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

A Dream Regarding Protection Holy Spirit gave our friend, Gina Gholston, a dream Monday morning regarding our prayers for protection from terrorist attacks. Here is a portion of the dream. (You can find the entire dream at the end of today’s post.)  “I dreamed I was sitting at an outdoor table, having dinner with some pastors and church leaders…As we were eating and talking, something came down from the sky, tightly gripped my shoulders, lifted me up, and began carrying me to another location. I wasn’t scared or startled by this. It felt important, and I knew I needed to be alert and attentive.    “It carried me to what looked like the Hoover Dam. As I hovered over this location, I looked down and could see people walking around at the base of the dam. They were dressed in solid black jumpsuits, and each of them held a black AK-47 and had a weapon strapped to their leg. Covering their heads was a rubber mask that looked like the head of a growling gray wolf. [Wolves symbolize a range of qualities. Different cultures hold varying interpretations, with some viewing wolves as symbols of danger or evil, as in the phrase “lone wolf,” used to refer to terrorists.]   “Next to them, I noticed a large wooden barrel, like a wooden slat wine barrel. I somehow knew this barrel was a large “powder keg” filled with very potent explosives. I also knew it had been set to detonate.    “On top of the dam, I could see more people walking around. However, I knew these people were intercessors, and they were there on assignment, praying specifically over the dams and the waterways.    “As I was hovering above the scene, I suddenly saw a huge white sheet come floating down. The sheet covered the wooden barrel filled with explosives just as it was detonated. Though powerful and very loud, the explosion was held within the sheet, and no damage was done. I looked around, and the people in the black jumpsuits were gone. The intercessors continued to pray, unmoved and unshaken by the blast. I’m not sure they were even aware it had happened.” Dutch’s Comments The dream continued, and Gina was carried to several more locations where the same scenario was observed: masked people dressed in black, carrying weapons, the barrel of explosives, intercessors, and a white sheet protecting the places and people from the blasts. The other locations where she was carried included a subway transit station, a large church building, an electrical power station, a train station, and a port/shipping yard. After being taken to each of these places and observing the scenes, Gina was returned to dinner with the leaders. She concludes her account of the dream by saying: “One of the leaders asked, ‘Where did you go?’   “I said, ‘I have seen things that we need to know. Intercessors are alert, positioned, and doing their part; their prayers are working! We need to know what is happening! Intercessors and angels are on assignment, covering the nations, but we need to be alert about what is happening.’   “I then looked at one of the leaders and said, ‘We need to tell Dutch and Ceci what is happening!’   “Then in the dream, Chuck Pierce walked up beside me, and stated, ‘The Lord let you see what is happening, and this is how it will be. No weapon formed will prosper . . . IF we’ll pray. And no weapon  yet to be  formed will prosper . . . IF we’ll pray.’   “I said, ‘We are praying.’   “Chuck replied, ‘Then, no weapon formed will prosper, and no weapon yet to be formed will prosper.’ (End of dream.) The meaning of the dream is clear, and I’m sure the part about telling Ceci and me was so that we could inform you. The Lord wants to encourage intercessors that what they have prayed is accomplishing its goal. Prayer “coverings” are in place. Attacks meant to steal, kill, and destroy are being thwarted through our appeals to heaven. Well done!  He is also saying that we must continue to be diligent in praying, sustaining the prayer coverings we have created.  What is built by prayer must be sustained by prayer. Chuck’s word is significant: “No weapon formed will prosper, and no weapon YET TO BE FORMED will prosper… if we pray” (referring to Isaiah 54:17). We have…and we will.  The Upcoming Healing Summit  Not only are our prayers being used to “cover” the nation, they are also birthing the coming revival, which will be accompanied by great signs and wonders. In light of this, we are hosting another Healing Summit this upcoming Friday night in Middletown, Ohio, at Oasis Church (6/27/25). There are still a few seats available if you would like to join us live, and of course, we expect thousands will join us via livestream . You can register at OasisWired.org . Additionally, many churches are planning to join us via livestream , hosting their own events, and will pray for individuals in their gatherings as we do in Middletown. We are asking for great grace and great power to be released Friday night.  The Book of Acts chronicles the early church’s powerful expansion through the work of Holy Spirit. Central to this narrative are the miraculous signs and wonders performed by believers, which served as both confirmation of their divine mission and catalysts for the growth of the church. Acts 4:33 stands as a profound declaration of their experience of divine power:  “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (KJV). This verse encapsulates two key forces: the “great power” exercised by the apostles and the “great grace” bestowed upon them. “Great” is the Greek word  “megás” (1)  and is the root of the English word “mega,” denoting something immense, powerful, or grand in scale. Its use in this context highlights that the church’s witness was beyond natural abilities, marked by an overwhelming, divine quality that set it apart from human efforts. It underscores the magnitude of God’s presence working through them, transforming their words and actions into signs of divine authority. The Context of Acts 4:33 Acts 4 occurs shortly after Peter and John performed an extraordinary miracle, healing a lame man at the temple gate, Beautiful (Acts 3:1-10). Their subsequent bold proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection enraged the religious authorities, leading to their arrest. The apostles were commanded to cease preaching, but they and other believers responded by praying for boldness. The place where they were gathered was literally shaken by Holy Spirit, encouraging them to continue speaking God’s Word with “boldness” (Acts 4:31). It is within this context that Acts 4:33 emphasizes the extraordinary power and grace that characterized the witness of the early church to Christ’s resurrection.  We must experience no less if we are to demonstrate to the world today that Christ is alive and the gospel is true. Let’s pray. Pray with me: Father, I am very grateful for the army of intercessors You have raised up around the world. There are thousands in America, and millions around the world. The church is growing in her understanding that we are partners with You in the great cause of Christ. Thank You for their sacrifices, their commitment, their unselfish hearts, and their passion for Your cause. I ask You now to give them tenacity, perseverance, and great discernment as they stay the course, never wavering. I pray that You will lead them in their prayers, and that every location they should visit during this time will be visited. I am reminded that as we “painted” the borders of our nation, some who could not physically go to places and pray, unfolded maps and anointed them with oil, praying in their homes for Your protection. Again, bless these faithful ones, and orchestrate all prayers that are needed now.  We pray for the service in Ohio this upcoming Friday night, as well as for every other group gathered and every individual watching online. Give us great grace and great power: heal the sick, deliver the oppressed, and impart gifts of Holy Spirit to many in order for signs and wonders to take place throughout the world. We ask for this in the holy name of Jesus. Amen. Our decree:  We decree that America’s borders, electrical grid, water and related structures, as well as individuals, are “painted” with the anointing oil of Holy Spirit, and covered by the blood of Jesus. Portions of today’s post were contributed by our friend Gina Gholston. You can find out more about her at GinaGholston.com . Click on the link below to watch the full video. James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 3173. Dream Regarding Protection  Gina Gholston June 23, 2025   “I dreamed I was at a restaurant sitting at an outdoor table, having dinner with some pastors and church leaders. Our table was located on a patio outside. It was at dusk, and there were stringed lights above us—just a very relaxed atmosphere.   “All of a sudden, as we were eating and talking, something came down from the sky, tightly gripped my shoulders, and lifted me up. I could feel and hear the swishing of wind being created by what sounded like giant wings flapping. I am not sure what it was that had hold of me, but whatever it was, it lifted me and began to carry me to another location. I wasn’t scared or startled by this. It felt important, and I knew I needed to be alert and attentive.    “It carried me to what looked like the Hoover Dam. I could see the dam. I was still being held by the shoulders and was hovering over this location. I looked down, and I could see people walking around at the base of the dam. I don’t know if they were men, women, or both, but they were dressed in solid black jumpsuits, and each one of them held, with both hands, a black AK-47 across their chest, pointing upward at a 45° angle. They each also had a weapon inside a holster strapped to their leg. Covering their heads was a rubber mask that looked like the head of a growling gray wolf.    “Next to them, I then noticed a large wooden barrel (like a wooden-slat wine barrel). I somehow knew this barrel was a large “powder keg,” filled with very potent explosives. I knew it had been set to detonate.    “On top of the dam, I could see more people walking around. However, I knew these people were intercessors, and they were there on assignment, praying specifically over the dams and the waterways.    “As I was hovering above the scene, I suddenly saw a huge white sheet floating down. The sheet covered that wooden barrel that was filled with explosives, just as it was detonated. Though large and very loud, the explosion was held within the sheet, and no damage was done. I then looked around, and those people in the black jumpsuits were gone. The intercessors were still praying, unmoved and unshaken by the blast. I’m not even sure they were even aware it had happened.   “Then, still being gripped by whatever it was that was carrying me by my shoulders, I was taken to a subway transit station in what looked like, maybe, New York City. It was very busy at this location as hundreds of people were there, rushing around. Here in this location, the same thing that happened at the dam was happening here. I saw those same people in the black jumpsuits, with the AK-47s, and I could see a large wooden barrel that I knew was filled with explosives. I could see intercessors walking around, praying over our rail systems in America. I then saw a white sheet dropping down just as the explosives were detonated, but again, the explosion did not do any damage. It was loud and startling, but the blast was contained under the sheet. And the same thing happened here, as at the dam, the people in the black jumpsuits were then gone, but the intercessors remained unshaken and undeterred by the blast. “As I was being carried from there to another location, in my mind (in this dream), I thought, ‘I had another dream one time about a white sheet being dropped in various locations throughout America. I wonder if this has something to do with that?’ I began to think deeply, trying to remember what that other dream had been about, and I said, out loud (in this dream), ‘Those sheets had something to do with decrees being made. There was a word written on each sheet, and I remember that one of them had the word ‘SAVED’ written on it.’    “Then, whatever was lifting and carrying me stopped, and I was hovering over another location. This time, I had been brought to a very large church building. High above the location, I could see that the parking lots were filled with vehicles, so I knew there were probably thousands of people inside the building. Outside, I could see that those people dressed in black jumpsuits with rubber wolf masks on their heads were walking around with AK-47s in their hands. It was as if they were patrolling the site, waiting to sacrifice their own lives as martyrs for their cause. In this location, there were two huge barrels, ‘powder kegs.’ One was situated on the front right corner of the building, and the other was placed on the left back corner of the building.    “At this location, I knew the intercessors were inside the building. I somehow knew they were not just having a regular “church meeting,” but these people were in deep intercessory prayer, releasing with faith and authority prayers for and Spirit-led decrees over the Body of Christ in America and around the world.    “The same thing happened here as it had at the other locations: a large, white sheet fell, but this time, it covered the whole church, instead of just the large, explosive kegs. The kegs were detonated, the blast was loud and powerful, but there was no damage. The people in the black jumpsuits were gone, but the intercessors remained in their position and engaged in their prayers and decrees.    “Then I began to be carried away from that scene. As I was moving, I remembered the other dream about the sheets being dropped in various locations throughout America, and I thought, ‘One of those sheets in that dream fell over a large church. I remember seeing the outline of a steeple when it fell.’    “I was lifted and carried to three more locations in this dream: an electrical power station, a train station, and a port, a shipping yard, in which I could see ships and 18-wheelers being loaded and unloaded. I could see thousands of shipping containers stacked everywhere. The exact same things happened at each of these locations as had happened at the other locations: the people in the black jumpsuits patrolling, the intercessors praying, the large ‘powder keg’ set to detonate, the large sheet falling, and the blasts being contained, being unsuccessful in their mission. The people in the black jumpsuits left, the intercessors remained.   “Then, whatever it was that was carrying me, took me back to my original location and sat me back down in my seat at the table where I was having dinner with those pastors and church leaders. I don’t know who all of the pastors and leaders were, but one of them looked at me and asked, ‘Where did you go?’   “I said, ‘I have seen things that we need to know. Intercessors are alert, they are positioned, they are doing their part, and their prayers are working!’    “I continued, ‘We need to know what is happening! Intercessors and angels are on assignment, covering the nations, but we need to be alert about what is happening.’    “I then looked at one of the leaders, and I said, ‘We need to tell Dutch and Ceci what is happening!’    “Then, Chuck Pierce walked up beside me and said, ‘The Lord let you see what is happening, and this is how it will be. No weapon formed will prosper… IF we’ll pray. And no weapon yet to be  formed will prosper… IF we’ll pray.’   “I replied, ‘We are praying.’   “Chuck said, ‘Then, no weapon formed will prosper, and no weapon yet to be formed will prosper.’” End of dream.

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

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

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/