So you want to be a prophet?

Some great advice from Robby McAlpine:

So, you want to pursue the gift of prophecy...

Biblically, this is a very good thing. In fact, the apostle Paul encourages people to "eagerly desire" this gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 14:1).  To seek the gift of prophecy, to strengthen, encourage and comfort people (1 Cor. 14:3), is very commendable.

Ultimately, we all know that it's the Holy Spirit who decides who gets what spiritual gift (1 Cor 12:7-11), but Paul also encourages us to seek God for the gift of prophecy.
But suppose we're past the point of asking. We feel like we've maybe received the gift of prophecy. Perhaps God imparted a spiritual gift during a prayer time (without or without somebody laying hands on us for that purpose). However it happened, the gift of prophecy appears to be part of our spiritual tool kit.

So, now what? What's a newbie prophetic person to do? What are our first steps?

Go to a Bible school.

Preferably a non-charismatic one.

Yes, yes, I know -- I've heard the joke about cemetery seminary, and also all the horrified warnings about getting "filled with man's wisdom". (sigh...) Frankly, that kind of thinking is a steaming pile of bovine by-products, if you catch my meaning.

Here's the thing: anybody claiming prophetic ministry these days will always tell you that "the Bible is our final authority" and that all prophetic words need to pass the Bible Test.

More......