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  1. 7 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-15-2024 January 15, 2024 New Assignment: Protect America’s Waterways Recently, Holy Spirit gave Gina Gholston a dream regarding another prayer assignment for America. You may recall that it was Gina who released the “Painting the Borders” dream. This word has to do with America’s waterways. I have consulted with several leaders regarding this warning; all have felt it is accurate. As you can see by the date, she had the dream a few weeks ago; we’ve been waiting until we felt it was the right time to release it. Here’s the portion of the dream relevant to this assignment: ********** “On November 24, 2023, I dreamed I was with a group of fifty people, a representative from each state. We had been called to an urgent meeting and were gathered in what appeared to be a military strategy room. On the walls were fifty maps, one of each state, highlighting the waterways and dams located in that state. “A four-star general and an admiral entered. They told us this was a confidential intelligence briefing, and the admiral began, ‘We have called you here because we need your help.’ “The general then pointed to the maps on the walls and said, ‘We need you to pray over the waterways in America, including two specific things regarding the dams.’ “The admiral said, ‘For the dams in your state: 1) Pray diligently against domestic and foreign terrorist attacks. 2) Pray diligently against any attempt to intentionally restrict the water flow in an effort to restrict and hinder the supply lines to America.’ “The general said, ‘There are other reasons why they are attempting to restrict the water supply, but primarily it is to restrict the supply lines that operate by way of the water. They want to restrict the ability of boats and barges to be able to deliver supplies via the waterways.’ They then rolled up the maps of each state and gave each of the 50 representatives the map of their state. “As we were exiting, they shook our hands and gave us each a gold coin and a lanyard containing a badge. On one side of both the coin and the badge was the United States Seal; on the other side of each was an arrowhead with a cross in the middle. At the top of both were the words ‘Official Pass.’ “I (Gina) was also given a message containing an address and the time I was to arrive there. I drove to the address, finding eleven others from the previous meeting also present. It was a small diner. There, we were given further instructions, including the admonition, ‘In your assignment, don’t forget the Plains and the Northwest.’ “The twelve of us sat down and wrote decrees, prayers, and Scriptures to be used as we fulfilled the assignment for the waterways and dams. We based them on the two things the officers had asked us to pray. The last thing we wrote was the complete text of Psalm 91. Someone said, ‘This must be declared!’ “We were also all given hand-carved staffs and were told, ‘You will need these as you go on your journey, and it’s time for you to go.’ “‘Strategy rooms were set up in each state. In them were hanging the maps we had been given, along with maps of each county, showing all of the waterways and dams. Meetings were being held in each state’s strategy room, with people being assigned specific areas in which to pray. Each person was given a copy of the decrees, prayers, and Scriptures the twelve leaders had previously written. Throughout the nation, we would all be praying and declaring the same things, along with other prayers, decrees, and prophetic acts Holy Spirit would give individuals for their specific state assignment. “For example, I saw one man use an old canteen to get water from the lake at the top of a dam, take that water and pour it into the river at the bottom of the dam, and declare that the water supply would remain consistent and could not be restricted or tampered with. “In another location, I saw a lady throw an arrowhead into the base of a dam, declaring that the dam and waterway were surrounded and guarded by the ‘warriors of Heaven.’ There were so many prophetic acts and Spirit-led prayers and decrees being made! “I knew that every state was significant and carried great importance in this assignment, but for some purpose, the Northwest and Plains states had been specifically highlighted. “At one point in the dream, I was with a team on one of the dams. I had the carved staff, the coin, and the lanyard containing the badge - all the items I had been given. These things had given us access to walk out onto the dam (I think it may have been the Hoover Dam). We walked onto it and made the decrees, offered the prayers, read the Scriptures, and declared Psalm 91, just as every other team was doing elsewhere. Then we began to do prophetic acts and make declarations as Holy Spirit was leading us. “As we did this, three aircraft arrived and began flying in a circular pattern overhead; at times, they just hovered over us. (Though they looked like airplanes, they flew like helicopters, with rotary blades on the tops.) They were white, with U.S. flags painted on the sides, but we knew they were not truly American. It seemed they were trying to intimidate and frighten us away, but we were not afraid! At one point, as they hovered over us. I took the carved staff, held it over my head, and looked right at one of the pilots. When I did this, all three of the planes flew away, and we completed our assignment.” End of Dream. ********** My Comments This is obviously a very important dream. Numerous others have received warnings about America’s dams and waterways, as well as our water supply/water treatment plants. Knowing that terrorists - most likely many - have no doubt entered our open borders, we must take this assignment seriously. Others have felt that not only foreign terrorists, but also individuals from within our nation may be planning attacks. After prayer and consulting with various prayer leaders, all of us felt we should not try to organize this effort from a specific headquarters but allow it to be grassroots, just as the “Paint Your Borders” effort was. Nor would we coordinate the establishment of “strategy rooms” in each state. We feel these rooms communicate to us the need to be thorough, not necessarily that we need literal locations as existed in the dream, just as there hasn’t been a literal meeting of 50 representatives with military officers, or a meeting in a diner. These portions of the dream give us the assignment, its goals, and other details, not a model that must be followed. Having said this, the strategy rooms and maps are a good strategy, and I have no doubt that some states with well-organized prayer networks will do something similar. Be led by Holy Spirit. We do feel, however, that the prayers, decrees, and Scriptures written in the dream by leaders for all states to use were to be taken literally. The agreement it affords is important. We have done this, and you can find them on both our DutchSheets.org and GiveHim15.com websites. Look for the heading: PROTECT AMERICA’S WATERWAYS. As you release prayers and decrees given to you specifically for your state, the staffs given each state representative in the dream are no doubt significant. In Old Testament times, a man’s staff had his history carved on it in the form of symbols and pictures. Consider using some of your state’s godly history and constitution. I believe all of the state constitution preambles mention the Lord. Holy Spirit will lead you in this. Just as with the “Paint Your State” assignment, you can go to GiveHim15.com and find your state. There, you can add where you have prayed, so others will know which waterways, dams, water treatment plants, etc., have already had prayer. Our goal is for the waterways in each state to be covered. God has not yet given us an end date for this to take place. Let’s get this done, just as we did the “painting” of our borders and “anchoring” of the nation. Use caution when traveling and when near water and dams. Obey all laws and don’t go into restricted areas. Remember, access to prohibited areas given in the dream (from the lanyard badge, etc.) was obviously symbolic. Finally, “Be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Pray with me: Father, thank You for raising up watchmen to guard and protect our nation. We have allowed the enemy into our camp, and now find ourselves in need of Your miraculous protection. You told us in Psalm 127:1 that unless You keep or protect a city, the watchman wakes in vain. We need Your supernatural help to protect our cities and nation. Move on the hearts of men and women in every state to pray over their water supply, waterways, and dams. We ask You to coordinate this effort, to lead us as we pray and decree, and to protect all who participate. We also ask you to coordinate the timing of the efforts so that none of the prayer visits will be late. We commit this to You and Your sovereign directing of it. And Father, as we move into this hinge year, a critical year in the history of America and the world, we command Your Kingdom authority into every region and continent, and the establishing of Your will, according to Matthew 6:10. We decree that nothing will stop the great harvest You have planned - no shaking, no war, no unrest, nothing. It will all be used by You for Your purposes in the earth. We release this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the protection of the Lord will be upon our dams, supply lines, and water supplies in America. ************************* Click the link to watch today's video: ----------------------------------------------------------- You can find out more about Gina Gholston at GinaGholstonMinistries.org.
  2. 5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-12-2024 January 12, 2024 The Price of Ignorance Satan takes advantage of our ignorance, which the following verse reveals: “So that no advantage be taken of us by satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB). The context of the verse is forgiveness, but a general and very important principle is also revealed. Let’s analyze the verse more closely. The word “ignorant” is from the Greek word agnoeo, which means to be “without knowledge or understanding of.”(1) Our English word “agnostic” is derived from it. Technically, an agnostic is not a person unsure if they believe in God, though we now use the word primarily in this way. Actually, an agnostic is one who is ignorant or without understanding of any given subject. We also get our word “ignore” from the same root. In this verse, we are urged not to ignore or be an agnostic - without understanding - where the devil is concerned. “Schemes” is from the word noema,(2) which literally means “a thought.” The verse is saying, “Don’t be without understanding of the way satan thinks.” However, noema also came to mean “plans, schemes, plots, devices” because these things originate in our thoughts. For greater insight, let’s insert all of these concepts into the verse: “Don’t be without understanding of the way satan thinks and operates - his plans, plots, schemes, and devices.” There is also a subtle promise in this command. Since God says we are not to be ignorant of satan’s plans and schemes, He is obviously willing to teach us how satan operates and, when necessary, even supernaturally reveal His plans to us. God doesn’t want us to be caught off guard. What happens if we ARE unaware of satan’s schemes? The verse tells us he will take advantage of us. “Advantage” is derived from pleonekteo, which is a compound word meaning literally “to have or hold the greater portion” (pleon - “the greater part;” echo - “to have or hold”).(3) It is easy to see why this is a word for “covet.” It also means “overreach.”(4) In boxing, the person who has the longer reach holds the advantage and usually gets in more blows. The word pleonekteo is also translated as “make a gain”; satan makes a lot of gains on those who are unaware of his ways. The Greek scholar Bullinger says pleonekteo means “to make a prey of, to defraud.”(5) Let’s put all of these definitions together: “To the degree we are ignorant of the way our adversary thinks and operates - of his plans, plots, schemes, and devices - to that degree he will gain on us, prey on us, defraud us of what is ours, and have or hold the greater portion.” Wow! Ignorance ain’t good! An obvious question is, “He will gain the greater portion of what? The answer would include many things: our jobs, marriages, families, communities, money, government, nation, and more. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Church in America was without an understanding of satan’s plans, and he took the greater portion of our educational system. The same could be said of our government and much more in our nation! The church was asleep, unaware of what satan was doing, and he grabbed the bigger portion of American society and culture. The demise has been shocking. Paul was taken advantage of in 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Satan “made a “gain” on him in the ongoing war over spreading the Gospel: “For we wanted to come to you - I, Paul, more than once - and yet satan hindered us.” We know Paul won more battles than he lost. He was human, however, and at times satan succeeded in thwarting his plans. The verse does NOT say God changed His mind about where He wanted Paul to travel. It clearly says satan hindered him. Those who believe satan can do nothing except what God allows and, therefore, we can simply ignore him should rethink their position. God does not ignore the devil, and neither should we. And satan certainly does a lot of things God does not directly “allow” him to do. The Lord established the laws and principles governing the earth - sowing and reaping, cause and effect, the free will of humans, etc. - and we humans implement those principles. Ignorance of them can be costly (Hosea 4:6). The good news is that God created a movement - also in the 60s and 70s - in which He restored the 5-fold ministry gift of teachers to the church (Ephesians 4:11). Simultaneously, the outpouring of Holy Spirit taking place created a great hunger for God’s Word. The two met, and the results were explosive. Churches moved from preaching only, to also teaching the Word of God. Revelation increased in the teacher and the student. Bible schools sprang up, the Word began to be taught on television and radio, training conferences were birthed, and Bible studies took place in homes, scores of teaching books were written, and thousands of messages were listened to by millions of people on cassette tapes! The body of Christ isn’t fully mature by any stretch of the imagination, but the hungry have grown tremendously in the last 50 years. Many believers are now well armed with spiritual weapons, and dangerous to the powers of darkness. We will not be taken advantage of and duped as easily as we once were. God is about to put what He has taught us to work. We will disciple people and nations, teaching the principles of God’s Kingdom. We will walk in His ways at levels not seen in centuries. We will reveal the “fulness of Christ” in the earth (Ephesians 4:13). All the earth is waiting anxiously for this manifestation of the mature sons and daughters of God. Get ready - it’s coming! Pray with me: Father, just as you warned, our ignorance of satan and his thinking, schemes, and plans has been very costly. He has certainly taken advantage of us and gained the bigger portion of America. He outmaneuvered the church and overpowered unbelievers. A generation of Americans has been swept into darkness. Yet, You are the God of resurrection power, the God of grace, and the Giver of mercy. Your mercy triumphs over judgment, and Your power triumphs over the serpent. You love to redeem and restore. You’re the Great Physician, the Giver and Sustainer of life, the Friend of sinners and Lover of humankind. And You, as all of these, are coming to America! So, we boldly appeal to You for this. Come with strength and power, blow like a rushing mighty wind, fall like the rain, flow like a river. Do this for the poor and the rich, for all races, in the cities and in the country, among the young and the old. Come and heal this nation of the serpent’s bite. Free us from his deception and blindness, his lust and perversions, his hatred and murder. Come to this nation - quickly! And come with awesome power! In Jesus’ name, we pray this...Amen..! Our decree: The serpent has bruised America’s heel, but through the victory of Calvary, we shall crush his head! ************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video. Today’s post was taken from my book Watchman Prayer. ---------------------------------------------- Dutch Sheets, Watchman Prayer (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group), pp. 17-19. Ethelbert W. Bullinger, A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1975), 400. Spiros Zodhiates, Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible - New American Standard, rev. ed. (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 1990), 1797. Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary (Iowa Falls: Word Bible Publishers, 1992), 1,173. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), s.v. 4122. Bullinger, A Critical Lexicon and Concordance, 28.
  3. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-11-2024 January 11, 2024 Understanding Your Sphere of Authority “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you, so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another. But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.” (2 Corinthians 10:12-18 NASB) In this passage, Paul speaks of the measure of his God-given authority in Corinth, and also references spheres of authority. The word used for “measure” is metron (Strongs 3358). You can easily see the English word “meter” in this word, which is a measurement, or an instrument used to measure, such as a parking meter. It is also used in the context of “metering out” a measured portion of something. In this context, Paul was speaking of the authority metered out to him, the measure he had been given by God at Corinth. “Sphere” is from the Greek word kanon (Strongs 2583), which means “a sphere of rule or activity; a boundary.” Paul recognized not only his measure of authority, but also the places where he had been assigned this authority. He knew there were boundaries or limits to it, but he was also very aware that he absolutely did possess God-given authority in his God-given spheres. Certainly, this passage was referencing Paul’s authority to deal with error and rebellion as an apostle and father in the Corinthian church. However, it also included authority to war over them in the spirit, breaking strongholds and demonic influence. This is clear from the verses preceding this: “Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” (2 Corinthians 10:1-6 NASB) These verses make clear the assertion that Paul’s authority at Corinth was not only a right to correct them practically and doctrinally, but also included authority to deal with spiritual strongholds in the community through prayer and spiritual warfare. The principle at play here is that: 1) God gives us authority within the “sphere” He has assigned us. Our authority level will be different in other spheres. And 2) this authority not only gives us the spiritual right to bring correction, but it also affords us great authority to pray and war spiritually for the freedom and well-being of those within this sphere. I realize most of you will not be given apostolic authority over a region. The principle is true elsewhere, however. Each of us has a personal sphere: ourself, our family, home, business, etc. No one has more authority to govern your life than you do. You have the right and the responsibility to do so. Also, no one can lay claim to God’s promises or declare His Word over your life as effectively as you. YOU have the right to do this, and no one can take it from you. We also have a higher level of authority to pray for our immediate family members - this is a part of our sphere. Where God assigns responsibility to guard, protect, or cover someone, He also gives us the authority to carry it out. Even if a family member is an adult, though I do not have authority to rule their life, but I still have a very high level of authority to pray for them. I can break strongholds over their life and appeal to heaven on their behalf, just as Paul did for the Corinthians. If they are a child I have even greater authority to pray for and impart to them. In Mark 5:22-43, a man named Jairus asked Jesus to come and heal his daughter. Jesus did so. He did not require an invitation from the daughter, nor was faith required of her. Her dad asking for her was enough. Patriarchs in the Old Testament understood this principle. They had great authority to decree blessings, even destiny, over their children - even adult children. The entire 49th chapter of Genesis gives us multiple examples of this, as Jacob blessed and decreed over his sons. In an upcoming post, we will look at shared authority, as in praying for nations. Today, however, I want to encourage you regarding your God-given right to pray for yourself and your family. We are about to see many prodigals come back to the Father; you play a role in this. Your prayers for them have great authority. You can break strongholds in their lives and free them from deception and demonic control. You cannot control the prodigal child’s will, but you can deal with strongholds that do! Let’s look at three of the above verses Paul gave us from the Living Bible: “It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being, but I don’t use human plans and methods to win my battles. I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil’s strongholds. These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God and change them into men whose hearts’ desire is obedience to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 TLB) If Paul could do this for the Corinthians, you can do it for your family! Let’s pray. Pray with me: Father, we are not at the mercy of what demons and the world around us throws our way. You have given us great authority through Christ. He conquered FOR US and delegated TO US the right to lay hold of this victory. Faith, the power of Holy Spirit, authority - these things work in harmony to give us victories in life. Today we rise up in that authority and pray for those in our God-given spheres. We know that as we do so, Holy Spirit will release His power to back up this authority. We declare over ourselves that we will walk in health, victory, provision, freedom from sin, peace, and a sound mind. We bind every assignment against us and declare that we are clothed in the armor of God and protected from evil. We pray also for those You have assigned us the privilege of covering, those in our personal spheres of authority. We pray for our spouses that they too will experience Your blessing, health, well-being, prosperity - we declare over them that every promise You have made to Your family is “yes” and “amen.” And we pray for our children. We decree over every prodigal that the strongholds of deception and rebellion are broken off of them. We release the power of Holy Spirit to go to them now and hover over them, releasing life and freedom. We decree that they will come to their senses just as the prodigal in Scripture did. We bind every demon that has attached itself to them, in the name of Jesus. And we decree according to Your Word that all of our children are blessed by You. We cover them with protection from the many strategies of the evil one to influence and control them. We declare that they will know and serve You, that all of our family shall be saved! We pray all of these things through the authority we have in Christ. Our decree: We declare that we will exercise our God-given right to cover those in our God-given spheres. ************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video.
  4. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-10-2024 January 10, 2024 Today we are sharing a GH15 post that you have read before. We are having bad weather in our area with power outages, but did not want to be without a Wednesday post. Therefore, we are sharing one of our favorites from two years ago. Unity is always on God’s heart. Here is a great teaching regarding this subject. We Must Have Unity The Charismatic Movement was a move of Holy Spirit that resulted in tens of millions of conversions around the world. There have been other outpourings of the Spirit in the last 60 years - some called them revivals - which touched individual nations. Then, of course, there have been movements of Holy Spirit which were primarily to restore truth to the church, rather than being evangelism-centered, such as the healing revival (of 1947-1958), the prayer movement, prophetic movement, apostolic movement, etc. I have been blessed to observe and be part of all these activities of Holy Spirit. Having been raised in church - in a ministry family, then in ministry myself - I have had a front-row seat, allowing the observation of restorations, revivals, trends, and movements. While observing all of this, I have never seen a group of people discover fresh truth, shift in theology, implement new ideas, raise up new ministries, and do so perfectly. There is ALWAYS a learning curve as knowledge grows and methods change. Those who began moving in the gifts of the Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12), including gifts of healing and the workings of miracles, made mistakes as they launched out in faith. Yet, much good was accomplished with many people being healed. Those of us who began teaching new understandings of prayer made some errors, but incredible progress has been made. Deliverance ministries experienced some extremes, yet many people were set free. The Word of Faith movement experienced a few imbalances and extremes, yet through this movement, many people began to understand the importance of faith, our authority as believers and that God really does want to free people from poverty. Groups that emphasized discipleship struggled with control issues, yet an important truth was restored to the church’s understanding. As prophets and prophecy began to re-emerge in the church, mistakes, of course, were made. But one of the most important gifts of Christ to the church has been restored, bringing immeasurable fruit. As apostles and apostolic ministry were restored, extremes came, and errors were made. However, an incredibly important function of Christ in the church re-emerged. It is somewhat ridiculous to think that as principles and understandings - which were previously unknown or had been lost - are gained/regained, this will begin with full maturity. Knowledge grows. Truth unfolds. These things will always be a process. When change regarding spiritual restorations and growth occurs, over time Holy Spirit brings things into balance and maturity. What is disheartening is the criticism, strife, and division generated by believers who don’t understand this process. Forerunners, pathfinders, and pioneers do not always find the right path on the first attempt. That’s why the process is called “finding.” Forerunners prepare the way because the way doesn’t yet exist. Does anyone really think this occurs without some messes, false starts, backing up, and adjusting course? What is wrong with us that we allow a critical spirit to attack and divide us when this process is happening? What is it that motivates us to judge and slander fellow believers who attempt to move us forward in our thinking, yet make some mistakes along the way? This is none other than a pharisaical spirit. And it is a spirit that God does not like. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things He hates. Many things that normally make the list of detestable things for the average believer aren’t on the list. Pride, however, which is certainly involved in believing one has the right to critique another’s performance, and “one who sows discord among brethren” is on the list. To be sure, it is appropriate to confront heresy or error, but it is possible to do so in love and with a spirit of humility. Our good friend, Barbara Yoder, shares some insightful thoughts regarding this problem. Please read and/or listen prayerfully. ************ “First of all, I want to say I know many leaders. Why am I saying that? From my direct experience with them, I believe most leaders have pure hearts toward God. They are seeking to do and be the right thing. “The church is already entering into a time of revival and awakening. It has started, but we are only ankle-deep at this time. There’s coming a time shortly when we will dive into full revival, the deep end, over our heads (see Ezekiel 47). “However, if we enter this time without becoming of one heart, one mind, one spirit, we will be blown apart. What is needed right now is a massive cleansing of each of our hearts, mine included, of anything that would cause this move of God to be hindered or possibly aborted. “I believe we are in a season where one of the main things God is dealing with is a spirit of accusation which causes division. In recent years, the spirit of Jezebel has overtaken the nation and the church, which, among other things, discredits people and ministries through wrong accusations. Jezebel and Ahab wanted land that was owned by a man named Naboth (see 1 Kings 21). Therefore, she raised up false accusers to discredit Naboth in order to steal his inheritance (vineyard). And she was successful. “To express anything to others that discredits another person, without ever going to the person directly, is operating in a spirit of accusation and division. It is prevalent in the body of Christ and has brought great hurt and wounding. God is beginning to deal with this spirit. “Everything in God‘s kingdom is grounded in sound, healthy relationships. To allow a spirit of accusation and division to proliferate is totally antithetical to biblical truth. “A worthless person, a wicked man, is the one who walks with a perverse mouth, who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who points with his fingers; who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, who spreads strife/discord” ‭‭(Proverbs‬ ‭6:12-14‬). ‭‬‬ “To sow discord is to say and do things that cause distrust among people, which results in arguments and fights. It’s time to turn from anything that would divide the body of Christ. We need genuine, authentic, healthy relationships built on truthfulness and trust. Acts 3:19-21 says before revival/refreshing can come, repentance must occur. Let us turn fully back to God with our whole hearts.” ************ I’m grateful for Barbara’s words and challenge to us all. It’s time for us to have a heart check. Let’s ask Holy Spirit to help us walk before God with pure hearts. “Who, then, is allowed to ascend the mountain of Yahweh? And who has the privilege of entering into God’s Holy Place? Those who are clean—whose works and ways are pure, whose hearts are true and sealed by the truth, those who never deceive, whose words are sure. They will receive Yahweh’s blessing and righteousness given by the Savior God. They will stand before God, for they seek the pleasure of God’s face” (Psalm 24: 3-5 TPT). Pray with me: Father, we are grateful that You are faithful to check our hearts. We do not want to give place to the enemy, allowing discord or offense to occur. Lord, we ask that You shine Your spotlight of conviction to any unswept corners of our hearts. We desire to have clean hands and pure hearts, being tools of unity and truth. We want to walk in the light - so shine Your light upon us, exposing our hearts and motives. Help us to always be willing to admit when we are wrong, allowing You to bring hope, harmony, and restoration to Your body. Show us our hearts Lord, and help us always to be instruments of Your healing and love. We especially ask Your forgiveness for inappropriately speaking against other streams and movements in the church. Teach us to express our differences, even bring correction, without embracing a critical spirit. May we always remember that of all the characteristics of Your kingdom we are to walk in, the greatest will always be love. In Christ’s name, we pray, Amen. Our decree: We decree that we will be instruments of love and peace, not giving place to the enemy and his evil tactics. *************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------- Barbara Yoder is the senior leader of Shekinah Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. You can find out more about Barbara here.
  5. 5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-9-2024 January 9, 2024 The Rats Will Be Exposed God used animals many times in Scripture - because of the animal’s distinct characteristics - to picture humans: Jesus was seen as a lamb and a lion; satan was seen as a serpent and a dragon; Herod was called a fox; false believers were called wolves and goats; and so on. I have seen several dreams given to prophets over the past couple of years with rats representing people. Rats typify or picture darkness, disease or plague, garbage and waste, theft, abominations, betrayal, devouring, and more. In all the dreams I’ve seen, rats are used to picture evil taking place through individuals in our government, and God is exposing them. The dream I’m sharing today was given to our friend, Gina Gholston, just a few days ago. Gina is a frequent dreamer, and has a consistent track record of accuracy in her interpretations and her prophetic words. It was Gina who released the “Paint the Borders” dream. The dream I’m sharing today, Gina says: DREAM OF JANUARY 4, 2024 “I dreamed we were at a gala at the White House. Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, and several other members of our prayer team were there, along with 300 or so other people. It was a black-tie event, and everyone was dressed immaculately. Then, a spokesperson came and told us there was maintenance being done in the White House, and we could not go outside of the room we were in. It was almost as if we were being held there - at least, that was the underlying tone of the one speaking. “I told my assistant that something felt ‘off.’ Then Chuck Pierce came over to talk with us; I told him I felt something was amiss. He said, ‘I know. There’s something happening beyond the walls.’ “Suddenly, a lady on the far side of the room screamed that she saw a rat running across the floor. Several of us saw it. Others were saying, ‘There’s no rat in here. You’re just making that up!’ But the rat was right there, visible for everyone to see. And even though everyone saw it, some still denied it was there. They even became angry that some were pointing it out and desperately tried to make those who saw it believe that it wasn’t really there! “The rat moved toward a wall and went through a hole. Through the hole, I could see lights flickering. Chuck also saw it, and he said, ‘Inside that room, an evil is happening.’ “I gathered a few people to go with me into the room next door in order to see what was happening there. We managed to get out of the gala room undetected, and when we opened the door to the next room, found frantic chaos happening there. About a hundred or so people were in the room; each had a very large paper shredder, trying to use it to destroy documents. There were boxes and boxes of files. Though they attempted to shred the files, they wouldn’t shred, regardless of how many times they placed documents in the shredder. The files would go through the shredder but would always come out whole - intact! These people were furious and in complete panic! They were so preoccupied with the files that they hadn’t noticed that we were in the room watching them. “I then saw the rat that had been in the gala room, and it was lying on its back in the corner of this room, kicking its feet up in the air, laughing and laughing. Chuck Pierce was with us, and I asked him what all of this meant. He said, ‘The instigator has deceived the people. They are doing his bidding, but he himself has gone undetected, even by those who have been deceived. Now exposure has come, and they are left to clean up his mess. However, God won’t let it be “cleaned up”; He is guarding the evidence and forbidding its destruction. The rat is giddy, thinking he’s in the clear - unseen, untouchable - but his days are numbered. The impending exposure is causing the people to become careless, and they are losing control of their ability to hide things. They're not even fully aware that they themselves are being revealed!’ “At that moment, a couple of men wearing pest control company uniforms came into the room. The rat saw them and panicked. He tried to run and hide, attempting to go back through the hole in the wall to the other room, but the men trapped him in a cage. “As the rat was being captured, all of the people at the shredders instantly froze in place. I could see their eyes moving, but their bodies had been ‘frozen,’ and they could not move. Their hands were stuck to the files and the shredders. There was no denying what they had been doing. “At that time, many of the other people at the gala entered the room to see what was happening. As they entered, masks began falling off the faces of the people frozen at the shredders, revealing their true identity. They were being completely exposed. “Then the rat morphed into a man. Some of those at the shredders, although still frozen in place, began to speak, alluding to the ‘rat man’ saying, ‘He’s the instigator! Arrest him!’ “Then some of those at the shredders became unfrozen and, while lifting up the files they had been trying to shred, said, ‘Here’s the proof! Here’s the evidence! It’s all here in the files! Thank God He didn’t allow us to shred it!’ “A lady accompanied by two young men entered the room and gathered all the boxes of files. Several more men came into the room with hand trucks and removed all the shredders for evidence. Dutch Sheets asked the lady why they were removing the shredders. She said, ‘It’s part of the evidence. There’s incriminating data saved in them, and we know how to retrieve it.’” End of dream. [In the dream, Gina actually saw the specific crime/s this pertained to. However, we felt it was not wise to release that information at this time.] There is certainly no need for a lengthy explanation of this dream. God has told us He is shaking and exposing. Individuals and some of the departments and agencies in our government pulled off an unprecedented coup, and a shadow government now rules America. Those involved are incredibly evil and giddy with delight. But the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1), and He removes leaders while raising up others (Daniel 2:21). He treads on serpents and scorpions - and rats - and gives us authority to do so, as well (Luke 10:19). Pray with me: Father, we thank You for the exposure taking place in our nation. You have been telling us this would occur, and we have been watching it take place. We pray that You will continue to expose the evil in our government: lies, backroom deals, corruption in our Justice Department, voting irregularities, distortion of America’s history, refusal to control our borders, abuse of children, and so much more. Continue to uncover and expose. Protect the evidence until it is revealed; convict people, motivating them to reveal the truth; give courage to whistleblowers. As You shake down in order to reveal and uncover, we pray for the intercessors and leaders in the church, asking for strength and unwavering faith; remind them that You will only tear down what is necessary, and mercy will triumph. We pray for those who are investigating and exposing, asking You for wisdom, contacts, protection, skill, and supernatural discoveries. We pray for those being attacked by the “rats,” especially President Trump, asking for Your protection over his mind and body. Give him supernatural strength and endurance. Give strength to those in Congress who are unfairly attacked, and likewise to Judges such as Clarence Thomas. Vindicate the righteous as you expose evil. We ask You for these things in Yeshua’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that rats in our government are being exposed, evidence is being preserved, and justice will be served. ************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video.
  6. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-8-2024 January 8, 2024 This past Friday we discussed the concept of repentance, doing so because it is related to the coming revival, which will intensify this year. Today, I am sharing with you an article released by my friends at Intercessors for America, written by Rich Swingle, highlighting the role repentance has played in some of the Asbury outpourings. Seeking God For Revival (by Rich Swindle of Intercessors For America) Because revivals are marked by repentance, one way to highlight the need for repentance is to consult with those who have experienced revival. We are doing that, and the result is a three-part series, the first part of which follows here. The Asbury Revival The seeds of the Asbury Outpouring nearly one year ago were planted during the 50th anniversary of the 1970 Asbury Revival. On Feb. 3, 2020, at 10 a.m. — the very same day, month, and time the revival broke out 50 years earlier — Asbury University dedicated its chapel service to celebrating that 185-hour revival. Before the chapel service began, Charity Johnson, a freshman at Asbury at that time, struck up a conversation with Jeannine Brabon, not knowing Brabon was to be a featured speaker that day. The two had a meal together after chapel, and Brabon encouraged Johnson to pray for revival, as she had done when a freshman at Asbury in 1967. Brabon left campus convinced that revival would come to Asbury again because Johnson and others were praying for it. Johnson, who studied the concept of repentance in a youth ministry class at Asbury, said: “Repentance is not only about asking for forgiveness, but turning away from what you’re doing. Have a change of mind, a change of heart. It’s actually no longer wanting to do the thing that you were doing. You see the thing that was wrong with it.” The Revival of 1970 Brabon recalls that Psalm 66:18 had spoken to her when she was younger: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. “That whole concept was very key to me in interceding and believing God for revival, not to allow sin in any way to thwart God’s holy purposes from coming to fruition,” she said. On Oct. 3, 1969, four months before the earlier revival, Brabon secured permission to gather students to pray overnight in Hughes Auditorium. “We began by confession of sin,” she said. “All across the auditorium, people began confessing.” They prayed 2 Chronicles 7:14: ". . if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." By 3 A.M., there were still some 80 students present. “I’d never been in anything like it,” Brabon said. “The Shekinah glory literally had descended.” Then, on February 3, 1970, Asbury Dean Custer Reynolds was scheduled to bring the message, but instead, opened the mic for testimonies, many of which were expressions of repentance. The service ended up lasting for one week and 17 hours, and as it progressed, Brabon witnessed more and more expressions of repentance. She said: “I knew — because I’d been praying — who were in the lost set on campus, and I watched them on Friday night at midnight go to the altar and stay there for two hours and just weep, seeking God. That’s where you’d see the genuine repentance. You cannot be in the holy presence of God and not have sin exposed in your life, and you can’t stand in the presence of God and not confess it. There’s no justification for any action. . .It’s, ‘I’m before God, and I did this.’” Brabon points out that one week before the 2023 Asbury Outpouring began, national leaders, including Rep. Kevin McCarthy, then speaker of the House of Representatives, gathered at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., for the National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance. . .She believes that the event paved the way for Asbury’s 374-hour chapel service. Another speaker at the 50th anniversary of the 1970 Asbury Revival was Judge Tim Philpot, who called it a revival of repentance. He tells people that he was on the “Top 10 Most Wanted List” — meaning that many on campus were praying that he’d get right with the Lord. His father, energized by a previous revival at Asbury when he was a student, was an evangelist. “I was just a fake,” Philpot said. “My parents thought I was somebody I was not, and my friends knew who I really was.” Though he ranks his rebellious streak as pretty tame when compared with what’s going on today, he nonetheless insists: “By Asbury standards, I was considered quite the rebel.” Philpot was nearly killed in a car wreck three weeks before the Asbury Revival. He recalls: “For three to five seconds, as my car was hurtling through the air — I had heard about heaven and hell my whole life and I was pretty sure I was going to hell.” [Three weeks later the revival was taking place and…] …He finally made it over to Hughes Auditorium. “I was as lost as can be, but I didn’t want to leave,” he said. Three nights later, at 1 in the morning, he went to the altar. “I was weeping and wailing,” he said. “I knew I had experienced God. I saw Him. I felt Him. It was dramatic. It was traumatic. It was real.” The 2023 Revival Inspired by what happened in 1970, Johnson was praying for healing, deliverance, and freedom from pain and sin. She watched her prayers being answered, starting on Feb. 8, 2023. There were a lot of non-Christian students who decided to follow Christ during the Outpouring, she says, because: “They felt a tug in their heart - something was telling them to stay, or. . .[if they had left] go back to chapel, even though everything else within them that was flesh wanted them to leave that day. But they turned around, either by just the Holy Spirit or someone being prompted by the Holy Spirit to lead them back into chapel.” After the Outpouring, Johnson says, groups from around the world called for Asbury students to talk about how the Lord had worked in their lives during the Outpouring, even as students had been called 53 years earlier. In talking about how important prayer is to revival, Brabon quotes E.M. Bounds: “You can do more than pray after you’ve prayed, but you can’t do more than pray until you’ve prayed.” Pray with me: Father, thank You for what You did at Asbury in 1970 and 2023 to touch the hearts of young people. Their 1970 revival was during the Jesus People movement, when You saved thousands upon thousands of young people across our nation. The outpouring took the world by surprise and touched every part of America. Some called it a revolution, the Jesus Revolution. We are asking You for another revival to young people, and that this one would be greater than the former. Let it be immeasurably powerful. Thank You for Intercessors For America, and the tremendous role they have played in birthing Your plans over the past 50 years. We bless them today, asking that Your favor, provision, wise and timely strategy, and multiplied fruit be given them. We join with them in emphasizing the theme You put in their hearts for these articles; it is one we also know is critical as we move toward the great worldwide revival in Your heart. We lock arms with them and agree for the spirit of revelation and repentance to be poured out here in America and around the world. Lift the veil of darkness that covers unbelievers, and let the power of this uncovering be so strong that it impacts not just individuals, but entire regions throughout the world. Thank You for those watching and agreeing with us today. May their faith be strong, resolute, unwavering. Bless them with strength, health, provision, peace, and a fresh outpouring of Holy Spirit to them personally. We ask these things in Yeshua’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that another wave of revelation, repentance, and revival is coming to the earth. ********************* Today’s post was contributed by Intercessors For America (written by Rich Swindle) and used by permission. This series will continue to cover the importance of repentance in the 1904–1905 Welsh Revival and the 2023 Asbury Outpouring. Check www.HeadlinePrayer.org for the next installments, and search for #ImportanceOfRepentanceInRevival to pull up all the articles and interviews. Rich Swingle has taught and performed in 39 nations across six continents, mostly in his own one-man plays, five of which were performed Off-Broadway. He has performed in more than 45 film projects. Rich and his bride, Joyce Swingle, another contributing writer for IFA, now have 41 “screen children.” They have collaborated with Rev. Timothy J. Mercaldo to create a “singing play” titled Songs of Revival: Hungry After God Himself. The Swingles live in New York City. Visit www.RichDrama.com for more information. Click on the link to watch the full video.
  7. 7 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-5-2024 January 5, 2024 An Incredibly Harmful Misunderstanding What I am about to share with you is not related to what is coming in 2024 in a predictive sense. But it is very related in a causative sense. It is extremely important, greatly misunderstood, and terribly under-taught. Please put your student hats on today and THINK. Holy Spirit, open our ears to hear today, and give me the ability to communicate with great clarity. Much is said in revivals and evangelistic meetings about repentance. It is, indeed, involved in the cleansing of sin, whether when one is being born again or when a believer receives cleansing. Unfortunately, many don’t understand the true biblical meaning and process of repentance, which can cause them to miss the transforming power it generates. Believers often struggle with repetitive sin due to this, and unbelievers can think they are born again/saved when they may not be. Statistics reveal that a very small percentage of people who pray what many call “the sinner’s prayer,” actually become true followers of Christ. I’ve heard statistics as low as 3-5%; I’m certain it’s below 10%. You may have picked up on me using the word “process.” Repentance is actually Part 2 of a 3-part process. Part One - Remorse Some think of repentance as remorse. It isn’t. Regret, sorrow, or remorse is a different word in Scripture (metamellomai)(1), and is the first part of the process. It is good to have sorrow or be sorry for our sins, but biblical repentance involves more. Judas had sorrow (metamellomai) but not repentance (Matthew 27:3). Esau wept over selling his birthright - obviously he felt remorse - but couldn’t find repentance (Hebrews 12:17). I’ve seen people weep at altars or when confessing sin, yet quickly go right back into their life of sin. Finney was said to have had men run to the altar weeping while he preached, only to tell them, “Please go back to your seat; you’re not ready yet.” What a foreign thought to most of us. Why would he do this? He discerned that they had not come to full repentance. Part Three - Turn Yes I did what most people do when “repenting.” I skipped a step. But don’t worry, I’ll come back to it. Most Christians believe that repentance also means “to turn and go another direction.” This is obviously important, but is phase 3, the end result of the process. This phrase comes from the New Testament word epistrepho (2), usually translated “turn” or “be converted.” Acts 3:19 (‭TPT‬‬) tells us, “And now you must repent and turn back [epistepho] to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence.” The Passion Translation’s explanation of the words “turn back to God” reads, “Peter uses the Greek word epistrepho ("turn back to God," "be converted").(3) We need to not only repent but to return home to God's grace and truth. This is a Hebraic thought of returning to the Lord God (the Hebrew word shuv)(4). Every Jew would know what that means: "Come back to God!" Repentance and return is more than a passive changing of one's mind.” Part Two - Repent Which brings us to Part 2 of the process: the word repentance itself. Without understanding this phase, we either won’t make the turn at all, as in a sinner rejecting Christ, or we will struggle in sustaining the turn, because it is being attempted from our mind and in our strength. First, let’s define the biblical word, then insert it back into the equation. This powerful Greek word, metanoeo,(5) comes from meta(6) meaning “after”; and noieo/noeo(7) meaning “to consider, perceive, think, understand.” These two words are compounded to form metanoeo, which literally means, as Strong’s tells us “to think afterwards; reconsider”(8). In other words, a person formerly thought one way, but a new and different knowledge or understanding has come, causing what Thayer defines as “to change one's mind”(9). Okay, you might be thinking, obviously a person who endeavors to change course and go God’s way has had a change of mind. So why make this definition a big deal? Patience, dear ones, I’m getting there. And be ready to think! This truly is meat from the Word, not milk. We’re headed for deep waters here. And if you understand what I’m about to tell you, it is a game changer! The biblical meaning of repentance from sin, though including a change of mind, is NOT referring to a simple mental exercise, decision, or choice. Biblical repentance - a change of mind - is the result of revelation, which literally means “lift or remove that which hides or covers” (apakalupsis)(10). Second Corinthians 4:3-4 tells us a veil or covering came to the heart of humans at the Fall, “blinding” us to God’s truth and perspective. The Fall and the Veil This occurred when Adam chose his own “knowledge of good and evil.” When he did, his own mind and intellect took over, gaining ascendancy over his fallen spirit, which had lost God’s life and Spirit. He no longer operated according to and under God’s truth and logic, but according to his own fallen, carnal, fleshly thoughts. Adam’s soul, his psuche(11) (Greek: mind, will and emotions) was now in charge. The New Testament actually calls fallen man a psuchikos(12), from psuche, this Greek word for soul. Usually translated “natural man,” it literally means “of the soul,”(13) referring to one who is led by their soul, not their spirit. In contrast, a “spiritual man” or person in the New Testament is pneumatikos(14), from pneuma(15), the word for spirit. Humans went from being pneumatikoses led from their spirit, which was filled with Holy Spirit and God’s life, to being psuchikoses, led by their souls and whatever information or emotions were held there. James actually tells us the knowledge that originates in this exalted psuche is “earthly, natural and demonic” (3:15). Unredeemed humans now live by and from this soulish knowledge, and Scripture tells us “A natural person [psuchikos - ‘man of soul’] does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [moria - ‘moronish’] to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB). Since the Fall, because of this shift in power from spirit to soul, and the ensuing veil, we humans have needed revelation - “a lifting of the veil” - in order to see and understand truth, God’s logic, at a heart level. When this revelation occurs, THAT IS REPENTANCE! When Holy Spirit has been able to lift the veil of deception, give us a new understanding (His!) of our condition, and the will to recognize Jesus as Lord, we receive faith and Holy Spirit’s empowerment. We see God’s way, we want God’s way, and can go God’s way. We’re changed by the power of Holy Spirit, can now think His thoughts, want what He wants, and believe what He says. The biblical process of change: Remorse, Revelation and Repentance, turn back to God. This process is what we must ask for and war for when praying for the lost. It is what believers need to seek in order to overcome sin. And please hear this: when the true gospel of the Kingdom is preached, power from Holy Spirit is released (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18) to break the power of and remove this veil. The measure of faith (Romans 12:3) needed to believe is then activated. This power is multiplied in revivals. The power of Holy Spirit becomes so prevalent in the spiritual atmosphere that revelation breaks through the veil of deception more quickly. Revelation, in essence, becomes corporate, the veil being lifted throughout entire regions. When Holy Spirit tells us revival is coming, and He is, He’s telling us revelation is coming. When He tells us revelation is coming, He is telling us repentance is coming. And when He tells us repentance is coming, He is telling us breakthroughs of every kind are coming. Our role is to pray, asking for this; and also to decree its release, along with Calvary’s provision, with Christ’s authority. Holy Spirit and the angels will respond. Pray with me: Father, the prophets and prophetic intercessors are seeing a great thing. You have called them into Your inner council, as You did Isaiah, and allowed them to hear Your plans and timing (Isaiah 6). They have Issachar ears and hearts, understanding the times and knowing what to do (1 Chronicles 12:32). They are telling us revival is here and coming, and will intensify this year. As Your voice in the earth, the Church must release Your will. We do so now, decreeing in Christ’s name, which is all powerful and carries all authority, that revelation and repentance are being released into atmospheres throughout the earth. We decree the release of Calvary’s victory in the Middle East, breaking the stronghold of the prince of Persia over millions of people. They will have revelations of Yeshua, they will experience miracles; they will receive dreams and visions. Revival will explode in that region. We declare this over Asia, as well. The greatest revival in earth’s history is coming to these two parts of the world. America and other regions will experience revival, as well. Powerful, strong, veil-lifting revival! Awakening! Transformation! Deliverance! Captives freed, the oppressed delivered, the broken made whole! We decree that the lid comes off in 2024, and breakouts occur all over the world! In Jesus’ name, amen. Our Decree: We decree that revelation and repentance are coming to the harvest fields of the earth, and will release great power. ****************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 3338. Ibid., ref. no. 1994. Peter uses the Greek word epistrepho (“turn back to God,” “be converted”). We need to not only repent but to return home to God’s grace and truth. This is a Hebraic thought of returning to the Lord God (the Hebrew word shuv). Every Jew would know what that means: “Come back to God!” Repentance and return is more than a passive hanging of one’s mind. Ibid. James Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, ref. no. 3340. Ibid., ref. no. 3326. Ibid., ref. no. 3539. Ibid., ref. no. 3340. F.F. Bruce. The Acts of the Apostles [Greek Text Commentary], London: Tyndale, 1952, p. 97. James Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, ref. no. 602. Ibid., ref. no. 5590. Ibid., ref. no. 5591. Ibid., ref. no. 5590. Ibid., ref. no. 4152. Ibid., ref. no. 4151.
  8. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-4-2024 January 4, 2024 2024: Year of the Open Door I should have said this earlier in the week but neglected to do so. Thank you for making 2023 a strong year for Give Him 15. We had 30 million views/reads of the posts. That equals 30 million prayers of agreement for worldwide revival and harvest, and other important causes. And that is just in America. I have good reason to believe four or five times that number participate around the world. Only heaven knows how much we have accomplished. We are also growing in our understanding of God and His ways, me from having to press in diligently for each day's teaching - I have written over 800 posts in the past three years - and many of you from reading them. I also want to thank you for your gifts - both in monetary support and of items - and for the many cards, notes, and letters. Some write to ask for prayer; others share insights they’re hearing from the Lord; still others simply offer words of encouragement. It is all appreciated! Here is an excerpt and example from a recent thank you: “…I think the biggest thing that has helped us from allowing 'hope deferred' was keeping ourselves involved in prayer and the Word on a daily basis. Your posts have kept us informed of what God is saying. We made a decision not to listen to everyone out there but only the ones the Lord was directing us to. So we kept praying and decreeing, believing that our great God has a plan and we are part of it. “This is what He has been teaching me: 1. Keep my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. 2. Cast all my cares on Him, for He cares for me. 3. Lean not on my own understanding, but trust in God. 4. Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee. 5. Rejoice in EVERYTHING, again I say rejoice. “When I continually do these things, then He can help me, protect me, strengthen me, and I am able to receive His joy and peace; and then I am able to hear Him. It is wonderful, and I am hooked!” We are grateful for responses such as these and try to respond with acknowledgements and “Thank You’s” to all of the correspondence and gifts. If by chance you did not receive a response, please forgive us. There are many of them, and unfortunately, at times, I’m sure one or two fall through the cracks. Mostly, thank you so much for your prayers directed our way. We would not be able to do what we do without the prayers for us personally: prayers of protection, health, provision, and insight. The staff, Ceci, and I thank you. More About 2024 I received strong confirmation as I read the release from ACPE (Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders) of what numerous prophetic leaders from several nations and ethnicities are sensing for 2024 (click here to read). I had not read it before I posted yesterday’s GH15. In summary, they state (in my words): shakings will continue tumultuous times will continue internationally, led by Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea watchmen must continue to be raised up to pray against WW3; Asia will have a strong mantle for this; worship will be a key to protecting borders future wars will be very technological, with “war technology,” including “robotic soldiers,” advancing with lightning speed Matthew 24 is a key chapter for this year Psalm 24 is a key chapter, as well lawlessness will continue economic shaking will continue; currencies will one day go digital (not necessarily in 2024); “solutionists” like Joseph will arise to steer people and nations through economic difficulties The 2024 U.S. elections are critical, not only for America, but the entire world the Kingdom of God, not just the church, will be emphasized more and more, as will the Ekklesia; discipling nations will also be emphasized revival will increase, revivalists will be raised up; signs and wonders, including creative miracles, will take place spirits of offense and division will diligently seek to sow discord and division the grassroots movement of women arising to protect their families will increase; the family will be a major focus 2024 will be a year of open doors - doors of opportunity, higher authority, influence, and revelation. As I have prayed regarding 2024, I have been sensing most of this, as well. I cannot say I’ve seen all of what was brought forth or even some of the details, but we all see and know in part. Overall, however, it was very confirming. In praying about which, if any, of these insights from ACPE to highlight further in today’s post, I feel to emphasize the warning given against division and discord. I mentioned it in my post yesterday, calling it “a year of coming together, a year of great separation.” Unfortunately, until the Lord’s return, there will always be division on earth, including within the church. Though we cannot stop it all, we can refuse to participate in words and actions that fuel it. Human nature, with its propensity to pick up offenses, creates much strife. The secret to not falling prey to this is walking in forgiveness. I have three chapters on this subject in my recently released devotional, Give Him 15, An Appeal to Heaven, Volume II. Regardless of what was done to us, we can forgive. And when we do, it frees us from the pain and scars. However, things other than offenses are used to divide us; one of them is religion. Sadly, religion is one of the most dividing forces on earth. It crucified Jesus! And I’m not just referring to people being divided over different faiths, as in Christianity and Islam. People within the same faiths argue and oppose brothers and sisters over doctrines and interpretations of Scripture. This is sad but rampant. And the problem is not as bad with believers in general as it is with leaders! Jesus’ prayer in John 17 should have tipped us off that this might be a problem. He said His followers becoming one would be the biggest thing in convincing the world of His message (John 17: 20-23). People in the church fight over eschatology, the structure of worship services, what type of songs to sing, the role of elders and deacons, their interpretations of the five grace gifts/ministries Christ gave the church, the gifts of the Spirit, which Bible translation can be used, what women can and can’t do, numerous doctrines, and how we should pray. You would think all true believers would be excited that 30 to 100 million prayers of agreement are offered on Give Him 15 every year. But some believers, including many leaders, don’t like the way we pray, so they attack instead. They don’t like our interpretation of the Ekklesia. Or they don’t like that we believe in all five ministry gifts of Christ; some who do believe in them don’t like our particular interpretation. Some don’t like that we make decrees. Others don’t like binding and loosing. They don’t like our prayers for government, the seven mountains of society, and influencing them with kingdom principles. They don’t like our teachings on authority. Many don’t like my love for America, some don’t like the Appeal to Heaven flag. If you can believe it, I read an article recently criticizing our belief in a billion-soul harvest. Nor do they like our talk about revival and reformation. I’ve heard those things before, by the way. I’ve asked some of them, “But you do hope I’m right and you’re wrong on this one, don’t you? You’ll rejoice if I’m right, won’t you?” I haven’t received a yes answer yet. The sad truth is that some people are just contentious. Others believe they are called to police, judge, and correct the rest of the body of Christ. And they would rather criticize and tear down than love and build up. Heaven must weep. Don’t participate in this nonsense. If you can’t speak well of true brothers or sisters, the way they pray or worship, some of their beliefs, etc., then don’t say anything about them at all. Better still would be to love and affirm them in any way you can. Pray with me: Father, these are challenging times; yet we were born for such a time as this. We’ve put our hands to the plow and will not turn back. You have called and equipped us to preach the gospel of Your Kingdom to all, be lights in every arena, and speak truth to all of society. You have called us to represent You - not just Your love but also Your authority and victory…Your Kingdom. We will not waver. We pray against division and strife, and bind demons causing this. Thwart their plans. Convict believers who partner with them. Motivate Your people to love one another unconditionally, to disagree with one another in kindness and humility, to stop cursing one another and partnering with satan, the accuser of the brethren. And move us fully into the great harvest You have planned. Surely, this is cause enough to stand together. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We declare that the greatest of all spiritual traits is love, and that we will honor Your command to love one another in word and deed. ************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video.
  9. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-3-2024 January 3, 2024 2024: A Hinge of History History will record 2024 as a year of tremendous import, a defining year, a hinge of history. It will be a wild ride, oxymoronic in its extremes. Charles Dickens wrote regarding the time of the French Revolution, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair."(1) History, as they say, has a way of repeating itself. This year will be highly productive but very tumultuous, incredibly fruitful yet greatly challenging; it will be a year of coming together and of great separation; it will awaken the warrior and expose the fearful. A clear line is being drawn between good and evil, removing what once seemed like safe "middle ground”; indifference and complacency, disguised in the intellectual robes of neutrality, will no longer be possible. Great unrest will continue and increase here in America and throughout the world. The dragon, the bear, and the lion - China, Russia and Iran - will continue their attempts to gain influence, seeing America’s weakness under Biden as their opportunity. They realize this opportunity may not last long and will try to make the most of it. A weakened America means strengthened evil. Knowing that a continuation of Marxism (wokism), open borders, a weak military and economy, great division, the destruction of the family unit, and a decay of morality weakens America, satan and his allies will also attempt to influence America’s 2024 elections. They fear Trump and will work to oppose him. But know that satan’s attacks, violence and the unrest generated throughout the world will be met by Holy Spirit’s greater power and the higher authority of God’s Kingdom on earth. Demonic opposition will transform into God’s opportunities. Though Scripture tells us violence and unrest will not end until Christ returns, nevertheless Yahweh’s wisdom and power will make them serve His purposes. So much so, that I believe this will begin one of satan’s greatest times of frustration in all of history. In 2024, some of God’s judgments against His enemies will occur openly and be recognized as undeniably from Him. Like Pharaoh, who hardened his heart to the point of being irredeemable, many have done so today. God will make examples of some. Government shakeups will also continue throughout the world, as have occurred in Argentina and the Netherlands. OUR PRAYERS ARE PREVAILING The prayers of the church, the Ekklesia, have accomplished much. We have not been attempting to overcome God’s reluctance, but have been laying hold of His willingness. We have engaged with heaven and heaven is now engaged. What He has needed from us He has received, and we will receive from Him what we need. Light will now penetrate and the spirit of wisdom and revelation will be released to entire societies and cultures, resulting in radical change. God has used our prayers and declarations, releasing His voice in the earth, to rend the heavens and come down (Isaiah 64:1). This rending of the heavens allows God’s light and truth to break through producing revelation, the lifting of the veil spoken of in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. This impacts not only individuals, but regions and nations. A fresh hunger and cry for God’s presence will arise, AND HIS PRESENCE WILL COME! This will produce radical passion. Entire streams and movements will be impacted. The worship movement of the last 50 years will be renewed, going even deeper into His presence. Some that have drifted too far toward professionalism will receive a course correction. First-love baptisms will cause them to trade polish and performance for presence. Times of waiting will outweigh time constraints and song lists. A true “presence movement” will begin. Churches and Christian organizations that have rejected elements of Holy Spirit’s activities will receive revelation and understanding of Him. As a result, they will invite Holy Spirit into their midst and He will come! Many who have not been open to the supernatural will welcome it. Many who have not known His voice will cry out to hear it. Presence and power will manifest together, overcoming “forms of godliness without power” (2 Timothy 3:5), absence of first love passion (Revelation 2:4), and lukewarmness (Revelation 3:16). Much of what was seen as “order” will be recognized as man’s control and religious routine. Holy Spirit’s fire will be sought and given; the results will be explosive. Incredible miracles will invade the earth, accompanying the gospel and the preaching of the Word. Amazing signs and wonders will occur in schools, homes, businesses, churches, arenas, bars, hospitals, on campuses and in the streets. It was in Ephesus that “God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul” (Acts 19:11). Yet this was also the church warned later against a form of godliness without power and rebuked for leaving their first love, as mentioned above. Passion, presence and power go hand in hand; passion attracts God’s presence, which releases His power. Holy Spirit was challenging the ekklesia at Ephesus to do what was necessary for restoration. He is offering the same to many believers and churches in 2024. Noted Greek scholar Rick Renner says of Acts 19:11, “‘Wrought’ in this verse is from the Greek word poieo,(2) which denotes creativity. Because the word poieo is used in this context, we know that the miracles taking place in Ephesus were miracles of a creative nature. In fact, this power was so out of the ordinary that the Bible describes it as ‘special,’ which is a translation of the Greek word tugchano.(3) This Greek word means to hit upon, to happen upon, or to fall upon. It implies something unique that overtakes someone or a power that falls on someone as if to take him or her by surprise. “Paul literally hit upon, happened upon, or fell into a level of power that was without equal in his experience. He found himself suddenly operating in a realm of miracles that was extraordinary and powerful beyond his wildest expectations. Of course, all miracles are uncommon, but there was something about these miracles in particular that transcended every miracle that Paul had previously experienced during his ministry. From the usage of this Greek word tugchano, it seems that Paul himself was surprised by the exceptional assortment of miracles that were occurring at his own hands.” This is the level of power and miracles that I believe will begin in 2024. All of this - the light of revelation, passion, presence, and power - will intensify the “here and coming” revival. “Presence evangelism” will occur, along with power evangelism. Unbelievers will be drawn by the magnetism that is Christ and Holy Spirit will demonstrate the truth of the gospel and reality of Christ. Prophetic evangelists will arise, ministering with great power and gifts of the Spirit. The current trickle of souls will become an influx, the beginning of earth’s greatest harvest. As this intensifies, much carnal competition in the church will be replaced by Kingdom cooperation as we struggle to steward the great harvest. The plowman will indeed overtake the reaper (Amos 9:13); the Good News Translation words this verse, “The days are coming when grain will grow faster than it can be harvested.” I believe this increase will begin in 2024. The harvest will come from ALL segments of society, ALL races, ALL ages. I believe Holy Spirit has shown me that incredibly influential individuals will be converted - from the realms of government, entertainment, and even other religions. Some of these converts will be used by Christ in very unconventional ways. Their genuine faith, yet shared in unusual and unreligious ways, will have unique impacts on areas of the culture. I believe this, too, will begin in 2024. Pray with me: Father, You’re all-wise, all-powerful, always good and always right. You, Jesus and Holy Spirit have been planning what is coming for a long time! And as this era grew closer, Holy Spirit worked what was necessary in many members of the church throughout the earth. They are now the willing army of Psalm 110, the ruling Ekklesia of Matthew 16, and the church of Ephesians 3 through which You will make known Your manifold wisdom to rulers and authorities in the spiritual realm. Many more believers will soon enlist. We have been appealing to You, not to overcome Your reluctance, but to lay hold of Your willingness and desires. Our faith has grown, our understanding has expanded, our authority has increased, and we are positioned to receive the answer. Bring the release of revelation, revival, power and triumph over evil You have spoken of in Your Word and through Your prophets. Save millions! Free entire nations! Expose evil! Rout the dark forces! As we move into 2024, we do so without fear. We are ready for anything and equal to anything through You who infuse inner strength into us (Philippians 4:13 AMP), more than conquerors through You (Romans 8:37). Our eyes are fixed on the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and we are clothed in His armor (Ephesians 6). Give us Your strategies for the coming season, and we will obey (Isaiah 30:21). In Yeshua’s name we pray! Our decree: We decree that in 2024, the ancient door through which the King of glory enters, will open wide. ***************************** I will be discussing this new year again on Thursday and Friday. Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------- The word revelation comes from the Greek word opokalupsis (Strong’s 601,602), a compound word meaning undo or remove (apo - Strong’s 575), a covering, veil, or that which hides (kakapo - Strong’s 2572). James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), Ref no 4160. Ibid., Ref. no. 5177.
  10. 5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-2-2024 January 2, 2024 As we move forward into this epochal year, it is vital that we hear and respond appropriately to Holy Spirit’s voice. My brother, Tim, received a strong word from Him about what we will see released in 2024. It will instruct and encourage you. The Reset Season by Tim Sheets Worldview is so important right now. Challenges to our Christian faith are rising, and our view needs to be set in alignment with God’s Word and His perspective. Psalm 31:15 reminds us that our times are in God’s hands. A few weeks ago during our Sunday service, Holy Spirit began to move in a different way, and prophetic words, declarations, and songs were released. The following is a Prophetic word from that morning (December 3, 2023): “Holy Spirit says to the church of the King, look into the spirit realm, and you will now see the bringing forth of the reset you have asked for. For as the world declares and celebrates the birth of the King, I tell you this day, the birth of His Kingdom will rise in waves of glory. History was changed in Bethlehem during the times of the King’s birth. Those were desperate times, but heaven moved. Lucifer, though he tried, could not stop it. Governments also tried, but they could not stop it. The coming of the Deliverer could not be stopped. “The reset you have called for is being birthed in this season. You will hear the shout of the King rising from the land. It is the cry of the mighty Deliverer as He births the greatest move of His Kingdom. For as He came in infancy to birth a Kingdom, He now comes as the resurrected King of glory to activate another release of His Kingdom throughout the earth. “At the time of His birth, years of silence were broken by a prophetic unction that came forth, and joy came into the world, announced by angels. The Lord says, in this day also, the angels are announcing a new joy into the earth. Glory will begin to roll as billowing clouds, one after the other, to bring the reset you have called for. “And even as dreams came and instructed in the ancient times of the King’s birth, the atmosphere of the Kingdom will again spawn dreams throughout the land. Strategy dreams will now be downloaded as the reset begins to roll. Strategies from dreams will be activated and begin to reset, to change things supernaturally, and break the oppression of governments. “Holy Spirit says, just as the shepherds, Joseph, and those in the narrative of the King’s birth were anointed to dream, I will do so again. I will begin to release millions of dreams to prodigals. They will dream of destiny and purpose, dreaming the King’s dream. Your prodigals are going to dream dreams, and in those dreams, they will rise up and say, ‘This is what I must do, and this is where I must go.’ Dreams that unlock destinies, and change lives. Dreams that end addictions, and cancel demonic assignments on their lives, for I will activate within them dreams of their God. And as prodigals rise to take their place, you will see the birthing of that wave of the reset begin to roll through the land. “Evangelists are arising on college campuses. They will preach and declare the Word of Almighty God. The passionate ones will be powerfully anointed. I will confirm My Word with signs, wonders, and miracles. For I have a harvest that I will reach. I will put the ‘breaker anointing’ upon young men and women, and they will walk the campuses declaring, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ With the drawing power, the conviction of My presence and Kingdom, that will invade campuses, I will reach into the hearts of those who are bound, lost, and drifting with aimless mindsets. I will draw them to their purpose. “For I say to you, deep will call to deep within them. I will call to the deepest parts of their inner nature. I will call to the dreams and purpose I have put into them, which have been buried by lies and deception. Now, says the Lord, the anointing that breaks those yokes is being released. Revival will roll throughout college campuses. "Great prophets will arise. You will begin to hear prophetic words coming from college campuses. You will understand that this is a day like no other. I said My young men would see visions, and I meant it. I said My handmaids will receive the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit to declare what I say, and I meant it. I said your old men would dream dreams and that I would fill all flesh with My Spirit. I meant it. “I am moving, says the Lord, in ways I have declared to you by prophetic utterance. My Word will not return to Me empty; the assignments in those words will activate. Even at this moment and throughout this season, beginning now and into 2024, says the Lord, those prophetic words and assignments will activate, creating their fullness. “I will supernaturally shift things in the earthly realm. Shifts I create in governments will cause the world to wonder and say, ‘I never saw this coming.’ You will see a great revival in Muslim communities. They too, will begin to dream from My Spirit. Sauls will become Pauls. You are moving into a new time, says the Lord, that I have ordained. “I call to My Ekklesia to rise in faith and begin to walk with Me at a new level, declaring what I say and moving into the new. For the shaking I promised has come. The fierce war season I promised has come. And now, the birthing of the reset will roll throughout your nation, and the nations, for I am working to change and reset. “You will begin to see visible signs and workings of this, as I release a strategy within the Ekklesia. For the church will shift from declarations of ‘this will be,’ to declarations of ‘this is that.’ You will declare, ‘This is that which was spoken by Holy Spirit. This is that which was spoken by the King. This is that which was spoken by the Father.’ You WILL move into the ‘this is that’ moment, says the Lord. I am the God of eternity, and I am the God of now. My Word will not return void.” "The Lord will be seen as the God of NOW! This is the time when the King rises in His rule, in His Kingdom’s jurisdiction, in all the world. His Kingdom has no end, and it will not be limited. The reset has begun." Pray with me: Lord, we align our faith with what You have said, with the shift You have announced. We ask You to move as You desire and in the ways You have ordained. Move at levels that amaze us. We will walk and work with You, in faith and confidence, and You will do exactly as You have said. We declare: “No limitations to this move of the King! Neither nations, governments, rulers, false religions, nor demonic principalities will stop it. The ideologies propagated on college campuses will not stop this move. Miracles, healings, and deliverances will occur throughout the land; the hand of God will be seen. Prodigals will receive dreams, hear Holy Spirit, return to God, and be transformed. They will be passionate lovers of God and His Word, filled with Holy Spirit, powerful evangelists, and prophetic voices. Deception, confusion, addictions, perversions, and disillusion will be broken off of them through powerful God-encounters. The glory of the Lord will roll in wave after wave. Revival, reset, freedom, signs, wonders, and great harvest will now come!” in Jesus’ Name, Amen. Our decree: We decree that the reset of Kingdom authority in our land now begins, and we are moving into an era of great harvest. ************************ Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------------- Today’s post was contributed by my brother, Tim. You can learn more about him at TimSheets.org.
  11. 4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/january-1-2024 January 1, 2024 Happy New Year! People always want to know what spiritual leaders are sensing and seeing at the beginning of a new year. Due to the fact that today is a holiday, fewer people than normal will see the post. Therefore, I will begin addressing this topic tomorrow. Today, I’ll read one more devotional of Dad’s and share some thoughts from my book The Pleasure of His Company. Then, we’ll pray a strong New Year's Day prayer. Words Fail “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17 KJV) From Dad’s Devotional “Gifts that flow to us through nature and providence are ‘good,’ but those that come through the atoning work of Jesus are ‘perfect.’ Ever since you were born, God has touched you in His providence. Even the hairs on your head are numbered. “God is forever the same in His goodness, love, and care toward us. With Him is no ‘variableness.’ What a great word the Holy Spirit uses here. It is the Greek word parallage,(1) an astronomical term describing the different positions of the heavenly bodies that cause changes in the seasons of the year. This is where our word ‘parallax’ comes from. It is by the parallax that astronomers get the measure of heavenly bodies. “God has no parallax! You cannot measure how large He is or how far away He is. You can't find Him with telescopes. ‘He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him’ (Hebrews 11:6). “With Him, there is no shadow of turning. He's always right overhead. He doesn't change like the shadow on the sundial. “All He has committed Himself to in His Word, He will do - infallibly. He will bring us into full enjoyment of our promised inheritance. “From “A Mighty Fortress” by Martin Luther: ‘And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for, lo! His doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.”’(2) Dutch Shares from The Pleasure of His Company “Words certainly are inadequate to describe Christ’s attributes, abilities, intellect, and accomplishments. He is breathtaking, yet calming. All-powerful but gentle, unsearchably wise though humble, and awe-inspiring while completely approachable. Perfection defines Him, intrigue surrounds Him, and eternity is in Him. He is boundless love, everlasting joy, and the Prince of Peace. Oxymorons are necessary to describe Jesus since He is the God-man, both human and divine. Incredibly, He’s the Ancient of Days, yet forever new, existing in a perpetual now. His nature contradicts every natural law of time, space, and physics. When Moses asked Him His name, He simply said, ‘I AM.’ Words fail. “Young and old, male and female, rich and poor, moral and immoral - they all found Jesus interesting. He was so magnetic and gentle in His personality that children loved and trusted Him, and sinners confessed to Him their sordid and painful pasts. But He was so overpowering in His masculinity and multifaceted in His gifts that both intellectual businessmen and coarse, tough fishermen left their careers at His simple invitation to ‘follow Me.’ “Grown men fell before Jesus in worship, and anointing oil worth thousands of dollars was poured upon His feet. A multitude of men, women, and children - yes, children - sat for days at a time listening to Him teach. Families loved having Him in their homes, men liked hiking and camping with Him, and scholars enjoyed picking His brain - when he was only twelve years old! Many more books have been written concerning Him than about any other person, and people sit for hours writing songs about Him. “My meager list barely scratches the surface. Consider the following: A fish brought Him a mouthful of money. Storms obeyed His commands. His spit healed blind eyes, and His touch cured leprosy. He walked on water…and through walls! He turned water into wine and multiplied by thousands a few fish and loaves of bread. He raised the dead. Insanity fled from Him; demons did, as well. Fire goes before Him and consumes His enemies. When He died, willingly, the sun refused to shine, and the earth shook. Death, however, couldn’t hold Him, and His resurrection was so powerful it spilled over onto other dead people, raising them from the dead! His eyes are like fire; His voice is like a waterfall. Angels worship Him; rulers cast their crowns at His feet. He created everything…with just His words. He keeps the universe operating in perfect order…yep, with just His words.”(3) Pray with me: Father, we approach You today in the name of Jesus. As we begin a new year, what a perfect time to consider Your greatness. You have no equal. You’re all powerful, all wise, always present - everywhere, always good. Sinless, flawless, changeless, and matchless. To know You is to love You. To think that You pursue a relationship with finite humans is beyond comprehension. Yet You stand at the door of our hearts and knock, wanting to dine with us. You found the despised tax collector Zacchaeus in a tree and interrupted Your trip to save him; You detoured to Samaria to interrupt the dead-end journey of an adulteress woman; You touched lepers, accepted a foot bath from a prostitute, and showed mercy to a depraved, naked man living in a cemetery. Yes, You are good. In this new year, we intend to partake of Your goodness and partner with Your goodness. We will feed on Christ’s salvation, and we will serve it to others. We will persevere in our intercession for people and nations, and we will see breakthrough after breakthrough. Our paths will grow brighter, our faith stronger, and our lives more productive. We are Yours, You are ours, and this will forever be. Amen. Our decree: We decree that 2024 will be our greatest year ever..! ***************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 3883. https://hymnary.org/text/a_mighty_fortress_is_our_god_a_bulwark Dutch Sheets, The Pleasure of His Company (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2014), pp. 11-13.
  12. 3 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-27-2023 December 27, 2023 Persistent Faith "For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed." (Mark 7:25-30 KJV) From Dad’s Devotional “Nowhere in the gospels do we have a grander example of persistent, yet humble, faith which secures God's blessings. This woman had naked faith—faith stripped of all emotion. She persisted, even though there was no inrush of excitement, having come to Christ on behalf of a demon-possessed daughter. And she turned four obstacles into stepping stones. “Silence: What a paradox. Jesus stated that the woman had great faith, yet according to Matthew’s account of this story, He initially answered her with not a word. It is so important that we keep believing, that we persevere with patience. God has heard, and faith forces are at work. Too often, His answer comes but finds us gone. Our ship comes in, but there is no one to unload it! “Lack of Sympathy: Also in Matthew's account, we’re told the Lord's disciples came to Him, saying, ‘Send her away’ (Matthew 15:23). This calloused response would be enough to discourage most. “Race: This woman was a Gentile and, at this time, had no claim on Jesus. She met this obstacle with the cry, ‘Lord, help me’ (Matthew 15:25). What faith! She worshipped Jesus and called Him Lord. Thus, we are given proof that neither race nor nationality can keep a person from God. Her appeal became one for mercy and grace. “Open Rebuff: Jesus essentially said to her, ‘It wouldn't be right to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs.’ Again, she had the right answer: ‘Just give me some crumbs.’ That was enough for Jesus. The whole encounter suddenly exploded into her miracle! “Please see that the prayer of faith is not compelling a reluctant Lord but laying hold of His willingness. Great faith sees a light at the end of the tunnel yet to be built. It is also the impetus for our miracle - not the reverse. ‘By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down’ (Hebrews 11:30). Not by the shout - the shout was the result of the faith.” Dutch Shares from How to Pray For Lost Loved Ones "If there is not a deep, settled faith in you for the salvation of the one for whom you are praying - or anything else for that matter - please don't be intimidated. Your faith simply needs to grow. The Bible compares faith to a mustard seed. However, Jesus did not tell us we need faith the size of a mustard seed, though some translations mistakenly do so, but like a mustard seed. The point of Jesus' mustard seed parable is that faith begins as a tiny seed but grows into a tree."(1) Pray with me: Father, thank You for including this story of the Syrophenician woman in Your great Book. Her persistent faith and ability to see through the tests thrown her way are beyond inspiring; they are instructing. Somehow, she knew. She knew this Man was not a racist or mean-spirited. She understood that she was not compelling a reluctant Lord, but laying hold of His willingness. Teach us not to be moved when You have not yet spoken. Your Word speaks loudly, and we will wait for further instruction from Holy Spirit, as long as it takes. We know that through faith and patience, we inherit the promises. We will not be deterred by callous words, religious actions, or unbiblical attitudes of others. We will persevere, knowing that You are not ruled by such carnal mindsets. We will never bow to racism, for we are lovers of all people everywhere. Our faith is growing from the size you measured to each of us, into a strong and fruit-bearing tree. We are feeding it daily on Your Word, and our faith is continuously growing. We will not waiver; we will never give up. Our nation will be saved, earthshaking revival has already begun, and its full manifestation is imminent. Earth’s greatest harvest will not be stopped. Our decree: We decree that just like this faith-filled lady in Scripture, we will persevere and receive our promised breakthrough. ***************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. --------------------------------------- Dutch Sheets, How to Pray for Lost Loved Ones, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group), p. 20.
  13. 4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-29-2023 December 29, 2023 We will be taking Communion at the end of today’s post. The Nails of Calvary “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His Cross” (Colossians 2:14). From Dad’s Devotional “Calvary’s nails are God’s way of uniting suffering with love. Oh how He loves you and me! His love for us was shouted out with every hammer blow that drove the nails through His hands and feet. Those same blows swung open the gates of glory, and now we have an entrance. When we get to heaven, we will likely stand in awe for a long time, gazing at the nail scars of Jesus. “There was another nailing at Calvary that I want you to rejoice in today. Jesus blotted out all the grievances filed against us, ‘nailing it to His Cross.’ “Oh, the price that was on our heads. The law screamed its curses at us as, one by one, our sins were listed. But Jesus took them all, and with His mighty hammer - the Word of His grace - He nailed them to His Cross. Glory to God! “I love to go back to Calvary often, not to see the Savior mangled and mutilated, but to see all my sins fastened to the Cross with His own nail-scarred hand. And that makes it a secure fastening! All the blasts of hell can never shake my sins loose. Hallelujah! “Praise God for Calvary’s nails - they are holding the old ship of Zion together. Look forward with me to the time when we will hang our old garments of the flesh on Calvary’s spikes and, as the old gospel song says, drop this robe of flesh ‘and rise to seize the everlasting prize.’” Dutch Shares from The Pleasure of His Company “At the end of Christ’s ministry, two of His followers had a revelatory encounter with Him. The meeting occurred just after the Cross and Resurrection; to say their world had turned topsy-turvy would be a gross understatement. To have discovered, lived with, and traveled with Jesus for three years, only to lose Him, would be life's cruelest injustice. “These two men had heard earlier in the day that Christ had risen from the dead. But, really, who would believe two grief-stricken ladies claiming to have been visited by angels? That’s quite a stretch. And these supposed angels informed the women that Christ rose from the dead? As they walked the seven-mile journey to Emmaus, they were discussing this too-good-to-be-true report and all that had transpired over the past few days. To say that they were discouraged, confused, and disillusioned would be an understatement. “That’s when He arrived. ‘And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus Himself approached, and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him’ (Luke 24: 15-16). “‘What are you discussing?’ He wanted to know. “They gave Jesus a brief summary, expressing their surprise that He would even have to ask. ‘What else would we be discussing?’ was their inference. It seems everyone in Jerusalem could think of little else than what had transpired with Christ the last few days since so many of them had thought He might be the long-awaited Messiah. They spoke to Him of their devastation and also of the rumor that He had risen from the dead. “Jesus, His identity still hidden from them, ‘explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures’ (v. 27), including the fact that He needed to suffer and die. “Wouldn’t you like to hear that recording! “Though they still didn’t know it was Jesus, His words began impacting their hearts. ‘Were not our hearts burning within us as He was explaining the Scriptures to us?’ they stated (v. 32). “‘When they reached their destination, they pleaded with Jesus to spend the night. The Lord agreed to do so, and during dinner, ‘He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, he began giving it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him’ (v. 30-32). He disappeared from their sight at that moment, and they hurried back the seven miles to Jerusalem with the good news: Christ was indeed risen.! “I find it more than a coincidence that after initially hiding from these men who He was, Jesus chose to release the revelation of Himself ‘in the breaking of the bread’ (v. 35). After all, He was the ‘bread of life’ that had been ‘broken’ for them (John 6:33, 35, 48-51), and they could now receive the revelation of His redemption. The timing was His way of saying to them, ‘The life you need is now available. Sup with me, and revelation will come; I will reveal to you the fullness of who I am and what I have done for you. I also believe it is saying the same to us. We can partake of the bread of life. One of the ways we do so is by hearing His words, just as these two men did (Matthew 4:4). Eat them. As you do, revelation will flow to you, as well. Christ will unveil Himself, just as He did for these two men. “Spend some time with Jesus.”(1) Pray with me: Lord Jesus, You revealed Yourself to the two disciples in the breaking of the bread. As we break the bread of communion together today, sup with us. We want to know You more intimately. Reveal Yourself afresh and anew; let us see You more clearly and more completely. And we also ask You for a greater revelation of all that was provided for us through Your broken body. May we not waste anything You purchased for us. Open our eyes, just as You did for our two fellow believers that day long ago. (Eat the bread.) And Lord, as we drink this that represents Your cleansing blood, we take into our very body, our cells, our blood, Your life and nature. We declare that our faith is sustained because of the blood, we have no condemnation because of the blood, we are made righteous because of the blood, we are in covenant with You because of the blood, and we are now part of Your family because of the blood. We are staking our claim to these things today by this sacred act of covenant. (Drink the cup.) ********************* Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------- Dutch Sheets, The Pleasure of His Company, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group), pp. 178-180.
  14. 4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-28-2023 December 28, 2023 Let It Pass Through the Fire “His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.” (Daniel 10:6 KJV) "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." (Matthew 3:11 KJV) From Dad’s Devotional “Fire is a purifying element. The chosen sign of God’s approval is the sacred flame. Spiritual baptism kindles the fires of Christ in the souls of men; they receive, realize, and reproduce His mind and His heart. The fire kindles a fervent devotion to God, a passion for righteousness, and a consuming desire for soul-winning. Let the chosen symbol of Christianity be a tongue of fire. The heavenly current is brought down, making you a living witness for the living Christ. “Fire is also a purifier, the best defense against corruption. Whatever you place between yourself and God, whatever you rest on apart from God, or what you make the aim and center of your life apart from Him, is harmful and must pass through the fire. Count all things lost to know Him (Philippians 3:8). Until those toys of the senses are consumed, everything you do will be a mixture of good and bad. Your ‘humility’ will actually strengthen your pride. Your charity to others will give nourishment to your own self-love. ‘Our God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29). Go on through the fire of God, permit Him to consume all the dross, and discover the purity that sees God. “Revelation 8:3-5 tells us, ‘Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth, and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.’ “The fire that cleanses our hearts also empowers our prayers. Angels mix them with fire from the golden altar before making them heaven’s missiles. The purity and power of God go forth like lightning, shaking and quaking until earth’s strongholds fall. “A newspaper story out of Iowa a few years ago told of an amazing occurrence in a storm. An awful bolt of lightning produced a loud rumble that activated the chimes in a church steeple. For the next several minutes, while the lightning flashed and the thunder rolled, the chimes rang out the majestic song, ‘How Great Thou Art.’ “Indeed!” Dutch Shares from Intercessory Prayer “This was the coolest thing I had discovered since baseball. I was in the fourth grade, in that ornery but not mean, can’t stand baths, all girls have cooties stage of life. And I had recently procured my first magnifying glass. “I'm not sure how I discovered I could hold it at just the right angle to the sun and light something on fire. Tim probably taught me. I had just burned a piece of paper on the playground. Then, a brilliant idea leaped up from my fallen Adamic psyche. I called my friends over, assuring them I had something really cool to show them. “Looking at Duncan, the class bully, I said to him, ‘You're the lucky guy, Duncan. Hold out your hand, I want to show you something.’ Duncan loved being the center of attention, so he obliged. But he didn't leave his hand there very long! He chased me all around that playground - feet, don’t fail me now. Some guys just can't take a joke. “Is there a picture of intercession hidden somewhere in this? Yes! Paga, the Hebrew word for intercession, means ‘to strike the mark.’ (1) The reference is Job 36:32: ‘He covers His hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.’ Intercession releases God’s glory, His light. We’re not the light. We, like the magnifying glass, allow it to flow through us. It flashes forth from God’s presence like lightning, flows through us, is magnified by Holy Spirit, and strikes the desired target.”(2) Pray with me: Father, thank You for the fire of Holy Spirit that reproduces Your passion in us. We don’t want to be lukewarm; we want to burn with passion for You and to see Christ’s redemption ministered to others. Bring to the church today the fire and passion demonstrated by the church in Acts. We also ask to be touched by the fire from Your altar, the same fire that cleansed Isaiah, preparing him to partner with You. And what a partner he was; His prophecies still inflame our hearts! Do this for us. And as we offer up intercession, partnering with You to pluck up and tear down, plant and build, save and deliver, we ask for the fire of Heaven to empower our prayers. Let the lightnings of Your glory be released, bringing revelation throughout the earth of just “How Great Thou Art.” We ask for this in Yeshua’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the greatness of God is being released through the prayers of the saints, to deliver, save and heal. ******************************* At the end of tomorrow’s post, we will be taking Communion together. Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 6293. Dutch Sheets, Intercessory Prayer, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group), pp. 201-202.
  15. 4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-26-2023 December 26, 2023 I hope you had a nice Christmas yesterday. When I was 17 years old, my father, who was a pastor, fell into adultery, left our home and his ministry, and remarried. It was very painful for my entire family. Though I have spoken of this a few times in GH15 posts, I didn’t say much about it publicly until he went to heaven; I didn’t want to embarrass or uncover him. Dad repented a few years after his fall, and was wonderfully restored to the Lord. We had a great relationship for the final 30 years of his life. Several years ago, he wrote a wonderful devotional entitled The Gold That Washed Ashore (now out of print). In the book, I contributed a short quote from one of my books for each day. Dad was old school in his sermonizing, building masterpieces of homiletic eloquence. Each day this week, I’ll read one of his great devotionals, and then augment it with something from my writings. After Friday’s reading entitled The Nails of Calvary, we’ll take communion together. These devotionals are more traditional in size, a little shorter than our normal Give Him 15 posts - this week, you may be Giving Him 10 - but they’re incredibly poignant, and our prayers of agreement will release great power. The title of today’s devotional is: What Does He Look Like? "And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength." (Revelation 1:13-16 NKJV). Dad Shares “It is not the valley of sorrows that pictures the Lord; it is the eternal mountains that rise on either side. Preexistent before creation and coexistent with the Father, when the dateless ages were but a drift of foam on the mighty sea of time, Jesus Christ was royal and reigning Lord. “We read Revelation 1:13-16 for a scriptural and spiritual description of Christ. It is deeply significant that there is not a sentence in the Gospels or Epistles describing the physical appearance of Jesus. The writers' thoughts were not centered on His human stature but on the mission, authority, accomplishments, and words of the eternal King. “When John, the writer of Revelation, saw Jesus, he fell at His feet as if dead. This glorious Redeemer responded by laying His right hand on him saying, ‘Fear not; I am the first and the last’ (v. 17). “Banished to the Isle of Patmos, John needed this heavenly disclosure. The razor fangs of persecution had stolen earthly support, and the tight fingers of despair were crushing his heart. In the midst of his pain, this dazzling sight broke upon him, and he entered the glimmering halls of revelation. “It was John who earlier recorded Christ's words, ‘Before Abraham was, I Am’ (John 8:58). The sun over Patmos dimmed in the splendors of that great I Am, whose brightness like a thousand suns rolled into one. No wonder John fell like a dead man. “So, Christian friend, do not permit the trials of life to overcome you and drain you of your spiritual joy. Rather, let the misfortunes of time accentuate the fortunes of the forevers. Let these words change your heart as they did the grand old warrior on the barren Isle of Patmos: ‘Fear not; I am the first and the last."’(1) Dutch Shares from The Power of Hope: “Hope deferred. . .produces fear and makes us uncertain of ourselves, our faith, and yes, sometimes our God.... At times, we find ourselves operating in fear and timidity, fleeing from the obstacles, adversities, and giants in our lives... as confidence erodes, often we magnify our enemies’ power above our strengths and abilities, and, though we wouldn’t want to admit it, even above that of God’s. “Hope deferred distorts our vision. Looking at our enemies through hope deferred is like looking at them through a magnifying glass. ‘We became like grasshoppers in our own sight,’ the Israeli spies said (Numbers 13:33). “Overreaction is usually next. Mark Twain once said, ‘I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.’” Pray with me: Father, this Christmas season is a great time to refocus and remind ourselves of Your greatness. “Son of Man,” Christ was still being called in John’s Revelation. But He who became and remains one of us is now, once again, also clothed in His undimmed glory, shining like the sun in its strength. His flaming eyes blaze with love for us, His voice like many waters calls our names, each one of us. Our majestic King, white horse Rider, and Lion King, is also our Redeemer, Husband, and Protector. We are confident under His shadow, secure in His everlasting arms. We know, Lord Jesus, You have also called us to reign with You, giving us Your scepter, Your keys of authority, Your name. In Your name, Yeshua, we call for the revival You so desire. This is why You came - to seek and save. You’re not a detached bystander; You involved Yourself! You showed up! And we know You’re going to do so again. Now, great King of all the earth: demonstrate it! Show Your power, Your love, Your kindness. And show Your hatred of that which oppresses and wounds. Annihilate evil strongholds and free millions. We release this in Your name, from Your provision, and with Your authority. So be it! Our decree: We decree that the redeeming power of the great I Am is filling earth’s atmosphere, and freeing earth’s lost ones! ********************* Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/78239-i-am-an-old-man-and-have-known-a-great
  16. 5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-25-2023 December 25, 2023 Merry Christmas! When I was 17 years old, my father, who was a pastor, fell into adultery, left our home and his ministry, and remarried. It was very painful for my entire family. Though I have spoken of this a few times in GH15 posts, I didn’t say much about it publicly until he went to heaven; I didn’t want to embarrass or uncover him. Dad repented a few years after his fall, and was wonderfully restored to the Lord. We had a great relationship for the final 30 years of his life. Several years ago, he wrote a wonderful devotional entitled The Gold That Washed Ashore (now out of print). In the book, I contributed a short quote from one of my books for each day. Dad was old school in his sermonizing, building masterpieces of homiletic eloquence. Each day this week, I’ll read one of his great devotionals, and then augment it with something from my writings. After Friday’s reading entitled The Nails of Calvary, we’ll take communion together. These devotionals are more traditional in size, and a little shorter than our normal Give Him 15 posts. This week, you may be Giving Him 10 - but they’re incredibly poignant, and our prayers of agreement will release great power. The title of today’s devotional is: He Came “For today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 NASB) “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10 NASB) Dad Shares “From Genesis to Revelation, there is a great scarlet thread of truth calling our attention to a coming Redeemer. This hope of a coming Redeemer was the secret of Abel offering a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. It was the only light that gleamed in the ark as it rolled over the waves of an ocean world. This hope guided the patriarchs and gladdened the prophets.” Dutch Shares And yet, when Christ came to earth, it was not as most expected. The religious world had overlooked the prophecy regarding a virgin conceiving (Isaiah 7:14); perhaps they simply had a different interpretation of the verse, since what it said was a total impossibility. At any rate, the birth of Christ through a poor, teenage virgin - from the other side of the tracks, Nazareth, of all places - wasn’t on the list of Messianic expectations. Nor was a manger (a feeding trough) for a crib, in a smelly, dung-filled stable. The scribes, Pharisees, and religious elite were confident the Messiah would be regal, wealthy, and come from their ranks, of course. Something about God becoming a microscopic seed placed in the womb of a teenage girl, fed by a cord from her placenta, and entering the world through a narrow birth canal is a bit unsettling, if not unbelievable. We prefer sterile surroundings, and heavenly, serene depictions of baby Jesus. It seems almost sacrilegious to mention dirty diapers, burps and cries for Mama. The One who walked on water could never have fallen when learning to walk; He who fed the 5000 would not have smeared food all over His face when learning to feed Himself. He was, after all, God. But to keep Christ from being truly human is to miss God’s heart and message. Our Lord’s most common name for Himself was Son of Man. He chose to experience our humanness, feel our pain and hunger, wrestle with the wound of rejection, and know the disappointment of loss. His calloused hands knew hard work, His feet walked hundreds of miles, and He slept many nights on the ground. Jesus had to be human in order to bleed, die, and redeem us, and He became such in every sense of the word. Let Him into the muck and mire of our world. The Savior But He didn’t remain a baby in Bethlehem’s manger. He was born to be the Savior. In his devotional, Dad masterfully describes Christ’s ministry: From Dad “He came - and was a great preacher. All the preachers of the centuries look small when we line them alongside the Man whose hands were calloused by a carpenter's plane and who wore the peasant smock of Galilee. He came - and was the greatest physician the world has ever seen. He was the world's sympathetic friend in a world of pain. He came - and was the perfect example. “Yet, He came to be more than a great preacher, physician, or pattern. He came to be our Savior. He came to deal with the thing that drenched the world with blood, that bleached it with bones, and that filled the air with moans and groans. He came to put a bridge over the gulf that separates humanity from God. He came to shut the very jaws of damnation and throw open the gates of gold. He came to fix us so we could appear as if the archer of hell never shot us through. “All the sins of all His people were gathered upon His shoulders. The heart of Christ became like a reservoir in the mountains, and all the tributary streams of iniquity ran down and gathered into that vast lake. Sin wrote its vicious history with the scourge, thorns, nails, spear, and throbbing agony - our sins, yours and mine. At Calvary, we see the wrath of God against sin inscribed in characters of blood, and we see sin's absolution: ‘Father, forgive them’ (Luke 23:34). Oh, Now I See the Crimson Wave “‘Oh, now I see the crimson wave, the fountain deep and wide; Jesus, my Lord, mighty to save, points to His wounded side. ‘I see the new creation rise, I hear the speaking blood; It speaks! Polluted nature dies! Sinks 'neath the cleansing flood. ‘The cleansing stream I see, I see! I plunge and, oh, it cleanseth me! Oh, praise the Lord, it cleanseth me! It cleanseth me, yes, cleanseth me!’ (1) “Thank You, Jesus, for coming, seeking, and saving.” Pray with me: Father, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, as Heaven’s great gift. Thank You for the incarnation, Christ’s humble birth, and His substitutionary death. Thank You for the cleansing stream that flows from Him still. Jesus, You came. As we celebrate Your birth, we thank You for the humbling journey You made…for the sacrifices, the miles, the sleepless nights, and the tears. Thank You for the blood You shed, the stripes You bore, the crown, the nails, and the spear. Holy Spirit, as many gather today with family and friends, remind all to celebrate the Prince of Peace as He should be celebrated, and love Him as He should be loved. Amen. Our decree: We decree that He came, and the cleansing stream of Christ still flows today. Again, have a great Christmas celebrating Him! *********************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------ https://hymnary.org/text/o_now_i_see_the_crimson_wave
  17. 3 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-22-2023 December 22, 2023 Holy Night, Indeed Do you have any guesses about what may have been the first song broadcast from space? The crew of Gemini 6 snuck bells and a harmonica onboard. On December 16, 1965, after reporting a “strange object” moving in the skies from north to south, they played a few lines of Jingle Bells. You can click here to hear the astronauts. (1) And does anyone know the story behind “The Twelve Days of Christmas”? “Though a host of modern internet sites and some magazine articles have tried to reduce “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to a little more than a silly Christmas carol, most scholars of the Catholic Church deem it a very important surviving example of a time when that denomination used codes to disguise their teachings in order to avoid persecution. “Originally a poem written by Catholic clerics, this song was transformed into a carol at a time when celebrating the twelve days of Christmas was one of the most important holiday customs.” (2) The complete explanation of why each day’s “gift code” was chosen to represent the spiritual truth it pictures, can be found through this link, but here is what each gift represented: (3) The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus. Two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments. Three French hens represent faith, hope, and love, and also the Holy Trinity: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The four calling birds are the four gospels. The five golden rings represent the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch. Each egg of the six geese a-laying is a day in creation when God “hatched” or formed the world. Hidden in the seven swans-a-swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (as the Catholics count them). The eight maids-a-milking represent the eight Beatitudes (from Matthew 5:3-10). Nine ladies dancing were the fruits of the Spirit. Ten lords-a-leaping were code for the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping signify the eleven faithful disciples. The twelve drummers drumming are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed. I’m not sure this can be proven, but it’s so good I’m just gonna go with it! O Holy Night And then there is my all-time favorite Christmas song, “O Holy Night.” Can there be more poignant words than these? “Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
 Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
 A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
 For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” (4) And the moving third stanza, with the stirring words of love and freedom, reaches deep into the human soul: “Truly He taught us to love one another;
 His law is love, and His gospel is peace.
 Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother;
 And in His name, all oppression shall cease.” (5) Here are the words of this wonderful song in their entirety, followed by a link to “The Nativity Story” with Josh Groban’s classic version of “O Holy Night.” Do yourself a favor: find a time when you can stop everything you’re doing, and both watch and listen to this five-minute video. It is NOT just him singing. You will be glad you did. Merry Christmas. O Holy Night “O holy night! the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born! O night, O holy night, O night divine! Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle, we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the Wise Men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger, In all our trials born to be our Friend. He knows our need— to our weakness is no stranger. Behold your King, before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, before Him lowly bend! Truly, He taught us to love one another; His law is love, and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, And in His name, all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we; Let all within us praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim! His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!” (6) ************************ Josh Groban and The Nativity Story Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------- https://youtu.be/RmsOmqf7Hso?si=0Bh8q2VG4_-czcdj https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/the-12-days-of-christmas-lyrics-meaning.html Ibid. https://hymnary.org/text/o_holy_night_the_stars_are_brightly_shin Ibid. Ibid.
  18. 5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-21-2023 December 21, 2023 The Unintended Christmas Carol As we wind down our work schedules leading up to Christmas and the holidays, and perhaps wind up our last-minute shopping, I thought a change of pace might be good for our daily posts. Today, I’ll be sharing interesting facts about three of the most popular Christmas hymns of all time, along with the complete lyrics of each. We’ll end with a short prayer and a link to one of these beautiful songs. You’ll enjoy this. Tomorrow, I’ll do the same, sharing some information I’m quite certain most of you won’t know, and ending with my all-time favorite Christmas song. The video link I’ll send will move you to tears. You’ll thank me. Joy to the World “Joy to the World,” written in 1719 by Isaac Watts, has been the most-published Christmas hymn in North America. It was not written as a Christmas carol but as a poem about the reigning King, based on Psalm 98. “Stanza three…alludes to Genesis 3:17-19…speaks of Christ's blessings extending victoriously over the realm of sin…Stanza four celebrates Christ's rule over the nations…called to celebrate because God's faithfulness to the house of Israel has brought salvation to the world.”(1) Here are the words to this famous hymn: Joy to the World “Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
 Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

 Joy to the world! the Savior reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
 While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains; Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
 No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
 He comes to make His blessings flow, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.

 He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
 The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, 
 And wonders, wonders, of His love.” (1) O Little Town of Bethlehem “Phillip Brooks was a distinguished man of faith and intellect. A Boston-born Episcopalian preacher, he'd earned a Doctorate of Divinity from the University of Oxford, taught at Yale University, and publicly advocated against slavery during the Civil War. But he's best known for penning "O Little Town of Bethlehem" after a life-changing journey. In 1865, Brooks rode on horseback from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, where he participated in the Church of the Nativity's five-hour-long Christmas Eve celebration, complete with hymns. Returning home, this experience proved so profound that he channeled it into the song sung in churches to this day. Its first public performance was held three years later, performed by the children's choir of his church [The Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia] on December 27.”(2) Until then, this musical, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was still only a poem. Brooks asked his organist, Lewis Redner, to write the music. Here is Redner’s interesting explanation of how the music came to him: “As Christmas of 1868 approached, Mr. Brooks told me that he had written a simple little carol for the Christmas Sunday School service, and he asked me to write the tune to it. The simple music was written in great haste and under great pressure. We were to practice it on the following Sunday. Mr. Brooks came to me on Friday, and said, ‘Redner, have you ground out that music yet to “O Little Town of Bethlehem”?’ I replied, ‘No,’ but that he should have it by Sunday. On the Saturday night previous, my brain was all confused about the tune. I thought more about my Sunday school lesson than I did about the music. But I was roused from sleep late in the night hearing an angel-strain whispering in my ear, and seizing a piece of music paper, I jotted down the treble of the tune as we now have it, and on Sunday morning before going to church, I filled in the harmony. Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.”(3) How wrong they were! O Little Town of Bethlehem “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary; and, gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond'ring love. O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth. How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n. No ear may hear His coming but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!”(4) Silent Night “Silent Night” is the world’s most-recorded Christmas song, with more than 137,000 known recordings.(5) In 1818, “Father Joseph Mohr, in Austria, is preparing the music for [Christmas Eve] midnight mass and asks his friend Franz Gruber, a schoolteacher, to write a guitar accompaniment for a poem that he had written two years earlier. That night, the two men sang their brand new song at St. Nicholas church, and one of our best-loved Christmas carols was born. “A commonly held myth is that this was because the church organ was broken – possibly because of flooding from a nearby river. However, nobody knows the true reason why it came to be composed on guitar – perhaps it was because Joseph Mohr also played the guitar. A version of “Silent Night” recorded by Bing Crosby in 1935 sold a whopping 30 million copies.”(6) "Silent Night" is about a calm and bright silent night, and the wonder of a tender and mild newborn child, words written in 1816…not long after the Napoleonic wars had taken their toll. The priest went for a walk before he wrote it, and he looked out over a very quiet, winter-laden town. He was inspired...the town was at peace.”(7) And this provoked the classic, “Silent Night.” Silent Night “Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child, Holy Infant, so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, holy night, Shepherds quake at the sight Glories stream from heaven afar Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born. Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face With the dawn of redeeming grace Jesus Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.”(8) Pray with me: Thank You, Lord, for coming to earth and making Your blessings flow, far as the curse is found. Your right hand has gained the victory for You (Psalm 98:1), and You have made known Your salvation and revealed Your righteousness to the nations (verse 2). You tell us to “shout joyfully,” breaking forth with praise (verse 4); that the seas roar, the rivers clap, and the mountains sing for joy (verses 7-8) because Christ is coming to judge the earth with righteousness and equity (verse 9). As we ponder the wonder of Your great gift to us, Father, we thank You, along with Phillip Brooks, for the everlasting light that shone in the dark streets of Bethlehem. In that quiet town, on that night so long ago, the hopes and fears of all the years met in the birth of our Savior. Thank You for this great gift. ******************* Link to: Silent Night, sung by Chris Tomlin Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_to_the_World https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/60596/origins-10-popular-christmas-carols https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/o-little-town-of-bethlehem https://hymnary.org/text/o_little_town_of_bethlehem https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Night https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1xW4JCVM4y33tbZBycYmYqG/5-facts-about-silent-night#:~:text=A%20commonly%20held%20myth%20is,Mohr%20also%20played%20the%20guitar. https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/lists/7-beloved-christmas-carols-their-origins https://hymnary.org/text/silent_night_holy_night_all_is_calm_all
  19. 4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-20-2023 December 20, 2023 The Dance of Passover In 1 Kings 18, Elijah assembled Israelites on Mount Carmel in what was to be an epic showdown between Yahweh and Baal, whom Israel was following at the time. Ahab and Jezebel had led Israel into deep Baal worship, much like America’s ungodly, immoral leaders have done. The Democratic Convention in 2012 literally booed God “off the stage” and out of their platform. Why not? They had already expelled Him from their schools. The homosexual movement in America mocked God, using His symbol of covenant, the rainbow (Genesis 9:13-16), as their symbol. Obama followed suit, again mocking God’s covenant - marriage, this time - by lighting the White House in the colors of the rainbow when the Supreme Court made homosexual “marriage” the law of the land. Biden hung their rainbow flag front and center at the White House, pushing aside Old Glory to do so, as transvestites bared their “breasts” on the White House lawn. Ahab and Jezebel would have been proud. In Elijah’s day, Israel was experiencing judgment for their idolatry and accompanying perversions, a three-year drought that was ravaging the land. America’s troubles, too, are from our rejection of God and His Word. Israel’s judgment was doing its work, and a turning was now possible. Thus, the showdown on Mount Carmel. I’m confident America’s shaking will turn us, as well. Elijah prophesied that rain was coming (18:1) and then called for the contest. As preparations were being made, he challenged Israel, “How long will you halt between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (18:21; KJV). But the people said nothing. They still couldn’t decide between Yahweh and Baal. The word for “halt” (pasach)(1) is fascinating. The Hebrew language is pictorial. A word or number presents a picture that can represent several things; the meaning and/or application of the picture is determined by the context. For example, picture the up and down movement of someone jumping or hopping; that is pasach. Therefore, it is the word for hop, skip, or dance. At other times, the up and down movement may not be celebratory, but painful, Thus, it is the word for limping, lame, halt (a synonym for limp), or hesitate (because to hesitate is to move backward and forward, mentally or physically, while trying to decide something). Pasach is also the word for “pass over”(Exodus 12:13, 23, 27), “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” The spirit of death “leapt” or “passed over” the Israelite homes that had the blood of lambs on the lintels of the doors. And a derivative, pesach, (2) is the word for “Passover.” Putting this back into Elijah’s question to Israel, the Lord was asking them in 1 Kings 18:21, “Why are you hesitating, halting about who you honor, serve, and trust? You could and should be dancing the dance of covenant with Me, the dance of Passover. Instead, you are limping the limp of Baal.” The Complete Jewish Bible translates verse 21: "Elijah stepped forward before all the people and said, ‘How long are you going to jump back and forth between two positions? If Adonai is God, follow Him; but if it’s Baal, follow him!’ The people answered him not a word.” Then the showdown began; Baal’s prophets went first. They tried to get him to answer by fire, but God had paralyzed the demons behind Baal. They couldn’t perform. His followers tried many things to get him to respond, including leaping and dancing (pasach). Don't miss the revealing irony that Holy Spirit is bringing by using the same word for their dancing worship of Baal as He uses for Israel’s limp. The dance of Baal always becomes the limp of Baal. Then, they cut themselves until blood “gushed” forth. Baal demands pain; he craves and demands bloodshed. Meet America. We in America danced the dance of Passover for many years. As a result, We were protected, given wealth and prosperity, and made the envy of the world. Then, we traded partners. We’ve been dancing with Baal for years now, mocking Adonai and His covenant, partying away. But like the Pied Piper, His “services” aren’t free. Baal required a price for the party, demanding the sacrifice of our children; now, he also wants their mutilation. He provoked our children to cut themselves, seeking peace they could not find. He then unleashed further violence and death in our land - murder, rape, riots, child abuse and more. We now stumble along with Baal’s painful limp, as he plays his bloody songs. God is saying to America, just as He did Israel, “How long will you hesitate between opinions, limping Baal’s limp? Return to Me. We’ll celebrate the Passover Lamb again, dancing together in the joyous dance of freedom and victory. I’ll heal your wounds, restore your families, revive the land, and reinstate your destiny. We’ll run together, taking My salvation to the nations of the earth, healing the broken, freeing the oppressed.” May 2024 be the breakthrough year for this! Join me, please, in asking. Pray with me: Father, we in America have sown the wind, and are now reaping the whirlwind. Like Israel, we traded the Passover dance for the limp of Baal. The death toll from this is in the tens of millions, and were it not for Your redemptive power and love, would ultimately be total annihilation. Mercy is being offered to us, however, not because we deserve it, but through the only appeal You accept, the blood of Your Son, Jesus. Forgive us for spurning You for demons. Forgive us for sacrificing our children and families on the altar of pleasure and depravity. Forgive us for mocking You and Your covenant of marriage. We ask for the salvation of all who have been deceived into turning away from You and rejecting Your ways. Lord, You broke the power of Baal off Israel, and You can do so for America. We ask for a reviving of America’s heart and soul, a deliverance from evil, and a return to good. You told us to ask for spiritual rain when we discerned it was possible (Zechariah 10:1). We are asking, and the rain is coming. We believe 2024 can be a breakthrough year. We ask You for this, and all we have prayed for today, in Christ’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that in 2024, America will choose the dance of Passover, rejecting the limp of Baal. ***************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ____________________________ James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 6452. Ibid., ref. no. 6453.
  20. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-19-2023 December 19, 2023 Once Broken, Now Beautiful Our Review Proverbs 13:12 (NASB): “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” A picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words. Knowing this, God sculpted and shaped a vivid picture of failure, loss, heartbreak, disappointment, etc., in the form of a mountain - Horeb. The very name means "desolation, a waste place, barrenness, dryness" - all, not coincidentally, are also results of unchecked hope deferred. Then He placed Moses, whose life now pictured all of the above, on this mountain to live out his hope-deferred years. Or so it seemed. Moses worked and lived on and around Horeb during his forty-year exile, tending sheep and shoveling dung, instead of bathing in royal hot tubs (Exodus 3:1). There can be no more severe case of hope-deferred-heart-disease than what Moses experienced, having lost his royal inheritance and his destiny. I realize "it ain't over 'til it's over," but let’s face it, after being dead and buried for forty years, a dream can be considered over. Left unchecked, hope deferred produces heart disease, as the opening verse tells us. And just as physical heart disease kills the body, spiritual and emotional heart disease kills the soul. Hope evaporates, faith is lost, we no longer dream, and in many ways, our lives become sterile. We exist, but don’t really live. Our faith in God can help us overcome life’s disappointments before they lead to this state. But even if you have already progressed to the level of emotional heart disease, as Moses had, He can heal - and yes, if necessary, even resurrect - your spiritual and emotional heart. Christ, the great heart specialist, actually included this as part of His mission statement: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18 KJV). After all those seemingly barren years, Moses discovered that Horeb had become something else. This barren piece of rock that pictured his exile-induced heart disease began morphing into something much different. Could this really be? It could … and it was. God began revealing the diamonds he had formed from the coal of Horeb: character, authority, scepters, rivers, even pictures of Christ. When He was finished, it had become a glorious example of conquered hope deferred and healed heart disease. In fact, the transformation of Horeb became so complete for Moses and Israel, its power so harnessed by the hand of God, that this mountain became known as "the mountain of God" (Exodus 3:1) - Sinai!! His plans are for your complete victory: "I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope,"' (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB). A Holy Place God actually began calling this mountain a holy place, just as the inner sanctum of the Temple would one day be called, and as the presence of the Holy One is always referenced. Why did He do so? Because He had made it His! At Mount Horeb, Moses was told (my translation): “I've been transforming this horrible, dead place, Moses, forming scepters out of tree branches, rocks into rivers, and the greatest leader the world will ever know. Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground," (Exodus 3:5). Later, the Lord told Moses this mountain - now flashing and shaking from His power - was so infused with His holy presence that if any person or animal touched it, they would have to be destroyed. Not wanting that to occur, He said: “You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death…whether beast or man, he shall not live.’” (Exodus 19:12-13) The "Horeb-ble" place became the holy place. God had assured Moses that he would come back to this very mountain and worship (Exod. 3:12). Not, "this awful place," not, "You shall come back to this mountain and curse it." No. Horeb was now conquered and transformed. God’s goodness had leeched into it like leaven in flour, overcoming its power of desolation and barrenness. It would now picture the never-ending, ever-increasing Kingdom Daniel saw (Daniel 7:13-14), the leavening Kingdom of God Jesus preached of (Matthew 13:33), and “Kingdom Mountain” spoken of in Hebrews (12:25-29), the one that can never be shaken. Yes, God now called it His mountain, “the mountain of God" (1 Kings 19:8). And Moses would indeed lead the entire nation of Israel back to this holy place and worship. Worship aligns us with Him…and His mountain. It enables us to conquer our mountain and bring it under His dominion. Beauty Out of Brokenness I know that in the dark night of the soul, hope can seem impossible. But God wins over the impossible. He takes the difficult events that brought about your hope deferred, and through His incredible wisdom and power, makes them produce something good. So good, in fact, that when your memory returns to them later, you’ll worship Him: "God, I don't know how, but in that difficult place, You proved Yourself faithful, bringing me new strength, renewed life, and restored destiny. I worship You." Moses must have thought, "For forty years, I thought this place was horrible. Now I realize it is holy." Some of the most dramatic encounters and visitations ever experienced with God occurred on this mountain once called "Desolation." God will do this for you. Out of your brokenness, your place of pain, He knows how to bring healing and make your Horeb season a holy place of worship. “At the Royal Palace of Tehran, in Iran, you can see one of the most beautiful mosaic works in the world. The ceilings and walls flash like diamonds in multifaceted reflections. “Originally, when the palace was designed, the architect specified huge sheets of mirrors on the walls. When the first shipment arrived from Paris, they found - to their horror - that the mirrors were shattered. The contractor threw them in the trash and brought the sad news to the architect. “Amazingly, the architect ordered all of the broken pieces collected, then smashed them into tiny pieces and glued them to the walls, creating a mosaic of silvery, shimmering, mirrored bits of glass. “Broken… to become beautiful! “It's possible to turn your shattered image into a shimmering testimony of beauty. It is possible to be better because of yesterday’s brokenness. It is extremely rare to find in the great museums of the world objects of antiquity that are unbroken. Indeed, some of the most precious items in the world are only broken pieces - broken, but beautiful.”(1) You may feel that your life has been hopelessly destroyed, but God, the great architect of heaven, knows better. He knows He can form the broken pieces of your soul into something exquisitely wonderful. Never underestimate His power to repair and restore. Don't run from Horeb. Stare it in the face and tell it you will win. Tell it your God will prevail, and the two of you will commune together on top of it - not under it. Then start hoping. Hope again. Believe again. Dream again. Live again. I know you can; I believe you will. Pray with me: Father, what a reason for hope You have provided. You gave us Yeshua: the seed of the woman, the crusher of the serpent’s head, the wave over Pharaoh’s army. He’s Horeb’s conqueror, Sinai’s fire, the rock of ages, the river in the desert, and Canaan’s milk and honey. He was the widow’s oil, Elijah’s rain, David’s giant-killing stone, and Isaiah’s Wonderful Counselor. Then He became Lazarus’ resurrection, Bartimaeus’ eyes, the leper’s new skin, and our hope within the veil. When life throws us a curve, You make it straight. When it gives us rain You give us water to drink. And when it brings a storm, You cause us to soar on the wings of the wind. Through Christ, You brought life from death, blessings from the curse, and restored purpose to lost humanity. Bring another wave of the Redeemer’s salvation. Do so here in America and around the world. Do it for young and old, poor and rich, every race and creed. We call forth Your life and power into our world, in Yeshua’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that every Horeb in our lives will be conquered and transformed, serving God’s redemptive purpose. *************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------- Alice Gray, More Stories for the Heart (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 1997), p. 220.
  21. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-18-2023 December 18, 2023 I was planning to end the posts on the subject of overcoming disappointment and hope deferred with last Friday’s post, moving onto another topic this week. But I have received such positive feedback, and so many are being encouraged, I have decided to do a couple more posts on this theme before moving on. The title of today’s post is: Rock of Ages Our Review Proverbs 13:12 (NASB): “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” A picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words. Knowing this, God sculpted and shaped a vivid picture of hope deferred, loss, heartbreak, disappointment, etc., in the form of a mountain - Horeb. The very name means "desolation, a waste place, barrenness, dryness" - all perfect synonyms of hope deferred. This is the place where Moses ended up for much of his forty-year exile, shoveling dung instead of bathing in royal hot tubs (Exodus 3:1). There can be no more severe case of hope deferred than what Moses experienced, having lost his royal inheritance and, it seemed, his destiny. I realize "it ain't over 'til it's over," but after disappearing for forty years, a dream is usually over. Left unchecked, hope deferred produces heart disease, as the opening verse tells us. And just as physical heart disease kills the body, spiritual and emotional heart disease kills the soul. Hope evaporates, faith is lost, we no longer dream, and in many ways, our lives become sterile. We exist, but don’t really live. God can help us overcome life’s disappointments - hope deferred - before they lead to this state. However, if you have already progressed to this level of spiritual heart disease, as Moses had, He also knows how to heal and restore your spiritual heart. Christ actually included it as part of His mission statement: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18 KJV). Moses eventually discovered that Horeb had treasure hidden within it. Not only would this barren piece of rock be a picture of exile-induced heart disease, but it would also become a glorious example of conquered hope deferred and healed heart disease. In fact, the transformation of Horeb became so complete for Moses and Israel, its power so harnessed by the hand of God, that this mountain became known as "the mountain of God" (Exodus 3:1) Sinai!! His plans are for your complete victory: "I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope"' (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB). Water From the Rock One of the more spectacular events associated with Horeb occurred in Exodus 17. After leaving Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, and journeying for a few days, Israel had now arrived at Horeb. In desperate need of water, Moses implored God for provision, and the Lord said (my amplified version), “Take your scepter, Moses—the old, weather-beaten staff I fashioned for you on Desolation Mountain—and strike this rock, ‘the rock in Horeb” (Exodus 17:6). Moses, by now, accustomed to Yahweh’s outlandish use of this staff and His unlimited power, did so. He smote the rock and, sure enough, water began gushing forth, a great enough flow to satisfy tens of thousands of people! An underground river must have surfaced. You never know what surprises God has buried on this mountain until you need them. A River of Life First Corinthians 10:4 tells us this rock represents Christ, who was smitten for us. The water that flowed from Horeb’s rock pictures the river of life that flowed from Jesus, the Rock of Ages, at Calvary. Just take a moment and ponder that. The forgiveness of sin, the healing of broken hearts, eternal life - all of the benefits of our salvation are pictured by this event on Horeb. It is fair to say that not just in spite of Horeb, not just when we leave Horeb, but out of Horeb itself, a river of life will flow. God redeemed this barren, dry place and transformed it into one from which a life-saving river flowed. He did this to give us a picture of how He would one day transform the "horrible" Cross into the most powerful symbol of hope in all of history. Our hope-deferred pain is no match for Him. He will conquer it, just as He did sin and death on the cross. Isaiah speaks of rivers in the desert (Isa.43:19-20). Wanting a river in the desert seems almost foolish, like Abraham and Sarah hoping against hope for a child when they are in their nineties. But go ahead and hope, because we serve a miracle-working God, and Isaac was born! You can leave Hope Deferred Mountain with a greater dimension of the power and anointing of Holy Spirit, as shown in the following miracle: “Poor health haunted Dr. A. B. Simpson, and a physician told him he would never live to be forty. This diagnosis underscored the physical helplessness the minister knew all too well. Preaching was an agonizing effort. Walking was painful, and climbing even a slight elevation brought on a suffocating agony of breathlessness. “In desperation, sick in body and despairing in spirit, Dr. Simpson went to his Bible. As he studied, he became convinced that Jesus intended healing to be part of the redemption of humankind's total being. He prayed, asking Christ to fulfill all the needs of his body, until his life's work was done. Every fiber in him tingled with the sense of God's presence. “During the first three years after this healing, he preached more than a thousand sermons, conducting sometimes as many as twenty meetings in one week. For the rest of his life, he was noted for the amazing volume of his sermonic, pastoral, and literary work. “Simpson lived to be seventy-six, but his work has lived after him. The Christian and Missionary Alliance, which he founded, is still a potent spiritual force today; his books are still being published and blessing millions of people.”(1) At his place of desolation, Dr. Simpson grabbed the “scepter” of authority found in God’s Word, and it opened for him the river of life. Not only was he healed, but the spigot he opened is still flowing and impacting lives today. Whatever may be the source of your despair or discouragement, I assure you God has overcoming power available for you. He can still bring water from the rock. Drink from His provision through Christ, the Healer of broken hearts. Pray with me: Father, thank You for transforming Moses’ “Failure Mountain” into a picture of Calvary. Thank You for using a rock found thereon to symbolize Christ and the water that flowed from the rock to picture Your river of life. Our devastation is no match for You! You conquered it at the Cross, using pain to conquer pain, loss to conquer loss, and death to conquer death. Who is like You!!!! We have placed our faith in the Rock of Ages. From His wounds flowed all that was needed to transform every Horeb into victory, every loss into gain. We ask for this now for those needing healing. We speak to diseased hearts: be healed through Christ’s provision! Hope again! Believe again! Dream again! And we have staked our faith also on the fact that this river heals nations. Your mercy at Calvary, still seen on the Mercy Seat of Heaven, forever established victory over judgment. We believe and release that faith now with our words, declaring that cleansing, healing, and restoration are coming to America. The river of life will flow, and millions will find truth, life, and liberty. Government will be cleansed from the stench of its sin; education will be delivered from ignorance and lunacy, the church will be cleansed from her complacency and religious anemia. Other nations and groups will also experience this merciful flow. The Middle East will experience it, Asia will drink from it, as will Europe, Africa, South America, Australia - all the earth will experience Your glory, as the waters cover the sea. Open the spigot of heaven, flowing from the Lamb on the throne, with full force! Flood the earth with Calvary’s flow. In Jesus’ name! Our decree: We decree that a flood of mercy is coming from heaven’s smitten rock! Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.”(2) ********************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------------- Adapted from The Best of Catherine Marshall, ed. By Leonard E. LeSourd (Ada, MI: Chosen Books, 1993). https://hymnary.org/text/rock_of_ages_cleft_for_me_let_me_hide
  22. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-15-2023 December 15, 2023 From a Staff to a Scepter This week, I have been feeling that God wants to bring discouragement, disappointment, and hope-deferred off people. Today’s post is also shared with that in mind, once again using the symbolism of Mt. Horeb, where the Lord renewed Moses’ calling. Horeb means “desolation.” It was also called Sinai. Though often disputed, it is reported that Michelangelo, when asked about the difficulties he must have encountered in sculpting his masterpiece, David, replied with the following description of his creative process: “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block before I start my work. It is already there; I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.”(1) Whether spoken by Michelangelo or not, it certainly describes the way in which God used the chisel of adversity to remove the “superfluous material” hiding the David He had hidden inside him. Whether it be Joseph in prison, Moses on a desolate hillside, or you and I facing our challenges, God makes the chisel called "Horeb" serve us, chipping off our “rough edges,” that which doesn’t look like what He destined us to be. Our weaknesses will leave us, our strengths will remain, and we will leave Horeb better equipped than when we arrived. God doesn’t create our desolation and pain, but He certainly uses it. It was on this mountain that God asked Moses, "What is that in your hand?" (Exodus 4:2). Rest assured that when God asks us a question, it isn’t because He doesn’t know the answer. He is setting us up for a lesson. Moses had asked what would happen when Pharaoh and Israel didn’t believe God had truly given him this assignment. He was about to give Moses the answer, and more. “A staff,” Moses replied, holding a simple stick he had fashioned for walking hills and tending sheep. “Throw it down,” Yahweh commanded. When Moses did so, the staff became a poisonous serpent, causing Moses to flee from it. The Lord stopped him with a ludicrous demand, “Pick it back up…by the tail!” Don’t tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor. “Hey, if we are going to have a sign here, we may as well have a really good one!” Obeying this was going to require some serious assurance in Moses that this was indeed God speaking to him. But I suppose his reasoning was, if He can burn a tree without burning it, speak to me from the “unburnable” burning tree, and turn my staff into a snake, I guess He can protect me from it. So Moses picked up the snake by the tail, and it became his staff once again. “Repeat this miracle, and they’ll believe you, Moses.” God had bigger plans than this regarding the staff, however. The Hebrew word for staff is matteh, which is also the word for a “scepter,”(2) which represents a ruler’s authority. And God was planning to use this staff as Moses’ “scepter” of authority!!! A crooked, knobby, dead piece of wood, shaped by the elements on the mountain of desolation, would become the scepter Moses used to release God’s miracle working power (Exodus 4:17). Ultimately, it would become known as "the staff of God" (4:20). Now there's some serious irony for you: the staff of Horeb became the staff of God. God didn't want Moses carrying a polished, gold-plated, gem-studded scepter from Egypt as the symbol of his heavenly authority. Yahweh wanted something depicting the strength of character that only the wind, sun, rain, and hardship of Horeb could create. "I replaced the golden scepter of Egypt," God was saying, "and gave you one symbolizing humility, meekness, and no confidence in the flesh. It will be your reminder that I AM your source of authority and strength. In Exodus 4:17, God declared, "Take this staff in your hand so you can perform miraculous signs with it" (NIV). And with that old stick, once representing failure and desolation but now picturing meekness and confidence in God alone, Moses judged nations, parted seas, and brought forth water from a rock. On one occasion, when Israel was attacked by the Amalekite people (Exodus 17), God's plan for victory was for Moses to take "the staff of God" onto a nearby mountain and simply hold it up over the battle. The divine authority symbolized by this staff enabled Joshua and his army to defeat their enemies. God used the Horeb-produced "weapon" to conquer Israel’s enemies. Hope-deferred mountains can become weapon factories! What might God want to put in your hands through your place of brokenness? Character? Courage? Understanding? Tenacity? Revelation of God’s faithfulness? When you have conquered this mountain, you will find that God used it to release revelations of Himself and His ways, shaping you into what He had hidden inside. And you’ll know Him more intimately. As you do, the new revelations of his heart and nature will become sustaining forces for your future. Consider the following examples of God revealing Himself on Horeb: Moses received the revelation of God as "I AM THAT I AM" on Horeb (Exodus 3:14, KJV). Israel received the revelation that He is Jehovah Nissi, which means the Lord is our banner and victory, the One who fights our battles for us (Exodus 17:15). Later, the Lord visited Moses again, showing him His goodness and glory on this mountain (Exodus 33:19-23). Exodus 19:17 states, "And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain." What a thought - stand at the bottom of Desolation Mountain and meet with God! Consider Joseph's journey through hope deferred: slavery and imprisonment in Egypt. Though forgotten by those he helped, God was faithful, and Joseph became the second most powerful man in Egypt. "Your brothers intended to dislocate you; I used it to relocate you," was God's final verdict. Only on the other side of hope deferred, however, did this revelation come. Perhaps satan has intended to make you an outcast - God will make you a healer of outcasts. Maybe a deathbed robbed you of a loved one - God will use you to bring healing to those in grief. There are always two plans for your difficult times - satan's plan to cause them and God's plan to redeem them. Though God's purpose often isn’t seen until you emerge on the other side of the pain, He has one. It is doubtful that Susanna Wesley, in the midst of her horrible circumstances, could have ever imagined the incredible purpose God had for two of her children: “Susanna Annesley was born in 1669, the last of twenty-five children. She gave birth to nineteen children, nine of whom died in infancy. Her life was turbulent, frequently unhappy, and filled with trials. “Samuel was often gone from home, leaving her alone and almost penniless to care for her family. Unable to properly manage his small salary, he was put in debtor's prison for a time. “At one point, their home burned to the ground. Susanna suffered from many illnesses and was often bedridden, requiring household help. Many of her children were so errant that they caused her considerable grief. “Yet, her sons John and Charles became two of the greatest evangelists of all time, and their ministry shook the world.”(3) Your Horeb may seem so devastating and painful that you can't see how anything good could possibly come from it. But God can do so, and He will bring about His redemptive purposes in your life. Don't give up. One day, you will find the scepter He's shaping for you - and the you he is shaping for the scepter - on your mountain of desolation. Pray with me: Father, You are amazing! You can work all things for our good, and for Your redemptive purposes. You delight in converting our hope-deferred mountains of desolation into weapons factories. You reward our mountain conquering with greater understandings of Your heart and ways, with new strength, and new levels of authority. We are so grateful for the redemptive, sustaining work You are performing in and through us. We agree together for the full recovery of those who have found themselves at Horeb, whether through their mistakes, like Moses, or through the actions of others. Your grace and power are greater than either. We ask that strength be given them, that broken hearts be healed, weapons and scepters of authority be discovered, and that destiny be realized. And for America, we ask that You would turn our mistakes into learning lessons. Forgive our sins and heal us. Deliver us also from the inappropriate leaders we have empowered. Restore us, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Our decree: We decree that God is greater than our failures, the injustices inflicted on us by others, and our pain. ***************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------ https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/1191114-the-sculpture-is-already-complete-within-the-marble-block-before James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, s.v. OT: 4294. Adapted from Sandy Dengler, Susanna Wesley, Servant of God (Chicago: Moody Press, 1987).
  23. 6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-14-2023 December 14, 2023 New Beginnings “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12 NASB) “When hope’s dream seems to drag on and on, the delay can be depressing. But when at last your dream comes true, life’s sweetness will satisfy your soul.” (‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭12‬ TPT‬‬) Yesterday, I mentioned Mt. Horeb, a mountain near Midian, where Moses fled when fleeing from Egypt (Exodus 2:15, 3:1). Horeb means “desolation, a waste place, barrenness,” all by-products of hope deferred.(1) Could any place have more accurately pictured what Moses had experienced? Forty years later, Moses was tending his father-in-law’s sheep on this mountain when God encountered him at the “burning bush” (Exodus 3). Here at this encounter, Horeb is introduced as “the mountain of God” (verse 1); it is, indeed, also known as Mt. Sinai. Many incredible and significant events occurred on this mountain, several of which also pictured God’s ability to transform barrenness and desolation into fruitfulness and life. Moses’ restoration is one of them. One of the negative side effects of hope deferred can be a loss of confidence. This is especially true when you feel that your own decisions have created the situation. The resulting lack of belief in your ability becomes a straitjacket, binding your creativity and paralyzing you with fear. Moses, the great leader of Israel during the exodus from Egyptian slavery, is a prime example. Once upon a time, in what seemed like a fairy-tale life, Moses was filled with self-confidence. And why not? Saved from infanticide, pulled from a basket on the bank of the Nile, adopted by the daughter of a king, and raised in a palace, Moses lived in a bubble where he had everything going for him. But the bubble began weakening when he discovered he wasn't actually an Egyptian. It started leaking air when he killed an Egyptian in order to defend an Israelite. And it finally burst when he was forced to flee for his life to Midian. So much for fairy tales. Moses seemed to adjust fairly well, accepting his fate and creating a decent life in Midian. He found a wife, started a family, and became a rancher. After forty years, Moses seemed to have lived a contented life. But that all changed on one of his visits to Horeb. A bush started burning without being consumed, Moses began hearing a voice speak from it, and the quiet life of a has-been dreamer was rudely interrupted. "Go back to Egypt," the voice said, "and set My people free from their slavery in Egypt." (See Exodus 3:6-10) One can only imagine the shock Moses must have felt. The assignment may have surprised him more than the flame-resistant, talking bush. And when he finally realized this was actually God talking to him, Moses's responses were very revealing. “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?’" (Exodus 3:11) “Then Moses said to the Lord, ‘Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant: for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue...Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.’" (Exodus 4:10-13) Moses's self-confidence had been crushed by the events of forty years ago. Trained as a leader by the finest minds of Egypt, he now felt confidence only with sheep, "Leave the nation leading to others," he thought, "I laid down that dream a long time ago." But God persisted with a few more miracles, some very revelatory dialogue, and the rest, as they say, is history. Moses did, indeed, go back to Egypt and was used by God to deliver a nation from four hundred years of slavery to become the most significant nation on earth. Can you imagine anything more ironic than God using a mountain, the name of which means "desolation or barrenness," to picture new beginnings? But He did; God transformed Horeb into "Fresh Start Mountain!” God can metamorphose barrenness and the pain of hope deferred into such wholeness that Horeb, as impossible as it sounds, becomes a place of new beginnings. It was on this mountain that Moses's calling was restored (Exodus 3-4). He no doubt believed his destiny was lost forever. And no place could have been a more accurate picture of this. It must have been a constant reminder to Moses of his hope deferred, adding insult to injury: "Not only is my life Horeb, but I work there." Moses was so filled with hopelessness that in these two chapters, God was never able to bring him to a place of believing in his renewed calling. He consistently insisted to the Lord that he was not qualified and didn't want to do it. Finally, God simply said, "I've heard enough! You are going to do this" (See Exodus 4:10-17). God cares more about our destinies than we do! In the New Testament, the apostle Paul's spiritual son, Timothy, was discouraged. Timothy was a young man who found himself leading what had become perhaps the largest and most significant of the early churches, Ephesus. He was facing very challenging circumstances. Timothy's hope deferred had shut down his gifts. If not remedied, heart disease and barrenness would follow. Paul, knowing he would soon be martyred, had to act quickly and decisively. He gave many instructions to Timothy, but began by telling him to "kindle afresh" his gifts (2 Timothy 1:6). The Greek word translated as "kindle afresh" is filled with insight. Anazoporeo(2) is actually composed of three Greek words: Ana(3) means “up or again"; zo traces back to zao,(4) which means “alive”; and pureo is from pur, meaning "fire."(5) This compound word means “to bring the fire back to life,” or “keep in full flame.”(6) “The present tense conveys the sense of progressive, continuous action. Keep kindling the gift afresh or make it your aim to continually keep it at full flame.”(7) Figuratively, it also means “zeal,” or “inflame one’s mind.”(8) Used by Paul in the context of Timothy’s gifts, he was telling him, "I need your gifts to come alive again!" My interpretation would be: "I need your passion to be rekindled, which will reignite your giftings." When the fire goes out, your gifts go with it. Paul reminded Timothy that he had been called "with a holy calling... according to [God's] own purpose and grace" (2 Timothy 1:9). Purpose (prothesis)(9) means "the setting forth of someone's purpose (thesis) in advance (pro)." God has a destiny for us, and He is committed to its fulfillment. He is the beginning, the end, and, when necessary, a renewing in between! But there is more to prothesis. Our English word prosthesis is derived from this Greek word. A prosthesis is an artificial body part, such as an arm or leg, constructed to restore purpose to that which was lost. Paul was encouraging his spiritual son Timothy, saying, "Hey, man, don't forget that God gave you a destiny. And when life seems to have cut off that purpose, He can restore it. Now, start burning again!" The great verse in Romans 8:28 uses prothesis. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." This verse is saying that no matter what part of our purpose has been cut off, God has already prepared the prosthesis that will restore it. What a great promise for those suffering from hope deferred. Horeb, as much as any other place on earth, illustrates this. There, new beginnings are brought forth from the ashes of desolation and the pain of hope-deferred. In this barren place, we discover that God is bigger than our enemies, our mistakes, sins, shortcomings, and fears. There is hope, even at Horeb, for us as individuals…and for nations. Pray with me: Thank you, Father, for entering into the whitewashed tombs of our hope-deferred hearts, bringing new life, revived destiny, and renewed relationship with You. We are grateful for Your commitment to our destinies and for Your desire to fan into flame the gifts and callings You’ve placed within us. We choose to embrace the thoughts and plans You have for us, plans to prosper us, to give us hope and a bright future. Take those who are experiencing hope deferred back into wholeness, just as You did Moses and Timothy. Some have experienced hope deferred regarding our nation, which is certainly barren, also pictured by Horeb. But You transformed Horeb to Sinai, and made it a place of new beginnings. Give us a fresh start in this nation. Heal us of our depravity and brokenness, deliver us from evil, and restore us to your prothesis. In Jesus’ all-powerful name, amen. Our decree: We decree that we, like Timothy and Moses, are burning with passion once again. *********************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. nos. 2717 and 2722. Ibid., ref. no. 329. Ibid., ref. no. 303. Ibid., ref. no. 2226. Ibid., ref. no. 4442. https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=34322 Ibid. Thayer, Joseph Henry. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House 1977). Strongs Concordance, Reference number 4286.
  24. 5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-13-2023 December 13, 2023 Horeb Isn’t Forever Proverbs 13:12 (NASB): “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” A picture, as they say, is worth a thousand words. Knowing this, God sculpted and shaped a vivid picture of hope deferred in the form of a mountain - wouldn't you know it would be a mountain! Rugged. Barren. Its very name, Horeb, means "desolation, a waste place, barrenness, dryness" - all perfect synonyms of hope deferred. This is the place where Moses ended up for much of his forty-year exile, shoveling dung instead of bathing in royal hot tubs (Exodus 3:1). There can be no more severe case of hope deferred than what Moses experienced, having lost his royal inheritance and, it seemed, his destiny. I realize "it ain't over 'til it's over," but after disappearing for forty years, a dream is usually over. But thankfully, like many mountains, Horeb had treasure hidden within it. Not only would this barren piece of rock be a picture of exile-induced heart disease, but it would also become a glorious example of conquered hope deferred and healed heart disease. In fact, the transformation of Horeb became so complete for Moses and Israel, its power so harnessed by the hand of God, that this mountain became known as "the mountain of God" (Exodus 3:1). From Horeb, “desolate, barren, waste place,” to “the mountain of God!” Sinai! It just doesn't get any better than that! Forgive my play on words, but Horeb didn't remain horrible for Moses, and it doesn’t have to for us today. He found gold in Mount Horeb, and so will we. We, as individuals, can see its devastation transformed and we can see Horeb overcome for our nation, as well. God wants to transform the Horeb seasons of our lives so that one day, all we’ll see when we look back at them is Him. "I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope"' (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB). This became especially real to me a few years back when I found myself in a season of hope deferred, much of which had been caused by rejection and betrayal. While seeking the Lord for comfort one afternoon, He threw me quite a curve. "I need you to embrace the pain," He spoke very clearly. What a strange and seemingly cruel statement to hear from a loving Father, who supposedly had great plans for my welfare and a future filled with hope. I did not realize, however, that God wanted more than simply to remove my pain; He also wanted to use it. God never wastes our pain; before He removes it, He makes it serve us. Horeb will become our gym, and the pharaoh who sent us there, our trainer. And ultimately, like God, whose nature we inherited, we will win. He always wins, and so can we. I want to be very clear that God wasn't telling me that betrayal is good, nor that He caused it. God doesn't cause evil, but He does make it serve Him— and us. He needed me to embrace the pain, not so I could hurt, but in order to grab it, wrestle it to the mat, and claim my prize! God doesn't call evil good, as some people are prone to do. Pain isn't good; it tells us something is wrong. Death is an enemy. Emotional wounds can break our hearts. God doesn't make light of our pain, and He isn't playing weird mind games with us, trying to convince us that bad is good. He is saying, however, that no matter how great the wound and deep the pain, He knows how to heal and transform it. And not just into scar tissue. He will use its lessons to make us better, healthier, richer, wiser, and better positioned for a fulfilling future. Horeb isn't terminal! “After suffering severe burns on his legs at the age of five, Glenn Cunningham was given up by doctors who believed he would... spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair... “The doctors examined his legs, but they had no way of looking into Glenn Cunningham's heart. He didn't listen to the doctors and set out to walk again. Lying in bed ...Glenn vowed, ‘Next week, I'm going to get out of bed. I'm going to walk.’ And he did just that. “His mother tells of how she used... to look out the window to watch Glenn reach up and take hold of an old plow in the yard. With a hand on each handle, he began to make his gnarled and twisted legs function. And with every step, a step of pain, he came closer to walking. Soon, he began to trot; before long, he was running... “‘I always believed that I could walk, and I did. Now I'm going to run faster than anybody has ever run.’ And did he ever. “He became a great miler who, in 1934, set the world's record of 4:06. He was honored as the outstanding athlete of the century at Madison Square Garden.”(1) Someone once said that pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. Glenn Cunningham moved on from Horeb. We can, as well! Pray with me: Father, our nation has become Horeb, a “barren, desolate, waste place,” spiritually speaking. Our government is defiled, dishonest, and incompetent; our education system has become nothing more than a propagandizing arm of evil; our system of justice is unjust; our borders are open - we are like an ancient city without walls, and our cities are filled with violence. We kill our babies, mutilate our children, and no longer know the difference between men and women. And we are proud of this. You would have every right to destroy us and shake the dust off of Your feet as You leave. But You would rather transform Horeb into something good, bringing wisdom from the pain and good from evil. You have said You were going to save us, and we believe You. Just as Moses’ place of exile became “the mountain of God,” we, too, will see Your glory flashing from this barren place. So, we prophesy to the desolate land, “You will live again.” We prophesy to the children, “You will be taught of the Lord and transformed into passionate lovers of God’s presence.” We prophesy to our government, “You will once again come under the influence of God.” We prophesy to our education system, “You will no longer be led by fools and propagandists.” And we prophesy to our justice system, “You will have righteous judges as before.” “America, you will live and not die, and once again declare the works of God.” Our decree: We decree that America is returning to the Lord, and to her destiny. **************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------ Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Barry Spilchuk, compilers, A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul, (Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc., 1996), pp. 76-77.
  25. 6 min read December 12, 2023 Finding the Old Road The great Winston Churchill seemed to have a prophetic sense regarding his destiny from a young age, though he would not likely have referred to it as prophetic. At 16 years of age, he told a friend, “I have dreams about it, seeing into the future.” Though he acknowledged that the dreams were “blurry,” he nonetheless insisted, “This country will be subjected somehow, to a tremendous invasion, by what means I do not know, but I tell you I shall be in command of the defenses of London, and I shall save London and England from disaster.”(1) No doubt orchestrated by God’s sovereign hand, Churchill would, indeed, fulfill those words. Amazing! Though Churchill was not what most would think of as religious, he was nevertheless a man of deep faith and biblical knowledge, which many, like biographer Stephen Mansfield, believe was instilled in him by his childhood nanny.(2) Churchill often referenced “Christian civilization” as one of the causes for which the Allies were fighting Hitler,(3) which the following partial list of quotes illustrates: As early as 1931, in The Strand Magazine, Churchill wrote about "our duty to preserve the structure of humane, enlightened, Christian society."(4) In a speech to the House of Commons about the Munich Agreement in 1938, Churchill said, "There can never be friendship between the British democracy and the Nazi power, that power which spurns Christian ethics, which cheers its onward course by a barbarous paganism."(5) In 1940, he said, “I expect that the battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian Civilization.”(6) As he contemplated the defense of London during the Battle of Britain, he referred to the metropolis as "this strong City of Refuge which…is of deep consequence to Christian civilization."(7) In 1944, he said, "It is no exaggeration to say that the future of the whole world and the hopes of a broadening civilization founded upon Christian ethics depends upon the relations between the British Commonwealth of Nations and the USA."(8) In his famous "Iron Curtain" speech on March 5, 1946, after the war had ended, Churchill still sounded the warning, saying that the Communist parties infiltrating postwar nations "constitute a growing challenge and peril to Christian civilization."(9) Churchill knew the war was about more than a madman’s lust for power; satan was behind it. Satan has planned many actions and enterprises over the centuries to oppose Christ’s cause, just as he did with Hitler and the Nazis, followed by Communism. Today’s Marxist wokism, partnering with secularism, is more of the same. (Secularism is the view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.) The intent of satan, the author of these evils, is to stop the gospel of Christ’s Kingdom from succeeding. Though his spiritual war manifests in physical wars and political beliefs, we must never forget that the roots and causes of all antichrist efforts are spiritual. The War For America The war for the soul of America springs from this battle. Raised up to trumpet Christ’s good news to the ends of the earth and having become a key player in this righteous cause, America has become a primary target of satan and his kingdom. He wants to steal our destiny because it is linked to Christ’s cause. This war over America is ultimately the same war Churchill and the Allies were fighting. Satan doesn’t care whether he rules people by force, as in Nazi or Marxist dictators, or through intellectual ideals such as paganism, secularism, or hedonism (the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the highest good). As long as he can keep people from the truth of the gospel and the spiritual freedom it produces, he is satisfied. The same cynics who today scoff at statements regarding America being raised up for the cause of Christ would no doubt have scoffed at Churchill’s statements that he and Britain were fighting for Christian ideals and civilization. And they’re just as wrong today as they would have been then. When we pray for America’s spiritual revival, we are praying for the salvation of a billion souls around the world. Our Focus and Commitment This also means we must be just as focused and committed today as the Allies were then. Our cause is just as noble. Do not be deterred by accusations of “Christian nationalism,” “followers of Trump,” “the bigoted right,” “hate mongers,” “insurrectionists,” or the various “phobics” words they coin. We know who we are and who we are not. Don’t be distracted by liars and propagandists who oppose and try to define us. When Israel’s destiny was in peril because of their compromise, Jeremiah prophesied, “Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, the tried-and-true road. Then take it,” (Jeremiah 6:16, The Message). We must do the same. Knowing the United States of America was God’s idea, connected to His cause, our Founders left no doubt about this. Consider the revealing words of George Washington and John Quincy Adams. “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion, and morality are indispensable supports. It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” (George Washington)(10) “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.” (John Quincy Adams)(11) It doesn’t get any clearer than that. America’s old road leads back to the old road of the gospel and the Cross, the birthplace of Churchill’s “Christian civilization.” Pray with me: Father, You are leading us back to the old road, the ancient path (Jeremiah 6:16). We are re-capturing our roots and destiny as a nation, and will cast off the shackles of false ideologies and demonic strongholds. This is being enabled and empowered by the prayers of Your people, as they come into agreement with Your will. Even the coming shaking is to facilitate this return to destiny, not end it. Just as Churchill was called from his mother‘s womb to help preserve freedom and Christian ideals around the world, we have been called from our mother‘s wombs, as well. We were born for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). You determined the time in which we would live and the boundaries of our habitation, (Acts 17:26), which means we live now because You willed it. We will not be deterred from our cause, distracted by demonic strategies and assaults, nor waver in our commitment. We will see the sweeping revival You have promised, and the fruit of its redemptive power. This redemption will not only affect individuals, but the corporality of our nation and the nations of the world. We will not fail because it is not our strength or wisdom that gives us victory, but Your power and wisdom. We decree that Marxism, wokism, secularism, hedonism, paganism, nor any other mindset will prevail against God‘s purposes for America. We decree that the ungodly leaders in our land who partner with these forces also will not prevail; we pray for their salvation and deliverance. We bind every stronghold of deception working in our land and loose the revelation that brings conviction and truth. And we prophesy to the wind of the Spirit to blow on the dry bones of America. We pray and decree all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that Christ’s cause is our cause, and we will apprehend that for which we were apprehended. (Philippians 3:12) ******************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------- Jonathan Sandys and Wallace Henley, God and Churchill (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum), p. 4. Stephen Mansfield, “The Hidden Calling,” The Christian Post, July 19, 2012; http://blogs.christianpostcom/in-our-time/the-hidden-calling-10923. Ibid. Stephen Mansfield, “Why Winston Churchill?” stephenmansfield.tv, November 30, 2009. For background, see also Stephen Mansfield, Never Give In: The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill (Cumberland House, 1997). Winston Churchill, “The Munich Agreement” (speech to the House of Commons, London, October 5, 1938). The full text of this speech can be found online at www.winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1930-1938-the-wilderness/the-munich-agreement. Jonathan Sandys and Wallace Henley, God and Churchill (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum), p. 91. Winston Churchill, “Their Finest Hour” Speech, June 18, 1940. Winston Churchill, “War of the Unknown Warriors,” BBC broadcast, July 14, 1940. The full text of this speech can be found online at www.winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1940-the-finest-hour/war-of-the-unknown-warriors. Winston S. Churchill, speech at the Pilgrims Society luncheon for ambassador-designate Lord Halifax, London, January 9, 1941. See Robert Rhodes James, ed., Winston S. Churchill: His Complete Speeches 1897-1963 (New York: Bowker; 1974), vol. 6, 6327-6328. Winston Churchill: “The Sinews of Peace” (speech at Westminster College, Fulton, MO, March 5, 1946). The full text of this speech (also commonly known as the “Iron Curtain” speech) can be found online at www.winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1946-1963-elder-statesman/the-sinews-of-peace. Simpson, Douglas, Looking for America: Rediscovering the Meaning of Freedom (Enumclaw, WA: WinePress Publishing, 2006), p. 304. Ibid.
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