The Economic Crisis and Our Faith

As I've said before, I am always listening for the Holy Spirit to bring to my attention various blog topics. Today was no exception. I already knew that I needed to address the growing economic crisis in our nation. After all, you have to have your head in the sand if you aren't aware that our nation is facing a time of intense difficulty and doubt in our financial system. Yes, we've faced it before; in 1929 and most recently, in 2008. The response has always been government intervention in the form of bailouts, buyouts, or the printing of more money (as in just adding more zeros to the fabricated bank ledgers).  

In full disclosure, I am not a financial expert and I am not qualified to give financial advice, but I'm smart enough to know that our financial standing in the world is falling at a drastic rate; we haven't managed our national debt at all; the markets are being manipulated to benefit the powerful and the global elites; and none of it is good for the common man. From what I am gleaning from the talking heads, this latest financial debacle has brought us to the point where our backs are against the wall. Every solution only leads to more debt, higher inflation, and the likelihood of a recession [or even a depression] that will affect the whole world. 

You can feel the panic in the air. Banks are being overrun with phone calls inquiring about the safety of their money. But don't worry, the Big Boys have already got theirs. What we need to worry about is that their greed may likely lead to financial pain for the rest of us. But we have to own up to the part we've played, too. Let's face it ... both the US government and the average American household has been living beyond their means for far too long. With the banks failing, there is no one to finance the lifestyles we've become accustomed to [even though a lot of us could not afford them]. We've always relied on Uncle Sam to come to the rescue, but he's run out of options -- foreign governments no longer want to loan to us, and the value of the dollar is declining faster than we can print it. Now it's time to pay the piper. But if we all cut back on our spending and are forced to live within our means [and most likely way beneath our means], then a recession is likely, and the future no longer looks bright.

So, I've been contemplating this financial turmoil that is threatening to engulf us all and wondering, first of all, how do I look at this from my Biblical perspective? We know that Jesus warned us about the love of money and making it an idol. But maybe it's time we all ask ourselves the crucial question: In 2008, author Mario Seiglie posted an article on that financial crisis in Beyond Today, and asked, "What is our true currency? It shouldn't be money, but faith. If we are faithful to God, He will provide. In a period of widespread famine, He fed the prophet Elijah through ravens bringing him food for many days. God can intervene in many ways to provide for His obedient and faithful servants". 

It's now 15 years later, and the financial ground we stand on is even more unstable. This current crisis threatens to affect the entire world. The merchants of the earth are in fear of a total collapse. Is this leading to the End Times prophecy spoken of in Revelation 17-19, when the political and economic systems of the world fall into great upheaval, and the kings of the earth collaborate with a dominant leader and give him their power and authority to bring order out of the chaos? No one can accurately predict that at this moment. BUT, when the peoples of the world [and their leaders] become desperate, they will be willing to give away their freedoms to a "savior" figure. In the case of world leaders they will only be too willing to share their power with anyone who can promise a return to security and prosperity. And the Bible tells us that there will be a powerful and influential person only too willing to step into that role and exploit global depressions and the aftermath of economic destruction that are the natural consequences of the wars that will follow. We only have to look at Hitler to see what the Bible says this person will look like.

We may not be able to predict when that Biblical truth will play out, but our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, tells us to "keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability [to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming]." And just like the parable of the fig tree, we are to recognize the season of such troubles, and know that it is near [Matthew 24:32-34]. When we see those signs it will be most important that the currency we trade in is our faith. 

It is our faith that will give us hope, just as Jesus tells the Church at Sardis in Revelation 3:10: Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth. It will be our assignment as the Ekklesia and as ambassadors of Heaven, to encourage and reassure those [both Christians and non-believers] who will be shattered and crushed because they won't know their place in a world caught up in uproar and pandemonium. It will be our faith that will see us through and enable us to endure the dark days, knowing that our protection, security, and victory lies in the measure of faith we have been storing up for just such a time as this. We will remain faithful and strong, and we will pass the test! 

#economiccrisis #faithintimesoftrouble #trustingjesus 

Romans 8:18   For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!

 

All Hail The Righteous Men!

 

I'd like to think that I am not the only woman in America that longs for the days when men were celebrated for their strong, masculine traits -- when terms like "toxic masculinity" were not in our lexicon, and adjectives like violent, misogynist, and homophobic were not automatically associated with successful, confident men. I'd like to return to a time when traditional male traits were not equated with causing harm to society or limiting feminine goals or being accused of intimidation by force. 

Maybe it's because I remember what it was like to look upon men as heroes and warriors; men who stood for moral courage and boldness; who were fearless in defending the defenseless and willing to show strength in the face of evil. But these kinds of men were also gentlemen, with a combination of qualities like honor, courtesy, and justice; men who were also able to exhibit love and tenderness while protecting those they held dear. Thank God these kinds of men still exist among us, but I decry the "woke" generation's attempt to eliminate them from our social fabric. And it is because I have lived through decades watching this degeneration of the male image that I want to praise "real men" who are not afraid to be what they were created to be.

And I'm deliberately using the phrase "created to be", because I believe God had a specific plan when He "created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them". You see, I still believe in what Holy Spirit empowered John the Baptist's father Zacharias to prophesy over his unborn son, and I think it shows what God intends His creation of man to be. It certainly shows the characteristics of His Son, Jesus, who [as the Bible reveals in His totality] is the model of a perfect man; descriptors like Mighty, Valiant, Merciful, Holy (Set apart), Righteous, Knowledgeable, Forgiving, a man of Peace, and a Warrior. 

As I scrolled through the Web, trying to figure out how and when our culture began to redefine what made a man, the overwhelming majority of topics spoke of the inequality of the sexes; how our gender stereotypes need to be altered; and the negative impact of stereotypical expectations of masculinity on boys and men. That's where the culture is going on this topic. 

And in my opinion, perhaps the desire to question the definition of masculinity began after the Vietnam War, when for the first time in our country's history, there was definite opposition to the image of the American male as the moral protector of innocent people and a righteous warrior against evil. But, if we are honest with ourselves, that open opposition and debate marked the beginning of our cultural decline and open rebellion against God. I can just imagine the delight Satan took in watching us turn our back on what had been the traditional role of men for centuries.

In a 2015 blog post, I described this cultural shift: "If, like me, you are "of a certain age", then you are most likely becoming discouraged about our culture's disparagement of manhood. Our little boys are dissuaded against playing with toy guns; of displaying any form of aggression or boldness; and of emphasizing their decidedly genetic tendencies to protect "the fairer sex". For pity's sake, they can't even point a fake finger gun at anyone without their school record classifying them as a "danger" for their entire academic career! 

We now live in an age where men are no longer allowed to be "men". They must now subject themselves to a lower status for all the years that they supposedly "kept women down."  The culture not only wants to blur the line between the sexes, but appears to promote the erasure of any line at all ... we are all free to "be" whatever we feel like on any particular day; and heaven forbid you are decidedly one sex or the other.  But you most definitely do not want to flaunt any characteristically male behavior.  No sir, that's strictly taboo these days, because, don't you know ... it always leads to unnecessary violence"!

And what it did was restrict the role of soldier, fighter, and protector to the confines of a computer screen. Little boys who had previously played "soldier" or "cops and robbers" to express their natural role of defender or guardian of morality were no longer allowed to act out those natural traits, but had to repress them and constrict them to a computer app. And, here we are, eight years later, and schools are forcing children to eliminate gender pronouns from their vocabulary; teachers with an agenda encourage children to consider gender reassignment therapy; and men dressed in suggestive female costumes entice and seduce children to take part in their fantasies during story time. 

So, it's time to remind the world of what I wrote about one courageous mom named Simcha Fisher; a mom with common sense and (whether she knows it or not), the wisdom to know that God made boys in His image.  In an article titled, Boys With Sticks, Fisher lays out her argument for letting "boys be boys".  She writes:  Are we so afraid of the power of violence to overtake us that we are uncomfortable with its harmless expression in children’s play?

Yes, we are, and it’s making a mess of the world. It doesn’t make violence go away when we always tell boys, ‘Put that stick down.’ Instead, it’s making a world where people -- boys and girls alike -- have no idea what to do about unjust violence. [And we have certainly seen how ugly that can get in these last few years].

Boys playing with sticks is not a meaningless game. It’s something that little boys absolutely must be allowed to do, if that’s how they want to play. A boy who wants to pick up a stick needs to know that he can, and he may, and that his affinity for sticks is not a bad thing. He needs to know that a stick is a powerful thing, and that the world needs men who know how to use their sticks. 

Ultimately, what we have done is effectively emasculated our boys and men into becoming ineffective warriors.  For, warriors is what they are called to be.  It may sound old-fashioned, but I can remember when men could take pride in being their wife’s protector; in being a father who provided for his family; or a brother who watched over his siblings -- when policemen were celebrated for their service to the public's welfare; and a soldier for defending his country. As trite and simplistic as it may sound, I am left wondering if the astounding popularity of shows like Outlander are not a result of both men and women longing for a return of warrior/heroes who aren't afraid to stand for right and wrong; who are willing to die to protect their wife and family; and who will remain immovable in the face of injustice and evil. 

Actually, that's a pretty smart play by the devil.  If he can convince us that without warriors, there will be no violence in the world, then he has leveled the playing field in our spiritual warfare.  Of course, you recognize that I am looking at this issue through my Biblical worldview.  But I don't believe my view is really that far off from Simcha Fisher, who says this about the warrior mindset:  Boys who are never allowed to be wild are boys who never learn how to control that wildness. Boys who are not allowed to whack, and be whacked, with sticks never learn what fighting is like. What’s so bad about that? Well, they may end up hitting someone weak, with no idea how much it hurts to be hit. Or they may end up standing by while the strong go after the weak – and have no idea that it’s their job to put a stop to it. 

While Simcha's statement may not perfectly align with my Biblical discernment of God's plan for His male creation, I certainly think her description of what it means to be a boy can yield the opportunities to learn both compassion and what it means to stand steadfast for righteousness and justice.  This is perfectly stated in Micah 6:8, which tells us, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  Of course, that last part is vitally important in accomplishing the first two admonitions.  And there is the unspoken truth that with these responsibilities as protector, provider, and warrior, God has set the boundaries for men ... it is all to be done to glorify Him. So little boys must be given rules to play by, and to know where their sense of power comes from. When we abandoned that important principle of male identity, we set chaos in motion in our society.

I must say that I am glad that I am of a generation that still honors the traditional roles of men and women.  I love knowing that my husband takes his role as my protector and provider seriously and with pride. His name actually means "Peace-loving Warrior" and he embodies those important traits of Biblical manhood.  I am thrilled to see my nephews following their calling as police officers. And I am encouraged by seeing my Godson [pictured above] live out the warrior spirit that is inherent in his young personality. This world is spiraling into increasing chaos and unmanageable violence. Satan has his warriors on the battlefield... we better be training up ours for the fight of our lives!

#whatitmeanstobeaman #Godlymen #Biblicalmasculinity #menaswarriors #longingforheroes #it'soktobeaman

1 Corinthians 16:13-14    Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
 

 

Being A Christian: The Light of Christ

I'm sure you have experienced this as I have ... when the subject of faith comes up, people often define themselves by saying, "I am a Christian". But what does that really mean to them? Is there a universal understanding of what makes someone a Christian? Does the person who describes him or herself with that designation have a fixed and unalterable idea of what the term means? I ask because I think it is important for the effectiveness of the Christian faith for those who identify as such to be able to discern and clarify the characteristics, attributes, and values of a Christian. 

When my husband and I are meeting someone who has been referred to our ministry, we take the time to sit and visit with them in order to make them comfortable with us, of course, but also to establish how they view and experience their faith. How a person views God will ultimately determine how they live their life on this earth, especially as a Christian. We explain, that the heart of our ministry is to partner with Jesus to help them attain the freedom and abundant life that He died to give them. We don't have any magic pill to make the pain of this world [or anger, fear, shame, or unworthiness, etc.] go away. We can only offer them Jesus, and we work within His guidelines.

Invariably, they respond with "I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus". Some can elucidate their faith quite well; showing an erudite understanding of God's expectations of the Christian life and His redemptive plan for all mankind through faith in His Son, Jesus. They know the history of this divine plan and they know the future that He promises us -- both the miracles, signs, wonders and eternal life, along with the struggles and persecution. Being a Christian to them is more than just a name. It's a condition of their heart and spirit.

Then there are those who say they are a Christian, and are Saved, yet when we ask, "If you were to die right now, are you certain you would go to Heaven", they are unable to say yes. Some will say they are a Christian, but express doubts concerning their salvation. But they identify as a Christian because "I come from a Christian family". 

I bring these thoughts up because I believe it is most important in this particular time in world history that we are in need of true Christians who follow the teachings, commandments, practices, and example of Jesus's life in order to overcome the evil that threatens our very existence. But for too many self-identifying Christians, it has become as simple as appropriating the label because they own a Bible or go to Church. In all honesty, that is probably how I started out on my "Christian walk". I didn't pursue Him out of a hungry spirit to know my Creator and my purpose. In fact, I didn't even realize that I couldn't just choose to become a Christian. I had to answer the invitation or calling on my life and then repent [or change the way I lived my life; viewing how I lived from my Heavenly Father's perspective]. That requires developing a real relationship with Him so I can hear His voice and begin the journey for His kingdom that I was sent here to do. And being baptized was an important part of changing from my old sinful existence into a new covenant by being born again by water and receiving the Holy Spirit, who would begin to counsel and teach me the spiritual truth of God and His Word. 

I submit to you that it is important for us to truly understand [and agree!] on what it means to be a Christian. Otherwise, it's too easy to settle for being religious or claiming that our excellent moral conduct is the standard that qualifies us to be a Christian. [And we know how hypocritical that can look to the lost who we are supposed to be showing, by example, why they should receive Jesus's invitation to follow Him]. Far too often, that only leads us to imitating our idea of what a Christian looks like, instead of imitating all that Jesus was and did. And that flawed imitation often leads to judgment of others, which can lead to the squelching or suppression of the movements of God among those He has called and invited to represent Him. That limits what God wants to do in His redemptive plan; what He can offer to elevate our understanding, relationship, and participation with Him. 

It's not about expecting everyone to look like our version of a Christian which can lead to comparisons and indictments of imperfect faith! God is so big and can do a mighty work with someone who does not look or act or sound like us. He didn't make us all from a cookie cutter mold, and the only comparison we should be making is whether a person resembles Jesus. Is he [or she] kind, righteous, modest, compassionate, trustworthy, forgiving, faithful, loving, discerning? Are they steadfast in the face of mistreatment, discrimination, or persecution; able to teach, prophecy and encourage? Unwilling to compromise their beliefs in the commands of God? Do they speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with reverence, seeking to share the Good News of their salvation and the kingdom that is theirs? No one can entirely embody the perfection that is Jesus. But if we can recognize a heart that focuses on following Him as much as is humanly possible, then I think that is the definition of a Christian.

I admit that I have not attained the fulfillment of that goal. None of us have. But I am continuing to pursue my purpose in God's plan, and I can certainly discern those who are trying to do the same. And I am willing to accept that God may be doing something different in someone else to show an attribute of Himself that I do not possess. And I trust the Holy Spirit to show me who is a true representative and spokesman, and who is a false mouthpiece of the enemy. I never want to inhibit a move of God in another's life, nor do I want to fall for lies and deception. A true Christian will be so in tune with the gifts of the Holy Spirit that there will be no doubts. 

Father, help us to take our focus off the world's definition of what it means to be a Christian. After all, the world didn't understand our faith after Christ's ascension in the first century, and we've had 2000 years to confuse the nature, scope and significance of our identity. Let us become what it originally meant ... "little Christ's". May we all become true imitators of all He was. Let the Enemy of God and his agents be put on notice that "as Jesus was, so shall we be". The world needs us to grow up into the maturity of being Your representatives and no longer compromise nor tolerate the strategies of the devil. Let us take off the Christian "mask" and reveal the true identity of a Christian ... a child of God; a spirit joined to Jesus; the temple of the Holy Spirit; a conqueror in Christ; a daughter/son of the King; a healer; part of a royal priesthood; an ambassador of Heaven and the Kingdom of God; the light of Christ; and so much more through the grace and faithfulness of our Lord. These attributes are far from complete, but I thank you for sending us to represent You, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in this place and this time. It is a privilege to submit all I am and all I have to Your cause. Amen!

#whatisachristian #meaningofchristian #representingjesus #littlechrists #christianmeaning #thelightofchrist

Ephesians 5:8    For once you were darkness, but now in union with the Lord, you are light. Walk as children of light.  

 

 

 

 

 

  

Don't Let Religion Limit the Freedom That Is Available in "Deliverance Ministries"

This is a very delicate subject, and I am going to try to be very careful as to how I express my opinion. I know that the use of a wrong word, or my failure to fully explain my experiences, or what I believe regarding Scripture can further the misunderstanding and debate over Deliverance Ministries. And it is very easy for the Body of Christ to become religious and divided over the terminology. I'd like to share what I find in the Bible on this subject, and to give a testament of my experiences in this realm of Christian ministry.

First of all, I want to say that there is so much opinion as to what constitutes "Deliverance." [I will speak to the controversy as to whether it is a biblical ministry in a moment]. The word Deliverance has different meanings to different people, and it can actually look and be understood differently, even by those who serve in this manner. Of course, it is probably most identified with casting demons or spirits out of a person, such as Jesus did with the Gadarene madman/demoniac. Let me be clear by saying that sanctified Christians will not be "possessed" by demons who have taken over their bodies -- unless they fall away from their faith and agree to that possession. Unsaved people can certainly become possessed, and are in need of having demons cast out, which can be an effective way to introduce them to the power of Jesus [in us] to set them free. Notice I said it is Jesus's power in us! I do not claim that any man can do it on his own.

But deliverance can also look like the tearing down of strongholds in one's life [or the demolishing of  deceptive thoughts/arguments/practices that the devil has convinced us to receive through our own sin, or through the sins committed against us]. In this case, we can partner with Jesus and the Holy Spirit to help and aid [minister to] the person to have an encounter with Jesus to refute those lies [that keep them "oppressed"] and hear His truth about who we are in Him. Once those strongholds are torn down and Jesus's Light can pour into the darkness we've been carrying around in our minds and souls, then we can cast out spirits of anger, shame, guilt, unworthiness etc. that we've been holding on to. These are very real low-level spirits/demons who are weakened when Jesus defeats the devil in our lives. This form of deliverance ministry is more often known as Inner Healing, and is what the Lord has so graciously given me and my husband as an assignment to serve His Kingdom. We are able to bring a fuller measure of freedom by destroying the strongholds, and then casting out the demons whose ability to oppress the person has been greatly reduced. 

So, I hope you can see just how confusing the term "Deliverance Ministry" can be, even within the ranks of those who have been called to serve in this manner. And I hope I've made it clear that there is a very distinctive difference between being "possessed" and being "oppressed". Now I want to address the Christians who will say that the use of the term "Deliverance Ministry" is not biblical. They will claim that Ephesians 4:11 gives a clear description of the ministries of the Church; namely, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Period. But that is not exactly what the Bible says. That is only part of a long sentence in which Paul teaches a bigger concept that we need to know regarding our service to our King. 

Paul relates that Jesus ascended into Heaven so that His Presence might fill the whole universe with the knowledge of Him. Then Paul talks about the purpose of the various offices [apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers] ... "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes". [Boldface emphasis is obviously mine]. The fullness of the purposes of those offices actually covers Ephesians 4:11-14! I believe it is deceptive to limit this important concept to just one verse.

I hope you will consider this thought: the Amplified version of Scripture actually tells us that it is Jesus, Himself, who "appoints" these important offices [or assignments] within the Body of Christ, and He has done so with a specific purpose: that they might "equip the saints for the work of ministry". After looking up the origins of the words "equip" and "ministry", this is what I am discerning ... Jesus places a calling on one's life in one of those five positions. Then the job of those offices is to equip [or perfect a person fully] to minister [or do works of service; to administer works of relief or aid in service to the Body of Christ]. So, the idea that Deliverance Ministry is not mentioned as a Jesus-appointed office does not negate the concept that we are all to become fully perfected [made complete] to provide relief or aid to our fellow Christians [and nonbelievers, too] from the spiritual attacks of the Enemy [or the "craftiness in deceitful schemes" that the devil loves to employ]. 

Furthermore, Jesus lists the casting out of demons as part of His Great Commission in Matthew 28. He tells the disciples to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you". And what did He command them to do? In Matthew 10, He says, "As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons". Jesus clearly states in John 14:12, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father". I believe that Jesus intends us to do the works of ministry that He did. And it is the assignment of those He has appointed within the Body of Christ to equip all saints to the ministry of these works. 

I would like to close this expository with the conclusion about Deliverance Ministry that was written on the Crosswalk website. The writer ended their article with this summation: "Are deliverance ministries biblical? I believe they are not. I do believe that we are in a spiritual battle daily, but there is no ministry or person who can “cure” us. Christians have the spirit of God in them, which leaves no room for demons to take up residence. God’s Word specifically tells us that He alone can save us from our sins. When we accept Him, we are free from our sin. Our sin may haunt us, but it can never control us because we are children of God".  

Let me respond to this opinion [which the writer is entitled to]. I consider my husband and myself to be "Inner Healing" ministers, which I would say is a form of Deliverance ministry. We would never say we could "cure" anyone of the spiritual issues that are part of their daily walk. And as previously stated in this post, if someone has received Jesus as their Savior, then they are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they cannot be "possessed", which is what I think the writer means when she says, there is "no room for demons to take up residence". But people can be "oppressed", or tormented by the lies, thoughts, and accusations [they hear in their minds] that the devil will try to get them to receive as their identity. We make it clear that we are not their Savior. Jesus is! 

But what we can do is help them to know who they are in Christ by inviting Jesus and Holy Spirit to be present and counter those lies with the truth about who Jesus says they are. I have been blessed to witness -- countless times -- the presence of Jesus who appears to a person's spirit to wash the effects of sin from their mind and emotions, and they hear [in their innermost parts] His voice tell them they are "loved", or call them "my Son or Daughter", or "you are clean"... any number of personal encounters with the only One who can set them free. We ALWAYS make it clear that it is His power that accomplishes their freedom from oppression. We are just His obedient servants to work with Him to make it possible for someone to walk away from their bondage.

Lastly, I want to address the comment, "When we accept Him, we are free from our sins. Our sin may haunt us, but it can never control us because we are children of God". How many wonderfully saved Christians are filling the Church pews, but are struggling with spiritual oppression? How many come to Church on Sunday filled with guilt or shame or anger because they are not living in freedom from molestation, adultery, pornography, addiction? Yes, they are haunted, but I also have seen many who are controlled by such spiritual attacks through their anger, bitterness, self-rejection and fear. 

Just because we have accepted Jesus as our Savior does not mean we are necessarily free of the oppression from the lies that Satan continues to whisper, and which steal our joy and peace He died to bring us. I believe Jesus wants us all, as His disciples, to be equipped to minister to our fellow Christians. And, just as He did, we can reach nonbelievers when we can introduce them to the healing power of Jesus that is in us. We just have to be willing to say, "Yes" to His invitation to minister as He did. As He said in John 14:12, we can do the things He did precisely because we have the same power in us that He did -- the Holy Spirit! And since He has gone to the Father, He is no longer here on the earth to do these freeing acts of service, so He needs us to work with Him [from Heaven] just as He worked with His Father [who was in Heaven].

I believe Jesus wants [and needs] us to fulfill this ministry as we get closer to His return. Satan and his demons know their time is short, and as many Christians as he can sideline and get off the battlefield, the more chance he has to cause destruction and chaos in the lives of Believers and nonbelievers, alike. Jesus died to set us free and give us life abundantly. Far too many people are open to oppression and torment as the days get darker. If we can become equipped by men and women whom Jesus has appointed to help us attain the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, then why would we deny this much-needed ministry to those who need it? Aren't we to grow up "in every way in Him"? 

I am so encouraged by the spiritual awakening and spirit of revival that is beginning to be manifested in the world. But I believe that Deliverance is an important adjunct to receiving the fullness of revival. When revival comes, the demons may rise up in opposition at the command of their leader to squelch the movement. It has been so since the beginning of time. Deliverance by qualified servants of Christ -- who have been trained and equipped for just such an assignment -- will allow the power of revival to flow unhindered and unrestrained; allowing it to reach its full potential. 

Without the option to receive Deliverance [if needed], the spiritual high of revival might become diminished by the spirit of bondage that still remains at the core of the person. As Pastor Greg Locke is quoted as saying on The Christian Post, "If you think back, every type of revival we had except one, there's never been a revival of deliverance," he continued. "As a matter of fact, you look at Azusa Street, the birthplace of the Pentecostal movement, it stopped, historically, because when deliverance began to break out, people didn't understand it. So they shut it down. You look at the Jesus Revolution, you look at Lonnie Frisbee, they didn't want to go into deliverance, and so [they] shut it down. It allowed him not to be able to fight his own demons and then not be able to move into deliverance."

Let us, as the Body of Christ, be willing to cast off the cloak of Religion and the spirit of fear to understand that whether Jesus was casting out a powerful demon in Gadara, or ministering to the woman at the well, the blind or the lame, He was portraying His ministry of Deliverance from the bondage of Satan. I want to do the things that He did! I want to work with Him to bring freedom to the lives of those who love Him! Let us not diminish His work in these times. We need His ministry in its fullness ... now more than ever! 

#deliverance #deliveranceministry #innerhealing #theministryofjesus  

Psalm 34:4  I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.

 

Daughters of the King: Rise Up! Protect and Uphold the Worth of Women!

I will admit that I didn't pay much attention to the recent celebration of International Women's Day (referred to as IWD) ... it's just never been on my radar, even though it has apparently been celebrated for over 100 years. That may have been because my spirit didn't identify with the socialist roots of its creation, nor the message of gender bias that have become woven into its modern commemoration. Don't get me wrong! I believe in the value of women and embrace my gender in all its strength, power and wisdom. I am proud to stand for the rights of women because I believe that our spiritual enemy, Satan, seeks to destroy our importance in God's redemptive plan for mankind. And my self-worth comes from who my Creator has revealed that I am to Him. 

But before I talk about my concerns regarding what I see as the attempt to eradicate the divine purpose of women, let me share a quick revelation that I just received this morning as I sat down to write this blog post. As you may or may not know, my husband and I have been anointed by God to offer an Inner Healing ministry to those who have spiritual wounds that keep them from achieving their purpose in life. More than once, someone has asked me if I knew there was a "huge angel" standing guard over me. They obviously could see in the spirit, what I could not. Although I couldn't see him, my spirit recognized the truth of what was revealed, and I have been confident that I truly do have a guardian angel because of the importance of helping people to be set free from their bondage. 

I then decided that I wanted to acknowledge this heavenly protector and asked Holy Spirit to reveal a name, so I could relate to him in a more personal way. The name I received was Ezer, knowing it meant "strength and power" in Hebrew. That seemed a fitting name for a guardian angel, right? And I was happy to accept that as the fullness of who he was. Well today, as I was meditating on what to write and doing research on the current state of the war against women, I ran across this statement on a website called The Herald: "Genesis 2 says Eve was made to be a helper, or an ezer in the original Hebrew language. Ezer shows up 21 times in the Old Testament, including 16 times as a description of God, Himself. Those references are strong and kind --- they are in relation to war, overcoming oppression, and defending and rescuing God's people".  Because our ministry involves spiritual warfare in the lives of all people (Believer and nonbeliever, alike), I am grateful that God has assigned Ezer to me. 

That being said, I am discerning that we need legions of guardian angels to protect the divine creation of women. There is a worldwide agenda that is seeking to redefine what it is to be a woman. And they are starting with our children. The website, Christianconcern.com, recently published an article that reported parents of a 4-year-old child enrolled in a Church of England primary school withdrew their child after the school promoted a book, titled "My Shadow is Pink". Parents were told [without consultation] that the book would be used as "a stimulus for the day", encouraging children to change what they wear as an expression of their inner gender identity that is their true self [the shadows]. The book is promoted by an extreme education group, who undertake training in schools with the aim of "smashing heretonormativity" [which is the Biblical model of men and women, and the alignment of biological sex, sexuality, gender identity and gender roles].

There are increasing testimonies from parents who are confronting school official wjp are departing from traditional and Biblical teachings on sexual identity. The education system and curriculum are being weaponized against parents in order to cause confusion among our children as to their gender identity and to further the transgender ideology. Parents who believe that we are born either male or female are being silenced. There is a concerted effort to erase the biological differences between boys and girls, and it seems to me this confusion is heavily biased against women. 

Consider the emergence of "drag queen story hours" in our schools and public libraries, where males dress provocatively as women, seductively encouraging children of all ages [from toddlers to middle school] to engage with them. That is biological men disparaging women. And there are a growing number of transgender men competing as women in the arena of sports. Biologically, they are not equal in strength or endurance. Once again, women are being disparaged. And the effort to disparage women [or regard or represent them as having little worth] has risen all the way to the Supreme Court, where the newly elected Justice, Kentanji Brown, refused to identify what a woman is, claiming she couldn't because "she's not a biologist".

The problem is that once God was removed from our schools, it left a vacuum that our age-old enemy, the devil, was only glad to fill with his lies and deception. Encyclopedia.com defines masculinity and femininity as "socially constructed concepts" that convey values and social status. Therefore, it doesn't matter what sex you were identified as at birth, just adopt the values you want to be. The Wall Street Journal featured an opinion piece in which they stated, "The clear message of gender ideology is that, if you’re a female who doesn’t “identify with” the social roles and stereotypes of femininity, then you’re not a woman; if you’re a male who similarly rejects the social roles and stereotypes of masculinity, then you’re not a man. Instead, you’re considered either transgender or nonbinary, and Planned Parenthood assures you that “there are medical treatments you can use to help your body better reflect who you are.” According to this line of thinking, certain personalities, behaviors and preferences are incompatible with certain types of anatomy". See the confusion this ideology would cause in an impressionable child?

So, while this ideology doesn't focus exclusively on changing the identity of females [only], it certainly seems to target the transformation of God's divine creation of the female species. And why? Think about it from a Biblical perspective. From the beginning, God's enemy targeted the woman. He didn't tempt Adam; he directed his attack towards Eve. Again, I ask why? Could it be because it has been a matter of the Seed War that God proclaimed in Genesis 3:15 ... And I will put enmity (open hostility)between you and the woman, And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, and you shall [only] bruise His heel. It would be a woman who could biologically give birth to the One who would defeat the devil at the end of the ages. 

Now, as his time grows ever shorter, the devil must make sure that he destroys women's ability to give birth. Gender confusion leads to powerful drugs that inhibit our God-given ability to pro-create. He's already limited the population by convincing women it is their right to kill the fruit of their womb. And what better way to sow confusion into the next generation than trying to convince them men can have babies? But would it surprise you to know that this gender confusion existed 3000 years before Christ!?! 

In 2016, the United Church of God published an article on their website, Beyond Today, in which they quoted Rivkah Harris, author of Gender and Aging in Mesopotamia: The Gilgamesh Epic and Other Ancient Literature. Harris wrote that the pagan goddess Ishtar [also known as Inanna] was "androgynous, marginal, ambiguous . . . She is betwixt and between . . . Central to the goddess as paradox is her well-attested psychological and physiological androgyny. Inanna-Ishtar is both female and male . . . [in one place stating] ‘Though I am a woman I am a noble young man’”. Perhaps it was to discourage the influence of Ishtar worship that God gave the Israelites this command in Deuteronomy 22:5 ... A woman shall not wear a man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is utterly repulsive to the Lord your God. I'm pretty sure this is alluding to more than just clothing.

Since time immemorial, women have had an Enemy that has been seeking to destroy our place in the world; our divinely created identity. He wants to bring about the ultimate in cancel culture. That is to eradicate the worthiness of women. And it has to start with the children; to confuse them, and ultimately to groom them to deny the unique and sanctified role that gender plays in the human race. I implore all women and men to rise up against this gender ideology! Step back and look at the big picture. This is not about being "phobic" against any group of people. It is about preserving the important physiological, biological, and spiritual identity of what defines a woman, and what defines a man.

In my Biblical worldview, God does not make mistakes. He created each one of us unique and precious in His sight. It's time that we speak up and eradicate this dangerous ideology from our educational system. Let it be known that I identify as a biological woman, and I am vital to this world -- just as I was created, and just as each of you are. Let us not forsake the Designer's blueprint for humanity. The designed can never outdo the Designer.

#Goddesignedwomen #genderideology #genderconfusion #biblicalwomanhood #biologicalgender #Goddoesntmakeamistake

Genesis 5:1-2    When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]. He created them male and female, and blessed them and named them Mankind at the time they were created.

 

How God Prepared This American Woman For Our Nation's Collapse

If you have been reading this blog since I began writing in 2011, you will have seen the scope of my journey. From the outset, I have had my eyes focused on the direction our nation and the world have been careening towards, and my ears and spirit tuned to the direction God has told me to go in the midst of it all. And I will tell you that there haven't been too many people who have understood how me and my husband can reconcile the two. This post is going to be neither super religious nor radical survivalist in nature. My hope is that it will encourage other people how to be "in this world, but not of this world".

But let me share an overview of my odyssey... it began as I came to terms with the plan to "fundamentally transform America" that was revealed in 2008. God had not yet disclosed the specific intention He had for our lives, so by 2012, I was writing to all those who were sensing the pressure and the distress of those uncertain times. I was discerning a distinct difference among my friends who were "awake."  Everyone was pretty much on the "Prepper" page. The very essence of "preparing" meant we were pre-positioning assets for an undefined event (or crisis); whether it be a hurricane, an ice storm, a comet from outer space, a busted sewer line, grid-down situation, economic collapse, civil unrest, martial law, or terrorist event.  We were no longer taking things for granted. We were storing supplies and making contingency plans to get through whatever was coming. 

But I was also aware that there weren't enough beans and rice, guns and ammo, generators, or toilet paper to give people the peace of mind they were seeking in order to overcome every new threat to our freedom; or any new peril to our economy, environment or health anxieties that we were all experiencing. That only comes with trusting Jesus to help us persevere through the crazy, mixed up, evil world we're in. What we were experiencing was Biblical. It was foretold thousands of years ago through the Prophets, and just over two thousand years ago by the very One who will come to judge this wickedness and Evil. Make no mistake, I didn't believe in the axioms that some of my fellow Christians were promoting: "There is no need to prep at all. God will take care of us". I knew full well that He gave us a brain and discernment, and He expected us to use them. He didn't want us to sit idly by and do nothing; we were to prepare -- regarding food, defensive training, and spiritual warfare -- with the ultimate preparation focused on His return. That was in 2012. 

By 2014, I had faced "the monster" after reading One Second After and The End of the World As We Know It. I confidently joined my husband in working out our plan, and preparing to make our plans work. We rid ourselves of any normalcy bias that still existed, and got on with life, determined not to live in fear or anxiety. But as the years of slow, steady decline progressed, we noticed that we [and many of our fellow Americans]
retreated somewhat from our initial level of enthusiasm and drive. The passage of time, with no extreme event, had deprived us of our "edge". The very nature of becoming a Prepper was not to be comfortable ... whether in the physical or spiritual aspect. Our mindset should always be on expanding knowledge to save our lives. 

When I look back over those years, I can see a shift in my thinking and my focus. I still wanted to make sure that my larder was full, and I had plenty of medical supplies on hand. I still wanted to be physically ready to defend myself, less wasteful, and more innovative in taking care of our needs... in other words, I still fit the "Prepper" description. But I was less concerned with worldly strategies, and more preoccupied with heavenly pursuits.  I was thinking more about God, and less about myself. 

And that brought my husband and myself to the place where God revealed His purpose for our lives and showed us how it fit into His redemptive plan. We were given a ministry to help people identify the wounds to their souls that kept them from knowing their true identity and purpose in Christ, whether that be due to their sins or sins that were committed against them -- including molestation, pornography, physical abuse, witchcraft, drug abuse, PTSD, etc. Jesus died to set the captives free, and He wanted to counter the lies they were believing from the Enemy with His truth. We have been blessed to help people receive that freedom by facilitating an encounter with their Savior to break that bondage. BUT we never stopped being awake to the deterioration of the nation, and we were soon called to our spiritual position as Watchmen on the Wall.

Because we can see clearly what the Lord is showing us, we know that Biblically, we are responsible to sound the alarm; to warn people to get prepared physically and spiritually for what is coming upon the earth. And as you can imagine, that doesn't make us very popular with people; neither the secular nor the religious, who can't conceive that Jesus would allow "that" to happen to us. However, to stick our heads in the sand, or to run away from the evidence that is before our eyes, is to deny what the Spirit is showing us. The nations are lining up for war. Lawlessness is growing throughout the land. Our national sovereignty is disappearing. Famine and plagues are threatening to decimate vast populations. Even the elements of nature are warning that upheaval could be imminent; nothing is as it has been. And last but not least, Good has become evil and Evil is now called good. But the Lord will not abandon those in covenant with Him!

Which is why, even as we are commissioned to see Satan's agenda on the earth and warn its inhabitants to get prepared, we are both more than thrilled to rejoice over the revival we all discern is springing up in increasing numbers. I know this presents a dichotomy between my life as a Watchman and my joy in this new revival movement. Many Christians and secular citizens have called me negative and anti-revival, but I am excited about this latest revival because I believe it is a lifeline of hope for Christians [new and old] who might now become spiritually ready [and strong enough] to prepare for the battles ahead. I believe God is on the move in both the realm of revival and spiritual battle preparedness.

That's why it is important that we, who call ourselves followers of Jesus, realize that we must battle this spiritual war on two fronts. First, we battle from a position of spiritual protection, just as Psalm 91 instructs us. In the shadow of, and under the wings of the Most High and Almighty God, we battle from a place of protection and safekeeping; fighting in the confidence of one who trusts the Name of the Lord of Hosts to defend him. This is how the shepherd boy, David went into battle against the giant, Goliath.

But, we also battle from a position of God's power and authority in the physical. If we trust that the battle is His, we can be bold, even in the midst of our fears of what is coming. We can release ourselves to Him to be used for the advancement of His Kingdom here on earth, no matter what it looks like or what is required of us... because we know that it will be accomplished in HIS strength and power. He just needs men and women who are willing to allow Him to work with [and through] them, and agree to be in covenant with Him to see His will done. We need not be afraid of the power of men on the earth; knowing that if God tells us to take that mountain, He will go before us and we will see our victory. We can defeat anything -- corrupt governments, disease and pestilence, evil domains, demonic entities -- if we will just have faith and do not doubt. We can trust, as did King David, that God has trained our hands for war and our fingers for battle. He will stretch out His hand and fortify us because we know His Name.

Sometimes it's hard for me to realize that it's been 12 years since the Lord caught my attention and gave me my marching orders. I have been given the privilege of spiritual discernment to see the events that are lining up for the future. The Enemy's forces are on the battlefield and advancing rapidly. But the Lord is showing the manifestation of His Glory in the hearts and lives of a new generation of Jesus lovers. I know God has been preparing me for this time and what's to come -- both the war and the victory. I will not be blind to the battle we're in, and I will be ready and equipped to fight on all fronts. But I will also embrace, endorse, and encourage the beautiful revival we see happening in our midst. And I will declare that the Glory of the Lord will prevail!

#gloryofthelord #spiritualdiscernment #watchmanonthewall #spiritualpreparedness #endtimes

Psalm 62:5-6    "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.  Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."
 

 

REVIVAL: Understanding It in Scripture and Our Culture (Part 2)

In light of the fact that we are continuing to see God's Presence moving among our college campuses and across our land, I want to take a look at Revival from a more personal perspective in people's lives and our culture. In Part 1 of this topic, I took a basic approach towards Revival from a Scriptural viewpoint in the Old and New Testaments, as well as how theologians describe it, and even the cynicism of modern Believers and non-Believers alike. As I stated in the previous post, I don't really care if people call what we are seeing a "Revival" or an "Awakening" or even a "Movement of God" -- it is my prayer that it persists and is sustained as God proceeds in doing whatever it is that He has planned for it. Let His Spirit work in the hearts of men as the message of His love and power to change lives -- and the world! -- permeates this land.

There is no question in my mind that I am witnessing a movement of God in our culture. And I use that terminology in a deliberate way. By now, I am sure most of you have heard of the movie Jesus Revolution, whose popularity is widely touted by the Christian community. I was introduced to a video by John Ruttkay [a participant in the Jesus Movement in the 70's]. He was a witness to the Jesus Movement, the Shepherding Movement, and the Vineyard Movement, all which lasted well into the 90s. None of these movements resembled the traditional, orthodox Church of that time period. And I invite you to click on the links and do your own research on what these revivals looked like. But the point I want to make is this: Mr. Ruttkay made a statement that I think is central to how we must view Asbury and all the other colleges and places where revival has broken out. He said, "If something is called a movement, it's because God is moving in that time and space". A very simple statement, but perhaps it can keep us from getting hung up on whether any of these spiritual activities "qualify" to be called a revival. 

Yes, we have the Biblical concepts of Revival as 1) bringing back to life what [of God] was dead and lost, as well as 2) being awakened to whatever has been appointed by God for men to understand, and then being stirred into action through obedience to reveal it to others. And I recognize those definitions as being true. But I think we can sometimes become too rigid ... and I'll say it, "religious" ... about setting standards for what qualifies as a revival. There are multiple websites on the internet that proclaim the 8 or 10 or 12 "certifications" for genuine revival. But I think Revival looks like whatever God wants it to look like in the circumstances in order to give birth to, or arouse the spirits of men and women to testify to His Glory.

Now, that can be in a corporate model, as we see at Asbury University and Cedarville Unviersity, as well as college campuses in Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Texas. Even a Tennessee Middle School is experiencing the movement of God. But Revival can be individual and personal, too. Bottom line, it doesn't need to fit a cookie cutter mold. As a dear Sister in Christ commented on Part 1, "When I experienced revival, I knew I was changed. When I began to share my testimony, the naysayers were the first to tell me that my transformation was not real. The naysayers did not know my whole life story, so how could they make an assumption that nothing really happened to me? By my outward appearance, they were right, but if I had listened to their words, I would have been discouraged and been as dry as the naysayers have become. I am thankful for that moment in time in my life that I experienced, so that I can rejoice with those who have also experienced Jesus. Their transformation may not happen in an instant. Mine didn't either. It took time, so I am anticipating those who rise above the naysayers and thankful that Christians are truly experiencing Jesus, to repent, to be set free". I know her well and can attest to the evidence that she experienced true revival in her life.

Then there is another woman, who has become a new friend, who shared with me her experience of being part of the Jesus Movement in Texas. She has seen the movie, The Jesus Revolution, and says it is pretty accurate to what that movement was like. She said the hippies from California [which is where the movement began] showed up at their South Texas Church and showed the congregation that they could have a personal relationship with Jesus, which was a new paradigm for them. The people inside that Church were spiritually transformed, and then came to understand that they had made their building the Church, but it couldn't contain the whole picture of God. He was much bigger than that confined space, and His message needed to go out into the streets and spread across the land.

But she also testified that if the Holy Spirit was not properly stewarded, and the power and authority did not go out, it became confined in the building and Satan would begin causing disruptions. People with no discernment would "get out of hand" [her words] and stand up and witness, oftentimes out of their own soul. The power of the Holy Spirit was so great, that the building could not contain it. Church leadership struggled with thoughts of "what do we do with this movement of the Spirit"? But she testified that the revival lasted for 5-7 years, with many of the young people involved in street ministry that bore much fruit. And she affirmed that the seeds of that revival are still alive these 50 years later. Many of her good friends from that period of her life are still doing ministry and evangelizing.

Finally, I want to share the testimony of a young man who my husband and I ministered Inner Healing to. His story, and that of his family, is nothing short of miraculous. There has been a revival in his life that encompasses both of the definitions of Revival from Scripture. He came from an abusive childhood, drug addiction, sexual issues, and satanic influence into a life seeking Jesus, having visions of Jesus washing his feet, but he still experienced a constant battle with Satan to keep that relationship with His Savior. Just a few short months ago, we met with him, partnered with Jesus so that he experienced an encounter with the One who died for him, and he was changed forever. He went home to his wife and stepson, and together the family has battled to keep the freedom that would lead them all into God's miraculous favor. The love he had for Jesus was always overshadowed by the power of the Enemy to lie and convince him he could never be free. But when we ministered to him, and he saw Jesus hand him a key to walk out of that prison cell, he left that dead life behind once and for all, and there began a personal revival in his life that stirred up his spirit to lead his family into a Divine freedom. He recently was given a job that he could only have dreamed about five months ago; his wife is free of all her depression and anger from life's struggles; and his stepson has excelled in school beyond kids that are two grades ahead of him. And the most beautiful thing is that he said he felt the spirit of the revival at Asbury University [which is not far from where he lives] infusing his own spirit and igniting his own walk with the Lord.

So, as you can see, Spiritual Revival and Awakening can take many forms. The most obvious is when movements like the Azusa Street Revival, which began at the turn of the century in 1906; the Jesus Movement of the 70s; and today's Asbury Revival give witness to large numbers of people who experience the Presence of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But personal revival bears great fruit, too; changing the destiny and purpose of families for generations to come. As I said earlier, God will do what He wants to when the people are willing and ready. Our nation has an amazing history of Revivals and Great Awakenings, and I believe we are ripe for another one. Does it mean it will last and bring in the Return of Christ? Only God, the Father knows. 

But we cannot make or fabricate Revival ourselves. It is the Sovereignty and Grace that God extends to us in response to our repentance and prayers that lights the spark. And historically, revivals in America have rarely lasted longer than 10 years. But I know you join me in praying that this spirit of Revival continues and grows until God is once again welcomed back into our society and culture. Let Revival spill forth from our Church buildings and our Home Churches into our individual lives, our homes, our schools, the halls of our government, and across the entire globe. Let us learn the lessons from past revivals and not define nor limit God as to who He can use to change our nation. God, we pray that You use each one of us to bring revival in our spheres of influence and we invite You to reign over our land once again. Amen!

#revival #revivalinamerica #Godsrevival #asburyrevival #whatisrevival

Psalm 69:32   The humble have seen it and are glad; You who seek God [requiring Him as your greatest need], let your heart revive and live.

 

REVIVAL: Understanding It in Scripture and Our Culture (Part 1)

 

This blog post is an effort to have a frank and honest discussion about the spirit of Revival that is appearing across our land. It is not an attempt to disregard or dishonor the experiences of the hundreds of thousands, [and hopefully, millions] of people who are being touched by God. Instead it is in response to my spirit's desire to be connected to God's heart regarding Revival. I want to know how He defines it and what we should be expecting to see in regenerated lives. So I will be looking at what Revival looks like in the Bible, and how it has been received, cultivated, and then spread throughout our culture. There's much to consider and learn!

Revival is in the air! Across the nation, university campuses are displaying the Presence of God as we see an unprecedented number of young people coming together and experiencing a spiritual awakening, and then sharing their testimonies of encountering God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And Revival is being declared, as these gatherings are spreading from campus to campus, and drawing in adults, families, and yes, even the curious.

There is talk that this could be the next Great Awakening in America. Yet, even in the midst of this proclamation of spiritual revival, there are the cynics and the naysayers, questioning the authenticity of the outpouring of the Spirit on these events. In an effort to keep an open mind and discern God's voice in all the media coverage, testimonies, and criticisms, I want to be able to see evidence of His transformation in the lives of these amazing young adults experiencing this phenomenon. Not being there in person, I don't feel I can make a judgment as to the veracity of whether everyone is truly experiencing God, but the fact that their voices are ringing out all over our troubled nation, speaking of God, and the power of Revival, is surely something to be rejoicing! And I'm willing to be patient to see what God wants to do!

As my good friend, Steve Harmon, posted on his Facebook page, "[Why can't we] just be happy that people are meeting Jesus for the first time? That people are reconnecting with God's love for the first time in years after falling away? That people are getting free from depression? People are getting healed from years of debilitating disease? That families and friends are reconciling? That hunger for God is now there that wasn't there before? That religious baggage is being shed?... And so much more". I join Steve in asking the question, Why in the world would any Believer not want all this? And I will add to his question, one of my own: Isn't this what we've been praying for? Haven't we been praying for 2 Chronicles 7:14 to become a reality? Aren't we seeing these college campuses praying and seeking God's face, and that He will hear from Heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land? And before you react too quickly ... yes, I know that part of that Scripture requires that they turn from their wicked ways, and yes, we will have to see if that becomes a transparent and lasting consequence of this revival. But for now, can we [at least] celebrate this good news that is so much better than the barrage of ugliness, lawlessness, and evil that has permeated our news cycles in the recent past?

Yes, I am praying that this spirit of revival continues and grows and spreads across this nation and to the farthest corners of the world! I pray that what is happening in the lives of all these people is more than "Emotionalism", as one Christian podcast host expressed, because emotion and feelings come from our soul, and can often be mistaken for a spiritual awakening. But I am also celebrating the testimony of two college students at Cedarville University in Ohio, where revival has broken out. Cedarville is known for its academic excellence, Biblical education, and Christ-centered campus life. So, I applaud one of their College faculty members for cautioning the students not to remain secluded in their worship of God, but to go out and spread the Gospel. That, I believe, is what will be the determining factor of the success of this revival. 

And it is what I believe has always been the desire of God's heart from the moment He created man... to spread the Good News of His existence and love for us. And so, I want to begin this two-part blog post by looking at the concept and reality of Revival in Scripture -- both in the Old and New Testament. How does God define Revival and how does Scripture describe what it looks like? And then in Part Two, we'll take a look at how it has been experienced in our culture and take a closer look at what God is doing in this latest picture of Revival.

First of all, I'd like to refer to an excellent paper written by Ervin Budiselic, a Doctor of Theology from Croatia. He is a Biblical scholar and describes himself as being "interested in reading the Bible as one unified story, Jewish roots of Christian faith, and the topic of discipleship". He has written on the concept of Revival in both the Old and New Testaments -- how it can be seen as different, yet in harmony. I will try to summarize his thesis and then give you his examples of the difference. Dr. Budiselic explains that there can be confusion over the meaning of the word "revival", and differences of opinions as to whether "revival" and "awakening" are the same or different. These are just the kinds of semantic arguments that the devil can use to sow disharmony into a movement of God. So I'm going to try to keep it simple, yet accurate, in looking at what the Bible tells us.

As I did my own research on the meaning of revival in the Old Testament, it comes from the Hebrew root word chayah, "to live", or "having life", and connoting the bringing back to life of something that was dead. There are several instances of the national spiritual revival of the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. As bibleq.net notes, two of the most important happened in the reigns of King Hezekiah and King Josiah. King Hezekiah came to the throne in Jerusalem at age 25 (2 Chron 29:1) after the disastrous rule of his father Ahaz. On the first day of his reign Hezekiah initiated a reform of the temple building and temple worship. In particular, he called the nation to once again celebrate the Passover (2 Chronicles 30). Scripture tells us, So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. 

King Josiah became king when he was eight years old (2 Kings 22:1), and ordered the repair of the temple in Jerusalem when he was 18 (2 Kings 22:3-7). During the repairs, the “book of the law” was discovered (2 Kings 22:8) — probably Deuteronomy — thus causing Josiah to learn of many areas where reform was needed. His reforms are described in 2 Kings 23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35, including a great Passover celebration, surpassing that of Hezekiah. Scripture says, No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 35:18). Both of these instances point to bringing life back to dead commandments from the Lord; making alive again what has become dead and forgotten.

And what I found especially interesting was that a myriad of scholars expounded on the difference between the terms Revival and Awakening. No wonder Christians struggle over the pronouncement of true Revival. The consensus among academic Christians seems to be that "revival" connects to our sovereign God’s activity through the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians, [reviving of their consecrated spirits to the desire and need for God], and the term “awakening” describing God’s activity in the lives of non-Christians, which can be  reflected in personal convictions, conversion, and becoming "born again." 

But I actually found a different understanding [nearly the opposite] as I studied the meanings of these words in the Bible. While "revive" and "revival" have the Old Testament connotation of bringing to life something that was dead, the word "awake" or "awakening" in the Old Testament is the word uwr in Hebrew, meaning "rousing" someone to action, or awakening out of ordinary sleep. It expresses the idea of "being excited" or "stirred up". In the New Testament Greek, the word for awakening is diakaiosune, and it denotes an attribute of God. It is found in the sayings of the Lord Jesus of whatever is right or just [in itself] that conforms to the revealed will of God; whatever has been appointed by God to be acknowledged and obeyed by man.

So, let's take these definitions as understood in Scripture and see if we can agree on the following explanation ... the concept of revival in the Old Testament [on a purely semantic level] can't align with revival [seen as awakening] in the New Testament because before Jesus, the concept of revival was that Israel was bringing back to life what was dead and lost in YHWH. They were praying for renewal and recovery of His commandments, precepts, and covering. 

In the New Testament, Jesus has come, died, and been resurrected and the Christians are praying for laborers in the harvest and for the arrival of Jesus's kingdom and His righteousness. And a very important part of His example for the new Christians was receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit in order to proclaim the Gospel which is accompanied by signs and wonders. Salvation is theirs by Jesus going to the Cross and their belief in His redemptive gift. An "awakening" is the result of receiving His Spirit [after being born again] and being roused and stirred up to action to spread the Gospel messages of Salvation and Kingdom.

This is a very oversimplified explanation of what and why we should be seeking understanding from God as we continue to see the beautiful sight of people declaring Revival across the nation. I don't really care if it's called a Revival or another Great Awakening. Ultimately, it is my prayer that this movement continues to grow and mature as people move from worshiping and "feeling" the Presence of God to being excited to go out and proclaim and spread the Gospel of Salvation to the Lost and the Gospel of the Kingdom to all who are redeemed and called children of God. We need to have hearts that seek to understand Scripture and God's heart, but we don't need to get hung up on personal theology and doctrine. As my friend Steve Harmon asked so sincerely, "Shouldn't we desire to see Jesus do amazing things in people's lives"? Whether, through these spiritual gatherings, He is bringing a born again life to a new convert, or rousing the spirits of the already redeemed, IT'S ALL GOOD! Let us rejoice that He's moving in the hearts of men! Let us pray for more! And let us see the manifestation of His signs and wonders on the earth!

#revival #greatawakening #revivalinamerica 

Psalm 85:6   Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?