Discipleship is an ongoing, exciting journey that spans over years.
During this time we have many opportunities to encourage, inspire, correct, and coach the people we disciple.
There are days however, when the right word from God at the right time can achieve a lot in a moment.

Proverbs 15:22-23 (NLT)
[22] Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.
[23] Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

As Godly leaders we are encouraged to be open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
We can ask God to give us prophetic words to speak over peoples lives.
These words have the greatest impact when they are shared at the right time.

So why don’t we all use this gift all the time?
I think there are two main reasons.

1. We Think It’s Too Simple.

Many people hold back from sharing a word from God because they think the word is too simple or obvious.
“God’s proud of you.”
“You’re a man of God.”
“God has called you.”
It seems too generic, we think they would already know that.

However, on many occasions I have shared God’s simple words at the right time and have seen great breakthroughs in peoples lives.

At our annual Lifehouse Conference a few years ago, I had a simple word from God for a young man.
I thought, “It’s too simple God, is that it?”.
Nevertheless, I found the young man at the end of the conference and said, “God told me to tell you that, you are a mighty man of God”.
It was that simple.
Immediately I knew it meant something powerful to him. He looked as though I had just punched him in the face, and his wife burst into tears.
He explained that 15 years earlier when he was just a boy, a conference speaker had spoken the same words over his life, but he wasn’t living according to the calling on his life.
He had always felt guilty, as though he had missed his chance.
But my words that day confirmed God’s grace and calling.
And that wasn’t the only amazing thing, the guest speaker at our conference that year, was the same speaker who spoke these same words to him 15 years earlier!
That young man’s life has changed so much and now is a great leader living out his calling.

I ask my self, what if I had never given that simple word?
The answer – we can’t afford not to. We don’t know the work God is been doing in people’s lives, so lets not hold back because we think its too simple – speak it out!

2. We Put it Off.

If God has prompted you to share something, and the person is there, don’t wait – share it!
The right word at the wrong time (especially too late) can become useless.
Don’t miss those small conversations that you know you need to have.
Don’t put it off until the next time you see them.
If God wants you to wait, he will tell you to wait, otherwise speak it out when you have the chance.
Don’t miss the God moment!

So my questions to you this week:
Are you speaking out the words God gives you at the right time?
Is there something stopping you from using this amazing gift?