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

Introduction Our friend Gina Gholston has released a word that is very timely and encouraging. She reminds us to stay focused and keep what God has promised in the forefront of our thinking. He will keep His word. The title of her message is: Promises Made, Promises Kept Many within the Ekklesia are hearing the Lord say, “Don’t forget what I have said.” This is a powerful instruction for the Body of Christ. Some may look at the volatility in the atmosphere of our nation and world today and wrongly determine that things have fallen into irreversible chaos. The suggestions of those in the media and Hollywood paint a bleak picture, and the unfolding upheaval seems to validate their assessment. But God said  that America shall be saved, and through prophetic words, dreams, and revelation, He has declared  that we will experience another greater move of His Spirit in our times. We must believe and hold fast to what He has said. We cannot judge the validity of God’s Word and promises based on how things appear around us. What God has said is true. His verdict stands. He speaks with intent to perform His will in His  time and in His  way.   We must not allow ourselves to be rattled, influenced, or distracted by what hell is doing! We have to stay focused on the Lord and attentive to Holy Spirit. Be assured that God is NOT reacting to hell’s movements; hell is reacting to God’s movement! The chaos unfolding is not a sign that evil is prevailing; it is proof that God is moving, and hell is terrified!   As the Ekklesia, the Body of Christ, it is imperative that we remember and hold fast to what God has said! Trust Him. Remain focused on Him. Stay engaged in prayer and undaunted faith, and proceed with the mind of Christ, the wisdom of God, and Holy Spirit’s guidance and supervision!   God knows the end from the beginning. He is not operating from a modified script, writing it in response to the actions of people influenced by an evil agenda. God is working His plan of the ages that has been known and designed by Him from the foundation of the world. Though satan may rage, plan, plot, and scheme in an effort to overthrow and undo God’s plan, we are assured that victory belongs to Jesus! His victory has become our victory, and evil will not rewrite his-story.  History is His-story.   A remnant company has remained obedient even in times of uncertainty and chaos. We have chosen to stay the course, believe in the Lord, hear and respond to His leading. Through it all, we have not been wasting time; we have been investing it. I heard the Lord say, “Your past obedience has led you to this moment and has created supply for your future. This is the time to go beyond. The glory on the path ahead is the fruit of past obedience now ready to be reaped. Past obedience has cast seeds ahead that have now blossomed into a harvest of supply. This will enable you to now advance with My purposes.”   Every act of obedience to Holy Spirit has mattered, creating access points for Him to enter our nation and appropriate His will. By His prompting and leading we anointed our borders and, in response, He anchored our nation to His original foreword. We buried arrowheads, and in response, He set things into motion to “spearhead another greater move” of His Spirit in our time. We prayed over our dams, power grids, and waterways, and in response, the Commander of the hosts of Heaven has sent angels on assignment, and they excel in strength to fulfill Yahweh’s purposes. We released a united shout, and in response, God is causing evil agendas to shatter and dismantle. Necessary actions have been and are being done. God’s plan is pushing forward. Our labor in the Lord has not been in vain.   Hell knows we are winning, though they try to convince us that we are falling behind. Through the voices of media personalities and others, evil narratives are desperately being propagated in an attempt to advance a deceptive version of America’s future. But the truth is that God’s original story remains, and He sees what is ahead. His plans for this nation – His Words and His promises – are forever settled.   On May 22, 2025, Holy Spirit dropped this statement into my spirit: “There’s a plot twist coming.” Though I understood what the words implied, I still did an online search to find a clear definition. I found this statement: “A plot twist is a surprising turn of events that changes the narrative’s trajectory,  that can leave the audience in awe, questioning everything they thought they knew about the story.” (1) I asked the Lord for more understanding, and heard Him say, “There is a twist in the plot that is coming—a plot twist. The story is about to take an unexpected turn. It will be a change that many never saw coming. I am turning things. Some believe their version of the story is written and cannot be changed. They gloat in their misguided belief that their agenda is secured, but the twist is coming…. The plot is about to change.”   In a quick vision, I once saw a page in a book being turned to the beginning of a new chapter. The next page looked blank, but suddenly words began to appear. I then heard the Lord say, “There’s another part of the story I have written that you know not of. I know the story! I wrote the story, and now what I have determined will come into view.”   Hell is not writing the story; God wrote the story. He knows how everything will turn out. He knows what is coming next. He’s the Author, and He has also committed Himself to be the Finisher of the story! He is declaring to His Ekklesia, “I have not forgotten what I’ve said. I haven’t forgotten My promises. Don’t you forget what I said. Don’t you  forget My promises. Trust Me. Not one word that I have spoken will fail!”   Pray with me: Father, You sit in the heavens and laugh as nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing (Psalm 2). From the foundations of the world, You have known and established Your plan of the ages. You are the Author of the story, and You know the end from the beginning. Though some may gloat and believe that their perverted version of America’s future is written and cannot be changed, the next chapter of the story YOU have written and declared is coming into view. The plot twist is about to be revealed, and the trajectory of their misguided narrative will be turned as it is confronted by the undeniable revelation of Your truth. You have the final say! As Your Ekklesia, Lord, we have obeyed and followed You into this “next chapter” of the story, and we continue to hold fast to Your covenantal promises. We look to You with confident expectation that all You have written and spoken will be fulfilled. Not one word You have spoken will fail, nor any promises be broken! You are the Author of the story, and will finish what You have started. Strengthen the intercessors. You said those who wait on You will run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. You said they will rise like eagles above the storm (Isaiah 40:31). You said we would go from strength to strength (Psalm 84:7). We receive this supernatural strength now, and receive the grace and glory You also promised in this Psalm (Psalm 84:11). All of this we pray in Yeshua’s name. Amen.   Our decree: We declare that God is the Author of the story, and not one word He has spoken will fail! Today’s post was contributed by our friend Gina Gholston. You can find out more about her at GinaGholston.com . Click on the link below to watch the full video.   https://bibisco.com/blog/what-is-a-plot-twist-use-and-examples-narrative

The “Life Month” Resolution We must and will remain diligent in our prayers regarding the war between Israel and Iran. We are praying for the defeat of evil, while also praying for mercy and protection to the Iranian and the Israeli people. God’s desire for the region is a great revival, for which I believe a free Iran can be a catalyst. I also feel we must be diligent to pray for protection here in America, as we know many terrorists came into our nation through Biden’s open borders. I believe prayer for this is urgent. We will pray over these things in just a few minutes.  However, I also have another very important matter to bring to your attention regarding the fight for life in America. The 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade did more to open the floodgates of evil in our nation than any other single event. It gave the principality of Baal, with its lust for violence and bloodshed, unprecedented influence in our nation. Personally, I believe the current level of violence and murder in our nation is directly linked to this. Jonah 2:8 tells us what happens when we reject the Lord and turn to idols:  “Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies” (New Living Translation). The Living Bible offers the following poignant translation of this verse:  “Those who worship false gods have turned their backs on all the mercies waiting for them from the Lord!” When this evil verdict was rendered in 1973, America’s government chose death over life and servitude to Baal over the mercies of God. This heinous ruling was finally overturned on June 24, 2022. The verdict did not eliminate abortion in America, but did remove it as a national law and decree, allowing the states to decide on the issue. Consequently, the fruit of this bloodshed is not visited on the entire nation, but on the states and individuals who participate. Several states have taken strong actions to eliminate abortion, while others fight to preserve this sacrifice of children to Baal and his partner, Molech. We are now being given another strategy with which to further defeat this evil in America. On June 5, Senator Ted Cruz introduced the “Life Month Resolution” on the floor of the U.S. Senate, along with Congressman Chris Smith leading the charge in the House. This resolution is a formal and public declaration that would designate the month of June, the month in which Roe v. Wade was overturned, as Life Month.  It has not yet been voted on, nor has a date been set for a vote. You can see the entire resolution   here . Senator Cruz says that the resolution would: Designate a “Life Month” annually; Recognize that every human life is a sacred gift from God, possessing inherent dignity and worth; Reaffirm the fundamental truth recognized in the Declaration of Independence that life is an unalienable right; Commend individuals, parents, families, faith-based organizations, and communities who work to promote a culture of life; and Urge policymakers to defend the sanctity of human life by enacting laws that protect the unborn and provide resources to empower women and families to choose life. (1) It is hard to overstate the power of a Holy Spirit-led declaration (Job 22:28). Death and life are indeed in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). One of the ways we release the power of Holy Spirit dwelling within us is through declaring His words. Jesus demonstrated this when he was tempted by satan; He used the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), stating repeatedly, “It is written…” Imagine the power released if millions of Americans decreed and celebrated “Life!” over America every year throughout the month of June, rather than decreeing pride. It would be more than symbolic; it would be another blow to the diabolical stronghold of death in our nation.  How to Take Action We need your help. We are asking everyone to:  Contact your own Representative in the House Contact your two U.S. Senators When you reach out, make these two clear requests: You want your Senator and Representatives to co-sponsor the “Life Month Resolution” As a constituent, you are urging Congress leadership to bring the resolution to the floor for a vote. Citizens For Life has prepared everything you need to help spread the word! Email templates, talking points, scripts, and tools to contact your Representatives and Senators can be found here: Operation Life Month Tools . Another easy way to obtain all the needed information directly is to text the word “LIFE”  to 59090.  This is the time to be bold and take a stand. This is the time to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. This is the time to declare LIFE over our nation. Let’s make history together. Pray with me: Father, we are peeling back layers of death and destruction in our nation. We have idolized pleasure, convenience, and ourselves; in doing so, we have forfeited Your mercies. Over sixty million babies have been sacrificed, anger and violence are prevalent in our land, and “truth has fallen in the street”(  Isaiah 59:14). Our rebellion has given way to insanity – we not only kill the unborn, we now mutilate the born.  You are helping us reverse these curses and position ourselves for the healing of our land. In Your famous promise, You did NOT say if “sinners” or “unbelievers” would humble themselves and pray… You said if we, Your people, met these and the other qualifications, You would heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Your people have and continue to do so. Now we ask You for more healing. Deliver us from our pride, rebellion, and confusion; restore life to us. Move on the hearts of thousands, perhaps millions, of people to contact their legislators. It is such an easy way to make a difference. Give wisdom and a perfect strategy to those involved in passing this resolution. Give us the ratification of this legal decree in our nation, proclaiming the sanctity of life. And by faith, we now begin calling the month of June  “Life Month.” Also, today, we ask for supernatural help in defeating the evil in Iran. Remove wicked and oppressive rulers there, and free the people to live lives of liberty and justice. Send an earthshaking revival to that nation and cause it to spread to all of the Middle East. Turn the tables on the principality You referred to as “the prince of Persia” (Daniel 10:13, 20). You did so in Persia when Haman tried to resist You and destroy the Jews (the Book of Esther), and again in Daniel’s day when this spirit endeavored to stop the restoration of Israel (Daniel 10). Now we ask You to do it again. We ask for a complete dismantling of this principality’s rule and influence in the region. As Your voice on earth, we declare the people of Iran to be free from his control, in the name of Jesus. We also ask for protection here in America. We know that individuals with evil intent entered our nation when the borders were open. We ask You to expose them, along with every plan they have developed to harm our nation and its citizens. Give great skill and supernatural help to those responsible for discovering those plans. We ask all of these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that Jesus conquered death, and we will see the fruit of His victory in America. Click on the link below to watch the full video. Life Month Resolution

“You Did Not Seek This Moment. This Moment Sought You!” The war between Israel and Iran continues to rage. Israel has complete air superiority over Iran and is inflicting massive damage. Iran is sending rockets into Israel and has done some damage, but not enough to deter Israel in any way. The Western Journal  reports that “Israel said that its campaign to degrade Iran’s military infrastructure has scored a major victory by degrading its command infrastructure.  “‘The Israeli Defense Forces say they have killed the chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s armed forces. Ali Shadmani had only been in the position for a few days. He was appointed after his predecessor was killed by the Israeli military just days earlier,’  journalist Yashar Ali posted on X. “Shadmani was in charge of Iran’s military emergency command for about four days, according to the Times of Israel .” (1) I would not imagine that Iranians are currently waiting in line for an opportunity at a leadership position.  America’s Role As the battle intensifies, there is great speculation about what actions America will or will not take. I am receiving many questions from individuals wondering about this; others are asking how the war relates to the end times. With the rapid developments, it is challenging to write a post for the following day, as much could have transpired by the time it is released. Things are very fluid and changing continuously. At the time of this writing (Tuesday afternoon, 6/17), President Trump just concluded a meeting with his team in the Situation Room, and a considerable number of United States ships and planes are en route to the region. It is being asserted by almost all experts that in order to take out all of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, America will have to become involved. We are the only country with weapons that can go deep enough into the earth to destroy their underground system. And indeed, we are being told that U.S. strikes are on the table.  Even leaders of other nations are speculating as to America’s role.  The Western Journal reported that “President Donald Trump on Tuesday poured a scathing denunciation over allegations he was carrying an olive branch to Iran as Israel pummels Tehran. ‘I have not reached out to Iran for “Peace Talks” in any way, shape, or form,’ Trump posted on Truth Social . “‘This is just more HIGHLY FABRICATED, FAKE NEWS! If they want to talk, they know how to reach me. They should have taken the deal that was on the table – Would have saved a lot of lives!!!’ Trump wrote. Trump also castigated French President Emmanuel Macron for what Trump said was a leak to the media. “‘Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a “cease fire” between Israel and Iran. Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!’ Trump wrote on Truth Social .” (2) The Church’s Response What should our stance be regarding what is taking place? First, we trust in the Lord’s ability to rule over the nations. No part of this has taken Him by surprise, and He will never be overruled or outwitted. As we pray, fulfilling our responsibility, He will most certainly do His. I remain convinced that part of the fruit of this war will be the weakening of the ruling principality’s control over that region. This will lend itself to a great revival in the region. There is much work for the church to do here on earth - I do not believe this is the end, resulting in Christ’s return. Secondly, part of our praying must include wisdom for President Trump and those advising him, as well as for Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu. Believe in the fact that God has positioned in both America’s and Israel’s leadership those who need to be there at this time, just as Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, stated. He sent the following text to President Trump:  “Mr President, God spared you in Butler, PA, to be the most consequential President in a century—maybe ever. The decisions on your shoulders I would not want to be made by anyone else. You have many voices speaking to you, Sir, but there is only ONE voice that matters. HIS voice. I am your appointed servant in this land and am available for you, but I do not try to get in your presence often because I trust your instincts. No President in my lifetime has been in a position like yours. Not since Truman in 1945. I don’t reach out to persuade you. Only to encourage you. I believe you will hear from heaven, and that voice is far more important than mine or ANYONE else’s. You sent me to Israel to be your eyes, ears, and voice and to make sure our flag flies above our embassy. My job is to be the last one to leave. “I will not abandon this post. Our flag will NOT come down! You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU! It is my honor to serve you!” (3) Do not fear. Stay in faith, stay engaged, and stay in prayer. Let’s pray now.  Pray with me:  Father, in times of turmoil and upheaval around us, it is normal to feel stress and anxiety. Remind the body of Christ that we are not limited to “normal”; we are supernaturally empowered by Holy Spirit to walk in peace, a peace that is beyond human understanding (Philippians 4:7). Your Word tells us:  “Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell Him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.” (‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭TPT‬‬) We will walk in this peace, and we will remain confident in Your plan. We will also remember that You have all authority over the earth. You will not be ruled or controlled by evil rulers or by their followers. You have told us that a great revival and harvest are coming to the earth, including the Middle East. We believe this and call it forth now. We also call forth the dismantling of the stronghold maintained by “the prince of Persia.” We ask You to lead President Trump and his advisors, and also Prime Minister Netanyahu and his advisors. Give victory to the righteous, overthrow the evil, and have mercy upon the people of Israel and Iran. All of this we ask and declare in Jesus’ name. Our decree: We decree that our sovereign King, Jesus, is ruling over the situation in the Middle East. Click on the link below to watch the full video. WesternJournal.com WesternJournal.com TimesOfIsrael.com

Discerning the Times The spiritual war taking place in the heavens is very real. One of the most striking accounts of this is in the book of Daniel. Daniel had been interceding for the restoration of Israel from captivity (Daniel 9:1-19), and this was being opposed by demonic entities who were led by a principality called “the prince of Persia,” which is modern-day Iran (Daniel 10:10-21). Here is a portion of the passage:  “He [Gabriel] said to me, ‘O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia…’ Then he said, ‘Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come”’ (Daniel 10:11-13, 20 NASB).  Obviously, God could have pushed aside the demonic spirits without the angels’ help, and without Daniel‘s intercession, but He has chosen to work through humans here on earth. This passage is an amazing example of this. It is also an excellent example of the spiritual “wrestling” Paul described in Ephesians 6:12. Demons [as well as angels] don’t die. The “prince of Persia” is still alive, as are the archangels Gabriel and Michael. This evil principality over Persia/Iran influences nations and individuals to oppose Israel today, just as it did in Daniel‘s time. The spiritual warfare is real. One of satan’s and his cohorts’ primary goals is always to deceive and blind individuals to the truth. This principality is undoubtedly actively orchestrating an opposition to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the region, as well as working to blind individuals to the truth. He instills hatred, oppresses people, and persecutes the church, in keeping with satan‘s nature of stealing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10).  Therefore, war in the Middle East today is both physical and spiritual in nature. As Israel fights the fruit of this spirit’s stronghold using natural weapons, our spiritual warfare must also be part of its defeat, just as it was in Daniel‘s time. God intends to break the back of this spirit’s rule over the region, freeing millions of people to see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as freeing them from their horrible oppression. Stay strong and keep praying.  The G7 Summit G7 stands for the “Group of Seven.” The seven member nations it refers to are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Other non-member nations are typically invited to attend. They are currently meeting in Alberta, Canada. Though the number of members has changed over the years, this is the 51st meeting of the “Summit.” This year‘s meeting is expected to be tense, as Trump walked out of the meeting in 2018. At this gathering, much discussion will take place regarding the complex issues around the world. We are a little late in praying for this important gathering, but with all the critical situations the world is currently facing, we should still do so.  The Violence In America Some organizations continue to stir up violence in America. Some of the “No King” rallies over the weekend turned violent, as many predicted. There is an increasing willingness among some in our nation to further their agendas through violence and unrest. The goal is to intimidate and silence the majority of peaceful Americans. Fox News recently reported that in 2017, the number of threats toward congressional lawmakers was 3,939, and has continued to rise. Last year, 2024, the number of threats was a staggering 9,474.(1) America’s turning away from God and resulting moral decline has produced a large segment in our nation who are lawless, many of them violent. We are now reaping the fruit of this in a horrific way. The answer to this cannot be simply through laws and programs. The root of the problem is spiritual. As I have said numerous times, revival – the salvation of millions of Americans – will bring about the necessary change at a heart level. This is America’s only hope, but it is a valid, biblically based hope, rooted in God’s will and promise that America shall be saved.  In the 1960s, violence and rioting were preludes to the Charismatic and Jesus People movements. God used the unrest, disillusionment, fear, and desire for change to prepare hearts for His answer. The same thing is currently happening today.  Baptisms on Pentecost Sunday “Over 28,000 people were baptized at hundreds of gatherings across the United States on Pentecost Sunday as part of a nationwide revival event. “In partnership with Baptize America , over 600 churches hosted more than 1,000 separate events where people professed their faith in Jesus and were baptized. “Mark Francey, pastor at Oceans Church of California and the man behind Baptize America, told The Christian Post  that his inspiration for the event ‘burst out of a time of prayer I was having with Jesus a couple of years ago, when I had an open vision.’ “Francey saw Pirate's Cove in California as the starting point, ‘and this progression, from Southern California to all of California, to America, and the ends of the earth. "’I heard that small still voice, which many Christians are familiar with, just placing these really clear thoughts in my heart,’ he recounted. ‘The key moment was when His voice said to do it on the day of Pentecost. That's when the church was born. "’It felt like He wanted to make Pentecost Sunday a day when the Christian world would truly celebrate, and maybe even the lost world would know that this is a day they can walk into a church and get baptized anywhere.’”(2) Let’s continue to pray for the increase of revival fires in America. Pray with me: Father, we are watching incredible history being made before our very eyes in the Middle East. As the war takes place in the natural realm, use us to do our part in the spiritual realm. We take the weapons of our warfare You have given us (2 Corinthians 10:3-5), and declare that Jesus broke the authority of the “prince of Persia” over the Middle East. As Christ’s Ekklesia, we release the power of Holy Spirit through our prayers to hover over that region, bringing freedom in both the natural and spiritual realms. We ask You, Father, for millions of salvations in that part of the world. Let the revival be unprecedented.  We also ask for a continuing release of spiritual power in our nation to bring forth the salvation of millions. Break the back of strongholds of violence and hatred, replacing them with love and kindness. We thank You for what is already taking place, now we ask that the disillusionment and hunger for change cause many more people to turn to Jesus. You said, “America shall be saved,” and we will accept nothing less. And we pray regarding the G7 Summit of international leaders, which is taking place in Canada. We ask You to bring forth Your will and purposes in this gathering, and keep the strategies of the enemy from succeeding. We bind the plans of the evil one and release Your Kingdom plans and will, in Jesus' name. Give President Trump and other leaders wisdom to make sound and righteous decisions. All of these things we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Our decree: We decree that the demonic strongholds in the Middle East have been overcome by the blood of Jesus, and this victory is and will continue to manifest! Click on the link below to watch the full video. Fox News TV Network, June 16, 2025.  https://www.christianpost.com/news/over-28000-baptized-during-nationwide-pentecost-sunday-event.html

Celebrating 250 Years John Quincy Adams, son of John and Abigail Adams, was a brilliant man. As a teenager, He actually served as a U.S. diplomat! At the age of 14, in 1794, he was appointed as a secretary to his father, John Adams, who was then serving as the U.S. Minister to the Netherlands (and later became the second President of the United States). During this time, the younger Adams gained valuable diplomatic experience by traveling to Europe and observing international diplomacy firsthand. Three years later, at age 17, Adams was appointed as a U.S. diplomat to the Netherlands, making him one of the youngest individuals to serve in such a capacity. His early exposure to diplomacy and international affairs helped shape his future career as a prominent statesman, diplomat, and eventually the sixth President of the United States. Adams made some profound statements regarding America’s purpose and destiny. He once stated, “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this–it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the precepts of Christianity.”(1) Adams didn’t seem to share the liberal doctrine of separating God and government. (Nor did our Founders!) Later in life, in 1837 at the age of 69, Adam took his belief in America’s God-given destiny to a new level. While delivering a Fourth of July speech at Newburyport, Massachusetts, Adams said: “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day (the Fourth of July)? Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer’s mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?”(2) Do not be intimidated by lying revisionists when they attempt to deny America’s God-given birth. Don’t be moved by ridiculous accusations against patriotism and love of country, and do not accept the ludicrous argument that God would never raise up a nation for the primary purpose of trumpeting the gospel. Flag Day Saturday was Flag Day in the United States, celebrated on June 14th each year to commemorate the adoption of the American flag. We flew ours proudly (though we do so every day); I hope you did too. The flag has played a significant role throughout American history, flying proudly during times of war, strife, and triumph. It is a symbol that unites Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs, representing the shared ideals and aspirations of the nation. The Stars and Stripes remind us of the values and principles the nation was founded upon, including liberty, justice, and equality for all. Saturday was also the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. Seen as an opportunity to bolster enlistment in America’s Armed Forces, which suffered four catastrophic years under Biden‘s tenure, the President hosted a parade in Washington, D.C. showcasing much of America’s military history and strength. It also included moving stories, videos, songs, a swearing-in of new soldiers, flyovers, paratroopers, and an incredible fireworks display. I was moved to tears more than once. The Left called this a waste of money, accusing Trump of actually conducting the event to call attention to his birthday. Rather than celebration, they called for protests across the country. But the anniversary event was anything but about President Trump. (Although I must say that given Trump’s destiny, it is more than amazing that God providentially determined his birth to be on Flag Day, and the birthday of the United States Army!). Minnesota’s Devastation On a sad note, the assassination of Minnesota’s Speaker of the House, Melissa Hortman and her husband exemplified the demonically inspired violence and anger that has been stirred up in our nation. Another member of the Minnesota legislature and his wife were also targeted and critically injured, but not killed (at the time of this writing, they are still alive). It seems increasingly likely that the shootings occurred because of the legislators’ votes to end free healthcare for illegal aliens in Minnesota. We have been emphasizing the need to pray against this violence and hatred, and will continue to do so. Israel and Iran And of course, Israel has now attacked Iran, deciding they could wait no longer to end Iran’s efforts to produce nuclear weapons. In a very effective assault which has been meticulously planned for several years – in the event that it became necessary – Israel has dealt a severe blow to Iran‘s nuclear capabilities, and taken out much of the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran, of course, has retaliated, and the battle is now raging in the Middle East. Israel will prevail. I have been saying for months that God was about to end the dominance of the evil spirit spoken of as the Prince of Persia in Daniel 10:20. (Ancient Persia is modern-day Iran.) This principality has been one of the ruling forces in that part of the world for millennia, fomenting violence and blinding the eyes of people to the gospel. This reign of evil is ending, and will give way to a tremendous harvest coming to the Middle East. Don’t equate most of the people of Iran with the radical regime that has been ruling it. They do not like the radical rule that exists there, and missiologists have been saying for a few years that Iran is already leading the world in conversions to Christ. Let’s pray that this becomes one of the greatest revivals in history. And finally, I invite you to watch the moving video of Johnny Cash sharing the “Ragged Old Flag.” Fox presented this short video ahead of “SuperBowl LVII; A Tribute to America.” You can search for it on YouTube or click this link . It is very moving; I think you’ll enjoy it. Pray with me: Father, today we recommit to Your great cause of creating a family for Yourself. We know this is why humans were created. As many of us sang in Sunday School, “Red, yellow, black and white, they are precious in [Your] sight.” All people in the world are loved equally by You. In the context of this great cause, we American believers recommit ourselves to the primary purpose for which You formed our nation. Restore us fully to this destiny. May the emerging revival create the greatest passion ever experienced in America to sound forth Your good news! May this cause become a holy obsession, a consuming passion, the zeal of Yeshua Himself! Let nothing stop this! We also ask that the stronghold of violence be broken off our land. We pray for our brothers and sisters around the world. They, too, share the great commission of harvesting people for You and discipling nations. Give them revivals of unprecedented proportions. We pray especially for the Middle East: we ask that You end the conflict quickly, remove the influence of the Prince of Persia, and send an earth-shaking revival to Iran and the entire Middle East. All of this we ask with confidence and in Jesus' name. Amen. Our decree: The gospel will go forth from these shores, not only to this land, but to all the nations of the earth. (Decreed by Robert Hunt at Cape Henry, 1607) Click on the link below to watch the full video. https://www.times-news.com/writer-got-it-right-with-adams-quote/article_46463f6f-c125-5b76-aed3-f1ca033b71e7.html   Ibid.

The Importance of Hearing Clearly In a time of prayer a few years back, the Lord asked me a question. Now, when the Lord asks a question, it’s probably not because He needs help with the answer! He asks us a question because He wants us to think about it, so HE can give US the answer. The question was, “Who will shape the next great awakening in America?” I knew that “shaping” it meant determining its values and emphases. He steered my thinking to the last great revival that impacted all of America, the Charismatic and Jesus People movements. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit had a profound impact, not only in America, but throughout much of the earth. As I pondered this revival, I realized that only ten or twelve ministry organizations (sometimes individuals) shaped the entire movement. The Lord used them in significant ways, and much of what they did was good: millions of people were born again, worship went to wonderful new expressions and levels, the teaching gift was restored to the church, a love for God‘s Word exploded, Bible schools sprang up, thousands of churches were planted, and more. However, not all of the fruit was good. As is true with all of us, weaknesses and flaws existed in these influencers and shapers. Every movement or organization led by humans, which would be all of them, has weaknesses and deficiencies. We are all in the process of being conformed into Christ’s image from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18); no one has reached perfection. And unfortunately, we all pass on some of these weaknesses and deficiencies. Also, the Ephesians 4:11 gifts of apostle and prophet had not yet been fully restored to the church. This obviously meant that the strengths provided by these two ministry gifts were not significant parts of the revival. Only the anointings, motivations, and strengths of evangelists, pastors, and teachers were shaping it. Consequently, the body of Christ focused on the Great Commission of Mark 16:15-20 (getting people saved, baptized, delivered, healed, etc.) but had very little understanding of Matthew 28:18-20 (discipling nations). Churches functioned as houses of worship, fellowships, teaching centers, and pastoral care centers, but there were very few Ekklesias – congregations using their God-given authority to impact cities and nations for the Kingdom of God. Caring for people, the sheep, was prioritized over training them for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). The primary goals were to have happy sheep and grow the local churches, rather than extending the Kingdom of God. Also, grace and love were often prioritized over truth. The teaching gift was restored, but was primarily geared toward aiding individuals in their personal lives. Sound doctrine was often ignored. This led to Christians being “blown about by every wind of doctrine, the trickery of men, and the cunning craftiness” of satan (Ephesians 4:14). The ultimate result? Heresy, deception, and unbiblical beliefs now permeate the body of Christ. Numerous other weaknesses could be mentioned, but that is not my purpose for today’s post. I mention them only to give context for thinking about “shaping” the coming outpouring of Holy Spirit. If we, the church, have truly grown in our understanding of God‘s Word and ways, and hopefully we have, we should be able to steward this coming revival more effectively than the previous one, producing greater fruit. Yesterday, I was in another city meeting with several apostolic and prophetic leaders to discuss these matters. We had open and honest dialogue about where we stand as a movement, how we can maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses, and what the next steps should be. Those of us who met together are not members of an organization. We are all autonomous leaders with mutual respect for one another, and who want to steward well what God is doing. We were NOT trying to create or organize what He is doing - that is a great way to end it - but were seeking wisdom from the Lord and one another regarding how to wisely steward what is coming. We looked back with honesty, in order to look forward with greater accuracy and wisdom. Please pray for leaders in the church. Ask God to give them wisdom and revelation. Pray that those God has entrusted with influence in the body of Christ hear from Him clearly at this time. Pray that they operate with pure hearts and motives to further God’s Kingdom purposes, not build their own ministries, churches, and organizations. If ever the body of Christ needed wise, selfless, and discerning leaders, this is certainly one of those times. The following verses come to mind: “Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility, put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.” ‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭TPT‬‬) What an amazing injunction! Thank you in advance for your prayers that leaders in our day will rise to this. And let’s also pray together now. Pray with me: Father, it must be acknowledged that most of the deficiencies in the body of Christ are the fault of her leaders, not the members in general. We leaders teach, cast vision, and lead by example. Through these actions, we mold and shape Your people. Please forgive us for the weaknesses we have passed on, and for not maturing Your people as we should have. We ask that You raise up and promote leaders who will walk in humility, promoting You, Father, rather than themselves. Give us leaders who are Kingdom-minded, not those bent on building their own ministries and names. We ask that they be men and women who hear Your voice, know Your ways, and are wise. Give us fathers and mothers with Your heart for sons and daughters, leaders who will give of themselves to the generation being raised up. Please give those who consult together deep insight and clear words from You. Provide understanding of what is needed to facilitate, steward, and shape the growing revival well. Give a level of wisdom that will truly be able to harvest and disciple nations, according to Your command in Matthew 28. We ask for these things in Yeshua’s name. Amen. Our decree: We declare that the harvest of the ages is upon us, and will be reaped and stewarded well by the body of Christ. Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Praying Against Violence In America President Trump is currently being accused of opposing immigration and violating people’s rights as he and ICE deport illegal aliens from America. Listen to the following presidential quote: "Americans, not only in the States most heavily affected, but in every place in this country, are rightly disturbed by the large numbers of illegal aliens entering our country. The jobs they hold might otherwise be held by citizens or legal immigrants. The public service they use impose burdens on our taxpayers. That's why our administration has moved aggressively to secure our borders more by hiring a record number of new border guards, by deporting twice as many criminal aliens as ever before, by cracking down on illegal hiring, and by barring welfare benefits to illegal aliens. In the budget I will present to you, we will try to do more to speed the deportation of illegal aliens who are arrested for crimes, to better identify illegal aliens in the workplace, as recommended by the commission headed by former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. We are a nation of immigrants. But we are also a nation of laws. It is wrong and ultimately self-defeating for a nation of immigrants to permit the kind of abuse of our immigration laws we have seen in recent years, and we must do more to stop it." (1) It may surprise you to hear that Trump did not make this statement! It is a quote from President Clinton’s 1995 State of the Union address. “At the time, illegal immigration to the United States had reached epidemic proportions, and every day Americans were crying out about lost jobs and increased burdens on taxpayers due to the rise in illegal immigration…As the debate raged on, President Clinton, nearing the end of his first term, had to respond. In his 1995 State of the Union address, he told both Congress and the nation that he heard them. His administration was going to move aggressively to secure the border and deport ‘criminal aliens’ faster than ever before. This was a move that was opposed by many liberals, except for a few courageous liberals like Representative Barbara Jordan of Texas, who raised the issue of mass immigration and falling wages.” (2) It may also surprise you to know that during Barack Obama's two terms in office, from 2009 to 2017, approximately 3.1 million noncitizens were formally removed from the United States. (3) This number is based on data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal years 2009 to 2016. This still ranks as the highest number of deportations by any administration. My, how things change. Anything Trump supports, the Left in America is against. Perhaps his greatest mistake regarding immigration may have been not coming out strongly in favor of illegal immigration. The Left would have immediately begun promoting deportation at a furious pace! The obvious fact of the matter is that President Trump did not create our current immigration problem. President Biden, Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas, and other liberal politicians created it by allowing 15-20 million illegal aliens to unlawfully enter our nation. Blaming Trump for taking steps to fix it – with the majority of Americans behind him, I might add – is like a person waking up after surgery and raging against the doctor for cutting him. The average American sees through the nonsense being trumpeted by the Left and understands that the riots in Los Angeles and elsewhere are being staged, orchestrated, and funded by anti-American organizations (this is a proven fact). Trump is now being accused of using the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army this upcoming Saturday, June 14, to celebrate his own birthday, filling the streets with tanks and military equipment as another step in his attempt to end democracy in America and become its dictator. Trump Derangement Syndrome [TDS] is becoming a more plausible explanation for the insanity every day. And fueling it is the tactic used by propagandists down through history and articulated by Hitler in his book, Mein Kampf. He wrote that the public will "more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one." (4) Sadly, this is often true. Protests are being planned across America this upcoming Saturday to oppose this [said] “birthday/coronation” of Trump becoming king. No doubt, many on the Left are hoping for more riots and violence. At the very least, they hope to spread the TDS virus. (Hopefully, those attending will wear their masks and follow the 6-foot rule.) While using sarcasm to make my point, the violence, looting, and destruction are no laughing matter. Just as occurred in 2020, people, including law enforcement individuals, will be harmed if this continues. We must continue to pray against the hatred and violence that demonic forces are trying to propagate in our nation. As a Give Him 15 family, we have prayed over our borders and waterways, now let’s pray against the rioting in our cities. Friday, one day in advance of the anti-Trump rallies, many believers will be going to the locations where they will occur in order to peacefully pray against violence and destruction. They will also pray for the salvation of all Americans, and anything else Holy Spirit leads them to cover. What a wonderful idea. Consider joining with others and praying at these locations. One such organization planning several of these prayer gatherings is NoKingButJesus.us . Let’s pray about all of this now. Pray with me: Father, we are very aware of demonic plans to oppose Your desires for America. We will not be caught off guard, we will not lose by default, and we will not make the mistake of assuming our battle is with flesh and blood. Though people are being used to foment violence, demonic forces are behind it. We are hearing and responding to Your strategy to pray against it in advance, before these gatherings even take place. We also continue to pray against violence and riots taking place in major cities across America. We bind the demonic forces in Jesus' name, and ask You to please supernaturally bring about an end to these actions. Please expose lies, corruption, and evil agendas. We ask You to give our national and local leaders wisdom as they deal with situations. Anoint them to bring forth the appropriate words and messages, and implement the right strategies. Tomorrow, as believers across our nation pray against the violence, give them wisdom and grant their appeals. Release Your mercy to our nation and heal our land. Give breakthrough after breakthrough, victory after victory. We stand on your promise in Deuteronomy 28:7: “The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.”  Scatter the perpetrators of violence in our nation, and the evil forces influencing them. In Christ’s name we pray, amen. Our decree: We decree that God is rising in America and His enemies are being scattered. Click on the link today to watch the full video. https://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2017/11/1995-bill-clinton-illegal-immigration.html Ibid. Yahoo.com/news https://libquotes.com/adolf-hitler/quote/lbv8k4k#google_vignette

Bartimaeus: Tenacious Persistence “When Jesus and His disciples had passed through Jericho, a large crowd joined them. Upon leaving the village, they met a blind beggar sitting on the side of the road named [Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus]. When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth was passing by, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me now in my affliction. Heal me!’  “Those in the crowd were indignant and scolded him for making so much of a disturbance, but he kept shouting with all his might, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me now and heal me!’  “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they went to the blind man and said, “Have courage! Get up! Jesus is calling for you!” So he threw off his beggar’s cloak, jumped up, and made his way to Jesus.  “Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’  “The man replied, ‘My Master, please, let me see again!’ “Jesus responded, ‘Your faith heals you. Go in peace, with your sight restored.’ All at once, the man’s eyes opened and he could see again, and he began at once to follow Jesus, walking down the road with Him.”  ‭‭(Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭46‬-‭52‬ ‭TPT‬‬) Mark gives us this account of an incident that occurred in Jericho, approximately fourteen miles from Jerusalem. As Jesus was leaving the city, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by and cried out for healing. Matthew’s account (Matthew 20:29-34) includes the fact that there were two blind beggars there together, and Jesus healed both of them. Bartimaeus seemed to be the spokesman for the two.  If we dig a little deeper, we discover that Bartimaeus isn’t really his name – it just means “son of Timaeus.” “He was just ‘someone’s son’, an identity put on him by others that spoke nothing of his significance as an individual, unique person. He was just Bartimaeus the beggar – the man with no name.” (1) Interestingly, Bartimaeus calls Jesus the “Son of David.” “This was an explicit declaration of Jesus as the Messiah. It affirmed Bartimaeus’ belief in God’s covenantal promise to David in 2 Samuel 7, a promise that his son would be given an eternal throne.” “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever.”  (2 Samuel 7:12-13) This belief is confirmed when he refers to Jesus as “Rabboni” in verse 51. Some translations simply say “Rabbi,” but the accurate rendering is “Rabboni.” This form of the word does not simply mean teacher or master, but “my Master,” as the Passion Translation makes clear. Bartimaeus had heard enough about this man to convince him that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah. His Messiah and Master! I love Bartimaeus’ tenacious persistence. He was shouting, crying out to get Jesus’ attention, so much so that the multitudes around him were annoyed. “Stop it,” they said, “you are being a nuisance.” But Bartimaeus would have none of it. This was his chance to see again, and he wasn’t about to let it go by. He kept shouting with all of his might, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” (v. 48) At the right time and place, God is okay with intensity. He appreciates passion. We have all probably seen and heard exhibitionists seeking attention, interrupting church services, etc. Holy Spirit does not appreciate attention seekers. But He does appreciate sincere passion, loves exuberant worship, and is just fine with intense intercession. “John G. Lake, a missionary to South Africa in the first half of the last century, tells the story of a fever epidemic that struck a portion of South Africa. The devastation was such that in one month, a fourth of the entire population of that region died. There were not enough caskets to meet the need, and people were being buried in blankets, so great was the devastation. “Lake tells of a powerful intercessor who began to pray. For days, all day long and into the night, he stationed himself under a tree and prayed against the plague. Several times, Lake asked the man, ‘Are you breaking through?’ “He would reply, ‘Not yet.’ But one day he said to Lake, ‘I feel today that if I had just a little help in faith my spirit would break through.’ Lake got on his knees and joined the man in prayer. What happened next is amazing. Here it is in Lake’s own words: ‘As we prayed, the Spirit of the Lord overwhelmed our souls and presently I found myself, not kneeling under the tree, but moving gradually away from the tree. . . . I opened my eyes and witnessed such a scene as I had never witnessed before—a multitude of demons like a flock of sheep! The Spirit had come upon the intercessor also; he saw them as well and rushed ahead of me, cursing that army of demons. They were driven back to hell, or the place from whence they came. Beloved, the next morning when we awoke, that epidemic of fever was gone. (2)      I realize many would shrink from such action in prayer—running and shouting at the enemy. There is, however, a time for such spiritual intensity. More than once, I have found myself shouting at spiritual powers or mountains of adversity while in intercession. In Scripture, Zerubbabel shouted grace to a mountain (see Zechariah 4:7). Israel shouted at Jericho (see Joshua 6:16). Gideon’s army shouted before the battle (see Judges 7:20). Jesus shouted on the Cross (see Matthew 27:50). It is okay to be intense at times in worship or prayer. There was one more significant act done by Bartimaeus. When Jesus summoned him, Bartimaeus took off his cloak, threw it aside, and was led to Jesus. What is the significance of that? Why would Mark’s gospel be so careful as to include it? This cloak Bartimaeus was wearing was most likely a government-issued coat that provided legitimacy to beggars, similar to a license for them to beg and collect alms. (3) When Bartimaeus heard that the Master had stopped and was calling for him, he knew his life was about to change. He would no longer need his beggar coat; he was about to get a new identity. And how! He was healed and began following Jesus on the journey to Jerusalem. Perhaps you need to find a private place where you can release some intensity and passion in your intercession to the Master. You may even do so with a friend or two. No, volume itself does not guarantee victory, but at times, the faith and authority in your heart need a strong release. When this is the case, let it out. Pray with me: Father, religion, social etiquette, and sometimes those around us try to dampen our zeal. It seems that we’re allowed to be emotional about everything but our relationship with You. But You showed us in Scripture that it’s okay to, at times, cry out to You passionately, and even to shout at demonic opposition. You were not annoyed in the least with the shouts of Bartimaeus.  We ask You to awaken passion in Your people. Put fire and zeal in us, the type of zeal that causes us to run toward giants, as David did (1 Samuel 17:48). Give us zeal like Jehu, who drove his chariot furiously to take out Jezebel (2 Kings 9:20). Give us passionate love, such as that possessed by Paul when he said the love of God “fuels our passion,” (2 Corinthians 5:14, TPT). He said Your love constrained or controlled him; he was its prisoner. Give us this type of passion for others’ salvation and deliverance, hearts that won’t let go. Give us the love, tenacity, and determination needed to cry out for our nation until the fires of revival blaze with unprecedented intensity. We are tired of lukewarm Christianity. We are tired of half-hearted worship and perfunctory prayers. Give us the zeal Christ possessed; consume us with His heart of love. We pray all of this in His name, amen. Our decree: We decree that we will cry out for our nation until the fires of revival blaze with unprecedented intensity. Click on the link below to watch the full video. https://thirst.sg/the-things-we-need-to-throw-away/   Gordon Lindsay, The New John G. Lake Sermons  (Dallas, TX: Christ for the Nations, Inc., 1979), pp. 29-30. https://thirst.sg/the-things-we-need-to-throw-away/

Things Are “Mostly” Okay While watching the news this morning, it struck me that many Americans, including myself, have been overreacting to the “mostly peaceful“ riots taking place in Los Angeles and being planned for other cities in America. This revelation helped me see that we have also been overreacting to other “mostly” situations, as well, adding unnecessary stress to our lives. My revelation could have been a result of the light from the “mostly peaceful” fires in the background, or the “mostly calm” demeanor of the news reporter as he dodged bricks. Whatever the reason, I am experiencing tremendous relief. The life-changing revelation I received was that “mostly” is good enough. Conservative Christians, for example, need to lighten up: believing most of Scripture is good enough; God was right most  of the time. And whoever said a little leaven leavens the whole lump had to be exaggerating; mostly  free from the leaven of sin is good enough. If most  of the apples in the barrel are good, the others won’t actually be spoiled. And a loaf of bread mostly  free of mold is fine; don’t overreact and throw out the whole loaf. Lawlessness in our nation is nothing to be concerned about. Obeying most  speed limits, stopping at most stop signs and red lights, and staying mostly  on your side of the yellow line is good enough. Most homes in America are safe; only a few have been taken over by squatters. Most items in our department stores are still there; people can only take up to $800 worth without paying. Quit worrying about it! The Biden White House was mostly  free of cocaine; there was only a bag or two here and there. Our elections are mostly  legal and fair; don’t be afraid. And by the way, most  of our presidents have been sane and alert. Don’t worry about one. And what about sports? There are mostly only women in women’s sports and locker rooms; only a few guys. No big deal. Regarding boxing matches,  mostly legal punches are good enough; only one or two below-the-belt shots shouldn’t hurt anything. And mostly  obeying rules on the basketball court, football field, and baseball diamond should be sufficient. Breaking the rules occasionally is to be expected when the competition heats up. Feeling better yet? Your life would be so much less stressful if you would settle for “mostly.” The lack of common sense in our nation presently is a bit staggering. As is sometimes said, “Common sense is not as common as it once was.” (1)  Some Supreme Court justices admittedly don’t know the difference between a man and a woman. (Remove the women on the Court and have only men, and you’ll be surprised how quickly they learn the difference.) It is now okay to groom small children for gender confusion and permanently neuter them. Two hundred billion dollars’ worth of waste and fraud in our government annually is no longer a big deal. That is billion, with a “B.” Paying hundreds of billions of dollars a year to Americans who don’t want to work is now okay. (The verse in the Bible [2 Thessalonians 3:10] that says if you don’t work, you don’t get to eat is no longer relevant today.) People who violate due process to come into America demand due process to be removed. Some politicians and judges agree. I’m concerned that many people in America may now be “mostly” crazy! Common sense is certainly not as common as it once was.  The good news is that most Americans are not buying this “mostly peaceful” nonsense. Also, some good news regarding this mess is that salvation – bringing God into a person’s life – restores common sense. His Word can even heal damaged brain cells. A young man I met at Bible College had “fried” his brain on drugs. After coming to Christ, he spent five to six hours each day reading God’s Word, and the power therein healed his damaged brain. When I met him shortly thereafter, he was brilliant and had regained his proficiency as a concert pianist. Granted, this is not the same thing as common sense. But the point is simply that when God comes into our hearts and minds, He enables us to think more clearly…and sanely. Revival, saving millions of people, will raise the level of common sense in our nation. Stay the course. Appeal to heaven for the Third Great Awakening.  “Toward the end of the nineteenth century, Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel awoke one morning to read his own obituary in the local newspaper. It stated: ‘Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who died yesterday, devised a way for more people to be killed in a war than ever before, and he died a very rich man.” “Actually, it was Alfred’s older brother who had died; a newspaper reporter had bungled the epitaph. “But the account had a profound effect on Nobel. He decided he wanted to be known for something other than developing the means to kill people efficiently and amassing a fortune in the process. So he initiated the Nobel Prize, the award for scientists and writers who foster peace. “Nobel said, ‘Every man ought to have the chance to correct his epitaph in midstream and write a new one.’” (2) Revival will rewrite our epitaph. Pray with me: Father, turning away from You not only defiles our spirits, but it damages our souls. You created us to know and follow You in every area of our lives. You alone bring knowledge into its right alignment and perspective. Forgive us in America for allowing demons and humanistic logic to shape our thinking, causing us to legitimize insanity. Please restore to us a right mind as a nation; help us rewrite our epitaph.  We pray for Your wisdom and understanding to be released in our government, our schools, and above all, our homes. Restore us back to being a nation that exalts Your truth above all else, Your ways above all others. Send a revival of love for Your Word and Your truth. Renew the mind of our nation. And we pray for Your peace and safety to come to our streets. We know that we have allowed spirits of murder, violence, and anarchy to be unleashed in our nation. We ask for Your cleansing and that we be delivered from these spirits; give protection to innocent people and their property. Protect our law enforcement agencies and other groups sent to protect. Deliver those who have been deceived into thinking the riots are just, that this is the best way to help those they feel are being oppressed. Give our leaders a wise strategy as they deal with all of this, and cause the plans of the wicked to fail. Release Your judgments on the efforts and funds of those who underwrite and foment the violence.  All of this we pray in the name of Yeshua. Amen.  Our decree: We decree that God will turn the current unrest around in our land and use it for good. Click on the link below to watch the full video. Author unknown Craig Brian Larson, Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching  (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993), p. 123.

Surprised By God’s Plan I did not foresee or plan Give Him 15; it was nowhere on my radar. When we began, I assigned a staff member to write a concise version, based on my messages and books, to which we added a short list of things to pray about. There was no video post or podcast. When I began writing them myself in 2020 – and expanded to the video versions as well – I only planned to do so for a few months, to help us get past the 2020 election debacle. I expected to then go back to the original concept. We set up a temporary, makeshift studio in a small bedroom, purchased a cheap camera and a couple of lights, and began the short-term project. Little did I know… The Lord obviously had other plans. The viewership exploded, and though I dragged my feet, I eventually acknowledged that God intended for the new version of Give Him 15 to continue. We scrambled, added employees, built a studio, purchased equipment, and I launched a new phase of my career.  Life changed radically for both Ceci and me. Everything revolves around the posts: time off, such as vacations, other speaking engagements, and even sleep. Along with other responsibilities, it usually takes me 6 to 8 hours a day to research, write, edit, and record each post. Ceci helps with research and editing. Five employees are involved in producing every post, and we hired another just to keep up with the correspondence. We have now been sharing the expanded Give Him 15 videos, posts, and podcasts for almost 5 years. Has it been worth it? 100%!  Those of you who have been with us for the past five years and have read or watched the posts daily, be encouraged. Over those years, you have read or listened to the equivalent of thirty-two (32), 200-page books, read or heard verses of Scripture referenced 13,000 times, and prayed nearly 1300 prayers, agreeing with tens of millions of believers around the world. You are growing in your understanding of prayer and God’s Word, and you are making a difference in the world. Perhaps the biggest surprise for me, and the primary reason for today’s post, has been that several million people in other nations read them and pray with us every day. The posts are translated (by nationals, not at our request) into Chinese, French, Indonesian, and Spanish – that we are aware of. When I was first told that 5-6 million people were reading it and praying with us each day in China, I was actually skeptical. “How would you know this, and why would they read them, since I focus primarily on America?” I asked.  “Because I am part of the process. I translate them and send them to China, where they are distributed to the underground church,” she replied. “They read them because the principles you teach from God’s Word are valid anywhere. And they pray with you for America because they know the importance of the U.S. as a voice for the gospel and a stronghold of freedom.”  I was stunned. Later, we learned about France, Indonesia, and Spanish-speaking nations. I am humbled beyond words that God is using Give Him 15 to mobilize this amount of prayer, encourage believers around the world, and teach them His ways. Thank you for joining us in other English-speaking nations, as well as China, Indonesia, France, Mexico, Central America, and everywhere else these posts are read. Thank you for your faithfulness to the cause of Christ, your prayers, and the price many of you pay to follow the Lord.  Though my calling is to America, my heart is for the world. I know that the passion Holy Spirit imparted to me for a Third Great Awakening in America is related to her calling to preach the gospel around the world. Spiritually speaking, America’s national destiny is to serve you in this way. For myself and millions of Americans, making America “great” again is linked to this calling, not wealth and power. We are connected to you in the spirit, part of one great family and Kingdom, serving the same King. I, along with millions of believers in America, love you dearly and honor you.  To think that this family began 2000 years ago in an upper room in Jerusalem with 120 people present is astounding. Jesus said we would expand from there to Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world (Acts 1:8), and here we are, millions and millions of us scattered throughout the entire world. Like leaven, His Kingdom is expanding to every tribe and tongue, and will continue to do so. It cannot be stopped, and the greatest expansion yet is imminent. Shalom to you today. We speak blessings and life to you.  “May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up His face upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). Pray with me: Father, we pray for our brothers and sisters around the world today. We ask that You bless and strengthen them, giving them peace even in the most difficult circumstances. Let them know that they are loved by distant family members they have never met. Encourage them to persevere and hold onto their faith. Give them wisdom and revelation of You and Your ways, and direction for their lives. Some of them will lay down their lives for You; we honor them and ask for great grace to be given them as they do so. Give them great grace and comfort their families. And we pray today for incredible outpourings of Holy Spirit in their nations and people. Save millions throughout the world. Give them great signs and wonders in order to heal the hurting and confirm the gospel. Raise up powerful ambassadors for You, giving them strong anointings and great revelation. May it be said of them as it was of our ancestors in the early church,  “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John…they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus”  (Acts 4:13).  In the name of the Lord Jesus our Savior, we pray. Amen. Our decree: “And they sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10). Click on the link below to watch the full video.

Is Spiritual Warfare Necessary? “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  (Ephesians 6:11-12) Yesterday , I shared on the subject of spiritual warfare. I want to continue the discussion today. Spiritual warfare is released in various ways. Worship can be a weapon against satan (Psalm 149), as are acts of love (Romans 12:20-21). Declaring God’s Word is certainly a weapon (Ephesians 6:17). Holy Spirit leads us regarding the manner in which we should release His power. In today’s post, my point is not so much how we wrestle, but that we wrestle!  The word “against” is used six times in Ephesians 6:11-12. The Greek word is pros , which is a strengthened form of pro. Pro  means “in front of,” (1)  either literally or figuratively (as in superior to). We use the concept today in the English word “professional,” or in its shortened form, “pro.” A pro athlete is one who is “in front of” or “superior to” others . The word pros  also has the connotation of stepping forward and facing toward something or someone. (2)  The symbolism in this Ephesians passage is of a wrestler stepping forward and facing his opponent. God is saying to us, “Step forward and face the powers of darkness.” Seizing and Securing Our Inheritance As we involve ourselves in spiritual warfare, it is imperative that we remember we are not trying to defeat the devil. He is already defeated. We are representing Christ and enforcing His victory at the Cross. We do not re-defeat, we re-present. Everything we do in our intercession and spiritual warfare is simply an extension of what Christ did through His redemption at Calvary. He crushed satan’s head, according to Genesis 3:15. The Hebrew word for “head” in this verse, rosh, is actually referring to headship or authority. (3) But what Christ accomplished, we must enforce  and lay hold of  using His authority. What He provided for us,  we must seize by faith, and sometimes our spiritual weapons. In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul told Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Timothy had already received eternal life, yet paradoxically, he was told to “take hold of” it.  Though it seems like a contradiction, you can own something and not have possession of it. The word translated as “take hold of” is epilambanomai and means “to seize.” (4)  Through Abraham, Israel had been “given” their inheritance by God (Genesis 12), yet they still had to “take possession” of it: “Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it”  (Joshua 1:11). Their “inheritance” was not yet their “possession.” And our inheritance through Christ does not automatically fall into our laps, either. We must “lay hold of/seize” it. Moffatt translates 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight in the good fight of the faith, secure that life eternal to which you were called.”  Wuest’s translation reads, “Take possession of the eternal life into a participation of which you were called…” As a nation seizes and secures territory in war, so must we seize  and secure  our inheritance in Christ. A Legal Breaking of Headship Many ask, “But why would spiritual warfare ever be necessary if Christ has already defeated satan and his demons? Didn’t Jesus take away his power? Not yet. Satan’s destruction wasn’t a literal one, but was, as we said, a legal breaking of his headship or authority. Nowhere does the Bible say Christ delivered us from satan’s power. It says He delivered us from his exousia —authority—or in other words, the right to use his power on us: “For He delivered us from the domain [exousia] of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13 “Behold, I have given you authority [exousia] to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power [dunamis] of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.” Luke 10:19 Power never was and never will be the issue in God’s dealings with satan. Authority was and is the issue. Satan still has the inherent powers and abilities he has always had. He  “prowls about like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8). And, contrary to what some teach, he still has his teeth. He still has “fiery darts” (Ephesians 6:16 KJV). If you don’t believe this, try going without your armor. What he lost at Calvary was the right (authority) to use  his power on those who make Jesus their Lord. However, as a thief and a lawbreaker, satan still attempts to use his power and abilities on those who don’t understand this. Understanding and releasing Christ’s authority is the issue, and the key to victory. When we move in Christ’s authority, Holy Spirit backs it up with His power.  This truth is well illustrated in the battle between Israel and Amalek in Exodus 17:8-13. In this famous passage, Moses went to the top of a hill with the staff of God in his hand (authority), while Joshua led the army on the battlefield below (power). As long as Moses held up the rod of God, Israel prevailed; when he lowered it, Amalek prevailed. The victory was not decided by the strength or power of Israel’s army. If this had been the case, they would not have faltered when the staff was lowered. Nor was it a morale thing—they weren’t watching Moses for inspiration while in hand-to-hand conflict! An unseen dynamic in the invisible realm actually decided the outcome on the battlefield. When the rod, representing the rule or authority of God, was lifted by the authorized leader of Israel, Joshua and the army prevailed. In other words, it was not power on the battlefield, though that was necessary, that was ultimately the deciding factor. It was the authority released on the mountain. Authority is the deciding factor when dealing with the spiritual forces of darkness, not power. Honoring and functioning in Christ’s authority will always release Holy Spirit’s immeasurable power. Pray with me: Satan is attempting to stir up increased violence in our nation. Let’s “resist” him (James 4:7) and “wrestle against” this (Ephesians 6:12) by declaring Psalm 140 together today: “Rescue me, Oh Lord, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars. They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah. “Keep me, Oh Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men who have purposed to trip up my feet. The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords. They have spread a net by the wayside; they have set snares for me. Selah. “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God; give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications. O God, the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted.’ Selah. “As for the head of those who surround me, may the mischief of their lips cover them. May burning coals fall upon them; may they be cast into the fire, into deep pits from which they cannot rise.  “May a slanderer not be established in the earth; may evil hunt the violent man speedily. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor. Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.” Today’s post was adapted from my book Intercessory Prayer , published by Baker Books.  Click on the link below to watch the full video. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Abridged  (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1985), p. 935.  James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 4314. Ibid., ref. no. 7218. Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament  (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1977), p. 240.