Inspired Thinking and Why It Is the Answer to Your Problems

Welcome The Opposition

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 04:59:18 GMT

As we approach a new year, many of us feel the stirring of purpose in our hearts, a calling to step into something bigger, bolder, and more impactful than ever before.

But here’s a truth we often forget: often the closer you get to your God-given purpose, the louder the opposition becomes.

Look at the story of Nehemiah. After years of broken walls and failed attempts, he finally received the favor, resources, and commission to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls.

But the moment he stepped into action, the opposition intensified.

Critics mocked, threats were made, and fear tried to paralyze him. In the face of opposition Nehemiah pressed on, and in just 52 days, what hadn’t been accomplished in decades was completed.

I’d like to point out that opposition is not a sign that you’re on the wrong path. Often, it’s proof that you’re moving in the right direction.

As you move into the new year, here are three practical ways that you can respond when the opposition grows louder:

1. Anchor Yourself in Your Identity

Opposition often begins by attacking who you are. The serpent challenged Adam and Eve's identity, and Satan even said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God…” Just as Nehemiah’s critics called him “feeble,” you may face lies that question your abilities, motives, or worth.

Practical Step : Write down truths about who you are in Christ, your gifts, victories, and the promises God has spoken over your life. Keep them visible. When fear and doubt arise, remind yourself: you are a child of the King, chosen and equipped for this moment.

2. Stay Focused on the Work

It’s easy to get distracted by critics, setbacks, or what others think. Nehemiah refused to “go down into the valley” of distraction or fear. He stayed focused on the wall he was building, not the voices trying to stop him. Paul felt this same pressure when he wrote, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me…” (Philippians 3:14)

Practical Step: Create a “daily focus ritual.” Each morning, list the one thing you need to do that day that moves you closer to your purpose. Protect that time fiercely, and let criticism and noise slide off like water from a shield.

3. Recognize Opposition as Confirmation

Opposition often signals that you’re stepping into something significant. Elijah faced Jezebel’s threats after his greatest victory, proof that he had truly impacted the kingdom. The louder the opposition, the more important your mission.

Practical Step: When opposition rises, pause and ask: What is God confirming through this resistance? What part of my purpose is this proving? Let the resistance strengthen your resolve rather than weaken your faith.

The new year is an invitation to step boldly into your calling. There will be voices trying to shake your confidence, doubts that try to paralyze your progress, and fears that want to hold you back.

But remember: the louder the opposition, sometimes the closer you are to something God designed uniquely for you.

Step forward with courage, focus, and clarity. Rebuild the walls that need rebuilding, stand firm in your identity, and embrace the opposition as a signal that you are on the right path.

This year, don’t be surprised when the voices get louder, be encouraged. They are proof that your purpose is real, your mission is significant, and your victory is coming.

Redding Civic Auditorium

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:56:50 GMT

Redding Civic Auditorium

Bethel Church has had a vision to help create one beautiful city for decades. Then, in late 2010, the Record Searchlight posted an article that the City of Redding was closing the Civic Auditorium due to the current economic crisis. The Civic cost the city 1.9 million dollars in 2010 to operate. Furthermore, the building seriously needed to be refurbished.

The Bethel leadership team was deeply concerned about the economic effect the closing of the Civic would have on our already ailing city, not to mention the negative impact it would have on the social dynamic of our community.

This ultimately led to a group of leaders forming a Non-religious, Public Benefit, Nonprofit Corporation called Advance Redding to operate the Civic Auditorium in October of 2011. Advance Redding entered into a contract that paid The City of Redding 360k annually in the form of a lease, for the privilege of operating the Civic Auditorium for the community.

Advance Redding then entered into a contractual agreement with Bethel Church for $750K a year lease, to facilitate the Bethel School of Ministry, four days a week (Monday thru Thursday).

Furthermore, Bethel Church donated nearly 2 million dollars to Advance Redding (AR) to help refurbish the Civic Auditorium. The Bethel Lease allowed AR to operate the Auditorium at break-even for 13 years.

Advance Redding also was able to improve the business model, which dramatically increased the number of events facilitated by the Civic each year and greatly improved the entertainment experience. This resulted in millions more dollars of revenue

flowing into our city every year!

The Bethel School of Ministry no longer needed the Civic after the COVID-19 season, as the growth of the School is happening online. Therefore, BSSM moved out of the Civic in 2023, and didn’t renew its lease.

This left Advance Redding with the challenge of operating the Civic without the monies that Bethel was paying in rent. The City graciously lowered the rent to 5k a month to help remedy the situation.

But it hasn’t proved to be enough to solve the economic situation as the Civic is now operating at a significant loss.

This inspired the Advance Redding board to request that the City release the funds set aside by the sale of land for the Sheraton and from our rents, for the maintenance of the Civic building but never utilized.

This, we reasoned, would cover the losses for this year and part of the following year; which would keep the Civic open until a permanent solution could be implemented. The City Council agreed to this stop-gap solution, which we are grateful for.

But moving forward, there needs to be a permanent, economic solution put in place to ensure that the Civic remains open and vibrant for the foreseeable future.

The Advance Redding Board believes that the only viable option for the long-term solution for the Civic, (and for the economic health of our city), is the citizen-led Initiative for the Measure Adoption of a One Percent Sales Tax.

Therefore, we have taken a leadership role in helping to pass the Initiative with our efforts. We also invested $49.5k of our Advance Redding budget to fund the effort to pass the tax, as without the Initiative, the Auditorium has no future!

Closing the Civic Auditorium will have a massive negative impact on the economy of Shasta County as the events it facilitates bring millions of dollars into our community every year. It should also be noted that there are virtually no Civic Centers in the nation, that operate without government investment. The Redding Civic Auditorium has been the rare exception; and although the Civic opened 55 years ago, even it has only operated at no cost to the City for 14 years due to the generosity of Bethel Church.

Sales Tax Solution

The Sales Tax rate in Shasta County is 7.25% and yet the average sales tax in California is 8.85%. Nobody likes higher taxes, but we live in a state that has an extremely high cost of living.

Much of this is because of the rising cost of insurance due to the increased amount of wild fires in our state, and the need to facilitate Fire Departments and fire mitigation to prevent another catastrophe in our communities.

Furthermore, the rise of fentanyl in our county and increased drug addiction have also increased the need for police protection and crime prevention. This and many other factors have caused the cost of living in a beautiful city like Redding to drastically increase.

Although the cost of operating a city has increased exponentially over the last three decades, Redding has not raised the sales tax since 1955. Yet over 61% of California Counties have already increased their sales tax to meet these rising costs.

The other counties will likely follow as their communities face the challenge of trying to maintain the quality of life they’ve enjoyed, while having to meet the rising cost of the services that make this possible.

The sales tax increase is the least intrusive way to continue to maintain and even improve the quality of life in our community. It raises millions of dollars to meet these costs. Here are some of the benefits Measure A would provide for the City of Redding to sustain the progress we have made over the last several years, specifically:

Redding Police:

Add 20 more officers (17% increase), which could result in a significant reduction in crime and in response time.

Redding Fire:

Add new fire station in the Enterprise area, reducing response time in that area from 8.5 minutes to 5 minutes and response times citywide by 1.5 minutes. Updated fire stations across the city. 9 new firefighters and a new battalion chief. Also, $750k more per year in wildfire prevention fuel thinning work.

Redding Roads:

The ability to take our roads from a quality score of 48 out of 100 to as high as 80.

Redding Parks & Recreation:

Make major upgrades to South City Park (near the library) and Caldwell Park and the new Panorama Park, which will include a gym and emergency evacuation shelter. Updated Big League Dreams and funding to update the California Soccer Park when fields need to be replaced in 6-7 years. This is a path to sustaining these iconic Redding youth development facilities so that our kids can enjoy

healthy development activities rather than get in trouble.

Upgraded Riverfront:

Create sustainability of the Civic, a driver of $84M in economic impact for our city and upgrades to bring in more and better shows and create better experiences. Sustainability of this Hall of Fame Rodeo with increased events around the year and increased capacity during Rodeo Week.

Let’s join hands to make Redding, California one of the most beautiful cities in America to visit, and the healthiest city in the nation to live in!

Finding Purpose in Pain: The Hidden Gifts of Suffering

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:57:04 GMT

Finding Purpose in Pain: The Hidden Gifts of Suffering

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a painful season wondering, “Why is this happening to me?”

I have too.

When life feels unbearably heavy, it’s easy to wonder if anything good could ever come from our pain. Yet as hard as it is to accept, suffering is an unavoidable part of our journey with Jesus. Some believers wear it like a badge of honor; others pray it away the moment it appears.

Both extremes miss something vital.

What if our suffering, though unwanted and sometimes excruciating, is actually sacred ground? What if those seasons we wish would end are the very places where God meets us most profoundly?

The apostle Paul knew suffering well. In his letters, he lists imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, and sleepless nights, not as complaints but as credentials. In Philippians, he even writes that it’s been “granted” to us to suffer for Christ’s sake, as if it’s a privilege.

Paul understood something: within suffering lies a hidden gift that can’t be discovered any other way.

And since there will be no pain in heaven (as 1 Corinthians 15 and Revelation 21 remind us), there are certain lessons about God’s heart that we can only learn here and now.

Let me share four truths about suffering that have reshaped how I walk through pain and how I hope you will too.

1. Suffering Has a Way of Finding You

You don’t need to go looking for suffering.

Paul didn’t pursue beatings or persecution; he simply refused to compromise the gospel. The price he paid reflected the value of the message he carried.

The early apostles understood this too. After being flogged for preaching, Acts 5:41 says they left “rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

They didn’t celebrate pain; they celebrated purpose.

When suffering finds you, remember, you’re in good company. Every hero of faith endured hardship, not because they sought pain, but because they valued obedience more than comfort.

2. Suffering Reveals What We Truly Care About

What we’re willing to suffer for reveals what we love most.

During the COVID pandemic, our ministry school faced a devastating financial crisis. To survive, we had to build an online program from scratch in six weeks, or close the doors for good.

Our team of seventy-two worked fourteen-hour days, seven days a week.

It was exhausting.

But something beautiful happened in the midst of it: we became family.

Our shared sacrifice revealed the depth of our devotion to God, to our calling, and to one another.

The suffering wasn’t the goal, but it became the soil where love and loyalty took root.

When we endure pain for something bigger than ourselves, we discover what truly matters.

3. Suffering Changes Our Perspective

Years ago, I walked through a season of intense anxiety that lasted three and a half years. Panic attacks and fear replaced my dreams

and purpose. I felt completely lost.

In that valley, Romans 8:28 almost sounded cruel: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him.”

How could this possibly work for good?

But over time, something unexpected happened. My wife and I began attending a small church where we met a pastor whose friendship would change our lives. That relationship eventually led us into our calling at Bethel Church.

Looking back, I see that the path I thought was a detour was actually divine direction.

Suffering stripped away what didn’t matter and reoriented us toward God’s purpose.

When we cling to Him in pain, He turns even our darkest moments into doorways of destiny.

4. Suffering Creates Bonds That Last Forever

There’s a sacred kind of closeness that only suffering can create.

When my wife was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she called me in tears, saying, “My life is over.” My heart broke.

At that moment, the Lord whispered to me, “ No one should ever suffer alone .”

So I chose to stay close.

I chose to grieve with her, to walk through the fire beside her. Over time, I watched her refuse to quit. Despite her tremors, she stood before a women’s gathering and shared her story of courage. When the room rose to its feet in applause, she came home radiant.

Her suffering had become a sermon.

Philippians 3:10 speaks of “the fellowship of His sufferings.” The Greek word for fellowship means participation or sharing. When we enter into the suffering of others, or our own, we don’t just bond with people; we bond with Jesus Himself.

Wherever there is pain, He is present. And when we choose to stay, to love, to endure with one another, we touch something eternal.

If you’re walking through suffering today, hear this: Jesus is near.

Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When we press through the pain and take refuge in His presence, something divine happens. Heaven opens. Peace enters. And we realize that we are never alone.

Don’t give up. Don’t grow bitter.

Look for Him in your pain. He’s there sitting with you, loving you, and carrying you through.

One day, the suffering will end. But the faith, the intimacy, and the eternal bonds formed in the fire will remain forever.

My prayer for you is that, even in your darkest moments, you would encounter Jesus in ways you never have before. And that you’ll one day look back and see how every tear was weaving together a story of redemption and glory.

Kathy's Mother's Day Message

Sat, 10 May 2025 16:18:22 GMT

As Mother’s Day approached, I knew there was no one better to speak into the heart of motherhood than my wife, Kathy. Her life has been a living picture of grace, sacrifice, and Spirit-led strength. I believe her words will bless you the way her life has blessed me.

Kris

Today, I want to honor the incredible women who wear the title of “Mother” with grace, strength, and unwavering love. A mother is a guiding light. She illuminates our paths with wisdom and warmth. She is the gentle hand that nurtures us in our earliest days, the fierce protector who stands by us through life’s storms, and the unwavering supporter of our dreams.

Many times, Mom, our sacrifices go unnoticed. We juggle countless responsibilities, often putting our own needs aside to ensure the happiness and well-being of our family. That’s just what Moms do! My joy has always come from serving others. What some people call exhausting, I call invigorating! Even when my kids were young, I can't tell you how many sleepless nights I've had, comforting one of my babies because, ‘only Mommy will do.’ Love wins every time!

But love has stolen my heart over and over again. In the good times and in the bad, Jesus has always been by my side, my solid rock and my firm foundation. He has been there beside you too! That big “S” that you wear on your chest didn't happen by accident. The bible says that He will never leave me or forsake me. During all of my laughter and through my many tears, He has always guided me in every situation. So when you feel weak, remember He is right by your side. When you don't think that you can move another muscle, He is your biggest cheerleader.

When you get into a spot where life feels like more than you can handle, take a look at what the Lord says about you!

You are Tenacious.

Your perseverance is remarkable. As a Mom, you consistently push through obstacles with unwavering commitment to your goals.

You are Courageous.

Mom’s often take bold steps, stand up to what they think is just, even when faced with opposition or adversity. You can do this!

You are Radiant.

The love of Jesus shines brightly to all those who you come in contact with, inspiring positivity and hope.

You are Unstoppable.

Mom, once you set your sights on a goal, you exhibit an unwavering drive to help your children pursue their dreams and desires.

You are Fierce.

With a spirit that is unyielding, as a Mom, you will protect your family at all costs.

You are Inspiring.

Moms believe in their kids. We believe that all things are possible with God and encourage our families to go where no child has ever gone before!

Mom, you are the architects of our character, teaching us values of kindness, empathy, and resilience. With every hug, every word of encouragement, you instill in us the confidence to pursue our passions and overcome obstacles. Your laughter brings joy to our lives, while your tears remind us of the depth of your love.

As a mom myself, I celebrate not just the role you play but the remarkable individuals you are. You are the heart of the family, the keeper of traditions, and the source of unconditional love. Each moment shared, each lesson taught, and every story told weaves an unbreakable bond that shapes who we are.

To all mothers, whether near or far, biological or chosen, your impact is profound and everlasting. Today, we celebrate you, not just for the love you give, but for the incredible people you are.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Kathy Vallotton

Character and Gifting: Favor with God and Favor with Man

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:23:17 GMT

Have you ever felt called to a spiritual role but struggled to find your place in it? Perhaps you've experienced a divine moment where God revealed a prophetic gift in your life, yet you found yourself wondering why others don't seem to recognize or acknowledge it. This tension between divine calling and human recognition can be one of the most challenging aspects of walking in prophetic ministry.

I've spoken with countless individuals who believe God has called them to be prophets, yet they feel frustrated when church leadership doesn't immediately recognize their office. They often share powerful testimonies of divine encounters or prophetic words that confirmed their calling. But here's the beautiful truth I've discovered: authentic spiritual authority requires both divine appointment and human recognition.

Scripture shows us that even Jesus "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). This powerful verse reveals an important principle – spiritual authority flourishes at the intersection of Heaven's approval and earthly recognition.

The Bible offers us profound wisdom about this journey of walking out our prophetic calling. Let's explore three essential principles that can help you navigate this path with grace and wisdom.

1. Understand the Process Between Anointing and Appointment

King David's story provides one of the most powerful examples of the gap between divine calling and public recognition. When Samuel anointed David as king, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him powerfully – yet David didn't actually become king for fourteen years! During that time, he served faithfully, developed his character, and waited for God's timing.

The journey between your prophetic calling and your public commissioning is not an accident – it's divine design. This season of preparation builds the character, wisdom, and spiritual maturity needed to carry the weight of prophetic authority. Just as David was anointed three times – once by God through Samuel and twice by the people – your prophetic gift may require multiple confirmations.

Remember that if you have favor with God but not yet with leadership, pushing for recognition prematurely can lead to painful experiences. As Proverbs 18:16 reminds us, " A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. " Allow your gift to create the space for your ministry rather than trying to force open doors that aren't ready to receive you.

2. Avoid Self-Promotion and Political Maneuvering

It’s important to realize that even though your gift is what gets you into the room, your character is the thing that keeps you there.

There's a stark warning in Scripture about gaining influence through manipulation rather than divine timing. Absalom, David's son, shows us the danger of winning people's hearts through flattery, false promises, and undermining leadership. He created a following by positioning himself as more accessible and understanding than the established authority.

In today's social media age, the temptation toward self-promotion has never been stronger. We can easily build platforms that elevate our image above our character. But true prophetic authority doesn't come through marketing yourself as an expert – it comes through humble service, consistent character, and divine timing.

James 4:6 reminds us that " God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. " When we push for recognition prematurely or through manipulation, we may gain a position but miss the protection that comes with proper promotion. Like Joseph, who shared his prophetic dreams prematurely with his brothers, our lack of wisdom can create a much more difficult path to our destiny than God intended.

3. Embrace the Preparation Process

The weight of the prophetic office is both invisible and substantial. I've witnessed many genuinely called individuals crumble under the pressure of premature promotion. The apostle Paul wisely instructed that leaders " should first be tested and then let them serve " (1 Timothy 3:10), and warned against laying hands on anyone hastily (1 Timothy 5:22).

True preparation for prophetic ministry involves more than just having accurate prophetic words. It requires developing spiritual maturity, biblical understanding, relational wisdom, and emotional health.

If you sense a prophetic calling on your life, embrace the preparation process with patience and humility. Serve faithfully where you are. Allow trusted leaders to speak into your life and development. Study the Scriptures diligently. And remember that the process between the promise and the palace is not just necessary – it's a gift that prepares you to succeed when your time comes.

My prayer for you is that you would find peace in God's timing for your prophetic journey. May you grow in both favor with God and with people, allowing the Lord to develop in you the character needed to carry His voice with integrity. Let me be clear- the path to your prophetic purpose isn't just about reaching a destination – it's about becoming the person who can faithfully steward the authority that comes with it.

4 Lessons After 50 Years of Marriage

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 23:29:34 GMT

Kathy and I are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, and we’ve been together for 54. We’ve experienced highs and lows together and built a life I never imagined possible! Over the past 50+ years, we’ve learned a few things that I want to share with you to help your marriage thrive!

Know when to sacrifice pleasure for the pursuit of joy.

Kathy and I have learned when to sacrifice pleasure for the pursuit of joy; this is the discipline of laying down your life for another. A practical example of this is when people find out we have horses. They say, “Oh wow, Kris, you have horses!” My response to them goes something like this, “No, I don’t have horses. Kathy has horses. I only pay for the horses.” Their next question for me usually is, “Don’t you like horses?” To which I respond, “No, I don’t like horses, but I like Kathy.” You see, I get a lot of joy out of doing what Kathy wants to do. I am willing to sacrifice my own pleasure to pursue what develops joy in our marriage. It’s not one-sided, Kathy does the same for me.

2. Forgiveness restores the standard.

If you’ve been in a relationship for any length of time, then you know the honeymoon phase doesn't last forever. The person that you love and cherish at the deepest level is the same person that will stretch, challenge, and offend you. I learned this lesson years ago when my kids were teenagers. I became angry with Kathy in front of them and treated her disrespectfully. An hour later, I apologized, and she forgave me. Colossians 3:13 tells us that “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive". The truth is, forgiveness restores the standard of holiness in us and through us.

3. It’s not bad if your spouse thinks differently than you.

Men and women think differently, and this is metaphorically demonstrated in the way they were created. Please understand what I am trying to communicate here. I am not at all trying to dishonor either gender. I know that women and men are equally intelligent. When Kathy and I got married, I didn’t understand marriage or women at all. I was so ignorant that it wasn’t even funny. I just had no value for Kathy’s opinion, while we were making decisions, when she refused to produce the facts for her conclusions. She often prefaced her statements with phrases like, “I feel like...,” “It troubles me that...,” “I don’t feel good about that...,” and so on. But what I learned over time, as many of my great decisions began to turn into mistakes, was that her “It feels like” or “This troubles me” were often a lot more accurate than the so-called facts! As the years have rolled on, I have learned to invite the rest of me, and my other half, my wife, into all of my decisions. And she has learned the same thing. We were made to be together. We are one flesh, a mystery that continues to unfold with time.

4. Vision gives pain a purpose.

It is my conviction that we are living in a generation perishing for lack of vision. This is evident in many different areas of life, but I also see it in marriages. Having a vision for your marriage will help you persevere through the harder seasons that you’ll face together. Many years ago I had a vision where I was standing next to this elderly gentleman and could see him perfectly, but the man could not see me. The older man was surrounded by children and grandchildren telling stories about the family's history, lineage, and favor with God. In the vision he said, “And all of this began with your great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather.” I looked up and above the mantle of the fireplace and there was a huge portrait of Kathy and me! The Lord spoke to me and said:

“You are no longer to live for a ministry—you are to live to leave a legacy! Your children’s

children’s children are depending on you leaving them a world in revival. From this day forward, you will live for a generation that you will never see. You are to have a one-hundred-year vision so that you can build from the future.”

This vision of our future helped us in developing a strategy to apprehend God’s goals for our lives, and it was the fuel that kept us going in the harder seasons. Consequently, from that day on, we began to build from the future, as the Lord had said. Let me be clear: you don't have to have a literal vision like I did, but you should have a vision and a direction for the future!

Your marriage isn’t just about you, it’s about the generations that will follow. The truth is, the way you love, lead, and fight for your marriage today is building a legacy for your children and their children. So take time with your spouse, dream with God, and dream with each other. Get a vision for your family’s future! The breakthrough you experience now will impact the generations to come.

4 Spiritual Disciplines to Propel Your Growth in the New Year

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 01:08:28 GMT

As we step into 2025, people are often thinking about engaging in the time-honored yet unspoken custom of setting New Year’s Resolutions. Many people jump on the opportunity to develop new healthier habits and pursue positive change with the start of a brand new year.

Most New Year's Resolutions revolve around diet and exercise, finances, relationships, and hobbies or personal interests. New Year's Resolutions help by giving people a vision for when they endure the challenges that come with change. Losing 100 pounds or being more diligent with saving money isn't always easy and vision gives pain a purpose! All of these areas are important to focus on, but oftentimes we neglect spiritual topics when forming our resolutions.

As we focus on building our physical lives and pursuing health and wholeness with the New Year, it’s crucial not to overlook our spiritual growth and well-being.

I’m going to share four spiritual disciplines you can grow in this New Year, along with practical tips to help you follow through. Some of these may appear simple, but when practiced consistently over a long period of time, they can lead to deep transformation!

1. Bible Reading

This should come as no surprise, but it can be very difficult to find time on a busy day to sit down and read the Scriptures. Some people have a hard time sitting and being still to read while others are bombarded by the busyness of their lives. I want to encourage you to prioritize your time in the Word this year - I make sure to read at least one chapter each day.

It might mean having to sacrifice something. Perhaps it’s waking up earlier to have an extra 30 minutes in your routine. Try leaving your Bible open on your kitchen counter the night before, so you see it in the morning. Maybe you can bring your Bible during your lunch break and have a meal with Jesus. You can even listen to the Bible on audio for your morning commute! My encouragement is to start small and build the habit.

2. Prayer

Personal prayer can look different to everyone. Some people have no problem praying for over an hour a day, other people have a hard time finding a moment in an entire week! The goal here is to make sure that we are staying in communion with God.

There may be sometimes where you only have two minutes to pray in-between meetings or running errands. There may be other times where you have to go into your room, lock your door and pray in secret for an extended period of time like the Bible says.

Let me be clear: the goal is consistent communion with the Father. Try setting reminders or alarms on your phone to go off at certain parts of the day. It doesn't have to be long. These reminders can be specific like, “Pray for my family member” or “Pray for healing for this coworker.” You can write them down on pieces of paper and stick them to the walls in your house.

3. Community

This may not feel like a discipline, but one of the most challenging things that a person's spiritual growth could face is solitude. When God created Adam he said that it was not good for man to be alone. We were created for community and Jesus was often found doing ministry and life around a group of people except for the times where he went alone to pray.

Stepping out into community can be challenging. Maybe you struggle with fear of rejection, not fitting in, or you're scared of how people will respond when they really begin to know you. If you find yourself being isolated, reach out to some people. Text a friend that you know and trust and share that you want to spend more time around people.

If you're part of a local church see what kind of small groups they have to offer. Community is a key for growth in 2025. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

4. Serving

When Jesus was on earth he said in Matthew 20:28 that, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Serving was at the center of Jesus’ ministry. He met the physical needs of people by providing food miraculously as well as the spiritual needs of people by offering salvation to everyone who would believe. When we serve people we are like Christ.

There may be people coming to your mind already who have a need. They could be in your church family, or a friend from school or work. It doesn’t have to be someone you know! Try paying for someone’s coffee in line and leaving them with some encouragement. There are so many ways that we can serve people and make them feel seen and loved. When they feel seen and loved, they are often very receptive to the Gospel.

The power in these disciplines isn’t just doing them once, but in repeating them over a long period of time. As Zechariah 4:10 reminds us, we should not despise small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.

My prayer for you is that what would start as spiritual disciplines would grow into spiritual devotion. That you would find joy in these things and that they would draw you closer to the Father!

3 Ways to Think Differently About Gratitude

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 01:03:10 GMT

During Christmas of 2012 Kathy and I learned a very valuable lesson about gratitude and entitlement…

In years past leading up to Christmas we had always gotten a “Christmas want list” from each of our grandkids. Kathy would go through all the lists and pick out only a few items to buy for each of our grandkids. But that year Kathy decided to get them everything on their list!

As we bought gifts our Christmas tree soon began to disappear behind a wall of wrapped presents. Christmas morning came and we gathered as a family as I shared the story of baby Jesus. I finished the story of our savior's birth and started handing out the presents. Over the course of 2 hours lights and ornaments began to emerge as our tree slowly became visible again.

Suddenly I heard a whimpering cry to my left. I looked over to see my daughter giving a strong correction to one of her children. I went over to investigate and learned that the child was upset because, “Grandma missed one gift.”

Kathy has overseen the administration for our businesses for our entire marriage. She’s looked over hundreds of spreadsheets, time cards, and other documents. I had a hard time believing that she would miss a gift on a Christmas list. Kathy went to our office and came back a moment later with a somber look on her face. “I did forget one gift,” she said with compassion. “I’m so sorry,” she explained while choking back tears. Trying to smooth the situation over, she added, “I’ll go tomorrow and buy the gift I missed.”

In our quest to bless our family, we had unknowingly sown seeds of entitlement into the soil of their little hearts.

Something that was a great sacrifice for us was disregarded in a child's expectation for more.

We live in a world where entitlement runs rampant. It doesn’t always look like throwing a temper tantrum over a forgotten gift. Sometimes it can be the anger that comes when your coffee order takes too long, or it can be the person who is driving in front of you who's not driving your preferred speed limit.

These small seeds of entitlement can take root in our heart and if we’re not careful they can lead to a life led by pride.

Gratitude is what breaks entitlement in your life.

I’m going to share 3 ways to think differently about gratitude this season.

1. Gratitude is a discipline.

Gratitude is not merely a fleeting emotion but a discipline that aligns our hearts with God’s truth and His will. Gratitude requires intentionality, often going against the grain of our natural tendencies to complain or focus on what we lack.

Scripture commands us to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), not because life is always easy, but because gratitude acknowledges God’s sovereignty and goodness regardless of our situation.

Cultivating gratitude as a discipline trains our souls to see life through the lens of God’s faithfulness, fostering a spirit of humility and trust. It shifts our focus from temporal struggles to eternal promises, rooting our joy in the unchanging nature of God rather than the shifting sands of circumstance.

2. Gratitude changes your attitude about situations

Gratitude has the power to transform our perspective on even the most challenging situations. From a biblical standpoint, it shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided, reminding us of His faithfulness and provision.

When we choose gratitude, we realign our hearts to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work all things for our good (Romans 8:28). This perspective doesn't necessarily change the situation itself, but it changes us —replacing fear, frustration, or bitterness with peace, hope, and contentment. Gratitude reframes trials as opportunities for growth and deepens our awareness of God's presence, enabling us to face life's difficulties with a renewed attitude of faith and trust.

3. Gratitude Cures Entitlement

Gratitude is the antidote to entitlement. It shifts our hearts from demanding what we believe we deserve to recognizing every blessing as an unmerited gift from God. Entitlement breeds discontentment, rooted in the false belief that we are owed something, while gratitude humbles us, reminding us that all we have comes from God's grace.

As James 1:17 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above," and acknowledging this truth uproots the pride that fuels entitlement. Instead of fixating on unmet expectations, gratitude cultivates a spirit of thanksgiving, teaching us to celebrate God’s goodness and approach life with humility and joy. In this posture, we find freedom from the restless pursuit of "more" and learn the richness of contentment in Christ.

As we reflect on the story of that Christmas morning and the lessons it taught us, it’s clear that gratitude is more than a seasonal sentiment—it’s a heart posture that can reshape our lives.

Entitlement may creep in subtly, disguised as disappointment or frustration, but gratitude stands as its cure, redirecting our hearts toward humility and joy. This season, let’s commit to cultivating gratitude—not just for the blessings we see, but for the ways God works in every circumstance. May we remember that every good gift comes from Him, and may our hearts overflow with thanksgiving, transforming how we live, love, and give.

What are you grateful for? Share in the comments below!

3 Practical Ways to Lift Your Spirits If You're Feeling Down this Holiday Season

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 06:24:51 GMT

For many the Holidays can be one of the most beautiful and anticipated times of the year and yet, for others, it can be filled with stress, striving and the straining of our wallets, time and energy.

Some families are able to find fellowship in the festivities, gathered around tables with good tidings and joy. The holidays for them often seem similar to the portrayals in the Hallmark movies. At the same time, others are experiencing the reality of fractured friendships and past memories that fuel feelings of loneliness. The holiday season for this group can often serve as a reminder of brokenness and pain.

In such a polarizing season it’s important to be intentional about guarding our hearts against cynicism, loneliness and even sadness.

Here are 3 Practical ways to lift your spirits if you find yourself getting down during the holiday season.

1. Remember God’s past miracles and works in your life.

Remembrance is one of the most powerful positions we can take when facing an emotionally challenging season. In the Old Testament the Israelites would set up stones of remembrance in the places where God did great miracles. Whenever they would travel past them they could look and remember the things that the Lord did in that place.

Recount the seasons and situations in your life where the Lord came through and did the miracle. You could go a step further and write them on a piece of paper and hang it somewhere in your house.

Psalm 103:2-5 says,

Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

2. Cultivate thankfulness in your heart no matter how you “feel.”

Thankfulness is the fruit of humility and the offspring of gratitude towards God. Giving thanks shouldn’t just be relegated to one day a year, but rather it should be a lifestyle. After all, the power of thankfulness goes far beyond connecting us around a beautiful table. Thankfulness is the door to happiness and the gate to heaven (remember, we enter His gates with thanksgiving).

It’s the cure for arrogance, the inoculation for depression and it’s a force against the spirit of entitlement. Thankfulness is the fruit of humility and the offspring of gratitude towards God. Thankfulness has saved many marriages, rescued children from the grips of bitterness, and delivered countless souls from the political spirit. Thankfulness is a field that must be cultivated, weeded and seeded. So what will you do to get the soil of your heart ready this season?

I want to challenge you to express thankfulness for the things you see everyday. It could be the meal you had this morning, the ability to connect with your community, or even for the clothes on your back! Take it a step further and express your thanksgiving out loud, even if it's only for you to hear.

3. Fight Isolation and discipline yourself into community.

A common pain point for many people during the Holidays is the feeling of loneliness. There’s something about knowing that people gather everywhere that can press the wound of someone that is struggling with loneliness. There is a very real temptation to isolate and wallow in misery.

We all have a deep need to feel like we belong to a place or group. This need is healthy because we’re made to live in connection with others. The challenge is, there are countless devices at our fingertips that give us a false sense of community and connection; they are a temporary aid to the deep need for real deep connection .

I want to challenge you to pick up your phone and call someone when the temptation to isolate comes up. Find someone to be with, even if it's for a quick coffee or lunch on the weekend. Galatians 6:2 calls us to, “Carry each other's Burdens…” Don’t deny someone the chance to love and care for you.

Whether the holidays are your favorite time of year, or you want to fall asleep and wake up in March, I want to encourage you to lean into what God wants to do in your heart for this season. If the holidays are hard for you, let’s believe together that this could be the year of redemption!

The Power of Authenticity: Embracing Your Imperfections in a Photoshopped World

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 21:07:27 GMT

Have you ever felt the pressure to be perfect? To hide your flaws and present a polished version of yourself to the world? I know I have. But what if I told you that your imperfections are actually your greatest strength?

A few years ago I was able to visit Winston Churchill's home, and something seemingly simple struck me. It wasn't the trophies or accolades that covered the walls, but there was a single worn leather cracked chair where Churchill sat and a well-used desk with the finish worn off where he crafted his speeches. It was these imperfections that told a story of a life lived fully, of struggles overcome, of a legacy forged through adversity.

In our world of Instagram filters and carefully curated social media profiles and descriptions, we've lost sight of the beauty in our brokenness, the importance of our imperfections. We've forgotten that it's our flaws that make us human, relatable, and ultimately, powerful.

The apostle Paul understood this when he wrote,

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Paul in his wisdom understood the importance of boasting in his weakness. The wise see weakness as the key to God’s power prevailing at its perfect timing.

Let me be clear: God doesn't call us to be perfect. He calls us to be authentic.

The challenge is that we don’t typically embrace our weakness in a way that leads to power. So how do we embrace our imperfections and live authentically in a world that demands perfection?

Here are 3 ways you can subtly shift your thinking about your imperfections and see the power in your weakness.

1. Acknowledge Your Weaknesses

It's time we stop hiding our flaws and start owning them. When we acknowledge our weaknesses, we open ourselves up to growth and connection. Remember, it's in our vulnerability that others find the courage to be real too. There are many people living in denial about their weakness and putting on the mask of perfection. When we don’t acknowledge our weakness we make no room for God’s Power to be made perfect. Weakness does not mean powerlessness.

2. Celebrate Your Unique Journey

Your story, with all its ups and downs, is what makes you who you are. Instead of comparing yourself to others, celebrate the unique path God has led you on. Your experiences, even the painful ones, have shaped you and equipped you for your purpose. It’s easy to slip into a victim mindset and go down the winding mental path of “what if”, but your story isn't a surprise to the Lord.

3. Trust the Word of the Lord.

There are many stories in the Bible where God would call someone to do something when they are unqualified. He told Moses to be a voice for the people when he had a stutter and He called David to be a King when he was just a boy. What I’m getting at is that God can’t lie. When the Lord has spoken something over you that becomes your truth, but the timing is in His hands.

One day at church a woman came up to me and said that I had the mantle of C.S. Lewis. I actually laughed at her and said, “That would have to be God!” I have no education and can’t even spell, let alone write! Writing was most definitely a weakness of mine, but God’s word doesn’t return void.

I acknowledged my weakness and trusted the word over my life, I started writing about a year after that. It wasn’t easy at first, it took hard work, discipline, and even tears! Now I’ve written over a dozen books as well as other written content and curriculum. I'm still not very good at spelling, but the Lord's strength is made perfect in my weakness.

So today, I challenge you to embrace your flaws. To step out from behind the masks and filters. To be courageously, beautifully, authentically you. Because the world doesn’t need more perfect people; it needs more authentic ones.

Remember, in God's economy, it's not the flawless who change the world. It's the broken, the imperfect, the ones who know their need for grace. And that, my friends, is the most beautiful thing of all!

Where have you seen God’s power working through your weakness?

Share in the comments to bring encouragement to others!

4 Physical Habits That Lead To A Healthier Spiritual Life

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 03:19:55 GMT

In a world that constantly demands our attention, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Social media, with its endless notifications and comparisons, can fuel stress and anxiety, leaving us depleted and disconnected. The pressure to keep up can quietly erode our sense of peace and well-being, and oftentimes we are left wondering “what happened?”

Picture this: It's 2 AM, and you're still laying in bed scrolling through your phone, eyes burning from the blue light. The alarm is set for 6 AM, but sleep seems like a distant dream. You know you should put it away, but something is drawing you back in. Sound familiar? You're not alone. In fact, this scenario is playing out in homes across the world, night after night. But what if I told you that this seemingly innocent habit could be wreaking havoc on your spiritual well being?

Beneath the surface of these digital distractions lie deeper spiritual realities. The Bible reminds us that we are not merely bodies or minds, but eternal souls. Ephesians 6:12 says

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

When we lose sight of this truth, we open the door to struggles that impact our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. What I’m getting at is, the enemy will use the physical things of this world to lure us into a spiritual stronghold. Some of the problems that you may be facing today may be more spiritual than you think, but they can be solved in the physical!

Proverbs 17:22 tells us,

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

How true this is! But in our fast-paced, always-on world, finding that joy can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. So, how do we reclaim our joy and restore balance to our lives?

Let me share with you 4 simple yet powerful physical habits that can lead to a healthier spiritual life:

1. Stop Forsaking Sleep

There was a study done quite a few years ago that showed that since the invention of the lightbulb we are getting an hour less of sleep per night than before! Now we have smart phones that charge an arm's length away from our pillows constantly calling for our attention. Psalm 4:8 says “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Create a bedtime routine, dim the lights, and put away those screens. Your brain will thank you.

2. Soak Up the Sun

We've become a society of cave dwellers, spending most of our time indoors. But our bodies crave sunlight! Make it a point to step outside every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Let the warmth of the sun remind you of God's constant presence in your life. God made a beautiful creation, go outside and enjoy it!

3. Manage Your Stress

In a world where bad news is just a click away, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The reality is that we weren’t created to be all knowing, and we are unable to bear the burdens of the world. Only Jesus can do that! God tells us in Philippians 4:6-7 ,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Take time to disconnect, pray, cast your cares on him and find peace in His presence.

4. Move Your Body

Our ancestors didn't need gym memberships – their daily lives provided all the exercise they needed. While we can't all go back to plowing fields, we can make a conscious effort to incorporate more movement into our days. You don't have to run a marathon, take the stairs, go for a walk, or have a dance party in your living room!

Our bodies are wonderfully complex creations, and sometimes, the simplest changes can have the most profound effects. The challenge is to recognize that our mental health is not just about what's happening in our heads – it's about how we're living our lives. It's about the choices we make every day, from when we go to bed, how much time we spend outdoors, and the situations we allow to burden our heart.

With all this in mind, I want to encourage you to take a good, hard look at your lifestyle.

Are you giving your body and mind what they need to thrive? Or are you, like so many of us, caught up in the whirlwind of modern life, neglecting the basics that keep us balanced?

It's time to hold to these small simple habits, and reclaim the joy and peace that God intends for us to have. Take time to reflect—are you giving your body and mind what they need to thrive? Prioritize the small habits that make up your daily life and reclaim the joy and peace God intends for you.

3 Practical Steps to Cultivate Courage

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 22:42:59 GMT

In a world where titles and power often overshadow true leadership, courage often stands as the beacon that inspires and unites us. One of my favorite movies is BraveHeart. If you’re unfamiliar with the classic, allow me to paint a picture of the memorable scene. William Wallace, in the shadow of a castle, his makeshift army at his back, is refusing to compromise with tyranny and is fighting for the freedom of his land. With fierce conviction in his conversation with Robert the Bruce, he declares an iconic line that “men follow courage, not titles.”

This courage is not about loud declarations or going with the crowd; it's about standing firm, anchored in your beliefs, even when the world tries to sway back and forth. True courage leads with integrity, inspires others to rise, and remains unwavering in the face of adversity. This is the courage that our world needs today—a courage that doesn't echo old ideas, but leads with fresh tenacity and Heaven inspired vision!

Psalm 31:24 tells us to “Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who wait for the Lord.” As we are entering into this new era, the Lord is calling out the courage in people and it is our responsibility to respond to the call and take courage.

Here are 3 ways you can be intentional about cultivating courage in your life.

1. Focus on your strengths not your weaknesses.

One of the main reasons people don’t act in faith is because they feel an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. It is so easy to inventory our weaknesses and disqualify ourselves from the historic exploits God has assigned to each of us. We forget that Jesus borrowed a couple of fish and some bread from a boy’s lunch box and fed a multitude. The crowd did not eat rice and beans, because the boy brought fish and loaves. Jesus multiplied what the boy had, not what he did not have. God does not care about what you don’t have. He only cares about what you do have.

2. Face your fear

Have you thought about the times in the Bible where the Lord told people to not fear. In Joshua 1:9 he tells Joshua,

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I’d like to point out that this was right after Moses, their leader and patriarch for the last 40 years, had died, they were in a new land, and they were about to battle cities that were much larger than them! Fear and uncertainty would be a natural response. Fear is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to define us. Courage is what we find on the other side of fear, when we choose to confront it rather than run from it. It is only in facing our fears that we can conquer them and capture our destiny.

3. Take a risk

To be courageous, one must be willing to step into the unknown, to take risks without the guarantee of success. It’s in these moments that true bravery is forged. Oftentimes people will choose to live risk averse because of the fear of uncertainty. However, embracing courage means shifting that perspective—recognizing that the potential for growth, discovery, and success lies just beyond the fear. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite it. By focusing on the possibilities rather than the pitfalls, one can transform fear into fuel, propelling them forward into new opportunities and experiences.

Courage isn’t always the roaring thunder or the blazing lightning that people often imagine. Oftentimes it’s like the steady heartbeat that keeps us moving when the winds of doubt try to knock us down. My prayer is that you will be able to find that quiet strength within yourself—the kind that persists even when the world around you seems uncertain or overwhelming. Courage doesn’t always have to be loud or dramatic; sometimes, it’s found in the small, everyday acts of resilience and determination.

My hope is that you will embrace this gentle faith-filled courage, trusting that it will guide you through life’s challenges, one steady step at a time.

It Takes a Lot of Work to Rest

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:23:01 GMT

When was the last time you felt truly rested? I don’t mean just a quick nap or a weekend off, but deep, soul-refreshing rest? You may feel like a weary wanderer, trudging through a chaotic, concrete jungle, each step heavy with exhaustion as you attempt the ascension of the corporate ladder. Or maybe you have a feeling of dark clouds of depletion and fatigue looming overhead, the relentless rain of responsibilities drenching you in weariness, with every breath a battle for a brief respite.

In our fast-paced, always-connected world, true rest has become as rare as a quiet moment in Times Square! But what if I told you that constantly toeing the line of burnout isn't what God designed and that it's actually possible to achieve more by doing less?

I remember a time when I was running on fumes. I was that man who felt a constant cloud of pressure, worry, and never-ending tasks following me every day. I learned quite a bit about rest during that time, unfortunately, it was at the expense of a three-year mental breakdown, Kathy and I having to uproot our family and move to the mountains of Northern California. It quickly became evident I was in need of a deep-seated rest.

The Bible speaks to this need for rest. In fact, God Himself set the example by resting on the seventh day after creation. It wasn’t just the Father though, Jesus modeled rest, by escaping to the mountains multiple times after longer periods of ministry.

What I am getting at is, God takes rest very seriously! So much so that He even instructed the Israelites in Leviticus 25:1-7 to farm the land for six years, but in the seventh year, the land was meant to have a Sabbath rest. Did you catch that? Even the land needs rest!

The need for rest is something that God constructed in the corners of creation. A lifestyle of true rest is something that many people desire but few actually achieve. The truth is that God has designed us to need rest, it’s not a sign of weakness or vulnerability, but rather has been etched into the fabric of your makeup.

Here are 3 things that I’ve realized about rest and some tips you can implement in your life to avoid burnout and experience the benefits of the God-given rest that He has created for us to live in!

1. Rest isn’t a natural response in today’s culture.

Have you ever run into someone that you haven’t seen in a while? Maybe it was at the grocery store, or at the local park during your kid's Little League game. You strike up a conversation and one of the first questions that someone asks is “ How have you been? ” Often the response goes something like this, “ Oh I’ve been really busy! ” or “ You know, just working a lot. ” Sometimes people will ask the question outright, “ Are you keeping busy? ”

I’d like to point out that in American culture it has become normal to be constantly working and neglect the need for rest! Rest is a kingdom concept that God introduced. Interestingly, it's a principle that many people are eager to ignore

Let me be clear: I’m not saying we shouldn’t work hard. As Christians, we should be the hardest working people out there because we are working for the Lord, not just for our boss or company.

But if you want to implement a consistent and fulfilling cycle of rest in your life, then you have to be okay with going against the grain of culture and embracing the idea of rest when many people don’t!

2. Rest won’t happen by accident.

This is one of the most common misconceptions when it comes to rest… Many people believe that once they “catch up” on their work or “get ahead” of their responsibilities then they will have time to rest. The truth is there will always be another task, meeting, or responsibility lurking around the corner waiting to be done.

To make matters worse, in today’s culture, we have access to work at our fingertips through smartphones and laptops. In some ways, it’s a great blessing, it allows people the freedom to work from home, and increases productivity for many businesses. However; it comes at a great cost. We aren’t able to “go home” from work.

One practical thing you can do is look at your calendar and create an event called “REST.” Block it out and say no to conflicting calendar invitations and create the time to rest because it won’t happen by accident.

3. Proper rest requires proper boundaries.

If you don’t manage your life, others will. If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will. One of the biggest causes of a congested schedule is overcommitting your yes. The truth is if you want to set boundaries that allow you to rest, you're going to have to say no to opportunities and people.

This can be especially hard for recovering people pleasers, but if you value your “no” as much as you value your “yes”, then you will be able to create margin to do things that are truly life-giving, and minimize the things that drain you.

Let me leave you with three practical steps that you can take right now to help create more rest among a busy schedule!

Embrace the idea of rest even when the culture around you doesn't!
Make an event, and schedule “rest” in your calendar.
Practice your no to something this week and create margin in your calendar for rest.

Oftentimes people will fall into the cycle of working, burning out, and then taking a long vacation in an attempt to fix a foundational issue. I’d like to propose that the solution to consistent burnout is a cycle of regular rest.

Some of us are trying to do with vacation what God wants us to do as a lifestyle!

I encourage you to ask yourself: Am I resisting rest or embracing it? Have I allowed rest to become a consistent rhythm in my life, or have I relinquished control of my life to my calendar?

Guidelines to Prophetic Ministry

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 18:06:58 GMT

Have you ever received a prophetic word that felt more hurtful than helpful? Maybe you’ve received a word that left you more confused and uncertain, walking away with more questions than answers. These interactions are a reminder that delivering prophetic words requires love and wisdom. Some ask, “Isn’t God in control of everything?” He is in charge, but he is not in control. Think about it; if God was in control of the planet, there would be no more sin, no death, no sickness, no child abuse, no murder, no hatred, etc. God is in charge of everything, but He has left us in control.

Let me explain: In Psalm 115:16 , we read, “ The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men.” The earthly realm is under the dominion and control of humankind. Therefore we must operate responsibly in the supernatural realm and establish guidelines for the prophetic ministry.

First, let me give an example of how to NOT give a prophetic word.

Many years ago when we first started attending a charismatic church, there was a woman who would abruptly stand up in the middle of the pastor's sermon. She would shake, tremble, and then scream out a message in tongues nearly every Sunday. This was followed by an interpretation of equal volume, spoken in dramatic King James English. Her response to any attempt to bring order to her message was met with, “You are trying to quench the Spirit.” After many attempts to reason with her, she was finally ushered out of the church. She “shook off the dust from her feet” and never returned.

Guidelines for Prophetic Ministr y

These are not laws, but rather a few guidelines to help you discern your prophetic ministry. They may change and vary with each ministry.

Delivery of the Prophetic Word

Keep in mind that these guidelines are for how to deliver your prophetic words, but it’s not an exhaustive list.

Don’t feel like you need a special language. We don’t need any old English “thees” and “thous”. Incidentally, Jesus didn’t speak King James English.
Be aware of your demeanor, and make sure it matches that of the Holy Spirit. There is such a thing as saying the right thing done in the wrong way. The tone of our voice is just as important as the words we speak.
Let love be the center of everything you do. Whenever we are ministering in the gifts of the spirit our motive must always be to bring out the best in people. ( 1 Corinthians 14:26 )

Negative and/or judgmental words

Now, these are guidelines for the words that you may find yourself giving. 1 Corinthians 14:3 says, “But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification, exhortation, and consolation.”

The Bible is clear that life and death are in the power of our words. When we give people negative words, we often release death over them
Our goal is to be part of a ministry that releases life and calls out the best in people.
Remember that just because a word ends positively doesn’t mean that it is an encouraging word!

Warning or Judgment words

These guidelines are for if you find yourself receiving multiple words of warning or judgment.

Occasionally the Lord will warn of upcoming dangerous or negative situations. He informs us so that we might pray for our or someone else’s safety. Pray until the burden lifts.
Ask the Holy Spirit for a prophetic word that releases life into the situation. Remember, prophetic ministry releases grace for things to change.
If the warning persists, we should submit the word to our leadership. Once it is given to them then we must relinquish ownership of the prophetic word and let them be responsible to steward it.

Accountability

Lastly, sometimes we may give words that the Lord is actually speaking to us. In other words, we have prophesied over ourselves. Just like any other word, this word should be judged. It is vitally important that we submit this word to those who have authority over us, just as we would if we had received it from someone else. This is especially true if the word involves direction or life changes! Finding good leadership to submit to is key. We should only follow leaders whose life and ministry have good fruit!

I want to challenge you to begin stewarding your prophetic gift - put these points into practice. You can start by praying and asking for the Holy Spirit to give you a prophetic word for one person during a church service.

Once you feel as if you’ve heard something from the Lord, practice your prophetic protocol in delivering that word. Find a spiritual leader within your church and share with them the word that you believe the Lord gave you. They could be a pastor, elder, or deacon. Allow them to determine the authenticity and timing of the word. If you are given permission to deliver the word to that individual, be conscious of not just what you say, but how to say it!

If you want to learn more about prophecy and the prophetic, I invite you to attend the School of the Prophets on August 5-9, 2024 . The focus of this school is not simply to teach but to activate you practically into a prophetic lifestyle and prepare you to effectively influence your unique metron and prepare the way for cultural change. Experience a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit as we make space for Him to come and move in our midst.

Discover the 3 Purposes of Prophecy

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 02:12:06 GMT

In December, the Lord began to speak to me about the Church entering a "halftime season," a period for making necessary adjustments to prepare us for a new era. Just as Jesus was led into the wilderness—a time we might call "His halftime"—the Church is being led to evaluate the past season and return to the foundations of who Jesus is, who we are as His children, and what He has called us to do. With this in mind, I wanted to share a blog post I wrote back in 2016 about the purpose of prophecy.

The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:3, “The one who prophesies speaks to men for edification, and exhortation, and consolation.”

We understand from this passage that the main purpose of the gift of prophecy is for edification, exhortation, and consolation. Edification means “to build up,” exhortation means “to call near,” and consolation means “to cheer up.” In fact, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are some of the love languages of God. When we prophesy over someone, that person should feel kissed by God. When we operate in the gift of healing, the person we are ministering to should feel embraced by God, and no one should have to be delivered from his or her last deliverance!

PROPHECY ENCOURAGES THE CHURCH

The primary purpose of the gift of prophecy is not to direct or correct the Body of Christ, but rather to encourage the Church. The book of Acts gives us a great example of this principle when Luke writes, “Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren,” (Acts 15:32). New Testament prophecy encourages and builds up people; it doesn’t condemn or speak negatively to them. We should never allow people who are ministering in the gift of prophecy to speak negatively into the lives of others. As we have said many times before, the goal of the gift of prophecy is to bring out the best in people! If we see negative things in someone’s life that we are ministering to, we are to ask the Holy Spirit to give us the answer to the problem that we discern. Then we prophesy the answer—not the problem.

For example, if we are ministering to someone and discern tha t they are struggling with pornography, the Holy Spirit will often give us a prophetic word for them such as: “God is calling you to a new level of purity and holiness.” In this way, we have prophesied the answer without speaking about the problem; this releases grace to break the bondage of pornography in their lives!

EVERYONE CAN PROPHESY

Anyone who is saved and receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit can minister in the gifts of the Spirit.

Paul wrote, “For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted,” (1 Corinthians 14:31).

Luke echoed Paul’s exhortatio n with his account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the First Century Church. Here is Luke’s record of Peter’s first message,

“It shall be in the last days,” God says, “That I w ill pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17-18).

It is clear from these verses that the gift of prophecy is availa ble to EVERYONE!

The Key to Loving Others Well

Wed, 01 May 2024 18:53:50 GMT

Many of us have been misled into thinking that to love ourselves is a form of selfishness. Yet, what does Scripture really say? 'Love your neighbor as yourself'—this commandment from the Bible isn't just an instruction to love others but a divine mandate that ties our ability to love others to how much we cherish and accept ourselves. As we unpack this, let’s redefine what it truly means to love ourselves in the light of God's word, discovering how this self-love is not selfish but is actually the cornerstone of genuine relationships.

The Destructiveness of False Humility

Humans were made in the image and likeness of God Himself. Metaphorically speaking, God is the artist, Jesus is the model, and we are the painting. Every time we think badly about ourselves, we insult the artist AND the model. In Christian circles, humility is often taught as thinking badly about yourself. Consequently, much of what we believe about humility is actually a doctrine of demons, initiated by the devil and fed to us as a happy meal with the false promise of a prize inside.

But the truth is, false humility is destroying the lives of countless Believers! We are aborting our childlikeness on the altar of self-denial, self-hatred and self-sacrifice. Then, we wonder why we’re depressed and suicidal. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If we don’t love ourselves, we can’t love anyone else. Loving God and loving ourselves is the catalyst for loving our neighbors.

Furthermore, we will never let someone love us more than we love ourselves, and if anyone tries, we will sabotage our relationship with them! Jesus said it best, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) The Greek word for love in this passage is agape. Agape love is the love of God for mankind present in the person of God. God doesn’t just love, He is love! Therefore, agape love flows from the person of Jesus and it is meant to be directed back to God and people.

It’s funny how we can read a passage about three different people we are commanded to love (agape); (God, ourselves and my neighbor), and only see two. It’s time to fall in love with God, our neighbors and ourselves!

Often, when I teach the principle of loving ourselves, inevitably somebody will quote this verse, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self…” (2 Timothy 3:1-2). The Greek word used for love in this passage is philautos. Philautos is defined as a person who is preoccupied with their own selfish desires – self-absorbed and arrogant divas! When our love for ourselves doesn’t benefit our neighbor, it’s the wrong kind of love.

Put Love to the Test

I spent years not liking myself. My father drowned when I was three years old, and my mother married two more times; both were violent men who abused us. My fathers, who were supposed to teach me to love, didn’t like me, and I took on their assessment of my personhood. When I found Christ, instead of fully receiving God’s love, I spiritualized my self-hatred, calling it "dying to self." But I wasn’t dying to self; I was crucifying myself, feeling perpetually bad about the guy for whom Jesus died. It wasn’t humility; it was penance. I was a cutter on the inside of my soul, while faking joy on the outside. Twenty years after finding Christ, I finally came to grips with my identity in Jesus and learned to love myself. Now, I can finally say I love others, just as I love myself.

I want to challenge you to put love to the test! The more you love (agape) yourself, the better you will treat the people around you. In fact, check out Paul’s exhortation to men, “Husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church…” (Ephesians 5:28-29) This is so powerful! The standard for loving our spouse is how well we love ourselves. In fact, we are commanded to “nourish and cherish” our flesh, as Christ does for the Church. Jesus nurtures and values His bride, and we are to do the same to ourselves so we can bring the identical care to our family, friends and those around us.

Love never fails. It’s past time to discover the true power of love!

The Kryptonite of Connection

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 22:32:29 GMT

In a world more connected than ever through the internet and social media, the deep, authentic connection we all yearn for has become increasingly elusive. Created in God’s image, we instinctively desire to be known, loved, and belong, yet so many of us wrestle with invisible barriers that keep us isolated. What if the secret to breaking through these barriers lies not in more connections but in deeper, more meaningful ones with both God and others? How can we identify and overcome what prevents us from experiencing true connection in our daily lives?

Where Modern Research Echoes Biblical Wisdom

Dr. Brené Brown is one of America's most prominent social researchers with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work, and a PhD in psychology. She has written six #1 New York Times bestselling books and has one of the most popular TED Talks in history entitled, “The Power of Vulnerability.”

Dr. Brown spent six years surveying thousands of people from a broad range of races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds, trying to discover if there is a need that is central to life itself, which is common to all humans. After thousands of interviews, she arrived at this conclusion: The primary need in life is connection. In fact, she said, "We are neurobiologically wired for connection; it is why we are here."

Dr. Brown went on to explain that connection is the sense we have that we are loved and that we belong, and it is a crucial need in life. Connection is what gives meaning to our lives.

So, Dr. Brown asked herself this crucial question: “If connection is central to who we are and how we live, what is the kryptonite of connection?” After another year of research, which resulted in her own personal crisis and subsequent spiritual awakening, she discovered that the answer is SHAME! She said, "The greatest enemy of connection is shame!"

Shame is the fear of disconnection. Shame whispers, "There is something about me that, if people knew, would make me unworthy of connection. I am not good enough, I am not smart enough, I am not pretty enough, I am not spiritual enough, etc.…I am not worthy of love." In fact, she said, the more you don’t talk about shame, the more likely you have it.

She divided her research into two groups of people; those who walked out of shame and found connection, and those who didn’t. Then she asked herself the question, “What’s the difference between these two groups of people?” What she discovered is incredible! Everyone who walked out of shame and found connection had the same thing in common; they were ALL vulnerable! Dr. Brown said that vulnerability is the ability to be seen and known. It’s vulnerability that breaks the power of shame.

Vulnerability is the ability to say, “I love you” first. It’s the birthplace of joy, happiness, creativity, belonging, and love. As she dug deeper into her research, she found that vulnerability was ALWAYS propelled by a deep sense of worthiness. Dr. Brown defines worthiness as the belief that I deserve to be loved and I belong. In fact, it is only those who have a sense of worthiness who become vulnerable and walk out of shame.

What else is interesting is that everyone who beat shame had courage.

Dr. Brown went on to explain that courage comes from the Latin word 'cor', meaning 'heart.' It means 'To tell the story of who you are with your whole heart.' In fact, the courage to be imperfect is the master key to worthiness. It takes courage to be compassionate and to be kind to yourself first, so that you can be kind to everyone else.

She found one more common thread among all the people who broke free from shame and lived a life of connection; it's authenticity! She described authenticity as the ability to let go of who you think you should be, so you can be who you really are.

I listened to Dr. Brown’s Ted Talk about fifteen times and took pages of notes. I was so intrigued by her research because she came to the same conclusion that I had come to, only from a different perspective.

Walking in the Light

The Bible says we were created for connection with God and one another. God is the head and we are His body; this is the overarching theme of the entire Bible. Condemnation is shame at work and it is rooted in sin, which is the kryptonite of connection with God, and with people. Condemnation always connects our bad actions with our identity.

But the Holy Spirit came to convict us of sin. Conviction says, you’re better than that bad action, attitude, or attribute; it is not who you are. You are a child of the King, made in His image and likeness. You are royalty, so stop behaving below your nature.

The Apostle John put it like this: 'This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness , we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' (1 John 1:5-9)

In light of Dr. Brown’s research, I would like to point out that walking in darkness looks like refusing to be vulnerable and authentic and instead choosing to hide in shame. Reciprocally, walking in the light is manifested by living in vulnerability and authenticity. It is stepping out of the cave of condemnation and finding the courage to live in community, which is the full expression of fellowship. The Greek word for 'fellowship,' is 'koinonia,' meaning 'the exchange of life.' What is one outcome of true fellowship? We confess our sins to one another! This is a powerful expression of vulnerability and authenticity. Look at the outcome of this radical way of life; Jesus forgives us and His blood cleanses us from all 'unrighteousness,' which is the reason why we sinned.

Are you living in shame because there is sin in your life that you’ve never told anybody about? There is supernatural power in true confession, which destroys shame and cleanses you from all evil. I want to exhort you, to find the courage or 'cor' to let go of who you are pretending to be, so you can be who you really are, through the blood of Christ. You can’t make yourself holy but Jesus can; and He will when you leave the dark cave of isolation, and step into the light of authenticity.

Prophetic Word: The Womb of the Dawn

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 20:47:38 GMT

In early December, I began seeking a prophetic word from the Lord for 2024. He told me, "I am not going to give you a word for 2024. Instead, I am going to give you a word for the Body of Christ for a new era." He explained to me that January of 2024 would be a halftime season; marking the closure of an era and the beginning of a new one. This period would be characterized by immense transition, culminating in the discipling of nations. A supernatural metamorphosis, metaphorically akin to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, would occur right before our eyes.

I shared this halftime message in the first week of January with the global Bethel Church family. I explained that in professional football, halftimes are not just for rest but also for reflection, analyzing strategy, and making necessary adjustments. Often, the team that starts off behind will win the game because of the adjustments made at halftime. Coaches are evaluated on their ability to make these halftime adjustments and develop a winning strategy! Similarly, teams will review game footage from the first half to assess their performance against the opposition and how each player matches up against their counterpart.

Two weeks later, on Sunday, January 28th, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers, my team, were playing against the Detroit Lions for the NFC Championship. This game would decide who goes to the Super Bowl! To my dismay, the 49ers were down 24 to 7 at halftime. Unable to watch my team being crushed with seemingly no hope for victory, I turned the TV off. Forty minutes later, I gathered the courage to check the score and was astonished to find it tied at 24 to 24! The 49ers went on to win the game 34 to 31. I laughed out loud at the game's conclusion, reflecting on how I had told the Church in my halftime message a couple of weeks earlier that the Lord speaks to us in languages and metaphors we understand.

THE WOMB OF THE DAWN

Furthermore, in early January, I woke up at 3 am with a verse echoing in my spirit: "Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; in holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew." (Psalms 110:3‬) This verse proclaims that the youth are like dew, triggering a spiritual photosynthesis where "Son" light is converted into energy. This youthful energy acts as a catalyst for the awakening of a new era's dawn. What is catalyzed by the "dew" is an outpouring of God's power, creating an army of lovers organized in "holy array"—meaning they are organized to demonstrate His glory—all happening without a "draft" because people are volunteering freely.

This revelation made a lot of sense to me because it followed a series of encounters that began on July 30, 2023, with a prophetic vision where I saw the Lord placing a trumpet in my mouth. The Lord said, "Blow the trumpet, rally the troops! I'm calling for reinforcements: business people, attorneys, doctors, intercessors, politicians, scientists, fathers and mothers, revivalists, and reformers. I'm calling educators, builders, and financiers—come help us extend the kingdom's borders into the cesspools of darkness. Let's dirty our hands with the hearts of men." Then I heard, "The kings are coming! THE KINGS ARE COMING TO HELP! Prepare for the kings who are led by the procession!"

About 2500 years ago, the Prophet Isaiah proclaimed, "Your gates will be open continually; they will not be closed day or night, so that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession." (Isaiah 60:11) The procession, birthed from the womb of the dawn and catalyzed by the youth, is attracting kings who are bringing the wealth of their nations to fund this movement.

HALFTIME

I want to remind you that even Jesus had a profound halftime. He lived for thirty-three years but ministered for only about three of those years. A significant shift occurred when He spent forty days in the wilderness, which we might call "His halftime." It was a time to revisit His Heavenly strategy, led by the Spirit, for His earthly mission. Luke notes that Jesus entered the wilderness, "led by the Spirit" (Luke 4:1) and left it, "in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14). Jesus became famous for the three years following His halftime. We know little about His first thirty years, but that halftime transformed Him and, consequently, us forever.

I love the warning Eric Hoffer gave when he said, "In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully prepared for a world that no longer exists." This quote always reminds me of Lot's wife, who looked back at the city of sin that was once her assignment. Her story is a profound illustration of how movements can become monuments, pillars of past passions. Like Lot's wife, God is leading us to a new place in the Spirit. It's imperative that we don't leave our hearts behind. Jesus said it best: "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

We are about to enter an extraordinary new era, but the impact it will have on each of us individually depends on how much we value the Lord's work in our lives. This can be measured by the sacrifices we make and the cost we are willing to pay to be fully engaged in this move of God.

I would like to conclude with a story that occurred in Boston, which illustrates my point further. A man played a violin in a subway while a handful of people stopped to listen, with only a few offering up a clap. The violinist managed to raise about $30 in tips that day. What no one seemed to realize was that the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians of our time. In the subway, Joshua played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Just two days before, Joshua Bell had sold out a theater in Boston, where seats averaged $100 each. The lesson is clear: it's easy to miss an extraordinary moment amid the ordinary busyness of everyday life.

SO, WE ARE EXITING HALF TIME! Set aside some time to talk to the Lord about a new strategy for the next era. This is the womb of the dawn!

It's Halftime

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 20:44:24 GMT

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of life's chaos, desperately needing a break, clarity, and a spiritual reset? Picture it like halftime – that pivotal moment when the coach steps in, recalibrates the team, and sparks a turnaround. The game isn't over; this is a chance to come back stronger and claim victory!

In recent weeks, a resounding message has been echoing in my heart and mind: January is the Church's halftime! Our divine Coach is calling us to the huddle, to draw close, and let Him fine-tune our game plan – our values, thoughts, and behaviors. Amid the noise, He's inviting us to step away, knowing that leaning into these divine moments will catapult us into the second half, ready for victory. And in this game, we already know the final score – He wins!

PRUNING WITH A PROMISE

God in his kindness is inviting us into a season of pruning. Romans 2:4 states, “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” It is the kindness of God to correct us and draw us near to him. Not only that but when we repent and turn to him, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, empowering us to live righteously!

Does that mean that when I repent to Jesus that I am fully sanctified – made holy?

Yes, when you accept Jesus you become holy and righteous before God but scripture is also clear that we are also being sanctified – becoming more like Jesus as we abide in Him. What I’m getting at is that no matter where you are in your walk with the Lord, his kindness is always drawing you into deeper repentance and relationship with Him.

John 15 is a beautiful example of this principle. Here we see God as the vine dresser and us as the vines. As he moves through the vineyard, he cuts back any vine or branch that is not bearing fruit.This is true kindness because, left to their own devices, vine branches will continue to grow and grow and grow beyond their fruitfulness until they are little more than just long twigs, becoming hindrances to us rather than helpful.

My grandfather's vineyard taught me this truth. The vine dresser, not out of cruelty but wisdom, trims each branch to its place of fruitfulness. As he cuts, a promise unfolds because where he cuts more fruit will grow to 30, 60 and 100 fold!

As we start this month of January, join me in inviting the Lord to look at our branches and speak to us about where He is wanting to prune. Trust that through this pruning, a promise unfolds—a season of abundant harvest!

At Bethel Church, we're embarking on a 7-day fast from January 7th to 13th. I invite you to join us as we lean into this season together, seeking the Lord's guidance for the coming year. You can learn more here .

Unlocking the Destiny of Gen Z and Gen Alpha

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 20:39:54 GMT

Gen Z, labeled as the seemingly lost generation to Christianity, and Gen Alpha, the digital natives immersed in screens, stand at the crossroads of an era defined by the rapid evolution of technology. As they navigate the evolving landscape of identity, both personal and global, a crucial question reverberates: "Has the Church lost this next generation?"

Witnessing these young minds embark on the uncharted waters of technological advancements and boundless online realms, the need for a guiding light through the unknown becomes apparent. With foundational truths constantly under scrutiny and myriad distractions vying for their attention, the stakes are undeniably high.

The concern deepens when confronted with statistics. A General Social Survey (GSS) study revealed that only 31% of Gen Z are confident in the existence of God.

Who is shaping the beliefs of this generation? I propose that technology, particularly the gaming industry, emerges as a significant influencer, surpassing even the combined impact of the movie and music industries with a global valuation of $159.3 billion.

Cassandra, a group specializing in the study of younger consumers, reports that 58% of Gen Alpha, aged 7 to 12, identify themselves as "gamers." An Institute for Family Studies and Wheatley Institute survey discloses that kids aged 11-18 spend an average of 10 hours a day using digital media (gaming, social media, video chat, and texting), excluding television.

It is clear that children are using technology at an unprecedented rate and the gaming industry is helping form their world view. What if, instead of looking at these statistics as hopeless, we see them as an opportunity where God wants to show up in the midst of a technologically advanced society and meet children where they are, which oftentimes is in front of a screen.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Brent Dusing, Founder/CEO of TruPlay , a faith-based entertainment platform, where he shared a hope filled message of how God is using gaming to disciple and transform children’s lives.

I was so inspired hearing his stories; it reminded me of a vision the Lord gave me decades ago where I saw godly video games being used to disciple a generation. Here we are, 20 years later, and God is at work, raising up men and women strategically placed like leaven within the gaming industry, causing a rise in morality and excellence!

GEN Z WILL BE SAVED!

As believers, our spiritual vantage point is crucial. We have been raised up in Christ, seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:4-6). It's from this place that we not only discern God's voice and action, but also gain a perspective that transcends the apparent challenges. Here we understand that the greatest hurdles in life are often the very arenas where God chooses to showcase His glory!

In the face of uncertainties surrounding Gen Z and Gen Alpha, I distinctly hear the Lord proclaiming that this is the generation of salvation. They are not lost; they are strategically positioned to encounter the unfathomable love and power of God. A mighty move of God is stirring on the horizon, and our role is to be beacons of hope, piercing through the shadows and illuminating the path for the next generation. When that divine spark ignites within their hearts, a world of endless possibilities will be at their fingertips, ready to be shared not just within their immediate circles but with the entire world.

God is calling his church to rise in faith, anchored in the belief that He is not absent in the challenges but actively at work in the midst of them. The destiny of these generations is not one of despair but of divine purpose, and as believers, we play a pivotal role in ushering in the dawn of their encounter with the life-transforming love of Christ.

God is using TruPlay as an avenue to reveal his love to the next generation and we have partnered together to see children impacted for the kingdom. To explore further and discover more about their games and comic books, you can find additional information here.

The Sacred Work of Science

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 20:32:55 GMT

Have you ever grappled with the intersection of an unwavering belief in a supernatural God who releases healing from heaven and the pragmatic world of science and medicine? Perhaps you've found yourself standing at the crossroads, fervently praying for a miracle yet receiving healing through the hands of a compassionate doctor. It's a tension many face—the delicate dance of faith in God's miraculous power juxtaposed with the gift of modern medicine. What if there is no tension at all and there is actually a beautiful integration of faith and science?

These questions hit close to home for me. Years ago, my wife Kathy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, presenting what seemed like an insurmountable challenge to overcome. God has spoken beautiful promises of healing and restoration to me about Kathy, and I have no doubt that God is able to bring total restoration to her body as I have seen numerous individuals healed from neurological diseases. I also know Kathy’s journey of healing will impact many with the same disease! Yet, as we await the manifestation of the miracle, Kathy continues to receive exceptional care and groundbreaking treatments, all guided by the expertise of our dear friend, Dr. Karen Garnaas, a neurologist who specializes in neurodegenerative diseases. Through it all, our hope remains firmly rooted in God.

In a recent conversation with Dr. Garnass, Founder/CEO of Catalyst Neuromedical Center in Redding, CA, we delved into the divine relationship between faith and the science of medicine.

Frequently, strong opinions emerge when discussing the intersection of these two topics. When pursuing health and healing, some insist on relying on hard facts, while others insist on pursuing healing solely through supernatural encounters. In the midst of this discussion, Karen shares a beautiful perspective: “Science is the discovery of the laws of nature and the laws of nature are a revelation of the nature of God!” Romans 1:19-20 reinforces this idea, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made “ (emphasis added).

What God creates reveals His power and divine nature! Scripture also states, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2). God is the one who created all things and throughout creation He has concealed mysteries for us to discover. What if science is the practice of unveiling what God has hidden for us? What if scientific discoveries and medical treatments are part of God’s solution for healing?

The discovery of gravity by Isaac Newton stands as a compelling illustration—man's findings don't diminish the glory of God revealed through nature. Newton uncovered a principle designed by God, and this discovery unequivocally points to an all-powerful and glorious Creator.

What I’m getting at is, God can receive glory through advancements in science and medicine as medical professionals abide in Him, revealing His glory through their work. Not only that, but I propose that medicines and medical treatments are a way that God can bring healing to your mental and physical body!

THE KINGS ARE COMING

I recently had a vision where I witnessed professionals, particularly in the medical field, converging into Redding. I heard the Lord say, “The kings are coming, the kings are coming! Get ready for reinforcements!” A medical community is already unfolding in Redding, where medicine and the supernatural beautifully blend, and more medical professionals are coming!

If you feel the Holy Spirit's nudge, consider this a heartfelt invitation. Come to Redding! We firmly believe God intends to transform our city across every field, a living testament to the impact of Jesus and His Kingdom.

What If Your Thoughts Are Not Your Own?

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 20:22:55 GMT

NOT EVERY THOUGHT IS YOUR OWN

Have you ever found yourself going about your day, running errands, at work or connecting with friends, only to be startled by a thought that seems to come out of nowhere? Perhaps it enters as a subtle judgmental opinion or perverse idea, or maybe it is a loud and overwhelming statement of, “I hate myself!” Scripture is clear that we are to be sober-minded in all that we do and to manage our thinking so that it is lovely, pure and noble. But, scripture also teaches us to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). I propose that not every thought that enters your mind originates from you. There are thoughts from the enemy that will enter your mind uninvited, and those thoughts you must take captive!

Consider this analogy: your mind is like a car with the radio turned on, and the spiritual realm represents the vast array of radio waves around you. On one channel there is a never ending stream of truth being broadcasted by God Himself that you always have access to, but an opposing channel serves to spew the lies of the enemy to anyone who will listen. Humans have the ability to "tune in" to these channels, but without the awareness that these channels even exist, one could see how easy it might be to mistake external thoughts for your own. Without understanding this principle, Believers can find themselves racked with shame, attempting to repent for a thought that wasn’t theirs from the start.

Let me be clear, I’m not saying that we aren’t responsible for our own thoughts, but rather that when a lie from the enemy knocks on the door of our mind we have a choice. We can either recognize the lie that it is and slam the door in its face or we can choose to entertain the thought and allow it inside.

In a recent conversation with my dear friend Dawna De Silva, a bestselling author and founder of Bethel Sozo, she made an insightful point: "It’s important that we understand what the broadcast of the enemy is, not so that we can tune into it but so that we know what he is doing, discerning how to shift and release the opposite of what he is doing." There are countless channels we can choose from, but it’s important to have discernment when selecting what we will receive into our spirit. I’d propose that developing discernment to identify the enemy's deceptions has the potential to transform more than just our personal lives. This ability equips Believers with the power to change the very climate around us as we counter the adversary's tactics.

YOU ARE AN ATMOSPHERE SHIFTER

2 Corinthians 10 declares, "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

As sons and daughters of God, not only do we have the responsibility to establish spiritual boundaries within our own minds but we have been given the divine authority to demolish strongholds, arguments and claims that oppose God! Wow! Imagine if Believers grabbed ahold of this truth, able first to identify a spiritual “radio station” and began to release the opposite into their realms of influence. Cities would be transformed and spiritual strongholds removed.

DISMANTLING THE SPIRIT OF SUICIDE

The last few years, I have been deeply disturbed by the alarming suicide statistics both nationally and globally. I am infuriated by the enemy's assault on the minds of this current generation, convincing them that life isn't worth living. This is a lie straight from the “Hell’s Hotline” radio station! According to the National Institute of Health, in 2019 suicide was the 4th leading cause of death in young people aged 15-29 globally. In America alone, according to a study by the American Foundation for Suicide prevention, there were 1.7 million suicide attempts in 2021.

Having grappled with severe depression and suicidal thoughts myself, I empathize with the overwhelming feelings of despair that can consume one's mind, and recognize how in those moments ending one's life can seem like the sweet escape you’re looking for. Yet, God’s truth is louder than any lie and He desires to bring the same deliverance to you that He did to me in my season of darkness.

So, what if we could identify the spirit of suicide plaguing our communities and engage in warfare against the strongholds that oppress so many? If we aim to be a force of hope, we must abandon a passive stance and fight with the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. The truth is, light is stalking the darkness, and the goodness of God is overwhelming evil!

If you are hungry to grow in discerning and shifting spiritual atmospheres, check out Dawna De Silva’s book Essential Training for Shifting Atmospheres .

If you’re dealing with suicidal thoughts, I exhort you to reach out for help today. If you’re having immediate thoughts of ending your life please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Building A Bridge Between Hollywood And The Church

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 20:15:54 GMT

PERFORMING FROM IDENTITY V.S. FOR IDENTITY

Throughout history, the arts have wielded immense power in shaping and transforming culture—from the Psalms of King David to the plays of Shakespeare and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien; the impact of these artists is undeniable! Over the centuries, cities such as Rome, Istanbul, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles have emerged as influential hubs for actors, painters, writers, and musicians not only to hone their craft but also to fulfill their dream of making a name for themselves. Many are drawn to these influential cities with underlying motivations, seeking to escape their pasts, reinvent their identities, or obtain the affirmation they may have never received, especially from paternal figures.

This insatiable hunger for affirmation and identity has plagued humanity from the beginning of time. Even more so now, there exists a generation of creatives performing for identity rather than from identity because true identity can only come from a personal relationship with our Creator. From this place of identity flows inspired works like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, Mozart’s symphonies, and even the recent TV series, "The Chosen."

Now, you may be wondering: Why do we see many influential creatives who don't know Jesus, yet they have a great impact? I propose it's because the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29), meaning believers and unbelievers alike have the capacity for creativity. We were all created in the image of God, and therefore, we all have the ability to tap into the divine. However, the evidence of our relationship with Jesus and where we find our identity will be seen in the fruit of our lives. It’s no wonder then that we often see darkness and evil being released through the entertainment industry. The created work is simply a reflection of the heart condition of the creators.

Consider, for a moment, the transformative potential strategic prayer and an intentional community of believers could have in a place like Hollywood! I recently sat down for a conversation with Karen Covell, the founding director of the Hollywood Prayer Network (HPN) in Los Angeles, CA to discuss exactly this – God's heart for the entertainment industry and the mission field that Hollywood represents. When sharing about the importance of Believers coming to Hollywood, Karen made a profound statement, “Hollywood is not Sodom and Gomorrah, it's Nineveh. It's not some evil place where Believers are going to fall apart. It can be redeemed! We have to remember that places are dark when there is no light but wherever a Christian shows up, there's light!”

OUR PRAYER STRATEGY

Many Christians view Hollywood as an influential industry with a destructive agenda, permeating our daily lives with toxic content often laden with immorality and violence. Our reaction is to point accusing fingers at creatives and industry leaders who may have never experienced the love of Jesus, cautioning our loved ones to stay away. However, when we look at the life of Jesus, we find a starkly different example – He frequently shared meals with tax collectors and sinners. During our interview, Karen offered a refreshing perspective: "Content won't change until the hearts of the people creating it change." Rather than resorting to accusations, it is incumbent on us to identify the true source of such depravity and evil.

The truth is that there is a spiritual battle at hand and the roots of our struggle is not against Hollywood but against a realm that most people cannot see. The apostle Paul gave us insight into this battle in Ephesians, where he wrote, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

The word ruler in this passage is the Greek word arche, which means beginnings or origins, principalities and rulers. There is a principality named arche that is in charge of redefining the foundations of all truth. It is trying to redefine the origin of life saying that we came from apes, it questions whether a fetus is a human being and even causes people to question their gender. These lies have permeated the entertainment industry and require a prayer strategy to combat them. Yet we serve a God that is bigger than any principality or ruler and if it’s not good, then it’s not the end!

With all this in mind, here are 5 ways to pray for Hollywood and see the light of Jesus shine through the darkness:

Adopt an artist/creative/producer: Begin to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you specific things to pray and prophesy over this individual. If you’d like to take it a step further, the Hollywood Prayer Network has an intercessor’s network where you can apply to pray for an entertainment professional. Follow this link to apply: https://hollywoodprayernetwork.org/prayer .
Pray for the truth of God to be released through the Holy Spirit, and that angels reinforce this truth to set them free.
Pray for creatives everywhere to have supernatural encounters, and especially pray for entertainment leaders.
Pray that evil agendas would be thwarted and that the Lord would confuse the plans of the enemy.
Pray that God would raise up believers of strong moral character and faith throughout all corners of the entertainment industry.

Share in the comments the name of a creative that the Lord has put on your heart to begin praying for. I’d love to agree with you in prayer.

If you are a creative that has a passion to see kingdom transformation come to Hollywood, Bethel Conservatory of the Arts is raising up and instructing a generation of artists that will impact society through creative expression from Heaven. Learn more here .

The Practice Of Thankfulness

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:06:47 GMT

As we embrace the season of thanksgiving, a time devoted to gratitude and thankfulness, it beckons us to reflect and take inventory of the blessings and victories in our life. Kathy and I have always had a great value for remembering the goodness of God and we have countless testimonies of miraculous provision, impossible healings and breakthroughs under our belt! We have also overcome great obstacles in the pursuit of God’s presence and power.

Personally, this past year has carried us into circumstances that demand greater faith and reliance on the Lord. As a senior leader of Bethel Church, I find myself aligning my faith with prophetic words, to “Arise and Build”, as Kathy and I partner with our church family to fund a $100 million building project. Amidst the vast sea of impossibility, the inclination to retreat often surfaces, urging a nostalgic glance back to simpler times. Yet, as I turn back, I observe a path, adorned with memorial stones that herald my history with the Lord—a trail of faith and courage, prompting me to face the unknown once more.

BUILDING A MEMORIAL TO THE LORD

In Joshua 3, a captivating narrative unfolds as the Lord guides the Israelites from the desert into the promised land through the Jordan River. After 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua receives a divine command to prepare the people to cross. He specifically instructs the Levites to carry the ark of the covenant into the river and as the priests step into the water, God intervenes, halting the upstream flow, allowing the entire nation of Israel to cross on foot.

Following this miraculous event, the Lord instructs them to gather 12 large stones from the middle of the river, setting them up on the Jordan's edge. "These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."

Why did the Lord instruct them to build a memorial of stone?

I propose that God foresaw the giants the Israelites would face in their promised land. He knew they might be tempted to turn back and these memorial stones would serve as a perpetual reminder of God's nature and faithfulness to them, offering strength and courage to confront what lay ahead.

FROM FINANCIAL CRISIS TO FAITHFUL PROVISION

After two decades of building businesses and weathering payrolls, navigating ruthless competitors, and entrepreneurial challenges, I found myself acclaimed as one of the top entrepreneurs in my field. After receiving an invitation into full time ministry, the Lord led us to sell our businesses which should have sustained our ministry for years to come. We took the step of faith, however, when the dust settled and the moving vans departed, I sat amidst the remnants of a once-thriving enterprise with a $1.8 million debt as a memorial to Kathy and I’s hard work—our house and most of our possessions gone.

Yet, through a series of seemingly impossible God-circumstances, our debts were either paid off or forgiven within 3 years!

In the place of the rubble, a memorial of God’s provision stood tall. Now, when faced with financial challenges, Kathy and I look back, trusting that if He provided before, He will do it again!

THE BENEFITS OF THANKSGIVING

Whatever circumstance you are facing, trust that God has made a way, and thanksgiving is a key that unlocks doors for divine intervention! Here are 7 attributes of Thanksgiving for you to feast on:

Thanksgiving is the gateway to deliverance and the corridor to Heaven.
Thanksgiving is the inoculation for bitterness and the armor for anxiety.
Thanksgiving is the antidote for arrogance, trading pride for purity.
Thanksgiving is the platform for promotion and the catalyst for community—a gate to favor, amplifying the fruits of our labor.
Thanksgiving is the secret to success and the magic of maturity. It lifts you when you fall and ensures that angels linger.
Thanksgiving is more than a meal, it invites God’s zeal!
Thanksgiving for who God is amid our trials is sometimes the only way out of our current challenges.

THANKSGIVING'S DIVINE INVITATION

As Thanksgiving approaches, take a moment amidst the hustle and bustle to reflect on the memorials you have built with the Lord. Let them nourish your faith and increase endurance for your present reality and future promises!

Let me encourage you, if you are struggling to see a moment worthy of memorial in your life, remember that the greatest memorial you have is meeting Jesus, the one who died for your sins and through whom you can have access to and perfect relationship with God the Father. In every season, this is something you can be thankful for, a timeless foundation that grounds your gratitude and inspires a continual posture of thanksgiving.

What are you thankful for this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's build a community of gratitude together!

Is The Contract Between The People And Government Broken?

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 19:59:52 GMT

Do you trust your government to always or at least sometimes act in the best interests of the people?

In a 2023 study by Pew Research Center, public trust in government in the United States has reached an all-time low of 20%, a significant drop from the 80% it used to be in the 1960s.

These statistics are unsurprising, given the current governmental and political landscape we traverse on a daily basis. It’s not uncommon to witness news stories with headlines accusing leaders of moral failings, embezzlement, or dishonesty. Leaders and politicians often say one thing but do another, leaving us questioning the integrity of our systems.

It's tempting to feel hopeless and disengage from a seemingly broken system, but the truth is, the government is an invisible force that influences all parts of society, directly impacting each one of us. Therefore, as believers, it's our responsibility to be a positive force in what influences us.

In the face of cultural challenges, a crucial question emerges: How do we maintain hope and actively contribute to a positive Kingdom influence on society?

GAINING A HEAVENLY PERSPECTIVE

In 2 Kings 6, the prophet Elisha and his servant are surrounded by an opposing army. The servant sees the strong force and panics, asking, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” Elisha responds, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha prays, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opens the servant’s eyes, and he sees the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

This narrative vividly illustrates the contrast between the natural and the supernatural. God is always doing more than we can see with our natural eyes and it's imperative that we feed our souls with His truth over the lies that permeate society so we can gain a Heavenly perspective.

LEADING WITH HEAVENLY AUTHORITY

Many believers feel dismayed when they see the challenges surrounding them because they don't realize the power they have access to. We must be aware of where the problem is coming from. In Genesis 1, the first Heaven was created — the visible world, the dimensions that our five senses are acutely tuned into. In 2 Corinthians 12:2, Paul mentions being taken up to the third Heaven, revealing a realm two levels above our earthly experience and one level above the spiritual realm. But what about the second Heaven? Ephesians 6:12 tells us, "our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against spiritual forces of wickedness in the Heavenly places." This realm, from which Satan rules, is the second Heaven.

With all this in mind, I propose we won't solve first Heaven problems influenced by evil forces in the second Heaven without taking our third Heaven seat. Ephesians 2:4 says that we have been seated in Heavenly places. So often, we get stuck on first Heaven problems without seeking third Heaven solutions. It's time to adjust our thinking, grab hold of our authority in Christ, and lean into God’s vision and solutions available to us as believers.

INVITATION TO ACTION

I propose that a third Heaven perspective from God always extends an invitation to action.

In a recent conversation with Matt Plummer, Founder/CEO, Zarvana, and Candidate for Shasta County Supervisor, District 4, we discussed his journey to government and how he believes the broken contract between the people and government can be restored.

PRAYER AND PROACTIVITY

Maybe you're thinking, "Kris, I've tried, and I am struggling to have a change in perspective when it comes to government, or I don’t have a third Heaven solution. What can I do?"

The primary action you can take is to pray. Here at Bethel Church, every Thursday, I hold a prayer meeting for government leaders. A key prayer focus we have is for great leaders to be voted into office. Based on my conversation with Matt Plummer, I've compiled a list of targeted prayer points—specific points to lift up in prayer for both our current leaders and those who will lead in the future:

Pray for government leaders to:

Embrace challenges with a perspective of clear vision and hope , seeing them as opportunities to make a positive impact.
Lead with unwavering integrity , recognizing that an “ends justify the means” approach erodes the social fabric, and instead, guide with Heavenly wisdom and above-reproach character.
Act as cultural influencers , responding to character attacks with respect, setting a new standard for communication, and actively shaping a culture of honor.
Cherish unity, appreciating the value of diverse perspectives that lead to improved solutions, intentionally surrounding themselves with individuals from varied backgrounds.
Serve as trustworthy restorers, mending broken trust between the people and government through their actions, upholding integrity and working diligently to heal what has been fractured.

As you pray for these leaders, I challenge you to ask the Lord what you can do personally this week to be an influence for good in government. Maybe that looks like writing a letter of encouragement to a leader, becoming more educated on the world of politics, supporting a campaign you believe in, or even running for local office yourself.

Unlocking SQ: Teaching Spiritual Intelligence at Google HQ

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 21:26:00 GMT

As we enter the month of Thanksgiving, I have been reflecting on moments where I've stood in awe of the doors the Lord has opened for our team allowing us to engage in ministry across diverse spheres of influence. I am reminded of the time I was invited to Google Headquarters to teach about spiritual intelligence. I feel prompted to share this blog post originally written on October 23, 2020. This blog not only explores my encounter at Google, but also delves into the profound reality of our identity as sons and daughters of God.

GOOGLE SMART

In March of 2018, a team from Bethel School of Technology gathered with about two hundred Google employees at Google’s headquarters for a session on the topic of: “Furthering the Narrative around Christianity’s Impact in the Tech Space.” Some of the brightest minds in the world were in attendance, including several Google team members who worked in the artificial intelligence (AI) division. The talk also incorporated a Q&A panel where our team addressed live questions posted by the attendees. It was a privilege and an honor to be a part of the thought leadership taking place that day. Still, though I was surrounded by some of the world’s most brilliant minds who understood I.Q. (our minds), and E.Q. (our emotions), it quickly became apparent that none of them had ever heard of S.Q. (spiritual intelligence quotient). In other words, our team was surrounded by a lot of people, including believers, that may have been “Google smart,” but not spiritually aware.

ROYAL REALITY

The mind of Christ gives us a capacity for brilliance that is beyond our human intelligence. God intended for His people to be more than “Google smart,” so that we can cut through the chaos of this age and walk in divine wisdom and supernatural solutions. This spiritual intelligence is not reserved for a select few prophets or "chosen ones." Instead, it's accessible for all believers. Consider Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:9: “ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ” Did you catch that? Peter isn’t simply pointing out sound theology here, he’s revealing our profound reality as chosen children of the King— that we’ve been chosen, born for nobility, and we have purpose!

Furthermore, inhabiting this royal reality begins with being physically present and spiritually in-tune. In other words, as God’s holy nations, we take ownership of the life we have on earth by walking spiritually empowered, undoing the great injustices that take place on this planet. Remember in Matthew 10:7 when Jesus instructed the twelve disciples with these words, "And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’" Like the disciples, when we go forth to our families, our jobs, and our communities, we go empowered by the Holy Spirit and respond as spiritually intelligent solutionaries who bring about the Kingdom wherever we go. This is our royal reality!

JOURNEY INTO S.Q.

As far as what unfolded for the team and I at Google headquarters that day, well, I went on to explain to the Google employees that higher education is relegated to training only our finite intellect, while disregarding the infinite nature of our redeemed spirit-man. In other words, if they could activate S.Q. with Holy Spirit, the potential of their intelligence would become infinite! The results of the teaching were stunning as minds began to open up to what could be possible with God.

Little did I know at the time that this day was just the beginning of an adventure I would go on with God to delve deeper into the topic of S.Q. Over the months that followed, I began to unpack the full teaching that I gave that day at Google with Holy Spirit. I wrote about the journey into the new world of S.Q. in my book, Spiritual Intelligence: The Art of Thinking Like God . From there, I founded the Spiritual Intelligence Institute where I teach on this subject along with other gifted instructors.

What I want you to understand today is that you have the capacity for brilliance! The thrilling truth is that you have the mind of Christ and this means you have a divine advantage that sets you apart. You have the ability to thrive not just survive. That’s some good news right there! I encourage you to embark on a journey with the Holy Spirit and develop into this God-given gift that’s available to you.

If you are someone who, when faced with tough challenges, desires to create positive change but feel you've hit the limits of your own understanding, consider joining the SQ Institute .

Exploring Christianity in Rave Culture

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 05:43:00 GMT

ANSWERING THE CALL AMIDST DARKNESS

Have you ever felt the Lord's call to enter a new season, city or job, only to be met with a landscape of darkness and dismay upon arrival? Have you ever questioned if you heard His voice correctly when it seems like the place He sent you is devoid of His presence and power? Oftentimes, we question whether we heard Jesus right when faced with environments and missions that don’t match our expectations. Do you continue on or retreat? You might even wonder, "What impact can I truly make in such a place?"

I vividly recall a similar season when God led my family and me to run a program for at-risk children in an old gym in Lewiston, CA. Most of these kids had absent fathers, and many lived in perilous home environments. Witnessing their despair and pain, I grappled with a sense of hopelessness. I was plunged into an environment filled with stories of darkness and brokenness from teenagers who had no idea who Jesus was. What started as a brief commitment extended to five years!

In this seemingly dark season, we witnessed profound breakthroughs as children committed their lives to the Lord, embraced moral values, and, amazingly, it's where we met the boy that would later become our adopted son. It's incredible how God manifests His presence in these seemingly dark spaces, unveiling His glory.

THE SEASON OF THE OWLS

Several years ago, as I was getting up to speak at the School of Worship, God stopped me in my tracks and prompted me to prophesy over the students before delivering my sermon. He spoke clearly:
"The epoch has shifted, and a new prophetic mascot is needed. The eagle is no longer the mascot; it's the owl. The owl is nocturnal, so it is designed to live in the night, to see through the darkness and to know who’s who. Symbolizing wisdom, it feeds on rats and snakes."
This message wasn't solely for the students but for every believer—a revelation for the epoch we're entering as a church! The owl's ability to pierce darkness and maintain clarity of vision is innate. Likewise, God is endowing us with new eyes to see through the darkness, uncovering the invaluable worth within individuals—precious souls who are wrapped up in sin, just waiting to be recovered and set free. This is our mandate as sons and daughters of the king to carry the Kingdom into the darkest corners of society, bringing the wisdom we possess as believers.

WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS...

I recently sat down for a conversation with DJ and music producer, Topher Jones, known as King Topher, to discuss christianity in the rave scene, and how lives are being transformed through the dynamic fusion of faith and electronic dance music (EDM). Topher has played shows in over 20 countries, including the mainstage at Tomorrowland, which for those who don’t know, is the biggest dance music festival in the world! Festivals like Tomorrowland, are notorious for being filled with drugs, sex and immorality.

Despite entering a culture that celebrates sin, Topher enters with a Kingdom mindset and a heart to share Jesus through his music…and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)! Rave Jesus was born out of that very desire to create an intentional place to release a battle cry of hope, joy, and creativity, fueling a rebellion of light against the darkness with each beat.

THE TIME IS NOW

During our interview, Topher recounted the life-altering moment when he first experienced dance music as a child. He expressed, “It was the moment my life changed forever. I knew this is what I was made for. ”

The truth is, God places calling and destiny within each of us. He not only calls but also equips us with His presence for the journey. Whether you're called to be an artist, a business owner, a politician, parent, missionary, or mechanic, it is all a sacred act of worship. God is awakening us to arise and shine as leaders fully equipped to go to the darkest places on the planet.

My prayer for you today is that this conversation reignites the aware ness of your divine mission. For those who've placed their calling on the shelf due to disappointment or weariness pick it back up! For the weary, the Lord promises to comfort, strengthen and empower you for the work.

What sacred work is God asking you to engage in? How is God inviting you to partner with Him to disciple nations today? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

How to Steward Your Relationships

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 22:32:00 GMT

Have you found yourself struggling to maintain your relationships through various seasons of your life? The truth is, relationships are one of life’s greatest challenges and most tremendous rewards. There are few things that come close to the eternal value of our relationships, and stewarding them well during our time on Earth is our highest commandment, carrying a Heavenly weight into the age to come!

THE FATHER COMES FIRST

Consider for a moment God's careful craftsmanship of mankind in Genesis chapter 2. From the dawn of creation, humans were intended to walk in the garden of relationship with their Creator. Only due to deception and sin was there separation between God and humanity. Now think about the great exchange God the Father made in order to restore a relationship with us after the fall – the life of Jesus on the cross. This sacrifice is the most painful, gruesome, unjust, yet powerful and significant moment in history, all in an effort to regain connection with us. Are you catching the theme here? God, the author and perfect representation of relationship through His eternal covenant, has shown His desire and value for a relationship with us.

As Jesus Himself teaches, the first and greatest commandment in all of Scripture is this: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). God comes first above every other relationship. Let me be clear, this doesn't mean that we abdicate our responsibilities to other relationships. In fact, in the next verse, Jesus addresses this very thing: “The second [commandment] is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Our capacity to steward our relationship with God and others is paramount to living in obedience and experiencing the fullness of life that God has designed for us.

DISTRACTION DELUGE

Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t give away what you don’t have?” It's crucial that we protect our time and attention, ensuring they are available for the things that matter most. If our relationships are the most valuable treasures we're entrusted with, it's essential to invest our time and attention in them so they can withstand the tarnishing effects of daily life.

In this digital age, it can be crippling to fight the battle of distraction that is so detrimental to our relationships. We can't effectively steward our relationships if we live by reaction to distractions instead of by intention! There are a lot of shiny things happening in the world day in and day out. From social media to emails, texts and calls, I’m almost certain there are 30 ways to get in touch with someone before 6am! When I was growing up, you had to actually wait until someone got to where a telephone was to be able to get their attention.

Oftentimes, the challenge is that we don’t know how to set boundaries with people, and the squeaky wheel gets the oil, monopolizing our time. What I mean is, when we fear offending others, we become victims of their desires, leaving no time for those who are most important to us. When we feel the pressure to accommodate everyone, consequently, other people dictate our destiny.

A PROACTIVE PLAN

“So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).

In order to steward our relationships in accordanc e with the will of God, we need to start by asking Him who to prioritize. Obviously if you’re married or have children, your spouse and kids are at the top of the list! In determining your priorities, leave room for the Holy Spirit to redirect your decisions. It will require discernment and wisdom to distinguish who should occupy the inner courts of influence in your life and who the Lord is asking you to pour into.

I pray that today you will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit with the understanding of how you should be spending your precious time. I pray that as you steward His answer, each day will become more meaningful than the last!

How to Steward Your Testimonies

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 06:02:00 GMT

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TESTIMONIES AND FAITH

Have you ever heard someone’s life story and immediately been inspired? Were you suddenly infused with the faith to believe God for the impossible in your own life and the lives of those around you? Revelation 19:10 says, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” So then, testimonies are prophecies! What God has done for someone else He will do for you.

Many years ago, Kathy and I fervently prayed for God to pay off our house. Two weeks later, a man in San Diego called us, saying that God had instructed him to do just that - and the amount was almost $486,000! The faithfulness of God in that situation became a powerful testimony for Kathy and me, and now, we had the responsibility to steward it; to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

The truth is, our level of faith should grow in proportion to the level of breakthrough we have experienced. If I receive almost $500,000, I should have $500,000 faith! Our faith becomes the catalyst for us to ask God to do it again, both in our lives and in the lives of those around us, knowing we have gained full access to that breakthrough through the open door of our testimony.

TESTIMONIES YET TO COME

Whenever I’m in a negative ecosystem or facing a trial, I take my situation and I sandwich it between my testimonies (what God has done for me) and my prophetic words (what God has said He will do)… then I decide how to think about my situation (what God has yet to do).

In the meantime, it is incumbent upon us to actualize our faith; we must do what we can do while we wait for God to do what only He can do. For example, if I am waiting for my prodigal son to return home, it is an opportunity to ask Holy Spirit if there are any action steps I can take to partner with Him as I await the testimony. It may look like preparing his favorite meal, painting the walls of his bedroom, or writing him a letter even when I haven’t spoken to him in 5 years.

Abraham's life serves as a remarkable illustration of this principle. God had promised him that he would become the father of many nations though his wife, Sarah, was barren. Throughout his journey, Abraham faced numerous tests, including the moment when God told him to offer his own son as a sacrifice. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, 'He considered that God was able even to raise him [Isaac] from the dead.' By combining his obedience in action and unwavering faith in God’s ability to fulfill the prophetic promise he had received, the outcome became a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness in what seemed like an impossible situation.

TAKE IT TO THE BANK

While I may not be aware of the specific challenges you or your family are currently facing, I know what it’s like to face seemingly impossible circumstances and I want to encourage you to treat every testimony you have as a deposit of faith in your account; one you can draw from again and again, and loan to your neighbor in their times of need. Do you have any testimonies that have become breakthroughs in the lives of those around you? How do you steward your own testimonies? I’d love to hear in the comments!

The Transforming Power of Having a Wealth Mentality

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 02:01:00 GMT

I recently hosted a LIVE Q&A on the topic of financial stewardship on my social accounts. The synergy and curiosity on the subject of wealth specifically prompted me to share this blog post originally written on March 9, 2016. I hope this blog encourages and inspires you!

Have you ever found yourself staring at your financial situation, yearning for a change? You crave a different reality but feel ensnared by a repeating pattern. You may even have the tools and knowledge to improve your finances, yet you find yourself stuck in a relentless cycle.

I'm not here to discuss uncontrollable financial crises or the devastation caused by others' mistakes. I've weathered those storms myself. What I'm here to explore is a transformation of your mindset—a journey to cultivate a wealth mentality, a new belief system that will reshape the way you approach your life and finances.

I grew up American poor (not African poor), so I understand how poor people think. Our people despised wealthy folks; we voted democrat, railed against big business, and blamed Uncle Sam for our condition.

We were little, powerless people, lost in the sea of humanity; paddling hard, but getting nowhere. The winds of financial adversity pounded our tiny boat. If that wasn’t bad enough, cruise ships passed us in haste, leaving us to contend with their wake, further reminding us of the inconsiderate ways of the wealthy.

ROYAL FAMILY

I got saved at 18 and became a part of a glorious church. I was a prince in a royal family – at least that’s what I thought we were. I was even taught that the Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become sons of God!

Yet I so on discovered that God’s noble people also despised wealth. Despite the fact that we all yearned for a heavenly kingdom with gold streets and pearl gates, and we knew our Heavenly Father was rich beyond comprehension, still we gravitated towards poverty like a tick on a dogs be-hind!

We created doctrines to enshrine poverty as if it were the pinnacle of spiritual enlightenment, the Mount Rushmore of Christianity. We made Jesus poor , forgetting that He was the architect of heaven and Creator of the earth. He isn’t just wealthy, He is all powerful! He demonstrated control over the weather, the sea, and over all creation. Fish, trees, and angels obey Him. Demons fear Him, and kings can’t control Him.

MORE THAN ENOUGH

That’s right – Jesus is/was neither poor nor powerless. If He needs money, fish bring it to Him, and if He needs a room to have dinner with His guys, it is prepared for Him supernaturally. If He needs to feed thousands of people at a moment’s notice, He simply multiplies a boy’s lunch – and He always makes more than enough, not because He is wasteful, but because He is extravagant! He is also famous for His wine making. If fact He only needs water to instantly distill the most expensive wine on the planet.

Question: How did Mary know that Jesus could make wine unles s they were enjoying it at home?
Man, I’ve heard so many sermons about money being THE root of ALL evil. It seems funny now, but it took me thirty years to actually read what the verse really said: “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10
Wow! The “LOVE” of money is actually “A” root, not “THE” root, of “ALL SORTS,” not “EVERY” sort of evil.

GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS

So you may ask, “What did God instruct these rich people to do?” Good question. What do you think? Sell everything you have and give it to the poor? No! Give all your money away and live in poverty? No! Don’t have any extra money in savings or else you are not trusting God? No!

Are you ready? Here it is: “Instruct t hose who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Did you get that? God supplies us with things not just so we will survive, but to “e njoy.”

4 THINGS PAUL TEACHES RICH PEOPLE

Here are 4 things Paul teaches rich people:

Rich people must not trust their money, but trust in God.
They mustn’t think they are better than everyone else because they are wealthy.
They have to be generous and share.
They are to store up treasure in heaven, which is where true wealth flows from.

“Wealth is not a sign of your relationship with God!” you shout insistently. Well t hat’s true…unless it isn’t! Wait – think about it, God made Abraham rich, so his wealth was definitely a sign of his friendship with God. Oh, there was also Isaac, Jacob, David, Esther, and especially Solomon (and many more).

Yeah, but it gets even better. Moses wrote; “But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it i s He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18

CONFIRMING THE COVENANT

God said He was giving His people “power to make wealth” for the purpose of “confirming His covenant” with them!

Therefore, it is true that sometimes God makes people wealthy to confirm His relationship with them. So not all wealthy people know God, but the ones He made wealthy know Him. Of course, being broke doesn’t get you a place in heaven either. But being poor usually means that many are working for someone who probably doesn’t think like them, borrowing from some institution that has money (to which they become their slave), and/or praying for God to have some rich person help them (who they have a case against)!

Personally, I have 4 kids and 10 grandkids, so I am praying the Deuteronomy 8 prayer over my family! You can join me in praying this over your family too: " God bless my family with the power to make the kind of wealth that adds no sorrow to it, and confirms Your covenant with us! Amen."

Unlocking the Secret to Lasting Transformation

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 00:48:00 GMT

DID MY PRAYER REALLY WORK?

Have you ever had a moment after you said the salvation prayer where you’ve found yourself discouraged because you’ve woken up feeling the same inclination to fall into your sin nature? Maybe, you’ve questioned “Am I really saved” or “Did the prayer I prayed really “work”?” I often see new Believers question their salvation because they don’t immediately feel the redemptive power of God surge through their being or the temptations of the past disappear immediately.

Now let me be clear, I am not saying that radical transformations don’t happen in an instant. We see examples of this all throughout the Bible from Saul to Zacchaeus, or the woman at the well and the parable of the prodigal son – these are all stories of radical transformation. But, I’d like to propose the problem doesn’t lie in feeling tempted by sin necessarily, it lies in feeling tempted to “clean up” our lives in our own strength because the truth is that none of us have the power to save ourselves. Romans 6 – 8 says that your old man is dead and you have been raised with Christ as a brand new creation. So, regardless of how you feel, the work has been done, and the price has been paid.

I recently sat down for a conversation with my good friend, evangelist and founder of 1 Hope 4 America , Tom Crandall . When I asked Tom how important discipleship is, he responded with the statement, “How important is it for a child to have a parent? It is essential.” True discipleship is meant to empower people to be transformed into the image of their Creator, but religion redefines the terms, conforming people into replicas of their leaders. Religion takes God’s mighty men and makes them artifacts in a museum, while true discipleship solidifies the call of God on our life when someone sees the gold and pulls it out of us.

THE POWER OF DISCIPLESHIP

I want to encourage you today to consider who you are being discipled by. What or who is influencing your faith journey? Secondly, who can you pour into? Who around you needs someone to speak into their life and help shape the masterpiece they are destined to be.

Politics for People Who Hate Politics With Denise Gitsham

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:55:00 GMT

DO YOU HATE POLITICS?

Has the political climate caused you to want to shrink back and pose preconceived ideas about political agendas or judge governmental ideologies? Maybe you have even made statements such as, “I hate politics”, yet your blood still boils when you consider the state of society or the injustices that surround you. There is a reason the injustices, immorality, and evil in our world affect us in a deep and emotional place; we were created to bring light to the dark places of society. We were created to be the light of the world not to stay within the four walls tending to our comfortability and compatibility.

Now, trust me, there is understandable frustration when it comes to trusting the government. But, I would argue that the reason so many have lost trust in the government is not because there is a justified reason, but rather because they placed too much hope in it in the first place. The government was not created to be our Savior; it’s not in place to dictate our heart posture.

I recently sat down for a conversation with my friend and public affairs expert, Denise Gitsham to discuss the fear and hatred of the government that has infiltrated the heart of our nation. Denise carries an inspiring and hope-filled message for political involvement and unity in the Body of Christ.

OVERCOMING THE FEAR AND HATRED OF POLITICS

WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO IMPACT HUMAN HISTORY

I truly believe the Lord has given His people solutions that will shape culture and strategy that will impact the course of human history. I’d propose that one of the most practical ways to transform culture is to influence the laws that are shaping the world we live in. It is important that we exercise our right to vote, get involved in local government and run for office. However, if we are going to bring the kingdom to earth we must ditch the political spirit and its divisive nature and join our value systems to the kingdom of Heaven. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with believing and sharing in fundamental, moral, and ideological beliefs as a specific political party. However, I have seen firsthand the infectious and contagious nature of the political spirit. It has plagued our nation and tried to take root in my own heart. It has one mission: to cause division among the children of God and confusion in the hearts of men.

The kingdom of God is inclusive of all people; it does not have an “us versus them” mentality. The spirit of God has one vision and one mission to love all people and all parties; it is not a respecter of political parties. The challenge is that we live in a world where it has become normal to demonize people of different political parties. The Lord is not a Republican nor is He a Democrat; He is not afraid to use the unlikely ones of society or the foolish to humble the wise.

I pray that you are encouraged this week as you listen to my conversation with Denise to take a bold step into the realm of government.

Discover Denise Gitsham's upcoming book, 'Politics for People Who Hate Politics: How to Engage without Losing Your Friends or Selling Your Soul.,' set to release on November 14th. Get a sneak peek and secure your preorder now.

A Top Gun Pilot Turned Entrepreneur's Journey to Hearing God

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 23:29:00 GMT

DOES HE REALLY CARE?

Have you ever wondered if there are areas in your life you don’t invite the Lord to speak into? Maybe it’s your health, dreams, money, or business? Maybe you have subconsciously written it off as “unspiritual” or you have decided that He simply doesn’t care about it.

I’d propose, the danger in our life lies in the space that we deem untouchable and undesirable to God — we limit His ability, restrict His access, and suffocate sanctified solutions necessary to move the mountains in our life.

The truth is, the Lord does not see spiritual barriers — consider the life of Nebuchadnezzar or even Pharoah. God was speaking to them about very practical aspects of their leadership before they even knew Him or understood what He was saying. Yet, Nebuchadnezzar sought spiritual insight from Daniel who was attuned to the voice of God.

It is vital that we examine our life with an understanding that the Lord is always speaking and He is talking about every area of our life. Yet, we often receive prophetic words in our life and don’t see the fruition of them because we have a belief system that limits us from receiving them in faith.

Did you know that nobody else is going to guard, savor and protect your prophetic words for you? That’s right — what you receive from a word is very much up to you. Imagine how many words never come to fruition because we simply never take part in them, step into them or at the very least, remember them. Or it’s easy to mark them as impossible leaving all the work up to God to complete them in our life. But, the truth is we play a part in bringing the word to fruition on the earth.

This may be a sobering thought but it’s so important to recognize that even if you get a word that makes no sense to you now, it doesn’t mean it’s not from God or not valuable. Remember that the value you place on the word determines the power you’ll receive from it!

I recently sat down for a conversation with Ed Rush , a Corps F/A-18 pilot and business consultant. Ed shared in our conversation a wide variety of life experiences that led him to realize that God speaks and is speaking to us about every area of our lives.

TOP GUN PILOT TALKS TO GOD

I pray that as you watch this week’s Cultural Catalysts episode that you are filled with expectation to hear God’s voice!

I want to encourage you to examine the areas of your life that you have doubted the Lord’s ability to speak into or maybe it is that you have simply not invited Him in. Begin to ask Him what His thoughts are regarding this space in your life — maybe it is your relationship, your health, your habits, or money. Write down what He says and start to steward the wisdom He shares with you.

During the filming, Ed made a generous offer to host a free Zoom session on, "How to Ask God Questions about Your Business...and get Answers." You can learn more about the session he's hosting on October 4th at 1pm PST, and register here .

It’s Time to Dream Again

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 02:42:00 GMT

Have you found yourself in a season of grief or pain, struggling to have vision for the future? Or maybe you have lost hope that the vision the Lord gave you will come to pass. I know it can feel difficult to hold on to the prophetic words for your life and continue to believe God for the impossible when everything around you speaks a different story. Just a few days ago, in my quiet time with the Lord, God began to speak to me about the coming season for our church fellowship. I shared this message with our church family on Sunday and I pray that it would encourage you.

THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF VISION

God is closing the door on the past season and He is calling us into a season of vision and abundance! He began to speak to me through the story of Joseph. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream with his ability to access wisdom from Heaven which allowed him to navigate 7 years of blessing followed by 7 years of famine. Egypt thrived as a nation and was set up for future wealth for generations because they were wise during their years of abundance.

Here are 3 keys to steward the prophetic move of God in this next season:

The Lord is teaching us how to steward our years of abundance. God desires to give us remedies so that we can steward seasons of abundance in a way that we have something to give to the world in the years of darkness.
The Lord is calling us to live future-present. Just as the early church carried on this spiritual legacy of seeing the future and navigating trying times with their resources, God is building prophetic and apostolic centers to demonstrate His wisdom and steward the abundance of His glory, nature and love for a generation we may never see.
God is raising up imagineers. Michelangelo looked at a boulder and exclaimed, “I saw the angel in the marble and I carved to set it free.” His vision moved him to relentlessly chip away as the rock until he could view on the outside what he imagined on the inside. When we as God’s children envision a dream he placed inside us, as Joseph did when he was a young man, it creates a naturally-supernatural impetus to endure the process and see the vision fulfilled.

YOU CAN’T DO IT BUT HE CAN

As we learn to steward both dark and abundant seasons well, God will bring the kings of the earth to us to disciple and bring blessing. Be encouraged that God will always call you to something you can’t do without Him. He doesn’t promise to provide you with a blueprint or a step-by-step plan but he promises, “I am always with you!” and he is a God who specializes in the impossible.

*This sermon is the second part of a two-part series. If you haven't had a chance to watch part 1 yet, you can check it out here .

One Simple Truth to Help Win Spiritual Battles

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 03:48:00 GMT

Do you feel like you just stepped into the wilderness? It can be a scary place to be if you’re not aware of what’s actually happening in the spirit realm. The wilderness can feel lonely, cloudy, confusing and just plain stretching. With it comes a battle, whether you recognize it as that or not. The onslaught of lies you may be hearing in a season like this can feel never-ceasing, like you fight one and just when it’s over another one hits you. What helps me in the wilderness is to know that the battle is for a reason way bigger than what I can see right now, and holding onto that vision gives my pain a purpose.

WHERE DOES THE BATTLE COME FROM?

The devil always stations giants right in the middle of our God-given purposes, and the Lord often endorses them. Yep, you read that right….Remember Jesus’ wilderness experience? It was the Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It was God who was picking a fight with satan. God lured the devil into a brawl by weakening the flesh of Christ with a forty-day fast. Then Jesus beat the devil at his own game (read Matthew 3:16-4:11). Before you freak out about the idea of God putting you in a difficult place, stick with me and let me explain why it’s actually a good thing.

Of course, in any war there are always two agendas operating. Often when we find ourselves in these epic battles in the wilderness, where our souls are being tested to their limits, we ask whether it was God or the devil who led us there. The answer is yes—God and the devil both have a plan for us in the “dark night of the soul,” though they intend entirely different outcomes. The question is, with whose plan will we side? It is only after we have faced the devil in the wilderness, believed God and won our personal victory that the Lord can trust us with any kind of public promotion.

Could it be that your current battle is a test to show you just how strong you are in Christ, and therefore a way to prepare you for promotion?

IDENTITY IS TESTED

You’ll notice that as soon as Jesus received God’s divine endorsement in His identity and calling as the Son of God, He was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to meet the devil in the mother of all battles. I want to propose to you that this was not a coincidence. The Bible is pretty silent about the thirty years leading up to this confrontation and this seems to be the first major conflict Jesus encountered. But at His baptism, the preparation of those thirty years was complete. Christ, after hearing His Father speak to Him from Heaven about being His beloved Son, immediately encountered a demonic voice that questioned His identity as the Son of God.

The dogs of doom always lie waiting at the doors of our destiny.

LEAN INTO THE PROCESS

Between God’s promises in our life and the palace of our divine purpose is always the process that molds us into the person we need to be to stay seated in the palace.

Joseph Garlington said, “God closes one door and opens another, but it’s hell in the hallway.” It is in the “hallway” that we need to remember the words of the apostle Paul, who was all-too-familiar with “hallway” experiences. He wrote, “Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ . . .” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

We often quote verses like this, but we forget that there is no victory without a battle, no testimony without a test, and no miracle without an impossible circumstance. God leads us in triumph by leading us into battles, tests and impossibilities! It was the Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness! So what is it that God is calling and leading you to?

YOUR IDENTITY IS YOUR WEAPON IN WARFARE

So how do we partner with God’s purpose for us in the wilderness instead of falling into the traps of the enemy? It all comes down to our identity as sons and daughters of the living King! Is it not true that all anxiety, fear and torment in a Christian’s life can be traced back to the fact that we have forgotten who we are and/or whose we are? This brings us back to what we learned from the temptation of Christ in the wilderness. The enemy’s devious strategy was to try to get Jesus to question who He was.

If you are dealing with anxiety, torment, fear, low self-esteem, depression or any other negative emotion, it is very likely that you have forgotten that the Creator of the universe loves you. Do not entertain the enemy’s questions about how valuable you are. As Pastor Bill Johnson says, “Any thought that does not inspire hope is rooted in a lie.” Let’s stop believing lies! Let’s embrace the truth and live in peace.

Today I want to encourage you to ask God for a truth about your identity in this season. Write it down, keep it on your phone, put it up on your bathroom mirror. Holding that truth in front of yourself everyday will help you come out of the hallway in victory! Are you in a wilderness season? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

10 Signs of a Noble City

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 22:14:00 GMT

TRUE TRANSFORMATION

Do you have a desire to see your city transformed by the love of God; to bring good news to the poor; to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prisons to those who are bound? (Isaiah 61)

I have a fire burning in my heart to see my city become a noble city! In Jeremiah 29:7 it says, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.”

I want to point out that if we ourselves want to prosper we must pray that our cities prosper too! Whether you realize it or not, you are a city shaper but your city is also shaping you. So then, I want to pose the questions: how do you want to shape your city? What words will you speak over your hometown? As you know, words create worlds.

A GREAT CITY SERVES ALL OF ITS CITIZENS

Loving the poor, the broken, the helpless and the homeless is not only our responsibility, it’s our privilege! Those that “have” may not want the “have nots” around, (and sometimes for really good reasons), but great cities are judged not by the lack of needy people in their community, but by their capacity and compassion to care for them. What I am getting at is a great community adopts their less fortunate, takes ownership of all its citizens, and embraces them as valuable human beings.

We do not have the right or the responsibility to hide our broken and poor people away from society so that the middle class and the wealthy are not inconvenienced by their presence. People who find themselves in this condition are not the responsibility of a few city council members, nor are they the responsibility of a couple of specialized ministries. They are in fact, the responsibility of all the citizens of our community! The truth is, (like it or not); we are our brother’s keeper. As citizens who want their city to be noble, we must do our best to meet the real root needs of these hurting people in a way that gives them a hand up, not just a hand out, understanding that some people simply don’t have the capacity to help themselves.

Whether it’s caring for the poor and needy, or starting a business, or something else completely, I want to encourage you today to write down one dream in your heart for the city you live in (which, by the way, I’d love to hear in the comments). And if you don’t yet have a dream for what could happen in your city, ask God for one! I know He will speak to you about the plans, hope and future He has for the land you call home!

Here are 10 signs of a noble city. Meditate on them, hold them in your heart, and dream about what this could look like in your city:

The city is safe. You are not worried about your children being harmed or your home being broken into. When someone does commit a crime they are brought to justice swiftly.
The city is prosperous. Industry is thriving and there are plenty of well paying jobs for everyone who wants to work. Therefore, unemployment is low and there is enough tax money to pay for all the necessary services.
The educational institutions are excellent. They are training and equipping students in both life skills and occupational opportunities.
There is a positive spiritual climate in the community led by many healthy churches.
The morale of the city is high. People have a positive outlook on life and they are generally happy.
The medical community is well-equipped and staffed to help bring physical wholeness to people.
There is healthy recreation and entertainment in the community.
The government of the city is honest, forward thinking, and wise.
The city has a noble identity and purpose.
The poor and homeless are well taken care of.

It’s time we begin to take ownership, have a voice, and therefore a vision for our cities! Let’s dream God-sized dreams for our land, serve wholeheartedly, and put action to our love for the places we call home!

Two Keys for Learning How to Think Like God

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 03:05:00 GMT

TO THINK LIKE GOD

Do you know what it means to think like God, to have the mind of Christ? I’m sure many of you can answer that question with sound biblical theology. Still, that’s my concern— that Believers spout on about profound truth but they never actually experience it! Their theology ends where it began — with “the right answer.” I don’t think I need to point out to you that faith is not a summation of noble ideas, rather, in the Kingdom of God, faith is more of a verb than it is a noun; it’s “Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!” My point is, if the Church truly knows what it means to think like God, then why aren’t Believers leading in every realm of society as God’s solutionaries? Why are injustices like sex trafficking, abortion, racism, and prejudice, to name a few, still happening on our watch? Where are the innovators and the idea makers, the risk-takers, and the ground-breakers?

TRANSCENDENT THINKING

My journey into the mind of Christ began many years ago, when Bill Johnson, who was the pastor of our small rural church at the time, began teaching the congregation about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I’ve shared this story several times, and I’ll share it with you now because this is one moment when a whole new dynamic opened up in my life and my theology became a reality.
Back in those days, I owned a n automotive repair shop and one of our largest fleet customers was a timber company that had purchased over twenty brand-new computer-controlled Chevy trucks. Let me remind you these were the days before automotive technology was standard in the production of vehicles. Back then auto mechanics meant repairing engines and replacing parts, not fixing computers. On top of that, there was very little information out there about the technology in these trucks. There was no Google in those days. Long story short, one of these brand-new trucks rolled into the shop one afternoon on the back of a tow truck. It was followed by a phone call from the manager of the timber company telling me there were 10 more dead trucks just like that one, and I needed to “figure it out!” I spent days working on that truck and couldn’t get it started. I called the dealership and they walked me through numerous tests over the phone and faxed me the wiring diagram, but still, nothing worked.
Finally, Sunday came around. At church, Bill had been teaching the congregation about words of knowledge. For those who need a refresh: a word of knowledge is specific information we get from the Holy Spirit about a person, place, or thing that is currently true, but that we could not have known, had the Lord not revealed it to us, and that’s when a thought hit me that changed everything I knew about God up until that point. I wondered if the Holy Spirit might know as much about trucks as He knew about people!
The next day, after the shop closed and everyone had gone home for the night, I started praying for God’s help. As I prayed, in my mind’s eye, I envisioned myself laying hands on the truck in the same way that I did with people. Feeling uncomfortable but knowing no one was going to see me, I acted on the vision and put my hands on the fender of the truck. Asking for God’s help, a picture emerged in my imagination of a broken wire under the right front fender well. Then I heard a Voice in my mind say, There is a wire broken on a diode under the right front fender. Now, I know this thought was not mine for two reasons: first, I had torn the wiring apart in this truck and never came across a diode. Second, I didn’t even know this truck had a diode; there was no indication of one on the truck’s wiring diagram. I immediately start peeling back the undercoating and lo and behold there it was, the broken diode. I soldered it back on and the rest is His-story...the truck started right up.

I WAS MADE FOR THIS

Since that day, I have solved numerous difficult situations with information the Holy Spirit provided. The truck and the diode experience opened the door to a whole new dynamic in my life and I began to grow progressively in my connection to the Holy Spirit’s transcendent thinking, but there are two things that I learned from that experience that I want to share with you that will teach you how to think like God:

Spiritual gifts give us access to the mind of Christ. Gifts of the Spirit are not trophies or awards that are earned by our merit but are God-given to those who desire them. Spiritual gifts disciple us with the mind of Christ and bring us into spiritual maturity. Jesus put it this way, “If I don’t do the works of the Father, don’t believe Me!” (John 10:37) As a child of God, there is an expectation that we would accomplish the impossible because the God of the impossible abides within us.
Spiritual gifts need a job. When I assigned the gift of the word of knowledge to the job of uncovering the solution I needed for the truck, I gained access to the mind of God and what was once undiscoverable and unseen was now exposed by the light of God’s wisdom. It was right then that I began to understand what Bill Johnson meant when he said, “ There’s no such thing as a secular job as soon as you receive Jesus because everything you do from that day on is sacred.” When we assign spiritual gifts to a job, regardless of where we work or what realm of society we’ve been given influence over, ministry happens! In other words, when an auto mechanic becomes spiritually in tune and intelligent, they now are in the work of ministry!

So tell me, what’s your story? What complex problem, whether it be in your life, family, or the world, do you need a supernatural solution for? Think about this: lying dormant in many Believers is a single thought that originated in God’s mind. Do you know what this thought is that I’m speaking of? It starts as a whisper and becomes a declaration that shouts: “I was made for this!” That’s right; in your heart burns the notion that you will not be conquered because you are an overcomer! If you take hold of the thought that you were made to conquer anything that stands in your way, you’ll begin to harness the power that overcomes crises, transforms lives, and radically shifts culture. How do I know this? Because you were born to be God’s solutionary! You were made for this!

TWO-DAY PROPHETIC THINK TANK

Maybe you have felt a similar stirring or unsettled questioning that there must be untapped solutions to the societal issues that we face. Have you ever laid awake at night trying to sort out a problem at hand whether at work, in your family, or school system?

I’d propose the tension and unsatisfied constitution is not because you are ignorant to the fact that life is filled with challenges, but rather it’s the confrontation of the tension of the limitless nature of your spirit man with earthly limitations. It is the internal knowing that you were made to think like God.

The challenge is that often Believers settle for living in tension and never push past the limits of impossibility to bring Heaven’s solutions to Earth. This is why my team at the Spiritual Intelligence Institute is hosting a FREE 2-Day Virtual Prophetic Think Tank, August 30-31. You can register here .

What Does the Two-Day Prophetic Think Tank Include?

Foundational Teaching that will expand your capacity for spiritual intelligence, equip you to discover the divine brilliance inside of you, and transformative tools that will develop you in the art of thinking like God.
Interactive Think Tank facilitated by SQ Institute Instructors and experienced with other spiritual pioneers that will facilitate a time to receive from God and the opportunity to submit a question to be answered during the Think Tank.

How Perseverance Can Help You Experience Abundant Life

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 02:09:00 GMT

We live in an instant-gratification culture. If we want something, we just hop on our phones and order it, and it arrives on our doorstep within a day! This has taught us that we should get what we want when we want it, regardless of our circumstances. This mentality is not Biblical, it isn’t noble, and it’s robbing us of an important kingdom concept—perseverance. Without which, we forget how to wait on God, and can actually slip into entitlement. However, perseverance is not a gift or even a personality type; it is a choice that we make to refuse to give up when life gets tough. The fruit of perseverance is great character and promise actualized.

OUR GRANDPARENTS DIDN’T HAVE CREDIT CARDS

This instant gratification mentality is expressed in hundreds of ways in our society. Credit cards and thirty-year mortgages are just a couple of ways that this attitude finds expression. Of course, I am not saying these things in themselves are evil or bad; I am simply pointing out that they are expressions of a culture full of people who want it now, regardless of whether they can afford it or not.

Think about it: Credit cards have only been around for about fifty years. That means our great-grandparents actually had to have money to buy things. I know it seems ridiculous to us now, but it is true.

INSTANT GRATIFICATION ROBS US OF PERSEVERANCE

One of the challenges of the instant gratification culture is that it can take away the motivation we have to persevere through tough times in order to apprehend our aspirations because we can just charge it. Slowly but surely, perseverance is becoming a lost art, shared by few and passed on to no one. In a strange way, our supernatural culture can even feed our impatient obsession in that we believe in miracles, which is the immediate intervention of God in a situation. This can undermine our value of life’s processes that are often rooted in perseverance.

MIRACLES ARE OFTEN PREDICATED BY YEARS OF PRAYER

The truth is, God often takes a long time to act suddenly. As a matter of fact, many of the most amazing “instant miracles” I have witnessed have been predicated by years of prayer and persistent faithfulness. This reminds me of the story Jesus told about the widow who wore out the wicked judge with her persistence:

“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward, he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

(Luke 18:1–8).

WHY THIS GENERATION NEEDS PERSEVERANCE IN THEIR FAITH

The reason Jesus told His guys this parable was to keep them from wimping out in prayer by quitting before they got answers. Jesus closes with a profound question about whether or not, when He returns, He will “find faith on the earth.” The connotation is that persistent, prolonged, unyielding, “I refuse to give up” prayer is faith.

The point is, if persistence and perseverance are rooted in faith, then the instant gratification “I have to have it now” mentality must be inspired by the wrong kingdom. In fact, perseverance is to our soul what exercise is to our body. When we push against the challenges of life, our inner man gains strength day by day. On the other hand, when we act like impatient, entitled, spoiled victims, our inner man degenerates, leaving our new man withered, weak, and pitiful.

RESIST THE EASY WAY OUT

To live successfully in greater abundance around us, we must increase our capacity for a greater glory within ourselves. Otherwise, we can become infected by the spirit of entitlement. It is gratitude and perseverance that inspires hope and faith within us. These attributes and attitudes inoculate us from evil and expand our capacity for greater blessing in our inner man.

I want to challenge you, therefore, to resist the temptation to take the easy road. Instead, take the highway of perseverance, which will become the path to your palace. This is the process of nobility that prepares us to embrace our royal identity and fulfill our divine destiny.

Have you seen perseverance pay off in your life? How do you remember to persevere in an instant gratification culture? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

A Peak Into the Future of a Prophetic Transformation || School of the Prophets 2023

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 20:19:00 GMT

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2023

As School of the Prophets 2023 comes to a close, I am refreshed and expectant to see a company of prophets deployed into their unique prophetic calling, equipped to know people by the spirit, and partner with God in this cultural kairos moment. This week-long intensive training school was a marking moment as prophets and prophetic people from all over the world gathered both in-person and online with a unified heart to pursue the voice and presence of God.

It is time to break the silence and resound truth across the nations , for prophets to courageously stand in their calling and dismantle the scheme of the enemies. Gone are the days we are limited by first-heaven realities or overwhelmed by second-heaven tragedies, but are filled with third-heaven solutions that displaces the powers of darkness.

AUTHORITY AND ANGEL HELP

The God of Tech || a Conversation With Ryan Collins

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:52:00 GMT

THE INVISIBLE FACTOR OF FAITH

Have you ever considered the amount of faith it took to advance the most transformative inventions in the world today? Consider sitting with the discovery that light is an electromagnetic wave knowing you would have to convince people that something completely invisible to the human eye was powerful enough to cause light to shine!
This brilliant finding catapulted modern science and has been the foundation of inventions such as the light bulb, wifi, and radar. In a sphere of humanistic values and atheistic beliefs, the scientist James Clerk Maxwell ventured into uncharted territories with the belief that the seen world was made from the unseen (Hebrews 11:3) and thus discovered electromagnetic waves. I love how my friend and CEO of Bethel Tech , Ryan Collins says it, “So, how did humanity get to the point that we could operate in an unseen realm if we didn’t know that it first existed? Unless, of course, a precedent was set in modern science in which humans thought and functioned in a hidden realm to pull unseen ideas and solutions into our natural world. Our modern world was built on the shoulders of Maxwell’s spiritual intelligence.”
I wanted to refresh a conversation I had with Ryan Collins back in 2022 where we discussed what the Lord is doing in the tech space and how spiritual intelligence is influencing science in the modern day. In this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Ryan shared how the Lord told him, “I am redeeming the tech space so that all would taste my goodness.”
Some might believe that the technology sphere has been overtaken by humanistic belief systems, and are afraid that there's no hope for modern technology to give glory to the Master Engineer. The truth is, the devil will counterfeit anything that is powerful; he hijacked the science sphere to point back to humanistic ability instead of the Creator. I’d propose that we are on the cusp of another epoch season that will point back to the origin of creation; this season will advance us forward into the discovery of greater inventions.

SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE

The Lord is raising up modern pioneers that are catalysts of cultural change, agents of sanctified solutions, and revivalists revealing the goodness of God in every sphere of society. As a Believer through Christ’s redemptive power, you are equipped with a divine advantage — access to the thoughts of God; the very One who knows everything.

You have been endowed with an intellect beyond the natural realm and wisdom outside of human reasoning.

I want to encourage you today no matter your sphere of influence, the Lord has equipped you with armor that will withstand any scheme of the enemy. He’s given you intelligence that will surpass any problem you face and is eager to share with you insights and innovations for this day and age. If you are interested in developing your spiritual intelligence for practical purposes on the earth, I want to encourage you to check out the Spiritual Intelligence Institute . At the SQ Institute, we offer courses that empower you to think beyond human reasoning and access the thoughts of God in real-time, increasing your capacity for spiritual intelligence.

The Interconnection Between Emotional and Spiritual Health With Dr. Margaret Nagib

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 20:08:00 GMT

THE VICTORIOUS MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH BATTLE

Have you ever felt alone in the emotional or mental health battle that you face where you question if this will last for the rest of your life? Or maybe you have even been diagnosed with a disorder that has left you hopeless with a statement from a doctor that leaves you in the throes of distress.

The Church has not always been well-versed in mental or emotional health practices; often unintentionally reinforcing the enemy's evil tactic to isolate and segregate anyone struggling. I know this feeling well, after having two nervous breaks myself. What began as a couple of months of sleepless nights soon became a full-on emotional breakdown. I laid on my couch in a deep depression for six months; every day was a living hell.

The truth is that I ignored all the warning signs leading up to my crash and soon I was exhausted on all fronts; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I had known stress, anxiety, and warfare before, but this was so intense that I could not will myself off the couch no matter how hard I tried! I know it can feel scary, shameful, or even taboo to speak openly about an experience like this, especially in the Church. Yet, the truth is that we hold keys to healing that the world lacks. Yet, so often Believers are tormented by the internal battle they face without acknowledgment, proper tools, or beneficial resources.

TRI-DIMENSIONAL HEALTH, HEALING, AND WHOLENESS

I recently sat down for a conversation with a good friend and clinical psychologist, Dr. Margaret Nagib to discuss the interconnection between spiritual and emotional health. Margaret has worked to integrate professional counseling, inner healing, and pastoral ministries to promote wholeness through the power of God.

I want to encourage you today if you or a loved one is in the midst of an emotional, mental, or spiritual health crisis that this too shall pass. Hold on to this promise from Luke 6:21 which says, “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”

My prayer as you watch this conversation is that you are filled with hope for the emotional or mental health situations you face. I pray that the Wise Counselor meets you where you are at today and that peace touches your body, soul, and spirit.

Demystifying the Call of a Prophet || a Round Table Discussion With Four Modern Day Prophets

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 02:00:00 GMT

THE MYSTERIOUS CALL OF A PROPHET

Have you ever felt like the odd one out? Maybe you’ve questioned if, for some reason, you were not made to be like the rest. Not because you feel any less valuable, but simply because you’re just different. It can feel isolating and even confusing. So, often I have prophets and highly prophetic people come to me with this very concern. They feel confused and misunderstood; often unaware that the “different” that they feel is simply the call that is on their life that needs to be surrounded by community, given guidance, and to be embraced.

Maybe you have questioned if you have been called to be a prophet. The call of a prophet can often feel like a mysterious box of mystical characteristics and religious rhetoric. Many people in the perplexity of their perspective have concluded that prophets must not be for today. So rather than a vibrant global Church walking in the fullness of the five-fold ministry pastors have been tasked to take on each role.

But, what would the Church look like if prophets stepped into their calling? What would become of the global Church?

I felt led in the preparation of School of the Prophets 2023 to have a conversation with a few of our School’s instructors, Dano McCollam, Hayley Braun, and Bethany Hicks. These three are not just dear friends, but faithful leaders in the prophetic, operating in the office of a prophet, and each carrying a unique component of catalytic change in culture. We sat down for a conversation to discuss discovering your role as a prophet, what the relevance of prophets looks like in current culture, and how to steward the calling throughout the different seasons of life.

A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION WITH FOUR PROPHETS

I pray as you listen to this discussion you are filled with expectation for the Lord to move in a fresh way in culture, for prophets to rise to the scene and courageously stand in their calling, and for the young-wide-eyed prophet to inspire you with a fresh fire.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

Do you desire to stand boldly in dark places, for God’s power to move through you, and resound truth across the nations? The season has shifted. God is doing a new thing, and there is an invitation for His prophets to rise to the occasion; courageously and confidently standing in their calling. Save your spot for this year’s School of the Prophets, happening August 7-11, 2023. You can register for both in-person and online experiences here .

A Letter to the Young Prophet

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 17:30:00 GMT

A PROPHETS JOURNEY

I often look back on my prophetic journey - I wish I could say I had a ten-step plan to share or a linear track you could take to stepping into the fullness of your prophetic calling. But, I think God is more brilliant than the step-by-step plans we often like to take or the courses we try to fit Him in for our comfort.

Rather, stepping into my prophetic call was a faith walk; each step of the way required my belief and conviction.

The truth is, I had an encounter with God years ago that should have seemingly changed my life overnight. As I laid in my bathtub one night Jesus walked into my bathroom and told me, “You’re a great leader. You’re going to be a prophet to kings, prime ministers, and governors.” You may think that is incredible or wish God would walk into your room and give you clarity on your calling. But the reality is, I did not see the fruit of this encounter for over 20 years. Think about it for a second, 20 years ...why would God tell me about a promise 20 years before I would ever see the fruit of it? Well it may be easier said on this side of the process, but if you are in the “wilderness” of the process do not forget it’s just as important as the promise. Looking back I see the very steps and seasons that paved the way and prepared me to step into the fullness of the call on my life.

LEARNING THE LANGUAGE AND NOT EATING THE KINGS FOOD

Now, I wish I could say that even after I had been acknowledged as a prophet I immediately felt confident and prepared to step into my rightful office. But, even still it was like I was a sponge absorbing everything I could about stewarding the fullness of my calling.

One day years after I had been acknowledged as a prophet there was a tipping point, or so it felt, that catapulted me into the calling on my life. I felt well-versed in my ability to steward a prophetic ministry within the four walls of the Church, we had been practicing prophesying in prophetic gatherings and hosting prophets in our home for over 20 years. I knew I could equip the saints for the work of service I had been called to (Ephesians 4:12).

But, I also lived knowing that Jesus had walked into my room to inform me that I would minister to kings, queens, and presidents. I sat in the tension of not knowing how this portion of the promise would pan out in my life. Government and world leadership was territory I did not know as well as the Church. But, don’t you know that God does not always call the qualified, but qualifies the called?

Well, just when I thought I knew what I was doing, I had gotten comfortable in my position and calling I heard the Lord ask me, “Have I called you to change the world or transform the Church?” Well, I thought, both obviously, don’t you remember what you said to me in the bathtub decades ago? So, He said, “Then you’ll need protocols for both.”

This is when I realized that the most valuable culture wasn’t necessarily my culture or Church culture, but rather, the Kingdom of God which transcends customs and traditions and embodies honor in action and speaks and interacts in ways that honor every culture. Now, let me be clear this does not mean accepting the ways of sin and becoming enveloped in the cesspool of culture. No! Rather, you must learn the ways of culture to be effective outside the four walls of what you know as “normal.”

Consider the life of Daniel, he learned the ways of Babylon, he learned the language and literature. He was well versed and yet held his conviction — he wouldn’t eat the king's food.

STEPPING INTO YOUR PROPHETIC CALLING

In this week’s Cultural Catalyst episode, I share more in-depth my personal journey of stepping into the call of a prophet and the importance of equipping the saints with deployment in mind. I pray this conversation is a blessing to you and the Lord ministers to you while you watch.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

If you are hungry to spearhead the way for cultural change, to step outside the four walls of the Church and be deployed into your unique prophetic calling then I want to invite you to School of the Prophets , August 7-11, 2023.

School of the Prophets is a 4.5-day intensive training school where you will walk away with:

Confidence in your prophetic call
Tools to help prepare the prophetic path for cultural change
Deep relationships with our prophetic tribe (you’ll be assigned to a Community Group that will meet every day of the event) so you don’t have to walk alone
Two days of specialized tracks that will target your unique prophetic calling and give you practical tools to reach your sphere of influence
Empowerment to take the next steps in the sphere that God is calling you into

I hope to see you there!

Leading in Your Metron || the Prophetic Beyond the Pulpit With Lindsey Reiman

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:31:00 GMT

THE PROPHETIC BEYOND THE PULPIT

In today's world, the Church at large has diminished and disregarded the role of prophets and prophetic ministry outside the four walls of the church. It can leave you wondering “Where did all the prophets go?” and questioning the significance of prophetic ministry.

It is common in prophetic culture today, for prophets to simply make powerful prophetic proclamations from the podium. But, I’d propose that we have diluted prophetic ministry in the 21st century — the role of a prophet is so much more than making forth-telling statements. We see in the Bible that rarely were prophets confined to church settings or congregations but rather lived outside of the four walls shifting culture and shaping history.

I’d like to point out that in the days of the prophet Elijah, there arose a company of men who were called the “sons of the prophets” (Kings 20:35).

These men traveled throughout the world ravaging the powers of darkness and wreaking havoc on evil kingdoms.

They had no tolerance for the destructive behavior of wicked kings but rather turned many to righteousness. They raised the dead, healed the sick, parted rivers, destroyed false prophets, and saw revival spread throughout their land. They were feared by many and respected by all. They walked in great purity, and God was their friend. They were cultural catalysts, not just prophets behind a pulpit.

Consider the life of Joseph — he influenced the king of his day, by not just interpreting his dream, but by providing solutions and strategies for the seven prosperous years and seven lean years the nations would face (Genesis 41).

I recently sat down for a conversation with Lindsey Reiman, Director of Prophetic Ministry at Bethel Church. Lindsey has ministered prophetically in multiple metrons and spheres of authority. In our discussion, she brilliantly explained how to navigate stepping into your unique sphere of influence as a prophet. She stated, “Language is a gateway to trust. We must be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” I highly encourage you to watch the entire interview below.

MULTI-METRON PROPHETIC MINISTRY

My prayer as you watch this week’s Cultural Catalysts episode is that you are encouraged and spurred on to carry the Kingdom of God into every sphere of society. That you begin to see how the Lord has strategically positioned you and has uniquely stationed you to not only carry His Presence but discover Heavenly solutions for the sphere of influence you are called to.

God has created you with a specific prophetic destiny! You were born for such a time as this.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

If you desire to refine your gifting, grow in confidence to prophetically spearhead the way of cultural change, and be empowered to influence the unique sphere you are called to- I want to invite you to the School of the Prophets on August 7-11, 2023. You can register for both in-person, in Redding Ca or online here.

It is time to break the silence, stand boldly in the dark places, and resound truth across the nations. God is calling His prophets to courageously prepare the prophetic path of divine providence. In this one-week intensive training school, you will gain an understanding of the prophetic gifting, the office of a prophet, and how to operate effectively in your unique prophetic calling. I hope to see you there!

God in the Entertainment Industry || the Prophetic Beyond the Pulpit With Katherine Warnock

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 21:07:00 GMT

THE PROPHETIC BEYOND THE PULPIT

Have you ever felt unsure how the prophetic operates outside of the confines of a church setting or prophetic gathering? Maybe you have even wondered if and how it’s possible to function in your gifting in the unique industry or sphere you feel called to.

I often see people count themselves out from the fullness of their gifting because it doesn’t look like the prophets or prophetic people that stand behind the pulpit making powerful prophetic proclamations. But, the truth is that all throughout scripture we see prophets prepare the way, influence cultural change, and minister to priests and kings. They were not subjugated to the confines of cultural comfortability or religious regularity but took the sword of the prophetic into places that despised the word of God to cut through cultural chaos with truth that changed history and saved entire nations.

I’d like to point out the story of Joseph - a hero of the faith; a prophetic protagonist. His journey was far from linear, striking every cultural custom and thought of how a “chosen” leader should be appointed. Yet, somehow it is still common to count yourself out from the call of God on your life as a prophetic person because you might not feel like “the rest.”

This is why I felt led to create a three-part Cultural Catalysts series to highlight diverse forms of the prophetic and interview individuals operating prophetically in different spheres of influence to inspire and ignite you with faith to see how God moves outside of the four walls of the Church. For the launch of this series, I sat down with Katherine Warnock, the President of Original Content for The Chosen.

Katherine shares a profound revelation of what is necessary for us as Believers to cultivate in order to be effective leaders in every industry. She stated that in Isaiah 54:2 we are commanded to extend our tent pegs so that others can come under and rest. She continued to exhort us as Believers by stating: “We must create a dwelling of His Presence in our lives, without words, for others to come under and rest. If we as Christians understood that in the marketplace, we would be unstoppable.”

GOD IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

God has created you with a specific prophetic destiny! You were born for such a time as this.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

We Are in a John-the-Baptist Era

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 01:31:00 GMT

IT’S TIME TO PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

Have you ever considered the life of John the Baptist? Famously known for his “off the grid” milk-drinking and honey-eating, traveling through the wilderness barefoot, making a scene lifestyle? Ruffling the feathers of normalcy, confronting religious comfortability, and protesting societal hierarchy.

Maybe you’re similar to John the Baptist and have had a mission, a call, or reason to jump off the boat of the status quo and dive deep into the pursuit of the One. He shook off the settled down lukewarm doctrine of religiosity to discover the real Truth that he was destined to burn for. Maybe it was when you gave your life to the Lord that you realized what you were made for, or hit with the reality that comfortability won’t lead you to the life you’ve dreamed of.

Luke 3 says: “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.”

Isn’t it interesting that all these men that have prestigious titles are listed prior to it stating that the word of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness? I’d propose the Lord is moving outside of the realm of “how God should move” as He did in the days of John the Baptist.

I felt led to highlight the life of John the Baptist because it represents the very mandate we have been given in this hour as prophetic people — to break the silence, make the crooked paths straight, and prepare the way of the Lord. Hidden amongst the nuance of his nature is the very prophetic proclamation that his life represents — he wasn’t just bold in battling the cultural rhetoric of his day but blaringly broke 400 years of silence “shouting in the wilderness - make straight the way for the Lord”, John 1:23. He was forging the way, pioneering the path, and taking a stance that would shift history.

He wasn’t concerned with the thoughts of man or if his language would land as acceptable, comforting, or flattering to the ear. Rather, he released a holy disruption not just with his words, but with his lifestyle that transformed the thought of the future, challenged the current culture, and laid the groundwork for the Messiah to tear the veil.

MODERN-DAY JOHN-THE-BAPTIST

I want to encourage you to consider what a modern-day John the Baptist would look like. What would it look like to prepare the way of the Lord in the 21st century, to move from the land of conformity to one of impact and transformation?

I want to challenge you, to consider what it would look like if you took the prophetic word of the Lord that has been declared over your life, let it seep into your bones, and move you to action in your home, work, and world. Would there be a revolution, a modern-day movement, a moral shift, and thousands being baptized in the sea of repentance?

We are in a prophetic moment in history - the Lord is doing a new thing!

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2023

If you are hungry to advance your prophetic calling, I want to invite you to this year’s School of the Prophets, August 7-11, 2023.

This 4.5-day training school will not just equip and advance you in your unique prophetic calling but will infuse you with a fresh “now” word of God , to be deployed like John the Baptist to prophetically prepare the way as His prophets and prophetic people in this unique epoch moment in history.

The season has shifted - God is doing a new thing and there is an invitation for His prophets to rise to the occasion, to break the silence, and courageously and confidently stand in their prophetic calling. You can register for both in-person and online here .

Could You Be a Prophet? || Biblical Examples of Prophetic Diversity

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 17:52:00 GMT

HAVE YOU EVER QUESTIONED YOUR PROPHETIC CALLING?

Have you ever wondered if you have a prophetic calling, but counted yourself out because you didn’t look or feel the part?

Maybe you have had a deep knowing or a prophetic encounter that has confirmed the call on your life, but you still question how this could be true because your circumstances are far from how you have seen the “prophet’s” role play out.

The truth is there are many prophets and highly prophetic people that walk around aimlessly wandering and hopelessly haunted by the sense they were made for more, but don’t know how to start walking in their prophetic destiny.

But, the truth is it takes all kinds of prophets to make the world go round.

Now, I want to take a moment to note the distinction that a prophetic gifting and the office of the prophet are two different things. The gift of prophecy is simply that, it is a gift available to everyone. However, the office of a prophet is a gift to the Church that requires a private encounter with the Lord and a public acknowledgment.

THE PROPHET BEYOND THE PULPIT

It’s common to see a prophet behind the pulpit and decide that the call fits into some form of a prophetic box.

I think it's important for us to realize that there are many different types of prophetic models in the Scriptures that are just as vital for the transformation of culture as a prophet commonly seen in the Church. I want to briefly mention six different types that I see in scripture. I know there are many more. I am simply trying to make sure that we don’t put God in a certain “prophet box” and miss the greater revelation of His prophetic nature. Here are a few examples:

There was Moses, Eli, Samuel, Deborah, and David who were all prophets or prophetesses that led their countries. They didn’t serve national leaders, they were the leaders of their countries. God is raising up many prophets and prophetesses today to lead their cities, countries, companies, etc.
There were the prophets, Daniel and Joseph, who had great relationships with kings and also had a leadership gift to help govern the countries of the leaders they served.
There were two prophets named Nathan and Gad who served King David. They both had a great relationship with their king. But for the most part, they only helped to prophetically direct David’s personal life and didn’t assist him in governing their country. There is a stark contrast between these two prophets and Joseph and Daniel. Many prophets and prophetesses are called to disciple political leaders and yet they have no prophetic insight into the governmental realm whatsoever. These prophetic people indirectly have a profound impact on the world even though they may never give their leaders directional words concerning their realm of authority.
Elijah and Elisha represent a completely different kind of relationship with world leaders. They stood outside the palace, so to speak (and for the most part), and had an adversarial relationship with the kings of their nation. Unlike Daniel and Joseph, who served unbelieving (Gentile) leaders, or Nathan and Gad, who served a man after God’s heart; these two prophets had a confrontational relationship with the unrighteous kings of their day. Although these types of prophets must still embrace the core values of the New Covenant, they are called to stand against injustice and speak up for the sake of righteousness. This may manifest in protests, demonstrations, or other public or private calls to holiness. Martin Luther King would be a good example of a New Testament Elijah or Elisha.
Hosea and Amos are interesting prophetic types in that they seem to have no relationship with their country’s leadership. These two prophets prophesied to the people and had a secondary effect on the leaders of their nations. They were grassroots prophets that had a dramatic impact on the mindset of the Israeli people. These prophets remind me of many leaders in the Jesus People movement. They affected the culture by creating momentum through a righteous prophetic movement of counterculture radicals!
Jonah was famous for being an unwilling prophet to the unbelieving country of Nineveh. He was kind of the John the Baptist of his day, calling people to repent for their sins. Of course, Jonah is an Old Testament prophet but he represents prophets and prophetesses with an evangelistic mantle for the lost. In my mind, the late David Wilkerson carried this mantle (although I didn't agree with many of David's negative prophetic declarations over our nation). Yet at the same time, I recognize that David Wilkerson was a prophet to the unsaved.

As you can see I didn't mention many of the major Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Malachi, and several more, of whom many would not fit into these six categories that I mentioned above. Again, my goal here is for us to embrace and honor prophetic diversity; especially prophets and prophetesses that carry a different DNA and call than you might have on your life.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2023

If you resonated with this blog today and have questioned the validity of your prophetic calling or not known how to walk out the uniqueness of what you know you are destined for prophetically, I want to invite you to School of the Prophets 2023. You will advance in your prophetic calling, gain tools to step in the uniqueness of your calling and develop relationships with other prophets and highly prophetic people on a similar journey. The exciting part of School of the Prophets happening August 7-11, is that you don’t have to wait to start your prophetic journey — community, connection, and content start now! When you register for School of the Prophets you receive immediate access to the pre-event package that will help prepare you for the live event in August. You can register for both in person and online here .

The Promises of God || How to Have Patience in the Process

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 23:31:00 GMT

THE PORCH OF OUR PROPHETIC DESTINY

Imagine with me for a minute the sad scene from a movie where a child gets ready for their long-awaited birthday party. They’ve sent out invites, decorated the house, set out all the party food and eagerly awaits the arrival of their friends. But, as the clock ticks by they begin to wonder if this will be like all the times before…will my friends fail to show up again? Will my dreams for this year fail to be fulfilled?

The truth is, often we are like this small child waiting on the porch of our prophetic destiny , wondering if anyone else sees the call on our life, desperate to avoid the familiar disappointment of rejection.

One of the most painful things that can happen when you know you’re made for something great is for your leaders not to see or recognize what you know in the depths of your heart to be true. I see this happen to a lot of prophetic people!

The truth is, I know this feeling well.

I had an encounter with God years ago that changed my life forever. As I laid in my bathtub one night Jesus walked into my bathroom and told me, “You’re a great leader. You’re going to be a prophet to kings, prime ministers, and governors.” You may think that is incredible or wish God would walk into your room and give you clarity on your calling. Truly it was one of the most significant encounters I have had, but I wish I could say that was all it took to catapult me into my destiny.

Instead, I was left with this weighty word from the Lord and no idea how it would come to fruition. Yes, I was given a mission that day; my life became filled with purpose and I began wrestling with all that had been handed to me in that encounter — yet, I had no idea where to begin. Maybe you haven’t had this exact same encounter but maybe you have felt called or have received countless prophetic words that have given you purpose, but lack the blueprint or instructions in order to be able to accomplish it.

Well, the truth is this process of discovery lasted for 20 years before the promise God spoke to me was acknowledged! You can imagine the rollercoaster ride this was. But, I want to remind you that the process is just as important as the promise.

THE PROPHETIC PROCESS

Let’s take a look at an incredible example of the power of the prophetic process. A story you may be well acquainted with; the story of Esther. Esther arrives on the scene a young Jewish woman, the adopted daughter, and cousin of Mordecai from the tribe of Benjamin. She is one of the selected young virgins to be placed before the king to be chosen as a replacement for queen Vasht,i the banished wife of the king.

Esther quickly wins favor with the chief eunuch, Hegai. when her turn came to spend the night with the king, he fell in love with her and appointed her to be his chosen queen. The choice was made — she was called to rule and reign, she had won favor with the king, and her future would be determined within the dwellings of the palace. Despite all this, there still was a process that was before her.

Esther did not become a powerful princess that changed history overnight. She underwent a prophetic process that prepared her for the palace of her purpose and destiny. Even after the call on her life was clarified, she underwent a 6-month preparation process where she was lathered in oil and myrrh to cleanse and purify her body. She was not just beautified, but purified. So often, this is the very process we must go through in order to effectively step into our destiny.

SUSTAINING THE PROMISE

However, I want to point out a common temptation — often we try to figure out a way to get around the process and get through to the palace before we’re supposed to. The truth is you won’t be able to stay there if you arrive by a fist fight at the improper time. It’s the process that gives you the character you need to stay in the palace.

Having been the guy in the palace, I can tell you that the palace isn’t any better than the process when you have Jesus. You may think “When I get to the palace, life will be so amazing,” or “When I’m finally recognized I will be happy,” or “If they’d just put me on stage I will finally feel fulfilled…” However, this kind of thinking will cause you to miss the joy of the process. The palace is great but the journey is great too. Jesus is in both!

I want to encourage you today that if you have felt lost on the journey or hopeless in the pursuit of your calling, the very process you are on is preparing you for your destiny. You are gaining the tools necessary and the strength that will sustain you.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2023

Have you found yourself in the prophetic process? Uncertain the steps to take or how to refine, advance, or mature your prophetic calling. I want to invite you to School of the Prophets this August 7-11, 2023. At this 4.5-day-long intensive training school, prophets and highly prophetic people gather from all over the world to be equipped in their calling, deployed into their divine destiny, and gain confidence in their prophetic identity. The focus of this school is to not only teach but activate you practically into a prophetic lifestyle and prepare you to effectively influence your unique metron to prepare the way for cultural change. You can register for both the in-person or online experience here .

The Prophetic in Unlikely Places || a Conversation With Julian Adams

Tue, 30 May 2023 23:02:00 GMT

Have you ever felt alone, isolated, or misunderstood in your prophetic gifting? Over the years I’ve often heard prophets and highly prophetic people express the distressing feeling of isolation as they’ve questioned their role in a community that lacked a prophetic culture. I know the feeling of being misunderstood and confused in your call. When I was called by God to be a prophet I hardly knew what the prophetic entailed let alone know how to surround myself with other prophets and prophetic equippers.

Prophets being equipped and deployed into their prophetic calling is a topic I am passionate about which is why I felt led to re-share this blog and Cultural Catalysts conversation from July 12, 2022 with you this week.

BUILDING A PROPHETIC COMMUNITY

Rather than running to refuge in spaces with similar people and giftings, God often places prophetic people in places that feel absent of prophetic culture to pioneer movements that catalyze reformation and reconciliation in their communities. He places princes in the land of paupers to call out the purpose of God that is withheld in each individual until the provision of Heaven is released on a land that has been hindered from its divine nature.

Have you ever stopped to consider, “What if you have been given everything you need to change the culture around you?” To equip the people in your community to hear the voice of God and respond to His heartbeat.

Now, let me be clear in your attempt to create a prophetic culture in your community; this does not mean you disregard leadership or dishonor others' vision. Rather, in quite the opposite to the spirit of opposition, the prophetic in its simplest form is encouragement — calling out the very nature of God in those around you.

If you have been hungry to grow in your prophetic gifting I want to encourage you to ask God to grow your heart of compassion and empathy. The prophetic was never meant to be about making bold proclamations or mandates; it was intended to be about a relational connection to the heart of the Father.

I sat down for a conversation with Julian Adams, a prophet, Co-founder of Frequentsee , and Pastor at The Table Boston Church to talk about the prophetic influencing culture. Julian Adams has a powerful story of overcoming controversy and stepping into places by divine appointment that have impacted the hearts of those who don’t know God. His prophetic calling was recognized at a young age, and His heart to see the lost connected to the voice of God is contagious.

Julian shared a profound revelation in what he felt the Lord doing in the prophetic currently. Whether you feel you have a prophetic gifting or call or not, I encourage you to watch this episode. Julian carries a powerful message for this generation.

You have been created for this time and placed in the spaces and communities you live in for a unique purpose. The very giftings and plans for your life were shaped and formed with this season in mind. I encourage you to ask God to show you what He is doing through you and how you can partner with Him to build prophetic communities that are connected to the voice of God.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

If you are hungry to advance your prophetic gifting I want to invite you to School of the Prophets this August 7-11, 2023. At this 4.5-day-long intensive training school, prophets and highly prophetic people gather from all over the world to be equipped in their calling, deployed into their divine destiny, and gain confidence in their prophetic identity. The focus of this school is to not only teach but activate you practically into a prophetic lifestyle and prepare you to effectively influence your unique metron to prepare the way for cultural change. You can register for both the in-person or online experience here .

You Were Born for a Fight || Moving From Victim to Victor

Tue, 23 May 2023 21:22:00 GMT

PICK UP YOUR SWORD - IT’S TIME TO FIGHT

Have you ever considered the strategic shift and strength it takes as a team to go from playing defense to offense? It changes the whole game, not just physically, but mentally. What once took extreme effort to keep your opponent away from the goal is now flipped as you use all your energy to take back the stolen ground.

I’d like to propose, the same is true spiritually. When you go through life playing on defense the shift to offense feels like foreign territory. Often leaving you unsure of how people will respond or what position to take; questioning if you have the strength to progress ahead. You might even be unsure if you have what it takes in combat. But, the truth is, in the advance, in the battle, and in the offensive strategy against the enemy is where the power of God is revealed.

Consider the story of David and Goliath - as T.D. Jakes says, “Goliath did not come to defeat David, he came to reveal him.” Nobody knew the small shepherd boy until the enemy came and taunted the army of the living God.

Yet, too often we consider any battle we face to be a negative and direct outcome of the fall of man and worldly sin; leaving us in reluctant retreat mode. Now, let me be clear I am not condoning violence or saying demonic strategy is not at play in our day to day.

But, I would like to challenge you….what if we were born for a fight, created for victory, and designed to reveal His glory? What I am getting at is sometimes the conflict is not simply the enemy, but an opportunity for the victory of God to be discovered.

THE DOUBTFUL SEAT OF DEFENSE

Believers have succumbed to fear and often chosen to retreat at any sign of upheaval or discontent — never wanting to offend but to instead be everyone’s surface-level friend.

Morality is whispered only in the safety of the closest of friends and purity has become a well-kept secret. Nobility has virtually disappeared from society and is viewed as an old man’s musings, irrelevant to the 21st Century, hipsters, and the PC crowd.

In fact, moral restraint is viewed as a bondage that shackles society; promoted only by religious bigots and antiquated dinosaurs who are disappearing in the ice age of a Sonless society.

And so we, with noble purpose, cower in the corner of culture, living in the shadows of society, desperately hoping we don’t awaken the hipster’s dissatisfaction and invite unnecessary persecution into our lives.

Meanwhile, our children march slowly into the darkness as we congratulate ourselves on another day without offense.

But, this is not our portion as the royal sons and daughters of God. Our inheritance does not lie in the settling standard of society - it lives with more conviction and confidence than the weary whereabouts of culture, testing the status quo and upholding the value system not of this world.

We carry the Truth of God — and the Truth sets people free. Unless it is smothered on the doubtful seat of defensiveness. I want to encourage you today, you were made for such a time as this, sovereignly set apart, and filled with divine purpose….You were born for a fight that in this day and age needs to be fought. Let me remind you of the good news — you are already victorious! It’s time to move from defense to offense.

Are All Matches Made in Heaven? || a Conversation With a Kingdom Matchmaker

Tue, 16 May 2023 23:22:00 GMT

SHATTERED HOMES AND BROKEN HEARTS

Have you ever rode on the heels of a dysfunctional family story? Left to navigate broken relationships and unhealthy mindsets? Unfortunately, all too often in today’s society divorce, brokenness, and pain are the cornerstone of our homes — we’ve been left with shattered pieces of a puzzle trying to figure out how to make it all fit together again . But, the truth is, only God can take our broken hearts and mismatched pieces and turn them into a renowned masterpiece.

I know the agony of abuse and the distress of dysfunction well myself - if you don’t already know my story, my father drowned when I was three years old and left my single mother with two young children to raise in the hands of abusive step-fathers. I was riddled with fear as a child and had never experienced what a healthy marriage would hold. I was ill-prepared and unequipped to take on the journey of marriage and family at the young age of 20. But, by the grace of God Kathy and I navigated the young years of our marriage and family with the love and support of kingdom-minded community that taught us how to tend to our marriage and raise a family. Our life is a testament to the supernatural nature of God and the redemptive power of the Cross.

I recently sat down with a very intriguing guest for a Cultural Catalysts episode - Jackie Dorman . Jackie is a best-selling author, relationship-dating coach, and spirit mate matchmaker. While we were talking Jackie made the statement, “God will use the very thing that hurt us to heal us — when we are hurt in family, we heal in family, when we are hurt in relationship, we are healed in relationship.”

MARRIAGE IS GOD’S MATURITY PLAN

PUT DOWN THE PEN

It’s so true - God is in the business of restoring family — He is pro-kingdom love stories. I want to encourage you today, whether you are praying and waiting for your love story to unfold - invite God into it. Give Him permission to take the pen and be the author of your love story. So often we grip it so tightly that He is not actually invited into the process, because fear and pain have built walls around our hearts and kept us in the prison of self-preservation. Remember, Proverbs says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” What I am getting at is, what you believe is what you will become. It’s vital to take care of the weeds of your heart and tend to the soil of your soul. From these very places you will grow into the person that you are and attract the type of person you will become.

I pray as you watch this week’s Cultural Catalysts episode you are filled with faith for family and hope for your relationships! God sees you and knows your heart fully, He has good things for you and your family no matter what your story is.

Become a Heavenly Ambassador Who Carries Kingdom Solutions

Tue, 09 May 2023 20:53:00 GMT

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

If you have been in the Church for any amount of time you could probably say the Lord’s prayer in your sleep “ Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy name…..may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. ” It can almost become a tune that we hum and a phrase that we mumble; a hallmark sentiment that we wish for, but don’t really expect to happen.

The truth is, we often place God in a box, tradition becomes religion and loses its meaning and significance — we imagine Him in a high lofty place dictating our lives down on earth and separate from the challenges that we face. We even fall on our knees begging Him to be the solution to the problems at hand and don’t realize there is no divide between Heaven and Earth. The truth is, you carry His Presence in every room, season, and atmosphere you walk into — we are citizens of Heaven on earth; ushering in a different ecosystem than the natural world.

What I am getting at is we live in a world desperate to experience the closeness of His Presence, hungry to encounter Him, and eager for divine solutions and we carry this within us. I’d like to propose the answer isn’t God reaching down from a far away place, with a snap of a finger fixing all our frustrations, but rather it’s Him working through us by the power of the Holy Spirit to change culture, shift circumstances, and break principalities.

GOD CARES ABOUT YOUR JOB

Now, you might be wondering what does it practically look like to be an ambassador of Heaven in a world desperate for Jesus? Well, I used to have the same question. I didn’t always work in the Church; for over 20 years I was in the automotive business and dreamed of working in “ministry”….But, one day in particular I realized God didn’t see the divide between “work” and “ministry” the same way I did at the time.

Many many years ago when Kathy and I opened an auto part shop we bought an old computer and a generic retail program to do our invoicing that had three price levels: cost, retail and a discounted price. The only problem is that auto parts had five price levels. We went along for six months with these three price levels and the program was working okay for us, but we started to get repair shops stocking our parts. This was a problem because the system didn’t have a price level for this.

Every time the part went out the door my guys had to remember to override the system to fix the pricing. Of course, they often forgot because it was often one part out of five hundred of them.This resulted in customers thinking we were stealing from them. Six months had passed and several times a week our main customers were screaming at us.

I was really bothered one night and right before I went to bed I prayed and asked God for an answer. You have to understand that I knew nothing about computers. I went to bed after praying and had a dream. In the dream I saw four or five lines of letters (which I now know is program code.) I woke up and it was burned in my memory. I grabbed my journal and wrote it down.

I woke Kathy up (it was 3am) because I knew she knew how to turn the computer on, and I told her the Lord gave me the code to fix the computer. We went to the shop, she turned on the computer, and I gave her the code. We went to build out a part in the system and it had 5 price levels, which was exactly what we needed!

I realized, God cared about my auto parts store and He provided me the solution for it! I want to encourage you today, He cares about the job, task, circumstance you are in. Every aspect of your life is important in carrying the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth and He wants to colabor with you in the process.

My good friend, Dr. John Jackson stated in our recent conversation “There are no spare parts in the Body of Christ - nobody is a benchwarmer.” If that doesn’t stir your spirit and excite your soul to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth in every sphere I am not sure what will. You have been chosen to royally rule from Heaven to earth, to shift atmospheres and transform the world around you.

BREAKING THE DIVIDE

I want to challenge you to break the mental line of sacred vs. secular divide. The truth is, when you are a Believer all things are sacred. The Spirit of the living God lives, moves, and works through you no matter where you are or what talents you uphold. I encourage you to be expectant to watch Him move in and through your life this week!

The Truth About End Times Eschatology || Rumors of Wars, Mark of the Beast, and Scorpions With Rich Schmidt

Wed, 03 May 2023 01:38:00 GMT

IS IT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM?

Have you ever been intimidated by the book of Revelation or confused by the contents of what appears to be the foretelling of an ancient horror story? Wars, beasts, and scorpions just to name a few of the dauntingly dramatic scenes. Theologians have argued the meaning behind the book and Believers wrestled with the question, “What are we supposed to do with this?” since the first century.

One of the most mysterious subjects in the Bible is eschatology - the study of the end times. If you are like me, you grew up in the Jesus Movement where it was taught that you should prepare yourself for the rapture because Jesus was expected to return tomorrow. Like much of the modern Church, rather than standing in joyful expectation and victorious faith, for thousands of years Believers have lived in fear and uncertainty regarding these mystical predictions and theological thoughts, leaving many to simply disregard and ignore any thought regarding the end times. However, I’d propose that what you believe about the end times is more influential to your current day than you might think. Because what you believe about the end will determine how you live in the middle.

My good friend and Lead Bible instructor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, Rich Schmidt, points out that in many European and Spanish countries, the main center squares feature beautiful cathedrals that took hundreds of years to build. Now you may be wondering how the length of time it took to build a cathedral has anything to do with eschatology. Well, I’d like to suggest that you would not start a project you did not think you’d be around to complete. In the Western Church, we have adopted a mindset that seeps into the seams of our lives and the depths of our decisions - creating a cycle of continued fear around technology, politics, and long-term thinking.

In this week’s Cultural Catalysts episode, Rich unpacks some key fears and concepts that have crippled the Church for centuries, bringing hope and truth to eschatology.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE END TIMES

REVELATION REBOOT

If you have ever found yourself uncertain about the mysterious and mystical prophecies found in the book of Revelation I highly encourage you to watch this episode. Though mystery may still remain, you will be filled with a joyful expectation for Christ’s return and the truth about our royal responsibility as the Church.

If you are interested in learning more about the book of Revelation, you can join Rich Schmidt’s virtual Revelation Reboot course, on May 15th and 20th. Learn more and register here .

Standing for Nobility in a World Gone Mad || 18 Signs of Nobility

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 06:33:00 GMT

A VIRTUE-LESS PEOPLE

Have you ever looked at society and wondered if nobility, morality, and sacredness have been eroded from the roots of our history? It can feel like we live in a day and age when morality has become relative, nobility is most often found in fictional stories, and virtue-less people consider righteous standards as religious oppression. With this at the forefront of our news articles, I’ve recently been wrestling with the question: “What does it mean to be noble?”

Now, the truth is without the grace of God we would all be enslaved to the sins of this world, entangled by the snares of the enemy, and chained to the lies about our identity. But, the truth is even in a world that tells us feelings are fact and our temptations should be embraced, we are not defined by either of these things, but rather by the virtues we cling to.

Now, before we go any further let’s take a look at where in scripture we can find hope in the face of temptation — Hebrews 4:15 states that Jesus was tempted in every way, not just in some ways or a few ways, but in every way. So, if you are sitting here today as you read this blog doubting if your specific struggle is covered by the blood, or if there really is freedom available for you, remember Jesus was not defined by His temptations or His earthly struggle. He was defined by His virtues; by how He chose to respond to the reality of a fallen world around Him.

What I am getting at is the evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the fruit of the Spirit and self-control is the very fruit that is produced by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

Yet, I’d propose modern Christianity has become more about sanctioning sin and calling it unity than it is about God or His kingdom. I am afraid we have adopted a Gospel that is more concerned with mitigating the offense in our congregations than calling people to live above the snake line of the enemy; Rather than living from the fullness of grace available through the power of the cross that enables us to live free from the schemes of the enemy . What I am getting at is we don’t have an excuse as Believers to live entangled in our temptations, swayed by our passions, and pulled by our past. But, by the grace of the Gospel, we have the ability to live in righteous nobility.

18 SIGNS YOU ARE LIVING OUT OF NOBILITY

In a world where nobility might feel like a foreign concept, ancient practice, or distant philosophy you might be wondering what living a life of righteous nobility practically looks like. Here are eighteen signs (now there are probably many more, this is just a start) you are living out of your noble identity:

You live from stances and not circumstances.
You manage your appetites, they don’t control you, you control them.
You keep your word even when you have to sacrifice to do so.
You have a secret life with God in which you would be honored if someone discovered it.
You are generous and sacrificial.
You are in control of your emotions.
You forgive and you don’t hold grudges.
You live in peace and joy.
The favor of God is on you in a way in which others experience it.
You fear God only and live above the snake line of the fear of man.
You have a spirit of excellence..
You care about injustice and you protect the rights of the poor and underprivileged.
You love everyone no matter their stances or affiliations.
You have tamed your tongue.
You live by faith which is rooted in hope.
You bring the best out of others and believe in people.
You create a culture of honor around you.
You negotiate for a win-win.

YOU WERE CREATED FOR A NOBLE PURPOSE

You have been created for a noble purpose, but in order to walk in the fullness of it, it will require virtuous decisions to be made in the small moments of the day that nobody will ever see. I want to challenge you today, if you read this list of 18 signs of nobility and felt a tug in your heart because you know that one or all of them are not true about your current life, pick one that sticks out to you and ask the Lord to give you the grace to walk in it starting today.

I pray you are filled with hope to see the Church filled with noble servants walking in the fullness of their God-given identity and not defined by the schemes of the enemy.

3 Steps for Getting Unstuck

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 05:08:00 GMT

Are you caught in a cycle you can’t get out of? Maybe it’s a cycle of insecurity, lack, or perhaps unhealthy relationships? I felt led to share this blog post that I originally posted in 2017 today, to give you some tools for taking ownership of your life and moving into the abundance of joy, peace, and purpose God has for you!

WHAT’S IN YOUR TOOLBELT?

Here are some tools that I use all the time for transforming my mind, and therefore creating an ecosystem of life and nobility around me. I hope they’ll do the same for you:

1. TAKE CARE OF WHAT YOU’RE LISTENING TO

In Mark 4:24 it says, ”…Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure, it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides.” For example, if you look at porn on the Internet, the Internet will determine, through algorithms (automated reasoning), what you watch, and will send you more porn via ads. The same is true in the spirit realm! In fact, I would suggest there are algorithms in the spirit! The things you like listening to, whether it’s music or messages of hopelessness, self-doubt, unworthiness, negativity, etc., invite more of that same thing in the spirit. This is also true in a positive sense!

So what does this practically mean for you? If there are things in your life, whether it’s relationships, TV shows, social media accounts you’re following, articles you’re reading online, etc., that are bringing you down, then maybe it’s time to reevaluate what you’re consuming. Sometimes we have to change our company to change our life (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Find scriptures that bring you life in this season and decide to put your mind on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

2. STRENGTHEN YOUR ECOSYSTEMS

Joshua 1:6-8 says, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

This ecosystem starts with a commandment to be strong and courageous, even in the midst of trials and fear. It encourages us to talk about what God said, meditate on what He did, and then we will have success. Biblical meditation is not just sitting around humming for hours. It’s proactive, deliberate, and strategic—talking, singing, and thinking about the acts and words of God in your life!

I’ve made this a habit in my own life. When I’m facing tough decisions or hardships, I’ll work in my shop and speak strength over myself: “God’s going to work this out, Kris. Remember what God did before… you thought it was going to go wrong but it went well. Remember that word you have.” And then I make an action plan for how to move forward in strength. This is one way to strengthen your ecosystems and create a culture of prosperity and success in your own life!

3. CREATE AN ARSENAL OF TESTIMONIES AND PROPHECIES

Revelation 19:10 says, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” So then, testimonies are prophecies! Whatever God did for someone else He will do for you.

We can also use prophecies as weapons of warfare. 1 Timothy 1:18 says, “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.”

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

If you’re about to walk away from this post and carry on with your day as usual I’d like to ask you to stop and ask yourself why. There’s no time like today to start changing your life, and nobody else is going to do it for you! I find that if I don’t write things down, ponder them, meditate on them, and make a plan then life just tends to happen to me. I make an effort every day to focus on something that is propelling me toward my destiny and today I’m challenging you to do the same. If you’re stuck in a pattern then today is your day of breakthrough, what are you going to do about it? I’d love to hear your first step in the comments below!

I pray strength over your soul, peace over your spirit, and tenacity over your entire being as you move out of negativity and into kingdom prosperity today!

Four Insights That Are Often Overlooked in the Easter Story

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 06:18:00 GMT

REMEMBERING RESURRECTION DAY

For over a thousand years Easter Sunday has been a celebration of Christ’s resurrection. As the church bells ring on Resurrection day so do the words “He has risen” through congregations, generations, and denominations. A victorious celebration that significantly weighs on the heart of every Believer as we remember the very day that changed our destiny.

But, beyond the Spring flowers, Easter services and homemade meals with family is profound symbolism and meaning weaved within the depths of the Resurrection story. So often we get caught up on the climax of the story (and rightfully so) - Jesus conquering death.

Now, let me be clear, by no way am I saying that the very act of Christ dying on the cross for our sins, tearing the veil, and rising from the grave in resurrection power is not enough reason to celebrate. But, the defeat of death for our debt is also a powerful demonstration of our own death and resurrection and intertwined with symbolism that should shape our faith walk. Romans 6:6-8 says that Jesus didn’t just die for you, but died as you — when Jesus rose from the dead you rose with Him. We as Believers are also walking in victory! Today, I’d like to share four powerful points in the Resurrection story that are often overlooked.

4 POINTS OFTEN OVERLOOKED IN THE RESURRECTION STORY

1 . Christ was crucified at the site called Golgotha which means “skull” in Aramaic. Also, called "Calvary” coming from the Latin word “calva” meaning “bald head or skull.”

a. When Jesus rose from the dead there were two linen wrappings - one that covered His head and one that covered His body. When He rose from the grave the wrapping that covered His body remained in the place where was laid, but His head wrapping was placed in a separate spot. I’d like to propose, the cloth that was wrapped around His body was still in place because Christ had been revealed as the head of the Church to all of creation, but creation still awaits for the Body (the sons and daughters of God) to be revealed.

b. Creation awaits for the Body to be revealed. Romans 6:19-21 says “For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

2. He wore a crown of thorns , because of the curse that had been placed over Adam. Adam’s curse was that he would till the ground, but instead of reproducing fruit, it would produce thorns and thistles. He would labor, but the opposite of his labor would unfold (Genesis 3:17-18).

a. When Christ rose again, He broke the curse! Now we live from the blessing of reaping what we sow. He broke the curse so we actually can receive what we are supposed to receive.

3. He is the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15).

a. Jesus wasn’t the first to be resurrected, but He was the first to be born from the dead. What I am getting at is He was the very first to be born again by the Spirit of God. Now when we accept Jesus we are stepping into the legacy of Jesus - we are born again.

4. Jesus has scars for eternity. Luke 24:39 says, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!”

a. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus has scars for eternity? You might think that your scars are bad, but they are a symbol of your testimony. A reminder of the very thing that no longer has power over you and the victory found in Jesus.

LIVING FROM VICTORY

I encourage you today to remember what Christ did on the cross. You are now seated in Heavenly places and living from a place of victory! The veil has been torn, the devil lost his power over you.

As we reflect on this Easter and the incredible significance it holds, I pray you are filled with faith and expectation for the resurrection power of God to move through your life!

Overcoming the Fear of Finances || Living With a Kingdom Financial Mindset

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 06:04:00 GMT

IT’S TIME TO GET OFF THE HAMSTER WHEEL OF DREAD

Have you ever found yourself on the hamster wheel of fear; endlessly running away from the very thing you’re afraid of just to find yourself right back where you started? So often in life, we can find ourselves in this endless cycle as we fret; spinning around and around until we regret ever taking a step on the wheel of dread.

I’ve been there myself, holding on to fear until the very thing I incessantly worried about became a self-fulfilled prophecy. I’d propose, sometimes we fear something so much that we grasp it with all our might as if we are the savior of our own lives. When living in this state of fear, our actions quickly become consumed and dictated by the fear we are living in. What I am getting at is, sometimes the very reason we are in lack is because we didn’t take the seed we were given and do anything with it, instead we held it tight until we suffocated the life in it. Often, the question isn’t how much seed were you given, but what did you do with the seed?

We see this very scene played out in the Parable of the Talents. “Now the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed. And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed? Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival, I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ (Matthew 25:24-28)

Did you catch that? The servant said, “I was afraid.” Fear is not our friend. Now, let me be clear, this doesn’t mean you should go out and spend all you have because fear is the only thing keeping you back. Rather, fear is not the emotion to operate out of, wisdom is.

We are in a unique economic climate in history with much fear and uncertainty in the air. I recently sat down with Matt Moseley, the CEO of Cornerstone Bank in Redding Ca. During our conversation, Matt stated, “If you are holding onto your seeds so much because you are so scared of dropping any of them, then you’re definitely not planting any of them.” It’s a biblical principle to invest the seeds we have been given in life. That might practically look like starting with shifting your mindset and being generous even when you feel like you have nothing to be generous with.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WEALTH MINDSETS IN SEASONS OF LACK

THE MISDIAGNOSED DILEMA

I’d propose that often we misdiagnose a poverty mentality because we don’t recognize that it is connected to our identity.

But, the truth is the promised land of princehood is filled with the Father’s blessings. God wants to lavish His love on us, pour out His blessings in us, and give more than we can contain! The Psalms put it best, “How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever” (Ps. 112:1-3).

I want to challenge you this week to examine your beliefs about who God says you are. How have your beliefs about your identity affected the way you approach finances? Invite Holy Spirit to partner with you in finances to show you areas of your life where you can grow in generosity and open your hand in faith.

Why You Should Laugh More || Spreading Joy With Gabriel Lopez

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 20:58:00 GMT

IT'S TIME TO LAUGH MORE!

Have you ever been around someone that seems to be overcome by a cloud of gloom, doom, and heaviness? The type that hushes joy, quiets excitement, and makes you pay for any laughter?

The truth is, I know this cloud of gloom well myself. It felt like it enveloped me several years ago when I lay on the couch for 6 months in a state of depression. But, the truth is even in the midst of life’s tragedies and tribulations there is a joy unspeakable available in the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has a happy knack for supernaturally lifting our burdens. But wait, it gets even better. The Bible says that the fruit or evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in us is “ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . .” (Galatians 5:22–23). Did you catch that? The Holy Spirit doesn’t flee even when the burdens of life come. Rather, it’s our very gift as Believers to experience the overwhelming joy of God even when challenging circumstances are prevailing. Now, I am not saying that some circumstances we face don’t make it hard to experience joy, but rather it’s an opportunity to lean into the joy that is available in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

So much of the world is inundated with overwhelming bad news. For the first time in history, we are more connected to our global neighbors than ever before. We have access to information that would have taken weeks to arrive to us just a few generations ago. The devastation, distress, and climate on the other side of the world are at our fingertips. It can weigh on our souls and saturate our social media accounts. That is why I’d propose that it’s more important than ever that we are aware of what we are feasting on. What is the daily bread, nutrition on the internet, and soul food that you are digesting?

I recently sat down for a conversation with Gabriel Lopez also known as @gods.best.friend on social media. Gabriel has a background in film and editing, is currently a pastor in Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry's first year, and is known for the hilarious reels he creates on Instagram.

During our conversation, Gabriel stated “I have seen the Lord bridge a huge gap between other denominations, other people, that maybe aren’t huge fans of Charismatics or even Bethel. I have seen this bridge happen with memes and jokes. So often people have preconceived notions of who I am or who you are before you have even said anything. But, humor has a way of dismantling that.”

SPREADING JOY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

JOY IS A SERIOUS LAUGHING MATTER

Humor is powerful! Solomon said it thousands of years ago: “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). However, modern medicine has only been seriously studying the specific benefits of joy and the energizing effects of laughter for about thirty years. In their research, they’ve uncovered countless stories of people who intentionally kept their spirits high through the use of humor to survive POW camps, war, illness, trauma, as well as the daily grind of stressful jobs. In fact, concentration camp survivor and Austrian psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl saw firsthand how humor was a powerful survival skill that enabled him and other prisoners to hold on to hope and purpose through the darkest time of their lives. Frankl said, “Humor, more than anything else in the human makeup, affords an aloofness and an ability to rise above any situation, even if only for a few seconds.”

My point is, joy is seriously a laughing matter! The impact it has on surviving extreme and uncertain times is a cure-all that I believe comes straight from the belly laugh of God himself.

Have We Judged Who Jesus Loves? || Transformational Art Work With Jessica Bond

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 15:36:00 GMT

JESUS WASN'T A PEACEKEEPER

Jesus was unafraid to stir the pot, flip tables, or offend religious naysayers. He wasn’t a peacekeeper, He was a peacemaker. So often we are concerned about keeping conflict at bay and harmony on the horizon. But the truth is, the Prince of Peace is not concerned with pleasing people; instead, He is concerned with making peace. Sometimes that means offending the crowd to ensure that His Father is pleased. Jesus knew and lived out the truth of what it meant that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). He cut through cultural and religious barriers in order to bring the Truth about who God is to the hearts of men.

Over the last couple of years, we have seen the deep destruction of division portrayed across cultures, nations, and political propositions. The cultural climate has felt turbulent and tense to say the least. Yet, the truth is, often it’s not the storms of life that create the conditions of our hearts, they simply reveal them.

It might be easy in our own frustration and offense to decide that the decisions, sins, or outcasts of society rightfully deserve to be treated differently. But, it’s the beautiful humility of Jesus portrayed in John 13 that rocks the cultural concept of justice, unravels our perceptions of people, and transforms the condition of our hearts. Moments before what Jesus knew would be the greatest and most grievous day in history, He knelt on His knee, poured water into a bowl, and washed the filthy feet of His disciples; knowing that two of the twelve would betray Him, He still invited them to take a seat, displaying a true act of humility.

I recently sat down for a conversation with the Founder and Creative of Salt and Gold Collective, Jessica Bond. In 2020, Jess saw in her mind's eyes a picture of Jesus washing many different people’s feet. From this encounter, she began to create these images into digital artwork and birthed the powerful series titled “ The Foot Washing Series ” which has touched hundreds of thousands of people’s lives across social media.

THE FOOT WASHING SERIES

TRANSFORMATIONAL ART ON SOCIAL MEDIA

During our conversation, I was incredibly inspired not just by Jess’s talent and giftng, but by the beautiful testimonies that have come from individuals encountering her artwork. In our discussion, Jess shared the profound yet stretching journey of creating and sharing The Foot Washing Series with the world — not only did her personal opinions shatter at the revelation of God’s humility and love for each of His children, but especially as she began to see how God used art to transform hearts, heal wounds, and break religious barriers.

In the comments below, I would love to hear how has God shattered your own opinions and perceptions. How have you experienced the Prince of Peace as a peacemaker more than a peacekeeper in your own life?

Every Believer Has a Super Power || Uncover the Superhero Within You

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:59:00 GMT

WHERE DID THE FEAR COME FROM?

Have you ever wished you had a superpower? Maybe when you were younger you dreamed about having superhuman strength or reading people’s minds. Marvel movies may have romanticized superheroes, but I’d propose the Lord created superheroes before movies were ever thought of. Whether it was the four fireproof, lion-taming wise men of Babylon or the lion-killing, bear-stomping, giant-slaying boy from the backside of the wilderness, God has always had His superheroes. There are men and women who are given incredible powers, then are dispatched into what may seem initially like suicide missions and impossible situations, with almost no chance of success. But, at the end of the day when the light fades the adolescent boy returns home with the stone in his hand and the giant's head underfoot. It simply doesn’t make sense….

But, bear with me for a second as we consider the life of Daniel and his God-given superpower. Daniel possessed divine wisdom, and supernatural knowledge, and understood the meanings of dreams and visions. In fact, Daniel could tell you your dream, give you the interpretation, and tell you what to do about it. If that isn’t a superpower, I am not sure what is (Daniel 2:27-29). But, before you clock this in your mind as a historically inspiring story and deem it simply “biblical”, what if I told you that God still empowers superheroes?

MORE THAN NICE THOUGHTS

What if renewing your mind is more than just simply thinking nice thoughts, but is divine thinking? Have you ever considered the divine advantage you have over the young boy, David who conquered Goliath? Not to say that what he accomplished wasn’t anything short of miraculous. But, by the power of the Cross, this divine insight lives inside of you. Think of how much more is available to you if you tapped into the “spirit of your mind.” (Ephesians 4:23)

But, why if as Believers who have access to the wisdom of the age to come do we not tap into it? I’d propose it’s because we settle for the wisdom of the age we live in. In order to tap into spiritual intelligence you have to exit the freeway of IQ/EQ thinking and take the onramp to the SQ highway (metaphorically speaking).

It might feel common or usual to approach solving life’s problems with practical and logical solutions. For example, you may have found that you have been hit with a large unexpected expense, and you don’t have the money to pay for it. So you begin game planning on how you might need a second job or if you should refinance your house and before you know it you have the whole thing sorted with a ten-step plan. You may even base the solution on Biblical core values. This might be a reasonable way to approach the problem, yet it could rob you of God’s supernatural solution.

THE SQ APPROACH

The SQ approach to this same problem would look like this: instead of doing the reasonable thing, you press into prayer and ask God to give you His perspective. You might begin to receive spiritual insight that you couldn’t see when you were searching for a logical solution. What I am getting at is that the reason we don’t develop “the spirit of our minds” is simply because we solve our challenges with lower-level, natural thinking that can be based on biblical principles, but may not actually be Spirit-led.

You might be asking yourself if I am suggesting that we not base our thinking on biblical principles. The answer is no! Biblical thinking is life-transforming because it teaches us how God thinks . But the only way to know what God is thinking is to have a connection

through the Holy Spirit to God’s mind. I understand the difference here might be a little difficult to grasp at first, but it will make a profound difference in your life when you understand it.

Let’s look at a few verses and dig a little deeper into their application. The apostle Paul wrote, “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” 1 Corinthians 2:11–13.

Paul is pointing out that we have received God’s Spirit, and we, therefore, have access to His thoughts. The apostle goes on to say that the Spirit is teaching us how to have God’s thoughts (i.e., His imagination, visions, and dreams) and His spiritual words. In this case, we are not just thinking like God; instead, we are thinking His actual thoughts planted in us by the Holy Spirit, knowing His mind in whatever situations we face, and mirroring His imagination about the solutions and outcomes in real-time!

It is the Holy Spirit inside of us that gives us the superhero abilities to usher in solutions from Heaven to serve society around us today!

Are you currently facing a situation or problem that you could seek a Spirit-led answer for? I want to encourage you to carve out time in your day to ask the Lord what He thinks it is you should do. What are some practical Spirit-led steps you could take to solve the problem?

Why Every Christian Has a Spirit Guide

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 07:19:00 GMT

I recently hosted a LIVE Q&A on the topic of spiritual encounters on my social media. The synergy and curiosity on the subject prompted me to share this blog post originally written on November 22, 2019. I hope this blog encourages and inspires you!

WHERE DID THE FEAR COME FROM?

If the title of this blog ignited fear or anxiety in your heart, I’d like to propose that not all supernatural experiences or practices hail from the kingdom of darkness. In fact, the truth is that many spiritual encounters or expressions that are demonstrated in darkness are often a perversion of something created by God! I’m concerned that in an effort to not be deceived, some Christians take things that are spiritually powerful or supernatural and assign them to the New Age movement by default. Consequently, what’s left is a passive, paralyzed, and powerless Church.

I’ve found that often believers pick and choose which bucket they delineate a spiritual experience to be in based on fear or misunderstanding of how Jesus wants us to operate in the gifts of His Spirit today. For example, when some people read the words of Jesus like these, “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect,” (Matthew 24:24), they are convinced that Jesus said, “In the last days ALL the prophets will be false.” Most of the heresy hunters don’t believe there are prophets in the last days, so they deem all signs and wonders as false!

Of course, there are false prophets, false signs and wonders, demonic trances, demonic tongues, etc., but the devil most often counterfeits things that are valuable! Nobody ever counterfeited a penny or a dollar bill; it’s just too much work for very little impact.

I’d propose that the devil has a great strategy to disarm the church – convince her that the weapons of warfare, the very tools she has been given to win the battle against evil, are from the prince of darkness himself.

SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES ARE BIBLICAL

Let’s take a look at some practical examples of supernatural experiences that have been labeled as New Age in much of today’s culture.

First up — are trances Christian or New Age? Well, the Apostle Peter fell into a trance. Here is the reference: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me…” (Acts 11:5)

The Apostle Paul also experienced a trance. Here is his reference; “It happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance…” (Acts 22:17)

Are angel visitations “New Age” or Christian? Are you aware that angels are mentioned 185 times in the New Testament alone? There were at least 20 angelic visitations just in the book of Acts. In contrast, the Holy Spirit is mentioned 223 times in the New Testament.

THE GOSPEL IS POWERFUL

What I’m getting at is that you can’t separate the gospel from the power of God! Paul put it like this: “In the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and around about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:19)

He brings this point home in 1 Corinthians 4:20, “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.”

If we teach that there are no longer gifts of the Spirit – that prophecy, healing, and deliverance are not for today – and that all spiritual experiences and/or supernatural encounters have passed, is this not reducing the gospel? Isn’t it just as dangerous to remove the power of God from the people of God as it is to be deceived? In fact, isn’t this, in itself, partnering with deception?

It's imperative that we heed Paul's warning to Timothy and not become preachers with no power. Paul said, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come…men will hold to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” (2 Timothy 3:1,5)

MY SPIRIT GUIDE

If you’re a believer, you, like me, have a Spirit Guide; His name is Holy Spirit and He guides us into all truth! The Bible says, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13). In fact, Holy Spirit gives us the power to do the work of the Gospel. The very word “saved” in the Greek language is “sozo,” and it actually means “saved, healed and delivered.” Therefore we must, as Paul exhorted us, FULLY preach and demonstrate the gospel so that people who experience our ministry receive the full benefits of the blood of Jesus. Imagine the impact of an empowered Church, taking up our call to minister in the power of God’s kingdom, serving in even the darkest places on the planet, healing and redeeming the world back to God!

How will you take up this call and invite Holy Spirit into your everyday life? Tell me about it in the comments below!

God is Moving Among Gen Z.

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 06:01:00 GMT

WHAT GENERATION ARE YOU LIVING FOR?

Every generation is marked by significant societal moments, clear characteristics, and distinctive difficulties. Every era is given the opportunity to set its own precedence in discoveries, technologies, and knowledge based on the foundation the previous generations paved. An ecosystem that is often not acknowledged, but rather the contrasting belief systems, attributes, and cultures are found in tension with each other.

It is evident that in this very moment in history, we have seen the hand of God on the youth of this generation; Gen Z. From the Asbury revival to student-led outpourings all over the nation, He obviously has a clear plan to touch the hearts of youth. Yet, as a man well into my sixties, it is evident to me how different my generation is from the current one we are living in. I have eleven grandchildren that I love dearly and I often stand fascinated by the life they live; it sometimes feels as far different from mine as night is to day. And I am certain it goes both ways. Sometimes the passing generations just don’t understand each other. Yet, after my recent conversation with Night Norona and Josh Altamura, the hosts of the popular podcast Juvy, a podcast dedicated to breaking the stereotype of Gen Z, I left inspired, fascinated, and curious. I felt prompted to peer into the minds of the youth of this day and age to seek to understand rather than make judgments and broad statements. While we were talking, Night Norona stated, “If we are going to have the conversation about Gen Z, let’s have it with the goal to seek to understand each other, not trying to prove each other right or wrong.” After this riveting conversation, I couldn’t agree more, by the end of the conversation I actually began to think we may just find there is more we have in common than in contrast. What I am getting at is heart longings, difficulties, and desires ring true throughout every generation - we need each other, it’s the Lord's divine design for humanity. Just think about when you open your Bible, you resonate with people's lives that lived 2,000 years ago in a completely different culture.

SHIFTING THE STEREOTYPE

WHAT WILL RING TRUE OF YOU IN FUTURE GENERATIONS?

The truth is, we actually have a responsibility and reason for leaving a legacy that will benefit the generations to come. It is evident throughout all of scripture that the Lord cares for the future generations. Psalms 22:30 says,“ Posterity shall serve him; it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation ; They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!”

I want to charge you today - how will your life affect the generations to come? Are you living for the current success of life or with a legacy in mind? What will ring true about you in the generations to come? Maybe even jot it down so you remember the purpose you’re living for on days where uncertainty undermines your vision. You have been called to be a pioneer, to pave the way, to set a precedent the next generation will spring from.

Supernatural Solutions That Forge a Highway to Restoration

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 03:02:00 GMT

DIVINE FAVOR AND SUPERNATURAL INSIGHTS

Have you ever questioned if there really is hope for the problems that have submerged society? Or felt overwhelmed by the enemy’s perverted, poisonous, and pretentious plans? Maybe it has even caused you to take a seat and hope for the best, rather than actively progress in discovering a victorious plan.

The truth is, we as a Body have largely mirrored worldly thinking, which has undermined the triumphant call on us to rise and shine with ageless wisdom and supernatural power. Jesus also cautioned us about this political spirit when He said that in addition to the leaven of the Pharisees, we should beware of “the leaven of Herod” (Mark 8:15).

Amid this devilish demise, there is an ancient promise of profound proportions that reverberates from an old prophet who peered into the future and spoke of a kairos shift in the condition of the earth. Isaiah proclaimed, “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1–3

The conditions of this rising are familiar to us all. “Deep darkness” is the hopeless depression and moral decay entrenched in the nations. Yet against the backdrop of this darkness, God’s people are rising with divine favor and supernatural insights . Jesus authenticated this prophetic declaration when He announced, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

Look at the profound response to this epic rising: “Lift up your eyes round about and see; they all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.” Isaiah 60:4–5

The divine light, which inspires revelation, insights, and supernatural solutions attract the world like moths to a lamp, forging a High-way for the restoration of communities and families. The prophet Malachi mirrored this declaration just four hundred years

before Christ, writing, “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” (Malachi 4:5–6)

A DIVINE SHIFT TAKING PLACE

I’d like to propose that a divine shift is taking place in the Spirit, and it is having great impact on humankind. Like the instinctive nature in birds that migrate south in the winter, people are experiencing a spiritual awakening and are making the voyage back to their Creator, Lover, and Friend. Isaiah went on to proclaim, “Your gates will be open continually; they will not be closed day or night, so that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession” (Isaiah 60:11).

These kairos conditions echo the days of King Solomon when God put His divine wisdom on display for all the known world through the king of Israel. Literally, kings and queens came from around the world to experience Solomon’s wisdom (Kings 10).

The exciting truth is that as Believers we carry the same revelatory wisdom that Solomon carried by the power of the Holy Spirit. Answers, solutions, and innovative ideas live inside of you. The daunting demise of the devil has no authority or power that surpasses the light that lives inside of you.

The world is waiting for Believers to step into the fullness of what Christ paid for on the cross and to step into the divine solutions that await to be released on the earth.

We are victors, with third-heaven authority over the devil’s second-heaven devices. We are God’s solutionaries, commissioned to take third-heaven revelation and solve earth’s first-heaven challenges with it.

This is why my team at the SQ Institute is hosting a FREE Virtual Two-Day Prophetic Think Tank on March 7-8, 2023. At the Prophetic Think Tank , you’ll have the opportunity to discover the Divine brilliance inside of you as you receive foundational teaching and interact with other spiritual pioneers to unlock answers to real-world questions. You can register to join us at the Prophetic Think Tank here .

The Difference Between Prophecy And Spiritual Intelligence

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 04:24:00 GMT

OUR DIVINE ADVANTAGE

Have you ever come up against a problem that leaves you racking your brain for a solution? Maybe you’ve even found yourself lying awake at night counting all the possible ways to come to a resolution. In a world where we face problems on a regular basis, whether simple and subtle or loud and large, we are all familiar with the sense of dread when they come our way. However, what if instead of dread being the first emotion that we face, we were met with excitement as we anticipated the solution from Heaven that we would receive?

I’d propose that when the challenges of life come your way, you have a divine advantage! Through the redemptive power of the cross, you have not only the strength of a redeemed mind, but, you also have access to the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2). When we simply live with a redeemed mind, we disregard and disempower the ability we have to grasp solutions from Heaven and bring them to earth. What I am getting at is for a long time the Church has been really good at teaching and training Believers to think like God (Romans 12). But, we have lacked in teaching and training Believers to think God’s thoughts, also known as spiritual intelligence. What does this look like?

Imagine you are walking past your grumpy neighbor that is always rude to you. With a transformed mind, you feel compassion and love for this person as the Bible is clear, “Above all, love each other deeply.” (1 Peter 4:8). However, when you move beyond thinking how God thinks, you can begin to access what He is thinking. In this example, you can ask the Holy Spirit to show you why your neighbor is always rude. You may begin to understand and sympathize with his disposition as the Lord shares with you: “His father was a pastor that preached one thing and lived a completely different way at home. He was abused by his father, and when he sees you, he’s reminded of his father.” Now, you can ask the Lord for a strategy for how you can not just help your relationship with your neighbor, but also help your neighbor heal from his past hurts.

There are unique and powerful ways that the Lord speaks to each one of us, giving us access to His thoughts. I felt led to share this conversation I had with Ben Armstrong a year ago. Ben is the Director of Prophetic Ministry at Bethel Church who is powerfully transforming culture as he equips and trains Believers to understand the prophetic and the ways God uniquely communicates with us. Ben shares how our dreams are an incredible avenue in which the Lord can speak, share solutions, and strategies with us. This is also a way that we can experience and develop our spiritual intelligence.

THE PROPHETIC AND DREAM INTERPRETATION

DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE

I hope as you watch this episode of Cultural Catalysts you feel expectant and excited to receive solutions from Heaven. God is eager to partner with you to solve problems and create solutions. If you are hungry to further develop and grow your spiritual intelligence, solve problems supernaturally, and increase in innovative ideas, the Spiritual Intelligence Institute is a place for spiritual pioneers to explore their God-given brilliance and become more effective and accurate in their giftings. We offer classes that empower you to think beyond human reasoning by accessing God’s thoughts in real time, increasing your capacity for spiritual intelligence. Are you ready to explore the terrain of thought for your life’s challenges? The SQ Institute’s Solutionaries Intensive enrollment is now open.

What is the Truth About Sexuality? || Standing Up for the Truth in a Confused Crowd

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:03:00 GMT

SELF-SERVING TRUTHS

Has social media become a soapbox influencing the norms of culture? Have humanistic ideals infiltrated our churches and influenced our congregations; building cornerstones of confusion as belief systems to concur with? The top leaders of our day continue to search, investigate, and strategize solutions for the moral dilemmas that we face today.

But, I’d propose that if we continue to rely on ourselves to discover the truth of what is right and wrong, we will dig ourselves into a deeper hole of self-serving “truths.” So often, we influence our view of God by creating a God made in our own image rather than a people made in the image of God (1 John 3:2). This is a dangerous perception of truth - distorting the very reality of who He is and who we were created to be. Ultimately affecting the very decisions we make in response to society.

A couple of weeks ago I had a conversation with Cole Zick, the Co-Director of Moral Revolution about the truth about sexuality. Cole and his wife Cait are pioneering a moral revolution, confronting the most challenging topics, and breaking down the daunting moral problems of our day. It’s often the very places we don’t want to confront that need the most Truth spoken into them. Yet, our society can not afford for us to remain silent on the subject of identity and sexuality any longer.

The truth is that the morals of any society are not determined only by right and wrong; instead, they are often established by courageous people who brave the backlash of public opinion and forge new “norms.” If you’ve noticed, cowards are always the first to surrender their souls to a shouting society, the sympathetic follow their suit, and then the politicians. Intellectuals tend to follow close behind as they exchange the reasonable for the ridiculous and rationalize until facts become fables. I’m curious, where are you in all of this? When are the true Believers going to step out of the crowd of cowards and pioneer a path forward with divine wisdom, supernatural strategies, and offer the world transformative love that actually does conquer a multitude of sins?

Another point I want you to consider is that Jesus was tempted in every way, but He never sinned, therefore temptation is not a sin! In fact, temptation is not only common, it’s normal. Temptation is to our soul what exercise is to our bodies. Similarly, what you have done is not who you are - your behavior does not dictate your identity. Your identity was established before the beginning of time. Nothing you do can change the core of your identity in Christ.

I want to encourage you this week to look at the areas in your life or in the world around you that you have shied away from. Ask the Lord for supernatural solutions on how you can approach the sticky subject of society with a Kingdom perspective and Heavenly solutions. You have been called to be an ambassador of Christ, a cornerstone of Truth and faith among a confused and questioning crowd.

Creating Healthy Ecosystems || How to Minister to the Body, Soul and Spirit

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 01:57:00 GMT

PRAY FOR A MIRACLE, LIVE WITH A PLAN

Has life ever presented you with challenges that seem to knock you out, drag you down and bring you to your breaking point? I know I have been there a few different times in my life. In 2008, my family went through a terrible crisis that lasted more than two years. In the midst of trying to help my family weather the storm, I found myself in my own personal battle for survival. What began as a few months of sleepless nights soon became a full-on emotional breakdown. Unfortunately, I haven’t been the only one in my family to experience the devastating reality of depression. And maybe you have experienced an emotional breakdown yourself or at least know someone that has.

Several years ago my daughter found herself in a depressive state that would break any father’s heart. Married, with two young children and leading a church, she found herself in an emotionally and mentally challenging space that left her laid out in bed for days on end. We did everything we knew to help her get back on her feet again. But, it seemed no matter how many times or who prayed for her, her soul remained depleted and downtrodden.

We often talk about the spirit, soul and body as if they live in separate boxes, but the reality is that life is not designed in that way. In my own season of fighting in the literal trenches of hell, enduring demonic attacks every night and day, I learned that our spirit, soul and body are so intricately intertwined that it’s impossible to affect one part without influencing the other two parts. Problems can originate in one dimension of our being, but before long, we experience resulting symptoms in all three realms of our personhood. As counterintuitive as it might sound, your prayer closet isn’t always the solution.

In a recent conversation I had with my daughter and son-in-law Jaime and Marty Pronovost, Jaime shared a nugget of wisdom she learned from her own season battling depression; “Pray for a miracle, live with a plan.” This is so important in the life of a Believer - sometimes hyper spiritualized living is at our detriment. Now, let me be clear, I am not saying that prayer is not worth pursuing when believing for a miracle, but sometimes we need the wisdom of God to lead us to a plan for our physical body. Jaime and Marty lead Bethel School of Supernatural Discipleship and after victoriously walking through a season of deep depression, now help disciple others in their healing journeys with the tools they gained.

IS DISCIPLESHIP A KEY TO BREAKTHROUGH IN THE CHURCH?

My prayer for you this week is that you would be filled with expectation and hope for the situations in your life that have knocked you over and pulled you down. The Lord has a victorious plan to lead you through the challenges of life and equip you with tools to help others as well.

I’d love to hear in the comments below - what tools has the Lord given you in seasons of challenge and tribulation?

Is Nobility Key to a Life Worth Living?

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 05:11:00 GMT

A COURAGEOUS ACT OF NOBILITY

Have we lost touch with the very essence of nobility - what it means to live with character and upright stature? Have you considered the decisions, character, and perseverance of individuals that changed the course of history? What caused them to approach their challenges with such impervious integrity that it would echo through the generations?

The truth is, in generations past there were a lot more opportunities to practice daily acts of self-sacrifice; simply by the lack of convenience that exists in the 21st century. My good friend, Carrie Lloyd, and author of The Noble Renaissance pressed this point: consider for a moment just a decade ago the process it was to just rent a movie from Blockbuster. It was a far cry from the instant, clickable convenience we enjoy today with streaming services. In order to rent a movie from Blockbuster, you’d need to decide with your friends on which movie to rent, then you’d make your way to Blockbuster just to find out the desired film is rented out for the night. So, then you’d pivot and choose something else available and make your way back home, put it in the VHS just to find out it has not been rewound. You’d sit and wait for the tape to reverse back to the start and then would need to make sure you returned it the next day to avoid a late fee. I know this example may seem completely disjointed from nobility, but the incredibly relevant daily practice of flexibility and selflessness that would be required by society at large is the connection point in this example. Now, let me be clear, of course, this is not to say that generations past did not also struggle with selfishness. But self-centered behavior was not as concentrated as it is in the world today.

But, I have recently felt the deep urge to revisit the very character that etched the waves of change in society. What does it take to stand courageous in nobility amidst a crowd of moral cowards? The truth is that the morals of any society are not determined only by right and wrong; instead, they are often established by courageous people who brave the backlash of public opinion and forge new “norms ” — the ones who are noble. Amongst many examples in my recent conversation with Carrie Lloyd, she shared, “We think that grace in this generation is a case of loving everyone and condoning everything, but I think true love and true grace comes in the lifting up of other people even when they have hurt us.” Nobility is a challenging choice — it isn’t always the knee jerk reaction, but rather the calculated response. It doesn’t mean the temptation of immorality and revenge do not exist, but is not a key to our identity.

NOBLE RENAISSANCE

My prayer is that as you watch this interview you are filled with expectation of how the rise of nobility will be seen across a generation. I encourage you to ask God to show you how He values nobility, why it’s key to a life worth living, and how you can take steps to living with nobility in your life.

Healing the Masculine Soul || A Conversation With John Eldredge

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 04:25:00 GMT

HAS MASCULINITY BECOME THE VILLAIN?

We live in a day and age where the foundations of gender are being questioned, masculinity has become the villain, and identity is a point of confusion. Culture has placed the roles of men and women on the scales of equality and attempted to prove the purpose of one or the other. The truth is, men and the masculinity they carry is desperately needed, yet has been drastically disregarded. But, I’d propose that not only has culture been left to tackle the topic of toxic masculinity, but the Church has not known how to approach the beast of confusion that lies in wait at our doorways, lingering over our children, and whispering lies about who we have been created to be. Yet, the unfortunate truth is masculinity has become a source of scary stigmas rather than an experience of the loving strength of God it was meant to display. In return, many welcome the Jesus who was kind and gentle enough to make friends with little children, yet reject the Jesus who crafted a whip before He turned tables over in the temple.

We love the idea that man is made in the image of God, especially the Lamb that was slain. In fact, in many places, you can be whatever you want as long as it doesn’t resemble the Lion who brings raw strength and power that tramples any foe beneath His feet. But, the truth is if we miss out on the masculine heart of God we also miss out on the masculine heart of man. The cost of diminishing masculinity is too great when the result is a society filled with men who lack identity, purpose, and destiny. The truth of God-given masculinity needs to tear through the resounding rhetoric on the topic of toxic masculinity. Now, let me be clear, not all forms of masculinity are holy, healthy, and healed. I am not trying to disregard the very real pain and betrayal that toxic masculinity has played in society, however, masculinity at its core is not toxic. The Word of the Lord says that God created man in His own image and called it good. God created a clear, powerful purpose for manhood.

RESTORING THE MASCULINE SOUL

I n this week’s Cultural Catalysts episode, I sat down for a conversation with my good friend John Eldredge . John is the best-selling author of Wild at Heart , a counselor, and a speaker. John has paved the way for the restoration of the masculine soul and mentored and counseled thousands of men into their God-given masculinity through his teachings. In our conversation, John shared insight into what it takes to heal the masculine soul personally and in culture.

Men, my prayer as you listen to this conversation is that your hearts would be healed and your masculine souls restored which would lead to the restoration of your marriages, families, and culture. And women, I pray that the parts of your hearts that have been hurt or harmed by toxic forms of masculinity would be healed and restored and the loving Father would be close to you.

The Power of Purpose With Donald Miller

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 04:43:00 GMT

THE WEARY WAVES OF DESPAIR

Have you ever found yourself tired of life? Weary of the waves of despair and discouragement that seemingly write themselves into the story of your day?

The problem is, so often we fall victim to the life that is unfolding before us. We allow the blows of disappointment and fear to knock us down until it knocks us out. But, what if we held more power in our hands than we originally thought? What if it’s not God, not fate, and not the people in our lives that dictate the story of our lives? But, rather God handing you a pen and saying here is the page: if you are tired of life, begin to write a different story of what your tomorrow will look like. The beginning might have been unfair and full of grief, but the middle can be filled with redemption if you pursue meaning and purpose.

Often in life, finding our “purpose” can feel a lot like setting out on an adventure to travel mountains high and valleys deep until we stumble upon our destiny. Or it might feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders as you attempt to make one “right” decision after the next hoping you haven’t screwed everything up. It’s hard to gracefully transition from the pressures of picking a major in college to choosing the “right” career path to ultimately finding the “perfect” job. In the end, we’re often left spinning on our wheels and coming up empty-handed in a job or life that doesn’t align with our purpose.

The underlying message in these decisions is that finding our life purpose and mission is found within what we choose to do with our lives. The idea of discovering our calling isn’t bad, but the breakdown in truth happens when we define our success by what we do, not by who we are. I want to propose to you that living from your identity, in simply being a child of God, is a lot more powerful (and fulfilling) than trying to work your way into a happy life.

I recently had a profound conversation with my good friend, Donald Miller. Donald is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and business owner. His latest book is titled, “Hero on a Mission: A path to a meaningful life.” From an in-depth study on the findings of Viktor Frankl, Donald discovered and wrote his latest book on how living a life full of faith and meaning in action correlates to a decreased rate of depression and suicide; an inspiring read and conversation. Donald shared his victorious journey of living a life of deep lows as he navigated existing in a life dictated by the winds rather than taking the reins and how he started the journey towards what he knew he desired to do in his life.

FINDING POWERFUL PURPOSE

In this interview, Donald Miller and I talked about how to discover meaning and purpose in different seasons. My prayer as you listen to this conversation is that you are filled with hope for the future and faith to live a life full of meaning and purpose.

A Grateful Heart Changes Everything || Guest Blog by Kathy Vallotton

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 02:34:00 GMT

HELLO 2023

The year 2023 is on the horizon as we say goodbye to all that 2022 held for us! There is often a tension in the life of faith that we live in – the mystery of the unknown and the great excitement of what is to come. This past year, great inspiration and great struggle met us at our doorstep as we navigated the passing of our matriarch, Beni Johnson, while simultaneously welcoming a season of decade-long dreams fulfilled. And while personally Kathy and our family walked through marking family moments and challenging personal circumstances. But as the year concluded I felt a prompting in my heart to reflect on a few moments in our life from this last year. That is why I have asked my beautiful wife Kathy Vallotton to write a guest post on a few highlights and testimonies from this past year.

FINDING THANKFULNESS

You probably know how this time of year goes…everyone starts to reflect on their top moments while the highlight reel of 2022 flashes before our eyes as if time just slipped away from us. It can be so tricky to accomplish everything we intended, even when you have the best intention, and almost even harder to remember every moment that felt so impactful in the year. But, over the years if there is one thing I have learned it is that a grateful heart changes everything - when laced with thankfulness it can make the most dire of situations suddenly beam with hope, and your disappointments not seem so daunting anymore. I am reminded of the truth that God has given us the ability to choose which thoughts we are going to dwell on. In fact, the Bible tells us what to meditate on! In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

So, I wanted to share a few of the things that I am so thankful for in the past year to encourage our faith and excitement for 2023!

1. Our 11th grandchild, Liam, was born!

2. I shot a 400lb bear with a crossbow.

3. We remodeled our kitchen into my dream kitchen in our Redding home.

4. My Parkinson's symptoms seem to be improving.

I encourage you to find gratitude in your heart as you reflect on the past year! Write yourself a list so you can build your faith as you see all He has done for you and turn to when you feel discouragement or dissapointment try to creep in. 2023 is going to be an incredible year!

Kris and I are praying you and your family have a happy New Year!

A Grateful Heart Changes Everything || Guest Blog by Kathy Vallotton

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 03:48:00 GMT

Christmas is a beautiful time of year and has always been a special day for Kathy and me even in the most challenging times. Not every Christmas has been filled with sweet sentiments and splendid situations, but rather many holiday seasons have accompanied heavy hearts and dire difficulties. However, no matter the circumstances that were in front of us, the reality of the coming of Christ never has lost its power and significance in our lives or stolen our reason to celebrate. The Gospel is grander than the holiday season, more real than any Christmas custom, and more certain than our current cultural condition. The humble entrance of the Savior of the world altered the course of history with an eternal seal of redemption and reconciliation. It’s not just a nice story, that we tell with cookies in our bellies and hot cocoa in our hands. But, rather the crescendo of His coming is the antecedent to the impossible made possible. In the arrival of our Savior, the sick are healed, and the lonely are found in family, the dead experience resurrection life.

He came for so much more than Christmas trees and presents wrapped in red bows. Now, let me be clear, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with the holiday cheer and Christmas tradition, it is a beautiful part of the celebration that accompanies this time of year and the Vallotton family sure loves a Christmas celebration. That is why Kathy and I wanted to “welcome you into our home” in a sense, to celebrate the significance of the season. So, it’s in great fun and celebration that we created this short video to share with you to wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

55 QUESTIONS WITH THE VALLOTTONS: CHRISTMAS EDITION

We are praying for you and your family this holiday season that no matter your circumstances you would feel the Presence of God in your home and that the reality of the coming of our Savior is prevalent in your hearts.

Catalytic Faith That Unlocks Spiritual Intelligence

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 08:38:00 GMT

THE LAW OF FAITH

Have you ever considered the amount of faith needed in some of the commencing moments of the greatest catalytic inventions and most commemorated innovations of all time — electricity, airplanes, and the internet to name a few? Or maybe you’ve thought of how it felt in the very moment when the first airplane took off with success or electricity became a modern necessity; the sigh of relief and the breath of reprieve that met the scientists, thought leaders, and history makers after they had taken courageous steps into the unseen.

I’d propose that spiritual intelligence is of the very essence of taking heroic steps into the unknown. Yet, it is composed of eternal elements — it transcends memory, is beyond mere information, and exceeds academia. Spiritual intelligence is not just knowing , it is becoming, it is transforming , and it is a force for change that is working on us from the inside out. Spiritual intelligence is not just inspired ideas, creative thoughts, or ingenious inventions. Now, let me be clear, it is all of these things, but what makes spiritual intelligence life-changing, is that it is always catalyzed through relationship between God and His people.

The truth is as Believers we have a divine advantage - we are sanctified solutionaries with access to the thoughts of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Consider Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians: But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

We have access to a level of wisdom that is inaccessible to those that don’t know God. However, how you access this level of wisdom is through the power of faith. Everything in the spirit realm works by the law of faith. Whether someone is working from the dark side ( the second heaven ) or from God’s spirit (the third heaven). Faith is the foundational element of everything in the spirit world.

In Hebrews, it says: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Faith is the way that things transfigure from a spiritual, ethereal hypothesis into tangible form. Faith is the foundation of spiritual intelligence.

SO HEAVENLY MINDED THAT HE IS NO EARTHLY GOOD

You have more than likely heard the idiom, “that guy is so heavenly-minded that he is no earthly good.” The only reason this is true is that some spiritual people are dreamers with no faith — it requires faith to actualize dreams, and visions to overcome visible obstacles.

Do you remember when Jesus put His disciples into a boat and sent them to the other side of the sea? Later on, He came strolling out on the water in the midst of a bad storm. The guys saw Him; thought He was a ghost and pretty much freaked out. Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter suddenly had this brilliant idea; he yells , “Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” You have to admit the guy’s got guts, yet on the surface, Peter doesn’t ever seem to be the sharpest knife in the drawer! I mean, if a ghost can talk to you from the water, certainly he can tell you to “Come.” Yet Peter possesses a special kind of spiritual intelligence that’s rooted in faith and inspired by courage.

The rest of the story is powerful; Jesus shouted, “Come!” Peter, hearing the command above the howling wind and crashing seas, got out of the boat and walked on the water! I love that Peter refuses to be satisfied with spiritual principles that have no practical application. Instead, he gets out of the dang boat, while eleven theologians watch from the deck. This is it for me, someone actually steps out of the boat and attempts to walk on the sea! What good is spiritual intelligence if it has no purpose? I have observed that radical faith is so convicting to doubters, the lukewarm, the halfhearted, and the religious who have re-scripted the Bible to require them to live only in the realm of reason. The truth is you have to either be the next one out of the boat or find some spiritual excuse to relieve your cowardliness.

It’s a convicting invitation that was laid in front of us when Jesus paid the cost on the cross. The truth is, this spiritual intelligence is not reserved for a select few prophets or "chosen ones." Instead, it's accessible for all Believers. Now, the question is not whether you are gifted enough, but whether you are willing to step into all that Christ paid for.

Consider Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:9: “ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ” Did you catch that? Peter isn’t simply pointing out sound theology here, he’s revealing our profound reality as chosen children of the King— that we’ve been chosen, born for nobility, and we have purpose! It is in your divine design to think as Christ — by the power of the Holy Spirit, you have access to the geniuses of all geniuses, scientist of all scientists, doctor of all doctors, and engineers of all engineers.

I want to encourage you this week if you have felt limited in your ability or hopeless in your circumstances to invite the Holy Spirit to speak into your situation and to give you heavenly solutions — He has the answers for the world's most pressing problems and critical circumstances. I’d love to hear in the comments below, how the Lord has provided you with heavenly solutions for your life. Let’s build up each other’s faith to see the impossible come to pass.

If you are hungry to further develop and grow your spiritual intelligence, solve problems supernaturally, and increase in innovative ideas, then I think you’ll be interested in my Spiritual Intelligence Christmas Deal . Now until Dec 31, 2022 when you purchase a copy of my book, Spiritual Intelligence at the Bethel Store, you will receive $100 off the SQ Master Class.

The SQ Master Class is a self-guided e-course that through engaging teachings, reflective exercises, and activations will develop your capacity for spiritual intelligence and equip you to bring God’s transforming thoughts into real-life applications.

*After you purchase your copy of Spiritual Intelligence access your unique discount code by inserting your order number and email here .

Why What You Say Matters || How Your Words Create Your World

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 06:28:00 GMT

LOSERS, LOWLIFES, & SINNERS

Recently I felt the Lord press on my heart the power that our words carry and the importance of having a pure heart. I decided to refresh this blog post that I wrote several years ago on reigning in a rogue tongue so that you might be encouraged to finish the year with honor and nobility on your lips instead of dread and despair.

Do you believe that in order to earnestly love God you must first hate yourself? In other words, do you think that mistreating yourself is somehow a spiritual act? Let me tell you, there are many baffled believers out there who are convinced that the only way to please God is to think of themselves as losers or lowly sinners. They have been deceived by a demonic scheme and have lost sight of Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:29: “No one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church.” With that in mind, I propose it’s time that we learn how to tenderly care for ourselves because Jesus wants us to live fully alive—spirit, soul, and body.

Bill Johnson rightly says, “We can’t afford to have a thought in our mind that isn’t in His!” Jesus put it this way: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). We have an enemy who is attempting to rob us of our spiritual inheritance through demonic doctrines that project their own condemnation on to us. It is very important that we do not get the thief’s thoughts mixed up with what the Lord thinks of us!

A ROGUE TONGUE

One of the worst things we can do when our mind is under an unholy spiritual siege is to speak. Let me be clear: I do not mean we should avoid asking for help or stay silent in some isolated corner; I am talking about verbalizing the demonic thoughts , speculations or lofty things that are being propagated against us. Articulating these poisonous arrows only helps assimilate them in our hearts which in turn causes us to live them out in our souls.

Solomon said life and death are in the power of the tongue (see Proverbs 18:21). Ezekiel epitomized this when he spoke life over a boneyard, and a mighty army emerged. Therefore, it’s also possible to reduce a mighty army into a mere pile of bones with words spoken from an untamed tongue! Look at the warning James gave us about shooting off our big mouths: “Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” (James 3:4–5). It is tough enough to be in such an intense battle that you cannot see the forest for the trees. But it is foolish to set the whole forest on fire with our tongues.

As James tells us, our tongue is like the rudder of a ship. It can steer us into a safe harbor until the winds of adversity pass by. But instead of navigating our ship into a refuge from the storms of life, we often tend to let go of the wheel. This allows the waves of circumstance to drive the rudder instead of our faith, virtues, and values keeping us on course.

THE PALACE OF OUR SOUL

Speaking words from a tongue gone rogue is like eating fruit from a poisoned tree. Destructive words are deadly. Speaking them out loud will rot the mind, weaken the heart, and immobilize our lives in every way. It is up to us not to consume and assimilate these words by not allowing them to take root in our minds and hearts. Paul put it this way,

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you..” (Philippians 4:8–9)

As Believers, we must set up guards at the entrance of our hearts and minds to protect the Kingdom of God within ourselves. Meditating on negative words is like opening up our heart gate and allowing enemy armies to invade the peaceful palace of our souls. This is why it’s vital that we heed Paul’s insistence—to dwell on God’s goodness. Meditating and often recalling that WE ARE Kingdom people destined to live in righteousness, peace, and joy, invites the God of peace to reign over our spirit, soul, and body.

GOD’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

I know, when you hear the word “meditate,” you probably picture some guy sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, humming to himself, trying to empty his brain of all thoughts. But this isn’t scriptural meditation. Meditation that focuses on emptying your brain isn’t going to lead anywhere. In fact, it’s no different than an ostrich burying its head in the sand when it feels threatened; it’s a futile attempt at securing safety and restoring peace.

On the other hand, Biblical meditation is active and always leads to our triumph. In fact, after Moses died and Joshua was left to lead God’s people into the promised land, it was meditation that God said was the key to Joshua profoundly prospering:

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” (See Joshua 1:1-8)

I’m not sure if you caught the, “YOU WILL,” part? God didn’t say, “I will make you prosperous and successful.” He said, “You will make your way prosperous and you will have success.” Seriously, meditation seems like an overly simplified formula for success, but it is actually proactively using God’s words, thoughts, and promises to uproot any lies of condemnation that may be sabotaging us from living an abundant life.

Meditating on the truth that we are God’s beloved is God’s formula for a renewed mind! It enables us to walk in His gift of peace that surpasses all understanding.

I encourage you today to set aside speech that births destruction and instead speak out life over yourself, your family, and your community. Let’s end 2022 with declarations of God’s great goodness and His perfect promises!

3 Common Ways We Tend the Needs of Our Soul || Why Proactively Caring for Your Soul is Important

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 04:44:00 GMT

WHY YOUR SOUL MATTERS

Have you ever desired to live a spirit-led life? Maybe even with great intention, you ditched the needs of your heart and soul in order for your spirit to grow. I know many Believers who have spent their whole lives working to “not live by the flesh”. We have become excellent at the outward appearance of spirituality, but our souls and body have been neglected. A product in response is a Church dressed in a play pretend costume, perfecting its ability to neglect a vital piece of its tridimensional being.

In the Church at large, we take care of our spirits, and some may even take good care of their bodies, but our souls are often the most neglected parts of our beings. Our souls are where our metaphorical hearts live. I am fully convinced that our hearts (souls) know things that our bodies and spirits are completely unaware of. The heart feels its way through life and is sensitive to emotions. It is the home where things like love, passion, and mercy live.

I’d propose the neglect of our souls is rooted in a distorted perception of our flesh, but the piece we’re missing is that when we were saved we became new creations. You are a new creation! That means that all of you became new when you received salvation. Not just your spirit, but your soul included.

So, it is time to adjust our thinking — we need to be whole on the inside, so we can be real on the outside. No more pretenders. No more Captain America wannabes. No more stage actors! We need our souls to thrive in order to live in the fullness of what Christ paid for.

You might be sitting there wondering where to begin. How do you approach the needs of your soul when you have been disconnected from them for so long? I first want to address three main ways we tend to approach meeting the needs of our souls: inactively, reactively, or proactively.

THREE WAYS WE TEND TO THE NEEDS OF OUR SOUL

Inactive: You are inactive when you remain ignorant of the condition of your soul. In the inactive mindset, you embrace your desperate need as an unwanted yet necessary part of life’s process. Then you work hard to convince yourself that love, acceptance, attention, approval, and significance are not necessities but choices that can be opted out of. Maybe you don’t try to meet the needs of your soul because you want to be spiritual, so you wear your dysfunction as a badge of honor. Or worse yet, you bury your needs so deep that you can’t consciously remember where you even put them. Life just happens to you when you live inactively. Eventually, you find your soul existing in brokenness, emptiness, and loneliness.

Reactive: You are reactive when you acknowledge your soul’s needs but then fulfill the needs in dysfunctional ways. This is the proverbial “looking for love in all the wrong places” scenario. Living reactively often leads to all kinds of extremely dysfunctional devices that never fulfill your need to be known deeply or your desire to be loved for who you are. The fruit of this reactive lifestyle may be sexual promiscuity, pornography, fantasy, selfish ambition, and so on . . . anything that gives you the sense of being known, feeling powerful, and feeling loved. Yet instant gratification has horrible side effects! Typically people who live this way for any length of time have a trail full of broken relationships that follow them.

Proactive: You are proactive when you wisely assess the needs of your soul and then devise a healthy strategy to meet your needs. Metaphorically speaking, you stop eating out of dumpsters, and you start planning your meals.

DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR SOUL

A great place to start when desiring to get in touch with the needs of your soul so that you can live proactively is to understand the power of love. You need a deep understanding and acceptance of love to seep so powerfully into your soul that it overflows out of you and into the hearts of others. Let’s first take a look at David’s relationship with his soul.

David, the man after God’s own heart, was extraordinarily in touch with the needs of his soul, and consequently, his soul loved God. Look at the way David talked to his soul:

Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him

For the help of His presence.

(Psalm 42:5)

After a time of deep distress, David’s soul was bragging about the Lord! Even when he is wandering in a literal desert, David has soul-ish ways:

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)

Did you catch that? David’s soul hungered for God, and the guy wasn’t even born again! There are hundreds of references to the soul of David loving on God. I am convinced that your heart can take you places your head can never go! The teacher in Proverbs put it like this: Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Did you notice the wisest man in the world clearly said that we must trust God with our hearts, not our heads? In fact, he went on to say that we shouldn’t put a lot of weight on what we understand. So is love always a feeling we can logically comprehend or is it sometimes something only our soul experiences?

Ephesians 3:16–19 says, “[the Father] would grant you . . . to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God”.

First of all, we are supposed to be rooted and grounded in love. In other words, the core foundation of everything we believe, do, say, live, and experience must flow from love, be motivated by love, and be grounded in love. And we are not to be rooted and grounded in just any love, but in the agape love of God, that must be experienced to be comprehended (agape is the Greek word for God’s love).

You are also invited to comprehend the love of God that’s beyond comprehension. Check it out one more time: “to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.” This is the place where the infinite transcends the finite, the supernatural infuses the biological, and the heart is enlightened to the secret dimensions of His passion for you! You heard me right; He is wild about you! He didn’t just die for you; He lives for you. In fact, He lives in you, around you, and through you.

Has your soul been living inactively, reactively, or proactively? Have there been areas of your life where you need to ditch the need to understand and embrace the love of God that surpasses knowledge? I want to challenge you today to assess how you have been living and invite the Lord into your journey of breakthrough!

A Cure to Holiday Induced Chaos

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 21:08:00 GMT

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Can you believe it’s that time of year again? Every year it seems that the holiday season sneaks up on us. It feels like overnight we go from a sweltering 115 degrees to 50 degrees in Redding Ca. But, with the change of season is a sure sign that the holidays are underway. This past year has been full of monumental moments that have marked us and moved us forward in great faith and growing thankfulness. But, the truth is that sometimes the holiday season is a time that makes it hard to ignore the loss, loneliness, and lament in our life. It’s a present wrapped with a mix of experiences, emotions, and traditions. So, as we approach Thanksgiving this week and precede the holiday season I wanted to refresh a blog I wrote a couple of years back to help prepare our hearts and homes for everything that the holiday season brings.

I absolutely love the holiday season and getting to spend so much quality time with my family, not to mention the amazing food that Kathy cooks for us! Thanksgiving is such a full time — full of joy, full of people, and full of perspective of what’s really important in life. With this comes the temptation to become overwhelmed by the fullness—a full schedule, a full house, and maybe even a full stomach (if we’re being real!) In the hustle and bustle, I find that the cure for the sometimes impending stress is the very reason we get together in the first place — thankfulness.

This Thanksgiving I want to encourage you to sow peace in the place of chaos, to choose the gift of being present over the temptation to be distracted by your to-do’s, and to really focus on the why behind the holiday. We all know that we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7), so what will you be sowing this week?

THE POWER AND PRACTICE OF THANKSGIVING

Let’s take some time to pause and meditate on these verses from Philippians 4:4-9 (emphasis added): “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

THE POWER OF THANKSGIVING

Giving thanks shouldn’t just be relegated to one day a year, but rather it should be a lifestyle. After all, its power goes far beyond connecting us around a beautiful table. Thankfulness is the door to happiness and the gate to heaven (remember, we enter His gates with thanksgiving). It’s the cure for arrogance, the inoculation for depression and it’s a force against the spirit of entitlement. Thankfulness is the fruit of humility and the offspring of gratitude towards God. Thankfulness has saved many a marriage, rescued children from the grips of bitterness, and delivered countless souls from the political spirit. Thankfulness is a field that must be cultivated, weeded, and seeded. So what will you do to get the soil of your heart ready this season?

For those of you who face this holiday with fear, anxiety, or restlessness I want to encourage you to take some time today and decide what you want to sow in its place. Remember that you have the resources of Heaven at your disposal and that you get to shift atmospheres with the power you carry. Start with focusing on what you’re thankful for and then declare light and love over this week. What are you sowing this week? I’d love to hear that, and what you’re thankful for, in the comments!

How Your Earthly Father Impacts Your Perception of God

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:50:00 GMT

RECOVERING THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD

Have you ever stopped to consider the way you view God as a Father? Do you expect God to lean down and lend you grace for your mistakes? Or do you fear the rebuke and the relinquishing of His love when you slip up? Does God portray a good Father in every area of your life or just in certain situations and at certain times? The truth is, our personal experience with our earthly father often affects the way that we view God as a Father to us. The Bible is clear that God is a good Father (2 Corinthians 6:18), but if we struggle to recognize and experience the Father side of God we fail to understand the entirety of not just who He is, but the noble calling written into our hearts as sons and daughters.

If you have read the last several blogs I have written or listened to any of the latest podcasts I have released, you know that I have been talking about the fatherless epidemic we are living in. But, rather than discussing the statistics of this again, I want to address why our personal experience with fathers affect our perception of the Fatherhood of God. I recently sat down for a conversation with my brilliant friend Dr. Michael Brown, who is the author of more than 40 books, an international speaker, and widely considered to be the world’s foremost Messianic Jewish apologist. He explained how his non-believing earthly father taught him the attributes of God as a Father. Dr. Brown shared that when he first gave his life to the Lord he could easily relate to the Lord as a merciful God because his earthly father showed him the kindness and forgiveness of a father.

HOW DO WE RECOVER THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD?

However, what happens when you have a father that is absent or abusive? How does your view of God as a Father change? What I am getting at is in order to see the transformation of a generation, we need to recover the Fatherhood of God. When I asked Dr. Brown how we can work towards the transformation of a generation, and see men step into their noble calling, he shared these key points:

We have to recover the fatherhood of God. We need to know God in all of His nature, not just in His love and mercy, but in His holiness.
We need to do our best to disciple and raise up Godly men. We need to model what it means for a husband to love his wife even amidst weaknesses and imperfections. We need to model this kind of sacrificial love.
We need to look holistically at the neediest parts of our country. Those that are hurting the most and that have the most against them. We need to push back against the cultural marxism that guarantees equal outcomes for everyone. But, we should do our best for equal opportunities. This means we need to do practical outreaches that impact children’s lives and volunteer in communities, schools, and with families.

I hope that you are encouraged as you listen to my conversation with Dr. Michael Brown. My prayer for you this week is that you would be filled with hope and expectation to meet the Lord in greater ways this week. That you would experience Him as a good father that cares for you.

How Your View of God Directs Your Destiny

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 23:05:00 GMT

CRACKED LENSES

Have you ever looked through a pair of glasses with cracked lenses? The world appears bent out of shape with obscured clarity and uncertain circumstances — leaving you unsure if you can even trust the next step you’re going to take. Our belief systems have the same ability to crack the lenses through which we see the world causing us to make accusations, statements, and decisions based on unstable theories. Have you ever considered how the way you view God as a Father affects every aspect of your life? My friend Jonathan Helser says, “The God that we see is the son and daughter that we will be.” If you believe God is an angry dictator, you’ll behave differently than if you believe that He is a good and generous Father. However, often we can know something to be true in our head, but it doesn’t reflect in our heart. If we knew God was a good Father cheering his sons and daughters on in every dream and desire they had, think about how many more inventions, songs, and organizations would exist? Would fear and insecurity rage war as loud as it has in the hearts of His children? What I am getting at is often it’s how we view God that affects who we become. The truth is we must confront our belief systems if we want to live in the fullness of who God has created us to be — to live in the fullness of our identity. Often uncertainty and distrust flood our being because our heart and mind are operating out of separate belief systems.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Jonathan Helser, a husband, father of two, and co-founder of the 18-Inch Journey. Jonathan and his wife Melissa lead a discipleship school in North Carolina. In our conversation Jonathan shared the story of writing his first song as a young man. He said, “If I didn’t have a dad in the room that believed in me and cheered me on, I think that fear would have clogged the well.” Sometimes we can get stuck in the statistics of fatherlessness and focus on the crime rates, behavioral issues, and school dropouts and forget that there are children who don’t have parents championing them to believe that they have what it takes to master the skills aligned with their aspirations and dreams — these children are left to conquer their own insecurities and overcome their fear of failure all by themselves.

HOW YOUR VIEW OF GOD AFFECTS EVERYTHING

Are there areas in your life that you have viewed God through a cracked lens? Maybe it was an experience you walked away hurt from or a prayer you never saw answered. I want to encourage you to bring these moments to the Lord and ask Him what His thoughts about these situations are. What does He have to say about you, the person that hurt you, or the circumstance that crushed you.

If you are having trouble moving past the cracked lens that has blurred your view of God I encourage you to seek out scripture, read about Him, ask others to share their testimonies of how He has shown up in their life. He is a good Father, who desires to be close to His sons and daughters.

Your Top 5 Questions About Fatherlessness Answered

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 20:23:00 GMT

BIG QUESTIONS FOR A GENERATION

It can feel overwhelming and concerning to consider that we are living in the most fatherless generation in history. A proverbial orphanage lays outside our front door and probes the question, “How did we get here?” You might even have questions swirling in your mind like, “What does this really mean?” and, “What do we do if this is really the case?” or maybe even, “What is the importance of a father anyway?”

I understand the daunting feeling that comes with trying to tread this topic and heal the hearts of the fatherless. It has been a week since I launched my latest book Uprising: The Epic Battle for the Most Fatherless Generation in History . In a way this feels like a book I was preparing to write my whole life. As I have shared the pages of this book with the world, the vital conversation of fatherlessness has emerged with a running list of questions in regard to this topic. It feels as if for the first time a generation has dove into the depth of the topic of fatherlessness and emerged with questions swarming their minds and impacting their lives. Now, let me be clear, I am not going to pretend to have all the answers. But, the truth is that we have a perfect Heavenly Father who knows the answers to all the mysteries of life. He is not overwhelmed by the orphan spirit that has plagued this generation, nor is He hopeless about what the future holds even in the midst of the generational brokenness.

In the release of this book, I felt the importance of hosting a space to open up a conversation on this topic. So, a couple of days after the release of Uprising I gathered five trusted voices in my life to share their insights in a discussion panel on the topic of fatherlessness. I knew the conversation that would ensue would be important, but I am in awe of the powerful and inspiring dialogue that came from our time together. My prayer is that some of your questions regarding this topic like: how do I heal the wounds of fatherlessness, break the generational curse of orphanhood, or step into my role as a father are answered as you watch and listen to this conversation.

How to Navigate the Restoration of Masculinity

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 00:47:00 GMT

STEPPING INTO YOUR GOD-GIVEN MASCULINITY

We live in an extremely egocentric society where men have often been culturized to think only for themselves and no one else. Far too many of these men are not equipped with the life skills needed to adequately navigate relationships, especially when it comes to fathering. Whether it’s due to the lack of a father in their own life or due to a father who didn’t take the time to teach them how to be a man, we are working with a masculinity deficit of grand proportions. What if the solution was taking these men who never received the baton of healthy masculinity and inviting them into a journey of healing and wholeness?

I recently sat down for a conversation with Dave Harvey, director of Bethel Leaders Network, to discuss how to navigate that restoration of masculinity and healthy fatherhood. We had a powerful conversation about how to be proactive as a father and the importance of being present with your children. While we were talking, Dave reminded us of a great point, that God believes in us way more than we believe in ourselves! Sometimes, our own capacity to parent our children feels insufficient, but the truth is, we have the greatest encourager of all time on our side, cheering us on like a proud dad watching His kid's soccer game. I highly encourage you to watch the full conversation below as Dave shares impactful insight into the role of present fathers today.

As Dave said, “Dads are not there to shame, pull you down or criticize. They are there to launch you into your future!” To the men reading this, know that you were born to be a dad, but you were also born to be a son. The truth is, it’s not something you have to do, it’s something you are. And when you actually connect with a father as a son, and with a son as a father, something internally is intrinsically ignited and the torch of healthy masculinity is able to be passed down to the next generation.

So today I want to encourage you to open your heart to healing if you have experienced wounding in the area of fatherhood and be willing to invite healthy masculinity into your life.

Why Shame Might Be the Root of Your Problem

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 19:53:00 GMT

CONFRONTING SCARY SHAME

You cannot conquer what you are not willing to confront! Our own pure desire for freedom from the devil will not be defeated in retreat, it will only be dethroned if we are willing to press in and destroy the works of the enemy. Yet, often, on the contrary, the very things that have unrightfully taken a seat in our lives cause us to spiral into a swirl of shame and self-pity and begin telling us we cannot live without them. From addiction, and dysfunctional relationships, to anger and rage we become a slave to the laws they bind our souls to. But, the truth is we were never meant to live in isolation, passivity, and pain - we were designed for a life of freedom in Jesus Christ. Nothing good grows in the darkness of sin.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Aaron Zint, who is the leader of the Whole Man Project at Bethel Church. He recently wrote a book, Numb to Known, about his journey of overcoming an addiction to pornography. With great insight, Aaron shared about his journey of discovering how pornography was a damaging solution for pain, isolation, and passivity in his life. After many years of walking the journey to freedom in his own life, he also now leads men into freedom as they discover other beneficial solutions for pain, isolation, and passivity in their life.

NUMB TO KNOWN

So often we build a life based on the belief that if people knew what we were struggling with we would be alienated and isolated, but this is the deceptive tactic of the enemy. Because on the other side of vulnerability lies connection and community. While we were talking Aaron quoted, The Journey Out by Ken Williams: “You can’t know unconditional love until someone knows the condition you are in.” This is so true; so often our biggest fears remain our biggest threats because we stay trapped in the tumbleweeds of shame and avoidance.

The ultimate way to conquer shame comes through our willingness to be vulnerable. Being open with our emotions and our needs requires risk, but vulnerability is the healing salve for a life of fulfilling connection. The apostle Paul wrote, “We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well ” ( 1 Thessalonians 2:8 ). Paul was willing to let his friends see the real him in every facet (emotional exposure as well as his failures and his successes).

If we desire healthy, whole, connection in our lives then we must live open-hearted lives, without shame, and we must be relentless to rebuild connection with God, ourselves, and others where shame has attempted to destroy it.

Whether you’re isolating yourself from connection with others or you are struggling to connect with those who may be trapped in the snare of shame, I want to encourage you that being vulnerable (confessing your sins with one another and living your lives openly) is the courageous step that needs to be taken to not only overcome shame but to regain connection in your relationships.

Why It's Not Up to Politicians to Preserve the Spiritual Climate of a Nation

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 20:05:00 GMT

GOD IS NOT SCARED OF IMPERFECT SYSTEMS

Our government isn’t perfect. There are imperfect people in leadership across the nation and a system that often feels polarizing; full of insufficiencies, gaps, and evil agendas. But, in the midst of our shortcomings is a God that isn’t scared of the imperfect structures we’ve created, rather He has selected people to lead nations and govern people. Yet, so often in our uncomfortability we deem things insignificant or even worse destructive. The Church often strays away from the conversation of politics because of the nature of the sphere, but the Lord has created people to step into these very spaces and bring supernatural solutions from Heaven.

However, so often we think that a Christian politician is going to save our nation’s spiritual condition when the truth is that is not their job. Their call has been to govern justly with good character and a pure heart posture, not to evangelize their city, state, or nation. The apostle Paul so clearly explained the importance and role of government, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:1-7‬).

I recently sat down for a conversation with Tenessa Audette , about God and government. We had a riveting conversation on God’s role in government and if politicians should Christianize a nation. While we were talking, Tenessa shared an impactful statement, “God has a place in the founding of our nation. As Christians we need to understand this so that the things that we say don’t divide us but bring us together.” I highly encourage you to watch the full conversation below as Tenessa shared incredible wisdom on God’s role in government.

BECOMING A CATALYST OF CHANGE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

GOD AND GOVERNMENT

It is obvious in Romans 13 that we have been given clear instruction on how to approach our relationship to governing leaders. If you have found yourself scared to broach the subject of government I want to encourage you to ask God to give you words to pray over your governing leaders. Receive vision for what the Lord has called them to. And while we dialogue with God, there are two things I know we can hold onto: respecting our leaders and praying for them. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4 we see that praying for leaders leads to a quiet life, which creates an atmosphere for people to come to know God; “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

So today I want to encourage you to take an honest look at the way you view our leaders, start talking to the Lord about these truths, and pray for peace over the leaders of our country.

What Will They Say About the Most Fatherless Generation

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 20:00:00 GMT

A GOOD MAN LEAVES AN INHERITANCE

Have you ever found yourself frustrated by your attention span, unable to focus much longer than a few minutes, scrolling your phone endlessly, moving from one ambition to the next hoping to find a cure that will satisfy your current desire?

Our culture has become engulfed in the flame of immediate gratification. Society has shifted from any need to wait, causing an aversion to patience and a disregard to understanding how what you invest in now will impact your future. Now, let me be clear, I am not saying that problems with patience and restlessness didn’t exist before the 21st century, but there used to be a greater focus on what you were leaving behind - an art we must learn in modern times.

Galatians 6:7-9 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

That scripture says that at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give u p. The previous generation understood that perseverance and waiting is a part of life. It’s also a part of growing and building something that will last!

Another scripture that reinforces the culture of inheritance is “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). There it is again: a noble man’s challenge is to step up to the plate and build an inheritance in the present that will bless his children .

100 YEAR VISION

I want to share with you an encounter I had with the Lord that changed my perspective:

In 2004 I was lying on the floor, praying in the Alabaster Prayer House at Bethel Church, when all of the sudden I was thrust 100 years into the future in a vision. I know that might sound strange, but let me explain. I found myself standing next to an old man in the living room of a beautiful, massive mansion. I could see the elderly man perfectly, but he couldn’t see me. It seemed as if it was Thanksgiving or something. The excitement of a large family gathering was in the air. The adults talked and laughed, as the kids played. The elderly gentleman, encircled with several generations of family, was enthusiastically telling stories, mostly musing over the past, as old men often do. Tears formed in his eyes as he looked off into the distance, as though he was trying to recall some ancient secret. He spoke of the huge sacrifice their forefathers had paid to obtain such favor, wealth, and influence with God and man. But it was what he did next that stunned me. He pointed to a majestic stone fireplace that rose about thirty feet to a vaulted ceiling. I turned my gaze toward the fireplace mantle, where a large, beautiful portrait of Kathy and me hung. I was breathless as he finished his exhortation: “All of this began with your great-great-great-grandmother and great-great-great-grandfather!”

After this encounter, I had one of those kinds of moments, where it feels like your seatbelt locked and struck you back against your seat as the brake pedal hit the ground. The things that don’t matter come falling off and everything that does come racing to the front of your mind. These kinds of moments make us realize what we are living for. My understanding of inheritance and legacy changed after this experience. I’ve lived most of my life as if racing ahead to the next thing; pressing the gas full force worried that time was running out and things were coming to an end. I didn’t grow up in a home that ever spoke about inheritance or investing in your future. My father died when he was 24 without a life insurance policy or anything to leave behind. But, Kathy and I had such a strong conviction that we needed to build a legacy for our family's future generations, which initially was a financial investment toward each grandchild. But, later we realized that more than just a financial investment, your revelation is a spiritual inheritance - you might say an intellectual property. Moses said, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

I understand you may not have a family of your own yet or maybe you have taken practical steps towards leaving an inheritance for your family. But, I want to challenge you to question what is it that will be said about you when you're gone. How will the choices you are making today affect the future generations? What seeds are you sowing that your legacy will reap? Inheritance is important in the Kingdom of God.

THE FATHER SERIES

We are living in the most fatherless generation in history. You may have even experienced this yourself — whether your dad was completely absent from the home or just wasn’t emotionally available when you needed him most. These experiences shape who we are and often affect us into our adulthood. If your father exited the family ship you may have been left to brace the storms of life alone. Or maybe you had a present father, but you didn’t know how to connect to him. Ultimately, this affects the way we interact with ourselves, the world, and Father God.

In the launch of my new book, I felt led to highlight the stories of some of the most trusted voices in my life that are shaping the course of history — fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters that have healed the wounds of fatherlessness, overcome the barriers of brokenness, and stepped into the role of a healthy parent.

I want to invite you to join the exclusive five-part video series — The Father Series: Stories of Hope for a Fatherless Generation.

Here is how to register:

Pre-order your copy of Uprising
Register for the Father Series
Check your email and receive access to join the conversation on Oct 25, 2022

What does the Father Series include?

Five videos of hope-filled stories for a fatherless generation from individuals that are shaping history directly to your inbox.
Daily thought-provoking questions to help you engage in your own story.
Access to a private Facebook group to help cultivate space for catalytic conversation on the topic of fatherlessness that could inspire a revolution.

Join us and become filled with hope for what the Lord is doing in this generation!

I hope to see you there!

Breaking Out of Offense and Into Freedom

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 03:57:00 GMT

DODGING BULLETS OF PAIN

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly dodging bullets left and right as if there was a target on your life? The endless run from pain can feel like a never-ending race on a hamster wheel. The truth is it’s pretty impossible to not experience some level of pain in life no matter how righteous and holy the standards are that you live by — we live in a fallen world with people in desperate need of God. Yet often the by-product of the pain we experience is a life chained down in offense. I’d propose offense will actually become your greatest hindrance to a life of freedom if you don’t expel it from your heart.

The challenge in front of us is often that offense tells us we need it in order to survive as if a level of revenge and bitterness will lead us to a justice that will make it all worth it. But, contrary to popular belief, when you’re living in offense, you’re inviting the enemy into your very home and allowing toxic seeds of indignation to take root in your life. As long as you remain entangled in resentment and bitterness you will remain a slave chained to the cycle of pain and dysfunction.

I recently sat down for a conversation with my friend Greg Hendricks. Greg grew up not ever knowing his father. He was plagued with the pain of abandonment and spent years searching for his identity in all the wrong places. But, the offense he was living with towards his dad became his greatest hindrance. Greg mentioned in our conversation, “Offense is the greatest hindrance to breakthrough. If offense is in your life you can't see through the lens of Christ or being redeemed, because it is taking up space that God wants to inhabit.” The first step to moving yourself off the hamster wheel of pain is ridding the places of offense in our life. True freedom exists in the humility of acknowledging we can’t fight the fight on our own.

OVERCOMING FATHERLESSNESS & FINDING TRUE IDENTITY

Maybe you know the pain of growing up in a dysfunctional family unit or the plight of living in fatherlessness. Truly, no child should ever have to endure this, but this is the story of many since we are living amongst the most fatherless generation in history. I want to encourage you that not all hope is lost, we serve a God that is the master of taking ashes and turning them into beauty. Our past pain does not dictate our future destiny — God is in the business of redemption.

In the release of my new book, Uprising: The Epic Battle for the Most Fatherless Generation in History I felt led to highlight stories of hope for a fatherless generation. I want to invite you to join us in this exclusive 5-part video series, October 25-30, 2022.

Here is how to register:

Pre-order your copy of Uprising
Register at theuprisingbook.com
Check your email & join the Father Series Facebook discussion group
First Father Series video delivered to your inbox on 10/25

Hope you join us!

Why You Never Outgrow Your Role as a Son or Daughter

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 20:21:00 GMT

PEDESTALS AND PLATFORMS

So often we place leaders on pedestals and platforms assuming they are perfect and polished as if their status is unreachable and their knowledge is unattainable. But the truth is no great leader ever outgrows their needs for a father. Yet, we live in a world where fathers are often out of the picture; leaving society to feel like a proverbial orphanage with children that don’t know how to operate as sons and daughters. This leaves them lacking direction and guidance and causes them to isolate themselves from the real connection they are designed for and need in order to thrive.

So what keeps us from receiving input from trusted fathers in our lives? I’d propose that often we became too concerned with what they will think that we don’t allow them to see the real, raw parts of our humanity. The fear of failure or devastating disappointment often becomes the louder voice echoing in our hearts rather than the truth that you are placed in a secure position as a son or daughter. The truth is, sons and daughters make mistakes not because their intentions are bad, but because they are learning the lessons of life. If you allow the fear of failure to resound louder than the truth of who you are, you will be left crippled in your worries rather than liberated in your destiny. We need a world of sons and daughters to position themselves as children in order to receive from mothers and fathers.

I recently sat down for a conversation with one of the top leaders in the Bethel environment, Steve Moore. As we were talking he made the statement,“ You can’t experience the fullness of love from someone unless you allow yourself to be fully known and fully seen.” It is so true. If you continue to create scenarios in your head that become messages of fear, you will lack the connection you were created for - isolated on insecurity island and prone to an inadequate amount of identity affirmation that is tested, tried, and secured in our failings.

LEARNING HOW TO REMAIN A SON

RETURNING HOME FROM THE PROVERBIAL ORPHANAGE

So how do we move from the proverbial orphanage to pledged sonship? I’d propose that you must first posture your heart in humility and remain teachable in nature. Often we don’t receive the gift of a father because we never learned how to be “fathered.” Philippians 2:3 explains to us what it means to walk in true humility. It is not thinking poorly of yourself, but rather recognizing the giftings that God has given other people. When you see the gold in other people, you can see what it is that they have that can be a blessing to your own life and are able to then receive from them.

How have you remained seated as a son or daughter? I would love to hear in the comments below how you have positioned yourself to be able to receive from mothers and fathers in your life.

How to Become a Man That Actually Shapes History

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 21:21:00 GMT

TOGGLING THE FLAME OF AN IDENTITY CRISIS

How do you become a man that truly shapes history? That leaves a long-lasting legacy expanding beyond your time and bearing fruit that will be sowed into the roots of future generations? I’d propose men like the Apostle Paul, Benjamin Franklin, and Martin Luther King Jr. are great examples because they didn’t just have a desire to go down in history as someone who brought great change, they desired to BE the solution and change the world! The fame and recognition were just bonuses on the hot tails of a noble pursuit. A desire for greatness will not withstand the pressures of life. I’d propose it takes more than a big dream, vision, or desire to become a history shaper. It starts with an internal foundation of an established identity and purpose.

We live in a world thoughtlessly toggling the flame of an identity crisis between truth and deception with no clear direction of how to find the true path. It can often feel like this generation is swimming in a sea of confusion, engulfed by the waves of deception, and buried in the pain of resentment. We are living in the midst of the most fatherless generation in history; men and women all around us questioning their destiny. The truth is, a father is the pillar in a home that protects, promotes, and provides for his family. The cost of fathers relinquishing this duty to stand as the steadfast pillar is a world lacking the ability to stand on their own and support their communities because they never saw it modeled.

What I am getting at is your identity is not what you do, but rather who you are — a fine line that often is overlooked, but weighs on your ability to truly make a difference. I recently sat down with my son and founder of BraveCo, Jason Vallotton for a conversation on becoming a man that shapes history. While we were talking, Jason made a remarkable statement, “Your purpose in life comes out of your identity, so if you never really figure out who you are and how you were made then you spend the rest of your life chasing things you were never supposed to be chasing.” There is a big difference between working from love and working for love. If you are working so that you have an identity, you will never be able to work hard enough, long enough, or well enough to find fulfillment in yourself.

I’d propose that if you want your life’s actions to produce a legacy that nourishes the future generations, you need to consider your internal motivator - are you working from a place of performance or a place of love? This will be the fruit that feeds the future generations.

BECOMING A MAN THAT SHAPES HISTORY

A VITAL CONVERSATION FOR A WHOLE GENERATION

I highly encourage you to watch this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts. The conversation Jason Vallotton and I shared is vital for this generation. Men and women need to hear the message. It's not too late to see the seeds of identity rise up within the fatherless generation. The answer is in the King and He has within Him the seeds of purpose and destiny meant for every son and every daughter no matter the relationship with your earthly father!

The downfall of this present time is that we live in a self-made world. The family unit has dissolved and people have become focused on their own selfish ambitions striving to make it on their own, independent from the help of others. But, a world without feedback is a dangerous world. We were meant to link arms and sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron. The truth is, you will forever question if you are unconditionally loved if you don’t allow people in to see you fail. We were never intended to live life alone.

How To Be A Solution To The Fatherlessness Epidemic

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 04:25:00 GMT

THE DETERIORATION OF BROTHERHOOD

What would the world look like if there was a movement of fathers who turned their hearts back toward their sons and poured into their manhood? Can you imagine the effect this would have on a generation? Men that know their identity and live in the fullness of their calling. The cracked foundation of masculinity becomes firm and the unstable beams stand secure because fathers returned home to provide security for their children and promote them into their destinies. I can only imagine the difference this would make in society.

I know, the idea of solving the issue of the most fatherless generation in history feels daunting. This is an area I am extremely passionate about, but if I become too focused on my own ability to bring solutions, I can find myself incapacitated by the impossibilities. BUT, the good news is that it’s not in our own strength, but rather in the Lord’s strength that we will see the turning of a page for a whole generation.

Men have lost touch with their calling, grappling to find their true identity but losing themselves in the weeds of the enemy's wicked tactics and nefarious nature. Statistics of children growing up in homes without direction and unfamiliar with the role of a father are disheartening. But, why have men abandoned the family ship? Is there something so appealing about the other type of life they could live? I’d propose that there is no true fulfillment outside of your God-given purpose. Rather, I think before there was a fatherless crisis there was a brotherhood deterioration — men starved from the “bonded in battle” relationships necessary for a man’s survival. There has been a lack of brotherhood that nourishes the soul of a man and reminds him of who he was created to be.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Danny Silk to talk about the importance of restoring a generation of men. While we were talking Danny made an impactful statement “Men are not born into manhood, rather men learn how to be men from other men.” We need men to rise to the occasion and take responsibility for their part in teaching the next generation of men. It’s not a problem that we need to simply put a band-aid over and wait for the wound to heal. This damage is far greater than something Neosporin will fix. We need the Surgeon to perform surgery on the hearts of men to cut away the surface and get to the root of the problem; to call men forth and give them hope for their future.

BONDED IN BATTLE

NOT ALL HOPE IS LOST

I want to be clear that if you have grown up in a home without a father or maybe you are a single mother raising sons and daughters without a present father, not all hope is lost. We have a Heavenly Father who is the Master of redeeming every area of our life that our earthly father has lacked in. Not even the most present well-meaning father does a perfectly impeccable job at leading his family; we all have faults. But, I do hope you are filled with hope to see a generation of men living in the fullness of their destiny.

How to Win the Battle of the Invisible Realm

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 00:03:00 GMT

THE INVISIBLE BATTLE

Imagine with me for a moment a soldier heading to the battlefield with no armor or weapon, dressed in street clothes, and no prior training for how to fight in battle. Don’t you think we’d deem them unfit for the job and question their ability to protect our country and attain victory? Sadly, I’d propose this is a similar scenario that we face in the Western Church today. We set out for battle unaware of the reality of the invisible war waging around us. We treat fictional characters like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny as if they are more real than Satan, demons, and principalities. This thinking only sets us up for defeat before the battle has even begun.

Now let me be clear, my goal here is not to ignite fear , but rather speak to the truth that through the redemptive power of the cross we are victorious. However, this truth doesn’t remove the reality of the spiritual realm that impacts us on a daily basis. As weird as it may sound, these entities are vying for attention and affecting our daily lives, our relationships, our health, and our prosperity. Yet, unlike a physical battle, our unawareness lures us right into a strategic battle designed to steal from, kill, and destroy us. Our ignorance allows the demonic realm to be hidden within plain sight.

The truth is, in order to live a prosperous and successful life, we must become spiritual cryptographers who understand that we are in a real and present battle. We were not created to be ignorant to the plans and tactics of the enemy, rather we have been designed to be sanctified solutionaries dismantling the schemes of the enemy and promoting the Kingdom of heavenly ability.

The apostle Paul, one of the most spiritually intelligent people to ever grace the earth wrote, “You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2). I know this may sound like science fiction, but this is real.

The good news is that there are more angels who are for us than there are demons against us. God has assigned strong angelic allies to help us in life and in battle. The ability to distinguish or discern these spiritual entities and their angelic or demonic strategies is essential to the true success of every person on the planet. It is vital to understand that believers have been given gifts and authority over this unseen realm, to undermine and disarm the devious demonic agenda. You are a Kingdom force on the earth, equipped with the divine advantage of spiritual intelligence.

BECOMING A CRYPTOGRAPHER

So much of spiritual intelligence is not only learning to decode clues but also having the divine insight to solve the riddle. The wisest king in the world unpacked this notion in the book of Proverbs when he revealed his purpose for writing that book: “To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles” (Proverbs 1:6). In other words, God wants us to solve complex problems, understand riddles and reveal hidden mysteries with Him!

Now you may be questioning, do I have the gift or ability to discover the thoughts of God and solutions of Heaven? Is this for just a select few of His “chosen cryptographer crew”? The answer is no! By the power of the Holy Spirit, you have access to the thoughts of God. You have not only the strength of a redeemed mind, but you also have access to the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2). When we simply live with a redeemed mind, we disregard and disempower the ability we have to grasp solutions from Heaven and bring them to earth. What I am getting at is for a long time the Church has been really good at teaching and training Believers to think like God (Romans 12). But, we have lacked in teaching and training Believers to think God’s thoughts, also known as spiritual intelligence.

If we truly understood our advantages in the way we have been supernaturally equipped, think about the difference it would make in our lives and in the world around us. I want to challenge you to think about the situations that felt impossible before you read this blog. How do you feel about them now after you consider the advantages you have as a Believer?

With all this in mind, do you have a desire to be a visionary, a pioneer, scientist, or innovator? To be a modern-day Daniel, Solomon, or Elisha; who carries insight and interpretation of prophecies, to access divine brilliance that impacts a whole generation, and provide solutions that could save a nation?

I am excited to announce the Spiritual Intelligence Institute’s Solutionaries Intensive enrollment is now open for the September 2022 Cohort! You can learn more and enroll here .

Through this 12- week course you will pioneer the unexplored territory of SQ through weekly live training, revelatory curriculum, and weekly SQ Tank meetings. Instructors will introduce you to the deeper dimension of intelligence by equipping you in a step-by-step process for applying SQ . Solve real-life problems alongside a team of prophetic pioneers just like you.

Why Diversity and Culture is Important in the Church Part 2

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 15:04:00 GMT

DESERTED TOPICS IN THE CHURCH

Discrimination is a topic that has been dodged in the Church and deserted in the meeting places of our congregations for far too long. We’ve become comfortable with our calloused hearts regarding the topic of racism and culture and stay stuck in our box of comfortability. But, I’d propose that prejudice grows in the roots of the unknown; where lack of understanding and self-protection robs us of the nourishment diversity feeds our souls. Fear of rejection drowns our souls in the assimilation of the environment around us until we are unrecognizable. But, is this what God intended when He created every tribe and tongue? That we would become judgemental of those who are different from us? Or is this also rooted in fear - the fear of the unknown or of being uncomfortable?

The truth is, “God has made of one blood all the peoples of the earth” Acts 17:26. So if this is true why do we let cultural barriers keep us from practicing family with one another? Is it the fear of prejudice or is it that we have not been taught how to break the barriers of racism and create family amongst a variety of people groups? I’d propose as a global Church, it is time for us to become more curious than afraid . It is time to grab hands with the ones that look different from us, not for the sake of “diversity”, but for the sake of unity. The world is in desperate need for the Church to arise and shine as a unified family embracing one another even in the differences because without them we lack the beautiful expressions of God. Let me be clear, we don't have to be the same to be unified — I am not asking you to be me or me to be you. But, I am proposing there is a way to live linked in unity with our neighbors from all different walks of life in a way that builds connection and acceptance and heals the generational wounds of discrimination.

I recently sat down for an insightful conversation with Jamila Page, the multi-cultural ministry and BSSM pastor at Bethel Church on the topic of cultivating family amongst various people groups. Several weeks ago we shared the first part of this conversation but realized we only just scratched the surface on this vast topic. After our conversation, I knew I needed to have Jamilia back so we could dive deeper into this desperately needed conversation.

BUILD FAMILY AMONGST VARIOUS PEOPLE GROUPS PART 2

LEARNING EACH OTHER'S STORIES

In my conversation with Jamila, I asked her to share some practical tips for building family amongst various people groups. Jamila's response was simple yet incredibly profound: “I want to encourage us to relate to one another and seek to find the commonalities behind our differences”, and “I want to encourage us to accept what we hear without a desire to change on another.” These are statements I could not agree with more. The simple yet profound moments we have with people determine whether we will anchor in love and compassion or in judgment and rejection. I encourage you to seek to truly love your neighbor as yourself, seek to find commonalities, and sit with them in the differences. Make room for the awkwardness, and welcome the discomfort as you learn their story. The fear of stepping on each other's toes won’t be as great if your connection is rooted in love.

The Church's Love Affair With Poverty

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 16:16:00 GMT

FROM A PAUPER WITH A POVERTY MENTALITY TO A PRINCE

The Church has had a love affair with poverty that has hindered its ability to experience the blessings that have been intended for the Bride since the beginning of time. I would propose that there is a detrimental connotation that being poor develops your spirituality. But, the truth is we are a chosen people; a royal priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9.

Let’s take a look at what the priesthood is in the first place before we go any farther. The priesthood was known to do four things: they put God on display, bring people to atonement, intercede, and distribute resources. I would argue that it is challenging to distribute resources if God intended you to be living in poverty. It doesn’t add up. Now, let me be clear by no means am I saying that if you are living in poverty or facing challenging financial circumstances you are not living in the grace of God. Rather, I am saying that the Lord has intended for His people to be blessed in resources, know how to live generously, and create generational wealth.

I personally know the challenges of poverty. I traveled a long journey of breaking the generational chains of the poverty mentality that shackled my belief systems and robbed me of a sense of significance.

My journey began one night when I had a dream, a voice kept repeating this Scripture, “Under three things the earth quakes, and under four, it cannot bear up: under a pauper when he becomes a king” (Prov. 30:21-22).

At three in the morning, I woke up, feeling groggy but experiencing a deep sense of grief. Then I heard the Lord, who also seemed grieved, ask me, “Do you know why the earth cannot hold up under a pauper when he becomes a king?”

“No,” I said, “But I have a feeling that You’re going to tell me.”

The Lord continued, “A pauper is born into insignificance. As he grows up he learns through life that he has no value and his opinions don’t really matter. Therefore, when he becomes a king, he is important to the world around him but he still feels insignificant in the kingdom that lies within him. Subsequently, he doesn’t watch his words or the way he carries himself. He ultimately destroys the very people he is called to lead.

You, my son, are a pauper who has become a king.”

The truth is that even if you are a leader or someone who doesn’t appear to be a pauper, the fruit of pauperhood, if rooted in the depths of your heart, will still leak out into your interactions, decisions, and circumstances.

I’d propose if we remain fearful in regards to our finances we will be limited by pauperhood and never graduate into the freedom, responsibility, and character we’ve been created for. We remain plagued by the poverty mentality that tells us that our resources are limited and we will never be enough. But, what if you were created to be prosperous?

In this week's episode, I sat down for a conversation with Samia Pedalino , the author of the Money Handbook. In our conversation, we discussed wealth, tithing, and money mindsets. I think this conversation is necessary for the poverty-love-struck Church. It is vital we reshift our focus from fear on the topic of finances into one of curiosity and faith.

TITHING, GENERATIONAL WEALTH, AND MONEY MINDSETS

FINANCIAL BREAKTHROUGH

How have you broken the poverty mentality or fear of finances in your life? I would love to hear about your breakthrough in the comments below.

A Peak Into A Prophetic Reformation || School Of The Prophets

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 20:14:00 GMT

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2022

As School of the Prophets 2022 comes to a close I am filled with exceptional expectation for what the Lord is doing in this season of reformation. This week-long intensive training school felt like a marked moment in history as prophetic people from all over the world joined together to be equipped, trained, and pursue the heart of the Father.

Long gone are the days where we are easily swayed by the realities that we face — it is time to begin directing the forthcoming moment in history as prophets that protect the things that matter most to God. We have been called to be a people of courage — not limited by first heaven realities or reactive to second heaven tragedies. But, seated in our Heavenly seat interceding for the reformation of a generation. It is time for the prophets to arise and in the boldness of the Holy Spirit make their mark on a culture that is desperately looking for the Truth.

Here are a few highlights from this week at School of the Prophets:

Prophetic reformers do not fit one mold. If you have questioned what it would be like for you to become a prophetic reformer, I highly encourage you to watch this brief clip from my friend and Co-founder of School of the Prophets, Dano McCollam.

Prophets protect the things that matter to God. Listen to this power clip from Hayley Braun’s message as she discusses why prophets must protect the things that matter to God in the coming prophetic reformation.

PURCHASE SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2022

Trading the Encumbrances of the Past for Engines of the Future

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 22:24:00 GMT

A WORD FOR THE GLOBAL CHURCH

This week we are in the midst of School of the Prophets; a week-long intensive training school. This is one of my favorite times of the year as prophets and highly prophetic people gather together to pursue the presence of God and receive fresh vision and revelation for the current season.

On opening night, as we began to worship, a synergy filled the room and stirred our hearts as we approached the first session.

In the inaugural session of School of the Prophets 2022, I felt it pressed upon my heart to share an intimate and transparent message as I pulled back the curtain and shared what the Lord has recently spoken to me about for this season.

I don’t believe this word was only for those in the room but is for the global Church in this very moment. We have all faced an extremely unique moment in history during the last couple of years. We’ve had to make difficult decisions as leaders, families, and individuals as we have fought for survival. But, I’d propose when you can see what the Lord is creating out of the pain of your present - the temporary trial is worth the beauty that will come tomorrow. Just as the sculptor Michelangelo saw the angel trapped within marble and set out to free it from the stone, if you look at the path before you with vision for tomorrow, so much more will seem possible when you face the present pain because vision gives pain a purpose. Something happens when you actually know what you’re going through. You’re either chipping stone or you’re freeing angels. And the difference isn’t what you do but in the purpose of what you’re doing! What I am getting at is that we are not going through a transition, we are going through a metamorphosis.

No longer will immature and amateur thinking sustain the length of our new wings formed in the cocoon of despair. It is time to shake off the encumbrances of the past for engines of the future. We must seek to build on the foundations of our elementary teachings to accomplish the Kingdom’s vision and see a global reformation. We have not been called to sit in the comfort of what we know, but rather to lay brick on brick and begin preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.

FROM CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

A VOICE OF REFORMATION

I believe that the Lord is using the prophets to lead the metamorphosis of this season , but we cannot rely on the protocols of the past. Rather, we must lead from the future-present. Our normal has to become living from Heaven to earth where we build a culture of people known for their moonshot and not their earthly dwelling.

My prayer for you in this season is that you would become caught up in Heaven’s vision as you grow into the wings of reformation that exist on the other side of metamorphosis. I encourage you to ask God for vision for this season because you have been called to be a voice of prophetic reformation in a generation that is lacking direction.

Why the Cocoon of Despair Leads to Your Destiny

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 20:55:00 GMT

PROPHETIC MINISTRY IS A CALL TO DISCIPLE NATIONS

Have you recently flipped on the news and found yourself overwhelmed by the staggering state of the world today? A generation of young people battling for their sanity as high-level anxiety, nervous breakdowns, and depression run rampant in the hearts and minds of the young. Additionally, records spotlight the largest number of fathers in history abandoning the family ship, ultimately leaving their families to brace the waves of life on their own..Let me be clear, this is not intended to ignite fear, but to birth a passion for the restoration of a generation. Before you lose all hope let's consider the state of the world when the prophet Malachi delivered this declaration that became a symbol of the generational restorative power of God’s nature:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” Malachi 4:5-6 ESV

When Malachi made this profound declaration, Israel was in a state of deep darkness, enthroned with demonized dictators, and desperate for a direct demonstration of the Lord’s power. Israel was deep into the bowels of Baal worship, sacrificing their children on the altar, and burying themselves within the deep recesses of immorality and perversion.

You can read the full story in 1 Kings 18, but to recap, just when it looked as though all hope was lost, an obscure prophet named Elijah emerged on the scene. Elijah commanded the clouds to cease raining and suddenly it was “game on” with the wicked dictators — there wasn’t a single drop of rain for three and a half years.

The story came to its pinnacle when the Israelites all gathered to watch the showdown between their 450 idol-worshiping prophets and the one prophet of God. Elijah watched as Baal’s prophets ranted and raved around their altar, trying to persuade their god to answer by fire. But, nothing happened . Then it was Elijah’s turn. He poured gallons of water on his altar, then prayed a simple 30-second prayer, and BAM! God sent a supernatural firestorm from Heaven to consume the altar, proving that He was the one true God. Long story short, the demonized dictators, Ahab and Jezebel, were soon overthrown, and Israel turned back to God!

( You can watch my latest youtube video to listen to the entire sermon here ) .

MOMENTS AFTER THE GREAT VICTORY

The day after Elijah’s great conquest, Queen Jezebel became infuriated! All the deceitful work she had done to lead Israel into the bowels of Baal was suddenly lost once Israel witnessed the victory of Elijah before Baal’s prophets. Thus she vowed to kill Elijah (1 Kings 19:2). Her threats freaked Elijah out so much that he asked God to kill him! He ran and hid in a cave, shaking in his proverbial boots. Elijah was suddenly cowering in a cave of despair, and yet 24 hours earlier this powerful prophet had called fire down from Heaven with a short, two-line prayer in the sight of all of Israel (1 Kings 18:38). How did he so quickly forget the kind of God He served?

In the height of Elijah’s despair, the voice of the Lord came to him at the entrance of the cave and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah’s response was, “I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” Then God had a father-to-son talk at the opening of the cave, transforming the cavern into a cocoon, out of which Elijah emerged from his despair with a new perspective on his ministry. God clarified his mission and then gave him the instruction to seek out and anoint a spiritual son named Elisha to follow him. It’s important to emphasize here that God’s answer to Elijah’s irrational fear and suicidal state of mind was that he needed to get back to his ministry mandate of anointing kings and become a father to a spiritual son.

THE ELIJAH GENERATION

I’d propose similarly, that society has entered into a cocoon of darkness, which can cause us to feel powerless, lonely, and depressed, but it is simply a tool of metamorphosis. The cocoon can cause you to feel isolated, alone, and panicked if you don’t realize it’s purpose.

But, it is time to jump off the cruise ship and board the warship and fight for the restoration of our generation. I’d propose the profound declaration made by Malachi over 2,500 years ago has never been so precisely placed as it is in this generation. It is time for the prophets and prophetic people to emerge and become a voice in the midst of the storm; to become fathers and mothers to a generation lost and questioning their significance.

Elijah emerged from the cocoon and returned to his ministry by becoming a father to a prophetic community of what was known as the sons of the prophets. Elijah went from feeling isolated and alone to building an entire prophetic movement that became his family.

The prophet Elijah shows us that prophetic ministry is a call to disciple nations. It was never intended to be a light contained under a basket of religious protocols, carried out by domestic kitty cats. Rather it frees the captives, releases prisoners, and places people on the path of their divine purpose.

Are you willing to step into the fullness of the prophetic calling on your life? To be the Elijah generation that restores hearts of fathers back to their sons and daughters?

I want to encourage you to ask the Lord for His vision for this generation and what role you play in the grand blueprint of restoration! We are the Elijah generation and you play a significant role.

5 Ways to Start Walking in Your Divine Destiny

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 21:40:00 GMT

It has become all too common in the church for many to defer to “God’s plan” for our lives. On its surface, it sounds like a “good, Christian” approach to life, but what if I told you it’s not true? That God does not have a plan for your life? Allow me to explain. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that God has a purpose for every single person on the planet, but I do not believe He has a plan for each person. What I mean by that is God has called each and every one of us to fulfill a particular role in the context of history, and there are 1001 ways He can get us there. Instead of a singular, pre-mapped path to your final destination, it’s a little bit more like a “choose your own adventure” story.

I want to propose to you that regardless of where you’re at in life, whether you have big dreams and have no idea where to begin, or you’ve tried to fulfill your destiny and keep hitting roadblocks, that with a heavenly perspective you can start walking towards your destiny today.

WHAT IF GOD DIDN'T HAVE A PLAN FOR JESUS' BIRTH

If you need a little more convincing on the idea of God’s purpose versus a tightrope plan, let’s take a look at Jesus’ life. Revelation chapter 13 tells us that Jesus was crucified from the foundation of the world. That means that before the world ever had a problem, God had an answer! It’s beautiful that He had this laid out from before the beginning; that His son, Jesus, would be born and die as a sacrifice for the sins of man—our sins that had not yet even occurred! But isn’t it interesting that in that grand purpose God had for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, there was no room at the inn for Him to be born?

MAYBE THE ROAD ISN'T ALWAYS SMOOTH

While I have heard—and even taught on—a lot of good prophetic significance in Jesus being born in a manger, the Bible says the reason why Jesus was born in a manger is simply because there was no room in the inn. Don’t you think if God planned Jesus’ birth from the foundation of the world, He would have made sure there was a place in the inn for him to be born? But God didn’t map out every single step to make sure everything was completely smooth and seamless. (Take a second here and realize that even if your life hasn’t gone seamlessly, it doesn’t mean that God’s not in it…) His Son was created with a purpose that would be accomplished regardless of whatever roadblocks arose. And so it is with His purpose for your life.

God does not intend for you passively await for some unknown point in time in the future; He is calling you to prepare today —right in this moment! No matter where you are in life, you are in an important part of the story of your destiny.

5 WAYS TO START WALKING IN YOUR DESTINY TODAY

Here are five keys to help give some focus and guidance on living your life intentionally with God’s purpose for you in mind:

1. DO ORDINARY THINGS IN AN EXTRAORDINARY WAY

When Saul was sent by his father to look for lost donkeys, he didn’t just give up when he couldn’t find them on his own. Instead he sought guidance from the prophet, Samuel, who ended up anointing him as king. His choice to perform this ordinary task in an extraordinary way ultimately led him to his destiny. Today face the ordinary things—the laundry, the administrative tasks in your job, taking out the trash, making your kids’ lunches—with great intention.

2. STEWARD YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

You may be tempted to not take your current job or role seriously, but God is looking for you at your place of responsibility. After the birth of Jesus, angels showed up at the place where the shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep. In the gospels, Jesus came to Peter, Andrew, James, and John where they were fishing and mending their nets and called them to be his disciples. Where God told you to be responsible, that’s where He’s going meet you. If you need to adjust your attitude towards your job then today would be a great day to do that.

3. VIEW EVERY JOB AS TRAINING FOR YOUR DESTINY

When David was just a boy tending sheep, he killed a lion and bear with his bare hands when they attacked his flock. When the Israelites were faced with Goliath, David’s confidence in his ability to vanquish the giant won him an audience with the king, and it was his account of defeating the lion and the bear that convinced the king to let David fight Goliath. Like David, the things you are doing at your job now—when no one is looking—are training you for your ultimate destiny. Treat your current job with gratitude as God trains you to defeat your future giants.

4. BEHAVE LIKE YOU’RE PASSIONATE, EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL LIKE IT

In sports, a good team will rise to the occasion and “play up” when going against a stronger team. However, it’s the championship teams, the true winners, that play up all the time, no matter who they are playing. It’s really easy do your absolute best job when you’re feeling passionate, but an extraordinary person does this all the time—even when they don’t feel like it. How can you play up in your current season?

5. SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM

When Jesus brought the Kingdom down to us, He didn’t bring it as another thing to add to our list of jobs and priorities on earth—even if it’s at the top of that list. Rather, it is by and through the Kingdom that everything else in life flows through. He commanded to “seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness and all of these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) If you are seeking His Kingdom, you are not going to miss everything and anything God has for you. He is faithful to honor his word and fulfill his promises. Choose Him above all, and all of these things—including your extraordinary purpose—will be added to you.

TAKE A MINUTE TO REFLECT

If you’ve been living with a “tightrope plan” mentality then today I want to encourage you to put that behind you. Remember that the path is much bigger than you think, and that if you seek God’s Kingdom, you’re not going to miss it. Put the burden of that mentality at the feet of Jesus today so that you can pick up His peace and delight in its place. Then reflect on the 5 keys we talked about today and start walking in your divine purpose with Him! Does this resonate with you? How do you see yourself stepping into your destiny in this season? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

How Your Challenges Are an Invitation to Prophetic Innovation

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 20:38:00 GMT

OBSTACLES BECOME INVITATIONS

What if the Lord created you for such a time as this? Where the challenges and problems of the day are not obstacles in your way, but the very reason you’ve been created to walk the earth in this age. You’ve been hand chosen; selected by Heaven to be an ambassador of the Kingdom that would shake the very shackles of hell that tried to rob the Lord’s creation of its holy identity.

The truth is, the trials and challenges we face are not designed to decimate us in defeat — but rather, we are established in a victorious seat with endless access to solutions for the difficulties of our day. Are you willing to own the problems that you see?

I’d propose that you won’t find the solution for a problem you are not willing to own — solutions come to those who care . Consider the life of Nehemiah. When he heard the news of the destroyed walls in his beloved city, Jerusalem, he brought the burden on his heart to the Lord. It was only when he decided to own the challenge that he had the boldness to bring it before the king. Nehemiah did not have the resources necessary to rebuild the wall, but it did not stop him from beginning to bring resolve to the catastrophe. It was after he began to sort out a solution that the resources and provision followed. As my good friend and prophet Bethany Hicks says, “when we act on prophetic innovation it sets in motion the law of attraction.”

So often we sit back looking at the challenges we face as if they are a roadblock keeping us from our destiny. But, I’d propose they are often the very invitation for prophetic innovation.

I recently sat down for a conversation with my good friend Bethany Hicks. Bethany is a prophet, Co-founder of Prophetic Company Global , and speaker at School of the Prophets. We recently had a profound and powerful conversation on prophetic innovation. As humans we are hard-wired to advance, just look at how society has advanced throughout history. In our conversation, we discussed how the prophetic is a gift that leads us into solutions and innovations for today — as a Believer through Christ’s redemptive power, you are equipped with a divine advantage — access to the thoughts of God; the very One who knows everything. You have been endowed with an intellect beyond the natural realm and wisdom outside of human reasoning (1 Corinthians 2).

PROPHETIC INNOVATION

ROYAL RESPONSBILITY

I want to encourage you to consider the places in your life where there have been challenges and difficulties that have burdened your heart. Have you owned the challenge and sought the Lord for a solution? As His prophetic people we have a royal responsibility to be Heaven’s ambassadors on the earth; to see Heaven touch the darkest places and usher in solutions to the toughest obstacles.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

If you are hungry to accelerate your prophetic gifting I want to invite you to School of the Prophets this August 8-12, 2022. At this 4.5 day long intensive training school prophets and highly prophetic people gather from all over the world to be equipped in their calling, deployed into their divine destiny, and gain confidence in their prophetic identity. Connection, community, and content start now! When you register for School of the Prophets you receive immediate access to the pre-event package that You can register for both the in-person or online experience here .

The Prophetic Was Intended to Go Beyond the Four Walls of the Church

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:59:00 GMT

BUILDING A PROPHETIC COMMUNITY

Have you ever felt alone, isolated, or misunderstood in your prophetic gifting? Over the years I’ve often heard prophets and highly prophetic people express the distressing feeling of isolation as they’ve questioned their role in a community that lacked a prophetic culture. I know the feeling of being misunderstood and confused in your call. When I was called by God to be a prophet I hardly knew what the prophetic entailed let alone was I surrounded by other prophets or prophetic equippers.

I’d propose rather than running to refuge in spaces with similar people and giftings God often places prophetic people in places that feel absent of prophetic culture to pioneer movements that catalyze reformation and reconciliation in their communities. He places princes in the land of paupers to call out the purpose of God that is withheld in each individual until the provision of Heaven is released on a land that has been hindered from their divine nature.

Have you ever stopped to consider “what if you have been given everything you need to change the culture around you?” To equip the people in your community to hear the voice of God and respond to His heartbeat.

If you have been hungry to grow in your prophetic gifting I want to encourage you to ask God to grow your heart of compassion and empathy. The prophetic was never meant to be about making bold proclamations or mandates; it was intended to be about a relational connection to the heart of the Father.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Julian Adams, a prophet, Co-founder of Frequentsee, and Pastor at The Table Boston Church to talk about the prophetic influencing culture. Julian Adams has a powerful story of overcoming controversy and stepping into places by divine appointment that have impacted the hearts of those who don’t know God. His prophetic calling was recognized from a young age, and His heart to see the lost connected to the voice of God is contagious.

THE PROPHETIC IN UNLIKELY PLACES

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

If you are hungry to advance your prophetic gifting I want to invite you to School of the Prophets this August 7-11, 2023. At this 4.5 day long intensive training school prophets and highly prophetic people gather from all over the world to be equipped in their calling, deployed into their divine destiny, and gain confidence in their prophetic identity. The focus of this school is to not only teach but activate you practically into a prophetic lifestyle and prepare you to effectively influence your unique metron to prepare the way for cultural change. You can register for both the in-person or online experience here .

Your Life Can Be a Prophetic Shield

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 17:05:00 GMT

THE DETRIMENT OF PROPHETIC PUPPETS

The calling of a prophet is simple, yet can feel complex. We have been commanded to equip the saints for the work of service, but what does this really look like? It is often assumed that a prophet has to fit one mold or look a specific way; a person on a platform making prophetic proclamations or a traveling preacher giving words to different congregations.

I’d propose prophets are called to so much more than a unified mold or blanket format. Each person is knit together in the intricacies of their mother’s womb with a unique purpose and divine destiny — clay jars that are molded and shaped to portray their Father in a variety of ways (2 Corinthians 4). It is a detriment to the Body if prophets become puppets of the current prophetic model; mirroring successful prophetic movements not surrendered to the voice of God , but instead stuck in man made structures. As prophets we become most valuable when we understand the time we’re in and learn how to connect people to that time and how to operate in it. It is our responsibility to be a shield to the things that are valuable to God.

I had a powerful and revelatory conversation with Hayley Braun for the launch of the Prophets Series on my show Cultural Catalysts. Hayley is the BSSM third-year overseer, prophet in our environment, and speaker at School of the Prophets. In our conversation Hayley shared the gripping story of David fleeing the threat of his life as Saul pursued to kill him. He sought refuge with Samuel - where they then went to Naioth to stay among the prophets. When word got to Saul that David was in Naioth, he sent his men there to capture him. But, when they arrived and saw the prophets prophesying, Saul’s men came under the Spirit of God came upon Saul’s men and they began prophesying. No matter how many men he sent they all came under the Spirit and began prophesying as well. The prophetic was a shield for the things that were important to God (1 Samuel 19).

WHY FAMILY IS KEY TO PROPHETIC REFORMATION

PARTNERING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT TO IMPACT THE GENERATIONS

Sometimes the prophetic calling on our life looks different than we might have expected. But, it’s important to remember the way you live your life is a prophetic declaration — the choices you make in what may feel like the mundane of life when partnered with the Holy Spirit have the power to impact the generations, break walls of segregation, and give a voice to the voiceless.

I want to challenge you to ask yourself: do I have faith that God can show up at work the same way He does on Sunday mornings? Or in my family the same way I have experienced him in prophetic gatherings? I’d propose protecting the things that are valuable to God may look different than making prophetic proclamations and fitting a man made mold. Instead it may look like allowing the Spirit of God to flow through you so that a generation may be impacted by the prophetic declaration of your life.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

Do you desire to accelerate your prophetic calling? To understand the current time of reformation so you can positively influence the course of history and impact the generations to come? I want to invite you to School of the Prophets this August 8-12, 2022 . School of the Prophets is a 4.5 day training school for prophets, highly prophetic people, and church leaders that want to learn how to operate with prophets.

Every year we have students that attend from all over the world both in person and online. Last year one of the students shared with our team at the end of the week this incredible testimony :

“I came into this feeling alone, broken and hopeless. I really lost my hope in God and I really just began to despise prophecy. I was just really struggling. Each session brought healing to me. Community group was a blessing. I left with a new lens, my hope in God has been restored. I'm so overwhelmed with joy. After signing up at the last minute I wondered if this was a mistake. This was one of the best decisions I made. I have no regrets. My mind has been totally transformed. ” - 2021 School of the Prophets student.

Another student shared this profound testimony:

"After the last session, my wife and I felt filled with the Spirit. We went to dinner at a diner in the Hilltop neighborhood. A waitress seated us and gave us menus. When she came back to take our orders, she looked at my wife and said; "I know what you want, you want the fish and chips." My wife said "That's right." The waitress got excited and then turned to me and said; "Well then, I'll bet you want a Reuben." I said; "That's right." She got really excited and started running around the whole restaurant telling everyone that she had guessed the whole order for two customers. We talked about this later and realized that this was an instance of someone being activated by the presence of Spirit-filled prophets. This was the same as King Saul being activated when he entered the company of prophets. ” - 2021 School of the Prophets student

It is these kinds of testimonies that make us so excited to gather every year — to see people fully healed, activated, and deployed into their prophetic destiny! You can learn more and register for both in person and online experiences here .

God's X-factor is Manifest Through Prophetic People

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 21:53:00 GMT

We often think of prophetic ministry as foretelling the future or speaking into important world events. This is certainly true, but it is also the responsibility of the prophetic people to speak into the roots of the destructive nature of humanity and release the restorative power of God. For example, some 500 years before Christ, the prophet Malachi looked to the future and saw a broken earth; families destroyed, wayward sons, disconnected daughters, and prodigal fathers… the very fabric of society ripped under the diabolical pressure of the times.

As the prophet mused over the troubling revelation of the earth’s end-time condition, he heard a hopeful proclamation rise in his spirit, “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers…” God’s solution to a world in a family crisis is a global prophetic infusion; sons with visions, old men dreaming again, daughters prophesying…the Spirit poured out on everyone.

THE SOCIAL TWILIGHT ZONE

It’s no secret to most of us that the family structure in America, as well as abroad, is eroding. The sheer volume of children being born out of wedlock is staggering. Beyond that, the effects of absent fathers on a larger scale tower over today’s society, casting shadows into morality that, if not stopped, will stretch until darkness covers culture and right and wrong become completely subjective and left to the whims of each individual!

HELL NO!

Yet in the midst of all of this craziness, there is a promise, a powerful declaration of hope emerging from the backdrop of deep darkness: Elijah is coming! Elijah is coming and He will restore hearts and reconcile families! Shout it from the rooftops! Sing it from the highest mountains! Write it over the doorposts of your house! Elijah is coming to restore hearts, to heal families, to love the hell out of the world!

THE DIVINE X-FACTOR

Could it be that just like Elijah was the prophetic answer to his culture’s decay, you and I can also be the prophetic answer to the challenges our world, families, and communities face today? I’m saying is it possible that God’s X-factor is once again His prophetic people? Could they be the catalytic tipping point of our time, the missing link to the master plan, and God’s divine answer to man’s deviant destruction?

I can hear the objections now: “Kris, you have fallen off the sanity truck! You have lost touch with reality! You are pulling your religious wacko, Jedi mind trick, stuff on us!” I know, I know, but hear me out for a minute. Didn’t God often use the prophets to alter the perverted course of society throughout history? Remember Moses the prophet, and Miriam the prophetess? They led the children of Israel out of slavery. They were the Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. of their day.

THE PROPHETIC CATALYZES REFORMATION

How about the prophet Daniel, who spoke into the lives of kings of Babylon and the dictators of Persia, and consequently altered the destiny of two world powers? You know the drill, the list goes on and on. Elijah, Elisha, Deborah, Isaiah, Hosea, and even the reluctant prophet, Jonah — they all had one thing in common. They ALL emerged in the darkest seasons of moral decay, and every one of them became a catalyst to the reformation of society.

The power of this last day Elijah Company of prophets is no longer in their ability to call down fire, as Elijah did under the Old Covenant, but now the full force of this mantle is to be laser-focused and divinely directed towards hearts. The message is clear; FATHERS COME HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN BE RECONCILED TO YOUR FATHERS!

THE PROBLEM WITH PRODIGAL PROPHETIC PEOPLE

If this is true – if the prophets are God’s X-factor, His divine, “Amen” to the world’s outcry, then two things have to happen: first, prophetic people have to stop playing the “elder brother of the prodigal son role” and start behaving like fathers and mothers. Let me explain: like the prophets of old, prophetic people are one of God’s most powerful agents of social justice. But UNLIKE the prophets of old who often shifted cultures through the fear of punishment, New Testament prophetic people are called to transform culture from the inside out, turning the HEARTS of the fathers to sons, etc.

The truth is that you might be able to punish people into morality (depending on what definition you use for the word morality), but you can’t punish people into purity. Purity ALWAYS begins with a pure heart.

PAYMENT APPROVED

Secondly, New Testament prophetic people need to understand that God “gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” We are not pretending that people have no sin, nor are we ignoring the destructive nature of sin in the life of people and society. We are simply applying the payment for sin (the blood of Jesus) to their accounts. In other words, we are saying, “Your sin account has been paid for in full. God put your sin on a virtual kingdom Mastercard. We no longer hold you hostage to this massive debt.”

THE SITUATION IS DIRE

If ever a people need reconciliation, it’s now! Countries spend billions of dollars tryingto solve the plight of the powerless, the perversion of the virtueless, and the oppression of the vicious. At home, our prisons are packed to capacity, our schools have become war zones, and our theaters and malls are shooting galleries. When does the madness stop?

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Many of us are hoping a new president or global leader will rescue us, or a shift in political power will save us. But what if God’s answer is a prophetic movement — God’s spirit, solutions, revelation, and clarity poured out on and through ALL of His children?

I’d like to propose that you have a distinct and purposeful role in this movement. Anyone who is saved and receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit can minister in the gifts of the Spirit.

Paul wrote, “For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted,” (1 Corinthians 14:31).

Luke echoed Paul’s exhortation with his account of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the First Century Church. Here is Luke’s record of Peter’s first message,

“It shall be in the last days,” God says, “That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:17-18).

It is clear from these verses that the gift of prophecy is available to EVERYONE! I am just saying... what if, in the midst of this moral decay and social darkness, God is calling for His prophetic people, including you, to emerge from obscurity and be His divine X-factor? It’s happened before, so why not here, and why not now?

WHAT IS YOUR ANSWER?

By now you must be thinking, “What do I do, Kris?”. If you’re confident in your ability to hear from God, I exhort you to pray specific prayers for your family, your community and your nation. Listen actively, ask for ears to hear and eyes to see what the Lord is doing, and for clarity on how to act. The time for deferring responsibility for our culture is over. We must ready ourselves, apprehend this catalytic moment, and speak the better word that flows from the voice of our Father over situations, souls and cities!

GROW YOUR PROPHETIC GIFT

If you’re hungry to accelerate your prophetic calling, I want to invite you to join me at the School of the Prophets this August 8-12, 2022 both in Redding, California and online. Gather with other prophets and highly prophetic people from all around the world as we pursue the voice of God to understand the current season of reformation so that we can influence the course of history. You can register here.

What do you feel God is speaking in this unique moment? How have you seen the prophetic bring cultural reformation or personal transformation in your own life? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

*This blog was originally posted on January, 10 2020.

What Happened to All the Prophets and Apostles?

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 20:40:00 GMT

IS EVERYONE CALLED TO THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY?

Is everyone called to the five-fold ministry? I often get asked, “How do I know if I have been called to the office of a prophet, pastor, apostle, teacher, or evangelist?” Within this question often lies an undertone of the desire for a clear cut title and status of significance. But, I’d propose we have missed the point if prestige is what we are searching for. The truth is, we were never told to desire an office or a title, rather, we were commanded to desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. (1 Corinthians).

Now, let me be clear, I understand the heart longing to know if you have been called to an office or even the simple desire to better understand the God ordained purpose of a prophet, evangelist, pastor, apostle, and teacher. It can often feel elusive and enigmatic to determine if you have been called to an office yourself. It can be even more confusing if the Church largely preaches and portrays solely pastors, evangelists, and teachers — leaving a large population unsure if there is still a purpose in the call of a prophet and apostle. But, I’d propose that it is detrimental not only to the Body, but to society when we silence the role of a prophet and apostle. Mankind’s lens often becomes tainted by their own fears and failures causing them to read between the lines and create a philosophy that fits their own comfortability and reasoning. However, we serve a God that has a much greater frame of reference; a purpose knit within the DNA of every structure and function in the Body.

THE RISE OF THE PASTOR

There are many people in the global Church that don’t believe apostles and prophets are for today. In a time that has been inundated with resounding opinions on what still carries significance I’d like to highlight a few statistics found in scripture on the roles of the five-fold ministry.

The word pastor is used one time in the New Testament (Ephesians 4:11).
The word teacher is used 68 times in the New Testament and 52 of those times was in reference to Jesus.
The word evangelists was used three times in the New Testament.
The word prophet was mentioned 122 times just in the New Testament alone
The word apostle was used 70 times in the New Testament.

Now to dig a little deeper — there are 25 named apostles in the New Testament, one named Evangelist, and not a single named pastor. Now let me be clear, I am not saying that just because there weren’t any named pastors in the New Testament that there weren’t any pastors in the early Church. It is very likely that pastors were a core of the early Church. Lastly, there are nine named prophets, and four named teachers in the New Testament.

Isn’t it interesting that in the early Church we had all five offices present and the most widely used name was apostle and the second was prophet? Yet, we seem to call nearly everyone in leadership today a pastor, even though there were none mentioned by name in the Bible. Following this line of reasoning, why do we think that apostles and prophets are destined to fade away in the time of the modern Church while pastors, teachers, and evangelists are destined to arise and lead the Church in this day and age?

Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” Did you catch that? It says UNTIL we all attain to the unity of faith…I’d propose the entire body is not unified or looks like Christ, therefore, the office of a prophet and apostle are still essential in the Body of Christ today.

I share more in depth on this topic in this video below:

THE OFFICE VS. THE GIFTING

In the questioning of purpose and importance in the office of a prophet and apostle, it is crucial to understand the difference between office and gifting. Here are just a few takeaways to better understand the differences:

A five-fold calling:

The office is your identity, it is who you are.
You cannot earn the call of the five-fold ministry . It is a gift given to men from Christ. ( Ephesians 4:7-8)
The office is not for your own benefit. The purpose of the five-fold ministry is to equip the body of Christ. “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.”
The gifts given by Christ are irrevocable. You cannot get fired because you didn’t get hired; it is who you are.

A gifting:

There are nine spiritual gifts listed (1 Corinthians 12). However, I’d propose there are more giftings than just these nine.
Spiritual giftings are a gift from the Holy Spirit, but we have also been instructed to earnestly seek them. Therefore, you can ask to grow in spiritual giftings.
Spiritual giftings are not a reward; you cannot earn or achieve them. They are simply a gift.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

I am passionate about bringing clarity and understanding to every office within the five-fold ministry, because when I first had an encounter and was shown the call of a prophet that was on my life, I was left uncertain of how to live this out. I was not surrounded by other prophets and did not know how this role was supposed to play out in the Church. If you have found yourself questioning whether or not you have been called to an office or are worried you won’t be given crystal clear direction, I want to encourage you to take a deep breath — the Lord works beyond our confined time lines. If you have been called to the office of a prophet, but impatiently waiting to see this play out in your life I’d propose there is always a journey from the promise to the palace that prepares us for our God-given destiny. It was 20 years after my private encounter with the Lord that I was publicly acknowledged as a prophet.

It was out of this passion to see prophets equipped in their calling and highly prophetic people accelerated in their gifting that School of the Prophets was birthed. If you are a prophet, highly prophetic person, or a Church leader who wants to discover how to operate with prophets, I want to invite you to School of the Prophets, August 8-12, 2022. You can now learn more and register for both in-person and online here.

The Power of Prophetic Encouragement

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 17:57:00 GMT

IT IS TIME FOR PROPHETIC REFORMERS TO ARISE

The call of the prophet can feel like a mystical mystery filled with misunderstood mandates given to a select few, chosen people in the body of Christ. The truth is the office of a prophet and their royal responsibility is clear all throughout scripture — to equip the saints and build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:3). However, it is often forgotten in the Church today as a deep fear of the prophetic has seeped into the seams of the body of Christ, stripping it from the very thing that was intended to nurture it to strength and live out the fullness of its destiny. But, what does this divine duty look like when walking out the true calling in your day-to-day life?

The truth is, the prophetic is powerful! Like anything that carries weight it should be acknowledged, revered, studied, and stewarded in our lives. The call of the prophet is a God-given position; a gift of Jesus Christ that represents His heart to encourage, equip, and exhort the Bride. Now, let me be clear, I've seen so much growth in the body of Christ in recent years as we have taught people how to hear from God and how to prophesy. I’ve seen prophetic communities develop and grow all around the world and watched as brilliant prophets steward the call on their life with purity and grace! It’s so important that as we grow, we keep ourselves anchored in biblical truth and surrounded by a community that keeps us accountable to these principles.

I’d propose that God is calling prophets to arise and shine — to step boldly into our call in this season of reformation so that we can positively influence the course of history. I recently sat down for a conversation with Justin Allen, the founder of Times and Seasons, which is a company that implements the prophetic in multiple spheres of influence. In our conversation, Justin Allen shared a profound yet simple encouragement for us as prophetic people to remember in this season: to never underestimate the power of God-breathed encouragement! So often we overcomplicate the simplicity of sharing the voice of God with His children that we allow our pride and personal ambitions to get in the way of His word reaching the ears of the Church. I would even go further to say that as prophetic people we have gotten really good at sharing prophetic words of encouragement and direction, but fall short when we leave the body it was delivered to, relinquishing responsibility in seeing the word come to fruition. But, I’d propose that equipping the saints for the work of service requires additional guidance and insight that often we abandon when it requires further work.

THE SIMPLICITY OF PROPHETIC STRATEGY

YOUR PROPHETIC VOICE IS VITAL

I want to encourage you today that if you have been called to the office of a prophet or are a highly prophetic person, to take the steps necessary to steward the call or gifting on your life because your voice is vital in the reconciliation and reformation of our time.

If you are hungry to accelerate your prophetic calling and begin stewarding your prophetic destiny I want to invite you to School of the Prophets, August 8-12th, 2022. This week-long intensive training school was birthed out of the passion to see the prophets of our day equipped and encouraged in their call, and empowered to be the prophetic reformers they were created to be. You can register now to join us both in-person in Redding, CA and online ( here ).

The Root of Conflict and How to Overcome Controversy

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 23:58:00 GMT

CONFLICT, CONTROVERSY, AND COMBAT

Conflict, controversy, and combat are not new issues to brace the face of humanity. For centuries there have been wars and rumors of wars that have plagued the planet and grieved the hearts of man. We have seen intelligent men try to render solutions and produce strategies to dismantle advances of the enemy. Yet, so often our response to a conflict is solely focused on the outer advances of the enemy and does not acknowledge the internal battle of the heart. I’d propose that one of the greatest reasons for conflict and controversy is not an external issue in society, but rather an internal issue of the heart.

James 4:1 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” The truth is, conflict is deeply rooted in the internal issues of our day; filled with questions of identity and uncertainty in who we are.

I had the privilege of sitting down for a conversation with Jamie Winship . For decades Jamie has worked to bring peaceful solutions to some of the world's most challenging conflicts based on teaching individuals to live fearlessly in their true identity. From working in the educational system with troubled students to pacifying Islamic terrorist groups, Jamie has been a pioneer of peace and cultural catalyst in a world in desperate need of understanding their true identity.

ACTIVATING YOUR HEAVENLY ADVANTAGE

In my conversation with Jamie I was continually reminded of the truth that the Lord is not confined to our boxes of understanding or limited by our personal ability. Rather, He is eager to break the boxes of structured belief and infiltrate every area of our lives with solutions from Heaven and wisdom beyond our age. Get this, we have the mind of Christ, which means we think like God; we are His divine think tank — we are sanctified solutionaries! (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) . The mind of Christ is your X-factor, your secret weapon…but to activate your heavenly advantage you must lose the compliant, religious rule keeper mindset so you can journey out into the world of mystery, miracles, and divine missions. We have become predictable, boring, vanilla, uninspired people. Yet our Founder is a radical fore-thinking activist, who in three short years, altered the course of human history. Jesus transformed the way the world viewed God, money, nature, religion and kingdom life, etc. Life with the Lord is full of endless possibilities. Are you seeking them out? Are you inviting the Lord into every area of your life?

I pray that as you watch this episode of Cultural Catalysts you are filled with hope for the areas of your life that have felt too far gone and that the Lord would begin to share strategies for every area of your life.

Stepping Into Your Royal Identity || 8 Steps to Live a Prosperous Life

Tue, 31 May 2022 23:00:00 GMT

THE PAUPER WHO BECAME A KING

My journey of breaking free from a poverty mentality all started on a bright summer day in the first year of the new millennium when Nancy, my personal assistant, entered my office looking rather troubled.

I decided to risk asking her what was bothering her. Nancy had a reputation for telling the truth. She said, “Sometimes you say things that hurt people’s feelings. You’re important to the people around you and you seem completely unaware of how much people value what you think of them. You are devastating people with your words.”

She went on to remind me of a comment I had made earlier. I thought I was being funny, but apparently, I had actually made her my latest victim. I apologized to her, but honestly, I really didn’t think much of it.

That night I had a dream that revealed my delusion on this interaction. In the dream, a voice kept repeating this Scripture, “Under three things the earth quakes, and under four, it cannot bear up: under a pauper when he becomes a king” (Prov. 30:21-22a).

“No,” I said, “But I have a feeling that You’re going to tell me.”

The Lord continued, “A pauper is born into insignificance. As he grows up he learns through life that he has no value and his opinions don’t really matter. Therefore, when he becomes a king, he is important to the world around him but he still feels insignificant in the kingdom that lies within him. Subsequently, he doesn’t watch his words or the way he carries himself. He ultimately destroys the very people he is called to lead.

“You, my son, are a pauper who has become a king.”

Through the wee hours of the morning, the Lord began to teach me about my identity as a prince.

I needed his training because I was not raised with the idea that I was significant. This caused me to develop a whole set of behaviors that someone who was raised as nobility would probably have never displayed. Even after I got saved, many of these behaviors stayed around. I saw that Nancy’s confrontation was about more than her simply being sensitive and me being misunderstood, which was the way I wanted to interpret it.

It was actually about me doing things that I’ve always done that are no longer consistent with who God says that I am. I knew this confrontation was probably one of many to come on the road out of pauperhood and into my identity as a prince. I also knew that if I didn’t begin to travel that road, it would not only cost me tremendously but also those around me.

POVERTY MENTALITY AND PAUPERHOOD

Paupers are plagued by a poverty mentality! They typically feel like their resources are limited. They believe that when someone else receives something, it takes away some of the provision that could be theirs. They surmise that someone else’s blessing costs them. This is because they have not yet learned in the depths of their heart that they are a child of the King, who can and will provide for every need they have.

A poverty mindset can trap you into thinking there are limits on what you get to have. As a result, you can be jealous of anyone who receives something that you don’t have. This seeps into all aspects of life including work, friends, and positions within the church.

I’d like to propose that the revelation of your true identity and learning to love yourself will destroy the spirit of poverty in your life!

LOVING YOURSELF IS KEY FOR A PROSPEROUS LIFE

Loving yourself is the key to a prosperous soul, which is the foundation for becoming wealthy and walking in your royal identity in every area of life. So how do we learn to love ourselves?

Here are 8 simple but profound steps to walking out of poverty and into a prosperous soul:

1. Discover who God says you are. There are hundreds of scriptures that reveal your amazing identity in Jesus. The apostle Paul said, “...While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) The connotation is that you used to be a “sinner;” someone whose nature it was to sin and to do evil. But when you received Jesus into your life, you became a saint! It’s no longer your nature to sin because you are a holy person and a citizen of a holy nation. (1 Peter 2:9.) You are also a son or daughter of God and a new creation in Him.

2. Envision yourself as God sees you. I discovered a principle in the Kingdom that simply says, “If I can envision it, I can have it.” The wisest king in the world articulated it like this, “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.”(Proverbs 23:7) There is something very powerful about your imagination. What you imagine has a huge impact on who you are becoming. You are forming your outer world with your inner thoughts, so what will you choose to meditate on? Imagine, think about, envision, talk to yourself, and even sing the truth to yourself.

3. Recount your past sins and failures that still trouble you and ask Jesus to forgive you. Let me be clear, I am not talking about spending your days in regret. I am merely saying that if you are still plagued by any past failures then deal with them head-on. You can’t conquer what you refuse to confront, and buried shame is more dominant than unapplied redemption. Closure is so easy in Jesus that it’s almost embarrassing. The apostle John said it best. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9.) Confess your sins and He does the rest.

4. Ask Jesus to show you your sins or failures from His perspective. It is so important, especially when you fail, that you see yourself from God’s merciful perspective. Envisioning your failure through the eyes of Jesus is essential to assigning the right roles to the proper characters in your life. That loud voice shouting, “GUILTY! AWAY TO THE GALLOWS WITH THEM! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!” is not the Lord convicting you; it’s Satan trying to mess with your head. His goal is to get your eyes off of the Lord’s redemption and on to your own failures. But in the midst of all the shouting, there is always the reassuring voice of your Shepherd. Stay in that quiet place until you can see your failings transformed into His fantastic future!

5. Ask Jesus if there are actions you need to take to clean up your messes or to bring closure to your life; then take action. The Bible says that we need to “bear fruit of our repentance” (Matthew 3:8, Acts 26:20). Most of the time this simply means asking people that we have wronged to forgive us, and doing what we can to right our wrongs. It’s important to note here, that you are responsible to do your part, but you can’t make someone forgive you. Let the Holy Spirit do His part in convincing other people involved to reciprocate your response.

6. Develop a vetting system for what you allow yourself to listen to and think about. Jesus gave us profound insights into how our vetting process affects our lives when He said, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure, it will be measured to you; and more will be given to you besides.” (Mark 4:24) When you choose to entertain certain kinds of thoughts, for example worry and fear, you will invite other worriers and fearful people into your world. It’s true when they say, “Birds of a feather tend to flock together.” On the other hand, if you “Watch over your heart (mind) with all diligence,” (Proverbs 4:23), and vet your thoughts through God’s divine filter, then you will attract like-minded people to you.

7. Make a list of the 5 most profound things that Jesus says about you and memorize them. The goal of this exercise is to help you develop new, positive ways of thinking, which will assist you in beginning a powerful and peaceful life. When you proactively spend time pondering the things Jesus says about you, you create new neural pathways in your brain. These pathways become mindsets that tend to dictate how you think and what you visualize most easily. The apostle Paul gave us great insight into this when he said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2). The truth is you cannot always change your life. But if you change your thoughts, He will transform your life!

8. Ask yourself how someone who has the 5 attributes Jesus said you have should think, talk, behave, and dream. Then, do so accordingly. Nothing is quite so affirming and confidence building as acting out your God thoughts instead of your feelings. Your feelings, although important, are great servants but terrible masters. I am reminded of God’s counsel to Cain when jealousy was plaguing the guy. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it”( Genesis 4:5-7). Did you notice how “doing well” (or not doing well) was directly related to Cain’s attitude? When you act upon the things Jesus says about you, you forge the truth into your heart and accelerate the transformation process in your mind.

GIVE YOURSELF TO THE PROCESS

If you have spent your life with a poverty mentality, then thinking and acting differently may not feel real or authentic at first, but persevere because 40 days from now, once you have formed this new habit it will be the new you!

I want to remind you that you were born to win, and Jesus is in your corner. Therefore, if God is for you then who can be against you? I want to encourage you to journey through the Scriptures and unearth the full revelation of the mystery of your identity in God, then walk out these steps. He is waiting eagerly for you to encounter His indescribable, outrageous, love for you so that He might awaken you to your divine destiny!

Can you relate to this post? Tell me about your process in the comments below! Which step stood out most to you today?

*This blog post was originally published on February 21, 2019.

Eternity Through the Lens of Today

Tue, 24 May 2022 20:58:00 GMT

WHY HEAVEN MATTERS FOR YOU TODAY

Do you ever stop to consider the importance of your life on this earth? Or the imperative nature of the relationship our earthly bodies have with eternity? So often we get caught up in the pressures of our day that we forget the repercussions that exist infinitely from this earth into eternity. Most people consider eternity as they reflect on the reality of death in this life. But, I’d propose it is not just important for the imminent, but it is crucial in the current moment of your life. It is vital we become aware of the importance of eternity because our infinite is cultivated in our finite life on the earth.

Let me be clear, I do not mean we should become so fixated on the future that we forget to be present with the complexities of our day or the problems that we face. I mean quite the opposite — we have been called to be the light of the WORLD; we carry solutions for our day and the generations to come. We are to value our days on this earth because they are shaping and molding the “forever” of our history. I’d like to challenge you with this question: what would it take to live future-present and shape eternity from the finite side of life? What areas of your life need to be aligned to the values of the Kingdom of God? Where has the debris of the fallen world taken root in the depths of your heart?

I’d propose beyond “doing good” and accumulating accolades in heaven for when we arrive; eternity is for today!

ETERNITY IS FOR TODAY

Here is one way to think of eternity besides a distant time that will exist when we leave this earth and begin our life in Heaven: When Jesus supernaturally healed the sick, He called it a “sign.” Why is it a sign; why isn’t it just a healing? The answer lies in the reason the person actually got healed. Let me explain; a miracle happens when a superior ecosystem superimposes itself over an inferior ecosystem. In other words, a world that transcends the reality of the laws of physics and the laws of nature, (a world where there is no sickness, death or even aging), crashing in on the sick person, resulting in the infinite imposing its superior will on the finite.

Jesus explained it like this, “Heal the sick, cast out demons and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near you,” (Matthew 10). What is called a miracle in this realm, is the normal condition of the superior laws of the kingdom of God — it was made for today!

Many things we toil and sow in the grounds of our earthly life are not seen until we enter Heaven's gate. Matthew 5:12 says, “Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets.” The epistles are filled with mention of rewards in Heaven; crowns of righteousness and of life. So take heart, the very things that burden our hearts here on the earth will be reason for reward in Heaven.

I want to urge you to become more concerned with the treasures of Heaven than the treasures of this earth. No, there is nothing wrong with having a nice home and nice things, but these material items are fleeting in the hands of time. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.” We want our hearts to be rooted in the grounds of Heaven, seated in the throne room of God, and impacting the reality of earth. The value of what's to come has greater value than what you could accumulate on the earth.

TOYING WITH ETERNITY

There are many people toying with eternity in the name of grace — they have birthed whole movements based on accepting destructive sin in the name of “loving” your neighbor. But, this is the fine line we walk on this side of time; if we allow the deception of the enemy to erode at our earthly being in the name of momentary comfort it impacts our eternal destination. Let me be clear, I believe the gospel is full of grace and God does not send people to hell, rather, He said, “Over my dead body” and sent His only son so that we could be saved. But, the weight of these toxic trends disguised in the notion of love have been weighing on my heart because of the eternal implications this has on a person's life. Eternity is sealed with a settled stamp; there is no return policy, you can’t work a night shift to pay off a debt — the sale is fixed.

So I want to urge us in a world that is focused on the present satisfactory success of life, may we become people that build a strong firm foundation for eternity. May we live a life that is echoed into eternity as, “Job well done, my good and faithful servant.” I charge you to be a people that fight for Truth amongst the crowd of lies, that sacrifice popularity for the pleasure of God, and live for something bigger than yourself. I pray we are known as people that surrender our weapons to sing an anthem that aligns with Heaven and echoes into eternity.

Hope in the Valley of Dry Bones

Tue, 17 May 2022 16:16:00 GMT

WHEN A STROKE OF HOPE CHANGES THE SCENE

So often we come to moments in our life where the scene in front of us looks like Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones; bleak with a thick cloud of gloom. The deep crevice of the valley can leave you searching for an escape or for a stream of relief. Maybe you have found yourself trekking through the valley, yet the hopelessness has left you questioning if your failure is repairable again?

I’ve been reminded of the unfolding scene of Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones. Just when nothing looked promising about the circumstances at hand the Lord spoke and what seemed to be a solidified reality suddenly shifted. God rocked Ezekiel’s world when He asked the prophet a ridiculous question: “Can these bones live?” A seemingly obvious answer did not seem so accurate anymore. The great prophet staggered to comprehend the possible outcome of God’s incredible inquiry. Finally, he gathered himself and answered, “You know, Lord.” A situation that looked desolate and devastating in an instance was brushed with a stroke of hope and suddenly the horizon lightened and the gloom began to lift. In this moment of renewed hope, Ezekiel began to progressively prophesy to the dry bones. Did you catch that? Dry bones! They had been cast into the valley decades ago, left to face the intensity of the desert sun. Yet, when the Lord intervened on the scene of defeat, what once was a graveyard turned into a mighty infantry of victory. (see Ezekiel 37:1-10). Can you think of a situation in your life that you have felt is too far gone? I encourage you to ask the Lord for His perspective on the situation.

When you take your heavenly seat, a first heaven tragedy and second heaven hurricane suddenly don’t look the same. Because when you pray from Heaven to earth your prayers become prophecies and your prophecies become the nuts and bolts of worlds. Things you may have thought were over, done, and defeated have the ability to return in a fashion you’ve never dreamt of before. Don’t adopt the current circumstances as your new norm; there is a different perspective when seated in your heavenly seat and listening to the inquiries of the Lord.

YOUR HEAVENLY SEAT IS YOUR SWORD

If the enemy leads you to believe that the valley is your new home or failure is the final word about who you are, he leaves you doubting the price that was paid for on the cross. What was solidified in a moment suddenly becomes contingent on your ability; leaving you questioning your position in Christ. Yet, do you remember the situations that Judas and Peter both found themselves in? They had been caught red-handed denying Jesus multiple times. The difference between Judas and Peter is that after the denials, Judas hung himself and Peter became the revered head of the Church. What I am getting at is there is a way to fail successfully.

Sometimes we are tempted to discount people’s lives after they experience failure even when they have a relationship with the Lord. But, that is not how the redemptive power of the cross works. The truth is failure isn’t final and neither is the desolate and devastating valley of dry bones . No matter the depth of the valley or the magnitude of the storm you remain seated in heavenly places — this is your sword. Don’t lay it down in cowardice or shame and let it rot away in hopelessness. It’s time to pick it up and fight back with the power of your words. Begin to prophesy to the storm; there is the power of life and death in your words.

4 KEYS TO WALKING THROUGH THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

Just as Ezekiel was called to look at a hopeless situation of death and dismay and step into a moment that changed the course of history, so must we as believers look at our own world and see beyond what the enemy is doing. Instead of relinquishing the final say over to the enemy’s foreboding forecast, I challenge you to take back your God-given authority and walk through the valleys of life with purpose, passion, and the power of God’s final say.

Here are 4 ways to walk this out:

1. Learn to see beyond what’s obvious . When everybody else sees a valley of dry bones, it is incumbent upon us as the prophetic people of God to envision a mighty army. Not only do we need to see beyond, but we have to take action, procreating with God through prophetic declarations. As we see through Ezekiel’s story, prophecy is not just telling the future; oftentimes God calls us to cause the future!

2. Learn to lead the way. When the people of God feel defeated, depressed, powerless, and outnumbered, it is the responsibility of God’s prophetic people to rise up and pick a fight against overwhelming odds, because we can see into the invisible realm and we know that there are more who are for us than those who are against us!

3. Be a bold bearer of hope . When the Body of Christ encounters demonic forces in the dark night of the soul and they feel weak, hungry, and fragile, it is God’s prophetic people who can see past the plots of the enemy and envision the battle plans of the angel armies. This gives us authority to release declarations of hope in the midst of the house of horrors, which in turn ensnares principalities, and disarms and imprisons them in their own demonic devices.

4. Remember God’s promises! When the mourners see a crucified body and the soldiers count their coins, while Pilot washes his hands of the whole mess -it is the people of God, thousands of years earlier, who had already predicted an empty tomb!

The world waits in hopeful anticipation as God’s prophetic people stand in the valley of decision. My prayer is that God would once again equip us to see a mighty army rise from the dry bones and shine the light of hope into this desperate world!

How is God changing the way you view the valleys of life? Let me know in the comments below!

Do You Long to Change the World? 8 Keys to Becoming a World Changer

Mon, 09 May 2022 23:50:00 GMT

LAUNCHING PAD

Each year we feel the catapultic wave of students launch from Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry during the monumental week of graduation commencements. All year long we sit in a room of students that move from all over the world with one mission: to become equipped to see the Kingdom of God infiltrate every sphere of society. Students that believe they were born to change the world — to see the impossible, transform cities, and change the hearts of men because they believe the world deserves an encounter with the living God.

In reflecting on this past week, I felt led to share a blog post that unpacks values to adopt if you, like our BSSM students, have a deep knowing within your bones that you were born to change the world.

Every so often in the course of history, there are individuals born who defy common reason and statistical explanation. These are the great ones who break the tether of their generation’s expectations and rise to the high call that seems to echo from somewhere beyond the grave. There’s a distinct and inspiring lesson we can learn from history makers—they were famous for what they did, not for what they didn’t do!

I have a sense that the church has, in some ways, allowed ourselves to become known for our boxes instead of our passions…that is, famous for what we don’t do because of our “righteous” constrictions. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be known for all the things I didn’t do, but rather for the change I made in my lifetime.

8 KEYS FOR BECOMING A WORLD CHANGER

Many of us find our inner man longing, stirring, and burning for the great adventure. Live or die, we must press through the walls of mediocrity and find the Promised Land of our souls. We live with a passion to be numbered among those who have gained fame in the halls of Heaven and are feared among the prison guards of hell. If we are going to walk as God’s ruling royalty, we have to:

1. Pray unceasingly.

2. Give sacrificially.

3. Dream unreasonably.

4. Serve wholeheartedly.

5. Love unashamedly.

6. Walk innocently.

7. Believe undoubtingly.

8. Live powerfully.

These are the qualities of the Bride of Christ in all of her glory. She is called to be the most creative force on the face of the earth.

ATTACK OF THE CLONES

What stops us from living out this call as the Bride? I am convinced that religion is the problem, and it’s the father of genetic cloning. Religion invented cloning long before the world ever thought of it. Religion has a way of sucking the most powerful people on the planet into a spiritual look-alike contest, calling it discipleship.

True discipleship is meant to empower people to be transformed into the image of their Creator, but religion redefines the terms, conforming people into replicas of their leaders. Religion takes God’s mighty men and makes them artifacts in a museum.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Religious people, like the Pharisees of old, have the hardest time reaching out to folks who think “outside of the box” and don’t behave inside their hopeless shackles. Part of the struggle comes from what they have done to the Savior of the world. They have sterilized the gospel. Jesus took water and turned it to wine, but 2,000 years later, today’s Pharisees have diluted it to grape juice.

The death of Christ paid for our sins, but it was His resurrection that gave life to our mortal bodies. Religion embraces death sadistically and moves the risen Christ out of the garden and back to the tomb.

We have lost sight of the fact that the Cross was for the old man not the new man, and that the true Christian life is not about dying for Christ, but living in the life He purchased for us to establish His Kingdom on earth! The Church must shake off the shackles of religion and embrace our supernatural destiny.

GET YOUR INOCULATIONS FOR RELIGION

One of the strongest weapons we have against the religious mindset that puts us in boxes is a true connection with God as our Father. Understanding and experiencing the Father heart of God is an inoculation against the counterfeit of religion, which is simply works without a relationship with the One who loves us the most. World changers know who their Daddy is, and they know what they have access to as the children of the King of Kings!

We don’t all have to be the president to make a difference in the world, however, we can take steps today towards becoming a world changer today. Regardless of your station in life, it is imperative that you walk out your identity and understand the ways royal people influence authority.

Why? Because if you want to have influence, but you don’t know who you are, it’s easy to reduce yourself to social begging, hoping that the BIG, powerful people feel compassion for you and help your cause.

ACTIVATION OF THE WEEK

This poisonous poverty mindset reduces the Christian message to a cry for help instead of a call for leadership. So my encouragement for you this week is to remember who God says you are and ask yourself this question: Is there any place in your life where you think or act like an orphan instead of as a royal child of the living God?

If the answer is yes, then put that thing before God, and let Holy Spirit speak to you about how He sees you. If we all walk out our royal identity I believe the natural next step is a world filled with changers!

We are all called to be history makers! Are you learning to carry His power and authority into every realm of society? Tell me about it in the comments.

Why Diversity and Culture is Important in the Church

Tue, 03 May 2022 21:58:00 GMT

A THEOLOGICAL IDENTITY

We cannot ignore the important topic of culture and race in the Church today. We live in a time when the history of our nation is unraveling in the pews of our Church, as the hearts of our congregations are confronted with the pain of centuries past. Very real discrimination that affected people groups for generations took root in the hearts of a nation, and rotted at the soil of unification.

So, how do we respond? What is the importance of the conversation?

I want to be clear, I am far from an expert on the topic, but I recognize the importance and can’t remain silent for fear of being misunderstood.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Jamila O. Page, the Multi-cultural ministry and BSSM pastor at Bethel Church. When I presented Jamila with the question “why is diversity and culture important?” Her response was “because it is important to God.” That is the truth! It is the truth. It doesn’t matter what our opinions are or what our history is, the Creator of the universe cares about culture ; it is seen throughout all of scripture. Jamila shared powerful revelation about the Lord’s beautiful plan for redemption and unity throughout scripture. All throughout scripture the Lord never refers to race, He refers to people based on their familial relationships — “The son of…” or “ I am the God of…” We also see in scripture that the Israelites were multi-racial; more than a biological identity they had a theological identity. You were considered family because you believed in the one true God of Israel. What a beautiful representation of family; the core distinguisher was the belief in God, not limited to external attributes.

CULTIVATING FAMILY AMONGST DIVERSE CULTURES

THE ENEMY HAS BEEN BARKING AT UNITY

I want to encourage you to not shy away from challenging conversations or situations that feel uncomfortable — these are the places that as a society we need to lean into. The enemy has been barking at unity for far too long and we cannot resign in despair because he has violently tried to induce fear. It is time to rise to the occasion to put our foot down and demand the enemy flee from his wicked scheme of division.

I pray that as you watch this episode of Cultural Catalysts you are filled with hope for the future and healed from past pain of division, segregation, and any attack from the enemy on unity.

Please know that 30 minutes can't possibly cover such huge and important topics such as race and racism. We are all on a journey as a family here at Bethel and KV Ministries. This conversation is a peek into the healing and learning we're engaging in with Jesus and each other. I am looking forward to part two of this conversation in the coming weeks.

How to Create Environments That Bring Out the Best in People

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 21:46:00 GMT

BREAKING THE BOXES OF LOGIC

Have you ever felt like the odd one out? Like you didn’t belong? Maybe because you didn’t “look” or “act” like the rest, or you were counted out and asked to leave when you began to speak up. The world has made many segregated societies, confined churches, and aristocratic associations that isolate and deplete their communities and environments from diverse forms of thought out of fear of becoming powerless. But, I’d propose this isn’t God’s intent when He dreams of every tribe, tongue, and nation living in the fullness of who He has called them to be.

So how do we as leaders create environments that are not afraid to confront the challenges of community without segregating those that think differently? That truly brings out the best in people and launches them into their God-given destiny?

The truth is, leadership development is costly. It moves beyond just handing over the keys of empowerment, and looks more like sitting in the passenger seat teaching someone how to drive as they jolt back and forth, learning the power of the pedal. Yet, this is the very place that cultivates transformation, not just impersonation — where people step into their God-given identity, not just mimic their leader's abilities. The truth is, no one wants a copy, they want the original, and the Kingdom of God eagerly awaits for you to step into the fullness of your destiny.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Gabe Valenzuela, the Senior Overseer of the BSSM Second Year program. He is one of the most gifted pastors in our community that truly believes in people and has helped develop many of the leaders in our environment today. Gabe made a powerful statement while we were talking, “Family doesn’t look identical and we do a disservice if we tell people that they have to look or be a certain way.” I could not agree more. 2 Corinthians 5:16 says, “Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.” In order to create an environment that brings out the best in people, we must see the gold in people, which comes from seeing each other by the spirit, not by the flesh.

CREATING ENVIRONMENTS THAT BRING OUT THE BEST IN PEOPLE

THE KEY TO RAISING UP LEADERS AS A LEADER

It is not skill or ability that will help you in the effort of raising strong leaders — raising up giants in the Kingdom takes faith because so often our floor is the next person's ceiling. They will go places we haven’t gone, they will do things we haven’t done, and they will be gifted in areas we are not. But, true success in leadership doesn’t lie in the hands of being good at everything, it lies in your ability to believe in people; to see the gold in them even when our human eye does not see it. What I am getting at is humility has to run deep through the veins of every leader as we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in raising up individuals that have different gifts, abilities, and destinies than we do. This is required of us in order to see people live in the fullness of their destiny and Jesus get His full reward.

How has someone believing in you changed the trajectory of your life? I would love to hear in the comments below.

Are Encounters for Everyone? || a Conversation With Richard Gordon

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 21:11:00 GMT

BREAKING THE BOXES OF LOGIC

Have you ever been sitting in a church service watching the person in front of you having an encounter with God and wondered, “why is that not happening for me?” Maybe you have even questioned if encounters are only for the “chosen” few? I know how this feels; I remember years of comparing how I experienced the Lord to how others did. But, the truth is Jesus came not just for the “special people” nor can we fit Him in a box — He came for ALL people and He encounters people in a diverse number of ways.

God doesn’t look at the world segregating those that are “chosen” versus those that are “un-chosen” or qualified versus unqualified. He is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:28). He doesn’t favor or value one more than the other. Rather, the Holy Spirit is for everyone. He breaks our boxes of logic to come in close and encounter us.

I recently sat down for a conversation on encountering the Lord with Richard Gordon, the Spiritual Director of Bethel School of Technology. Richard has a profound story of experiencing God in ways that shattered His belief systems and brought him into greater knowledge and understanding of the glory of God. While we were talking, Richard made a remarkable statement: “I believe that as the knowledge of the glory of God covers the earth, it’s not just for charismatic meanings, but it unlocks creation.” A bold, but bonafide statement.

I’d propose that as we step into our royal identity as heirs of the living God and adopt the belief system that we have access to the mind of Christ, we will be given greater capacity for Divine brilliance that is beyond our human intelligence. God desires to encounter us, share insight with us, and deposit solutions to us so that we can cut through the chaos of this age and walk-in Divine wisdom, and reveal His glory to the world! These encounters are not reserved for a select few prophets or "chosen ones." Instead, it's accessible for all believers. Consider Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Did you catch that? Peter isn’t simply pointing out sound theology here, he’s revealing our profound reality as chosen children of the King— that we’ve been chosen, born for nobility, and we have purpose!

Yet, you must inhabit the royal reality that you have been chosen by God to encounter His glory and reveal it to the world. Remember in Matthew 10:7 when Jesus instructed the twelve disciples with these words, "And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’" Like the disciples, when we go forth to our families, our jobs, and our communities, we go empowered by the Holy Spirit, carrying the glory of God, and responding as a spiritually intelligent solutionary who brings about the Kingdom wherever we go. This is our royal reality!

THE GLORY OF GOD

ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD

I want to encourage you today to become aware of how the Lord is speaking to you. It may be outside of the confines you’ve thought the Lord would speak to you in. He may encounter you in ways that are unique and different from those around you. He deeply desires to encounter you. I’d love to hear in the comments below, how you have experienced the Lord, or a time when He shared solutions or revelations with you.

How the Kingdom Responds to Crisis

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:52:00 GMT

THE GREATEST TACTIC FOR CONFLICT

All throughout history we have seen controversy, conflict, and combat attack the core of humanity, casting lots of division and dehumanizing the problem to make reason for the hatred stored in our hearts. But, this is the very tactic of the enemy — if war was his plan A, the aftermath of division, hatred, and trauma was his plan B. Somehow we’ve decided plan B is an agreeable response to the demonic scheme, but I’d propose we have a more powerful response than any aggression or ambush could provide us.

What I am getting at, is that it’s the enemy's goal is to cause division in the hearts of man. Yet, when we look across the borders, political agendas, and divided conflicts there are real people in desperate need of the love of God. True justice doesn’t look like greater levels of destruction and grief; it looks like every violation of love is being restored, not just for the hurting, but for those that have caused hurt. We have a powerful choice to choose love when our hearts are torn between two sides of the same conflict.

I want to encourage you to ask the Lord to give you Heaven’s perspective on the situations that may stir hatred and division in your own heart. The Lord would not command us to, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”, if this was not possible to do. I’d propose that when we have come to a place in our own strength that leads us to a place of lack in love and compassion for any human being, it’s not the end, it is simply time to lean into the Lord.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Carl Ladd, the Director of Bethel Global Response . Carl has a heart to serve those in need and to respond to those who have experienced a crisis with love and compassion. I encourage you to listen to our conversation as Carl shares incredible testimonies from our current partnerships in Tijuana, Mexico, and Romania.

RESPONDING FROM THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TO COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS.

PRAYING FOR YOUR ENEMIES

In just the last year Bethel Global Response has launched two projects across the U.S border to minister and serve people fleeing from crisis. In our conversation together, Carl made a powerful statement: “We hate the effects of war, but we can’t hate the person on the other side of that war.” It may sound challenging, but it is true and I encourage you to put it into practice — take time to ask the Lord how and where in your heart you need His grace and love. One practical way to start gaining the heart of God for those that have persecuted you or those that are challenging to love is to pray that they would experience the radical love of God and their hearts would be transformed.

How has the Lord shifted your view and thoughts about situations when He shows you His perspective? I would love to hear in the comments below.

The Divine Design of Women in Leadership

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 17:37:00 GMT

KEY NUTRIENTS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

Jesus was a counterculture radical that flipped tables of hypocrisy and kneeled low in humility to lift up the oppressed. In His inaugural speech on the sermon of the Mount, Jesus made it clear the Kingdom of God operated in tension with religious ideologies that polluted the hearts and minds of society. He extended His blessing to the poor, the hungry, the mourners — the hurting. He stood up for the broken and set a new standard for society. If you have been in the Church for any amount of time you probably know these truths about Jesus; I knew them to be true as well. But, for years I was blinded from one of the most profound messages of the Gospels; Jesus championed the equality of women. He didn’t just value them, He promoted them.

Yet, centuries later there are still religious thoughts that infect the global Church; oppressing women and neglecting the fundamental example of freedom and liberation that Jesus portrayed through His ministry.

I’d propose it’s not just an injustice, but that the Body of Christ is deprived of key nutrients when women are not in their rightful place in leadership. I recently sat down for a conversation with Libby Gordon, who is an incredible leader, radical lover of Jesus, and BSSM Online Manager. Libby has a remarkable story of overcoming the barriers of religion and stepping boldly into her royal identity as a woman in leadership in our environment.

KEY NUTRIENTS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

IT IS TIME FOR WOMEN TO RISE UP

The Lord was strategic and creative in His design in the body of Christ. He gifted His Church with the diverse design between male and female. Libby Gordon explained this diversity so beautifully: “Male and female are created differently and uniquely. As a mother, it’s not just a tender love; it is fierce and strategic — we resemble a side of God. We carry a strength like a lioness, that goes forth and retrieves the prey.” A mother’s love is needed; it is the ingredient that creates new life in every environment and nurtures the frail until they find their own strength.

So why does discrimination against women still persist? The truth is there is a real enemy in the world. The devil hates women even more than he hates men because the curse that God pronounced over the SERPENT was that women would be hostile with the devil (Genesis 3:15). Therefore, the spearhead of demonic warfare is focused on women. But, this is not the end of the story. Women: it is your time to rise up — we need you to step into the fullness of your destiny and lead as matriarchs in every sphere of society.

I pray that if you are a woman reading this that you would be filled with vision for your life as a woman in this generation. I encourage you to ask God to show you the unique gifts He has given you as a woman. Lastly, if you are a man reading this, I encourage you to ask God to show you how you can empower and support the women in your life.

I would love to hear in the comments below how stepping into your God-given role as a woman has shifted your life. Or how has a woman stepping into her rightful place in leadership changed your life and perspective?

How to Approach Scripture || the Practice of Being With Jesus

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 15:49:00 GMT

SETTLING INTO SCRIPTURE

Have you ever opened your Bible hungry for an encounter with the Lord, but uncertain where to start? Instead of receiving fresh revelation, you felt restless or resentful that the words on the page didn’t leap out and speak directly to your heart?

I’d like to propose, reading Scripture is so much more than a check off a holy to-do list or for a 30-minute set aside quiet time. It’s an opportunity to encounter the living Word of God. Scripture is a place to discover and learn, to allow Truth to take root in your soul, and become your guide to life. Some days won’t be filled with an exhilarating encounter or enlightening experience, but it doesn’t mean something is wrong. I want to challenge you to learn the discipline of approaching Scripture no matter what you receive in return. We must not approach the Word of God to simply receive something, but allow ourselves to be with the Word of God.

My friend and Associate Pastor of Bethel Church, Chris Cruz says, “When you approach Scripture you have to allow the sediments to settle in order to find clarity.” The next time you find yourself in the pressure cooker prayer closet, instead of feeling anxiety rise as you grow eager to have a “moment” with the Lord, take a moment to sit and settle in, brush off the rush of the day, and find clarity as you sit in His presence.

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts I sat down for a conversation with Chris Cruz about the practice of being with Jesus through Scripture. Chris gave practical steps on how to build intimacy with the Lord through Scripture even when you don’t know where to start or don’t feel like you understand the Bible.

THE PRACTICE OF BEING WITH JESUS

WHAT IS SHAPING YOUR WORLD VIEW

Society is filled with canny cultural craftsmen that are subtly shifting culture, influencing the innocent, and educating individuals in immoral ideologies. I’d propose if you are not intentionally discipled by Jesus you are unintentionally being discipled by culture. I want to challenge you to set aside time in the Word of God and allow Scripture to build your intimacy with the Lord.

When the war of the world’s opinions are flying through the air, aiming for the hearts and minds of mankind, you must remain anchored in the Truth of God to dodge the brutality that immoral ideologies cause. Scripture helps filter out the noise and bring Truth and Kingdom perspective to every complex situation we face.

I would love to hear in the comments below how you approach time in Scripture and how your time in the Word has shaped your life and relationship with the Lord?

Finding Hope After a Season of Despair

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 17:24:00 GMT

RIDING THE REMNANTS OF DESPAIR

Have you experienced a depletion of hope and vision? Have you recognized that you’re not dreaming in excited expectation of what the future will hold? Do you believe that there really might be more for you than you have yet experienced?

Over the past couple of years, it seems that due to hardships there’s been an epidemic spreading through the Church of a widespread loss of hope.

There’s no doubt that as we look back on the last two years there have been plenty of challenges for us all. And while I might not know specifically what you have walked through, I know that it’s highly unlikely that you’ve walked through the past two years unscathed.

I’ve recently been reminded of Ezekiel’s journey from agonizing despair to exhilarating hope. I believe the Lord has a reminder of His goodness in this story for you today.

Let’s take a moment to flip to the opening scene of Ezekiel’s divine deployment into the valley of dry bones. When Ezekiel entered the valley of dry bones, the outlook was bleak; death hung over the battlefield like a thick dark cloud of gloom. No sign of life or movement was in sight…bleak and hopelessness brooded over the despair. Then suddenly, God rocked Ezekiel’s world when He asked the prophet a ridiculous question: “Can these bones live?” The great prophet staggered to comprehend the possible outcome of God’s incredible inquiry. Finally, he gathered himself and answered, “You know, Lord.” The rest is history: a mighty army emerged from the valley of dry bones as Ezekiel prophesied life into that graveyard (see Ezekiel 37:1-10).

God has more for you than mediocre Christianity or not living in the fullness of hope that was already paid for on the cross; He has a life filled with good and perfect plans for you. Now let me be clear, times of grief can be appropriate and Holy Spirit is the Great Comforter when we’re in that season. But seasons are not meant to last forever and I declare that today any remnants of a season of downtroddenness or depression would be consumed by the warmth of joy and hope in the Holy Spirit.

THE REDEEMING ARCHITECT

Today, I’m praying that Father God would begin to restore the joy of your salvation over you as well!

At the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry , one of the pillars of our school and core values is God is Good.

What does that mean? Regardless of our circumstances or the hopelessness we may feel, we can trust that God is a good Father. Enemies come to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to destroy demonic works and give us abundant life (John 10:10-11). No matter the circumstances that the enemy has meant for harm in the last two years, the Lord can turn to good.

The Lord is a Craftsman and a Redeeming Architect, creating beauty from ashes, laying the strong foundation necessary for His co-heirs to stand on, taking each challenge to produce something beautiful, and establishing our royal identity as His sons and daughters.

Do you desire to walk in greater depths of your royal identity, develop deeper intimacy with the Lord, and operate in the power of the gifts of the Spirit? You can learn more about Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry here .

Remember, you are a beloved child of God and He is a good Father that has so many good plans for your life!

How the Power of the Gospel Changes Lives Across Borders

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 18:48:00 GMT

THE GOSPEL IS NOT DORMANT OR DEAD

Have you found yourself walking the path of complacency or treading the waters of contempt? Maybe you have even found comfortability in soaking in a bath of familiarity but are still hungry for the more that is available to you as a Believer. Do you desire a life that resembles the stories that you read in the Gospels, where people who have never heard the Gospel have their hearts transformed in an instant as they are met with the unconditional love of the Father? Or where the miraculous becomes the standard because a passion for the impossible doesn’t just burn in your soul, but is a reality you have experienced in your own life?

The truth is, the Gospel is not dormant or dead, powerless or passive; it is active and expansive. Yet, there are still people and places that have never heard the Gospel. These places are plagued with idol worship and infested with demonic entities, raging war at the hearts of creation and taking a stance on land that desperately awaits the good news of the Gospel to reach it. But, we play a key role; we are co-laborers of Christ, sanctified saints that are not called to sit on the sidelines of life. Romans 10:14 says, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” It is clear that we have been given a heavenly mandate and a divine duty as Believers. The good news is that through the supernatural power of the Gospel we are not deployed to conquest in our own strength, but to partner with God to see a generation living in the reality of the Gospel and aware of the power of the love of our Father in every tribe, tongue, and nationality.

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, I sat down for a conversation with Bethel’s Missions Pastors, John and Cindi Taylor. Their story is a journey of immense faith and a life surrendered to the Gospel. Their faith-filled yes to the Lord led them to an unreached people group as overseas missionaries for 15 years. My prayer as you watch this week’s episode is that you will be ignited with a passion for every ear to hear the Gospel and heart to experience the love of the Father.

REACHING THE UNREACHED

OUR ROYAL ASSIGNMENT

The love of Jesus is inclusive and transformative; it has not been set apart for only a select few or a special group of people — it has the power to restore the pain and injustice across generations, mend the broken bridges of relationship and connection amongst God’s children, speak to every nationality from Heaven’s perspective, and touch every sphere of society without losing sight of the lost or forgotten. We have a royal assignment as Heaven’s ambassadors to proclaim the good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners (Isaiah 61:1). But, let me be clear, it is not in our own strength or ability that people are set free or redeemed. It is by the redemptive power of the cross and the Holy Spirit working through us that we have the ability to partner with Heaven to see Jesus receive His full reward.

How have you experienced the transformative power of the Gospel in your own life? How have you seen it transform and touch the lives of others? I would love to hear in the comments below.

How You Can Impact a Fatherless Generation

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 22:49:00 GMT

THE FATHERLESS FACTOR

The nucleus of families has disintegrated with the absence of fathers into destructive and detrimental fragments; leaving a generation to sail the waves of life without provision, protection, or direction. This fatherless factor has disrupted the foundation of families in society today like in no other generation. This is not just facts but a very personal piece of my story. My father drowned when I was 3 years old. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t miss him — the presence of a father is priceless. The fatherless problem is evident in society, I could share a whole list of statistics , but here is a quick snapshot of the effects of fatherlessness:

90% of all homeless and runaway children grew up without a father.
85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes.
85% of all rapists motivated by displaced anger are from fatherless homes.
71% of all high school dropouts come from homes without a father.

Beyond the shocking statistics is the sobering reality that this generation's fathers have not died from war, but have chosen to remain absent from the home. So, how do we confront the fatherless crisis and overcome the scheme of the enemy? His tactics are obvious — to take out a generation of men from living in the fullness of their identity and destroy the foundation of the family. Yet, I’d propose we are on the cusp of one of the greatest reformations of family; where the hearts of fathers return back to their children and the hearts of children turn back to their fathers (Malachi 4:6).

So, what is our role? How do we play a part in fathering a fatherless generation?

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, I sat down for a conversation about the effects of fatherlessness with Seth Dahl who is a family health strategist, worldwide speaker, and author. This profound conversation filled me with hope and renewed vision to see a generation living in the fullness of their identity and restored to the heart of their father. Seth made a remarkable statement while we were talking; he said, “We have a society that is broken by orphanness that when a real father shows up in their life they are triggered and cannot receive what a father has to offer. The answer is not to prove to them their need for a father, but to ask them questions to help them see a different perspective and dismantle any lies that they have believed.”

IMPACTING A FATHERLESS GENERATION

IT'S NOT THE END OF THE STORY

I hope as you watch this episode you are reminded that the battles that our children and this generation face are often the very training ground for the areas of their life they will dismantle and have authority over. Consider the life of Moses when he was born in a time when his generation was under attack; his mother placed him in a basket just for the enemy to pick him up and raise him in the enemy's home. But, the story wasn’t over there; he became the one to single-handedly overthrow the kingdom that had raised him. It is time that we start praying for a burning bush in this generation, for men and women to have encounters with the Father that change the course of history, restore families, and bring Heaven to earth.

Is There Such Thing as a Natural Born Leader?

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 20:14:00 GMT

NATURAL BORN LEADERS

Is there such a thing as a natural-born leader? Someone that innately influences people and instinctively implements authority? Maybe not every leader is a president or CEO of a large company, but in society, we easily identify class presidents, neighborhood pastors, and teachers as leaders in our lives. We all know people that seem to naturally gather a crowd or cause people to rally around a cause, whether or not their influence was earned, appointed, or developed.

But, what is it that makes someone a leader? John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.” However, this begs the question: does everyone have the same level of influence? Let’s take a look at Moses; he was instructed by his father-in-law Jethro to “teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten” (Exodus 18:20-21). Jethro was aware that some men may be capable of leading thousands while others might do really well at leading ten. What I am getting at is some people may have a call to lead many, while others have a call to lead a few.

Maybe you are aware you are a leader, whether leading large congregations or leading your family at home. I’d propose we all have influence whether large or small; therefore, everyone is a natural-born leader! So how do you develop yourself into being a greater leader? No matter your capacity or call, you must be committed to growth. Now, let me be clear; I do not mean growth in the number of people you are influencing, I mean growth in your leadership. You must press the lid of your leadership level and knock on your door of uncomfortability to reach places that have never been reached and make a mark on the earth like never before no matter the size of your influence.

I recently sat down for a conversation with Banning Liebscher, someone who has an incredible call of leadership on his life. Banning was on our leadership team at Bethel Church for over a decade before planting Jesus Culture Sacramento. In our conversation on leadership Banning stated, “It is important that as a leader when you are challenged to grow, you don’t run from that…What you steward grows.” I could not agree more! So many leaders remain stuck and stagnant, surrounded by the weeds of circumstances without pushing through to reach new levels in their leadership potential. The world is waiting for great leaders to rise and pave a way in society today.

In this week’s Cultural Catalysts episode, Banning and I discuss the challenges of leadership and the importance of continual growth, whether leading thousands or leading one.

STAGES OF LEADERSHIP

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

It is with great faith and foresight after being in leadership for over 40 years that I encourage you to run the good race. In seasons that feel relentless and restless, lean into the voice of God; He is never short of valuable wisdom and timeless perspective. Remember, we serve a God of the impossible!

How has the Lord used unique moments or circumstances to grow your leadership lid? I would love to hear in the comments below.

How to Partner With Heaven to Lead a Generation || a Conversation With Chad Veach

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 17:06:00 GMT

THE MARK OF A GENERATION

Every generation is marked with a mission from Heaven to carry a unique expression of Jesus in their day. We have seen over and over again generations become pioneers of change and catalysts of God’s grace in innovations, explorations, and social transformations. Leaders, revivalists, and faithful saints rise to the call to partner in stewarding a generation into the fullness of their calling and fulfillment of their destiny. They become the synergists of Heaven’s decree; manifesting the supernatural power of the Gospel through a sanctified strategy for the challenges of their age.

All throughout history, leaders rise up to take on the position to partner with the Lord to lead a generation – from Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery to King Solomon who united the tribes of Israel under one monarch. For centuries, God has appointed people to lead in compassion and shepherd people searching for a Savior. Today’s times are no different though the challenges and circumstances continually change. So, how do we as leaders partner with Heaven to champion a generation into their purpose and destin y?

This does not entail needing to change the message or reinvent the wheel — the Bible is a timeless truth, an appealing message of grace. What I am getting at is as a leader, it is important to acknowledge the people that you are speaking to — who are they, what are their needs, what language do they speak? Each generation is marked with a different heartbeat.

The truth is, more than Jesus cared to say the “right” thing or demand His rightful place, He operated in authority and grace. I’d propose being a leader is more than having a polished message or the perfect personality; leadership is not a popularity contest. It’s the greatest honor and it’s in the highest regard that as leaders you are serving the ones that the Lord has placed in your path and seeking out the gold in their hearts. If we don’t see the divine destiny of the people that we lead, we will lead them blindly.

A wonderful leader and pastor of this day, Chad Veach , says, “If I speak to the fool in my kid I get the fool, but if I speak to the king in my kid I draw out the king. We have to do that with this generation.” This is said perfectly; if we do not see the ones we are leading by the spirit, we miss one of the greatest responsibilities in leadership.

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, I sat down for a conversation with Chad Veach to talk about rising to the call of leadership and leading the generations. Chad is the pastor and founder of Zoe Church in Los Angeles, CA, a husband, and father of four. Chad is an incredible man of God that is pastoring a generation in the profound Truth of the Gospel.

ANSWERING THE CALL OF LEADERSHIP

Why You Are an Evangelist Even if You Don't Feel Like It

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 17:28:00 GMT

JESUS ISN'T AFRAID OF THE BROKEN

So many Christians are nervous to share about their faith. But is evangelism what we have cracked it up to be? Is it converting the hearts of man to say a single prayer and check them off our list? What a sad misunderstanding of the gospel if it is. I’d propose Jesus was a perfect example of true evangelism; He loved the ones in front of Him and wasn’t scared of the ones who were lost. He made imperfect people His closest companions and confidants. What I am getting at is this; doing the work of the Father was food for His soul — the very thing it still should be for the Church today.

God is not looking for perfect people to fill polished pews, preachers with packed services, or a precise praise choir. God dwells in the Church of imperfect people, flawed creation, and neglected establishments. He “shows up” in the corner church with the sign aging from the years of standing in the sun as much as He appears in the oldest cathedrals with ancient architecture, years of history, and well-kept facilities.

God uses the broken people with painful stories and pulverized spirits to touch the hearts of men and bring Heaven to earth. It’s often in the very moments that we find ourselves tangled in our own shortcomings, uncertain if we are qualified to be used by God, that He uses us to become the tangible hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbor. God partners with us to see the broken restored and the hurting set free — He is able to use the least of these!

My friend Angelo Jeanpierre says it like this: “Jesus died for you, He loves you, He knows everything about our life. When you love your neighbor and let the Lord use you, it empowers you into the reality of why you are alive.” There isn’t a person with all their flaws, shortcomings, or limitations that the Lord cannot use. He chose someone that once persecuted the Church to be one of the greatest Church leaders of all time. He chose a young girl yet to be married to mother the Savior of the whole world. He isn’t limited by our limitations or scared of our sins. He is a good Father looking to touch and heal the hearts of men.

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, I had Angelo Jeanpierre join me for a conversation on living an empowered life. Angelo is an incredible husband, father of five, author, and Outreach Pastor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. He has an amazing evangelism anointing and has served Bethel Church and BSSM for over 10 years.

ACTIVATING AN EMPOWERED LIFE

THE GOSEPL IS NOT COMPLICATED

I want to encourage you to examine your heart and ask yourself if evangelism has become more complicated than God intended for it to be. I’d propose that evangelism is simply loving the Father and loving the ones He places in front of you.

John 16 says, “But I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I am leaving; for if I do not leave, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” I want to remind you that you have everything you need inside of you to live and be the supernatural power of the Gospel to the lost and broken.

I would love to hear in the comments below how you have been able to share the Gospel with your family, loved ones, friends, or strangers?

The Sacred Call of the Artist

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:36:00 GMT

PROPHESYING THROUGH STORY, MOVEMENT, AND EMOTION

The world needs anointed artists, sanctified storytellers, and prophetic producers to rise to their high call as Heaven’s ambassadors carrying creative brilliance into every craft. Think about the ways that artists have shifted and shaped culture throughout all of history – from King David to Shakespeare to J.R.R. Tolkien. The art of storytelling, whether in music or movement, can impact the lives of generations.

The challenge is, so often in the entertainment industry, whether in acting, music, or producing, performers can become so consumed in their expertise and experience that they end up disregarding their royal identity as sons and daughters of God. The result is that these creative artists end up performing for identity instead of from identity.

Yet I propose that artists are not obligated to perform for the entertainment of man — we see brilliance displayed when an artist shifts from prostituting their gift for the approval and love of men to performing from their royal identity.

My good friend and co-director of Bethel Conservatory of the Arts, David Noroña says it best: “Artists are not prostitutes; they are prophets that are prophesying through story, movement, and emotion.” The truth is not all prophets look the same; the Lord is not limited to a mold of movement or talent template. Rather, He is the Director of the greatest dynamic and transformative story of all time.

I’d propose that the world has never been in greater need of whole-hearted artists living out their purpose-filled passions, crafting performances through the prophetic, and changing culture in collaboration with the Master Creator. I recently sat down for a conversation with David Noroña and Fab Altamura, who are both skilled in the craft of acting and producing, but also are brilliant teachers. Through the Bethel Conservatory of the Arts , they are raising up and instructing a generation of artists that will impact society through creative expression from Heaven.

In this episode of Cultural Catalysts, David, Fab, and I discussed the sacred call of the artist and how Kingdom artists are influencing the entertainment industry.

INFLUENCING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

I hope as you watch this episode you are filled with the presence of God and inspired to co-labor with God in your craft. Whether you consider yourself creative or not, I’d propose that you are — you have been made in the image of God; the Creator of the whole universe.

I want to encourage you to press into the presence of God in your process of creation, whether while you are journaling in your quiet time or writing the next Broadway play, ask the Lord to create with you. I’d love to hear in the comments below how you create with God and how it has changed and transformed your life or the lives of others.

The Science of Spiritual Intelligence

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 16:09:00 GMT

HOW SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE IS INFLUENCING TECHNOLOGY

I love how my friend and CEO of Bethel Tech , Ryan Collins says it, “So, how did humanity get to the point that we could operate in an unseen realm if we didn’t know that it first existed? Unless, of course, a precedent was set in modern science in which humans thought and functioned in a hidden realm to pull unseen ideas and solutions into our natural world. Our modern world was built on the shoulders of Maxwell’s spiritual intelligence.”

I recently sat down for a conversation with Ryan Collins and discussed what the Lord is doing in the tech space and how spiritual intelligence is influencing science in the modern day. In this episode of Cultural Catalysts, Ryan shared how the Lord told him, “I am redeeming the tech space so that all would taste my goodness.”

Some might believe that the technology sphere has been overtaken by humanistic belief systems, and are afraid that there's no hope for modern technology to give glory to the Master Engineer. The truth is, the devil will counterfeit anything that is powerful; he hijacked the science sphere to point back to humanistic ability instead of the Creator. I’d propose that we are on the cusp of another epoch season that will point back to the origin of creation; this season will advance us forward into the discovery of greater inventions.

SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAISING UP AGENTS OF SANCTIFIED SOLUTIONS

You have been endowed with an intellect beyond the natural realm and wisdom outside of human reasoning.

I want to encourage you today no matter your sphere of influence, the Lord has equipped you with armor that will withstand any scheme of the enemy. He’s given you intelligence that will surpass any problem you face and is eager to share with you insights and innovations for this day and age. If you are interested in developing your spiritual intelligence for practical purposes on the earth, I want to encourage you to check out the Spiritual Intelligence Institute. At the SQ Institute, we offer courses that empower you to think beyond human reasoning and access the thoughts of God in real-time, increasing your capacity for spiritual intelligence.

When Failure Leads to Greater Faith

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 19:13:00 GMT

FAITH VS. FAILURE

Failure is often a catalyst to faith in the Kingdom of God. Oftentimes we assume that God can’t use areas of our lives where we lack capability and craft. Thus, we confine and constrict ourselves to what’s comfortable and familiar, instead of leaping into the land of risk. Yet, it’s often in the land of risk that we find the catalysts to greater depth of the supernatural in our life.

Now, let me be clear; I am not encouraging any sense of moral failure in order to reach greater levels of faith, but it is obvious that Jesus created a culture of faith around Him.

The Bible says that Judas was a thief and Jesus knew it (John 12:4-7). Yet Jesus made Judas the treasurer of His ministry. Why would Jesus make Judas the treasurer when He knew that he was a thief?

This culture of faith was manifested in Jesus’ trusting people before they deserved it. This resulted in eleven men becoming world-changers and one man hanging himself; world-changers are only developed in a culture of faith.

Faith requires risk; however, risk doesn’t mean reckless — we need the wisdom of God when approaching problems beyond our power. But, the beauty of the Gospel is that God wants a relationship with you: He wants to partner with you to solve the problems of our day and brave a path of Heavenly brilliance.

The Lord entrusts us with challenges that require us to lean into faith and partner with the Holy Spirit in order to succeed.

On this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, I sat down for a conversation with my good friend and SQ Institute Instructor Lindsey Reiman. Lindsey shared the incredible story of her journey to discovering her calling of unlocking heavenly solutions for practical purposes on the earth. It wasn’t free of failure but rather was a risk-filled journey to reward.

THE POWER OF SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE

STEPPING INTO THE LAND OF RISK

If you are eager to further develop your spiritual intelligence, carry insight and interpretation of prophecies, access divine brilliance that impacts a whole generation, and provide solutions that could save a nation, SQ Institute enrollment is now open . Lindsey Reiman and I will be teaching courses that empower you to think beyond the limits of human reasoning by accessing God's thoughts and ideas in real-time, increasing your capacity for spiritual intelligence.

My prayer for you this week is that you are filled with encouragement as you partner with the Lord in taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone! You were created to be a sanctified solutionary.

When Prophetic Ministry Impacts Every Sphere of Society

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:02:00 GMT

FROM CESSATIONIST TO PROPHETESS

What would it look like if prophecy ventured out of the four walls of the Church and seeped into every sphere of society? Can you imagine walking into boardrooms where financial bankers were practicing Kingdom economics? Or into educational classrooms where teachers were creating a curriculum that would impact a generation?

Have we subconsciously subjugated prophecy to solely minister to Believers during Sunday services? I want to challenge you to ask yourself, have we boxed in the Creator of the universe to fit a mold of comfortability and conformity and forgotten He cares for every part of society?

I recently sat down for a conversation with my good friend and prophetess Stacey Campbell. Stacey shared how her life was radically transformed when she went from a cessationist to a prophetess. A world that once felt restricted and reduced to a watered-down gospel became the fire that ignited a ministry called Shiloh that equips Believers all around the world in prophetic ministry. Stacey travels the world gathering individuals from all spheres of society that have seen the success of a transformative gospel unfold in their metron.

In the last 20 years God has been teaching us specifically about prophecy we have become experts at planning prophetic gatherings and creating prophetic departments — we equipped the saints. (Ephesians 4:11-13). Now let me be clear, the work of a prophet is to equip the saints for the ministry; there is nothing wrong or evil about prophetic departments and gatherings. Rather, they are vital to the fruition and fulfillment of our Heavenly mandate. But, I’d propose that God now wants to take us beyond the four walls of the Church. I want to challenge you; do you have faith that God can move in your workplace like you have seen him move on Sunday mornings or that He can move in your family the same way you have seen him move at prophetic meetings?

Through the redemptive work of the cross, you have a sanctified spirit that is connected to Heaven and receptive to the power of the Gospel. You are a conduit of Heaven, a companion of the Holy Spirit, and comrade of the Heavenly army — no matter the sphere of influence you are working in, the power of the Gospel is not limited or restricted but desires to touch every area of your life.

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, Stacey shares incredible stories of how God has moved in places that have left business leaders, government officials, and industry leaders impacted by the gospel and transformed by the power of prophetic ministry.

HOW THE PROPHETIC IMPACTS SOCIETY

ASKING GOD FOR STRATEGIES

I want to encourage you to turn your ear towards Heaven and ask the Holy Spirit to give you Kingdom revelation for your workplace, home, or relationships. Ask God for specific strategies for areas of your life you have written Him off from or considered yourself the expert in; you have access to the thoughts of God and intelligence that will surpass human understanding.

Why It's a Myth You Can't Hear the Voice of God

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 11:00:00 GMT

SANCTIFIED SOLUTIONARIES

Every fiber of our being was made to resonate with the voice of God. Yet, so often Believers are confused and confined by the idea that hearing the voice of God is for the exclusive elite or for a private group of privileged people. But, I’d propose it is our divine design not to just hear the voice of God for our life, but to be sanctified solutionaries that carry revolutionary reformation and influential innovations that will impact the generations. You were created to bring transformation in the world through your relationship with God. As my good friend Dano McCollam says, “This is what was accomplished on the cross of Jesus; He forgave you of sin so that He could free you of sin so that He could fill you with the fullness of God so that every son and daughter could know His heart, His thoughts, and His voice.”

Maybe you know this to be true in your heart, but don’t know how to actualize this in your life? Have you questioned if there is a secret “Hearing God’s Voice Club” that you weren’t invited to, or maybe you question if you weren’t given the gift of knowing his voice? In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts I sat down for a conversation with my good friend, prophet, and founder of Prophetic Company, Dano McCollam . We discussed how not being able to hear God’s voice is a myth and Dano shared practical steps to take to begin recognizing and resonating with the voice of God in your life.

I want to encourage you as you watch this episode that God is unique in His relationship with each one of His children; we cannot compare and contrast the ways in which He speaks. How I hear the voice of God versus how you hear the voice of God may be as different as the night is from the day. But, both are just as powerful and profound and have the ability to reform and resolve the problems of our day and age; leaving a legacy that lives on beyond our time.

UNPACKING THE PROPHETIC

CREATED TO BE BRILLIANT

If you desire to be someone who carries insight and interpretation of prophecies, accesses divine brilliance that impacts a whole generation, and provides solutions that could save a nation, the Spiritual Intelligence Institute enrollment is open. Dano and I will be teaching courses that empower you to think beyond the limits of human reasoning by accessing God's thoughts and ideas in real-time, increasing your capacity for spiritual intelligence.

My prayer for you this week is that you would be inspired and ignited with hope to be a cultural catalyst that partners with Heaven to bring solutions to earth!

Prophecy and Spiritual Intelligence: What's the Difference?

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:15:00 GMT

OUR DIVINE ADVANTAGE

I’d propose that when the challenges of life come your way, you have a divine advantage! Through the redemptive power of the cross, you have not only the strength of a redeemed mind, but, you also have access to the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2). When we simply live with a redeemed mind, we disregard and disempower the ability we have to grasp solutions from Heaven and bring them to earth. What I am getting at is for a long time the Church has been really good at teaching and training Believers to think like God (Romans 12). But, we have lacked in teaching and training Believers to think God’s thoughts, also known as spiritual intelligence. What does this look like?

Imagine you are walking past your grumpy neighbor that is always rude to you. With a transformed mind, you feel compassion and love for this person as the Bible is clear, “Above all, love each other deeply.” (1 Peter 4:8). However, when you move beyond thinking how God thinks, you can begin to access what He is thinking . In this example, you can ask the Holy Spirit to show you why your neighbor is always rude. You may begin to understand and sympathize with his disposition as the Lord shares with you: “His father was a pastor that preached one thing and lived a completely different way at home. He was abused by his father, and when he sees you, he’s reminded of his father.” Now, you can ask the Lord for a strategy for how you can not just help your relationship with your neighbor, but also help your neighbor heal from his past hurts.

There are unique and powerful ways that the Lord speaks to each one of us, giving us access to His thoughts. In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, I have a conversation with Ben Armstrong. Ben is the Director of Prophetic Ministry at Bethel Church who is powerfully transforming culture as he equips and trains Believers to understand the prophetic and the ways God uniquely communicates with us. Ben shares how our dreams are an incredible avenue in which the Lord can speak, share solutions, and strategies with us. This is also a way that we can experience and develop our spiritual intelligence.

THE PROPHETIC AND DREAM INTERPRETATION

DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE

I hope as you watch this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts you feel expectant and excited to receive solutions from Heaven. God is eager to partner with you to solve problems and create solutions. If you are hungry to further develop and grow your spiritual intelligence, solve problems supernaturally, and increase in innovative ideas, the Spiritual Intelligence Institute enrollment is now open. The SQ Institute is a place for spiritual pioneers to explore their God-given brilliance and become more effective and accurate in their giftings. We offer classes that empower you to think beyond human reasoning by accessing God’s thoughts in real-time, increasing your capacity for spiritual intelligence. Are you ready to explore the terrain of thought for your life’s challenges? Join the SQ Institute now at thesqinstitute.com

The Faith Journey of Starting a Ministry School

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 07:11:00 GMT

WHEN CHANGE IS CHALLENGING

Sometimes life feels like we are all playing our own instrument in the ensemble of an orchestra; each one of us have our own tune and tone, but somehow we play to a synchronized beat in connection to the grand Conductor of it all... When suddenly the Lord decides He wants to conduct the trumpets to play a little bit louder or the strings to string a little bit slower. Suddenly a sheet of music that we are all using to play gets tossed to the side as we sit on the edge of our seat waiting for the Conductor to give us our next instruction so we stay on beat. The song that we had practiced, we knew well, and had mastered becomes a whole new melody that begins to unfold into a breathtaking symphony.

Have you ever had the Lord ask you to do something that felt impossible? The kind of ask that would seemingly change everything? Maybe it was to sell everything and move to a new city, or to change careers. These moments can feel like the trumpet just blew way too loud or the strings inappropriately slowed down, but in fact the Lord is in the midst of creating a whole new symphony and it is time to pick up and start playing to the melody.

For years I held a dream in my heart to be a leader in the church but was living the life of a small-town businessman with no end in sight. We had four businesses in three locations and 40 employees that depended on us, and a home we had raised our family in for over 20 years; the task to make a change was not small. But, with a word from the Lord and a confirmation given to Kathy, we began our journey to pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, Ca. It was one of those moments where suddenly the Lord was divinely orchestrating our lives even when we couldn’t see how it would become something that would beautifully unfold. The journey into helping to lead a church was not easy, but the preparation in previous seasons prepared us for the process to the “promised” land.

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, Kathy and I conclude the series of retelling the story of where it all began by talking about our journey into church leadership and ministry school planting.

OUR GREATEST LEAP OF FAITH

INCREASING FAITH

I pray as you watch this episode you encounter the perfect love of God who has perfect plans for your life. I hope you are filled with courage and faith for the impossible to unfold in your life.

When the Supernatural Becomes Normal

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 08:15:00 GMT

IN DESPERATE NEED OF A MIRACLE

I am often asked: “Has the supernatural always been normal in your life?” It has not always been “normal” — I remember the days that the miraculous was unfamiliar, yet so evident in our lives. We did not fully understand it, but we were experiencing it and we didn’t want it to end.

When we moved to the small mountain town of Weaverville, California, I was in desperate need of a miracle. For years I had been in an intense emotional and mental battle; struggling to perform daily tasks without a full-blown nervous breakdown. Then one night in the midst of a panic attack I turned on the radio in hopes to distract my mind and I encountered God through a pastor ministering on the radio. He said, “Not all your thoughts are your own; you think you are crazy, but it’s actually a demonic spirit.” I asked God what to do in this moment and He said, “Tell the spirit of fear and insanity to leave you right now.” Instantly a clear mind returned. This was one of the most powerful and transformative moments of my life. About 5 years after this encounter I began sharing my story — I realized how hungry people were to be free from the torment they were under and we always remained hungry to see more of the glory of God in our lives.

In these early days of exploration and experiencing the supernatural in our lives, Bill Johnson was our pastor; he was the first person to teach us about the supernatural. I can still remember the first time I heard him tell us about receiving words of knowledge — a concept that once felt rare and revelatory has become normal and natural in our lives. Let me be clear; though these moments are “normal” they still feel incredibly extraordinary. When Heaven touches earth there is something in us that responds to the glory of God.

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts, Kathy and I talk about the days when the supernatural became normal in our lives.

WHEN THE SUPERNATURAL BECOMES NORMAL

EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF GOD

I hope as you watch this episode you are encouraged and filled with hope for the goodness of God to move in your life. My prayer for you this week is that you would be filled with renewed passion and excitement to encounter the Lord and you would experience His presence in a tangible and powerful way.

When Life Isn't What You Expected

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 08:02:00 GMT

THE JOURNEY TO WEAVERVILLE

Life isn’t always easy; the Vallotton family knows that first hand. There were seasons in life that were far different than we had planned. You know the kind of seasons you question if the trials you're facing will fade or if you’ll see another day? From battling a nervous breakdown riddled with fear to being in a financial crisis and wondering if food would appear on the table the next day — our story is filled with perseverance and a deep rooted strength.

I often look back on the seasons of life that were turbulent and treacherous and wonder if we’d be who we are today without them. In the midst of life’s hardest circumstances, tenacity and endurance began to fill our bones and established roots in our family. No matter the storm that came our way our home became a cornerstone of faith — we realized there was a purpose in the pain and possibility in the problems we faced. Let me be clear, I am not saying the Lord caused trials, but He definitely used them to build our character and prepare us for the call of God on our life.

In this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts Kathy and I take you back to Weaverville; the key place in our life where this hope was built, stakes of faith were put in the ground, and monumental markings in our life were formed.

OVERCOMING THE IMPOSSIBLE

I hope that as you watch this week’s episode of Cultural Catalysts that you are inspired and filled with hope for God to move in your own life. I pray that as you go about your week that the areas in life that feel impossible to face, or the fear that life will never be the same would be filled with faith. You have been created for a unique purpose that only you can fulfill!

The Release of the Cultural Catalysts Show || the First Episode

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 11:00:00 GMT

CULTURAL CATALYSTS

Have you ever longed to be someone that makes a mark, leaves an impact, and transforms the world? Have you ever found yourself disqualifying your ability and disregarding the call of God on your life because of your current circumstances? I understand the deep desire to be a world changer; to be someone that lives filled with purpose and confident in their calling, but uncertain of how it may ever unfold.

The circumstances of my past did not set me up for a life of success. I grew up in a dysfunctional home where I was abused and told how little I was worth. I did not have strong role models in my life or any sense of identity. I did not know God or have a grasp for living for something beyond myself until I was 15 years old when God met me in a moment of desperation and distress. The moment I met the Lord my world began to transform, but it did not wipe away the trials of life.

I married the love of my life, Kathy Vallotton at 20 years old — quickly after I had a nervous breakdown and moved to a tiny mountain town in Northern California. We went from the bright shining lights of a big city to small town thinking and limited opportunities. Nothing about my circumstances screamed “world changer in the making,” but somehow it was everything we needed in that season. Truthfully, amidst our marriage and family’s treasured moments were trials and struggles that molded us and shaped us into the people we are today. It was in the everyday, mundane, even ugly moments of life that the desire rose up in me to become a cultural catalyst; someone that transformed their inner world so they can transform the world around them.

I have fostered the dream in my heart to see cultural catalysts from all spheres, backgrounds, and generations to gather together and teach, equip, and inspire others to become cultural catalysts – world changers in this day and age. I am excited to announce the release of the very first episode of Cultural Catalysts — a show to teach people to live fully alive, co-labor with God, and change the world. In this first season I wanted to share a bit of Kathy and my story; take you back to where it all began and pull back the curtain of our lives. This first season encompasses so much more than our story, but how history has become HIS tory.

A LETTER TO WORLD CHANGERS

Whether you are a stay at home mom taking each day as they come, or you’re uncertain how the desire to make an impact could you ever come about, or you’re the CEO of a large company, leading the way in your industry...I’d propose He has made you a cultural catalyst; a world changer, a society shaper. Transforming the world takes so much more than a big platform and a large following — it is the mundane moments in our day that shape the course of history; loving the one in front of you and being Jesus to the world around you.

I am incredibly excited to share the first Episode of Cultural Catalysts with you: Where it all Began . I encourage you to tune in to the conversation I had with my beautiful wife Kathy Vallotton about the very early years of our lives and how they shaped and molded us into who we are. I believe that the Lord will minister to you and that you will be encouraged and inspired to transform the world.

How to Become Courageous When Fear is Surrounding You

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 15:29:00 GMT

IS COURAGE YOUR FRIEND?

Courage has not always been a friend of mine; we had a relationship held in tension, I wanted to be courageous but fear had a strong influence in my life. But, I have seen the Lord take my weakness and make them my strength. The very things that used to riddle me with fear and taunt me with despair were enemies that turned into allies. On days when my courage tank was nearing the end, they were fuel to my fire.

Seasons in my life were plagued with the scheme of the enemy, battles in the night, motivation laid dormant, and terror tormented me as I fought the enemy. If I allowed my feelings to dictate my destiny I would still be lying on the couch crippled with fear, but I began to put up a fight and tell the dogs of doom that stood at the door of my destiny where my faith lied. When courage was hard to find I began to write a list of all the things I was thankful for and the things I feared that never came to pass. It’s crazy what I began to realize — so often the name changed, but the fear remained the same. As I began to recount the times God showed up in my life the fear that was keeping me from taking my stone and conquering the giant began to subside. I’d propose courage is not the absence of fear, but that it’s the fear that has said its prayers. The truth is, sometimes the most courageous ones are simply the ones that do not bow their head to fear.

Fear is a powerful weapon of the enemy, if he can convince us that we are smaller and more insignificant than we are, we lose sight of the times God has worked a miracle in our lives. Consider the life of David; a small adolescent boy went to battle with a sling and a stone and was convinced it was possible to slay the giant, not out of ignorance, but because he recounted the ways God had used him before. He remembered the lion and the bear he had fought that had prepared him for this war. 1 Samuel 17: 34-36 says: “But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock, I went out after it and attacked it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I grabbed it by its mane and struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.” This shows us the power of our testimony. I’d propose the lions and bears we face are the very thing God is using to prepare us for our victory, for the next season, or for our destiny.

In this week’s vlog I share how to find courage and how courage is vital in every Believer's life.

THE SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL

The story of the prophet of Elijah has been on my heart for weeks as I have felt the Lord speak to me about the spirit he was battling in the cave. This same spirit; the spirit of Jezebel has convinced many Believers in the modern day that they are small and should be afraid.

I want to be clear that Jezebel is not a strong-willed woman , but rather a spirit, which is personified by a woman in the story in the Bible. I know that some people in the church like to label women who have a strong voice or point of view as a Jezebel, but that is simply inaccurate and inappropriate.

How do you know if you’re under the influence of a Jezebel spirit? I encourage you to read the full story of this playing out in 1 Kings chapters 18 and 19. The story is long but what I want you to know is that Elijah had just come out of a great battle, and won a great victory (he defeated 850 false prophets). Suddenly he came under the influence of a spirit of Jezebel when she said she was going to kill him. Perhaps this sounds familiar, maybe you have experienced some great victories, followed by some intense battles… I propose you didn’t “miss it” when you stepped into new ground with courage. You’re experiencing resistance because you’re right where you need to be….taking new ground, advancing the Kingdom, and shining light in dark places. It may take a moment to reap the reward of stepping out into the unknown.

I want to pray for you, if you have found yourself weary in courage may the strength of God rise up in you as you recount the times He has protected you. May the voice of fear be silenced as you seek wisdom and guidance from the Lord.

How has one courageous act changed the course of your life or brought Heaven to earth? I would love to hear in the comments below.

Creating a Lifestyle of Intimacy With God

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 23:21:00 GMT

GOD IS STEWARDING INTIMACY

There is more of God available than most people have experienced. Maybe you have even found yourself feeling disconnected and desperate to be plugged back into His presence. So often Christians live with finite understanding and fixed experience of the nearness of the Father. But, the truth is He sent His son in order to live in perfect relationship with us. He is not a distant God sitting on a Heavenly throne with pillars and palaces in the way; He is closer than your very breath waiting and pursuing you relentlessly.

This past week I had the privilege of sitting down for a conversation with Leslie Crandall , a Senior Leader at Bethel and the BSSM 1st year Senior Overseer. Leslie’s heart beats for intimacy with God and her passion to see others experience His presence spills out in every room she walks into. Her life is an anthem that beats to the nearness of God’s presence.

Leslie shared a brief message on developing intimacy with God that I wanted to share with you this week:

I have known the Lord from the young age of five. I grew up in a conservative Christian environment that valued the knowledge of God; I quickly adopted a daily devotional time with the Lord from the age of 13. Even with a beautiful devotion to the Lord I found myself wrapped in the belief that I had to show God how hungry I was in order for Him to show up. I would find myself in “dry” seasons unable to hear the voice of God and searching for His closeness. It wasn't until I was in high school that I had revelation of the presence of God — until I realized I did not have to prove my hunger for Him in order to experience His love. John 15 says: “I am the vine and My Father is the vinedresser….I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” We are always connected; even when we feel disconnected there is not actually disconnection. Our Father is the Gardener, He is in constant pursuit and the one stewarding intimacy with us.

In a nutshell:

Leslie Crandall has a passion for the love of Jesus.
Her life was impacted by the Toronto revival as a young high school girl.
She grew up in a conservative Christian environment. But as her parents started to step into things of the Holy Spirit. She began to have revelation of the presence of God.
Leslie had this belief when she was young that she had to show God how hungry she was then He would show up.
The mindset she had to prove her hunger led to an undoing of dysfunctional church culture that had planted this belief system.
John 15 shows us that I am always connected to God; there is no disconnection.
The Father is the gardener, He is the one that is stewarding intimacy. If I learn to respond and yield.
In a time of crisis, the depth of His love is revealed..
You don’t have to go through a crisis to experience the nearness of the Father.
There is the theology of intimacy with God, but there is the practicality of developing intimacy with God.
The Bible is living and active; it has the ability to bring transformation in our lives.
All of life is about walking in intimacy with our Father
Eternity and Heaven was created to spend forever with humankind.
The knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth. Habakkuk 2:14
You will find Him everywhere.
Stewarding the intimacy and overflow of His love is the most important aspect of our life.

EXPERIENCING THE NEARNESS OF GOD

I encourage you to ask yourself if everything was stripped away what would be left? Where would intimacy and relationship with God be placed in your life? Everything we do in the Christian life is for the glory and the gift of knowing Jesus. I pray that you experience the nearness of God not just in times of distress, but that His nearness would be your daily experience of Him.

How has intimacy with the Lord impacted your life and changed your relationship and understanding of God? I would love to hear in the comments below.

Why Encountering God May Be Different Than You Expected

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 22:51:00 GMT

GOD ENCOUNTERS

Has your heart longed for an encounter; a moment where God walks on the scene and radically changes everything? We hear the terms “God encounters” or “encountering the Holy Spirit” often in our environment — they have been a part of the Bethel culture from the start. The word encounter has been a word used to try to explain the experience we have as believers when the Holy Spirit touches us and impacts our lives. But, I want to challenge you, have encounters become glorified moments and grand monuments in our lives? Have we limited encountering God to a physical manifestation and ignored the work He has done on the inside?

The danger with the word encounter occurs when we ascribe it to one kind of event — when we limit the power of God to our personal history and our own preferred understanding. When we trap the power of God in our preferred comfortability and popular conformity we forget we serve a God far larger than the encounters we see happen in the sanctuary on Sundays.

For years I questioned if I was truly encountering God, because I saw others around me experiencing the Lord through what seemed to be powerful encounters. They would fall down, be slain in the Spirit, and roll over in uncontrollable laughter, but this wasn’t the way God encountered me. I did not experience physical manifestations or uncontrollable emotions. But, the truth is I have encountered God ever since I have been saved; He has met me and ministered to me in ways beyond physical manifestations of His grace. I understand the shame you can feel when your encounters don’t “look” the same, but I would challenge you to adjust your view and become aware you are living under an open Heaven and you were made for the Presence of God; He is eager to encounter you!

In this week’s video blog Hayley Braun joined me to discuss encountering God. Hayley is a Senior Leader at Bethel Church and the Associate Overseer of BSSM online .

In a nutshell:

The Bible says love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and your mind - Matthew 22:37. He wants to encounter us in our mind, just as much as He encounters us in our hearts.
It is important that we don’t limit encounters to a moment or a big happening.
Encounters in my life did not look like radical moments where the Holy Spirit would come and encounter in a shaking and manifestation.
There can be shame on both sides of experiencing God in a physical way. Often people feel shame that they do not experience God in a physical way and then there are people that feel shame when they do experience the Lord in a physical way that makes them feel or look foolish.
1 Corinthians 1:25 says, The wisdom of God looks like foolishness to men. Spiritual things cannot be appraised by natural men, because they do not have value for the Spirit.
A lot of people can have encounters with God and not have character to steward the moment.
If there isn’t a container of character and seeking God in intimacy the encounter becomes a moment instead of something to give away to the world.
God is creating a greater place to love and serve the body through encounters.
2 Corinthians 5:16 — So many of us know ourselves and each other by the flesh. But, we need to learn to know each other by the Spirit.

EXPERIENCING HIS PRESENCE

God is eager to encounter you! You were made for His Presence. I pray that as you experience God that your encounters transform your life and impact the world around you.

Have you had a powerful encounter with God that has changed your life or impacted the world around you? I would love to hear in the comments below.

How to Overcome Earthly Problems With Heaven's Solutions

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 21:59:00 GMT

HEAVENLY SOLUTIONS

Have you ever been faced with a problem that feels impossible to solve? The kind that grieves your heart, brings worry to your mind, and leaves you lying awake as you think of all the ways there could be resolve? There are problems that feel miles deep and cycles that feel generations long that leave even the experts left uncertain of how to move along. I’d propose even with our best effort and intent we will not solve the world’s most pressing problems if we limit our thinking to earthly thoughts.

If you have been on the earth for much time at all you have probably faced a few challenging circumstances. Challenges can wear us out, and drag us down, but I would propose that God uses the challenges in our lives to prepare us for our divine destiny! In the Kingdom of God ashes turn to beauty and takes our challenges and turns them to victories. The challenge is many Believers feel dismayed because they don’t realize the power they have access to. It is clear that we must be aware of where the problem is coming from. What I am getting at is there is a first, second, and third Heaven. In Genesis 1 the first Heaven was created — this is the visible world, the dimensions that our five senses are acutely tuned in to. Then we see mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:2 that Paul was taken up to the third Heaven. Paul reveals through his own spiritual experience that there is a third heaven two levels above our earthly experience and one level above the spiritual realm. This leaves us with a mention of the first and third Heaven, so what does the second Heaven entail? In Ephesians 6:12 we know “ our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, and against spiritual forces of wickedness in the Heavenly places. ” Notice that the apostle Paul said that there are evil forces in heavenly places. Let’s be clear: There are no demonic, satanic or evil forces in the third heaven. Thus, we call this realm from which Satan rules the second heaven. We are not going to solve a first heaven problem that was caused by second heaven devils, without taking our third heaven seat. Ephesians 2:4 says that we have been seated in heavenly places. But, so often we get stuck on first Heaven problems without seeking third Heaven solutions. It is time to adjust our thinking, grab hold of our authority in Christ, and lean into the solution available to us as Believers.

Many Christians have a third Heaven experience where the impossible becomes possible as God busts through the door and lays His divine hand on the situation; paving the way for a miracle, curing the illness before our eyes, or opening doors that were bolted shut in our lives. The challenge is, when we come up against another impossible situation, we sometimes forget the eternal power that changed everything! For example, one day we experience the supernatural power of God in our lives; we see him feed the 5,000, heal the leper, raise the dead and the next day we are panicked trying to solve all our problems in our own strength. But, what if third heaven solutions were our first line of defense? Fear keeps us on our earthly seat, but faith places us on our Heavenly throne. What if problems became our faith builders and terrible situations increased our strength?

I encourage you to watch this week’s video blog as I share further about the first, second, third Heaven, and how as Believers we can access Heavenly solutions.

In a nutshell:

Challenging times will prepare us for our divine destiny if we allow it to change our thinking.
The disciples faced challenging situations and would respond with great fear; forgetting that they had seen miracles performed before their eyes over and over again.
It is not uncommon to have a supernatural experience, but it is common to forget the supernatural experience when another challenge comes along.
It is really important that when we have supernatural experience that it changes the way we think about what we are going through.
There are three heavens:
In Genesis 1 - first heaven
Ephesians 6:12 - our struggles isn't against flesh and blood
2 Corinthians 2:4 - Paul went to the third heaven
Ephesians 2:4 - we have been seated up in heavenly places.
We are often living from earth to heaven instead from heaven to earth
We have to have faith to realize we are currently seated in heavenly places.
When facing a situation that needs a solution, we must first pray. Seeking a third Heaven solution should not be our last resort.
Fear keeps us on our earthly seat, but faith takes us to our heavenly throne.

LIVING FROM HEAVEN TOWARDS EARTH

This week I encourage you to look at the problems you are facing with the perspective that you are seated in Heavenly places. Ask the Lord what you should do, lean in and hear the sound of His voice or grab the blueprint He places in your lap — there are third Heaven solutions available if we just ask.

How have you seen God bust through the doors and bring solutions and orchestrate creative miracles for your first Heaven problems? I would love to hear in the comments below.

Sexual Purity - a Clarifying Conversation on a Complicated Topic

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 23:11:00 GMT

ADDRESSING SEXUAL PURITY

There are certain topics and conversations that the Church has often pushed under the rug or whispered about in a corner. Sexuality is one of these topics that is often disregarded and avoided in the Church. Yet, I feel it is vitally important that the Body of Christ brings clarity and truth to a subject that the world has perverted and religion has shamed for far too long. This past weekend, we uploaded an old teaching that I shared with School of Worship students from 2014 to my YouTube channel. Someone who I do not know created a short, 57-second video using select soundbites from that teaching, and posted the clip on social media. Understandably, anyone who saw that short video would be confused as the full context was completely missing. My team took down the original video from YouTube so that we could review it. We felt led to further address the topic of sexual purity and bring clarity to this teaching, as well as address some of the concerns and feedback we received. In this video, I address the topic of sexual purity with my wife Kathy Vallotton and the Directors of Moral Revolution , Cole and Caitlin Zick. In this video, you’ll find a conversation and clarification I wanted to share with you.

This is a complicated topic that I am extremely passionate about! My heart is to bring freedom to people and break shame off of the topic of sexuality. I have been teaching about healthy sexuality for decades — and wrote the book and founded the organization Moral Revolution to help bring clarity and promote God’s original design for sexuality.

A CONVERSATION ON SEXUAL PURITY

RESOURCES

For more information, blogs, and resources on this topic please visit the links provided below:

Moral Revolution (An organization dedicated to promoting God’s original design for sexuality)
7 Signs of an Unhealthy Soul Tie Blog
Moral Revolution Book
How to Avoid Embarrassment and Shame When Talking to Your Kids about Sex Blog
Why I Believe God Is in the Middle of the Me Too Movement Blog
5 Tips for Teaching Your Kids About Sex Blog
The Invisible Effects of Sex Before Marriage (This article unpacks the science behind why people bond through sex.)
How to Be Sure That You Are Ready to Date Blog
Exodus Cry (an organization committed to breaking the cycle of exploitation and helping those sold for sex)

CLOSING THOUGHTS

My prayer for you this week is that you would begin to experience the overflowing, never ending love of God. No matter what your past has looked like, we have a faithful God who is filled with perfect love for each and every one of His children. There is nothing too big or too far gone for the redeeming power of God to come and bring wholeness to.

Why Every Leader Needs Self-reflection

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 22:54:00 GMT

THE UNLIKELY LEADER

Sometimes you meet a natural born leader — one that leads the pack, takes the reins, and makes everyone feel secure and safe. Then sometimes we see the unlikely hero rise to the scene, the one that is quiet, sits in the back, and comes from a broken home. Maybe you have questioned your own ability to lead or wondered if you have what it takes. I would propose everyone is a leader; whether you are leading yourself, another person, a family, or a country.

The Bible is filled with unlikely leaders; consider the life of Moses, a fugitive at birth who became the greatest lawgiver in history. Or the life of David, once an insignificant shepherd boy wandering in the field who became one of history’s most famous kings. The list is endless of people stepping into a throne that are not “fit for the crown.” There is a leader deep within you with a distinct blueprint needed for the world around you to succeed and it may not look like “sitting on a throne in a fancy red robe” but, the truth is you are already sitting in heavenly places, with access to the greatest Leader of them all.

I did not always “feel” like a leader and the path I was on did not look like it would ever lead to one of significance and esteem. The home I grew up in was unstable, the foundation was broken by the loss of my father, and the beams were shattered by the abuse of my stepfathers. If the picture is not already clear, my life was not one that should have naturally led to owning multiple businesses, or leading a global movement. Rather, I was a poor young man looking for purpose and someone to show me the way. But, even in the midst of my mess I look back on the course of my life and I see the hand of God molding and shaping the leader in me.

TRANSFORMING THE WORLD WITHIN YOU

I want to pull back the curtain and share a few insights on my journey in leadership; not just 5 tips to great leadership, but real life moments, accomplishments, and encounters that I hope inspire the leader in you and show you that you can do it too. The life you are living is filled with significance and purpose, and will have generational impact.

(In this week’s video blog I answer questions and share more insight into my journey in leadership. )

As I already mentioned, my childhood was extremely traumatic. This was my reality until everything in my life drastically changed. At the age of 18 I was living a life that was built around promoting myself, in pain from my past, and serving my own flesh. But, then suddenly I met the Lord and no longer was I living a life that would lead to death, instead I was learning to lead a life that reflected and responded to the glory of God. One of my greatest keys to leadership has been this very moment in my life. Serving the Lord of Lords will teach you how to serve and love His children. Leadership is so much more than a title; in the Kingdom, leadership equals servanthood. You must learn to serve well if you want to be a great leader. What does it look like to be a servant leader? It looks like Jesus; stopping for the one, loving your enemies, and being deeply connected to the heart of God.

The truth is, the world is filled with leaders that are eager to lead a movement of people and obtain a status, but do not know how to lead themselves. I would argue to this day one of my greatest leadership responsibilities is leading my life and my family before I lead anyone else. No, this may not lead to a recognized title in the world’s eyes, but neither did the life of Jesus. They could not believe the illegitimate son that associated with the unclean could be the Savior. What I am getting at is often leadership looks far different from what the world has made it out to be. It is important that we do not miss our first line of responsibility; our family. If you do not lead and steward your own life and family how are you to be entrusted with much? It is vital that we become aware of how we are stewarding and leading our own life, heart, and the family that God has given us.

Now, let me be clear – I did not just give my life to God and immediately become a servant leader and know how to lead my family let alone a global movement; there were still pieces of my own selfish desires, impatience, and arrogance that got in the way. But, I was surrounded by people and mentors that loved me when I was still in my mess. They mined for the gold in me and pulled it to the surface; they did not settle for the dirt and grime they fought to see it washed away. These are the kinds of people everyone needs in their life — the ones that do not settle for anything less than the best they see in us; the iron that sharpens iron. To this day, I surround myself with friends that have different strengths than me and are not afraid to call out the imperfect places in me. These are the kinds of friendships that will produce the leader that lives inside of each one of us.

A DEGREE IN LEADERSHIP

Beyond any position or title in a leadership book, self-help manual, or degree in leadership, if you do not have connection with God you have nothing. If we are going to have anything to offer as a leader; connection with the Heavenly Father matters. Now let me be clear, connection with God is more than mystical moments and angelic visitations; it is the million small moments throughout our life. You may not have a mountain top experience everyday, but if you don’t purpose to spend time with God you definitely won’t. I encourage you to open your Bible in the morning or at night and read a chapter or two. This has been a life line in my life and I believe it is the steam to the engine of leadership. The Word of God is alive — no matter how many times you have read the chapter or heard the scripture there is always more to receive. When you are on the rocky boat of leadership and you don’t know which way is north, connection with God will be your saving source. The reality of being a perfect leader is a hard scale to try to measure up to. You may not always know the right answer or be the head leader in the room, but when God is your lifeline you will have an endless source of heavenly insight and wisdom. The truth is, God strategically places His people and He equips the called, but I encourage you to lean back into His wisdom and strength and do not try to do it all on your own.

I want to encourage you today, if the waves of life or leadership have knocked you down there is still hope for today. The Lord is filled with endless solutions and possibilities. I pray that the despair of failure is filled with fresh hope from God and that perseverance becomes your strength. Not every attempt we make will succeed, but failure is our friend in disguise if we allow it to fuel our perseverance and faith to see the Lord move in our lives.

How to Deal With Offense: Your Questions on My Latest Sermon Answered

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 15:00:00 GMT

THE ROAD TO LOST INNOCENCE

I am deeply concerned by the offense that I see boiling over in the hearts of the Church today! In the midst of these tumultuous times, I feel it is extremely important to lay down our offenses, examine our hearts, and protect our innocence. It can be easy to take on bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness when our world is divided, personal opinions are loud, and the stakes feel high. Yet I’d propose that the Lord is asking us to protect our innocence and purify our hearts.

Because this has been weighing heavily on my heart, I recently shared a message with Bethel Church on a Sunday morning in regards to protecting our innocence and guarding our hearts from offense. It’s important to note that the message I shared was just as much for me as it was for everyone. As I opened my Bible that morning and began to preach the Word you could feel the relevance of the word settle into people’s hearts as the Holy Spirit ministered across the room.

There is not just one road that leads to the fast track of a virtueless life. Small pit stops in arrogance, entitlement, offense, bitterness, disillusionment, unforgiveness, lack of gratitude, and self-will are pathways to the pitfall of lost innocence. We see this in the life of David, starting in 2 Samuel 11.

We are pulled into the heated and pinnacle moment in King David’s life in 2 Samuel 11; the beloved king is faced with the temptation of a beautiful woman while at war with his enemies. In a fleeting moment David commits adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, one of his greatest men. When David found out Bathsheba was pregnant with his child, the reality that faced him and the shame that plagued him sent him scrambling to cover his mistake. He attempted multiple times to have Uriah lay with his wife Bathsheba so he would be known as the father of the spurious child. David even stooped so slow that he got Uriah drunk, hoping that Uriah would go home to his wife. Yet Uriah had better character drunk than David had sober — he refused to lay with his wife while the king's men and the whole Israelite army was at war with their enemies. When all of David’s attempts failed, he plotted the death of Uriah, ultimately killing one of his greatest warriors in order to cover his wrongdoing. As we can see throughout David’s journey, innocence isn’t lost by one virtueless act, but rather death by a thousand paper cuts or multiple pit stops in arrogance, offense, and unforgiveness.

When offense, bitterness, entitlement, or unforgiveness take root in our heart, weeds begin to grow. If you do not pull the weeds and tend to the garden of your heart, the fruit of your heart will wither and weeds of offense will grow over. I’d propose that one of our greatest responsibilities is to care for the health of our heart; to tend to the weeds of bitterness, offense, unforgiveness and so on. Proverbs 4:23 says: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” I challenge you to consider the areas of your heart where weeds have grown over and need pulling today. Invite the Lord into those places and to heal your heart from the pain.

In this week’s video blog I answer questions that were submitted in regards to the sermon I preached on Sunday, August 22, 2021 on overcoming offense and living a life of innocence.

QUESTIONS ON OFFENSE AND FORGIVENESS ANSWERED

Question 1: How do we protect our innocence and guard our hearts and be present at the same time?
In order to protect our innocence we must first give up our judgements. We need to humble ourselves and loosen the grip on thinking we know why everyone makes the decisions that they do. I want to challenge you to consider the factors your leaders face, not just political leaders, but church leaders, school leaders, bosses, etc. Leaders make decisions that often affect a large group of people and if we assume we know their motives behind the decisions they make instead of recognizing the information and knowledge about their choice, we lose an opportunity to love them well and protect our hearts.

Question 2: Does forgiveness mean not judging the person for what I forgave them for?
First we must acknowledge there are two kinds of judgement. One form of judgement is when you are making decisions between what is right and wrong. We make these kinds of judgments all day long; whether we should speed up or slow down at the yellow light, or eat another bowl of ice-cream. Then there are the kinds of judgements where we condemn people or think we know the intention of someone’s motives. But, the truth is only the Lord knows someone’s heart. What I am getting at is that we can forgive someone and judge their action as wrong, but we are not to condemn someone for their wrongdoing.

Question 3: How do you authentically love someone if you don’t like them?
As a believer we are called to love the unlovely; this is our job. Yet, the Lord knew in our own human ability this would be incredibly challenging. This is why He sent His son so that we would have connection with Him. John 14:20 says, “On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you.” The Heavenly Father loves the world, and because He lives in us, we have been given access to His agape love. I’d propose that when we tap into the love of Christ for someone we can actually access our human compassion for the person. You might begin to ask yourself questions like, “I wonder what their story is” or “What are the events in their life that have caused them to make that decision?” The Lord will begin to reveal the gold in the unlovely, because they are His children that are made in His image — there is something to love in each one of them.

Question 4: As a leader how do you accommodate all the different views and opinions in one Church?
As a Church leader it is not my job to get everyone to do the same thing. My God-appointed job is to love people, teach people about Jesus, and expand the Kingdom. Now, if I teach you noble values and the scriptures and it doesn’t affect the way you vote and the choices you make I am not sure I’ve done a very good job. But, let me be clear, it doesn’t mean you’re going to vote the same way I vote. This is the beauty of the Body of Christ, there is diversity in thought, and beauty in our differences and still we can gather together with one heart and one vision to worship the King and bring heaven to earth.
My prayer for you this week is that you would begin to experience the agape love of God. That the areas of your heart that were once offended and burdened with arrogance or bitterness would be overcome with the love of God and you would experience the compassion the Father has for each and every one of His children. May we grow and be known by our love for one another.

Healing a Fatherless Generation: How You Can Be a Solution

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 20:08:00 GMT

A FATHERLESS EPIDEMIC

We are in the midst of a fatherless epidemic. Fathers have exited the picture; they have not died from war, nor have they returned home. Children are growing up in homes with unstable beams and cracked foundations and have been left to battle the storms of life without the provision they need, the protection of a man, and promotion into their destinies.

One Sunday morning about a year ago as I was praying before service, I heard the phrase “prepare for re-entry.” As I began to try to make sense of what this God-appointed word meant, the scene began to play out on the screen of my sanctified mind like a divine documentary as I watched the prodigal son’s father preparing for his re-entry. The scene opened with the father working in the field raising a fattened calf, gathering fabrics and materials to begin preparing a robe, ring, and sandals for his prodigal son’s return. The father did not labor in vain because it was by faith that he was led to prepare for the return of his son.

You could imagine the years of grief and devastation the family and community felt as the son made decisions to leave his father’s house, waste his father’s money, and ditch relationship with God for the exchange of wild women and ungodly affairs. The father, even in faith filled expectation of his son's return, did not prematurely jump to the occasion to rescue his son from the pigs palace, but allowed for the work of a repentant heart to lead him home. His earthly father did not restore him, but he orchestrated his restoration so that the entire community that was grieved by his decision became the very people that were a part of his restoration. The entire community reestablished his nobility (the robe), purity (the sandals), and his authority (the ring). In this story, the standard he returned to was not the lowered standard set by the effects of his abandonment, rather the tone he returned to was set by the father and now his son would live up to it.

While the vision of the prodigal son was still prevalent in my heart, I began to see a vision of my son. He was in a stadium filled with men teaching the principles of fatherhood, and enacting the rite of passage into true God-given manhood. The vision grew and I began to see stadiums all over the nation filling with men. I texted my son Jason and he replied back: “That is what God has been telling me for a year.”

It was confirmation to me that the Lord is in the midst of orchestrating a monumental movement. Like the father prepared for his prodigal son’s return, the Lord is stirring the hearts of men and preparing a generation to live in the fullness of their potential. Can you imagine a world where men are living in the fullness of their ability and are equipped for the lifelong journey of manhood?

THE GENERATIONAL EFFECT

Now, how does the prodigal parable play into the prophetic proclamation of today? I believe we are in the midst of a Malachi 4:5 moment — the Lord is touching and turning the hearts of fathers towards sons and sons back towards fathers. Malachi foresaw a moment where fathers would be alive, but they wouldn’t be present. I’d propose the pain of a father alive, but choosing not to be present in their child’s life is more painful than the tragic death of a father. The pain of rejection and abandonment is enough, but the lack of guidance and understanding of a man’s calling is affecting the world beyond the four walls of our homes.

The effects of fatherlessness are rampant throughout society. These statistics are shocking and cannot be ignored! It has become heavy on my heart that we must rise to the occasion and be the change among this generation. I hope you allow the reality of these statistics to sink in and you begin to ask the Lord how you can play a vital role in the societal transformation.

63% of youth suicides are from homes without fathers.
90% of all homeless and runaway children grew up without a father.

85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes.

85% of all rapists motivated by displaced anger are from fatherless homes.

71% of all high school dropouts come from homes without a father.

This past week, I sat down for a conversation with my son and founder of BraveCo Jason Vallotton.

A generation of families broken and homes shattered by fatherlessness is apparent in today's society. Jason shared, “The role of a father in a home is to protect, promote, and provide. When you take that out of a home everything becomes unstable and needs go unmet.” As the Lord began to speak to Jason about His heart for men and prophetic mandate to “prepare for re-entry,” Jason became ignited with passion to see a world where men are living out the fullness of their God-given identity, walking in wholeness, and surrounded by a brotherhood of men. Men can no longer be living with broken expectations and understanding of the fullness of who they were created to be. Men, brothers, and fathers are vital for the health and wholeness of our world.

The Lord is working in our midst, doing the deep heart work in men across a generation, it is our job to “prepare for reentry.” What does this look like? This looks like training up the men of a generation to live in the fullness of their God-given identity. Men, you were not meant to walk through manhood alone — God intended for you to have your masculinity poured into by other men, fathers, and mentors throughout the course of your life.

From the passion to see men living in wholeness, purpose, and in community Jason launched BraveCo — a global men’s movement that equips men with the tools necessary for manhood, trains them through discipleship, and gives them opportunities to give back and pour into other men.

BraveCo is a movement of men that are not afraid to get in the foxhole together, take risks, fail forward, and step into our greatest potential. If you’re hungry to understand true masculinity and walk boldly in your God-given manhood, BraveCo is a movement of men that are pursuing wholeness, purpose, and community together; to become the brave men we were created to be and walk boldly in their God-given manhood. I want to encourage you to check out BraveCo's free 30-day challenge. You’ll receive tools and resources to help you break free from anxiety and depression, boost your confidence as a man, and help you build a successful future. This is a great foundation for the journey of manhood.

I pray that no matter what your story is, if you have had the greatest male role models or if you have been left in lack by the abandonment or loss of a father that the Lord would begin speaking and healing the places of your heart. I encourage you to allow him to step in and be your Heavenly Father that is capable of abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine.

The Responsibilities You Do and Don’t Have When It Comes to Forgiveness Vs Reconciliation

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:37:00 GMT

AN OFFENDED WORLD AND THE WORLD OF OFFENSE

Have you ever been in the midst of a relational mess? The kind that leaves you wanting to run far away and hide from the pain of the problem, escape the inequity, and avoid the argument. The truth is, relationships are one of our greatest challenges and one of our most tremendous rewards in life. Consider for a moment the exchange God made in order to regain relationship with us. The level of sacrifice made is the most painful, gruesome, unjust yet powerful and significant moment in history, all in effort to regain connection with us. Let me be clear, relationships are not supposed to kill your soul or abuse your worth, but they do entail sacrifices of comfort and declarations of love.
I have recently felt it pressing on my heart to address the concern of offense — I see a lot of offense boil over in the hearts of the Church. We live in a world that seems to be easily offended and quick to divide on concerns that do not need to be mountains we die on or matters to lose a relationship for life over. The Lord often cares about relationships more than He cares about who is right. I have been reminded of the verse in Matthew 5 that says: “Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” What I am getting at is that we are charged to not sit back and wait for a solution or pray about the problem we are instructed to GO and reconcile.
Far too often people talk with a multitude about the problem, but not to the very person where the problem exists. Now let me be clear, when it comes to reconciliation it does not matter whose fault it is, the goal is always connection for both side s . The Lord said “if your brother has something against you go to him” — He never said “if it’s your fault go to them.” The truth is, there will be many times that the concern is not your fault, but this doesn't mean it is not your responsibility.
In this week’s video blog , I shared further about the Lord’s value for healthy relationships.

NOT YOUR FAULT, BUT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Have you ever found yourself on a forgiveness merry-go-round? Around and around you go again to the same problem with the same person as before. Does your forgiveness just seem to open yet another door for the wrongdoing to occur once more? Dodging punches and side swiping throws is not true reconciliation nor the fullness of relationship we’ve been called to cultivate. Now let me be clear, this does not mean if you have circled the merry-go-round once or twice and tried solely in your own strength and perspective to lend vulnerability and resolution to the situation you have completed the process of finding reconciliation. We have been given many steps to finding true restoration than this. Have you brought in outside counsel or gone before a neutral, trusted person with both of your best interests in mind to mediate the concern?
Matthew 18:15-17 also gives us a clear example of how to handle a conflict when someone has sinned against you and it does not entail passive problem solving or powerlessness. Let me be clear, there is a distinction between sin and offense in this verse. Being hurt or offended by someone does not entail they have sinned. It is our responsibility to judge and decipher the difference and to bring in outside perspective and counsel if needed. But, when it is that someone has sinned, verses 16-17 give instructions to not allow one attempt to amend the wrongdoing to keep you from searching for another solution: “But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” I want to point out the distinction because offense or your buttons getting pressed is something you must resolve within yourself, sin is something they must resolve within themselves.
What I am getting at is, we all have a responsibility to keep our heart pure and not simply seek reconciliation one time and stamp it with “that didn’t work”. The Lord cares too deeply about the offense that could hinder our heart. Now, if proper steps have been taken and a process has continually occurred, but the same mistreatment and misbehavior has been repeated, this is when you must evaluate the boundaries you have in place. You are powerful and capable of establishing a firm wall with proper access points, for if they do decide to change, in order to protect your heart and the relationships with the other people in your life that feed your soul.
The challenge is, it is easy for our offense to arise after putting in so much time and effort to find resolve. But, the truth is, even after you have given it multiple attempts it is your job to forgive. Romans 12:18 says: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Relationships are two-sided, each one of us plays a part, we cannot control or require someone to reconcile, apologize, or to seek to understand. But, as far as it depends on you or me, we are to live in peace with all men. Even if reconciliation isn’t found, forgiveness doesn’t depend on them. I often hear people say “I have forgiven them but the pain still persists, does this mean I have not truly forgiven them?” No, forgiveness is an act of your will not a pain reliever. Forgiveness does not mean that there is or will be reconciliation nor does it take the pain away, but it does provide the foundation for your healing to begin.
I want to encourage you this week to think of the relationships in your life that have caused you pain and bring them before the Lord and ask for him to give you wisdom on what step(s) to take. Maybe, it is to confront the issue, seek understanding with the help of a mediator, or to forgive them. You are powerful and you are not alone — the Lord is with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do You Feel Called to Be a Leader of Leaders? Here’s Something You Should Know

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 22:45:00 GMT

THE CHALLENGE OF PROPHETIC PLATFORMS

Have you ever found yourself consumed with the feeling of inadequacy, feeding the appetite of your ego, and striving to perform for a platform? Maybe you have even found yourself running a righteous race and fulfilling your divine destiny, but the scramble for success and significance is not the soul-satisfying and thirst-quenching stream you thought it would be. Rather, a deceiving temptation that exists to distract us with additives to what was meant to be a singular pursuit of the One.

We live in a generation that has been inundated with opportunities and distracted by awards and affirmations of personal achievement. There is artificial security in our own ability that has been pulling us away from the real assurance that lives in a life that operates with the Spirit. The temptation to pursue prestige and status is very real; I know this from my journey. Even prophets with global platforms and pastors with public ministries are not perfect, but if I have learned one thing on my journey, humility is the key to success. Let me be clear, the appetite for self-promotion is not a sin, but feeding it is.

Last week at School of the Prophets Hayley Braun shared a message about becoming noble prophets that have one focus. Her message was so powerful — I believe it is timely not just for prophets, but also for the body of Christ. Hayley is a young, powerful prophetess, overseer of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, mother, and wife. I wanted to share the core of her message and I pray that it ministers to you as you read the truth and revelation that she shared.

NOBLE PROPHETS: A MESSAGE FROM HAYLEY BRAUN

In a time where there are multiple attention seekers and destiny distractors constantly pulling at our attention, the pure pursuit and undivided attention for the King of kings is more necessary than ever. The world needs noble prophets. When the world becomes filled with opportunities for spiritual significance, clouding the Truth with illusions and mimicking the power of the Gospel, the need for a brighter light and a clearer focus becomes greater.

So, how do you become a prophet that helps transform a generation into one filled with virtue, and nobility? You live in purity. What is purity? It simply means there are no additives; there is nothing else influencing our stream that has your attention or affection. As a prophet, you are called to raise up, influence, and teach a generation. This is what makes purity vitally important. We can no longer add to the noise and confusion of the world ; bowing down to the fear of man and seeking to please the desires of humanity.

Now, I want to be clear, the call of the prophet is of high regard, but you will continue to strive for value and seek affirmation from others if you do not understand that the cross determined your value a long time ago. Being drawn to places of influence or desiring to go before kings is not just a human desire, this is a desire of God. Why? Because God strategically appoints kings in places to lead His people and prophets in palaces to influence kings. Proverbs 23:1-3 says: “When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are a person of great appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food.” The challenge is, in the midst of ministry, to not become so consumed by the prestige of those we are ministering to that we forget the very gift of the One that is speaking to us.

I want to be extremely honest and vulnerable with you because one of my greatest fears as a prophet is that we will portray lives without struggle or challenge and people will think they have to be perfect to be used by God. As a young woman and prophet, when I get in a room with people of nobility and stature there is a temptation to feed my ego and impress them. But, this nudge that begins nagging my heart as I walk in the room with people of influence has to die to achieve all the Lord has placed on my life. As a prophet, when you get called before kings, your motives will be tested — the things that want to feed your ego will be tested. But, a life surrendered is a life fulfilled by the work of the cross.

I pray that as prophets and prophetic people, no matter how high the call, we never forget there is a partner, a lover, a friend, a king, that is waiting to fill us, empower us and send us. We could not accomplish the call on our own and He deeply desires to journey through life with us.

ACCELERATING YOUR PROPHETIC CALLING

I hope this powerful and convicting word touches your heart and stirs your spirit. This word that Hayley shared last week ministered to everyone in the room and I believe it is vital for the body of Christ. I am believing that the emerging prophets of our day are going to transform a generation one day at a time by living in purity and nobility.

If you were unable to join us at the School of the Prophets this year but are eager to accelerate your prophetic calling, it’s not too late! You still have the opportunity to access all of the sessions and powerful moments that happened last week. Prophets and prophetesses just like you walked away touched by God, surrounded with a prophetic community, and accelerated in their prophetic calling. I believe this is available to you as well. My prayer is that you would encounter the Lord through the teachings and be accelerated in your own prophetic gifting and call.

Learn and be activated through video and audio teachings, activations, and more from speakers like Kris Vallotton, Dano McCollam, Bethany Hicks, Ben Armstrong, and Hayley Braun. Purchase by midnight tonight (August 13) and receive 30% off the audio version—use discount code SOTP302021. You can check out all the purchase options for the audio and video sessions from School of the Prophets 2021 here .

5 Challenging Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask About the Prophetic—answered

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:23:00 GMT

WHY WE FOCUS ON PROPHETIC MINISTRY AND TEACHING

For the past 16 years I have spent one week of the year gathered together with other prophets and highly prophetic people at the School of the Prophets. When my friend Dano McCollam and I envisioned what we desired this school to look like, we saw prophets from all around the world coming together to pursue the Kingdom of God, creating a healthy prophetic community, and running after the prophetic together as a global family of prophets and prophetesses.
It is remarkable how the Lord moves every year with unprecedented revelation and with unparalleled outpouring. Every year School of the Prophets feels like a prophetic family gathering where we laugh with joy, discuss the hard things, and grow in our divine gifting and calling. This past week we did not shy away from much-needed conversations as a prophetic family. Instead, we felt the need to open up time for students to ask the hard questions and discuss the challenging aspects of the call of a prophet. I wanted to share with you some of the questions we discussed this week and how our speaker team answered those tough questions.

ANSWERS TO 5 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPHETIC

How do you not have resentment towards leaders that don’t see you from a heavenly perspective?

It is important to acknowledge that your offense towards others will keep you from your purpose and destiny. Just think about how the enemy accuses you day and night; he also accuses your friends and family too. The enemy’s goal is to keep you from your destiny and he will use offense to do this. However, the truth is we were forgiven and are required to forgive. In Matthew 5 Jesus says: “Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” The point here is that reconciliation is more important than worshiping God; God seems to care a lot about people being reconciled. -Kris Vallotton

What are some distinctions you see in this next generation of emerging prophets?

I believe that we are moving from those that are identifying the problems to those that are identifying the solutions. I do believe that we are fully exploring what it means to fully be a new covenant prophet. I also believe that we are moving from prophetic celebrities to communities. I believe this is a season of the saints, we are moving from demonstrating the prophetic to training the saints in the prophetic. -Dano McCollam

I would propose we are moving from a ministry to the saints to a ministry of the saints. I think sometimes we think that the prophet or prophetess has the more accurate words, but I think we are seeing that those with the gift of prophecy but not necessarily the calling have just as accurate prophetic words. -Kris Vallotton
I think this generation has become the generation of influence and they are looking for the authentic and very real Jesus. There has been so much diversification in the streams of spirituality that our generation has become quite lost and they are starting to realize they cannot move without the power of Jesus. -Hayley Braun

Does being called to be a prophet mean that one day I will have a big ministry platform?

The amount of people who follow you on Twitter does not mean you will have a large influence. Some of the most powerful prophets in the Bible did not even have a public ministry. Think about Nathan and Gad. Their whole call was to direct David — they were specifically assigned to one person. Nathan called David back to righteousness when he had committed adultery. I believe some prophets have been called to one person or one small area. If God gave it to you that is the most powerful thing you will do. - Kris Vallotton

If I am called as a prophet how do I find a spiritual or prophetic mentor?

I think it’s important to acknowledge the best mentor for you might not be a prophet. Sometimes you are looking for someone like you and oftentimes the mentor you need is someone that can lend to your weakness or where you need strength. The best mentor I ever had in worship could not sing or play an instrument. But, he knew how to lead people and he knew how to read the Spirit. -Dano McCollam

I think sometimes we miss a whole demographic of mentors. A lot of times, moms and dads are running already and are active. What we miss out on are the grandmothers and grandfathers who have lived a lot more life, have a lot more wisdom, and history with God. How many of you know it is easier to receive correction from grandparents, but with moms and dads you feel a need to fight back or prove a point? -Ben Armstrong

How do you differentiate between pleasing men versus growing in favor with man?

There is a very real opportunity to pick between pleasing and growing in favor and I think a lot of it has to do with our hearts and where we put our trust. If our goal is to use our freedom to serve ourselves we will begin to become manipulative. Any promotion in the body is a promotion into servanthood; Jesus modeled that by washing the disciple’s feet. We must keep our hearts in check before the Lord. -Hayley Braun

When I catch myself needing something from prophetic ministry — needing to be right, having a good word, or receiving esteem back — I know I am performing. If I begin to feel the pressure to perform I take a moment to readjust and lean back into His love. Love is the river that spiritual intelligence flows from in the first place. It comes down to the source and the motive. -Dano McCollam

A POWERFUL WEEK

This week was filled with monumental prophetic messages and marking personal moments. Lives were impacted, prophets launched into their divine calling, and powerful connections were created. I am so thankful for the opportunity to gather together with prophets from all around the world and pursue the Kingdom of God and advance in the prophetic together. I hope this Q&A brought clarity and understanding for topics and conversations on the prophetic and that you feel encouraged and expectant of what the Lord has in store for your life and the global prophetic community.

If you were unable to join us at the School of the Prophets this year but are eager to accelerate your prophetic calling, it’s not too late! You still have the opportunity to access all of the sessions and powerful moments that happened this week. Prophets and prophetesses just like you walked away touched by God, surrounded with a prophetic community, and accelerated in their prophetic calling. I believe this is available to you as well. My prayer is that you would encounter the Lord through the teachings and be accelerated in your own prophetic gifting and call.

Learn and be activated through video and audio teachings, activations, and more from speakers like Kris Vallotton, Dano McCollam, Bethany Hicks, Ben Armstrong, and Hayley Braun. Purchase between now and August 13 to receive 30% off the audio version—use discount code SOTP302021. You can check out the purchase options for the audio and video sessions from School of the Prophets 2021 here .

God Wants to Give You Life Skills Not Just Ministry Skills

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 22:01:00 GMT

A CONVERSATION WITH DANO MCCOLLAM

We were made to have connection and community; the need has been built into our DNA. God created Adam and with no time wasted created his partner Eve — that they wouldn’t be alone was part of God’s original design. On my journey in becoming a prophet, I noticed my lack of prophetic community. It was extremely challenging to not have a company of prophets surrounding me!. Not only because I felt alone in my process, but because there was actually a deep need to be surrounded by other prophets and be sharpened by my peers.

Along my journey, I began to meet other prophets and recognized the immense enrichment this brought to my calling. My good friend and prophet Dano McCollam has been an incredible leader in cultivating and stewarding a prophetic community. If you have followed my ministry for very long you may know of Dano because he and I founded the School of the Prophets together over 16 years ago. When I met Dano he did not consider himself a prophet even though I saw it written all over him. Dano explains that he counted himself out of being a prophet because he had a preconceived idea of what a prophet was supposed to look like. He had placed the role of a prophet in a box without realizing there are many different shapes and sizes in the call of a prophet; every prophet’s assignment and calling is unique. Now Dano is an acknowledged prophet, teacher, and leader with a unique and diverse prophetic ministry scaling beyond the four walls of the Church that impacts society in very practical ways. He has founded the ministry Prophetic Company that trains, equips, and provides a healthy prophetic community for prophets and prophetic people all around the world.

Dano has been a continual support, strength, and significant voice in my calling and life. I am excited to share with you a conversation I had with him this past week on the call of a prophet, cultivating prophetic community, and our ability to train people in the prophetic.
( You can listen to my whole conversation with Dano here )

CREATIVE WAYS GOD SPEAKS TO US

How did you know you were called to the office of a prophet?

You told me, Kris! I remember you called me up and asked me if I wanted to start an intensive training school for prophets. I told you I am not a prophet, but I have a few things I could teach on at the conference. It was actually not until the second year of the conference that the call on my life became very clear to me when another prophet called me out from the stage. He began to explain to me what my ministry was, and acknowledged me as a prophet. I think it was initially hard for me to adopt the idea that I was called to the office of a prophet because I had a preconceived idea of what a prophet was and I counted myself out because I did not look like that. I realized that there are different flavors of prophets with different calls and assignments on their lives.

I began to realize the idea that I had in my head was not actually what the call of a prophet was. I had thought a prophet’s whole ministry was based on judgments and filtered through doom and gloom. But, then I heard you speak on the difference between an Old Testament and a New Testament prophet . I began to realize that a New Testament prophet’s ministry was of reconciliation — while yes, we believe in warnings, judgments are not in line with reconciliation.

You have developed a global prophetic community. What inspired this and how have you seen this impact the world?

Yes, about seven years ago I saw a shift in the prophetic — I heard the Lord say, “We are shifting from building prophetic celebrities to prophetic communities.” Now what I mean by that is from now on prophets would equip the saints in the gift of prophecy so that prophetic communities would begin to flourish. It became apparent through scripture that the healthiest times in the Bible were when there were prophetic communities. There are multiple examples of this from Elijah and Elisha who went to Bethel and said we should stay here since there are other prophets. We saw in 2 Samuel 20 that there was a group of prophets prophesying and anyone that came into their atmosphere also received a grace to prophesy. It is obvious that prophets are meant to live in a company of prophets.

Is teaching and training people how to prophesy Biblical?

Yes, there is no doubt that training prophets and prophetic people is Biblical. It is the prophet’s responsibility to equip the saints (Ephesians 4:11-13). How does a prophet do this? He teaches and trains others to prophesy; to walk in the gift that has freely been given to them through the power of the Holy Spirit. No, prophets cannot give the gift of prophecy, but they can help facilitate the gift.

One of the greatest examples of this was King David’s 24/7 prophetic training in worship school (1 Chronicles 25). The whole emphasis was to train people how to prophesy with their voices in songwriting and with instruments. As Believers, we know in part and see in part (1 Corinthians 13:9). When we live in community we have a greater and clearer view of what God is saying. When we talk about the School of the Prophets and training prophets we are talking about training people to recognize the voice of God. The challenge is never to get God to speak; He is always speaking. The challenge is recognizing it and choosing to obey. The Lord does not speak one-dimensionally; we must learn the multidimensions in which He speaks. The rate of your obedience determines the rate of your acceleration, but if you are not aware of how He speaks it makes it more challenging to respond quickly. The point of prophetic training is to learn to recognize the voice of God so we can respond quicker in obedience and with prophetic training we receive protocols that leave room for accountability that ultimately provide a healthier prophetic community.

What are prophetic finders?

I felt the Lord as me: “Dano, what would prophecy look like as a life skill and not just a ministry skill?” I began to pursue ways that we can use the prophetic for non-Church-related needs. In the exploration, I began to have a burden for missing children. I remembered that in 1 Samuel 9-10 they called in the prophet Samuel when they were missing donkeys. The mandate of Jesus Christ is that He came to seek and to save that which is lost; not just who is lost, but that which is lost. Therefore, there is an anointing for anything and anyone that is lost to be found. We began to experiment with that by praying over missing children’s posters. Someone on our team received information about one of the children that were missing for over two years. The reality of finding a missing child after two years is very rare. We weren’t quite sure what to do with the information that our team member had been given by God, so we just began to declare it. It was so crazy, but two days later that child was found.

This is what led me to speak with the senior leadership team at our church — their son was the police chief who was willing to meet with me. I asked him what it would look like if we were to actually help the police find missing children. He gave us a list of guidelines and protocols, but then told us there are actually two children in our county right now that are missing — one of them has special needs and needs medication in the next couple of hours. We began to pray and ask the Lord for a word, for clues, and insight. One of the girls on our team began to receive clues about where these two children were. She began to describe a green house she saw on a street that starts with J and is somehow connected to someone who claims to be a family friend. Right then and there the police chief called the parents and asked if this was a possible lead. Long story short, yes they had a friend that lived in a green house on a street that started with J, and both children were found within 24 hours. This was the start of prophetic finders and hundreds of circumstances where we have worked with the legal system to find missing people and to help solve crimes.

I hope Dano’s stories inspired you and reminded you that there are so many amazing unique and multidimensional ways God is speaking. In closing, my prayer for you is that you become more aware of the creative ways God is communicating with you. May the voice of God in our lives become the leading voice for change in this generation, giving us unique strategies, and creative solutions.

WATCH THIS WEEK'S VLOG

Why the New Age Movement Doesn’t Scare Me

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 22:47:00 GMT

SPIRITUAL HACKERS

There are certain words in the Church that have often inflicted fear and uncertainty for years — words like psychics, new age, and horoscopes. But should believers be scared of these evil schemes? Should we run from the things we don’t understand and hide from the deception of the evil realm? The challenge is that much of the Western Church does not discuss the reality of the spiritual realm. Rather we soothe the uncertainty with greater intellectual intelligence which only furthers spiritual incompetence. They make us uncertain of what to do and confuse us with how much power they actually hold. Fear is not our destiny nor the solution to the problem.

I understand the fear that can surround the tactics of the new age movement and divination — the deception can be crippling and the disillusionment convincing. Maybe you have fought a spiritual battle that has been riddled with lies of the enemy and tied to demonic power. But the truth is, the devil is not a creator. At best he’s a duplicator and the power of God is far more powerful than any plan of the enemy.

Even before I was a believer the spirit realm was apparent to me. When I was a freshman in high school, I had an encounter with a fortune teller. One day at school we had a substitute teacher in history class. Instead of teaching history, this substitute decided to read the palms of all the students in the room. I was young and did not understand the significance of what was released through the practice of divination (modern-day witchcraft), so I stood in line to get my palm read with the rest of my fellow students. When it was my turn, the teacher looked at my palm, sighed deeply and refused to read it.

I left the class distraught. My head was spinning. All I could do was think, “Why wouldn’t she read my palm?” At the end of the day, I went back and begged her to read my palm. She reluctantly grabbed my hand and began to tell me what she saw in the lines and wrinkles on my palm. “Your lifeline ends early. That means you will die very young,” she said in a timid voice.

The sheer reality of the spirit realm and utter disturbance that plagued my soul could no longer be denied as I crashed into a nervous breakdown the year after I got married. The extreme terror and irrational fear that filled my life from that experience was crippling and I had not met a Christian at this point in my journey that had words for what I was experiencing — not a psychotic episode, but a demonic seed that had taken root in my life and germinated in my soul for years. At that time, I didn’t know that when God speaks, he speaks to edify, exhort, or comfort. Though there was power behind my experience with the spirit realm back in my freshman year of high school, it was only mimicking real power and was not actually the Lord speaking. There are often supernatural acts performed by new-age people that are identical to God’s, but the source is still bent in deception because the thief is lurking with evil intent in the background.

(in this week’s video blog I share more about the spirit realm and how to hear God’s voice)

ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY INTELLIGENT?

It is apparent the world is searching for spiritual understanding and seeking supernatural significance. Even believers are haunted by the sense that there is more but don’t know how to break through, or worse yet, have allowed fear surrounding deceptive spiritual experiences to limit the life that Christ paid for on the Cross. Jesus did not die on the cross just to forgive your sins, but to give you access to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit changed everything; in an instant, we went from sinners to saints, Spiritless to Spirit-filled, from strangers to friends. We are supposed to be led by the Spirit. John 3 says: “I tell you no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of Spirit.” What I am getting at is that we were born by the Spirit, but often the only thing we’re feeding is our intellect. Reducing the gospel to something we can wrap our heads around; this is not the fullness of the Gospel. Ephesians 3:20 says: “God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think ”.

Let me be clear - the Bible is our roadmap. It is truth and vital to our lives. But we were not given scriptures to have a relationship with the Bible, but to have a relationship with the author through the power of the Holy Spirit. So how do we grow in our spiritual intelligence and hear the voice of God in our lives? I can’t even begin to count the times I’ve been asked, “Why can’t I hear God’s voice?”
First and foremost, you have to have faith that the Lord wants to speak to you and believe that you can hear His voice. The word says “my sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). However, if we only have faith that the Lord will speak to us in an audible voice or through the scriptures we might miss the countless other ways the Lord is communicating with us. Do you have faith you will hear Him in your heart or in your mind? Now, let me be clear, we all have seasons in which it feels like the Lord is silent, but the truth is the Lord does not punish us with the silent treatment. Rather, He is often crafting His finest work in our lives. In Genesis 1, God speaks all His work into existence. I want to point out that His finest creation, Adam and Eve, were crafted without words. I want to encourage you, if you feel like you haven’t been able to hear God’s voice for a while, to go back to the last thing He told you. Sometimes, we move on hoping He will move forward with us, but we actually never completed what He asked us to do.

I also want to encourage you, if you have been in a spiritual battle or maybe are aware of lies and divination that have been exposed in your life, to speak the truth of God over yourself. We can be so consumed with fear of the evil schemes of the enemy that we freeze in response or run away in fear of any spiritual encounter. But, we are triune beings; body, soul, and spirit and we need to care for each part of our being including our spirit. If you have been filled with fear around the new age movement, terrified of an attack of the enemy, or battling irrational fears I want to encourage you to soak in the truth that has been spoken over your life. Pull out your prophetic words and link them to faith or write out three declarations about the good plans God has for your life and repeat them out loud throughout your day. When I realized the evil that had been spoken over my life through my encounter with the fortune teller, I broke it off in an instant. If you or someone you know have also had an encounter with divination I encourage you to do the same. Call up the person and lead them into freedom. Remember, the battle has already been won. Freedom is available — simply speak the blood of Jesus over your life or your loved one and cancel the schemes of the enemy because no weapon formed against you shall prosper! And just remember, darkness is powerless to light. Where we welcome light, darkness has to flee.

For more resources on the spirit realm check out the free Spirit Wars devotional here .

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4 Prophetic Discernment Types—which Do You Have?

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 23:08:00 GMT

PROPHETIC INSIGHTS WITH HAVILAH CUNNINGTON

Have you ever questioned your ability to hear God’s voice? Maybe you’ve even canceled yourself out and deemed hearing from God as something that is only for certain people. But, have you ever considered the specific and unique way the Lord speaks to you? I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve been asked the question, “Why can’t I hear God’s voice?” The truth is, God is always speaking and God wants to talk with everyone.

Jesus did not just die on the cross to forgive our sins, but ultimately to bring us into a relationship with Him. One of the greatest keys to any relationship is communication. John 10:27 says, “My sheep hear my voice….” The challenge can be knowing the ways He speaks and the unique ways you hear His voice.

This past week I had the privilege of sitting down with one of my spiritual daughters and friends Havilah Cunnington — a prophetess, teacher, mom, and wife. Havilah is the founder of Truth to Table , an organization that empowers female believers and equips influencers. Havilah is an expert at teaching on the different “prophetic personalities”; in other words, the different ways you might personally hear God’s voice.

In this week’s vlog, you can hear the whole conversation on the different ways the Lord uniquely speaks to His people, the call of a prophet, and how the prophetic affects family and parenting.

HEARING GOD’S VOICE EXPLAINED

How and when did you discover that you had a prophetic mantle?

I don’t think I set out knowing that I was a prophetess. I grew up in a prophetic home, but back in the 70s and 80s, there was normally just one prophet and they were kind of strange — I wasn’t sure if that was my call. But, my dad was a minister and had a prophetic gift; he would use his gift by giving one on one prophetic words that would normally lead to inner healing for the person receiving them. However, I remember thinking I could not hear God’s voice. I began telling my dad, “Are you sure you are hearing God’s voice when you give people a prophetic word because what you hear seems so obvious about their life.” He told me: “It is obvious to you because you see the prophetic word over their life, sometimes the prophetic is calling out the obvious on someone’s life.” Once I realized that I was hearing God I began to practice giving prophetic words — I always say growing in the prophetic is kind of like working out; you have to build your prophetic muscles.

Now, I know there are people that are just extremely prophetic, but I don’t think we have to change our personalities to hold the gift. God knew what he made when he created you — we should be ourselves and allow God to use our voices in a natural way. When you are authentically yourself while operating in your prophetic gifting you will live a spirit-led life. However, when we try to become someone or something besides who we were created to be, we limit our gifting to a prophetic platform.

What is it like to be a prophetess in your own home with a young family?

As you can imagine living in a house with 5 boys can be a lot, but probably less complicated than with 5 girls. Well, in terms of what it is like to be a prophetess and a mom, it kind of goes back to living that spirit-led life versus living off a prophetic platform. It also helps knowing which prophetic personality you are. There are four distinct prophetic personalities: knower, hearer, seer, feeler.

The knower is intuitive; I think about how Paul became a mentor to Timothy instinctively. You might just know you are supposed to do something or go somewhere but lack a word or encounter to support the impression.
The hearer is likely to hear God saying specific things. Maybe it’s a verse or a phrase that just comes to mind. I like to call this the classic play-by-play.
The Seer is a visionary, God gives them a vision for life, but sometimes they struggle with the details of life because they have a big picture that may take a lifetime to accomplish.
The Feeler is often given an emotion by God usually so that you can partner with God to intercede for people, your family, etc.

I am addressing this because my dad used his prophetic gift to parent us and I saw him operate in this from a very young age. He would often acknowledge that he “knew” something. For example, my dad was a minister and he would often travel to minister. One time he was traveling and my twin sister and I were at home and I was watching something on the TV. Suddenly, the phone rang and it was my dad. He had woken up from his sleep and knew that I was watching something I should not be watching.
Through events like this, my parents modeled to me my whole life that you can allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in raising your kids. Just recently, this happened for me as a mom. I noticed one of my sons came home and seemed off, maybe I could have written it off as just tired, but I knew something else was going on. So, I asked the Holy Spirit what to do and in response, I heard Him say, “Get him away from his brothers and ask him what is wrong.” I pulled him away from his brothers for a moment and asked if we could talk, but he said nothing when I asked what was wrong. Now, normally I don’t say, “The Lord told me” or, “God said” when I am parenting, simply because I don’t want to manipulate my children into opening up. Trust me though, I have not always done parenting and the prophetic perfectly, but the truth is the prophetic is not something to perfect; it is a tension to manage. In this moment with my son though I felt to say, “The Lord told me to ask you,” then he began opening up about a situation that had happened at school. I knew then if I had not tuned into the voice of the Holy Spirit I could have totally missed it.

Which prophetic personality are you?

I am a knower, but you know what I have found about knowers? They often feel like the least spiritual person. They are not having a vision where they see something or hear the audible voice of God. They often just know and that is what they have to lean into. However, when giving a prophetic word or ministering to someone I will often experience all four personalities — the word might begin with a knowing, but then I might see something, hear a specific verse or feel a certain way about who they are that all help me to minister to them. Now, some people may be thinking to themselves, “I think I experience all of those personalities.” This is the beautiful thing about God; He is not confined to a box in the way He communicates to us. However, this is something incredible about discovering the way that you may hear from the Lord the most; it builds your faith as you begin to trust that you too hear the voice of God.

The truth is the Lord is eager to speak to His children, whether you hear the audible voice of God, have angels visitation, or experience discernment through impressions, He is always speaking. I would go so far to say that if you have not heard the voice of God in the last 24 hours, perhaps it’s not that He has not spoken, but maybe that you haven’t recognized it. I encourage you to take a moment to become aware of the subtle, yet powerful ways that the Lord has spoken to you. Sometimes, we are unaware, because we do not even know how He speaks.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

If you have been called to the office of a prophet, or you’re a highly prophetic person or a Church leader desiring to learn how to operate with prophets I want to invite you to School of the Prophets this year. School of the Prophets is a 4.5-day training school, that equips, accelerates, and deploys prophets into their divine prophetic calling. This year’s school is happening August 2nd-6th both in-person in Redding CA, and online. You can learn more and register here .

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How to Judge the Prophetic Words You’ve Received

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 23:39:00 GMT

A CONVERSATION WITH LINDSEY REIMAN

As I have been preparing for School of the Prophets , I’ve been reminded of the desire to see prophets equipped to lead in wisdom and power that birthed the school over 16 years ago. With this in mind, this past week I sat down with Lindsey Reiman — a powerful, young prophetess with a unique gift to train and equip others in the prophetic and one of our speakers at this year’s School of the Prophets — to discuss keys for walking in the call of a prophet. I hope this conversation brings clarity to the gift of prophecy, helps you steward the call on your life, and discern the prophetic words you have been given.
In this week’s vlog , you can hear the whole conversation on stewarding and training in the prophetic with Lindsey Reiman.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

How did you know you were called to be a prophet?

It truly is a wild story, but in short, one night I was at an outdoor movie in West Hollywood when I bumped into a friend of a friend. She began talking about how she was going on a trip to Thailand next month. I blurted out in response, “We should travel together!” Before I knew it I had been invited on a mission trip — let me tell you I was not a Believer and had no real context for mission trips. Yet, before I knew it I was interviewing for a mission trip and boarding a plane with 12 strangers; 11 of which happened to be graduates of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, the 12th being the Holy Spirit. Fast forward, I returned from a life-changing trip and applied to BSSM. I started BSSM and for the first time, I heard people use the words like prophet and prophecy.

It was not until my second year of BSSM that I had a “calling encounter.” I did not walk away from this encounter and immediately know I was called to be a prophet, but it was the start of the Lord uncovering to me the call that was on my life. This led to a series of encounters, dreams, and conversations with the Lord that pointed back to my calling. I walked around with the revelation in my heart but did not know what it all really even meant. I knew God had confirmed to me I was called to be a prophet, but I had no idea what and how that would happen — even when people all around me began to acknowledge the call on my life.

(in this week’s video blog Lindsey shares the story in full detail — click here to watch. )

How did you go from the encounters to the call?

The encounters with the Lord did not launch me into my calling but began to teach, equip and prepare me. One day I was sitting in Ben Armstrong’s class in BSSM when he began talking about how there is a biblical model of trees that represent leaders.
I began to realize that all the dreams and encounters I was having were pointing to the book of Daniel. The Lord connected dots and clues (which is still the way he communicates with me) until it became clear to me the call on my life was similar to the call that Daniel had. From my own encounters and journey I had a passion to help equip and activate others in the prophetic — this is what launched me into my calling and when I created the Prophetic Labs.

What are the Prophetic Labs?

The Prophetic Labs are a place where we research and develop what is possible in the prophetic. I was really intrigued by 1 Corinthians 12:9, “We know in part and prophesy in part.” This is what inspired the aspect of teams in the prophetic labs. Practically, what this looks like is multiple people blind prophesying over someone (meaning, they don’t know anything about them except their gender and age). The people on a prophesying “team” are not in the same location, often they are not even in the same state or country. Yet, the most incredible thing we see is that the teams will receive similar words or have similar themes within the words they receive for the person.

What does it look like to investigate and interpret prophetic words?

In the beginning when I did prophetic “reports” I just wrote out three prophetic words. However, I kept feeling there was more to why the Lord had told me to create reports. One day I was just thinking about what it meant for me to write prophetic reports. I realized that within a prophetic report I was handling information. This is when I felt prompted to search “who does information reports” and the results included the CIA. I realized I was handling heavenly information or in other words spiritual intelligence. In an encounter with God, I realized that He had called me to greater depths with these reports and began to prompt me to research the methodology they use when gathering information for central intelligence reports. This is when I discovered the methodology I use now to investigate and interpret prophetic reports. I want to encourage others to do this with your own prophetic words that you have received.

Collect: gather all your heaven intelligence
Analyze: pull out the keywords about identity, gift, and skills, place all the foretelling on one page.
Evaluate: judge the information and bring in wise counsel to judge it with you and determine what is for later.
Disseminate: adopt and receive the prophetic words in faith.

One of the most encouraging parts of my life and job is seeing others discover their calling and step into it with boldness and faith. Lindsey Reiman is an incredible example of what it looks like to steward and respond to the office of a prophet and it was an honor to be able to interview her. I hope that this conversation encourages you in your journey and brings greater revelation to the office of a prophet.

In closing, my prayer for you this week is that the Lord begins to share a greater revelation with you and that you would begin to have Kingdom revelation and that He would increase your spiritual intelligence.

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What the Lord Told Me About Transition That Changed Everything

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 22:38:00 GMT

THE HUMAN CONDITION

Transition and change are inevitable — yet, it can feel so uncomfortable, unbearable, or even painful. Have you ever considered that transition is the human condition? We all experience it in more ways than one. You might not be able to remember taking your first steps or saying your first words. But, you probably remember the big unknown of what was to come in the awkward stage of teenhood. No longer is someone holding your hand ensuring each step is landed as it should. Instead slowly but surely as you become more confident in your ability to stand you then find your footing, discover your voice, determine your place. Change and transition is the very thing that brings you into your divine destiny and deploys you into your sanctified calling.

I recently was preparing for a meeting with multiple leaders in the Bethel environment. I had jotted down the word “transition” on the top of my notepad. I knew I needed to discuss the obvious change of leadership we were all experiencing. However, as I stepped into the meeting, I glanced at the top of my notepad expecting I would be prompted to talk about transition when instead I heard the Lord say, “You are not going through a transition; you are going through a metamorphosis.”

Now, you might think that metamorphosis is simply just another word for transition, but I would propose that a metamorphosis is not a regular part of the human experience. Rather, it is the transformation that happens from the inside out as you become a new creation. This is the believer’s condition stated in Roman 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The word “transformed” in Romans 12 can also be translated to the word “metamorphosis.” I would propose that undergoing metamorphosis entails changing the way you think. The challenge is that often we undergo a metamorphosis and treat it as a transition by relying on the muscles that bore the weight in the past to move us forward. We end up in the old gym training the old muscles we use to need to succeed instead of changing our training regiment. The truth is, often our greatest resistors in a season of metamorphosis are the successes of the past.

Consider the life of a butterfly, one day they live on the ground believing their purpose is to crawl and not to fly. However, suddenly they are wrapped in a cocoon undergoing a metamorphosis that will cause them to transform into a butterfly. How ineffective and insignificant is the season of the cocoon if, as they are released, they try to crawl instead of fly? This is the very thing I see happen when we label transition as a change when actually the Lord is preparing the way for a complete paradigm shift. I’d like to remind you, you are no longer a sinner saved by grace, but you are a saint. (2 Corinthians 5:15-16)

(In this week’s vlog, I shared more about the metamorphosis season and the word I received from the Lord.)

THE METAMORPHOSIS SEASON

Have you found yourself in the comfort cocoon; committed to the past success to get you by? Confident in your ability to walk but uncertain if you truly can fly? Or maybe you are a leader experiencing a shift and trying to gather people after the circumstances we all faced in the midst of a global pandemic. The truth is, often a season of metamorphosis is uncomfortable and stretching or even unnerving and scary. What I am getting at is without vision for the future you can make the comfort cocoon your new home when it was meant to be a purpose propeller.

How do you gain vision for the future when the present feels unstable and the future feels murky? I would challenge you with this: what if we saw our circumstances by the spirit and not just by the flesh? We don’t have to be confined to the circumstances in front of us when we have been given the gift of prophecy through the power of the Holy Spirit. The prophetic is a gift; it relieves the heartaches of uncertainty as you call out the gold that exists even in the turmoil of transition or in the midst of chaotic shifts. What does this look like practically? For starters, I would encourage you whether you’re a leader, parent, or a friend to begin to see the people around you through your God-given lenses. You might begin to be surprised with the unexpected of who God has placed to make a change and bring clarity to the uncertainty of the future vision.

Have you felt you are in the midst of a metamorphosis? I would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you and given you vision beyond your current circumstances in the comments below.

My prayer for you this week is that you feel encouraged, filled with hope, and expectant of what the Lord is working out in your midst.

WATCH THIS WEEK'S VLOG

The Process of Promotion — a First Hand Look With Ben Armstrong

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:59:00 GMT

THE DIFFERENT SEASONS OF A PROPHET’S CALLING

Can you remember as a child the wonder that filled your imagination as you dreamt of who you would become and what occupation you would have? Maybe you dreamt of being a superhero, fireman, or ballerina — didn’t the possibilities just feel endless? Often, I see believers eager and excited about the endless possibilities when they first receive a word from the Lord about their calling. However, sometimes the patience necessary for the process can actually become disheartening. Truthfully, I experienced this in my own life as I waited over 20 years to be acknowledged as a prophet. The truth is, the gift of prophecy brings clarity to our call and purpose to the process. Maybe you’ve had a dream or vision that you can’t deny was from the Lord about the call on your life. However, questions like “How will it pan out?” or “What will it look like?” might fill your mind even if there is a clear direction given from God. But, before accomplishing the call there is the process of preparing and priming for the purpose; layers are shed, seeds are planted, and roots are established.

I did not know I was called to be a prophet until I was in my mid-twenties and it wasn’t until 20 years after that I saw any fruition of the promise. Anxiety and worry can easily fill the journey if you’re unaware you are in the process. However, there is peace before promotion when you are aware of your season. Are you aware of the part of the process you are in?
This past week I had the opportunity to sit down with one of my spiritual sons, Ben Armstrong, and ask him questions about his prophetic journey. I have known Ben for over 30 years and have had the honor of watching him choose humility as he’s navigated the prophetic call on his life. Very often our journey is filled with layers of discovering and learning as well as challenges and overcoming. Ben has an inspiring story that I know will bring clarity and understanding to the role of a prophet. I believe his story will help many prophets in their own journey.

In this week’s vlog , Ben Armstrong, who is also a speaker at School of the Prophets 2021 , shares vision for this year’s event that is happening this August 2-6, both in-person in Redding, CA, and online.

A CONVERSATION WITH BEN ARMSTRONG

Ben is the Prophetic Ministry Director at Bethel Church and has incredible wisdom and insight into the prophetic. Whether you have been called to be a prophet or are eager to gain a greater understanding of the prophetic, I pray this conversation is a blessing to you.

How did you know you were called to be a prophet?

The office of a prophet is a call not just established by an encounter from the Lord, but with the acknowledgment from another prophet. In my journey it was the opposite — I had not realized the call on my life until a leader saw it on my life. The first encounter I remember was when I was reading the Bible between the ages of 8-10 years old. It was the first time the logos Word of God became the Rhema Word of God as I read, “The power of life and death is in your tongue.” God told me “Ben, when you love people the way I love them and see them the way I see them, I can trust you with the secrets of who they are, not what they’ve done.” Before I even knew the call on my life the Lord began instructing and teaching me.

Though I had many encounters in my life, the call on my life became apparent in a dream I had over 20 years ago.

In the dream, I was sitting in the passenger seat of an old car and Jesus was in the driver’s seat. We were having a conversation and He leaned over to me and said, “Here comes your dad.” I looked over at the tree line at the edge of the park and I expected to see my earthly dad, but it was actually, you Kris.

At the time, I wasn’t connected to you so I had no context for you being a father in my life at all. As you know, I was raised in Weaverville, CA, but I left for university before you ever started your prophetic ministry there. So, when Jesus told me you were my dad, I was surprised! In the dream, you walked over to the car and handed me a signet ring of gold with a black stone on it. You actually told me to wear the ring with the stone on the inside so I wouldn’t show it to people. Although I am a dream interpreter, sometimes the meaning of our own dreams is hidden from us. I think that is the grace of God, as there is a process that has to happen in us before the full understanding comes.

What was your process like in stepping into the role of a prophet?

Seven years after having this dream I got invited to be a Revival Group Pastor at BSSM. Though I stepped into the role of a pastor, this is actually where I learned to be a healthy prophet. I learned to teach and equip people; I fell in love with people’s processes. How do you walk out the calling of the office of a prophet? Well, a prophet trains and equips people. The office of a prophet is also a governmental position; prophets grow in favor with leadership and community. This was a long process for me; from a young age the Lord began to teach and equip me, then I began to gain favor with leadership and community. It wasn’t actually until seven years after being hired as a pastor that I was publicly acknowledged as a prophet and became the Prophetic Ministry Director at Bethel Church.

What has it looked like to have mentors in your life?

First, I had to change my perspective of mentorship. We typically think of mentorship as one individual; we place them on a pedestal and desire the “top dog” to have influence and input in our life. However, if we take the approach that you can be mentored by multiple individuals and community — you will never be in lack. There were multiple apostles and pastors that molded me as a prophet. As I look back to my younger self I did not have a bad heart, but there was a lot of arrogance and pride. I learned over the years that receiving correction from the mentors in my life was fuel for my success. Now, I am eager to receive feedback — this is the very thing that helps us grow. I believe as prophets it is so important to surround yourself with a community of people that will love you and support you, but most of all are not afraid to correct you because they see the gold in you.

What advice would you give other prophets stepping into their ministry?

Quit trying so hard! I think sometimes we think that in order to be a prophet we need to prove to everyone that the Lord speaks to us. You don’t need to pressure the Lord to speak; He will give you a word in its right timing. I also believe it is easy to feel the pressure to fill the role of the prophet. You may even think in order to be a prophet you must look or act a certain way. But, the truth is, more than aspiring to be a prophet, you should aspire to be a good mother or father in your environment. You will realize that to be a prophet is to encourage, comfort, and call forth — naturally, this will happen when you are loving people really well.
Has Ben’s story inspired or impacted you? I would love to hear in the comments below how you have navigated the call that is on your life or how you have humbly waited for promotion?

Are you called to the office of a prophet or eager to gain clarity in your prophetic calling? Too often we miss out on the historic moments happening right in front of us and sit back as they pass us by. It’s time to step up to the plate! Join us this year at School of the Prophets in person in Redding, CA, or online from August 2-6 and find confidence and clarity in your God-given calling. In this 4.5-day intensive training, school get equipped and deployed into your divine destiny to influence Kings and bring light to even the darkest situations!

4 Powerful Insights on How to Inspire Leadership in Any Environment

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 20:52:00 GMT

A CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS CRUZ

Have you ever questioned what it would look like to be surrounded by world-class leaders, or to be a world-class leader yourself? I would propose that the greatest leaders of our day are not solely the president or the pope. They are the individuals in our everyday lives that inspire and ignite people to pursue and prepare for a vision or mission. Personally, I work and live in an environment where I am surrounded by world-class leaders that cultivate and equip others to do the same; an ecosystem of sorts that creates the finest leaders. They are not perfect, but I would argue that they are some of the finest leaders of our day.

One of the greatest attributes of a world-class leader is the ability to raise up other strong leaders that can lead and carry out a mission and vision farther and wider than you have ever been able to do on your own. It is extremely rewarding to watch other people that I have led and poured into over the years step up to the plate, outrun me in the race and carry on the vision beyond my own ability.
This week, I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Chris Cruz, one of the leaders in our environment that was equipped and now equips powerful, strong, and faith-filled leaders all over the world. I want to share with you some primary principles for young leaders that Chris Cruz shared with me. I hope these keys inspire and provoke you to become a stronger and wiser leader no matter your age and in turn help inspire others.

WHAT CHRIS' EXPERIENCE TAUGHT HIM

I asked Chris Cruz some questions about what he’s learned as a leader, and I believe his insights are key for any leader desiring to develop themselves or develop others in their leadership ability. You can also watch the interview on this week’s vlog .

What did you learn in your first year in leadership as a 22-year-old Revival Group Pastor (at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry)? What went through your mind, and how did you prepare?

I realized the great risk that had been invested in me as a 22-year-old when I was asked to lead a group of 60 students that ranged in ages from 18 to 70 years old. I knew I might have had knowledge that was greater than many I was leading, but my wisdom could not compare to the years of life they had on me. I prepared the best I could for my initial year of pastoring in the school by devouring Paul’s letters to Timothy. Paul told Timothy to lead by example, so in my first year, I truly adopted this idea. I thought first I needed to make sure I was leading by example. I wish I could say leadership was as simple and as easy as that in my first year, but you could imagine the challenge of having to learn how to lead people that are far older and wiser than you. The greatest key I adopted and still use today was asking a lot of questions. As a young leader, the challenge is to often think that you need to prove your capability when actually you need to prove your humility. The truth is, you are not going to have all the right answers or know all the right solutions, but your ability to learn and receive input will be key to your success.

I could not agree more with Chris – being a lifetime learner is a sign of great humility.

How do you motivate people as a leader?

First of all, leadership moves at the pace of trust. If there is no trust we will move really slow, however, if there is a lot of trust you can move incredibly fast. The challenge as a leader is to want to motivate by gripping people by the arm to follow you in the vision, but without investing in their hearts there will be no reason for them to invest in the vision. In return, you will not have trust; you will have real conflict and artificial harmony. As a leader, I would challenge you to ask yourself the question, “Have I invested in the trust bank?” This goes both ways; as a leader and follower. When it comes time for a “withdrawal” if neither has invested, there will be nothing to pull from; the foundation will lay bare and the artificial harmony will fall to the ground as you realize it hasn’t been standing on a false foundation anyways.

If all leadership is built on trust then the million-dollar question is, how do you build trust with people?

There are key trust builders and breakers in leadership. One being, it is vital as a leader to create an environment where people have what they need to excel and feel safe; people need to feel capable of being fully who they were created to be. If we build an environment where people feel they need to wear a mask or fit a mold to belong, we have failed at allowing real conflict, and we've built artificial harmony. One of the keys to ensuring others feel capable of being fully themselves is when, as a leader, you model vulnerability ; this creates an environment that isn’t afraid of conflict or imperfection, but that nurtures and repairs the cracks and bruises that are inevitable in life with people. Conflict is not what should scare you as a leader. Conflict will be your greatest key to building real trust. A trust breaker in leadership is when your "yes" is not your "yes" and "no" is not your "no". If I say I am going to keep that information to myself and I do not, trust will be lost as a leader.

How did you learn to press into conflict instead of running away from it?

I learned to press into conflict rather than run away in marriage, but also in my early years of pastoring. I realized that if I can lean into a moment’s pain, the gain of the long-term level of trust will far surpass the initial pain. The truth is, running into the fire isn’t a lot of people’s natural tendency. As a leader, when I realize the people that I have conflict with drawback into a cave, I step forward with the desire to understand. I begin asking questions like, “Have I done something to hurt you?” or “What are you feeling?”

How do you inspire people to walk with you?

It is important for leaders to understand your responsibility versus your influence. The key here is to make it my priority to care for people’s hearts over influencing them to think a certain way or adopt a certain vision. Metaphorically speaking this looks like me painting on a canvas with watercolors and the people can add with whatever medium they’d prefer to the canvas. I learned people tend to support what they help create.

LEADERSHIP ENCOURAGEMENT

My prayer for you this week is no matter what lies you have believed about your ability to lead or to lead well that you would bring them to the Lord and ask Him what He believes about your leadership. One of our greatest strengths as leaders is our ability to lead with the Holy Spirit; He will be your greatest companion and strongest support no matter the circumstance you are leading in.

I also want to encourage you this week, if you feel unnoticed or not seen in your leadership that you would hear the Lord’s voice and guidance in the journey and process of preparing you and establishing you as a leader.

If you would like to hear more from Chris, you can find him on Instagram and Facebook , and be sure to check out his book The Practice of Being with Jesus .

Lastly, what are some keys for great leadership that you have learned? I would love to hear in the comments below.

Your Most Commonly Asked Questions About the Prophetic answered

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 19:49:00 GMT

DEMYSTIFYING THE PROPHETIC

The prophetic can feel like an unknown box of uncertainty filled with mystified movements and misunderstood ministries. Yet, I’d propose it is one of the greatest gifts that Christ gave the Church with the purpose to bring clarity and comfort. Have you ever questioned the legitimacy of a prophetic word, or if someone is really a prophet? Maybe you’ve even questioned if you, yourself are a prophet or maybe one of your family members is.

I understand the uncertainty and questions about the prophetic and around prophecy— I walked a journey in the prophetic without resources or training for 20 years. I had an encounter with the Lord where he spoke to me and told me: “I have called you to be a prophet to the nations.” You can imagine the weight of the word, but the confusion that followed as I walked a road uncertain of how I would arrive at the promise. I did not have any tools, resources, or a prophetic community that surrounded me. All I knew is I needed to prepare for the promise.

For years, events and encounters would happen in my life that I did not have an understanding for, but I did not use the misunderstanding to invalidate the prophetic call on my life. Rather, I pressed into the promise and pursued to understand the call that was on my life. Let me be clear, the road was not always easy and I didn’t always do the best job, but I was faithful to the word from the Lord. What I am getting at is, so often the prophetic is misunderstood and put on the shelf. In 1 Corinthians 14 it says prophecy is a gift from God ; it is freely given to the Church with immense purpose. Instead of placing the prophetic in the box of uncertainty, I challenge you to open the gift you have been given — pull it out and place it in the box of learning and discerning. I would encourage you to ask questions and find healthy community that edifies and exhorts you.

Last week I shared about the difference between a prophetic gifting vs. a prophetic calling . I n this week’s video blog I answered some of your most commonly asked questions on the prophetic.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Question 1: If a prophecy doesn’t come true, does it always mean that it didn’t come from the Lord?

In short, no. When a prophecy doesn’t come true it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t from the Lord. However, it’s a bit more complex than that – there are different dimensions to prophecy. Sometimes there are prerequisites to prophesy. Think about the children of Israel for example; one and a half million people made the exodus from Egypt to the promised land. However, only two people that had originally received the prophecy arrived in the promised land. According to Hebrews, they did not unite the word with faith.
The challenge in providing a definite “always or never” answer on a subject like this is that the Bible teaches through truths held in tension; it’s not clear cut in the lines of comfortability we often desire to live in. But, the truth is this is often for our benefit; the Word of God is powerful even when we live in the “safe” spaces we create.

Deuteronomy 18:22 says, “When the prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the thing does not happen or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you are not to be afraid of him.” We stand with two truths held in one hand — there are both circumstances that would entail a prophecy not coming to pass because of a presumptuous prophet. In the same hand, as we saw in the story of the Egyptians, there are times that there are more variables at play in a prophecy than simply a word from God. Faith, the action of God’s people, events, and prerequisites all play a part in seeing a prophetic word come to fruition.

Question 2: My son/daughter is very interested in the prophetic. How can I help him/her grow in this?

I am immediately reminded of the story of Samuel and Eli in 1 Samuel. Eli had been teaching and training Samuel to hear the Lord’s voice before he even had a relationship with God. I would encourage you to cultivate the prophetic in your home; begin asking questions to your children so that even before they may have a relationship with God they know that they can hear His voice; this is the prophetic culture I raised my children and grandchildren in. Maybe you’re not surrounded by a prophetic community but cultivating the prophetic in your home and inspiring them to have conversation with the Lord is the first step. I would challenge you to ask your children questions like, if Jesus walked in the room today, what would Jesus say to you? Or, What did you dream about last night? The truth is, children do not have a junior Holy Spirit; building anticipation and awareness that they will hear from the Lord is the first step.

Question 3: What is the best way to practice hearing God’s voice clearly?

I would challenge you to consider how you approach prayer — is it solely a time to request and repent or is it a time to tune in and take in what the Lord is saying to you? I’d propose that many of us need an overhaul on our approach to prayer. One of the most important parts of prayer is not the request you make but the response you receive. It is a time to listen and hear from the Lord. I would encourage you to ask the Lord questions and listen for His response. Now, let me be clear, it is important to talk to God about what you need. For example, the Lord’s prayer is filled with requests. However, I would encourage you to examine if in prayer you spend time to hear the voice of God.

Question 4: How do you hear, see or feel prophetic information God gives you? What are some main examples?

After many years of conversation with the Lord, I learned that there are several languages in the Spirit. I don’t just hear the Lord in dreams or from His audible voice. Over the years the Lord has spoken to me in many different ways. I initially even heard the audible voice of God before I even knew God. The truth is, more times than not, hearing the voice of the Lord has not been a big grandiose announcement or personal visitation; it has been His still small voice in my day or in reading scripture. I would challenge you to become aware of Him talking to you in your daily time with Him. When we begin to expect the Lord to speak to us in one fashion or about one area of our lives, we limit the infinite power of God to move through our lives and thus place the Creator of heaven and earth in a box. He is inviting you into a relationship with Him that goes beyond and expands above any structure or system we have created for Him to speak in.

If you have a desire to be equipped or accelerate your prophetic calling I encourage you to register for The School of the Prophets 2021 . The School of the Prophets is a great opportunity to join other leaders from all over the world in a 4.5-day training event (from August 2nd-6th in both Redding, CA, and online) for prophets, highly prophetic people, and church leaders to learn how to advance and increase your prophetic call. My heart is to see prophets step up to the plate, be equipped in their calling, engage in the world’s darkest circumstances, and get deployed in your divine destiny.

How has the prophetic impacted your life? I would love to hear in the comments below.
Lastly, my prayer for you is that in your time with the Lord this week you would experience the closeness of His voice and the clarity and comfort that it brings.

Prophetic Gifting Vs. Calling: How to Know Which One You Carry

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 22:59:00 GMT

FROM THE PROMISE TO THE PALACE

Have you ever sat in the swirl of uncertainty; questioning your calling or destiny? Or maybe you know you are made for something great but no one else has recognized it in you? I see this happen often; it can feel like the Lord comes in the night to whisper a secret that is left to simmer in your heart for years as you wait for the world to recognize and respect the call of God on your life.

I understand the longing in waiting on the Word of the Lord to unfold in your life. The excitement as you dream of what it will be like, and the fear as you begin to question how it will all unfold and if you are capable.

In 1985, I had an encounter with the Lord that changed the trajectory of my life forever. The call of God on my life to be a prophet to the nations was clear; I could not deny it if I wanted to. Jesus walked into my bathroom amid my evening bath and told me, “I have called you to be a prophet to the nations. You will speak before kings and queens. You will influence prime ministers and presidents. I will open doors for you to talk to mayors, governors, ambassadors, and government officials all around the world.”

This encounter lasted for roughly 30 minutes and left me with a thousand questions. I had been given an assignment with no clear directions to discover the God-given destiny over my life. I was left to pioneer a promise and protect the prophetic proclamation but I did not know where to go.

Let me be clear, my journey was not perfect, and my emotions were all over the map, but the truth is, the 20 years from the promise to the palace (metaphorically speaking) was a part of the perfect plan of God, as I spent years forging a road in obedience and building a foundation of faith; un-perfectly but passionately pursuing the prophetic call on my life. What I’ve learned is that often when we receive a word from the Lord our urgency for promotion can defeat our ability to walk humbly through the process into promotion. Remember, the Lord promotes the humble but humbles the proud.

In this week’s video blog, I share more about my journey in the prophetic and how to be equipped in your call.

THE GIFT VS THE OFFICE

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between the gift of prophecy and the office of a prophet? I often see this confused in prophetic culture and hope to bring some clarity to the call of a prophet today.

The gift of prophecy is one of the nine spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12; it is given by the power of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the gift of prophecy is to edify, exhort, and comfort. Let me be clear, though through the Holy Spirit we have been given access to spiritual gifts, we have also been told to earnestly seek them (1 Corinthians 14:1). If you want to grow in the gift of prophecy, I encourage you to seek the Lord and ask him for His good gifts. The Lord desires to give us His gifts more than we could ever want them. What I am getting at is, prophecy is a gift, not a reward; you cannot earn it or achieve it you only can receive it.

A prophet is not a gifted person but is a gift to the Church (Ephesians 4:7). The office of a prophet is a call; it is who the person is not what the person does. In order to be a prophet, there has to be a private encounter and a public acknowledgment. If you have a private encounter but are not acknowledged before men you are not a prophet to anyone because you are not operating in the fullness of your calling.

What I am getting at is, a prophet has a metron which is their sphere of authority. If you are operating in the office of a prophet but have no sphere of influence you will have no authority with man. If you receive a word from the Lord before the mantel on your life is recognized, I’d propose you are on the journey from the promise to the palace.

I encourage you to practice walking in royalty, surround yourself with community, and seek the Lord. An isolated prophet can lead to unhealth and disfunction; accountability and covering will be essential for your growth — the role of a prophet is to equip the saints it is critical to build trust with God and with Man.

THE SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS

After years of mining on the frontlines of the prophetic without any resources or prophetic community, I had a deep desire to see the prophets of our day equipped and encouraged in their call. Out of this desire, I created The School of the Prophets — a week-long training event for prophets, highly prophetic people, and church leaders that want to learn to advance and increase their prophetic call. This year, The School of the Prophets is happening both in-person at Bethel Church in Redding, CA, and online August 8-12, 2022.

I believe God is calling His prophets and prophetesses to understand the current cries heard globally and to step into the fullness of their calling as prophetic reformers. The School of the Prophets is a great opportunity to join other leaders from all over the world in a week-long training event for prophets, highly prophetic people, and church leaders and learn how to advance and increase your prophetic call. My heart is to see prophets step up to the plate, be equipped in their calling, engage in the world’s darkest circumstances, and get deployed in your divine destiny.

If you have a desire to be equipped or accelerate your prophetic calling I encourage you to register for The School of the Prophets 2022.

My prayer for you this week is that you would feel the closeness of the Lord. No matter the calling or miracle you are waiting to see unfold in your life, remember the divine purpose and care that the heavenly Father has for you.

How Hopelessness Became a Catalyst for a Global Movement

Fri, 28 May 2021 20:23:00 GMT

WHEN I HEARD THE AUDIBLE VOICE OF GOD

I remember the day I met God. I was 15 years old and in desperate need of a miracle — my mother was sick with Psoriasis. I had no answers or hope to offer her. I felt powerless and helpless as I watched her battle the pain that plagued her body. I cried out to “whatever or whoever” might hear me: “If there is a God out there if you heal my mother I will find out who you are and serve you for the rest of my life.” In response, I heard the audible voice of God say , “My name is Jesus Christ and you have what you have requested.” The Lord introduced Himself to me in a way that could not be reduced to my mere understanding; it was nothing less than a supernatural experience.

Can you remember the day you met the Lord? Did you pray the prayer of salvation or have a radical encounter with the presence of God? The truth is, the transforming power of salvation is the same whether you prayed a prayer or had an angel visit you in the night. The transforming power of salvation was displayed on the cross through Christ. As He overcame darkness and the stronghold of evil, the course of our destiny changed. He dismantled a believer’s finite experience and fashioned our inherent responsibility. No longer would the power of evil determine the course of history, rather the royal sons and daughters of God were handed the sword of salvation that would cut through the destructive plan of the enemy and wreak havoc on the schemes of the realm of darkness.

So, what happens when we don’t live out what Jesus paid for on the cross? What is the result of living unaware and unmotivated by the Spirit that lives inside of us; the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the realm of the dead? We in return have a paralyzed Church filled with passive and powerless believers; trapped in its doors and uncertain if they have the key to be free and to be a freedom bringer to the world permeated with pain.

Let me be clear, YOU hold the key — you have been called to be a light to the world’s darkest needs! You have been chosen to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you receive, freely give.” (Mark 10:8) The challenge is we are often left uncertain of how to actually live out the power of the gospel and transform the world around us.

Have you ever felt the desire deep in your bones for the world to experience the transforming love of God but are left with the big question….how? I’d propose It should spark concern that if as a son and daughter of Christ we are not seeing the supernatural unfold before our eyes. The challenge is, we’ve trapped the power of the gospel in a box of comfortability and personal comprehension.

In this week’s video blog I share about the importance of the supernatural in Christianity.

FROM WEAVERVILLE TO BSSM

The truth is, the moment I was introduced to God, the supernatural was all I knew to be true. Let me be clear, I understand this is not the common experience for many believers. We live in a world with believers uncertain in their ability and underutilized in their gifting. Kathy and I were introduced to the Lord in a community of believers who experienced and believed in the supernatural; we did not know any different.

Eventually, my wife Kathy and I knew the encounters and supernatural experiences in our life could not be kept up in our home or solely jotted down in our diaries. The call of God was big on our lives and the cost was high. I had a burning in my heart to see lives transformed and the world changed through the radical love of God and the power of the gospel. Over twenty years ago, Kathy and I moved to Redding to support the vision and the desire of our friend Bill Johnson’s heart to see the body of Christ activated and equipped.

In the founding years of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM), we immediately saw the effect of being surrounded by people pursuing the supernatural power of the gospel — there was a supernatural greenhouse effect that happened as believers stood hand in hand believing for the impossible. It was catalytic and expansive. We saw fruit in people’s lives that would have normally taken years to produce happen in months. An accelerated work of the Lord has occurred in the hearts of our students for over twenty years now and the people of God have found keys to the life Jesus paid for on the cross. I have not only seen it in the lives of the students of BSSM but as my grandchildren have grown up and attended the school, I have seen the transformation occur in the hearts of my own home and family.

Christians were born to leave a mark on the earth; to leave a legacy and see a world transformed. But too often we struggle to see the power of the gospel and the life that Jesus modeled activated and actualized in their own life. Yet the world is desperately waiting for the sons and daughters of Christ to take on their royal responsibility and live out the call on their life. You have a unique call and purpose; you were made to be a world-changer and partner with God to bring Heaven to earth.

Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry is not the only place to be equipped in the gifts of the Spirit and discover your true divine destiny and calling. However, the testimonies we’ve heard from our students both from in-person and online is remarkable — it is inevitable the Lord is moving here.

I am a firm believer that you do not have to figure out how to impact the world or specific sphere of influence on your own; you can do it with other believers with a heartbeat to see the world changed through the power of the gospel. If you feel the deep desire to see the world changed through the transformative power of Jesus that lives inside you, I highly encourage you to learn more about BSSM here — become equipped and activated to live out all Jesus paid for.

The Lord has a unique journey and path laid out for you. Let me be clear, attending ministry school is not the only option and opportunity to develop spiritual gifts, grow in your faith, or experience the supernatural. The Lord is far bigger and works in unique and miraculous ways. If you are eager to experience the supernatural in your own life but are not surrounded by an environment that believes or cultivates the supernatural, I would encourage you to begin reading books from others on the topic or listening to sermons and messages that discuss it. Begin to ask the Lord for the desires of your heart and don’t be afraid to boldly pursue the presence of God in your life; this is when you will see the Lord move powerfully.

How have you experienced the supernatural in your everyday life? I would love to hear in the comments below.

How to Take the Anxiety Out of Decision Making

Fri, 21 May 2021 20:11:00 GMT

SIMPLIFYING THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS

Whether you are the stay-at-home mom or the president of the United States, choices present themselves all day long. Can you even begin to count the number of decisions you make in a day? Decisions begin from the very moment you wake up - will you snooze your alarm or what will you eat for breakfast? These are probably the kinds of decisions you almost make subconsciously. Then, there are the decisions that might make you stop in your tracks and ponder what to do - should I marry that person or should I take that job? Decisions like these feel they could be life-altering.

I have recently felt the importance to remember that no matter how big the decision is that lies in front of me; the Lord has a purpose and plan for my life. The truth is, the choices you make could not remove the purpose and call on your life. I wanted to share with you today a blog that I previously posted on the topic of purpose and choices (originally posted on June 7th, 2019). I hope you feel encouraged and expectant for what the Lord has in store for your life.

CAN YOU MESS UP GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE?

Have you ever needed to make an important life decision and felt the weight of the world pressing down on your shoulders as you wrestle with the question — what is the right choice? The pressure can paralyze you as you struggle to decipher God’s will for your life, and perhaps even wrestle with the thought that you could mess it all up, or miss out on what He’s leading you to do.

The truth is that we have all been there; myself included. The load can feel unbearable, the anxiety smothering and the fear immobilizing.

As we journey through life, we often come to crossroads and can see only two distinct options: on one hand, we could choose God’s will, or we could completely miss it. We could make the right choice or the wrong one. We could either pass or fail; thrive or settle. When we view the outcome of our decisions this way, with only one option to succeed, the stakes can feel extremely high.

I love the truth that the prophet Jeremiah declares, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Did you catch that God has plans? That’s plural, people! Not just one single plan!

Check out this video to hear more about God’s many plans for your life, or scroll to read the video summary:

In a nutshell:

• Jesus was crucified from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Isn’t it interesting that before Adam had a problem, God had an answer? Have you ever failed so miserably that you thought you messed up God’s plan? He’s had an answer for that since the foundation of the world!

• Do you know why Jesus, the King of Kings, was born in a manger? Practically speaking, it was because there was no room in the hotel. Wouldn’t you think that God, who planned this event since the foundation of the world, could have orchestrated a place for Jesus to be born? What we can learn here is that sometimes we think if God has called us to do something, that everything is supposed to go smoothly. However, this is not always true! A perfect plan and smooth sailing is not always an indicator of God’s will!

• God has a purpose for our lives, not a singular plan…. but He has many plans to get us to our purpose.

• Several years ago I heard a message by Mark Chironna. He broke down Jeremiah 29:11 and explained that the word “plans” in Hebrew actually means “purpose, destiny, invention and design.” In fact, the NKJV says, “I know the thoughts I have for you…”

• Mark went on to share that God doesn’t have a plan for your life, He has a purpose for your life, and He has a lot of plans to get you to your purpose.

• What does that mean for us? We can’t screw it up! If you mess up plan A, He’s got a plan B, C and D to get you where you need to go. He can redirect and change the plan one thousand times to meet the purpose.

YOU CAN’T MESS IT UP!

I really want you to get this — you cannot mess up God’s purpose for your life! He has many plans to get you to your purpose. So today, let’s take the high stakes out of the equation of our destinies, take the weight of the world off of our shoulders, and take a deep breath under the comfort of the Prince of Peace.

God wasn’t surprised or panicked that there was no room for Jesus to be born in an inn. In the same way, He’s not surprised that your life has not been perfect. Perfection was never the plan! And guess what? Whatever decisions you’re facing today, He is with you in them and He’s championing you into the incredible purpose He has set before you. I want to encourage you that no matter where you’re at in your journey or what crossroads you perceive to be in front of you, keep moving forward and pressing into Him.

LET LOVE COVER YOU IN YOUR DECISIONS AND PLANS

God is a good Father, not a circus ring leader trying to get you to walk a tightrope through life! I pray that regardless of the mountains you’re climbing, the decisions you’re processing, or the challenges you’re facing, that you would be wrapped in God’s multifaceted love today. God’s love is a powerful force through which we can interpret all of life’s experiences.

Remember the Scriptures say, “and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:17–19).

The love of Jesus is multidimensional; it has breadth. It is an extensive, all-encompassing ocean of adoration that covers you in dark seasons and protects you through the night.

The love of Jesus has length; it goes the distance. You can’t fall so far that it can’t catch you, run so fast that it can’t get you, or hide so well that it can’t find you. His love is better than your worst day, stronger than the most defiant will, and more forgiving than your cruelest sin. When you give up, love goes on; when you fall down, it picks you up.

Love gives courage when you’re afraid, hope when you feel helpless, and strength when you’re weary. Love goes the distance!

The agape love of Christ has height; it exceeds all your expectations. Paul emphasizes this dimension of God’s love in the next verse when he writes that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV).

If you’ve asked for it, love gives more; if you’ve thought it, love takes it higher. If you’ve dreamt big, love dreams bigger; if you’ve aimed high, love aims higher.

You dream of a family; love dreams of a legacy. You ask for a job; love finds you a destiny. You hope for peace; love longs for a ministry. You pray for heaven; love gives you His city. Go ahead, think really big . . . but it will never compare to what love has already planned for you!

Do you struggle with a religious tightrope mentality? How do you work through that? Are you facing a big life decision right now? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

A World Changer's Secret Ingredient

Fri, 14 May 2021 19:39:00 GMT

A CONNECTED WORLD WITH LITTLE CONNECTION

It has become more apparent than ever that we live in a time with endless amounts of opportunity for connection. With a touch of a finger, you can scroll through the daily lives of individuals all around the world, or FaceTime a loved one a thousand miles away, or even watch movies together from different rooms. Yet loneliness has plagued our culture more than ever. The challenge is, there are countless devices at our fingertips that give us a false sense of community and connection; they are a temporary aid to the deep need for real deep connection.

I know in my life God has placed community and relationships around me that have impacted me, challenged me, and encouraged me into my God-given destiny. Community is not always easy — community has been my greatest strength and my greatest challenge. But, the truth is if you have been hurt by community, relationships, or leadership, this is the very place you will find your healing.

I felt led to repost the blog below (originally posted on August 30th, 2019). I hope it inspires you to engage in community and pursue deep connection in your relationships.

WHY YOU NEED COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE WORLD

If you want to change the world, it’s imperative that you learn to submit your life and remain accountable to wise people! Over the years I have seen that one of the greatest stumbling blocks to achieving your God-given destiny is the desire to run the course alone; stifled by your own blindspots and confused as to why you cannot move forward.

I understand more clearly now than ever that with great authority comes much responsibility. The more influence you have in the world, the more wisdom you’ll need to navigate life redemptively so that the purposes of God are fulfilled in your time.

Favor amplifies the influence on our lives, but favor alone doesn’t help us to make good decisions. We have to seek God for His perspectives and connect with wise people for their insights and counsel. It’s in authentic, life-on-life accountability to wise counselors that there is victory!

COVERING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARE NOT THE SAME!

We must realize that there is a difference between covering and accountability! If you’re a part of a church or Christian movement, you may have a spiritual covering, however, true accountability is only present in our lives when we have a personal relationship with people who can and do speak into our hearts, our circumstances and our relationships. I love the way that Hebrews 13:17 puts this: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

Everyone needs these deep covenant connections—not primarily because they keep us from failing, but because they inspire us to reach for the high call of God that rests on each of our lives.

Historically, accountability has majored in helping people restrain their bad behavior. But as new creatures in Christ, we all need to be accountable to people who regularly remind us that we were born to make history. Accountability is awesome if it is account-for-your-ability and not account-for-your-disability. It can’t simply consist of people who tell me when I am doing something wrong. As my friend, Paul Manwaring, says: “I don’t need someone to make sure I don’t smoke, I need somebody to make sure I am on fire!”

The more responsibility, influence and authority we have in our lives the deeper the foundation of accountability n eeds to be. But our accountability partners must have permission to speak into those places in our lives where we are unconsciously ignorant so that they can be our eyes to our blind spots. Most importantly, they remind us of the areas of strength we don’t see or have confidence in and hold us accountable to walk in our high call.

We can see this kind of positive accountability in 1 Timothy 4 . Paul speaks to Timothy as a father and exhorts him to not neglect the spiritual gifts that have been deposited in him, but rather to do something with the gifts that will bring great benefit to the lives around him. We all need fathers and mothers who, like Paul, will remind us of what we carry and encourage us to put it into practice (see 1 Timothy 4:11-16).

YOUR SPIRITUAL ACCOUNTABILITY DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A FAMOUS PERSON

Perhaps you understand the importance of being submitted to leaders who can hold you accountable to your destiny but have trouble finding someone to fulfill this role. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people express the deep desire to be mentored by spiritual fathers like Bill Johnson. This may be a tough pill to swallow, but I want you to understand that it is very unlikely that leaders who carry the apostolic mantles providing the covering for entire movements will be able to provide relational accountability for most of the people under their covering. The very nature of their corporate responsibility prevents them from having the necessary time it takes to cultivate deep relationships with that many people.

However, that kind of time and relationship are paramount in order for real discipleship and/or accountability to take place. When it comes to leaders who operate in apostolic roles or who cover entire movements, however, the truth of Proverbs 18:24 applies: “A man of too many friends comes to ruin.”

Therefore, you must find accountability among the people you are doing life with. You don’t need someone famous, you just need a wise person who has time for you and is willing to speak honestly into your life! It should be a person you highly respect; who believes in you, and has more experience than you. Being accountable to your peers can be helpful, but it seldom has the impact that a more experienced person can have on your heart, your growth, and your destiny.

TRIGGERED BY AUTHORITY?

Perhaps as you read this, the idea that someone has authority over you in God feels painful at best and impossible at worst. I know those feelings well, having grown up with two stepfathers who abused their authority in my life. But the benefits of having true spiritual leadership in our lives far outweigh the internal struggle it takes to get there. And for many believers, it is a struggle. Some people who seem to have the greatest resistance to the concept of spiritual authority would not dare tell even their unsaved employer, “You can’t tell me what to do. The Lord is my Shepherd; I don’t submit to earthly authority.” Instead, they arrive at work at whatever time their boss tells them. They wear whatever uniform the corporate code demands. They carry out the tasks that are required of them five or six days a week. But on Sunday, they come to church and refuse to work in the nursery or perform some simple job that leadership asks them to do. I have had believers tell me that some church leader hurt them, so they will never submit to spiritual authority again.

Their life message is clear: “You can’t tell me what to do.” Can you imagine what your income would be like if you extended that way of thinking into the marketplace? It troubles me when Christians will do for money what they will not do for love.

RED FLAGS IN LEADERS

Of course, there are always “spiritual leaders” in the Body of Christ who think it is their responsibility to control people instead of empowering them to fulfill their God-given mandate. Such leaders use fear and manipulation to get their flock to do what is needed. These kinds of people should not be leaders, and others should not trust them or submit to them.

True spiritual fathers and mothers always include the fulfillment of their people’s dreams as part of their primary mission from God. Whenever shepherds lead in a way that does not significantly benefit their people, they are misusing their authority. Let me be clear: This is not the kind of leader I am suggesting that you trust.

THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT LEADER!

Not everyone’s opinion should have weight in your life because that will lead to an exhausting pattern of people-pleasing. But there should be a select few who you allow to see deeply into your heart, who you trust, have a connection with, and who you know want the best for you.

Remember, there is no such thing as a perfect leader, except for Jesus! We cannot require perfection from any leader, but we can expect those who lead us to demonstrate maturity, to love us, and to live humbly. Leaders are not perfect people with a perfect track record. Of course, neither are the people they are leading.

How do you submit to spiritual authority? How has wise council or community impacted your destiny? I’d love to hear your thoughts and insights in the comments below!

A Mom's Love Does Not Return Void: a Guest Post by Kathy Vallotton

Fri, 07 May 2021 20:20:00 GMT

THE REAL WORLD CHANGERS

Mothers have a unique call and gifting! I have been surrounded by mothers that have supported me my whole life. My own mother lost her husband and the love of her life at 20 years old. Despite her circumstances, she paved a life full of kindness and perseverance. My mom was my greatest support and most faithful friend. I’d propose mothers are the life-saving and world-changing agents we all have experienced; if we all loved and served like them the world would be a better place.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I asked my wife and the incredible mother of our four children, Kathy Vallotton, to share a story from her new book The Good, the God, and the Ugly . I wanted her to share with you how she has processed not only the joys and triumphs of motherhood, but also the pain and disappointment . I hope you feel encouraged, loved, and celebrated today.

A Note From Kathy:

I became a mother at 18 years old; it was my lifelong dream — yet, I felt far from qualified. Kris and I brought our first baby girl home from the hospital and were in awe and wonder at what our life as parents would entail. After raising four children and 10 grandchildren, I can tell you now it is my greatest joy and has been my deepest pain. It can feel like you are the anchor to a ship that has sailed into a never-ending storm. It is not always easy; I know in my parenting days it has often felt like with every triumph there is a challenge and with every frustration there is new hope.

However, with over 45 years of parenting under our belts now, I want to encourage all the moms out there. Whether, you are a biological mother, spiritual mother, stepmother, or godmother you are loved and cherished. The love you pour out each day to the children you have been given does not return void.

I learned early on; the world is in need of mothers — the call of a mom goes beyond serving and nurturing our own children. One of the most powerful lessons I learned as a mom and we learned as a family was that miracles are commonly discovered in “the land of risk,” and there are few things riskier than inviting strangers into your home to live with you. In the first 18 years of our marriage, our guests often outnumbered our own children. This dynamic thrust us into the adventure of a lifetime, where there was never a dull moment at the Vallotton home.

So much of our passion to touch the homeless, help the broken, and free the captives was inspired by a young, radical Jesus freak named Tracy Evans . Tracy really became part of our family. One day she came home from work and began telling me about a girl she had met whom I will refer to as “Sharon” (not her real name). Tracy was working as a nurse at the local hospital, where she met Sharon. Tracy shared with me that Sharon had ended up in the hospital because she was all cut up from running into some sharp pieces of trash in the dark. (There was a lot more to that story, none of it good.) She had no family to speak of, and on top of all that, it was her birthday.

Sharon’s situation touched me deeply. I felt sorry for her, and compassion gushed out of me like an untamed river. But I could feel there was more to the story. Tracy shared with me “she’s been involved in satanism, and she’s really confused. What she needs is a secure, loving family to live with for a while.” My mama’s heart was moved just thinking of how a loving family could impact Sharon’s life. After a long discussion, Kris and I came to the decision she could stay with us for one week at most.

WHEN YOU DON’T SEE THE FRUIT OF IT

When Sharon arrived at our house it soon became apparent that she was streetwise but had very little in the way of common sense or family values...

In fact, I don’t think those were even in her vocabulary. I concluded that I was going to have to put on my big-girl pants because this lady needed me to show her some good, strong, motherly love.

Remember, how we said she could only stay for a week at most? Well, days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as Sharon slowly integrated into our family. She was learning about the love of God and was experiencing miracles right in front of her eyes. Sharon lived with us for months, and all of us were changed by the transforming power of God’s love evident in her life. She became a different person during her time in our home, but sadly, a while later she turned back to her old life and got lost in darkness.

This truly left us devastated. I couldn’t believe that someone who had experienced the depth of the Father’s love like she had in the last few months could retreat to their old ways of darkness so quickly. I have learned that one of the side effects of a life of miracles and faith is disappointment. Disappointment not so much because the miracle you are believing for does not take place (although that certainly happens at times), but more often because the people who experience a bona fide act of God don’t always change.

Yet amid the disappointment that comes from taking a risk, is the joy that comes from loving people right where they are. Jesus was our greatest example of God’s love being poured out without expecting anything in return. Some of us plant, some water and others are there for the harvest. Every time we reach out toward someone in love, we are making a difference in his or her life, whether we see the fruit of it or not.

A MOTHER’S DAY ENCOURAGEMENT

I want to encourage all you mamas out there to remember that every act of love and service sown into your kids is healing hearts, laying foundations, and building a legacy we may not live to see. There is incredible purpose in every meal you make and bedtime story you read; lives are being changed, and remember the Lord is their Father watching after their every move. He is our greatest mom support; with Him, we can conquer giants and slay dragons.

Today my prayer is that the mamas out there feel the peace of the Father and joy of the Lord as you love and nurture your children. I pray you feel the subtle nudge from our heavenly Father as He whispers to you “good job.”

Blessings to all of you this Mother’s Day. I would love to hear in the comments below how a mother has impacted and shaped your life.

Inspired Thinking and Why It is the Answer to Your Problems

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 21:34:00 GMT

THE POWER OF A THOUGHT

Have you ever considered the power of one thought? Just think of the airplane, it was built from a dream to fly... or think of slavery, it was fought against because a world without it could be visualized. The list is endless, but isn’t it obvious we were made to climb above the static thoughts in our minds? Imagination and inspiration were woven in the womb and built-in our bones; we were designed to inspire the solutions and inventions of our time .

The truth is, we have access to divine solutions because we are sons and daughters of God. Yet, I recently became aware of my lack of inspired thinking. Now, this is highly unusual for me. I normally have to shut my brain off because I could dream up a million ideas before the day is done. I know for some people having endless ideas and dreams is not a common theme in your life. However, I’d propose that when you build the muscle of inspired thinking in your mind it’s like muscle memory. It makes it easier to exercise the God-given ideas and catalyzes them into motion in your life.

Have you ever been on a journey that has led you to a dead-end road? Uncertain of where to go, you end up right back on the road to home — it can feel defeating and discouraging. The truth is we often face problems in life that feel like they have led us to a dead-end. Problems beyond our knowledge and expertise land in our lap, our neighborhood, and our homes. The challenge is, the issues you face can keep you from acting if you allow the voice of intimidation and discouragement to take up more space than the voice of hope and life in your mind. Discouragement and intimidation keep you stagnant and unresponsive; chained to the “impossible” of the issue and unable to find the solutions that live inside of you, as the royal son or daughter of Christ.

Let me be clear, I have faced many problems that have led me to my end; ones that have truly intimidated and discouraged me. But the truth is there is never a dead end with the Lord. We don’t need to be the most intelligent or have it all figured out. Often the moment we come to the end of our own ability is the very moment we then experience divine connection. When you allow the Holy Spirit to enter into the room of our mind you will receive solutions and answers beyond your own ability.

I’d propose that in order to find the solution to a problem you must be able to see the potential of a world without it. If you are stuck in the pit of discouragement and tangled in lies that things will never change, I want to encourage you to begin to ask the Holy Spirit what it would look like if the problem was solved. Ask the Holy Spirit direct questions like, “What would it look like if every child had a loving home and warm bed?” Or, “ What would it feel like if racism was eradicated and inequality was eliminated? ” “What would my city be like if crime decreased and the homeless had homes?” Then begin to ask the Holy Spirit to show you the steps to reach the solution. Close your eyes and imagine the very steps it took to get to the solution that the Holy Spirit showed you on the screen of your sanctified mind.

In this week’s video blog I discuss the topic of stewarding inspired thoughts and finding heavenly solutions .

ATTENTION SEEKERS AND INSPIRATION STEALERS

We live in a world with countless attention seekers and motivation stealers that turn off our brains to inspired thinking and snooze it to the impossible. It might seem obvious that our attention is valuable; we are continuously surrounded by attention-grabbers. If you are like most people you are aware of the television to name just one — trust me I wish the T.V. didn’t cause a clicked-off mind. However, as I recently noticed the lack of inspired thoughts in my life, I began to recount what has filled my free-thinking time. This led me to recount many more attention seekers in our lives such as the news, social media, and video games. Let me be clear, these avenues of entertainment are not evil or wrong but they have the ability to place our thoughts in a race car and speed away. In just a moment we hand over control and let entertainment tell us what lane to think on.

When you feel you’ve been in an inspiration drought, it’s time to become aware of what is leading your mind. Have you thrown your thoughts in the race car that sped away or are you asking the Holy Spirit to play out the scene across the screen of your mind? I want to encourage you to begin to ask the Holy Spirit what it would look like if the problem was resolved. If you then still feel like inspiration and imagination are dormant, the Bible is filled with sparks for inspiration. I want to challenge you to sit down with a story in the Bible and as you read across the pages, imagine you are sitting at the feet of the author as they recount their story. Is their voice shaky, do they laugh or maybe cry as they read? As you read, put yourself on the scene; imagine the sounds and feelings of the jail cell that Paul wrote Ephesians in. After I began reading the Bible like this I never read it the same again. It was an imagination exercise that became second nature when I would read. After years of reading my Bible like this, it paved a highway for inspiration and imagination in my brain. The stories and verses I had heard and read a thousand times became life to me as they began to move deeper than the words on the pages and touched my heart.

My prayer for you today is that if you have found yourself stagnant or discouraged on your journey with the Lord that you would begin to have remarkable ideas. I pray that the Holy Spirit begins to speak to you about solutions and the possibilities in your life.

I would love to hear in the comments below how the Lord has shown you solutions and given you ideas before.

How to Keep a Kingdom Mindset in a Political World

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 21:45:00 GMT

OUR HEAVENLY MANDATE

Do the stories of injustices and evil happening in our world break your heart? Do they stir a holy anger and catalyze a righteous action of justice? There is a reason the injustices, immorality, and evil in our world affect us in a deep and emotional place; we were created to bring light to the dark places of society; the Church was never intended to stay within its four walls. Believers are intended to influence all spheres of society and impact all aspects of culture — this is our inherited role; our divine assignment. Yet as I look at the Church today I wonder: have we become so comfortable gathering our local congregations that we’ve disowned our responsibility to respond to the darkness that surrounds us?

There was a time in my life that I believed the issues of the world were not my concern. In fact I believed I should remove myself and not ever return to the “world.” I was a you ng Christian during the Jesus Movement and quickly adopted an eschatology that robbed me from impacting culture and transforming society for years. There was a popular belief among Believers in this time to “come out among them and be separate” (1 Corinthians 6:17) and I quickly grabbed onto it. With all this in mind, I truly had no reason to ever step into the dark places of the world or influence and transform the world around me. I believed I had stepped out of my old life of sin and darkness and I was never to return to those places. But is that really what we’ve been called to do?

We can’t ignore the fact that injustice and evil surround us everyday; we hear horror stories on the news of wrongdoing in our backyard and evil in our land. Now, let me be clear, we are not of this world. We have been born again, the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, and we are new creations. However, we have also been anointed to preach the good news to the poor, to bind up the broken-hearted and proclaim freedom for the captives...to rebuild ruined cities and restore the places long devastated (Isaiah 61). It is clear, in the kingdom of God the restored become the restorers and the delivered set others free — this is the transforming power of the Gospel.

We have been called to be the light of the whole world — not just the light within the four walls of comfortability and compatibility. If the Church stays huddled on a hill and content with confinement how can we be the light of the whole world? I understand it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the evil and darkness we see and experience around us, causing us to want to retreat to safety and certainty, but this is not the life we have been called to live. The life we are called to was modeled throughout the entirety of the Bible: where most of the miracles happened off the spiritual speedway, in the mundane moments, and in the unlikely ones of society.

As Believers, we have been given the mandate to make the earth like heaven and disciple nations. Now, this may sound like a big task; an incomprehensible mission that may leave you uncertain of how to begin. But remember that the Spirit of God lives in you! Not only is this the life we have been called to live but the life we have been equipped to succeed in. The very moment you accepted Jesus into your life He moved in and gave you an all-access pass to heavenly strategy, sacred solutions, and answers to the world’s most complex problems. You are a solutionary by nature and a restorer by design; it is inevitable you’d be a kingdom force bringing heaven to earth.

In this week’s video blog I share more about how to impact culture and why this is our responsibility as Believers.

GET RID OF THE POLITICAL SPIRIT

I truly believe the Lord has given His people solutions that will shape culture and strategy that will impact the course of human history. I’d propose that one of the most practical ways to transform culture is to influence the laws that are shaping the world we live in. It is important that we exercise our right to vote, get involved in local government and run for office. However, if we are going to bring the kingdom to earth we must ditch the political spirit and its divisive nature and join our value systems to the kingdom of heaven. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with believing and sharing in fundamental, moral, and ideological beliefs as a specific political party. However, I have seen firsthand the infectious and contagious nature of the political spirit. It has plagued our nation and tried to take root in my own heart. It has one mission: to cause division among the children of God and confusion in the hearts of men.

I want to encourage you today to run far from the divisive nature of the political spirit and hold tight to the Kingdom values of heaven. My prayer is that the Lord would begin to give you heavenly strategy and divine assignments to impact culture and transform society. You have everything you need in you to trample darkness and be a force of light to the world.

I would love to hear in the comments below how you have seen heaven come to earth and transform and impact society and culture!

How Will the Equality Act (Hr5) Impact You and Your Family?

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 20:50:00 GMT

THE EQUALITY ACT

I recently interviewed Elizabeth Woning, the co-founder of the organization Equipped to Love and The CHANGED Movement, on an important piece of legislation that is currently being considered in Washington D.C. The Equality Act (HR5) is a piece of legislation that focuses on anti-discrimination. Why should you care about the Equality Act Amendment? The Equality Act redefines the word “sex” in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to incorporate gender identity. I wholeheartedly agree that individuals that identify as LGBTQ deserve honor, dignity, and respect. However, in an effort to amend an injustice this bill has done so in a reprehensible manner. Let me be clear, by no means do I agree that any individual deserves ill-treatment — it truly grieves my heart when I think of how society and the church have approached the LGBTQ community. However, I do believe there is an approach that models true justice.

We saw Jesus model a life that uprooted the weeds of discrimination, broke down societal stigmas, and crushed cultural barriers. Jesus sat with the unloved and outcasts of society and advocated for wholeness in individual’s lives and for unity in the body of Christ. He cared for all people and promoted ethical treatment for all children of God.

MY INTERVIEW WITH ELIZABETH WONING

This piece of legislation is deemed to affect how the Gospel is preached, alter how gender identity is understood in society, and neglect the protection of awarded women’s rights.

I urge you to watch this informative interview with Elizabeth Woning and myself as we discuss further the repercussions of this amendment and the importance of our response.

Here is a brief summary of HR5 (many thanks to The Changed Movement for creating these):

The EA will make it more difficult for people to walk out their faith in alignment with biblical values by removing essential protections of religious liberty (the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is explicitly exempted. RFRA is a tool for people of faith to use as a shield against discrimination by the federal government.)
In a misguided effort to ensure support for transgender identifying people, this bill mandates medical and emotional care in such a way that forces doctors to support treatments against their best medical judgment; and it jeopardizes the Hyde Amendment which prevents federal funding of abortion.
The Equality Act redefines the word “sex” in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to incorporate “gender identity.” This effectively removes Title IX protections for women, making it possible for biological males (transgender identifying women) to compete in women’s sports, enter women’s shelters, etc., or apply for grants and subsidies reserved previously for the advancement of biological women.

BIBLICAL SEXUALITY

Sexuality can feel like a silenced subject, a grey area of uncertainty and cloud of confusion in the Church — I want to bring clarity and light to this subject. I have shared below a recent statement that Bethel Church made in response to the Equality Act on biblical sexuality.

Bethel’s Statement on Biblical Sexuality:

Sex and sin are not synonymous. God made us sexual beings before sin was a factor. This was the blessing that He called “very good” (Gen. 1:31 NIV) and He has given us boundaries about how to express ourselves sexually. The Bible consistently addresses the complexity of our sexuality as a result of our sin. God knows that the development of our sexuality is dependent on our family, community, and culture. Human sexuality has few natural limitations; one may act sexually with anyone or anything and in any setting if we are not socialized about what is healthy and expected. Knowing this, God has taught us His values.

As a model for all of humanity, God socialized Israel in the proper and healthy expression of sex. Just as any other pleasure in life, like rest, work, eating, or alcohol, sex can be wonderful or destructive. He had to teach Israel that sex with one’s parents or children wasn’t acceptable, nor was sex with someone else’s spouse, sex with the same gender, sex for sale, sex in ritual worship, sex outside of marriage, sex with animals, sex in a group, and forcing sex on another—all were unacceptable to God, no matter how tempting or desirable. As we read this list, we may feel we have already embraced most of the Lord’s ways or naturally complied to many of these boundaries, but they are all values we have learned. Humans didn’t invent these guidelines in an evolutionary process or by imagining their ideal experience; rather they came from divine revelation. God taught us how to socialize one another and steward the gift of sex to create healthy people and societies.

The refusal to acknowledge and honor God leads to disconnection from reality. The lie that He doesn’t exist, can’t be known, has no rightful demands on us, and/or that we are not accountable to God creates a web of untruth in society as we invent new meanings for life and vie for power and pleasure. Our thoughts, emotions, and wills become distorted and unreliable guides in such a way that we worship created things rather than worshipping the Creator (Rom. 1:25).

God deeply values freedom because it is part of being made in His image and is necessary if we are to truly love and become like Christ. Worshipping things other than God eventually leads to lust—the enshrinement of desire as the focus of life—and it is idolatry. Eventually, lust enslaves people as they define themselves predominantly by their desires rather than God’s heart and purpose. Instead of consistently intervening, He will allow individuals and societies to stubbornly experience sin’s damaging effects—even to the point where it distorts their humanity (Rom. 1:24). God takes the gifts of free will and love very seriously and will not coerce devotion.

The multitude of possible gender identities and the normalization of same-sex sexual behavior points to a society that has abandoned the desire to accurately define and socialize humanity as a reflection of God’s image—humanity created as male and female, alike but different, who produce offspring of like kind (Gen. 1:26-28). They have suppressed and distorted something built into the fabric of creation, and this is not healthy (Rom. 1:21-23). For the sake of respect and communication throughout this statement, we have referenced “LGBTQ”; but these labels merely describe a subjective and often fluid experience that belies the objective truth of our male and female biology.

I encourage you to read Bethel’s full statement on Biblical sexuality here .

IT'S TIME TO TAKE ACTION

It is incumbent upon us that we do not disregard our responsibility as sons and daughters to respond to the injustices that surround us. I want to encourage you to take action; contact your senator today and tell them you oppose the Equality Act. This can be done in three simple steps:

Find your senators listed below.
Either call, email, or write them a letter stating you oppose HR5. Copy and paste this or write your own:

I STRONGLY OPPOSE HR5 (The Equality Act) because of its infringements on religious liberty and its discrimination against women. Please vote against this bill.

I t will take you 5 minutes or less and it’s extremely easy and nonintrusive.

3. Pray for America and the LGBTQ community.

I have provided a list of all US senators based on location. Scroll down within the lists below to find your state and contact your senators.

Overcoming Disappointment with God-given Vision

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 18:38:00 GMT

HOW TO RECEIVE 20/20 VISION

I had an encounter with God years ago that has changed my life forever. As I laid in my bathtub one night Jesus walked into my bathroom and told me, “You’re a great leader. You’re going to be a prophet to kings, prime ministers, and governors.” You may think that is incredible or wish God would walk into your room and give you clarity on your calling. Truly it was one of the most significant encounters I have had, but I wish I could say that that was all it took to catapult me into my destiny.

Instead, I was left with this weighty word from the Lord and no idea how it would come to fruition. Yes, I was given a mission that day; my life became filled with purpose and I began wrestling with all that had been handed to me in that encounter. However, I had no idea where to begin. Maybe you haven’t had this exact same encounter but you've felt called or have even received countless prophetic words that have given you purpose without the blueprint or instructions in order to be able to accomplish it.

We have all seen someone on a mission. They are determined and steadfast. They have a goal in mind that no hurdle seems to be able to stop. Yet, it is easy to find ourselves disappointed when our own efforts fail us in pursuit of a God-given mission. The hurdles that once would not have stopped you have now caused you to crumble, causing anxiety as you question how you’ll accomplish the call with no time left and with uncertainty in every step.

I’d propose a successful mission is backed by a sanctified vision. Vision brings flesh to the bones and sight to the eyes of a God-given mission. It is a remedy to the disappointment of failed attempts and unfulfilled promises. The truth is, challenges and difficult circumstances are inevitable; pain and heartache are probable — this is why vision is vital.

When you have a vision, the pain of long-awaited breakthroughs and unfulfilled promises are given a purpose. It is a catalyst that motivates the soul and makes perseverance possible. Now let me be clear, I understand that sometimes the venture to the promised land gets long; we can even begin to feel stalled on the highway of our mission. It is easy to think “when I finally get that dream job” or “when I meet my spouse” or even “when I finally have a breakthrough in my health” then I will feel satisfied in the waiting. The truth is, there is an opportunity to be fully satisfied with your life in the waiting. Vision is a divine blueprint that is discovered through sanctified imagination. When you invite the Holy Spirit into your dream spot and allow Him to unfold the scene on the screen of your sanctified mind, a blueprint unfolds and the mission is given a vision with purpose and drive.

In this week’s video blog I share more about how to partner with the Holy Spirit in finding vision for your life.

In a nutshell:

Having a vision is not the same as having a mission.
The mission is the “why”; it gives your life a purpose. Vision is the “what”; it is visual.
It is a vision that actually motivates your soul.
When you have a purpose it is important that you take time and get the blueprint from God.
Vision is the primary way that you find purpose in the midst of the pain.
Hope helps you find vision and vision gives you hope.
The Lord can also give you a vision for others. At the end of this week’s video blog the Lord gave me prophetic words for people that would be watching this video. I hope you are blessed by it.

HOW TO DREAM AGAIN

“No man is willing to die for something that he doesn’t believe in." I recently heard this statement that struck me and I felt it’s connected to the importance of vision. More importantly than finding vision for your life, it is essential that you believe in it. You can be given great insight into the life you’re called to as a co-heir with Christ but without belief, it will lead you right back to the pit of discouragement, cripple you in hopelessness, and halt your progress. Yet with belief, you will find hope, and with hope, you will find an increase in vision.

If you have found yourself traveling down the road of discouragement and disbelief — constantly finding yourself disappointed that you haven’t seen a breakthrough or outcome in your life, I want to first encourage you to ask yourself a very honest question: “Have I become a victim of my circumstance?” When you believe you are a victim you adopt an identity other than your royal identity through Christ. Let me be clear, I am not saying there is not a proper time to grieve and process the pain you have experienced. However, when years have passed and we are still blaming the wrong that was done to us it is time to grab hold of your inherited identity in Christ and step into your victorious position as a child of God.

Secondly, if you have found yourself isolated on the road of discouragement and depression, I want to exhort you to surround yourself with people that are filled with hope and faith. It is okay to rely on the faith of others to help direct you down the road back into divine vision and hope.

Lastly, when the cloud of pain and discouragement has rested on your mind and fogged your thoughts, begin to write down the things you are thankful for. Start with three and as you begin to break out from the weight of the cloud, continue to write down more. Notice how your thoughts begin to ruminate on things that are true, right, pure, and lovely. I have had to practice this many times in my own life; it has been my weapon in the war on the battlefield of my mind.

I want to encourage you this week to sit down with God and invite the Holy Spirit to dream with you. Allow the Holy Spirit to unfold a movie on the screen of your sanctified imagination. I pray that the vision He shares with you is a catalyst for breakthrough in your life.

How has vision given your pain a purpose? I would love to hear in the comments below.

Why Good Friday is Key for Your Victory

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 17:51:00 GMT

WHY GOOD FRIDAY IS SO GOOD

With Easter in just a couple of days, I’ve been thinking about the power of the cross. I always find myself in awe and admiration of the sacrifice that was displayed for me on the cross between the nails, flesh, and wood. A humble obedience and the holy sacrifice of the Son of God changed the course of history.

Have you ever wondered how He did it? How He took on the most painful and difficult moment of His life without calling it quits? He endured the most painful day of His life; abandoned to fear and surrendered to the promise of God.

How was He able to endure the piercing nails and the torturous crown of thorns? How did He handle the abuse and scoffing of men? Such pain feels unimaginable. I’d propose He had a vision beyond the pain and suffering. He saw that the fear and torture of Friday wouldn’t in the slightest way compare to the joy and praise of Sunday morning.

I wanted to remember the beauty and message displayed on the cross on Good Friday and repost the blog below (I originally posted it on March 30th, 2018). The power of the cross is incredible; it’s indestructible. It never loses its significance and value; it never gets old.

THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIAL

Sometimes we face trials for extended periods of time. It’s not a fun fact of life to come to terms with, especially when you feel like you’re at the end of your rope. Maybe you’ve tried everything you know to try like holding onto your prophetic words and testimonies of what God has already done in your life. And yet sometimes the pain still feels too heavy to carry when you’re repeatedly put through the trouble of a trying situation. It’s in those moments that I want you to remember that vision will give your pain a purpose, and it will sustain you even when you feel like throwing in the towel.

VISION GIVES PAIN A PURPOSE

Vision is the invisible manager that guides, encourages, and inspires fervent souls who are undertaking the Master’s supernatural assignment to prepare the planet for His reentry. When I see saints exercising enormous self-control, showing great courage in overcoming difficulties, and demonstrating excellence in their divine assignments, I know it means they have captured a vision for their lives. The greatest example of this that I can think of is Jesus on the cross.

When Jesus faced the most difficult moment of His life, He didn’t give up. Do you think He ever considered throwing in the towel? I don’t pretend to know all of His thoughts on that day but I know what the Word says.

Let’s take a deeper look on this Flashback Friday video:

In a nutshell:

• It’s really important that we understand history so that we don’t repeat it. And so that we understand the cost of those who went before us, so we understand their values and bring it into our new season.

• I grew up in a patriarchal family. My grandfather had a lot of respect (and sometimes control) over us as a family.

• My grandfather went blind because of a tumor, so he ordered all of us kids and grandkids to read the Bible to him in two-hour shifts 12 hours a day for six days a week. My family still talks about those years!

• My grandfather taught me perseverance from the time I was a little boy. Then later when I grew up I read in the Bible that God’s people don’t give up.

• Romans 15:4-5 says, “through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus.”

• In order to have a Sunday, you have to have a Friday. Before there could be a resurrection there had to be a crucifixion.

• Hebrews 12:2 says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

• When Jesus prayed He actually sweat blood because He was persevering and pushing His way through death and into the cross.

AN UNEXPECTED LESSON FROM THE CROSS

We all know the power of the cross in our lives, the profound love poured out for us, the forgiveness that we receive through being hidden in Christ. It’s amazing and never gets old to think about! However, today I feel it on my heart to remind you of a lesson that we don’t always think about on Good Friday—through the cross Jesus taught us endurance through pain. And how did He endure it all? For the joy set before Him. He could persist through the pain, face it head-on, even though it was obviously not enjoyable in the moment. Jesus could do this because He focused on what he was gaining in the process.

It unravels me to think that through the pain He was thinking of me (and you). And that His love for us was a driving force to persevere. So whatever you’re facing today, I want you to know that your Father in heaven is looking at you with love in His eyes and compassion in His heart. He can empathize and connect with your pain because He felt it all on the cross. I feel an invitation today to ask Him for a picture of the joy set before you; the thing that will drive you to persevere in this season. He is waiting to speak to you, to encourage you, and to give you hope for your future today! May you endure and persevere through whatever trials you may be facing with the strength of joy!

This Easter weekend I hope you are filled with incredible joy and vision. My heart goes out to anyone that has faced a trial in this season. I pray that your perseverance is richly rewarded and your faith is strengthened.

How has your life been impacted by the power of the cross? I would love to hear in the comments below!

Your Most Common Spiritual Warfare Questions Answered

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 19:02:00 GMT

UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRIT REALM

Have you ever had a problem in life you just can’t seem to solve? It can feel like you’ve hit a dead-end road, exhausted all of your possibilities, knocked on every door, and called everyone you know - yet still, the problem persists. This was my journey with spiritual warfare. Confusion moved in and made itself at home in my mind; it truly felt like a living hell. Every avenue I attempted to venture down for relief seemed to be met with a dead end and no way out. I wasn’t sure who knew the answer to my turmoil, but I was in desperate need of relief.

Spiritual warfare can feel like the elephant in the room in the body of Christ. It can feel like the thing we know exists but we don’t want to acknowledge it as relevant and true. However, the truth is the spiritual realm is very real. If you know my story, you know in my early twenties I experienced the reality of the demonic realm. For 3 years during my mental breakdown, I encountered demons and battled spiritual warfare every day.

After years of being oppressed by the illusive power of the demonic realm, I found true freedom when I acknowledged my battle was “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” It is common to retreat and ignore the spiritual battle knocking at your door in an attempt to find peace and solace instead of pressing in to defeat the enemy. However, I’d propose true freedom lies in confronting the spirit realm by stepping into your inherent victorious position as sons and daughters of God.

It is incumbent upon me that as believers we step up to the battle line and brave what’s been besieged by the enemy. The reward of peace rests in our resistance of the enemy not in our retreat. It is critical that we step into our royal identity, stand firm on the battleground, and become rightful recipients of God’s protection.

COMMON QUESTIONS

I want to bring clarity to the complexity of the spirit realm and answer some of your most commonly asked questions on the topic of spiritual warfare. Please note, these are not the last words on spiritual warfare. I strongly encourage you to process your questions with the Lord and with people that you trust in your life.

Additionally, in this week’s video blog I discuss further the answers to these questions!

Question 1: Are you still leaving an open door when you choose to forgive, over and over, but still feel bitterness when you think about the person?

Forgiveness can feel like you’ve jumped on the never-ending forgiveness track. What I mean is, even though you’ve forgiven someone, you may lay in bed at night recounting the painful memory over and over. But the truth is, when you forgive someone once that is enough for the redeeming power of God to reign over the situation.

You might ask, “then why do I still feel pain when I think of them?” Well, the truth is that forgiveness is not an emotion - it is an act of your will. If you still feel a negative emotion when you are around the person who caused pain in your heart - take it as a sign that you need to heal the pain. Being aware of the pain opens an opportunity for healing; the redeeming love of God can arrive on the scene and turn the shattered parts of your heart into a masterpiece. Be encouraged, feeling pain after you’ve forgiven someone is not a sign that the forgiveness “did not work.”

If you have found yourself on this journey of continually forgiving someone, I would encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit what you need. You may want to meet with a counselor or call a trusted friend to help you process the pain that is residing in your heart.

Question 2: I'm trying to understand the warfare of praying for people and then getting a heavy night of demonic dreams and battling. The next day I often feel tired from lack of sleep and disturbed by what I saw or felt. How do you end this cycle?

First of all, the whole spirit world works by faith. I am aware of the belief “greater levels, greater devils.” However, this creates a doctrine where you empower the devil up to your level. The truth is, the more God promotes you the more God protects you. If we begin to create an expectation that in our victory resides an attack, we have suppressed the power of God and sanctioned the force of the enemy in our lives.

Let me be clear, this is not to say that the enemy won’t try his best to violate a victory in Christ. I’d urge you to resist the fear that this may happen and become focused on praising God for the victory you have experienced. Remember, you are a child of God that is protected by a heavenly army. Your victory in Christ is celebrated in the heavenly realms. You have won; you are victorious! I encourage you to allow joy to be your weapon and celebration to be your continual freedom - turn your praise louder and your focus higher!

I hope this helps answer your questions and bring further insight into the spirit realm. My prayer for you is that you are victorious and filled with peace! I’d love to hear any more questions you have on the topic of spiritual warfare in the comment section below.

Why Your Fight Against the Enemy Matters

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 19:16:00 GMT

FINDING YOUR FIGHT

Have you ever had someone walk through your door unannounced? It can feel invasive, breach trust, or even rob your peace. This is what a spiritual battle can feel like; a constant uncertainty that your worst nightmare is right around the corner about to barge in the front door and make themselves at home. I know this feeling well! I lived through what felt like a never-ending season of pure horror. A constant fear plagued me as I awaited an unannounced demonic visitation to walk through the front door.

The spiritual realm is very real. Both angels and demons are active, whether we can see them with our physical eye or not. The first time I had a demonic visitation I was in my early twenties. I had struggled with crippling fear and anxiety for years that soon progressed into what felt like a real-life horror movie unfolding right before my eyes. I had been taught that Christians could not be demonized. What I didn’t know is this one belief deactivated my spiritual weapons and granted free access to the demonic realm to make my home a horror. I was crippled in fear and paralyzed in powerlessness; defenseless to the attacks of the enemy - which left me warring against my own flesh.

The truth is when you war against your own flesh in a battle against powers of darkness, you intensify a fight without any way to win. The enemy is deceiving; he came to steal, kill, and destroy. He can be really good at convincing you he is stronger than the lock on your door. T he truth is unless you leave a door wide open somewhere, the enemy does not have an all-access pass in the home of a believer. What I am getting at is the life of a believer is possessed by the spirit of God. His spirit takes up the territory of our life without leaving an inch for the enemy to possess. However, this does not keep the enemy from waging war and oppressing a believer.

In this week’s video blog I talk more about how to win in spiritual warfare.

In a nutshell:

I experienced demonic visitations in a season of my life.
I was told Christians can be mentally ill but they can’t be demonized.
The truth is Christians cannot be possessed but they can be oppressed by the devil.
It is important to check if you have left doors open for the enemy to walk into.
It is normal in spiritual warfare for the enemy to resist you as you take new territory.
If you retreat in fear from the promises of God, you can end up oppressed.
If we choose to remain bitter, we leave room for oppression in our life.
The enemy disguises himself in our thoughts.
It is vital to take our thoughts captive when we are battling spiritual warfare.

KEEPING THE ENEMY OUT FOR GOOD

I’d propose that if you are in a spiritual battle against the enemy it is vital to double-check your “doors.” The enemy might knock but unless the door is answered he has no way in. There are three ways a door can remain open:

Through Sin

Unforgiveness

Believing a Lie

However, if you look at this list, check it off, and clean it up, and yet still experience spiritual warfare you might just be doing something exactly right. Yes, exactly right! Spiritual warfare is common in the life of a believer. The challenge is when a royal co-heir in Christ begins taking ground in their calling, the enemy trembles at the thought of what they will accomplish. Let me be clear, it is critical that you invite the Holy Spirit into helping you identify the reasoning of the attack. If we misdiagnose, we mistreat and can lose in the fight against the enemy.

As a believer, I urge you to be aware of the attacks of the enemy but not terrified of them. Remember, you are a co-heir in Christ, possessed by God and protected by a heavenly army. If you have weighed out the likelihood of hidden sin, unforgiveness, and false belief systems then I encourage you to receive spiritual warfare as a compliment of the calling on your life. Allow the battle to be a catalyst into your promised land and confidence in your divine destiny. If the battle begins to feel long I encourage you to continually keep the promises of God at the forefront of your mind; don’t lose sight of what He has you, or of the vision for what He has said.

My prayer for you this week is that you would be filled with the peace of God as you feel His protection surround you. I pray that you would be confident in the faithfulness of God in seasons of battle and see His goodness in your life.

My heart goes out to anyone that is battling spiritual warfare and I have so much hope for those waiting for the promises of God to unfold in their lives. What are some ways that you hold to hope in the midst of spiritual warfare? I would love to hear in the comments!

3 Things to Do When You Feel Like You're on the Verge of a Crisis

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 18:52:00 GMT

HOW TO FIND YOUR FIGHT

If you’ve ever battled with the weight of depression , you know it can feel like the thief in the night who came to steal all your joy and drive for life. This is what depression was like for me; it robbed me of any drive for life, and I was beat-down on my couch for seven months. Horrible thoughts would fill my mind; I constantly questioned if I’d ever “kick” this or if I’d ever feel like myself again.

The truth is, we are triune beings : we have a body, soul, and spirit all with their own specific needs. The challenge is we often compartmentalize the needs of our body, soul, and spirit without realizing how they affect each other—this is how my mental and emotional health battle began. My family had been in a very difficult season that lasted for over two years; the ongoing trials eventually began to weigh me down. What started as a couple of months of sleepless nights turned into a full-blown mental and emotional crisis. Without any sleep, for months my physical body was exhausted. Beyond that, continually thinking of the crises my family was facing in their own lives depleted my soul. What I am getting at is what started off as a physical battle rooted in a need for more sleep turned into an out-right emotional breakdown affecting my whole personhood.

Depression is not a fair fight; it sends you to war without weapons and robs your desire to survive. It places you in a trench of hopelessness and traps you in chains of fear that perpetuate the problem and form a false perception of reality. Let me be clear, I am not talking about having a few difficult days. If what I’m describing has become a pattern for weeks or months of your life, my encouragement to you is to take action! When you take action you will begin to find the weapons to fight a fair fight.

I share more about how I found help in seasons of depression and anxiety in this video blog:

In a nutshell:

I’ve had seasons of both emotional and mental health crises.
I experienced an emotional breakdown that lasted three years and a mental health battle that lasted 7 months.
We are interconnected; spirit, soul, and body. Each one affects the other.
Warfare is normal but it is not should not be a lifestyle.
If you don’t sleep, your brain doesn’t have time to recover.
It is important to begin to picture the good that God has for you in place of the lies that fill your mind.
When you are depressed, often the things you need to do are the very things you don’t want to do.
It is important to empathize with someone that is depressed or anxious.
When someone is depressed they need to be encouraged to stay motivated.

3 PRACTICAL WAYS TO FIGHT DEPRESSION

The challenge is, when you are struggling with depression, the things you need to do in order to get well are often the very things you do not want to do. However, I’d propose that it’s possible that the lack of desire to take care of yourself is the very thing that is keeping you trapped in a box of depression and chained to anxiety . Sometimes finding a breakthrough from depression may not be as simple as going for one walk or eating a nutritious meal, but rather a persistent process of loving yourself well over months. It is an intentional decision to tend to the needs of your whole personhood-your body, soul, and spirit.

I want to share some practical advice on how to take action and find the weapons to win the war in your mind. I know the thought of doing anything can feel absolutely impossible—at least it did to me!

1. Go to the doctor.

It is important to see a medical health professional and have a complete physical and blood work done that includes a hormone test. It is critical to know if the chemicals in your brain are unbalanced or malfunctioning in order to receive proper help. This is one of the first steps to a breakthrough. Sometimes, you need medication for a period of time to get the help you need; there is no shame in this. I think of it like this: if you had diabetes we would not just tell you to just spend some more time in prayer instead of taking the insulin that your body needs (unless of course, you are healed). In the same way, if your brain needs certain chemicals to function properly it is important to make sure you take them.

2. Read books.

Having a better understanding of brain chemistry and how your brain works is extremely insightful. This is what inspired me to reach out to a doctor and find the help I needed. I highly recommend From Panic to Power: Proven Techniques to Calm Your Anxieties, Conquer Your Fears, and Put You in Control of Your Life by Lucinda Bassett and Who Switched My Brain Off? Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions by Dr. Caroline Leaf.

3. Take care of your body.

Sleep is where your brain recovers. If you go too long without enough sleep, it begins to stop working properly. Once you get enough sleep, you’ll begin to be able to differentiate which thought is your own and which is from the enemy. It is also very important to eat properly and exercise even if you don’t feel like it initially. Lastly, make sure to spend time in sunlight to increase your serotonin levels.

I want to encourage you if you are struggling with a mental health struggle, and you cannot see how this will ever possibly end, that in Luke 6:21 it says, “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” This too shall pass!

HOW TO BE THERE FOR SOMEONE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

Lastly, if you know of someone that is struggling with their emotional or mental health make it your mission to love them well. Sometimes this might need to be tough love. This could look like making them come on a walk with you even when that is the last thing they want to do or cooking them a meal and making sure they eat it. Most importantly, it is about being a voice of hope, reminding them this too shall pass.

What are things you find helpful if you are feeling depressed? I would love to hear your testimony of overcoming any mental health battle in the comments below.

How to Cultivate a Healthy Family That Changes the World

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 20:52:00 GMT

HOW TO ACHIEVE HEALTH FROM DYSFUNCTION

What does a healthy family look like? How do you cultivate this? I grew up begging the question and searching for the answer, I wanted the experience of a healthy home so badly.

My home life was dysfunctional, broken, and abusive; I only dreamt of joyous family dinners and holidays spent together. Maybe you’ve experienced the same thing, wishing your family was different or that it hadn’t deteriorated? From a young age I dreamed of the family I would raise one day and what I wanted our home to feel like. The only problem was, I had never experienced it for myself. I had no idea how I would cultivate it; it became my mission to find out.

The kingdom of God is not limited by the lack of love or dysfunction you might have experienced in your home growing up. The truth is that God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. He arrives on the scene of dysfunction and begins crafting a redemptive story for our future, providing tools and strategies for the deficit of healthy home experience. God gave me the mission to lead my family before I had ever seen a healthy family displayed. Raising a family doesn’t come with a user manual, it is a lifelong lesson of continual surrender and sacrifice.

I’d like to propose that if you are going to make a difference in the world you have to start within your household. Our most important project and precious gift are the lives given to us to lead by God. Family is a heavenly assignment, noble decree, and a virtuous pledge to the sacrifice of personal gain for the pursuit of a greater love - that transforms homes and society beyond our four walls.

In this week’s video blog I talked more about how to cultivate healthy families.

In a nutshell:

When you grow up in a certain culture, you either become like it or respond to it.
Cultivating a healthy family has to be a proactive mission.
Family is not an interruption, it is what you have been given to lead, everything else you lead is optional.
Cultivating a healthy family requires sacrificing selfish ambitions.
Love looks like something.
You cannot fix what was broken with continual lack of care with one extravagant gesture of love, it is a daily decision.

LOVE LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING

The truth is, love looks like something! It’s a daily decision to sacrifice my selfish ambition. It’s more practical than you might think... It looks like showing up to your kid’s soccer game, spending time doing an activity with your family they enjoy, excusing yourself from a meeting for a family emergency...These decisions ripple across barriers and send a resounding message of commitment and love beyond your four walls.

The challenge is, we often want to replace the daily determination to be present to the few in our family with a monumental moment. The truth is, we cannot fix what is broken because of continual absence of affection by displaying one extravagant expression of love. Cultivating a healthy family is a process, it takes time to prepare a foundation that could weather any storm.

I want to encourage you to ask yourself what your family needs and begin showing up for those needs on a daily basis. This might be as simple as checking in with your family and asking how they are and what they need or putting aside intentional time with your spouse by doing something they love. Caring for the few will affect the multitudes, this is what will change the world!

How to Overcome a Spirit of Suicide

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:00:00 GMT

My team was praying this morning and felt led to pray protection against a spirit of suicide, and repost the blog below (originally posted on September 13, 2019).

Many years ago, I personally battled with suicidal thoughts. There were moments when I felt as if my heart would quite literally break under the weight of depression; taking my life was a tempting escape.

That’s why it’s imperative for me to tell you how I found absolute freedom from depression and suicidal thoughts. And, not only that, but to share the vision and the fire I have to fight for my life, and for the lives of those battling with this right now.

If you’re having suicidal thoughts, I want to tell you today that your life is important. You are loved! In the same way that I’ve had breakthrough in warfare against suicidal spirits, I want to tell you that you can have the same! There is hope for you today because the truth of the matter is— God is in the midst of this trial with us! He will not leave you or abandon you.

If you’re dealing with suicidal thoughts, I deeply urge you to reach out for help today. If you’re having immediate thoughts of ending your life please do not hesitate and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Bethel Transformation Center: http://bethelredding.com/ministries/transformation-center or Bethel Pastors on Call team at 530-255-2066.

_____________________________________________

The spirit of suicide is one of the most nefarious thieves to prowl the planet. Many years ago, I was under the influence of a suicidal spirit for several grueling months. One of the biggest challenges I faced was that every time the spirit talked to me, it injected a desire to follow through on the thought to end my life. It came not only with a lie but with a compulsion that sometimes felt like it could take over my thoughts and even my actions.

If you’re battling a spirit of suicide, I want to remind you that not all of your thoughts are your own! It would have been easy to separate my experience from a spiritual battle and rather tell myself that I was going crazy, but realizing that the thought to end my life was not my own helped me to differentiate between true reality and the false reality the enemy was trying to convince me of. I’d propose that it is not in your nature to want to destroy your life and the very thought of it comes from the devil.

TWO SIDES OF SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

The truth is that there are two sides to suicide. In some cases, suicide is rooted in the soul. In others, it begins as a spiritual attack .

Suicidal temptations that begin in the soul are, in many cases, the result of unprocessed pain . When you experience trauma or situations in life that make you feel like your heart could quite literally break under the weight of your depression , taking your life and going to heaven can be a tempting escape.

I was in church a few years ago and laid my hand on a lady who had been a part of our community for years. As soon as I touched her, I had an overwhelming feeling that I wanted to kill myself. I knew from my experience in deliverance ministry that this unction was not my own but rather the gift of discernment in action. I leaned over to her and said, “Are you doing okay?” She said yes. I asked her if she was having thoughts about killing herself. Her glasses fogged up and she started crying. She whispered through her tears, “For the last six months I’ve been plagued every day by suicidal thoughts and I don’t know why.”

I prayed for her really quietly as worship continued in the room. I asked if she had a painful situation happen six months ago that was so excruciating that at the moment she thought to herself, “I can always take my life and escape the pain.” It was like watching a light bulb go off in her mind as she exclaimed, “Yes, I lost a grandchild six months ago!”

I said, “You partnered with a spirit of death to find peace instead of finding it in Jesus.”

We then prayed through asking Jesus for forgiveness for partnering with a spirit of death, instead of the Prince of Peace. She was delivered in that moment and never had a problem with the spirit of suicide again! In this case, her soul-pain was the root of her suicidal temptations and opened a door for a spirit of death to mock and tempt her. I’ve been in that place before when I had a complete crash and went through months of pain due to extremely heartbreaking situations my family was facing.

CHOOSE A LEGACY OF LIFE

What kept me from taking my life was that I didn’t want to leave a legacy for my kids to have a dad that killed himself. Even though I was in so much pain, I decided to attach myself to the reality of what it would be like for them and I found the vision and fire to fight for my life, and for their lives too.

It’s important that when we go through the deepest valleys in life that we do not partner with a spirit of death to find peace instead of clinging to Jesus. The spirit of death is a liar and won’t bring true relief to your weary soul. Only God can carry the weight of your burdens and bring you into a place of rest. In His presence, He restores you with His healing love, comfort and peace!

SPIRITUAL ATTACKS

Over the years I’ve asked crowds of people I’ve been preaching to how many of them have had an incident like this: You’re driving down the road and all of a sudden, you get the urge to crash your car. Gripping the steering wheel, your heart filled with fear, you hold on for dear life and then suddenly it’s over. Every time I’ve asked this, most of the room raises their hands. This incident of spiritual attack is not uncommon!

Most people do not crash their cars to end their lives, but this moment can cause questions to rise up that never would have come up before — “What’s wrong with me? Am I going crazy? Maybe I am in fact depressed?” And if we don’t catch it, we can begin to meditate on the fear that it will happen again and allow the spirit to tell us stories about our lives. Again, remember that not all of your thoughts are your own! We must resist the temptation to entertain the lies that a spirit of death tells us.

PROCLAMATIONS AGAINST SPECULATIONS

If a suicidal spirit is talking to you I want to encourage you to remind yourself of who GOD says you are, and the condition He says you’re in now. I know what it feels like when all seems lost, to not see a way out of your agony, and to feel like nobody in the world can sympathize with your struggle. The truth is, God is holding you this very moment and He will not leave you or abandon you. He can identify with your struggle because He, too, was tempted with suicide. He can empathize with your profound pain because He experienced it all on the cross.

I encourage you to use proclamations, prophecies and God’s promises as your weapons against evil speculations! Gather your prophetic words and favorite Bible verses and speak them out loud. Remind yourself of the testimonies of what God has done in your life against every lofty thing that rises up against you.

LET MY TESTIMONY PROPHESY VICTORY IN YOUR LIFE

In the same way that I’ve had breakthrough in warfare against suicidal spirits, I want to tell you that you can have the same! There is hope for you today! I declare that God has come to give you not just life, but abundant life (John 10:10) and all of His promises over your life are “yes and amen!” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

I’d like to note that suicidal spirit often brings its fiendish friend, shame, along with it. I implore you to resist the feelings of shame and tell someone close to you about your struggle. If the devil tempted Jesus with suicide then certainly there is no shame in your temptation either! You are not your temptation. You are who God says you are!

My heart is with anyone that has personally been impacted by suicide or has had a loved one that has battled with suicidal thoughts. My prayer for you today, is that the Spirit of God would rest on you and peace would fill your mind.

7 Habits That Will Help You Become a Healthier Person

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 19:15:00 GMT

WHAT IS TRUE HEALTH?

How do you assess if you are a truly healthy person? Is it someone that eats properly, exercises enough, and gets quality sleep? These are all components that affect our health, but they are not the only ones. I have noticed in my life that when I am taking care of my physical needs, such as eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep I can still feel like I am lacking something. The truth is, we are triune beings; we have a body, soul, and spirit and each one has its own needs. Sometimes, we become so focused on one part of our life that we forget about the others. For instance, we might become a very physically healthy person but spiritually and emotionally we are in desperate need of care.

I’d propose in the modern equation of ideal health, we are missing a fundamental variable by overlooking our souls. We need to begin to take the temperature of our inner-man to complete the equation of health and live the fulfilling, vibrant life we were made for.

In my life, I began to create habits that nurtured a healthy environment in every area of my life that caused me to be responsive and not just reactive. I believe these 7 habits will have a significant impact on your life, will catapult you into the abundant life available through Christ, and refine you into the noble co-heir with Christ you were created to be.

If you want to dive deeper into these 7 healthy habits, I shared more in this week’s video blog .

1. Develop a Rhythm in Your Life Around Your Core Values and God’s Vision. When you don’t live with God-given vision, you begin to be defined by the limited lens of others, rather than the divine victorious vision that will advance you into your divine destiny. Ask God how He sees you and cling to this vision.

2. In Challenging Situations, Ask God for His Perspective. In challenging moments, our imaginations can easily begin to play like a movie; flashing scenes of horror, inflicting fear and enticing the worst-cast scenario to unfold in the front of our minds. Put an abrupt end to the horror movie in your mind by challenging the thoughts of fear with the perspective of faith. Then, begin to create the redemptive version of the movie and play it on the screen of your redeemed imagination.

3. Past Failures Become Present Wisdom When We Process Them Through the Cross. In the Kingdom of God, mistakes are like a full-ride scholarship to the advanced degree of your destiny. They are the very things that provide you the skills and tools necessary to become an expert rather than crumbling under the weight of your mistake. When facing a failure, choose to be refined, not defined, by it.

4. Make it Your Goal to Have No Offense Toward Anyone. Forgiveness is not just your royal right but it is also your inherited responsibility as a co-heir with Christ. I’d propose that forgiveness releases you from the tether of past pain, liberates from the torment of offense, and launches you into your divine destiny. Seek to forgive; your life will bear the fruit of the reciprocal freedom.

5. Respect Yourself. Boundaries are vital to respect, and respect is soil for a prospering soul. Boundaries recognize a need without condemning your soul, they become the door to connection and a key to love. It is crucial to remember this: your ability to love others first flows from your love for God and yourself .

6. Live to Please the Lord, Not People. Pleasing others is the impossible task assigned by perfectionism and performance, and it lacks credibility and purpose. Pleasing others paints the false illusion you will be successfully accurate in your efforts—don’t be fooled. The success of pleasing others is poor, rarely does it please one without disappointing others. Rather, be eager to love the Lord and pursue Him in all areas of your life. Seeking to please the Lord will create an environment that will allow you to thrive.

7. Laugh Often Our weaknesses can be evident and seem to be the continual perpetuation of our problems. The truth is, the reward for our weakness is the strength of the Lord. Rather than holding to the humiliation of incapabilities and agony of your inadequacy, rejoice in the Lord’s strength made manifest through your weakness. Seek the joy of the Lord; that will be your strength.

BECOMING RESPONSIVE, NOT REACTIVE IN LIFE

I want to encourage you to implement these habits one day at a time. There is no need to bite off more than you can chew when beginning to develop new habits in your life. I challenge you this week to take one habit for each day of the week and have it be your focus for the whole day. Like most things in life, you may not see results overnight, but rest assured that they are at work, watering your soul.

Do Friends Impact Your Destiny? I’ll Tell You!

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 19:10:00 GMT

HAS THE CROWD THAT SURROUNDS YOU PULLED YOU OFF TRACK?

Do you have people in your life that you trust more than yourself? I have a group of people (Danny Silk, Bill Johnson, and Dann Farrelly to name a few) who have given me feedback over the years and proactively pointed out things to me; things about myself that I couldn’t see clearly. Without this wise counsel, I would not be the man that I am today. Is it painful to get feedback? Oh, you bet it is! However, it’s imperative to learn how to receive it if we want to grow up into the men and women God is calling us to be!

The truth is, sometimes we are pulled off the track of our destiny by the weight of the surrounding crowd, often without even realizing it.

When someone is living in righteousness but surrounded by a crowd living in unrighteousness, they become like the very needle that is poking at the unrighteous crowds ’ problems and irritating their level of content with impurity. This is where the tension lies for someone living in righteousness as they weigh the benefits of being a “trophy” of the righteous or a “target” of the unrighteous.

The influence of the unrighteous crowd is like a magnet: when you are close, it feels strong and forceful, creating a synergetic pull to its center. However, there is a spot you reach where you are close enough that the magnet is in sight but far enough away it loses its magnetic pull. What I am getting at is that the crowd’s strength that pulls you off track is deceiving. When you stand close, it feels powerful, but when you step away, its influence shatters. It can not withstand the manifest power of God on display through the royal righteousness of His sons and daughters. The ground that the crowd stands on shakes, and the synergetic pull shatters.

In this week’s video blog, I talk more about the importance of living in righteousness.

In a nutshell:

Who are you surrounding yourself with?
Isaiah 6
When you see God the way He is, you often see yourself as you are.
1 John
When we are not connected to the greatness and holiness of God we only become connected to humanity.
Relative righteousness is when we live our lives at the level of the others around us.
When you rise above impure thinking, you become a trophy and a target.
Courageous people can’t live in a crowd, because they live in righteousness that is outside the lines of an unrighteous crowd.
We don’t just need people that will agree with us, we need people who will tell us the truth.
You need people in your life that will chase you back into good deeds.
Success is such a dangerous place for us to live, pride can make you believe you know more than anyone else.

HOW TO GET BACK ON THE TRACKS OF YOUR DESTINY

Have you ever been corrected or put back on “track” by a friend? I sure have! Remember how I said it has hurt a few times? Initially, it stings like a slap across the face—unexpected and shocking, but that soon fades when you realize it has saved you from the pit of pride and the slippery slope of self-righteousness. Tough love from a trusted friend is like an awakening that guides you back to the tracks of your destiny and catapults you into the royal refinement available through the redeeming power of God.
I’d propose receiving the correction of a wise friend grants you the opportunity to rid yourself of bitterness, close doors to demonic spirits, and eradicate arrogance in your life. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow when you receive a correcting word; rather, look past the sting and jump over the hurdle of offense to receive the treasure of counsel from a wise friend. I hope to inspire you to lean into the process of refinement, pursue the character of a noble child of God, and seek your divine destiny.
I want to encourage you to start small this week by taking an inventory of your friends. Ask yourself if you have surrounded yourself with wise people and if you are able to receive correction.

How to Rid Your Life of Past Regret and Rewrite Your History

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:52:00 GMT

GET RID OF REGRET

Have you ever made a decision that you immediately regretted? The kind that causes your stomach to drop right down into your toes? Regrets irritate our souls and give little-to-no sympathy. Perhaps you have a personal regret coming to mind as you read these words—you’ve felt it following you like a shadow. No matter how hard you try, you can’t shake it; you wake up every morning thinking about it.
I have a sense that for many, your past has begun to play a game of following the leader right into your future. Before you know it, you’ve ended up in the whirlpool of shame and are drowning in thoughts like, “Will I ever be okay?” or, “Will life ever be the same?”
I know in my life I have numerous reasons I could live with regret and fall into the whirlpool of shame.

I’d propose that regret is the hurdle that keeps you from your divine destiny, inhibits you from royal refinement, and locks you in the limited box of your past. It has one clear, yet seemingly hidden agenda, that is to keep you from being the rightful recipient of the redeeming love of God that is given to you regardless of what regret says about you.

The truth is, there is nothing that can disqualify you from receiving the open invitation into the redemption power of God.
What I am getting at is, the invitation into the love of God is the very thing that grants access to seeing the redeeming power of God on display as He crafts the ashes of the past into a timeless masterpiece of beauty. Let me be cle ar, when we burrow in the shame of our past, we allow it to entangle our identity, and limit the manifest beauty of God being displayed through our lives. In this case, we become defined by our regret rather than refined by the redeeming power of God.

In this week’s video blog, I talk more about how our past should refine us but not define us.

In a nutshell:

Regret undermines our life in God.
We separate ourselves from the love of God when we live with regret.
When I look back at my past I create crooked paths toward the future.
It is important how we relate to our past failures so that yesterday’s pain doesn’t get pulled into today’s journey.
Often we are afraid of the ashes and therefore we don’t embrace the beauty.
God is the master of taking ashes and making beauty out of them.
Flawed and false vows are ways we perpetuate regret in our lives.
I can only be loved to the depth I can be hurt.
Love rewrites our history.

WHY TRIALS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A JOY

Have you ever dreamed of having a painful challenge to overcome, a battle to conquer, or a past regret to face? My goodness, no! We don’t normally hope and pray for difficulty or pain to occur in our lives. Being uncomfortable or stretched is something we naturally try to stay away from. Remember, James 1:2 speaks to us about the refining process when it tells us to, “consider it joy when we encounter various trials” in the refinement process.

How do we consider trials a joy? If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering what that practically looks like? Do you suddenly wake up with a smile on your face rejoicing and thanking God for the adversity in front of you? Or run through the streets celebrating the challenge and frustration? That feels as opposite as day from night and winter from summer!

T he challen ge is that we often hold fast to the regret and failures of our lives with tight fists. When the reality is, through the redeeming power of God, our failures contain the very ability to mold us into our royal identity. Yet still, the Lord is a Craftsman and a Redeeming Architect, creating beauty from ashes, laying the strong foundation necessary for His co-heirs to stand on, taking each challenge to produce something beautiful, and establishing our royal identity as His sons and daughters.

Today I pray that you would know in the depths of your soul that your assurance rests in the redeeming nature of God. With each trial you face, the Lord is forging you into your noble identity. As your faith is tested, perseverance is built. This is why trials are a joy in the Kingdom of God! Granted, this may not just happen overnight. However, we begin to see the manifest beauty and very nature of God on display in the midst of each challenge, we see refinement transform our lives, and the expectation of what miracle He will create from the mess begins to be our focus when trials arise.

I want to challenge you this week to look at your failures through the lens of God, and begin to view them through His lens of love. Love rewrites history!

The Phrase That Woke Me From My Sleep (Literally)

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 18:54:00 GMT

WHY THE CROSS IS KEY TO FORGIVENESS

Have you ever been woken up from your sleep suddenly with the Lord speaking to you? It can feel jolting, and yet poignant. That’s one way to get my attention! This happened to me recently. I woke up at 2:00 in the morning with a phrase running through my mind.

“Unforgiveness is a fool’s trophy, it’s the personification of vengeance, rot in self-righteousness, absence of the Cross of Christ, and void of the resurrection power of God.”

The truth is, injustices happen in our lives. Whether it’s the betrayal of a spouse, the wrongful act of a neighbor, or the cutting words of a loved one, we’ve all experienced wrongdoing; no level of spirituality keeps you from it. Yet even though we may not be able to control the personal injustices that are brought against us, one might wonder: What is the role of the Body of Christ as we wait in the hallway between a fallen world and the redemption story that comes with God’s justice and mercy?

It is incumbent upon me to remind you of the power of the cross in our response to injustices brought against us.

When Jesus died on the cross, He created justice for the world. The wrath of God was taken out on the cross of Christ. In other words, God no longer has to punish someone to pay for their sins because He punished sin on the cross. That’s right, all of the weight of every wrongdoing brought against you or by you, and all of the pain and consequences thereof, was satisfied and settled through the cross.

I’d propose it is not just our royal right but also our inherited responsibility as co-heirs with Christ to forgive those who have wronged us. Furthermore, perhaps our personal liberty from the torment of injustices made against us lies in the gift of forgiveness. Let’s dive into the power of forgiveness:

In a nutshell:

Unforgiveness is a fool’s trophy, it’s the personification of vengeance, rot in self-righteousness, absence of the Cross of Christ, and void of the resurrection power of God.
Trying to transform culture without the cross is just a humanitarian effort.
Jesus’ sacrifice paid for our sins.
God sits on the mercy seat but the foundation of His throne is righteousness and justice.
God created justice through Jesus so He can release mercy and remain a fair judge.
When Jesus rose from the dead, the very first thing He did was give His disciples the power to forgive sins.
He did not ONLY die FOR me, He died AS me (Romans 6:1).
The Lord changed your DNA from sinner to saint.
If you believe you are a sinner, you will sin by faith because it’s by faith that you were saved.
Forgiveness restores the standard back to the pinnacle.
Forgiveness is not an act of your emotion – it’s an act of your will.
Forgiveness is the first step of reconciliation and wholeness , but it’s not the last step.
“Unforgiveness is like drinking deadly poison thinking the other person is going to die.” - Joyce Meyer

PUTTING FORGIVENESS TO PRACTICE

Have you ever found yourself on the forgiveness hamster wheel? Running on the same painful path and never moving forward towards redemption or restoration? You may even find yourself forgiving someone over and over, ultimately believing the lie that you didn’t forgive them from the beginning?

The truth is, when you forgive someone once, that is enough. Yes, that’s all it takes for God’s mercy to reign over a situation. You do not need to forgive them over and over again for the wrongful act they did years ago. What I am getting at is that forgiveness is not an act of your emotion – it is an act of your will. When you forgive someone, you erase the whiteboard of any wrong and it restores it back to the pinnacle standard.

The challenge is that sometimes we experience the pain from the injustice that was done years ago, even after we have forgiven them.
If you have forgiven someone and still experience hurt and negative emotions, this is not a sign that you have not truly forgiven them. Rather take this as a sign you still need to seek healing and wholeness. And perhaps, you may even need help processing through the painful event, the repercussions of it, and dismantling the lies that may have entangled you through the wrongdoing against you.

I encourage you to ask the Lord what your next steps are on the journey of finding healing. This may look like seeking counsel, talking with a friend, or processing with the Lord. Forgiveness is powerful and receiving healing and wholeness are essential to living an abundant life.

How has forgiveness transformed your life? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Why Simplicity is Key for Your Future: When Did the World Get So Complicated?

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 18:15:00 GMT

HOW TO MOVE FORWARD BY GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING

Have you felt like the world has gotten so complicated? There are no brig ht flashing lights ahead, assuring you’re headed in the right direction, the future is looking foggy, the path is uncertain and your present is feeling unsettling? I understand, this has been our reality as we’ve had to learn to navigate one of the most challenging seasons our country and world have faced. Whether you've had to navigate leading your family that has been forced to stay home for months, or a large movement full of employees that will be altered by your decisions, we’ve all been affected.

Recently, I began asking God how to move forward, where do we go from here, and how to get there. I was forward-thinking, assuming this must be the way out of the mess, the solution to unscramble the complexity of issues, and the road back to a sense of “normalcy” again.

In return, I heard the Lord clearly say, “ go BACK to the beginning .” Today, I want to share how going back to the beginning is the way forward:

In a nutshell:

There is a lot of confusion in the air; it has been a challenging season.
Many of us have questions like: how do we move forward, where are we going, and how do we get there?
I’ve recently been thinking about when I first got saved.
In my early years in Weaverville, CA, I told the Lord I wanted to hear Him clearly like many prophets I was reading about at the time, and to have an impact on the world.
When I lived in Weaverville, we began to gather for prayer meetings in our movement and share our hearts and desires with the Lord.
This is where it all started, before any major global movement.
A month ago, I started to feel that I need to get back to the simplicity of where I began when I started loving Jesus.
I heard the Lord say, “ return to the deeds you did at first ” (Rev 2:5).
Somehow we’ve complicated it, but it’s so simple.
The beginning of my walk with the Lord looked like picking up trash, loving people, and caring for others in secret .
Right now, I feel like there is a great benefit in living past to present, remembering your history.
What would happen if your city decided to live in extraordinary generosity and simplistic love, where we were kind and rid of judgment?

3 KEYS TO MOVING FORWARD

I want to encourage you to bring it back to the basics with these three challenges. I'd propose they will be keys in your present and your future!

Love people, even the person you don't agree with, or the person who causes you trouble.
Obey what you hear from God.
Be extremely generous; this is a key to revival!

Lastly, what would it look like for you to go back to your first love? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

How I Processed My Inaccurate Prophetic Word (Your Top Questions Answered)

Sat, 23 Jan 2021 01:26:00 GMT

I’ve received a lot of questions from you the past several weeks about prophecy, politics, and what’s happening in our country right now. On this week’s video blog, I wanted to address two commonly asked questions.

QUESTION 1: ARE YOU STILL A PROPHET, EVEN THOUGH TRUMP ISN’T OUR PRESIDENT?
In a nutshell:

I want to bring some clarity on the prophetic ministry and what’s happening in our country.
1 Corinthians 14:29 says, “Have two or three prophets speak, and have the others pass judgment.”
God gave us a way to judge prophecies because He didn’t expect people to be infallible. God put checks and balances into the body of Christ.
In the New Testament, there’s nowhere that says getting a false prophetic word makes you a false prophet. It’s all about the heart! False prophets are people who lead people astray on purpose.
When I realized I got the prophetic word wrong about Trump, I asked the Lord what should I do; He told me to apologize , not contend. I had to be true to what I felt the Holy Spirit said to me.
I feel like the Lord is cleansing all areas of culture, including the prophetic movement. He’s pruning us to become noble people that live with convictions.

QUESTION 2: SHOULD I BE AFRAID OF THE GOVERNMENT?
In a nutshell:

A lot of people are fearful of the government.
If we’re going to change history, it’s important that we change hearts!
We live in a country where you’re innocent until you’re proven guilty. When we decide that someone is guilty without a trial and then we behave as if they’re guilty, is that not mob justice (the very thing we’re trying not to become)?
The people that are shaping history are the ones who are winning hearts, not the war.
Social justice and morality issues are the fruit of something deeper happening. We need to influence people from the inside out.
It’s important that we have a strategy that first wins the heart.

IT’S TIME TO LOVE PEOPLE

It’s time to move back to loving people! I’d propose that we can cure the ills of society by simply being people who love other people. My prayer is that God would give us wisdom and insight as we navigate the pandemic, the social justice issues, and the issues of morality. May we leave our children in a better world!
I challenge you to pray for your leaders today, to change history by pursuing hearts, and remember Jesus is King and He’s in charge.
I’d love to hear how you are trusting the Lord? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

How to Find Perfect Peace in the Midst of This Storm

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 19:04:00 GMT

HOW TO FIND PERFECT PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THIS STORM

Have you been struggling with fear, anxiety or worry lately? Although it’s common to feel uncertain in the midst of the world’s current challenges, I’d propose that there’s a better way to live. When fear strikes it’s important that you don’t let it turn into a cycle of anxiety; that never ends pretty. I know this full well, as years back I went through my own personal hell with panic attacks and eventually a complete nervous breakdown. Thankfully I came out of that dark season, and the Lord has given me great peace. Today I want to share some things I’ve learned along the way that I hope will help you break free from fear, discover perfect peace, and find faith in the midst of any storm:

In a nutshell:

We are in a challenging season!
I wanted to take some time to release some peace on you.
In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus was asleep on a boat in the middle of a turbulent storm. His disciples were freaked out so they woke up Jesus. He went onto the deck, rebuked the storm, and it stopped!
Bill Johnson has a profound point about this story: You can only have power over the storms you have peace in .
People have frequently asked me how I keep my peace.
The Lord has given me great peace. Over 13 years ago, I had a nervous breakdown and laid on the couch with anxiety for over 6 months.
Here are 2 things that the Lord told me in that season:
"You are not the Savior of the world.”
“There’s always enough time and capacity for everything that I gave you to do.”
I spent so much of my life taking on responsibility that the Lord didn’t give me.
Ultimately I have one person to please , Jesus.
Having a group of people who will faithfully pray for you is a key to remaining in peace.
Keep a thankful list.
I also keep a list called “Things I feared that didn’t happen.”
Fear is a great storyteller; most of the things I worried about never happen!
God’s been able to bless me no matter who is mayor, governor, or president.
The Lord will bless you in any season !
Read Psalm 23. Take note of these specific verses: “He makes me lie down in green pastures” (verse 2) and “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me” (verse 4).
Remember that God invites you to lay down in green pastures. A key is to keep walking through the valley of the shadow of death; don’t stop there.

CULTIVATE THANKFULNESS

What’s carrying you through troubled waters; the law of nature or the law of the Lord? If you’re encountering stress and turmoil in this storm, then I want to encourage you today to take some time to write down 10 things that you’re thankful for. To get you started here are some prompts:

Relationships
Tangible provision
Little things that make your day better
Physical health
Recent breakthroughs
Testimonies you’ve heard recently
Natural beauty around you
Things you love about your city

What are you thankful for today? How are you finding peace in the midst of this season? I’d love to hear what you’re thinking in the comments!

My Apology - U.s. Presidential Election Prophecy 2020

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 04:38:00 GMT

MY APOLOGY - U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROPHECY 2020

This is a repost of my original apology (from November 7, 2020) as I promised. Thank you all for being patient with me as we’ve waited for the Electoral College confirmation for President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris. I feel like I have more to say and I’ll be communicating my thoughts soon. This is an epic season of transition. I pray for hope and peace for our nation!

How to Cultivate a Christmas Where Everyone Belongs

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 19:42:00 GMT

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

As Christmas is quickly approaching in just a few days, I’m keenly aware that time spent with family over the holidays can be a pain-point for many people. Yet, it’s incumbent upon me to remind us (myself included) that during this holiday season, the most important thing is family. As sons and daughters of the King, it’s our responsibility and honor to create a culture that makes people feel loved, seen, and valued.

However, this mandate doesn’t come without challenges. If you’ve ever tried to connect with a friend or family member and found yourself consistently bumping up against their defensiveness or anxiety as they scramble to do whatever it takes to make their felt embarrassment go away, it’s likely that they are struggling with a ton of shame . Humanity was created for connection; not just for the sake of survival, but to thrive as well, and shame can ravage the God-ordained connections that we all desire and need. Yet, I'd propose that the Lord has equipped you with everything you need to cultivate connection and community within your family this Christmas.

Check out today’s video blog where I share several ways to connect with your family this year, and how to create an environment where everyone feels like they belong.

In a nutshell:

A few years ago, I had a significant dream that prompted me to call a family member.
I invited this family member to Thanksgiving. After some back and forth he finally said, “You know, I smoke and I know it bothers the rest of the family.”
I was surprised and responded, “It’s not a problem! I love you much more than I hate your smoking.”
After the phone call I realized that shame separates people and families for several reasons:
People hate their behavior but feel powerless to change.
They feel like their faults, frailties and sin make them unwelcome.
I wonder how our attitude or actions play into their unwelcome feelings.
People can’t break free of sin alone and yet their sin often separates them from the people they need.
One of the greatest fears people have is that we’ll reach out to someone and they won’t reach back.
1 John 1:6 says, “ If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. ”
Fellowship destroys the shame of guilt and sin! The catch 22 is that the fellowship destroys shame but shame keeps people from fellowship.
Hebrews 13:16 says, “ Do not neglect doing good and sharing [fellowship], for with such sacrifices God is pleased. ”
Did you catch that? Fellowship is actually a sacrific e .
Something profound and powerful happens when we spend time with people. Fellowship helps us to become more noble and it roots out sin in our life.
I don’t think any of us would say this out loud or consciously think it, but sometim es Believers can create an environment that makes people feel like they have to attain a certain level of holiness to be in our presence.
I feel so strongly that we should make it part of our Christmas motto that everyone belongs . The culture we create should communicate: “If you’re part of our family, you belong here.”
This reminds me of the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The dad is watching and waiting, preparing for his son to return home.
When his son comes home, the father turns to the community and tells them to get the ring, the sandals, and the robe – to put on the son. The whole community participates in the restoration of this boy. The father dictates the celebratory restoration of his son.
The powerful part of this story is the elder brother ; sometimes we can become “elder brothers” at Christmas.
The dad is forgiving of the prodigal son, but the elder brother was angry that his brother didn’t have to earn his way back into his father’s favor.
The father accepted the prodigal son, no matter what he had done.
Let me be clear: there are exceptions to this where we have to set boundaries with family members.
It’s really important for us, especially this Christmas, to create a place where people feel welcome and loved.
Here are some ways to help people in shame connect:
Be humble by remembering where you came from.
Love people for who they are and not for who they could be.
Don’t parade your accomplishments in front of the broken.
Give people hope without requiring them to change.
Be empathetic; listen from the heart without feeling the need to correct their opinions.
Be sensitive to people’s fantasies, because often their fantasy numbs the pain of a terrible reality.
The most important thing this Christmas is that family comes together, loves one another, and people leave feeling loved and valued.

LET EVERY HEART PREPARE HIM ROOM

This Christmas season, I pray for wisdom, mercy, and insight on how to break down walls of shame with the ones that you love. May we be relentless in rebuilding connection in the relationships that shame has attempted to destroy. Remember that love cannot be defeated ! You are the embodiment of authentic love that can truly transform someone’s life. I pray that you will abide in the anticipation that redemption and restoration can always happen when you are near because you impart God’s great love to all those around you!
How do you see yourself rebuilding connection in your relationships over the holidays? Which one of these keys stands out to you as needed in your own life and family? Please share in the comments below!

Can Your Home Be a House of Miracles?

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 18:24:00 GMT

A HOUSE OF ACTS

Do you consider yourself and your family as people God can use to release miracles, signs and wonders? What if prophetic words, supernatural healings, and anointed worship were normal occurrences in your home?

It’s our great responsibility as adults to cultivate a supernatural lifestyle in our homes and equip our kids with tools to overcome the schemes of the enemy and advance the Kingdom. But how do we begin? I shared about developing a house of miracles in my recent video blog:

In a nutshell:

Last Thursday, the Lord told me in a dream: I’m going to turn your house into a House of Acts. That was encouraging to me because when our kids were young, our house was a House of Acts, but we seemed to have lost some of that.
Disney’s movie, “The Incredibles,” tells the story of a family with superpowers, disguised as everyday people.
That movie depicted what Jesus said in John 14:12: “The one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.”
Believers are disguised as everyday people but we are actually supernatural people!
After I got free from depression, people would hear my testimony and would come to our house for deliverance.
Our kids grew up where delivering people from demons was normal. (If you’re in the midst of a spiritual battle, check out my f ree Spirit Wars devotional .)
Our house became a center for supernatural ministry; our kids saw crazy miracles ! You couldn’t convince them that there wasn’t a God because they saw Him move first hand.
At a young age, we taught our kids to hear God’s voice by asking them questions like, “If Jesus walked in the room right now, what would He say to that person?” This taught them to not only hear from God but also feel what God feels for His beloved kids.
We wanted our children to be very spiritually aware and have faith that God wanted to talk to them.
The “normal” for a Christian is very different from what’s “normal” for everyone else.
If a child is old enough to have a tormenting dream , they are old enough to be a supernatural warrior! Children do not have a Junior Holy Spirit.
When Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he empowered families (children and adults) to work on the wall together. They all had weapons and tools – it was a family affair!
The Lord spoke to me about the “House of Acts” a few years ago.
In Acts 12, Peter was in prison and the apostles were praying for him to be released.
They were at Mary’s house (the mother of John Mark, who wrote the book of Mark).
The angel of the Lord went to the jail and supernaturally released Peter. But when Peter showed up at Mary’s house (where they are literally praying for Peter to be released) they thought he was an angel!
What would happen if we raised up these Houses of Acts - where great men and women come to experience God?
I envision young people filling homes. I see mature moms and dads, sharing the gospels and telling their stories. People who are broken will actually experience the power of God and witness the miracles of God in our homes.
God wants us to raise up children that have actually seen and do the works of God.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way they should go. ” How many of us actually press into God and ask what He has planned for our child?
I want to encourage you to think about your children as powerful weapons of warfare (as opposed to being fragile ). Start seeing your children through the eyes of God!

THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE

Many of you reading this may have tons of questions about the “how” on raising your kids in a supernatural home, and I want to tell you that’s okay. This week, start with a powerful yet doable step—telling your kids about the God of the impossible. Start with a few testimonies of seeing Him show up in ways that transcend the laws of physics. What miracles can you recall that you can tell your children about? I encourage you to invite them in to pray with you for a miracle your family needs. I bet you’ll see their faith begin to move mountains!
Do you have any testimonies on this subject you could share? In what other ways will you step out and start developing a House of Acts in your own home? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

If you’re looking for a resource that you can share with your kids, check out my children’s book, The Ways of Royalty . This book is geared towards kids that are 7+, and will set a foundation for knowing how incredibly valuable they are to the Lord.

How to Conquer a World of Worry

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 19:32:00 GMT

WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN LIFE

2020 has been a challenging season for the entire globe. Have you been worrying, feeling weary from stress, or overwhelmed by “worst-case scenario” thinking? It can be easy to feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, especially in the midst of the dreadful disarray that has come with 2020. Yet, I want to remind you that God’s got this! In Matthew 6, Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. I’d propose that this isn’t just a fluffy or catchy saying from Jesus. No! Jesus was challenging our faith and reminding us that God knows what we need, and He WILL provide for us!

I spoke about this more on my recent video blog. Check it out here:

In a nutshell:

In ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
We’re going to look back 20 years from now and realize that (for most of us) we’re living in the good ol’ days. When we worry about tomorrow, we’re going to miss out on the beauty of today!
Someone once said, “I know worrying works because most of the things I worried about never happened.”
Happiness is an inside job!
You shouldn’t think about tomorrow with today’s grace, because you don’t have grace for tomorrow until you get to tomorrow!
Grace is the operational power of God. You get the grace when you need it!
God has actually assigned us encounters for the day.
A lot of us are afraid of suffering. Although suffering is painful, God will meet you there and will give you strength.
Whatever you go through, if you stay connected to God, you will grow in ways that will help you in your next season of life.
In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, David & Goliath, he shares that 13 presidents' fathers died before they were 19. The point that Malcolm makes is that many of them said that their own personal greatness happened because they were fatherless.
People often become great because of their suffering.
Weakness actually prepares you for victory!
In the history of the world, Almost 1/3 of the wars were won by the smaller nation: by the ones that should not have been able to win!
Weakness can make you great! Weakness and disability actually creates a new ability!
In this season, there are many things to be worried about on top of daily life – Covid, politics, and racial unrest. But we must remember that God has our futures in His hand.
So what should we do? Love God, love people. “Seek first the Kingdom.” (Matthew 6:33)

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY

I’m here to tell you, you may not be feeling it now, but one day you will be thankful you were alive during one of the most significant moments in history. Why? Because you are a witness to God moving mightily not only in the world and in our nation, but in your very own life!

So, a little advice from an aging man: chillax –– God has you covered! I want to challenge you to not miss the divine moments that God has for you today. Instead of worrying, let’s seek the Kingdom – love God and love people! May you know the grace that God has given to you today, and may you have faith that He will provide grace for you tomorrow.
Have you been struggling with worrying about your future? What does it look like for you to seek God’s Kingdom? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Are You Replacing God With Good?

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 19:39:00 GMT

ARE YOU REPLACING GOD WITH GOOD?

I recently had an encounter with the Lord in the middle of the night, and he asked me this question: “Are you living by faith?” I’ve walked with the Lord for 47 years so I think that means I’m living by faith. But when the Lord asks me a question, it makes me rethink how I’m actually living. Am I doing anything that represents an invasion of another Kingdom? Am I keeping my faith in the fire?

I wanted to process this with you and bring you in on the journey I’ve been on since the Lord spoke to me. Check out this video to hear what I realized as I started contemplating this question.

A LIFE OF FAITH

In a nutshell:

The Lord recently asked me, “Are you living by faith?”
I began to think about all the good things I’m doing in my life (and that’s the right way to live) but I wonder if I have replaced God with good.
Usually when we think of obedience we think of obedience to the law, i.e. “Am I keeping the rules?” But in Romans 1:5, Paul makes the statement that we received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith.
As radical believers, we don’t only need to stop being disobedient, we also need to be obedient to faith.
We need new challenges in our faith so that whatever we began by faith, we don't move it from being a God-thing to being a good thing.
Oftentimes the Lord asks me to do something in faith, as a prophetic act. The power is not in the act but in the faith that is attached to the act. (Physical obedience brings spiritual release.)
In Matthew 17, Jesus told his disciples that they couldn’t cast out a demon because of the littleness of their faith. The word littleness in this passage is the Greek word “oligos”* which means “briefly.”
Jesus is not referring to the amount of faith the disciples had but instead, is speaking to how briefly they held onto their faith. You have to keep the faith !
I feel like there are things in our life that we’ve given up faith for and we just do the “good” thing instead of the “God” thing.
I want to challenge you with the same question that God asked me: Are you living by faith? Is there extreme faith happening somewhere in your life? Are you believing God for the impossible? Have you stretched yourself in some place?

KEEP THE FAITH

My prayer for you today is that you would find a new place with God, that you’d get back to your first love and your first faith, and that God would awaken each of us to radical faith.
I want to remind you that faith is the catalyst to the impossible, the prognosis of the probable, and the potential in the powerful. When circumstances are dire and the people become downcast, faith seeps through the pores of the pious and pounds a pillar of possibility into the heart of the hopeless.
Doubt can delay it, naysayers can derail it, but persistent hope inevitably dictates the day; the undoable feat...the unknowable task and unimaginable miracle. Men may cut you down, resist your purpose, and undermine your progress but a faith filled person is always the last one standing in the ring, and the first one kneeling in obscurity.
I challenge you today to ask yourself, “Am I living by faith?” Spend some time with the Lord and ask Him to show you areas of your heart that need an injection of faith and hope. I pray that He shows you what it looks like to live with your faith in the fire and see His Kingdom come to earth.
Let me know in the comments below what the Lord shares with you! * Littleness is the Greek word “oligos.” It means few, little, small: —brief(1), briefly(1), few(11), few things(4), great*(1), little(7), little way(1), little while(4), long*(1), number*(2), short(3), short time(1), small(3), while(1).

What I Realized When I Began to Give Thanks: Guest Post by Kathy Vallotton

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 18:28:00 GMT

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We have all been in a season of intense challenges. For the Vallotton Family, getting up each day and remaining hopeful has been a purposeful choice, and not an automatic feeling. Yet, as Thanksgiving Day nears, I have been reflecting on the profound power that this holiday invites us to experience. Thankfulness is the fruit of humility and the offspring of gratitude towards God.

With this in mind, I asked my wife, Kathy, to share her experience and what she’s learned from 2020 — the good, the God, and the ugly! (Spoiler: This is the title of her new book that comes out in April!) I hope what Kathy shares will help you to continue to move forward in this season with gratitude, humility, and grace.

Probably like you, I have been exposed to all kinds of information this year that can be, well, . . . pretty disheartening to the soul. 2020 was supposed to be the year where everything was going to come together. After all, it was the beginning of a new decade, laced with thoughts of all the great things that I was going to experience and accomplish in this stage of my life.

Then Covid struck and fear flooded the nations like a locomotive out of control, causing chaos at every bend. To make matters worse, we had no idea that the virus was going to last so long. In fact, I remember thinking that surely it would pass by summer, only to have summer end and now here we are, months later, still dealing with an escalated outbreak that seems to be setting new records every week.

I am normally a very positive person. In fact, Kris says I can always find the best in every situation, and for the most part, that’s a true statement. But by week three of the pandemic, I noticed that even I, the optimistic Kathy Vallotton, was becoming frightened by the thoughts that were pressing on my mind. I was feeling out of control, helpless and desperate in the situation. The media certainly wasn’t helping me out; they dramatize every Covid-19 statistical count, which fed my imagination that was already fat with fear.

I finally convinced myself that I needed to get my eyes off my surroundings and get them back on Jesus; the Foundation of my faith. Somehow, I had jumped tracks and ended up on the fear express…and I don’t think I was the only one on the train. I reflected on the scripture in Hebrews which says, “…let us lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God .” (Hebrew 12:1-2)

Jesus focused on the joy set before Him, instead of the cross in front of Him. What a profound statement. It hit me square in the face! In the midst of all the amazing things 2020 was bringing to us, I got stuck focusing on our troubles. Yes, we are in the midst of a pandemic, but God has given us the ability to choose which thoughts we are going to dwell on. In fact, the Bible tells us what to meditate on! In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

One day I decided that I had enough of stinking thinking! I vowed to God that I would find something to be thankful for each day. I began writing a thankful list that grew longer by the day. As I gave thanks, I felt like a heavy metal lid was lifted off my head. Suddenly I became aware that good things were happening all around me but the pandemic had blinded me to them. In fact, I realized that 2020 was one of the most awesome years of my life.

Here is a list of a few highlights that happened in this year! I am so thankful for them.

1. Our 10th grandchild, “Edie”, was born!

2. Our oldest granddaughter, Mesha, got married.

3. We have an amazing BSSM staff that pulled off a virtual graduation “in style.”
4. Our oldest grandson, Elijah, got married.

5. I have been having some breakthroughs with Parkinson’s.
6. I finished my first book, The Good, the God and the Ugly , which comes out in April 2021.
7. Kris and I are going to be great-grandparents!

8. Our kids bought a house just a few doors down from us.
The list goes on and on! The Lord has done so much in our lives this year…it’s stunning!
Any one thing on this list would be something worth celebrating, and I have been blessed with them all. Yes, it’s true, stuff happens in life, and I am so sorry for the hardships that some of you are going through. Yet thankfulness is a choice that we can make, even in the hardest seasons of our lives. Furthermore, breakthrough begins when we focus on the voice of God and not on our situations or circumstances. I have learned this year that I can’t trust my own feelings, but I can trust Jesus’ word in my life.
Another thing that has really helped me cultivate a thankful heart in the midst of this chaos is a tradition that we started in our home over a year ago, which we call “Family Dinner.” Most Sundays after church, all of our family comes to our house, (if they are able), and we just have a meal and hang out together. The conversation is always lively and fun as we encourage each other (and of course it wouldn’t be a Vallotton dinner without bantering and sarcasm). I only wished that we would have started the tradition earlier in our life. We rarely cancel Family Dinners, but when we do, it’s the grandkids who complain the most! They’re like, “You’re kidding, Grandma! It is the highlight of my week!” Personally, I think they are just trying to get a free meal! LOL
During this Thanksgiving season, I encourage you to take a moment each night before you doze off to sleep, to thank Jesus for the ways He has touched your life and those around you. Just remember, that in the midst of everything going on around you, “He’s got this, too!”
Oh, and by the way, I just googled the weather in Redding for Thanksgiving Day - 60 degrees with plenty of sunshine. I think a horseback ride is in order with my daughter. Just one more reason to be thankful!

- Kathy

I want to remind you again that no matter what challenges you may be facing this holiday season, there is nothing impossible for God ! There is no circumstance that He can't change, no hand dealt to you with which He can’t win, and no failure that He can’t restore! What are you thankful for this year? Please share in the comments below!

What a False Prophet is, and How Not to Become One

Sat, 21 Nov 2020 00:12:00 GMT

WHAT A FALSE PROPHET IS, AND HOW NOT TO BECOME ONE

Have you ever wondered what a false prophet is? There’s a lot of interest and buzz around the world (and especially in the US) about prophets and prophecy, so I wanted to take a bit of time this week to discuss the facts and fallacies surrounding them. Check out my video below where I share what exactly a false prophet is, and how not to become one.

In a nutshell:

There are many Christians who don’t believe in the gifts of the Spirit or the 5-fold ministry for today. Therefore, they believe that when Jesus said, “In the last days false prophets would arise,” they think all the prophets in the last days are false ones.
But if there are false prophets, there must be real ones!
There’s a difference between Old Testament prophets and New Testament prophets.
In the Old Testament we judge prophets.
In the New Testament we judge prophecy.
Jesus came to fulfill the prophets. (Matthew 5:17)
The prophets were proclaimed until John...then the Kingdom was preached. (Luke 16:16)
What happens when you move an Old Testament prophet to the New Testament?
The result is the prophet moves from judging nations to reconciling families.
Getting a word wrong does not make you a false prophet.
Agabus prophesied that the Jews would bind Paul and hand him over to the Gentiles (Acts 21:10). But what actually happened was that Paul was bound by the Gentiles and handed over to the Jews.
What makes a person a false prophet?
A false prophet is not someone who gives a bad prophetic word, but instead is someone who has an evil heart.
There are two types of false prophets:
The first type is a person who has invited a spirit of divination into his or her life. (Acts 16:16)
The second type of false prophet is a person who receives a call on his or her life to be a prophet from birth or sometime after they receive Christ, and then later falls away from God. Because the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable, that person is still able to operate in the gifts, even if they fall away from God.
The characteristics of a false prophet according to Matthew 7:
They appear to be good.
False prophets have their belief system founded on a few pet scriptures (sand), and not the whole counsel of God (the rock).
False prophets have power.
5 Tests of a True Prophet Versus a False Prophet :
Does the prophet believe in the redemptive work of the Son of God?
False prophets do not like to listen to anyone - God tells them everything.
False prophets are not motivated by love, but are motivated by a need to be noticed.
False prophets commonly use fear to motivate people.
False prophets are not in covenant relationship with the body of Christ.

I hope this teaching was helpful to understand the difference between prophets and false prophets. What did you think about prophets before watching the video? What do you think about them now? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

If you’re interested in learning more about prophets, I encourage you to check out my book, School of the Prophets . I wrote School of the Prophets to help you discern your calling, hone your spiritual receptors, and understand the complex ways God communicates.
Right now you can get the School of the Prophets audiobook for FREE when you purchase a copy of Spiritual Intelligence on Amazon (between November 19-30).

I bundled these two books together for my Black Friday deal this year because we are living in one of the noisiest seasons I have ever experienced! To some, it even feels like a war on the spiritual “airwaves,” so to speak. I want to equip you to silence the noise that is being broadcast across the earth by demonic forces, and help you tune into the Light—the voice of God and His thoughts about you and your current season.

Click here to take advantage of the deal!

Humility is Still the Way Forward

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 17:23:00 GMT

HUMILITY IS STILL THE WAY FORWARD

Have you been feeling tossed to and fro this past week? To say it has been a challenging week would be an understatement! But in the midst of this turbulent storm, God is paying close attention to the hearts of His people, and the way we respond to this season is extremely important to God. These trials that we’re facing are not creating the condition of our hearts, they are revealing it.

The U.S. election has exposed what I perceive as the spirit of arrogance arising in the midst of many Believers. With this in mind, I feel it’s imperative that I again remind us (myself included) of the word the Lord gave me back in March of this year: “Humility is the way forward!”

OUR FIGHT IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD

While it feels like a battle is raging between political parties, we must not lose sight of the fact that our battle is not against people but against principalities and powers. I am deeply concerned that offense, bitterness and judgement will continue to drive our country deeper into darkness if we don’t humble ourselves . We must not position ourselves with the pointed finger of judgment but with the bended knee of humility.

It can be easy to think the candidate we voted for is clearly the only righteous choice to solve all of our problems. But to think that there is a perfect and an imperfect party is unwise. The truth is that there is no perfect candidate, just like there is no perfect voter. If we take a second to zoom out and gain some perspective, it becomes clear that whoever is running for a political office will have flaws, sin, and a past that has both good and bad moments. But I have hope in the X factor : a good God who is able to lead imperfect people in an extremely troubled world.

I’d like to propose that we need humility more than we need a certain person in office. This is not just about a person winning a political race, but about the Lord healing our land! 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

All it takes to heal the land is for God’s people to humble themselves!

THE STRATEGY JESUS USED

Jesus displays a beautiful act of humility in John 13. Knowing everything that was coming against Him, He chose to humble Himself and wash His disciples’ feet. The disciples thought He was just washing their feet, but He was actually positioning Himself for the resurrection. Did you catch that? In the midst of the enemy making his move to kill Jesus, Jesus made a strategic counter-move and humbled himself. Humility is a weapon of warfare!

3 KEYS TO HUMBLE YOURSELF AND PROCEED FORWARD

H ere are 3 keys to humility that are paramount to practice as we proceed forward:

1. Be teachable. One of the most evident signs of humility is that you can be corrected without defending yourself; you don’t always have to be right, and you posture your heart to learn from others.
2. Don’t be easily offended . Listen, carrying offense is a bummer! Have you ever experienced someone telling you a story about their hurt or their pain that happened twenty years ago? Yet, they recount the story as if it were yesterday, re-living the pain over and over. Believers, we have got to learn to be quick to forgive and release those grudges we’re holding on to. I like what Joyce Meyer said, “Harboring unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping your enemy will die.”
3. Be content in who you are, but more importantly, be content in who you are not. Authenticity has such a high value right now. People are searching to be seen, but it’s those who freely admit their flaws, mistakes, and failures that demonstrate healthy humility that the world is so desperate for. Being content in who you are opens you up to authentic love and hopeful freedom.

RIGHTEOUSNESS OUTWEIGHS BEING RIGHT

Revivals are never birthed out of being right, they are born out of righteousness which is rooted in Jesus’ redemption and forgiveness. God is positioning those who pursue humility to gain unsurmountable favor, wisdom, and solutions in this season. Remember, humility + nothing = promotion. The Lord is for us and is guiding us through this tumultuous time. But my question to you is: will you humble yourself and follow His lead? My prayer is that the Lord will give us insights on how to be noble and virtuous; holding to righteous convictions; while being patient with those who are living by a different standard. May we align ourselves with God’s will for the remainder of 2020!

How has this week been for you ? What have you learned? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

When It All Seems Too Bleak to Bear, Do These 4 Things!

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 18:32:00 GMT

WHAT THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES CAN TEACH US TODAY

When Ezekiel entered the valley of dry bones, the outlook was bleak; death hung over the battlefield like a thick dark cloud of gloom. Then suddenly, God rocked Ezekiel’s world when He asked the prophet a ridiculous question: “ Can these bones live? ” The great prophet staggered to comprehend the possible outcome of God’s incredible inquiry. Finally, he gathered himself and answered, “ You know, Lord .” The rest is history: a mighty army emerged from the valley of dry bones as Ezekiel prophesied life into that graveyard (see Ezekiel 37:1-10).

Our world today seems to be in dreadful disarray . Poverty, immorality, and injustice continue to erode the fabric of society. And, from the looks of our current presidential election that took place only days ago, the chasm created by staunch political ideologies is widening by the minute. Yet, once again, God’s prophetic people stand in the valley of the shadow of death, and once again, God is asking us the same question: “ Can these bones live ?” Every nation’s history hangs in the balance as we ponder the answer to this profound question; will we inspire mass despair, or will we equip a mighty army of light-bearers who transform this deep darkness?
God’s exhortation to Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones of a once-powerful army and restore them to their former glory was a shadow of things to come (see Hebrews 10:1). It was a foretaste of the most important role of God’s prophetic people: to breathe life into the dead, dusty army of believers that once turned the world upside down.

THE FINAL SAY

Do you remember the scene in the gospels when the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil? For 40 days and nights, the Son of God refused to eat or drink anything. He looked broken, tattered, and weak – easy prey for a powerful devil. But after a brutal battle with Satan, in the end, the Son of God had the final say ! Jesus exited the wilderness in the “power of the Spirit,” which launched Him into His public ministry of destroying the works of the devil! (See Luke 4:1-13 and Matthew 4:1-11).

It was three and a half years later that they would meet again for one final battle. You likely know the story: Satan managed to get Jesus nailed to a cross and buried in a grave. But unbeknownst to him, death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him, and the devil could not defeat Him. The heavens thundered, and the earth quaked as watching warriors and waiting witnesses gathered for three long days. Do you remember what happened next? Jesus emerged victorious again, with the final say. " All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. ” He proclaimed to the gathered disciples, “ therefore, go, and make disciples of ALL nations."

Know this: if the devil knew what was going to happen at the cross, he would’ve killed everybody who was trying to kill Jesus! The devil’s overconfident miscalculation was his demise but it is our victory. Don’t you see, Jesus not only had the final say over the works of the enemy, He IS the final say today, tomorrow, and always !

4 WAYS TO SEE LIFE IN THE VALLEY OF DRY BONES

Just as Ezekiel was called to look at a hopeless situation of death and dismay and have a role in changing the course of history, so must we as believers look at our world and see beyond what the enemy is up to. Instead of relinquishing the final say over to superficial things like the evening news, social media, or worse yet, the enemy’s foreboding forecast, I challenge you to take back your God-given authority and walk through the valleys of life with purpose, passion, and the power of God’s final say. Here are 4 ways that you can do that:

1. Learn to see beyond what’s obvious . When everybody else sees a valley of dry bones, it is incumbent upon us as the prophetic people of God to envision a mighty army. Not only do we need to see beyond, but we have to take action, procreating with God through prophetic declarations. As we see through Ezekiel’s story, prophecy is not just telling the future; oftentimes God calls us to cause the future!

2. Learn to lead the way. When the people of God feel defeated, depressed, powerless and outnumbered, it is the responsibility of God’s prophetic people to rise up and pick a fight against overwhelming odds, because we can see into the invisible realm and we know that there are more who are for us than those who are against us!

3. Be a bold bearer of hope . When the Body of Christ encounters demonic forces in the dark night of the soul and they feel weak, hungry, and fragile, it is God’s prophetic people who can see past the plots of the enemy and envision the battle plans of the angel armies. This gives us authority to release declarations of hope in the midst of the house of horrors, which in turn ensnares principalities, and disarms and imprisons them in their own demonic devices.

4. Remember God’s promises! When the mourners see a crucified body and the soldiers are counting their coins, and all the while Pilot has washed his hands of the whole mess, it is the people of God, thousands years earlier, who had already predicted an empty tomb!

The world waits in hopeful anticipation as God’s prophetic people stand in the valley of decision. My prayer is that God would once again equip us to see a mighty army rise from the dry bones of global despair, and shine the light of hope into this desperate world!

How is God changing the way you view the valleys of life? Let me know in the comments below!

The 3 Trials We All Experience (and How to Discern & Conquer Them)

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 16:50:00 GMT

TRAINING FOR REIGNING

It's written that the "prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective." However, if the apostle James who directed these words to the early Church was right, why do you suppose so many modern-day Believers feel as if they seldom ever experience the transformative power of their prayers? It serves us to remember that early Christians endured extremely difficult times; they expected to suffer. James' letters point to this as he encouraged Believers to persevere and courageously live out the faith that they professed to believe.

So, back to the question at hand. Why do so many feel the fervent fire of their faith feign when challenges of any sort come against them? The way I see it, many modern-day Believers get lost in their theology. In other words, they may know very well where their help comes from but are often clueless at knowing why they experience trials or, worse yet, maybe many thought hardships would magically disappear once they became a Believer. This is a big problem! Why? First, discerning the source of your challenges is key when approaching God with our supplications. Secondly, God's insight and understanding of the trials and temptations that we face is our way-maker to conquering challenges; we must understand what's coming against us and from where it's coming.

SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH GOD

Proverbs 2:2,5 says that when you “make your ear attentive to wisdom; Incline your heart to understanding, you will understand the fear of the Lord, and discover the knowledge of God.” As a child of God, you have an upper hand in this life as the Holy Spirit has given you access to the mind of Christ —the infinite and eternal source for all things powerful, effective, and good! Do you know what this means? It means that you were made to solve life’s problems with God’s mind!

The first step to navigating trials and conquering challenges with God is to begin with learning how to discern the source from which they come. To help you get started, I’ve biblically broken down the three sources of trials that we may experience and God’s solution for each:

God Trials : One source of trials that Believers may face can come from God and usually occurs when God is positioning His people to inhabit His promises. The apostle James reminds us to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4) Note that I did not say God tempts us . God-trials are not attempts to see if we will mess up nor will they bring harm upon us. Instead, trials from God ensure that we are, as James puts it, "lacking in nothing," and are often a sign of promotion!

Solution: When we encounter a God-trial, we consider it joy and humble ourselves , submitting to God's process so that we can inhabit the palace of His promises!

Demonic Trials: A second type of trial Believers may face are trials that come from our enemy, the devil. What do we know about the devil? That he is a thief who comes to steal our peace, kill our destiny, and destroy our life (John 10:10). Remember in trials of this sort, our struggle is “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Solution : When we encounter a trial of this kind, the last thing we should do as Believers is submit to it, allowing the devil to pummel us down. Instead we must resist the devil, put on the armor of Christ and do as 2 Corinthians 10:4 says — use our divine power to DEMOLISH these evil strongholds.

Human Trials: The third type of trial Believers may face are trials that are often either blamed on the devil or credited to God, when in fact, it's the result of sin or failure. I call it the spirit of stupid . According to the Bible, the consequence of sin is death. So, you can imagine how sin can wreak utter havoc on your life! Romans 6:16-18 has a reminder for each of us, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

Solution: Repentance is the solution for trials we bring on ourselves as it’s a powerful act of spiritual maturity. Humbling ourselves to receive God's forgiveness and His grace is what will empower us to be free to go and sin no more!
Now that you’ve learned about the three types of trials, knowing how to discern when you're in the midst of one is pivotal to praying the powerful and effective prayers that James talks about. In fact, to get you activated in discerning the source of trails, here is a powerful exercise to develop you in discernment:

Think of a trial you are currently facing. It can be anything that is a source of frustration, fear or a perceived obstacle that needs to be addressed. Suggestion: Keep it straight forward.

An example of a problem might be: Due to Coronavirus, my spouse's hours at work have been drastically reduced, and emotionally my spouse is in a fear spiral. Nothing I say seems to reassure or help them, and I'm growing more fearful every day.
Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to discern the source of your hardship. You may experience a knowing in your spirit, a vision or an impression or any of the various ways God speaks to you. Remember you have access to the mind of Christ and He greatly desires to give you His wisdom.

You will be discerning if the source of your trial is brought on by:
God, to develop you in your destiny in which the solution is to submit to Him.
The demonic, in which you need to exercise your God-given authority and resist the devil so he will flee from you.
The result of bad decisions or the effect of sin in your life, requiring repentance.
Once the Holy Spirit has revealed the source of your trial, take action. Do you need to submit, resist, or repent? God’s insights into the origin of your challenges will give you the power to pray an effective prayer as well as the wisdom to overcome what comes against you and transform your life today!

My prayer for you today and all Believers, is that we would mature into the sons and daughters of God that we are; that we would be spiritually intelligent and walk with insight and wisdom that’s not of this world so that through our lives we can transform it. I pray this blog blessed you today. If you’d like a digital roadmap to discerning the source of your trials, I created one that you can download for free below. Check it out and don’t forget to share your thoughts with me in the comments.

That Time I Went to Google Hq and Taught Them About Sq (Spiritual Intelligence)

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 16:08:00 GMT

GOOGLE SMART

In March of 2018, a team from Bethel School of Technology gathered with about two hundred Google employees at Google’s headquarters for a session on the topic of: “ Furthering the Narrative around Christianity’s Impact in the Tech Space. ” Some of the brightest minds in the world were in attendance, including several Google team members who worked in the artificial intelligence (AI) division. The talk also incorporated a Q&A panel where our team addressed live questions posted by the attendees. It was a privilege and an honor to be a part of the thought leadership taking place that day. Still, though I was surrounded by some of the world’s most brilliant minds who understood I.Q. (our minds), and E.Q. (our emotions), it quickly became apparent that none of them had ever heard of S.Q. (spiritual intelligence quotient). In other words, our team was surrounded by a lot of people, including Believers, that may have been “Google smart,” but were they spiritually aware?

ROYAL REALITY

I understand the world measuring intelligence by I.Q. and E.Q. However, witnessing God's people relegate their divine advantage of possessing an intelligence that’s boundless (S.Q.), I have to consider that many Christians don’t actually know what it means to have access to the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
The mind of Christ gives us a capacity for brilliance that is beyond our human intelligence. God intended for His people to be more than “google smart,” so that we can cut through the chaos of this age and walk in divine wisdom and supernatural solutions! This spiritual intelligence is not reserved for a select few prophets or "chosen ones." Instead, it's accessible for all Believers. Consider Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:9: “ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ” Did you catch that? Peter isn’t simply pointing out sound theology here, he’s revealing our profound reality as chosen children of the King— that we’ve been chosen, born for nobility, and we have purpose!
Furthermore, inhabiting this royal reality begins with being physically present and spiritually in-tune. In other words, as God’s holy nations, we take ownership of the life we have on earth by walking spiritually empowered, undoing the great injustices that take place on this planet. Remember in Matthew 10:7 when Jesus instructed the twelve disciples with these words, "And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’" Like the disciples, when we go forth to our families, our jobs, and our communities, we go empowered by the Holy Spirit and respond as spiritually intelligent solutionaries who bring about the Kingdom wherever we go. This is our royal reality!

JOU RNEY INTO S.Q.

Watch the video below that I filmed that day to hear more about our experience as I processed our time at Google with Ryan Collins, CEO of Bethel Tech.

Little did I know at the time that this day was just the beginning of an adventure I would go on with God to discover the topic of S.Q., and I began to unpack the full teaching that I gave that day at Google with Holy Spirit over the months that followed. I wrote about the journey into the new world of S.Q. in the first chapter of my new book, which you can download for free here. What I want you to understand today is that you have the capacity for brilliance! The thrilling truth is that you have the mind of Christ and this means you have a divine advantage that sets you apart; you have the ability to thrive not just survive. That’s some good news right there! I encourage you to embark on a journey with the Holy Spirit and develop in this God-given gift that’s available to you.
In closing, if you’re considering purchasing my new book Spiritual Intelligence but you’re curious about what all is covered, a few questions I biblically unpack are:

What are the five dimensions of spiritual intelligence?
How can I build new neural pathways to supernatural thinking?
How do I recognize my sphere of influence and the borders of my divine assignment?
How will an increased capacity for spiritual intelligence transform my life?
How do IQ, EQ, and SQ work together, and what does it look like to operate wholly in all three?

I hope you’ll check it out and embark on the remarkable journey of spiritual intelligence!

The Marriage Secret That Kathy and I Use Everyday

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 15:40:00 GMT

LOSE YOUR LIFE

Do you know what it means to lay down your life in your marriage? For many of you reading this, that may be easy to answer, but I bet it’s not always easy to practice. Many marriages end because it’s a whole lot easier to live for yourself than it is to sacrifice anything for the sake of another. Only, the problem with living for yourself is that you will never truly find life until you give it away . Recorded in the gospels, Jesus said, “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” How many of you know when we find someone , not something , to die for, we gain the life and love we so desperately desire.

NOT AN ACCIDENT

I’ve been married to the woman of my dreams for 45 years, and we’ve been together for 50 years total. People often ask me how Kathy & I have stayed together for so long. I’ll tell you our secret: we know when to sacrifice pleasure for the pursuit of joy —this is the discipline of laying down your life for another.

A practical example of this is when people find out we have horses. They say, “Oh wow, Kris, you have horses!” My response to them goes something like this, “No, I don’t have horses. Kathy has horses. I only pay for the horses.” Their next question for me usually is, “Don’t you like horses?” To which I respond, “No, I don’t like horses, but I like Kathy.” You see, I get a lot of joy out of doing what Kathy wants to do. I am willing to sacrifice my own pleasure to pursue what develops joy in our marriage. It’s not one-sided, Kathy does the same for me. Joy in marriage doesn’t happen by accident , it’s developed on purpose by those who have learned how to lay down their life for the other. It’s true that when you trade pleasure for joy it can sometimes be challenging, but with that exchange, you’ll gain life with the one you love that’s rich and abundant. I go in depth on laying down your life for those you love in this sermon clip I pulled for you. Check it out save if you want to save your spouse or your future husband or wife a load of pressure and anxiety.

ACTIVATE JOY TODAY

Many marriages and relationships are suffering right now due to the prolonged effects of this pandemic. Patience is wearing thin and ironically, even though we are spending considerably more time together than ever before, our loved ones can still experience surmounting loneliness. With that being said, what would it be like if all of us, every day, made an effort to lay down our lives so that someone else could experience life? What if we stopped chasing the pleasure we could get out of our relationships and started pursuing the joy we could have in them? I want to issue a challenge to you this week: Love someone without selfish ambition . In other words, look for ways to give without getting in return. If you’re married then I’d start with your spouse. If you’re single, then take a look at your relationships with your closest friends and family. No matter what’s going on around us, we can experience the bliss of joy that lies in laying your life down for those you love. I'd love to hear your testimonies of losing your life to find it and I'd also love to hear how this week’s challenge made a difference in your relationships, so share them with me in the comments below!

In case you missed it: I’m celebrating the pre-release of my new book Spiritual Intelligence by giving those who pre-order their copy before October 19th a free registration to my three-day Spiritual Intelligence Digital Summit. In this summit you’ll develop in the art of solving problems with God in real-time. You’ll walk away with new mindsets and tools to access the life-transforming ways of thinking like God to approach your life with hope, wisdom, and clarity. I hope you’ll join me. Get your SQ Summit Registration here .

It’s Your Move: Why Your Engagement With Others Over the Next Couple of Months Matters

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 15:12:00 GMT

BORN FOR THIS?

We are in a wild season and it’s about to get much more interesting. I’m talking about the upcoming US presidential election that’s happening smack dab in the middle of not only a very heated social climate but in the midst of a raging pandemic. What could go wrong? I’m being only a little facetious but truthfully, I’ve said it many times, Christians were born for times like these! Earlier this year, I woke early in the morning to a voice in my spirit that said, “You were born for this season.” I’d like to propose that God was not just talking about me being born for days like these, He was talking about you; He was talking about all of His people!

Here’s the problem: all of us are in what feels like a never-ending death spiral . However, there are some who are being tossed around by every doom and gloom forecast , foreboding emotion, and borrowed offenses because they do not proactively seek God’s perspective about the matter at hand. One might think that this wouldn’t be said of Believers, but I’m here to tell you, we can do better! I propose that God expects us to!

It’s paramount that we use God’s perspective to process what’s unfolding before us and not let the spirit of this age blind us to the profound reality that Jesus is King and is very much in charge right now! I recently preached on this very thing and how imperative it is that God’s people are mindful of how we perceive the world. I also clearly lay out how Jesus was able to bond with those He had differences with and was able to love those who utterly disagreed with Him. I encourage you to check it out and get clarity on how we ought to engage one another amid this tumultuous time.

IN A NUTSHELL:

Core values determine the way we see God. If you don’t proactively develop your core values, they will be developed for you by the world.

Meditation impacts your core values and is the Hebrew word growl. Meaning, when you meditate on the word of God you are bulldozing new neural pathways in your brain that train your mind with TRUTH.

Feelings are great servants but they are terrible masters.

We all have apostolic distinctions that shape our core values and how we approach ministry. These distinctions cause us to differ but should not cause us to be divided.

In Denominationalism, you divide when you disagree and gather when you agree but in Apostolic cultures, you gather because of covenant and love and learn to acknowledge and embrace the apostolic distinctions that make us different.

The Spirit of this Age is dividing us through offense when in this season God requires us to be bonded and to love our enemies and be loyal to God’s ways, not the ways of this world.

I’m here to tell you, you may not be feeling it now, but one day you will be thankful you were alive during one of the most prolific moments in history! Why? Because you are a witness to God moving mightily not only in the world and in our nation, but in your very own life!

One of the most impactful ways you can take part in walking with God in this season is to develop in spiritual intelligence and use God-thinking to cut through the chaos of today. And, might I suggest not allowing the apostolic distinctions that come with your calling cause you to separate from those Jesus called you to bond with and wholeheartedly love. We ought to pay close attention to how we engage with one another over the next couple of months as it’s crucial to align ourselves with God’s will for the remainder of 2020. This call to maturity and humility will not only impact your own life and bring peace in the midst of the storm, but it will be a testimony to all those who are watching how you carry yourself currently. In closing, I pray that you will begin to be present with His presence and be mindful of how you pray and speak about the remainder of this most profound year.

In case you missed it: I want to encourage you to attend my Spiritual Intelligence Digital Summit . In this 3-day on-demand summit, you will learn the art of solving problems with God and expand your capacity for spiritual intelligence. You will receive never before taught video teachings from me and a digital guidebook that will help you practically break down how to begin walking in S.Q.

To celebrate the pre-release of my new book Spiritual Intelligence, I’m giving those who pre-order their copy before October 20th a free registration to my SQ Summit. Remember, we owe the world an encounter with the living God, so g et your free registration here and get ready to grow!

Steve Backlund: It Looked Hopeless, but It Wasn’t

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 17:03:00 GMT

HAPPY ARE THE ONES…

During unrelenting trials and ongoing days of uncertainty, there’s a temptation to believe that all is going to hell in a handbasket . However, I want to declare over all of you reading this that no darkness in hell will prevail over those who belong to God, and you are not powerless! To bring home this truth, I’m turning to my friend Steve Backlund , a “joy activist” who develops leaders all over the world and has impacted my life personally with the sincere way he lives his.

I pray Steve’s words bless you and remind you that when all seems lost, “Happy are the ones whose help is from the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (Psalms 146:5)

IT LOOKED HOPELESS, BUT IT WASN'T BY: STEVE BACKLUND

Somebody has overcome the very challenge you are facing right now . When we feed on testimonies of people coming out of great difficulty, it helps us believe we can too.

The Bible is full of people who overcame seemingly impossible situations. We have examples in our forerunners of faith to show us that we are not alone in feeling overwhelmed or discouraged when we face obstacles. Their stories remind us afresh that just because something seems hopeless, doesn’t mean it is.

Here are some situations in the Bible that seemed hopeless but were not:

He Denied His Faith – Peter said he would never deny Jesus, but he did–three times–right before Jesus was crucified. It would seem he squandered his destiny and now would have to settle for a life of regret and mediocrity. In the moment of his failure, Peter could easily have thought this would be his fate, but his worst fears did not happen. Peter was restored and became a key builder of the church in fulfillment of the prophetic word he received (Matthew 16:17-18).

Her Husband Was Making Poor Choices – Sarah had a husband who was wishy-washy and created dysfunction in her home. He gave in to her pressure to help God out by sleeping with Hagar (Sarah’s handmaiden) resulting in the birth of Ishmael. Abraham lied twice in saying she was his sister which created huge messes. Their dream of a family of their own seemed out of reach for 100-year-old Abraham and 90-year-old Sarah, but it was not. After years of waiting and wondering if God’s word would be fulfilled, the promise indeed came to pass. “And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age” (Genesis 21:1).

Their City Was Heading Toward Judgment – Ninevah was a wicked city; its inhabitants’ sin was removing any remaining spiritual protection it had left, and judgment was imminent. To the citizens of the city, preservation seemed hopeless until a reluctant prophet named Jonah preached one message that sparked a city-wide spiritual revival and spared its people. (See the Book of Jonah.)

He Had a Series of Tragedy and Pain – Job could not understand what had happened. Tragedy had struck his family, his possessions, and his health. His “friends” made things worse by blaming him. Seemingly, he was destined to end his days in bitterness and misery–but no–his life turned around. “Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning” (Job 42:12).

He Was Rejected by a Spiritual Father – Mark was trying to be faithful, but the Apostle Paul removed him from his ministry team (Acts 15:39). Even though Mark continued to minister with Barnabas, Paul’s negative opinion had the potential to greatly limit his ministry. Mark may have thought it was inevitable that this key influencer would always think less of him, but breakthrough came and Paul’s opinion changed. In Paul’s last epistle, he wrote this, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).

He Was an Influential Leader Who Was Suicidal – Elijah was one of the greatest leaders of the Old Testament. He was chosen along with Moses to appear to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Even so, he was depressed and suicidal after he heard Jezebel wanted to kill him. Did he stay this way? No. After getting some rest, God said, “Go . . . anoint Hazael as king over Syria . . . anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha . . . you shall anoint as prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:15-16). Elijah came out of his emotional struggle by clarifying his assignment and purpose for the next season.

She Had a Series of Relationship Failures – The woman at the well had been married five times and was now living with another man. It certainly would be unwise to have hope that she could be a significant revivalist. Or, would it? This unlikely woman became an evangelist to her town and a catalyst for the spread of the gospel in Samaria: “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified . . . They urged Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word” (John 4:39-41).

He Was the Least Likely to Become a Christian – Saul of Tarsus zealously persecuted Christians. How could someone like that ever get saved? “Impossible,” many would say. But he did, and he became one of the greatest Christian influencers ever.

His Commitment to Integrity and Purity Held Back His Dream – Joseph resisted Potiphar’s wife’s advances and was put in prison for thirteen years. Instead of promoting him, his purity plan seemingly made life harder. “I have wasted my life,” he could have thought. “God has forgotten me.” That was not the end of the story because everything changed in one day. He interpreted Pharaoh's dream and became second in command in Egypt. (See Genesis 41).

All these heroes of the faith had seemingly hopeless circumstances that turned out better than they could have imagined. Testimonies like these inspire us to have hope for a wonderful future and remind us that we have the power to help make it so.

You may not realize it but there are people who draw spiritual strength and insight from your life. You are a hero of faith to someone out there and I encourage you to share your testimony with those in your community as it has the power to propel people out of hopeless situations or anxious mindsets.

In case you missed it: I want to encourage you to attend my Spiritual Intelligence Digital Summit . In this 3-day on-demand summit, you will learn the art of solving problems with God and expand your capacity for spiritual intelligence . You will receive never before taught video teachings from me and a digital guidebook that will help you practically break down how to begin walking in S.Q.

BONUS: to celebrate the pre-release of my new book Spiritual Intelligence , I’m giving those who pre-order their copy before October 20th a FREE registration to my SQ Summit . Remember, we owe the world an encounter with the living God, so get your free registration here and get ready to grow!

The Definition of True Brilliance (and Your Capacity for It)

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 17:25:00 GMT

SPIRITUAL INEXPERIENCE

Did you know that as a Believer there is something you can do that no one else on the planet can do? I’m talking about the God-given ability to think tri-dimensionally . Many know of conventional intelligences such as IQ and EQ, but did you know that God has given His people a capacity for brilliance that goes beyond our human ability or simply learning to think well. We have SQ (Spiritual Intelligence)—access to God’s thoughts and wisdom from another age! This transcendent advantage grants us the ability to think like God in real-time. Imagine walking into the room and being the wisest person, simply because of what and Who you have access to!

Sadly, I propose that many professed Believers have no idea what SQ is. However, there is a silver lining to spiritual inexperience. It presents those who earnestly seek the Father with a fantastic opportunity to embark on a journey to uncover the mysteries of the divine mind.

THE NEW WORLD OF SQ

The apostle Paul inspired such an expedition when he exhorted us to “ be renewed in the spirit of your mind ” (Ephesians 4:23) At first glance, this may seem like a simple exhortation to learn to think well, but upon deeper examination, the ramifications of Paul’s insight are stunning. Notice that Paul instructs us to renew not the lower dimensions of thinking, represented in modern times by IQ and/or EQ, but the “spirit of your mind.”

I realize the terms IQ and EQ were not used in Paul’s day, yet despite the terms, it would serve you well to remember that Paul was no stranger to higher education. He mastered Jewish history, the psalms and the works of the prophets. He was trained to dissect Scripture and went on to become a lawyer. Thus, Paul exhorting us to be renewed by the “spirit” of our mind was not a figure of speech or a slip of the tongue. No! He intentionally instructed us to give attention to a specific dimension of thinking.

Paul explains to the Greek congregation in Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2) that he “ did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom ” when proclaiming the testimony of God. Rather, he described that he came in “ weakness and in fear and in much trembling, but in demonstration of the Spirit of power. ” He pointed out to those in his company that when he ministered, he set aside all of his background, his education, and even his own wisdom so that those present would not learn to rest their faith on the human wisdom and well spoken words of men but on the superior benefits of God’s divine power and wisdom.

If you have ever healthily practiced the prophetic gift where you received God’s insights, thoughts, and perspective for another person then you may very well be able to relate to Paul describing setting aside himself so that he could access another dimension of thinking—God’s mind.

3 OBSERVATIONS OF THE DIVINE MIND

So, how do we actually have access to God’s mind, you ask? Paul says that the Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of God, and that the Holy Spirit lives in us. Consequently, we have access to God’s Spirit. This essentially gives us the ability to think like God and access God’s thoughts in real-time! You heard me right: If you are a follower of Jesus, you can and should think like God. This is true spiritual intelligence and how you, as a Believer, can do what others can’t—think tri-dimensionally. Understand, SQ is not accessing your own spirit or brain, but instead, connecting with God’s Spirit, who is eternal, has all knowledge and wisdom, and knows the future.
Think about it like this: the Spirit has unfathomable experience with humankind and knows the heart of every person on the planet. The Holy Spirit is the Genius of geniuses, the Scientist of scientists, the Doctor of doctors, the Engineer of engineers . . . you get the idea. He is the real definition of true brilliance. When we connect to the Holy Spirit, we access the mind of Christ, and we tap into the Infinite One who knows everything!
Paul makes three observations about this divine wisdom found in 1 Corinthians 2:1-16:

1. It’s a mystery , which is the Greek word musterion , meaning “secret doctrine.’ In fact, Paul goes on to tell the Corinthians, “ Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God ” (1 Corinthians 4:1). We are actually stewards of the intellectual properties of God!

2. It’s hidden from unbelievers, but available for believers . Solomon put it this way: “ It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).

3. It displays His glory through us. In the days of King Solomon, God’s infinite wisdom was put on display for the Queen of Sheba, leaving her stunned and breathless. Likewise, the wisdom of God’s Holy Spirit is to be demonstrated through His people to the world around us. This divine demonstration not only brings glory to God; it also glorifies His people (John 17:22).

Are you intrigued by the profound truth that we are partakers in the mind of Christ and can develop in the art of thinking like God?

Sometimes we get lost in the theology of revelatory reality yet never experience it. Don’t let this be said of you.

I want to challenge you today to begin living in your divine advantage of thinking tri-dimensionally. One practical way to start is by asking the Holy Spirit to expose to you any spiritual blockers that may be preventing you from “ renewing the spirit of your mind .” The enemy would love nothing more than you to stay stuck and stagnate. That is not your portion. If it was, God would not have shared with us His Spirit nor given us access to the mind of Christ. As you journey into the new world of SQ, trust that the Holy Spirit is a wise navigator and that no perceived obstacle can stand in His way (John 14:26-28).

Registration is now open for my 3 day Spiritual Intelligence Digital Summit where you will receive never before taught video teachings from me and a digital guidebook that will help you practically break down how to begin walking in S.Q. You can get a FREE registration to my SQ Summit by pre-ordering my new book “Spiritual Intelligence” which hasn’t been released to the public yet! Get your free registration here!
Plus if you are one of the first to pre-order my book, you will get the early-bird bonus— a seat to a LIVE Q&A Zoom session with me where I answer all of the SQ questions (space is limited)!

Feeling Overwhelmed and Out of Your Depth? Try This!

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:37:00 GMT

ASK WHAT YOU WISH

Imagine with me for a moment, God appearing to you in a dream and saying to you, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.” What do you think you’d ask God for? If you recall, this is what happened to Solomon (you can read more in 1 Kings chapter 3). The Lord appeared to him and told him he could ask for anything. If you remember, Solomon famously asked for wisdom, and the Lord gave it to him. Enlightened with heaven’s wisdom and supernatural solutions, Solomon went down in history as the wisest and wealthiest man who ever lived. I don’t know about you, but when I first heard this story, I immediately told the Lord I wanted wisdom in hopes He would make me rich!

THE HUMBLE HEART OF THE MATTER

But, as is usually the case with the Lord, there is more to this story than meets the eye. Many of us solely focus our attention on the gift of wisdom God granted Solomon and assume it to be the source of his notable success. Still, I propose it’s not wealth, knowledge, or influence that Solomon should be known for; rather, it’s his humility . In 1 Kings 3:7, we find Solomon lamenting to the Lord that he was now a king, yet, he cried, “I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.” Did you catch that? The humble heart of the matter is that only in humility can we acknowledge that someone else knows something we don’t , positioning us to receive from them. In other words, the origin of divine wisdom is found on your knees in humility.
Solomon provides countless examples of this throughout the Bible. In Proverbs 1:7 he tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge,” and again in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” What we must understand is that to fear the Lord is to acknowledge and revere Him and His sovereignty, power, and might. It’s to know that all things exist in and through Him and that it is only by His will that we are in existence, let alone in a relationship with Him, still, He invites us to partake in His heart, mind, and wise ways. I don’t know about you but, I cannot think of anything more humbling.

NO COINCIDENCE

It’s no coincidence that earlier in the year I woke early in the morning to a loud voice in my spirit that said, “ Humility is the way forward .” God is calling out to His people to humble themselves as He will provide wisdom to proceed forward in these turbulent times. I’m also reminded of 2 Chronicles 7:14: “ If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land .” Believers, there is something we need to learn about humility in this season and it’s imperative that we practice it in order to move forward with God.

God i s positioning those to receive unsurmountable favor, wisdom, and solutions in this season who pursue humility . That’s why I want to share five ways to recognize true humility being demonstrated in your life:

1. You actually pray . Prayerlessness is the ultimate arrogance. It’s funny how many will fight for prayers in school, yet they don’t pray at home. Raising up your children in a home of prayer will not only teach them humility but it will teach them thankfulness and inoculate your children from arrogance.

2. You are teachable . One of the most evident signs of humility is that you can be corrected without defending yourself; you don’t always have to be right, and you posture your heart to learn from others. How many of you know that once we stop learning, we start dying.

3. You live to help others succeed . I propose true success in life is finding a place of humility and pouring your life into others. When you have abandoned the temptation of entitlement—a sense that someone owes you, instead, your measure of success becomes about how many other people succeed because you’re alive, how many of you know, that’s a real ministry. That’s a life worth living.

4. You're not easily offended . Listen, carrying offense is a bummer! Have you ever experienced someone telling you a story about their hurt or their pain and it was twenty years ago, only as they speak, you can tell this story is not in their past where it belongs; instead, they live it over and over daily in their mind? Believers, we have got to learn to be quick to forgive and release those grudges you're holding on to. I like what Joyce Meyer says, "Unforgiveness is like drinking poison hoping your enemy will die."

5. You’re content in who you are but more importantly you’re content in who you are not. Authenticity has such a high value right now. People are searching to be seen, but it’s those who freely admit their flaws, mistakes, and failures that demonstrate the healthy humility that the world is so desperate for. Being content in who you are opens you up to authentic love and hopeful freedom.
In closing, I want you to understand that it’s impossible to not succeed if you find humility . It is my great desire for you to have a humble heart and fear the Lord, that you may receive all that He has made available to you this season.

Does God Know You? 10 Things to Remember When You’re Talking to God

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 15:31:00 GMT

“AND I’M WAITING”

I was introduced to the supernatural at a young age, but not in the way you might imagine. Nobody laid hands on me or prayed for me in tongues. My experience with the supernatural was a direct result of my desperation for a miracle. My mom had painful psoriasis from head to toe and one evening, I said aloud into the open space of my bedroom, “If there’s a God, if you heal my mother, I’ll find out who you are and I’ll serve you the rest of my life.” An audible voice replied, “My name is Jesus Christ and you have what you requested.” I had no idea who Jesus was, I had never read the Bible before, and the most influential person in my life was a professed atheist, my grandfather (he became a born-again Believer one year before he died). When I woke up the next morning, just like the unknown voice had promised, my mom was completely healed. It was about a week later, the voice spoke to me again and said, “I healed your mother, and you said if I healed your mother you would serve Me, and I’m waiting. ”

What many may not understand when I share that testimony is that, of course, it was transformational because my heart and mind were enlightened to the reality that God was real, yet, the unfathomable discovery I made that day was the resounding thought that God knew me.

DOES GOD KNOW YOU?

If you’ve been around the church very long then you know many people place an emphasis on the importance of us knowing God, as there should be, but I’d like to propose to you that it’s just as important to realize that God knows you. You may be thinking, “Of course, God knows me, He knows everything.” Yet, according to Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23, it’s very possible for God to not know you .

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'

To add to that thought, Jesus said in John 4:23-24 that “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The word truth in this passage doesn’t mean the Bible or the Torah; it’s not translated to logos or rhema. Rather, the word truth in this passage means “nothing hidden” or “to be real.”

Listen, there’s something powerful about choosing to know someone out of love instead of obligation. Do you understand? God’s not looking for people who know Him based on rote memory as that’s not how He desires to know you. He’s not looking for plastic perfect people, He’s looking for open-hearted, laid down lovers that worship Him in Spirit, with nothing hidden from Him.

10 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN TALKING TO GOD

When I cried out to God as a young boy and admitted aloud that I didn’t even know if I believed in Him, God wasn’t offended . In fact, if the scriptures are true, and I know that they are, God was pleased with my seeking sincerity. This is what He desires. And just as He said to me so many decades ago, I propose that there are many more out there, maybe even some who are reading this, who God is speaking to saying, “I am waiting.” He’s waiting for you to come out of hiding, He’s waiting to have a real relationship with you .

To help you, I created a quick list of 10 things to remember when you’re talking to God. This list will remind you of how to prepare your heart and mind with the reality the Creator of the Universe wants to intimately know you.

Be Real. Don’t tell God what you think He wants to hear but rather what’s on your heart.
Be honoring. God may be your best friend but He remains the Creator of the Universe.
Be respectful. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
Be ready to listen. Prayer is a reciprocal exchange with God. When you’re honest with God, prepare for Him to be honest with you.
It’s not about how long you pray. Rambling on and on or attempting to speak eloquently isn’t the point. It’s Who answers you that matters.
Don’t pray to impress your friends. Prayer is not a competition nor is it a sign of superior spirituality.
God isn’t only a crisis hotline. If you talk to God only when you have a crisis, trust that He loves you enough to let you stay in one. I’ll let you think about that one.
Sincerity goes a long way. It’s important to tell God how you feel and to ask for what you need, as vulnerability and sincerity are acts of an open heart that pleases the Lord.
Talk to God about your needs. God may know what you need before you ask but He enjoys your requests. Identifying your needs postures you in a place of expectant faith that pleases Him ( Hebrews 11:6).
Nevertheless, pray. Instead of waiting for all else to fail, try seeking God’s thoughts and ways through prayer and thanksgiving, and develop an authentic relationship with God.

I’ll leave you with the reminder that whether you’ve known the Lord intimately for years, or if you have no idea if He’s real, He’s speaking these words over you today: “I’m waiting.” May you find courage to come to Him open-hearted today.

How to Bulldoze Beyond This Present Darkness

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 16:58:00 GMT

HOW TO BULLDOZE BEYOND THIS PRESENT DARKNESS

2020 has been the year of never-ending pandemonium, that’s one way to look at it. Yet, from a different vantage point, I see something that many may not. I see people learning to trade panic for patient peace, turning from rebellion to repentance, and ancient evils being exposed by awakened Believers. In the wake of insurmountable loss, I see unconquerable life.
What the enemy means for evil in this present darkness, God will use in our favor. Don’t believe me? I challenge you to gain God’s thoughts on this season. This optimistic perspective I have amid loss, destruction, and any growing dissension in this nation isn’t because I’m shutting my eyes to what’s going on around me. This is more than mere optimism that I carry. The way I see it, hell has no fury like the God-given authority of Believers, and the Church is arising and shining in this hour like never before. Many are learning how to bulldoze beyond a future prophesied by a foreboding spirit. Do you know how to do this? I directly spoke about this recently, and I want to share a moment from this message that is of utmost importance. In the teaching below, I share keys to navigating seasons when multiple perspectives compete for our attention.

In a nutshell:

In Joshua chapter 1, God told Joshua how to be strong and courageous, and how to be successful.
In God’s final exhortation, He said to Joshua, “You are going to make yourself successful, by reading the Bible and meditating on it.”
One of the literal translations for the word “mediate” is the word “growl.”
When God is talking about meditating, he isn’t talking about humming to yourself. He’s talking about taking the Bible and using it to declare who God says you are, and building new neural pathways in your brain.
Neural pathways are pathways in our mind that happen through repeated thinking. As you think the same thought over and over, you build wider and wider highways in your mind.
To be transformed, you have to think what God is thinking about you.
As you continue saying no to fear and yes to God’s ideas, you’re building muscles in the Spirit and new neural pathways in your mind.

I’m here to tell you, it may not be today but hopefully one day soon you will catch vision of God moving mightily among us right now. At some point, you will be thanking God that you were alive during one of the most prolific moments in history as nations will be guided to God’s light.
If you are struggling to see a clear path forward in this season, I encourage you to check out a new series I created: The Way Forward Podcast Series . Listen to my hand-selected sermons for prophetic insight that will transform your perspective and renew your mind with God’s thoughts and ways. I pray it empowers you to walk with boldness and a renewed confidence in God. Start listening to The Way Forward Series here .

4 Prophetic Insights to Conquering the Equal Opportunity Destroyer

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 21:16:00 GMT

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DESTROYER

I don’t have to tell you that fear is an equal opportunity destroyer. It doesn’t matter who you are or how old you are, almost every human on the planet has experienced the taunting terror of fear at some point. I often share my testimony of overcoming oppressive fear — one of the most terrifying seasons I’ve gone through. Still, how many of you know that the manifestation of fear is a singular symptom, it’s not the syndrome? In other words, the experience of fear only exposes that something more is going on beneath the surface, and it’s often connected to a deeper critical issue.

1 John 4:18 says that fear is connected to punishment, and “those who fear have not been perfected in love.” What does this mean? It means that when we lose trust in the truth that God is perfecting us with perfect love, not punishment, we expose the fractured walls of our heart to the enemy of our soul, giving that foul fiend access to torment us.

PROPHETIC INSIGHTS FROM NEHEMIAH

I liken the process of repairing our weary soul after an enemy invasion to Nehemiah's testimony , who has a lot to teach us about restoration, supernatural fortification, and strategically utilizing strength that’s found in community. Through the hands of Nehemiah and with the sands of Jerusalem, God reveals prophetic keys to how He builds within us today and protects us from our enemies. Here are 4 prophetic insights that will impart radical restoration to your soul as well as train you in the art of warfare:

1. Nehemiah’s name means Comforter. Like Nehemiah who God sent to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, Our Father sends us the Comforter—the Holy Spirit who sets up within our heart a place of residence, He gives us wisdom to build up walls of protection (healthy boundaries) and discernment on who and what get’s access to our heart. Isaiah 60:18 says, “you will call your walls salvation, and your gates praise.” It’s in these moments of spiritual refuge that the Holy Spirit offers comfort and exposes enemy access points to your heart. One tactical way you can force the presence of fear to retreat is by getting in the presence of the Comforter.

2. Nehemiah refused to be reduced by fear. We can glean from Nehemiah’s story that he felt fear but moved forward with the impossible task that was set before him. Listen, if I asked you today, what would you do if you were 10 times bolder? If your answer is anything besides what you’re doing now, then I hate to break it to you but you’ve been reduced by fear. Believers, we are called to be courageous! We are called to walk with the Spirit of the Living God in such a way that hell is scared straight out of us!

Some of you reading this now have been tossed around by the throes of life. You feel powerless, exposed and vulnerable, and altogether insecure, and you’re unable to see any true way forward . I want to encourage you now that you are not a victim, and the Holy Spirit will restore you. If you learn anything from Nehemiah, it’s that with God by your side, you will learn to thrive in the presence of your enemies!

3. Nehemiah identified the low and exposed places. When Nehemiah surveyed the decimated walls of Jerusalem, he saw the low and the exposed places where the enemy might easily gain access. He strategically set guards in these areas as they began to rebuild. Being aware of the tactics that the enemy uses to come against you and acknowledging your vulnerabilities (the low and exposed places) is vital to your victory.

A low place is any area in life that you’ve been tempted yet never given in to. For example, maybe you’ve been tempted by porn but you’ve never looked at it. Exposing our low areas to those we trust will bring us profound strength.

An exposed place is where you’ve given in to temptation. It’s a direct access point for the enemy to attack you and bring unsurmountable pain and torment into your life. This is an area where you need to be strategic and assign outside muscle. Don’t appoint people in the low and exposed places of your life who enable you. When seeking accountability you don’t need mercy, you need strength! Find someone who will slap you into wisdom! How do you know you’ve found the right person to hold you accountable? You will feel a little nervous about confessing your sin to that person.

4. Nehemiah worked inside of community, never outside of it. You want to conquer fear ? Surround yourself with people who call you out and up and help you rebuild. Nehemiah assigned entire families that had unique strengths to specific sections of the wall. Under the guidance of God and Nehemiah’s leadership, Jerusalem’s city walls were rebuilt in only 52 days. A Spirit-led community can accomplish impossible things together. My son Jason puts it like this, “ I've found many circumstances that were greater than me but I’ve never found a circumstance that was greater than my family. ”

In closing, I want to declare Isaiah 54:14 over you: “ In righteousness you will be established; you will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you. ” I’m convinced that when we experience fear, we need an encounter with the perfect love of God who is found in His word, in His promises to us, and in His people. I encourage you today to draw near to Him as He will establish you in ALL WAYS .

5 Ways to Stand for Nobility in a Crowd of Moral Cowards

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 19:09:00 GMT

MODERN CHRISTIANITY?

It’s no secret to most of us that morality in America, as well as abroad, is eroding. We live in a day and age when morality has become relative, nobility is most often found in fictional stories, and virtue-less people consider righteous standards as religious oppression. Beyond that, people who don’t even believe in God, much less the Bible, use verses like “ judge not lest you be judged ” and “ Jesus didn’t condemn sinners ” to neutralize noble living and moral teaching; they use the Word of God against us in order to shape the culture that our children will one day inherit. What’s even more concerning to me than that is how Christian leaders are allowing these unbelievers to dictate how to interpret the Bible. Modern Christianity has become more about sanctioning sin and calling it unity than it is about God or His kingdom . God forbid someone ever feel the presence of conviction and experience the uncomfortable tension that comes with the weight of sin.

CROWD OF COWARDS

The truth is that the morals of any society are not determined only by right and wrong; instead, they are often established by courageous people who brave the backlash of public opinion and forge new “norms. ” If you’ve noticed, cowards are always the first to surrender their souls to a shouting society, the sympathetic follow their suit, and then the politicians. Intellectuals tend to follow close behind as they exchange the reasonable for the ridiculous and rationalize until facts become fables. I’m curious, where are you in all of this? When are the true Believers going to step out of the crowd of cowards and pioneer a path forward with divine wisdom, supernatural strategies, and offer the world transformative love that actually does conquer a multitude of sin?

For any that may have blurred perspectives on what sin is and what love isn’t, allow me to wipe away the politically correct grime from your “love everyone” glasses and ask you to consider this:

1. Conviction is not condemnation . When Jesus spoke with the woman who was caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) He said, “ Does no one condemn you? Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and sin NO MORE! ” Did you catch that? Jesus tells her that He does not condemn her though He makes a point to tell her to go and sin no more. How many of you know that when God convicts us, He actually empowers us to “go and sin no more.” Get it straight, knowing the difference between right and wrong is considered wisdom, not bigotry and damnation, as the world defines it.

2. Just because something is common doesn’t make it normal . Simply because any number of people believe something doesn’t make it true. For example, cancer is common, but it’s not normal! I could say the same for lying—half-truths are widely practiced in communication today, yet, this doesn’t make lying normal behavior.

3. Renaming sin is delusional. Giving sin the name of a friend instead of an enemy is self-deception and can be detrimental. For example, when we describe abortion as a “human right” other than what it is—murder—we are normalizing the brutalization of innocent life. In other words, forming a new moral code out of misguided feelings or sinful temptations pacifies society's conscience and creates a "normal" out of behavior that would otherwise be seen as overtly wrong . Renaming sin is a bottomless moral cesspool. Where is the line ever drawn?

4. Turning a blind eye to sin is unsanctified mercy . Everyone deserves mercy, no question, but mercy means you didn’t get what you deserved. For example, if you say adultery is right, then you can’t possibly ask for mercy because mercy is only for people who are wrong. In other words, offering mercy without the confession of something being wrong is not God’s mercy, rather it’s unsanctified mercy. Unsanctified mercy pretends things are okay when they are in fact not. It offers mercy in a moment when God does not and turns a blind eye to sin for the sake of protecting the sinner’s feelings. One thing I think many believers forget is that God does not adjust to us, we adjust to God, and for good reason— He only has plans to prosper us, not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11)!

5. Jesus didn’t relate to sinners by sinning . Jesus did not conform to sinners so that He could relate and ultimately convince sinners with His Truth. His compassion with the woman whom He told to “go and sin no more” proves that. Jesus, the spotless lamb of God, didn’t agree with sin in hopes to convince, rather He listened to the heart and revealed who the sinner truly was—God’s child.

Another point I want you to consider is that Jesus was tempted in every way, but He never sinned, therefore temptation is not a sin! In fact, temptation is not only common, it’s normal. Temptation is to our soul what exercise is to our bodies. In other words, resisting temptation is like lifting weights. It is often painful at first, but your inner man is growing, becoming nobler, and maturing in character. To be able to “go and sin no” more or to resist temptation is to have the revelation of how God identifies us. Jesus knew who He was, therefore He was able to love the sinner without conforming to sin and resist temptation when it was present to Him.

TAKE A STAND FOR NOBILITY

While compassion and empathy MUST remain paramount in our hearts as Believers, and love for everyone has to be the hallmark of who we are, it should never be at the expense of our character, morality, and nobility . I’m asking Believers to rise up and take a stand ! I’m not suggesting picketing, I’m charging you to discern the delusion that’s taking place in our country. In fact, I recently wrote about why I believe discernment of spirits is one of the most important gifts for this day in age as it exposes the spirit behind what’s shaping our culture, dividing our families, deceiving the Church; get practical steps in operating in this much-needed gift here.

The question remains, will you sit back until your soul atrophies and your moral legs become feeble, or until our children drown in the cesspool of our silence? Or will you break ranks from the crowd and take a stand for nobility? History hangs in the balance of your decision! You already know where I stand. Tell me yours in the comments below.

A Glimpse Into the Future- School of the Prophets 2020

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 16:02:00 GMT

SCHOOL OF PROPHETS 2020

As we conclude 4.5 days of equipping prophets and prophetic leaders from all over the globe today at School of the Prophets 2020, I'm humbled by the way God moved so mightily amongst the students. This week I got a glimpse into the future of God's people from all across the planet arising and shining in the light of God's glory! If I had to sum up the take away this week, I'd say that the prophets of God are awakened and ready to shape the course of history with His-story!

Here are a few highlights from SOTP2020 that I wanted to share with those who were not able to join us this year. Enjoy!

Opening night of SOTP2020 was a moment I will never forget. Find out why I say that your mission, should you receive it, is to get heaven to earth and what it actually means to make disciples of nations.

Want to learn how to process prophetic dreams? Check out this moment with Ben Armstrong as he guides us through processing the prophetic.

"We are hardwired to make things better!" Listen to this power clip from SOTP2020 speaker Bethany Hicks as she discusses how the nature of God within us, whether you're a Believer or not, manifests the DNA of our creator.

PRE-ORDER SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2020

What the Lord Told a Millennial Prophetess About 2020—prophetic Insight From Hayley Braun

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 12:03:00 GMT

WHERE IS GOD IN 2020?

As I've been preparing for School of the Prophets 2020, there is a stirring in my spirit to equip Believers to lead with wisdom and power through the historical moments that are unfolding all around us. Why? Because we were created for days like these! As faith-filled Believers, we've been empowered by the Spirit of the Living God to lead the way in times of crisis and cut through the chaos with prophetic clarity. That’s why this week I’ve invited the Associate Overseer of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry and powerful young prophetess, Hayley Braun — who will be speaking at the upcoming School of the Prophets on August 3rd-7th — to give us prophetic insight on the collective crisis we’ve all experienced, and to shed some light on what God has in store for His people. I hope this convicting word will inspire you to arise and shine as the solutionary God created you to be.

THE SEASON OF DECLARING LIFE

2020 has brought incredibly trying circumstances across the globe. These challenges have shaken much around us and within us, reminding me of Paul’s words found in Hebrews 12:26-27: “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “ Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. ”

Although there has been an incredible shaking this season, I have not been able to forget the words I received from the Lord: that “ we would see clearly, with 2020 vision ,” and that it is “ the year of the mouth declaring LIFE. ” And while these trying times have been painful for many, I cannot escape the clarity amid the chaos that I have found, even the shift in perspectives and priorities that I want to share with you.

It started when I experienced a glorious glimpse into what I believe was the heart of God. In this encounter, I felt a deep sense of the Lord grieving over His body. I saw that labels had been wrongly created and placed on entire people groups, individual people, and even ourselves. These labels were constricting the flow of “blood” to the whole body of Christ and cut-off empathy which gave way for apathy to set in. Then I saw the Lord begin to strip these labels off. One by one, He pulled them off of mindsets, belief systems, and even removed labels that had been placed on our eyes, blinding us. With each label He pulled away, He declared new names over us , and that’s when I experienced a profound sense that in this season God would be ushering His people into a time of awakening and when we open our eyes, we will begin to see as He sees.

As Jesus works to remove the preconceived ideas (or labels) that we’ve picked up from culture and as we surrender to Him, we will begin to see the world through the eyes and compassion of Jesus once again. We will know His value for each person in His body. And as this happens, God’s connecting force will revive His body awake; the “blood” will begin to flow to places that had been “cut off” and as circulation in the Body begins working again, we will experience that “pins and needles” feeling...it can almost be unbearable, but know this is not a sign of something negative happening. This uncomfortable feeling is a sign that life coming back to us ! I don’t know about you, but I am feeling some of that, that prickly feeling! The dams of disconnection and disagreement are being torn down in the spirit and the release of the lifeblood of Jesus flowing through every extremity is being felt.

We are in the midst of a fresh awakening! Understanding what the Lord is doing in this hour, gives us prophets the privilege of declaring what Heaven is shouting; we have the honor of speaking out over the earth the declarations of our King and seeing the kingdoms of this world begin to transform and look like the Kingdom of our God.

The Lord is moving on the planet in a mighty way, and the evidence of His work will be a deep and unshakable hunger for Him. There will be a desire in His people to meet with Jesus face to face; a pursuit of intimacy for no other benefit than to know Him. It will not be seeking the Lord for the gifts of His hands, but to actually know His ways and not just His works. Maybe you’ve noticed that there is a refining and a repentance taking place among the masses right now? A sweet repentance; one that has been ongoing for me, where I have had the honor and privilege of exchanging my thoughts for His, my expectations for His, my desire for perfection to His absolute perfection. This repentance takes the responsibility off of ourselves to shape us and places us back into the Potter's hands - where the Artist and Creator will form and mold us into vessels built for one thing- to house Him, His very presence.

In closing, my prayer is this: Lord do it in me first! Remove the limitations and labels from my mind and remove the impossibilities and hopelessness from my heart. Make me an instrument of your peace and reconciliation, attune my ears to your voice so that I can release with authority what you are longing to be seen. Raise up a generation who love you and love like you. Teach us your ways Lord so we can walk in the truth. Holy Spirit, unite us as a body and bring alignment in our thoughts and conviction of our hearts. I give you permission to awaken me!

The Two Things That Will Teach You How to Think Like God

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:04:00 GMT

TO THINK LIKE GOD

Do you know what it means to think like God, to have the mind of Christ? I’m sure many of you can answer that question with sound biblical theology. Still, that’s my concern— that Believers spout on about profound truth but they never actually experience it! Their theology ends where it began — with “the right answer.” I don’t think I need to point out to you that faith is not a summation of noble ideas, rather, in the Kingdom of God, faith is more of a verb than it is a noun; it’s “Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!” My point is, if the Church truly knows what it means to think like God , then why aren’t Believers leading in every realm of society as God’s solutionaries? Why are injustices like sex trafficking, abortion, racism, and prejudice, to name a few, still happening on our watch? Where are the innovators and the idea makers, the risk-takers, and the ground-breakers?

TRANSCENDENT THINKING

Back in those days, I owned an automotive repair shop and one of our largest fleet customers was a timber company that had purchased over twenty brand-new computer-controlled Chevy trucks. Let me remind you these were the days before automotive technology was standard in the production of vehicles. Back then auto mechanics meant repairing engines and replacing parts not fixing computers. On top of that, there was very little information out there about the technology in these trucks. There was no Google in those days. Long story short, one of these brand-new trucks rolled into the shop one afternoon on the back of a tow truck. It was followed by a phone call from the manager of the timber company telling me there were 10 more dead trucks just like that one, and I needed to “figure it out!” I spent days working on that truck and couldn’t get it started. I called the dealership and they walked me through numerous tests over the phone and faxed me the wiring diagram, but still, nothing worked.

Finally, Sunday came around. At church, Bill had been teaching the congregation about words of knowledge. For those who need a refresh: a word of knowledge is specific information we get from the Holy Spirit about a person, place, or thing that is currently true, but that we could not have known, had the Lord not revealed it to us, and that’s when a thought hit me that changed everything I knew about God up until that point. I wondered if the Holy Spirit might know as much about trucks as He knew about people!

The next day, after the shop closed and everyone had gone home for the night, I started praying for God’s help. As I prayed, in my mind’s eye, I envisioned myself laying hands on the truck in the same way that I did with people. Feeling uncomfortable but knowing no one was going to see me, I acted on the vision and put my hands on the fender of the truck. Asking for God’s help, a picture emerged in my imagination of a broken wire under the right front fender well. Then I heard a Voice in my mind say, There is a wire broken on a diode under the right front fender. Now, I know this thought was not mine for two reasons: first, I had torn the wiring apart in this truck and never came across a diode. Second, I didn’t even know this truck had a diode; there was no indication of one on the truck’s wiring diagram. I immediately start peeling back the undercoating and lo and behold there it was, the broken diode. I soldered it back on and the rest is His-story...the truck started right up.

I WAS MADE FOR THIS

Spiritual gifts give us access to the mind of Christ . Gifts of the Spirit are not trophies or awards that are earned by our merit but are God-given to those who desire them. Spiritual gifts disciple us with the mind of Christ and bring us into spiritual maturity. Jesus put it this way, “ If I don’t do the works of the Father, don’t believe Me! ” (John 10:37) As a child of God, there is an expectation that we would accomplish the impossible because the God of the impossible abides within us.
Spiritual gifts need a job. When I assigned the gift of the word of knowledge the job of uncovering the solution I needed for the truck, I gained access to the mind of God and what was once undiscoverable and unseen was now exposed by the light of God’s wisdom. It was right then that I began to understand what Bill Johnson meant when he said, “ There’s no such thing as a secular job as soon as you receive Jesus because everything you do from that day on is sacred. ” When we assign spiritual gifts to a job, regardless of where we work or what realm of society we’ve been given influence over, ministry happens! In other words, when an auto mechanic becomes spiritually in tune and intelligent, he now is in the work of ministry!

Dan Mccollam: Why This Generation Needs You to Prophesy!

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 12:36:00 GMT

CHARISMATIC LOOKS

If you’ve followed my ministry for very long then it’s likely you know Dan McCollam . Why do I presume that? Because he and I founded a 4.5 day global equipping school called the School of the Prophets , and have equipped thousands of people in both the office of the prophet and the gift of prophecy. He’s contributed to my blog and podcast numerous times because no one carries perspective on prophecy quite like Dano (as those who know him like to call him).

This week I’ve asked him to share with us all: Why Prophecy? This is an important question because often the heart of the prophetic gift is misunderstood by many. Those who diligently pursue the gift have at times been labeled as a charismatic kook when in fact, many who walk in it healthily are some of the most sound-minded and open hearted people on the planet; they understand that the gift of prophecy is one of the most powerful and restorative gifts that’s been bestowed upon us. Don’t believe me? Maybe you’ll take Dano’s word for it. Enjoy!

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WHY PROPHECY...

It seems like a lot of believers are talking about prophecy and prophetic words these days. Is all this prophetic talk just the chatter of bored believers and revival-thrill seekers following some charismatic fad, or is there something else going on? It may not be surprising for you to hear me say this, but the gift of prophecy is not a hyped-up fad; rather, it’s a gift that gives us powerful insight into God’s heart. With that being said, you may still be wondering why we really need it? Besides the fact that the bible says, “Do not quench the spirit and do not despise prophetic utterances” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20), what does prophecy practically do?

Let me share four reasons why I believe prophecy is so very important to every believer’s journey of faith:

1. PURPOSE: First of all, the bible says that the foundation of the church is built upon apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. (Ephesians 2:20) We need prophets and prophecy because it is how God chose to build his church . Though today’s religious system has primarily built churches on the three important offices the modern believers are more comfortable with---pastors, teachers, and evangelists; as powerful as that is, this is not the foundation Christ established . Why? One reason can be found in a simple definition of the word apostle and prophet. The word apostle relates to a mission or sent one, and the word prophet relates to some type of vision. Basically, God wanted every human being to be armed and equipped with a mission and a vision. “Why am I on this earth?” is one of the great questions of life, and an apostolic and prophetic foundation is God’s answer to satisfy this deep longing of humanity for vision and purpose.

2. IDENTITY: Secondly, prophecy is about identity. Salvation is more than a belief system, moral code, or philosophy; it is an entirely new creation. That’s why Jesus said to a sincere priest, “you must be born again!” You haven’t been merely forgiven and then sent out to give holy living another noble try; you have been reborn into the very nature of God’s family DNA . As a matter of fact, this new birth is so entirely new and different that you don’t even know who you are or what you are truly capable of. We all know our earthly selves to a degree, but do you know the heavenly man that is seated together with Christ? Prophecy is like seeing and hearing how the hosts of heaven already view the new you. Just ask Gideon who was hiding out in a winepress when the angel of the LORD showed up and called him a mighty warrior who would deliver his nation. Ask David who wasn’t even invited to the coronation party, but was anointed to be the next and arguably one of the greatest kings of Israel. The same is true for you! Your new creation in Christ Jesus is so wonderful and glorious that you are now capable of unimaginable good. Prophecy reveals this treasure of who you are now as a new creation in Christ Jesus.

3. DIGNITY : We also need prophecy to restore our dignity. The fallen nature kept us hidden and separated from the glory of God, clothed in guilt and shame while hiding in the weeds. But nothing gives a person more dignity than to know that they can hear God for themselves. The ability to recognize and respond to the voice of God robes you in regal favor and authority. Hearing and seeing God pulls you up out of the mire of mere mortal possibilities and turbo blasts you with resurrection power into a place where anything is truly possible.

4. DESTINY : The final reason we need prophecy is revealed in the overlay between the Old and New Testament. Every time someone in the Old Testament was about to take hold of an earth -shaking destiny---like moving into the promised land or becoming the leader of a nation---God required three things, “Be strong, be of good courage for the LORD your God is with you.” Those are the same three virtues now imparted through the grace of New Testament prophecy. We see this in the fourteen chapter of Second Corinthians where it says that prophecy is to “Encourage, strengthen, and comfort the believer.” (1 Corinthians 14:3) What had to be stirred up by a select few in the Old Covenant is freely poured out on all through New Testament prophecy---that is, the ability to be strong and courageous through the comfort that God is with us. The ability to strengthen, encourage, and comfort one another with the treasure of heavenly identity and destiny is so much more than a bless me club ; it is propelling people with divine grace and virtue into earth-shaking destinies.

There are many people out there who are discerning the dirt, and echoing the troubles of our heavy-laden society, but who will rise up in regal authority and dignity to be a solutionary? We need prophets and prophecy like never before . When God described the last days through the prophet Joel, He didn’t start with some dark saying of doom and gloom. He said, “In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters will prophesy.” (Joel 2:28) God’s plan all along was a generation of sons and daughters that could hear his voice, see like he sees, feel his heart, and know what to do. God has made it possible through the love of God, the sacrifice of Christ, and the outpouring of Holy Spirit to empower every human being to know and see this treasure so that they can share in fulfilling the prayer of Christ that it might be on earth as it is in heaven. That is why scripture says that prophecy is a greater gift that we should pursue.

In closing, I pray that you never forget the price of His outpouring or the heavenly blessing and benefits it confers. You need the purpose, identity, dignity and destiny that comes from prophecy ... and this generation needs you to prophesy!

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If you’re curious to learn more about healthily operating in prophetic ministry, I want to invite you to download my new FREE resource — the Prophetic Protocol Guidebook. It will not only help you develop your own prophetic gifting but it will also help you facilitate a strong prophetic community. It answers questions like: What do you do when you get a “judgement word”? When is the right time to give a word and when is the wrong time? Most importantly, it teaches you how to give the right word in the right season. Download your FREE Prophetic Protocol Guidebook now and start revealing to the world just how wonderful God’s plans are for them.

How to Silence Self-destructive & Suicidal Thoughts

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 20:39:00 GMT

SOMETHING WICKED COMES YOUR WAY

Have you ever been driving down the road and had a sudden urge to crash your car intentionally? Filled with fear, you grip the steering wheel, your heart is pounding, and then suddenly, the thought leaves you. Sound familiar? You may be surprised to learn that over the many years of traveling and speaking, I’ve asked crowds this very question, and the majority of the room raises their hand in acknowledgment of having this experience. That’s because the thought of harming yourself or even thoughts of suicide is not uncommon. According to Save.org , nearly 800,000 people act on their suicidal thoughts each year, equating to roughly one death every 40 seconds! Suicide is the second-largest cause of death between the ages of 15-24. Though suicidal thoughts can be fleeting moments for some, I believe we see such staggering numbers because others experience what can only be described as a harsh life sentence where the only escape from their soul’s prison of pain is death.
It’s believed that those who follow through on self-destructive thoughts felt that something was wrong with them, as if they were somehow broken. When, in reality, what likely happened was that something wicked came their way and they were in the presence of spirit of suicide. That’s why it’s imperative that we must learn to discern when a spirit is speaking to us ; otherwise, we will find ourselves meditating and negotiating with fear, giving over even more authority to this malignant spirit.

VISION AND FIRE

I have personally battled with suicidal thoughts. There were moments when I felt as if my heart would quite literally break under the weight of depression ; taking my life was a tempting escape. Maybe this all sounds terribly morbid, but truth be told, many are suffering currently with thoughts of suicide. I know this because when people go through what is consecutive months of unrelenting strain that has not only affected a single nation but the entire planet, you can bet demonic spirits are lingering and looming about, set out to kill, steal, and destroy.

That’s why it’s incumbent upon me to teach you how to know when a spirit is influencing self-destructive thinking, as I have found absolute freedom from depression and suicidal thoughts. And, not only that, I have the vision and the fire to fight for my life, and for the lives of those battling this right now too.

Check out this personal message on how to fight troubling or suicidal thoughts:

LET MY TESTIMONY PROPHESY VICTORY IN YOUR LIFE

In the same way that I’ve had breakthrough in warfare against suicidal spirits, I want to tell you that you can have the same! There is hope for you today because the truth of the matter is— God is in the midst of this trial with us! He will not leave you or abandon you. Remember, Jesus Himself was tempted with suicide. He, too, felt the agony, weariness, and terror that comes with the presence of that spirit. If anyone can empathize with your profound pain, He can, because He experienced it all on the cross .

I encourage you to use proclamations, prophecies, and God’s promises in your fight! Gather your prophetic words and favorite Bible verses and speak them out loud. Remind yourself of the testimonies of what God has done in your life against every lofty thing that rises up against you.

If you need help to become victorious against the weapons of the enemy, I encourage you to read my book, Spirit Wars. You can download it here and get access to my free 8-session video devotional. I can’t tell you how many messages I get about how this book has helped people get free from the shackles of fear. I encourage you to check it out and I pray it blesses you!

In closing, I want to declare this over you:

God has come to give you not just life, but abundant life (John 10:10)
All of His promises over your life are “yes and amen!” (2 Corinthians 1:20)
You are a child of the living God and no weapon formed against you shall prosper! (Isaiah 54:17)

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If you’re dealing with suicidal thoughts, I exhort you to reach out for help today. If you’re having immediate thoughts of ending your life please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255

Why the Most Creative and Innovative Leaders in the World Aren’t Christians

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 17:36:00 GMT

THE MILL ION DOLLAR QUESTION

Have you ever wondered why the most creative, innovative, inventive, intelligent, and gifted leaders in the world often aren’t Christians? Think about it. Consider your own life for a moment. Are you leading with out of the box ideas and forging new pathways in the emphasis you’re called to? For some of you reading this, I’m confident that you are. But, the vast majority of Believers, on some level, are astutely aware that they are not tapping into their full potential . Many are haunted by t he s ense that there’s more , though they don’t know how to breakthrough or worse yet, they’re afraid to let go of what they innately know is not God’s portion.

The fact of the matter is modern-day Believers hold tightly to their theologies and can recite them with conviction, yet if you haven’t noticed, their noble principles fail to be fruitful. So the million-dollar question remains, if we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), if we are seated in heavenly places with an advantaged perspective (Ephesians 2:6) why aren’t Believers leading in every realm of society?

YOU ARE A “PROTOTYPE”

I propose one reason why Believers aren’t the visionaries and the catalysts they were designed to be is because religion has taken the place of revelation . All too often, the divine wisdom we get from God becomes imprisoned in our hearts, guarded by the spirit of religion and taunted by the fear of man. The triumphant call on us to rise and shine with ageless wisdom and supernatural power ultimately wastes away in the confines of mediocrity. This disconcerting demise has reduced those who are designed to be the most brilliant people on the planet to an echo rather than a voice.

Maybe you’ve forgotten 2 Corinthians 5:17 that says, “ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come .” The word new here is the Greek word kainos , which can be translated as “ prototype” —something never before created. This means you are an original; a one of a kind! If that sounds like an overused cliche then you probably don’t get it. As Believers, we’ve been born-again...we have a new heart and a new mind. In fact, we have the mind of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:16). With that being said, it’s paramount that as Believers we begin to press into the reality of our theology !

YOU HAVE PERMISSION

Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do “ far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think .” This is why we should be eager to develop a life in the Spirit, as it gives us access to God’s heart, ways, and thoughts. Even with everything going on in the world around us, God is giving you permission to dream bigger, in fact, it’s uncertain times like these that our gifts should be leading us in unprecedented ways. It’s time for Believers to start thinking like God instead of thinking about God . It’s time for us to be the cultural architects, the imagineers and visionaries of our time.

In closing, I want to leave you with two immediate actions that help you to lead the way in your sphere of influence:

Develop a culture that allows you to think. The Hebrews writer in chapter 6 verse 1 said, “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God...” Believers need to create cultures that allow the exploration of God’s ideas! Let me be clear, I’m not talking about coming up new theologies or getting more mystical. I’m simply saying that God has equipped us to access real solutions that solve the problems of nations, we just need to mature into His way of thinking and we need one another to grow with.
Embrace the tension. We must understand that creativity, innovation, and invention is in God’s nature. This means creative thinking and art of solution making is in our DNA. Yet, standing on the precipice of ideation comes a great tension. This pressure causes some to retreat and others to fall, but I want you to know that you were made uniquely to look fear in the face and tell it to stand down. Don’t forget, the Spirit of the Living God lives in you. You were designed to carry the creativity of God’s thoughts and ways. You are a supernatural solutionary!

Are Demons Working Against Your Personal Life?

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 21:12:00 GMT

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase "the light at the end of the tunnel" to describe their long-awaited time of hardship finally nearing its end? Many of us are looking for that light right now and can’t find it. From pandemics to protests, senseless murders to economic madness, the world is really struggling. I don’t only mean that people are stressed, I’m saying that people are experiencing physical and mental breakdowns . Unable to discern the presence of Jesus amid these trying times, many Believers fix their eyes on the perceived weapons that have been formed against them, and they see no solution in sight. Might I suggest to you that there is no light at the end of this proverbial tunnel that is our current circumstances? Why do I say that? Because the Light of the World—Jesus Christ is in the midst of this dismal darkness with us, and I propose that He’s guiding us out of these current doom and gloom days with personal and societal breakthroughs. In other words, Jesus is not waiting in the wings while we figure things out. No, in fact, He runs to problems as He holds the remedy we seek. Yet, the question remains, are you too focused on the hell around you to see heaven’s solution that is right in front of you?

SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE

If you've followed my ministry for very long, you know well that I often teach about the spiritual realm— a reality that people foolishly ignore. I'll add that the spirit realm affects everyone, whether it's acknowledged or not. Paul educates Believers in Ephesians 6:10-12 as to why it's important to be spiritually intelligent, see here: " Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. " Did you catch that? Paul's understanding of the spiritual realm was that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but of spiritual forces. What does this mean for you as a Believer today? The same thing it meant for the Believers in Paul's time— our struggle is spiritual, yet we were destined to win!

Many of you are in great distress right now, and I'm certain that you don't have to be! I say this with confidence because God’s goal for you is to embody the authority that Christ has given all Believers so that we would undermine and defeat the power of the enemy. He desires us to be spiritually intelligent and peace driven.

EYES TO SEE & EARS TO HEAR

One way God has empowered us to thrive in the presence of our spiritual enemies is through a specific spiritual gift that is available to every Believer should they ask for it. What I’m talking about is the gift of discernment of spirits, or as some translations say, the gift of distinguishing between spirits (1 Cor. 12:8-10).

First off, the Discernment of spirits is not ghost hunting or communicating with the dead, nor is it altogether creepy or even that mystical for that matter. In fact, in my opinion, this gift is one of the most undervalued yet beneficial gifts that serve the Body of Christ, and if applied correctly would eliminate a great deal of spiritual warfare . It's a supernatural gift that empowers one to discern between any and all spirits individually. When one functions in this gift healthily and as God purposed, Believers arise as the solution-driven peacemakers that they are, and begin the work of recovering, reconciling, and restoring those the enemy has attempted to kill, steal, and destroy.

Discerning of spirits gives us the ability to distinguish the unseen beings that we are in “cohabitation” with—a vital function in developing spiritual intelligence. Not only that, but it also empowers Believers to distinguish between what's real and what's false. To clarify, it’s not just merely discernment or wisdom for that matter, nor is it distinguishing only evil spirits. This gift is brilliant in that it exposes what influence and intentions the spirit realm is having, whether on a person, in the atmosphere, over a city, or in a nation. Maturely operating in this gift enables you to be keenly in tune and aware of the spiritual weapons formed against people, but it also gives you eyes to see the Light of Christ amid disorienting days of chaos. You understand what this means, don’t you? The gift of discernment of spirits not only gives us access behind enemy lines and exposes their plots and schemes but it also uncovers Holy Spirit solutions that disarm the devil and remedy today’s complex challenges . Think of this gift as a giant spotlight. It exposes everything unseen, adversaries and the emissaries that are sent to help us, and paired with the authority God’s given you, empowers God’s people to be incredibly in tune, intelligent, and influential.

4 WAYS TO DEVELOP DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS

It’s paramount that Believers step into this gift right now. With everything going on in the world, in our nations, and even in our homes, we need to understand where our fight truly lies, and if you haven’t gathered by now, it’s not with one another. With that being said, I want to give you 4 ways that you can begin to develop the gift of discernment of spirits in your life right now:

1. Ask for it . A gift is just that— a gift. It’s available to every believer. As James said in the Bible, “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2-3). So simply ask. Understand that the Lord desires us to be spiritually intelligent . He wants us to steward the things that He gives us, so once you’ve asked for this gift or any spiritual gift for that matter—use it!

2. Start with yourself . Begin to discern the spirits influencing your thought life. For example, you could start with your attitude over something like finances. Notice what happens when you and your spouse begin to talk about money? Does it get heated fast or do you notice the conversation is solution-driven? Begin to discern the spirit behind what may be influencing YOUR emotions and thought life first. If you stick with it, you will begin to notice an incredible improvement in your overall sense of wellbeing as you’ll begin to also discern the spirit of peace that will be present.

3. Learn what the gift is and what it is not. I’d recommend surrounding yourself with Believers who are healthily functioning in this gift. This is a fail-safe way to learn what the gift is and what it isn’t. For instance, I talk about this in my book Spirit Wars , but suspicion is the wicked step-sister of discernment. Meaning, when fear hijacks discernment there’s not only a spirit behind every corner, but you’ll find you are highly suspicious of everyone’s motives. What I’m describing is not the gift of discernment of spirits. It is straight-up fear, and it’s not from God.

4. Read your Bible . The Bible is full of stories that may not directly point out the operation of discernment of spirits, but as you begin to notice it in your own life and mature in the gift, you will begin to see time and time again how the disciples naturally supernaturally flowed in this gift. You can read about one example found in Acts 16:15-18. Paul discerned a spirit of divination on a slave-girl. Go check out what happened!

Share in the comments what you learn this week as you develop your gift of discernment, begin to see Jesus in the midst of the storm, and regain the peace that’s been given to you!

What Happens When a Prophet Abandons Their Assignment?

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 15:23:00 GMT

THE SONS OF PROPHETS

Have you ever wondered where all the prophets have gone? I ask you this because, in the days of the prophet Elijah, there arose a company of men who were called the “sons of the prophets” (Kings 20:35). These men traveled throughout the world ravaging the powers of darkness, wreaking havoc on evil kingdoms. They had no tolerance for the destructive behavior of wicked kings but rather turned many to righteousness. They raised the dead, healed the sick, parted rivers, destroyed false prophets, and saw revival spread throughout their land. They were feared by many and respected by all. They walked in great purity, and God was their friend .

Think about it. At one point in time, prophets were the cultural catalysts that radically influenced kings and the nations thereof. They were not predominantly found in the confines of the church equipping the saints. Let me be clear; I'm not saying that shaping culture is more important than building up the saints. No, in fact, the "sons of prophets" that I mentioned earlier were students of an equipping and training school that the prophet Samuel started (1 Samuel). But that's the point, isn't it? The sons of prophets, including their trainers, were out in the world doing what they had been trained and anointed to do— influencing culture and changing the minds of nations .

I propose the reason morality is going to hell in this nation is that modern-day prophets aren’t influencing culture like the prophets of old did. I spoke in-depth about this on the opening night of School of the Prophets 2019 and I want to share it with you because I believe God is calling out to those who have forgotten their mandate, abandoned their mission, and allowed satan to intimidate them into silence for far too long :

As someone who has been prophetically equipping believers for over 25 years, I’ve also been actively engaged in my city, my nation, and stepped into challenging God-ordained moments with leaders of tremendous power. So, consider the weight of my words when I say, the moral decay that we see in society is happening on our watch ! It’s time for God’s prophets to awaken the Church to her glorious call and provoke the people of God to action.

ACTIVATION THIS WEEK

This week I encourage you to spend some time with the Holy Spirit. If you feel that in some shape or form the enemy caused you to abandon your assignment, then remember the One who has called you; the One who is with you. Take some time and lean into God’s presence and allow Him to reawaken the call on your life that the world so desperately needs.

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Dan McCollam- co-founder of the School of the Prophets and I announced some very exciting news yesterday about School of the Prophets 2020 . If you missed it, watch our video announcement here as we share some incredible updates about our annual equipping and training school.

We believe this year will be the best School of the Prophets yet, as God is awakening prophets, prophetic people, leaders, and solutionaries, to proactively engage in the world and bring light to the darkest of circumstances! I encourage you to join us for School of the Prophets 2020 and get trained and deployed into your divine destiny to be a cultural catalyst! Learn more and register here.

The One Thing Everyone is Doing That Kills Unity (and It's Not Disagreeing)

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 16:15:00 GMT

UNITY IS NOT CONFORMITY

Have you ever thought through the fact that unity has more of a relationship with disagreement than it does agreement? That may be hard for some to comprehend because the culture we live in has formed its value system based on agreement . In other words, in today’s culture, people tend to connect their value to how much they’re agreed with; they gather on agreement and divide in disagreement. By modern-day standards, disagreement is now synonymous with disloyalty. My point is this—if disagreement equates to being devalued, then conformity becomes the idealistic picture that’s projected onto unity. But, within the Kingdom of God, unity has nothing to do with conformity .

Let’s think this through together. According to the Bible, John 3:16 does NOT say that God agreed with the world so He sent His son to offer us salvation. No, quite the opposite. Romans 5:10 clarifies that we were considered enemies of God when He extended an offering—an eternal, inseparable union through His Son, Jesus Christ. Understand, in complete disagreement with the depravity found in the world, God moved towards us, not away from us. Did you catch that? Motivated by love, God moves forward in the trying times of unrepented injustice and utter disagreement. He doesn’t retreat. He never withholds. God's driving desire for reconciliation is not conformity. It’s the restoration of authenticity that sin attempts to devalue and ultimately destroy. Consider this, no demon in hell or better yet, no disagreement on earth can separate us from the love of God.

UNITY IS THE CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY

The imagery of the Pharisees standing in condemnation of sin, divided from those they disagreed with while Jesus did the opposite and sat at the table with them, is a powerful statement to us all. You may recall the Pharisees questioning Jesus about why He ate with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:16). Jesus’ response to them was this, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Understand, Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing (John 5:19). So, what was really going on? Why was Jesus breaking bread with those whose sin He disagreed with? I believe that Jesus was revealing glimpses of the New Covenant that He would ultimately establish through the cross. He was demonstrating how things worked inside the Kingdom of God. Let me be clear— Jesus did not conform to sinners so that He could relate and ultimately convince them with His Truth. His compassion with the woman at the well whom He told to “go and sin no more” proves that. Jesus, the spotless lamb of God, didn’t agree with sin in hopes to convince, rather He listened to the heart and revealed who the sinner truly was—God’s child.

I’d like to suggest to you that Jesus gives you permission to love people you disagree with. In other words, you don’t have to conform to their way of thinking or convince them to think like you in order to love and value them. The beauty discovered in choosing a relationship amid disagreement is that you don’t have to conform to me nor do I have to conform to you in order for us to both have value and deserve love. Romans 12 makes this distinction by pointing out that Believers are “individually members of one another”. Understand, unity is not conformity. In fact, within the Kingdom of God, unity is the celebration of diversity. I propose it will be impossible to experience unity with one another if our value system is based on an agreement and not on the reality that we are distinctly unique children of God.

MOVING FORWARD UNITED

In times of strong disagreement, amid seasons of division and disturbing unrest, there is a temptation to ease that tension by any means necessary. Some may conform to the collective consensus while others attempt to convince everyone why they are right, but how many of you know, there are seasons, much like the one we are in now, when it’s not about conformity, rather it’s about humility. It’s about drawing near to the One whom we place our trust. It’s about seeing the One in one another amid our disagreements. Maybe right now, all you need to know is that you can trust God , and all you need to do is love people regardless of how right or wrong they are .

My prayer for you this week is that you surrender to the One you can wholeheartedly trust amid the minutia of moments that fill our day; when you’re watching the news, out in your community, or talking with your family and friends. This week, I encourage you if any angst, anxiety, or amid any disagreement emerges, simply sink back into the One from whom your strength truly comes from.

3 Resources That Will Help You Confront Racism in Yourself, Your Church, and in Your Community

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 20:55:00 GMT

WE CAN NO LONGER AVERT OUR EYES

The world is changing. History is unfolding right before our very eyes. As I’ve mentioned many times, God is sovereignly moving in the midst of these monumental moments. I believe He is bringing justice to those who have been oppressed for far too long. God is shedding light on the dark areas of our culture where the enemy has prospered, and He is asking us not to avert our eyes any longer.

Believers, we must all confront racism in ourselves, our churches, and in our communities if we are ever going to be truly free from this demonic plot. The truth is, it's past time to pray, act, listen, and love the hell out of our nation.

As God brings justice swiftly in this hour, He is gracing His people with unprecedented strength. I believe that strength will be made manifest when we come together, Believers of every color, and stand united. Psalms 105:24 says, “ And He increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. ” Remember, we have a very real enemy, and to be clear—it’s not one another. It’s impossible to win a war while engaging the wrong enemy. It’s impossible to defeat an enemy that you don’t engage! Understand, Satan hates all humans. We may protest on earth but we better petition heaven if we are going to see the true transformation of our nation. It’s imperative that we cut off the supply line of hate to win the war of loving ALL humanity.

Currently, there is an essential conversation about racism in America taking place, and I want to encourage you not to disengage, do not tune it out . As many of you know I'm not one to shy away from the critical moments in history; in fact, I feel called to be God's solutionary in those moments. But right now, part of the role that I'm playing in this solution is to listen and to learn. There is an invitation on the table for us all to gain an understanding from a perspective that is not our own. With that being said, I want to share a few resources on race that I believe are vital for Believers to hear:

1. Bethel’s June 3rd Midweek Service: Eric and Candace Johnson speak with Donta Nelson, Tinasha LaRayé, and Jamila Page on the significance of understanding the African American story and what they wish the Church understood about their culture.

2. Bishop T.D. Jakes & Pastor Carl Lentz: A powerful discussion on racism in America and the practical actions the black community needs from the Church right now. Watch here .

3. Dr. Anita Phillips and Christine Caine: This is an insightful conversation on race and restoration in the body of Christ. Christine Caine joins Dr. Anita Phillips to discuss the psychology behind dehumanization and gives a Kingdom perspective on true unity. Watch here.

My prayer for you is that you take intentional time to demonstrate love through an honest, caring, and a listening heart right now. No one should ever have to suffer alone or in silence, and Church, this is the moment in history we were made for! Together, let’s listen, learn, and engage!

When God's Promise Looks Different From What You Expected (and Why Your Response Matters )

Fri, 29 May 2020 19:47:00 GMT

GOING SOUTH WHEN YOU’RE BELIEVING FOR NORTH

Are you overwhelmingly aware of the vast chasm between the God-given prophetic promises on your life and the fulfillment of those promises? Perhaps at times, it feels like you’re aimlessly wandering without any real sense of direction as doubt deepens in your heart? Many seasons ago, I experienced a time when I had several prophetic words that said I was going "north," but actually, my life was going "south." In other words, my life seemed to be going in the opposite of my God-destined direction. You may remember Joseph's story in the Old-Testament (Genesis 37). The minute he thought his life was about to go right, it went left quite quickly. In short, God told Joseph that he'd be a great leader. Yet, it was no promotion that Joseph got, more like a demotion. Before he could blink twice, he was sold into slavery by his very own envious brothers; after slavery, he became the very least of everyone—a prisoner! I can't say this with any certainty, but it wouldn't be surprising if Joseph experienced discouragement as I did when my life went "south" while I faithfully believed for "north." In effect, I got to the point where I didn't want to hear another prophetic promise from God because it only heightened a sense of hopelessness that grew in that season.

THE ONE YOU’RE WITH

Maybe some of you reading this have been discouraged too, as you've attempted to walk out the call of God on your life? In fact, I'm sure some of you charged into this year armed with hopeful promises from God, believing this would be the season of fulfillment , yet never expected to be standing face to face with a virus of pandemic proportions, let alone expect to experience furloughs, reduced pay or for some the loss of a job entirely. You may be tempted to think that God pushed the proverbial pause button on life in this current season, but I can assure you with all certainty, the enemy would love for you to think that. Let me make this clear, the God-given promises on your life will not be canceled due to any circumstances or roadblocks that are seemingly standing in the way, but how you respond to any restriction, redirection, or resistance matters much!
Let me put it like this. Do you remember that verse, Psalms 119:105, that says, " God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path? " I want to propose to you that the part of that verse that says the " Word is a lamp to our feet ” is, in actuality, the description of a season . It's the season where God's people learn to put one foot in front of the other because the emphasis isn't on where you're going, the focus is on the One you're with . I've learned that until I learn to trust the One, I rarely know the details of where I'm going. God is far more concerned about you knowing Him than your destiny.
In Joseph's case, for that matter, it's my personal conviction that his arrogance determined his journey of slavery and imprisonment. More details of his story told us that his brothers sold him into slavery after Joseph shared aloud the prophetic dream that his brothers would one day bow to him. Note that 1 Peter 5:6 clearly states that if we humble ourselves, God exalts us at the proper time. Understand, when God gives you a prophetic promise, how you get there will be determined by what attitude you need to embody that promise. Joseph was a great leader just as God said he would be, but it was not proven to be true because his brothers bowed and begged him for mercy. Rather, Joesph’s story is still talked of today because he put the needs of those who severely persecuted him over his desire for reverence. Today Joseph is known, just as God said he would be, as a great servant-leader— one who led with humility and compassion. So take heart, though you may not understand the prophetic process that you’re currently experiencing, one thing can be certain: God will never depart from you in the midst of your journey or any other time for that matter. And, if you will trust God’s lead and lean into God’s heart during times of uncertainty, He will not fail in getting you from the promise to the palace of your destiny.

MY PRAYER FOR YOU IN THE MIDST OF THE PROCESS

For those of you reading this, I'd like to release over you the Spirit of Wisdom. Some of you are like Joseph in this season and need to take time to discern what God desires to develop in you . I encourage you to take some time and ask God specifically what shifts need to happen in your heart that would be pleasing to Him. I also want to encourage you to begin trusting the One who has plans to prosper you and not harm you! If you’ll open your heart to God, I believe you will start to gain clarity, wisdom, and strategy to walk in time with God as you manifest your destiny.

Lastly, I truly encourage those reading this to share your prophetic process with those you trust. Like 1 Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” In other words, as you put one foot in front of the other in pursuit of what God’s called you to, remember that this is the good fight that you’re called to!

To help give you a foundational understanding of the subjects of the path to prophetic promotion, prophecy and prophets, and how each is designed to help the Body of Christ, I want to invite you to sign up for my FREE 3-day email devotional that I’m rereleasing — Discovering Your Prophetic Destiny. It starts on June 1st. Sign-ups will close midnight, May 31st, PDT! If you want to learn more or register, click here.

3 Paramount Priorities to Guide You Through This Pandemic

Fri, 22 May 2020 16:22:00 GMT

LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS

Have you heard it said that you only see what you're prepared to see? In other words, we often ignore what we can't contextualize and tend only to look for things that we currently understand. But how does that work when it comes to something like this foreign invader, COVID-19, that seems to have its grip on our globe? For many of us, we've never faced anything particularly like this in our lifetime. I'd venture to say, for most of us, our livelihood has never been threatened in this unique way ever before; our day to day normality has rarely ever been so interrupted. With such a great global loss of life, simple tasks like going to the grocery store are overshadowed by a sense of impending doom, and collectively we are grieving the loss of the camaraderie that comes with routine gatherings and public togetherness. While many have hope that this way of life is only temporary, it’s hard to prepare for any relative movement forward because we are inundated with reports that become obsolete in only days. Needless to say, this virus has taken its toll on us all. Yet, I’m concerned that during challenging times like these there is a propensity to embrace fear instead of compassion; there’s a tendency to villainize and victimize instead of strategize and empathize , and I believe this is our opportunity to be the light in the midst of darkness.

THE ONLY WAY OUT IS DEEPER IN

Believers, it’s imperative that we take hold of a truth that will guide us through the swirling disarray that is life right now— WE ARE NOT VICTIMS . In fact, if there was ever an opportunity for us as a united body to arise and shine, if there was ever a time for our God-given power and authority to be on full display, it’s during dismal days like these. Those who know the Lord ought to know there is a mastermind at play that would love for people to partner with his scheme to kill, steal, and destroy. Remember, the devil has power, but he has no authority. And, indeed, you'd have to have your head in the sand not to see that this pandemic has turned political. But let me be clear, this is not the time to get distracted by or contribute to this unholy mess; rather, this is the time for the nations to be introduced to the Hope of the world—Jesus Christ. Matthew 12:21 says, "In His name, the nations will put their hope." We ARE the Believers who disciple nations in times of uncertainty. If we relegate ourselves to curse the darkness instead of becoming the light...If we retreat rather than go deeper in, together, then I believe we will miss out on one of the most significant sovereign movements of God that we will likely see in our lifetime.

3 PRIORITIES FOR THIS PANDEMIC

The only way we are going to break the devil’s plan is to be deeply involved (in the right way). As a husband, parent and pastor, as a man who runs multiple businesses and who has the shared responsibility of keeping hundreds of jobs afloat, I believe it’s imperative that my priorities are straight during this pandemic. Church, you too, share in many of the same concerns that I have, but first and foremost, we have a biblical mandate to be a haven of hope, a house of healing for all those that reside outside of the church walls. With that being said, here are a few priorities I’d like you to consider:

People are paramount. Above all, a people-focused approach in this pandemic should be our first priority. It wasn’t long ago when the Lord told me to “ prepare for reentry ”, and I believe that the Lord is softening hearts of people that were once hardened. I believe God is opening the eyes of the wayward, the lonely and the lost. Now more than ever, Believers need to demonstrate where our help comes from. We can do this by showing honor to our city officials, abiding by the government mandates, earnestly praying for our governmental decision-makers, and loving our neighbors by looking for ways to safely help and encourage them during this crisis.
Perseverance is key. The whole world is going through a trial right now, yet, I'd like to propose that God is connecting vision to our pain, and amid the chaos, we often forget that perseverance has a purpose during times of testing . Jesus makes a point of explaining this to the disciples in Matthew 17 when they couldn’t perform a miracle they had performed countless times before. Jesus said it was the “littleness of their faith” that contributed to their ineffectiveness, and if they only had ”faith the size of a mustard seed” they could move mountains. The word “littleness” in this passage actually means “briefly.” * Jesus was not referencing the quantity of their faith, rather how long they held onto their faith, regardless of its size. In other words, they couldn’t perform the miracle because they quit too soon! I’d like to propose that your victory lies in how long you’re willing to persist, persevere, and purpose to believe that if it’s not good, it’s not the end!
We are solutionaries. I believe right now, Believers are being called upon as wise counselors to find solutions today for the coronavirus, for the economy, for our communities, cities, and nations. Many challenges are rising up in our country, and we can either be polarized politically, or we can be loyal to our King and His Kingdom. If we step in with a spirit of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-19) we can bring wisdom, knowledge, experience, and skill to bear on these pressing challenges. I believe being a solutionary is the prominent role that we are called to play right now. God wants to release Heaven’s solutions for earth’s challenges, and He desires to share them with you! Are you listening?

As this pandemic unfolds, I want to encourage you all that we were made for such a time as this. Empowered by the Spirit of the Living God, our future is not uncertain, days to come we do not dread. We count this all as joy as we know our God is moving in the midst. We will not be shaken and we will persevere with prayer.

* Littleness is the Greek word “oligos.” It means few, little, small: —brief(1), briefly(1), few(11), few things(4), great*(1), little(7), little way(1), little while(4), long*(1), number*(2), short(3), short time(1), small(3), while(1).

The One Generation God Favors (and How He Powerfully Works Through Them)

Fri, 15 May 2020 17:21:00 GMT

OMISSION IS POWERFUL

As I type these words, there is a generation that God is intentionally and substantially pouring His Spirit out on; do you know which one it is? Several have prophesied, even from the Bethel stage, that an ocean of God’s revival would be poured out wildly on the generations of youth, but those that have said this are misguided and ultimately have misheard. In fact, I dropped to my knees and wept about the fifth time I heard a prophet declare this from a stage. At the time I didn’t understand what was happening to me. I ran out of the service in hopes to get a grip when God spoke plainly and directly to me. He said, “ Revival is not coming from the youth. My prophets are speaking from the second heaven! Revival is coming from one generation-old, young, middle-aged; from ONE generation . ” As my heart ached in grief, God gave me further explanation with a vision of a father standing with his two daughters. The father lovingly looked at one daughter and described her as beautiful, the other daughter he ignored. God replayed this scene three times, and each time the father showered one daughter with affection yet said nothing to the second daughter. God concluded His point with a final word to me. He said, “Omission is powerful. If you say that revival is coming through the youth, what are you saying to the middle-aged and to the elders?”

Acts 2:17-18 says, “ In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh . Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even on my bondservants, both men and women , I will in those days pour out My Spirit and they shall prophesy. ” Did you catch that? This ancient promise reveals that generations-old, young, and each generation in-between will demonstrate supernatural signs of personal reconciliation between God and His people, i.e., God speaking to His people through dreams, visions, and prophecy. I propose many Believers have Spirit-filled promises of God that have gone unrecognized and unfulfilled due to the enemy’s attempt to use the mouths of God’s prophets as a weapon in his war. It’s incumbent upon me to tell you that God has not turned His gaze from you and placed it on another. You are not omitted from revival, rather God is restoring your connection with Him in such sovereign ways right now that it will be hard to miss God’s thoughts and plans for you.

MULTIGENERATIONAL REVIVAL

How many of you understand that not only does revival not have a generation assigned to it, it doesn’t have a gender, nor is it reserved for a specific social class? My point is, from the moment that God poured His Spirit out on ALL FLESH to this very day, revival is and will always be multigenerational . God powerfully pouring out His Spirit on humankind is a monumental sign of the unrelenting union that He has with His people.

When I think about all of humanity encountering personal revival, Psalm 133:1-2 springs up in my heart—“ How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity ! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe .” As I mentioned in several recent blogs and podcasts, here, here , and here , we are living in a movement of God right now that will be marked by reconciliation and unprecedented unity. In fact, if you’re paying attention, there is unity happening not merely within one home or one nation but all over the entire planet. Globally, God’s anointing is flowing like “precious oil” over our irreconcilable differences, restoring our value for relationships and mediating our disputes . Busy schedules have been usurped by quality time due to COVID-19 shelter-in-place mandates; a renewed fondness for one another now refreshes families. The proverbial multigenerational table is set, and families are now coming together like never before (even if it’s virtual). Duties that were once delegated outside of the home are now being reclaimed, and children are learning to lean on their parents and grandparents more than ever. All of us on this revivable planet are getting an education on the valuable lesson of patient progress over perfection.

FUELING PERSONAL REVIVAL

The Holy Spirit is very visibly at work right now. And though you may not be experiencing Acts 2 manifestations of the Holy Spirit in your life like those on the Day of Pentecost, I want to encourage you not to measure revival or your personal relationship with God strictly by visible manifestations. In fact, one of the most distinctive signatures of revival is a renewed hunger for God and a deep desire to find your identity in Him.
As we move through these times, I want to encourage you with a few ways that I have personally experienced revival and refreshed my relationship with God:

Hang out with people who are alive and well in God (even if they may be having manifestations you’re not having). You may have heard me joke about having the "statue of liberty anointing," meaning it seems like everyone around me is often powerfully touched by God while I seem unaffected! Check out this short clip of a sermon where I share what God directly said to me about being moved by God.
Share your faith and testimony with others. Psalms 119:99 says, “I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.” This simply means that when you allow your history with God to counsel you, rather than your fears or any other thing, you will indeed grow in stature and wisdom. Allow your testimonies to be your counsel . Share them with others, and witness the power that you've been given.
Be humble. You were born to be amazing—in the very image and greatness of God. I find that one of the biggest deterrents for owning your God-given greatness is the fear of stealing God’s glory. If you don’t want to steal God’s glory, then here’s some good news: you ain’t that big! And get this... the truth is you can’t steal something that was given to you (John 17:22)! For more on humility, check out a recent podcast of mine, Humility is the Way Forward .

I believe you will experience the demonstration of God’s power in your life because, as we’ve learned, God is pouring everything out on “one generation”—all flesh; He is not withholding anything from you. As a Believer, you are a walking encounter of the living God. You are the embodiment of God’s revival.

Answers to Your Top 3 Questions About Spiritual Fathers & Mothers.

Fri, 08 May 2020 16:56:00 GMT

PROMISE OF RESTORATION

One of the gravest sins found around the globe today is the chill of frozen hearts that are resident in spiritual fathers and mothers who no longer disciple , resulting in disconnected Believers who are desperate for authentic affection and deserving devotion. It’s a concern of mine because I can contribute a big part of experiencing personal revival in my own life to the spiritual mothers and fathers that have poured into me. Yet, there is hope to be discovered because there remains a promise from long ago that I’ve repeated many times to many congregations across the globe— Malachi 4:5-6:

Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse

Over 2,500 years ago, God revealed to Malachi the significant value that He places on the restoration of relationships and the importance of covenant relationship. We are in a Kairos season ; God is on the move. He is sovereignly stepping in, and I prophesy that this sovereign moment will be marked by a revival of reconciliation not only in natural families but significantly in spiritual families as well.

THE TOP 3 MOST ASKED QUESTIONS

The God-ordained relationships that the enemy has worked hard at dismantling in the dark, God is swiftly swooping in and declaring for His people to “Arise and shine…” (Isaiah 60). I believe God’s justice is currently being served, and it is being demonstrated through the supernatural rekindling of His unfathomable love found in relationships grown cold. This move of God will catalyze personal revival and deepen the reality that we are, in fact, sons and daughters of God made manifest in the earth. This personal reconnection of hearts between sons and daughters and mothers and fathers will lead to a new great global awakening of God’s love. Thus, I feel it is encumbered upon me to address the most often asked questions about spiritual parents, covenant relationships, and how to prepare your heart for such a relationship.

Should everyone have a spiritual father or spiritual mother?

In short, yes. It’s not so much a matter of should, rather a matter of fact that everyone deserves to have someone spiritually investing in their life. 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 states that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, we are biblically mandated to serve others through the demonstration of a relationship that intentionally practices reconciliation.

Many believers are crying out to God to see His favor manifested in their lives. They want to walk in signs and wonders the way Jesus did and desire to see their destiny fulfilled. These are noble aspirations. Yet, there is no Godly favor that’s more excellent, no mightier of a miracle or destiny more divine than one encountering God’s unconditional love. I’m not merely speaking about a one-time run-in with God’s love (which is powerful and essential), I’m talking about the long-term, committed-without-conditions deep love that not only the world groans for but we all ache for and that can only be found through devoted and discipled relationships .
Should Believers have covenant relationships with their leaders like you have with Bill Johnson?

First, let me clarify what a covenant relationship is. The word covenant may sound like an archaic word that only cults or the staunchly religious use, but it’s purely a word to describe an inseparable bond formed through committed friendship. As Believers, we are in a new relationship (new covenant) with God which is mediated by Jesus (Hebrews 9:15). In John 15:15, Jesus said, “ No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends , for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you .” In that same chapter, vs 12, Jesus said, “ This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ”

Through the laying down of His life and demonstrated in His resurrection, Jesus exemplified that a covenant relationship is rooted in sonship and empowered by the devotion of true friendship. He’s invited us all into a relationship that is anchored around on-going, ever-increasing reconciliation. This is the gospel in a nutshell. It’s the love of a lifetime, the kind of love that ultimately casts out all fear, especially the fear of abandonment and rejection. The type of friendships that Jesus has with us and asks us to have with others was not meant to be a rare phenomenon, however it is because the Church has not embraced the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

To specifically answer the question: my relationship with Bill, which you can read more about here , is best described as a true friendship. It has nothing to do with him being a senior leader but everything to do with Bill himself. Devoted relationships aren’t about people’s position or title, rather it’s about the person. I would lay my life down for Bill, and I know he would do the same for me. Do you have a friendship like that? I believe we all long to have relationships in which people would die for us and us for them. In fact, I'm sure some of you already have genuine friendships as I have with Bill, but maybe you haven't given it the spiritual credit that it deserves or acknowledged the significance it's had in your life.

A word to the wise: A true friendship works both ways, it’s not one-sided and requires a lifetime of work and commitment. One example of a false friend is found in the relationship between Judas and Jesus. As you know, Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss because he pursued intimacy without covenant (see Luke 22:47). He was in a relationship with Jesus for what he could get out of it. He sold what was left of his stock in Christ for 30 pieces of silver. What it comes down to is, Judas did not want to be in a relationship that cost him anything.
What do you do when you’ve been faithful to your local church but no spiritual father or mother has materialized in your life?

The challenge is, in a fatherless generation , there are a lot of Believers who act like orphans. It’s not necessarily their fault, rather a result of the deficit of love found in relationships today, but it feels nearly impossible to meet their many needs. It shouldn’t be that way. Not only do we need spiritual fathers and mothers to arise and shine in these dark days, but we need sons and daughters to not act like orphans! Here are a few things I would recommend to those who naturally desire a spiritual family:

Learn how to be a son or daughter. Spend time meditating on the truth that you are a child of God (1 John 3). Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to prepare and heal your heart so that you can embrace a healthy discipling relationship. Believe me, God desires to bring people into your life that will encourage you, challenge you, and spur you on!

Look for people in your daily life who model Christ . Though we are all in a spiritual family as we have been adopted into the family of God, there are some who are actively spiritual fathering and mothering. You’ll see it demonstrated in their lives through their relationships with one another. I encourage you to seek out these salt-of-the-earth individuals and give them access to your life. They may not be famous but they will be known by their love, wisdom, and devotion.

Lead by example. It’s our responsibility to be mothers and fathers to other people. Look at those who naturally seek wisdom from you and make time to disciple them. Encourage and invest in their God-given destiny, and be known for the love of God that you carry.

I believe God desires to bring healthy spiritual relationships into your life as it will fuel your own personal revival. I encourage you to recognize the value of the relationships that are right in front of you; I pray that as you grow these relationships,, God will meet you in a deeper and more meaningful way!

Does God Ever Supersede Our Will in Providential Times?

Fri, 01 May 2020 16:11:00 GMT

“NOW FOLLOW ME”

Do you believe in providence ? God asked me this question a few months ago for five straight days as soon as I opened my eyes each morning. I knew it was God speaking to me because the word “providence” wasn’t even in my vocabulary. In fact, I had to look up the definition to find out what it really meant. I’ll save you the trouble—providence is defined as t he foreseeing care and guidance of God over the creatures of the earth or God, directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence . This definition is nice and all, but God did not repeatedly ask me this question to hear me acknowledge that He was a benevolent director. No, rather He was readying my heart for an incredible prophetic revelation that I believe is not only for me but for you and for all of God’s people.

Before I share what I believe is more of a corporate prophetic word than a teaching with prophetic wisdom, let me preface it by sharing with you a vision I had years ago. In the vision, God walked very intentionally down a path yet people were standing in front of Him like defensive linemen in a football game. It may sound a little Old Testament, but God threw these men out of His way like ragdolls, one to the left and the other to the right. Then the scene shifted and instead of watching God knock these opposing men around, I was the next one in front of Him. I, too, had my guard up as if I was going to try and block God’s progress. He looked me right in the eyes and shouted, “Get out of my way!” Then He reached out to grab my arm as if to forcefully move me aside but I pivoted out of His way just in time, and when He swiftly pressed past me, I heard Him say, “Now follow me!”

ACTS OF SOVEREIGNTY AND FREEWILL

Have you ever considered that there are seasons when God is not for you nor is He against you, rather He creates sovereign times where you must get out of His way and follow? To clarify, I’m not suggesting that God is currently using pandemics, any type of terror, or quaking the earth to teach us a lesson. In fact, Isaiah 54:15-17 says, “ If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me. ” I’m simply saying that God is moving in the midst of it all, and it’s vital we learn to move with Him even when we don’t understand.

Joshua experienced this type of sovereign override while camping in the desert plains of Jericho (Joshua 5:13-14). The scriptures say a man appeared before Joshua with a sword in his hand. According to the Hebrew text, it’s unclear if it was a divine messenger or the pre-incarnate Christ, but when Joshua inquired if the sword-drawn man was for him or against him, the messenger’s response was, “Neither! I am the captain of the Lord’s armies. Now, remove the sandals from your feet because you are standing on Holy ground!”

When God woke me over five mornings provoking me with the question of providence, another challenging question stirred in my spirit: did I believe God moves sovereignly inside of the new Covenant as He did with Old Testament followers such as Joshua, Moses, Abraham, and so many others? In other words, through God’s divine providence, does God supersede the will of man for the sake of His omniscient understanding today? The account of Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit about money in Acts 4:32-5:11 suggests that He does.

Let me be clear, my primary concern in teaching about Ananias and Sapphira is that we might create a culture out of an exception because we misunderstand the difference between a Kairos act of sovereignty and the grace-filled gravity of every day freewill in Jesus . My point in referencing this passage is that many people before Ananias and Sapphira lied and didn’t die for it. In fact, the scriptures show that they are being questioned by the most famous liar in the Bible, Peter. I’m simply pointing out that there are times in history when we move from the grace-filled days of freewill into a sovereign time when God takes over, and we must adjust to His lead. I propose that we are in a sovereign season now, and we must learn to follow!

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?

We are living in unprecedented times. For the first time in modern history, we live in a culture where people have morphed sin into an identity statement rather than recognizing it as a behavior. And, if this pandemic has exposed anything, it’s revealed a global political climate that has many of you asking God whose side He is on. I suggest you’re asking the wrong question just as Joshua did, and missing the point entirely. It’s not a matter if God is for you or against you, for your political policies or against them. What you must recognize is that we are currently in a time when God is showing up as the Captain! He is moving at a speed that is creating Kairos conditions . There is an urgency to step out of the way of what God is doing. So, the question isn’t whose side is God on, rather the question is whose side are you on?

After seasons of looking for His people to step up, God is stepping in and creating His own justice. Through providential moments, He, who fashioned and formed the earth with the purpose of it being inhabited, is going before us, and He will subdue the nations (Isaiah 45). I believe we are about to see American politics suddenly interrupted by providence; God will not be moved or derailed. I would suggest that you consider how to navigate this Kairos sovereign moment in the following ways:

Consider where your loyalties lie. We must be people that have loyalty to the Kingdom that transcends party lines. This Kairos moment will not be defined by a political party. If you have a political spirit, you will miss it .
Behave with nobility . You are a king among kings, and if you don’t understand what God is doing currently then consider carefully how you speak about this season. Weigh your words, and think before you speak. It is not your place to prophesy judgment against people, but it is your place to view people through God’s perspective .
Get out of the way. In sovereign moments of God, we need to put our heads down, listen, and learn to follow God’s lead even when we don’t understand.

God is prompting His people with one question: Do you believe in providence? He’s signaling to us all that we are entering into a time that will require a different attitude, and it will require us to discern His movement. You most likely won’t understand the greater good in the current moves He’s making, as providence happens from a perspective often unseen, but nevertheless, He is inviting you to join Him. He desires you to trust and follow.

My prayer is that you will ask God to adjust any attitude, action, or behavior that is resistant to God’s plans. I ask that the Holy Spirit will help you to discern the times, and learn to follow Him.

For more on Kairos moments, check out a prophetic word I gave in December 2019 here .

The Most Common Way Fake Love Disguises Itself & How to Stop It

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 18:26:00 GMT

THE ROOT CAUSE

Do you think you know what real love is? You may be shocked to hear this, but growing up, I learned more about real love from my grandfather, who was an atheist, than anyone else in the world. My grandfather met Christ a year before he died, and even still, I believe that he knew more about love than many who have been Believers their entire life. I’d propose that numerous people have been seduced by things that masquerade as love but are just cheap imitations of the real thing . In fact, I have a growing concern that many within the Church associate God’s love with a version that looks noble on the outside but leads people into deep vortexes of emptiness and bondage. I say this with compassion and sincerity, because, after all the oppression I’ve experienced in my own life and after years of helping other people get free, I am convinced that the #1 root cause of most demonic torment is the absence of a love that truly covers a multitude of sins.

SYNTHETIC LOVE

I share my story often, and maybe you’ve heard it, but when my father drowned on a stormy night in 1958, my grandfather made a covenant with my mom that he would take care of her and her kids. Although my mother remarried twice after my father’s death, and both stepfathers could hardly stand the sight of me, my grandfather truly loved me. His affection was felt when he’d run his calloused and leathery hands over my crew-cut hair. He adored me in spite of my blunders. He never made me feel like the rules were more important than our relationship, and though he often corrected me for good reason, he refused to punish me. It was from him that I experienced for the first time a love that truly covered a multitude of sins, and it transformed my life.

If we don't learn how to cultivate the same kind of unconditional love that my grandfather gave me, the love we share and experience will be relegated to duty and obligation. The truth is that synthetic love has many faces, but the most common alias is sacrifice. The Bible says, “ If I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing ,” (1 Corinthians 13:3). I t is important to understand that we can sacrifice, yet not love! People that measure the depth of their spirituality by a list of disciplines and the hardships they endure for God are likely deceived because they believe that sacrifice gives them favor with Jesus. But, believe me, the Creator of love can spot disingenuous devotion from a mile away .

LOVERS JUST LOVE

Even as a child, I knew my grandfather honestly had love in his heart for me. He did not have to feel it, fake it or do anything to prove it, he just did. I was keenly aware that he believed in me before I deserved it. I knew he had passion for me . I understand that the world has replaced love with lust, so talking about passion may inspire visions of pornography or perversion. But genuine love arouses passion in the true sense of the word, which results in enthusiasm, excitement, and zeal.

Passion always looks like sacrifice to people who are not in love. Let me explain it this way: When passion for another possesses us, our hearts are motivated by the empowerment and the betterment of those that are in our lives. In other words, lovers just love—it’s in their bones—it’s who they are.

The great apostle Paul had a revelation of God’s passionate love for us and he described it like this: “ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord ” (Romans 8:38–39). The sad reality is that many believers can repeat these Bible verses, but some have never really experienced the love of the Father.

LOVE CAN’T BE DEFEATED

If people really knew how much the Father passionately loved them, they would experience a life where no weapon formed against them would prosper (Isaiah 54:17). That’s because real love is the unconquerable weapon that our enemy has no answer for. Whenever we roll it out on the battlefield Satan falls like lightning.

Again, the Apostle Paul says it best; “ love never fails… ” (see 1 Corinthians 13:8). But when all else fails, remember these three things:

There is no prison so secure that love can’t free you.
There is no captor so strong that love can’t liberate you.
There is no sin so terrible that love can’t restore you.

It is time for the hollowed-out, Spock-like Vulcan Christianity to give way to the heartfelt, risk-filled, and impassioned-fueled love for God and for people. It is time for Jesus’ Bride to awaken and radiate the glory of being loved by the Almighty God! The world is desperate to encounter this true love.

It was my grandfather’s love that made it possible for me to receive the genuine affection of God into my life, and it was God’s pursuing passion for me that became my lifeline when I went through years of demonic torment. Love is ultimately the reason I’m here today writing to you about this.

Knowing now that LOVE CANNOT BE DEFEATED , here are the mighty ways I learned that will extract fear, unforgiveness, and uproot synthetic love from your life and relationships:

Receive God’s unconditional love for yourself - ask the Holy Spirit to help you truly embrace God’s wholehearted and grace-filled love deep down in your soul. Acknowledge that you are His beloved daily and meditate on His goodness.

Be an example - allow His love to overflow into the relationships in your life. Exemplify unconditional love like my grandfather embodied and demonstrated to me. (You can read more about specific examples of the boyhood relationship I had with my grandfather in my book Spirit Wars .)

Maybe you’re a grandparent or a parent, a son or a daughter, a friend, or simply an acquaintance. Regardless of the position you have in someone’s life, you have the power to forgive and love unconditionally . You are the embodiment of authentic love that can truly transform someone’s life.

I pray that the love of God will fill you and that the Holy Spirit will guide you into the Father’s embrace. I pray for you to embody the revelation that “ we love because He first loved us ” (1 John 4:19). The reality of this truth empowers you to love the unlovable and forgive those before they deserve it. Tell someone today that you believe in them; show them that you love them. Know that you are loved, and you were made to love!

4 Scientific Reasons to Be the Happiest Person on the Planet (Despite Hard Times)

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 17:58:00 GMT

SERIOUS JOY

Did you know that Christians should be the happiest people on the planet? I know what you may be wondering, why am I writing about being upbeat and merry amid this overshadowing COVID-19 cloud of doom and gloom? First, let me be clear that I’m in no way glossing over the reality that there has been a rapid, tragic loss of life! Nor am I dismissing that families are immensely struggling due to the hard-hitting jabs this virus has thrown at our economy. Still, I've learned a thing or two about the seriousness of joy, especially in the midst of challenging seasons. I'd like to propose that if there was ever a time to inoculate our culture with hope and truth, it's now.

Solomon said it thousands of years ago: “ A joyful heart is good medicine ” (Proverbs 17:22). However, modern medicine has only been seriously studying the specific benefits of joy and the energizing effects of laughter for about thirty years. In their research, they’ve uncovered countless stories of people who intentionally kept their spirits high through the use of humor to survive POW camps, war, illness, trauma, as well as the daily grind at stressful jobs. In fact, concentration camp survivor Viktor Frankl saw firsthand how humor was a powerful survival skill that enabled him and other prisoners to hold on to hope and purpose through the darkest time of their lives. Frankl said, “Humor, more than anything else in the human makeup, affords an aloofness and an ability to rise above any situation, even if only for a few seconds.”

My point is, joy is seriously a laughing matter! The impact it has on surviving extreme and uncertain times is a cure-all that I believe comes straight from the belly laugh of God himself.

DOUBLE ANOINTING & ONE-THIRD OF THE KINGDOM

Think about it—Jesus prayed, “ I come to You [Father]; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves ” (John 17:13). Jesus wants us to be full of His joy! Hebrews 1:9 says that Jesus was anointed with joy beyond His companions . This means that Jesus was happier than the people He hung out with. Now that’s a lot of joy!

To make us even happier, God sent His Holy Spirit into our lives to comfort us. The Holy Spirit has a happy knack for supernaturally lifting our burdens. But wait, it gets even better. The Bible says that the fruit or evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in us is “ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . .” (Galatians 5:22–23). There is that joy word again. We have both the joy of Jesus and the joy of the Holy Spirit. Did you get that? We have been given a double anointing for joy!

Now if that does not get you excited, then how about this: “ The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit ” (Romans 14:17). Wow, one-third of the Kingdom is joy! The apostle Peter said that we should “ greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory ” (1 Peter 1:8). But unfortunately, joy is a foreign reality for many Christians because demonic spirits, especially during perilous times, have deviously crept into their souls and stolen the happy and abundant life that Jesus purchased for them.

With that in mind, I believe the world is in a prime time right now to recognize and receive the power and value of the God-given gift of joy . Can you imagine what it would be like when God’s supernatural joy infused with His miraculous power hits an entire planet of people that are experiencing a global crisis? I propose that when the Body of Christ imparts to the world the joy of the Creator, we will see a massive outbreak of healing and reconciliation. The pandemic of fear and distress will be replaced with joy and peace!

4 REASONS TO BE HAPPY AND LAUGH

It is time for the Church of the living God to become a proverbial pharmacy (Proverbs 17:22) —distributing and dispensing joy to all those we come in contact with. It wouldn’t surprise me if one of the side effects of this “prescription” would be holy laughter—one of the manifestations of God’s joy. Why? Because what cannot be expressed in words is often manifested in laughter. It is just really hard to be extremely joyful and not laugh! People have always known that laughter—good, honest belly laughter, of course; not the mocking kind—makes you feel better. It’s an age-old remedy that God uses to heal His people of a broken spirit and guide them into wholeness. Laughter also brings physical healing to our bodies, too!

Unconvinced? Here are 4 ways that science proves laughter is good medicine:

Laughter essentially does the same thing as a workout —it gets our lungs breathing more deeply, our hearts pumping faster and many of our muscles engaged, thereby improving our circulation and blood pressure. (Anatomy of an Illness, Norman Cousins)
Laughter relaxes our bodies and stops our brains from producing stress hormones. In 2005, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center declared that laughter is some of the “best medicine” for protecting us from America’s leading cause of death, heart disease because it prevents stress from deteriorating the lining of our blood vessels.
Laughter activates our immune systems and prevents us from being vulnerable to disease. Studies have shown that laughter increases our natural defenses against cancer, viruses and upper-respiratory problems . It also stimulates helpful disease-fighting agents.
Laughter and humor are also vital tools for creating and sustaining mental and emotional health, which, of course, directly affects our physical health. The many stresses we experience produce negative emotions like fear, grief, and anger. Unless those are processed through cathartic releases like laughing, crying or yelling, they make us toxic in body and mind. On the emotional and mental levels, laughter diffuses negative thoughts and emotions; it also produces positive emotions like hope and elation and allows us to create new, more optimistic perspectives on our circumstances. (The Lighter Path to Resilience and Health, Paul McGhee)

I understand that it can seem counterintuitive to laugh when life seems anything but funny, but the real power of laughter is experienced not so much in life’s funny circumstances but rather in the difficult ones. Laughter is an act of moving in the “opposite spirit” of the circumstances we face, and can become a skill by which people can cope with stress and stay healthy—a skill that happens, by the way, to be a key component of emotional intelligence.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm certain that the entire globe could use an injection of joy right about now! If that's you, I encourage you to invite the Holy Spirit to guide you through these times because joy WILL BE your outcome (since it’s a fruit of the Spirit). I'd like also to suggest that you find any opportunity to have a good laugh at all the lies that may be attempting to rob you of the peace, joy, and righteousness that Jesus Christ bought and paid for! Also, don’t miss the opportunity to bring joy into the lives of others: jump on a call with your family or friends, play an online game with them, or share some laughs over a funny viral video . You’ll be glad you did, and I bet you’ll physically feel better too!

Here are a few more resources on joy , taking care of your soul , and finding joy in your marriage that I believe can help you cultivate a culture of joy within your heart, home, and family.

How to Rein in a Rogue Tongue That Could Be Sabotaging Your Success

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 17:30:00 GMT

LOSERS, LOWLIFES, & SINNERS

Do you believe that in order to earnestly love God you must first hate yourself? In other words, do you think that mistreating yourself is somehow a spiritual act? Let me tell you, there are many baffled believers out there who are convinced that the only way to please God is to think of themselves as losers or lowly sinners. They have been deceived by a demonic scheme and have lost sight of Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:29: “ No one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church. ” With that in mind, I propose it’s time that we learn how to tenderly care for ourselves because Jesus wants us to live fully alive—spirit, soul, and body.

Bill Johnson rightly says, “We can’t afford to have a thought in our mind that isn’t in His!” Jesus put it this way: “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly ” (John 10:10). We have an enemy who is attempting to rob us of our spiritual inheritance through demonic doctrines that project their own condemnation on to us. It is very important that we do not get the thief’s thoughts mixed up with what the Lord thinks of us!

A ROGUE TONGUE

One of the worst things we can do when our mind is under an unholy spiritual siege is to speak. Let me be clear: I do not mean we should avoid asking for help or stay silent in some isolated corner; I am talking about verbalizing the demonic thoughts , speculations or lofty things that are being propagated against us. Articulating these poisonous arrows only helps assimilate them in our hearts which in turn causes us to live them out in our souls.

Solomon said life and death are in the power of the tongue (see Proverbs 18:21). Ezekiel epitomized this when he spoke life over a boneyard, and a mighty army emerged. Therefore, it’s also possible to reduce a mighty army into a mere pile of bones with words spoken from an untamed tongue! Look at the warning James gave us about shooting off our big mouths: “ Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! ” (James 3:4–5). It is tough enough to be in such an intense battle that you cannot see the forest for the trees. But it is stupid to set the whole forest on fire with our tongues.

As James tells us, our tongue is like the rudder of a ship. It can steer us into a safe harbor until the winds of adversity pass by. But instead of navigating our ship into refuge from the storms of life, we often tend to let go of the wheel. This allows the waves of circumstance to drive the rudder instead of our faith, virtues, and values keeping us on course.

THE PALACE OF OUR SOUL

Speaking words from a tongue gone rogue is like eating fruit from a poison tree. Destructive words are deadly. Speaking them out loud will rot the mind, weaken the heart, and immobilize our lives in every way. It is up to us not to consume and assimilate these words by allowing them to take root in our minds and hearts. Paul put it this way,

“ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.. ” (Philippians 4:8–9)

As Believers, we must set up guards at the entrance of our hearts and minds to protect the Kingdom of God within ourselves. Meditating on negative words is like opening up our heart gate and allowing enemy armies to invade the peaceful palace of our souls. This is why it’s vital that we heed Paul’s insistence—to dwell on God’s goodness. Meditating and often recalling that WE ARE Kingdom people destined to live in righteousness, peace, and joy , invites the God of peace to reign over our spirit, soul, and body.

GOD’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

“ This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. ” (See Joshua 1:1-8)

Meditating on the truth that we are God’s beloved is God’s formula for a renewed mind! It enables us to walk in His gift of peace that surpasses all understanding.

My prayer for you today, on Good Friday, is that you would meditate on the righteousness, peace, and joy that Jesus Christ paid for. Let’s triumphantly declare God’s truth over us and speak out the lovely thoughts that He graciously shares with us.

Do You Know the Tactic Jesus Used When He Faced Spiritual Warfare?

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 19:16:00 GMT

A TOUR THROUGH HELL

Do you feel like you’re walking through the valley of the shadow of death? It can feel excruciatingly lonely and utterly terrifying. I know that venomous valley well. It’s where I experienced panic attacks that turned into endless, tormenting nightmares, and demons physically terrorizing me. I often wondered if I would permanently lose my mind. Let me be clear: I understand that many people do not believe in spirits, spiritual warfare, or even demons and angels, but if you are reading this blog and have had or are having these experiences, take heart because there is hope to be had...keep reading!

The truth is that the spiritual realm is real!, Angels and demons are very active on the earth whether we see them or not. Contrary to what you might be experiencing now, not all spiritual realities are negative. In fact, there are more angels for us than there are demons against us. However, I’ve learned that navigating our way out of what can feel like a deep dark spiritual valley is a key part of developing our spiritual authority. In fact, as a Believer, you are currently spiritually equipped to walk your way out of it! Unfortunately for me, back then I made the mistake of camping out in the valley of the shadow of death for three years. Believe me when I say it wasn’t because I wanted to, nor do I believe any of you experiencing this living hell want to stay captive either. My problem was that I had been educated right out of my solution, and was imprisoned by bad doctrine! I’ll explain what I mean.

WHO’S YOUR ENEMY?

I had been taught and believed that Christians could be mentally ill but not demonized. Meaning, a Believer might have chemical deficiencies or imbalances and may experience symptoms of mental illness, but because they are a child of God, demons had no authority to oppress or terrorize them; I was taught that the only people who were demonized were unbelievers. In other words, if you were experiencing what may be described as demonic activity, you were either a Believer with a mental illness and it wasn’t demonically related or you were not truly a Believer and were demonized. Sound familiar? This faulty teaching had me questioning my sanity and set me up to war against my flesh instead of the spirits that would ambush and attack me every day.

It’s so important that we understand we are not warring against our old man (the flesh), rather we are battling with principalities. Ephesians 6:10-12 emphatically says “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood , but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Did you catch that? Your true enemy is spiritual forces of wickedness!

My so-called tour through hell immediately ended when the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I wasn’t insane at all, rather I had been listening to a spirit of insanity that projected its own maddening thoughts on to me. The defective doctrine that Christians couldn’t be demonized was dismantled in mere moments when I learned that evil spirits will talk to us by giving us their thoughts . To be clear, thoughts originating from a demon are similar to a demon manifesting physically in front of you. Both are manifestations of evil, and its intention through the confusion and chaos is to kill your faith in God the Father, steal your spirit-filled destiny, and destroy your original design in Christ. But there’s something demons know that maybe you do not know — They know and see that you are marked by the glory of God. They know that you have power over them. These disempowered bullies are simply banking on you not knowing that. Maybe now it makes sense why the majority of spiritual warfare happens in the mind? They attack your knowledge of God and the knowledge of your identity as a child of God!

Through perverted ploys and subtle schemes, these evil spirits plant thoughts that are compelling. In other words, through thoughts that are not your own, demons frame a narrative about you that reflects their own image . In an attempt to mar the image of God that you bear, they position thoughts in such a way that it feels like your thoughts, even though it’s completely opposite of your history or your nature. Any sort of agreement with these invading thoughts can destroy your confidence and spiral you down into depression , anxiety, isolation, and self-hatred. You must know that this is a manifestation of evil. You are not who they say you are! You are not broken! You will have breakthrough. This will end. And Jesus MAKES ALL THINGS NEW (Rev. 21:5)!

THE KEY TO VICTORY

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Matthew 4 says Jesus prepared for warfare by fasting, but did you notice Jesus’ battle tactics against Satan? Let’s take a look:

The first test (Matthew 4:3): “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread."
Jesus’ response (vs. 4): “Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: ‘It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.’”

Though He is physically depleted and weary, Jesus’ tactic is to remember God’s promise to Him and declare out loud that His “yes” to the will of the Father will not be swayed by the physical reality he is experiencing.
The second test (vs 5-6): “The Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, ‘Since you are God’s Son, jump.’” The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.”
Jesus’ response (vs. 7): Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”

Make no mistake, Jesus is not arguing with Satan; His tactic is to stay rested in His identity and the reality that Satan is not His equal. In fact, He reminds Satan of that.
For the third test (vs. 8-9): “The Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.”
Jesus’ Response (vs. 10): Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

Jesus throws the final blow with a tactical rebuke and reminder that only God is the victor as He is in full agreement with God’s will. With authority, Jesus silenced Satan!

Demonstrated by Jesus in the wilderness, if I had to give you one key to win in warfare it would be to REMEMBER! You might ask why is remembering the key to victory? Because just as we saw with Jesus, Satan’s go-to weapon is to cause us to question not only who we are to God but who God is to you — your Father, who gave you His likeness (Gen. 1:26-27), His mind (1 Cor. 2:16), and His Spirit (2 Cor. 5:5). Though it may feel crazy in the valley, God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Just as Jesus rebuked Satan by holding on to His power and His peace during physical, emotional, and spiritual testing, you have been empowered by the living God to victoriously walk through the valley. Remember, if it’s not good, it’s not the end! Don’t retreat and don’t give up. You were made for victory!

I am praying today that you would have peace in this season, that God would protect you through the night and that His voice would be the loudest one over you. I pray that irrational thoughts would be dissolved in Jesus’ name and that the Holy Spirit would make clear the illusion and lie of the enemy. I pray that angels would surround you and that the right people would come around you in this season.

To help you fight the unseen battle and win, I want to give you a FREE digital copy of my book Spirit Wars. And, I want to invite you to participate in a FREE 4-week video devotional teaching that I just launched this week. You can find the devotional videos on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube . You can also sign up here to receive them right in your inbox.

5 Ways to Supernaturally Activate Your Kids While in Quarantine

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 20:10:00 GMT

LITTLE SAINTS FACING A BIG PROBLEM

With schools shut down, social distancing and mandatory shut-ins, there’s no hiding the reality of this surging pandemic from our children. Not that long ago and during very different days, I shared my concern about the Church stepping over the line of parental protection into a place of overp r otection , and I spoke against shielding children from the realities of life. Yet, there’s no insulating our kids from this, and I don’t believe that’s a bad thing. The truth is families being forced to ride out this wave of uncertainty together is a glimmer of redemptive hope that brightly reflects God’s desire for families to faithfully function together.

Unshielded from the precariousness of this pandemic, there is an opportunity right now for children to witness the reality of a powerful God who wants to encounter them in every situation . Imagine if children grew up with a keen sense and awareness that the God who transcends the laws of physics will show up in their lives. This brings to mind the story in 2 Kings 5 of the young girl who faced tremendous uncertainty, yet she still desired for those around her to encounter the power of God...which resulted in the high ranking commander whom she served to be healed of leprosy.

Children, often at the mercy of their circumstances, no matter how dire, have a unique way of disallowing reality to rob them of their faith; this positions them for victory. Let me be clear: it is a natural instinct as parents to protect our children from negativity. However, we must not fail to acknowledge a young one’s spiritual author i ty as a child of God!

JUNIOR DOESN’T HAVE A JR. HOLY SPIRIT

I’m always shocked when modern congregations relegate children to a lower seat of authority than adults. Why? Because the same Spirit of power that lives in you and me resides in the little ones we’re entrusted with!

Unconvinced? The prophet Joel spoke of the Holy Spirit being poured out on children (Acts 2, Joel 2:28-32). Even Peter rightly reminded Believers that this gift was promised to not only them and their children but to those who were in the far off generations to come—“Repent and be baptized...you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off...” (Acts 2:38-39)

Imagine a world where children have embraced the Holy Spirit and are empowered to overcome the seething schemes of the enemy. What would that world look like? A family faithfully pursuing the Kingdom of God together would experience:

The youngest of family members walking in signs and wonders , healings and prophetic anointings; having a real, living, breathing relationship with God Almighty.

Massive global family restoration. Because God poured His Spirit out on ALL flesh (Romans 5:5, Joel 2:28), I believe that as the family learns to be Spirit-led, we will see the hearts of parents reconciled with their children and the hearts of children reconciled back to their parents.

Whole families spiritually equipped to face real-life issues together . Children would be embraced as part of the solution to the problem versus being shielded from the problem.

5 STEPS TO ACTIVATE YOUNG SAINTS AT HOME

While many are hunkering down during this COVID-19 storm that’s raging outside, I want to encourage you to weather it out with Holy Spirit as a family! While you’re all stuck together in the house, this is an opportune time to start looking at your kids with a supernatural lens and create an atmosphere in your home so your children can engage the Spirit that’s been gifted to them.

To give you a starting place, I came up with 5 quick ideas that will strengthen your faith and develop sensitivity as a family to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The possibilities are limitless, but here are my suggestions to get started:

Read 5 Ways You Can Include Your Children In Supernatural Ministry . This blog is a great guide to getting your family supernaturally started.
Tell your kids about the God of the impossible. What miracles can you recall that you can tell your children about? Then invite them in to pray with you for a miracle your family might need!

One of my favorite memories of empowering our children was when our daughters were young teenagers. They had been invited to go to China to smuggle Bibles into the country. Kathy and I immediately said, “No way! You girls are too young and China is no place for kids.” But the girls insisted they go, and they repeated things we had been teaching them for years. “Dad, you told us we were born to change the world, to make a difference. This is a chance for God to use us and prove His faithfulness.” We knew they were right, but it was difficult to practice what we had been preaching. We earnestly prayed, and then finally let them go. The story is too long to share here, but after an extremely tumultuous trip, they made it home safely. Despite the challenges of the trip, they fell in love with the Chinese people and wanted to give their lives for them. They were changed forever by this experience, and so were we.
Our global leaders, doctors, and nurses need to encounter Emmanuel—God with us, as they are overworked and exhausted. Together, with your children, pray and prophesy over all those in healthcare right now.
We are socially distanced right now, but not disconnected! Choose another family who would be willing to digitally connect with your family, and together pray and proclaim health over the globe. Let the children lead these prayers!
Get creative! Holy Spirit will guide each of you to respond to the needs that the globe is facing. Keep in mind to honor the government mandates that are being placed locally, nationally, and globally, but find creative ways to love your neighbor. Have the kids call anyone who may be in isolation or alone for a cheer up or a check-in. Send a text reminding a neighbor of why you’re thankful for them. Grab groceries for someone who can’t get out.

For more resources for raising up this generation or how to equip your children for spiritual warfare, check out my blog, “ What To Tell The Demon In Your Kid’s Closet .”

How You Can Prophetically Protect and Comfort During Crisis

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 19:35:00 GMT

PROPHETIC PROTECTORS

Over the coming weeks, I’m expecting to see prophetic ministry rise to all-time high. This foreboding pandemic that’s glaring down on the globe, along with the fear of death and economic famine, is taunting every single one of us. If there was ever a time for Believers to rise up and prophetically minister, it’s now. Let me be clear, I’m not talking about declaring end-time doom and gloom over the planet; prophetic ministry inside of the new covenant protects and comforts , it’s not pronouncing judgment or declaring destruction. In fact, if you’re participating in that right now then I urge you to examine what spirit you’re listening to. Learn more about New Testament Prophets here.

As a gift from the Spirit, the core fruit of prophetic ministry is edification, exhortation, and consolation (1 Corinthians 14:3) so it’s not all that surprising that the Holy Spirit is called the comforter (John 14:26). His nature is to educate and align your understanding with God’s, convict or strongly encourage you in God’s thoughts, and comfort and soothe you with God’s merciful perspective. With that being said, operating prophetically is a gift and it’s available to all Believers. 1 Corinthians 14 says that we should all “ earnestly desire the gifts, especially the gift of prophecy .” I’ll reiterate that it’s a gift, and it’s called a gift because it’s not about you, rather it’s for the people who need mercy, comfort, and protection during times of crippling doubt.

One way we biblically see the prophetic used to protect is found in the relationship between Paul and Timothy. In 1 Timothy 1:18, Paul says, “ Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you , so that by them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith . ”

What you may not know, but Paul did, was that Timothy struggled with frequent illness, and some even suggest that he battled with anxiety (1 Timothy 5:23, 2 Timothy 1:7). In true fatherly fashion, when Paul sent Timothy out to the Corinthians, Paul wrote to the church ahead of Tim’s arrival and said, “ when Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him (or make him afraid) . He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am ” (1 Corinthians 16:10).

Armed with authority given by God and gripping tight to the prophetic words spoken over Timothy, Paul protected Tim—by way of informing everyone in advance of who Tim was and by commanding (not suggesting) Timothy, who was entrusted with prophecies about his life, to use them to fight for himself! You must understand that Paul was facing perilous times himself. But when your faith is placed in the Almighty and when you are prophetically enlightened, you will protect those God has entrusted you with.

PROPHETIC COMFORTERS

With prophetic wisdom, I believe Paul knew what he was doing when he gave Tim a stern “stop it, get up and fight” charge. But how many of you know there are times when people need empathy and a listening ear? Let me make this clear: when people are in need of empathy and you give them a command it’s not helpful, it’s actually painful.

The ability to listen from the heart is truly an undervalued part of the prophetic ministry. You may say that it’s not your personality to be particularly compassionate. I’d like to propose, it’s a gift of the Spirit, not your personality, that mends the brokenhearted, delivers the captives from fear, and heals the sick. As prophetic people, we earnestly need to listen to the Holy Spirit, not allow our personality to dictate direction.

A great example of prophetic compassion during threatening times was when Nehemiah was harassed during the rebuilding of the walls (Nehemiah 4:13). With doom imminent, he armed and stationed men, called burden-bearers, in the lowest, most vulnerable parts of the wall. When he saw the fear that struck their faces, his response was faithfully and compassionately charged. He said, “ Do not be afraid of the enemies. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome. Fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes. ”

It’s paramount that we bear the burdens of others. We need to stand in the low places with people and fight for them. I have no doubt there are people in your life right now who need comfort and to be reminded that God is with them. What I’m getting at is through faithful compassion, prophetically enlightened people will comfort and stand with others during vulnerable times.

PROPHETIC BUILDERS

The ripple effect of this global pandemic is an opportune time for demonic adversaries to come into our land and accuse God of abandoning us in our time of need. They use disturbing reports from the news to build their case. So how do we respond to spiritual meanaces like these? The Lord says in Psalm 91, “ ...you’ll not fear the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon. Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you. ” One reality threatens destruction but by faith and through declaring what God has done and will do, liberation is found.

In contrast, look at the sons of Ephraim (Psalm 78). They were equipped to win the battle, but they didn’t win. Why? Because “ They forgot what God had done, the wonders He had shown them. ” Instead of taking promised ground, they fearfully ran from the battle they were well equipped to win.

As prophetic people, we not only protect and comfort those in need, but we build new realities in spite of uncertainty by first remembering the wonders God has done.

Years ago when I was depressed and laying on the couch for six months , paralyzed by fear of every kind (death, financial crisis, etc.) God asked me to write down every miracle I had ever witnessed. For an hour and a half, I couldn’t think of one miracle. Finally, I remembered one...and then a second...and a third. By the time I got off the couch, I had remembered 64 miracles! It was like there was this invisible wall keeping me from remembering God’s faithfulness. But with each miracle that I wrote down, cracks formed in the wall of overshadowing doubt until it came crashing down. And that’s when my hope enlightened me that IF GOD DID IT ONCE, HE CAN DO IT AGAIN!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I believe the Lord’s prophetic ministry is stronger than any weapon that could be formed against us. And I want to remind you that we aren’t fighting for ourselves. We are fighting for our children’s future. Our children don’t need to pay the price for our fear. So, let’s rise up, Believers. Let’s begin to remember and testify of what God is able and will do.

Currently, we are wisely practicing social distancing because of the coronavirus, but in this digital age we are not distanced by any sense of the word. Pick up the phone. Shoot a text. Send an email. Let’s stand together in solidarity. Let’s bear this burden together.

Also, check out last week’s blog, “ Are Facts or Fear Influencing Your Faith ” and strengthen your faith with a 40-day challenge.

Are Facts or Fear Influencing Your Faith?

Sat, 14 Mar 2020 01:04:00 GMT

FACTS OVER FEAR

The coronaviru s is creating a tornado of intense fear across the planet. In the scurry to safeguard health, I can understand why some have found themselves in a global stampede fueled by lack and pressured by a message that doom is impending. I believe what is masquerading under the guise of a worldwide outbreak is devious and even demonic, but it does not need to dictate a feeling of demise. I’d like to propose that we are going toe-to-toe with a foreboding spirit that’s pressing in on our planet...threatening to shut down entire nations, attempting to destroy economies.

Let’s remember that while this may feel like a scary moment, the God of the impossible, whose love casts out all fear, is with you! God has plans to give us a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of calamity and suffering despite what this climate of fear is forecasting.

Now I know what some of you may be thinking, "Of course you're going to say that, Kris. You probably don't even believe in germs because you believe in Jesus!" You are right that I believe in Jesus, but I'm not a medieval fool that ignores science and medicine. It's paramount that we are wise, take precautions, and not participate in spreading the virus. Yet it’s equally important that we do not perpetuate any fear from this evil doom and gloom spirit that’s projecting a false narrative through the twisting of facts and spreading of fallacious rumors.

THE ULTIMATE REVELATION

Fear is a fantastic storyteller and an even better moviemaker. It’s in part why media outlets focus on it so much. However, I bet you’d never trust a person who lied to you as much as fear lies to you about your fate.

Speaking to you as family, the ultimate revelation that we as Believers carry during times of crisis is found in Romans 8:15— “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, “Abba, Father.” In other words, we are no longer enslaved to fear anymore because our faith is in a trustworthy Father.

Let me be clear—I’m not proposing we ignore critical facts and turn our eyes and ears from concerning information that may help us to safeguard ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities; instead, we respond differently as our faith and hope is rooted in God’s abilities, not our finite efforts. With this in mind, we can partner with our government officials in wisdom to practically take care of ourselves, and therefore the greater good, without allowing fear to dictate our decisions.

FEARFULLY FAITHFUL

Have you ever heard Henry Ford's quote, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right” ? I agree, and think this quote is spiritually intelligent! Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. I n the world, seeing is believing, yet in the Kingdom, believing is seeing . Faith is not the absence of facts; it's the presence of conviction.

One of my favorite biblical responses on faith is found in Matthew 17:19 when Jesus meets up with several of His disciples who could not drive out a demon:

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith ;”

The word littleness in this passage is the Greek word “oligos” which means “briefly.” Jesus is not referring to the amount of faith the disciples had but instead, is speaking to how briefly they held onto their faith. It doesn’t take much faith to move a mountain, but it most certainly takes persistent faith. And here’s some good news for you—perseverance is a fruit of the Spirit. This means the devil doesn’t have it, but you do!

LET HOPE ARISE

Without hope you can’t have faith , and without faith the world could feel like a miserable place to live right now. The truth is that when all seemed hopeless for Daniel in the lion’s den, God saved him. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, Jesus himself set them free. When God found a man so bound with hatred that he was murdering Christians, Jesus encountered him on the road to Damascus and changed his name from Saul to Paul, transforming him into one of the greatest heroes of faith to have ever graced this planet. The stories go on and on of God’s amazing ability to redeem any situation.

There is no hand that can be dealt to you with which God is unable to win. There is nothing impossible for God. Whatever impact this virus is having on you or your loved ones, remember this: Jesus is a master of making all things new. God specializes in the impossible!

MY PRAYER FOR YOU

Let’s break off this foreboding spirit that’s manhandling our planet . Lord, I pray that your people would be full of faith and would learn to persistently speak to the mountains of despair and cast them aside! Together as a family of faithful Believers, let’s declare healing over the sick, peace over the frightened, and silence to this foreboding spirit, in the name of Jesus!

I want to issue a challenge to all Believers! Let’s remove any and all rights that this foreboding spirit has been given to our lives by our agreement with fear. Join me over the next 40 days in detoxing from fear by exercising the following :

1. Remember that fear is a liar. Think of the things that brought on fear in the past but never happened. Though it felt real, remind yourself that fear is fantastic at narrating fiction.

2. Get a new perspective. The Holy Spirit is ready and able to give you a new vantage point that will open your mind up to what’s true and what’s possible. This is a way to revive hope that fear has tried to rob you of.

3. Be intentional with where you place your faith. Make a conscious choice to trust your future to Jesus and remind yourself of the Spirit in which He’s given you. (2 Timothy 1:7)

4. Testify. Recall and share the testimonies of God’s work in your life.

5. Prophesy. Recall and speak aloud what God says about your future. This will silence any spirit that is speaking untruth over you.

6. Meditate on Psalms 91 in this season. Remember to rest under the shadow of God’s wings and meditate on the truth that He is your Protector!

How do you see the Lord bringing hope to humanity in this hour? Share your prayers for the planet and testimonies about detoxing from fear in the comments.

Can Christians Be Politically Progressive?

Sat, 07 Mar 2020 00:23:00 GMT

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS PROGRESSIVE!

Are you "row, row, rowing your boat” gently down a political stream called progressivism? Sociopolitical agendas promoted under the misnomer of "progressivism" are unsettling to me. Schemes like Planned Parenthood filling our schools with porn disguised as curriculum or efforts made by a school district with its local government seeking to allow children to undergo gender reassignment surgery without parental consent are full-blown crazy! Actions like these aren't anything new, though. In fact, history is repeating itself; it's a blast from the past as old as the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The political spirit has duped many into believing that the immorality displayed in modern culture is an enlightened perspective on the evolution of human beings.

Think about it. Embracing immorality isn’t “progressive,” it’s regressive. I mean, can you imagine your child contemplating and choosing a sexual identity before their brains are even fully developed let alone them chopping off a body part to express that identity without you even knowing it? I’d go as far as to say that it’s intellectually dishonest to call culturally destructive agendas like this “progressive.”

True progressivism isn’t a political stance, it’s divine problem-solving! What do I mean? Eric Hoffer explains it like this, “In times of change learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully prepared for a world that no longer exists.”I take this to mean that truly progressive people desire to solve the tremendous political challenges that we are facing in the 21st Century by addressing the root of the issue rather than producing symptomatic cures that only mask the actual problem.

An authentic progressive mindset is exemplified in the life of Christ. He made peace in the lives of those He influenced; He didn’t take on the agenda of keeping the peace by appeasing everyone. There is a distinct difference between being a peacemaker vs. being a peacekeeper, which you can read about here . Progressive people understand that any advancements made to the human condition originate in fear of the Lord, as that is the true source of all wisdom. ( Proverbs 9:10 ) . Equipped with God’s spirit, true progressives are keenly in tune with the desires of God and are focused on advancing His will versus placating political pressure groups.

SHOULD A BELIEVER CARE ABOUT NATIONAL GOVERNMENT & POLITICS?

Many within the Church hear about immoral pursuits like the genocide of gender and the ethical cleansing taking place in our nation wonder if they should engage in the political chaos at all. Feeling like the government is an impenetrable force, Believers often question if they should even pay attention to politics, let alone care about it. But instead of asking if you should care about the government and the political processes guiding this country, consider asking yourself if God cares about them.

The prophet Isaiah had some profound things to say about the responsibility and authority of government. Speaking of God’s government, he wrote, “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace . . . the zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this” ( Isaiah 9:7 ) . The two things we learn here from Isaiah is that the government of God is ever increasing and the purpose or fruit of God’s government is peace.

It’s my personal conviction that God not only cares about government but He is more than capable of leading politically minded individuals, regardless of their party loyalties or misguided convictions. If you read your Bible, you’ve already discovered that God knows perfectly well how to influence nations, governments, kings, and kingdoms, even if we don’t. More importantly, Biblical precedence often shows God delivering His people into these broken systems to impart His will (whether we realize it or not). Faith in our government may be at an all-time low in this nation, but my faith in God could never be higher!

Even Paul mentored the Romans with these seven insightful points to help shape their attitude towards the very government that was persecuting them for their faith in God. ( Romans 13:1-7 ) :

   1. Government derives its authority from God Himself because He establishes it.
      Leaders, therefore, have responsibility and authority over other people.

   2. Whoever resists governmental authority is resisting God Himself.

   3. Government is a “minister of God,” and those who are employed to carry out
      their governmental obligations are “servants” of God.

   4. People who are evil or who do evil should be afraid of those in authority
      because government is an avenger, commissioned to bring wrath upon
      evildoers.

   5. Government bears the sword for the purpose of using it against evildoers.

   6. God authorized governments, established for the purpose of keeping order
      and bringing peace to society, to fund themselves through taxes paid by the
      people.

   7. We are to honor governmental leaders for their position.

Overall, government is commissioned with authority and those working within this structure are tasked with the responsibility of making peace within the nations. God cares not only about our role within government but also our attitudes under governmental rule.

LIVING TO LEAVE A LEGACY

Back in 2004, I was taken up in a vision that thrust me one hundred years into the future. I found myself standing next to an old man encircled by several generations of family, all listening intently as he exuberantly told them stories and mused over the past.

He began to speak about the family’s noble roots and their royal heritage. He stared into the eyes of each one as if he were looking for greatness in their souls. He spoke of the great price their forefathers had paid to obtain such favor, wealth and influence from God and man. But it was what he did next that stunned me. He pointed to a majestic stone fireplace that rose about thirty feet to a vaulted ceiling. I looked over toward the fireplace mantle where a large, beautiful artist’s portrait of Kathy and me hung. I was breathless as he finished his exhortation: “All this began with your great-great-great-grandmother and great-great-great-grandfather!”

I instantly came out of the vision, struggling to gather my thoughts. Next, I heard a thundering voice speak to my spirit:

Your children’s children’s children are depending on you leaving them a world in revival. You are no longer to live for a ministry. From this day forward, you are to live to leave a legacy!

It's imperative that as Believers, we understand that our children's children will inherit our government. It's vital that as true progressives (divine problem solvers), we realize that politically driven people are not our enemy, and the governmental arena is a God-ordained system that we should eagerly engage in with honor and nobility. Practically speaking, I want to encourage you to get involved in local, national, and global politics. Please get out and vote, and speak into the selection of our political candidates and laws. Practice political conversation apart from the influence of the political spirit. And, more importantly, take time to allow the Holy Spirit to imprint upon your heart His desires to bring health and wholeness to our government and political leaders.

For more of my thoughts on America ’s turmoil and the church’s silence , check out my most recent blog or pick up a copy of Heavy Rain to learn how to flood your world with God’s transforming power.

American Church: Speak Up or You'll Be Shut Up

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:24:00 GMT

AMERICA’S TURMOIL AND THE CHURCH’S SILENCE

Our country is in major turmoil, leaving many people longing for peace; they hope for a kind of “live and let live” society. All while much of the Church remains silent for fear of rocking the boat too far. What is the outcome of these crazy “peace times?” Over 50% of the children in America are born out of wedlock! There is a fatherless epidemic in our country so severe that it’s literally destroying our children and families. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among teens, with a rate that’s doubling every few years.

Personally, I am not okay with peace at any cost . Let alone this one. This may “sound un-Christian” but did you know that there was even a time in Jesus’ ministry when the Prince of Peace Himself said, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword…?” (Matthew 10:34)

I’d like to propose that Jesus was not a peacekeeper, but a peacemaker . He was not afraid to offend people in order to create true peace. Jesus knew that He was on a mission and He did what His Father told Him to do, which sometimes meant upsetting the crowd. In essence, He used His voice to correct culture and make long-term peace.

Perhaps the Body of Christ has traded passivity for a sense of false, temporary peace, relegating the world to turmoil. In doing so, we’ve allowed our lights to dim under a bushel of fear instead of shining bright as guiding lanterns to a world desperate for truth and clarity.

USE YOUR VOICE

I’ve said it before and will gladly say it again—the Body of Christ is called to change culture for the Kingdom of God. More than 25 million Christians who are registered to vote do not vote in Presidential Elections, and as many as 65 million Christians do not vote in local elections. I can’t think of a more practical way to impact culture than to have a voice in the laws that are shaping the world we live in. Empowered with voting ability, one would think that Christians would celebrate on voting day as an opportunity to tangibly influence and impact our culture. So why the passivity? I mean, why do Christians historically abstain from using their voices when we are quite literally handed an opportunity to influence culture every time a voting season comes around?

Perhaps this reflects the Church’s mindset on power and authority—they don't believe their vote matters and are influenced by the political spirit that creates profound pressure to make the right decision. This spirit divides and conquers through villainizing candidates, laws, and measures and frames a high stakes black-and-white story about our nation of “good” vs. “evil.” The fruit is division, anxiety, and anger. The pressure from this spiritual force can be so strong that it may suppress our ability to see clearly and even go so far as to silence our voices, if we allow it. I’d like to propose that much of The Church has lost or forgotten the ability to discern personal convictions from the agenda of the political spirit .

But think about it this way: when we choose not to vote, we’re handing our power over and letting other people make decisions for us. If everyone thought like this, then the very few people who did vote would be controlling ALL policy. That doesn’t sound like democracy to me!

VOTING ON HOPE

As I’ve dived into the world of government and politics over the last decade, the Holy Spirit has revealed a new mindset to me regarding God’s perspective on politics. It’s through this new understanding that I’ve been able to see that politicians, for the most part, genuinely desire to do the “right thing.” They lay down their lives for the things they believe in (whether I agree with those beliefs is another question). However, for the most part, their intentions are not to be power-mongers. This was honestly surprising to me because I generally jumped to thinking that most political agendas were not thought all the way through or I immediately took on a “they’re wrong” attitude.

What I’ve learned now is that most government leaders are doing their best with the information they have in order to make some very hard decisions on often very complicated issues. When we can separate our discernment from the political spirit we’re empowered to vote with a hope-filled attitude.

Let’s unpack this by drawing from wisdom from the book of Nehemiah. I can see clearly how God deposits hope in the dark places of culture to motivate His people into being agents of change. In chapter 2:17-18 it says:

“Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.”

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he recognized the problem that the Israelites were living in. He acknowledged the trouble but quickly moved on to say, “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” Nehemiah demonstrated that even in recognizing the realities of dark times, God’s people have been created to shine and become a part of the solution.

There is a reason you have been empowered with a vote—so that creation itself will be set free from its bondage of decay and brought into glorious freedom (Romans 8:22). Your act of voting is a part of the solution of the sons of God being made manifest through the rebuilding of a government, culture, and economy that reflects Heaven’s!

A CALL TO ACTION

God cares greatly about governmental realities, and God is able to lead imperfect people in an extremely troubled world . He’s chosen to use us, His people, to impact and influence those realities! You’ve been given liberty and power to affect the race that you and your children’s children have been called to run. Engage in the race! Use your vote to impact your city, your state, and your nation.

For more insight on Bethel’s approach to impacting our city and culture, check out how we address our community needs in this article written by the San Francisco Chronicle or listen to this podcast where I discuss how to impact a city with the Daily Signal .

For those in California:

You can register and vote anytime between now and March 3rd, 2020.

Go to Vote.ca.gov in California to find out where you can register and vote on the same day between now and on Election Day.

If you are in Shasta County, head down to the County Clerks office at 1643 Market St and register and vote the same day. If you want to change your vote you can exchange your ballot there as well. If you want to turn in your absentee ballot and track that ballot, go to ShastaVotes.org and you can track your ballot to make sure it safely arrived and has been counted.

Idiots Everywhere? Try These 3 Ways to Find Real Friends!

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 00:38:00 GMT

SURROUNDED BY IDIOTS

If you want to be truly successful in life, aside from serving Jesus, the single most effective thing you can do is to choose your closest friends wisely. Chaplain Ronnie Melancon said, “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.” As a Believer, I think everyone deserves to be loved and cared for. In fact, Jesus said that loving the unlovely is required of anyone who follows Him (Matthew 5:45-48). Yet, who we allow to influence us determines much of our life’s ultimate destination. In fact, I wrote a blog about the fine line between loving well and surrounding yourself with idiots .

My question for you today is this: if our inner circle of influence is so important, then why do so many of us hang around with fools?

If you’re struggling to build success in your life, find yourself surrounded by small-minded people, or feel like the community you’ve cultivated fails to bring about the best in you, I want to challenge your perspective on friendships today! In fact, I believe this key is so powerful that it can unlock, activate and propel you into greater kingdom impact in every area of your life!

WHY IS IT HARD FOR YOU TO LET GO OF THE FOOLS?

Solomon wrote, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm,” (Proverbs 13:20). The apostle Paul echoed his sentiment when he said, “Bad company corrupts good morals,” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

So what keeps us tethered to relationships that are hurting our God-given futures? I think the answer is three-fold:

1. We don’t know how to set boundaries with people. What I mean is, we are terrified of offending them, and so we are the victims of other people’s desires. We feel the need to accommodate everyone, and consequently, other people dictate our destiny!

2. We don’t know who we are, so hanging out with fools feels comfortable, familiar, and even reassuring. Reassuring in that being in the company of little people can make us feel big, but it’s comparative righteousness. The standard we are using to measure our progress is deceptive.

Greatness isn’t a factor of comparison, but rather the result of our inner nobility which is proactively cultivated in secret; while nobody is watching. Small people are defined by the fact that they compare themselves, by themselves, which ultimately relegates them to the size of the crowd.

Most of us are unaware that best-friending complainers, grumblers, victims, and pessimists are infecting our expectations and derailing our destiny.

3. Often the biggest challenge we encounter is that birds of a feather flock together. If we grew up on a chicken farm we tend not to know any eagles. Furthermore, eagles are pretty selective about who they let nest next to them...that’s why they are eagles. So finding new, healthy friends can be a slow grueling process.

MAKING GOOD FRIEND S IS OFTEN A PROCESS

“Great Kris...thanks a lot for nothing,” you may protest!

Okay, wait a minute before you get your hemorrhoids in a knot! I said it’s tough to make friends with noble people, but it’s not impossible. It probably will take a proactive strategy , so let me give you a few insights that might make it easier:

1. Great people are not necessarily famous or public people. Trying to befriend a famous or public person will greatly narrow your chances of connection. They are usually overly busy. (I think it’s important to note here that sometimes our attraction to famous people is unhealthy in that we are trying to get our identity from who we know instead of who we are).

Many great leaders are unknown by the crowd. It’s usually much easier to connect with a noble man or woman who doesn’t have a public profile. For example, Bill Derryberry is one of my spiritual fathers. He’s had a huge impact on my life. He is wise, experienced, and always has time for me, yet most people don’t know who he is.

2. Noble people want to spend their time wisely, so helping them understand how much you value their input is paramount in connecting with them.

I can’t tell you how many times people have asked for my advice then argue with me! Don’t ask a person’s opinion if you only value people who agree with you.

Another thing that drives me nuts is when people ask for my input and then don’t take any of it. I’ve given many people books to read, videos to watch, and information to research. The next time I meet with them they often haven’t done anything I’ve suggested.

If you want to build a relationship with a great leader, you will need to prove that you value their time and honor their input. One time I gave this guy my book, The Supernatural Ways of Royalty . A year later, the dude showed me his book and every page was filled with highlights and notes. I was so blown away by his love for me and his value for my opinion, so I was really glad I gave him the book. I do believe that if you let someone have oversight in your life they will have insight into your soul.

WAYS TO REFLECT ON THE INFLUENCERS IN YOUR LIFE

Ask yourself:

1. Are my friends helping me become a better leader?

2. Do I have friends that are more gifted, smarter, and experienced than I am?

3. Did I proactively choose my friends, or was it by happenstance?

4. Are my friends holding me back?

5. Can I name 3 friends that are making me better?

Your answers to these questions will change you forever! Visit them as your seasons in life change and they’ll help you to surround yourself with noble friends instead of fools. Do you struggle with letting go of the fools in your life? How do you plan to work through that? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

For more on community check out my book Destined To Win where I discuss why finding your people is imperative to finding your destiny, along with seven core values for building up kingdom-catalytic community around you.

How to Give What People Really Want This Valentine’s Day

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 18:50:00 GMT

DIVINE ROM ANCE

Regardless of where you stand on February 14th, I’d like to propose that Valentine's Day wooing and gift-giving isn’t the gift that anyone really wants. Let me be clear, I’m not against modern-day Valentine’s...I mean, can a box of chocolates cover a multitude of sins? Maybe for the short moment it takes to devour it. But superficial love will always demand more and is never satisfied.

Let’s unpack this with a Valentine’s Day fun fact that you may or may not know:

Valentine’s Day Fun Fact: Saint Valentine, whom Valentines Day honors, was most likely a pastor or bishop in a Roman province in northern Africa around 275 A.D. He was ultimately arrested, and eventually beheaded for his illegal-at-the-time Christian beliefs and his unyielding commitment to perform public weddings for the Christian community.

I’d like to propose that the kind of love Valentine publicly demonstrated was far greater than the type of love that his name is synonymous with today! He demonstrated a love for others that was radically risky, intentionally invested, and truly transformational.

EROS VS. AGAPE

Valentine’s day as we know it is primarily relegated to the celebration of eros (erotic love). In contrast, the type of love Saint Valentine demonstrated with his life (and death) was agape love—God’s love embodied. Agape love is always attached to action and is transformative in nature!

We see examples of agape love (love attached to transformative action) all throughout the Scripture. Here are a few:

“In the beginning God created ...” (Genesis 1:1) God took action and created man in His own image because He wanted eternal companionship. He didn’t need our fellowship, but He desired it.

“For God so loved the world that He gave …” (John 3:16) God knew that true love void of action would never deliver His people into lasting freedom from bondage. So, He gave the ultimate gift of love–His son, Jesus.

“ He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior…” (Titus 3:6) God’s love in action is demonstrated daily towards us through signs and wonders, miracles, healings, hearing His voice and prophetic words of encouragement, intervention, provision, deliverance, and blessing beyond our expectation.

Agape love is the power to revolutionize a life because there is always authentic action attached to it!

THINKING DIFFERENTLY

I’ve had this question burning within me for a very long time—what would happen if the people of God were actually known for their love? I’d like to propose that God’s people moving in the transformative power of His love would look a whole lot like Isaiah 61:1-2,4; the brokenhearted and those held captive set free in a moment (vs.1); the lovers of God prophesying and proclaiming that the Lord’s favor is upon them (vs. 2); the delivered who were once demonized and destitute now repairing and rebuilding the world around them (vs. 4). This is how God’s glorious love being demonstrated through you brings true cultural transformation .

Let’s get really practical here for a moment. When we read scriptures like Isaiah 61, we generally apply it to people outside of those who are in our day-to-day lives. Ask yourself this: if those you are currently in a relationship with aren’t experiencing God’s perfect love that casts out all fear (1 John 4:18), then how do you suggest strangers will encounter it?
1 John 4:20 says that if you hate your brother then claim to love God is a lie. In other words, God expects that the relationships closest to us will encounter His love through us. Did you catch the anticipation that something is supposed to happen through you because of the love that you possess?
My point in all this is to say that tossing a box of chocolates to your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day or being all-talk-with-no-authentic-action is not, and will never be, the secret sauce for the kind of revolutionary love that you’re capable of, let alone genuine adoration.

A VALENTINE CHALLENGE AND PRAYER

What if Valentine’s Day became known as a day when a revival of God’s unfathomable love broke out? Of course, this should be an everyday occurrence, but what if today, February 14th, 2020, was a day marked in history because God’s people exemplified such wild transformative affection that people’s lives were permanently improved?

What if today you set aside the candy and the cards, and gave yourself instead? Maybe, let down your walls, open up your heart, and prophesy and proclaim that the favor of the Lord has come to those that you love?

What if you chose to forgive one more time and committed to living a life unoffendable?

What if you took the time to lay hands on your loved ones that are sick and declare healing over their bodies?

I challenge you with this final question, what immediate impact would you see in your life because of true love being demonstrated through you?

I pray that you will abide in the anticipation that something glorious can always happen when you are near because you impart God’s great love to all those around you!

Kathy and I would like to wish you all out there a Happy Valentine’s Day. We truly keep you in our prayers and believe that God sees you, knows you, and deeply loves you!

For an insightful read on love, marriage, and sexuality, check out the book, Moral Revolution that I co-wrote with my son Jason Vallotton or visit the Moral Revolution website for hundreds of resources that equip and empower society to live in relational wholeness.

How to Work With Angels in Your God-assignment

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 19:21:00 GMT

SUBMISSION TO THE MISSION

Did you know that angels are mentioned more than 190 times in the New Testament alone? We’ve read about these celestial beings opening prison doors (Acts 12:7-10), delivering messages from God (Luke 1:5-38), and showing up in people’s dreams (Genesis 31:11), but are angels among us today? Right now, going unseen, there are angels on assignment for people, young and old, in various roles and jobs; some angels are actively working within specific industries, over regions, and even assigned to entire countries. It is my personal conviction that God is still deploying angels on your behalf, and that they are eager and ready to supernaturally usher in heaven’s resources for your preparation, provision, and protection.

I had firsthand experience working with angels in 1986 while living in Trinity County. My friend Paul Schmidt and I were ministering at our local convalescent hospital early every Sunday morning. Paul was a strong believer, a body builder, and a deputy sheriff. One morning we were standing outside the hospital praying before we went in to minister. As we prayed I heard myself say aloud to Paul, “The Lord says that you are going to be the next sheriff of Trinity County!”

In the months that followed, Paul decided to run for sheriff and I became his campaign manager. We campaigned hard for months. The night of the primary election all the campaign workers went down to the courthouse to watch the Lord work through the election. We were hoping to cheer as we watched the election results come in but there would be no cheering that night, because Paul lost the primaries by a mile. Our entire team left the courthouse crushed and discouraged. I personally felt humiliated and guilty, thinking that I must have got the prophetic word wrong.

A few days later, very early on a Saturday morning, the phone rang. Half asleep, I answered the phone and a voice on the other end said, “Hey, I am going to run for sheriff as a write-in candidate! What do you think?” It was Paul, and I was in no mood for more humiliation. “I think you’re crazy ,” I yelled into the phone. “You took fourth place when you were on the ballot. How would you have any kind of chance when people would have to remember to write you in? You’re nuts!”

“God said I am supposed to be the next sheriff and I need to finish this race. Will you help me?” he pressed.

Paul did end up running as a write-in candidate and I continued being his manager. The week before the election we commissioned Paul as the next Sheriff of Trinity County at church.

I want to explain what I mean when I say that we commissioned Paul. To be commissioned means that you come into submission to the Father’s mission; co-mission: a mission together with God. As a church, we gathered in agreement with the prophetic word that Paul would be the next sheriff of Trinity county, and we prayed over him, sending him out to fulfill the assignment that God had placed on his life. It’s common to find throughout scripture and in our walk of faith today that physical acts of agreement often release spiritual realities.

On the day of the election, if Paul were to win, people would be required to write his name in on the ballot. We couldn’t have any campaign signs anywhere within 1,000 feet of a polling place, so any last ditch campaigning efforts weren’t an option. We simply had to wait and watch. After the vote was closed and when the news report finally came in, it read, “Paul Schmidt Wins Landslide Victory as a Write-In Candidate!”

We were stunned! Over the next several weeks, strange stories began to emerge from our community. Many people who went into the booths to vote for another candidate ended up having crazy experiences. Some said they couldn’t get the lever on the machine to pull down and punch the card for either of the sheriff candidates, so they decided to write Paul’s name in. Others said that when they got into the booth, a voice spoke to them and said, “Write in Paul Schmidt!” Many had dreams the night before in which they were instructed to vote for Paul. Several citizens who came out with ads in the paper in support of one of the other candidates also had these experiences and changed their minds in the voting booth. These stories continued to emerge for months. Many of these people were not Christians. Paul became our sheriff and held the office for 16 years. The question is, what really happened on that election day?

COMMISIONING ANGELS

Much like the stories we read throughout the Bible, the Lord sent His angels to Trinity County to make sure the word that God spoke over Paul Schmidt would come to pass. The angels were very busy that day. Some had to restrain the levers on voting machines. Others had to make sure people who insisted on voting for someone else couldn’t leave their houses. There were angels who talked to people in the booths and angels who came to people in dreams. Heaven invaded earth that day!

One of the most common ways angels are commissioned is through prayer and prophecy. Angels perform the word of God that is proclaimed by the voice of the Lord. The Church is His voice that declares His word on earth. God’s angels become the agents of change whenever prophecies require events to be altered, things to be accomplished, or wars to be won. Hebrews says that the angels are servants to the children of God:

But to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet?” Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:13-14)

Also, consider the words of the psalmist:

Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul! (Psalm 103:20–22)

Let me be clear, I don’t think this means that we order angels around, telling them what to do; I simply am saying that when we pray and prophesy in the name of the Lord, the angels are CO-Missioned to carry out our prophecies. Meaning, they are submitted to God’s mission; heeding His word being spoken on the Earth and fulfilling our prophecies!

TRUE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

Paul teaches us that angels recognize true spiritual authority (1 Corinthians 11:4,10).

True spiritual authority happens when you have come into submission, and therefore you’ve been commissioned to have angelic help. It’s not gift-based authority, it’s determined by who you are in submission to. What I’m getting at is, whether God’s commissioned you to be responsible for a multi-billion dollar business or empowered you to mother the next generation in your home, once you take ownership of that assignment on your life (submission to God’s mission), you will step into true spiritual authority which releases the supernatural aid and resources God has placed on that assignment for your success.

For example, The Holy Spirit commissioned the apostle Paul, and the apostles at Jerusalem sent him out (see Acts 15:22–25). Subsequently, Paul’s ministry witnessed the effectiveness of being under a covering that comes from submission to true spiritual authority that angles are assigned to.

The difference between people who are under true spiritual authority and those who are not is evident! Just look at the contrast between Paul’s ministry and the Jewish priest Sceva’s sons in Acts 19:11-16. Paul’s handkerchief had more power than the seven sons of Sceva using Jesus’ name. It is hard to imagine that demons recognized Paul’s handkerchief and fled people’s once possessed bodies but refused to depart when this priest’s seven sons tried to cast them out using the name of Jesus. But that is what happened!

The demon’s words were quite startling: “I recognize Jesus, and we know about Paul, but who are you?” (verse 15). True spiritual authority causes not only the angels to supernaturally help us perform God’s will, but even demons must obey those who are commissioned by God!

WERE YOU SENT OUT?

It’s imperative that we understand that Paul was not only commissioned by God to be an apostle (apostle means “sent out one”), but he also came into submission to God’s apostolic leaders where they acknowledged the calling of God on Paul’s life by “sending him out” to the Gentiles to teach and preach the word of God.

Just like my friend Paul Schmidt, who was commissioned by God to become Trinity county’s next sheriff in 1986, the church acknowledged his calling. As an act of faith, we gathered in agreement with God’s word and we prayerfully “sent him out” to face what should have been an impossible election, but ultimately a victorious one because of the angelic help that God assigned to his calling.

Where have all the angels gone in the twenty-first-century Church? The challenge is that globally the church can be like a rebel without a cause. I often see people do what they want to do, where they want to do it. Too often, they plant churches, yet no one sent them. Sadly, they aren’t connected to anyone. The consequence? They compete with the guy across the street who did the same thing...yet, it’s a kingdom divided, and they wonder why they aren’t seeing angelic intervention, miracles in their ministry, or supernatural breakthrough in the lives of those they lead. So the question isn't where have all the angels gone, rather my question for the rogue roamers out there is: did you just go, or were you actually sent? And, do the angels recognize your authority? When we are under God’s authority, which includes being under His appointed leaders , the angelic hosts that are assigned to that mission of God accompany us on our journey.

MY PRAYER FOR YOU

I’m sure you know what it feels like to know deep down that you are called to something great, but the pain can be crippling when you feel alone, without a tribe to support and send you out! Perhaps you’re stalled out by doubt and feel your destiny has been put on hold. Regardless of how you may be feeling, God has assigned angelic help to inject your heart with radical hope, bold faith, and unyielding determination!

My prayer for you today is that you’ll begin to recognize what and who accompanies your yes to God!

To the moms who are shuffling schedules and meeting the demands of a growing family; to the young ones who may feel lost navigating life; to any and all who don’t feel they’ve been commissioned by God, I release a co-mission over you . That you would be in submission to God’s mission, and you would be commissioned; that you would recognize the influence God’s given you and move forward in destiny, in purpose and prosperity, and in true spiritual authority, in Jesus’ name!

Lastly, to the zealous ones–those of you who may be off on your own, or know the Holy Spirit has called you but you haven't been sent out yet: God has a people group for you! When you find your people, you’ll find your destiny! I believe the Holy Spirit is already working on your behalf right now to bring into your life the healthy connections that you need to accomplish your heavenly assignment. He is reconciling, restoring, and reviving communities so that God's people can walk in the fullness of their co-mission with God!

Have you experienced angelic intervention? Share your experiences with me in the comments below!

To understand more on the topic of angels and true spiritual authority, check out my book Heavy Rain .

4 Ways to Conquer the Connection Killer

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 22:49:00 GMT

WHY IT CAN BE HARD TO CONNECT

If you’ve ever tried to connect with a friend or family member and found yourself consistently bumping up against their defensiveness or anxiety as they scramble to do whatever it takes to make their felt embarrassment go away, it’s likely that they are struggling with a ton of shame. Humanity was created for connection ; not just for the sake of survival, but to thrive as well, and shame is ravaging the God-ordained connections that we all desire and need.

Shame is the rotting root of many relationships and is the connection killer that prevents us from having positive, loving, and healthy connections. It will seduce you into secrecy, insist on silencing your voice, and ultimately result in self-hatred. Over time, shame develops a myopic perspective that everyone around you is judging you. Sound familiar? Being in a relationship with someone who struggles with shame can feel isolating, frustrating, and even hopeless as we make attempts to connect without being able to pass through the lens of shame our loved one is dealing with.

How do we overcome what can feel like a mammoth mountain of disconnection and come out on the other side to find true connection and love in our relationships?

It’s not easy building connection with those we love when we have to plow through their shame in order to do it. But remember, our struggle is not against flesh and blood...but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Not reacting negatively to those who are debilitated by shame and therefore impending self-hatred requires intentional practice and persistence; it also takes genuine love. To help you push past the force of shame and find meaningful, authentic connections with your loved ones, here are four action steps to take:

4 WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE IN SHAME CONNECT AGAIN

1) Remember where you came from. It’s impossible to build connection without humility, empathy, and compassion. The truth is, many years ago I struggled with shame —I understand first-hand the feeling of being judged and therefore isolating myself from those whose opinions of me I feared. This is something we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives. Humbling myself and remembering where I came from (not staying there, but simply remembering) allows me to be empathetic and compassionate towards what others stuck in shame may be going through. Compassion disarms shame so that we can build genuine connections with people.

2) Nobody likes a braggart. There’s really no need to parade our accomplishments around in the face of the broken. Sometimes in our well-meaning efforts to motivate and encourage, we flash around our shiny accomplishments but this only reinforces to those battling with shame that they are less-than. Let me be clear, I’m not saying that we need to

silence the testimony of Jesus Christ and what walking in relationship with Him brings, I’m simply imploring us to use some emotional intelligence and understand that the point is to build connection. The Bible is clear that it’s never been our accolades nor our accomplishments that brought us into a relationship with God, rather it is God’s kindness that leads us into repentance (Romans 2:4). In other words, kindness has the power to turn destructive mindsets around (repentance); and truly, we could all use a little more kindness in our lives.

3) Give hope without conditions. Sometimes in our zeal to give people hope, we unintentionally send the message that they need to change to be loved and accepted. People battling shame see themselves and their lifestyles as a problem, so they focus on areas where they will potentially be judged and isolate themselves. In order to rebuild any connection that shame is attempting to deteriorate, you have to be certain that connection isn’t about correction, and rather meet people where they are without judgment.

4) Show a genuine interest in their lives. It can be challenging to find interest in people’s lives when they aren’t motivated, seem to be stuck in the mundane, or lack vision for their life. Beyond that, often when people live in shame, fantasy becomes a way they sustain themselves and numb the terrible pain of reality, making it even harder to connect. For instance, a close family member, let’s call him John, believes he’s going to win the lottery. I don’t just mean he is hopeful that he may win the lottery one day, I mean he believes it’s going to happen at any point. He’s literally looking for his ticket out of poverty. In truth, he’s looking for his ticket out of shame.

Sometimes, in an effort to connect, we take away people’s fantasies because we don’t want to agree with delusion, but all that does is leave them with no place to go and it pulls them further into shame. Show genuine interest in people by visiting their fantasy from time to time. Just listen, and you’ll discover subtle ways to be interested in their interests which will authentically restore connection.

THE ULTIMATE WAY TO CONQUER SHAME

The ultimate way to conquer shame comes through our willingness to be vulnerable. Being open with our emotions and our needs requires risk, but vulnerability is the healing salve for restoring connection. The apostle Paul wrote, “We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well ” (1 Thessalonians 2:8). He was willing to let his friends see the real him in every facet (emotional exposure as well as his failures and his successes).
If we desire healthy, whole, connection in our relationships then we must live open-hearted lives, without shame, and we must be relentless to rebuild connection in the relationships that shame has attempted to destroy. Brené Brown puts it perfectly, “vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
Whether you’re isolating yourself from connection with others or you are struggling to connect with those who may be trapped in the snare of shame, I want to encourage you that being vulnerable (confessing your sins with one another and living your lives open) is the courageous step that needs to be taken to not only overcome shame but to regain connection in your relationships.
Do you have any testimonies of overcoming shame in your relationships in order to find connection? Are you currently praying to overcome relational disconnections in your life? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
To understand the difference between shame and conviction, read my blog The Most Underrated Weapon Of the Enemy , or to gain more insight on the power of connection, check out my podcast: The Power of Shame, Compassion, and Connection .

3 Ways to Be a Person Who Actually Changes the World

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 01:30:00 GMT

I’m concerned that the world-changers have become weary! We all wish we could make an impact on the world that leaves a defining imprint of our lives on the history of families, cities, and nations. It’s an inspiring idea yet many people find themselves stuck in the mundane, waiting for a movement-maker to call them out into a greater story. Why do we hold back from the inner-knowing that we are created for something bigger than ourselves? What keeps us from stepping out into the unknown-yet-thrilling adventure of life as a leader?

The challenge is that false humility and low self-esteem are plaguing the church today. False humility strips away our boldness and our God-given anointing. It’s the lie that says if we were great we would steal God’s glory, so we settle for a reduced version of ourselves which fosters low self-esteem. I’d like to remind you that it’s impossible to steal God’s glory when it was given to you! (John 17:22)

Low self-esteem causes us to shy away or crumble in the defining moments of life. Yet true world-changers face fear with both fortitude and faith. A prime example of one life that altered the course of history occurred in 1955. A forty-two-year-old black woman, exhausted from a hard day at work, refused to sit in the back of the transit bus. The southern bus driver warned her that her defiance would be cause for him to call the police and have her arrested. But she had had enough of white bigotry. She resented being judged by the color of her skin instead of by the integrity of her heart, so she steadfastly refused to move. Her name was Rosa Parks.

Rosa wasn’t a part of a movement because there was no movement at the time. Instead, Rosa stepped out of the crowd and made the call. Ms. Parks put her shoulder into the boulder of history, gave it a shove and history moved! She didn’t just cause a movement, she catalyzed forward motion.

WILL YOU DECIDE TO CHANGE THE WORLD?

Like it or not, we all, at some point in our lives, will be challenged to rise up and take a stand just like Ms. Rosa Parks . If we want to be history makers, I believe we need to embrace the following core values of world-changers:

1) Courage

Fear is the most socially accepted sin in the church. Every year at the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, I do an exercise to confront fear within our students. I ask them to write down what they would do if they were ten times bolder. After a few moments, I point out to them that if they’ve written anything down, then they have sadly partnered with fear in some area of their lives. Boldness doesn’t develop in you through wishing you were bolder. It develops in you through purposed, practical and often pre-determined action.

Remember the mindset of a world changer is not to avoid fear at all cost, rather it’s recognizing the presence of fear yet moving forward in spite of it. This is how the core value of courage is developed within you. When it comes to going after what God has called you to, confronting fear is an opportunity to experience your God-given authority in action.

2) Risk

The dogs of doom bark at the doors of your destiny . In order to drown out the snarls of utter doom, it requires that you take up supernatural faith. To step through the doors of the calling that God has on your life, it will require coming face to face with the fear and shame that comes along with the potential of failure. The life of a world changer requires risk and learning how to fail well.

An interesting thing is that most often it’s not what happens in our lives that scare us. Rather, it’s the stories we make up about what could happen that actually cultivate fear. To develop a core value of taking risk, entertaining thoughts that reduce you to your fears must stop! If you are going to apprehend all that God has for your life, it requires that risk be viewed through God’s perspective plan to “prosper you and not to harm you... to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

3) Perseverance

Step up! Even when you don’t feel like it. Romans 15:4 says, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Perseverance is persistence. It’s rooted in unwavering hope, and as we can see in this verse when it’s combined with the encouragement that is found throughout the living Word, something amazing happens…. When you couple God’s Word with never giving up, you’ll find a tenacity growing within you that refuses to allow fear to delay your destiny. This is key to apprehending your heavenly call and making a noted impact on the world around you. In other words, if you want to change the world, you must decide to be a person who perseveres through challenges, the storms of life, the voices that would try to silence you and any force that would defy God’s plan and purpose to prosper you.

Building the muscle of perseverance only happens when you place your hope in what God says is true about your life and don’t delay on the present promises God has spoken over you.

Later in life, Rosa Parks wrote, “Without a vision the people perish but without courage dreams die.” Imagine a world where Rosa Parks bowed to the societal opinion of her innate value! Rosa Parks is a hero in history and is an example that it just takes one to change the world. Are you that one?

Take my world-changer assessment quiz to gain awareness of what may be impacting your ability to influence and change the world in which you’re destined to make a difference!

MY PRAYER FOR THE WORLD CHANGER IN YOU

Today I want to pray for a supernaturally courageous spirit to be on your life, and for a spirit of boldness to encapsulate every challenge or fear you may be facing. Lord, I ask that you would awaken us to our dreams and help us to look at obstacles with a new spirit of perseverance. God, give us vision for the legacy we are leaving on earth, that we would have a burning hope and urgency to create a better world for our children and children’s children. Jesus, give us righteous indignance about our life purposes; that we would be filled with faith to believe what You say about us. Bless us with a gift of boldness and perseverance, and may we be the bravest risk-takers the world has ever seen! Amen!

I want to challenge you today to be the kind of person who does not give up! What is something that you’re persevering for or taking a risk in? I’d love to hear about it in the comments so that my team and I can join you in prayer!