Even before a great leader, prophet, man or woman of God is raised up… God uses the voices of the previous generations to prophetically speak to the future generation. This is why it is always important to speak and pray back to God the words He gives you. It is the job of each generation to speak God’s words of destiny to the next generation. I think this has been one of the failures of my generation. We have been so intent on building kingdoms for ourselves, we have neglected to speak into and bless the next generation. Our spiritual myopathy has not allowed us to view life in a generational way. This is why large ministries and mega churches struggle to pass the baton to the next generation.

Listen to the words of Gabriel as he prophetically speaks into John the Baptist’s life.  Where are the prophets and leaders prior in John’s generation. These words are important because John is going to need these utterances later in life.

 

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zachariah, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:13-17

 
This prophecy about John is mentioned several times in the Old Testament and now in the New. Jesus also had many prophetic utterances about His life. The question is WHY? These words are prophetically spoken so God’s man or God’s woman will know their purpose and destiny.

 

“There is a difference between knowing the good news and being the good news.” Dieter Zander

 

 

There are many good and faithful believers who understand scripture and can teach it effectively. We need these folks. But there is a difference in a believer, when the Lord or someone spiritual speaks prophetically about their future and destiny. Prophetically spoken words become their spark plug. Then they not only present the good news, they become the good news of the Lord. There is a difference between knowing and being. This is why Jesus said of John, “If you care to accept it, he himself is Elijah, who was to come.” Wow! How could John be Elijah? The prophetic word was so formed in him, he became Elijah to his generation.

We need Elijahs, Johns, and of course Jesus, in our generation. Listen, don’t wait around for someone to come along to speak into your life. Ask the Lord Himself to speak prophetically to you. God is not short on words. His words have not all been consumed by other men and women. The Lord’s words will hover over you for the rest of your life. God’s words will spark and propel you forward when nothing else will.

When I was seventeen years old, I was a green believer. I didn’t know much about scripture or the things of God…But I loved the Lord. One day, out-of-the-blue, the Lord called me into the ministry. On this occasion, I heard clearly the words… “preach and preacher.” I have heard it numerous times since. At the time, I really didn’t know what to make of it, except this was my calling. In the beginning I was an awful speaker. Like Moses, I thought the Lord could have chosen someone more eloquent for the task, but He didn’t. I have since learned this truth… I am what the Lord says I am. If He says I am a preacher, then I am a preacher. I am what He says I am. You are what God says you are. You will become what He says you will become. It really makes no difference what the circumstances or conditions in your life are like. If God speaks it, it will come to pass. If God speaks something into your life, it is your job to walk it out. Today, become what God speaks. You will change the world.

 

Blessings,

Pastor, but really a Preacher!