BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

B V O V : 1 3 of warning comes through the ministry of the prophet, one thing is sure—we need to listen. Prophets Prepare the Way The great prophet Isaiah announced things to come, to prepare the hearts of the people, invoking them to open their spiritual eyes and expect a move of God. Isaiah 40:3, 5 says, "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God…. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." The voice of the prophet Isaiah was creating a highway for the coming of the Lord. And in John 1:14, we find that "the Word became flesh" (NKJV). The prophetic word was now reality. This is an example of the fulfillment of prophecy after a long wait, and an illustration of how we are to view prophecy in our personal lives. When you receive from the ministry of a prophet, whether it be a personal word for you or a declaration over the Church or your nation—don't ever give up on a prophetic word—and don't let the passage of time weaken your faith. Years before it actually took place, Brother Copeland spoke a prophetic word about the Berlin Wall coming down. At the time, people may have thought, Well, that wall has been around for a long time! There was no natural sign that it was even close to coming down. Yet, on Nov. 9, 1988, the wall came down. It was a prophetic word in action. That's how prophets prepare the way. A prophetic word tears down and roots out. It changes and builds up. It can take a divided city and make it whole again. We participate by believing, receiving, interceding and taking action, when necessary. The Lord will do nothing until He reveals things to His prophets. He will reveal to His servants the words that need to be declared, and those words will begin to produce a highway to the fulfillment of those words. How To Receive From the Ministry of the Prophet The Bible says, if you believe His prophets, then you will prosper (2 Chronicles 20:20). That means to receive from this ministry, first you must believe the words a prophet speaks. And naturally, if you believe the words of a prophet, you will receive them, intercede and take action. As you prepare to attend the 2023 Southwest Believers' Convention, pray that the prophet's ministry will come forth, and that the Church will receive the benefits. God said He will tell the prophet what is to come, and the prophet will tell the Church. We need to know what's coming! That's why Kenneth E. Hagin said the prophet's ministry is above the teaching ministry. When Kenneth Copeland steps over from the gift of teaching to the office of the prophet, he will deliver a message by the Spirit. It becomes a time of revelation, warning and instruction. It is a treasure of God's words being delivered in audible form to you as a believer. You Can Partake of the Prophet's Reward A prophet's reward is waiting for you at the Southwest Believers' Convention this year. Jesus said, "If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet" (Matthew 10:41, NLT). What is the prophet's reward? The anointing—the equipping to do what you're called to do. Prophets have the keys that can open doors within you—and open doors for the entire Body of Christ. The ministry of the prophet is an accelerator. It moves God's people forward more quickly through revelation, warning and instruction. It gives us direction for prayer and action in our lives and in our world. It prepares the way for things to come and keeps our expectancy where it belongs—high! What is your part? You must simply receive the prophet—believe that his words are from God and act on them. You can act on these life- changing words by being open and eager, and valuing the ministry of the prophet. We are connected to a great prophet in Kenneth Copeland, and as we embrace him and his ministry, lives will change—circumstances will change. We need to believe, receive and act on what is spoken. Just because we mentally agree with the Bible does not mean we are hearing it with the intent to do it. Our victory is in the follow-through. This year, come to the Southwest Believers' Convention and hear what the Lord is saying to the Body of Christ.

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