You know, I used to view “charismatic” as a dirty word, and even would use it as such. Not only that, but my perspective of spiritual things was hugely truncated with respect to how God supernaturally interacts with His children today. To date, I have seen an angel at least once. I have had a series of visions. Not talking business plan visions, but ACTUAL visions where afterwards I was so overwhelmed with the glory and presence of the Lord that I could not and would not speak. I have experienced this same overwhelming glory and presence of God as though I were feeling the celebration in Heaven shortly after the Lord compelled me to share the Gospel with someone on my lunch break one day. It (the compulsion) was so heavy that I could not leave until I did. After I shared, this person, that I did not know, said that they had been wrestling with it the night before. I barely made it back to my car as the weight of God’s glory and presence fell upon me. I worshipped right after. On another occasion, I awoke in the middle of the night and heard the Lord whispering in my soul to pray for Israel only to discover afterwards why. It was right around the time threats of a new Intifada were circulating regarding Israel and the wave of terrorism that had befallen it. Multiple times, I have asked for wisdom in full faith and received it immediately. One time I did this, I got an immediate vision/visual in my head for how to execute what I was trying to do, and it worked! From time to time, I have been strengthened supernaturally whilst at my lowest points physically, mentally, and spiritually to do things to where I could only attribute it to God. One time in particular and recently, it felt literally as if an angel had come alongside me and strengthened me and empowered my eyes and mind to accomplish a very important task at the most unexpected but needed time. It’s incredible y’all.

Oh that we could taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8) Oh that we could cease from quenching the Spirit and the ways that He could minister to us! (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22) For too long, these stigmas surrounding what God will or will not do supernaturally have been esteemed and for what? It’s time to create a space for people to talk about these things and to get a right interpretation and understanding of this. A lot of this is simply fear. Allow God’s perfect love to cast that out. (1 John 4:18) Allow His Word to sharpen your understanding and knowledge in these areas.

I would be remiss if I didn’t caution against the possibility of developing a gross misinterpretation of these things. Not all dreams mean something. A butterfly stomach should not be used as a compass. “The Lord told me to tell you” statements may not be from the Lord at all. Beware of having a spirit like Simon’s (Acts 8:9-24). However, refusing to pair these statements, feelings, and experiences with the Word of God is how things got us in this mess in the first place, in my opinion. The more we understand about it, the more we can be able educate others on how to properly handle these matters and know what to filter out. I will say this though, that God’s sheep know His voice. When God speaks to you or through you, you will know and without a doubt. Do not let stigmas and bad stereotypes deter you from wanting to get to know God in a deeper way or allowing Him to speak to you in different ways.

On another note, I staunchly believe that the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and healing are not dead. They are alive and well. Misguided people have come and defamed/exploited these gifts (or at least the appearance of them) and deterred many in the faith from wanting to understand them or even desire them (2 Peter 2; Jude). However, Scripture tells us to not only desire them but to desire them earnestly! (1 Cor 14:1) Instead of reverencing these wonderful gifts, we in the church have grown to fear them and cast lunacy on any who would dare try to understand or desire them. Sounds like a work of Satan to me (John 10:10). This type of thinking and doctrine is not Biblically supported in any way.

I digress. I implore you, however, to taste and see that the Lord is good!

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise NOT prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. #Selah

*If you would like to know more in detail some of the experiences I have mentioned, I would be glad to share with you on specific incidents.