Have you had someone speak to you a word that confirms what God has told you in the past? It is amazing what God is doing these days with His people! Imagine that you are seeking a job and someone says to you in prayer, “You will receive a job soon and when it comes you will be abundantly blessed.” How does that work? Here are some insights into one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in ministry:

1- In I Corinthians 12:10, Paul speaks of the gift of prophecy. New Testament prophecy is divided into two areas: the office of the prophet and the common use of prophecy by anyone, which is called “prophesying.” I Corinthians 14:3 defines “prophesying” as the act of speaking a positive word or doing something to edify (strengthen or build up), exhort (admonish), or comfort. Paul in Romans 12:6- 8 refers to prophesying as “serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing, showing mercy,” etc. The functions in the list given in Romans 12 are NOT additional GIFTS. THEY ARE WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU PROPHECY. Paul says in that everyone who prophesies edifies (builds up) the church.

2 – Prophesying is not the same as being a prophet. Prophet is an office of ministry. Ephesians 4:11 says, “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, some to be pastors and teachers.” Thus a prophet is an office of ministry. God gives them that position. Anyone can prophecy, but only God calls you to be a prophet.

3 – When a prophet speaks, he speaks for the Lord. He hears God through the Holy Spirit and the person who hears it believes it is from the Lord. There is no confusion or argument. The Holy Spirit is a voice who speaks truth that no one can deny. This truth convicts and brings the person to the place of fulfilling the will of God. How does the Holy Spirit speak?

4 – The Holy Spirit Speaks through established ways that are biblical and very clear. At times, He speaks a word of knowledge. This gift relates to the past and present, perhaps in relation to previous events that marked someone’s life. A word here can refer to a death, a thing, an event, an accident, a person in the past. At other times, you can experience discernment to clearly operate in the moment of prayer. Discernment is triggered by voice, appearance, eyes, and touch of hands. Or, the Holy Spirit may give a word of wisdom, which pertains to things future.

5 – When a word of prophecy is given, does every word come to pass in someone’s life? Not necessarily. Faith is the key for every gift to operate. When God speaks, you must act. Second-guessing or doubting sets in when there is no action. However, the word will not return void. It will accomplish that for which was spoken and bear fruit. It is a privilege and a joy to hear from God about your life and it can change everything about you!

6 – Sometimes you have to wait for the revelation or word to come through, but the waiting will turn to joy sooner than you think. Habakkuk 2:3 says,” For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it: it will certainly come and will not delay.”

7 – There is a great difference between prophesying, a word from a prophet and personal prophecy. Prophesying is edifying, and a prophet is one placed by God in the office of prophet who speaks for God. However, personal prophecy is often what someone thinks about someone else and about what they should do. Most personal prophecies are dangerous because they speak about some matter which the person being prayed for has not already heard in his or her own spirit. This can bring confusion and false direction.

Remember, a word from God reaches deep into your being and you know it is true. At other times, it confirms that which has already been spoken by God to you. Personal prophecies are often assumed to be true, when they may be in fact only wishful thinking. If you want to bless someone, never under any circumstance say something out of your own mind. God confirms His word through deep conviction by the person receiving the prayer and by three other witnesses. That is the Word!

Rick Bonfim
Rick Bonfim Ministries
RBM@LatteRain.com
www.LatteRain.com
CHECK OUR PHOTO GALLERY

Anyone who has been with us on our January evangelistic mission trips to Brazil will testify that the glory of God descends upon our mission in the mornings. Here are 10 reasons for you to consider attending this year’s trip, which will be January 25 to February 9, 2006.

1-You will be discipled in personal evangelism. We will minister the love of God to hundreds. Because there are no translators, you will exercise the gifts God will give you to communicate the love of God without having to say a single word.

2-The Holy Spirit will address your deepest needs in a way that only He can. We expect the glory of God to come into our Bible studies. We expect at least 20 hours of anointed Bible study. There will be personal ministry to you, helping you to deal with what is holding your life back from fulfillment.

3-We will visit at least 7 churches and theses services will be filled with the glory of God. Hundreds will come to hear and to be saved by the grace of God. You will minister to them and before you realize it, you will also be ministered to personally by the Holy Spirit. This will be an experience you will never forget.

4-We will visit the hills around the mission in St. Barbara and bring hope to many. Our clinic and doctors will be standing by to assist our efforts to bring healing to many in these hills, especially children. We will bring the love of God to them and bless them!

5-When it comes to revelation from the Lord, this is the place to be these days. Literally hundreds have come to Brazil to hear God. What is His will for your life? Why are some things not working at the moment? What is the perfect plan of the Holy Spirit for your life?

6-Brazil is a place where the anointing flows in power. Many have been called to ministry within the compound at St. Barbara. If you are seeking the will of God for your life, Brazil is the place to be.

7-Many have experienced healing in Brazil. God chooses the simpler places in the world to bring His power. Many have been healed in Brazil and return every year to commemorate what the Lord has done for them.

8-The Brazil mission is a School of Prayer, a Healing Post, an Evangelistic ministry, a Feeding Program and Building Program, a Job Training Center, a Radio Station, a Church, a Medical Clinic, a Bread Factory and a Clothing Store! You will have a unique opportunity to participate in these outreaches and to minister in this environment. A day visiting the city of Rio de Janeiro is also part of this trip.

9-The Lord will provide in a way you have never experienced. Angels from all sides will come to rescue you and provide for your journey. For the first time you will have to trust God with all your might and rest in Him for every detail.

10-If you could go to the ends of the world to have a meeting with God, this is the place. Many have been born here. Many have died here. Many have been healed here. Many have been chosen here. Many have discovered themselves here. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, if He is prompting you, if this is your time for an appointment with God – COME!

Rick Bonfim
Rick Bonfim Ministries

The three days I just spent in Asheboro, North Carolina at the Sunset Street Church of God will remain in my memory for a long time. In all my years serving as an evangelist, I cannot remember a time when the Holy Spirit spoke with so much accuracy. Over 200 people received a word that simply told them what they already knew or confirmed what had been said to them in the past. One young lady came for prayer and I discerned that she was not only gifted but full of wisdom. The word was that she needed to get ready to do that which her father does because in the future she would take over and fulfill the ministry in a higher order. Later she said to me that her father had a ministry and she never thought she would be the one who would take that ministry to a higher place.

When God speaks through you, He confirms His word and His plans for those receiving the prophecy. Imagine someone in a business that is not producing any profit and God says to them through you, “I have called you to be the head and not the tail. Leave what you are doing. Come to Me in the middle of the night and I will give you another business.” If the individual had no need of money, this would not mean much, but if he is drowning in bills and the family is struggling to pay them, he will appreciate the word and move toward it with a certitude that God has spoken. At times the prophecy simply confirms to a person what God has been saying all along. After months of waiting to hear a voice, someone confirms what has been said already. When the word comes, it brings great joy and much peace.

We serve a God who calls those things which do not exist as though they did (Romans 4:17). When God speaks through you, He leaves in you a scent of glory. For a few days, you seem to be on “cloud nine,” thinking of those things that He said to so many. I wish you could feel what I am feeling today. It is not pride, for I had nothing to do with it. It was the voice of God speaking and producing victories in the lives of those who were being blessed.

When God speaks through you, He leaves in you a sense of validation. This is especially true if you have a root of rejection. It really does not happen if you have a root of rebellion, for your mind is completely in charge and you rationalize it all. However, if you ever have been broken, you will feel validated. It is as if God comes and says to you, “I really am not interested in your idea of yourself; I am validating you to serve Me and Me alone.”

Thank you, Boyd Byerly, for allowing me to come and share the gifts that God has given me. HALLELLUIA!!

IF YOU WERE BLESSED AT THIS SERVICE IN ASHEBORO, PLEASE MAKE A COMMENT HERE AND I WILL POST IT WITH ALL JOY TO GIVE WITNESS TO THE GLORY OF THE LORD!!