I know how the Lord loves to speak to you through acronyms and acrostics, so I figured I’d take some time with Him and see if He would give me one prophetically using your name. Below are the adjectives I got while asking the Lord about you. The descriptions underneath are definitions from Webster’s along with my own interpretation/exposition of each attribute. Though this is what I felt like I received, obviously it is not without flaw, so just take before the Lord in order to “Test everything, and hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21).
Hopefully, Holy Spirit will use this to encourage you as you have been such an encouragement to me and to so many others. May you receive a multiplication of all that you have poured out to others, and may this year be the most glorious year of your life! Happy birthday and blessings to you my friend!
In Him,
Curtis
BRANDON BERRY
B – Brilliant.
a: very bright; b: distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness.
You seriously are one of the brightest people I personally know. God has given you a sharp mind and I am challenged and encouraged by your knowledge. This is one of the reasons that “Nerd Nights”, though they may not happen as often in the future, will always be cherished in my life. Regardless, I look forward to being sharpened by you as you continue to “love the Lord with all of your mind.”
R – Revolutionary.
a : of, relating to, or constituting a revolution; b : tending to or promoting revolution;
c : constituting or bringing about a major or fundamental change
I know this is a word that you are very familiar with, but I felt like I should re-emphasize it. YOU ARE A REVOLUTIONARY! And the Lord is going to use you as such as you continue to obey Him in our generation. Not only will you be one yourself but I believe you are/will be a general who will lead many revolutionaries to battle for our great King. Have you studied much into the Revolutionary War?...maybe there are some nuggets for you there. Also, the word you got from Damon Thompson comes to my mind - “this is in your DNA!”
A – Athletic.
Your stature and athletic ability impress me. I believe this word relates not only to you and your wife but also to your children and children’s children. Keep your athletic flare so that you can pass it on to your offspring as God will use the platform of athletics to teach them many life lessons. This will also be a means of ministry for your family.
N – Naughty.
I know this word seems kind of out of place, and I’m kind of hesitant to put it on here but I felt as if this is what I was supposed to put for this letter. Maybe Nicole knows more about this one. Seriously though, I feel like it may apply to you being somewhat confrontational and unwilling to conform to certain standards. I think the Lord wants you to realize that those who “play nice” are rarely the ones who do big things for the Kingdom’s sake. In reality, it’s actually the ones who accomplish the most for God that are the most criticized and accused of being “rebellious or disorderly”. Change or revolutions will never happen if the status quo is accepted without confrontation. This obviously is not referring to any ungodly behavior. But do know that you are a world changer and world changers don’t always “play nice”. Keep this in mind especially regarding spiritual warfare and combating the darkness that will oppose you. I also feel the Lord may be highlighting this because you may accused of being “naughty” (not behaving properly; mischievous or disobedient) by some that don’t understand you or by the structures you’re called to confront. I believe He wants you to feel secure in your noncompliance (as long as it’s done with meekness and godliness) with the status quo or political correctness of this world. Just make sure you stay humble and teachable before Him, His Word, and His calling. Then you will be able to confront anything that stands in the way of His Will. Let the wild man who is Brandon Berry be free to let loose!
D – Diligent.
a: characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.
The Lord has made you to be extremely diligent. He is going to use you as an example of what diligence looks like in the church. I can see others looking to you saying, “This guy has got some things figured out regarding diligence and discipline.” I know you may be saying “yeah right” under your breath right now, but I feel this is a process the Lord is working in you, and that it is especially happening in this season of your life. I encourage you to press into Holy Spirit in prayer for His help and guidance in this. He will lead you to the right people and resources, but ultimately it will be your continual fellowship with Him that will complete this work.
O – Orthodox.
There is something in you that values tradition and orthodoxy. As you may know the word orthodox comes from the Greek words orthos ("right", "true", "straight") + doxa ("opinion" or "belief", related to dokein, "to think"). You love “right”, “true” and “straight” “beliefs, opinions, or thoughts” and I believe the Lord is going to use you to decipher from what is true orthodoxy. While there is so much lifeless tradition in the church, I believe God wants to show the value of some of the lost traditions in the church. Though you will be “naughty” and “revolutionary” in some respects, you will also hold on to the things that may “seem religious” but are actually “right, true, and straight” in the eyes of God. Your study of church fathers and church history (with Holy Spirit’s help) will guide this.
N – Narrow-minded.
This is another adjective that could be misinterpreted. But let me explain with a scripture - "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14). I believe you are narrow minded in the sense that you have understanding of what Jesus’ exhortation looks like practically for God’s people, and I believe He will use you to impart these values to others. The concept of “Prosperous Simplicity” comes to mind. Let me know when you’re ready to write that book! ;) I also think that conservative views/interpretations of Scripture can be applicable here.
Now to your last name…
B – Bold.
I see a picture of a roaring lion. The scripture that comes to mind is Proverbs 28:1 - The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21) and the Spirit of the Lion of the tribe of Judah dwells in you! Let that Lion roar with boldness!! I believe this may specifically (but not exclusively) relate to operating in the Gifts of the Spirit. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy also comes to mind - for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Reading this verse in context of the whole chapter and book may give more insight to you.
E – Encouraging.
a: giving hope or promise
I love the way that I am ALWAYS encouraged from being around you. This is definitely a spiritual gift God has given you and it is very important to the Body of Christ. You have a special way of encouraging and lifting up others so that they feel they can accomplish anything! You help release the HOPE and PROMISES of the Kingdom to those who have lost sight of these things. Thank you for your encouragement and for looking for ways to release His light even into dark situations. May the Lord continue to cultivate this prophetic and encouraging gift in you so that you may destroy the works of darkness by releasing His marvelous light in strategic and creative ways.
R – Radical.
1 - of, relating to, or proceeding from a root: as a (1) : of or growing from the root of a plant (2) : growing from the base of a stem, from a root like stem, or from a stem that does not rise above the ground; b : of, relating to, or constituting a linguistic root; c : of or relating to a mathematical root; d : designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue
2 - of or relating to the origin : fundamental
3 - a : very different from the usual or traditional : extreme; b : favoring extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions; c : associated with political views, practices, and policies of extreme change; d : advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs
4 - slang : excellent, cool
I feel like I should just let Webster’s definitions and Holy Spirit do the talking on this one. Though I do keep hear this phrase, “YOU ARE A RADICAL REVOLUTIONARY!” echoing in my head.
R – Radiant.
1 - a : radiating rays or reflecting beams of light b : vividly bright and shining : glowing
2 - marked by or expressive of love, confidence, or happiness <a radiant smile>
3 - a : emitted or transmitted by radiation b : emitting or relating to radiant heat
These definitions are very applicable and prophetic. Several Scriptures come to mind on as well – “The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.” (Proverbs 13:9); “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” (Proverbs 4:18); “Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.” (Psalm 97:11); “…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:15). These obviously all apply to you! Let that light shine my brotha!
Y – Yielding.
Three words stood out to me in the definition of this attribute – FLEXIBLE, SUBMISSIVE, and PRODUCTIVE. I believe you exhibit all of these qualities in such a godly way. Flexible in that you seem very willing to allow the Holy Spirit to interrupt or change your plans regardless of what they were. Submissive in that you honor and respect authority in a way that challenges me. This has been demonstrated through your service at RWOC. Though you may have not always agreed with everything that is said or done, you have fought to honor and submit to your leaders in a way that produces fruit and gives God great glory. I so respect that about you. Reminds me of David and Saul – Though I’m definitely not implying that RWOC (or anyone there) is Saul-like, but rather you carry the heart of David that can/will honor ungodly leadership if God has placed you under such authority. Productive in that you bear much fruit for the Kingdom. Through your life, family, and ministry the Lord is surely glorified and others are brought closer to Him. Keep abiding in Him and you will surely continue to bear much fruit!!
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