I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we navigate this complex world as followers of Jesus. And I’m convinced of this: without the Holy Spirit actively working in our lives, we’re just going through religious motions. We need more than good intentions or church attendance to live the kind of faith that makes a difference. We need the empowering presence of the Spirit.

What Is a Spiritual Gift, Really?

Far from being just a natural talent or ability, a spiritual gift is when the Holy Spirit works through you to accomplish two specific purposes:

• To glorify and point people to Jesus (not yourself)
• To genuinely help and serve others

That’s the litmus test.

If what you’re doing doesn’t accomplish these two things, we need to pause and ask if it’s truly from the Spirit. And here’s the beautiful truth: all of us have been given spiritual gifts. Nobody has been overlooked or forgotten by God. Not one.

Three Gifts We Desperately Need Today

In a world of misinformation, division, and spiritual battles, three gifts stand out as particularly essential for us right now:

1. The Gift of Wisdom

When I mention “wisdom,” I’m not talking about being the smartest person in the room. Spiritual wisdom is different. It’s the supernatural ability to:

• See situations from God’s perspective
• Speak insight that cuts through confusion
• Make decisions that align with God’s heart
• Recognize the right path when everyone else is lost

I’ve watched people with average intelligence but extraordinary wisdom navigate life’s complexities with remarkable grace. They seem to know exactly what to say in difficult moments and how to keep moving ahead.

So, how can you grow in wisdom? Start by surrounding yourself with wise people—not just successful or influential people, but those whose lives demonstrate godly wisdom. When you’re with them, listen more than you speak. Ask questions. Watch how they handle challenges. Their wisdom will rub off on you, and the Holy Spirit will use those relationships to develop this gift in your life.

2. The Gift of Knowledge

In a world drowning in information but starving for truth, this gift is vital. The gift of knowledge helps you:

• Recognize truth when you hear it
• Detect manipulation and deception
• Receive divine downloads about situations that you couldn’t naturally know
• Make decisions based on facts rather than feelings or pressure

I’ve experienced moments when the Holy Spirit suddenly gave me insight into someone’s life situation that I couldn’t possibly have known naturally. It wasn’t weird. It was simply God showing his love by revealing what needed to be addressed.

The Spirit wants to guide you into all truth. Not some truth. Not partial truth. All truth … especially in those moments when discernment is critical.

3. The Gift of Faith

I believe the Bible shows us four different levels of faith:

• No faith (the absence of trust in God)
• Little faith (Jesus said even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains!)
• Great faith (the kind that Jesus marveled at)
• Full of faith (complete saturation, as is described in Acts about people like Stephen and Barnabas)

Where are you on this spectrum? Wherever you are, know this: faith can grow. It’s not static. The same person Jesus once called “you of little faith” later turned the world upside down with bold faith. (Think about that for a minute.)

How does faith grow, you ask? Through surrender. Through taking your eyes off the outcomes and fixing them on who God is. Through regular worship that reminds you of God’s greatness. And through experience: each time God proves faithful, your capacity for faith expands.

Making This Real in Your Life

Here’s what I challenge you to do this week:

1. Get honest about your gifts. Which of these three—wisdom, knowledge, or faith—do you most need to develop right now? Name it and focus on it as an area for growth.
2. Create space to hear. The Holy Spirit rarely shouts. If your life is constant noise and hurry, you’ll miss the Spirit’s whispers. Can you carve out fifteen minutes of complete silence each day this week? I encourage you to do so.
3. Identify your surrender points. Where are you still trying to control outcomes rather than trusting God? Those control points are often where your faith is most stunted.
4. Document the journey. Each night, write down one way you saw wisdom, knowledge, or faith at work in your day. This simple practice trains your eyes to recognize the Spirit’s movement.

I don’t share these challenges as theory. I’m walking this same path alongside you. Just last week, I found myself in a situation where I desperately needed wisdom beyond my own, and as I surrendered and listened, the Holy Spirit provided clarity that changed everything about how we moved forward.

Questions for Your Journey

• On the faith spectrum (no faith, little faith, great faith, full of faith), where do you honestly place yourself today? What’s one step toward the next level?
• Who are the wisest people in your life right now? How could you intentionally spend more time in their presence in the coming month?
• In what specific area of your life do you most need the gift of knowledge—the ability to discern truth from manipulation?

These gifts aren’t luxury add-ons to our Christian life. They’re essential equipment for the journey ahead. The good news? The Holy Spirit is eager to develop them in you. All it takes is your willingness to receive.

Let’s be a church known not just for our passion, but for our spiritual wisdom, knowledge, and faith that changes our city and beyond.

I love being your pastor,

Brady

Around New Life, we often speak of the Holy Spirit not as an abstract concept, but as the very presence of God dwelling within us. Yet, for many believers, the Holy Spirit remains the most mysterious member of the Trinity. We acknowledge the Father and the Son, but the Spirit? Sometimes, we’re unsure how to relate to him. However, understanding the Holy Spirit is crucial to living a vibrant, Spirit-filled life.

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is not merely a force or an accessory to our faith; he is God himself. Co-equal with the Father and the Son, the Spirit is the Giver of Life, the One who breathes vitality into our spiritual journey. Without him, there is no church, no transformation, no power.

In Genesis 1, we see the Spirit hovering over the waters, bringing order to chaos. That same Spirit now resides in us, bringing life where there was once emptiness. Romans 8:11 reminds us that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is at work within us, renewing and empowering us daily.

Why Do We Need the Holy Spirit?

The Christian life isn’t meant to be lived in our own strength. The Holy Spirit enables us to experience God’s presence in our daily lives, receive wisdom and discernment for the decisions we face, understand others with compassion and grace, and find peace amidst the chaos of our world.

Welcoming the person, power, and presence of the Holy Spirit into our lives is one of the most important decisions we can make.

How Does the Holy Spirit Speak to Us?

Primarily, the Holy Spirit speaks through Scripture. When we engage with the Bible, the Spirit teaches us, corrects us, and reminds us of Jesus’ words. He guides us into all truth and helps us apply God’s Word to our lives.

But the Spirit also speaks in the quiet moments—through a still, small voice, a nudge in our hearts, or a sense of peace that surpasses understanding. The key is to create space in our lives to listen.

A Challenge for the Week

This week, I invite you to start each day with the prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit.” Dedicate time to read Scripture and listen for the Spirit’s guidance. Pause before making decisions to seek the Spirit’s wisdom.

Reflect on these questions:

• Am I making the Holy Spirit’s voice a priority in my life?
• Where do I need to create more space to hear from him?
• What areas of my life need the Spirit’s peace right now?

Remember, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you. Welcome his presence daily and allow him to guide you into all truth and peace.

I love being your pastor!

Brady