5 Smooth Stones

The prophetic ministry all the more since often it will see things that are not as though they are before others have a witness or a vision which con fi rms what the prophetic is receiving. The strength of the ministry must be in the Lord, however, and not in the revelation, and their con fi dence must be in their relationship with Him and not whether the word is immediately received or not. Patience is more than a virtue and in the actual functioning of ministry it is not good to be alone. Apostolic and prophetic ministry are designed to complement and strengthen one another. When the two foundational ministries work together they bring di ff erent understandings and insights to what the Spirit is communicating. The apostolic is foundational in bringing strategic insight to the prophetic guidance and the prophetic vision helps to orient and guide the apostolic tactics. Where possible the foundational ministries working together will establish the word and the work to be accomplished. The prophetic ministry is often granted awareness into the problems, ba tt les and a tt acks of the enemy upon the Church and the people of God. While it is naive to ignore the plans of the enemy, it is also a trap to concentrate only on his plans; true prophetic builders will be solution oriented. The bible tells us not to be ignorant of satan’s plans and devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), for in doing so we give him the advantage. Likewise, the scripture also warns us of the dangers that come with pursuing the knowledge of the “deep things of satan” (Revelation 2:24). Anyone who sees blemishes and short comings can criticize. The prophetic minister has to see the potential of what can be, or should be, and prophesy to that, and to call what presently is not in manifestation into being. What the prophet Ezekiel saw was dry bones, what he prophesied was life to the bones. Unmentored prophetic ministry can breed criticism, criticism can breed doubt, and doubt can breed division and weakness. With maturity in ministry it becomes less acceptable to bring criticism but to bring light and life to the weakness that is revealed. It is just as wrong to only bring a critical spirit as it is to overlook the problem in the name of “mercy and grace.” As the prophetic ministry functions with relationship built with the other foundational ministers the mutual judging of one another helps to strengthen and bring forth the true heart of God, which is not to ignore the problems but to strengthen the church to overcome the is sues which it may be facing. Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!’” Ezekiel 37:4

90