The Beginner's Guide to the Gift of Prophecy

I have read other books about Prophecy and honestly most have been quacky and out of line with Christian scripture. Jack Deer's book was great, he explains what true Prophecy is, the good, the bad and the humiliating aspect of it. I can not stress how informative yet entertaining this book was. He is a very good writer and by the end of the book you have a feel for his character and personality. The book never contradicts the Bible and is well worth reading.

Awesome, practical, balanced, scholarly, warm, positive, handbook on developing the gift of prophecy; from a former fundamentalist scholar/professor (OT; Dallas Seminary). Must reading if God has gifted you in the prophetic, or you want to pursue the gift; with case studies, personal experiences, insights Dr. Deere got from being up close to heavy-weight and life-long prophetic persons. Shows how to activate and start developing in the prophetic without becoming offensive, weird, intrusive, negative, out of control, etc. Any church would enjoy having the prophetically-gifted in their midst if Deere's inspired guidelines were followed. Bishop Pytches said of Jack's scholarship (and I completely concur): 'This wise, balanced, very readable and practical book from a Bible-loving academic is full of common sense, healthy warnings and correctives, encouragements and illustrations...one of the best I have read.' Dr. Deere is the balanced, savvy, and hi-IQ scholar you were looking for to help move you out of the "Bible's yellowed pages" into a supernatural walk of hearing and living under the 24/7 coaching/voice of God, without openly offending, becoming unbalanced in over-emphasis on emotion/experience over the authority of Scripture. Must reading for anyone "surprised by the voice of God/surprized by the power of the Spirit." Addendum: Plan A Cessationalist Group: "Gifts like this ceased in 1st century." Plan B Charismatic Group: "Yeah, they may have ceased on a experientially-my church level; but have always been available theologically." Plan C: "Ready or not, I AM GONNA Interrupt You End-Time People: regardless of your personal view; power gifts breaking out all over, World-Wide; on all groups/peoples/positions, as tools, tech, and equipment to prep you for the final harvest / roundup....followed by unpleasant news and views in the skies and heavens above; days of the comet of Revelation 8.7 - 9.2, and Luke 21.25-36...." -- CEO; Joel 2.28-32 As the "End-Times" Group, don't be shocked @ what's coming; when it strikes, be savvy: SADDLE UP AND "get ready, Get Ready, GET READY" FOR MAJOR DISPLAY OF POWER GIFTS TO INTERRUPT AND BREAK LOOSE IN YOUR FELLOWSHIP; to facilitate some unfinished Cowboys work of rounding up and roping in all those mavericks and strays of Luke 14.22-24; John 9.4; 10.16; Joel 2.28-32...meandering and browsing over there near the edge of the cliff....

I truly was refreshed by reading this book. I love the practical insight and humility that this book displays. If you ever had a desire to move in the prophectic this book will encourage the process. "Pursue Love , and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1). Very well written and balanced theologically. Excellent!

Here is a little further perspective on this book; Jack Deere is a former cessastionist scholar who encountered God in a dramatic way and was mentored by John Wimber and Paul Cain. I've read all or part of several other books on the prophetic, but this one is special because of its Spirit: Mike Bickle's book helps you relax and believe that prophecy is normal. Bill Hamon gives you the ins and outs of almost every question or situation you could imagine about the operation of the giftSteve Thompson's "You may all Prophesy" is really excellent at as a practical introduction-- covering all the bases of how God speaks, and the stopping places most people hit. But Jack Deere's book actually made me cry at least once. There is such a revelation of humility and reverence for God that your eyes will opened to see prophecy in a whole new light. Not as a thing, but you will taste the Spirit of the Person who is Prophecy. If you are burned out from the false prophets and failures since the Latter Rain, or if you are concerned that prophecy and prophets are just too weird and that it doesn't seem like the right Spirit, read this book. In fact, if you have any interest in speaking prophetically, please read this, and then move on to some of the other great books.

For some time now I have been on the edge of the prophetic ministry, trying the gift, making mistakes, being humiliated, being encouraged but not giving up. Thanks to Jack Deere I have been greatly encouraged by this book. I am not placing myself in the same league with these great men of God but it helps to know that they have gone and are going through the same things. The book addressed more than the Prophetic. It is full of deep spiritual truths that bring revelations which are useful in anyones Christian walk. Thank you Jack.