April 9, 2026

My Response Regarding the Ceasefire

Tuesday evening, President Trump agreed to a two-week cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran. Talks are slated to continue during this two-week timeframe, with the intent being to iron out terms both nations can live with, as long as Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz open. Opinions differ on whether the cease-fire will survive, and the talks will lead to peace.

Throughout the course of this war, opinions have also differed on whether or not we should have engaged militarily with Iran in the first place. Some Americans are isolationists and were adamantly opposed, some are interventionists and were strongly in favor, and others are somewhere between these two ideologies, believing that at times we must involve ourselves in military conflicts, but only when there is no other choice. 

I have stated more than once in my Give Him 15 posts that I believe this war was necessary. I certainly don’t like war, but neither do I like murderous dictators and thugs. Does this mean I believe America should involve itself in every skirmish happening around the world, or run to the rescue of every group of people being persecuted by another? No, not unless:

• The bad guys are close to obtaining a nuclear weapon.

• They have promised to use this weapon against us and our allies.

• They have proven that they are conscienceless, murderous monsters capable of heinous actions.

• They control a great portion of the world‘s oil and intend to blackmail the rest of us with this control.

There is only one way to deal with the Hitlers of the world, and that is to destroy them before they destroy others. Trump knows this and refused to “kick the can” down the road for the next president and/or generation to deal with. The world has tolerated the terrorist regime leading Iran far too long, and Trump knew it. And when it became clear that Iran was close to producing a nuclear weapon, he had the common sense and strength of will to say “No!”

He also faced other facts that previous leaders have responded to by burying their heads in the sand and simply hoping for the best. Iran and Venezuela possess and/or control much of the world’s oil. And they are aligned with China and Russia (at least Venezuela was), two nations also ruled by murderous dictators intent on ruling the world. It doesn’t take much intelligence to see the plans behind these alliances: world domination. But we finally have a leader – and military – that faced the facts and said this was NOT going to happen.

Due to Trump’s actions and an incredible military, America now controls Venezuela’s oil. Iran’s military has been decimated, although they still possess some of their missiles and drones, which also need to be destroyed. And, of course, Iran’s nuclear capabilities must be terminated. Will the cease-fire and the discussions lead to these results? Time will tell. But if Iran does not hand over all of their enriched uranium supply, our military should find and destroy it, whatever it takes. 

To those criticizing President Trump for his actions, accusing him of war crimes and of killing innocent people: if you have not screamed as loudly over the murder of 65 million babies in the womb; if you have not protested the mutilation of thousands of confused children by ideologically driven adults; if you did not weep and cry out over the 45,000 innocent Iranians tortured and murdered in the past few months by the evil regime in control there…then spare us your hypocrisy. Your rants ring hollow; your clamoring is meaningless, and your complaints are beyond hypocritical. President Trump and our military are doing the world a favor by dealing with this wicked regime. And we, as Americans, can endure some high fuel prices and a lower stock market for a short season as they do so. 

Pray for our leaders, especially our President. He is making difficult decisions that will impact the world for years. He has the guts and backbone to make tough calls, but only the wisdom of God can move us through these times successfully. Pray also for those advising him. Ask the Lord to block counsel that is not wise, allowing only His wisdom to get to the President. And pray for those in negotiations during this two-week period; ask the Lord to give them supernatural discernment and wisdom.

Pray that any evil intentions and lies from Iran’s leaders be exposed, and pray against the powers of darkness involved in this situation. The Bible speaks of “principalities and powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). We are to stand against them! Ask the Lord for the continued overthrow of the prince of Persia/Iran mentioned in Daniel 10. This spirit seeks to interrupt God’s messages, wear down His people, and thereby disrupt His timing. 

Don’t simply watch the news; make the news through your prayers! The greatest weapon we have is appealing to heaven. When we do not pray, the enemy can prevail in the earth’s situations. But the effectual, fervent prayers of the righteous still avail much (James 5:16)!

Pray with me:

Father, we trust You, Your heart, and Your wisdom. But You have entrusted much to us, as well. You actually said we sometimes have not because we ask not (James 4:2). We refuse to allow that to occur at this moment in time - we are making our appeals and know that You will answer.

Please lead President Trump, his advisors, our military leaders, and those negotiating with Iran during this season. Keep them from making wrong decisions, from receiving bad information, and from being deceived by Iranian leaders. Give them great wisdom and supernatural discernment. Please do the same for Israel in their involvement. Give our leaders the understanding needed to end the control of this evil regime. And we also ask You to end all control and influence of the prince of Persia in the Middle East. End his reign in the region once and for all. 

Cause all that takes place to produce relief and freedom for the people of Iran, and please protect innocent lives. Even more importantly, cause what occurs in the region to lead to success in the preaching of the gospel in the Middle East. Send a glorious revival! These things we ask in the name of Jesus and for His glory.

Our decree:

We declare that Jesus is Lord over the nations, and He will have His inheritance (Psalm 2:8). 

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF1L7AONCmo

April 8, 2026

Introduction

Today’s post is from our friend, Will Ostan, a retired U.S. Army Major and seasoned patriot. You might recall that Will is the soldier who introduced me to the Appeal to Heaven flag. I believe that his message today, shared from a combat veteran’s perspective, will inform and encourage you.

Christian Courage

As world events continue to escalate due to America and Israel’s just war against Iran, Russia’s illegitimate long war in Ukraine, and an aggressive China making its intentions known for eventual world domination by the end of this decade, the church has a stark choice on how it responds to these volatile times. Will we retreat? Or will we stay engaged in the culture through prevailing prayer and a resolute determination marked by Christian courage? 

In his book, Impossible People: Christian Courage and the Struggle for the Soul of Civilization, author Os Guinness(1) writes, 

“In the golden era of the Roman Empire, Pliny the Younger advised Emperor Trajan that Christians should be executed solely for their tenacity and intransigence. ‘Whatever the nature of their admission, I am convinced that their stubbornness and unshakable obstinacy ought not to go unpunished.’”(2)

Christians in the early church confronted far more dire consequences than we do today in America - including instantaneous death or dismemberment for illegally proclaiming the gospel - yet they refused to stay silent and cower in fear! Instead, they became known as “impossible people” because of their courageous stand marked by what the world called “unshakable obstinacy.” We would be wise to draw inspiration from their strength for our current cultural moment!

Guinness accurately describes the typical mindset in some segments of today’s American populace by stating, 

“Christians throughout the West often appear to be on the back foot. They have been told repeatedly that their prospects are hopeless. In a thousand withering dismissals, we have heard that we are fighting a losing battle and the game is already over. Christians are ‘yesterday’s faith,’ our day is done, our disagreements with others are a matter of bigotry, and we are reactionaries and on the ‘wrong side of history.’”(3) 

We are constantly fed these lies by the world and sadly, sometimes even by leaders in the church. For years, countless books, articles, and speeches have stated that a “post-Christian” America is a fait accompli, and her eventual doom is imminent. 

How did some in the church come to believe these lies? In my opinion, one of the main reasons is that we’ve had far too many preachers who promote either hopeless, defeatist theologies or comfort-driven lives of ease and self-aggrandizement. But instead of being lulled into complacency by these false messages, we are in desperate need of hearing a roar from the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, reawakening us to our holy calling as courageous Christians – those who will gladly stand resolutely for the glorious cause of Christ in the face of cultural decay. 

To put it more succinctly, Guinness teaches us that, 

“As salt and light in today’s extraordinary world, our contribution is indispensable. We are not simply guardians of some of the best of the past, but pioneers whose task is to stand against the world for the future of the world – and for the very sake of humanity.”(4)

This truth is echoed in eternity past by the Bible’s “Hall of Faith” heroes whose lives compel us to continued engagement by their incredible exploits. Allow these words from Hebrews 11:32-34 and 12:1-2 to permeate deep into your soul: 

“And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets – who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight…Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”(5) 

Overcoming evil by exhibiting Christian courage is not just in our historical spiritual DNA; it is our destiny and duty. Winston Churchill, a man whose leadership helped save what he called “Christian Civilization” from annihilation in the 20th century, may have put it best when he proclaimed the following to all freedom-loving people, 

“When great causes are on the move in the world…we learn that we are spirits and not animals, and that something is going on in space and time, which, whether we like it or not, spells ‘duty.’”(6)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, a worldwide crisis is actually the greatest time to be alive, as we follow in the footsteps of the mighty men and women of the past who did their duty as courageous Christians!

John chapters 14-16 record Jesus’ exhortation to His disciples before He was betrayed and arrested. These were His final instructions to the men who were about to change the world in His name. He concludes by saying, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”(7)

Today, I am calling upon my fellow Christians to respond courageously in the face of global uncertainty. In the midst of tribulation, we have a duty to set our hearts and minds on Christ, be continually filled with His peace, and then overcome the world through the quality of our lives and the fervency of our prayers. It is our great responsibility and calling to carry our nation and the nations of the world in intercession before the throne of heaven.  

Pray with me:

Father, we join with the prayers of Your people across the globe. Give us renewed strength to act courageously in the face of so much uncertainty in the world. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit so we will resist the temptation to shrink back as the nations rage around us. Remind us who we are in Christ, and of the lineage of faith-filled heroes in our family tree. Embolden Your church to be courageous, manifesting our spiritual DNA as courageous overcomers. 

Father, we acknowledge that the course laid out before us hasn’t changed, though the conditions have become uncomfortable. Therefore, fill us with a spirit of boldness as we set our faces toward the mark and run our race with endurance for the sake of humanity. Empower us to make this the church's finest hour!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that the church is rising up in fervent prayer to stand for Christ in our troubled world, for the future of the world!

Bio:

William J. Ostan is a medically retired U.S. Army Major and combat veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the Founder and President of Arc of Justice, a nonprofit organization that advocates for wounded warriors still on active duty. Will is currently spearheading the Wounded Warrior Bill of Rights in Congress. I invite you to find out more about his story at WillOstan.com and ArcofJusticeUSA.org.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CTgjq13XbY

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End Notes:

1. This post draws heavily from insights gleaned from Os Guinness’ books. In my opinion, he is one of the most important public intellectuals for the church today. He is extremely intelligent, humble, and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I’ve found this to be a rare trifecta. Os still has a paradigm for the possibility of nationwide reformation through another Great Awakening. I highly recommend all his books, but especially Renaissance, Last Call for Liberty, The Magna Carta of Humanity, and Impossible People.

2. Os Guinness, Impossible People: Christian Courage and the Struggle for the Soul of Civilization (Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2016), 30. Quoting Robert Louis Wilken, The Christians as the Romans Saw Them (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1983), 23.

3. Guinness, Impossible People, 26.

4. Ibid., 27.

5. ESV. 

6. Guinness, Impossible People, Quote Section. 

7. John 16:33, ESV.

April 7, 2026

Peace in the Turmoil

As we come nearer to the projected end of the military campaign in Iran, it is imperative that we pray for wise decisions to be made by the President and his military leaders. The evil regime in Iran has been a cancer to the people of Iran, the Middle East, and other portions of the world. Allowing the leading sponsor of terrorism throughout the world - with stated objectives of annihilating the U.S. and Israel - to possess nuclear weapons would have been insane, if not suicidal. 

Many of our previous Presidents have stated that this must not happen, but kicked the can down the road to the next commander-in-chief, while the evil regime kept inching ever closer. President Trump decided to take action and do so in a way that keeps them from rebuilding their nuclear and terrorist ambitions anytime soon. And if regime change occurs in the process, great. 

Our military, along with Israel’s, has achieved great success in the endeavor, while trying to leave intact as much infrastructure as possible for future Iranians. Two considerations are now critical in the decision-making process: 

1. The Strait of Hormuz is now a complicating factor. How far do we go to eliminate Iran’s control over it, choking off oil flow to many nations, since our annihilation of Iran’s military has been largely accomplished? Trump doesn’t want to get bogged down long term, and he wants other nations - especially those that need the oil - to step up and help deal with this evil regime. At this point, many of them are saying no, signaling that they want Americans to continue footing the bill to protect the world, as we have been doing since WWII. 

2. Secondly, how far do we go to take out the evil regime, positioning the Iranian people to rise up and establish a sane government? The stated goals were to destroy Iran’s Air Force, Navy, missile, and nuclear capabilities, with the hope that this would also cause regime change. Most of this has been accomplished - Iran obviously still has some missiles and launchers - but how much more should we do beyond simply finishing off the military? How far should we go to destroy the evil, murderous regime itself? 

In essence, these two questions - and others I may not be considering - essentially translate to: How do we finish this war? President Trump and his team will need to make very wise decisions in the coming days. These decisions will impact not only the lives of millions of people, but the spiritual harvest in the Middle East! We can help generate the right decisions through our prayers. We can!

Resurrection Day

On the heels of Resurrection Day and in a tumultuous world,  I thought I would share with you an encouraging event that occurred on the actual day Christ rose from the dead. Two of His followers had a revelatory encounter with Him. To say that their world had recently turned topsy-turvy would be a gross understatement. To have discovered, lived with, and traveled with Jesus for three years, only to lose Him to death on the Cross would be life’s cruelest injustice.

These two men were informed earlier in the day that Christ had risen from the dead. But, really, who would believe two grief-stricken ladies claiming to have been visited by angels (Luke 24:1-12)? As these men walked the seven-mile journey to Emmaus, they discussed this too-good-to-be-true report and all that had transpired over the past few days. 

That’s when He arrived. “And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus himself approached, and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him” (Luke 24:15-16).

“What are you discussing?” He wanted to know. They gave Jesus a brief summary, expressing their surprise that He would even have to ask. “What else would we be discussing?” was the inference. It seems everyone in Jerusalem could think of little else than what had transpired with Christ the last few days, since so many of them had thought He might be the long-awaited Messiah. They spoke to Him of their devastation and also of the rumor that He had risen from the dead.

Jesus, His identity still hidden from them, “explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (v. 27), including the fact that He had to suffer and die. Though they still didn’t know it was Jesus, His words began impacting their hearts. “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us... explaining the Scriptures to us?” they stated (v. 32).

When they reached their destination, the men pleaded with Jesus to stay longer with them, perhaps spend the night. The Lord agreed to do so, and during dinner, “He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him” (vv. 30-31). He disappeared from their sight at that moment, and they hurried back the seven miles to Jerusalem with the good news: Christ was risen, indeed.

I find it more than a coincidence that Jesus chose to temporarily hide from these men who He was, waiting to release the revelation “in the breaking of the bread” (v. 35). Was the timing His way of saying to them, “Sup with Me and I will reveal to you hidden things?” I believe so. Feed on Christ’s Word (Matthew 4:4). As you do, revelation will be given. He will reveal Himself to you along with other treasures from His Word, just as He did to these two men. 

In a troubled and tumultuous world, stay focused on the Lord, the resurrected Lord of the harvest. He brings peace in the midst of it all.

Pray with me:

Father, we thank You for answering thousands of prayers regarding saving the two U.S. servicemen whose fighterjet was recently shot down in Iran. The serviceman who hid for two days was Your son, and our prayers were joining his. We are grateful for their lives being saved.

Now, we pray for our President and military leaders, asking for Your all-knowing wisdom to flow through them at this time; their decisions impact the future of millions of people. Remind them of their need for Your guidance, and that it flows to humble hearts. Remind them also that trusting in “horses and chariots” (Psalm 20:7) - even though ours is the greatest military in history - is a recipe for failure. And remind them that “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the counsel of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).

Father, there is so much we need to hear from You. Jesus said Your words are spirit and life (John 6:63). Filled with revelation and wisdom, they give us the insights we need to succeed in life. Remind us, in these perilous times, to take the time and sup with You. As we walk with You, we know You will reveal Yourself to us. Help us all to remember that times with You are the most important in our lives.

Open our eyes, just as You did the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. We pray for one another the words of Paul found in Ephesians 1:17-20 (TPT‬‬): 

“I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know Him through your deepening intimacy with Him… I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!” ‭‭

Our decree:

We declare that our eyes are open to see You, our Savior and Lord.

Portions of today’s post were 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.youtube.com/watch?v=CsCCahkr2_8