I want to overflow!
by Pastor Greg Fowler
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Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all (1 Thessalonians 5:19–21).
When I was a small child, my cousins and I would get together a few times a year for a family gathering, which included our grandmother. Unlike most of my cousins, she was my only living grandparent, so I desperately wanted a relationship with her. Like most grandmothers, she was kind and giving and showed us all great affection. Still, I wanted something that was exclusively between us. Aware of my needs, she would always make time just for the two of us to talk, and I would be elated.
Our God is also aware we need an intimate, one-on-one relationship with him. He knows we ache to hear a personal word for us and our situation. He knows that while all of humankind are his children, he is our one and only Father, and we want a unique relationship. God gives us that through his powerful word – the Word read, preached and released through prophecy.
Paul makes it clear that we are not to work against the movement of God’s Spirit in prophecy. It is easy to be sceptical when a brother or sister says to us that God has a word for our situation and to reject what they say. But Paul encourages us to test rather than reject a word from another in the faith. Often we see God’s love and concern in a new way and are drawn closer to him through a personal prophetic word. Indeed, I have witnessed blessing and renewal that was obviously the work of the Spirit through prophecy.
Naturally, every prophecy needs to be tested by those who have oversight in a faith community. When administered rightly with pastoral oversight, prophetic ministry enhances the life-giving word received through the means of grace.
Lord Jesus, send us your word in every form. Heal us, renew us and encourage us by your Spirit. Amen.
Pastor Greg lives in Adelaide and serves as pastor of Golden Grove Lutheran Church and School. He is blessed to be able to spend lots of time with his grandchildren, Teddy and Olivia. His spare time is taken up with golf, Formula 1 and going out with his beautiful wife.
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