When the Prophetic Knocks on Your Door!
“And the day came when Elisha passed over to Shunem. And a great woman was there. And she laid hold on him to eat bread. And it happened, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread. And she said to her husband, Behold now, I see that this is a holy man of God who passes by us continually. Please, let us make a little room on the wall.
And let us set a bed for him there, and a table, and a stool, and a lampstand. And when he comes to us, he shall turn in there. And the day came when he came in there, and he turned into the room and lay there.” (2 kings 4: 8-11).
The prophetic can pass by you to stay or to leave, you choose! This book can be another book you read or a life-transforming message.
Do you have a little room in your heart for a prophet, the holy man of God? Do you have a place for the prophetic in your church? Build one!
Invest in stretching your territory to make room for the prophetic anointing because you will be blessed. This woman was rich not only because of her wealth but because she discerned a greater wealth and attracted it by honoring and welcoming the prophet.
You may say, I am rich, I am satisfied, so I don’t need a prophet to pass by me. This woman didn’t think this way, although she was rich, she was poor in other areas, she was barren, and money couldn’t give her a child.
She didn’t know by investing in the prophetic and sowing seeds of honor that she was opening the gates of heaven over her and making a room for life in her womb not only on the wall of her house.
There is always what we call the rewards of honoring a prophet. After she had built a room for Elisha, he wanted to bless her.
“And he said, what then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, truly, she has no child, and her husband is old” (2 Kings 4:14).
Elisha could have said what can I do to a wealthy woman? It’s me who needs her help. Had he thought this way, he would have hindered her blessing and turned off his gifts. But Elisha, who was wealthier because he was rich in the Lord and had access to things this woman didn’t have, he prophesied a son to her.
A prophet enriches your life when you think you have it all, even when your bank account is full.
There are always things you don’t see or hear that God prepared for you to release in your life. Just make a little room for him! Your honoring seed triggers the prophetic anointing and puts a demand on it.
Your wealth may be in your pocket like that woman, but the wealth of a prophet is in his mouth.
The seed of welcoming him, building him a room and blessing him with meals of hospitality triggered heaven to answer back. You can’t sow into heaven without triggering it to responding to touch your life.
I am not limiting your seeds to money only; it is not about what you give it is in the heart of honoring.
It may be money, room, a place to rest in, or maybe inviting a prophet to your church, etc.
In a nutshell, welcoming a prophet is the greatest form of honor you can give him whatever the expression of your giving is.
You can’t welcome a prophet and not embrace the supernatural. You step into a realm you’ve never walked in before when you touch a prophet’s life. Are you ready for some supernatural experiences to take place in your life?
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Lose the Battle, Win the War
Reflecting on the legendary battle at Thermopylae, where 300 Spartan soldiers faced insurmountable odds against the Persian army, one cannot help but admire their courage and sacrifice. Despite their eventual defeat, their actions paved the way for the ultimate victory of the Greek forces in the war against Persia.
The memory of the brave Spartans inspired the Greeks to persevere, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. This historical event teaches us a profound truth: sometimes losing a battle is a necessary step towards winning the war.
Dear readers, let us pause and contemplate the paradox of losing a battle. While it may seem counterintuitive, there is beauty in embracing defeat for the sake of a greater victory. As Apostle Grace Lubega eloquently preached, we must learn to lose battles to achieve the grander vision of winning the war.
Consider the everyday battles we face in life. A young man may win a trivial argument with an elder but lose the opportunity to honor and respect wisdom. Similarly, fleeting gains obtained through deceit or conflict often result in long-term losses of trust and integrity.
Imagine the joy of indulging in immediate pleasures, only to realize the cost of sacrificing long-term blessings. These stories serve as cautionary tales, reminding us of the importance of discerning between temporary victories and enduring triumphs.
For instance, let’s reflect on the scenario of a young man who carelessly argues with an elder over an issue in which he is technically correct. Yes, he may win the battle of the argument, but in doing so, he loses the deeper respect and wisdom that come from honoring one’s elders. The principle of respecting elders, often touted in various cultures, is not merely about winning or losing arguments but about nurturing relationships and gaining invaluable insights for the future.
Similarly, consider the allure of immediate gratification at the expense of long-term consequences. Stealing a few coins from your boss might provide temporary financial relief, but it jeopardizes the trust and integrity crucial for sustained professional growth and advancement. In essence, the fleeting gains of the present can pale in comparison to the enduring losses of the future.
Furthermore, think about the dynamics of personal relationships. Insulting an adversary might offer a momentary sense of satisfaction, but it plants seeds of bitterness and resentment that can haunt us indefinitely. The power of words, whether used to uplift or tear down, carries lasting consequences that shape the course of our interactions and connections.
Even in seemingly trivial situations, the principle holds. Imagine the joy of indulging in a sumptuous meal on Christmas day, having slaughtered a cow for the occasion. However, in doing so, one sacrifices the milk and sustenance that the cow would have provided for the entire following year.
If you fought for ice cream with a young child, you’d get the ice cream with its sweetness and lose the Child with their love and trust.
These examples illustrate the trade-offs we face between immediate gratification and long-term sustainability in various aspects of life.
In conclusion, let us strive to adopt a perspective that transcends the momentary struggles and setbacks we encounter. By surrendering our desire for immediate gratification and trusting in the greater plan, we can truly lose the battle to win the war.
To delve deeper into this topic, I was inspired by a sermon preached by Apostle Grace Lubega of Phaneroo Ministries International at the 2018 annual Men’s Conference themed “Eye Can See.” You can watch the sermon here.
Warm regards,
Bethwel Kiprono K.