The Word Of The Lord

Yesterday I heard a sermon taken from 1 Kings 13 about an old prophet challenging the word of a younger prophet.

 Today at lunch it happened to me.

An old prophet walking by our table recognized the Bishop that I was having lunch with.

They talked a while catching up on ministry things when the word of the Lord came to me.

I told the prophet that he had a green light from the Lord to pursue the ministry that God had given him.

He said, "I don’t receive that."

 I agreed that he could easily build a good case against the word of the Lord by saying such things as,

"Lord, the last time I tried people spoke against me. 

I went into dept. 

I was hurt and the one left holding the bag."

I was extra bold, because I had just been answering a question the Bishop was asked me when this man walked up and sat down.

 The Bishops question was, "What is it that God has called you to do?" 

I surprised myself with this reply, "Encourage prophets"

When the word of the Lord comes to us it will usually increase as we act upon it.

Sometimes it comes in the form of a disturbance within your own soul or spirit and all you can do is try putting it into words.

The old prophet rejected my encouragement because it posed a personal threat to him.

I told the old prophet that he was in a pit and didn’t even know it.

When Jesus called fishermen to become fishers of men, the Bible says, "And they straightway left their nets and followed Him" (Mt. 4:20).

It is always wise to wait upon the lord, but never wise to wait upon circumstances.

Pastor Tilson

***

Some true prophets sell out for personal enrichment.

They become captive and beholden to those who have enriched them and promoted them.

They become accustomed to the good things of life that they would otherwise have not if they remained true and faithful to that which God had originally called them to.

Sure they can still get Words from God and revelation still flows to them and through them, but it has been diminished in it's impact and anointing because of their choice to take the path other than what God had actually called them to.

And they of all people know it!

They know that if they were to stop the charade and step up to what God has called them to it just might not provide to the level of life style they have become accustomed to.

They know it would be a sacrifice of those false things that they were actually never called to.

Jesus speaking of John the Baptist said,

"Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Matthew 11:11


John the prophet 
 
As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: 

   "What did you go out into the desert to see?
 
 A reed swayed by the wind? 

If not, what did you go out to see? 

A man dressed in fine clothes?

 No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.

   Then what did you go out to see?

 A prophet?

 Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

 This is the one about whom it is written: 

"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you."

 John's greatness
 
I tell you the truth: 

Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

   From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 

And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come."

Who was Elijah?
 
Elijah was a prophet when Ahab was king of Israel. 

Elijah did not experience death, but was taken into heaven in a fiery chariot.

 He later appeared with Moses in the transfiguration. 

   Malachi prophesied that Elijah would be sent to Israel hundreds of years later.

 Jesus showed the disciples that Malachi's prophecy referred to John the Baptist. 

The man of God that Tilson shares about above, I believe sold out for the good things of this life.

I really know nothing about the above story other than what you have read.

But it is my sense that this man is indeed a mature prophet of the Lord who will never reach his full potential in the Body of Christ until he gives up the false road he embarked on so long ago.

John was the son of a High priest, Zechariah, who was a son of Aaron and was eligible for the priesthood and all of the fine clothing and good things of this life as such.

But what do we find out about this man of God.

He lived wearing animal skins and ate locusts and honey out in the desert places.

Not exactly the life of a High Priest of his family line that he was entitled to with the respect and honor of the office.

He chose to follow the Lord and do His will.

I pray that the above "old prophet" in Tilson's story gets the wake up call and stops catering to what he has given himself over to.

For he was called to be a voice to the nations!

Not an entertainer telling people things they want to hear and expect to hear...

Do the work of the Kingdom, do the will of the Lord.

For God has given you a green light!

David Sloane 
 http://shekinahfellowship.blogspot.com/