I was excited and nervous as I walked into the room. Considering it was a last-minute opportunity, I had prepared for this moment to the best of my ability, or so I had thought.

I took a deep breath, straightened my suit jacket and said a silent prayer as I walked into my appointment.

This was my opportunity to share my message with an agent.  I felt like God had opened this spot for me to meet with him even though, I had just started writing the book.  I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I was passionate about sharing the message God had given me.  Never in a million years did it occur to me that he, that they, wouldn’t understand what I was talking about.  (More on this in a minute, I promise.)

Have you ever been there?  Excited and passionate about sharing your message, the message God has given you, only to find people really don’t understand what you are saying?

It really stinks.  Especially when you are a people pleaser and want everyone to like you. <insert a Cough, & clearing throat > I mean recovering people pleaser.

That day, over 8 years ago was the first opportunity I had to pitch my book topic.  Little did I know, at the time, the word “Prophetic” means different things to different people.

As I sat in the room that day, I pitched my idea to a brand new literary agent and a more seasoned one in the company.  They both looked at me, and said, “so you are talking about prophecy as in end times, apocalyptic stuff?”

“Uhm, no,” I responded while my mind was screaming “haven’t you been listening to anything I just said?”

So, I went on to explain some more.  “Oh,” the more seasoned agent said, “You are talking about prophecy and predicting the future then?”

“Uhm, no” I again responded.

While prophecy in general has some of those aspects that was NOT what I was talking about.

Silently praying, I pleaded for Jesus to give me the right words to penetrate the wall that seemed to be between what I was speaking and what they were hearing. I needed to demystify the spiritual gift of prophecy I was talking about and overcome some obstacles in wrong thinking.

Let’s Demystify what the gift of #propheticencouragement is. #BeTheGift #Dare2Hear

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Obviously, there is a lot of emotion, misuse, abuse and misunderstanding around the words “prophetic”, and “prophecy.”  These words make some people uncomfortable. Some people run for the hills at the mention of these words, while others are drawn to them like a moth to a flame.

I get it.  Growing up, I didn’t know much about these words, and didn’t really know what the Bible taught about it.  When I asked my youth pastor, I was told, our denomination didn’t believe that prophecy was a gift for today, along with some of the other more outspoken gifts listed in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12.

This sent me on a journey of searching for more.  I wanted to go deeper in the things of the Lord. I wanted a deep, authentic relationship with the Father like Jesus modeled.

That is why I wrote the book, The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for Others.

I am an encourager to my core and take very seriously the calls to action in Scripture.  We are told to encourage one another and build each other up every day. (1 Thess. 5:11; Hebrew 3:13)

Encouragement is something we all need, and exactly what Jesus asks us to do for others. I believe we can change our world one encouraging word at a time.

As we read the Scriptures, we see Jesus modeled this spiritual gift of prophecy everywhere He went. He operated in the gift of prophetic encouragement.  He didn’t make it weird, He just spoke the Father’s heart, in love. When He met the woman at the well, He spoke words of life, love and hope.  His words were encouraging and truthful. His words to her opened up a whole community believing and receiving the gospel message Jesus had come to bring.  (John 4:39)

The gift of prophetic encouragement is what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 14:  It’s purpose is clear.  To encourage, comfort, and strengthen those who receive it. And, it’s for ALL!  This is a gift, that Paul tells us to eagerly desire.  It is a necessary gift.  It is a gift that can change the world and atmosphere around us.

The spiritual gift of prophecy is to be approachable!  Jesus was approachable.  We are to be approachable. Everyone needs encouragement.  Jesus modeled what it meant to have a deep authentic relationship with the Father.  The Father (God) spoke to Jesus and told Him the words to speak to others.  Thereby Jesus was operating in the Gift of Prophetic Encouragement: Hearing the Words of God for Others. Jesus was a gift.  The words He spoke carried life and touched the driest places in people’s lives.  Jesus is calling us to #BeTheGift of encouragement others need today.

For practical examples and to better understand what the Gift of Prophetic Encouragement is all about, I invite you to read these blog post:

Won’t you join me?

Come check out The Gift Of #PropheticEncouragement Book & Apply to Join the Launch Team Today. #BeTheGift #Dare2Hear

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Will you please consider joining my launch team? 

(No prior launch team experience is needed. You don’t even need to write a blog or have a large following. Just a heart willing to help, participate and engage in the mission tasks.  It will be fun!)  Click here for the application

As a member of my Launch team, you will:

• READ The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement in a timely fashion (you’ll have 3-4 weeks to do so. Books will be shipped around July 23)
  SHARE about the book on your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat) or with your team, small group, book club, or organization. (we’ll give you instructions about this)
  SHARE about the book on your blog/website.
  REVIEW the book (Most importantly!) Post a review on Amazon (Not until 8/21) and other retailers (Goodreads and BN.com, etc) on or before August 21, 2018 (release date).(it’s easy, fun and we’ll guide you through it).
  GIVE FEEDBACK in our private Facebook group about the book and how it has impacted you!
  TELL EVERYONE you know about the book as many times as you can.
• RECEIVE lots of freebies and gifts from Debbie.

Thank you for consideration in partnering with me to share faith, hope, love, and encouragement with individuals by providing tools to equip others so they can hear God’s voice and be the gift of encouragement someone needs today. Launch team closes the week of July 13th.

While there are other books about the spiritual gift of prophecy, mine is completely unique in challenging believers to be the gift of encouragement others need today.  This book is written to give an interactive experience. Here are the book’s features:

• Teaching on the gift of prophetic encouragement

• Activation Prayers and Activation Exercises to take you deeper.

• Testimonies that will build your faith and increase your boldness.

• A profound foreword by Wayne Corderio

• Chapter questions for personal study or discussion

If the launch team isn’t for you, that’s ok, I get it.  But please considering preordering my book and get in on all the bonus freebies when you do!