Tragedy in Texas There are no words to describe the tragedy that took place in Texas due to the unimaginable flooding that occurred on Friday. As of Sunday afternoon [7/6/2025], 59 people had died in the Kerrville, Texas area, 70 statewide; 27 are still missing. Eight hundred fifty (850) were rescued. The Guadalupe River rose an unbelievable 26 feet in 45 minutes. The equivalent of four months’ worth of rain fell in just four hours. It happened in the middle of the night; people in cabins, homes, and RVs woke up with water already swirling around them. Many of them were children attending summer camps.  We must pray for the precious people in this Texas region. Governor Abbott declared Sunday, [7/6/2025] a Day of Prayer in the state of Texas. There have been stories of miraculous survival, some surviving after being swept 15 miles or more downstream. Though the possibilities are slim, there may still be some waiting to be rescued, and we should pray for this. And of course, we pray for the grieving families who have lost loved ones. I am praying for them to find comfort in the loving arms of the Lord, spoken of in Romans 8: “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not back-stabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture.... None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” (Romans 8:35-39 The Message) My father, Dean Sheets, now in heaven, wrote a beautiful devotion several years ago on the importance of helping and serving one another. It was titled, simply, “Others.”  “Years ago, the Salvation Army was holding an international convention, and its founder, General William Booth, could not attend because of a physical weakness. Instead, he cabled his convention message to those in attendance. It was simply one word: “Others.” “The Master has sent you into His vineyard. There is the ministry of intercession for Christian workers. There is the ministry of comfort to sad hearts within your own circle. ‘Bear ye one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). “Lift up the hands which hang down” (Hebrews 12:12). Begin today! Too many are waiting for the ‘big ministry’ to come along, yet someone needs you right now. “Dr. Leonard Cammer, who specialized in treating depressed people, once said, ‘The human being is the only species that cannot survive alone. The human being needs another human being—otherwise he’s dead! A telephone call to a depressed person can save a life. An occasional word, a ten-minute visit, can be more effective than twenty-four hours of nursing care. You can buy nursing care. You cannot buy love.’ “Paul told us to  ‘Bear one another’s burdens’ (Galatians 6:2), not ‘BARE’ them. Never put a finger on someone’s faults unless it’s part of a helping hand. “We need one another so much! The words ‘one accord’ are mentioned eleven times in the Book of Acts. Remember that's the story of how Christians together ‘turned the world upside down’  for Jesus (Acts 17:6). “Together we can do so much. ‘A threefold cord is not quickly broken’ (Ecclesiastes 4:12). One cord, made up of three strands, is a hundred times stronger than just one strand.” (1) Let’s join our hearts and prayers with the people of Texas! Prayer Against Terrorism Attacks On an encouraging note, as of Sunday evening, there were no reports of terrorist attacks in our nation over the holiday weekend. I thank you all for praying. We take the warnings and alerts we receive very seriously, both from authorities and prophetic intercessors.  It seems that violence in general was also down. New York City recorded zero shootings and zero murders across all five boroughs on Independence Day, marking the first time in recorded history this peaceful milestone has been achieved, according to NYPD officials, including Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Who knows if perhaps our prayers were part of the reason for the lack of violence. Again, thank you for praying, thanks to our authorities for working to protect us, and thank the Lord for His protection against terrorism.  Pray with me: Father, we thank You for the lack of violence over the Fourth of July weekend. We also thank You for those tasked with the responsibility of protecting our nation. Please give them supernatural help as they ongoingly endeavor to accomplish that responsibility. Our hearts are hurting with the people of Texas, who have experienced such a devastating catastrophe. We pray for those who have lost family members, asking You to comfort their hearts. Strengthen them, give them grace, and let them feel Your love, even during this time of grief. Help them not to become bitter in their pain. If there are any survivors at this point waiting to be found, please facilitate their rescue. Please bring appropriate help to the children who survived but have experienced such incredible trauma, so that they are not scarred throughout their lives. Help the communities rebuild and recover.  Use this difficult time to bring people together, as we join ourselves to others who are feeling such pain. You are a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). And Father, this is a good time to include our entire nation. Please heal the wounds of division and strife in America. Help us tear down walls of hatred and racism, and heal us from the wounds that our division has caused. All of this, we pray in Jesus’ name, amen. Our decree: We declare the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit over the state of Texas. Click on the link below to watch the full video. Dean Sheets & Dutch Sheets, The Gold That Washed Ashore (Franklin, TN: Scribe Book Company), Day 17. The book is now out of print.

Independence Forever One can only imagine the range of emotions present in Independence Hall when the Declaration of Independence was signed. In the classic book, The Light and the Glory , Peter Marshall and David Manuel offer the following account: “The magnitude of what they had done began to weigh upon them, and they realized that they and their countrymen were no longer Englishmen, but citizens of a fledgling nation barely a few minutes old. Many stared out the window. Some wept openly. Some, like Witherspoon, bowed their heads and closed their eyes in prayer. John Hancock broke the silence: ‘Gentlemen, the price on my head has just been doubled!’ “A wry chuckle followed, and then Samuel Adams rose: ‘We have this day restored the Sovereign, to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and … from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come.’” (1)   It is ridiculous to suggest that these Founders did not believe God was involved in this endeavor. John Quincy Adams, son of John and Abigail Adams and sixth president of the United States, made the profound statement on the 45th anniversary of the signing, “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity” (July 4, 1821). (2) Adams’ belief in this indissoluble bond and God’s destiny for America - taking the gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth - never waned. On America’s 61st birthday, July 4, 1837, he made the following staggering declaration, connecting the birth of our nation to the birth of Jesus Christ: “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day? [July 4th]. Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth?” (7/4/1837). (3) Adams wasn’t equating America’s birth with Christ’s birth; he was saying that America’s birth was for the purpose of announcing Christ’s birth as the Redeemer of humankind. This patriot knew why God raised up America! The Price of Freedom The signers of the Declaration of Independence understood the potential cost of their actions. This is why they ended the document with the words: “For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” (4)   John Quincy’s dad, John Adams, one of the signers and our second President, spoke of the probable cost to his wife, Abigail: “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means.” (5) Signer Lewis Morris’ half-brother tried to dissuade him from signing the Declaration, warning him of the potential cost. Morris’s eloquent response? “Damn the consequences. Give me the pen!” (6)  I’ve often wondered if General George Patton was one of his descendants!  Signer Sam Adams, mentioned above, was a second cousin to John Adams, a distant uncle to John Quincy, and a key voice of liberty. Thomas Jefferson referred to him as “the patriarch of liberty;” Boston newspapers eulogized him as “the Father of the American Revolution.” (The Adam‘s clan was certainly a bunch of freedom-loving warriors!) Speaking of the possible cost of freedom and declaring where he had placed his trust Sam Adams said: “We have proclaimed to the world our determination ‘to die freemen, rather than to live slaves.’ We have appealed to heaven for the justice of our cause, and in Heaven, we have placed our trust.” (7) Cousin John was such a passionate pioneer of liberty that Jefferson referred to him as a “colossus of independence.” Though John Adams and Jefferson didn't always see eye-to-eye, their passion for America enabled them to put aside their differences, and they died as close friends—on the same day! (8)   Most people are unaware that Adams and Jefferson, in an incredible phenomenon that could have only been caused by Providence, both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1826. Incredibly, God honored their love for America by allowing them to live until that landmark day. Their passion to see the survival of this “holy experiment,” as many described America at that time, and God‘s divine favor kept them alive until this milestone was reached. Adams, too weak to attend the national Fourth of July celebration, asked to be seated in a chair by his window in order to watch the festivities. While there, while watching the celebration, he drifted into unconsciousness and died later that night. Two of his last words before he graduated to Heaven were, “Independence forever.” (9)  Passionate in life; passionate in death. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, Adams said it “will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.” (10) And so it is. As we celebrate this monumental day, the 249th birthday of America, I leave you with the words of Founding Father Joseph Warren, quoted by Ronald Reagan in his First Inaugural Address. Reagan shared: “On the eve of our struggle for independence, a man who might have been one of the greatest among the Founding Fathers, Dr. Joseph Warren, President of the Massachusetts Congress, said to his fellow Americans, ‘Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of.... On you depend the fortunes of America. You are to decide the important questions upon which rest the happiness and the liberty of millions yet unborn. Act worthy of yourselves.’” (11)  Reagan continued, “Well, I believe we, the Americans of today, are ready to act worthy of ourselves, ready to do what must be done to ensure happiness and liberty for ourselves, our children, and our children’s children. “And as we renew ourselves here in our own land, we will be seen as having greater strength throughout the world. We will again be the exemplar of freedom and a beacon of hope for those who do not now have freedom…” (12)  Happy Independence Day! Pray with me:  Father, we Americans give thanks for our freedom. We are an immeasurably blessed people. Thousands of our brothers and sisters around the world who read these posts understand how blessed we are, perhaps better than most Americans. We pray today for the courage to “act worthy of” this blessing and of our holy calling (Ephesians 4:1).  Give us hearts of iron, nerves of steel, and holy zeal. Fill us with fresh resolve to make our heavenward appeals, to answer destiny’s call. Give us hearts that bow low, but dream high. Make us the Joshuas and Calebs, the Adams and Reagans of our time, fearless in the face of demons and of those who war against Your planned harvest.  May this be Your Ekklesia’s finest hour, Your Kingdom’s greatest advance on planet earth. We will represent our great Redeemer until we can say with our brother, Paul,  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith”  (2 Timothy 4:7 NASB). And in our great Redeemer’s name, Jesus, we pray, amen. Our decree: We decree that the purpose of God for America will not be lost – not on our watch. Click on the link below to watch the full video. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Light and the Glory  (Tarrytown, NY: Fleming H. Revell Company), p. 309. William Federer, America’s God and Country , FAME Publishing Inc., 1994, p. 18. Ibid. https://docs.house.gov/meetings/GO/GO00/20220929/115171/HHRG-117-GO00-20220929-SD010.pdf Bennett, William J. Our sacred honor: Words of advice from the Founders in stories, letters,   poems, and speeches. (New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 1997), p. 40.   https://yalealumnimagazine.org/blog_posts/1831-damn-the-consequences-give-me-the-pen   http://www.samuel-adams-heritage.com/documents/speech-about-declaration-of-independence.html   William Federer, America’s God and Country , p. 14. Ibid., pp. 8-9. Ibid., p. 9. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/reagan1.asp Ibid.

IMPORTANT PRAYER ALERT for this Holiday Weekend Credible alerts are being shared from anonymous government sources regarding possible terrorist attacks planned in America this holiday weekend. Several intercessors have been sensing strong warnings regarding this, as well. It should come as no surprise to hear that violence has been planned against us – we know terrorists have come into our nation over the last four years. Evil leaders in Iran have hated America for decades, and they now hate us even more after we took out their nuclear program. They and the terrorists on our soil would find tremendous joy in harming Americans on the July 4th holiday weekend as we celebrate America’s birth. Please Join Me in Praying:   That the plans to harm us would be discovered beforehand and stopped by Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies; That terrorists would make mistakes, experience confusion and miscalculations, and even suffer equipment failures;  For the protection of America’s cities and our citizens. Scriptures You Can Use in Your Prayers:   Deuteronomy 28:7: “ The Lord shall cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and will flee before you seven ways.”  (ESV) Psalm 10:2:   “ In pride the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. ”  (NASB) Psalm 20:6-9:   “ Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to His anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!” (TPT) Psalm 27:   “ The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then I will be confident. “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His sacred tent, I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, ‘Seek His face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek. “Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; You have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me on a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (TPT) Psalm 31:20: “ In the cover of Your presence, You hide them from the plots of men; You store them in Your shelter from the strife of tongues.”  (ESV) Psalm 32:7: “ You are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah”  (ESV) Psalm 33:10-11: “ The Lord nullifies the counsel of the nations; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.”  (NASB) Matthew 16:18-19:   “...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”   (TPT) Hebrews 4:16:  “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (ESV) Psalm 91: “ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. “He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. “ A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. “ For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life, I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”’ (TPT) Through prophetic words, we have been told several times that America will experience some significant “shakings.” We have also been told that we cannot completely stop all of them, but that we can lessen the damage/destruction with our prayers, and that America is “anchored” and “secure.” We can unquestionably protect our families and possessions with our prayers. So do not fear; pray confidently, and walk in peace.  Thank you for joining me as we pray for our nation. And be alert as you celebrate America’s 249th birthday. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

We Have Answered the Call As we celebrate our nation’s birthday tomorrow (July 4), it is good to be reminded that God created America for His purposes. It is clear that the motivation of the early settlers included the furthering of the gospel of Jesus Christ. John Winthrop, an English lawyer and leading figure in the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, led the first large wave of colonists from England in 1630, and served as governor for twelve of the colony’s first 20 years. On the voyage to America aboard the Arbella, Winthrop composed a lay sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity,” in which he pictured the Massachusetts colonists in covenant with God and each other, divinely ordained to build “a City upon a Hill” in New England. He took this phrase from Christ’s message in Matthew 5:14. (1) “On May 19, 1643, Winthrop organized the New England Confederation among the Colonists of New Plymouth, New Haven, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. They covenanted together under the Constitution of the New England Confederation. Here is a portion of the covenant: ‘Whereas we all came to these parts of America with the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to enjoy the liberties of the Gospel thereof with purities and peace, and for preserving and propagating the truth and liberties of the gospel.’” (2) Just over 130 years later, following the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a committee was appointed to draft a seal for the newly formed United States, which would express the spirit of the new nation. Thomas Jefferson, who penned the Declaration, suggested that it be “the children of Israel in the wilderness, led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.” (3)   Wouldn’t that have given today’s secularists indigestion?! Facts such as these torment the progressives and revisionists on the left, who want to distort America’s heritage and destiny. But the facts clearly reveal that our Founders knew the birth of America was orchestrated by God – not just for their benefit, but for His as well. Satan certainly knows this, which is why he motivates individuals to try to transform us into a godless, secularist nation. They were making great progress in their diabolical plans until true patriots and the Ekklesia began to awaken. The word “patriot” originates from the Greek word for father,  pater . True patriots, as I have said in the past, are those who respect and embrace the ideals and vision of the fathers. Those who refuse to do so are not true patriots.  Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense , which inspired the colonists during the early days of our War of Independence, made this profound statement: “The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind.” (4) Though he was speaking of natural liberty, not the preaching of the gospel, his words were nevertheless true in the spiritual sense, as well. Paine was far more prophetic than he knew. The cause of America is the cause of all mankind because it is the cause of Christ and His redeeming gospel. Yes, we Americans have defiled God’s plan at times throughout our history, polluting it with selfish ambition and greed. That, however, does not change His plan. It simply means we must be revived in heart and mind, reconstituted in purpose, and restored to this destiny. And this is occurring. The praying church is rising to the occasion in this season, just as Esther, Deborah, David, Joshua, Caleb, Nehemiah, Haggai, and many others did in Israel’s history. They served God’s purpose in their generation (Acts 13:36). It is our turn. And we will do so, as did our Founders, the spiritual warriors of the First and Second Great Awakenings, Lincoln and his generation, and the selfless heroes of two World Wars. We have answered the call, and now we will persevere. Because we are partnering with the Supreme Owner and Ruler of the Earth, we will not fail. America shall be saved because this is God’s will, and He has found a willing people through whom to work. The harvest of the ages will be reaped because the Father promised it to His Son, and His Son has raised up a church over which the gates of hell cannot prevail. This is all guaranteed through the victory of the Cross, the covenant established through the shedding of Christ’s blood, and His overseeing of it (Hebrews 7:22). We, the church, are now spiritual enforcers of this victory, and we will do so. We will not be intimidated by any shaking, nor any uprising of demonic forces here and around the world. We can endure the present course correction because we, like Christ, are looking at the joy set before us (Hebrews 12:2). We will not be intimidated by unprincipled and corrupt politicians, judges, dictators, or armies. We are more than conquerors and know that we cannot be separated from the love of Christ (Romans 8:37-39). We do not fear any evil, including death (Psalm 23:4). I am reminded often in this season of another Common Sense statement from Paine. He began the writing with this: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”(5) Yes, these are trying times, but we are not “summer soldiers” or “sunshine patriots,” as Paine referenced those who shrink from duty in times of crisis. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God, constrained by His heart and committed to His cause. America plays a significant role in this cause; therefore, just as our Founders, we are committed to her destiny and have pledged everything to the cause. We have knelt with Hunt at Cape Henry’s cross, embracing the covenant he declared and committing our lives to its fulfillment. In our hearts, we have signed the Declaration, and pledged our allegiance. Fly the flag tomorrow . Make no apologies for your patriotism; keep it rooted in the cause of Christ. Grab the baton of the Founding Fathers and press on. Make no apologies for passionate prayer regarding America’s restoration. It is a divine cause that motivates us, not selfish desires. Continue to pray fervently and faithfully. Everyday! Align with those who do; ignore the naysayers. Pray for leaders who are laboring to see America recover. Pray for those in Congress who fight corruption and war for truth. Pray that all evil is exposed. Pray for President Trump - NEVER have I seen such hatred and evil attacks against an American leader. These attacks are demonically inspired due to his determination to end the control of globalists, leftists, and corrupt politicians. Pray for the continued exposure of corruption in our government, including our judicial system.  And continue praying for a GREAT spiritual awakening - in the church and among the unsaved! And DO NOT fear any shaking. We are anchored!!! Pray with me: Father, we thank You for America. We are jealous for Your Kingdom purposes here and around the world - we’re all in. Make this nation the trumpet You intended her to be, blasting the Jubilee message of the Cross to all the world. Change all that is needed to fully restore this destiny, then take it to the next level. Awaken and reform. We pray for President Trump. Keep him strong. Encourage him. Do not let evil wear him down. We pray for our leaders in Congress as they legislate, and also in their efforts to investigate and uncover corruption. Lead them, give them wisdom, and protect them, their families, and staff. Give them boldness and tenacity, meekness and humility. May they have the anointing of Jeremiah to  “root out, pull down, destroy, throw down, build and plant” (Jeremiah 1:10).  And we continue to pray for a spiritual harvest of millions in the Middle East. We ask You to continue the process of dethroning “the prince of Persia” (Daniel 10) and all of his allies, ending violence, destruction, and spiritual blindless. Turn the tables on them, ending their terror. End the plans of other evil leaders around the world to steal, kill, destroy, rule unrighteously, and hinder Your great harvest. Show Yourself strong against them! We stand for these things, asking and believing for them in the name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that God is delivering us from evil and that His Kingdom will advance! Click on the link below to watch the full video. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Winthrop   Leo Godzich, Faith of Our Fathers  (Phoenix, AZ: NAME Publishers), p. 33. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country  (Coppell, TX: FAME Publishing, Inc.) p. 322. https://oll.libertyfund.org/page/1776-paine-common-sense-pamphlet   https://www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/c-01.htm

Prayer and America’s Constitution Many Americans are unaware of God’s intervention in saving our Republic through Roger Sherman and Benjamin Franklin. I am going to venture a guess that most of you know little, if anything, about Founding Father, Roger Sherman. His contribution to America’s beginning was extremely important. Sherman was distinguished as the only founding father to sign all four of America’s major founding documents: the Articles of Association (1774), the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Articles of Confederation (1781), and the United States Constitution (1787). What an honor! “Sherman was a shoe cobbler, surveyor, and merchant prior to his political career. He was a self-taught lawyer, a state senator, a superior court judge, and a judge in Connecticut for fourteen years. Later, he was a member of the Continental Congress and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. He was also a member of the Constitutional Convention, where he made 138 speeches. He then became a U.S. representative from 1789-91, and at the age of 70, was elected a U.S. Senator, serving from 1791-93.” (1) Many Americans, like me, for the first 45 years of my life, did not know much about the Constitutional Convention and other founding events. Here is a very brief overview of significant events leading up to and including the Constitutional Convention:  In 1776, the thirteen American colonies declared their independence from Britain. (The Declaration of Independence) The Revolutionary War took place from 1776 to 1783. During this time, the thirteen United States functioned under the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution had not yet been written, and we had no President. Washington, our first President, wasn’t elected until 1789. The central government had limited power and income (which, generally speaking, is appropriate) and therefore, could not effectively support an army and provide for other needs. James Madison and George Washington were among those who feared the young country was on the brink of collapse. In 1787, in an attempt to remedy this, a Federal Convention of the states was planned in Philadelphia. This was eleven years after the Declaration of Independence had been written. (It was not called the Constitutional Convention until later.) The delegates assumed they were meeting only to make improvements to the Articles of Confederation. While there, however, most of the delegates decided that a completely new system of government was needed, not just a revision of the old. The convention lasted from May 24 to September 17; it was VERY contentious. For a while, it seemed they would fail in their efforts. (2)   “On Thursday, June 28, 1787, the delegates were embroiled in a bitter debate over how each state was to be represented in the new government. The hostile feelings created by the smaller states being pitted against the larger states were so bitter that some delegates actually left the Convention. “Benjamin Franklin, being the President (Governor) of Pennsylvania, was hosting the rest of the 55 delegates attending the Convention. Being the senior member of the convention at 81 years of age, he commanded the respect of all present, and, as recorded in James Madison’s detailed records, he rose to speak in this moment of crisis:  “‘The small progress we have made after four or five weeks of close attendance and continual reasonings with each other - our different sentiments on almost every question…producing as many noes as ayes, is, methinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. “‘We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which, having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution, now no longer exist. And we have viewed the Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.  “‘In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly appealing to the Father of lights to illuminate our understanding? “‘In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. “‘To that kind Providence, we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?  “‘I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth–that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? “‘We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without this concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. “‘And what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war, and conquest. “‘I, therefore, beg leave to move - that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.’” (3) Roger Sherman was the person who seconded Franklin’s motion to begin each daily session with prayer. (4)  This was approved, and the practice has continued since, although poorly attended and supported. Can you imagine the breakthroughs and recoveries that would occur in our nation if today’s Congress took Franklin and Sherman’s advice seriously?! It would produce results now, just as it did then. “Shortly after this, Sherman made the suggestion that state representation in the Senate be equal and that state representation in the House be based on population. This historic proposal, which came to be called the ‘Connecticut Compromise,’ was adopted, and the system has been in use since. Sherman was also on the committee which decided the wording of the First Amendment. (5) ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.’ “Roger Sherman once described the necessity of ‘Admiring and thankfully acknowledging the riches of redeeming love, and earnestly imploring that divine assistance which may enable us to live no more to ourselves, but to Him who loved us and gave Himself to die for us.’ (6) “Why is it that such a giant of a man is so little covered by the textbooks of today? To think that the only man to sign all four of our major founding documents, establish prayer in Congress, develop the compromise for just representation between House and Senate is unknown to most Americans baffles the mind.” (7) Today, we honor him along with Franklin and our other Founding Fathers. But while doing so, we honor the One who gave them wisdom and understanding to accomplish the establishment of America. Pray with me: Father, it is an indescribable privilege to be part of a nation created by You to propagate the gospel of Your Kingdom. You birthed America, and You have prospered and blessed us beyond measure. Our Founders knew You were involved in our formation; they knew and honored You as the only King. They worshiped You, honored Your Word, and believed in Your Son, Jesus Christ. And they led with “servant hearts” and unselfish motivations. Over the many decades since then, America drifted far from You. We have dishonored and disrespected You, Your Son, and Your holy Word. Many of our leaders have been educated fools, leading America down a path of rebellion and wickedness. Like the prodigal in Scripture, we squandered our inheritance and wasted it on sin and selfish desires. But also like the prodigal, we believe in Your mercy. We believe in the power of the blood of Jesus. We believe it cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness. And we believe in restoration. We believe that You are restoring America to You and to our calling. We place our faith in Christ’s blood and boldly declare, “America shall be - and is being - saved!” Our decree: We decree that America is returning to the ancient path of honoring God and walking in His ways. (Jeremiah 6:16) Click on the link below to watch the full video. Sherman, Roger. Lewis Henry Bouotell,  The Life of Roger Sherman  (Chicago: A.C. McClure & Co., 1896), 213. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1986), p. 137. Edwin Gaustad, Faith of Our Fathers (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987), p. 158.  Leo Godzich,  Faith of Our Founding Fathers  (Phoenix, AZ: NAME Publishers), pp. 63-64. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country  (Coppell, TX: FAME Publishing, Inc., 1994), p. 558. Benjamin Franklin. June 28, 1787. James Madison, Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787  (1787; reprinted NY: W.W. Norton and Co., 1987), pp. 209-210. David Barton, The Myth of Separation  (Aledo, TX: WallBuilder Press, 1991), pp. 108-109. Gallard Hunt and James B. Scott, Ed., The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America,  reported by James Madison (New York: Oxford University Press, 1920), pp. 181-182. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers  (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), pp. 122-124. George Bancroft, Bancroft’s History of the Constitution of the United States  Vols I-X (Boston: Charles C. Little & James Brown, 1838), Vol. II. Stephen Abbott Northrop, D.D., A Cloud of Witnesses  (Portland, Oregon: American Heritage Ministries, 19887), pp. 159-160. Sherman, Robert. June 28, 1787. James Madison, Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787  (1787; reprinted NY: W.W. Norton and Company, 1987), p. 210. Sherman, Roger. Lewis Henry Bouotell, The Life of Roger Sherman (Chicago: A.C. McClure & Co., 1896),  213. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1986), p. 137. Edwin Gaustad, Faith of Our Fathers (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987), p. 158.  Sherman, Roger. John Eidsmoe, Constitution, p. 321. Peter Marshall and David Manuel, The Glory of America (Bloomington, MN: Garborg’s Heart N Home, Inc., 1991), 8.23. Leo Godzich,  Faith of Our Founding Fathers  (Phoenix, AZ: NAME Publishers), p. 65.

A Phenomenal Week Last week, June 22-28, President Donald Trump experienced one of the most phenomenal weeks of notable successes in presidential history, spanning the realms of national security, legal rulings, diplomatic negotiations, and international peace efforts. These developments advanced his administration’s priorities, reinforced American strength globally, and secured domestic legal and social victories. 1. Military Strike in Iran and Disruption of Nuclear Capabilities One of the most significant actions was the targeted military operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities. This strike was meticulously planned and executed with the aim of deterring Iran’s nuclear ambitions and preventing the development of nuclear weapons, thereby enhancing regional and global security. It has been called by many the greatest single military strike in history. Sources indicate that the operation successfully destroyed Iran’s key nuclear infrastructure, including underground centrifuge facilities and research centers. The strike was carried out with precision, minimizing civilian casualties and avoiding escalation into broader conflict. The strategic timing and execution underscore the Trump administration’s commitment to a firm posture against Iran’s nuclear program, consistent with longstanding policies to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This action has sent a clear message to Iran and the international community about the United States’ and Israel’s resolve to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions. It also signals a shift from diplomatic negotiations only to a more assertive military stance when necessary, emphasizing deterrence and the protection of American interests and allies in the Middle East. The Middle East is very different and the world is now a safer place because of the President’s actions. 2. NATO Commitments and Reinforced Alliances Another key development is the renewed commitment from NATO allies to support and strengthen collective defense and security measures. During recent diplomatic engagements, several NATO member countries reaffirmed their commitments to meet or exceed the alliance’s defense spending targets, reflecting a more united front in facing global threats. For decades, America has carried the lion’s share of the load, but President Trump’s leadership has been instrumental in pressing NATO allies to increase their contributions. These commitments include increased troop deployments, enhanced military cooperation, and shared intelligence initiatives. The strengthening of NATO’s operational readiness and strategic coordination is, without question, a result of Trump‘s leadership.  These renewed commitments are seen as vital to counterbalance adversarial nations, including Russia and China, and to maintain stability in Europe and beyond. The alliance’s increased cohesion is viewed as a diplomatic success for the Trump administration’s foreign policy approach. 3. Supreme Court Victories on Judicial Limitation and Parental Rights We have been praying for a shift in the judicial system of America and it seems our prayers are being answered. President Trump’s administration has secured significant victories at the Supreme Court, particularly in cases involving limits on district judges’ powers. One absolutely crucial case bolstered the administration’s efforts to limit the authority of district judges in certain federal cases, reinforcing the executive branch’s capacity to implement policies without unconstitutional judicial interference. This decision is seen as a crucial step in restoring balance among the branches of government, ensuring that executive actions are not unduly impeded by lower court rulings. And the dissent from the liberals on the court was a stark demonstration of their disregard for the Constitution in order to promote their own ideologies. Justice Barrett’s refutation of Justice Jackson’s rambling dissent has been described as eviscerating. Barrett said, “She offers a vision of the judicial role that would make even the most ardent defender of judicial supremacy blush.” Indeed.  Additionally, the Court issued a landmark ruling affirming parental rights in Maryland, strengthening protections for parents in educational and family law matters. The decision affirms parental authority in making educational choices for their children and limits ridiculous, and I might add very evil, overreach by local government authorities. This out of control school district’s contention that they can teach grade school children perverted sexual actions and ideologies, and that parents can do nothing to stop this evil activity, is abhorrent. The ruling was a tremendous victory for family sovereignty and individual rights. (Although the fact that it actually had to be brought before the Supreme Court is astounding.) 4. Peace Deal in Africa and Regional Stability On the international front, President Trump’s diplomatic efforts have yielded a significant breakthrough in Africa—a comprehensive peace deal signed between the Congo and Rwanda, conflicting parties in a major regional conflict. This peace agreement aims to end years of violence, foster stability, and promote economic development. The deal involves ceasefire provisions, power-sharing arrangements, and commitments to disarmament. It is supported by the U.S. and regional leaders, with the goal of establishing a sustainable peace process. This success, which has gone unnoticed by many, underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering stability in Africa through diplomatic engagement and strategic partnerships. The peace deal is also expected to facilitate humanitarian aid, infrastructure development, and anti-terrorism cooperation, contributing to regional prosperity and security. 5. Progress Toward the “Big Beautiful Bill” Finally, President Trump and Republican congressional leaders continue to make strides toward what is being called the “Big Beautiful Bill” – a comprehensive agreement encompassing multiple facets of domestic and international policy, including trade, security, and diplomatic relations. While the Dems are fighting it tooth and nail, and a handful of Republicans are resisting portions of it, negotiations seem to be progressing well, with key legislators moving closer to consensus. The bill aims to enhance American economic strength, secure favorable trade terms, and solidify alliances globally. It is viewed as a critical piece of the administration’s efforts to restore America.  Conclusion In summary, the week ending June 29, 2025, was marked by a series of very impressive achievements for President Trump and his administration. From decisive military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities to reinforced alliances with NATO, significant judicial victories, and regional peace agreements, these developments demonstrate remarkable accomplishments.  The successes are shaping policy, asserting American interests, and fostering stability across multiple fronts. The momentum generated in these recent weeks suggests that the administration’s strategic objectives are gaining ground. And the accomplishments underscore Trump’s assertive leadership, diplomatic abilities, and the strength of his team. Let’s continue to pray for significant breakthroughs and for the turnaround to continue. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for the progress being made to defeat evil here in America and around the world. You are using many people to accomplish these things, including President Trump, but we give You the glory. You are empowering their efforts. We ask for continued favor upon the efforts of the righteous, and failure to those who promote evil and violence. Although we know there is much more change needed, thank You for answering prayers regarding the judicial system of America. We ask for these breakthroughs to continue.  We thank You also for victory in the Middle East, although we know this progress also must continue. We ask for the total destruction of “the prince of Persia’s” control over the region (Daniel 10), and the greatest revival in the region’s history. Bring freedom to the people of Iran and release great revival there, but also use them to facilitate revival throughout the entire Middle East. And we continue to ask for revival in America. Give great strategy and favor especially to those working to produce revival among the youth and young adults of our nation. Cause the revival that has begun among this age group to continue and multiply exponentially. Raise them up as the greatest army of reformers the world has ever seen. Once again, we thank You for all of the breakthroughs we are seeing and ask for this to continue. And we ask all of this in Yeshua’s name, amen. Our decree:  We declare our faith that Holy Spirit is orchestrating a great season of revival and breakthrough here in America and around the world. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

The Turnaround Must Continue  First let me say, the Healing Summit Friday night was outstanding. Many were touched and healed by the power of God. If you did not join us through livestream, you can find the link to do so at Oasiswired.org . Thank you for your prayers regarding this summit; they were greatly appreciated. Although America experienced tremendous victory in Iran and the Middle East, Trump saw great breakthrough with NATO, and continues to have success in various other situations, the battle still rages, especially here on the homefront. Leftists, Marxists, Communists, and globalists are intent on stopping Trump’s agenda; they want America weaker and more immoral. Case in point: Attorney General Pam Bondi and Kash Patel with the FBI have launched criminal probes into three hospitals – and are still investigating others — that have refused to stop sex-change treatments and surgeries on minors. (You can read about it here ). Thousands of innocent children have been mutilated and permanently sterilized by money-hungry and soulless reprobates. Thank God the turnaround has begun! On July 18 of last year (2024) my friend, Steven Springer, received a strong word from the Lord regarding Trump and America. Though this was almost a year ago it is just as relevant today. Steven said: “We are in a tremendous turnaround season. There is grace in the atmosphere for the Ekklesia to contend in prayer all the way until the promises we have heard from Holy Spirit manifest!” I took this to heart and have been doing so, as have many of you. Steven continued: “I see God’s hand on Donald Trump to be our 47th president. Nehemiah will be a roadmap for this to occur, and for the rebuilding of the United States of America. Nehemiah had to overcome mockery, conspiracies, the complacency of the people, and physical threats.  “Trump’s plan to make America great again – and to overcome these obstacles – will be accomplished through wisdom from the Lord. He must choose to lean into the Ekklesia (Church) for support and intercession, as Nehemiah did with Ezra. As he does, there will be a spiritual awakening, a releasing of wisdom from on high, and a rebuilding of this land that will be recognized by the nations of the earth! We must agree in prayer for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, through the fear of the Lord, to rest on Trump.  “In this time of great discord and division in our nation, we need the unifying power of the Holy Spirit to heal the divide. It is a time for rebuilding the walls and fortifying the breaches, restoring unity in the United States. This will come through a holy revival, a spiritual revolution, and reformation! Jesus is the remedy. As with Nehemiah, there will be an empowerment of each citizen to work together – in their families, neighborhoods, cities, and states – to rebuild the nation, undistracted by the noise and clamor of the enemy.  “There is a sound of hope arising from the Ekklesia, breaking the chains of oppression! Let’s agree with and declare Proverbs 24:3-6 in the Passion Translation, making it our motto:  ‘Wise people are builders — they build families, businesses, communities. And through intelligence and insight their enterprises are established and endure. Because of their skilled leadership, the hearts of people are filled with the treasures of wisdom and the pleasures of spiritual wealth. Wisdom can make anyone into a mighty spiritual warrior, and revelation-knowledge increases strength. Wise strategy is necessary to wage spiritual war, and with many astute advisers, you’ll see the path to victory more clearly.’ “There will be a tremendous generosity seen through President Trump that will become contagious throughout the land. Conspiracies, including the deep state’s demonic plans, will be unmasked and brought into the light! Just as demonic strategies didn’t work against Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, they will not work against Trump. Their accusations will not stop the rebuilding of America in the unity of the Spirit, and the restoring of the United States to again be ‘one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all!’ “The chains and bondage of the marxist/socialist spirit that has entered this nation over the last forty years and now holds people captive, will be abolished. They will no longer have a place of influence.  “There will be a tremendous outpouring of Holy Spirit, a latter rain of glory that will fall in America – including upon the White House. Again, we will once again be one nation, under the one true God.  “There will be a celebration as dreaming is restored – with God in the center.  “God’s glory is sure to shine as we hold fast to His Word, are careful to follow Him, and walk in obedience! Let the words of the great song, America the Beautiful, be a declaration for our nation again! ‘America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! ‘America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.’ “Let the powerful insights and words of King Solomon in Proverbs 3:5-7 (TPT) resound in our hearts: ‘Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore Him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.’ “Through God’s love, grace, and power the turnaround has begun!” I remain confident that this was a word from the Lord. I also know it has been and will continue to be contested as satan tries to alter God’s timing and decrees (Daniel 7:25). Trump won the election, as Steven accurately predicted, but we know the battle isn’t over. We will continue to persevere in prayer to overcome satan’s strategies. And we will not waver.  Pray with me: Father, when the great apostle, Paul, encountered numerous difficulties and great opposition, his declaration was: “None of these things move me” (Acts 20:24). As we observe the plans and attacks against You and Your cause today, we say the same: we are unmoved. Just as Nehemiah remained focused when attacked and warred against, we too shall remain steadfast, our eyes fixed on You.  We pray that President Trump and his team, righteous leaders in Congress, and righteous judges throughout our nation will remain steadfast and immovable in their determination to see America turn around. We also pray that every attempt to terrorize our nation and harm innocent people would be exposed and stopped. Give those assigned with this task supernatural help to do so. We pray that every attempt to make America weak, to turn us toward communism and Marxism, and to produce greater evil would fail.  And we ask You to bring the release of the revival Steven spoke of. Use this outpouring of Your Spirit to heal our land of hatred and division, and to deliver us from antichrist mindsets, antisemitism, and all forms of racism. Pour out Holy Spirit, the only One with the ability to restore us. Our faith rests in no man or system – only in You, our God.  We ask all of this in Jesus’ name.  Our decree: We declare that the turnaround in America has begun, and will NOT be stopped! You can find out more about Steven Springer at GlobalPresence.com . Click on the link below to watch the full video.

The Gate of Miracles Is Open My brother, Tim, and several other leaders (myself included) are conducting another Healing Summit tonight in Middletown, Ohio, at the Oasis Church. There are still a few seats available if you would like to join us live, (you can register at OasisWired.org ) and thousands will join us via livestream . Also, many churches are planning to join us via livestream and will pray for individuals themselves as we do so in Middletown. We believe many healings will occur throughout the nation tonight, and gifts of the Spirit will be imparted to individuals for their ongoing representation of Christ. Miracles can be ministered and received in several ways. The anointing of the Holy Spirit in us can be transferred to others through touching them (referred to in the King James translation as “laying on hands;” Mark 16:18). James 5:14 tells believers to call for elders to pray for them: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”  (James 5:14-15; KJV) Miracles are sometimes ministered through the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Verses 9 and 10 specifically speak of “gifts of healing” and “the working of miracles.” Another method is seen in the book of Acts where Paul prayed over handkerchiefs that were given to sick people. When applied to their bodies, the anointing that had gone into the handkerchief went into them and they were healed. “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.” (Acts 19:11-12; KJV) Miracles can also be received directly from Holy Spirit, with no one involved other than the recipient. “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”  (Mark 11:23-24; KJV) Miracles can be released simply through speaking God’s word in faith. “He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions,”  (Psalm 107:20; KJV). “The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.’ And Jesus said unto the centurion, ‘Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.’ And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”  (Matthew 8:8, 13) I encourage all believers to begin stepping out in faith and asking for healings and miracles. Pray for family members, coworkers (with their permission, of course, and at an appropriate place and time), friends, and others. People need not be believers in order to receive a miracle. One of the stated purposes for miracles in Mark 16 and throughout the book of Acts is to provide “signs and wonders.” Let’s not allow the reason for failing to receive a miracle be that we did not ask for it:  “…ye have not, because ye ask not,”  (James 4:2; KJV). Although we will not see or experience a miracle every time we pray for someone, I assure you that healings and miracles are beginning to multiply. Allow your faith to be stretched – ask. It Is Time In Acts chapter 3, Peter prayed for a man who had been born lame. He was over 40 years old. It was a horrible and sad condition. As a young boy, his family placed him at one of the temple gates named “Beautiful,” where he daily begged for alms (Acts 3:2). Because of the gate’s location, Jesus had to have passed by this man dozens – if not hundreds – of times without healing him. Yet on this day, Peter was led by Holy Spirit to do so. Interestingly, the Greek word translated “beautiful” in this verse does not mean beauty in the sense of attractiveness. It means “right time” ( horaios ). The concept of beauty in the word stems from events coming together in the right way, at the right time, and thereby creating something beautiful. It was “The Right Time” gate. Think about the “beauty” of this. Holy Spirit orchestrated the naming of this gate – “The Right Time;” He made certain that the lame man’s family chose this as his place to daily sit and beg; and He led Jesus not to perform the miracle, saving it for just “the right time.” The early church needed a miracle, a sign and wonder of incredible proportions to verify throughout Jerusalem and all of Israel that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah, and that He rose from the dead. All of Israel knew of this man, and they knew that the astounding miracle had taken place in the name of Jesus. He was the Messiah, and He was alive! Many believe we have entered a “right time” season of the miraculous. I am one of them. I encourage you to believe for your healing, and for the healing of others. And please join your faith with us that people will be healed tonight, and that gifts of healing will be released throughout the Earth for ongoing healing and miracles.  Pray with me: Father, You are omnipotent, all-powerful. Jesus is the Lord, our Healer. He bore our punishment for the curse of sin and sickness. We thank You, Father, for sending Him to do so; and Jesus, we thank You for paying this price. We ask You now for great manifestations of this redemption to be released into the earth. We ask for signs, wonders, and miracles to occur in the name of Jesus. We also ask for deliverances to take place, that those who are bound by drugs, habits, confusion, and other types of strongholds would be delivered by Your mighty power. Awaken in the church the spirit of revelation to produce greater faith in Your redeeming work. Bring a fresh revelation of the power of the blood of Jesus to forgive, heal and deliver. As a fresh wave of evangelism moves across our nation and the nations of the world, give to many believers gifts of healing and the working of miracles. Give them the gift of faith and words of knowledge to accompany these healing gifts. May thousands of “right time” miracles take place around the world. We agree with Your prophets and we state our faith, “It is time for miracles!” We pray these things in the name of Yeshua, our healer. Our decree: We declare that the “right time” gate of miracles is open! Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Jesus People: Round Two The Jesus People movement of the 1970s was not merely a fleeting trend or a cultural phenomenon; it was a sovereign move of God, a divine awakening that transformed the hearts of a generation and set the stage for the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit beginning today. The 1960s and early 1970s were tumultuous times. The world was wrestling with war, social upheaval, and a deep sense of disillusionment. The counterculture movement, with its rebellion against authority and traditional values, swept across America and beyond. Young people were searching for meaning, identity, and purpose, amid chaos and confusion. Many turned to drugs, free love, and Eastern philosophies, seeking fulfillment in all the wrong places. But God planned to use the disillusionment and hunger. In the midst of this spiritual darkness, a divine light was about to dawn. In His mercy, God was about to impact a generation hungry for truth—desperate for salvation—ready to encounter the living Christ. The Birth of a Movement The Jesus People movement burst forth in the late 1960s and early 1970s, beginning in California but quickly spreading across the nation and around the world. It was characterized by young people who encountered Jesus Christ and experienced radical life transformation. These were not just casual converts; they were a generation of worshippers set ablaze with divine fire, eager to share the Gospel with passion and authenticity. At the heart of this movement was a simple yet profound truth: Jesus Christ is Lord, Savior, and King. The streets, campuses, and hippie communes became the battlegrounds of revival. The Jesus People were known for their love, their radical devotion, and their willingness to live out their faith boldly in every sphere of life. The movement was largely grassroots; however, leaders and moments helped propel it forward. People like Hubert Lindsey, who preached on numerous campuses and led many young people to Christ, Lonnie Frisbee in California, Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel, and many others became prophetic voices, leading young believers into encounters with the Holy Spirit. The “Jesus Festivals,” street evangelism, and house church gatherings became common expressions of this revival. Explo ’72, held June 12-17, 1972, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, was widely regarded as the apex of the movement, drawing a massive crowd and receiving extensive media attention. Organized by Campus Crusade for Christ, its purpose was to train high school and college students in evangelism. Initially called the “International Student Congress on Evangelism,” it was billed as Explo ’72 and became the largest youth evangelism training conference in church history. Estimates range as high as 200,000 attendees. It was known as “The Christian Woodstock”, with notable participants such as Billy Graham, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Love Song, Larry Norman, Andrae Crouch, and more. This, and other such gatherings, demonstrated that God was doing something unprecedented—His Spirit was pouring out upon a generation that was seeking truth. (1) The Power of the Holy Spirit Central to the Jesus People movement was an emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Many young believers experienced the baptism in the Spirit, speaking in tongues, and divine healings. The movement was characterized by an openness to the supernatural, a hunger for the gifts of the Spirit, and a desire to see lives radically transformed by the power of God. But be assured that this Spirit-led revival was not just about emotionalism; it was about encounters with the living Christ—personal, transforming, and revolutionary. It was about awakening a sleeping church and igniting a new wave of disciples who would carry the Gospel into every corner of society. The Jesus People movement made a significant cultural impact. It challenged the church to become more relevant and engage with the lost and hurting. It sparked a fresh emphasis on worship, evangelism, prayer, and holiness. Many of the leaders emerging from this movement went on to influence church planting, missions, and revival across the globe. Moreover, the movement fueled its counterpart, the charismatic renewal, opening the door for a renewed emphasis on the Holy Spirit’s gifts and power within the body of Christ around the world. Only God could have caused such a phenomenon. It was not merely human effort or cultural rebellion; it was divine orchestration—God’s mercy pouring out upon a generation in desperate need. And the Jesus People movement was a sign, a foretaste, of what God desires to do in our day—the coming of a fresh, sovereign outpouring of His Spirit. In the words of Joel 2:28,  “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” The Spirit of revival is stirring again. The same Spirit that moved in the 1970s is calling us to rise up, to pray, to evangelize, and to seek His face with renewed fervor. As we reflect on this historic movement, let’s remember that the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). His purposes are unchanging. He is faithful to awaken the sleeping church and to raise up a new generation of radical followers of Christ. The Jesus People movement was a divine catalyst—a reminder that no one is beyond salvation, that God specializes in transforming the broken, the lost, and the hopeless. It was a prophetic reminder that revival begins in the hearts of ordinary people who yield to the extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to prepare your heart for another, greater movement. Allow the Holy Spirit to ignite a fresh fire within you. Prepare to reach out to our communities, to see people saved, and to see the church awakened to her divine calling.  Let us renew our commitment to pray, to seek God with all our hearts, and to be His vessels for this revival. Holy Spirit is being poured out once again. The harvest is plentiful, and the fields are white unto harvest (John 4:35). The Lord is looking for willing instruments - people like you and me - who will say, “Yes, Lord, use me.” In Conclusion The Jesus People movement of the 1970s was more than a historical event; it was a divine awakening—a spiritual revival that transformed lives, churches, and cultures. It was a sign of God’s grace and power breaking into a generation in desperate need. Today, we stand on the shoulders of those early revivalists, called to carry the flame of revival forward. Let’s embrace the challenge and be bold in our faith. And let us believe that the best days are still ahead! The Spirit of revival is alive—ready to fall afresh upon us, our nation, and the nations. Let us prepare our hearts and step into the fullness of what God has for us, knowing that His purposes will prevail. The Lord reigns. His Spirit is moving. Revival is here. Pray with me: Father, as we reflect on what You did in the 60s and 70s with the youth of America, we marvel at Your ability to orchestrate, initiate, and coordinate outpourings of Your Spirit. We thank You for the great revivals of the past, but we know they are to lead us to more and greater revivals. You are always in increasing and expanding Your unstoppable Kingdom. As You promised, You are now moving among the youth of America. Thousands are turning to You, being baptized, attending worship gatherings, and falling in love with Jesus. But not only are You moving among the youth, You are also moving in our nation’s capital, exposing corruption and restoring prayer to the White House, Congress, and many other government agencies.  We ask for all of this to continue and increase. Cause the harvest to multiply exponentially, and hunger for You to become insatiable. Increase levels of power and the gifts of Your Spirit, causing signs and wonders to take place throughout the earth. Raise up thousands of anointed evangelists, filled with Your Spirit and holy fire. We boldly proclaim that this will take place, and we thank You for it. In Jesus’ name, amen. Our decree: We decree that our sovereign and merciful God is sending a tidal wave of redeeming love to the earth. Click on the link below to watch the full video. Information about Explo '72

A Dream Regarding Protection Holy Spirit gave our friend, Gina Gholston, a dream Monday morning regarding our prayers for protection from terrorist attacks. Here is a portion of the dream. (You can find the entire dream at the end of today’s post.)  “I dreamed I was sitting at an outdoor table, having dinner with some pastors and church leaders…As we were eating and talking, something came down from the sky, tightly gripped my shoulders, lifted me up, and began carrying me to another location. I wasn’t scared or startled by this. It felt important, and I knew I needed to be alert and attentive.    “It carried me to what looked like the Hoover Dam. As I hovered over this location, I looked down and could see people walking around at the base of the dam. They were dressed in solid black jumpsuits, and each of them held a black AK-47 and had a weapon strapped to their leg. Covering their heads was a rubber mask that looked like the head of a growling gray wolf. [Wolves symbolize a range of qualities. Different cultures hold varying interpretations, with some viewing wolves as symbols of danger or evil, as in the phrase “lone wolf,” used to refer to terrorists.]   “Next to them, I noticed a large wooden barrel, like a wooden slat wine barrel. I somehow knew this barrel was a large “powder keg” filled with very potent explosives. I also knew it had been set to detonate.    “On top of the dam, I could see more people walking around. However, I knew these people were intercessors, and they were there on assignment, praying specifically over the dams and the waterways.    “As I was hovering above the scene, I suddenly saw a huge white sheet come floating down. The sheet covered the wooden barrel filled with explosives just as it was detonated. Though powerful and very loud, the explosion was held within the sheet, and no damage was done. I looked around, and the people in the black jumpsuits were gone. The intercessors continued to pray, unmoved and unshaken by the blast. I’m not sure they were even aware it had happened.” Dutch’s Comments The dream continued, and Gina was carried to several more locations where the same scenario was observed: masked people dressed in black, carrying weapons, the barrel of explosives, intercessors, and a white sheet protecting the places and people from the blasts. The other locations where she was carried included a subway transit station, a large church building, an electrical power station, a train station, and a port/shipping yard. After being taken to each of these places and observing the scenes, Gina was returned to dinner with the leaders. She concludes her account of the dream by saying: “One of the leaders asked, ‘Where did you go?’   “I said, ‘I have seen things that we need to know. Intercessors are alert, positioned, and doing their part; their prayers are working! We need to know what is happening! Intercessors and angels are on assignment, covering the nations, but we need to be alert about what is happening.’   “I then looked at one of the leaders and said, ‘We need to tell Dutch and Ceci what is happening!’   “Then in the dream, Chuck Pierce walked up beside me, and stated, ‘The Lord let you see what is happening, and this is how it will be. No weapon formed will prosper . . . IF we’ll pray. And no weapon  yet to be  formed will prosper . . . IF we’ll pray.’   “I said, ‘We are praying.’   “Chuck replied, ‘Then, no weapon formed will prosper, and no weapon yet to be formed will prosper.’ (End of dream.) The meaning of the dream is clear, and I’m sure the part about telling Ceci and me was so that we could inform you. The Lord wants to encourage intercessors that what they have prayed is accomplishing its goal. Prayer “coverings” are in place. Attacks meant to steal, kill, and destroy are being thwarted through our appeals to heaven. Well done!  He is also saying that we must continue to be diligent in praying, sustaining the prayer coverings we have created.  What is built by prayer must be sustained by prayer. Chuck’s word is significant: “No weapon formed will prosper, and no weapon YET TO BE FORMED will prosper… if we pray” (referring to Isaiah 54:17). We have…and we will.  The Upcoming Healing Summit  Not only are our prayers being used to “cover” the nation, they are also birthing the coming revival, which will be accompanied by great signs and wonders. In light of this, we are hosting another Healing Summit this upcoming Friday night in Middletown, Ohio, at Oasis Church (6/27/25). There are still a few seats available if you would like to join us live, and of course, we expect thousands will join us via livestream . You can register at OasisWired.org . Additionally, many churches are planning to join us via livestream , hosting their own events, and will pray for individuals in their gatherings as we do in Middletown. We are asking for great grace and great power to be released Friday night.  The Book of Acts chronicles the early church’s powerful expansion through the work of Holy Spirit. Central to this narrative are the miraculous signs and wonders performed by believers, which served as both confirmation of their divine mission and catalysts for the growth of the church. Acts 4:33 stands as a profound declaration of their experience of divine power:  “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (KJV). This verse encapsulates two key forces: the “great power” exercised by the apostles and the “great grace” bestowed upon them. “Great” is the Greek word  “megás” (1)  and is the root of the English word “mega,” denoting something immense, powerful, or grand in scale. Its use in this context highlights that the church’s witness was beyond natural abilities, marked by an overwhelming, divine quality that set it apart from human efforts. It underscores the magnitude of God’s presence working through them, transforming their words and actions into signs of divine authority. The Context of Acts 4:33 Acts 4 occurs shortly after Peter and John performed an extraordinary miracle, healing a lame man at the temple gate, Beautiful (Acts 3:1-10). Their subsequent bold proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection enraged the religious authorities, leading to their arrest. The apostles were commanded to cease preaching, but they and other believers responded by praying for boldness. The place where they were gathered was literally shaken by Holy Spirit, encouraging them to continue speaking God’s Word with “boldness” (Acts 4:31). It is within this context that Acts 4:33 emphasizes the extraordinary power and grace that characterized the witness of the early church to Christ’s resurrection.  We must experience no less if we are to demonstrate to the world today that Christ is alive and the gospel is true. Let’s pray. Pray with me: Father, I am very grateful for the army of intercessors You have raised up around the world. There are thousands in America, and millions around the world. The church is growing in her understanding that we are partners with You in the great cause of Christ. Thank You for their sacrifices, their commitment, their unselfish hearts, and their passion for Your cause. I ask You now to give them tenacity, perseverance, and great discernment as they stay the course, never wavering. I pray that You will lead them in their prayers, and that every location they should visit during this time will be visited. I am reminded that as we “painted” the borders of our nation, some who could not physically go to places and pray, unfolded maps and anointed them with oil, praying in their homes for Your protection. Again, bless these faithful ones, and orchestrate all prayers that are needed now.  We pray for the service in Ohio this upcoming Friday night, as well as for every other group gathered and every individual watching online. Give us great grace and great power: heal the sick, deliver the oppressed, and impart gifts of Holy Spirit to many in order for signs and wonders to take place throughout the world. We ask for this in the holy name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree:  We decree that America’s borders, electrical grid, water and related structures, as well as individuals, are “painted” with the anointing oil of Holy Spirit, and covered by the blood of Jesus. Portions of today’s post were contributed by our friend Gina Gholston. You can find out more about her at GinaGholston.com . 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. 3173. Dream Regarding Protection  Gina Gholston June 23, 2025   “I dreamed I was at a restaurant sitting at an outdoor table, having dinner with some pastors and church leaders. Our table was located on a patio outside. It was at dusk, and there were stringed lights above us—just a very relaxed atmosphere.   “All of a sudden, as we were eating and talking, something came down from the sky, tightly gripped my shoulders, and lifted me up. I could feel and hear the swishing of wind being created by what sounded like giant wings flapping. I am not sure what it was that had hold of me, but whatever it was, it lifted me and began to carry me to another location. I wasn’t scared or startled by this. It felt important, and I knew I needed to be alert and attentive.    “It carried me to what looked like the Hoover Dam. I could see the dam. I was still being held by the shoulders and was hovering over this location. I looked down, and I could see people walking around at the base of the dam. I don’t know if they were men, women, or both, but they were dressed in solid black jumpsuits, and each one of them held, with both hands, a black AK-47 across their chest, pointing upward at a 45° angle. They each also had a weapon inside a holster strapped to their leg. Covering their heads was a rubber mask that looked like the head of a growling gray wolf.    “Next to them, I then noticed a large wooden barrel (like a wooden-slat wine barrel). I somehow knew this barrel was a large “powder keg,” filled with very potent explosives. I knew it had been set to detonate.    “On top of the dam, I could see more people walking around. However, I knew these people were intercessors, and they were there on assignment, praying specifically over the dams and the waterways.    “As I was hovering above the scene, I suddenly saw a huge white sheet floating down. The sheet covered that wooden barrel that was filled with explosives, just as it was detonated. Though large and very loud, the explosion was held within the sheet, and no damage was done. I then looked around, and those people in the black jumpsuits were gone. The intercessors were still praying, unmoved and unshaken by the blast. I’m not even sure they were even aware it had happened.   “Then, still being gripped by whatever it was that was carrying me by my shoulders, I was taken to a subway transit station in what looked like, maybe, New York City. It was very busy at this location as hundreds of people were there, rushing around. Here in this location, the same thing that happened at the dam was happening here. I saw those same people in the black jumpsuits, with the AK-47s, and I could see a large wooden barrel that I knew was filled with explosives. I could see intercessors walking around, praying over our rail systems in America. I then saw a white sheet dropping down just as the explosives were detonated, but again, the explosion did not do any damage. It was loud and startling, but the blast was contained under the sheet. And the same thing happened here, as at the dam, the people in the black jumpsuits were then gone, but the intercessors remained unshaken and undeterred by the blast. “As I was being carried from there to another location, in my mind (in this dream), I thought, ‘I had another dream one time about a white sheet being dropped in various locations throughout America. I wonder if this has something to do with that?’ I began to think deeply, trying to remember what that other dream had been about, and I said, out loud (in this dream), ‘Those sheets had something to do with decrees being made. There was a word written on each sheet, and I remember that one of them had the word ‘SAVED’ written on it.’    “Then, whatever was lifting and carrying me stopped, and I was hovering over another location. This time, I had been brought to a very large church building. High above the location, I could see that the parking lots were filled with vehicles, so I knew there were probably thousands of people inside the building. Outside, I could see that those people dressed in black jumpsuits with rubber wolf masks on their heads were walking around with AK-47s in their hands. It was as if they were patrolling the site, waiting to sacrifice their own lives as martyrs for their cause. In this location, there were two huge barrels, ‘powder kegs.’ One was situated on the front right corner of the building, and the other was placed on the left back corner of the building.    “At this location, I knew the intercessors were inside the building. I somehow knew they were not just having a regular “church meeting,” but these people were in deep intercessory prayer, releasing with faith and authority prayers for and Spirit-led decrees over the Body of Christ in America and around the world.    “The same thing happened here as it had at the other locations: a large, white sheet fell, but this time, it covered the whole church, instead of just the large, explosive kegs. The kegs were detonated, the blast was loud and powerful, but there was no damage. The people in the black jumpsuits were gone, but the intercessors remained in their position and engaged in their prayers and decrees.    “Then I began to be carried away from that scene. As I was moving, I remembered the other dream about the sheets being dropped in various locations throughout America, and I thought, ‘One of those sheets in that dream fell over a large church. I remember seeing the outline of a steeple when it fell.’    “I was lifted and carried to three more locations in this dream: an electrical power station, a train station, and a port, a shipping yard, in which I could see ships and 18-wheelers being loaded and unloaded. I could see thousands of shipping containers stacked everywhere. The exact same things happened at each of these locations as had happened at the other locations: the people in the black jumpsuits patrolling, the intercessors praying, the large ‘powder keg’ set to detonate, the large sheet falling, and the blasts being contained, being unsuccessful in their mission. The people in the black jumpsuits left, the intercessors remained.   “Then, whatever it was that was carrying me, took me back to my original location and sat me back down in my seat at the table where I was having dinner with those pastors and church leaders. I don’t know who all of the pastors and leaders were, but one of them looked at me and asked, ‘Where did you go?’   “I said, ‘I have seen things that we need to know. Intercessors are alert, they are positioned, they are doing their part, and their prayers are working!’    “I continued, ‘We need to know what is happening! Intercessors and angels are on assignment, covering the nations, but we need to be alert about what is happening.’    “I then looked at one of the leaders, and I said, ‘We need to tell Dutch and Ceci what is happening!’    “Then, Chuck Pierce walked up beside me and said, ‘The Lord let you see what is happening, and this is how it will be. No weapon formed will prosper… IF we’ll pray. And no weapon yet to be  formed will prosper… IF we’ll pray.’   “I replied, ‘We are praying.’   “Chuck said, ‘Then, no weapon formed will prosper, and no weapon yet to be formed will prosper.’” End of dream.

Order Into Chaos, Light Into Darkness We are told that when God began creating in Genesis, the earth was formless (tohuw), (1)  empty (bohuw), (2)  and darkness covered the earth (Genesis 1:2). As well as formless, and empty, these two words have a broad range of meanings, including “desolation, desert, barren, confusion, and even chaos.” (3)   How did God transform the chaos, confusion, barrenness, etc? With His words: “Then God said…” (verse 3). The word “said” is amar (4)  in Hebrew, and can mean more than just “saying” or “announcing”; it can also mean “to say in one’s heart; to think; to imagine.” Zodhiates used the phrase “internal speech” (5)  as one of its meanings. God began by seeing or imagining what He wanted – internal speech, then created this with His words – external speech. As simple as it sounds, the first step in dealing with spiritual darkness and chaos is to determine or discern what God is thinking. What is His will in this situation? What does He intend to do? Laws of sowing and reaping, the free will of man, God’s wisdom regarding timing, these can all play a part in determining His actions. The answers to these questions always begin with Scripture – biblical principles – but also must include being led by Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14), His revelation. Once God’s thoughts or will is known, His strategy can be received and implemented. This may be fasting, agreement in prayer, prolonged intercession, Spirit-led declarations, etc., or even prophetic acts such as, “go wash your eyes in the pool of Siloam” (John 9:7). The sons of Issachar demonstrated this. They “understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32). The word “understood” is biyn, (6)  which includes both wisdom – understanding gained from learning and experience, and revelation – that which Holy Spirit reveals in the present. Because of this unique blend, these Issachar leaders could discern the general times and seasons, God’s strategic timing, and what to do in light of that time. Wisdom and revelation combine to give us God’s “what, when, and how.” This is why the Scriptures say in Ephesians 1:17 that we need a spirit of wisdom AND revelation.  This combination is also what Solomon possessed. We think of him as having wisdom, but Solomon asked for and was given biyn (1 Kings 3:9), which again, encompasses wisdom and revelation. The margin of my NAS Bible says he asked, not just for wisdom, but for “a hearing heart.”  This is also what Daniel possessed (Daniel 9:22-23). In verse 22, the angel Gabriel said, “I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding (biyn)” (NASB). What a phrase – insight with understanding! That is the starting point in transforming chaos into order, barrenness into fruitfulness, and darkness into light! One of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:28 sheds light on this. The Greek word is antilepsis (7) , usually translated as “helps.” The word comes from antilambanomai, (8)  meaning “to lay hold of.” We “help” another by “taking hold” of an object or situation along with them. The Passion Translation, however, gives added insight to the word. It translates the word as “gifts of revelation knowledge.” This leapt off the page at me! In their margin note they inform us that the word means not only to lay hold of in a physical sense, but also appreheanding, perceiving, laying hold of revelation!  God “helps” us by giving us His thoughts – revelation. We assist one another by sharing this revelation, “helping” them hear what God is saying. Once we know His thoughts, His will, we can receive His strategy. Part of that strategy will almost always involve declaring what He has said, which is the second step in overcoming chaos and darkness. Saying What He Says When we know what God’s will is, from His Word and by His Spirit, we can then say what He says. Remember, that’s how God dealt with the chaos in Genesis: He thought, imagined, conceived; then He spoke. When He speaks, His words have creative power. Why? Because HE AND HIS WORD ARE ONE! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). His words are filled with unlimited power because they flow from the very essence of who He is, releasing His breath, life, nature, and power (also see John 6:63).  Which brings us back to Genesis. A footnote in the Passion Translation regarding Genesis 1:3 states, “God created light but did not create the sun until the fourth day. God Himself filled the universe with the light of His presence and glory.” (9)  Incredible! The footnote continues, saying that “The Hebrew verbs used with the phrases ‘Let there be’ and ‘and there was’ are both related to the holy name Yahweh: yehi (“let there be”) and wayhi (“and there was”).” As Yahweh spoke, His creative power flowed FROM HIM into the universe. The I AM, who is light, released His nature with the words “Light BE!” and light BECAME! Truly, there is no one like our God! And here is the staggering application for us. As His body, Christ intends for us to represent Him, releasing His words, in order to transform chaos into order and darkness into light. The New Testament word used to describe God’s creation of all things is ginomai (John 1:1-5; Hebrews 11:3). The word essentially means, “cause to be or become.” (10)  Amazingly, this same word is also used in Christ’s teaching on how we should pray (Matthew 6:10). In the phrase, “Thy will be done,” the two words “be done” are translated from this single Greek word, ginomai. The tense of the verb (aorist imperative) indicates a command. Simply stated, Christ said we are to command or declare His will to be, to become, to be created in situations. Selah. Let’s do so now. Pray with me: Lord, we are in chaotic and dark times, as Genesis 1 references the earth at creation. Just as You thought, imagined, and declared Your will then, we know You have plans for the earth today. From Your Word, we are confident what some of those plans include: we know Your will is that no one dies in a spiritually lost condition; we know You have a great harvest planned throughout all the earth; we know the Father has promised You the nations of Earth – they all belong to You; we know You’re building an Ekklesia that the plans of hell cannot overcome; and we know we can declare the release of Your Kingdom authority, and the manifestation of Your will.  We align with Your will and declare a worldwide harvest. We call forth a revival of such proportions that a billion or more people will come to Yeshua. We decree the salvation and restoration of America, including a transformed government. We call forth a youth revival in America and around the world that will result in millions of young people coming to Christ. We decree the breaking of Baal’s stronghold over America. We call forth the fire of Holy Spirit and renewed passion into America’s churches.  Father, we declare these things in Christ’s name and authority alone. We humbly acknowledge that we have no other authority to do so, and that His will is what You honor. Of Him, to Him, and through Him are all things. And we acknowledge that Yours is the Kingdom and power and glory forever. We want You alone to be honored in all we do. Amen. Our decree: We decree that God is bringing order into the chaos and light into the darkness of our day. 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. 8414. Ibid., ref. no. 922. Spiros Zodhiates, Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible - New American Standard, rev. ed. (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1990), p. 2063. Strongs Concordance, ref., no. 559. Zodhiates Hebrew-Greek Study Bible, p. 1804. Strongs Concordance, ref. no. 998. Ibid., ref. no. 484. Ibid., ref. no. 482. YouVersion Bible App, The Passion Translation. Strongs Concordance, ref. no. 1096.

Peace Through Strength - My Response to the Strike on Iran As you no doubt know, Saturday night (the early morning hours of Sunday in Iran), the US conducted one of the most impressive military operations in the history of the world: Operation Midnight Hammer. In its largest B-2 operation/strike in history, America obliterated three of Iran’s nuclear development sites. The operation was extensive: 125 military aircraft, including fighter jets, refueling planes, Stealth B-2s, reconnaissance planes; naval vessels, including a submarine, and undoubtedly thousands of personnel. Seventy-five (75) precision-guided weapons, 24 Tomahawk missiles, and 14 Bunker-Buster bombs were deployed in the strike…that we know of. Who knows what other equipment and weapons were used that our military does not want to divulge? The level of expertise and precision was unprecedented. We are told that the planning had been underway for weeks in the possibility that it would be needed. Trump gave the leaders of Iran weeks, actually over two months, to come to the table and agree to give up the development of their nuclear weapons. He practically begged them to do so, warning them that – one way or the other – they would not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. It was obvious he did not want to do this strike. But President Trump is strong, decisive, fearless, and resolute. When he says something, he means it. He did not create this problem – former Presidents Obama, Biden, and other leaders allowed it to evolve, even giving Iran billions of dollars, which was no doubt used to produce this nuclear program. However, President Trump, his team, and Israel knew that with Iran only weeks away from the bomb, they had to take action. Trump and his team have reiterated over and over that we are not at war with Iran and its people; we are at war with terrorism, led by the Ayatollah and his radicals, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and their proxies. Indeed, the strikes were carried out with no attacks against the Iranian people, whatsoever. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accurately stated that Iran has “played” the world for over 40 years, hiding behind diplomacy while implementing death and destruction, chanting “death to America” and promising to annihilate Israel. They have backed up this rhetoric with hundreds of terrorist attacks through the years, generating thousands of deaths, torture, rape, and other acts of terror. Who, in their right mind, would argue for inaction, allowing these lunatics to have a nuclear weapon?! Someone needed to cut off the head of this serpent. Many believers have been praying Scripture from Jeremiah 49:34-39. It speaks of God’s judgment against Elam, which was in ancient Persia/modern-day Iran. I am including all of these verses for you and will read just a couple of them: “That which came as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, I am going to break the bow of Elam, the finest of their might. I will bring upon Elam the four winds, from the four ends of heaven, and will scatter them to all these winds; and there will be no nation to which the outcasts of Elam will not go. So I will shatter Elam before their enemies and before those who seek their lives; and I will bring calamity upon them, even My fierce anger,” declares the Lord, “and I will send out the sword after them until I have consumed them. Then I will set My throne in Elam and destroy out of it king and princes,” declares the Lord. “But it will come about in the last days that I will restore the fortunes of Elam,” declares the Lord.’” (Jeremiah 49:34-39 NASB) Notice this passage concludes with God restoring the fortunes of Elam. Christians have not only been praying for the destruction of evil in Iran, but also for the protection and liberation of the Iranian people. Most Iranians do not support the evil regime that has been ruling them for the past 46 years. What happens now? Will the Iranian government stop its efforts to oppress its people and terrorize the region? I don’t think they will do so willingly; this will have to be accomplished another way. The leaders are so controlled by demonic entities and hate-filled ideologies that they would rather die than give up their cause. Perhaps the Iranian people themselves will rise up and overthrow the regime. Maybe Israel will have to do so. I don’t know how this will happen. I do know what is coming spiritually. I have been saying for months that God was going to remove the stronghold of “the prince of Persia” (Daniel 10) in the Middle East. I have actually been prophesying for many years that in the coming revival, regions of the world that have been under the control of demonic principalities for millennia would be delivered from this control and experience great revival. We are entering this time, and what is happening in Iran is part of this process. God loves the people of Iran, as He does all people, and millions of them will come to Christ.  Be assured, God is involved in this war. It is no coincidence that on the Jewish calendar, this past Thursday night and Friday was the 23rd of Sivan. This was the very day  in history when Mordecai drafted a royal decree giving Jews the license to defend themselves from the “prince of Persia” by killing all who desired to kill them under Haman (Esther 8:9). The decree was dispatched to all 127 provinces of Persia/Iran. It isn’t remotely possible that this is a coincidence. We must now be very vigilant to pray against retaliation in the form of terrorist sleeper cells here in America and elsewhere. Only the Lord knows how many of the two million “gottaways” that crossed America’s open borders under the Biden presidency were terrorists. Our government is confident that several were. I cannot stress enough the importance of sustaining prayer for protection from these terrorists.  We have obeyed all God’s instructions to secure our borders, dams, waterways, etc., in prayer. Let’s finish well. Pray for the Lord’s protection for our nation and Israel every day.    Pray with me: Father, though demons and rulers rage against You and Your Son Jesus, their fate is certain and Your plans are secure. You declared Jesus to be King and Ruler over the nations. He will have His inheritance (Psalm 2). Just as Haman of Persia/Iran, under the control of the “prince of Persia,” failed in his efforts to destroy the Jews in Esther’s day (book of Esther); just as this spirit failed in his efforts to stop the restoration of Israel in Daniel‘s day (Daniel 10); so will he fail today! This defeat will be perhaps his greatest, as the spoils reaped by You will be millions of souls.  We thank You for raising up President Trump and giving him a team qualified and willing to serve America effectively. Thank You for preserving him from death. As Ambassador Huckabee alluded to, Trump did not choose his role in this era of history; You chose him. Please continue to give wisdom to President Trump and his team, and do the same for Prime Minister Netanyahu and his leaders. Eradicate the influence of “the prince of Persia” who has opposed You in the Middle East for millennia. Use this to bring forth one of the greatest spiritual harvests in history. And we pray against terrorist attacks here in America and elsewhere. Expose individuals in our nation who are here for that purpose, and expose their evil plans. When possible, change their hearts. Give supernatural help to our agencies that seek to discover them. We claim Psalm 91 and all of its promises. The verse that states You will deliver us from the snare of the trapper especially comes to mind (verse 3). We ask for this. We will not fear the terror of the night or the arrow that flies in the day (verse 5), and we will continue to see Your hand work against the wicked (verse 8).  All of this, we ask and thank You for in the name of our great King, Yeshua. Amen.  Our decree: We decree that the great harvest of the ages is rapidly approaching, at the command of the Lord. Click on the link below to watch the full video.