GRACE DAILY devotional

In the past, I wondered why the Holy Ghost would caution us in 1 Thessalonians 5:20 to not despise prophetic utterances. But I have since realized that prophetic utterances are the secret to fulfilled destinies. Yet, sadly, many of God's people either have a twisted understanding of this subject or have never been taught not to despise prophecy. 

 

The word "despise" in 1 Thessalonians 5:20 is from the Greek word eksouthenéō, which means reducing something to nothing or regarding it as lacking any significant value. Sadly, many have treated prophecy in this manner, revealing a lack of reverence for God Himself. Recall what Gabriel said to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist after he questioned the effectiveness of the Word spoken to him. In Luke 1:19-20, the angel declared, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

 

Saints of God, to despise prophetic utterances is to despise success, health, increase, and all that Jesus died for you to have. Prophecies serve as spiritual tools to align the material world with the reality of the spirit. Understand this: everything that Jesus accomplished for you is stored up in your spirit. Your health, prosperity, peace, and more are embedded in your spirit. The Scriptures refer to it as "heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3), and Colossians 1:27 declares that Christ is within you. Praise God!

 

So when you hear a Word from God’s Spirit, don’t treat it as commonplace because such Word came to pull the reality of Christ from within you. And whenever there is a pull like that, the material will conform to your spirit's desires. That’s when the ordinary is turned into the supernatural. Hallelujah! 

 

Hosea 12:13 says, “And by a prophet (Moses) the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, And by a prophet Israel was preserved.” In other words, through the instrumentality of prophecy, God brought forth and fulfilled the Word He gave Abraham. Israel is still a nation today by the ministry of the Prophet and prophecy.

 

Today, the Lord is saying, “Do not despise prophetic utterances,” as many have disregarded them to their detriment. This is not God's desire for our lives. Consider Mary, who heard the Word even when it didn’t seem logical. Yet, she accepted it, recognizing the integrity of the speaker, and responded, “..be it unto me according to thy word.” Essentially, she acknowledged that if God had spoken, who was she to doubt it? The Word she received became her testimony and her song. It became her reality from the moment she received it. She aligned her perception of herself and her surroundings with that Word. From the instant, she embraced the Word and lived by it.

 

With that said, by the authority of the Spirit, I declare that May is the month of PROPHECY. You will find yourself awakening at midnight, being clothed with the mantled by the Holy Ghost to prophesy. As you speak forth these prophecies, things will begin to align with God’s plan and vision for your life. There will be an avalanche of prophecy, and not one of these Words will fall to the ground. As these Spirit-led Words are released, they will not return void but will accomplish their purpose. Therefore, position yourself to receive, and it shall be unto you according to the Word God has spoken.

 

Faith Confession:

I take heed to the counsel of the Holy Spirit and will take seriously prophetic utterances. As I speak forth prophetic words this month, I align myself with God's divine plan and Jesus gets the glory. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

 

Prayers

Begin with thanksgiving and praise to God.

 

Pray against fear, violence, wickedness, and all forms of disruption and terror masquerading as peaceful protest in support of the Palestinian people on campus across the United States. 

 

Pray that all malicious and antichrist policies and laws, crafted to hinder the gospel on campuses be voided; and that the name of the Lord be glorified in institutions of higher learning.

 

 

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Kings 3-5; Luke 23:1-26