The Restoration of the Ministry of Exhortation

(Written in 2006)
 

I was sitting in bible study at my church last night when suddenly, Holy Spirit pulled at my spirit and I heard, "There is a forgotten ministry in the church daughter. It's the ministry of exhortation. It must be revived!"  Without really thinking about it ... I made a note of this in my notebook. I immediately thought the Lord was talking about poetry, spoken word, devotions, etc. Boy was I wrong! That was only a small part of the picture.  He began to show me something  and I wanted to share this with you.

It's kinda long, but I know it will bless you ...as it relates to who we are in Christ. It further added to my understanding as to why God has me here on earth. So ... enjoy the nugget. I earnestly believe this is part of the big picture when it comes to the scribal anointing . -- Prophetess Theresa Johnson

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Exhortation is defined as being able to encourage others by giving well timed and wise counsel. This gift builds the Body of Christ up by helping disciples maintain their strength in God. It is also called the gift of Counseling or the gift of Encouragement.

The gift of Exhortation  is used to entreat, comfort and instruct others in love. This gift is the very foundation for the gift of prophesy.

The Lord was sharing with me tonight (well, it's morning now) that the ministry of EXHORTATION as our father in heaven intended it to be -- has been pushed aside and overlooked in the body. Today, when we here the word exhortation, many believers think immediately that it means we must give God lip service concerning how great he is! Well, God knows who he is. While we might think the words mean something to God, he is busy looking at the demonstration of this word in our lives.

Exhortation is a ministry. The purpose of exhortation is to lift up our brethren in Christ to encourage them in the ministry ...particularly those who labor over sheep and attend the affairs of the church.

Take a look at these:

Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Acts 13:14-16:   15After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders [of the worship] of the synagogue sent to them saying, Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation or consolation or encouragement for the people, say it.

Acts 15:31-32: 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.

When looking at the scriptures, and there are many, we can see that the men of God spent a great deal of time not only teaching, correcting and rebuking ... but also encouraging and strengthening one another. In many instances, there were some whose entire ministry was a ministry of EXHORTATION. Yes, we must uplift and glorify God. But so often, God is looking at the heart of the people who are exhorting him and there is no fruit. It's an empty show. To truly give God the glory is to use this gift of love to UPLIFT AND ENCOURAGE HIS REMNANT! HIS TRUE LABORERS! For those who are armor bearers and administrators serving JESUS PREACHING pastors with JESUS SEEKING LEADERS being raised up around them ... should be operating greatly in this ministry of exhortation. Hey ... let's take it from God ... from Jesus .... from the Holy Spirit .... truly, the trinity exists in part to provide HOPE for us through exhortation in the scriptures. We find our strength to stand and not faint within this ministry ...

There are absolutely too many folk out here trying to be prophets! To many people trying to be Apostles and Pastors .... giving direction and pronouncing jugdment. The ONLY GIFTS that should be running like wildfire through the body of Christ like this are the ministries of HELPS & the GIFT OF PROPHESY! Only a few are chosen into the five fold ... and not EVERYONE is a foundation setter!

I asked God .... why won't your people embrace who they are! Many of them are EXHORTERS but they refuse to walk in their ministry ... they are too busy trying to carry and office that they DO NOT HOLD! He said to me, "They won't recognition for the gift. They want to be seen. Very few people want to sit in the back of the choir anymore, he said. Everyone wants to lead the choir or at least lead a song."

My spirit is grieved! We have Apostles and Pastors and Prophets that are being CUT DOWN on the battlefield everyday. Some are GOING THROUGH UNECESSARILY ... but the infantry around them is ill-prepared. Folks want step into position because they are to busy looking for something to correct or judge. I often tell those whom I lead, if you see the sin ... God sees it to. Pray for the believer. If he tells you to give them a word, make sure he tells you how to release that word to them. God gives everyone an opportunity to get it right. When a person get's to a point where the hammer falls down on them ... it is because they have REJECTED ... the word of God on MULTIPLE occassions ....

We must have the wisdom to know the difference.

In this end time, God is reclaiming his exhorters in the body. He's raising up men and women of God who do not mind sitting behind the scenes and lending a hand in strength, wisdom, counsel and encouragement to those on the frontline. He's tired of people COMPETING WITH HIS CHOSEN .... this isn't a competition! God is simply RAISING UP and USING born again men and women who have nothing to lose when it comes to serving him ...

That's all he is doing. Yes, there may be some times when a leader may seem to be standing alone. But a true EXHORTER .... understands that even the silent prayer can change things. Sis. Tracey ... you keep doing what God has called you to do. There are many more ministers our there who do what you do as part of their ministry. Will they embrace it? I don't know. But I do know the body needs them to step into place ...

Take a look at this:
Remember when the body came together in the church of Acts and laid the money at the apostles feet to help everyone? Well, take a look at the meaning of the name of  one of the apostles who were mentioned and look at how he demonstrated his love for the body ....

Acts 4:36 says:
36 And Joses,^[a] who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.