Inquire of the Lord Lately? - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Inquire of the Lord Lately?

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“David inquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?" And He said to him, "Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all."
(I Samuel 30:8-9 NASU)

In my daily Bible reading I have been appreciating the life of David, and how there is so much for us to be encouraged by how he did it. Even in those times when David was being chased by King Saul, who was out to kill him, David was learning to communicate with the Lord. Getting the basics down would be instrumental in his entire walk, as he himself went on to become the anointed king of Israel.

When I consider my own walk with the Lord, I appreciate the times when I myself inquire of the Lord, to ask Him what His plan is, what He would want me to do, or how I should consider that situation before me. When I do seek Him, He does respond. In His time and place, which all the time is at the exact time needed.

Even a simple ask, like “What now Lord?” will bring a response from Him. It may come in the form of a word from a friend or family member. He may choose to give us a dream. A specific word can come through the prophetic gift being exercised, speaking into our need through another that we may not even know. Or He may direct you to a Bible passage, enlightening a written Scripture in your own daily reading that speaks to your spirit.

Having that relationship with the Lord, of simple communication, shouldn’t be an odd thing. Nor should communicating with Him be an occasional thought, or only when we get in desperate situations. If we make it one of our foundational stones, to know His voice, it will be a natural thing to ask, listen, hear and respond accordingly. The Holy Spirit after all was promised to us to be as our Helper, given to abide with us always.

I can recall times when I felt I didn’t need to inquire of the Lord. After all, I was old enough to know what to do, right? And yes, at a later point, it could have saved me a lot of trouble if I had. Lesson learned.

“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.” (Proverbs 28:5, NKJV)

In these times of trouble, it is vital that we are comfortable in asking the Lord His thoughts on subjects, and what His heart is. The voices we hear of the many others giving their opinions can drown out the truth, so we need to be able to discern His voice, and abide in His presence.

Have you inquired of the Lord lately? Now may be as good a time as any.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Founder

Love For His People, Inc.

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

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Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 06.14.16 - #260 –“Inquire of the Lord Lately?” – Tuesday at 5:30 pm

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

The Micaiah Problem: Who Speaks the Truth? - R. LOREN SANDFORD CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Shouldn't we be listening to those who speak truth, which is not winning them a platform of widespread popularity? (Lightstock )

The Micaiah Problem: Who Speaks the Truth?

 11/17/2015 R. LOREN SANDFORD

In my travels and online, I am encountering increasing numbers of people disillusioned with the prophetic movement. There have been too many prophecies unfulfilled, dates set and missed, catastrophic events that never happened, promises that didn't unfold, moral failings on the part of some prophetic leaders and a growing number biblical imbalances.

All of this is taking an increasing toll on confidence in the prophetic gift and it has led some to begin to think that the prophetic gift is not for today. Too much of the prophetic movement has gotten it wrong or wandered off base. Credibility has been eroded.

Consider, however, 1 Kings 22 when kings Jehoshaphat and Ahab convened 400 prophets to seek the will of the Lord concerning engaging in battle to retake Ramoth-Gilead from Aram. Four hundred prophets read the desire in the hearts of the kings, listened to a deceiving spirit (22:22-23) and told them what they wanted to hear, "Go up to Ramoth-Gilead and prosper, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."

In his spirit, Micaiah alone knew the truth, but initially spoke in unison with the 400. Only when Jehoshaphat commanded him to do so did he relent and speak what he really knew. "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep which have no shepherd. And the Lord said, 'These have no master. Let each of them return to his house in peace'" (22:17). He continued, "Therefore, hear the word of the Lord. I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. The Lord said, 'Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-Gilead?' And one said this while another said that'" (22:19-20).

Apparently, a prophetic movement was underway in Israel such that 400 so-called prophets could hold a convention. Who in that day who truly heard God's voice would have had the courage or the confidence to disagree with the dominant stream, especially with a word that didn't sound particularly encouraging? Micaiah stood alone against two kings and 400 acclaimed prophetic voices only to suffer humiliation when Zedekiah slapped his face for not joining with the majority (22:24). He then found himself imprisoned and fed sparingly on bread and water (22:27).

Ultimately, 400 "prophets" had it wrong, Israel suffered defeat and Ahab was killed, but regardless of consequences to Ahab and the army because of their inaccurate words, Israel didn't scuttle prophecy as a ministry because 400 blew it. Because one prophet had it right, prophecy remained a valid ministry in Israel and, later, in the church. It would seem that the key lies not in how many are speaking a particular word, but in discernment to know who is actually speaking from God's heart. Do we have a dearth of real discernment in the church today? Are we too ready to hear only what excites us and what we want to hear? Have we relegated true prophetic voices, ever the minority, to the sidelines and locked them up because they don't speak with the voice of the majority?

Repeatedly throughout history, there have been occasions and seasons when the truth has rested not with the dominant word being spoken by the majority, but with the less popular minority. These are seldom respected or well known, sometimes until after their deaths. They threw Jeremiah down a well and disregarded his words. Elijah was called the troubler of Israel. And so it went!

Maybe we need to stop listening so intently to the popular voices who speak with the mainstream and whose words we love to hear. Could it be that a purified remnant speaks a plumb line word that doesn't win them the platform of widespread popularity? Can we discern the word of God in a hidden but emerging generation of prophetic voices who might not speak what we want to hear, but who certainly speak what we need to hear? In doing so, might we be more edified and more prepared for the glory to come in the midst of a gathering darkness? 

R. Loren Sandford is the senior pastor of New Song Church and Ministries in Denver, Colorado. He has a bachelor's degree in music and a master of divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has authored a number of books, includingUnderstanding Prophetic People: Blessings and Problems with the Prophetic Gift,Visions of the Coming Days: What to Look for and How to Prepare and his most recent, Yes There's More: A Return to Childlike Faith and a Deeper Experience of God.

Visit Loren Sandford online at newsongchurchandministries.org.

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"Prophetic Stories - Signs Along The Way" by Steve Martin - Available Now

Order here: Amazon - paperback edition $5.60

Order here: Kindle edition - $1.99

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Dreams Do Come True – Part I

2. Dreams Do Come True – Part II

3. Dreams Do Come True – Part III

4. Dreams Do Come True – Part IV

5. The Western Wall

6. Jerusalem

7. The Great Wall of China

8. Heritage USA -The Prophetic Drive

9. The Ceiling Will Be Removed

10. That You May All Prophesy 

INTRODUCTION

 “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” Joel 2:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

‘Adonai says: “In the Last Days, I will pour out from My Spirit upon everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

“Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

We are living in the last days, the times prophesied long ago, right before the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, returns. Even as He spoke to the prophets of old in Israel, continuing through Jesus’ time on earth, and with the early church, the Lord is fulfilling His promise. His Eternal Word that He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and we would prophesy.

Prophesy comes in many ways – through the spoken word, signs, dreams, visions, tongues. All are used by the Lord to speak to His people, give them guidance along the way, and show His provision for the plans He has for us. As we walk along His path chosen for us, He desires to encourage and reveal His plans to us. He most certainly uses His Written Word. He also uses prophetic words.

Here are a few that He has given to me. I am continually amazed at how He speaks, how He directs, and the assuring results of His guidance.

We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in these times. As the Bible says, He desires that all would prophesy, in order to assist believers in knowing His will, and speaking to non-believers that we serve an All-Knowing God, Who shows us the way.

The gifts of prophesy, seeing signs and wonders, and experiencing His love through His fascinating methods is for all. I hope you are encouraged in seeking Him as you read these stories of how He moved in my life.

Shalom and ahava,

Steve Martin

Love For His People

Charlotte, NC

Mike Bickle, Bill Johnson Join Spiritual Leaders in Honoring the Late Prophet Bob Jones

2:00PM EST 2/14/2014 JENNIFER LECLAIRE  CHARISMANEWS

 

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Mike Bickle

Bob Jones has gone home to be with the Lord after more than four decades of prophetic ministry. Spiritual leaders from various camps in the body of Christ are mourning his loss and praying for his family. Here are a few of the early reactions to Jones' passing:

"I am deeply indebted to Bob Jones for how the Lord used him in my early ministry. I loved him more than he ever knew and often told my friends stories about him," says Mike Bickle, director of International House of Prayer in Kansas City. "I am very sad for Bonnie and his son, Wayne, and for so many of us to hear of his departure, but I am so happy for him. I remember Bob as a man who loved people deeply and served them tirelessly for so many years. Bob was well-known for his remarkable love for Jesus and His Word—he devoured the Bible for 40 years."

"Bob passed away at 6:22 this morning, peacefully and smiling," says Rick Joyner, founder and executive director of MorningStar Ministries. "Bob was known around the world for his prophetic gift, but he was also the greatest lover of God and people that I ever knew. It seems fitting that he would pass on a day that celebrates love."

“Our wonderful friend and prophet Bob Jones went home to be with Jesus today, his first love, on Valentines a Day,” tweeted Bill Johnson, founder of Bethel Church.

'Bob Jones said, ‘I don't see anything prophetically after 94'. So either Jesus is returning then or I'm going home then.’ Rest in Peace Bob,” tweeted Robby Dawkins of Vineyard Church of Aurora, Ill.

“Just heard that the prophetic voice of Bob Jones is for heavens ears only. That man prophesied to me in my 20's that I would sing,” tweeted singer Rita Springer.

“Just heard that Bob Jones passed into glory today. He was a grandfather prophet to me, the movement and many. He will be missed,” said Matt Lockett, director of Bound4LIFE. ‏

Click here to read more about the life and legacy of Bob Jones.