The Essential Guide to the Prophetic: How to Hear the Voice of God” by Cindy Jacobs is a mentoring book. The author writes about mistakes early in her prophetic career and shares what she has learned. She gives a brief overview on spiritual warfare. She briefly explains the spirit of Saul, Jezebel, and Absalom.

The author proposes, “Every person who has received the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and has been filled with the Holy Spirit, has the potential to operate in their prophetic gifting.” Some denominations may not agree with her beliefs.

Fans of Cindy Jacobs will enjoy this book. It is simple to follow as the author answers questions for her readers. This eight chapter book could work well for a book club discussion. Application questions are included at the end of each chapter. The author quotes from various Scripture translations, including The Passion Translation®.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley.

The Essential Guide to the Prophetic by Cindy Jacobs was a very interesting read for me. I found it well written and extremely knowledgeable.

The author shares five different ways God can speak to us. She lists three different possible sources for these messages. She discusses at length the purpose of prophesying and the three main functions (Edification, Encouragement and Comfort).

She shares that “Every person who has received the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and has been filled with the Holy Spirit, has the potential to operatie in their prophetic gifting.”

There are three types of prophecy (Personal, Corporate and Prophetic intercession). She encourages you to question your prophesy. There are six questions you can ask when testing a prophetic word. In addition to the questions, she shares practical steps to interpret your prophesy.

She encourages you to practice integrity in your walk and lists a few ways that you can do that.

I recommend this book if you want to learn more about prophesy.

I found this book to be helpful. I have not read anything by this author prior to this but I'm glad that I was able to read this. I did not know much about this and was able to gain a lot from this book as it was very informational. I like the way that this book is laid out. It's hands and I found it easy to learn from. I highly recommend this book.

This is an interesting book on prophecy and how to use this gift if you have it. The author, wisely, takes a conservative approach and suggests that those who feel they have received this gift question whether these messages are really from God or from their own egos...or worse. These suggestions give would-be prophets a healthy dose of humility before attempting to exercise their gifts. Wise and well written.

Very Informative Book

Not only is Cindy Jacobs a renowned Prophet, she also is an amazing writer. In this book, states that it is designed to be a guide along our journey of learning to hear God’s voice. She states that she will provide different ways God speaks, what it means to give or receive a prophecy, how we discern if a word is from God, and how to cultivate the prophetic gift.

The author states that her ultimate goal is for her readers to hear God’s voice and to use His gifts in a way that will bring Him glory, and encouragement and growth to His church.

She discusses below some of the ways we can hear God speaking to us, in addition to His Word (the Bible):
1. Through a knowing, or a strong impression. You may suddenly know details about something you had no previous knowledge of, or you may know about something that hasn’t happened yet but is later confirmed.
2. In a spontaneous phrase or message that comes to mind. Sometimes this will be a Scripture, a simple sentence, or a longer message.
3. In an audible voice.
4. Through dreams and visions.
5. By a prophetic word delivered to you by another believer.

The author states that it is important to discern God’s voices from other voices.

She defines Prophecy as a spontaneous, divinely-given understanding or fore-knowledge about a person or an event, that it is one of the gifts of the Spirit that believers are to desire once one is saved and filled by the Holy Spirit. I love the fact, that Cindy Jacob backs this statement with scripture: 1 Corinthians 14: 1 and 14: 39, Paul encourages the Church to desire the gifts of the Spirit, but above all, the gift of prophecy.

She further provides the following verse from the Bible:
"This is what I will do in the last days— I will pour out my Spirit on everybody and cause your sons and daughters to prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will experience dreams from God. The Holy Spirit will come upon all my servants , men and women alike, and they will prophesy." Acts 2: 17–18 tpt

The author list the the types of prophecy that are listed below:
1. Personal (or private) prophecy: This is a prophetic word from God, delivered to an individual.
2. Corporate prophecy: This is a prophetic word delivered to a body or congregation of believers.
3. Prophetic intercession: This is the ability to pray and intercede with prophetic insight and empowering from God’s Spirit for specific issues God brings to mind at specific times.

She discusses each of the above types of prophecies in great length, and different ways to prepare to hear God’s word. Cindy Jacob further discusses God’s vocabulary,
types and styles of prophets, and she provides an application process at the end of each section, for which, reader can apply what they read and either pray or just meditate of the benefits or needs they wish to accomplish from the particular subjects.

This is a great book for anyone on a spiritual journey to develop a closer relationship with God and to learn to hear His voice. As the author states: "God wants to speak to you, and the process of learning to hear His voice can be sweet, powerful, and deeply intimate."

Highly recommend, it is definitely a book to have in your physical library.

Excellent book on prophesy. Ms. Jacobs gives a wonderful explanation of what prophesy is and what it is not. Recommend this book highly.

Fantastic insight into the prophetic, enjoyed reading this book and learning new ways and techniques to interact with God.
Great read

This book was an interesting read and explored a gift of the Holy Spirit which is supernatural and often shrouded in mystery. I have been a witness to a prophetic word and have had a prophetic dream so this guide was enlightening and encouragement and also practical and biblical in its presentation. I respect the authors experience and emphasis on being mentored and under a pastor’s authority.