In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, the gift of prophecy stands as a beacon of hope, strength, and encouragement. We need this ray of light! Maybe now more than ever.

Acts 2:16-18 highlights the prophecy from the book of Joel, emphasizing that in the last days, God will pour out his Spirit on all people. This outpouring will enable sons and daughters to prophesy, young men to see visions, and old men to dream dreams, all of which underscores  the inclusivity and power of the Holy Spirit, who always breaks down the social and gender barriers we tend to construct.

In1 Corinthians 14:1-3, we learn that prophecy is meant for the strengthening, encouragement, and comfort of believers. That’s all it is, a straightforward means for building people up, providing guidance and offering reassurance in times of need.

Over the years, as I’ve trained people to sharpen this spiritual gift, I’ve reminded them that we should always authenticate “words from God” before we articulate them. First Thessalonians 5:19-21 advises believers not to treat prophecies with contempt but to test everything and hold on to what is good, which involves aligning prophetic words with Scripture and seeking confirmation from trusted, wise friends.

And here’s another tip: In 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the “Love Chapter,” we’re reminded that all spiritual gifts, including prophecy, should be exercised with love. Love is the language of the gospel—that’s a good way to think about it. Which means it’s the foundation of all ministry.

As you seek to exercise the gift of prophecy as you engage in conversation with others,  here are three questions to consider:

1. What can I say that would help this person keep going?

2. What has God spoken to this person that I can confirm?

3. What pain has this person they experienced that God longs to comfort?

Prophecy is not just inspirational; it is miraculous. It involves hearing from God and having the courage to share his message with others, which can lead to profound moments of revelation and transformation. This week, challenge yourself to be open to the gift of prophecy. Pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, a mind to understand, and a heart to believe. Seek opportunities to speak words of strength, encouragement, and comfort to those around you.

I love being your pastor—

Brady

One of our three core tenets around New Life is worship, and one of the primary reasons we think worship is such a big deal is that when we offer sacrifices of praise to God, our perspective shifts, our hearts expand, and our spirits lift. As it relates to the prevalence of anxiety and fear in our lives these days, what this means is that as we choose to take our eyes off of our fearsome circumstances and fix our gaze on God instead, praise becomes a weapon in our hands that silences the enemy and interrupts his schemes. Walls fall as we praise God. Giants are divinely slain.

In this way praise isn’t just an act of worship; it’s a heartfelt declaration of faith. When we sing and praise God, especially in difficult times, we are reminded of his presence and power. In turn, this act of worship strengthens our faith and helps us focus on God’s promises rather than our problems. It’s a really productive exchange.

But there is still more to the benefits of praising God instead of fixating on our problems which is this: as our faith is strengthened, our awareness of and belief in God’s presence goes up. By believing that God is with us, we can face any challenge with confidence, trusting that God is working all things out for our good.

This is why you and I are wise to desirethe gift of faith in our lives. The gift of faith is the special ability to be full of divine confidence and conviction in any situation. According to Hebrews 11:1, it involves being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. It is this gift that enables us to trust God completely, even when circumstances seem impossible.

So, how do we “desire faith”? First, surrender the whole of your life to God. The measure of our faith is not determined by the number of prayers we get answered but by the amount of our lives we are willing to surrender to him.

What a profound thought.

As you and I surrender more and more of ourselves to our heavenly Father, our faith miraculously grows. Think of it this way: by trusting God with every part of our lives, we create space for faith to grow. We create space to see God at work in our lives, causing miracles to unfold.

A miracle is simply a divine intervention into our human affairs, and I’m always struck by the fact that the people I encounter who are living fully surrendered to Jesus are the same ones who tell me of the miracles they’ve seen him do.

Do you see the correlation?

As you surrender to the Lord Jesus, your faith in him is strengthened.
As your faith in him is strengthened, your eyes are opened to his work in the world.
As your eyes are open with fresh spiritual insight, you see his miracle-working power at hand.

If you are waiting on a miracle in your life—a diagnosis to be reversed, a prodigal child to come home, a financial situation to be reconciled, a divisive relationship to finally mend—let me encourage you as your pastor to surrender more of your life to Christ.

I mean it. Give him more room to work, not less.
Give him more of your heart, not less.
Give him more of your time and attention, more of your focus and care.

Then, pray bold prayers, asking him to do for you what only God can do!

God is with you.

And he is capable of doing the impossible, in and through your life.

I love being your pastor—