"...Now in those days
messages from the LORD were very rare,
and visions were quite uncommon ..."
I Samuel 3:1 NLT

The word of the Lord is not rare in our day. Unlike the times of Samuel, one need only type the word "prophetic" into the search box of any online search engine and almost instantaneously, links to hundreds of "words from the Lord" will appear. In fact, some say the superfluity of dreams, visions, and words from the Lord in our generation is a clear indication that we are in the last days. (Joel 2:28)

The Church has always needed a clear word from God. But with so many voices speaking today, how can we be certain what God is really saying to us? In fact, with so many "prophets" and "prophetic words," things can get downright confusing.

You are reading the first installment of GroundWorks' new Prophets and Prophetic Words email newsletter series. Over the next 33 weeks, we will be looking at the theme of prophets and prophetic words. As a subscriber, you will receive, in your email, a 400-600-word article once a week - short enough to read in two to three minutes, but seasoned with enough scripture and thought-provoking questions to keep you thinking all week long.

The word "prophetic" contains a myriad of meanings. To some, apocalyptic end-time scenarios (i.e., interpretations of biblical references and current events) instantly come to mind. Others have experienced personal prophetic words that exhort, direct, confirm, or pinpoint a specific area of personal vision or need. Still others view prophetic words as timely, power-packed messages to the Church at large. A few even consider cultural clashes such as the pro-life stand against pro-abortion forces to be a prophetic lifting of the standard of truth in the idea marketplace. Finally, many believe that the word prophetic really means to teach or preach the Word of the Lord.

GroundWorks' Prophets and Prophetic Words series will encourage readers to step back and take what we hope is a refreshing, broad-brushed look at the prophetic realm. What is the prophetic role of the Church in the world? Can the Church prophesy to the nation? What happens when multiple prophetic voices compete with each other in the marketplace of ideas? What happens when the ideas of false prophets become widely accepted? In short, we hope to lay some groundwork for a clearer understanding of what it means for the Church to be God's prophetic people in the earth.

Our 33-week series is broken into three parts.

• Part I - When God Speaks
• Part II - God's Prophets
• Part III - Prophetic Voices

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In two weeks we will begin to examine some of the amazing things that happen when God speaks into His creation - so wonderfully amazing that creation itself sprang from nothing more than God's own words. Next week's article provides an introduction to Part I and is titled When God Speaks. From there we will launch into an eight-week odyssey exploring the prophetic power of God's Word to create and intimately govern the world He made for us.

Articles are published online one week after they go out in email form.

GroundWorks is an imprint of Reconciliation Press. The name has been chosen to reflect the biblical idea of roots and foundations in Christian life and culture. As you read these weekly articles, look for words and imagery in the text that illustrate these themes.

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