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https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-9-2025 December 9, 2025 The Power of Our Covenantal History When preparing to share at the Flashpoint Gala this past Saturday night, Holy Spirit reminded me of David’s victory over Goliath, applying the story to our battle today with spiritual giants. What many do not know is that David defeated Goliath on the strength of his covenantal history with God. The lessons are important for us. The first thing God tells us in the story is the location of the battle. “Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle; and they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. Saul and the men of Israel were gathered and camped in the valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array to encounter the Philistines,” (1 Samuel 17:1-2). I realize that doesn’t interest you. You’re like me, Come on, Holy Spirit, get to the good stuff: Goliath’s description; the drama of his taunts; the fear of the Israelites; David, the young sheepherder; the battle; off with the giant’s head. I skipped those two boring verses for the first 60 years of my life. And missed a nugget. This location was in the territory of Judah, which was the tribe of Israel David was part of. Holy Spirit was informing us, right from the start, that this land belonged to David and his tribe. It had been given to them by God generations ago. David had more than squatter’s rights to the property the giant was trying to claim; he had divine rights. If he followed God’s instructions, the truth of these first two verses of the story assured him of victory. The God who created and owns the earth (see Psalm 24:1) had the right to assign it to whomever He pleased. And in history, He had given it to the tribe David belonged to. Battle over. Don’t think so? I’ll give you another reference that reinforces this truth. When Nehemiah was allowed by the Persian King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem in order to rebuild its walls, he faced great opposition. The locals, led by Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, despised the Jews and were determined to stop them from building. When Nehemiah faced their threats and opposition, he stated his case for success in one verse: “I answered by saying, ‘The God of heaven will give us success. We, His servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it,’” (Nehemiah 2:20 NIV). “We have a historical, God-given right to this city,” Nehemiah declared. “You don’t. Therefore, we win, you lose.” Case closed. It is beyond doubt that God raised up America for His purposes. He owns America, just as He does the entire earth; in that right of ownership, He delegated stewardship of this nation to followers of Christ, believers who would partner with Him in His great cause of redeeming the world. Do not listen to the liars and revisionists that say otherwise, be they secularists or deceived Christian leaders. If the body of Christ in America fully grasps this revelation, the giants attempting to steal our nation have no chance. Uncircumcised Philistine David’s next “history weapon” can be seen in the fact that not once did he call Goliath by name. He referred to him only as the “uncircumcised Philistine.” What is that all about? Imagine two guys about to fight, perhaps in a bar or at a rugby match, who begin shouting insults at one another. Jed: “You’re ugly.” Jethro: “Your mama is ugly.” Jed: “You’re a wimp.” Jethro: “You couldn’t beat up a flea.” I know, these are a little weak. Not exactly Rambo-level insults, but I’m trying to keep it clean here. And you get my point: insults and degrading salvos are flying back and forth. Then, one of them shouts at the other, sealing the deal with the ultimate insult: “Well, you’re UNCIRCUMCISED!” Huh? Didn’t see that one coming. As strange as it seems, there was actually an important reason for David’s choice of names. Circumcision symbolized covenant with God (Genesis 17:13). Since the days of Abraham, this had been the case. It was, some believe, a requirement mandated by God for health purposes. Circumcision served the added purpose, however, of picturing New Testament believers who would have the “flesh” of our hearts circumcised (see Romans 2:28-29). For our purposes in this story, however, what we must understand is that David was stating to the giant, “I’m in covenant with God; you’re not. Since those in covenant with one another share a military alliance you’ll be fighting God, not just me. This battle won’t be decided by your size, experience, weaponry, or strength. It was decided a long time ago when my great-granddad cut covenant with God, and I’m going to defeat you through my covenantal history. I win; you lose.” No wonder secularists want to deny America’s history with God! We shouldn’t be surprised that former President Obama once said we were not a Christian nation, contending that we were also a Muslim nation, a Hindu nation, an atheist nation, and so on.(1) Karl Marx once said, “The first battlefield is to rewrite history.”(2) The demons controlling Marx knew the importance and power of history. And, of course, demons today inspire anti-Christ forces in America to try and rewrite our history for the same reasons. As believers, we must stake our claim to the fact that God birthed America, and that He and our Founders made covenantal promises to one another. I’m not suggesting that God and those who came to these shores entered into a covenant on the same level as the old and new covenants in Scripture. There are different levels of covenants, however. The biblical word means “a compact, confederacy, league.”(3) The great Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon defines it not only as covenant, but as “an alliance (of friendship); an alliance (of marriage); a constitution; agreement.” The fact that our Founders covenanted with God when they came to this land is beyond dispute. Take time to read America’s Covenant With God by Dr. Eddie Hyatt, which makes this abundantly clear. Here is a link to that article. Do not underestimate the importance of this. God put into the hearts of our forefathers to come to this land. He did so to raise up a nation that would form an “alliance,” a “sacred agreement” (the definitions of covenant) to partner with Him for the propagation of the gospel to all the earth, to be a city on a hill shining His light for all to see. Obviously, God’s intent was not for this to be accomplished through mistreating First Nations people. Agreements, covenants, and purchases of the land could have taken place with them, just as William Penn did in what is now Pennsylvania.(4) His land and covenant is the “seed” of our nation (Penn’s words), not Washington, D.C. God’s plan is obviously for all races and ethnicities to share in the privilege of representing Him and enjoying the benefits that come with this. God redeems and cleanses nations, however, and continues to use America, just as He did with Abraham and Israel. We must believe this and do as David: stake our claim to this land based on our alignment with God and His plans, purposes, and promises. That is what empowers us to take out spiritual giants. Well-meaning leaders alone won’t do so, nor will wealth, great strategies, strong armies, wise educators, or pure motives. Covenant will overthrow spiritual giants! People aligned in covenant share resources and strengths; they also share enemies. If the Ekklesia in America faces the giants of our day armed with the decrees that this land belongs to God (“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,” Psalm 24:1); that He Himself established our nation to represent Him; and resist the giants in His name - we will defeat them! War with covenant! War with history! Pray with me: Father, we thank You for America’s history with You. We are humbled by the privilege of partnering with You in Your great cause. Thank You for cleansing and healing our unrighteous past. The powers of darkness have determined to cripple and ultimately stop us from being a voice and light for You, but Your mercies endure forever! We place our faith in the eternal covenant we have with You through Christ. We also stand on the alliances our Founders made with You, and on the fact that You keep covenant and mercy to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9). We reach back into our history, declare our faith in You, and decree that we will once again be a light to the nations. We will once again be a strong voice of the gospel and of freedom to all the nations of the earth. The spiritual giants opposing You in America are in covenant with satan and his kingdom, whom You have defeated and stripped of authority. Therefore, in the authority of Christ’s name, we decree that the giants of unrighteous government, false religion, and all other antichrist forces will fall and Jesus will be exalted. Revival is here and coming, and America shall be saved. We pray and decree these things in Jesus’ name, amen. Our decree: We decree that empowered by our covenant with Yahweh through the blood of Jesus Christ, and the covenant America made with Him as a nation, we will defeat every giant of darkness in America. ************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------ Obama, Barack. “‘Call to Renewal’ Keynote Address.” Washington, D.C., June 2006. https://sojo.net/articles/transcript-obamas-2006-sojournerscall-renewal-address-faith-and-politics Washington, Ellis. The Progressive Revolution: History of Liberal Fascism Through the Ages, Volume V, 2014-15 Writings. (Lanham, MD: Hamilton Books, 2017). p. 219. Strong, James. The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Red-Letter Edition. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001). Reference no. 1285. https://www.historycentral.com/TheColonies/peenind.html

https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-8-2025 December 8, 2025 Introduction I am coming to the end of a long, very demanding travel schedule. Last week I was on the road for the entire week. To help me out, I asked some of our favorite Give Him 15 guests to write posts. They have been outstanding. Today is the final day of guest posts, and this one comes from our good friend and host of FlashPoint, Gene Bailey. Gene gives us a wake-up call regarding Islam’s intent to transform our nation. We must oppose this, even as we pray for the salvation of every Muslim, whom we love. Gene’s title is: The Final Countdown My topic today is a sensitive one for many believers, but it really shouldn’t be. We know who the ruler of the universe is. We know who went to the Cross and we know who rose from the dead forever to rule with the Father in heaven. Yes, we know Jesus. But sometimes it’s easy for believers to forget the enemy has many ways to wage war against the Body of Christ. Today, I’m going to hit head-on the war that is facing the body of Christ. Today, more than ever, we need to know the tactics of the enemy. Portions of today’s post are from Bill Federer’s book, What Every American Needs to Know About the Qu’ran. In 2006, Keith Ellison of Minnesota became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Congress. Niraj Warikoo of the Detroit Free Press (12/25–26/06), quoted Ellison’s speech: “You can’t back down. You can’t chicken out. You can’t be afraid. You got to have faith in Allah, and you’ve got to stand up and be a real Muslim.” Ellison, who said little about being a Muslim while campaigning, went on to tell his Islamic audience: “We’re going to continue to face them. They’re not going to stop right away. But if you, and me too, stick together, if we believe in Allah, Subandhu wata’ala, if we turn to the Qur’an for guidance, we’ll find an answer to the questions we have.” If one turns for guidance to the Qur’an, which Keith Ellison swore into office upon, one finds many disconcerting verses within its chapters, called suras. I want to be as concise as possible here. These are taken directly from the Qu’ran: “Believers, take neither the Jews nor the Christians for your friends.” (Sura 5:51) “Infidels are those who declare: ‘God is the Christ, the son of Mary.’” (Sura 5:17) “Infidels are those that say ‘God is one of three in a Trinity.’” (Sura 5:73) “Make war on the infidels who dwell around you.” (Sura 9:123) “The infidels are your sworn enemies.” (Sura 4:101) “When you meet the infidel in the battlefield, strike off their heads.” (Sura 47:4) “Mohammed is Allah’s apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the infidels.” (Sura 48:29) “Prophet, make war on the infidels.” (Sura 66:9) “Kill the disbelievers wherever we find them.” (Sura 2:191) “The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger ... will be that they will be killed or crucified or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off or will be expelled out of the land.” (Sura 5:33) “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” (Sura 9:29) “Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom.” (Sura 47:4) “Believers, do not make friends with those who have incurred the wrath of Allah.” (Sura 60:13) “Never be a helper to the disbelievers.” (Sura 28:86) Are these verses from the Qur’an taken out of context? Does it matter if a politician swears on a Qur’an? Is it Islamophobic to be concerned? Is Islam a peaceful religion? A stock investment may sound good, but the investor must do diligence and examine the track record of its past performance. Similarly, one must examine the track record of Islam’s past performance to see how the Qur’an has been interpreted throughout history. As the axiom goes, “Past performance is the best indicator of future behavior.” “When the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the Holy Qur’an,” stated President Obama in Cairo, Egypt, June 4, 2009. The dilemma is, can one swear to defend the Constitution upon a book which seeks to replace it? The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the “free exercise” of religion, yet Mohammed said, “Whoever changes his Islamic religion, kill him.” (Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 84, No. 57). Islamic law relegates non-Muslims to “dhimmi” status, where they are not to propagate their customs amongst Muslims and cannot display a Cross, Christmas decorations, or a Star of David. Does it really matter if one swears upon a Bible, a Qur’an, a Bhagavad Gita, a cookbook, or a comic book? Laying the cornerstone of the Jewish Community Center, May 3, 1925, President Calvin Coolidge stated: “The patriots who laid the foundation of this Republic drew their faith from the Bible ... We cannot escape the conclusion that if American democracy is to remain the greatest hope of humanity, it must continue abundantly in the faith of the Bible.” Calvin Coolidge stated at the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 5, 1926: “The principles of human relationship which went into the Declaration of Independence ... are found in the texts, the sermons ... of the early colonial clergy ... They preached equality because they believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. They justified freedom by the text that we are all created in the divine image … “The Declaration of Independence is a great spiritual document ... Equality, liberty, popular sovereignty, the rights of man–these are not elements which we can see and touch ... They have their source and their roots in the religious convictions ... “Unless the faith of the American in these religious convictions is to endure, the principles of our Declaration will perish. “We cannot continue to enjoy the result if we neglect and abandon the cause...We must go back and review the course which they followed ... They were intent upon religious worship and there was a wide understanding of Scripture. “We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create our Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the Spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren scepter in our grasp.” ****************** We are at the final countdown. If Christians do not stand up for the rights this country was founded upon, we will end up under Communistic Islam’s boot. Yes, you heard right, communism, socialism, and Islam are rapidly combining forces to overtake America. Even the Muslims who proclaim Islam is a peaceful religion will soon realize what is at our door. It’s time to choose… Pray with me: Heavenly Father, we come to You today ever so grateful for this nation and the blessings America has enjoyed. We know it is only because of You. We pray for a continued spiritual awakening in these United States. Show us how to be strong, how to be wise and bold as a lion when it comes to our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Our decree: We decree every man and woman come to the knowledge that “There is only one God, and there is only one way that people can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who as a man gave Himself to pay for everyone to be free,” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Christ said thou shall have NO other gods before Me. We, as His representatives on earth, enforce this truth. Jesus is Lord over the United States, the earth, and the universe. “That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow of those in heaven and of those on the earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.!” (Philippians 2:10-11) ************************ Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-4-2025 December 4, 2025 Introduction As I have been stating, I am coming to the end of a long, very demanding travel schedule. This is the final week of the stretch and I will be on the road the entire week. To help me out, I have asked some of our favorite Give Him 15 guests to write posts. They are outstanding. Today’s and tomorrow’s posts by revivalist Larry Sparks are inspirational exhortations on - you guessed it - revival! Today’s title is: Will You Make Room? Let every heart prepare Him room. Christmas. I love this time of year. While I thoroughly enjoy the festive decorations, mass quantities of sweet treats, and the overtly Christ-honoring carols blaring over speakers in shopping malls and coffee shops, there is a profound revelation captured in the Christmas story… about how we can welcome and receive more of the move of God in our lives, churches, and nation. So prepare for an unusual Christmas perspective! A verse in the Christmas story that challenges me to this day is Luke 2:7: And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (ESV). I want to highlight the last phrase, no place for them in the inn, and come back to that. Right Now… Prophetically, I am convinced we are living in the days of Ezekiel 47. I’ve shared this with the amazing Give Him 15 audience in times past about how this portion of Scripture gives us a stunning illustration of the different levels, depths, and dimensions of the river of revival. Every week, we are witnessing thousands turning to Christ through major evangelistic outreaches (Greg Laurie’s Harvest crusades), Unite US gatherings held at public universities, and the incredible work that local churches across the world are doing, day after day, to see a harvest of souls brought to Christ. God is moving, the river is flowing. Wild Celebration… but Thirsty for More When I consider that Oceanside, California, hosted the largest water baptism in American history this year, I celebrate wildly (and that it involved multiple churches and ministries working together). When I review the thousands coming to faith in Christ through Greg Laurie’s Harvest crusades, I am overwhelmed. When I am bombarded on social media with reports of the thousands of students who are attending the Unite US college gatherings, and the hundreds and thousands who are turning to Christ, getting water baptized, and experiencing genuine transformation, I am filled with thanksgiving. These are only three examples of the spiritual activity we have witnessed just this year, and the only response we should offer is wild celebration… with no “buts.” What I means is, I don’t want to be a revival connoisseur (thank you Tommy and Miriam Evans for this colorful designation) where I “tip my hat” to what God is doing, but I cannot get too excited because I am either being overly cautious, or worse, I refuse to celebrate until the move of God taking place suits my personal preference. I wonder if this is how people have missed revivals, awakenings, and moves of God in times past: they refused to celebrate what God was doing because it did not look like their idea of a move of God. My encouragement: wild celebration will position you to appropriately pray and cry out for more. God is a god of stewardship, and He is searching to and fro throughout the Earth for those who will recognize what He is doing, celebrate it, and steward His activity. So, I celebrate wildly what the Lord is presently doing, but until we see people overshadowed by the Holy Spirit to such a degree that their shadow releases healing and deliverance (according to Acts 5), I’m crying out for more. Until I see people so saturated with the Spirit that their everyday clothing releases healing and deliverance anointing (Acts 19), I’m crying out for more. Until I see notable miracles break open entire cities and territories for the expansion of the Gospel (Acts 9), I’m crying out for more. There’s always more of God for us to experience, but please understand, to experience more, we need to make room for the more. Not a Tame Lion We have been gloriously experiencing the beginning stages of Ezekiel 47, where the prophet describes being ankle deep, knee deep, and waist deep in the River of God (see v. 2-4). We’ve been witnessing a beautiful measure of God’s move in our nation right now, and while we celebrate, we recognize there are deeper dimensions accessible to us. Are we waiting for God to do something sovereign? I am convinced the Sovereign Lord has extended an invitation to us, basically asking, How deep do you want to go? I believe we are at a threshold. When you are standing in a river up to your ankles, knees, or even waist, you can still control the environment. You still have your footing on the ground. It’s stable, it’s safe. You don’t run the risk of the river completely consuming you and thrusting you into its wild current. But there is a dimension of God summoning us that is wild. It’s where we experience the wildness of the Lion of Judah. Perhaps one of the most iconic and appropriate descriptions of this expression of our Great King is the conversation between Susan and Mr. Beaver in C.S. Lewis’ iconic masterpiece, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In describing the lion Aslan, a type and shadow of Christ, we read this conversation between the characters: “Aslan is a lion– the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh,” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”...“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver …“Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” In the same book, Mr. Tumnus notes, “He’s wild, you know. Not a tame lion.” These descriptions are not meant to frighten, but invite us into deeper encounters with the Living God. For centuries (even back to the days of Jesus), a religious spirit has sought to put God in a box. Sadly, this same spirit is alive and well today, and it might be the primary enemy of the Spirit’s move in our lives and world. It’s a perspective that demands God Almighty to fit in a box of expectation and comfort. But we all know that Yahweh has never fit in any box. A funny, but practical example of what this might look like. My pastor and spiritual father, Dr. Norman Benz, recounts the season of unusual spiritual outpouring in their Florida church in 1997 (sustained for several years). When people were touched by the Spirit’s power, they would shake, fall, and weep. They would also laugh… uproariously. Pastor Norman recounts, “I didn’t like the laughter... but I know it was God.” That’s a sign of maturity, where we welcome God on His own terms. We cannot judge a move of the Holy Spirit by our personal preferences. Maybe our preference is a few quiet tears are shed, when in fact, the wild River of God wants to touch someone radically with holy laughter and liberate them from decades of fear and depression. Will We Make Room for the Wild River? …there was no place for them in the inn. I don’t want this to be said of my life. Oh, I long to be a place where the Spirit can rest and do His unrestrained work. But an unrestrained mighty work of the Holy Spirit demands that we have an absolute and unwavering trust in His control. His way, His plan. When we make room for the Spirit’s work in our lives and in our midst, no matter what it looks like or what reproach we might receive, we are truly entering the realm of the Wild River—the next stop on Ezekiel’s journey. “Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.” (Ezekiel 47:5) ********** Pray with me: Father, every time Your Holy Spirit moves with power, it’s a confirmation that Jesus died, rose again, and received everything He prayed for. Jesus prayed to You, Father, that we would experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. So in this season, I ask for a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit on my life. My family. My city. My nation. Send Your Spirit, Lord, for Jesus’s sake! Lord, send Your Wild River of revival that we cannot control---that floods the Earth with salvation, healing, deliverance, and supernatural transformation. Our decree: We decree that we will make room for the move and presence of the Holy Spirit, no matter the cost. Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------ For additional inspiration on how you position yourself to experience personal revival during this Advent Season, please download my free e-book, The Glory Has Come, at www.larrysparksministries.com/gloryhascome Link to Free E-book, www.larrysparksministries.com/gloryhascome About Larry Sparks Larry Sparks has spent over two decades in ministry, igniting hunger for the Holy Spirit and calling the Church into revival and awakening. A Master of Divinity graduate from Regent University and mentee of Pentecostal historian Dr. Vinson Synan, he served as publisher of Destiny Image for 13 years. Today, Larry travels globally—preaching, teaching, and sounding a prophetic call for the Church to return to Book of Acts-level prayer, presence, and power. He is the bestselling author of Pentecostal Fire and serves on the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders under Cindy Jacobs. He lives in Texas with his wife and daughter. References: Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-3-2025 December 3, 2025 Introduction As I stated yesterday, I am coming to the end of a long, very demanding travel schedule. This is the final week of the stretch and I will be on the road the entire week. To help me out, I have asked some of our favorite Give Him 15 guests to write posts. They are outstanding. Today’s inspiring post by our friend, Cheryl Sacks, which I’ll be reading, points out the incredible speed at which God is moving us into revival, and challenges us to “keep pace with what He is doing!” Cheryl’s title is: Racing into Acceleration I was seated in a bobsled at the top of a gleaming ice-carved track, poised at the edge of impossibility. The course shone brilliantly white, majestic, and alive with activity. Endless bobsleds stretched before us—filled with athletes, all waiting for the race to begin. Then, without warning, we were catapulted forward. The acceleration was instantaneous—a breathtaking surge that tore the air from my lungs. We hurtled down the track, slashing around razor-sharp curves, plunging into valleys, then shooting up blinding inclines. The sled tilted and lifted, threatening to break free from the ice. My heart pounded, caught between exhilaration and sheer terror. It was a dream the Lord gave me thirty years ago—one He has brought back to me with an urgency I cannot ignore—because the acceleration I saw then is what we are entering now. In the dream, we weren’t steering; we were being carried—drawn by a power far greater than human strength. The wind roared, the ice shook beneath us, and it felt as though creation itself was trembling. This wasn’t just speed—it was divine momentum. Heaven’s purposes were racing toward fulfillment. Then I woke up. Instantly, I knew the Lord was unveiling a time of divine acceleration—when events on earth would unfold with breathtaking speed. You and I are stepping into a spiritual hour unlike anything this generation has ever witnessed. We are living in the fulfillment of what the prophet Amos described: “Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up.” Amos 9:13 (MSG) Yes, darkness is spiraling quickly, but God’s movement is advancing even faster. What looks like chaos is actually divine momentum. This is the hour when shaking and awakening collide—when disruption jolts the Church awake and draws multitudes to the Truth. We must be ready. I hear the Lord saying, “What you have now cannot contain the magnitude of what is coming. Now is the time to prepare for the masses of lost people who will run toward truth in this shaking hour.” The Time Is Now If you want to see what divine acceleration looks like in real time, let me share the story of my friend Des Wadsworth, pastor of Grace Community Church. Once a thriving megachurch, the congregation had dwindled through five pastoral transitions. When Des moved from the U.K. to take the reins, he found a faithful but weary flock—mostly older believers—and only fifty students in the college ministry, despite being located beside a major university. After five years of laboring with little fruit, Des came to the end of himself. He cried out to the Lord for direction. Just before the New Year, the Lord answered with a single word: “PRAY!” Des realized he had been a man who prayed but was not yet a praying man. And Grace was a church that prayed, but not yet a praying church. That revelation pierced him. Everything was about to change. He announced to his elders, “We are going to become a praying church!” From that moment, things shifted. Every meeting—children’s classes, board meetings, worship rehearsals, Sunday services—was preceded by prayer. Des began leading the Monday night prayer meeting, and every church leader started attending. Almost overnight, the prayer meeting surged—from a handful of intercessors to ninety—and then climbed past 350. The college ministry began to grow, too—fifty students became five hundred. Then it grew by five hundred every week. Students filled the 1,200-seat sanctuary every Thursday night for worship, prayer, and Bible study. They packed every inch of standing room, then filled two overflow buildings, linked by livestream. Des’s son, who leads the college ministry, said, “Dad, students won’t think watching a livestream in another building is cool.” But there was no option—the hunger was too great. That night, when they gave a simple, old-fashioned call to accept Christ—inviting students to stand and come forward—young people rose to their feet everywhere, even in the overflow buildings. There is no elaborate setup. No big-name speakers. No hype—and yet they keep coming. Last week, 1,800 Gen Z-ers poured in—desperate for God. Des said they never asked God for a larger church or a bigger college ministry. They simply prayed the Lord would bring in the lost. And that He did—so powerfully they can’t contain the numbers coming. Today, the church that was aging and dwindling is alive—bursting at the seams with young people passionately pursuing God. The older generation isn’t just sitting in pews—they’re discipling the younger ones. What’s happening at Grace Community Church is not an isolated story—it’s a prophetic picture of what God is releasing across the land. Nowhere is this more visible than in Gen Z. A generation once lost in confusion is running toward truth. The same move of the Spirit transforming Grace is breaking out on university campuses. And it’s spreading nationwide. Large-scale ‘UniteUS’ college gatherings are igniting worship, prayer, and the proclamation of the Gospel. Thousands of students are accepting Christ and being baptized. Gen Z’s foundations are shaking. They are searching for something real—something unshakable. Many are discovering the only answer is Jesus. The assassination of Charlie Kirk sent a shockwave through Gen Z, intensifying a movement already stirring and confronting many with the seriousness of the hour. A generation is waking up—right before our eyes. The harvest is massive. How will we disciple them? The Book of Acts gives us a clear model: believers gathered in the temple and from house to house. Healings and miracles broke out in the streets. Thousands were born again every day, and homes became places of discipleship and encounter. We are seeing this pattern again—believers ignited with holy fire, homes transformed into revival centers because the harvest is so great. In places such as San Francisco—where many might never set foot inside a church—believers like our daughter and her husband are opening their doors. They are inviting neighbors and families from their kids’ sports teams into their home. As conversations unfold and friendships form, hearts open. People notice God’s peace and presence; they ask questions, and before long, they’re being discipled around the kitchen table. This is the kind of grassroots discipleship that will enable us to steward revival and sustain the harvest. This is not the hour to retreat or wait for things to settle. The shaking around us is not subsiding—it’s escalating. Comfort zones are being dismantled, and the Church is being summoned to the front lines. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. Every believer is needed—every prayer, every act of courage, every voice that will speak truth and hope into the chaos. It is no longer a question of if revival will come; revival is here. The real question is: Will we be able to keep pace with what He is doing? We are being carried forward by a move of the Spirit, accelerating with undeniable force. I hear His urgent call: Where are the ones who will rise to contend in prayer for the lost, get ready to disciple the harvest, rebuild the spiritual altars of our homes, our churches, and our nation? Is it you? Will you say, “Here am I, Lord, send me”? Pray with me: Heavenly Father, we say “yes” to Your divine acceleration. Empower us to build altars of prayer in our homes and churches. Pour out Your Spirit upon our campuses and cities. Let revival flow from home to home, heart to heart, until the earth is filled with Your glory. Our decree: We decree that this move of God cannot be contained; it cannot be stopped. The harvest will come in. Churches will overflow; college campuses will be aflame. Our homes will become revival centers, our families will burn with holy fire, and the sound of awakening will thunder across this land! **************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------------- Cheryl Sacks and her husband, Hal, are leaders of BridgeBuilders Int’l, Phoenix, AZ. Their newest books, Fire on the Family Altar: Experience the Holy Spirit’s Power in Your Home and Unshakable: How to Prepare for Uncertain Times, will equip you for the days ahead.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/december-1-2025 December 1, 2025 The Walk I love to walk. The farthest I’ve walked in one day, is just over twenty miles. I know the distance because on a hunt, my nephew measured it using his GPS. On this particular day, such a long walk wasn’t planned. My brother Tim, his son, another friend, and I were scouting, looking for the best way in and out of a specific location. We were confident there was a dirt road at the base of the mountain we were standing on because we could see portions of it. The woods, however, were too thick to see where it led. We debated for a few minutes whether to carefully make the VERY steep descent, which was a LONG way down. If we were wrong about where the road led, the climb all the way back up the steep mountain would be grueling and dangerous, if not impossible. But since we really wanted to check out the road and were confident it would lead us out, we decided to take the risk. We were wrong. Way wrong. I can’t begin to tell you just how wrong we were! The road was actually on the other side of a broad stream. No way across. And even if we could have gotten across, the road was on private land! The area was gorgeous, with lush meadows bordering aspen trees and the beautiful mountain stream. But there was no access to the road. Thinking we would no doubt find another road if we followed the stream, we walked a mile or so. Eventually, we happened upon another hunter sitting at the edge of the stream. Relieved, we conversed for a few minutes, then asked him where another road out of the area was located. “There is no road out of here,” he answered. “There has to be,” we insisted, our concern mounting. “My dad and I have been hunting here for twenty-five years,” he said, “and I guarantee you there is no road in or out of here. The dirt road across the stream is private, and the owner allows NO ONE to use it. You can’t get over there, anyway.” “How did you get here?” we asked, still unwilling to believe him. “Horseback. We pack in and camp for the week.” We told him where we had parked on top of the mountain, and asked him how to get to it. With a slight grin and a confident demeanor, he pointed to a trail we could see meandering several thousand feet up the mountain. “Up that trail, boys,” he said. “That’s the only way out of here. That’s why they call it ‘Hell Hole.’” Shocked and a little panicky, we said, “We have to be out by dark!” It was around noon at the time. He gave us a warning smile and a piece of advice: “Then you’d better get going.” We made it just before dark - with sore feet, tired legs, and bragging rights: We’d been to “hell” and back. Actually, it wasn’t that bad for a true walker. And it was so gorgeous down there, I’ve always wanted to go back. Hey, if you wanna make the memory, you gotta take the walk! If a person planned ahead, packed a lunch, and plenty of water, it wouldn’t be all that bad. And the peaceful meadow nestled up against the beautiful mountain stream - well, it was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The higher we climbed on our way out, the more beautiful the view of the stream and meadows below became. To me, Hell Hole was Heavenly, a view and an experience I’ll never forget. Perspective is everything. Enoch was a walker. You’ve probably heard of him. He was the guy whose friendship brought Yahweh such pleasure that the Lord decided to go ahead and translate him to heaven: “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him,” (Genesis 5:24). The concept of Enoch “walking” with God is fascinating. The Hebrew word used can mean several things. It describes the flowing of a river, the descending of a flood, the blowing of the wind, the tossing of the sea and, of course, walking. The basic idea is movement. It is used metaphorically to speak of the pathways of one’s life. For example, a son can “walk in” or “follow after” the ways of a father. Enoch followed after God and His ways, walking with Him on the pathway of his life. The meaning is quite simple: He lived life with God. Not satisfied with the mundane existence of life without God, Enoch decided to prioritize and enjoy the pleasure of His company. Somehow, he knew walking with God was a decision HE had to make - not God. The Scriptures do not say, “God walked with Enoch,” although that obviously occurred as they spent time together. No, the wording is important and the point is clear: “Enoch walked with God.” The Scriptures do tell us how the Lord felt about this relationship, however. The New Testament says of Enoch: “He obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God” (Hebrews 11:5). “Pleasing” is from the Greek word euarestos. “Well-pleasing” would be a more literal translation; the prefix eu means “well” or “good,”(1) and arestos means “to please.”(2) Seeing other people gloat over their grandkids has always been pleasing (arestos) to me. Now, having my own grandkids is well-pleasing (euarestos). Enoch’s walk was more than pleasing to God; it was well-pleasing. This hyphenated word isn’t used much nowadays. A more contemporary way of describing Enoch’s relationship with God would simply be that he brought Him “great pleasure.” The Passion Translation uses the word “pleasure” in this verse: “[Enoch’s] life had become a pleasure to God.” Fascinating, isn’t it? What is for us “the pleasure of His company“ can become for God “the pleasure of our company.” For most, this is an unheard-of concept. It’s one thing to believe God can use us. And believing that our obedience to His laws pleases Him? No problem. But I can’t help but wonder how many people realize their presence can bring pleasure to the Lord. Don’t be deceived into thinking that only a few spiritual elites, such as Enoch, could have such a relationship with the Lord. Paul said to the Corinthians, “We also have as our ambition… to be euarestos to Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9). A literal rendering of the latter part of Hebrews 12:28 would read, “Let us have gratitude, by which we can offer to God euarestos worship with reverence and awe.” It absolutely is possible to become a pleasure to Father God. When this is known and embraced, life becomes an exciting and glorious journey. Yes, there will be hills to climb, but they’re part of a wonderful destiny to fulfill, not a journey to endure. And the higher you climb, the more magnificent the view. Whatever else you do today, be sure to also spend some quality time with Abba. You were made for His pleasure. Take the walk! Pray with me: Father, teach us to walk in rhythm with the beat of Your heart. We know it brings great pleasure to You. We want to be pleasing and delightful to You. Help us to prioritize, reroute, and walk tirelessly, following the ways of Your heart. May the cry from within us be as Moses’: “I’ll only move forward if You do.” We choose to be led along on the pathway that brings honor and glory to You. May pleasing You, Father, be our greatest ambition, such that when our lives on this side of eternity end, it will be said of us that we walked faithfully with You, choosing to offer You the pleasure of our company. And Father, though America - and many other nations - are in challenging situations, even “hell holes,” You are willing to transform them all into redeemed places of beauty. Reveal Your gracious heart. May many nations taste and see that You are good, Your ways just. We call this forth in the name of our great Redeemer, Christ Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that we WILL walk with God, pleasing Him and enjoying the pleasure of His company. ***************************** Today’s post was taken from my book The Pleasure of His Company, published by Baker Books. 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. 2101. Ibid, ref no. 701.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-28-2025 November 28, 2025 Thanksgiving, One More Time In keeping with the Thanksgiving theme, today I’m going to do something just a little different. I am sharing the words of four of my all-time favorite hymns, releasing them as praise and thanksgiving to our great God. I love many of the old hymns. Personally, I believe we should incorporate them into our charismatic and contemporary worship more often. They are not only reverential, majestic, offer heartfelt thanks to the Lord, and declare the greatness of God, they are filled with tremendous theology that, sadly, many believers seldom hear. The hymns will be our post and our prayer. I hope you enjoy these masterpieces as much as I did compiling them. Hymn Number One “Reginald Heber was born in 1783 to a wealthy, educated family, and died in 1826. He was a bright youth, translating a Latin classic into English by the time he was seven, entering Oxford at 17, and winning two awards for his poetry during his time there. After graduating, he entered the ministry and over the course of his life wrote 57 hymns, one of which is an all-time favorite of mine. “Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! “2. Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea. Cherubim and seraphim, falling down before thee, Who was and is and evermore shall be. “3. Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide thee, Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see, Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity. “4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.”(1) Hymn Number Two “Thomas O. Chisholm was born in Franklin, Kentucky, in 1866 and died in 1960. His boyhood was spent on a farm, and then he taught district schools. He spent five years as editor of the local paper at Franklin. He was converted to Christianity at the age of 26, and in 1903, he entered the ministry. His aim in writing hymns was to incorporate as much Scripture as possible and to avoid flippant or sentimental themes. I think you will agree with me that he certainly succeeded in the following hymn. “Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father; There is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be. “Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness, Morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed thy hand hast provided; Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. “2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness, To thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain] “3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine and ten thousand beside. [Refrain]”(2) Hymn Number Three “Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940) was born and lived his years in Sweden. After finishing his time as a sailor, he began working as a lay minister; he was also the editor of a newspaper and served in the Swedish Parliament. Jason Soroski gives us the following story regarding the hymn he gave us. “In 1885, [Boberg] was inspired by the sound of church bells ringing during a wild thunderstorm, and penned the poem ‘O Great God.’ “…three years later, someone liked it enough to match the words with a traditional Swedish melody, and when Boberg found out about it, he quickly published the poem once again in his own newspaper in 1891, this time with the musical notation added. “Fast forward a few decades to the 1930s - Somehow this poem put to music had traveled across borders, and English missionary Stuart Hine heard the song (in Russian) while in Poland. Deeply moved by the song, he translated it into English, tweaked the musical arrangement, some of the wording, and took it home with him to England. [In English, the song title changed slightly.] “On to the 1940s - Evangelist Dr. Edwin Orr heard this new version of the song being sung by native tribal people in Assam, India, and being deeply inspired by it, he brought the song back to the United States. We are still unsure how the song ever got to India to start with. “In 1954, the song found its way into the hands of George Beverly Shea, who sang it nearly 100 times during Billy Graham’s 1957 New York crusade. In 1959, it became the theme song for Billy Graham’s weekly radio broadcast, bringing [it] into the national consciousness. “In 1978, the performing rights organization ASCAP named it as “The All-Time Outstanding Gospel Song” in America. It has consistently been listed as one of the greatest hymns ever written, usually falling at #2 (right behind Amazing Grace). “How astonishing that this song, recorded over 1,800 times in the last 50 years, had its origins as a poem in a small town in Sweden, written by a sailor turned lay-minister, and somehow wound its way around the globe.”(3) Believers around the world will be forever grateful that Boberg gifted us with this amazing hymn, How Great Thou Art. “O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works thy hands hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed; “Refrain: Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee: How great thou art! How great thou art! “2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; [Refrain] “3. And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, sent him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin; [Refrain] “4. When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim “My God, how great thou art! (Refrain)”(4) Hymn Number Four And we simply can’t leave out this final hymn. “George Bennard (1873-1958) was born in Youngstown, OH. When he was a child the family moved to Albia, Iowa. He served with the Salvation Army in Iowa for several years before he was ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1913, he secured his place in hymn-writing history by giving us the following classic. “On a hill far away stood an old rugged Cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. “Refrain: So I’ll cherish the old rugged Cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged Cross, and exchange it some day for a crown. “2. Oh, that old rugged Cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain] “3. In that old rugged Cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for ‘twas on that old Cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me. [Refrain] “4. To that old rugged Cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear; then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I’ll share. [Refrain]”(5) *********************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------------- https://hymnary.org/text/holy_holy_holy_lord_god_almighty_early https://hymnary.org/text/great_is_thy_faithfulness_o_god_my_fathe https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/the-story-you-don-t-know-behind-how-great-thou-art.html https://hymnary.org/text/o_lord_my_god_when_i_in_awesome_wonder https://hymnary.org/text/on_a_hill_far_away_stood_an_old_rugged

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-27-2025 November 27, 2025 A Day of Thanksgiving The pilgrims first celebrated the holiday Americans call Thanksgiving after their first harvest in 1621. History says it was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims. The gathering lasted three days. In 1789, our first President, George Washington, issued a national proclamation of “Public Thanksgiving and Prayer, acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God.”(1) Abraham Lincoln issued another proclamation in 1863 and made it a national holiday, referring to it as “A day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”(2) In their proclamations, they refer to God as: The: Almighty God (three times); That great and glorious Being; Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; The great Lord and Ruler of the Nations; Most High God; and Beneficent Father. So much for the myth of separating God from America’s government. Washington’s and Lincoln’s proclamations are reverential and God-honoring. I won’t read them, as the verbiage and style of the day are a bit different than ours, but I have included them as an attachment at the end of today’s post for those who do wish to read them. The following is a proclamation and prayer for us to offer today; please agree with me as I read it: Heavenly Father, we in the United States pause today to acknowledge Your gracious and omnipotent hand. America was Your idea. You formed a nation of nations - Native Americans, Asians, Europeans, Africans, Latinos, Middle Easterners, and more. Though our journey included the inevitable challenges associated with human frailties, including sinful actions, Your sovereign power overcame our flaws and formed the United States of America. We are very aware that our birth was not just for our blessing and benefit; we were invited into a covenantal partnership with You to proclaim Your redemption from sin’s horrible curse. We acknowledge and agree with the words of Robert Hunt at Cape Henry in 1607: “The gospel of the kingdom will go forth from these shores, not only to this land, but to all the nations of the earth.” We agree with the words from Holy Scripture inscribed on the Liberty Bell: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof,” (Leviticus 25:10). This is America’s destiny and our great honor. We are thankful, Father, for the covenants our Christian Forefathers and Founders entered into with You. They sacrificed greatly in order to fulfill Your plan, knowing they were drawn to these shores – not just to enjoy liberty – but to accomplish Your divine purposes. We are grateful for their sacrifices made so long ago, and the incredible prosperity we have enjoyed due to their covenantal partnership with You. May they be forever honored and always see righteous fruit from their labors. Thank You for preserving us in times of war, disease, sin, and rebellion. In the war of our birth, we were saved through appealing to heaven; in the horrific Civil War, we fought one another and lost half a million sons, husbands, fathers, and brothers, yet You kept the dream alive; in two world wars, You preserved us from evil despots intent on ruling the world. Through all the difficulties and trials of four centuries, YOU have been faithful to preserve us. “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127:1). You have blessed this nation - of You, through You, and to You are all things. Thank You, gracious and beneficent God! Jesus, Son of God, Son of Man, on this day, we as a nation thank You for Your great sacrifice in becoming one of us - a member of the human race. Thank You for experiencing the gnawing pangs of hunger, for feeling the heartbreaking pain of a loved one’s death. Thank You for walking dusty roads to heal diseased bodies, taking detours to redeem thirsty hearts, and spending sleepless nights in prayer. Thank You for exposing the wiles and hatred of the serpent, the destructive power of pride, and modeling true love. Thank You for revealing the Father to us once again, and creating the way for us to reconnect with Him as our Abba, our Papa. Thank You for paying such an incredibly high price: the incarnation, the beatings and lashing, Gethsemane, the mocking, the crown of thorns, the wrath of Hell, the hideous Cross, the stain of sin, and sting of death. Thank You. Gracious Father, wonderful Savior, and blessed Holy Spirit, though we as a nation have dishonored, rejected, and even mocked You, Your love endures. We have worshiped idols, embraced false religions, shed innocent blood, defiled Your marriage covenant, and expelled You from our schools - yet Your mercies endure. Our government has risen up against You in pride and rebellion, rewritten Your laws, legislated murderous and immoral rights, and declared that You are no longer welcome in their functions and procedures - yet You have demonstrated amazing grace and patience. And while the church should have been Your instrument of preservation from these ills, she became lukewarm, complacent, and ineffective. In spite of these and many more evils, You have promised to save America, healing our brokenness, returning our hearts to You, and preserving our destiny. Thank You, gracious Father. Thank You for the restoration occurring in the church; thank You for the army of intercessors You have raised up here and around the world - we owe them so much. Thank You for the awakening that has begun in America, regarding both our spiritual condition and the horrible fruit this has produced. Thank You for the overthrowing of evil in our government that has begun. Thank You, in advance, for the greatest worldwide outpouring of Holy Spirit in all of history. Because of Your mercy, America will once again be a strong voice for the gospel of the Kingdom throughout the earth. For all of this and more, we give You thanks. Amen. And I thank YOU for being part of Give Him 15. Together, we are making a difference! President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation: “Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public Thanksgiving and Prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. “Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be - that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks - for His kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation - for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war - for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed - for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted - for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us. “And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions - to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually - to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed - to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord - To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us - and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best. “Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.” (George Washington)(3) President Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation: “The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. The population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union. “In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed. “Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth. By the President: Abraham Lincoln.”(4) ***************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------- https://www.loc.gov/resource/mgw8a.124/?q=1789+Thanksgiving&sp=132&st=text http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm https://www.mountvernon.org/education/primary-sources-2/article/thanksgiving-proclamation-of-1789/ http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-26-2025 November 26, 2025 Thanksgiving: The Communion Meal Tomorrow we will celebrate one of America’s greatest holidays. Today’s post will help you do so with greater understanding and, hopefully, an even greater appreciation for our many blessings. Although not widely known among most Americans, the holiday is linked to the Cross, our redemption, and the matchless grace of God. Grace The word “grace” is one of the most important terms in our language. In its broader application, “grace” encompasses the incarnation of Christ (His becoming human), His sufferings, the gift of our rebirth into God’s family, and every benefit we receive from this. We neither earned nor deserved any of these blessings; they are ours only through God’s grace, His “unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15), bestowed on us from His great love. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). “Grace” is derived from the Greek word charis,(1) a significant term that also conveys “goodwill, loving-kindness, or favor.” It is also translated as “thanks,” the response offered for benefits or favor.(2) Never at a loss for words, “Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament defines grace (charis) as the ‘spontaneous act of God that came from the infinite love in His heart, in which He stepped down from His judgment throne to take upon Himself the guilt and penalty of human sin, thus satisfying His justice, maintaining His government, and making possible the bestowal of salvation upon the sinner who receives it by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who became a Sin-offering for him on the Cross’”(3) Wow! “The New Testament also uses other forms of this word: charizomai, ‘to give graciously’(4); and charisma, ‘a gift that is graciously given.’(5) For example, in 1 Corinthians 12:4, 9, 28, 30, and 31, the term charisma features prominently in Paul’s teaching about spiritual gifts. Paul stresses that the gifts of the Spirit are gifts of God’s grace. These spiritual ‘grace gifts’ are not developed through natural talent, but instead bestowed upon believers by God. In The Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts, William McRae defines a spiritual gift as ‘a divine endowment of a special ability for service upon a member of the body of Christ.’”(6) Mary and the Church Charis was also the root word used by Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:28, telling her she was “highly favored” (charitoo),(7) Indeed! The honor of being entrusted to carry Christ in her womb, birth the Savior of the world, and then to nurture Him for Yahweh, was truly immeasurable favor. Yet, the same word is used one other time in Scripture, Ephesians 1:6, when describing the great favor granted to us as believers, who also now carry Christ in our spiritual wombs! Almighty God is in us!!! The fountain of life, the breath of God, the nature of God Himself is in us in the spirit of Christ. That gift comes from charis, grace. Thanksgiving Now, would it surprise you to know that charis, this Greek word for grace, is the root word for “thanksgiving”? Thanksgiving, or “the giving of thanks,” comes from the Greek word eucharistia. The word could also be translated “giving thanks for our grace gifts.” When America set aside a day “of public Thanksgiving and Prayer” to “Almighty God,” as George Washington stated in his official proclamation (which I will include in tomorrow’s post), it was to thank God for His incomparable benefits of grace through His Son, Jesus Christ! We aren’t simply giving thanks for the physical freedom, prosperity, and abundant blessings we enjoy in this great nation; we are acknowledging that we enjoy these things because of the grace of God and the gift of His Son! Communion And for the icing on the cake, or should we say the stuffing in the turkey, this Greek word for Thanksgiving (eucharistia) is also the word for the Eucharist, the Lord’s Table: Communion. This covenant meal is called the Eucharist, not just by Catholics but also by many evangelicals, because it’s a word Jesus used when initiating the meal: “when He had given thanks” (eucharisteo). He then gave the disciples the bread and wine, which represented His body and blood (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). “Thanksgiving” originated, not with the Pilgrims, but at the Last Supper, when God’s “grace meal” was inaugurated! Tomorrow, when sharing the meal with family and friends, remember that Thanksgiving is rooted in the Lord’s Table, Communion, through which we celebrate God’s “grace gift” of His Son to us. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for Your unspeakable gift, Yeshua, and His sacrifice. Through Him, we have been welcomed into Your family, made Your heirs and His joint-heirs. As we Americans celebrate our many blessings this week, we remember that these blessings come through this grace-gift. Thank You! And as we take time to acknowledge and thank You, we also give thanks for the grace-awakening that has begun. Thank You for the millions of grace-salvations coming soon, the grace-returning of prodigals, the grace-deliverances, the grace-miracles, and the grace-reset of America. Thank You for the grace-cleansing and grace-healing of our land. As we eat the grace-meal tomorrow, we will remember that it is a celebration of Your abounding grace! We will also remember that Thanksgiving isn’t just America’s meal; this is the world’s meal. Thank You for saving a billion souls in the great grace-harvest that has begun. Thank You for a deluge of grace in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, North and South America. Pour it out! Flood the earth with grace! Signs, wonders, miracles, dreams, visions, deliverances, radical salvations - all poured out by the Spirit of grace! We celebrate this with You! In Yeshua’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that every good and perfect gift is from the Father through Christ, with whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning (James 1:17). ***************************** 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.5485. https://www.gotquestions.org/charis-in-the-Bible.html James Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament, Vol 21 (Eerdmans, 1997), pp. 138–139. Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, ref no. 5483. Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, ref no. 5486. William McRae, The Dynamics of Spiritual Gifts (Zondervan, 1976), p. 18. Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, ref no. 5487.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-21-2025 November 21, 2025 The Advantage “It is to your advantage that I leave,” Jesus told His disciples (John 16:7). Can you imagine a more ridiculous-sounding statement? They had traveled with Him for three years, listening to Him expound on life, the ways of God, and the kingdom of heaven. His words carried such wisdom and authority that even His enemies said of Him, “Never has a man spoken in the way this man speaks” (John 7:46). The disciples had watched Him cure blind eyes, open deaf ears, heal paralytics, cleanse lepers, and raise the dead. Once, when He needed money, He procured it from the mouth of a fish. On another occasion, when He needed to cross a lake and didn’t have a boat handy, He simply walked on the water. And when storms tried to mess with Him, He knocked the wind out of them with the power of His words. Then, He has the audacity to tell these men, “I’m going to leave you, and it’s for your own good.” One can only imagine the shock and disbelief of the disciples. “He is leaving us?! This is good?! We don’t think so!!!” Two understandings will help us embrace why Christ said, “It is to your advantage that I go away.” The first has to do with His use of the word advantage, or as the King James Version says, “expedient.” The Greek word is sumphero, which means literally “to bring together.”(1) And since bringing the right things or people together produces benefits or advantages, this Greek word was used for the concept of “expediency” or “gaining an advantage.” Christ was telling His disciples, “My departure will cause a new connection (sumphero) to take place for you. This ‘bringing together’ will be of great benefit to you, more so than even My physical presence.” The second piece of information that brings enlightenment to Christ’s words is an awareness of who He was going to connect the disciples with: Holy Spirit. Why would this relationship be so advantageous? Because Holy Spirit would be with them in spirit form, not in a flesh-and-blood body as Christ had been, and could therefore be everywhere at once. AND, He could actually be “in” them, not just “with” them (John 14:17). I don’t believe many of us come anywhere close to grasping this revelation in its fullness. Almighty God is in us. What might we be like if we received the full revelation of this? Perhaps we would become “little Christs”, which is the meaning of the word Christian. Perhaps Christ’s words concerning us doing the same works He did - and even greater works - would be fulfilled? We would no doubt be miracle workers, life transformers, fearless, completely unselfish, always led by Holy Spirit, and walk in perfect love. The late Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, states this regarding Holy Spirit: “He guides us (John 1:13), empowers us (Micah 3:8), and makes us holy (Romans 15:16). He bears witness in our lives (Romans 8:16), comforts us (John 14:16-26), gives us joy (Romans 14:17)...
 “As our teacher of spiritual truths, the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds with insight into the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) and reveals to us the hidden things of God (Isaiah 40:13-14)...
 “As you are filled with the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes alive, prayer becomes vital, your witness becomes effective, and obedience becomes a joy. Then, as a result of your obedience in these areas, your faith grows and you become more mature in your spiritual life.”(2) Holy Spirit is all of this and more. Though it isn’t often considered, He was Christ’s “Helper.” As a human, Jesus was filled with, led by, empowered by, and anointed by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4). Acts 10:38 also tells us Christ derived His power and anointing from Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit resides in us and wants to be our source of power and strength. However, we often fail to make the connection, thereby preventing His power from flowing. A missionary, Herbert Jackson, told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push - popping the clutch, we sometimes call it. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. Jackson went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car to start it. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave his car running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years. Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly explained his method for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, “Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable.” He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson’s astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years, needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting the power to work.(3) Ouch! J.B. Phillips’ translation tells us in Ephesians 1:19, “How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God.” When we make firm our connection with Holy Spirit, His life and power can flow through us. Don’t waste this amazing help. Second Corinthians 13:14 says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” The term “fellowship” is from koinonia and is rich with meaning, revealing some of what the Holy Spirit wants to be in our lives. The following English words are all translations of koinonia: Fellowship - Holy Spirit wants to visit with us.
 Communion - Holy Spirit wants to commune with us.
 Sharing together - Holy Spirit wants to share His insights and power with us.
 Participation in or with - Holy Spirit wants to participate in our efforts and activities.
 Distribution - Holy Spirit wants to distribute revelation, gifts, anointings, and blessings to us.
 Impart - Holy Spirit wants to impart God’s nature and benefits to us.
 Partaking - Holy Spirit wants us to partake of His anointing and life.
 Partnership - Holy Spirit wants to partner with us.
 Companionship - Holy Spirit wants the pleasure of your company.
 “May the koinonia of the Holy Spirit be with you.” What a loaded statement. Get better acquainted with Holy Spirit! Pray with me: Thank you, Father, that after Your Son Jesus’ time on earth, You sent us another Helper, Holy Spirit, to dwell not just among us, but within us. His indwelling is given to guide and empower us as we steward the great victory that Jesus won. We want to experience all of who He is and what He does. We don’t simply want to know about Him; we desire to have Him active in every part of our speech, actions, and thoughts. We want to manifest the empowerment for Christ-likeness and kingdom advancement that He brings. Holy Spirit, You’re our connection to communion with the Father, to further glimpses of His depths, and to doing greater works than Jesus. Give us a full revelation of how we can be led by You in every way. Open the scriptures and position our hearts to understand koinonia with You. And Father, as revival unfolds in our land, this will be a pouring out of Holy Spirit. Pour Him into the young people of our nation until His presence floods every campus in America. Fill millions of youth with Holy Spirit. And flood Washington, D.C., with Holy Spirit, also. Give wisdom and revelation to righteous leaders, leading them as they lead our nation. Make them aware of Your desire to help them, and then share Your insights and strategies for reforming our nation. Think through them! All of this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We declare that another great outpouring of Holy Spirit has begun in our land and around the world. We will not miss the time of our visitation! *************************** Watch the full video by clicking on the link below. --------------------------------------------------- James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 4851. Bill Bright, The Holy Spirit (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1980), pp. 116, 121, quoted in Robert Heidler, Experiencing the Spirit (Ventura, CA: Renew Books, 1993), p. 182. Craig Brian Larson, Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993), p. 182.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-20-2025 November 20, 2025 Introduction Today and tomorrow, I’m going to share on the subject of our great Helper, Holy Spirit, and the incredible source of power that He brings us. Today’s teaching is actually from my brother, Tim. As always, his insights are outstanding. Tim’s title is: The Divine Mentor There was a time when I was trying to pray about something, but just couldn’t seem to find the right words. I wrestled with it for a while, until finally, I heard Holy Spirit whisper so clearly, “Let Me do it.” When I yielded and allowed Him to speak through me, there came an immediate release, and the burden I’d been carrying lifted as He began to plead to God on my behalf. Romans 8:26 (TPT) says, “At times we don’t even know how to pray or know the best thing to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.” This is a powerful picture of supernatural intercession. When we pray in our “spirit language,” Holy Spirit rises within us to intercede far beyond what our natural words can express, aligning our hearts and our prayers with the perfect will of God. Verse 27 continues, “God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet He also understands the desires of the Spirit.” This is not referring to our human spirit, but to Holy Spirit Himself. Holy Spirit passionately pleads through us, His holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny. What divine assistance this is! God’s Word shows us that being filled with Holy Spirit is what enables this supernatural partnership. Just as we see in the book of Acts, believers were filled and then refilled with Holy Spirit. It wasn’t a one-time event, but was a continual experience. Staying filled with Holy Spirit connects and synergizes us with God’s divine plan, both individually and corporately as the Ekklesia. To walk with Holy Spirit is to live in continual partnership with Him. As Romans 8:1 reminds us, we are to walk according to the Spirit’s guidance, from our spirit, not according to the flesh. This means living daily in a relationship with Him, walking and listening, and praying as He inspires us. He breathes on our prayers, our words, and our decrees inspired by Him and God’s Word. What a gift, what a Helper, what a partnership. Accomplishing Our Destiny Every person carries a God-given purpose. The Lord told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had plans for you” (Jeremiah 1:5, MSG). What a profound truth. Before you took your first breath, God already knew you. He had written your story and prepared divine plans for your life. Holy Spirit empowers us in the unfolding of this destiny. That reality should fill every heart with hope. King David echoed this truth in Psalm 139:13-18 (TPT): “You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank You, God, for making me so mysteriously complex. Everything You do is marvelously breathtaking… You saw who You created me to be before I became me.” Before you were ever born, God gave you purpose. The Greek word for purpose is prothesis(1). Pro means “before,” and thesis means “a written plan.” In other words, God wrote your life’s thesis before you were formed. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:9 (CSB), “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Yes, this speaks of redemption, but salvation is not just about what we are saved from. It’s also about what we are saved to. We are redeemed to live out our God-given purpose and potential. Salvation is the doorway into a life of divine destiny. A life filled with possibilities, assignments, and Holy Spirit-empowered impact. Many believers understand what God has delivered them from, but they haven’t yet discovered what He has called them into. They stop at forgiveness, without stepping into fullness. But Holy Spirit has come to empower us to live as sons and daughters of God now, not merely in Heaven someday. He empowers us to live as heirs of His Kingdom, walking in the inheritance and purpose He wrote for us before time began. Even when we miss it–once, twice, or ten times–Holy Spirit never stops working, guiding, aligning, and reconnecting us with the destiny God purposed. Before you were born, God wrote your name, your potential, your callings, your giftings, and even your divine connections, into a plan that would unfold across your lifetime. And then, in love, He gave you the freedom to pursue it. Holy Spirit understands that plan fully. He knows the path that leads into your destiny, even when circumstances seem to block the way, and He never stops working. Through every season, whether it feels like progress or delay, the Spirit continues weaving your life into alignment with God’s purpose. He is always leading you forward, always connecting you to destiny. Jesus described Holy Spirit in John 14:26 as the One who comes alongside us to help, to aid, and to support. Part of His role is to draw forth this destiny and purpose. What an incredible benefit this is. There are dimensions of our destiny that we simply cannot reach in our own strength. Certain elements of who we are destined to be require the assistance and empowerment of Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean we can’t experience success on our own; we can, but not the fullness of all God designed us to be. This comes only through partnership with the Spirit. He is the empowerer of greater purpose. When you come to crossroads and destiny decisions, invite Holy Spirit to guide you, to speak to you, to instruct you. The Greek word Jesus used in John 14:26 describes Him as our parakletos, our Divine Mentor, Counselor, and Advocate.(2) What a truth: you have a Divine Mentor living within you! No one can lead you like He can. The Spirit’s guidance and intercession are always in alignment with the Father’s will and in perfect harmony with His plan for our lives. Each day is an invitation to yield, listen, and follow His leading, so that our lives collectively become a living testimony of His glory and power. Pray with me: Holy Spirit, lead us into the fullness of our destinies, deeper into God’s will and the plans You have written for us. Empower us to walk fully in our God-given potential. Fill us afresh and help us become all God saw for us before we were even formed. You are our Helper, our Teacher, and our Divine Mentor. We trust You to lead, guide, and direct us today, helping us advance the Kingdom of God. As Your Ekklesia, we pray and decree heaven’s purposes on earth. We ask for the fullness of America’s God-ordained destiny. Cause our nation to align with Heaven’s plan and fulfill every purpose You have planned. Deliver us from the socialism, Marxism, humanism, and globalism attempting to invade our land. Give our leaders the wisdom needed to cope with issues associated with the invasion of millions of illegal aliens, an out-of-control welfare system, the corruption of the Deep State, food and health crises, and so much more. We ask for the healing of our land, knowing this will occur only as revival transforms the heart of our nation. Righteousness exalts a nation. In Yeshua’s name, we ask these things. Amen. Our decree: We decree that Holy Spirit is flowing through the Ekklesia, equipping us to fulfill our assignments and impact the earth with God’s Kingdom power. ********************* Today’s post was contributed by my brother, Tim Sheets. You can learn more about Tim here. 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. 4286. Ibid. ref. no. 3875.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-19-2025 November 19, 2025 Introduction As our friend Gina Gholston participated in the recent days of praise, the Lord gave her a word for us. You will find it encouraging! The title of Gina’s post is: The Fruit of Our Praise For the past several days, in obedience to the prophetic word of the Lord from Chuck Pierce, we released our praise to God in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Praise is a powerful thing. It’s a weapon that shifts the atmosphere. It also shifts our focus from ourselves to our Heavenly Father. True praise provokes a fresh awareness of God, and when we think on Him and recall His goodness, it ignites hope and awakening within our own lives. One morning this past week, as I was praising the Lord, Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance an actual event that I witnessed many years ago. I wrote about this event in my latest book, so I picked it up and read the story. As I read those words and remembered that event, my praise went to another level and another decibel! And in that moment of high and sincere praise, I heard the Lord say, “Divine intervention has been activated. Through your praise, the shield of faith has been raised, and you will now see an undeniable deflection of the fiery darts of the enemy. What has been intended for evil will now be turned for good. This will result in testimony after testimony of My power and goodness, evoking an awakening to an awareness of Me that will bring the nation back to life!” What an encouraging word! It reveals that our praise doesn’t just give us access to God, it gives God access to us because He comes where He is acknowledged . . . and where He is, there is life! Now, here is the testimony of the event the Lord reminded me of that morning. Several years ago, I was privileged to be part of a missionary work team assigned to build a home for a pastor and his family. It was an incredible project that actually became supernatural! God enabled our small team to build that house from the concrete slab to a near-completed home in just ten days. While it was a hard, laborious task, it was also a joy to work with this amazing team and watch the project come to completion, one task at a time. My friend and assistant, Darlene, was also on this trip. And while we are by no means professional carpenters, we were so honored to work alongside and assist those who were. One part of the building we were helping with was framing the home’s interior walls. With power tools and pneumatic nail guns, the framing was going pretty quickly. Darlene was assisting one of the carpenters, who was using the nail gun. She was holding the wall studs in place as he was nailing them. As they worked on one wall, they were in a squatting position, and the carpenter using the nail gun was facing Darlene as she held the board being nailed. Somehow, the nail gun jerked just as he was pulling the trigger, and the nail missed the board and hit Darlene directly on her knee. Nail guns have a high-pressure force that can shoot a nail several feet and still penetrate the tip of the nail into a board. Darlene was right in front of the gun, just inches away, when the trigger was pulled. When the nail launched and hit her knee, it was one of those moments when everything seemed to stand still as we helplessly watched the event unfold. It all happened so quickly, and there was absolutely no denying what should have happened. But God! The end result should have been a nail blasting into and causing severe damage to Darlene’s knee, but instead, the end result was an amazing testimony of God’s protection! Despite the tremendous pressure driving the nail forward, the Lord supernaturally deflected it. It simply tapped and bounced off her knee and fell to the ground—not even leaving a mark on her! Our God is awesome! He is almighty! When we remember His greatness, we cannot help but release our praises to Him! In the light of our awakened awareness of Him, confident faith arises, impacting our prayers and decrees. Our ability to walk and work with Him also increases as He works through us to change things once thought impossible. I am reminded of a line from an old song that says, “God specializes in things thought impossible. He can do what no other power can do!”(1) The atmosphere of this nation is now filled with a swirl of sincere praises that have flowed from hearts and lips declaring the goodness of our great God! Our focus is on Him, and our faith in Him is ignited within us. He has been good. He is good! He is great, and He is greatly to be praised! Our shouts of praise have captured the attention of Heaven. Heaven is responding to our sound. God is pleased, and He has come to inhabit our praises. Divine intervention has been activated to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy. God is turning things in our favor. His favor surrounds us like a shield that deflects the enemy’s evil intentions. God is putting His finger on some things, as the word from Chuck declared, and hell’s agenda is losing its grip on this nation. Testimony after testimony of Yahweh’s power, intervention, and goodness is being proclaimed, and the words of our testimonies are awakening the nation to an undeniable awareness of our mighty God. He inhabits our praises, and under the weight and reality of His abiding presence, life is being restored! Our combined prayer and decree: Father, You are great, and You are greatly to be praised. We recall Your goodness, and our hearts can’t help but release shouts of praise and thanksgiving to You. O, how great is Your faithfulness! We turn our eyes upon You, and we find hope! Your love and favor surround us like a shield that deflects the fiery darts of our adversaries. Snares that have been crafted and meant for our downfall are being broken and destroyed. You, O, Lord, have enabled us to rise with overcoming power by the blood of Jesus and the words of our testimonies. Our shouts of praise will not be silenced! We lift our voices loud and strong to worship You, and You rush in like a mighty wind, the Ruach of Yahweh, to bring our nation back to life! Amen! You have come to inhabit our praises. Your divine intervention has been activated, and we will now see an undeniable deflection of the fiery darts of the enemy. What has been intended for evil will now be turned for good. Testimony after testimony of Your power and goodness will continue to rise and evoke an awakening, an awareness of You that will bring the nation back to life! *********************** Today’s post was contributed by our friend Gina Gholston. Portions were taken from Gina’s book, Along the Journey. You can find out more about Gina at GinaGholston.com Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------ 1. Oscar C. Eliason, Got Any Rivers, 1931; copyrighted 1945 by Singspiration Music (ASCAP); Brentwood, TN.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-18-2025 November 18, 2025 Introduction Last week, I shared with you a prophetic word given to Chuck Pierce, which instructed us to offer praise to God three times a day for a week. The word said this would release God’s judgments against lies that have held America captive. You can read Chuck’s prophetic word here. The seven days ended Sunday, but many of us who heard about and started the weeklong process after it began are continuing for a few more days, simply to honor the Lord and “contribute” our week of praise. Following up on Chuck’s word, I wrote two posts last week on the power of praise, and more importantly, why it is so powerful. I did so again yesterday and will continue this theme through tomorrow. The title of today’s post is: The Priority “Firsts” can be good or bad. First place is usually good, as are first-class and first-rate. First-degree is usually bad, as is the need for first aid, and the first half, and the first baseman can be either. While thinking about this, I recalled several of my firsts, along with a one- or two-word thought concerning each of them. Here are ten: First major-league baseball game attended (awe) First day of school (intimidated) First car (junk) First date with Ceci (priceless) First time seeing both daughters (love) First dirty diaper change (nausea) First sermon (nice try) Compiling a few of my “firsts” was fun. Some were extremely important, others only memorable. The same would be true with yours. There is one first, however, that is essential and that all of us must keep number one. Jesus referred to it as our “first love.” When writing to the Ephesian church, He said, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). The Greek word translated “first” in this passage is protos, meaning “foremost in time, place, order, or importance.”(1) Since it would be illogical to assume Christ had been the first person each of them loved, it seems reasonable to conclude He was using the word in the sense of importance. “You have abandoned the love that should be your number one priority,” was His obvious meaning. The root word for protos is pro, meaning “superior to” or “in front of”; and yes, protos is where we get our word professional, or its shortened form, pro. A professional is one who excels in a particular field. I used to play golf; Scotty Scheffler does, as well. But there’s a big difference between us: He’s a pro, I’m an amateur. Watching each of us swing a golf club once would leave no doubt as to the difference. Shopping is another activity performed by both pros and amateurs. I shop occasionally - when God is punishing me for speeding or some other serious offense. I’m an amateur shopper and have no desire to ever be anything but an amateur. Ceci, on the other hand, is a pro. And as is fitting, she enjoys it. We both do what we enjoy: I watch a football game, she shops. Life is good. Placing the literal definitions of pro and protos into the context of Revelation 2:4 makes clear what Jesus was saying: Relationship with Him should be “in front of” or “superior to” all others. He wants to be our “priority” love. Christ told us elsewhere that loving God is the first of all the other commandments (Matthew 22:37-38). This begs the question of why - why does God demand to be first? Is He narcissistic or egocentric, demanding that we make Him the center of attention? Or, is God insecure, in need of our affirmation? The obvious answer to both of these questions is a resounding “NO!” The Lord is self-confident and self-assured, and yet this confidence is filtered through the utmost humility. He has neither pride nor insecurity issues. Why then does He demand to be number one? Because He wants us to be fulfilled. Complete. Satisfied. The reason God must be first in our lives is profound in both its simplicity and importance: The very purpose for the creation of humans was relationship with God. We were made to be one in spirit with Him, joined together spiritually like a husband and wife. First Corinthians 6:17 says, “But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” Our union with Him completes us. There is a place in the heart of every human God made only for Himself. Period. If we don’t get this right, the pieces won’t fit. Nothing else can fill this void, including other people, money, pleasure, or accomplishments. And certainly not religion; we weren’t created to connect with a system or organization, but a person. God understands this, of course, and for our benefit, reminds us of His love for us and our need for Him. Before correcting the church at Ephesus Jesus told them: “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false: and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary” (Revelation 2:2-3). What believer wouldn't be pleased to hear such praise? Yet Christ makes it clear that these accomplishments are not the heart of the matter. A good performance can't replace intimacy with Him. If this misconception is allowed to control us, our good works will devolve into meaningless religion - every time - satisfying neither God nor us. Our “performance” must flow out from a relationship with Him; never replace or be equated to it. It is also important to understand that our first (priority) love is not based on emotions or feelings. It would be unrealistic to think we can maintain the same level of emotional excitement that typically occurs when we first meet Christ. Such a sustained emotional high is not a reasonable expectation in any relationship, whether it be with your spouse, a friend, or the Lord. If Christ is currently number one in your life and you are enjoying the pleasure of His company, treasure it. Let nothing come between the two of you. But if you, like the church of Ephesus, have allowed other things to take priority over your relationship with Him, reprioritize. Make Him protos again - superior to all else. And if you have never yet discovered Christ as your first-love soul mate, well, get ready to find out why you exist. Amazing joys await you. Pray with me: Holy Spirit, search our hearts and show us where we’ve failed to ascribe to our Father, to Jesus, and to You the highest place. Reveal to us the ways in which we have compromised our commitment to You, forsaking our first love. Thank You for tenderly drawing our wayward hearts back to the priority of loving You and receiving Your love. Without Your loving leadership, we are incomplete. May nothing else replace the pleasure of Your company. Father, our nation once honored You first. But like the Ephesians, works, wealth, and pleasure crowded You out. For most Americans, You’re not even a distant second. However, from Your Word and from history, we know this can change. Smoldering embers can blaze again, cold hearts can burn with passion, and prodigals can run into the arms of love-sick fathers. With Your power and love, even dry, dead bones can live again. Breathe once again on this apostate nation. In Christ’s name, we pray, Amen. Our decree: We declare that America is returning to her first love; a harvest of lovers is coming, and Jesus will be prioritized above all! **************************** Today’s post was taken from my book The Pleasure of His Company and published by Baker Books. 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. 4413.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-17-2025 November 17, 2025 Introduction Last week, I shared a prophetic word given to Chuck Pierce, which instructed us to offer praise to God three times a day for a week. The word said this would release God’s judgments against lies that have held America captive. You can read Chuck’s prophetic word here. The seven days ended yesterday, but many of us who heard about and started the weeklong process after it began are continuing for a few more days, simply to honor the Lord and “contribute” our week of praise. Following up on Chuck’s word, I wrote two posts last week on the power of praise, and more importantly, why it is so powerful. I will continue this theme through Wednesday. The title of today’s post is: Earth-Shaking Praise In today’s post, I would like to highlight two biblical accounts that illustrate the power of praise. The first is from 2 Chronicles, chapter 20. In this passage, Judah was about to be invaded by a great multitude of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites (vs. 1-2). Judah’s king, Jehoshaphat, called for prayer. “We don’t know what to do,” he said to the Lord, “but our eyes are on You” (v. 12). The Lord’s response to Jehoshaphat and Judah was that this battle was not theirs, but His; they would not even need to fight. Just put their trust in Him and His prophets, and they would succeed (verses 14-20). When it came time for the battle, Judah was told to simply offer praise to the Lord (v. 21). They obeyed, sending a choir ahead of their army. The choir sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting” (v. 21). The praise brought the presence of the Lord, and as we saw when Jesus walked the earth, God’s presence has a very unsettling effect on demonic forces. When Yeshua showed up, demons screamed and cried out for mercy. Here in 2 Chronicles, God’s enemies became so disoriented and confused that they began to fight and kill one another (v. 22-23)! The passage says God “ambushed” them. The Hebrew word used means “to lurk, or lie in wait.” I love it! God was “lurking” in the atmosphere waiting for Judah’s praise to usher Him onto the battlefield. And just to make sure we make this connection, the Lord began verse 22 with the words, “And when they began singing and praising.” I am confident that as we have been praising and worshiping over these past few days, God has been setting ambushes against those who oppose Him in Washington, D.C. He was “lurking” in the heavenly realm over our nation’s capital, just waiting for our praise to invite Him in. Praise attracts God’s presence, and His presence routs the enemy. Paul and Silas Acts 16 gives us another powerful illustration of this. It’s the fairly well-known story of Paul and Silas praising God in their prison cell, which resulted in an earthquake that caused their deliverance. When recounted, the emphasis is almost always on their miraculous deliverance. However, the chapter and account are about SO MUCH MORE than just their deliverance. It begins with Paul and his missionary team traveling and preaching the gospel in different regions. When they started to go in several different directions to different cities, Holy Spirit repeatedly stopped them. He finally gave Paul a dream or night vision: “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us” (verse 9). The team obeyed, going to Philippi, and a remarkable series of events transpired. They led an influential businesswoman named Lydia to the Lord. They then cast out a spirit of divination from a slave-girl who brought great profit to her masters through her fortune-telling. Her masters were angry and had Paul and Silas beaten, thrown in jail, and put in stocks. At midnight, these two battered and bloody warriors began singing hymns of praise to God. The Lord heard their praise, and always enjoying the company of His kids, rushed to Philippi and into this jail cell. In His haste, it seems the Lord landed a little too hard! The earth shook, the chains broke loose, and all the prisoners were freed! Rather than fleeing, however, they decided to lead the jailer and his family to Christ and baptize them. It would seem that revival broke out in Philippi, and the Philippian church became one of the Lord’s key strongholds in the region. As I mentioned earlier, it is clear that this passage is about so much more than these apostles’ great deliverance. God had a bigger plan. Lydia was the first convert in Europe, and Philippi was the first church established on the European continent. Let that sink in: the gospel was invading a new continent! These events became earth-shaking, quite literally. And it was all born of praise. Not just the praise that occurred in the jail cell, by the way. Lydia, we are told, was “a worshiper of God” (v. 14). Even though she had not yet heard the gospel regarding the Messiah and therefore had not yet been born again, she was a devout Jewish worshiper of Yahweh. Perhaps it was her worship that created the vision inviting Paul to Macedonia! One thing is certain: praise and worship played a significant role in the gospel’s breakthrough into Europe. Last week, when God told us to praise Him, and that this would create breakthrough in Washington, D.C., there is ample biblical evidence of the word’s validity, as you can see. Keep it up. Praise Him, and as you do, ask Him to invade our nation’s capital, ambush His enemies, and shake it with His mighty power. When Chuck sent me this word last week, he included Jeremiah 49:16, saying the verse indicated God’s intentions against His enemies in D.C. Chuck actually sent it to me from two translations: “‘Your fierceness has deceived you, the pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,’ says the LORD.” (NKJV) “‘Your capacity to terrorize has deceived you and made you arrogant. You make your home in the rocky crags and seize the top of the mountain; but even if you build your nest high as an eagle’s, from there I will drag you down,’ says ADONAI.” (AMP) And, so be it! Pray with me: As our prayer and decree today, let’s use praise from the great hymn written by Martin Luthur, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. “A mighty Fortress is our God,
a Bulwark never failing. Our Helper He amid the flood,
of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe,
doth seek to work us woe. His craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate. On earth is not His equal. “Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing. Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.
 Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He!
 Lord Sabaoth, His Name,
from age to age the same.
 And He must win the battle. “And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us. We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him. His rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure.
 One little word shall fell him. “That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth.
 The Spirit and the gifts are ours,
through Him who with us sideth.
 Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also.
 The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still. His Kingdom is forever!”(1) ************************ Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------- https://hymnary.org/text/a_mighty_fortress_is_our_god_a_bulwark

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-14-2025 November 14, 2025 Review Holy Spirit gave my friend, Chuck Pierce, a very important prophetic word this past weekend. It refers to a seven-day window and assignment, running from this past Monday through this upcoming Sunday (Nov. 10-16). During this week-long window, the Lord is asking us to release praise to Him three times a day. The seven days have obviously already begun, but you can still participate. Please do so, perhaps even adding a few days, so that you also do a total of seven days. God would certainly honor that. You can find Chuck’s prophetic word and my explanation in Wednesday’s post. Today I want to talk about why we praise the Lord, which I also did yesterday. Why would God ask for this? Our title is: The Invitation God loves being with us. Consider the following invitation: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 KJV). The Almighty, the Creator, the Everlasting God of heaven and earth wants some time with us. Do you, like me, find it interesting that He knocks on the door? I suppose God could simply knock it down. Or just walk through it! But that would be an intrusion, and God doesn’t intrude into our space; He waits to be invited in. Like anyone, He wants to be celebrated, not tolerated. Two hidden meanings in this verse reveal far deeper insights than can be seen through a casual reading. The word “sup” in this verse is not a generic word for eating. This is the word in biblical times for the main evening meal. The Jewish new day began in the evening, at sunset. At this evening meal, the family would discuss the day’s events, and while doing so, the new day would begin and be planned. Jesus is saying to us in this verse, “Let me into your world. Let’s dine, fellowship, and plan the new day.” A second possible interpretation is given in the margin of The Passion Translation: “The Aramaic can be translated ‘I have been standing at the door, knocking.’ Jesus knocking on the door points us to the process of an ancient Jewish wedding invitation. In the days of Jesus, a bridegroom and his father would come to the door of the bride-to-be carrying the betrothal cup of wine and the bride-price. Standing outside, they would knock. If she fully opened the door, she was saying, ‘Yes, I will be your bride.’ Jesus and his Father, in the same way, are knocking on the doors of our hearts, inviting us to be the bride of Christ.” What an invitation! In this verse, the Lord began by saying, “If any man hears My voice . . .” Hearing and discerning God’s voice is not a gift, but a learned art. We must learn to commune with the Lord as a real person and on a personal level. When you take the time to wait and listen, you learn to allow God to be a part of your thinking. His thoughts become yours. The obvious insinuation in this phrase is that our actions, not His, will determine whether or not we hear Him. Again, sensitivity is learned and developed. Like the frequencies on a radio, our minds and hearts must tune in. A few years ago, one of my staff members shared a humorous episode about listening. “My sister-in-law was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner and planning for various family activities. As she did, her young daughter spoke to her about several different and important things in her life, to which mom would periodically mumble, ‘Uh-huh.’ Finally, wanting to do something to make this more of a two-sided conversation, the little girl tugged on her mother’s arm to get her full attention. Once she knew her mother was really listening, she said, ‘Mom, why don’t you talk for a while now, and I’ll say Uh-huh.’”(1) I can’t help but wonder how often God is knocking and calling, only to find us so busy we really aren’t listening. He will never treat us this way. You’ll never find Him so busy with others or so distracted running the universe that He feigns attentiveness to you, mumbling “uh-huh” while actually thinking about something else. He has plenty of undistracted time for you, and He’d like some in return. The Scriptures tell us God is actually “searching” for this level of relationship. From the moment we were separated from Him by Adam’s sin, He began the search. “Where are you?” He called to Adam and Eve as they hid from Him (Genesis 3:9). Incredibly, we’re told that His eyes “move to and fro” throughout the earth looking for those whose hearts are fully His (2 Chronicles 16:9). One of my favorite Bible stories as a young kid was of a man named Zacchaeus. He was a hated tax collector who had become wealthy, most likely by defrauding people, charging them more than they actually owed. Somehow, this man had become enamored with Jesus, so much so that he climbed a tree to get a good look at Him as He passed through his village. Jesus wanted Zacchaeus to get more than a look, however; He invited Himself over for dinner! “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5). Jesus knocked, and Zacchaeus opened. The visit was obviously impactful - it always is when Jesus comes over for dinner. “Lord, half of my possessions I’ll give to the poor,” he promised before the dinner ended, “and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much” (Luke 19:8). When challenged as to why He would be the guest of this thieving “sinner,” Jesus merely referenced His own “searching heart.” “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Christ simply has an insatiable desire to eat and fellowship with friends, family, and seekers. Jesus was on a mission then; He’s on the same mission now. He wants some time and conversation with you. The next time He knocks, open the door. Make your house one of the regular stops for His searching eyes. Let no distraction interfere. May your heart always remain an open door to Jesus, as you seek to mature in the art of discerning His knock and voice. As His eyes search this world for a surrendered heart with which to commune, may His gaze always stop with you. Welcome Him to sit at the supper table of your soul to dine and dialogue with you. As we give Him praise today, fulfilling the word from the prophet, let’s not do it out of duty. That will bring neither Him nor us any pleasure. Do it from the heart, knowing that He wants to spend time with us. Invite Jesus into your world and our nation. When He shows up, His enemies scatter; they melt like wax in front of a fire (Psalm 68:1-2). What a way to win a battle! Pray this Psalm with me: “God! Arise with awesome power, and every one of your enemies will scatter in fear! Chase them away—all these God-haters. Blow them away as a puff of smoke. Melt them away like wax in the fire. One good look at You and the wicked vanish. But let all the righteous be glad! Yes, let them all rejoice in Your presence and be carried away with gladness. Let them laugh and be radiant with joy! Let them sing their celebration songs for the coming of the cloud rider whose name is Yahweh! “To the fatherless, He is a father. To the widow, He is a champion friend. The lonely He makes part of a family. The prisoners He leads into prosperity until they sing for joy. This is our Holy God in His Holy Place! But for the rebels, there is heartache and despair. “O Lord, it was You who marched in front of Your people, leading them through the wasteland. (Pause in His presence) The earth shook beneath Your feet; the heavens filled with clouds before the presence of the God of Sinai. The sacred mountain shook at the sight of the face of Israel’s God. You, O God, sent the reviving rain upon Your weary inheritance, showers of blessing to refresh it. So there Your people settled. And in Your kindness, You provided the poor with abundance.” (Psalm 68:1-10 TPT) ********************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. --------------------------------------------- Dutch Sheets, Watchman Prayer (Ventura, CA: Regal, 2000), 47.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-13-2025 November 13, 2025 Introduction Holy Spirit gave my friend, Chuck Pierce, a very important prophetic word this past weekend. It refers to a seven-day window and an assignment, running from this past Monday through this upcoming Sunday (Nov. 10-16). During this week-long window, the Lord is asking us to release praise to Him three times a day on behalf of our nation. The seven days have obviously already begun, but you can still participate. Please do so, perhaps even adding a few days, so that you also do a total of seven days. God will certainly honor that. You can find Chuck’s prophetic word and my explanation in yesterday’s post. For today and tomorrow, I would like to discuss why we praise the Lord and why God asks us to do so. Our title is: Why Our Praise Is a Weapon Elevators are convenient. . . and sometimes awkward. Who in their right mind likes being in an elevator with people they don’t know? The longer the ride, the louder the silence. Several years ago, I was trapped in the back of one of those torture chambers in the airport of one of the vacation capitals of the world - Orlando, Florida. There were only about a HUNDRED people in this elevator! Who hasn’t heard of Disney World, Epcot, and other hot spots there? And based on the lines at these tourist attractions, every person in the world has been there! Consequently, the airport is crowded and hectic. When the elevator stopped at my floor and the door opened, no one moved. After a couple of seconds, thinking no one else was getting off at this level, I spoke up rather urgently from the back, “Excuse me, I need to get off here.” You’d have thought I asked for everyone’s phone number! Backs stiffened, heads turned, eyes glared, and the man closest to the door turned and - in a most condescending tone - scolded me. “Be patient,” he snarled. “I’m just trying to be a gentleman and let the ladies off first.” After we all exited, one of the ladies with him turned to me and, rather snootily, decided to become my therapist: “You need a vacation, sir. We are in Orlando; why don’t you take a few days off and chill?” I was tired, and perhaps this had caused me to unintentionally speak louder than I realized. Or maybe my urgency sounded like impatience. What did I do? Being the godly man that I am, I took it on the chin and calmly moved on - WITH MY BLOOD PRESSURE ELEVATED AND MY INNER THOUGHTS EXPLAINING TO THEM WHAT IDIOTS THEY WERE! And being the spiritual giant I am, within a few short weeks, I had forgiven them - as you can tell! - and moved on. Doesn’t take me long! Most of us dislike being misunderstood and misjudged - especially in an elevator! I don’t think God likes it either, and He is, without doubt, the most misunderstood person in existence. Perceived as distant, He is often ignored. Considered judgmental and legalistic, He is thought by some to be intimidating and one to steer clear of. And mistakenly thought of by His children as one who likes hearing how great He is, He is praised. LOL - I had you, then I lost you. Before you stop reading or listening, hear me out. Obviously, praising and worshiping God is a good and appropriate thing to do. It’s our reason for doing so that needs some tweaking. Yahweh isn’t narcissistic, needing to be told how wonderful He is in order to satisfy an inflated ego. Nor is He insecure, needing to be reassured that He really is awesome. He doesn’t show off - praise doesn’t stimulate some macho corner of His heart, motivating Him to action in order to demonstrate His power. And He can’t be bought - our worship doesn’t cause Him to “reward” us with His presence and power simply because we made Him feel good. Frankly, God neither needs nor desires to be told how great, unique, powerful, or loving He is. The Almighty is quite confident and very secure. He does, however, seek worshipers. The difference is huge - immeasurably so. We ARE the worship. God longs for the singer, not the song. Our hearts are what transforms singing into worship, not the words and music. God would rather have a love-filled glance from our eyes than a song parroted from our lips. We can, in fact, worship without even opening our mouths. Enoch was translated to heaven without experiencing death. Why? He brought pleasure to God (Hebrews 11:5) by walking with God (Genesis 5:24). Notice that God uses the word “walking,” not “worshipping.” His worship was released - not just with words - but through his actions and his life. I’m certainly not downplaying the incredible importance of music and singing. I’m simply pointing out what makes these actions worship. When my kids were young and anxiously waited for Daddy to come home from work, they didn’t meet me at the door with a song. They jumped into my arms and gave me a big hug. When God created us, He made kids, not a choir; family members, not church members; He’s into love, not liturgy. And it wasn’t His “lording” nature that prompted Him to create us - He could have made a few billion more angels had that been His desire. It was His loving nature. God is a father at heart. Jesus, who came to earth to reveal to us what God is truly like (John 1:18), gave a profound glimpse of Abba’s loving and relational heart through an encounter with a rather loose-living woman. Looking for love in all the wrong places, this five-time divorced, currently shacked-up societal outcast was about to meet a man who wanted her heart, not her body. Christ told her He knew her lifestyle, yet His actions proved He wasn’t condemning her. He had assured her that He could satisfy her thirsty heart by placing a well of salvation in her. He shifted the concept of worship from the place to the person, which was a radical paradigm shift in her day. I’m sure she had never thought about this, and certainly not that God was actually seeking worshipers. “He’d like you to be one” was the obvious invitation. She was hooked. That God might actually be seeking her companionship, not her body, was beyond this woman’s wildest dreams. How could He possibly want her? But He did. In one moment, her shame was broken, and joy filled her heart. It feels good to be wanted for the right reasons. This new worshiper was so excited that she ran and told her village about Jesus, and ultimately, the entire community came to believe in Him. Jesus was too excited to eat! The great psalm of praise, Psalm 149, tells us that as we praise God, the sword of the Lord is released against His enemies, those who oppose His rule (verses 6-9). However, one of the preceding verses (v. 4) tells us why: “the Lord takes pleasure in His people!” The reason our praise is a weapon against evil is because our all-powerful God responds by showing up! Our relational God, Abba, is moved by our affection - He desires our company. That is what attracts Him to praise, not His ego. Our Father inhabits our praise (Psalm 22:3) because He loves spending time with us. Let’s make the great 149th Psalm our prayer and decree today. Pray Psalm 149 (TPT) with me today: Triumphant Praise “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! It’s time to sing to God a brand-new song so that all His holy people will hear how wonderful He is! May Israel be enthused with joy because of Him, and may the sons of Zion pour out their joyful praises to their King. Break forth with dancing! Make music and sing God’s praises with the rhythm of drums! For He enjoys His faithful lovers. “He adorns the humble with His beauty, and He loves to give them victory. His godly lovers triumph in the glory of God, and their joyful praises will rise even while others sleep. God’s high and holy praises fill their mouths, for their shouted praises are their weapons of war! These warring weapons will bring vengeance on the nations and every resistant power— to bind kings with chains and rulers with iron shackles. “Praise-filled warriors will enforce the judgment decreed against their enemies. This is the honor He gives to all His godly lovers. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” TPT *********************** "Hallelujah - Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His faithful people. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people." "He crowns the humble with victory. Let His faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron," "To carry out the sentence written against them - this is the glory of all His faithful people (His Godly ones). Hallelujah - Praise the Lord." NIV

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-12-2025 November 12, 2025 A Seven-Day Assignment Holy Spirit gave my friend, Chuck Pierce, a very important prophetic word this past weekend. It refers to a seven-day window and assignment, running from this past Monday through this Sunday (Nov. 10-16). Even though the seven days have obviously already begun, we can still participate! Here is Chuck’s word, then I will make a few comments: ******* “I am calling My people into a seven-day awareness. The next seven days, you must be aware. Praise Me like you’ve never praised Me before. As you praise, come into agreement with Me, saying, ‘I want a nation to come alive over the next seven days. I want the lie structure that is holding this nation to be captured. I want the liars to start being divided and for God-inspired decisions to be made about the future.’ “For this nation has been layered with lies from past administrations. This has formed a veil of deception that has hindered My will for the future. I will begin to divide the structure of lies and those who have followed the lies. From that, clarity will come, allowing wise decisions to be made that will affect the atmosphere of this nation for the next two years. “The next seven days are key to an announcement that there is a future in this land. This must be contended for. Move forward with Me. Praise Me in the morning, praise Me at noon, and praise Me at night. Then I will come down, inhabit the praise, and break the hold of those that are holding their finger in place over what I desire to do. This will be a week that I remove fingers that are touching what I long to accomplish in this land. I will do that by putting My finger on the real issues in the next seven days.” ******* My Thoughts This prophecy clearly states that we are in a critical seven-day window of opportunity. As is often the case, the Lord has chosen not to give specific details regarding what is taking place behind the scenes, only that we are in this window and He is asking us to participate with Him. This prophetic word speaks of a veil of deception built from lies in the government of America. It should not surprise us to hear the Lord say this; we know that many in our government are dishonest and have created a web of deceit. The roots of this are spiritual. Jesus said the devil is a liar, the father of lies, and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44). He then told the Pharisees that the devil was their father, and that they were following His desires. Likewise, we have many in Washington, D.C., following their father, the devil. This word is telling us we have reached a point where their web of deceit over America can be broken. The Lord said He will divide their structures and their unity. In other words, He will dismantle that which they have built, cause it to unravel, and even divide those who have worked together. It is fascinating that we are already starting to see this begin. I have never seen those on the Left fight against each other as they have this week (regarding the government shutdown). They are feeding on those in their ranks who voted to reopen the government, and Senator Schumer for not stopping them, like piranha in a bloody pond. But God not only said He would divide them, but would dismantle their web of deceit and break the hold of their fingers. The picture I have is of a strong hand peeling back the clenched fingers of someone trying to maintain their hold on an item. The Lord said they were touching and attempting to hold back His will/what He desires to do. This word clearly points out the fact that God works in partnership with His body and family. He certainly has enough power to do this without our help, but that is not how He operates. He wants — and because of this decision — he needs our partnership. He told us in James 4:2 that at times we have not simply because we haven’t asked. “Contend for this,” He tells us through this word. Holy Spirit clearly tells us that if we participate in these 7 days of praise and awareness, it will enable wise decisions to be made this week that will affect the atmosphere of America for the next two years. He also told us to be “aware!” This speaks to me of the watchman concept in Scripture. One of the meanings of the multiple Hebrew and Greek words for watchman in Scripture is simply to be aware! Some translations use the phrase “be alert,” or “be on the alert.” This tells me Holy Spirit will reveal issues throughout the week that He wants us to pray for and/or make decrees regarding. Those who listen intently to Holy Spirit will partner with Him in unusual ways. And lastly, Holy Spirit emphasizes the instructions of radically praising God, telling us to do so morning, noon, and night. This is perhaps a way of instructing us to praise Him throughout the day, all day long. In other words, stay in an attitude and heart of praise throughout the entire day. It could also mean to literally set aside three times a day–morning, noon, night–and give Him praise. For example, in Daniel 6:10, Daniel entered a season in which he prayed and offered thanks to God three times a day, defying orders not to do so. The results were remarkable. Daniel was thrown into a den of lions in order to destroy him. God sovereignly closed the mouths of the lions and protected Daniel. The king was so moved that he threw Daniel‘s enemies into the lions’ den, and released the following decree to the entire kingdom: “I issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be forever. He rescues, saves, and performs signs and miracles in heaven and on earth, He who has also rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:26-27; NASB) A king, his kingdom, and the purposes of God were all impacted by Daniel‘s prayers and the Lord‘s response. Verse 28 of this chapter adds that Daniel enjoyed success from that point forward in the reigns of Darius and Cyrus. Wow! There are some amazing results. Let’s join Chuck in this. Jump into the week, be radical in your praise, and allow God to inhabit those praises with his mighty power (Psalm 22:3). Let’s seize this moment of opportunity to impact our nation. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for this window of opportunity in America. As we obey Your instructions, we ask You for sensitivity and discernment. Help us to remain alert - aware! We commit to creating a throne for You with our praise (Psalm 22:3), a place from which You can rule in our nation. Dismantle evil structures, expose lies, and unravel webs of deceit. Give us this week the breakthrough You spoke of. Peel off the fingers holding back Your plans and release the announcement that Your future for America is secure. Bring forth the wise decisions You spoke of, decisions that will affect the atmosphere of our nation. We conclude today by offering You praise from Psalm 117, the Passion Translation: “Let everyone everywhere shine with praise to Yahweh! Let it all out! Go ahead and praise him! For He has conquered us with His great love, and His kindness has melted our hearts. His faithfulness lasts forever, and He will never fail you. So go ahead, let it all out! Praise Yahweh!” Our decree: We declare that God is enthroned in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). ****************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-11-2025 November 11, 2025 Honoring our Veterans Today is Veterans Day, a significant holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring military veterans who have served in our Armed Forces. Observed annually on November 11, this day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have donned the uniform to protect the freedoms and rights that U.S. citizens enjoy today. The origins of Veterans Day date back to the aftermath of World War I. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was established to commemorate the end of hostilities on the Western Front, which occurred on November 11, 1918. The day was first observed as a federal holiday in 1938, intended to honor the veterans of World War I. However, after World War II and the Korean War, there was a growing recognition that the day should commemorate all American veterans, not just those who fought in World War I. Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, another federal holiday that honors those who died while serving in the military. While Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and pays tribute to fallen soldiers, Veterans Day celebrates all veterans who have served in the military, both living and deceased. It is a day for reflection, gratitude, and recognition of the sacrifices made by these individuals and their families. The observance of Veterans Day includes various ceremonies and events nationwide. Many communities hold parades to honor and celebrate veterans for their service. Schools often participate in educational programs that help students understand the importance of the day and the contributions of veterans. In addition to local events, the National Veterans Day Observance is held at Arlington National Cemetery, where a wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This solemn event underscores the nation’s commitment to honor those who have served, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice. On Veterans Day each year, we must remember the importance of honoring those who have served in our military. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made for the freedoms we often take for granted. Each story of service is unique, yet collectively, they contribute to our history and identity. By recognizing and celebrating the contributions of veterans, we acknowledge the complexities of their experiences and reaffirm our commitment to supporting them as they transition to civilian life. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the challenges that veterans face upon returning home. Many veterans struggle with issues such as PTSD, unemployment, and reintegration into civilian life. Veterans Day serves as a reminder to the entire nation of the cost of freedom. It is a day to reflect on the values of courage, duty, and sacrifice that veterans embody. Citizens are encouraged to express their gratitude, whether by attending local events, volunteering for veteran organizations, or simply taking a moment to thank a veteran for their service. We ask you to do this - express your thanks to a veteran today. ******* Jennifer Ostan, a family friend and wife of a wounded warrior, shared the following in a previous Give Him 15 Veterans Day Post (Link😞 “To our veterans: You took a sacred oath to defend this great nation – today, we honor that single act of courage that shaped your life forever. Thank you, dear sir or ma’am, for answering a call that few have chosen, and for being willing to lay down your life for your fellow Americans. Whether you’ve come out on the other side of your service “healthy,” “wounded,” or “somewhere in between,” we know you’ve paid a price – and that does not go unnoticed. “We say to you today that we value your service, we honor your selflessness, and we salute you for your sacrifice. As President Truman so aptly stated: ‘Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.’(1) “We echo those words as we renew our national promise – you have our undying gratitude, and we will not forget your sacrifices! “Now, to those of you who have not served in our military, today is about the veterans, but it is also about how you can communicate your gratitude and convey value for their sacrifice. In preparation for this post, I asked several veterans to share examples of how they feel honored. Here are their answers: I don’t need much, a simple thank you and a smile goes a long, long way. It’s the little things that make me feel proud – a handshake on the street, a stranger buying my coffee, or a text from a friend. I love seeing the hometown parades and people coming together to cheer us on! It’s a stark contrast from the days of the Vietnam War. It means so much when children come up and shake my hand – I love it when they ask me about my service. I hope they continue to teach this kind of honor to the kids. “Clearly, your simple act of acknowledging veterans’ service as valuable goes a long way in making them feel honored. The next step is being intentional to teach children and grandchildren to do the same – this way our national promise can remain unbroken.” ******* In conclusion, Veterans Day is more than just a holiday; it is an opportunity for all Americans to come together in gratitude and respect for the men and women who have served in the military. It reminds us of their sacrifice and service, urging us to ensure that veterans receive the recognition, support, and care they deserve. As we honor their legacy, we ensure a brighter future for those who have bravely defended our nation. Today, as we now enter a new season where honor and patriotism are being restored, we sincerely recognize and esteem our beloved veterans, and say THANK YOU. Thank you for your sacrifice and the sacrifices made by your families. God bless you, God Bless America. Pray with me: Father, we are very grateful for the freedoms and liberty we enjoy in our nation. We are so very blessed to possess these liberties, the opportunities they afford, and the incredibly abundant resources we enjoy in America. On this Veterans Day, we take time to pray for those who have sacrificed to procure and protect these blessings. We pray especially for those who have lost family members fighting for us and others. Please give them comfort, strength, and provision. Motivate all of us Americans to do a better job of caring for them. We also pray for those who have been wounded and are still suffering. Comfort them as they cope with physical, mental, and emotional trauma; for some, it is significant. We ask this, as well, for their family members, who also suffer stress and pain from these wounds. We ask that, as a nation, You would further awaken our citizens to the needs and challenges these veterans face. Remind us of the price they have paid, and give us hearts to love and serve our soldiers and their families, just as they have served us. And lastly, we ask You for a sweeping revival in our military and their families. It will bring immeasurable comfort and healing to thousands when they come into a meaningful relationship with You. Pour out Your Spirit on them! Heal bodies, minds, and hearts. And we ask all of this in Christ’s holy name. Amen. Our decree: Today, we declare the blessing, strength, and comfort of the Lord to our veterans and their families. *********************** Major (Ret.) Will Ostan and his wife, Jennifer, host the Arc of Justice USA website (arcofjusticeusa.org), where you can learn how to help our veterans. You can also learn more about Major Ostan and read his personal story at: willostan.com Click on the link below to watch the full video. ----------------------------------------------- Lipinski, Dan. “Top 25 Dan Lipinski Quotes (2022 Update).” Quotefancy, https://quotefancy.com/dan-lipinski-quotes. Accessed 9 November 2022.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-10-2025 November 10, 2025 Right on Time In 1 Samuel 16:12-13, David was anointed to be king over Israel: “And [Jesse] sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” (KJV) Most scholars believe that David was between 10 and 15 years of age when this occurred. However, it was more than 20 years before Samuel’s prophecy to David was fulfilled in 2 Samuel 5:1-5: “Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in.’ And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron, he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem, he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.” (NAS) According to these verses, David was 30 years old when he became king. HOWEVER, the first 7 years of his reign, David was king over only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, commonly referred to simply as Judah (verses 4-5); Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, ruled over the actual nation of Israel. During the seven years David ruled Judah, his throne was in Hebron. Finally, when he was 37, the prophecy was fulfilled, and David was made king over all of Israel, moving his throne to Jerusalem. The math isn’t complicated: if David was 10 years old when Samuel anointed him, and 37 when he took the throne, it means he waited 27 years before the word was fully fulfilled; if he was 11 when anointed, he waited 26 years, and so on. My point is simply that David waited a long time before his promise came to pass. And the waiting was anything but pleasant. During those years, David was horribly persecuted by King Saul, became an outcast from Israel, lived in caves, and struggled just to survive. His home was not a palace, but a cave named Adullam. Many of David’s prayers and declarations in the Psalms were written during this time. In Psalm 27:1, he penned, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?” (NAS) These words are much more meaningful when we realize David wrote them by candlelight in a dark, damp cave, during a time when the king of Israel had a bounty on his head! David did not write the incredible 23rd Psalm, which has brought comfort to untold millions over the years, in a coffee shop or an air-conditioned office. He wrote it while fleeing from Saul, in exile from his own people, and living among strangers - even enemies. His life was continually threatened. The Psalm is an outpouring of David’s confidence in the Lord and trust in His care, even when experiencing the very real threat of death. He drew on memories of shepherding and protecting his father’s sheep to picture the Lord’s care for him. “Just as I was their shepherd, You are my Shepherd.” David declared. “You feed me, protect me, and comfort me.” He wrote the amazing 91st Psalm during this same season of his life. While living in caves, David declared that he was dwelling in the shelter of the Most High, abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Take some time and read this Psalm as you consider David’s circumstances. What amazing declarations of faith; what an incredible trust in the Lord he possessed. God did not waste David’s Adullam years; they were part of his training. This doesn’t mean God caused the evil, hatred, and treachery of those who attacked him. It means that God brought good from the evil, making it serve His purposes and David’s destiny: David learned to trust He learned to lead, beginning with an army of misfits and outcasts (1 Samuel 22:2) He learned humility He learned to overcome rejection and betrayal He learned to appreciate the small things He learned to wait He learned of God’s faithfulness And he learned to love the presence of God When a journey toward a God-given promise becomes unexpectedly long, is plagued with difficult delays, and fraught with monumental challenges, remember that the delays haven’t taken Him by surprise. God knew how long the process would take: He foresaw the obstacles, planned how you would overcome them, and determined how He would use them to prepare you for your destiny. With these things in mind, He started you on the journey far enough in advance to get you there right on time. When you finally arrive at the fulfillment, you’ll realize you didn’t arrive late…just like David. One more thing. The seven years David spent reigning over Judah in Hebron were not inconsequential, just one more delay waiting for “the real thing.” They were important! Hebron means “covenantal friendship;” it was actually here that God’s friend, Abraham, was buried. God wanted David to know, before he rose to the throne over all of Israel, that the ultimate key to success was through covenant and closeness to Him. Hebron was also the mountain city in the Promised Land where Caleb conquered its greatest giant (Joshua 14:15). David needed to learn that covenant and intimacy with God were keys to overcoming life’s “giants.” “Learn these lessons, David, and you’ll be ready for the ultimate throne in Jerusalem.” The purpose of today’s post is not just to give a history lesson; it is to remind us that when it seems a promise from God is taking forever, this is neither without purpose nor unexpected by Him. He knew how long the process would take and is using the time to accomplish His purposes. This is true for us as individuals, and also for nations. God knew how long it would take to restore America, and started early enough to get us to the finish line right on time. Not only will America be saved, she will be saved right on time. We have overcome in our Adullams, killed our giants, learned many lessons, built our friendship with God, and are now heading toward our Jerusalem. Stay the course. Pray with me: Father, we have been on what seems like a long journey to see America saved and restored. Like David, we have occasionally experienced setbacks, demonic opposition, the actions of unrighteous leaders, abusive policies, and other delays. Please keep the ekklesia reminded that these delays have not taken You by surprise, that You planned ahead for our victories, and just how You would use the battles to mature us. As we move forward, please remind believers that we must persevere in our prayers. Give us increased revelation, reminding us that our unseen prayers can literally produce visible results in Washington, D.C., and in other places here and abroad. May we not leave our posts on the wall, watching and listening for Your alerts and instructions. We pray that the exposure of the Deep State and anti-Christ forces continues. You said righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs 14:34) We have been disgraced by unrighteous actions in our nation, and the people indeed groan under the weight of sin and deceit. Continue to use good and wise leaders to expose, expose, expose. You also told us Jesus is the ONLY way to You (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). We love people of all faiths, but will never compromise this truth. And America was founded by You to spread this message–we will not allow this destiny to be stolen. Islam will not rule America, nor will socialism or communism. Many of those associated with these beliefs will be saved in the revival that has begun. We ask for this. In Christ’s authority, we pray. Amen. Our decree: We decree that we, God’s Ekklesia on earth, will NOT grow weary in our well-doing, and we WILL reap in our “due season” (Galatians 6:9). ************************* Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-7-2025 November 7, 2025 Introduction Occasionally, I like to share posts that are more devotional, rather than focused on intercession. This is the case today. The Stretch I love nature and the outdoors. Sunrise, sunset, mountains, oceans, rivers, streams, trees - I just find God to be a pretty good artist. I also love to check out the animals. I’ve watched squirrels gather nuts, rabbits nibble leaves and veggies, and woodpeckers bang away at trees - how do they do that without rattling their brains out? Have you ever watched a hummingbird up close - their wings go a gazillion times per second - or observed the unmoving wings of an eagle as it soars. How did God think up all this stuff? I love observing and listening to elk. The sounds they make are fascinating. You’ve never heard all of nature’s wonders until you’ve heard a bull elk bugle. When you hear this up close, it’s one of the greatest rushes you could ever imagine. In mating season, you can actually call in a bull elk using calls that mimic the sounds of a cow elk in heat. Attracted like moths to a flame, they come running. When they approach, it is with tenacious and fierce determination. They grunt, bugle, and snort, both to alert the cow that they are coming and to warn any other bulls in the area that this is their date - back off. The bugling begins from hundreds of yards away and continues off and on as they approach. The first time I heard this, I became more “wired“ with adrenaline with every bugle. I was convinced that the archangel Gabriel was coming through the woods with his trumpet. We were hiding in some brush, and the expert caller was luring him in ever closer. Finally, Mr. Elk was no more than ten yards away. Still unable to see us but believing his “date” was close, he grunted, let out an ear-piercing bugle, slung some slobber (evidently, this is a turn-on for cow elk!) pawed the ground… and I made my peace with God! Talk about scary. If you’ve never heard the bugle of a bull elk, put it on your bucket list. Contrary to what you might think, an elk’s eyesight is not that great. They rely mostly on their senses of smell and hearing. I was observing a small herd of these majestic creatures one evening just before dark. One of the things that intrigued me most was the twitching of their ears. Ever vigilant, each time they heard a sound, their ears would prick up in order to hear it even better. Whether eating, drinking, or taking a step, they were always diligent to listen for a potential threat - their lives depended on it. As I watched them, the pricking up of their ears reminded me of the literal meaning of the Hebrew word for listening (qashab). This word literally means “to prick up the ears like an animal coming to alertness.” This live picture painted by the elk was indeed worth a thousand words. One of the places qashab is used is Proverbs 4:20-22, a fairly well-known passage of scripture: “My son, GIVE ATTENTION to My words; incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to their whole body” (emphasis mine). My understanding of “giving attention to” God’s words went to a whole new level as I watched the ever-vigilant ears of the elk. Always listen diligently for His voice, as though your life depends on it, I thought. Regardless of what else you happen to be doing, remain tuned in to Him. Spending time with God through prayer, worship, and quiet meditation tunes in the soul and awakens the heart, enabling us to hear Him. Life is loud - make it quiet down once in a while. Everything else will scream for your attention, but not the Lord. Holy Spirit refuses to shout above the clamor and dissonance created by other voices and activities. For those who have grown to love the pleasure of His company enough to make time for Him, however, the still small voice of Holy Spirit becomes easily discernible. Life gets fast. Too fast. Slow down for a few minutes each day, turn aside and listen for His voice. “Turn aside” is one of the meanings of the word “incline” (natah) in Proverbs 4:20. If we turn aside, He will speak to us. But He won’t speak until we are willing to turn aside. The word natah also means “to stretch toward, as in craning the neck in order to see or hear better.” The long-necked bird we call a crane provides the genesis for this colloquialism. “Stretch” your neck toward God in order to clearly hear His sayings. Show Him worth; assign Him value; demonstrate interest in His words. If you do so, He will speak. Interestingly, however, these same two words, qashab and natah, describe not only listening to God but also His listening to us. He, too, “pricks up His ears” and “cranes His neck,” listening for the voices of His kids. Like the attentive ears of a doting mother with her newborn baby, God is listening for the sounds and stirrings of His little ones. Malachi 3:16 tells us, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord GAVE ATTENTION and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name” (emphasis mine). “Gave attention” is qashab. The timing of this passage was one of the seasons when many in Israel had turned away from Yahweh. His Father heart was hurting. God’s attentive ears pricked up, however, when a few of His loyal kids began talking about Him, and He was blessed by it. “Make a note of this,“ He told one of His assistants. Religion or misinformed people may have sold you a bill of goods about God being distant, but don’t believe it. Not only is He everlasting, He is also ever-listening. In Psalm 40:1, David says of the Lord, “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He INCLINED (natah) to me and heard my cry” (emphasis mine). David said Yahweh responded to him, craning His neck, stretching it toward his cry and lifting him out of the “pit of destruction... the miry clay” (verse 2). David was deeply moved by God’s heart toward him, and spoke of Abba’s strong love: “How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts towards us; there is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.” (Psalm 40:4-5) “Too numerous to count” is the phrase David used to describe Abba’s thoughts toward us. He loves us, and as we turn aside to Him, He turns aside to us. The resulting face-to-face encounter is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Don’t allow a feverish pace and the clamorous noise of life to rob you. Slow down and listen to Abba. Then, talk to Him. He’s listening to you, as well. Pray with me: Thank you, Father, for ever-listening to every utterance from the hearts of Your kids. From Your throne of glory, You incline Your ears to hear our voices and give attention to our prayers. How amazing this is! Let the sounds You hear from us bring You pleasure. And Father, we want to hear Your voice speaking to us. We stretch our hearts toward You - listening - giving attention to Your every word. Draw us to the hidden treasures found in the pages of Your Book - wisdom, knowledge, life, and health. Your Word is our daily bread. We don’t want to be casual listeners, but those who still our hearts to hear, giving our attention to and ascribing worth to Your words. May we pause frequently, as sheep who faithfully listen for the sound of their Shepherd’s voice, following Him always. Our decree: We declare our allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ, and we will always remain attentive to His voice and His Word. ************************* Today’s post was taken from my book The Pleasure of His Company, published by Baker Books. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-6-2025 November 6, 2025 Revival and Reformation, Part 5 Introduction Thanks to those of you who voted Tuesday, who prayed regarding the elections, and a special thanks to those who worked to support righteous efforts and candidates. Many of you responded to our appeal to partner with My Faith Votes. No righteous effort is ever a waste of time, even when it doesn’t produce the outcome we desired. I’ll probably say more about Tuesday’s election results in the coming days. (I didn’t comment on them at all in yesterday’s post because the 15s must be written and recorded the day before their release. Thus yesterday’s was prepared on Election Day.) My only purpose for commenting on the results briefly in today’s post is to encourage you. This was not a referendum on President Trump and the changes being made in America. Most, if not all, of the losses by conservatives were in very liberal states. In no way were they upsets; the upsets would have been had they won. We are making progress in the turning of this nation and will continue to do so. My hope for our salvation as a nation is not in elections or a political party, as critical as government is. Spiritual breakthroughs are what enable righteous leaders to accomplish their roles in restoring a nation. A Third Great Awakening will save America, not the Republican Party. Keep your faith focused heavenward, and continue to pray according to God’s promises. America shall be saved! This is good timing for Part 5 of the posts on revival and reformation. Today’s post deals with the devastating outcome of fulfilling the Great Commission found in the gospel of Mark (preaching the gospel and restoring people to God’s family), without accomplishing Matthew’s commission of discipling nations. For the sake of time, I will not read the review today. I am including it in the written version of the post, however, for those who would like to refresh their memory. In Review We have been looking at the concepts of revival and reformation, and the fact that they are linked to Yahweh’s assignments to Adam and Eve - and therefore all of us. Today’s post is the fifth teaching in this series (Part 1 [entitled: In The Beginning…], Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4). Each post builds on the next, so if you haven’t listened to or read the first four, please consider doing so. In Genesis 1:26-28, Adam and Eve were told to: 1) multiply His family, and 2) govern/manage His earth. Christ re-commissioned the church to these assignments in Mark 16:15-20 and Matthew 28:18-20. In Mark’s gospel, He told us to “preach the gospel” in order to see people saved, i.e., multiply His family. When this happens with great momentum and a large number of people coming to Christ, we refer to it as revival. In Matthew’s commission, Christ instructed us to teach His commandments in order to disciple nations—that is, to steward/manage/govern the earth. When this occurs on a broad scale, we call it reformation. We have analyzed the differences involved in these assignments. And Now for Today The Charismatic and Jesus People movements of the late 1960s through the early 80s saw millions of people in America and tens of millions around the world come to Christ. It was a wonderful example of Christ’s commission in Mark 16:15-20 occurring with great momentum, truly a significant revival. However, there was a deficient understanding of our calling to fulfill His commission of discipling nations in Matthew 28:18-20. For the most part, the minimal awareness of discipling that existed was limited to discipling individuals who came to Christ, rather than also discipling nations, societies, and cultures. Discipling nations involves teaching, modeling, and implementing God’s ways in all spheres of society, including family, religion, government, business, education, arts/entertainment, and media. It is NOT dictating or forcing God’s laws upon people and nations, as we are accused of by some who misrepresent our words, but rather teaching and modeling His ways and principles in every sector of society. Salvation, the new birth, opens the human heart and will to being discipled, which is why revival must occur first. When a person is born again, Holy Spirit writes God’s laws in their heart (Hebrews 8:10), making them hungry for His Word and truth. Also, their conscience becomes alive, active, and desirous of pleasing God (Hebrews 9:14). When a nation experiences significant revival, the portion of the populace affected by it does not have to be forced to obey God’s laws and walk in His ways; they desire to do His will, obeying Him (Psalm 40:8). New believers must be taught these ways, however - retrained - as must their children. If this training and discipling do not occur, satan attempts - and often succeeds - in counteracting a revival by infusing wrong thinking, ideas, and philosophies, etc., into the culture. As we stated, during the Jesus People/Charismatic movements of the ‘70s, Christians concerned themselves only with Mark 16. In an incredibly oxymoronic turn of events, while millions of people were coming to Christ, humanists, secularists, and atheists were busy doing their version of Matthew 28. We saved individuals; they discipled a nation. We preached the gospel; unbelievers taught dogmas and doctrines. We went to church once a week; they indoctrinated us in our schools and universities five days a week. We enjoyed our new, small niche of Christian TV; they made hundreds of movies and programs, increasing their hold on the industry. We sang and worshipped at church; they took over the airwaves and discipled a generation 24/7 with their music. We created a few radio and TV stations; they captured technology, developed social media, and dominated the communication platforms. The results: America experienced one of the greatest revivals in history…AND LOST THE NEXT GENERATION TO DEMONIC INFLUENCE! This is almost incomprehensible! The irony is beyond belief, the tragedy beyond words. But it happened. Adding to the devastation, the generation discipled by humanists, secularists, and atheists has been in charge of our nation for years - governing, teaching, entertaining, etc. AND, they have been grooming the next generation, our kids. Sadly, today, social media and the entertainment industry have a far greater influence on the minds of our children than parents. This is the fruit of revival (Mark 16) without reformation (Matthew 28). And it’s how you lose a nation. Had the church obeyed the commission of Matthew 28:18-20, we would not have lost 60 million babies to abortion. Our children would not be confused as to their gender, some going so far as to mutilate their bodies. And marriage would still be a sacred covenant between one man and one woman as the law of the land. Had we obeyed this commission, we would not have an anti-law enforcement movement, cities burning, thousands of criminals roaming our streets, socialists in high positions of government, antichrist religions ruling entire regions of America, and an element of our nation calling for the eradication of Jews. We would not have 42 million Americans on food stamps, and millions of Americans who can’t read, write, or do basic math. We would not have had a senile president controlled by a shadow government, and 20 million illegals in our nation, many of whom are supported with our taxpayer dollars. America would not be $37 trillion in debt. We would not have a lukewarm church, half of whom don’t believe in a literal Holy Spirit, the virgin birth, or the inerrancy of the Word of God. We must not make this mistake again. There is another powerful outpouring of Holy Spirit beginning that will produce an even greater revival than the charismatic and Jesus People movements. In this outpouring, the body of Christ, His Ekklesia, must accomplish both commissions. If we do so, it will reverse these failures and produce the greatest transformation of nations in earth’s history. Pray with me: Father, You created Your family in Genesis 1, assigning them the responsibility of multiplying the family, and commissioning them to manage their home, planet earth. Although this was temporarily stalled, Your plan has been revived. Jesus restored it, and said He would build an Ekklesia, a governing family, the gates/government of hell would not be able to overcome. Then He recommissioned them to multiply Your family and steward the earth for You. We embrace these commissions! We see this two-fold plan of Christ’s gaining momentum. His bride is growing in numbers, and the Ekklesia’s revelation of its authority is also growing. Release another wind that increases this growth even more. Cause the greatest season of revival and reformation in earth’s history to occur - Mark 16 and Matthew 28 simultaneously. Release the greatest wind of evangelism the world has ever experienced, and fully reveal Christ among the nations. Encourage Your people, Father, after Tuesday’s election results. Allow no “hope deferred” to overtake them, especially the intercessors (Proverbs 13:12). Help them to remain anchored in their faith and to focus on Christ as the Author and Finisher of this faith (Hebrews 12:2). We will not grow weary or lose heart - we will persevere (Galatians 6:9). We love You, Father, and pray these things in the name of Your glorious Son, Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the two Great Commissions of Christ WILL be fulfilled by His family and co-laborers, the church. **************************** Previous posts in this series: In the Beginning… Revival and Reformation, Part 2 Revival and Reformation, Part 3 Revival and Reformation, Part 4 Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-5-2025 November 5, 2025 Revival and Reformation, Part 4 In Review We have been looking at the concepts of revival and reformation, and the fact that they are linked to Yahweh’s assignments to Adam and Eve–and therefore all of us. Each post builds on the next, so if you haven’t listened to or read the first three, please consider doing so. In Genesis 1:26-28, Adam and Eve were told to: 1) multiply His family, and 2) govern/manage His earth. Christ re-commissioned the church to these assignments in Mark 16:15-20 and Matthew 28:18-20. In Mark’s gospel, He told us to “preach the gospel” in order to see people saved, i.e., multiply His family. When this happens with great momentum and a large number of people coming to Christ, we refer to it as a revival. In Matthew’s commission, Christ instructed us to teach His commandments in order to disciple nations–that is, steward/manage/govern the earth. When this occurs on a broad scale, we call it reformation. The fact that we did not focus on BOTH commissions in the charismatic/Jesus People movements caused us to lose much of the fruit and was devastating to America’s well-being. I’ll discuss this in tomorrow’s post. Yesterday, I pointed out some of the differences in our goals regarding revival (Mark 16) and reformation (Matthew 28). I want to make several more comparisons between the two today, looking at their differences regarding messages and activities. Messages It stands to reason that with different goals regarding revival (Mark 16) and reformation (Matthew 28), the messages would also be different; they are, as is the method of delivery. In Mark 16, Jesus told us to “preach the gospel,” which is the good news of Christ’s redemption; in Matthew 28, He told us to “teach” what He “commanded.” The difference between preaching and teaching is more than style and volume. The New Testament word for preaching means to announce or proclaim a message, whereas teaching means to explain, expound, instruct, etc. We announce the good news of Christ’s saving work; we teach His ways, precepts, desires, and the principles of His Kingdom. (Obviously, Mark’s commission must occur before Matthew’s can be accomplished. Only those who have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, desiring to obey Him, can be taught and discipled according to His ways. Without this change of heart, they could only be coerced and forced, which is never God’s plan.) In revival, we emphasize the provision of Christ–His Cross, mercy, and grace; in reformation, we teach the principles of Christ–His Word, justice, righteousness, and truth. When we enter God’s family, the result of Mark 16, the emphasis is on our inheritance and rights as joint heirs with Christ; as we are discipled and mature, the result of Matthew 28, the focus expands to our assignment from Christ and our responsibility as citizens of His Kingdom. As a person matures, naturally speaking, she or he should take on more personal responsibility and require less from others. They should serve more, be served less. Otherwise, they become narcissistic, believing life is all about their needs and desires. The same is true spiritually. As we grow in Christ, our focus should become more and more on serving the needs of others, and on the cause of Christ. The American church is filled with narcissistic believers who have been taught that the goal of a church service should be to meet their needs and satisfy their desires. Never having been taught otherwise, everything revolves around them: the worship, the sermon, the fellowship–it’s all for them. It rarely crosses their minds to ask, “Where/how can I serve?” What does God need and want from me today? I don’t mean to criticize those in the pews; these believers are simply living what they have been taught. Activities And lastly, the church’s activities are different when accomplishing Christ’s two commissions. In the family mandate of Mark’s gospel, we serve the needs of people: feeding, protecting, and nurturing our spiritual family; in Matthew’s, mandate, we serve the purposes of God, ministering our gift, sacrificing, accepting risk, laying down our lives for His cause. To fulfill Mark’s commission, we gather to worship, be fed, filled, and empowered; we receive. To accomplish Matthew’s, we also gather, but to become trained, commissioned, and sent; we represent. In revival (Mark 16), we release the power of Holy Spirit for signs, wonders, and miracles - performing the works of God; in reformation (Matthew 28), we speak and teach truth, doctrine, wisdom, and revelation in order to transform minds, the culture, government, laws and systems, aligning them with the ways of God. As God’s family (Mark 16), our prayers are priestly–petitions, requests, and intercession offered heavenward; as the Ekklesia (Matthew 28), our prayers are kingly - decrees and declarations released earthward from our position with Christ. To accomplish Mark 16, multiplying and nurturing God’s family, Christ’s ministry gifts of pastor, evangelist, and teacher are most active; to function as the Ekklesia (Matthew 28), producing the transformation and reformation of nations, Christ’s ministry gifts of apostle, prophet, and teacher are most needed. In the Charismatic/Jesus People movements, the church failed to accomplish Matthew’s commission. We did not adequately disciple converts to Christ, and we most certainly did not disciple nations. Tomorrow we will examine the tragic results. Pray with me: Father, we have been entrusted with preaching “the glorious gospel” of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 1:11). You trust us to announce the good news of Christ’s provision and blessings. You want Your family - and those not yet in the family - to know the gifts and inheritance You made available through Jesus. In the growing revival, cause an increase in the anointings required to announce these blessings with clarity and power. Increase the strength and scope of this revival. And as we harvest these new family members, enable the church to properly mature them into givers, not just takers. May every convert become a responsible citizen of Your Kingdom, employing the gifts You placed within them for heaven’s great cause. Raise up powerful reformers in all of the mountains of culture: family, religion, government, business, education, arts/entertainment, and media. Give them wise and brilliant strategies with which to transform. As You did for Daniel and his colleagues, make them wiser than those who do not know You (Daniel 1:20). Send the greatest revival and reformations the world has ever seen or experienced. All of this we ask in Yeshua’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that anointed revivalists and wise, skilled reformers are arising throughout the earth. **************************** Previous posts in this series: In the Beginning… Revival and Reformation, Part 2 Revival and Reformation, Part 3 Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-4-2025 November 4, 2025 Revival and Reformation, Part 3 We have been looking at the concepts of revival and reformation, and the fact that they are linked to Yahweh’s assignments to Adam and Eve - and therefore all of us (Part 1 [entitled: In The Beginning…] and Part 2). Each post builds on the next, so if you haven’t listened to or read the first two, please consider doing so. In Genesis 1:26-28, Adam and Eve were told to 1) multiply His family, and 2) govern/manage His earth. Christ re-commissioned the church to these assignments in Mark 16:15-20 and Matthew 28:18-20. In Mark’s gospel, He told us to “preach the gospel” in order to see people saved, i.e., multiply His family. When this happens with great momentum and large numbers of people coming to Christ, we refer to it as revival. In Matthew’s commission, Christ instructed us to teach His commandments in order to disciple nations - that is, steward/manage/govern the earth. When this occurs on a broad scale, we call it reformation. The fact that we did not focus on BOTH commissions in the charismatic/Jesus People movements caused us to lose much of the fruit and was devastating to America’s well-being. I’ll discuss this in Thursday’s post. In yesterday’s post, I listed a few comparisons between revival (Mark 16) and reformation (Matthew 28) to help us understand the differences. I want to give several more today and tomorrow, breaking down the differences into three categories: our goals, our messages, and our activities. Today, we’ll look at the differences regarding the goals: The goals of Mark’s and Matthew’s commissions are different: The goal of Mark’s commission is to impact and save people, individuals; the goal of Matthew’s is to impact and save cities and nations. Mark’s goal is to birth spiritual children; Matthew’s goal is to mature, train them as citizens of God’s Kingdom, and commission them as Kingdom soldiers, ambassadors, and legislators. Through Mark’s commission, people receive God’s life and nature; through Matthew’s commission, they are trained to release His life and nature. The fulfillment of Mark’s commission brings wholeness to and shapes individuals; the fulfillment of Matthew’s brings wholeness to and shapes cultures, societies, and nations. Mark’s commission is intended to deliver people from demons and sin; Matthew’s is designed to deliver nations from principalities and powers, philosophies, laws, unrighteous systems, humanism, racism, and more. In Mark’s commission, the fruit is internal, within believers and the body of Christ; in Matthew’s commission, the fruit is external, manifesting in societies and nations. Mark’s assignment is to transform the heart, our nature; the discipling of Matthew’s is to transform the mind, our thinking. Mark’s commission will heal individuals of brokenness, diseases, oppression, etc.; Matthew’s will heal nations of poverty, hunger, violence, and other evils. The salvation released through Mark’s message fills individuals with Holy Spirit; Matthew’s teaching is intended to fill the atmospheres, the spiritual realm of regions and nations with Holy Spirit’s presence and peace. In Mark, Holy Spirit is poured out; in Matthew, the Word and truth are taught. Mark’s is an outpouring; Matthew’s is an outworking. Through Mark’s commission, personal destinies are awakened and accomplished; through Matthew’s, national destinies are awakened and accomplished. Mark’s commission produces the family of God, the bride of Christ, worshippers; Matthew’s commission produces the Ekklesia, ambassadors and warriors of Christ. The fact that many in the church have not fully understood what each of Christ’s commissions was meant to accomplish has greatly hindered our mission. A mission must be clearly defined in order to be fully accomplished. There must be a target to hit, a mark to press toward. Tomorrow, we will define this more, looking at the messages associated with each commission, as well as the different activities. We’ll see when to emphasize the provision of Christ, and when to teach the principles of Christ; we’ll look at our inheritance in Christ, versus our assignment from Christ. I’m confident it will be beneficial to you. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for Your heart to redeem and save. Thank You for the power of the gospel, of the name of Jesus, and of Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your Word, which transforms, instructs, and teaches us Your ways. And we thank You for Your promise that America shall be saved and revival will impact the earth. We will partner with You in these endeavors, as Your Word instructs us. We will preach the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. We will baptize those who believe, lay hands on the sick and see them recover, and cast out demons. This will produce the revival You speak of. We will also teach Your Word, Your commandments and ways, discipling individuals and nations. We will do so with Your authority, as You instructed us in Matthew 28. This will produce the reformation You have spoken of. So, Father, we boldly and passionately ask You for the fullness of this revival and reformation. Let Your power and outpouring be such that they cannot be ignored. Awaken the church, save unbelievers, and transform nations. And all of this we ask for in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. Our decree: We declare that the greatest revival in history has begun, and this will lead to reformation throughout the world. ********************************* And please remember to vote today! It’s important that we put feet to our prayers. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.givehim15.com/post/november-3-2025 November 3, 2025 Revival and Reformation, Part 2 Last Thursday I began discussing the concepts of revival and reformation, and paused the series on Friday to honor Reformation Day. I stated last week that these two phenomena relate to Christ’s great commissions of Mark 16:15-18 and Matthew 28:18-20. I also pointed out that each of these commissions corresponds to one of the two mandates God gave humankind through Adam and Eve, in Genesis 1:26-28. The first of these assignments was to be fruitful and multiply: “Give Me more kids,” God said. The second was to steward, manage, or govern the earth. “You will represent My Kingdom’s government on this outpost of the Kingdom,” He told them. If you did not watch or read Thursday’s post, I strongly recommend that you do so. You can find it here. Both of these assignments were interrupted at the Fall. God temporarily lost 1) His family and 2) His ambassadors on the earth. Jesus, of course, was sent to recover and restore both. Regarding the first, He said in Matthew 16:18-19, “I will build My Church.” The word “build” is oikodomeo,(1) which means to build a family or household. In choosing this word, Christ was saying, “I’ve come to get the family back!” He followed this in Matthew 16 by calling this family His “church,” where the concept is mentioned and introduced for the first time in Scripture. “Church” is the word ekklesia, which means “called out from.”(2) It was not a building, worship service, or organization; at that time in history, ekklesia was not even a religious term. It referred to an assembly or group of people “called out” from the overall population in order to govern. Study.com says an ekklesia/ecclesia “played a central role in the political life of the city [Athens]. The Ecclesia had the power to nominate and elect magistrates, who were responsible for administering the city’s affairs and carrying out the decisions of the assembly. The Ecclesia also had the authority to pass laws and to decide on issues related to foreign policy, defense, and the administration of justice. “In addition to its legislative powers, the Ecclesia also participated in the judicial process in Athens. The Ecclesia members would try cases involving serious crimes, such as murder, and they could impose punishments. This made it an important institution for ensuring justice and upholding their rule of law in the city. The Ecclesia’s powers and importance varied over time, but it remained an important part of the political landscape of Athens throughout the classical period and into the Hellenistic era.”(3) By choosing this well known secular word, ekklesia, Jesus was saying, “I have come to recover My family and reestablish them as My spiritual government, My ambassadors on earth.” His other comments in this passage amplified and explained this further. Jesus said that this ekklesia would be given the keys (authority) of His Kingdom, through which they would bind and loose (lock and unlock, forbid and allow), and that the gates (government) of hell would not overpower them. (In those times, city councils often met at the gates of their cities because, in their thinking, the gates were a picture of government. Why? Gates determined what could enter the city physically, government did so legally. Jesus was clearly stating that the spiritual authority He would give His family would enable them to ambassadorially represent His Kingdom here on earth (see also 2 Corinthians 5:20), and they would not be overcome by the government of hell.) The Recommissioning After reversing the setbacks of the Fall through the Cross and reestablishing God’s two-fold plan, Jesus re-commissioned us in Mark 16:15-18 and Matthew 28:18-20. In Mark’s gospel, He told us to go and preach the good news that people could be restored to God’s family: saved, delivered, healed, and filled with Holy Spirit. In other words, He told them to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28)! When this occurs in mass, we refer to it as a revival. In Matthew 28, however, Jesus re-commissioned His Ekklesia regarding management of the earth, telling us to “disciple nations” according to His teachings. “As My Ekklesia, You have My authority. In My name, instruct and disciple nations back to the ways of My Kingdom,” He instructed us. When this occurs with groups and nations, it is a reformation. Obedience to BOTH of these mandates is absolutely essential. I will highlight the differences between them more fully in tomorrow’s post, but here are a few comparisons and differences:l of revival and reformation: Revival brings people into God’s family; Reformation teaches them His ways. Revival births them spiritually; Reformation trains them practically. Revival transforms the human heart (our nature); Reformation transforms the human mind (our thinking). Revival’s fruit is internal, produced within us; Reformation’s fruit is external, released from us. Revival is accomplished through “preaching” (Mark 16:15); Reformation takes place through “teaching” (Matthew 28:20). Revival creates converts; Reformation creates disciples. Revival restores God’s life to individuals; Reformation restores understanding of His laws, principles, and ways to cities and nations. Revival produces God’s bride, family, and worshippers; Reformation produces God’s Ekklesia, those who represent His Kingdom authority and rule. In most revivals, believers have thought primarily of getting people saved/born again, ready for heaven (Mark 16). This, of course, is essential and must be the starting point - birthing obviously precedes training. But if Matthew 28, the reforming and discipling of individuals and nations, doesn’t occur, the long-term fruit will be minimal…and can even be lost! Pray with me: Father, You have said that revival and reformation have begun. As Your voices on earth we declare that: all nations will experience outpourings of Holy Spirit. As the waters cover the sea, so shall God’s glory cover the earth. Even as sin abounds, grace and glory will abound more! The Spirit of deliverance will deliver many this year. Entire regions will be delivered and see the light of the gospel. Strongholds will melt under God’s fiery wrath. Youth will see His light and become volunteers in this day of His power. They will run with endurance, war with strength, speak with prophetic insight, and build with apostolic depth. They will evangelize millions and reform nations. They will wear their passion on their sleeve, manifesting love for God everywhere they go. They will be the Amos 9:13 generation: plowmen will overtake reapers. They will run with fathers and mothers, demonstrate humility, and walk in the fear of the Lord. They will heal the sick, open blind eyes, see extraordinary miracles, set oppressed people free, and raise the dead. They will be fearless, bold, more than conquerors, and not for sale. We declare these things by the inspiration of Holy Spirit and in the authority of Christ! Amen. And Father, we pray for those who are being impacted by the government shutdown. We know many are not being paid; others aren’t receiving the assistance they need. Please help them get through this situation. Give food banks the needed resources to provide additional meals. Please move upon enough Senators to vote for the reopening. And we ask that You use this closing to further expose the willingness of many in our government to prioritize power and politics over American citizens. All of this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that we will experience the rain of revival and the reformation of nations in this season of time. ***************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ------------------------------------------------ James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. nos. 3618 and 3624. Ibid., ref. no. 1577. https://study.com/academy/lesson/ecclesia-ancient-greece-history-facts.html

https://www.givehim15.com/post/october-31-2025 October 31, 2025 Reformation Day Today’s post is in some ways a pause in the teaching I began yesterday on awakening and reformation; it is, however, most certainly related. Today’s date is significant. While many celebrate Halloween, others like myself will be celebrating a far more important day in history, Reformation Day. Many believers give it little or no thought, most actually do not even know of its existence, but it is a monumental day in world history. The Great Reformation was a major 16th‑century movement that transformed Western Christendom, politics, and society. It began in 1517, traditionally marked by Martin Luther’s Ninety‑Five Theses, and unfolded through a mix of religious critique, doctrinal debate, political change, and cultural upheaval that reshaped the Christian church in Europe and beyond. It is often referred to as the Protestant reformation. The Cause God caused the Great Reformation, but there were several natural causes that He used. Leading into the 16th century, many Christians criticized the sale of indulgences—claims that one could reduce punishment for sins by monetary payment. This practice, along with other perceived abuses in monastic and papal authority, sparked widespread dissatisfaction. Leaders of the Renaissance emphasized returning to original sources. Scholars urged reform based on a more direct study of Scripture and the Church Fathers, challenging medieval scholastic methods and some papal traditions. The church’s wealth and temporal power created resentment among some nations and cities, fueling the desire for greater independence from papal control. The invention of the printing press facilitated rapid dissemination of these reformist ideas, while rising nationalism encouraged rulers to curb papal influence. Then along came Martin Luther and his theses in Germany. A monk and theology professor, Luther argued that salvation came through faith alone and that Scripture alone should be the ultimate authority, not papal decrees. He also contended that the Bible should be translated into vernacular languages, making it accessible to common believers. Reformers like Luther questioned the number and administration of sacraments, the role of tradition, and the authority of the Pope. Different reforming groups developed their own doctrinal positions. Translations of the Bible into German, English, and other languages empowered laypeople to read and interpret Scripture, diminishing the monopoly of clergy over doctrine. The Reformation led to the creation of numerous Protestant denominations. It also stimulated literacy, education, and literacy campaigns as people sought to read the Bible. And it influenced art, music, philosophy, and science, contributing to a broader shift in European civilization. Ligonier.org says of Martin Luther’s nailing of his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door on October 31, 1517: “…This law student turned Augustinian monk became the center of a great controversy after his theses were copied and distributed throughout Europe. Initially protesting the pope’s attempt to sell salvation, Luther’s study of Scripture soon led him to oppose the church of Rome on issues including the primacy of the Bible over church tradition and the means by which we are found righteous in the sight of God. “Luther recaptured the biblical view of the priesthood of all believers, showing all people that their work had purpose and dignity because in it they can serve their Creator.(1) GotQuestions.org says, “The impact of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation has been enormous on global Christianity. In contrast to the extra-biblical traditions and works-based practices of Roman Catholicism, Luther called the Church back to the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Luther believed the Word of God was the supreme authority for the Christian faith, rather than tradition or papal decrees. In the process of bringing the Scriptures to the common person, Luther translated the Bible into German, published numerous books and sermons of biblical teachings, and composed numerous hymns based on biblical themes. Many of his hymns are still sung today.”(2) The Impact It would be impossible to overstate the impact of the Great Reformation, not only on Christianity, but the entire world. The revelation of the priesthood of all believers meant that we no longer had to connect with God through another person, other than our High Priest, Jesus Christ. He is our only go-between. Rediscovering salvation by grace through faith meant that we no longer had to work our way to heaven, conforming to religious systems and the traditions of men. These revelations freed us to have a personal relationship with God as our Father, and allowed us to draw near with full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22). Our prayers could now be offered “boldly” to Father God (Hebrews 4:16; Matthew 6:9). We could worship Him in spirit and truth, knowing that He was actually seeking such worshippers (John 4:23), and we could read the scriptures for ourselves, feeding on them as our daily bread (Matthew 4:4; 6:11). The Great Reformation unlocked the door of revelation to believers, allowing us to hear from Holy Spirit personally (Ephesians 1:17-18). We now know we can be led directionally by Holy Spirit, not a human go-between (Romans 8:14). Our once fallen souls can now connect to the One we were made to know and love (Song of Songs 3:1-2). We will jump back into the teaching on revival and reformation on Monday. Take some time today and celebrate these blessings, then ask God to reform our nation through another great revival of historic proportions. And ask Him to spread this great awakening to the entire earth. Let’s ask for this now. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for Jesus, our great High Priest. We come directly to You today through Him alone, approaching Your throne of grace boldly. Thank You for His mediation and advocacy, and for restoring us to Your family. As Your sons and daughters, entrusted with Christ’s authority, we partake now of His priestly ministry of intercession, asking on behalf of others. Send revival to our land. Deliver, save, and draw many to You in this season, showing them Your heart and nature, enabling them to find the fulfillment that can only come from You. Deliver them from lying teachings and philosophies of men, from deceptions regarding who they really are and what they were made to be. Bring an explosion of truth in our homes, schools, and institutions, freeing people from addictions, perversions, wounds, and all that controls them. And we ask for this in other nations as well. Open the eyes of the masses who worship other gods and follow teachings that do not lead to You. Send the light of revelation You spoke of in Isaiah and elsewhere. Break the power of principalities over regions, ending the control of these spirits. Release great revival. Spare millions of innocent lives from the destruction that the kingdom of darkness desires to bring. We ask all of these things in the name of Yeshua. Amen. Our decree: We declare that Jesus is our Savior, High Priest, and King. He has bestowed upon us His priestly and kingly role, and we will walk in the fullness of this calling. **************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------- 1.) https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-reformation-day-all-about 2.) https://www.gotquestions.org/Reformation-Day.html

https://www.givehim15.com/post/october-30-2025 October 30, 2025 In The Beginning . . . The Charismatic and Jesus People Movements occurred simultaneously. I have always considered them as two parts of one revival. Recently, I have been sharing a few posts highlighting some of the weaknesses of these movements to help us avoid the same mistakes in the coming revival. Today, I’m going to begin discussing another mistake we made. This weakness involved short-term thinking, and was caused by poor theology. It will take me two or three posts to cover this subject; I am going to take my time because I consider the teaching to be critically important. Just before He left for heaven, Jesus gave two commissions to His church: “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name, they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’” (Mark 16:15-18 NASB) “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”’ (Matthew 28:18-20 NASB) The “Great Commission” in Mark 16 is the restoration of people back to God’s family–salvation. The “Great Commission” of Matthew 28 is the restoration of a people’s thinking back to the ways of God–discipleship. The first (Mark 16) changes people’s nature—who they are—transforming their spirit. The latter (Matthew 28) changes people’s thoughts and actions–how they live–transforming their soul (mind, emotions, and will). God not only wants kids; He wants them to become mature sons and daughters who know His ways and think His thoughts, enabling them to represent Him. When Mark’s commission occurs in mass, resulting in the salvation of many people, we call this a revival; when Matthew’s commission occurs in mass, resulting in societal change—government, laws, morals, education, culture, etc.—we call it a reformation. In the Charismatic/Jesus People revivals, we worked toward Mark 16; the Matthew 28 commission, not so much. I will cover the result of this later. But first, let’s make sure we understand these commissions. These two commissions will never be fully understood without a clear grasp of Genesis 1, for they are actually recommissions of what took place then. Jesus came to restore–restart, rebirth, revive, redeem, recover, reform, refill, and recommission. It is only logical, therefore, that we must go back to the beginning in order to understand what he is RE-storing and RE-commissioning us to. In The Beginning. . . In the first chapter of Genesis, God worked on a planet in His universal kingdom: Earth. It would become home for the family He was soon to create. For five days, He transformed this home. I love the glimpses of His heart as He progressed. After each day’s work, God said the progress was “good.” Why would He say this? The Lord certainly wasn’t bragging, patting Himself on the back for a job well done. Nor was He surprised–“Wow, this is turning out really well.” No, Yahweh was expressing His pleasure—His satisfaction with what was occurring—just as an expectant mom and dad might when preparing their nursery. Abba’s pleasure increased to its highest level, however, on the sixth day after creating His human family. In His sixth pronouncement that what He had created was good, the Architect added a word: “This is very good” (Genesis 1:31). His plan was coming together, and like a proud parent standing over a newborn baby, Papa God was savoring the moment. The Creator made this family in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). The Hebrew word for ‘image’ is tselem, which involves the concept of a shadow, a phantom, or an illusion.(1) An illusion is something you think you see, but on closer observation, discover that your eyes have tricked you. When the rest of creation saw Adam or Eve, they must have done a double-take, thinking: For a moment, I thought it was God, but it’s only Adam. The Hebrew word demuwth, translated as “likeness” in Genesis 1:26, comes from the root word damah, meaning “to compare.”(2) Adam and Eve, at creation, were very much like God, filled with His life, nature, and Spirit. They were His family. He who had innumerable angels serving Him was not satisfied. God desired sons and daughters; He also wanted companions for His Son. To satisfy these desires, He created a new “species,” in His image and likeness, far different than the angels. Then came two commissions or mandates to this new family. Commission One: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28). God was saying, “Reproduce! I have placed in you the ability to multiply My image and likeness. And I want a big family!” Just let that sink in: God gave humans the ability to reproduce and multiply eternal images and likenesses of Himself! Astounding! What a privilege and what a responsibility. Then came Commission Two: “Rule over…all the earth…over every living thing that moves on the Earth” (Genesis 1:26-28). Psalm 8:6 restates the mandate, “Thou doest make him to rule over the works of thy hands, Thou hast put all things under his feet.” Each of the above passages uses a different Hebrew word for “rule” (translated as “dominion” in other versions of the Scriptures). The Genesis verses use radah,(3) Psalm 8 uses mashal.(4) Both words convey the concept of management, government, or rule. Adam and Eve were commissioned to govern or manage earth, their home, for themselves and Creator God. They did not “own” earth; they were delegated stewardship and governance for the Owner and Creator, Yahweh. Obviously, they were to do so under His headship and rule, implementing the principles of His Kingdom, not according to their own dictates. Obviously, this plan was interrupted at the fall. When Adam sinned, he lost the image, likeness, and Spirit of God; he also lost his dominion, the delegated authority to manage the earth. And God lost His family. (God did NOT lose ownership of the Earth, for He had never given that to Adam, nor did He lose HIS personal authority over the Earth; we humans lost OUR delegated authority, which had now been transferred to satan.) These two losses are what Jesus came to restore: 1) God’s family, and 2) their lost governance and stewardship of the earth. We will pick up here tomorrow, see how this all relates to the last revival, and what will change in the coming great awakening. Pray with me: Father, we know revival has begun. It is in its beginning stages here in America, though in some parts of the world, multitudes are already coming to You. Increase it here and around the world. Save a billion souls. We thank You for the increase that has come this year. Now, we ask that You unleash the full-force power of the gospel and confirm it with signs, wonders, and miracles. You have said reformation has also begun, stating that the ekklesia, the church, is prepared and ready. You said angels have been dispatched to assist us, that the impossible will occur, and the unchangeable will change. So we ask You for this. Revive and reform. Teach us what reformation looks like, so that we can partner with You at higher levels and see lasting fruit. Cause this revival to break out over the entire world. We declare the coming of Your Kingdom, and the accomplishing of Your will here and throughout the earth, as it is in heaven. Multiplied power, multiplied deliverances, multiplied salvations–bring them forth. In Yeshua’s name, amen. Our decree: We decree that we have moved into revival and reformation, and will see the great billion soul harvest. *************************** Click on the link below to watch the full video. ---------------------------------------------- Spiros Zodhiates, Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible - New American Standard (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1984; revised edition, 1990), p. 1768. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. No. 1819. Ibid., ref. no. 7287. Ibid., ref. no. 4910.