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5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-13-2024 December 13, 2024 Intimidation Is a Trap “Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4) Proverbs 29:25 warns us regarding “the fear of man,” referring to it as a snare. The Passion Translation says, “Intimidation is a trap that holds you back”; The Message Bible reads, “The fear of human opinion disables.” Indeed, the fear of human opinion leads to people-pleasing, compromised values, yielding to peer pressure, and bowing to political correctness, all of which “disables” the church. A desire in the church to be viewed by the world as progressive and tolerant is a snare satan has used to conform people to his way of thinking. The need to be liked and/or accepted outweighs the Word of God to many believers, causing compromise, lukewarmness, and a lack of fruit. The damage caused by the fear of man has been catastrophic to our nation, leading to the spiritual decay of three generations. Today, I’m going to share from three references that give us pictures and insights into this trap called “the fear of man.” Aaron The first is in Exodus 32. In Moses’s day, many of the Israelites had bought into polytheism. They believed in Yahweh but also in the existence of other gods. After their deliverance from Egypt, Moses had been on Mount Sinai for several weeks receiving God’s laws and ordinances for this new nation, Israel. He was gone longer than expected, and many of the people began to think he might never return (v. 1). Perhaps we need another god to help us since Moses, who represented Yahweh, is evidently not coming back, they reasoned. Pathetic! Aaron, whom Moses had left in charge, was then persuaded to fashion a golden calf for the people to worship (vv. 2-6). Pathetic times two! God was understandably angry and sent Moses back down the mountain to deal with this rebellion. Upon arrival, Moses’s choice of words to Aaron made it clear that God was holding Aaron partly responsible for this sin: God’s summary statement in verse 25 is VERY telling: “Aaron had let them run wild disgracing themselves before their enemies” (MSG). Another translation says, “Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies” (NASB). Aaron was intimidated by the uprising of the people, which caused him to compromise. The language of verse 25 - “Aaron had let them get out of control” - makes clear that had he stood his ground, God would’ve backed him. Leaders in the church must refuse to be intimidated by the whims or unbiblical desires of people; giving them what they want will never be an acceptable excuse to God. King Saul Another example of an Israelite leader yielding to the fear of man is in 1 Samuel 13. King Saul had been instructed to wait seven days for Samuel, a prophet and priest of Yahweh, to arrive and offer the necessary sacrifices for securing a military victory (1 Samuel 10:8). God permitted only priests to offer these sacrifices in Israel, not kings. But Israel’s enemies, the Philistines, had made their move, amassing a great army with which to attack them (1 Samuel 13:5). Without God’s help, things weren’t looking good, and without the sacrifices, they wouldn’t have this help. Saul waited almost the entire seven days for Samuel to arrive; but toward the end of the seventh day, with his army “scattering from him,” he disobeyed God and “offered the burnt offering” himself (vv. 8-9). Who showed up just as he was finishing the sacrifice? The prophet and priest, Samuel. The delay had been a test from God; and Saul, snared by fear of the Philistines and the scattering of his people, had failed it. God’s response to Saul through the prophet was essentially, I need someone to rule as king who will obey Me, regardless of what circumstances, enemies, and the people dictate. I need a man after My heart (vv. 13-14). “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23) How many leaders in the church have “rejected” God’s Word, compromising in attempts to prevent people from scattering? The Jewish Leaders There is one final passage that gives a dire warning regarding the fear of man. At the end of Christ’s ministry, He had been teaching and performing miracles; many people, including Jewish leaders, now believed He was the Messiah. Yet, because of their fear of man, they would not acknowledge their belief in Him: What an indictment - loving the approval of men more than the approval of God! Interestingly, the Greek word translated “approval” (doxa)(1) is also the New Testament word for “glory.” Therefore, the indictment against these leaders should be translated as The Passion Translation words it: “For they loved the glory that men could give them rather than the glory that came from God!” (v.43). The glory they were receiving from man outweighed the glory of God. Sadly, this could be said of many leaders in the church today: popularity, approval from people, large crowds - these mean more to them than the glory of God. I believe God is changing this. Many leaders are discovering that the praise of men no longer satisfies. They’re also realizing that “powerless Christianity” is a contradiction of the Bible. They are awakening to the fact that we have lowered the standard and watered down the wine. We traded the glory of God for men’s applause, sound doctrine for storytelling, the power of Holy Spirit for personal comfort, and prayer for innovative ideas. Three lost generations and an apostate nation later, they have realized this isn’t working. And God is calling them back to the pattern found in the book of Acts. Our prayer comes from there today. Pray with me: “And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to speak Your Word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the Word of God with boldness. And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great [megas/mega](2) power, the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant [megas/mega](3) grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:29-33) Amen. Our decree: We decree that Jesus is building a bold church the gates of hell cannot overcome. ********************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. ref. no. 1391. Ibid., ref no. 3173. Ibid.

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-12-2024 December 12, 2024 Simplicity “But only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42) Ecclesiastes 7:29 says, “God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated” (GNT). I’ve always felt the latter part of the verse was true about women, and I’ve been told emphatically that the first half is true of men. But I now believe it is all true for all of us. I can complicate almost any problem, regardless of how simple it might be, making it huge and complex. And I don’t like it when someone else trivializes it or gives me some simple plan to fix it. Somehow, I just seem to feel more important when I have big problems with complicated solutions. No doubt about it, I’m an Ecclesiastes 7:29 kind of guy! We must learn to de-complicate life, but we must especially uncomplicate our relationship with Christ. Paul said to the church at Corinth: “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3; emphasis mine). Life can be very complicated; theology can as well. At times, if we’re not careful, both can get downright confusing. But the Lord impresses on my heart time and time again, “There is nothing complicated about a relationship with Me.” The great A. W. Tozer said: Tozer also said, “There are occasions when for hours I lay prostrate before God without saying a word of prayer or a word of praise – I just gaze on Him and worship.”2 Sometimes, no words are needed as we enjoy God’s company. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, “simplicity” is the Greek word haplotes. Its most literal meaning is “singleness, without dissimulation or duplicity;”3 or “the opposite of duplicity.”4 The verse is saying that in our devotion to Christ we must not be double-minded. We must guard against anything causing dissimulation, division, or a watering down. It is okay to be multifaceted in our gifts and activity, and it is wise to be broad-based in our understanding, but in our approach to relationship with Jesus, we must be very single-minded. Allow no other person or activity to crowd Him out. To take Him for granted or allow Him to simply be one of many priorities will weaken us spiritually. “One New Year’s Day in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas. An amusing aspect of this was that the float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas.”5 Often, we who have within us the well of salvation fail to drink from it. And, like the Standard Oil float, we sometimes run out of gas. Drink from the well daily. Don’t allow Christ to lose His wonder for you. In Christianity Today, Philip Yancey wrote: I’m afraid this describes many Christians’ relationships with the One we call Faithful and True. We’ve known Him so long, become so accustomed to Him, well, you know.… Don’t ever stop being impressed with Jesus! Do you ever listen and not really hear? The word “listening” in Greek is the word akouo, which means not only to hear, but to understand.7 One definition said, “To understand, hear with the ear of the mind.” Jesus repeatedly said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8; 14:35 NKJV). This places the responsibility of hearing on us. We must choose to posture ourselves in a way that allows us to truly hear. In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus commended Mary for listening (akouo),8 while Martha was busy in the kitchen. He said Mary had chosen the good thing, which would produce lasting fruit. Interestingly, the word for “obey” in Scripture (hupakouo)9 comes from the same word. The prefix hupo means “under,” making the literal meaning of this word, “hear under.”10 The biblical concept of obedience is: (1) hearing and understanding someone, then (2) bringing your will under what they have said. Mary was truly hearing (akouo) Christ, which would allow her to obey (hupakouo). May we be more like Mary, having unencumbered ears and truly willing to listen, hear, and obey. Pray with me: Father, life gets complicated at times. Our plates get full and we sometimes say we “don’t have enough hours in a day.” But You told us in Ecclesiastes that we complicate life. You have challenged us that no matter how busy and hectic life gets, we must keep our relationship with You foremost and simple – uncomplicated. We know that if we truly listen, You will speak to us both in our hearts and through Your Word. We choose to listen. We choose to have listening and hearing ears. And we choose to bring ourselves under what we hear from You; we choose to obey. We draw near to You, confident that as we do, You will draw near to us. We pray now for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray for refreshing to those who are weary, peace to those who are anxious, and endurance to those who are tired. We ask You for the Spirit of revelation to intensify among Your people. Holy Spirit, would You lift the veil in order that those who have never known they could hear Your voice would now begin hearing and enjoying intimacy with You. We ask for these things in Christ’s name, Amen. Our decree: We decree that we have ears to hear what Holy Spirit is saying to the church and that we will obey. ******************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------------- Rowell, Edward K. Quotes and Idea Starters for Preaching and Teaching: From Leadership Journal. Edited by Edward K. Rowell, Baker Books, 1996, p.181. Ibid., p.181. Strong, James. New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Thomas Nelson Incorporated, 2003, ref no. 572. Zodhiates, Spiros, editor. KJV Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: Hardbound. AMG Publishers, 1991, p.1808. Larson, Craig Brian, editor. Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching: From Leadership Journal. Baker Books, 1993, p.181. Larson, Craig Brian, editor. Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching: From Leadership Journal. Baker Books, 1993, p. 68. Zodhiates, Spiros, editor. Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. AMG Publishers, 1998, p. 1802. “Strong's Greek: 191. ἀκούω (akouó) -- to hear, listen.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/greek/191.htm. Accessed 12 May 2023. “Strong's Greek: 5219. ὑπακούω (hupakouó) -- to listen, attend to, obey, answer.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/greek/5219.htm. Accessed 12 May 2023. “Strong's Greek: 5259. ὑπό (hupo) -- by, under, under authority” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/greek/5259.htm. Accessed 12 May 2023.

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-11-2024 December 11, 2024 Running with the King’s Heart Second Samuel 18 is a sad chapter. King David’s traitorous son, Absalom, is killed and his coup overthrown. A “runner,” as they called them back then, needs to run with the bitter-sweet news to David: “The rebellion is over, but your son is dead.” A fast, gifted runner named Ahimaaz wanted to carry the news, but David’s general chose an unnamed Cushite, and off he went. Ahimaaz, however, was not to be denied: “Please let me also run” (v. 22). The general finally said okay, and Ahimaaz took off. He was so fast that he eventually passed the Cushite and proudly delivered the message to David that the coup was over. “Speed” had won…or had it? When David then asked about Absalom, Ahimaaz answered with embarrassment that he didn’t know. He hadn’t cared enough to find out about David’s son! The Cushite then arrived and gave David the full message: “The coup is over, but your son is dead.” Ahimaaz was very fast. He started last but arrived first. This gifted man ran in vain, however: "You will have no reward for going," the general had said (v. 22). Ahimaaz didn’t have the complete message. And he didn’t have it because he was not aligned with the king's heart. David had not only defeated an enemy, he had also lost a son. Ahimaaz eventually stepped aside in ignorance, insignificance, and embarrassment as a nameless individual took center stage and delivered the complete message. Our message will always be deficient in some way if it isn't connected to the King's heart. I'm speaking, of course, of God our King. The pleasure of God is and must remain the ultimate goal of our running. The glory and exaltation of the Son must be our desire. His passion and priority of harvesting sons and daughters into the family must become ours. God is willing to share His heart for America and the worldwide harvest with those who desire it. But beware - His heart is broken. When God touched my heart with His on October 4, 2000, I wasn't ready for what I felt. I thought mine was going to break in two. When He was finished, I had become a man with a cause - and ruined for life. Yes, ask for an impartation of God’s heart, but know that when you receive it, it will cost you. Why Are We Running? Why are we “running,” laboring for spiritual causes? Is it for personal fulfillment, fame, glory, self-aggrandizement, to make a name for ourselves? Or are we, like the Cushite in this passage, content to remain nameless? Is our motive advancement, a position to display our gifts or our speed? Are we wanting to build something big? In Philippians 3:14, Paul said, "I press toward the mark" (KJV). His goal, or “mark,” as he called it, was clear. In verse 12 (NASB), he said, "I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." The Gift Mentality Unfortunately, the charismatic movement, as wonderful as I know it was, gave many a gift mentality: We ran on the strength of our gifts. The very word "charismatic" means "grace gift." This often led to a performance mentality: running to set records, to be first, to be the best, to be the biggest. "Build 'em big and build 'em fast!" became the mindset of many in the church. Overnight sensations were, and in many ways still are, the order of the day. There is nothing biblical about this mindset! Persistent, progressive, hang-in-there, long-term building should receive more honor than something produced quickly. Sadly, it does not. But far more character is needed to build a work or ministry over a long period of time than to enjoy something that springs up quickly. One of the basic problems with this unbiblical philosophy of success, aside from its inherent pride and self-exaltation, is that if any part of our vision is born from ambition rather than God's heart, we are soon running for ourselves, not the King. Zeal that was originally intended to do something for God, often becomes a zeal to remain successful. This change can be so subtle it frequently happens without us even realizing it. The church in America is inundated with ambitious Ahimaazes - people running for their own fame and success rather than for God’s heart. Vision for the future must not be our starting place. Vision, born of God's heart, must be our starting place. The questions we must continually ask ourselves are: How well do I understand and relate to the King's heart in this matter? Is that, and that alone, my motive for running? Was His heart the birthplace of my vision? Our speed or giftedness NEVER validates our running. Holy Hubert Hubert Lindsay (“Holy Hubert”), a gentleman used greatly by God in the early days of the Jesus People/Charismatic Movement, exemplifies a life lived according to God's heart. “The Jesus People Movement” was used by God to bring thousands of drug-addicted, sexually active, disillusioned, and rebellious young people into the Kingdom of God. Like King David, who was not called by his father to join the “Potential King Pageant” (see 1 Samuel 16), nothing about Holy Hubert's appearance or personality caused him to stand apart. But like David, he possessed something more important: God’s heart for a generation. I once had the privilege of hearing Mr. Lindsay speak. He told of his calling to minister on the University of California at Berkeley campus, and spoke of the miracles and salvations. He mixed in some humor, and we all laughed, cheered, and applauded. What impacted me most, however, was a passing comment Holy Hubert made about how his ministry at Berkeley had been birthed. "I became so burdened for this generation," Mr. Lindsay said, "that I would walk the streets of the campus - sometimes all night long - weeping and interceding for those lost kids. I pled with God to save those young people." God had given this man His heart for a lost generation. The Lord answered Hubert’s cry - because it was His own - and gave him a revival. Church historians agree that the Jesus People movement was incredibly significant in the entire spiritual renewal of the '60s and '70s. And when tracing the roots of The Jesus People Movement, one invariably ends up at Berkeley with Holy Hubert Lindsay. Lindsay’s burden cost him dearly, however. His broken heart led to broken bones - not to a large salary or a huge congregation. Lindsay and his wife were beaten on numerous occasions, stabbed, mocked, and ridiculed as they preached the gospel on campus. His wife eventually suffered brain damage from this, and Holy Hubert lost his sight due to the beatings. Just as the apostle Paul, they bore on their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus (see Galatians 6:17). The Lindsays picture for us the principle of running with the heart of God, allowing that to become the motivation for ministry. This releases pure revival, keeping it free from the debris of pride and selfish motivation. The Charismatic Movement’s overall weakness in this regard, however, resulted in a generation of Christians who believed giftedness qualified one for ministry. Character and God’s heart were replaced by other priorities and motivations, which inevitably led many to build personal kingdoms. A cooperative heart was superseded by a competitive heart. Travailing, agonizing prayer was replaced with innovation and the strength of our gifts. Last, and probably most tragically, success was measured not by how well we knew the Father but by how well-known we were. Speed, fueled by ignorance, raced forward out of control and with deficient messages. Ahimaaz passed the Cushite, and the King wept. Now, we are in desperate need of an alignment; our fast-moving, state-of-the-art churches are pulling hard to the right and left. A "presence" revival, built around intimacy with the King and His version of success, will be required to correct this. Pray with me: Father, like an automobile traveling down a well-worn road, the potholes of undealt-with ambition and desire for success knock us out of alignment. Before we know it, like Ahimaaz, we are running for our own fulfillment, not Yours, speeding down life’s highway in search of self-worth and success. Passion for You will correct this. We believe this has begun. As it continues, our hearts will burn for You, not for our own fulfillment and personal kingdoms. Religion will be replaced by relationship; intimacy with You will be our desire and the fuel for our activities. Give us Your heart for lost and hurting people. Give us Your heart for the broken, wounded, and confused. Give us Your heart, even for the rebel. Break our hearts for them - give us many who will walk the streets, weeping for those who are so lost. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the heart of God is being imparted to the church, making us nameless, faceless, and powerful. *************************** Portions of today’s devotional were taken from my book Praying for America,(1) which is no longer in print. Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Sheets, Dutch. Praying for America. Regal Books, 2001.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-10-2024 December 10, 2024 The Dance of Passover In 1 Kings 18, Elijah assembled the Israelites on Mount Carmel in what was to be an epic showdown between Yahweh and Baal; Israel was worshiping Baal in this season. Ahab and Jezebel had led Israel into deep idolatry - much like America’s ungodly, immoral leaders have done. The attendees of the Democratic Convention in 2012 literally booed God “off the stage” and out of their platform. Why not? America had already expelled Him from their schools. The homosexual movement in America has 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 the 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 this idolatry and its 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 accomplishing its purpose, and repentance was now possible; thus, the showdown on Mount Carmel. I’m confident America’s shaking will awaken us, as well. Elijah prophesied that rain was coming and then called for the contest (I Kings 18:1-2, 19). 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). There was as yet no answer. Israel 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. Regarding this word, for example, picture the up-and-down movement of someone jumping or hopping; that is pasach. Therefore, it is the word used for “hop, skip, or dance.” At other times, the up-and-down movement represents pain, not celebration. Thus, it is also the word for “limping, lame, halt” (a synonym for limp). It is also used for “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” (v. 13). 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) became the word for “Passover.” Putting this back into Elijah’s question to Israel, God was essentially 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: Then, the showdown began. Baal’s prophets went first, trying to get Baal to answer by fire. But God had paralyzed the demons behind Baal, and 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 very same word for their dancing worship of Baal as He uses for Israel’s limp. Baal’s dance always becomes a limp. His worshipers then cut themselves, and blood “gushed” forth. Baal demands pain; he craves and demands bloodshed. Meet America. For many years, we in America danced the dance of Passover. As a result, we were protected, made prosperous, and became the envy of the world. Then, we traded partners. America has been dancing with Baal for decades now, mocking Adonai and His covenant, partying away. But like the Pied Piper, Baal’s “services” aren’t free. He required a price for the party, demanding the blood sacrifice of our children; now, he is demanding their mutilation. He has provoked our children to cut themselves, seeking peace they cannot find. And he has 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 flute and drinks the blood. God’s word to America, just as it was to Israel, is this: 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, and freeing the oppressed. May we accept His gracious offer! Join me, please, in asking. Pray with me: Father, we in America have sown to 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 choice is in the tens of millions. Were it not for Your redemptive power and love, it would ultimately be America’s total annihilation. Mercy is being offered to us, however; not because we deserve it, but through the only appeal You accept, one offered through 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 rule 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 “time” (Zechariah 10:1). We are asking, and the rain is coming. We believe this is a season of breakthrough. We ask You for this, and all we have prayed for today, in Christ’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that America will choose the dance of Passover, and be healed of her Baal-worshiping limp. **************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. ref. no. 6452. Ibid., ref. no. 6453.

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-9-2024 December 9, 2024 Epoch-Making Revival One of my favorite verses on revival is Acts 3:19: “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” As is often the case, our English translation doesn’t fully convey the Greek content. The phrase “times of refreshing” is loaded with meaning. “Times” is translated from the word kairos, which means “opportune time.”(1) Wuest, a very literal translator of the New Testament, uses the following phrases to translate kairos: “epoch-making periods” (see Acts 3:19); “strategic, significant period” (see Acts 12:1); “strategic, epochal time” (see Acts 19:23). Using his words, kairos times are strategic, significant, and potentially epoch-making. America must experience an “epoch-making” revival.(2) I looked up the hyphenated phrase “epoch-making” to gain full understanding. It means “significant by virtue of ensuing historical developments,”(3) “a period of time characterized by momentous events or changes,”(4) and “a fixed point of time from which succeeding years are numbered.”(5) That’s what we’re after - momentous events and changes. A revival so great it is historical, one from which succeeding years are numbered, like epoch-making and historical floods. The year is remembered, like the Johnstown Flood of 1889 or the Big Thompson Canyon (Colorado) Flood of 1976. The size of the flood is measured by how often one of that proportion comes: a 50-year flood or a 100-year flood. We want a flood of the river of God so great that people will speak of it the way they speak of physical floods: a revival of such monumental proportions that it is historical. Breathe On Us, Oh God! The word “refreshing” in Acts 3:19 is also important. Anapsuxis is compounded from two words, ana and psucho. Strong’s Concordance says ana means “repetition, intensity or reversal.”(6) Zodhiates agrees, and adds the word “increase.”(7) Psucho means “to breathe, blow or refresh with cool air.”(8) Here are five definitions of anapsucho or anapsuxis: “to draw breath again” “to revive by fresh air”(9) “to cool or refresh with a breath” “to regain strength” “Restoration”(10) In this verse, Peter is saying that if we respond properly to the Holy Spirit, it will create a kairos time for God to once again breathe on us; revive us with a fresh breath, restore us, and give us new strength. I also like the concept of intensity in ana. God wants to breathe on us again intensely. Peter was apparently thinking back a few days to Pentecost when the breath of God blew intensely, once more filling humans with the Spirit and life of God. In Ezekiel 37:1-14, dry bones are used to represent spiritual death. To reverse this, God first caused the bones to reconnect; then He put skin on them, “but there was no breath in them” (v. 8). The prophet was then told, “Prophesy to the breath…say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life”’” (v. 9). God’s breath bringing life is what occurred in Genesis 2:7. He breathed into Adam’s lifeless body, infusing it with His life. In Acts 3, Peter thought back through history - Genesis, Ezekiel, Pentecost - and prophesied that it could happen again if the people would obey the Holy Spirit. They did and God did; and it has happened since, on numerous occasions. God is ready to do it yet again! He wants to release His breath, another wind, to our generation, and He wants to do so with great intensity. Buy the Opportunity! We must seize the moment. Twice the New Testament tells us to “redeem the time” (see Ephesians 5:15-17; Colossians 4:5, KJV). "Redeem" is translated from exagorazo, meaning “buy or purchase,” and “time” is kairos. We are told to buy the opportune time.(11) Indeed, opportunities must be bought; they cost us - time, energy, abilities, money, even our very lives. If we don’t spend what is necessary and “buy” them, opportunities can be lost. We must not miss our opportunity to change the world! Let’s buy the opportunity for an epoch-making revival. Seek Vision for the Harvest Allow God to birth vision in you, vision that will motivate you to faith and action. Vision is a life-changer, a rearranger, a cause producer. Its hunger can be insatiable, a motivating force creating energy and energizing creativity. Vision moves us from mere mental assent to physical exertion. It separates the hearer from the doer, a convert from a disciple, and mediocrity from excellence. Vision is also what separates a ripe harvest from a reaped harvest (see Matthew 9:37). Let’s ask God to increase vision and passion for a historical, epoch-making revival, and for hearts willing to buy the opportunity. Pray with me: Father, we ask You to increase our passion and vision for the epoch-making revival You have planned. Light the flames of passion in the church to such intensity that no price will be too great to pay. Awaken hearts to seize the moment, and buy the opportune time You have created. Bring vision to believers, motivating them to write history. Breathe on the dry bones of the earth and give them life. Save and deliver, redeem and transform. Make this an epochal, historic revival - unlike any other. We believe entire nations can and will be born-again in a day. Do it, we pray! Send the rushing, mighty wind of Acts 2. Give us miracles on the level of Acts 3 that cause thousands to be saved. Blow Your breath all over the world. We ask these things through Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the life-giving breath of God is bringing an epoch-making revival to earth again, and this cannot be stopped! *************************** I encourage you to visit YouTube, where you can listen to the song, Revive Us (Revival in Belfast) by Robin Mark. Click the link below to watch the full video: Today’s devotional was taken from my book Praying for America,(13) which is no longer in print.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-5-2024 December 5, 2024 Release Your Battle Cry “God has ascended with a shout (rua), The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet.” (Psalm 47:5) Spiritual War is necessary. Though God is love, He is also a warrior. And Holy Spirit wants to awaken His warrior heart in us, the Ekklesia. As the Lion of Judah, Yeshua wants to roar from us: “The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” (Joel 3:16 KJV) Holy Spirit gave my friend, Scott Reece, a strong word regarding this: ******* “There is an aligning among My lions that will usher in a new shift on earth. Powers will shift, authority will shift, and ungodly rulers will be unseated. I am making room for those that are righteous to rule in the land. Angel armies have been assembled for the purposes of strategic warfare. They will usher in a godly generation that will hold the standard, even against the darkest nights. This is a generation unlike any other. The cry of My people in desperate times has activated a warfare strategy that will catch the enemy off guard. The hallowed halls of men’s political achievements will be shaken to the core and reverberate with a sound of worship and righteousness. You will witness a breaking down of the political divide and see the establishment of a righteous government, holding a righteous scepter in their hands. You will see a governmental body actually stop and pray before a vote in order to ascertain My heart. The podium will be used for godly leaders crying out together in faith, as opposed to arguing, defending unrighteousness, offending My heavens, and shutting off the land from My purposes. The foundation of this alignment will be laid by My apostles and prophets. The aligning will be a source of activation, release, and unity among My Ekklesia. Do not become distracted by the lying of the enemy. Do not become discouraged by divisive methodologies designed to deter you. Set your heart in alignment with My Word and My purposes. Align with the apostolic and prophetic voices I am raising up. You will hear different roars with different anointings, but as they align, you will clearly see that I am in the midst of the roar and My voice is at the center. My word is emerging as a new wine that is being poured out.” ******* What a powerful and encouraging word. Holy Spirit is “roaring” through our prayers. The Bible speaks not only of God’s people roaring (Joel 3:16), but also of releasing a battle cry. Psalm 47 tells us: “O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout (rua) to God with the voice of joy. For the Lord Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth. He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet…God has ascended with a shout (rua), The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet.” (Psalm 47:1-3, 5) Shout is the Hebrew word rua. This word describes a war cry, a shout of victory over one’s enemy on the battlefield.(1) It was also used for “blowing” the shofar before a battle; one definition is “to split the ears with sound.” Mel Gibson’s rendition of William Wallace in Braveheart comes to mind: “FREEDOM!!!!!” Rua is translated “sound the alarm” in Joel 2:1. In this context, it means “we’re going to war.” The passage in Psalm 47 tells us if WE are willing to lift a rua and fight (v. 1), God will rua with us (v. 5): He “ascends with a shout.” And as God arises, His enemies are scattered (Psalm 68:1). They flee before Him! My point is quite simple: There is “a time for war and a time for peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8). There is a time to shout, roar and FIGHT, and that time has arrived. And though the warfare I speak of is spiritual, it must be no less intense. We must allow God to awaken His warrior heart in us. The war on earth for the souls of men and women, and for control over regions of the world, is raging. Satan is ruthless in this war, always wanting to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). In this and all spiritual conflicts, how do we release our spiritual power, weapons, and authority? We do so primarily with our words. When Jesus was confronted by satan, He provided the example of how to war against the devil and his spiritual forces: “It is written!” (Matthew 4:1-11). God’s spoken Word is the most powerful force on earth. With it He creates, releases life, tears down, and builds up. And Holy Spirit tells us that God’s Word in our mouth (Greek: rhema: “spoken words”),(2) is a sword against satan and his demons (Ephesians 6:17). When we speak God’s words in spiritual warfare, they are an overpowering weapon, a sword; leaving them unspoken leaves our sword in its scabbard. Whatever arena of spiritual battle we’re in, we must wield our sword! When we are fearful or tempted to fear, we should speak God’s Word that promises freedom from fear. When we are sick, we should declare promises of healing. When we are in turmoil and unrest, we should decree verses of Scripture regarding peace. And when we see satan stealing, killing, and destroying, we should declare God’s Word regarding deliverance and salvation into the situation. Consider going into a private place and rua-ing over your unsaved family members, a deceived friend, or an evil government. A shout of war is just as terrifying to the ears of demons as it is to human soldiers on a battlefield. Don’t allow your dignity to silence your roar. Unsheath your sword! Pray with me: Father, many believers have learned to worship, others have learned to pray, but most - though descended from the Lion of Judah - do not know how to roar. You said You would roar out of Zion, so we’re asking You to awaken Your roar in the Ekklesia, shouts of triumph over spiritual enemies. May the sword of the Spirit be removed from its scabbard and devastate the powers of darkness. You said in the word You gave Scott that “the cry of Your people has activated a warfare strategy that will catch the enemy off guard.” We now lay hold of this strategy, calling it forth from Holy Spirit to the womb of the church. We declare that we have ears to hear what He is saying, and we will implement His divine plan. Revival is coming to the earth and will not be stopped. The heavens are being rent, hunger is being awakened, the veil of deception is being lifted. The God of glory is thundering, rain clouds are forming, and an abundant rain shall fall. We declare this in Yeshua’s name, Amen. Our decree: We decree that the warrior nature of Christ is being awakened in the Ekklesia around the world! ************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------- “Strong's Hebrew: 7321. ר֫וּעַ (rua) -- to raise a shout, give a blast, raise your battle cry.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7321.htm. Accessed 12 May 2023. “Strong's Greek: 4487. ῥῆμα (rhéma) -- a word, spoken, by impl. a matter; a word or saying of any kind as command, report, promise.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/greek/4487.htm. Accessed 12 May 2023.

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-6-2024 5🌟 December 6, 2024 Let's Finish This! As the book of Ezra opens, Cyrus, king of Persia, allows a remnant of Israelites to return to Jerusalem for the purpose of rebuilding their Temple. Seventy years prior, God had allowed Israel to be taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, because of their apostasy. Later, they came under the rule of Cyrus when he conquered Babylon. God then moved upon the heart of Cyrus, a pagan and idolatrous king, to permit this return. He even stirred Cyrus’ heart to help the remnant raise the needed funds for rebuilding (Ezra 1:1-4), and returned to them all the vessels and utensils Nebuchadnezzar had plundered from the Temple. A remnant returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel’s leadership and began the work. Ezra tells us: It has always intrigued me that many younger Israelites shouted for joy while some of the older ones wept. We are left to wonder why the older folks wept. Joy? Grieving lost years? Realizing just how far they had to go? One thing is certain: their perspective was different. There is one more certainty about the celebration which took place that day: it was a bit premature. Satan had plans for the project, also. Daniel 7:25 tells us he attempts to alter “times and laws.” The Hebrew word used for “time” in this verse means an appointed time;(1) the word for “laws” means, among other things, the decree of a king.(2) God our King, appoints our times and seasons; He also decrees His good plans and purposes for us, both in His written Word and prophetically. However, this verse tells us satan tries to alter those times and decrees. We know he can’t do so by overpowering or outwitting God; he attempts to do so by attacking us. Daniel 7:25 also reveals one of the ways satan tries to do so: by “wearing down” the saints. The Hebrew word this is taken from is never used in Scripture to describe physical fatigue, only mental and emotional weariness. Satan attempts to wear us down in our souls, causing us to “grow weary” (literally: “lose heart”) in our efforts (Galatians 6:9). Fear, discouragement, lack of endurance, hope-deferred, and other emotional responses attack our faith and, if not guarded against, can cause us to lose heart. If this weariness occurs, it can alter our God-appointed times. This time-altering strategy worked against the remnant sent to rebuild the Temple of God. Satan’s method in that situation was to work through other people in the region: These “propagandists,” or “counselors,” as other translations refer to them, were basically lobbyists, individuals hired and sent to the king with accusations and misinformation. They succeeded in planting concerns in him that, once the Israelites rebuilt their temple, they would rebel from his rule and cause great problems in his kingdom. The Israelites, rather than remaining strong and trusting God to help them overcome this, yielded to fear and discouragement. The result? The rebuilding of the temple stopped for 16 years! All they had produced was a foundation. During this time, though abandoning God’s house, the Israelites began building their own homes and businesses. They attempted to justify this by saying it must not yet be God’s appointed time for the Temple to be rebuilt. Opposition, however, should never be allowed to determine what we believe to be God’s will. Nor should this be something used to judge whether or not it is His appointed time for something. Eventually, God had enough of their complacency and raised up a prophet, Haggai, to deliver His message to them: When the people responded appropriately to God’s words, He was quick to respond with grace and favor. Turns out it wasn’t those in opposition to God that were His problem; He was well able to deal with them. His people were the problem! What God needed was a people of faith who would not succumb to fear, discouragement, or self-centeredness. When they were able to shake off these things, God favored them once again and said, I am with you! Let’s go! A month later, Haggai encouraged them by prophesying again, Like this remnant in Israel, many in the church of America have grown weary in their prayers for revival and the rebuilding of our nation. Lobbyists, media opposition, unrighteous laws, intimidating government agencies, elections that didn’t go our way, ungodly politicians - satan has used these and more, attempting to wear us down. Some responded just as these Israelites did, deciding it must not be time for America’s turnaround. Yet many did not! God now needs for us to persevere in our faith and prayers. We must not allow satan to alter our appointed times and God’s promised recovery by wearing us down. Don’t be intimidated. God can deal with His enemies, just as He did in Haggai’s day. Determine that nothing will stop us – wars, threats, fear, discouragement, setbacks, unbelief – nothing. Let’s finish this! Pray with me: Father, You have begun a good work in our nation. You’ve raised up a remnant of people determined to birth revival, and see America accomplish all You have destined for her. We are determined to see righteousness in our government once again, determined to see the young generation of Americans come to know You, and determined to see world-wide revival - at least a billion souls. We will not stop with only a foundation. We will not yield to opposition, fear, confusion, unbelief, discouragement, or selfishness. We will finish this! We WILL finish this! Raise up Haggais in our day with Your words. Stir the hearts of Your people. We ask for an infusion of strength and hope. We ask that mental fatigue and emotional weariness be broken off of the praying church, the remnant. Send a wind of Holy Spirit to us now, we pray. Stir up hearts that once burned with fire for revival and breakthrough, but have now settled for less. Stir up the hearts of pastors who have chosen to settle for less than the fires of revival. Stir up intercessors who have allowed the fire to go out. Awaken us all to Your passion in this hour. May there be a roar of intercession that is released in this nation and the nations of the earth. We ask You, “Rend the heavens and come down!” We make these requests in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. Our decree: God is with us; we will arise and build..! ****************🌟*************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. --------------------------------------------------- “Strong’s Hebrew: 2165. זְמָן (zeman) -- appointed time, occasion, season; time.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/hebrew/2165.htm. Accessed 12 May 2023. “Strong’s Hebrew: 1882. דָּת (dath) -- decree, law.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1882.htm. Accessed 12 May 2023.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-3-2024 December 3, 2024 God Decided It Would Fly Again “We will sing for joy over Your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.” Psalm 20:5 I was introduced to the Appeal to Heaven flag in 2013. In 2020, a dream was sent to me in which George Washington, who commissioned the birth of the Appeal to Heaven flag, presented me the original and said, “It still works.” Given the fact that God has now resurrected this flag, we should learn more about it. At the end of 2013, I realized I was ending a 13-year spiritual journey. It had started during a prayer and ended with a flag - an old and forgotten flag, forgotten by everyone, it seems, except God. He had kept this banner in hiding for a couple of centuries, waiting in the wings of history until He was ready to reintroduce it. And reintroduce it He has! This flag now hangs in thousands of homes, prayer rooms, churches, government buildings, and even businesses. A church in Indiana made their own version - fifteen feet by thirty feet - then made me one! Another congregation decorated the Christmas tree in their foyer with dozens of small Appeal to Heaven flags. Thousands of people have small ones tucked in their Bibles, tacked to bulletin boards, or conspicuously sitting on their desks. Others display them as lapel pins, wear them emblazoned on shirts, show them off on bumper stickers and at least one person has the flag tattooed on his arm! Governors display the flag, as do judges and congressmen. One was spotted in the U.S. Capitol, another was recently flown over the Capitol of Arkansas. The other day I saw an Appeal to Heaven flag streaming behind an 18-wheeler - it’s going viral! The flag is associated with America’s founding, to be sure. However, it seems God doesn’t intend it to be used only by America. It can be seen flying in the Himalayas - the highest point on the planet - where it is fittingly raised above dozens of Buddhist prayer flags. It has flown on the plains of Ninevah (the place of the first region-transforming revival), in South Africa, Panama, and more recently in Cambodia where it was used in prayers against human trafficking. Who knows where it will turn up next?! This international use seems especially appropriate, given America’s God-given destiny of being a spiritual light to the nations. In times past, flags carried more weight than they do in our present day. Their symbolism was usually understood, from the color to the design, enabling a flag to tell a story or make a strong statement. Many flags are sacred - people swear allegiance to them and die to protect their honor. Banners, as they are also called, were often intended to make declarations. For example, an early colonial American flag had a picture of a coiled snake with the accompanying phrase, “Don’t Tread On Me.” It was a warning to Great Britain: “Be careful; step on us and we strike!”(1) My journey involves a different flag in America’s past, one that is especially relevant to our God-given purpose and destiny. Modern-day progressives, historical revisionists, liberal politicians, and humanistic professors would scoff at the notion that America was established by God for a divine purpose. They would also mock the assertion that our founders believed in and honored this divine-human partnership. As John Adams said, however, “facts are stubborn things…”(2) These modernists may not like our origins, but they can’t change them. Yahweh, the God of the Bible, was indeed involved in America’s founding and He did so for His unique purpose. When General George Washington commissioned the Appeal to Heaven flag to fly over our naval ships in the Revolutionary War(3) - don’t look for that in our modern-day American history books - little did he know that 240 years later God would ordain that it fly again. This time around, however, it wouldn’t fly over a fledgling nation being born, but over the most powerful nation in the world being reborn. This rebirth isn’t literal, of course, but is a spiritual and moral renewal that will resurrect America’s God-given calling, purpose, and greatness. In the days of the flag’s genesis, the American colonists had no chance of winning a war with the world’s greatest empire, Great Britain. “Chance,” however, was no longer a relevant term once they chose an appeal to heaven. The matter would not be left to fate. When those ill-prepared and poorly equipped revolutionaries appealed for assistance to the Giver of inalienable rights, the tide turned. When they agreed to come under God’s governance and honor His ways, He who “governs in the affairs of men,” as Ben Franklin stated at the Constitutional Convention, did just that. Affirming the Lord’s governing intervention, Franklin also said, “All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of superintending providence in our favor.”(4) Today, let it be said of our generation that when a nation teetered on the edge of destruction, having lost the ancient path of truth, we answered the divine call to war for its restoration. Let it be said of us, as it was of our forefathers, that in the face of overwhelming odds, we took our stand in the celestial courtroom, appealing to the Judge of all the earth for His saving grace, mercy, and sustaining power. Let us appeal to heaven…it still works! Pray with me: Father, the world looked on in amazement as 13 unorganized, army-less, upstart colonies defeated the world’s greatest empire. It seemed impossible, yet they succeeded. And we know how they did it: they asked for and received Your help. They actually put the request on a banner and raised it over the battles. And You responded, coming to their aid - the appeal worked. You have now resurrected this flag and are re-energizing the appeal. It worked then; it will work now. The same phenomenon that birthed our nation will now rebirth it - an appeal to heaven. Breathe on this, Father. Energize it with Your Holy Spirit. Make it live again in America and around the world. We appeal to You for worldwide revival. We appeal to You for the destruction of strongholds. We appeal to You for the uncovering of truth in our land and in other nations. We ask for grace and mercy, but we also appeal for justice. In this land, America, pour out Your Spirit in a great deluge of power and glory. Do this until we are once again a light to the world, a carrier of the life-giving gospel, and a beacon of truth. We decree this shall be so, in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen. Our decree: We decree: It still works! ****************************** Portions of today’s devotional were taken from my book An Appeal to Heaven.(5) Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------------- The U.S. Navy's Jack.” Naval History and Heritage Command, 21 September 2021, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/browse-by-topic/heritage/banners/usnavy-jack.html. Accessed 2 February 2021 Adams, John. Argument in Defense of British Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials. 4 December 1770. Richard Frothingham, History of the Siege of Boston, and of the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Buner Hill, Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1849, p. 261. Benjamin, Franklin. "Constitutional Convention Address on Prayer." Philadelphia, PA., June 28, 1787. Sheets, Dutch. An Appeal to Heaven. Dutch Sheets Ministries, 2015, pp. vii-xiv.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-2-2024 December 2, 2024 God is Government For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us. (Isaiah 33:22) Today, I want to give an overview of God’s plan regarding government, one of the most important topics in the Bible. The Origin of Government The concept of government is first introduced to us in Genesis 1:26-28, when Yahweh assigned the responsibility of managing, ruling, or governing (Hebrew: radah(1) and mashal(2)) the earth and all it contains to Adam and his offspring. However, the concept of government did not originate when God created the earth; He didn’t imagine or dream up the notion just for this new endeavor. God is, and always has been, Lord or Ruler over all. The concept of government flows from who God is, not just from what He does - HE IS GOVERNMENT. Obviously then, this makes Him earth’s “Judge, Lawgiver, and King” (Isaiah 33:22), and all government on earth was intended to flow from Him. The fact that God is government and rules from who He is, is why “righteousness and justice are the foundations of [His] throne” (Psalm 89:14). God is also truth and love (John 14:6; 1 John 4:16). His laws, precepts, guidelines, and actions are based on love and truth, righteousness and justice, and flow from His nature. Again, God governs from who He is! God Releases His Government Through Family The Bible is the story of God and His family. Our heavenly Father wanted a family, so He created their home, then created them. He then delegated governmental rule of this small portion of His Kingdom, earth, to this family (Genesis 1:26-28). This dominion or authority was to be exercised over all the earth and in all elements of society – personal, home and family, cities, and nations – and was intended to release God’s nature and function according to that nature. His intent was that ALL earthly government be a conduit of Him; He would release His will, ways, truth, righteousness, and love on earth through governmental authority - at every level - and do so through humans, His new family. That God would delegate this governing authority to Adam and his offspring shouldn’t be surprising; they were His family! Every aspect of Adam’s nature and all of his actions were to reflect God’s image and likeness: procreating more eternal beings bearing Yahweh’s image; mining earth’s treasure and potential through dreaming and imagining; loving; and leading and managing this portion of God’s great universe and Kingdom. We know this plan was temporarily interrupted at the Fall. Satan deceived and stole God’s family, and along with it the dominion/government of their home. The story of Scripture then became how God would redeem and restore these two things: His family and their dominion. The war on earth is over family and government: Who will own the people? Who will rule the earth? Jesus, of course, by becoming one of us, was God’s solution. He made it possible for all people to become part of God’s family again; and He recovered Adam’s lost authority. The Scriptures Are All About Government With family and government being the two primary issues on earth, it seems logical that government would be one of Scripture’s dominant themes, and it is. Government is mentioned extensively throughout the Bible. Earthly “kingdoms” are spoken of 36 times, earthly “kings” are spoken of 108 times, and the words “rule” or “ruler” are mentioned 155 times. God is mentioned by the governmental term “Lord” thousands of times, and His “Kingdom” is referenced more than 80 times. We could give the totals for other governmental terms, such as dominion, authority, govern, leader, and so forth, which are used dozens of times. Suffice it to say, the issue of government, along with family, is absolutely paramount in Scripture. AND YET…through satanic deception, many in the church think government should be ignored. “Win people to Christ” they say, “but the subject of government doesn’t belong in the church. Well, we should pray for it [which most don’t]; but don’t talk about it, make a stand regarding it, or try to influence it.” Persuading a church to take time in a service for more than a perfunctory prayer for or mention of government, elections, laws, etc., is like trying to raise the dead. Getting pastors to make a public stand on BIBLICAL issues being ruled on by the government, such as the termination of life, marriage, gender issues, and more, is even harder. Most in the church don’t acknowledge the overwhelming amount of Scripture involving government, preferring to ignore it instead. They conveniently hide behind man-made laws designed to silence us. Rather than honoring God, many leaders are ruled by the fear of man. Fear of dividing or offending also silences many pastors. The result of this decision is that most believers are ignorant of God’s Word on the subject. As a result of the church's withdrawal, America hangs in the balance of life or death. Hope I’ve said before that regardless of the church’s abdication, God will save America through the prayers of a remnant. I still believe this. But I also believe our salvation and turnaround could have occurred much more quickly - and without the present shaking - had a larger percentage of the church been speaking out, praying, and taking action. The pain we are experiencing isn’t over and could have been avoided. Those of you who are praying - thank you, and please persevere. Your prayers WILL save America. Pray with me: Father, in Christ’s name, on behalf of the church in America, we ask You to forgive us for not representing You and Your ways as we should. We have been deceived, complacent, willfully ignorant, and fearful of speaking out against the promotion of sin and evil. Awaken the church to the fact that we are Your voice, the speakers of Your Word and truth on the earth. Revive this truth in us. Send Your fire to the pulpits of America again. Send repentance to preachers in America for watering down Your truth, for ignoring portions of Your Word, and for operating under the fear of man. You said in Your Word that we could close doors to demonic forces, not with human strength, but with the authority of our words. So, in the name of Jesus, we call America back to You. We release Your Kingdom authority and bind demonic, evil plans, releasing the power of Holy Spirit to oppose them. We release Your revival and awakening. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Our decree: We decree that deception and lethargy in the church are being removed and replaced with revival fire! ******************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video: ------------------------------------------------------ “Strong's Hebrew: 7287. רָדָה (radah) -- reign, have dominion, rule.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7287.htm. Accessed 15 July 2024. “Strong's Hebrew: 4910. מָשַׁל (mashal) -- to rule, have dominion, reign.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4910.htm. Accessed 15 July 2024.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-29-2024 November 29, 2024 My Prayer Mentor, Ike In November 2023, I had the great honor of participating in Intercessors for America’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. No ministry has done more to generate prayer for America than this great ministry. As I pondered IFA’s role in my life, one of my fondest memories was learning to pray at Christ For the Nations Institute (CFNI) in 1977. Each student was required to participate in an outreach or serving ministry on a weekly basis. My initial choice was Intercessory Prayer, not because I was an intercessor or knew much about the subject. Truth be known, I could barely pronounce it. But I wanted to learn more about prayer, so I enrolled. Our prayer guide each week was a bulletin provided by a ministry I had never heard of. Yep, Intercessors for America(IFA). One sheet of paper, front and back, with timely issues and government leaders listed for prayer. Thus began my journey of learning to pray. I want to honor another link in the chain of my introduction to prayer at CFNI (Christ For the Nations Institute). I’ve always felt one of the best ways to learn something new was by watching and emulating someone better at it than me. Of the 1,200 students at CFNI, I chose Immanuel Ike, a student from Africa, complete with tribal markings - three scars on each cheek. I believe Ike, as we called him, was Nigerian. When Ike prayed, the room shook. I think he was fire incarnate. During the last six weeks of the school year, students were encouraged to gather an hour before chapel to pray in the main auditorium. This wasn’t united, corporate prayer; it was a time for students to seek God individually in an atmosphere fueled by several hundred hungry, passionate people also pursuing Him. We were encouraged to gather on the large platform, and/or scatter throughout the auditorium - on our feet, knees, faces, or walking - it didn’t matter the position. I chose the platform, kneeling at one of the chairs right behind the piano…because that’s where Ike was. I prayed for an hour each morning, with one eye closed, one open, watching and listening to Ike. When he bound, I bound; when Ike loosed, I loosed. Soon after beginning, he would grab the side of his chair and begin rocking back and forth. I, too, held on and rocked. Ike would start in English, shift into his African dialect, then “machine gun” his prayers in tongues - I think. Maybe it was his African dialect on steroids. All I know is that Ike had now lost all connection to earth and its earthlings; we no longer existed. Tears. Groans. Pleadings. Decrees. Worship. Ike was in heaven’s throne room, then traveling the planet with Holy Spirit, tearing down strongholds and birthing Kingdom realities. And I was riding his coattails! What is it they say? “Better caught than taught.” My prayers were mostly, “Lord, give me at least some of what this man carries.” I think I received a small degree of Ike’s mantle. “Wherever you are today, Ike, thank you.” My heart and world also expanded through the influence of other guest ministries that came through CFNI every week. Literally. That was the plan: every week, a different person from a different ministry taught all students in a united session at 11a.m., Monday through Friday. They, Ike, and prayer ministries like IFA taught me to move beyond my own needs, not praying only to generate money for school bills, rent, clothes, etc. They challenged me to transcend caring only for my own future ministry and success. For the first time in my life, I found myself praying for nations and travailing for souls. I called out the names of senators, representatives, judges, laws, bills, and court cases. I began to realize I was called to more than personal success, something bigger than a congregation or a traveling ministry of my own. I was invited into the realm of an eternal Kingdom with a worldwide cause. My heart grew and expanded. I take no credit. It was the influence of others, great teaching, exposure to different ministries and organizations every week, and an atmosphere of passionate worship, prayer, and faith - every day. And Ike, of course. I’ve never looked back. The cheetah survives on the African plains by running down its prey. The big cat can sprint seventy miles per hour. But the cheetah cannot sustain that pace for long. Within its long, sleek body is a disproportionately small heart, which causes the cheetah to tire quickly. Unless the cheetah catches its prey in the first flurry, it must abandon the chase. Far too often, Christians seem to have the cheetah’s approach to prayer. We start fast and with great energy. We are robust and excited. But lacking the heart for a sustained effort, we falter before we finish the job. Most intercessors don’t need more speed or emotion; they need more staying power, which only comes from a bigger prayer heart. Rees Howells was an intercessor with a large prayer heart. In 1924, Howells launched the Bible College of Wales, which always had a huge emphasis on prayer. During World War II, however, Holy Spirit burdened Rees’s heart to intercede at even greater levels for the Allies, and for the deliverance of the world from Hitler’s Third Reich. Every day, anywhere from five to ten hours, sometimes more, Rees and the students labored in prayer over the war. He challenged the students to not allow the soldiers at the front to labor more than them. Rees Howells and his 100 students no doubt played a huge role in saving the world from Hitler’s demonic assault. I know many of you who follow Give Him 15 also have hearts that will never quit praying. Thank you! Lock arms with others at this time and determine that we will not quit, we will not falter, and we will not fail. We will see the earth in full-fledged revival. Having put our hands to the plow, we will not look back. Victory is ours through Christ, and we will see it come to pass. Pray with me: Father, it is appropriate that we honor ministries like Intercessors for America, and people like Rees Howells and my friend Ike. All of our successes are in part built on the work of others. We ask for Your abundant blessings on them. For those still here with us, multiply their effectiveness, anointing, and provision. For others - like Rees Howells - well, tell them we said thanks. Today, we ask You for bigger prayer hearts. We want hearts so expansive that they embrace Your worldwide Kingdom efforts, and run prayer’s race without growing weary. We pledge to persevere in prayer for a worldwide harvest. We will continue to lay hold by faith of a restored America. We will never stop representing You as Your Ekklesia, enforcing Your victory on earth. This is the hour of deliverance for millions. This is the season of their entrance into the King’s family, their day of salvation. We declare over them that the veil is lifting; the spirit of revelation is invading the territory. We loose them from darkness, deception, oppression, and bondage. Manifest signs and wonders, raise up powerful evangelists anointed with the level of power Stephen, Phillip, Paul, Peter, and others demonstrated in the book of Acts. We decree revival now. And we do all this in the name that guarantees victory, Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that Christ’s large prayer heart is being imparted to His Ekklesia. We will not falter. ************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video:

8 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-28-2024 November 28, 2024 A Day of Thanksgiving The pilgrims first celebrated the holiday Americans call Thanksgiving after their first harvest in 1621. History says it was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims. The gathering lasted three days. In 1789, our first President, George Washington, issued a national proclamation of “Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God.”(1) Abraham Lincoln issued another proclamation in 1863 and made it a national holiday, referring to it as “A day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”(2) In their proclamations, they refer to God as the: Almighty God (three times); that great and glorious Being; beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; the great Lord and Ruler of the Nations; Most High God; and beneficient Father. So much for the myth of separating God from America’s government. Washington’s and Lincoln’s proclamations are reverential and God-honoring. I won’t read them, as the verbiage and style of the day are a bit different than ours, but I have included them as an attachment at the end of today’s post for those who do wish to read them. The following is a proclamation and prayer for us to offer today; please agree with me as I read it: Heavenly Father, we in the U.S. pause today to acknowledge Your gracious and omnipotent hand. America was Your idea. You had in Your heart to form a nation of nations - Native Americans, Asians, Europeans, Africans, Latinos, Middle Easterners, and more. Though our journey included the inevitable challenges associated with human frailties, including evil actions, Your sovereign power overcame our flaws and formed the United States of America. We are very aware that this miracle was not just for our blessing and benefit; we were called to a covenantal partnership with You to release Your redemption from sin’s horrible curse. We acknowledge and agree with the words of Robert Hunt at Cape Henry in 1607: “The gospel of the kingdom will go forth from these shores, not only to this land, but to all the nations of the earth.” We agree with the words from Holy Scripture inscribed on the Liberty Bell: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof,” (Leviticus 25:10). This is our destiny and great honor. We are thankful, Father, for the covenants our Christian Forefathers and Founders entered into with You. They sacrificed much in order to fulfill Your will, knowing they were drawn here – not just to enjoy liberty – but to accomplish Your divine purposes. We are grateful for their sacrifices made so long ago, and the incredible prosperity we have enjoyed due to their covenantal partnership with You. May they be forever honored and always see righteous fruit from their labors. Thank You for preserving us in times of war, disease, sin, and rebellion. In the war of our birth, we were saved through appealing to heaven; in the horrific Civil War, we fought one another and lost half a million sons, husbands, fathers, and brothers, yet You kept the dream alive; in two world wars, You preserved us from evil despots intent on ruling the world. Through all the difficulties and trials of four centuries, YOU have been faithful to preserve us. “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127:1). You have blessed this nation - of You, through You, and to You are all things. Thank You, gracious and beneficent God! Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man, on this day, we as a nation thank You for Your great sacrifice in becoming one of us - a member of the human race. Thank You for experiencing the gnawing pangs of hunger, for feeling the heartbreaking pain of a loved one’s death. Thank You for walking dusty roads to heal diseased bodies, taking detours to redeem thirsty hearts, and spending sleepless nights in prayer. Thank You for exposing the wiles and hatred of the serpent, the destructive power of pride, and modeling true love. Thank You for revealing the Father to us once again, and creating the way for us to reconnect with Him as our Abba, our Papa. Thank You for paying such an incredibly high price: the incarnation, the beatings and lashing, Gethsemane, the mocking, the crown of thorns, the wrath of Hell, the hideous Cross, the stain of sin, and sting of death. Thank You. Gracious Father, wonderful Savior, and blessed Holy Spirit, though we as a nation have dishonored, rejected, and even mocked You, Your love endures. We have worshiped idols, embraced false religions, shed innocent blood, defiled Your marriage covenant, and expelled You from our schools - yet Your mercies endure. Our government has risen up against You in pride and rebellion, rewritten Your laws, legislated murderous and immoral rights, and declared that You are no longer welcome in their functions and procedures - yet You have demonstrated amazing grace and patience. And while the church should have been Your instrument of preservation from these ills, she became lukewarm, complacent, and ineffective. In spite of these and many more evils, You have promised to save America, healing our brokenness, returning our hearts to You, and preserving our destiny. Thank You, gracious Father. Thank You for the restoration occurring in the church; thank You for the army of intercessors You have raised up here and around the world - we owe them so much. Thank You for the awakening that has begun in America, regarding both our spiritual condition and the horrible fruit this has produced. Thank You for the overthrowing of evil in our government that has begun. Thank You, in advance, for the greatest worldwide outpouring of Holy Spirit in all of history. Because of Your mercy, America will once again be a strong voice for the gospel of the Kingdom throughout the earth. For all of this and more, we give You thanks. And I thank YOU for being part of Give Him 15. Together, we are making a difference! _______________________________________ President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation: “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public Thanksgiving and Prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. “Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be - that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks - for His kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation - for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war - for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed - for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted - for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us. “And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions - to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually - to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed - to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord - To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us - and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. “Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.” (George Washington)(3) __________________________________ President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation: “The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. The population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union. “In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed. “Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth. By the President: Abraham Lincoln.”(4) *************************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video: ------------------------------------------------------------ https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw8a.124/?q=1789+Thanksgiving&sp=132&st=text http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm https://www.mountvernon.org/education/primary-sources-2/article/thanksgiving-proclamation-of-1789/ http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-27-2024 November 27, 2024 We Must Play Hope's Song People sometimes refer to their difficult times as “winter seasons.” There is a powerful picture associated with this in Ezekiel 47. The prophet Ezekiel was given a vision of the River of Life. The river produced life and healing everywhere it went. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “river” in the passage is nachal, and it means “a stream, especially a winter torrent.”(1) (italics mine) Some streams and rivers dry up during certain parts of the year. They are refilled, however, when there is rain or, as in this case, the spring thaw melts the snow and ice on the mountains. Tiny rivulets develop, coming together to form larger flows, then streams, and eventually, becoming nachalim (rivers).(2) Though Ezekiel’s “winter river” began as a trickle in verse 1, it eventually became a mighty, unfordable river by verse 5. Indeed, God’s healing river often begins as a trickle. We can be confident, however, that it will deepen; God will use the snow and ice of our winter season to bring to us a deep flow of His healing power. Our season will change. For those who are confused and disillusioned… For the heart grieving from pain and loss… For the faithful but weary soldier whose streambed is dry… For those who have lost their first love connection to Him… For the rejected of the world who are heartsick with hope deferred… …your season is changing! The warmth of spring will do its work, and summer is coming. Thank God winter seasons don’t last forever. The river of healing will flow to us, and we will drink of its healing power. As the following story states, there is a song of hope inside you, and you must sing. One night a discouraged man in London was on his way to drown himself. At that moment, his life did not seem worth living. As he walked along the street, he stopped and looked at a painting in a shop window. It was George Frederic Watt’s Hope - a woman, blindfolded, sitting on top of the world, holding a lyre with but one string. Yet still hoping and believing the instrument will make music, she is ready to strike it. The man, as he stood looking at that painting, said to himself: “Well, I have one string - I have a little boy at home.” So he returned home to his son.(3) When you feel there is nothing left, look again. The prophet Habakkuk said the flock might be dead and gone, there may be no fruit in the orchard, and the hillsides might be bare. But still, “I will exult in the Lord,” he said. “I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18). There was music possible yet! And there is still music in our nation. We must play hope’s song, even in the dark night of the soul. Job, in his hellish suffering, said the Lord “gives songs in the night” (Job 35:10). David, during his time of exile, said, “His song will be with me in the night” (Psalm 42:8). Paul and Silas, beaten, bleeding and in chains, “about midnight…were praying and singing hymns of praise to God” (Acts 16:25). There is hope in the night, and there is still music in our broken nation. Don’t give up! A passage in the Song of Solomon speaks of the end of a winter season: “My beloved responded and said to me, ‘Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along. ‘For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines, And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. The fig tree has ripened its figs, And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, And come along!’” (2:10-13) Working Things Together for Good Psalm 51 was written by a man experiencing hope deferred. King David had lost his first love connection with God, which resulted in sin and a winter season. The following prayer he offered was answered: “God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life…Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!” (vv. 10, 12, MSG) God wants to do that for America and for you. A fresh start…a Genesis week…out of exile…a fresh wind - that’s what He wants for us. A well-known verse in Romans speaks of God taking our pain, hurts, and destruction and bringing good from them. It is actually one of the most famous verses in the entire Bible: “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” (8:28). This verse packs an even greater power than most people realize. The phrase “work together” is from the Greek word sunergeo, from which we get the English words synergy and synergism. Synergism is “the working together of two or more to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.”(4) In choosing this word, God is promising He will take all of the bad, all of the pain, and every attempt of the enemy to destroy our faith - “all things” - and then put Himself in the mix, infusing the evils with His miraculous power. I will synergize with them, He says, and the good in Me will overpower the bad in them. Amazing! Disappointment, plus pain, plus loss, is used for something good when God’s river of healing enters. Believing in this truth is part of restoring hope. When complimented on her homemade biscuits by Dr. Harry Ironside, the cook responded, “Just consider what goes into the making of these biscuits. By itself, the flour doesn’t taste good; neither does the baking powder, nor the shortening, nor any other ingredient. However, when I mix them all together and put them in the oven, they’re transformed. They come out just right.” Much of life can taste bad. But God is able to combine these “ingredients” of our life in such a way that when He is finished, the result is good.(5) God is going to send His nachal river to America. It is rising, even now. He will heal, save, and restore. Keep your appeals strong - they are saving our land. Pray with me: Father, grief does not contradict or negate faith. We pray for Your comfort to those experiencing unspeakable pain. And though we grieve for our broken nation, we believe You are coming to release Your river of healing. Yes, we have been in an icy winter. Without a doubt, there is no hope for us but You. However, You are merciful and do not abandon people or nations in their times of wandering. Your heart is always to redeem, and our hope is in You. As many well-meaning people today formulate plans and discuss ideas to try and fix America, we are keenly aware that unless You build the house, they labor in vain. Bring the awakening we cry out for. Convict millions in America regarding our rejection of You. Help them see that our sick condition is due to this, and that the only cure is to return. Bring Your warmth and thaw frozen hearts until the winter in America is over and the river of Your healing flows with its full force. Strengthen the intercessors. Keep them strong, hope-filled, and full of faith. Remind them that You bring good even out of evil and can even use the plans of evil people to do so, just as You did for Joseph. We draw on You for strength, and we will persevere in our prayers. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the level of God’s healing river is rising, and He will heal our land. *************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video: -------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. s.v. OT:5158, “nachal.” James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. s.v. OT:5158, “nachalim.” Oden, Marilyn B. 100 Meditations on Hope. Upper Room Books, 1995. p. 72. “Synergism Definition & Meaning.” Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/synergism. Accessed 16 July 2024. (Accessed October 2, 2013). Adapted from Edward K. Powell, Fresh Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching. Baker Book House, 1997. p. 118. Sheets, Dutch. The Power of Hope: Let God Renew Your Mind, Heal Your Heart, and Restore Your Dreams. Charisma Media, 2014. pp. 70-74.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-26-2024 November 26, 2024 Reject Shallow Living, Refuse Small Dreaming According to a study reported in the May 2010 issue of Atherosclerosis, participants who were persistently depressed had a twofold increased risk of narrowing of the arteries. The study took place over a period of ten years, with participants being assessed for depression symptoms at least three different times during that ten-year period.(1) This is the same magnitude of increased risk that one sees in comparing a pack-a-day smoker to a nonsmoker.(2) Incredible. Hopelessness, if not checked, is a death sentence. A recent study in the British Medical Journal confirms this, reporting that people with serious depression were two-thirds more likely to die prematurely; even those with mild depression had a 16 percent higher risk of dying compared to individuals who were distress-free.(3) We can die from sorrow! God told us this long ago. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Most of us think only of our emotional or spiritual heart when we read this, but science is now proving that the verse is true of physical hearts as well. Hope deferred creates a diseased heart, both emotionally and physically; and with a diseased heart, no one can run life’s race effectively. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” we are exhorted in Hebrews 12:1. Lack of endurance, however, is one of the first results of heart disease. We may run, but we won’t run far. The loss of hope is crippling, making us little more than spectators in life. “Run in such a way that you may win,” the Lord urges us through Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:24. You’ll never do that with a diseased heart. When hope deferred sets in, not only are we unable to win; sometimes, we can’t even finish the race. There’s no doubt about it: hope-deferred “heart disease” is a killer. The Lord doesn’t want the pain, frustration, or disillusionment of hope deferred to affect our hearts in any way. He wants us to run the race of life enthusiastically, effectively, and with pleasure, enjoying the journey. We live in an era of incredible challenge and unprecedented change. Technology is increasing at astounding rates of speed; the global landscape is in an unstable and volatile state, with the possibility of nuclear war once again in the news; famine, disease, and violence are on the rise. The number of humans trafficked and enslaved is higher than at any time in history; the insanity and depravity of leaders in America and around the world have reached shocking levels; the hearts of people are failing them from fear. Thoreau’s famous quote, “The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation,” has never been more apropos. And yet, desperation - humankind’s inevitable realization that there is no human answer - always becomes the womb of God’s opportunity. His unstoppable march through history forces its way through the chaos and resistance of fallen humanity and into the opportune time of breakthrough and harvest. When this occurs, the body of Christ must recognize it and take action. Every generation of the church must have its own “for such a time as this” epiphany, a corporate revelation of its corporate purpose, and that the reason for this purpose has arrived (Esther 4:14). You and I have come to our time. The church is now staring at the greatest opportunity ever afforded the body of Christ. The stage is set. The full restoration of Christ’s gifts and anointings has been accomplished (Ephesians 4:11-12); the revelation being released from Holy Spirit is at profound levels; our incredible technology and modes of travel give us the ability to reach all the world with the gospel; and the desperation of a confused and hopeless populace has created a ripe harvest. We’ve been called to participate in the greatest Kingdom expansion in all of history. Like Esther, we must recognize and accept our moment, rise to our reason for living at this specific time, shake off all fear, and cast off all limitations. We must reject shallow living and refuse small dreaming. We must not measure success by temporal, human goals nor bow to the reprehensible idol of personal kingdom building. Determine that you will be part of God’s answer, a difference-maker, an agent of change. Be a voice; He must be heard through you. Be a giver of life; part of God’s answer to a desperate and hungry world. Stay low, but dream high. There is no Plan B. Pray with me: Father, we know that decades of complacency, disengagement, and lack of discernment in the church have allowed evil forces to gain strong footholds in our land. Through the catastrophic election of 2020, these forces intend to finish off America’s strength and her partnership with You. Once again, we repent on behalf of our nation for fifty years of choosing darkness over light. We repent for electing people who neither know nor honor You. And we repent for acquiescing to satan’s strategies. Forgive and cleanse us. In these troubling times of darkness and abounding evil, our hope in You anchors our souls. Our faith in Your love and grace is steadfast and immovable. You are using the difficulties we’re experiencing, the lunacy of seared consciences, and the fragile state of the world to create great desperation. This is producing a ripe harvest. You told us that when we discern the time for spiritual rain, an outpouring of Holy Spirit, we must ask for it (Zechariah 10:1). We do so now; send Your rain. And we pray for a great awareness to come to Your people, an awareness of the opportunity of our times. We pray for faith to arise in the church regarding Your heart and purposes. Help us keep our focus on You. We ask You to awaken in the church a sense of destiny. We join our faith for this now and also for the breaking of fear and hopelessness off the body of Christ. We bind spirits of fear and confusion, and we release the spirit of revelation to the church. In Christ’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that hope, faith, and strength are rising in the Ekklesia. Fear will not rule us. ****************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video: Portions of today’s devotional were taken from my book The Power of Hope(4) (no longer in print). -------------------------------------------------- Mark Hamer, Mika Kivimaki, Avijit Lahiri, Michael G. Marmot, and Andrew Steptoe, “Persistent Cognitive Depressive Symptoms Associated With Coronary Calcification.” Atherosclerosis 210, no. 1 (May 2010); 209-213, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2877780/ (accessed October 1, 2023). New York Times, “Despair and Risk of Artery Disease,” September 3, 1997, http://wwwnytimes.com/1997/09/03/us/despair-and-risk-of-artery-disease.html (accessed October 1, 2013). Tom C. Russ, Emmanuel Stamatakis, Mark Hamer, John M. Starr, Mika Kivimaki, and G. David Batty, “Association Between Psychological Distress and Mortality: Individual Participant Pooled Analysis of 10 Prospective Cohort Studies,” British Medical Journal 345 (July 31, 2012): e4933, http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e4933 (accessed October 1, 2023). Sheets, Dutch. The Power of Hope: Let God Renew Your Mind, Heal Your Heart, and Restore Your Dreams. Charisma Media, 2014. pp. 5-6.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-25-2024 November 25, 2024 Do Not Fear the Lion! The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies. Isaiah 42:13 At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, General George Washington instructed his troops: “The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die” (italics mine).(1) A warrior’s spirit was essential in order to win America’s freedom. This kind of warrior’s heart is also necessary spiritually. The Kingdom of God is full of paradoxes - seeming contradictions - this being one of them: though called to possess the quality of love more than any other, even to the point of laying down our lives (1 Corinthians 13), and to pursue peace with all men (Hebrews 12:14), we believers are also called to war spiritually (Ephesians 6:12-20). We must war against the kingdom and powers of darkness, false ideologies, and the strategies behind both. Also, though “we wrestle not against flesh and blood“ (Ephesians 6:12 KJV), we must boldly oppose laws, ideologies, and spiritual forces that war against Christ’s cause. Old Testament Warriors In the Old Testament, God gives us examples of warrior hearts. They are our examples, not because we are called to force His will on people, but in order for their internal traits to be applied to our lives and spiritual battles. David was one such warrior. This brave fighter killed a lion and a bear to protect his father’s sheep and was ever ready to fight the enemies of God when they attempted to destroy Israel. David possessed such a strong warrior's heart that he actually ran to face Goliath! (See 1 Samuel 17:48.) Then there was Benaiah, one of David’s “mighty men” (1 Chronicles 11:22-24). Like David, this heroic and bold warrior also killed a lion. It seems the marauding cat was threatening a village in Israel, which motivated the villagers to set a trap by digging a pit and baiting the lion into it. OK, so now what? How would they deal with the lion? Cage it and move it to another region? Kill it using spears, arrows, even stones? Several options were possible - none of which included jumping into the pit! Then, there are the Benaiahs of the world. For some reason, inexplicable except to a warrior’s heart, Benaiah didn’t want to kill the lion from above. Out of my way, he shouted. Before anyone could stop him, Benaiah jumped into the pit - “on a snowy day,” Scripture adds for good measure - and killed the lion (see 2 Samuel 23:20). Warrior? I believe so. Benaiah once killed “a man of great stature five cubits tall [seven and one-half feet]. Now in the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver's beam, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear” (1 Chronicles 11:23). Warrior times two! Warriors Reproduce Warriors Incidentally, from whom do you think Benaiah acquired his warrior nature? He was obviously inspired by the heart of his leader David, who also killed a lion and a giant. Warriors reproduce warriors. I’m praying God will raise up a generation of spiritual Davids and Benaiahs that will challenge satan, the roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), who is devouring many in our day. Eleazer was another David-inspired warrior. “He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the Lord brought about a great victory that day” (2 Samuel 23:10). What determination! In defending the nation of Israel, Eleazer fought through his weariness; and when he no longer possessed the necessary strength in his hand to hold the sword, he held on with his heart! When the battle was over, his comrades waded through the bodies and peeled Eleazer’s hand from his sword! Warrior! We Need Warriors Today How does this warrior spirit translate into action today against the spiritual giants of our land? Obviously, it begins with prayer - spiritual warfare. But there is more. Standing for truth through speaking up, voting out of office individuals with unbiblical and unwise ideals, giving to righteous causes, speaking out against all that opposes the rule of God - all are ways by which we war. To turn America back to the ancient path, we must tenaciously resist evil and tyranny, let our voices be heard, and pray until revival is seen in our land. Can we really see a reformation of America? Absolutely! If pioneer warriors with hearts like David, Benaiah, and Eleazer arise, with a determination to find and walk the old road, we can transform America. America is filled with spiritual pacifists. I am asking God to instead raise up spiritual warriors in our nation. We desperately need men and women with hearts strong enough to face whatever firepower satan and his allies can throw at them and, in spite of it all, turn this nation back to Christ. We need 21st-century burning-heart revivalists in the mold of John and Charles Wesley. We are desperate for Jonathan Edwards’ level anointings, causing such Holy Spirit unction that sinners cry out for forgiveness and salvation. We must have modern-day Finneys whose preaching births such conviction that men run to altars weeping and mourning. And Peter Cartwrights - Circuit Riders - who will brave wilderness paths and freezing winters on horseback to preach the gospel. We desperately need “praying Hydes,” Rees Howells and Jeremiah Lanphiers, who will shape history and birth awakenings in regions of the earth through prayer. Perhaps you were never taught about these heroes of the faith and are wondering who some of them are. That is part of the problem. America’s heroes today are athletes, movie stars, and singers. Many are good people, but heroes? I don’t think so. And frankly, some are not good. Many Americans emulate losers - perverts, adulterers, foul-mouthed rebels, irresponsible fathers, and lying politicians. May God give us holy, selfless warriors who will fight for truth and honor. May He raise up and mantle a generation that does not fear the lion! Pray with me: Father, in Your Word, You use battlefield terms like wrestle, warfare, fight, and soldier to describe our spiritual activities. Even though Christ defeated our enemy and took from him his authority, it is still our responsibility to enforce that victory on the earth. We must use Your name, Your power, and the sword of the Spirit to bind and loose, open and close. We are Your Ekklesia on the earth. We pray that warrior hearts will be found and awakened in Your church, and that people of faith and passion who run to face today’s Goliaths will be raised up. Give us Davids, Benaiahs, and Eleazars. May we fight until our hands cleave to the sword, holding on with impassioned hearts that refuse to yield to demonic forces. May the zeal of the Lord of Hosts consume us! We ask for this in faith; and in the name of Jesus, we believe it is done! Amen. Our decree: We decree that a fresh generation of spiritual warriors is arising on the earth who will enforce the victory of Calvary throughout the world. *************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------------- 1. Coffey, William T., editor. Patriot Hearts: An Anthology of American Patriotism. Purple Mountain, 2000. p. 118.

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-22-2024 November 22, 2024 Have You Been Found? When Christ was preparing His original twelve world-changing pioneers, He made the cost clear to them: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues.” (Matthew 10:16-17) “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’” (Matthew 16:24-25) What price did these first disciples eventually pay to partner with Christ? Were Christ's words simply symbolic, not to be taken literally? Surely, He wouldn't actually ask His followers to lay down their lives, would He? History answers these questions: ● Andrew was crucified. ● Bartholomew was crucified. ● James was stoned to death. ● James, the son of Zebedee, was beheaded. ● John was tortured and banished to the uninhabited island of Patmos. ● Peter was crucified upside down. ● Philip was crucified upside down. ● Thomas was martyred in India. ● The Apostle Paul and John the Baptist, not part of the original twelve disciples but two of Christ's early leaders, were beheaded. To be a true disciple of Christ – and nation-changers – we must be willing to lay down our lives. This mindset should permeate and influence all we do and live for. And if we are to see America saved, it is one of the non-negotiables: no cost is too great. William Wilberforce, who led the efforts to eradicate slavery from Great Britain, understood and demonstrated this. In the great movie about his life, Amazing Grace, based on the outstanding book by Eric Metaxas bearing the same name, Wilberforce’s butler surprised him in a moment of private prayer. When asked if he had found God, Wilberforce's poignant reply was, “I think He found me.”(1) Indeed, God “found” Wilberforce, who became so joined to His heart and desires that no price was too great for the cause. This reformer’s passion to see the ending of slavery caused him stomach ailments, nightmares, ridicule, and four decades of tireless work. Days before Wilberforce’s death, however, the decisive vote came to eliminate slavery from England. Amazingly, when the law became formal three days after the vote, Wilberforce's spirit left this world! Thomas Buxton, a personal friend and member of the House of Commons at the time, said of him, “The day which was the termination of his labors was the termination of his life.”(2) Have you been found? ... Does the cause of Christ possess you? When God led the early settlers to this land – He was obviously involved in the process – they came with hearts willing to pay whatever price the dream would cost. A part of their stated cause was, “For the Glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.”(3) These pioneers arrived on a cramped and dirty ship in sloshing water filled with human waste and vomit. Ill-prepared for the trials of this new land, including a brutal winter, more than half would perish before the end of their first summer. These settlers weren't failures, however. Planting a cross on the beach at Cape Henry and dedicating this land to the gospel and the glory of God, they created a holy and enduring legacy. Heaven still honors the trail they blazed and the prayers they prayed. Buried in the soil of freedom, they became a vital part of the heritage we now enjoy. Pioneers all, their legacies live. The price they paid to create an international outpost for the gospel created a debt for those who followed, including us today. The debt we Americans owe is not only to preserve freedom, but also to preserve this land as a light of truth – a beacon, a city on a hill – to all other nations. If we pay our debt today, the difficult trail we blaze back to our destiny will become the glorious path our children walk tomorrow. America was formed with the blood, sweat, and tears of many price-paying pioneers. When John Adams was elected as a Boston delegate in 1770, he knew it was considered treason to the King of England; Adams believed the decision would cost him everything. He informed his wife Abigail, “I have accepted a seat in the House of Representatives, and thereby have consented to my own ruin…”(4) How many today would accept a seat in Congress if they knew it could cost them everything? Adams wasn't finished with his declaration, however. After informing Abigail that he had consented to his own ruin, this patriot pioneer continued, “...to your ruin, and the ruin of our children. I give you this warning, that you may prepare your mind for your fate.”(5) Incredible. But Adams, like Wilberforce, had been found! His love of liberty and belief that God was raising up the United States of America meant that, to him, no price was too great to pay. How did Abigail feel about this? Betrayed? Horrified? Did she threaten to leave him? Not even close. She, too, had been found. According to Adams, Abigail burst into tears and cried out, “Well, I am willing in this cause to run all risks with you, and be ruined with you, if you are ruined.”(6) At the signing of the Declaration of Independence a few years later, Adams, along with his fellow signers, again accepted the potential and probable cost of freedom: “For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”(7) Adams would later state to Abigail, “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means.”(8) Some accuse me of inappropriately marrying the love of God and country, but I too, have been found; it is my love for God and His cause on the earth that fuels my passion for seeing America restored. Like Adams and our other Founding Fathers, I realize God chose to raise up this nation as part of His plan to redeem the human race. America wasn’t established solely for Americans. Partnering with God in His great dream is our privilege and destiny. For this, no cost is too great. Let’s cry out for another generation who will lose their lives to find His; believers who will accept their debt to the cross and pay any price necessary to lead America back to the old road. “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, MSG) Pray with me: Father, we are grateful for those in the great cloud of witnesses who have paid such high prices for our freedom and Your cause. We are humbled by the sacrifices so many of them have made. We ask You to forgive us in the American church for watering down, even abandoning, our commitment to You and Your cause. Forgive us for preaching watered-down messages, a human-centered gospel, and an absent-from-the-culture theology. We agree in intercession today that hearts in the church will be awakened. Passion for You and Your Kingdom will outweigh our devotion to self. Revival has begun, and millions will give their hearts to You; millions more will have their first love restored, and the church will rediscover her voice. You are worth our full devotion. Heal our broken nation. Lead us back to the old road of truth, integrity, righteousness, and common sense. Lead us back to servanthood, loving our neighbors, and the golden rule. Give us leaders who love and honor You and Your ways. Deliver us from evil rulers. We ask You for this in Christ’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the purpose of God for America will not be lost - the recovery has begun! ******************************* Portions of today’s devotional were taken from my book The Way Back.(9) Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------------- 1. Apted, Michael, director. Amazing Grace. Roadside Attractions, 2006. 2. Dyer, Steven G., Transforming a Nation: How England Turned Back to God in the Eighteenth Century. Can it Happen in America? Steven J. Dyer, 2010. p. 54. 3. “Mayflower Compact: 1620.” Avalon Project, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/mayflower.asp. Accessed 16 July 2024. 4. Bennett, William J. Our sacred honor: Words of advice from the Founders in stories, letters, poems, and speeches. Simon & Schuster, 1997. p. 40. 5. Ibid. 6. Ibid. 7. Ibid., p.64. 8. Ibid. 9. Sheets, Dutch. The Way Back: Break Out of the Status Quo and Find the Wild in You. Dutch Sheets Ministries, 2016. pp. 33-37.

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-21-2024 November 21, 2024 “A People in Covenant with God” Why We Declare and Decree According to Psalm 110:1-3, Christ has given the Ekklesia His scepter of authority. Isaiah 22:22 references this authority as a key, as does Matthew 16:19. One of the ways we release this authority is through verbal commands. As we do so, Psalm 110 says we are making Christ’s enemies His footstool. The passage states that we do this as part of Christ’s “Melchizedek (King-Priest) Order,” of which all believers are members. As kings, we decree; as priests, we petition and appeal. When we decree God’s plans for America, we are releasing His purposes and cutting off satan’s plans; we are wielding the sword of the Spirit. We are also participating in the synergy of the ages, tapping into “history past” and writing “history future.” Here are some great quotes from America’s history to use, which you may not have seen: Peter Bulkeley Peter Bulkeley was the Puritan leader who established the city of Concord, Massachusetts, in 1636. In his only publication, The Gospel Covenant, also known as The Covenant of Grace Opened, Peter Bulkeley stated: “We are as a city set upon a hill, in the open view of all the earth... We profess ourselves to be a people in covenant with God, and therefore... the Lord our God…..will cry shame upon us if we walk contrary to the covenant which we have promised to walk in.”(1) Using Deuteronomy 28:10 and Isaiah 61:9 as his sources, Bulkeley continued: “Let us study so to walk that this may be our excellency and dignity among the nations of the world among which we live; that they may be constrained to say of us, only this people is wise, and a holy and blessed people; that all that see us may see and know that the name of the Lord is called upon by us; and that we are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.(2) Laws America’s original laws and constitutions were based on the Scriptures. Here are a few examples: The Massachusetts General Court, in 1636, resolved to establish a code of laws that would be: “agreeable to the Word of God.”(3) The Connecticut General Court, in 1639, established under the Constitution of Connecticut, issued the order: “that God’s Word should be the only rule for ordering the affairs of government in this commonwealth.”(4) The Fundamental Orders (Constitution) of Connecticut (January 14, 1639) was the first constitution written in America, and established a pattern that all others followed, including the United States Constitution.(5) So important was this work that Connecticut became known as “The Constitution State.”(6) The committee responsible to frame the orders was charged to make the laws: “as near the law of God as they can be.”(7) Cotton Mather Cotton Mather was an American colonial clergyman and educator. He graduated from Harvard in 1678 and joined his father, Increase Mather, in the pastorate of the Second Church in Boston in 1680. He helped found Yale University and, in 1721, became President of the Connecticut College. He authored 450 books and was the first person born in America to be elected to the Royal Society of London. Cotton Mather was regarded as the most brilliant man of New England in his time. Among his many accomplishments was the introduction of the smallpox inoculation during an epidemic in 1721. In 1702, Cotton published Magnalia Christi Americana (The Great Achievement of Christ in America), which is the most detailed history written of the first fifty years of New England. In it, he stated: “The sum of the matter is that from the beginning of the Reformation in the English nation, there had always been a generation of godly men, desirous to pursue the reformation of religion, according to the Word of God...[The Puritans were] driven to seek a place for the exercise of the Protestant religion, according to the light of conscience, in the deserts of America.”(8) Jonathon Trumbull Just one year and a couple of months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on April 19, 1775, in a Proclamation of a Day of Fasting and Prayer for the Connecticut Colony, Governor Jonathan Trumbull beseeched that: “God would graciously pour out His Holy Spirit on us to bring us to a thorough repentance and effectual reformation, that our iniquities may not be our ruin; that He would restore, preserve and secure the liberties of this and all the other British American colonies, and make the land a mountain of Holiness, and habitation of righteousness forever.”(9) Declaration of Independence And last but not least, the Declaration of Independence. The very last line leaves no doubt as to where our Founding Fathers placed their faith and gained their resolve: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”(10) Pray with me: Father, as we declare from America’s past, we do so to see her restored and realigned with Your divine purposes. As a great symphony of declarations and appeals rises to You, merge them with the early voices that declared Your plans and purposes. Use the decrees to shake down evil and reestablish righteousness in our land. From these quotes: We declare America “to be a people in covenant with God.” We declare that America is “a city on a hill” and that the light of truth will once again shine from our shores…in order that “all who see us may see and know that the name of the Lord is called upon by us; and that we are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.” We declare that America will have laws “agreeable to the Word of God…that His Word will be the only rule for ordering the affairs of our government.” We declare that “God will graciously pour out His Holy Spirit on America again to bring us to a thorough repentance and effectual reformation, in order that our iniquities may not be our ruin; that He will restore, preserve and secure the liberties of this nation, and make the land a mountain of Holiness, and habitation of righteousness forever.” We declare that “our support of the Declaration of Independence is with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.” Now, Lord, we ask You to strengthen, bless, and lead intercessors throughout America. Remind them of their authority in Christ, the power of their words, and how incredibly noble is their cause. Remind them of the millions of souls coming into Your Kingdom because of their prayers. Encourage each intercessor regarding their worth and importance to You. We pray these things in Christ’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that Christ’s enemies are becoming His footstool. **************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------- Montesquieu, Baron Charles Louis Joseph de Secondat. 1748. Baron Charles Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws, 1748, Anne Cohler, trans. Cambridge University Press, 1989. p. 157. Ibid. Massachusetts, General Court of. 1636. Massachusetts Colonial Records, 1:174. Benjamin Fletcher Wright, Jr., American Interpretations of Natural Law. Russell & Russell, 1962. p. 33. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and the Constitution - The Faith of Our Founding Fathers. Baker Book House, A Mott Media Book, 1987, 6th printing 1993. p. 32. Connecticut, Fundamental Orders (Constitution) of. January 14, 1639. Old South Leaflets, No. 8. John Fiske, The Beginning of New England. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1889, 1898. P. 127-128. Ibid. Connecticut, Fundamentals Orders (Constitution) of. January 14, 1639. Old South Leaflets, No. 8. The World Book Encyclopedia, 18 vols. Field Enterprises, Inc., 1957; W.F. Quarrie and Company, 8 vols., 1917; World Book, Inc., 22 vols., 1989. Vol. 3, p. 1675. Connecticut, Fundamental Orders (Constitution) of. January 14, 1639. John Wingate Thornton, The Pulpit of the American Revolution, 1860. Reprinted: Burt Franklin, 1970. p. XIX. Mather, Cotton. 1702. Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana, (The Great Achievement of Christ in America), 2 vols. The Banner of Truth Trust, 1702, 1979. 1:26. Gary DeMar, America's Christian History: The Untold Story. American Vision Publishers, Inc., 1993. p. 47. Trumbull, Jonathan. April 19, 1775, as Governor of the Connecticut Colony proclaiming a day of fasting and prayer. Verna M. Hall, The Christian History of the American Revolution. Foundation for American Christian Education, 1976. p. 407. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America. Garborg's Heart°N Home, Inc., 1991. 3.22. Marshall Foster and Mary-Elaine Swanson, The American Covenant - The Untold Story. Foundation for Christian Self-Government, 1981. The Mayflower Institute, 1983, 1992. p. 120. “Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” National Archives, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript. Accessed 15 July 2024.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-19-2024 November 19, 2024 Unfulfilled Promises Periodically, I like to mention quotes from America’s Founders and Framers. Declaring statements made in the past by God—and those made by others at His inspiration—does more than just honor Him and our predecessors. It releases God’s power from yesterday’s words and promises into today. The last two verses of Hebrews 11 shed light on this. “And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made complete” (Hebrews 11:39-40). Some promises made by God to people are multi-generational and not intended to be fully accomplished in their lifetimes. Those to whom the promise was made are sometimes only the “womb” in which the “seed” is planted. The succeeding generation(s) furthers the growth, brings the seed to birth, and stewards that which is born. The Greek word translated as “complete” (teleioo)(1) in the above verse, Hebrews 11:40, also means “to finish; to mature; to reach the intended goal.”(2) Think about the ramifications of this: there are many promises God has made to individuals who are now in heaven that He cannot “finish” or fulfill without us. What He started through them cannot “mature” or “reach its intended goal” until we grab the baton and run our leg of the race. This is profound in its significance. Why wouldn’t the Lord want us to know and declare America’s destiny – that which was written and declared at the beginning? He can’t finish it without us. Here are just a few statements and facts from America’s past we should agree with and declare: Government In 1643, John Winthrop, who stated that “we shall be as a city on a hill…” organized the New England Confederation, consisting of New Plymouth, New Haven, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Their Constitution, the first document in America where colonies united themselves, read, “Whereas we all came to these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely, to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, ...for preserving and propagating the truth and liberties of the Gospel.”(3) William Penn, author of the book No Cross, No Crown, which he wrote while imprisoned in the Tower of London, was the founder of Pennsylvania. His first legislative act, “The Great Law of Penn,” stated, “Whereas the glory of Almighty God and the good of mankind is the reason and the end of government, and government itself is a venerable ordinance of God...let there be established laws as shall best preserve true Christian and Civil liberty, in opposition to all unchristian, licentious, and unjust practices, whereby God can have His due.”(4) Penn asked God to make Pennsylvania “the seed of a nation,”(5) and God answered his prayer. Our Declaration of Independence was decreed there in 1776. Four times, the document references God: as our Lawmaker, Creator, Judge, and Protector. The Liberty Bell that rang in Philadelphia that day had inscribed on it: Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof (Leviticus 25:10). Our Constitution was written in Pennsylvania in 1787, born through prayer, which was requested by Ben Franklin. In this Constitution, our government’s three branches were formed according to Isaiah 33:22. “The Lord is our Judge…Lawgiver…King; He will save us.” The righteous seeds Penn and others planted produced a righteous nation and government. We must command these truths embedded in America’s fabric to come alive once more. Education One hundred six of America’s first 108 colleges and universities were founded on the Christian faith. Students at Harvard and Yale were required to read the Scriptures twice daily. Harvard’s founders stated: “All knowledge without Christ is vain.” Its motto was “For Christ and The Church.” Yale’s founders stated that “Every student shall consider the main end of his study is to know God in Jesus Christ.” Princeton’s motto was “Under God’s Power She Flourishes.” The first president of Princeton, Jonathan Dickenson, said, “Cursed be all learning that is contrary to the Cross of Christ.” The great pastor and revivalist, Jonathan Edwards, was the 3rd president of Princeton.(6) Noah Webster, who published the first American Dictionary of the English Language in 1828 said, “Education is useless without the Bible.”(7) “The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws.(8) Webster also said, “The principles of genuine liberty, and of wise laws and administrations, are to be drawn from the Bible and sustained by its authority.”(9) ... Profound..! What God began in America is not “finished”; it hasn’t “reached its intended goal.” He needs our agreement and commands in order to complete it. Use these and other facts regarding her founding, find more through research and study, and declare them. When you do, this will generate power. Pray with me: Father, You are the great Olam El, the Everlasting God, who declares the end from the beginning. When our forefathers were stating their faith in You, declaring Your plans and heart for America, and covenanting to partner with You in fulfilling them, You looked ahead and saw us. You knew You would have a people in this hour who would arise in faith and agree with what was declared back then. We are that people. As we do so, our faith is not in our ability to declare and command perfectly. It is not in our wisdom, understanding, or abilities. Our faith is in YOU, YOUR mercy offered through Christ, and YOUR ability to work all things after the counsel of YOUR will. With this faith, we command Your purposes into our government, established under You and Your Word. We declare that You are our Lawgiver, Judge, and King. We declare that the seeds of righteousness planted in our land are not dead; they will bring forth righteous fruit. And we declare that the weeds and thorns will be uprooted and destroyed. We declare over our education system that evil and perversion will be uprooted. We declare that Christ and His Word will once again be honored. We declare that all knowledge not rooted in Him is vain, and cursed be all learning that contradicts the Cross of Christ. We declare that to know Him is the highest goal of all learning. We command a return to truth and a rejection of deception. We pray and command all these things in Yeshua’s holy name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that we embrace our God-given roots and destiny, thereby allowing God to finish through us what He started in America. ******************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. --------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. ref. no. 5046. Ibid, ref. no. 5046. “The Articles of Confederation of the United Colonies of New England; May 19, 1643.” Avalon Project, https://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/art1613.asp. Accessed 15 July 2024. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country [Encyclopedia Of Quotations]. FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994. p. 503. Leo Godzich, Faith of Our Founding Fathers. The National Association of Marriage Enhancement Publishers, 1982. p. 78. Ibid, pp. 105-111. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country [Encyclopedia Of Quotations]. FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994. p. 676. Ibid, p. 678. Ibid, p. 679.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-18-2024 November 18, 2024 The Highest Glory of the American Revolution This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8 Today, I want to share several powerful quotes from America’s history; these statements were made by U.S. presidents. Though not all of these presidents were Founding Fathers, their words carry great authority. They also serve to combat the lies of revisionists who try to diminish our Christian roots and heritage. Truth is a powerful weapon. Here are a few statements - from hundreds of possibilities - stating faith in God, respect for His Word, and honor for Christ: ************ “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” George Washington “The propitious smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained.” George Washington “We recognize no sovereign but God, and no king but Jesus!” John Adams “I consider a decent respect for Christianity among the best recommendations for public service.” John Adams “The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart.” Thomas Jefferson “The Bible is the first and almost the only book deserving of universal attention.” John Quincy Adams “My custom is to read four or five chapters of the Bible every morning immediately after rising. It seems to me the most suitable manner of beginning the day. It is an invaluable and inexhaustible mine of knowledge and virtue.” John Quincy Adams “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 “We have staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the whole of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future and success of America are not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.” James Madison “We have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand, which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.” Abraham Lincoln “I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man.” Abraham Lincoln “All must admit that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, in the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and in the best type of citizenship.” Grover Cleveland “And to the Divine Author of every good and perfect gift, we are indebted for all those privileges and advantages, religious as well as civil, which are so richly enjoyed in this favored land.” James Monroe “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” Theodore Roosevelt “The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.” Calvin Coolidge “The study of the Bible is a postgraduate course in the richest library of human experience.” Herbert Hoover “The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.” John F. Kennedy “Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible.” Ronald Reagan “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” Ronald Reagan ************ As we offer up priestly prayers and release kingly decrees, using these and other portions of America’s history, we do so with a conscious faith that God is hearing our appeals, and the sword we release is powerful. As many thousands of us obey Him, agreeing together in Christ’s name, we are releasing His Kingdom will into the earth. And His Kingdom wins - always. Our Prayer and Decree: Father, You have taught us the power of “the synergy of the ages.” We know that You finish through future generations that which You began in the past. It is our privilege to honor those in history and build on the foundations You established through them. We are reminded that the words “patriot” and “patriotism” come from the Greek word for father/s (pater)(1). We desire to be true patriots, honoring and embracing the vision, work, and efforts of our Founders. Therefore, we make the following decrees today from the words they wrote: We decree that it is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible. We decree that we recognize no sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus. We decree that the future and success of America are not found in our laws or Constitution, but in the laws of God, upon which the Constitution was founded. We decree that we will not forget God and His gracious hand, which has preserved us in peace, multiplied us, and enriched us bountifully. We decree that the reception of the teachings of Christ results in the purest patriotism, the most scrupulous fidelity to public trust, and the best type of citizenship. We decree that knowledge of the Bible is worth more than all other education and training. We decree that we will never forget we are one nation UNDER GOD. And we decree that life is in the power of these words and that we will eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21). America shall be saved! **************************** A note from Dutch: Three of the best books for quotes from America’s early leaders and Founders, as well as information regarding America’s beginning, are: America’s God and Country: Encyclopedia of Quotations by William J. Federer Faith of Our Founding Fathers by Leo Godzich The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel (out of print, but copies can be found in libraries and some bookstores) -------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. ref. no. 3962.

6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-15-2024 November 15, 2024 Today is my brother Tim’s birthday. The world is a far better place because the Creator blessed us with this man. So often, we are encouraged and equipped by the words Holy Spirit releases through him. I am sharing another one today as we celebrate Tim’s birthday. Today’s title is: Surrendering Nothing America’s recent election has been called “historic” numerous times. When something significant happens in the natural realm, one must also pay attention to what is concurrently taking place spiritually. A shift has taken place, resulting in an open heaven over our nation, and causing a different anointing to flow from Holy Spirit. He is anointing new assignments. The possibility of great turnarounds is before us and must be stewarded by Ekklesia. We must continue to be watchmen on the wall, offering up wise prayers to implement the right changes. When I asked the Lord what the next step for the Ekklesia should be, He said, “It is now time for My Ekklesia to embrace and live in a higher authority mindset, one that stewards wisely the principles I have revealed.” A Kingdom mindset declares seemingly impossible changes that overcome hell’s strategies. We have been anointed to steward this season and finish well. We should be pleased and joyful, while also remaining vigilant. We must maintain a mentality that reflects great authority and despises complacency. We cannot let down our guard but instead, use the dominating force of the Kingdom of Heaven to overcome. Understand that those whose hearts are evil will continue to reveal their evilness. They must now face a church with a different mindset, one that functions in bold Kingdom authority. An Ekklesia that will not back down. We have been anointed to prevail, and we will do so for our King. The Lord has told us we will be in a war season through next spring and that an agitated spirit realm will stir violence in the natural realm. However, He also said not to be shaken. Followers of Baal are now screaming, shouting, and gnashing their teeth, desperate for their antichrist agenda to work. Thank God for the authority we have been given. While a new administration in our government is essential, only God can bring the reformation we need, and He uses an engaged remnant of the Ekklesia to accomplish His purposes. This election has revealed a growing Ekklesia that is active, a body of believers who will pray God’s will into the national changes being made. We must continue to do so. The Lord spoke the following words to me after the election: “The trumpets of war have sounded from Heaven. Arise Ekklesia; rise in your authority. You will find it more than enough. Rise and confront the forever loser with My words. As you do, he will flee from you, so rise and confront his dark kingdom. For the Lord declares the prevailing anointing now flowing will activate an attitude of heroes of faith.” Tim shares: The phrase “attitude of heroes of faith” caught my attention. An attitude means a settled way of thinking that is reflected in behavior; a mental state, or character that is demonstrated. It is also an aviation term related to a plane’s position and angle, enabling it to maintain stability. The word continues: “So arise, Ekklesia, as Holy Spirit anoints your behavior and disposition to represent Me in disciplined power. Holy Spirit is anointing the true church to behave differently and walk in new directions. Paths walked in authority towards hell’s advances in government or in culture are similar to the attitudes of My heroes of faith. New paths into harvest fields are also being prepared in order to reap a worldwide harvest. A billion soul harvest will be reaped, just as heroes of past reformations and revivals reaped the harvests of their day. “Arise, Ekklesia, as Holy Spirit shapes your disposition to reign with Me in great authority and reap My greatest harvest. For the anointing now being poured from Heaven will shift attitudes, actions, and mindsets, creating heroes of faith who work for My cause. Holy Spirit’s presence and anointings will affect the Ekklesia’s very disposition. This will be clearly seen, bringing fear into demonic strongholds. “For now, the intimidating Ekklesia will rise against hell in My breaker anointing, and My compassion will rise toward My harvest. A different behavior will be seen in My remnant warriors, attitudes and mindsets that reflect My power. They will not be intimidated. Rather, the weight of glory resting upon them will make them intimidators of hell’s kingdom. For My glory intimidates hell, says the Lord, and My glory will intimidate hell through this presence upon My Ekklesia. They will behave as those carrying a great weight of My glory and authority. “Ekklesia, behave as sons and daughters. Behave as joint heirs with Me. The Lord says the world will now see the paths of My Ekklesia extending into all of the earth. The direction she travels will show an aggressive resistance to hell’s advances in government and cultures. The Ekklesia will now be presented as anointed for spiritual war, for battle, to reign, and to bring change. They’ll be anointed to work for My harvest, to reap the lost. I am anointing My Ekklesia with a determined attitude to prevail and win, just as I did Gideon’s 300 and David’s mighty men. “Shift now into a prevailing mentality, prevailing behavior. A determined anointing to win will now fill My remnant. They will not surrender My Kingdom to the governments of man, but will influence the governments of man with My ways. They will not surrender the spiritual weapons I’ve given them, but will use them. They will not hesitate at demonic clamer and activity. They will not relinquish their authority, their swords, or their spears. The sword of My word will swing from their mouths, empowered to demolish strongholds, scattering and shattering enemy plans. The sword of My word swung by My Ekklesia’s decrees will be a disruptive force, confusing the plans of demonic powers. It will disrupt the followers of Baal, causing disarray from coast to coast. “For you will see, even this month, says the Lord, and in the months to come, the acceleration of disarray. Confusion and bewilderment will mystify those committed to dark agendas. They will wear the yoke of their own confusion, reap their own destructive plans, and wander their paths of disillusion. “My Ekklesia will rise, and their attitude will reveal their trust in Me. They will surrender nothing. They will not take orders from kings, potentates, governors, congressmen or women, senators, prime ministers, mayors, city councils, school boards, professors, or woke mobs. My Ekklesia listens to Holy Spirit. Their orders come from Lord Sabaoth. They are those who stand for My cause without compromise. An anointing to prevail will produce great victories.” Let’s finish the race and reset this nation with the spiritual authority we’ve been given. Pray with me: Father, thank You for the gifts and anointing You have placed on Tim’s life. We honor him for his devotion to You, his character, humility, and unyielding commitment to Your cause. Give us more like him, and bless him today! And we thank You for this word. Bring the tenacious attitude You spoke of, an attitude exemplified by past heroes of faith. Continue to increase the determination of the Ekklesia, even as You increase our authority and faith. Give us backbones of steel. We also ask for greater sensitivity to Your voice and higher levels of wisdom. Lead us in these new paths You spoke of, paths leading to great change and harvest. We continue to pray for our government leaders. Give them wisdom, character, and the hearts of reformers. Send a true revival to Washington D.C. We ask this for other nations, as well. We agree with their prayers for this, even as I know many of them agree with us. We’re asking for this billion soul harvest You spoke of. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We declare that the Ekklesia has been anointed to prevail, and we will accomplish our King’s purpose, surrendering nothing. ************************* Today’s post was contributed by my brother, Tim. You can learn more about him at TimSheets.org. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-14-2024 November 14, 2024 The Never-Late God The election among Republican Senators for Majority Leader was held yesterday, and the person I wanted to see in that position, Rick Scott, did not win. However, many prayed regarding this decision; therefore, we trust the Lord to do what is needed through Senator John Thune. President-elect Trump has released several statements regarding his plans once elected. I found it very interesting, in light of yesterday’s post, that the GOP platform in this election was subtitled: A Return To Common Sense. Including the subtitle, the GOP platform used the words “Common Sense” seven times. In one of the dreams I shared yesterday, I referenced the writings of Thomas Paine, which included an influential pamphlet titled “Common Sense.” This booklet helped persuade the colonists to fight for their independence from Britain. “It was sold and distributed widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places. In proportion to the population of the colonies at that time (2.5 million), it had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history.(1) As of 2006, it remains the all-time best-selling American title and is still in print today.”(2) In the dream, Paine threw me a football that had the word “Triumph” on it and contained a key that also had this word inscribed on it. The connection between Paine’s “Common Sense” and the common sense Trump promoted in order to triumph is undeniable. If you have not done so, I encourage you to take a look at yesterday’s post. Here is another statement Trump released, a plan to dismantle the Deep State: “Immediately reissue my 2020 executive order, restoring the President’s authority to remove rogue bureaucrats. “Clean out all of the corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus. “Totally reform FISA courts, which are so corrupt that the judges seemingly do not care when they’re lied to in warrant applications. “Expose the hoaxes and abuses of power that have been tearing our country apart. “Launch a major crackdown on government leakers who collude with the fake news to release false narratives and to subvert our government and our democracy. “Make every Inspector General’s office independent and physically separated from the departments they oversee so they do not become the protectors of the deep state. “Ask Congress to establish an independent auditing system to continually monitor our intelligence agencies to ensure they are not spying on our citizens or running disinformation campaigns against the American people, or that they are not spying on someone’s campaign like they spied on my campaign. “Continue the effort launched by the Trump administration to move parts of the sprawling federal bureaucracy to new locations outside the Washington swamp. “Work to ban federal bureaucrats from taking jobs at the companies they deal with and that they regulate. “Push a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of Congress.”(3) These common-sense steps would go a long way to cleaning up Washington, but they will be difficult to attain. Prayer will be needed. I remind us all today that our nation was born under the banner of a prayer movement: Appeal To Heaven. I have often said, “It was prayer that birthed America, and it will be prayer that rebirths her.” This is why God brought the ATH flag out of hiding a few years ago. It is also why the woke left, including woke preachers and authors, don’t like the flag, calling it a symbol of insurrection. They can take up their complaints with George Washington, the flag’s initiator, and God, whom it references. Keep appealing, Ekklesia, to the “never late” God! Pray with me: Father, we are appealing to You to help incoming President Trump, his Cabinet, Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Thune, and all who work with them as they attempt to clean up our government. It has become a bureaucratic cesspool. We ask You to oversee the process, including the removal of those in the way. Cleanse and restore. Give us humble, servant-hearted, patriotic leaders who honor You. We are very certain that plans are being formulated to oppose this process. We ask You to aggressively expose and stop these plans. Rise up and scatter Your enemies (Psalm 68:1). Shatter the works of darkness (Psalm 2:9). We command Your will to be done, as You instructed us to do in Matthew 6:10, and we bind opposing spirits and their strategies. We continue to ask for Your protection over our government leaders. Also, expose and thwart terrorist plans. We ask You to destroy terrorist organizations and their plans. End the influence of principalities behind terrorism in the Middle East and here in America. And finally, You told us to ask for spiritual rain when we discern it is time for it (Zechariah 10:1). We know it is time, and we are asking. Let it rain!!! We ask for all of this in the name of He who has ALL authority, Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that appealing to the God of heaven worked during America’s founding, and it still works today. ************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------------ Conway, Moncure Daniel (1893), The Life of Thomas Paine (See Ch. VI.) Kaye, Harvey J. (2005), Thomas Paine and the Promise of America, New York: Hill and Wang, ISBN 0-8090-9344-8 https://www.donaldjtrump.com/agenda47/agenda47-president-trumps-plan-to-dismantle-the-deep-state-and-return-power-to-the-american-people

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-13-2024 November 13, 2024 Be Encouraged and KEEP PRAYING It is sometimes difficult to discern the timing represented in dreams; at times, they actually have dual timings — when they’re given and later on. Several significant dreams were given to friends of ours leading up to the 2020 Elections, some of which were obviously for then, and others were for now. Here are two of those dreams – which are related to one another – given to our friend Gina Gholston: ****************** “In a dream given on July 17, 2020, I saw Dutch Sheets running up a very high hill, a small mountain. He was running like a football wide receiver, with his arms stretched out to catch a football that had been thrown to him. The football had been thrown beyond where Dutch was in order to ‘lead’ him ahead, and also so he could catch the pass while continuing to run. “Dutch was running very fast up this hillside to catch the pass. I somehow knew in the dream that the one throwing the football was Thomas Paine, doing so from another hillside. “(Thomas Paine was an author in the days of America’s founding. He wrote a 47-page pamphlet titled Common Sense, which was very influential in helping persuade the colonists of their need for independence from Britain, and in rallying support for the approval of the Declaration of Independence.) “Though Dutch was running up the hillside to catch the football thrown to him from Paine, he had made it to the top of this very high hill before he caught it. Once he caught the football, Dutch turned to look at Thomas Paine on the other hillside, then to his right, where a city was located just up the valley, between these two hillsides. Beyond the city was a river that ran down into the city. Dutch knew the football contained something that was to be released into the city. He was to place it in the river, where it would float downstream, and at the exact right time, its contents would be released into the city. “So, Dutch made his way to the headwaters of that river and placed the football into it. Written in silver letters on the football was the word ‘Triumph.’ As it moved down the river, Dutch was looking toward the city, and I realized it was actually Washington, DC. “That was the end of the dream.” Here is the second dream: “November 11, 2020, I dreamed that I was walking beside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Looking to my right, I saw something floating down a river. I watched as it came closer to where I was, and suddenly, it hit a rock with such force that something went airborne from it. The object flew over my head and landed on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. I walked over to see what it was, and saw that it was an old, silver skeleton key. Written on the key was the word ‘Triumph.’ “As I stood looking at it, the key lit up. When it did, my cell phone notified me that I had received a text message. The text read, ‘I Am NOT late!’ Then, suddenly, there was a brilliant light that engulfed everything, and the whole scene changed. “I found myself standing on the steps of the US Capitol with a large group of people. I looked down beside me, and on the steps was the same silver key that had come from the river. Underneath the key was a piece of paper, the original copy of an essay I had written thirty-four years ago (1986)! “(A side note: In my junior year of high school, I wrote an essay, which my English teacher entered in a contest run by the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority). Their theme was ‘When Electricity Came to Rural America.’ I interviewed my Grandpa, who was born in 1906, who told me all about the difference having electricity had made for him, his family, and our nation. For my essay, I told his story, which was selected as a winner in the contest. The prize was an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C.) “Back to the Dream: The silver ‘Triumph’ key was laying on top of that essay, written in 1986. I picked up the essay and read it, crying happy tears as I reminisced. Then it started to snow, and there was a very tangible peace that blanketed the atmosphere - like walking outside on a brightly lit snowy night. “Then suddenly, the key lit up again, and my phone alerted me that I had received another text. The text read the same as the first one, but this time in all capital letters, ‘I AM NOT LATE!’ “When I awakened from the dream, my first thought was, ‘Of course! It was a key inside the football!!! A key to unlock the “Triumph” God has declared over our nation!’” *************** The primary meanings of the dreams are obvious. God is not late, and He will cause us to triumph. The changes President Trump will help create were not able to begin in 2020, as we had expected. In God’s wisdom, He waited until now, after further exposing the Left, and further preparing Trump and others – both those on his team and in other positions. Other symbolic meanings in the dream are: Paine represents America’s founding, and perhaps even the “common sense” leadership of Trump; the Lincoln Memorial pictures liberty or freedom. (In 1986, when Gina wrote her paper, the Statue of Liberty reopened during “Liberty Weekend,” July 4-7. Also that year, Trump was one of several individuals honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.) The river would be the Potomac, known as the “Nation’s River.” The key represents the authority Christ gave the church (Isaiah 22:22; Matthew 16:18-19), with which to carry out His will. The large crowd on the Capitol steps where the “Triumph” key showed up again, and the second text came through reading, “I AM NOT LATE!” may just be Trump’s second inauguration! I wanted to encourage you today with these dreams. I also remind you once again to persevere in prayer for Trump as he chooses the team with which he will work, for the incredibly important decisions being made by the House and Senate, and for the continuing vote counts. Let’s not let up in our praying. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for these two dreams. They remind us of Your perfect timing. You are the Eternal One, the Creator of time, yet You are not controlled by it. For You, a day is as 1000 years, and 1000 years as a day (2 Peter 3:8). As the I AM, You see the past, present, and future all at once and declare the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). They also remind us that You always win. Also, You cause us to always triumph in Christ when we honor and obey You (2 Corinthians 2:14). We thank You for what has occurred in these elections, even while realizing they are not an end in themselves. They’re simply part of what You are doing to restore America to Your plans and purposes. This is always the goal as we pray for our nation. At this strategic time, we ask that Your wisdom be given to our government leaders in the House and Senate, as well as to Trump and his transition team. We ask that You strategically guide him, and that he does not make ANY mistakes in choosing appointments to various positions. We also ask for Your protective hand to stop any and all election interference as the votes continue to be counted. And we ask for Your overriding hand to rule in the election of the Senate Majority Leader. And finally, we pray for Your hand of protection over our government leaders, their families, and staff members. In Jesus’ name, amen. Our decree: We declare that God is never late. Never..! ************************ You can find out more about Gina at GinaGholstonMinistries.org. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-12-2024 November 12, 2024 We Are Not Finished In the early portion of Joshua’s campaign to take the promised land, he made two critical mistakes. The first occurred in Joshua 7, when Israel lost the battle at Ai, a small, insignificant town. This was the battle immediately following the great victory at Jericho. The defeat occurred because a man named Achan had violated the Lord’s instructions to put all the spoils of Jericho into the national treasury. The spoils were the “tithe” of the coming conquest, and would be used to support God’s future plans for Israel. Achan stole some of this provision for himself. This sin had not yet been revealed, however, when Israel fought this battle at Ai, and they were soundly defeated because of their disobedience. When Joshua complained to the Lord regarding this humiliating defeat – yep, he did so (Joshua 7:7-9) – Yahweh was quick to enlighten him as to why it occurred. Obviously, the Lord would have been willing to alert Joshua to Achan’s sin BEFORE Israel went into this battle and suffered defeat had he simply taken the time to ask for God’s plan and strategy. Why didn’t Joshua ask for this? Sadly, it was due to self-confidence. Pride. Joshua’s recon team had told him only a small group was needed to fight Ai, for “they are but few” (7:3). Think about it: this thinking was only relevant if Israel believed it was THEIR strength and ability giving them victory. However, if it were God’s strength and power that produced victory at Jericho, He would also be needed at Ai and in all future battles. We need God’s help for the “small” battles just as much as for the “big” ones! Yahweh must always be our source of victory, and therefore, we must always ask for His strategy and help. The second major mistake Joshua made wasn’t regarding a physical battle, but a forbidden covenant he entered into with a place called Gibeon (Joshua 9). An envoy from there acted “wilily” (“craftily” - NASB, verse 1), pretending to be from a far country. The Gibeonites spoke highly of the Lord (verse 9) and asked Joshua to make a covenant of peace with them. Just as at Ai, Joshua “asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord” (verse 14) and entered into this forbidden covenant. Lesson unlearned! So pathetically human! After a victory or two, we humans often forget our need for God’s wisdom, strategy, and strength. WE are “on a roll.” WE are “more than conquerors…overcomers.” And WE forget the “through Him” portion of the promises. When this occurs, the “crafty” one (Genesis 3:1) moves in. Self-confidence, which is a form of pride, is all that is needed to open a door to defeat. Applying the Lesson Why this history lesson? Because we who want to see America’s government turn from sin and corruption are now set up for this. Trump is not our savior, and “we” are not turning our nation around; God is. We must NOT transfer our hope and faith to a man, or fall prey to an arrogant mindset that smugly says, “We got this!” The past election may have been a “Jericho,” but beware of Ai and Gibeon! I’m hearing numerous warnings from individuals that the left is “working” through the vote counting for remaining House seats. Several states, including AZ, NV, AK, CA, and HI, are still counting votes. If conservatives don’t maintain control of the House it will seriously affect the level of change that can be implemented at this time. We must continue to pray for a fair election. If not, this situation could be our Ai. Also, the position of Senate Majority Leader will now be transferred to the Republicans. This position is incredibly important because this person controls much of what happens in the Senate. He alone could stall a lot of what President Trump wants to accomplish. Mitch McConnell has been the Republican leader for several years (Minority Leader of the Senate for the past few) and has compromised on many important issues; he is stepping down. It is VITAL that the right person replace him to now lead the Republicans and the entire Senate. John Thune, John Cornyn, and Rick Scott are running for this position. Many believe Scott is the most conservative, myself included, and the one most committed to the changes we conservatives want to see. The country voted for total change, a complete turnaround, and that is exactly what we need. We must not allow “crafty” politics to decide this position; it could be our Gibeon. Please pray regarding this. Ask God to expose, intervene, and allow only His choice to fill this position. Obviously, I am not endorsing Scott - you and I don’t have a vote - only Republican Senators do. But we can and must pray, asking for God’s intervention. We can ask that “deals” be exposed, that all motives and past decisions of those running come into the light, and that Holy Spirit move on the minds and hearts of the Republican Senators, influencing their votes. I leave you with one more passage of Scripture. In 2 Samuel 5, through God’s instructions (verse 19), David won a great victory at the valley of Rephaim. As often occurred in that time, he renamed the place with a name representing this victory, calling it Baal-perazim, “the Lord of the breakthrough.” (Baal was not just the name of the false god, Baal; the word simply means “lord or master.”) Almost immediately, David’s enemies regrouped and came against him again. Same enemy, same place. BUT rather than assume he should fight the SAME enemy, in the SAME place, with the SAME strategy, David inquired of the Lord again. “No,” the Lord said, “do it differently this time” (verses 23-24). David obeyed and won an even greater victory. We cannot assume we know enough to defeat satan and his plans. And we must never assume our strength alone has given us victory. God has great breakthroughs for us during this season, but only as we honor and follow Him. Pray with me: Father, we are confident that You who have begun a good work in our land intend to finish it. You birthed America as a harvesting nation, and the greatest of all harvests is at hand. We are confident that You are working to prepare our nation, even as You ripen this harvest. You do not intend to allow the “crafty one” to spoil Your plans. We are asking for Your help, Your direction, and we are relying on Your strength to fully turn our government and nation. Just as David was told to listen for a certain sound before striking, we are listening to You, the God of Breakthrough. We ask that any and all unrighteous election activity be exposed and thwarted. Allow only those who truly won the most legal votes into the House. And give us Your choice for Senate Majority Leader. As we frequently do, we honor Your instructions to the Ekklesia in Matthew 6:10 and 16:18-19, binding every demonic effort to steal House seats and influence this decision of the Senate. We command Your will to be done in these two situations, agreeing with Your word. We continue to ask for divine protection over President Trump, his family, and team. We also ask this for all others in our government. Place Your protective hand on them. And in closing, Sir, we thank You for the reports that keep rolling in of revival breaking out on our campuses. You are doing it! THANK YOU!!! In the Holy name of Jesus – which means in His authority – we pray this. Amen. Our decree: We decree that we, the Ekklesia, will not fail to persevere in our prayers for turnaround in America. **************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video.

4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-11-2024 November 11, 2024 Veterans Day 2024 Today is Veterans Day, a significant holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Observed annually on November 11, this day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have donned the uniform to protect the freedoms and rights that citizens enjoy today. The origins of Veterans Day date back to the aftermath of World War I. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was established to commemorate the end of hostilities on the Western Front, which occurred on November 11, 1918. The day was first observed as a federal holiday in 1938, intended to honor the veterans of World War I. However, after World War II and the Korean War, there was a growing recognition that the day should commemorate all American veterans, not just those who fought in the Great War. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that officially changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day, broadening its scope to honor all veterans who served in the military, regardless of the conflicts in which they participated. This change reflected a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made by service members throughout American history. Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, another federal holiday that honors those who died while serving in the military. While Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and pays tribute to fallen soldiers, Veterans Day celebrates all veterans who have served in the military, both living and deceased. It is a day for reflection, gratitude, and recognition of the sacrifices made by these individuals and their families. The observance of Veterans Day includes various ceremonies and events across the country. Many communities hold parades where veterans are honored and celebrated for their service. Schools often participate in educational programs that help students understand the importance of the day and the contributions of veterans. In addition to local events, the National Veterans Day Observance takes place at Arlington National Cemetery, where a wreath-laying ceremony is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This solemn event underscores the nation’s commitment to honor those who have served, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the challenges veterans face after they return home. Many veterans struggle with issues such as PTSD, unemployment, and reintegration into civilian life. Organizations dedicated to veteran support have gained prominence, providing resources and assistance to help former service members navigate these challenges. The significance of Veterans Day extends beyond the military community; it serves as a reminder to the entire nation of the cost of freedom. It is a day to reflect on the values of courage, duty, and sacrifice that veterans embody. Citizens are encouraged to express their gratitude, whether by attending local events, volunteering for veteran organizations, or simply taking a moment to thank a veteran for their service. We ask you to do this - express your thanks to a veteran today. On Veterans Day each year, we must remember the importance of honoring those who have served. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made for the freedoms we often take for granted. Each story of service is unique, yet collectively, they contribute to the rich tapestry of American history and identity. By recognizing and celebrating the contributions of veterans, we acknowledge the complexities of their experiences and reaffirm our commitment to supporting them as they transition to civilian life. In conclusion, Veterans Day is more than just a holiday; it is an opportunity for all Americans to come together in gratitude and respect for the men and women who have served in the military. It reminds us of the enduring spirit of sacrifice and service, urging us to ensure that veterans receive the recognition, support, and care they deserve. As we honor their legacy, we also commit to ensuring a brighter future for those who have bravely defended our nation. As we now enter a new season where honor is being restored, today we boldly recognize and esteem our dear veterans, and say THANK YOU. Thank you for your sacrifice and the sacrifices made by your families. God Bless America. Pray with me: Father, we are so very grateful for the freedoms and liberty we enjoy in our nation. We are so very blessed to have these liberties and the opportunities they afford us in America. We have also been blessed with incredibly abundant resources, and for these, too, we are grateful. On this Veterans Day, we take time to pray for those who have sacrificed to procure and protect these blessings. We pray especially for those who have lost family members fighting for us and others. Please give them comfort, strength, and provision. Help us to do a better job of caring for them. We also pray for those who have been wounded and now suffer from this. Help them cope with their physical, mental, and emotional trauma; for some, it is great. We ask this, as well, for the family members who also suffer stress and pain from these wounds. We ask that, as a nation, You would further awaken our citizens to the needs and challenges our veterans face. Remind us of the price they have paid, and give us hearts to love and serve the soldiers and their families, just as they have served us. And lastly, we ask You for a sweeping revival in our military and their families. It would bring immeasurable comfort and healing to thousands if they came into a meaningful relationship with You. Pour out Your Spirit on them! Heal bodies, minds, and hearts. And we ask all of this in Christ’s holy name. Amen. Our decree: Today we declare blessings, strength, comfort, and honor to our veterans and their families. ************************ Click on the link below to watch the full video.

5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-8-2024 November 8, 2024 Introduction David Kubal, my friend who leads Intercessors For America, wrote an outstanding article summarizing what is needed with our current prayer efforts. David’s boots-on-the-ground perspective, as well as his many solid contacts, give him wise and informed insights for us. We cannot recommend the ministry of IFA strongly enough. David titled his article: ______________________________________________________________ Election 2024: What Just Happened? Beginning with a prayer: Lord God, we thank You for the victory of conservative and godly values in this election. We pray that this would not be a flash-in-the-pan victory, but rather the beginning of a new biblical era for America. After capturing our minds and prayers for months, the 2024 elections are finally over. The people have spoken, the process our Founding Fathers put in place worked as it should have, and the results represent a massive shift in the direction of our country. President Trump has won the popular vote and the Electoral College. The Senate has switched from Democratic to Republican control, and it appears the Republican leadership will retain control of the House. What does all this mean? Some are calling this win a Referendum, some a Mandate. Regardless of your label, the American people have spoken: the nation was going in the wrong direction. I believe the Lord is instructing the intercessory community to pray for two things: foundations and justice. Foundations We need to pray for the basic foundations of how our government operates. Cutting our government waste could save our nation trillions of dollars per year — dollars that are currently being wasted through the ineffectiveness of employees and the virtual impossibility of firing those ineffective employees. The rooting out of employees committed to a progressive agenda is an absolute must! The new Trump administration will begin appointing 4,600 individuals responsible for leading 2+ million career employees. MUCH PRAYER AND INTERCESSION ARE NEEDED ON THIS! House Speaker Johnson will be working very closely with the Trump administration to put forth an effective legislative agenda for the first 100 days. The process of electing the Senate Majority Leader must now occur. The name that continues to surface is Senator Steve Daines (MT), who started the first Pro-Life Caucus in the Senate. Senators John Thune (SD), John Cornyn (TX), and Rick Scott (FL) are other possibilities. Justice We must also pray for justice. Over the last four years, the House of Representatives has completed many investigations (many led by Rep. Jim Jordan (OH)), and committees have made many criminal referrals that the Justice Department never took up. The United States Attorney General is a CRITICAL position for President Trump to fill. The appointment of federal judges is critical (45 current openings), and this could include Supreme Court Justices. Concerning the moral issues on the ballots across America: On the issue of abortion, one of the greatest disappointments of the last few years was the Left’s ability to pass laws allowing abortions to continue. This happened again in multiple states (AZ, CO, MA, MO, NV, NY, and MT). However, FL, NE, and SD rejected the measure to a Constitutional amendment to abort, and Nebraska passed a ban after the first trimester. This trend continues to break the heart of our Lord. The deceptions that abortion is somehow a right and that a baby is not alive until some arbitrary point of viability continues. Multiple state ballot measures to ensure only U.S. citizens can vote passed overwhelmingly, clearly expressing concerns over the open border (ID, IA, KY, MO, NC, OH, OK, SC, WI). Along these lines, NV voted to require voter ID. Open borders are clearly viewed as a threat to our republic. The legalization of marijuana overwhelmingly failed in all three states (FL, SD, ND). Some may recall the miraculous story of CA Prop 8, which defined marriage as one man and one woman. This has been state law since 2008. However, this Proposition was overwhelmingly repealed yesterday, broadening their definition of marriage. International Issues Now, taking a look outside the US, there will be tremendous pressure on President Trump to solve the international crises: the war in Ukraine, Israel, etc. Multiple proxy wars could quickly escalate into larger conflicts. The war in Ukraine is becoming increasingly complicated. North Korea has sent troops to fight alongside Russian troops. South Korea is considering sending troops to fight alongside Ukrainian troops. President Trump has said this war is not America’s war, but the addition of North Korea to the scenario creates a potential for intervention. The attack on Israel by Iranian proxies fluctuates between huge Israeli victories and saber-rattling by the Iranians. Iran knows the previous Trump Administration shut down their ability to fight a war, so the coming months will be critical to watch for a move before he takes office. We can expect much instability internationally for the next few months before Inauguration Day. We must pray and intercede that the Lord not only gives us a reprieve but a reset. Our nation has been marching to the progressive beat, leading us toward Marxism. The American people have recognized the evil that comes with the mindset of an ever-evolving culture. We must pray for a reset to traditional, biblical values and a government that has true justice as its foundation. ********** Pray with me: Father, the next year will determine the course of America for decades. There are only three short months for Trump, his team, and key members of Congress to prepare so as to hit the ground running. Please give wisdom as positions are filled and agendas set. Then, the first nine months of his term “to root out, tear down, destroy, and overthrow” (Jeremiah 1:10) and set a new course on which “to build and plant.” We know this will be opposed vehemently. We ask for supernatural intervention, just as You gave Jeremiah. Expose people and agendas that displease You, weaken and stop their efforts. Bring sanity, cleansing, morality, and godliness to D.C. Put the right people in place, and give them favor and success. Give Trump great wisdom as he addresses international concerns. Dispatch angels to take action! Bring healthy alliances and destroy evil coalitions. And please protect President Trump and his team. We know some people desire, and I believe, are planning to take him out. Please stop this. We partner with You by binding the plans and efforts to do so. We declare exposure, exposure exposure. Past protection does not guarantee present and future protection. We must procure it daily. In Psalm 91:1, You told us to “abide” in the secret place of protection, a word which we know means primarily to “spend the night.” We must ask and believe for Your daily “secret place” protection. We do so now. All of this we pray in Yeshua’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that righteous foundations are being laid in America, and justice is being established. **************************** You can find out more about David Kubal and Intercessors for America at IFAPray.org. The article is used with permission. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-7-2024 November 7, 2024 How Great Thou Art There is so much that could be said today. Like many of you, Ceci and I stayed up until 3:00 AM ET Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, waiting for the official “call” regarding the Presidential election, and trying to get a sense of the final outcome of the House and Senate. I finally recorded yesterday’s post at 11:30 PM. (Kudos to my dedicated staff!) It is now certain, as I write this, that not only did Trump win the 2024 Presidential election in a landslide, including the popular vote, but Republicans also took the Senate and will likely keep the House. By the time this post airs, the House win may also be certain. Trump’s comeback win is undoubtedly one of the most significant accomplishments in America’s political history. Even his enemies -- with clenched teeth and teary eyes – have admitted this, after attributing it to racism and sexism, that is. So much for humility, an honest look at the two candidates, and understanding most Americans. Americans had grown complacent, yes, but the past four years served to awaken many of them. Most Americans just want to live as they choose, allow others to do the same, make a decent living, and be safe. They DO NOT want a government telling them how to think, what to do, what they must believe about sex and gender, what they can and can’t say, and how to raise their kids. They don’t want a government that mocks their belief in God, wants to take their guns, demeans them as deplorable garbage, and forgets who they work for! And the complacent church? Well, she too, is waking up. As I read and watched dozens of memes and videos, I was moved most by seeing several dozen people, when leaving Trump’s victory party, standing in the foyer singing the old hymn How Great Thou Art. Impromptu and heartfelt, and they all knew the words to this classic song. In other words, they all had Christian roots. Believers and God-honoring Americans have entered the fray! God’s Over-riding Hand As I stated yesterday, God had a plan in making Trump wait four years to serve his second term. Rogan O’Handley pointed out on his Instagram account [DC_Draino]: “Think about this: “If Trump won in 2020, he would’ve had a Democrat House and Senate. More impeachments, no Senate confirmations, no bills passed, and possibly the end of the MAGA movement as an effective political force. “But now? He has the House, Senate, Supreme Court, a popular vote mandate, and an entire country that wants to clean up our elections, close our borders, deport illegals, and hold corrupt politicians accountable. Sometimes, I think it had to happen this way. “As painful as it was, this was the better long-term solution. We are going to pass a blizzard of new laws to help save this country that would’ve had zero shot with a Democrat Congress. Get ready y’all - it’s going to be Biblical.”(1) He is so right! It had to happen this way. We don’t always know God’s plans – He reserves the right not to tell us in advance – but we trust Him. After going with a prayer team to each swing state in December 2020 and January 2021 to pray against the fraud we believed occurred, asking God to reverse it, we were disappointed that it didn’t happen then. Several prophetic voices told me afterward, however, that every prayer would be answered, just not when we assumed. God knows what He’s doing, and His wisdom has been vindicated once again. Trump won every one of those swing states, and will now accomplish MUCH more in this term than he could have had he been in office. We must now direct our prayers toward birthing the changes needed in our nation. Doing so for revival and spiritual awakening is a given – we will do this. But we must also pray for the reformation, much of which will occur in government. Trump has said, “God spared my life for a reason.” He knows this is true, and we must pray that he and those working with him keep it in the forefront of their minds. We must also pray for Speaker Johnson – a godly man and wise leader, Trump and his team, and whoever becomes the new Senate Majority Leader. They will all have an incredible opportunity to accomplish so much for our nation. If we bolster their efforts with prayer and Holy Spirit pours out true revival, the next four years could be some of the most significant in America’s history. Pray with me: Father, we are grateful beyond words for this opportunity; we know how critical this election was. And yet, we have not shifted our faith to an individual or a group of individuals. We are keenly aware that only You can save our nation and restore our destiny. So we ask for Your grace to abound to President-Elect Trump, Speaker Johnson, and other key individuals in our government. Let this grace manifest through great wisdom, brilliant strategies, and supernatural help. Lead them to make decisions that honor You and allow You to bless our nation. Use them to enact policies that break curses off of America and restore us to true greatness. Restore to us the privilege and ability to powerfully trumpet the gospel of Your kingdom throughout all the earth. May You be glorified through us. Keep Trump, his family, and those around him safe. Please protect other government leaders in our nation. Expose the terrorists that are here and any weapons they have acquired. We pray that the promises of Psalm 91 be fulfilled in our land. And we pray for all this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We declare our gratitude to the Lord for His great grace and mercy. **************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------------------- Quoted from Instagram account “DC_Draino,” post from 11/6/2024.