A friend posted this on facebook following a recent time of prophetic ministry: “I had my heart opened, all my treasures taken out and lined up on the shelf for all to see.”

What a contrast to another friend’s description of how he would prepare himself ahead of a meeting where an acknowledged prophet was set to minister: “I would confess all my sins and repent, plead the blood of Christ over me, and even fast at times.”

Why all this fuss?

“I did not want to be the one singled out by the prophet and have all my sins exposed in front of the whole congregation.” He then added with a twinkle in his eye: “I wanted to have fun watching him do it to others in the church instead!”

Go ahead, laugh!

Needless to say it was not a laughing matter to the person whose heart was opened, all their trespasses taken out and lined up on the podium for all to see.

Yes, it is true that Old Testament prophets had a reputation for pointing out the sins of the people of Israel as a whole and its leaders individually.

Yes, it is true that they were ruthless in revealing the wickedness of their hearts. (Just ask King David after Nathan was done with him…as described in II Samuel 12).

Certainly you cannot deny that Jesus himself did this in one notable encounter with a Samaritan woman by the well at Sychar. When he told her details about her unenviable marital track record to which only she was privy, she immediately responded: “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.” (John 4:19)

However, when Andrew brought his brother to Jesus, his first words to him were: “You are Simon, the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas (which means a stone).” (John 1:42) In Matthew 16:17, Jesus declares that Simon’s identity is Peter (a Rock).

As time goes on, we see that Peter is anything but a rock except for the time he sank like one when he walked on water with his eyes off Jesus 🙂

From the Day of Pentecost, however, Peter does indeed turn out to be the Rock that Jesus said he was way back when He first called him.

Jesus saw in Simon the Rock, preaching boldly to a Jewish audience, not the timid scaredycat who would deny that he ever knew someone named Jesus.

He discerned and declared the gold among the dirt and made a prophetic declaration over him.

This is why when the apostle Paul began to explain the function of prophecy in I Corinthians 14:3, he used these three words:
•    To edify
•    To exhort
•    To comfort

Jesus’ heart for prophetic ministry is that we find the gold that will build up, encourage and comfort and not focus on the dirt that will tear down, discourage and condemn.

When we do, then those who receive ministry will be able to say as did our friend: “I had my heart opened, all my treasures taken out and lined up on the shelf for all to see.”

As you advance into your destiny, I pray that the Lord will bring into your life those who will perceive and prophesy the gold among the dirt.

Would you kindly share with the rest of your DWOD family about how you were edified, exhorted and comforted by a prophetic word? Thanks in advance.