(October 4, 2009)

God wants us to experience some unique things. God often speaks to us through the Written word. We might read a certain passage five times, but it's only illuminated to us by God on the last time we read it. He also speaks to us through dream, visions, revelations. But, is every dream, vision, revelation from God? No. It's takes discernment. The closer you get to God, the more you'll recognize His voice.

It's not whether God is speaking to us, it's whether or not we're listening. Why is it that the church in America struggles so often to hear the voice of God? It could be that we don't expect His voice. It could be that we're aren't listening. It could be that there are too many other voices that we're listening to. It could be that we don't want to know. It could be that we've been raised in a church where this was something that was never done. The scripture says that He wants us to have relationship over religion.

God invites us to our proper place at the throne and engage those visions and beliefs of God. How often does the Bible say the Spirit spoke...? Did the Holy Spirit only speak in Biblical times or could He be speaking to us now?

We need to be stretched, we need to be engaged for the prophetic realm. The prophetic realm allows God to reveal Himself to us more often. The testimony of Jesus reveals prophecy. If we begin to prophesy, it will allow us to communicate with God and bring others into the conversation as well. When we engage the prophetic, people's lives are changed. It brings in a spiritual harvest.

All of us need to step deeper into the waters of the prophetic. Not all people have the gift of prophecy, but we should still work to step into the prophetic realm. Pastor Chris Jordan said that if God speaks to you and passes all the test of whether it is from God, then ask who the word if for and ask the person who it's for if you can give them a prophetic word. Next, make sure that the prophetic word is done in love and nothing else; avoid negativity. Don't throw out dates, mates, direction or correction in your prophecy; it is for confirmation, not correction. Understand that you are going to make mistakes; the transmission may be perfect, but the receiver may be faulty. Be normal & natural and avoid christianese.

How do we receive a prophetic word? Test the word. God will not contradict Himself. If someone says that something's from God and it contradicts Him, it is not from Him. Does the prophecy give glory to God? If it doesn't go back to God, it's not of God. Then, if it is from God and passes the tests, hold on to it and be patient. Trust that His word will come to pass.

- Jon Bruney