Sifting Through the Prophets

This may be the only post I put on this page, but, there's things I'm going to say that doesn't really belong on the News page of this site. There's going to be statements made that are relevant to these end time days, and personal statements. The title of the page defines it's purpose.

The main subject of this comes from observations I've made over the years that's getting worse, and being a bible teacher and watchman, I'm going to bring it up and give my perspective on it. It won't be popular with many.

There's a  great many TV, Youtube, and media prophets today, from all walks of life. It takes a keen eye, and discerning spirit, to see through the motives, and ambitions of most of them. I've been serving the Lord long enough that I can catch what their hearts really are, within a few minutes of listening to them. Other's, it takes a little more time. Sometimes I end up deleting something from them here, if I learn I was wrong and find they are charlatans, and prophets of Baal. 

Some Christian's in leadership say there's no place for emotions in giving presentations of teachings, or prophetic messages. I disagree. Yes, it can be a sign of a personality out of balance-but not always. It doesn't phase me if I listen someone who has passion in their voice, if it's real, and comes from the heart with conviction. A seasoned mature leader, with strong biblical background, can be moved by the Holy Spirit with emotion in presenting what God gives, and those who hear and see this, will recognize the work of God in that person, to bring the message God's given to them. Your spirit will witness to the sincerity and truth of it. 

God's not looking for people who've polished their performance to the point that they can be in front of a TV screen, or Youtube video presentation, keep a smile on their face and be applauded like an actor on stage. God's not interested in someone who's flat lined their emotions and their voice like an AI robot. If you take the time to read and study the Old Testament prophets, and what they went through, and how they presented what God gave to them, you'll get a better picture of what God's looking for today. He hasn't changed, He's looking for authenticity, and those who are willing to pay the cost for saying what God's given to them. They aren't perfect, but they are walking in righteousness, and when they make mistakes, they repent, get back up and go on with the Lord. Hezekiah would get so mad at the corrupt priests of his day, he pulled their beards out. He'd never have a chance today, with the media prophets out there, nor would Amos, who had no time to polish his public image. Who God calls is someone who knows God, knows His word, and knows how to discern right from wrong, what is evil, and the courage to speak up and say it's evil, and expose it, and not be swayed by public opinions, or money.

Now I'm going to say something just about nobody will like, I don't care. I've been black balled by the TV preachers, and big Youtube people for a long time, and falsely accused of many things by them. But, I'm still here, because I know who called me, and I know who I serve, Christ Jesus is the one I answer to, and He's here, and He's proven Himself to me enough times that I know I'm walking in His ways, and I have no fear of those who've made themselves my enemies. God will take care of them, I'll just do what God's given to me, and leave them to Him.

When you listen to any preacher, or prophet who's main goal is fund raising for community action programs, vacations, trips for sightseeing, and vague ministry causes that can be disguised in such a way that you really can't put your finger on where the money is going-be suspicious. Watch and listen to the content of their prophetic messages, who is it promoting, and what is it promoting. Is this prophet speaking with a bible in front of them, do they preach with their own notes, their own personal thoughts and imaginations? Scripture says let every word be established by two or three witnesses. When I post anything prophetically here on this site, it's with two or three other examples of scripture backing it up, and several news accounts doing the same. If someone is giving a prophetic message, who is being given the glory, the Lord Jesus Christ-or man? Lastly, when I listen to anybody giving a prophetic message, then ending it by talking about the money they are asking for to support them, this is a red flag to me. In the years I've walked with the Lord, the prophetic messages he's given to me were proven over time, but I was never told to ask for money for doing it, nor would I agree to take any for them. There's no price high enough for a personal message from the God of the universe-they are priceless. If I post anything from someone else here-it may be because of just one specific thing that was said, that the Lord has let me know He wants seen. God may use someone just once, to get a message out. 
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I'm going to post this teaching below, that can help you discern how to know a false prophet, or teacher in these dangerous days we are living in. We are on the very edge of the end of days, and Jesus is about to return. Only the Father knows the day and hour, but, it is very near. Jesus warned us to beware of false teachers and false prophets in the last days, because there's so many of them, and with media today-it goes around the world instantly. Don't be fooled, be willing to let the Lord guide you, and protect you, and learn to use right discernment. God be with us, as the days become more evil.

Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 
​Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 
Mat 24:25  Behold, I have told you before. 
Mat 24:26  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. 
Mat 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 
Mat 24:28  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 

Prophets-Their Call

​Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. Dan 2:20-22

When God calls someone as a prophet, there's basic truths that exist in that call, that will be brought out here, because there is so much false teaching, and deception in this area. As to the controversy whether there are prophets today-go to the book of Acts, and study it carefully. There are several named there, one being Agabus. So, yes, there are prophets today, but, be careful-test the spirits.
Act_11:28  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Act_21:10  And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
Now-this will really get some people riled up, it's also recorded in Acts of 4 virgin women who prophesied-the daughters of Phillip the evangelist:
Act 21:8  And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 
Act 21:9  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
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When a prophet is given the task to give a message that speaks of raising up kings, leaders, or specific individuals, there's no personal agenda or gain for the servant giving the message-they are doing it in obedience to what God's given them to do. Once the message has been given, the messenger has no more responsibility for what happens. The messenger also has nothing to do with what kind of person they are, who God raises up to be a king or leader of a nation; that is God's business. That king may be a godly person, but not necessarily. It's important to understand these aspects of God, and His working.
In chapter 2 Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he couldn't interpret, and called Daniel to seek his understanding of it, I suggest reading the entire verses of chapter two. In verse 21 Daniel made a very important statement:
Dan 2:21  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
He removeth kings, and setteth up kings - He has absolute control over all the sovereigns of the earth, to place on the throne whom he will, and to remove them when he pleases. This was doubtless suggested to Daniel, and was made the foundation of this portion of his hymn of praise, from what he was permitted to see in the disclosures made to him in the interpretation of the dream. Time, duration, succession are His, and under His dominion. It is in the course of his providence that one king is put down, and another raised up. He can distinctly tell what he has purposed to do in the great empires of the earth.

Realizing this, if a prophet is called by God to speak out regarding a leader, and give an advance message of God's call on that person-they know they are simply to obey and speak it out, and then leave it in God's hands, as to the time or purpose of it happening. God uses the wicked also, for his own purposes. He raises up anyone He chooses, to achieve His over-all will in the earth. The prophet only sees bits and pieces of the plan, and must depend on God alone, to just give what is given him to say, and accept the results. Whether they are rejected or not, doesn't matter. They are not to add to, or take away what is given to them, only speak what the Spirit of God gives them, then leave it in God's hands.
In the next verse Daniel goes further:
Dan 2:22  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. 

What is conveyed in this verse is; The actions and schemes of men committed in darkness, the thoughts of men's hearts in the night seasons, are in full view of God. Those areas which no light seems to shine and is concealed from man in the literal darkness of night, but to all that is mysterious; all that lies beyond the range of human inquiry; all that pertains to unseen worlds-are in full view of His eyes. An immensely large portion of the universe lies wholly beyond the range of human investigation at present, and is, of course, dark to man. Even there-God dwells, and God, who is light, reveals what is in the darkness, and reveals it's truth's to those who He chooses to reveal them.

God requires commitment, obedience and sacrifice in His service:
Amos 3:6  Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? 
Amos 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 
Amos was a desert prophet, rude in speech and clothing, with a keen eye that discerned the corruption and moral decay of his day. He would be seen in the category of the street preacher today. His proclamations to the corrupt priests and leaders of his day was met with disdain, "Thy threats, O Amos, are as noisy nothings. They are meaningless and terrorless." Amos saw through their arrogant attitude of being "children of privilege", favored and secure in their positions, while living in deceit and delusion. He witnessed their lives of self appointed positions and bribery. Any service they gave to God, was lip service. 

Amos' cry to their streets  “Can two walk together...?” cries the prophet . “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” If there is to be helpful and intimate companionship between two people, there must be profound agreement, and if I am to enjoy the companionship of the great God, with all that that companionship means of sheltering grace, if God and I are to walk together, we must be agreed, and my part of the agreement must be faithful and unconditional obedience to all His revealed will. This example teaches several truths of a prophet:
1. The prophet, admitted to know the secrets of God, is bound to utter them.
2. He is a arbiter or judge between heaven and earth. Aware of danger, he will give the message regardless; he cannot do otherwise, without being disobedient. 
3. God foretells the evil that's to come- that He might escape the pain of inflicting it.
4. Prophets/Preachers are troublers-who watch over the souls of men, and warn them of their fate if they do not turn from their sin, and repent.

The bible is full of examples of the troublers God has chosen, and what they endured to obey the calls on their lives. God has had his chosen messengers down through the ages, and they are here today; but, they aren't received any better than those in the Bible. The world doesn't want to hear the warnings now, any more than in Elijah's or Noah's day, but, they persisted and gave the message. We must also.
5. Anyone who speaks prophetically for God, must be in the Word of God, and prayer-and walk closely to the Lord, and aligned in His will.
6. The message of any foretelling event-must come true. God is not double-minded, nor is He a liar.
Deu 18:20  But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. 
Deu 18:21  And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? 
Deu 18:22  When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. 
​See also:  Isa_41:22; Jer_28:1-14; Jer_28:15-17
​7. The servant must stand and give any message given by God-without compromise, or fear of man.

This, is where the rubber meets the road. Many prophets today, are in it for self promotion, and appeasement of people. They want a following of people who have their ears tickled. The emphasis today is to be happy, fulfilled, prosperous, and to be well-liked. Jesus tells us just the opposite. If your given a true message from the God of heaven-people aren't going to want to hear it, and you will quickly lose your popularity. But if you are called and love God-you will do it.
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If God has called you to this service, my advice is simple. Say goodbye to the world, pick up your Bible, absorb it, and seek God with your whole heart. He's promised if we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him, and His voice, will be as clear as a trumpet call. Shalom.
Lorna Couillard