Category: Teaching

Introduction to the Life of the Biblical Prophet

These days when prophets are so prevalent in the nation we must also understand their role in our lives, church, nationally, and internationally.

These days when prophets are so prevalent in the nation we must also understand their role in our lives, church, nationally, and internationally.

Prophets communicate by God, these go through such breakings and hardness that they cannot compromise the messages they carry.

There are false prophets, whom you can see clearly over cultic churches. I am not speaking of these today.

There are others who are so very dangerous to the Church. These false prophets are not as clear, because they are very deceptive and religious.

The spirit of religion is a deadly spirit — as they claim to represent God themselves and deceive with false words, signs, and lying wonders.

There are immature prophets who prophesy in the flesh, who need more breaking of self and God is able to break them.

Then there are those who prophesy out of their own heart or soul. Both false prophets and immature prophets seek to please their flesh as they think being a prophet brings them fame, glory, and honor.

Hollywood type thinking is NOT the life of a true prophet! God is the only one who deserves all the fame, glory, and honor!

God himself calls and equips the true prophet to that office.

Then there are those who can cause extreme damage — as Balaam — who prophesied for hire.

There are those who speak in Churches, who only say ‘soft words’ and are controlled by the leader(s).

But when a true prophet comes on the scene to bring godly correction and change, when the people cannot control the prophet, these will seek to destroy the prophet’s reputation, character, nature, or even try to kill their body.

Prophets are extremely sensitive to God’s heart. These represent God’s mind and voice.

God must train these prophets to never fear man or man’s opinions. The Fear of The LORD burns within them along with Godly Wisdom.

Many may think prophets seem harsh and unforgiving. But on the contrary, to know a true prophet you learn that they are very human, yet they have a hard outer shell and they love to come aside and prefer spending time with The LORD in prayer, than to be in social gatherings.

True prophets are very human, but these become so strong outwardly in the face of man, and inwardly, they are strong concerning who they are in Christ and what God wants them to do.

However, it isn’t easy for any prophet. The cost isn’t something you would want if you could see into their lives. True prophets cannot fear or impress man.

True prophets seem hard and unmovable, because of the messages they face and carry.

In many cases, they had to learn to say NO to many things that others may have the liberty to say yes to!

Prophets don’t wake up strong, they go through pressure to tenderize them in humility and obedience, so they can be choice vessels God can use. These are deeply rooted, planted by The River of God.

When prophets stand against sin in the Church, or with kings and nations, these may look proud, but it isn’t pride or arrogance that you see; it is actually a high level of confidence and assurance in whom they serve and speak for.

Prophets cannot be moved by man’s opinion or persecution — even if they stand alone. They have God and all of heaven’s resources backing them up, even if they are put into prison for their message.

In this small article, my objective in teaching is not an exhaustive manual on prophets. I am only acknowledging that true prophets are on the scene.

God has raised them up for such a time as this and it is important that you thank God for them.

If you know, meet, or hear of a prophet pray for them and bless them for they stand in the gap for you, your Church, nation, and the nations of the world.

More to come beloved…….

“Surely The LORD GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets,” Amos 3:7 KJV.

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV.

“But he that prophesies speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort,” 1 Corinthians 14:3 KJV.

“And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I The LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream,” Numbers 12:6 KJV.

“Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core,” Jude 1:11 KJV.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

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A Little Further!

In this life there are serious times of trial and decision we all will face. We too must go a little further, alone, to seek God’s Face.

There comes a time when you go as far as you can go with man, as Jesus did when he faced hard trial and in desperation, he was driven ‘a little further,’ leaving behind His loyal friends as He had to face God Himself in His critical life decision.

In this life there are serious times of trial and decision we all will face. We too must go ‘a little further’, alone, to seek God’s Face.

We ask others to pray and we gratefully listen to their counsel. The majority of the time we get the answers we need and receive and are greatly blessed by their ministry.

But there comes a time when we cannot get closure; no matter what we do or how many friends we ask for help. We are greatly unsettled and are vexed, driven to seek God’s Face.

There are serious and critical times that are coming upon us when we must make a decision that affects not only us but others.

Understand this: It isn’t that we don’t benefit from our friends’ prayers and their loving care for us, contrarywise, but we each have limitations as part of the body of Christ and we can only go so far in helping or aiding people.

For example, as a medic on the battlefield finds us wounded and administers first aid in what areas afflicted, these first responders are crucial in helping wounded individuals find good medical attention, pointing them in the right direction.

Medics are limited and work within their expertise. It is these first responders who help prepare transport to other medical facilities which can work on the total restoration of the wounded souls.

A man helps, prays, counsels, encourages as pieces of a puzzle. Each one helps in their particular way giving the measure of light they carry to help along the way. However, there comes a time when WE must find the divine ourselves who has authored our life.

We cannot understand a book well unless we know the author. God has authored our lives and we are to be living epistles seen and read of all men.

A man may read us like pages, but God sees and knows the heart. God created the script and, in our nakedness, we trust for He sees the total picture of us; within and out.

In our wandering desperation to find answers, there are those who carry sustenance within. These are like refreshing pools, pouring cool water over our dry weary soul-refreshing our brow giving us the strength to move on in our quest again.

In our quest for crucial answers, frustrations do come from well-meaning believers and also not so well-meaning folks.

I do believe God uses Christians and sinners alike, to test our hearts and resolve. We must learn the lessons, in keeping a selective small circle of trusted friends/ counselors for intimate, private, personal matters which keep family and personal matters safe.

I believe this is wisdom and part of being in covenant with other believers. We must understand that not everyone has our best interests at heart…..

If we don’t learn about selective prayer partners, we will learn the hard way, as well-meaning and not so well-meaning people leave us exasperated and being pulled in all directions. When we are hearing confusing reports, it’s the time to pull away from everyone and seek The LORD.

Jesus had to do it, and there will be a time when we too must go ‘a little further’ to find that isolated spot to bear our wounded soul alone and seek that major life decision. We must hear from God alone, as no other voice suffices.

When we cannot find closure and our heart and soul are vexed, we must leave behind the well-meaning, even close friends and go ‘a little further’ totally naked before God for God knows everything and He holds our fragmented heart and soul. These serious and critical times will affect us and others based on our decisions.

Some of you feel defeated, drained, discouraged and if known, wish for death! Your reserves are running so low but you keep on going because you cannot separate your facts from fiction. It’s time to go ‘a little further’ and wait and seek God’s Face.

As we mature in The LORD, we learn compassion and we treat others with kindness and compassion. I have learned that sometimes it’s best to just pray and not say. Just nod, or let them know you are praying for them.

God works within us and uses our experiences to aid ministry to others, when our expertise runs out it is best to pray and not say.

In closing, remember, anything that doesn’t lift you up, give you peace, joy, heal you and set you free, reject it, it is from the father of lies.

“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; and saith unto them my soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? Couldest not thou watch one hour: Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The Spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak,” Mark 14:32-38 KJV.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

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Are You Vexed?

Lot was vexed with the evil and abominable practices of Sodom and Gomorrah day by day.

Lot was vexed with the evil and abominable practices of Sodom and Gomorrah day by day.

Due to one man’s prayers, righteous Abraham, Lot was spared from the judgment to come that followed. Lot and his two daughters were spared because righteous Abraham interceded by faith for the wicked city and especially for his nephew and those with him.

It was a personal decision for Lot because even those of his own house, were divided especially his wife as her heart was turned towards Sodom and Gomorrah and her devotion was not for The LORD.

She turned her heart back and became a pillar of salt and Lot and his daughters had to move forward after the loss of their wife and mother.

Just think how many Christians there are that are vexed with the abominable practices in America!

Just think how many are praying!

All of the threats and persecutions of our rights, have pushed us too far!

NO MORE! Stand and hold the line, Warriors of the Cross!

“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished,” 2 Peter 2:7-9 KJV.

“And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto The LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty’s sake. And he said, Oh let not The LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said I will not destroy it for ten’s sake. And The LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place,” Genesis 18:31-33.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

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Words of Wisdom

Don’t look to man for comfort and validation. Look to God, because your answer isn’t found when you regretfully rehash all the events in your life!

“Don’t look to man for comfort and validation.

Look to God, because your answer isn’t found when you regretfully rehash all the events in your life.

Nothing can change your history, but you do have hope for your future when you give your life totally over to God’s Validation!

Once surrendered, you will find such peace and goodness that only comes from the lover of your soul.”

* * * * * * *

“Becoming silent, is a weapon against the enemy!

Holding our tongue when there is a war waged against us is winning!

Though the winds of adversity come and you are troubled on every side… though tossed to and fro by every wind it seems like we will never come out of these foreboding winds and demonic clouds that bring deception and every rouge wind that appeals to the love of the flesh.

Silence is a test. When severe storms come remember who is in your ship and the anchor of your soul.”

* * * * * * *

“You cannot reason with demons so don’t argue.

If the person cannot receive what you are conveying, be quiet, and keep your peace.

The enemy is calling you “sheltered” and trying to say you are out of touch with life and the world when in fact you are praying for your world!

This is a tactic of the enemy to bait you out to argue and beguile you and twist your words, to put the blame on you!

Don’t receive their blame and speak the truth and release them and let them go!

When they argue and put the blame on you it is actually the evil spirit that is talking through the person they mirror who they are to be you!

Don’t receive the blame, shame, game, or guilt! It isn’t about you, it’s about tactics the enemy is using to try and silence you! Give NO more place to the devil!”

* * * * * * *

“As believers, we must learn to walk in the Spirit and not be conformed to what people want, because these that are not of God, OR some can be of God, can pull you away from your steadfastness in Christ.

Put no confidence in an unfaithful person.

You cannot depend or rely on anyone who is fickle and double-minded. People come and go and are led by the desire of the flesh with every wind and popular idea.

They may be all for you one day and against you in the next. Or these will change moment by moment. Take back your sanity and live!”

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

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