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Introduction I’ve been rereading the outstanding book, Relational Authority: Authentic Leadership,  written a few years back by my friend, Clay Nash. I had the privilege of writing the foreword for this insightful book. Clay effectively points out that effective leadership, whether in the home, a business, a church, or a nation, requires authority; for authority to be honored from the heart and be truly life-giving, it must be relational. We will follow the person we trust, and trust the person we know. In a world where authority is often abused, it’s essential that we understand the guiding principles through which God intended it to operate. Whether it be healing the sick and casting out devils, overseeing our homes and families, running a church, operating a business, or managing a city, we must understand how God intended for authority to function.  Also, to follow authority confidently, we must understand its boundaries and guidelines. I’m going to share just a few highlights from Clay’s book today and tomorrow, although I will barely scratch the surface. You would be wise to pick up this book. Today’s title is: Relational Authority: Authentic Leadership, Part 1 Authority is powerful. Without it, nothing would ever get done. Authority is the ability to influence things, including people. The first thing God did after He made man was to give them a job. To get that job done, He gave them authority. Notice in Genesis that God brought all the animals to Adam to see what he would name them. Obviously, Adam had the authority to do what God called him to do. Everything about God is filled with authority. His love is filled with authority. His correction is filled with authority. His grace is filled with authority. Anything God commissions receives a portion of His authority. When God says to do something, the authority to accomplish it is delegated from Him: “ God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply: fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:28) By virtue of the fact that God told man to fill the earth and subdue it, we can understand that man was also given the authority to accomplish this great commission. We can see clearly the importance of authority when we realize that a large part of what mankind lost in the fall was his God-given authority. This is why Jesus’ great triumph was in regaining authority - the authority originally given to man. Look at what scripture says about Jesus: “Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’” (Mark 1:27) “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.”  (Luke 9:1) One of the last things Jesus spoke on earth to His disciples before ascending to heaven signified the key aspect of His ministry: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you...’” (Matthew 28:18-20) Notice the connection between Jesus’ declaration of authority and the clear mandate to His disciples,  “Go therefore…” The disciples received authority, and they were sent out. [Clay thoroughly addresses the subject of illegitimate authority. Here are a few comments.] Yes, authority has been mishandled, misunderstood, and mistaken throughout the Body of Christ. In my thirty [now forty plus] plus years in the Lord’s ministry, I have seen the rich fruit of authentic authority, the ravages of lifeless authority, and everything in between. I have also seen how often authority is abused in the hierarchy of church government. Legitimate authentic authority must be discerned from false authority. False authority is not from God, nor does it serve God. It comes from the enemy, and in the long run, it seeks to destroy the things of God. John told us to try the spirits. When someone in our midst is prophesying - speaking words purported to be from God - I teach my people to sense the spirit in which the message is given. The spirit is more important than the words. Before we can allow someone’s spiritual energy to touch ours, we had better know the well from which they are drawing. But authority is our friend if we understand how to operate in it. Remember: authentic authority gets things done. It works together with us for our good. It propels us into greater works and richer lives. It is what Jesus came to earth to give us. [Clay points out the critical fact that those in authority are called to help us as servants.] It can often be a far stretch to see those in authority as servants, yet that is exactly what we read in Romans 13: “For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.” (Romans 13:4) The key here is in accepting a better translation of the word minister in this passage. The word actually means servant.  Whoever bears authority in your life is also a servant of God sent to help you. The policeman who gave me my first ticket was certainly not apologetic for the service he was providing, but in the long run, he may very well have saved my young, reckless life. My Finishing Comments What a different world it would be if everyone saw leadership authority as a responsibility to serve. Families would be healthier, churches would be stronger, businesses would be more productive, and nations would be more prosperous. Tomorrow, I’m going to share with you nine important traits regarding excellence in leadership, as outlined by Clay in his book. Pray with me: Father, in a power-hungry and money-hungry world, filled with leaders trying to satisfy their illegitimate cravings, people are looking for servant-motivated individuals. Jesus modeled this for us, and clearly said that true greatness in His kingdom required servanthood. Yet, it seems that so often the higher people climb the ladder of influence and power, the more they want to be served rather than serve. Teach us Your ways, for it is in Your precepts that we find true wisdom with which to lead. Work into us Your nature of humility that seeks to advance and serve others, not ourselves. Give us more leaders in our government who manifest this, and also in the church, as we begin mentoring the great harvest you are bringing into the Kingdom. Those who are saved will need humble and wise leaders to follow. Heal those who have been abused by authority and remove from them their fear. Give them the ability to trust once again. Place them in safe environments where they can receive help, grow, and safely develop their gifts. We pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the coming revival will be led by servant-hearted leaders, which will generate great authority, power, and fruitfulness. Click on the link below to watch the full video. Today’s post was taken from the book Relationship Authority, Authentic Leadership,  written by Clay Nash. You can learn more about Clay at ClayNash.org .

The Advantage “It is to your advantage that I leave,” Jesus told His disciples (John 16:7). Can you imagine a more ridiculous-sounding statement? They had traveled with Him for three years, listening to Him expound on life, the ways of God, and the kingdom of heaven. His words carried such wisdom and authority that even His enemies said of Him,  “Never has a man spoken in the way this man speaks”  (John 7:46). The disciples had watched Him cure blind eyes, open deaf ears, heal paralytics, cleanse lepers, and raise the dead. Once, when He needed money, He procured it from the mouth of a fish. On another occasion, when He needed to cross a lake and didn’t have a boat handy, He simply walked on the water. And when storms tried to mess with Him, He knocked the wind out of them with the power of His words. Then, He has the audacity to tell these men, “I’m going to leave you, and it’s for your own good.” One can only imagine the shock and disbelief of the disciples.  “He is leaving us?! This is good?! We don’t think so!!!” Two understandings will help us embrace why Christ said, “It is to your advantage that I go away.” The first has to do with His use of the word advantage, or as the King James Version says, “expedient.” The Greek word is sumphero,  which means literally “to bring together.” (1)  And since bringing the right things or people together produces benefits or advantages, this Greek word was used for the concept of “expediency” or “gaining an advantage.” Christ was telling His disciples, “My departure will cause a new connection ( sumphero ) to take place for you. This ‘bringing together’ will be of great benefit to you, more so than even My physical presence.” The second piece of information that brings enlightenment to Christ’s words is an awareness of who He was going to connect the disciples with: Holy Spirit. Why would this relationship be so advantageous? Because Holy Spirit would be with them in spirit form, not in a flesh-and-blood body as Christ had been, and could therefore be everywhere at once. AND, He could actually be “in” them, not just “with” them (John 14:17). I don’t believe many of us come anywhere close to grasping this revelation in its fullness. Almighty God is in us. What might we be like if we received the full revelation of this? Perhaps we would become “little Christs”, which is the meaning of the word Christian . Perhaps Christ’s words concerning us doing the same works He did - and even greater works - would be fulfilled? We would no doubt be miracle workers, life transformers, fearless, completely unselfish, always led by Holy Spirit, and walk in perfect love.  The late Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, states this regarding Holy Spirit:  “He guides us (John 1:13), empowers us (Micah 3:8), and makes us holy (Romans 15:16). He bears witness in our lives (Romans 8:16), comforts us (John 14:16-26), gives us joy (Romans 14:17)...
 “As our teacher of spiritual truths, the Holy Spirit illuminates our minds with insight into the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) and reveals to us the hidden things of God (Isaiah 40:13-14)...
 “As you are filled with the Holy Spirit, the Bible becomes alive, prayer becomes vital, your witness becomes effective, and obedience becomes a joy. Then, as a result of your obedience in these areas, your faith grows and you become more mature in your spiritual life.” (2) Holy Spirit is all of this and more. Though it isn’t often considered, He was Christ’s “Helper.” As a human, Jesus was filled with, led by, empowered by, and anointed by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 4). Acts 10:38 also tells us Christ derived His power and anointing from Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit resides in us and wants to be our source of power and strength. However, we often fail to make the connection, thereby preventing His power from flowing. A missionary, Herbert Jackson, told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push - popping the clutch, we sometimes call it. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. Jackson went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car to start it. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave his car running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years. Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly explained his method for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, “Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable.” He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson’s astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years, needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting the power to work. (3) Ouch! J.B. Phillips’ translation tells us in Ephesians 1:19,  “How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God.” When we make firm our connection with Holy Spirit, His life and power can flow through us. Don’t waste this amazing help. Second Corinthians 13:14 says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” The term “fellowship” is from  koinonia  and is rich with meaning, revealing some of what the Holy Spirit wants to be in our lives. The following English words are all translations of koinonia : Fellowship - Holy Spirit wants to visit with us.
 Communion - Holy Spirit wants to commune with us.
 Sharing together - Holy Spirit wants to share His insights and power with us.
 Participation in or with - Holy Spirit wants to participate in our efforts and activities.
 Distribution - Holy Spirit wants to distribute revelation, gifts, anointings, and blessings to us.
 Impart - Holy Spirit wants to impart God’s nature and benefits to us.
 Partaking - Holy Spirit wants us to partake of His anointing and life.
 Partnership - Holy Spirit wants to partner with us.
 Companionship - Holy Spirit wants the pleasure of your company.
 “May the koinonia of the Holy Spirit be with you.” What a loaded statement. Get better acquainted with Holy Spirit! Pray with me: Thank you, Father, that after Your Son Jesus’ time on earth, You sent us another Helper, Holy Spirit, to dwell not just among us, but within  us. His indwelling is given to guide and empower us as we steward the great victory that Jesus won. We want to experience all of who He is and what He does. We don’t simply want to know about Him; we desire to have Him active in every part of our speech, actions, and thoughts. We want to manifest the empowerment for Christ-likeness and kingdom advancement that He brings.  Holy Spirit, You’re our connection to communion with the Father, to further glimpses of His depths, and to doing greater works than Jesus. Give us a full revelation of how we can be led by You in every way. Open the scriptures and position our hearts to understand koinonia  with You.  And Father, as revival unfolds in our land, this will be a pouring out of Holy Spirit. Pour Him into the young people of our nation until His presence floods every campus in America. Fill millions of youth with Holy Spirit.  And flood Washington, D.C., with Holy Spirit, also. Give wisdom and revelation to righteous leaders, leading them as they lead our nation. Make them aware of Your desire to help them, and then share Your insights and strategies for reforming our nation. Think through them! All of this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We declare that another great outpouring of Holy Spirit has begun in our land and around the world. We will not miss the time of our visitation! Watch the full video by clicking on the link below. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 4851.  Bill Bright, The Holy Spirit (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1980), pp. 116, 121, quoted in Robert Heidler, Experiencing the Spirit  (Ventura, CA: Renew Books, 1993), p. 182. Craig Brian Larson, Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching  (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993), p. 182.

Introduction Today and tomorrow, I’m going to share on the subject of our great Helper, Holy Spirit, and the incredible source of power that He brings us. Today’s teaching is actually from my brother, Tim. As always, his insights are outstanding. Tim’s title is:  The Divine Mentor There was a time when I was trying to pray about something, but just couldn’t seem to find the right words. I wrestled with it for a while, until finally, I heard Holy Spirit whisper so clearly, “Let Me do it.”  When I yielded and allowed Him to speak through me, there came an immediate release, and the burden I’d been carrying lifted as He began to plead to God on my behalf. Romans 8:26 (TPT) says, “At times we don’t even know how to pray or know the best thing to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs too deep for words.” This is a powerful picture of supernatural intercession. When we pray in our “spirit language,” Holy Spirit rises within us to intercede far beyond what our natural words can express, aligning our hearts and our prayers with the perfect will of God. Verse 27 continues, “God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet He also understands the desires of the Spirit.”  This is not referring to our human spirit, but to Holy Spirit Himself. Holy Spirit passionately pleads through us, His holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny. What divine assistance this is! God’s Word shows us that being filled with Holy Spirit is what enables this supernatural partnership. Just as we see in the book of Acts, believers were filled and then refilled  with Holy Spirit. It wasn’t a one-time event, but was a continual experience. Staying filled with Holy Spirit connects and synergizes us with God’s divine plan, both individually and corporately as the Ekklesia. To walk with Holy Spirit is to live in continual partnership with Him. As Romans 8:1 reminds us, we are to walk according to the Spirit’s guidance, from our spirit, not according to the flesh. This means living daily in a relationship with Him, walking and listening, and praying as He inspires us. He breathes on our prayers, our words, and our decrees inspired by Him and God’s Word. What a gift, what a Helper, what a partnership. Accomplishing Our Destiny Every person carries a God-given purpose. The Lord told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had plans for you”  (Jeremiah 1:5, MSG). What a profound truth. Before you took your first breath, God already knew you. He had written your story and prepared divine plans for your life. Holy Spirit empowers us in the unfolding of this destiny. That reality should fill every heart with hope. King David echoed this truth in Psalm 139:13-18 (TPT): “You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank You, God, for making me so mysteriously complex. Everything You do is marvelously breathtaking… You saw who You created me to be before I became me.” Before you were ever born, God gave you purpose. The Greek word for purpose is prothesis (1) . Pro  means “before,” and thesis means “a written plan.” In other words, God wrote your life’s thesis before you were formed. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:9 (CSB), “ He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” Yes, this speaks of redemption, but salvation is not just about what we are saved from.  It’s also about what we are saved to.  We are redeemed to live out our God-given purpose and potential. Salvation is the doorway into a life of divine destiny. A life filled with possibilities, assignments, and Holy Spirit-empowered impact. Many believers understand what God has delivered them from,  but they haven’t yet discovered what He has called them  into . They stop at forgiveness, without stepping into fullness. But Holy Spirit has come to empower us to live as sons and daughters of God now, not merely in Heaven someday. He empowers us to live as heirs of His Kingdom, walking in the inheritance and purpose He wrote for us before time began. Even when we miss it–once, twice, or ten times–Holy Spirit never stops working, guiding, aligning, and reconnecting us with the destiny God purposed. Before you were born, God wrote your name, your potential, your callings, your giftings, and even your divine connections, into a plan that would unfold across your lifetime. And then, in love, He gave you the freedom to pursue it. Holy Spirit understands that plan fully. He knows the path that leads into your destiny, even when circumstances seem to block the way, and He never stops working. Through every season, whether it feels like progress or delay, the Spirit continues weaving your life into alignment with God’s purpose. He is always leading you forward, always connecting you to destiny.  Jesus described Holy Spirit in John 14:26 as the One who comes alongside us to help, to aid, and to support. Part of His role is to draw forth this destiny and purpose. What an incredible benefit this is. There are dimensions of our destiny that we simply cannot reach in our own strength. Certain elements of who we are destined to be require the assistance and empowerment of Holy Spirit. That doesn’t mean we can’t experience success on our own; we can, but not the fullness of all God designed us to be. This comes only through partnership with the Spirit. He is the empowerer of greater purpose. When you come to crossroads and destiny decisions, invite Holy Spirit to guide you, to speak to you, to instruct you. The Greek word Jesus used in John 14:26 describes Him as our parakletos, our Divine Mentor, Counselor, and Advocate. (2) What a truth: you have a Divine Mentor living within you! No one can lead you like He can. The Spirit’s guidance and intercession are always in alignment with the Father’s will and in perfect harmony with His plan for our lives. Each day is an invitation to yield, listen, and follow His leading, so that our lives collectively become a living testimony of His glory and power. Pray with me:   Holy Spirit, lead us into the fullness of our destinies, deeper into God’s will and the plans You have written for us. Empower us to walk fully in our God-given potential. Fill us afresh and help us become all God saw for us before we were even formed. You are our Helper, our Teacher, and our Divine Mentor. We trust You to lead, guide, and direct us today, helping us advance the Kingdom of God.  As Your Ekklesia, we pray and decree heaven’s purposes on earth. We ask for the fullness of America’s God-ordained destiny. Cause our nation to align with Heaven’s plan and fulfill every purpose You have planned. Deliver us from the socialism, Marxism, humanism, and globalism attempting to invade our land. Give our leaders the wisdom needed to cope with issues associated with the invasion of millions of illegal aliens, an out-of-control welfare system, the corruption of the Deep State, food and health crises, and so much more. We ask for the healing of our land, knowing this will occur only as revival transforms the heart of our nation. Righteousness exalts a nation. In Yeshua’s name, we ask these things. Amen. Our decree:   We decree that Holy Spirit is flowing through the Ekklesia, equipping us to fulfill our assignments and impact the earth with God’s Kingdom power. Today’s post was contributed by my brother, Tim Sheets. You can learn more about Tim   here . Click on the link below to watch the full video. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 4286 . Ibid. ref. no. 3875 .

Introduction As our friend Gina Gholston participated in the recent days of praise, the Lord gave her a word for us. You will find it encouraging! The title of Gina’s post is:  The Fruit of Our Praise For the past several days, in obedience to the prophetic word of the Lord from Chuck Pierce, we released our praise to God in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Praise is a powerful thing. It’s a weapon that shifts the atmosphere. It also shifts our focus from ourselves to our Heavenly Father. True praise provokes a fresh awareness of God, and when we think on Him and recall His goodness, it ignites hope and awakening within our own lives. One morning this past week, as I was praising the Lord, Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance an actual event that I witnessed many years ago. I wrote about this event in my latest book, so I picked it up and read the story. As I read those words and remembered that event, my praise went to another level and another decibel! And in that moment of high and sincere praise, I heard the Lord say, “ Divine intervention has been activated. Through your praise, the shield of faith has been raised, and you will now see an undeniable deflection of the fiery darts of the enemy. What has been intended for evil will now be turned for good. This will result in testimony after testimony of My power and goodness, evoking an awakening to an awareness of Me that will bring the nation back to life !” What an encouraging word! It reveals that our praise doesn’t just give us access to God, it gives God access to us because He comes where He is acknowledged . . . and where He is, there is life! Now, here is the testimony of the event the Lord reminded me of that morning. Several years ago, I was privileged to be part of a missionary work team assigned to build a home for a pastor and his family. It was an incredible project that actually became supernatural! God enabled our small team to build that house from the concrete slab to a near-completed home in just ten days. While it was a hard, laborious task, it was also a joy to work with this amazing team and watch the project come to completion, one task at a time. My friend and assistant, Darlene, was also on this trip. And while we are by no means professional carpenters, we were so honored to work alongside and assist those who were. One part of the building we were helping with was framing the home’s interior walls. With power tools and pneumatic nail guns, the framing was going pretty quickly. Darlene was assisting one of the carpenters, who was using the nail gun. She was holding the wall studs in place as he was nailing them. As they worked on one wall, they were in a squatting position, and the carpenter using the nail gun was facing Darlene as she held the board being nailed. Somehow, the nail gun jerked just as he was pulling the trigger, and the nail missed the board and hit Darlene directly on her knee. Nail guns have a high-pressure force that can shoot a nail several feet and still penetrate the tip of the nail into a board. Darlene was right in front of the gun, just inches away, when the trigger was pulled. When the nail launched and hit her knee, it was one of those moments when everything seemed to stand still as we helplessly watched the event unfold. It all happened so quickly, and there was absolutely no denying what should have happened.  But God!  The end result should have been a nail blasting into and causing severe damage to Darlene’s knee, but instead, the end result was an amazing testimony of God’s protection! Despite the tremendous pressure driving the nail forward, the Lord supernaturally deflected it. It simply tapped and bounced off her knee and fell to the ground—not even leaving a mark on her! Our God is awesome! He is almighty! When we remember His greatness, we cannot help but release our praises to Him! In the light of our awakened awareness of Him, confident faith arises, impacting our prayers and decrees. Our ability to walk and work with Him also increases as He works through us to change things once thought impossible. I am reminded of a line from an old song that says, “God specializes in things thought impossible. He can do what no other power can do!” (1) The atmosphere of this nation is now filled with a swirl of sincere praises that have flowed from hearts and lips declaring the goodness of our great God! Our focus is on Him, and our faith in Him is ignited within us. He has been good. He is  good! He is great, and He is greatly to be praised! Our shouts of praise have captured the attention of Heaven. Heaven is responding to our sound. God is pleased, and He has come to inhabit our praises. Divine intervention has been activated to extinguish the fiery darts of the enemy. God is turning things in our favor. His favor surrounds us like a shield that deflects the enemy’s evil intentions. God is putting His finger on some things, as the word from Chuck declared, and hell’s agenda is losing its grip on this nation. Testimony after testimony of Yahweh’s power, intervention, and goodness is being proclaimed, and the words of our testimonies are awakening the nation to an undeniable awareness of our mighty God. He inhabits our praises, and under the weight and reality of His abiding presence, life is being restored! Our combined prayer and decree: Father, You are great, and You are greatly to be praised. We recall Your goodness, and our hearts can’t help but release shouts of praise and thanksgiving to You. O, how great is Your faithfulness! We turn our eyes upon You, and we find hope! Your love and favor surround us like a shield that deflects the fiery darts of our adversaries. Snares that have been crafted and meant for our downfall are being broken and destroyed. You, O, Lord, have enabled us to rise with overcoming power by the blood of Jesus and the words of our testimonies. Our shouts of praise will not be silenced! We lift our voices loud and strong to worship You, and You rush in like a mighty wind, the Ruach of Yahweh, to bring our nation back to life! Amen! You have come to inhabit our praises. Your divine intervention has been activated, and we will now see an undeniable deflection of the fiery darts of the enemy. What has been intended for evil will now be turned for good. Testimony after testimony of Your power and goodness will continue to rise and evoke an awakening, an awareness of You that will bring the nation back to life! Today’s post was contributed by our friend Gina Gholston. Portions were taken from Gina’s book, Along the Journey . You can find out more about Gina at GinaGholston.com   Click on the link below to watch the full video. 1.) Oscar C. Eliason, Got Any Rivers, 1931; copyrighted 1945 by Singspiration Music (ASCAP ); Brentwood, TN.

Introduction Last week, I shared with you a prophetic word given to Chuck Pierce, which instructed us to offer praise to God three times a day for a week. The word said this would release God’s judgments against lies that have held America captive. You can read Chuck’s prophetic word here . The seven days ended Sunday, but many of us who heard about and started the weeklong process after it began are continuing for a few more days, simply to honor the Lord and “contribute” our week of praise. Following up on Chuck’s word, I wrote two posts last week on the power of praise, and more importantly, why it is so powerful. I did so again yesterday and will continue this theme through tomorrow. The title of today’s post is: The Priority  “Firsts” can be good or bad. First place is usually good, as are first-class and first-rate. First-degree is usually bad, as is the need for first aid, and the first half, and the first baseman can be either. While thinking about this, I recalled several of my firsts, along with a one- or two-word thought concerning each of them. Here are ten: First major-league baseball game attended (awe) First day of school (intimidated) First car (junk) First date with Ceci (priceless) First time seeing both daughters (love) First dirty diaper change (nausea) First sermon (nice try) Compiling a few of my “firsts” was fun. Some were extremely important, others only memorable. The same would be true with yours. There is one first, however, that is essential and that all of us must keep number one. Jesus referred to it as our “first love.” When writing to the Ephesian church, He said, “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love”  (Revelation 2:4). The Greek word translated “first” in this passage is protos , meaning “foremost in time, place, order, or importance.”(1)  Since it would be illogical to assume Christ had been the first person each of them loved, it seems reasonable to conclude He was using the word in the sense of importance. “You have abandoned the love that should be your number one priority,” was His obvious meaning. The root word for protos  is pro , meaning “superior to” or “in front of”; and yes, protos is where we get our word professional , or its shortened form, pro . A professional is one who excels in a particular field. I used to play golf; Scotty Scheffler does, as well. But there’s a big difference between us: He’s a pro, I’m an amateur. Watching each of us swing a golf club once would leave no doubt as to the difference. Shopping is another activity performed by both pros and amateurs. I shop occasionally - when God is punishing me for speeding or some other serious offense. I’m an amateur shopper and have no desire to ever be anything but an amateur. Ceci, on the other hand, is a pro. And as is fitting, she enjoys it. We both do what we enjoy: I watch a football game, she shops. Life is good. Placing the literal definitions of pro  and protos  into the context of Revelation 2:4 makes clear what Jesus was saying: Relationship with Him should be “in front of” or “superior to” all others. He wants to be our “priority” love. Christ told us elsewhere that loving God is the first of all the other commandments (Matthew 22:37-38).  This begs the question of why - why does God demand to be first? Is He narcissistic or egocentric, demanding that we make Him the center of attention? Or, is God insecure, in need of our affirmation? The obvious answer to both of these questions is a resounding “NO!” The Lord is self-confident and self-assured, and yet this confidence is filtered through the utmost humility. He has neither pride nor insecurity issues. Why then does He demand to be number one? Because He wants us to be fulfilled. Complete. Satisfied. The reason God must be first in our lives is profound in both its simplicity and importance: The very purpose for the creation of humans was relationship with God. We were made to be one in spirit with Him, joined together spiritually like a husband and wife. First Corinthians 6:17 says,  “But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.”  Our union with Him completes us. There is a place in the heart of every human God made only for Himself. Period. If we don’t get this right, the pieces won’t fit. Nothing else can fill this void, including other people, money, pleasure, or accomplishments. And certainly not religion; we weren’t created to connect with a system or  organization, but a person. God understands this, of course, and for our benefit, reminds us of His love for us and our need for Him. Before correcting the church at Ephesus Jesus told them: “I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false: and you have perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary”  (Revelation 2:2-3). What believer wouldn't be pleased to hear such praise? Yet Christ makes it clear that these accomplishments are not the heart of the matter. A good performance can't replace intimacy with Him. If this misconception is allowed to control us, our good works will devolve into meaningless religion - every time - satisfying neither God nor us . Our “performance” must flow out from a relationship with Him; never replace or be equated to it. It is also important to understand that our first (priority) love is not based on emotions or feelings. It would be unrealistic to think we can maintain the same level of emotional excitement that typically occurs when we first meet Christ. Such a sustained emotional high is not a reasonable expectation in any relationship, whether it be with your spouse, a friend, or the Lord.  If Christ is currently number one in your life and you are enjoying the pleasure of His company, treasure it. Let nothing come between the two of you. But if you, like the church of Ephesus, have allowed other things to take priority over your relationship with Him, reprioritize. Make Him  protos  again - superior to all else. And if you have never yet discovered Christ as your first-love soul mate, well, get ready to find out why you exist. Amazing joys await you. Pray with me: Holy Spirit, search our hearts and show us where we’ve failed to ascribe to our Father, to Jesus, and to You the highest place. Reveal to us the ways in which we have compromised our commitment to You, forsaking our first love. Thank You for tenderly drawing our wayward hearts back to the priority of loving You and receiving Your love. Without Your loving leadership, we are incomplete. May nothing else replace the pleasure of Your company.  Father, our nation once honored You first. But like the Ephesians, works, wealth, and pleasure crowded You out. For most Americans, You’re not even a distant second. However, from Your Word and from history, we know this can change. Smoldering embers can blaze again, cold hearts can burn with passion, and prodigals can run into the arms of love-sick fathers. With Your power and love, even dry, dead bones can live again. Breathe once again on this apostate nation. In Christ’s name, we pray, Amen. Our decree: We declare that America is returning to her first love; a harvest of lovers is coming, and Jesus will be prioritized above all! Today’s post was taken from my book The Pleasure of His Company   and published by Baker Books. Click on the link below to watch the full video. James Strong, The New Strong’s exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 4413.

Introduction Last week, I shared a prophetic word given to Chuck Pierce, which instructed us to offer praise to God three times a day for a week. The word said this would release God’s judgments against lies that have held America captive. You can read Chuck’s prophetic word here . The seven days ended yesterday, but many of us who heard about and started the weeklong process after it began are continuing for a few more days, simply to honor the Lord and “contribute” our week of praise. Following up on Chuck’s word, I wrote two posts last week on the power of praise, and more importantly, why it is so powerful. I will continue this theme through Wednesday. The title of today’s post is: Earth-Shaking Praise In today’s post, I would like to highlight two biblical accounts that illustrate the power of praise. The first is from 2 Chronicles, chapter 20. In this passage, Judah was about to be invaded by a great multitude of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites (vs. 1-2). Judah’s king, Jehoshaphat, called for prayer.  “We don’t know what to do,”  he said to the Lord,  “but our eyes are on You”  (v. 12). The Lord’s response to Jehoshaphat and Judah was that this battle was not theirs, but His; they would not even need to fight. Just put their trust in Him and His prophets, and they would succeed (verses 14-20). When it came time for the battle, Judah was told to simply offer praise to the Lord (v. 21). They obeyed, sending a choir ahead of their army. The choir sang,  “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting”  (v. 21).  The praise brought the presence of the Lord, and as we saw when Jesus walked the earth, God’s presence has a very unsettling effect on demonic forces. When Yeshua showed up, demons screamed and cried out for mercy. Here in 2 Chronicles, God’s enemies became so disoriented and confused that they began to fight and kill one another (v. 22-23)! The passage says God “ambushed” them. The Hebrew word used means “to lurk, or lie in wait.” I love it! God was “lurking” in the atmosphere waiting for Judah’s praise to usher Him onto the battlefield. And just to make sure we make this connection, the Lord began verse 22 with the words, “And when they began singing and praising.” I am confident that as we have been praising and worshiping over these past few days, God has been setting ambushes against those who oppose Him in Washington, D.C. He was “lurking” in the heavenly realm over our nation’s capital, just waiting for our praise to invite Him in. Praise attracts God’s presence, and His presence routs the enemy.  Paul and Silas Acts 16 gives us another powerful illustration of this. It’s the fairly well-known story of Paul and Silas praising God in their prison cell, which resulted in an earthquake that caused their deliverance. When recounted, the emphasis is almost always on their miraculous deliverance. However, the chapter and account are about SO MUCH MORE than just their deliverance. It begins with Paul and his missionary team traveling and preaching the gospel in different regions. When they started to go in several different directions to different cities, Holy Spirit repeatedly stopped them. He finally gave Paul a dream or night vision: “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us” (verse 9).  The team obeyed, going to Philippi, and a remarkable series of events transpired. They led an influential businesswoman named Lydia to the Lord. They then cast out a spirit of divination from a slave-girl who brought great profit to her masters through her fortune-telling. Her masters were angry and had Paul and Silas beaten, thrown in jail, and put in stocks. At midnight, these two battered and bloody warriors began singing hymns of praise to God. The Lord heard their praise, and always enjoying the company of His kids, rushed to Philippi and into this jail cell. In His haste, it seems the Lord landed a little too hard! The earth shook, the chains broke loose, and all the prisoners were freed! Rather than fleeing, however, they decided to lead the jailer and his family to Christ and baptize them. It would seem that revival broke out in Philippi, and the Philippian church became one of the Lord’s key strongholds in the region.  As I mentioned earlier, it is clear that this passage is about so much more than these apostles’ great deliverance. God had a bigger plan. Lydia was the  first convert in Europe, and Philippi was the  first church established on the European continent. Let that sink in: the gospel was invading a new continent! These events became earth-shaking, quite literally.  And it was all born of praise. Not just the praise that occurred in the jail cell, by the way. Lydia, we are told, was “a worshiper of God”  (v. 14). Even though she had not yet heard the gospel regarding the Messiah and therefore had not yet been born again, she was a devout Jewish worshiper of Yahweh. Perhaps it was her worship that created the vision inviting Paul to Macedonia! One thing is certain: praise and worship played a significant role in the gospel’s breakthrough into Europe.  Last week, when God told us to praise Him, and that this would create breakthrough in Washington, D.C., there is ample biblical evidence of the word’s validity, as you can see. Keep it up. Praise Him, and as you do, ask Him to invade our nation’s capital, ambush His enemies, and shake it with His mighty power.  When Chuck sent me this word last week, he included Jeremiah 49:16, saying the verse indicated God’s intentions against His enemies in D.C. Chuck actually sent it to me from two translations: “‘Your fierceness has deceived you, the pride of your heart, O you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, who hold the height of the hill! Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, I will bring you down from there,’ says the LORD.”  (NKJV) “‘Your capacity to terrorize has deceived you and made you arrogant. You make your home in the rocky crags and seize the top of the mountain; but even if you build your nest high as an eagle’s, from there I will drag you down,’ says ADONAI.” (AMP) And, so be it! Pray with me: As our prayer and decree today, let’s use praise from the great hymn written by Martin Luthur, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God . “A mighty Fortress is our God,
a Bulwark never failing. Our Helper He amid the flood,
of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe,
doth seek to work us woe. His craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate. On earth is not His equal. “Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing. Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.
 Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He!
 Lord Sabaoth, His Name,
from age to age the same.
 And He must win the battle. “And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us. We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him. His rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure.
 One little word shall fell him. “That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth.
 The Spirit and the gifts are ours,
through Him who with us sideth.
 Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also.
 The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still. His Kingdom is forever!” (1) Click on the link below to watch the full video. https://hymnary.org/text/a_mighty_fortress_is_our_god_a_bulwark

Review Holy Spirit gave my friend, Chuck Pierce, a very important prophetic word this past weekend. It refers to a seven-day window and assignment, running from this past Monday through this upcoming Sunday (Nov. 10-16). During this week-long window, the Lord is asking us to release praise to Him three times a day. The seven days have obviously already begun, but you can still participate. Please do so, perhaps even adding a few days, so that you also do a total of seven days. God would certainly honor that. You can find Chuck’s prophetic word and my explanation in Wednesday’s post . Today I want to talk about why  we praise the Lord, which I also did yesterday. Why would God ask for this? Our title is: The Invitation God loves being with us. Consider the following invitation:  “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me”  (Revelation 3:20 KJV). The Almighty, the Creator, the Everlasting God of heaven and earth wants some time with us.  Do you, like me, find it interesting that He knocks on the door? I suppose God could simply knock it down. Or just walk through it! But that would be an intrusion, and God doesn’t intrude into our space; He waits to be invited in. Like anyone, He wants to be celebrated, not tolerated. Two hidden meanings in this verse reveal far deeper insights than can be seen through a casual reading. The word “sup” in this verse is not a generic word for eating. This is the word in biblical times for the main evening meal. The Jewish new day began in the evening, at sunset. At this evening meal, the family would discuss the day’s events, and while doing so, the new day would begin and be planned. Jesus is saying to us in this verse, “Let me into your world. Let’s dine, fellowship, and plan the new day.” A second possible interpretation is given in the margin of The Passion Translation: “The Aramaic can be translated ‘I have been standing at the door, knocking.’ Jesus knocking on the door points us to the process of an ancient Jewish wedding invitation. In the days of Jesus, a bridegroom and his father would come to the door of the bride-to-be carrying the betrothal cup of wine and the bride-price. Standing outside, they would knock. If she fully opened the door, she was saying, ‘Yes, I will be your bride.’ Jesus and his Father, in the same way, are knocking on the doors of our hearts, inviting us to be the bride of Christ.” What an invitation! In this verse, the Lord began by saying,  “If any man hears My voice . . .”  Hearing and discerning God’s voice is not a gift, but a learned art. We must learn to commune with the Lord as a real person and on a personal level. When you take the time to wait and listen, you learn to allow God to be a part of your thinking. His thoughts become yours. The obvious insinuation in this phrase is that our  actions, not His, will determine whether or not we hear Him. Again, sensitivity is learned and developed. Like the frequencies on a radio, our minds and hearts must tune in. A few years ago, one of my staff members shared a humorous episode about listening. “My sister-in-law was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner and planning for various family activities. As she did, her young daughter spoke to her about several different and important things in her life, to which mom would periodically mumble, ‘Uh-huh.’ Finally, wanting to do something to make this more of a two-sided conversation, the little girl tugged on her mother’s arm to get her full attention. Once she knew her mother was really listening, she said, ‘Mom, why don’t you talk for a while now, and I’ll say Uh-huh.’” (1) I can’t help but wonder how often God is knocking and calling, only to find us so busy we really aren’t listening. He will never treat us this way. You’ll never find Him so busy with others or so distracted running the universe that He feigns attentiveness to you, mumbling “uh-huh” while actually thinking about something else. He has plenty of undistracted time for you, and He’d like some in return. The Scriptures tell us God is actually “searching” for this level of relationship. From the moment we were separated from Him by Adam’s sin, He began the search. “Where are you?” He called to Adam and Eve as they hid from Him (Genesis 3:9). Incredibly, we’re told that His eyes “move to and fro”  throughout the earth looking for those whose hearts are fully His (2 Chronicles 16:9). One of my favorite Bible stories as a young kid was of a man named Zacchaeus. He was a hated tax collector who had become wealthy, most likely by defrauding people, charging them more than they actually owed. Somehow, this man had become enamored with Jesus, so much so that he climbed a tree to get a good look at Him as He passed through his village. Jesus wanted Zacchaeus to get more than a look, however; He invited Himself over for dinner! “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house” (Luke 19:5). Jesus knocked, and Zacchaeus opened. The visit was obviously impactful - it always is when Jesus comes over for dinner.  “Lord, half of my possessions I’ll give to the poor,”  he promised before the dinner ended, “and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much”  (Luke 19:8). When challenged as to why He would be the guest of this thieving “sinner,” Jesus merely referenced His own “searching heart.” “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost .” Christ simply has an insatiable desire to eat and fellowship with friends, family, and seekers. Jesus was on a mission then; He’s on the same mission now. He wants some time and conversation with you. The next time He knocks, open the door. Make your house one of the regular stops for His searching eyes. Let no distraction interfere. May your heart always remain an open door to Jesus, as you seek to mature in the art of discerning His knock and voice. As His eyes search this world for a surrendered heart with which to commune, may His gaze always stop with you. Welcome Him to sit at the supper table of your soul to dine and dialogue with you.  As we give Him praise today, fulfilling the word from the prophet, let’s not do it out of duty. That will bring neither Him nor us any pleasure. Do it from the heart, knowing that He wants to spend time with us. Invite Jesus into your world and our nation. When He shows up, His enemies scatter; they melt like wax in front of a fire (Psalm 68:1-2).  What a way to win a battle! Pray this Psalm with me: “God! Arise with awesome power, and every one of your enemies will scatter in fear! Chase them away—all these God-haters. Blow them away as a puff of smoke. Melt them away like wax in the fire. One good look at You and the wicked vanish. But let all the righteous be glad! Yes, let them all rejoice in Your presence and be carried away with gladness. Let them laugh and be radiant with joy! Let them sing their celebration songs for the coming of the cloud rider whose name is Yahweh!  “To the fatherless, He is a father. To the widow, He is a champion friend. The lonely He makes part of a family. The prisoners He leads into prosperity until they sing for joy. This is our Holy God in His Holy Place! But for the rebels, there is heartache and despair.  “O Lord, it was You who marched in front of Your people, leading them through the wasteland. (Pause in His presence) The earth shook beneath Your feet; the heavens filled with clouds before the presence of the God of Sinai. The sacred mountain shook at the sight of the face of Israel’s God. You, O God, sent the reviving rain upon Your weary inheritance, showers of blessing to refresh it. So there Your people settled. And in Your kindness, You provided the poor with abundance.”   (Psalm 68:1-10 TPT) Click on the link below to watch the full video. Dutch Sheets, Watchman Prayer  (Ventura, CA: Regal, 2000), 47.

Introduction Holy Spirit gave my friend, Chuck Pierce, a very important prophetic word this past weekend. It refers to a seven-day window and an assignment, running from this past Monday through this upcoming Sunday (Nov. 10-16). During this week-long window, the Lord is asking us to release praise to Him three times a day on behalf of our nation. The seven days have obviously already begun, but you can still participate. Please do so, perhaps even adding a few days, so that you also do a total of seven days. God will certainly honor that. You can find Chuck’s prophetic word and my explanation in yesterday’s post . For today and tomorrow, I would like to discuss why we praise the Lord and why God asks us to do so. Our title is: Why Our Praise Is a Weapon Elevators are convenient. . . and sometimes awkward. Who in their right mind likes being in an elevator with people they don’t know? The longer the ride, the louder the silence. Several years ago, I was trapped in the back of one of those torture chambers in the airport of one of the vacation capitals of the world - Orlando, Florida. There were only about a HUNDRED people in this elevator! Who hasn’t heard of Disney World, Epcot, and other hot spots there? And based on the lines at these tourist attractions, every person in the world has been there! Consequently, the airport is crowded and hectic. When the elevator stopped at my floor and the door opened, no one moved. After a couple of seconds, thinking no one else was getting off at this level, I spoke up rather urgently from the back, “Excuse me, I need to get off here.” You’d have thought I asked for everyone’s phone number! Backs stiffened, heads turned, eyes glared, and the man closest to the door turned and - in a most condescending tone - scolded me. “Be patient,” he snarled. “I’m just trying to be a gentleman and let the ladies off first.” After we all exited, one of the ladies with him turned to me and, rather snootily, decided to become my therapist: “You need a vacation, sir. We are in Orlando; why don’t you take a few days off and chill?”  I was tired, and perhaps this had caused me to unintentionally speak louder than I realized. Or maybe my urgency sounded like impatience. What did I do? Being the godly man that I am, I took it on the chin and calmly moved on - WITH MY BLOOD PRESSURE ELEVATED AND MY INNER THOUGHTS EXPLAINING TO THEM WHAT IDIOTS THEY WERE! And being the spiritual giant I am, within a few short weeks, I had forgiven them - as you can tell! - and moved on.  Doesn’t take me long! Most of us dislike being misunderstood and misjudged - especially in an elevator! I don’t think God likes it either, and He is, without doubt, the most misunderstood person in existence. Perceived as distant, He is often ignored. Considered judgmental and legalistic, He is thought by some to be intimidating and one to steer clear of. And mistakenly thought of by His children as one who likes hearing how great He is, He is praised. LOL - I had you, then I lost you. Before you stop reading or listening, hear me out. Obviously, praising and worshiping God is a good and appropriate thing to do. It’s our reason for doing so that needs some tweaking. Yahweh isn’t narcissistic, needing to be told how wonderful He is in order to satisfy an inflated ego. Nor is He insecure, needing to be reassured that He really is awesome. He doesn’t show off - praise doesn’t stimulate some macho corner of His heart, motivating Him to action in order to demonstrate His power. And He can’t be bought - our worship doesn’t cause Him to “reward” us with His presence and power simply because we made Him feel good. Frankly, God neither needs  nor desires to be told how great, unique, powerful, or loving He is. The Almighty is quite confident and very secure. He does, however, seek worshipers.   The difference is huge - immeasurably so. We ARE the worship . God longs for the singer, not the song. Our hearts are what transforms singing into worship, not the words and music. God would rather have a love-filled glance from our eyes than a song parroted from our lips. We can, in fact, worship without even opening our mouths.  Enoch was translated to heaven without experiencing death. Why? He brought pleasure to God (Hebrews 11:5) by walking with God (Genesis 5:24). Notice that God uses the word “walking,” not “worshipping.” His worship was released - not just with words - but through his actions and his life. I’m certainly not downplaying the incredible importance of music and singing. I’m simply pointing out what makes these actions worship.  When my kids were young and anxiously waited for Daddy to come home from work, they didn’t meet me at the door with a song. They jumped into my arms and gave me a big hug. When God created us, He made kids, not a choir; family members, not church members; He’s into love, not liturgy. And it wasn’t His “lording” nature that prompted Him to create us - He could have made a few billion more angels had that been His desire. It was His loving nature. God is a father at heart. Jesus, who came to earth to reveal to us what God is truly like (John 1:18), gave a profound glimpse of Abba’s loving and relational heart through an encounter with a rather loose-living woman. Looking for love in all the wrong places, this five-time divorced, currently shacked-up societal outcast was about to meet a man who wanted her heart, not her body.  Christ told her He knew her lifestyle, yet His actions proved He wasn’t condemning her. He had assured her that He could satisfy her thirsty heart by placing a well of salvation in her. He shifted the concept of worship from the place to the  person , which was a radical paradigm shift in her day. I’m sure she had never thought about this, and certainly not that God was actually seeking worshipers. “He’d like you to be one” was the obvious invitation. She was hooked. That God might actually be seeking her companionship, not her body, was beyond this woman’s wildest dreams. How could He possibly want her? But He did. In one moment, her shame was broken, and joy filled her heart. It feels good to be wanted for the right reasons. This new worshiper was so excited that she ran and told her village about Jesus, and ultimately, the entire community came to believe in Him. Jesus was too excited to eat! The great psalm of praise, Psalm 149, tells us that as we praise God, the sword of the Lord is released against His enemies, those who oppose His rule (verses 6-9). However, one of the preceding verses (v. 4) tells us why: “the Lord takes pleasure in His people!” The reason our praise is a weapon against evil is because our all-powerful God responds by showing up! Our relational God, Abba, is moved by our affection - He desires our company. That is what attracts Him to praise, not His ego. Our Father inhabits our praise (Psalm 22:3) because He loves spending time with us. Let’s make the great 149th Psalm our prayer and decree today.  Pray Psalm 149 (TPT) with me today: Triumphant Praise “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! It’s time to sing to God a brand-new song so that all His holy people will hear how wonderful He is! May Israel be enthused with joy because of Him, and may the sons of Zion pour out their joyful praises to their King. Break forth with dancing! Make music and sing God’s praises with the rhythm of drums! For He enjoys His faithful lovers. “He adorns the humble with His beauty, and He loves to give them victory. His godly lovers triumph in the glory of God, and their joyful praises will rise even while others sleep. God’s high and holy praises fill their mouths, for their shouted praises are their weapons of war! These warring weapons will bring vengeance on the nations and every resistant power— to bind kings with chains and rulers with iron shackles.  “Praise-filled warriors will enforce the judgment decreed against their enemies. This is the honor He gives to all His godly lovers. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!”

A Seven-Day Assignment Holy Spirit gave my friend, Chuck Pierce, a very important prophetic word this past weekend. It refers to a seven-day window and assignment, running from this past Monday through this Sunday (Nov. 10-16). Even though the seven days have obviously already begun, we can still participate! Here is Chuck’s word, then I will make a few comments: “I am calling My people into a seven-day awareness. The next seven days, you must be aware. Praise Me like you’ve never praised Me before. As you praise, come into agreement with Me, saying, ‘I want a nation to come alive over the next seven days. I want the lie structure that is holding this nation to be captured. I want the liars to start being divided and for God-inspired decisions to be made about the future.’ “For this nation has been layered with lies from past administrations. This has formed a veil of deception that has hindered My will for the future. I will begin to divide the structure of lies and those who have followed the lies. From that, clarity will come, allowing wise decisions to be made that will affect the atmosphere of this nation for the next two years.  “The next seven days are key to an announcement that there is a future in this land. This must be contended for. Move forward with Me. Praise Me in the morning, praise Me at noon, and praise Me at night. Then I will come down, inhabit the praise, and break the hold of those that are holding their finger in place over what I desire to do. This will be a week that I remove fingers that are touching what I long to accomplish in this land. I will do that by putting My finger on the real issues in the next seven days.” My Thoughts This prophecy clearly states that we are in a critical seven-day window of opportunity. As is often the case, the Lord has chosen not to give specific details regarding what is taking place behind the scenes, only that we are in this window and He is asking us to participate with Him.  This prophetic word speaks of a veil of deception built from lies in the government of America. It should not surprise us to hear the Lord say this; we know that many in our government are dishonest and have created a web of deceit. The roots of this are spiritual. Jesus said the devil is a liar, the father of lies, and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44). He then told the Pharisees that the devil was their father, and that they were following His desires. Likewise, we have many in Washington, D.C., following their father, the devil. This word is telling us we have reached a point where their web of deceit over America can be broken. The Lord said He will divide their structures and their unity. In other words, He will dismantle that which they have built, cause it to unravel, and even divide those who have worked together. It is fascinating that we are already starting to see this begin. I have never seen those on the Left fight against each other as they have this week (regarding the government shutdown). They are feeding on those in their ranks who voted to reopen the government, and Senator Schumer for not stopping them, like piranha in a bloody pond.  But God not only said He would divide them, but would dismantle their web of deceit and break the hold of their fingers. The picture I have is of a strong hand peeling back the clenched fingers of someone trying to maintain their hold on an item. The Lord said they were touching and attempting to hold back His will/what He desires to do. This word clearly points out the fact that God works in partnership with His body and family. He certainly has enough power to do this without our help, but that is not how He operates. He wants — and because of this decision — he needs our partnership. He told us in James 4:2 that at times we have not simply because we haven’t asked. “Contend for this,” He tells us through this word.  Holy Spirit clearly tells us that if we participate in these 7 days of praise and awareness, it will enable wise decisions to be made this week that will affect the atmosphere of America for the next two years.  He also told us to be “aware!” This speaks to me of the watchman concept in Scripture. One of the meanings of the multiple Hebrew and Greek words for watchman in Scripture is simply to be aware! Some translations use the phrase “be alert,” or “be on the alert.” This tells me Holy Spirit will reveal issues throughout the week that He wants us to pray for and/or make decrees regarding. Those who listen intently to Holy Spirit will partner with Him in unusual ways.  And lastly, Holy Spirit emphasizes the instructions of radically praising God, telling us to do so morning, noon, and night. This is perhaps a way of instructing us to praise Him throughout the day, all day long. In other words, stay in an attitude and heart of praise throughout the entire day. It could also mean to literally set aside three times a day–morning, noon, night–and give Him praise. For example, in Daniel 6:10, Daniel entered a season in which he prayed and offered thanks to God three times a day, defying orders not to do so.  The results were remarkable. Daniel was thrown into a den of lions in order to destroy him. God sovereignly closed the mouths of the lions and protected Daniel. The king was so moved that he threw Daniel‘s enemies into the lions’ den, and released the following decree to the entire kingdom: “I issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be forever.  He rescues, saves, and performs signs and miracles in heaven and on earth, He who has also rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”  (Daniel 6:26-27; NASB) A king, his kingdom, and the purposes of God were all impacted by Daniel‘s prayers and the Lord‘s response. Verse 28 of this chapter adds that Daniel enjoyed success from that point forward in the reigns of Darius and Cyrus. Wow! There are some amazing results.  Let’s join Chuck in this. Jump into the week, be radical in your praise, and allow God to inhabit those praises with his mighty power (Psalm 22:3). Let’s seize this moment of opportunity to impact our nation. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for this window of opportunity in America. As we obey Your instructions, we ask You for sensitivity and discernment. Help us to remain alert - aware! We commit to creating a throne for You with our praise (Psalm 22:3), a place from which You can rule in our nation. Dismantle evil structures, expose lies, and unravel webs of deceit. Give us this week the breakthrough You spoke of. Peel off the fingers holding back Your plans and release the announcement that Your future for America is secure. Bring forth the wise decisions You spoke of, decisions that will affect the atmosphere of our nation. We conclude today by offering You praise from Psalm 117, the Passion Translation: “Let everyone everywhere shine with praise to Yahweh! Let it all out! Go ahead and praise him! For He has conquered us with His great love, and His kindness has melted our hearts. His faithfulness lasts forever, and He will never fail you. So go ahead, let it all out! Praise Yahweh!” Our decree: We declare that God is enthroned in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Honoring our Veterans Today is Veterans Day, a significant holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring military veterans who have served in our Armed Forces. Observed annually on November 11, this day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have donned the uniform to protect the freedoms and rights that U.S. citizens enjoy today. The origins of Veterans Day date back to the aftermath of World War I. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was established to commemorate the end of hostilities on the Western Front, which occurred on November 11, 1918. The day was first observed as a federal holiday in 1938, intended to honor the veterans of World War I. However, after World War II and the Korean War, there was a growing recognition that the day should commemorate all American veterans, not just those who fought in World War I. Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, another federal holiday that honors those who died while serving in the military. While Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and pays tribute to fallen soldiers, Veterans Day celebrates all veterans who have served in the military, both living and deceased. It is a day for reflection, gratitude, and recognition of the sacrifices made by these individuals and their families. The observance of Veterans Day includes various ceremonies and events nationwide. Many communities hold parades to honor and celebrate veterans for their service. Schools often participate in educational programs that help students understand the importance of the day and the contributions of veterans. In addition to local events, the National Veterans Day Observance is held at Arlington National Cemetery, where a wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This solemn event underscores the nation’s commitment to honor those who have served, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice. On Veterans Day each year, we must remember the importance of honoring those who have served in our military. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made for the freedoms we often take for granted. Each story of service is unique, yet collectively, they contribute to our history and identity. By recognizing and celebrating the contributions of veterans, we acknowledge the complexities of their experiences and reaffirm our commitment to supporting them as they transition to civilian life. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the challenges that veterans face upon returning home. Many veterans struggle with issues such as PTSD, unemployment, and reintegration into civilian life. Veterans Day serves as a reminder to the entire nation of the cost of freedom. It is a day to reflect on the values of courage, duty, and sacrifice that veterans embody. Citizens are encouraged to express their gratitude, whether by attending local events, volunteering for veteran organizations, or simply taking a moment to thank a veteran for their service. We ask you to do this - express your thanks to a veteran today. Jennifer Ostan, a family friend and wife of a wounded warrior, shared the following in a previous Give Him 15 Veterans Day Post ( Link ): “To our veterans: You took a sacred oath to defend this great nation – today, we honor that single act of courage that shaped your life forever. Thank you, dear sir or ma’am, for answering a call that few have chosen, and for being willing to lay down your life for your fellow Americans. Whether you’ve come out on the other side of your service “healthy,” “wounded,” or “somewhere in between,” we know you’ve paid a price – and that does not go unnoticed.  “We say to you today that we value your service, we honor your selflessness, and we salute you for your sacrifice. As President Truman so aptly stated: ‘Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. ’(1) “We echo those words as we renew our national promise – you have our undying gratitude, and we will not forget your sacrifices!  “Now, to those of you who have not served in our military, today is about the veterans, but it is also about how you can communicate your gratitude and convey value for their sacrifice. In preparation for this post, I asked several veterans to share examples of how they feel honored. Here are their answers: I don’t need much, a simple thank you and a smile goes a long, long way.   It’s the little things that make me feel proud – a handshake on the street, a stranger buying my coffee, or a text from a friend. I love seeing the hometown parades and people coming together to cheer us on! It’s a stark contrast from the days of the Vietnam War. It means so much when children come up and shake my hand – I love it when they ask me about my service. I hope they continue to teach this kind of honor to the kids.  “Clearly, your simple act of acknowledging veterans’ service as valuable goes a long way in making them feel honored. The next step is being intentional to teach children and grandchildren to do the same – this way our national promise can remain unbroken.” In conclusion, Veterans Day is more than just a holiday; it is an opportunity for all Americans to come together in gratitude and respect for the men and women who have served in the military. It reminds us of their sacrifice and service, urging us to ensure that veterans receive the recognition, support, and care they deserve. As we honor their legacy, we ensure a brighter future for those who have bravely defended our nation. Today, as we now enter a new season where honor and patriotism are being restored, we sincerely recognize and esteem our beloved veterans, and say THANK YOU. Thank you for your sacrifice and the sacrifices made by your families. God bless you, God Bless America. Pray with me: Father, we are very grateful for the freedoms and liberty we enjoy in our nation. We are so very blessed to possess these liberties, the opportunities they afford, and the incredibly abundant resources we enjoy in America.  On this Veterans Day, we take time to pray for those who have sacrificed to procure and protect these blessings. We pray especially for those who have lost family members fighting for us and others. Please give them comfort, strength, and provision. Motivate all of us Americans to do a better job of caring for them.  We also pray for those who have been wounded and are still suffering. Comfort them as they cope with physical, mental, and emotional trauma; for some, it is significant. We ask this, as well, for their family members, who also suffer stress and pain from these wounds. We ask that, as a nation, You would further awaken our citizens to the needs and challenges these veterans face. Remind us of the price they have paid, and give us hearts to love and serve our soldiers and their families, just as they have served us.  And lastly, we ask You for a sweeping revival in our military and their families. It will bring immeasurable comfort and healing to thousands when they come into a meaningful relationship with You. Pour out Your Spirit on them! Heal bodies, minds, and hearts.  And we ask all of this in Christ’s holy name. Amen.  Our decree: Today, we declare the blessing, strength, and comfort of the Lord to our veterans and their families.  Major (Ret.) Will Ostan and his wife, Jennifer, host the Arc of Justice USA website ( arcofjusticeusa.org ), where you can learn how to help our veterans. You can also learn more about Major Ostan and read his personal story at: willostan.com Click on the link below to watch the full video. Lipinski, Dan. “Top 25 Dan Lipinski Quotes (2022 Update).” Quotefancy , https://quotefancy.com/dan-lipinski-quotes . Accessed 9 November 2022.

Right on Time In 1 Samuel 16:12-13, David was anointed to be king over Israel: “And [Jesse] sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”  (KJV) Most scholars believe that David was between 10 and 15 years of age when this occurred. However, it was more than 20 years before Samuel’s prophecy to David was fulfilled in 2 Samuel 5:1-5: “ Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. Previously, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and in.’ And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. At Hebron, he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem, he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. ” (NAS) According to these verses, David was 30 years old when he became king. HOWEVER, the first 7 years of his reign, David was king over only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, commonly referred to simply as Judah (verses 4-5); Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, ruled over the actual nation of Israel. During the seven years David ruled Judah, his throne was in Hebron. Finally, when he was 37, the prophecy was fulfilled, and David was made king over all of Israel, moving his throne to Jerusalem. The math isn’t complicated: if David was 10 years old when Samuel anointed him, and 37 when he took the throne, it means he waited 27 years before the word was fully fulfilled; if he was 11 when anointed, he waited 26 years, and so on. My point is simply that David waited a long time before his promise came to pass.  And the waiting was anything but pleasant. During those years, David was horribly persecuted by King Saul, became an outcast from Israel, lived in caves, and struggled just to survive. His home was not a palace, but a cave named Adullam. Many of David’s prayers and declarations in the Psalms were written during this time. In Psalm 27:1, he penned, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?”  (NAS) These words are much more meaningful when we realize David wrote them by candlelight in a dark, damp cave, during a time when the king of Israel had a bounty on his head!  David did not write the incredible 23rd Psalm, which has brought comfort to untold millions over the years, in a coffee shop or an air-conditioned office. He wrote it while fleeing from Saul, in exile from his own people, and living among strangers - even enemies. His life was continually threatened. The Psalm is an outpouring of David’s confidence in the Lord and trust in His care, even when experiencing the very real threat of death. He drew on memories of shepherding and protecting his father’s sheep to picture the Lord’s care for him. “Just as I was their shepherd, You are my Shepherd.” David declared. “You feed me, protect me, and comfort me.” He wrote the amazing 91st Psalm during this same season of his life. While living in caves, David declared that he was dwelling in the shelter of the Most High, abiding in the shadow of the Almighty. Take some time and read this Psalm as you consider David’s circumstances. What amazing declarations of faith; what an incredible trust in the Lord he possessed.  God did not waste David’s Adullam years; they were part of his training. This doesn’t mean God caused the evil, hatred, and treachery of those who attacked him. It means that God brought good from the evil, making it serve His purposes and David’s destiny: David learned to trust He learned to lead, beginning with an army of misfits and outcasts (1 Samuel 22:2) He learned humility He learned to overcome rejection and betrayal He learned to appreciate the small things He learned to wait He learned of God’s faithfulness And he learned to love the presence of God When a journey toward a God-given promise becomes unexpectedly long, is plagued with difficult delays, and fraught with monumental challenges, remember that the delays haven’t taken Him by surprise. God knew how long the process would take: He foresaw the obstacles, planned how you would overcome them, and determined how He would use them to prepare you for your destiny. With these things in mind, He started you on the journey far enough in advance to get you there right on time.  When you finally arrive at the fulfillment, you’ll realize you didn’t arrive late…just like David. One more thing. The seven years David spent reigning over Judah in Hebron were not inconsequential, just one more delay waiting for “the real thing.” They were important! Hebron means “covenantal friendship;” it was actually here that God’s friend, Abraham, was buried. God wanted David to know, before he rose to the throne over all of Israel, that the ultimate key to success was through covenant and closeness to Him. Hebron was also the mountain city in the Promised Land where Caleb conquered its greatest giant (Joshua 14:15). David needed to learn that covenant and intimacy with God were keys to overcoming life’s “giants.” “Learn these lessons, David, and you’ll be ready for the ultimate throne in Jerusalem.” The purpose of today’s post is not just to give a history lesson; it is to remind us that when it seems a promise from God is taking forever, this is neither without purpose nor unexpected by Him. He knew how long the process would take and is using the time to accomplish His purposes. This is true for us as individuals, and also for nations. God knew how long it would take to restore America, and started early enough to get us to the finish line right on time . Not only will America be saved, she will be saved right on time. We have overcome in our Adullams, killed our giants, learned many lessons, built our friendship with God, and are now heading toward our Jerusalem. Stay the course.  Pray with me: Father, we have been on what seems like a long journey to see America saved and restored. Like David, we have occasionally experienced setbacks, demonic opposition, the actions of unrighteous leaders, abusive policies, and other delays. Please keep the ekklesia reminded that these delays have not taken You by surprise, that You planned ahead for our victories, and just how You would use the battles to mature us. As we move forward, please remind believers that we must persevere in our prayers. Give us increased revelation, reminding us that our unseen  prayers can literally produce visible  results in Washington, D.C., and in other places here and abroad. May we not leave our posts on the wall, watching and listening for Your alerts and instructions.  We pray that the exposure of the Deep State and anti-Christ forces continues. You said righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs 14:34) We have been disgraced by unrighteous actions in our nation, and the people indeed groan under the weight of sin and deceit. Continue to use good and wise leaders to expose, expose, expose. You also told us Jesus is the ONLY way to You (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). We love people of all faiths, but will never compromise this truth. And America was founded by You to spread this message–we will not allow this destiny to be stolen. Islam will not rule America, nor will socialism or communism. Many of those associated with these beliefs will be saved in the revival that has begun. We ask for this. In Christ’s authority, we pray. Amen.  Our decree: We decree that we, God’s Ekklesia on earth, will NOT grow weary in our well-doing, and we WILL reap in our “due season” (Galatians 6:9). Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Introduction Occasionally, I like to share posts that are more devotional, rather than focused on intercession. This is the case today.  The Stretch   I love nature and the outdoors. Sunrise, sunset, mountains, oceans, rivers, streams, trees - I just find God to be a pretty good artist. I also love to check out the animals. I’ve watched squirrels gather nuts, rabbits nibble leaves and veggies, and woodpeckers bang away at trees - how do they do that without rattling their brains out? Have you ever watched a hummingbird up close - their wings go a gazillion times per second - or observed the unmoving wings of an eagle as it soars. How did God think up all this stuff? I love observing and listening to elk. The sounds they make are fascinating. You’ve never heard all of nature’s wonders until you’ve heard a bull elk bugle. When you hear this up close, it’s one of the greatest rushes you could ever imagine. In mating season, you can actually call in a bull elk using calls that mimic the sounds of a cow elk in heat. Attracted like moths to a flame, they come running. When they approach, it is with tenacious and fierce determination. They grunt, bugle, and snort, both to alert the cow that they are coming and to warn any other bulls in the area that this is their date - back off. The bugling begins from hundreds of yards away and continues off and on as they approach. The first time I heard this, I became more “wired“ with adrenaline with every bugle. I was convinced that the archangel Gabriel was coming through the woods with his trumpet. We were hiding in some brush, and the expert caller was luring him in ever closer. Finally, Mr. Elk was no more than ten yards away. Still unable to see us but believing his “date” was close, he grunted, let out an ear-piercing bugle, slung some slobber (evidently, this is a turn-on for cow elk!) pawed the ground… and I made my peace with God! Talk about scary. If you’ve never heard the bugle of a bull elk, put it on your bucket list. Contrary to what you might think, an elk’s eyesight is not that great. They rely mostly on their senses of smell and hearing. I was observing a small herd of these majestic creatures one evening just before dark. One of the things that intrigued me most was the twitching of their ears. Ever vigilant, each time they heard a sound, their ears would prick up in order to hear it even better. Whether eating, drinking, or taking a step, they were always diligent to listen for a potential threat - their lives depended on it. As I watched them, the pricking up of their ears reminded me of the literal meaning of the Hebrew word for listening  (qashab) . This word literally means “to prick up the ears like an animal coming to alertness.” This live picture painted by the elk was indeed worth a thousand words. One of the places qashab  is used is Proverbs 4:20-22, a fairly well-known passage of scripture: “My son, GIVE ATTENTION to My words; incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them and health to their whole body”  (emphasis mine). My understanding of “giving attention to” God’s words went to a whole new level as I watched the ever-vigilant ears of the elk. Always listen diligently for His voice, as though your life depends on it, I thought. Regardless of what else you happen to be doing, remain tuned in to Him. Spending time with God through prayer, worship, and quiet meditation tunes in the soul and awakens the heart, enabling us to hear Him. Life is loud - make it quiet down once in a while. Everything else will scream for your attention, but not the Lord. Holy Spirit refuses to shout above the clamor and dissonance created by other voices and activities. For those who have grown to love the pleasure of His company enough to make time for Him, however, the still small voice of Holy Spirit becomes easily discernible. Life gets fast. Too fast. Slow down for a few minutes each day, turn aside and listen for His voice. “Turn aside” is one of the meanings of the word “incline” (natah ) in Proverbs 4:20. If we turn aside, He will speak to us. But He won’t speak until we are willing to turn aside. The word natah also means “to stretch toward, as in craning the neck in order to see or hear better.” The long-necked bird we call a crane provides the genesis for this colloquialism. “Stretch” your neck toward God in order to clearly hear His sayings. Show Him worth; assign Him value; demonstrate interest in His words. If you do so, He will speak. Interestingly, however, these same two words, qashab  and natah , describe not only listening to God but also His listening to us. He, too, “pricks up His ears” and “cranes His neck,” listening for the voices of His kids. Like the attentive ears of a doting mother with her newborn baby, God is listening for the sounds and stirrings of His little ones. Malachi 3:16 tells us,  “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord GAVE ATTENTION and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name” (emphasis mine). “Gave attention” is qashab . The timing of this passage was one of the seasons when many in Israel had turned away from Yahweh. His Father heart was hurting. God’s attentive ears pricked up, however, when a few of His loyal kids began talking about Him, and He was blessed by it. “Make a note of this,“ He told one of His assistants. Religion or misinformed people may have sold you a bill of goods about God being distant, but don’t believe it. Not only is He everlasting, He is also ever-listening. In Psalm 40:1, David says of the Lord, “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He INCLINED (natah) to me and heard my cry”  (emphasis mine). David said Yahweh responded to him, craning His neck, stretching it toward his cry and lifting him out of the “pit of destruction... the miry clay” (verse 2). David was deeply moved by God’s heart toward him, and spoke of Abba’s strong love: “How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts towards us; there is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.”  (Psalm 40:4-5) “Too numerous to count” is the phrase David used to describe Abba’s thoughts toward us. He loves us, and as we turn aside to Him, He turns aside to us. The resulting face-to-face encounter is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Don’t allow a feverish pace and the clamorous noise of life to rob you. Slow down and listen to Abba. Then, talk to Him. He’s listening to you, as well. Pray with me: Thank you, Father, for ever-listening to every utterance from the hearts of Your kids. From Your throne of glory, You incline Your ears to hear our voices and give attention to our prayers. How amazing this is! Let the sounds You hear from us bring You pleasure. And Father, we want to hear Your voice speaking to us. We stretch our hearts toward You - listening - giving attention to Your every word. Draw us to the hidden treasures found in the pages of Your Book - wisdom, knowledge, life, and health. Your Word is our daily bread. We don’t want to be casual listeners, but those who still our hearts to hear, giving our attention to and ascribing worth to Your words. May we pause frequently, as sheep who faithfully listen for the sound of their Shepherd’s voice, following Him always. Our decree: We declare our allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ, and we will always remain attentive to His voice and His Word. Today’s post was taken from my book The Pleasure of His Company , published by Baker Books. Click on the link below to watch the full video.