How do you pray? In general, does it end up something like “Lord…do this, or do that,  I need this, I lack that, Fix this or fix that, Turn this, change that, Stop this, move that, send this, prevent that, Make me into this, or make them into that,” …etc.  Oh, the list can go on with the specifics.  We look at the issues of our lives, our shortcomings, our lack, our need, and despite prayer, we continue to remain unsure of when, how and if God will bring a change.  It seems this is the greatest anxiety upon our hearts.

I believe, 1John 5:14-15 Gives us a clue in how to be confident about our prayers.

¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

From this passage, knowing the will of God and praying accordingly to his will is KEY!  However, when our lives are layered with the opposition of sin, and a spiritual adversary, the inconspicuousness of faith, and complex relationships, circumstances, and personal issues, how then can we truly know the will of God? How can we be certain amidst all the grey lines and uncertainty?   I believe Ephesians 2:8-9 gives us a clue.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Does the highlighted words give you a clue?  The key here is GRACE!  While we may be familiar with Paul’s claim, “Faith without works is Dead” (James 2:14-26), what is evident but not made clear until we cross reference each of these scriptures is that, GRACE embodies the WILL OF GOD in all things and if we focus more on grace instead of the specifics of our circumstance then God’s grace, which is the will of God, will give us just what we need, not by our works but as a GIFT FROM GOD.

Too often we focus our prayer of faith on a specific thing and should that thing not happen (or happen in the way we planned), we end up disappointed and believing God didn’t answer our prayer, when in fact, we just needed to know his will.  Praying specifics is not a bad thing; I’m saying it’s not the best way because it’s prone to error and deception through disappointment.  Praying specifics is spiritually dangerous because we may begin to perceive God as a “wish maker” and not as a personal, loving Father and friend.

When we pray for GRACE, we become supernaturally empowered to will and do and to achieve. When we pray for GRACE, we receive God’s wisdom and revelation and peace with divine conviction which enables us to endure and persevere through any situation.

Are you faced with a problem, overwhelmed, worried, fearful, doubtful, anxious and unsure about something? Then you need some GRACE!  Whatever you think you need, choose to replace that thing, that dream, that person, that concern you have, with God’s Grace (a gift from God and something you don’t have to work for) and stand confident that you are praying a God-centered prayer, one he hears and will surely answer.

 So, a Prayer that will Ensure an Answer is a Prayer for GRACE.

NEVER pray for specifics… Pray for God’s “GRACE,” You might pray something like this: “Lord give me your gift of grace that will…” (heal me, help me endure, help me wait on you, hear your voice, deliver me, bring justice in this situation, restore me…etc)

Know that your prayer of grace will then begin to align you to God’s will (order you steps, transform your heart and mind) about that matter and your only expectation is his ANSWER which will be aligned to his word.

Remember, Grace embodies EVERYTHING we need (Healing, salvation, endurance, waiting, perseverance, patience, deliverance, redemption, renewal, restoration, brings justice, protects, defends, honors, makes wise, establishes and rewards etc.)  ALL as a gift from God, because he LOVES YOU!

As a single women in ministry I am often asked the question, “Why aren’t you married?” Being asked so frequently I chose to ponder over this idea and consider REALLY, why am I not married? It’s not like I haven’t been.  So I honestly asked myself the question “do I really want to be married?”  I wondered was it me?  Am I unconsciously giving off this vibe of resistance and didn’t know it?   Are my expectations to high?  After all the debating I came to terms with the fact that I would in fact like to marry however, I honestly haven’t met anyone to capture my interest to consider marriage and it was then that I realized, it’s because of what my “SAVIOR SHOWED ME.”

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man whose easy to love because he adores everything about me – even the things I think are issues.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man who frustrates me because of his wisdom and not his ignorance.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man who stretches me beyond my limits and tolerates me kicking and screaming only for me to discover he helps to make me become more than I could ever imagined I could be.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man I find great pleasure serving and find even greater joy when we partner in things together.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man who REALLY believes I’m a gift to the world, even when others don’t see what he sees or choose to admit it.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man whose willing to join me in battle and eager to come to my defense –  putting those who attempt to harm me firmly in their place.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man whose fun, makes me laugh and fills me with joy unspeakable – even in the quiet moments.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man who inspires me to be creative just by the inspiration of loving him.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man whose presence is PEACE and when I’m with him I feel safe, sound and secure.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man who defines me by my progress and not by my failures.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man who heals and redeems me from the false realities of the world and in his presence is salvation and truth.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man who enjoys my company and conversation and who simply delights in the mere sound of my voice.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man whose voice and touch I can’t resist – because there truly is nothing like it.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man who I admire for his wisdom and strength in his relationships with others like family, friends and associates – even when it’s not perfect.

He Showed Me:

I should marry a man I desire to live and die with because with him, life is rich  and meaningful in any season we share together.

After all the prayerful evaluation it was then that I realized I am not married because my Savior showed me what inner joy and contentment really feels like with Him and that the man I marry should essentially be a “Living Expression of My Savior’s Love.”

So Ladies, if you find yourself feeling unloved, unsatisfied, alone and wanting then consider the love that is found in Jesus Christ… This Love is true and lacking nothing and quite possibly still awaiting your undivided attention.

One of the most exciting times of the year is the week of December 31st. It’s the end of the year and we will either consciously and/or unconsciously take stock of the year gone by. The High Holy Days is a week much the same. The High Holy Days is a week long Hebraic festival celebrating the Jewish New Year and it is a sacred time to take stock of our lives and to make things right with God and man before entering into His judgement for the days which are to come.

Love & Blessings,

Karen Gaithers

The Apostolic Institute

http://www.aiglinstitute.org

8 Things I Am THANKFUL For ~

EARLY REGISTRATION the month of December!

The 2016 Presidential Elections are OVER and DONALD TRUMP is now America’s president elect. While, “God Only Knows” Why and HOW such a man has won this election, one thing is for certain; the next four years will surely make things clear.  As I ponder over the reality of God’s will, I am reminded of 1 Sam. 8.  This is a familiar story of where the Israelite people demanded of Samuel a king when all they really needed to do was trust God and walk in alignment.  God was incensed by their blindness and chose to give them a king…His name was SAUL.

1 Samuel 8New International Version (NIV)

Israel Asks for a King

8 When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. ² The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. ³ But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.

⁴ So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. ⁵ They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

⁶ But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. ⁷ And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. ⁸ As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. ⁹ Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

¹⁰ Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. ¹¹ He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. ¹² Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. ¹³ He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. ¹⁴ He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. ¹⁵ He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. ¹⁶ Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. ¹⁷ He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. ¹⁸ When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

¹⁹ But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. ²⁰ Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

²¹ When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. ²² The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.”

I believe everyone in this country and those watching us from all over the world will agree, this election had an “unusual” spirit about it and you don’t have to be prophetic to sense it.  I have learned by experience that the will of God is first discerned and then confirmed by His movement.  As believers we get caught up in the glory of just hearing God and lose sight of understanding God.  Over the past decade the people of God universal has conceived a divine message that the seasons are changing for our country and consequently, we have been compelled to pray and declare revival in our land. This changing season is a sign that an End-time generation is being born.  This would suggest that God has an End-time agenda.  This is something that should not surprise believers, as we know from scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, that God ALWAYS had a plan and it plays out like clockwork.  However, sometimes it seems God is a master multi-tasker, working several projects simultaneously, starting and stopping at any given time, orchestrating every part like a fierce yet beautifully choreographed ballet.  This is how I view the current move of God in this generation.

When a man has lost his way spiritually and morally, his character becomes so unruly that only the power of God can cause him to wake up, see clearly, repent and return to God in a relationship of love that he was originally formed with.  While our country’s democratic leadership are well-intentioned, it is clear they’re vision was pressing “Fast-Forward” for a New World Order, chip implant economic system, reckless liberties for the sake of all people, and a growing broken relationship with Israel. On the other hand, our republicans were so frantically pressing “Reset” in an attempt to maintain what they believed to be their country’s founding values, that they themselves have become blind (to their own demise) by gravely compromising those cherished values where it means most (love, respect and care for their fellowmen) and stoop to despicable, hypocritical and ruthless lengths in an effort to gain and maintain control and power.  Let’s face it, the ship is WRECKED!

It appears to me that in this divine season God has pressed “PAUSE” for the sake of His plan that loves mankind and especially His people.  While some things MUST take place, in God’s agenda, the question is WHEN.  I believe this is a season where God is making His Bride ready for her Bridegroom.  I believe there needs to be a PAUSE so the world will wake up and notice there has been a change.  That the people of God who can pray will pray for the land and also for it’s people.  So that hearts are stirred, broken, soften and desiring to know the truth and be set free so they might hear and come to know their Savior, Jesus Christ.  So that when God presses PLAY and business picks up where it left off… ALL WILL BE READY.

No, I don’t believe we need to be concerned about Trump being president, he is indeed playing out his role in the hand of God and like Saul; the people have chosen their king and will get what they asked for. The only word that seems relevant to me at this time is this…“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom.8:28. 

So, while we are on “PAUSE” for the next four years, I encourage you to pray and get with God’s agenda because like it or not, the season has CHANGED and what will be… will eventually be and you can live significant or insignificant, aware or unaware, dancing in the ballet or just watching it.  In any case, the election is OVER…THE GAME IS ON!

Many believers, in particular of the Charismatic faith are familiar with the terms Prophet and Prophetic Ministry.  Like any family, no one is perfect and the family of God is not exempt! Despite the profound truth from the word of God to guide us, the prophetic community of God continues to exhibit problematic behavior from a mismanagement of their spiritual gifts.  Some of these misfortunes have cost the family of God greatly resulting in a theatrical expectation of the move of God, sincere believers have become spiritually wounded and left disillusioned about God and organized religion, and others are actually questioning if the word of God is true.  I guess the saying, “A few bad apples can spoil the barrel” is not merely a tall tale.

What is important to clarify in all this is that in general, these errors do not suggest that God does not move supernaturally, in fact, the truth is, he most certainly does.  However, the issue has more to do with the “small box” that the prophetic community has uniformly put God into in order to define what the move of God looks like and how some approaches to ministry have been shaped by these standards.  While much more can be said about the matter, I have reserved this article to shed some light specifically on the topic “HOW TO JUDGE A PROPHETIC WORD.”

I count my vast exposure to ministry as an instrumental learning curve that I now treasure today.  It began first as a child raised under a conservative Southern Baptist doctrine, a Pentecostal during young adult years and currently, a Prophetic/Nondenominational as an adult.  Looking back, I can see now how my journey has afforded me a variety of rich opportunities which has allowed me to experience A LOT within the family of God.  These experiences have been instrumental in shaping my life work in ministry today.

Prophetic ministry, like prayer, is greatly underused, highly misunderstood and underappreciated for its valuable role in the life of the believer and to the universal Church.  Truth is, as long as the Holy Spirit is in the earth, the power and work of prophetic ministry will remain endless in its potential to do mighty works through the power God.  So, the question remains, how can we truly enjoy the forest with all the trees?  Well, like anything overgrown, there needs to be some trimming away in order to realize its hidden beauty.  Therefore, I have provided below, 5 points to consider when judging a prophetic word.

1. Consider the SOURCE: There is something about our human nature that desire to be in control and sometimes over other people’s lives.  It is important to realize that not every prophetic word is YOUR WORD. It doesn’t matter how many prayer lines or prophetic services you attend, your true word…the one that’s for you will very simply “bear witness of it in your spirit.”  Have you ever attended a service and it seems like the preacher was speaking directly to you?  That was a “Prophetic Word!”  I can imagine you may have thought it was more mystical and exclusive than that, well it really isn’t.  So, consider the source from where you are receiving.  Consider your own spiritual alignment to avoid deception.  Consider the integrity of the ministry and character of the prophet or minister. Do your own research if you need to. Just remember the prophetic word you receive is not so much about the person as it is about God wanting to reach you. That being the case, God can and will use anyone at any given time to convey His loving word to you.  In Num. 22:28 God used a donkey!  Has God used some donkeys in your life to get a word to you? Lol!  So, if you focus more on God and not the prophet, you will find that God’s prophetic word is constant and ever present.

2. FILTER IT through the Word of God: Much like a water filter, water is purified from all the dirt and contaminants when it passes through the filter. The word of God is just that way for us.  It is the tool to judge everything in life to determine TRUTH. If the prophetic word you received is contrary or contradicts God principles and biblical doctrine, BEWARE.  In biblical days there were both true and false prophets.  A true prophetic word from God was judged simply by it coming to pass Deut. 18:22.  A false prophet or Sorcerer always measured up inferior in contrast to a true prophet of God Acts 8:9-24.  So, if all else fails then just WAIT for it.  If it is true, it will come to pass, aligning you to the truth of God’s word.  If it leads you to any other doctrine or practice, or an enforced devotion to a prophet or his/her word before you have a clear conviction of truth, there is a reason to consider it a FALSE prophetic word.

3. The prophetic word should GIVE LIGHT: A prophetic word should give LIGHT & STRENGTH to what you ALREADY know or sense in your spirit.  Too often zealous believers have chased after a prophetic word in an effort to fulfill it and with the false burden of “obeying God.”  The foundation of a prophetic word that Paul and Jesus instructed that should operate among the Body of Christ is a loving and encouraging one John 13:4, 1 Cor. 13:2, Heb. 3:13, 1 Cor.14:3.  As a prophetic word resonates in your spirit you will not only identify with it, it will also stir up faith and hope and a renewed love for the Father.  This is the power of an encouraging word that mobilizes people instead of inciting fear and tearing them down.  Even a correction can be seasoned with LOVE. Eph. 4:29  So, the next time a word is given to you check the spiritual fruit born of that word.  Even if you didn’t like it, the love of a TRUE prophetic word has a way of penetrating the hard ground of resistance and rebellion and will bear witness to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit that speaks within to transform the heart, mind, and spirit.  A false word originating from the will of man will produce just the opposite.  A false prophet can be flattering, manipulating, and/or controlling and will become highly offended if their word is not honored. Truly, a real prophetic word is not hard to discern.  There is a very clear distinction, just as Light is to Darkness.

4. Have the prophetic word JUDGED by those knowledgeable in prophetic ministry whom you respect their wisdom and counsel: If you are among the few fortunate ones who are surrounded by individuals with prophetic integrity whom you trust their walk of faith and personal wisdom, count your blessings!  These are individuals you might partner with in discipleship and/or receive spiritual parenting from.  These are the individuals that would be good candidates to share your prophetic word, dreams and the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.  These are individuals who will likely provide you with “prayerful counsel,” meaning, they will genuinely seek God on your behalf and spiritually discern the matters in your life without being influenced by the circumstances.  This is safe ground and it provides an atmosphere for you to rightly judge what you have received. 1:3, 1 Cor. 14:1-40

5. The prophetic word will foretell the future through DIVINE SIGNS: Unlike spiritualist and fortune tellers, a prophecy from God does not predict the future about random events, talk to the dead or use objects to get a word from God.  No, a true prophetic word from God will stand on its own using SIGNS that affirm what God has already said in His word, using a revelatory word from the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts, and the signs will continue to affirm God’s present move in your life.  Consider the biblical kings had dreams of which they called upon the prophet to interpret, the promise of the Messiah had the Law & the Prophets to identify God’s presence in the earth and the Second Coming of Christ has the signs of the End-times so that the Body of Christ would recognize the end-time generation and get ready!  There is no doubt, God moves with SIGN & WONDERS and He provided them so we would not mistake His movement for the counterfeit of another. 1 Thess. 5:21

A Final Note:

The Law & Prophets were very instrumental in shaping our biblical history.  Prophets served alongside kings and their word always held people accountable to the written law so people could discern the plan and present move of God.  Well, today it is no different.  The written law (Holy Bible) and the prophets continue to affirm one another.  Think about it?  How can a book that was written over 2000 years ago be so exact in foretelling the social, technological, economic and governmental events of our day?   You would think someone would effort to do things differently just to prove the bible is wrong. Lol!  Ironically, this generation is playing out the greatest performance of their LIFE!  Even further, guess who is instrumental in discerning and announcing to the world these forthcoming events as they unfold?  You guessed it! The PROPHETIC PEOPLE OF GOD!  Are you one of them?

What is even more important to understand is that if you are a believer, then you should know that the prophetic gift lives inside of YOU.  The Holy Spirit is a “Prophetic Spirit” Joel 2:28-32, Rom. 8:11-13, so you too can know the will of God and foretell the future through the Word of God by merely being watchful and looking at the SIGNS Mark 13:4, John 2:11.  Now, the distinction between the believer as a “Prophetic Being” and the Prophet as a ministry leader is really very simple, it’s called, SERVICE.

The Prophet as a servant of God does just that, he/she SERVES.  They generally serve someone and somewhere.  They are aligned to a specific mandate (spiritual assignment) with a clear mission.  This could be a church, ministry or marketplace ministry (Christian business).  The Prophet serves alongside a person or organization with an apostleship anointing (leadership gift) reaching a local, national or international audiences through which his/her mandate is defined.  So, an audience is relative to a prophet’s Apostolic alignment (place of service) John 10:30, 1 Cor. 11:1, John 5:19, Eph. 4:11-16.

Ideally, the Prophet as a servant leader serves the Body of Christ in partnership with an apostolic leader whereby together they lead a charge (work) of God in the earth.  There are many types of prophets, many platforms upon which they serve and a variety of ways in which God’s word is manifested through their lives.  However, what is far more important for you to remember is not how to find a true prophet but how to identify a true prophetic word, how to judge it and how to receive from it, through whomever God chooses with confidence and where the power and truth of God might once again be realized in your life.

Well, THAT’S IT!  So how do you judge a prophetic word?  How about you start by just being a good JUDGE.

There are three easy steps to writing a genuine life-changing testimony. However, first let’s address some basic points about what a testimony is all about.  One of the most important things to understand about your testimony is that it was never meant to be a private celebration.  Too often the moment we get a breakthrough we may take a moment to breathe and hopefully thank God with relief and then proceed to bask in the fruits of its blessing.  We may immediately tell a few close friends or family or we may get on Facebook and tell the world. Then after we are celebrated we go about our way.

What seems to be sorely missed about this powerful spiritual tool is that our testimony is a divinely orchestrated “story” which means it is something with a divine purpose that must be imparted.   If you thought your testimony was all about YOU well, you’ve missed the most important point!

Rev. 12:11 says “they were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”  This passage reveals that our testimony has divine power and God uses our testimony not just to encourage us but more importantly to encourage those who are still struggling in the faith in a similar experience.  Our testimonies are given to us as a gift from God. Too often we use our testimony as a bragging platform because we want others to know how God has blessed our lives.  Let’s face it, it’s hard to resist.  When you’re excited about what God has done in your life you want to tell somebody.  Well, the danger in thinking that the only value of a testimony is to tell it is that we rob God of His supernatural work of redeeming LIFE.  What is even more unfortunate is that sometimes, we do this intentionally and it is shamefully clear to see.  When we share a boastful testimony, we may be ignorantly planting seeds of discouragement, doubt, envy, and jealousy.  This is not what the word of God illustrates.  Instead, our testimonies should be imparting seeds life, hope, and faith.

Proverbs 27:1-2 suggest we should not brag and to allow others to speak highly about us.  Matt. 6:5-6 suggest that prayer is done in secret and is rewarded publicly.  You see, the outcome of our prayers is always a TESTIMONY!  So take note, when you are given the opportunity to testify publically and your heart desires applaud and attention from men, then God says that is ALL you will accomplish!  Bear in mind, pride is not something you can dress up by tossing around a few religious words.  Luke 12:2-3 suggest nothing is hidden from God and what is done in darkness will be made known and trust me…bragging is obvious!

Because our testimonies are divinely empowered and used by God, we should also realize that God, therefore, has a personal interest in our message and we are commissioned to tell it in a way that gives LIFE.  No doubt your testimony is a personal blessing from God but it is also important to realize that once you have been blessed with a testimony your story is now ordered by God to help others continue to believe what God will do in their life as well and he will impart this supernaturally.

So the next time you share your testimony give careful thought to the true intentions of your heart.  Realize, you are literally planting seeds of life and death in a person’s life so much more than you know.  That’s why today I’d like to share with you 3 practical and easy steps for you to learn how to write or tell a genuine Spirit-filled testimony.

1. A testimony is written as a narrative. It is, in essence, a biography of a specific experience.  It is a “factual” account of events.  It is descriptive for the sake of visualization and any inward impressions are only included if it played a factual part of the experience (like in a dream).  Don’t add your thoughts or interpretations if it is not a part of the story. Keep it concise, raw and genuine.

2. A testimony is also a message of learning and discovery of what you have personally learned through God’s truth and power.

3. A testimony is also message where you now become the teacher after being a student of the Holy Spirit. You now tell the moral of the story, a revelation that ALL must learn from.

When you write or tell a testimony you must write it initially as a narrative. After you testify of the goodness of God you begin to address what you’ve learned from the experience and you might also speak about key learning points that a more general or larger audience (Body of Christ) could glean from your experience.

So who needs to hear your story?  Who needs to be filled with new LIFE and HOPE from your testimony?  The next time you prepare to testify, write it/tell it with a heart accountable to divine purpose.  Let God TRULY get the glory and become the redeeming voice of faith, hope, and love in the lives of those you are sharing with.