Prophetic Conference

Tonight's prophetic conference was not what I had expected. Actually, I had no real expectations - but what transpired was quite mind-blowing.

For one, I initially thought Ron Sawka was too jolly for a teacher on the solemn subject of the gift of Prophecy. "Wah, I thought prophets were supposed to be sober and intense. But here he was encouraging us to sing from the Psalms and all."

For another, I was freaked out when he encouraged us to ask 4 to 5 questions to our partner who was prophecying for us. "You mean, my partner can actually clarify with me on what I sense God is speaking to her? Aiks, what a tremendous pressure to perform!"

In short, the gift of prophecy is a word from God given to His children for the benefit of the body of Christ - in order to build them up and encourage them. We are encouraged to desire for this gift:

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy....everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." 1 Cor 14:1-3

As the conference progresses, I began to appreciate what Ron was doing and bringing about in our midst. We, Asians are mostly inhibited creatures and tend to be self-conscious and filled with self-doubt when it comes to receiving and exhibiting the spiritual gifts God wants to give us. By encouraging us to sing Psalms loudly to one another and prophesying for one another, all inhibitions dropped and the gift was activated in us.

The word given by different prayer partners to me were spot on and I was also encouraged when the word given by the Lord through me was appropriate for them, too. And we were thrilled to discover that when being asked to clarify what we were prophesying for, the Holy Spirit just drops the right words to us. But me and my partner were quite freaked out and stopped prophesying after answering one question each. Heh, yeah - can do better next time when our faith level increases.

Anyway, it's really amazing to see what God can do through ordinary people like us when we just believe His word and avail ourselves to be channels of His blessings.

I'm looking forward to Part 2 of this conference tomorrow!

Note: For a more info on what this gift of prophecy is all about, click here.