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5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-13-2024 June 13, 2024 Blockades and Sieges Yesterday, I gave an overview of the watchman concept of intercessory prayer. In doing so, I shared where the concept began in Scripture, three different Hebrew words that are used to reference watchmen, and several definitions of these words. There is another facet to this type of prayer, however, that I now want us to consider. In 1988, I had the thought, which I knew was from Holy Spirit, “Study the watchman concept.” I already know about watchmen, was my immediate thought. I had studied the subject, taught on it, and was very familiar with the concept. Yet, I had the immediate and strong impression that I was missing something. There was more. I obeyed Holy Spirit’s prompting and, indeed, there was more to the subject than I had seen. I discovered that the watchman concept is not just defensive, protective prayer; there is also an offensive or aggressive aspect to it. I found that the Hebrew words for watchmen are also translated “to lay siege,”(1) “spy,”(2) and “ambush”(3 ), in order to conquer cities or people (see Judges 1:24; 2 Samuel 11:16; Isaiah 1:8; Jeremiah 4:17; Psalm 56:6; 71:10). The reason these words are used in this manner is because all of the actions involve watching. When I saw this, I heard Holy Spirit say the following: “I am about to release revelation to the praying church that will enable them to deliver individuals, cities, regions, and nations for Me. New strategies and concepts will emerge, discernment of satan's strongholds will be given, and sieges will begin that will eventually break his hold over people and places. “This will be a broad work, with strategies and actions coming from many different ministries. I will give part of a plan to one person or ministry, while simultaneously imparting another part to others. At times, they will not even realize they’re part of a larger scheme. But I will orchestrate the efforts in order to lay sieges in the spirit realm, cutting off satan's ‘supply lines’ - iniquities that give him access; I’ll close his entry points and remove that which has enabled him to hold places in captivity. Through the watchman anointing, My intercessors will discern from Me and lay a prayer siege to cities and nations.” In 1988 there was very little known and spoken of regarding prayer walking, prayer journeys, spiritual mapping, identificational repentance, reconciliation ceremonies between races and people groups, territorial spirits, etc. I am sure understanding of them existed in a few people’s thinking, but most of the body of Christ had never heard of them. And I am relatively certain that some of these concepts did not exist at all. At the time, I knew of only a couple of ministries that existed primarily for prayer purposes, and it was hard to find books and teachings on intercession. Since then, however, literally millions of believers around the world have come to understand and embrace these and other aspects of prayer, learning to pray more effectively. The learning curve in the recent prayer movement has shot up exponentially. Dozens of prayer ministries have been launched, thousands of prayer groups have formed, and millions of believers are praying effectively. Dr. C. Peter Wagner, one of the leaders and fathers of this movement in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, once happily stated, “The prayer movement around the world is out of control.” Certainly, we have not yet “arrived” in our understanding of prayer - there is more to learn - but we are moving forward at a rapid pace. And the understanding we have gained, generating all of this activity is part of the watchman anointing God released to the church at the end of the 1980s. Currently, one of our great challenges is remaining cognizant of the fact that prayer sieges for cities and nations can take years, even decades, to accomplish their purposes. Perseverance is required. We must remember that the prayers released are being used to dismantle centuries-old, sometimes millennia-old strongholds of darkness. Also millions of hearts and minds - traditions, cultural paradigms, religious beliefs, including doctrines in the church - must be changed. Revivals and outpourings do not occur simply because God “finally decides” to send them; they occur when the actions of people and conditions in a region allow it. And those conditions are created through prayer. God waited for the “fullness of time” to send Jesus. (Galatians 4:4) I am sharing this teaching to encourage believers here and around the world that your prayers are accomplishing much. They are absolutely shaping history. Blockades (another meaning of natsar, one of the Hebrew words for watchman) have now been placed in the spiritual realm against satan’s activities. Sieges are in place and accomplishing their purposes. Even the coming shaking, the discipline that will be a part of America’s salvation, has been generated through our prayers. This is all working together to produce history’s greatest harvest. DO NOT STOP..! Pray with me: Father, millions of people around the world are praying, asking You for an outpouring of Holy Spirit that will save a billion or more people. Thank You for orchestrating this amazing growth and revelation. We are asking You today to encourage and strengthen this great army. Some are in difficult places and circumstances; many are persecuted for their faith. Give them tenacious hearts that refuse to quit until they see the fruit they desire. May they have a deep assurance from You that their prayers will produce eternal life for many, many people. We also ask You to increase the understanding of believers around the world to even greater levels. We want to be the “people who are willing in the day of Your power” (Psalm 110). Enable us to pray more effectively, to operate in Christ’s authority at higher levels, and release Holy Spirit’s power with greater force. Give us even wiser, more effective strategies for our regions and nations. May the prayer sieges become even more powerful, shutting off every supply line of satan’s kingdom. Jesus, Lord of the harvest, Builder of the overcoming church, King over the nations, accomplish Your great plan. The Father “so loved the world” that He sent You; You so loved the world that You came. Now, in Your great love, pour out the former and latter rains simultaneously! Reap! Gather! Save! We ask all this in Your great name, Yeshua. Our decree: We decree that heaven’s blockade is in place, and satan’s supply lines in regions and nations are being cut off. His rule over them is ending. ******************************* Today’s post was taken in part from my books Watchman Prayer and Intercessory Prayer. Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------------- Spiros Zodhiates, Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible - New Amerian Standard, rev. ed. (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1990), p. 1752. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990) ref. no. 6822. Zodhiates, Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, p. 1787.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-12-2024 June 12, 2024 God’s Secret Service Agents “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1Peter 5:8 NASB) “With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18 NASB) The King James Version uses the word “watching” instead of the phrase “be alert” in Ephesians 6:18. Both translations are good. We are called to be alert in prayer, watching for our family, friends, leaders, cities, and nations. Today and tomorrow, I want to talk about the concept of intercessory watchmen, with tomorrow’s post being a unique aspect of this important subject. If ever there was a time when this understanding was necessary, today is one of them. In Scripture, the term “watchmen” comes from the Old Testament and describes what we would today call “sentries,” “guards,” or “lookouts.” These individuals were responsible for protecting vineyards or fields (crops) from thieves and animals, and cities from invading forces. Those watching crops were stationed on rocks, buildings, or towers to provide a better range of vision. Towers or outposts in the fields usually had sleeping quarters because it was necessary to keep watch day and night during harvest. The watchmen would take shifts - one working, one sleeping - and thereby watch 24 hours a day. Watchmen were also posted on the city walls where they functioned as sentries. From the walls, they watched for two things: messengers and enemies. They watched for messengers in order to inform the gatekeepers when to open the city gates, and more importantly, when not to. In those days, “runners” were used to carry messages from city to city, and when a known messenger was approaching, the watchmen would alert the gatekeepers that it was safe to open the gate. The watchmen on the city walls also looked for enemy soldiers. When they saw potential danger, they sounded an alarm, either by a shout or a trumpet blast. Soldiers could then prepare themselves for battle and defend the city: “For thus the Lord says to me, ‘Go, station the lookout, let him report what he sees. When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs, a train of donkeys, a train of camels, let him pay close attention, very close attention.’ Then the lookout called, ‘O Lord, I stand continually by day on the watchtower, and I am stationed every night at my guard post.’” (Isaiah 21:6-8) Three Hebrew words are translated as “watchman” in Scripture: natsar,(1) shamar,(2) and tsaphah.(3) In a broad sense, they all mean to guard or protect by watching over. They can also have the connotation of hiding or concealing something. Watchmen hide people in the secret place of the Most High through their prayers (see Psalm 91). Another interesting meaning of tsaphah is “to lean forward and peer into the distance.” The connection to prayer should be obvious. The watchman looks ahead, into the future – “peering into the distance” – to foresee the attacks of the enemy. He or she is proactive, not reactive. This is prophetic intercession. The Law of First Mention The first mention of one of these words in Scripture is in Genesis 2:15: “Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.” Theologians have what is known as “the law of first mention.” This refers to the general rule that the first time a major subject is mentioned in the Bible, it is “introduced”; significant facts are given concerning it, just as we might do when introducing a person. For example, the first mention of the serpent, satan, is in Genesis 3:1: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, "You shall not eat from any tree of the garden”?’” It is easy to see this law at work here, as the verse speaks of satan’s subtlety or craftiness. When God introduces satan, He informs us of one of the most important things we must remember about him: He is far more dangerous to us as the crafty serpent than as a roaring lion. The first mention of a watchman in Scripture was Adam in Genesis 2:15, and introduces us to one of our primary responsibilities as watchmen: Keep the serpent out of our “gardens”! Guard or protect from the subtle attacks of the serpent that which God has entrusted to our care. Keep him out of your garden: your home, family, church, city, nation! KEEP HIM OUT! Expanded Meanings Here are several ways these 3 words for watchman are used in Scripture. These uses will help expand our understanding of what it means to be watchmen: Keep/Keeper - This is by far the most frequent usage of these words— at least 250 times. Watchmen keep things, places, and individuals safe, ensuring against loss, theft, or damage. They keep things intact and in possession. Guard/Bodyguard - Watchmen shield or guard individuals and places, protecting them from danger and harm. They are the secret service agents of the Kingdom. Doorkeeper/Gatekeeper - Watchmen have the ability, through prayer, to determine who or what comes into their homes, families, churches, cities, etc. As sentries, they discern by the Spirit what to allow in and, through prayer, open and close the doors (Isaiah 22:22). They pray IN the work of Holy Spirit and REJECT the works of darkness, keeping the serpent out. Preserve/Preserver - Watchmen preserve, keeping things from ruin and destruction. They preserve lives, anointings, moves of God, and a host of other things by covering them in prayer. Pay Attention - Watchmen must be alert and always paying attention. In Scripture, we are compared to soldiers; as good sentries, God tells us to “pay attention!" Observe/Behold - Don't just look - see! Discern. Be observant. Watchmen observe what others fail to see. We can observe much in the place of prayer, often even before it happens! Beware - Watchmen must be vigilant, aware, and on the alert. First Peter 5:8 warns us to be of sober spirit, watching for the devouring lion. When we see him at work, we must enforce Calvary’s victory - stop him! Jesus saw satan’s attack coming against Peter and prayed that his faith would survive the test. The prayer was effective! (Luke 22:31-32). Protect - In the same sense as guarding and keeping, watchmen protect, building walls or boundaries of protection from the attacks of the devil. Maintain - Watchmen maintain things for the Lord and for people. They are the maintenance crew. Though often not those who set vision, build ministries, or oversee congregations, intercessors maintain them, keeping things working well and preventing breakdowns. Watchmen help maintain the anointing, unity, health, purity, truth, and many other important things in the church. Ask Holy Spirit to sharpen your skills as watchmen, and to increase your anointings in this important activity. He will do so. Tomorrow, we will look at another little-known and very important aspect of this type of prayer. Pray with me: Father, we are painfully aware that the devourer was allowed great access to America. The church was not alert, was ignorant of the power and principles of prayer, and did not function as the gatekeepers of our nation. The result has been that he who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy has been doing so almost at will. He has devoured families, elements of our government, our schools, and even many of our churches. We ask for Your forgiveness, cleansing, and supernatural ability to reverse this. Increase revelation in the body of Christ regarding this amazing force we call prayer. Awaken believers to the fact that we are literally partners with You, authorized to teach Your Kingdom principles, release Your power, and extend Your mercy. And increase our understanding of watchmen intercession, revealing what it means to be shields, sentries, gatekeepers, preservers and maintainers. We take up this mantle now and cover our families, homes, possessions, leaders, cities, and nations. We ask for supernatural protection over the minds and bodies of our children. We ask for protection over our leaders and their families. And we ask for protection over our nation - except You keep the city the watchman wakes in vain. (Psalm 127:1) Our decree: We decree with the Psalmist, David: the Lord is our light and salvation; we will fear no evil! (see Psalms 23 and 27) ************************ Today’s post was taken from my book Intercessory Prayer. Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------------ James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 5341. Ibid., ref. no. 8104. Ibid., ref. no. 6822
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-11-2024 June 11, 2024 A Healing Summit I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always understand why God does and doesn’t do some things. Yes, He wants us to understand His ways and the guiding principles of His Kingdom. That being said, we will often not know the many details the Lord factors into His decisions - timing, considerations regarding the future, behind-the-scenes actions and motives of people and nations, and a host of other things. God alone is all-knowing and all-wise. And, obviously, He does not feel obligated to always share with us the “why.” Trust will always be required in our walk with Him. Because of this, I certainly don’t know all the reasons why miracles are more prevalent in some seasons than in others, but they certainly are. In the late 1940s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, miracles of healing were more common in America than they have been since. Toward the end of the 70s, this outpouring began to wane. Healings still occurred here in the U.S., but they typically resulted from intercession or through the faith of the recipient, not from the gifts of the Spirit. First of all, I should comment on what I mean by these three methods. Intercession is prayer by an individual or individuals on behalf of another. I have seen healings result from this. When I say “the faith of the recipient,” I am referring to a person personally asking in faith for their healing, and standing in that faith until they receive the promise. I have seen healings from this, as well. When referring to “the gifts of the Spirit,” I am referring to healings that occur through some of the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. This would include the gift of faith, the working of miracles, and gifts of healing, all often accompanied by words of knowledge. These gifts of the Spirit operate as Holy Spirit determines or wills (verse 11), not at the will of the person being used to release them or the will of the recipient. When these gifts are in operation, there is often no faith required on the part of the recipient - they are “gifts.” I have seen unbelievers, agnostics, and even atheists healed when the gifts of the Spirit were being released. This is one of the reasons they are called “signs and wonders.” It is also why these gifts are often released when the gospel is preached. These gifts of the Spirit associated with healing and miracles were prevalent in America during the time frame mentioned above. Then, God determined this season would end. Why? My guess is that it was due in part to compromise in the church, compromise associated with sin, a watering down of the gospel, and a rejection of truth. I also believe it was due to the church’s failure in discipling the nation (Matthew 28), which allowed an overall turning away from God in our nation. The salvation preaching in an outpouring (Mark 16) must be accompanied by discipleship teaching (Matthew 28) in order to sustain and multiply the occurring change. When A Nation Turns From God Scripture clearly reveals that when a nation rejects God, it is also rejecting His mercy and grace. To continue pouring out His gifts and blessings at that time would reinforce sin and compromise rather than truth. Therefore, God is left with no choice but to create another season of cleansing and adjustments, which, when accomplished, allows His blessing once again. I believe we are coming into another of these seasons when God can bless us with revival. Much prayer, “identificational” repentance offered by many, adjustments in the thinking and lives of many in the church, and the desperation that will be caused by the shaking in our nation will work together to create a season in which God can send another wave of revival to America. That such a time is coming has been declared for several years by prophetic leaders, and I know of no revival in history that has not included the miraculous. For the past several months, I and a few others have prayed together weekly regarding the healings some of us need. While doing so, we realized God was using those prayer times for something bigger. We became convinced that it was time for this new season of signs and wonders to begin. Therefore, we are holding a Healing Summit in Ohio on August 30; many of you have heard my brother, Tim, speak of it. His church in Ohio will be hosting it. All of us on this prayer call will be participating. Zechariah 10:1 tells us that when it’s time for rain, we are to ask for it. In obedience, we are going to ask for another season of miracles in America (and the world) as part of the emerging revival. We will ask for healings and miracles to occur that very night, both for those present and those participating online. And we will ask that gifts of healing, along with the other gifts of the Spirit associated with miracles, be released to individuals in the body of Christ. We are suggesting that prayer for healing, miracles, and the release of these gifts also take place in homes and churches around the nation (and world) that evening. In no way do we want the focus to be on us and this gathering, but rather on the church at large. Congregations, house churches, home groups, and prayer groups are already saying they will worship with us, listen to the presentation, and then begin praying for individuals in their own settings. (Worship will continue being streamed for those wanting it; others will provide their own.) Some, especially individuals, will remain tuned in to the prayers for healing taking place in our gathering, asking for the anointing of Holy Spirit to be released to them. Everyone is encouraged to do as Holy Spirit leads them. We believe miracles will occur on this night, and this service will be part of launching a new season of signs and wonders. I would be remiss if I did not add that there are some churches and individuals who have already been pressing into this and seeing healings take place. To these forerunners, we say thank you - you have no doubt prepared the way for this season. Pray with me: Father, we know that Jesus took lashes and suffered greatly to provide healing for us. We are forever grateful. We are truly sorry that our humanness at times not only blocks Your blessings from flowing to us, but also keeps them from flowing through us. Thank You for correcting and realigning the church, allowing You to use us at greater levels, and for cleansing our nation. You are bringing about the humility and desperation so needed. Now we ask You for the rain of revival. As part of this, we ask for great signs and wonders, many of them. Bring extraordinary miracles produced at the right time to generate thousands, even millions, of conversions. Do this in America and also around the world, for we know this will be a worldwide revival. Lord, to the leper who said he knew You could heal him if You were willing, Your response was, “Of course I want you to be healed” (Mark 1:41 TPT); then You healed him. Do this for many in this hour. Release a mighty wave of healing power throughout the earth. Use it not only to end suffering, but to end spiritual blindness. Open the eyes of millions to the truth of the gospel through signs and wonders. Breathe on this night, August 30. Use it to bless people and glorify Christ, Father. And we ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Our decree: We decree that the gifts of the Spirit are for today, and another wave of them is being released to believers worldwide. ******************************** I just want to mention that registration is required for the upcoming Healing Summit, and there is a small registration fee. When there is no fee, some register “just in case” they can come. Registration fills up, and many who want to come are told it is now full. Sadly, when some register and then do NOT come, there are empty seats that could have allowed hungry people to attend. When there is a registration fee, it helps produce accurate information regarding who is actually attending. Know that this Healing Summit will fill quickly, very quickly. But the service will be available online. You can register at OasisWired.org. ********************** Click on the link below to watch the full video.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-10-2024 June 10, 2024 The Remnant Doesn’t Give Up “And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, ‘It is written: My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers’” (Matthew 21:12-13, NASB; also in Mark 11:15-17 and Luke 19:45-46). What do you think would occur in the spirit realm over America, followed by breakthroughs in the natural realm, if even half of the churches in America obeyed Jesus’ command to be “A house of prayer”? Satan is nothing if not a cunning strategist. He somehow motivated the church - God’s change agent on earth - to ignore Christ’s words, the context of which was one of the only two violent acts He performed. Not coincidentally, the other violent act was also a cleansing of the temple, carried out at the beginning of His ministry (John 2:14-16). I should add that Luke tells us this last one occurred immediately after Christ wept uncontrollably over Jerusalem and announced its destruction (Luke 19:41-44). It seems logical that the two were related: the blindness of Jerusalem and its destruction were caused by religious blindness. This infuriated Him. How does He feel today? I can assure you that in churches across America this weekend, not even 1 or 2 minutes will be given to prayer for the lost, for this collapsing nation, for salvation to the nations of the earth, or for anything else! Most churches will have NONE. Let that sink in. If a church has any prayer in a given week, it is typically relegated to a handful of people in a backroom before the service, or a weeknight when most people are busy with work and family. Sundays are reserved for more important things like fellowship, a feel-good praise or singalong time, and the pastor’s weekly opportunity to preach. I know these and most other activities in churches are important, but EVERY activity of the typical church in America has been deemed more important than prayer. EVERY…SINGLE…ONE. To assess the fruit of this, don’t count the people in the pews - the Temple was filled with people when Christ wept, made His whip, overthrew tables, and scattered merchandise. We should look at the real fruit: God mocked by our government, the Bible scorned, a lukewarm church, murdered babies and mutilated kids, and a lost nation. What motivated the church to redefine success by size and happy congregants? The cunning strategist. And the piper, as the story warned, is now being paid. Because of God’s unending mercy and extravagant grace, it is not too late for recovery. “If I can find even a remnant,” He says, “that will cry out to Me, I’ll send a great revival and heal the land.” In the following great teaching, Dave Kubal of Intercessors For America brings us back to the basics, and to hope for change. Remember, a few days after Jesus wept and cleansed the temple, He went to the cross…and mercy triumphed over judgment. WHY WE SHOULD PRAY FOR AMERICA (written by Dave Kubal) “God above, we pray that You would wake up Your church. Put a burning passion in the heart of every believer to pray for this nation You’ve entrusted to us! “Do you ever wonder why you should pray for America? Have you asked yourself how your prayers can possibly make any difference if God is sovereign and does what He pleases anyway? “If that’s you, I want to encourage you today and show you why your prayers are important. “Here’s an important passage to consider: ‘The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s, but the earth He has given to the children of men’ (Psalm 115:16 NKJV). “Both heaven and earth belong to God. What’s interesting is that He has sovereignly chosen to entrust the earth’s stewardship to us. It’s as if He has made us His middle managers over the earth. Now, the earth still belongs to Him, and so does all it contains, as Psalm 24:1 (NKJV) states: ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.’ But God has decided to delegate stewardship and dominion over His earth to people, His created beings made in His own image. “And God always respects our free will. “God didn’t make us as robots. He made us to have free will; in fact, the Bible says that wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And since the Spirit of the Lord is everywhere in heaven and earth, he gives us freedom and liberty to make our own choices (although, of course, there are consequences if we employ our free will to disobey Him). “Because God has entrusted stewardship of the earth to us, He waits to move on earth until we ask Him to do so. “God respects authority, and that includes the authority He has personally given us. So, if we want Him to move in the spheres He has entrusted to us, we have to ask Him to do that. We have to ask Him to move. And that is called ‘prayer.’ “This is one of the reasons prayer is so important, and it’s why we must pray for America. “If we want to see God move in America, we must pray for America, asking for His help. We see everywhere that we need His divine intervention. Although God is sovereign, He also allows human beings (the lost and the saved alike) to make their own choices - for good or for evil. “But God can turn the hearts of men. “‘The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes’ (Proverbs 21:1 NKJV). God can and will move when we pray, even at the national level. He will turn the hearts of kings to do His own will, even if they don’t know Him. In the Bible, God often used even pagan kings to do His will. He would call them, and they would come; he would scatter them, and they would leave. Although they didn’t know Him, they still found themselves yielding to His work in their hearts whenever He wanted them to do something. “And that’s why your prayers for America DO matter. “Your prayers for America move heaven, and they shake earth. Your prayers for America cause God to turn the hearts of kings toward righteousness and justice. Your prayers bring our Lord’s divine intervention into manifestation on the earth in every sphere about which you pray. “Intercessors For America was founded during times like today. Vietnam War protests and riots were occurring on campuses and elsewhere. The Vice President had resigned in disgrace, and then the Watergate scandal broke open. People had no confidence in the leadership of the nation. The Supreme Court mandated legal abortion. Christians were discouraged by lawlessness, corruption, and moral depravity of the nation. For 50 years, we have been praying, and we have seen many miraculous answers to prayer. “So we pray and keep praying: ‘And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart’ (Galatians 6:9 NKJV). “Let’s pray continuously and without quitting - as Jesus instructed the disciples to do in the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. And even when we don’t see progress yet, let’s keep praying until we do. Don’t give up. God does hear your prayers for America. “And He will answer.”(1) Pray with me: Father, again we stand in the gap for America, including for the prayerless church, and ask for Your merciful cleansing. Whatever it takes - whatever - awaken the church, turn our nation back to You, and revive us with a third great awakening. Send revival! Send revival! Send revival! Save millions, restore our destiny, send the gospel from these shores to all the earth, and bring earth’s greatest harvest ever! As many fast and pray this week and next, use their obedience and petitions to bring signs and wonders, the power that confirms the gospel (Mark 16). Use these miracles to grab the attention of millions, then transform them with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Perform miracles on campuses, in government buildings, in homes and hospitals, and on the streets. Show up!!! You, only You, are our hope. And we state strongly that in spite of the great desperation and grief we feel, our hope in You anchors us and sustains our faith. We believe You’re the Savior of the world and ARE coming to save; You’re the Healer and ARE coming to heal; You’re the deliverer and ARE coming to deliver. America shall be saved, and the harvest will be reaped. In Jesus' name we pray. Our decree: With grateful hearts, we decree once again that God’s mercy triumphs over judgment. ******************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------------------- Thanks again, Dave, for your bold words reminding us to pray for America. You can find out more about Intercessors for America at IFAPray.org. ----------------------------------------------------- Dave Kubal, “Why We Should Pray For America” (Intercessors For America), www.ifapray.org. Used with permission.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-7-2024 June 7, 2024 From Dutch This week Ceci and I will be spending time with our amazing DSM staff for a time of staff enrichment. Since we have employees in 4 different states, we feel it’s important that we spend time together periodically, face to face. While away, I’ve asked 5 of my ministry friends to share with you. A few weeks ago, the TV program FLASHPOINT had my brother, Tim, and his daughter, Rachel Shafer on as guests. Today Rachel is our guest and will share a secret Holy Spirit showed her as she walked through a severe illness with her young son. The lessons God taught her will help each of us as we deal with our own impossible situations. ________________________________________________________ Watch What God Will Do Recently, I was praying about a particular issue that has been in my prayers for quite some time. While I know that we are to keep praying and believing until we see breakthrough, I also know that we’re not to walk in worry. So, even though I have been praying for a certain thing for years, I can do that filled with faith and expectation. But I found myself in a cycle of saying things like, “God, I’m giving this to You. I know it’s in Your hands; You’re working this for good.” But shortly thereafter, I’d find myself dwelling on the issue again. So I asked the Lord, “Why do I keep thinking and worrying about this after I’ve prayed about it?” Right away, He said to me, “Because you keep taking it back.” That is not what I was expecting to hear! He continued speaking to me and said, “You need to quit taking back the worry; quit taking back the burden.” I didn’t realize that’s what I had been doing, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. I feel this is a much-needed reminder for all of us, especially as we have been hearing multiple words about heading into a fierce, spiritual warfare season. However, we have also heard the [prophetic] words, “But do not fear, do not be afraid; stay focused.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV) says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” The Apostle Peter wrote this letter late in his life to encourage those facing persecution for their faith. Following Jesus was becoming increasingly difficult and costly for the early church. Peter was no stranger to the trials these Christians were facing. He himself had been flogged, beaten, and thrown in prison multiple times. He wrote from his personal experience to encourage them that God would come through, and that He cared deeply for them. “Casting” used in 1 Peter 5:7 is the Greek word epiripto, a compound of the words epi and ripto.(1) “Epi” means upon, as on top of something.(2) “Ripto” means to hurl, throw, or cast, and it often means to violently throw or fling something with great force.(3) The only other place this word “epiripto” is used in the New Testament is in Luke 19:35 (KJV), where the Bible says, “They brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.” In 1 Peter 5:7, we see the idea of the word “epiripto” which pictures the flinging of a garment, bag, or excess weight off the shoulders of a traveler and onto the back of some other beast, such as a donkey, camel, or horse. We are not designed to carry the burden of worry, fretting, and anxiety. This verse says to take that load and heave it with all your might. Fling it over onto the back of Jesus and let Him carry it for you! Just as Luke 19:35 says - they cast their garments upon the back of the donkey - now you need to cast your burdens over onto the Lord and let Him carry them for you. So how do we truly cast our cares and leave them there? Prayer is one way we can give our worries to God. Each time a concern comes up, give it straight to the One who is greater. Another way to cast your cares is to remind yourself of God's promises. Replace your worry with His Word. A third way is to take every thought captive. The mind is where the battle between fear and faith takes place. When doubt begins to creep in, refute it with the Word of God. I went through a time several years ago when I had to daily, sometimes even hourly, put this in practice. My youngest son had a severe stroke when he was six years old, and it was very touch and go for many weeks. We prayed day in and day out as he was lying in the hospital bed. One morning, the doctor came to us and said, “Your son is losing the fight, and we need him to win it.” I needed to refute those words with the Word of God. Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 31:24 (MSG), which says, “Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. Expect God to get here soon.” We decreed that verse multiple times a day until it happened. The King, our Healer, walked into the room, breathed life, and my son didn’t die. The Holy Spirit recently told me, “Watch and see what I will do. I am walking into the room.” The “room” does not necessarily mean a literal room with four walls, like my son’s hospital room. It could mean that, but I believe in this instance, He is saying, “I’m stepping into your situation; I’m walking with you and what is happening in your life.” He is walking into the room we have prepared for Him, filling the space you have created through your worship, prayers, and decrees. He’s saying, “Keep your eyes on me. Get my perspective. Keep your hopes up. Keep your faith up. Stand strong and believe.” I’m sensing we are stepping into this season where the door is open, and the King is coming through. He’s coming through for you and for your family. He’s coming through for the Ekklesia and for the sake of our nation and world. As I was praying about this, the Lord gave me a word to release: The Lord says: “While you have been waiting on things for months, years, even decades, I have been positioning you to see My glory. I have been positioning you for breakthrough and for the miraculous. Where the enemy has been creating chaos, distraction, and setback, I am restoring and providing a supernatural takeback. A takeback of joy, peace, hope, and faith. Dreams, sickness in bodies, sickness in souls, broken marriages, and relationships are going to be restored, healed, and made whole. I am giving life, and life abundant. Things you thought would never change will change in this season. Mountains you thought would never move will be moved. Sickness and disease you thought impossible to heal will be healed by the power of My blood. My glory will be revealed in situations. It is manifesting even now. The weight of my glory is binding, breaking, shaking, revealing, and making things new. " “I am stepping in to rearrange, recover, and restore. Just as the shout knocked down the walls at Jericho, your shout will cause the enemy to scatter and shatter. Watch and see. The mighty roar of the Lord is Your war cry. The sound of My roar sends the enemy running. The sound of My roar also calls prodigals home. It is the roaring sound of the Lion of Judah that breaks strongholds.” The King says, “You are stepping into a new day I have ordained, and there will be shouts of praise as miracles and victory begin to break out one after the other. Prepare the way for My glory,” says the Lord. “You have cried out, and I am stepping in. Watch and see what I will do. Stand and keep standing. For my glory has risen, and a new day has come.” Pray with me: Father, we thank You for this awesome reminder that the King of Kings is with us. Your presence surrounds us, and You make a way for us. We cast our cares and worries on You, God, knowing that You hold the power to work it for good. We decree the power of the living God is breaking into situations, circumstances, and lives. Transform and restore broken hearts, souls, and minds. Be exalted over us, this nation, and our land. Have Your way, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the King of Glory is walking into the room, and when the King comes in, everything changes! ********************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s post was shared by Rachel Shafer and taken from her books Expect God and Come Home. You can learn more about her at RachelShafer.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 1977. Ibid., ref. no. 1909. Ibid., ref. no. 4496.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-6-2024 June 6, 2024 From Dutch This week Ceci and I will be spending time with our amazing DSM staff for a time of staff enrichment. Since we have employees in 4 different states, we feel it’s important that we spend time together periodically, face to face. While away, I’ve asked 5 of my ministry friends to share with you. Today, our good friend Kelsey Bohlender is sharing about a subject that is dear to Ceci’s and my hearts. For several years, Kelsey has been an advocate for life, and currently directs a non-profit adoption agency in Kansas. She and her husband pastor a church in the Kansas City area. ______________________________________________________ A Heart Like Jesus Welcome to Give Him15. I am Kelsey Bohlender and today, Dutch asked me to brief you on the state of the Life Movement post-Roe v. Wade. It’s been almost two years since the Supreme Court victory for the sanctity of life moved the battle to the states. I live in Kansas City, the heart of America. From my porch, I can see the vast expanse of the Kansas sky in my backyard and the fields of Missouri across the street. As in the days of abolition, Kansas and Missouri find themselves on opposite sides in this battle. Missouri became the first state to outlaw abortion after Roe. Next door in Kansas, Planned Parenthood took advantage of the failure of the “Value Them Both” amendment and erected a new abortion center in Kansas City, solidifying its position as a regional abortion destination. I direct a non-profit adoption agency founded as a prophetic statement to the value of life. Many thought the overturn of Roe would cause the number of adoption placements to rise; however, the opposite has occurred. Adoption numbers nationwide have taken a steep drop. No one agrees on why, and the data points are inconclusive, but some suspect it is due to the ease of medication abortions available via telehealth or even on a simple website. While adoptions have dramatically decreased, the abortion rate has increased in 2023, the first full year after the reversal of Roe. A reported 11% increase in abortion post-Roe makes today’s numbers the highest rate of abortion in the United States in the last decade (per Guttmacher Institute).(1) Planned Parenthood continues its mission, now stating that abortion is for all genders. Websites like “Plan C Pills” teach minors how to have an abortion without parental consent and give instructions on how to manage an abortion in the comfort of your own home. The reversal of Roe proved a staunch victory for pro-life contenders in America, but the opportunities that lie before the life movement are more complex and perhaps, more important than ever before. As friends of Jesus, we must continue pray, but we must also DO. Taking action extends the reach of our intercession, bringing answers into the tangible realm. While the adoption of babies has drastically decreased since Roe, there are still thousands of adoption-ready children in the mission field of the American foster care system. To be pro-life is to be radically pro-child, from the cute babies to the teenagers aging out of foster care without a family. My friend Lou Engle says, “The most prophetic thing you can do in this present age is to adopt a child.” By operating in the spirit of adoption (Romans 8), we mirror the gospel and display the manifest wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10). True religion is to care for the fatherless (James 1:27), and the Lord wants the lonely set in families (Psalm 68:6). The Church becomes the answer to the life issue because adoption is a prophetic statement that we value children. What if we can actually repair the breach and restore the nation by the righteous act of adopting children? (Isaiah 58:12) We can easily talk ourselves into doing nothing. Age, busyness, family, and even involvement in ministry can be a roadblock to taking action. Opportunities to change history rarely come at convenient times and are often very costly. We can learn this from heroes like William Wilberforce, George Whitfield, Martin Luther King, Jr., and others who gave their all for the sake of life and freedom. As Lou Engle profoundly suggests, “Reason is the guillotine of faith.” Faith must guide our response in these opportune times. The opportunity to take action did not come conveniently for my friends Wallace and Rachel. Married for twenty years with three beautiful teenagers, they were busy managing a construction business, serving as itinerant ministers, and taking care of their family. Life was full with almost no margin. When they heard about a sibling group who needed an emergency home, reason (as well as many of their friends) told them to say “no.” Barely scraping by financially, they had no space in their lives or home to bring in more children. But something made them pause to consider their response. You see, Rachel’s mother is an intercessor. A native Hawaiian, Rachel’s mom, Kaulana, stepped up to write history when her own house was full. With three teenage daughters, her prayer life spawned an open-door policy for any in need, which meant that Wallace found a place at their table when his life hit a rough patch. One day, Kaulana’s mother, Kaina, the matriarchal grandmother, looked at Wallace and declared, “You are a part of our family,” before she suddenly passed away. That moment changed the trajectory of Wallace’s life. He was accepted into a family and had a place to call home. Fast forward to 2022, when Rachel joined daily prayer meetings at Zoe’s House Adoption Agency, making bold declarations for foster children and praying for God to open the homes of the church for all in need. Never did she anticipate becoming an answer to her own prayers, but one day as she intensely prayed from Psalm 68, Holy Spirit whispered to her, “The foster kids are the spoils; go get them.” The Lord had prepared Rachel and Wallace for the day they got a text to pray for a sibling group needing a family. Wallace will tell you his heart immediately said yes. “Because of what Rachel’s mom and grandma did for me, I always wanted to be open to making someone feel like I felt when they took me in,” Wallace shared. Rachel was more reasonable - she knew the text was very clear: these children didn’t need a bed for the night; they needed adoption. Rachel told Wallace, “Babe, this is FOREVER!” His response was, “But Rachel, these kids have never had a forever home.” The days after their initial “yes” were filled with their church springing into action, helping get their house ready to receive more children, bringing clothing and shoes, meals and coffee, and even money when the state system failed to send the promised subsidy. After a roller coaster of 18 months and the unwinding of trauma in the lives of the children, on May 10, 2024, the adoption of Jose and Grace was finalized, and their names were changed forever. In the courtroom, a social worker told them, “This doesn’t happen like this; families don’t say yes to a sibling group and then actually follow through to adoption.” Wallace and Rachel say the church family carried them over the finish line. When they didn’t have what they needed, the body of Christ came through. The church became the wrap-around care that empowered their yes. In the last scene of the movie Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler quotes the Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a), “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.” The movie depicts Schindler lamenting through sobs, saying, “I could’ve bought one more.” While the movie took creative license and there is no proof Schindler ever spoke those words, in reality, he saved over 1,000 Jews from the Nazi death camps by employing them at his factory in Poland. What if the legacy of the church becomes that we serve 1,000 children in foster care and help them find a way home? There are thousands more who need a family, but what if we could help 1,000 - could we begin to repair the foundations of America? To be successful, it will take families to adopt, and others to wrap around them, like friends did with Wallace and Rachel. The life movement has an opportunity before us. The problem will be families saying yes to adoption, not children to be adopted. The harvest is plentiful…will we make room at the table? Pray with me: We declare the release of the spirit of adoption so that the lonely may be set in families. Father, empower Your people to make room for the fatherless and open their hearts and homes to Your inheritance. Let light break forth in America as the Church rises to the opportunity to care for the children. Let there be light, and let there be LIFE! In Jesus Name, amen. **************** JESUS **************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------------------- Today’s post was shared by our friend and adoption advocate, Kelsey Bohlender. Kelsey and her husband Randy have 10 children, 6 of whom are adopted. You can find out more about Kelsey and how you can help adoptive families at ZoesHouseAdoptions.com. ---------------------------------------------------------- Gibson, Candace and Maddow-Zimet, Isaac. Despite Bans, Number of Abortions in the United States Increased in 2023, Guttmacher Institute (March 19, 2024). https://www.guttmacher.org/2024/03/despite-bans-number-abortions-united-states-increased-2023
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-5-2024 June 5, 2024 From Dutch This week Ceci and I will be spending time with our amazing DSM staff for a time of staff enrichment. Since we have employees in 4 different states, we feel it’s important that we spend time together periodically, face to face. While away, I’ve asked 5 of my ministry friends to share with you. Over the past few years, I’ve shared a number of dreams from our friend Gina Gholston. We felt it was time for you to hear from Gina herself. Today she reminds us how Holy Spirit is blowing on the embers of revival that are beginning to burn once again. ___________________________________________________________ The Continuation I recently had the honor of speaking at a conference in Evansville, Indiana. That gathering was so filled with the manifested glory of God that I cannot adequately articulate what transpired. There was no doubt that we experienced a true baptism of the fire of God. In the last session, as much as she was able under a heavy anointing, Becca Greenwood spoke of some of the powerful happenings that occurred in the Welsh Revival that took place in the early 1900s. It became obvious during the meeting that God was deliberately reminding us of these past stories in order to provoke us to a realization that, what He has done, He desires to do again, and even greater. That night, I was reminded of two dreams I’ve had in which God revealed a connection between the Welsh Revival and another outpouring of Holy Spirit that took place in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina around the turn of the 20th Century. The two dreams are too long and detailed for me to share in their entirety today, but I have included links from previous posts where Dutch spoke of those dreams. I encourage you to go back and read or listen to the posts of May 31, 2022 and June 2, 2022. In the dreams, a group of people and I had received a “revival mantle” that carried us from Wales to North Carolina. The first dream ended as the words “To Be Continued” were spelled out on the ground in front of us. Then, the following year, I had the second dream where God instructed us that it was now time to “use that mantle.” In that dream, many were being healed, saved, and renewed by the power of God that worked through us as we “used” that mantle, which represents the power and anointing of God demonstrated by Holy Spirit. The dreams did not imply that we were to go back and try to duplicate what was done during those past moves, but rather that by honoring what Holy Spirit did then, as well as the obedience of those God used, we can receive and continue on with the same power and anointing. When I consider the determination of those we read about in previous generations—how they encountered God and became gripped by Him and how that encounter changed the whole focus of their lives—I am provoked in my desire to know Him as they knew Him! I believe there is something deep inside our spiritual nature that identifies with our hunger to know the fullness of God. The seed of that same hunger has been planted inside each of us by our Creator. When the time comes for those seeds to be awakened, we are left with a decision. We must choose either to pursue the fruit of God’s intentions or to allow the seeds to lie dormant, their purpose unrealized. The time has come, and the Lord is stirring our remembrance. He is awakening us to an awareness of the power that we have inherited as the heirs of salvation. As in the dreams, we are being made aware that we have been given access not only to explore and be in awe of this “mantle” of power, but that God has called us to receive the mantle and carry on with His intended purposes. Besides the great Welsh revival, the other spiritual movement that God called to our attention in both dreams took place at a location known today as Fields of the Wood near Murphy, North Carolina. That movement started as a small group of men were gripped by Holy Spirit to go deeper in their revelation of Christ and His intentions for the Church. They began to regularly meet to pray and to study the book of Acts. This study stirred in them a definite knowing that, concerning the Scriptures, they had only seen in part, and that revelation stirred in them an insatiable desire to understand and experience all that God wanted to do in and through their lives. Eventually, the number of seekers grew, and they moved the meetings to a schoolhouse just across the state line in Camp Creek, North Carolina. There, over one hundred people received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Miracles, signs, and wonders began to occur, and word of the outpouring spread like wildfire through the mountains, drawing people from near and far to come and encounter the Lord. That small group of early pioneers realized that the book of Acts was not a conclusion; it was the continuation of what Jesus began to do and teach. And the power that worked through those who came from that upper room encounter was the demonstration of the expectation of God for all of the Church for all times. That revelation provoked a desire in them to experience that same power for themselves. As heirs first learned of their inheritance, they latched hold of what belonged to them, and a vicious hunger for more of God was awakened. Once the revelation was received, there was no stopping their pursuit! They sought God, and He honored their sincere pursuit with another outpouring of Holy Ghost power. Embers that had lain dormant for many years had now been reignited, and the flames of revival began to spread with undeniable power and demonstration of the Spirit of God. The reignited flames of that Pentecostal fire set into motion a powerful movement that continued to touch the lives of thousands of people and to release a flood of revival all across America that eventually culminated in a crescendo of the manifested power of God being poured out in an old warehouse at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California, which eventually impacted the whole world, even to this day. The fire of God that was encountered on the day of Pentecost continued to grow as generations following became aware and active recipients of their spiritual inheritance. That same fire burned in Wales, in the early 20th century outpouring in Tennessee and North Carolina, and in every other great move of God throughout history. And it is still available for the Church today. The same Holy Spirit who empowered them to use the mantle for their time is the same Spirit in us, empowering us to do the same in our time. God has determined that “America shall be saved.” He has revealed that the salvation of this nation will come as the result of another great awakening. There is a clarion call echoing from the heart of God to the Church that the time has come for us to carry the mantle of revival so His transforming glory can be manifested once again in our time. And there is a company of awakened heirs who are arising with a determination to receive and reveal the power that has been passed to us. We are provoked with a fervent passion to carry the “mantle” of our spiritual inheritance and not allow it to be dormant and unused. As we humble ourselves to walk with Christ and follow the instruction of Holy Spirit, He will teach us to use the power. And the knowledge of the glory of God will spread as the evidence of His reality is seen in us and passed on through us to those around us…and even to those yet to come. Those who have gone before us received this inheritance and invested it wisely for their time. Now, as the recipients of that inheritance, we must do the same. It’s our time to carry that mantle! Let’s pray: Father, it’s not by our might or strength that we don this mantle with which we have been entrusted. We cannot do it on our own, but by Your Spirit, we can become vessels through which You can reveal Your glory. We are wholly devoted to You and to Your righteous cause. By the empowerment of Your Holy Spirit, we will carry and release this amazing anointing. We humble ourselves before You, and we each sincerely say, “All of me for all of You! Finish what You have started. We lift our eyes; Lord, hear our cry. Show us Your glory!” Amen! Our decree: We will carry the mantle of our powerful inheritance and see the glory of the Lord revealed in our time and throughout our nation. *********************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------------- Today’s post was shared by Gina Gholston and is taken from her book Carry On. You can find out more about her at GinaGholstonMinistries.org. Click on the link below to watch the full video.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-4-2024 June 4, 2024 From Dutch This week Ceci and I will be spending time with our amazing DSM staff for a time of staff enrichment. Since we have employees in 4 different states, we feel it’s important that we spend time together periodically, face to face. While away, I’ve asked 5 of my ministry friends to share with you. As one who studies revival and church history, today Larry Sparks encourages us about recent outbreaks of revivals that have occurred. Larry, a publisher with Destiny Image, shares with us how we can prepare for revival and awakening in America. _____________________________________________________________ The River is Rising “The River of God is rising from trickle level to ankle-deep levels.” This statement shocked me. As a revivalist, I got excited, but as a church history researcher, I had to partner with the Holy Spirit to get some confirmation. Needless to say, it’s not hype; open your eyes and behold what the Lord is doing across the Earth. At the time of this post, I had just returned from two weeks of ministry in the United Kingdom. Though the enemy would love to assign a demonic narrative over those beautiful nations, calling them hard, dark, and secular, that’s not what I saw. Day after day, we witnessed entire gatherings where the Holy Spirit invaded the room with His presence and power, leaving everyone undone. Something is stirring across the Earth. Worship leader and songwriter Martin Smith, prophesied in the 1990s with his song “Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble,” announcing that a mighty River of God would be moving through the nations. As Dutch Sheets has taught, we are witnessing time catching up with the decree—what was prophesied in times past; we are stepping into its fulfillment right now.(1) The Trickle In 2023, we witnessed the unusual outpouring of Holy Spirit at Asbury University, along with multiple other Christian universities and church gatherings. There was an emphasis on gathering together for prayer, worship, and repentance. Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart that what we observed in 2023 was an Acts 2:1 moment in time, where the people gathered together in one place and one accord; this would be followed by the inevitability of an “Acts 2:2” suddenly deluge where widespread outbreaks of the Spirit would unstoppably canvas the nations. While talking with leaders like Ché Ahn and Sid Roth about the phenomena experienced in 2023, we concluded we were watching the beginnings of a landscape-changing move of God, similarly to how Ezekiel’s river (Ezekiel 47) starts with a trickle but escalates and intensifies. Ankle Deep I have bold, good news for you: With the start of 2024, I believe we shifted from trickle level of revival to the next level, ankle deep (Ezekiel 47:3). We’ve stepped into another depth and dimension of what God is pouring out, and thus, we need to act and pray accordingly. 2024 began with the Passion Conference hosted by Louie Giglio at the Mercedes Benz Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The messages were bold, confronting lukewarm Christianity and provoking the 55,000 youth and young adults to give everything to follow Jesus.(2) A landmark moment was the worship team leading the entire stadium in the Michael W. Smith worship anthem, “Agnus Dei.” You can find it on YouTube.(3) It shifts from being a dynamic worship song to an indicator light of the next level of revival as the worship team leads from the floor, while on their faces. Young adults fall to their knees in worship. You can even hear the faint cries and groans of desperation (around 8/9 mins in). This is not hype; this is a cry for God to fulfill Isaiah 64:1—"tear open the Heavens and come down!” This large-scale measure of encounter is a sign that the river is rising. This broke something open for youth and young adults, as we started to witness gatherings springing up at secular universities, from Auburn University(4) to Florida State University (the number 2 party school in America)(5) to University of Tennessee(6) to University of Alabama.(7) Thousands of students gathered at each place, worshipping the Lord, praying, repenting of sin, giving their hearts completely to Jesus, and being water-baptized… in university fountains and horse troughs! Most recently, in May 2024, the largest U.S. baptism ever was held in California, where 12,000 people were immersed.(8) May the data and testimonies I shared encouragingly remind you that we are stepping into another depth of the River of God. Four Keys to Step into the Next Level of God’s River 1. Discern the Times. Dutch Sheets teaches that when you know what time it is, you know what to do. Scripture tells us to “ask for rain in the time of rain” (Zechariah 10:1). If we are seeing God move in this unusual way, pouring out His Spirit, we have a responsibility to ask for more. Every report I have provided thus far is prophetic reinforcement to let you know that we are living in days of outpouring and awakening. Every testimony of God’s activity is an indicator light clearly communicating what time it is in the Spirit. 2. Define the Terms. We are moving into an hour of awakening; this is different from revival. A quick review of terms: Renewal is when a believer who is already passionate about Jesus is refreshed by the Holy Spirit. Revival is when the outpouring of the Spirit resurrects or revives a spiritually dying/dead church or believer. Awakening is another depth of the River altogether. This is when a move of God becomes geographical and impacts the land. Notice that many of the great moves of God throughout history did not have a church name in their title: The Welsh Revival, the Hebrides Revival, the Great Awakening. They shifted the spiritual landscapes of cities, territories, and even nations. I prophesy we are stepping into awakening, where revived believers will arise and become carriers of God’s revival fire wherever they go, causing entire territories to spiritually awaken to the activity of God. 3. Determine to Get a Bigger Vision. Your assignment is to read Acts 8:4-8 and Acts 9:32-43 until you get a vision of multitudes saved, many healed, notable miracles, resurrections from the dead, mass deliverances, and entire cities turning to the Lord. Remember, you will pray for what you can see with the eyes of faith. If you don’t have faith for cities, territories, or even nations to be transformed, you simply won’t pray into these realities. The Lord recently convicted me about this. He asked, “Larry, are you praying for revival?” Sure, I preach and lecture about moves of God and write books about revival, and encourage others to pray for outpouring, but I was not personally praying for the revival I preached about… because my vision was limited. I realized I needed eyes of faith to see the very real possibility of cities, territories, and even nations being spiritually “born in a day” in the thunder of awakening. Acts 8:8 says that there was “great joy in that city” because of the supernatural demonstration of Holy Spirit power through deliverance and healing. Imagine a city filled with joy. Can you see it: New York, London, San Francisco, Sydney, and Vegas – filled with joy. If it’s in Scripture, it’s possible, and if it’s possible, it’s legal grounds for fervent prayer and intercession. Continue to read Acts 9:32-34, and you will note that because of a notable miracle, “all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him (Aeneas, who was healed) and turned to the Lord.” Let that little phrase provoke you: “all… turned to the Lord.” 4. Decide to Pray. Armed with Book-of-Acts level vision, it’s time to start praying some big, bold prayers. Why? It’s raining, so we ask for rain. The river is rising, so we continue to dive in head-first, wildly splashing in everything the Spirit of God is pouring out right now. Pray with me: Lord, give me eyes to see the possibility of a landscape-changing spiritual awakening in my city, in my state, and in my nation—in my day. Burn it in my heart – the vision of seeing mass salvations, mass deliverance, and mass miracles – so much so that entire territories would be filled with Your Presence and joy. Father, raise up watchmen of revival. Give us spiritual discernment and sensitivity to appropriately recognize the works of darkness, so we can resist them. But may our consuming drive be to eagerly look for Your movement, Your activity, Your outpourings, and Your glory rising. Our decree: We decree that the River of God is rising and that we are stepping into a whole new dimension and depth of awakening. ***************************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------ Today’s post was contributed by Larry Sparks and taken from his book, Pentecostal Fire. You can find out more about Larry at LarrySparksMinistries.com. His book can be found on Amazon. ------------------------------------------------ For an excellent presentation of this teaching, read Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation Second Edition by Dutch Sheets and Chuck Pierce (2024, Destiny Image), pages 141-150. https://www.christianpost.com/news/passion-2024-jonathan-pokluda-slams-lukewarm-christianity.html “Agnus Dei” performed by Passion Worship. https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/hes-pouring-out-his-spirit-revival-and-mass-baptisms-not-slowing-down-gen-z https://cmsedit.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2024/february/revival-is-here-thousands-turn-to-jesus-at-2-us-party-school-hundreds-get-baptized-in-fountain https://cmsedit.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2024/may/hundreds-of-gen-zers-make-decisions-for-jesus-at-university-of-tennessee-god-is-moving https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/it-happened-again-hundreds-baptized-latest-campus-revival-now-university-alabama https://cmsedit.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2024/may/satanist-accepts-jesus-during-worlds-largest-mass-baptism-as-12-000-people-immersed-in-california
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7 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/june-3-2024 June 3, 2024 From Dutch This week Ceci and I will be spending time with our amazing DSM staff for a time of staff enrichment. Since we have employees in four different states, we feel it’s important that we spend time together periodically, face-to-face. While away, I’ve asked 5 of my ministry friends to share with you. Today, you will hear from Sarasota Pastor Brian Gibbs. Brian is an anointed, on-fire pastor who will challenge us regarding our passion for Jesus. I was inspired listening to this teaching, and know you will be too. ___________________________________________________________________ Introduction It’s a great honor for me to be with you all once again today, as Dutch and Ceci are getting some much-needed time away for rest and refreshing. I thought it would be most appropriate to pray and speak a blessing over them together: Father God, together, we speak and release fresh oil from the Holy Spirit over Dutch and Ceci today—and their entire team. Envelop them and love them. May their time together be beautiful in every way. May it be refreshing—spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally and financially. We speak abundance over their ministry! Lord, may this time together be filled with new experiences and filled with joy and romance. Thank you for their lives, their marriage, and for this ministry contending for revival, awakening, and reformation in this urgent hour. In Jesus Name, we pray. Amen! Today’s title is: Those Who Tremble At His WORD “This is what the Lord says, ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where, then, is a house that you could build for Me? And where will My resting place be? For all these things My hand has made, So all these things came into being [by and for Me],’ declares the Lord. ‘But to this one I will look [graciously], to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands.’” (Isaiah 66:1-2 Amplified Translation) God says that this is the person He’s going to look for: the one who’s humble, the one who’s contrite or broken, and trembles at the sound of His voice, and honors the Master’s command. This is who God Almighty is searching for. Who is that person? Is it you? Stop reading (or listening) for a moment and ask yourself: Do I match the description of the person to whom God is looking for? And here’s the part that really crushes me. It’s that last phrase: the one who “trembles at My word.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (NKJV) Jeremiah, the mighty prophet, describes this trembling as a burning fire inside his bones. “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.’” (Jeremiah 20:9 NKJV). The greatest thing in all the world is to hear the voice of God, as far as I am concerned. My heart stands at attention and also sings with joy when I hear His voice. I would rather hear God's voice in rebuke than anybody else's voice in flattery. Psalm 2:11 says, “Serve the Lord with fear (honor and reverence) and celebrate His rule with trembling” (NIV). That is awesome! Isaiah 66:5 says, “Hear the word of the Lord, You who tremble at His word” (NKJV). Again, Isaiah declared by the Holy Spirit, “But to this one I will look [graciously], To him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands.” To tremble is: to revere, honor, hold with deep esteem and sacred respect, to be in awe, appreciate, cherish, value, and treasure. Cherish the voice of the Lord speaking to your heart from His Word each day—in the still, small voice, the inner witness of His Spirit, and in quality time with Him in prayer and worship. His voice can most certainly be audible as well. We must be people who honor His awesome Holy Spirit! Honor attracts the anointing of Holy Spirit. Humility sustains the anointing. Living clean and holy (a consecrated life) protects the anointing in our lives. If you do these things—you can be a man and a woman trusted to hear His voice and obey. And we must be these vessels of honor, His own special people, who are hearing from the Lord in this most critical and urgent hour. If we tremble at His word—this means, it is a manifestation of fearing Him. The fear (reverence) of the Lord is a gift. When we do this, we will obey Him instantly. We will not procrastinate, hesitate, or deviate from His Word. We won’t take what He is speaking to us casually. We’ll step forward and obey it. We’ll be alert in our spirit and follow His assignments with clear obedience. When we have the true fear of the Lord, we will obey Him, even when it doesn’t make sense. The generation we’re living in is so adamantly set on having everything explained to them before acting on anything. God asks for our obedience to be done by faith—not by having full understanding. Faith comes first; understanding comes later. In the famous words of Morpheus to Neo in the Matrix movie: “Your comprehension is not a prerequisite of your participation.” When we tremble at His word and grasp the true fear of God, we will obey Him, even when we don’t see the benefit. It is too common for Christians to expect a picture of the benefits before they decide to obey God. Our reward for acting in obedience should not be our motive. We should give, pray, be stretched, and sacrifice…getting in the presence of God because we love Him and because we fear (revere) Him! When we tremble at the word of God, we will obey Him to completion—just as Abraham did when walking with Isaac to the top of Mt. Moriah to offer Him up, even believing God would raise His promised son from the dead. Abraham trembled at God’s instruction and honored His word, which took him to a new dimension of revelation with the God of covenant (see Genesis 22). To become a voice for God, we must honor and cherish (holding in the highest regard) our relationship with Jesus and His Word as the ultimate authority in our lives. In a generation that venomously despises and mocks God and all that is sacred—we must tremble at His word to become carriers and burning messengers of His holy Word. John the Baptist said, “But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:29–30 NKJV). John was a burning and shining lamp not because he passionately burned before the people, but because he stood before the burning One and was set ablaze with holy passion. John was the man who became a forerunner and the voice “preparing the way of the LORD”! John’s training and discipline were in the wilderness. The wilderness is a place where no one is exempt. It’s a place and time where there is pruning, shaping, sculpting, fashioning, disciplining, and rebuking. John was forged in the wilderness to tremble at the word of the Lord and become a trusted messenger. In Luke 1:80 (ESV), speaking of John, it says: “And the child continued to grow and become strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance (or manifestation) to Israel.” John’s level of humility was not something he just came out of the womb possessing. He was just as human as you and I. Humility was forged in his heart through years spent in the wilderness, where he learned to hear and love the voice of God. He came to believe his identity was sure before heaven and chose a lifestyle of extravagant devotion and consecration. He courageously obeyed the call of God on his life by trumpeting a call of repentance to lost people and a nation. John did not seek to be great before men. His quest was to seek out the One whose greatness is beyond measure, and he was set on fire in that journey. John had a divine obsession that overpowered his humanity, indifference, natural pride, and ambition. If you are like me, and perhaps you are, your heart longs to make a real impact in this chaotic world. You long to put your hand to something of eternal significance. If that’s you—then go to Him. Spend quality time alone in the secret place with JESUS. Hear Him. He will set your heart on fire. Let Him give you a real message and commission to this generation. I’m not talking about a good sermon or a tweetable truth. I’m speaking of the reality of becoming so obsessed, so on fire for the glory of God, that you tremble and become a chosen messenger—a voice for GOD, not an echo, but a voice that penetrates the thick and gross darkness upon this prodigal nation. JESUS invites each of us to not just raise a torch, but become passionate for Him, a burning torch—a burning blazing man and woman of God who trembles at His word and honors His commands. And like John, He gives us a message of hope for a lost people, and the ultimate message that our King is coming again soon. Pray with me: Father God, we pray that our hearts will burn within us and tremble at Your word. May we be the people who honor Your commands. May we find and discover our voice when with You. May Your voice thunder through us. May Your roar of righteousness be released through us to bring hope, salvation, freedom, deliverance, victory, and life. God, You are pouring out Your Spirit just as You promised, and may Your sons and daughters prophesy. May Your young men see visions and Your old men dream dreams (see Joel 2:28). Pour out Your Spirit and thrust us into radical, unstoppable revival and national awakening! Shake our nation now, Spirit of the living God. Send us into the universities, the highest places of government, into the streets, into our cities, into our churches, our schools, and into the darkness. Let there be light! Let there be victory! In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen. Leonard Ravenhill said: “The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of that opportunity.” Our time is now, friends! Our decree: I will tremble at your holy Word, Lord JESUS. I will honor your commands. I will become a voice of righteousness for this generation. **************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s GH15 was shared by Pastor Brian Gibbs. You can find out more about Brian, including his books and other resources, at VictoryFLA.com. ----------------------------------------------- Comments made by readers on GiveHIM15.com: ronscarpa a few seconds ago Thank you Pastor Gibbs for this wonderful and timely WORD. May it cause us to evaluate our lives and mindsets to realize whether we match the description of the person God is looking for, and may it drive us to our knees if we realize we fall short. I pray it kindles a fire within our souls to press into a greater intimacy with the Lord Jesus. God bless you, and all who read this message you've given us, especially those who choose to let it change our lives to be the person God is looking for. ______________________________________________________________ NinjaNana 3 hours ago Oh Lord! Set our nation's pastors on fire like Pastor Gibbs. We need men and women who are on fire to be teaching and preaching the all consuming fire of God. Burn off the dross Lord, burn it off! Amen ______________________________________________________________ georgiagibbons56 6 hours ago Powerful word!!!! Sooo good. Thank You LORD!!! ______________________________________________________________ Shottgirl 9 hours ago Thank you, Pastor Gibbs for the encouraging Word and the challenging question: "Do I match the description of the person God is looking for"?
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5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-31-2024 May 31, 2024 Stay Focused; God Will Have The Last Word (Response to Trump Verdict) Since the Give Him 15 devotionals are posted very early each weekday morning, I have to write and record them the day before. Today’s was completed before I heard the news that the jury in Trump’s trial had reached a verdict. Of course, I knew I would have to save that one and write another. For the past three hours, I have spoken with several friends and revisited what I have been hearing from Holy Spirit during the past several months. Before I share, I want to say that earlier today, I began feeling heavy sadness and grief for the nation. As I was praying and writing the earlier post, the one I’m now saving, a friend called to talk about an unrelated matter, but during the conversation, mentioned the sad condition of America. The floodgates opened, and I began to weep to the point of being unable to speak. I couldn’t finish our conversation. He, knowing this was travail from Holy Spirit, graciously ended the call. I walked and prayed for a while, then continued writing. I tell you this to point out that the sadness many are feeling over the depth of corruption in our nation was already coming on me - for the purpose of prayer. Like many, it wasn’t as much anger I felt, but a deep wave of sadness. I want to state clearly that my sadness is not from a feeling of defeat—I wasn’t surprised at the verdict—but instead, is intense grief over the shocking depths to which America has fallen. I am still confident that revival is coming—America shall be saved—but the cost of our sin has been great. And it is not yet over; the shaking will continue for a season. Tonight [Thursday], as I have been seeking the Lord, Holy Spirit reminded me of these things: 1) Chris Reed’s dream on March 9, 2024. He saw a 16-17 month period of time symbolizing the rebirth of America. It began around the time of the eclipse in April and ended in July 2025. The season was very chaotic, difficult, and alarming. At times, it looked like the “baby” (a reborn America) might not make it. But it did. At one point in the dream, July 11 stood out to him, though at the time, he didn’t know if it was in 2024 or 2025. We found out today that July 11 is Trump’s sentencing date. 2) A pastor friend of mine had a dream in June 2022. I don’t feel it is time to share all of it, but some I can. In the dream, he found himself standing next to Trump; it was now 2024. Trump said, “I’ll be a political martyr in the next few years. Not because of my goodness but because God has put the tools in me to tear down, root up, and confront the system. It’ll be an eight-year process and will take two men - me, then another - for the full sweep of power.” I’ve watched as the leftists, globalists, and Dems have tried to destroy Trump. Truly, he is a political “martyr.” And yet, in the dream, he prevailed and served his second term, beginning the tearing down of the evil system, which was finished by another. 3) Gina Gholston’s dream, “Work While You Celebrate,” the dream in which intercessors were instructed to paint the borders and anchor the nation, told us that a great shaking was coming. But the dream also said not to fear; America would survive if we obeyed the Lord. Revival came along with the shaking. (Links to these three GH15s sharing the dream: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3) For the Lord to emphasize over and over not to fear, told me the shaking and difficulties would be severe. This is why I have said multiple times in the GH15 posts, that things will get worse before they get better. I don’t want you to be caught off guard and waver in your faith. We are not yet through the shaking, but what is coming will shake down evil, awaken the nation, and end in revival. Stay in the secret place of Psalm 91, don’t forget to pray over the waterways, water supplies, dams, and ports (terrorists are here), pray for Trump and other God-fearing leaders, and DO NOT FEAR. Stay in a place of faith. 4) This evening [Thursday], Pat McManus, a friend who pastors in Illinois, shared a word with me. A few nights ago, the Lord awakened him with a prophetic word. Holy Spirit said, “The fierceness of My throne is coming. Guard your heart, stay focused on Me. I am releasing a fire that will strengthen those that are willing to hear the sound. “I am going to purge the land with the fire of My glory. Stand, and stay focused on Me. You are entering My glory. Rest assured that I am strengthening your heart. “I am about to come in power. Don’t lose sight of that which I’m about to release on the land, an unquenchable fire. Stand strong, and don’t lose sight of what I am about to do. Again, stay focused, persistently pursuing and pressing into all that I am. “I’m igniting the fire; it will blaze with My glory, and nothing will stop the dismantling, re-ordering, and repositioning.” The fire and glory of God is coming to America. It will cleanse, and it will empower. We must stay focused on Him, not the shaking, and refuse to be shaken. It will tear down that which is evil, not us; we will emerge on the other side with renewed strength and purpose, and a renewed nation. Evil will not prevail. Yes, the kingdom of darkness believes it is winning, but God will have the last word. Pray with me: Father, though we grieve with You over this prodigal nation and the price of our rebellion, we are steadfast in our faith for revival and recovery. There will be a rebirth of America. We will wear the new robe and new ring, and we will eat the fatted calf (Luke 15:11-24). We ask once again for the dismantling of evil in America - from the top down. Free the nation from wicked leaders, evil systems, and deception. Expose the evil one and his partners. And save millions. Strengthen President Trump. He is being martyred politically, but You will raise him up again. Strengthen the God-honoring leaders in our nation, giving them boldness and backbones of steel. Protect them and their families, and protect our great land. We ask this in Yeshua’s name, Amen. Our decree: We decree that darkness will scatter in the light, evil will be shaken down, and truth will prevail in America. ******************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-30-2024 May 30, 2024 The Appeal to Heaven Flag As I stated yesterday, I was out of the office for a week, so am only now able to comment on the news of Justice Alito’s “egregious” behavior in flying the Appeal To Heaven flag. What was he thinking? Never mind that our first President, George Washington, commissioned the flag and flew it on our naval vessels. Doesn’t he know the flag is about prayer? The Justice should know that Judges must have nothing to do with prayer! And the most egregious of all, the flag was seen at the Capitol on January 6th! Every flag taken there should be banned from America! (Well, with the exception of Old Glory, which was also there.) If Justice Alito doesn’t resign, he should recuse himself from any future Supreme Court cases regarding prayer, patriotism, free speech, and evergreen trees! Forgive my sarcasm and attempt at humor, but this controversy is so ridiculous it begs for it. It is now considered treasonous to fly one of the flags under which America was born. “Trump Derangement Syndrome” has now been revealed as actually “Christians and Patriots Derangement Syndrome.” It turns out he was right when he said it’s us the left is coming after, he’s just standing in the way. Because of my promotion of the flag, Ceci and I began receiving phone calls and texts from reporters immediately after the news broke. They wanted to know if I knew the Justice, his wife, if I gave him the flag, and more. The answer to these questions was “No.” I have never met any of the Supreme Court Justices or any of their family members. And I have no idea where or how Justice Alito procured his flag. (In full disclosure, my office DOES sell them, as do Amazon and others.) I received my Appeal To Heaven flag from an America-loving wounded warrior who is actually fighting for his life from an illness he contracted while serving in Afghanistan. I’m told that Speaker Johnson has the flag outside his office and that Senator Cotton is now flying one outside his, as well. I have never met these leaders either, and don’t know how they got their flags. Although I did find out from a leftist reporter recently that I am Speaker Johnson’s mentor! It’s amazing what you can learn from the mainstream media. I recently learned from a Christian watchdog, who partners with the mainstream media, that I caused January 6! (No, I wasn’t even there.) Here is a brief summary of my introduction to the ATH flag and an explanation of its beginning, taken from my small book, An Appeal To Heaven: ******* "’Before I give you this gift,’ he said, ‘I need to explain the history behind it. It's a replica of the flag displayed by George Washington and America's founding fathers. This flag was actually used before the Stars and Stripes existed. In many ways, it is the banner under which America was born,’ he explained. "‘This banner has the phrase “An Appeal To Heaven” across the top,’ he continued, ‘a phrase our Founders took from the writings of John Locke, an influential English philosopher from the mid-1600s. Locke wrote a series of papers on “Natural Laws,” stating that human rights originate with God, not government.’ “Locke made the case that when people have done everything humanly possible to experience those God-given rights and have failed to do so, there remains but one option: ‘And where the body of the people or any single man, is deprived of their right, or is under the exercise of a power without right, and have no appeal on earth, then they have a liberty to appeal to heaven...’(1) “Major Ostan continued, ‘Locke's phrase, “appeal to heaven,” connotes that when all resources and the ability to attain justice on earth are exhausted, an appeal to earth's ultimate Judge is the final recourse. This concept would become a foundational philosophy in American society, used even in the Declaration of Independence.’ “Will went on to explain that George Washington and his contemporaries grabbed hold of this phrase in America's cause for freedom from Britain's tyranny. Having exhausted all peaceful possibilities of experiencing the liberty they so desired, the colonists realized their only hope for freedom was through war. Yet with Britain's great military, weaponry, and wealth - contrasted by the colonist's dire lack of these resources - any military attempt to break free from British rule was preposterous, even laughable. Laughable, that is, unless Almighty God intervened. “The stance of the colonists was simple. Their right to freedom came from God: He would help them. ‘We will appeal to heaven!’ they declared. “And a flag was born. “From the days of the pilgrims, godly men and women have believed the Almighty was involved in the birth of our nation. They also felt that if a nation chose to partner with and honor God, it would experience His favor and blessing in extraordinary ways. Washington and the colonial dreamers agreed. But they decided to take it a step further and find out if the Sovereign was, indeed, birthing ‘A city [nation] set on a hill that can't be hidden...a light to the world’ (Matthew 5:14). They no doubt knew of John Winthrop, a leader of the puritan's Massachusetts Bay Colony, using this verse in his 1630 speech on board the Arbella to describe what he believed God wanted to build in America.(2) “General George Washington, leader of the American Revolution, obviously believed in this divine plan. He commissioned several ships for the Revolutionary War efforts and, highlighting their dependence on providential help; each vessel was to fly under the Appeal to Heaven banner, also known as the Pine Tree Flag.(3) The popularity of the flag spread and was soon flying throughout the colonies, as well as being adopted as the flag for the Massachusetts State Navy.(4) It became the symbol of these colonists' unwavering spirit of liberty, as well as a clear statement of where they placed their faith.”(5) ******* Don’t be distracted by the accusations of the left. They want to intimidate us into silence. It’s a good thing to love America. My advice to all patriots, regardless of your religious affiliation or lack thereof: fly and salute your American flag EVERY DAY! Say the Pledge of Allegiance to Old Glory; stand for the anthem with your hand over your heart, and sing along LOUDLY. To believers, my advice is: Fly BOTH flags! Salute one and pray under the other. Love God unashamedly; believe and honor the Bible - all of it; attend a church that isn’t afraid to preach truth, including the truth regarding America’s birth by God, and the purpose for which He did so. And by all means, attend one which teaches and encourages its congregants to vote biblical values. Pray with me: Father, thank You for giving us praying leaders in Washington. Strengthen their resolve to seek You for wisdom, and to ask for Your blessing on our nation. Give us many more who unashamedly fly the ATH flag, both Democrats and Republicans. No leader in America - especially America - needs to be intimidated regarding mentioning You or embarrassed when doing so. Overrule the evil attacks against them, including President Trump. Encourage him, and may his heart be turned always to You. Restore justice to America’s defiled judicial system - from the DOJ down. We ask You to overturn every effort to destroy America’s Judeo-Christian roots. We boldly declare that we ARE a “city on a hill,” as our Founders and Presidents have called us. We also acknowledge that this does not make us loved by You more than other people throughout the world. It is a calling to SERVE the nations by delivering the gospel of the Kingdom to them. We boldly declare that we will see this calling reemerge from its root system, though the tree has been damaged and its fruit spoiled. Your discipline will bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness once again. We appeal to You for these things and do so through the risen King, Jesus. Our decree: We decree that appealing to heaven is the believer’s right and America’s heritage. ********************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------------------- John Locke, The Second Treatise of Civil Government. “Chapter XIV, Of Prerogative, Section 168.” 1690. John Winthrop, “A Model of Christian Charity,” 1630. American Memory. “Col. Joseph Reed to Col. John Glover and Stephen Moylan.” October 20, 1775. The Library of Congress. Memmory.loc.gov/mssp/mgw/mgw3b/001/08504.jpg Naval History and Heritage Command. “The U.S. Navy’s First Jack.” U.S. Navy. Published December 17, 2014. www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/banners/usnavy-first-jack.html Dutch Sheets, An Appeal To Heaven, (Dutch Sheets Ministries, 2015).
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/tuesday-may-28-2024 May 28, 2024 Introduction Some may wonder why I haven’t yet commented on the recent news regarding the Appeal to Heaven flag. The reason is that Ceci and I were out of the office last week (and I recorded the posts in advance). I will release a post regarding this iconic flag and the ridiculous controversy tomorrow. Today’s post is very important and time-sensitive. Had I not been out of town, I would have released it sooner. It is from my brother, Tim, and concerns the release of signs and wonders many prophets have spoken of. We believe this outpouring is beginning! Listen as Tim shares. The title of today’s post is: It Is Time For Miracles On Friday, May 3, 2024, The Oasis, the church I pastor, held a meeting with prophet Hank Kunneman. He released a powerful word that included an assignment of prayer and fasting. We have been asking Holy Spirit for the right time to fulfill this and believe tomorrow, May 29th through June 5th, is that time. Before reading part of the prophetic word, I want to share a health update. Some already know that I have been dealing with a stage four cancer diagnosis and attack on my health for over a year. I have completed radiation and am in the process of regaining strength while still in an ongoing treatment plan. I am doing well and receiving positive test results, for which we give God the glory. Hank did not know of this on May 3rd. As you hear this word, keep in mind that it applies not just to The Oasis or me, but also to the corporate body of Christ in our nation and world. The prophetic word concerns a healing movement Holy Spirit now wants to initiate, a new level of healings and miracles. Listen closely as I share a portion of this prophetic word. “There is something stirring over this house. I can see a whirlwind in the spirit over this church. It’s a stirring by the angelic. There’s an angel sent to this house. I can see it. God says to this house, you have been standing, decreeing, and believing for the healing of families, homes and prodigals. And this is what I am doing. However, I’m not just healing families; I’m also healing this nation, for this nation has been like a prodigal to Me. And I’m calling it back, so continue your decrees. Continue your prayers and you will begin to see something manifest over this house. You will see loved ones and family members come; they’ll return not only to Me, but to this house. They’ll be discipled, and you’ll see a wave of growth that will begin to increase like you saw during a former period in this house. There is a revisitation of that because you have aligned yourself with the kiss of the Father as He kissed the prodigal. I have kissed this house to bring family members back to this house. Household salvations. Return of prodigals. But also, God says, that anointing shall also be sent and released over this country to bring it back to Me, and bring it back into divine order. “There have been incantations and witchcraft spoken to bring infirmity to this house, to touch individuals of this house with infirmity. But God says there is something swirling now that is countering it, and it is an angel that has been sent, as it was in the days when the man was at the pool of Bethesda for 38 years. God says, listen to Me; there is an anointing that I’m going to revisit in this house of a healing movement from generations prior, those that operated in divine healing, and those that operated in signs, wonders, and miracles. And it was part of a bloodline, a legacy. It was part of that which I visited in past generations. This angel has now been sent to revisit the bloodline and the inheritance upon this pastor and those who are of his blood. And it has come now to this house to stir the waters of healing. “For there is a time that I will call this house to pray and fast specifically for this stirring. It will be a short fast, but will be powerful. It is a call to specifically ask for the angel and pray for the pastor I set over this house. God says, what can be done in seven days? What can happen in seven days when you will seek My face? Fast and pray. Watch what I do with this angel and this leader. Watch what this angel shall release over this house and even to you, Pastor Tim, and for this house. There will be a stirring of waters, of signs, wonders, and healing that will happen during this time, because part of that inheritance is through you (pointing to Rachel, Pastor Tim’s daughter), and it’s going to come stronger, and it’s going to come through the instruments.” (end) Hank did not know that a part of my history goes back to the Voice of Healing Movement of the 1950s and 60s. Great healing evangelists - Gordon Lindsay, A.A. Allen, T.L. Osborn, Oral Roberts, Kathryn Kuhlman, and so many others - were used to release great miracles. Though not well-known, my dad was one of those healing evangelists. Healing is part of my family legacy. We are now being asked to fast and pray for a restoration of the healing movement that I was raised in. Prophet Hank was also unaware that I had been talking and praying weekly with a group of apostles and prophets for the past several months, asking for the restoration of the healing movement… about which he was prophesying. Holy Spirit said through Hank that it’s time to fast and pray for the sending of an angel to assist in this breakout of healings and miracles. While part of this word was to pray for me, I know I represent the church in general. I am asking - and invite you to join me - that not only will I be totally healed, but that this fresh mantle of signs and wonders will now be released to many, resulting in thousands being healed around the world. It is time! We have our assignment. Please ask the Lord how you can participate and engage with us. Some will fast all food, drinking only water or juice. Others will do a Daniel fast, some will fast a meal a day, and still others will fast pleasures such as TV, sweets, etc. Use wisdom and fast only as He leads you. But please set these seven days aside to fast and pray Holy Spirit’s strategy. Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, May 29th, I [Tim] will provide a daily decree for you. You can go to our website or our social media pages to see the decree of that day and release it with thousands of others. I know that many of you will participate, and I thank you in advance. Let’s set our faith to begin the activation and release of this fresh healing movement. Pray with me: Father, move among us as we commit ourselves to this time of fasting and prayer. We will obey as best we can. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for the prophetic and for strategy. We pray, as You instructed us, that the angel of healing that You are sending will help us activate this movement. We pray that our decrees and prayers will align with heaven in such a way that angels are released to participate and help bring it to pass. We pray for entire families to be saved and come to houses of worship. We pray for millions of prodigals to come home. We ask for healings and miracles to accelerate under Holy Spirit's leadership, assisted by angel armies. Resurrect the healing movement. Re-mantle Your people with gifts of healing, the working of miracles, the gift of faith, and words of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Activate healings and miracles as we set ourselves to seek Your face, pray, and fast. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that a fresh healing movement will now begin throughout the world, bringing freedom to many, and great glory to Christ. *************************** Details and daily decrees for prayer and fasting: https://www.oasiswired.org/fasting-prayer Link to Hank Kunneman’s prophetic word: https://youtu.be/ndEqfeEXNRA?feature=shared 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.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-27-2024 May 27, 2024 Total Sacrifice Though not accepted by the religious spirit, patriotism can be truly spiritual. Given the fact that God raised up America for His purposes, a love for our nation should not only be acceptable, but appropriate. My love for America transcends my natural roots; it is rooted also in my love for the gospel, America’s primary reason for existence. And as one who loves our nation, I love those who have fought for her freedom and destiny, especially those who have paid the ultimate price. Today, I honor them, their families, and the sacrifices they made. The cause of freedom, both naturally and spiritually, requires commitment and sacrifice. When choosing His disciples, Jesus told them, “Follow me.” “Follow you where?” would have been an obvious and fair question. Perhaps one of them asked it. But we know Jesus didn’t elaborate. Much like Yahweh’s dealings with our spiritual father, Abraham, who was told to leave home but not where that would lead him, Christ demanded the same of His disciples, “I don’t want you picking and choosing how and where you’re willing to follow Me. I want carte blanche access to your will. Total commitment. Follow Me...period.” In serving freedom’s cause and the cause of Christ, the rules haven’t changed. Ronald Reagan was a secular leader who modeled commitment. Though serving in government, he was also a spiritual man, combining spirituality, patriotism, passion, and commitment. Only a person with radical commitment would stand on the world stage and, against the advice of all his advisors, forcefully decree, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”(1) Although he made this audacious statement while President in 1987, the seeds of passion and commitment were growing in Mr. Reagan much earlier. On October 27, 1964, he issued the following poignant decree: “They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is right.”(2) May God give America more Ronald Reagans! His words remind me of those in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “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.” Simple devotion. Simple answers. Doing the right thing isn’t usually complicated - sometimes costly, but not complicated. Winston Churchill led Great Britain and helped save the world from Hitler’s Third Reich. What a passionate, committed leader he was. Led by his passion, determination, and amazing communication skills, England fought the good fight against Hitler when it looked like the Nazis were unstoppable. One of Churchill’s many poignant quotes from that time was about duty: “The destiny of man is not measured by material computation. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits - not animals. There is something going on... which, whether we like it or not, spells duty” (italics mine).(3) Indeed! Likewise, whether we like it or not, there are challenges in America today that spell “duty.” Abortion spells duty. A spiritually lost generation spells duty. Sexual grooming of children, gender confusion, human trafficking, an open border, an anti-Christ spirit and attitude, an attack on traditional marriage, a compromising church - all of these, and many more problems in the world are issuing duty’s call. God is asking us to respond. A while back, I read the book Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. It is the story of the greatest loss ever suffered, up to that point in time, by the US Navy SEALs. The warriors in all of our special forces model total commitment, courage, and duty. I spent much time quietly and solitarily thinking about what I was reading. Among other things, I analyzed my level of commitment to Christ’s cause. Do I demonstrate the same level of commitment to Him that our brave soldiers do to one another and their cause? Just like the king in Scripture, I felt I was “weighed in the balances and found wanting” (see Daniel 5:27). Most of us will never have to endure the physical pain and suffering the brave men and women of our special forces endure, nor could we. But at a heart level, we should possess the same degree of commitment to Christ and His cause. As I read portions of the SEALs’ creed, I couldn’t help but think parts of it should be the Christian’s creed. Here is their creed, appropriate for us to read on this important day. “In times of war or uncertainty, there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life. I am that man. “My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident, I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day. “My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans, always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own. “I serve with Honor on and off the battlefield. The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of the circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond. “We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders, I will take charge, lead my teammates, and accomplish the mission. I lead by example in all situations. “I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder, and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight. “We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me - my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is never complete. “We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend. “Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammate steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. “I will not fail.” (4) Committed hearts like this in the church would quickly change the world! Committed believers in America must rise up with their spiritual weapons at this time. America is in critical condition, on life-support. Having denied our Godly roots and the anchor they provided, America is now adrift in the mooring-less ideologies of humanism, relativism, and Marxism. The same idiocy that shuts down industries and food sources in order to save frogs, also fights to kill babies. Marriage between one man and one woman is mocked, while “marriage” between two men or two women is praised. The Constitution and its true intent are ignored. Americans now acknowledge dozens of gender options. We’ve lost our way. God is calling for committed followers to arise and lead us out of this maze of mindless ideas. If not, we will perish in the wilderness. I believe, however, that these warriors are being raised up. And like the SEALs and our other brave warriors, they will NEVER quit! They will NEVER be out of the fight! Their training is NEVER complete! They will NOT fail! Pray with me: Father, as You move us into this great worldwide awakening, we pledge a new commitment to Your cause, a total commitment to You, Your kingdom, and the commission You gave us. Raise up committed spiritual warriors in every realm of society. Just as natural soldiers must have discipline and a commitment to their cause, put hearts in us that will demonstrate these same qualities. We pledge to You that we will follow You without conditions. We will go where You send us, say what You tell us, and do as You command us. And we won’t be silenced. Unqualified commitment - that is what we will demonstrate. Lead us back to the old road of truth and duty. Lead America back to her righteous roots, her destiny. Thank You for those who have given all of us. Comfort their families. We pledge to not forget these sacrifices. Give us hearts to honor them, and the strength to follow their examples of sacrificial love. And as President Lincoln said at Gettysburg, we declare that “these dead shall not have died in vain.”(5) Our decree: We decree that we will never quit, we are never out of the fight, and we will not fail! ******************************* Portions of today’s post were taken from my book The Way Back. Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------------- Reagan, Ronald. Address at the Brandenburg Gate. 12 June, 1987. Coffey, Major T., Jr. Patriot hearts: An Anthology of American patriotism. (Colorado Springs, CO: Purple Mountain Publishing, 2000). 68. Ibid., 68. Naval Special Warfare Command. “SEAL Ethos? Creed.” (November 15, 2010). http://www.public.navy.mil?nsw?Pages?EthosCreed.aspx https://libquotes.com/abraham-lincoln/quote/lbe6e3d
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5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-23-2024 May 23, 2024 Do Not Fear the Lion! 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 is one of them: though called to possess the quality of love more than any other, even to the point of laying down our lives (2 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 spawned by 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” (see 1 Chronicles 11:22-24). Like David, this heroic and bold warrior also killed a lion. It seems the marauding lion was threatening a village in Israel, which motivated the villagers to set a trap by digging a pit and then 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 oppose 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’s 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 warfare words 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, 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 will be raised up who run to face Goliaths. Give us Davids, Benaiahs, Eleazars. May we fight until our hands cleave to the sword, holding on with impassioned hearts that refuse to yield to demonic forces on the earth. 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 and will enforce the victory of Calvary throughout the world. ******************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------- 1. Coffey. Patriot Hearts. 118.
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5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-24-2024 May 24, 2024 Calebs At Heart “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.” (Numbers 14:24 NKJV) Caleb, one of the 12 spies Moses sent to spy out the land promised by God to Israel, was a bit different. He went against the grain and made it into God’s “Hall of Difference Makers.” In fact, God used this very word to describe him. “Caleb,” He said, “has a different spirit” (Numbers 14:24). Indeed..! By describing Caleb as different, the Lord was comparing him to 10 of the other spies who were conformists, weak in their faith, and sadly, preferred a life of slavery over fighting for freedom. These faithless cowards affirmed that the Promised Land truly was as wonderful as God had said. Unfortunately, they also pointed out, it was ruled by giants, protected by strong armies, and filled with fortified cities. God forgot to tell us about giants - 9 feet plus in height, they opined. And as cowards often do, these 10 spies infected Israel with their fear and unbelief. To fear-controlled believers, “giants” are bigger than God. Ironically, the 10 fearful spies were actually leaders in Israel (Numbers 13:2), yet they didn’t possess the faith needed to advance into the land of promise and challenge the evil, demonized giants controlling it. They were leaders who wouldn’t lead, fathers who wouldn’t fight. Though now free physically, they were still slaves mentally; they were cowards, not warriors; settlers, not pioneers. Settlers fear the dangers of pioneering. Fearful and faithless people build walls to keep giants out; pioneers and warriors dispossess them. Shockingly, these 10 spies actually preferred going back to slavery in Egypt, where their masters fed and clothed them - and they didn’t have to fight - than risking their lives for the cause of freedom. Their wills had been broken. And when the will has been broken by the cruel hammer of slavery or fear, freedom’s call is silenced. “Give me my mountain” is drowned out by “The giants are too big”; “Give me liberty or give me death” is shouted down by “The British are too powerful.” And when this occurs, we become conformists, safety-seekers. In a speech to the Second Continental Congress on August 1, 1776, American patriot and Founder Samuel Adams, said to the fearful, “If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; may your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!”(1) I wonder if Adams’ middle name was Caleb?! The cause of freedom has always needed bravehearted warriors like Adams and Caleb. Not only was Caleb willing to fight the evil giants in Canaan, but he offered to tackle the biggest. He requested the town of Kiriath-Arba as his battle assignment. Why is this significant? Kiriath-Arba means “the city of Arba,” and Arba was “The greatest of all the giants” (Joshua 14:15). The biggest and baddest of these anti-God behemoths ruling the region had chosen a city high on a mountain from which to rule - the highest city in all the territory - and renamed it after himself. This is even more infuriating when we realize it was formerly named Hebron, meaning “covenant friendship,” referring to friendship with God. (In keeping with this symbolism, Abraham, “the friend of God,” is actually buried there.) Caleb’s attitude toward the desecrating, evil giants and their fortified cities was simple: Let’s go kill these evil giants and possess the land. I’ll take the biggest! God required Israel to wait 40 more years to do so until the unbelieving generation died. He refuses to reward cowardice and unbelief. Years later when Caleb was finally allowed to conquer Kiriath-Arba, he changed the city’s name to Hebron once again. There, this warrior enjoyed his covenantal friendship with God, as did many others. Warriors like Caleb, who face fears and conquer giants, prepare the way for others to find and enjoy friendship with God. Spiritual warriors also pass on their overcoming nature to the next generation. After Caleb defeated Kiriath-Arba, his nephew Othniel also conquered a giant-controlled city, Kiriath-Sepher. Like his uncle, he renamed this city, calling it Debir, which means “the innermost sanctuary.” Israel’s actual innermost sanctuary was the Holy of Holies, found in the Tabernacle of Moses. This was where God’s presence and glory dwelled. Othniel, however, wanted to live in a city where God’s presence and glory dwelled, so he named it Debir. Calebs reproduce those like themselves: God-seekers, presence-lovers, hungry for Him. Many generations later, Hebron would take on even more significance. David was crowned King over Judah and established his first throne there; seven years later, he became king over all of Israel and moved it to Jerusalem. When Caleb conquered Hebron, little did he know he was preparing a place for David to reign over Judah. Pioneers - forerunners of change - don’t always see the fullness of that for which they prepare the way. Their pioneering nature, however, just keeps building roads and blazing trails. America was built on the backs of different-spirited warriors and pioneers. Somewhere on the Continental Divide are the bleached bones of a nameless, faceless pathfinder who died blazing a trail for you and me. Arlington Cemetery houses the graves of unknown soldiers who died, preparing the way for our freedom. America now needs another generation of selfless, no-compromising pioneer-patriots: prayer warriors, government leaders, businessmen and women, media people, educators, and certainly leaders in the church. The frontier these 21st-century pioneers must conquer is one of mindsets and beliefs, not a mountain range; the minefield we face is one of ideas and ideologies, not a beach at Normandy. But the need for different-spirited pioneers is every bit as great. The church, like America, was built by warrior pioneers. The soil under the Roman Coliseum is stained with the blood of pioneering martyrs - our brothers and sisters - who died to advance the cause of our pioneering Leader. They’re watching us from the balcony of heaven and their blood is crying out for a generation to emerge that hasn’t lowered the standard. This great “cloud of witnesses” is waiting for a generation of spiritual warriors to arise in America who will once again be willing to give their all for heaven’s holy cause. Buck the system and rock the proverbial boat. May your commitment to the cause make the complacent nervous! Pray with me: Father, we ask You to break off indifference, intimidation and fear from the American church and replace it with courage. Convict us of apathy and complacency, and for becoming conformists. Let the fire and commitment of the early church be found in us. Give us hearts like that of Caleb. Forgive us for allowing satan to take over so much of America. Forgive us for turning our government, education, and much of our nation over to those who oppose You. We have lost much ground - all by default. Please forgive us for this. Yet we know You are building a glorious Ekklesia the gates of hell will no longer prevail against. We will rise up in the authority You have given us and enforce Your victory over demonic forces. According to Matthew 16:19, we will bind and loose, forbid and allow; we will open and close. We will represent You, the glorious King, in all of Your majesty and authority. And we will release Your loving and serving heart, healing the hurting, releasing those bound, and taking hope to the hopeless. In Jesus’ name, we pray and decree this. Amen. Decree: We decree that the same heart possessed by Caleb, the anointing of our King Jesus, is rising up in the Ekklesia of America. ************************ Portions of today’s post were taken from my book The Way Back. Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------------- 1. https://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/american-independence-speech-by-samuel-adams-august-1-1776.html
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-22-2024 May 22, 2024 Have You Been Found? When Christ was preparing His original 12 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, the son of Alphaeus, was stoned to death. ● James, the son of Zebedee, was beheaded. ● John, the son of Zebedee, 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 12 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 great 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.” 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 his 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.”(1) Have you been found? Does the cause of Christ possess you? When God led the early colonists to this land - He was obviously involved in the process - they came with hearts willing to pay whatever price the dream would cost them. A part of their stated cause was, “For the Glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith...”(2) The colonists arrived on a cramped and dirty ship in sloshing water filled with human waste and vomit. And 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 colonists 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 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...”(3) 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.”(4) Incredible. But Adams 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, like Wilberforce, 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.”(5) 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.”(6) 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.”(7) Some accuse me of inappropriately marrying the love of God and country, but 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. And it certainly wasn’t born for the enjoyment of the narcissistic “American Dream” we’ve allowed our desires to devolve into. Partnering with God in His great dream was to be our privilege and destiny. For this, no cost is too great. Let’s cry out for another generation that 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, The Message). 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 post were taken from my book The Way Back. Click on the link below to watch the full. ------------------------------------------------------- 1. Dyer, Steven G., Transforming a Nation: How England turned back to God in the eighteenth century. Can it happen in America? (Oklahoma, OK: Steven J. Dyer, 2010). 54. 2. Mayflower Compact 1620. 3. Bennett, William J. Our sacred honor: Words of advice from the Founders in stories, letters, poems, and speeches. (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1997), p. 40. 4. Ibid. 5. Ibid. 6. Ibid., p. 64. 7. Ibid.
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5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-20-2024 May 20, 2024 Intimidation Is A Trap 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 has been catastrophic to our nation, causing the spiritual decay of three generations. Today, I’m going to share 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’ 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 Israel. He was gone longer than expected, and many of the people began to think he might never return (verse 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 (verses 2-6). Pathetic times two! God was understandably angry and sent Moses back down the mountain to deal with it. Upon arrival, Moses’ choice of words to Aaron made it clear that God was holding Aaron responsible for this sin: “Moses said to Aaron, ‘What on Earth did these people ever do to you that you involved them in this huge sin?’ Aaron said, ‘Master, don’t be angry. You know this people and how set on evil they are. They said to me, “Make us gods who will lead us. This Moses, the man who brought us out of Egypt, we don’t know what’s happened to him.”’” (Verses 21-23 The Message) God’s summary statement in verse 25 is VERY telling: “…Aaron had let them run wild disgracing themselves before their enemies” (The Message Bible). 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 let them get out of control” - makes clear that had he stood his ground, God would’ve backed him up. 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 First 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 7th day, with his army “scattering from him,” disobeyed God and “offered the burnt offering” himself (verses 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 him 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” (Verses 13-14). A couple of chapters later, God said to Saul through Samuel: “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of Rams… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being King.” (1 Samuel 15:22-23 NASB) How many leaders in the church have compromised, “rejected” God’s Word in attempts to prevent people from scattering? THE JEWISH LEADERS There is one final passage which 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: “These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke about Him. Nevertheless, many, even of the rulers, believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees, they were not confessing Him, so that they would not be excommunicated from the synagogue; for they loved the approval of people rather than the approval of God.” (John 12:41-43 NASB) 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” and is translated as such in this very passage (verse 41): “Isaiah…saw His 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.” What a striking contrast! John tells us Isaiah saw God’s glory and prophesied of His greatness. But to these leaders, he tells us 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. And because of this, Holy Spirit has had to declare “Ichabod” (“the glory has departed”) over many churches in our land. I believe God is about to change 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 enable 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 NASB) 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 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 1391. Ibid., ref no. 3173. Ibid.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-17-2024 May 17, 2024 Releasing God’s Nature This week we have been agreeing with and decreeing statements made by many of America’s past leaders. Their prayers and declarations are not dead, and as we agree with them, power from our past is released into our “now.” Today, I want to give an overview of God’s plan regarding government, one of the most important topics in the Bible. Government’s Origin 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(1-7287) and mashal(2-4910) 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 just imagine or dream up the notion for this new endeavor. God is, and always has been, Lord or Ruler over all - HE IS GOVERNMENT. The concept flows from who He is. Obviously then, this makes Him earth’s “Judge, Lawgiver, and King” (Isaiah 33:22), and all government on earth was 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, etc., 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. He wanted a family, so He began by creating their home, then He created them. God then delegated His governmental rule of this small portion of His Kingdom, earth, to His 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. It was intended to release and function according to His nature. God’s intent was that ALL earthly government be a conduit of Him; He would release His will, ways, truth, righteousness, and love on earth through government - at every level - delegated to humans. That God would delegate this governing authority to Adam shouldn’t be surprising; He had created His family! Every aspect of Adam’s nature was to reflect God’s image and likeness: procreating more eternal beings bearing God’s image; dreaming, imagining, and through this mining earth’s treasure and potential; loving; leading and managing this portion of God’s creation. We know this plan was temporarily interrupted at the Fall. Satan stole God’s family, and along with it came 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? God’s Solution Jesus, of course, 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. Matthew 28:18 tells us all authority on earth is now His, and Colossians 1:13 says He delivered us from the authority of darkness and aligned us once again with Christ and His Kingdom. Matthew 16.18-19 and other passages tell us Christ delegates His authority to us once again. As Christ’s family, and having been delegated His authority, we are also called and privileged to extend His redemption and freedom to others. We do so not by demanding or dictating, but by proclaiming His gospel, declaring His truth, and binding satanic/demonic schemes, plans, and actions. This opens people’s eyes to the gospel and God’s truth, causing them to believe in Christ. This allows even their land, possessions, livelihoods, cities, and nations to also be freed from satan’s government/authority/rule (see Deuteronomy 28). The Scriptures Are All About Government With government being one of the two primary issues on earth, it seems logical that it would be one of Scripture’s dominant themes. It 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” 1000s of times, and His “kingdom” is referenced more than 80 times. We could give numbers for other governmental terms, such as dominion, authority, govern, leader, etc., which are used dozens of times. Suffice it to say, the issue of government is paramount in Scripture. AND YET…through the deception of conflating politics and government, many in the church think government should be ignored. “Get people saved,” they say, “but issues of government don’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 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. The church doesn’t acknowledge the overwhelming amount of Scripture involving government, preferring to ignore it. And it conveniently hides behind manmade laws designed to silence us. Rather than honoring God, many leaders are ruled by the fear of man. Combine that with the fact that many pastors actually disagree with portions of God’s Word, and the result is that most believers are ignorant of God’s Word. The church need not be mean-spirited or condemning to preach and teach truth from Scripture. It can and should be done with grace, mercy, and love. But truth must be taught; it is God’s Word. America In Crisis As a result of the church not doing so, America hangs in the balance of life or death. In a March 2023 Fox News interview, Newt Gingrich issued a wake-up call. Referencing meetings between Putin and Xi - while the Biden administration, which he compared to a “situation comedy,” ignored them and downplayed any significance - Gingrich said that, in his opinion, “This is the most dangerous time in our history since Washington crossed the Delaware Christmas night in 1776…This is not a game. The threat to our civilization is so great that we really need a dramatic change.”(1) In the same interview, Mr. Gingrich also said, “Xi gave four different speeches to his people [the previous] week on preparing for war. People should take him seriously and understand how determined, how aggressive, and how competent Xi is.” He compared Xi and Putin to “The Axis powers of Italy, Germany, and Japan in the 1930s that wanted to take on Democracies. Unlike in the 30s, we have a President who is dedicated to weakness, dedicated to confusion…America is in an enormous crisis, with a news media that doesn’t want to cover the truth. This is the moment when America truly is what Mao called America ‘a paper tiger.’ It’s a very sobering and very frightening moment in American history.”(2) The church might want to rediscover government and find its voice. I’ve said before that regardless of the overall church’s abdication, God will save America through a remnant. I still believe this. But I also believe our salvation and turnaround could have occurred much more quickly - and without the coming shaking - had a larger percentage of the church been speaking out, praying, and taking action. The pain we are experiencing and which will increase could have been avoided. To 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 of 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. Thankfully, an awakening is occurring; please breathe on this and cause it to increase. 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. We should have fearless hearts like Joshua, Caleb, Paul, Finney, Wesley, Whitefield, and other warriors from the past. Again, we pray, send Your fire! And Father, as the dragon and bear [China and Russia] align, led by principalities and world rulers of darkness, thwart their evil plans to rule the world. We must and will reap a great harvest for You. You once told me You HAD to have America in order to reap this harvest. You said in Your Word that we could close the doors to demonic forces, not with human effort, 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 will for revival and awakening. We call forth Your fire. All that You have promised, we will see and experience. In Jesus’ name, amen. Our decree: We decree that lethargy and complacency in the church are being broken and replaced with revival fire! ****************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------------------------- As seen on Fox News’ Hannity Show, March 20, 2023. Ibid.
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5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-16-2024 May 16, 2024 The Highest Glory of the American Revolution Today, I want to share with you several more powerful quotes from America’s history; these statements were made by U.S. presidents. Though they are not all from the Founding Fathers, having been stated by those in positions of great authority, they are words we can agree with and declare. 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 “Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that Almighty Being before whom I now stand, and who has kept us in His hands from the infancy of our Republic unto the present day, that He will so overrule all of my intentions and actions and inspire the hearts of my fellow-citizens that we may be preserved from dangers of all kinds and continue forever a united and happy people.” Andrew Jackson “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 “Before any man can be considered as a member of civil society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe. And to the same 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 post-graduate 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 founding fathers and mothers. Therefore, we make the following decrees today, commanding the “Foreword” 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 of American civilization is not in the power of government, and that God established the capacity in people for self-government, according to His commandments. 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 God keeps the Republic of America in His hands, to overrule human intentions and actions and to preserve us from destruction. 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! ******************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. -------------------------------------------------------------- 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: Faith of Our Founding Fathers by Leo Godzich America’s God and Country: Encyclopedia of Quotations by William J. Federer 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 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 3962.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-14-2024 May 14, 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. This is why Holy Spirit told us in Gina Gholston’s Work While You Celebrate dream to “command” what He spoke over America at her beginning. When God searched history to accent great lives of faith, surprisingly, He chose to list some that did NOT receive the fulfillment of their God-given promises (Hebrews 11). These people went to the grave with unrealized promises from God, yet they had truly believed, even making it into the great Hall of Faith. Clearly, they weren’t deficient in their walk of faith; why then did they die without seeing the promises fulfilled? The last two verses of Hebrews 11 give us the simple yet profoundly important answer: “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 NASV). 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 following generation/s furthers the growth, brings it to birth, and stewards that which is born. Jesus said, “For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have come into their labor” (John 4:37-38, NASV). 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.” Think about the ramifications of this: there are many promises God has made to individuals 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. That 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: 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 the same end and aim, namely, to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the Gospel thereof with purities and peace, and for preserving and propagating the truth and liberties of the Gospel.”(2) 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…”(3) Penn asked God to make Pennsylvania “the seed of a nation,”(4) and God answered his prayer. Our Declaration of Independence was decreed there in 1776. Four times, it references God - as our Lawmaker, Creator, Judge, and Protector. The Liberty Bell that rang there 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 it, 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.”(5) Noah Webster, who published the first American Dictionary of the English language in 1828 said, “Education is useless without the Bible.”(6) “The Moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all our civil constitutions and laws…All the miseries and evils which men suffer…proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”(7) 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. The man, therefore, who weakens or destroys the divine authority of that book may be accessory to all the public disorders which society is doomed to suffer.” Profound..!(8) 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, it 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 2024 who would arise in faith and agree with what was declared back then. We are that people. As we do so, our faith today 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. 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 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 5046. Leo Godzich, Faith of Our Founding Fathers, (Phoenix, AR: The National Association of Marriage Enhancement Publishers, 1982), p. 40. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country [Encyclopedia Of Quotations], (Coppell TX: FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994), p. 503. Leo Godzich, Faith of Our Founding Fathers, (Phoenix, AR: 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], (Coppell TX: FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994), p. 676. Ibid, p. 678. Ibid, p. 679.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-15-2024 May 15, 2024 “A People In Covenant With God” Listen carefully! According to Psalm 110:1-3, Christ has given the Ekklesia His scepter of authority. Isaiah 22:22 references this authority as a key; Matthew 16:19 does, as well. 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 also states that we do this as part of Christ’s “Melchizedek (King-Priest) Order,” of which we are all 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 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, he 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 Our 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, establishing a pattern which all others followed, including the United States Constitution.(5) It was penned by Roger Ludlow, in 1638, after hearing a sermon by Thomas Hooker, the Puritan minister who founded Hartford, Connecticut. 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. “The House of Representatives attempted to appoint him President of Harvard in 1703. 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, he published Magnalia Christi Americana (The Great Achievement of Christ in America), which is the most detailed history written of the first 50 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 the 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 our past regarding America, we do so to see her restored and reset to 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 their cause is. 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. (reprinted Cambridge: 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 New York: Russell & Russell, 1962), p. 33. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and the Constitution - The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: 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 (Boston: 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. (Chicago, IL: 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 NY: Burt Franklin, 1970), p. XIX. Mather, Cotton. 1702. Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana, (The Great Achievement of Christ in America), 2 vols. (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1702, 1979), 1:26. Gary DeMar, America's Christian History: The Untold Story (Atlanta, GA: 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 (San Francisco: Foundation for American Christian Education, 1976), p. 407. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MIN: Garborg's Heart°N Home, Inc., 1991), 3.22. Marshall Foster and Mary-Elaine Swanson, The American Covenant - The Untold Story (Roseburg, OR: Foundation for Christian Self-Government, 1981; Thousand Oaks, CA: The Mayflower Institute, 1983, 1992), p. 120. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-10-2024 May 10, 2024 “You Have Your Choice” “In the same region, there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. And so the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army of angels praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”’ (Luke 2:8-14 NASB) What a night. What a glorious visitation. What an amazing promise. What a choir. What a cute baby. What a long wait. I can’t help but wonder how these shepherds felt while waiting 3 decades - 30 years! - before seeing any fulfillment of what they heard that night. No healings, no miracles, no demons cast out, no sermons on the Mount, no walks across water…nada, nothing. If they had further visitations along the way for encouragement, we’re not told of them. It was bright lights, an angelic choir (“at least we thought we heard angels”), a baby in a feeding trough, and then back to the normal, mundane life of tending sheep on a cold, lonely hillside…wondering about that night. It almost seems cruel that God tells folks of what He’s going to do, and conveniently “forgets” to tell them it won’t take place for several years - 15 (for Joseph), 20 (David), 25 (Abraham), 45 (Caleb). He doesn’t actually forget, of course. He is using the wait as His refining furnace. It was said of Joseph that he was put in chains and shackles, and “Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord refined him” (Psalm 105:19 NASB). The Hebrew word for “refine” is tsâraph,(1) a word meaning to fuse metal, to smelt in order to refine or purge metal (goldsmith), to test. God uses our wait for the promise to prepare us for the promise. I certainly don’t believe God made Joseph’s chains and shackles - He didn’t put in the hearts of his brothers to sin by selling Joseph into slavery or motivate Potiphar’s wife to lust after him. But He wasn’t about to waste Joseph’s pain; as He always is willing to do, God made it serve him. Nevertheless, God DID tell Joseph of His great plans for him years in advance of them occurring. One of the “metals” that waiting refines in us is the gold of perseverance. It brings the dross of impatience, personal ambition, presumption, pride, fear, lack of trust, and probably a few more impurities to the surface for removal. God’s plan is 24 karats. It has been a little over 30 years since Holy Spirit gave me my first open vision; it was regarding the coming great awakening. While teaching a class on prayer, I suddenly began seeing not what was before me physically, but a spiritual vision. I saw thousands of young people in a stadium passionately worshiping and praying. As they left the stadium, I saw another scene: they arrived back in their hometowns as balls of fire, and the fire of revival sprang up. As I prayed into this, the Holy Spirit said He was showing me what was coming, that He would send another great awakening, and it would begin with the young generation. A month later, Ceci and I attended our first National Day of Prayer in Washington, D.C. Upon arrival, I was told of a unique event taking place all that week called a Biblethon. A canopy tent and a small PA system were set up on the Capitol lawn. Individuals signed up for 15-minute slots, and the entire Bible - Genesis through Revelation - was broadcast/read over the Capitol and nation 24/7 for the entire week. Those participating didn’t choose the passages they read; each one had to start where the last person stopped. When the entire Bible was finished, they started again in Genesis. When I arrived in DC, a friend told me of this Biblethon and said, “I knew you would want to do this and the slots were almost gone, so I signed you up.” “Yes! That’s awesome,” I replied. “All they had left was through the night, so I signed you up at 2:00 AM tomorrow night,” he said with a smile. Instantly, I heard Holy Spirit say, “I’m going to confirm what I said to you after the vision - that another great awakening will occur, and that it will begin with the young people - through the passage of Scripture you read in the Biblethon.” I told no one. And my response to Holy Spirit was, “Sir, I could hear/see the concept of ‘revival’ in ANY 15-minute reading of Scripture, ANY: holiness, righteousness, love, You judging evil, a healing, a person You used, etc. - I could find it everywhere. I trust You, but I don’t trust myself with this. I’m not trying to manipulate You or force You to conform to my thinking, but the ONLY way I would know for sure that a passage was confirming this word - because of what You’ve been speaking to me in my “quiet times” - would be if I got to read either the book of Haggai or Habakkuk.” Now, Haggai is 2 chapters long, Habakkuk is 3. There are 1189 chapters in the Bible. I knew the odds were extremely minimal that the readers would have arrived at one of these books just when it was my turn to read. But that’s what I told the Lord. When I arrived at the Biblethon tent the next night, a few minutes early as instructed, they were nowhere near Haggai or Habakkuk. Someone was reading from the gospels. I didn’t want the Lord to feel badly about not having them at the place I requested, so I assured Him it was okay, and that I still believed the word. A couple of minutes before my slotted time, the lady in charge walked up to me, telling me I was next. Then her expression changed; she looked at me strangely and departed from protocol, saying, “Mr. Sheets, you have your choice; you can read either the book of Haggai or Habakkuk.” I was stunned! God was saying, “Not only can I arrange it so you can read one of those 2 books, I can do better than that. You said ‘Haggai or Habakkuk.’ Okay, take your choice, son: Haggai or Habakkuk.” That, my friend, is how much He wanted me—and wants you—to know He is going to send this great awakening beginning with the young ones. It has begun; it will intensify. Yes, it’s been a long wait. And just as with Joseph, David, and many others, He has used the wait to refine. But it will be worth the wait - like the shepherds, I’ll see the fulfillment of the word. Let’s pray, then I think I’ll go read Habakkuk. Pray with me: Father, in Habakkuk, You said to “Write down the vision…So that one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hurries toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it” (Habakkuk 2:2-3). Like the shepherds who waited 30 years for Jesus to explode on the scene, we have waited 30 years for this great awakening. We believe it has begun. Now we ask for the fire to explode all over this nation. Cause Your fire to consume the strongholds and plans of the enemy. As wax melts before the fire, consume Your enemies (Psalm 68:2). Come as You spoke of in Malachi, “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branches” (Malachi 4:1 NASB). And Lord, help us to be ready for the fire of revival. We pray that no traditions of men, preconceived ideas, or wrong expectations will hold us back. Blow the lid off. Rock the boat. Stretch our wineskins and challenge our paradigms. Give us new wine, fresh wind, and an abundance of rain. We ask for the greatest, biggest, most far-reaching revival in history. Outdo Yourself, Holy Spirit. In Yeshua’s name! Amen. Our decree: We declare that the wait has refined us, and we are ready for the revival! ***************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. --------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 6884.
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4 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-9-2024 May 9, 2024 Revival On Our Campuses! In yesterday’s post, I re-shared a prophecy Holy Spirit gave my brother, Tim, at the end of 2023. Among other subjects, it highlighted the coming youth revival. Here is a brief excerpt: “With the drawing power, the conviction of My presence and Kingdom that will invade campuses, I will reach into the hearts of those who are bound, lost, and drifting with aimless mindsets. I will draw them to their purpose. “For I say to you deep will call to deep within them. I will call to the deepest parts of their inner nature. I will call to the dreams and purpose I have put into them, which have been buried by lies and deception. Now, says the Lord, the anointing that breaks those yokes is being released. Revival will roll throughout college campuses.” While it is true that this outpouring had already begun to a degree when the word was given to Tim, it is now escalating. I have also shared with you the vision I received in 2001 about the coming youth revival. In this vision, campuses were also highlighted. ASBURY UNIVERSITY In February of 2023, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit lasting 16 days occurred at Asbury University. An estimated 50,000 visitors from around the world flocked to Wilmore, Kentucky. Students from at least 285 colleges or universities attended the revival, and there have been an estimated 250 million social media posts related to the outpouring. Similar moves of God occurred at Samford University, Lee University, Baylor University, Texas A&M, Auburn University, and more.(1) UNITE US On September 12, 2023, a powerful event took place at Auburn University. Tonya Prewett, the founder of Unite US, received a vision from the Lord where she saw thousands of students gathered in an arena worshiping. After sharing the vision with local ministry leaders, they got on board, and the event took place 6 weeks later. Approximately 5000 students showed up, with many coming to Christ and 200 baptized. Since then, Unite US events have also occurred at Florida State University, the University of Alabama, University of Georgia, and the University of Tennessee.(2) Prewett says it’s “all a move of God. We’ve seen thousands of students give their hearts to Christ…over 800 baptized…we’re just walking in obedience and God’s gone before us and He’s moving in incredible ways.”(3) "We have been waiting for a move like this all school year," one student recently told FOX & Friends. "At the finale of the event, we were singing 'Speak the Name of Jesus' and students just rushed to the front. I brought my buddy, and it brought us to our knees. There are just no words for the experience.’ “Another student shared her favorite part of last night’s experience: “‘Just seeing the presence of the Lord fill the room and how people from all different backgrounds came together for one reason and to worship Jesus is just so awesome,’ she shared. “‘There has been so much brokenness and weight on our campus, and we have been praying for a move [of God], and I just pray that it continues,’ another female student added. "’I think we need love in our country, and I believe Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life,’ a University of Tennessee student declared.”(4) This is all consistent with the vision God gave me in 2001, but it will intensify. In the vision, the power and fire of Holy Spirit were so strong on the campuses of America that He essentially took them over for a season. It was VERY disruptive - a holy rescue that could not be stopped. Some school administrations tried to shut it down, but couldn’t stop what was occurring. There were thousands of salvations, deliverances, healings, and baptisms. Worship was strong; kids were encountering God in profound, life-changing ways, and falling deeply in love with Him. It birthed America’s Third Great Awakening. What I saw was not “religious,” it was not yet in churches, and it was student-led. The students eventually made it to churches, but not typical churches. The wineskins of congregations and organizations had to change in order to receive them; “order” had to be redefined. My advice to those who can hear it: get ready to be stretched! Prewett told CBN News, "I am no prophet, but what I feel like God has shown me is this will be called the greater awakening, and this will be something our nation has never witnessed. It'll be stronger and greater, and is being led by college students; typically in history, that's how it happens, but this one is different."(5) Pray with me: Father, You are coming to rescue a generation. Your plans are settled, Your strategies and tactics are in place, and the movement has begun. As this continues and intensifies, move upon the Ekklesia to support it with prayers and decrees, and to prepare for the discipling of many new believers. We pray for Unite US - give them thousands and thousands of salvations in their gatherings. We ask for many pure leaders and ministries to be raised up as voices into this revival - strong, anointed, gifted evangelists and teachers. Many in this GenZ generation will not want to plug into typical churches. They will prefer different methods, formats, and atmospheres. Give leaders the wisdom to create atmospheres that make them feel comfortable and able to relate, and release teaching gifts perfectly equipped to disciple this generation, all while in no way compromising truth. And cause this movement to be marked with incredible worship of You and great intimacy with You. The prophetic word You gave Tim spoke of dreams being given to many of the young people here and around the world. We ask for the release of this. You also spoke of signs, wonders, and miracles coming to the campuses - we also ask for this. We pray for deliverance from identity crises, gender confusion, addictions, and every other stronghold that satan has afflicted upon this young generation. We pray especially for those among them who are disillusioned, hurt, and angry. We pray that they will find Jesus before other movements find them. Regarding those already part of other movements, we ask You to ****** them from the fire. We ask for Your protection over them until this occurs. All of these things we pray in the name of Yeshua. Amen. Our decree: We decree a release of power and anointing to the campuses and youth here in America and around the world. *************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------------------- https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2024/march/asbury-revival-taught-me-about-gen-z-casual-christianity.html https://www.christianpost.com/news/a-move-of-god-students-attending-revival-events-100s-baptized.html https://www2.cbn.com/news/us/hundreds-gen-zers-make-decisions-jesus-university-tennessee-god-moving Ibid. Ibid.
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6 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-8-2024 May 8, 2024 It is good to rehearse what the Lord has told us in the past, not just to remember, but to agree with it through prayers and declarations. Over the years, Mary treasured and pondered the various words spoken over Jesus (Luke 2:51). The psalmist David told his soul to “forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2). Then he proceeded to rehearse them. At the beginning of this year, I shared a prophetic word the Lord gave my brother, Tim, on December 3, 2023. I feel we need to be reminded of it. The word is encouraging and very timely, as it speaks of revival coming to our campuses, which has begun. I will share some regarding this tomorrow. Here is the prophecy: THE RESET SEASON by Tim Sheets “Holy Spirit says to the church of the King, look into the spirit realm, and you will now see the bringing forth of the reset you have asked for. For as the world declares and celebrates the birth of the King, I tell you this day, the birth of His Kingdom will rise in waves of glory. History was changed in Bethlehem during the time of the King’s birth. Those were desperate times, but heaven moved. Lucifer, though he tried, could not stop it. Governments also tried, but they could not stop it. The coming of the Deliverer could not be stopped. “The reset you have called for is being birthed in this season. You will hear the shout of the King rising from the land. It is the cry of the mighty Deliverer as He births the greatest move of His Kingdom. For as He came in infancy to birth a Kingdom, He now comes as the resurrected King of glory to activate another release of His Kingdom throughout the earth. “At the time of His birth, years of silence were broken by a prophetic unction that came forth, and joy came into the world, announced by angels. The Lord says, in this day also, the angels are announcing a new joy into the earth. Glory will begin to roll as billowing clouds, one after the other, to bring the reset you have called for. DREAMS “And even as dreams came and instructed in the ancient times of the King’s birth, the atmosphere of the Kingdom will again spawn dreams throughout the land. Strategy dreams will now be downloaded as the reset begins to roll. Strategies from dreams will be activated and begin to reset, to change things supernaturally, and break the oppression of governments. “Holy Spirit says, just as the shepherds, Joseph, and those in the narrative of the King’s birth were anointed to dream, I will do so again. I will begin to release millions of dreams to prodigals. They will dream of destiny and purpose, dreaming the King’s dream. Your prodigals are going to dream dreams, and in those dreams, they will rise up and say, ‘This is what I must do, and this is where I must go.’ Dreams that unlock destinies and change lives. Dreams that end addictions and cancel demonic assignments on their lives, for I will activate within them dreams of their God. And as prodigals rise to take their place, you will see the birthing of that wave of the reset begin to roll through the land. REVIVAL ON CAMPUSES “Evangelists are arising on college campuses. They will preach and declare the Word of Almighty God. The passionate ones will be powerfully anointed. I will confirm My Word with signs, wonders, and miracles. For I have a harvest that I will reach. I will put the ‘breaker anointing’ upon young men and women, and they will walk the campuses declaring, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ With the drawing power, the conviction of My presence and Kingdom, that will invade campuses, I will reach into the hearts of those who are bound, lost, and drifting with aimless mindsets. I will draw them to their purpose. “For I say to you deep will call to deep within them. I will call to the deepest parts of their inner nature. I will call to the dreams and purpose I have put into them, which have been buried by lies and deception. Now, says the Lord, the anointing that breaks those yokes is being released. Revival will roll throughout college campuses. Great prophets will arise. You will begin to hear prophetic words coming from college campuses. You will understand that this is a day like no other. I said My young men would see visions, and I meant it. I said My handmaids will receive the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit to declare what I say, and I meant it. I said your old men would dream dreams and that I would fill all flesh with My Spirit. I meant it. PROPHESIES FULFILLED “I am moving, says the Lord, in ways I have declared to you by prophetic utterance. My Word will not return to Me empty; the assignments in those words will activate. Even at this moment and throughout this season, beginning now and into 2024, says the Lord, those prophetic words and assignments will activate, creating their fullness. “I will supernaturally shift things in the earthly realm. Shifts I create in governments will cause the world to wonder and say, ‘I never saw this coming.’ You will see a great revival in Muslim communities. They too, will begin to dream from My Spirit. Sauls will become Pauls. You are moving into a new time, says the Lord, that I have ordained. “I call to My Ekklesia to rise in faith and begin to walk with Me at a new level, declaring what I say and moving into the new. For the shaking I promised has come. The fierce war season I promised has come. And now, the birthing of the reset will roll throughout your nation and the nations, for I am working to change and reset. “You will begin to see visible signs and workings of this as I release a strategy within the Ekklesia. For the church will shift from declarations of ‘this will be,’ to declarations of ‘this is that.’ You will declare, ‘This is that which was spoken by Holy Spirit. This is that which was spoken by the King. This is that which was spoken by the Father.’ You WILL move into the ‘this is that’ moment, says the Lord. I am the God of eternity, and I am the God of now. My Word will not return void.” The Lord will be seen as the God of NOW! This is the time when the King rises in His rule, in His Kingdom’s jurisdiction, in all the world. His Kingdom has no end, and it will not be limited. The reset has begun. PRAY WITH ME: Lord, we align our faith with what You have said, with the shift You have announced. We ask You to move as You desire and in the ways You have ordained. Move at levels that amaze us. We will walk and work with You in faith and confidence, and You will do exactly as You have said. We declare: “No limitations to this move of the King! Neither nations, governments, rulers, false religions, nor demonic principalities will stop it. The ideologies propagated on college campuses will not stop this move. Miracles, healings, and deliverances will occur throughout the land; the hand of God will be seen. Prodigals will receive dreams, hear Holy Spirit, return to God, and be transformed. They will be passionate lovers of God and His Word, filled with Holy Spirit, powerful evangelists, and prophetic voices. Deception, confusion, addictions, perversions, and disillusion will be broken off of them through powerful God-encounters. The glory of the Lord will roll in wave after wave. Revival, reset, freedom, signs, wonders, and great harvest will now come!” We pray and declare these things in Jesus’ Name, Amen. OUR DECREE: We decree that the reset of Kingdom authority in our land has begun, and we have moved into a season of great harvest. ********************** 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.
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5 min read https://www.givehim15.com/post/may-7-2024 May 7, 2024 Just Like Caleb! The great Old Testament warrior, Caleb, was the partner of Joshua. Of the 12 spies Moses sent on a reconnaissance mission into Canaan, they were the only two that brought back faith-filled reports. Not only were they men of great faith, they were men of great patience. We will get to that momentarily. The Scriptures tell us a remarkable five times that Caleb followed the Lord fully: Numbers 14:24; 32:12; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:8; 14:14. The first reference, Numbers 14:24, says: “But my servant, Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.” The context of this verse is Yahweh telling Moses that the unbelieving Israelites would not be allowed to enter the promised land. Of the generation that was delivered from Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb would be allowed to do so. Not only would Caleb’s faithfulness be rewarded personally, but his descendants would also be rewarded and “take possession” of the land. This is a beautiful picture of how our faithfulness blesses the coming generation. Caleb had to wait 45 more years before beginning the campaign to take his inheritance (Joshua 14:7, 10). The war to conquer the land took several years, and some believe Caleb waited five years of that time before he actually was able to possess his mountain, Hebron making his total wait time 50 years! That is a lot of time to hang out with the “lack of faith” folks, waiting for them to die off so you can possess your inheritance. It must have been very challenging for Joshua and Caleb to do so with good attitudes. Other great leaders in Scripture had to wait for their promises to materialize. Moses waited 40 years in the desert before God resurrected his calling. Joseph waited a good while, possibly 16 years, before God delivered him and fulfilled his promise. After being anointed by Samuel, David waited 14-15 years before becoming king over Judah, and another seven before becoming king over all of Israel, a total of over 20 years. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for Isaac. God, who does not live in time as we do, is not affected by waiting. Scripture tells us that 1000 years is like a day to Him and a day like 1000 years (2 Peter 3:8). In other words, He is not in time. He lives in eternity. Don’t try figuring that out—you never will! Waiting is a little more challenging for us time-bound humans. Paul listed patience as one of the nine fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22. I think I prefer the King James word “long-suffering;” it just seems to capture the concept, if you know what I mean. My point is: waiting can be very difficult, but being able to do so is very important. I began seriously pursuing the Lord in 1973. I knew relatively soon thereafter that I would give my life to full-time ministry. I began by doing youth ministry, leading worship, and going on several foreign missions journeys. I then went to Bible school, followed by 13 more years of doing various aspects of ministry, which took me to 1991. This adds up to 18 years. By this time, I was able to teach Scripture fairly well and was starting to receive many invitations to do so. At that point in time, I was invited to a gathering of prophetic leaders for the purpose of discussing what God was saying to the church in America. Several national leaders comprised the 25 or so people in attendance. I “humbly” accepted the invitation. When the discussions began, Holy Spirit spoke to me very clearly and said, “Just listen; don’t say anything. It is not yet your time.” I knew Holy Spirit was using a play on words from references in John, where Jesus said - or it was said about him - “My time has not yet come” (John 2:4; 7:6, 8, & 30; 8:20). For me, I knew the words meant it was not yet time for the next phase of my ministry to be launched. He did not want me saying or doing anything that would cause someone there to promote me in any way. Nor did He want me in their fraternity or inner circle. I informed the Lord that if I sat there for three days and said nothing, these leaders would all think I was ignorant; it would be very humiliating. “Why would You send me to a meeting just to have this happen?” I asked him. “I didn’t send you,” He said, “you sent yourself. Now, be quiet and be humbled.” I did, and I was. A year or so later I was offered the pastorate of a large church in Florida. The Lord said, “No.” Five years later, I wrote the book Intercessory Prayer (1996) and became a leader in the emerging, worldwide prayer movement. Four more years (2000) and the Lord released me into my calling to America. From 1973 to 2000 God was faithfully preparing me for my true purpose. The waiting wasn’t always easy, but it was very necessary. Why am I saying all of this today? Because I want you to persevere in your prayers for revival in America and around the world. I want you to persevere in your laying hold of the promises God has made to you. I want you to be like Caleb and follow the Lord fully, even during the waiting. I want you to BE a Caleb, receiving your inheritance, the great mountain-top blessing God has promised you, and the reward He wants to give your descendants. You and I, as a generation, are coming into “our time.” Do not lose heart, do not give up, do not waver. We are going to persevere through this “hinge year,” during which the Lord will shake down the systems and strongholds in America that have opposed Him, then move us into our crossing over. Giants will fall, and millions will come to Christ. Your destiny is to be part of this! Do not waver in the waiting! Pray with me: Father, when our lives are finished here on earth we want You to be able to say of us, as You did Caleb, that we followed You fully. We want to be those who wait for “our time,” for You said, “Our times are in your hand” (Psalm 31:15). You always know when to plow, sow, and reap. You know when to pluck up and tear down, and when to build. We choose to stay in step with You, trusting You fully. You told us recently in a prophetic word to “stay focused.” You have told us to continue making biblical, Spirit-led decrees and that these decrees would empower angels. You said You were opening portals in this nation through which the winds of Your Spirit would blow. You said cleansing fire was coming, and also revival fire. We declare Your words, seeding the heavens with them. These things are so! Bring the cleansing. Bring the awakening. Bring revival to this young generation, saving millions. Bring worldwide revival. Bring a tidal wave of conversions into the Middle East and Asia. We declare the Earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord as the water covers the seas. You said it, that settles it, and we believe it. In Jesus' name we declare this. Amen. Our decree: We decree that we, like our brother Caleb, will follow the Lord fully. ********************* Click on the link below to watch the full video.