WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SECURE - Sadell Bradley 4/1/20

"The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous." -Frederick Douglass

"What have I to dread? What have I to fear? Leaning on the everlasting arms. I have blessed peace, with my LORD so near. Leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms. Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms." Elisha Hoffman and Anthony Showalter wrote this hymn in 1887 based on the Scripture Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." The image of a father holding his newborn is powerful. This is a time when we long to feel SECURE - safe, stable and free from fear or anxiety; not subject to threat; certain to remain or continue safe and unharmed. From a spiritual perspective, the first definition of secure in the dictionary may be the prerequisite to the others: fixed or fastened (on God) so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost. Our sense of security is found only in Jesus.

David was a worshiper before he was crowned king. Even as a young man, he would sing to the LORD while protecting his sheepfold. He devoted himself as a lover of God and a warrior for Him. David is described in Acts 13:22 as a man after God's own heart, who would do all of His will. David certainly was flawed, but in 1 Samuel 19, when his envious father-in-law Saul was plotting to kill him; David received providential protection from God from both his friend Jonathan (Saul's son) and his wife Michael (Saul's daughter). God has prescribed ways to provide for us, giving us favor even from the most unlikely places! David wrote Psalm 57 while Saul was pursuing him: 

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to You for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me. He will send help from Heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. My God will send forth His unfailing love and faithfulness. (Ps. 57:1-3)  

We trust God to fulfill His purpose for us. As we lean on His everlasting arms, He will send help from Heaven to rescue us. Our security comes from Him. "What a fellowship, what a joy Divine, leaning on the everlasting arms. What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms. Leaning, safe and secure from all alarms. Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms."   

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SETTLE - Sadell Bradley 3/25/2020

   

"Adult life is dealing with an enormous amount of questions that don't have answers. So I let the mystery settle into my music. I don't deny anything, I don't advocate anything, I just live with it." - Bruce Springsteen 

 

Right now we have, "an enormous amount of questions that don't have answers." I wonder if we're able to let the mystery settle. What a powerful and transformative idea. Christian leaders have various theories of speculation on whether the COVID 19 virus is a judgment for an increasingly dark, idolatrous and sinful world, or a reset that brings us back to our families, an opportunity for the Gospel to go to the ends of the earth via technology or all of the above. We struggle when we don't have answers, control, or solutions. It's crazy how this same word SETTLE which can mean to resolve and reach a conclusion or end; can also mean to become calmer or quieter, to silence, and come to rest without conclusion. Can you settle in the mystery?

This situation has literally brought us to our knees in prayer. There is a level of medical and spiritual warfare that we've not experienced in our lifetime. We need the grace and mercy of God to intervene. 1 Peter 5 says, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. He gives admonitions that are very appropriate for our time:

 

6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

 

We're in the midst of what Paul terms a light and temporary affliction.

"16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and temporary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs our troubles. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) Do all that you can to still yourself and settle down in the mystery. 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CALAMITIES - 03/18/2020- Sadell Bradley

"Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility, but through greatness of mind."

- Aristotle

 

"Crises are challenges, not calamities." Guy Verhofstadt, former Belgium Prime Minister and coordinator of Brexit said. Some believe he and his comrades were the instigators of both a crisis and a calamity. A CALAMITY is an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster. Unfortunately, a lot of the calamities in the world are the result of our sinful, human nature. We vie and struggle to gain political and economic power. We fail to steward our environment. We do not care for the most vulnerable among us. We want to over-rule God in our decision making, and we try to make Him obsolete with scientific theories that merely explore and explain things He has created that are too high for us. In this season, God is exposing and weaning us from the love of this world.

 

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." 1 John 2:15-17)
 

"The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life." (KJV)  That's really all that is in the world. This is revealed in calamities like the one we're facing. We see the result of our greed, disobedience to authority, and selfishness. We're watching man's inhumanity to man. The things upon which we've historically propped up our lives are in jeopardy: the prestige of work, our savings and retirement plans, experiences of travel, sporting and entertainment events, etc. The things we took for granted are now not available to us: hanging out with friends and extended family, enjoying co-workers, heading to church and other forms of community building. We've discovered what's really important. The good thing is that history tells us that calamities do not last forever and prayerfully we can and will course-correct during and after this one. In the meantime...king David was fleeing for his life from king Saul, he asked God for mercy and declared that he would hide and rely on the LORD. This is a prayer we ought to pray in this season. "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."  

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - TRUST - 3/11/2020 -Sadell Bradley

"Put your trust in the LORD and go ahead.   Worry gets you no place." - Roy Acuff "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie Ten Boom. The times seem uncertain now, but no more disconcerting than those that Corrie Ten Boom and her family faced while assisting Jewish families in the Netherlands to escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II. The devout Christians called their home "The Hiding Place," and saved the lives of 800 Jews. Eventually, her family was arrested and imprisoned in Ravensbruck concentration camp. Despite the bleakness of their plight, Corrie and her sister Betsie held worship services with a smuggled-in Bible. Upon her death, Betsie exclaimed, "There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still." In times like these, perspective is everything. The Ten Boom family drew from a well full of trust. King David sang in his distress, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."   TR TRUST is a firm belief in  the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something; it is allowing someone to look after or commit something or someone of importance or value to safekeeping. You are important to God and He cares for you. Isaiah proclaimed, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2) That is a strong declaration. I love how these Scriptures pair trust with a song. Christ-followers can lead the way in these times by preaching the Good News. "14Because God's children are human beings made of flesh and blood-the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying." (Hebrews 2:14-15) The Ten Booms were not afraid of death.  Paul said, in the last days perilous times would come. (2 Tim. 3:1) So we pray Psalm 91:3-7 over ourselves and our loved ones, "For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrows that fly by day. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not dread the disease that stalks in the darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you." The One who determines when we are born and when we'll die is God. If it's our time, we trust Him to make that appointment. In truth, for a Christ-follower, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil1:21) Because we know where and to Whom we're going we can say like David, "I TRUST in You LORD, You are My God, my times are in your hands." (Psa. 31:14-15)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FULFILLMENT - 03/03/2020 Sadell Bradley

"I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious." - Vince Lombardi   FULFILLMENT is an interesting word. It expresses the achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted. It also conveys the meeting of a requirement or condition, or the performance of a task, duty or role as required, pledged, or expected. Sherman and I are at the intersection of those definitions as we embark upon the next leg of our ministerial journey. On April 12th, at 11:00 am, we launch The Warehouse church in Over The Rhine in Downtown, Cincinnati. We'll occupy the former Nast Trinity building at 1310 Race Street across from Washington Park in the heart of the City. We've worked to restore the inside of the building for months. This was prophetically spoken years ago, and LORD's Word is being fulfilled in 2020, glory to God!    When the name "The Warehouse," was revealed, I was not aware of its history. In 2001, race riots occurred in Cincinnati after 19- year-old Timothy Thomas was shot and killed in Over the Rhine by Steven Roach, a police officer. Thomas, an African-American wanted for 14 minor warrants - mostly traffic violations, had just left a local club called 'The Warehouse.' A chase ensued which ended with the officer shooting the unarmed young man in the heart in a dead-end alley. It was the 15th African-American man dead at the hands of police in 5 years in the City, which ignited days of civil unrest and a citywide curfew. We as clergy were called in to help to minister to the hurting and angry. I remember standing between rioters and mounted police on Central Ave in the midst of the conflict. Sherman and I were serving at different congregations at the time. An historic collaborative agreement between citizens and police ensued, as did a plan for gentrification. The economic and ethnic polarization of our community continues. We believe these divisions can only be overcome by the power of God, and His loving community.     Almost 20 years later, we are planting a multi-ethnic, inter-generational and multi-class church called The Warehouse in the same community. Finding fulfillment is not synonymous with finding ease. God calls us to do hard things and the cross to which Jesus calls us is not self-fulfillment, but self-denial. (Matt.16:24) The LORD has always planned to unite those who believe across ethnic lines. The unity and love we have for one another through Christ is meant to be a redemptive witness to the world. (John 17:20-23) God created only one race - the human race. The divisions we experience are a social construct of man's sinful devising. This type of enmity also existed in the Bible, but God's purpose in Christ was and is to break down ethnic barriers and create One New Humanity of Kingdom Citizens:     14For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. (Eph. 2:14-16)    What Christ did for the Jews and Gentiles, we believe is possible for the deepest ethnic divides in America. We not only want to see Dr. Martin Luther King's dream fulfilled...we want to see God's dream fulfilled.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EDIFYING - 02/26/2020 Sadell Bradley

   

"Not every film I do is going to be like 'Selma,' but every film I do can be edifying - can be something that points toward what I believe to be true. I'm not one to shy away from darkness in movies as long as there is light." - David Oyelowo

It's Black History month, and though what has happened in the lives of African-Americans should be woven into the fabric of what we learn daily; there is just a dedicated month of focus on our contributions to this Country. One Oscar-award winning film from 2014, "Selma," depicts the struggle of African-Americans for voting rights in Selma, Alabama, and the events of 'Bloody Sunday,' March 7, 1965, as peaceful protesters attempting to march from Selma to the state capital of Montgomery were met with a violent response from sheriff's deputies and state troopers as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The officers used tear gas, horses, and billy clubs to drive them back across the bridge. (You may know that Edmund Pettus was a Confederate brigadier general and later Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan.) After the first incident, Dr. Martin Luther
King and other activists, clergy, nuns, and people of goodwill (whites made up 30% of the marchers) joined the protesters from across the Country. That night, a Caucasian minister from Boston, James Reeb, was attacked and killed by members of the KKK. Two weeks later on Sunday, March 21, 1965, Dr. King and 3,000 activists persisted to begin the 12-mile trek yet again. The group swelled to 25,000 along the way under the protection of federal government troops. This act was EDIFYING to the Civil Rights Movement and to the Country. To EDIFY means to instruct or improve someone morally or intellectually; to build; to construct a building; to strengthen. It ultimately led to Congress passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the registration of thousands of African-American voters in Selma, Alabama in 1966.

As we think about the writings of Scripture, we often view 'edifying' as encouragement that is primarily done with words. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) We know that the five-fold gifted ministries (I believe Dr. King fell into the Apostolic/Prophetic category), were ordained by God to mature, equip and edify the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12) Edifying is also action. "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." (Romans 14:19)  We are commanded, "Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification." (Romans 15:2) Certainly, many of us who are African-Americans have been morally and intellectually stimulated to cast our votes in elections because of the sacrifices that our forefathers and mothers invested into that right. Those who care about God's justice have thankfully stood right alongside us in our fight for Civil and Human rights. Dr. King said, "I have come to see more and more one of the most decisive steps that the Negro can take is that little walk to the voting booth. That is an important step. We've got to gain the ballot and through that gain, political power...Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."     

What will you say or DO to EDIFY someone today? 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - STANDARD - 02/19/2020 Sadell Bradley

 

   

"Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God." - George Washington

 

When you say the word STANDARD you could be referring to any of a number of things: a required or agreed to level or quality of attainment used as a measure, norm, or model in comparative evaluations; principles of conduct informed by notions of honor and decency; the weight or value of gold, silver, or currency; a song of published popularity; or a military or ceremonial flag carried on a pole. Generally, the word standard is a descriptor of how we view ourselves or treat each other. We say, "I have high standards," when we will not settle for less than an excellent outcome. Or "You are using a double standard," when inequity or injustice is at play.

 

In warfare, 'to raise one's standard,' meant to take up arms and oppose - and lifting a military flag was a rallying cry. Isaiah 59 depicts the LORD our Warrior engaging His enemies. Isaiah illustrates the result of sin, wickedness, darkness, and turning away from the LORD, "It is your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore." (vs. 2, NLT)  The prophet goes on to discuss the murderous, unjust, deceitful, and corrupt way in which people are living, "Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Misery and destruction always follow them. They don't know where to find peace or what it means to be just and good. They have mapped out crooked roads, and no one who follows them knows a moment's peace." (vs. 7-8)

 

The result of sin is injustice. Truth has fallen in the streets and honesty has been outlawed. "Yes truth is gone and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The LORD was displeased that there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So He Himself stepped in to save them with His strong arm, and His justice sustained Him... He will repay His enemies for their evil deeds. " (vs. 15-16;18)  

 

Isaiah proclaims, "So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the West, And His

glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him." (vs. 19) This power is portrayed as a raging tide that the breath of the LORD drives over His enemies. Sometimes the wickedness around us is nothing short of overwhelming. I'm glad that our God is the Captain of the Hosts of Angel Armies, that He is with us, and fights for us! 

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - RUNWAY - Sadell Bradley 02/12/2020

"I think Starbucks created a platform and ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I suspect if we had not achieved what we have, there would have been many regional brands that would have succeeded. But I'm not sure there would have been a national brand of the scope of Starbucks." - -Howard Schultz, CEO RUNWAY is a word with many meanings: a leveled strip of smooth ground along which aircraft take off; a raised aisle extending into the audience from a stage, especially as used for fashion shows; an incline or chute down which something slides or runs. The general idea implies momentum - the driving force gained with velocity through a process of events. Sometimes we forget that runway is also a business term. A runway is a launching point for an enterprise or endeavor. It propels something forward to an ultimate goal. In fashion, the RUNWAY is a path down which models walk and pose to showcase the creativity of a designer. We marvel at the mannequin-like figures who showcase their beautiful designs. It's easy to miss that at 'fashion week,' whether in New York or Paris, the RUNWAY is also where decisions about fashion trends are made that will affect millions of people and represent billions of dollars in revenue. We teach at MORTAR, an entrepreneurship incubator, that a RUNWAY is also an emergency fund for your business. It's the amount of cash a business owner has on hand to buy themselves time for the months when they're not making money. If a business expends or 'burns' $5,000/mos but the owner has saved $25,000, we say they have a 'runway' of five months.  Which begs the question...how long is your runway? How many months could you live without a paycheck or other influx of cash? In America, 40% of Americans don't have $400 for an emergency. They have a runway of zero months. Without a savings runway, we not only can't take off; we can't sustain ourselves during a hard time. In Genesis 41, Joseph dreamed that Egypt would experience 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. In verses 34-36, he recommended that 20% of the harvest be collected and stored to prepare for their coming time of hardship. The wisdom of this proposal for them to create a 7-year runway pleased the Pharaoh, and Joseph was appointed 2nd in command in the Country. This great decision, "also brought increase as every other nation came to Egypt to buy grain." (vs. 57)   We don’t know what lies ahead, but we’ve been told since we were kids to save for a rainy day because eventually, it’s going to rain. Now is a great time to build a substantial runway for yourself, your family and your business.

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - EUPHEMISM - 2/4/2020 Sadell Bradley

 

"Asymmetrical warfare is a euphemism for terrorism, just like collateral damage is a euphemism for killing innocent civilians." - Alan Dershowitz, Esq.

 

A EUPHEMISM - is a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. The Greek euphemizein means 'to use auspicious words.' Popular euphemisms include: being between jobs (unemployed), vertically challenged (short), temporary negative cash flow (broke), pre-owned vehicle (used car), passed away (died), expecting (pregnant), over the hill (old), and casualty of war (victim). Paul Johnson said, "Euphemism is a human device to conceal the horrors of reality." 

 

We do a lot of glossing over, massaging, and spinning these days. Why is it so difficult for us to 'speak the truth in love' and grow up? (Eph. 4:15) In Ephesians 4:25, Paul emphasizes the new character we are to live in Christ, "Therefore putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth to his neighbor," for we are members one of another." Fanciful language does not take away the blow of harsh realities any more than political correctness removes an underlying insult. In Psalm 15:1-3, King David wrote, "Who may worship in Your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on Your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking truth with sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends."  There is a discernible connection between truth and worship. Jesus said the Father is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24) 

King Solomon said, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." (Prov.15:2) "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (NIV) What a truth-teller says may be hard to hear, but it's often trustworthy. Something unfortunate is happening when we can no longer trust what anyone says. American Musician Bobbie Gentry said, "Euphemism is a euphemism for lying." It's just a nicer way to say it. Paul instructs us as Christ-followers, "Do not lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and its wicked deeds." (Col. 3:9, NLT)

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - IMMORTALITY - 01/29/20 Sadell Bradley

   

"The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do." - Kobe Bryant

A few days ago, one of the most iconic sports figures the world has ever known, Kobe Bryant, died tragically in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna, 6 beautiful and talented friends and their pilot. It is a tragedy the world has been mourning ever since. My husband is a part of #LakerNation. He has been a fan since childhood. It hit him hard. People are saying that Kobe was like a superhero. His off the court persona was as awe-inspiring and intriguing as his Hall of Fame-worthy basketball career. Kobe never went to college but was a very learned man. He spoke several languages, had won an Oscar and an Emmy, and had seemingly shepherded and advised every notable male and female basketball figure, significant athlete, or well known...anyone. Stars have shared how he reached out to help them at significant times in their lives. He was not without flaw or fault, nor did he claim to be. After his significant fall, it seems he did the hard work of redemption with his wife and family, for whom we all are praying. 

IMMORTALITY is the ability to live forever; never dying or decaying; or deserving to be remembered forever.  A mere mortal is a human being that is subject to death and not Divine. We now know despite his iconic status in society, Kobe Bryant was a vulnerable member of the human race. This tragedy has given us all a greater awareness of the fragile nature of life here on earth, and of our own mortality. If someone as brilliant, young, dashing, gifted, handsome, wealthy and accomplished as Kobe Bryant succumbed to a death that was beyond his control; we must all consider how we're living our lives. David said, "Teach us to number our days...or Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) Admonitions to let go of grudges and tell our friends and family how much we love them abound. We will all die someday.

But what if we did live forever? What if we could choose where we'll spend eternity? What if our bodies are just a shell of our real essence? Paul wrote, "God will repay each person according to what they have done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger." (Rom2:6-8) Many Christians breathed a sigh of relief to find out that Kobe and Gianna had been to church right before the crash and that they attended church as much as a celebrity can. One article said he would sit in the back, so as not to take the spotlight off of Christ, the one they'd come to worship. An interview with sports commentator Stephen A. Smith had Kobe emphatically stating many times, "God is great!"  As we contemplate his level of influence, some pastors may wonder about his faith. What would happen if more superstars like him would be converted and share about eternal life and the immortality and heavenly home that awaits those who trust in Jesus for salvation? What if we preached the Gospel more? Christ-followers...consider how we can share not only the importance of legacy and destiny but of eternity and immortality. 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD - PROPHECIES - 01/22/2020 Sadell Bradley

    

"If we bow down before the truth of Christ's prophetic ministry and then stand up on our feet ready to serve the Lord, something will happen."
- Pastor Alistair Begg

At work we were was asked to share about a conversation with someone that, "blew your mind." Folks talked about exchanges with famous people, or an intimate dialogue with significant family members. I shared about a few astonishing experiences I'd had with prophets who'd 'read my mail.' I believe in the spiritual gifts: prophetic utterances, words of wisdom and knowledge, healing, etc. that are found in 1st Corinthians 12. In Romans 12:6, Paul instructs, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith." Years ago, I was in a healing service where the Holy Spirit through Dr. Mark Chironna revealed a thought I had never shared with anyone and spoke about things that would occur in my future. On another more recent occasion, Dr. Matthew Stevenson did the same thing, unveiling things that had happened over a 20-year span, why they'd occurred, and what would happen going forward. I had never met either of these men. Their gifts were used to disclose God's intent for my life, build my faith, and help to direct my future. 

Some are not convinced these phenomena still take place. Most Christians are confident that Jesus' life was the fulfillment of over 300 prophecies concerning the Messiah. Many also trust in end-time Bible prophecy/eschatology. I am convinced God still speaks prophetically via foretelling and forth-telling. Why would God give us this kind of intel on the present and future state of our lives? The word intel means information of military or political value. Paul gives the answer to this question in 1 Timothy 1:18-19, "Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith." Prophecies are given so that we can fight the good fight of faith concerning present and future Kingdom realities. They keep us in line with the will of God despite the warfare we may be experiencing in the interim. That's why we would do well to follow Paul's advice to the Thessalonians, "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold fast to what is good, reject every kind of evil." (1 Thess.5:19-21)