"So Pharaoh asked them, 'Can we find anyone like this
man, one in whom is the spirit of God?'" Genesis 41:38 (NIV)
Do you believe in prophets? I certainly do.
The pharaoh of Egypt received a troubling dream. His
magicians could not interpret it. Only one could do so, a Hebrew named Joseph
who was in prison due to false accusations. Through the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit, he was able to tell Pharaoh what was heading for Egypt: A terrible
famine!
Joseph gave Pharaoh a plan for how to safe his nation.
Impressed by his wisdom, that comes only from God, Pharoah promoted Joseph to
second-in-command.
The Bible mentions prophets hundreds of times. The
Messianic prophecies are amazing, and they serve to verify who the real Messiah
is. Psalms 22, for example, written centuries before the Messiah showed up,
perfectly describes His suffering. It quite literally was fulfilled!
God still reveal to us at times what we need to know.
My great-grandfather once woke up in the middle of the night. He took a shovel
and started to dig in the backyard. My grandmother asked him what he was doing.
He answered: "I have to dig my grave. I have received a message." Within 3 days,
he was dead.
I am no prophet, but at times my Heavenly Father gives
me insight on how to help people find Him. One time a lady was in deep water. I
tried to help her, but she was quite resistant. It's then that I was impressed
by God's Spirit to ask her about "Bobby" (Not the real name). Her reaction was
immediate. "How do you know about him? Do you live in my town?" This guy had
been abusing her for years. She gave her heart to Jesus that day and was freed
from this guy for good.
I like happy endings where God comes through big time!
However, at times, our Father wants us to warn people
to repent. That's quite tough to do. One day, when I was sixteen, I dreamed
about an individual who needed to repent. In my dream I saw large hail fall on
him and I knew that torment would come on him if he didn't renounce some great
sin.
I gave him the message. He told me: "You are wrong.
God is confirming that I am elected to be a pastor."
I kept my peace. However, a few years later I met him
again and shared with him the dream I had received for him. I urged him to come
back to God. He sadly looked me in the eye and said, "It's too late!" Within a
few months he was in prison. He lost his pastorship, his family, everything. I
shed many tears for him. I could identify with how my Father was feeling towards
this man.
The prophets in the Old Testament also had to carry
burdens. At times they were mocked and that hurts! Other times they must have
cried deeply for those who ignored our Heavenly Father's warnings. Still, some
were saved through their prophecies, take Nineveh for example (see the book of
Jonah).
Our Father loves us, and He gives us the opportunity
to experience Him. However, He will never force us. After all, He loves us
deeply!
Follow the way God's Holy Spirit guides you and we
will be blessed!
Do you believe in prophecies?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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