June 8, 2026
Hello, Beloved.
I hope all of us have stories of God speaking to us, directly or through someone else. It can be a moment when God speaks over our lives, privately or publicly, with clarity and conviction, and something deep inside us says, "Yes, that’s true.” Then what happens next? Life happens, the word fades, and to be honest, nothing changes. Over time, we quietly forget.
The Apostle Paul understood this danger and saw it up close. When writing to Timothy, his spiritual son, he urged him to remember the prophecies spoken over his life and to use them as a weapon to wage active spiritual warfare. Paul said, “…so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well” (1 Timothy 1:18). Beloved, a prophetic word isn’t just an encouragement; it’s also a weapon, so pick it up and use it. To help us do that, Dennis Cramer offered seven practical keys.
1. Write it down. Habakkuk 2:2-3 says to write the vision and make it plain. We’re good at hearing things that aren’t said and forgetting things that are. Let’s write it down.
2. Read and rehearse it. A word we never revisit becomes a word we never believe. Read it regularly. Let it become familiar. Rehearsal builds confidence.
3. Listen carefully. Listen to the full word, to the Holy Spirit’s direction, affirmation, and correction, and to wise counselors who can help us discern and apply the word faithfully.
4. Meditate on it. Meditation is more than reading. Meditation is how a word moves from being information to becoming conviction. Let it take root. Let it build faith. Hide it in your heart the way a farmer plants a seed, intentionally and expectantly.
5. Pray the word. Pray about the word and pray the word itself. Find scriptures that speak to the same themes and bring them into partnership. When the logos of Scripture and the rhema of prophecy align, something powerful happens.
6. Praise. Hosea 10:11 connects praise to plowing and preparation, not decoration. Gratitude and declaring the nature and character of God over your situation is worship and warfare. We’re cultivating the ground where the word can take hold.
7. Act. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). If there are conditions embedded in the word, then take the necessary steps. Obedience is often the hinge point between a promise received and a promise fulfilled.
We must remain diligent. Warring with prophecy is a sustained, deliberate practice. The enemy doesn’t stop opposing God's purposes in our lives, so we should not stop contending for them.
Pick up your word. Read it. Pray it. Praise God for it, and fight well.
GATEWAY EVENTS: Click here.
NEGATIVITY FAST: I felt a strong impression during church that we are to participate in a church-wide negativity fast. I have developed a simple, daily encouragement with a targeted fast. You can participate here.
WHERE TO ENGAGE:
Gateway Groups (a community where you can experience God, be family, and share the love of Jesus with others.)
DENNIS CRAMER WEEKEND:
Saturday Night: Entire Service or Teaching Only
Sunday Morning: Entire Service or Teaching Only
CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORT:
Click here to learn more about Greater Things (our accelerated mortgage elimination commitment) and participate.
Giving Report: (*weekly income needed $21,500)
June 7: $22,330.70
June 14:
June 21:
June 28:
Greater Things YTD 2026: $43,154.63
Current Mortgage Balance: $259,516.01
Take care and stay hopeful. We can’t wait to see you soon.
Transforming Lives Together,
Lance and Darlene Bane
Lead Pastor
Phone: 203-934-0880
Email: office@yourgateway.com