The Changing Function of Prophetic Ministry
by Josh Crofton
I'm sure that many of you who are reading this have experienced prophetic ministry in some shape or form in your life. I know that years ago when I first came to Christ, I had the honor of receiving a prophetic word that changed my perception of God, and opened me up to another realm of relationship with Him. God has an interesting way of speaking to us through many different avenues, when God wants to get our attention, He always finds a way to communicate His will, even if were not always looking for it.
Over the past couple of years I have felt the Lord speaking to me about the function of prophets, and prophetic ministry in the church. God has been showing me how much He loves His people, and how He desires to give them wisdom and understanding in the times we are in. All of this is good stuff, but I've also felt the Lord cautioning me not to get in the way of Him speaking to others. You might ask, "what does he mean, get in the way"? Well, let me clarify. God is changing the way we have operated in prophetic ministry, for a long time, people have wanted to hear a word from the Lord and receive insights about the direction of their lives. This is a good and noble desire, God has used many people to build up the body of Christ with their prophetic gifts, but I feel in this season that God is wanting us to hear from Him directly, face to face.
Wait Upon the Lord
I believe this is a very important time to wait upon the Lord. God wants to clearly communicate with each of us, what His desire is for us, He is not wanting us to look to anyone else but Him. I remember how the Lord spoke to me once and said "I don't need another mediator between God and man" (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is more than able to mediate for us, often times we forget that the veil was rent in two and we all have access to the Father through faith in Jesus!
I believe a shift that has taken place in prophetic ministry. God wants to take us into a higher level of operation and accuracy as we continue to express His heart and mind to the church and to the world. We are an expression of Gods will and desire in the earth, motivated by His love. I believe that Prophets are to instigate something real in the spirit, something tangible. Prophets are to deal with powers & principality's of the air, prophets are to stir up a realm of sight and hearing in the atmosphere, so we can hear & see what we could not before. Prophets deal directly with limitations and restrictions that would try to keep you from entering into the unlimited measure of Gods kingdom for your life.
But Moses replied, "are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!" Numbers 11:29 (NIV)
God Likes Interaction from Everybody not Just Prophets
God wants ALL of His people to have continual interaction with Him, but He doesn't want that intimacy to be determined on whether or not you know a prophet, He wants YOU to come into the place He has made available, and have fellowship with Him.
I remember a close friend telling me "beware of anyone who wants to be a prophet to the people" As I thought about this statement, I began to realize how much we all can struggle with a need to be seen, a need to be heard or recognized. Many people today who love God and have a desire to serve Him still have an unsettled need inside to be affirmed in their gift, or to be seen as having worth and possessing value in Gods kingdom. I think many who desire to be PROPHET TO THE PEOPLE do this because they are wounded, and inside have never felt secure in Gods love. God is delivering us from this kind of ministry and healing the heart and soul of those who desire to be free from this trap of the enemy.
In regards to prophetic ministry, prophetic gifts are needed now more than ever in the church, Paul said: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV).
Prophecy is the flame that ignites you to the reality that you have a destiny and a purpose! Do we really need prophecy today? The answer is yes, we need Gods voice more than any other time before. Prophecy should edify you, build you up and exhort you to pursue Gods plan for your life. Prophecy is a weapon that breaks off small thinking and enlarges the plan of God for your life. A true prophet will always compel you to hear Gods voice for yourself, I thank God for true prophetic voices in the earth!
Josh Crofton
