Prophecy in the Bible is about the past present and future.

Luke 2 : 22 – 40 this a future prophecy about Jesus and Mary’s heartache.

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”, 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,  you may now dismiss  your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31  which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,   and the glory of your people Israel.” 33 The child’s father and mother marvelled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.  She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

As I look back over over my life, time, and all the events, it has amazed me.

I could not have foreseen how technology would change the world, for instance from answering a phone wired to a wall or asking the exchange to put you through to a number, to carrying a phone small enough to fit on the wrist that can even do banking.

Three years ago if someone had warned me to say there was going to be a pandemic and it will change the way things have been, I think I would have said some thing like “don’t be silly” and laughed.

But through all the turmoil and heartache of Covid 19 God has been there helping the scientists find vaccines in a quick time; volunteers delivering food parcels; retired NHS doctors and nurses going back on duty; the general public giving clapping support, bringing out the best in most people, showing that we can be a caring compassionate nation. It is hard that we are not physically able to worship together yet, but God’s Spirit binds us in unity and love, His message through the blog is reaching many countries, God bless you as you virtually join us. It is good that we can give Him thanks for the prophets of old who spoke His word, and to pray for the prophets of today.

prayer

Lord be with your prophets this day as they hear your words. May I feel my heart being stirred as the Spirit within hears your voice.

As I speak of you to others let me shine with your light. Help me to do your will on earth as it is in heaven. Lead me away from evil and temptation. For I hunger for your word. Give me each day my daily bread . Wash me of my sins Forgive me in the same way as I would like to be forgiven by others. Father God thank you for Jesus my prophet priest and King. Thank you creating me in your likeness, help me to put my trust and faith in you. For yours O God is the kingdom and the power, the glory for ever. Blessed be your most holy name. Amen.

Gift of distinguishing between spirits,

There are prophets that are not from the Lord, false prophets, I witnessed this many years ago.

A lady was 6 months pregnant, Her husband had left her because she had had many miscarriages and stillbirths the strain was too much. The lady was very worried in case some thing went wrong again. So she went to a Church service in her home town, she had never been in a church before, she sat quietly at the back full of worry. Once the service was over the vicar spoke with her, he blessed her, and as she was leaving two women from the church approached her one stopped her and said “ We are God prophets and He has given us a message for you, Your going to lose this baby boy because your sins are many ” They saw the vicar’s wife approaching so they left her. The poor woman broke down in tears, fortunately the vicar’s wife had overheard the women, so she lead the distraught mother-to-be into the room where her husband was sorting out some papers, She explained what had happened. All three were very disturbed by what had been said. The vicar’s wife happened to be a midwife and she took the lady to the hospital for a check up. The baby was doing well, The two women who gave the prophesy were spoken to by the church council and ill feeling between the two women and the congregation became apparent. The women accused the vicar as being from the devil, So the bishop had to be involved . But God had other plans a few months later the the vicar’s wife was busy helping the young lady give birth . The two women were proved wrong in their prophecy and left the church. A healthy little girl was born, bthe church bells rang out and a great celebration was arranged.

A few weeks later the little one was christened. And the mother was made very welcome in the Mothers’ Union.

We must be open to the fact that some prophecies do not come from God but from people. Only by Prayer through the power of the Holy Spirit do we see God’s hand on lives and situations.

In the Bible there is a book titled Nehemiah.

Nehemiah is a cup-bearer to the king of Persia. As a cup-bearer to the king Nehemiah was more than just a waiter. It was his job to taste the kings food and drink to check it was not poisoned.

It was an important position, shown by the fact that he could talk freely with the king, so when Nehemiah hears that the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem are in a bad way he gets permission from the king to go to Jerusalem himself and organises the rebuilding of the walls around the city. His life is a great example of godly leadership and prayer even though the task was far from easy. He witnesses false prophets first-hand.

Nehemiah writes about the situation So we pick up the narrative.

Nehemiah Chapter 6: 1 – 16

6 When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; 3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” 4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. 5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter 6 in which was written:

“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem  says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king 7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.” 8 I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” 9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands. 10 One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” 11 But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” 12 I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me. 15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. Opposition to the Completed Wall 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. In Ezekiel When he prophesied to the bones God breathe spirit breathe gave new life it is that life we must seek Some prophesy to day about when the world will end But We do not know, we are instructed to watch and pray. Prophesy in the book of revelation is about what will happen when the world ends. When Jesus will come again from the clouds. Shining like the sun. looking to past prophecies in the Bible we can learn how Gods speaks and guides us today.

God has spoken by the prophets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSYrl6lFdCA

Prayer

For your goodness and generosity in giving me all l need,
help me to praise you O God.
In every circumstance of life, in good times and bad,
help me to trust you, O God.
In love and faithfulness, with all that I have and all that I am
help me to serve you, O God.
As I speak or write or listen to those nearby or far away,
help me to share your love, O God.

In my plans and work for myself and for others, help me to glorify you, O God.
In every thought and word and deed, by the power of your Holy Spirit,
this week, may I live for you, O God.

Amen

I heard Jesus’s voice asking “ is my Church for saints or sinners?”

What would you do if a drunk beggar came into your Church?

Please watch this link of a drunk beggar who came into a Church in Brazil, he asked the preacher to let him sing.

The congregation start to laugh at him. But things changed.

It goes into English subtitles when the man starts to sing. The words touched peoples hearts. The man seems to sober up. I watched this a few weeks ago and it has stayed with me since.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Udb0pX2jU

Acts Chapter 2: 15 – 19 St. Luke records;  

These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!  No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

 “‘In the last days, God says,  I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,
  your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women  I will pour out my Spirit in those days,  and they will prophesy.  I will show wonders in the heavens above   and signs on the earth below.

At the name Jesus every knee shall bow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI2rKRCWmOU

May the Living God of the Prophets Bless you

May the Breath of God fill you with his Spirit

May the Son of God cover you with His Peace, this day and always. Amen

Every Blessing Susannah.