Episode 218: When Do We Expose Them?

In a world where spiritual leaders sometimes fall from grace, how do we navigate our faith journey with discernment? This powerful episode of Mavericks & Misfits delves into the challenging terrain of suspicion and skepticism in Christian ministry. Drawing wisdom from Acts 5, we're reminded of Gamaliel's counsel to 'leave them alone' if a movement is truly of God. This teaches us the importance of humility in our judgments, and the need to trust in God's ultimate discernment. Today’s podcast challenges us to examine our own hearts first, focusing on rooting out bitterness, cynicism, and unwarranted suspicion. It's a call to balance healthy discernment with a recognition that God often uses imperfect vessels for His perfect purposes. As we wrestle with these truths, we're encouraged to pray for wisdom, seek God's guidance, and resist the temptation to become crusaders against every perceived flaw in ministry.

Episode 217: Going On Record About the Election

In our spiritual journey, we often face the challenge of aligning our emotions, thoughts, and will with God's truth. As we approach a critical moment in our nation's history, we're called to reflect deeply on our values and how they align with our faith. This message challenges us to consider the sanctity of life and the profound responsibility we bear as Christians in shaping our society. The central theme revolves around protecting the unborn, drawing parallels to biblical accounts of child sacrifice to false gods like Molech. We're reminded of God's judgment on nations, including ancient Israel, for such practices – and we are called to consider how God would ever let America escape the same judgment. This isn't just about politics; it's about standing for God's creation and His image in every human life. As believers, we must ask ourselves: How will we account for our choices before God? Are we truly living out our faith in all aspects of our lives, including our civic duties? This message urges us to courageously stand for biblical principles, even when it's uncomfortable or unpopular. It's a call to align our votes with our values and to be unashamed in defending the vulnerable.

Episode 209: 3 Prophetic Questions

Jesus once asked his closest followers three vital questions. From those three questions found in Mark 8:18, we are able today to draw out three priorities that all modern believers should be considering. With the global chaos and biblical signs of the end of the age happening right in front of us, there is no option to be a passive spectator. These three ancient prophetic questions from Jesus can serve as a catalyst for our own present journeys in the faith. Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to wake up late.

Episode 215: When Holy Spirit Gifts Cease

In this final look at spiritual gifts, we delve into the heart of a controversial topic that challenges our understanding of God's ongoing work in the world. The debate revolves around the continuation of the Holy Spirit's gifts in modern times, urging us to reconsider any preconceived notions we might hold. By examining 1 Corinthians 13 and the prophecy of Joel 2, we're invited to see how these spiritual gifts are intricately tied to the second coming of Christ. This perspective encourages us to remain open and proactive about the supernatural workings of God in our lives today. As we reflect on this, we're challenged to ask ourselves: are we limiting God's power in our lives by disbelieving in these gifts? How might our faith and ministry be transformed if we embraced the full spectrum of Holy Spirit's work? This episode of Mavericks & Misfits calls us to a deeper, more experiential faith that goes beyond mere intellectual assent.

Episode 214: How Is Prophetic Ministry Released?

In this episode of mavericks & misfits, we delve into the fascinating world of New Testament prophecy, exploring its purpose and proper use within the church. The key message is that prophecy, when used correctly, builds up, encourages, and consoles believers. We are reminded of 1 Corinthians 14:3-4, which emphasizes that prophecy is for a believer’s edification. This gift is not primarily about predicting doomsday events or setting dates for the end times, but rather about speaking God's heart into situations and lives. We are challenged to pursue this gift earnestly, as Paul instructs, but also to test every prophetic word against Scripture. Toward the end of the podcast, the parallel drawn between clear streams of water and destructive flows of lava reminds us that true prophecy should refresh and nourish, not burn and destroy. As we reflect on this, let's consider how we can cultivate a healthy prophetic culture in our churches, one that honors God and builds up the body of Christ.

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.