Episode 213: Prophecy- What It Is & What It Isn't

In our journey of faith, we often encounter the profound mystery of spiritual gifts and, particularly, prophecy generates much debate among Christians. This episode of Mavericks & Misfits challenges us to reconsider our understanding of prophetic ministry in the New Testament era. We are reminded that while Old Testament prophecy carried the full weight of divine authority, the New Testament gift of prophecy requires discernment and testing within the community of believers. This shift emphasizes our collective responsibility in stewarding this particular spiritual gift. The Apostle Paul's exhortation in 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 becomes our guiding principle: 'Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.' This teaching invites us to embrace the prophetic with wisdom, encouraging a balanced approach that neither rejects nor blindly accepts every prophetic word as unquestionably being sent from God. As we navigate this delicate terrain, we are called to cultivate a spirit of discernment, rooted in Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit, fostering a mature and responsible engagement with prophetic ministry in our contemporary faith communities.

Episode 211: Supernatural Powers of Healings & Miracles

In this exploration of spiritual gifts, we delve into the complex and often misunderstood realms of healing and miracles. Today’s episode challenges us to examine our beliefs about these two gifts of the Spirit, urging us to find a balance between robust faith and specific biblical understanding about what these gifts are and how they are used. We're reminded that while the gifts of healings (plural in the original Greek) and miracles are real and available today, yet they don't always manifest as we expect. The examples of Paul, who healed many but also had ministry partners that were not instantly healed, teach us humility and dependence on God's will and the need for growing faith. This episode also encourages us to pursue these two gifts earnestly, but also to approach them with wisdom, avoiding both skepticism and presumption. It's a call to deepen our faith while remaining grounded in Scripture, reminding us that our ultimate goal is to grow closer to Jesus, not primarily to possess supernatural powers.

Episode 210: Words of Wisdom, Knowledge & Faith

Today, we jump back into three powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit: the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the gift of faith. These gifts are not meant for personal gain or recognition, but for the common good of the body of Christ. The word of wisdom brings divine insight into complex situations, as demonstrated in Acts 15 when Peter addressed the Jerusalem council. The word of knowledge supernaturally reveals information about others, often paired with wisdom to minister effectively. Finally, the gift of faith is described as an endowment of unwavering trust in God's promises. Jeff shares about how these three gifts flow in a few individuals with whom he ministers. We are all encouraged to earnestly desire these gifts, recognizing that they all operate by faith and are meant to edify the church. Pay special attention to what is shared about the gift of faith as it is the gift that empowers the use of all the other gifts.