The Spirit of the Lord moved in and through the prophets as musicians played music to the Lord. As soon as Saul met them, he too started prophesying. God changed him into a different person. God was with him in such a way that whatever his hand did, it went well.
By the way, God says that He inhabits the praises of His people. [2] The Lord has given me visions and prophetic words during moments of whole-hearted worship to Him. Once, when Elisha was asked for counsel by the King of Israel, he told the king, “’Bring me a harpist.’ While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha and he said, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones.’” [3]
The people of Israel did well in the days of Ezra by listening to the prophetic counsel of Zechariah and Haggai. “So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.” [4] Via prophet Zechariah, the Lord Almighty says to us, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” [5]
I was converted to the Lord after He said to me, “Give your life to Me and I will touch many people through you.”
The Lord has kept His promise. And whenever my witness for Christ hits a lull, the Spirit brings to my remembrance the promise of Christ to me, and I pray, “Father, pleased continue to use my life to touch many people for the sake of converting lost souls to faith in Your Son Jesus Christ.”
One day in El Paso, Texas, while walking along a city sidewalk, Sherry was telling me she felt an urgency to call her parents because she thought that they were worrying about us. When we came to a street corner, a man met us. He asked, “Where have you been?” We did not know what to say. He continued, “I have been waiting here for you.” We still did not know what to say. He continued, “The Lord says to you (Sherry) that you need not be concerned about your parents. They are not worrying about you.” Then, he said, “I saw you (Mark) and you (Sherry) with Jesus and many children.” I told him that we did not plan to have children (it was 1983). Then, I asked him where because I believed we were called to China. He replied, “I don’t know. The Lord did not show me that.” Then, he left. Not only did we have four biological children since then. We have also ministered to many children from various cultures and languages.
Paul advised Timothy, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” [6]
The formula Paul gave Timothy to win spiritual battles was: 1) Publicly read, preach, and teach God’s Word; 2) Utilize the gifts given to him by prophetic utterance; 3) Embody with diligence and wholeheartedness God’s Word and gifts, so that people would see his progress; and 4) Persevere meticulously at maintaining Christ-like behavior and doctrine.
Praise be to God for His Spirit and His gifts.
[1] 1 Samuel 10:5-7
[2] Psalm 22:3
[3] 2 Kings 3:15-19
[4] Ezra 3:14
[5] Zechariah 4:6
[6] 1Timothy 4:13-16
No comments:
Post a Comment