The Prophetic Ministry

THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY

The prophetic ministry is one of the most controversial and misunderstood yet it is an indispensable pillar in the Church’s effort to accomplish the purposes of God.  The Bible is clear that the ministry is:

-          To be understood. Prophecy is communicating creatively or by speaking/proclaiming what you hear from God.  It begins with hearing from God. It is forth telling which may include foretelling. Prophecy can reveal things in  the present, near and far. 

-          To be desired as a ministry.  1 Corinthians 14:1  Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. Desire to be the one who gives out prophecy not desiring to be a recipient of prophecy.

-          To be purpose driven. 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.   Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

o   To direct obedience and warn against disobedience.

o   To motivate to godly living. To reveal the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Like other Gifts to glorify God and equip for service.

o   To respond to moral and other key national issues of the day.

o   To expose strongholds hindering the spread of the gospel. 

o   To prepare people for that day not just for today.

o   To answer the primary questions to God – Who shall I send. Acts 11:27 During this time, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. Act 13:1-2  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

-          To be monitored and tested. Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.     Discernment, word and time.  Act 13:10  And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?    You can not stop people from prophesying but are responsible to test the prophecy. You are responsible for every decision you make in your life.

-          To be interpreted correctly. Act 21:10-13  And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.    Need to ask whose it is, when and when it is for, how to handle it, the wisdom to communicate (creatively or plain announce), what should be done as a response to it, etc

-          To be supported and confirmed  by other prophets and ministries. 1 Corinthians 14:29  Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. Ephesians 4:11, 12, says the role of these gifts is “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up...”   1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

-          To be  received graciously. Not perfect. 1 Corinthains 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

-          To be encouraged. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings.  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good (1Thessalonians 5:19-21).  “Do not neglect your gift.” (1 Timothy 4:14). “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you.” (2 Timothy 1:6)

-          To be practiced by all. Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Act 21:9  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.   The Holy Spirit in the believers life alters the role of prophets in giving direction to individual believers. The prophetic ministry is for all but the ministry of the prophet is for some.

-          To be considered seriously always. Do not get too familiar with prophecies even if in past did not turn out exactly. A boy cried wolf once too often? The villagers were so hardened to the boy’s false alarms that they were unprepared when the wolf finally arrived.

-          To be preceded by love. 1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

-          To precede  and bring about the will of God. Often the will is in the form of miracles and the supernatural. Speaking forth the word from God is also bringing what it says to pass. That’s how God created the heavens and the earth ( Genesis 1). He spoke and things came into being.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Centre.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Maranatha: The Lord is Coming

Maranatha: The Lord is Coming

Message By Dr. K. Chitima at

Hercules AFM Easter Conference

Acts 1:1-11; Mark 13:31-37 

His second coming is the reason Jesus came the first time. It is the reason why he died and rose again a victor. He came the first time to prepare his church for his second coming.  His death and resurrection provided all the church needs to prepare for that day when he returns. It was finished (John 19:30)  but will be done (Revelation 21:6) when his bride is ready and he comes back. The second coming is the enduring hope of the church (Revelation 22:12).The early Church believers,  at a time when they were faced with much persecution, comforted themselves with the Aramaic word ‘Maranatha’, which means “the Lord is coming”, “Our Lord comes” or “come, O Lord.”  The purpose of life is to prepare for that day.

Christ’s return is a major theme in the Bible and yet we ignore it sometimes because of controversies among theologians about its nature and timing.   This message looks at the issues that are not disputed, their signs and their implications on the life of believers.

I. Certainties of His Coming

What we know for sure includes:

1) Jesus promised to come back. He  also said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away : but my words shall not pass away (Mark 13:31)" Jesus said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you , I will come again , and receive you unto myself ; that where I am , there ye may be also (John 14:3)."  "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21:27, 28)".  " For as often as ye eat this bread , and drink this cup , ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come (1 Corinthians 11:26)."   Jesus will certainly come, if not for the Church at the end of the age he will come sooner or later for you when you die. 

2) He will come personally and visible. It is the same Jesus who came first time and ascended to heaven who will come again, not another Jesus. Not a representative, an angel, or an image. "Which  also  said , Ye men  of Galilee , why  stand ye gazing up  into  heaven ? this same  Jesus , which  is taken up  from  you  into  heaven , shall  so  come  in like manner as  ye  have seen  him  go  into heaven (Acts 1:11)".

3) He will come in great glory.  The first time, Jesus came unnoticed into the world, the second time “every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7). In his first coming Jesus humbled himself, being born in a stable in Bethlehem. When he returns, he will come back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. "And  when he had spoken  these things , while they  beheld , he was taken up ; and  a cloud  received  him out of  their  sight (Acts 11:9)". The cloud that carried Jesus into heaven was no ordinary cloud but was in fact the same cloud that led Israel in the wilderness. It is the cloud that represents the glory of God. "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21:27, 28)". Jesus warned that they say, "Look, here!' or 'Look, there!' Do not go away, nor follow them, for as the lightning, when it flashes … so will the Son of Man be in his day (Luke 17:23-30)."  " For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels ; and then he shall reward every man according to his works .  (Matthew 16:27; 25:31)."   "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout , with the voice of the archangel , and with the trump of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)."   He will return for and with His saints and the saints will be with Him forever.  2 Thessalonians 2:1; ; Zechariah 14:4-5;  Jude 14-15; Revelation 19:11-16).

4) He will come to set up his Kingdom and judge nations and individuals according to their obedience to His gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:3-12). When he came the first time he was judged unfairly. When he comes the second time he will judge with truth and justice. Every life is on course to a day of its final account. For we must all appear before His judgment seat; that every one may receive according to what he did, whether it be good or bad (2 Corinthians  5:7-10). Every man’s work shall be revealed and tried to show what sort it is (1 Corinthians 3:11-13). Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).

4) He will come soon and suddenly. "And , behold , I come quickly ; and my reward is with me , to give every man according as his work shall be (Revelation 22:12)".  As we used to sing that soon and very soon we are going to see the Lord, Maranatha. We may have to wait patiently.  He can come when we don't  expect, like a thief in the night, he will appear.  He will be like a thief especially to those who are not watching for His coming (Matthew 24:36-51; 25:1-3; Mark 13:32-37;  2 Peter 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11: Revelation 22:7, 12, 20; Revelation 3:3; 16:15;).

5) He will come at his Father’s appointed time. "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man , no, not the angels which are in heaven , neither the Son , but the Father .  Take ye heed , watch and pray : for ye know not when the time is (Mark 13:32).   "And he said unto them , It is not for you to know the times or the seasons , which the Father hath put in his own power (Acts 1:7).  No one knows the exact day or hour. Whatever date you set, he could also come before or after. "Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come” (Mark 13:33).

II. Signs of the Season or Times

 Believers can however know the climate. " He answered and said unto them , When it is evening , ye say , It will be fair weather : for the sky is red.  And in the morning , It will be foul weather today : for the sky is red and lowering . O ye hypocrites , ye can discern the face of the sky ; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (Mathew 16:2,3). " Most of the signs are already evident in our world today.

A) The prophetic clock. Israel and the Middle East have a special place in international relations because the Bible has made predictions about events in the region, which make a prophetic clock in understanding last day events. Israel is the nation whose history and future is fully recorded in the Bible. Events to do with Israel provide an indication of where we are on the prophetic time line. The clock is approaching midnight. "I saw in the night visions , and, behold , one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven , and came to the Ancient of days , and they brought him near before him.  And there was given him dominion, and glory , and a kingdom , that all people , nations , and languages , should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion , which shall not pass away , and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed  (Daniel 7:13-14)."   "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city , to finish the transgression , and to make an end of sins , and to make reconciliation for iniquity , and to bring in everlasting righteousness , and to seal up the vision and prophecy , and to anoint the most Holy (Daniel 9 :24)." In  the end, Christ will set up a kingdom for a thousand years and eventually an eternal kingdom centered in Jerusalem (Revelation 13:17; 21). "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom , which shall never be destroyed : and the kingdom shall not be left to other people , but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms , and it shall stand for ever (Daniel 2:44)." 

b)     Intense persecution and tribulation culminating into a ‘great tribulation’. "and there shall be earthquakes in divers places , and there shall be famines and troubles (Mark 13:8)."  Also   Matthew 24:9-10, 21; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; and Revelation 6-16. The tribulation includes famines, diseases and earthquakes which have increased (Matthew 24:6-7; Revelation. 6:1-17).

c)    False teaching and deception and false prophets will increase culminating in a one world false religious movement that will be part of an Antichrist system (Mark 13:8; Mathew 24: 5, 11, 24; 1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 13, 17). "Let no man deceive you by any means : for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first , and that man of sin be revealed , the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3)."  Also 2 Timothy 3:1-7.

d)        Conflicts and wars between nations  culminating in the rise of a star peace agent who will become a one-world dictator or  Antichrist. "And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars , be ye not troubled : for such things must needs be ; but the end shall not be yet .  For nation shall rise against nation , and kingdom against kingdom (Mathew 24:6; Mark 13:7)."   Also Daniel 2; Daniel 7; Daniel 18; Daniel 11; Revelation 13; and Revelation 19:11-21.

e) An unprecedented outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh that will take place culminating in Christ’s coming (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17).  "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations ; and then shall the end come (Matthew 24:14)."  The Lord is going to present to Himself a victorious Church without spot or blemish.  "Repent ye therefore , and be converted , that your sins may be blotted out , when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord ;  And he shall send Jesus Christ , which before was preached unto you :   Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things , which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began (Acts 3:19-21)."

III. Implications/How Shall We Respond

Believers may not understand all the details of how things will happen leading to the coming of Christ. God has however made it absolutely clear what they need to do. Which if they do they will be ready when and however he comes. Therefore do not be afraid but be very sure you are  ready.  Be fervent in faith and not lukewarm as the things of which Jesus rebuked the churches in  Revelation 2-3 and other bible passages. In short be careful to:

>>Watch Ye Therefore.   "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey , who left his house , and gave authority to his servants , and to every man his work , and commanded the porter to watch .  Watch ye therefore : for ye know not when the master of the house cometh , at even , or at midnight , or at the cockcrowing , or in the morning :   Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping .   And what I say unto you I say unto all , Watch (Mark 13:35, 36)". Watch by being prayerful and hopeful.  Watch therefore , for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (Matthew 25:13). The second coming of Christ is a source of hope and comfort in times of trial and persecution (Hebrews 10:35-37). Be awake and alert.   Be alert to the various deceptions that are rising up (2 Thessalonians 2:8, 9; Matthew 24:11). And when the signs of his coming begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).   While  things may become worse before becoming better, believers have great hope and will become stronger and stronger if they look to God.  Mark 13:32-37; Romans 13:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10).

>>Be fruitfully occupied. Go about your normal work with excellence and diligence. Serve faithfully. Work diligently.  For even when we were with you , this we commanded you , that if any would not work , neither should he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10) .  Put your talents, gifts, resources to gainful use (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11). . Take advantage of the end time outpouring and be a Holy Ghost powered believer and witness for Jesus Acts 1:8. Jesus as in the parable said, "Occupy until I come (Luke 19:13)." Be productive, meet needs and provide solutions. Be busy for the Lord (Mathew 28:18-20). You should be faithful in carrying out the task the master gave - ‘go ye therefore and make disciples’. Remember that every work will be tested 1 Corinthians 3:1-15.

>>Be ready by living godly lives. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; … Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness (2 Peter 3:10, 11).  Be ready all the time.  Therefore be ye also ready : for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh (Mathew 24:44) .  Walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1-13; 1 John 3:2-3; 2 Peter 3:9-13).

Live today with eternity in mind. Live today with the end in mind. Martin Luther, the 16th Century reformer, said he had two days on his calendar - TODAY and THAT day.  He understood that life is to live TODAY to prepare for THAT DAY. Life is about preparing for that DAY. Not just finding rent, spouse, wealth, and health. Gods provisions are not an end in themselves but a means to prepare for that day. Sadly, many are preparing for today and neglecting that day. Christian writer Warren Wiersbe, tells about a horse that took off with a wagon carrying a little boy. Seeing the child in danger, a young man risked his life to catch the horse and stop the wagon. The child who was saved grew up to become a lawless man, and one day he stood before a judge to be sentenced for a serious crime. The prisoner recognized the judge as the man who, years before had saved his life; so he pled for mercy on the basis of that experience. But the judge replied, "Young man, then I was your savior; today I am your judge, and I must sentence you to be hanged." One day Jesus Christ will say to rebellious sinners, "During that long day of grace, I was the Savior, and I would have forgiven you. But today I am your Judge."

Each day that comes ‘that day’ is nearer than  before. You should be ready to give a report on ‘that day’ about your life and ministry.  On that day you will account for every word you spoke (Mathew 12:36, 37). That day will expose secrets of the heart. On that day, you will account for the things you did in private as well as public. On that day, every knee shall bow and confess that Jesus is Lord. There will be  rewards and joy for those found ready on ‘that day’.

>> Keep the faith. I have fought a good fight , I have finished my course , I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).   Will the son of man find faith in you when he returns (Luke 18:8). "Nevertheless  when  the Son of man  cometh , shall he find faith  on  the earth?". Believe him for all he has provided on the cross. What he will come to perfect and consummate believers already enjoy by FAITH. His presence is heaven to us. Will he find you eagerly waiting and faithfully serving him?

POSITIONED TO SOAR VII: Focusing Your Access

Positioned to Soar VII: Focusing Your Access

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life - Proverbs 4:23

This message is the seventh in a series on soaring through focusing on what is important and best.  The message is about taking responsibility of the access points to your life in order to allow into your life only what is helpful to you and pleasing to God. You can focus/dedicate access to your life to what pleases him and fulfills his purpose. If you do not R.O.A.R. (exercise Right Of Admission Reserved), you will not be able to soar. ROAR therefore in order to soar. Your life is not an open access public property. It is private property that you manage. You are manager to your own life and have the right to accept or deny entry to anything or anyone. Put out clear signs to all that you reserve the right of admission.

Is your life crowded with stuff that is working against you? Who opened the door to them? How did they find shelter in your space? The good news is whatever the case, you can throw out anything that you do not like or deny it admission without having to justify your decision to it.  That is what reserving right of admission means. You are the manager who decides who to show exit or give privilege of entry. You can forcibly throw or kick out whatever is causing you problems. You have the authority to direct what goes on in your life in favor of Christ and your goals.

The Bible instructs, ‘Keep/Guard thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life’ (Proverbs 4:23).  To be able to guard one’s heart it is important to know things expected of you, things you accept in day-to-day decisions and things that get executed in the end.

Things God EXPECTS of You. To guard the gateways of the heart you need boundaries and foundations that show the area over which you have authority. Within the legitimate domain of your authority, you can exercise authority and expect compliance. Outside that domain your have no right to exercise your authority. If you do not know where to exercise authority, someone is going to exploit your ignorance to your disadvantage.  John wrote, ‘But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12).’  The Greek word used for power in this case was ‘exousia’, which means the authority to be sons of God.  Faith in Christ gives the right or freedom to make decisions as sons of God. Authority gives freedom to command and control by choosing ideas, words, actions, associations to hang out with, places to expose yourself to, conversations, etc

Identity of believers helps define the boundaries and foundations of their authority.  It points to privileges for which the believer is eligible. It defines the values and purpose that give the believer meaning of life. The word of God maps out the things over which a believer has authority. That is why it is crucial to read, study, believe and mediate on the word of God. 

Things you DAILY Accept. Based on the expectations from the boundaries and foundations, you can know how to respond to requests, invitations, intrusions, offers and knocks on their life doors. Their identity of being children of God guides them in deciding and applying faith on what to allow into or stop from their lives.  The boundaries indicate where to erect security walls and where to leave access points such as doors and gates. When the Bible says ‘let not’ it indicates times, you are at an access point facing something not to let in. For example, let not the flesh rule in your life anymore. If you do not stand up to keep it’s rule, the flesh will proceed to rule (Mathew 6:3; 19:6; John 14:1, 27; Romans 6:12; 14:16; Ephesians 4:26  and James 1:7).  Scriptures are saying that often you will need to be able to say no. You have to practice saying “yes” to God’s priorities and “no” to anything else.  To fear and obey God is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Yes is a tool for providing access. NO is a tool for affirming boundaries to be put to use more than yes. Walls are by far much longer than gates. If all you can say is yes, ok, and cool, you live a dangerous life without boundaries.

Living involves making a series of choices about what to let in and out of your life when, where and how. If you allow everything that comes to your mind, ears and presence you are like an open access public property. You need to choose carefully to what you expose yourself. Are your daily choices and behaviors consistent with your boundaries and foundations?  Some undesirable things keep finding access and a stronghold in your life because you have something of theirs of which you should have let go. They come to look for their friends, relatives and property. That is why you should not keep items from witch doctors, drug samples from their past lives, etc.

You have to ROAR at the gateways of your heart. Take charge of them. The gateways to your heart include things you let in and out through your five senses of hearing, sight, taste, touch and smell. They cover what you listen to, watch, read, learn, think about, are entertained by, websites you surf, and images and text you entertain on cell phone. Some are as a young believer who battled but failed to control his sexual urges. When I visited the room, he lived in there were pictures of scantly dressed up women on the walls. What you expose yourself to attracts its kind into your life. You will need discernment because some things present you with a worm by looking attractive but hiding the bait that will bring you into bondage and take away your life.

Some things may be lacking in your life and you will need to refuse a life without what belongs to you. You therefore pursue, hunt down and repossess them by faith in the word of God. You are not ordinary. You have roots or the DNA of God as his child. Jesus loosed the woman who had suffered under a spirit of infirmity that kept her back bowed (Luke 13:10-17). A condition where for eighteen years she mostly only looked downward and could not lift herself up to see the sky limits of opportunities. He healed her on the Sabbath and the Pharisees accused him of breaching the law. Jesus explained it had to be seeing she was a daughter of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:7). You also can rise up regardless because you are a child of God.

THINGS YOU MANAGE TO EXECUTE. Authority and decisiveness are not enough to make things happen. What is done is what you had adequate skill and resources to effect. That is why God promised you power (in Greek dunamis) for ability to enforce your decisions and commands in Christ (Acts 1:8). Dunamis puts authority into action. Authority puts dunamis under control. When you are unable to enforce your ROAR, you become a mockery before your enemies. That is why you need to grow spiritually and/or  be free in areas of your life where you experience constant failure.  The spiritual resources you need to make decisions within your authority achieve results:

The Fullness of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:49; Galatians 5:16)

Faith in Word of God (Hebrews 1:3; Mark 9:23)

Apply word of God. Decide to put on and off (Colossians 3:8-14; James 1:23)

Prayer of a righteous person is power (James 5:16-17)

ROAR at your gateways to encourage yourself, inspire your friends, warn your enemies and glorify your God.

(This message is the seventh in a series on the importance and power of focusing on what is important and best (Hebrews 12:1-2)) 

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

 South Africa 

POSITIONED TO SOAR VI: Focusing Your Appeal to God

Positioned to Soar VI: Focusing Your Appeal to God

Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 38:2  

This message is about prayer as an appeal worth directing only to God.  Because you have a right of appeal no matter the badness of the situation, it is not the end of story.  The Bible promises that they that wait upon the Lord shall soar like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). To wait upon is to bind together, to expect from, to look to, to call on and to wait patiently for (Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary).

The previous message on focusing your anchor was about your faith in God. This message on focusing your appeal is about your prayer to God.  Prayer is an expression of faith.  You pray to the one who holds and provides your anchor. Anchors whose chains, pulleys etc are badly serviced and applied fail to hold. Prayer services and activates your faith.

Lessons from court cases include that both the accuser and the accused have opportunity to give evidence. As a believer, you have an accuser and the evidence you give is the word of God that spells out your rights and privileges. Faced with hard times, do not just cry to God give reasons/evidence to support your case. A case can be lost on grounds of poor evidence. Another lesson is not to contradict your advocate/lawyer (your Baxter).  The Lord Jesus is your advocate interceding for you. In your evidence, do not contradict the grace he has provided in his death and resurrection.   As your advocate, Jesus interrogates the accusers and their witnesses on your behalf concerning your past sins and brings in the witness of his blood shed at Calvary.  Another lesson is that you respond to the judge not to the accuser. They always refer to ‘My Lady’ or ‘My Lord’. Another lesson is that your whole life is brought to testify – even your private SMSes going back for years. How you conduct our overall lives matters in our presentation of our case before God.  Something also interesting is that at the end of a trial the accused has the right to appeal to a higher authority if they are unhappy with the judgement in a court. To appeal is placing trust in the higher authority to be competent and fair to help. The person appeals to a higher authority when unable to undo a prevailing situation on his/her own.  To appeal is an acknowledgement of need for help.

Whom do you appeal to when unhappy with something/unfairly treated by people or circumstances? Is it your mother, your totem, legendary big aunt, ancestors, yourself or its God? Life does not always give opportunity to appeal if you are unhappy with the way things are. The good news is that if you are unhappy and contesting the verdict on your wellbeing or other life issues by your background, or some people, you can escalate the case to the most high court. Making appeals is a large part of what prayer is about. To appeal is to formally request for someone better able to intervene in your adverse situation. Prayer is making an appeal to God, the highest authority. 

In making an appeal, you provide reasons for the appeal and evidence that the court can use as a basis to review the previous ruling. As a believer, you also provide God with material of prayer and his word for him to use in your situation just as a person who makes an appeal provides evidence the higher authority uses to review their case. A friend told the story of a sculptor who carried a large stone. When asked what he was carrying the sculptor responded that he was carrying an eagle.  People could not understand him. Some even thought he had lost his mind. He however insisted that he was carrying an eagle. In due course, he took his chisel and began to work on the stone and before long; everyone could see the eagle take shape. They then understood what he meant. They could now see what he was seeing in the stone before it came to being. Your life is a stone in the hands of God. He sees an eagle in you and he is bringing it out. All he needs is the chisel of prayer from you and his word in you.  When you wait on God through praying and storing his word in your heart, you provide him with the material he needs to transform your stony rugged life into a soaring eagle.  With each prayer, the Sculptor applies the chisel on your life to bring out the eagle he alone was seeing so all can also see.

Remember the following:

1) You are not alone. God is with you (Hebrews 13:5). Therefore, make use of help that is available. Know what you want (Luke 18:41; Nehemiah 1). When you know what you want you will know when it is done.  What is the appeal? If you do not have a clarity, the judge will not take your case in. Then do something. The barest you can always do which, thank God, and no one can take from you, is to pray. Do not be silent. God knows what you need. God knows what you are passing through, and will not ignore your prayer (Jeremiah 33:3).

You have access to the highest port of appeal that is why you should just focus on exercising your privilege. Prayer is often the most underutilised resource at the disposal of believers. God knows what you need. God will not come late into your situation. He will come through. Make up your mind not to be discouraged.    Calling on God and trusting him can become something you do not have to work out. You do not need a checklist of steps to live out. It can become your first response that just happens because it is so entrenched in your way of life. 

>>Pray apostolically. Apostolic prayers establish believers in faith and fruitfulness. They lay a biblical/spiritual foundation, produced transformation, imparted strength, and sought clarity of purpose. They answer questions such as; would you reveal who you are, would you show me who I am, please evaluate how I am doing, let me see what you are doing and what do you want me to do. They are ‘show me’ and ‘make me’ kind of prayers. Paul’s prayers are a good example (Ephesians 1:15-20; Colossians 1:9-15). His prayers sought to establish believers in understanding God’s provisions and their identity in him. 

>>Pray prophetically. Prophetic prayers are spirit led and word rich.  The prayers are declarations of faith that involves pronouncing things that are a reality in the Spirit and God’s word as though they are. Pronouncing what God is saying or has said. The prayers speak spiritual realities into natural manifestation. Know when to stop asking and start receiving by faith. Know when to stop confessing sin and start confessing faith and hope. Know when to stop mourning and start rejoicing in praise. Let thanksgiving dominate (Philippians 4:6-8). Prophetic prayers focus on Jesus and his redemptive work. They say how much you thank him and love him. God’s heart is good ground. He sows seed of his word in our hearts that may be rocky, thorny and wayside (Mathew 13). We sow seed of prayer in his heart that is good soil and guarantees God fold result. 

>>Pray developmentally. Developmental prayers show a learning progression where you deliberately employ all kinds of prayer and deepen the quality of your prayer so that you are constantly getting better and growing in the area of prayer.   Seek to improve all the time. Developmental prayers are unceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Pray more and richer because you convinced your answer is only a prayer away.

2) Its not the end of story. Whatever your situation God alone has the final say. Understand that its not over until God says so, until the process is over. If  episode one ends with you down and under, wait for the next episode.  Through prayer you can reassess, review or reverse any verdict and label you got. He reassesses and overrides every other decision. You can cry to the Lord with your voice and he will hear you from his holy throne. Hannah appealed for a child and God granted her request (1 Samuel 1). Jabez was born in pain and disadvantaged but he appealed to God. He called on the Lord and his request to be blessed, for enlarged territory, for anointing and for protection was granted (1 Chronicles 4:10). Esther and Mordecai appealed to God and in a dramatic turn of events God’s people were spared from the gallows and extinction (Esther).

The daughters of Zelophahad were able to get their portion against the odds (Joshua 17:3-4).  According to Jewish culture, the inheritance went to the sons. But since their father did not have sons they had appealed to Moses and to God and were promised their father’s inheritance (Numbers 27:1-7). Therefore, they refused to be left out. Instead, they remembered the word of God and demanded to be counted in. They remembered that God kept his promise. He watched over his word to fulfil it. They went to Joshua, claimed their inheritance, and received their portion. Jesus has died for you to eliminate all the conditions that would disqualify you. God’s word is able to give you the inheritance. Rise up and make your claim.

3) You will be/are amazed.   In his time, God comes through and you will be amazed at  his speed, provision and power. He will reverse, restore or resurrect in your favor as necessary.  He will not be late.  When it seemed impossible and far fetched suddenly he comes, for he is a God of suddenlies.. You are marked for God’s suddenlies. The effective prayer of the righteous produces power (James 5:16-18). Prayer has to make things happen otherwise its empty religion. It transforms, anoints, and reveals something of God.  Cultivate the power of prayer by cultivating your relationship with God – learning to listen, obey and follow closely.  Practical righteousness gives power to prayer. Jesus prayed a short prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead. Elijah prayed a short prayer to bring down fire that consumed the sacrifice soaked in water.

When Hezekiah was on his deathbed sick as is written, ‘In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD , Set thine house in order : for thou shalt die , and not live.’ Instead of polishing up his will and preparing for his funeral he turned his face toward the wall , and prayed unto the LORD  and God reviewed the earlier word and added fifteen years to his life (Isaiah 38) . 

When Peter was in prison the saints gathered and appealed to God (Acts 12:1-16). Suddenly God visited Peter who was next on the death row and set him free from prison. When you appeal to God, he will shake your prison as well as your jailor.  Also Paul and Silas (Acts 16)

God will also hear your appeals. Prayer is giving up self-effort. Instead of relying on self-effort, you concentrate on relaying faith, praise and dominion to God.  Jesus appealed to God in the garden of Gesthemene and was raised from the dead. The disciples slept in the garden when Jesus was praying. They chose sleep over vigilance.  It is no wonder that within a few hours Peter betrayed his Lord and the rest of them deserted their Lord.  If you have you been sleeping in the garden. It is time to rise up. Let your voice of appeal be heard in heaven.  Rebuild the altars that are broken down.  Reignite altars that now only have ashes and no fire. .

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

 South Africa