THE PROPHET OFFERING

05/25/2024

“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward” (Matthew 10:41).

Very often, the office of the Prophet is misunderstood among church folk and it is by no means an accident. Jesus observed that “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house” ( Mark 6:4). In other words, familiarity usually deprives compatriots and family members of receiving a prophet in the manner that allows that prophet to operate in his or her gift for the benefit of those to whom he or she has been given as a gift.

In Hosea 9:8 NIV, the Bible says, “The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman over Ephraim, yet snares await him on all his paths, and hostility in the house of his God.” These snares are strategies placed by the enemy to keep the Christians from benefiting from the prophets in their midst. These snares could take the form of prejudices against a man or woman of God, such that they are unable to operate in their gifts around certain believers.

What am I saying today? When you recognize a prophet in your community, understand that because this person is able to operate in this office, you ought to honor him or her, for the gift’s sake. And by honor, it doesn’t necessarily mean, giving them presents, it could be your attention, your promptness to attend to them and so on. When you treat a prophet with honor because of the office, the reward is automatic.

In the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman, Elisha could give and sustain a son because of the approach she took in treating the prophet with honor by building him a place to live (See 2 Kings 4: 8-37). She didn’t have to build a place for the prophet but she did it and got a reward for it. In the same vein, you don’t have to give a prophet anything. However, recognizing prophets and honoring them for the sake of their office can open doors for you that you have deemed closed forever.

Hear me. The church has lost too much in wealth, influence, and power for despising those who stand in the prophet’s office. Some have wondered about the nonexistence of prophets in their churches. And to this, I hear Him say, "It’s not that some of them have lost their offices of the prophet among you, you have failed to turn it on. For I have indicated to you in times past, a prophet here and a prophet there. You have seen them, the true ones, with the eyes of your spirit and yet, you have acted insolently towards them. This is a call to repent. For from my prophets, there have been unimaginable rewards for you; strategies for you; deliverances for you and announcements for you. Repent", says the Lord, "...and have my pleasures revealed to you for my church is a triumphant church without spots or wrinkles. Yet some, so many have fallen short. Not any more."

Bless the Lord where you are. He rebukes the one He loves and corrects us because we are sons.

Hallelujah! Glory!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am careful not to despise prophets sent or given to me by God. In moments of opportunity, dear Holy Spirit, help me to be attentive to your move through your prophets in Jesus’ name. Amen.

One-Year Bible Reading Plan: 1 Chronicles 17-19; John 10:1-21