“Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.” 1 Timothy 1:18 NLT
The end of last year was filled with many spiritual retreats, and many of us had ample time to seek the face of God, receiving prophecies and words about the new year. The question is: What next? What do you do about the words you received for this year? Is the theme of the year given in your local assembly just going to be a chant, or is it going to make a difference in your life?
Prophecy shows us possibilities in the spirit and reveals God’s divine will, which in turn increases and enhances our faith in the supernatural. The Bible says in Psalm 119:89, “Forever, oh Lord thy word is settled in heaven,” which tells us that God’s words are not a probability but a certainty.
Timothy, like many of us, had received words of prophecy, and Paul, in our anchor scripture, was admonishing him on how to utilise these prophecies.
To make sure we see the words of God come to pass in our lives, we must first recall those prophecies. Paul asked Timothy to recall them so that he would be able to fight well. You must first remember prophecies spoken about you so that you can fight a good warfare with them. The moment you wrote those words cannot be the last time you see them. You must go back to them, meditate on them (Joshua 1:8), speak them over yourself again, and in doing so, you’d receive strength for the days ahead.
Secondly, you must believe in them. It is practically impossible to take action on something you do not believe wholeheartedly.
Thirdly, pray with these words, war with them. Let those words of prophecy be your vocabulary in prayer. Pray in the spirit with them on your mind (2 Timothy 1:6). In doing this, those prophecies are expanded, and you receive instructions.
Prophecy drives us to pray and fight the good fight; through prayers, we can enforce God’s will over our affairs, just as Daniel did by knowledge of prophecy (Daniel 9:1-5).
Finally, take action and obey. Prophecy comes with instructions; receive them in the place of prayer. As you receive instructions from the Spirit of God, obey. Don’t just hear them, take steps to obey (James 1:22-25).
Let this year be all that God wants it to be in your life. Approve His will over your life. Glory to God!
CONFESSION: This year, prophecies are fulfilled in my life. I put the words I have received in remembrance, I war with them in prayer, and I have the grace to obey.
Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 3-5, Matthew 2