It’s a brand new year! And here we go again …
It’s that time of the year when all the prophetic words start popping up. I wrote about it last January, and it is still the same this January. At the close of each year and the start of another, we find Christians flocking to services and meetings where speakers will release words for the year.
A quick search on the internet will reveal a lot. And I mean A LOT! … 2018 will be the year of this, and that, and this, and that, … In 2018, God is saying this, and that, and this, and that, …
This all looks and sounds very exciting. For sure, God is always moving and always speaking. But the question is, “What are you doing with all these words?” Also, “What did you do with last year’s prophetic word? The previous year’s?” So what if you uttered ‘amens’ to these utterances? How are you personally responding to what He has declared generally?
Just in case you think that I am against the prophetic … no, I am not. Personally, I have benefited much from the prophetic ministry and I praise the Lord for this precious gift to the Body of Christ. He has used it to guide and direct me all these years, and I am so thankful that we serve a God who speaks to His people. What He said He would do in 2017, He has done. I am definitely looking forward to what He will do in 2018.
Most certainly, we are not to despise prophecies (1 Thess 5:20). We are, however, expected to test all things because “many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Thess 5:21-22; 1 John 4:1). At the same time, we must be careful not to chase after prophets and prophecies that we forget how to hear His voice for ourselves.
In today’s environment of fake news, subjective truth and relativised morality, discernment is greatly needed – not just where world news and events are concerned, but also that which is taking place within the Body of Christ. There are many voices (far too many!) shouting and vying for our attention. At times, it can get quite confusing; chaotic, even. One prophet says one thing, and another prophet says the exact opposite. Who do we listen to?
The straightforward answer is this: We listen to Jesus. He was the Word in the beginning, and He remains the Word for all time [What’s the Word of the Year? Or the Word for the Year to Come?]. As much as we appreciate the prophets, let us not forget that He has given us the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures. Our part is not to get into a prophet-chasing frenzy but to be still that we may read His word and hear His voice. It is what we receive from Him personally and directly that the prophetic is used to confirm and affirm.
In 2018, God will do and move as He pleases and desires; fancy prophetic words and sensational church themes notwithstanding. Promises of breakthrough, of victory, of grace, of favour, of abundance, of wisdom, of love, etc, are already a ‘yes’ and an ‘amen’ in Jesus Christ. If you need a prophetic word to remind you of these, that’s fine. But you don’t have to wait for a prophetic word for these promises to be received. It has always been of faith that it might be according to His grace (Romans 4:16)!
May this encourage you as you step into a new year with Jesus, into all He has prepared for you and yours. I know the Lim Tribe will have new experiences in 2018 as we continue our journey with the Lord. Similarly, there are new frontiers to be forged through the work of Archippus Awakening. Thank you for supporting us, praying for us and cheering us on!
Blessed New Year!
In His love and for His glory!
Henson
One Day At A Time 