CN Morning Rundown: Blockbuster Film ‘The Harbingers of Things to Come’ Now Available Through Faith Content Network

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Blockbuster Film ‘The Harbingers of Things to Come’ Now Available Through Faith Content Network

After a stunning success in theaters nationwide for two nights only on May 12 and May 19, 2022, The Harbingers of Things to Come from New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Cahn—author of The Harbinger, The Harbinger II—The Return, The Oracle, The Book of Mysteries and other critically acclaimed books—topped the charts as one of the top five films viewed across the nation and the third highest per screen average. The first showing alone saw the film rank No. 2 at the box office as the second-highest grossing film nationally. In total, the explosive motion picture saw almost 100,000 people in just two nights and grossed more than $1 million.

After such a triumph in the box office, The Harbingers of Things to Come is now available for hosting at churches, communities, groups and organizations nationwide, through ticketed streaming events from May 13–June 13, 2022, at The Faith Content Network. With a network of nearly 150,000 pastors and church leaders, the Faith Content Network is a collection of churches that present new, faith-driven, theatrical events available in tandem with their exclusive theatrical release.

This riveting feature film based on Cahn’s bestselling and brilliant successes with The Harbinger series reveals the ancient mysteries that lie behind what is happening in America and the world today — and in the future.

End-Times Expert: The Economic Downslide Is Worse Than We Thought

The U.S. economy is slowing down more quickly than almost all of the experts had anticipated. As I detailed yesterday, U.S. consumers have been getting hit extremely hard by this economic slowdown, and at this point most Americans believe that a recession is coming.

But could it be possible that a recession has already begun? As you will see below, the numbers seem to indicate that such a scenario is quite likely. But whether we are already officially in a recession or not, the truth is that whatever we are experiencing now is nothing compared to the pain that is eventually coming down the road.

Do you remember how painful it was for our society when the first housing bubble spectacularly imploded back in 2008?

7 Ways True Shepherds Protect the Flock

Shepherds are called to oversee the flock that was purchased with the blood of Jesus (Acts 20:28-30). Part of that role involves guarding and protecting the flock against adversaries, wolves in sheep’s clothing and other challenges.

This is why the shepherds have both a rod and a staff. The rod is to fight off wild animals who desire to devour the flock, and the staff is meant to gently tap the sheep to keep them on the correct course. The prototypical Old Testament shepherd is King David, who killed the bear, lion and Goliath while protecting both sheep and God’s people (1 Sam. 17).

Hence, a shepherd’s calling also involves being a warrior who protects the flock, not just feeding and comforting them. {eoa}

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Side Effects From Moderna Shot Force Green Beret Purple Heart Recipient Into Medical Retirement

Lt. Col. Peter Chambers, a medical doctor, is one of only six flight surgeons attached to the legendary “Green Beret” Special Forces. For 39 years, Dr. Chambers served fearlessly throughout multiple harrowing combat tours.

In Afghanistan, he survived a direct artillery hit to his Humvee and got an AK-47 round through his left arm that lodged in his ribcage after dragging the men from his shredded vehicle out of enemy fire.

As the only survivor of that dreadful attack, Chambers earned the Purple Heart and chose to return to full duty. His love for God and America drove him to continue his sacrificial service in the United States Army.

Chambers had every intention of continuing to serve his country and his fellow soldiers until he reached the 40-year mark of his career in 2023, at which time he would finally retire to civilian life. But Chambers will not reach that 40-year milestone because side effects from the Moderna shot did what neither an artillery shell nor a round to the chest could do.

The COVID “vaccine” permanently injured Chambers. He will now be medically retired this month, because of Biden’s illegal mandate.

Chambers has been diagnosed with “demyelination,” a side effect that the FDA and the shot makers themselves knew about but failed to tell the world until a recent court order forced the FDA to release the COVID shot safety testing documentation. “Demyelination” as a side effect is listed on page 9.

Each of the nerves in your body has a protective coating surrounding them. Much like the plastic coating on a lamp cord, the myelin sheath protects the nerve fibers. Just like a lamp cord, if this sheath is damaged or worn, the nerve fibers “spark,” creating intense, unmanageable pain throughout the body.

When demyelination hits the nerves and synapses in the brain, it can cause severe migraines as well as cognitive impairment. As demyelination continues, the body suffers unspeakable and often unmanageable constant pain. Demyelination victims often report that their feet, hands, arms and legs feel as though acid is burning through their every muscle.

Thanks to the documentation the courts forced the FDA to release, we now know that both the pharmaceutical companies and the FDA knew about this injury and other debilitating and life-threatening side effects from the shots. But they told no one, and instead allowed the shot mandates to go forward.

No wonder the FDA wanted to wait 75 years to release the data! Thankfully, a federal court has ordered the data released at the rate of 55,000 pages rather than 500 pages per month—as the FDA requested. On March 1, a Pfizer document listed 1,291 adverse injuries from its shot—including demyelination.

Chambers says he “trusted the science” and trusted his government’s “safe and effective” narrative when he was pressured to take the Moderna shot as per Joe Biden’s military shot mandate. Had Chambers known the shots were neither safe nor effective, or had he known about the aborted fetal cell link, he would not have succumbed to the pressure.

Chambers’ myelin sheath is now so severely worn that weather-related pressure changes and even being around 5G cell towers or networks can cause vertigo and make him dizzy.

Chambers testified in our landmark class action lawsuit (Navy SEAL 1 v. Austin) defending our brave military members against Biden’s unlawful shot mandates. Liberty Counsel has filed for class certification to protect not only Chambers, but also every member of the United States military. I will write more about this as soon as I can.

The truth about the shots is getting out, thanks to lawsuits like the one Liberty Counsel is conducting on behalf of military members. Even many people who have previously been in favor of vaccines or who have had the COVID shot themselves now understand that the world has been duped.

With understanding comes responsibility. We must stop the unbelievable tyranny of shot mandates and Vaccine Passports so no one else winds up with every nerve in their body feeling as though it is on fire.

As we remember our fallen heroes, we must not let their sacrifices be in vain. Please, take a stand now to defend the freedom of the men and women who defend freedom—some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.

Please help Liberty Counsel stand against the unconstitutional shot mandates. Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction. {eoa}

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Fired Teacher Refuses to Use Preferred Pronouns, Takes Case to Virginia Supreme Court

In the fall of 2018, Peter Vlaming, a high school French teacher, was fired for refusing to use male pronouns when referring to a female student who identified as male.

Vlaming filed a lawsuit against the West Point School Board and was dismissed by a King William County Circuit Court in Virginia, but he appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court. On March 3, Virginia’s highest court agreed to hear his case.

The high court is still deliberating the case.

Vlaming now claims he tried to accommodate the student by using her new preferred first name. When he was confronted by the girl about how she heard Vlaming wasn’t using her preferred pronouns when referring to her outside of class, Vlaming replied, “Well, let’s stop there. Let’s get some things straight. First of all, I like you. And I like who you are and the things that make you who you are. I’m glad you’re in French class.”

Vlaming complimented her on her wit, charm and humor, and said, “We’re not supposed to say this, but you’re one of my favorite students.” The student and her mother felt satisfied with the conversation. In an effort to be transparent, Vlaming says that he talked to his assistant principal about the conversation “the very next day.”

When he briefed his assistant principal, he “explained the conversation in detail” and he explained his position: “I respect the student’s rights to adopt this new identity. I respect the right of her family to believe the same. But I can only follow them so far. I cannot in good conscience refer to a girl as a boy.”

The conversation with the assistant principal escalated until the school board told him he had to use male pronouns for the student “no matter who was present, even if it was just another colleague behind closed doors.” The school board officially reprimanded Vlaming and told him that this was the first step toward him getting terminated.

On Halloween in 2021, Vlaming used virtual reality headsets to show his students the underground catacombs in France. During the exercise, the student who identified as a male almost ran into a wall, and Vlaming yelled, “Don’t let her hit the wall!” Within days, the school board asked him to sign an ultimatum to use the student’s preferred pronouns even behind closed doors.

Vlaming said that he could not do so in good conscience, and, after a four-hour hearing, the school board voted 5-0 for Vlaming’s termination.

The day after the decision was made, Vlaming’s students staged a walkout. Wyatt Pedersen, one of his students, said, “The walkout was more than half the school.”

Vlaming has also received official support from Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican.

Alliance Defending Freedom’s Senior Counsel Chris Shandevel, who argued the petition for appeal on Vlaming’s behalf, says, “Peter was passionate about the subject he taught, he was well-liked by his students and he did his best to accommodate their needs and requests. But Peter could not in good conscience speak messages that he does not believe to be true.

“We’re pleased the Virginia Supreme Court agreed to hear this important case and are hopeful the court will agree the school board violated Peter’s rights under the Virginia Constitution and state law.” {eoa}

Rob Vischer is a freelance writer for Charisma News.

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Retired Pentecostal Pastor: We Can’t Bring Them Back, But …

Our nation — once again — grieves heavily at the senseless loss of life at the hands of an emotionally-twisted and hate-filled individual.

Within the last three weeks, we have lost six elderly people at an ethnic fellowship at a church in Southern California, 10 individuals shopping at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, and 19 grade-school children and their two teachers in Uvalde, Texas.

The adults had lived for decades, while the children were yet in their first. Regardless of their age, they were each ripped from their families and friends and the full potential of their God-given purpose and future. We can’t bring them back.

Having lost their loved ones in these terrible tragedies, their grieving family members must be wondering if they will ever see and recognize them again in heaven.

The Reassuring Words of Jesus

Only a few days after the death and entombment of his friend Lazarus, Jesus spoke to reassure his sister Martha:

“Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live” (John 11:23-25, The Amplified Bible, Classic).

We need to adhere to, trust in and rely on Jesus as Savior in our lifetimes. Innocent children were always loved and accepted by Jesus during the years of His earthly ministry. He directed His disciples to “… Allow the little ones to come to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14, AMPC).

What Happens to Believers’ and Children’s Bodies After Death?

In the midst of our human grief and sorrow, it is natural to question, “What kind of a body will a resurrected person have?” This is a common inquiry of thoughtful people who have seen human bodies maimed or massacred in life and diseased or decaying in death.

The believers in the church at Corinth had these questions, too. Paul reminded the questioning Corinthians that he himself had preached these truths to their congregation, during his time with them (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

In verses 12-20, Paul’s teaching about the resurrection of the believer’s natural body was contrary to those of the pagan intellectuals, in the secular culture in Corinth. Their mindset allowed for an afterlife for the spirit of man but not for the body. For them, the body was corrupt and subject to disease and decay. The thought of living forever in a resurrected, glorified body was foreign to them.

Will We Recognize Loved Ones in Heaven?

King David lost his newborn child, for whose healing he had fasted and prayed extensively (2 Sam. 12:13-23). Then he recognized that though he could not bring the child back, he could prepare to “go to him.” Loved ones who remain on earth can spiritually prepare, in the remaining days or years of their lives, to rejoin their redeemed and forgiven loved ones in a life of consciousness and recognition beyond the grave.

When initially writing to the Thessalonians about the Lord’s appearing and the resurrection of the saints who have died, Paul wrote, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17).

Similarly, Jesus promised that He would go away to prepare a place for us in heaven and He would come again and receive us unto Himself so that where He is we shall be also (John 14:1-3). He offered this declaration of hope to counter the natural grief over the separation between departed and living loved ones. As “sons of light and sons of the day” (1 Thess. 5:4-11), we should be correctly informed about this important resolution to our heavenly quest.

In verse 18 of 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul directs us to “comfort one another with these words.” The comfort comes from the prospect of recognition and reunion of believing loved ones in heaven. Paul’s promise that past and present believers (and—I believe—innocent children) will all be “together” (vv. 15-17) with the Lord forever implies that we shall recognize each other and renew fellowship with innocents and believers we have known, in that great “meeting in the air.”

The Divine Mystery

In verse 51, of 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul declares a “mystery” or divine secret: at our Lord’s return, we all will be changed and exchange our earthly, natural bodies for heavenly, spiritual bodies! The dead in Christ will be resurrected with new heavenly bodies and the living believers will be raptured or suddenly and fundamentally changed and transformed into their new, heavenly bodies (15:42-44).

Christ’s resurrection guarantees our future. We can look with confident assurance toward the day of His “coming” (parousia, 15:23) at His second advent (vv. 23-25; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). Death was defeated at Christ’s Resurrection and at His “coming” it will be destroyed (Rev. 20:14). Death is the last enemy to be conquered, in Christ’s total triumph (1 Cor. 15:25-26).

From then on, our risen Lord (the glorified Messiah) will take up a permanent residence with His glorified people, with their new, spiritual bodies (vv. 45-49), prepared for their eternal future where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” and “there shall be no more pain” (Rev. 21:4).

Let those truths bring comfort and direction for our futures.

Like King David, we can’t bring our departed loved ones back but we can prepare to go to them! {eoa}

Gary Curtis served in full-time ministry for 50 years, the last 27 years of which he was part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the Van Nuys, California, Foursquare church. Now retired, Gary continues to write a weekly blog at and frequent articles for digital and print platforms.

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10 Days of Pentecost 2023: This Pentecost, Welcome All of Holy Spirit’s Gifts

A few years ago I was invited to speak at a conference in California. During one of my messages, the Lord showed me that a woman in the auditorium was struggling with infertility. When I made the announcement, a young woman in the back of the room burst into tears.

I didn’t know this woman had endured three miscarriages or that she was depressed because she feared never having a baby. She came to the front of the auditorium with her mother by her side, and I briefly prayed for her. There was nothing sensational about that moment; all I remember was asking Jesus to break the spirit of barrenness.

A year later I returned to that city, and when the pastor picked me up at the airport he said: “I forgot to tell you that a woman in my church wants to talk to you. She said last year you prayed for her to have a baby!” I learned that this woman went home from the conference and got pregnant a month later. She now had the baby, a girl named Esperanza, and she wanted me to meet her.

That was not the first or last time I’ve received a “word of knowledge” while ministering. It is one of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. But I’ve often wondered what would have happened if I had ignored the Holy Spirit’s promptings during that conference in California. Would Esperanza’s mother have received her miracle?

One simple word of knowledge changed that family. But what if I had let fear stop me from flowing in the miraculous? What if I had just decided to stick to my notes, preach a nice sermon and play it safe?

I’m afraid that’s what many of us are doing today. We say we believe the Bible, but when it comes to the Holy Spirit’s gifts, we are either too timid to step out in faith, or we don’t believe we need miracles anymore.

If we really want to be a people of Pentecost, the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 should be manifested regularly through our lives. Few Christians today have even heard of these gifts; fewer have seen them in operation. We need a refresher course in the ways the Holy Spirit works:

3. The gift of faith. This is not the normal kind of faith we need daily. The gift of faith is a special ability to believe for big things. It required a gift of faith for the prophet Elijah to pray for rain after more than three years of drought (see James 5:17-18). We can experience this level of power today through the Holy Spirit.

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians: “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 14:1a). God wants His gifts flowing through us, but He never forces us to use them. He is looking for availability, courage and surrender. As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost on June 5, please allow the Holy Spirit to jumpstart His power in your life in a fresh way. {eoa}

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Are People in Hell Before Judgment Day?

Are people tormented in hell before Judgment Day?

The answer is yes. There are a few reasons why we know that people are in hell before Judgment Day.

When a person dies in their sins, they exist separated from God and His goodness. There is nowhere else for a person to go who rejects Jesus Christ as Savior.

Watch this video to discover the whole story behind this topic. {eoa}

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Praying God’s Word and Covenants in the Courts of Heaven

God’s covenants are not null and void but rather a history of our heritage and promises available to us. He honors His Word. When we pray His Word in the courts of heaven and apply it to our lives, God honors us.

Jesus came to fulfill the Law so you could have the covenant promises established in God’s Word, so that you could have access to God’s best. However, you must come into agreement with Him, testifying of the Word in the courts of heaven.

God the Righteous Judge

The Bible says that the Lord is a righteous judge (Ps. 50). Because of His just, pure and holy character, when we determine for ourselves what is right and wrong, it is called disobedience. Disobedience opens doors to evil and allows curses to land.

“Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight” (Prov. 26:2, NKJV).

Deuteronomy 28:15-28 Lists the Curses for Disobedience:

— Cursed in the city and the country.

— Cursed in your homes, farms and kitchens.

— Cursed in health.

— Cursed in weather.

— Cursed in warfare.

— Cursed in tragedies.

— Praying God’s Word in the courts of heaven.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Lists the Blessings From Obedience:

— Blessed in the city and country (wherever you are).

— Blessed in your homes, body, ground, farms and lands.

— Blessed in your supply.

— Blessed wherever you walk and go.

— Blessed in every kind of war, spiritual and physical. The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated and flee before you.

— Blessed in your supply and provision, the land and all that you set your hand to.

— Blessed and establish you to be as a holy people to Himself.

— Blessed in your authority and leadership. The Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath.

Jesus said He did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill (see Matt. 5:17).

Think of the word “fulfill” in terms of marriage. Fulfilling your vows is a continual process that will continue until death do you part. You don’t suddenly say, “I’ve fulfilled my end of the agreement. Now I’ll walk away.” In fact, the more the marriage covenant is fulfilled by both parties, the more blessed you both are.

The blessings of the marriage union are passed down to the next generation. When marriage vows are fulfilled, the children are blessed.

You are in a similar covenant with God. This is why you are considered part of the “bride of Christ.” When you come into alignment with God’s instruction—lovingly honoring and obeying the covenant God has given—blessings according to “His riches in glory in Jesus Christ” are released.

Praying God’s Word in the Courts of Heaven

The entire Bible is a legal and binding document that states our rights to a future and a hope. Within those pages, you find principles written. When applied, they will help you begin to walk out your destiny.

The Word states that testing will come, which means when you step out in faith, problems will indeed arise. The accuser of the brethren will come and try to steal away the positive results you were expecting. That’s what he does. He is a thief, a liar, a destroyer and a murderer.

Praying and declaring God’s Word isn’t a difficult practice, but it does take discipline.

Run to God’s Word: It takes fortitude to run to the Word of God and begin declaring His promises over a situation. In your flesh, you want to grumble, complain and sometimes even curse God or others. Instead, run to His Word and start speaking it in the courts. Wash your mind from the lies of the enemy by reminding yourself and the judge in heaven that He is just and you are under the blood of Jesus.

Repent and come into agreement: Come into agreement with the Word by faith that your circumstances will turn around. Ask the Lord to forgive you of any areas where you may have missed it on purpose or unknowingly, and then choose to forgive anyone involved in the incident. It is a choice. It’s rarely easy, but by releasing them from your judgment, God is able to release you from yours.

Praise: Yes, that’s right. Praise! Even before the situation has turned around, we are asked to come and begin to thank God for His goodness. That’s just another step of faith. Thank Him in advance. Think about it this way: If you went to your boss and asked Him to resolve an issue you were having at work, and the boss agreed to fix the situation, wouldn’t you thank him? Before he made the change, wouldn’t you say thank you when leaving his office?

Here’s another way to look at it: Let’s say you got hurt on the job, and your contract clearly stated that your insurance would take care of you if an on-site injury occurred. If you felt as though that agreement were being overlooked or even broken, wouldn’t you go to the people in charge and show them the agreement to ensure they were holding up their end of the deal?

This is also true of God’s Word. It says that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession on our behalf (see Rom. 8:34b). He is pleading our case with us. His very presence testifies to the covenant promise God made to us through His sacrifice on the cross.

Isn’t declaring God’s Word the same as reminding Him? Does God need reminders?

No, God does not need reminders. We need reminders. He loves to bless His children. And He wants us to take the authority He has given us and declare His Word, because His Word is powerful to tear down strongholds and blot out the writing of the enemy in the courts of heaven.

So then, today, run to the Lord and show Him that we have taken His steps by faith, and we wait in thankful expectation for His promises to take effect.

“Put Me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted” (Isa. 43:26).

Curt Landry, founder of Curt Landry Ministries, and his wife, Christie, travel extensively, preaching and teaching about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. Together, their passion is to empower families to live and leave kingdom legacies and understand their own personal heritage.

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This Pentecost, Welcome All of the Holy Spirit’s Gifts

A few years ago I was invited to speak at a conference in California. During one of my messages, the Lord showed me that a woman in the auditorium was struggling with infertility. When I made the announcement, a young woman in the back of the room burst into tears.

I didn’t know this woman had endured three miscarriages or that she was depressed because she feared never having a baby. She came to the front of the auditorium with her mother by her side, and I briefly prayed for her. There was nothing sensational about that moment; all I remember was asking Jesus to break the spirit of barrenness.

A year later I returned to that city, and when the pastor picked me up at the airport he said: “I forgot to tell you that a woman in my church wants to talk to you. She said last year you prayed for her to have a baby!” I learned that this woman went home from the conference and got pregnant a month later. She now had the baby, a girl named Esperanza, and she wanted me to meet her.

That was not the first or last time I’ve received a “word of knowledge” while ministering. It is one of the nine supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. But I’ve often wondered what would have happened if I had ignored the Holy Spirit’s promptings during that conference in California. Would Esperanza’s mother have received her miracle?

One simple word of knowledge changed that family. But what if I had let fear stop me from flowing in the miraculous? What if I had just decided to stick to my notes, preach a nice sermon and play it safe?

I’m afraid that’s what many of us are doing today. We say we believe the Bible, but when it comes to the Holy Spirit’s gifts, we are either too timid to step out in faith, or we don’t believe we need miracles anymore.

If we really want to be a people of Pentecost, the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 should be manifested regularly through our lives. Few Christians today have even heard of these gifts; fewer have seen them in operation. We need a refresher course in the ways the Holy Spirit works:

1. The word of wisdom. God can give us a supernatural solution to a problem that cannot be solved by man’s ideas. We desperately need this gift so we can stop relying on man’s carnal ways and instead discover heaven’s answers.

2. The word of knowledge. The Holy Spirit will sometimes reveal information that could not have been known by man. Just as Jesus knew the Samaritan woman had been married five times (see John 4:17-18), the Holy Spirit can reveal the secrets of the heart so people will listen to God’s truth.

3. The gift of faith. This is not the normal kind of faith we need daily. The gift of faith is a special ability to believe for big things. It required a gift of faith for the prophet Elijah to pray for rain after more than three years of drought (see James 5:17-18). We can experience this level of power today through the Holy Spirit.

4. The gift of healing. Paul told the Corinthians that there are actually gifts (plural) of healing. I have met people who have a special gift to pray for hearing problems; others have faith to pray for those with cancer; in my own ministry I have seen many people healed from depression and the effects of abuse. God is still in the business of healing bodies, minds and broken hearts.

5. The gift of miracles. The book of Acts is a series of miracles—so why would we ever assume God pulled the plug on that power? He still opens prison doors, breaks chains, releases angels, opens blind eyes, changes weather patterns and delivers people of demons. If we remove the miraculous from our Christianity, we portray a puny God to the world. He is a miracle worker!

6. Prophecy. God loves to speak to His people, and He wants to use us to relay His message. I consider the gift of prophecy “supernatural encouragement” because it always edifies the person who receives a word from the Lord—even if it is corrective. Will you allow God to use you to speak His direct message to others?

7. Discernment (or “discerning of spirits”). When the Holy Spirit gave His gifts, He also provided a way for us to tell the difference between God’s work and a demonic counterfeit. Not all that is supernatural is from God, so we need discernment to protect us from false prophecy and occultic fakery. We also need this gift to set people free from demonic bondage.

8. Speaking in tongues. There are “various kinds of tongues” mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10. Believers can have their own private prayer language, but some people are also gifted to speak in tongues in a church meeting. I also know of situations where Christians received a special ability to speak in a foreign language so they could communicate the gospel.

9. Interpretation of tongues. Similar to prophecy, this gift can relay a message from God that was spoken in a foreign or angelic tongue. Linguistic barriers don’t limit our God; He loves the entire world and He knows all languages!

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians: “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 14:1a). God wants His gifts flowing through us, but He never forces us to use them. He is looking for availability, courage and surrender. As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost on June 5, please allow the Holy Spirit to jumpstart His power in your life in a fresh way. {eoa}

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Why Jesus Wasn’t Afraid to Make Political Statements

Christianity focuses on Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and a wise, loving leader beyond politics. But throughout His years on earth, Jesus and His apostles encountered political situations and interacted with Roman politicians.

Earthly politics involving the apostles did not end with Jesus’s ascension.

In a short online article titled “Jesus and Politics,” Marcus J. Borg states that politics played a very important role in Jesus’s life. His entry into Jerusalem by donkey illustrated a peaceful kingdom devoid of weapons of war; His public designation of the temple as a cave of thieves clearly reflected His concern about temple activists cooperating with Roman rulers and tax collectors.

Jesus’ message emphasized the establishment of God’s kingdom, a possibility viewed as a threat to the Roman Empire. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus’s story involves conflict and His crucifixion represented a political act intended to show what might happen to individuals who regularly fought against political authority.

Jesus didn’t avoid making what might be considered political statements. When asked if He would pay taxes to Caesar, He asked for a coin, scrutinized the surface of the coin and discovered Caesar’s image. He then answered the question posed to Him concerning His willingness to pay taxes to Caesar. He said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.”

His response to the question showed His respect for earthly organizations and established processes without taking a particular political stance. John King points out in his online piece titled “Did Jesus Get Involved in the Contemporary Politics in Israel?” that Jesus did not speak out about any specific political issue, forbade His disciples to declare publicly that he was the Messiah and refused to lead any movement among the populace intended to result in a kingship for Him.

Jesus’ selection and organization of His apostles even proved to be a political exercise, and it irritated the local politicians and the conquering Roman Empire. The selection process resulted in political diversity. Matthew, for example, worked for the existing government as a tax collector and held liberal political views. Peter belonged to a conservative group and believed the government should keep out of citizens’ affairs. At times, he worked against the existing government. Simon the Zealot held membership in a group referred to as zealots, who strongly opposed the Roman occupation of Israel and even assassinated Roman soldiers to express their dislike of the Romans and their despotism.

In Chapter 13 of the book of Romans, the apostle Paul declares that every individual should be subject to “the governing authorities.” Verse seven of the chapter reads as follows: “Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Paul remained pro-government even after his conversion to Jesus’s teachings.

In an opinion piece titled “The Politics Among the Disciples of Jesus Christ,” Joseph B. Freeman points out that Jesus engaged in a “delicate political exercise” when He formed the group of apostles; the Roman conquerors and their local agents began to fear Him. They thought He might initiate an insurrection against them.

Among the apostles themselves competition emerged. James and John, for example, asked Jesus if He could reserve posts for them on His left and right sides; their parents viewed both posts as places of distinction and wanted their children to enjoy the prestige a close, noticeable association with Jesus might bring. Jesus rebuked the whole family.

Despite their political diversity and personal competition, the apostles came together and cooperated in relation to Jesus’s work here on earth. God’s unconditional love shown them through Jesus united them in their commitment to Him and His purpose.

After Jesus’s death and Resurrection, He physically ascended into heaven in the presence of eleven of His apostles according to the Bible, but His message did not die. Energetic apostles like Paul worked diligently to carry the message to various parts of the Roman Empire. Roman officials did not at first accept Christianity as a legitimate religion; relations between converts to Christianity and Roman officials showed considerable interpersonal and intergroup tension. The Romans often persecuted and formally punished Christians.

Negative relations and sometimes scary politics between Christians and the Romans persisted for some 300 years, but Christianity gained prominence and acceptance during the reign of Constantine the Great (A.D. 306-337). Constantine converted to Christianity and began to promote the Christian tenets of faith.

In A.D. 380, the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius signed a decree in the presence of the Western Roman Emperor that Christianity would from that point in time be accepted as the religion of the state and non-believers could be persecuted. Christianity began to transition to a dominant religion of the Roman Empire. {eoa}

Franklin T. Burroughs was awarded a Nishan-e-Homayoun by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi for his work in the Iranian Ministry of Court and has received certificates of recognition from the California Senate and State Assembly. He is a member of the adjunct faculty of John F. Kennedy University and has served as president of Armstrong University and interim dean of the School of Business at Notre Dame de Namur University. He has taught at the University of California at Berkeley. He has been the managing director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Iran and has served as consultant to the Ford Foundation, UNESCO, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the government of Iran. He has also been visiting scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy. He serves as an English language officer (contractor) with the U.S. Department of State. Dr. Burroughs serves as an international consultant in education, Middle East affairs and cultural diplomacy.

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Prophecy: God Had a Purpose for Your Journey Through the Wilderness

What a journey it has been for some of us in recent times. Many have been on a path that seems like the absolute roundabout course of direction.

“But God, I thought you were going to do this—this way. I didn’t expect my miracle and breakthrough to come about like this,” you might find yourself saying.

Although the way or form you have gotten to where you are was unlike anything you foresaw, it is still the time and correct path for crossing over into your promised land.

“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

The Lord does not desire for you to have gone through such warfare. But in this process (and for some of us it has been a rough road), He has worked good through it.

As I was studying the Bible about the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness before crossing over the Red Sea and escaping slavery, I stumbled upon these verses:

“Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them through the way of the land of the Philistines, although it was nearby. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.’ Therefore, God led the people around, through the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea, and the children of Israel went up prepared for war out of the land of Egypt” (Exod. 13:17-18).

Many commentaries point to the fact that, although the Israelites journey to get to that epic moment of crossing the Red Sea was the roundabout course, through the process they gained military order to better prepare them for facing Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

This roundabout journey you have gone through in pursuit of your own miracle has been the greatest training ground. You have learned tools of weaponry during this season that could only have been learned through the wilderness.

Don’t Look Back

The Lord spoke to me clearly that as we cross over into our promise and shift to the new, it is very important that we don’t look back but keep our eyes fixed firmly forward. By keeping our eyes fixed forward, we will gain momentum and not get setback by the discouragement and trauma from the wilderness season.

Look at the progress you have made! Celebrate what the Lord has done.

Part of stepping forward into God’s promise over our lives, is shifting our mindsets.

Thank you, Jesus, for what You have led me through. Thank You for where I am going. Thank You that I am gaining ground. I’m stepping forward. Hallelujah! {eoa}

Ana Werner is the founder of Eagles Network and Ana Werner Ministries. She travels internationally and equips people to see in the Spirit, move in the prophetic and experience healing and deliverance through her ministry. Her transparency as she shares the realities and experiences she has had in heaven brings the Holy Spirit, the love of the Father and the power of God into the room when she speaks. Ana is passionate about leading people into encountering Jesus’ heart.

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