Like many, I’m perplexed by the divide in the Christian community over President Trump. This article has been many months in the making as I’ve talked to people on both sides of the aisle. And as I stated in a brief op-ed, we can’t have our cake and eat it too—there is no middle ground for Christians today. You can either choose a president who will wear a Planned Parenthood scarf at her inauguration (or one of countless others who would seek to destroy the America we know and lead us down the primrose path of socialism—or worse), or you can back President Trump. There is no plan B. I’m amazed at how many pulpits are silent on this (more here and at my website, including Fox News debates).

The following seven points may help us better understand the differences between pro-Trump and no-Trump Christians. Personally, I believe that No. 7 stands above them all.

1. Some believe that Christians should stay out of politics. That may sound noble and even spiritual, but politics has been instrumental in movements to protect the unborn and the poor, to abolish slavery and secure women’s rights, and to advance the Civil Rights movement, to mention only a few.

Politics won’t save America, but in order to implement change and help others, we must take action; hence, the political process. Politics, which once focused largely on the economy, national security and the deficit, now tackle important moral issues. These major issues have enormous implications; to remain silent actually makes a statement that we are not concerned enough. Topics considered “too controversial” are often critically important; we can no longer ignore them.

2. Many are divided over foundational issues and the role of government. Some value appearance over abortion and graceful speech over national security. They are concerned that Trump is reckless but fail to see the plethora of conservative judges he has appointed and the protection of freedom of speech. Some even say, “Bring on the persecution. The early church did!” No, that’s not correct. The early church did not invite persecution, and most Christians in persecuted countries wish that they had our freedom. Many need to wake up to this fact. We can’t be united if we are divided on foundational issues. If everything is a priority, then nothing is. The highest priority is the value of human life. There is no contender. Our president is not a pastor; he is to be a terror to those who do evil (Rom. 13:3-4). This is why it’s unwise to apply many of Jesus’ teachings such as “turn the other cheek” to the institution of government. Contextually, Jesus was referring to personal affronts and insults, not to the administration of justice—which leads to the next point.

3. Many misquote Scripture to push their agenda. I’ve been shocked at how many people use “turn the other cheek” and other scriptures out of context. If you feel that the government should “turn the other cheek,” I appreciate your heart, but you really need to think this through. Even Jesus didn’t always turn the other cheek. When one of the temple officers struck Him, he called the man out and said, “Why do you strike me?” There is a time to call people out. The Bible does not promote pacifism in all cases, especially in the context of national security. Should we tell our leaders to turn the other cheek to Russia, China and North Korea?

I would love to have a humble, Spirit-filled Christian in office, but this person would have to be an exceptional leader who not only shows grace to his fellow man but is also a terror to terrorists. And even if that person exists, I am not sure if they could win the presidency. There are only two candidates … two choices when it comes to enough votes to win.

Again, the president is to protect and defend, not turn the other cheek. I believe that this is also why many of us view Trump’s tweets differently. For example, on immigration, although I would not have said what he said, what I read into many of the tweets is that he was talking about securing our borders from those who wish to do us harm. He was not making a blanket statement that applies to all immigrants. We have a legal process to enter our country, and if we want to change it, there is a constitutional method to do so. As Christians, we should be able to agree about the rule of law, even if we don’t care for the words used to express how those laws should be enforced. So, on the one hand, I can have great compassion for refugees and others who want to live here, but on the other hand, I realize that we have to do things the right way.

How I treat refugees is different from how the government does. I do not believe in the separation of church and state as it is defined today. But I do believe the church and state are to be separate in their duties and functions while being interwoven in their core beliefs and principles. Our second president, John Adams, said: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” (More can be found in my book, One Nation Above God, free on Kindle.)

4. Many are looking through the lens of color or race. Instead of looking through the lens of a biblical worldview, many vote based on ethnicity. Sadly, the lie that Donald Trump is a racist has driven fear-based voting. Somehow (in ways still unclear to me), white Christians are viewed as Republican racists, when in reality, it was the Republicans who fought against slavery and championed freedom. I just finished reading Ulysses S. Grant’s biography, and it’s amazing to learn about the true cost of freedom. The tens of thousands who gave their lives in the Civil War would be horrified to see how the truth has been twisted today. Unfortunately, racism is still alive, but it’s found on both sides of the political aisle. Neither party should be characterized as racist.

5. Many believe that whatever good President Trump has done for the church, he has done more damage in the long run. The argument goes something like this: “Because evangelicals are so closely associated with Trump, it makes the gospel look bad.” They would add, “We have always been the ‘character counts’ people. What has changed?” Nothing has changed. We are not voting for people based on a Christ-like character (though that would be a huge plus); we are voting for the future direction of America. And how do we know that President Trump is not slowly changing for the better being around so many godly influences—from James Robison to Jentezen Franklin to Franklin Graham to Robert Morris? I think that those Christian leaders closest to him would be the ones to best assess the spiritual climate of the White House rather than arm-chair quarterbacks.

My concern for the group under this point is that they worry too much about his personal character. Yes, character counts, but President Trump doesn’t set the spiritual climate of our nation, we do. God doesn’t let a spiritual awakening hinge on the character of one person. America’s first Great Awakening happened under the difficult reign of the king of England. Granted, he wasn’t elected by the people, but the principle still stands: Let God deal with President Trump, and let us be concerned about personal revival and renewal. God’s call of repentance is not to Hollywood, Washington or the media (though that would be great to see); His call is to us. “If My people … turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chr. 7:14). The silent majority needs to wake from their spiritual slumber.

Here is an analogy that will bring this point home. The head of a neighborhood watch program, who took the late-night watches, had previously had an affair. He was occasionally gruff and impulsive, and sometimes his words were crass and offensive, but he watched over the neighborhood diligently each night. Each week he invited church leaders into his home to pray for him and his family and to seek their advice. He often stood against others on the committee who wanted to enact policies harmful to the neighborhood and to the children, such as advocating an open-door policy where residents were required to allow anyone into their homes at all hours of the day for handouts.

Is this not the kind of person you would want leading your neighborhood watch? Does his past or demeanor matter more than the results he is seeking? If you are intellectually honest, the answer is not difficult. In the same way, the answer is simple for America. Again, we are not voting for people based on how godly they are; we are voting for the future direction of America: the right to life, the elevation of God’s Word back to its proper place, the appointment of conservative judges, securing America and her borders, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for all Americans.

6. Some feel that many pro-Trumpers place patriotism before the kingdom of God. But is being a proud American wrong? Not necessarily. Yes, for some pro-Trumpers, “MAGA” seems to be more important than the Great Commission. It is wrong to put man’s kingdom before God’s kingdom. But we have dual citizenship. We have a responsibility to both, with God’s kingdom as the priority. We cannot overlook our civic responsibility as Christians—we can no longer hide behind the excuse, “I don’t want to get involved.” As citizens, we have the privilege (for now) to place people in positions of leadership. God blessed us with this privilege. Whether we like it or not, we are involved. Millions are not registered to vote, and millions of registered voters stay at home. We’ll stand in line to see a movie, but we won’t stand in line to vote and elect leaders who will affect the direction of our country.

While nationalism can include a self-righteous attitude, it doesn’t have to—it’s all about how we define it and how we live. Watch my short clip on nationalism here and my clip titled “What You Must Know About America” here.

7. Christians are divided because many who claim to be “Christians” are not genuinely saved. As a result, their perception of truth is skewed. Having interacted with people about President Trump since 2016, I have noticed that many no-Trumpers shared pro-LGBTQ statements and rainbow flags on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Most of them also had a low view of Scripture and avoided words such as repentance, holiness and sin, but they willingly flaunted their favorite R-rated sexually charged movie and saw no problem with sharing profanity-laced memes and “jokes.” This was very telling. Many are led by Hollywood, not the Holy Spirit. If Hollywood and the national media are on your side, there’s a problem.

In short, although there are some, it was hard to find God-fearing Christians on social media and throughout the USA who love God’s Word and spend time in prayer with humility and repentance who also oppose President Trump. Coincidence? I think not. Kingdoms are colliding, and there is a definite bias. As Ryan Bomberger said so well in his op-ed, “Where was the call for removal of President Barack Obama? For the first time in history, an American President keynoted a fundraising gala for the leading killer of those made in God’s image—Planned Parenthood.”

Bomberger continues, “He was the most radically pro-abortion president in history,” and adds that Obama once said, “God Bless Planned Parenthood!” Back then, the media lauded him at every turn, and any who opposed Obama were labeled as racist, fundamentalist Christians, bitterly clinging to their God and their guns. Can’t I like Obama and Michelle as people, but not agree with their policies without being labeled? The answer is no. Today, that same media attacks the president on every issue, and anyone who supports him is regarded as ignorant, uneducated and unworthy of even being allowed to speak publicly.

In closing, I agree with what Dr. Michael Brown said in his op-ed regarding evangelical elites versus evangelical deplorables and how to improve the communication. That’s what I’m hoping to accomplish. After all, we are either building a strong nation for our children and grandchildren, or we are destroying it from the inside out. The choice is ours.

When one mentions 2020 one immediately thinks of it pertaining to clear vision at a distance of 20 feet. We know as we enter into the year 2020 that it is not only the beginning of a New Year, but also a new decade, and it is the decade that often headlines in historical terms.

For many, the next 10 years must be better than the last 10 years, but the vision to see ahead even from 20 feet is so difficult especially as one event can change lives and our individual direction. This year I lost eight close to me who passed on with ages varying from 50 to 70, numbers that focus the mind on the brevity of our own lives. The majority, of course, believe that life will go on forever, but no one has ever lived to tell us what forever looks like. Therefore, with this in mind, I want to encourage all of you to “get it done”—everything you’ve ever wanted—and not to delay if you can possibly do it. Procrastination is the enemy that requires elimination this coming year, and focus, to “get it done.”

My son thanked me today for my showing him several countries in his life to date as he gains great perspective through what travel brings. If you do harbour desires to see a nation, then “get it done.” My wife has told me today what she wishes to achieve and I’m under orders to “get it done.” Make a list of what needs to be done in your life, a “get it done list,” then pray into it and do it. I’m not talking about New Year’s resolutions, but I’m talking about real goals: direction, not diet.

So I’m saying on the first day of 2020: “Get it done.”

Get it done—before it’s too late.

If you are in crisis, please call 800-273-8255 or visit . You are not alone.

Author Sarah Walton realized she’d passed her Lyme disease onto her kids, and although it wasn’t her fault, the wave of guilt hit her like a pile of bricks, she says in her book, Hope When It Hurts. Yet despite the trials and sorrow, she clung to her faith and experienced God in a way like never before.

“I wouldn’t say I was angry with God; I would say, very much like Job, I wrestled with where God was and trying to understand the character of God,” Walton says. ” … It drove me to Christ with an absolute dependence because I was so helpless myself. … With my husband, we had a lot of strain with my kids; it was very difficult. And my health was worsening. … Yet God really was faithful—He changed me profoundly.”

In the past, Walton dealt with depression, which was rooted in both the physical and spiritual realms, she explains on the Charisma News podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network. Thus, medication did play an important role in her healing in high school after she attempted suicide.

“The Lord definitely used medication. And I noticed a drastic difference—within two days, all of a sudden I could see the light of day again … and I had such an anger toward my family that just melted away,” Walton says. “My life completely flipped and went the opposite direction—where I was struggling through relationships, I suddenly desired relationships.”

To listen to more of Walton’s story, click here for the entire episode.

Got a purpose?

Ask God to show you something you could do if fear stepped out of your way.

Queen Esther’s Challenge

Queen Esther found herself facing such a challenge. She’d risen above her difficult childhood and won a kingdom-wide beauty pageant to accept the role of a lifetime, a royal marriage to King Xerxes himself. The marriage had been a happy one until her husband fell under the spell of Haman, a nobleman with evil intent.

Haman convinced Xerxes to make a decree that on a certain day, the people of King Xerxes’ kingdom could exterminate and enslave the Jews, Esther’s people.

Esther was heartbroken, but what could she do to stop the slaughter? If she tried to speak up, she’d have to waltz uninvited into the king’s court. That was a crime for which she could be executed. But why bother? The king’s decree was irreversible.

Her uncle, Mordecai, sent Esther a message: “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, NLT ).

Queen Esther’s Decision

After Mordecai’s words, and much prayer, Esther began to envision that she would speak up. She decided to confront the king and sent her uncle word of her plan explaining, “If I perish, I perish” (Esth. 4:16c, MEV).

In mustered courage, Esther was given the opportunity to tell the king of her people’s plight. He was horrified at her news and soon made a new decree that granted the Jews of his kingdom the right to gather and stand for their lives and to slay anyone who would assault or enslave or steal from them.

The day of the anticipated attack came, then went, without incident. Esther had saved her people.

What About You?

Maybe, like Esther, you are a crossroads, contemplating a decision for purpose. It’s time to consider your dream, the things you’ve imagined doing for the kingdom, like maybe running for a political office or your school board, teaching school, writing a book, studying law, volunteering a church, starting a ministry or even telling your friends and family about Jesus.

What if it’s worth the risk? What if you aren’t obedient and God should raise up another, ensuring that your chance for purpose should perish?

Pray, then move forward to deliver God’s message of purpose on the platform God is giving you. Do it so people will live and not die.

I have three words that have been guiding me this year: vision, purpose and courage, because I believe they go together. Purpose needs vision, for without vision, the people perish (see Prov. 29:18).

So pray into God’s vision for you, then invite God into your journey so He himself can supply you with His courage.

It’s time for you to arise, Esther! Raise your voice to deliver the message only you can give. {eoa}

Linda Evans Shepherd is a nationally known Christian speaker and a bestselling author of over 30 books. She’s the president of Right to the Heart Ministries, founder of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and the founder of . Her latest book is When You Need to Move a Mountain.

This article originally appeared at .

Fasting is a term that scares people. It automatically means crucifying the flesh and giving up food. People get scared that their blood sugar will bottom out or that they won’t be able to function physically if they fast.

Yes, there are extreme fasts when you fast on water, liquids or do a Daniel fast that can give your body physical side effects. But have you ever sought the wisdom of the Holy Spirit regarding what and how He wants you to fast?

I know some people have been called to fast social media, electronics or different idols they have established in their lives that need to be broken down and removed. While I don’t want to negate the necessity of some of these fasts for some people, I believe we should also focus on fasting from food and crucifying our fleshly desires.

Fasting can be simple and have lasting health effects on your body. Your fast should be individual and don’t compare what the Spirit of the Lord is calling you to fast from to another person and how they are fasting.

As I said before, we know there are water, liquid and Daniel fasts. But, did you know fasting from certain foods can crucify your flesh, identify health ailments and bring forth physical healings?

I remember years ago I fasted from refined sugar for 40 days. At the end of the fast I went to a healing service and was healed of high blood pressure and was able to get off my medication.

One time I felt the Lord calling me to fast from cheese. I thought, “I don’t eat that much cheese.” Do you realize how much cheese you consume? Cheese is on salads, Mexican and Italian. Did you know statistics show cheese is more addictive than cocaine? I noticed when I did start to eat cheese again my body would work extra hard to process it and I could feel physical manifestations within my body that were negative.

Cheese and dairy are not good for your body. My daughter recently did a 21-day meat fast and when she put meat back in her diet, she discovered that her body doesn’t process beef well and she doesn’t feel well. Now she eats chicken, turkey burger and fish and doesn’t have the same negative reactions in her digestive system.

Fasting when crucifying the flesh always brings us closer to the Lord. We move ourselves out of the way and all of a sudden make what He wants for us more important than what we desire for ourselves.

Along the way, we can discover foods that really aren’t good for our body, allergies to food and physical health ailments that are triggered by the food we eat. I know over the years the Lord has told me to cut out gluten, refined sugar, soy, dairy and other items. Every time I fast, I discover I feel better, the Lord was right, and I learn and grow so much in the things of the Spirit.

Would you consider beginning a fast to focus on the Lord? Would you take some time to pray and ask the Spirit of the Lord to tell you what to fast from, how long and how to fast? I have a fasting-support Facebook group to assist you in fasting and getting kingdom fit. Join my fasting support group here.

Receive additional fasting and healthy eating tips and learn how to break food addictions through my mini ecourse . {eoa}

Kathy DeGraw is a prophetic deliverance minister releasing the love and power of God to ignite and activate people, release prophetic destinies and deliver people from the bondage of the enemy. She is the founder of Kathy DeGraw Ministries and Be Love Outreach. She is the host of the Prophetic Spiritual Warfare podcast. She is the author of several books, including Speak Out, Discerning and Destroying the Works of Satan, Unshackled and Warfare Declarations. You can connect with Kathy on Facebook at or visit .

When I was a teenager, my mentor, Barry, taught me to have a daily devotional time with God. This has become the single most important habit in my life, and I’m convinced no one can grow as a Christian without it.

I memorized Proverbs 8:34 when I was just 18: “Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” I started getting up early and praying in my college dorm room. I discovered that God promises a blessing to those who spend time with Him! More than 40 years later I’m still setting aside that special time with God.

But how do you structure a daily quiet time in today’s overscheduled culture? Many Christians today say they are way too busy to set aside time to pray and read the Bible. Instead, they multi-task their devotional lives by listening to Christian podcasts while commuting to work or praying under their breath while showering or brushing their teeth.

There’s nothing wrong with doing those things, but if you never set aside time to focus wholeheartedly on prayer or the Bible, your relationship with God will feel cluttered and superficial. It’s not too late to develop new habits. Here are a few ways you can make your time with God richer and more intimate.

Set a regular time for your “date” with God. There is no rule about when to pray. Some people prefer mornings; others find prayer easier in the evening hours. Devotional time works better for me early in the morning, before life’s pressures crowd my time. Once you develop your unique habit, and you realize how much you benefit from it, you’ll find you simply can’t live without time with God.

Choose a special place that gives you privacy. Jesus reminded us that seclusion is a secret to effective prayer. He said: “But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret” (Matt. 6:6a). This doesn’t mean you can’t pray while driving to work. But you need a quiet place in order to focus. My favorite chair in my study at home is where I’m most centered.

Turn off your phone. Would you talk to friends, reply to texts or answer emails during a date with your spouse? Not unless you trivialize that relationship. The same principle applies when you spend time with the Lord. We need to reclaim the art of undistracted devotion.

I love my phone, but I’ve found it necessary to silence it during my times with God. And if you use your phone to read the Bible, consider switching to an old-fashioned hard copy of the Scriptures. The temptation to check messages or post Instagram photos can waste time and ruin your devotional life.

Don’t put yourself under pressure. You don’t have to read 50 chapters of the Bible or pray three hours. Pace yourself. Be realistic and take small steps. If you have not been seeking the Lord regularly, start by reading a chapter a day in the Bible and praying for 15 minutes. Eventually you will want more. It is better to be a tortoise than a hare. The key is to be consistent.

Learn to “chew” the Bible. One of the simplest ways to study the Bible is to read one book at a time (such as Romans or Isaiah) and slowly digest each verse. The biblical word “meditate” means “to chew,” as a cow chews its cud over and over. The more you read a passage, the more “juice” you squeeze out of it!

Don’t just read; listen for God’s voice. Some people have complained to me, “I just never hear God speaking.” Yet when I ask if they read the Bible regularly, they say they’re too busy. God wants to speak directly to us through the pages of His Word.

When you read Scripture with a prayerful heart, God can cause a verse to jump off the page as a direct, personal message. British preacher Charles Spurgeon recognized this years ago when he wrote: “When I have been in trouble, I have read the Bible until a text has seemed to stand out of the Book, and salute me, saying, ‘I was written specially for you.'”

Use a prayer list. Many Christians think prayer is just about getting their own needs met. But Jesus calls us to a deeper place of sacrifice by inviting us to pray for others. I love what Samuel told the people of Israel when they were in trouble. He said: “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Sam. 12:23).

Years ago, I started the habit of praying for certain people God had put in my life. Today, I have a long list of people I pray for regularly. Pouring my heart out in prayer for them has become one of the most fulfilling spiritual disciplines I engage in. During 2019 I saw so many answers to prayer: Babies were conceived, churches were planted, single people found spouses, prodigals came home and many of my friends found healing or financial breakthrough in response to prayer.

The apostle Paul feared that the Corinthians might be “led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3, NASB). Our media-saturated culture gives us a million ways to occupy our time, but simple devotion remains the antidote to all distraction. As you step into 2020, reset your priorities and make it your goal to spend time with God.

Courtney Schmidt is the administrator of a Facebook support group that has hundreds of members who each, like her, wanted a place to go for encouragement as a Christian with obsessive compulsive disorder. In fact, Schmidt says that her struggles with OCD brought her closer to God than anything else, even though she had an unhealthy performance mindset in the beginning.

“There’s a particular type of OCD called scrupulosity. And that is an obsession with religion. And for me, it turned into being scared that I wasn’t religiously perfect enough. So how that would work is I would be scared: ‘Oh, what if I’m not obeying the Word of God? Am I saying something wrong? Am I doing something wrong?’

“As a Christian, we know all of our sins are forgiven. However, there’s a little side note in the Bible about an unpardonable sin. … I knew that I was forgiven, but the obsession that I had gained was that I was not forgiven. And I was praying constantly for forgiveness and on loop and trying to do things that would make me worthy.”

Finding a Christian therapist, along with the encouraging fellowship she received through her Facebook group, is what really helped her out of her lowest points by reshaping her perspective, Schmidt says on the Charisma News podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network. The therapist in particular would remind Schmidt of the truths of God’s Word and combat the cycle of lies in her head.

“A lot of it was her putting it into perspective and saying, ‘God does forgive you’—and not saying it too much, because that gives in to the OCD—but it would be saying, when it comes down to it, OCD aside, ‘God loves you. … He understands what you’re going through,'” Schmidt says. ” … There’s a lot of times you feel lost—[there’s] that little part of you [that says to God,] ‘Have You forgotten about me?’ So it’s really that encouragement of, no, God is still with you; God is on your side.”

Although Schmidt hasn’t been miraculously healed from her OCD, she is in a phase of recovery, thanks to God and the help of people around her. To listen to the rest of her story, hear the entire episode here.

In her book Find Your Peace, Rodica Malos reflects on the New Year’s Eve that she received the Holy Spirit, and how her experience mirrored that of televangelist Benny Hinn.

Growing up in Romania, Malos did not know anything about Christians elsewhere in the world. Their TV programs only featured communist personalities and they were not allowed to read Christian literature. It wasn’t until later in life that Malos read Good Morning, Holy Spirit by Hinn and realized that her experience was not uncommon for Christians. Hinn writes:

Like a jolt of electricity, my body began to vibrate all over—exactly as it had through the two hours I waited to get into the church. It was the same shaking I had felt for another hour once from my head to my was shaking, but at the same time I again felt that warm blanket of God’s power wrapped all around me. I felt as if I had been translated to heaven.

Hinn experienced this in December of 1973 in Toronto, Canada. Meanwhile, about 4,720 miles across the world in a poor Romanian village, Malos had a similar encounter on New Year’s Eve. She writes in her book:

We met in a widow’s house in another village to pray. That night, I walked in the snow about three kilometers to the meeting. This widow had stuffed pillows in the windows, and blocked the doors with wood for secrecy and protection from the authorities. A poor widow with five children, to pray at her home we knelt on a dirt floor. Despite the modest surroundings, you could feel the warmth of their hearts. When they started to pray, it was like the house was “on fire.” During prayer that night, I was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

I will never forget feeling overwhelmed and enveloped in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was a supernatural experience. I felt His presence when the power of the Lord fell on me and the Holy Spirit joined my spirit. God made me consciously aware of His presence. Immersed in the power of the Holy Spirit, a shift took place in my whole being. The power of God was so intense it overwhelmed my soul and spirit; exceeding joy flooded my soul. At that moment the Holy Spirit crossed the threshold into my physical being from the spiritual realm. The Spirit of God collided with my spirit. Being born again changed me into a different person. Something supernatural happened in my soul.

Malos hopes that her medical insight combined with her passion for the Holy Spirit will lead readers into embracing the supernatural in the physical world. Her book Find Your Peace: Supernatural Solutions Beyond Science for Fear, Anxiety, and Depression releases Feb. 4, 2020.

A court in China has sentenced a prominent pastor to nine years in prison on charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business operations.”

Pastor Wang Yi led the Early Rain Covenant Church, one of the most prominent underground churches in China.

China Aid reported that Wang and 100 other members of his church were taken into custody on Dec. 9, 2018, after his home was raided and ransacked by police.

Their arrests were part of an ongoing Communist crackdown on all unauthorized religious groups in China.

The Chinese government has taken extreme measures like bulldozing churches and mosques, barring Tibetan children from Buddhist studies and incarcerating more than a million members of Islamic ethnic minorities in what are termed “re-education centers.”

Chinese authorities require that Protestants worship only in churches recognized and regulated by the Communist Party.

CBN News previously reported that Communist Party leader President Xi Jinping has ordered that all religions must “Sinicize” to ensure they are loyal to the officially atheistic party.

Wang had criticized the government for forcing its citizens to engage in “Caesar worship” by treating President Xi like a god. His arrest may have been triggered by his 7,300-words manifesto titled “Meditations on the Religious War,” which he wrote and posted on social media.

Click here to read the rest of this story from our content partners at CBN News.

The Lord continues to speak to me about the time of alignment we are currently in. It is a very strategic time for individuals and for regions.

In the coming months, many people will see the Lord “unlock” things about them that will release them in a greater way to walk in the plans He has shown them. The year 2020 will be a time where many people step into greater kingdom assignments, as there is an acceleration of the unfolding of God’s plans on the earth.

I heard the Lord say, “Watch as I unlock things about My people in the coming months. It is a time of unlocking, or unfolding, the greater plans I have prepared for My faithful ones to walk in. That which has been ‘held up’ for such a time as this is now being unlocked and released. The faithfulness of My people in stewarding what I have given them, coupled with the fulfillment of My timing, will unlock the increase I will bring to them.

“Many people will see Me release them into the greater plans I have prepared for them in the months to come, and they will walk in closer partnership with Me. As My plans are unfolding, so, too, am I unfolding the greater plans for My people and releasing My faithful ones into significant kingdom assignments. They will walk in the mandate they were born to fulfill.”

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10, ESV).

I saw many people who felt like they are in a “holding pattern” at this time. They know the assignments the Lord is calling them to steward, but they are waiting on Him to unlock and release things around them so that they can fully step out into their assignments. I also saw many people have received prophecies of what the Lord is calling them to, but they are wondering how they will ever come to pass due to their circumstances. The Lord is encouraging His people; He is going to unlock things that have restricted you, and you will see the Lord release you into the greater plans He has for you in the time ahead.

Unlocking and Releasing of Resources

The Lord then said, “Many of My people will see unexpected provision come to them, for I am going to unlock and release provision and resources. This time of unlocking and alignment is coming in order for My people to be released into the kingdom assignments I have for them. Those who have stewarded well in the past season will be entrusted with more.

“My people will need to be open to the ways I will bring provision for, in many cases, it will be in new and unexpected ways. They will need to be discerning to see the way I am leading them. As they follow My leading they will see My favor and reward upon their path. Angels of provision are being released at this time to align the path for My people to bring an unlocking and releasing of resources.”

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master'” (Matt. 25:21).

Release of Shackles and Unlocking the New Path

The Lord says, “I am delivering My people from that which has bound and restricted them. Many of My people will see the ‘shackles’ of the past, circumstances of the heart and mindsets break off them as they surrender to Me and allow Me to bring freedom to them. As shackles are broken, release, peace, freedom and wholeness will come. I am highlighting the shackles in order to do a deep work in My people. I am calling them to a new way and a new path. They will walk in hope, purpose and faith for the promise. Where their hearts have questioned Jeremiah 29:11, now they will truly believe as they see the plans I have for them unfold and their hope is renewed.”

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11).

“I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14, TPT).

The Lord says, “In this time of great shifting, motion and alignment, many people will see their circumstances and situations shift and move. They will see My hand over their lives. My angelic hosts are being released to align the path before My people. I align the path, but My people need to continue to take steps of faith and obedience to My leading in order to walk the path I have prepared, for the path is always an invitation.”

I then saw a huge chessboard and I knew the board represented the lives of God’s people. I saw pieces on the chessboard being strategically moved into position by the Lord. He was showing me that He is aligning and moving things in the lives of His people in this time of alignment, and this is unlocking and releasing them.

Many times we don’t see the ways the Lord is aligning our path and ordering our steps until we look back and see the way He intervened and worked things for our good. The Lord is encouraging you that He is positioning, unlocking and aligning things for you.

Unlocking and Releasing of Plans for Regions and Nations

I then saw a chessboard laid over a map of the world and I could see the Lord was also moving chess pieces on a world scale. He was showing me that this is a strategic time of alignment in the earth, as well as for individuals, and we will see His plans unfold in a greater way in regions and nations.

I then heard the Lord say, “Just as I am moving and aligning things in the lives of My people, so, too, am I unlocking and releasing the greater plans I have for regions and nations, for this is not just a time of alignment for individuals but for regions.

“Spiritual wells are being released in key regions of the earth. My plans will unfold in a greater and more accelerated way in 2020. Unexpected places will be highlighted by Me as regional transformation begins to manifest in areas were the spiritual wells are located. These are places of rich spiritual inheritance where much intercession has been sown, and where My people have awakened to the hour and their commission. They are arising in their authority in Me and stepping into the plans I have for them; they are advancing My kngdom through the power of My love and My Spirit.” {eoa}

Katie Barker is the co-founder of Bring the Fire Ministries along with her husband Aaron. They live on the Tweed Coast of Australia with their four children. Bring the Fire Ministries is about bringing revival fire to the nations. It is about ministering to others through the power of the Word of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Katie has a heart to encourage believers into a deeper relationship with the Lord and see them walk in the fullness of their identity and inheritance in Christ. Her desire is to see believers understand their kingdom authority and position, use the spiritual gifts they have been given, and impact their areas of influence for the kingdom of God. She also has a heart for revival and to see the body of Christ united and awakened.