The Commissioning – The Prophet in the Wilderness

The Prophet & The Wilderness Part 2: The Commissioning

Previously we talked about the calling and consecration (ouch) of the prophet, two levels we go through to be prepared for service as prophets for Jesus and His Church.

 

The time between the calling and the commissioning is through the consecration, the preparation for our ministry, where we are fine tuning our gifts, learning more about who we are in Christ and what our ministry involves. When the commission finally comes, there will be an increase in our authority and a mantle, revealing an approval from Yahweh, where He recognizes and backs up our ministry.

 

So, what is the commissioning?  

 

The word commission has several very different meanings, but in its most basic form, commission is the act of “passing a responsibility to someone else”. 

 

The higher up the Mountain (Symbol: The Government of Yahweh) we go, the more responsibility is put upon us. Someone said, “Well you don’t have to do anything, just let Jesus do the work.” Just rest in Him. Really?

 

The problem is, He is in us and we are in Him. So, we are His Hands and Feet. Are you getting this?  I Cor 3:9 says, ” For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 

 

We are called to co-laborers with Him, no doubt He is helping, but we have a part we must do as well and remember, Jesus died to give us back dominion over the earth and to be His “husbandry,” meaning to watch over, care for and careful management.

 

The most famous version of a commissioning in the Bible is the Great Commission, Matthew 28:16–20, somewhere on a mountain in Galilee Jesus says:

 

[18] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
[20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Though some believe the disciples were the only ones commissioned, I am going to stand firm; we are also included in this commissioning! If we have accepted Jesus, been baptized with water and filled with His Spirit, then He’s in us and we are in Him and SURELY His Desire, is to go out and make disciples, with us and through us.

 

The Ministry of Jesus did not stop at His death or the death of His disciples, because He rose from the dead!

 

God’s NOT Dead, He’s surely alive, He’s living on the inside roaring like a Lion. Can you hear that song, “God’s Not Dead, He’s surely alive, He’s living on the inside!  He’s still very much alive and living on the inside of each one of us who are saved, signed up for the Kingdom calling, sealed and delivered from our sins.

 

Major Ian Thomas was a 20th century Bible teacher and he said this:

 

“Jesus gave His life FOR YOU, so He could give His life TO YOU, so He could live His life THROUGH YOU.” (I love this)

 

Now look at Acts 3:6. We all know this scripture, but there is a problem with the translation, one word has been changed, which was in the original text.  Here is what we have been taught.

 

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” NLT

 

The word changed was, “what.”  The Scripture should read, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you WHO I HAVE.” 

 

And That One (Jesus) WHO you have, said this:

 

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16

 

Scripture says, we have Christ, we are Christ Like and we put on Christ. Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” 

 

What did Jesus say about that?

 

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 We are called to bear fruit…

 

When Father Yahweh looks at you and me, what does He see? He sees Jesus.

 

Yahweh woos us to Jesus for a new life, commissions us with His purpose and then, His Spirit empowers us to fulfill that purpose, that calling, that destiny, whatever you want to call it. It is about Him, His Ways and His Purposes, which He wants to fulfill through and with us.

 

The gifts & callings from God are based on His sovereignty, not on human worthiness or persistence in requesting a certain position. You cannot buy a certain position into a Church or Ministry.

 

Many of you might believe the lie spreading through churches you are not called by Jesus or worthy to walk in the prophetic ministry. If that’s you, right now, I rebuke that spirit of unworthiness off you, and call you to come forth into the position Jesus created you to walk in.

 

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or thing…We are now living and depending on his power – by faith.

 

The bottom line is, those who follow Jesus, become disciple and then, they go forth and make disciples. The 5 Fold Ministry, which includes the Prophets are called (you are called) to teach and preach and raise up the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:1-13

 

It was he who gave some to be (1) apostles, some to be (2) prophets, some to be (3) evangelists, and some to be (4) pastors and (5) teachers.” Primarily as a result of this verse, some believe God has restored, or is restoring, the offices of apostle and prophet in the church today. Ephesians 4:12-13 tells us that the purpose of the five-fold ministry is, “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” So, since the body of Christ definitely is not built up to unity in the faith and has not attained to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, the thinking goes, the offices of apostle and prophet must still be in effect.

 

It is sad today, as many Bible believing Christians don’t have a clue regarding the personal commission Jesus has for them. People who have been a Christian for years, prayed, prophesied, trusted wholly in Jesus and walked humbly before Him without any thought of a special call to the service of Christ.

 

There is a difference between the calling and the commissioning. In the Book of Acts, Paul was called as an apostle for several years “before” he was commissioned to the Apostolic Ministry, somewhere between eight and fourteen years.  During this time, from his letters, you can see, he was in a time of preparation and ministering as a prophet, and a teacher.

Jeremiah

 

The prophet Jeremiah was commissioned by Yahweh in Jeremiah 1:4-19 in the same manner He commissions the prophet today.  He put His word in his mouth and sends him out to speak His word. He promises the prophet and the church, which sends him out; He will use the spoken word of the gospel both for condemnation and for salvation. Look at verse 10:

 

He will use the word “to root out, and to pull down and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.”

 

It’s interesting, Yahweh wants to commission Jeremiah, but Jeremiah is whining and declining the commission.  He didn’t consider himself qualified to be a Prophet of the Lord. (verse 6)

 

Then, said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child,” which really meant he felt he was not qualified or experienced enough to be a prophet.

 

We hear the same old thing today. Oh God, I’m not worthy. God knows that is true without Him, but with Him,  He takes the foolish things and makes something very special out of them, to astound the wise.

 

It would be good for us to get over ourselves and how we feel, so we can run the race with Jesus. He is more than capable of refining, defining and transforming us into who He created us to be. But like so many today, Jeremiah was pulling back from the Call of God on his life thinking he could not measure up.

 

The first step in being a prophet is knowing, who your source is and realizing everything you do as a prophet comes from Him through you. Yes, it is His Power and it is for His Glory, but remember we are co-laboring with Him to save souls.

 

As a prophet, we do not exalt ourselves over the people or try to take the place of Yahweh in their lives. Nothing is more destructible to the calling of the prophet than the spirits of false humility, arrogance and pride. They will divide and scatter the flock of God, and in the end, cause us to be judged. False Humility is an ugly spirit running rampant in the body of Christ today.  Here is an example.

 

I recently heard the story of a pastor who had a garden, which surely represented the way Eden must have been like.  There were beautiful flowers of all types, trees with beautiful fruit and even an area where corn and some other vegetable were rising up.  A friend dropped over and they went to look at the garden.  The friend was amazed and said, “Oh pastor, doesn’t God create a beautiful garden.” The pastor smiled and said, “You should have seen it before I got here.” This is the co-labor and husbandry, which is revealed in the Bible.  We have a part to put in, to make things come into order. 

 

The same thing applies to a beautiful Grand Piano on a stage, it is precious and very expensive, but until someone walks over who has been given the gift and talent from Yahweh to play it and has practiced and honed that talent (honed = been refined and made perfect) the grand piano is not so grand.  But, when the master walks over and sits down and puts his fingers on the keys, the most beautiful music erupts from the piano.  When I have heard and seen such talent, I am quick to acknowledge my appreciation and thank the person. At this point, I sometimes hear, “Oh it’s just God.” This is the spirit of false humility at its best.  

 

We co-labor with Yahweh and everyone knows when someone has such a great talent or gift, it has been given by Him, but we should also know it has taken time, work and this talent working together with God, to create a beautiful garden or melody. Yahweh tells us in the Bible when we finally stand before Him, He will say to us, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Affirming and appreciating people who co-labor with Yahweh is biblical.  So when someone compliments you concerning your work, artistic ability or such, don’t feed the spirit of false humility, just say, “you are welcome.”

 

It is apparent in religious circles today, not everyone responds well to a prophet or his/her message. I’m sure you have picked up on this. This was also happening in the days of Jeremiah. He knew the people would not react well to the arrows of truth, which God would put in his mouth to proclaim to His People. This was another reason Jeremiah did not want to accept the commission.

 

The Lord knew this, is there anything He doesn’t know? Anyway, in Jeremiah Chapter 1, God tells Jeremiah He will protect him, but evidently not in everything, because Jeremiah faced a lot of resistance. At one point, he was threatened and thrown into a dungeon. Yahweh responded to Jeremiah’s objection and tried to assure him with the fact, because He called him, so will He also qualify him.  This is a part of the commissioning of the prophet, the assurance Yahweh gives them to know that they know, they are called. Remember this in verse 5:

 

Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

 

In this verse there are 3 things Yahweh reveals, which are contained in the commissioning, of the prophet.

 

1. “I knew thee”

2. “I sanctified thee”

3. “I ordained thee”

 

First, “I knew thee.” Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee. So, God didn’t just know “about” the prophet, or something concerning the prophet. He knew the prophet: “I knew thee”

 

Yahweh makes it personal. The Old Testament language again brings forth the intimacy in the “knowing” someone. It reveals the love God has for the Prophet and those He chooses to bring to Him for salvation.  Notice the knowledge and love God has is “eternal knowledge.” He says before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.

 

Yahweh says I knew you in the time before I formed you in your mother’s belly. He is speaking of knowing Jeremiah in the same way Paul talks to us in Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate.”In this same manner where God knew, “foreknew”, and predestined Jeremiah, guess what, it is in this same way God knows and predestinates us today and calls us His faithful ministers of His Good News Gospel.

 

Our qualifications as a prophet are: We must be a saved, elect, child of God. And I know, I know, God can use an unsaved man in the office of the prophet, because of Balaam in the Old Testament. He had some major problems and God did use him, but not in the way, we would want Him to use us. He was a prophet for hire, who God used a donkey to speak to him to save his life.

 

Though Balaam was a called a prophet and did hear from God, God didn’t personally speak to him to save his life, except through a donkey. One of the biblical symbols of a donkey is of being stubborn and obstinate. Interesting.

 

The “Will of God” for His prophets is FIRST, to be obedient to God’s Word. The walk and talk of the prophet cannot be compromised against God’s Word. The prophets must know deep inside to their very core, the real meaning of the Word of God, which they are called to bring forth. He/She must walk their talk and be able to share their personal experiences of the mercy and grace of Yahweh.

 

Secondly, Yahweh says, “I sanctified thee. And before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.” “Sanctified” means literally “to set apart.” This refers to what is set apart by Yahweh for Himself. The prophet is set apart for special service to Yahweh. This is the case with the prophet as an office bearer of God, he has been set apart from the rest of God’s people, in order to carry out a special service on behalf of Yahweh.

 

Third, “I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” This expression in verse 5 indicates the specific calling unto which Jeremiah has been set apart. He has been set apart by Yahweh to be a prophet. Jeremiah is called by God and, not only is this put upon him through the very words of Yahweh commissioning him to be a prophet, but this is also revealed in the testimony of the meaning of Jeremiah’s name. His name, “Jeremiah” means “raised up or appointed by Yahweh.” His Name is like an insignia, which reveals to all, the truth that Yahweh has commissioned him; called him; ordained him and set him in office.

 

Several prophetic ministers have shared, “If you are wondering whether you have been commissioned, then you haven’t, because when the real thing happens, it will be clear and you will know it came from God and not just men. Until then, we are all in training and the more significant our calling, the more intense and usually longer and harder our training will be. ” (Joyner)

 

For me, I remember a situation, where I believe God came to me, anointed me with oil and called me to Himself . I was taking a class regarding an Emotional Raindrop Massage with Essential Oils. My class had about 5 people from several different religions and ideologies.  My teacher was Gaia Tossing, founder of the Nashville Academy of Reflexology, who is also the representative for the C.A.R.E Raindrop Group (Young Living Dr. David Stewart).

 

We had been learning for a week about the YL oils and techniques, regarding the Raindrop Massage. On this last day, she was teaching about the “emotional oils” Raindrop Massage. We were learning about each of the traits of the oils we would be using and smelling them. During the whole morning session, I had just wept. The oils were definitely touching my emotions, normally this is not like me. The only other time I can remember weeping like this was, when I was ordained.

 

We only had time to do one practice massage so; we put all our names into a hat. Gaia pulled out a name and looked around, then focused on me and said, “It is Bonnie.” I am still not sure that was legit. LOL I think she just knew I was the one who was ready. Then again, maybe God was ready for me. Gaia is a very interesting and intriguing lady, who ministers with the oils and teaches to all, no matter what their faith. However on this day, I was to glean some deeper knowledge of her walk as a Christian, maybe even an Apostle.

 

I got on the massage table and for this massage; all those in the class were going to help apply the oils, including me.  Each person had different oils to put on my forehead, toes, bottom of my feet, brain stem, heart, nose, stomach, hands, and I was called to put a blend, over my heart. 

 

I don’t remember everything because, as I was lying there with my eyes closed, I suddenly had a vision. I saw a tremendous white light flood through my mind’s eye and then, the most beautiful rich purple color came forth. I do remember hearing Gaia ask one of the ladies to give her Frankincense and they said, “that oil is not next on the list.” Gaia said, “I know, but I am sensing to use Frankincense.”

 

The next thing I saw was like out of a old movie, like Ben Hur. Two people were coming toward me in a desert like scene and I knew they were men. They were dressed with rich brown robes over their heads just like back in those days. I could not see their faces, but I knew they were coming to me and for me. As they came closer, I heard Gaia. She was calling me into service, to go out and minister, in the Name of Jesus Christ.

 

As I write this I can still feel the tingling in my soul, as she spoke. I had never seen her do anything like this before and I had been in several of her classes.

 

I can’t say this was Jesus, but more than that, I can’t say it wasn’t. Everything just came together and I was just out there in outer space by then.  I remember then hearing her singing, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, a couple times. I opened my eyes and she said, “I knew that would bring you back.”

 

I am still amazed when I think on this experience.  I know this is probably not considered proper as to a religious type ceremony of commissioning, but I know, Yahweh touched me, called me, anointed me with Frankincense and the finest of oils all over my body and commissioned me to go forth, through Gaia. How awesome Gaia moved with Jesus to minister to me. I pray we can all move with Him like this.

 

Gaia is not a carbon copy of anyone, she is her own person and maybe according to some church doctrine, she may not fit the stereotype we have been given to be a Prophet, Apostle, Pastor or whatever gift mix, for a ministry Jesus has bestowed upon her, but so are you and I different. The prophets in Scripture were all unique too. There were ways, in which they were similar; but they still walked their own special walk. 

 

When I look at the folks God is bringing here to Firestorm, I am amazed at all the different personalities and gift mixes. No one is a duplicate or carbon copy of another. Some may be similar, but they are definitely not the same.  God didn’t make us to be Cookie Cutter Christians; He made us to be who He wanted us to be, in His Image. 

 

We each have a different part of the message He wants to share with His Church.  He confirms messages, but in each situation where a Word from Him comes forth, there are unique and special words to fit every situation we are dealing with, where He speaks to us through His Prophets with supernatural perfection and awe. In Revelation Jesus sent letters to 7 churches and they were similar, but they also contained specific directions and insight into what each one was dealing with and directions on what they needed to do, to get right before Him.

 

If you think you and I are weird, NO, we are a peculiar people and if you look into the lives of people in the Bible,  you will see God surely chose many of the foolish to speak for Him and not only astounded the wise, but made them very angry. So too in today’s world will some be angry and jealous of our walk and come against us. But, we are more than conquerors because of the God who is in us, so fear not.

 

God uses everyday people like you and me who have a heart for Him and have placed Him high above all earthly things, considering Him to be the greatest of all treasures. Seek Him first in all you do and all the callings, commissioning’s, gifts, talents, ministry positions and such will all be found.

 

One last thought. When doubt comes and it usually does at some point, which causes you to wonder, if you were really called, or you find yourself struggling, because of the resistance, opposition and rejection coming from many of those around you, while others are asking you to do more than you can possibly do and challenging your position and calling, then, you must be able to remind yourself and know that you know, deep in that inner place inside of you:  Yahweh has Called me! Yahweh has Sanctified me! And Yahweh has Commissioned me!

And if you hear a voice saying you are not….Tell that voice in your head to listen to this song!