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September 8, 2025

    Dynamic Power


    Dunamai(1) is one of the basic words for possessing power in the New Testament. Strong’s says it means “to be able or possible.” Thayer’s gives the following definitions: “to be able, have power, to be capable, strong and powerful.” The English words dynamite, dynamo, dynamic, etc., come from this Greek word. Jesus used a form of this word in Acts 1:8 when He said, “You will receive power [dunamis] after the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”


    Dunamis is also translated as miracle/s, because they are the results of God’s power (Acts 2:22, 8:13, 19:11, etc.). In 1 Corinthians 12:10, this word is used in the phrase “the working of miracles,” one of the gifts Holy Spirit gives to believers. 


    I find it interesting that the word is used referring to both God’s and satan’s power in the same verse, Acts 10:38: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power [dunamis]: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed [katadunasteuō] of the devil; for God was with Him.”


    The dunamis-power of God worked through Jesus to produce healings and good works; satan’s power oppressed people. Kata,(2) among other things means basically means “down” or “against.” When used as a prefix for dunamis/dunasteuo, as it is here, it has the connotation of working against something or someone, pressing them down. You can easily see the word “press” in “oppressed.” God lifts people with His power; satan uses his to press them down. The Passion Translation uses the word “tyranny” to translate satan’s oppressive work in this verse.


    Notice that the Lord equates healing with “good.” Sickness is evil, oppressive, and originates from the curse that came to humanity at the fall. This doesn’t mean that every sickness is caused directly by a person’s sin; it means sickness is in the world because of original sin. This is what allowed satan to bring his curses and diseases onto the earth, oppressing people. Jesus came to heal and restore us from spiritual tyranny. While here on earth, He went about doing “good” and healing all those oppressed by the devil.


    One of my favorite stories of healing in the New Testament is of the woman with continual bleeding for 12 years (Matthew 9:20). Can you imagine the physical weakness she must have felt from this constant loss of blood for 12 years? Not to mention the emotional toll it had to have taken. According to Jewish law, she was considered “unclean,” and anyone who touched her was also considered unclean (Leviticus 15:19-33). This is why the woman was “sneaking” through the crowd, trying to inconspicuously reach out and touch Christ’s garment (Mark 5:25-34). 


    The Passion Translation gives us added insight:


    “Suddenly, a woman came from behind Jesus and touched the tassel of His prayer shawl for healing. She had been suffering from continual bleeding for twelve years, but had faith that Jesus could heal her. For she kept saying to herself, ‘If I could only touch His prayer shawl, I would be healed.’ Just then, Jesus turned around and looked at her and said, ‘My daughter, be encouraged. Your faith has healed you.’ And instantly she was healed!” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:20-22; TPT)


    The margin of The Passion says, “The blue tassel on the corner of the prayer shawl was said to symbolize all commandments and promises of God. (See Numbers 15:38-40.) The Hebrew word for ‘fringe’ or ‘border’ (of a garment) can also mean ‘wing.’ Some have interpreted Malachi 4:2 (‘healing in his wings’) as a reference to the tassels of the prayer shawl.” 


    The verse in Malachi that TPT references says: “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall” (Malachi 4:2; NASB). Some teachers and scholars believe that this promise is what gave the woman faith to receive healing by touching the wings or tassels of Jesus’ prayer shawl. Wow!


    One thing is certain: when she touched the tassel of His prayer shawl, her faith pulled healing “virtue” (dunamis) from Jesus. He wasn’t made unclean; she was made clean! I find it amazing that this woman initiated the miracle, not Jesus. He did not even know it happened until it was over. “Someone just pulled virtue/power out of me!” He said (Mark 5:30). Jesus supplied the power, she supplied the faith, and 12 years of misery and shame vanished. 


    When I was a young boy, we used to sing a simple chorus that said:


    “Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by. 

    You’ll find He’s not too busy to hear your heart’s cry. 

    He’s passing by this moment, your need to supply. 

    Reach out and touch the Lord as He goes by.”(3)


    We are doing another Healing Summit this upcoming October 17 at my brother Tim’s church, the Oasis, in Middletown, Ohio (LINK). As with past summits, many healing services will be taking place simultaneously throughout the nation. We believe the Lord will be present to do good and heal those oppressed by the devil. Prepare your heart to reach out in faith and grab the “healing in His wings.” Join us in person if you can, online if you cannot come. We are believing with you for tremendous miracles to take place.


    Pray with me:


    Father, thank You for Holy Spirit. Thank You for the power He brings us to witness of You, to work for You, and to overcome in life. Thank You for the example of Jesus, who went about doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil. Today, we especially thank You for the story of the woman with the 12-year, constant flow of blood. Thank You for demonstrating through her that there is healing in Your wings, and Your willingness to respond to faith. 


    As we have in the past, we ask You today for a fresh release of signs and wonders, and of the gifts of Your Spirit associated with this. Release to many believers the gift of faith, gifts of healing, the working of miracles, and the word of knowledge. Release Your compassion and Your power.


    As we gather in Middletown on October 17, and in many places around the nation and nations, pour out the power of Holy Spirit. Heal and transform, deliver those oppressed by the devil. Free people from disease, depression, addictions, all manner of sickness and infirmity. Give us miracles. And use the coming release of signs and wonders to not only heal those in need, but to point people to Jesus and spark the revival that has begun. All of this we ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.


    Our decree:


    We declare that Jesus is still releasing His power to do good, heal the sick, and deliver those oppressed by the devil.


    You can find out more about the upcoming Healing Summit in Middletown, Ohio, at OasisWired.org. 


    Click on the link below to watch the full video.

    1. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 1410.

    2. Ibid., ref. no. 2596.

    3. https://www.godsongs.net/2016/01/reach-out-and-touch-the-lord-as-he-goes-by.html

     
     

    September 5, 2025

      Don’t Get In Over Your Head


      I don’t remember her real name, but it doesn’t matter because I just called her “Idiot.” She was stubborn, stupid, and strong. To this day, I can’t forgive her. Don’t judge me too severely—she was a horse.


      We lived in Colorado at the time, and I don’t have anyone else to blame for this weeklong test of self-control, which you can already tell I passed with flying colors. I’m embarrassed to say that the delusional idea of renting horses for that year’s elk hunt was mine. Yes, I said “renting” – I paid $300 for my misguided, romantic decision to relive the Old West on our annual attempt to “feed the family.” I had probably just watched City Slickers or some great movie about taming the frontier. Anyway, back to Idiot.


      “Do you have enough experience with horses to do this?” the man asked when dropping off the animals.


      “Sure,” I replied confidently. “All I need is for you to show me how to tie that fancy little knot with the straps that hold the saddle on. It’s been a while.” He gave a big smile, showed me how, and was on his way. What a friendly guy, I thought.


      The next morning, we had our early coffee, dressed in our warmest clothes – it was very cold – took thirty minutes to do the fancy saddle-strap-knot, and we were off for the mountain top. Idiot was nice on the way up. (She hadn’t yet acquired this meaningful name.)


      But everything changed when we returned to the horses after several hours of hunting. With my incredible knowledge of horses, I knew we couldn’t shoot from their backs; they weren’t used to it and would have reacted violently. So we tied them to some bushes and wandered off to hunt. I don’t think horses like being tied to bushes for several hours with nothing to eat or drink, because when we returned to ride them back down the hill, they were really mad.


      Idiot wouldn’t stand still so I could load my gear; therefore, that took a while. We were on such a steep slope that when standing on the downhill side, it was hard to reach up and over her back to tie things on. And she kept moving up close to the bush, keeping it on her uphill side. Oh, she knew what she was doing, all right.


      Like I said, Idiot wouldn’t be still. To make matters worse, I had already untied her because the reins were so long I couldn’t have reached far enough to untie them from her back.


      Then the worst problem became evident. From the downhill side and with my thick hunting clothes hindering my mobility, I couldn’t hike my leg high enough to reach the stirrup. I couldn’t get on, especially with her dancing around!


      And Idiot was ready to go!


      I was fighting her, trying to hold her long enough to mount up, when finally my brother, Tim, succeeded in climbing on Idiot’s co-worker. (For a few minutes, we had looked like Laurel and Hardy - or rodeo square dancers.) When Tim finally made it on, his horse decided she’d had enough and took off running for camp.


      Idiot was not about to be left behind. So there I was, hanging on to the side of a moving Idiot, trying to climb aboard from the downhill side of Hell Mountain. One hand on the stirrup, the other holding the reins; one foot hopping off the ground, the other reaching for the stirrup.


      “Stop your horse!” I yelled. “I can’t get mine to stop with yours running.”


      “She won’t stop!” Tim yelled back. “You’re on your own.”


      So Idiot and I did the mountainside do-si-do for a couple hundred yards until we finally reached a level-enough grade for me to jump on. It’s a good thing I’m as athletic as I am. In fact, if not for my amazing combination of intelligence and athleticism, I don’t think I would have survived the ordeal.


      When we finally caught up with Tim, he looked at me and said, “What an idiot.”


      “She sure is,” I said.


      He mumbled something that sounded like “not the horse.” The animals were moving so fast I couldn’t hear him, so I just agreed. We never could get them to completely slow down - they galloped all the way down the mountain!


      It was a humorous sight when we came crashing into camp. Guys started diving out of the way as equipment flew everywhere. “You idiot!” one of them shouted.


      “I know!” I yelled back.


      Nonetheless, I had the last word where Idiot was concerned. I made her stay in camp the rest of the week – wouldn’t let her go hunting with me. Tim did the same with Idiot’s sister. Each time we fed and watered them, Tim gave me a disgusted look and said, “Idiot.”


      “I know,” was always my quick response. “She sure is.”


      A few weeks later, he gave me a T-shirt with the word Idiot on the front in big letters. “Why would I want a shirt with that horse’s name on it?” I asked him.


      Tim just rolled his eyes.(1)


      I Hope You Laughed

      I have no profound point to make with this story - just thought I’d try to provide a little humor during this crazy time in which we live. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). 


      Also, Ceci and I want to thank you once again for the prayers, cards, and well-wishes. She is progressing well in her recovery. As you can imagine, the recovery is a challenging process, but she is faithful to her exercises, has had no complications, and is getting great reports.


      Pray with me:


      Father, I pray for all those reading or listening to today’s post. Cause joy to rise up within them, providing the strength Nehemiah and Ezra spoke of during the restoration of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 8:10). Just as joy sustained those workers, it will sustain us as we work to see our nation restored.


      I pray a blessing over each one – over their families, homes, businesses, churches, and all that they put their hand to. Please remove from them weariness, discouragement, hopelessness, sickness, and lack. Put a new spring in their step and a smile on their faces. I thank You for this and for all You are doing in our lives and nation. And I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.


      Our decree:


      We declare that the joy of the Lord is our strength.


      Click on the link below to watch the full video.

      1. Story taken from my book Authority in Prayer, published by Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, MN.

       
       

      September 4, 2025

        Stemming the Violence

        “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of adversity.” Ezekiel 9:9

        The out-of-control crime in many parts of our nation has become a great indicator of the spiritual decline in America. Some people seem to have become numb to just how bad it is, and others are simply in denial. The secular media actually called riots in Minnesota involving murder and burning buildings “mostly peaceful.” One hopes they have no “violent” riots. 

        Our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., had not only become very dangerous, but it was also extremely embarrassing. From violent crime to homeless encampments, our capital was a disgrace. President Trump decided to change this.

        His “historic effort to restore public safety in the nation’s capital has led to unprecedented drops in violent crime, including murders. Now, as President Trump rightly calls attention to the crime and disrepair gripping other major U.S. cities, [some politicians] seem far more upset about the offer of assistance than the crime epidemic in their own backyards.”(1) 

        Leaders in the state of Illinois, especially in the great and beautiful city of Chicago, have been especially vocal in their resistance, calling Trump’s efforts “tyranny.” Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson walk the safer streets in Chicago with their entourage of dozens of armed protectors, decrying Trump’s offer to help with the crime in their city. The hypocrisy is laughable. Just this past Labor Day weekend, seven people were killed and 49 were injured from gunfire in Chicago.(2)

        “Here are some facts on Chicago’s crime problem:

        • For 13 consecutive years, Chicago has had the most murders of any U.S. city.

        • For seven consecutive years, Chicago has had the highest murder rate among U.S. cities with more than one million people.

        • In 2024, Chicago’s murder rate per capita was three times higher than Los Angeles and nearly five times higher than New York City’s. 

        • Out of Chicago’s 147,899 reported crimes since January 1, arrests have been made in just 16.2% of them.

        • More illegal guns are recovered in Chicago than in New York City and Los Angeles combined.

        • The number of reported motor vehicle thefts last year was more than double the number in 2021.

        • Chicago has also come under scrutiny over discrepancies in its homicide data reporting.”(3)

        University of Chicago Crime Labs reports that:

        • “Black residents remain disproportionately impacted by gun violence, being 22 times more likely to be killed compared to white residents.

        • The disparity is even greater when considering geography: neighborhoods with the highest homicide rates experience approximately 68 times more homicides than those with the lowest rates.

        “Since 2010:

        • Shooting lethality—the rate at which shooting victims die from being shot—increased by 44.9%.

        • The number of high-capacity magazines recovered at shootings by the Chicago Police Department increased by over 480%.

        • The average number of shell casings recovered per shooting victim has more than doubled.”(4)

        Safe and Sound Security gives the following overview:

        • “Violent crimes in Chicago surged by 11.5%, signaling a growing public safety concern in major urban areas.

        • Despite a reduction in homicides, the rate remains 45% higher than a decade ago, underscoring persistent safety challenges.

        • The city reported a staggering 22,569 assault cases, highlighting the prevalence of violent crime in Chicago.

        • Chicago experienced a decade high in vehicle thefts, with 30,501 incidents reported, marking a significant rise in property crime.

        • The arrest rates for violent crimes have dropped to their lowest in a decade at just 10.8%, raising concerns about the effectiveness of local law enforcement.”(5)

        One can only wonder why the leaders would reject help in stopping this years-long violent crime and murder epidemic in Chicago. The only plausible explanation is that if Trump truly makes a difference there, as he did in Washington, D.C., it will make them look bad. In other words, it might hurt them politically and contribute to a loss of power. That is a nice way of saying they would rather stay in power than save lives. Which, of course, is despicable.

        Pray for the people of Chicago. So many who are negatively impacted by the violence and crime are innocent individuals. One 59-year-old lifelong resident said, “As a kid, she ‘would play outside ‘til the streetlights came on,’ but that’s impossible now. The body of her 15-year-old nephew was found burned in a dumpster in 2016, a year when homicides spiked to a decade-high.

        “‘My grandkids can’t sit outside. They can’t sit in the living room or at the kitchen table, because a bullet may come through,’ she states.”(6)

        May God show them mercy. Let’s join our Chicago friends by praying that help is on the way.

        Pray with me:

        Father, we ask You to intervene in the rampant crime traumatizing our inner cities. Our hearts break when we see the needless death and destruction. So many are trapped in horribly violent neighborhoods and see no way out of their situation. Our rebellion toward You here in America has decimated our land. We have sown the wind, and reaped the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). Please cleanse and heal our land.

        Send revivals to the inner cities of America. Raise up wise and righteous leaders who care more about the people than they do a position of power. Crush the political spirit that motivates this evil. Provide effective strategies to break the cycle of poverty and destruction that has bound so many. An outpouring of Holy Spirit in these communities would, without doubt, eradicate gangs, drug dealers, crime, and spiritual darkness. Send this revival, we pray, in Jesus’ name.

        Our decree:

        We decree that revival is coming to the inner cities of America.

        Click on the link below to watch the full video.

         
         
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