PHINN

Dr. Phillip S. Phinn, Contributor

It is most important that we claim wonderful prophetic promises which have been spoken over us in the past, as a decree given by the Lord Jesus through a prophet, is always for our journey on to greener pastures. Claiming promises require repeated listening of that which has been spoken, or reviewing that which has been transcribed in print, and confessing the said rhema/prophetic words, to create a remembrance of them. By remembering them and confessing that which we are believing for, will require perseverance when circumstances would suggest these promises could never become a reality.

Always watching

God is always watching what we will do next when a promise is given by Him. What we do according to the scriptures, will grab his attention. In Exodus 17:14, God said to Moses: "Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua, for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven", while in Jeremiah 33:3, He says: "Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, that thou knowest not". God is waiting to fulfill his promises. Are we writing, rehearsing, calling upon Him?

Every prophetic promise is moved into manifestation by our faith and obedience. If we believe and act upon God's Word, God will do what He has promised. Lack of faith and disobedience, however, can impact on prophecy. If you become overwhelmed by what God has spoken, pray for renewal of mind and that your faith level will be increased from its present level. Only believe, accept and anticipate when a promise is given unto you.

The Lord said unto Peter during the storm, "Come". Peter asked no questions and did not consider how long it would take for him to get over to the other side, where his master was. He only believed and did according to the word spoken. Peter had enough focus and faith, and this allowed him to walk on water.

Level of perseverance

Today, the greatest demonstration of our faith in God's promises should be reflected in our level of perseverance. Know your God. Keep His Word written upon your heart, meditate upon it. He says unto us, "As truly as I live, as you have spoken in mine ears, so will I do unto you." (Numbers 14:28).

Everything you have ever gone through has been preparation for what God has for today and tomorrow. While Joseph was in the pit and prison, he was undergoing a process, but he remembered the dream; the sun, the moon and the stars bowing down before him. This was his constant reminder when his circumstances spoke otherwise. God had revealed through a dream his future and so he was able to welcome the place of obscurity as he anticipated, through faith, the day of notoriety. It took many years for Joseph but he never lost his faith in God and the day came when he became governor, taken from the pit to the palace - Potiphar's house. Joseph became the man in charge.

As God used Joseph's experience in the pit and prison as a time of perfecting him, Joseph used it to develop perseverance. Joseph was taught how to trust the Lord amid his immediate circumstances.

God's promises never fail as He is always in charge. However, He will nevergive what we are unable to handle. Prophecy is set to occur. There are no detours, no choices. Nonetheless, there may be many forks in the road from which one can choose, before the unfolding of that God-given destination.