Prophesy?

[FrannieProv31]

Hi, Everyone. I'm not a new Christian, but I've returned to the faith recently and I'm rebuilding my relationship with Christ.

Christian friends are hard to come by, I've noticed. I only have a few outside of my church, which consists of all 55+ members, with the exception of my fiance and myself.

Here's my issue. All of the young Christians with whom I share regular fellowship claim to "receive" directly from God. He tells them where to attend church, when and with whom to socialize, basically every aspect of their lives. He has lead them to certain websites and forbidden them from others... Things of this nature. All of this they contribute to being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving His gist of prophecy. While I have nothing but respect for a personal relationship with God, this level of interaction I do not understand. The gift of discernment, an understanding of The Word, Active prayer... these I love.

The fact that they all receive in such a way and I do not makes me wonder whether I have truly been saved or not. I feel a close communion when I pray, and I'm filled with great peace, but there isn't someone constantly whispering in my ear, giving constant instruction. Am I lost? How common is it for people to receive the gift of prophecy? Does God speak directly to you?

 

[bunced]

No, God doesn't speak directly to me, and I could point to hundreds, if not thousands, of passionate committed Christians, who would also say that God doesn't speak directly to them.

I think, personally, that when it comes to personal instruction, God's greatest gift to us was common sense. Using this in line with what we know about His character from the Bible, it is possible to make decisions that glorify Him.

 

[Determinedheart]

Hi, Everyone. I'm not a new Christian, but I've returned to the faith recently and I'm rebuilding my relationship with Christ.

Christian friends are hard to come by, I've noticed. I only have a few outside of my church, which consists of all 55+ members, with the exception of my fiance and myself.

Here's my issue. All of the young Christians with whom I share regular fellowship claim to "receive" directly from God. He tells them where to attend church, when and with whom to socialize, basically every aspect of their lives. He has lead them to certain websites and forbidden them from others... Things of this nature. All of this they contribute to being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving His gist of prophecy. While I have nothing but respect for a personal relationship with God, this level of interaction I do not understand. The gift of discernment, an understanding of The Word, Active prayer... these I love.

The fact that they all receive in such a way and I do not makes me wonder whether I have truly been saved or not. I feel a close communion when I pray, and I'm filled with great peace, but there isn't someone constantly whispering in my ear, giving constant instruction. Am I lost? How common is it for people to receive the gift of prophecy? Does God speak directly to you?

Have you been filled with the Holy spirit?

I began to really hear God more and more clearly after I was filled with His spirit

 

[Sketcher]

God isn't always that easy to hear from. I guarantee you that most if not all of them will run into a point in their lives where they will find God to be strangely silent. This is one way in which he tests our faith.

 

[RestoreTheRiver]

Your salvation depends upon your relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you believed in your heart that Jesus is Who He says He is, that He is fully God and fully Man, that He took on our human nature in order to heal all that it is to be human, that He has come into your heart because you invited Him to do so, that He has forgiven your sins?

You know the Gospel, and the power of salvation. The word means more than "forgiveness". It means "health, and "healing." I love that, because it says, again, that Jesus Christ has healed all that it is to be human.

As to hearing directly from God, yes, it does happen. And yes, it happens more frequently when one receives what is called the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

That said, these personal words, especially if they're directive, need discernment. They need to be measured against the Bible, the wisdom of the Church through the ages, and the wisdom of the particular body of which one is a part. God does speak to individuals...ideally, to individual members of a community.

Again, please don't doubt your salvation. May our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, bring you every assurance that you are His, and that He lives in your heart.

Michael

 

[sistakrista]

Hi, Everyone. I'm not a new Christian, but I've returned to the faith recently and I'm rebuilding my relationship with Christ.

Christian friends are hard to come by, I've noticed. I only have a few outside of my church, which consists of all 55+ members, with the exception of my fiance and myself.

Here's my issue. All of the young Christians with whom I share regular fellowship claim to "receive" directly from God. He tells them where to attend church, when and with whom to socialize, basically every aspect of their lives. He has lead them to certain websites and forbidden them from others... Things of this nature. All of this they contribute to being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving His gist of prophecy. While I have nothing but respect for a personal relationship with God, this level of interaction I do not understand. The gift of discernment, an understanding of The Word, Active prayer... these I love.

The fact that they all receive in such a way and I do not makes me wonder whether I have truly been saved or not. I feel a close communion when I pray, and I'm filled with great peace, but there isn't someone constantly whispering in my ear, giving constant instruction. Am I lost? How common is it for people to receive the gift of prophecy? Does God speak directly to you?

I think it's pretty important to consider the "lingo." You know, EVERYONE "hears," from God, but some talk more than they should. They use phrases such as, "I was led by God........," "God told me.......," & others far too easily.
Sometimes, "God told me to......," is more aptly put - "I have a peace in my heart about....."I don't think you should be worried @ all & the "gift of prophecy," is NOT the same as being directed by God. I've been saved for 26 years & God trusts me enough to know when I should tie my shoes..... He doesn't need to tell me to do so. Always pray for the gifts of the Spirit, but I don't consider what you described, the gift or even *A* gift of prophecy @ all.

 

[FrannieProv31]

Thank you all for your replies and insight. It was very helpful.

God bless!

 

[JPPT1974]

Be praying for you as remember
Just as long as you repent and ask for
Forgiveness and accept Jesus as Savior & Lord
You are saved once and for all
And have peace of mind and soul in and with Him!

 

[whatfor]

They use phrases such as, "I was led by God........," "God told me.......," & others far too easily.

I agree, I feel things that I believe I should do, but I don't claim they are from Him unless He tells me.

Iwould like to hear Him more but I don't.
He has spoken to me but not lately that I can really tell.

 

[heymikey80]

Hi, Everyone. I'm not a new Christian, but I've returned to the faith recently and I'm rebuilding my relationship with Christ.

Christian friends are hard to come by, I've noticed. I only have a few outside of my church, which consists of all 55+ members, with the exception of my fiance and myself.

Here's my issue. All of the young Christians with whom I share regular fellowship claim to "receive" directly from God. He tells them where to attend church, when and with whom to socialize, basically every aspect of their lives. He has lead them to certain websites and forbidden them from others... Things of this nature. All of this they contribute to being filled with the Holy Spirit and receiving His gist of prophecy. While I have nothing but respect for a personal relationship with God, this level of interaction I do not understand. The gift of discernment, an understanding of The Word, Active prayer... these I love.

The fact that they all receive in such a way and I do not makes me wonder whether I have truly been saved or not. I feel a close communion when I pray, and I'm filled with great peace, but there isn't someone constantly whispering in my ear, giving constant instruction. Am I lost? How common is it for people to receive the gift of prophecy? Does God speak directly to you?

It is very uncommon for me as well to hear a voice.

This may be confusing, but in the event it helps (if not drop it). For me it's more, I read the Bible and start to realize, "Well, this isn't what I want". But then there's something inside me that does want it, and I'm not really sure why. And I go on and on within me trying to figure out why, and it doesn't let me rest until I do figure it out, and finally I realize that no, that something inside me is really what I want, and not what I first thought. I feel a certain peace then, yes. But I feel something else. I feel like there's Someone else who can see in me, Who's made His case, Who's happy with me, that's ... not really me.

I've come to think this is what the Holy Spirit is doing with me.