“The Beginner’s Guide to the Gift of Prophecy”, Jack Deere

Reinforces the importance of seeking God first!

In this apostolic world we live in, it is so easy for us to seek the spectacular, to seek after the gifting, whether it be healing, prophecy or whatever.

All of these gifts are available to those of us who are born again in the Holy Spirit. Yes, some people will have more defined prophetic and healing ministries via a specific calling, however, we all have the gift, as Peter says in Acts 2 quoting Joel’s prophecy:

“I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.” (v18)

What I especially love about Jack Deere’s book is that he keeps bringing us back to our relationship with God, focus on that, and through our intimacy with Him, He will use us in the prophetic.

Yes, indeed this book is very practical and talks through the steps on how to use the gift wisely but it is so much more than that, and all in 150+ pages. I particularly loved Chapter 4 “Discerning God’s Voice” where Deere emphasises that “Humility is the pathway to friendship with God” (p71). He then proceeds to take the reader through the attributes of humility and how to become humble. Re: the later, it appears desert experiences are customary ala Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul and more. This book is worth buying just for this chapter.

I recommend this book highly and expect it will be on high rotation within my bookshelf as I pursue greater intimacy and stepping out in faith as I practice the gift of prophecy.