The Master Keys I always enjoy my brother Tim’s insights and revelation. He is a great teacher, warrior and patriot. His prophetic words and dreams are always such an encouragement. And by the way, today is his birthday. The following word and dream is regarding Isaiah 22:22, one of my favorite verses. Tim begins: “I recently had a dream about the Seraphim order of angels. They are the highest ranking angels we know of and are being referenced by Holy Spirit in this current season. These are incredibly powerful beings and carry the delegated authority of the Godhead. Holy Spirit has given me further insight concerning the Seraphim and how they are assisting Christ’s Ekklesia. “In Luke 19:13, Jesus says, ‘Occupy until I come.’ Occupy is the Greek word ‘pragmateuomai’ and it means to take care of business.(1) The Ekklesia is to take care of Kingdom business by extending Christ’s Kingdom government into the earth. Holy Spirit is equipping us to accomplish this and activating angel armies to assist us. “In the dream concerning Seraphim, I was handed a large key ring with many keys of assorted colors and sizes. A Seraph said to me, ‘These keys do not work by hand, they are activated by voice decrees.’ While praying about this, I remembered Christ’s own words concerning His Ekklesia. Matthew 16:18-19 states that Hell will not be able to hold out against the church. The King’s Ekklesia is being built and prepared to be a church that will not be overpowered by the strategies of hell. “In these verses Jesus also said He would give us Kingdom keys to open or close doors. Seraphim help us use those keys to gain access to new times, seasons and eras. Additionally, these powerful beings assist us by empowering our decrees to govern spiritually on earth, enforcing the victory of Calvary. “The keys Jesus was referring to symbolize the governmental authority of His Kingdom. The Ekklesia is part of a spiritual Kingdom government that is to influence the natural realm, including governments. “Kingdom keys are first mentioned in Isaiah 22:22, which references the responsibility and authority of chamberlains; I’ll explain them in a moment. The verse says: I will set the key of the house of David on His shoulder, when He opens no one will shut, when He shuts, no one will open. In Matthew 16, Jesus connects His Ekklesia to this passage and there is great significance in that. In Isaiah 22, two chamberlains are mentioned. One of them, Shebna, pictures satan and Eliakim represents Christ. It is important to understand why Jesus tied a statement concerning His Ekklesia to a 700 year old prophecy. “The chamberlain was the chief operating officer for a king and his kingdom, the highest ranking executive, other than the king himself. He managed everything for the king and carried the keys to the kingdom. A hook or ring was sewn into the shoulder of his robe of authority. The ring of keys could be up to a foot long and would hang from the chamberlain’s shoulder. “These keys obviously picture authority; it was said of chamberlains that the government was upon their shoulder. This is what was meant when Holy Spirit prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 that our Kingdom government would be upon the shoulder of Jesus. “Among the keys the chamberlain carried were keys to the king’s house, his bedroom, the royal court, the judge’s chambers and the kingdom treasury. He was the doorkeeper and held the power to lock and unlock the doors. “The prophetic account of Isaiah 22, pictures satan, Christ and His Kingdom, Shebna was a kingdom chamberlain that was rebellious and abused his authority. The prophecy said his authority would be stripped from him and given to Eliakim. Eliakim would receive the keys and governing authority would then be carried on his shoulder. “Since Jesus is in the royal lineage of David this prophetic picture is fulfilled perfectly. While He didn’t sit on David’s throne in the natural realm, He sat down on a throne at the right hand of Heaven as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But not before He stripped Lucifer of his authority and took back all the keys, even the keys of death, hell and the grave. The government is upon our King’s shoulders and all authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth. “King Jesus has given us access to the keys of governing authority. We, as His Ekklesia can bind or loose, open or close, lock or unlock. “Regarding this, I heard Holy Spirit say, ‘Now begins a merger of Christ’s spiritual Kingdom in the earth realm with the Kingdom of heaven in the spirit realm, in ways and levels never before seen. The merger will accelerate a new era Pentecost. Spiritual power and Kingdom authority will be seen on the earth as never before. Glory will fill prepared territories, regions, and nations with surge after surge of the King’s manifest presence. The enemies of Christ’s Kingdom will become disoriented and fight each other, resulting in freedoms decreed by the King’s Ekklesia and assisted by My angels. For I will release My mighty ones to labor with you. “A new level of merging will now begin of the King’s spiritual Kingdom on the earth realm and the Kingdom of Heaven and its mighty ones. My Ekklesia will run with angels. Glory surges will now begin to roll though the nation and through My Ekklesia hubs all across the earth. You will see the increased strikes of Holy Spirit and His angels. Suddenlies are striking the enemies of My Kingdom. You will now see a roll out of a series of suddenlies which have been planned to overpower demonic thrones. Suddenlies, suddenlies, suddenlies and sudden suddenlies! “Align yourself with the mighty authorities from the heavenly realms. My principalities, My powers, My dominions, My princes, activated in merger with you. For My princes have arrayed for battle says the Lord. My mighty ones have arrayed for battle. They have received their positional assignments in the earth realm, and it is time for the strike of My Kingdom armies. “I will set My messengers on fire with My message. I will cleanse the lips of My prophets and cause the fire on My Ekklesia altars to blaze. My Seraphim will minister with My heirs from those altars. Blazing, purging fires of holy cleansing will rise and My strong ones will co-labor with My remnant warriors. The Lord of hosts decrees ‘Let the breakthrough events begin. Let the plans of awakening unlock.’ Ekklesias, receive new keys for new times. Decree the voice-activated keys with commanding voices, causing gateways of promise to open to you. “Let a confident heart rise in you, for a merger has begun. A new-era Pentecost will accelerate. Power and Kingdom authority will be seen on the earth as never before. My mighty angels are now moving into the earth realm at My command. For the intersecting of times and seasons has occurred and My purposes will spawn miracles, sudden breakthroughs, and great victories.’ “We are moving into supernatural times! The revelation that we carry the Master’s keys is increasing, and that is a game changer.” Pray with me: Lord, we exercise the authority handed to us, and thank You for giving us keys to unlock breakthrough events upon the earth. Unlock Your plans of awakening in all regions and in our lives. Let strategies of awakening unlock in Ekklesias throughout this nation. Unlock harvest plans! We activate the release of mighty angels to open gateways in our regions, gateways of promise. Unlock this nation! Unlock pathways for the Kingdom of God to enter into our government and change it. Help us dethrone the powers of darkness that have been entrenched there. We bind every attempt to steal and influence our elections. Let the suddenlies begin! Cause our enemies to begin fighting one another. Let doors of breakthrough and victory open before us at levels never before seen. We thank You that You have given us Your keys and we declare, in Your name, we will not be overpowered or held back. The glorious Ekklesia will rise and reign with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen! Our decree: We agree with Heaven and decree, “Let the breakthrough events begin and let the plans of awakening unlock!” Today’s post was contributed by my brother, Tim Sheets. You can learn more about Tim here. Click on the link below to watch the full video. _____________________________ 1. Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, ref. no. 4231.

Step Into the Wind After the intense week we all experienced last week, this encouraging word from Gina Gholston is very timely. God has brought us to a very strategic and opportune time, His wind is about to blow, and the gifts He placed in us for this time are now being awakened. Gina shares: “Recently, I attended a meeting in which Kent Christmas released a powerful word from the Lord which, in part, had to do with the church and the last three months of 2022. In the word, Holy Spirit spoke of resurrection life that would flow into the body of Christ. He said the move of God we are entering will not be about preachers, but about the entire body of Christ being anointed with the power of Holy Spirit to work with Him in the ripe harvest. The Lord said, ‘There can be no [reaping of the] harvest without laborers. Therefore, I am resurrecting the laborers.’ “As Kent spoke these words, I was reminded of something Holy Spirit once spoke to me: ‘I Am releasing a flow of My power that will awaken and commission My called-out ones, My for-such-a-time-as-this ones! This is not awakening them from sleep, but awakening that which I have placed in them! I will now breathe on and activate the seeds of purpose I have sown into this “called-out” company. They will rise, and I will send them out with power and strategy to fulfill the purposes that have been awakened!’ “We are now emerging from one of the most difficult seasons that most, if not all of us, have ever walked through. It was a brutal season in which many suffered great losses and hardships. Our Savior and High Priest, Jesus Christ, is not insensitive to these things. He cares deeply and understands ‘the feeling of our infirmities’ (Hebrews 4:15). Knowing this truth, verse 16 exhorts us to ‘…come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ It is interesting that the word grace means ‘divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life’ (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, G5484). The revelation we find here in Hebrews 4 is that Jesus does care for us. He understands the reality in which we live because He, Himself, lived in a human body. Therefore, in our time of need, we can approach Him boldly and find grace to help us. However, His grace is extended, not just as a means to comfort us in our time of need, but as divine wisdom sent to influence our thinking, enabling us to rise above the fray and keep going! “I feel we are now in a span of time in which God is focused on the Ekklesia. The seeds of purpose we carry have now become necessary. Therefore, He is calling us back to Himself, refocusing and reviving us as He breathes on us with His resurrection life. We are being positioned for the future, which is now unfolding. “A couple of years ago, I had a dream in which God illustrated to me how His Spirit has moved through time and how each generation has a specific part necessary for the unfolding of His plan - in their time. Throughout the dream, a lady was with us, explaining the things we were seeing and experiencing. Then, at the end of the dream, we felt a wind stirring around us. The lady became very excited, and said, ‘The wind is blowing again! Hold out the embers you carry! Let them be reignited in the wind!’ “The wind was growing stronger, and each of us somehow reached inside ourselves and pulled out an ember. We held the ember in front of us, and the wind began to rapidly reignite it. The ember was burning hot in our hands, but we held it, determined not to let it fall to the ground. We were committed to fulfilling our assignment - in our time. “Then ladies came to each of us, and like seamstresses with measuring tape, they measured us. I asked the lady accompanying us what was happening, and she said, ‘You are each being fitted for the garments you will wear in the days to come.’ She then said, ‘And your time . . . starts . . . NOW!’” Dutch shares: I want to insert here that the example of a seamstress “measuring” us in order to give us the right gift is actually seen in Scripture. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). The two words “prepared beforehand” are from the Greek word proetoimazo, which means “to measure in advance, as a seamstress or tailor.” Consistent with this, “workmanship” is a word that means “a garment.” The verse is assuring us that God, knowing the works He planned for us to do, measured us carefully, making certain our gifts would match or “fit” our calling. Gina now continues: “We have entered our time on the timeline, and as we move through the last weeks of this year, the Lord is breathing His resurrection life into us, reviving and launching us as a prepared people, equipped to move with Him in this opportune time. “To all who will put on Christ, step into the wind and allow Him to ignite and activate that which He has entrusted us to carry, I hear the Lord saying: ‘You have entered a place of releasing divine purpose and destiny! Things will begin to unfold that will surprise you and even cause you to ask, “God, what is this?” And you will find signs alerting you to the fact that you are indeed in a new place. But do not fear, for I will guide you! Don’t follow your emotions; they are not trustworthy. Follow Me as I order your steps. Listen for My instructions and free yourself to obey Me instantly. Focus forward, not behind, and not self-ward. There is much to accomplish. I am fulfilling My Word for this time. This is a vital moment, and I need you to stay alert. Watch Me. Trust Me. Obey Me.’ ‘Divine connections are about to be made. Ways are opening! Ideas are coming! There are prayers you prayed, thinking it was for the moment in which you prayed them, but I provoked those prayers ahead of time to set into motion things meant for this time. There are courses of events that have been working together to form this moment! Now, you are entering the door of your “defining moment,” and things will begin to happen very quickly. Stay above the fray so you can hear and see from My perspective. Move with instant obedience as I lead you forward!’ “We are stepping through a major door. It’s time for the church to wear the garments for which we have been fitted. Hold out your ember . . . the Wind is blowing!” Pray with me: Father, in this critical moment, we come boldly before Your throne of grace to receive divine wisdom and instruction that will enable us to rightly navigate the future as it unfolds. We yield our lives to You, and we declare that the seeds which You have sown into us, which have now become necessary in Your eternal plan of the ages, will spring forth and bear the fruit of Your intended purposes! We rise above the noise of the chaos surrounding us—and even above the influence of our own emotions—and set our focus on You. We listen for Your instructions and will obey You swiftly. We breathe in Your resurrection life, and we are being revived. Jesus, be glorified through Your awakened Body! Amen. Our decree: The Wind is blowing again. We hold out our embers, saying, “Ignite us, Lord, and we will burn for You!” We are committed to doing our part in our time! Today’s post was contributed by Gina Gholston. Portions were taken from her book Awakening the Church to Awaken a Nation. You can learn more about Gina at GinaGholstonMinistries.org Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Veterans Day and Hidden Heroes Today I have asked Jennifer Ostan, a family friend and wife of a veteran, to share with us. Jennifer begins: “Veterans Day is upon us. “A former Congressman once said: ‘On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.’(1) “We have an opportunity each November, to renew our national promise. We can pause to take a deeper dive into understanding the unique challenges our veterans face and learn how to support them and their families all year long. It’s a reminder to reprioritize how we care for veterans, so our promise to them can flow into the fabric of our everyday lives. “Today I want to address those of you who are veterans, and those who want to know how to support veterans, their caregivers, and families. “First, to our veterans: You took a sacred oath to defend this great nation – today, we honor that single act of courage that shaped your life forever. Thank you, dear sir or ma’am, you answered a call that few have chosen, and you were willing to lay your life down for your fellow Americans. Whether you’ve come out on the other side of your service “whole,” “wounded,” or “somewhere in between,” we know you’ve paid a price - and that does not go unnoticed. “We say to you today that we value your service, we honor your selflessness, and we salute you for your sacrifice. As President Truman so aptly stated: ‘Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.’(2) “We echo those words as we renew our national promise – you have our undying gratitude, and we will not forget your sacrifices! “Now, to those of you who have not served in our military, today is about the veterans, but it is also about how you can communicate your gratitude and convey value for their sacrifice. In preparation for this post, I asked several veterans for examples of ways they feel honored. Here are their answers: I don’t need much, a simple thank you and a smile goes a long, long way. It’s the little things that make me feel proud – a handshake on the street, a stranger buying my coffee, or a text from a friend. I love seeing the hometown parades and people coming together to cheer us on! It’s a stark contrast from the days of Vietnam. It means so much when children come up and shake my hand – I love it when they ask me about my service. I hope they continue to teach this kind of honor to the kids. “Clearly, your simple act of acknowledging veterans’ service as valuable goes a long way in making them feel honored. The next step is being intentional to teach children and grandchildren to do the same – this way our national promise can remain unbroken. “Now, bear with me as I shift our focus beyond the veterans themselves. Imagine, for a moment, the loved ones that stand behind each and every one of those veterans, especially those wounded or are ill. These are the ones who ‘hold down the fort’ or ‘take care of the home-front,’ so to speak. They did it during those countless hours of military training and endless cycles of deployment, and they do it now through the excruciating journey of caring for the wounds of war, both visible and invisible. “I want to shine a light on these caregivers – the hidden ones – the ones for whom each and every day is ‘Veterans Day’ because the needs of their particular veteran are front and center, hour by hour, moment by moment. I’ve mentioned in a previous GiveHim15 post that the caregivers to these wounded warriors are referred to as Hidden Heroes. “I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many of these incredible Hidden Heroes and the stories they so bravely share. When I asked them what they most want or need in support of their veterans, these were some of their answers: ‘Day to day, I need friendship, patience, and help with the little things like mowing the lawn or making a grocery run…if we are in crisis mode, we may need meals, help with childcare, texts to check in on us, and a listening ear.’ ‘I just want understanding without judgment or comparison – every veteran responds differently to their injuries or illness.’ ‘I would love for someone to come run the vacuum – take a chore off my plate once in a while. Last year, my friends helped me decorate for Christmas – it was priceless.’ ‘I wish people would take time to ask questions and understand, especially since my veteran’s wounds are invisible.’ ‘I’m not always great at asking for or accepting help – so just go for it! I would love a coffee, a meal, or someone to play with my son, so I could take a nap.’ ‘A listening ear, and an act of kindness. Think about what you are good at – and offer that.’ “On the heels of that reflection, I want to draw your attention one layer further today. There is a new generation of caregivers we want to bring out of the shadows – we call them Hidden Helpers – the children of our wounded warriors, who day in and day out are heroes in their own right. We often miss the fact that the wounds of war extend down to the kids as well, requiring them to grow up far more quickly than their peers, handling tasks and emotions far beyond their years. “My purpose in letting the light hover over these Hidden Helpers is to make sure we also think of them when we remember the veterans. For the children, it was not a role they volunteered for, but one they were handed - without warning or preparation. There was no training for their mission, no voluntary raising of the hand to take an oath –yet they show up every day to continue the fight. “These Hidden Helpers need us to know they exist. We must make sure they get all the resources they need to navigate their unique challenges. I happen to have two Hidden Helpers in my life who recently spoke on their experience. When one of them was asked how their friends and community show support, she answered as follows, ‘Well, they don’t actually know that I help care for my Dad. I don’t really talk about it with anyone. It is hard to explain and they probably wouldn’t understand anyway.’ “This answer actually shocked me. As I dug deeper, I realized the reason they are hesitant to share is because they do not have vocabulary for what they are experiencing, and outside the home, they long to experience childhood along with their peers – free from the burdens of caregiving. “Thankfully, as our nation is improving its support of veterans, there is a national conversation taking place surrounding the next generation. We are furiously studying the effects of caregiving duties on the children of veterans. The number one need is mental health services – they need someone to talk to, and access to counseling. They need help putting their complex circumstances into words. Beyond that, they need to be able to ‘just be kids.’ “It reminds me of the saying: You begin to truly see someone the moment you begin to truly listen. “Do you want to support the child of a veteran? Start by asking them questions. Then listen. Better yet, do it over coffee or ice cream! “In closing, to our Veterans - I hope you feel honored and valued. As a nation, we are learning that the cost of service extends to your families as well. To those who seek to support our Veterans, come alongside them, their caregivers, AND their children. “I challenge you, over this next year, to be extravagantly generous with your time or resources - however you feel led. Prayerfully consider what you can do to serve, bless, or give towards a specific veteran. After today, if you realize that you have Hidden Heroes and Helpers in your community – reach out to them and ask how you can serve their family – or donate to an organization that serves their needs. I can promise that when you care for the families of Veterans, the Veterans themselves feel honored in the process.” Pray with me: Heavenly Father – please give us eyes to see and ears to hear. We want to see the heroes among us, listen to the ways we can honor and care for them, and continue to place value on their sacrifices. Help us find meaningful ways of teaching the next generation what it means to honor our Veterans, so they grow up with a commitment to do the same. Father, alert us to the moments of opportunity where we can come alongside our Veterans or their families as a show of support. Give us creativity in how to reach the hidden helpers so they know they are not alone in their journey. Give us wisdom to prioritize our time and resources so those who stood up to serve are treated with dignity in the land they fought to preserve and protect. Thank You, Father, for the freedom we enjoy in this country, we do not take it for granted. We ask your continued protection over our military servicemembers and their families. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Our decree: We declare that today, we are renewing our national promise to honor and care for our Veterans and their families. Bio: Jennifer Ostan is an Elizabeth Dole Caregiver Fellow for the State of South Carolina. She spent 12 years as a military spouse before her husband was medically retired from the Army and she began her role as his caregiver. Their 12-yr old twin daughters are just beginning to share their experiences as Hidden Helpers, and they seek to inspire others to find joy amidst life’s challenges. In addition, Jennifer and her husband, Will, run a non-profit that advocates for Wounded Warriors. You can read more of their story here. Click on the link below to watch the full video. __________________________ Lipinski, Dan. “Top 25 Dan Lipinski Quotes (2022 Update).” Quotefancy, https://quotefancy.com/dan-lipinski-quotes. Accessed 9 November 2022. St, Friedrich. “The World War II Memorial in Washington DC: An Interpretive Guide (U.S.” National Park Service, 9 July 2020, https://www.nps.gov/articles/ww2memorialguide.htm. Accessed 9 November 2022.

Further Thoughts on the Mid-term Elections I want to talk about the elections in one more post before moving on. Many need encouragement and hope; we all need instruction. I have four points to make. First, disappointment isn’t the same as despair, and determination isn’t denial. Paul said, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8; KJV). The Passion Translation renders this and the following verse, “Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out.” ‭ I AM somewhat disappointed; I’m NOT in despair…or denial. Yes, I wanted a broader victory. But I am encouraging myself with God’s Word, ways, and promises. Remember that we are on a journey. We are in a spiritual war - not just a battle - for the soul of our nation. Tuesday was only a battle - which we won, by the way. The turning of a nation is a marathon, not a sprint. Intercession and faith require perseverance, not speed. We are making progress. Evil is being exposed, millions of Americans are waking up, we are closer to a great awakening than we were a week ago. Weep if you must, grieve if necessary, take some time to regroup if needed, but deny your soul the option of despairing or of quitting. Secondly, remember that the left is celebrating “a lesser defeat” while we are mourning “a lesser victory.” Let that sink in. The pro-abortion party is excited that they didn’t lose as badly as they expected. Conservatives, the pro-life party, took back the House, stopping some very evil agendas. Do not forget this. It is huge. And the pro-life party may yet take back the Senate - that has not yet been determined. We must keep praying and working for the complete turning of Congress toward righteousness. Notice my language: I am not praying for the Republican party. I am asking for righteous, God-honoring, pro-life leaders to be placed in our government. Yes, at this point in our history, that primarily means Republicans. The Democrat party has chosen to support abortion and unbiblical ideals. But the issue isn’t political to me, it is spiritual and biblical. Thirdly, we must learn the lessons and analyze the takeaways of this election. I am not speaking of political strategies and tactics. Those things are important, and others should look at them. However, I am referring to assessing the spiritual climate/condition of our nation and what we must do through prayer and spiritual activities to address what we discern. One of the takeaways for me is just how much certain groups have been allowed to polarize and divide our nation. God hates this, calling it evil (Proverbs 6:14, 19). What could be more despicable than fomenting racial disharmony, distrust, and hatred for political gain? This is diabolical. Doing the same thing with the issue of life and death - the abortion issue - is also abhorrent and evil. These are now common political practices in America. We must pray that God judges this evil and delivers us from it. Perhaps the most horrifying takeaway from this election is this abortion issue. It energized the left like no other. Some of them are now saying this will be a strategy in 2024 - having abortion referendums on the ballot in battleground states in order to motivate more of their base to vote. Think about that: the most hideous issue of our day is the most energizing issue of the left. History will say of today’s Democrat party that their most energizing cause was killing babies in the womb. Can you think of anything more shameful? And lastly, a very important reminder from this election is that nothing can save America other than a Third Great Awakening. I mentioned this in yesterday’s post. Government cannot save us, education cannot save us, and noble plans and wise strategies cannot save us. Too many in our nation have seared consciences and deceived minds, which only a transformation of the heart can change. This doesn’t mean we don’t organize, vote, work to change the education system, etc. It means none of those things will be enough without millions of Americans being born again. Their consciences must be resurrected - brought to life - and their minds must be influenced by Holy Spirit. A generation has been completely programmed that the pleasing of self is what matters most; abandon or destroy anything that opposes this. They have been told that we are our own god, can make up our own rules, do as we please, and that God is either irrelevant or nonexistent. Only Holy Spirit, from the inside out, can change this. God’s promise regarding the restoration of America as His instrument and the coming worldwide harvest hasn’t changed. This is our calling and cause. We must not waver. Hell opposes us, but its gates - schemes, plans, actions - won’t prevail over us. Our Leader is King, Lord, Creator, and Owner of the earth. His authority is above all, His power is limitless. His Spirit is with us, His angels are assisting us. We always triumph through our Messiah and King. Persevere, church! Pray with me: Father, we thank You for the fruit of endurance You have given us. Galatians, the fifth chapter, tells us You placed this ability in our spirits. We tap into that now. We are more than conquerors, always overcoming through the greater One who lives in us. We will not back up or relent in our determination to see Your promised great awakening and the restoration of America back to Your divine purpose. We ask You for awakening in the church of America, a fire from Holy Spirit that will cause us to burn with passion and zeal. We ask for this passion to ignite our pulpits, spread to the pews, and consume our hearts. Follow this with the greatest season of miracles the church has ever experienced. Save millions of people in our nation, and many more around the world. We pray for Your strong rod of authority to bring justice to our government. May the plumbline of heaven fall over our nation. Root out evil, tear down demonic structures, uproot corruption, and dismantle ungodly systems. We pray especially for our children. Save them from the evil that has been unleashed against them. Rescue them with a strong and unstoppable revival. May they become passionate worshippers and great spiritual warriors. Do something so profound in and for them that it becomes known as the greatest outpouring of Holy Spirit in America’s history. We believe we will receive these things because we ask for them in the name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We declare that the church of Jesus Christ will not falter and will not fail. Through Him, we do valiantly! Click to watch the full video:

My Response to the 2022 Elections It was 3:00 A.M. when I began writing this post. It is now 4:30 A.M. Today’s post will be a little shorter than usual. The final outcome is not yet known for all races in yesterday’s elections. It looks like the Republicans will take control of the House, but not with as large a majority as they expected. The outcome in the Senate is still undetermined. Obviously, the Republicans did not see the red wave they and many pollsters believed was coming. Both parties are spinning the elections as a win, the Republicans because they took the House (it seems), the Democrats because they avoided the red wave and possibly kept the Senate (though the Senate has been tied at 50-50, they own the tie-breaker with Kamala Harris’ vote). In reality, the outcome is a huge disappointment for Republicans and conservatives due to their expectations going into last night. Having said this, the Republicans should now be able to stop some of the left’s agenda, however. To what degree they can succeed in this will be determined by the final outcome in the Senate. What do I make of all this spiritually? Though I am disappointed, I am not as surprised as most conservatives. I did not have the confidence some held that a red wave was coming. I described my pre-election feelings as “a cautious optimism.” Though I obviously believe fully in the power of prayer, the power it releases does not force people to do things against their will. God won’t “make” a person vote a certain way. Authority in prayer does stop or hinder demonic forces that influence people’s thinking, and it does release heavenly influence to change people’s minds. It does not, however, force this change. The changing of minds usually takes time; it is a process. Prayer releases spiritual power to generate and fuel this process. This means that where people’s wills are concerned, our prayers release God’s process of change, not a dictatorial forcing of it. In other words, God can’t turn an election just because we ask Him to, any more than He can instantly change a person’s mind simply because we ask. I am extremely glad that in this election, we at least succeeded in slowing down the damage being done by dishonest, Godless, inept leaders. I am thrilled that some unrighteous laws that would have passed, now will not. I rejoice that money that would have been spent for evil (i.e. abortion) can be cut off. Much can be done to stop our nation’s bleeding while God continues to expose evil, depravity, and lunacy. He will also continue to awaken our nation to its true condition and desperate need. America isn’t yet desperate enough. The shaking will continue. How does what took place yesterday affect the awakening/revival we speak of? It does not. Everything God has said He will do, will be done. America shall be saved. God’s heart is for harvest - the salvation of many - and He will have this. His intent is to extend the Kingdom rule of His Son, and He will do so. My faith for these things has never been in a political party or a person, only in God. He is going to give us the outpouring of His Spirit we have interceded for. Then why do I become so engaged in government issues and elections? Because government DOES matter in many areas, including justice, morality, peace, protection, freedom, the reaping of blessings, life for babies, education, and much more. However, salvation and revival do not come from government. This outpouring will be the game-changer. I have said for 30 years there is no hope for America other than a Third Great Awakening. No human effort or agency can save us; we are too far down the path of humanism, deception, immorality, secularism, and other evils. Sin, spiritual rebellion, and separation from God greatly affect the mind, producing not only deception, but also a loss of reason. It doesn’t take a Ph.D. to know babies should be protected, lawlessness shouldn’t be tolerated, trillions of dollars of debt can’t be sustained, men can’t have babies, children’s bodies shouldn’t be mutilated, open borders can’t be sustained, socialism can’t succeed, and on we could go. When people defy common sense by electing fools who believe these things, there is no hope of healing other than a change of mind - which can only be produced by a reconnection to God. The salvation of millions of Americans is our only hope of survival. But this is coming. The coming awakening will create a hunger for God’s Word of truth. It will write His laws in people’s hearts and awaken their consciences. This will expose evil and awaken reason. Millions of salvations will cause a rewriting of laws and a reversing of others. It will strengthen love, protect families, and love for life - not death. Revival will be the game changer. And for the true rebirth of our nation, there is no other way. Keep praying - it’s coming. Pray with me: Father, we have placed our hope for the restoration of America in You and You alone. We desire a wise and righteous government, just as You do, but our faith for America’s salvation is not in this. We will continue to intercede for change in our government, media, education, children, churches, unbelievers, etc. We desire the fruit this will produce. But our faith is in none of these things; our faith is in You alone. We pray against discouragement and hopelessness in those who fight for life, righteous causes, and Your purposes for America. We will not grow weary in doing what is right, and we will not stop praying. America shall be saved - end of story! Give our leaders wisdom. Give sound ideas and strategies to those who fight for life - those who are working for the restoration of decency. Overthrow and remove those who oppose You and war against Your guidance and influence. Keep exposing the evil in our government, media and education system. We pray these things in Christ’s name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that we will not grow weary in our righteous efforts and causes. We will persevere, and through faith and patience, inherit God‘s promises. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Post-Election Response is Coming In order to issue a timely response to the Mid-term Elections that occurred on Tuesday, today’s GH15 post will be released later than usual this morning. I stayed up quite late to see the results (as I’m sure many of you did, as well), wrote and recorded the post late into the night and early morning. My staff is working on releasing it later this morning. Watch your notifications for the soon-coming release of my response to the Mid-term Elections. Thank you for your patience. Click on the link below to watch the video.

A Day of Reckoning Today is an important day in the life of America, a day many around the world never experience. It is Election Day. Most definitely, it will be one of our most important ever. The war for America’s soul has intensified. Much has come into clearer focus. Had we not experienced the corruption of 2 years ago, leading to the unprecedented ineptitude and mismanagement America now endures, many things would have remained hidden. I urged people at that time to stand firm and stated that God was allowing it in order to expose, expose, expose. And has He ever! We have seen just how deep the swamp really is. We have experienced the utter abhorrence of the left for those who disagree with them - the President calls us “idiots,”(1) the media calls us “cockroaches;”(2) the DOJ calls us “terrorists.”(3) Our government has deemed churches as nonessential (as opposed to strip clubs and liquor stores). Our children now belong to the state - not their parents.(4) Many said those who don’t accept the government’s mandates should be locked up and/or not allowed to travel, buy food or venture outdoors.(5) The First and Second Amendments to the Constitution are despised and attacked. The censorship of conservatives is rampant, abhorrent, and totally accepted by the left. Parents are visited by the Feds if they complain at a school board meeting.(6) If conservatives win a battle, efforts to reverse this by adding to the number of Senators and packing the Supreme Court is considered legitimate, as is demonstrating in front of the Justices’ homes - existing laws that forbid it be damned.(7) Crime has skyrocketed(8) - innocents are shoved onto subway lines,(9) pro-life counseling centers are bombed and burned,(10) candidates are threatened and attacked, while police are demonized and defunded. Our government has lost all self-control, spending TRILLIONS of dollars, much of it on foolish and needless endeavors. We have become energy dependent (depending on our enemies!) while we were energy INDEPENDENT only 22 months ago. Inflation is at record highs. Many in our government seek to divide us for personal gain. Our military is more “woke” than prepared. China, Russia, Iran, and N. Korea now feel emboldened. While mercy and care for cognitively handicapped individuals is always appropriate, they can also now be Presidents and Senators - IF they serve the correct party, of course. Some pro-abortion leaders in our government revealed they want the right to kill babies OUTSIDE the womb.(11) Many in our government are okay with selling aborted babies’ body parts. We’re being told it’s acceptable to mutilate and castrate children, give them drugs that alter their genetic makeup, and tell them their God-given body parts are a horrible mistake and mean nothing, all being done in some states without parental consent. (Heck, men can even have babies.) It’s now acceptable for drag queens to dance in front of kindergartners while rubbing their private parts. Regarding drag queens, Speaker Pelosi said, “this is what America is all about.”(12) Unvaccinated people can’t visit America, while MILLIONS of unvaccinated can cross our southern border - no double standard there - along with terrorists, human traffickers, and drug dealers. We were forced to watch through windows as family members died alone, required to hug the dying through plastic partitions, and not allowed to pay our last respects to family and friends with memorial services. Organ recipients who wouldn’t submit were removed from donor lists and allowed to die, and others were denied treatment in hospitals and clinics - while shamed and ridiculed, nonetheless. Children were needlessly required to wear masks needlessly for 2 years in classrooms, their development was stalled, and their learning was severely delayed through extended closings. These things, and much more, are no longer hidden. God, using their arrogance and deceived belief that they have won, has skillfully coaxed the America-hating, control-crazed, and Bible-rejecting left out of hiding. Having become completely drunk on success, they staggered into the open. Now, the entire world has seen their positions…and their lunacy. Psalm 2 has been unfolding before our eyes. After listening to the left’s delusional, conspiratorial discussions and observing their perverse actions (verses 1-3), God is now progressing to the rest of the chapter: His mocking laugh (verse 4), assurance to His beloved Son that all is well (verses 7-9), and the picking up of His iron rod of judgment (verse 9). Mercifully, to those who oppose Him, the Creator and King offers them a final way out: Kiss the Son (verse 12). This exposure Yahweh allowed has now clearly defined the battle for the soul of America. If you haven’t already, vote today! Vote with biblical values; vote for the babies; vote for your children and grandchildren; vote for religious freedom; and vote for America's God-given destiny. And pray! Some will claim that a post of this nature is inappropriate, that we Christians should not speak about government and/or moral values, but only work to see people saved - Mark 16’s Great Commission. I would simply remind them that the second half of Christ’s Great Commission to the church, in Matthew 28:18-20, commands us to disciple nations - not just individuals - with His teachings. Our failure to do so in the great outpouring of the 60s and 70s helped create the mess we are now experiencing. Our ignorance and negligence have been destroying us (Hosea 4:6). No more! In His mercy, Holy Spirit has begun a movement of prayer and action that is reversing this. A Mark 16 awakening/revival has begun, which will be accompanied by a Matthew 28 reformation. We won’t be intimidated by false accusations that we are intolerant of others or that we are dictatorial bigots. We know love is our motivation, serving others is our assignment, and that our lives are not our own. Our efforts are all about Christ’s noble and magnificent cause, and we will not relent. Stay the course. Pray with me: Father, we thank You for Your mercy. In order to awaken us, You have turned us over to our own desires and incredibly foolish ways. Truth no longer matters, integrity matters even less, and evil is celebrated. America has sown the wind and is now reaping the whirlwind. We are lost, very lost. We have watched the demise of greatness in one generation. And yet. In Your mercy, You are coming to save us. The heavens are being rent, deception is being removed, evil is being exposed, and our hearts are being lanced. We stand before You with nothing other than the blood of Jesus Christ. Our faith is that this blood cleanses us from ALL sin and unrighteousness. Send a movement now to accomplish this, we pray. Let it be spiritual power at levels never before seen. Come with overwhelming force and love, lift the veil of darkness, and restore us. Give great victories for the cause of life in our elections this day. Give great victory for truth, decency, and righteousness. Further the complete turning of our government. Let the exposing continue, even while our deliverance takes place. Spare us from ourselves and rescue us from sin. We pray these things in the incomparable name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that America shall be saved, and the billion-plus harvest of people around the world will not be stopped. Click on the link below to watch the full video. ___________________________________ https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/nov/5/biden-calls-anti-socialism-protesters-idiots-illin/ https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/nov/5/biden-calls-anti-socialism-protesters-idiots-illin/ https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/judiciary-republicans-to-garland-are-concerned-parents-domestic-terrorists-or-not https://elamerican.com/harris-suggested-that-children-belong-to-the-state/ s AND https://amp.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/jan/26/state-wants-own-your-child/ https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/aboutlawsregulationsquarantineisolation.html https://www.thetrumpet.com/25608-whistleblowers-fbi-investigating-parents-who-speak-out-at-school-board-meetings https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/11/protest-justice-home-illegal/ https://www.foxnews.com/us/major-cities-violent-crimes-data-murders-shootings https://nypost.com/2022/10/23/nyc-man-pushes-stranger-onto-brooklyn-subway-track-in-shocking-video/ https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/aug/31/pro-life-pregnancy-center-refuses-fold-after-fireb/ https://lifelegaldefensefoundation.org/crazy-california-proposes-insane-infanticide-bill/ https://www.christianpost.com/news/nancy-pelosi-drag-queens-are-what-america-is-all-about.html

Making History Several years ago I was gripped by the thought: I can either watch history being made or I can make it. I wasn’t thinking about becoming famous, but of shaping history. I decided to become one of the history makers, not just a watcher. I love the song History Maker, written by Martin Smith, the former lead singer for the U.K. Christian band, Delirious. The lyrics speak of the power of prayer, of cloudless skies breaking forth with rain, of miraculous healings, and broken-hearted people becoming history makers. If you’ve never heard it, check it out. I think you’ll like it. Though I love the song and its concept, in another sense of the word, we’re all participating in the history-making process. The only questions—which we are all answering with our lives—are: 1) What history are we writing? and 2) Will we write it intentionally or by default? We all help shape history, one way or another. Facing the Giant When David was about to face the giant, Goliath, his older brother mocked him over what seemed like such a preposterous idea. David’s response was to ask the poignant question, “Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29). Would it come as a surprise if I told you the word “cause” also means “history?” David was very possibly asking his brother and fellow Israelites the question, “Is there not a history?” He could have been thinking of past history, which we will discuss later, but it is entirely possible David was thinking of the future—a history to write. “Come on guys,” David may have been imploring, “history will record what we do here today. Will we go down in history as giant-killers or cowards? Will we fight for God and country or will we flee? Don’t allow this giant to define us; let faith in God define us!” Interestingly, Goliath’s name actually comes from a root word meaning “to expose or reveal.”(1) How appropriate. Giants of adversity will most assuredly reveal our character. Are we a David? A Caleb? Or, like Israel’s soldiers who fled from Goliath, are we cowards? David refused to be defined by cowardice. He chose, rather, to be defined by a cause. America’s Destiny Our purpose as a nation is to partner with Christ, just as Israel did, becoming a light to the nations. Our divine calling is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ from these shores to the ends of the earth. And it is to be an example of what Yahweh will do for a nation “whose God is the Lord” (Psalms 33:12). America’s giants have exposed our character flaws; our calling has been in jeopardy. Rather than exporting the gospel, we are now the leading exporter of pornography, as well as other forms of depravity through film and music. (2) America is literally trafficking in filth! Portions of the shocking history we are writing today will one day shame us. But as the following example shows us, dirges can be transformed into songs of victory. John Newton lived in the 1700s. For part of his life, he was a slave trader, the lowest of the low. Through a series of events, Newton came to Christ and became one of the leaders of the abolitionist movement. He actually pastored William Wilberforce, who is credited with playing the most significant role in the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. Newton wrote the song Amazing Grace. Sung more than 10 million times annually and recorded on 11,000 albums, it has been intoned more than any song in history. Newton, whom satan used to torment many and help write some of the ugliest chapters in world history, was transformed and given the song that has comforted hundreds of millions of people. America, too, will experience God’s amazing grace and recover from its evils. She will write a new song, a song not about oppression and injustice, but about the beauty of life and freedom. Christ Wants to Restore America Jesus said to Jerusalem, “You did not recognize the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44). Unfortunately, the word “visitation” does not clearly communicate what Christ had offered them. He was not simply referencing a “visit.” The Greek word is episcope, from which we get the words “bishop,” “overseer,” and “superintendent.” Jesus was actually saying to Jerusalem, “I came to cover you, to be your Shepherd and Protector. I wanted to take you as a mother hen would her chicks and hide you under My wings, covering and protecting you. But you did not recognize this” (see Luke 13:34). We in America are currently receiving the same offer Christ made to Jerusalem. God is giving us an opportunity to return to Him and the promise of His loving care. His desire is to demonstrate that righteousness—not money, power, or pleasure—exalts a nation (see Proverbs 14:34). Jesus is knocking at America’s door, asking will you receive Me back into this nation as your Shepherd and Bishop, allowing Me to cover, protect and lead you? Will you once more become a nation under God? Millions of God-fearing and honoring Americans are rising up to answer this question. And a remnant of the body of Christ is doing its part through prayer. Failures are being confessed, appeals are being made, and decrees are being released. God honors intercession. It still works. We must refuse to surrender this nation to humanists, atheists, liberal politicians, and individuals who want the influence of God and the Bible removed from America. Though much ground has been lost to these ungodly forces, God has said it is absolutely not too late. We will appeal to Him for change. We will always walk in tolerance and love. But loving people doesn’t equate to giving them everything they want, nor should tolerance be confused with abdication. Just as David did, we can write a righteous history for America. The giants of sin and godlessness in our nation can absolutely be conquered, and the hearts of people can most certainly be won. Though the taunting giants may mock us in the name of their gods, just as Goliath did Israel’s army, we can daily and fervently decree biblical promises such as, “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20, KJV). And the great promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is still true today, “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.” I believe this with all my heart and live for this hope. We in America are not at the mercy of principalities, powers, and spiritual giants. Though the past several years have been devastating, we can write a new and glorious chapter for our nation. Let’s do it! Let’s continue to humble ourselves, call upon God, and stay on the offense through prayer. If we do so, confessing the sins of America and appealing to God for mercy, He will answer our prayers and pour out His Spirit on this land once again. He will! The giants wrote America’s last chapter; we—the praying church—will write the next one. Pray with me: Father, David asked, “Is there not a history?” We, too, are asking this same question, “What history will we write?” Give us dedicated intercessors, leaders, patriots, and warriors that accept only one answer, “We will take out the spiritual giants that have been allowed to rule our nation.” May we not cower in fear of their size, wealth, weapons, or mockery. May we instead run toward them with Your name on our lips. Transform many in our nation the way You did John Newton. Give us a new song! Give us a grace anthem. May America write songs that comfort billions. May the world be able to say of us, “America lost her way but, look, she is found!” May the song of the gospel ring out from these shores again! May the song of liberty ring out from these shores again! May the song of covenant with God ring out from these shores again! We boldly declare that no giant, no principalities, will continue to rule over us. The blood of the Lord, Jesus, is cleansing and freeing us! The stronghold of death will be broken. The stronghold of covenant breaking will be broken. Strongholds of injustice will be broken. Strongholds of idolatry will be broken. Giants will fall, principalities will come down! The history we hand our children will be one of a saved America and a worldwide revival! Amen. Our decree: We decree that God‘s amazing grace is sufficient! Most of today’s post was taken from my book Giants Will Fall. Click on the link below to watch the full video. ___________________________________ Strong. Reference no. 1555 and 1540. Kann L., McManus T., Harris, W.A., et al. “Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance,” United States, 2015. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 65 (6), 2015. p.26. www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2015/SS6506_ updated.pdf Minnesota Department of Health. “About STD Awareness Month: April is National STD Awareness Month in Minnesota.” MN Dept of Health, 2017. www.health.state. mn.us/div/idepc/dtopics/stds/stdmonth/stdmonthfacts/ html

Living the Dream For the past several days, I have been taking the GH15 posts from the book, Dream, which I wrote several years ago. Today’s post will be the final one on this subject. The book is about allowing God to influence our plans and dreams for the future, and how He also hides His dreams in ours. The Lord’s desire is that He and His kids dream together - God and family stewarding and influencing the earth for good. For the unfortunate and misguided individuals who do not see the posts every day, I’ll review a couple of other points. One of the places Yahweh began his dream journey with Abraham was Bethel (Genesis 12). This is why the Lord gave his grandson, Jacob, a dream in this sacred place 100 or so years later, extending to him the same dream. Same place; same dream. Bethel means “the house of God.” When we become part of God’s family, His household, He wants us to partner with Him in His dreams. Although Jacob’s heart was not fully captured by God at Bethel - and therefore he was not fully ready to participate in the dream - nevertheless, the process had begun. It was completed 20 years later at Peniel, which means “the face of God.” After fully capturing Jacob’s heart, the Lord told him to go back to Bethel, the place where the dreaming began, and live there! (Genesis 35) Incredible. “Oh, and build another altar there,” Yahweh told him. Jacob obeyed and named the altar El Bethel, which means “the God of Bethel.” My interpretation of this phrase: “the God of the dream place!” By giving it this name, Jacob was saying, “This is where the journey began. You gave my grandfather a dream at this holy place, and You visited me with a dream here, as well. I accept Your invitation to live at Your house, the place of dreams, and will honor You as the Dream-giver. From this day forward we will dream together.” By telling Jacob to live at Bethel, the Lord was Himself making a huge statement. “Now that I’ve captured your heart, Jacob, and can trust you as My dreaming partner, why don’t you just go back there and live. In that special place where it began…let’s live the dream!” If that doesn’t move you, you’re immovable! Three years after my dream journey began in the cabin I affectionately refer to as “my Moriah/Peniel cabin,” Ceci and I returned to the same vacation complex for some time off. As it turns out, I was also putting the finishing touches on the book we’ve been looking at, Dream. We did not plan this timing - when we scheduled the vacation several months earlier, I had no idea I would be finishing the book while there. But God did. Through His sovereign ability He placed me where the dream revelation began, to finish writing the dream book. Only God. Initially, I was a little disappointed that we were not staying in the same cabin. Since God obviously planned to bring me back here to finish the book, I thought, why wouldn’t He make certain the same cabin was available? Surely He could influence other people’s schedules and insure that my dream cabin was available. Then I saw the plaque: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11) This is not a Christian camp or community, by the way; it is simply a community of privately owned dwellings, some of which can be rented. I wonder if the owner of this home, when purchasing the plaque, had any idea that it would be used by Holy Spirit in such a remarkable way? Probably not. God is so amazing! My dream of writing the dream book was ending, but as the verse so powerfully stated, the Lord had more plans for me, “plans for good and not evil, to give me a future and a hope.” “Future” is the word acharyith, sometimes translated “destiny.” I am confident that my destiny is secure in the dreaming heart of my heavenly Father. “Plans” in this verse comes from a word meaning “to think, conceive, devise, consider, plan, etc.” The word came to also include the result or ensuing action produced by the planning and thinking: “invent, fabricate, weave,” and so on. Not complicated: first we think about it, then we do it. We devise or conceive the end result, then we create it. God, ever the Dreamer, has conceived wonderful plans for you and me. He began the weaving of them into our destinies while we were still in our mothers’ wombs (Psalm 139:13). God has done the same with nations. There are some - even Christian leaders - who laugh and scoff at the idea that God raised up America for the purpose of spreading the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, to the ends of the earth. To the contrary, I find the suggestion that He would NOT do such a thing as utterly preposterous. What could be more reasonable than to believe that God would (and has) raised up a nation for this very purpose? This in no way suggests an exclusive calling in this regard, it simply states that it is the primary purpose for America’s existence. Nor does it imply that we are the ruler of all nations; it actually makes us the servant of all nations. That God raises up nations for His purposes is undeniable biblically. Deuteronomy 32:8 and Acts 17:26 both state that He sets the boundaries of nations. Job 12:23 tells us God makes nations great and enlarges them; it also says He destroys them. My best advice is to ignore those who preach or teach otherwise. Don’t allow them to distract you, just keep living the dream. As we pray regarding the elections coming up next Tuesday, and about America’s future in general, continue to decree that America shall be saved. Appeal to heaven for mercy and a great turnaround of our nation and its government. Ask for a Third Great Awakening that brings a transformation of epic proportions and a return to our destiny. Partner with God’s dreaming heart, asking for His redeeming grace and glory to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Prayer with me: Father, we thank You for Your refusal to give up on Your dream. You will not relent until You have representatives from every tribe and tongue in Your family. We have chosen to participate with You in this dream. And like You, we will not relent. We also have embraced Your dream for America, the dream that America would be a voice for You to all the nations of the earth. Thus, we are a serving people, laying down our lives for the cause of Christ. For this cause also, we will not relent in our faith and prayers. We will see everything You have promised - America shall be saved. Give victory in this upcoming election to those who most align with Your ways and heart. We ask for Your kingdom rule to come, and Your will to be done in this election. (Take a moment or two and pray regarding the specific races Holy Spirit brings to your mind.) And we call forth a worldwide revival, the greatest in history. Nothing will stop this. It has already begun and will continue to build in strength and momentum. You have declared it to be so, and so it shall be. We pray all of this in the name of Yeshua. Our Decree: We decree that the great Master Planner and Dreamer, Yahweh, will have His dream. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

The Face of God By the time we get from Bethel (“the house of God”) to Jacob’s return trip home, 20 years have passed. What he thought would be a relatively short hiatus from Esau’s wrath, has now become two decades. Jacob is still a conniving supplanter, but that is about to change. Though unaware of it, God is coming to deal with his heel-grabbing ways. Jacob has done well. The Lord has fulfilled much of what he promised him at Bethel. But like many, even after such abundant blessing, Jacob is still thinking primarily of himself. He has been more than happy to embrace the blessings of God’s house, but what Yahweh might need or want from him is nowhere on Jacob’s radar. As we so often do, he has ignored God’s dream. Jacob actually remembers Bethel quite well. On his way home to face Esau he reminds God of the promises of blessing and protection made to him there. It was quite impressive how well Jacob remembered God’s promises after 20 years (Genesis 32:12). Not so impressive is how completely he had forgotten the portion containing God’s dream: “And in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed,” (Genesis 28:14). Jacob quoted the Lord’s promises to prosper him; God’s need isn’t even mentioned. Just as the Dream-giver had done with Abraham, Yahweh had tucked what He needed from the dream into the promises He made to Jacob. I’m not sure Jacob even heard that significant part. If so, it certainly didn’t make much of an impression. He was so focused on earthly dreams, he couldn’t see heaven’s. Jacob thought he was dreaming big; Yahweh wanted him to dream even bigger - He wanted Jacob to dream God-sized dreams! Earthly dreams had given him wealth; heavenly dreams would give him a place in history. Undeterred by the rejection, God moves Jacob closer to an encounter with Himself that would forever deliver him of his self-seeking, supplanting nature. The Lord, with His mighty but gracious power, was about to break Jacob. With His mercy, He was going to mark him. And when God was finished, they would dream together. On the journey, Jacob moves ever closer to a confrontation with Esau. Having heard of his approach, Esau, with 400 men is on his way to meet Jacob. True to form, conniving Jacob devises a plan to appease his still-offended brother, sending a series of gifts ahead. Ultimately, he sends everything and everyone, even his family. It must have been a painful sight as he watched them cross the stream called Jabbok, wondering if he would ever see them again (see Genesis 32:22). It would be easy to miss the irony and significance of this if you didn’t know the meaning of Jabbok. It means “pouring out.” Jacob is being poured out at the place of “pouring out.” And if you think this is a coincidence, you are officially a cynic. What a scene. Jacob, who has spent his entire life conniving his way around and through every obstacle in his path, is wealthy - very wealthy - and has proven he is at the top of the food chain when it comes to dreaming and swindling. Or so he thought. God had an appointment planned with Jacob at Jabbok, and in a day everything was gone, poured out to the brother he had swindled 20 years earlier. In total, 40 years of masterful conniving and it was all gone in a day. Heel-grabbers are no match for God. The next verse sums up his condition and sets the stage for what is about to occur: “Then Jacob was left alone” (Genesis 32:24). Jacob has bought and connived his way out of trouble and into prosperity for the last time. He isn’t yet aware of it, but Esau has become the least of his worries. He is now alone with God - and this time it isn’t for sweet dreams. As preposterous as it sounds, Jacob and God will spend the night wrestling (see verse 24). The heavenly adversary begins by dislocating Jacob’s thigh. Again, the symbolism is powerful. A person’s thigh represents his or her strength. Not only have his possessions and family been “poured out,” God has now removed his strength. There are not many people who could be as stubborn as Jacob, however. Still, he fought. “I won’t let you go until you bless me,” Jacob says to his opponent, whom many scholars believe was an Old Testament, pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. And what is this blessing Jacob wants? Protection from Esau, of course. The Lord’s response to this is so bizarre it almost sounds like a verse or two have been omitted. That is, until you realize what is really occurring. “What is your name?” He asks Jacob (Genesis 32:27). Try to picture this: two men fighting, one limping but holding on for dear life while demanding a blessing, and the other - who obviously knows his opponent - nonetheless, asking him his name. What is going on?! The Amplified Bible, Classic edition gives the clearest explanation I’ve seen or heard for this scenario. It translates Jacob‘s response in verse 27 as follows: “And [in shock of realization, whispering] he said, ‘Jacob [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]!’” Jacob’s response was actually an acknowledgment of his true nature. In essence, it was a confession of repentance. Finally, at 40 years old, Jacob is acknowledging his condition! True to his nature, Jacob began by demanding another blessing; God, however, was demanding Jacob. “It isn’t your possessions, servants, or family I want, Jacob,” God was saying. “It’s your conniving nature. I’m trying to pour it out of you. You can con everyone else, but you can’t con Me. I want you to realize, once and for all, that your ‘strength’ is not what I need from you. I need you to acknowledge your weakness - who you really are. Only then can I deliver you from yourself. I could kill you, but I’d rather transform you. Then we can dream together.” The fight was over the moment Jacob acknowledged his true condition. God’s goal wasn’t to win a fight but a heart. And what did He do next? Demonstrating His matchless grace, He changed this former heel-grabber’s name: “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel” (verse 28). Does that not just make you want to dance! In a matchless display of His grace, wisdom, and persistent love, God transformed this conniving swindler into a prince and patriarch. His sovereign actions made clear the plan. Yahweh was saying: “Now we can get on with the dream, Israel. Because the dream isn't just for you; it’s for Me, as well. And for the generations to follow. I need a nation through whom I can demonstrate to the world My ways and heart, and through whom I can bring the Messiah. You’re going to birth that nation for Me.” When God wrestled with Jacob, He wasn’t fighting only for the heart of a man. He was warring for His dream! Jacob, now named Israel, left the fight with a life-altering limp. He decided to name the place, Peniel, meaning “the face of God,” for he said, “I have seen God face to face,” (Genesis 32:30). Twenty years earlier Jacob entered Bethel, “the house of God,” and found a dream. This day he had seen “the face of God” and found the Dream-giver. He would never be the same. Remember the Moriah cabin where my dream journey began? It was also a Peniel in my life, for God and I sparred a little there. “Give Me every dream,” He said. “For yourself, your family, your ministry, and your nation - trust Me with everything.” Fearfully, oh so humanly, but from a trust born of spending thousands of hours with Him over the years, I reached deep into my heart and pulled out every dream I could find. He took them, then set them down. Ignoring them, He reached in and began working on my heart. “It’s not the dreams I need, son,” He spoke to me. “I just need to get them out-of-the-way temporarily so I can do a little fine-tuning on your heart.” I experienced a broad range of emotions that day as He performed surgery on my heart. I laughed a little, thought a lot, and cried once or twice. Abba was gentle but firm and resolute. He healed, adjusted, fixed a “valve” or two, and unclogged some “blockages.” When He was finished I felt both undone and re-done. Then He put the dreams back - well, most of them. Some I didn’t need any more. And those He did return seemed somehow different. They were still mine, but seemed to reflect more of His character, heart, and desires. I knew we could now share our lives and dreams at a higher level. And our friendship had grown. Like Jacob, I limped home a happy man. Prayer with me: Father, thank You for Your patience with us. You know our nature well, including our stubborn resistance to Your transforming power. Yet, just as You did with Jacob, You patiently wait until we are ready for a face-to-face encounter with You. And there, at our Peniel, You transform us. Thank You. You do this at times for nations, as well. You wrestle with them, bringing them to their knees. Do so now with America. Deliver us from our heel-grabbing ways and bring us back to a place of complete dependence on You. You could destroy us, but You want to transform us. Show this nation Your face again, we pray, in the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus. Amen. Our Decree: We decree that a great and holy transformation is coming to the United States of America. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Refining Our Dreams Though Abraham’s experience at Moriah pictured the Cross where God would recapture His dream of family and redeem us from our fallen nature, the actual fulfillment of the event was still hundreds of years away. We were still fallen dreamers. No person could better picture the post-fall condition of humankind than Jacob. Dreamer extraordinaire, he fine-tuned the art of post-fall dreaming to a very low level. Actually, he got a head start on most of us - he was demonstrating his true nature at birth! As his elder twin, Esau, was being born, Jacob was clutching his heel (see Genesis 25:26). Thus, the name Jacob, which means “heel-grabber.” Not very imaginative, but it works. The term is actually much more revealing than a cursory glance might reveal. The root word has a figurative meaning of “circumventing (as if tripping by the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the heel).” The Brown, Driver, and Briggs Hebrew-English Lexicon, one of the most respected Old Testament reference tools, actually says the word means “assail hideously” or “attack.” It goes on to say that a good translation of Genesis 25:26 would be “he attacked his brother at the heel.” (For all of you actually named Jabob, take heart. Jacob eventually overcame his nature, and his name ultimately became associated with honor and greatness. Yahweh is actually called “the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.) True to his nature, Jacob again demonstrated his conniving heart several years later when he conceived a plan to finagle his elder brother Esau’s birthright. A short while after this, this same covetous nature manifested yet again when Jacob and his mother hatched a devious plan to steal Esau’s final blessing from his father. Jacob was nothing if not consistent! Isaac, old and dying, was making plans to pronounce the traditional parting blessing over his children; Esau’s blessing, as the oldest son, would be the greatest. The heel-grabber had other plans. All the details aren’t necessary, only the fact that the scheme involved a complete deception of his now blind father, Isaac, and a devious manifestation of his conniving nature (see Genesis 27 for the entire story). You can be fairly confident your dreaming nature has hit an all-time low when you swindle your brother out of his inheritance and deceive your blind, dying father to do so. God was gonna have a lot of work to do on this unrefined dreamer! Jacob, as it turns out, was God’s choice to father the messianic race. At this point, however, he was anything but qualified. Far from being God’s trustworthy friend, Jacob hadn’t as yet even chosen the Lord as his God! (See Genesis 28:20-21). Trusting Jacob as a saving-the-world partner? Well, let’s just say God has a lot of faith in His transformational skills. He knew the treasure that lay buried under the Adamic soil of Jacob’s heart. God saw the good in Jacob and knew He could transform him from a crooked heel-grabber to a world-changing friend. He has similar plans for all of us. Through all the muck and mire of our hearts, He sees a potential dreaming partner. Jacob’s life took a decided turn after he swindled Esau out of his blessing. Not any higher on the honor scale, Esau decided he would kill Jacob (see Genesis 27:41). There was only one recourse for Jacob - he would need to leave for a while. He and Mom decided he should visit his uncle Laban until Esau cooled off, and then return home. It shouldn’t take too long. Or so they thought. Twenty years later, Esau still wanted revenge. God also had plans for this time, however. He began the process by sovereignly leading Jacob to Bethel, “the house of God,” on his flight to Laban’s. This was where his grandfather Abraham’s dream journey began. Approximately one hundred years had passed since God met with Abraham there, so it was no longer a place celebrated or even recognized by Jacob. However, it certainly was to God. When Jacob arrived at Bethel, most translations simply say he arrived at “a place.” What the Hebrew text actually says, however, is he came to “the place” (Genesis 28:11). This was a special location to God - He had begun His dream recovery project here with Abraham, and here He would continue it. That night as Jacob slept, the Lord gave him an astonishing dream in which He gave Jacob the same offer He had given his grandfather, Abraham: He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants. Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 28:12-15) With even a casual comparison of Abraham’s promise from God in Genesis 12, the similarities are obvious. The land, material blessings, protection, and many descendants - it’s all there, including the part about all the families of the earth being blessed through him. This was a continuation of Abraham’s promise, with God’s dream tucked neatly inside. This is why it took place at Bethel. It is important to note that most of our dreams are built on the shoulders of someone who came before us. Bethel teaches us that this is not only okay, it is God’s plan. Whether it be a previous dream, our inherited gifts and abilities, or the training we’ve received, someone before us contributed to our dream. Decades earlier, Abraham had met with God at Bethel and built an altar there, making it a holy place with an open heaven. Where he knelt, a future generation could dream. Abraham’s altar sanctified the ground, making it a bed on which Jacob could receive heaven’s dream. One generation’s dream and altar can become the bridge upon which the following generation crosses into its dreams. Although Jacob was deeply impacted by Bethel and its visitation, he nevertheless left there with his selfish nature fully intact. Still, Jehovah had accomplished what He intended, planting the seeds of the generational dream. True to form, Jacob hadn’t left Bethel before he forgot God’s portion of the dream, thinking only of what he might receive from it. What God might want or need - blessing all nations through him - had faded into the recesses of his conniving mind. This would be a good time to cut a deal with God, Jacob reasoned. So he laid out his proposal: “If you do these things for me,” he told the Lord, “then you can be my God. Oh, and by the way,” he continued, “if you do all of this for me, I’ll also tithe to you” (see verses 20-22) What a deal for God! The ignorance, arrogance, and audacity of Jacob are almost laughable. God and some of His angels have just visited him, offering a partnership. Rather than seeing it as an opportunity to dream with God, Jacob attempts to advance his own cause. This earth-level dreamer sees Bethel (“God’s house”) only through the lens of selfish provision and blessing. It took God 20 more years to overcome Jacob’s selfish nature. But our Father is a determined Redeemer, and He had a special meeting planned with Jacob, one that would forever change him. In this God-encounter, his name would be changed from Jacob to Israel. Finally, he would dream with God. Pray with me: Father, though Jacob still walked in his selfish, conniving nature, You led him to Bethel where You made great promises to him. You inserted him into the great dream of redeeming humankind. Thank You for your ability to look past our faults and see our potential. Thank You for loving us and sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinful, and even Your enemies. We also thank You for those who have gone before us, faithful ones upon whose shoulders we stand and on whose efforts we build. We are living many of their dreams. May we, too, be found faithful. We pray now for this nation, America. We pray that You would do such a powerful work that we, as a nation, would become Your friend again. We boldly and confidently declare that your dream for America is not dead and will live again. We are moving toward this, and our momentum will not be stopped. We declare this and ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree: We decree that great transformation is coming to America, turning our hearts back to our Father and Friend. Today’s post was taken from my book Dream. Click on the link below to watch the full video. [Dutch Sheets Dream, Discovering God’s Purpose for Your Life (Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group, 2012), pp 129-141.]

A Day For The Ages “...‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29) In Genesis 12, God planted a great dream in Abraham’s heart. By the time we get to Genesis 22, the dream is doing very well. God had given Abraham land, livestock, a large staff, great wealth, and most importantly, Isaac, through whom the promise of a great nation would emerge. The Lord and Abraham had walked together for many years now and were close friends. However, the strength of their relationship would be tested one more time. The test would be a huge one and would become the pinnacle of their relationship, proving once and for all Abraham’s amazing confidence in and loyalty to God. This event proved to be far more than just a test, however. Hidden in it was one of the most amazing pictures of the Cross the Lord ever painted. As we shall see, the occasion demonstrated more than Abraham’s trust in God; it was also a heartwarming picture of Jehovah’s trust in Abraham. In Genesis 22, the Lord made a shocking request of Abraham. “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” (Genesis 22:2) Amazing! Ridiculous! Unbelievable! But God said it: Give me the dream, Abraham. Take the portion of the dream which is most precious to you, Isaac, and sacrifice him to Me. That would cause just a little bit of a hiccup in your morning devotions. Abraham must have felt like someone slugged him in the gut. One can only imagine the thoughts and questions that began swirling through his mind: Do I really know God’s voice as well as I believe I do? I don’t believe He will make me go through with the sacrifice of Isaac. If He does, however, I’m confident He will raise him from the dead. But do I truly know Him as well as I think I do? With either scenario, what will Isaac think regarding my love for him? Could this so traumatize him that it wounds his psyche, maybe even permanently? It’s impossible to know Abraham’s thoughts, but we know he was a good father and loved Isaac very much. We also know there could be no greater test of anyone’s faith and trust. To say that Abraham passed the test would be the understatement of the millennium. He said “yes” to questions one and two, and trusted his Friend with number three. I point out in my book Dream, that we must emulate the dreaming nature and ideals of Abraham. The principle presented in this passage is one we must always remember: When God asks for your dream, give it back to Him. (1) Dreams are powerful. It is possible to so attach our emotions to them that a dream can become a taskmaster we serve, rather than an assignment or goal we steward. This is precisely what occurred with Adam and Eve. Stewarding the dream wasn’t enough for them; they became convinced they could own it. At that point, rather than God remaining Lord of the dream, the dream became lord. Legitimate desires became cravings, even obsessions. We humans have been serving our dreams ever since. We kill for them, abandon family and friends to accomplish and keep them, and spend everything we own to buy them. Since the fall of humanity, God’s challenge has been keeping the dream a servant and a tool, rather than us allowing it to become the master. Whether our dream is a person, money, possessions, position, or status, the only hope for its purity is keeping it tethered to Him. It was, of course, never God’s intent to allow Abraham to go through with the sacrifice of Isaac. The only human offering He has ever sanctioned was that of Christ on the Cross. But at the time, Abraham couldn’t be certain. He was certain, however, of his complete trust in God’s character and friendship. Yahweh would either provide a viable substitute for Isaac (see Genesis 22:8), or if He did require Abraham to go through with the sacrifice, the Author and Giver of life would not leave Isaac dead–He would resurrect him (see Genesis 22:5 and Hebrews 11:17–19). What an incredible and genuine trust this demonstrated! Abraham actually saw his obedience as an act of worship. When addressing his servants he said, “I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you” (Genesis 22:5). This is almost mind-boggling. How many of us could consider a test of this magnitude as worship? When we worship God, we do so because of who He is–holy, true, trustworthy, and faithful. Abraham was proving beyond any doubt that He knew God. He was confident Yahweh was the Dream-giver, not the dream-stealer. I’m not yet sure what this is all about, Abraham must have reasoned, but God has something very important He is up to and it’s not the death of Isaac. Did He ever! The Dream-giver was Himself dreaming at Moriah. The path to the recovery of His dream would be painful and ugly, and He was about to give us a sneak preview. This entire episode was designed to paint a picture of the Cross, where God would one day recapture His dream of family. No one else knew His plan, not even the angels, but here on this very mountain, He would sacrifice His Son, and redemption’s song would one day be sung. Father God was well aware that the violence of this future day would be dreadful beyond description. Creation itself would hide its eyes (see Matthew 27:45), and the very foundations of the earth would shake (see Matthew 27:51). God’s heart would break, the angels would watch in shock and horror, and the Son of God Himself would cry out in anguish (see Matthew 27:46). But this violent death would also be love’s crowning act. When the day actually occurred, satan believed it would be the day of his ultimate victory. This could end God’s dream once and for all, he thought. Satan did not know the details of God’s redemptive plan, but he did know it was somehow wrapped up in His Son. Kill Him, he thought. He has become human, breakable, mortal. Kill Him and kill the dream! What satan didn’t know–no one but God knew it–was that the Cross was written into the dream. Impossible! There is no way this just happened, satan must have thought when God’s plan succeeded. Actually, the plan was brilliant. Painfully and devastatingly brilliant, yes; but brilliant, nonetheless. At the Resurrection, followed by Pentecost, it all made sense. What looked like one dying Dreamer on a Cross was really a dream-seed. There were millions of dreams locked up in Him, waiting to be released. Until the Resurrection and Pentecost, Christ’s words in John 12:24 were still not fully understood: “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Christ was the “grain of wheat”; we are the “much fruit.” That the events on Moriah in Abraham’s day were a foreshadowing of Calvary can be seen by several things: First, Isaac was referred to as Abraham’s “only” or “only begotten son” no less than four times (see Genesis 22:2, 12, 16; Hebrews 11:17), descriptions that were no doubt meant to be prophetic of God’s later references to His “only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Moriah, the mountain where Abraham was told to offer Isaac, was the very mountain where centuries later Christ would be offered as our sacrifice. How woefully fitting and strikingly prophetic that Isaac actually carried the wood for the sacrifice up the mountain (Genesis 22:6), just as Christ would one day carry His Cross! What must have gone through the Son of God’s mind as He watched this prophetic picture unfold with Isaac! Perhaps the most telling proof of all was the name Abraham gave the place when the episode was finished. Predictably, the Lord didn’t allow him to go through with the sacrifice of Isaac. At just the right moment, Yahweh stopped him and revealed a substitute ram He had provided, caught in a thicket. After sacrificing the ram, “Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide [Jehovah Jireh], as it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the Lord it will be provided’” (Genesis 22:14). Though I am fairly certain Abraham didn’t know he was prophesying the place of the Cross, history confirms that he was. The poignancy of this dress rehearsal is impossible to overstate. Here was the Creator painting a picture, indecipherable and veiled to all but Himself, of His most cherished dream and horrible nightmare: recapturing His lost family through the death of His Son. And He is literally doing so on the stage where it will ultimately occur! Perhaps it was because of the pain of the plan that God wanted one of His best friends, Abraham, to be there with Him. The name of the mountain where this occurred was also significant. Moriah means “seen of God.” (2) Yahweh had taken Abraham there to show him, though in a veiled form, what He was “seeing” in the future–the Cross and the death of His Son. God must have been deeply impacted as He envisioned the pain, agony, and in earth’s ultimate irony, the joy of what would one day take place there. He was also moved by Abraham’s complete faith in Him, so much so that He reiterated to him His promise of forty years earlier, reminding Abraham of his dream, also. “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:16–18) God’s intentions seem fairly obvious. He didn’t want to dream alone. At this hideously evil, yet gloriously holy place, where He would eventually recapture His dream, Abba wanted Abraham to dream with Him. Two dreaming friends on a mountain, looking into the future and dreaming together. This had to have been one of earth’s most meaningful and heart-warming scenes. Wonderful. Moving. Devastating. At Moriah, Yahweh was saying: Remember My promise to you, Abraham. Go ahead, dream. Here at Moriah, the place where I am seeing My dream restored, I want you to see yours, as well. Gaze at the stars, envision the sand and see pictures of how I’m going to multiply you. And though you don’t yet realize it, Abraham, My dream is hidden in yours–in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. Our dreams are completely intertwined, Abraham. Actually, your dream is really all about My dream. You see stars, I see sons and daughters. You see sand, I see a bride for My Son. You see an altar, I see a Cross. You see a ram, I see My Son. I will bring Him here one day and I’ll build an altar...in the shape of a cross. Unlike you, I won’t be able to stay the knife, but through My Son’s death...I’ll have My dream! A day for the ages. A day for friends. And a day for dreamers everywhere. An incredibly close friendship must have been necessary for God to become this intimate with Abraham. Taking him to the place where His ultimate dream and ultimate pain would occur demonstrated their closeness. They watched the dress rehearsal together; and years later, the consummation did, indeed, take place. I’m sure these two friends were together again on that day, watching the events unfold and sharing the pain as Isaac’s counterpart hung on the cross-shaped “altar.” But the pain, excruciating as it was, was temporary. They knew it would be. Three days later, “Isaac” (Christ) arose, proving once and for all that the dream was alive and well. Death lost; life won. And the power of dreaming was vindicated. I can’t prove it, but I think the heavenly choir broke out into Handel’s Messiah, not yet known on earth, but sung in heaven since earth’s creation. Pray with me: Father, thank You for showing us the strength of Your friendship with Abraham. We, too, want to build a relationship with You that exemplifies this type of intimacy. We want it to be strong enough that You are willing to share Your heart with us, to trust us with Your plans and desires. On this day during which we look back at the Cross, we want to again thank You for offering Your Son to die for us. It’s hard to fathom the depth of Your love. But we accept it and we embrace it. And Jesus, thank You for humbling Yourself to become one of us. Your love and humility are beyond words. We could never thank You enough, but we can thank You. As the song says, “You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words... .” (3) We love You! And we recommit to You and Your cause. It is our great joy to partner with You. Thank You for bringing us into Your world. In Your name, we pray, Amen. Our decree: We declare that the dream-restoring blood of Jesus will never lose its power! Click on the link below to watch the full video. Today’s post was taken from my book Dream. [Dutch Sheets Dream: Discovering God's Purpose for Your Life (Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group), 2012, pp. 121-127.] __________________________________ Dutch Sheets Dream: Discovering God's Purpose for Your Life (Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group, 2012). “Strong's Hebrew: 4179. מוֹרִיָּה (Moriyyah) -- mountain where Isaac was to be sacrificed.” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4179.htm. Also see – “to see, seen, surely seen” https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7200.htm. Accessed 26 March 2021. Also see – “seen by Yah, the name of God of Israel.” https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3050.htm Mark, Altrogge. You are Beautiful Beyond Description (I Stand in Awe). Sovereign Grace Praise, 1986.