Can You Be Trained in the Prophetic?
The answer is yes. Just as there were "schools of the prophets" in the Old Testament, there are mature men and women of God today who are raising up believers who can hear the voice of God and communicate it to others.
One ministry that has been teaching and training people in the gifts of the Spirit for more than 30 years is Travis Thigpen of Gateway Ministries in Richmond, Virginia. Travis will be conducting a special prophetic training seminar March 25 through the 27th at Light of Life Christian Center in Chesapeake, Virginia. Training topics will include:
- Purposes of Prophetic Ministry Today
- 17 Ways to Gaurd/Increase Your Anointing
- Building a Foundation to Stay Balanced
- Keys to Accomplish Your Prophetic Words
- True vs. False Prophets and Ministers
The sessions will also include prophetic activations to release the gifts of the Spirit in your life.
Register online, or call 804-320-4283.
Recognizing The Voice of God: By Travis Thigpen
So many voices can be heard all around us, telling us to "go this way" or "do this thing". Confusion can often set in when we least expect it, setting into play frustration and fear. Jesus told us in John 10:27:
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
We are told by the Apostle Paul that we have the mind of Christ ( I Corin. 2:16). That means that we have access to Christ's way of thinking but we must learn to recognize his voice and discern when he is speaking versus the thief who wants to steal, kill and destroy.
There are even those in Christian circles who find it incredulous to think that we can hear the voice of God speaking to us outside of reading the scriptures. It is often forgotten that a person cannot enter a relationship with God without responding to his call for repentance from our sins and accepting his requirement for lordship in our lives. Romans 10:17 clearly states that faith comes by hearing the message spoken by Christ. The word used here is the Greek term "rhema", which literally describes it as something spoken!
A person can only become a Christian by hearing God speak to them, which means an unsaved person has to be able to hear God speaking to them. Surely, if an unbeliever can hear Him speak, a child of God can do so too!
The key here is being able to recognize the difference between the sound of the enemy and/or of our own heart speaking to us as compared to God's word being spoken to us. There are several important principles which, when applied consistently, can help ensure that we are able to better recognize the voice of our Savior.
First, we need to spend enough time reading and studying the Bible so that we have a sufficient foundation of scriptural truths with which to analyze what you are sensing being put into your head and heart. Without a guide based on God's word of revelation no one can ever know definitively what is truth and what is not. Paul told Timothy that he needed to study to show himself approved unto God as a workman that needs not be ashamed, correctly handling the word of truth. Since God is no respecter of persons it is extremely important to know how he deals with people in their everyday loves. The scriptures tell us that Israel knew the acts of God but Moses knew his ways. It should be obvious who came out on top!
Second, seek to keep your heart right towards God as well as other people. Hardness of heart from unforgiveness and judgment of others will always open the door for confusion and wrong decisions. When we seek to justify our actions though contrary to the word of God we set ourselves up for failure. Ephesians 4:32 commands us to "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you". If we want to walk in a lifestyle which is characterized by grace and favor with God, then we must also walk in forgiveness as He does. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we can have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (I John 1:9).
Third, begin to pray God's blessings on others in order to not only encourage them but also to learn to recognize how he speaks to you. This is one of the prophetic activations we often use to sensitize our students to hearing the voice of God. You might say "What do I say to them?" The answer would be to begin to speak the types of blessings that are obviously a part of the revealed will of God for his people. Very quickly you will begin to sense some specific things pop up in your spirit as you begin move by the Spirit of God. It is very exciting and those you pray for will usually clearly sense that God is in the mix!
Last but not least you would do well to increase your time spent in worship and prayer. Worship will always sensitize you to God's presence which then opens the door for more effective prayer and communion wiith him. Intimacy with the Father prepares us to hear him speak, for he surely will. In fact, I am convinced that he wants to speak to us far more than we want to hear from him! John 8:47 declares "He who belongs to God hears what God says". This is indeed our inheritance as his children and as his sons.
Prophetic Training
As a part of this brief instruction on hearing and recognizing God'd voice, I would like to invite you to attend some very exciting training sessions coming to the Chesapeake/Virginia Beach area later this month. We will be offering The National Institute of Prophetic Training at Light Of Life Church March 25, 26, and 27. Topics covered will include subjects such as Purposes of Prophetic Ministry Today, 17 Ways To Guard and Increase Your Anointing, Building A Foundation To Stay Balanced, Keys To Accomplishing Your Prophetic Words, Discerning True Versus False Propohets and Ministers as well as advanced prophetic activations. You are encouraged to register on our website at Gatewayministriesusa.com. We will have printed student workbook materials for you.
Pre-registration assists us in our preparations to ensure the very best experience you have ever had in learning to hear God speak!
Register online, or call 804-320-4283.
Driving Directions to Light of Life Christian Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.
More about Travis Thigpen
Travis teaching on CBN.com's Spiritual Gifts Webcast
Watch CBN.com's Spiritual Gifts Webcast
Watch 700 Club Interactive
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