The International House of Prayer was founded by the false prophet Mike Bickle several decades ago. Bickle appeals to youth all over the country with his mish-mosh of poor theology, Eastern Mysticism, and warped eschatology. Bickle, an NAR forerunner, openly supports the dominionist agenda of the seven mountains mandate that teaches kids we must take over the earth to facilitate the second coming of Christ. He teaches young Christian women the heretical Bridal Paradigm, which over sexualizes Jesus. This can easily be spotted by listening to the music of his top worship leader Misty Edwards. He teaches Joel's End Time Army, false signs and lying wonders and a bevy of mystical practices such as soaking prayer, chanting, and mantras. As with Bethel, IHOP is steeped in an exceptionally poor understanding of prophecy and the above link is to a recent article by an IHOP NightWatch participant, proving just that. So let us review the musings of Fia Curley and her new article entitled, "What Elijah and Jonah Can Teach Us About Growing in the Prophetic and Prayer."
'"Many times in life, the right words can be hard to find. In troubling situations when parents have lost children, in trying seasons when dreams have died, when questions seem to outnumber answers, disappointment, uncertainty and discouragement await their opportunity to pounce like predators stalking their prey. In times such as these, a timely word of encouragement can make a difference, especially when that word comes from our heavenly Father. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver"' (Prov. 25:11). -- Fia Curley
Ms. Curley is 100% correct that an encouraging word, especially from God, can make a world of difference during trying times. It is a good time to remember that He will never leave you nor forsake you. That He will be with you even until the end of the age. That He has overcome this world. What do all of these encouraging words from God have in common beloved? They are all found in the Bible. The final revealed will of God. Divinely inspired. 100 percent accurate. Infallible. Never changing with the times or culture. Reliable. Trustworthy. The problem is that Fia Curley is not talking about the Bible. She is talking about "prophetic words" She is talking as all of the false prophets do today. Fresh downloads from the Lord. As if He has forgotten to tell us something in the Bible and now He is choosing to use Fia Curley to let His people know. Of course unlike the Old Testament model where God audibly spoke to His prophets those who pretend to be prophets today try to feel what the Lord is saying. They end up relying upon their hearts, which we know are wickedly deceitful, and then lay the blame for the word at the feet of God.
"There's something that happens when God speaks to His children. We see the tangible change in Elijah after he flees the wrath of Jezebel, or Moses after he's led the Israelites out of Egypt or even Jonah as he sits dejected after having successfully accomplished the task God has given him. These moments bring clarity, breakthrough, peace, hope and restoration." -- Fia Curley
After the Lord deals with the complaining of Elijah regarding Jezebel, we hardly see clarity, breakthrough, peace, hope, or restoration. In fact we see the end of the ministry of Elijah. One of the instructions Elijah receives is to anoint Elisha to replace him. Moses was constantly frustrated with the grumbling of the people after being delivered from Israel and at one point has to intercede for them so God will not annihilate them. I guess that might be considered clarity but that is not the point Curley is trying to make here. The reference to Jonah makes even less sense. He was angry when the Lord spared Nineveh. He was angrier when the plant was destroyed by the worm. So angry he wanted to die. The chapter and book closes with God explaining and essentially rebuking Jonah as to why He was compassionate. The text gives no indication of any effect of this upon Jonah. This is what happens however when you have no respect for the Word of God. You can read into it whatever accomplishes your pre-formed bias instead of truly wanting to hear what God has to say.
"We often long for God's messages to come to us during troubling times. However, we don't always expect them to come from those around us. The Lord has words He desires to speak to His followers today. In the midst of temptation, turmoil, brokenness and despondency, He has the words of life. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand (Ps. 139:17-18). God has put His thoughts in Scripture and in the mouths of His servants. As believers engage in prayer and the gift of prophecy, words of encouragement from the Father begin to flow. In His mercy and wisdom, God has equipped us with all we need to carry out His plan. He has given His body the ability to access His gifts to build each other up and help one another mature. As just one of the many spiritual gifts, prophecy is still to be utilized today to lead us into fullness." -- Fia Curley
The Lord does desire to speak to His people and those words are found in the Bible. Is the inerrant Word of God somehow incomplete? Is there some area or subject God neglected to cover? The answers to our turmoil, temptation, brokenness and despondency are in the Word! We do not need someone who thinks they might be hearing from God when we have God Himself! If the words in the mouths of His servants cannot be found in the Bible then they are not from the Lord.
