It’s Time to Make a Stand I have, at times, been accused of being too political. Years ago, I chose not to waste my time responding to my critics. I do, however, believe the body of Christ desperately needs a greater understanding of our need to be involved in the governmental process. With that in mind, I want to share a few thoughts regarding this, then comment further on the Biden administration. I define government simply as the authority to rule or manage a people, entity or organization. This could be a home, business, church, or nation. Politics is the process used to determine who is to implement governmental authority in some of these arenas. In America, this function (government) and process (politics) determine our freedoms, national values, safety and more. This being the case, wisdom, common sense, and responsibility demand high levels of informed involvement on the part of all American citizens. Even more so since our government continues to expand its influence. It now believes it has the right to determine: when life begins - and when it can be ended what and who defines gender who defines marriage what is and is not immoral when churches can gather to worship...and what can be taught while there whom churches and ministries have to hire how much government will tax us, and that they have the right to spend our tax dollars on abortions and buying the aborted babies’ body parts used for research what our children will be taught about life, morals, sex, gender, America’s history and more what we can say and not say what part of the Constitution they will honor and the list goes on. In light of this, if you are not passionate about our U.S. and local governments, I can only wonder why. No American who does not involve himself or herself - actively and diligently - in the process of determining who gets to make decisions such as those above has ANY right to complain about what is decided. Personally, I also believe they are complicit in the evil generated by their lack of involvement. Obviously, it is possible to operate in an inappropriate “political spirit.” (I am referring to an “attitude” of the mind and heart, much like a critical spirit. I believe demons do involve themselves in government, but this is not what I am referencing here.) When one blindly supports a political party, or uses the political process simply to gain power and control, they are operating in what many refer to as a political spirit. Being passionate about or actively engaged in who rules governmentally is certainly not inappropriate or operating in a political spirit, however. I am unashamedly passionate about government, while guarding against a political spirit. I vote, support and fight for biblical values; I do not fight for a political party. As Joshua discovered when confronted by the Captain of the Lord’s host (Joshua 5:13-15), the appropriate question is not whose side God (the Captain) is on. The correct question was then and is now, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” He doesn’t choose sides, we do. Yes, God does fight for those covenantally aligned with Him, and supports those aligned with His truth and virtues, but He is not “politically” motivated. He is truth and justice motivated. God’s intent is that ALL government, at every level - from a home to a nation - flows from Him and is based on His principles. Holy Spirit clearly spoke to me several years ago saying, “I’m going to teach you about government from a biblical perspective,” He continued, “I not only believe in the function of government, I AM government.” He then took me to Isaiah 33:22, which states that God is our “Lawgiver...Judge...and King.” Our government, with its 3 branches, was formed with this verse in mind. Our Founders intended for America's government to function under God’s authority. Many of them were pastors. They did not see government or their role in it as extra-biblical, a distraction from their “true” calling, or as being “too political.” Pastors were actually some of the leading voices for independence from Britain’s evil government - from their pulpits. These spiritual leaders would have been incensed and offended at the accusation that their involvement in the process was unbiblical. I concur. This expression of authority we call government is one of God’s primary means of releasing His justice, peace and righteousness into the earth. It brings freedom, safety and order; without it there is anarchy and injustice. To separate government from God is to, by default, hand over rule to satan. He then influences humans to pervert God’s intent, using government to promote personal and selfish agendas, to oppress and control. These evils are to government what the spirit of religion is to relationship with God. Both are perversions of what He desired and established in Genesis: relationship with us as His family and Spirit-led management/government of creation (Genesis 1:26-28). We are to now bring His redemption into these two arenas, not abandon them. We should train ourselves to differentiate between government and inappropriate control, including a political spirit. If we do so, we can begin to think of the concept of government as good. Having explained my position, I now want to comment on our current U.S. government. We must ask - not from a biased, political perspective but based on facts - is the Biden administration against the Bible and the church? You decide. Last month, Christians Engaged, a Garland, TX prayer group, which exists to pray and educate believers on their belief in the Bible as the inerrant Word of God, was denied tax exempt status by the IRS. The reason, in their own words: “Specifically, you educate Christians on what the Bible says in areas where they can be instrumental, including the areas of sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration, U.S. and Israel relations.” 1 You might want to read that again. The IRS continued, “The Bible’s teachings are typically affiliated with the D party and their candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under IRS Section 501(C)(3).” (2) The “D party” is their code name for the Republican party. Did you catch that? The IRS stated that the Bible is more aligned with the Republican party and, therefore, disqualifies those who teach it for tax-exempt status. First Liberty Institute counsel Lea Patterson said, “The IRS states in an official letter that Biblical values are exclusively Republican. That might be news to President Joe Biden, who is often described as basing his political ideology on his religious beliefs...Only a politicized IRS could see Americans who pray for their nation, vote in every election, and work to engage others in the political process as a threat. The IRS violated its own regulations in denying tax-exempt status [to] Christians Engaged [for teaching] biblical values.” 3 Only the most naive and deceived could fail to see the total determination of the Left, including those in government, to oppose the teachings of the Bible and silence Christians. It is past time for the church to wake up. From rewriting America’s biblical, Christian history, to intimidation by law enforcement, frivolous lawsuits and IRS attacks, one would have to be blind not to see the vicious attempt to silence us. The frog in the kettle - the church - had better wake up and jump! The Epoch Times reminds us that, “The IRS under Obama singled out hundreds of conservative, Tea Party, and evangelical tax-exemption applicants for special treatment that included long delays and multiple requests for detailed information about the beliefs and activities of officials associated with the groups. “Multiple lawsuits were filed against the IRS by such groups, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) agreed in two separate settlements to compensate them for undisclosed amounts. “The DOJ also acknowledged(4) that the IRS had targeted the groups on the basis of their political and religious activities and beliefs for ‘heightened scrutiny and inordinate delays.’” 5 It is time to wake up, church. It’s time to make a stand, get involved and, most certainly, it is time to pray. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for this great nation. [Those of you in other nations, pray for yours.] We thank You for our freedoms and the abundant blessings we enjoy. We also thank You for the system of government we have. I believe You gave us this system of government and our Constitution. We are in danger of losing much of this. However, we believe You are going to turn this around. We ask You to intervene in America‘s government - strongly. We ask for complete exposure of evil agendas and intentions, and that Your light will be shed on the darkness. We ask for the removal of those who oppose Your ways and principles. Give us honest leaders, righteous leaders and servant leaders. Give us leaders who honor You, the scriptures and Your ways. We know that in order to give us these leaders, it will require an awakening of Your people. We vote them in, You don’t. Please give us this awakening. Awaken the church to her responsibility of involvement in government and prayer. Break off all deception that says believers should not be involved in government, that they should not be active and passionate about it, and that government is evil. Reveal to them that You ARE government and that You blessed us with the principle of government; reveal that we should passionately involve ourselves in it at a national level, just as we do in governing our homes. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the church will not be silenced and that she is awakening to her role in representing the government of God on the earth. Click below to watch the prayer. 1.https://www.theepochtimes.com/irs-denies-tax-exemption-to-texas-religious-group-because-prayer-bible-reading-boost-the-republican-party_3861757.html and https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/06/16/2248428/0/en/IRS-Denies-Religious-Group-Tax-Exempt-Status-States-Bible-teachings-are-affiliated-with-the-Republican-party.html 2. Ibid. 3.https://firstliberty.org/media/irs-denies-religious-group-tax-exempt-status-states-bible-teachings-are-affiliated-with-the-republican-party/ 4.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/26/us/politics/irs-tea-party-lawsuit-settlement.html 5.https://www.theepochtimes.com/irs-denies-tax-exemption-to-texas-religious-group-because-prayer-bible-reading-boost-the-republican-party_3861757.html

Releasing America’s Prophetic Destiny I shared a strategy yesterday from Holy Spirit via my brother, Tim Sheets. It seemed like a good time to mention the book Chuck Pierce and I wrote about our prayer tour to all 50 states. The book has 7 chapters of excellent teaching and 50 more short chapters - one for each state, giving the prophetic insights Holy Spirit shared with us for the state. The book is an excellent resource and we have offered a significant discount on this great tool. Today’s post is taken from the 1st chapter of the book: “I knew I was in for a wild ride when the Lord showed me a vision of myself riding with Christ on His white horse - I just didn’t know how wild! But when Holy Spirit spoke to both Chuck Pierce and me in October, 2002 to go to all 50 states in order to network intercessors and leaders, pray for breakthrough, and further shift the nation toward revival, I began to realize just how wild - and long - the ride would be. “My part of this adventure actually began in September 1998, when I was speaking for Dr. Peter Wagner at a conference in Rochester, New York. Suddenly during the worship, I was given a vision of America. It was as though I was looking down from heaven onto the United States. I then saw the Lord in the middle of the nation, dressed for war and riding a white warhorse. Both Christ and the horse wore very intense expressions, much like Christ is described as wearing in Revelation 19:11-16. He was fearsome and majestic beyond words. His horse was also, and was shifting, prancing, and obviously wanting to run. It was evident Christ was either waiting for a signal, or was in the process of deciding for Himself where to go first. “Suddenly, He looked toward the East, prodded the horse and they dashed to Washington, D.C., where He struck the earth with a staff, causing flames to spring up from the earth. I knew the flames represented both cleansing and revival. He paused while deciding where to go next, then charged to another part of the nation where He struck the ground again, with the same results. This was repeated, with no visible pattern, until He had crisscrossed the nation many times, and the flames had sprung up all across the nation. “A short time later, I received the same vision of the Lord on His horse ready to begin this ride. This time, however, I saw myself also in the vision, standing next to Christ and His horse. He looked at me and said, ‘Get onto My horse with Me.’ “With absolute incredulity I responded, ‘Lord, I can’t ride Your horse with You!’ “Sure you can,” He replied, and immediately reached down, put His arm around me and pulled me onto the horse. I was surprised that He did not place me behind HIm, but rather in front where He could hold me securely between His arms as we rode. Then off we went, making the same ride across the nation that I had seen previously. “Through this vision it was obvious the Lord was telling me I was going to ‘ride’ with Him across America. I did not assume I would be the only believer - or even the primary one - making this ride with Christ. Though I realized I was a leader in the modern-day prayer movement, and knew I might play a leadership role in this effort, I also knew the entirety of the prayer movement would join Him in this endeavor. In other words, Christ was going to release the fire of cleansing and revival but, as is always the case, He would be doing so through His people, partnering with them on this amazing ride. “Two years later, in October, 2000, just before the national presidential elections I had another significant encounter with the Lord that prepared me for this ‘ride.’ In a Wednesday night service, I walked to the podium in the church where I was pastoring, when a strange feeling began to overtake me. I paused, trying to discern what was happening and, within seconds, was weeping uncontrollably as God began to impart to me His heart for America. I did not feel anger, though I’m sure we as a nation have angered Him but, instead, I felt His great love - the kind of love a father might feel for a prodigal child. “I began to weep so hard that I could not regain my composure. My wife realized what was happening, had someone close the service, and everyone went home. I was left alone inside the sanctuary. For three and a half hours I wept over America - so hard at times that I was afraid I was injuring myself. I felt as though my heart was literally breaking. I did not know one could cry from so deep a place inside. “Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”1 “For three and a half hours, I helped God cry. “Then the Lord led both Chuck and me to go to all 50 states. We were together in Washington, D.C., sharing with one another what the Lord was saying about the nation. Incredibly, both of us said - almost in fear and dread - that God had spoken to each of us to go to every state. We realized we were to take the authority we had been given and “ride” across this nation with the Lord, striking the ground and trumpeting the message of revival. The consensus we had, which we were confident was from the Lord, was that we would: Gather and network intercessors and leaders in each state. Seek specific insight and messages for every state. Indeed, we spoke three times in each state, and though some points and truths were repeated a few times, no two messages were ever fully repeated; most were completely different. Receive and deliver prophetic discernment relating to prayer, events, actions, and strategies for breakthrough in each state. “Our desire now is that you will use the insights and revelations Holy Spirit gave us by working them into your prayers for your state and the nation. Much has been accomplished to turn America back to God, but there remains much to do. It will be the prayers of the saints that turn the tide! The words of Abraham Lincoln, spoken during the difficult days of the Civil War, are appropriate for today: I do not doubt that our country will finally come through safe and undivided. But do not misunderstand me...I do not rely on the patriotism of our people...the bravery and devotion of the boys in blue…[or] the loyalty and skill of our generals...But the God of our fathers, Who raised up this country to be the refuge and asylum of the oppressed and downtrodden of all nations, will not let it perish now. I may not live to see it...I do not expect to see it, but God will bring us through safe.2 “Like Lincoln of old, my faith is in God - not in America’s great military, our incredible wealth and abundant resources, our amazing innovation and perseverance, or any other natural asset. My faith, like his, is in the God of our fathers, Who is riding across this nation once again, lighting fires of cleansing and revival. And just as He did way back then, He will bring us through once again. “Why don’t you ride with Him?” Pray with me: Lord, You said in Acts 17:26 that You chose the time and place in which we were to live. You chose the nation in which we would be born, and I believe Lord, You did that down to the state and city level also. And with that comes authority and responsibility. As we focused yesterday on the states in which we live, we do so again today. (And those in other nations should certainly focus on their country.) We decree Your kingdom will and rule to invade these places. We use the legal mottos and stated purposes for these places. We use Your word. And we also pray as led by Holy Spirit. We ask for Holy Spirit to be poured out and for revival to come to these places. We ask that every people group in the world would fulfill the destiny for which you created them...that the gifts and abilities you placed in them as a race would be released to the earth. Father, let the spirit of faith rise up in Your people as they decree these things. May they do so with boldness and confidence. Let authority be strong in them, and please lead them into specific decrees over their cities, states and nations. In Jesus’ great name we ask, amen. Our decree: We decree that God’s purposes for every race He created will be accomplished; and that each one will be visited with great revival. Click on the link below to watch the prayer. Click on the link below to purchase "Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation". https://bit.ly/3j5YzjA ______________________________ Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, A third Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul (Deer Field Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc., 1996), p 12. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country, Encyclopedia of Quotations (St. Louis, MO: Amerisearch, Inc., 2000), pp 384-385. Abraham lincoln. June 1863, in a discourse with a college President, just weeks before the Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. William J. Johnson, Abraham Lincoln, The Christian (New York: The Abington Press, 1913), 109-110. Peter Marshall and David Manual, The Glory of America (Blooming, MN: Garborg’s Heart ‘N Home, Inc., 1991), 4.26.

In God We Trust In 2003 and 2004, Chuck Pierce and I went to all 50 U.S. states to gather spiritual leaders - pastors and intercessors - to pray. We were instructed by Holy Spirit to seek His word for each state and release it. We did so. It proved to be an extraordinary season. The word of the Lord was powerful and precise, the decrees impacting and shaping. After the tour, we were led to put the words and insights brought by Holy Spirit to each state into a book. We called it Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation. We gave each state 3-4 pages to summarize the words and also wrote chapters on subjects that became predominant across the entire nation. Tens of thousands of intercessors around the nation now use the book as a guide and source for their prayers. It is a perfect offer to accompany this post. You can find the book in our online store. Visit my website to do so. Although my brother Tim Sheets shared a post a few days ago, we felt this message was also timely. Listen as he shares with us what God is saying to him about a prayer strategy for each U.S. state. “Recently, I was pondering and seeking the Lord for strategies regarding our times. A constant prayer of mine is, “What is the present word of the Lord?” I was contemplating Holy Spirit’s move in this new era with His angel armies and the remnant now forming an active ekklesia - a reigning church moving in power and glory under greater authority than we have ever seen. As I prayed, Holy Spirit revealed a strategy for our nation through a vision. “In the vision, Holy Spirit began showing me the official state seal for each state in America. I was impressed with the thought that the seal of a state is similar to a signet ring, often seen in the Bible. In Bible days, a signet ring was very important; it had the seal of the king engraved upon it. With the ring, a king sealed or stamped letters and documents proving it was his word. In other words, the King’s stamp also made the documents official. The signet ring had executive authority and power. Holy Spirit was clearly talking to me about officially ‘sealing’ something in our nation. “I was then prompted to look at each state’s motto. The motto of a state or nation is legally passed by their legislature to represent purpose, identity, or a general expression of their boundaries. It is a decree expressing the ‘heart’ or belief of that territory. “Holy Spirit revealed to me that if the ekklesia in each state will pray and decree this legal identity, realignment with it will begin to take place, and it will also activate the hosts of heaven. The kingdom and power of God will back the decrees and release angels of alignment. “It is now an opportune time for the people of God to decree and agree with the ‘definition’ of their territories. We must declare into the atmospheres of our region its intended purpose, in order to bring forth its fulfillment. “For example, Ohio’s motto is ‘With God, all things are possible.’ Decreeing that motto activates Ohio’s identity to align with its unique purpose. Job 22:28 says, ‘Decree a thing and it shall be established.’ Decreeing each state’s motto will accelerate realignment into its kingdom purpose and also that of the whole nation. “America’s motto is, ‘In God we trust.’ Decreeing this activates angel armies to assist it in happening. Angels hearken to the decree of God’s word or will (Psalms 103:20). They are available to help us maintain our inheritance and, if need be, obtain deliverance and supernatural victories. It’s time we operate in this proper kingdom intention. We must do so at a much higher level if we expect to turn the captivity of nations and live in biblical freedoms. “As I saw a picture of all fifty states, it became like a beautiful mosaic of strength, purpose and identity. Together, they form a corporate national destiny. Each state has a part to play. Each state has a note to America’s song and it takes all the chords aligned properly to play that song. “Decree these official declarations of purpose and identity over each state and believe for realignment in Jesus’ Name: Alabama: “We dare defend our rights.” Alaska: “North to the future.” We have a hope filled future! Arizona: “God enriches.” God prospers us. Arkansas: “The people rule.” No dictators! California: “Eureka. I have found it and I am joyful.” Colorado: “Nothing without deity.” Nothing without God! Connecticut: “He who transplanted sustains.” God has planted us here and He will sustain us. Delaware: “Liberty and independence.” Florida: “In God we trust.” Georgia: “Wisdom, Justice, Moderation.” Our behavior will be just and wise. Hawaii: “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” Idaho: “Let it be perpetual.” Never-ending freedom. Illinois: “State sovereignty over national union.” Indiana: “The crossroads of America.” Go where your heart tells you to go. Iowa: “Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” Kansas: “To the stars through difficulties.” No matter how difficult we’re reaching to another level. Kentucky: “United we stand, divided we fall” and “Let us be grateful to God.” Louisiana: “Union, justice, and confidence.” Maine: “I direct.” We are leaders. We will not follow a socialist mindset. Maryland: “Strong deeds, gentle words.” Massachusetts: “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.” We will not bow to treachery! Michigan: “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” Pleasantness surrounds us. God surrounds us with loving kindness. There is great beauty in this nation. Minnesota: “The star of the North.” The guiding light. Mississippi: “By valor and arms.” Missouri: "The Welfare of the People is the Highest Law.” The people’s welfare is not filtered by the laws. Our laws are filtered by the rights of the people. Montana: “Gold and silver.” Abundance! Milk and honey! Nebraska: “Equality before law.” Nevada: “All for our country.” New Hampshire: “Live free or die.” New Jersey: “Liberty and Prosperity.” New Mexico: “It grows as it goes.” New York: “Ever Upward!” Excellence in morals, culture and government. North Carolina: “To be, rather than to seem.” We will be who we are supposed to be and we won’t pretend to be anyone else. North Dakota: “Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable.” Ohio: “With God, all things are possible.” Oklahoma: “Hard work conquers all things.” We’ll work to win and prosper. Oregon: “She flies with her own wings.” We lift ourselves up in the power and abilities of our God, trusting Him to help us fly. Pennsylvania: “Virtue, Liberty and Independence.” Rhode Island: “Hope.” South Carolina: “While I breathe, I hope.” South Dakota: “Under God the people rule.” We have no King but Jesus! Tennessee: “Agriculture and commerce.” The land provides. Texas: “Friendship.” Utah: “Industry.” Vermont: “Freedom and unity.” Virginia: “Thus always to tyrants.” The seal pictures a warrior with his foot on tyrants. We resist tyrants. We resist the abuse of government. Washington: “By and by.” Into the future. West Virginia: “Mountaineers are always free.” Wisconsin: “Forward.” Wyoming: “Equal rights.” Not just for some, but for everyone. “I believe if the ekklesia in each state arose and declared realignment to the purpose, plans and identity of their region, our nation will be realigned to its official purpose and covenant. Holy Spirit has given us an assignment to realign this nation and declare to the world ‘In God we trust!’” Pray with me: Father God, let Your ekklesia around this nation and world rise and begin to decree and agree with the definition of their territories. Holy Spirit, come and empower them to bring a defining to their region bringing forth the purpose and identity of the Living God. We decree: demon princes over our regions are bound in Jesus’ Name. Realign us for a move of Holy Spirit on the earth like we’ve never seen before. Realign us for revival. Realign us to unseat the antichrist agendas and those who represent them and to seat them with the sons and daughters of God locally, regionally and nationally. Speak the corporate destiny released into the atmospheres of this nation and transform it. Realign culture and government through Your power. We declare the purpose and plans for this new era cannot be reversed. We declare we will align and become who we are supposed to be. We declare America will realign and fulfill its destiny. We decree angels are organizing around the prayers of God’s people, helping to bring them to pass. We decree the greatest days in church history are not in our past; they are in our present and in our future. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Our Decree: We decree realignment to the purpose, plans, and identity of our region and our nation. In God we trust! Portions of today’s post are taken from the book Angel Armies on Assignment, by my brother Tim Sheets. You can learn more about Tim here. Click on the link below to purchase "Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation". https://bit.ly/3j5YzjA Click below to watch the prayer.

The Importance of Fathers Father's Day is celebrated throughout the world on different days, with different histories and traditions. But the American holiday, the third Sunday of June, has its origins in a West Virginia Methodist church.1 “The history of Father’s Day goes back to 1908 when a church in West Virginia held a sermon to honor 362 men who were killed the previous year in a coal mining explosion. This was the country’s first-ever event to strictly honor fathers.”2 “Grace Golden Clayton, the daughter of a dedicated minister, proposed a service to honor all fathers, especially those who had died. However, the observance did not become an annual event, and it was not promoted; very few people outside of the local area knew about it. Meanwhile, across the entire country, another woman was inspired to honor fathers … “In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, was inspired by Anna Jarvis and the idea of Mother’s Day. Her father, William Jackson Smart, a farmer and Civil War veteran, was also a single parent who raised Sonora and her five brothers by himself, after his wife Ellen died giving birth to their youngest child in 1898. While attending a Mother’s Day church service in 1909, Sonora, then 27 years old, came up with the idea. “Within a few months, Sonora had convinced the Spokane Ministerial Association and the YMCA to set aside a Sunday in June to celebrate fathers. She proposed June 5, her father’s birthday, but the ministers chose the third Sunday in June so that they would have more time after Mother’s Day (the second Sunday in May) to prepare their sermons. Thus, on June 19, 1910, the first Father’s Day events commenced: Sonora delivered presents to handicapped fathers, boys from the YMCA decorated their lapels with fresh-cut roses (red for living fathers, white for the deceased), and the city’s ministers devoted their homilies to fatherhood. “The widely publicized events in Spokane struck a chord that reached all the way to Washington, D.C., and Sonora’s celebration put the idea on the path to becoming a national holiday. However, the holiday did not catch on right away, perhaps due to the perceived parallels with Mother’s Day. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson and his family personally observed the day. Eight years later, President Calvin Coolidge signed a resolution in favor of Father’s Day ‘to establish more intimate relations between fathers and their children and to impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations.’ In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed an executive order that the holiday be celebrated on the third Sunday in June. Under President Richard Nixon, in 1972, Congress passed an act officially making Father’s Day a national holiday. (Six years later, Sonora died at age 96.)” 3 God decided that the most ideal atmosphere/environment in which to raise children was one that included both a dad and a mom. Much effort has been made by many on the Left over the last few decades to downplay the need for fathers. However, the facts speak for themselves and prove them wrong. Chris Bolinger points out that “Kids who grow up with a father who is present and engaged are less likely to drop out of school or wind up in jail. When a dad has a close relationship with his children, they tend to have higher IQs, have fewer psychological problems, avoid high-risk behaviors (such as sex at a young age), and grow up to have high-paying jobs and healthy relationships. “Dads also play a key role in the faith lives of their children. “According to a detailed study conducted several decades ago, a father’s church attendance has a much greater impact on the future attendance of his children than a mother’s attendance. The study found that, if a father does not go to church, no matter how faithful his wife’s attendance, only one child in 50 will become a regular worshipper. “On the other hand, if a father does go to church regularly, regardless of the practice of the other, between two-thirds and three-quarters of their children will become churchgoers. Even if a father goes irregularly to church, regardless of his wife’s attendance, between a half and two-thirds of their children will come to church, at least occasionally, as adults.”4 If you had a good relationship with your dad, thank him today. If you experienced pain from the actions of your father, whether through absenteeism, abuse, or the inability to give and communicate love, if you have not already done so, make the choice to forgive him. Clarence L. Haynes, in a great article found in Crosswalk.com, speaks of his need to forgive his dad. “I didn’t grow up with the greatest relationship with my father. For many years I carried around anger and unforgiveness because of this. “One day while praying, God reminded me of one affirmation I needed to give to my father. That affirmation was forgiveness. “He didn’t do everything right. He made a lot of mistakes. I had a right to be angry, or at least I thought I did. I didn’t realize how heavy the weight was that I was carrying around until I released it and forgave my father. “If you are dealing with a dad who wasn’t the ‘ideal’ father, then this Father’s Day may require you to offer forgiveness. Of all the affirmations you can give...this one will be the hardest. However, if you can truly do this, with all sincerity, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, there is freedom on the other side of it. “If this is you...then give the affirmation of forgiveness to your father this year. He needs to hear it. And more importantly, you need to give it.”5 If the father you need to forgive is no longer alive, you can still forgive them and be released from your pain and any lingering effects. Writing them a letter is a good way to do so; for some, writing the forgiveness seems to release the pain. Finally, this Father’s Day, consider honoring a father other than your biological dad. A spiritual father, perhaps, or a man who became a good mentor or role model for you. This could be a neighbor, pastor, someone in business, a teacher, a relative, or even someone you don't know personally who has influenced or shaped you through their podcasts or writings. Send them a card or a note - it’s never too late. Honor is ALWAYS a good thing. And it blesses both the giver and the recipient. Pray with me: God, we pray for fathers on this Father’s Day. It’s a hard job to be a father. That is especially so in this current moral and ethical climate. Many dads feel a tremendous weight of responsibility to lead our sons and daughters to maturity through a climate so opposed to You and Your ways. They need the leading, guidance, and direction of You, Heavenly Father, like never before. You provided faith to Abraham. You completely turned around the life of Job, restoring everything he lost to tragedy. You took a thrown-away, rejected, and falsely accused Joseph and gave him authority over the salvation of a nation. You changed Jacob’s manipulative nature and renamed him Israel—a father of the nation that gave us our Redeemer. You found a defeated Moses on the backside of the desert, redeemed his life, gave him a new purpose, and used him to be the deliverer of Your people in his generation. Today’s fathers need You to do the same types of things in their lives as well, Lord. Teach us Your ways so we may rely on your faithfulness and walk in Your truth. Amen. Our decree: We will honor the Fathers who have been used to bless and shape our lives. Click below to watch the video. ____________________________ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/a-brief-history-of-fathers-day/ https://www.rd.com/article/history-of-fathers-day/ https://www.almanac.com/forgotten-history-fathers-day https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/fathers-day/reasons-to-thank-your-dad-this-fathers-day.html https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/fathers-day/top-4-affirmations-your-dad-needs-to-hear-this-fathers-day.html

Juneteenth and the Synergy of the Ages In this Give Him 15, I want to commemorate Juneteenth, a new federal holiday, which is celebrated tomorrow, June 19th. Slavery officially ended in the United States with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. However, slaves in Texas didn’t learn they were free until June 19th 1865 - more than 2 1/2 years later. This day became known as Juneteenth. It was initially only celebrated in Texas, but is now being recognized around the country. You can learn more about Juneteenth here. I asked my friend, Will Ford, to share regarding this important day in American history: “The ending of slavery and the celebration of Juneteenth are rooted in the power of intercession. Prayer changed our nation and led to revival and transformation. “Slaves were often forbidden to pray, and if caught doing so were sometimes beaten. Nevertheless, many slaves, in spite of the danger and because of their love for Jesus, prayed anyway. My slave ancestors used a cast iron kettle pot as an acoustic means of concealing the sound of their voices. As I detail in my book, THE DREAM KING, they would invert the pot, lay it on the ground and prop it up with 3 or 4 rocks around the edges. They then prostrated themselves on the ground and put their mouths to the opening between the ground and the kettle. Thus, it was used to muffle their voices as they prayed. This pot also became a reminder of the prayer bowls in heaven, where God collects our prayers (Revelation 5:8). “Years ago, I began to wonder if there were similar stories passed down in other African American families, so my curiosity led me to do research. Over the past 20 years, I’ve combed through thousands of slave narratives at the Library of Congress. I learned this testimony of secret prayer meetings wasn’t just in my family’s slave history, and neither was their method of concealing their prayers. I found hundreds of written examples from Christian, African American slaves who used wash pots, barrels, and kettles to muffle their voices as they prayed. “Albert J. Raboteau, professor of religion at Princeton University, confirms this. ‘The most common device for preserving secrecy was an iron pot usually placed in the middle of the cabin floor or at the doorstep, then slightly propped up to hold the sound of the praying and singing from escaping. A variation was to pray or sing softly with heads together around the kettle to deaden the sound.’ “Many accounts mentioned how a secret code song was used to alert them of the secret prayer meetings at night. The song was called Steal Away To Jesus. Sometimes they sang and prayed all night. “In his slave narrative, Peter Randolph revealed how slaves also concealed prayer meetings by building temporary tabernacles, called ‘brush harbors’ or ‘hush harbors.’ In the dark of night, those first to the selected spot bent the boughs of trees in the direction of the prayer meeting, and those following behind were guided by them to the prayer meeting. After arriving in the desired location, they often soaked quilts with water, which were used to build four walls around them. This created a tabernacle. The wet blankets helped to deaden the sound as they prayed. “The beauty is that prayers offered in secret, in wet-blanket tabernacles and muffled under cast-iron kettles, filled golden prayer bowls in heaven. It’s exciting to think that our prayers are stored in the same place. Note that in Revelation 5:8, ‘bowls’ is plural. We don’t know how many bowls hold our prayers, but it’s very likely that each of us has his or her bowl in Heaven. God stores our prayers in them for use at the proper time. At the right time, He tips them and pours out powerful answers.” This part of American history is not taught in schools. Though recorded in our archives, these stories are only now being retold because of the research Will is doing. He is helping us understand our history is a spiritual one, not just one composed of secular events and decisions. It is a history grown also from the prayers of the saints. Psalm 78:2-4 and other scriptures encourage us to search out and share the history we have in the Lord: “I will teach you hidden lessons from our past - stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders,” (NLT). Without the fullness of our Christian heritage being known, godless men and women will try to reconstruct a history leaving God out of the picture. This revisionist history leaves us soul-less and divided, hopeless, and without a moral compass or purpose. Will continues: “Imagine, one day, in response to the prayers of our enslaved forefathers, God tipped over the prayer bowls in heaven and changed society. Quiet but fervent prayers for freedom, offered underneath kettles, joined with the prayers and sermons of the first and second Great Awakenings bringing deliverance. One of the little-known revivalists who became a voice for the voiceless was John Girardeau in Charleston, South Carolina. A white pastor and a rising star in the Presbyterian church, Girardeau also had a heart for the lost, especially enslaved African Americans. In the summer of 1857, at the Anson Street Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina, Girardeau called his congregation of 48 slaves and 12 whites to pray for revival. They prayed for many months.1 “One evening, while in prayer with the congregation, Girardeau said he ‘felt as if a surge of electricity’ struck his head and filled his entire being. He looked up and saw those praying with him shaking, trembling, and in tears. Their cries became more fervent as they continued praying with tears for the souls of their lost neighbors and loved ones. Revival came to the entire city of Charleston! One church gained 400 new members in just 3 or 4 days! 2 “This move of Holy Spirit lasted for eight weeks of nightly meetings and impacted all of Charleston. Crowds of 1,500 to 2,000 of every background gathered from across the city. Free African Americans, the enslaved, and whites of every strata of society were impacted. Girardeau’s church grew from 60 people to 2,000 Sunday morning attendees. 3 The Presbyterian church decided to ride the wave of enthusiasm, and initiated evangelism and prayer campaigns up and down the east coast. Eventually, they started one in New York City on Fulton Street at a Dutch Reformed church building, asking a young businessman who had been impacted by the revival in Charleston to head up the effort. Jeremiah Lanphier began a noon-day prayer meeting for businessmen. His first prayer meeting of six people soon turned into hundreds. Within weeks, 5,000 were coming to prayer! Eventually, over a million people across the country would give their lives to Christ and participate in these noon, business prayer meetings. 4 “This revival of prayer not only resulted in a harvest of millions of souls, but also societal transformation. Because of the new ethnic diversity in the congregations in Charleston, many people became voices for their brothers and sisters who were still enslaved there and throughout the South. This change of heart over slavery was an answer to prayer for those bound in chains. Incredibly, historians record the first shot of the Civil War came from Fort Sumter in Charleston, S.C. I believe, with many others, that the first shot of the Civil War actually came from the prayer meeting on Anson Street. Ultimately, on June 19, 1865, two years after slaves were freed through the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom for all enslaved came to the streets of Galveston, Texas. “The questions for us now are, ‘Which prayer meeting will be the “first shot” to end our division today? Who will fill the prayer bowls in heaven for those “spiritually” enslaved? Who will “steal away to Jesus” today, in order to shift and shape tomorrow?’” Pray with me [prayer by Will Ford]: Father, the prayers of our forefathers ring in eternity, actively working even today to shape our nation’s future. You have not forgotten the prayers of Robert Hunt, who planted a cross at Jamestown and dedicated this land to You. You are still acting on the prayers of our governmental forefathers and great revivalists in history. Your heart holds dear, as well, the sacrificial prayers of our country’s former enslaved believers. Today, we’re gathering stones and building another altar to You for our future. Release a new fire of revival for this generation and beyond. Heal hearts, minds, emotions and relationships. Make the church in America of one heart, mind, spirit and purpose in Christ Jesus. Pour out Your Holy Spirit on us and through us. Manifest Your holy presence across this land as You did in revivals of old. Birther of nations, You are able to rebirth this land. You can draw the lost, and You can also end systemic poverty and reverse Roe v. Wade. You can end human trafficking, senseless violence, and gang warfare. You can unravel global agendas and give Your people solutions to societal ills. You are looking for a new generation of people who will drop their agendas, come together and believe! We want to be part of extending a storyline in America that brings healing instead of hurt, blessing instead of curses. Make it so! Amen. Today’s decree: The sacrifice of prayer by former enslaved citizens is still honored in Heaven. We decree that the prayers we pray today will mingle with theirs, lighting the fires of revival and transforming America’s future! Learn more about Will Ford here. Click below to watch prayer. ___________________________________ https://romans1015.com/1857-anson-street-revival/ Ibid. Ibid. https://www.smithworks.org/revival/1857.html

Turn It Up My brother, Tim, released a strong word that I believe is in the flow of what God is saying to us this week. It is an encouragement to rise up with boldness and be the church God intends us to be. Tim says: “In Matthew 16:13-19, Jesus asked his disciples two questions: ‘Who do people say I am?’ And ‘Who do YOU say I am?’ “Power and authority are given to those who know and say who God really is. What we say is very important. As I was praying about this truth and seeking God for His present word I heard Him state, ‘The American government and the culture it promotes is a cake not turned.’ “I knew Holy Spirit was referencing a statement made in Hosea. In Hosea, chapter 7, we see the nation of Israel following the evil ways of the tribe of Ephraim. Holy Spirit was using their actions to speak to me about America. In Hosea, God said Israel had turned to other gods. At that point in their history, only a remnant was serving Him. “The following indictments from the 7th and 8th chapters of Hosea, taken from a blending of The Message and The Ampified Bibles, include: The nation has permitted religious whorehouses, prostituting My words. They are compromising, changing and distorting what I say. Every time the slate is wiped clean, it is filled up with new sins. The nation is two-faced and double-tongued, not taking into account that God knows the crimes and exposes them. Some of your leaders entertain in an evil circus with acrobatic lies, twisting the truth. They lead overheated adulterers, like wood stoves red hot with a lust for power. They mingle with pagans; they are a cake not turned. They are losing their awareness for reality. They turn here and there like weather vanes, but refuse to turn to Me. “God promises He is going to change this vacillating confusion and anti-God distortion of who He is. A cake not turned references something that is half-baked. For example, if you’re making pancakes and don’t turn them, one side will be burnt and the other won’t be cooked. This phrase reminded me of all the half-baked ideas our government had fed to this nation over the years, ideas coming from the burnt, clouded minds of feckless leaders. They are ruinous ideas of socialism, communism, liberalism, demonism and paganism. “Recently, we had our first American president who espoused a National Day of Prayer, while failing to mention God even once. What kind of a half-baked idea is that? It will burn this nation if the Ekklesia doesn’t rise and stop this nonsense. Some sins are simply sins of omission, and omitting God is a big one! “In reference to Matthew 16’s question, ‘Who do many in our nation say Christ is?’ a large number pay Him no attention; others consider Him to be only a prophet in history, likening him to Muhammad. Many actually think it’s offensive to say Jesus is the only way to heaven. There is a vicious effort to tear down the foundation of Christianity in America. “Recently, Holy Spirit gave me the following vision: I saw an aerial view of our church building, which I knew represented the entire Ekklesia. In four different sections were huge speaker towers, much like you would see at an outdoor concert. The amps powering the speakers were massive in size, each one having its own generator. Suddenly, I became aware that each speaker tower was actually a section of angels - angels of communication - wearing royal blue sashes or tunics. These types of angels assist Holy Spirit’s communication. They help communicate Holy’s Spirit’s plans regarding outpourings, revival strategies, and other messages to the heirs of Christ. “These angels were generating power and amplifying the message of the Holy Spirit. They were also helping amplify the message of the King’s Ekklesia, blasting it forth like a massive, supernatural PA system. They were amping up the volume. In the vision, I felt a wind beginning to blow, unusual in the fact that it was blowing both clockwise and counter clockwise. When this happened, the entire roof of the building became one large mouth. I heard Holy Spirit say: “‘Behold, the proclamation of the King’s Ekklesia. Their voice is being amplified to proclaim who He is and what He says. Proclamations will be carried in all directions by the winds of a new Pentecost. Their voice of revelation will roar into the nation with ultra vibrations of energy. It will roar through the nations of the world. Power from heaven is generating a new voice of authority, louder than the voice of hell’s government. It is louder than ridicule, mocking and demon voices. “‘I am pouring out My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. My angel armies are amping up with My Ekklesia. The voice of my Kingdom Ekklesias will blast forth truth, carried by fresh winds of Pentecost, assisted by angels of fire. For my true church is moving into “a new era Pentecost,” in which Holy Spirit will turn up the volume. A thundering voice of authority will now rise from my Ekklesia. A thundering voice of power will reverberate throughout the cultures. A trumpeted alarm will sound exposing pagan government, which I will cut down. High sounding proclamations from the mouth of My Ekklesia will bring definition as to who I am. They will also define who My church really is - clear identity will be sounded. This will be amplified by my kingdom generators, the holy angels. Michael, Gabriel and the angel armies are involved. “‘As My Ekklesia sees their volume turned up and proclaims the definition of Who I Am, they will also see the amplification of miracles. Miracles, signs, wonders and healings will begin to be turned up. The raising voice of My Ekklesia sounding forth into the land will open and close doors with commanding, bold authority. “‘Reverberating proclamations of who their King really is will clear the air of circling vultures. It will remove barriers of demon princes, powers and dominions. Words of My purpose, declared by My Ekklesia, will break and destroy demonic structures. My angels will assist. My Ekklesias will rise in power and destroy the religious prostitution of Who I am. They will bring down the religious whorehouses that openly defy My Word, changing it to embrace evil. “‘They will turn up the volume of their voice of authority against iniquity, evil laws, demon philosophies, doctrines of devils, feckless government, covenant breaking, blasphemies and the arrogant mocking of My ways. The voice of My Ekklesia will now thunder under the anointing of the Holy Spirit as a new Pentecost outpouring begins to activate. It will resound through the darkness piercing it with words of light, truth and revelation. “‘It is time for the thundering voice of the true Ekklesia. It is time for the amplified sounds of power proclamations assisted by angel armies. It is time for the mouth of My Ekklesia to align with Mine, declaring answers to the confusion with great, bold authority. It is time for My Ekklesia’s voice of triumph to begin answering the question of Who I am and what I stand for, who they are and what they stand for. The “new era Pentecost” is pouring forth, revival is beginning to surge, awakening is soaking the spirit of My heirs. “‘The harvest has ripened. I have built My Ekklesia for these times and this era. I have built it to prevail. Raise a bold, loud voice louder than the voice of fools. Raise a voice like thunder and say Who I am. It will activate who YOU really are.’ “Who do you say He is? What are you verbalizing? Say it boldly!” Pray with me: Lord, pour out Your Spirit. Pour out a boldness on Your Ekklesia to become a mouth for Your kingdom that will be louder than the voice of demon doctrines. Let it be amplified! Come, angels of communication, amplify the voice and carry it into all the world. Carry it with boldness and authority. Carry it to say it just like the King says it. We pray for the amplification of communication like this world has never seen upon Your church. Let us begin to see it. God, pour it out! Let the voice of the sons and daughters of God begin to thunder throughout this culture and nation. Thunder against demon powers. Let the voice of the Lord be heard throughout this planet through His sons and daughters - with no compromise. Reveal the real church across this land. Let it roar! Our Decree: The voice of the Ekklesia is roaring with boldness, clarity and authority, declaring who Christ is! Today’s post was contributed by my brother, Tim Sheets. You can learn more about Tim here. Click the link below to watch the video.

Lions, To Your Feet! Off and on for the last few months, I have been drawn to Isaiah 40. For the last week, I have been especially drawn to verses 1-5. I’ve always found the passage to be paradoxical. The verses begin with God saying, “Comfort My people. I have forgiven them - the season of judgment is over” (verses 1-2, Sheets paraphrase). That’s nice. But then Jehovah continues by prophetically speaking of and describing the ministry of John the Baptist. Not so nice. John had a bulldozer anointing: clearing debris, leveling mountains, filling valleys, straightening crooked places - in human hearts! His message to everyone was, “Repent!” To some, he wasn’t so nice: “Repent, you brood of vipers!” (Luke 3:7). Comfort? Not so much. However, it wasn’t John’s message that was comforting. It was the purpose, the intended result of his message, which was preparing the way for the appearance of Messiah, the Savior of the world. He would bring the glory of God to earth (verse 5): “Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together.” The building of every new house starts with the “comfort” of a bulldozer. The building of Christ’s Kingdom does, as well. He uproots the old, then builds the new. John, then Jesus. I went to minister in Clarksville, TN, last weekend, with these thoughts stirring in me. While there, my friend Clay Nash prophesied the following: “The Lord says, I had to take you out of your comfort zone in order to bring you into My comfort.” He had me! “But, let it be known that My comfort does not comfort in the way your comfort zone does. My comfort conforms you...to My image. “The conforming to My image (brought about by My process of comfort), will bring you out of ‘the old,’ in order to take you into ‘the new’ (your inheritance). I am bringing you out of the barren wilderness...but now you must allow My Spirit to remove the wilderness mindset that has become ingrained in you during the recent journey. “For the days ahead are days of living sacrifices - yielding, remaining still - upon my altar. I am a consuming fire that must consume all that is not Me. But the days that lie ahead will prove that your surrender to Me is your strength. This surrender, resulting in a newfound strength, will be triggered by your hunger for My presence, a presence that leads you, not only from strength to strength, but from faith to faith and victory to victory. “Your surrender will cause our oneness to become a bond of love, and you will see the promises you have battled FOR become the promises you will battle FROM. In this new place I have prepared for My body, you will discover the words that set the enemy to flight will be, “It is Finished.” Whoa!!! “Out of your comfort...to Mine...which conforms you to look like Me...so I can give you your inheritance...now you must think differently...you must be completely surrendered to Me...and what you battled for, you will now battle from.” What a great word. Yesterday, I shared with you a portion of a dream given by Holy Spirit to comfort us. It spoke of hope deferred and discouragement from the 2020 elections continuing to stall the growth process of many in the church. They couldn’t mature from “sheep” to “lions”. Like Isaiah 40, the dream’s beginning, which describes this problem, isn’t comforting. However, later in the dream the Lord made it clear He had no intention of allowing this setback to continue. He instructed me to issue a command, “LIONS” (He called them lions, not sheep), “TO YOUR FEET!” As they stood, Holy Spirit blew on them, bringing healing and transformation. If you didn’t see or hear the post, please do so. The comfort many of us envisioned for America last November didn’t come. To millions of us, the process was flawed, the results catastrophic. God, however, is saying He wants to use this outcome to strengthen us and expose evil. We will emerge stronger, more like Him and functioning from a position of victory; those who oppose Him, while promoting death, polytheism (many gods), secularism (the removal of religion from government and public policy), government control, immorality and lies will not emerge from this season stronger. They will be exposed as fools. The dream we looked at yesterday comforts by assuring us Father has no intention of leaving His kids in a weakened state. He fully intends to heal all who are in a hope deferred stall. He wants us to be bold, courageous lions, not just sheep. Our Commander desires us to be warriors, not passive sheep bleating for more food. He demands faith, not fear. Our Father is asking us to trust His ways and processes, assuring us that as we do so, He will do as He promised. We will release a roar, take our inheritance - our promised land - and we will war FROM the victory we warred FOR with our prayers. The Elijah List recently posted a prophecy from Katie Barker in Australia. It, too, speaks of God turning the tide of weariness caused from intense warfare. Here are portions of the word. (You can see the entire word here.): “Many have been in an intense season of spiritual warfare, but the Lord has heard the persistent prayers of His faithful ones; the battle is shifting and your day of deliverance and occupying new territory is at hand... “I heard the Lord say, ‘Many of My front line warriors, intercessors, prophets, Kingdom builders and advancers have been under intensified attacks this year. The enemy has been relentless in his attempt to bring roadblocks, hindrances and weariness to these ones in their continued stand to see My plans and purposes come to pass. The flames of the battle have continued to intensify, but My faithful ones have continued to stand and push forward. They have spiritual eyes to see the battle and they know the territory and promise that awaits them, as they know I am faithful to bring to pass all I have spoken... “The Lord continued, ‘The battle over the destinies of individuals and regions has been intense. The battle intensifies on the edge of breakthrough. Many are at the cusp of breakthrough, the cusp of the new territory and land they will occupy, and the cusp of a complete change in their situation. Now is the time to stand in faith on all I have spoken, and to break off the lies of the enemy that say the shift will not come. Now is the time to wage war with the promise I have given you... “‘Rise up and take up your sword. Decree My words at the leading of My Spirit. Strengthen yourself in Me and allow your faith to arise. Surround yourself with others who will stand in faith with you and will strengthen you in your stand. Wage war through worship as you turn your eyes on Me and use every weapon in your arsenal. Wage war with My word and see Me make the path straight before you...’ “The Lord said, ‘A fatal blow is coming to the enemy's plans on the back of strategic, supernatural keys of revelation which I am releasing to My people at this time. As My faithful ones spend time in My presence, specific and strategic revelation on the keys to overcome the enemy will be released. As these keys are used, hindrances and strongholds will be broken and swift justice and advancement will come... "’Don't you know that God, the true judge, will grant justice to all of His chosen ones who cry out to Him night and day? He will pour out His Spirit upon them. He will not delay to answer you and give you what you ask for. God will give swift justice to those who don't give up. So be ever praying ever expecting…’ (Luke 18:7-8 TPT). “The Lord said, ‘I have heard the persistent cries of My people and I am coming to bring swift justice. Recompense and restoration will be seen. This is a demarcation time – a time where a line will be drawn and a shift seen in the battle as My just verdict is released. The demarcation line is a battle line or boundary line where the enemy will no longer be allowed access. The demarcation time will see territory given back to My people. My justice will bring an overturning of the enemy's plans.’” What a great word! And now, on the strength of the dream and these two prophetic words, I’m going to issue the command Holy Spirit gave me in the dream, along with the request to Holy Spirit. If you are struggling in your faith, if you are weary, if passivity has taken over your heart, receive these words into your heart and spirit now. “LIONS, TO YOUR FEET! WIND OF GOD, BLOW UPON THESE LIONS AND BRING THEM INTO THE POWER OF THEIR TRUE IDENTITY!”1 Now, let’s get on with the process of helping turn this nation back to God! Pray with me: Father, release the wind You spoke of in the dream. Bring forth the true identity of the ekklesia. Like a roaring lion that stands, shakes his mane and releases his mighty roar, cause them to arise with strength and boldness. We speak over Your people this day that the blood-sucking ticks of disillusionment and despair are destroyed. We speak hope into the church. Bring forth the conformity to You, of which You spoke. Weariness, be gone, in Christ’s name! Now, Lord, SEND THE WIND!!! Our Decree: We decree that all weariness and hope deferred is broken off of the ekklesia. The roar is being released. Click below to watch the prayer. _________________________________ Taken from Give Him Fifteen: Releasing the Roar, 6/14/2021; www.givehim15.com.

Releasing the Roar In a recent dream sent to me by my friend, Greg Hood, he and I were at a lake, shaped like America, about to go fishing. An angel appeared and told us we could not fish just yet. He told us to travel to a certain place and partner on an important assignment with 2 leaders: a charismatic Baptist pastor and a Word of Faith teacher/prophet. Greg is a prophet/apostle. In the dream, we traveled on Radah Airlines, out of Gate 12. When we arrived, one of the waiting leaders said to me, “This is serious. We have to hurry.” We walked onto a field containing 1000’s of creatures laying down. They were unusual beings with bodies of sheep and the heads of lions! He informed us that this was a rare breed of sheep that was bred so that at a certain age they would metamorphose into lions. He said to me, “They have been stuck in this form since November, 2020. They should be lions by now. They are dying. We are going to lose them all if we can’t get them through this process. What do we do?” I said, “We have to get them on their feet. Lions must be on their feet.” Then I decreed, “LIONS, TO YOUR FEET!” Immediately angels appeared, assisting the sheep/lions to their feet. Once they stood I decreed, “WIND OF GOD BLOW UPON THESE LIONS AND BRING THEM INTO THE POWER OF THEIR TRUE IDENTITY!” As soon as I decreed this, a wind began to blow, blowing the wool of the sheep in a way that we could see underneath it. As this happened, we could see thousands of ticks attached to each sheep; these ticks were hindering them from morphing into lions. One of the leaders said, “I have what we need.” He pulled out from his bag a horn filled with oil and gave it to a different leader, who brought it to his lips and began to blow the oil from the horn. The wind caught the oil and blew it over the entire pride, covering all the lion/sheep. This wind-blown oil killed and removed all the ticks. As this happened, the sheep bodies began to morph into the bodies of lions. It was rather quick. During this time, another leader was singing 2 Samuel 22:30-35 over them. As he did, a deafening roar arose from the lions that literally shook the ground. Many of the lionesses were pregnant and immediately began giving birth. And they gave birth to sheep! The sheep, however, quickly began turning into lions! The young lions began to roar, also, and the other leader kept singing the 2 Samuel 22 scripture. All of this continued for a while. Then the lions began making their way to the tarmac where many planes were waiting. They boarded the planes and were immediately flown throughout the nation. As planes were departing, one of the leaders said to me, “I am so thankful you were not late. We are called to release lions, not raise sheep!” At this point in the dream the angel walked up to me and handed me papers. They were the flight manifest. The angel said, “Seal this manifest with your ring. This will activate mission ‘RELEASE THE ROAR’ over America. This is part of Father’s promise of REDEEMING ALL.” I did as requested and we watched as the planes filled the sky taking these lions throughout the nation. End of Dream. There is more to the dream, which I will share soon in a podcast, but here are a few thoughts regarding this portion. The American-shaped lake in which we were about to fish refers to the coming harvest of souls in America. The sheep/lions obviously represent the church, which was adversely affected in the 2020 elections (“since November, 2020”). The maturing of many believers into the kingly anointing of Christ (the Lion of Judah), stopped at that point through the ensuing disappointment and hope deferred. The “ticks,” I believe, is a play on words - politics/ticks. The election process, influenced by the corruption, drained the life from many believers, causing them to disengage and give up (“lay down”). This is stunting their growth and development. If this isn’t checked, it will affect them permanently. Greg and I traveled on Radah Airlines. Radah is the Hebrew word for “rule” or “dominion”. We left from Gate 12, which is a number representing government in scripture. God was saying we had the necessary dominion/authority to rule over the situation He was sending us to, releasing Christ’s governmental authority. He has all authority on earth (Matthew 28:18) and has delegated it to us, the Ekklesia (church). We traveled by air, which also pictured authority in “heavenly places/heavens,” (see Matthew 16: 19). The sheep/lions had to “stand” to be healed; they needed to rise up and make a stand (Ephesians 6:13-14). I was led to decree over them, “Lions (notice I called them lions, not sheep), to your feet!” Angels helped them do so. Then, I decreed, “Wind of God (Holy Spirit), blow upon these lions and bring them into the power of their true identity!” And I say this now over YOU. Arise!! And release a roar from your spirit - a roar of triumph and victory! The oil and wind obviously represent Holy Spirit. He must blow on these individuals, delivering and healing them from the blood sucking, political fiasco that occurred. This will be facilitated by different streams of the body of Christ working together, and by the different Ephesians 4 gifts of Christ - apostle, prophet, pastor and teacher - working together. The evangelism gift was released AFTER the healing. We must pray and decree into this attack and reversing of development and momentum. We will do so all week here on Give Him 15. Please join me and thousands of others as we do so. Pray with me: Father, we refuse to allow hope-deferred and discouragement to cripple the growth of Your people into their true identity - the army You intend them to be. Yes, we are Your people, the sheep of Your pasture; but we are also to grow into a mighty Ekklesia, moving in the authority of Lion-King Jesus, releasing His roar. You said You would roar out of Zion! (see Joel 3:16) We decree over the body of Christ, as You instructed in the dream, “LIONS, ON YOUR FEET! Rise up from confusion. Shake off discouragement. Trade your weariness for the strength He promised in Isaiah 40:31.” And Holy Spirit, we ask You to now blow upon Your people, delivering them from this draining of life and strength. Pour Your oil on them, killing and removing these hope-sucking/life-sucking ticks. Father, bring the body of Christ together to release what is needed to accomplish this. Especially leaders. Then, we ask You to birth the harvest. Bring forth the evangelists...bold, faith-filled, Spirit empowered evangelists that will cover this entire nation. And do this in other nations, as well. We ask for all of this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Our Decree: We decree that all effects of the 2020 election on the church, are now broken - in the powerful name of Jesus. The ekklesia will emerge as the triumphant army Christ intends them to be! Find out more about Dr. Greg Hood here.

The Power of Hope “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.” 1 These are the opening lines of the song, Solid Rock, written in 1834 by Edward Mote, a Baptist pastor from England. The well-known refrain states: “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.” 2 The refrain of this hymn is based on Matthew 7:24-27, which anyone who’s attended Sunday school will recognize as the parable of The Wise and the Foolish Builders. The passage says: “Anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, the wind blew hard against that house, and it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!” (GNT) Most of the words of this song, not just the refrain, are based in scripture. Edward Mote must have been a man who loved God’s Word. He had come to understand hope was found in Christ, and he clearly embraced this truth in his life. I’m sure he had no idea the powerful song he ended up writing would become a classic, reminding the millions who would someday sing it that hope is found in Jesus. Hope is not something we need only now and then, based on circumstances. Hope must stay alive; it begins with Christ. The day we say yes to Him there is an expectancy of a different outcome to our lives. Eternity is planted in our hearts and hope is a fruit growing from it, keeping our hearts turned toward Him. The Lord tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 He has good plans for us and, as they unfold, we will see He gives us “a good future and a hope.” The hope He gives, motivates us to pursue the future He has planned. This allows us to impart hope, which puts wind beneath the wings of others, especially the children we raise. Hope looks past any fog or darkness that may be encroaching on our path, and helps us find our way forward. I state in my book, The Power of Hope: “Hope is to the heart what seeds are to the earth. Without hope life is sterile, unfruitful. Without it dreams won’t be conceived; destinies won’t be realized. Hope is powerful because it is the starting line, the genesis, the launch pad. It is, in fact, the incubator where faith is formed: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for,” God tells us (Hebrews 11:1 KJV, emphasis added). If there is no hope for the future, there will be no faith to face it - let alone build it.” 3 Strong’s concordance tells us the word “hope” in Jeremiah 29:11 is the word “tiqvah”. It has two meanings: “an expectancy;” “a cord, as an attachment.” The second definition is fascinating. Hope connects us to our future. Our friend, JoNell Burch Garland, wrote a wonderful book entitled Threads of Hope...in a Frazzled World. It’s a devotional in which she has written 31 short words of encouragement on the topic of hope. JoNell shares a testimony on day nine about hope as expectancy. She describes the important difference between expectation, which is a hope-killer, and expectancy, which is a hope-nurturer: “Some time back I was in a situation where I had prayed harder, fasted longer, and did my very best to follow all the right pathways to see a specific prayer answered. Believing I’d heard from God and giving it my all, I was doing my best to do all the right things. Well, much to my utter surprise and disappointment, nothing turned out as I thought it should or would. This caused me great grief, and I caused others grief in the process also. “One morning while I was in prayer, the Lord broke into my thoughts and asked me a simple question. ‘JoNell, you’ve ceased to expect much from Me, haven’t you?’ Knowing He values honesty, I responded to Him simply, ‘Yes, that’s true, Lord.’ “Then He spoke something to my heart that changed me forever. He said, ‘Daughter, when you cease to expect good things from Me, you protect your heart from the pain of disappointment, but you break Mine.’ Then He said, ‘How would you like it if your children no longer expected good things from you?’ “I realized then that dwelling at or on disappointment sets us back from the onward journey He has for us. At this place, if we are not careful, we say basically, ‘Okay, I will walk with You and I will love You, but I am not expecting much out of our relationship any longer. I will just keep my expectations low and I will be fine.’” JoNell goes on to show us the disciples dealt with this same issue. “We had our hopes up that He was the One,”( Luke 24:21). She explains, “Jesus had not lived up to their expectations, and it weighed heavily upon their souls as they walked along...Expectation is based on what we want to see. Expectancy is based on WHO He is, not on what He will do.”1 This brings us back to the words of Mote’s song, “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” At some point while walking along life’s path with the Lord, this powerful truth became a revelation and he shared it with all the world in his hymn. The second definition of “tiqvah” is a “cord or rope.” It is used in this way in Joshua 2:18. A woman named Rahab hid the Israelite spies when they came to Jericho to check out the promised land. Because she helped them, they were led to save her and her family from the destruction coming to Jericho. The spies gave her a red cord and told her to hang it in her window. They cautioned her to be sure all of her extended family members were in the room with the cord, so they could all be saved. In verse 21, she accepted their offer. It was a very good thing she did. The entire city and its inhabitants were destroyed; only Rahab and her family survived. The passage reads, “When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet cord [hope] hanging from the window through which you let us down… ‘I accept your terms,’ she replied. And, she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope [hope] hanging from the window.” (NLT) Rahab was being asked to put her hope in these men and the God she knew was with them. Their promise to her was a covenant expressed in the blood-red cord. Most scholars see this as a prophetic picture of Christ’s shed blood, which is where we place our trust. This symbolism seems even more likely when we realize Rahab married a man from the tribe of Judah (Salmon) and became the mother of Boaz. King David was one of her descendents. She was part of Christ’s lineage! That He descended from Rahab makes it almost certain that the scarlet cord symbolized the blood of Christ, through which we are saved. Mote’s song says, “His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.” Let’s put all our hope in His covenant with us, knowing we are saved and anchored solidly in His love and plan. “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” (Zechariah 9:12 ESV) Pray with me: Father, we ask You to heal Your people from hope-deferred. You tell us hope-deferred makes our hearts sick (Proverbs 13:12). Heal them spiritually and emotionally so they can be hope-givers to those around them. Many have been in a season of disappointment; some have even abandoned hope, and lost faith in You. They have allowed circumstances to determine how they see and relate to You. Hope can correct our vision and bring us into right relationship with You. You are great! You are good, faithful and have a plan to bring us into a hope-filled future. We break off of Your people fear, disillusionment, hope-deferred, weak hearts, and confusion. We release Your promise of “no fear,” but instead “power, love, and a sound mind.” We release over them the spirit of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13). Our hope and faith are strong for ourselves, our families, and our nation. We pray and decree these things in the name of our solid rock, Jesus! Amen. Today’s decree: We declare that a hope-filled church will reflect Jesus, rejoicing in hope, standing patient in tribulation, and remaining constant in prayer. Click below to watch prayer. _________________________ “My Hope is Built” by Edward Mote. Public domain. Ibid Dutch Sheets, The Power of Hope, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Publishing Group, 2002), p 3. Garland, JoNell Burch. 2020, pp 34-36.

Celebrating Flag Day The pilot came on the PA system as we were nearing our gate. “We are stopping short of our gate. If you will, please join us for a few moments of silence before we continue. The plane at the gate next to ours is offloading the body of one of our fallen soldiers; we want to honor him and his family,” he softly said. The plane grew silent as those on my side of the plane - and the soldier’s family on the ground - watched the flag-draped coffin being removed. Tears flowed...from those on the ground and on the plane. Some were mine. Today is Flag Day. Have you ever wondered about the words to our Star Spangled Banner? The “rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air?” Why was someone watching so intently to “see if our flag was still there?”1 “In 1814, as flames leapt out of the Capitol Building and the White House, the night sky glowed red as the American people fled Washington. The British were attacking American seaports and the mainland relentlessly, steadily moving toward Baltimore. Emboldened by victory, British Admiral Cochrane informed James Monroe, America’s Secretary of State, that the British Navy had set their eyes on the demolition of Fort McHenry, a pentagonal bastion fort protecting the Baltimore harbor. “A young lawyer named Francis Scott Key had been sent to negotiate the release of prisoners being held on British ships in the Baltimore Harbor. After the successful negotiation of the release, Key was informed by Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane that the negotiations would be fruitless, as the British would launch an attack on Fort McHenry at dawn. Because Key had seen the British preparing to attack, Cochrane did not allow him to return to land. “On Tuesday, September 13, 1814, the earth-shattering sound of heavy guns broke the morning calm. British ships, as far as the eye could see, filled the harbor and mercilessly released their deadly mortars. By the following morning, the British had launched over 1,500 mortars, some as heavy as 250 pounds, into Fort McHenry. “Through the night, Key kept a watch over the Fort. As the bombs lit up the night, Key strained to see if the American Flag was still flying. Why? Why was Key so intensely watching the flag? British officers had informed American troops that the whole battle could be avoided if they simply would lower their flag. So, as long as the flag remained raised, the British would continue to attack. For 25 hours, the British bombarded Fort McHenry. For 25 hours, American troops inside the fort made sure that the flag was still there. After 25 hours, the British realized they would not take the fort by sea, and ceased fire. “Realizing the British were discontinuing their fire, Key, several miles out, looked over the waters. What would he tell the American prisoners now aboard his ship? Would he see the flag with her bold stripes and bright stars? Would he see the sign of surrender? Did that star-spangled banner yet wave? As the dawn turned to daylight, though its pole was askew and its stars and stripes marred, Key saw that, indeed, our American flag was still there.”2 I have made no attempt to hide my patriotism in these posts. Nor have I ever suggested that God loves America more than any other nation. He does not; He loves all people equally. That fact should not, however, lessen our love for and commitment to our nation. He loves the family across town as much as He does mine, yet that doesn’t mean I bear the same responsibility and paternal love for them as I do my household. America is my homeland and I love her. The flag represents her. “To some Americans, the flag and our national anthem are not just meaningless symbols. Our national anthem and our flag represent the things we hold dear: our country, the freedom enjoyed by all Americans, and the troops who fought for it. Many Americans proudly stand with tears in their eyes and gratitude in their hearts when our national anthem is performed; I’m one of them. Often, veterans take part in the performing of our national anthem and the simultaneous display of our flag. Such displays are meant to inspire gratitude and patriotism! 3 “On June 14, 1877, the first Flag Day observance was held on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Stars and Stripes. As instructed by Congress, the U.S. flag was flown from all public buildings across the country. In the years after the first Flag Day, several states continued to observe the anniversary, and in 1949 Congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a national day of observance.” 4 When living in Colorado Springs, a city with 5 military bases, we had the opportunity to see the Presenting (or Posting) of Colors many times. Usually there were 4 flags: the American flag (always on the right), the state flag, the military departmental flag, and the unit flag. The military representatives (soldiers) always marched in ceremoniously, and exited the same. The Presenting of Colors always caused everyone in the venue to pause and honor the flags being displayed. We also learned there is a flag protocol: “When more than one flag is displayed, the American flag is to fly at peak, above any other flag. Do not let the flag touch the ground. Do not fly the flag upside down unless there is an emergency. Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it. Do not store the flag where it can get dirty. Do not use it as a cover. Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free. Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag. When flown over a street, the Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street.”5 And there are other specifications for proper flag etiquette. Why do I mention them? Because the importance of our flag - our symbol of freedom, patriotism, and independence - must be celebrated, fought for, and even properly cared for. That, my friend, is done by you and me. “Flags originally were used mainly in warfare, and to some extent they have remained an insignia of leadership, serving for the identification of friend or foe and as rallying points. They are now also extensively employed for signaling, for decoration, and for display. Because the usefulness of a flag for purposes of identification depends on its blowing out freely in the wind, the material that is preferred is usually light and bears a device or pattern identical on both sides.”6 Today we observe Flag Day and celebrate this symbol of freedom and independence. Perhaps we should make the entitled athletes - who choose to dishonor what the TRUE hero in my earlier story died to honor - sit and watch a few dozen of those ceremonies before they’re allowed to pick up their million dollar paychecks for playing games. Perhaps they could also pass out the tissues to the grieving spouses and children. Forgive my cynicism. President Ronald Reagan said, “When we honor our flag, we honor what we stand for as a nation - freedom, equality, justice, and hope.”7 Today, let’s fly our flags with honor and proudly display our patriotism. Just as a flag is designed to blow freely in the wind, we ask Holy Spirit to once again blow His wind on America. Join me. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for Your great love for the entire world. Red, yellow, black and white - You love us all. On this day when we celebrate our homeland, we in America remember that You love all other nations just as much as You love ours. And we pray for them today, that they would experience Your blessing and a special outpouring of Your Spirit. Your word tells us, however, that there is significance to where we were born and placed by You. Acts 17:26 says You chose our time in which to live and the place of our habitation. We accept the responsibility that comes with this. We pray for America, as others now pray for their nation, asking for healing and the recovery of purpose and strength. And we here in America do not take for granted the incredible prosperity we partake of and the freedom we enjoy. We are humbled by the abundance we experience. May we ever be mindful of the price others have paid to win this freedom - the blood, sweat and tears. May we also ever remember and be grateful for the favor that came from You because of our allegiance to You. We have enjoyed Your providential care and blessing. We thank You, and pledge, by the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, to turn our nation back to You. Amen. Our Decree: We decree that America is a nation under God and that she will remain under Him. ___________________________ https://www.nps.gov/fomc/learn/historyculture/the-national-anthem.htm https://www.dayspringchristian.com/blog/history-national-anthem/ Ibid. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-adopts-the-stars-and-stripes www.VFW.org/flag https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-heraldry/National-flags http://www.patrioticmoms.com/home/united-states-flag-quotes Click below to watch the prayer.

It’s Time! I’ve been telling people in many of my recent meetings that it is time for an increase of the miraculous. Engage your faith for this. I heard a credible report recently of three people raised from the dead after covid related deaths. The death certificate had already been signed for one of the people. As we move into this great revival, God will confirm the gospel with signs and wonders. The miracle performed through Peter at the gate called Beautiful in Acts 3 created “wonder” and “amazement.” Wonder is the Greek word thambos, which also means stupefaction or to be in a stupor. It is related to the word tapho, which means to be dumbfounded. You have heard the phrase “a drunken stupor.” Here in Acts, Holy Spirit caused a “miracle stupor.” It was shocking to the senses - the people couldn’t wrap their arms around this supernatural event. The word amazement is from the Greek word ekstasis, which means “a displacement of the mind, bewilderment, astonishment, even ecstasy.” It carries the connotation of being beside oneself. In a negative context it can even mean insanity. You get the point - the people were ecstatic, crazy with joy, beside themselves. This is what begins to occur in revival. Holy Spirit brings extraordinary, supernatural signs and wonders to capture the hearts, minds and imagination of the people. This prepares them for the gospel. Brian Gibbs is a revivalist. He shares my passion for America and to see God gather in the greatest harvest the world has ever seen. Brian shares the following story of a wonderful miracle: “It was a beautiful afternoon. Bren and I had enjoyed a day together at the beach to rest, get refreshed, and soak in some premium Florida sunshine. We were on our way home from Lido Key and were sitting at a red light. As we were sitting there talking, I happened to glance into the rearview mirror only to find a woman coming up right behind us, and it was clear, she was not stopping! I only had time to stretch out my arm over my wife and shout, ‘Hold on.’ “The woman plowed right into the back of our car. I asked Bren if she was okay, and she said she was. I was fine too. I turned off the car and got out to assess the damage and check on the lady. The woman’s car was totaled. I was so frustrated. Bren walked over to the side of the road to call the police. I went to the woman’s car, opened her door and shut off the vehicle. She was crying and in a lot of pain as her left arm was clearly broken. I helped her out of the car and made sure that everyone was ok. I was so aggravated with the woman and the situation. “As I walked her over to Bren and waited for the police to arrive, I moved from being completely aggravated to feeling compassion for this woman. I began to pray silently for her and for her arm. I also began to speak to her bone to be set and healed. The police arrived on the scene and the officer began to ask about the accident. I immediately noticed his name badge – ‘Officer, HEAVEN.’ I’m not kidding! I laughed, and asked him about his name, and he shared a few good laughs with Bren and me. I continued to pray for the woman silently, as she was still pretty shaken up by the whole event. To my utter surprise, I looked down at her arm, which I had been gently holding, and realized that the bone had moved back into place. It was set and healed! Oh my, oh my - JESUS! I wanted to shout and rejoice, but instead I said to her, ‘Well, look there...it looks like your arm is going to be just fine.’ She looked down at her arm, looked at me, looked back at her arm, looked back up at me, looked down at her arm – at this point – that ‘large-mouth bass’ face took shape. “Her response startled me. She said, ‘I know who you are! I know who you are!’ My wife and I looked at one another, thinking…hmmm, this is odd. She said, ‘You’re Pastor Brian, I know who you are now’…She went on…‘In 1999 I was going through the worst time of my life and walked through a brutal divorce. I was depressed, drinking heavily, on pills and at times suicidal. I lost it all. I came to a Church in Springfield, Illinois that was hosting a revival, and you were there preaching. That was the night I gave my heart to the Lord. I was delivered from every affliction and substance abuse.’ “Whoa! Bren and I were stunned! Officer Heaven was stunned! So many years later, and here was this woman, now sharing her testimony of salvation and the goodness of God. The beauty of the Lord turned a terrible situation into an encounter of praise and thanksgiving. We prayed with her and loved on her, as Officer Heaven stood silently observing. “Always look for God to move into any given situation. Be sensitive to Holy Spirit and be compassionate, remembering: compassion is the key that gives us access to miracles! Faith works by love (Galatians 5:6).”1 In Acts 17:6b, NKJV, it is said of his apostles, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Someone on the street may one day say of you, “Look, there’s so-and-so. They told me about Jesus and my life was forever changed! Then they healed me after I plowed into their car!” Begin to think differently! A “fullness of time” has come. Extraordinary miracles are beginning. And God wants to use YOU! “But you'll receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you'll be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 ISV) Pray with me: Father, we have a covenant with You through Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We are going to see the fullness of this Third Great Awakening. Not because we want it so desperately, but because You said so. It is not just what we want. It is what You want. You want hearts transformed forever and lives set on fire by the Holy Spirit. You want miracles, multiplication, and lasting fruit. You want an awakening which will transform people and the earth realm we inhabit. You want this nation upended and put in right order. We are reaching into our history with You. We are reaching for our inheritance. There are roots of prayer here. There is a history of revivals and Great Awakenings throughout America’s history. We have a prophetic destiny and we know You will show us how to fulfill it. Let it be said of us, “Believers in Jesus are radically changing the hearts and minds of America! Miracles follow them everywhere they go.” May multitudes come into the Kingdom and remain. Thank You, Jesus. Amen. Today’s decree: We will be those set on fire with His love and we will turn this nation upside down! Learn more about Brian Gibbs here. You can find Brian’s book by clicking here or at Amazon. _____________________________ 1 Gibbs, Brian. Unstoppable and Unquenchable Fire. Watch video here:

Their Last Words There has been much controversy lately over when, how, and by whom this nation was founded. We know the Lord sent believers to our shores to establish His will and plan here. The fact that rewriting America’s history is so important to the Left is telling. Their determination to see God’s influence - and the destiny He gave us - erased from our past, should be enough to warn us. Satan is behind this revision because he knows that roots - especially covenantal roots - matter greatly. In my book An Appeal to Heaven, I write about the synergy of the ages explaining the power of connecting with righteous people and events from the past. The word “patriot” actually comes from the Greek word pater meaning “father.” Patriotism is connecting to and embracing the inheritance we have from our fathers. In nature, if there is no root, there is no fruit. The same is true spiritually. We must NEVER allow America’s godly roots to be stolen - they hold within them our calling. Stephen McDowell, the founder of the Providence Foundation is one who has studied America’s historical connection to God. Please go to his website and see the support he has compiled to back up the facts - the roots of America are indeed Christian. One of the things McDowell has looked at are statements several of our Founders made in their Last Will and Testament. This is a very interesting and compelling source. The words these Founders wanted their posterity to remember them by leave no doubt that they were mature Christians. Here are some of the quotes he includes: “John Smith, leader in early Virginia, stated in his will: ‘First I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Maker, hoping through the merits of Christ Jesus my Redeemer, to receive full remission of all my sins, and to inherit a place in the everlasting kingdom.’ “Mary, the mother of George Washington, stated in her will: ‘I, Mary Washington, . . . do make and publish this, my last will, recommending my soul in the hands of my Creator, hoping for a remission of all my sins through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of mankind.’”1 “Samuel Adams (1722-1803) Signer of the Declaration, Father of the Revolution, Governor of Massachusetts: ‘Principally & first of all, I commend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.’”2 “Richard Stockton (1731-1781) Signer of the Declaration, New Jersey: ‘And as my children will have frequent occasion of perusing this instrument, and may probably be particularly impressed with the last words of their father, I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian Religion, such as the Being of God...the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Saviour, the necessity of the operations of the divine Spirit; of divine Faith, accompanied with an habitual virtuous life, and the universality of the divine Providence: but also...to exhort and charge them, that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life held up in the Christian system, is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state...’ “Patrick Henry (1736-1799) Orator of the Revolution, First Continental Congress, Governor Virginia [after apportioning his possessions]: ‘This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one [an inheritance] which will make them rich indeed.’”3 “John Dickinson (1732-1808), Signer of the Constitution, Revolutionary General, from Delaware: ‘Rendering Thanks to my Creator for my Existence and Station among his works, for my Birth in a Country enlightened by the Gospel and enjoying Freedom, and for all his other Kindnesses, to him I resign Myself, humbly confiding in his Goodness, and in his Mercy through Jesus Christ, for the Events of Eternity.’”4 And consider this amazing statement by our first Supreme Court Chief Justice: “John Jay (1745-1829) Member of First and other Continental Congresses, First Supreme Court Chief Justice, author of The Federalist, New York: ‘Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son. He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children. His protection has accompanied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; and His providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation, but also given me abundant reason to be content and thankful. Blessed be his holy name. While my children lament my departure, let them recollect that in doing them good, I was only the agent of their Heavenly Father, and that He never withdraws His care and consolations from those who diligently seek Him.’”5 “George Mason (1725-1792) Constitutional Convention, Father of the Bill of Rights, Virginia: ‘My soul I resign into the hands of my Almighty Creator, whose tender mercies are all over His works, who hateth nothing that He hath made, and to the Justice and Wisdom of whose Dispensations I willingly and cheerfully submit, humbly hoping from His unbounded mercy and benevolence, through the Merits of my blessed Savior, a remission of my sins.’”6 There are many more examples in McDowell’s full document, which I encourage you to read in its entirety. Those establishing America and its government knew Who was leading them to do so and they served Him well until the end. We should be forever grateful and must never allow the world to forget or rewrite American history. “I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.” (Psalm 77:11-12 NKJV) Pray with me: Father, thank You for raising up this nation as a beacon, as a light, a city on a hill. Thank You for the revelation of truth. May we always search it out. You founded America and You are still moving here. You will show Yourself strong over her. You will help us find the way to secure our heritage. We will not allow it to be forgotten, nor will we allow You to be removed from our history or our laws. You are our heritage. We know, Father, that You are coming to heal and restore this nation, even at a cultural level. You can heal the wounds of our past and make us the great harvesting machine we were called to be. Billions of souls are coming into the Kingdom, nations will be transformed, and curses will be broken. You will use America for these things, just as You said You would at our beginning. We are thankful for Your continuing love and commitment to America, Father. Amen. Today’s decree: We will not allow America’s godly heritage to be stolen. America was largely founded by true Christians and no one can hide or remove this well-documented fact from us. Learn more about Stephen McDowell and books he has authored here. Learn more about the Providence Foundation and their available resources here. ________________________________ 1 Compiled by McDowell, Stephen. “The Last Will and Testaments of the Founders Reveal Their Christian Faith”. Charlottesville, VA: Providence Foundation, August 17, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2021. [https://providencefoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Wills-of-Founders.pdf] 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid. 6 Ibid. Watch prayer here: