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- June 2, 2023
Salty and Bright In what we call The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). My friend, Dwain Miller, said regarding this passage: “We lost our seasoning ability (saltiness) by not embracing our calling and responsibility as the Ekklesia. When we do embrace it, we prevent corruption in society, even as salt prevents corruption when it is used to preserve food. Each of us has a sphere of authority given to us by God, in which we must release our influence as the Ekklesia: our families, cities, and other areas of responsibility. However, the world has come to a place where they expect the church to function only in the realm of empathy and sympathy. They become nervous when we step out into our responsibility as the Ekklesia of God. The devil does not like us moving into the secular realm with Christ’s authority. That’s when things get stirred up, kingdom clashes occur. “If we simply feed the hungry and clothe the poor, we are accepted. The church needs to do those things, yes, but we also need to use our authority against the dark structures holding people in that bondage of poverty. We need to release them spiritually to become everything God created them to be. When we do so, however, we stir up conflict in both the spiritual and earthly realms.” Shockingly, the Pharisees didn’t approve of Jesus healing people and delivering sinners. He healed a blind man in John 9; they didn’t like it. He forgave a lady of adultery in John 8; they didn’t like this either. The apostles healed a lame man in Acts 3, which also drew their ire. Why would kind, compassionate acts so upset the antichrist crowd? Because the authority the Ekklesia moved in verified a message they didn’t like and caused the hearts of people to turn to Christ. The works of the church weakened Christ’s enemies and strengthened the church. It is no different today. As the Ekklesia moves into society saving the lost, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons, we’ll be persecuted by the religious and political. When we release kingdom strategies for systemic societal problems, we have been and will be attacked. And most assuredly, when we carry our moral convictions into government arenas, those who disagree with us become irate. They think we’re so clueless we can’t see their hypocrisy: they can take their beliefs and moral values - or lake thereof - into government, education, sports, media, etc., but we’re not supposed to. Their decree: “No free speech for Christians and conservatives. No voice. Just go to your churches once a week and be quiet everywhere else.” They accuse us of what they do: forcing their beliefs on others. In reality, we don’t operate in tyranny; they do. Jesus, our Leader, said our method would be to speak truth, be salt and release light. We must be prepared for the confrontations and accusations we will face with the religious and political spirits operating in our time. When the Pharisees and Sadducees had seen to it that Jesus was crucified, they thought they had finally rid themselves of the threat to their power. Many people had been following Jesus and causing them no end of troubles. We can imagine the religious leaders brushing their hands together after Christ was sealed in the tomb, boasting to one another, “Well, we took care of that problem!” Their problems had only just begun! In Acts 2, the outpouring of Holy Spirit occurred. The church had a holy boldness deposited in them by the Spirit of God, and were unstoppable! They realized jail, imprisonment, and beatings would be the result of telling others about Jesus. But they did so anyway, preaching an uncompromising message and refusing to water it down, unafraid of who would be listening. Salt. Light. Miracles began taking place, and they preached boldly. Acts 4:13 says, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” This terrified the religious leaders. They had control over the people, having actually developed an antiChrist system in order to maintain this control. They operated in tyranny, lies, and wickedness. Now, their problem was exacerbated. There was no longer only one Jesus to deal with. Increasing numbers of people were carrying Christ within, being baptized in the Holy Spirit, speaking a clear, biblical message and performing miracles. And the church was multiplying. In Acts 5:12, it says, “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” Salt. Light. The response of the Pharisees and Sadducees to all this was to throw the apostles in prison. But the Lord sent an angel in the night to open the prison doors and deliver them. Nothing could stop the early Ekklesia, for God was with them. The religious, political spirit wanted to silence the Christians. No voice! But the demonicly empowered opposition discovered that a greater power was in the Christ-followers, and it could not be stopped! This is where we are today. We have entered an Acts 4 and 5 season; Holy Spirit’s anointing and authority is growing in us, restoring our saltiness, our preserving and seasoning ability. I believe Christ likes the sound of clashing kingdoms; it means we are advancing His kingdom in the earth. A wise Pharisee named Gamaliel said in Acts 5:38-39 (NKJV), “And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” There could be no more appropriate verse for those currently leading our nation and those vomiting their filth into our schools and airwaves. Darkness hates light - always has and always will - and spoiling bacteria hates salt. The next time you see these forces manifest, remember, the Pharisees knashed (ground) their teeth in rage toward Stephen, shouted loudly, and covered their wars before stoning him (Acts 7:54-60). Don’t be surprised when those who hate God’s ways, hate you. Stay salty, and stay bright. Pray with me: Father, You are raising up a salty and shining Ekklesia on the earth. We are grieved by what is happening around us, with America’s spiritual demise, but we are not discouraged. You have increased our revelation and we know Holy Spirit is filling us with the fullness of Your authority, grace, and strength. Lord, we thank You that the rising Ekklesia is maturing into greater and greater authority. We purpose to function with maturity in all You have created us to do and be. We loose this powerful identity shift to all in the church who will receive it. We will not allow Your enemies to define us or our boundaries. We will do and say all You have called us to manifest. We’ll do so in love for that is Your nature, but we will do it. We pledge to be salt and light, and to make America once again a city on a hill, not darkness in a tomb. We want You to be glorified and made manifest through the activities of Your Ekklesia. We pray that the Ekklesia (the church) will arise and go forth in dunamis power, just as the early Ekklesia did. We have been given the keys to Your Kingdom resources. We will use those keys and, as You instructed us, declare, “Kingdom of God, Come! Will of God, be done in and through us.” We resist fear and ask for boldness, as the early church also did. And we ask for the great grace, great power, great miracles, and great results they received. We declare this to be so in the name of our King, Jesus! Today’s decree: We declare that God has and is gracing the Ekklesia in America to be salt and light, fearless and bold, as we expand His Kingdom into every dark place! Click on the link below to watch the full video.
- June 1, 2023
Turning the World Right Side Up If you follow the 15s regularly or read any of my books, you know I love to study the meanings of Hebrew and Greek words in Scripture. Seeing different definitions, nuances, and uses of a word expands my understanding of what is being said. Also, in some instances, there are multiple Greek words for one English word. For example, there are at least three different Greek words for “time.” One word (chronos)(1) means time in a general sense, as in chronology; another word (kairos)(2) means a strategic or opportune time, and still another (horaios)(3) means the right time. When we do not know which of these words is used, we cannot fully understand what is being said. Ephesians 6:18 exemplifies this. The verse tells us to “pray at all times.” The word used, however, is kairos, strategic or opportune times. We aren’t being told to pray “all the time,” though many interpret the verse in this way. The passage begins by describing the spiritual warfare in which we are engaged, then speaks of our armor and weapons. Finally, verse 18 then tells that, like all good soldiers, we must “be on the alert” for one another, watching for satan’s strategically timed attacks against our fellow soldiers. When we discern them, we must pray at that strategic time! The verse speaks of well-timed intercession against satan’s well-timed attacks. This is also the meaning of Hebrews 4:16, which tells us to boldly approach the throne of grace to obtain mercy in times of need. Time is kairos, meaning “well-timed” help. The Amplified Bible says, “Well-timed help, coming just when we need it.” With this explanation, the importance of knowing which word is used for “time” can easily be seen. Another subject in which this differentiation of words is important has to do with our spiritual maturity. There are at least four Greek words for a daughter or son, each depicting a different level of maturity. Nepios(4) means “no speech” and refers to an infant or baby; a paidion(5) is a toddler or young child; and a teknon(6) is a teenager or young adult. Finally, a huios(7) is a fully matured “son.” (Spiritually speaking, huios is not gender-based; just as a male can be part of Christ’s “bride,” females can be a fully matured “son.”) In Christ’s day, when a child matured and had been adequately trained, they were “placed” into “sonship.” For this important transition, a public ceremony called a huiothesia(8) was held. This word literally means “placed as a son.” It was different than a bar mitzvah ceremony and normally occurred at 30 years of age. The father of the child would invite members of the community to this event, for it was a public announcement that the child was now a fully mature son with full authority to represent the family name, business, etc. During the ceremony, the father would announce, “This is my beloved son (huios), in whom I am well pleased.” This is why Father God spoke these words at Christ’s baptism (Mark 1:11); He was declaring that Christ was fully authorized to speak for Him and conduct His business. It was Christ’s huiothesia. Huiothesia is usually translated “adoption as sons” in the New Testament. Technically, however, the word isn’t saying we are being adopted into God’s family. It is saying that as His children, already in the family, we are being positioned or placed into “sonship.” God’s plan is to mature us from spiritual babies to mature sons and daughters, qualified to fully represent Him. This understanding is important in Romans 8. The chapter tells us that as God’s children, we have all the rights, blessings, and privileges of being in His family. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children (teknon) of God, and if children (teknon), heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:16-17; NASB). However, the passage makes an important distinction between children and sons, saying that “sons” (huios) of God are led by His Spirit. “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons (huios) of God” (Romans 8:14; NASB). Many of God’s kids are not yet led by Holy Spirit. Though they have access to His blessings, they are not mature enough to know His voice and ways. Children have rights and benefits; sons possess authority. The passage goes on to say that creation is groaning and travailing, waiting for the revealing of the “sons” of God - NOT His children (verse 19). The children of God cannot bring healing to the earth; only mature sons and daughters, those led by Holy Spirit, can do so. Obviously, a time of complete healing and restoration will one day come to the earth, just as a full manifestation of our sonship will one day occur. But as Christ’s Ekklesia, we are to manifest a level of this sonship now, representing His spiritual authority and releasing His healing to a groaning earth. I am confident that God has matured a company of believers throughout the earth into their “sonship” stage. Like David’s mighty men, whom we spoke of in yesterday’s post, they have grown in wisdom and knowledge. No longer spiritual babies or children, these believers have matured to a point where they can be trusted with Christ’s authority. As mature sons and daughters, they will bring salvation, healing, and restoration to impoverished nations, teaching them to prosper. They’ll transform governments, education, economies, medicine, farming, and more. They will be healers of decimated cities and nations (Isaiah 58:12), deliverers of the oppressed and downtrodden (Luke 4:18-19). This is all part of the discipling of nations we were commissioned to in Matthew 28:18-20. Although we are moving into an era of tremendous warfare on the earth, with evil increasing and manifesting in many ways, God has a people prepared to accomplish His will. We must not fear but stand boldly in his name, releasing His kingdom authority and salvation. We are His healers and deliverers. We must move in humility, but also in power. We must operate in love, but also in authority. We are ambassadors of the King of kings, and this can be our finest hour. Pray with me: Father, we are a people called for such a time as this. You have prepared the Ekklesia to accomplish Your purposes in the earth. Though at times, in our human-ness we feel inadequate as we see the evil abounding in the earth, may we always be reminded that Your grace abounds even more. Keep us reminded that we are equipped for this battle, not from our own strengths and gifts, but because of the Greater One in us and Christ’s authority upon us. We join our hearts as a great prayer army, agreeing in intercession for the church. We ask for a high level of revelation to be released in Your people that will awaken us to our calling and equipping. Make this revelation as powerful for us as it was for Peter, who only weeks after denying Christ, stepped into the fullness of his apostleship and authority. Bring revelation of Holy Spirit’s transforming power, of the incredible reality that He resides within us. Through His holy presence in us, we truly are more than conquerors, and can do all things through Christ. Pour out Your Spirit. Awaken Your spiritual army. Cause us, Your sons and daughters, to realize our authority and position in Christ. Infuse us with new levels of humility, love, faith, boldness, and discernment. Do these things with such strength that we, like the early Ekklesia, turn our world “right side up.” Our decree: We decree that sons and daughters of the Most High God are stepping into the fullness of their destiny. 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. 5550. Ibid. Ref. no. 2540. Ibid. Ref. no. 5611. Ibid. Ref. no. 3516. Ibid. Ref. no. 3813. Ibid. Ref. no. 5043. Ibid. Ref. no. 5207. Ibid. Ref. no. 5206.
- May 31, 2023
David’s Elite Fighting Force “So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam, and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him. Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented and bitter gathered to him, and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.” (1Samuel 22:1-2; NASB) Holy Spirit led me to speak from this passage last weekend at Chuck Pierce’s Pentecost gathering. These verses speak of the beginning of David’s preparation to be king over Israel, and of the beginning of his elite fighting force, referred to in Scripture as “David’s mighty men.” Some historians consider this the most skilled group of fighting men in history. This is obviously subjective and in no way intended to be a slight to the great warriors that have existed throughout history. It is simply to point out what an incredible fighting force they were. It is important to know the context of these verses. David had recently been anointed as the next king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:12-13). At the time, He had no idea of the process that would occur to prepare him, a process that would take 20 years! This is true with most of us when we hear prophetic words. We assume they will happen relatively quickly and, indeed, some do. At times, however, God is announcing His plans for down the road…sometimes many roads. The current king, Saul, had no intention of allowing David to take his position. To stop it, he turned against David, no doubt motivated by demonic spirits that controlled him. Saul was insanely jealous and eventually even became a murderer, killing priests of God (1 Samuel 22:16-19) and attempting to murder David (1 Samuel 18:11; 19:1). Due to these attacks, David had to flee. He landed in a cave named Adullam. God used these years of David’s life to prepare him. In no way am I suggesting God was behind these attacks on David or the evil that overtook Saul. I’m merely pointing out that He used them as part of David’s preparation. David wrote several of the Psalms from this cave, learned to persevere and forgive, developed character and a high level of trust in God, grew in his ability to receive revelation and also in his wisdom. David also became a leader. It is not enough to be a slayer of bears, lions, and giants. Wielding a weapon is not as powerful as wielding wisdom. Fighting skills, though important for David, did not equate to wisdom, hearing from God, and leadership skills. The same is true for us. The ability to war spiritually against Satan’s forces, though very important, does not qualify us for other responsibilities in God’s kingdom. These will require different aspects of maturity. David’s Mighty Men Back to the context of these verses. Other outcasts joined themselves with David at the cave of Adullam. They were described as those in: Distress - the word also means “anguish, stress, disability, even confinement.” Their difficulties were so severe as to be disabling; they were completely trapped and confined by their circumstances. Debt - they had nothing and were poverty ridden. Bitter - this is actually two words in Hebrew, meaning literally, “bitter of soul.” Life had been cruel to them; they were down and out, in great anguish, trapped in poverty, and bitter at their plight. The passage says David became the “captain” of these 400 “losers,” or so they seemed. Here is what I believe Satan was likely saying to David: “You think you are the new king over God’s people? Okay, here is your army. Let’s see how you enjoy leading these hopeless, helpless misfits I have decimated.” Satan excels in his mocking attempts to discourage us and defer our hope, until it becomes debilitating and robs us of faith. God, however, was saying something else to David: “Look through My eyes, David - this IS your army. Do with them what I had to do with you. You were the youngest, the smallest, and the least respected in your family, but I saw what no one else could see and chose you to be king over Israel. You cannot see it with your natural eyes, but I have sent you world-class warriors. Love and lead them, and I will help you train them into the greatest fighting force the earth will ever see. And, by the way, you are not worthy of leading thousands in My Kingdom until you are willing to love and lead the 400 down-and-outers.” David passed the test. And so did the 400! Some of these warriors killed hundreds of enemy soldiers in single battles (2 Samuel 23:8; 1 Chronicles 11:11); one fought until he could no longer control his fingers, so he held on to his sword with his heart and kept fighting (2 Samuel 23:10). When the battle was over, they had to pry his fingers loose from the sword. Another warrior jumped into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion (1 Chronicles 11:22). “They were equipped with bows, using both the right hand and the left to sling stones and to shoot arrows from the bow…mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains” (1 Chronicles 12:2, 8; NASB). Over time, and as their numbers grew, they also developed spiritual gifts and anointings. It was said of the soldiers from the tribe of Issachar that they had understanding and discernment of the times to know what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12:32). This was not stated in the context of the priesthood or government, but of David’s army! Talk about “intel”! Holy Spirit has been speaking to me, through “David’s mighty men,” about the prayer army He has created today. Honestly, we were far from impressive 30 years ago when He began. Go back 20 more years, and this army didn’t even exist! Intercessors were VERY “few and far between.” The church looked more like David’s cave-dwellers: poor, distressed, and holding on ‘til the rapture. But God saw something else - warriors at heart! And Jesus, the “Son of David,” went to work by His Spirit. He trained, restored gifts, equipped, seasoned, poured out revelation and increased wisdom. Many in His body have become a true Ekklesia - authorized representatives of His Kingdom authority on earth. No longer cave-dwelling outcasts, they are mighty men and women of faith, equipped for the spiritual battle of our times. These warriors have matured in His Word and ways, been filled with Holy Spirit, honed their gifts and discernment, learned to use their swords, and are ready to win the spiritual war now being waged. I say to this remnant of warriors: “Be strong in this hour! Our King is the true King over all the earth. He is Owner and Ruler of all, presiding over a Kingdom that will never cease, not only in its existence but also in its expansion (Isaiah 9:6-7). And He is coming to reap the harvest of the ages, pouring out the former and latter rains for harvest (Joel 2:23). You are ready for this! You have been trained and equipped! Now…be bold, strong, and fearless. Announce Christ’s victory and declare His harvest over the earth DAILY - over your families, cities, nations, and the earth! “YOU ARE HIS VOICE!” Pray with me: Father, thank You for showing us through David’s mighty men that our beginning condition does not dictate our end. You take those who are weak, poor, downtrodden, in anguish, disabled, bitter of soul, even steeped in sin and transform them by the power of Your Spirit. We see dry bones, You see an army. Thank You for allowing us to enlist. Thank You for the transforming work You have done in the church over the last 30 years. You have indeed raised up an Ekklesia the gates of hell cannot prevail against. Like David and his mighty men, You have made us ready for the giants. We can run through a troop and leap over a wall. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are well able to take the land. We declare now over the United States of America: Revival is coming to you! Revival is coming to your young people, their schools, their gangs, their hearts. Revival is coming to your streets, neighborhoods, churches, businesses, government, the military, the rich and poor, and every race. The exposing of evil ideologies, plans, and strategies will continue: government, its agencies, education, media - all exposing will continue. Their agendas will be exposed, their dishonesty will be seen for what it is, and a majority of Americans will continue to awaken to what is truly occurring. Holy Spirit will uncover! Angels will war on our behalf! The plans and purposes of Christ for our nation will be fully restored and accomplished! And we declare all this in His name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the army of God is ready and equipped for spiritual war, and will prevail in this hour. Click on the link below to watch the full video.
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- Give Him 15 | GH15 Prayer
Donate SUBSCRIBE Anchor 2 an appeal to heaven Birthed out of intercessory worship at a Dutch Sheets Ministries gathering, Julie Meyer sang, “Will you give me fifteen?” as a prophetic cry from the heart of God for this nation. It is a mandate for Dutch and the intercessors of America. Give Him 15 calls believers to give fifteen minutes a day in prayer as our continual “appeal to heaven.” Listen to the GH15 prophetic moment: Give Him 15 Prophecy - Julie Meyer & Dutch Sheets 00:00 / 00:00 May 30, 2023 142 likes. Post not marked as liked 142 May 29, 2023 158 likes. Post not marked as liked 158 May 26, 2023 198 likes. Post not marked as liked 198 Read More
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