Although I believed I was healthy and fit, by the time I reached my 22nd birthday, my 6-foot-2-inch’ frame had skyrocketed to 270 pounds and I was diagnosed with borderline hypoglycemia. My blood pressure and my cholesterol levels were high, my health was rapidly deteriorating, and I was told that I might need to take medication for the rest of my life. As a result, I was denied life insurance and was instructed by my physician to “go on a strict diet.” I was shocked! I knew that if I didn’t change my life, my life would change me! I immediately drove to a bookstore and purchased a diet book, convinced that it would help. It worked, but only temporarily.

Within a few months, I gained back all the weight I had lost. I continued to try different diets for several more years; all of them failed miserably. As a result, I became angry and frustrated. Many of the diets presented what I wanted to hear, and not what I needed to hear to lose weight and keep it off. It shouldn’t be about selling products, pills and false promises—the truth is enough. The truth is that we are losing the war against obesity. And unless we change the way we approach weight loss, it will not improve.

In general, the majority of diet promoters continue to focus on what we want to hear and not always on what we need to hear. We need a solution, not a sales pitch! Weight-loss is not as difficult as we make it. It becomes more difficult when we waste time on pills and products that do not work.

You are endowed with the God-given ability to change your life, and it simply begins with a decision. Decide today that you’re going to take control and change your life. I’ve found that most people want the fastest way to lose weight. But the fastest way is not generally the best way. When we cut corners, results are short-lived. In many cases, “quick” weight loss means starvation and the use of stimulants—neither of which produces permanent weight-loss. Additionally, there are serious health risks involved. The biblical process of change requires patience, consistency, and obedience in doing what is right.

It’s unfortunate that we live in an age when immediate gratification has taken precedence over delayed gratification. We are told that weight loss can be quick and easy. As a result, we waste time and money on fitness products that promise the world but fail to deliver worthwhile results.

A pill may help you lose weight initially, but does it keep it off? No. We want desperately to believe it can. The majority of diet advertisers thrive on the principle that people will purchase products based on emotional response and urgency. As a result, many have been largely conditioned to believe that they can do the least amount of work possible in the shortest amount of time where weight loss is concerned. That doesn’t work and it never will! “Lose weight quick” is a great marketing slogan, but it’s not realistic.

An important part of change is changing the way you view the weight-loss process. Set your mind on a slow, consistent pace that will change your habits rather than a “quick fix.” Diets sell because they give hope, and a sense of direction. You may feel that you’ve finally found the answer to your weight-loss dilemma. But failure is almost always certain because most cannot live with the restrictive or unrealistic nature of today’s diets.

“Dieting,” as we’ve come to understand the word, causes one to focus more on food, not less! Additionally, the very word “diet” sets the mind for a temporary experience, but a temporary experience cannot solve a long-term problem. Failure, then, is programmed before one even begins!

Initially, people are highly motivated and disciplined when they begin a “diet.” Many immediately stop eating fast food, stop consuming alcohol, stop eating sweets and start exercising excessively. But as time passes, they fail to exercise as often, they don’t watch calories as closely as they once did, and they lose the motivation they once had. As a result, they fall back into old habits and behaviors and, eventually, a lifestyle. But you can prevent this by introducing changes at a gradual pace. What it takes to lose weight is what it takes to keep it off. Therefore, don’t attempt to change your entire lifestyle overnight. For example, cut back on sugar consumption (i.e. soft drinks and junk food) and add exercise to your daily routine one or two times a week. A few weeks later add another day of exercise and limit junk food consumption again to once or twice a week. Continue until a balance is reached, and you feel in control.

Succeeding at weight loss requires a continuous balancing act between choices. If you eat an unhealthy breakfast, for example, you can compensate by eating correctly throughout the rest of the day. Don’t get frustrated; the key is to make more right choices than wrong ones.

It’s essential to make good choices. Once you make a choice, it then makes you. Choices feed habits, habits define lifestyle, and lifestyle determines your future. Learning to make good choices is an important step in establishing long-term success. You’ve made a choice to change. That change will soon produce new habits that, according to research, can be developed in as little as 21 days. Stay with it. But when you fall—and you will fall—fall forward!

That bears repeating because it is crucial to your success: When you fall, fall forward! Use the opportunity to learn and quickly get back on course again. Perseverance leads to success. This principle of perseverance, or falling forward, helped me more than anything else. Don’t let discouragement stop you. Move forward! Everyone gets discouraged, but those who learn to move forward despite discouragement eventually reach their destination.

DOES GOD CARE ABOUT WHAT WE EAT? How can we overcome food addictions and live healthier, more productive lives.

President-elect Donald Trump’s advisers would like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend his inauguration Jan. 20, the New York Post reported Saturday.

According to a source close to the transition team, the advisers are also exploring the possibility of arranging “a meeting of the two leaders before then.”

If Netanyahu accepts the invitation, he would become the first sitting Israeli prime minister to attend a presidential inauguration.

According to the report, Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and other transition team officials “have been aggressively courting Netanyahu and want him to attend the Jan. 20 festivities.”

“There’s a plan for Trump to meet with Netanyahu,” the source said. “They’re talking all the time. And Netanyahu is talking about possibly going to the inauguration.”

Sources close to Netanyahu said Sunday that the prime minister currently has no plans to attend the inauguration. {eoa}

This article was originally published at . Used with permission.

It was late and I was tired, wanting to go to sleep, but God wanted to talk. It was about midnight, but it dawned on me that God does not sleep.

His question made me restless. “Bill, where on earth does man keep his most priceless treasures and valuables?”

I said, “Lord, usually these treasures like gold, silver, diamonds and precious jewels are kept locked up somewhere out of sight with usually guards and security to keep them under lock and key.”

God spoke. “Like man, My most valuable treasures on earth are also locked up.”

Out from These Walls Will Come Forth an Army

I then saw Jesus standing in front of seemingly thousands of prisons and jails. The Lord said, “These have almost been destroyed by the enemy, but these ones have the greatest potential to be used and to bring forth glory to my name. Tell My people, I am going this hour to the prisons to activate the gifts and callings that lie dormant in these lives that were given before the foundation of the earth. Out from these walls will come forth an army of spiritual giants. They will have power to literally kick down the gates of hell and overcome satanic powers that are holding many of My own people bound in My own house.”

Forgotten Vessels Must Be Restored

Tell my people that great treasure is behind these walls in these forgotten vessels. My people must come forth and touch these ones, for a mighty anointing will be unleashed upon these for future victory in My kingdom. “They must be restored.” I then saw the Lord step up to the prison doors with a key. One key fit every lock, and the gates began to open. I then heard and saw great explosions which sounded like dynamite going off behind the walls. It sounded like all-out spiritual warfare. Jesus turned and said, “Tell My people to go in now and pick up the spoil and rescue these.” Jesus then began walking in and touching inmates who were thronging Him. Many who were touched instantly had a golden glow come over them.

God spoke to me, “There’s the gold!” Others had a silver glow around them. God said, “There’s the silver!”

‘Now Go and Pull Down Those Strongholds’
As if in slow motion, these people began to grow into what appeared to be giant knights in armor-like warriors. They had on the entire armor of God, and every piece was solid and pure gold, even golden shields. When I saw the golden shields, I heard the Lord say to these warriors: “Now go and take what Satan has taught you and use it all against him. Go and pull down the strongholds coming against My church.”

These spiritual giants then started stepping over the prison walls with no one to resist them, and they went immediately to the front line of the battle with the enemy. I saw them walk right past the church as big-name ministers known for their power with God were surpassed by these unknown warriors like David going after Goliath. They crossed the enemy’s line and started delivering many of God’s people from the clutches of Satan while demons trembled and fled out of sight at their presence.

Who Are These People?
No one, not even the church, seemed to know who these spiritual giants were or where they came from. All you could see was the armor, the golden armor of God, from head to foot, and the shields of gold were there. The shields were restored to God’s house, and there was great victory and rejoicing.

I also saw silver, precious treasures and vessels being brought in. Beneath the gold and silver were the people nobody knew: rejects of society, street people, the outcasts, the poor and the despised. These were the treasures that were missing from God’s house.

In closing, the Lord said, “If my people want to know where they are needed, tell them they are needed in the streets, the hospitals, the missions and prisons.

When they come there, they will find Me and the next move of my spirit. and they will be judged by My Word in Matthew 25:42-43: “For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.” {eoa}

Bill Yount has been a member of Bridge of Life in Hagerstown, Maryland, for the past 36 years where he is now an elder and a home missionary. He is currently an adviser at large for Aglow International. Bill faithfully served in prison ministry at Mount Hope for 23 years and now travels full-time, both in the U.S. and internationally, ministering in churches and Aglow circles. “Humility and humor” characterize his ministry as he brings forth a fresh word that is “in season,” proclaiming the word of the Lord. The shofar (or ram’s horn) is often used in his meetings, breaking the powers of darkness over regions, churches and households. The shofar represents God’s breath blowing into the nostrils of His people, reviving them and awakening the lost. Many of God’s messages, which Bill ministers prophetically, come out of his everyday life with his family and friends.

As the sanctity of the Sabbath, the day of rest, set over Israel, two stabbings hit close to home and were jarring both personally and nationally.

The first took place in our neighborhood on a recent Friday evening. Despite the lack of use of electronics as is customary on Shabbat in traditional Judaism, word spread throughout town like a game of telephone. No one person got all the details correct, but the gist was clear: early Friday evening, a couple was out for a walk in the brisk, clear night. Our 11-year-old sons are close friends. Out of the shadows, a Palestinian Arab terrorist pounced, stabbing and wounding my son’s friend’s father.

Emergency volunteers (many also neighbors) were called up, treating the victim and beginning the initial hunt for the terrorist. The army was called in and lit up the sky with flares to continue the search. Throughout Shabbat and into the next evening as we began the celebration of Chanukah, the army maintained a visible presence. 

God willing, our neighbor will be OK, but the trauma will persist, certainly among his family. It’s intuitive, because kids don’t feel safe when their closest loved ones are not safe. But this became clearer to me as I put my son to bed. He asked why our town has become so unsafe (there was a similar incident up the block a few months ago). Without saying it directly, I know he was thinking: If this can happen to my friend’s father, it can happen to my father—or to me.

At about the same time this was taking place around the corner, another stabbing was taking place far from here but with an impact no less close to home.

By a 14-0 vote, the U.N. Security Council declared all “settlements” over the Green Line (the 1949 armistice) illegal. This not only includes densely populated towns like mine (10,000+) as well as cities of 50,000 and more, but the eastern part of Jerusalem including the Old City with the Jewish Quarter, Western Wall and Temple Mount, all central to Judaism. That’s right, Jewish presence in our most sacred places with thousands of years of centrality to and in Judaism is, according to the U.N., illegal.

Although President Obama has assured Israel he has our back, what happened at the U.N. was no less than his stabbing us in the back. Obama added insult to injury by going back on his commitment to block biased anti-Israel resolutions. One doesn’t get any more biased and anti-Israel than this, as it faults Israel exclusively and pre-judges the outcome of a conflict for which the only resolution is direct negotiations, not internationally imposed contortionist diplomacy and sanctions. It emboldens the terrorists and those who reject Israel, making peace anytime soon less likely.

While tossing a bone to appear balanced, just one of the 13 sections addresses terror on both sides, burying the fact that it’s Arab violence that prevents peace and equating Arab violence against Israelis (such as the incidents in my neighborhood this week) with Israel’s defense against these and other forms of violence. The resolution also strengthens the growing BDS scourge that seeks to de-legitimize and boycott all of Israel.

The backstabbing of this latest anti-Israel U.N. resolution has more knife wounds than a Friday the 13th movie. For instance, it states that Israel has no legal claim to our biblical homeland: “The establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.”

To put it nicely, they are wrong.

Obama so poorly read the pulse of Israel that his action pulled together Israelis of all political orientations. Even Democrats decried Obama’s last-minute personal vendetta. American Jewish and Christian organizations rallied against it and against the Obama administration failing to keep its word. Noteworthy expressions include that of the AJC, which said it is “deeply disappointed that the United States chose to abstain on a U.N. resolution which singled out Israel for condemnation.” AJC’s statement continued:

The administration’s decision not to block an anti-Israel measure at the U.N. Security Council is profoundly disturbing. It only encourages diplomatic end-runs and diversionary tactics, which hinder rather than advance the prospects for peace. 

Moreover, this measure repeats the Palestinian falsehood that Israeli settlements constitute the core of the conflict. Let’s be clear: The chief obstacle to achieving peace is, and long has been, the …refusal of the Palestinian leadership to recognize Israel’s legitimacy and negotiate … a comprehensive agreement. Security Council members that supported the resolution are not helping the cause of peace by their failure to hold the Palestinians accountable for their chronic short-sightedness and inaction. 

All true, but far too diplomatic for my liking.

Another commentator made the more vivid and accurate statement that “The Middle East is on fire, and the U.N. and Obama targeted the only democracy in the Middle East. Shame!” I’d add that in many of the areas where the Middle East is burning the most, the fire is in fact due to Obama’s failed foreign policies. So, rather than taking ownership or showing leadership, he shows his true colors by blaming Israel and creating a distraction from his impotence of global proportions. 

Several friends, mostly Christians, emailed me personally to apologize for the U.S. action. I replied to one that although Obama led this from behind, as he has done for much of his presidency, it’s yet another demonstration of how the rest of the world is always out to get us. This is just the latest incarnation. It’s glaring that “allies” such as Senegal and New Zealand not only voted for but sponsored the resolution.

Sadly, we are used to it. But we have and will overcome.

Of course, the impact of this resolution impacts Israel directly, specifically those who do business or live in areas in which the U.N. has just decided it is illegal for us to do so. However, it is an affront to Judaism and Christianity and Jews and Christians who support Israel, and it undermines our respective faiths because if Judaism and Israel have no connection to the heart of the Land of Israel, neither does Christianity. It’s ironic that the resolution passed two days before the world celebrated the birth of a Jewish boy in Bethlehem, who was crucified in Jerusalem. Today, Joseph and Mary would be barred from Bethlehem, if not lynched trying to get there, and Jesus would have been crucified as an occupier, an obstacle to peace. 

Last year, I called on Jews and Christians offended by similar moves to contact me to establish hubs of their businesses in Judea and Samaria. I was heartened by responses received and welcome people to do so again today. Make the statement that the U.N. action, supported by Obama is against your faith, and therefore, you’ll stand with Israel, regardless of where the U.N. says Israel’s borders lie.

Please feel free to reach out if you’d like to make a positive statement and set up a Judean address for your work or ministry. {eoa}

With a number of headlines popping up over the weekend from liberal mainstream media outlets, it was a bit of a surprise to see the consistently conservative Washington Times jump on the bandwagon Monday with this header:

“Obama could still force Merrick Garland onto court during ‘intersession recess'”

Keep in mind, the liberal mainstream media is desperate in a way that is almost unnatural to see President Obama score as many quick and decisive victories as possible in the final days of his lame-duck presidency. We can’t speak as to the motivation for The Times‘ article Monday, but this is what was reported:

Mr. Obama’s moment will come just before noon, in the five minutes that the Senate gavels the 114th Congress out of session and the time the 115th Congress begins.

In those few moments the Senate will go into what’s known as an “intersession recess,” creating one golden moment when the president could test his recess-appointment powers by sending Judge Garland to the high court.

A smattering of activists has asked him to give it a try, but Mr. Obama has given no indication that he’s thinking about it. The White House didn’t respond to a request for comment for this story.

If only it were true. The Times eventually sets the record straight, but the misleading headline likely got a lot of hits from conservatives and Christians who have eagerly awaiting President-elect Donald Trump’s first Supreme Court nomination from “the list.”

Here’s why it won’t happen.

As Washington, D.C., has become increasingly polarized, and President Barack Obama has increasingly sought extra-constitutional means of advancing his agenda (i.e. without the consent of Congress), there came a point when the Supreme Court had to come to a conclusion about recess appointments. Those types of appointments are allowed under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

But, as Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist 67:

The ordinary power of appointment is confined to the President and Senate jointly, and can therefore only be exercised during the session of the Senate; but as it would have been improper to oblige this body to be continually in session for the appointment of officers and as vacancies might happen in their recess, which it might be necessary for the public service to fill without delay …

So, the real question became, “what constitutes a recess of Congress, and specifically, the Senate?”

That was decided by the Supreme Court in 2012 in NLRB v. Noel Canning—a unanimous decision—that determined that any temporary recess of less than 10 days doesn’t constitute a recess for the purposes of Article II, Section 2. Essentially, Justice Stephen Breyer wrote, “the Senate is in session when it says it is.”

Shortly before noon EST, the 114th Congress will be gaveled out of session and put into recess. The new, 115th Congress will be gaveled into session at noon. The whole process will take less than five minutes, during which time the Congress will be in what is called an “intersession recess.”

But, as the Supreme Court has already decided—unanimously, and in an opinion written by one of the court’s liberal jurists—that isn’t long enough for the president to make a recess appointment. {eoa}

The new year is here! What resolutions are at the top of your list? Eat better. Exercise once a day. Volunteer more. Before you create a whole new you for 2017, take some time to consider what’s fueling your goals. For many women, comparison is the primary motivator.

Have you ever compared yourself with other women–other moms or co-workers–and felt as though you didn’t match up? (Guilty).

We call it the comparison game, but in the end, we are the big losers.

Do you feel discouraged? Do you see others having success at all levels and wonder when it will be your turn? Are you ready to fold your cards and walk away?

We all know we are special creations, unique and precious to God. Yet why do we struggle with comparing our lives, our bodies, our kids and our talents (or lack of talents) with others? Why do we feel as if we keep passing Go, but we never get that $200?

I often do this with my writing. I find myself comparing my success with others. I look at the bestseller list with longing. I consider the big advances and media fanfare some authors receive, and then I sigh.

I do this with myself. I compare my talents, my discipline and I especially compare my body. How come my friend can eat anything she wants and stay slim? Why do I have to walk and watch what I eat just to maintain? These thoughts aren’t a game, either. They lock me up tight and keep me from caring for and rejoicing with others.

I do this with so many areas of my life. I wonder why the hard stuff comes. I wonder why struggles come my way. Why aren’t my dreams coming true?

In reality, we (me included) need to look past who we dream to be and consider God’s dreams instead. God not only knows the game and the rules, He is able to give us the perfect strategies to win—if we just focus on Him and His plan.

 “God-of-the-Angel-Armies speaks: ‘Exactly as I planned, it will happen. Following my blueprints, it will take shape,'” says Isaiah 14:24 (MSG).

The word “planned” here is translated “compare.” It’s as if God has weighed the different possibilities, looked at them from all angles and then chosen the best way. He makes the blueprints—then He constructs them into our reality. God created our game of Life, and then He stacks the cards so that when we turn to Him, we’ll always win.

The life we have is the one constructed for us. It may not be the life, body, health or circumstances we wished we’d had (or hope to have in the coming year), or the perfect life we can never obtain, but the blueprints and the form He is transforming into reality.

“Remember your history, your long and rich history. I am God, the only God you’ve had or ever will have—from the beginning telling you what the ending will be, all along letting you in on what is going to happen … ‘I’m in this for the long haul, I’ll do exactly what I set out to do'” (Isa. 46:10-11, MSG). 

It’s OK to have longings and goals. No one can get through life without comparing, but even before we worry about what we desire for our lives, the first step is not to let our dreams motivate us, but instead, to let His.

God has longings for us even greater than we imagine, and He’s willing to tell us these things as we seek Him out. He knows comparisons will not get us far, but focusing our eyes on the eternal prize will.

Will you put God’s desires for you above your own this year? Will you seek Him today? Pray. Open your heart. And dare to listen to God’s dreams for you. Ask God to show you what He wants for you this year. There is no comparison in His love for you. {eoa}

Tricia Goyer has written more than 35 books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and nonfiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts, Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.

In the days and weeks ahead, prophetic voices around the world will release prophecies for 2017. You’ll read a handful of them on the “Prophetic Insight” section of . I already released mine about the angels of abundant harvest.

But before we charge ahead to weigh prophetic mandates, directives and warnings for 2017, let’s take a minute to look back at the prophetic words declared over 2016. After all, you can’t always limit God’s words to a 12-month timeline.

As I’ve said before, it’s possible some 2016 prophecies won’t be relevant for years, and others will remain relevant for years to come. So, again, before we move on to the next new prophetic word, let’s review what prophetic voices declared last year and respond according to His Spirit.

A Year of Shifting Seasons and Suddenlies

I prophesied 2016 would be a year of shifting seasons and suddenlies: “Believe for the suddenlies in 2016. Expect them to happen. Wait with anticipation, but understand that you have to do your part. Like the disciples in the upper room, you need to pray. Like Paul and Barnabas in the prison, you need to praise. In other words, you need to create a spiritual climate over your life that invites the Holy Spirit to work in your heart, in your life and in your circumstances. Your climate change will eventually lead to a season shift that will bring a suddenly you could never make happen in your own strength.” Many people I know and I had many shifting seasons and suddenlies. It was probably the most “suddenly”-filled year of my life.

The Year of Remnant Uprising

Brent Simpson prophesied the year of remnant uprising: “Just as in Elijah’s day, there is still a remnant of genuine believers who hold true to the countercultural teachings of Christ. Not all people have rejected God’s message. You are not alone! There are others like you. There’s still a remnant of saints who believe in the power of the cross, the blood, the Bible, the Holy Spirit and prayer! Like an echo from the past, this remnant is a leftover fragment from days past before Christianity became watered down, and the power of God became absent from lives. You are not alone! God has chosen a remnant for this present time in America. 2016 is a year for the remnant to arise.” I believe we saw this and will continue to see it in 2017.

God Did It Before, and He Will Do It Again

Jane Hamon says she dreamed for hours with God speaking the same thing to her over and over on Dec. 24, 2015: “If you will show up, I will show off!” She prophesied the word of the Lord: “I will cause heaven to partner with earth in a new way in 2016. My people, if you will show up, I will show off! There are ‘Pharaohs’ and ‘Pharaoh situations’ that I have raised up which I will use as examples to demonstrate My power in the earth and make My name great.” I say a big amen to this one.

I Will Shake! I Will Shake!

Chuck Pierce got a word for the nation in January 2016 about the first six months of the year. He prophesied the nation of the USA will shake and called it the beginning of the Lord of the nations calling out and separating the nations. “I will develop boldness like never before in a people who have grown acceptable and silent. Don’t just look at others to lead the way, for a new spirit of boldness is coming upon you. I will be rearranging many things in your nation in the days ahead. I will start shaking the present church and will bring a new anointing on the pastors and leaders of this land. I will shake! I will shake! I will shake again!” We certainly saw a shaking. 

The Year of Demarcation

Rick Joyner proclaimed 2016 would undoubtedly be a remarkable year: “If I could describe what I see in one word, it would be ‘demarcation.’ We are entering the ‘Valley of Decision.’

Nations and individuals will be making choices on ultimate issues that determine their ultimate fate. We will have great crises to help illuminate the choices and their consequences. These crises will have a near-equal opportunity for good or evil.” We certainly saw this come to pass.

Year of Authentic Identity

Ryan Johnson prophesied about a year of authentic identity: “The time of imitations, echoes and Internet sermons is coming to an end. God is calling forth those who have been planted to be exactly whom He created, destined and dreamed you to be. With that, I believe that 2016 is the year of authentic identity. God, unlike days before, is establishing authentic apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, evangelists, deacons, elders, revivalists, pioneers, forerunners, worshippers, dancers, artists and authors through a distinct wind of His Spirit.” Hallelujah!

These are just a few of the words we published about 2016 in our Prophetic Insight column. Stay tuned for more in the year ahead. {eoa}

Jennifer LeClaire is senior editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, co-founder of , on the leadership team of the New Breed Revival Network and author of several books, including The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening; Mornings With the Holy Spirit, Listening Daily to the Still, Small Voice of God; The Making of a Prophet and Satan’s Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter. Jennifer’s Periscope handle is @propheticbooks.

The nations are entering a time of transition and change. We should not be afraid. God has prepared many “Josephs” in advance.

Joseph was God’s secret weapon. God used Joseph to save the ancient world during a time of extreme famine. Some Josephs are already being positioned to handle future crises. Other Josephs will come forth in the midst of crises. Joseph was both prophetic and entrepreneurial. This made him unique. Usually prophets are prophets and entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs. In Joseph, these two anointings combined.

Prophetic Accuracy and Strategic Wisdom

Joseph demonstrated prophetic accuracy when he interpreted Pharaoh’s two dreams. In the first dream, Pharaoh saw seven fat cows and then seven famished cows. The famished cows devoured the fat cows but remained famished. In the second dream, Pharaoh saw seven full heads of grain and seven scrawny heads of grain. The seven scrawny heads of grain devoured the full heads of grain but remained scrawny (Gen. 41:1-7, 17-24).

Joseph accurately interpreted the dreams: There would be seven years of plentiful harvest, followed by seven years of extreme famine. Joseph then went beyond prophetic accuracy and gave Pharaoh strategic wisdom. He advised Pharaoh to appoint a person to oversee the collection and storage of a vast grain reserve during the years of plenty. Joseph was appointed for the task (Gen. 41:25-46).

Prophetic accuracy is the domain of prophets. Strategic wisdom and its implementation is the domain of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are successful because they know what to do and how to do it. In the coming season, not only will there be greater cooperation between prophets and entrepreneurs, but prophets will implement strategic wisdom, and entrepreneurs will move with prophetic accuracy.

Anointed to Manage Resources

Joseph’s life in Egypt went through three phases.

• First, he was a slave in Potiphar’s house. He proved so trustworthy Potiphar promoted him to manage all the resources of his household (Gen. 39:1-6).
• Second, after being falsely accused and thrown in prison, he became a successful manager of resources within the prison, even though he was a prisoner (Gen. 39:20-23)!
• Third, Joseph was promoted to become prime minister of Egypt. As prime minister, he managed Egypt’s resources before and during a time of extreme crisis. Joseph learned how to collect, store and distribute grain.

It doesn’t sound inspiring, but Joseph was anointed to manage resources. Joseph spent 13 years managing resources for Potiphar and in prison, and then 14 years managing storehouses throughout Egypt. That’s a total of 27 years of hard work!

Often, prophets are stereotyped as isolated. They disappear into a “cave” for long periods of time and then dramatically reappear with the word of the Lord. This perception will change as prophets go to work. Joseph came out of isolation and went straight to work.

There is a principle in the Bible that states: One can chase 1,000 and two can put 10,000 to flight (Lev. 26:8; Deut. 32:30). In other words, unity multiplies authority. The coming unity between prophets and entrepreneurs will result in a dramatic increase in authority. In fact, many prophets will become entrepreneurial, and many entrepreneurs will become prophetic.

Creative Inventions, Systems, Strategies and Technologies

Prophets give guidance and direction. Entrepreneurs go to work. Joseph was a prophet but he also had entrepreneurial assignments from God. We are entering a new season. Joseph is a model.

In the past season, people came to the prophet, or the prophet went to the people. In the new season, the prophet will go to work.

In the past season, the entrepreneur came to the prophet, or the prophet went to the entrepreneur. In the new season the entrepreneur will receive revelation and blueprints from heaven. This will include creative inventions, systems, strategies and technologies that will bless the nations.

Under Joseph’s leadership, Egyptian civilization took a major step forward. This happened because large storehouses were built in centralized locations. Storing grain for extended periods of time and on such a large scale required new technologies. Building storehouses was a precursor to building strong cities (Gen. 47:21).

A union between prophets and entrepreneurs will bring forth prosperity even during times of crisis. It will also result in new technologies that will bless the nations in powerful and significant ways. Joseph was unknown on the national stage. At a strategic moment, his voice was heard. Great authority was bestowed on him.

Joseph was not limited by labels—he was both prophetic and entrepreneurial. There are many unknown Josephs in our day. God will bring them forth to fulfill the assignments He has for them. {eoa}

Nathan Shaw, senior pastor at Fire and Destiny Centre, Dunedin and Celebration Church in Mosgiel, New Zealand, helps bring individuals and churches into dynamic encounters with God’s indescribable love. His passion is to equip churches so that they can move in the Spirit, access heavenly realms, encounter God’s heart and release His kingdom on the earth. Nathan is the author of two books: Passion and Fire, which tells the story of a powerful move of the Spirit in Vanuatu during which the face of Jesus appeared on a dormitory wall, and Unto the Least of These, which is about God’s incredible love for widows and the fatherless and the significant part they play in His end-times plans. Both books are acclaimed by respected leaders across the body of Christ.

For the original article, visit .

“But to the wicked God says, ‘What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth? You hate instruction, and cast My words behind you'” (Ps. 50:16-17). 

Financial breakthrough is coming in 2017!”

“This is the year of fulfilled promises!”

“No more delay! Prosperity is yours in the new year!”

“This is the year of promotion!”

Sound familiar?

Prophecies like these or any variety of others are shouted from rooftops online and in other venues every year at about this time. Many of these such words are being given by those God is addressing in Psalm 50. What right do they have to recite God’s statutes? They are undisciplined, and God’s true words are cast off.

It’s time for the fear of the Lord to hit the prophetic movement in full force.

“Surely the Lord God does nothing without revealing His purpose to His servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:7-8).

Lest you misunderstand my intention, I’ll make it clear: Prophecy is critical in this late season. We must see an increase in clear, true prophetic revelation now more than ever. I believe God is hand-picking key voices who will not shrink back and who refuse to carelessly play with this supernatural gift as if they were some Disney-level wizard.

It’s time for the lion to roar with such force that these prophetic messengers are blown back as if standing behind a jet engine at full thrust.

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary notes: “As when ‘the lion roars’ none can help but ‘fear,’ so when Jehovah communicates His awful message, the prophet cannot but prophesy. Find not fault with me for prophesying; I must obey God.”

What a striking contrast to so much of today’s fortune-telling promises of wealth, health and happiness.

I read a “prophetic” word for the new year earlier today that promised miraculous wealth in the early part of 2017. My initial question was, “Is this word true for every Christian in the world?” Of course that is absurd, but this prophecy follows the pattern of so many that we hear at the first of the year. Big promises, freedom from anything negative and extreme satisfaction for all who hear. Yes, the fear of the Lord must return to the prophetic movement. The lion must roar.

I propose we embrace a prophetic protocol that has Jesus as the central figure. It’s found in Isaiah chapter 11:

“And there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. He shall delight in the fear of the Lord, and he shall not judge by what his eyes see, nor reprove by what his ears hear” (Is. 11:1-3).

The shoot from the stump of Jesse and the roaring lion are Jesus, and the prophetic role He plays is worthy of our alignment. As we endeavor to reveal accurate prophetic words, it would do us well to pray according to this passage in Isaiah:

1. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him (and us): There is too much divination in today’s prophetic culture. The spirit of Balaam is strong. Instead of the Spirit of the Lord, we are experiencing too much revelation from the realm of the soul or the demonic.

2. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding: Godly prophecy is the result of revelation received in the place of prayer. Why is this? Human wisdom and human understanding are all too eager to share their soulish revelation. It’s only when we pray and live in the Spirit that we can truly adopt supernatural wisdom. The mysteries of God will be revealed, and human logic will be confounded. It’s sadly rare to hear prophetic words today that shock our senses instead of satiating them.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil” (Prov. 3:5-7, MEV).

3. The Spirit of counsel and might: The Hebrew translation of the word “might” is “power” or “force.” When the lion roars, you can be sure that immeasurable power and force will be felt. Instead of turning our stomachs like too many softball prophetic words do today, God’s prophetic force will knock us to our knees. There will be clear direction, counsel, as to how we are to respond to the revelation. Cover to cover in Scripture, we read prophetic directives that are intense and dependent on the right response of the hearer.

To the angel of the church in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things: I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain but are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfected before therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not soiled their garments. They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments. I will not blot his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 3:1-6).

You can be sure John felt the force of those words, and the counsel was clear and urgent. I yearn for prophetic unction like this today.

4. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord: Words that don’t contain enough weight to cause the fear of the Lord to strike us are suspect. Even true, positive messages that would cause us to rejoice should still bear the marks of the fear of a most holy God. Instead of avoiding such sharp messages, the next generation of prophetic warriors will delight in the safety, the plumb line, that is the fear of the Lord.

“Now it will be, if you will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I am commanding you today, then the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth” (Deut. 28:1).

“But it will happen, if you will not listen to the voice of the Lord your God, by being careful to do all His commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you” (Deut. 28:15).

God is ready to bless us beyond measure, and that blessing is even brighter in contrast to what will come to the disobedient. This is the delight that the fear of the Lord produces—the realization that God is full of love and mercy and we can be free from his wrath.

5. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear: It’s all too easy to gaze upon the landscape of our world and produce supposed prophetic revelation that will capture people’s attention. We can’t have any more tabloid-style prophecies that capitalize on the current events of our day. Proclaimers are much different than reporters. We need those who will hear God’s voice in secret and proclaim it to the people much more than we need to hear opinion on what is going on in society.

“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own hearts, “Hear the word of the Lord!” Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!” (Ezek. 13:2-3).

My Prophetic Word for 2017

I don’t mean this to be a snarky or creative way to end this article. I feel something burning very strongly in my spirit; something extremely simple.

While timely rhema revelation must be received, the church must return to confidence in the logos. The infallible written truth. The Bible.

When timely prophetic words are given to me, I value them highly. However, I don’t seek after them. I don’t crave them. I only need them when God knows I do. What I do long for is the Word of God, the Bible. I deeply desire for it to explode in my Spirit in fresh new ways. I want God’s eternal Word to capture me!

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God shall stand forever” (Is. 40:8).

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is established in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matt. 24:35).

I exhort you to dive into the Word of God. The wealth it contains will transform your new year much more powerfully than a low level prophetic word ever will.

Consider some of the following and begin your quest to encountering God through his Word. Take note of the promises and also of the conditions associated with them. Let the Lion roar. May the fear of the Lord delight you. May your new year be marked by the force of the very breath of our mighty God.

“Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: Whoever sacrifices a thank offering glorifies Me and makes a way; I will show him the salvation of God” (Ps. 50:22-23).

“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways” (Deut. 28:7).

“Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and pay your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me” (Ps. 50:14-15).

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Now a slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. Therefore if the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed'” (John 8:34-36).

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1).

“Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

That’s a start. Now go ahead and receive the remaining promises in the Bible that are waiting for you in the New Year. There are thousands. {eoa}

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Another year has come and gone (perhaps a little too quickly). Maybe you are feeling discouraged reflecting on the year and all the things you didn’t get to do or achieve. If this describes your current mood, or if you’ve ever had one of those days (months, years) when you feel like quitting, then read on. I came across these “fun facts” from Sharon Jaynes. Just think if these people had given up after feeling discouraged.

Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school.

Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, was encouraged to find work as a servant or seamstress.

Beethoven’s violin teacher once told him he was a “hopeless composer.”

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas.

Thomas Edison’s teacher said he was too stupid to learn anything.

After Fred Astaire’s first screen test in 1933, the director noted, “Can’t act! Slightly bald. Can dance a little.”

Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four years old and didn’t read until he was seven. His teachers described him as mentally slow.

Babe Ruth, when he retired from baseball, had set the home run record (714), but he also held the record for the most strikeouts (1,330).

Winston Churchill failed sixth grade.

And one basketball player missed 9,000 shots in his career. He lost more than 300 games. Twenty-six times, he was trusted to take the game’s winning shot and missed. His name is Michael Jordan. He said, “I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that’s why I succeed.

You never know what God has in store for your new year, so trust Him and press on.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12, NIV). {eoa}

Tricia Goyer has written more than 35 books, including both novels that delight and entertain readers and nonfiction titles that offer encouragement and hope. She has also published more than 500 articles in national publications such as Guideposts, Thriving Family, Proverbs 31, and HomeLife Magazine.