Stewarding Your Prophetic Destiny with Trust and Action
Summary
### Summary
Finding one's calling can often feel overwhelming, but it's essential to understand that God has a unique plan for each of us, crafted even before we were born. Many people have experienced moments of clarity about their calling through various means, such as church events, dreams, or specific Bible verses. However, the challenge often lies in knowing how to develop and sustain that calling over a lifetime, especially when faced with delays and trials. It's crucial to fight for and steward our prophetic words, ensuring they don't get left on the shelf.
The story of Samuel from the Old Testament serves as a powerful example. Samuel, mentored by Eli, learned to recognize and respond to God's voice, ultimately becoming a prophet whose words never fell to the ground. Similarly, in the New Testament, the apostles received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, empowering them to fulfill their callings despite facing significant challenges.
Personal experiences, like the fire I endured at 14, can also shape our understanding of God's plans. Despite the physical and emotional pain, I learned to trust God's process and saw miraculous healing that defied medical expectations. This experience taught me the importance of not becoming offended at God during trials but instead using those moments to deepen our relationship with Him.
To steward our prophetic destiny effectively, we must be willing to turn aside and see what God is doing, write down our visions, believe in God's part while doing ours, and watch for the fulfillment of His promises. It's later than we think, and the harvest is ripe. We must be ready to step into our prophetic destinies, fully trusting in God's timing and guidance.
### Key Takeaways
1. Stewarding Prophetic Words: It's essential to actively steward the prophetic words spoken over our lives. This means not letting them gather dust but revisiting them, praying over them, and seeking God's guidance on how to act on them. Stewardship involves recognizing the timing and season for each word and being diligent in our response. [04:35]
2. Learning from Samuel: Samuel's story teaches us the importance of mentorship and obedience in recognizing God's voice. Eli's guidance helped Samuel understand and respond to God's call, leading to a life where none of his words fell to the ground. This highlights the value of having spiritual mentors and being open to their wisdom. [09:54]
3. Trusting God in Trials: Personal trials, like the fire I experienced, can be transformative. Instead of becoming bitter or questioning God, we should seek His presence and guidance. These moments can deepen our faith and trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand the reasons behind our suffering. [16:20]
4. The Importance of Accountability: Having accountability partners is crucial in fulfilling our prophetic destinies. These individuals can pray with us, offer wisdom, and help us stay on track. Accountability ensures that we don't lose our way or become isolated in our journey. [34:49]
5. Recognizing the Urgency of the Harvest: It's later than we think, and the fields are ripe for harvest. We must not be so consumed with our pain or distractions that we miss the opportunities God is placing before us. Embracing our prophetic destinies requires urgency and a willingness to act now. [27:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:42] - Introduction to Finding Your Calling
[03:51] - Fighting for Your Prophetic Word
[05:18] - Stewarding Prophetic Words
[06:34] - The Power of Prophetic Words
[07:52] - Understanding Prophecy
[08:24] - Samuel's Story
[10:36] - The New Testament and Pentecost
[11:51] - Dealing with Disappointment
[12:26] - Personal Story of Fire
[16:20] - Trusting God in Trials
[20:08] - Cab Ride with Destiny
[23:25] - The Importance of Testimony
[27:02] - The Urgency of the Harvest
[28:52] - Four Keys to Stewarding Prophetic Destiny
[32:49] - Turning Aside to See God
[34:05] - Writing Down the Vision
[34:49] - Believing and Doing Your Part
[37:27] - Watching for Fulfillment
[38:20] - Prayer and Commitment
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Samuel 3:19 - "The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground."
2. Acts 2:1-4 - "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
3. Habakkuk 2:2-3 - "Then the Lord replied: 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does it mean to "steward" prophetic words according to the sermon? [[04:35]]
2. How did Samuel learn to recognize and respond to God's voice? [[09:54]]
3. What was the significance of the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost for the apostles? [[10:36]]
4. How did the speaker's personal experience with fire shape their understanding of God's plans? [[12:26]]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Samuel illustrate the importance of mentorship in recognizing God's voice? [[09:54]]
2. What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers to fulfill their callings, as seen in Acts 2? [[10:36]]
3. How can personal trials and suffering deepen one's faith and trust in God's plan, as illustrated by the speaker's experience with fire? [[12:26]]
4. What does it mean to "write down the vision" and how can this practice help in stewarding prophetic words? [[34:05]]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a prophetic word or calling you believe God has given you. How have you been stewarding it? What steps can you take to ensure it doesn't "gather dust"? [[04:35]]
2. Think about a mentor or spiritual guide in your life. How have they helped you recognize and respond to God's voice? If you don't have one, who could you seek out for this role? [[09:54]]
3. Recall a personal trial you have faced. How did you respond to it? Did it bring you closer to God or create distance? How can you use future trials to deepen your relationship with Him? [[12:26]]
4. Do you have accountability partners in your life who help you stay on track with your prophetic destiny? If not, who could you ask to fill this role? [[34:49]]
5. The sermon emphasized the urgency of the harvest. What distractions or pains are currently preventing you from fully embracing your prophetic destiny? How can you address these obstacles? [[27:02]]
6. How can you practically "turn aside" to see what God is doing in your life, as Moses did with the burning bush? What changes might you need to make in your schedule or habits? [[32:49]]
7. What specific vision or calling has God placed on your heart? Have you written it down? If not, take time this week to write it down and place it somewhere you will see it daily. [[34:05]]
Devotional
Day 1: Actively Stewarding Prophetic Words
God's prophetic words over our lives require active stewardship, not passive waiting.
Prophetic words are not meant to be forgotten or left to gather dust. They are divine messages that require our active engagement. To steward these words effectively, we must revisit them regularly, pray over them, and seek God's guidance on how to act on them. This involves recognizing the timing and season for each word and being diligent in our response. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's plan and ensure that His promises come to fruition in our lives. Stewardship is about being proactive and intentional, not passive or indifferent. [04:35]
Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV): "And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.'"
Reflection: What prophetic words or promises have you received that you need to revisit and actively steward today? How can you begin to pray over and act on them?
Day 2: The Value of Mentorship and Obedience
Mentorship and obedience are crucial in recognizing and responding to God's voice.
The story of Samuel highlights the importance of having spiritual mentors and being obedient to their guidance. Samuel, under the mentorship of Eli, learned to recognize and respond to God's voice, leading to a life where none of his words fell to the ground. This teaches us that having wise and experienced mentors can help us understand and fulfill our callings. Obedience to their wisdom and God's direction is key to living a life aligned with His purpose. [09:54]
1 Samuel 3:8-10 (ESV): "And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, 'Here I am, for you called me.' Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, 'Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears."' So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' And Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant hears.'"
Reflection: Who are the spiritual mentors in your life, and how can you seek their guidance more intentionally? Are there areas where you need to be more obedient to their wisdom and God's direction?
Day 3: Trusting God Through Trials
Trials can deepen our faith and trust in God's plan.
Personal trials, like the fire experienced at 14, can be transformative. Instead of becoming bitter or questioning God, we should seek His presence and guidance. These moments can deepen our faith and trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand the reasons behind our suffering. Trusting God through trials means believing that He is working all things for our good and that His plans for us are always for our ultimate benefit. [16:20]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent trial you have faced. How can you shift your perspective to see it as an opportunity to deepen your faith and trust in God's plan?
Day 4: The Importance of Accountability
Accountability partners help us stay on track and fulfill our prophetic destinies.
Having accountability partners is crucial in fulfilling our prophetic destinies. These individuals can pray with us, offer wisdom, and help us stay on track. Accountability ensures that we don't lose our way or become isolated in our journey. It provides a support system that encourages us to remain faithful to God's calling and to persevere through challenges. [34:49]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who are your accountability partners, and how can you strengthen those relationships? If you don't have any, who can you reach out to for support and accountability in your spiritual journey?
Day 5: Embracing the Urgency of the Harvest
The harvest is ripe, and we must act with urgency to fulfill our prophetic destinies.
It's later than we think, and the fields are ripe for harvest. We must not be so consumed with our pain or distractions that we miss the opportunities God is placing before us. Embracing our prophetic destinies requires urgency and a willingness to act now. We must be ready to step into the roles God has prepared for us, fully trusting in His timing and guidance. [27:02]
John 4:35-36 (ESV): "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together."
Reflection: What opportunities has God placed before you that you need to act on with urgency? How can you overcome distractions and fully embrace your prophetic destiny today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God has planned your days since before the day you were born, which is so amazing, and he has a plan for you to walk out." [02:42] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Our prophetic words are like energy. They're like gas in our tank. They're like money in the bank. They're like the voice of our beloved, the Lord Jesus Christ speaking into us." [07:16] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you come through the fire, you come out with all the gold, all the lessons, all the dialogue with you and your Savior, all the things the Holy Spirit whispers to you in the night. And I want to tell you today, if you feel that you're in the midst of a fire, it is time to come out." [18:58] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God has taken care of you in ways you have no idea. So let me ask you this. What if I had become offended at God at 14? And by my 40s, I wouldn't have a testimony to tell a burn doctor in a cab. I'd be a bitter woman, tight-lipped, negative." [21:39] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I just think that we need to realize God speaks by the Holy Spirit. God gives us ways to use those words to fight the battle. You will need them. You'll need your testimony. You'll need your words because you come through the fire a changed individual." [23:25] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Sometimes, yes, pulling out all the stops and going to the mat. I mean, we talk about that in this book. But I want to back up before that is necessary to the fact that maybe nobody showed you how to steward, take care of, carry a prophetic word in your life." [03:51] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So what does stewarding mean? It means to take care of it, keep track of it. It means to know when something is maybe on the shelf for a little while, but when it's time to pick it back up." [05:18] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I want to tell you that I think the most important thing you can do right now, is first of all realize it's later than you think. It's later than you think. You think you have your whole life, and you do, but you don't know how long your life is." [25:25] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You know, Samuel's words never fell to the ground. The words God gave him. And he went through some pretty hard things, didn't he, as a prophet, if you think about the stories. So my heart today is to encourage you to think about what fire you've been in." [23:25] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Blessed is the one who believed there would be a fulfillment. That's what she said when the angel told her she was going to have a baby and she's like, how can this be? And after hearing she asked her questions, that's a good model. Ask God your questions. But then at the end of the day, be willing to do your part and believe for fulfillment." [36:44] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?