Have you ever been in a crowd of people whether at church, or maybe sitting with a really good friend, or a complete stranger, and you receive a gut punch? A serious desire to say something, but you're not exactly sure what? The thoughts in your mind don't make sense. And you feel like if you open your mouth, you are going to look like a fool? Maybe all you can think of is a topic, or one specific word. Did you battle within yourself as to whether or not to speak? Did you pray about it? Or did you just ignore it, and hope the thought goes away...
Acts 2:17&18 says, "In the last days, God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visons, and your old men will dream dreams. 18. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants- men and women alike- and they will prophesy."
The Spirit wants to use us to speak life into people! 1 Corinthians 14:3 says, "But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them." I've had moments where the Spirit has had me tell complete stranger's things. Usually, the message He tells me to give, makes absolutely no sense to me! But when the other person receives the message, and they begin to weep. Not only are you encouraging the other person, but I find it encouraging for myself, to watch the Spirit work in such amazing ways. And to see how He can use words that mean nothing to mean, have such an impact on someone else. I once had someone that had a message for me. She struggled with telling me! It sounded mean, and borderline bullying coming from a person, and it was downright harsh, had it been from her. She finally just turned to me, and said, "I have to tell you something, but I don't want you to take this the wrong way! Its just strong on my heart that you hear this! I am supposed to tell you that you do not belong here!" I instantly started laughing! And she said, "Oh thank God!" You see I had been struggling with a decision. And this confirmed the answer. Had she not been obedient to the Holy Spirit, I could have very well been in an extremely stressful situation today.
Granted one on one messages can be less daunting or scary. But when we are called to give a message to an entire congregation, it is critical that we are obedient! These messages tend to be longer and have more description. Usually, the Holy Spirit will only reveal pieces at a time, and it takes true obedience to open your mouth and trust for the remainder of the message. Many people ignore the urge. They don't want to look like fools. Which is a whole other topic for another day!
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 says, "Do not strife the Holy Spirit. 20. So not scoff at prophecies, 21. but test everything that is said. Hold onto what is good. 22. Stay away from every kind of evil."
Being used by the Holy Spirit is incredible thing! I urge each one of you to not shy away from the prompting you feel! My advice, is that you pray. Ask for guidance. Seek Guidance. Write down what the Spirit is telling you. Ask for assurance and confidence! Then open your mouth, and let the Holy Spirit spill His message out through you.
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