With the restoration of prophetic ministry back in 1948, the voice of the prophets have been calling out to all who would listen for nearly 60 years. At first they were a novelty found in only a few radical churches. However, the ministries of Dr. Bill Hamon, Rick Joiner, Eldon Wilson, Kim Clement Steve and Rita Fedel and many others have made prophets and the prophetic voice quite common. Today much is being promoted by those who are hungry to hear the voice of God once again. Web sites have been devoted to post the latest "hot" prophecy, and multitudes are hanging on every word spoken from any place a prophetic word might have been released.

As Esther and I have traveled around the US, Canada and over seas, we have begun to recognize a strange phenomenon that is quite troubling regarding this fascination with prophets and prophecy. Many of those who are so excited and hungry for the newest prophetic word on the internet or spoken in prophecy conferences, are actually becoming spiritual cripples. They have lost the ability to hear from God for themselves. Adding to the confusion is the current trend among the saints of comparing what prophets have given the "biggest" words of late. By doing this they try to move each prophet up some false ladder of success and treat them like spiritual movie stars who are building a following of adoring fans. Nothing could be more contrary to the Spirit of God!   

As prophets, Esther and I recognize how urgent the times are for seasoned prophets to release the Word of the Lord out to God's people. What could bring greater comfort and direction to the Saints of God than His prophets speaking His heart in a time of need? 2 Chr. 20:20 says "...and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God, and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed."" When it's appropriate, listening to and following genuine prophetic insight can bring great success. However, there is something even more critical to your walk in God than this.

What is more important in this day is for every Saint to hear the voice of the Lord for themselves. Nothing supersedes that mandate from God.  Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice....and they follow Me". You must hear from God for yourself and in this way alone will you be able to follow what God is doing. No one can get true identity or direction from what others are hearing and saying. We must mature and learn to hear for ourselves or we will be in constant danger of being lead astray.

Esther and I want to give all who will listen one solid piece of advice. Hear God's voice for yourself and as Mary said "whatever He says to you do it." If you do, you will never have to worry because this will keep you on course no matter what new prophecies come out. It will cause you to flourish no matter what the economy does, what the political system embraces or what natural disasters hit the earth. It will keep you at peace and cause you to  be filled with the revelation knowledge of God in every season of life. Once you can hear for yourself what God is saying, nothing else really matters. This ends the race of distraction for the next prophetic word, and from this vantage point you can be a candidate to be used by God for what He is now doing on the earth.