August 1, 2025

Introduction

This week, I felt a strong leading from the Lord to re-emphasize some truths from Scripture that are essential for our success as we represent Christ, but are rarely taught. In today’s post, I want to remind you of the importance and power of speaking God’s words. You can also find the teaching in our Give Him 15 Devotional, Volume One. Today’s title is:

Releasing Power

“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted to him. Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.” Mark 11:23-24

Today I want to refocus on the number one way we impact the unseen realm of the spirit (“heavenly places”). The answer may surprise you: it is with our words. Whether releasing our faith, the power of Holy Spirit, or warring against satan’s kingdom, the primary way we influence the spiritual realm is through our words.

Why? The answer need not be mystical or lead to strange doctrines. The simple explanation for the power of words is that our mouths are the outlets of our spirits. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Love and blessing in our hearts are released or communicated through our words, as is cursing (James 3:9-10). The faith in our hearts or spirits is also released from our mouths through words (Romans 10:10; 2 Corinthians 4:13).

Believe, speak – born again (Romans 10:9)! Believe, speak – mountains of adversity gone (Mark 11:23)! When God’s conditions are met, we speak and the words are infused with His power and life.

“How forcible are right words!” (Job 6:25 KJV). Most people are unaware that it is mentioned in the Bible. 

Job’s word for “forcible” (marats) means “to press.”(1) One of its biblical uses describes a king pressing his seal of authority onto a decree or legal document with his signet ring, making it legally binding, the law of the land. Words seal deals and decree laws. They are powerful, even unto life and death (see Proverbs 18:20-21). The New Testament says we are justified or condemned by them (see Matthew 12:37).

• Wars are started with words.

• Love is communicated through words.

• Instruction and education are shared by words.

• Deception and confusion are propagated with words.

• Kingdoms are built with words.

• People are controlled by words. 

• Lives are shattered and healed through words.

  
  

Words are the greatest conduit of authority and power in the world. God’s “Let there be” created the world and everything in it.

Ecclesiastes 12:11 says, “The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies” (KJV). Nails help us build, construct, assemble, and hold things together. According to this verse, so do words. The Master Craftsman used words to build the earth, the seas, the mountains, and all the other amazing elements and dimensions of creation. Hebrews 1:3 tells us He also holds all of this together by the power of His words and decrees!

Luke’s gospel says that even the incarnation -- God becoming human -- was caused by a combination of God’s words and Spirit. When Mary asked how she, a virgin, could have a child, the angel informed her that the power of Holy Spirit would overshadow her and impregnate her with Jesus (1:35). Then he said, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (1:37). This translation of Luke 1:37 doesn’t nearly do justice to the strength of what the angel actually said. The most literal and accurate rendering is: “No word spoken by God is without power.”(2)  What an amazing statement this is, and what tremendous ramifications it carries for us. Our all-powerful God infuses transcendent power into His words. They become the carriers of His awesome strength.

God also calls His words a sword with which He rules and judges. His declarations not only create and build, they also judge and destroy; they’re both constructive and destructive. Consider the following: “Out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:16); “Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war...with the sword of My mouth” (Revelation 2:16; see also 19:15, 21).

God’s decrees are not only to bring forth or accomplish something in the present; some are declarations regarding the future. In Isaiah 46:9-10, God says of Himself,

“I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the

beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”

He stands outside of time and looks ahead, declares the future, and eventually time catches up to His decree. How preposterous the fools who think they will outwit or overpower Him!

When time catches up to a decree God made regarding the future, He often involves us in its fulfillment. We say what He said, echoing His voice on the earth. Job 22:28 says, “You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.” The first part of this verse could be more literally  rendered “You will decree a decree.”(3) We discern God’s will, His decree – what He has determined about a given situation – and decree His decree. Incredible! Then, He says, it will be established.

The verse then says that when we decree His decree, it will be “established.” This is the Hebrew word quwm, which means “to rise.”(4) Quwm describes a variety of activities; one lexicon said it is used to depict God’s “creative, saving, and judging action” rising up.(5) Our decreeing the Lord’s Word releases His creativity, His salvation, and yes, even His judgments!

I once watched as a minister commanded a young boy’s crooked legs, supported by metal and leather braces, to be healed. As the minister prayed, the air was filled with the sound of joints popping. Muscles and tendons formed, bones became new. The young man, who had never run before, took off his braces and ran around the church. We watched with amazement and awe, and the entire church celebrated with this young man over his creative miracle...which was released through words!

I also watched another miraculous healing take place as this same minister prayed for a lady with stomach cancer. He spoke to the cancer, cursing it in Jesus’ name. The woman vomited up the cancer and was completely healed...again, through the releasing of Spirit-led words! 

I know these stories sound fictional, but in the healing revival of the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, miracles such as these occurred in services across America. Thousands were healed supernaturally.

Doctors substantiated these two miracles. I know because the minister was my dad.

Our prayer and decree:

Father, we release the power of Your words into America. (If you live elsewhere, do this for your nation.) We declare that the earth is the Lord’s – Yours – and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1). All of it belongs to You. You are the King of all the earth (Psalm 47:7). All authority on earth belongs to You (Matthew 28:18-19). Yours is the Kingdom and power and glory forever (Matthew 6:10).

We declare the release of Your authority over the government of America. You are dismantling the arrogant systems and political forces that have exalted themselves against You. All who have opposed You, along with the strongholds they have built, are being pulled down, and all unrighteous laws they have written will be reversed in the coming season of revival and reformation. Your angels are on the move now to expose and dismantle the evil of unrighteous leaders.

We decree Your Word over America commanding, “Kingdom, come – will of God, be done in this land!” (Matthew 6:10)

All of this we do in the name and with the authority of Yeshua, Amen.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

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1. Strong, James. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. 7th ed., Abingdon Press, 1980, ref. no. 4834.

2. Bible Hub, “For no word from God shall be void of power.” https://biblehub.com/multi/luke/1-.7.htm. Accessed 28 June 2021.

3. “Strong's Hebrew: 1504. גָּזַר (gazar) -- to cut, divide, decree.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1504.htm. Accessed 28 June 2021.

4. “Strong's Hebrew: 6965. קוּם (qum) -- to arise, stand up, stand.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6965.htm. Accessed 28 June 2021.

5. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Workbook of the Old Testament. Moody, 1980, p. 793. 

July 31, 2025

Introduction

Yesterday, I began reemphasizing a few biblical truths that are important but seldom taught. Continuing this, today’s teaching brings insight regarding the dual functions we have as we represent Christ here on earth. As believers, we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9); all of us are privileged to represent Christ in both His kingly and priestly roles. There is a teaching that has circulated over the past few years in the body of Christ stating that “priests” are those in full-time ministry and “kings” are those in the secular workforce. This is not biblically accurate. All believers, regardless of our vocation, are called to represent Christ in both His kingly and priestly functions. Let’s look at this incredibly important subject. This teaching is also shared in our Give Him 15 Devotional, Volume One. Today’s title is:

Understanding Kingly and Priestly Intercession

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:6)

“You have made them to be a Kingdom and priests to serve our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”  (Revelation 5:10)

In the late 1980s, I was having a friendly phone conversation with a seasoned prophet, Chuck Flynn, when he began prophesying to me. One phrase in particular stood out. He said God was going to bring forth “the fresh age of the Melchizedek order” and that I would play a role in it.

“What is that?” I asked when he concluded.

“I don’t know,” he said somewhat humorously. “But when you find out, let me know.” It took a while!

Fast-forward approximately fifteen years to October 2002. I was praying for America’s Supreme Court when I heard Holy Spirit clearly say, “The church will fully shift the government of America when the prayer movement fully shifts from priestly intercession only to kingly intercession as well.” I suddenly remembered what Chuck had prophecied to me, the dots connected in my mind, and I finally understood “the fresh age of the Melchizedek order.”

The Scriptures describe Jesus as a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6-10). Melchizedek is first mentioned in Genesis 14, again in Psalm 110, and then in the New Testament book of Hebrews. He was both a king and a priest, and as such, became a picture of Jesus, our King and High Priest. And this is key to understanding the “Melchizedek order.”

Old Testament priests primarily represented the needs of people TO GOD; kings, on the other hand, represented the authority of God TO PEOPLE. In His unique role, Christ functions as both. As our Savior, High Priest, Mediator, and Advocate, Jesus represents humankind to God. On the other hand, as King, Christ represents God to humankind. 

But Christ doesn’t release these functions by Himself. He established a new order. An “order” is not just one person, but a group of people in the same profession or performing the same function. He works through His body, the church. We are His voice, His hands, His feet; what He does on earth, He does through us. Both His kingly authority and His priestly ministry are now administered by Holy Spirit through His people. This is the “Melchizedek order.” 

We are expressions of Christ in His priestly role, representing the needs of people heavenward. Just as Christ “offered up both prayers and supplications” while on earth (Hebrews 5:7), we also, as priests, “offer up spiritual sacrifices” (1 Peter 2:5).

However, not only are we priests, we’re a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Spiritually, we are seated with Christ on His throne (Ephesians 1:20; 2:6), told to reign in life (Romans 5:17), instructed to extend His scepter (Psalm 110:2) and as His Ekklesia, are given keys of Kingdom authority with which to bind and loose, forbid and allow (Matthew 16:19). Just as Christ “decreed” the will of the Father in various situations – pronouncing blessings and curses, casting out demons, healing the sick, even raising the dead – we are told, as Christ’s ambassadors, to do the same (John 14:12). When representing Christ in His kingly authority, we do not petition – we command! 

Both the priestly and kingly aspects of prayer, the Melchizedek order, can be seen in the model prayer Christ gave us, often referred to as the “Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13): 

• The prayer begins with praise, an obvious example of priestly activity: “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

• The prayer then shifts to kingly intercession, telling us to command God’s will and authority into situations: “Your Kingdom come! Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (The verbs “come” and “be done” are both in the imperative tense, making them a command in Greek. In other words, we are not only to request His Kingdom rule and will – we are to decree them into situations for Him. This is kingly, governmental intercession, releasing heaven to earth.)

• The prayer then shifts back to priestly petitioning, asking for provision, forgiveness, and freedom from temptation.

  
  

In 1980, I was asked to lead in prayer for a newborn baby with a fractured skull. During a difficult birth, the doctor used forceps and, in the process, fractured the baby’s skull. I began with priestly intercession (petitioning the Lord), but then was led to command healing into this infant’s skull (kingly intercession). I, along with the congregation joining me, decreed that by the redemptive power of Jesus, the baby’s skull was being healed.

It happened instantly! Through this miracle, the mother was born again, and the following Sunday, I had the privilege of dedicating this baby to Jesus.

The Melchizedek order is arising on the earth. The priesthood of Christ, the church, is offering up the incense of worship and petitions. But as ambassadors of the King, representatives of His Kingdom on earth, we are also issuing heaven’s commands and decrees against the forces of darkness. This is Christ’s “Ekklesia” – legislators, liberators, deliverers, and enforcers.

Pray with me:

Father, thank You for the honor of being extensions of Christ’s ministry, releasers of His love and Kingly authority on the earth. We ask for more understanding, insight, and revelation regarding this privilege. May we go deeper in humility and higher in authority. It is Your will we want, and only Your pattern can release it. Yours is the Kingdom, power, and glory forever!

Today, as priests, we appeal to heaven for Your mercy and grace to be extended to America. Cleanse us from sin and deliver us from evil strongholds. Awaken America to truth and, as the Psalmist prayed, renew a right spirit in us (Psalm 51:10). Cause the revival that has begun to increase and multiply; breathe on the dry bones of America. 

And as kings, we decree that nothing will stop the reset You have begun. We declare that evil will be exposed as Your light shines in the dark places. We break the power of darkness that covers and hides evil, and release the light of truth to shine into it. We declare that this truth will shine as bright as the noonday sun! You said our government would fully shift when we began operating in both priestly and kingly intercession. We are now doing this. We appeal for – but we also decree – America’s shift! We believe now is the time! We ask and declare all of this in Christ’s name and authority. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that God is moving and operating to bring victory and renewed purpose to America!

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

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1. Spiro, Zodhiates, editor. Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, New American Standard Bible. 1811.

2. Ibid.

July 30, 2025

Operating in the Invisible Realm

Introduction

There are some truths from Scripture that, while essential for our success as we represent Christ, are rarely taught. I feel the need to emphasize a few of them for the remainder of this week. In today’s post, I want to remind us of the reality of the invisible realm of the spirit. I am using portions of the Give Him 15 Devotional, Volume One. Today’s title is:

Operating in the Invisible Realm

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” Ephesians 6:12.

The “heavenly places” referred to in the above verse are not often talked about. This is very unfortunate. Let’s look at the following verses:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. And raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

This sounds like one uninterrupted passage of Scripture, doesn’t it? It is actually five separate verses from Ephesians 1:3, 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, and 6:12. I became fascinated several years ago as I read these verses consecutively, with none of the in-between sections. I realized they really do provide a continuity of thought. In summary, they tell us we have been given everything we need in order to operate in heavenly places; Christ has been given all authority in this realm; we have been seated there with Him in that position of authority; through us, from our position there with Christ, God intends to confront the kingdom of darkness; finally, the last verse describes that evil kingdom, listing its various components.

What are “heavenly places”? They do not refer to heaven, God’s home, but to the invisible atmosphere all around us, the spiritual realm. It is the unseen realm of the spirit – invisible yet real, hidden yet very active. Much of what happens on earth is influenced from it; certainly, anything of eternal significance or that regulates the destinies of people and nations is influenced from this realm. However, most people, including Christians, give little thought to this unseen world. Many people, especially in cultures that emphasize higher education and intellectualism, are actually cynical of this dimension’s existence. But the Bible is filled with descriptions and accounts of it. In fact, apart from the invisible realm, there is no God, satan, angels, demons, the fall of humankind, the birth of Christ, redemption through the Cross, miracles, or resurrection of the dead. Yet again, surprisingly, most American Christians live their lives without considering how much this realm affects us, let alone how we can influence it.

As I meditated on these 5 verses of Ephesians, God began emphasizing to me that I was not cognizant enough of this invisible realm. It was not a new subject to me. I had been aware of it for many years and realized we could operate in it through our prayers and actions. But Holy Spirit was revealing to me that, even so, I was not as conscious of this dimension as I needed to be. I saw more clearly that in order to be as effective as possible in changing situations on earth, I had to understand more fully how this heavenly realm affected them. Conversely, I also needed a greater understanding of how I could influence the invisible world. Consider the following significant statement: the more we learn to function in the invisible spiritual realm, recognizing and applying its governing principles, the more we can partner with God, positively impact our world, avoid the snares and influence of the evil one, and enjoy the blessings of our salvation.(1) 

The more I studied this spiritual realm, the more I realized it was central to the Bible’s overall theme – two invisible kingdoms warring for control of the visible world. The following account of the unseen gives us a vivid glimpse:

“When the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, ‘Strike these people with blindness, I pray.’ So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:15-18 NASB)

The invisible forces were there all along – it was just that Elisha’s servant could not initially see them. And so it is with us. We live in a world filled with constant and tremendous angelic and demonic activity. Our natural eyes, however, simply cannot perceive it.

If we Christians are going to be effective in prayer, we must acknowledge, understand, and learn to influence the spiritual realm. We must move beyond our fear of criticism and agree with Scripture. Jesus is our example, and He frequently dealt with the invisible. He was aware of it and consistently engaged unseen entities, stirring up demonic opposition everywhere He went.

The early church in Acts did so as well, confronting forces of darkness and addressing them when appropriate. We are inconsistent if we confess to be Bible-believing followers of Christ and yet refuse to acknowledge and deal with the invisible kingdom of darkness. Failure in this area hinders us greatly.

Pray with me:

Father, increase our understanding of the spiritual realm and how it influences the natural realm. Give us understanding of how to impact this dimension and extend Your Kingdom influence from it into our natural world. We ask for a greater revelation of how to release the victory of Christ into the earth in order to change nations, cities, and people. Make us more conscious of the invisible realm where much of what occurs on earth is determined. We pray that anointed teachers will be raised up to skillfully teach on this subject, so that with the tools You give us, we can operate in this invisible realm with balance, skill, and accuracy. 

And as we do so often here, we ask You for, and thank You in advance, for sending the greatest spiritual awakening/revival ever to the nations of the earth. We pray that entire cultures and people groups would be swept into Your family. We ask You to break off from them the control of invisible principalities and evil spirits, freeing them to see truth and receive Your love and provision. We pray all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Our decree:

We boldly declare that the spirit of wisdom and revelation is being released into the church at the highest level possible.

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

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1. Sheets, Dutch, and Chuck D. Pierce. Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation. Destiny Image Publishers, 2005, pp. 75-76.