Scripture brims with the biblical prophecies. The amazing part, however, isn’t that they exist, but that Jesus came to fulfill all of them.

In one of his recent and deeply impactful sermons, Pastor Greg Locke of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, visually expressed the type of suffering and agony that Jesus went through on His journey to the cross. Yet, it’s not just the journey itself that is hard-hitting about what He went through. When held up to the light, Scripture had for hundreds of years plainly described what would happen to the Messiah, and no one understood it until after Jesus had died and rose from the grave.

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If you look at Psalm 22, there are prophetic images of what would happen to Jesus, including the thirst He would feel in the sun, gasping for breath as He hung on the cross.

“On the cross, Jesus said, ‘I thirst,'” Locke says. “He said in Psalm 22, prophetically, ‘cleaveth to my jaws.'”

This particular psalm also opens up perfectly with the same words Jesus would say hanging on the cross: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”

Psalm 22 is also famous for verse 18 which reads, “They part my garments among them and cast lots for my clothes.” This happened when Jesus was upon the cross, as Matthew 27:35 reads, “When they crucified Him, they divided His garments by casting lots to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet…”

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Psalm 22 isn’t where the prophecies fulfilled by Jesus’ crucifixion stop. As Locke describes, Isaiah 52 and 53 were put on the spotlight at the time of Jesus’ death because they gave the physical depictions of the gruesome battering He would receive on our behalf.

“His face was unrecognizable,” Locke says. “Even before and after the scourging, they buffeted Him.”

Isaiah 53:5 for many people is notable and worth quoting as the verse that states “by His stripes we are healed.” And while this is true, these two passages offer much more to the understanding of the brutality that Jesus would take upon Himself on the cross for our sins. Being marred in a way that no person ever had or ever would again, Jesus had the physical wrath of God upon Himself. The Scriptures also reveal the true condition of the human heart.

“Religion hates Jesus today just as much as it did 2,000 years ago, and it spits in His face,” Locke says.

There was nothing that anyone could physically see by looking at Jesus which would reveal His glory and power as God.

“Jesus was so common that people who already met Him in the synagogue and the marketplace had to be told who He was at midnight in a garden by one of His friends to kiss Him. So, stop thinking that Jesus was floating around, angel wings coming out of His back and a halo over His head,” Locke says.

Perhaps the key, as Locke puts it, is that the people spent so much time looking for the wrong person—a warrior who would vindicate them from Rome—that the people completely missed it when the right person was in front of their face.

When the Old Testament is held up to the light of all the pain Jesus went through on the cross, it’s undeniable that God warned for years not only what would happen to the Messiah, but that He would experience all of it for the very people who would crucify Him.

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Abby Trivett is a marketing copywriter and coordinator for Charisma Media.

Everywhere you turn, there seems to be a new YouTube prophet who is giving the latest download of what they believe is a “Thus saith the Lord” moment. While many of these YouTube prophets have accurately given words that have predicted major events happening in our world today or in the lives of individual people, it can’t be expected that all of them have pure intentions.

In a recent message, Perry Stone gave a stark warning about seeking out signs and wonders from places outside of Scripture, including through YouTube. As he puts it, the evidence of what Jesus talked about regarding the end times is present and with us here today.

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“We’re being warned. How many more signs do you need?” Stone asks. “How many more do you need to prove that the Messiah is going to return and that the Tribulation and the Antichrist is coming in the future?”

Stone says that what we see happening on a daily basis today is enough to prove that the return of Christ is impending. If there was not another sign, we wouldn’t need it because what we have seen has already made it clear that the end is coming. Yet, there are many people who are still seeking confirmation specifically through YouTube.

“It seems today that everybody that thinks they’ve heard from God is now a YouTube prophet,” Stone says. “Most of your real men and women of God who are truly prophets are praying people in prayer closets that are not on YouTube.”

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Stone even alluded that some of the “YouTube prophets” have been given information by the government that was then told to the public as though it came to them by the Word of the Lord. He also rebuked when prophets only ever have words about America.

“If you didn’t know better you would think that all God is concerned about is who the next president’s going to be,” Stone says.

During a time when there are so many voices trying to speak into what is happening in the world and what will come, how do Christians accurately discern what is and is not of God? Stone says the missing key is biblical literacy.

“What you’ve got to do is get in the Bible,” Stone says. “Don’t be looking for a prophecy-a-day, get into the Word of the Lord.”

As more and more voices rise each day, it is biblical discernment that is absolutely vital for determining what is and is not of the Lord.

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Is it possible that a modern-day celebrity is mimicking the woman in scarlet from the Book of Revelation?

Doja Cat is known for her dramatic appearances and her vulgar songs. She even glorified Satan in her music video for “Paint the Town Red” where she called herself a “demon lord.”

However, there may be more to this story than what we might see on the surface. In a video from Off the Kirb Ministries, it’s pointed out that Doja Cat not only mysteriously rose to fame, but that when she did, her image, performances and music was unsettling for many people, both those of Christian faith and those who are not.

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One of those unsettling images is how similar her dress is to the pagan goddess Ashura, from her music video, “You Right,” which parallels the same headpiece and overall appearance to the statues of the ancient goddess. Further, her fascination with death, including from a picture of her 27th birthday cake which had the evil eye on it and other demonic symbols, all in black and gold, shows that something isn’t quite as innocent in the background behind Doja Cat’s claim to fame.

However, as Off the Kirb Ministries noted, one of the most off-putting parts about her is that she adorned herself in thousands of red beaded pearls which she said, “feels like stones.” She also has consistently worn scarlet and even has an album by this name.

Revelation 17:4-5 reads, “The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filth of her sexual immorality.”

“Paint the Town Red” also shows Doja Cat riding on a beast, which may unknowingly imitate Revelation 17:3: “I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.”

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While it’s possible that Doja Cat may be completely unknowing of her actions even being demonic, questions have resurfaced as to whether or not Hollywood and the famous elites are participating in satanic, occult-like rituals in order to gain the fame and fortune that this world offers them.

Doja Cat recently deleted her Instagram to avoid negative comments from affecting her mental health.

For Christians, we must be very careful about the kind of music we pour into our spirits. Philippians 4:8 is a reminder that we are to focus on “whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.”

If the entertainment we are consuming does not match up with these qualities, it would be best to lay it aside. While we do that, we should pray for those in the entertainment industry, that they too may come to know the goodness and the light of Christ as their Lord and savior if they have not done so already.

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Puberty blockers have been banned for anyone under 18 in England.

The country’s National Health Service decided to make the decision not to give the prescriptions to minors for gender transitioning due to concerns about safety.

An NHS spokesperson gave the update, saying, “We have concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the safety or clinical effectiveness of puberty suppressing hormones to make the treatment routinely available at this time.”

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Currently, there are less than 100 minors in the U.K. that are actively taking puberty blockers. Going forward, puberty blockers will not be prescribed unless they are part of a clinical research trial.

As the BBC reported, Health Minister Maria Caulfield said, “We have always been clear that children’s safety and wellbeing is paramount, so we welcome this landmark decision by the NHS. Ending the routine prescription of puberty blockers will help ensure that care is based on evidence, expert clinical opinion and is in the best interests of the child.”

This decision comes as LGBTQ agendas continue to be pushed onto youth at an alarming rate in America. Entities like Disney have not only accepted this belief, they have spearheaded its cause.

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From using a transgender influencer for their clothing, allowing grown men to dress up as “fairy godmothers” to putting LGBTQ storylines in their recent films, Disney has tried to sway an entire generation into believing that their gender identity is the most important thing about them.

As our world is in a battle for the attention of the youth, it’s critical to remember Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

What we train children now will affect them for the rest of their lives. The things we allow them to do today will make a difference in the kind of adults they will grow up to become, and how they will contribute to society.

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It’s one of the most debated questions by Christians in our day and age: is the concept of ‘once saved always saved’ true?

In a recent podcast of “Conversations with John and Lisa Bevere,” the couple discussed how Christians can navigate the Scriptures to look at this topic which has the utmost consequences for our eternal salvation.

To put things in perspective, John Bevere took things from a different angle. Instead of wondering whether or not someone can lose their salvation, the real concern should be whether or not that person was saved at all. It’s important to understand that some will run away from God, and from that group, some may return again.

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“I look at John the Baptist. He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” John says. “I think there’s going to be an Elijah anointing coming forth, and I believe it’s going to be a multitude. It’s not going to be one guy. I think it’s going to be sons and daughters.”

Bevere further says it is this group, millennials and Gen Z, who will be dramatically used by God.

“If you look at Malachi, he says, ‘I’m going to send you this spirit of Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. I believe these people are going to be sent to the lost sheep of the church.”

One of the key elements to understand why there could potentially be so many people who grew up in Christianity rejecting it today is a lack of clear teaching by the church about what a true heart of repentance looks like. By simply telling people they can accept Jesus to avoid the power of hell, many have not received a clear vision of what repentance is—turning away from the old to pursue a life of relationship with Christ.

Holding onto the idols of this world can make true repentance seem difficult. Some things are objectively good while others are not, but the key here is placing anything above Jesus makes it impossible to completely pursue God’s heavenly things above.

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“Idols can be good things with misplaced value attached to it, or too much value or they can be sin,” Lisa shares.

Until true repentance and turning away from these things occurs, it is impossible to have whole-hearted devotion to Jesus.

“So now, what happens is, I have developed really, not a real relationship with Him. So now, that fake Jesus doesn’t change my nature,” John says.

Another area to be wary of is when we do not see those who confess Christ as their Lord and Savior participate in discipleship or bear good fruit that resembles His nature and characteristics.

“The greatest blessing of the new birth is our old man dies, our old spirit dies and a brand-new person created in the exact image and likeness of Jesus is born,” John says.

While Scripture is clear that there will be a great falling away during the last days, there is hope for those who have run from God to still experience a prodigal moment before the return of our Lord and Savior.

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Just how dangerous is artificial intelligence? Could it be used to do the unthinkable—summon demons?

In an exclusive interview with Charisma News, Joseph Z gave some warnings about how AI will end up at the forefront of the end times struggles we will face in the future.

• AI has a severe risk for misuse.

Like any powerful tool, AI can be misused for harmful purposes. This could range from autonomous weapons systems used in warfare to AI algorithms that perpetuate biases and discrimination in decision-making processes. Just look at the fact that AI is already being used by innovators like Elon Musk to create brain chips to create mind-control based products.

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“AI itself is not bad coming out of the gate; it’s who programs it,” Z says. “When we’re talking about Elon Musk and AI, on the one hand, he’s kind of a white knight of liberty and freedom of speech. And on the other hand, he says, you know they’re summoning demons.”

• AI has unintended consequences, including the potential release of the mark of the beast.

AI systems may exhibit unintended behaviors or outcomes, especially in complex or unpredictable environments. These unintended consequences could have significant implications, particularly in critical domains such as healthcare, finance and transportation. AI, for the most part, is still in its developmental stages. Therefore, it’s hard to tell what the exact impact will be humanity as we move forward. However, it is plausible that part of its unintended consequences includes the release of the mark of the beast.

“When you look at medical tyranny, and then you look at technological tyrannies, such as AI, or what could begin to rise from it, I see the mark of the beast scenario coming into play,” Z says. “When you look at digital currency being a programmable issue, you look at AI, the technology that can run everything…”

• AI could create an existential crisis.

Some researchers and scholars have raised concerns about the long-term risks associated with advanced AI systems, including the potential for AI to surpass human intelligence and pose existential threats to humanity. A recent report by the Daily Mail suggested that as early as 2027 we could see artificial intelligence surpass that of human intelligence. Even more pressing, Time Magazine has discussed the need for the U.S. government to move swiftly in its decisions about what to do for national security purposes involving AI and weapons, fearing possible extinction.

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“They’re even predicting the next few years that the wars we would supposedly get into would be fought AI to AI, by China, by other nations, by us…that AI would actually step up and people would step away from it” Z says. “AI, I believe is the system that the beast will use to rule the world when his time comes.”

• AI could create serious job displacement issues for millions of people.

The automation of tasks through AI and robotics has the potential to disrupt labor markets, leading to job displacement and economic inequality. When it comes to our already shifting economy and rising cost of living, the thought of AI taking control of even more jobs and functions in society leaves people to the backburner, without much of a clear and straight role.

However, as Joseph Z points out, there is a new generation rising up, one that was created for this specific day and age. It’s with this in mind that we can still reach for hope.

“I believe the Lord is saying to His people, ‘we got one more round; we got one more round because I have a promise of the young lions that are coming,'” Z prophesies. “They don’t care about some of the norms and values we used to care about. They actually will be reformers.”

• AI brings about privacy and surveillance concerns.

When it comes to surveillance and data analysis, AI raises concerns about privacy infringement. The collection and analysis of vast amounts of personal data by AI systems could potentially erode individual freedoms and civil liberties. The falling away of these liberties could show a sign of shifting control by evil forces.

“The antichrist agenda is always one of control,” Z says.

Yet, even with these concerns and with the potential chaos and destruction that could come from AI being utilized for the sake of evil and even for the coming in of the mark of the beast, God is not finished yet with this generation.

“For the coming three years…what we do at these years specifically, is going to determine what we do for the next 25,” Z says. “The Lord said, ‘You can have a great run, we can have one more round, but My church has got to stand up and not just stand up with pitchforks and torches and storming the castle.’ I’m talking about intercession and a return to holiness and a return to the gospel and a return to getting rid of all these fables and false narratives.”

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Abby Trivett is a marketing copywriter and coordinator for Charisma Media.

Whether we want to admit it or not, witchcraft has infiltrated our society, and has found its way into the church. While it may look slightly different in this atmosphere without blatant witchcraft textbooks being opened up, manipulation and control find themselves right at home in religious communities.

Prophetic voice Troy Black recently shared in a livestream the top ways to discern if witchcraft is happening in your church. For some, these signs may be eye-opening as they discover what is happening right underneath their nose.

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• They will use the Old Testament more than the New Testament with a disregard for what the New Testament has to say.

“It’s okay to preach from the Old [Testament], but we must preach from the Old in the lens of the New,” Black says.

One the key elements of this point is that practices from the Old Testament are used to place pressure on someone to do things a certain way and create a righteous standard that none of us can live up to. This doesn’t draw people in toward Christ, but places a weight of guilt and shame upon the other party.

• Like covering up with a veil, they make it impossible to understand God’s glorious ways without their interpretation.

“What’s wrong is when we exalt someone to a place of ‘they are my spiritual leadership and authority, and the way I hear from God,’ when we should all be hearing from God for ourselves and we should all be communicating with God for ourselves, not through somebody else, not through another vessel. That’s why it becomes manipulation and control and witchcraft,” Black says.

While it is important to gain good understanding of Scripture or desire to study the Bible in more depth following a good, relevant teacher, idolizing the speaker and seeing their words alone as the authoritative Word of God is not biblical, and is a principle we should run from.

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• Instead of producing the fruit of the Spirit, they produce fruit of wickedness in your life.

“…things like darkness, depression, fear, anxiety, intrusive thoughts etcetera,” Black says. “The fruit of the Spirit acts like a measuring tool where we can know what’s coming in, what’s pouring in by what’s coming out of the heart.”

Instead of shaming people to act a certain way because of religious standards, it is the job of leadership to encourage people to grow in their personal relationship with Christ to know Him and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

• You often feel placed under punishment as if the ultimate punishment has not already been received by Christ.

“Anything that is trying to get people, is trying to control people out of manipulation or fear of punishment if they don’t comply is leaning in that direction,” Black says.

While all of us have and will continue to fall short of the glory of God, we must remember that Christ took the wrath of God upon Himself, that we may be made holy and righteous through Him and Him alone. It is through His mercy and grace that He poured out on the cross that has made us clean. To think anything differently is a complete lie.

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Abby Trivett is a marketing copywriter and coordinator for Charisma Media.

No one in this lifetime is immune to feeling stuck at some point in time. We all get caught up in the flow of life’s rhythms, sometimes with the pacing being slower and more complicated than we would like. Yet, we don’t have to feel this way.

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In her exclusive Beyond The Article interview, Renee DeLoriea explains three ways we can overcome the feeling of being stuck.

• Take responsibility for your own healing and growth. Waiting for external factors to change around us like healing or apologies may lead to wasted years. Instead, actively engaging in personal growth, seeking counseling, diving into the Word of God and participating in community can all prove to be beneficial for getting out of the feeling of being stuck.

“God has certain assignments for us to do personally and there are people in need of us stepping up to the plate,” DeLoriea says.

• Put aside self-pity and idolizing emotions. Self-pity can become an idol, hindering growth and keeping focus on personal feelings rather than God. By nurturing a relationship with Jesus and focusing on Him, one can shift perspective from self to God.

“If we dig deep in the Lord Jesus Christ and nurture that relationship with Him, all of a sudden our eyes are no longer going to be on our own pain but our eyes are going to be on the Lord,” DeLoriea says. “If we are operating out of feelings or what other people think or waiting for someone else to do something that might set us free, we might be waiting for our entire lives.”

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• Act on divine opportunities. Remain sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, even in unexpected moments. Embrace opportunities to share the Gospel and make a difference in the lives of others, trusting that God will use every circumstance for His glory and our good.

In her feature article of Charisma Magazine Online, DeLoriea writes of her own experience of being evangelized to, saying, “The riddle was finally solved for me when three Christian missionaries briefly explained the power of the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ to me.” She continues: “To this day, I am thankful that these three young men were not timid about the truth.” By acting on this divine opportunity, DeLoriea was able to understand the message of Christ, completely transforming her life forever.

While all of us will feel stuck at some point in time, this isn’t the place that God wants us to stay. Instead, He wants us to draw near to Him and to walk out the plans and purposes that He has for us to do the good work of sharing the gospel around the world.

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For years people have wondered if Bohemian Grove is real, and if it is, what happens there and are there actual initiation ceremonies that take place?

After last night’s Oscars where celebrities applauded one another for their work in the film industry and others made remarks in support of Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war, Hollywood is flooding the web and social media. Even when John Cena ran on stage without clothes, some wondered if this could be a Bohemian Grove initiation practice. So, what if there’s something more to what is happening behind-the-scenes with some of the world’s most elite people?

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In a reaction video, Ruslan KD shared Alex Jones’ footage from The Bohemian Club, which documented strange ceremonial practices that reflected Satanism.

In what appears to be a liturgy reading outside in the middle of the night, voices can be heard saying, “…Not for thee the…forgiveness or the restful grave. Fire shall have its will of thee! And all the winds make merry with thy dust! Bring fire!”

These chants, as the video documents, is “a mixture of the Babylonian, Canaanite cult of Molech.” The documentary further explains how part of this type of ritual is part of a satanic one where the “female” part of Satan is first called upon, mixing it with “masonic rights from Scotland.”

This background of occult-like practices at Bohemian Grove is not only known, but those who have found themselves in the spotlight like boxer Ryan Garcia are detailing what he says is a very real cult brimming with immoral practices.

In an interview with Andrew Tate, Garcia explained what he says he saw as part of Bohemian Grove. He says that he was tied down and saw children being sexually assaulted by “higher elites.” Garcia made it clear he no longer cares if “they” know that he is speaking out about what is happening and that he is a “god.”

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Garcia’s ex-wife, Drea, even posted to her Instagram story, “If all my followers who are believers can please pray for Ryan. We are not together and I’ve been in contact with him and he may seem fine but he is not. I know in my heart he is being heavily oppressed. This is not a troll I’m genuinely concerned and so is all his family members we are not part of any of this and want him to get better but this is real. Pray for him.”

The exposure of what’s been happening with the rich and famous has also come out on Joe Rogan’s podcast. In a recent episode, musician Kid Rock shared his own experience at Bohemian Grove, seeing celebrities and politicians there with odd practices like worshipping an owl statue and insinuating that he needed to perform a certain way if he’d like to stay in good graces with them.

Furthermore, comedian Katt Williams also suggested to Rogan that he could see transgenderism would become a cultural norm years before it ever did. He mentions one of the reasons for this and other odd agendas by celebrities came along because of worship of the goat-man demon, Baphomet. Williams had also predicted people would desire to be dubbed as the “goat,” something that has become very common in our society today as people seek affirmation to be the “greatest of all time.”

Whether it’s through the secret satanic rituals now being exposed from those in the limelight or the blatant worship of the demonic through performances like Sam Smith’s at the Grammy’s, Demi Lovato’s blasphemous music video or Ice Spice and Taylor Swift’s openly using demonic symbols, there’s something to be learned. There is darkness in Hollywood, and there are plenty in need of the light of Christ to radically transform their lives with His tender love and mercy. {eoa}

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In an exclusive Beyond The Article interview, Mondo De La Vega shared about the importance of timing and how he’s seen the hand of God come upon him and protect him, all in His perfect timing.

Quoting the words that T.D. Jakes said to him years ago, Vega says, “Just because you’re called doesn’t mean that you’re ready for your call.”

This helped him to realize that just because someone offers you something, does not necessarily mean that it is the right moment for that gift to be utilized.

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Discussing his new book, “My Crazy Life,” Vega says how imperative it that we understand God’s promises and the varying moments that help reshape us into the people we were designed to become. Just as he recognizes that the timing for every single thing under the sun has to be just right, he saw how the timing for his own book, for his own works, had to align with God’s perfect timing.

“Back then, 26 years ago, I was not stable in my ways,” Vega says. “Even though I came to Christ, even though I understood the gospel message saved me, yet my life was not yet stable.”

It’s this story of how Vega was radically transformed by the gospel message after living a hard life as a gang member on the streets of L.A. that changed his view on God and being called by the Creator of heaven and earth for such a time as this.

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In his feature article of Charisma Magazine Online, Vega writes, “One day my sister did what many feared to do, and that was to step into my world.” He continues: “She simply said, ‘Mondo, what if God is real? What if prayer works? What if you have a different destiny? God has chosen you and has protected you.'”

After coming to this reality that God is real and that He is good and holy, Mondo not only accepted Christ, but he’s spent his life working unto the Lord. However, there was a timing and stability in his life that was needed before the fruit could be produced. He explains that what most people are missing are roots where God has planted them so He can utilize them for their full potential.

“I was afraid of peace, I was afraid of love, I was afraid of having a relationship with someone, I was afraid of even understanding what life can look like with hope,” Vega says.

It takes time for these traits—peace, love and hope—to develop. It is by taking the necessary time to become firmly planted in the Word of God, in God’s ultimate love and guidance, that we can move forward as the people He always intended for us to be.

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