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- #009 – The Gift That Makes People Uncomfortable (And Why We Need It Now)
#009 – The Gift That Makes People Uncomfortable (And Why We Need It Now)
When God speaks through ordinary people, extraordinary things happen.
Ravi Patel & Chris Mogaka
June 22, 2025
Welcome, Family
Last Friday night, someone joined our Bible study from Nigeria. At 1:12 AM her time.
Rejoice didn't accidentally stumble into our Zoom room. She was hungry. Desperate, even. For authentic community where God still speaks.
While she was sacrificing sleep on another continent, we were wrestling with one of the most misunderstood gifts in the Body of Christ: the spirit of prophecy.
And here's what became crystal clear: the gift that makes people most uncomfortable might be exactly what the Church needs most right now.
If you've ever felt God stirring something in your spirit but were afraid to speak it, this message is for you.
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This Week's Bread
🔮 THE GIFT: Why prophecy isn't what you think it is
📖 THE WORD: 1 Corinthians 12:4-12 and the diversity of gifts
🌍 THE WITNESS: What happened when Nigeria met Atlanta at midnight
🔥 THE WORK: 3 questions to test if God is speaking through you
⚡ MIDWEEK POWER: Your Wednesday prayer lifeline details
🙏 PRAYER CORNER: Breakthrough stories from this week's gatherings
THE GIFT
What Prophecy Actually Is (And Isn't)
Here's what most people think prophecy is:
Crystal ball predictions about the future
Dramatic "Thus saith the Lord" moments
Something only super-spiritual people can do
Here's what prophecy actually is according to Scripture:
"The one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort."
That's it. Strengthening. Encouraging. Comfort.
The gift of prophecy isn't about being mystical, it's about being useful to God's people in real time.
During our study, we wrestled with this question: How comfortable are you with someone who has the gift of prophecy?
The honest answers revealed our struggle: We want God to speak, but we're nervous about how He might choose to do it.
But here's what Chris Paul demonstrated beautifully at Wednesday's prayer meeting:
Sometimes God uses ordinary people to speak extraordinary truth exactly when someone needs to hear it.
THE WORD
Every Gift Has a Purpose
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."
Paul's point is simple: diversity of gifts, unity of purpose.
God didn't give you the gift of prophecy to make you feel special. He gave it to you to serve His people.
The same Spirit who gave Moses wisdom to build the tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-3) gives you the ability to speak life into dead situations today.
Your gift isn't about you. It's through you, for others.
THE WITNESS
When Heaven Meets Earth at Midnight
Picture this: While most of Lagos was sleeping, Rejoice was wide awake, logged into our Bible study, hungry for authentic community.
That's not coincidence. That's desperation for the real presence of God.
Here's what hit me: People are starving for spaces where God still speaks. Not through polished presentations or perfect theology, but through real people dealing with real problems in real time.
This is why our gatherings matter. This is why your voice matters.
Whether you're tuning in from Atlanta or Nigeria, whether it's 8 PM or 1 AM, when God's people gather with hungry hearts, supernatural things happen.
THE WORK
3 Questions to Test If God Is Speaking Through You
Question 1: Does it strengthen? If what you're sensing builds people up rather than tears them down, pay attention.
Question 2: Does it encourage? If it gives hope in hopeless situations, that's often the Spirit moving.
Question 3: Does it comfort? If it brings peace to anxiety or clarity to confusion, don't dismiss it.
Remember: You don't need to be 100% certain to be useful to God. You just need to be willing to be used.
MIDWEEK POWER
Your Wednesday Prayer Lifeline
Every Wednesday | 8-9 PM EST | Virtual
This isn't just another prayer meeting. This is where urgent needs meet supernatural breakthrough.
This past Wednesday, Chris Paul facilitated with such grace and spiritual sensitivity that everyone left knowing they'd encountered God.
Why Wednesdays Matter:
Midweek spiritual refueling when you need it most
Space for urgent prayer requests that can't wait until Friday
Intimate community where every voice matters
Real-time prophetic encouragement as the Spirit leads
Join us this Wednesday: Message us on Instagram for more details
Can't make it live? We get it. But if you can, show up. Your breakthrough might be waiting.
PRAYER CORNER
Let's pray together:
"Holy Spirit, give us courage to speak what You're saying and wisdom to know when to stay quiet. Help us hunger for Your presence more than we fear looking foolish. Use our ordinary lives for Your extraordinary purposes. Amen."
This Week's Prayer Requests:
🌍 For our global community - Rejoice in Nigeria and all who sacrifice to seek God
🔥 For courage to use our prophetic gifts without fear
⚡ For breakthrough in Wednesday night prayer meetings
💪 For Chris Paul and all who step up to lead in God's house
Breakthrough Report:
Powerful prophetic words spoken over struggling marriages
Healing prayer answered for chronic pain issues
Financial breakthrough for family facing eviction
Need prayer? Reply to this email or DM us on IG. We lift up every request.
YOUR SEAT IS SAVED
📅 This Friday, June 27th | 8-10 PM EST
As we continue our exploration of spiritual gifts, we're diving into end-times prophecy and what it means for believers today.
Join us on Zoom: [Link] | Password: 123456
Bring your urgent needs, your praise reports, and your expectant heart.
📺 Missed Last Week? Catch the replay of our "Spirit of Prophecy" study by replying to this email with the word “replay”
FINAL WORD
The gift that makes people uncomfortable might be exactly what they need most.
God isn't looking for perfect prophets. He's looking for willing vessels.
Your voice matters. Your perspective matters. What God is stirring in your spirit matters.
Don't let fear rob the Body of Christ of what God wants to say through you.
📣 Keep the Flow Going
💌 Forward this to one man who needs to know he's gifted
📲 GroupChat's open. Come through
📸 Follow the IG: @chrissmogaka
With you always,
Mogaka Events Ministry
P.S. From Nigeria to Atlanta, from midnight to midday, when God's people gather with hungry hearts, heaven shows up. See you Friday.
✨ Sponsored by Atlanta Young Adult Community Bible Study
Friday Nights on Zoom – 8 PM
Where real life and Faith come together