Kris Vallotton • June 11, 2021

Your Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Prophetic—answered

DEMYSTIFYING THE PROPHETIC

The prophetic can feel like an unknown box of uncertainty filled with mystified movements and misunderstood ministries. Yet, I’d propose it is one of the greatest gifts that Christ gave the Church with the purpose to bring clarity and comfort. Have you ever questioned the legitimacy of a prophetic word, or if someone is really a prophet? Maybe you’ve even questioned if you, yourself are a prophet or maybe one of your family members is.

I understand the uncertainty and questions about the prophetic and around prophecy— I walked a journey in the prophetic without resources or training for 20 years. I had an encounter with the Lord where he spoke to me and told me: “I have called you to be a prophet to the nations.” You can imagine the weight of the word, but the confusion that followed as I walked a road uncertain of how I would arrive at the promise. I did not have any tools, resources, or a prophetic community that surrounded me; all I knew is I needed to prepare for the promise.

For years, events and encounters would happen in my life that I did not have an understanding for, but I did not use the misunderstanding to invalidate the prophetic call on my life, rather I pressed into the promise and pursued to understand the call that was on my life. Let me be clear, the road was not always easy and I didn’t always do the best job, but I was faithful to the word from the Lord. What I am getting at is, so often the prophetic is misunderstood and put on the shelf. In 1 Corinthians 14 it says prophecy is a gift from God ; it is freely given to the Church with immense purpose. Instead of placing the prophetic in the box of uncertainty, I challenge you to open the gift you have been given — pull it out and place it in the box of learning and discerning. I would encourage you to ask questions and find healthy community that edifies and exhorts you.

Last week I shared the difference between a prophetic gifting vs. a prophetic calling . You sent in some questions so in this week’s video blog I answered some of your most commonly asked questions on the prophetic.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Question 1: If a prophecy doesn’t come true, does it always mean that it didn’t come from the Lord?

In short, no. When a prophecy doesn’t come true it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t from the Lord. However, it’s a bit more complex than that – there are different dimensions to prophecy. Sometimes there are prerequisites to prophesy. Think about the children of Israel for example; one and a half million people made the exodus from Egypt to the promised land. However, only two people that had originally received the prophecy arrived in the promised land. According to Hebrews, they did not unite the word with faith.
The challenge in providing a definite “always or never” answer on a subject like this is that the Bible teaches through truths held in tension; it’s not clear cut in the lines of comfortability we often desire to live in. But, the truth is this is often for our benefit; the Word of God is powerful even when we live in the “safe” spaces we create.

Deuteronomy 18:22 says, “When the prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the thing does not happen or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you are not to be afraid of him.” We stand with two truths held in one hand — there are both circumstances that would entail a prophecy not coming to pass because of a presumptuous prophet. In the same hand, as we saw in the story of the Egyptians, there are times that there are more variables at play in a prophecy than simply a word from God. Faith, the action of God’s people, events, and prerequisites all play a part in seeing a prophetic word come to fruition.

Question 2: My son/daughter is very interested in the prophetic. How can I help him/her grow in this?

I am immediately reminded of the story of Samuel and Eli in 1 Samuel. Eli had been teaching and training Samuel to hear the Lord’s voice before he even had a relationship with God. I would encourage you to cultivate the prophetic in your home; begin asking questions to your children so that even before they may have a relationship with God they know that they can hear His voice; this is the prophetic culture I raised my children and grandchildren in. Maybe you’re not surrounded by a prophetic community but cultivating the prophetic in your home and inspiring them to have conversation with the Lord is the first step. I would challenge you to ask your children questions like, if Jesus walked in the room today, what would Jesus say to you? Or, What did you dream about last night? The truth is, children do not have a junior Holy Spirit; building anticipation and awareness that they will hear from the Lord is the first step.

Question 3: What is the best way to practice hearing God’s voice clearly?

I would challenge you to consider how you approach prayer — is it solely a time to request and repent or is it a time to tune in and take in what the Lord is saying to you? I’d propose that many of us need an overhaul on our approach to prayer. One of the most important parts of prayer is not the request you make but the response you receive. It is a time to listen and hear from the Lord. I would encourage you to ask the Lord questions and listen for His response. Now, let me be clear, it is important to talk to God about what you need. For example, the Lord’s prayer is filled with requests. However, I would encourage you to examine if in prayer you spend time to hear the voice of God.

Question 4: How do you hear, see or feel prophetic information God gives you? What are some main examples?

After many years of conversation with the Lord, I learned that there are several languages in the Spirit. I don’t just hear the Lord in dreams or from His audible voice. Over the years the Lord has spoken to me in many different ways. I initially even heard the audible voice of God before I even knew God. The truth is, more times than not, hearing the voice of the Lord has not been a big grandiose announcement or personal visitation; it has been His still small voice in my day or in reading scripture. I would challenge you to become aware of Him talking to you in your daily time with Him. When we begin to expect the Lord to speak to us in one fashion or about one area of our lives, we limit the infinite power of God to move through our lives and thus place the Creator of heaven and earth in a box. He is inviting you into a relationship with Him that goes beyond and expands above any structure or system we have created for Him to speak in.

If you have a desire to be equipped or accelerate your prophetic calling I encourage you to register for The School of the Prophets 2021 . The School of the Prophets is a great opportunity to join other leaders from all over the world in a 4.5-day training event (from August 2nd-6th in both Redding, CA, and online) for prophets, highly prophetic people, and church leaders to learn how to advance and increase your prophetic call. My heart is to see prophets step up to the plate, be equipped in their calling, engage in the world’s darkest circumstances, and get deployed in your divine destiny.

How has the prophetic impacted your life? I would love to hear in the comments below.
Lastly, my prayer for you is that in your time with the Lord this week you would experience the closeness of His voice and the clarity and comfort that it brings.

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Kathy's Mother's Day Message

By Kathy Vallotton • May 10, 2025

As Mother’s Day approached, I knew there was no one better to speak into the heart of motherhood than my wife, Kathy. Her life has been a living picture of grace, sacrifice, and Spirit-led strength. I believe her words will bless you the way her life has blessed me. Kris - Today, I want to honor the incredible women who wear the title of “Mother” with grace, strength, and unwavering love. A mother is a guiding light. She illuminates our paths with wisdom and warmth. She is the gentle hand that nurtures us in our earliest days, the fierce protector who stands by us through life’s storms, and the unwavering supporter of our dreams. Many times, Mom, our sacrifices go unnoticed. We juggle countless responsibilities, often putting our own needs aside to ensure the happiness and well-being of our family. That’s just what Moms do! My joy has always come from serving others. What some people call exhausting, I call invigorating! Even when my kids were young, I can't tell you how many sleepless nights I've had, comforting one of my babies because, ‘only Mommy will do.’ Love wins every time! But love has stolen my heart over and over again. In the good times and in the bad, Jesus has always been by my side, my solid rock and my firm foundation. He has been there beside you too! That big “S” that you wear on your chest didn't happen by accident. The bible says that He will never leave me or forsake me. During all of my laughter and through my many tears, He has always guided me in every situation. So when you feel weak, remember He is right by your side. When you don't think that you can move another muscle, He is your biggest cheerleader. When you get into a spot where life feels like more than you can handle, take a look at what the Lord says about you! You are Tenacious. Your perseverance is remarkable. As a Mom, you consistently push through obstacles with unwavering commitment to your goals. You are Courageous. Mom’s often take bold steps, stand up to what they think is just, even when faced with opposition or adversity. You can do this! You are Radiant. The love of Jesus shines brightly to all those who you come in contact with, inspiring positivity and hope. You are Unstoppable. Mom, once you set your sights on a goal, you exhibit an unwavering drive to help your children pursue their dreams and desires. You are Fierce. With a spirit that is unyielding, as a Mom, you will protect your family at all costs. You are Inspiring. Moms believe in their kids. We believe that all things are possible with God and encourage our families to go where no child has ever gone before! Mom, you are the architects of our character, teaching us values of kindness, empathy, and resilience. With every hug, every word of encouragement, you instill in us the confidence to pursue our passions and overcome obstacles. Your laughter brings joy to our lives, while your tears remind us of the depth of your love. As a mom myself, I celebrate not just the role you play but the remarkable individuals you are. You are the heart of the family, the keeper of traditions, and the source of unconditional love. Each moment shared, each lesson taught, and every story told weaves an unbreakable bond that shapes who we are. To all mothers, whether near or far, biological or chosen, your impact is profound and everlasting. Today, we celebrate you, not just for the love you give, but for the incredible people you are. Happy Mother’s Day! Kathy Vallotton

Character and Gifting: Favor with God and Favor with Man

By Kris Vallotton • March 5, 2025

Have you ever felt called to a spiritual role but struggled to find your place in it? Perhaps you've experienced a divine moment where God revealed a prophetic gift in your life, yet you found yourself wondering why others don't seem to recognize or acknowledge it. This tension between divine calling and human recognition can be one of the most challenging aspects of walking in prophetic ministry. I've spoken with countless individuals who believe God has called them to be prophets, yet they feel frustrated when church leadership doesn't immediately recognize their office. They often share powerful testimonies of divine encounters or prophetic words that confirmed their calling. But here's the beautiful truth I've discovered: authentic spiritual authority requires both divine appointment and human recognition. Scripture shows us that even Jesus "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). This powerful verse reveals an important principle – spiritual authority flourishes at the intersection of Heaven's approval and earthly recognition. The Bible offers us profound wisdom about this journey of walking out our prophetic calling. Let's explore three essential principles that can help you navigate this path with grace and wisdom. 1. Understand the Process Between Anointing and Appointment King David's story provides one of the most powerful examples of the gap between divine calling and public recognition. When Samuel anointed David as king, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him powerfully – yet David didn't actually become king for fourteen years! During that time, he served faithfully, developed his character, and waited for God's timing. The journey between your prophetic calling and your public commissioning is not an accident – it's divine design. This season of preparation builds the character, wisdom, and spiritual maturity needed to carry the weight of prophetic authority. Just as David was anointed three times – once by God through Samuel and twice by the people – your prophetic gift may require multiple confirmations. Remember that if you have favor with God but not yet with leadership, pushing for recognition prematurely can lead to painful experiences. As Proverbs 18:16 reminds us, " A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. " Allow your gift to create the space for your ministry rather than trying to force open doors that aren't ready to receive you. 2. Avoid Self-Promotion and Political Maneuvering It’s important to realize that even though your gift is what gets you into the room, your character is the thing that keeps you there. There's a stark warning in Scripture about gaining influence through manipulation rather than divine timing. Absalom, David's son, shows us the danger of winning people's hearts through flattery, false promises, and undermining leadership. He created a following by positioning himself as more accessible and understanding than the established authority. In today's social media age, the temptation toward self-promotion has never been stronger. We can easily build platforms that elevate our image above our character. But true prophetic authority doesn't come through marketing yourself as an expert – it comes through humble service, consistent character, and divine timing. James 4:6 reminds us that " God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. " When we push for recognition prematurely or through manipulation, we may gain a position but miss the protection that comes with proper promotion. Like Joseph, who shared his prophetic dreams prematurely with his brothers, our lack of wisdom can create a much more difficult path to our destiny than God intended. 3. Embrace the Preparation Process The weight of the prophetic office is both invisible and substantial. I've witnessed many genuinely called individuals crumble under the pressure of premature promotion. The apostle Paul wisely instructed that leaders " should first be tested and then let them serve " (1 Timothy 3:10), and warned against laying hands on anyone hastily (1 Timothy 5:22). True preparation for prophetic ministry involves more than just having accurate prophetic words. It requires developing spiritual maturity, biblical understanding, relational wisdom, and emotional health. If you sense a prophetic calling on your life, embrace the preparation process with patience and humility. Serve faithfully where you are. Allow trusted leaders to speak into your life and development. Study the Scriptures diligently. And remember that the process between the promise and the palace is not just necessary – it's a gift that prepares you to succeed when your time comes. My prayer for you is that you would find peace in God's timing for your prophetic journey. May you grow in both favor with God and with people, allowing the Lord to develop in you the character needed to carry His voice with integrity. Let me be clear- the path to your prophetic purpose isn't just about reaching a destination – it's about becoming the person who can faithfully steward the authority that comes with it.

4 Lessons After 50 Years of Marriage

By Kris Vallotton • February 12, 2025

Kathy and I are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, and we’ve been together for 54. We’ve experienced highs and lows together and built a life I never imagined possible! Over the past 50+ years, we’ve learned a few things that I want to share with you to help your marriage thrive! Know when to sacrifice pleasure for the pursuit of joy. Kathy and I have learned when to sacrifice pleasure for the pursuit of joy; this is the discipline of laying down your life for another. A practical example of this is when people find out we have horses. They say, “Oh wow, Kris, you have horses!” My response to them goes something like this, “No, I don’t have horses. Kathy has horses. I only pay for the horses.” Their next question for me usually is, “Don’t you like horses?” To which I respond, “No, I don’t like horses, but I like Kathy.” You see, I get a lot of joy out of doing what Kathy wants to do. I am willing to sacrifice my own pleasure to pursue what develops joy in our marriage. It’s not one-sided, Kathy does the same for me. 2. Forgiveness restores the standard. If you’ve been in a relationship for any length of time, then you know the honeymoon phase doesn't last forever. The person that you love and cherish at the deepest level is the same person that will stretch, challenge, and offend you. I learned this lesson years ago when my kids were teenagers. I became angry with Kathy in front of them and treated her disrespectfully. An hour later, I apologized, and she forgave me. Colossians 3:13 tells us that “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive". The truth is, forgiveness restores the standard of holiness in us and through us. 3. It’s not bad if your spouse thinks differently than you. Men and women think differently, and this is metaphorically demonstrated in the way they were created. Please understand what I am trying to communicate here. I am not at all trying to dishonor either gender. I know that women and men are equally intelligent. When Kathy and I got married, I didn’t understand marriage or women at all. I was so ignorant that it wasn’t even funny. I just had no value for Kathy’s opinion, while we were making decisions, when she refused to produce the facts for her conclusions. She often prefaced her statements with phrases like, “I feel like...,” “It troubles me that...,” “I don’t feel good about that...,” and so on. But what I learned over time, as many of my great decisions began to turn into mistakes, was that her “It feels like” or “This troubles me” were often a lot more accurate than the so-called facts! As the years have rolled on, I have learned to invite the rest of me, and my other half, my wife, into all of my decisions. And she has learned the same thing. We were made to be together. We are one flesh, a mystery that continues to unfold with time. 4. Vision gives pain a purpose. It is my conviction that we are living in a generation perishing for lack of vision. This is evident in many different areas of life, but I also see it in marriages. Having a vision for your marriage will help you persevere through the harder seasons that you’ll face together. Many years ago I had a vision where I was standing next to this elderly gentleman and could see him perfectly, but the man could not see me. The older man was surrounded by children and grandchildren telling stories about the family's history, lineage, and favor with God. In the vision he said, “And all of this began with your great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather.” I looked up and above the mantle of the fireplace and there was a huge portrait of Kathy and me! The Lord spoke to me and said: “You are no longer to live for a ministry—you are to live to leave a legacy! Your children’s children’s children are depending on you leaving them a world in revival. From this day forward, you will live for a generation that you will never see. You are to have a one-hundred-year vision so that you can build from the future.” This vision of our future helped us in developing a strategy to apprehend God’s goals for our lives, and it was the fuel that kept us going in the harder seasons. Consequently, from that day on, we began to build from the future, as the Lord had said. Let me be clear: you don't have to have a literal vision like I did, but you should have a vision and a direction for the future! Your marriage isn’t just about you, it’s about the generations that will follow. The truth is, the way you love, lead, and fight for your marriage today is building a legacy for your children and their children. So take time with your spouse, dream with God, and dream with each other. Get a vision for your family’s future! The breakthrough you experience now will impact the generations to come.

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