Over the years we have seen time and again the Lord move powerfully as He has led us from place to place, church to church and people to people. One question around all this that has puzzled me is; why do the people and churches that experience these moves of God not come back for more? Let me explain; I have seen on many, many occasions as Win and I have ministered (throughout New Zealand, sharing the prophetic leadings, words and messages the Lord has given us specifically for that group of people and their situation and circumstances) that it seems to stop there, and despite the enthusiasm at the time, nothing further happens!
This occurs despite leaders, staff, elders and pastors reporting that the Lord has told them to maintain our connection, except us into their family or to invite us to be part of what the Lord is doing in their lives and ministry. These requests are usually followed by an invitation to be enacted in the near future; to come back, to teach, preach, train or simply share. Sadly, many of these people or churches never follow through on these leadings. I have in the past put this down to it not being the right time or in God’s timing it will happen. But in someways this seems not to be true, for I know that if the Lord leads (and speaks) there is always an opportunity to press in and receive so much more! As a prophet I know the importance of passing on His word as a seed for the recipient to plant into time. So once I have passed the word on I have done my job but I am still concerned that these incredible people were potentially missing out on so much more that was within their reach.
This puzzled me for a long time until one morning as I was driving (to drop my wife off to school and continue onto church) the Lord spoke to me with what I believe is the answer to this longstanding question. This is what He said; ‘There is a difference between honouring in the moment and understanding the role for a long term reward!’ As He spoke this the reality of what He was saying struck me and the issue finally made sense!
We had gone to these amazing churches and the people had welcomed us, honoured the word (leadings and messages), and had indeed received a solution to a problem, or an invitation to an opportunity, or even witnessed or experienced a miracle healing. The Lord had then tried* to direct them to connect for something even greater, but due to them not fully understanding* what this could hold they had laid the connection aside and walked out of the relationship with a fraction of what they could have had! * faith requires that we stretch our natural understanding to incorporate the supernatural!
Matt. 10:41
Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; . . . .
To honour a prophet in the name of a Prophet you will receive the gift of ‘grace’ (Eph.4:7) on the prophet’s life which is the prophetic. This is what happens from what we have experienced but is this all that can be had ? From what the Lord has shown me through this prophetic word the answer is no ! So what is the more that can be had ? A long term reward is what the Lord said. What’s that ? Let me explain:
If we honour a prophet in the name of a Prophet we get a prophet’s reward of the ‘grace of the prophetic’ for a season, day or the time for which we have a connection with them. But if we are willing to take this to the next level as led or directed by the Lord, we can have a long term reward; this is a new strength to ministering yourselves in the prophetic ! You see the Prophet is not the only person that can bring the prophetic, but has the role to release or impart the anointing so that others can develop and walk in it. That develops strength in the corporate and equip’s the Saint’s for their ministry and calling.
Eph. 4:11-13
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
This not only applies to a prophet, but to all those chosen by the Lord with roles in the five fold ministries; Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher, and also the Saint’s that have God given talents and spiritual gifts too. For this is how the body of Christ is brought together in strength and maturity as we read in, 1 Cor. 12:1-31.
So let me conclude with this thought. This revelation has not only opened my eyes to see an answer to a longstanding question I had, but also to pray for those churches and people (we previously had contact with), that the Lord will open their eyes and show them how to connect and draw from the well of the leaders He is sending them and that through this, in turn they can be more effective in training and equipping for the ministries He has called them into.
So here is your challenge today.
1. Ask the the Lord to show you the leaders He has sent you to input into your life, business or ministry that were commissioned to equip you for the season ahead.
2. Ask the Lord what is the word, gift or role they carry in the body of Christ.
3. Write down both of these leadings and ask the Lord to show and teach about the importance of honouring.
4. Ask Him how to implement these leadings in your business, family life and ministry.
5. Now put application to what the Lord has shown you.
6. Maybe check with the Lord on a regular basis to see if you are on track.
7. Share this experience and journey with someone.
8. Give thanks for all the Lord has shown you!
Father, You always have a reason for Your word and I thank You for revealing this revelation to me that I may be more effective in drawing from the chosen ones You send to our ministery and also to me personally that through this we will become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Amen!
Craig and Winnie Patten
Itinerate Pastors /Apostolic Leaders
Encounter Ministries
