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MISUNDERSTOOD SCRIPTURES AND WORDS

Old Prophet, Young Prophet

Oftentimes there are Scriptures that are popular but often misunderstood. One such Scripture is I Kings 13 – Young Prophet, Old Prophet. Those who are immature or misinformed tend to quickly turn to this Scripture when they don’t want to submit and are walking in disobedience. They often try to use this Scripture in the context of age citing that they are the young ones that the Lord is working with now and so they don’t have to obey those before them including their shepherd. In no respect was this Scripture speaking about age or seniority.

In this Scripture – I Kings 13 – the Lord was speaking about the lifestyle of a prophet, and it meant that an ‘old prophet’ was one who was stuck in the old ways – and one who has fallen into apostasy; one who compromised the word of God for material and other gain. It meant that an old prophet was one who had gone back to their old lifestyle and was no longer walking in truth. It also meant that they were no longer walking in the fruit of the spirit, but were instead walking in the flesh. Thus, that prophet backslid but still functioned in his/her authority like Balaam, and those who were on Jezebel’s payroll.

The ‘young prophet’ referred to one who walked in truth, holiness and righteousness regardless of the cost. They had a holy lifestyle nor tell people what they wanted to hear. Micaiah (I Kings 22) is one example of the Young Prophet and so is Jeremiah.




So, it is possible to be young in the faith and even young in age and still be an Old Prophet if your lifestyle does not line up with the Word of God. Whenever a person is not walking in the truth, God refers to them as old, and we must always remain Young! This is why as Christians, we can’t mix or fellowship with other Christians who are not walking in the truth or holiness. The word even says we are not even supposed to eat (network or affiliate) with them. (I Corinthians 5)

FAVOR, CALLED and CHOSEN

Many time people will say they are walking in favor; but favor is something that one has to maintain true Obedience (Deuteronomy 28: 1 – 14) True obedience and genuine submission to Godly authority. (Luke 2: 49 – 52) Hence favor – like faith – has a measure. It increases as we continue to walk in God’s perfect will. Favor also has to do with those to whom you submit and those you serve. For example, Ruth and Naomi, Elisha and Elijah, Jacob and Laban. Last year’s favor cannot deal with this year’s issues So when a person continually walks in disobedience, then that grace and favor will cease to exist and then you will get a true revelation of what favor is all about.




Many times, people say that they are called and chosen by God, but remember that the word says that many are called and few are chosen. So, to be chosen, a person must be able to pass the tests in the timing of God. Of the 32,000 that were called, less than 1% passed the tests; and these tests were simple instructions and required attention to detail and vigilance as well as focus on the kingdom. There must be a steadfast focus on the Kingdom!

So, while many say that they are called and chosen and can’t even submit to the leadership of a good mentor, they need to think again. Would the Lord give authority to the ones who won’t don’t or refuse to submit to authority?

God’s criteria for using someone within the Kingdom to carry out His will and purpose is higher and He will not change His word to fit into our desire rather than His will.

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CHANGE YOUR FOCUS FOR 2017

 

We have come to the close of the year and are on the verge of a new one, and we need now to give God thanks despite the challenges we have faced in 2016.

Many have gone through pain, delay, disappointment and even loss of loved ones, but we must remain grateful to the One Who created us all. Many from the start of the year made resolutions; some we gained, some we lost. Each of us has our season that we go through and sometimes these seasons come to strengthen our faith and to change our focus and priority. The time has come for us to evaluate our list – check off what was accomplished, what was not and formulate a new list of goals for the year ahead.




Believe by faith that for those things that did not come to pass in 2016, there is an opportunity for them to happen in 2017. God is faithful and HE always keeps His promises. It is us as human beings that have the tendency to not keep our promises. When we are reviewing our 2016, let us do an honest evaluation and identification of our shortfalls.

We need to ask, ‘What are the shortfalls and what can we do differently to bring change?’

In order to bring change, we first must change. Many times, people make resolutions and are unwilling to change although they need a change! ‘Was I a good steward of the little with which God entrusted me?’ ‘Did I manage my money and time properly?’ ‘Did I use the gifts and talents God has given me to bring positive change to someone else’s life?’ ‘Did I volunteer to help my community?’ ‘Did I go to the House of the Lord faithfully this year?’ ‘Was God first in my life; did I spend enough time with Him this year?’ ‘After I got that new job/promotion, did I give God thanks?’ What were the things that ‘stressed you out’ in 2016? What areas were/Who was your greatest focus?
Moving Forward

Going forward we need to now change our focus:

  • We must manage our time even better
  • We need to invest in those people who make us happy
  • We need to cut off those that suck your energy without valuing our time
  • We need to place a value on ourselves and set the value standard for those around us
  • We need to build ourselves an inner circle of good strong supporters

Then pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you the Times and Seasons and what needs to be done in 2017. Ask Him what your focus for the year ahead must be and we have to change our focus toward that. Oftentimes we believe that the year we enter will be like the year we are leaving behind and it is not so. For some things to change there must be the internal change to receive the external changes. For example, you may need your finance to increase, your healing and your relationship within your family to change, but your answer may lie in your committing yourself to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Maybe we also have to change the way we eat and maintain it so that we can have a better quality of life. Some will need to stop ‘shacking up’, because our bodies are the temple of the Lord.




There needs to be greater focus on the children and their welfare and education; who influences them, who is their focus, what are their values, what are they watching. As parents, we MUST manage. It is not the responsibility of the Government to manage our children it is ours.

Stop unnecessary spending, God wants each person to own a debt-free house.

Seek God first in 2017, not the Social Media and the opinions shared there. It is not FOX News, CNN, TVJ, CVM or Market Conditions that should be the determining factors for our decision-making. Judge all things to see whether or not it lines up with what God is saying to you.

Never try to change or appease anyone, only God can do that. Please God and God will please the people.

The voices with which you surround yourself will determine your success in 2017. There are many voices out there and many ‘truths’ out there, but only one real Truth. Many ways, but only one is the right way.

A Happy New Year to all.

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