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In this podcast we are discussing the essence of prophesy, standing in Gods presence and receiving a word from Him. As you speak it out, this is prophesy. We look into the difference between Counsel and Council. This was an interesting and interactive time together.
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In this podcast we are discussing the essence of prophesy, standing in Gods presence and receiving a word from Him. As you speak it out, this is prophesy. We look into the difference between Counsel and Council. This was an interesting and interactive time together.
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The main idea of this information is about the story of David and Goliath and how David did not listen to the opinions of others, including his family, the king, and the enemy. He prophesied the destruction of his enemy and spoke the word of the Lord. The outcome was victory, and David's courage encouraged others to continue the battle. The importance of speaking the word of God and not from our own imagination is emphasized. The speaker asks for practical ways to discern between speaking from imagination and speaking inspired by the Lord. Oh, the faithfulness of our God. Hallelujah. Let's minister what God has given for this time. I already had the same scripture and I also had the same without conversing with each other. So look at how God is. I haven't ministered on David and Goliath for a very long time. But what impressed me from this chapter was David did not listen to his family members who knew him so well. Oh, they say, we know you, David. You're just up to mischief. We've known you since you're a child and that's how you are. You're a mischievous boy. But they wouldn't listen. He did not listen to very important people. I mean his elder brother, but also he did not listen to the king. The king said, in my estimation as a man of war, David, you are unable, you are not able to go against this giant. So we often face the opinions of those close to us. Even Jesus found it difficult, if not sometimes impossible to do miracles, even in his own hometown because they just looked at him. Oh, we know you. You're that carpenter boy. Don't allow your voice of God within you to be stopped because they knew you. They knew you, but they don't know you. And they don't know the gift of God that's been placed within you that is arising in the name of Jesus. Somebody say amen. And lastly, he did not listen to the important people, those who should be his leaders. He did not listen to all those. He did not listen to the enemy. And this may be the strongest voice that hinders us. Sometimes it sounds like it comes within our own head. You will never be strong enough. You're going to be defeated. You will lose. These lies of the devil must be defeated before we can rise up. David ignored it. And in fact, he began to prophesy the destruction of his enemy. He began to prophesy the word of the Lord. Where the curses came from, he began to prophesy the destruction of his enemies. Where the threat and the danger was the worst, he began to open his mouth and speak the rhema words which God had poured into him all of these years. Two weeks ago, we were speaking about rhema. And the week before, understanding the difference between the written word, graphe, a spoken word in general, and the rhema words spoken by God to an individual, to a group, and for a purpose. Oh, when God speaks to you and he puts his words within your mouth and they come out as God has spoken, it's a rhema word of God. Meaning that God himself is speaking as though through you. By the anointing of his spirit, he begins to speak. And when you become, remember we were talking some two months ago, being his mouthpiece. And we had two lessons on it. One lesson included, what does it take God to clean this mouth and this heart? To purge, cleanse, purify, improve this heart. Teach us the right ways so that what comes out of us is not mixed with our own emotions, our own misconceptions, and all these things. Hallelujah. We'll open up for discussion in a little. I'm just doing a long review. I felt impressed today to do an overview of what we've been covering for the last several months and to put it together so that we can understand prophecy. David began to prophesy to the giant. And he said, who is this unclean Philistine? He put that giant in his correct place. Everyone else was saying, this is a fearsome giant. They praised his armor. They praised his might. And they were in awe of this giant. David did not look on the outward. He began to speak and claim for what he was. This is a sinner. This is an uncircumcised. This is defying the armies of the Lord. He put it in perspective that this battle is the Lord's. Oh, Jesus, help us to realize that we are his and we are in his battle. Hallelujah. Not by might or power, but by the mighty spirit of the Lord, we open our mouths to speak what he's spoken to us. Hallelujah. So what was David's outcome and his results? He saw victory. And David's courage and his words were so encouraging to other people that all of the army of Israel rose up and they continued the battle until evening. And they continued to destroy the armies before them all the way. You know, it's something. When you are encouraged, when you begin to speak, and when you begin, I don't think it would have mattered what weapon David had, the Lord would have taken what was in his hand and would have caused it to succeed. What was in his hand, and God caused him to succeed. And God caused him to have the victory, and not by might and not by power. I don't know if five stones was significant. Many people have placed significance. He only needed one, but I don't know if he had used a javelin or a spear or a stick. Hallelujah. If all you have in your hands is a stick, what did the widow woman have in her hands? Oh, a little meal and a little oil. And we're going to cook it and then we're going to die. How many times has the Lord used the five loaves and the two fishes when what we have is dedicated to the Lord? Hallelujah. Oh, God can win a victory with that, can't he? God, we praise you today. Father, we're so grateful. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. I remember we were ministering from Jeremiah 23, I think it is. If they would have stood in my counsel, then they would have had a word within them to cause my people to turn from their evil ways. Very often God is waiting for us to stand in the sod, S-O-D, it means to stand in his counsel and hear his words. So let's read that again tonight in Jesus' name. Jeremiah 23, from 15 to 22. And not out of the mouth of the Lord. They say still unto them that despise me. The Lord has said, ye shall have peace. And they say unto everyone that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, no evil shall come upon you. For who had stood in the counsel of the Lord and had perceived and heard his word? Who had marked his word and heard it? Behold, a wild wind of the Lord is come forth in fury, even a grievous wild wind. It shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord shall not return until he have executed, until he have performed the thoughts of his heart. In the later days, ye shall consider it perfectly. Have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. Have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have torn them from the evil way and from the evil of their doings. Amen. Amen. We notice the difference of the power of a word which is heard from the counsel, in the council chambers of the living God. When your word hears a word saying, thus saith the Lord, and you speak that word, the power of this is so much more than what came in the other verse, out of their own, what? Imagination. Out of the evil imagination of their own heart. So we know that our heart can speak, and we know that our mind can imagine, but who can know what it means to prophesy? And not out of their own mind or imagination. Brother Faber, I think that's one of the key things, that in practical terms, we don't want to just talk a spiritual talk and get everybody feeling spiritual. We desire to understand and to know that God would use us there to speak the word of God. And Brother Faber, how could we know the difference? In your own experience, perhaps. Thank you, Reverend. Okay, the difference between speaking from our own imagination, or speaking as a child when they prophesy. Yeah, and very practically. How could we know? How could we learn? First off, this is what I have observed myself, and I believe that many of us here tonight as well, we have our own experience, and we're good at it. There is, first off, there is like a hitch. Like, if we're speaking from our imagination, we get to double check everything. We speak from a place of fear. There is no conviction behind the words. It's always, you know, we just keep double checking it. There is no peace. And we're walking by little things that we can observe, you know, so we keep double checking. We don't have the same words. And we're not speaking from our own imagination. And also, we can be, we also speak presumptuously, right? So, if I see somebody who is, if I see a young child and a youth, a teenager or something, you know, I could just simply say, well, you're struggling with, you have a negative influence. And that's presumptuous, right? So, it's my imagination. So, I'm like, if he's a teenager and he has to deal with this, that's presumptuous. That's not, but when it's inspired by the Lord, it's more, you're not double guessing. You're not speaking from doubt. There's just inward peace. And you just say, this is what the Lord impressed on my heart. And you don't even, you don't even have a clue as to what you're saying in terms of how it, you know, connects to the person. But he, the person who's receiving that inspired word, would definitely relate to this particular inspired by the Lord. So, this is the one thing that, I want to give other people room tonight. Yeah, good favor. That's a good start, and it will help people get started on it. Thank you for being willing to share first. Okay, Brother Xavier, welcome. We're glad that you could join us tonight. I'm grateful that you could be here with all of us. I'm really blessed to see so many here tonight and on time. And it just, it allows God to move in a different dimension. And thank God the network is not in our way. Brother Cassander, speak to me. What is it that we can, that we can know that God has spoken to us and that we should speak? How does this work? I don't want to be one of those who just speaks from my own imagination, from what I've seen with my eyes. I want to, how can I know, Brother Cassander? Help me out. Amen. Who else would like to join in? Where are you at, Brother Zeb? What do you think? Well, Reverend, from my own experience. Please. If it is the law of speaking, it comes from the deep conviction in your spirit. It's a certain, it's a certain thing in your spirit. And then you are not even afraid of the audience. Yes. If it is, if it is you, or if it is your, a rich man that is talking, you, you, you tend to look at the guest, if the audience, so to say, if the audience is the right audience for what you intend to say. You try to even judge yourself. You are very honest yourself. You are, you are, you are afraid of the reactions, the, of your audience. But if it is the law that's speaking through you, you care less of what the audience reaction will look like. Your conviction is on the basis that this is the law speaking, and God is mighty to perform it. How it will do, it does not bother you. Yours is to communicate what God is saying in your spirit. So, in practical terms, that is the difference. Sometimes we hear ourselves and try to compare. Another little more test is that if God is speaking, it does not contradict the written word of God. You could easily find, and somehow, how God does it, I don't know. You could easily find a scripture that supports your standing on that word. Or if it is, you could easily connect. God will suddenly bring to your remembrance. And that is why I believe that the more of God's word you have, the more of God's revelation you will get. And the more God himself will be willing to expose, to reveal himself more to you. And once one is limited in God's word, even God will be limited in bringing his message through such a person. So, I believe one of the signals is that you could easily find a word from the scripture that connects to the conviction that is boiling in your spirit. Thank you, sir. Amen. Excellent comment. Thank you, Brother Zev. Excellent. Anyone else? Please open your mic. We'll see you and follow you. Reverend, I just don't know. I feel like Brother Jerry may like to jump in on this. Sure. Let's call on Brother Jerry. He's traveling, but maybe he has an excellent input on this. Brother Jerry, how can we know if it's the Lord, if it's us? How does this work? Speak to us. Thank you, Brother Jerry. How do we know that it's by the spirit of the Lord that we receive something from God that will have power and impact? Or how do we know if it's out of our own heart as the scripture that we read? How do you know the difference? I just know what makes it work. Okay. Because, and it has to do with, and some of those scriptures touched it, it has to do with abiding in him. It has to do with his spirit, nurturing his spirit in you to a place that you are in harmony with his spirit. So your walk, you're not deviating throughout the day from him. You're walking humbly before God. You're confessing your mistakes, your sins. You're in fellowship. You're not broken relationship with anybody. You're walking humbly before God. That creates the atmosphere where the Holy Spirit lives in you and speaks to you and guides you and leads you. And when you're in a spiritual conversation or, you know, dialogue with somebody, he's going to quicken your mind to scripture, to ideas. And as you speak, the Lord will guide you because you're in fellowship. It's not going to happen at that moment. It has to be, you know, lived out ahead of time. It has to be seasoned. You have to be seasoned in that communion. And it happens. It happens. He'll remind you. He'll give you a word, an idea, prompting. And when you speak that, it resonates on the other side. So the only way to distinguish is if the person is seasoned with God. I mean, some people have a gift. The gift works 24-7, I guess. I don't know. But it also has to resonate on the other side as well. So the Holy Spirit uses it to speak. But on the other side, the Holy Spirit uses it to resonate. So what are you meaning on the other side? Can you just enlarge on that? The person listening to you. The person receiving the word that you're speaking to them. Because it's not just a one-way communication. Aha. Because it's Rhema being spoken out of your mouth, then the Holy Spirit is doing something of power in the life of the other person. Hallelujah. I get what you're saying. He starts in you, but he completes it on the other side, on the other person. By conferring and anointing or just touching that in their lives where they need to hear. And that could come in a different way. The person receiving it could land on a situation that they're struggling with or praying about. And the Holy Spirit will take it and apply it to that area. And you will have no clue why you said that or to what direction you aimed it. You just said what the Holy Spirit led you to say. But it comes down on the other side in a very specific and unique area in your life. So, Jerry, would you define that as being prophetic or a prophecy or a word of the Lord like that? Can I use the word prophecy for that? That's a good way. I'm glad you brought that up. It is. And our conversations become prophetic in their nature without putting titles on it. Without putting, you know, I'll say it. Thee, thy, thou. It just naturally comes out. And I think that's how the Lord wants us to be his vessels. That we naturally speak out in any season in our lives because we are connected and walking in communion with the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah. There's a river of life flowing out. We don't have to squeeze our face a certain way and start to shake a certain. We don't have to say, Thus saith the Lord. You know, we've all heard this. It's nothing new. Everybody's laughing because you've seen it and you've probably done it. That's why you're laughing. You've seen it and you've done it. Lord, help us to be naturally spiritual and spiritually natural. It's not something we have to get into the right, you know. I'm in the flesh 90% and then I squeeze myself into this, you know, become the whole thing for a few moments. Amen. Brother Jerry, thank you for your input. And, you know, if later you have anything else, jump in. Hallelujah. Brother Cassandra, speak to us. How does the Lord, what would you add to what we're saying? Go ahead. Praise God. Amen. So, how do I know that the Lord has spoken? I know that the Lord has spoken. I don't have to describe it, but this is the way it works with me. When a scripture jumps at me, that's one of the ways I know. Then, two, I do have spiritual dreams that my emotions and soul has nothing to do with it. In other words, no matter how I feel physically, emotionally, it does not affect what I dream of. And I know that the Lord has spoken because they are independent of all that. And it is important to say this, that it is very effective when it comes from an atmosphere of the presence of God. Like, I am better off if I have been in a session of teaching God's Word or a time of prayer. You know, the Bible where we read says, if they had stood in my council, I would have had my word. So, I am better off to have more clarity concerning whether God has spoken or not when my devotion life is in fact. Because most of the time, God has spoken to me through His Word. The same Word I have studied over the years just jumps at me. It may be a verse at the time and all that. I have many instances where that has happened and I knew the Lord has spoken. Those scriptures just jump at me. I don't manufacture them. So, there is no way to me speaking. They are not my way. I don't manufacture what I should dream of. In short, there have been times. Oh God, oh God, show me the girl I should marry. And I sleep and I dream nothing. But when the Lord wants to speak to me, He takes me into dreams that I didn't plan to dream of. So, generally, my dreams are spiritual. Then God speaks to me from His Word. And most of all this time, it is the Lord speaking and not myself. I don't remember ever telling anybody God said when God didn't say. Because I don't know. I don't know how it works for others. It's impossible for me to say God said when God didn't say. Because if I say God said, then I'm sure God said. I'm sure. I didn't manufacture it. And another way I know is that most of the times I'm not emotionally connected to these things. I mean, I don't have to explain it. Amen. There were not things I desired or lusted for. So, if it's where it didn't come from me, there are no doubts that I'm not sure maybe it's me or God speaking. No. So, those are the ways I know God has spoken. But like I said, very important. It is often better and safer when I have maintained over time a life of devotion. The result of a life of devotion, which I've found to be true, is that even my feeling is of God, there are times I sense something I feel. So, okay, this is what it means. It will be aligned to God. It will have no corruption in it. Corruption is introduced when we sow to the flesh. But as long as we sow to this, we'll have life after life. There have been times where I've had a smell of something. I knew exactly what that meant. I smelled somebody's perfume. That person had traveled and we're not sure she will return. She used to be my colleague. Walking back to my seat that day, I could perceive her by my nose. And I knew she was back to Nigeria because she traveled to London. So, those things are, as a result, what I say is of devotion over time with God. Such that all of your life, your feelings, your eyes, God used them to speak. All. And the scriptures too. There have been times while I was walking in the band, my boss talked so... How would I put it? He put me down with his words. I was so cast and discouraged. But when I went to sit, the Lord spoke to me. 2 Corinthians chapter 30. And the Bible says, judge nothing till the Lord appears. That picture just hit me as I start to begin walk on my computer. The Lord said, judge nothing. So, I have many of such instances. And I tell you the truth. I don't remember ever saying what God did not say. The only time I believe I've made mistakes was when I started out. After I got the baptism of the Holy Spirit. So, at that point, maybe I was immature. So, I could get up many things running through my mind. Maybe I was speaking my mind at the time. Those ones, at that point, I was not really sure God said. But now, when it comes from the scripture, I am 100% sure. 100% sure. Once a scripture jumps at me, there is no mistake about that. When I have dreams. Because dreams have been a primary way through God speaks to me. So, I've noted that from a long time. I've had dreams sometimes very clear on what will happen. Other times, I may misunderstand it. So, dreams, I may say 99.9. But you see the Word of God, 100%. It's God. It's not me. Never had a time when the Word of God jumped at me. And I began to think it's from my mind. My dreams, let me say 99.9%. So, those are the ways I know God has spoken to me. Sounds like each person, there's an individual experience and a training that comes from the Lord that begins when we're younger and less mature. And those gifts and that abilities of the Spirit begin to develop. And each person being different will experience different developments. You might be good at track and field. And I might be good at weight lifting. But that doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with either one of us. We are created for a purpose. And as we're sensitive to the Lord, and we begin to pursue those kind of things, our progress is accelerated. Brother Xavier, I see you're unmuted. We welcome your comments. I would like to learn from my brother, Kes. There are some instances where I have had, I won't call it a preconceived concept, but there is an issue on the ground. Like, for example, for us who minister in children or like for us who minister in the villages, you find an issue at church. You find an issue in a certain group. And because you have devoted yourself in the Word, you will have a number of verses and scriptures popping out as you try to speak about. So is it... Anyway, I think you have understood my explanation. So I want to see how my brother relates if there is an issue at hand and these scriptures are popping out like this and use those scriptures to address a certain thing. Should I consider it myself, actually putting myself in the Spirit, or the Spirit of the Lord is using His scripture to communicate and address an issue at hand? Thank you. Let's keep it very simple and just say we believe that what you're experiencing is the Holy Spirit quickening you and quickening His Word to you and using you to minister to those children. At the same time, the Holy Spirit, like the brother said earlier, is working on the other side, on the other in the children. And so when you're speaking the scriptures which become the Word of the Lord because they're quickened by the Holy Spirit, inspired by God for the moment, when the scripture is inspired by God for the moment and for the situation, it becomes that Rhema Word of God, which is quick, which is powerful, it will divide, it will do its work. So that's my comment on it, Brother Xavier. Are you content with that? Amen. Amen. Thank you. So let's give the glory to God. God is using you. Hallelujah. I'm reminded of how we began to speak about the counsel of the Lord, the counsel of the Lord. And there's a difference in spelling between two words, counsel and counsel. So the word that we're talking about, standing in the counsel, is a different word than sharing the wisdom and counsel of the Lord. When somebody comes to you for counseling and you give them counsel, which means wise advice. But the counsel of the Lord, which is what is used in this Jeremiah text, Jeremiah 23, verse 22, and another one, this is the word counsel. And so anybody, what is this definition? What are we talking about? Standing in the counsel of the Lord. Anybody for the favor, can you speak to that? What does it mean standing in the counsel? Is it different than standing in the council? The council would be an assembly. And then the counsel would be instruction, a guideline, a direction from the Lord. Nice. So when I went back to the Hebrew on this one, you're exactly correct. Because the word used here is S-O-D. And as I read it, it's pronounced sowed. And it means a company of persons who are close in deliberation or discussion, right, on a situation. They're intimate and they're consulting, probably secret assembly. And they produce a counsel. They produce a decision and wise advice. So this is the meaning exactly as you have said it, brother, is how I read it from the Hebrew definition. So what does it mean then, gentlemen, that we are to stand in the company who is in deliberation, a counsel around the Lord, an intimate and a secret assembly? What is this? It's not only used in one place. It's actually used in a number of places to standing in God's presence and hearing and seeing what is God saying. So what is this? Can anybody shed light on this? What is the counsel of the Lord? Can we stand in that counsel? I saw, brother, Sunday. Did you have a comment, brother Sunday? Please, we welcome you. Thank you, Reverend. Yes. What I have to say about the counsel of the Lord is this. I will say from my own point of view that when we, or when I surround myself with like-minded persons who have the word of God in their minds and who are mindful of what the word of God is saying, I see it as the counsel of the Lord. Persons who understand what the word of God is all about, not just a kind of showmanship, but they truly hold tight the word of God in practice and demonstration. And also they express it in every actions of their life. And they also try to effect it in everything they do. Yes. It affects another positively with the impact of the word of God in their life. I see it as the counsel of the Lord. Hmm. Thank you, brother Sunday. And that's a good, very good comment on when you're seeking the Lord's wisdom and understanding on something and you surround yourself with those who walk with God according to his principles, according to his word, in the presence of many counselors, there is wisdom. And that comes from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 15.22, if anyone is taking notes, that's where that one is. Ezra. Yes, please. Yes, I was calling on you earlier. Do you have a comment in this direction that we are speaking about tonight? Yeah, on the other side of God's prophecy, God's message, how do we know that God has spoken or God has sent that message to you? We take this understanding when that message is given out, you get to know or you understand what exactly is going on in your life. Most times when God speaks, for example, someone has brought a message to you, that message is directly proportioned to the challenge you are facing or in that situation you are in. Most times when God has spoken, that message comes in line with what is taking place in your life. And when God has not spoken, in most times we imagine, as the scriptures say, some prophets, some false prophets, you imagine, they study you and they imagine what you may be passing through and sometimes it's not real. So that is how we shape between the godly message and the false message from the false prophets. That is all my understanding about that. Good. So if they're speaking to you and what they're saying is not witnessing on your side, then you would discern that it's something which did not come out of the counsel of the Lord but it came from a different way. Is that what I'm understanding you to say? Yeah, that's what I was trying to mean but not on the side of counseling. For the counseling of the Lord, it gives you direction. Most times, you know, God knows us, knows the things we are going to do when we are even not aware. So when the counseling of God comes, you know that there was a devil, I can call it a devil, or a spirit that was going to remove you off line in front there. But the counseling of the Lord comes and guides you to another direction where you can be safe. Okay, good. Yeah, I do understand what you're saying. It's an excellent point. Amen. Thank you, Ezra. I like that. Okay, so Faber has a comment in the chat, which is a good comment. Faber's comment is from Jeremiah 23. In the version which he's reading, he only sees counsel with an E, and he hasn't seen the C-I-L in that chapter. And this is a challenge to understanding this because some versions clearly, and I say correctly, translate the word S-O-D to mean the assembly and counsel of the Lord, which would be the correct translation, English word for it. Now, there's another verse that says we should stand in the counsel of the Lord, which means we should continue and not deviate or change from what the Lord has given us as wisdom and as direction and as counsel. And we should stand fast in the truth that he's given us. However, in this case, when you look at the original language, the word is the S-O-D, which should correctly be written in English, the C-I-L. Now, if you look at various versions, you will find different versions use an I and different versions use an E. So that's often where it gets confusing. And when people begin to disagree about the meaning of this passage, what they have to realize is there seems to be different ones have used a different spelling. And I'm not sure why I didn't, I wasn't there when they were translating. But in the definition that we're using, which is consistent with English that I know, counsel with an I is the assembly of those who stand around the Lord in his presence and how God begins to speak to us when we're in his presence. We're we're around his throne, as we call it. And God is speaking to us and he is giving us wise counsel. We're hearing what does say the Lord when we stand. Does that clear it up rather favor or can you help me with that further? Thank you. That's what he does because I like that. OK. So we have to be aware. Go back to your strongs and see which word is used in the original and it will clear it up. Because the more original that we go, the more clear some of these type of words are. I can post a list of the words that use H-3245, which is the Hebrew strongs, word for standing in the assembly in the inner secret place of the Lord. Do you know that the counsel of the Lord is his spirit within us? He can counsel us. Now he's called the counselor, which means he will guide us into all truth. Hallelujah. He stands in the secret place of the most high God. And he reveals to us those things that the father is speaking. So he is the Holy Spirit, the counselor. And can we have a relationship of walking with God, talking with God? Hearing from the Lord and speaking that word to others. And I believe that clearly is a prophetic relationship we have with God. And that when we just actually talk to people, we'd be surprised sometimes what we say from our own mouth that inspires someone else. And thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. And I encourage each one of you to seek, if you're not, seek to be baptized with and filled continually with the Holy Spirit. Because he is life to us. This is what Jesus bought for us, is to be filled with his spirit. Hallelujah. Bless the Lord. Brother Cassander, do you have a further comment here? Amen. Amen. Thank you so much. There's a statement you made, which I think I have to write it down afterwards. And very important, I'd like to say it again. We have to be spiritually natural and naturally spiritual. When I talked about having spiritual dreams and the word of God jumping at me, I was not talking about something I have to, you know, manufacture by gymnastics. I don't have to do gymnastics. Most of the time this happens, I've been in a section of prayer and all they asked me to do was just round up the prayer. But as I began to round up, the Lord began to direct me to a certain person whom he wanted to use in that season for a certain walk. And I went to her and I made those statements. I was not so confident in myself because she just came out of the blue, per se. So it is natural. As long as your relationship with God, like Broderick had said, is intact, you will almost be a prophetic person all your life. There are people who have asked me if I'm a magician. I'm not a magician, but I know some things. But I know they do not come from me. There are times I'm impressed upon about a particular person, so I call the person and say, How are you? There are times they tell me all is well, all is well, but later they will say, Ah, thank you for that call. I was not fine. So sometimes because they refuse, I feel like I've missed it. But no, I didn't miss it because I didn't manufacture the thoughts of them. So we don't need to do any gymnastics. The first condition is receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then we enter into this, we like to call it an economy of life. These things are naturally consistent with the spiritual map. That's one part I want to say. Then, talking about the counsel of the Lord, it happens right here in Bible College. We have these assessments, which we call a trial service. A trial service is such that in one hour you are expected to hold a whole church service, which includes sermon, and you will be assessed. So when I took my seat that day, somebody was to preach. So everybody, with regards to how he performed, were concluding that, Ah, he's not going to make an A in the assessment. But when I sat down, the Lord told me very clearly from scriptures. I had it, but I didn't open the Bible. But the Bible, the Lord told me that he's going to turn, He's going to use the foolish things of this world to confirm the wise. And he told me clearly, the counsel of the Lord. That was the time period I had that encounter with what is called the counsel of the Lord. So I took note of it. Afterwards, that preacher, he has graduated now, was awarded an A. And I remember that at the beginning, the Lord had told me that the foolishness would be used to confirm the wise. People in their wisdom had accepted him and said no. So when he was given an A, everybody was struggling with it. They couldn't believe it. How come? How come? How come? But I had the counsel of the Lord. So this is an idea of what the counsel of the Lord is. When we devote ourselves with devotion to the Lord, we will come to stand in his counsel. For example, Ahab wanted to go to war. Jehoshaphat persuaded him to call for another prophet. All the other prophets had given counsel. You know, go, go, you win, go, you win, go, you win. And Ahab said, no, no, no, this man does not prophesy good for me. He said, stick on him. And the man comes and says, okay, go ahead, you win. He said, no, no, don't joke with me. Tell me the truth. And he said, I saw the Lord seated on his throne. Now, on one hand, that arrangement with the Lord seated on his throne and spirits on this side and on the other side can be called the counsel of the Lord. That is IL, where there is a meeting. But there in the counsel, the counsel of God was decided. And what was the counsel? God wanted Ahab to go and die. That's the counsel of God. So he took a prophet, Micaiah, who was a man standing in the presence to assess that information. So I say it again. Just like he said, it is very important we take note of what he said. Spiritually, naturally, spiritually. We don't have to do any gymnastics. Most of the things that have happened in my life, I didn't do any special thing. Sincerely. I could be sitting in a shop and I get an information. I was even watching a film one day and I saw someone crying. And someone was crying in the film. He changed to another person's face, a real person whom I know. And that person was crying at just the same time. So that is spiritual life that is natural. It has to. So nowadays, I haven't noticed that. I know that I don't joke with everything. Jesus. I don't joke with everything. Natural things, they speak to me. God can speak to me through anything, including something being shown on television. Including my phone. Pastor Fever, he and I know some of these things. How that I could look at the phone and begin to make intercession. Because a message has been passed. Maybe just a picture. I just see a picture and I begin to pray. So we must take note of that. We don't need any special meeting, special gymnastics for God to move and to speak to us. One of the things God will have to do for us is to be sensitive. If not, we'll miss out on many things. Still waiting for a special, maybe audible voice of God to know that God has spoken. But many a times, God is speaking every day. God is speaking all the time. And we do not know. Because we think it must come in a certain spectacular manner and all that. So that's what I have to say. So there's such a thing as the counsel of God. And in response to Pastor Fever, when I say the scripture jumps at me. Some of the times, if I have an issue, what I do is pray. And as I pray in the spirit. Because, for example, I had an issue once about three years ago with lust. And I tried to deal with it. So I went to pray. And I'm saying, Lord, I come against lust in my life. It was directed towards a particular sister. So I'm praying. I'm praying in the spirit. But the spirit knew that lust was not my issue. There was something more. But I began by praying against lust. And as I began to pray in tongues and in the spirit, the true problem came out. And what was it? Vanity. I remember being betrayed. I said, Lord, save me from vanity. So while I prayed in tongues, I interpreted my tongues. And what came out from my mouth was vanity. It was vanity that was the root of that lust I was experiencing. And by the time I dealt with vanity, it disappeared to today. Hallelujah. So, if I'm faced, amen, if I'm faced with an issue, I go pray in the spirit. Because the Bible says, the one who prays in the spirit utters mysteries. No man understands him. But we have an avenue to help us, which is interpretation of tongues. So I pray. And I speak that in English. And it gives me direction on what to do. So, when scriptures, and because of what God has done in my life, I don't take the Bible as a common thing. The Bible is the word of God. That's how I see it. I know how with it. Because there are times God's word comes to me and I can't move. I'm seated. I've been seated, trapped in a room for a long time. Just at the word of God. That's how powerful the word of God is. We must take it that serious. I need to speak to us. So, don't think it's your mind juggling all things. But anyway, when you are a student of the word, the word will always come to you. The only thing you may have to do is to pray and say, Lord, what do I do? We have so much. Yesterday, the Lord was, okay, that was two days ago. I was on my knees and the Lord began to show me. The Bible says he gave gifts to men. The gifts were not a waste. It's to help us. And I began to think about my life and my family. I heard the Lord has said many things. Some of the things, even my family is suffering now. A prophet has told me about it. But I didn't take it serious. Because, will I call him a prophet? He was a Christian just like me and a good friend. He just told me, oh, so-and-so person should be very careful because he will take a turn in his life and it will be too, he would have gone too far if he takes that turn. I didn't take it that serious. So, why I let them two days ago, I was saying, Lord, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Jesus gave gifts to men to serve us, to help us. This world is falling. Without the gifts of God, how do you survive? How do you get saved when you can't know the future? When you can't know what to do? That's why the gifts of the Spirit are here. You have prophets, you have apostles, you have evangelists, you have teachers. That's how we are saved. I can't tell how many times in my own life God has told me things about people. Or he just told me, okay, don't deal with this person. And I'm like, Lord, why? This person does good. Two years later, another person comes to me and begins to tell me why. You know, without even asking. There are people who come to give me information about them and I say, wow, so that's why God said, don't deal. So, these things are available to help us. And it is a natural life. You don't need to do gymnastics. It is spiritual, natural. Natural, spiritual. Everywhere you go. Whether you are seated in a mall, you went to pick groceries, know that God is speaking and can speak. I was going one day to some other place and I saw a girl that I used to know on the road. Actually, that was spiritually, not that it was physically there. I didn't understand. I said, ah, why is this girl in Abba? Because she stays in Port Harcourt. Next thing, I got a call. My uncle came down and said, she sent you so and so person to get something for my dad. I said, oh, is that why I saw her on the road? That's a natural life. I didn't have to get into some kind of state of unconsciousness. No, I was going about my business. So, when you have a life with God, know that it becomes natural. Natural. In the market, you have human tenderness everywhere. Praise the Lord. Amen. Walking with God. Brother, read Psalm 89, verse 5 to 7. Notice in this one, please understand that there is a place in God where he begins to speak to us. It's a place where he dwells. His angels are there. The Lord Jesus is there. He begins to speak to you. He begins to counsel you. He begins to instruct you. Even instructing you with his eye, it says. So gently. Let's read this one. Psalm 89, verse 5 to 7. We see this assembly being talked about here. It reads, the heavens praise your wonders, Lord. Your faithfulness, too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? In the counsel of the holy ones, God is greatly feared. He is more awesome than all who surround him. So you have a picture being painted here by David. And it says, who in the heavens, in the skies, can be compared to our God, Jehovah? Who is like the Lord in all the mighty ones? God is very terrible. And it doesn't mean terrible in a negative sense. It's just so amazing. In the counsel of his holy ones. And that word counsel is that S-O-D. Of his holy ones, that assembly. To be feared above all of them that are around about him. So you have a picture also in the book of Revelation. You see a number of pictures that we get a glimpse into. The throne room of God. Where Jesus is at the right hand. Angels all around. And there's wisdom and counsel, instruction. Commands for the angels coming forth from the throne. Like any king. Like any king. And there are those who stand around his throne. Close to his presence. And they seek counsel of him. They seek a word of him. And he gives wisdom. He gives judgment and decisions. On behalf of his people. When we come into, pray for somebody. We can come into the very throne room of God. And we can bring our petition in front of him. And we can say, father, I come to you in the name of your son Jesus. And I am requesting here, kneeling before your throne. I am requesting a healing for this individual. And the father will speak. He will release. He will do what he does. He is God. I am not. But often God, who is a God of love, will speak. He will move. He will do. He will empower. He will send. I love that one. Who has spoken and can but prophesy. Let's look at that one. Amos. The book of Amos chapter 30. Verse 7 through 8. Are you there, pastor, savior? Do you want to read that one yourself? Surely the Lord will do nothing but reveal his secret unto his servant, the prophet, and the professor. Amen. So, brother, savior, just tell me what picture. Talk to me about this picture. What does it look like? Describe it the best you can. Now, in this case, we have an, do I call it an allegory? I don't know whether my English can apply here. Yeah, it's like an allegory. Picture words. Yes, a picture of a lion in the real life. Like, when a lion roars, the people who have heard it once or twice or whenever, many times, they say, they tell us that when a lion roars, even if it is roaring in kilometers, you will feel the roar, the sound. And that sound will take you. And now, in comparison to the lion, here the Lord has spoken. Who can but prophesy? So, this is like, whether the Bible calls it the still small voice, but if it passes, it passes with clarity beyond reasonable doubt that you cannot sit on it, but you will have to speak. So, as the lion speaks, and that speaking causes real fear, tangible fear, when the Lord has spoken into your spirit, it will come with clarity that you cannot withhold it. In other words, you will just know it, or it will just flow, that you cannot even withhold it. That is the understanding that I can share about these two verses. Brother Faber, if you can unmute, if you have any input on this. Yes, Reverend Ari. Let me start with the seventh. First of all, what I find with this is that I find a pattern that is consistent with the Lord's path. It says, surely the Lord does nothing without revealing of the judgment. And this is amplified. It amplifies this, without revealing of the judgment to come to his servants, the prophets. So, he amplified it saying, it's coming from the angle of judgment. God reveals his secret plan, his plan for judgment. And I believe, again, generally, God reveals his plan to humanity, to his people, for his people, for his prophets. And I find from scriptures that this is consistent with the Lord's path. You know, Genesis chapter 1, it says, let us make man. In our own image. And when he wanted to destroy Sodom, he would speak to Abraham. So, I find that this is consistent with the Lord's path. Even after the birth of our Lord, we see also that with regards to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the angels were informed. I mean, sorry, the shepherds were informed. And then something striking, something I love so much, I find in Luke 2. Simon, as he, as the parents of our Lord were coming to the temple, he was blind. Oh, yeah, Simeon. Simeon, yes sir. He was blind by birth. But he could, he could, he could tell that's us. He could tell, this baby. He could see without seeing, amen. Yes, he could see without seeing. And then he said, can I, can I hold him for a second? And then he began to speak words that the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, I find, first of all, that this is a pattern consistent with our Lord. He's willing to reveal his path. He's willing to reveal what he wants to do to his servants. And this is, this is interesting. You always, in German, when you talk about the council of the Lord, and then the council of the Lord. I find that, and also the Bible says it, in every general, God has his own people. God has his people. Elijah, Elijah thought, okay, I'm the only prophet. The Lord says, no, there are other prophets. There's no doubt about it. There's no doubt about it. Hallelujah. Yes. He has his people. And so, what does this, why did I say this? If we are willing to stand on the council, to be a part of the council of the Lord, then we can, we can, we can heal. We can get his counsel. We can be inside of him. That's where we can, and then we grow in this. We grow in this, in this, in the understanding, or we grow in being privy to the information, the spiritual information we have to reveal to others. We grow in it. Because just like Brother Kess said, he touched about, he touched on healing. God, God, there are different levels as regards to God speaking to us. Yes. There are feelings. Then there is the instinct. Then there is the intuition. And then there are dreams, the revelations. And then there is then the interpretation of dreams. You see, Pharaoh had a dream about what was going to happen, but he didn't have the interpretation of that dream of Joseph came, right? God was speaking to Pharaoh, but Pharaoh didn't know. And so he needed Joseph. Same thing happened to Samuel. God was speaking to Samuel. Samuel didn't know, but Eli had told him, okay, this is what God is saying. But there are levels. So even as we are part of the council, c-o-u-n-c-i-l, we have to stay there. We have to stay in that assembly and then grow by mentorship, spiritual mentorship. Listening to all the people, servants of God, grow by studying the word of God. And then we can be privy to spiritual information. And this is something that we should all be aware of. It is in God's character to, and that's what I believe M-O-S-T-A-V-E-S-7 is saying. It is in God's character to reveal his plans. That's it. It's in God's character. That's why I started with some of these scriptures. It is in God's character to reveal his plans, to reveal what he wants to do. But we have to be in his council, have to be a part of his council. So that we can be privy to that information and also to understand. And then I think verse 8 goes to buttress that. The Lord has spoken, but who can but prophesy? So God has spoken, who can but prophesy? God has released the word, who can receive it? God has released the word, who can receive it? And to speak it and to declare it. God has released, who can receive it, to speak it and to declare it? That's good, that's good. It's in his character. I would agree with you in favor because even as the Lord said about Abraham. He said, so should I hide, shall I hide from Abraham? The thing which I do as he is a prophet. Genesis 18 and 17. And then in Psalms he says another way. Psalm 25 he says, the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him. And so God loves to open his heart. And I think that's why Abraham was called, David was called the friend of God. Because God could speak with them. God loves to communicate with his people. And tell them things which are and things which are to come. Not to raise us high, but to raise him high. So that we can be used as a mouthpiece of God. Speaking his wisdom, his grace, and his deliverance power to people. Oh, if people would just sit in the counsel of the Lord. And receive a word from me, God says. My people wouldn't be dying from sin. Hallelujah. God's calling us to come up higher in his spirit. God is calling us to become those who walk with him. Just set aside the things of the flesh, the attitudes of a carnal heart. And begin to walk in his spirit. May God help us even this day to greater, stronger alter in our life. Stronger commitment. Surrender. And ask him to purge you. Cleanse you. We went over this. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Moses. They all experienced an encounter with God. Like fire that cleansed them. Ask God for that experience with him. That he would just come. He says, come and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Walk with me. Hallelujah. Father, even in this day, we've spoken of things that are precious to your heart. Father, I confess that English is just inadequate to explain some of these things. Father, forgive us where we have not been as clear as we would like to. But God, you have made it clear to people's hearts because you're working on the other end. And so precious Holy Spirit, thank you for your wonderful way that you speak. And you've spoken through so many today. And God, I believe that you've revealed to us something that would encourage us to press into hearing your voice. To be following your leading. To know your wisdom and counsel that comes from above. Oh, Jesus. And that we would be those who can speak and see lives changed. And see your kingdom built. And to receive plans that come from you. To know your counsels and your plans. Where you would move, God. And when it's the season for this time and for that place. Oh, God. And to know when it's not the season for this or for that. But Lord, you've placed within us visions and burdens and dreams and even hopes, oh God. That come from your spirit. Forgive us, Lord, for following after cardinal things. Rather than after the intents and purposes and counsel of your spirit, God. Oh, for you love to reveal. So, God, forgive us and we repent before you, God. And we determine and desire that you would help us to be your mouthpiece and to be your instruments. We pray in the name of Jesus. And we thank you for it, Lord. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.
