Voting Via The Science Of Prophetic Presence.

I have gained a reputation for taking copious notes during Bronx Bethany sermons... but some of the individuals who testify of my note-taking skills have never actually looked into my notebook! They are using inductive reasoning: she carries a notebook and she's a blogger, so she must be a great note-taker.

For the record, I know someone who is far better than I in the note-taking arena. And mine is not an inductive reasoning; it is deductive.  Why? Because I have seen the person's notes.

As we engage the act of voting today, there will be persons of all sorts of backgrounds going to the polls. For some, their vote will be cast based on inductive reasoning: a single interview; a TV commercial; a vocal inflection that suggests passion or intellect. For others, their vote will be cast based on deductive reasoning: books written by the candidates; a cumulative record of their stance on certain issues; a transparent sharing of data that does not necessarily correlate to presidency, but that offers a glimpse of a candidate's personhood.

During prayer in the third service of the weekend Pastor Sam gave affirmation to God's hand on Bronx Bethany: "Lord, You have formed Your community to be a prophetic presence." Amen. That is what we are.

Prophetic ministry, at the height of its caricature, denotes images of long lines of people waiting to be anointed with oil and given words of wisdom from an ordained minister. It is a sensual image, suggesting that we Christians engage prophecy solely through what we feel. That image is far from the truth.

Prophecy, at its core, is giving voice to the heart of God. When we who are prophets speak prophetically, we are engaged in a deductive act. We have seen the contents of God's notebook. We have heard His word to us. We have seen His activity in the world. We speak not what we think is true, but what we know is true.

Some of us in the prophetic community at Bronx Bethany have the right to vote. Let us exercise that right today. May our voting demonstrate deductive reasoning and prophetic action, keeping in mind that God is Truth (First John 1:6), His Word is Truth (John 17:17), and His Spirit is Truth (John 16:13).

Lord Jesus, may Your truth prevail in this electoral process and in us. Your will be done on the earth, just as it is done in heaven: no questions, no back-talk, no competition. Conform us to Your will.